Young Justice
Silent Master Apprentice
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 2,816
The Gotham Knights
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To read my The Dark Knight fanfic, the story which this fanfic is a sequel for, please check http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=179244
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Suggested Cast (by the year 2011)
Batman/Bruce Wayne – Christian Bale
Harvey Dent/Two Face – Aaron Eckhart
Dick Grayson/Robin – Alex Pettyfer (with hair dyed black)
James Gordon – Gary Oldman
Alfred Pennyworth – Michael Caine
Barbara Gordon/Oracle – Emmy Rossum
Oswald Cobbepot/Penguin – Robin Williams
Edward Nygma – Ryan Gosling
Lucius Fox – Morgan Freeman
Tony Zucco – Bob Hoskins
Ed Skeevers – Terry Crews
The Joker – Heath Ledger
Dr. Harleen Quinzell – Rachel McAdams
Pamela Isley – Rebecca Hall
Waylon Jones - Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Mr. Eko from Lost)
Victor Fries - Thomas Kretschmann
Johnathan Crane – Cillian Murphy
Reneé Montoya – Rosalyn Sanchez
Leslie Thompkins – Vanessa Redgrave
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Based on comics published by DC Comics.
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Meeting room at the Wayne Enterprises heads office. The room is full of senior executives. Lucius Fox starts the talking:
- Hi everyone. I know Bruce Wayne is late, as he always does. But I think we can start our meeting. We are gathered here to talk about the project of the re-urbanization for Narrows. This is a big and ambitious project to help saving that poor part of our city.
While Fox was speaking, the room temperature appeared to become higher and higher. The executive men were loosing their ties, the woman, started unbuttoning their blouses.
- There’s no conditioned air up here? – Asks one executive.
Then the people start to fell unwell. Their arms and legs start to be too heavy, paralyzed. All executives start to go down to the floor, fully paralyzed. In the end, Lucius falls too.
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In the meeting room. Now it is filled with plants all around the floor and the walls. Standing up, with bare feet, a woman wearing a lab coat, talks:
- I hate men. But not only men. The women also. As a matter a fact I hate all mankind. We don’t deserve to live in this planet. We don’t deserve to exist together with those marvelous creatures. – The woman holds gently a flower. While he was speaking we have a glimpse on her id tag and it states: Pamela Isley. Waynetech Botanic Dept.
She stands up in front of another lab employee. A man in his late forties. The man is standing up, but fully paralized
- So, Jason. Jason Woodward. You thought I would never discover that you and your bosses here at Wayne were turning my Botanist research into biological weapons. Shame on you. But I’m not really mad. To prove that I will forgive you by giving you a kiss.
Pamela kisses Jason on the mouth. His skin starts to become green and very dry. Jason dies poisoned.
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Gotham City at night. A high-speed black vehicle travels using the rail for the high ground Wayne train. The vehicle heads toward the Wayne Tower. Inside the vehicle, Batman is sitting inside a cockpit. A voice talks with him:
- Batman, it’s Oracle. I’m uploading to you the data I’ve compiled from the Pamela Isley computers down there on Waynetech. She was working on a lot of Botanist researches. It appears that she flipped out violently after knowing that her immediate boss, Jason Woodward, was using her work to create and sell biological weapons to terrorist organizations. Without our knowledge, of course.
- Of course – Batman responds – Remind me later to fire him.
- I think we don’t need to. He is very likely to be dead by now.
The vehicle is heading toward a train wagon in the same trail.
- Wait a second.
Batman stops the conversation, and pushes a button in his console panel. The Bat-train moves itself to the upper side of the high ground trail, contouring the wagon. After, the Bat-train goes back to its normal position and continues going directly into Wayne Tower.
- What were you saying, Oracle?
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Batman breaks in into the meeting room. He faces Pamela:
- It’s over Pamela Isley. You have to surrender now.
She throws a biologic compound against Batman, but nothing happens.
- I know the details of all your research, Pamela. Including the antidotes that you have injected in yourself, so you could be immune to your own poisons.
- Do you know the present and assembled? – asks her, very angry.
- Lucius Fox and the others. They all work for Wayne. – Batman answers.
- They run Wayne Enterprises. This company, as all the others, is destroying the planet. Pollution, deforestation, over harvesting, and all for more of the thing they have too much to begin with. Money.
- I understand your frustration, Pamela. Most of the world feels the same way. But it isn’t the way to do it.
- I don’t think you’re the one to talk about appropriate behavior. Although, why are you being so civilized? What are you planning?
A beeping device starts to sound on Batman’s belt.
- I was merely buying time.
He pushes a button in his belt and all the sprinkles start to pour water. In this moment, all the plants in the meeting room start dying.
- Nooooo! – Pamela starts to gets desperate, and falls by her knees.
- I was waiting for the power defoliant that I’ve poured into the water system finished mixing properly in all parts of the building. This is only a demonstration of what’s to come if you don’t end this. Now.
Batman continues to talk:
- Surrender, Pamela, or in ten seconds, I’ll trigger all the sprinkler system of the building. Surrender, or all the plants you spread for this building will die.
- I wanted to do the right thing. – Says her, sobbing.
- Perhaps, but in the wrong way.
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Arkham Asylum interior. While Pamela is escorted to her cell by some guards, they pass by the cells of Jonathan Crane, Victor Fries and Waylon Jones.
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Several months, afterwards. Reneé Montoya, police detective of Gotham City enters in the office of the newly promoted to chief of police, James Gordon.
- Gordon. Here’s my report on the “Penguin” investigation. I couldn’t find out anything.
Gordon answers:
- Since the return of the rich guy Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot, the Chinese mafia is getting more power. Of course the facts are connected. Damn! It’s been months and we couldn’t find a single proof or lead. – Gordon gets annoyed.
- And the good news doesn’t end here, chief. The D.A. office is starting to push us about our official position regarding Batman.
Reneé leaves, and Gordon talks with himself:
- I can’t work with D.A.’s office like I could with... Like I did before.
Batman appears in the dark.
- I don’t know if I can protect you in this one.
- That won’t be and never was necessary – Answers Batman.
- I miss him.
- Me too.
- Do you know... – Gordon gets to continue the conversation, but when he looks to Batman, he was not there anymore.
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Wayne manor, at night. Alfred opens the door that links the cave to the manor interior for Bruce Wayne:
- Long day, sir? Ah, forgive me. They’re all long days, aren’t they?
Bruce looks to his desk:
- What are these?
- They are circus tickets sir. Your mother used to do a charitable donation, I believe. She did enjoyed attending to this particular show in the old days.
- I know Alfred. But this time, Wayne Foundation missed the boat. Oswald Cobblepot is bringing the circus to Gotham now.
- The so-called “Penguin” sir?
- Yes. He returned from Europe recently and is rebuilding his family’s name into Gotham’s high society. But in the same time he is getting more control of the city’s underworld. This circus launching party is he trying to hide those actions. This party will be a perfect occasion to look on Cobblepot much closely.
- So do you need me to prepare you’re tuxedo suit, Master Bruce?
As Alfred are excusing himself he moans:
- Let’s only hope that you won’t need your other suit, sir.
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Cobblepot manor. It is placed in a small cliff, by the sea. In front of the manor in the road we see a road sign indicating that this manor is placed between Gotham and Blündhaven. A gala party is happening. The launching one for the Haly Circus season in Gotham City. Bruce Wayne is accompanied by Barbara Gordon, in her wheel chair. Bruce is wearing his classic tuxedo. Barbara with thin and sophisticated glasses and a classic black dress.
- So, Bruce, the rumors that Cobblepot was rejected by his own parents when he was a child are true?
- Apparently yes. He was sent to Europe during his childhood, and he spent most of his grown up days in Hong Kong. Now, after his parents’ death, he returned to Gotham.
- The death of the Cobblepots was kind of controversial, wasn’t it? Do you think Oswald had something to do with it?
- I don’t doubt it, but I’m still investigating. I couldn’t find any proof of that. If he is indeed guilty, he has managed to hide it very well.
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Oswald Cobblepot, in his early 50’s. Short, fat, with a big and un-proportional nose, and yet very elegant in an all white suit. He is wearing a monocle and smoking a cigarette on the end of a foot long holder. He is also using a cane. His cane has a penguin head detail in its rounded part. Cobblepot is circulating on the party, escorted by a high society lady, Veronica Vreeland. By his side are the Flying Graysons. Oswald comes to Bruce
- Hi, Bruce Wayne. My name is Oswald Cobblepot. So we finally meet each other.
- Nice to meet you too, Oswald. Excellent party.
- Thanks. I would like to introduce you to the stars of the circus that I’m bringing to Gotham: The Flying Graysons. John, the father of the family of aerials is also the circus manager.
- Please to meet you, Mr. Wayne. – Says John Grayson. – I was acquainted to your parents. We are very sorry for them. My sympathies.
- Thanks John. It’s nice to meet people that knew my parents. I’ve always felt sorry for not having seeing one of your aerial performances. I mean, with my parents... But I will seize the opportunity to finally watching your show tomorrow at the circus opening.
- Mr. Wayne, this is my son, Dick Grayson.
Dick is a 19-year-old boy. He’s wearing a black suit but not a tuxedo.
- So, Dick, it’s true the rumors that besides your excellent skills on the aerial performances, you is also a black belt in Karate?
- Yeah. The oriental philosophy helps me a lot to focus when I’m up there, on the cradle. It also helps me to direct better our natural inner angst. Do you know what I mean, right?
- Yes, I do. Indeed.
- So, Bruce, don’t you want to introduce this beautiful girlfriend of yours to us? – Asks Dick.
- Ahem. I’m sorry. Everyone, this is Barbara Gordon. She is the chief of police James Gordon’s niece. She works for me at Waynetech. She is one of our most finest computer experts
- Hi, Dick. How are you? Thanks for your compliment.
- Don’t mention it.
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In the entrance of the party. Tony Zucco, rival of the Cobblepot on the Gotham underworld control, manages to crash the party with a group of friends. Oswald gets annoyed:
- That is some nerve of Zucco showing up here like this. But nevermind, it would be nice to rub on his italian nose, my ascension to the Gotham high society.
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Later, at the party. In the huge aviary that stands aside the manor. John Grayson is talking to Tonny Zucco and some henchmen:
- So, Mr. Grayson. It was very unwise from your part to refuse my transportation proposal. I’ve got a lot of stuff that needs to be transported across the state lines, and you cross a lot of them. It was perfect. It was a shame that you didn’t accept it.
- My circus is not a transportation service, Zucco. We already discussed that.
- I know, I know. But to make things even worse, you had to accept the Cobblepot’s offer? I was hurted by that, you know?
- Mr. Cobblepot made me a legitimate offer. Why would I refuse?
- It’s only that Gotham City is some kind of dangerous these days. A lot of accidents, you know? It would be a shame if something happened. These aerial performances are dangerous aren’t they? You way up there and the ground being way down here...
Dick and Barbara, are seeking for a tranquility moment away from the party and take the path to the aviary. Dick sees his father in an awkward conversation:
- Is there a problem, Dad?
- No, son. These gentlemen are just leaving, right, Mr. Zucco?
Zucco and his henchmen leave displeased by the ending of the conversation.
- Dick, I’ll go back inside also. But, please, stay here with your friend.
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In the aviary, Dick and Barbara talk:
- Do you know that bird, Barbara?
- Which one?
- That one, with a red chest. The Robin. My mom likes to call me this way.
- Robin? Why?
- It’s because our show red suits. And because she thinks I “fly” on the trapeze.
