Legends of the Batman #10

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Legends of the Batman #10
Taking Flight

Written and Edited by Daniel Dyer

The Batman sits at his computers, looking over the information from Dr. Crane’s disc, figuring on getting some insight into the mind’s of former residents of Arkham. This, however, isn’t all he finds on the disc. It is a journal of Jonathan Crane. It provides more insight on the doctor than the patients. Scary insight.

“Sir,” Alfred begins as he enters. “I just want to inform you that Master Dick still refuses to come out of his room.”

“Still mad, eh?” Batman asks as he ejects the disc.

“I’m reassured your tutelage under Detective Bradley didn’t go to waste.”

Bruce turns from the computer, standing up and walking past Alfred. “He’s a kid, Alfred. He’ll get over it.”

“As one does when faced with life altering events.”

“Alfred, could you scowl me later? I’m heading upstate.”

“Upstate, sir?”

“Yes,” the Batman states as he gets into his long, sleek car. “The escapees have been keeping quiet. I’m following up on the Deathstroke case.”

“I thought Mr. Tyler wasn’t taking your calls, sir?”

“He won’t take Bruce Wayne’s calls. But he’ll see me.” The canopy to the Batmobile closes and Batman speeds out of the cave.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Night time in Gotham City’s a very dangerous time. This city breeds violence. Corruption. The police are of little help. Most, if not all, are on the take. Who will hear your screams? That’s where I come in, thinks the young teen as he jumps from the shadows onto the ledge of a building, wearing his Flying Graysons uniform, along with a green eyemask and a black flowing cape with yellow lining. I’m Dick Grayson, and this is my city. Well... on loan from Bruce.

Dick pulls out a grappler. He aims and fires, getting knocked backward onto the rooftop floor. Wow. Gotta practice with this a little more.

“AAAHHHH!!!” a woman screams in the distance.

Uh-oh. Dick looks down into the alley, seeing the woman running from a masked man with a knife, only to run into another, larger man. Okay, Dick. You want to be a hero, well, duty calls.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

“What ya runnin’ from, doll?” asks the big brute.

“Yeah, I won’t hurt you,” the other man tells her. “Just have a li’l fun with you.”

“Leave her alone,” comes a voice from above.

“Who...?”

“Robin,” Dick states as he jumps down on a dumpster.

The two thugs look upon the oddly dressed young man, then at each other and then back at the boy. “Ha! Look at the kid playing dress up. And here I thought it was the Bat.”

So much for the dramatic entrance.

“Get him, Franky.”

The larger man comes charging at the young hero.

Gotta time this just right.

As the guy lunges for the Boy Wonder, Robin leaps back, pulling the dumpster lid with him, causing the bruiser to crash into the dumpster. Franky begins getting up and Robin slams the lid on his head.

“Nice, kid,” the other hood states as he pulls the woman closer, holding a knife to her throat. Now, why don’tcha just stay right there, punk.

They all hear clapping. “Good try, Miss Vale,” a voice states from the direction of the clapping.

Vikki turns, seeing Distract Attorney Harvey Dent. “Harvey! You scum!"

Robin looks on and sees Harvey pull a gun, pointed directly at him.

“Big, bad Harv, sweety,” Harvey says as he caresses Vikki’s face. Harvey turns to Robin. “And what are you suppose to be? You look like a target, to me, kid.” Harvey pulls out his coin, revealing a scarred side to the two-headed coin. “Fifty-fifty chance, short-pants.” And Harvey flips the coin, it coming up un scarred. “You’re in luck. You get to make it through the night. The morning, however...”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

A little bit north of Gotham, at Tylerco.

“You have two meetings in the morning, Mr. Tyler.”

“Thank you, Chelsey. Looks like it’ll be a long night, preparing for those meetings, too. Make sure I’m not disturbed, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

And Rex Tyler enters his dark office, about to turn on the lights when he hears a voice.

“You haven’t returned my calls, Rex.”

Rex turns on the lights, seeing the Batman standing in a corner. “Hello, Bruce. Long time.” Rex passes by Bruce and sits at his desk. “How can I help you?”

