Batman: Hero of Gotham

45- The Controller

Bruce arrived at the press event in front of Wayne Tower. Regina and Oswald waited at the podium. "I'm sorry about all this, Bruce." Regina apologized, sounding sincere. "We've prepared a brief damage control statement, to make this easier. After I introduce you, all you'll have to do is read what's on the teleprompter."

Oswald interrupted. "Then, I can take it from there. Got my little coronation speech just waiting."

"Thank you for being so cooperative about this, Bruce. It really is for the best." Regina said.

"For everyone, really." Oz added. Regina pulled Bruce to the side.

"I know it's unfair to ask you this, but please. Right now, your reputation, your entire legacy, depends on your cooperation. Get through today, and I can help you. I can convince the board to bring you back. It might not be CEO but it'll be something. A step to regaining what you're being forced to give up." Regina explained. "This is what is best for Gotham."

"Of course, Regina. Whatever I can do to help." Bruce replied.

"That's good, Bruce. Trust us to sort all this out. Everything will be fine." Regina smiled.

"All ready, then? We're going to make quite a splash today, aren't we? I don't think I'm ever going to forget this day. Beautiful weather, corporate intrigue, a well-deserved comeuppance...a noble hero riding in to save the day. This really does have all the elements." Oz spoke.

Regina talked to a security guard. "I wouldn't be so confident if I were you, Oz. The show hasn't even started yet." Bruce said.

"Maybe for you, but I've read your script. So, I already know how this story is going to end."

"That's enough, both of you!" Regina said as she noticed the two arguing. "It's time. Bruce, I'm going to introduce you and then you're on. Please. Stick to the teleprompter." Regina walked up to the microphone. "Good morning everyone! Thank you all for being here. Wayne Enterprises has always taken its role in the community very seriously."

"Isn't it funny?" Oz whispered. "How everything I said in the park has come true? Me, taking everything that's yours? That's not even the punchline. No, dearheart. Not even close. No one's gonna follow you around and take your picture anymore. It'd almost be sad if you weren't so bloody handsome."

"You're just a pawn, Oswald. And everyone knows that pawns are meant to be sacrificed."

"Ah, perhaps. But at least I get the joy of watching your shocking and surprising descent first. This is a first step towards making things right. Soon enough it'll be 'Cobblepot Industries' and 'Cobblepot Medical' and 'Cobblepot Tech' on the tops of buildings, and you Waynes will be what you should have been all along; a forgotten footnote. Cobblepot will come to mean the future of Gotham. And Wayne will be a story no one wants to hear."

"That is not going to happen."

"Oh, don't be a sore loser, Bruce. It looks bad on you. Oh, I forgot to mention. I did some digging and you know how old Hill admitted to he had your mum and dad killed? I found out why he did it. I'll tell you the story but only if you say 'pretty please.' It's quite the page-turner. I'm sure you're just dying to here it. Aren't you, Bruce?"

"Just tell me. I have to know."

"Nah, ah-ah. That's not what I asked."

"Pretty please."

"Okay. Here goes. Well, turns out that your mum found out what your daddy was up to. Threatened to turn him in, she did. Said she didn't want to be a part of it. Now, you can imagine that Hill wasn't too keen on that idea. So, he slid a few bucks Joe Chill's way and...well, you saw the rest, didn't you? Must have been heart-breaking seeing your pathetic mum and dad killed in front of you. Please tell me you didn't cry. It'd be harsh to cry for them."

"I can't wait to see you in jail."

"Oh that'll be the day. That'll never happen, mate. I'm as sneaky as a ninja."

"And now Bruce Wayne would like to say a few words." Regina said. The audience applauded.

"Remember, enjoy yourself, Bruce. After all, you never know how much time you really have left." Oz clapped Bruce on the back. Bruce sighed and walked up to the microphone. He read the teleprompter to himself and spoke.

"I'm stepping down from my position as CEO of Wayne Enterprises. But, I am not doing so voluntarily. The board of Wayne Enterprises has voted me out. At a meeting I was not invited to attend." Bruce paused and read the next line on the teleprompter. "I know what my father did. I know how much he hurt you. But I am nothing like him. His actions are his own." Bruce read the next line, ignoring it completely. "Unforunately, the board is more concerned with good PR than they are with actual solutions. They don't care about making things right. They only care about what looks good."

Oz snapped his fingers. "Security." A security guard grabbed Bruce by the arm.

"Step back, Mr. Wayne." The officer said and escorted him off the podium.

"That was quite a show you put on, Bruce." Regina angrily said to Bruce. Oswald walked up the microphone.

"My apologies, folks." Oswald apologized for Bruce's stunt.

Bruce walked down to where the small crowd of reporters were. Vicki was one of them. She approached Bruce. "Nice statement." She said. "The press seemed to eat it up. I rather enjoyed it myself. Not that it'll change anything."

"I did what I felt was right." Bruce replied.

"Yeah, well someone has to. I just didn't think it'd be you." Vicki crouched down to pick up something. "Dropped your pen."

Bruce immediately knew something was wrong. He spoke as quickly as he could. "That's not--"

But, before he could finish his sentence, Vicki stabbed the pen into Bruce's hand. Bruce felt a rush of adrenaline and stepped back in shock at what just happened. He looked at his hand. Blue veins. He had been drugged. By Vicki. "You feel that? That's the drug taking hold of you. Don't fight it." Vicki said, calmly.

"You. You're with the Children of Arkham!" Bruce gasped.

"No. I am the Children of Arkham. I think it's time you knew my real name. I am Lady Arkham." Vicki put a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "And you already know the Penguin. Look at him up there, taking everything that should belong to you. Mocking you, the smug, insignificant bastard. He thinks he can get away with it. Because none of them know who he really is. They wouldn't believe you if you told them."

Bruce tried to speak but he couldn't manage anything. It was as if his lips were sealed shut. He tried and tried but to no avail. Vicki had taken complete control of him. Bruce felt his mind wander off. It was filled with thoughts he didn't even think he could produce. All the drama was getting to him. Bruce finally couldn't take it anymore. The last thing Bruce could remember is his fists ramming into Oswald's face. Then, he blacked out.