First reward

Driving through Gotham City was an experience. From the monolithic epicness of its gothic architecture to its lights that never seemed to turn off even at night. Perhaps it was the swirling smog that always seemed to blot out the sun, or maybe the constant toxic rain from the pollution of chemicals.

Either way, Bruce Wayne had changed, the poor child. He had been acting differently ever since his parents died. At least, that's what Alfred thought. He expected Bruce to be as he was on his first night after for a while, but that just wasn't true at all. Rather, the next day, although exhibiting sadness, he had become much more scheming, angry, and reserved.

He was far different from the bright young child he had been. The one who loved his parents, his city, and his friends seemingly disappeared. The small boy who would turn radios into toy cars, tinker with objects, and was obsessed with movies was dead. Maybe he had died in that alley with his parents.

Still, even if he was no longer the same, it was Alfred's duty to serve and care for him. Just like the Pennyworth family had done for generations. Alfred would serve the Waynes as his father had and his father before him. Still, he would serve the boy who he had grown to care for. House Wayne would not fall on his watch.

Glancing in the car's back window, the child sat. He was rubbing his arm, staring down at the evidence he stole. Bruce had told Alfred he needed it, but not how he would use it. Still, something told him he could believe in Bruce.

Why? Because of the look in his eyes. Within them was a profound emptiness. As if he was staring into the abyss. However, when he stared back, there was an unmatched will. A willpower he had never seen in anyone, even professional soldiers and mercenaries.

Still, he decided to focus on driving for now. The car weaved through the city. The GCPD was in its heart, whereas most of the rich and wealthy lived in the east end. The western side of the city was far more dangerous. Not that the whole city wasn't, even where the wealthy lived, but that was where it was worst. Where the crime and the mob had most taken root.

Then, past all that was the river, and in that river, a private island. Perhaps that's part of the reason why such tragedy had befallen the family. Just to get home, they had to travel through all the worst the city had to offer. Still, Alfred drove, and they had arrived.

Opening the gates and driving up the hill for a while, they eventually managed to reach the manor. It was farther away than it looked. It was also far larger than it appeared. Pulling into the driveway, Alfred got out. Pulling out an umbrella, he walked to the car door and opened it for Bruce.

Without a word, the two walked inside. Bruce immediately began walking up the main stairs and towards his room. Concerned, Alfred called after him.

"Wait, Master Bruce! Where are you going? What about the evidence?"

Bruce halted and turned around. "Don't worry, Alfred. I'll keep the evidence with me for now. I'm going to go wash up. Get dinner ready. Oh, and Alfred, thank you, really."

The butler sighed and nodded. Bruce continued forward to his room. When he reached it, he opened his system. His new skill was quite helpful. However, what would be more helpful was the device he planned to buy the knowledge for.

Although most knowledge in the system was how to build something. For example, he could learn to make Compound V, but he could buy it in items. He could, however, buy system items like healing pills. Basically, one gave items from fiction, the other original items.

Right now, though, he knew exactly what he needed to buy. A medical Tricorder from Star Trek for ten bat points. He had planned to use it in conjunction with a radar. Thanks to his new random skill, doing so would be much easier.

The skill, Level One Engineering, would allow him to do that himself, along with making some more gadgets. Buying the knowledge, he began scouring the house for the needed parts.

***Two Hours Later***

Bruce had taken his bath and changed. Heading downstairs for dinner in the massive dining hall, as Alfred served dinner, he revealed the device.

He told Alfred exactly what it was and how it worked. The plan was simple. Use a radar or set one up on the roof. Use the DNA signature from the gun to determine the location of the target.

The main thing that surprised Alfred was the device itself. It was a multifunctional hand-held device that can perform environmental scans, data recording, and data analysis. The medical version also allowed it to check all vital organ functions, detect the presence of dangerous organisms, and analyze human physiology.

All it needed was a boost of range. That was something a basic radar could give. It was easy enough for the two to obtain. The problem arose when Bruce said he wanted to go onto the roof and install it himself.

Alfred had disagreed, even though he knew Bruce had the skills to climb. Why? Mainly because of the rain and the slickness it would bring. After all, Bruce was still just a child. Even if he had skills, knowledge, and intelligence beyond most his age, Alfred had already let the 8-year-old boy perform far too many dangerous acts.

Still, Bruce disagreed, saying that he was the only one who knew how to use the device, which was almost enough to convince him. What put the nail in the coffin was what Bruce said next.

"I have to do this, Alfred. I have to become something more than what I am now. This city needs more from Bruce Wayne. It's already taken something dear away from me. If I can prevent that from happening to someone else, then I'll dedicate my whole life to it. This city needs me to become more than just a man. It needs a symbol, a hero, a new myth. Someone to punish the evil lying within it. Root out all the corruption, and I've decided that person has to be me. I'm not asking you to join me, Alfred. But I won't let you stop me. This is what I have to do. Please let me do this before I do it without you."

"Sigh, very well, Master Bruce, it's as you have said. This city does need something, someone to try and make it better. I suppose that person will be you. I have high hopes for you, Master Bruce. However, if you think you're going to do this alone, you're wrong."

Bruce looked down and smiled. "Thank you, Alfred. Now let's get those radar parts and head up."

Alfred stared at the child before him. He didn't quite know what had instilled such fervor in Bruce. The boy was almost always now insisting on doing things himself. However, he knew that no matter the path the boy chose, Alfred would always be there for him.

***Hours Later***

The radar had been installed quickly enough. The hardest part was avoiding falling in the rain. But after about an hour, the reader was installed. At that point, the rain had come to a halt for the first time since yesterday, which was quite convenient for the next step. The easy part was simply plugging the tricorder into the reader.

Next to Bruce and Alfred lay a box of tools. They had used them to set up the radar. Bruce reached over and opened it up. Within it were not just tools but also the gun and bullets that killed his parents. He grabbed hold of it, hands shaking and stomach turning. Alfred, seeing Bruce's shaking hands and pale complexion, placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder. Smiling at him, Alfred spoke in a reassuring voice.

"You can do this, Master Bruce. I believe in you."

Bruce let out a brief breath from his nose and said, "Thank you, Alfred. I know that it's been rough for both of us."

He started analyzing the DNA on the gun. He then pulled up the radar on his screen and used the physical dish to boost the signal. Soon it would scan all of Gotham.

•••

Hey everyone I know this chapter has been shorter than most. I'm sorry for that but anyway there will be no chapter next Monday as I'll be writing for my other fic. Also if you see the other unwritten books on my account it's because I'm still planning them. That or I felt that it would be too overwhelming to write them all at once. It's just that I have more ideas than I have time or ability to write them. After all it takes me whole week to write a chapter of Batman. Although I'll see if there's anything I can do to speed up that pace. Anyway bye bye also vote with power stones if you want or don't I don't really care.