October 1, 1989

I hadn't seen the Gotham skyline in almost five years. Not only had I not seen Gotham, I hadn't seen anything on that half of the earth. I had gone to London and hadn't looked back. Now, after years of training, I was back to make sure that Gotham stopped its descent into hell. I didn't really have any good idea of how I was going to do that, but I knew that something needed to be done.

Two days earlier, I had called a friend in Paris. She had been able to secure a private jet for my use to get back to Gotham. Obviously shocked to hear the voice of a dead man, she had hung up on me four times before I could convince her that I was who I said I was.

Finally, the plane ended its descent and came to a stop on the long runway at Gotham International. As I looked out my window, I saw my oldest friend waiting with a black Mercedes parked behind him. It couldn't have been the same one I sunk, but it was as close as it could be.

I quickly grabbed what little belongings I had and descended the stairs to the runway. Alfred slowly approached me, noticeably wary of me.

"Master Wayne?" he asked timidly.

"Alfred, I've been gone for six years. In six years, you couldn't have learned to call me something else?" I asked with a large smile.

"Old habits die hard, Master Wayne. However, you apparently do not." Alfred said as he took my bag out of my hand and put it in the trunk of the car.

"How's Gotham?" I asked.

"Why do you care?" Alfred asked, a small amount of resentment in his voice.

"It's why I came back."

"What do you mean?" he asked as he approached me again.

"From what I've heard, things have gotten worse since I left." I replied, looking him in the eye.

"They have. The gangs have taken over and the police is practically owned by Rupert Thorne." Alfred said with a depressed look.

I slowly walked towards the car and got in the back seat. Once Alfred got in the driver's seat, he spoke again.

"Where to, Master Wayne?"

"Home, Alfred. I have work to do." I replied firmly.

"Work?"

"I've been gone for six years. In that time, I have been trained by the world's best in martial arts, forensic sciences, deception, and intimidation. The criminals of Gotham City are done dragging this place down. I have to stop them."

"But, sir, what can one man do?" he asked with concern.

"One man? One man can't do anything." I replied.

"Then, what are you going to do?"

"Become a legend."

October 3

Two days after returning home, my vision came to me. I needed to become a shadow. I need to be present, yet invisible. I had to be a ghost, yet intimidating. I needed to scare the life out of my opponents before they even saw me. Just the idea of who I would become needed to be enough to make them weak, make them lose their focus.

I had remembered my dad talking about the cave that sat beneath Wayne Manor. I had never been in there, but I did remember the entrance that lie on the edge of the grounds. So, two days after my return, I went down to the mouth of the cave. Maybe part of my adventurous side had been extinguished with the death of my parents, but as I entered the cave, I found myself wondering why I had never came down here before.

Slowly, I entered the large hole in the ground and saw exactly what I was looking for. It was huge. Beyond huge, even. The cave covered the entire grounds and had numerous levels carved out into it. I immediately knew that this place would be wonderful for me. The large space would allow for a new training area to keep my physique at the highest of levels. Also, another area would be perfect as a lab or research area.

Once I saw that the cave had what I needed, I turned to leave. Just as I reached the edge of the cave, something huge flew at me. I quickly fell and covered my head. Once I sensed that the danger was over, I looked up. A large bat hung just above where I had been walking. Its wingspan was about three feet in length and it was jet black. I realized that the bat itself held no danger for me.

I got up and dusted myself off. I was walking out of the cave and back into the sunny day when a sudden realization hit me. That bat is all reality hadn't been that frightening. However, when I couldn't see it and when it caught me by surprise, it had terrified me. That's exactly what I needed to be. As a man, I wouldn't scare anyone. But, if they didn't know what I was and if I caught them off guard, their fear alone would handicap them to no end.

It was then, in that moment, where the vision came. Clad all in black, a cowl to hide my face and a cape to strike fear into others, I would defend Gotham. I would become Batman.

