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Bruce crouched down next to the gargoyles on the building. Wearing all black and looking like a Bat had its advantages, especially in a city as old as Gotham. Patrol had been slow, slow enough that Damien had gone home for one reason or another.
There hadn't been an update through Oracle or through @ArkhamUpdates and it was already 4:42. Sometimes patrol was slow and as he got older, Bruce learned to appreciate it a bit more. He pulled out his Patrol phone and started running across buildings.
The sunrise was normally about 5:30 and most people never got to see the city at dawn. Reaching his destination, Bruce started working his way up the old Gotham clock tower. At its peak, the clouds reflected the water surrounding Gotham and turned a special shade of blue. Taking a few pictures the auto-correct started to smooth out the lines, the early morning smog fading into the background and the suns colors working their way into prominence. When they stabilized he put the phone away and just sat on the edge. Looking over the city he called home.
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Damien tried his best to stay quiet, stay out of the way. Father so rarely relaxed in uniform and this was a good opportunity to get some pictures. Currently father was sitting on the ledge of the old bell tower, looking over Gotham. Dawn was always the best time to get pictures of Father on Patrol, that suit had to have some kind of presence masking ability.
During the day anything with Father in it seemed to blur him out, at night the suit blended in so well it was a regular debate if it was indeed father or a slightly crooked gargoyle. Dawn though, it reflected so well off the suit, made father almost look alive. Snapping a few on Drakes’ camera he hoped that whatever he was getting in return was worth it.
Drake was sick with something or the other and asked him to cover taking a few photos he promised his fans. Normally he would've said no but Drake nearly begged him and said he would pay him back. So here he was, taking pictures of Father as patrol winded down. Now the real question, how was he supposed to beat father home without causing suspicion.
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No matter how bad Tim felt, when Dami got back with his Camera there was nothing more he wanted to do than upload the pictures to Twitter. Someone within the company had offered to expose just how much Bruce Wayne funded the Justice League, the only thing that they asked for were a couple pictures of Batman. Who was he to turn down such an opportunity.
Looking over the photos, he would have to really get Dami something good. The angles he got Bruce in weren't easy shots and - looking closer - he may have even gotten one or two of him smiling.
Sitting at his computer he logged into his alt, @A_draGons_life, he uploaded 2 or 3 of the best pictures through a private DM to @The_Bat_The_Hound. The response was immediately given.
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@A_draGons_life: was this what you wanted?
[Three Picture files attached]
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@The_Bat_The_Hound: Perfect, now what funding details do you want, quarterly, bi-yearly, or yearly?
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@A_draGons_life: Quarterly will do
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@The_Bat_The_Hound: Thank you for your business; I guess you should know but these statements won’t be private much longer, I released them to the Press a couple hours ago and, from the looks of it people are a mixed of horrified at the amount, and Horrified that no one knew he basically owns the league of Justice.
[Budget Statements Attached]
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@A_draGons_life: Why tell this to me NOW then?
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@The_Bat_The_Hound: because … Idk I really wanted those pictures, besides its not like I work there, I just accidentally saw the files.
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Tim couldn't comprehend the people on the internet sometimes, Pictures of Batman for bank statements that may or may not have even been accurate. Statements that this person released to the press because 'Why Not?’
Laying back down Tim started to realize the truth of the situation. Bruce was Batman, Batman was paranoid and the only member of the league to not have,at least internally, revealed his true identity. The league knew that someone in Gotham was supplying funds just not who or how much. Batman was a founder of the Justice league and often used his 'contacts’ in Gotham for business and budget information needing to be passed in between, acting almost as an intermediary. Now that the press knew, it was only a matter of time before the league knew.
At least one member of the league would want to say thank you in person, and what better way to do this than invite Bruce Wayne onto the space station, he is both funding and leading to not one but his own knowledge. All for 3 pictures of Batman.
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Gotham : A Full Introduction to Twitter
Article by : Clark Kent, Daily Planet Reporter
Gotham, an Island off the coast of New Jersey, and Crime Capital of America. What makes it so special, you may ask and be it Billionaire Bruce Wayne and his family or the Colony of highly trained Vigilantes, Twitter is surprisingly the best place to go for a comprehensive take on this unique island.
For our readers looking for a more general public view of Gotham, hashtags #GothamWatch is a good place to start. Incident reports and Villain sightings are posted here, a hashtag “for civilians by civilians”. Twitter pages @WayneEnt.Offical✓, @GothamWatchOffical✓, and @ArkhamUpdatesOfficals✓ also provide the latest news on both Wayne Enterprises and possible dangers to any areas in particular.
