Batman had spent nearly an hour getting every resident out of the burning building. As he fired his grappling hook and swung across the block for the last time, he held a Labrador in his arms, with a worldly, unflappable orange tabby draped over his shoulder.
Looking back, he saw that the entire apartment building was engulfed in flames.
The crackle of burning wood mingled with waves of searing heat as black smoke filled the street.
The fire engine was still trapped where it had been an hour ago. The only difference was that its emergency lights had stopped flashing.
After returning the pets to their owners, Batman hurried away, leaving a chorus of thanks behind him.
He returned to the rooftop where he had parted ways with Hugo and looked around. No one was there.
"I shouldn't have trusted him..."
Muttering to himself, he pulled apart the armor joint beneath his arm, revealing a broad patch of red, swollen skin.
When he had built this suit, rescuing people from fires hadn't been among his operational objectives.
Perhaps it was time to upgrade the armor he had worn for four years.
Just then, the rooftop door opened.
Hugo appeared in the doorway, cradling his freshly bandaged hand.
His broken finger had been straightened, with a metal dinner fork secured to the bandages as a splint.
"Why did you come back?"
"Why wouldn't I? You're the only one who can help me now, even if you hurt me too."
Bruce raised his eyes, truly looking for the first time at the man he had once dismissed with the simple labels of "madman" and "criminal."
"You think the Riddler is connected to this riot?"
"Yes. He helped fan the flames. Of course, the antidote I developed also played a part."
While developing