24 Hours Before You Die...

You reved up the engine on your bike as you rode it down the train tracks. You hit the gas even more as you kept the helicopter in your sights. You were honestly pissed at the people in the helicopter for a few reasons.

First, human trafficking. Beside the three men in that craft, there were about five girls bound and gagged in there.

Second, they tried to throw you into the harbor when you tried to stop them earlier at the docks. No one throws Batman.

You watched the helicopter lowered toward the tracks, to make the trade off in motion, you sped up and ended up right beside it before you slammed your fist through the window and grabbed the man closest to it.

You grabbed his collar and pulled him half way through the window while the other man began to panic. The pilot, didn't even budge.

Trafficker: He got Rolf! What are you doing, man? Get the hell away from him! Turn!

Pilot: Shut up! The Bat wants to play chicken, let's play chicken.

You looked ahead to see another train heading right towards you. You kept your hold on the man before you had, a very stupid, idea. You pushed the man back into the helicopter and sped up.

You popped a wheelie and gained even more speed before you lifted the bike up and landed in the roof of the train. You then turned it around so that you were facing the helicopter.

Pilot: He wouldn't.

You smiled as you reved up the enginge again and sped up toward the helicopter.

Rolf: Turn! TURN!

Pilot: I can't! The damn alley's too narrow!

As you sped toward the helicopter, your communication beeped.

Alfred: Sir? Commissioner Gordon has arrived at the morgue.

Y/N: Noted, Alfred.

Alfred: Shall I assume you won't be back for the autopsy? I can power down the...

Y/N: I'll be there.

Alfred: But, Sir. I have you all the way over on...

Y/N: Relax. This'll only take a moment.

You jumped off the bike and braced your arm as you slammed through the front window of the helicopter.
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You stood in the Batcave and looked at the holographic monitors around you. Even though you weren't in the GCPD mourge, you could see everything like it was there thanks to the new contacts you had. You could even see a holographic Jim Gordon there.

Jim: So what we have is a genuine mystery man.

Y/N: No name, paid in cash, no ping on his DNA.

Jim: No. At least he made for a good dartboard for someone.

You looked at the body and spotted something that caught your eye. Right near the ribs.

Y/N: Here. There's extensive scar tissue around the ribs and abdomen...calcification at his brow, side of his skull.

Jim: Huh. "Pulgilist's Beauty Marks". You think John Doe was a fighter in his glory days?

Y/N: Seems like it. He has more callous material around his palms and wrists than his knucles. Defensive scarring. I have something similar.

Jim: A trainer?

Y/N: Perhaps. There are scars along his forearms. Common injuries from swordplay.

Jim: So a high-end trainer. He's tough.

Y/N: The other guy was tougher.

Jim: And then there's the message...

Y/N: We can skip that for now.

Jim: I called the Manor. The kid turned down police detail for the next 24 hours. You keeping an eye on him?

Y/N: You can say that. Jim, his third molar. Right side. The scanners picking up an abnormal fracture. Check it out for me?

Jim looked around the room and found a small dentist mirror. He then placed it into John Doe's mouth and looked at the reflection.

Jim: Right wisdom tooth, got it. Huh...take a look.

You looked at the reflection and sighed.

Y/N: Same symbol as the knives. An Athenian Owl. It appeared on coins in ancient Greece. It was a symbol of wealth and power.

Jim pulled the mirror away and tossed it aside.

Jim: Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from the shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at at your hearth, the watch watch you in your bed, speak not a whisper of them, or...

Y/N: They'll send the Talon for your head. I know the nursery rhyme, Jim. The Court of Owls are just a legend.

Jim: To be blunt, so were you at one time.

Y/N: They don't exist.

Jim: And you know that because...

Y/N: I will say it.

Jim: Please don...

Y/N: I'm Batman.

Jim: Damnit. Well, whoever the killer is, he wants us to believe the ghost story. So what we've got was some kind of secret high-level bad-guy trainer, a killer who's even tougher than him, apparently out to get YN Wayne.

Y/N: And all we really know about either of them is that they have a thing for owls.

Jim: And the tissue beneath the victim's fingerlrints...forensics came back empty handed. Anything on your end?

You stood there for a moment.

Y/N: Noooooo.....no. Nothing. Nada. Zip. None. Zero. Just as lost as you are. I am looking into it though.

You heard footsteps enter the cave which told you that your guest was here.

Y/N: I'll let you know what I find, Jim. Keep me posted as well.

Jim: Will do. Good luck.

His hologram shut down but the body was still in view for you to further examine it. You heard the footsteps stop behind you.

Dick: So, Tim said you wanted to talk to me.

You turned around and saw Dick standing there. His badge was on his belt while he was dressed in a light blue dress shirt and a pair of loafers. He must've just gotten off of work then.

Y/N: Di..Ric. I'm glad you agreed to come.

Ric: Whoa. You installed a photogrammetric scanner in the city morgue?

You turned back to the body.

Y/N: Makes things easier.

