Dynasty: A Batman Tale Part 16

NOW

Alfred had not had the pleasure of watching Bruce and Dick work together for quite some time, his only wish that it were under different circumstances. As the two of them devised their plan to rescue Tim and save the city, Alfred felt a lump in his throat. They used to be so close. They’re more like each other than they realize. The pain accumulated throughout the years for most would be unbearable, between the war on crime Bruce waged as Batman, and the lives they had all led together at Wayne Manor, Alfred, however, was made from different stock. As caretaker of Wayne Manor, Alfred Pennyworth remained an unyielding constant, a center firmly planted for Bruce, Dick and Tim and at one time even Jason.

Alfred was pacing, he hadn’t experienced a night such as this for years. He always believed in the mission. From day one when Bruce informed Alfred of his plan to bring justice to Gotham City, Alfred had supported Bruce by fulfilling every need to achieve that goal. The first time Bruce dawned the cape and cowl, Alfred knew their life would never be the same. Now after countless nights tending to a broken and battered Bruce, the anxiety of how tonight would end was extremely unsettling.

Alfred enjoyed seeing both Bruce and Dick be civil with one another, a pleasant reprieve from their past encounters. How many years has it been since they’d last seen one another? Alfred thought. Losing Jason had been traumatic on all of them, but had put an exceptional strain on Bruce and Dick’s relationship.

Without even realizing it, the butler had found his way into the armor vault, where all the different uniforms he had created were stored. The contrast spoke volumes with the dark cold blackness of Batman against the warm vibrant maroons and yellows of Robin. Alfred’s moment of reflection ended abruptly when the main computer console at the center of the cave began to beep. Alfred was in the midst of finalizing the arrangements Bruce had ordered, and was waiting on a number of files to finish downloading, the beeping signaled the download was complete. Bruce instructed is friend, butler, caretaker to download and open these files off of his secret server; Alfred had no idea what he was to learn. He sat down at the console and began opening files. The first file sent a chill down his spine and a tear down his cheek. Oh NO!

THEN

“Oh no! I’ve gone and ripped it.” Alfred said frustratingly.

“Did I do that?” a teenaged Dick Grayson mischievously asked.

“Quite right young Master Dick, all your fidgeting I expect to be the culprit. If you would be so kind to stand still for just one moment longer, I’ll be able to make these final adjustments on your uniform.” Alfred was proficient in too many trades to count and tailoring happened to be one of them. He was responsible for most of Bruce’s business attire and other certain suits. Alfred had utilized his military expertise in designing Bruce’s Bat-suit and had done the same when he began designing one for Dick.

“I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of incorporating some elements from your Flying Grayson costume.” Alfred said as he made one final mark on Dick’s inseam, “At least some of the color anyway.”

“I’m sure it’s going be amazing, but one favor please.”

“Anything! Master Dick.”

“I don’t want my cape to be as long as his…” Dick said hopping down off the table he was standing on. “…In fact, if I had any say, I vote no cape at all, but I know how he is with function and utility.”

“Quite right.” Alfred laughed, “Quite right.”

The morning after Robin’s first night patrolling Gotham along side Batman, Alfred was serving them breakfast. Ever since the loss of Bruce’s parents, Alfred had refrained from using Wayne Manor’s main kitchen, which could feed hundreds of people. Instead, Alfred made sure that they took their meals in his much more intimate kitchen inside the butler’s quarters.

Alfred had slipped a copy of the Gotham Gazette under Dick’s plate of eggs and bacon. There it was, Dick’s first night memorialized on the front page with a picture of him and Batman fending off members of the Black Hand gang after foiling their attempt at robbing the diamond exchange. The headline read ‘Diamond Heist Thwarted by Batman and Boy Wonder!’

“Boy Wonder?” Dick said sarcastically, “I guess it’s better than batboy!”

“Oh I don’t know, Batboy has a decent ring to it, don’t you think Master Bruce?”

“I think he needs more training.” Bruce said sternly.

