The Silhouette and The Forge 
Chapter 29

Bruce felt the soreness in his arms and back along with the rest of his body but it was nothing new to him by this point. Physical pain was an old friend. One that he had long ago learned to ignore and push on as he always had.

Especially when there were people that were counting on him. Just another sacrifice of many he had piled up on the altar to save Gotham and try to let everyone have a happy ending instead of their lives just turning into one long tragedy.

He at times would question himself if this was worth it. Would his sacrifices amount to anything in the grand scheme of it all in this city's long history of crushing such hopes and dreams? 

Would the city itself ever change? Or did it or did anyone even appreciate the amount of dedication he had put in trying to save it? Enough so to maybe, just maybe turn their lives around to in their own way save the city.

Not through fighting crime like he does, but doing what they can on their part to help however they could regardless of how small and seemingly insignificant it may seem. 

Drawn from his thoughts he had managed to self-diagnose himself even if he should use more advanced machines than some old archaic methods that most modern doctors would scoff at despite how effective they are despite machines managing to beat them out in some areas.

His plan to get the Court's attention had worked. A bit too well for his liking since they had decided to crash the car he was driving taking a scenic route on the outskirts of Gotham and dragged him before the Court after they had knocked him out using some chemical.

After waking up it was twenty-three minutes later they took off the metal visor preventing him from seeing a thing but he had memorized how many turns they had taken, left or right, when they went up or down. 

All in case this went wrong and he needed to get out. And this could go wrong since he had not expected the Court to have this many members. The number of people he was seeing wearing suits and dresses of high-quality design was staggering.

He had assumed there would be a lot of members but this far exceeded his expectations. What must have been over several hundred members possibly going over a thousand horrified Bruce. Not for what he was up against. 

No. That was something he had long learned to grow accustomed to facing insurmountable odds against enemies or things that should have been beyond what a human could face. It was something he had used to his advantage several times in his career fighting crime and corruption when those who had believed him were a nonthreat.

But this had him worried. This many among the elite of Gotham had been a part of this organization responsible for who knows how many deaths… 

“Welcome Bruce Wayne to The Court of Owls!” The speaker said wearing a suit with a deep man's voice bringing their arms out in a grandiose gesture. “Our Court had felt enough time had passed for you to be given an invitation to join our flock.”

Bruce adjusted his facial expressions to make it appear as if he was trying to appear firm but had an undertone of fear in his posture. 

A firm locked jaw, but hands slightly shaking on occasion when they are out of most of the Court's sight. Even clenching his hands trying to keep them out of sight. His stance is stiff.

All to give the impression he was weary of them and afraid but hiding it as best he could. 

“I must admit, I am rather surprised to learn your… group is real. What did I do to manage to get your goodwill to join?” He said glimpsing around the massive room, not unlike that of an amphitheater. 

How much money and resources would it have taken to construct all of this? His mind goes through calculations before coming to a simple conclusion-- a lot. Up to a minimum of ten million dollars. 

The figures' arms drop to their sides as he sees the masked assassins that look just like the ones from that night save for a few minor differences. “You have shown your compassion for our city and despite your… playboy lifestyle you never faltered in aiding it and its people. Your recent reveal has finally shown you have grown enough to understand what our city needs. To be rebuilt into something far greater.” 

“Apologies but this is a lot to take in.” He said assessing everything as best as he could. From the people gathered here in their masks, some old, others young, some even had their children here. 

He had to keep his anger under control that they have children as a part of this organization. 

“Understandable given your current position. But fret not for you shall be treated as an equal amongst those who appreciate all you have done, and what you have given our city. After all, our most recent addition can attest to our respect for those who see our vision.” They say turning their head to his side as he glances over.

His eyes widen a fraction, having not heard the figure stepping closer on the stage he is on. A figure in a black ensemble, a leather trench coat, fedora, and gas mask. They appear an imposing yet mysterious sight as the lenses of the gas mask stare at him for several long seconds before turning their attention to who Bruce sees as the leader of the Court.

“Silhouette here, like yourself, has helped give us the means by which we shall save our city and bring it to a new dawn for us all!” They say raising their voice with gravitas as the crowd cheers and applauds.

