Chapter 2: The Dark Knight Begins Part 1: Welcome Home

March 2007

In an airstrip a few miles away from Gotham City, a plane is descending over. The plane clearly is high tech and luxurious from a simple view. On the side of the plane you can see a logo that is marked by a big letter W on it. The plane lands and ends its run a few meters from a parked black slick car. Next to the car is a man dressed in a dark suit that has a very refined air around him.

The ramp of the plane opens and out comes a clearly handsome young man around his early twenties with black hair and blue eyes that is dressed in a simple blue shirt and black dress trousers. The young man carries his bag out to the car.

"You were gone longer this time around, Master Bruce" the man beside the car says.

"I know Alfred, but this time I needed to finish" Bruce tells him with a simple smile.

Alfred Pennyworth, longtime butler of the Wayne family, smiles as he hears what his young charge says, "Does that mean you are staying for good this time, sir?"

Bruce looks towards Alfred and a very small smile comes to his face "Yes, I'm ready to stay for good this time."

"Excellent. Then shall we go, Sir?"

Bruce gets inside the car and Alfred starts driving towards their destination, Gotham City.


Gotham City, considered one of the biggest Industrial cities in the United States, has always been considered one of its oldest and most storied, and a landmark of the greatness that represents America. Unfortunately, a lot of people seemed to forget when talking about it (unless you live there) of all the crime, corruption and shameless abuse that seemed to also happen in the city.

Bruce Wayne seemed to reflect a lot of this conflict in his face, while seeing the tall buildings of the city from the car in movement.

"Who have you told that I'm back, Alfred?" Bruce asks after a while of driving in silence.

"No one so far, Sir, mostly because I never know for how long you are going to stay but also because I know you appreciate not having a long line of people waiting for you when you are"

"Good, but this time I want to speak as soon as possible with Lucius, both about the status of Wayne Enterprises and my personal project" Bruce responds.

Alfred pauses for a moment while stopping in a red light, and looks towards his ward. He says "Master Bruce, if I may, what exactly is your plan now that you are back for good?"

Bruce's face becomes thoughtful, while memories of a young boy looking at his parent's dead bodies come to his mind. His eyes narrow a little, "Alfred, I told you that my goal is to clean Gotham, to show the criminals that they are not the owners of this city, and to protect those who cannot protect themselves"

Alfred responds: "Yes, sir, you have said as much before, but how exactly are you going to do that?"

"I need to become a symbol, something that will frighten criminals and will stand as a beacon that will protect this city."

"What symbol sir?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I already have a few ideas, that's why I need to speak to Lucius. He has a great amount of knowledge in engineering and science that would be very helpful in the development of the equipment that I will need in my mission." Bruce responds with conviction.


After arriving at Wayne Manor, Bruce went towards his study and waited for the arrival of Lucius while taking some of Alfred's excellent lunch.

A couple of hours later, Lucius Fox, current CEO of Wayne Enterprises, arrived at Wayne Manor.

"Lucius, it's been some time, How are you?" Bruce asked as soon as he saw him.

"I've been fine, Bruce, although look at you, every time I see you, I see more of your Father in you." Lucius said, giving Bruce a small hug. "Alfred tells me that you've come back for good this time."

"Yes, I feel I'm ready to take a more active role in Wayne Enterprises, and to finally start my mission."

Lucius looked at Bruce with an inquisitive face, he remembered when Bruce had told him the first time about his plan to become some sort of vigilante and protect the city from the corrupt and the criminals. He felt that it seemed a foolhardy plan, and one that was too dangerous for the heir of the Wayne family, but no matter how much both Alfred and him said it, Bruce was set on doing it; therefore, he decided to try and help as much as he could to ensure that Bruce was safe while doing his mission.

It was the least he could do, after all, having been a good friend of Bruce's parents for most of his life.

Putting a Laptop in the desk, Lucius projected a few diagrams and blueprints for various gadgets, equipment, etc. Bruce got near the screen and started checking each one.