Alfred knew exactly what Bruce was doing, he had observed the same tactics used on Bruce by his masters throughout his years of training. Positive reinforcement in small doses, perfection is unobtainable so one can always strive to do better. Alfred recognized the same burning desire that fed Bruce’s will also instilled in Dick. So when Dick quickly responded “Fine! I’m going for a run, I’ll meet you in the gym in twenty minutes.” Alfred couldn’t help but feel proud of the boy.

As Dick grew into manhood, it was evident to Alfred, that though Dick shared many commonalities with Bruce, he also held on to his own beliefs and philosophies. Something Dick made quite clear during the Falcone trial.

Thanks to the evidence provided by Batman by way of Dick’s stakeout, Gotham City district attorney Harvey Dent was able to charge Carmine Falcone with a number of felonies from racketeering and extortion to murder. Tragically in the midst of the trial’s second week, one of Falcone’s men had made an attempt on the young D.A’s life. Though unsuccessful, the assassin chose to throw sulfuric acid onto Dent as he entered the courthouse. A couple of guards on Falcone’s payroll made it possible for the killer to get close enough undetected, but when his attempt failed, the guards had no choice but to shoot him down. Dent escaped with his life, the acid severely burned and disfigured half his face causing Harvey to become delusional and psychotic. The trial was placed in recess indefinitely allowing time for the scarred and disfigured district attorney to decide whether or not to continue Falcone’s prosecution himself. Against Doctor’s orders, Harvey Dent returned to the courthouse ten months later resuming the trial of Carmine Falcone. However, unbeknownst to anyone, Dent had developed a split personality that was the polar opposite of his own.

Alfred played the event back in his mind repeatedly amazed by how young Master Grayson reacted. When the Judge called the court to order, Carmine Falcone was brought into the courtroom to take the stand. Harvey Dent suddenly and deliberately grabbed the bailiff’s sidearm and aimed at Falcone.

Alfred watched in amazement as Dick, without hesitation, sprung to his feet shouting. “No!” Distracting Dent just long enough for the other bailiffs to tackle him to the ground. Harvey’s two faces looked right at Dick shouting at the top of his lungs, “NO, NO! What do you mean NO? HE KILLED YOUR FAMILY, DON’T YOU WANT HIM DEAD? LOOK AT MY FACE, LOOK WHAT HE DID TO US!” The bailiffs handcuffed the lawyer and brought him to his feet, his eyes full of rage. As the guards began to drag Harvey away, his focus fixed on young Grayson, he yelled, “He deserves to die!”

“No! You’re wrong.” Dick said sitting back down, “No one deserves to die.” The boy’s eyes glossed over with tears. “Even him.” Alfred reached over and put his arm around the young ward.

Later back at Wayne Manor, Alfred and the evening news had filled Bruce in on what transpired at the courthouse. Dick had not come out of his room since they got home. Alfred and Bruce were in the library playing chess when Dick finally entered.

“I’m really sorry.” Dick said. Alfred looked up in utter confusion and stood up, “Young man, what do you have to be sorry for? You have done nothing wrong.” Alfred glanced at Bruce searching for agreement, but Bruce instead said, “I know why you think you should be sorry.” What? The boy has nothing to be sorry about. Alfred was shocked. “Master Bruce, I beg your pardon.”

“Relax Alfred, I said I know why he thinks he should be sorry, not that he should be sorry.” Bruce interjected as he got up from the chess game and walked over to Dick. He put his hands on Dick’s shoulders and said,

“You think that by standing up to Harvey, you may have inadvertently allowed someone to figure out that you’re the Boy Wonder.” Dick’s face lightened up. Could that be it? Alfred thought.

“How’d you know that?” Dick asked.

“Perhaps that’s how I would’ve felt, but listen to me when I say, I am proud of you for what you did today.” Bruce pulled Dick close and embraced him with Alfred looking on, I’m so proud of both of them!

“You truly are a Boy Wonder, Master Dick.”

“OK, and on that subject, I have a better idea,” replied Dick as he pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolded it and handed to Alfred.

Alfred looked at the rough sketch. He took notice of the encircled R. “OK, What’s the R stand for?” he asked.

“Robin” Dick replied.

“Hmmm! Batman and Robin!” Alfred said smiling. “It has kind of a nice ring to it.” Bruce chuckled.

