digi-gal-rox: finally another chapter! sorri to those guys who's been waiting a while. anyways, review pls!
Chapter 4 - Don't Cry For Me Gotham
Wally West starred out the window of his Central City apartment. Even though the news had hit Gotham hard, other city's seem to go on with their lives as per usual. In a way, he was kind of glad. He didn't want to face the hard truth that Batman... Bruce was dead. He was already beating himself about it. He didn't want it from the citizens as the Flash. He began to wonder how the rest of the League members were doing. He chuckled softly, remembering the times he had accidently... or maybe purposely, he couldn't remember anymore, getting on Batman's nerve up at the tower. But it brought humour to his life. Or so Dick and Barbara claimed. Repeating the so called joke to them. Maybe he did play some part in Batman's life after all. He rested his head on the cold window, lost in thought.
"God, Bruce. Why did you have to die?"
Zantana Zatara sighed heavily, staring at her reflection. Another lonely night at Gotham. Another quiet performance. It was obvious that Gotham had attempted to keep their mind off their dead hero, but even magic couldn't help stray their thoughts of their hero. She remembered clearly, as if it were yesterday. Her meeting with Bruce Wayne. They were friends, under her book. They were close, to an extent. She was happy, when he came to her for help, during that time Wonder Woman got turned into pig. She was even more happy she she helped him. But they were just friends. She starred at an old picture that hung by her mirror. It was of her father and Bruce, during his training years. He was like family to her. After her father's death, he was all she had left. And now she was alone. Breaking down, she cried.
Renee Montoya stared warily at Harvey Bullock, who munched on his donut vigorously. It was obvious, despite the fact that he left the team, worked alone and hated the Batman, he missed the Dark Knight. Sighing heavily Renee forced a smile at her former partner.
"It's O.K to be upset, Bullock." she said quietly. The plump man stared at her.
"You know I hate him." he muttered. Renee ignored him.
"It's O.K to be upset." she repeated. "We all miss him." she paused. "It's hard to believe that it was Wayne all along, though." she added quietly. Harvey stared at his donut, before hanging his head slightly.
"I still hate him.' he growled. Renee stared at him. She knew he was lieing. But he was just too ashamed, and too upset to admit it. Sighing, she stared out the window, part of her hoping that Batman would fly by. But all she could see was the crimson sky, and three other figures. Gotham's remaining heroes, and hope.
Alfred Pennyworth sighed heavily, staring at the suit. He still couldn't believe it. The family were out, patrolling the city. A tear fell from his eye, as his trembling fingers ran against the glass. He opend the case, taking the suit down. He breathed in the kelver, as if to remember the smell of the Batman. Of Bruce. His eyes fell, as the suit fell on the floor. He became like a son to him. After the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, he could only watch as Bruce changed. What was once a happy and bright boy, he could only watch as the young boy retreated to the dark. He was now at peace, or so the butler thought. He was free.
"Master Bruce," he said quietly. "Be happy. Be proud. And be free."
Commissioner James Gordon sighed heavily, staring at the signal. The bat-signal, it was later dubbed. The signal shone brightly in the crimson sky before Nightwing landed behind him.
"You become more like him everyday," James commented, as Nightwing made his presence known.
"I'm nothing like him." the Bludhaven hero responded quietly. "What is it, Commissioner?"
"The Joker's on the loose." James said quietly, turning around slightly. "How are you, Bagirl and Robin doing?"
"We'll managed." the hero narrowed his eyes slightly. "We always do."
"Look, son-" James stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Nightwing's shoulder. "We're all mourning as well." he paused. "Did you know who was under the Batman's mask?" Nightwing didn't answer. "If Bruce was Batman, than that makes you... Dick?" his eyes went wide. Still Nightwing didn't respond. "Than that would make Robin, Tim! Than who's Batgirl?"
"You don't know what you're talking about, Commissioner." Nightwing muttered. James' arm fell, as Nightwing made his way to he edge. "And no, we didn't know that Batman was Mr. Wayne." he jumped down. Somehow, James knew that he was lieing, and that his predictions were right.
"God speed, Dick." he murmured. "God speed."
"Bruce." was all Jason Blood could utter, as he stared at the large Batman statue. Despite the world finding the truth, they still looked up to him. A hero long gone. He closed his eyes, remembering those heated times he had with him. They were friends, somewhat. In truth, Jason had to admit, Bruce was the only person he coud trust, out of the
whole league. Maybe even Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl. He wrapped his jacket around himself, as the memories began to fade away. "So long, old friend." he murmured. "May you find redemption."
Clark Kent sighed heavily, as the people around him continued to murmur about the Batman-Bruce Wayne news. Side glances were cast at him, as if to ask, 'Did you know about this? He was your friend', grinding his teeth, the Kryptonian focused his attention to the screen in front of him. As for now, this was all he could do. His thoughts trailed to his first meeting the the masked hero. At their first meeting, things did not end well. He chuckled softly. Despite their odd friendship, Clark had to admit, they had a good friendship, in some odd twisted way.
"Hey, Smallville!" Lois Lane's voice interupted this thoughts. He looked up, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Yes, Lois?" the woman hesitated.
"Did you know about this?" she asked. Clark shook his head. Her eyes fell.
"Guess I end up being the only one." she murmured. He looked at her curiously.
"Lois?" she gave a fake laugh, waving a dismissive hand.
"It's nothing." Clark watched as the woman retreated to Perry White's office. His eyes widened. She knew. And all this time she kept the secret. He relaxed, leaning against his chair and smiled.
"You got some friends out there, Wayne."
"Too Bruce." Dick Grayson rose his glass.
"Too Bruce." Barbara Gordon echoed. The warmth from the fire place crackled in the silence, as the two sighed heavily. "I miss him." she said quietly. "I really miss him."
"Me too." Dick paused, "Some part of me thinks that this is some kind of trick." Barbara looked at him, gripping his hand tightly.
"Dick..." Dick stared at the fire place, long and hard. Barbara sighed heavily, releasing his hand.
"I shouldn't 've yelled at him." he broke down. "It was all my fault."
"It's no ones fault, Dick. He wouldn't want you to do this. Leave in regret."
"You don't know him like I do," Dick muttered. Barbara forced him to look at her.
"I know him well enough Dick." she said firmly. "Denie it all you want, but some part of you, the man that masks all his pain... that part...-you resemble him more than you think."
"Barbara-"
"And don't argue that. Deep down, you know it to." his eyes fell as he pulled her into a tight hug.
"The world always needs a Batman," he said quietly.
"No," her voice was muffled against his chest. She pulled free from him. "What the world needs is heroes. And Batman is a hero. Just like the rest of us."
"Your dad knows." Dick said quietly. "He know who Tim and I are." Barbara's eyes widened. "I'll do what ever it takes to protect you, Babs. Your secret, everything!"
"Dick-"
"Barbara, your secret is too important right now. If he ever found out, he may loose his job. We may loose you." the young man paused, "I may loose you. And I don't want that to happen." her features softened, as she caressed his cheek with her right hand.
"I'll stay low," she promised softly. "But Dick, promise us one thing. Stay alive." he kissed her gently on the forehead.
"I promise."
digi-gal-rox: that's it for now! hope u like it! if u have any questions, visit my newly established myspace, just click on 'homepage' via my link. and remember! if u have a myspace add me! - lots of lurv!