A.N.-I'm alive and here's a new chapter. For all my school readers, best of luck this school year. Keep writing and making new worlds! Enjoy the new chapter.

Ch. 8

The night air was chilly for a late June evening, but it didn't deter Gotham's nightly activities. Low clouds hung over the city as dark eyes watched the streets crawling with vagrants, homeless, citizens, and an occasional lone coyote seeking a quick meal from nearby dumpsters.

Expert eyes shadowed by hooded cowl scanned the surrounding environment; a jumble of crisscrossing streets, roaring traffic, and multiple alleyways that disappeared into an inky blackness. Light jazz and distant rock music floated upwards before being drowned out by the roar of emergency sirens and news helicopter blades.

Batman stood over the ledge of a large industrial building half hidden in shadow from the building to his right. Gotham was unusually quiet. He'd been on patrol for several hours but had only come across two thugs trying to break into a car. He caught them just as the car alarm went off forcing a quick retreat as the car owner came running out arms waving in a frenzied panic.

He monitored the police radios, but they seemed to have things handled. For now. He swiveled his head hearing a large crash followed by a shriek. It had come from the building rooftop across from him. He shot out his grappling hook, landing on the other side with the grace of a leopard. Moving quickly but quietly he advanced toward where he thought the sound originated from.

Peering around some exhaust and heating pipes, he readied a bat-a-rang only to let out a frustrated growl. He had expected to see some person in dire need of his help, but what greeted him was a small group of rural cats fighting each other. Several aluminum tins and extra scrap metal lay littered around them. He stood up turning the cats' attention away from themselves and onto him.

Several let out large hisses displaying arched backs before disappearing across the rooftop.

Batman groaned. You'd think I'd be able to distinguish a cat's shriek from a human. He mentally slapped himself. He turned around to swing back across when bright headlights hit the alleyway below him. He smiled. Now this looked legit. He watched curious as a man stepped out gingerly. He glanced around scanning his environment and Batman quickly ducked down as the man looked above him. Satisfied that he was alone, he reached back into his car.

Batman staying low pulled out a listening device that looked like a small fly. The man's actions surprised him. He was clearly aware of his surroundings even checking for eyes above him. That was something modern Gotham thugs never did. From this distance, he could see the man was big standing at 6'3 maybe 200 pounds. Dressed in a thick trench coat, dark pants, and shoes he seemed well off. A glint caught Bruce's eye. A large silver watch wound around his wrist.

He watched the stranger straighten again this time with a small briefcase in his hand. He shut the car door before advancing to the rear. He opened the trunk, fumbled around for something before hitting a button that closed it with a quiet whoosh of sealed air.

He pulled out a cellphone, punched in some numbers, and leaned against the trunk waiting from someone on the other end to pick up. Grasping the opportunity of distraction, Batman launched his flying ears and eyes. A new prototype, developed by him and Alfred, now was the perfect time for a test run. Monitoring the device from buttons in his gauntlets, he maneuvered it slowly toward the suspicious visitor. The man was still on his phone and now Batman could catch a wisp of his conversation. He had a thick gravelly voice with a light German accent.

"…the delivery is on schedule. No, she will not be a problem. I have it handled. Alright, meet me at the designated spot. No, he won't be a problem either. I have taken the necessary precautions. Not even he can stop me, though I am sure he has eyes everywhere. He could even be watching me as I speak."

Batman smiled. He knew the man was talking about him. His reputation as the Dark Knight preceded him as usual, though this guy acted as if he was unfazed by the thought. He'd be proven wrong. His device hovered just next to the left rear tire of his car. Equipped with the latest in camera, sound systems, and infrared scans, he didn't need to get any closer. He could hear everything even the slight hitch in breath. The man hung up, but Batman had heard enough, and it was not good news. If this man had heard of him and made contingency plans, then that made him dangerous.

A slight tingle of excitement raced down his spine. There seemed to be a new wannabe player in town and Bats would have his first crack at him. However, he didn't know who this man was nor what he was up to. He guided the small device toward the front grill of his car and then hit a button that sprayed the car in a light mist. Nearly invisible to the naked eye, it looked like a slight water sheen, but under infrared light it would stick out like a sore thumb. Now he could track the vehicle anywhere if it stayed within the city limits. He pulled the device back to him and watched as the man open his briefcase.

