AN: I don't own anything DC
Chapter One: "New Batman"
Bruce Wayne was just diagnosed with a severe heart condition. The doctor that gave him the news also said he couldn't do any strenuous or stressful activities as he could easily have a heart attack, like what brought him hear
After hearing this, Bruce knew he could no longer continue on as Batman. He couldn't help but think that he should have seen this coming, with the dizzy spells and being more tired for the last six months.
Bruce had contingency plans for many different scenarios, including his death or retirement. With the world still needing a Batman and Bruce himself unable to do it, he needed to use Plan: Batman Beyond.
While he was heading back to Wayne Manor, he sent a message to the one he chose for the contingency plan, with something he has never really said before, {I need your help}.
Arriving at the manor, Bruce was contemplating on how to tell the League and proteges on his condition. While he isn't dying, this will cause a change in the League and Team as well as in the criminals.
As Bruce headed to the Batcave he ran into Alfred.
"Sir, what's the news from the doctor?', Alfred asked his employer and ward. He noticed he seemed more downcast than his usual dreary self.
"I, uh...", Bruce began but paused, he couldn't lie to Alfred, "I've been diagnosed a severe heart condition, I can no longer to any strenuous physical activities, such as... running around all night".
"Oh", Alfred let out, the trip down to the Batcave was starkly silent for the duo.
Bruce made his way to the Batcomputer with Alfred following behind him. Bruce sent a message to many Leaguers and the Team for a meeting. He then went to his suit.
"Master Bruce, may I ask what it is you are doing?", Alfred asked as he followed behind Bruce to the Batsuit.
"I'm going to inform the League and our Proteges of my retirement and my replacement", Bruce says as he puts on his suit, "this will be my last mission as Batman i won't do anything else".
Alfred moved to wait at the Batcomputer while Bruce as Batman went to the Zeta-Tube. He was about to just teleport to the Watchtower but decided to update the Zeta-Tube for his successor first. He then left for the Watchtower.
On the Watchtower
"01, Batman", announced the Watchtower as Batman appeared.
Many of the League and the Team were there in the mission room, including his own proteges in Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl.
It was maybe a month or two since the Reach Invasion was stopped. So the Team was also based in the Watchtower.
"Batman, what's going on?", Superman asked, "Does it involve the Reach or something?".
Many tensed before Batman said, "No, it's something else", easing everyone's worries.
"So, what's the problem?", Nightwing asked.
Batman stifled a sigh and says, "I've been diagnosed with a serious heart problem, I'm resigning from the League, and retiring as Batman."
This stunned everyone as they never really expected this to happen. Him resigning from the Justice League, maybe. Retiring as Batman, never, they practically knew he'd rather die.
"What-" Nightwing began but was cut off by Batman. "I can't do any strenuous activities; sports, competitions, sex,... and fighting, as in crime fighting. I run the great risk of getting a heart attack", Batman explained.
This was processed by everyone before asked, "So what happens with Gotham and your proteges? Do you have a successor or something?"
Nightwing tensed, just knowing it's him, with Robin and Batgirl glancing at him.
"I do", Batman states, "but he's not here right now so whether or not he meets with you all is up to him. My proteges will be one of the things I'll be discussing with the new Batman".
Nightwing eased up some, but he and Batman's other proteges were still a little on edge.
"So, this is it? No more crime fighting?", Flash asked, showing some concern.
"I'll be support from the Batcave for my replacement, but my Batman days are done once I leave here", Batman says. He looked among his peers to see their reactions. They were remorseful for his condition and situation but were also curious about the next Batman.
He looked to Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl, "You should finish any training or reports you need to do while I go meet with my successor".
He entered the Zeta-Tube, after changing something, "01, Agent B"
He disappeared while the others processed what happened. Batman wasn't Batman anymore and Nightwing wasn't Batman moving forward.
Robin moved to follow Bruce through the Zeta-Tube but was stopped by Nightwing, "Don't, we still have things to do".
"But_", Robin went before Batgirl took over.
"Going after him now would just upset him and who knows what that might do to his heart at this time", she said with a hand on Robin's shoulder.
Robin sighed before following them and the Team to finish their work so he could talk with Bruce.
Back in Gotham
Bruce returned to the Batcave and took off the Batsuit. He put it in its case for him to never wear again.