October 4

For the first time since my return, I entered the city at large, my destination: Wayne Enterprises. After my return, Alfred had filled me in on what had happen to the family business over the years. Not only had I reliqushed control of the company to the board upon my disappearance, but my stocks had also been filtered to other people. Lucky for me, Alfred had retained a good portion of them. Once I had returned, he quickly transferred them back to me. Thankfully for me, Alfred had resisted the urge to declare me dead, even when all signs pointed otherwise. He wouldn't tell me why, but part of me believed it to be a large case of denial.

Alfred's shares equalled to about 12% of Wayne Enterprises' total worth. While it wouldn't be enough to become the majority owner, it would be enough to push my way back onto the board, which for the current time was all I needed. Soon enough I would be able to purchase majority shares but it wasn't something I was overly concerned with at that point in time.

Once I got to WE, I entered using the front door, maximizing my entrance. People in the lobby stopped and stared as the dead billionaire walked through the front door. After a slow and lesurely walk to the front desk, I approached the woman who was reading a magazine instead of doing her job.

"What is your name, miss?" I asked, using the silkiest voice I owned.

"Why do you care?" she said without looking up.

"I was wondering whether or not I should have you fired." I stated, allowing a certain edge to slip out.

Instantly, the woman's eyes shot up. For a brief moment, they held the sharpest of views until the sudden realization of who she was speaking to hit her.

"Mr. Wayne? Aren't you dead?" she asked in disbelief.

"It appears not. Now, what was your name?" I asked again.

"Claire." she replied breathlessly.

"Ok. Claire, I want you to go to Mr. Hauer and tell him that I would like to meet with the board. Once your done with that, please get Lucius Fox and tell him to meet me in my father's old office."

Immediately, she turned and walked as fast as she could without running, obviously not wanting to displease the resurrected Prince of Gotham. I followed her long enough to get to the elevators. Once inside, I waited patiently as the car rode its way all the way to the top of the tallest building in Gotham. Finally, the small metal box stopped and opened its doors to let me out to the small top floor.

The floor that everyone else got to see what the 103rd floor. However, the offices of the CEO, CFO, and the boardroom were on the 104th floor and this is where, with a grand view of their city, they made their decisions.

As I expected, Claire had taken the freight elevator and beaten me. Also, and again as I expected, the board was in session. The look on Hauer's face told me that she had delivered the appropriate information and that my entrance would be even better.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." I said, knowning I was, as I entered the room.

Maximillion Hauer. He was one of the few remaining members of the original board that my father had created when he started Wayne Enterprises. My father also hated him. However, after my father's death, there was some back dealings that went ary and most of the original board was locked out of WE. Lucius Fox, another one of the board members, had somehow managed to stay in the company. However, he had taken a huge demotion to the head of the Research and Development Department. Almost everyone suspected Hauer of planting bad information and utilizing other companies to outbid WE in order to get these people out. However, no conclusive proof was ever brought up and as the senior most member of the board, he was in charge.

Hauer looked both angry and confused, although he tried not to show it.

"Of course not, Bruce. Please come in and join us." he said, gritting his teeth.

Just as I made my way to an empty chair, Lucius Fox entered the room.

"Mr. Wayne?" he asked with surprise.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Hauer asked with surprise.

"I asked him to come." I replied calmly.

"Well, that's all well and good, but I'm in charge here and he's not allowed in these meetings." Hauer replied indignantly.

"He is if I make him a board member. As a member of the Wayne family, I'm allowed to add one person other than myself to the board. Lucius is my choice." I replied smartly.

Max stood completely still.

"Welcome back to the board, Lucius." he said as he walked back to the head of the table.

Lucius took his seat next to me and leaned in my ear.

"Why me?" he asked.

"My father liked you. Plus, I can trust you." I replied softly.

"Bruce, Lucius, the board has just approved our plan to go public before the end of the year. That was the last thing on our agenda. Do you have anything you wish to add?"

"Yes, Max. I would like to take over the Applied Sciences and Research and Development Departments. They haven't been making nearly as much money as they are capable of in the past few years and I would like to change that." I replied quickly.

Max looked around the room quickly.

"Any opposed?"

