___

I went over to help find the missing getaway vehicle, but to no avail. Robin said when they rounded a corner to the road that led down to the motel’s construction site, the vehicle seemed to almost vanish. For the remainder of our night, we scoured the area, only to find nothing. Once we saw the sun peaking through the waves of the ocean, rising in burning flames, we decided to call it a night and resume our investigation first thing tonight. I headed back to Wayne Industries, swinging through buildings on my grapple. As I did so, thoughts swelled in my mind. The frosty morning wind on my face allowed me a chance to breathe and recall the night.

Thoughts raced as I tried to remember events. Anything that could help me solve the puzzle of who was resurrecting the dead, and why they did it to kill me. Unless Scarecrow meant the ‘growing effort’ was just a two-man army between him and Candyman, there was going to be more.

I needed to figure this out, before any more damage was done. Before more lives are lost to this viciousness. A wave of guilt washed over me as I thought about it.

Did I, indirectly, cause their deaths? Am I the reason they're dead?

It felt like it, and I could feel my heart sink as the realization dawned on me. These were innocent people who died. For nothing. Just to become a message that Candyman was back. My feelings of culpability drove me to think about any of the tiny pieces I was given tonight, anything that could help at all. That’s when two conversations came up.

The words of the red menace and the editor were what came to mind. Each mentioned two names, along with events I had no knowledge of. Red Hood mentioned the Joker, Arkham City, and how the dead man’s gang still lives on in splinter groups. Meanwhile, the editor spoke to me about Gotham’s near-seige, and the death of a vigilante by his own hand after he managed to stop it. Both of them mentioned one name.

Batman.

“Apparently, Batman was that billionaire Bruce Wayne. Took everyone by surprise. I guess that meant the jig was up, now that everyone knew who he was.”

As I dropped down on the roof of Wayne Enterprises, I requested Lucius meet me there.

Red Hood stated the hero known as Batman was the mentor of Nightwing and Robin. Once I recalled everything, it dawned on me when I remembered Lucius speaking about a previous vigilante who started it all.

My thoughts drifted to a dark place as I paced back and forth on the rooftop. In the reflection of my metal bracers, I could see the ash and soot that stuck to my face. It reminded me of the blazes of the Gotham Tonight fire.

My memories came flooding back of me wandering through the flames in agony, coming across the bodies scattered from the blast. The horrific scene played back in my head, with their haunting smiles burning into my mind’s eye. Candyman’s victims were only a way to get attention, possibly mine. Guilt coursed through me again, as I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut. I pressed both hands against each side of my forehead, applying pressure.

Please don’t think about it, I begged myself. Make it go away.

I was trying to do everything I could, but my heart just sank in dread as the memories marched on. The Scarecrow and Candyman of it all, the death. Who else could die because of this ‘growing effort?’ My heart sank at the thought. Suddenly I felt my broad, straightened shoulders droop. The adrenaline from tonight was fading. The person I was when the night started fading into someone scared.

Someone extremely vulnerable.

My thoughts were interrupted when Lucius approached me. He casually walked over to greet me.

“Hello Ms. O’Harren. I’d ask how the night went but… I was already informed of the unfortunate summary. So, instead, I’ll ask how you’re holding up?”

His face washed over with concern, and worry for my mental wellbeing. I couldn’t help but exhale a shaky breath after seeing his face, before I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms in a self-comforting manner.

“Everything is so… wrong. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

“Yes. I believe we all are experiencing the confusion you feel. Mr. Crane’s… shall I say, revival, is quite a shock.”

“That’s not even the half of it, Lucius…”

I said, looking up at him.

I shook my head before looking down at the ground again. The emotions that were pushed away by adrenaline started to come through again, breaking my defenses down. The wave of raw, vulnerable feelings beginning to roll in. Most of the anger was gone, thanks to my encounter with Red Hood, but now all that remained was pure confusion and crushing sadness for those who died tonight.

The feeling I couldn’t help feel above all was this uncontrollable, unmistakable guilt that still lingered. Part of me didn’t understand why I felt this, but another part of me, deep down, felt it was my fault.

I exhaled again, feeling a single tear shed down my cheek. The person I portrayed in the alley, trying to appear unshaken by the man in the red hood, trying to be strong, was just a facade. A mask I put on in the heat of adrenaline and impatience with his cocky attitude. Deep down, I was truly breaking at it all. The Sarah I always knew was back, suffocating in her fears and guilt. All at the fact that this battle, this small fight I was partaking in alongside my mentors, was brewing into something dark because of my presence. Something fearful and foreboding. A war. Something I couldn’t face, without the fear of unleashing the monster that could slaughter dozens.

