Every Saturday, The Gotham Gazette includes a little story piece titled "Gotham Is". In the column, random Gotham residents are asked what they think Gotham is using three words or less. You started reading it when you were brought back to the Manor.

It was mostly as a way to avoid everyone back when you still hated everyone. You found it to be interesting to read what people thought about Gotham.

Here's a list of things you've seen.

Damned.

Cursed.

Bedlam.

Murderous.

Gotham is villainous.

Gotham is a losing game.

Gotham is hopless.

Real nice stuff, right? To think that so many people in this city thought of it as nothing more than a cesspool of crime and violence.

Scarecrow: You're all ours now!

Two-Face: No way out, Bats!

You smirked as you stood in front of Bruce's, and now your, Rouge gallery. Just another day in Arkham. You found every villian out of their cages when you were investigating a case. You jist sighed.

Y/N: No place like home.

You leaped into the crowd of psychopaths, murderers, rapists, and the worst baddies Gotham has to offer.

Once in a while, someone names one these people as their answer. Usually some kid, an edgy teen going for shock value. But now and then, someone tries to make the argument that the city is best reflected in it's villains.

For example, you were punching Two-Face across the face which brought something to mind. "Gotham is Two-Face". The city is at odds with itself. Or "Gotham is Bane". A large, angry, strong, powerhouse.

There's been a few Mr. Freezes, two Black Masks, even a few new names that Bruce never met. But for you, Gotham's villians, old or new, will never define this city. In the end they're simple and cowardly. Ruled by predictable desires.

Now with a few baddies on the ground, bloodied and bruised, you moved on to the rest. You hooked your arm with Two-Face before slamming him to the ground. You were grabbed from behind and then slammed through one of the thick glasses of the cells.

You slammed against the back wall as the horde of criminals all began to emerge from the hole and into the small cell.

You've seen a few "Gotham is" that have caught you even you off guard. Something particularly depraved or twisted. Such as the prisoner that was rubbing the bat ear on your cowl with a sinister laugh.

Joker: There you are!

You looked over your shoulder and saw the mad man himself.

Joker: And here I thought, you were going to die without even saying goodbye!

You just turned back to the criminals ahead of you.

Y/N: You ready to do this?

Joker: Always so serious. Fine then....

You and Joker lunged forward and charged right into the crowd once more.

Joker: Let's get to the punchline!

You locked Riddler's head and slammed it against the wall while Joker knocked Zazz across the face.

Mr. Freeze: Joker?! What are you doing, you turn coat piece of...

He's helmet was shattered when Joker delivered a powerful back hand with a loud laugh. You lunged forward while Joker flipped back and landed on your back as he kicked away more baddies behind you. You grabbed his hands and spun him around to knock some more to the ground.

Of course, the most common answers to the "Gotham is" question is "Batman". "Gotham is Batman". Gotham is "Batman's City". Gotham is "The Bat".

All answers you have partially yourself to. As you stood on the roof top of the GCPD, you had a few answers of your own. You liked to think that the answer, Batman, is an affirmation to all of Gotham's heroes. Like the GCPD. Honest, tireless men like Jim Gordon.

Jim: I still don't understand. A full-scale breakout at Arkham? No warning?

Y/N: It wasn't a breakout. I've been investigating a weak link at Arkham Asylum. A guard named Matthews. Knew I was coming for him. He activated the doors to get away.

Jim: Dan Matthews? He was one of the good ones. And you found him out, how? A man on the inside?

Y/N: Something like that.

Jim: Would it have something to do with you fighting alongside Joker? I saw the footage. Tell me that'd be ridiculous.

Y/N: That'd be ridiculous, Jim.

Jim smiled at your blunt answer.

Jim: Good. Just a simple trick on the camera, then.

Y/N: Something like that.
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You sat in the chair as you stared at seemingly nothing. It had been a while since you had been down in the OG batcave.

It wasn't really your choice to come back here. Of course you were never against visiting Alfred or Debra or Terry. You just wished you didn't have to come here wearing a black tux with a F/C vest and matching bow tie. Your hair was styled and you looked ready to party.

???: So it's true.

You heard the voice but you didn't react. Joker emerged from the shadows while he wore a tux of his own. Red vest and bow tie.

Joker: You do practice brooding. I always suspected it.

Y/N: I'm working.

Joker: With the computer off?

You smirked as your left eye twitched. Suddenly, a hologram activated which surrounded you and the clown.

Y/N: Satisfied?

Joker: Impressed.

Y/N: It's a new system I'm testing. A contact lens with a remote access processor linked to the conputer down here. Eventually I'm going to connect it to the one in the apartment.

You looked at Joker and sighed.

