Night One- Obsession has always been a driving factor in many of Master Bruce’s long nights. An obsession to see things to the end, an obsession to make things right again and an obsession to save the city he loves and another more secret obsession that Master Bruce would never admit to himself: an obsession to make things perfect. Master Bruce’s obsession with perfection is seen in how he fights, how he trains, how meticulous he is with each and every mystery thrown his way. He’s obsessed almost to the point of paranoia and every night ever since I saw this obsession grow in him I worry about the spill over effect it will have on the people around him but what I worry about, more than that is when Master Bruce will notice the negative effects of his obsession and the only option I’m left with is to pray that it won’t be too late.

“Lucius,” Bruce said, Mr. Fox’s face plastered on the centre screen of the Batcomputer. “Is the line secure?”

“Yes Master Bruce,” Lucius Fox said. “I tripled checked.”

“I wanted to ask about Otto Octavius,” Batman said. “What project was he involved with? Why did my father terminate his contract with him especially since he was such a great scientist?”

“It’s true Octavius was a great scientist,” Fox said. “One of the greatest minds I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was part of the then Wayne Industries prosthetics program. Octavius came up with a new kind of prosthetic, one that would immediately respond to your thoughts much like an actual limb. It would accomplish this by connecting a neurochip to your spinal column, hijacking your nervous system and allowing you to move flexibly.”

“What happened?” Bruce asked. “Technology like that would have revolutionised prosthetics as we know it.”

“Well,” Fox said. “Otto had been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder shortly after his first breakthrough. That made him increasingly more desperate, so desperate in fact that he started to begin human experimentation without the Wayne’s consent. The side effects of such experimentation were… disastrous to say the least. Many of the subjects suffered acute paralysis, others even died. Your father wanted to pursue legal action but due to the disorder Octavius was facing decided it would be best to terminate his contract and deny him his medical licence. Octavius was never allowed in a lab ever again.”

Alfred arrived at Bruce’s side.

“Thank you Lucius,” Bruce said. “That will be all.”

The centre screen of the Batcomputer flickered to darkness. Bruce had his hand over his chin.

“You seem to be brooding more than usual,” Alfred said. “What seems to be the matter?”

“A smear campaign made by a sad petty man,” Bruce said. “This is all that is. My parent’s name is being dragged across the mud because Octavius wants to play the victim.”

“That could very well be the case,” Alfred said. “But in this city things are rarely ever that simple.”

“Are you saying my parents were criminals?” Master Bruce snapped, getting up from his chair.

“No, I’m just saying that there’s a lot we don’t know,” Alfred said. “We have to be prepared for any situation that may arise.”

“Get out of my sight,” Master Bruce said dryly.

“Excuse me,” Alfred said.

“I said get out of my sight!” Master Bruce growled.

“Master Bruce I loved your parents almost as much as you did,” Alfred said. “Flaws and all. Meanwhile, you’re letting your love for them cloud your judgement. You’re not seeing things clearly and that’s affecting your activity…”

“If I need your advice I’ll ask for it,” Bruce shouted. “Now get out of my sight and don’t let me see you here again!”

Alfred let out a sigh of pity, he tried desperately to hide his breaking heart. “Fine then, Master Bruce. If that is what you wish.”

Bruce sat on his seat, not meeting Alfred’s eyes.

“But take this as a warning, Master Bruce,” Alfred said. “Otto Octavius has nothing left to lose. That makes him dangerous.”

Alfred stared at Bruce’s prosthetic leg, almost sticking out amidst the pristine silver walkways of the Batcave,

“A lot more dangerous than you.”