Midnight Strikes (Shade/Open)

Bruce Wayne looked out from the usual window in the mansion, thinking deeply. Tonight was the night where truth would come to life... where all would truly see who was on the side of justice... tonight was the night... to party!

Bruce adjusted his bowtie in his tuxedo and turned away from the window. He began to walk down the hallway to the mansion's lobby while a televised growing number of people grew and grew, all admiring the gothic style of the mansion.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Gotham City International Gala!"

Music from a live Sinatra-esque band kicked it up a notch while drinks were served. Big wigs and even politicians with their complimentary associates and security would soon be crawling throughout every area of the estate, outside and inside.

Bruce quickly spoke through his earpiece.

"Alfred, are all of the preparations ready?"

"Yes, sir..."

With a single invitation he had amassed the largest and most impressive human meat shield in the world, something Amanda Waller could not afford to attack whether or not she knew his identity (which she didn't). He knew, however, that she was close to finding out about it and narrowed the possibilities down to a few Gotham City high class denizens. Tonight may be the night he would have to initiate the Knightfall Protocol but he wasn't feeling giving away his identity just yet.

After checking to make sure the preparations were ready, he began to shake the hands of guests and socialize. Only someone like Bruce Wayne could make a sudden change in a party schedule and still retain most of the invited guests' appearances.