Batman tosses a small vile with a single bill in it onto the desk.

“No thanks. I’ve given up that life, Bruce.”

“I need information. Miraclo was the beginnings of creating a super soldier. Deathstroke.”

“Ahh, Slade Wilson.”

“Yes. I recently had a confrontation with him. I believe he’s working for someone looking to cause trouble.”

“I wish I could help you, but I was... away, when Mr. Wilson underwent his experiments. Plus, Tylerco gave up their contracts for the super soldier program back in World War II.”

Bruce pulls a file from within his cape and tosses it on the desk.

“What’s this?”

“It links Tylerco to the program... in the 70's.”

“What?!”

“Apparently, they used your Miraclo to learn to stabilize the process and update it.”

“I... I wasn’t aware.”

“Well, you were... away.”

“What do you need from me?”

“I was hoping that your company could provide me with anything I could use. Any files on Wilson. Anything that could neutralize his enhancements. You know how to contact me,” the Bat says as he goes out the window.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Later, as Batman drives back to Gotham.

“Master Bruce,” Alfred says sounding worried over the radio.

“What’s wrong, Alfred?”

“Master Dick has ran away. And he took some equipment... including one of your old utility belts, Sir.”

“There’s a tracker in the belts. I’ll bring him back.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Harvey Dent’s apartment, in a room where Vikki and Robin are tied to chairs..

“What were you thinking, kid?” Vikki asks.

“I was thinking I would save your life. You’re welcome, by the way.”

“Sorry. Thank you. A lot of good it did us.” Looking at Robin, she sees him struggling against his bonds. “Kid, these ropes are secure. You can’t wiggle out of them.”

“The name’s Robin.”

“That’ll surely strike terror into the hearts of... well... no one.”

And Robin knocks his chair over, breaking its leg.

“Oh, that sure helps.”

“Sorry, ma’am, but will you please shut up?” Robin requests as he reaches for the jagged broken leg. “Leg breaks and I can cut ropes.” He uses the leg to saw through the ropes and frees himself. “See? Now, would you like to get out of here?”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

“Hurry,” the Boy Wonder tells her as he directs Vikki out the window.

“You coming?”

“I have to shut him down.”

“Ki... Robin. You’re crazy. But be careful. He’s acting a bit schizo.”

You think? “Just hurry. Get the cops. I’ll be okay.” Maybe.

And as Vikki leaves, she gives the acrobatic wonder a kiss on his cheek.

I’m never washing my face again. Suddenly he’s snapped back to reality as he hears a ruckus in the next room. He cracks the door to hear better.

“This is my operation, now, Cobblepot.”

“Now, now, Harvey. I don’t think you should make any threats you can’t back up,” the Penguin tells Harvey, pushing his umbrella in Harv’s face.

“This isn’t Dent anymore, Penguin!”

Penguin? Guess Gotham loves its wild life. Batmen, crocodiles, robins, and now a penguin.

“What are you talking about?”

Grabbing Penguin by his shirt. “This is big bad Harv now!”

Robin sees his utility belt on a table. This could be the distraction I need. And the Boy Wonder begins slowly sneaking into the room.

“Now, now. Harv, take it easy. I meant no disrespect.”

Harvey tosses Penguin backwards into a chair. “I think I’ll be running the show from now on, Cobblepot. You take orders from me and you direct your flunkies following my orders. I’m tired of playing the good guy. Harvey always helping the Bat. It’s over now. I’m in charge!”

“Well, Mr. Large and in charge...” Robin says, throwing down a gas capsule, “...you’re going down.”

“Cough... the kid!”

“Yeah, ‘big bad Harv’, the ‘kid’.” Robin comes out of nowhere, punching Harvey in his face. “You and the ‘Penguin’ are going down.”

Just then Cobblepot holds an umbrella to Robin. “Cease, little bird.” Then a blade comes from the tip.

Not good. Dick stops hitting Harvey and turns slowly towards Penguin.

“Now, bird, you have flown your last flight.”

Just as Penguin’s about to slice into the Boy Wonder, the Batman comes crashing through the window.

“It’s the Bat!” Harv yells and starts shooting.

