Long time Batman fan here. After the recent disaster of the game that shall not be named that ruined the Arkhamverse, I went through a bit of a Arkham binge to cleanse myself of that filth. This idea was spawn from the concept of the cancelled Arkham Legacy game (F*ck you, Rocksteady!) with my own twist of the universe.
In case you haven't figured it out, this is my own version of Batman Beyond in the Arkhamverse. And much like Rocksteady, I have taken my own liberties in into crafting this universe. For example, Dick, Jason, Barbara, and Tim were the original Batman's only allies, but other Batman allies are around in Neo-Gotham. Blight doesn't exist, but Derek Powers is still a villain. And some of Terry's Rogue gallery will return with addition to some new generation of legacy villains.
Also, because it bears repeating: the game that shall not be named does not exist!
Any who, please enjoy the potential shitshow that I'm about to unleash on the world.
Bruce exhaled a long, exhausted sigh as he slumped in front of the Batcomputer, pinching the bridge of his nose to withhold the migraine that was bound to set in.
It had been a long night – the longest he had ever done since becoming the Batman. In the span on ten hours, he had defeated over a dozen villains, fought a literal army, saved a man from being brainwashed by a cult, repelled a civil war with the League of Assassins, rescued all his allies, and, almost impossibly, regained a son he had thought he lost. It had been a long, difficult road without the Joker trying to worm his way into Batman's head – a problem he, thankfully, no longer had to worry about.
But despite all the good he had done, he still lost in the end.
Scarecrow had revealed his identity to the world. Everyone knew that Batman and Bruce Wayne were one and the same. Scarecrow got his comeuppance – his mind shattered with an injection of his own fear toxin with no chance of recovery – but the damage was done. With his identity compromised, there was only one way forward:
The Knightfall Protocol.
It was a contingency he and Alfred had prepared years in advanced, ever since they brought Dick into the home. It was a preventative measure to ensure that in the event that his identity was exposed, his allies would be spared of the consequences.
Right now, the Wayne Manor was up in flames – a result of the hundreds of explosives that had been set inside the manor's foundation ages ago. The media outside would no doubt come up with their own theories on how it happened. A supervillain finally getting revenge. An assassination by the government. Or, if they were smart enough to realize, a cover-up. Either way, for all intents and purposes, Bruce Wayne was dead to the world.
The Knightfall Protocol would take effect to cover his allies. After of now, the Batcomputer was deleting all information on the internet connecting him to Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Barbara Gordon, and, his most recent addition to the contingency, Jason Todd. Now if anyone went searching for his name, there would be no connection to the rest of his family. There was still the possibly of oral gossip, but he trusted the others to feign ignorance.
In regards to Wayne Enterprises, he knew there would fallout. Word that Bruce Wayne was Batman was sure to cause a drop in their stocks. Investors and partners would likely pull out, not wanting to be associated with Gotham's vigilante. There would be layoffs, legitimacy of their products would be put into questions, and corrupt businessmen like Luthor would look to seize their assets. Bruce trusted Lucius to keep them above the water, but he was just one man. Eventually, it's likely that he'll have to seek out aid from another company. Bruce doesn't want to imagine what will happen if Wayne Enterprises falls into the wrong hands.
The police would be by soon to look for bodies to confirm his death. They would find two upstairs; fake corpses laid out in the grand foyer. Alfred had put them there in preparation for the Knightfall Protocol. The fire from the explosions would cover them in horrendous burns, making them impossible to recognize. Falsified skin grafts, blood, and dental work would trick the forensic squad into thinking they were Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth. By tomorrow, news of the Batman's death would spread nationwide.
His friends would undoubtedly realize he faked his death. Clark probably already figured it out with his super hearing and X-ray vision all the way from Metropolis. He'll probably tell the rest of the League, if they haven't figured it out for themselves. They won't say anything – the understand the importance of a secret identity.
Now that just left the matter of the Batman.
Bruce looked around the cave that he had spent over a decade constructing and reconstructing. The Batmobile and Batwing were disabled and slated for disposal. All his gadgets would have destroyed; he can't risk thieves getting his hands on that technology. Their trophies would have to go to, which Bruce was genuinely sad about. He really liked the dinosaur and the giant penny. The Batcomputer was being wiped clean at the moment – Oracle will have backups to help Nightwing and the others. And his suit –
Bruce rose from his chair and crossed the cave. He stepped through a pair of reinforced doors into a room filled with dozens of canisters, each containing a different suit that he had worn in the duration of his career.