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The next night, at the General Hospital of Gotham. A TV set inside a patient room:
- Good evening. This is Gotham TV news. This week we had the second anniversary of the incident that put our former district attorney Harvey Dent in a coma. The criminal only known as Joker has thrown a recipient full of boiling acid in Dent’s face. It all happened in the courtroom during the trial of the criminal clown. The Joker is, today, locked up at Arkham Asylum.
Harvey Dent is laid down in the hospital bed, with his face all wrapped up with medical bandages. His vital signs start to change, indicating that he is coming out of his coma.
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Dick flies in the cradle together with his parents during the opening night of the Haly Circus in Gotham. All of the city’s finest are present. Cobblepot, the sponsor. Bruce Wayne and one of his gorgeous female companions. Barbara and James Gordon. The audience goes crazy with the act of the Flying Graysons without the safety net. The rope of the cradle starts to show some signs of fatigue and rupture.
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At the Hospital, Dent awakes. Still disoriented, with his face covered with bandages, he looks to his right hand and sees that he is holding a coin. It’s a coin with two heads. But he notices that one of the faces are scratched. Little by little, he is remembering about the things that happened to him and the brief moments in which he was out of the coma. Flashes of his memory: The two faced coin from his father. He killing his own father. The pact between Gordon, Batman and him. The death of Salvatori Moroni. Joker throwing acid in his face. He scratching one of the faces of the two faced coin. He picks the coin. Throws it up and catches with his hand. The windows of his hospital room are wide open and the bed is empty.
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During one of the John and Mary Grayson’s act, without his son Dick. The rope breaks apart and they fall right in the middle of the big top. All present are horrified. Dick watches from up in the trapeze, and sees his parents dead down on the ground. Bruce looks at this scene and sees a Deja-vu of himself, as a child, together with his own dead parents.
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In the sewers. Harvey is wandering with the bandages still covering his face. In another part of the sewers there’s a big and strong African American man in the shadows. We see some of him from the few parts illuminated. He has a strange skin. It resembles the one of a crocodile. The big guy gets prepared to attack the newly arrived on the sewers, his territory. Harvey sees this big black shadow coming towards him:
- It’s you already Batman? You find me quickly! - He grabs an iron pipe on the floor and continues – Come on, Batman! Let’s find out if you can beat me!
The strong man is suprised and changes his approach. He shows himself in the light. His teeth are frightening sharpened. His eyes are reddish.
- So do you hate Batman as well? By the bandages on your face I assume you are Harvey Dent. Nice to meet you, my name is Waylon “Killer Croc” Jones.
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In the next night, Bruce and Alfred welcome the desolated Dick Grayson in the Wayne Manor, just after his parents funeral. Dick is accompanied by some of the circus performers. One of them talks to Bruce:
- We would like to thank you Mr. Wayne for taking care of all the paperwork. We have to make our own adjustments. John was the circus administrator. Now I’m getting the job. The Graysons, as you know were part of our family at the circus. We are devastated. We would like to take care of Dick from now on, but this process requires time, do you know?
- Yes, I do.
- So, thanks again for taking care of Dick in this troubled times, Mr. Wayne.
- Don’t worry. The Graysons were friends of my parents. It's the least I could do it.
The new circus administrator leaves Dick with Bruce and Alfred. Dick was silent with an angry face.
- I’m very sorry Dick. I know what it’s like. My parents died when I was a child. I’m here to help you in this difficult moment.
- I know what you’re thinking. But it wasn’t just a simple accident. My father always checked the ropes...
Bruce looks through Dick and sees the Batman signal on in the city’s horizon.
- We have a lot to talk, Dick, but unfortunately I have an urgent appointment that I have forgotten. Please, excuse me.
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Gordon is at the top of the police building. Batman shows up.
- Something on the circus accident? – Asks Batman?
- We’re investigating but it appears to be a real accident. I’ve called you here on another reason: Harvey Dent has escaped from the Hospital. We’re searching for him since this morning but no one knows where he could be.
- He is severed injured. He couldn’t go far. I will find him.
- I’ve been re-reading the Moroni’s case file and I’ve seen evidences that Moroni was already dead when Dent injected the Joker’s poison antidote in him.
Batman remains in silence. Gordon gest annoyed:
- How long have you known?!?
Batman is still silent.
- How long?!?
- I don’t believe that a man who stood on this roof, who made a promise, a bond, with each one of us, would cross the line. I won’t believe it.
- What if you are too close of the situation? What if your judgment is impaired? What if you’re wrong?
- What if I’m not?
- Find Harvey. You know what needs to be done...
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Dick is wandering through Wayne Manor and by accident enters a bedroom. He grabs a hairbrush in front of a mirror.
- What are you doing in here? – Asks Alfred
- My mom had a brush like this. She would brush her hair before every performance. My Dad would get so mad. He never wanted us to be late for a show.
- I would guess that a younger natural curiosity would bring him upstairs to a room, which is clearly closed off. This was Master Wayne’s parents’ bedroom. And While I’m sure he’d like nothing more than for you to have free run on the house...
- Why he is really doing this, Alfred? Taking me in? I’ve heard he is some kind of Playboy...
- It’s not really my place to say for certain. But, as you already know he lost his parents very early. In addition he happen to have the misfortune on witnessing his parent’s death as well.
- Yeah, we’re both orphans...
Dick stares on his image in the mirror.
Bruce Wayne, as a child, in front of the same mirror, holds the same hairbrush as Alfred enters Thomas and Martha’s former bedroom
- I remember my mother using this. She would brush her hair whenever they went out together. My father would stand over there. Tying his tie. Growing impatient. Never wanting us to be late.
- Perhaps is a little too soon to be in this area of the house, Master Bruce. I know how special this room is and it will always be well kept. But for right now, why don’t you come downstairs to the kitchen? I’ll make you whatever you desire.
- What’s going to happen to me Alfred? Are they going to let me live here with you?
- I... it’s not really my place to say for certain. But, I will endeavor in every way I can to see to it you brought up in the same manner your parents would.
Staring at his image on the mirror, Bruce says, with a very low voice:
- I’m an orphan and I will have to get used to it.
He turns himself to Alfred:
- I’m all alone now, Alfred.
The butler hugs the child, without saying anything.
Dick Grayson turns himself to Alfred:
- I’m all alone now, Mister Pennyworth.
Alfred puts his hand in Dick’s shoulders:
- I can only tell you, Mr. Grayson, something I wish I had said a long time ago to someone else. You are not alone. I imagine you will never be again.
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Arkham Asylum at Narrows. Several boxes spread by the corridors. A lot of men working for moving companies are taking the boxes away. One of them talks to the other;
- All this work just because we have to move these loonies out of here to that other house in the country.
- It was because of that project from Bruce Wayne. At least these wackos are going to be very far from this neighborhood.
In the maximum-security area, the Joker is incarcerated in his cell. Trapped in a straitjacket. He looks to the shadows across the corridor
- So, Batman, are you there, aren’t you?
Batman steps out of the darkness.
- I assume it was easy for you to enter here because all this moving away mess. But it wouldn’t stop you anyway.
- I want information about Dent, Joker.
- Do you know something Batsy? I’m loving this moving for the country side. The calmness will do wonderful to me, he he he.
The Joker continues:
- But why are you worried about our former D.A, Batman? Are you worried that he will do something nasty? Killing again maybe? Ha ha ha ha ha.
- You are the one who should start to worry, Joker. Harvey could come from you, seeking revenge.
- Ha ha ha ha, I’m couting on it!
Joker starts to laugh with more intensity and asks:
- By the way, little Bat, how is going James Gordon’s niece? Ha ha ha ha ha!
Batman gets very angry and is about to snap and loose totally his tempers. A guard gets closer and Batman disappears in the darkness. The Jokers continues to laugh even louder.
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A few days later. In the docks of Gotham City, Zucco and Ed Skeevers, an African American mobster, second in the Zucco’s chain of command, are in an office, monitoring a delivery of laundered money and weapons. Zucco is very relaxed, wearing an undershirt with suspenders and smoking a cigar:
- It was an accident. The rope just broke and there ain’t nobody who can prove otherwise. So quit worryin’, will ya, Eddie?
- Maybe we should wait things settle down. Get chill.
- No, we continue our business. I’m gonna take down that circus and with it the Penguin’s deal. If he thinks he would use our idea to promote him in the high society he is so very wrong.
- Y’know, those acrobats you whacked. They got a kid who might squawk.
- Hey, I got ears too. He’s campin’ out with that rich guy... that Bruce Wayne...
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Outside, near the dock there are a few vans waiting. Inside the vans are a lot of Asian mobsters, armed to the teeth, waiting for attacking the delivery. A few miles away, in a yacht, Cobblepot is with two chinese women, who are wearing very expensive suits and are twins. The women are the second in command from Penguin’s mafia organization. The Penguin and the women watch the attack distantly through a telescope.
- Carol and Sandra, all men are ready?
They nod their heads confirming.
- Excellent. I’m sure these rumors that Zucco has something to do with the accident in the circus are true. It’s time to pay back a little.
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The vans break into the dock and the Chinese mobsters get out shooting against Zucco’s people. In the dock’s office:
- Ed, something is happening. I have to get out of here, but you have to stay to protect our weapons and money!
A huge gunfight takes place, with deaths and explosions in every place. In this moment Batman shows up and starts to attack henchmen from both sides. Skeevers is shot in the arm. The Asians explode a part of the shipment and get away with a little advantage. In the yacht the telescope lens of Cobblepot gets lightened by a little red dot. A small metal bat, connected with a rope breaks the lens making Cobblepot to fall. In the other side, at the docks, Batman retracts the rope of his grapnel gun.
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Inside the docks, Skeevers hears a noise of people getting beaten up. He came inside his office and sees his henchmen beaten and blood wounded. When he enters the shipment area he meets Killer Croc and Harvey Dent, with suit and overcoat, with a white glove in one hand and a black one in the other. The face of Dent is covered by the shadows. Eddie, frightened asks:
- What is this?
- What needs to be done – Answers Harvey.
- What the hell is supposed to mean?
- How much longer did you think I would let the your boss Zucco tear Gotham City in half? Splitting this city between good... and evil. My city.
Harvey Dent comes out of the shadows and shows his face, partially disfigured. The half of his face is scarred by the acid burns.
Batman invades the docks, throw a magnesium bomb into Killer Croc and kick his back, defeating him. Harvey holds Skeevers like a hostage:
- Batman. Again. And Again. The courts will send them back to prison or Arkham. They will escape and we have the same problem. Again. And Again.
- Harvey..?
- Harvey is gone. Two-Face is more like it, don’t you think?
- If you pull that trigger, how are you different from Zucco?
- That’s Jim Gordon talking. You know the system doesn’t work. That justice can decided like the flip of a coin.
Two-Face tosses his coin. He grabs it with his open hand and the scratched face comes up. Two shots. Ed Skeevers falls dead by Two-Face feet.
- Two shots to the head. If you ask me, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Batman tries to talk his friend out of it:
- You still believe in Gotham City. You were married here. You want to start a family. If nothing else thik of your wife, Gilda.
- Gilda..?
- Give me the gun, Harvey.
Two-Face hesitates for two seconds but then he uses the back of his gun to beat Batman in the head:
- Nice try.
Batman falls unconscious.
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Later in that same night, in the police building. In a room with little light we see Detective Flass in his desk. A sinister voice from outside the office:
- Working late again, Flass?
- W-who..? – asks Flass a little frightened.
