Legends of the Batman #2

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Legends of the Batman #2
Boy Wonder
Part 1:
Fun Under the Big Top

Written and Edited by Daniel Dyer

"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to high above the center ring,” an announcer says as two spotlights are shown on the trapeze. One an athletic, strong looking man, with a rather prominent mustache and short, black hair. He is dressed in red spandex, with green leggings. Across the way, stands his young wife. A young blonde woman, thin, wearing similar spandex attire. “The Flying Graysons! Here, at Haly’s Circus, the daring husband/wife team are about to dazzle you with their wonderful dance above the big top!”

As the announcer finishes, the duo begin. Down below, in the bleachers sits the billionaire, Bruce Wayne, and his glamorous, super model date, Mandi. “Some show, wouldn’t you say?”

The gorgeous red head at Bruce’s side agrees, “Yeah.”

“Whoa, look at that. I could never do something so... daring.”

“I’m still in shock, Bruce,” says Mandi as she takes his hand.

Not looking away from the performance by the Flying Graysons, “Me too. Would you look at that?”

Mandi, giggling, turns Bruce’s head towards her, “No, Bruce. I meant this. You actually took me to a circus for our first date.”

“I thought you said you liked the circus?”

“Oh, I do. I simply love the circus, but most men, especially those of your stature, would take me to some stuffy restaurant with meals I can’t even pronounce, but this...” smiling at Bruce as she leans forward to kiss him.

“Uh-oh,” the announcer says, bringing Bruce’s attention away from Mandi’s lips, which were inches from his own. What Bruce sees makes him stand to his feet, Mary Grayson, falling, her line apparently snapped. Bruce wants to take action, but Bruce is currently ill-equipped to deal with the accident. “Don’t worry, folks, it’s all part of the show. A special way to introduce the newest Flying Grayson, our very own Boy Wonder, Richard Grayson.” Just then, a spotlight shines up on a third platform, where a young boy stands, in his own red and green, black hair, just like his father. The instant the light shines on him, the boy swings into action, swooping down, catching his mom, swinging them both back up to the platform where his father stands awaiting them.

“Bruce, did you see that? He can’t be older than fourteen. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” says Bruce as he sits back down, “simply amazing.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

"Sorry, Miss Vale, I really can’t give interviews on police business,” Harvey Dent tells Vikki Vale as he walks out of a courthouse.

“Miss Vale? Sorry, Mr. District Attorney. I thought friends should be on a first name basis.”

“Vikki...”

“Oh, so casual now,” she says as she tries storming off.

Grabbing her arm, “I’m not trying to... It’s just business. We should try to keep this professional.”

“And what is your professional opinion of the Batman who has been setting up shop in Gotham of late?”

“My professional opinion? Do your story on Big Foot. There might be more evidence.”

Big Foot didn’t save me the other night. “What of the constant reports of street thugs who claim to have been attacked by a creature, resembling a bat.”

“And we should all listen to the ravings of street punks,” Harvey says as he reaches his car, opening the door. “Mis... Vikki, my professional opinion is to stay away from this Batman story. If he is real, he could be dangerous.”

“Aww, and I thought you didn’t care.”

Looking deep into Vikki’s eyes, “I’m sorry... for what happened between us...”

Giving a slight smile, “It’s okay, Harv. Maybe we could make it work. Dinner, tomorrow, eight O’clock? Your place?”

Harvey, thinking hard, reaches into his pocket, pulling out his lucky coin. A two headed silver dollar. Flipping it in the air, he comes to a decision. “It would be an honor. But we leave work behind us... for at least one night.”

“It’s a deal.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Walking out of the big top, Bruce and Mandi head over to where the Flying Graysons are taking pictures with their fans. “Bruce, wanna get our pictures taken with them?”

“Why not? Something to memorialize our first date.”

“Does this mean, there’ll be a second date?” inquires Mandi.

“Well...”

“Bruce? Bruce Wayne?”

Bruce turns towards the voice and smiles, “Jack. What a surprise running into you here. Mandi, this is my neighbor, Jack.”

“Pleasure, Miss. So, this is where the Bruce Wayne takes his dates, huh?”

Laughing, Bruce confirms it, “Guess my secret’s out. And what’s your excuse?”

“Just showing my boy a good time. That’s him over there, getting his picture taken with the Flying Graysons.”