Ric: No more sneaking in and out? I thought that was Batman's whole thing. Like the ventilation shaft and...

Y/N: This is John Doe. Your DNA was found under his fingernails.

Ric looked at the man and for a split second, you saw something in his eye. You didn't know what it was but, it was something he never had before.

Ric: Good thing the Bat-Family has all their DNA protected.

Y/N: You recognize him?

Ric: I...do.

Here was something.

Ric: It was about a week ago. At the end of the Groundbreaking for the new West Side Promenade. I was leaving...the press was taking pictures, asking about Bruce's new Gotham Initiative, and I was hoghtailing it out of there and all the sudden this stranger, your John Doe, came up to me and grabbed my arm.

So far, everything checked out.

Ric: He looked haggard. Really at the end of his rope. And then, before I could get away from the press and talk to him, he said something like "They're real. They're everywhere. And they're sending him for you...all of you".

That was concerning. So, it wasn't just you then. Stephanie, Tim, Damien....Cassandra.

Y/N: Anything else?

Ric: Security pulled him away before I could ask him anything.

Y/N: And your DNA?

Ric: He was still latched to my arm. I can pull up my sleeve and...

Y/N: No need.

You turned back to the body and went back to looking it over.

Ric: Batman, trusting people?

Y/N: I'll keep you posted if there's anything else pertaining to you. Alfred made breakfast, if you want any. I have a meeting I need to get to anyway.

Ric just smiled.

Ric: Well, enjoy yourself, Y/N. Because according to your John Doe's flaming message, you've got less than twelve hours to live.

You looked at him suspiciously.

Y/N: Yeah.

How did he know about the message? You never said anything about it being on fire to anyone besides Harvey.

Y/N: I'll be sure to do that.
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The original Wayne Tower. If you cane to Gotham city today, right now, and took a tour of the building, here are some things the guide would tell you.

The tower was constructed in 1888, under the watch of Bruce's great, great grandfather Alan Wayne. That would make him your great, great, great grandfather through adoption.

He built the tower to serve as a symbol of welcome to people coming to Gotham. And, as your guide would point out, from the ground up, it's designed to give visitors like you the feeling that they're cared for and protected. For example, your guide will say, the building has twelve gargoyles or "guardians" as Alan insisted they be called. One to watch over each passageway into the city.

The five guardians at first tier were placed there to watch over the five original gateways into Gotham, the three bridges and two tunnels. Higher up the tower is a ring of seven guardians, one to protect each of the seven train lines that converge at Union Station, below Wayne Tower's base.

And the top of the tower is the observation deck, which Alan insisted remain free and open to the public, all year round. For the windows, Alan demanded that only the best glass be used. A kind of double-bonded, laminated float glass, designed to be crystal-quality, weatherproof. And, most importantly, unbreakable.

This was also where you were currently supposed to meet with Lincoln March to further talk about your plans for the Wayne Initiative. You were supposed to get some sleep before the autopsy but, that didn't happen. You actually didn't know if you wanted to go home right now. You were sure Cassandra was ready to tear you a new one for not telling anyone that you had a target on your back. Not as Batman either.

Y/N: I wish I knew this was going to be formal. I feel underdressed.

Lincoln turned around and smiled when he saw you enter the observation deck from the elevator. You wore a white shirt under a F/C flannel that was left unbuttoned. You also wore some plain jeans with a pair of F/C Converse. Your hair was at least combed so there was that.

In stark contrast, Lincoln wore a white suit with a red flower in his pocket. He looked like Gotham's golden child even though all eyes were on you.

Lincoln: There won't be anything formal about this, my boy. I simply have other meetings with city officials later. If it was up to me, I would've came here in my pajamas.

You returned the smile. Since the banquet, you and Lincoln had met for breakfast where he agreed to invest in the Wayne Initiative while he had your vote for Mayor. He was a true man who had good intentions. He didn't take short cuts and he was sincere about what he wanted. Plus, he didn't support the Underaged Hero Law.

Lincoln: I just want to say how much I appreciate your meeting with me, Mr. Wayne. I can only imagine how busy you must be with school and your ambitions.

Y/N: Not too bust to meet with Lincoln March, the "Next Mayor of Gotham".

Lincoln: Is that what the gossips are saying?

Y/N: Some. Others are, less than favorable. Though, I don't think I doubt the good ones. I've been reading up on you since our last meeting. Self-made captain of finance turned philanthropist. You've got a good story. You've done good work, too. Funding the boys' home, setting up the after school read-and-write.

You then pulled out the check you written earlier.

Y/N: What do you think? Does this number look satisfactory?

Lincoln laughed as he pushed the check back towards you.

Lincoln: I'm not here to ask for money, Y/N. Don't get me wrong, every dollar is appreciated. Hell, Mayor Hady has about ten lines of credit running at all times. From sources that are questionable at best.

Y/N: If you're asking for a public endorsement, I'm afraid I can't do that. Not a lot of people trust kids these days.

