"Is he going to be alright?"

Giovanni Zatara was unconscious, laying on a bed in Wayne Manor. Alfred was examining him, paying attention particularly to his eye. "I'm afraid that the damage to his eye is permanent. There's nothing I can do for it. His other injuries, while also severe, are treatable. But don't worry miss, your father will be fine."

Zatanna nodded gratefully. "Where's Bruce?"

"I believe Master Bruce is in his cave at the moment. After dropping off Detective Gordon, he decided to review some evidence."

"Right." She walked over and kissed Alfred on the cheek. "Thank you, Alfred."

Alfred smiled before Zatanna walked down to the Cave to see Bruce sitting at his computer. He had bruises on his face and body and bandages were wrapped all around him.

"How's your father?" Bruce asked.

She walked up next to him. "He'll be fine. Might be wearing an eye patch though..."

Bruce glanced at her. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head before motioning at the screen. "What're you doing?"

"I found this," He took out a pendant with Arabic letters on it. "In Kobra's room."

"What's it say?"

"الغول رأش "

"What does that mean?"

"'The Ghoul's Head'. I've been searching for anything, any references where this name may have been used but I've found nothing."

"You think someone orchestrated all of this?"

"Maybe. More likely, Kobra himself was working with someone else and broke off. Someone higher up. Someone dangerous, lurking in the shadows and waiting to strike."

Zatanna glanced at news report taking place on another screen. "Bruce."

Bruce brought the report to the main screen.

"Today marks a remarkable day in Gotham history. Oswald Cobblepot testified in court, detailing all the meetings and talks he ever had with the crime lord Carmine Falcone. All of Falcone's associates, from underground crime associates to Senator of the State, have been arrested. Notable police officers Lieutenant Arnold Flass and Branden Grimes were taken into custody while all charges, per a deal made with our new DA Harvey Dent, were dropped on Cobblepot."

Oswald walked into Arkham Asylum, going to the phone booth and sitting down. Behind the glass was Dr. Jonathan Crane a.k.a. the Scarecrow. Oswald picked up the phone.

"Dr. Crane, how are things?"

"Quite fantastic, actually." He spat out sarcastically. "I saw you on the television. Let me ask you something Cobblepot, did you plan all of this?"

Cobblepot grinned devilishly. "I certainly never counted on our masked friend invading and destroying half of the city but, yes. When I had heard of this Batman, I deduced that he would be of great use in controlling Falcone's empire. The process was rather crude but in the end, I achieved my goal."

Crane chuckled. "You are quite a devious bastard, Cobblepot."

"I appreciate the compliment, my incarcerated friend."

"Now that you're the head of everything, you can get me out of here."

Cobblepot leaned back in his chair. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane but your services…" He stood up from the chair and turned around, showing his back. "Are no longer required."

Crane's eyes widened before he scowled in fury. "Cobblepot, you bastard! I will get you for this, Penguin! Do you hear me?! I will make you experience fear beyond your wildest comprehension!"

The orderlies then came and pulled a struggling Crane away.

As nighttime fell, Gordon stood at the rooftop of the GCPD. He put a cigar in his mouth and lit it, letting the smoke into his lungs and taking in the cool, calming feeling. He blew it out, letting the smoke overtake the air in front of him. The door to roof opened and Harvey Dent walked out, flipping his coin.

"Hey, Jim."

Gordon turned around. "Harvey, glad you could come."

"I was able to sneak away when my assistant wasn't looking. I heard about your promotion to lieutenant. Congratulations."

"Thanks. The captain's probably going to be promoted to Commissioner."

"Yeah? That mean you'll be Captain pretty soon too."

"Not looking forward to it in the slightest, believe me."

Harvey stuck his hands into his pockets, looking around the night city. For some reason, the city lights at night didn't seem like such a lie. Like such an illusion. The air in the city didn't seem as polluted. It felt cleaner, but not by much, as there was still dirt in the air. Dirt in the city that needed to be cleaned. "So why did you call me?"

"Because I asked him to." Batman emerged from the shadows, ever dark and imposing.

"I heard about Santa Prisca getting blown to hell. Got anything to do with you?" Harvey asked with a smirk.

