"Bruce Wayne, how does it feel to be back from the dead?" Asked one of the many reporters that surged around him as he left the plane.

Bruce answered none of their questions... there was nothing to say. He had been said to be dead for the past three years who would believe him? For him, being back was just pain and he did not want to stay but yet he new he probably would. Bruce took his car back home to Wayne mansion, there Alfred was waiting for him with a fully cooked meal.

"Welcome home Master Wayne, I have made a meal for you." Said Alfred as he held out a food platter.

"Thank you Alfred, please leave it on the table in my bedroom. I will eat soon." Said Bruce as he looked around his house.

"Yes master Wayne." Said Alfred as he walked up stairs with Bruce following him.

"It seems you have not changed much since I left, Alfred." Stated Bruce as he gave a slight chuckle.

"No sir, kept it just like you had it when you left." Alfred said as he opened the door to Bruce's bedroom. "Here you are." Said Alfred as he sat down the meal for him on his table at the end of his bed.

"Thank you." Said Bruce as he walked over to the window and stared at Gotham City in the distance.

"Is there anything else you need Master Wayne?" Asked Alfred as he stood by the door.

"Yes, can you tell the driver to start up the car? I think I want to go see my fathers city." Pronounced Bruce. Alfred nodded even though Bruce could tell he did not approve.

Bruce hopped back into the car and took a ride down to Gotham City. It was nothing like he remembered it, a lot of the buildings were dark with graphite and burnt pictures of old mayors. This city was not at all what Bruce saw before he left. It was worse. So much worse. You could hear screams of people in pain and beggars asking for much more than just money.

"What happened here?" Bruce asked his driver as they entered the main part of Gotham City.

"The new mayor has become greatly in debt owing mob bosses, drug dealers, and even the past mayor money. He pays them off slowly but in doing so he has stopped helping the people on the far sides of Gotham." Mentioned the driver as they pulled up to Wayne Enterprises. "Here we are."

"Thank you." Said Bruce as he opened the door to the car and walked on out.

Bruce wore a nice black and white suit, polished shoes, and his black hair was neatly put to one side of his head. He walked on in and many of the people there just stared at him. They all knew who he was, he was the future of the company and he had finally arrived. Bruce took the elevator up to the 21st floor and walked on over to the conference room.

"Excuse me sir, but you can't enter right now, they are in a meeting." Said a lady at a desk, Bruce walked on over to her. "If you give me your name I can happily schedule an appointment for you."

"Sure, Bruce Wayne." Pronounced Bruce as she looked up surprised to see Bruce Wayne in front of her.

She led Bruce into the conference room interrupting the meeting that was taking place.

"Excuse my sir but you can't just barge on in here unannounced, who are you and what do you want?" Charles Wilson, the new CEO of Wayne Enterprises asked angrily.

"Bruce Wayne, and I am here to see Lucius Fox. Do you know where he is?" Asked Bruce as he sat down in a chair and put his feet up on the table.

"Bruce! Well I had no clue that you were coming in today. I had heard you were back but this is a large surprise." Charles claimed putting on a fake smile as he walked over to Bruce.

"Since it is my family's company I did not think I had to make an appointment did I?" Asked Bruce as he stared at Charles deeply.

"Of course not, you are always welcome here Mr. Wayne." Growled Charles as he turned away.

"So where can I find Mr. Fox?" Asked Bruce as he got out of his chair.

"Mr. Fox runs our science division. You can find him in his office on the second floor." Said Charles as he opened the door for Bruce.

"Thank you." Said Bruce as he walked to the elevator.

He pushed the button for the second floor and took it all the way down. The door opened and there was a sign pointing to the right hallway saying 'Science Division' Bruce followed it down the hall and found Mr. Fox sitting at his desk going through some papers.

"What can I help you with Mr. Wayne?" Asked Lucius as he looked up at Bruce.

Thank you for reading. :)

~Arkham2001