No one spoke or raised a hand to oppose.

"It's all yours. Good luck. This meeting is adjourned."

Twenty minutes later, Lucius and I were in the Applied Sciences bunker in the third basement, as far away from the 104th floor as possible.

"Mr. Wayne, thank you for that. But, why would you do that?"

I looked at him and responded candidly.

"My father once told me that the only honest man on the board was you. I already knew about the board's plan to go public. Once they do it, I'll be able to purchase enough shares to take over majority control of the company. When I do that, I'll name you the CEO and CFO of the company."

I had to work hard not to laugh at the look on Lucius' face.

"What happened to you? Where did you go?" he asked curiously.

"That's not important. This is. In the next few weeks, certain items in here are going to go missing. A good friend of mine will be using them. I'll refund the company once we go public."

Lucius looked confused so I thought I would fill him in a bit.

"Gotham's gone to hell. Everyone knows that. This person wants to help get things back in order. But, in order to do that, he needs to work outside the law and he needs some help. We can give him that. Here's a list of the things that will disappear."

I handed him a lengthy list of supplies that I had planned on assembling for my war on crime.

"Kevlar body suit. Prototype memory cloth. Rebreather. Neurotoxin antidotes? What does he need all this for?" Lucius exclaimed.

"Apparently, there are some reports of a fear toxin being present in some of the downtown gangs. They distribute it into the air and it shocks your brain into only seeing the things you fear most." I replied matter-of-factly.

"Wow." was all Lucius could say in reply.

"Yeah. I'm sure he'll be in contact with you." I said.

"Really?"

"Oh, I know it." I said with a smirk.

I didn't have any idea how I was going to do this. I knew that I needed help from the police. I needed someone I could get information from. From everything that I had been able to look at since I was seven until about four months ago, GCPD was dirtier than any police department in the world. Obvious examples of pay-offs to an officer who shot a man in the foot for no apparent reason but still managed to keep his badge. It was painfully apparent to anyone with a brain that someone owned the police department, and it wasn't the mayor.

However, there were rumors that there was one officer who was above all that. Reading through old newspaper articles, the only person that ever seemed to make any legitimate arrests was an officer by the name of James Gordon. His current role within the GCPD was housed in the Major Crimes Unit, where he was 2nd in command. Gordon seemed like a legitimate officer and someone that I could trust. But first, I needed to check him out.

I arrived at the Police Headquarters Building just after four o'clock in the afternoon. From what I could see, it appeared that the department itself had started to clear out. Most of the desk in the hopper rooms were empty and lots of the offices were dark. I approached the front desk, again putting on the billionaire face.

"Officer, is Det. Gordon still around?" I asked the officer manning the front.

"Bruce Wayne?" he asked in shock.

"Yes. Now, Det. Gordon?" I asked, smiling and knowing that soon rumors of my return would turn into a news story that I was sure to be interviewed for.

"Uh, yeah. He should still be here. Fourth floor, first office on the right."

"Thank you, officer." I said as I made my way towards the elevator.

After a brief ride up the otherwise empty elevator, I reached the office of Detective James W. Gordon. Pulling myself together again, I knocked on the door.

"Yeah!" a voice called from inside.

"Bruce Wayne. I would like to be speak with you."

Instantly, someone came rushing to the door and pulled it open. Once I view, I was met face-to-face with Jim Gordon. While he stood at only around 5'9", he still struck an imposing figure. Something about him screamed authority. His hair was starting to turn white and the dark look in his eyes made him look older than he actually was.

"Bruce Wayne? I thought you were dead." Gordon remarked.

"Well, I personally am very glad I am not. Are you busy?" I asked.

"Not really. Why?"

"There's something I would like to discuss with you." I replied.

"Alright, come on in." he said as he turned back to his desk.

I walked inside his office. Obviously, he was a busy man. He had case files and papers stacked on a desk separate from the one he was working at. It was obvious that he didn't have much time. I was going to be brief.

