Hello everybody
I have my issues regarding modern-day Bruce Wayne, overexposure by DC, the part of his crazy fans being a bunch of brats, DC having destroyed his character into a mission-obsessed, control freak jerk writer's pet/Gary Stu mess for massive Flanderization. Pretty much what MCU has done with Robert Downey Jr/Tony Stark.
The actual modern-day versions of Bruce I like are so small I can count on one hand with being ones subverting the Flanderization of Batman. However, all that said it really irks me what went down in the Batwoman section of Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths event.
Not only did they spit on Kevin Conroy's Bruce in live-action for the first time all for propping up Kate, but they also had the earth 99 version of Luke be a stand-in for Terry McGinnis.
Yeah, Terry is a far more awesome character than Kate Kane with being a worthy successor to Batman.
So, I am fixing this garbage with restoring Kevin's Bruce and Terry to their rightful places.
Oh, I'm having David Mazouz play Terry, and yes is a reference to the actor playing a young Bruce on Gotham. Which given Terry's backstory, I find fitting in more ways than one for using David.
If you like Kara Kent or Kate Kane from the Arrowverse you might want to use the back button.
Wayne Manor on Earth 99 during the night
Kate Kane and Kara Danvers wearing their civilian clothes stop at the main doors just as they open to reveal a physically fit yet attractive teenager with black hair standing at nearly six feet tall. A dark-colored T-shirt underneath a chocolate-colored jacket, blue jeans, and boots.
"Hello, can I help you?" the teenager asks.
"Perhaps, we are looking for Bruce Wayne? And what's your name?" Kara asks.
"Terry and do I know you?" he inquires.
"No well, I... I'm Kate Kane. I'm Bruce's cousin" Kate says.
"And I'm uh Kara Danvers" Kara adds grinning.
"Sorry I don't know either of you, goodbye," Terry says.
Kara and Kate just blink in shock for a few moments as Terry lets the door close in front of their faces.
"Can I?" Kara asks gesturing to the doors.
"Go ahead" Kate replies.
Kara gives a kick to the doors sending them both flying off the hinges into the hallway as the two enter looking around. Up ahead Terry whirls around reaching for a shuriken in his pocket as Kara moves around to protect her friend. However, a gravelly voice coming from the staircase gets their attention.
"Don't be so rude Terry. You'll have to excuse us; we're not used to having guests" a voice says.
They all turn to see an older man with gray hair, and a beard in a black suit walking down the stairs. The man reaching the floor level glares at them, and increases it upon seeing the damage done to his house.
"Bruce?" Kate asks curiously.
"Who are you?" Bruce asks.
"That's Kate Kane and I'm Kara Danvers well let's go with I'm Clark's cousin" Kara explains.
"Clark has no cousin" Bruce states.
"Listen if we're correct you're probably the Batman of this earth? Well, we need your help" Kate explains.
Looking over "Remember what you said about not being rude" Terry quips.
"Fine, McGinnis I'll hear them out. You can show Ms. Danvers the library" Bruce replies dryly.
"Me and my big mouth," Terry says sighing "Come on glasses."
"Hey, that's a bit rude," Kara says.
Rolling his eyes "And you kicked the doors into Mr. Wayne's house, I don't know about Kent on whatever earth you come from, but this Clark has manners" Terry says.
"Yeah sorry," Kara says sheepishly "Guess I used too much strength."
"Hope you're not that careless with humans" Bruce replies.
Frowning "Do you always growl every time you talk?" Kate inquiries.
"Yes, he does, come along blondie," Terry says turning around starting to walk off.
"What exactly is your job description for Mr. broody over there?" Kara asks following along.
"Officially I'm his personal assistant" Terry replies.
"And unofficially?" Kara inquiries.
"That's a whole different world" Terry replies shifting his voice seamlessly into a growl.
As Terry and Kara walk-off Kate sees Bruce making his way up the stairs.
In an office
Bruce and Kate enter as Bruce goes over by the desk to turn around facing his guest.
"You've let this place go. It feels like a coffin and outside could use a good hedge trimming" Kate says glancing around.
"Alfred died" Bruce replies "Now what's the situation?"
"I'm sorry," Kate says knowing how much the man was a second father, apparently no matter what earth "And the universe is in danger. We think you're a paragon of courage."