I wanted to prove myself, but part of me now is wondering if Red Hood was right. That there was no way to prove him wrong. That I was truly a killer.

Maybe I should just pull back? I thought about doing so right then, but I couldn't now, could I?

Now that I’ve somehow become the target of something with the power to bring back the dead, I may not have a choice, and the thought of having to face it scared me.

“Lucius, he told me there’s something out there. This thing wants me dead because I’m a threat to something. And it won’t stop bringing them back until that happens… Crane’s not the only one alive. Candyman, the man I killed the night my transfer was attacked, came back too. That’s why Gotham Tonight was bombed. Not only that… they…”

I stopped, doing everything I could to hold the floodgates back.

I could feel my hands shake as I mustered all of my willpower to overcome. Yet, another silent tear broke free from the cracks in me.

“They were killed so… horrifically. T-Their smiles… Lucius, who does that to people? Who kills people to make a point?”

I turned to him pleading, still trying to grasp the situation.

“I… wish I had a better explanation for you Ms. O’Harren. But, I warned you from the beginning. To some people, it matters not how much money or control they can get. It’s the notoriety. And they will destroy all hope in Gotham to get it.”

“But now it’s because of me, isn’t it? I-I did something, and now they’re just… killing people. They’re dying because of me?”

“Listen to me carefully, Ms. O’Harren. No matter what their motives are, you were not the one pulling the trigger. These… criminals. They will do anything and everything to get under your skin. Even if that means taking a life to do so. You can’t be so hard on yourself. We will do everything we can to help get to the bottom of this devastation. In the meantime, you might do well to get some rest.”

“That might be more difficult from now on… The things I’ve done, seen, or experienced… How do any of the others ever sleep?”

“Well, we all have our ways of handling the darkness. We have our ways of clinging to hope. It’s just a matter of finding yours. And once you find it. I advise you to never let it go.”

I looked at him silently, before lightly nodding. I was too tired to try and ask anything, All I wanted to do was just crawl into the covers and fade away.

After a long silence, Lucius spoke up again.

“If you'd indulge me, Ms. O’Harren, I’d like to show you something.”

Confused, I watched as he slowly motioned towards the door that led inside to Wayne Enterprises. Once I processed what he was asking, I obliged as I followed him through the door.

We walked down the corridor on the final floor, before approaching the elevator doors. When inside, I stared at myself in the shiny metallic walls. My face warped to form an oddity. I stared into my own eyes, trying to find a glimpse of hope in those pale green irises, only to be disappointed.

“You are not alone, Sarah. I will always be with you.”

I gasped in shock when I heard the voice speak. Frantically, I broke my gaze and whipped my head in each direction, trying to locate the source. When I saw only Lucius, I realized that the voice that spoke came from me, and me alone. My inner demons were trying to reach out.

Go away, I thought. Just please go away.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to suppress the voice in my head.

Every time I hear its voice, I thought, someone dies. I didn’t want to hear it anymore. This thing inside of me, was like it had a mind of its own at times. Everything wrong with my life was tied back to it.

“I just want you to go away,”

I whispered, gingerly pressing my palm to my temple.

“Are you alright, Ms. O’Harren?”

I jolted up, looking at Lucius as I lowered my hand.

“Y-Yeah, sorry. Just a headache."

When we got to the lab, we exited the metallic doors. Once we crossed the massive threshold, Lucius went to the computer to input the commands. Once the room shifted, I saw the same costumes and gear that had appeared before. One caught my eye, however. The jet-black suit, was made for a very muscular man. The suit had different parts of shimmering black metal, protecting certain parts of the body. A long, black cape rested on the broad shoulders of the mannequin. An almost helmet-like mask was placed upon the head with the sleek black helmet appearing as if it had horns of it. As I looked down at the chest to view the odd design, I noticed they weren’t horns after all. The design was a symbol, and was the silhouette of a bat, its wings spread across the chest of the suit. Displayed proudly, as a beacon of hope, or a warning depending on who viewed it. I knew who this belonged to, and I was reminded of my quest for knowledge about the suit’s wearer.

