DC Elseworlds Batman End of Days
DC Elseworlds: Batman: End of Days
In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places—some that have existed and others that can't, couldn't, or shouldn't exist. The result is stories that make characters who are as familiar as yesterday seem as fresh as tomorrow.
Chapter One
"Is it true?" Dick Grayson, formerly known as Robin and currently known as Nightwing, was at Wayne Manor, his home following his parents' death. He came as soon as he heard the news that his mentor Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, had died in a car crash. "Is Bruce really dead?" "Yes," said Alfred Pennyworth, who was the playboy's butler. "Bruce is dead." Alfred was extremely distraught. He had worked for Bruce's parents before they were killed and had acted as a father figure for Bruce since he was a child. Now, he looked as if he had lost a son. "But it wasn't a car crash that killed Master Bruce." "I thought that that was a ruse," Dick replied. "What did kill him?" "A criminal named Bane," Alfred continued. "He made his way into the Batcave and broke Bruce's back. Bruce was already tired from a breakout at Arkham, and Bane seized the opportunity." "How are Jason and Tim taking it?" Jason was Jason Todd, Dick's replacement as Robin. He was blinded during an explosion caused by Bruce's now deceased archenemy the Joker, but he continued to fight crime as Midnight. Tim Drake, a neighbor of Bruce, replaced his role as Robin. "They are still in shock," Alfred continued. "They just can't believe that their friend is gone."
Two days later, Bruce's funeral was held. He was buried on the manor's grounds next to his parents. Following this, Bruce's lawyer gave Dick a letter. It read:
Dick,
If you are reading this, it means that I have unfortunately passed on. I just want you to know that while we never saw eye-to-eye on certain things, I was always happy about how you turned out. I loved you like the son I never had. You have grown into a well-seasoned crimefighter and I am happy to call you my successor as Batman.
Your Friend,
Bruce.
After reading the letter, Dick was surprised. He and Bruce had been on-and-off friends since the time that he was fired from being Robin, but he never would have thought that he would be chosen as Bruce's successor. After all the guests had left, Dick went through the grandfather clock entrance that led to the Batcave. He stood there in the darkness. In the distance he could hear bat screeching. He knew Bruce was right. He had to become Batman.
Hours later, both Jason and Tim went down to the cave. "Dick?" Tim and Jason started to look for him. "Alfred said that dinner is ready." "Tell Alfred that I'm going out tonight." Both suddenly turned around and were shocked to see that Dick was standing there, wearing Bruce's Batman suit. "Dick," Jason said. "What are you doing?" "Fulfilling Bruce's last wishes," he said. "Nightwing is no more. Now, I'm Batman." Both were still in awe over Dick's transformation. Dick quickly got in the Batmobile and drove off, preparing to start his vendetta against Bane.