- You have to answer for Harvey Dent. Somebody facilitated Zucco’s meeting with the Joker that day. The day the justice was split in two. Innocent or guilty. Like this coin. One side clean. The other side scarred.
The coin flips in the air several times.
- Please don’t kill me, mister Dent...
The Flass head is laid down on the desk. Blood is everywhere staining a lot of books and papers. Batman hands pick up some blood with the tip of his fingers. We see his angry face and behind him, in the windows, the Bat-signal is showing in the sky.
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The roof of police station. The sign of Batman is on. Two-Face is stading next to the edge of the building, looking to the city below:
- I’ve killed twice tonight. I did what needed to be done. For now.
Batman comes from behind of Harvey in the shadows:
- Why?
- I did what needed to be done.
- You’ll never convince me of that.
The door that gives access to the roof opens. It’s James Gordon.
- Harvey...! My God... What’s happened to you...?
Harvey talks to his former allies in the war against crime.
- There won’t be any judges to be bribed. No witnesses who will disappear. Ed Skeevers and Flass are dead. I killed them. A new time from Gotham is beginning.
- We’ll get you help. – Batman responds.
- You’re the ones who are gonna need help from now on. – Threats Two-Face.
- Harvey, you betrayed everything you believe in. – Says Gordon.
- Not everything. Harvey is never coming back, Jimbo. Get used to it. Particulary to help a pair of old fools. Don’t try to follow me. Killer Croc could be a master of the muscle use but he is too an excellent sniper.
Killer Croc is pointing with a long distance rifle from a distant rooftop. In his telescope we see Gordon being targeted.
- If you touch me, Bats, he kills Gordon. – Says Harvey, disappearing in the darkness.
A moment of silence. The Batman silhouette is merging with the city horizon.
- Was it worth it? – Asks Batman.
Gordon is in front of the door that leads to the building
- Hmmm?
- The promise we made to bring down the underworld of Gotham. To arrest the Joker. What it cost us. Barbara and now Harvey.
- If you’re asking me “did the good guys win?”. At that time I thought so. – Answers Gordon looking to Batman standing next to the edge of the roof.
- Now I’m not so sure. – Gordon says looking away. Batman is no longer there.
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Later in that same night. The roof of the Wayne manor. Top of the one of the manor’s towers. Dick Grayson is standing next to the edge, in the dark. Batman appears and surprises Dick.
- You went out there tonight. To the circus. Don’t bother denying it.
- Batman..?! What are you doing here? What do you know about me?!
- I know enough.
Dick looks to Batman with anger:
- I keep thinking about what happened. My father always checked the lines. It just couldn’t be an accident.
- It wasn’t.
- What..?
- The trapeze rope that snapped. It was made to look like it was worn out. But I found traces of an acid on the rope. Just enough. And I’ve seen what that acid can do to people.
- I want to help.
- You will when the time is right. I promise.
- I remember seein’ a guy talking to my father at the Cobblepot’s party. He said something that has bothered my father. He was a short fat guy.
- You should go back inside now.
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Batman is arriving at the cave. Alfred is awaiting him.
- I was wrong about Harvey, Alfred. I’ve had this evidences he has left Moroni die but thought it was incorrect. That Harvey couldn’t do it. I can’t afford to be wrong again.
- There’s nothing wrong with being wrong, sir. Even I’m not infallible on the occasion.
- Batman can’t be.
Batman starts to take his mask off.
- I... never discussed that with you, Alfred. But I was nearly ready to tell Harvey, just before... his accident.
- Tell him what, sir?
With his mask off, Batman continues:
- The truth. About who I am. About my parents. All of it.
- Then, give how things turned out, aren’t we glad that you didn’t?
Bruce, with a sad face, answers:
- Maybe, Alfred. Or maybe if I had told him, Harvey wouldn’t have pushed himself so hard. He might have trusted me more, if I had trusted him... But now I’m alone again in this crime war of mine.
- Master Bruce. As I should have told this to someone a long time ago: you are not alone.
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A few days later. Bruce arrives at his office in the Wayne Tower. Lucius Fox and Leslie Thompkins are waiting for him.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne. – Greets Lucius.
- Hello, Bruce. How you’re doing? – Says Leslie.
- I’m fine. So how is our project of re-urbanization of Narrows?
- Everything is going according to plan. The people of the neighborhood are supporting our cause. First they were afraid that they were going to leave the area, that our project was to create a fancy modern district and removing all the poor people from Narrows. But since they get the idea that we were going only to remove the poverty and the slum houses and replacing them with proper building and houses, they just loved it.
- That’s excellent news. And what about Arkham?
- The transfer is going according to plan as well. The original manor that belonged to Amadeus Arkham in the country side of Gotham is already restored and is now ready to receive the asylum interns.
- And the Martha Wayne clinic is also almost ready for starting receiving patients. – Adds Leslie.
- I’m very happy to see you directing this clinic Leslie. My father would be very pleased to see you working in a facility that was named after my mother. And what about the towers?
- One of them is finished. The other is still in works, but everything is on schedule.
In the work place that has become Narrows, two giant towers stand in the horizon. One is finished, sparkling. The other only showing its structure of titanium bars and some walls completed.
-----------------------------------------------------
Bruce continues his visit, now in the Waynetech facilities. Barbara hosts him and introduces Bruce to a new employee:
- Hi, Bruce, This is Edward Nygma. Our newest acquisition for Waynetech.
- Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne.
- The pleasure is mine, Nygma.
- Although he is somewhat young, he is considered one of the most important people in the Internet security area. – Adds Barbara. – He will be in charge testing our new legal system for the Gotham’s judicial department.
- I’ve heard that you were a hacker, Edward, is it true? – Asks Bruce.
- As most of the electronic security experts, Mr. Wayne. You have to have been one of the bad guys to know how to stop them.
- I see – Bruce answers with a little worry in his face.
- But he is now “reformed”, so to speak. Bruce. He was indicated by a lot of respectable companies. – Clarifies Barbara.
Bruce and Barbara leave the Waynetech offices. When they’re alone, Barbara completes:
- Don’t worry, Bruce. I’m watching him closely.
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Later in the end of the day, Barbara says goodnight to his colleague Nygma and heads home. Edward, then, opens in his computer a secret program called The Riddler. A bunch of Batman information opens in the screen. Newspaper stories about possible Batman apparitions. Police reports about him. He continues reviewing all the information until he reaches a note about the Batman attack in the docks. Beside that file, there’s another one showing the Gotham’s underworld hierarchy. In one of the heads of that diagram, is the name of Oswald Cobblepot. Nygma smiles.
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In that same night. One of the circus wagons has its lights on.
- So, you are the new circus administrator? If Mr. Zucco has to come out here again, it’s gonna be bad. – Says someone inside the wagon.
Dick Grayson is in the top of the wagon seeing the interior from the top window. A mobster is punching the circus integrant in his stomach.
- It’s gonna make what happened to the Graysons look like the funhouse.
A rock breaks the windows and hits the henchmen in the face.
- Who the...?
The mobster comes out holding his gun.
- Who’s ever out here, you’re messing with the wrong...
A wood staff hits the mobster hand, making his gun to drop. Dick Grayson, with an all black karate training suit, is holding his Bo, a wood long staff used in marial arts.
- What do you know about what happened to the Graysons?
Dick realizes that he is surrounded by three mobsters armed with knifes and bats. He starts to fight, defeating most of them, but is hitted in the head by some of them and falls. Dick, on the ground, looks up and sees his attacker above him. A shadow is cast above the mobster. The shadow starts to grow and Batman appears menacing flying against the mobster back. Batman hits the guy and presses his face into the dirt.
- Tell Everyone. This circus is off limits – Threats Batman with his sinister, almost demonical voice.
Dick looks everything from the ground, but finally looses his consciousness.
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Dick is sleeping in a bed. He starts to awake.
- What... What is this place?
He looks around and sees Batman and his cave. A lot of vehicles, facilities and computers.
- I never thought to give it a name. – Answers Batman.
Batman looks to Dick and continues:
- I once was almost ready to start trusting someone. If I did it, maybe things would be different now. You want to find out who killed your mother and father.
- Yes – Answers Dick, avidly.
- I can’t let you go out there untrained. All you’ll do is get hurt or worse.
- Why do you care what happens to me? I mean, I see more of you than that guy Wayne who was supposed helping me.
Batman is showing his back to Dick. He starts to take of his mask. Dick looks to him surprised.
- Dick.
Bruce Wayne is now looking to Dick, dressed as Batman:
- I know we have a lot to talk about...
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Some days later. At the Iceberg club, one of the covering business of Oswald Cobblepot. He is sitting by the dance floor, in his private table surrounded by gorgeous women and one of the Chinese twins. The other Chinese twin woman comes to the table and talks someone at Cobblepot’s ear. He stands up and leaves with her.
Oswald enter his office at the club. The Chinese woman informs him:
- Mr. Cobblepot, all of our systems have been hacked by some virus.
Cobblepot looks to the screen and an animated character waits. The character is dressing a green suit and top hat with a lot of black question marks printed on them.
- He calls himself Riddler. He demanded to talk to you.
The Riddler character says a riddle to Oswald. In his home, in front of his ultra portable notebook, wearing a headset with microphone, Edward Nygma answers:
- A penguin.
Cobblepot gets annoyed:
- What the f* is that thing?
- Please calm down Mr. Cobblepot – says the Riddler virus – I’m a new player in Gotham, and I’m in the special supplies business. I have something to sell to you. Something that you will be very interested. But as a trust proof I will give to you a free piece of information. Just to get us started.
The Riddler says another riddle. Oswald gets even angrier and draws his gun to blow off the monitor screen.
- Darkness – answers the Riddler. – This is the common factor of all Batman apparitions.
Cobblepot gets calm and holds his gun.
- If you want to get rid of Batman for a while you have to make your movements in daytime.
Cobblepot smiles while all the club computer systems are cleared by the virus.
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The Dr. Harleen Quinzell is supervising the transfer of to the Arkham Asylum interns to new facilities at the old Arkham manor. The Joker is being moved through the corridors, wearing a straitjacket and a muzzle. Harleen talks to the guards moving Joker, but it appears that she is really talking to him:
- Do you know that this Asylum was created by the end of 19th century? It was an idea from the Dr. Amadeus Arkham. After the death of his mother he decided to use his family manor to build the asylum. By the seventies, it was transferred to Narrows. Now, more than 30 years later, it comes back to this place.
The Joker is placed in his cell. He is loosed form the muzzle and the straitjacket. The guards leave. Dr. Quinzell stays alone with the Joker.
- What do you think of our new home, Joker? – Asks Quinzell, smiling.
-----------------------------------------------------
Outdoors next to the asylum. An explosion opens a wall in the new facility. At the same time another explosion destroys the only bridge over the river that separates the asylum and the road to Gotham City. Two-Face and Killer Croc enter by the wall destroyed.
An asylum employee tries to active the police alarm. But he is caught by the neck. Killer Croc is squishing his throat, in a brink of killing him.
- Wait, Croc – says Harvey Dent.
Two-Face throws his coin and the unscratched side falls up. Dent knocks the employee out with a punch and active himself the police alarm.
- What are you doing, Two-Face!? – Asks, Croc, very surprised.
- Let’s move. Soon we have company around here.
-----------------------------------------------------
Harvey and Croc pass by the cells of Crane and Isley. They free them both. The whole group heads to another corridor. The cell of Victor Fries is refrigerated. Very similar to a cold-storage chamber. Killer Croc explodes the cell door. Harvey, standing by the door talks to the Doctor:
- Victor, the opportunity knocks on your door. If you agree to help me, you will receive a lot of money. The exact money you will need to continue your researches. To help your wife. To help Nora.
