Notes: as much as I like Batman, one problem with the various versions of him is that it's hard to truly conclude them. After all, he fights a war on crime that can never be won. I am trying to do the next best thing with my Defender of Gotham series of fanfics: do a big story that wraps things up with a bang. Let me know when the time comes.
Also, as always, I remind you that this version of Catwoman is black. A couple media interpretations of her were, so I have precedence on my side.
Bruce Wayne's perspective:
It had been a fall and early winter of surprises for Gotham City. Although Councilman Pete Trobotti had won the mayoral election in a landslide with the help of his organized crime contacts, The Huntress had blackmailed those very contacts into threatening to kill Trobotti if he accepted the Mayor's Mansion. It was Charles Falsootu, Trobotti's candidate for Deputy Mayor, who had been sworn in as Mayor.
As a result, Gotham had a thirty-six-year-old Mayor, the youngest ever to hold this office. This man had little of a record. In fact, he had actually been chosen precisely because of his youth and inexperience, so as to add fresh blood to Trobotti's ticket. He had never actually been intended to become Mayor without becoming more experience in politics. But fate has a way of destroying the best-laid plans.
It was for this reason that Bruce Wayne was delaying his patrol as The Batman long enough to watch Falsootu's State of the City Address in person. Bruce's status in the business community gave him a seat.
Falsootu had been vague about what he intended to do in his Inaugural Address, only promising to "Clean up Gotham." Every Mayor in Gotham's history had made this promise. None had been able to keep it.
Perhaps to show that he was serious, Falsootu began the State of the City by addressing crime. "You may not know many outside city limits, so I'll tell you what popular opinion of Gotham City is. It's that this is Heaven for criminals. As hard as that is to hear, it's at least a partial truth." Despite the tough love, members of the City Council and other guests clapped.
"Knowing you have a problem is only the first step," continued Falsootu. "We must solve it. Therefore, as of tonight, I am placing a warrant for the arrest of the vigilante known as The Batman and his allies." Some clapped. Others were in surprised silence.
Oh, no. Was Batman about to have to start escaping the police?
"I am also prepared to offer reward money for anyone who apprehends or provides information leading to the arrest or arrests of these criminals," said Falsootu. "Ten thousand dollars for the capture of the child known as Robin. And I implore this teenage boy: turn yourself in. Because you a brainwashed child, we are willing to forgive."
Accused of using a child like street gangs do. That sure is hard to take!
"Twenty-five thousand will be offered for the capture of The Huntress," continued Falsootu. "The Batgirl and Nightwing are valued at fifty thousand. I should note that Nightwing must be apprehended in Gotham City limits. I have no authority over, Bludhaven. And I'm not asking for it. I'm confident that Mayor Phillips of Bludhaven will do what is right and prosecute her own loose cannon."
Bruce took his phone out of his pocket and texted Dick Grayson, AKA, Nightwing: "I don't need your help with my current problem. Stay in Bludhaven where it's slightly safer."
Falsootu had a stern face as he addressed Batman himself. "As for the leader of this rat pack, Batman himself, he has chosen to thumb his nose at the law. He does what is the job of the police without any of the tact or subtlety required. And worse, he has indoctrinated innocent women and children into this. The reward for his capture can be no less than a hundred thousand dollars!"
Once again, a divide between applause and silence spread throughout the chamber.
"I thank those who I can tell recognize the wisdom of my decision," smiled Falsootu. "Unfortunately, I can also see others, including members of the police, media, and City Council who want to make public statements defending Batman and his friends. You'll say that he has not crossed the line. You'll call him a hero for bringing archcriminals to justice. This is why I must respectfully disagree. Someone who tip-toes towards the line has already gone too far! Commissioner Gordon has been trying to get him to step back, but he won't listen. I am not waiting before Batman snaps."
Mix of applause and silence.
"And as for his heroism," argued Falsootu, "I want everyone here to ask themselves why before The Dark Knight had made a name for himself, none of the crime sprees of The Joker, Poison Ivy, Mad Hatter, Two-Face, or Killer Croc had ever happened? The answer, it seems, is that Batman has made the following challenge: Gotham City is mine. Try and take it! Since then, they have all attacked this fair city at least three times each. And we cannot forget the Traylor crime family in this. After all, they and their matriarch, with her attraction to Batman, took over the Gotham underworld only on Batman's watch. His challenge is itself to blame for them! I say enough is enough! Gotham City doesn't need a champion who draws such negative attention."