“Lucius… A name came up today. When I was talking to a local. He’s someone important, and someone you might know."

I paused, before turning to Lucius to ask the question burning within me.

"Who was Bruce Wayne, and why did he work you as Batman?”

Lucius stopped in his tracks after I said the name. He slowly turned towards me, taking off his glasses somberly, wiping them in his shirt before placing them back upon his eyes.

“It’s a long story. But we didn’t just work together. I, for starters, worked for him. He was a close friend. But, beyond any of that… He was a true hero. He was the hope for this city for quite a while…”

I saw Lucius gleam with remembrance and sadness. Reminiscing on his dead friend. I felt sympathy for him, as I unintentionally opened up a freshly healed wound.

“I-I’m sorry sir. I didn’t mean to bring up anything. I just… from what I gathered, he started this all. Things like this… they didn’t just start happening. I just want to know more. About who he was. And… What happened to him.”

“Well, like I said it’s quite a long story. But I’ll tell you if you’d like?”

“I would, Lucius. If… if that’s alright with you?”

“It’s quite alright. It does bring back some terrible memories, but I assure you that telling his story is something I will always find solace in, for as long as I live. He deserves to live on, in the hearts of those in Gotham. Especially in those who choose to carry on the fight in his name.”

He warmly looked at me, raising his eyebrow, and giving me a slight nod.

I smiled slightly at him and began to follow him as he slowly walked up to some of the gadgets.

“Back in the day, I was just shy of turning twenty-two. Rising in this business, putting my all into it. It caught the eye of our head at the time, Mr. Thomas Wayne. The Enterprise was founded many centuries ago by the Wayne family, starting out with shipping and chemicals before progressing to state-of-the-art advancements. For the betterment of the future, Mr. Wayne always said. That was his motive. Unlike most of Gotham’s wealthier families, the Waynes always believed in giving back to the people, doing something to make life better for the less fortunate. Mr. Wayne gave me the start I needed to put my all into this company. I owe him everything for that. Not only was he a brilliant mind, he was a treasured companion. I still remember how joyful he was when he and Martha were expecting their son, Bruce. The man was practically levitating in those months. I miss him… and Mrs. Wayne dearly. Every single day.”

Lucius sighed heavily as he came over to me, staring sadly into the glass display case the suit was contained in. From the suit in front of me, I could see the man who once wore it was cautious but smart. Ready for anything. I could see elements from the suit that were incorporated into the other protective gear of those who followed in his footsteps. Robin’s cape had almost the same appearance and function, as Nightwing’s armored suit. In a way, each of us had elements to our gear that came from the man behind this suit. The source of it all.

I turned to Lucius, breaking my gaze from the glass.

“Did they pass? Mr. and Mrs. Wayne?”

“They did. Quite tragically. On the twenty-sixth of April, nineteen ninety-nine, not even two weeks after their son’s eighth birthday, they went to go see a movie. Once it was over they decided to travel through an alleyway to avoid media attention. They were followed by a petty criminal, who was going to rob them at gunpoint. Mr. Wayne stepped in to protect his family but was shot in the process. Mrs. Wayne also suffered the same fate… The only survivor was their son, Bruce…”

“That’s horrible… Lucius, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s in the past Mrs. O’Harren. But it stings just the same. I share this because in order to know about Batman, you need to know about how he came to be. This tragedy, this horrendous thing no child should ever face… It was the event that laid the first brick to his path. The start of a mission.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“I can’t even imagine growing up like that. Especially in a spotlight. Never letting you forget that...”

I took a deep breath before looking back into the glass display case. In the glass’ reflection, I could see Lucius’ face wrinkle to form a sad, but proud smile. He gazed down at the ground, before turning to me. His deep, brown skin and greyish hair illuminated the mechanical lights of the lab, exposing the wisdom and grief of the world that resided in him.

“For most people, it would have, you’re right. It would have sent most into an anger-filled spiral. But Mr. Wayne was strong. A bright, and kind boy. Who grew up into a very determined man. I think in that moment, the moment when his life changed forever, is when he knew what he’d become. It was like a spark that stayed aflame within. He wanted to learn how to protect people, to make sure what happened to him never happened to anyone else, ever again. He had a normal life, but as he grew, he began to seek out more interesting studies. By the time he was sixteen, he excelled in subjects ranging from forensics, invention, and computer skills, to many of the necessary forms of combat. But his journey was far from over.”