Bruce fought himself to not glare at the one responsible for all of that death and destruction becoming one of the worst gang wars in Gotham's history. Instead, he settled for his body tensing up as they loomed near him, arms at their side as they looked ahead at the speaker.

“Yes, a new dawn indeed.” Silhouette says with a distorted voice that makes it difficult to determine their gender. 

Bruce already had a suspect in mind for who Silhouette could be but beyond it being convenient timing since the ascension of Solution Inc. to becoming one of the bigger companies in Gotham he didn’t have much of anything else to help figure out who Silhouette is.

“Well as happy as it makes me to see so many wanting to help our fair city,” He says putting on a strained smile as he steps forward, “What did I show that got your attention?” 

The applause and cheering had died down listening to Bruce as he tried to get as much information as he could currently about the Court's plans. He has to be obtuse about it which he doesn’t like but it’s not like he can just interrogate them and beat Silhouette within an inch of their life.

At least not yet. 

“Everything. Neo Gotham with some adjustments would be the ideal vision for our city. The water and air purifiers would work wonders for cleaning up the trash and corruption of this city.”

Bruce didn’t fail to notice the emphasis on trash and corruption. He had dealt with enough criminals to know when they were referring to something else when they used words like the ones the leader had. 

Bruce felt a tightness in his chest as he started thinking about what they would use the purifiers for as the different options make him more and more worried as the list goes on. 

“So this trash, is it literal or metaphorical?” He asks, wincing and putting on the appearance of a man trying to choose his words carefully.

“You will be told once you have joined our organization.” They say simply as he now knows he isn’t going to be able to get anything else of use out of them.

“Apologies but this is all too sudden. May I have some time to think your offer over?” He says playing up his hesitance, like a child rethinking asking something from their parents.

The room falls deathly silent as Bruce looks over the assassins employed by the Court, his eyes staying on the looming figure behind the leader on their podium for a little longer than the rest. 

Their armor and weapons slightly differ from the rest he has seen so far. Unlike last time he is far better prepared to fight them than he had been that night. What happened that night won’t be happening again.

The leader of the Court nods at him, “Very well. You have one week to decide whether to join us or fade away with the old Gotham, Bruce.” 

As they say this two of the assassins drop from above and sprays something in his face as he stumbles back grunting as he rubs at his eyes for a moment before he falls over darkness claiming him. 

Bruce didn’t know how long he was out as his mind didn’t even dream, only darkness surrounded him. Before long he stirred as his eyes felt like lead weights refusing to open before his mind caught up with him and he snapped awake glancing around as he found himself in a forest.

One on the outskirts of Gotham not far from where his car crashed when the Court's assassins had abducted him. Checking his person for anything like a tracker or audio receptor and finding nothing save for one thing that made his eyes widen.

Pulling the USB out he looked it over as it had a small note folded around it. 

Unfolding the note after having examined it for any chemicals or poisons. 

Mr. Wayne, apologies for having to sneak these things into your pockets, but with the Court all around we work with what we have. You know me as Silhouette, and I understand you being hesitant to even hear me out.

But right now with the current situation I need you to get this USB to your friend who works the night shift helping clean up the city. The one you provide top-of-the-line cleaning equipment for those tough-to-remove stains.

You know the one.

Bruce narrows his eyes as Silhouette has connected some details linking him and Batman together. Sighing as he knew that it may end up happening where someone -- one of his rogues gallery, a civilian, the list goes on -- would start connecting the dots that he had tried his best to keep hidden from others.

At least in this case they only believe him to be the one who supplies Batman with his equipment and tools. But it has him worried that the one person he had spent so much time trying to find anything about them knows enough to get closer than others about his secret yet he by accident encountered them only once.

He looks back down at the rest of the note.

I need you to get this USB drive to our mutual friend and ensure he knows all that he needs to help clean up a particularly nasty bird infestation in our city. On the USB drive is all that I have managed to derive on their nesting grounds, resources, and what they are going to do when they migrate.

It is of the utmost importance that he gets this. I wish you and him luck and hope we all get to see a shining and clean Gotham. 

Looking down at the USB drive as he thinks things over, realizing he needs to prepare for whatever the Court has in store for his city. Despite how foolish what he is about to do, he needs more information on the Court. It may also give him glimpses into Silhouette's mind and how they operate.

