Epilogue

Clark searched for days; Gotham had never felt so huge to him. Over the summer he had learned the layout of the city fairly well but now it felt so foreign. He X-Rayed every building and home in Gotham. He searched every utility tunnel and sewer. He leaned on every snitch that Batman used, Batman was just gone, no clues, no witnesses…no hope?

Alfred had tried the tracking devices built into Batman's suit but they were not functioning. He called in a few favors from his old friends at MI6 and a few of Batman's contacts that he knew of but it lead to nothing but dead ends.

Clark had found Harvey Dent who was now calling himself Two-Face after capturing him in the middle of killing off the rest of The Roman's family. He had questioned Two-Face about Batman's disappearance and believed him that he had nothing to do with it.

Gordon was pissed off; he had lost the two men he had come to count on. Harvey was the first honest DA in several years and had been instrumental in bringing down The Roman. And Batman was the protector of his city, protected his city against people like…Harvey. He had sent his men out to look for the Bat but he was spread so thin that he could only keep that up for a few nights.

The Batcave seemed darker than ever when Clark flew in.

"Master Clark, may I have a word with you sir?"

Clark fell wearily into the Batcomputer's control chair. "Yeah Alfred."

"I think we have exhausted all of our leads sir. I don't think we can do anything else." Alfred said as he pulled up a chair next to Clark. "I think it's time you opened this." Handing him a large envelope.

Clark looked at the envelope for a few seconds and then took it and opened it. Pulling a letter out he began to read out loud:

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To Clark and Alfred:

If you are reading this then I am either dead or I have disappeared.

Clark your training is more than complete. Your powers have made you the most powerful being on the planet and probably in the galaxy. If my calculations are correct, you should continue to grow stronger in the next few years and your body should be fully charged by the sun.

I would like to ask that you continue my fight that I have started here. Not just for my sake or my parents' but for the people of Gotham. They need someone to protect them. Too long have they lived under corrupt leadership and evil men.

To you Clark I leave the Batcave, the house and Wayne Enterprises to use as you see fit. The company should more than supply any financing you need for this war on crime. And the Batcave and house will give you a base of operations.

To Alfred, I leave the rest of my estates, businesses and money. You have been a faithful servant and friend and father figure. I would not have been able to do what I have done without your assistance. The only thing I ask of you is that you help Clark get established without me. Guide him as you did me. And then go buy yourself an island and retire old friend.

Enclosed in this envelope is my updated will that includes Clark. All the passcodes for the house, cave and anything else Batman related. And authorization of the transfer of the companies into your names.

Good luck my friends.

Bruce

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The cave was silent aside from the bats and equipment.

"He's really gone…" Clark said with tears in his eyes.

Alfred had turned away and had a hand to the bridge of his nose. He could see the powerful struggle that Alfred was going through to keep his emotions under control.

Turning back to Clark he spoke quietly. "Yes. Lets get some sleep and then tomorrow we'll figure out a course of action."

Alfred quickly made his way up the stairs and disappeared into the house.

Clark got up from the chair and walked around the cave. He made his way through the training area, the lab and then walked through the trophy area. Most of them had been collected before he came to Gotham this summer, except for the huge penny. He and Batman had stopped a robbery at one of the museums that was showcasing large art. The penny had been given to them after they had returned the items a gang had stolen.

He walked to the costume vault and took off his costume. He slowly looked around at all the gear for the Batman, all the wonderful devices that Bruce had created to make himself into the ultimate weapon. He shed another tear as he turned off the lights and walked upstairs.

FIN

A/N: I've finished my first Fanfiction! Don't worry all, more is coming! I just felt I had come to the end of Clark's superhero begining story and now I need to move into a sequel. Besides how much can you cram into one summer…?

I hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all the feedback, I think the next one will be even better because of your help.