- You are the Harvey Dent, no? The once ally of the Batman?
- Harvey Dent is no more, Victor. You can call me Two-Face. Join me and you have a chance to get even with the Bat, too.
- I’m inclined to accept you offer, Two-Face. But, you know? I can’t leave this refrigerated room, or I’ll die otherwise.
- I know it. I have another refrigerated place to you, Fries. Wear this protective suit while we are escaping from here. – Harvey says, throwing a rubber suit to Fries.
Victor thinks a moment about it and ends up accepting the offer. He puts on the protective suit and leaves his cell with the other fugitives.
- Croc, get our friends out of this place. I have other business to take care of.
-----------------------------------------------------
Outdoors next to the Arkham Asylum. The SWAT troops are waiting next to the river, in front of the destroyed bridge. All policemen look up and see Batman passes up them gliding towards Arkham.
-----------------------------------------------------
Harvey gets to the Joker cell, but it’s empty. Dent follows through some corridors and after walking to some wings, sees Joker escaping with Dr. Quinzell. Before Dent starts to pursue them, he is knocked by Batman.
You have to surrender, Harvey – says Batman, not knowing that Joker is escaping. – You could get plastic surgery, rebuild your life. Your life with Gilda.
- Who the hell is Gilda? Don’t kid yourself, Batman. The Scars are a little more than skin deep. Here we are again, you and I. You always standing up between I and the true justice.
Harvey pushes a button in a control remote. All Arkham Asylum cells get open.
- It’s your choice now Batman. You can stay here and try to stop me, or go after the fugitive interns, before Joker gets away from this god-forsaken place. If you need, I can borrow you my coin.
Batman has a flashback. He sees in his mind Joker crippling Barbara, torturing Gordon and throwing acid in Dent. Batman goes after the clown criminal, without knowing that he has already escaped. Harvey continues his way of revenge.
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The Joker and Dr. Harleen get to the end of one of the asylum’s wings. A window that leads to the river way down below. Harvey gets to them. The Two-Face hits a punch in the doctor and throws her aside. The Jokers starts to laugh:
- So Harvey, finally you are showing your true face.
Dent draws two sub-machineguns, one in each hand.
- Don’t you have to throw your coin first, Harvey? – Asks Joker, with a grim smile on his face.
- Your coin throw has happened a way back, Joker. And you’ve lost!
- No! – Screams Quinzeel, throwing herself in front of the Joker and getting with him a lot of bullets from the machineguns.
The two of them break through the window and fall into the river. Two-Face looks down to the river below and goes away.
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The rooftop of the G.C.P.D. Central Station. Gordon is standing by the edge looking to the city:
- So, we all agree. If we need to meet, it’s only to be up here. Never in my office.
Gordon is wearing an overcoat and behind him are a group of police officers. One of them is Reneé Montoya. The others are one big and fat white guy, eating a donut; a young tall and skinny African American guy; a young Asian American woman and a tall and strong African American man. Each one of them is holding a file. Behind them, the Bat-signal.
- Each of you has been given a file of a famous Arkham Asylum intern. They are now fugitives and I have reasons to believe they are working together with Harvey Dent. Ok, Reneé, you get Pamela Isley.
- Yes, sir.
- Bullock, you get Waylon Jones.
- The Croc, sir? Yikes. Can I trade my file with Montoya? – Asks Harvey Bullock, finishing eating his donut.
- No. – Answers Gordon. – Bennet, you get Johnathan Crane. Do you have a problem with that?
- Should I? – Asks Ethan Bennet.
- Yin, because of your connections to the Chinatown, you will have the Cobblepot file. This thing of Harvey is going to grow big and I bet the Penguin will be somewhat involved.
- Ok, sir.
- And Hardback, you have the file of Victor Fries.
Mackenzie “Hardback” Bock, the tall and strong African American man makes Gordon a question:
- I didn’t understand something about Fries. How did he get him out of the Arkham? I mean, doesn’t he have to be in a refrigerated room to survive?
- The refrigerated thing is only part of his psychosis. He doesn’t really need to live in the cold. He only thinks he needs. Harvey has must convinced him somehow that was safe to leave his cell. – Answers Gordon.
- Anyway, I will take care myself of the Harvey Dent file. – Completes Gordon – You were have chosen very carefully for this job. The only clean policemen of Gotham City. I hope you don’t disappoint me.
- What about Batman, sir? – Asks Bullock.
- What about him? Batman isn’t part of this operation. Should he hamper you in any way... take the appropriate measures.
-----------------------------------------------------
In the caves beneath Wayne Manor. A robotic man is hit by a wood stick. On top of a lot of stalagmites, Dick attacks robotic moving targets with his Bo. A training very similar to the one Bruce Wayne has performed in the Ra’s Al Ghul monastery. Somewhat revolted, Dick complains while dodges the robotic attacks:
- I should be out there with him. Not stuck in this cave with these bats. I’ve trained. I’m ready!
Dick breaks one of the robots’ head with his stick and tosses it way. The head falls near Alfred’s feet, who happened to be there, watching Dick Grayson’s training.
- That will be coming out you your allowance.
- He thinks I’ll get hurt. He doesn’t trust me. – Complains again, Dick, now standing next to Alfred, after finishing his training session.
- On the contrary, Master Grayson. I hope you are aware how extraordinary it was for him to share his... secret with you. Truly extraordinary. But, A bit of advice: He is training you to help you seek justice for your parents’ deaths. And only that. Any other plans you may have had in you head are woefully premature.
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In one abandoned gallery in the sewers, Harvey talks to his associates. He is sit down in his desk. An office desk, very similar to the ones you see in a lawyer office. Jonathan Crane is wearing a suit, with his Scarecrow mask on. Pamela Isley is sit on top of Harvey’s desk. Behind her is a small green house. Victor Fries is wearing a dark blue rubber suit with only his face showing and googles. Fries also holds a long gun attached in a tube on his back by a thick hose.
- So, do you all like your new accommodations? I have some trouble to get all your stuff here.
- Where are these “Millions” you have promised us, Two-Face – Asks Victor.
- I have taken one warehouse filled with untraceable laundered cash that belonged to Tony Zucco. When this job is done, you will all get what you promised and more. Of course the advance you get will do fine for now, won’t it? And besides, there’s our mutual hate of Batman.
- I don’t care about the money. I only want to crush Batman’s back. – Says Croc, very angry.
Pamela leans on Harvey:
- I hate all man, you know, but you are very interesting. It’s one kind of man who can come up with a plan, and another who can see his plans well executed. I like that kind of man. I like you.
Pamela tries to kiss him, but Harvey stops her.
- Harvey Dent is a married man, Pamela. Get out of here.
Behind Harvey, there’s a photo of Gilda Dent, his former wife.
-----------------------------------------------------
Dick Grayson is in the cave of Batman, training some martial arts movements.
- So, you are really improving, Dick. – Says Barbara Gordon, in her wheelchair.
- I do what I can. It’s a shame that Bruce doesn’t share you opinion. Stopping by to make a visit?
- Yes, I wanted to know how you’re doing. We hardly spoke after the funeral. Alfred told me about Bruce’s plan to train you to capture the murder of your parents. I was shocked to know how he decided to trust you like that. I have to work much harder to get my job here – Plays Barbara.
- I’m doing well, given the circumstances. I’m happy to see you here, Barbara. And I was actually worried about you too. Since the escape from Arkham. The Joker’s body was not found.
Barbara looks at him with a sad expression.
- I’ve been reading Bruce’s files. I know what happened to you. Why you are in this wheelchair. I’m so sorry Barbara.
Barbara starts to cry a little:
- I remember that night vividly, if it had happened today. But as each day passes, I’m managing to win this war against the trauma of being crippled by that monster.
- How do you do that? I feel the same. I see my parents die every time I close my eyes. I have to do something about it. – Asks Grayson, touched by the Barbara’s feelings.
- I don’t know what I could have done it if it wasn’t for my job, as Oracle, helping Batman.
- I think I can understand what you mean – Confirms Dick Grayson, firmly.
-----------------------------------------------------
Cobblepot manor. Oswald is watching the afternoon news.
- Good afternoon, Gotham City. A group of masked criminals attacked a bank agency in the downtown. The attack took place today’s afternoon. The bank is supposed to belong to one of Anthony Zucco’s associates, indicating that this event is connected to the raising crime war that is plaguing Gotham. Although most of the criminals have escaped, no victims were killed or hurt. It happened so because of an intervention of a policeman that has ignored orders and entered the bank alone. This policeman was not found afterwards and is believed to be Batman in disguise.
Oswald smiles:
- Although Batman tried to stop my con, everything has happened just according to plan. That Riddler tip was marvelous.
One of the Chinese twins woman approaches:
- Mr. Cobblepot, two packages has just arrived for you. We’ve searched for bombs or poison. Both are clean. This palmtop was in one of the packages.
The palmtop is given to Cobblepot. When he holds the device it turns itself on. On the screen, the Riddler virus. In the other side of the line, Edward Nygma is in front of his computer.
- So Penguin, did you like the tip?
- It worked fine, Mr. Riddler. So, now what do you really want?
- Please, Mr. Cobblepot, first open my other package.
The Chinese woman opens the package and inside there’s an unknown electronic controller.
- I think it would be better to go to your aviary to test this new toy of yours, Mr. Cobblepot.
-----------------------------------------------------
At the aviary. Cobblepot is holding the palmtop and the electronic controller. Together with him are the Chinese twins and some Asian mobsters. The Riddler says a riddle in which the answer is “birds”. After that he continues:
- This controller that you are holding, Mr. Cobblepot, can roughly control the minds of any bird. The only thing you need to do is point some target with the laser aiming device that this controller has, press the button and all birds in a area of dozens miles will attack furiously this target. But this device will only execute one demonstration. A real device will be send to you after you’re made your offer.
Oswald smiles diabolically and looks to one of his henchmen.
- You are the only one that got caught today in the bank. Thanks to my lawyers you are here today. Too bad for you that I have good lawyers.
The Penguin turns the controller on, points to the henchmen and activates the device. All birds suddenly wake up and get alert. The henchman gets scared and starts to run away. Cobblepot continues to aim at him. The birds leave the aviary by a top window and fly towards the running mobster. They catch him with all their fury and crush his body. Oswald looks to the palmtop:
- How much do you want for this little toy, Mr. Riddler?
-----------------------------------------------------
The caves beneath Wayne Manor. Dick Grayson is making some aerial practices in a trapeze built inside the cave. Bruce Wayne is preparing his suit and gadgets to go out in a mission that night. Alfred asks:
- The policeman disguise worked today, sir?
- Yes, but it was much harder to do the job with all those people. In daylight. I found this at the bank.
Bruce shows Alfred and Dick, who just have finished his training session, a green card with a question mark on it. Dick turns the card back and reads a riddle that was printed on it. Bruce says the answer.
- The bank assault was connected with the war between Zucco and Cobblepot. I have to find out what this riddle means. – Says Batman, already full costumed and ready to go out.
- Bruce, maybe it’s ... – Dick starts to talk with Batman.
Batman gets into his train vehicle and goes fast towards the city.
- What did I do? – Asks Dick, resentful.
- Do not take it personally. Master Bruce has these... moods.
- I could help him, if he’d just ask me.
- Yes. I imagine you could, Master Grayson. But I am quite certain he will never ask.
