Heroes #124

As he stood on the podium set up in front of a police station, Grayson smiled as he looked at the crowd of journalists, clamoring to get his attention with an unending barrage of questions and several police officers standing guard over the vicinity.

He scanned the area, and his eyes flashed in recognition as he spotted a brunette wearing a smart business suit with a knee-length, beige skirt and a white shirt.

"You there," Gray said, gesturing towards the woman, causing everyone to go silent as the reporter stepped forward, clearing her throat.

"Lois Lane with the daily planet here," the reporter introduced herself, getting a nod of acknowledgment for her efforts from Gray, to which she paused for a second before she continued speaking.

"Mr. Whitelock, before you unmasked yourself on live television, you were known as Wraith to most people, and they are curious. Is there a story behind that name or something you came up with at the top of your head?" Lois asked, briefly looking down at her notes.

"Even my old man doesn't go by Mr. Whitlock Gray or Grayson is fine. But to answer your question, I didn't actually come up with that name..." Gray replied, chuckling as he shook his head. "That honor goes to the criminals I apprehended when I first put on the mask and started fighting crime," he added.

"Though I imagine it might have something to do with my gadgets and how I fought," he concluded, shrugging his shoulders.

"Can you give us an example, Mr. Whit— Grayson?" shouted one of the reporters, and several others vocalized their agreements, causing Gray to smile and nod.

He reached for his belt and instantly disappeared, only to appear in front of a camera, slowly materializing in full gear, the glowing orbs of his riot gear being the first to emerge due to their intense light, causing the unfortunate cameraman to flinch.

Before anyone could make sense of the situation, Gray repeated the action and reappeared on the podium in his regular clothes with a mischievous smile splitting his face.

"Because of that, some criminals started calling a demon, a ghost, and whatnot. It was Wraith that stuck, so I didn't give it much thought and took it as it is," Gray said as he turned to Lois, clearly intent on hearing out any questions she might still have.

"I see, but the name has given you a specific type of reputation... would you say that made your job any easier?" Lois asked, nodding her head at Gray's answer.

"It definitely did. A good number of criminals would panic when they see me and make mistakes or just run off..." Gray said with a light laugh. "Though, the ones that ran are probably dying from embarrassment after realizing they were running from a 17-year-old kid," he jokingly concluded.

"17-year-old or not, there are videos on the internet that show you moving in ways that make even boxing and MMA champions pale in comparison..." Lois quipped, trailing off as she set the tone to ask her next question.

"You must have a great teacher to master fighting like you do. Would you mind shedding some light on who this person is?" she quickly added, smiling at Gray.

"I have a great teacher, but he's so much more than that. He found me at my lowest point and guided me to become the man I am today," Gray said, his smile turning a degree brighter as he spoke about his teacher.

"I've often imagined how I'd end up if I didn't meet him... and lets I didn't like what I saw," he added, his expression darkening for a brief second as he sighed.

"In any case, that's all I'm willing to share about the old man. He's camera shy," Gray jokingly concluded, his expression reverting to normal as he put on a leisure smile.

"But would say your teacher put you on the path of becoming a vigilante?" Lois asked, finally showing her fangs with venomous questions, which Gray immediately saw through.

"No. My teacher only offered me guidance; unconditional guidance with no strings or expectations attached..." Gray replied, clearly displeased by the question, as he gave the reporter a knowing, meaningful look.

(Author's note: for those of you who are confused, reporters usually insert these kinds of seemingly well-intentioned, but underhanded questions whenever they interview famous people after making them relax with a couple of easy-going questions. If Gray answered that Richard did put him on the path, then it would open the door to suspicion and accusation that Richard manipulated Gray, a confused kid, into becoming a vigilante, thus recklessly endangering Gray's life)

"I started fighting crime after stumbling onto a criminal assaulting a helpless woman. I helped the young lady and enjoyed the feeling of helping others, so I did it whenever I could," he concluded.

"Then moving on..." Lois said to change the subject nodding at Gray to indicate she got the hint. "I have several questions concerning the recent turn of events. Would you mind answering them?" she continued, and Gray gestured for her to ask away.

"By unmasking yourself, you have painted a target on your back that many people, including the criminals you've had conflicts with, would aim for..." Lois asked, trailing off at the end of her sentence.

"What measures have the GCPD taken to preserve your safety and wellbeing from such potential threats?" she asked, turning to look at Deborah, who was standing not far away from Gray at the podium.

"I wouldn't have exposed myself if I wasn't perfectly confident in my ability to protect myself..." Gray said as he smiled at Lois before turning towards Deborah.

"However, captain Tiegel here insisted that I'd have a police escort whenever I'm out to ensure my safety..." he added, sighing in exasperation as he shook his head.

"But what made you decide to unmask yourself? It couldn't have been an easy decision for you," Lois asked after a brief second of silence which she used to write something down.

"I took off my mask because I've realized that vigilantism is futile, in this city, at least..." Gray said with a sigh. "I've personally saved more people than I care to count, but what have I done for them other than that?" he added, his tone turning grave as he leaned on the podium.

"As long as they live in this city, it won't take long to find themselves in the same situation, and I can't be there to save them every time no matter how hard I try..." he went on, helplessly shaking his head.

"Most people look at Gotham and see nothing but a crime-infested hell hole, which is not far from the truth..." he continued, lightly gesturing to the side.

"But they don't look too deeply into it. Unlike Metropolis or Star City, the bad guys are regular humans here, and for everyone you beat, two more would pop up in their place," he explained.

"Do you know why that is? Because people flock to them. Why wouldn't they?" he remarked, frowning as he went quiet and scanned the area for anyone willing to answer, but no one did.

"They don't have any other option. Take Black Mask, for example; most of the people in his gangs are regular people who turned to crime to feed themselves and their families," Gray answered the question after waiting for a couple of seconds.

"This city is cursed. It takes good people and turns them into hardened criminals with no choice but to take from others what no one else would give them," he said.

"Most people currently rotting in Black Gate right now were once honest kids, raised by god-fearing parents to do the right thing, only to grow up and realize that doing the right thing doesn't put bread on their tables. Not in Gotham," he added, lightly slapping the podium in the heat of the moment.

"But what if those kids had the same opportunities as the ones from other cities? Would they still flock to the likes of Black Mask? Would they go through college and get decent jobs instead?" he asked. No one answered.

"It's hard to tell, but unless Gotham changes for the better and gives them the opportunities every child deserves, we'll never know," he went on.

"Heros don't simply fight crime and save lives. They inspire people. And I wish to inspire change in this city. I unmasked myself to do that, not as a masked vigilante but as myself, someone who had been through hell in this city and still stood tall." he added, smiling as he calmed down.

"Because in the end, not all heroes wear capes. It's just that the most inspiring of them happens to wear a red one..."