He and Alfred took the time to prepare a case for his successor's suit with three other displays for Robin and other suits.
He received a message from the new Batman saying, {nearly there} while he sat at the Batcomputer. Bruce went to greet him while Alfred went to prepare dinner.
Steps sounded out behind Bruce, and he turned to see a young man.
He was tall and muscular with messy black hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore casual clothes with a red hoodie and a brown leather jacket. This is Jason Todd, the once dead second Robin and the new Batman.
"Bruce", he greeted to his mentor and adoptive father.
"Jason", Bruce greets back to his adopted son.
They just stood there for a moment before they embraced with a diagonal hug with a pats on the back.
"You've been good?", Bruce asks Jason while they break apart. He does a quick look over for his health.
Jason nodded, "yeah, finished the training and even learned somethings you might not know", a smile on his face.
Bruce replied with his own smile, "I'd like to see that".
"So what's the problem?", Jason questioned. He wanted to stay away from Gotham for a few more years to better prepare for his return but Bruce kind of made it an emergency.
"I've got a severe heart problem now and it's time for you to be the new Batman", Bruce states while heading back to the Batcomputer.
Jason is quiet for a moment before resigning himself to the position.
"Good thing I packed the prototype then", he said and took it out of the military duffle bag and put on his suit.
It was mostly black in color. There was a light grey utility belt with some red on the buckle. His chest had a flying red bat symbol (Batman Beyond). He had a full-masked armored cowl, covering his mouth, unlike Bruce. The bat-ears were slightly longer that Bruce's and had white eye lenses. The mask was directly connected to the cape, which was the same shade of red as the bat-symbol on the inside (like the fold out wings in the show). The gloves and boots almost blend in with the rest of the suit, except for the fins on the for arms, two on each arm instead of three.
"Covering your mouth?", Bruce asks, as he never did that to allow himself proper breathing while fighting.
"Some more protection, how Deadshot never put a bullet in your mouth is a mystery to me", Jason explains, "It also allow for my needed breathing".
Bruce nodded before looking for the Batcomputer, "Alright, anything else?"
"I have all the basic gear, including my own batarangs", The New Batman states, "my Batmobile is currently just outside so I'll go now."
"Plans?", Bruce asked, connecting the comms to Jason's suit.
"Patrolling for crime and introducing myself to the Commissioner", Jason replies as he heads to his car.
Jason's Batmobile was a custom armored muscle car with a massive rear engine, the front of the car had a ramming bumper and some weapons where the original engine use to be. While Bruce's was sleek and quick, Jason's was Lean and Mean. (AN: The Batman 2022 Batmobile.)
Batman got into the new Batmobile and drove off into the night.
His first stop is Crime Alley, his old home.
Gotham City, Park Row aka Crime Alley
Batman stepped out of his Batmobile in an alley hidden from view, activating the car's defenses. He grapples up to the rooftops and looks down on the streets of Gotham he knew before running around town, looking for crime.
Eventually, he comes across a group of thugs assaulting a guy in an empty train station. They weren't a part of any official gang, just a group of jackasses.
Batman wants to make an entrance for his first crime fighting as the Dark Knight. His steps sound out in the night, drawing the thugs attention to the shadows he comes from. He enters the light. The gang is baffled, seeing a guy that looked like Batman but with a different design.
One guy, whom Batman assumed was the leader, cockily stepped forward, "Who are you supposed to be? A Batman wannabe?". Some of the others chuckled as if he was serious.
"No", Batman says quietly, the leader goes into to attack him with appeared to be a pipe but Batman grabs his arm and did front back back hand punches a few times before bending his arm to drop the pipe, Batman then wailed on him in the face with the thug falling backward with Batman hitting him a few more times.
"I AM Batman", Batman states, the rest of the gang begin circling around him as after he stands up. They go to attack but Batman punches a couple in the face. Dodging some other pipes and bars, he grabs a thug and throws him into his allies. He grabs another guy by his head and bends him backwards before hitting him down to the ground.
Another guy pulled out a handgun but Batman quickly reacted and grabbed him by his neck before slamming his head into a metal stand near the tracks. The gun had went off, scaring the remaining thugs away but no one was shot.
