Chapter 3

Abandoned Amusement Park

The structure was falling apart, the rotten smell of urine was enough to drive the filthiest man on the planet away running like no tomorrow, the rides were unstable and the sight made it seem like something out of a horror movie, or one of those games with the animatronic animals at a pizzeria.

It was perfect. A smile crept up on his bleached face, exposing his disgusting yellow teeth. He knew it was only a matter of time before the property was his, and soon he'll be able to do as he plans to.

A light chuckle left his red lips as a man walked up to him. "So, Mr. J, is it?" the man spoke up, "what do you think of the place?"

"Well, it's garish, ugly and it smells like piss." The bleached man responded, running a hand through his green hair.

"Oh, so you don't like it?"

"Don't like it? I'm crazy for it." The bleached man chuckled even louder this time.

"Oh, well that's good to hear. It's nothing a little spit and polish won't fix. So, about the price…"

"Oh, no need to worry about that. With this great establishment, and your smooth salesmanship, I'm completely sold. Let's shake on it."

"Oh, sure. You're not gonna regret buying this place." The two extended their hands, but as soon as their hands touched, the real-estate agent began to shake in a violent manner while the bleached man burst into an uncontrollable fit of crazed laughter.

The two remained like this for close to a minute and once they broke apart the real-estate agent fell to the floor, his chard skin sizzled as the bleached man removed what appeared to be a hand-buzzer and then walked away whistling as if nothing happened.

Wayne Manor Ballroom

The rooms of Wayne Manor were filled with people, some were close friends of the Wayne Family and Wayne Enterprises employees, but most of them were strangers. The sole exception was a certain guest invited by Bruce Wayne himself.

"Commissioner Gordon." The police commissioner turned to see Bruce Wayne and the boy he took in two years ago walk up to him.

"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Grayson." The commissioner responded "It's good to see you two."

"Glad you could make it, Commissioner."

"So, Mr. Grayson, how have you been?" the boy remained silent, almost as if something was bothering him. "Is something wrong?"

"Sorry, Commissioner. It's just that Richard hasn't been feeling well. From what Alfred told me, a few days ago was the anniversary of his parent's deaths."

"Oh, of course." Gordon turned to the young man "If it means anything, it will be a long time before Tony Zuko is set free."

Dick nodded before walking off, all while Gordon turned to look at Wayne. But before either of them could continue talking, Alfred came up to them followed by a short fat man wearing an elegant black and white suit. He had a balding head of black hair with a monocle on his left eye.

"I apologize, Mr. Wayne, but this man insisted to talk to you." the butler spoke before walking off in the opposite direction.

"A pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Wayne." The short man spoke "Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, soon to be Mayor of Gotham City."

"I wouldn't boast victory just yet." Gordon spoke "I believe Jessica Dent has a shot at winning."

"Oh, you mean the sister of that disfigured mad man, Commissioner?"

As the conversation continued, Dick walked out to the gardens. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his mother's golden bracelet, a single tear rolling down his eye.

"Are you okay?" said a soft voice, Dick turned to see a girl, about his age, with long bright red hair wearing a long purple dress.

"Yeah, I just needed some fresh air." He responded as the girl walked towards him.

"Really?" she asked teasingly until she noticed the bracelet in his hands and the tear trail on his face. "Is that your girlfriend's?"

"Actually it was my moms." He responded "It was gift I gave her for her birthday the night she…" he cut himself off as his voice began to crack. The girl walked closer before putting a hand on his back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's alright, you didn't know. I'm Richard, Richard Grayson. My friends call me Dick."

"Oh, you're the kid Mr. Wayne took in. I'm Barbara, Barbara Gordon."

"Gordon? Like the Commissioner?"

"Yeah, he's my dad."

"Barbara." A voice called from inside the house. The commissioner then walked out to see the two teens standing by the gardens. "There you are. Come on, Mr. Wayne wants to meet you."

Barbara turned to look back at Richard "I'll talk to you later, Dick." She said before placing a kiss on his cheek. Dick felt his face heat up, subconsciously he moved his hand to his cheek, where Barbara had kissed him, completely unaware that Albert was watching the whole thing.

The Bat Cave

Bruce sat at the computer, attempting to find a pattern in the killings caused several days ago. According to Commissioner Gordon whoever was responsible for these deaths had recently escaped from Arkham Asylum. The only thing they knew of this individual was that he went by the name 'Joker'.

And to make things worse, there were no files to match the identity. No birth certificate, no place of origin, no fingerprints, nothing. It was almost as if he didn't exist.

Alfred then came in and walked up to the vigilante.

"Mr. Grayson seemed to have enjoyed Miss Gordon's company" the butler commented. Bruce turned to look at him lifting a confused brow "I saw the two of them talking in the gardens." Bruce then turned back to look at the computer. Alfred walked closer. "I stand by my previous statement that you shouldn't let him continue to follow in your footsteps."

"I told you, Alfred. It's his decision, and if he wants to help me in this I won't stop him." Bruce responded.

"Well, you should. He is merely a child, he should be enjoying his life rather than throwing it away."

Before Bruce could respond, a siren began to sound around the cave. Reaching for his cowl, Bruce covered his face before heading towards the newly dubbed Bat Mobile.