Chapter Text
March 30th, 2000. That Night, it was raining onto the streets of Gotham. Thomas decided to take a short cut back to the Limo after leaving the Theater. There was a man in the Alley...
He pulled out his gun, and pointed it at Thomas... "You ever dance with the Devil in the moonlight?" He Asked. They thought they were getting mugged.
But before he took anything... He shot them. First Thomas, than Martha. Bruce watched as his father bled out, and his mother wasn't breathing anymore...
He cried... He didn't even notice the man's gun was pointed at him. When he did look up. He saw the man just drop the gun and run.
Bruce took the gun, and hid it in his pocket. When the Police Arrived, the case was assigned to Detective Jim Gordon. Jim promised to find who did this, but he never did. Bruce described him well, as that criminals face was all he saw whenever he closed his eyes. But they lost him, and after awhile, it was considered a Cold Case.
Bruce never showed anyone the gun. He didn't tell the cops he took it. When he got back, he didn't even show Alfred. Prior to the tragedy, Bruce was most afraid of Bats. Now, he didn't fear Bats as much anymore, instead he related to them. Seeing how they flied around in the dark helplessly. But also how they invoked fear in him. Bruce wanted to make that killer afraid the way Bats made him afraid...
November 3rd, 2005. Bruce Wayne is now 16 years old. He's grown medium-length brown hair that almost goes to his eyes, and wears dark eye shadow. He's been going to an expensive Academy for boys for a few years now, although he hates it. He ditches class and draws on the roof. He draws Bats, as they've interested him more and more over the years. A Classmate of his named Robert Kane spots him drawing.
"Ditching Class to draw again, freak?" Robert Asked. This isn't the first time he'd taunted Bruce, so he was used to it. Bruce just ignored him and kept drawing. Robert walks closer to Bruce and steals his Drawing Book. "What the Hell, Robert?" Bruce Asked, now pissed off. He turns around, as Robert backs away and opens Bruce's book. He sees the grotesque drawings of Bats.
"Jesus Christ," Robert Exclaimed. "You are a freak, Wayne." Bruce runs at Robert. "Give me the damn book back!" Bruce Yelled. He grabbed the book trying to take it from Robert.
The Dean sees them, and as soon as they notice him they immediately back away from each other, with Robert holding the book. "Dean Finger," Robert Said "Bruce and I were just-"
"Skipping class?" Dean Finger Said. "Detention, both of you." Robert looked at Bruce with angered.
After Detention, Bruce sees Robert again. Robert is showing his friends Bruce's drawings and laughing. Bruce's Roommate Oliver Queen walks up to Bruce. "Hey Bruce, Alexander and I are going to catch a movie, wanna come?" Oliver Asked. Bruce doesn't respond, Oliver notices Bruce starring at Robert and his friends. "Ignore them," Oliver Said. "They suck."
"They have my book." Bruce Explained. "I'm gonna take it back." Oliver shrugs knowing he can't stop Bruce from doing this. Bruce runs to Robert and slaps him across the face. He takes the book but then one of Robert's friends hits him.
Bruce knocks the friend back and pulls the book away from Robert. "What's wrong with you?" Robert Yelled. "You can't take a joke." Bruce doesn't say anything, he just leaves with the book now in his hand.
"Alright weirdo, go cry to your mommy." Robert Said, mockingly. "Oh wait, that's right... You can't!" Bruce stops walking, he tosses the book to Oliver. He turns back to Robert. Bruce runs to Robert and tackles him to the ground, he punches Robert in the face repeatedly. One of Robert's friends tries to intervene. But Bruce hits him, so they all keep their distance. They back away slowly as Bruce beats the shit out of Robert.
Finally, Dean Finger arrives. "What the Hell is going on here?" Bruce stops, he gets up, and turns to the Dean. He has no response. "Wayne, what's wrong with you?" Bruce doesn't say anything.
Oliver steps in. "Robert made a joke about Bruce not having a mom." He Explained. "That's no excuse for this needless violence." The Dean Said angered.
