You Never Cease To Amaze Me, Bats

At first, it was a regular night for Bruce as he went out through the night as the dark vigilante, Batman.

As time ticked by, the night grew - stranger - beneath the bat signal's light, was a note.

From the Joker.

Months pass before Batman is seen out on the streets again. But he's different, strange.

But most importantly, what is up with his eyes?

-----

In this world, Batman doesn't have a Robin. He never has. He sticks to himself; even the Justice League don't see him.

No one sees Batman without a mask except Alfred.

Batman is darker, already slightly twisted in the head - he's spent his whole life, fighting people like the Joker, people who don't deserve his pity. So he doesn't give then them any.

He holds grudges even beyond the memory of others. He hates asking for help.

-----

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."