Nightmares of the Mind Pt.2

[Wing Zero]

Batman quietly landed onto the building's ledge, Robin following him. A group of robbers just bursted through the back door of the Gotham Bank 1. 2 cars were waiting for them so they could make the getaway.

"Looks like those guys are having some fun" Robin said.

Batman, without any warning jumped down onto the car, and right into the middle of the group of men. Robin, surprised by his directness launched a batarang at the men, knocking their guns out. Batman jumped into the air, and down onto one of the crooks, Robin also holding his own, took care of the other group of men heading for the second car. When he looked back towards Batman, everyone was knocked out, except for the one Batman was holding.

"Listen you little punk, this time, I'm letting the cops get ahold of you. But if I ever see your face again, you'll end up in a cold, dark, ditch, understand?!"

The guy was scared out of his mind and barely managed a nod. "Tell me you do!" Batman roared and thrust the guy into the side of the building. Before he could respond, the police arrived. Batman threw the guy onto the hood of the car and shot his bat-grapple. After making sure the cops had custody of all of them, Robin spoke up. "Little aggressive aren't we tonight?" Batman just looked at him with a cold stare.

"Hey take it easy, just a joke." Robin quickly added. Without saying a word, Batman left the crimescene, in search of more trouble. Robin, again surprised, chased after him. "What's with him?" he thought to himself. Later that night, Robin was getting a little weary. They were pretty much working overtime, it was probably the fasted he had busted that many criminals in that amount of time. Then, Batman finally said something.

"It's getting late, we should head home."

Robin let out a sigh of relief, "FINALLY" he exclaimed, but not outloud. "Ok then Bruce." he replied and headed back towards the Batmobile. After reaching the cave, Robin made a big yawn and hopped out of the car. "Man, home sweet home." Suddenly, a bat flew past his face.

"Maybe I should say that when I'm actually inside the house." Dick said to himself. Then he heard a lot of mechanical whirling and spun around to see the batmobile's rear facing him.

"Bruce, where are you going??" he yelled, but his response was only that of the roaring engine fading away as it left the cave.

Alfred had heard the noise and had made his way into the cave. "Ah Master Dick...." he noticed the car was gone. "Where is Master Bruce at?"

Dick pointed towards the exit of the cave. Alfred straightened his suit, "Very well then, I guess he needs some time to himself then." Dick raised an eyebrow.

The Batmobile raced past the trees surrounding the outskirts of Gotham city, so many thoughts were whizzing around in Batman's mind. "I've got to get them, I've got to stop them." he kept thinking. Batman finally parked the car in a dark alley and returned to the rooftops once more. He spotted a couple of gang members across the street, and the images of his parents flashed in his mind once again. He shook his head to clear it and then watched the men go into a worn down building. Carefully opening up the window, Batman slipped inside and took a look around, it must have been their headquarters as at least 30 people were in it. To the looks of it, they were planning a big heist at one of Gotham's newest jewelry stores. The Dark Knight's eyes narrowed as he grabbed 3 smoke balls from his utility belt, quietly throwing them towards the main table all the men were sitting at. One ball landed next to a gangster's foot.

"Hey what's this?" he said, picking up the little ball and setting it on the table.

Moments later, the smoke ball ignited as did the other 2. A scream of panic was heard as they saw something move around them, instinctively they pulled out their guns and fired everywhere, hoping they killed whatever was attacking them. A batarang flew at the guns, knocking 3 or 4 out of some of the hands. Charging with full force, Batman shoulder tackled 2 of them into the wall, one thug came up behind, welding a giant wrench. Batman quickly kicked him in the chin, causing the big man to fall down. Then a hail of bullets came in his direction, Batman stayed close to the ground and threw another ball, this time it bursted with a blinding light.

"I can't see a thing!" helplessly cried one of them.

The dark figure of Batman emerged from the light, hitting and knocking the thug out. Then a leadpipe struck Batman from behind. Batman, slamming into the floor, recovered and dodged the second swing, uppercutting the man and sending his body into a pile of old pizza boxes. The rest of the gangsters had run away, too gone now for Batman to catch them. He punched the wall in anger, and looked over at the thug he had uppercutted. Picking up and throwing him across the room, Batman felt like hurting someone really bad.

"Where are your friends heading to?" he said meanacingly.