“Is there a meaning behind it? Master Dick.”

“When The Flying Grayson’s would train, my parents would always say, ‘Be the Robin’ reminding us to control our bodies when we flew through the air.”

“I’ll make the appropriate alterations immediately.”

“Thanks Al.”

It only took a few days for the media to recognize the boy wonder had a name. The headlines mentioned Batman and Robin almost daily. Dick may have been the first to wear the maroon armored R and fight crime under the moniker Robin, but he was not the last.

When Dick was nineteen he approached Alfred about creating a new identity. Alfred was pruning roses in the garden, he was very proud of his roses and made time for them everyday. Dick was getting ready to attend college and had decided that Robin needed to stay in Gotham and since he wasn’t planning on halting his vigilante duties, a new hero had to be born. “And one more thing,” Dick added. “No cape!”

Soon after, Dick had gone off to Blüdhaven to become Nightwing. In his absence, Wayne Manor felt colder to Alfred, he had truly enjoyed the years spent raising Dick. Along with Bruce’s mentoring, both as himself and as Batman, Alfred was extremely pleased with the man that Dick had turned out to be.

Batman patrolled the crime alleys of Gotham alone for the next few months, one night he came home with the most precarious tale. “How was your evening Master Bruce?” Asked Alfred.

“Someone’s out there dressed as Robin.” Bruce stated.

Alfred was helping Bruce out of his armor in the cave as Bruce punched up a surveillance video from an alleged Joker bombing a month prior. “When Joker’s crew couldn’t gain access through the front entrance of Gotham’s First Federal Bank, they opted to go through the business next door.” Alfred took the cape and cowl from Bruce as he continued, “That business was The Todd Travel Agency, both Joseph and Katrina Todd married 17 years opened up the agency ten years ago, within seconds Joker had turned their business into a back entrance to the bank killing both in the process.”

“How does this pertain to Robin, Sir?” Alfred asked.

“The Todd’s had a fourteen year old son named Jason, I’ve got no doubt it’s him I saw and if he’s going after Joker...”

“He’ll get himself killed.” Alfred finished.

NOW

Alfred found himself staring at the armory in the cave. Against the far wall were Bruce’s numerous capes and cowls and to their right were the different evolutions of the Robin suit. Dick’s original maroon and black with yellow encircled ‘R’ next to the current incarnation worn by Tim. Alfred’s throat formed a lump as a sudden realization overwhelmed him. My heart could not bare to loose another one. We must get him back. Adjacent to the two Robin displays was a third, however, this particular one was covered with a black tarp. Oh Jason! Alfred thought as he pulled the tarp revealing Jason’s homemade Robin suit that Alfred had later modified.

THEN

Jason Todd had come into their lives not too long after Dick had ventured out on his own. Two days after Batman first discovered Jason roaming the rooftops of Gotham impersonating Robin, he was able to track him down, confront him and bring the boy back to the cave. He was living by himself, squatting in his late parent’s home until the bank foreclosed. Jason was attending East Gotham High School and swiftly stole a set of keys from the janitor. He had been sneaking into the school infirmary every night, where he could tend to his wounds, bandage himself up, and have a cot to sleep on. He was so focused on killing Joker that Jason never even considered the possibility of running into The Batman.

Once again Alfred and Bruce welcomed yet another orphaned boy bent on revenge into their lives. At fifteen years old, Jason was one of the star athletes on both his high school’s football and wrestling teams, but the murder of his parents tragically matured Jason, and sports no longer seemed important to him.

Alfred had been able to see the boyish nature in Dick Grayson years prior, but Jason was different, he had shed away his youth in seek of revenge. In an attempt to prevent Jason from hunting down the Joker himself, Bruce reluctantly agreed to train him.

“These people are monsters, this isn’t a game!” Bruce demanded. “You need to know who you’re going up against at all times.” Bruce paused obviously frustrated, “What do you know about the Joker? Anything? I’m sure you’ve read the papers, seen the news.”

“I know he killed my parents.” Jason retorted.

“And killing Joker won’t bring them back.” Bruce responded. “He’ll pay for his crimes, but we seek justice, not revenge.”

