(Writer's Note: The Bruce Wayne/Batman portrayed here isn't exactly the one from Batman Begins, he's more of a mooshing between that version and the incarnation from the comics. You can still pretty easy visualize Christian Bale or whomever you want to, now on to the good stuff.)
The Arrival:
Bruce Wayne hated Metropolis. For one thing, the city was too bright. Even at night, Metropolis was lit up like it was something important. Maybe he was just so used to the Gotham City air. Bruce observed the skyline aboard his private "Wayne Enterprises" jet. His trusty butler, chauffeur, sometime confidante and medic Alfred Pennyworth alongside him for the ride. He had an Esquire magazine to entertain him. Bruce chose to have nothing but his thoughts. He hadn't been to Metropolis since he was about 8 years old, not too long before his mother and father were murdered by a desperate criminal in Gotham's Park Row. The citizens now know better to rename it "Crime Alley". He'd thought about coming back once or twice, during his training around the world. Somehow, he never found the time. His first trip didn't involve much sight seeing, considering his father kept him cooped up in their hotel room the entire visit. Now he had a reason to come back.
Five weeks ago, if you'd watch the news you'd know, the attempts by a metahuman named Tyrone Vincent to kill Gothcorp CEO Ferris Boyle were foiled by the Batman. Unknown to the public, that knows Gothcorp for it's humanitarian efforts, the company was heavily involved in the business of arms dealing. Tyrone, operating under a higher order with the codename "Stone", was sent to use his abilities and dispose of Boyle. He had thrown Ferris into a corner wall, which knocked him unconscious. Witnesses swear they heard bones crack.
Suddenly, the board room windows shattered and what looked like a dark bat-like figure with pointed ears and wide leather wings fell though. The figure slowly rose, his features becoming distinctly more human, the wings resembling more of a cape, clad in grey and black. The Batman had arrived. With reflexes quicker than you could blink, he threw a sharp, bat-shaped shuriken that stuck into Tyrone's arm. The "batarang" sent a – painful – electric current throughout Tyrone's body. Here, Tyrone revealed his ability. His skin changed and adapted the properties of stone, giving him enhanced strength and durability. Meaning, he wasn't going to be taken down easily. Batman threw two more electric batarangs at the man of stone, each having no effect. Tyrone kept his pace as if there was nothing. The Dark Knight reached for his utility belt. He slung three miniature gas bombs at Stone, affecting his body burning his eyes. Due to his pain and nausea, he couldn't maintain his stone skin. At the moment of his weakness, Batman had an open shot. A punch to the gut, right hook, and roundhouse kick later, Tyrone "Stone" Vincent was tied up and left for the Gotham City Police Department to handle.
Tyrone was held in an Arkham Asylum cell pending his sentence to Blackgate Penitentiary. Arkham had a revolving door of people like him. People with abilities or just mental oddities who just happened to travel down the wrong road. He was just one of the crowd in Arkham.
Thanks to his connections with GCPD Commissioner James Gordon, Batman was able to have a "talk" with Ferris Boyle's near-murderer. Batman entered Tyrone's dark cell during his sleep time. He didn't awake until he was nudged. When he did awake, he almost screamed at the top of his lungs and nearly peed his pants at the sight of the Caped Crusader. The darkness gave Batman the effect he wanted to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. Batman covered his mouth before his scream could leave it. Then Batman grabs Stone by the collar and throws him against the wall. Batman could feel Tyrone try to use his power.
"Don't." Batman said, his voice sounding like a cold wind through gravel. He held a batarang up to Tyrone's neck.
"What do you want?" asked Tyrone, clearly afraid.
"Answers. Who are you working for?"
"I can't. They'll kill me..."
"And I won't?" Batman struck Tyrone's stomach with his fist. Tyrone yelped in pain.
He started to talk.
"Luthor, it's Lex Luthor." said Tyrone, his voice still struggling from the punch. "He's got a whole lot of guys like me, people with abilities. Stashed in his Luthorcorp warehouses. I can't tell you where, I don't know. He's got hundreds, thousands! He's collecting us like action figures and experimenting on us. I'm not the only errand boy he has. Have you heard of the Green Arrow?"
Batman merely nodded.
