The first fanfiction I've actually seriously written. It's sentimental, about as sentimental as Batman can get, so don't expect too much action. It would do well as the ending episode(s) of the TV series. It might help if you've read Frank Miller's graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, as well as the novel by Greg Rucka called Batman: No Man's Land to clear up some details. Ok. An illustration by myself for this fic is up at http://geocities.com/pigglybob/bat.jpg . Now then, without further ado...
DEATH FEEDS THE BAT
Chapter One: The Legacy
FRIDAY May 23, 2030
It was all about loss. Being Batman was about sacrifice, suffering, and vengeance...
The gravestone was massive, made of black marble. On it were the words BRUCE WAYNE, 1949-2030. HIS LEGACY LIVES ON.
Only Terry knew what it meant. He would have to keep it going. Death is what made the spirit of Batman stronger.
The will... the will was a crumpled piece of paper that had written on it Give it all to Terry in handwriting scrawled in his last moments. He had no family, he had no one else who he could trust with the greatest secret ever kept in Gotham.
Terry sighed. The funeral had been over for hours. It was getting dark.
How long are you gonna be here? said a voice. Terry jumped. Max.
He meant a lot to me.
He made you Batman, the girl said quietly.
Batman won't die. He wouldn't have wanted that.
How will you do it anymore without him?
I don't know. With your help, at least, he looked back at Max, hoping for a smile. Anything.
She wore a black dress and veil, folded back. Her hair was black again, in time for the occasion.
We'll see, she said.
Well, I gotta get home. Going out with Dana in an hour.
Taking the Batmobile?
What I figured, Terry said, turned back to the grave.
I'll drive you home, Terr. Come on.
Thanks, Max.
***
Terry, where've you been? I thought you were going to help me pack!
Come on, mom, the guy just died a week ago. We can at least wait a while to move to the Manor.
Or do you just want to get out of packing? his mom said, as Terry walked to his room and she folded a sweater.
Got a date with Dana, he said through the closed door, changing clothes. Wondering why he didn't hear the traditional catcalls to this affect, he said, Where's the twip?
A friend's house. He didn't want to help either.
Apparently they weren't all taking Bruce's death as hard as he was. Terry left the room and closed the door behind him.
said his mother, still holding the sweater, I'll ask you again - why did he give us everything he owned?
Terry looked at the floor, Because I'm all he's got, he said, no matter how much he wanted to tell her the rest.
***
The line stretched on for blocks, until the flashing colored lights of the club were barely visible.
Who's playing? Terry asked.
Pugilism. And it's only the fifth time I've told -
Right. Sorry. I've got other things on my mind...
Honestly, Terr. He was just your boss, Dana shoved her hands into her pockets and turned away.
Dana - Terry started, Look, I'm sorry I haven't been able to do much lately - for the past year - because of Mr. Wayne, but it won't stop now. I'm... still busy -
Crime never sleeps.
- I'm sorry.
Busy with what? Dana asked.
Terry frowned, saying nothing. Hey, slag the line, let's -
Go somewhere quiet?
He grinned.
I'd love to, Dana said, holding his hand an leading him down the street away from the line and the club.
Got any place in mind?
Right here's fine, she pulled him left into a gap between two buildings.
An alley?
Why not? It's too dark for anyone to see us, she took off his jacket and they kissed...
In the distance, a scream. Laughter.
Terry cursed to himself.
Gotta go, he said, darting away without another word.
Christ, Terr! Every single time! she fixed the straps on her dress, Even when your boss is dead you're still never around!
She ran out of the alley after Terry, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, out of shadows there came Vengeance, the Knight.
Terry said, into the headset inside his cowl, to the man who would never answer.
He swooped down on them, wings spread, luminescent red icon burning into their memories.
He knocked two Jokers off their bikes; the others gave up harassing the line and went for Batman.
He landed. They were on Midlevel Gotham, and all that kept them from the ground hundreds of feet below was a small guardrail...
Explosive Batarangs to the remaining bikes and they were all off. Three came running at him, swinging a chain, a whip, and a rubber chicken.
He dodged. They were tangled. Two easy.
Don't you guys ever give up?
Same to you, Batsy, said the leader, dressed in purple, Don't worry, we'll be out of your hair soon. Oh, look! He pointed behind Batman, in mock terror.
Terry whipped around. The biggest Joker was at the guardrail, his hand stretched out, holding -
She looked up in surprise at the voice... Didn't know where it came from...
We'll make a deal, said the leader, Leave us alone and we'll keep her safe. Don't, and... we won't!
Laughter.
All right, Terry said, I'll back off. Put... the girl down.
If you say so, said the Joker holding her, releasing his grip.
Dana screamed as she fell. Their cackling didn't completely mask the sound of sirens...
Batman yelled, rocketing towards the Joker who had been holding Dana. He punched him with every ounce of his own and the suit's strength, then soared down after the girl -
Close. Too close.
Dana was safe, but the Joker who had held her had fallen to his death.
Batman flew upwards to Midlevel, holding her, not saying a word for fear that she'd recognize him. He landed, and there was an instant that their eyes met, and Dana knew there was something familiar...
There was a chopper and three officers; one was leading the Jokers into the helicopter, one was standing with a gun, the last was the commissioner Gordon.
Isn't a Joker attack a little to small to drag you out her, Gordon? Batman asked her after letting Dana go.
I came here for you, Batman. We need to talk. And, besides that -
I didn't mean to kill him!
Meet me tomorrow, ok? she walked back to the helicopter silently.
Don't worry, Batman!! yelled one of the Jokers being escorted into the helicopter, We'll be out of your hair, but the Mutants will come back! The Mutants -
He was interrupted by an inaudible phrase from one of the officers.
Terry turned around and saw Dana looking back at him. She hadn't moved from where he had brought her. Probably still in shock.
Now I'll have to abandon her as Batman, too, he thought, before launching upwards and out of sight.
