Chapter Two: The Dark Age

MONDAY May 26, 2030

... And he just ran off, right before the Jokers got there. I almost got killed. If it weren't for Batman, I would've -

Cut him some slack, Dana. He's a busy guy, Max said, closing her locker and waving her card in front of it to lock it.

He can't be that busy! I mean -

Sorry I had to leave, Dana, Terry said from behind her.

You're always going away at the wrong moments, Terr. I'm fed up with this. I hope you're not too busy to make it to class, she said, walking away and never making eye contact.

Max, how am I supposed to do this? he said when she was out of earshot, I'm juggling about ten things at once, and I think there'll be more soon. One of the Jokers said something about the Mutants.' What does that mean? If it's anything I have to deal with...

You said you wanted me to help, right? Cheer up, Terry. You have a life outside of Batman. Graduation's next week.

***

Gordon opened the door, then felt the draft from the window that she had closed. She sighed, and closed the door again.

Terry, Bruce is dead. Hang up the suit, ok?

The man in Batman's suit stepped through the window and took off his cowl.

Nice speech at the funeral, kid.

You too.

You know vigilanteism is illegal, right?

Batman's always been a vigilante. Batgirl, too.

That cape's been unused for a long time. And it'll stay that way, unlike Bruce's.

Terry smiled, but said nothing.

Gordon narrowed her eyes, I could arrest you for killing that Joker.

But you won't. Old time's sake, Terry said, pulling the mask back on.

The old time was with Bruce, not you, McGinnis! This should end now! Bruce Wayne is dead!

But Batman isn't, said the Knight, before diving out of the window to the dark city beyond.

***

Here we go, Max said, looking up at the massive computer monitor, The Mutants. A gang that roamed Gotham in the early 1980s. Disbanded when their leader was beaten by Batman - Mr. Wayne - and reformed later as the Sons of Batman.

Hey, they came around to our side in the end. Don't sound too bad, Terry said.

I don't think so. They just followed whoever had the most power at the time. When Batman proved his power, they became the Sons of Batman. After Bruce stopped it and before you became Batman, the Jokers formed...

You don't think it's the same gang.

A cold draft. Bats overhead.

Maybe. I bet the Jokers will become the Mutants, at least.

So what? It's just another gang, right?

Max tapped a few more keys, Nope. Much more dangerous than the Jokers. They got filed for everything... murder, armed robbery, rape, you name it. They owned the town. Hundreds broke out of prison. It was called the Dark Age of Gotham.

Maybe fifty years has changed them. I'm going home, Terry said.

Oh. I'll let myself out later.

Bye, Max.

Terry, wait. Are you really going to move into Wayne Manor? Don't you think someone would find the cave?

Of course not, said Terry, standing by the open entrance to the Cave, You should see how many things I've hid from my family.

***

WEDNESDAY May 28th, 2030
Two days later

Batman shiv. Batman sick. He jus' flyin' rat, yo.

Terry said quietly.

Eyes downways, Bat.

Batman looked down from his position, about ten feet above the entrance to the parking garage. Two young men stood there, dressed in bright clothes and goggles with a single red slit instead of lenses. Their heads were shaved, and one had green scales on his neck and hands.

Looks like someone needed to pay better attention in English class, said Batman, jumping down. One of them lunged at him, preparing to punch... Terry caught his fist and squeezed.

I thought splicing was illegal.

Hey, you a bat. I can be a snek, said the spliced boy, before spitting in his face.

Terry released his hand and punched him hard. Who are you two supposed to be?

I Rod, he Don. We Mutants.

Ah. Back so soon? Batman said.

See, Don, he member us. Told you he'd member us. You shiv! You owe me five!

I don' owe you nuthin', said the other, wiping blood from his face, propped up on the ground with an elbow, He an old rat, ain' he?

An ageless soul...


Guess I don't have any reason to bring you guys to the cops... yet. I'll keep my eye on you.

We din' do nuthin'. Right Rob?

We din' do nuthin', Bat. We leave you lone, you leave us lone. Don' shiv. It's good.

Play nice, boys, Batman said, spreading his wings.

'At's right, Bats. We play real nice, right, spuds?

Voices from all around... the shadows were talking...

We play nice.

No shiv.

Play nice with this swi'blade.

Play nice with this chain.

No shiv. We play reeeeal nice.

They surrounded him; dozens of Mutants, all with the red slits, the shaved heads; many were spliced to have sharp teeth...

You've brought friends, Terry said.

More than jus' Don and Rob, right Don?

More than jus' Rob and Don.

They dove at him, stabbing, swinging. There was the sound of laserfire -

Terry held them off as well as he could. He took several punches, was hit in the head with a chain, and one of the switchblades drew blood from his arm. There were too many... Granted, there were no superpowers, no strength-amp suits, no freezing guns; but fifteen teenagers bent on killing can be really dangerous.

Then, the weight of several was lifted from him... Batman kept the rest at bay and looked for the ally. To his right, in a suit like his own, was -

Ma - um - Batgirl!

Whu? There's a girl Batman?!

The strength-amp suit was helping her, but the fighting skills were still Max's. The icon on the chest was yellow on her suit, like the original Batgirl's... Gordon.

What are you doing?! You can't just - Terry started.

Can't this wait, Batman? Max said, punching one of the Mutants and throwing away his switchblade.

Run, man! We run! Can't do two at once!

No shiv?

No flippin' shiv, man!

The street cleared of mutants; now the only evidence of the battle were spots of blood on the pavement - most of them from Terry.

Sorry. Couldn't resist, Max said.

At least now the old man can't stop you, said Terry, tapping the button on his belt to call the Batmobile, I think you would've made a good Robin, myself.