Dick looks down to a lot of sketches of names and costumes for what could be a Batman partner.
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To read my The Dark Knight fanfic, the story which this fanfic is a sequel for, please check http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=179244
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Suggested Cast (by the year 2011)
Batman/Bruce Wayne – Christian Bale
Harvey Dent/Two Face – Aaron Eckhart
Dick Grayson/Robin – Alex Pettyfer (with hair dyed black)
James Gordon – Gary Oldman
Alfred Pennyworth – Michael Caine
Barbara Gordon/Oracle – Emmy Rossum
Oswald Cobbepot/Penguin – Robin Williams
Edward Nygma – Ryan Gosling
Lucius Fox – Morgan Freeman
Tony Zucco – Bob Hoskins
Ed Skeevers – Terry Crews
The Joker – Heath Ledger
Dr. Harleen Quinzell – Rachel McAdams
Pamela Isley – Rebecca Hall
Waylon Jones - Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Mr. Eko from Lost)
Victor Fries - Thomas Kretschmann
Johnathan Crane – Cillian Murphy
Reneé Montoya – Rosalyn Sanchez
Leslie Thompkins – Vanessa Redgrave
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Based on comics published by DC Comics.
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Meeting room at the Wayne Enterprises heads office. The room is full of senior executives. Lucius Fox starts the talking:
- Hi everyone. I know Bruce Wayne is late, as he always does. But I think we can start our meeting. We are gathered here to talk about the project of the re-urbanization for Narrows. This is a big and ambitious project to help saving that poor part of our city.
While Fox was speaking, the room temperature appeared to become higher and higher. The executive men were loosing their ties, the woman, started unbuttoning their blouses.
- There’s no conditioned air up here? – Asks one executive.
Then the people start to fell unwell. Their arms and legs start to be too heavy, paralyzed. All executives start to go down to the floor, fully paralyzed. In the end, Lucius falls too.
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In the meeting room. Now it is filled with plants all around the floor and the walls. Standing up, with bare feet, a woman wearing a lab coat, talks:
- I hate men. But not only men. The women also. As a matter a fact I hate all mankind. We don’t deserve to live in this planet. We don’t deserve to exist together with those marvelous creatures. – The woman holds gently a flower. While he was speaking we have a glimpse on her id tag and it states: Pamela Isley. Waynetech Botanic Dept.
She stands up in front of another lab employee. A man in his late forties. The man is standing up, but fully paralized
- So, Jason. Jason Woodward. You thought I would never discover that you and your bosses here at Wayne were turning my Botanist research into biological weapons. Shame on you. But I’m not really mad. To prove that I will forgive you by giving you a kiss.
Pamela kisses Jason on the mouth. His skin starts to become green and very dry. Jason dies poisoned.
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Gotham City at night. A high-speed black vehicle travels using the rail for the high ground Wayne train. The vehicle heads toward the Wayne Tower. Inside the vehicle, Batman is sitting inside a cockpit. A voice talks with him:
- Batman, it’s Oracle. I’m uploading to you the data I’ve compiled from the Pamela Isley computers down there on Waynetech. She was working on a lot of Botanist researches. It appears that she flipped out violently after knowing that her immediate boss, Jason Woodward, was using her work to create and sell biological weapons to terrorist organizations. Without our knowledge, of course.
- Of course – Batman responds – Remind me later to fire him.
- I think we don’t need to. He is very likely to be dead by now.
The vehicle is heading toward a train wagon in the same trail.
- Wait a second.
Batman stops the conversation, and pushes a button in his console panel. The Bat-train moves itself to the upper side of the high ground trail, contouring the wagon. After, the Bat-train goes back to its normal position and continues going directly into Wayne Tower.
- What were you saying, Oracle?
---------------------------------------------------
Batman breaks in into the meeting room. He faces Pamela:
- It’s over Pamela Isley. You have to surrender now.
She throws a biologic compound against Batman, but nothing happens.
- I know the details of all your research, Pamela. Including the antidotes that you have injected in yourself, so you could be immune to your own poisons.
- Do you know the present and assembled? – asks her, very angry.
- Lucius Fox and the others. They all work for Wayne. – Batman answers.
- They run Wayne Enterprises. This company, as all the others, is destroying the planet. Pollution, deforestation, over harvesting, and all for more of the thing they have too much to begin with. Money.
- I understand your frustration, Pamela. Most of the world feels the same way. But it isn’t the way to do it.
- I don’t think you’re the one to talk about appropriate behavior. Although, why are you being so civilized? What are you planning?
A beeping device starts to sound on Batman’s belt.
- I was merely buying time.
He pushes a button in his belt and all the sprinkles start to pour water. In this moment, all the plants in the meeting room start dying.
- Nooooo! – Pamela starts to gets desperate, and falls by her knees.
- I was waiting for the power defoliant that I’ve poured into the water system finished mixing properly in all parts of the building. This is only a demonstration of what’s to come if you don’t end this. Now.
Batman continues to talk:
- Surrender, Pamela, or in ten seconds, I’ll trigger all the sprinkler system of the building. Surrender, or all the plants you spread for this building will die.
- I wanted to do the right thing. – Says her, sobbing.
- Perhaps, but in the wrong way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkham Asylum interior. While Pamela is escorted to her cell by some guards, they pass by the cells of Jonathan Crane, Victor Fries and Waylon Jones.
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Several months, afterwards. Reneé Montoya, police detective of Gotham City enters in the office of the newly promoted to chief of police, James Gordon.
- Gordon. Here’s my report on the “Penguin” investigation. I couldn’t find out anything.
Gordon answers:
- Since the return of the rich guy Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot, the Chinese mafia is getting more power. Of course the facts are connected. Damn! It’s been months and we couldn’t find a single proof or lead. – Gordon gets annoyed.
- And the good news doesn’t end here, chief. The D.A. office is starting to push us about our official position regarding Batman.
Reneé leaves, and Gordon talks with himself:
- I can’t work with D.A.’s office like I could with... Like I did before.
Batman appears in the dark.
- I don’t know if I can protect you in this one.
- That won’t be and never was necessary – Answers Batman.
- I miss him.
- Me too.
- Do you know... – Gordon gets to continue the conversation, but when he looks to Batman, he was not there anymore.
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Wayne manor, at night. Alfred opens the door that links the cave to the manor interior for Bruce Wayne:
- Long day, sir? Ah, forgive me. They’re all long days, aren’t they?
Bruce looks to his desk:
- What are these?
- They are circus tickets sir. Your mother used to do a charitable donation, I believe. She did enjoyed attending to this particular show in the old days.
- I know Alfred. But this time, Wayne Foundation missed the boat. Oswald Cobblepot is bringing the circus to Gotham now.
- The so-called “Penguin” sir?
- Yes. He returned from Europe recently and is rebuilding his family’s name into Gotham’s high society. But in the same time he is getting more control of the city’s underworld. This circus launching party is he trying to hide those actions. This party will be a perfect occasion to look on Cobblepot much closely.
- So do you need me to prepare you’re tuxedo suit, Master Bruce?
As Alfred are excusing himself he moans:
- Let’s only hope that you won’t need your other suit, sir.
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Cobblepot manor. It is placed in a small cliff, by the sea. In front of the manor in the road we see a road sign indicating that this manor is placed between Gotham and Blündhaven. A gala party is happening. The launching one for the Haly Circus season in Gotham City. Bruce Wayne is accompanied by Barbara Gordon, in her wheel chair. Bruce is wearing his classic tuxedo. Barbara with thin and sophisticated glasses and a classic black dress.
- So, Bruce, the rumors that Cobblepot was rejected by his own parents when he was a child are true?
- Apparently yes. He was sent to Europe during his childhood, and he spent most of his grown up days in Hong Kong. Now, after his parents’ death, he returned to Gotham.
- The death of the Cobblepots was kind of controversial, wasn’t it? Do you think Oswald had something to do with it?
- I don’t doubt it, but I’m still investigating. I couldn’t find any proof of that. If he is indeed guilty, he has managed to hide it very well.
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Oswald Cobblepot, in his early 50’s. Short, fat, with a big and un-proportional nose, and yet very elegant in an all white suit. He is wearing a monocle and smoking a cigarette on the end of a foot long holder. He is also using a cane. His cane has a penguin head detail in its rounded part. Cobblepot is circulating on the party, escorted by a high society lady, Veronica Vreeland. By his side are the Flying Graysons. Oswald comes to Bruce
- Hi, Bruce Wayne. My name is Oswald Cobblepot. So we finally meet each other.
- Nice to meet you too, Oswald. Excellent party.
- Thanks. I would like to introduce you to the stars of the circus that I’m bringing to Gotham: The Flying Graysons. John, the father of the family of aerials is also the circus manager.
- Please to meet you, Mr. Wayne. – Says John Grayson. – I was acquainted to your parents. We are very sorry for them. My sympathies.
- Thanks John. It’s nice to meet people that knew my parents. I’ve always felt sorry for not having seeing one of your aerial performances. I mean, with my parents... But I will seize the opportunity to finally watching your show tomorrow at the circus opening.
- Mr. Wayne, this is my son, Dick Grayson.
Dick is a 19-year-old boy. He’s wearing a black suit but not a tuxedo.
- So, Dick, it’s true the rumors that besides your excellent skills on the aerial performances, you is also a black belt in Karate?
- Yeah. The oriental philosophy helps me a lot to focus when I’m up there, on the cradle. It also helps me to direct better our natural inner angst. Do you know what I mean, right?
- Yes, I do. Indeed.
- So, Bruce, don’t you want to introduce this beautiful girlfriend of yours to us? – Asks Dick.
- Ahem. I’m sorry. Everyone, this is Barbara Gordon. She is the chief of police James Gordon’s niece. She works for me at Waynetech. She is one of our most finest computer experts
- Hi, Dick. How are you? Thanks for your compliment.
- Don’t mention it.
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In the entrance of the party. Tony Zucco, rival of the Cobblepot on the Gotham underworld control, manages to crash the party with a group of friends. Oswald gets annoyed:
- That is some nerve of Zucco showing up here like this. But nevermind, it would be nice to rub on his italian nose, my ascension to the Gotham high society.
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Later, at the party. In the huge aviary that stands aside the manor. John Grayson is talking to Tonny Zucco and some henchmen:
- So, Mr. Grayson. It was very unwise from your part to refuse my transportation proposal. I’ve got a lot of stuff that needs to be transported across the state lines, and you cross a lot of them. It was perfect. It was a shame that you didn’t accept it.
- My circus is not a transportation service, Zucco. We already discussed that.
- I know, I know. But to make things even worse, you had to accept the Cobblepot’s offer? I was hurted by that, you know?
- Mr. Cobblepot made me a legitimate offer. Why would I refuse?
- It’s only that Gotham City is some kind of dangerous these days. A lot of accidents, you know? It would be a shame if something happened. These aerial performances are dangerous aren’t they? You way up there and the ground being way down here...
Dick and Barbara, are seeking for a tranquility moment away from the party and take the path to the aviary. Dick sees his father in an awkward conversation:
- Is there a problem, Dad?
- No, son. These gentlemen are just leaving, right, Mr. Zucco?
Zucco and his henchmen leave displeased by the ending of the conversation.
- Dick, I’ll go back inside also. But, please, stay here with your friend.
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In the aviary, Dick and Barbara talk:
- Do you know that bird, Barbara?
- Which one?
- That one, with a red chest. The Robin. My mom likes to call me this way.
- Robin? Why?
- It’s because our show red suits. And because she thinks I “fly” on the trapeze.