"I have taken the liberty of preparing various blueprints and schematics for the things you asked the last time you were here. Obviously, there are a lot of details that are missing or that need fine tuning but the main aspects are there. I especially like this combat grade suit…"

For the next few hours, Bruce and Lucius went over the various schematics and designs, Bruce giving his input over the functions or details that he wanted to have, and additional ideas that he had thought since the last time he had spoken with Lucius.

After checking every item and taking notes of all the points discussed, Lucius gave a disk with all the data to Bruce so that he had a copy of it as well.

"So are you still on the idea of creating your main base in the house?" Lucius asked while copying the data over to the disk.

"Yes, it makes sense; I'll have all the equipment I need close by, and also will be convenient thanks to the tunnels that run under the manor." Bruce responded.

"Thank your great grandfather for constructing them indeed, sir" Alfred said from the door.

Both Lucius and Bruce turned to him. "Dinner is served, sir." Alfred said.

"Thanks, Alfred" Bruce responded. "It seems time flies Lucius, I think we shall eat and then continue, or Alfred may give us the disappointed look, and we can't have that."

Lucius chuckled at the humor, and followed Bruce and Alfred towards one of the small dinner rooms of the manor.


"I have to say, Bruce, your great grandfather really knew what he was doing when he made these tunnels," Lucius said while looking at the caverns under Wayne Manor after dinner.

"Indeed, Master Bruce's great grandfather, Solomon Wayne, used these tunnels during the Civil War to house refugees from the south as well as supply the Union army, and even after the war, he continued construction improving them." Alfred said.

Lucius continued to explore the caverns and tunnels, looking at the foundations, and taking notes of all the details he needed.

"So, Lucius, what do you think, can it be done?" Bruce asked after a few minutes.

Lucius turned around and looked at Bruce "Yes, Bruce, I daresay it can be done. Clearly, these tunnels were made to last, and have connections to the outside, which will give us the path for the vehicles when you use them. We would need to reinforce the foundations, as well as add the entrance and a few more details, but I really think it is totally possible."

"Excellent!" Bruce said after hearing him, determination flowing in his posture.

"But…" Lucius said, making Bruce turn and look at him. "There is the issue of all the construction and movement of equipment we need to do, since I can only assume that you don't want anyone else coming here."

Bruce looked thoughtful about what Lucius said, clearly recognizing that he had not thought fully about that aspect.

"Thankfully…" Lucius said, once again making Bruce turn and look at him. "I may have a solution for that too…"


A few days later, there was a myriad of activity in the caves underneath Wayne manor where a dozen or so automatons could be seen carrying different objects, welding, installing steel beams, etc. all the while Lucius stands at a corner with Bruce behind him, his hands fully operating a console.

"I have to say Lucius, you never stop surprising me…" Bruce said while looking at the various size robots.

Lucius turned to look at him, and with a small smile replied. "The X-02 Automaton is one of the main new products of Waynetech, designed for the construction industry. Obviously, they are limited to repetitive activities, and don't have that much of a movement range, and can't do very detailed activities, but for these circumstances, I think they are the ideal solution."

"I agree, and they will allow the construction of this place to move forward quickly without compromising my identity," Bruce said, continuing to observe the automatons doing their respective activities.

"Ok, Lucius, let's go over the schematics again." Bruce said, while beckoning Lucius to come to a table that was put in the center chamber of the cave for reviewing all the documents they had assembled.

"You should be able to use the X-02 to do most of the reinforcement of the foundations as well as the construction for the roads for the vehicles; as well as the platforms and different sections that you require. For the electrical installations as well as the systems, you'll have to do those yourself or with my help when I can." Lucius said while reviewing the general plan of the cave.

"I can do that, with not much problem." Bruce said, also checking the general plan. "I will need your help with some of the systems for the computer network, but most of it, I have no problems with."

Bruce got a small frown, and looked at Lucius with gratitude, "I know I don't say it often, but I appreciate all your doing to help me with this. I know you don't approve of my plan, but nevertheless you've helped me a lot."

Lucius turned to Bruce with a smile on his face, and put a hand on Bruce's shoulder, "Bruce, I've known you practically since you were born, and your parents were my friends for most of my life. I may not agree with all of this, but I understand why you want to do it, and I'll do my best to at least keep you safe while you do it."

