Legends of the Batman #15

[spiritofvengeance]

Legends of the Batman #15

Written By: Justin Muise
Edited By: Mike Bowen

Early this Morning.

“Dick you have to realize in any situation you have to expect anything.” Bruce explains as they begin today’s training.

“I know that. It was the same thing on the high wire. Nothing ever went perfect so we had to expect any little thing that could go wrong.”

“Okay Dick. Are you ready?”

“Ready.”

“Begin!”

Dick leaps into action. He dives forward, swinging punches at Bruce. Bruce seems to easily dodge and block the swings and hits Dick in the abdomen with an open palm making him do one complete turn in the air. He lands on his back but quickly lifts himself up in one jump and is ready for the next attack.
Bruce swings a kick at Dick. He blocks it quickly by lifting both his arms up to his face. Dick recovers from the block quickly with a kick to Bruce’s ribs, but Bruce moves faster and catches his leg in the motion. Bruce throws him into the air, but Dick using his entire acrobat training twists around and kicks Bruce on the side of the face.
Bruce falls over but catches himself. As he’s down Dick stands waiting for Bruce to make his next move. In an instant Bruce pulls out five shurikens from his workout uniform and throws them at Dick. Dick leaps in the air narrowly dodging them all. When he lands he notices Bruce standing watching him.

“Good. You do know how to expect anything.”

“There studded.” Dicks says as he picks up one of the shurikens. “Weren’t sure I could manage?”

“I didn’t want to take the chance on the first try. All right that’s enough for today I have to look more into this Riddler situation. Who knows what he’s got planning, for some reason I don’t think he’s just out to help me.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Last Night.

Commissioner Gordon sits in his office looking over the files of Two-Face, or as he remembers him, Harvey Dent. He is the only one left in the building, or so he thinks.

Harvey how could you do this. It had to be you that went over on me didn’t it. What do I do now, I have to show to Gotham that the rest of my force is still there to protect and serve, even though I know they aren’t.

Just as the Commissioner finishes his thought, there’s a knock on his door.

What? I thought I was the only one here.

“Who is it?” Commissioner Gordon says as he walks over to the door.

“I have a package for James Gordon.”

“I wasn’t expecting a package,” he replies as he pulls out his 8-shot revolver.

Commissioner Gordon opens the door and to his surprise a man wearing a Gotham Packaging Service uniform is standing there with a package.

“I need your signature here Mr. Gordon,” the man says.

“All right. There we go. Thank You,” Commissioner Gordon says as he walks back into his office and sits at his desk.

Slowly he opens the package. All that’s inside is an envelope with a green question mark on it.
He opens the envelope to reveal the letter inside, which states:

*What sometimes ticks but does not keep time. Sometimes rings but is not a telephone. Can be small but always leaves a big impression?*

What? What the hell is this?

As Commissioner Gordon tries to discern what this letter can possibly mean; his eyes fall to another small piece of paper inside the envelope.
The Commissioner opens the piece of paper and looks eyes wide at what it says.

*BANG*

“A bomb.” The Commissioner says to himself as he begins running to the door of his office. As he opens the door he notices a small case holding a DVD inside. He picks it up noticing it has the same question mark symbol on it as the letter. He goes back into his office and puts the disc into the DVD player. A man wearing a green suit with purple bow tie comes on the screen.

“Hello Commissioner. If you are watching this DVD that means you solved my riddle. Congratulations! Even if you did use my hint it’s still an accomplishment. Since you have figured it out, might I let your head rest for the time being. The bomb is not inside the GCPD building. Now its time for the biggest riddle! There is a bomb hidden somewhere in Gotham City, and I guarantee it is not going to be easy to find. Now will you be have to find it in 48 hours, that is my riddle to you. The clock started as soon as you signed for the package which contained the letter.
Oooooh... I forgot to introduce myself I am so sorry. I am The Riddler!"

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Today.

Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson watch the television as news reports show the story on the letter left to Commissioner Gordon by the Riddler and how they are trying to locate the bomb which he has planted in Gotham.

“There has to be more then this to the bomb story. The Riddler does not seem like one that would just place a bomb, tell us, and then give no clues on how to find it. He’s going to leave more clues than that, it’s the way he works. Finding the bomb isn’t a riddle. It’s solving all the riddles to find the bomb that’s the problem. There must be more clues.” Bruce Wayne states as he contemplates what he should do.

“Maybe Batman can find more clues to this. The police aren’t even going to look for more clues. They're just going to check every place in Gotham and we all know he’s not just going to hide it somewhere easy.” Dick says knowing that’s what Bruce is thinking.

“Maybe the Batman's going to need a little help on this one?” Dick says with anticipation in his voice.

“Sorry Dick, your training’s not done. I don’t think you’re ready for th….” Bruce is cut off by Alfred coming into the room.

“Master Bruce there was an urgent call from Wayne Enterprises. They said you are needed as soon as possible.”

“Sorry Alfred, I don’t think i'll be going there. Batman might need to go give the police a hand with this Riddler business.”

“Sir, they said it had something to do with The Riddler.”

Bruce looks at Alfred, wondering what The Riddler could possibly have to do with Wayne Enterprises.

“Looks like I’m going to Wayne Enterprises then.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Wayne Enterprises.

Bruce Wayne walks into his office as his secretary runs over with a package in her hands.

“Mr. Wayne! This package was left for you. It has the same marking on it as the disc the police showed on the news.”

“Did you show this to the police?”

“No. I thought maybe it would be best if you read it first maybe there’s a clue as to where this bomb may be. Besides, it was left especially for you.”

“Thank you. You can go. I'll read it here in my office.”

“Ok Mr. Wayne i'll be just outside if you need me.”

“Thank you.”

Bruce sits down at his desk examining the package. He thinks this could possibly be a trap from The Riddler.

This could be the bomb right here in my hands. Chances are he wouldn’t do that in case I called the police then his riddle would be solved to easily.

Bruce decides he’s going to have to take his chances and begins opening the package.
After opening it he notices all that’s inside is a card in the shape of a question mark, he opens the card to see a letter addressed to him.

*Hello Bruce! If you haven’t already heard from the television or radio, my name is The Riddler, and I’m the one who left a bomb hidden in Gotham somewhere. Don’t worry Mr. Wayne this letter doesn’t have the bomb on it and it's not in Wayne Tower. I left the bomb somewhere else as a thank you for you. See, I had the perfect tiny business in Gotham where I sold electronics and electronic equipment. It was growing ever so slightly and I was starting to get ahead. That all changed when Wayne Enterprises opened its giant electronics stores all around Gotham. I couldn’t compete of course so I closed down and became broke within months. Don’t worry Mr. Wayne, I’m doing fine now, but the damage has been done. As a gift to you I’m leaving the solving of this bomb riddle completely up to you. Your first clue is in this letter, where this letter leads, you’ll find the next riddle which if you solve it will lead you to the next and so on and so forth. It begins now Mr. Wayne I hope your smart enough. Or after this Gotham is going to hate its favorite son.

Most have four legs. Some have two. Some see more then me and you. Feather or fur, some have both. The thing we all share is four walls and no one cares.*

Bruce leaves his office ignoring his secretary asking him what the package was. He gets in the car as Alfred drives him away.

“What was it Master Bruce?”

“It was a letter and a clue to where this bomb may be. We have to hurry Alfred. Bruce Wayne may not be able to stop this in the time, but Batman can and will.”

“Was it another riddle Sir?”

“Yes Alfred. It looks like my next clue may be waiting for me at the Gotham City Zoo."

To Be Continued...