Bruce would have felt very, very angry if he had not heard this argument before. Now one of the people making it was in charge. Batman's life had just gotten more complicated.
Lieutenant Marc Freeman's perspective:
Few members of the GCPD leadership liked the direction that the new Mayor had chosen to go in. And now Freeman, Detective Harvey Bullock, and Sergeant Renee Montoya were overhearing the dispute between Commissioner James Gordon and Mayor Falsootu the morning after he had declared war on The Batman.
"I won't do it," said Gordon. "And that's final. You've got him wrong, Mr. Mayor."
"I know you've been misguided in your support for him," said Falsootu, "But your Mayor is giving you an order."
"Believe me," said Gordon. "I don't want to disrespect your authority. But you're asking me to punish a man for being a hero. I cannot do that."
"As an officer of the law," Falsootu reminded Gordon, "You are sworn to obey orders by your Mayor."
"In that case," said Gordon, "I resign in protest."
"You've been serving this force well since I was a little boy," said Falsootu with a voice that indicated a heavy heart. "Don't do this. This is almost forty years of service. He doesn't deserve it."
"He saved my children," said Gordon. "Don't bother twisting that into some hidden agenda. I don't want to hear it... sir. I won't trade my dignity for my career. At my age, I'll get fired in the next five years, anyway."
Damn you, Falsootu!
Within seconds, Gordon had walked out of the room, but stopped. "My retirement's come early. You'll have to ask his honor who your next Commissioner will be. It's been an honor to serve with you, Freeman, Montoya, Bullock."
"And you," said Freeman, giving Gordon a military salute.
"Enjoy your retirement," said Montoya.
"Don't take shit from nobody," suggested Bullock.
Gordon walked to the nearest elevator. Many officers acknowledged him with heavy hearts.
"Freeman, inside," called Falsootu. Freeman entered.
"I'll announce his replacement first thing tomorrow," promised Falsootu. "For now, you have two duties. First of all, we are throwing a goodbye party for the former Commissioner at 3:15. Second, you are to turn on the Batsignal so we can celebrate Batman's own retirement tonight."
"Yes, sir," said Freeman. Of course, he planned to sabotage the Batsignal. It would be difficult to do so without getting caught, but he had to try. After all, with a mad Mayor, Gotham needed The Dark Knight's help like never before!
Barbara Gordon's perspective:
Because Commissioner James Gordon was Barbara's father and Bruce had a good working relationship with him, Bruce had giving himself and Barbara (an office worker at Wayne Enterprises) the rest of the day off to honor one of Gotham's greatest cops.
Barbara could not help noticing that Bruce was still dressed in a plain suit at a party. "Why didn't you change?" asked Barbara. "Wait... do you find it hard to dress without Alfred?"
"Well..." began Bruce.
Barbara tried not to laugh, but still whispered into Bruce's ear, "Sometimes I think you play your helpless rich man role too well for your own good. I've embarrassed you long enough." She walked over to her father, who was drinking wine.
"It's not right," said Jimmy, who was already next to his father, James.
"Sometimes life isn't right," said James.
"What now?" asked Barbara.
"I'm staying in Gotham long enough for little Jimmy to get into college," explained James. "After that, I'll probably move to Florida."
"That's it?" asked Barbara. "You're giving up?"
"You don't understand," said James. "I'm a police officer... or at least I was. The Mayor has fired me. I strongly disagree with his course of action, but it's his decision. I'm not challenging it."
"He deserves to be questioned," insisted Jimmy. Barbara nodded in agreement.
"It's not about 'deserve,'" James said. "Perhaps I'm not making myself clear. The Mayor doesn't have to earn my compliance. It's been his since he took the oath."
"What about Batman?" asked Barbara. And Batgirl, who happens to be me.
"If he doesn't do the same," said James, "He and his friends are in big trouble. But to be honest, they're ten percent at fault here."
"How?" asked Barbara. She was surprised to hear that from James, Batman's strongest advocate.
"I tried to warn Batman," said James, now frustrated. "He thumbs his nose at authority, is only seen when he wants to be, is excessively violent, surprises allies from behind. That last part is one thing I won't miss about this job."