"Detective Gordon, I'll be brief. You are one of the only good cops left in this department. You're surrounded by cops who take bribes and who do things for multiple crime bosses all over town. However, I know someone who can help you with that."

"What do you mean?" he asked, obviously interested.

"I have a colleague who wants to make Gotham right again. However, he believes that Gotham is beyond the point where the law can help. He plans on utilizing some tactics that some would call "illegal" to stop the crime in Gotham City. However, he can't do it alone. He's going to need information." I said firmly.

"And that's what you want from me?" he replied warily.

"Yes. He would like to visit you on occasion and ask for some information. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never take any physical files. He would just ask you for the information. You can choose to inform him or not. All I ask is that you listen to him and determine whether or not you would like to assist him."

"I'll consider it. You know. I'll lose my job if I get caught. Why should I do this?" Gordon asked.

"A good feeling?" I replied sarcastically.

"Right." Gordon shot back.

"Trust me. Things will work out for you." I said deceptively.

"Like I said, I'll consider it but right now, I have work to do. Would you excuse me?" he asked. Obviously, I had worn my welcome. With a quick turn, I left the office, confident that I had recruited my next ally.

October 20

A little bit over two weeks later, everything was ready. The various items that I had gathered to utilize in my war on crime had been organized and assembled in a terrifying way. I stood head to toe in black Kevlar armor, a black shroud hanging from my shoulders. I had taken it upon myself to create a symbol, an insignia to place across my chest. A simple black bat that stretched from shoulder to shoulder lay there. Finally, a black cowl with two large pointy ears attached to the side was placed over my head.

I was ready. Ready to go out and strike fear into the hearts of those that destroy hope and justice in Gotham.

But, I needed a way to get into the city. Initially, I had decided that a large military style SUV or mini-tank would be a good fit. However, I realized that with my plan to sneak into the city each night, I needed something stealthier. So, a week ago, I drove the Bentley around town and found a Suzuki motorcycle dealer. Having already decided that a good way to through off anyone who might suspect that Batman and Bruce Wayne were the same person was to act like a complete fool in public, the purchase of two Suzuki Hayabusa was a given. No one other than the stupid and childish billionaire who lost his parents as a child would think to buy two of these under the precaution that he might wreck one.

Having purchased the vehicles and given the dealer my address to deliver them to, I made my way back to Wayne Manor to continue getting things ready. I had figured out a way to create a secret door in the study on the first floor by knocking out a wall and placing a large elevator there. Getting people to install it had been interesting. I had eventually given in and done something I hadn't wanted to do: lie.

I had hired a group of Russian immigrants to build and install the equipment down in the Cave. To them, I was Nikolai Kuchev and I needed a bunker built to control my own small Mafia group. Once they had been informed by Alfred that I was in control of part of the Russian Mob, they quietly agreed to work for me. They had finished installing the Cray computers, uniform bay, and training station just yesterday and I was incredibly pleased that they were finally gone. I also subconsciously decided that I would have to watch them if they were willing to work for the Russian Mob.

Finally, night set in and I began to suit up. While I had tried on parts of the suit, I had not put in on in its entirety, so that when I did, I would finally be able to assume the entity that I wished to become.

Putting the suit on was a length process. Being late October, it got down to a surprisingly cold temperatures in Gotham. As a result, I started with a layer of military grade spandex warmth gear. Next was the Kevlar vest and pants. Each was made of a thin carbon fiber-Kevlar weave and was designed to slow down a bullet that may enter that. However, it wasn't my intention to let that happen. Covering that layer was the Nomex Survival Suit. It was a thick rubber-like material that I had painted jet black in order to allow myself to blend in better. Its structure prevented anything but the highest grade bullets from entering from anything other than a point blank shot. Finally, the cape and cowl were placed on my back and head, respectively.

Once everything was in place, I took a moment to collect myself and realize the gravity of what I was about to do. Finally, Bruce Wayne disappeared and the aggressive nature of Batman stepped forward. Once I had put my mind to what I was going to do and in what order, I got on my bike and took off out the newly constructed raceway on my way to return Gotham to its former glory.