BRUCE Wayne was The Batman for forty years and was always The Riddler's favorite enigma. And perhaps Bruce Wayne didn't mind that. Perhaps Bruce enjoyed the stimulation of fighting a more clever criminal who was incapable of causing too much damage. Fighting the riddle-themed villain was good for his ego. Every vigilante needs a good villain. And vise-versa. Especially due to the way the criminal was growing more annoying than dangerous over the years.
Either way, The Riddler's glory days were undoubtedly over. And that was what made killing The Riddler the easiest to abstain from. Yet killing The Riddler was the easiest thing to do on this night.
"Sir, it's him again," Alfred spoke somewhat urgently as he turned to Bruce. It was eight pm. Tim, Bruce's sidekick, was desperate to go.
"What is he doing today?" Tim interjected himself.
"You're not going." Bruce interrupted him. "You're sick and you need to stay home. Get some rest."
"As if you know anything about rest."
"It seems he's receiving shipments of dynamite and cyanide. Can't be good. I recommend you stop by his new hideout before he can do anything with these new materials." Alfred spoke up.
"I would be good for that. You know I'm--" Tim began to cough in the middle of his sentence. "Good at plans like that." Bruce shook his head.
"We've already decided on a plan. That's final." Bruce turned and began to walk towards the Batmobile. Tim continued to follow him.
"Something bad could happen tonight."
"It won't."
"And if it does?"
"I'm Batman. I think I can handle it." Bruce opened the door of the high tech car. The Batmobile was a sleek and completely black car. But the car wasn't like anything you'd ever seen before. The automobile had electrified skin deterrent and shield generator housing. It had a main weapons bay and a laser tracking assembly. But it was nothing new or exciting to Bruce. After sitting down in the Kevlar driver's seat, he looked to Alfred.
"Setting the coordinates now. Fair warning, the new hideout is near the junkyard. It might smell." Bruce sighed.
"He gets more and more pathetic every time."
"Tell me about it." Alfred smiled. He always enjoyed these small moments of back and forth between him and Bruce. Ever since Bruce's parents had died, moments like these made him feel even closer to Bruce. He would've said more if he knew this would be the last time he'd speak to Bruce like this. After this day; it would never be the same again. Unfortunately, Alfred was not aware.
Once the coordinates were locked in, Bruce was ready. He firmly placed his hands on the steering wheel. He looked to Alfred for the last time.
"Thanks, Alfred." Before he could close the door of the Batmobile, Tim put a hand on his shoulder.
"Be safe." Bruce nodded.
"Get some rest." Tim removed his hand and Bruce closed the door.
"No problem sir." the door of the sleek black vehicle closed. Bruce revved the engine. He could feel adrenaline start to kick in. The car raced forwards and towards the exit of the secret cave. The man smiled. This was his favorite part. Now finally free from his cave, he was in what he could consider being his true home: the streets of Gotham City.
Bruce was protected from the temperature inside his car. The air outside felt hot and heavy. It was the dead of summer. That was one of the most disgustingly humid Augusts the damned location had seen in years. The sun was setting while dusk was growing. It was a Sunday evening. Which could slightly explain the lack of people on the sidewalks. Tall and strong buildings surrounded him. Dark and agonizingly infamous alleyways stuck out to him. As he observed, Bruce gripped the leather of the steering wheel harder. He stepped on the gas. He could still taste the fresh whiskey he had on his tongue just ten minutes before. It wasn't long before he reached The Riddler's new hideout.