It was empty, but then he stuck out his wrist and pulled off his watch placing it gently in the case. He shut it, locked it and then quickly glanced behind him as if hearing something. Feeling at ease once more, he continued to the driver door and slipped inside. The car purred to life with an electric rumble and it backed out the alley before disappearing into the fog that began to roll in from the harbor.

Batman sat back on his haunches quite intrigued. He would never be able to follow the car on foot, but he could back at the cave. It was nearing midnight and he still had a few hours to check the usual spots of crime before heading back home. A new player in town always meant trouble, and he had a lot of investigating to do. His phone beeped and he saw he had a voicemail from Selena. He clicked listen later before putting it away and standing up. Whoever this person was, Batman would find everything about him and what threat he posed to his beloved city. No one messed with Gotham without facing its guardian angel. Though he didn't catch all of the conversation nor who was on the other side of the line, he heard enough to be concerned.

Time to get to work. He launched himself off the rooftop, his cape silhouetted against the clouds lit by a bright moon. As the fog rolled in, blanketing Gotham, Batman raced across the city skyline determined to put an end to the infinite tide of crime that threatened his home.

Meanwhile at the Wayne mansion (several hours earlier):

Alfred hummed a cheery tune while polishing several large marble statues that lined the entrance to their home. Dick was upstairs reading before heading to bed. Alfred discovered that Dick liked science fiction novels, and thus had preceded to order several new series for their already expanding library collection. Alfred knew reading about old philosophers and artists only went so far before losing one's interest.

After working with Bruce for a few days and agreeing to take some sleep-inducing medicine, the kid was slowly beginning to relax. It had been almost a whole week without the kid waking up terrified from nightmares that plagued him. Schoolwork and chores assigned by yours truly kept him busy and his mind sharp. Bruce had spent more time at the office and out patrolling, but he promised to make up for it the following week.

Alfred could tell the stress from his unsolved cases and his normal workload was beginning to wear on him. Yet, he still somehow had the energy to stalk the rooftops at night fighting thugs and making busts. Alfred worried about the man he considered a son but knew his protests would fall on deaf ears. Only a life-threatening injury or family emergency would pull him from the field. Alfred had told him many times that he could use a partner, but Bruce shook his head saying Batman would always work alone.

Though Alfred wasn't surprised at his refusal, it amazed him that he could employ hundreds of employees as a CEO who came at his beck and call and yet, he refuses to let someone be there to have his back as a vigilante. Bruce had scoffed at Alfred's comment.

"Running a company is different than running after criminals," Bruce stated.

"True, but the principles behind it are the same," Alfred replied.

"Not really. Besides, I already have someone watching my back."

Alfred raised a brow. He knew where Bruce was going with this. "I don't count, Master Wayne."

"Sure, you do. I'd never have become Batman without your help."

"Uh-huh. I still think you need a partner."

"I work better alone. You know that."

"Do I?" Alfred retorted slightly frustrated.

Bruce shot him a look. Alfred just sighed and dropped the subject matter. They could discuss it later.

As Alfred made his way through the house, he doubled checked their security systems and ran through their safety protocols. Every week he ran diagnostic tests to ensure the mansion and its grounds remained secure. Though Bruce faced crime every day as CEO and Batman, it was imperative his home remained a safe place. Decades of trial and error made sure the house was built like a tank.

As he continued making his way through the rooms, Alfred thought back to the first time the Wayne Mansion had been infiltrated. It had been a normal Thursday evening and Bruce had not yet returned from work. He had been alone sipping tea in the living room when one of their silent alarms on the front grounds had been tripped. He got up expecting to see a lone wanderer on the cameras, but what greeted him was a group of about five or six figures clad in black and carrying semi-automatic weapons. Before he could activate their defense systems, something large crashed through the home's front bay windows. Glass shattered everywhere and splintered wood flew like arrows. Had he not been standing behind a large mahogany couch; he could have been seriously impaled. The intruders had decided it would be a brilliant idea to drive a fifty-ton truck through their front door.