A few hours later and assuaging the search teams who were hard at work looking for him after his accident he was in the Batcave ensuring the computer was isolated from any network along with the rest of the Batcomputer.

“Master Bruce, are you sure you wish to see what’s on that hard drive? What if it is a trap of some kind?” Alfred asks concerned as he holds a tray of steaming spaghetti as he places dinner and the utensils on the table near me.

“Have to take the risk Alfred, if Silhouette is willing to tip their hand to me showing they know of my connection with Batman even if they had come to the wrong conclusions, then this must be serious. I need information on the Court.” 

Bruce has struggled to find anything on them. Anything that was just myth and folktales proved worthless to him. The organization had kept such tight control over information involving them that it had proven enough for him to become desperate enough to hear Silhouette out.

The computer comes to live with the file for the USB drive being opened.

The monitor on the Batcomputer comes alive as the masked face of Silhouette greets them. Despite Bruce knowing that it is only a recording, he grits his teeth as he forces himself to calm down. One day, he will bring Silhouette to justice.

“Greetings Batman, I am Silhouette. Hopefully your friend and provider of resources and equipment Bruce,” As the recording is speaking at the mention of his actual name Alfred gives Bruce a long look, one that he returns, “Got the message to you.”

“I would rather not tip the Court off about me working against them and as things stand with all that is at stake despite your dislike of me I hope you can put that aside to save our city.” 

Bruce’s thoughts were racing as he realized the implications of someone like Silhouette coming out of the shadows and going out of their way to contact him, it must be bad. 

“Right now as we speak the Court intends to save their city,” They add air quotes to save Gotham before continuing, “By eliminating the undesirable elements.”

Bruce’s and Alfred’s eyes widened at the implication. Bruce’s grip tightened as his knuckles popped and turned white but a hand on his shoulder had him relax if only slightly. Turning to see the firm look on Alfred’s face it looks like it was etched out of stone.

“They intend on wiping out the poor, criminals both small-time and bigger players in the city, along with the middle class. Incredibly stupid I know, it’s why I joined them to find out what their plans were when they reached out to me.”

They both listened intently as the recording droned on. How they were interested in Silhouette's product, how the Court was not entirely united, and how that could be used against them. Some of them may not be for this endeavor.

They might be smart enough to realize the idiocy in such a plan thinking it would save Gotham when it would only damn the city. Bruce went through several ideas on the information provided while trying to get a measure of who Silhouette is and their motivations.

Despite what they did to this city they oddly enough seem to care. Or it could simply be them not wanting to dirty their hands and involve him in it in an attempt to appear as if they were still on the Court's side. Maybe they lack the means and resources to handle the Court themself.

What had him concerned was what would happen after he handled the Court. Bruce was better prepared this time to fight against the Court as he glances over at a Batsuit standing further back with a breathing apparatus on the face with a few trays on a table with small black inhalers.

It took longer than he would have liked but the Batcomputer managed to narrow down the means to make the chemical, and even more time to figure out how they made them.

He wouldn’t normally use something like that, even if it was free of side effects, and have checked to make sure no side effects would happen from the method he had synthesized them. 

But with the Court if Silhouette is correct and how the Court would only tell him if he joined them he needed every edge he could get after he was so easily handled by their assassins. The so-called Talons of the Court as the local myths called them.

“Even now I still do not know the exact means by which they intend to dispose of the people of Gotham. But with the poisons they have had me make for them,” Bruce’s face had locked up as he rolled his jaw.

 Now more weary than ever knowing the drugs Silhouette had made were dangerous when in the wrong hands. Knowing he is now purposefully making poisons for the Court made him want to put his fist through the screen but he restrained himself.

“And Bruce unveiling the air and water purifier I already can see the avenue from which they will make their move to enact their plans.” 

Bruce immediately began realizing that Silhouette was not the only one who had provided the Court with the means to accomplish its goals. The purifiers with the right knowledge could be used to reverse it and disperse something into the air and water…

Sitting down he deflates as he pinches the bridge of his nose as Alfred himself looks between the screen and him, a calm kind look on his face. One of understanding but not judgement.

“Master Bruce, you are not at fault.”

