Disclaimer: I do not own Batman Beyond

A.N: I am SO sorry for not updating consistently! I want to thank everyone who's added this story to their favorites, their watch, and reviewed! It really got me feeling guilty enough to update...heh heh…(bricked)

Last Heir to Delirium

Chapter 3: Anew

"Terry, there's a robbery at the chemical plant on the east side. Looks Serious."

"I'm on it."

As he glided through the dark metropolis on crimson wings, Terry's own thoughts glided elsewhere. It had been a relatively quiet crime day, with only two muggings and one attempted assault. The assault had shaken Terry.

Only mentally, of course.

The small pack of Jokerz had been easier to defeat than a math test, which hadn't bothered him. The victim was the one on his mind.

Wasn't she the new kid at school today?

As he tried to remember her name, the plant came into view. It was nothing spectacular. But how could it be when it had gone under over 40 years ago? After some guy, Crane's, drug scheme had failed, the place had been dubbed "contaminated", too dangerous to house chemicals. However, the place still provided shelter for various citizens, be it single, couple, or in groups. Why there would be a robbery there was beyond even the mind of the new batman.

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A particularly dark creature watched avidly from an old set of rafters as its new pet descended upon its realm. The structure was devoid of any squatters on this fine eve, and it couldn't have been happier.

"We're going to have lots of fun, my little black myotis…"

PLEASE, Stop this at once! You can't go through with this, you-

Before the voice could effect any change in opinion, the figure leapt with relative ease onto a ladder about 20 feet above its previous perch. The specter then ascended the fixture with the same nonchalance that it displayed earlier, to the roof.

To the batman.

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Batman tensed unconsciously as the single figure approached him.

Where were the other thieves? Were there any at all, and if so, where were they now? Before he had landed on the aged structure, the mask had picked up the heat signals of at least a dozen people. Where was everybody? Whe-

Terry suppressed a yelp as he barely dodged the huge high-tech sickle the figure had obviously brandished while he was lost in thought. As he landed and took on a more ready stance and mindset, he managed to get a look at the villain.

The person wore a black (and probably tight), Kevlar/spandex body suit as the base. The faded leather boots looked hand sewn but sturdy. The pointed toe of each boot went out at least seven inches beyond where the real ones would go. The slightly oversized gloves were made of the same material, and looked to be sewn the same way. The fingers and the thumbs all ended in sharp, claw like points. The cowl was constructed in the same fashion as the previous batman costume. However, this cape, rather than consisting of one universal fabric, was a jagged puzzle of thousands of sewn together patches of leather and fabrics, each a different drab, faded shade than the other. The hat they wore on their masked head was of a similar design as a 17th century witch's hat, only the point ended in a loose curl. And at the beginning of the cape was a mask Bruce Wayne, the original batman, would recognize instantly. And at that instant, seeing through the suit's visual feed, he yelled in surprise,

"Terry, don't get too close to him! That's the Scarecrow!"

Batman froze. Wasn't the Scarecrow dead? And if he wasn't, he couldn't be the person in the suit. As Terry dodged, blocked, and parried the series of jump and spin kicks the specter was using against him, he knew that the original Scarecrow definitely couldn't be in the suit he was now trading punches with.

Suddenly, rather than balling his fist as his gloved hand shot in batman's direction, the ragged creature extended his fingers, and in one fluid motion, slashed open the forearm the dark knight used to block an intended volley. Then, like a viper that had just inflicted the fatal blow, he jumped back out of the fighter's circle. Batman was unaware of the sudden change.

It was just a scratch, so why did Terry's head feel like it was ready to implode any second? As he tried to find the culprit for his sudden predicament, Terry stumbled and fell, his head exploding in pain. As he looked from where he was crawling to his feet, a familiar face crouched down to meet his own.

"Dad! Wha-Where did you…?"