After checking on the victim, Batman grappled away to a nearby roof.
"Agent B here, I already contacted the police for pickup", Bruce sounded out over the comms.
"Alright, I'm going to patrol some more before heading for Gordon". Batman states before gliding over the streets.
Roughly an hour later, GCPD Bat-Signal
A middle aged man with grey hair and mustache while wearing a brown trench coat over a vest suit. Next to him was the Bat-Signal shining onto the clouds. He was having it show that Batman was out there but was hoping to see the Dark Knight.
He's surveying the rooftops from his position when a Batman-like figure appears near him.
"What the...?", Jim lets out, surprised to see someone who wasn't quite Batman, he had reached for his gun but didn't draw it.
"Easy, Commissioner", Batman says with a hand out to him, "I need to inform you of some recent things".
"Well, what is it?", he asks, still cautious of the new Batman.
"My predecessor is no longer able to be Batman and choose me to take his place", Batman says, looking Jim in the eye even if he couldn't really do the same.
"And I'm just supposed to believe you?", Jim states, barely relaxing.
"Here", Batman takes out what looks like heavily armored phone or PDA and hands it to Gordon, "Contact Agent B".
"Contacting", ringed out the device.
A bat symbol appeared on the screen, "Hello Jim, It's me", waves bumped out to his voice.
"Hey old friend", Jim replies, finally relaxing in his presence, "So you're no longer Batman huh, can I ask for the reason why?".
"Health problems, anything physically active would be risking my life, more so than usual anyway", Agent B answers.
Gordon chuckled, "Yeah, I'm going to miss working with you out in the field", he paused and looked to Batman, "and the new guy?".
"I believe he's the best one to be Batman", Agent B says, confident in his answer. Batman didn't show any reaction to the statement, but Gordon was satisfied with the response.
The call ends and Gordon goes to hand the Bat-Phone back to Batman, but was stopped, "Keep it, it's be a better way to contact each other over hoping I show up here if you need us".
Jim pockets the device, he notices the different bat emblem on his chest and comments, "so should I have the Bat-Signal changed to match?".
Batman smirks and replies, "maybe I'll do it in a year after more people are familiar with it".
"Yeah, maybe", Jim comments and turns to the Bat-Signal before looking back to Batman only for him to have disappeared, "definitely has that schtick down".
At the Batcave
Bruce is over looking some information while having Batman's vitals on screen when the computer called out, "B-01 Nightwing, B-16 Batgirl, B-20 Robin".
Bruce looks over to see the three come to him and demasking.
"Bruce...", Dick begins but pauses, trying to find the right thing to say.
"I'm fine Dick, just because I'm not in the field, under the cowl, doesn't hurt me as much as one might think, I always expected something like this to happen", Bruce says to Dick.
"Really?", Dick asked, finding such a thing to be impossible considering how paranoid and controlling he is.
"Haven't left the Batcave since you last saw me, just sent Batman on his way", Bruce continues, waving his hand in shooing motion.
"Speaking of the new guy, when will we see him", Batgirl asks, as she has no idea who it could be as Bruce was very secretive.
"Batman is already out in Gotham, just recently met with your father, but he should be returning shortly", Bruce explains as he looks at the tracker on screen.
"A tracker, Bruce, seriously?", Dick asks, rubbing his head in aggravation.
"I haven't touched his suit yet, that's all him" Bruce replies. The screen shows Batman rapidly approaching the Batcave, meanings he's done for now and driving back.
"I'm not ready for today", Tim mutters, worried that this will end badly for some reason.
A vicious looking Batmobile roared into the Batcave, startling the three proteges. They look over to see a black and red shadow get out of the vehicle and move to them. His dark presence kind of freaked Tim out.
"I left Gordon a Bat-Phone for future use", He tells Bruce, to which Bruce nods, agreeing with the decision.
"Staying in for the night or just a break?", Bruce asked.
"I have a feeling you want to discuss things and it was pretty slow, plus Gordon has the Bat-Phone for emergencies now", Batman replies.
"Of course", Bruce states.
The three proteges felt a little left out, straight up ignored by the new Batman.
Batman then looked at the teens, Robin stiffening under his gaze.
"I also assume you'd want to talk more about continuing forward", he says, turning back to Bruce.
Bruce sighed, "yeah".
