October 31, 2001 — Gotham City
The streets of Gotham City were almost deserted, a result of the crime and corruption that plagued the city. But tonight, a great change was about to arrive.
At the port of Gotham , several groups of armed mobsters were gathered.
"Alright, guys. We have to deliver this merchandise to Mr. Falcone before tomorrow morning," said the gang leader.
"Yes, boss," replied ten gangsters as they began loading the truck with packages of drugs.
Suddenly, the lights inside the warehouse went out, surprising the entire gang and their leader.
"What the hell was that?" said one gangster.
"Must be a power outage," replied another.
"Everyone, get your weapons ready," the boss ordered his men."I think we've got an uninvited guest crashing our business."
The gang obeyed, pulling out their weapons and searching for the intruder. Without warning, bat-shaped shurikens with blinking red lights struck their guns, destroying them. Out of nowhere, a man dressed in a bat-like suit appeared before them, sending panic through the room—even the gang leader froze in fear.
"Shit, it's the Bat! Kill him!" the boss shouted.
Batman rushed forward at superhuman speed and struck one of the men, knocking him out with a single blow.
Two henchmen pulled out knives and attacked the Dark Knight from behind, but it failed. Batman heard their footsteps, turned instantly, grabbed them by the faces, and slammed them into the ground, knocking them unconscious.
Another man charged at him with a crowbar, attempting to strike him repeatedly. Batman dodged every attack, blocked the final swing, and delivered a powerful kick that sent the attacker flying into two other henchmen, knocking all three out cold.
Two more men rushed toward him wielding sabers. The first launched a series of attacks, but Batman blocked the strikes with his gauntlets and punched him square in the face, dropping him to the ground.
The last man took advantage of the moment and swung his saber at Batman's head. Batman easily dodged, performed a judo throw, and slammed his knee into the man's face, knocking him out instantly.
The gang leader was in shock. The bat-man had taken down his men as if they were nothing. As he tried to escape, Batman caught him, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him off the ground with one hand, filling him with terror.
"Go tell your boss that Gotham no longer belongs to him. Drugs and weapons will no longer set foot in this city," said the Dark Knight, staring coldly into the terrified man's eyes.
Batman knocked him unconscious and let his body fall to the ground. He left the docks and headed toward the Batmobile at the corner of the street. He fired his grappling gun toward the top of a tall building, launched himself into the air, and glided, his cape spreading like bat wings.
Ten minutes later, he reached the Batmobile, climbed inside, started the engine, and drove back to his base.
A few minutes later, Batman arrived at his base of operations the place he called the Batcave
The Batmobile rolled to a stop inside the vast cavern, its engine echoing against the stone walls before fading into silence. Water dripped steadily from the stalactites above as the vehicle settled onto its platform.
Batman stepped out of the car, his cape falling heavily behind him.
"Alfred," he said calmly.
From the shadows, an elderly man in a vest and tie approached, holding a tablet.
"Welcome back, Master Bruce," Alfred replied. "I see your patrol was… productive."
Batman removed his cowl, revealing Bruce Wayne's stern and exhausted face.
"Falcone's men were moving a large shipment through the docks," Bruce said. "Drugs and weapons. I stopped it."
Alfred nodded. "The police scanners are already buzzing. Gotham is beginning to notice."
Bruce walked toward the Batcomputer, its massive screens lighting up the cave with blue and green data streams.
"They need to notice," Bruce replied. "Fear is the beginning."
Alfred hesitated for a moment. "And the gang leader?"
"He'll talk," Bruce said coldly. "Fear has a way of loosening tongues."
Bruce began reviewing the data on the screens: criminal networks, financial records, and surveillance footage tied to Carmine Falcone.
"Falcone is expanding," Alfred said. "He's bribed half the city council and owns most of the docks through shell companies."
Bruce clenched his fist. "Then we cut him off. Money. Supply routes. One by one."
Suddenly, a new alert flashed on the Batcomputer.
GCPD EMERGENCY FREQUENCY — COMMISSIONER GORDON
Bruce's eyes narrowed.
"Put it through," he said.
A distorted voice filled the cave.
"Batman… we've got a situation. Narrows district. Multiple hostages. Armed suspects. We could use your help."
Bruce pulled his cowl back over his head.
"I'm on my way," Batman said.
Alfred looked at him with concern. "You've barely had time to rest."
"I'll rest when Gotham is safe," Batman replied.
He turned toward his suit rack, selecting reinforced gauntlets and fresh batarangs.
As the Batmobile powered up once more, Bruce's voice echoed through the cave.
"Falcone was just the beginning."
The vehicle vanished into the darkness, leaving only the hum of machinery and the silent watch of the Batcave.