A/N

Hello Everybody! I'm back and this is chapter may be small but it is extremely important! Now, I know a few people think that this story is going to go Joker/OC/Bruce but I've already written a love triangle like that and this is not what this story is about! I love the idea but Bruce is Lily's Big brother and it would be strange (especially for me) if they suddenly have an attraction after years and years of friendship. And for those who are waiting impatiently for Ross's death, don't worry, "Soon will come, soon will last... wait." All the Joker/Oc goodness is coming up very soon so please, any suggestions, criticisms or just plain G'days please review or message me, it gives me the warm and fuzzies when you do =)

My my, do I ramble! Well, let's boogie! I do not own any of the characters except my own and I am writing this purely for pleasure and entertainment of others

~ CandiLand95

Chapter Six: Wisdom Of Alfred Pennyworth

Lily sat next to Bruce in one of Gotham's many churches (apparently the crime rate boosted religious rates and number of churches) as the balding minister spoke of Lily's mother in sorrow, as if they had been close. But he had never met Amber Carter, what he said was his interpretation of what others had told him to say. He didn't know if she had been a loving, caring woman who forgave and forgot everyone's sins, she could have been the devil's advocate and he would not know any better. His eyes flickered to her young daughter and a chill ran down his spine. She had not cried one tear, her violet eyes stared at the casket, glazed over in fake sorrow much like his. A mask of woe.

Lily's eyes moved away from her mother and locked eyes with the minister who in fright, stuttered and nearly dropped his bible. She was wearing a simple black modest dress that ended just below the knee with a white ribbon tied around her narrow waist and a black shawl over her shoulders. Her shoulder-length dark hair was pinned up slightly on both sides showing the bruises that her make up had not covered. She would have looked innocent if he hadn't seen her eyes. They stared up at him unblinkingly and looked as if they were filled with hundreds of years old knowledge.

Lily was angry at herself. Here she was at her own mother's funeral and yet she couldn't shed a single tear for the woman she called momma. 'Had I called her momma? Or did I just call her mum?' Her mind rambled on as everyone in the room sobbed and mourned the loss of the wonderful woman, Amber Carter.

"... She will be truly missed." The minister concluded looking somber.

Bruce gently nudged Lily and handed her a single white rose. "Do you want me to go up with you?" He asked the young bruised woman. Lily meet his soft brown eyes and saw only sadness and pity. Anger flared up inside her for a split second but she just shook her head and stood up with all eyes watching her as she made her way to the open casket that held her mother.

Lily paused with her back to the others and studied Amber Carter's delicate face surrounded by coffee brown locks. Her face seemed so peaceful, calm and at rest. If it hadn't been for the bullet wound between her eyes, Lily would have thought she had just fallen asleep. She looked like Lily, an older, more mature version of Lily with lighter hair with a few grey strands mixed in with the brown. She didn't recognise her, it was like looking into an older version of herself rather than her mother. She was a stranger to Lily and here she was, laying a white rose on her cold clasped hands.

Not wanting to stand there any longer, Lily turned her back to the woman she use to adore and walked over to Bruce who pulled her into a warm comforting hug she honestly didn't need. But she played the part, he needed that.

xXx

Bruce took her to a small hidden beach on the outskirts of Gotham where they use to go to when they were kids. But unlike her childish self, Lily stayed away from the water. "She did just drown just under a week ago." Said Alfred wisely to Bruce as Lily sat on the sand just out of ear-shot.

Bruce sighed and plonked himself down on a smoothened rock. "She didn't recognise her mother Alfred..." Bruce stated sadly.

"Yes Master Bruce but sometimes after somethin'' as traumatic as finding your mother murdered an' dyin'' in the very same day, the mind suppresses these memories an' everything involved. I believe, there is somethin'' more she is suppressing, we just don't know it yet and neither does she."

"That's why she doesn't recognise me..." Bruce said softly.

Alfred frowned. "How is that sir?"

Bruce ran his hand through his hair adding a few grains of sand to the dark texture. "I took off the mask, she saw I was the Batman and Batman saved her from dying..."

Whilst Bruce and Alfred were talking about her, Lily stared out into the waves as they crashed onto the shore. She knew what they were talking about, she wasn't born yesterday! 'Well, it bloody feels like it!' She thought bitterly as she ran her fingers though the hot sand, creating patterns and shapes. Her mind was still reeling from what she had found last night and what Bruce had told her... Was she really the Dark Masque? Did she really fight criminals? The image of the laughing man called the Joker flashed through her mind and adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Yes, and tonight... the Dark Masque will rise again.