Legends of the Batman #16

[spiritofvengeance]

Legends of the Batman #16

Questionable Justice, Part 4

Written By: Justin Muise
Edited By: Mike Bowen


Gotham Zoo. 11pm.

As the Gotham City Zoo guards sit in their office and play their weekly poker game, the Batman is searching for the next clue, which was left for Bruce Wayne by the Riddler.

“Alfred. I’ve searched over this place twice already and I haven’t been able to find one thing that would even hint the Riddler was here.” Batman says as he talks through his radio, which is built in to his suit.

“Sir. Maybe the clue was left more hidden, in a place which would be easier for Bruce Wayne to find then the Batman.”

“We're the same person Alfred.” Batman says sounding annoyed.

“Yes, of course. But when you’re in the uniform sir, you don’t think as Bruce Wayne thinks. Your frame of mind is completely different.”

“So you’re telling me that to find a clue left for me, I have to stop being who I am and be myself?”

“Yes sir. Did the Batman think too look at the endangered species which were donate by Wayne Enterprises?”

“Alfred you know I’ve looked there.”

“ Yes sir, of course. Also did Batman know that there was one cage which was intended to be the Thomas Wayne Memorial after your late father.”

“I had heard. Would you know which cage that happens to be Alfred?”

“The Amur Leopard section sir.”

“Thank you Alfred.” Batman says as he follows Alfred’s advice and heads over to the Amur Leopard section of the zoo.

As he arrives at the cage he notices nothing out of the ordinary.
He glances over to one of the leopards and notices that one of the links in the chain has a small marking on it.
After picking the lock on the cage he sneaks in trying to get a closer look. Slowly walking over to the sleeping leopard Batman takes a close look at the link, noticing that the small marking on it is a question mark which is the same as the ones on all the letters that the Riddler has left around the city.
After studying the link Batman notices a weird paint on his hands from the chain. He pulls out a small light from his utility belt and shines the black light onto the ink and sees that it glows. Batman shines the light on the wall in the cage and sees a message in black light ink on the wall.
He slowly goes over the wall and writes down the message:

"We run, we walk. Were round, were stuffed. We can be big, small. We can teach or we can hurt. What are we?”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

The Batcave. 2:30 am.

As Bruce Wayne and Alfred study the riddle left by the new criminal known as the Riddler, Dick Grayson walks down the stairway to the Batcave.

“What’s that Bruce?”

“It’s a new riddle we need to solve and quick, were running out of time. This bomb the Riddler left is going off in less then 30 hours.”

“Hmmm. Let me take a look at this….” Dick says as he reads over the riddle.

Dick looks at the riddle and reads it over again and again for about 3 minutes.

“Hey that’s easy. He’s talking about toys.”

Batman looks at it for a few moments.

“Well, how did you figure that out so fast Dick?”

“I’m still a kid Bruce, maybe a mature one, but I wouldn’t mistake a question about toys anytime. What does it mean anyway?”

“Wayne Enterprises has an electronics toy store down on 42nd St. I’m guessing the Riddler next clue is hidden there.”

“You think I might be finally ready to join the Batman on this one?” Dick asks with enthusiasm in his voice.

“Your training is going great Dick, but there’s more to it then just being physically ready. Your emotions need to be fit for this too and I don’t know if your there yet.”

“I understand. It’s just I was hoping maybe I'd be ready by now.”

“Soon Dick. You’re moving along well. I know it will be soon. I have to go, I need to solve this quick. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Bruce puts on his mask and climbs into the Batmobile.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Wayne Tech and Toys. 4:15 a.m.

Walking through the many isles of the store, Batman can’t find any clues.
In one of the isles he looks down at a board game, which has a huge question mark on it. Noticing that there are more then one of these, Batman thinks maybe it’s just a coincidence but feels as though there’s something about this one that is different.
Batman picks it up and studies it. He notices on one of the corners the plastic seal is not glued together.
He rips off the plastic and quickly opens the box.
As soon as Batman opens the box an envelope falls out with a green question mark on it.
Batman picks it up and opens it.

*BEEP*

Paying little attention to sound the letter made, it he reads the letter.

"Congratulations Mr. Wayne! You have found the last clue as to where the bomb is. There is a catch however, that sound you heard when you opened the envelope, was a signal, sent to my little gift for Gotham. It changed whatever amount of time there was left to 3 hours. So you may want to read this letter quickly and solve my riddle, unless you do not care what happens to Gotham.
The Dark, The Cold, The Entertainment, I am all these things and there opposites, what am I?"

Studying this riddle quickly and running through every possible scenario he can think of, the Batman is pushing himself to the limit trying to find the answer.

“Power. He means electricity. There are 3 different power companies in Gotham. There is no way ill be able to check them all in less then 3 hours.

“Sir. I hear what you are saying. There is no other answer. Wayne Enterprises owns all of the power companies in Gotham. I’m afraid you will need to search them all sir, and rather quickly I might add.”

“On my way Alfred.” Batman says as he jumps into the Batmobile speeding off toward Gotham City Power.

To Be Continued...