Eventually, Robert, his parents, Bruce, and Alfred had a meeting with the Dean. "So you all already know why we're here today." The Dean Said. "Yes we do," Robert's Mother Julie Said Quickly. "That awful Wayne attacked my son, unprovoked."
"I think you'll find he was provoked." Alfred Responded. "Robert was mocking Bruce for being an Orphan." The Kanes seemed shocked Alfred even said that. "My son would never!" Julie Kane Said, in denial that her son was a dick.
"Actually," The Dean Said. "The Queen son also mentioned a statement like that provoked him." This also caused outrage to the Kanes. "This is lunacy." Robert's Father Adam Said. "The Wayne boy is just using sympathy to get out of trouble."
"No matter what provoked him, it was still an act of Violence agaisnt another Student. We have strict rules on this. Bruce new these rules. So I have no other choice but to expel him."
The Kanes smiled. Bruce has a blank expression, it's clear he doesn't care about the Academy. A little while later, Alfred and Bruce went into the Limo. "Grant, take us back to Wayne Manor." Alfred Said to the driver.
"I'm sorry, Alfred." Bruce Said. "I shouldn't have beat up that Kane Swine." Bruce didn't let a mention of Robert go without an insult. "From the way you've described the situation, it sounds like he deserved it." Alfred Said. Bruce smiled. "Thomas never liked the Kanes either." Alfred Said.
"Not a great family." Bruce Said. "But where are you going to go to School now?" Alfred Asked. "Most of the Academies this side of Central City will hear about this incident."
"I know a place that'll take me." Bruce Said. "Where?" Alfred Asked. "Gotham Public High School." Bruce Said. "Are you sure you'd want to go to Public School, Master Bruce?" Alfred Asked. "Alfred, I've spent my whole life either on an Island or in a Boarding School. I've never seen what life is like for normal Gothamites. But I know it's not easy." Bruce Explained.
Eventually they go to Wayne Manor. But in a few days they get a call from the GCPD, about an update on the Wayne Murder Case.
They go to the Station, and Detective Jim Gordon greets them. "Mister Wayne, Mister Pennyworth." Jim Said, shaking both of their hands. "Call me Bruce." He Said, as every time someone called him Mister Wayne it reminded him of his father.
"Okay, Bruce..." Jim Said. "I'm gonna need you both to take a seat. They sit down, and Jim sits across the table in front of them. "So have you found the man who killed my parents?" Bruce Asked Bluntly. "Not yet." Jim Said. "But..."
Jim takes a piece of paper and puts it on the table. On it is the Sketch Artists Depiction of how Bruce described the killer in the ally. Then he shows them a black and white Photograph. The Man in the photograph looks like the man in the Sketch.
"This man was spotted in Security Camera Footage outside the Iceberg Lounge." Jim Explained. "He matches your description, and the Lounge is a place known to host criminal meetings."
"Why haven't you shut it down yet?" Bruce Asked. "What?" Jim Said. "If it's a criminal lounge, can you get a Swat Team to raid it?" Bruce Asked. "Well, I know there's criminals, but I can't get the support to raid it." Jim Said. "There's limits to what I can do."
This disappointed Bruce, as Cops often did. Bruce wanted the man who killed his parents caught, along with whatever other criminals that hang in that pigsty of a lounge.
Jim assures Bruce that him and Harvey Bullock are looking. But Bruce isn't satisfied. That Night, he goes to the Lounge himself. The Bouncer outside won't let him in. "Get lost, kid." He Said. "You have to be 21 years old to enter."
Bruce takes out some cash. Ten 1 Hundred dollar bills. He puts it in the Bouncer's front pocket. He's let in. He goes to the counter. "Hey, I'm looking for someone." Bruce Said to the Bartender. "White Male, mid forties, short brown hair, 5 'o clock shadow. Was seen around here last Thursday."
The Bartender paid no attention to Bruce, but the woman to his left with red hair and a green dress did. "I know who you're talking about." She Said. "You do?" Bruce Asked. "Yeah, saw Carmine talking to him that day." She Said. "And by the way, my name is Pamela. Pamela Isley." She Scooted closer to him, and he slowly backed away. "You got a girlfriend, good-looking?" She Said flirtatiously. "No, but I have a lot of money and I bet that's what your after." Bruce Said trying to shut her down. He stood up.
