CHAPTER X

At the end of another two weeks, the Batcave had a vast array of computers set up exactly where Dick wanted it. Soon after it was installed, I got a call from Lucius saying he'd finished the car. I excitedly walked to Wayne Enterprises. When I reached Lucius, I saw the car. "That is MAGNIFICENT!" I shouted. "I thought you'd like it," said Lucius. It was fitted with black armor, and there was my logo in grey on the hood. The state it was in, it looked more like a tank. "Can I take it out for a spin?" I asked. "Why not?" said Lucius, smirking.

I got in, seeing that the interior was only a remnant of the Aventador it had once been. Lucius pointed at the jumble of buttons on the dash. "Okay," he said, "We've got grappling hooks, Gatling guns, boosts, the whole nine yards." "Is there spike treads?" I asked. "There sure is," said Lucius. "Then let's get started," I said. Fortunately there was a part of the building specifically for testing vehicles. As I began driving, I said, "This thing is smooth." "You've got that right," said Lucius, "Course, it's no surprise, seeing as how I made it." I laughed and said, "None at all."

"Alright, let's see what this thing can do," I said. I pushed the boost button, feeling the speed steadily increase, eventually topping at about 210 MPH. I turned it off and coasted around the track, letting the speed decrease. "Very nice," I said. There was a cement pillar in the center of the room, allowing me to test the grappling hooks. There was one stored in the right, one in the left. I pressed left. The hook shot out and embedded itself in the pillar, and the car swung around. Eventually coming to a halt, I said, "That'll be useful. What can we use to test the guns?"

Lucius said, "Well, you won't kill the wall." "What if someone comes down here?" I asked. "I cover my bases," he said, "I've installed retina scanners, fingerprint scanners, voice I.D. The only reason you get in here is because I turn them off before you arrive." I nodded and said, "Cool. Alright, let's bring out the big guns." I activated the Gatling guns, watching them quickly whip out of the sides. The steering mechanism was like an incomplete wheel with two red buttons. "Let's push the red buttons," I said. I jammed my thumbs downward, opening fire. The bullets came fast and hard, creating several hundred holes in the wall by the time I was out.

I got out, walking over towards the wall. "Wow," I said, looking at the massive dents the bullets made, "This is amazing. You understand, I won't be using this on anybody." "Of course, of course, "said Lucius, "but if you need to get through a wall…" "So, spike treads," I said. Lucius said, "Indeed." I got back in, saying, "Time for one more button." I pushed the spike tread button, and the metal tires opened up, revealing scale-like spikes. I pushed on the gas, speeding towards the wall. I rammed into it, the spikes still going, lifting the front of the car upwards. Eventually I was vertical, traveling up the wall. I smiled. "Being Batman is going to be a lot more fun with this thing," I said.

After getting back down, I said, "You know, I think I'll call this the Batmobile. I've already got batarangs and a Batcave, so why not?" Lucius smiled, and we both got out. I put my hand on the roof and said, "Do you think you can get this to my house anytime soon?" "Why not now?" said Lucius, "I'm sure we've got an eighteen-wheeler somewhere around here." "That'd be great!" I said.

We began to travel towards Wayne Manor. As we rumbled down the road, Lucius said, "So, how goes it in the Wayne household?" "Well, actually," I replied, "We have a new resident." "Who?" asked Lucius. "Dick Grayson," I replied. "The kid whose parents were…" Lucius trailed off. "Yeah," I said. "Are you trying to make sure he doesn't go through the same as you?" asked Lucius. I sighed and said, "I guess," I replied, shrugging, "I-I mean, it's not like he wasn't into anything illegal before. He actually broke into the manor." "Really?" Lucius laughed, "I like this kid already." "You and me both," I said.

Lucius cleared his throat and said, "I heard about Anarky." "Yeah," I said, "It's a crying shame. More than anything right now, I wish I didn't have to meet him that way." "If only," said Lucius, "But it's not your fault. You had no idea about this kid." "But what if I did?" I said, "I could've helped, I could've done something!" "Bruce, seriously, do me a favor and stop blaming yourself," said Lucius, "Gotham just does things to a person." "Yeah, like I haven't heard that before," I mumbled. "What?" said Lucius. "Nothing," I said dismissively.

We reached Wayne Manor to find Dick sitting on the front doorstep. We parked, and I got out of the truck, walking towards Dick. "What are you doing out here?" I asked. "Waiting for you," replied Dick, "I knew you were at Wayne Enterprises." I looked at my watch and said, "It's…8:30. It's a holiday, isn't it? What're you doing up at this hour?" "I'm different from other guys my age," said Dick, "So sue me." "Well, anyway, how did you know?" I asked. "I picked up the other line," said Dick, standing up, "So, where is this car of yours?"