Perfect. thinks the Boy Wonder as he grabs the umbrella, and flips the Penguin into a wall.

“Ooo,” Penguin says, rubbing his head. “Time for this bird to fly the coop,” and he begans running.

“Not so fast,” shouts Robin as he flings a bolo, tripping Cobblepot as it wraps around his legs.

“Dent! What happened to you!”

“Big bad Harv’s in charge now, Bat! Dent’s gone!” Harvey yells as he tries tackling the Bat.

Robin sees them struggling at the window, Harv leaning the Batman out the window. Bruce... The Boy Wonder looks around and sees another one of the Penguin’s umbrellas. This one with a trigger on it. “Harvey!!” Dick yells as he aims the umbrella at Dent. “Leave him alone!”

“No...” the Batman says weakly.

Robin pulls the trigger, squirting acid out from the tip, burning Harvey’s face.

“AARRGH!!” Harvey screams as he holds his face. Sneering at Robin, he takes his hand from his face, revealing half his face scared, burnt and disfigured. Harvey raises his gun at the Boy Wonder. “You... die!”

But before Harv pulls the trigger, the Dark Knight flings a batarang, hitting his hand, causing Harv to drop the gun.

“Harvey. Stop this. I know you’re a good man. What has happened to you?”

Harvey looks into a mirror and begins to talk softly. “Harvey Dent’s left the building, Bat. Two-Face is on the scene now,” and he turns, running from the room.

As the Boy Wonder starts to head after him, Batman grabs his wrist. “Don’t. We need to talk.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Not long, as the Batman and “Robin” ride in the “Batmobile”.

“You disobeyed me.”

“...”

“You put yourself in danger.”

“...”

“You were reckless.”

“...”

“And you did a good job.”

“Huh?”

“You handled yourself very well, Dick.”

“Does this mean...?”

“It means I’ll train you. You will follow my orders to the letter. Before ever donning your ‘Robin’ costume again you will complete your training. At such a time when you do complete your training, you are not to go out alone. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Yes, I’m in, and a smile spreads across his face as he looks out the window. “Uh... Bruce?”

“Yes?”

“Looks like you’re being summoned,” Dick answers as he points to the sky, showing Bruce a spotlight against the clouds with the shadow of a bat in the center.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

“You sure this is gonna work, Chloe?” asks Arsenal as he leans on the “Batsignal”.

“No, but its our best chance, Harper. We have no other way to contact him.”

“I don’t think he’s going to show.”

Just then the Dark Knight drops down, onto the roof, landing on his feet, his cape cascading down around him.

“Show off.”

“Harper,” Batman says.

“Bats. Not so long time, huh?”

The Batman turns to Chloe. “What do you want?”

“Straight to the point. I like that. I’m sure you’ve heard of Superman?” inquires Chloe.

“From Metropolis. Supposedly a strange visitor with powers beyond those of mortal men?”

“You’ve done your homework.”

“I make it my business to know these things. What does he have to do with me?”

“Recently, I’ve learned that Superman has been targeted... for termination,” Chloe tells the Dark Knight.

“And? You have an organization at your disposal. Why do you need me?”

“We’ve been forbidden to interfere. Recently some evidence has been brought to the public’s attention,” answers Chloe.

“Yes, Luthor’s press conference, announcing the tyranny of the ‘Man of Steel,’” Batman adds.

“The government believes that it’s possible that Luthor was telling the truth, but if the government tried taking Superman out, they’d possibly have an immensely powerful enemy,” Chloe continued.

“So if someone else tried taking out Supes, the brass orders us to stay clear... until the dust settles anyways,” Arsenal adds. “Hence why we need you.”

Batman eyes Chloe. “Why go against orders for this one meta?”

“C... Superman... has so far been beyond altruistic,” Chloe replies.

“You do realize, if you’re wrong...”

“I’m not,” Chloe quickly cuts off the Dark Knight.

Batman stands silently for a moment, taking in the request and digesting what he knows of the “alien” and then... “Director Sullivan... give me what you have.”

“Agent Harper, brief him on what he needs to know.” Clark, help is on the way.

Continued in Legends of Superman #11