They both turned back to the schematics to continue checking them, when Lucius said "Besides, it's your money."

Bruce chuckled at the humor, and said "That is true."


And in our main story tonight, Wayne Enterprises has released an official release that Bruce Wayne, last heir of the Wayne family, has returned to Gotham City and will take a position in the company, directly advising the current CEO, Lucius Fox. Mr. Wayne has been seen very few times in Gotham in the last few years and has been, according to rumors traveling the world to learn various aspects of the business before taking over.

Tomorrow, Mr. Wayne has been scheduled to give a press conference in the main PR room of the HQ of Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City.


And the theme of this week for Gotham Today is without a doubt the return of the Wayne family heir, Bruce Wayne, and you have to admit, that is one yummy bachelor. Don't you think?

That's right, I think we have found a very interesting topic for the foreseeable future, the tall handsome only heir to one of the biggest corporate empires of all the United States that has been away from the public eye for at least 5 years takes center stage.


Today at the PR main room of the Wayne Enterprises Headquarters, Bruce Wayne, 23, major shareholder of the company and only heir of the Wayne family, gave his first press conference after returning to Gotham City, in which he clarified the role he's taking in his family corporation as well as detailing his plans for the company in the near future.

"I have come back to this city, the city that my family has called home for generations, to continue learning all I can to help Wayne Enterprises become the best company it can be, and through that, help all of Gotham be a better place. My parents always believed that Gotham was a city full of promise and opportunity, and I want to continue their labor in my own way to bring those opportunities to all of Gotham." Mr. Wayne will take the role of Advisor to the current CEO of the company, Lucius Fox, to "continue his preparation before taking an official role in the corporate structure of the company."

The markets seem to take Mr. Wayne's return with abundant eagerness, with Wayne Enterprises actions up by 5.67% since the previous day.

Mr. Wayne, only son of the late Thomas and Martha Wayne, has been a mystery for the business world for some time, and seems to be more interested in taking a direct role on his family enterprise, unlike his father who, while majority owner of the company, never took any official role and dedicated himself to his medical practice and charitable work.


"I have to say, sir, your parents would be very proud of you if they had seen you today at the press conference." Alfred said while serving tea.

From his desk in the main study of Wayne Manor, Bruce looked up from the documents he was reviewing, "Thanks, Alfred. I really hope that is true."

"There is no hope in that sentence, sir, it is a fact." Alfred said with a warm expression on his face.

Bruce looked directly at Alfred and a small smile came to his face at the warmth of the main father figure in his life, and the absolute certainty in his tone.

Alfred finished serving the tea, putting it right beside Bruce on the desk, a worried expression came to his face, and schooling it fast, he said "Which is why, I have to bring this topic again…"

"Alfred, I've told you, I'm going to do this."

"But why, Master Bruce, you can do so much good with Wayne Enterprises, you can be a shining figure in this city, why do you insist on this crusade that will put your life in danger?"

Bruce stood up from his desk and turned himself to be directly in front of Alfred, "Because Alfred, this is the vow I made to my parents, and I will not allow anyone else to have to go through what I did." He started pacing in the study, his words more passionate as he continued, "And while I will continue to use all the resources at my disposal to help this city, I know for a fact that crime is not going away just with more police or more jobs. Wayne Enterprises can do its part, and I will use it to help in the light of day. But the corruption in this city runs too deep for that, so I will become the symbol this city needs, not only in the light of day, but also in the darkness."

Alfred looked at his ward with a sad expression, while in his mind seeing the lonely boy that was, and how he had come to the decision of dedicating his life to fight the crime that had taken from him the two most important people in his life.

"Sir, while I understand your vow and the passion you have for this, I don't want to let you do this, because I'm afraid that while you protect everyone else from the darkness, there will not be anyone to save you from it."

Bruce snapped at that "I don't need anyone to protect me from that darkness, because I will use it" he paused for a second "I will use it, to strike fear in the heart of all the criminals in this city, to show them what fear is, to show them how it feels to not be able to do anything without looking over your shoulder, to know what it feels to be helpless."