"A while ago he and some of his men blew up the Ridge Facility in Metropolis. The Planet said it was a gas leak. No. It was just a cover up thanks to Lex. After that, he decided ti step it up. He handpicked some of us from each division. He gave us codenames and orders. For me, my codename was 'Stone' and orders to get rid of Ferris Boyle. You see, Gothcorp bribed some Luthorcorp employees and scientists and were able to get their hands on some of the competition's tech. It included some kind of underwater sonic device called 'Leviathan'. Boyle pulled the strings to tweak a few things here and there, rename it, and claim it as their own. Ferris's company won the military contract that Baldy lost out on. Obviously revenge was to be had, and I was the guy to dish it out."
After a little while longer in Tyrone's holding cell, Batman had what he was looking for. He didn't have all the answers, but he had enough of them to find the rest himself. But to do so, this meant his alter-ego needed to get in on the action. Wayne had business affairs he could look after. An impromptu gala was in order, to avoid too much speculation as to why Bruce Wayne would end up in Metropolis. The gala would, of course, be for charity - in the name of the Wayne Foundation. Not to mention feed the playboy image Bruce had in the media. The Wayne Foundation funded scientific research and development along with medical and would provide the facilities and training for the workers involved. For years, Luthorcorp has been interested in a share of the Foundation. A partnership of sorts. Lionel Luthor has wanted his foot in the Foundation's door for so long, Lex Luthor wouldn't resist a meeting with the young Bruce Wayne.
After the jet landed at their private airspace, Bruce and Alfred entered the Rolls Royce waiting for them and headed towards the penthouse in the city. On the drive there, Bruce silently observed the streets, buildings, and people of Metropolis passing him by. Everywhere there just seemed to be...serenity. Groups of young people shopping, old people taking strolls, families spending a night out. A father, a mother, a little boy...
Most of all, Bruce noticed, the citizens of Metropolis looked up, in the sky. Unafraid of having their wallet snatched, or being ambushed in a side alley. These were nearly daily occurrences in Gotham. Bruce's insides were aching for action. This kind of tranquility annoyed, and really bothered, him. Wayne was so concerned with the city's peace, he didn't notice Alfred finally parked the Royce at the penthouse building. Bruce opened the door and stepped out of the car. He was about to open the building's front door until Alfred dropped his luggage right in front of him. Wayne turned to him with a quizzical face.
"Master Bruce, I've seen you lift a granite pillar off your near-conscious body, I'm sure you can handle a couple of your frilly bags without my help." Bruce smiled at his lifelong friend, and grabbed his bags. They made their way into the building and up the many floors to the penthouse level. The place was something you'd imagine being on MTV's "Cribs" Once inside, Bruce asked Alfred, "Have you made sure the 'equipment' is all set?"
"Positive. You'll find it's been placed behind the fireplace in the master bedroom. You can find the switch by lifting the left front bedpost."
"Oh. I see you've gotten creative."
"I'm glad you noticed. Shall I prepare supper now, sir? Or later."
"For yourself, maybe. I don't think I'll be eating much tonight."
Bruce went inside his bedroom. For the rest of the night, he worked out in the dark. After countless one-armed push-ups, ab crunches, and an hour of meditation, Wayne went out of his room and stood on the balcony. From there, he could see the skyline of all Metropolis. From Queen Tower to the golden globe of the Daily Planet. Bruce stood out there witnessing dawn arise, and found himself in deep thought. He thought about what he saw today, how peaceful and pristine Metropolis was. How could Metropolis and Gotham be so different? Every night, Bruce Wayne donned the cape and cowl of Batman, a lone soldier in what could be a never ending war on crime waged in the streets of Gotham City. Wayne wanted the idea of Batman to act as a symbol to the people of a city so infected with graft and corruption. In many ways, as a beacon of hope. To show that one man can make a difference. There are some days where he believes, but others where he has lost all faith. Metropolis wasn't nearly the same. Metropolis looked liked the Cinderalla to the wicked step-sisters that Gotham represented. Metropolis didn't have a guardian but, in a city where a Luthor resides maybe one day it would. This reminded Bruce he had a meeting in the afternoon, with Lex Luthor. He figured it wouldn't be too bad if he got some bed rest. But for a moment he wondered, what kind of a city would Gotham be if it didn't need the Batman?