These, of course, are only surface level in Twitter when it comes to Gotham. Furthermore tags after this point shift from general knowledge to more specified tags regarding the people of Gotham, Gothamites, themselves or delve into the world of Superheroes.
Personal accounts like @StephanieBrown-W✓, @RichardGrayson-W✓, @TimothyDrake-W✓, and @BrucieWayne✓are some of the more frequently updated channels when it comes to family events, announcements, recent developments in the family and so on. These four accounts are probably the most stable for fans just recently starting down Gotham Twitter. As long as Twitters’ official check is next to the account, you can be fairly certain that nothing too crazy happens.
The real excitement starts when the check disappears. Channels such as @JayLad, @Not_Dick_Grayson_, and @Stebie are much more involved when it comes to posting about the “True Wayne Family”. Tricks pulled on each other, Family Bonding moments, or general confusion is found here , you have been warned. This type of content can also be @Bat_spiracyBerucieTheDayHero and # OnlyInGotham.
Now - True Gotham Fans - everyone knows that if you're talking Gotham there are certain people impossible not to mention. The Day Time Hero, Bruce Wayne and his family are only half of the equation. The other is the bump in the night, Gotham’s finest protection, and the only heroes who actually just said “Shine a huge light in the air if i’m available ill be there in 5” - Thats right folks, Batman.
These private heroes take their jobs seriously (most of the time) and updates can be found on @JusticeLeagueOffical✓, @BatmanOffical✓, and @OracleOffical✓. If you're stuck in Gotham and need to know whats going on than these places have you covered. In some cases @OracleOffical✓ is known to post directions out of a sticky situation.
Gotham has quite a few watchers, Batman being the most prominent of the group. Others like Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin, Black Bat, and Spoiler can be seen prowling the streets from time to time. There are more, though pictures and reported sightings of them are less well known or disappear before they can really be seen.
This doesn't mean that all they do is protect the city, recently a policy change meant that they, also could set up Twitter accounts more geared twords fun and interaction with fans. Pictures of patrol or fails no one is around to see are uploaded and it has greatly helped improve Gotham vigilante image in the media. Rumor has it that, Batman himself owns one of these accounts. No one has been able to prove it but it seems to make civilians that know of the rumor , more comfortable with Gotham's night time heroes.
The accounts that we do know have a Gotham vigilante behind them so far are @NightsWingS (Nightwing), @ThebestHood(Red Hood), and @no_SpoilerS (Spoiler). This had led to the conclusion that channels that more interact with, and get replies from are most likely to also be vigilante run channels. For more exclusive vigilante content #BestOfBats is the largest hashtag available on Twitter with the sole purpose of tracking Gotham vigilantes and a place where other creators interested can share what they come up with.
@B'sBirbs is a communal channel, shared between the four Robins. Before what it is now @Bat_spiracy was almost a Batman watch, now its a channel shared by all vigilantes, and their continued effort to prove/disprove conspiracies centered around Gotham's most private vigilante. Though not centered in Gotham, @Tower_Watch is a channel with the same kind of wish to share the more human side of well known Heroes from the Justice league.
All of the channels mentioned are more commonly seen through the Twitter feed, and without being familiar with their origins may be a bit confusing. Gotham is a wonderful city, and Twitter is working its hardest to get people outside of Gotham to see it too.
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Clark rubbed at his eyes, he was the only one left at the building his coworkers long gone. He would’ve been long gone too, if it hadn't been for the almost incident that Lex Luthor almost caused on his lunch break. His publisher wanted this article ASAP after Bruce Wayne caused his last publicity stunt, through Twitter no less, and people got curious.
It wasn't that he didn't like Twitter, he actually found it quite useful for PR management and spreading a positive image to the masses but it did feel a little bit like a betrayal. Batman was the only member in the league that hadn't come out of their shell at all and now Clark was publishing an article bringing more attention to him.
It was surprising to note that Gotham was much more active on social media than he had originally thought. Zipping home, Clark sat down on his couch with a cup of Coffee. What had been even more of a surprise was how much Bruce Wayne came up. Of course there would be some attention, Billionaire and possibly richest man in the State of New Jersey but the people genuinely seemed to like him.
Pictures on #BrucieTheDayHero all depicted some form of accidental retaliation to a threat that the man himself never quite seemed to latch onto. For example, Last December a picture made rounds of Bruce handing Mr.Freeze a bottle of Snow Cone flavor and a cup. The look on the villains face was nothing less than contempt in the second photo when he realized that the teen girl next to Bruce, Cassandra a ward of his, had taken his Freeze ray right from him.
