Disclaimer: The characters belong to DC Comics and the creators of Batman Beyond, not to me. I make no profit. So you no sue.
Begotten of Cadmus
There was a stranger in his city, a blue-and-red stranger haunting the alleys. Terry had been on patrol when this stranger soared right up to him and said, "I'd heard there was a new Batman in Gotham."
Terry leapt back, back-flipping gracefully and landing on his feet, quick as a cat. "Who are you?" he growled, hoping the shock didn't come out in his voice. The red-and-blue stranger hovered before him, a knapsack on his back and a cape fluttering from his shoulders. Terry had never seen this guy before, had never heard Bruce speak of him – but there was so much Bruce never spoke of – but this stranger knew enough to seek him out, and there was something familiar in his blue eyes, his black hair.
"Oh, sorry," said the stranger with an easy laugh. "I should've known better than to spook a bat. Some call me Sentinel. Don't worry; I'm not a bad guy. I used to run with the Justice League and that crowd. I know the Bat clan well – the last Robin is a good friend of mine."
This Sentinel guy was name-dropping all over the place, but Terry wasn't buying it. He'd never heard of anyone called Sentinel, and he felt sure Tim Drake would've mentioned him if he were really an old friend. And yet… Terry couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar about this guy. Maybe he was one of Superman's allies? He knew Superman had at least one cousin, and there used to be a Superboy too, years ago. "Never heard of you, pal," said Terry.
"I'm hurt," Sentinel said, smiling. "I came to Gotham because you and I have a connection. I wanted to talk to you."
Terry narrowed his eyes. Connection? What was this guy talking about?
"You don't believe me. That's all right, I didn't expect you to." Sentinel tapped right below his left ear. "Kryptonian super-hearing, comes in handy sometimes. I could hear your pulse speed up. You're suspicious of me, and you have every right to be. But I have something that might change your mind." Sentinel grabbed his knapsack and Terry instinctively reached for a batarang. Before he could aim, something was tossed at his feet.
It was a baby blanket, with the Cadmus logo imprinted on it.
His mind racing, Terry froze, and then slowly looked up at Sentinel. The stranger smiled an odd half-smile, and said, "Now are you willing to talk?"