BATMAN BEYOND

IT'S TIME

Terry walks to the original Batman suit on display within the Bat-cave as Bruce watches him. His hand is placed upon the glass door and he slowly opens up the display. He glances upon it for a moment as he takes in the aura of the moment.
This... suit. This symbol of justice. This symbol of fearless rage. Is he really ready for it? All these years that Terry has used the Batman Beyond suit. It's helped him become who he is today. But here and now, is he really ready for this?

"No more help from technology. No more help from his suit. No more pretending. No more teenage games. For I am darkness, I am vengeance, I am the night. I. AM. BATMAN."

He slips the suit on one part at a time. Piece by piece. First the tights. They slide over his body. Covering the battle scars and few still remaining stitches closing his wounds. Then sliding his feet into the boots. And wrapping the utility belt around his hips and the sound of the belt clip echoes through the darkness of the batcave.

His left hand glides through the glove of the Kevlar leather mesh. Then his right hand enters the second glove. He clenches his fists as the sound of leather rubbing against itself gives off a soft yet powerful sound.

Terry looks upon the cowl, his eyes locked upon the eyes of the mask. Taking a moment as he inhales the reality of the situation. The severity of this moment here and now.

He speaks to himself in a soft voice. A slight tremble in his tone can be picked up by Bruce's ears.

"It feels like it's taunting me. Almost as if it's been waiting all this time. Like it's asking me if I really want this. Like this is some sort of contract between the suit and myself."

Bruce clenches his grip upon the handle of his cane. Knowing that what Terry speaks as true. His original suit. It holds a great meaning. But not just that, it also holds his previous life. His energy. And his true spirit. The spirit of the dark knight.

Thus, Bruce knows better than to distract Terry from this moment. Because right now, Terry must go through this final decision alone. Will he actually embrace the mantle of The Batman. Will he be brave and bold enough to transfer his trust from technology, and more into his own mind and body?

In the past Terry always depended on the Beyond suit. A suit Bruce created all because he was getting too old. Thus he had to develop a suit that would do most of the work. In all honesty, it's a suit that was created for an old man who was too old to do the job of Batman. And Terry ended up taking it and assumed that the suit makes Batman. When all he was doing... is running around the city in an old man's suit.

But now... Bruce looks upon Terry. He gulps and watches his student stand before the final test. Observing him in admiration. The fact that Terry... has finally begun to understand. That the suit doesn't make Batman. What makes Batman... is the man behind the mask. A man that has taken control of his own body and skills.

And now... it's time.

His hands slowly reach for the mask. The cowl. The face of Batman.

His fingertips touch the leather and titanium mask. And at that moment, Terry could swear that an energy passed through his body. A connection of approval from the mantle of the Bat. Almost as if it was telling him that it has been waiting for him... for all this time.

He slowly takes it off the display manikin and looks at the cowl.

Taking a moment to process the reality and gravity of the situation he is in. A moment only meant for him and him alone.

And for a split second... for but a moment. He could swear that he can hear a voice in his head speak the words.

"The cape."

He understands. And speaks the words in a deep and exact tone as the original Batman.

"Leave me."

Bruce pauses for a moment. But understands that right now. Terry needs to be alone. For at this moment. This exact precise time. He's changing. Terry... Is becoming The Dark Knight. And so now... He walks away. And takes his leave from the cave. Allowing Terry to transition from just a man. And become a symbol. To evolve. And become.

Slowly... Terry walks into the shadows and vanishes into darkness. He slowly turns the mask... the cowl... and places it over his head while closing his eyes.

"Yes... I can feel it. The cowl. It suggests the power. It carries the mantle. I never understood it until now. This isn't just a suit. This... what I'm wearing right now."

He lowers himself and kneels to the floor, picking up the cape from the ground. The same cape he took from the glass case. Picking it up as he stands and wrapping it around his back as he attaches it to his body.

"I can feel it. This is what I was always meant to be. I can't believe it took me this long."

Terry... no... Batman... at long last. Comes out of the shadows. And shows himself to Bruce. Looking at him with the eyes of The Dark Knight. And speaks only two words.

"I'm back."

Bruce hides his emotions. He hides his feelings. But speaks a simple sentence.

"Go. The city has been waiting for you. It's about time."

Batman turns and walks to the original Batmobile and opens the sliding hatch. He hops into the driver seat. And turns the long dead machine on. Brining it back to life.

The long awaited roar of the engine makes a sound that Bruce thought he would never hear again. But at long last, it sings a mighty sound that was always supposed to be vibrated throughout the cave.

And Terry... he smiles as he pushes the gas pedal. The smoke of the tires vibrate and move the vehicle out from its place. Giving new life to the meaning of... THE BATMAN.