Batman also sighs and takes off his mask.
The three young heroes are shocked to see Jason Todd before them. A metallic clatter hit the Batcave platform behind Dick, Barbara, and Tim.
They turn to see Alfred with wide eyes, as he missed Jason the first time he arrived, "My word, Master Jason".
"Hey Alfred", Jason says with a small smile at seeing his Grandfather in all but blood.
"Jason...", Dick mutters as he went to give Jason a hug but instead received a stiff arm to the chest.
"Back up, Dickhead", Jason states, his face deadpan as he starred at the first Boy Wonder.
"Hey, that's not a nice way to treat your big brother", Dick complains to Jason, rubbing his chest.
"We may be Bruce's wards and were once Robins, but we're not brothers", Jason replies, his face dead serious and voice was rock solid.
It was then silent in the cave. Bruce and Alfred had a feeling about where this was going and stayed quiet. Barbara was smart and didn't disillusioned herself about how this would go and also didn't speak. Tim was just a wide eyed spectator, unable to interfere.
"You can't mean that, Jay", Dick pleads. Dick remembered all of their brotherly love and time together.
"You didn't meet me till after I put on the suit and avoided me till I joined the Team. While there, you treated me like an annoying fly and kept shooing me away. When others constantly compared me to you, some saying I'm not as good as you, you didn't deny it or say anything in my defence. The only nice thing I can remember is when you would say 'good job' when I did well on a mission in a dead tone. Even when I saved your life, you were so awkward about", Jason explained to Dick, "Don't romanticize our relationship due to your guilt over my death, at best we're colleagues".
Again silence reigned in the Batcave. Barbara and Alfred clenched their jaws as they were some of the few who helped Jason during that who helped him during his time as Robin after each outing with the team. Bruce stayed silent as he was guilty of comparing Jason to Dick a lot while he was training. Tim mind was a little broken as all he heard was how much Dick and Jason cared for each other, but apparently that wasn't the case.
Dick couldn't help but be heartbroken. He thought they were becoming brothers after each meeting they had, but Jason was actually felt more ostracized each time. During his short rebellion against Batman, he accidently put some of that on Jason.
Jason looked to Barbara, "Good to see you Barbie".
Barbara snorts, smiles and hugs Jason, "You too, Jay".
It seems they were now glossing over what happened with Dick.
The two bats broke apart, "You've been good Barbie?", Jason asked.
"Yeah. Missed you though", she replied. Contrary to what some might think, the two started the hero life within the same year of each other. Barbara started shortly before Dick left and became
Nightwing, while Jason was Robin not long after that. With Jason joining the team first.
Jason looked to the Robin in the room and took a breath, "alright, we need to talk".
Tim got nervous, scared of how Jason will react to him. Was he upset that he took over as Robin after he died. Will he make him stop being Robin?
Jason was now standing before Tim, towering over him, looking down at him.
Jason then said, "Tim Drake, I want to thank you for helping Bruce get out of the darkness he was drowning in after my death." Tim almost sighed in relief before Jason continued. "However, I won't have you active in Gotham anymore."
"What?", Tim asked in disbelief. The others were also shocked, not expected him to take such turn.
" I don't have a problem with you being Robin anymore and you can still do missions with the Team. But I won't encourage child soldiers in Gotham and I won't be responsible for your safety out there.", Jason continues.
"But Batman needs a Robin", Tim states, that's how he became Robin in the first place.
"No, Bruce needs a Robin, I love Bruce, but he is a psychotic menace without a child holding his leash", Jason informs. Bruce winced at that but couldn't argue, as his times without a Robin were brutal and bloody, with him being hounded by the cops and innocent kids fearing him. The other trio kind of agreed, Dick trying not to nod his head.
"I died as Robin, Tim, just 15 years old. Batman couldn't save me and I won't risk history repeating itself. Once you can genuinely take care of yourself, I'll let you be a hero in Gotham.", Jason continues, his expression softening. The others again winced at what he said but now couldn't fault his reasoning. They all were affected by and learned from Jason's death, what Jason learned was to stop using young heroes to fight crime.
"But I've been Robin all this time, doing solo missions and patrols.", Tim says to Jason, almost pleading not to essentially be benched.
