[CENTER][SUB][color=silver][I]Lord Wraith presents[/i][/color][/SUB]
[hr][hr][img]http://s7.postimg.org/fmzoja6uj/EOMhjz1456411855.png[/img][hr][hr][sup][color=silver][B]'O N E    K N I G H T   T O   K I L L   T H E   B A T'[/B][/color][/SUP][/center]
[COLOR=Slategray][B]G O T H A M   C I T Y – U N I T E D   S T A T E S[/B][/COLOR]

[INDENT]The steady trickle of water echoed through the caverns of the Batcave as Bruce Wayne studying the numerous monitors mounted on the chiseled stone before him. It had taken a great deal of time over the past four years to alter the caves into a functioning base of operations but through hardwork, determination and several isolated explosions, Bruce and Alfred had made the former underground railway passages unrecognizable. 

Beside Bruce, sat an untouched meal while the coffee pot that shared the silver tray was nearly bone dry. A soft clatter reverberated through the cavern as Bruce put down yet another empty mug and turned his attentions back to the displays above him. The winter in Gotham had been abnormally warm, rain fell from the sky when the populace expected snow and Gotham City Bay had yet to see an ice skate since last year’s deep freeze. Normally because of the bay freezing, reported crimes declined in the winter, mainly due to the ice preventing the dumped bodies from surfacing. This year however was different, the Gotham City Police Department was horribly over run. Perhaps it didn’t help any that the Batman had hand delivered them Carmine Falcone and dismantled the two largest crime families in Gotham. With both the Falcones and Malronis running for cover, Bruce had anticipated that his crusade would become easier. Yet Bruce now realized he forgot Marc Spector's first rule;

[color=black][i]There's always a bigger fish.[/i][/color]

Numerous gangs around Gotham had rushed in to fill the vacuum left by the defeat of Gotham's oldest and most powerful crime families. Bruce had heard names tossed around like the Golden Dragons, the Red Hood Gang, even a solo act running by the name of Killer Moth. However all of these were small-fry compared to one group known only by the moniker of the False Face Society. The False Face Society had been rapidly expanding its grip over Gotham, absorbing any gang they can scare in submission and exterminating any that stand in their way. The increase in gang violence had the GCPD overworked and understaffed which allowed numerous other crimes to go completely under the radar. These crimes included the numerous bodies washing up on shore from the Gotham Bay. Normally Bruce would have dismissed them as the aftermath of gang warfare but these bodies had been stripped of their organs. The incisions were perfect, the work of a trained surgeon. What made the bodies even more intriguing however was the removal of their faces and mutilation of the genitals. This was not a simple gangbanger torturing a rival, Bruce immediately recognized the work of a serial killer and one with a distinctive modus operandi.

[color=silver]"Master Wayne."[/color] The voice of Alfred Pennyworth broke the eerie silence of the Batcave, his voice the first sound Bruce had heard in nearly three hours that wasn't a water droplet. [color=silver]"I do hate to disturb you while you're working but I'm afraid duty calls."[/color] He continued as Bruce turned to look at his loyal friend. Across Alfred's arms was a freshly pressed tuxedo which he held out towards Bruce as the younger man reached towards the empty pot of coffee.

[color=silver]"I'm afraid you've drained it Sir, yet not even touched the Eggs Benedict I took time to prepare you."[/color] Alfred said with a wry smile.

[color=black]"I touched it."[/color] Bruce answered as he took the outfit from Alfred. [color=black]"I however wasn't hungry."[/color]

[color=silver]"Three hours of sleep and a pot of coffee will not maintain the mass you wish to have to strike fear into Gotham's underworld."[/color] Alfred stated. [color=silver]"You're going to need to eat something."[/color]

[color=black]"I'll eat at the benefit Alfred."[/color] Bruce answered dismissively as Alfred puffed his chest out indignantly. 

[color=silver]"And stuff your face like a wild animal. Master Wayne it has been five years since you returned home and if I can go from eating rations to learning how to use five different forks, the most you can do is to learn to eat what's in front of you."[/color]

A stern look crossed Bruce's face as he turned to the platter and picked one of the portions up by the muffin before taking a defiant bite in front of Alfred.

[color=silver]"Put that down, its cold now."[/color] Alfred chided. [color=silver]"I'll make you a fresh one before we go."[/color] Watching as Bruce opened his mouth to speak, Alfred raised a finger to quickly silence him. "And a new pot of coffee."
[CENTER][INDENT][H3][B][COLOR=SILVER]~				~				~[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/INDENT][/CENTER]
Rain rolled off the black umbrella that Alfred held over his head as Bruce walked into the hospital with a woman on either arm. On one arm with Kristy Garett, fresh off a photo-op with Playboy while draped over his right arm was Candice Swanepoel who happened to be visiting the neighboring city of New York. It didn't take Alfred much convincing to get either of the girls to attend the benefit party with the dapper Bruce Wayne. 

"Bruce Wayne!" A redhead called from his right. "Vicki Vale, Gotham Gazette. Can we get a picture of you and your lovely dates?" The camera flashed before Bruce could answer, but the models on either arm didn't care as they posed no sooner than Miss Vale had posed her question to the billionaire. Behind the trio Bruce's bodyguard, Sasha Bordeaux, rolled her eyes at the pathetic display.

[color=silver]"It could always be worst m'dear."[/color] Alfred said as he watched the woman's facial expressions. [color=silver]"We could have you hanging off Mr. Wayne's arm again."[/color]

[color=dimgray]"I'll pass."[/color] Sasha replied with a slight look of disdain. As Alfred offered his arm, Sasha reluctantly took it. Truth be told, she would much rather be doing her hundredth patrol of the manor grounds than have to attend yet another socialite party for Wayne to rub elbows with the rest of Gotham's rich and almost famous. 

