Chapter 9: Vision of Hope

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a shadowy veil over Gotham City, Batman gilded silently through the night. The city's streets pulsed with life, and Damian's keen senses honed in on his current prey. With purpose, he followed a speeding stolen car from above the rooftops. Even though his mind was preoccupied with the impending fundraiser at Wayne Manor within the hour, he didn't miss a beat. Before long, he witnessed the car screech to a halt, its doors flung open, and a desperate car thief emerging.

As the thief ran into a nearby alleyway, Batman leaped ahead and dove straight down into the secluded space. In a blur of acrobatic prowess, he disarmed the thief, rendering him incapable of further mischief. Batman spared a fleeting glance at the stolen vehicle before turning his attention to the thief, who lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes wide with fear.

"You picked the wrong night to draw my attention," Batman growled. "Consider yourself lucky I have somewhere to be."

In one quick motion, Damian drove his boot onto the thief's ankle, crushing it with little effort. The thief cried out in excruciating pain, but was soon silenced by a hard kick to the face that rendered him unconscious. On any other night, the thief might have faced worse physical torment at the hands of Batman, but not tonight. As Damian prepared to move on and return home, he heard the unmistakable sound of gunshots echoing through the night air. His head snapped towards the direction of the gunfire, his vigilante instincts overriding his sense of urgency. With a swift leap, Batman shot a grappling hook up to the roof. He turned, looking in every direction as he sought out the source of the gunshots.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

There they were. Without saying a word, Batman bounded across rooftops, closing the distance to the source of the disturbance. When he arrived at the scene, an old, closed off road, what he saw brought an audible sigh from his lips.

Several armed men, wearing colors that represented Falcone and Maroni respectively, were locked in a fierce firefight with Red Hood. Jaiden fought back with precision and skill from behind his cover, returning fire with lethal accuracy. Without a word, Batman sprang into the fay, taking down several gangsters with a calculated grace. The criminals hesitated, their confidence shaken as they realized they now faced a war on two fronts. Jaiden seized the opportunity to finish off the remaining assailants with well-timed shots to the head.

Once the area was clear, Batman approached Red Hood, who was standing with his arms crossed, his attention locked on the fallen criminals.

"What happened?" Batman asked.

Jaiden scoffed, not bothering to meet Batman's gaze. "I was doing a routine patrol when they jumped me. It's clear they're gunning for me…which means they don't know that I was framed for the Freight Yards." He slowly tilted his head to look at Batman.

"Do you expect me to go to Falcone or Maroni and clear your name?" Batman asked, his tone unwavering.

Jaiden scoffed again, this time shaking his head. "That would be the none asshole thing to do, so I guess not."

Batman stepped closer, his presence reassuring yet resolute. "I could tell them you were framed, or you could remain their unified target. Keeps them preoccupied while I find the real killer and bring him into the light."

Jaiden's eyes narrowed behind his mask, annoyance clear in his voice. "I'm nobody's pawn."

"I'm not asking you to be a pawn, just a distraction. You may be…frustrating, but you're efficient. You can more than handle yourself," Batman responded.

Jaiden turned away from Batman, his eyes returning to the various unconscious and lifeless bodies. "...You're damn right I can. Fine, I'll play your-"

As Jaiden turned around to address Batman once more, he found that the Dark Knight had already vanished. He looked around for any sign of him, and ultimately sighed.

"Asshole."

Wayne Manor - 8 PM

The grandeur of Wayne Manor set the stage for the lavish fundraiser, where the affluent and influential of Gotham City gathered to witness the unveiling of Damian Wayne's ambitious mental hospital project. The sprawling mansion was adorned with elegant decorations, and the air buzzed with anticipation and intrigue. Sabrina Kyle, dressed in an alluring gown, entered the opulent ballroom. She moved gracefully through the crowd, her eyes sharp and observant. A mix of familiar faces and powerful figures met her gaze, each whispering their own secrets and harboring their own motivations. From a distance, Sabrina spotted Joseph Dent, standing near the center of attention, engaged in lively conversations with various guests.

