Continued from here part 1
Gotham City Superior Court 1990
A man named Phillip Wayne sits with balled up fists as his lawyer speaks, "I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, we've gone through every loophole, the will is rock solid. Mr. Pennyworth is in charge of all your brother's assets until Bruce comes of age. We can try another appeal but frankly he can afford to fight this forever now and you can't."
Phillip looked up at that, "So if I took custody?"
"You're brother's will was actually very specific about Pennyworth being named legal guardian, he's the kid's Godfather and there's really no legal reason to contest his custody. My advice, take the few mill, you're brother left you and move on."
Phillip sighed as Alfred walked past, "I don't know what your game is butler, but you won't get by with it."
Alfred stopped mid stride as his lawyer attempted to nudge him on, "Mr. Wayne, I'll have you know, Thomas and Martha Wayne were more than my employers. They were my best friends for 15 years, they entrusted me with their legacy and their son, and I will not allow anyone to endanger either, least of all a man like you."
His tone was stern and imposing as Phillip glared at him. Bruce watched a few feet back as his uncle lost his composure and took a swing at Alfred. He caught Phillip's fist and held it firm as he calmly finished his statement, "We are done here Mr. Wayne."
The nanny who stood with Bruce was pleased to see Bruce smile for the first time since his parents died.
***
Mid-town Gotham 1991
Alfred enters the office of a small studio that houses a children's karate class. The man in charge of the place asks Alfred to take a seat, "Thank's for coming. I wish I could say it was good news."
Alfred looked curious, "I was under the impression Bruce was doing quite well here."
The instructor nodded, "Oh, don't get me wrong, Bruce is phenomenal. He's one of the most naturally gifted martial artists I've ever seen at his age. He's driven, he's focused. His issue isn't about performance."
"Then why am I here?"
The instructor sighed, "Some of the other parents have an issue, when we spar he has a tendency to leave bruises."
"This is a karate class, bruises shouldn't be unusual one would think."
The man shook his head, "Frankly, the boy is ferocious. He's thirteen but my seventeen year olds are afraid to spar with him. I think it'd just be better for everyone if we remove him. I'd suggest you get him some help to deal with his anger issues."
***
Wayne Manor, a half hour later
Alfred entered and marched up to Bruce's room. He walked in to see Bruce bent over a microscope, "If you aren't going to knock, I see no point in doors."
Alfred raised an eyebrow as he glared down on Bruce, "We need to discuss your behavior."
Bruce popped his head up and turned, "I assume this means I'm done with karate class."
Bruce shrugged, "Oh, well. They taught me all I needed, I can master the rest on my own."
"I was told you were being quite rough with the other students."
Bruce turned back to his desk, "They should have practiced more, if they had maybe they could have blocked better."
Alfred grabbed the back of his chair and turned it to face him, "You need to control your anger."
"If you're going to give me a speech about letting go, I've heard it about a dozen times."
Alfred sat on the corner of Bruce's bed and sighed, "I'm not going to give you empty words you won't listen to. You have every right to be angry, hell, I'm angry for you, but we have to do something here Bruce."
He thought for a moment, "I remember when I was in the military, I had an instructor who would tell us,'Anger is like a shovel'. Its a tool to be used, but like any tool you must learn to use it properly. So maybe you learn to focus it. Turn it into something helpful, you could use it to drive you. You use it to become a doctor like your father or a politician. You could use your anger to make this city safer so no other child will have to go through what you did if that's what you want. What I will not allow, is for you to become a bully."
Bruce gave Alfred a nod, "I'm sorry. I'll do my best to get it under control."
Alfred gave him a halfhearted smile, "Alright then, back to your homework."
"Its not homework, I'm learning how to differentiate finger prints."
Alfred shrugged, "Everyone needs a hobby, I suppose."
(To be continued)
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