Bruce Wayne creating Batman out of his need to make criminals feel fear, to make them run, to make them feel the way HE felt when he was a child, alone in that dark alley.

“We would take all the pain... all the rage... all the fear that had been bottled inside of you... and we would share it... with those who deserved it.”

Bruce making Batman his mask, his real face. All he needed was fear.

But still finding friendship in Gordon, understanding in Alfred, and later a bunch of orphans, like him, who would become his family. And it was only then, that he could become a symbol of Hope.

Bruce relearning love all over again. Not only in his family and friends, but in Gotham. Making Batman instead a protector, someone who could always try to make people feel safe. So people in Gotham would never have to feel the fear he felt.

“You’re the bravest boy in Gotham, Bruce. Always will be.”

Bruce always trying to leave his own self behind. Seeing himself as Bruce Wayne, as someone useless. Meanwhile people in Gotham found in him their prodigal son. Their prince.

He became Gotham. He found all the ways it was rotten and purged it. All while trying to stay in the dark.

All while the people in Gotham had always looked up to him. Always watching.

He became their signal in the sky.

“Gotham is you. Always.”

“I know what it’s like to be a lost child.”

“He is perfect, we are not. Our lives are his. We worship. We do not inspect. Batman has decided. And his will is our law.

God is above us. And he wears a cape.”

“You’re angry with all of us. You were a little boy, all alone in that alley, and no one was there for you. Not me, not Gordon, not your fellow gothamites... and not Batman.

You’re doing this all, being Batman, as some way of punishing us.“