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Bruce Wayne gazed wearily across the city, things had been worse than ever the past week.
"Tea, Master Wayne?" Asked Alfred cheerily, he saw Bruce's face "Something stronger prehaps" Bruce turned from the window and smiled at his faithful butler and friend "I'm tired Alfred, I can't do this forever I need . . ."
"An heir"
"Yes and soon, I have this feeling . . ." He rubbed his shoulder and Alfred nodded "Leave it to me, sir" Bruce smiled "Thank you, until then Batman must take to the sky"
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Annie sat alone in her room, the red coat folded neatly under her pyjamas, her head in her hands What is wrong with us? I have to tell HQ Another voice spoke in her mind, it sounded familiar like a song heard long ago Wait a little longer, see how it plays out, it may end before it begins A third voice began to speak in the shadows of her mind, it began quietly but rose to a fearful crescendo Traitor! Judas! Treason! She began to sob quietly and whispered to the star pricked sky "Help me, someone please help me"
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Aceie lay on her hideout's aging wooden floor among ancient dried bloodstains thinking back to her childhood, talking to her father's spirit she asked
"Do you remember my 10th birthday Daddy? I do, you took me to work with you to work for the first time" She smiled fondly at the memory "Those mobsters' faces when you arrived with me on your shoulders, I remember that tall one with grey hair asking you "What's the trick Joker? Who's the kid" You took me off of your shoulders before announcing to those mob 'officials' "This is my little Princess, she'll be watching us from now on . . . any objections?" Aceie giggled "Of course noone objected, who would dare to? I went to work with you every time from then, you let me carry your knives and hold your coat, even load your guns before we left home" She sighed happily lost in a sea of memories, unaware of her sister's anguish "Happy times, eh Daddy? Happy times"
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Two cops stood talking on a dark street corner "That's the plan" The other policeman looked seriously at his colleuge "And they don't suspect you?" The first cop shook his head "No soon you'll have The Ace of Hearts, and the other two, in your custody" They left the scene in silence.
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A few days later Bruce reluctantly switched on the news
"This is Edward Engle for Gotham Tonight and here are today's stories. In this past two days two hospitals, one shopping centre and one office block have been destroyed by explosives, each scene of destruction has been accompanied by hundreds of Ace of Hearts cards . . ." The newsreadr paused, his hand to his ear
"I have just been informed that at three of the locations other cards have been found among the wreckage, they are: The six of Diamonds, The nine of Clubs and tha King of Spades. Are these other dangerous criminals? And if so where in this crisis are our officials? What is the mayor doing to halt this reign of terror on Gotham's citezins? Next on Gotham Tonight is a man who feels strongly that Mayor Montess should step down and pass his duties onto another more capable leader. Mr Desspa do you feel that in the midst of this crime wave is the best to hold an election? . . ."
Bruce turned off the TV Not just one psychopath but four, I can't do this, Batman can't fight four sick, twisted . . . There was a knock at the door "Sir, I have a young lady to see you" Bruce smoothed his features into a smile "Bring her in Alfred"
The young lady in qustion was slender and about middle height, her hair was coppery and tied in a ponytail, which a few stray curls had managed to evade. Her eyes were grey and sparkled with silent laughter. She was dressed in jeans with a denim jacket and white trainers, and orange rucksack hung over one shoulder and she pulled an rainbow suitcase on wheels behind her "Welcome" Bruce smiled and held out his hand, which she shook "Thank you for lettingme stay Mr Wayne"
"Don't worry about it, I know what it's like to lose a family" The silent laughter disappeared for a moment, then reappeared "know Mr Wayne"
"Please call me Bruce, and what's your name?"
"Hope" Bruce smiled at Alfred who smiled back "Hope, a lovely name" And just what this city desperately needs "Alfred will show you to your room" She followed Alfred with a spring in her step "Thanks again Mr . . . I mean Bruce"
When the pair had disappeared up a flight of stairs, Bruce sat down heavily on the leather sofa
And so a new era begins . . . but will it be enough?
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Please R&R:)