Y/N: Tim, take that thing off.

The Joker reached up behind his ear and tapped on a button that caused the E.M.P mask to turned off. Tim's face came into view as he began to pull it off.

Tim: Believe me, I've been dying to. I just wanted to make sure you disconnected it from the mainframe first. So...a contact lens with remote access? That would mean that no matter where you go...

Y/N: The Batcave comes with.

Tim: Bruce would love that. Sounds very healthy.

You rolled your eyes and stood up as you fixed your cuffs. You turned toward the stairs with a smile.

Y/N: We should go.

Tim: Yeah. Cassandra will probably kill me if I let you stay down here and hide. Plus, you have a presentation to get ready for.

Y/N: Don't remind me. Who are you with tonight?

Tim just sighed.

Tim: Flying solo. But that just means I can dance with whoever I want without anyone getting pissed off.

Y/N: You know who's taken. Plan accordingly.

You shot him a quick look which made him laugh. You started up the stairs that would lead you back into the Manor.

Tim: For what it's worth, how'd I do?

Y/N: As a homicidal, murderous maniac?

Tim: Yeah.

Y/N: You were, as a matter of fact. Thanks for spending a few days in Arkham.

Tim: Eh. You still owe me a stake dinner.

You finally entered the lounge where you found the rest of your group hanging around. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. You fixed your bow tie as you activated the facial recognition program on the lens.

Tim Drake: Red Robin

Jason Todd: Red Hood

Damien Wayne: Robin

Stephanie Brown: Spoiler

Cassandra Cain: Batgirl

Barbara Gordon: Batgirl

Helena Bertinelli: Huntress

Terry McGinnis: Beyond

Debra Quinn: Red Hood

Cassie Sandmark: Wonder Woman

Conner Kent: Superman

Y/N Wayne: Batman

Jason: About time you showed up. Can we kinda rush this. I hate wearing these things.

Damien: This banquet is important for Father's vision, Todd. We can't afford to rush this.

Stephanie: But why does Y/N have to do this? Tim has been taking care of the business, Damien is the blood son, and Jason is the oldest one here.

Jason: Because, as far as Gotham knows, Y/N is Bruce's long lost son that has come back to Gotham and hopes to build his father's company up even more than it is now.

Not the best lie you've come up with, but it worked. For now, at least.

Y/N: I have the speech ready, everyone just try to blend in. Cassie...

Cassie: I'll keep an eye on Conner.

Conner: And I'll be on my best behavior.

You smiled as Cassandra snaked her arm around yours. You all walked out of the lounge and toward the banquet hall.

Y/N: Let's do this.
--------
Y/N: Lately, I've been asking myself the "Gotham is" question a lot. What is Gotham City to me? A child who was raised by the streets before I found my father. Is Gotham home? Family? Purpose? But the truth is...I couldn't answer the question.

Everyone in the hall looked at you as you made your speech. Cameras flashed while you spoke.

Y/N: But then, I remembered something. Friends. I remember the people I met here and the people I now call family. Those who pushed me to be better than I was. No longer am I the scared and angry kid I once was. I wish my father was here but he is away on business to further improve Wayne Industries.

Your eyes fell on your friends as you smiled.

Y/N: The days before I met my father were the worst of my life. Days of anger, fear, and sadness. Tomorrow is one dream away. That was something I used to tell myself. It kept coming back to me. And deep down I knew, much as it hurt right then, things would get better. Now why am I telling you this?

You smiled as you looked directly at Cassandra.

Y/N: Well, my friends, when things get challenging or frightening, asking ourselves what our city "is" becomes pointless. Because we will see, when we look around at the buildings and streets, our fears. Our frustrations. Our own demons.

You moved out from behind the podium.

Y/N: But if we stop looking to our past or at our present, and instead look at our future, if we ask ourselves what we can be...what will be...then we ask the right thing. Because to hope, dream, and predict is to the city yourself rather than have it shape you. So, we're putting our money where our mouth is. Next month, Wayne Enterprises will be investing, aggressively and immediately, in Gotham's future.

Everyone clapped as you pulled off a small white sheet that was covering a model of the city with some new added features. You really hoped Bruce would be proud about how you were doing.
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You were shaking hands of some of the biggest names in the room while Alfred stood behind you and Cassandra.

You had no idea how Bruce could do this. This smile was seriously starting to hurt. Looking at Cassandra, you could see that she was doing this effortlessly. As much as you absolutely loved her smile, like more than you would ever admit outloud, you wondered if it was fake like yours.

The dress she was wearing was quite something to. A black dress that wasn't too tight or too loose. It also didn't show to much but showed just enough. Earrings Barbara had lent her hung from her ears while a necklace you had bought her hung around her neck.