How can he say that? Bruce thought to himself.

“I am Alfred. Say what we will about Silhouette, they are out for themselves. But I am supposed to protect and help Gotham, and I just gave the means for the Court to slaughter the citizens of Gotham. All for me to try and get information on them…” He said this sounding defeated knowing that he was supposed to help people, and he just handed the means to snuff their lives out to his and the city’s enemy.

“You had no way of knowing that Master Bruce and I for one firmly believe in one's intent. You always showed that no matter what, you held this city’s and its people's best interests at heart, doing your best to save them even from themselves. Even sparing lives that I would not have hesitated to end myself were I in your shoes.”

The last part was something that he and Alfred strongly disagreed on, but despite how it may sound Alfred wasn’t saying it to talk down on him. 

He was showing respect to Bruce for not breaking the moral code he burdened himself with, the same code that has kept him from staining himself and killing the soul of Gotham should he have ever given in to his darker urges.

The same code he had stuck to so fervently especially after Harvey had turned into Two Face, when he would have been Gotham's White Knight. The man who would be in the light who would and could remove the criminal element in its entirety and be the hero this city needed and deserved.

Instead, they got yet another villain and are stuck with him, having to use less than legal means to bring people to justice. But Bruce as always does what he must to help these people and ensure no one else suffers loss like he did all those years ago.

“When you first started this crusade, Master Bruce, you not only struck fear into the hearts of criminals but even the citizens of this city.” Alfred says to him with a proud look despite how foolish and naive he had been in the beginning.

“But as time went you learned that everyone fearing you was not the way. I distinctly remember a burning building you had dove into after apprehending FireFly to save a crying girl. The same girl who upon first seeing you would sooner stay in the burning building.” 

…

Despite the respirator he was using to get through the smoke-filled air, he still could smell it and the burn of it down his nostrils and throat. It pushes him on further as he hears the cries almost drowned out by the roar of the fire wishing to claim a prize from this horrible night.

He comes closer using his cloak to keep the worst of the heat and flames from his body as he nears the barred path he hears the rumbling and crashing as more sections of the apartment building go down as it spurs him on. 

“Help… please-- Anyone!” The child’s cries get weaker and weaker but she finds just enough strength to call for help and gets loud enough for him to pinpoint where she is at.

Bruce quickly figured out what parts of the debris to break through without causing the debris to come crashing down on them. 

Rushing through and with strength honed to an edge that most men would find impossible, with the snapping of wood sending splinters and embers flying he stood like a dark specter in what was at one point a living room.

Storming closer as the cries grew weaker he hurried seeing his path barred by a part of the ceiling he took one of the few fire suppressants he had left and tossed it at the entrance extinguishing the majority of the flames as he moved aside or broke through and entered a young girls room.

What was left of Wonder Woman posters on the walls were mostly burned away with only a handful intact enough to see the image of Diana on them or small plush animals that are half charred messes.

But his eyes were locked on the young girl with soot covering her face as she had tears coming out of her eyes glistening and reflecting the hellish room she was in now. She crawled away from him closer to the edge, fear in her eyes.

She shook as tremors ran down her arms and legs. She looked ready to flee from him as she glanced back at the hole in her wall to the outside. The hole was eight stories above the ground. 

Bruce let his aggression fade away not wanting to scare her. He leaned down letting go of his cape as it no longer covered his form he held his hands out taking off the breathing mask as his lower mouth was shown to her.

She curls in on herself scooting a little more to the hole in the wall. “It’s alright I am here to help you.” He gives her a small reassuring smile.

She shakes her head as she stiffens, turning rigid, staring at him in fear.

“No, you're going to hurt me. I heard the stories the other kids told about you…” She says weakly as she shakes her head moving further away from him as he gets closer but stops as she looks panicked.

“… you hurt people, like a monster.” She whispers out yet Bruce hears her. His chest has a tightness in it as it feels like something has taken a strong grip on it at the young girl's words.

“I promise I am not going to hurt you, I’m not a monster. Not to you.” The expression on the little girl told him that she didn’t believe him, “I can get you back to your parents.” He says trying to reason with her and get her to stop being afraid of him if only for a moment. 

It was early on in his career, that he wasn’t used to not being the thing that the criminals feared in Gotham.

