Mother Dearest

A Batman Beyond FanFiction

Written by: Celestial Moon

E-Mail: ArmaniGirlAX@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: I do not (sadly) own Terry McGinnis. This story is purely fictional. Some of the characters are my own, etc etc. This is just for the enjoyment of all of you. Please leave some feedback :D

Part 12

Sunday 1:15 AM

Garden Heights

Flat 19D

Justin checked his watch when Batman stepped back into the room. As far as Batman was concerned, nothing had changed.

"Judging from the time, I guess you didn't have much luck, huh."

Terry shook his head and sat down. "Why?"

"You want the entire story?"

Terry nodded. "I want to know everything."

"But doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose? I mean, it's rather unrealistic that I'm just going to sit here and spill everything out to you. For all I know, you could be recording me. I could go to jail," he winked.

"You've done enough damage already. I think you owe it to me."

Justin sighed and nestled in the couch. He felt pity for the person before him, just a little. "Sasha McMann was my mother, but I didn't know this until three years ago. When she became pregnant with me, she panicked and threw me to an orphanage. It's not easy being the little runt," he said with a glint in his eye. "I was thrown from one foster family to another, most abusive, some sexually. She threw me into this life because she was an irresponsible witch who cared for no one but herself." Justin buried his face in his hands. "I tracked down my father when he came to visit me. He told me about how he had an affair with my mother during the filming of some crappy movie. He couldn't help her out when she became pregnant because he was already married, so she had no where to turn. In her line of work, she couldn't deal with a kid. Even my father didn't want to help. All he did was give me money when I turned 18. He told me that Sasha had moved to Gotham City, but he didn't know her whereabouts. So, I came here, and for three years, I did nothing but try to find her. Eventually, I did. She was hiding out here, working as a low paid waitress. I approached her, wondering if whether she would take me back or not... But she closed the door in my face. It seems that she already had another life."

"A husband?"

Justin shook his head. "No, a girlfriend. Who already had a son that was my age. They were living here in this apartment."

Batman looked down. He remembered Bruce saying something about another guy his age from HH who had also had his mother murdered. It wasn't like Bruce to not follow the lead. Terry was positive that had they spoken to whoever this guy was, they would have found the connection quicker. He made a mental note to ask Wayne later.

"So you killed them both."

"No, I killed my mother first."

"You sound so at ease with that."

"So?"

"It's sick."

"Thank you, Terry." Justin grinned. "I'm sure you've already figured out the reasons for attacking Dana's mother and Christina's..."

"Dana because she broke up with you for me. And Mrs. Wu to prevent her from taking Christina away from you."

Justin clapped. "Good... For... You, Batman. Your detective skills are remarkable. Now, let's see if you can find out this. Why did I go after you?"

"Because Dana is dating me?"

"No, no! Wrong, McGinnis, WRONG!" Justin shook his head. "Do you know anything?!"

"Then why?"

"Because my sister has taken a fancy from you. Well, half sister anyway."

Terry shook his head. "I really don't understand."

"You don't? You have seemed to make quite an impression on her." Justin leaned closer to Terry, his face inches away from the mask. "Denise Richards."

"Wh-What?" Terry stuttered.

"Well, she doesn't know about it herself... But, yes, she is my half sister."

"Then why me?"

"Because she belongs to me."

Terry stood up quickly. "You're a sick, deranged person. So, in other words, you had absolutely nothing against me to begin with."

"Other than that and the fact that Dana left me for you, no."

"You're going to jail."

"They'll merely throw me into Juvie. I'm not quite of age yet," Justin smiled. He stood up, his eyes level with Terry's. "And, the insanity plea is always available. All I need now... Is you." With that, he lunged into Terry, throwing him off balance. Falling backwards onto the carpet, Batman pushed his legs out, tossing Justin away and into the wall. Blood slowly slid down from his lip. "You're going to pay for that, McGinnis."

Terry took a step back towards the patio door. "I don't think so."

Justin lunged forward again, but this time Terry jumped out of the way. Justin's head crashed into the glass patio door, shattering the door into millions of glass shards.

"When will this end, Justin?" Terry called out, watching the other man stand up uncertainly. "When will you finally be happy. Your revenge has already been completed. What do you have against me? Your reasons so far have been meaningless, and I'm not even sure as to whether they are real or not."

The glass cracked under his feet as he stepped over to Justin. He reached out a hand. "I can help you if you let me."

Justin laughed, his voice hoarse and throaty. "You can help me? I somehow doubt that." He took Batman's outstretched hand and threw him out onto the patio. "It ends today, McGinnis."

"But, it doesn't have to. Why hide in all this pain and hatred?"

"Because this is my life! Can't you see that? You live in your perfect little world. Yes, you might have lost your father, but what about Bruce Wayne? I'm sure your relationship would extend past merely business associates. He is your guardian, he would take care of you if anything were to happen to you. Me? I have no one. At all."

"Then why live like this?"

Justin stood there, glass shards in his hair and face. Blood was streaming down in rivers. "You're right." His eyes focused angrily on Terry's. "But you're still here."

"Yes, I am."

Suddenly, loud pounding on the front door could be heard.

"Open up! Police!" a muffled voice shouted from outside. Justin's eyes darted wildly around him, looking for an escape path. The door burst open from the force of the police force and Commissioner Gordon stepped in. Her eyes narrowed when she recognized Batman standing outside on the patio with the suspect.

"Don't let him get away," she commanded. She took a gun out of her coat and took a step forward. "Jason Mannings. I want your hands up in the air. Batman, we'll take it from here. There's no where he can run."

"Wait," Terry protested. Commissioner Gordon looked at him sharply, silencing him. He took a step away from Justin. The only thing he could see was the fear in Justin's eyes. It was clear that he had never planned this.

Justin's mind raced. Eyes clouding over, he realized that there was only one thing to do. With a leap, Justin lunged off the patio.

Batman opened his wings and was about to jump down after him when he felt a gun to his head. "Don't do it, McGinnis."

"I can't let him die."

"He's a lost cause."

Terry's breathing increased as he struggled with the demons inside himself. With a burst of energy, he shouted "No! He isn't!" and jumped after Justin.