He walked over to the truck, waiting excitedly for Lucius to open it up. "Ready to be wowed?" asked Lucius. "Heck yeah," said Dick. Lucius smiled and pulled the back open. Dick laughed, jumped inside, and said, "I like it. I like it a lot." I got inside, and said, "Yeah, but as Batman, I like it more, and I'm backing it out." Dick jumped over the hood and got in the passenger side, saying, "So, what model car was this?" "A Lamborghini Aventador," I said. "Oh, yeah, baby," said Dick, resting his head on the dash and running his hands over it. I looked at him and said, "Are you…caressing the car?" "Well, she's certainly beautiful enough," said Dick. "OKAY," I said, "That's enough of that, let's get this in the Batcave!"

The DANGER sign was also fitted with mechanisms that allowed it to open up. I pulled inside, and we came to a stop in the middle of the cavern. A couple minutes later, Lucius walked in, looked around, and said, "You're really serious about the whole bat theme, aren't you?" Dick got out and said, "Uh, actually this was my idea. See, he's actually scared of…" "Dick," I interrupted, "please shut up." Dick threw up his hands in mock surrender, eyebrows raised, and didn't say another word. "I guess I am," I continued, "This'll be Batman's pad." Lucius saw the computers and said, "So, you've got your own little mission control, huh?" "Yeah," I said. "And that's not all. Dick's got some other suggestions, too." Dick raised his eyebrow and said, "I thought I was supposed to shut up." I sighed and said, "Not anymore." Dick nodded, saying, "Thank you."

Dick walked off with Lucius in tow, and I went over to one side of the cavern where there was a glass case. I took Anarky's mask out of my jacket and placed it inside. Along with that, I placed a picture on the computer desk that was special to me: me and my parents, at my eighth birthday party. We were so happy back then. I stared at the photo for a long time, drowning in painful memories.

A few minutes later, Lucius came up and put his hand on my shoulder. He looked around again and said, "You're doing well here." He looked at the picture of me and my parents and said, "They would be proud." I laughed bitterly and said, "I wish I agreed with you. I mean, what have I really done so far?" "You've taken in and taken care of a kid that might've ended up like Anarky if it wasn't for you," said Lucius. I sighed and said, "Maybe. But then again, now he wants to take down villains with Batman. That's still throwing your life away, even if it's to help. I mean, he should settle down, have some kids, work a day job. He should have a good life. Unlike…" "Unlike you?" said Lucius. "Yeah," I said, "unlike me."

Lucius sighed, crossed his arms, and leaned against the computer desk, saying, "I'm not sure that Alfred would agree with you. I mean, I know what you've been through, but Alfred has done his best to help you out. And I daresay he's succeeded. You've had a good life, despite the hardships. And you're helping Dick with that. And besides, I think…" He trailed off. "You think what?" I said. Lucius uncrossed his arms and said, "I think kids like you end up this way. You know how bad humans can be, and you want to make sure that that changes." "Give me some examples," I said. "Okay," said Lucius, "There's Superman, who's home was destroyed. But two good people found him. Remember hearing about that girl Raven? I heard she's part demon. But yet, she still has good friends. Beast Boy, yet another orphan. The Doom Patrol found him and…you know the rest."

I looked at him and said, "So, what you're saying is…" "What I'm saying," he said, "is if a kid who's had a life that's thrown everything at them is found by just a few people, and those people care for them and steer them the right way, those kids end up doing great things." "Like being a hero by night," I said, "Right. Yeah, that's totally great." Lucius smiled and said, "It is to me. You are doing some real good." I sighed and said, "Okay. Whatever. Well, since we've got this moved in, how's about you stay for some brunch, or something?" Lucius nodded.

We went inside and asked Alfred if he could make something. "Of course, Master Wayne," he said, "What shall I prepare?" I shrugged and said, "Whatever you think is best." Alfred smirked and said, "Alright, then. I'll have something cooked up in no time." "Thanks, Alfred," I said, "Hey, uh, where's Dick?" "In his room, I imagine," replied Alfred. "Alright," I said, "In the meantime, Lucius, do you want some coffee?" "I think that would do me some good, yes," said Lucius.

We poured ourselves some good old-fashioned black coffee and sat down at the dining table. "So, what is he like?" asked Lucius. "I'm sorry, who?" I said. Lucius raised his eyebrows. "Oh, yeah," I laughed, "Yeah, he's…he's certainly different than any other sixteen-year-old I've ever met." "I think so, too," said Lucius. As he took another swig of coffee, I said, "I mean, he's a very good kid, all things considered. He's well-read, acrobatic, and… like I said, he even wants to get in on the whole hero thing."

Lucius smiled and said, "I think I know why he's different to you." "And why would that be?" I asked, smiling, "Go on, enlighten me." "I think," said Lucius, "it's because he's like you were at that age." I nearly spit out my coffee. "No way," I said, "I was never like that." "Oh, come on," said Lucius, "Long, disheveled black hair, well-read…well, you were more athletic, but still." I shrugged, and Alfred called us to a meal worthy of a mansion.