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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 0:53:11 GMT -5
Batman Beyond #1 Rebirth Part 1: Fact or Fiction? Written and Edited by Daniel Dyer 20 Year from now... Gotham City The rain pours from the night sky, heavily pelting Police Commissioner James Gordon as he stands on the rooftop of Police Headquarters. Shining up into the night sky, the Bat-signal, bright, almost a symbol of hope for the denizens of this dark city, for who better than a creation of the night to protect them from the vilest psychopaths and schizophrenics on the planet. As James Gordon is about to turn off the signal, the Commissioner hears, “He’s not coming...” Jim turns to see a figure on the roof’s ledge. A ragged individual, no longer the kid he was, this Robin has kept the mantle, his dark black cape draped around him, the rain matting his short black hair (as well as hiding his tears). “Robin?” “He won’t... ever be back.” “No!” “I... thought you should know,” and with that, the once Boy Wonder dives from the rooftop. Gordon rushes to the ledge, seeing Robin swing away. All he can say is, “No...” repeatedly, in disbelief. The Commissioner knows what the Boy Wonder means, but doesn’t want to believe it. The Batman has protected this city for... what?... decades now? How could this be? How could Batman be dead? ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 0:54:41 GMT -5
“Damn it, Bruce!” Tim Drake slams his fists down on the forensics table in the Batcave. Tim is still in full Robin attire. “Look at what your crusade got you?” “Tim,” Barbara Gordon urges, “calm down.” “This is what being a vigilante gets you.” “Tim...” Tim turns to Barbara. “Bruce created him, Barbara. And he turned on us. Now, Bruce has paid the price. Tim pulls his mask off, throwing it at Barbara’s feet. “I’m through,” he tells Barbara as he throws his cape to the ground. “I’m through,” Tim repeats as he begins to leave. Barbara wheels her herself after him. “Where are you going?” “To find a better way. If you’re smart, Barbara, you’ll give up this life, too.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 0:58:17 GMT -5
40 years from now...
Briiiiiiiiiiiiing.The bell rings, signaling the end of the last class for the day. Terry McGuinnes begins to head out of class, with his girlfriend, Dana, when, “Terry, could you stay a minute?” “Uh... Sure, Mr. Delouter.” Terry turns to Dana. “Be right out.” “Hurry up, Terry,” and she leaves. Terry turns back to his teacher. “So.... is there a problem.” “Yes, there is, Terry.” Delouter pulls out a research paper. “This ‘history’ paper you turned in. It was supposed to be on an influential figure in history. Not an urban legend such as the Batman." “It was!” “No, it really wasn’t. There is no documented evidence your subject ever existed.” “What about all the witnesses?” “Sociopaths trying to bring up trump charges to weasel their way out of jail. Now, your paper was well written, so I’ll give you another chance. You have a week to redo your paper or you receive a failing grade.” “But graduation’s coming up...” “Next time, do what’s assigned,” was Delouter’s final words on the subject. ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:00:31 GMT -5
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Powers?” asks a dark haired man in his mid-40's as he enters the spacious office of Derek Powers on the top floor of WaynePowers. “Ah, Warren, do come in.” Derek motions his head towards the door, indicating to his bodyguard, Mr. Fix (a large man, a scar over one of his eyes), to leave. Derek continues as Mr. Fix leaves them alone. “Have a seat.” Derek takes his own seat behind his large oak desk. “What’s wrong?” “There seems to be a problem. I believe that there is an outside interest who has been trying to contact WaynePowers employees, no doubt looking for a spy to provide... inside information.” Sweat forms on Warren’s brow as he answers the accusation, “Well, Mr. Powers, I assure you, I’m not making deals outside the company.” “Very good. Can’t be too careful. You’re dismissed.” “Yes, sir,” Warren says as he leaves the office, passing by Mr. Fix. “He’s lying.” Powers looks at the stoneface of his enforcer. “Tonight, Fix. Make sure it won’t be linked in any way towards me or the company.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Powers. I know just how to do this.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:03:54 GMT -5
“Terry, you can’t be serious,” Dana states as she chases after her boyfriend in the halls of their high school. “Dead serious, Dana.” “Come on, Terry, just redo the assignment. This could mean the difference in graduating.” “Dana, I know the Batman was real.” “Prove that to Mr. Delouter.” “I intend to do just that,” Terry tells Dana as they walk into a lab room, where a young, black girl, Maxine is waiting. “How do you plan to do that?” asks Dana. “By finding the only recorded sighting of the Batman,” Max interjects. “See, there was a video made long ago containing footage of the Batman, in action. It was believed that the Batman made it himself, as a training video. At one point, the video fell into the public domain and it ended up getting confiscated by the police once our current Commissioner of Police took over.” “Terry... that’s an urban legend....” Dana continues in a soft voice, “...just like the Batman.” And Dana leaves. “Dana!” Terry calls after her. “Man!” “You sure about this, McGuinnes? You can still redo the assignment.” “No, Max. This is about more than just the assignment. I need to know for myself.” “Okay, Ter. Now, my inside info tells me that the Commish keeps the tape at his house, uploaded to his computer, and that he’ll be gone tonight. Some charity event.” “It sure pays to have a dad on the force. Come on.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:06:50 GMT -5
