Legends of the Batman #14

[spiritofvengeance]

Legends of the Batman #14
Questionable Justice:
Part 2

Written By: Justin Muise
Edited By: Mike Bowen

Today

*With thieves I consort, with the vilest, in short, I'm quite at ease in depravity; yet all divines use me, and savants can't lose me, for I am the center of gravity. What am I?*

Batman reads the letter left by the unknown assailant as he sits in the dark cave below Wayne Manor.

“What’s it mean Bruce?”

“It’s a riddle. I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“Does this have anything to do with what’s happening down at the docks?”

“I don’t know Dick. There wasn’t any movement at the docks last night. Maybe this is a clue as to what’s going on.”

Bruce thinks deeply, giving all his concentration to the note. He runs it through his head over and over again and suddenly as clear as daylight it comes to him.

“V. The answer to the riddle is V.” Bruce exclaims.

“V? What does that have to do with anything?”

“I don’t know. V…V…” Bruce stares at the letter then at the monitors watching the docks thinking over and over in his head what V could possibly mean.

In an instant, as though it was there all along, the conclusion comes to Bruce.

“V. As in 5 in roman numerals. Roman numerals are used for names of each of the wharfs at the docks. Something must be happening at wharf 5 tonight.”

“Looks like the Batman might have someone working for him on this.” Dick says as he watches the monitors.

“This seems too easy. Why would someone leave a clear note as to what was going too happened tonight.”

“Maybe it’s a trap.”

“Whatever it is, I have to find out for myself.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Yesterday

Edward Nigma sat in what seemed to be an abandoned building in Gotham City. Those walking by wouldn’t even think to look inside. From the outside it looked as though someone had tried to destroy it but it did not succeed. The windows were boarded up and the doors sealed off. But inside it is completely different. There were monitors and computers running at all times as Edward sat watching over them as they watched the city.

Look at them. They have nothing, they are nothing. With my knowledge I could run this entire city. The only challenge lies in the one they call Batman. He could pose a threat. Edward thinks to himself as he watches over Gotham.

Watching over the docks the Riddler as he calls himself, thinks of a plan to destroy the Batman.

The docks. Before the docks were overrun with drugs and all other illegal paraphernalia which arrives with drugs, it was a breeding ground for those of us looking for business. Hahaha… perfect. If I allow Batman to find the drug runners which are polluting this city i'll have my business back. With all the men working with me I’ll be able to overtake this Batman. Riddle me this Two-Face; I have nothing but a cell, four walls a bed and a toilet to surround me for the rest of my life. What am I? Your future self!

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Tonight: Gotham Docks


The Batman watches over wharf 5 at the Gotham docks.

“Hey come on! The boss is gonna be here anytime you want him to see you sitting there.”

“What you worried about? We unloaded every damn crate that came through here. Job's done at least for tonight.”

“Wrong. Your job isn’t done until I tell you it’s done.” Two-Face states as he walks onto the wharf. Batman looks on as Harvey Dent, as he once was known, walks down towards the two men. He contemplates in his head what he should do when he confronts him. Then remembers he’s not staring at Harvey anymore, he’s staring at Two-Face.

“You don’t want to work here no more is that the problem? That’s ok there’s an easy solution to that.” Two-Face says as he pulls a .9mm pistol from his jacket and points it at his former worker.

“See easy fix.” Just as he begins pulling the trigger, one of the Batman’s batarang’s flies by and knocks the gun out of Two-Face’s hand.

“No one dies tonight Two-Face.”

Two-Face turns and notices the Batman standing to his side.

“Well hey Bats. Just doing a little business here, no need for your involvement.” Two-Face says as he begins pulling another pistol from his jacket.

Batman throws another batarang and catches the gun before Two-Face completely pulls it out.

“Wow Bats your good… You guys just going to stand there or you actually going to do something?” Two-Face says as he looks at the men. Just then 3 men come out of a car and come towards Batman, the other two men follow they’re leads.

They jump at Batman. One man flies back as Batman kicks him in abdomen. Another falls down on the ground as Batman delivers him a right hand to the jaw. One of them pulls out a gun and points it directly at Batman’s head. Batman grabs the man’s arm and in one quick move breaks his arm. Batman throws him into one of the other men who on the fall hits his head hard on the pavement. Batman finishes the fight off with an elbow to the last man's head.

Just as Batman looks up, Two-Face has his gun aimed squarely at him.

*BAMM*

He fires. The bullet hits Batman in the chest. As he falls Batman manages to throw a concussion grenade at Two-Face, that he retrieved from his utility belt.

*BANG*

The grenade nearly knocks out Two-Face. He stagers around and just when he is finally able to hold himself up straight the Batman lands a right handed punch square on Two-Face’s jaw, knocking him unconscious. Batman uses straps to tie the men’s hands and feet as he sends a signal to Alfred, telling him to send in the Gotham City Police Department.

The Batman waits in the shadows as the GCPD take away Two-Face and his men.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Bruce Wayne woke up, sore after the shot from Two-Face. He looked up to see Alfred standing beside his bed.

“This came for you this morning Master Bruce.” Alfred says as he passes an envelope to Bruce.

“What is it?”

“I am not sure sir. I did not open it.”

Bruce opens the letter and out falls a DVD disc with the same question mark symbol on it as the the previous letter.

After quickly getting dressed he headed to the cave.
Alfred, and Dick stand waiting as Bruce inserts the disc into one of the computers in the cave.

A man appears on the screen wearing a green suit with purple bow tie and holding a cane with a question mark on the top.

“Greetings Bruce! Or shall I say Batman? Wondering how I discovered you were Batman? Well Bruce I would like to say someone with my intelligence would simply see that the richest and most powerful man in Gotham would be the only one possible to be Batman. On that note I would like to thank you for apprehending Two-Face last night although maybe you should be thanking me for giving the information which allowed you to catch him. Congratulations also on decrypting my riddle! I suppose it has come the time for me to introduce myself. Batman say hello to The Riddler!”

To Be Continued...