"Plenty of rich guys have gone after me.. Hell, I rejected Falcone, Cobblepot, Luthor." Pamela Said, standing up. "I'm 16." Bruce Said, assuming that'll be the nail in the coffin. "So? I'm 17." Pamela Said. "You literally just said you rejected multiple men who are all above 50?!" Bruce Exclaimed.
"Yeah, older rich guys are pervs." Pamela Said. "My Fake ID probably isn't helping." Bruce backed away. "Pamela, you should probably stop going here." Bruce Said. "Depends, will you be here again?" She Asked. "No, and I don't plan on it. So do yourself a favor and never come back here." Bruce Said. He runs to the other side of the center Iceberg.
He sees Carmine Falcone having beers with the Commissioner. "Damn, this city is awful." Bruce Said to himself after seeing this level of corruption, no wonder Jim couldn't get support to raid this place, it's where his superiors go to drink with the worst crime bosses in Gotham.
Bruce notices Falcone leaving to go to the Bathroom so he goes to block his path. "Hey, if it isn't Carmine Falcone." Bruce Said, in a fake friendly voice. He shook his hand. "Bruce Wayne?" Carmine Said Shocked. "I thought you were in some Boarding School in New York, what are you doing back in Gotham?"
"Well, the Academy couldn't keep me from my home town for long." Bruce Said, faking a smirk. "So Carmine, how's business?"
"Booming." Carmine Said. "But I don't like to talk shop on my free time. Have a drink Bruce, there's a girl in the front who's obsessed with you." Carmine patted Bruce on the back. "Oh, I met her." Bruce Chuckled. "Funny thing though, she told me, that she saw you talking to the man who's suspected to have murdered my parents." Bruce's face went serious.
"I don't know what your talking about." Falcone Said, seriously. Bruce's expression turned angry. He grabbed Falcone's arms. "Listen here, old man. I've spent every night of the last 5 years seeing that man's face every time I closed my eyes. I've waited too long for Justice, you old criminal shit. You may have paid off the Police, and you may own the Mayor, but I will never let you stop me from getting Vengeance on the man who took everything from me." Bruce Said in a deep voice, looking straight into Carmine's eyes.
Carmine laughs. "You really think you're scary kid?" Carmine Said laughing his ass off. "You're not. You're like an angry Muppet." Carmine's still laughing. "I could have you shot right here... But you know what?" Carmine Said, stopping his laughter. "I want to see how this goes. I want to see what happens when Bruce Wayne is on the Hunt for Vengeance."
This shocks Bruce, he knew intimidation could backfire, but he didn't think that in a round-about way he'd intrigue Falcone to the point of him helping him. "Joe Chill." Falcone Said. "That's the name of the guy who shot your parents. He came here, begging for money. I refused, he threatened to kill me like he killed your folks. I had him thrown out."
"Where is he now?" Bruce Asked. "Probably running from here." Falcone Said. "He wouldn't show his face in anywhere near this Lounge again." Bruce starts to walk away. "And kid..." Falcone Called Out. "You threaten me again, you'll be the one bleeding out in an Alley." Bruce got the message, Falcone can't be trusted, but he also has no reason to lie about the Killer.
Bruce goes back to Wayne Manor. He pulls the gun out from where he'd been hiding it for 5 years. In a box, underneath his socks, in his sock drawer. He takes the gun out of the box, and holds it in his hand. He puts his finger on the trigger and reaches out his arm, practicing how he's going to hold the gun when he kills Joe Chill. He pictures the event in his mind. Joe will stand in front of him. He'll beg for mercy, yell for it, like a Dog. But it'll be no use, Bruce will put a bullet in his head.
"Master Bruce," Alfred Calls from another room. "Your Cousin has arrived." Bruce puts his gun back in the box and in the sock drawer. He closes the drawer and gets up. He walks out and sees his cousin, Kate Wayne. "Hey, Cuz." She Said, she's holding a large duffle bag, and has a backpack. "Kate, what's with the bags?" Bruce Asked. "I'm moving in." Kate Said, she throws her duffle bag at Bruce and it knocks him to the ground.