Lucius continued talking, looking at the gear in fond remembrance.

“Mr. Wayne disappeared from Gotham for quite a few years after his graduation. From what I gathered, he traveled the world to continue his training. When he returned, he came back to claim his inheritance and take on the role of CEO for Wayne Enterprises. It’s also when he started his journey. Naming himself the Batman.”

“Is that when he asked you to make his gear? His suits and those vehicles?”

“Quite the opposite actually, Ms. O’Harren. I didn’t have a single clue. Bruce used his authority here, and the equipment here to orchestrate and develop his own gear. I wasn’t clued in until much later when I gained his trust. That must have happened shortly after a young Nightwing joined.”

Intrigued, but also confused, I asked.

“When did Mr. Wayne start taking in apprentices like Nightwing and Robin? And why?”

I asked eagerly.

I wanted to know how one man’s mission became a legacy to uphold, how the others got involved with this life.

“Well, I guess it happened when Mr. Wayne took in an orphaned boy after the death of his parents. I remember the headlines when it happened. It was a public, gruesome execution.”

I shook my head slightly at the thought. I felt my heart drop for the boy. Wringing my hands, I pursed my lips while waiting for Lucius to continue on.

“It didn’t take long for the boy to learn of Mr. Wayne’s secret. He expressed a similar interest in wanting to help others, to join Batman on his mission to protect Gotham. With training, he eventually joined him as the first Robin, then when he wanted to liberate himself from the Batman’s shadow, he became Nightwing in Bludhaven.”

“Wait… the first Robin?"

I was confused. I assumed Robin was one man only, but I guess I was wrong.

“Yes, the first.”

“So then it was the Robin we know now, right? Who he trained next?”

“No, he was the third Robin. The next after Nightwing, however, was the woman whose very suit you are wearing.”

“She was a Robin before Batgirl?”

I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

Lucius gave a slight chuckle before answering.

“No. She decided to take on the name Batgirl when she operated in the field. Unlike Nightwing, she joined the fight on her own accord despite Batman’s hesitance. The only thing that could match her intelligence would be her stubbornness.”

He walked away from the suit, approaching the computer to input a separate command as he spoke again.

“We went through another Robin, who unfortunately passed, and then we got to the Robin we know presently. Brilliant man. Shortly after he joined though, is when Batgirl had her misfortune. It truly was a devastating blow for us all. But she is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Just like everyone involved, she wanted to help this city. So she found another way to do just that-”

“By becoming Oracle."

I finished Lucius’ sentence for him, and he looked at me and nodded.

“Precisely, Ms. O’Harren. And with her help, Mr. Wayne did so much. He helped stop numerous deadly criminals. Saved more lives than one can count alone. But it all came at a cost. It put an enormous target on his back. Many became obsessed with becoming the one to take down Batman. One man in particular.”

I watched Lucius’ slight smile fade away, as he squinted for a split second, remembering something. From the looks of it, that memory wasn’t pleasant. Part of me didn’t want to press, but the other part of me was curious.

“I take it if you’ve heard Mr. Wayne come up today, you’ve heard the name Joker, correct?”

“Yeah. That came up too… How did you-”

“Unfortunately the two were tied together often. The Joker is the moniker given to a… deranged man. And that is if I’m being kind. Mr. Wayne was only a few years into his vigilante work when Mr. Wayne encountered him. The Joker developed a dangerous, deluded obsession with Batman. For years until his death, he toyed with Mr. Wayne. In unspeakable ways. Ways that still haunted him until Mr. Wayne’s untimely death. That’s why I warned you, Sarah. Because I watched Mr. Wayne, a dear friend, become the target of so many. Hunting him like… like a prized lion. And doing everything to get to him. Even if that meant killing innocent people to do it.”

Lucius sighed, taking off his glasses to wipe them off. He then continued on quietly.

“He was quite the master of hiding his emotions. The only exception being anger. But it wasn’t until a certain instance happened that I realized something. He hurt deeply. Taking on the weight of those whose lives were lost. He just never showed it. To understand Mr. Wayne, you had to put yourself in his shoes. And then you’d understand… He couldn’t show it. He had to be strong, in his mind. Because he needed to be for Gotham. I just wish I could have convinced him it wasn’t all his fault. Even though he felt so within.”

