//------------------------------// // Balancing act // Story: Bruce Wayne, dark knight of Ponyville // by ultronquake //------------------------------// Bruce and Silver Spoon ended up sleeping in well past sunrise, both of them staying up all night took a toll. It was roundabout ten in the morning when he stirred from slumber. Feeling groggy and stiff he made his way downstairs, careful to let Silver keep sleeping. As he rounded the the corner into the dining room he found breakfast and Randolph already waiting for him. "Good morning Master Wayne, I take it you slept well?" Bruce took his seat at the table, "About as good as I can get, I think I may have thrown my back out a little when I lifted a mugger strait up the side of a building." "Did you remember to lift with your legs Master Wayne?" asked the butler. "Randolph we're ponies, we're all legs." Bruce said snidely. Randolph was not amused, "That's enough lip out of you, one more remark like that and I'm taking your breakfast back to the kitchen." "Alright old colt, you won't hear anything more out of me." Bruce knew well his manservant's threats were not idle. Down the steps came Silver Spoon looking just as groggy as her lover, "Morning Randolph, is breakfast-? Oh it is ready." She seemed to perk up upon seeing the silver trays and the table settings, a good breakfast was just what she needed. Silver took her seat across from Bruce and poured some tea from the ornate china pot. Silver Spoon was served first, Randolph removed the silvered dome covering the plate to reveal an assortment of wild greens and flowers delicately arranged, Silver thanked him and the butler moved on to his master's. With a flourish he removed the cover to reveal pancakes, seven of them, Bruce stared at his butler in awe. "It occurred to my that you would be famished after your late night excursion, is there, something wrong with pancakes sir?" asked Randolph. Bruce sighed, he didn't mind the little inside joke from his first day in Ponyville, but a breakfast consisting of nothing but starchy, syrupy cakes was not the ideal way to start the day. 'Maybe if there were some sausages or bacon...' He thought it odd that even after fifteen years of being a pony he still craved the forbidden fruits of cured meats. But food was food and Randolph knew just the right way to make a pancake, not to light and ever so slightly burnt, drowning in real butter, so he dug in. In between bites he began explaining about his escapades, and how he made some genuine progress, even if it was on a small scale. Deep down Bruce knew that reforming low life thugs was only a small step on the path to a crime free Ponyville, a small but necessary step. If real progress was to be made other changes would have to happen, the mob families being driven out and their leaders brought to justice. And improving the overall living conditions of the tens of thousands of impoverished ponies living in the slums. At least the later was something he could work on during the day time, one of the ongoing protects of Rich Enterprises was a campaign to renovate or rebuild the worn down areas of Ponyville. As Bruce chewed, Silver remembered something. "I forgot to mention, Diamond Tiara called last night." Bruce was pleasantly surprised, "Sis called?" "We talked for a while and shared some gossip. Being out of town for so long she's starting to feel out of the loop." said Silver. Bruce nodded, "I can imagine, with the games coming up I expect her coaches and trainers are keeping her busy." "Seems that way, oh she said she read about you in the paper." Silver said offhoofedly. "Business Weekly?" he asked. "You think your sister reads a boring old rag like that?" asked Silver. Bruce felt a little offended, "It's withing the realm of reason, she's a pretty savvy mare." "No it wasn't Business Weekly, it was the Equestria Enquirer." Silver said while rolling her eyes. "Princess Twilight's secret U.F.O. abduction foal, Neighstradamus' doomsday prophecies Equestria Enquirer?" asked Bruce, hopeful there was a second magazine by that name. "One and the same love, I know it's just a gossip magazine full of outlandish stories that only crackpots take seriously. But ponies are starting to take notice of you all the same, it wont be long before actual reporters start writing about Batman." Silver glanced into her tea cup for strength. "All I'm saying is you should be very careful with what you do under the mask." "I will Silver, I promise." Though he was unsure if he could keep that promise, Bruce could already envision some unsavory things the Batman would be doing soon. Looking across the room at the grandfather clock he saw the face read ten thirty, not that it meant anything in particular. He was a chief executive in the company so coming in late wasn't really an issue. What was an issue was being late for the numerous appointments he had set up with hopeful entrepreneurs. "I'm afraid I'll have to dash Silver. I'll see you tonight alright?" Bruce said as he snarfed down that last bit of the final pancake. "Don't forget we're having dinner at the Tiara with Dimple. And if you think your going to run off in the middle to go fight crime then you Will be sleeping on the couch tonight. Understood?" Her eyes were filled with the icy intensity of a mare whose watched one too many of Iron Will's self motivational videos. "Understood," Bruce kissed her and made his way to the garage, hopped into one of his luxury autos and sped off to work. Across the raised highways he sped along careful to obey the speed limit, he knew he