His first suit – a simple cloth costume with an exaggerated bat cowl – was at the farthest end of the chamber. He had only worn that for a week before he came to the realization that he needed more protective cover to bullets and knives. Lucius's latest and final creation, the v8.05, closest to the door, covered in scratches, bullet holes, burns, and cracks. Marks of valor, he thought.
He took one last look at his legacy and, with a heavy sigh, walked out, sealing the door behind him.
"Master Bruce." Alfred was coming down the metal steps, as unflappable as always in the wake of their most recent disaster. "All of the Batgear has been disabled, the Batcomputer has been scrubbed clean, and the charges are ready."
Bruce took a quick survey of the cave. There were explosives strapped to the structural weak points of the Batcave, ready to bury the Batman's legacy underneath thousands of tons of rubble. Alfred handed Bruce the detonator, which he accepted with a furrowed brow.
"For years I had wished for you to give up your crusade," Alfred admitted with a heavy heart. "But never like this. Now that we have reached the end of the road, it is rather bittersweet."
"It has to be done, Alfred," said Bruce. "It's the only way to protect everyone."
"And what of Gotham, sir?" asked Alfred. "Who will defend her now?"
"Dick, Tim, and Barbara are strong – they can keep the city safe," said Bruce firmly. "And hopefully, Jason will be there with them."
"As happy as I am to have Master Todd back, I am weary of him," said Alfred.
"I am, too, Alfred," Bruce admitted. "I just hope my fears are unfounded. I guess we'll see."
"And what of you, Master Bruce?" asked Alfred, concerned. "The world know who you are. And after tonight, Bruce Wayne is, for all purposes, dead to the world. What will become of you now?"
"We have to go underground for a while," said Bruce. "Assume new identities, work our way from the ground up. We'll stick to the shadows until Gotham has moved on and we've become a distant memory."
"And then what, sir?" asked Alfred. "Will you don the cowl again?"
"I will always be here to protect Gotham until my body gives out," said Bruce with steely determination. "But I can no longer be the Batman."
"If you don't mind me saying, sir," said Alfred, "Batman has left a great mark on Gotham City. I have no doubt that Master Grayson and the others are more than capable, but they are no substitute. Without the Batman, criminals will have less to fear and will become bolder. If you will now wear the cowl, then who will?"
"I don't know, Alfred," said Bruce earnestly. "For now, all we can do is watch from the shadows. Maybe one day, someone will come along and bring Batman back to Gotham. Someone who will defend her as I did. But until that day comes, we wait."
"Of course, sir," said Alfred, nodding curtly.
His faithful companion and father figure walked to the elevator, leaving Bruce alone with his thoughts. But there were nothing left for him to think about. He had already made his peace with his decision on the GCPD rooftop. His time as Batman is over, but someone else will take his place. Whether it is Dick or someone else, the Dark Knight will return. Because Gotham will always need a hero.
Batman's legacy will endure.
Bruce walked back to the elevator beside Alfred and pressed the button to the top floor. As they climbed higher, looking out to the cave that had been their home for over a decade, Bruce raised his thumb over the trigger. Then, as the cave disappeared from view, her pressed it.
He and Alfred had already exited through the secret entrance as the base of the Cliffside underneath Wayne Manor before they heard the explosions. The ground rumbled beneath their feet. Bruce heard the distant cries of panicked reporters and onlookers still scuttling around the manor ruins like vultures. Hopefully that would give them some sense to leave.
The old Benz was waiting for them, hidden in the shadow of a rock outcropping. Three bags were already loaded in the trunk – necessities and keepsakes Alfred felt they would need. Bruce stepped into the backseat as Alfred took the driver's spot. He would need to get out of the habit of letting Alfred drive him, Bruce thought, if they wanted to maintain their cover from now on.
As Alfred pulled out of the dirt path and onto the main road, Bruce looked over his shoulder through the back window. The remains of Bruce Wayne's legacy was still burning like a beacon in the night sky, while the legacy of Batman was buried beyond reach.
It was then, for the first time in his life, Bruce realized that he was uncertain of what came next….
So, what do you think of that opener? Are you happy? Does it make any sense? How come it all ended in a church?
Well, whatever the case, I hope you enjoy this for however long it will last. And if you got some questions, or future idea, feel free to say something. Just make sure not to look up when you do...