"Most criminals fear killing Robin after how Batman acted last time. The more hardcore, like Joker, will gladly do it.", Jason replied. The elder crimefighters clenched their fists at the mention of Joker, while Tim shut up at hearing that the criminals were holding back on him.
"Right now your smart and are a great tactician, which is what i think determine any fight, but you're not yet skilled enough to back it up", Jason finishes. Ever since he came back, he trained
day in and day out till he was bleeding so he could stand with the best of them, to make sure he doesn't die like that again.
Tim sighed and nodded, right now he was obviously the weakest of the Batfamily, even Alfred was once a special agent in England. While he could solve mysteries and find weaknesses, he sometimes had a hard time delivering.
"Jason and I will train with you in the cave and you'll train with the League when not on missions", Bruce finally spoke up, letting Tim know he wasn't being abandoned or anything, just prepared and safe.
Tim nodded and they all changed out of their suits, aside from Jason.
Time and Dick had some things to think about and went to their rooms in the Manor, while Barbara went to her campus dorm.
Jason, Bruce and Alfred were left in the cave. Alfred, who remained silent most of the time, took the time to hug Jason, who returned it in kind.
Alfred wasn't as happy after Jason's passing, not even celebrating his own birthday as he shared it with Jason on August 16th.
"It is good to see you again, my boy. How are you?", Alfred states, breaking away from the hug and looking over former Robin.
"Good, pretty good for the first night as Batman. Was training with Sensei and the All-Caste the past year or so." Jason replied, happy to see Alfred again.
"Sensei? All-Caste?", Alfred inquired.
"Sensei is an old member of the League of Shadows and is rumored to be Ra's al Ghul's trainer", Bruce informs, "And the All-Caste... I don't know."
"Really, Master Bruce?", Alfred asked, shocked that Bruce Wayne didn't know about them.
"The All-Caste is an ancient order, the first order, of warrior monks that have been defending the planet from supernatural threats.", Jason explains, "They even gifted me the All-Blades. Mystic blades that can only be summoned in the presence of eil and only harm mystical beings".
Bruce mauled that over, "So you won't be using them in Gotham much", though there is lots of evil in Gotham, not much of any mystical beings showed up here.
"I thought you'd be more upset about me having swords at all", Jason says, wondering what Bruce is thinking, "can't risk Batman killing or anything."
"I think... demons and the like might be an exception to that rule. how far does the mystical threats extend to?", Bruce asks.
"Anything magical, from otherworldly, like angels and demons, to people we know, like Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and Doctor Fate", Jason informs Bruce, " Also, I've been informed that if I mastered the blades, I can summon them willfully instead of in evil's presence."
Bruce stroked his chin, "that may be useful for later threats, one of my biggest fears is if the Rogue's Gallery started practicing magic."
The elder and younger men nodded in agreement before Jason spoke upp, "I'm going out to do another sweep for the night before staying out my place".
Both older men looked to him, "Are you sure Master Todd?, Your room is untouched outside of some cleaning from myself", states Alfred.
"Nah, it would be a little weird for them to see me first thing in the morning anyway, just leave something for me to eat and I'll come by later." Jason says as he walked to his Batmobile, putting his mask back on. He gets in and drives out of the Batcave.
"I'm genuinely surprised that you had him succeed you, Master Bruce. But I'm more upset that you didn't inform me he was alive in the first place.", Alfred accuses.
"It was his decision, so that he could focus on his training without the likes of Dick harassing him," Bruce answers, not exactly happy about keeping Jason living a secret from the likes of Alfred.
Alfred hmm'd, "So may I ask why you chose him to be Batman then?"
"Jason was always the most dangerous of Robins, far more brutal with criminals than anyone else. But, he also seemed to care more about the victims and the innocent, always quick to comfort them. As Batman, the scum of this city will fear Batman again but I think the citizens will love him even more", Bruce explains.
Between the Manor and the City
Jason is speeding back into the Gotham City, his city.
As the New Dark Knight
As Batman
Chapter End
AN: The suit is based off of the Batman Beyond protoype seen in one of the comics with the mask being based off of Future State Batman. The benching of Tim Drake is so I can focus more on solo Batman adventures, he'll come back to work with him at a later date. I'll be looking at other Batman related media and comics besides Batman Beyond.