“Rubbish!” Jason interrupted, “Tell me then why hasn’t he?”

Alfred could see a shroud of confusion come over Bruce, “What I think young Jason means is…” but he was unable to finish, Jason apparently felt he didn’t need Alfred translating for him.

“It means Joker’s been running around Gotham killing people for years and you nor anyone else has done anything about it.” Jason’s eyes began to swell with tears, “It means that if you or the police had done what you’re supposed to do, then my parents would still be alive, but NO, YOU DIDN’T CATCH HIM, YOU NEVER CATCH HIM, and because of that, HE KILLED MY PARENTS.” Jason yelled himself into tears, all of his grief that had been locked away in order to stay focused, had erupted and broke through to the surface. Jason dropped to his knees, overwhelmed by his emotions. Alfred waited to see how Bruce would respond, but the dark knight walked away. Alfred trying to keep his eyes dry went over to the teenager and put his arms around the young lad’s shoulders. “Come now Master Jason, let’s get you something to eat and into something more comfy. I’ll show you to your room. If there’s anything you need, anything at all, you need just ask.”

As the months went by, Alfred was pleased to see that their new ward was settling in. Bruce had decided to keep Jason on a tight regiment. Alfred agreed that leaving the boy alone in his state of mind was a bad idea.

Bruce and Jason were squaring off on the mat in the gym when Alfred brought them a tray of ice-cold lemonade. “Thirst quenchers sirs.” Alfred said.

Jason glanced over and when he did, Bruce seized the moment taking his ward to the ground. “What the hell, man?” Jason yelled.

“You let yourself get distracted too easily.” Bruce replied reaching out his hand to help the teenager up.

“Alfred…,” was all he could say before Bruce cut him off.

“Wrong!” Bruce said raising his voice. “You need to understand that when we’re out there…” Bruce was pointing at the wall of monitors in the cave displaying live feeds from around Gotham City, “…on those rooftops, in the back alleys, in the shadows, if you drop your guard for even one-second.” Bruce looked Jason in the eyes, Alfred recognized the look, and hoped the boy grasped what was being conveyed to him. Bruce continued, “And you want go up against the craziest of them all. He plays games! He’s been playing the same game with me for years, the fact is, this clown is completely one hundred percent unpredictable, and that…,” Bruce inhaled a deep breath, slowly exhaled, leaned in to the youngster, “…scares the shit out of me. He’ll resurface soon, him and his whole crew and when they do I promise we will get justice for your parents, but until then you have to train, WE have to train. We’ll go out there together and take this city back.”

Alfred was shocked by Bruce’s display of emotion. Jason, quietly nodded, stood up to leave and said, “Okay, we’ll do it your way!”

After Jason excused himself, Bruce grabbed a glass of lemonade, “Well,...go ahead.”

“Master Bruce,” Alfred picked up the other glass. “Bruce, I have doubts.”

“So do I, but eventually we’re going to have to at least try to trust him. We’ve barely let him out of our sight over the last year.” Bruce finished his drink and wiped his brow. “Dick thinks this is a mistake.”

“And Miss Gordon’s opinion?” Asked Alfred.

“Yeah, she has one too.”

“Ah, I take it she shares his sentiment.” Alfred guessed.

“They’re sharing something…” Bruce mumbled.

“Master Bruce!”

“Distractions Alfred, that’s all they are. Distractions!”

“Perhaps distractions are what’s called for.”

Bruce looked at Alfred, “You always know what’s best don’t you? Don’t answer that. Go tell the kid to suit up, we’re going out tonight.”

As Batman and Robin danced in the shadows of Gotham, Alfred monitored both their eyes and ears from the cave beneath Wayne Manor. The duo wore highly advanced comm-links that transmitted live real-time audio and video feeds to Alfred. He was able to record their missions and get both men’s points of view in every situation. For almost a year Batman, Robin and Alfred worked together to help eradicate some of Gotham’s lower level street gangs, focusing mainly on ones catering to drug sales for organized crime. The protectors of Gotham patrolled the darkest shadows in the City, all the while waiting for the Joker to resurface, until the day he did.