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The next night, at the General Hospital of Gotham. A TV set inside a patient room:
- Good evening. This is Gotham TV news. This week we had the second anniversary of the incident that put our former district attorney Harvey Dent in a coma. The criminal only known as Joker has thrown a recipient full of boiling acid in Dent’s face. It all happened in the courtroom during the trial of the criminal clown. The Joker is, today, locked up at Arkham Asylum.
Harvey Dent is laid down in the hospital bed, with his face all wrapped up with medical bandages. His vital signs start to change, indicating that he is coming out of his coma.
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Dick flies in the cradle together with his parents during the opening night of the Haly Circus in Gotham. All of the city’s finest are present. Cobblepot, the sponsor. Bruce Wayne and one of his gorgeous female companions. Barbara and James Gordon. The audience goes crazy with the act of the Flying Graysons without the safety net. The rope of the cradle starts to show some signs of fatigue and rupture.
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At the Hospital, Dent awakes. Still disoriented, with his face covered with bandages, he looks to his right hand and sees that he is holding a coin. It’s a coin with two heads. But he notices that one of the faces are scratched. Little by little, he is remembering about the things that happened to him and the brief moments in which he was out of the coma. Flashes of his memory: The two faced coin from his father. He killing his own father. The pact between Gordon, Batman and him. The death of Salvatori Moroni. Joker throwing acid in his face. He scratching one of the faces of the two faced coin. He picks the coin. Throws it up and catches with his hand. The windows of his hospital room are wide open and the bed is empty.
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During one of the John and Mary Grayson’s act, without his son Dick. The rope breaks apart and they fall right in the middle of the big top. All present are horrified. Dick watches from up in the trapeze, and sees his parents dead down on the ground. Bruce looks at this scene and sees a Deja-vu of himself, as a child, together with his own dead parents.
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In the sewers. Harvey is wandering with the bandages still covering his face. In another part of the sewers there’s a big and strong African American man in the shadows. We see some of him from the few parts illuminated. He has a strange skin. It resembles the one of a crocodile. The big guy gets prepared to attack the newly arrived on the sewers, his territory. Harvey sees this big black shadow coming towards him:
- It’s you already Batman? You find me quickly! - He grabs an iron pipe on the floor and continues – Come on, Batman! Let’s find out if you can beat me!
The strong man is suprised and changes his approach. He shows himself in the light. His teeth are frightening sharpened. His eyes are reddish.
- So do you hate Batman as well? By the bandages on your face I assume you are Harvey Dent. Nice to meet you, my name is Waylon “Killer Croc” Jones.
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In the next night, Bruce and Alfred welcome the desolated Dick Grayson in the Wayne Manor, just after his parents funeral. Dick is accompanied by some of the circus performers. One of them talks to Bruce:
- We would like to thank you Mr. Wayne for taking care of all the paperwork. We have to make our own adjustments. John was the circus administrator. Now I’m getting the job. The Graysons, as you know were part of our family at the circus. We are devastated. We would like to take care of Dick from now on, but this process requires time, do you know?
- Yes, I do.
- So, thanks again for taking care of Dick in this troubled times, Mr. Wayne.
- Don’t worry. The Graysons were friends of my parents. It's the least I could do it.
The new circus administrator leaves Dick with Bruce and Alfred. Dick was silent with an angry face.
- I’m very sorry Dick. I know what it’s like. My parents died when I was a child. I’m here to help you in this difficult moment.
- I know what you’re thinking. But it wasn’t just a simple accident. My father always checked the ropes...
Bruce looks through Dick and sees the Batman signal on in the city’s horizon.
- We have a lot to talk, Dick, but unfortunately I have an urgent appointment that I have forgotten. Please, excuse me.
-----------------------------------------------------
Gordon is at the top of the police building. Batman shows up.
- Something on the circus accident? – Asks Batman?
- We’re investigating but it appears to be a real accident. I’ve called you here on another reason: Harvey Dent has escaped from the Hospital. We’re searching for him since this morning but no one knows where he could be.
- He is severed injured. He couldn’t go far. I will find him.
- I’ve been re-reading the Moroni’s case file and I’ve seen evidences that Moroni was already dead when Dent injected the Joker’s poison antidote in him.
Batman remains in silence. Gordon gest annoyed:
- How long have you known?!?
Batman is still silent.
- How long?!?
- I don’t believe that a man who stood on this roof, who made a promise, a bond, with each one of us, would cross the line. I won’t believe it.
- What if you are too close of the situation? What if your judgment is impaired? What if you’re wrong?
- What if I’m not?
- Find Harvey. You know what needs to be done...
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Dick is wandering through Wayne Manor and by accident enters a bedroom. He grabs a hairbrush in front of a mirror.
- What are you doing in here? – Asks Alfred
- My mom had a brush like this. She would brush her hair before every performance. My Dad would get so mad. He never wanted us to be late for a show.
- I would guess that a younger natural curiosity would bring him upstairs to a room, which is clearly closed off. This was Master Wayne’s parents’ bedroom. And While I’m sure he’d like nothing more than for you to have free run on the house...
- Why he is really doing this, Alfred? Taking me in? I’ve heard he is some kind of Playboy...
- It’s not really my place to say for certain. But, as you already know he lost his parents very early. In addition he happen to have the misfortune on witnessing his parent’s death as well.
- Yeah, we’re both orphans...
Dick stares on his image in the mirror.
Bruce Wayne, as a child, in front of the same mirror, holds the same hairbrush as Alfred enters Thomas and Martha’s former bedroom
- I remember my mother using this. She would brush her hair whenever they went out together. My father would stand over there. Tying his tie. Growing impatient. Never wanting us to be late.
- Perhaps is a little too soon to be in this area of the house, Master Bruce. I know how special this room is and it will always be well kept. But for right now, why don’t you come downstairs to the kitchen? I’ll make you whatever you desire.
- What’s going to happen to me Alfred? Are they going to let me live here with you?
- I... it’s not really my place to say for certain. But, I will endeavor in every way I can to see to it you brought up in the same manner your parents would.
Staring at his image on the mirror, Bruce says, with a very low voice:
- I’m an orphan and I will have to get used to it.
He turns himself to Alfred:
- I’m all alone now, Alfred.
The butler hugs the child, without saying anything.
Dick Grayson turns himself to Alfred:
- I’m all alone now, Mister Pennyworth.
Alfred puts his hand in Dick’s shoulders:
- I can only tell you, Mr. Grayson, something I wish I had said a long time ago to someone else. You are not alone. I imagine you will never be again.
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Arkham Asylum at Narrows. Several boxes spread by the corridors. A lot of men working for moving companies are taking the boxes away. One of them talks to the other;
- All this work just because we have to move these loonies out of here to that other house in the country.
- It was because of that project from Bruce Wayne. At least these wackos are going to be very far from this neighborhood.
In the maximum-security area, the Joker is incarcerated in his cell. Trapped in a straitjacket. He looks to the shadows across the corridor
- So, Batman, are you there, aren’t you?
Batman steps out of the darkness.
- I assume it was easy for you to enter here because all this moving away mess. But it wouldn’t stop you anyway.
- I want information about Dent, Joker.
- Do you know something Batsy? I’m loving this moving for the country side. The calmness will do wonderful to me, he he he.
The Joker continues:
- But why are you worried about our former D.A, Batman? Are you worried that he will do something nasty? Killing again maybe? Ha ha ha ha ha.
- You are the one who should start to worry, Joker. Harvey could come from you, seeking revenge.
- Ha ha ha ha, I’m couting on it!
Joker starts to laugh with more intensity and asks:
- By the way, little Bat, how is going James Gordon’s niece? Ha ha ha ha ha!
Batman gets very angry and is about to snap and loose totally his tempers. A guard gets closer and Batman disappears in the darkness. The Jokers continues to laugh even louder.
-----------------------------------------------------
A few days later. In the docks of Gotham City, Zucco and Ed Skeevers, an African American mobster, second in the Zucco’s chain of command, are in an office, monitoring a delivery of laundered money and weapons. Zucco is very relaxed, wearing an undershirt with suspenders and smoking a cigar:
- It was an accident. The rope just broke and there ain’t nobody who can prove otherwise. So quit worryin’, will ya, Eddie?
- Maybe we should wait things settle down. Get chill.
- No, we continue our business. I’m gonna take down that circus and with it the Penguin’s deal. If he thinks he would use our idea to promote him in the high society he is so very wrong.
- Y’know, those acrobats you whacked. They got a kid who might squawk.
- Hey, I got ears too. He’s campin’ out with that rich guy... that Bruce Wayne...
-----------------------------------------------------
Outside, near the dock there are a few vans waiting. Inside the vans are a lot of Asian mobsters, armed to the teeth, waiting for attacking the delivery. A few miles away, in a yacht, Cobblepot is with two chinese women, who are wearing very expensive suits and are twins. The women are the second in command from Penguin’s mafia organization. The Penguin and the women watch the attack distantly through a telescope.
- Carol and Sandra, all men are ready?
They nod their heads confirming.
- Excellent. I’m sure these rumors that Zucco has something to do with the accident in the circus are true. It’s time to pay back a little.
-----------------------------------------------------
The vans break into the dock and the Chinese mobsters get out shooting against Zucco’s people. In the dock’s office:
- Ed, something is happening. I have to get out of here, but you have to stay to protect our weapons and money!
A huge gunfight takes place, with deaths and explosions in every place. In this moment Batman shows up and starts to attack henchmen from both sides. Skeevers is shot in the arm. The Asians explode a part of the shipment and get away with a little advantage. In the yacht the telescope lens of Cobblepot gets lightened by a little red dot. A small metal bat, connected with a rope breaks the lens making Cobblepot to fall. In the other side, at the docks, Batman retracts the rope of his grapnel gun.
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Inside the docks, Skeevers hears a noise of people getting beaten up. He came inside his office and sees his henchmen beaten and blood wounded. When he enters the shipment area he meets Killer Croc and Harvey Dent, with suit and overcoat, with a white glove in one hand and a black one in the other. The face of Dent is covered by the shadows. Eddie, frightened asks:
- What is this?
- What needs to be done – Answers Harvey.
- What the hell is supposed to mean?
- How much longer did you think I would let the your boss Zucco tear Gotham City in half? Splitting this city between good... and evil. My city.
Harvey Dent comes out of the shadows and shows his face, partially disfigured. The half of his face is scarred by the acid burns.
Batman invades the docks, throw a magnesium bomb into Killer Croc and kick his back, defeating him. Harvey holds Skeevers like a hostage:
- Batman. Again. And Again. The courts will send them back to prison or Arkham. They will escape and we have the same problem. Again. And Again.
- Harvey..?
- Harvey is gone. Two-Face is more like it, don’t you think?
- If you pull that trigger, how are you different from Zucco?
- That’s Jim Gordon talking. You know the system doesn’t work. That justice can decided like the flip of a coin.
Two-Face tosses his coin. He grabs it with his open hand and the scratched face comes up. Two shots. Ed Skeevers falls dead by Two-Face feet.
- Two shots to the head. If you ask me, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Batman tries to talk his friend out of it:
- You still believe in Gotham City. You were married here. You want to start a family. If nothing else thik of your wife, Gilda.
- Gilda..?
- Give me the gun, Harvey.
Two-Face hesitates for two seconds but then he uses the back of his gun to beat Batman in the head:
- Nice try.
Batman falls unconscious.
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Later in that same night, in the police building. In a room with little light we see Detective Flass in his desk. A sinister voice from outside the office:
- Working late again, Flass?