"Mr. Wayne!" Another reporter cried out before shoving a mic in front of Bruce's face. "Charlotte Rivers, Gotham City News. Is it true that the Wayne Memorial Hospital's new Chief of Surgery, Thomas Elliot has been a life long friend of yours?"

[color=dimgray]"Mr. Wayne isn't taking any questions at this time."[/color] Sasha replied as she pushed Candice aside and moved herself in front of Bruce. [color=dimgray]"Mr. Wayne is here to attend the benefit and give back to Gotham, not to fill your headlines."[/color] Sasha added as the reporters moved aside, a horde of dirty looks being shot at the bodyguard who smiled defiantly back at them. 

The lobby of the hospital had been completely transformed for the benefit as decorations lined the walls and ceilings. Tables and chairs filled were expertly dressed and placed in rows while another space had been cleared for dancing. As Bruce made his way through the crowd, he caught the sight of a familiar head. The unmistakable red hair stood out amongst the graying crowd as Bruce tapped the man on the shoulder. Few men were as tall as Bruce Wayne but Thomas Elliot could have passed for Bruce's doppleganger were it not for his face and hair. Turning around at the tap on his shoulder, Thomas' face exploded into a cheeky grin as he saw who had disturbed his conversation.

[color=brown]"Bruce!"[/color] He said gleefully. [color=brown]"So its true, I thought it might be just another tabloid rumor that you were actually coming to this benefit."[/color] Thomas said as he reached out and vigorously shook Bruce's hand. [color=brown]"How have you been friend?"[/color]

[color=black]"I've been well thank you."[/color] Bruce said returning the gesture as he pulled Thomas in and patted him on the back. [color=black]"I wouldn't miss this for the world Tommy."[/color] Bruce paused as the two man released their handshake before he continued. [color=black]"After all it was I who suggested to the board to steal you from New York."[/color]

A contagious grin hovered over Thomas' lips as he replied. "Yes well the media are having quite the field day with it. Can't say I'm used to all this attention unlike you, eh Bruce?" He added with a wink to both Bruce and the ladies adorning his arms. 

"Tommy, I want you to know that along with being my friend, you're also the best." Bruce said solemnly. "There's no one out there with a better resume than you. While I was lounging around in Italy, you were performing open heart surgery in Afghani warzones." 

"Flattery will get you everywhere Bruce." Thomas said before lowering his voice. "Also could you call me Thomas, Tommy was what my mother called..."

"Oh I'm so sorry... Thomas" Bruce replied correctly himself. "I was terribly sorry to hear of your loss."

"Don't worry about Bruce, she was an old bag." Thomas retorted with a calloused laugh. Motioning over to a passing waiter, Thomas handed each of the ladies a flute of champagne before finally handing one to Bruce. "Now is not the time for sadness, now is the time for..." The lights in the hospital suddenly flickered as the TV screen across the lobby changed. An image of a black skull filling the screen as a menacing voice filled the lobby. It echoed across Gotham as every local network was suddenly overrun by the pirate signal.

"Fear." The word hovered over the hushed crowd as they stared at the TV screen. Looking around the room, Bruce tried to make eye contact with Alfred but his oldest friend was no where to be seen. Behind him he could hear Sasha's slowed breathing as the bodyguard began to assess the situation for any immediate danger to her client.

"That is what the Batman has brought to Gotham. But tonight that changes." The voice continued as murmurs made their way through the crowd. The majority of them seemingly in agreement with the faceless voice.

"Tonight I'm offering fifty million dollars to the man who brings me the head of the Batman. That's fifty million dollars, tax free completely under the table and free to do whatever you want with. All you have to do is, kill the Batman." Bruce felt a snarl turn at the corner of his mouth as the voice continued. "But wait, this isn't just limited to you the people of Gotham, I'm opening this opportunity up to any ethusiatic entrepreneur. I'll even double the reward if you manage to bring me the Bat alive, so I can fillet him myself." The voice growled.

"Good luck Gotham, you'll need it." With the last statement the broadcast resumed back to normal as Bruce looked around for Alfred. 

"Ladies if you'll excuse me a second, I believe Thomas here would be more than happy to keep you company." Bruce said with all the charm he could muster.

"Thomas, this is Candice, and this is Kristy." Bruce said motioning to each of the ladies. "I do hope you'll enjoy his company, I have heard however that Thomas has the most talented hands on the Eastern seaboard, if not the world." A giggle escaped the girls as Thomas rolled his eyes at Bruce who turned to find Alfred.

"Where are you going Bruce?" Sasha asked as she matched the taller man stride for stride.

"I need to talk to Alfred." He answered with a smile.

"No, you're going to disappear again. Every time something is going on in this city, you disappear." Sasha retorted. "I'm not stupid Bruce, you're a thrillseeker and you're going to end up mistaken for a criminal by either the police or worst; the vigilante who considers himself above the law." Bruce opened his mouth to interject but Sasha wasn't finished yet as she continued speaking. "Plus, what do you need fifty million more for? Isn't that how much that's added to your trust fund on a weekly basis?"

"I think someone needs to be reminded of her place Miss Bordeaux." Bruce said as he turned to stare down the woman. Despite Bruce's intimidating size, Sasha didn't back down instead she tackled Bruce to the ground as headlights filled the hospitals windows seconds before glass exploded everywhere. Gunfire filled the air as automatic weapons were discharged and a group of armed men exited the vehicle now parked in the hospital lobby.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. You are tonight's bait!"[/INDENT]