NOW

Alfred re-covered the display hiding away Jason’s suit. Master Bruce doesn’t need any more reminders of something he’ll never forget. Alfred did not want to admit, even to himself, but some part of him felt what Jason had said so many years before was true. Alfred always admired and respected Bruce’s decision and dedication to not kill, but he also knew that Joker didn’t hold the same mindset. Alfred could see that Joker was exploiting Bruce’s code as weakness, allowing the clown to elude capture. He was never able to get ahead of Joker, never knowing where he’d surface.

Suddenly Alfred heard the main console come to life. Alfred made his way out of the armory. Bruce was playing a recording on the monitors. He’s watching it again, “I should have destroyed that.” Alfred said as he approached from behind. Bruce remained silent. Alfred tried again, “Sir, about your orders...are you sure?”

“It’s the only way.” Bruce replied.

Alfred focused again on the monitor. Why does he do this? He’s Reliving this all over again, and he’s not alone.

“I made a back up in case you had.” Bruce said referring to the video from the last moments of young Jason Todd’s life.

Alfred didn’t need the video to remember that tragic day. It was two years after Jason had come to live at Wayne Manor and had begun his training to be the new Robin when Joker and his crew finally reemerged. The crazed clown had established his criminal enterprise along the waterfront from Gotham River to southernmost end of the narrows. Bruce had assured Jason that as soon as they possessed concrete Intel that could pinpoint Joker’s hideaway, they would spring into action.

Jason had taken his training very seriously. Lately though he had been becoming increasingly inpatient, enough for Alfred to see right through Jason’s mask. Not the one he was wearing while fighting by Batman’s side, Alfred saw through the mask Jason wore when he wasn’t Robin, the mask that hid his true desire to kill Joker. My God, he’s going to get himself killed, was all Alfred could remember thinking.

Bruce had been finishing up at Wayne Enterprises downtown, when the news broke that Joker had been witnessed leaving the scene of an explosion at the well established art gallery Galerie d’art. Alfred was standing in the exact same spot in the cave watching the broadcast with Jason, as he was right now watching Bruce. He had tried to stop Jason, who had immediately dashed into the armory to suit up, but it was to no avail. The heartbreak was as painful then as it still is now.

“Master Jason?” Alfred had asked.

“Don’t try to stop me Alfred!”

“Sir Master Bruce will be home shortly and the two of you will…” Alfred began, but was cut off.

“I’m done waiting, I need to do this.” Jason stated. “I’ll have you in my ear, all I’m going to do is put eyes on Joker, tell Bruce I’ll wait for him to act. Does that make you feel any better Alfred?”

“Not in the slightest, you need to wait. I implore you that this course of action is a mistake.” Alfred begged Jason not to leave. Without uttering another word Jason covered his eyes with his mask, jumped on his motorcycle and sped out of the cave.

Jason had a thirty-minute head start on Bruce by the time he was able to suit up and give chase. Alfred patched all their comm-links together, his left monitor transmitted Batman’s point of view driving as fast as he could, while Jason’s feed showed him now at his destination. Bruce and Alfred watched the monitors playing Jason’s feed, he was at the most northern end of the Gotham waterfront, where the remnants of an old abandoned carnival boardwalk laid.

“Stay where you are Robin. Do not engage anyone until I’m there.” Batman ordered.

Alfred knew Robin wasn’t listening. “He’s on foot making his way across the thoroughfare.”

“Damn it, Robin stop! Jason...please, stand down!” Batman demanded.

“I’m fine, this place seems deserted.” Robin said, “I think I see something up ahead on the left…,” Alfred could see through Robin’s body-cam what he was talking about. He watched as Robin approached a small figure coming into view. It appeared to be a homeless person sleeping in their makeshift home.

Batman was still in route, “Robin, hold your position!”

Ignoring his orders, Robin stealthily crept up closer. “I don’t think he’s breathing.”

“Robin stop!” yelled Batman

Robin tapped a motionless shoulder, realizing he was right. “He’s not breathing.” As Robin rolled the corpse over, the body revealed itself to be wearing clown make-up. Suddenly Robin’s feed cut out and both audio and video went black.

Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Alfred again tried to sway him from watching the rest. “Sir! Are you sure you need to see this again?” Alfred’s question went unanswered.

Batman’s voice cracked through the speakers in the cave. He was pleading for Robin to respond, but there was only silence. “Cave, what do you have?”

“The screen has gone black sir!” Alfred responded.

“I’m still at least ten minutes out.” Batman roared.

A moment later, the visual from Robin’s feed materialized, even now watching it again all this time later, Alfred couldn’t help but quiver at the sight that appeared. Apparently Robin had a black hood thrown over his face, but now it was being removed. Standing up looking down at Robin was the scarred made-up face of evil. The Joker!

“Well, well, well what do we have here? Did the big bad bat lose his little birdy? Ha ha ha.” laughed the Joker.

All Batman and Alfred could do was watch and listen, Batman shouted into Robin’s comm-link, “I’m almost there!”

It was evident in the video that Robin had his hands tied behind his back and from the muffled grunts, he sounded gagged. Alfred felt a lump in his throat and chills ran down his spine, as the Joker’s image filled the screen. “What’s that little birdy, you trying to tell me something?” laughed Joker!

Alfred’s eyes began to well up, Joker’s image was filling up the screen. Bruce stiffened in his chair, even all these years later it was if Joker was speaking directly to him.

“Why, this is awkward, I’m guessing we’re not alone, are we birdy boy?” The Joker’s face was up close to Robin’s. “Is Bats on the line, Ha ha ha. Hello?” Joker flicked Robin on the forehead. “Is this thing on? Ha ha ha. Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but seeing how the boy’s little intrusion has now compromised this location. I have no choice…,” Joker removed Robin’s gag, “…but to level the block!” Joker stepped out of Robin’s field of vision revealing a timer counting down.

“Robin, Hang on! I’m almost there.”

A woman’s highly pitched voice came from off screen “Jay,” she was singing, “time to be going.”

“Quite right Harley, I was just finishing up a very important conversation.” Joker knelt down in front of Robin. “This city is mine Bats, tonight it seems you’re going to be late to the dance. As for birdy boy here…”

“You killed my parents you son of a bitch!” Robin muttered.

“I’ve killed many parents boy! Leaving a trail of orphans behind. Look at it this way, you’re going to be with them again in…,” Joker glanced at the clock counting down, “…less than five minutes.”

“Come on boss time to go,” another man’s voice echoed from outside. Joker mimicked a salute towards the boy wonder as he made his exit. “Bye kid, see ya soon bats.”

Alfred’s voice cracked on the video playback, “Sir.” Alfred was having a surreal moment, he was feeling the same emotions now watching the playback as he did when it all happened years ago. Batman’s voice snapped back amplified through the cave’s network of speakers, “Robin listen to me…”

“No wait, it’s okay, I can get to the bomb.” Robin said determined. “I see something I can untie myself with, it’s across the room, but I think…,” Robin struggled to get up. He was only able to move a few feet before he realized that his bound hands were tied to another rope preventing him from reaching the device.

The poor child never had a chance. Alfred thought.

“Robin…, Jason,” Batman’s frustrated voice started.

“There’s no more time, you won’t make It.” Robin cried.

Batman pulled up and ejected himself out of his Bat-mobile faster than ever before. He sprinted towards Robin’s location. “Alfred, which building is he in?”

“I don’t know sir!” Alfred replied

“Bruce, Alfred, listen I’m sorry.”

Jason watched the clock tick down to zero and then his feed went dark.

A huge explosion filled the other screen. The monitors froze, Bruce had pressed pause on the playback. He stood up and began heading towards the elevator that led up to the Manor. “Follow my orders to the letter, it’s the only way. We’re going to get Tim back and finally end this madness.” Bruce turned back and approached Alfred reaching out his hand. Alfred took it with both of his.

“I don’t have the words,” Bruce began “It’s been…”

“A pleasure and an honor sir!” Alfred finished, his eyes swelling with tears. He struggled to keep his voice from cracking as he said, “A father could not be more proud.”

Alfred prepared to take his place at the console to implement Bruce’s orders, and as he watched his charge walk away, a feeling of overwhelming hopelessness overcame him. Goodbye my son!