“That’s Tim? He’s grown. How old is he? Six, seven?”

“Nine. He had to have his picture taken after that performance. He simply loved the Boy Wonder. Amazing, someone so young could do the things he did. It’s really an honor that we are his first public audience.”

“Dad! Dad!” the young boy, Tim, says, holding a picture as he runs up to Jack. “He signed it! See? Dick Grayson, the Boy Wonder!”

“Congratulations, Tim,” Bruce says.

“Oh, hi, Mr. Wayne. What are you doing here?”

Bruce almost cringes inside as he hears Mr. Wayne, an image of his dad appearing in his head. Bruce then leans down, close to Tim. “On a hot date,” Bruce tells the boy as he gestures towards Mandi. “And it’s Bruce,” ruffling Tim’s hair as he stands back up right.

“She’s pretty.”

“Quite the charmer this one is,” Mandi says between giggles.

“Well, we’ll let you two get back to your date. Come on, son,” walking off, with Tim following.

“Bruce, aren’t you just full of surprises? Who knew you were so good with kids?”

“What can I say? I have hidden depths,” Bruce jokes as they approach the Graysons. “Mr. Grayson, that was one heck of a performance.”

“Glad you liked it, Mr....” extending his hand to Bruce.

Shaking John’s hand, “Wayne. Bruce Wayne. This is my date, Mandi. Some boy you have there.”

“Little Dickie here learned to walk on a tight rope.”

“Daaaaad...” Dick complains.

“John, don’t gush over him so.”

“Just telling it like it is. Dick’s a chip off the old block.”

Mary, giggling, “He is a bit of a show off, isn’t he?”

“Wayne? As in Wayne Tech? The Wayne Foundation? Son of Thomas Wayne?” Dick suddenly says.

Bruce, looking down on the boy, eyes narrowing, “Yes.”

“I read about...” Dick falls silent for a minute.

“It’s all right, son. It was a long time ago. Better to not linger on the past,” turning to John Grayson, “So, how about a picture?”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Arkham Asylum, the secluded cell to the inmate known only as the Joker. Recently turned albino, with a grin the size of the Grand Canyon, slick backed green hair has been the talk of all Arkham staff and inmates. Not every day do they see a psychotic clown institutionalized for murdering an entire subway station. His only comment, “I was a baaaad boy.”

“And this is our newest inmate,” a guard tells a new Arkham psychiatrist, outside of the Joker’s cell. “I’m sure you’ve heard of this one, eh, Dr. Crane? They don’t come more colorful than him.”

“Ah, the Joker,” looking through the window on the Joker’s cell. “Still unable to determine exactly where he came from? His name?”

“Not a clue. He’s a blank slate. If he knows what happened, he ain’t saying.”

“I see,” turning to the guard. “I’ll been in my office. Do you think you could have this... Joker’s file to me?”

“Yes, sir, Dr. Crane.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Dick Grayson: His dad wasn’t lying when he said his son learned to walk on a tight rope. Dick is a natural acrobat, with the potential to become the greatest aerialist in the world. His mom wasn’t lying either when she said he was a show off. “Check me out, ladies,” the young Boy Wonder says as he stands on one hand on top of a pole. Time to wow them, he thinks as he pushes up, into the air, somersaulting, once, twice, and a third time as he lands on a small practice tight rope, inches off the ground. As he keeps perfect balance on the rope, he takes a bow for the ladies.

“That was great.”

“You’re wonderful.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Dick says still bowing. Then he leaps up, doing a back-flip, landing on his feet on solid ground. “See ya around,” blowing a kiss to them as he turns to head toward his family’s trailer. Gotta leave them wanting more, he thinks as he walks into the trailer, his care-free attitude quickly fading, tears beginning to fill his eyes at the site before him. Dick can do nothing but scream.

Hearing the boy’s screams, brings everyone within ear shot to the trailer, including Bruce and his date.

“Oh, my God,” Mandi says as she hides her eyes, clinging to Bruce.

Bruce, gazing at the site, the elder Graysons seemingly mauled, stoic now, the mask of Bruce Wayne fading. His eyes then fall to the boy, weeping as he holds his mom’s hand. Never again, Bruce hears his own voice say in his head as the little boy within him cries.

To be continued...