"Sir" Alfred said with a much sorrowed voice "While I'll stand by my earlier comment that your parents would be so proud of you, because I am so proud of the man you have become, I don't believe that they would want you to put yourself in danger just to honor their memories."

"WELL THEY ARE DEAD, SO I WON'T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE OR NOT" Bruce shouted.

Alfred closed in on Bruce and put both his hands on the young man's shoulders, and a few tears in his eye, he said "Bruce, I've watched over and taken care of you since you were a child, and I care for you like you were my own. All I want is for you to have a full and happy life, and I fear that this path that you want to take will only end in regrets and sadness. So please, just consider these words from someone that loves you, don't throw your life away and live."

Bruce looked at Alfred, and that little doubt that he thought had been buried forever, came out again. Unable to look at him any longer in fear that his resolve would crack, Bruce pushed Alfred away and left the room in a hurry, Alfred's sad eyes following him as he left his sight.


The Wayne Family graveyard had stood for over a century in a far side of the Wayne State, and housed all the members of the Wayne Family since they came over from Europe.

Bruce Wayne walked through the cemetery with a deep conflicted expression on his face, seemingly in a haze of someone that didn't know where he was going, but clearly, his route was much defined while he passed gravestones of Wayne's past.

Finally, he came to his destination, two large gravestones that read:

Thomas Wayne Born 21-01-1968 Died 04-06-1992

Martha Wayne Born 14-08-1970 Died 04-06-1992

"They gave all the love they had to everyone they could, and all they touched will miss them"

Bruce looked towards the graves, and a few rebellious tears came to his eyes.

"What do you want me to do, then? I vowed here that I will never rest to prevent others from suffering the same fate you did, but Alfred has a point, maybe I can do that as Bruce Wayne, not someone else. I don't know what to do, I want to make your memories proud, and I want to protect those that can't protect themselves."

Bruce fell to his knees, all the weight of years of guilt, sorrow, pain, and anger coming towards him. His eyes clouded with doubt, resolve, and a dozen more emotions looking towards the gravestones, looking for an answer to his pleas, something to reaffirm his choices and his mission.

The rain fell in the night, with fog shrouding the cemetery in almost a supernatural feel, while the minutes passed and the young man kept looking towards the gravestones, searching for answers and reassurances, but it seemed that none would come.

After a while, the rain seemed to slow down, and all of the sudden, a bright flash came to the sky, as lightning illuminated the rainy night. Bruce looked up from the graves to see at least a hundred bats flying over the cemetery, circling around the trees, while a little bit of moonlight peaked from the clouded sky, basking light on their movements.

It was truly an incredible sight; all of it followed by the young man's eyes, with each passing second showing less doubt, and more and more resolve in his expression.

Perhaps this was the sign he was looking for, and it would steel his spirit towards the path he had chosen.

AN: So this is chapter 2. And with it I bring the start of my first saga, with probably my favorite character of the DC Universe, Batman. A lot of it is just the normal stuff, because, well, there is not a lot I can change to this to be honest, just showcasing a little bit on Bruce's relations with both Alfred and Lucius. Perhaps the main change is Lucius' role in this. I always felt that Bruce needed more help than it's shown in the comics to start his crusade, and well, Lucius seems to be the obvious choice for this.

The next few chapters will all be setting the table towards the main stuff, as I will start putting my bases towards all the characters of my story. I'll be dividing the story in main sagas with a few chapters will be one shots in between but mainly story arcs with multiple chapters either of one character or groups.

Finally, if you guys ask for it, I would be willing to create a Timeline with how exactly the events happen as well as a little compendium of characters for basic information, for those that are not too familiar with some of the more obscure characters I'll use down the line.

Hope you guys like it, and leave your comments, questions or the like in the review.

Next time- Chapter 3: The Dark Knight Begins Part II: The Batman

See you Soon!

Update 10/02/2022: Few corrections, and added details for the new structure I have planned. I'm committed to actually moving forward with this fic.