That was the first time Alfred had ever sworn in his life. After muttering several angry curses that would have made a sailor jump ship, he quickly gathered his wits and began their backup plan. Alfred was the only person Bruce allowed a firearm, but he only used it as a final resort. Thankfully, though the intruders were armed and dangerous, they were disorganized. He took advantage of it and slipped away into another room where he could contact Bruce. He slid open a piece of dark wood paneling behind an office desk that held several buttons. He didn't dare risk heading down to the Batcave and exposing their greatest secret even if it was the most secure spot in the home. He hit the second button from the top twice which would alert Bruce of a home invasion, though he would know something was off when Alfred didn't call about dinner.

He then hit the top green button which was a direct line to Gotham Chief of Police. As the voices in the hallway grew louder Alfred typed in HIE-WMG which would let the GCOP know the Wayne residence was under a home attack. Sliding the panel shut, he skirted around the desk and tiptoed toward the door. He had two options. Try for the south stairwell that lead upstairs or head toward the kitchen. He knew he would never stand a chance against a small armada of men with guns that could instantly turn one into swiss cheese. Hearing the thud of boots on his newly polished floor, he headed in the opposite direction toward the large kitchen. The kitchen provided one of the last places of refuge if the rest of the house was ever compromised. The secret was in the pantry. Alfred slipped inside shutting the light wooden door noiselessly. The walk-in pantry was quite large despite there being only two people in a home that could easily accommodate a hundred. It was surrounded on three sides by two feet thick slabs of concrete. Reaching under a small shelf Alfred hit a switch and an electrical hum kicked up. Alfred stepped back to watch a metal door secure itself between him and the wooden pantry door. The door was bulletproof to a point and though it kept the intruders at bay, it also meant he was stuck till help arrived.

The door blocked out most of the noise, so he had no idea what those men where up to or where they were in the mansion. He just hoped they weren't destroying everything in their path. Guess he'd have to wait to assess the damage. It was at that moment he realized they should hook up cameras in there that covered the main points of the house. One more thing to add to his ever growing to-do-list. Master Wayne was not going to be happy. He took a seat in the back of the pantry and waited.

In the end, the thugs were apprehended by the Gotham Police, and Bruce rescued him from the pantry. Alfred joked that he sat there making new recipes for Master Wayne's next dinner party.

"Alfred, you could have been killed, tonight."

"I'm fine, Master Wayne."

"I'm serious, Alfred. The Chief of Police said you were very lucky. If not for our "specialized equipment" who knows what they could have done to you."

"I know, Master Wayne. I know." Bruce then embraced his butler in a hug.

After that attack, they discovered the thugs had been paid to kill Bruce, but the information of his true location had been miscommunicated leading them to his home instead of his office. Though his home was partially destroyed Bruce was glad it wasn't at his office where more casualties could have occurred. Bruce could bring back a home, but no amount of money could bring back real lives.

Alfred paused in his dusting and ran his fingers across the polished base of a small marble statue of the Wayne family. He missed Thomas and Martha and tomorrow would mark nearly two decades since their murder. He lingered for a few more moments before heading to the parlor. Bruce would be home any minute and he'd want a strong cup of coffee before getting started on his nightly duties. He looked up seeing Dick stumble down the stairs his hair askew.

"Good evening, Master Grayson."

"Hey, Alfred. Is Mr. Wayne home yet?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure he'll be here soon. Are you getting ready to settle in for the night?"

Dick nodded scratching the back of his neck. "If you see him, tell him I said night."

"You can tell him yourself, if you'd like." Though Alfred doubted it. Dick looked like he could fall asleep where he stood.

"Okay, can't promise I'll be coherent…" he mumbled softly before turning around and trudging back up the stairs. "Night, Alfred."

"Sleep well, Master Grayson."

Bruce didn't arrive until an hour later, so Alfred passed on Dick's message. Bruce checked in on his young ward who was happily curled up in his blankets, a sweet rare smile on his face.

It was the faces of innocence that fed into his passion as Batman. Though it would be an endless battle, every crook and criminal he took down, meant one less traumatized child. One less heartbreak of hearing the news of a loved one was gone snuffed out by the wickedness that plagued Gotham. It was a toxic city, but it was home.

He knew he was making a difference even if the news twisted his actions. He saw his impact reflected in the pool of hope that flooded a child's gaze. Eyes that glistened with the spark of excitement of those that still clung to the thought of Batman as their guardian angel. No matter how low the ember burned, he would give his life to keep that spark alive.

Hope you enjoyed it. Now, who could that mysterious man be and what could he be up to? Let me know your theories in the comments! Thanks!