Chapter 2: The Dark Knight
Night in Gotham City
Two figures cloaked in dark trench coats and fedoras slipped through the darkness of Gotham. Their eyes were narrowed, fixating on their mission, the Gotham City Central Bank. As they took cover in a back alley, the front of the bank exploded outward, alarms going off and smoke billowing through the sky. The two then storm in with guns drawn, making their way over to the now blown open safe. Together, they rushed in and began grabbing as much money as they could carry.
…
Meanwhile, a sleek and dark car drove through the streets of the city. Inside, a dark cowled figure adjusted the volume on a police radio, just as a report came in.
"Calling all cars, we have an explosion at the Gotham City Central Bank." Dispatch announced. "Two suspects were seen fleeing the scene heading south towards Park Row. Believed armed and dangerous."
The figure then turned the car in the direction of the bank
…
The two perps ran with their ill gotten loot, the police hot on their tails. In the police car chasing them, Sergeant Bullock and his partner Rene Montoya were determined to catch them.
"We have to stop these two before they get away." Montoya insisted.
"Don't you mean before the bat does?" Bullock sneered.
"You know what I meant." Montoya snapped. "Besides, the Bat's on our side."
"Maybe, but these days, it's hard to tell." Bullock remarked. "Last week he dislocated a guy's jaw and snapped his arm in three places. I'm tellin' ya, he's gone off the deep end."
"Can you blame him?" Montoya questioned. "Joker bashed his partner's head in, then nearly killed the Commissioner and his daughter."
"And look what he did to the clown!" Bullock argued. "Docs say he's gonna be in a body cast for another 3 months."
"You saying the clown didn't have it coming?" Montoya remarked.
"Not saying that." Bullock replied. "Just saying the line between the Bat and these punks is getting thinner. I'm just worried that one day soon, that line's gonna snap all together, and we'll be throwing him in Arkham alongside all the nutjobs he's put away."
"Let's just focus on the bank robbers for now." Montoya insisted, looking out the windshield and gasping. "Dead end!"
Bullock hit the brakes, narrowly missing the end of the alley the robbers has run into. Getting out of the car, the two cops could see the perps scrambling up the fire escape. Even more troubling was the familiar silhouette running from the opposite direction.
"Shit..." Bullock cursed.
As the robbers reached the roof, they bolted across, hoping to make their getaway. However, that's when a dark figure landed in front of them. The figure was cloaked in a black cape, a yellow belt around his waist. His suit seemed to be made of grey, flexible, yet durable, armor with a black bat symbol on his chest. A cowl covered half of his face with two pointed "ears" sticking out the top.
"Drop the money." He snarled. "Only warning."
The robbers responded by whipping out their guns at him. The figure then pulled out a bat shaped shuriken, throwing it at the perps. It hit them both, disarming them before they could fire a shot. The figure then leapt through the air, tackling one of the thugs to the ground and mercilessly beating him into the pavement. The second tackled him from behind, grabbing him around the neck. The figure easily elbowed him in the stomach before spinning around and socking him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. The second robber shook his head in pain as the figure moved towards him.
Down below, Bullock and Montoya tried to climb the fire escape to chase after the perps. Unfortunately, Bullock's physique, or lack thereof, was making the trek difficult. As they finally reached the top, they found the two perps on the ground, the figure standing over them. They were both groaning and twitching, some limbs twisted in the wrong direction.
"Batman!" Montoya shouted.
Batman quickly took out a grapple gun and fired it at a neighboring rooftop. He shot off into the night leaving the cops alone with the perps. Bullock watched him go, huffing and trying to catch his breath.
"Are they-?" he began.
"Alive, thank God." Montoya replied, letting out a sigh. "You're right. Batman's slipping bad."
"Ya see?" Bullock told her. "It's only a matter of time…"
…
On top of a nearby rooftop, Batman looked down at the thugs as they got carted away. Lightning struck behind him, signalling the beginning of a terrible rain storm.
"Alfred," He spoke, holding two fingers to his cowl. "I apprehended the two robbers. Any other reports?"
There was no reply on the other line, only static.
"Alfred?" He repeated.
Once again, only static. A cold lump of fear fell into Batman's stomach and he moved as fast as he could, jumping off the building and into his waiting Batmobile. Once seated inside, he closed the top and drove off into the night.
…
Sometime later, the batmobile pulled into the batcave, the top opening up and allowing Batman out. The first thing he noticed was that the lights in the cave did not automatically turn on for him. Since they were connected with the motion sensors, that meant someone had deactivated them. Batman narrowed his eyes in response, feeling something was wrong.