"KOBRA won't be bothering us anymore." Gordon replied. "Let's leave it at that."

Harvey nodded with a small smile. "So why'd you call me up here, Batman?"

He walked to the edge of the roof, overlooking the city. The wind began to pick up, lifting his cape and allowing it to flow in the air. "I heard you made a deal to expose all of Falcone's assets and partnerships. We destroyed the drug trade, eliminating that facet and its threat to this city. But now that Falcone is out of the picture, we're going to have others scrambling to take his place."

"You're right." Harvey replied. "So what do you suggest? We work together?"

Batman turned around and nodded. Gordon and Harvey glanced at each other. "You know, it's not going to look good – the lieutenant of the GCPD and DA working with a vigilante." Gordon took a another puff of his cigar.

"Why Gordon," A mirthful Harvey Dent interjected. "That almost sounds like a yes."

Gordon blew out the smoke. "It sure as hell isn't a no."

Batman handed each of them small cellphones with a bat symbol on the back. "When you need me," He turned around and stepped onto the ledge. "Call me."

Batman jumped off the ledge and glided away, the mesmerizing look of his cape encapturing or scaring those of whom spied it from below. Harvey looked on from the ledge. He had a feeling, in his soul, that dirt would fade one day. One day, they would win the war.

Oswald looked out the balcony of his flat high in the city. It was fairly expensive but worth it. It was simple too, for an aristocrat anyway. A few pictures of Renaissance-era art, a couple of statues of Michelangelo and Leanardo Da Vinci, nothing extravagant. Oswald smiled as he breathed in the air of the city. It was his now. He heard a flutter behind him and turned around to see the Caped Crusader with his cape draped around him and his scowl ever present.

"I want you to know something, Cobblepot. You may think you've gained a victory, but you've done nothing more than turn yourself into my prey. I will always be watching you, keeping track of every move, every idea, every breath. And if you do anything, anything, to hurt my city… I'll haunt your nightmares for the rest of your life."

Batman aimed his grappling launcher towards another building and swung away, leaving Cobblepot to release a breath that he didn't know he was holding. He glanced at his hand to see that it was trembling. He snarled before grabbing it roughly, glaring at the Bat as he disappeared from view.

The next day, Alfred drove Bruce to his company. As Alfred opened Bruce's door, news reporters swarmed him with various questions.

"Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne! What're you going to do now that you own the company?"

"Mr. Wayne, are you going to help rebuild Gotham City?"

"Mr. Wayne, how did you survive the attack on your house?"

Bruce eventually managed to get inside the building, walking inside and stepping inside the elevator. He let it take him to the top floor, where the conference room was. He stepped out and walked inside to see the entire board there.

"Gentlemen," He greeted as he walked to the front of the table. "I want to thank you all for coming here this afternoon. I only have one quick announcement." He placed his hands on the table, leaning forward with a smile. "As the now sole owner of all the company's shares, I wish to say simply one thing… You're all fired!"

The board was shocked, some murmured while others were simply outraged.

Gordon held his wife's hand as the doctor delivered her baby.

"Push, push!"

"Urgggghhhhh!"

Soon, the cries of new life were heard in the room. Gordon and Barbara gasped as the baby was wrapped in a towel and handed to the mother. "It's a boy." The doctor said.

Barbara and Gordon smiled at their child. Gordon held his hand toward him, and the baby reached out and squeezed his finger with all his might. Gordon laughed, a tear of joy trailing down his cheek. After the nurse took the baby away, Gordon left Barbara to sleep. He checked his cellphone to see that he had one missed message. He called it back. After a few rings, someone picked up.

"Hey, Bob, I saw you called me."

"Uncle Jim?"

"Barbara? Hey, is everything okay?"

He heard a stifled sob. "N-no, Mom and Dad… they… they were in an accident… a car accident… they… died this morning."

"Oh, my God, Barbara, I-I'm so sorry… Are you okay?"

A sniffle. "Y-yeah… Uncle Jim… can I… can I stay with you? I don't have anywhere else to go..."

"Yeah, of course you can stay with us. I'll arrange a flight for you and we'll take care of you, Barbara."

"Thanks, Uncle Jim..."