All of the photos were taken from an odd angle across the street, likely a passerby, but the situation was so far-fetched that the Gotham community had no problem accepting it.
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@AGothamsMite: Hey guys do yall remember that time Bruce and Cass just like, completely robbed Mr.Freeze?
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@LizzieBats: OMG yah, My mom took those pictures, Last December right!? It was so funny and by the time the GCPD got there those two were handing out free snow cones. #OnlyInGotham
[Picture of Mother Daughter duo posing with the Father Daughter duo, both holding up snow cones and Smiling.]
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@OGothamCiv: Ahh that man couldn't tell a dog from a rooster but he's the first to appear and accidentally save the Day #BrucieTheDayHero
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It had been a follow up of Twitter comments, but Clark sat and thought. For all the times he had to cover a Wayne Enterprise story or an incident at a gala that Wayne had been to he never seemed to get hurt. The man had already proven himself lucky, always on the right side of the playing fields but next time he was put on a story in Gotham, Clark would pay special attention to Bruce Wayne.
Speaking of, “Hey there Chief, this is Clark speaking”
“Clark you better have gotten that article done, new information has been released to us about the Justice League and I want you to report on it tomorrow.”
Well this could be really good or really bad, seeing that Mr.White hadn't called him superman yet he was leaning twords the middle.
“If you wouldn't mind me asking, what kind of information Chief? “
“Budget statements. You know how everyone assumed that Superman was the one providing the space station. Well apparently it wasn't him, some idiot at W.E. left their laptop unlocked and a passerby just happened to get photos from the quarterly budget” Clark could feel the smile on Mr.Whites’ face through the phone.
“Bruce Wayne currently, is spending at least 4 million dollars, probably a lot more, quarterly on the Justice League and so far no one has noticed” Clark leaned back into his couch. He knew Batman was always acting as something of a middle man between Gotham and - everywhere else. This was a bit to much even for him though.
“Alright Chief what is it you want me to write?”
“Well @WayneEnt.Offical✓ already released a statement saying tomorrow an emergency conference was going to be held in Gotham square to 'Set the records straight’ knowing Gotham though it will be less straight and more less of a circle than it usually is.” True
“That’s where you come in, Louis still refuses to go near Gotham after last time and you're one of the best investigative journalist on the team. What are the plans now that the cats out of the bag? What does the Justice League have to say? If any of them are there, do the Bats have any thoughts? Do what you have to Clark.”
The other end of the line went dead and Clark released a breath. Thank sweet Shepherds pie that he didn't have patrol tonight, from how much his burner/work phone was dinging though, that might not last much longer. The group chat was almost moving to fast to comprehend even for him.
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Justice League Official Group Chat
WonderWoman : Guys come on now, lets speak like adults and have a civil discussion about the new information
GreenArrow : I just don't know how I missed it. I’ve known him since high school. I WAS AT HIS BUDGET MEETING LAST WEEK
Cyborg : You weren't the only one who missed it, I looked back on out donations and for some reason the 4-12 million dollars are tucked away in a random spot
Flash : This is so cool tho! The only conventions that are almost as high society are Luthors’ and Star Cities. I’ve always wanted to go to a WE con but the tickets are only available via plus 1
Superman : Well I just got one for the emergency meeting tomorrow
Flash : Supes you can't mess with me like that
Superman : Got in through my Job
Batman : No private info here Superman
Green Arrow : So NOW he shows up, anything to say Batsy
WonderWoman : Be nice Green Arrow
Batman : I am in deep cover in a Gotham drug ring, I will not be available this week however Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin should be available
GreenArrow : anything Else?
Batman : What do you want me to say? Yes I knew Bruce Wayne funded the league, yes I knew how much. No I didn't see the need of bringing it up and I still don't now.
Superman : I think what Green Arrow is trying to say is next time we would prefer to know if a single person owns more than 60% of our stock and donates most funds we need
WonderWoman : He had a point Batman, now that its in the media he could be a target for the less than sweet people out there.
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The texting continued but Clark stared at his hands. It didn't make any sense, by all accounts Bruce Wayne was a very lucky man, Right place Right time kind of man. He shouldn't have the pure cunning to pull this off. Something wasn't right and Clark was going to figure it out.
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When Dick had gotten a text from Tim, freaking out about pictures and budget statements and Bruce he honestly thought the fever was getting to him.