Sabrina's heart fluttered as she recalled their shared history, the memories of their college days lingering in her mind. Summoning her resolve, Sabrina maneuvered her way closer to Joseph, careful to maintain an air of nonchalance. When their eyes finally met, a spark of recognition passed between them. Joseph smiled warmly, genuinely pleased to see Sabrina amidst the crowd.

"Sabrina! I'm glad you could make it," Joseph greeted, extending a hand toward her. "I hope you enjoy the evening."

Sabrina accepted his hand, her touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "Joseph, the event is truly impressive. Where's Mr. Wayne? I haven't spotted him yet."

Joseph glanced around the expansive room before returning his gaze to Sabrina.

"I'm not sure, I haven't seen him yet myself. Knowing Damian though, he'll likely make a rather fashionably late entrance."

As if on cue, a set of double doors swung open. All eyes turned to see Damian Wayne saunter in, wearing an immaculately tailored suit and his signature charming smile. Photographers made sure to snap as many pictures of Damian as they could as he made his way through the crowd, greeting various guests along the way.

When he finally reached Joseph and Sabrina, Damian's smile widened. "There's the man of the hour, and who might this lovely lady be?" He asked, looking at Sabrina with curious eyes.

"Damian Wayne, meet my old friend from law school, Sabrina Kyle," Joseph introduced.

The last name caused Damian to pause. The gears in his mind began to turn instantly. Of course anyone could have the name Kyle, but in Gotham…

Shaking off the thought for a moment, Damian extended his hand to Sabrina. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Kyle."

Sabrina smiled coyly as she gave his hand a polite shake. Her fingers lingered on the back of his hand for just a moment. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wayne. You have a stunning home. It's even more impressive than I imagined."

"Why thank you, it's a wonder I'm able to keep it up. Unlike my dad, I don't have a butler," Damian replied smoothly.

Just then, the sound of a spoon tapping glass rang out as the room fell silent. All eyes turned to the small stage set up by the stairs where Bruce Podolsky stood behind a podium, ready to address the guests.

"Good evening, esteemed guests. As Mr. Wayne's strategic consultant, it is my honor to officially kick this fundraiser off the right way. That is by acknowledging the man who's going to change Gotham for the better, Joseph Dent!" Bruce exclaimed, pointing over to Joseph as the crowd applauded politely.

Joseph smiled, giving a slight wave before leaning in close to Damian. "Always has to remind everyone what he does, doesn't he?"

"Oh you have no idea," Damian responded with a shake of his head.

"Now, please welcome the man who's expensive champagne we all came here to drink," Bruce said, prompting a small chuckle from the crowd. "Damian Wayne!"

Damian gave Joseph a slight pat on the shoulder before walking up to the podium. In passing Bruce, his consultant winked at him and made his way off to the side. Once Damian stood behind the podium, he put on his trademark charismatic smile.

"My fellow Gothamites, for too long our city has failed to adequately care for members of our community struggling with mental illness. Arkham Asylum has proven ineffective, even dangerous, as a means of rehabilitation. But today marks the first step in righting this historic wrong. Now many of you may wonder what made me fund Joseph Dent's campaign," Damian suggested, looking out to the crowd. "It's not just because he's a friend, but because of the simple fact that we share a vision. A vision of a new mental health hospital on the outskirts of Gotham, one truly focused on compassionate, evidence-based treatment – the Diana Wayne Memorial Hospital!"

A thunderous applause erupted as Damian continued. "Equipped with cutting-edge psychiatric resources, calming amenities, and a patient-first mission, the Diana Wayne Memorial Hospital will set a new standard in mental healthcare. No longer will the mentally ill be locked away and forgotten. They will receive counseling, community reintegration skills, and most importantly–hope."

Damian placed a hand over his heart, his voice swelling with conviction. "It is my deepest wish that this hospital represents a pivotal shift towards healing for Gotham. With Joseph Dent as our next mayor, and with the generosity of you, our city's finest citizens, we will build a brighter future."

As Damian spoke, Sabrina leaned in close to Joseph. "He certainly knows how to command a room," she whispered.

Joseph nodded. "No one knows how to work a crowd quite like Damian Wayne."

Damian extended a hand towards Joseph. "Please welcome your next mayor, Joseph Dent!"