"What's even in this?" Bruce Asked, getting up. "Why are you moving in? You live with Uncle Jacob and Aunt Gabi in a Penthouse in Upper Gotham." Kate walked through the room. "Well my parents are moving to Coast City to get out of Gotham, and don't get me wrong, I would love the sandy beaches and hot surfer girls, but I can't leave Gotham behind." Kate Explained. "So I'm staying with you and Al for awhile."
"Kate," Bruce Said as she starting walking away. "You can't just come to Wayne Manor unannounced, and move in. You should have at least called first." Kate stops walking. "Well... I kinda did." Kate Said Shrugging.
Alfred walks into the room. "Miss Kate. I've prepared your room." He Said. "Alfred? How'd you prepare her a room so quickly?" Bruce Asked. Kate shrugs. "I may have called Al... A few weeks ago and told him." Kate Said. "What?" Bruce Exclaimed Confused. "Why didn't you tell me, Alfred?"
"Miss Kate told me not to, as she thought you'd say no." Alfred Explained. "Alright, fine." Bruce Said.
So Bruce returned to his investigation on Joe Chill. He looked this man up on his Computer, and finds a file.
"Name: Joseph William Chill.
Sex: M
Date of Birth: June 15th, 1958
Height: 5'11"
Then he finds the criminal record. It's all just muggings and petty theft. No actual murders, but he did seem to vanish in 2000. Right after the Wayne's were killed.
Bruce sees Joe's last listed address. It's in Gotham. Bruce gets his gun, a dark Trench Coat, and goes to that Address.
The place is abandoned. It looks like no one's been there for years. He goes inside, it's a mess, it looks like the 2nd floor collapsed. Then he sees something on the remaining part of the 2nd floor. It's a man.
"Who's there?!" Bruce Yells. But the man jumps onto the fire escape and gets out. Bruce chases after him, the man looks back, and Bruce stares him right in the eyes. It's Joe Chill. "You'll pay for what you did, Chill!" Bruce Yelled.
Joe runs through Gotham, Bruce chasing him the whole way through. Joe runs into an Alley. He thinks he lost Bruce. He's alone, he goes onto the ground and pants because of all the running. Joe is facing the consequences of killing Thomas and Martha Wayne. But he's all alone now...
"You ever dance with the Devil in the moonlight?!" Bruce Yells as he drops down from the fire escape he had climbed up. Bruce pulls Joe to him and then punches him back down. Joe is on the ground, backing away from Bruce.
Finally Bruce pulls out the gun. "Remember this?!?" Bruce Asked. "Fitting. You're going to die by the same weapon that you used to take everything from me."
"I'm sorry, Bruce." Joe Said. "Every day since I shot your parents, I've regretted it. There hasn't been a day I hadn't hated myself for doing it. I considered ending it all... But it's more fitting that you do it." Bruce is surprised by this. He thought Joe would beg for mercy. But he's not. And Bruce gets the strangest feeling from holding a gun, he sees himself now, he's become what he hates. Now he's the one with the gun... He can't bare to even think about killing Joe anymore. He hates the weapon in his hand, and never wants to use it.
He throws the gun to the side. "I'll never hold a gun again..." Bruce Said. "Because I'm not going to do to anyone what you did to me, I'll never continue that cycle."
But Bruce hits Joe in the face, knocking him out. He ties him up by a pole outside the GCPD building. Jim and Harvey find him, and they're confused. "Wait, isn't this the guy who killed the Waynes?" Harvey Asked. "Yeah, but wanted criminals don't just show themselves at doorsteps most of the time." Jim Said.
Bruce went back to Wayne Manor... Now he knew, that to truly do good, he can't be a Cop, as any good ones are grossly out numbered. Politics are even worse. He needs to be something outside, but to be equipped for that, he has to train, physically, mentally, and emotionally prepare himself... To be the Hero they need and deserve... But how?