- W-who..? – asks Flass a little frightened.
- You have to answer for Harvey Dent. Somebody facilitated Zucco’s meeting with the Joker that day. The day the justice was split in two. Innocent or guilty. Like this coin. One side clean. The other side scarred.
The coin flips in the air several times.
- Please don’t kill me, mister Dent...
The Flass head is laid down on the desk. Blood is everywhere staining a lot of books and papers. Batman hands pick up some blood with the tip of his fingers. We see his angry face and behind him, in the windows, the Bat-signal is showing in the sky.
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The roof of police station. The sign of Batman is on. Two-Face is stading next to the edge of the building, looking to the city below:
- I’ve killed twice tonight. I did what needed to be done. For now.
Batman comes from behind of Harvey in the shadows:
- Why?
- I did what needed to be done.
- You’ll never convince me of that.
The door that gives access to the roof opens. It’s James Gordon.
- Harvey...! My God... What’s happened to you...?
Harvey talks to his former allies in the war against crime.
- There won’t be any judges to be bribed. No witnesses who will disappear. Ed Skeevers and Flass are dead. I killed them. A new time from Gotham is beginning.
- We’ll get you help. – Batman responds.
- You’re the ones who are gonna need help from now on. – Threats Two-Face.
- Harvey, you betrayed everything you believe in. – Says Gordon.
- Not everything. Harvey is never coming back, Jimbo. Get used to it. Particulary to help a pair of old fools. Don’t try to follow me. Killer Croc could be a master of the muscle use but he is too an excellent sniper.
Killer Croc is pointing with a long distance rifle from a distant rooftop. In his telescope we see Gordon being targeted.
- If you touch me, Bats, he kills Gordon. – Says Harvey, disappearing in the darkness.
A moment of silence. The Batman silhouette is merging with the city horizon.
- Was it worth it? – Asks Batman.
Gordon is in front of the door that leads to the building
- Hmmm?
- The promise we made to bring down the underworld of Gotham. To arrest the Joker. What it cost us. Barbara and now Harvey.
- If you’re asking me “did the good guys win?”. At that time I thought so. – Answers Gordon looking to Batman standing next to the edge of the roof.
- Now I’m not so sure. – Gordon says looking away. Batman is no longer there.
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Later in that same night. The roof of the Wayne manor. Top of the one of the manor’s towers. Dick Grayson is standing next to the edge, in the dark. Batman appears and surprises Dick.
- You went out there tonight. To the circus. Don’t bother denying it.
- Batman..?! What are you doing here? What do you know about me?!
- I know enough.
Dick looks to Batman with anger:
- I keep thinking about what happened. My father always checked the lines. It just couldn’t be an accident.
- It wasn’t.
- What..?
- The trapeze rope that snapped. It was made to look like it was worn out. But I found traces of an acid on the rope. Just enough. And I’ve seen what that acid can do to people.
- I want to help.
- You will when the time is right. I promise.
- I remember seein’ a guy talking to my father at the Cobblepot’s party. He said something that has bothered my father. He was a short fat guy.
- You should go back inside now.
-----------------------------------------------------
Batman is arriving at the cave. Alfred is awaiting him.
- I was wrong about Harvey, Alfred. I’ve had this evidences he has left Moroni die but thought it was incorrect. That Harvey couldn’t do it. I can’t afford to be wrong again.
- There’s nothing wrong with being wrong, sir. Even I’m not infallible on the occasion.
- Batman can’t be.
Batman starts to take his mask off.
- I... never discussed that with you, Alfred. But I was nearly ready to tell Harvey, just before... his accident.
- Tell him what, sir?
With his mask off, Batman continues:
- The truth. About who I am. About my parents. All of it.
- Then, give how things turned out, aren’t we glad that you didn’t?
Bruce, with a sad face, answers:
- Maybe, Alfred. Or maybe if I had told him, Harvey wouldn’t have pushed himself so hard. He might have trusted me more, if I had trusted him... But now I’m alone again in this crime war of mine.
- Master Bruce. As I should have told this to someone a long time ago: you are not alone.
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A few days later. Bruce arrives at his office in the Wayne Tower. Lucius Fox and Leslie Thompkins are waiting for him.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne. – Greets Lucius.
- Hello, Bruce. How you’re doing? – Says Leslie.
- I’m fine. So how is our project of re-urbanization of Narrows?
- Everything is going according to plan. The people of the neighborhood are supporting our cause. First they were afraid that they were going to leave the area, that our project was to create a fancy modern district and removing all the poor people from Narrows. But since they get the idea that we were going only to remove the poverty and the slum houses and replacing them with proper building and houses, they just loved it.
- That’s excellent news. And what about Arkham?
- The transfer is going according to plan as well. The original manor that belonged to Amadeus Arkham in the country side of Gotham is already restored and is now ready to receive the asylum interns.
- And the Martha Wayne clinic is also almost ready for starting receiving patients. – Adds Leslie.
- I’m very happy to see you directing this clinic Leslie. My father would be very pleased to see you working in a facility that was named after my mother. And what about the towers?
- One of them is finished. The other is still in works, but everything is on schedule.
In the work place that has become Narrows, two giant towers stand in the horizon. One is finished, sparkling. The other only showing its structure of titanium bars and some walls completed.
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Bruce continues his visit, now in the Waynetech facilities. Barbara hosts him and introduces Bruce to a new employee:
- Hi, Bruce, This is Edward Nygma. Our newest acquisition for Waynetech.
- Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne.
- The pleasure is mine, Nygma.
- Although he is somewhat young, he is considered one of the most important people in the Internet security area. – Adds Barbara. – He will be in charge testing our new legal system for the Gotham’s judicial department.
- I’ve heard that you were a hacker, Edward, is it true? – Asks Bruce.
- As most of the electronic security experts, Mr. Wayne. You have to have been one of the bad guys to know how to stop them.
- I see – Bruce answers with a little worry in his face.
- But he is now “reformed”, so to speak. Bruce. He was indicated by a lot of respectable companies. – Clarifies Barbara.
Bruce and Barbara leave the Waynetech offices. When they’re alone, Barbara completes:
- Don’t worry, Bruce. I’m watching him closely.
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Later in the end of the day, Barbara says goodnight to his colleague Nygma and heads home. Edward, then, opens in his computer a secret program called The Riddler. A bunch of Batman information opens in the screen. Newspaper stories about possible Batman apparitions. Police reports about him. He continues reviewing all the information until he reaches a note about the Batman attack in the docks. Beside that file, there’s another one showing the Gotham’s underworld hierarchy. In one of the heads of that diagram, is the name of Oswald Cobblepot. Nygma smiles.
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In that same night. One of the circus wagons has its lights on.
- So, you are the new circus administrator? If Mr. Zucco has to come out here again, it’s gonna be bad. – Says someone inside the wagon.
Dick Grayson is in the top of the wagon seeing the interior from the top window. A mobster is punching the circus integrant in his stomach.
- It’s gonna make what happened to the Graysons look like the funhouse.
A rock breaks the windows and hits the henchmen in the face.
- Who the...?
The mobster comes out holding his gun.
- Who’s ever out here, you’re messing with the wrong...
A wood staff hits the mobster hand, making his gun to drop. Dick Grayson, with an all black karate training suit, is holding his Bo, a wood long staff used in marial arts.
- What do you know about what happened to the Graysons?
Dick realizes that he is surrounded by three mobsters armed with knifes and bats. He starts to fight, defeating most of them, but is hitted in the head by some of them and falls. Dick, on the ground, looks up and sees his attacker above him. A shadow is cast above the mobster. The shadow starts to grow and Batman appears menacing flying against the mobster back. Batman hits the guy and presses his face into the dirt.
- Tell Everyone. This circus is off limits – Threats Batman with his sinister, almost demonical voice.
Dick looks everything from the ground, but finally looses his consciousness.
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Dick is sleeping in a bed. He starts to awake.
- What... What is this place?
He looks around and sees Batman and his cave. A lot of vehicles, facilities and computers.
- I never thought to give it a name. – Answers Batman.
Batman looks to Dick and continues:
- I once was almost ready to start trusting someone. If I did it, maybe things would be different now. You want to find out who killed your mother and father.
- Yes – Answers Dick, avidly.
- I can’t let you go out there untrained. All you’ll do is get hurt or worse.
- Why do you care what happens to me? I mean, I see more of you than that guy Wayne who was supposed helping me.
Batman is showing his back to Dick. He starts to take of his mask. Dick looks to him surprised.
- Dick.
Bruce Wayne is now looking to Dick, dressed as Batman:
- I know we have a lot to talk about...
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Some days later. At the Iceberg club, one of the covering business of Oswald Cobblepot. He is sitting by the dance floor, in his private table surrounded by gorgeous women and one of the Chinese twins. The other Chinese twin woman comes to the table and talks someone at Cobblepot’s ear. He stands up and leaves with her.
Oswald enter his office at the club. The Chinese woman informs him:
- Mr. Cobblepot, all of our systems have been hacked by some virus.
Cobblepot looks to the screen and an animated character waits. The character is dressing a green suit and top hat with a lot of black question marks printed on them.
- He calls himself Riddler. He demanded to talk to you.
The Riddler character says a riddle to Oswald. In his home, in front of his ultra portable notebook, wearing a headset with microphone, Edward Nygma answers:
- A penguin.
Cobblepot gets annoyed:
- What the f* is that thing?
- Please calm down Mr. Cobblepot – says the Riddler virus – I’m a new player in Gotham, and I’m in the special supplies business. I have something to sell to you. Something that you will be very interested. But as a trust proof I will give to you a free piece of information. Just to get us started.
The Riddler says another riddle. Oswald gets even angrier and draws his gun to blow off the monitor screen.
- Darkness – answers the Riddler. – This is the common factor of all Batman apparitions.
Cobblepot gets calm and holds his gun.
- If you want to get rid of Batman for a while you have to make your movements in daytime.
Cobblepot smiles while all the club computer systems are cleared by the virus.
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The Dr. Harleen Quinzell is supervising the transfer of to the Arkham Asylum interns to new facilities at the old Arkham manor. The Joker is being moved through the corridors, wearing a straitjacket and a muzzle. Harleen talks to the guards moving Joker, but it appears that she is really talking to him:
- Do you know that this Asylum was created by the end of 19th century? It was an idea from the Dr. Amadeus Arkham. After the death of his mother he decided to use his family manor to build the asylum. By the seventies, it was transferred to Narrows. Now, more than 30 years later, it comes back to this place.
The Joker is placed in his cell. He is loosed form the muzzle and the straitjacket. The guards leave. Dr. Quinzell stays alone with the Joker.
- What do you think of our new home, Joker? – Asks Quinzell, smiling.
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Outdoors next to the asylum. An explosion opens a wall in the new facility. At the same time another explosion destroys the only bridge over the river that separates the asylum and the road to Gotham City. Two-Face and Killer Croc enter by the wall destroyed.
An asylum employee tries to active the police alarm. But he is caught by the neck. Killer Croc is squishing his throat, in a brink of killing him.
- Wait, Croc – says Harvey Dent.
Two-Face throws his coin and the unscratched side falls up. Dent knocks the employee out with a punch and active himself the police alarm.
- What are you doing, Two-Face!? – Asks, Croc, very surprised.
- Let’s move. Soon we have company around here.