The crowd erupted as Joseph took the stage, shaking Damian's hand firmly before taking his place behind the podium. Joseph took a moment to collect himself, then began his remarks.

"Thank you, thank you all. And thank you, Damian, for your belief in this vision. I know for many, if not all of you, when you hear my last name you think about my father, Harvey. More accurately, I would say, you think about Two-Face. His mental illness is well documented, and we know from his repeated offenses that treatment at Arkham was never the solution. However, if my father had been cared for in a better environment, I believe a complete rehabilitation would've taken place."

Joseph gripped the edges of the podium, his voice ringing with conviction. "My father was left vulnerable, and when I become mayor, the Diana Wayne Memorial Hospital will stand as a testament of our shared commitment to all of Gotham's citizens, especially the vulnerable. This hospital represents the hope that we can lift up those who need it most. That we can inspire true rehabilitation, not punishment. Friends, with your support, we will heal our city's wounds and forge a compassionate new era for Gotham!"

Throughout the entire speech, Sabrina hung on every word. Even as she mentally cataloged details about the hospital for Falcone, a small part of her couldn't help but feel unexpectedly moved by the grand vision Joseph and Damian shared. For a fleeting moment, Sabrina wondered if she was doing the right thing by spying for Falcone. But she quickly buried that thought, focusing on the mission at hand. She had a job to do, and her own interests to look out for first and foremost. With her mission back at the forefront of her mind, Sabrina realized that now was the perfect time to slip away, as the guests began to come up to Joseph and talk with him as he left the podium.

Damian briefly caught sight of Sabrina heading for the exit, a curious look on his face as he watched. Her last name certainly rang alarm bells in his head now. Before he made a move, the sound of a familiar voice filling the air near him caught his attention.

"Joseph, dear, what an impressive little initiative."

Damian turned to find Rose Thorne, dressed impeccably in a designer gown, walking up to Joseph with a calculated smile. Joseph turned to his political opponent, initially showing a look of surprise, which was quickly replaced by a clearly manufactured smile.

"Thank you, Rose. I have to say, you're the last person I expected to see here," Joseph said.

Rose waved him off. "We may be political rivals, but I could not miss such a party, especially at the famed Wayne Manor."

Damian stepped in, giving Joseph a bit of backup. "Well I'm glad you're a fan of the vision. It's a necessary step toward a brighter future for our city, and Joe here is the perfect person to bring us that future."

Rose gave a soft chuckle as she turned to Damian. "That'll be up for the people to decide, won't it?"

Before Damian could respond, his phone buzzed. Joseph's phone went off as well. Then Rose's. All throughout the room, guests began to pull out their phones, perplexed murmurs rising. Even Sabrina, who had stepped into her car outside, stopped to look at her own phone.

All at once, every screen switched to show a shrouded figure clad in a trench coat, but beyond that nothing was very distinguishable.

"Esteemed citizens of Gotham, do not be deceived by false idols," the figure said, his voice modulated. "The man you cheer today festers with the same corruption that has plagued our city for generations. Joseph Dent claims nobility, yet scratches the backs of scoundrels. His vision is but a facade, masking his true nature. Place not your hope in this hollow prince, for his hands are stained by devil's bargains, and his soul long ago sold."

Shocked gasps rang out as the dark figure leaned forward, his ghoulish white eyes now noticeable. "The day of judgment is upon you, and you will face it as Matthew Thorne did. As Anthony Falcone, and Danilo Maroni will. Until then…"

The figure placed a finger in front of his lips in a shushing gesture. With that ominous threat, the screens blinked back to normal, leaving the guests reeling. Joseph stood frozen in place, his face drained of color. Damian placed a hand on his shoulder and took him aside, away from the eyes that now clung to him.

"What the hell was that?" Damian asked under his breath.

Joseph could only shake his head in dismay. The mysterious messenger had just detonated a bomb under his campaign. The hospital initiative now seemed hopelessly compromised, its rollout disastrously botched before it even began. Joseph steeled himself, trying to summon an aura of confidence. But inwardly, he trembled at the magnitude of the battle he now had to face. The figure's parting words echoed hauntingly in his mind–the day of judgment was upon him.