Lucius walked into the conference room to see Bruce staring out at the city with his hands in his pockets.

"I heard you got rid of the entire board?"

"They knew about Daggett's involvement with Falcone and a few were even involved in it. I'll get a new board. Ones I can trust. And I'd like you to be a part of it, Lucius."

"I suppose I could. It would take me away from my responsibilities in R&D."

"I'm sure we could find a replacement." Bruce spied folders tucked under Lucius's arm. "What're those?"

"If you're the CEO now, I figure you should know more about who works at your company." He handed him the folders. Bruce flipped through them before stopping at one of particular interest.

"Your employee in R&D seems pretty remarkable. He got an Engineering degree at Gotham University." He glanced at his name before whistling at its length. "That's a long name. 'Jeremy Olsen Kinnsley Eckhart Ross'.

"Yeah. He's transferring to another job though."

"Where?"

"Ace Chemicals."

"I see." He stood up, fixing his suit. "I suppose I should bid him farewell in person."

Bruce walked down to the engineer's office, knocking twice on the door.

"Come in." Came the voice on the other side.

Bruce entered, taking in the sight of the near empty office. The man was packing a box. He was lanky, with curly brown hair and brown eyes. He had a pointy nose and a friendly grin on his face.

"Mr. Wayne, how can I help you?"

"Jeremy, I just wanted to personally thank you for your service here at Wayne Enterprises. You've done tremendous work."

"Well, I appreciate that, Mr. Wayne."

"May I ask why you're leaving?"

"Uh, well, actually, my wife's pregnant." He announced with a smile.

"Well, congratulations. I pray that your baby is healthy and fat."

Jeremy laughed. "Me too. Thanks, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce nodded before exiting the office, leaving him to pack.

"We ask people on the street of their opinion about the man or creature who has been getting so much attention lately – the Batman. Deadly menace or Dark Knight? We ask Gothamites on the streets for their thoughts.:"

"Guy's a damn hero, taking it to the man and fighting for the little guy. He's A-OK in my book.

"He's a menace. Striking at the heart of our foundation, at the heart of what makes America the greatest country in the world."

"Quite frankly, I'm surprised there ain't a thousand more like 'em. He's takin' back what's ours."

"'Batman'? I'm tired of hearing about him. Why can't he just let stuff go, like the rest of us? We count too!"

"I saw a woman getting mugged on the subway. I don't know what it was, man, but I jumped up and whooped the guy. All I could keep thinking is what would Batman do?"

"Mr. Batman is a nice man. He's saved me from a burning building! He's like… like a Dark Angel."

Bruce walked down to his Cave, a dim and dark cave, and walked to the middle of the room. His stride was slow, careful and purposeful. The sound of fluttery, leather wings could be heard overhead. Screeches of the terrible creatures of the night. Bruce inhaled deeply before glancing up to see him. The fearsome bat, rare in population. It possessed red eyes, like a demon. Its fangs were long. Bruce remembered them well. He could still feel the bite, the burning feeling of teeth being punctured into his neck. The bat spread its arms, its wings a blood red. Bruce exhaled.

"I'm no longer afraid of you."

The bat screeched and flew down, its mouth wide and open, revealing its fangs. The bat got closer but Bruce held its glare. At the last moment, the bat swooped down to his feet and began circling his body. Other bats followed its pattern, circling Bruce's body. Soon, a myriad of bats were circling Bruce's body in an almost helix-like formation. Bruce spread his arms and closed his eyes as he embraced the feeling of the Bat.

Later that night, Bruce stood on a rooftop, overlooking the city he's sworn to protect. He's taken down the foes that have stricken it with a plague but new ones would arise, this he felt within his bones. He was dressed in his suit, his cowl hanging back and his cape flowing lightly in the wind. He made a promise on the grave of his parents to protect the city they died trying to change. His father had entrusted him with this task and no matter the foe, he would not quit. He threw his cowl on as he heard a scream. His spread his cape as if it were wings and jumped. He flew, inspiring fear and courage on all who watched him from below. From now on, he would be known by two names. By day, people will know him as Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy and CEO of Wayne Industries but at night, criminals, a superstitious and cowardly lot, will know him as the Batman.

FIN