“Breakfast sir,” Alfred Pennysworth said, putting a silver platter by the desk as Bruce Wayne typed away, the screen of the Batcomputer casting a pale glow on his face.

“Breakfast?” Bruce asked. “Isn’t it 5 P.M?”

“Well you were asleep this whole morning so I opted 5 P.M was a good time as any.”

Bruce Wayne opened the silver tray to reveal eggs and bacon, the smell of which caused Bruce’s stomach to grumble.

“Thanks Alfred,” Bruce said.

“I am sworn to serve sir,” Alfred said, taking his place behind his Master.

The three screens of the Batcomputer was the only light in the Batcave. The muffled screeches of bats echoed throughout the cold walls and steel walkways of the cave, all the while the A.I voice of he Batcomputer droned through the night.

On one of the screens, Alfred Pennysworth could see articles of a new superstar called the Spider-man in New York juxtaposed to the newspapers of Gotham City talking about a masked vigilante who webs up criminals suspiciously familiar to the webs New York’s Spider-man used to perform tricks.

“As soon as Peter Parker left New York,” Bruce said, taking a bite of his bacon. “Spider-man entered Gotham. It’s safe to believe they’re related somehow.” He turned to Alfred. “What did you find out about the webbing?”

“It dissolved after an hour, sir,” Alfred said. “But me and Ms. Gordon managed to replicate it. It’s strong, durable and the formula is far too complex for a teenager to come up with.”

“Unless said teenager is a genius,” Bruce said. He typed something on the keyboard and pages upon pages of report cards popped up on screen. “This Parker kid was and still is the top of his class. He excels at the sciences but his other subjects don’t fall so far behind either. He even wrote an essay about me and got top marks in his class.”

“Charming,” Alfred said.

“Says here his father is a Richard Parker,” Bruce said.

“Did you just say Richard Parker?” Alfred interjected, politely of course.

Bruce nodded. “Yeah, why?”

“Well sir, Richard Parker was an excellent scientist,” Alfred said. “He even worked with your father on some projects. One of the greatest minds I’ve ever gotten to know. It’s unfortunate he died so soon.”

Bruce stroked the stubble on his chin. “Hmm.”

“Pardon me asking,” Alfred said. “But why are you so interested in this child?”

Bruce turned to him. “I just want to know why, Alfred. Why does he do what he does? Smart kid like him should know better than to seek trouble yet he’s always out there fighting dangerous men.”

“I could say the same thing about you, sir,” Alfred said.

A small smile appeared in the corner of Bruce’s mouth. “I heard some of the Falcone’s people are after him. He’s risking his life doing all of this…”

On the Batcomputer was a picture of Peter Parker from his yearbook with a big grin, his glasses all but falling off his nose.

“And I want to know why.”

…

“Why?” Dick asked over the phone.

“Something came up,” Peter said, pulling up his boots.

“A group of criminals robbed Gotham’s Royal Bank,” said Vicki Vale on the radio sitting besides Peter Parker’s bed. “The criminals have been identified as Nico and Roman Cilleb. Brothers with a very lengthy criminal record.”

“My aunt is…” Peter grunted, struggling to pull up his red gloves with a phone in one hand. “You know.”

“I understand,” Dick said, his voice a little softer. “You sound like you’re struggling with something.”

“They’re carrying high tech weapons,” Vicki said. “A few police officers have been wounded…”

“Bastards,” Peter mumbled. Pulling up his other boot while leaping across his room like a one-legged kangaroo.

“What?” Richard said.

“Nothing,” Peter said quickly.

“Citizens are advised to avoid them at all costs,” Vicki said. “We will be keeping you updated on any developments…”

 “Alright Pete,” Richard said. “Call me if you need anything.”

“No problem,” Peter said, shuffling through his bag for his mask. Realizing it wasn’t there, he checked under the bed his hand brushing across the floor like a broom.

“Uh… Pete?” Dick said.

He grabbed the mask letting out a little grunt of victory. “Sorry,” he said. “I’ll catch you later, Dick.”

“Don’t call me…”

“And thanks for everything!” Peter said quickly hanging up.

“Police have tracked them to an underground parking lot in Crime Alley,” Vicki Vale said. “Police are keeping their distance as they are unsure of what these criminals are going to do next.”

Peter put on his mask and Spiderman leapt out of the window.