Lincoln: I wouldn't want you to go through that, my boy. All I'm really after is your vote.

Y/N: I got to say, that's a lot of effort for one vote, Mr. March.

Lincoln: That's true. But I believe in what you're doing, Y/N. This initiative to rebuild Gotham. It's a good thing. And to be frank, I see a friend in you and the Wayne family.

Y/N: A cynic would say you see an opportunity.

Lincoln: That's true. And a cynic would say you're spearheading this New Gotham Initiative for the image of your father. Because it's a public holding, and so on. For private purposes.

Y/N: Is that what the sources say?

Lincoln smiled.

Lincoln: Some.

You just sighed. Of course they would say that. Seems that you can't catch a break.

Y/N: Right. Well, you already have my vote, Mr. March. I should be going now. My, uh, date won't be happy to be waiting for much longer.

You turned to leave.

Lincoln: You know, I lost my parents when I was young. For a long time after that, I lived in a state of total hopelessness. I hated the world. But then I got funding for school. I was able to go to city college. The city save me, Y/N. Gotham saved me. It gave me purpose when I was alone. Just like I'll bet it did for you.

He placed a hand on your shoulder and you looked over your shoulder to see him smiling.

Lincoln: When I look at you, I see an ally. A real one. And as I'm sure you know, this is a city where allies are few and far between.

He had no idea.

Lincoln: Especially now.

Y/N: Especially now? Why?

Lincoln: Something bad has come back to Gotham, Y/N. Something ancient and powerful and evil....

Y/N: Mr. March, what are you talking about?

Suddenly, the elevator dinged. As the doors opened, something flew out of it and landed behind you and Lincoln. The two guards fell out, covered in blood and dead.

Lincoln: What the...

You both turned around to see a dark figure standing there. Knife in hand.

Lincoln stood up and turned to him while you checked on the guards.

Lincoln: You...if you think you xan scare me...

The figure turned and threw a knife which lodged itself into Lincoln's rib which sent him to the ground.

Y/N: Mr. Marsh!

The figure turned towards you and held up another knife. He was someone new. Fast. It was just you and him but you had to be careful. Retrain yourself. You didn't know who was watching.

The figure threw a knife at you which you blocked with your left arm. The knife stabbed into your arm but you manged to avoid it's claws as it swiped at you. You had to make your strikes look like lucky blows.

You kicked up but the figure caught your foot. You dropped down to the ground which freed you and leaped to your feet. You were a street rat, you had to fight like one.

You swung your injured arm at the figure who directed the blow to the side. You used this chance to spin around it and trap it in a headlock. You then squeezed.

Something wasn't right. It takes only eleven pounds of pressure to collapse a windpipe. You were applying over one hundred and the person wasn't even flinching. He had to be on something. Venom?

He threw you off of him and threw another knife which stabbed into you thigh. Then another in your shoulder. You stood back up and balled your fists.

???: Y/N Wayne. The Court of Owls has sentenced you to die.

He slun around and delivered a kick to your chest. You hit the glass window. The seemingly unbreakable one. Unbreakable, that is, unless, like the assassin who just kicked you through it, you know how to hit the glass just right.

Make impact at the edge of the plate, rather than the center, where it's designed to bend and flex. The throwing knives are perfectly placed, too. Lodged tight into your brachial arteries. The pain and the blood loss make it almost impossible to grab on to anything to break your fall. Impossible to do anything. Except bleed and drop and watch the citu rise to greet you.

Too far to grab the ring if the seven, by the time you reach the other five guardians you'll be at terminal velocity. The force will rip your arms off.

The figure swiped at you as you fell. You dogded it and instead cracked them across the face which cracked the goggle he wore.

???: How I love killing Waynes.

He punched your chest which caused his knuckles to stab into your skin. You may die here, yet you weren't scared. You weren't thinking about this killer falling with you toward the quickly approaching ground.

You thought of Cassandra and her smile. Her voice. Her touch. Everything.

There was something you didn't mention earlier, about the tower. Something your tour guide wouldn't mention either. Because there's one guardian people don't tell you about, when you visit. The don't bother to mention it because it was added later, in 1930, and because it sits in the middle of yhe building and can't be seen from the elevators or the observation deck.

You grabbed the assassin and spun yourself around before you kicked him down toward the ground. You then reached out and caught the hidden guardian. The thirteenth guardian. Installed by Alan's son, Henry, your great great grandfather. The guardian for visitors to Gotham arriving by air.

As you stood on top of it, bleeding from the knives, you were fully convinced that whoever it was that just tried to kill you, he was good. But, he made one mistake. He tried to use the city, it's legends, against you. But you were the Batman. The only legend this city needed. In many ways, it was your oldest friend. And it knew you better than anyone, just as you knew it. Which is why you refused to believe that there was such a thing as the Court of Owls.

Looks like you were wrong.

Later that day, when the police did the investigation and recovered the body, the body of the assassin and the ambulance carrying it went missing. Regardless, Y/N Wayne lived to see another day.