"Hey, he gets the job done," Jimmy defended Batman.
"True," acknowledged James. "But many don't see it that way. He doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks of him. But making too many enemies and too few friends is a terrible way to do business. Now he's on the most wanted list with The Joker and Poison Ivy when they're on the loose. And this time, I can't do anything about it."
Barbara felt a mix of anger and depression fill her. She felt for her father for the way his career had ended. She also felt for Batman. He never showed much emotion. But Barbara knew that deep down inside, he had to be heartbroken that the city he had spent his adult life defending had turned against him.
Barbara's anger was directed at Falsootu. This was all his fault. His paranoia had lead him destroy one of the world's finest men and he sought to do the same to another. But the chain of command did tie James' hands. Batgirl could actually do something about this.
Bruce's perspective:
"How was the party?" asked Tim when the two were in Wayne Manor, waiting for Barbara.
"I routinely flirt with death," said Bruce. "But never have I been hurt as much as I was today at that party when I knew that Jim's career had been ended because he wouldn't do the wrong thing."
"What about Babs?"
"She's taking it even harder."
"We should ask her about it, both as allies and as friends," suggested Alfred.
Soon enough, Barbara arrived.
"How you holding up?" asked Tim.
"Awfully," said Barbara with cold anger.
"I lost my parents in a worse way," Bruce reminded her. "I know what you're going through."
"Not for long," said Barbara. "I know what Batgirl's gotta do: rub out the Mayor!"
"Absolutely not," declared Bruce.
"Don't say it won't solve anything," said Barbara. "It just might. The next guy might not agree with what he's done."
"You sound a gangster," said Tim.
"You know I'm right," said Batgirl.
"You know I won't let you do it," said Bruce forcefully.
"I was originally an independent crimefighter," Barbara returned Bruce's force with her own. "You can't stop me."
"Maybe, maybe not," admitted Bruce. "But if not, then in the law's eyes - and mine - you'll be no different from The Joker."
Barbara paused. "I don't want to fight the two of you."
"Then you can't do this, Barbara."
"Even after he ruined dad's life?"
"Do you think he wants you to ruin your own?"
"No." A tear rolled down Barbara's cheek. It no longer looked like she would go through with it, but Bruce sneaked a Bat-Tracer onto the Batcycle, just the same.
Batgirl's perspective:
Batgirl was cycling through Gotham. She seethed, still upset about what had happened to her father and the bounty that was on her head and those of her allies. Batgirl knew that Bruce had been right to talk her out of killing. Given time to reconsider, she liked to think she would have, but she was not sure. A woman could only be pushed so hard.
Batgirl saw two hoods in black clothes and masks walking towards the 3rd National Bank of Gotham. A little late to be entering the bank, especially with these clothes.
Batgirl waited. Sure enough, those same people came out with loaded bags, evidently with money burglarized from the vault. Batgirl charged at them and leapt at them with her fists outstretched, knocking them down.
"Uh-uh-uh," said Batgirl. "That's not yours."
"I thought you'd gone badder than us," said one of the burglars. Shouldn't have said that. Touchy subject for me right now. Batgirl assaulted them with her fists and feet. Soon enough they were moaning in agony on the ground.
Batgirl immediately realized that she had been too rough with them. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her neck. A tranquilizer dart had hit her through the gap in the back of her mask through which her long red hair could be seen. Then a heavy drowsiness rapidly flowed through her body. She spun around but now much weaker and clumsier, she fell on her back.
Batgirl pushed down on the ground to help rise into a sit. She saw a man with red hair and a beard holding a tranquilizer gun. He looked three inches taller and a few dozen pounds heavier than Batman. "Who are you?" asked Batgirl.
"Shane Fromm," said the man. "My enemies call me The Fox because I always sniff out the bounties. You're my target, beautiful."
"Not every girl catches a buff bounty hunter's eye," joked Batgirl. She had heard of The Fox. Supposedly, he was considered to be Gotham's second toughest guy and felt insulted by that stature. On more than one occasion, he had beaten Batman to an archcriminal. Now he had Batgirl where he wanted her.
"Listen," said Batgirl. "Me and my comrades only want to help the fight for justice. Falsootu's got us all wrong."