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Harvey and Croc pass by the cells of Crane and Isley. They free them both. The whole group heads to another corridor. The cell of Victor Fries is refrigerated. Very similar to a cold-storage chamber. Killer Croc explodes the cell door. Harvey, standing by the door talks to the Doctor:
- Victor, the opportunity knocks on your door. If you agree to help me, you will receive a lot of money. The exact money you will need to continue your researches. To help your wife. To help Nora.
- You are the Harvey Dent, no? The once ally of the Batman?
- Harvey Dent is no more, Victor. You can call me Two-Face. Join me and you have a chance to get even with the Bat, too.
- I’m inclined to accept you offer, Two-Face. But, you know? I can’t leave this refrigerated room, or I’ll die otherwise.
- I know it. I have another refrigerated place to you, Fries. Wear this protective suit while we are escaping from here. – Harvey says, throwing a rubber suit to Fries.
Victor thinks a moment about it and ends up accepting the offer. He puts on the protective suit and leaves his cell with the other fugitives.
- Croc, get our friends out of this place. I have other business to take care of.
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Outdoors next to the Arkham Asylum. The SWAT troops are waiting next to the river, in front of the destroyed bridge. All policemen look up and see Batman passes up them gliding towards Arkham.
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Harvey gets to the Joker cell, but it’s empty. Dent follows through some corridors and after walking to some wings, sees Joker escaping with Dr. Quinzell. Before Dent starts to pursue them, he is knocked by Batman.
You have to surrender, Harvey – says Batman, not knowing that Joker is escaping. – You could get plastic surgery, rebuild your life. Your life with Gilda.
- Who the hell is Gilda? Don’t kid yourself, Batman. The Scars are a little more than skin deep. Here we are again, you and I. You always standing up between I and the true justice.
Harvey pushes a button in a control remote. All Arkham Asylum cells get open.
- It’s your choice now Batman. You can stay here and try to stop me, or go after the fugitive interns, before Joker gets away from this god-forsaken place. If you need, I can borrow you my coin.
Batman has a flashback. He sees in his mind Joker crippling Barbara, torturing Gordon and throwing acid in Dent. Batman goes after the clown criminal, without knowing that he has already escaped. Harvey continues his way of revenge.
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The Joker and Dr. Harleen get to the end of one of the asylum’s wings. A window that leads to the river way down below. Harvey gets to them. The Two-Face hits a punch in the doctor and throws her aside. The Jokers starts to laugh:
- So Harvey, finally you are showing your true face.
Dent draws two sub-machineguns, one in each hand.
- Don’t you have to throw your coin first, Harvey? – Asks Joker, with a grim smile on his face.
- Your coin throw has happened a way back, Joker. And you’ve lost!
- No! – Screams Quinzeel, throwing herself in front of the Joker and getting with him a lot of bullets from the machineguns.
The two of them break through the window and fall into the river. Two-Face looks down to the river below and goes away.
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The rooftop of the G.C.P.D. Central Station. Gordon is standing by the edge looking to the city:
- So, we all agree. If we need to meet, it’s only to be up here. Never in my office.
Gordon is wearing an overcoat and behind him are a group of police officers. One of them is Reneé Montoya. The others are one big and fat white guy, eating a donut; a young tall and skinny African American guy; a young Asian American woman and a tall and strong African American man. Each one of them is holding a file. Behind them, the Bat-signal.
- Each of you has been given a file of a famous Arkham Asylum intern. They are now fugitives and I have reasons to believe they are working together with Harvey Dent. Ok, Reneé, you get Pamela Isley.
- Yes, sir.
- Bullock, you get Waylon Jones.
- The Croc, sir? Yikes. Can I trade my file with Montoya? – Asks Harvey Bullock, finishing eating his donut.
- No. – Answers Gordon. – Bennet, you get Johnathan Crane. Do you have a problem with that?
- Should I? – Asks Ethan Bennet.
- Yin, because of your connections to the Chinatown, you will have the Cobblepot file. This thing of Harvey is going to grow big and I bet the Penguin will be somewhat involved.
- Ok, sir.
- And Hardback, you have the file of Victor Fries.
Mackenzie “Hardback” Bock, the tall and strong African American man makes Gordon a question:
- I didn’t understand something about Fries. How did he get him out of the Arkham? I mean, doesn’t he have to be in a refrigerated room to survive?
- The refrigerated thing is only part of his psychosis. He doesn’t really need to live in the cold. He only thinks he needs. Harvey has must convinced him somehow that was safe to leave his cell. – Answers Gordon.
- Anyway, I will take care myself of the Harvey Dent file. – Completes Gordon – You were have chosen very carefully for this job. The only clean policemen of Gotham City. I hope you don’t disappoint me.
- What about Batman, sir? – Asks Bullock.
- What about him? Batman isn’t part of this operation. Should he hamper you in any way... take the appropriate measures.
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In the caves beneath Wayne Manor. A robotic man is hit by a wood stick. On top of a lot of stalagmites, Dick attacks robotic moving targets with his Bo. A training very similar to the one Bruce Wayne has performed in the Ra’s Al Ghul monastery. Somewhat revolted, Dick complains while dodges the robotic attacks:
- I should be out there with him. Not stuck in this cave with these bats. I’ve trained. I’m ready!
Dick breaks one of the robots’ head with his stick and tosses it way. The head falls near Alfred’s feet, who happened to be there, watching Dick Grayson’s training.
- That will be coming out you your allowance.
- He thinks I’ll get hurt. He doesn’t trust me. – Complains again, Dick, now standing next to Alfred, after finishing his training session.
- On the contrary, Master Grayson. I hope you are aware how extraordinary it was for him to share his... secret with you. Truly extraordinary. But, A bit of advice: He is training you to help you seek justice for your parents’ deaths. And only that. Any other plans you may have had in you head are woefully premature.
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In one abandoned gallery in the sewers, Harvey talks to his associates. He is sit down in his desk. An office desk, very similar to the ones you see in a lawyer office. Jonathan Crane is wearing a suit, with his Scarecrow mask on. Pamela Isley is sit on top of Harvey’s desk. Behind her is a small green house. Victor Fries is wearing a dark blue rubber suit with only his face showing and googles. Fries also holds a long gun attached in a tube on his back by a thick hose.
- So, do you all like your new accommodations? I have some trouble to get all your stuff here.
- Where are these “Millions” you have promised us, Two-Face – Asks Victor.
- I have taken one warehouse filled with untraceable laundered cash that belonged to Tony Zucco. When this job is done, you will all get what you promised and more. Of course the advance you get will do fine for now, won’t it? And besides, there’s our mutual hate of Batman.
- I don’t care about the money. I only want to crush Batman’s back. – Says Croc, very angry.
Pamela leans on Harvey:
- I hate all man, you know, but you are very interesting. It’s one kind of man who can come up with a plan, and another who can see his plans well executed. I like that kind of man. I like you.
Pamela tries to kiss him, but Harvey stops her.
- Harvey Dent is a married man, Pamela. Get out of here.
Behind Harvey, there’s a photo of Gilda Dent, his former wife.
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Dick Grayson is in the cave of Batman, training some martial arts movements.
- So, you are really improving, Dick. – Says Barbara Gordon, in her wheelchair.
- I do what I can. It’s a shame that Bruce doesn’t share you opinion. Stopping by to make a visit?
- Yes, I wanted to know how you’re doing. We hardly spoke after the funeral. Alfred told me about Bruce’s plan to train you to capture the murder of your parents. I was shocked to know how he decided to trust you like that. I have to work much harder to get my job here – Plays Barbara.
- I’m doing well, given the circumstances. I’m happy to see you here, Barbara. And I was actually worried about you too. Since the escape from Arkham. The Joker’s body was not found.
Barbara looks at him with a sad expression.
- I’ve been reading Bruce’s files. I know what happened to you. Why you are in this wheelchair. I’m so sorry Barbara.
Barbara starts to cry a little:
- I remember that night vividly, if it had happened today. But as each day passes, I’m managing to win this war against the trauma of being crippled by that monster.
- How do you do that? I feel the same. I see my parents die every time I close my eyes. I have to do something about it. – Asks Grayson, touched by the Barbara’s feelings.
- I don’t know what I could have done it if it wasn’t for my job, as Oracle, helping Batman.
- I think I can understand what you mean – Confirms Dick Grayson, firmly.
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Cobblepot manor. Oswald is watching the afternoon news.
- Good afternoon, Gotham City. A group of masked criminals attacked a bank agency in the downtown. The attack took place today’s afternoon. The bank is supposed to belong to one of Anthony Zucco’s associates, indicating that this event is connected to the raising crime war that is plaguing Gotham. Although most of the criminals have escaped, no victims were killed or hurt. It happened so because of an intervention of a policeman that has ignored orders and entered the bank alone. This policeman was not found afterwards and is believed to be Batman in disguise.
Oswald smiles:
- Although Batman tried to stop my con, everything has happened just according to plan. That Riddler tip was marvelous.
One of the Chinese twins woman approaches:
- Mr. Cobblepot, two packages has just arrived for you. We’ve searched for bombs or poison. Both are clean. This palmtop was in one of the packages.
The palmtop is given to Cobblepot. When he holds the device it turns itself on. On the screen, the Riddler virus. In the other side of the line, Edward Nygma is in front of his computer.
- So Penguin, did you like the tip?
- It worked fine, Mr. Riddler. So, now what do you really want?
- Please, Mr. Cobblepot, first open my other package.
The Chinese woman opens the package and inside there’s an unknown electronic controller.
- I think it would be better to go to your aviary to test this new toy of yours, Mr. Cobblepot.
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At the aviary. Cobblepot is holding the palmtop and the electronic controller. Together with him are the Chinese twins and some Asian mobsters. The Riddler says a riddle in which the answer is “birds”. After that he continues:
- This controller that you are holding, Mr. Cobblepot, can roughly control the minds of any bird. The only thing you need to do is point some target with the laser aiming device that this controller has, press the button and all birds in a area of dozens miles will attack furiously this target. But this device will only execute one demonstration. A real device will be send to you after you’re made your offer.
Oswald smiles diabolically and looks to one of his henchmen.
- You are the only one that got caught today in the bank. Thanks to my lawyers you are here today. Too bad for you that I have good lawyers.
The Penguin turns the controller on, points to the henchmen and activates the device. All birds suddenly wake up and get alert. The henchman gets scared and starts to run away. Cobblepot continues to aim at him. The birds leave the aviary by a top window and fly towards the running mobster. They catch him with all their fury and crush his body. Oswald looks to the palmtop:
- How much do you want for this little toy, Mr. Riddler?
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The caves beneath Wayne Manor. Dick Grayson is making some aerial practices in a trapeze built inside the cave. Bruce Wayne is preparing his suit and gadgets to go out in a mission that night. Alfred asks:
- The policeman disguise worked today, sir?
- Yes, but it was much harder to do the job with all those people. In daylight. I found this at the bank.
Bruce shows Alfred and Dick, who just have finished his training session, a green card with a question mark on it. Dick turns the card back and reads a riddle that was printed on it. Bruce says the answer.
- The bank assault was connected with the war between Zucco and Cobblepot. I have to find out what this riddle means. – Says Batman, already full costumed and ready to go out.
- Bruce, maybe it’s ... – Dick starts to talk with Batman.
Batman gets into his train vehicle and goes fast towards the city.
- What did I do? – Asks Dick, resentful.
- Do not take it personally. Master Bruce has these... moods.
- I could help him, if he’d just ask me.
- Yes. I imagine you could, Master Grayson. But I am quite certain he will never ask.
Dick looks down to a lot of sketches of names and costumes for what could be a Batman partner.
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Sorry, the inner-hetero in me got loose again.
