The next chapter of The Tapes.
Batman presses the button on his cowl again.
"Have you found anything?" Batman questions.
"A lot easier than the previous hack." Oracle answers, "...It seems to be coming from... no..."
"Where?" Batman demands to know, sensing the concern in her voice.
"...Crime Alley." Oracle replies. Batman is silent for a moment, then ends the transmission. He takes off in the direction of the notorious alley, bracing himself for the possible danger that could be waiting for him.
"What are you planning, Jason?" Batman thinks to himself, as he draws closer to his destination. He lands firmly on the ground at the entrance of Crime Alley, slowly looking up to look down the dark alley. He stands to his feet and slowly trails his way down it, remaining cautious the whole time. Eventually, he stops, staring straight ahead at the all too familiar chalk lines of Thomas and Martha Wayne. In the center of the chalk lines was a cellphone, which begins to ring. Batman narrows his eyes as he slowly approaches the phone and picks it up. He presses talk and places the phone to his ear.
"Took you long enough." the familiar voice of the Red Hood states on the other line, "Letting the passage of time get to you, old man?"
"I see you're still lacking in modesty" Batman says.
"So, you've figured it out, maybe I was wrong." Red Hood replies.
"It wouldn't be the first time." Batman informs, "And it's sure not to be the last."
"You know, some parents would be overjoyed by the news that their child is still alive." Red Hood explains, "But you... you just give them the same routine."
"Forgive me if I'm not showering you with love and affection, given the circumstances." Batman states, to which he hears the Red Hood laugh on the other line.
"You're really something else." Red Hood laughs, "After everything we've been through; after everything we've worked for, this is how you react? You turn your back on me?"
"I never turn my back on anyone." Batman informs, "It's you who's turned your back on me, and what I've taught you."
"And for good reason, all you've ever done is hold me back!" Red Hood yells, "I wasn't allowed to reach my full potential when I was under you! And whenever I tried to, you scolded me for it! But now, I don't have anyone to hold me back anymore; I'm without limits! How it was always meant to be!"
"You're wrong." Batman says.
"Am I?" Red Hood replies, "Take a look at everything around you, what do you see? Because all I see is decades upon decades of procrastination, that's ultimately led to the deaths of many. These people don't fear you anymore, they're just intimidated. They know exactly what you're capable of; brute force and scare tactics. What I have is true fear, the fear of the unknown. Face it, Bats, the clown was right! The only way to live in this world is without rules! These pigs only understand bloodshed, and that's exactly what I'm going to give them!"
"Not if I can help it." Batman says, as begins to trace the signal.
"You're out of your league, old man." Red Hood laughs, "I've far surpassed you and all of your expectations." Batman find that the signal was being jammed by some kind of interference. "You should feel proud, one of your star pupils has reached height you never dreamed of." Red Hood informs.
"You mean lows I'd never sink to." Batman replies, as he tries to run another trace.
"You can give up on trying to track me down." Red Hood states, "I know all of your tricks."
"Not all of them." Batman informs, as he puts a hold on the trace and beings to search for the cause of the interference. He realizes that the interference is coming from one of the walls of the alley. He feels the wall for any hidden secrets and finds a loose brick, then removes it. He finds a small scrambler inside and pulls it out, then crushes it. "Too easy." he thinks to himself, narrowing his eyes. He hears a click and suddenly swings around and throws the brick in his hand at the gunman behind him. The gunman, now visible as the Red Hood, ducks under the oncoming brick, only to be tackled by Batman against a wall. Red Hood drives an elbow into Batman's back, then delivers a knee to his face. He takes aim as Batman stumbles back, only for Batman to redirect the gun as he pulled the trigger. He attempts to punch Red Hood, only for him to avoid it. He then receives a forearm to the face, but catches Red Hood's fist when he attempts a punch. But Red Hood expects this, and grabs Batman's arm and uses it as leverage to flip him over to the ground. Batman attempts to rise back to his feet, only for a familiar metallic barrel to be placed to his temple and he instantly freezes in his tracks.
"This is where it all began." Red Hood states, keeping his gun firmly planted against Batman's head, "How fitting would it be if it where also the place where it ends?" Batman remains silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "To die at the hands of your greatest failure." Red Hood says, "But, also your greatest successor. That's what you intended, right, Bruce? That someday I would take up the mantle. Become the hero that Gotham deserves." Still, Batman refuses to speak. "Well, from your position, I probably don't look like much of a hero, now do I?" Red Hood questions, "Not in your eyes, at least." He then pistol whips Batman in the back of the head, sending him to face down to the ground. "Maybe if you'd break that one rule of yours, then maybe your loved ones would stop dying off." the Red Hood states, as he trails his way out of the alley, leaving the disorientated Batman. Lightning cracks in the sky above and rain begins to pour down, as Batman struggles to come to his senses. He tries to prop himself up, only to find an intense pain in his side. He looks down, only to find a bleeding bullet hole. He pieces together that the shot from earlier must have ricocheted.
"Bruce, what happened, are you alright?" Oracle's voice questions in his ear, sounding concerned. Batman struggles to stay conscious, but rapid blood loss and a concussion he's sustained make it impossible. He falls to the ground again, now completely unconscious. "Bruce, your vitals are dropping!" Oracle states, even more frantic, "Bruce? Bruce!"
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. What will happen next? Please Review. Thanks.