Letting out a light laugh "No, I'd say you're a few years too late. I'm not an old man barely held together but deep down I never have been a good man" Bruce says.
"Fine. You're a broken, pissed-off, old hermit waiting to die in this 11-bedroom, 7-bath coffin, but apparently, you're needed" Kate replies.
"Kate you're getting the information about these paragons from somewhere, what exactly did it say about the one regarding courage?" Bruce asks.
"Very vague as you can imagine but says a future bat," Kate says.
"That's not me, I'm not the Tomorrow Knight but I know who is" Bruce replies.
"Who? Somebody who stole your suit?" Kate inquiries.
"Actually, he did, and you've already met him" Bruce replies.
"Terry? You let him become the next Dark Knight?" Kate asks in shock.
"Yes, I did" Bruce replies "Is that a problem?"
"No, well rather you're not around for Gotham City anymore where I'm from and I've kind of had to step up," Kate says.
"You're wondering if I would approve?" Bruce asks.
Nodding "I am" Kate replies.
"Tell me why we wait," Bruce says.
As Kate begins her story Bruce heads over to a grandfather clock with opening the glass door and moving the hands to Ten O'Clock which is when his parents were killed on September Sixth in Crime Alley.
The library
While Kara is explaining about being Supergirl, McGinnis having pulled out his cellphone unlocks the code with January Tenth date, being when his father was murdered, and sends Melanie a quick text explaining something work-related has come up. Couple of seconds later Melanie sends a message back for understanding, and tells him to be careful. Letting a light grin Terry pockets the phone.
"Your girlfriend?" Kara asks.
Light nodding "She is" Terry replies.
"What's her name?" Kara inquiries.
"Melanie Walker, and yeah she is aware of what I do at night," Terry says.
"Huh, that's good" Kara replies then looking over at a picture "Who's the guy with glasses having his arm around Bruce?"
"Oh, that is Clark Kent of this earth, and they are at Bruce's wedding to Selina Kyle years ago. Sadly, Selina passed away some years prior" Terry says.
"Huh well on my earth that guy is Jeremiah Danvers who is Alex's father and adopted in my case. Needless to say, it got complicated" Kara says grimly.
"Yeah, things usually do" Terry replies.
"Is Clark still around for well" Kara says trailing off.
"Being Superman for Truth, Justice and the American Way, as one of the greatest heroes ever? Yes, he's still fighting for keeping people safe" Terry says grinning.
Frowning "You know that's offensive to everybody these days and not to mention stuck in the past," Kara says in disgust.
"Superman's a hero to the whole world, and born in America so you along with your offense can grow up instead of complaining" Terry replies icily.
Kara merely glares at the younger teen in outrage.
"Besides from everything you've told me Kate Kane and you seem like a couple more interested in ego-stroking instead of being heroes. Your Clark well the word pathetic comes to mind" Terry says.
Any further conversation is cut off when Terry gets a message on his phone from Bruce telling him to meet down in the cave. Going over to a bookcase with pressing a button on revealing a hidden elevator Terry and Kara use it to venture down in silence.
the cave underneath Wayne Manor
Finishing their journey down a flight of stairs Kate looks around curiously taking in all the changes while following Bruce over to the computer who is typing in a few keys to send a message to Terry.
"So how did Terry end up becoming Batman?" Kate asks.
"His father died a few years ago at the hands of Derek Powers a corrupt business executive to keep his dealings in bioweapons a secret. It was during that time he discovered my secret" Bruce explains.
"Do his mother and brother know what he does?" Kate inquiries.
"No" Bruce replies.
"I'd say Terry and me are alike," Kate says.
"No, you're not. You care more for ego than the people of Gotham City. And that is obvious for how frequently you let your sister escape just because of being blood. You told me for changing the suit from not wanting a man to take credit for your work, alongside somewhere of how you were starting to give people hope which you found concerning. Even deciding to announce that Batwoman is interested in women as if anybody cares" Bruce replies in disgust "Your out for your ego Kate."
"How dare you" Kate yells "All this coming from the bad who refuses to kill The Joker because of a precious code. Only from not wanting to become a monster. You lecture me on my sister but how many times does Joker escape with innocents dead at Batman's fingers?"