Alfred: Well done on your speech, Master Y/N. Inspiring.

Y/N: Thanks Alf.

Alfred: Though you failed to mention the various Bat Bunkers that would be built under many of these buildings.

You shrugged.

Y/N: Must've slipped my mind. I'll try to remember it for next time.

Cassandra laughed while showed her true smile. Honestly you found it hard to hold back now. You gently placed a hand under her chin and lifted her head toward you as you leaned down and kissed her. Alfred hummed to himself as he walked away. You and Cassandra separated and you were gifted with her beautiful smile.

Y/N: Have I told you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight?

Cassandra: And you are dashing.

Terry: And I'm going to gag.

You and Cassandra turned to see Terry and Debra making their way toward you. You smiled when you saw their arms linked around each other. Since they both lived here, they decided it was just easier to go together.

Y/N: I'm glad you both came. Bruce would be happy.

Debra: Not that he would show it.

You all had a collective sigh at the thought. Everyone missed Bruce. There was no question about that. Even if he had his own version of tough love.

Terry: Good job on that speech, though. I've been easedropping as well. Heard something that you might like to hear.

You raised a brow as Terry smirked.

Terry: The government is looking into the Underaged Hero Law. Seems the growing support is finally paying off.

You smiled at the news. Finally, there were moves being made.

Y/N: That's good news. I'm glad. Maybe we can start operating like normal now.

Debra: And maybe not get shot in the process.

You groaned which earned a laugh from the others.

???: Mr. Wayne!

The four of you turned to see a woman heading your way. Vicki Vale. Reporter for the Gotham Gazette.

Vicki: I must say, for someone so young, you're quiet an amazing speaker.

Y/N: Thank you, Ms. Vale. It's a pleasure to meet you face to face finally.

You shook her hand with a charming smile.

Vicki: And a gentleman. I'm glad to see that not all the youth are mannerless.

Cassandra, Terry, and Debra rolled their eyes while you did your best to keep up the nice facade.

Vicki: First you fund the Gotham Gazette to go digital and now you're rebuilding half the city. I'd say you were Gotham's man of tomorrow, if I wasn't already saying he is.

From the crowd, another man approached you. This man wore a white tux which was in contrast to yours.

Vicki: Lincoln March, Y/N Wayne. Lincoln is...

Y/N: Running for mayor. Yes, I know. And March Venture, you underwrote Leslie Thompson's satellite clinic in the East side, didn't you?

Lincoln: Wow, I'm impressed.

And you were bored. You just wanted to talk to your friends and maybe dance with Cassandra a bit. Maybe do something more with Cassandra a bit.

Y/N: Any friend of Leslie...

Lincoln: Does that mean I have your vote? You'll be 18 by the time of the elections, right?

Y/N: That depends. Do I have yours?

Lincoln: On this? Certainly. I'm incredibly interested in this amazing vision of yours. I want to be a part of it. Maybe we can start something up?

Y/N: Maybe. What do you have in mind?

You honestly didn't care. This guys seemed sincere and he was a good guy. That being said, this conversation could literally happen whenever besides now. You sneaked a peek at Cassandra to see that she was also spacing out of the conversation. Terry and Debra had said their goodbyes and were now somewhere in the crowd.

Lincoln: Y/N?

You snapped back to reality and looked at the man before you. You spaced out for too long.

Y/N: Apologizes, Mr. March. I, uh, was up late last night. Last minute preparations and that kind of thing.

Lincoln: Really? Looks to me like you were distracted by something else.

He signaled to Cassandra who now had a glass of champagne. You knew what alcohol did to her, and so did she. She looked right at you as she took a sip of the golden liquid. She even shot you a wink.

Y/N: Right. Mr. March, this is Cassandra Cain. My date for tonight.

Cassandra shook his hand before he turned his attention back to you.

Lincoln: Perhaps we can take this up again another time. How does tomorrow sound, lunch perhaps?

Y/N: Of course. Tomorrow at lunch sounds like a plan.

With the preparations set, Lincoln took his leave which left you alone with Cassandra. You turned back to her and looked at the glass in her hand.

Y/N: Drinking?

She just smirked in the same way she did when she was teasing you.

Cassandra: I need a reason for you to help me out of this dress later.

You smiled as you locked arms again.

Y/N: All you have to do is ask, you know?

As you neared the dance floor, you smiled. It was good to take a night off every now and then.

You did lie, earlier. About not having an answer got the "Gotham is" question. You knew exactly what Gotham was.

Gotham is home.

Gotham is family.

Gotham is friends.

Gotham is love.

Gotham is everything to you.

Gotham is where you belong.