The downside to that was the everyday law-abiding citizen or as close to one as they can get in Gotham also feared him coming for them. Even when he didn’t and tried to give them alternatives as Bruce Wayne, he learned the hard way that fear had helped him but it also can turn others that shouldn’t fear him against him.

Like this girl. He hadn’t dealt with children much beyond the few cases he had done when children were involved. He always made sure to prioritize helping them as soon as he could when cases involving human trafficking among other… unsavory things he would come down like the fist of god with a vengeance.

She merely stared up at him not once looking away as she looked like a lamb standing before a wolf. 

Before either one of them can do a thing the sound of wood cracking and breaking has her looking up as the ceiling breaks apart and the girl screams in horror as the flaming wreckage is coming down on her.

Bruce with no hesitation runs forward faster than he ever has before in his life. He refused to let her die because he was too weak or slow to do anything. The powerlessness he had long since abandoned back in that alley.

His blackened figure further illuminated by the surrounding flames like a dark effigy embraces the girl drawing her close to his chest and surrounding them with his cape as she hyperventilates and whimpers as he grunts and groans under the weight of the wreckage.

“Are you alright?” He gets out between ragged breaths as he feels his body protest and promise him so many unpleasant things. Things that he had long since learned to ignore and to push on.

She takes a while to get her breathing under control as her face goes through a series of complex emotions that no child should be going through so young. It was at first one of horror realizing who she is held by, but then it fades away to an emptiness.

“Yes. Thank you.” She looks up into his eyes for a long moment, “Are we going to die?” She asks it gingerly as Bruce swore to himself he would get her out of there. 

“No. Now hold on and don’t let go.” He orders as she does as told he keeps one hand wrapped around her as he rises against the wreckage feeling the strain of the burning debris even with his suit being made of fire-resistant materials, it has limits to how much it can stop as his body is covered in minor burns.

The girl as far as he can tell was mostly unscathed with him taking the brunt of it. She looks up at him in awe as he makes the wreckage rise every muscle from his back to his legs and arm is doing everything they can as the flames and debris groan in protest but move and slide off and fall away as he stands amongst the little remains of the girl's room.

The room looked like something that would exist in a darker more horrific place, like hell. The floor cracks and buckles signaling it was time for them to leave.

Holding the girl tighter as she looks up in awe at him as he runs towards the hole in the wall more debris starts raining down on them he evades and pushes through what he can as the floor collapses letting the flames from below lick up and greedily try to devour them like a gluttonous force of destruction.

Leaping out with the girl screaming as he holds onto her never once letting her loose from his grip yet remaining gentle enough to not harm her. His cape extends out behind him slowing their descent as he glides down to the people down below. 

Firefighters trying their best to extinguish the flames to no avail with cops holding back the growing crowd watching on in horror. Several paramedics treated those who were in the building when the fire broke out. 

They all watched on in awe falling silent only the flames and collapsing building filled the emptiness as he landed crouched with the little girl shown safe beside the soot clinging to her as she strumbled for a moment before catching herself and looking at the crowd then back at him holding her arms across her chest.

She turns to move away before freezing as Bruce rises to his full height. To his surprise, she quickly runs back hugging his legs as he freezes for a moment her face is buried in his leg before he slowly lowers down gently cupping her in his arm as he hugs her back. She slowly pulls away showing tears in her eyes as she takes his hand before he pulls it away.

Two small hands hold his fingers as she looks up at him, “I’m sorry for calling you a monster…” She whispers and a small smile forms on Bruce's face as he pats her on the shoulder before a woman's scream makes them both look over to the crowd.

A woman who has an officer and medic trying to hold her back as her face is one of sadness and relief, “Shery! That’s my daughter!” 

She whirls around focusing entirely on her mom who she hesitates looking one last time up at him before he smiles and nods to her she smiles up beaming at him running off to her mother who the medic and officer let go of her as they hug each other as the crowd looks at the reunited family and a few even looked at Bruce standing a dark contrast to the burning wreckage behind him.

…

“Master Bruce, you did not intend to give them the means by which they hope to cleanse this city. And I know for a fact,” He looks down at Bruce with both pride and a hint of determination in his eyes, “That you won’t let them. They haven’t acquired the purifiers yet, have they?” 