Scanning the area, he noticed that the only source of light seemed to be coming from his monitoring station. He walked over to it, discreetly taking out a batarang from his belt. As he got closer, he found the monitors active, several files open on screen. These files included his personal files on Batgirl, Nightwing, and Robin. This only fueled Batman's fear and anger as he closed in. Finally, he reached his hand out and grabbed the back of the chair before spinning it around, readying his batarang.
What he saw, however, was a young boy, about 13, sleeping in the chair. He had longer black hair and wore a red hoodie with jeans. There was a backpack in the chair with him, which he was using as a pillow. In his lap was a plate that had once contained half-eaten sandwich that seemed to have been pilfered from the pantry. Ace, Batman's Doberman that he had taken in, was currently eating the remnants at the boy's feet, a chewed t-bone next to him showing the boy had bribed the usually stalwart guard dog. Batman raised an eyebrow at this, replacing the batarang and placing his hand on the boys shoulder, shaking him slightly.
"Wake up." He told him.
The boy groaned, his eyes fluttering open. When he laid eyes on Batman, he jolted awake, his sandwich falling out of his lap and onto the ground.
"You're here!" He let out. "You're back! How long was I asleep?"
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" Batman questioned.
Taking a deep breath, the boy composed himself.
"My names Tim Drake." he introduced. "And I came in using the secret door behind the grandfather clock. Set it to 10:48 and you get in."
"How did you know it was there." Batman pressed.
"Research." Tim answered. "Did you know that back during the Civil War, your ancestors used the caves beneath this manor to hide runaway slaves? Sure you've done some improvements, and the entrance has been modified, but it was relatively easy to find if you know what to look for."
Batman just remained silent, making Tim feel slightly uneasy.
"What are you doing here?" Batman asked.
"I came to help you." Tim told him, getting up and facing him. "I'm here to be your next Robin."
"... no." Batman told him.
Tim sighed.
"Yeah, figured you'd say that." He declared. "After what happened to Jason Todd, I don't blame you."
Batman just glared at him in mentioning Jason's name.
"Before you ask, I knew his name before I went through your files." Tim spoke up. "I was just fact checking to make sure. Same with Miss Gordon. Still can't believe she was Batgirl, though it makes sense if you think about it."
"Go. Home." Batman told him. "Now!"
"No." Tim said. "I'm not going home. Not yet."
"Why?" Batman asked.
"Because you need me." Tim insisted. "You need a Robin. Your butler thinks so. Who do you think made me the sandwich?"
"Where is Alfred?" Batman asked, remembering how he lost contact with him.
"He went to get something from the store." Tim answered. "He said that, and I quote 'Master Bruce will not return from his patrol lest he believes there is good reason to return'. The motion sensors were my idea though. You really need to up your security, or have a back-up system."
"I'll make a note of that." Batman replied dryly. "Now leave."
"No." Tim declared. "I'm not leaving. Not until you hear me out."
"... you have three minutes." Batman allowed.
Tim nodded and sat back down.
"I'll cut to the quick, you're out of control." Tim said bluntly. "You've fallen deeper and deeper into the darkness of this city ever since Jason Todd. What happened to the Gordons seemed to have accelerated your descent. You don't seem to realize it, but people are afraid of you. Innocent people."
"Everything I'm doing, I do to protect this city." Batman insisted.
"Oh really?" Tim questioned, reaching for his backpack and pulling out a few sheets of paper. "Perhaps you should tell that to John Sumter. He was a robber who hit that gas station last month. His gun was fake and he was just trying to get enough money to pay for his kid's asthma medication. Now he's in the hospital with a shattered collarbone and severe head trauma."
He flipped to a second page.
"How about Rebecca Carter?" he asked. "You saved her from some drunkards, but you beat them up so badly she's become terrified of you. I spoke to her, and she told me that she hopes someone will lock you up in Arkham before you cross the line."
"I would never-"
"Yeah, well you've come pretty damn close." Tim countered. "You're hurt, you're angry, and you're alone, a deadly combination for anyone, especially you. That's why you need a Robin. You need someone to keep you grounded, keep you from crossing that line, and from falling too deep into your own crusade."
"I won't have another death on my conscience!" Batman declared.
The shout rang through the cave as he bellowed, but Tim remained unfazed. In fact, he seemed as though something had just been confirmed.
"I see." he said. "It's not anger that's keeping you isolated… it's fear. You're afraid of losing anyone else to the point that you've shut everyone out, even your friends."
"Get. out!" Batman snapped.
Tim sighed.
"Fine." He said quietly. "Just one favor? Can I make myself another sandwich? I kinda dropped the remains of my first one and I'm pretty sure your dog isn't gonna share."
Ace swallowed the rest of the sandwich, going over to the chewed t-bone to finish what he started.
