Coming from the pages of Grant Morrison's Batman #666, Comes...

DAMIAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT

Satan's Spawn Part I

This is my city. I am its protector. I'll never match my Father or Grayson but I am who I am. I am Damian Wayne. I am Batman…whether this city likes it or not.

I sit and I meditate. I clear my mind and I am at one.

Years ago when I was fourteen, after my Father's death, I sold my soul to the devil and in return, Gotham's survival was granted. The apocalypse was cancelled because I said so. I am alone in my crusade, Father may be dead but I will ensure his legacy will live on. I was born and trained to be the warrior-king of a new dark age but I didn't play by the rules.

I rise from my meditation and make my way over to the computer. I sit myself down on the control chair. Alfred, who was waiting for me comes and sits on my lap. He purrs as I stroke the soft fur along his back. I then switch on the news to see what evil awaits me.

(Monitor)

"…The spread of swine flu continues across South American, the death toll now stands at 120,000…"

"…Gotham crime boss, Professor Pyg is still at large, while 2 Face 2 escaped from Arkham Asylum last night…"

"…Anti-Islamic protestors arrested after bomb attack on local mosque in London…"

"…The new Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon, the wheel chair bound daughter of the late James Gordon, signs the arrest warrant for Max Roboto and the Batman…"

"…Tsunamis across the Japanese coast claim thousands of lives…"

"…The Joker kills a bus full of special needs elementary children with the latest strain of his deadly Joker Toxin…"

Something's never change and this city is one of them. Rotting and black to its core, hopes and aspirations come to this city to die. But this city…this city is mine.

I stand up and make my way over to the armory. After my last encounter with the 'Joker', I now know he isn't human. He's the devils incarnate. I promised Father I wouldn't kill again, but the temptation to end him is over whelming…

Later that night…

The Batman flies through the dark skies; his glider gives him better flight capabilities.

The rain lashes against my face. I ignore it. The 'Joker' was last sighted at Amusement Mile. An old abandoned fair ground strip, how fitting for a pathetic old clown.

His glider swoops down at the entrance of the Amusement strip. Batman dismounts his glider and makes his way through the large rusty gates.

The silence is unnerving. If I was a deranged psychopathic killer where would I hide? I make my way over to the big top. Its exterior remains neglected and dirty, much like this city. With ease I pull back the entrance curtain and make my way inside. The stench of death & decay is overpowering.

"Ha! The imposter returns!"

He mocks me. The Joker sits in his wheelchair at the center of the tent alone. He's wired to a drip and an oxygen canister. He's dying. Decaying skin hangs off his face. I make my way over to him, blocking out his taunts. He keeps talking but I'm not listening.

"Cat gotcha tongue!? Don't expect a couple of rounds of the good old fisty cuffs, as you can see I'm in-"

"It ends here Joker!" I growl at him.

He coughs and sputters his words out. I still don't answer him. I grasped him by the neck and hoist him into the air. His breath reeks. He's like a mangy dog.

"Ooooh not so rough! I am getting old you see! You're no fun! He-he! You don't talk to me like he used to! HA-HA!"

His eyes are mesmerizing. I glare into them, I feel like I'm looking into the black abyss. I look for a sign of life but all I find is darkness & chaos. I don't want to answer him. I don't want to give him the satisfaction.

"Don'pretend you deserve to wear that silly outfit! You've got nothing on the REAL Batman! He-He!"

"You deserve to die! But that's what you want! You'll get the get the last laugh if I kill you!" I shouldn't answer him, it's what he wants.

"But you're not Batman!"

Stupid. I feel the rusty blade enter my ribcage. I gave him a second. A second too long. I don't flinch as he pulls the knife out of my chest; I tightened my grip around his throat. I can feel the life leaving his black lungs. He's gasping for air as he plunges the knife back into my ribcage.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

He's gone berserk. I hear the first crack in his throat. I just broke his epiglottis. I squeeze harder. I hear the noise of the knife as it hits the floor. I don't look. I continue to glare in his eyes. His attacks stop. I hear another crack, there goes his trachea.

And with that it ends. I drop his lifeless carcass to the floor. The blood streams from my chest like an open sewer. Sorry Father. I promised you I wouldn't kill, but he wasn't human. Something tells me that he wanted to it all to end, since my Father died, he seemed to lose apart of himself. He wanted me to end his existence.

Meanwhile…

Lair of the aging Gotham City Crime Professor Pyg

A marble altar was situated at the centre of the room. A body lay strapped to the cold stone, bound by thick rope. The man had just been given his 'New Face'.

"Beautiful! Pyg has made you perfect! Never again shall you be branded ugly!"

Pyg gestured to couple of his Dollotrons.

"Take him away!"

The two Dollotrons came over, unbound the man and dragged him by his arms out of the room.

"NEXT!"

The two Dollotrons now entered back into the room holding a young girl, she can't have been over the age of 16.

"Please- Please don't! You don't know who I am!"

The Dollotrons then laid her out on across alter and wrapped the ropes around her wrists and ankles.

"Ssshh child. Pyg will make you better. Never again shall you be forced to conform to society's need for a false perfection! Only the seeds that I sow become true perfection!"

"Please! You don't know who my father is! He'll kill you!"

"Now I have heard that one before. Bring me her new Face!"

The Dollotron complied and brought Pyg a fresh, steaming 'face'.

"Listen! My father-"

"Hush child. Your troubles will be over shortly"

"My Father is THE JOKER!"

A disgusting grin spread across Pyg's face.

"What did you just say?"

"The Joker is my Father!"

The Pyg handed the 'face' back to his Dollotron.

"Oooh I have stumbled across a hidden gem! You may come in handy. I have always wanted to show my talents to the Clown Prince of Crime!"

"You believe me?!"

"Certainly so, who would claim to be the spawn of the devil worshiping, sociopathic, psychopathic, mass murdering, best rooting tooting evil bastard there ever was!? Tell me child, what's your name?"

"Elsa Quinzel"

"Pretty name, so tell me all about your Father…"

Later…

The Batcave

Alfred greets me at the door. He never fails to brighten my day.

"Screens on"

My hands are still shaking, for the first time since my Father death.

"Batman Recording. The criminal know as the 'Joker' has been terminated. I feel like somehow he wanted me to do it. Lazlo Valentin AKA 'Professor Pyg' is at large. I first met this particular psychopath during my first weeks as Robin. Since then he has risen to become one of Gotham's main crime bosses. His Dollotrons are wreaking havoc across Gotham. They can lead me back to his location. I hope James Gordon Jr. has kept his Arkham cell warm. End Recording."

To Be Continued In 'Satan's Spawn' Part II