Now that he was hiding in the Batcave with Jason and Damien watching Bruce simultaneously have a breakdown, talk to the league, arrange a meeting for tomorrow with Lucius, and try to track how those statements got out in the first place - he was no longer sure it was just the fever.
He followed Jason and Damien back upstairs to Tim's room. Tim looked awful, understandably, he’d been sick for the past three days and the stress wasn't helping.
“I just don't know why Brucie is so mixed up about it, Yaknow. Like I get that its a breach in company policy but no ones gonna figure it out now if they hadn't before.” Jason was eating a protein bar he found in the pantry.
“As much as it pains me, I must agree with Todd. I am also confused as to why Father is making a large deal of this.”
Damien was perched on the headboard of Tim’s bed.
“NO - nononono. You're looking at this wrong. Listen, Batman meant that Bruce was safe, that we were safe. Now Bruce is gonna get pulled onto the league meaning we get pulled into the league. It doesn't sound bad until people start realizing how many similarly built/personality wise live with Bruce and work with Batman”
Watching the three throw jabs back at each other gave him time to think. Tim wasn't wrong, and W.E. already got so much good publicity after turning to green energy that the Wayne's were basically under a microscope. His phone dinged, apparently Bruce had seen fit to sign Jason, Damien, and himself as moral support tomorrow.
He sent the message to the other two per Bruce's request. Jason shook his head and tried to pretend he was annoyed. Damien looked like he rather wouldn't but would go anyway. Dick was rather excited, it was an easy chance to be more involved in Gotham after he moved.
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It was the next morning and Bruce was looking at himself in a mirror. It had been a long night last night. It seemed to have really shown the lines if his life to him.
Bruce vs. Gotham Media
Bruce vs. Oliver Queen and old Friends
Batman vs. The league
Batman vs. Bruce
The list just seemed to keep growing. Now looking at himself the Brucie smile didn't quite reach his eyes, the suit he was wearing seemed to fit what Batman might wear a little to well.
Trying again, the smile seemed a little less fake, that would have to do. It wasn't that he was opposed to the Idea of the league finding Batman was Bruce, it was more the effects it may have on Gotham finding out Bruce was Batman.
“Master Bruce, your transport is here.”
“Thank you Alfred”
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He had rented out Gothams’ town square building for this meeting. People like Lucius Fox, Lex Luthor, Oliver Queen, Cat Grant, and Diana Prince would all be there as fellow business people, if not sponsors. There was also the chance that Lucius decided this was the perfect opportunity for more PR and invited the Press. Pulling up to the building and seeing 5 different news reporters there he decided to trust Lucius’ judgement.
Once the car door closed it was time for Brucie Wayne had to shine, so Bruce put on his brightest smile and waved at the blinding lights. They were nothing new, he’d been the Paparazzis’ favorite chew toy since he was 8. What was new were the 4 pairs of footsteps right behind him.
Looking behind him in the glass doors to the building Dick, Jason, Cassandra, and Damien were following behind him. When he asked for support he had meant for a quote or two. Not 4 of Gothams’ finest in full suit form confirming he was associated with the 'Bat Colony’. Bruce supposed beggars can't be choosers though and just pushed his smile a little more.
Even Superman was here, be it as Clark Kent Daily Planet reporter but still. Once everyone was inside and seated Bruce stepped onto the lit platform in the middle of the room.
“Hello, people of Gotham. You may know me, Bruce Wayne and I would like to thank each and everyone of you for appearing on such short notice. “ Cue the Brucie Wayne smile.
“Yesterday it was revealed to the public that I, myself and my company may be more supportive of the Justice League than previously thought. “ mutters around the room silenced after a couple seconds.
“4 years ago I was approached by Batman asking for help developing a system thats whole purpose was too keep the people of Earth safe. No matter how much it may feel like a different planet, even I know Gotham needs the help. So I said yes. “ satisfied nods passed around the room.
“My only condition was for it to be kept quiet, people love to assume the worst of the rich and Super-people backed by the rich are even more so frightening. So quiet it was, up until yesterday. Make no mistake, this changes nothing. No cut funding, no increased expectations, and no favors owed. The most difference is now I can go publicly see how the money is spent, instead of relying on Batman to report to me. “
Dianas' smile only grew wider as the meeting went on, Luthor looked ready to pounce on the new information. It would seem both Oliver and Clark forgot the definition of good posture half way through and everyone else was more interested in future plans than actually paying attention.
In what was probably the only unplanned action of the day, all four of his kids climbed up on stage to shake his hand. (And if he gave them a Bruce smile, instead of Brucies’ than really - who had to Know)