Prolouge
45 years before present.
Gotham City: United States
The Joker was dead. And with him, the end of the criminally insane. At least, the quirckless criminally insane. The Riddler, Penguin, and Clock King had all been imprisoned or crippled as a result of their madness. And without the Joker, the "Evil Genius" was now a thing of the past.
Looking down upon the city before him, stood the last relic of the vigilantes, The Batman. Or rather, an old man. The recent anti vigilantism laws passed worldwide had scared many into retirement, even his own proteges. But who could really blame them? Their years of training their bodies and minds were made meaningless, and now were scorned as the very criminals they vowed to stop.
Even now, he knew this would be the final night he took to these familiar rooftops. His age may not truly stop him, but his heart does. Medicine may keep it in check, but nothing can keep the Batman going now. Soon, only Bruce Wayne could remain.
And Bruce went on for forty years, until his heart gave out.
Upon his death, his will called for the release of his autobiography. This book told the fictitious life story of Bruce Wayne, mentioning parties and board meetings as the only experiences he counted as important.
Most of the world counted it as nothing at all. Others, a study into the mind of the wealthiest man in centuries. But the common link was the emptiness, and lack of worth in the life of Bruce Wayne.
After release, the only living reminders to anyone that Bruce existed, were his former wards Richard Grayson, and Jason Todd. Both went onto accomplish much as the joint-heirs to Wayne Enterprises.
Even they did not know the true purpose of the book strangely entitled, "The continuing legacy." To them, it was the last mystery of the world's greatest detective.
But soon, this legacy would come to have a new chapter. One not written from grief, nor written as a vigilante. But from a feeling of responsibility, and as a hero.