The thug tried not too look scared, but he wasn't doing a good job of it. "I uh...don't have a clue."

Once again Batman, picked him up and this time, slammed him hard into the wall. "I won't ask again." he threatened.

The thug nodded quickly, "They're going to the Gotham harbor, building 7."

After that, Batman punched him in the face, a slight groan coming from him, and let the thug slouch to the floor. Now his mission was to get to the harbor.

Dick tried watching TV, but of course, his mind was on Bruce. Why had he just left like that? And where on Earth was he going? He tapped his foot, trying to keep himself busy but time was just going way too slow. Dick shut off the television and sighed, if only he knew where Bruce was, maybe he could be helping him right now, or maybe he could be trying to persuade Bruce to call it a night. Yea, like THAT would work.

After what seemed like eternity to Batman, he finally arrived at building 7 in the Gotham harbor. Definitely something was going on, lights were on and many voices could be heard. He peered into one of the rooftop windows. Looking down, he saw the other thugs who were explaining to their friends what had happened to them.

Batman crashed through the window, and landed on a coule of men. Swiftly, he threw two batarangs which took care of some of the guns, Batman than ran behind a group steel lockers, protecting him from all the bullets. He looked down into his utility belt, only 2 more smoke balls. He had to use them, throwing them over his shoulder, they exploded and caused another quick panic.

Batman then punched and kicked his way though many of them, but there were still more. Now he knew he was in trouble. A few bullets caught his cape and scratched his arm. The large group of gangsters were still there, and they were advancing too. Suddenly he was grabbed from the side and behind, and taken away from his little hiding spot.

The leader of the gangsters smiled and approached him, "So, its the big bad, Batman. You've got guts pal, trying to take on all of us at the sametime. Too bad you're just human." with that, he drove a 2x4 into Batman's stomach.

Then each of the other members landed a punch wherever they wanted to. After they all had their turn, Batman was battered in many places, and blood trickled down the side of his mouth. Batman groaned and looked up, a gun was pointed straight at his head.
"Its been fun and all, but we've got way more important matters than to have fun with you. Bats." the leader said and cocked the gun.

Batman, with a sudden surge of energy, headbutted the two men who were holding him and elbowed both in the stomach. Shooting into the air with his bat-grapple, he summersaulted and kicked 2 men right between the eyes. The other gang members were shocked and starting firing like crazy. Batman threw a well angled batarang, causing all of the guns to fall out of their hands. They started to run away again but Batman tangled up their feet, making them fall face first into the hard floor. All of them were now caught and he notified Gordon. Now it was time to go home..

Coming back to the batcave a second time tonight, he saw Dick and Alfred waiting for him. Alfred was shocked to see the beating Batman had taken.

"My word, are you alright?" he asked, concered.

"I've been better." Batman groaned.

Dick and Alfred helped Bruce to the table, Dick scanned the Batman costume. "What did you do out there Bruce, it looks like an army came after you!"

Bruce slipped off the cowl and cape, "It pretty much was one." Dick, not knowing how to respond, stayed silent. But Alfred wanted to know why Bruce went out.

"Master Bruce, please, tell us why you went back out." the old butler's eyes could always weaken Bruce a little.

"I....I've...forget it." was all Bruce could say for now, he needed medical attention and rest first. Alfred knew he would talk eventually and decided to try to lighten the mood up.

"Well then sir, with the way you're fighting, we'll be out of Batman costumes in no time." Alfred said, half smiling.

Bruce looked at the Batman mask sitting on the computer's chair, before letting himself rest.

It was the same place, the same time. the same dark alley, the same 2 shots, all of it coming back to him again. The pain and horror of his parent's death was greater than ever before now, he was reliving it everynight in his dreams, Bruce's desire to fight was growing quickly with every dream. He could hear the gangsters, laughing as they ran away, and see the faces of his parents. He couldn't take much more of this. Waking up in a sweat for the 4th night in a row, Bruce just couldn't understand, why now, after all these years, why did the nightmares have to come back? He knew who would know the reason though and decided it was time to visit her, not as a friend but as a patient once again.

[Batgirl_2005]

Aren't you going to write more? I'm really liking this so far and want to read more... but I can't read until YOU write.. SO WRITE MORE!!! ~pauses~ please?