I watched as Lucius looked down, his heart heavy with the memory of his friend’s suffering. This made me realize I wasn’t alone in the feelings I had. The feelings that I was responsible for those who passed in the bombing. It made me realize this man, this hero, had been cursed as well. And from the sounds of it, his enemies continued to torture him this way for years.

This scared me within, causing my breath to stop. Was history repeating itself? Would I be destined to walk this path? Repeating the cycle of cat and mouse, with dead bodies falling at my feet?

I wanted to give up right then and there, to prevent more lives lost. However, I knew deep down I couldn’t. It was too late now. Something caught wind of me, and now it was somehow bringing back the worst of the worst to hunt me down. Suddenly, the memory of the editor’s tale came to mind, of how Batman’s story ended. About how this local hero blew himself up. I didn’t want to ask at first, because I didn’t want Lucius to hurt any more than he was, but I needed to know how Batman fell. Now that I was roped into this destiny, I needed to know what possibility lay at the end of the road for me.

“Lucius… I’m so sorry but… How did Mr. Wayne - Batman - die? What happened to him?”

I watched him take a deep breath, before sighing gently. He put his glasses back on, before walking back to me.

“It happened just three years ago. Almost exactly to the date. He’d been fighting this battle for nearly thirteen years. Enemies and allies gathered and lost over time. The threat still remained the same, however. If anything, Gotham grew more violent over that time because there was a challenge. To be the one to kill Batman. The truth is, if you ask me, the outcome was inevitable. With ambitions high in criminals, one of them was bound to succeed. Halloween night was when Scarecrow caused a city-wide panic. Somehow, he and his allies managed a full coup. Taking over the city, using a gas form of his infamous toxin to infect the streets.”

“God…”

I whispered under my breath.

I had to close my eyes for a brief moment, trying to push away the intrusive thoughts of that vile chemical, and the chaos it could cause.

“The night of the siege, I stayed behind to help keep Mr. Wayne’s gear up to help him take on many of the imposing threats in Gotham’s streets. After that night, we knew the damage Mr. Crane’s toxin could do. I wanted to do my best to prepare for something like that from happen again. Sadly, it did. And you were caught in the trap.”

He looked at me sympathetically, before continuing on.

“On Mr. Wayne’s last night, Scarecrow’s ally, and the army he commanded, worked on taking over the city. On top of that, other criminals came out of the shadows to take advantage of what was happening. All hope that night seemed lost. To the average citizen. But Mr. Wayne. He took on that weight, carrying it on his shoulders. All night, he fought. He fought with unwavering strength and determination. To protect the city we call home. Worked his way through every challenge to save Gotham.”

“You mean, that wasn't an exaggeration? He took on an army all on his own, Lucius?”

I was in disbelief, with my words just spilling out. I couldn’t help it. From what Lucius was implying, Batman was a human tank. Unless this army Crane hired wasn’t truly trained, it was almost impossible to think about.

Lucius chuckled a bit to himself, shaking his head slightly.

“You’d be surprised at what he was capable of, Ms. O’Harren. He’s pulled off miracles before. But, no. He did have some help that night, even if he didn’t quite want it. He had many different encounters, aiding with multiple tasks. With the usual support of Nightwing and Robin, of course, but other less expected figures as well. In the end, Mr. Wayne found ways to ease the different threats in the city. Except for one. Scarecrow was still out in the city. Sadly, he had managed to take the commissioner at the time and Robin hostage and would kill them if Mr. Wayne didn’t come to him. Scarecrow’s entire goal that night was to unmask the Batman. He wanted to show the people that their hero was afraid. That their hero could break. Unfortunately, he did unmask Mr. Wayne that night. But he never broke him.”

“He seemed like a tough man, Lucius. But how… Did he end up like he did? Was it all because he was unmasked?”

“You have to understand. Mr. Wayne had a plan in place for everything. What he did that night was in that list of plans, for years until he enacted it. I only learned of it after the event. Something I could only access after Wayne Enterprises came into my ownership. Years ago, he realized that what started as a mission to aid Gotham’s crime was getting incredibly dangerous to those close to him. And to anyone caught in the cross-fires. He knew this danger would increase if his identity was ever revealed. With this realization, he created something called the Knightfall protocol. That in the event his identity is revealed, he would detonate his manor. With him in it.”

“Why would he do that? How did his being unmasked put anyone in danger? That’s just too extreme.”

I couldn’t wrap my head around it. My questions shot on.

I could understand that Batman wanted to protect Gotham, but how does blowing himself up accomplish that? It couldn’t click in my mind.