Alfred asks this with a raised brow that Bruce nods to knowing where he is going with this. 

“No, they haven’t. And we know where they need to go to get access to them.” Bruce said leadingly as he quickly gathered what information Silhouette could provide on several hidden bases the Court uses that he hadn’t known of hidden in out-of-the-way locations that even he would not have suspected. Some he had but had no means to do a more thorough search without outright breaking into the locations.

Getting access to the security cameras in and around Wayne Tech and his company’s headquarters as he suited up knowing he was going to have to do a stakeout. Equipping his newest pieces of equipment as he is now prepared for his rematch.

“Good luck Master Bruce, and be sure you remind the Court of who Gotham’s protector is.” Alfred says to him before he storms off to face his new enemy.

…

“Alright, you sure you want to be a part of this?” Daniel asks Jade for what she knows to be the ninth time this night.

Letting out a sigh of long-suffering as both of her hands smack into her face.

“For the last time, yes, I am sure. I have no doubts, no last-second thoughts, no hesitation, nothing but wanting to get this over with. Is that enough?” She says exasperated as she tries to glare at him through her helmet but despite knowing he can’t see her eyes she knows he is aware of the glare.

“Alright take it easy and chill out Jade just making sure you're not nervous or wanting to back out of this.” He said, raising both hands at her in his disguise.

Dressed up like a scientist except he for whatever reason made himself look like a younger version of Albert Einstein -- a famous scientist who when he learned I didn’t know about him deemed it a war crime and decided to help me be more cultured.

By being forced to learn while going through more intense training with Daniel since she just had to show off enough for him to decide that she needs tougher and strenuous training. Not that she could complain since his training had paid off quite well.

If she had to do a rough estimate the time she has spent learning and training under Daniel was equivalent to a few years learning under Crocker.

Not all of the time spent training with Artemis by any means, but enough for her to know choosing to stick with Daniel was the right choice. All she has to do is help him with the Court of Owls of all things and she can leave Gotham with Artemis and they can start over.

No longer this messed up thing that anyone with enough sense could see wasn’t a family. They could be a real family even if it was just the two of them. 

The sight before her was something she never thought she would appreciate. Standing atop Goth Corp's main office building she watches the surveillance systems they had patched into -- yet another thing Daniel had taken the time to show her even if she only understood the physical technical parts of it.

Anything to do with coding went over her head. She was always more of a physical learner, anything that isn’t real and is all made up jargon she never understood. Like algebra. 

Now geometry she was good with. Like how if she angled her throw with her throwing knife in hand just right she could land it while taking into account the wind and its speed to land her shot on the guy harassing the streetwalker down below.

Daniel had taken it upon himself to educate her further, which she oddly wasn’t against. It was different from all the lessons of the past both from Crocker and Daniel… she enjoyed it.

She would never admit it to Daniel but she found herself enjoying the lessons even though she still preferred the physical training over anything else.

Going back to her original thoughts of the sight before her of Gotham in its entirety could almost be seen from the building they were on top of as all the lights stood in stark contrast to the pervading darkness that never fully leaves the city clinging to it like a tightly bound blanket, more dangerous and foreboding than comforting.

Checking over the feed on the small rectangular devices Daniel called tablets as she saw him going through the motions in Wayne Tower acting as if he was a scientist there and they let him through with the barest of credentials. She had to fight from facing palming at how incompetent these guys were.

Or maybe she is being too harsh -- Daniel is rather good at disguising himself and standing on guard duty all day is not exactly something someone will find enjoyable with how bored they would get.

But then it is their job, a well-paying one at that. Speaking of jobs she focuses on the other cameras checking over before noticing something odd. The room full of inventions and research that Daniel was in for a fraction of a second went out and back on.

The only reason she even noticed was because of her intense training under Daniel and she was perceptive and quick enough to notice it. She had to be if she ever hoped to keep up with Daniel putting in some effort.

“Now Jade are you really really really su—”

“Shut up, I am coming to help you since they are making their move.” 

How she hated that grin he had on his face, like the cat got the canary.

Tip Batman off about the Court without alerting the Court +100
Convince and acquire Jades help with fighting the Court +100