"I locked The Joker back up in Arkham Asylum you just let your sister walk away freely. And I don't kill since it's too easy for me, but I am very aware of the people who die because of me" Bruce says icily.
"Well, be aware of this" Kate says angrily.
Rushing forward Kate goes to hit Bruce who casually moves his head to avoid the punch while backhanding Kate in her face sending her crumbling to the ground. Finally turning around Bruce looks down at the vigilante harshly scowling.
"Do you have any idea how many bones you have left for me to break?" Bruce growls, "And if you force my hand Kate, I'll stick you in Arkham and go find somebody better to protect your city myself."
Kate merely glares while getting to her feet yet refrains from attacking knowing full well that's exactly what this Bruce would do without blinking. Plus, a small part of her who will never admit it, much less from a man causing it, yet a feeling of terror creeps up her spine at this Batman's sheer presence.
Further discussion is cut off upon hearing footsteps where they turn seeing Kara walking over, and after a moment Terry emerges from an entirely different part of the cave. Kate uneasily steps back with Kara doesn't show much reaction given her powers well has no reason for being afraid of humans in suits.
However, Batman is now dressed in a dark-colored body suit containing a red bat symbol in the middle of his chest, with a gray pouch utility belt around his waist. Over Terry's head is a face mask entirely fully enveloping Terry's head leaving no skin exposed, and white eyepieces with decent-sized ears.
"Good your already suited up, and this paragon they are looking for is you," Bruce says bluntly.
"I doubt it but if people need help, I'm willing. Just be sure to tell my family, and Melanie for well… you know" Terry says a mix of emotions despite the voice synthesizer.
Nodding "Good luck" Bruce replies having a light, genuinely approving smile.
Suddenly The Monitor arrives out of a portal nearby as Batman, Kate, and Kara heads towards it.
Hope you all enjoyed this fic and leave a review letting me know what you think.
I put in some references to Batman The Animated Series for the time/date from Bruce's parent's death being when the show first premiered on one of its dates. Warren McGinnis's murder is the same for Batman Beyond.
Also, Terry's line on his job as Batman being a whole different world is modifying the final line Bruce says at the end of Rebirth Part 2 and Kevin drops into his Batman's voice when recruiting Terry.
On Bruce using "bones you have left for me to break" bit is from the Arkham City game where Bruce uses that as an interrogation line.
Now I have Terry use the full Truth, Justice, and American way as a massive screw you to DC along with all the people who support this idiotic choice on officially redoing that classic line out of this hate the United States of America/pushing progressive political points crap.
Like next we change Captain America alias into Captain World so it will be less offensive? Yeah, grow up.
My using Dean Cain's Superman from the old show is because Dean has stuck by his beliefs instead of becoming one more entertainment sellout, and called out DC on changing Superman's classic line for scoring woke points.
Yeah, I'd say so much better for Kevin's Bruce to instead of an evil nut job who gets killed by Kate when after one hit falls into some electric machinery. And that's not even touching what they did to Terry by using Luke Fox as a stand-in.
Of course, the actual Luke Fox in the comics and animated movie is a former Marine with being Bat Wing, not just some Curtis 2.0, minus being gay, just so he doesn't interfere with Kate Kane or Ryan Wilder.
Now, true Luke in the show does eventually suit up as Batwing in Batwoman season 2, but the damage has already occurred.
The days of Arrow's early seasons or Flash where they can change stuff from other comics or mediums yet being respectful, for making good episodes is long since gone.
For Smallville's half of the episode well I may or may not write another story one day fixing that mess, but I didn't do that in this since this story was never about Smallville's damage. Even though that ticks me off greatly for how Arrowverse tried to ruin Smallville's Clark, Lois, and everything else in it.
One last bit for Kevin is they never bothered to tell him just what his role would be until Conroy showed up on set. Yeah, something tells me given how much Kevin has come to respect playing Batman is he might have easily told the Arrowverse writers to go screw themselves if Kevin knew in advance.
For Smallville's cameo using Tom Welling who was probably fine with his role given how he hated the idea of even putting on the Superman suit, and messed up Smallville's series finale for calling DC's head people as a winy brat given Smallville writers wanted to give us a dual part Superman movie finale. No, we got CGI Superman instead because of Tom.
Until next time.