“The mission this entire time was to prevent crime. Before his death, he told me a few years prior the reason he did what he did was because he made a promise to his dead family. That he’d protect the citizens of Gotham. Always. That he would honor them. So, that is what he did. Overall, he deterred criminals with fear. The Batman wasn’t supposed to be a man. He was supposed to be a silent force. He always said he was a force of vengeance. A shadow in the night. People didn’t fear a man. They feared the Batman. So once he was unmasked, that would be destroyed. He activated the protocol for two reasons, as I discovered from his personal notes on the matter. If he continued on, exposed, criminals would regain their courage. Especially the ones who hunted him. Lives around him would be endangered, even more so. Because he was now merely a man in a costume to them. The second reason was that he knew his death would inspire something. He knew that once he was gone, Robin and Nightwing would continue to fight. But he also knew others would come out of the shadows too. Mr. Wayne had a spark. And over the years, that spark ignited in the hearts of many people. People who were determined to make the city better. To be a change for good. They just needed a push. His death would be that push exactly. What the people needed to step up. He knew people like you were out there. And though you never knew of him until now, Ms. O’Harren, know he believed in you. And the rest of the people in Gotham. He knew there were people like you out there. People who wanted to help. To make the city around them better.”

Left speechless at Lucius’ answer, I turned back to stare into the glass display case. Straight into the plated bat symbol slightly above me. The light glinted off of the shiny material, and for a brief moment, it was as if I could see the vigilante in my mind’s eye. A soldier of the night who had just conquered the darkness, the dawning sun reflecting off of his battle armor.

Though I couldn’t see a face in this image in my head, I could feel the heavy heart that would have resided behind the armor. Knowing he would make the ultimate sacrifice to save the people who promised to protect. That, and he would make it willingly. It all made me wish I could talk with him, if even for a moment. To speak with the hero who became Gotham’s hope. To know who could look into the deepest, darkest abysses of this city, and still confront it head-on. Without fear.

There was a brief silence between the two of us, as we both stared up at the suit Bruce Wayne never got to wear. Each of us thinking about the man he was. Suddenly I broke the silence, feeling the need to say something. To comfort Lucius after digging up old, painful memories.

“I-I’m sorry for your loss, Lucius. There are no words to describe what you felt. But… Thank you for sharing his story.”

I turned my head to face him and watched as his warm smile came back, though hints of sorrow still swarmed deeply in his dark eyes.

“Thank you for listening, Ms. O’Harren. And I do appreciate your condolences. But you were bound to learn about him one day. I’m just glad I was the one to tell you about the brilliant, brave man he was. I just want you to know… I understand things are looking - grim - right now. But I know you can be strong, Ms. O’Harren. You were strong when you grew up in isolation. You were strong when you came to me to figure out your abilities. You were strong when you were put through training. And you can be strong now. Things may be getting difficult. But I hold an unbreaking confidence in each one of you. If it came down to it, I would bet my life you could take on an army just the same. You just have to learn to believe in your control. You have more of it in you than you realize.”

I smiled at his kind, motivational words. His last sentence made me glance back at the glass case. This time, gazing into the blurry reflection of myself. Still in my suit, mask obscuring my face. He was right. I probably could take on an army. But not like Batman. Like a mass murderer. This made my smile drop. I turned to Lucius after a short, silent breath.

“Lucius, do you think he would have still believed in me, even with my powers? With the people I’ve killed?”

His eyes flooded with sympathy, and he placed a gentle, reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“If he’s the man I know him to be, he would have believed in you still. What happened with Mr. Crane was… nothing short of horrific. But you encountered something you haven’t before. You couldn’t have known. You have control of your powers, you just give up that control when the situations get more dire. You lose faith in yourself. What happened was serious, but I know you can do this. You have to, Ms. O’Harren. Up until now, you’ve been doing this work to prove yourself worthy. And you’ve done a beautiful job of that, but you need to realize it’s not just about your redemption anymore. Gotham needs you. If you let your emotions go, and your abilities get out of control… The people suffer. So, I urge you to think of this the next time you feel afraid, and like your abilities are slipping… You may be scared, but so are the people in this city. If you fail, you fail to protect them too. I hate to put that burden on your shoulders. But it’s time. I think you realize that too. By losing control, you aren’t the only one to lose hope, Ms. O’Harren.”