"Tell the jury that," said The Fox. "They'll actually care. I collect bounties. No more. No less."
He aimed his rifle at Batgirl's face. She covered herself in her protective cape in time to deflect the dart. "You're delaying the inevitable," said The Fox. You've got maybe an hour before you pass out. I'm patient."
He was right. But Batgirl had one trick that might save her. She used her free hand to put on a gas mask and started dropping smoke bombs. Upon realizing that Batgirl was covered in smoke, The Fox fired a dart. Fortunately, Batgirl had not uncovered herself with her cape.
With the smoke spreading, The Fox walked towards it. Batgirl threw a Batarang. She could still see well enough to make out the "shadowy" gun. Unfortunately, she was so drowsy that she completely missed.
"You can't win, beautiful," said The Fox, entering the smoke. He began swinging the handle of the tranquilizer rifle around. He almost hit her a few times, but by concentrating, Batgirl was able to get enough of her focus back to detect The Fox' movement by ear and slip away to the Batcycle. Bruce had been right to teach her how to use her non-visual senses.
Batgirl thought for just a minute about taking The Fox down. Wishful thinking; Batgirl was in no shape to fight. Her night was over.
By the time the Batcycle pulled into the Batcave, Batgirl felt absolutely awful!
"Greetings Madam Bat..." began Alfred before realizing that Batgirl was not well. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be... fine." It was hard for Batgirl to talk. "Some bounty hunter hit me with a tranquilizer dart in the back of the head."
"Master Bruce and I warned you that you should cut your hair short rather than have a vulnerable spot," Alfred reminded her.
"Shut... up," said Batgirl before passing out.
Batman's perspective:
Batman's first drive to Gotham in the post-Gordon era was the longest. For a brief moment, the Batsignal turned on. Then it went off. It was either sabotage by a friendly officer or the realization that Batman would not answer.
The mugger Batman and Robin had dispatched was the third crime they had solved. Unfortunately, Batman did not get the same fulfillment in this that he used to. Not knowing that the city he vowed to protect had turned against him for no good reason.
After ascending on top of a skyscraper to get a better view of the city block, Batman and Robin began looking around for crimes.
"How does it feel?" A familiar black, female voice called. Batman turned around.
"Catwoman," shouted Robin.
"Quiet, Robin," cautioned Batman. "We're wanted, remember? We can't be seen by the police."
"I wanna talk about that," said The Catwoman. She was smiling with hands on hips, much to Batman's displeasure. "This is philosophical. Kids aren't allowed."
"Oh, no," said Robin. "You're not pushing me..."
"Get in the Batmobile," said Batman. "No buts. Get!" This went against his better judgment, but for some reason, he felt like talking to Catwoman about this. Robin took the grappling hook from his Batgrapple and used it to descend to the ground.
"Just us grownups," said Catwoman. "Being hunted down like an animal isn't fun, is it? Then again we kind of are animals. Sorry. Guess I shouldn't expect you to have a sense of humor right now. Not that you ever did."
"I feel betrayed," said Batman.
"You should," said Catwoman. "I can name at least two times you've not only solved a crime that the cops couldn't, but actually saved this mean town. How many times would you say you did?"
"I'd say at least half a dozen times," said Batman.
"And this is your reward," noted Catwoman. "You're more of a public enemy than me. I'm jealous."
"What are you getting at, Selina?" asked Batman.
"You know I lost my mother because she and my father couldn't afford to have me delivered properly. Dad was... well, I'll never know if the police were in the wrong. We were poor black people of the ghetto. Not privileged people. I may not know who you are, Batman, but I have a hunch you are privileged. Then you became too powerful. So the system turns on you."
"What do you want me to do?" Snapped Batman. "Become like you? A criminal? I can't do that."
"Of course not," said Catwoman. "I may be philosophical, but I don't think big. I just steal to survive. You do think big. So why don't you fight back against this system. I'll help."
"It's amazing how someone can be totally right yet still be wrong," said Batman. "I will never resort to attempting to wrongfully grab power. You can't clean up a mess by spraying ketchup and mustard all over it. You're probably disappointed in me. Get over it. I am what I am. And while I care enough about you to risk my life for you, I will never become corrupt for you."