…
Sometime later, Alfred returned to the mansion with his desired groceries. As he entered the kitchen, he was surprised to find Tim Drake standing in front of the counter, assembling a sandwich Dagwood would be jealous of. Tim had just finished putting the finishing touches on it when the butler came in.
"Hi Mr. Pennyworth." He greeted, putting his ingredients away.
"Hello Timothy." Alfred replied. "I assume the talk didn't go as well as hoped."
"Kicked me out." Tim nodded. "I stalled him by requesting a second sandwich since my first one was stolen by the large doberman down there."
"I see." Alfred nodded. "Perhaps it is my turn to try and talk the bat down."
"Good luck." Tim told him, sitting down with his new sandwich.
…
Down in the cave, Batman worked on fixing the motion sensors as Alfred walked down. The lights flickered on as Batman finished his repairs, still upset and angry at everything Tim has said.
"Welcome home Master Bruce." Alfred greeted. "It has been some time since you've graced me with your presence."
"How'd he convince you to show you the cave?" Batman asked.
"Actually, he marched right up to the Grandfather clock and opened it himself." Alfred told him. "He's done his research, Master Bruce. I daresay he reminds me of you when you were his age."
This caused Batman to stop what he was doing and turn towards him.
"You think I should take him on, don't you?" Batman guessed.
"I think the boy makes a very resounding point." Alfred admitted. "I have been trying to find the right way to say this, but have never found the words until now. I'm worried about you, worried that your one man crusade is consuming you. You need a lifeline, and I alone am no longer enough."
"I won't lead another child to their grave." Batman insisted, pulling his cowl off to reveal just how scared he truly was. "I can't..."
"What happened to Jason was awful, but it was out of your hands." Alfred consoled him. "He knew what he was getting into when he signed on with you, when he put on that mask. And I know Mr. Drake is the same way."
"And what about Barbara?" Bruce added.
"Joker targeted Barbara Gordon, not Batgirl." Alfred argued. "She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not. Your. Fault."
Alfred took hold of Batman's shoulders.
"I know you are scared, but deep down you know he's right." He insisted. "You need someone out there watching your back, someone to keep you honest and from straying too far into the shadows. You need a Robin."
Bruce looked towards a display case, containing a red and green costume with a small R on the right side of the chest.
"Do you remember why you donned the cowl in the first place?" Alfred asked,
"Of course I do." Bruce said, turning to him.
"Then think about this." Alfred insisted. "If you keep going the way you are, you may very well become some other little boy's Joe Chill."
Bruce paused for a moment, mulling over what Alfred had said. He looked over at the wall of the cave where a picture of his parents hung, then back at Jason's suit. Eventually, he reached a decision.
…
Tim rinsed off his plate, placing it on a drying rack before wiping his hands on a towel. As he placed the towel on the counter, he turned and saw Batman standing in the doorway. Tim jolted slightly, then let out a breath.
"You know, I'm surprised Alfred hasn't had a heart attack if you keep surprising people like this." he remarked.
"How serious are you about this." Batman asked. "Once you say yes, you're a part of this for life."
Tim met his eyes, growing serious once again.
"My mom died in a hit and run when I was 5, and my dad was killed in a home invasion last year." Tim told him. "I know how corrupt this city is, and how much it needs Batman. I don't want one of the only good people in this city to become corrupted. I want to make a difference. I want to help."
Bruce took all this in and knew his decision was right.
"Training begins tomorrow at 3:30." Batman told him. "Don't be late."
Tim grinned.
"I won't be." he swore.
…
Weeks later, the Batsignal shined across the sky, Gordon smoking by the signal as he exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"What is it, Jim?" Batman asked.
Gordon sighed, turning around to face Batman. He opened his mouth, ready to go into the tangent he had been planning for weeks on Batman's behavior. However, his words died on his tongue when he saw a familiar combination of red, yellow, and green.
"Evening Commissioner." a brand new Robin greeted, giving a small wave.
"...evening." Gordon greeted. "I… see you've found a new partner."
"More like he found me." Batman replied. "What do you have for us?"
Gordon thought for a minute, then tossed his cigarette aside, feeling a small sense of relief.
"Two-Face managed to escape from Arkham." He said, reaching into his coat and pulling out a file. "We've got men at his usual hangouts, but knowing him, he'll give them the runaround. Find him and bring him in, hopefully before his body count gets any bigger."
"We're on it." Rogin reassured, leaping off the side of the building.
Gordon watched him go, letting out a sigh.
"Glad to see you're letting someone in." He said. "He'll be good for you, I just know it."
"Yes… I think he will be." Batman agreed.
He then ran towards the side of the ledge and leapt off after him, retreating into the night to stalk evil wherever it may lie. Except this time, he wasn't alone.