I took a deep breath once Lucius finished. A bittersweet mixture of reassurance, and foreboding stirred within me. I was thankful for Lucius’ words of kindness, but I began to feel the weight of crushing responsibility. He was right. Truth be told, up until now I - in a way - had been fending for myself. I started this to prove myself while trying be the hope Gotham needed. I joined the fight to show I was redeemable. But now I realized that needed to change. My motives needed to shift for the innocent people around me. Because I now had a legacy to carry on. Started by a man with a promise, and a man who suffered it all, for the people he protected.

Lucius patted my shoulder, before motioning with his hand towards the mirrored room across the displays.

“Now. It’s been a long night for you. I imagine they will get longer. You should get your rest.”

With his words, I nodded. I was about to walk away from the suit towards the door when another item caught my eye. Lucius realized what I was looking at, and smiled proudly.

“I was wondering when you’d notice. What do you think?”

I approached the case that held the female mannequin, in awe once again. When I took the suit that used to reside on it, the mannequin remained bare for weeks. Until tonight, as a new suit replaced its naked base.

When I arrived, I touched the glass gingerly. The suit itself had smooth, woven material as the main fabric. The material I recognized to be light but protective armor, breathable but sturdy. What caught my eye gleaming in the luminous lights of the lab were the black, diamond-shaped metallic protective plates, one shaped like a complete armor piece across the upper chest area, stopping just before the mid-torso. The shoulder pieces had the symbol of a circle with an E slanted into the center of it. The black, diamond shaped metallic material traveled down the side of the arms and legs, creating protective layers for the limbs. Metallic pads resided on the elbows and knees, providing extra security. Down by the feet were heavy buckled boots, ready for the fight. The last touch I noticed was the shiny, black bracers, attached to what appeared to be rings on the middle fingers, completing the entire ensemble.

“Lucius… Is this-”

“Your suit? Very astute, Ms. O’Harren. You’ll find I have completely upgraded your wrist grapples. Instead of the hassle of a thumb trigger, the mechanism attaches to your middle finger, and when you close your fists it wi-”

I couldn’t contain my excitement, as I rushed to hug Lucius. The suit was well-crafted, and powerful.

Not to mention, it was my own.

Surprised by my embrace, Lucius hugged back before we both let go. He smiled at me, as I spoke my gratitude.

“Lucius. I can’t thank you enough. For everything you've done for me. You’ve believed despite everything I've done, and I don’t know how I’ll repay you.”

He nodded, looking at the suit. He chuckled lightly.

“The only thing you can do to repay me is to not give up, Ms. O’Harren. We’ve worked too hard for you to quit now.”

___

After another conversation about the suit mechanisms, I said my goodbyes to Lucius. It was almost seven, which meant Sydney and Bill would be waiting. As I swung through the rooftops with my new suit, grappling in the city, I let my thoughts settle after hearing the incredible story of Bruce Wayne. About his bravery and strength. I felt inspired. The need to step up was burning in me like a candle’s flame, but there was a slight problem.

I was still scared. Afraid of what was to come. Of what awaited me in this battle with the unknown perpetrator. With monsters like Scarecrow and Candyman, and whatever other monsters were still hiding behind closed curtains. My heart sank thinking about it all as the realization hit.

Things weren’t just different. Things were changing drastically, and I couldn't turn away from it. I had to face it. Whether I was scared or not.

I managed to sneak back in the window of Sydney’s apartment, and once I closed the glass entryway I put my new suit away. I managed to sneak my way into the bathroom to shower off the night’s horrific events, watching the black and white ash flow down the drain. After drying off, I put on a pair of pajamas and greeted Bill and Sydney, cleverly pulling off another secretive night.

As Bill rambled on about his play, and Sydney made fun of his dramatic ways, I couldn’t help but recall the story I was told tonight in my head. The story about the man who wore a symbol of hope, Someone who not only brought justice but brought mercy as well.

As I ate Bill’s poorly made hashbrowns, I zoned out. The only thought in my head was the Batman.

I was a part of his legacy now. He isn’t here to protect the city. That duty now befell the others, and myself. People like the Red Hood and the criminals weren’t wrong about me. I was a killer, and I hated myself for it. However, at this moment, I told myself I would be different from here on out. I wouldn’t continue to let my abilities control me. I would fight them, and I would contain them.

I had to be better. Not just for myself anymore. I had to be better for Gotham.