Catwoman nodded but remained calm. "You won't have a choice."
"Oh?"
Catwoman moved in nose-to-nose with Batman, The Princess of Plunder's smile broadening even more. "You can't keep out of the cops' sight if you're gonna keep picking fights. Sooner or later, they're gonna catch you."
"Do you really expect that to scare me?" asked Batman.
"Of course not," said Catwoman. "That's not the point. I'll be there to bust you out. And you'll owe me. Not to mention whatever other life you have will be screwed! You won't have a choice."
"Or I can take you down right now and drop you in on the cops, forcing you to rehabilitate," threatened Batman, grabbing Catwoman by the wrists. This was difficult to do. Catwoman was right about one thing. The government of Gotham seemed decreasingly worth giving your heart for now to Batman. He feared he would not have his heart enough in this fight to prevail.
"Dumb shit," Catwoman spat on Batman's lips. "I'm much more of a friend to you than..." She stopped talking as searchlights enveloped them. They looked up to see three police helicopters above.
"Batman, Catwoman," called a cop over a megaphone, "You're under arrest. You have a right to remain silent."
"No, thanks," said Catwoman. She and Batman retreated. Batman sent a signal to the Batmobile Navicomputer through the remote in his belt.
"What are you doing?" asked Catwoman.
"Telling Robin to get out of here," said Batman.
"And not pick us up?" shouted Catwoman.
"He's a boy," said Batman. "And before you argue, you're faster than me. Why aren't you pulling ahead?"
"Don't tempt me," said Catwoman.
A few minutes of retreating from the choppers commenced. Batman and Catwoman were making no headway, but Batman finally noticed a construction site. "There," he pointed to it. They hopped onto one of the steel beams of the unfinished building and moved around the open-ended building. Soon enough, they seemed to have lost their pursuing aircraft.
"No wonder I like you," said Catwoman. "Nobody pulls off upsets quite like you." She leaned in as if to kiss.
"Save it," said Batman, pointing to several police cars driving to the construction site. "Now the chopper pilots can just pull back to keep us from escaping as they seek us out."
"Oh, no," said Catwoman faintly. "Can't hide forever, can't leave. What the Hell are we gonna do now?"
"Working on it," promised Batman. "As long as we don't reveal our weapons, they won't shoot."
Catwoman laughed, albeit quietly. "How can I tell you've never had to deal with the police before? This is what I meant by privilege. And, no, being chased by that crazy white journalist bitch doesn't count it. The cops know we've always had weapons before. That's enough for them to shoot us if we don't give up."
"Then whatever we come up with," realized Batman, "It's got to be soon."
"Face it," said Catwoman. "We're screwed." She wrapped her right arm around Batman's neck. "Guess we go to prison or the cemetery together."
"Let me concentrate," said Batman. Catwoman seemed disappointed, so Batman added, "You might be free to seduce me another night." He closed his eyes. This would take all his talents in ventriloquism.
"Alright, Catwoman, let's go," Batman, threw his voice several stories below his current location. The searchlights went to that story; all the cops on foot were climbing towards it.
"Up top," Batman lead an astonished Catwoman gradually to the highest point. "Hang on." Catwoman grabbed hold of Batman as he Batgrappled them to another building. After five minutes of running and jumping from rooftop to rooftop, they were in the clear.
"As much as I could do without the cold feet of a guy," grinned Catwoman, "Congrats! You got us out of one Hell of a jam! But I hope you now realize that they're not worth it."
"Sorry," said Batman. "As long as I have a choice, I don't think I can do that."
"You might not have a choice much longer," argued Catwoman. "If they even let you live. Bye, Batman. I hope this isn't the last time we see each other."
Batman looked away lest he give into temptation. Between his affections for Catwoman and his anger towards the Gotham City government, doing the right thing had never been so hard.
But that was being unfair to Catwoman. She had toughened him up when it came to the corruption in the city. Otherwise, he may be in jail or dead.
Batman had been negligent in dealing with this corruption. That ended now. But the battle against corruption began with the arrogant, power-hungry Mayor, Charles Falsootu. His authoritarianism and fear of all he could not control had betrayed the heroes of Gotham and destroyed a good man's career.
But if you shoot at a hero, you had better not miss! Falsootu had started a war in which there would be only one winner.