could drive as fast as he wanted at night in his 'other car.' It didn't take long to reach his destination, the illustrious high rise of Rich Enterprises. The company as it was today only came into existence a few years ago when Bruce was old enough to start working. Before then his father used it as a holding company for 'Barnyard Bargains.' On his eighteenth birthday he was legally able to take the reigns in Filthy's absence. And when he did Bruce made some large changes, restructuring the company into an investment firm, lending out money for new business to get a start. And it proved successful, so much so to the point that, Rich Enterprises had their hooves in just about every pie in Ponyville. Upon Filthy's return he resumed his position of C.E.O. placing Bruce in charge of investments, much to the chagrin of the employees. He stepped through the tall glass doors into the lobby, nodding to the receptionist and the security guards as he made his way to the elevator. Floor after floor passed by the glass riser until it stopped on his own. A solitary domain decorated in rich blues and greens, with no actual windows, only murals depicting what Ponyville was before. Bruce felt he did his best work in here, in a comfortable surrounding. On the floor above him was Filthy's office and despite being only a floor away it wasn't very often he made the effort to go there. It wasn't that their relationship was on the rocks, not in the slightest. Filthy still regarded Bruce as his son and Bruce still regarded Filthy as his father. It's just him being away for so long seemed to add some distance between them. Which is why Bruce was a little startled when his luxurious chair swiveled around to reveal Filthy sitting in it. "Bruce m'boy, mind if we have a chat?" Filthy hadn't changed much appearance wise, apart from a mane with more salt than pepper he looked just as much like the stereotypical executive as he did fifteen years ago. "Not at all dad, mind if I take a seat?" Bruce motioned to one of the chairs reserved for interviewees. Filthy got up, "No no, this is your office. I just felt like giving your chair a spin, for some reason mine has this lump right in the lumbar that- Eh never mind." The pair played a little musical chairs and settled down, Bruce behind his desk and Filthy in front. "So what did you want to talk about?" asked Bruce. Filthy reached into his breast pocket and retrieved a fat cigar and lit up, "Nothing much m'boy, nothing much. It just seems we don't talk as much anymore. Back when you were a foal we would spend hours talking, I don't think we've done that since my release." "It's not by design I assure you," said Bruce, lying through his teeth. "We've just been so busy lately." "True, you really stepped up in my absence and for that I'm grateful, it validates the trust I had in you back then. But I wanted to know how is your home life?" Home life, that was something Filthy hadn't been privy to in over ten years. And by the time he had been released from the Equestrian minimum security prison, Bruce had been grown and living as his own stallion for several years. Instead of imposing himself on his son Filthy opted to purchase an apartment of his own, besides Filthy was going to leave the manor to his children anyway. "My home life is fine dad, Silver and I are still going steady and we're quite happy together." said Bruce. Filthy nodded and blew out a big smoke ring, "Glad to hear that, I always liked that filly. She has a level head, her parents are nice ponies. A bit eccentric but nice nonetheless. So do you have a mare on the side?" Filthy asked in a matter of fact way. Bruce emphatically said, "No." "Good, your a one mare kind of stallion like me. You see I only ask because you've been dating for fifteen years and you still haven't put a ring on her." Filthy was not so subtly hinting at something. "Silver hasn't ever brought it up, if it's something she wants then I'll do it." Bruce said in a roundabout way. Filthy sighed a little, "Ugh, Celestia give me strength. Stallions waiting for mares to propose, what has the generation come to?" He waited a little and then laughed, Bruce found it funny as well and joined in. At that moment the both of them felt connected once more, not boss and underling but as father and son. The clock sounded the hour and Bruce realized he had an appointment soon, "Sorry dad I have a full day of ponies coming to plead their case with me starting just a few minuets from now." Filthy extinguished his cigar and got up, "No I understand, I'll see myself out. But before I go there's something I wanted to ask about, work related." "Ask away." said Bruce. 'I got hold of a funding request that you denied. I found your explanation vague, mind telling me in person why?" Filthy set down a folder labeled 'Gussepi Cavallo - Nightclub' A standard enough request for capital to create a businesses. The company received hundreds of such each week and Bruce told him so. "Well yes, but the business plan is promising and the planned location is prime." "I know that, and I have no doubt it could be a smash success, but I had our ponies down in legal do some routine background checking and found this fella has some heavy ties to the Melody family. I wrote the stallion that we would be unable to accept his request and pointed him in the direction of firms with lesser moral scruples. We wouldn't want our company associated with those types of characters would we?" Bruce eyes were dead cold set on his father. "No, we ah, wouldn't want that would we? You made the right choice son. I'll see myself out now." Filthy entered into the glass elevator and rose up to his own office. 