That night, at the illustrious home to the Fox family. Luscious Fox Sr. was one of the leading men in Gotham City for many years. He got his start by running Wayne Industries. After Bruce Wayne’s death Derek Powers took over the company, forcing Luscious out, preferring to have a more hands on approach than Wayne. After leaving Wayne Industries, Luscious founded FoxTecca. When Luscious died a few years back, his son, Luscious Jr. took over the company. And Jr. would certainly be making his dad proud tonight. Tonight he’s hosting a charity event to help feed the poor of Gotham. However, not everyone in attendance is out to help the needy. “Luscious, my good man,” Derek says as he approaches Luscious. “What a pleasure it is.” “The pleasure’s all yours, I’m sure, Powers,” Luscious replies coldly. “Ow, I’m wounded.” Luscious gets in Powers’s face. “I know what you are and I know how you tried to ruin this family. I also know you have absolutely no interest in helping the needy.” “Do you now? Well, my boy, its not nice to accuse others.” “I’m not your boy, Powers. Now, if you’ll excuse me....” Luscious finishes as he walks off. Across the room enters a silver haired man, in his late 50's, yet in remarkable shape for a man his age. “Good to see you, Commissioner Drake.” “Luscious, how many times must I tell you, my friends call me Tim.” “Sorry, Tim. Where’s your lovely wife this evening.” “Ari’s at home... looking after our grandson.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:09:13 GMT -5
“Maxine?” Ariana says in surprise as she answers her front door. “Mrs. Drake, sorry to be bothering you, but my dad wanted me to download a few files from the Commissioner’s computer. Is he here?” “I’m sorry, Max, but Tim is out.” “Oh... well, do you think it’d be alright if I downloaded those files?” Max asks politely. “Sure, come on in.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:10:55 GMT -5
Elsewhere, as Warren McGuinnes works on his computer. Warren types, “I think Powers is on to me.” The reply comes soon after. “Is the operation compromised?” “I don’t think so,” comes Warren’s keystroked reply. “He has no evidence, but I believe he’s onto you.” “If you want out, Warren, its not too late.” “I sought out you, remember? Don’t worry, I’m in this for the long haul, Oracle.” “Very good. Oracle out.” Then the image of Oracle appears on the computer before the screen goes blank. As Warren gets up, his mind wanders back to the events that brought him to this point. Was it his divorce? Was that it? His desire to be a better man for Marry? Maybe it started out that way, but now it appears he truly is a better man. A man willing to give his life to bring down a power hungry crimelord. This night, he may have to pay that price. ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:13:14 GMT -5
“Good evening, Timonthy.” “Commissioner Drake to you, Powers,” Tim says as he takes a glass of punch. “Excuse me, Commissioner Drake.” “Mr. Powers, you don’t seem like the humanitarian type. What brings you here?” “Paying a visit to an old friend’s family is all,” replies Powers. “Funny, most friends don’t fire them. See, unlike you, the Foxes are my friends and I’ll do whatever I can to help them.” Tim starts to leave, but then turns back. “You ruin the name of a good man with every business decision you make.” “Oh, please. Bruce Wayne was no saint. I remember the old tabloids. Even in his death, he showed what kind of man he truly was. A drunk. He drove his Porsche off a bridge, correct?” Tim’s face gets redder as the anger builds within him. Tim knows the fact from the fiction. Tim also knows that, even after death, the facade must remain, so, rather than rebuttal, Tim merely walks away in disgust. ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:15:47 GMT -5
In Tim’s study, as Max opens the window. “Come on, Terry. We don’t have much time.” “No sweat, Max,” Terry states as he climbs in the window. “More sweat than you may think.” “What’s the prob? The video should be here somewhere, right?” Terry asks. “Yeah... on his computer, which, if I know my dad’s boss, will be loaded with encryptions.” “Which begs the question, why go through all this trouble to keep a tape that he doesn’t want the public to see.” “Dunno. From what I know of the Commish, he hates vigilantes, so it can’t be his love for the Bat’s style. Let’s get to work.” And Max does just that, working her way around the computer for 20 minutes straight. Finally, the duo hit paydirt. They couldn’t believe it. A training video of the Batman, swooping and swinging and climbing and jumping through an obstacle course. But, as the video reached its conclusion, the quality started fizzing out, scrambling and then the screen went blank. “Huh?” Suddenly the Oracle image appeared with words below that said “Training video 003425 deleted.” ***
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Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Sept 6, 2006 1:17:21 GMT -5
“Well, at least you know he’s real,” Max tells Terry as she drops him off at his home. “Yeah, I guess that’s something, but now I’ll need to redo the assignment.” “Shoulda listened to your woman. Maybe next time you will. Ciao,” Max says as she drives off. “Yeah,” watching her drive off, “if there is a next time.” Terry turns to go inside his house and notices the door’s unlock. “Huh?” Swinging the door open, “Dad?” Entering his home, Terry notices graffiti on the walls. And ceiling. “Dad?!” As Terry rushes past a wall with the word “HA! HA!” written on it, he finds his dad, dead. “NO!!!!” To be continued
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