"Finally, after all these years the 20 year old billionaire Bruce Wayne has made an appearance. After years of silence since his parents had been gunned down by Joe Chill who is still in Arkham Asylum, has finally stepped out and taken over Wayne Enterprises as the official CEO. We now go live to Wayne Enterprises." A news anchor on TV spoke while the screen cut to a stage with other reporters waiting for Bruce.
"I can't believe he hasn't said anything to us after all these years!" A blond haired man spoke. "Not even a congratulations for becoming DA of Gotham." He said while sitting on a couch with a dark brown haired women in his arms.
"I can't believe it, LOOK!" The women yelled out as Bruce walked out on stage. "He looks filled out, not at all like that skinny boy from all those years back."
"Rachel, please don't yell so close to my ear." Harvey asked and continued. "Is that really Bruce?"
"Shh, he's speaking." Rachel shushed him and payed attention to the TV.
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Bruce looked at all the cameras pointed at him and slowly over the eyes of the hungry people. He stepped up to the podium with a charismatic smile and with the confidence of a king. "Hello everyone, as you all already know I am Bruce Wayne and before we open up the questions i'd like to say something first..."
Bruce stopped speaking and looked around before he continued. "I will start off by saying, I am not my father! But I'll do my best to live up to his image, some looked at him and thought he was just the richest man in Gotham. For those that new him, he was a caring father, a life time friend that would have your back as long as it was for a good and just cause. He spent as much time and money as he could on helping those that needed it such as the homeless, orphans, sick and deranged." Bruce looked at everyone and let a frown slip over his face.
"While I was driving around Gotham today I became very disappointed and concerned for Gotham." Bruce showed a sad expression. "Disappointed in how my father's legacy had been walked all over, the streets he founded are in distress, buildings he helped rase are now crumbling away and the homeless and orphaned children are in serious need." Bruce looked at the horizon of Gotham.
"Concerned for the safety of this once fine city. Crime is at an all time high while GCPD is under staffed and lacks the budget for protecting people. Judge Harry Dent would be sad seeing the state Gotham has become after all the hard work he has put into this city. A prison that was supposed to be the most advanced the best money could buy has failed Gotham, criminals go missing and magical end up back on the streets free to do as they pleas, Black Gate must answer for this. Arkham Asylum has become an old rundown nightmare, criminals have passed as mentally ill patience and get released for less time the they would for prison." Bruce looked at the crowed and smiled warmly.
"As of today Wayne Enterprises will be taking a more firm approach in our help for Gotham. I can not yet disclose the details on how we will do this but rest assured, bright days are coming for Gotham!" Bruce stepped back a little from the podium. "You all may begin your questions." He said leaving everyone with words to digest.
"Mr. Wayne!"
"Bruce over here!"
"Wayne!"
Many voices erupted out at the same time all wanting questions answered leaving Bruce a little overwhelmed.
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After he answers a few questions for the press, Bruce was able to meet the person he had been wanting to met this hole time. One of the main reason Bruce can be the Batman is thanks to Lucius Fox, the best inventor in Wayne Enterprises. Lucius is middle age African American with lots of freckles and is the head of the RaD department. He wasn't at the board meeting but Bruce was able to meet him while touring around the building with Lily. They didn't talk long because it was getting late and Alfred was waiting so they exchanged contact info and left it at that. Bruce wasn't going to bring him into the fold of the Batman just yet, he wanted the Bat-cave to be complete first.
The next day Bruce had two angry visitors as well as the company Alfred hired to clear the maze.
"Sorry Rach, Harv I have no excuse for why I pushed you guys away." Bruce sighed. "I guess I just wanted to focus on my studies to keep my mind of my parents and so I could take over Wayne Enterprises. I was being selfish and a bad friend, I promise I'll do better and make it up to you guys." Bruce looked at their faces.
Rachel smiled evil like. "My 20th birthday was a few weeks ago, soo."
"And I did become the youngest DA for Gotham." Harvey stacked on.
Feeling a shiver throughout his body Bruce gave a genuine smile. 'They are going to break me.' He thought. "Let's have a party!"
A bunch of fun and a party later a hungover Harvey and Rachel awoke in a guest room of Wayne Manor to the sound of chainsaws.
"What is that sound?" A nauseous Harvey held his head as he turned over putting his arm over Rachel.
"Mnh, oh I don't feel good!" She stumbled out of bed to the nearby bathroom.
Harvey got out of bed and looked out the window. "Babe, looks like Bruce is getting rid of the maze."
"I notigahhh." Rachel puked. "I noticed it yesterday." She said through labored breaths as she walked out of the bathroom.
"You ok?" Harvey looked at her only receiving a nod. "We telling Bruce about us getting married?" He gave a questioning look.
"I don't see why we should hide it." Rachel looked conflicted. "I mean he would find out eventually..."
Harvey frowned. "I mean you two had a close re... Never mind, maybe he will pay for it." Harvey said with hope as he walked out the room.