'Unsavory things.' Echoed back at Bruce, there was allot to do before Ponyville could be a crime free city once more. ***** After a grueling day in the office Bruce didn't much feel up to going out for dinner, or fighting crime for that matter. His duties put a tax on his energy that left him feeling sluggish. But Silver had insisted and they had set up the appointment weeks in advance to work around both of their busy schedules. The restaurant was about as high class as you could get, Prench chefs, snobbish waiters and a trio of classical musicians playing softly to set the mood. Placed on the top floor of the Tiara the restaurant didn't have a great view, on either side were towering bland skyscrapers that dwarfed the now minuscule hotel. What it lacked in stature the Tiara made up for in class, grand vaulted ceilings, mosaic floors depicting moments of Ponyville's history and three hundred luxury suites that even royalty would be comfortable in. Completed during the first year of Princess Twilight's reign, it came just in time to house the refugees after the catastrophe. That and it's high end clientele was enough for it to remain untouched by the reconstruction and remain one of the few 'old' buildings in Ponyville. It didn't take long to be seated, one of the perks of being the owners son Bruce supposed. Dimple was already there waiting for the two, a broad smile on his devilish chin. "Bruce! Silver! It's so good to see you both!" "Dimple, what's it been, a couple of months right?" Bruce asked as he pulled out a chair for his lady. "Two months or around that, I can't believe how much faster time flies by these days. Nothing like when we were foals for sure." Dimple had changed quite allot since the days of youth, no longer a scrawny pegasus colt with a potty mouth. Nowadays H. Dimple had grown into a successful stallion in his own right with a promising law career ahead of him. "No nothings quite the same as before." Bruce commented. Silver Spoon smiled, she felt it would be good for Bruce to be with friends. "So, I've been wondering. Ever since you called us up, do have some big news to share?" "You can see right through me it seems, I actually do have something to share. Come next election season I'm putting my hat in the ring for district attorney!" The pegasus seemed genuinely exited, "I was hoping when the time came I could count on you for financial assistance with the campaign." Bruce to was excited, "Well of course you can! You've already made a name for yourself in the prosecutors office, it's a sure bet you'll win the vote! What are you going to use as your platform?" "Anti corruption and pursuing the high up criminals what else? It's what the ponies really want." Dimple poured a glass of the aged wine on the table. "I can imagine it now, Hardnose Dimple, district attorney of Ponyville." Dimple cringed. "Do you have to use my first name Bruce? You of all ponies should understand why I'm uncomfortable about it." Bruce took the bottle and poured his own and Silver's glasses, "Well you'd better get over it soon buddy, I don't think you'll be allowed to swear in as H." "I suppose your right buddy, how about a toast? To future success." Dimple held out his glass, Silver and Bruce joined him, "Future success!" The three drank, ate and made merry together. As the night wound on conversation turned from the grand plans to the small town gossip, who was seen leaving who's apartment, rumors of an upcoming Sapphire Shores concert, things of that nature. Feeling giddy and slightly intoxicated Silver decided to ask about a touchy subject, "So how are you and Apple Bloom doing? I haven't seen you two together in forever." Bruce who still had a tighter grip on his senses had his heart go out for Dimple, it had been quite the messy breakup. "Dimple, sorry she didn't mean anything by-" "It's fine buddy, actually it's better than fine. I thought I wrecked things thoroughly with that Sweet Apple Acres fiasco, I was convinced she wouldn't want to see my sorry hide ever again. But about a week ago she came by the prosecutors office saying she wanted to get back together, apparently she just needed some time apart to think about our relationship." Dimple poured another glass in celebration. "Oh, well that's great news!" said Bruce. "I hope you two have many happy *hic* memories together *hic.*" Silver had enough to drink but she was still being pleasant. Bruce leaned in to Dimple and whispered, "We should probably call it a night, do you mind?" Dimple got the hint, he loudly proclaimed, "I've had such a lovely evening in your company, Silver Spoon always a pleasure. I'm afraid I have to dash, plenty of criminals to prosecute, no rest for the righteous and all that." Just as he was getting up from the table a piercing wail interrupted the room. An all to common sound, police sirens followed by gunfire. The band stopped playing and everypony took to the windows to get a view, on the street bellow was a armored bank car with it's back doors swung open, a pinstriped thug hanging out the back firing at the two squad cars in pursuit. "Good luck to them I say, those officers are going to need it." Dimple said solemnly. Bruce was intently following the car's movement for as long as he could, it seemed his plans for the night had been chosen for him. Silver Spoon was watching him Bruce the same intensity, and the same feeling of dread and worry from the night before began taking hold. Unsavory things.