{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1035{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Calibri;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.21.2510;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1\lang11\f0\fs22 ..The dark alleyways groom these dirty streets. Filled by trash, homeless, crooks and criminals. It is nothing but a small winding shortcut, with housing left deserted after great fires destroyed Gotham Steel. In just three short days men saw their lives downspiral. Even the docks wen't silent, and have stayed that way. Dark figurine in the streamlined half-tank had hoped that officials would do their job, serve people. In the end who many ,now jobless and poor , found on their doors were representative's from a friendly neighborhood Criminal Family.\par The Dark Knight felt regret for not having used his even then considerable influence in giving formerly lawlfull people as much help as possible, but smoke at the very end of his line of sight broke this train of thought. The car shifted, more noisy than usual. Watchman of Night made a mental note of doing a routine check, something many villains would have found amusing... Greatest feat of car engineering creaking. Not to say it made the vehicle any slower, it's driver out of sheer experience dodging anything in way of a military grade armored hulk speeding like a low-flying rocket. Destination was all too soon in his sight, one of the smelteries left behind.\par Factory was old... From the good ole fifties. A slighty corroded honorary sign for main funder, Thomas Wayne, still somewhat securely hanging from a sturdy red-brick pillar. That pillar, with it's twin and the wall that surrounded most of the premise, remained faithfull for relics of days past hiding in crumbling halls. Clad in midnight black, he slowly stepped the elegant stonebrick walkway to the front doors. His cape enveloping a basic investigation set of armor and gear from shoulders down, first step of the stairs made him cringe. Something was off with this industrial behemoth now in ruins.\par Batman had spend most of his time clearing out old "Gas-Houses" left by the now deceased Joker, and his formerly not in jail fan-girl, Harley Quinn. And as to remind him of this, the first ray of his flashlight hits a Joker-Brand sign. "All Tresspasser Will Be Giggled To Death", and under obnoxious green mixed with purple text was the Devil himself pictured, pale as a ghost. "Vengeance" crept ahead, searching the spacious empty machine hall for devices of all shape and size. Only to be hit by one.\par Green smoke soon filled his face, or what the mask didn't cover. "Night" slumping against a brickwall and drooping slowly towards floor, sitting, laughing to what for most would be their untimely demise. Reaching towards one of the many containers he picked up an emergency signal. Alfred would send help... As soon as he... Pushed the button. Now tearing, Gotham's greatest hero let his hand drop to his lap, the device waiting for a simple input. Tilting slighty right, masked eyes behind saw a Bat-branded flashlight shining against cold and dark emptiness of these halls long forgotten. It reminded him of a joke. It reminded him of how he, the most gruff hero had... Laughed. Genuinely. For Once.\par Some people talked about hearing faint laughter in a smeltery near the old harbors the following day. It wen't for hours without end.\par }