Once both Harvey and Rachel went done stairs and into the massive dinning room they met Alfred preparing breakfast in the nearby kitchen.
"Dent, Dawes breakfast will be done shortly." Alfred looked in the fridge and pulled out orange juice. "We have coffee, orange juice..." Alfred continued with drinks.
"Is Bruce up?" Harvey asked.
Alfred continued cooking. "Master Bruce is currently doing his morning workout in the gym."
Harvey looked surprised. "Morning workout? Gym? Since when?"
"A few months after his recovery and his fathers funeral, Bruce started his daily workouts 5 hours every day from 7 to 11am..." Alfred paused and looked back at the couple with a worried expression. "Frankly, I'm worried about him. He pushes himself too hard, I fear his mind and body will break down. I get the slight feeling he hides his true self like he's two different people." Alfred stopped speaking and sighed. "The gym was added in the garage, you can find him there if you could collect him for breakfast?"
"Sure thing Alfred." Rachel answered.
Both Harvey and Rachel walked into the gym/garage where they met a shirtless Bruce laying into a punching bag with punches and kicks. Both amazed at how his body was built like a well sculpted statue of a Spartan, his movements with each strike was fast and ferocious bringing a chill down their spines.
"I'm jealous." Harvey said and looked to a blushing Rachel. "Rachel, close your eyes!" He said with concern fearing she would bleed out her nose.
Rachel looked away in embarrassment and glared at Harvey for making things awkward. "Shut it Harv!" She looked back at Bruce when something caught her eye. "Is that the scar you got that day?" She asked with concern in her voice.
Bruce felt the small scar around his stomach. "Yeah." Was all he said as memories went through his head.
Feeling things get awkward Harvey spoke up. "Al had us collect you for breakfast."
"Alright I'll be there in a few."
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During an awkward breakfast Harvey told him about his engagement with Rachel which wasn't that surprising. It did make Bruce a little frustrated because he knew that the future wouldn't be kind, that and apart of him also liked her but he missed his chance when he shut himself away from the world. But in the end he accepted it and offered to pay for the wedding or half of it at least, which they declined and said if they needed held they'd ask. They asked about the maze which Bruce simply said it was an eye sore and he wanted a large swimming pool. After they ate Harvey and Rachel eventually went home but not before saying if he ignored them again he would regret it.
After a few weeks the maze behind the manor was cleared out leaving the fountain and statues behind both more weathered than before. He actually had no idea what he would do with the large space cleared from the maze he had ideas but still wasn't sure. That same day some of the materials that he had Alfred order arrived stacks of metal pillars and platforms, bags of cement, the advanced Wayne tech computer, digging machinery, and much more.
Bruce grabbed the climbing equipment and flares he had ordered and removed the plywood that his father had placed over the hole he fell in as a kid. After a some what long discussion with Alfred about the dangers going inside the cave, Bruce was able to tie down the ropes and repeal down in the dark depths.
Once down Bruce turned on the light on his helmet and silently muttered. "Hello old friend."
Bruce walked through the small cave for a sold minute till it opened up to something truly amazing. However his light shined on his old bat friends causing them to swarm around him and out the way he came. He waa prepared for this so it didn't bother him that much, for Alfred it was a different story the bats made him jump out of his skin leaving him to actually curse.
"WHAT THE HELL!!"
Bruce looked back after hearing a voice. 'Did Al just curse?' Bruce thought with a smile on his face.
Bruce looked back over the massive cave that stretched out under the entirety of Wayne Manor. 'Didn't know it was this massive, I don't remember much when I was a kid.' Bruce looked down throwing a flare watching it fall into the darkness. "Got lots of work ahead of me." He said to himself as he walked back the way he came.
"Sir, did you find what you wanted?" Alfred asked Bruce once he climbed out of the hole.
Bruce smiled. "Yes I did... Did you cuss?" Bruce looked at Alfred but didn't receive an answer. "I'm hungry Al lets eat."
"Master Bruce?" Alfred called him as they started walking towards the manor.
"Yes?"
The butler hesitated first. "What are you planning with all of this?" He said pointing to the equipment and materials. "What are you training so hard for?"
Bruce opened the door to the manor and let Alfred through. "Let's move to the study."
Once in the study Bruce sat down followed by Alfred then he spoke. "You won't like what I plan on doing... But Gotham will need it then the world." Bruce looked at Alfred who had a confused face. "I will become a vigilante to clean up the streets of Gotham, things will happen that the GCPD can't stop. The world will face things unimaginable and people will need to take a stand." Bruce frowned. "I sound crazy yes but... I need you to trust me, I need you behind me 100%. Things will get hard but please Al I need your help?" Bruce looked at Alfred waiting for an answer.
Alfred constipated what he heard. "I made a promise to your parents that I would watch over you and help you in any way I can." He sighed. "I'll do my best."
"That's all I ever ask Al."