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Description
PROLOGUE...

*Following the death of Ra's Al Ghul due to the actions of the new Batman, Terry McGuinnis, and Ras' long time foe, Bruce Wayne, a audio tape was immediatly to be sent to a small cabin in Bhutan, where a young man opens it and listens to it.

"MY BOY. IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS, THEN THAT MEANS MY ULTIMATE PLAN FOR EVER LASTING LIFE HAS, AT LONG LAST, COME TO AN END. HOWEVER, IN THE VIOLENT SHACKLES OF DEATH, I FIND THAT MY LIFE WILL LIFE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH YOU. BUT IN DOING SO, YOU MUST STOP THE ONE MAN WHO CAUSED MY PLANS TO END ONCE AND FOR ALL. MY BOY, LISTEN CLOSELY AS I TELL YOU THE SHORY OF 'THE DARK KNIGHT'...

------------------

*Things are fantastic for Terry McGinnis. He has never been happier. His partners, Batgirl and Robin, have made cleaning up the streets of Gotham even easier, he finally made peace between The Outsiders and JLU. Even things between Terry and Dana have been pretty good...granted, she is still in the dark about his secret, but still, they were happy, and deep down, that's all what Terry really wanted.

*Meanwhile, in the Batcave, Bruce is manning the computer as he see's a Batshapped shadow come over his shoulder.*

"Im glad you decided to check in early. There is a disturbance in Downtown Gotham. Judging by the use of force, it seems to be Stalker..."

*No response*

"Something wrong, McGinnis?"

*Still nothing, causing Bruce to turn around in his chair.* "McG---you're not Terry!"

*A metalic, armored gauntler reaches out, grabbing Bruce by the throat and slams him into the bat-puter, cracking the screen.*

-------------------------

*As Terry is manning the Batmobile, he suddenly gets a call from Melanie Walker, Batgirl, patching directly into his comlink.*

"Terry, you need to get to the cave! Now! Its Bruce...something attacked him!"

*Batman immediatly speeds back to the cave and out of costume, just in time to see Jack, Melanie, and Max to watch Bruce being wheeled away by paramedics. They inform Terry that Bruce was found beaten senselessly in the cave, but the only evidence they had was a stray batarang found near his body. Terry examines the Batarang and discovers that it doesn't match any of the type Bruce carries in the cave. He tells the team to suit upa nd begin an investigation into who could have attacked Bruce.

--------------------------

*Knowing that they would need help, Jack 'Robin' Drake decided to check in with his friend and mentor, Dick Grayson, still patrolling the streets as Nightwing. Entering Dick's apartment, Jack is astonished at what he finds: Nightwing laying unconcious on the floor in a pool of his own blood, with a man wearing an armored version of the Batman uniform standing over him. The mysterious Batman stares back at Robin.*

"The famous 'Boy Wonder'..."

*Robin tries to attack the Batman, but his lack of experience makes him defeated rather quickly, but with Robin pinned to the floor, the Batman seems to pull a sword from his utility belt, which suddenly is ungulfed in flames.*

"I am the angel of death. I am the Azrael. Your judgment has come..."

*Just in time before the sword could take Robin's head, Batman arrives and counters with Azrael, using a roundhouse kick to hurl Azrael from the window of Dick's apartment. batman rushes over to the edge to catch him, but Azrael seems to have disappeared.*

-------------------

*Back in the Batcave, Dick is being treated for his injuries as he explains how Azrael attacked him from behind, muttering something about 'exterminating the shell to get to the pearl'. Terry imemdiatly views the ravings as nothing more then a threat, but warns the Bat-Family to be on their guard.*

*A news report suddenly comes on, entitled 'Brutal Batman' that discusses how Batman has seemingly used unnatural, brutal tactics to beat his rogues gallery almsot to death, leaving the likes of Scarecrow, Dee Dee, Hyena, Shriek, and even the recently escaped Stalker a gorey mess. Commissioner Barbara Gordon is reached for comment, but she states that there is no proof that these actions were done by Batman.*

*This action leads to Terry to get serious about finding this 'Azrael', knowing that not only is he dangerous, but he seems to know his and Bruce's identities.*

-------------------

*Knowing that it was important to return home and check on his family, Terry rushes in to discover his mother and brother sitting at the kitchen table, laughing away with a young man who looks to be about Terry's age. His mother stands up and smiles when Terry walks in.*

"Oh Terry. There you are. Your friend from school dropped by and said that he needed to speak with you. It was so nice to meet you, um...Im sorry. What was your name again?"

"Its Damien, ma'am. Damien Wayne."

"Oh. As in Bruce Wayne?"

"Something like that. No relation, but Im just a big fan."

"Well, you have a lovely friend here, Terry. Now come on, Matt. Let's give these boys some privacy."

*Damien smiles as Mary and Matt step out.* "My, what a lovely family you have. Sure would be a shame if something happened to them..."

*Terry takes along of Damien's shirt collar and slams him into a near by wall in the kitchen.*

"Who are you? Why did you attack Bruce and Dick!"

"Now now. Calm down...Batman...all I wanted to do was get your attention so that we could talk..."

*Terry looks furious, but he steps off Damien.*

"Then talk..."

"See, Terry, latelly, I have been learning alot about myself. About my origins. My past. My history. And wouldn't you know it, it seems that I just happen to be son of Bruce Wayne, who we all know as the REAL Batman."

"And who was it that told you this piece of fiction."

"I heard it from my grandfather. Ra's Al Ghul."

"Ra's...so that means...Talia."

"My mother. See, when Grandpa Ra's had that brilliant plan to take over Bruce's body and return to Gotham, you are looking at his inspiration. He knew that unless he took Bruce Wayne down, he would never be able to pull off the role of his life...but gramps was a smart man. he had a Plan B ready to go jsut in case Bruce was able to stop him, yet again, and you are looking at him."

"What do you want?"

"Its simple really. All I want is what is rightfully mine. All I want is my heritage. I want you to step down as Batman so that I can rightfully take the role."

"After seeing what you did to the Jokers, if you think I'll step down for anything, you're crazier then I thought, Pal."

"Oh, but Terry. Think of everyone that you have in your life who will be so much safer with me as Batman. Your sidekicks. Your mother. Your brother. That cute little girlfriend of yours...what's her name...Dana?"

*With that, Terry puches Damien in the chin, causing a drip of blood to leak down Damien's chin, who simply grins.*

"You have 24 hours to think over my proposal. Meet me on the roof of Wayne Enterprises with your answer. I'll be waiting..."

*With that, Damien stepped out of the McGinnis home as Terry stands with his heart racing, filled with rage...and fear.

-----------------------------

*This was officially personal. With bruce returning from the hospital, Terry instructed his team to stay with him, that terry needed to face Damien...Azreal...alone. Bruce was stunned to learn that he was a father, but after hearing what Damien has done, all her felt for his son was 'shame' and understood that this was a fight Terry needed to fight by himself.*

*Melanie, however, saw it differently...*

*Batman and Azreal met on the roof of Wayne Enterprises as Azreal told Terry one more time to step down. Terry responded with a Batarang to the face...which Damien caught.*

"As you wish..."

*From there, Batman and Azreal finally faced off. Terry McGinnis, the Batman, faced the fight of his life. Punches. Kicks. Batarangs. Flaming swords. It was a battle to the end...a battle, which Terry lost.*

*Broken and battered, terry laid at Damien's feet, staring up with his shattered mask as Azrael held him by the throat, dangling from the side of the building. Azrael could only laugh under his mask.*

"I did my best to let you off easy, McGinnis, but it seems that the only way to be the one, true Batman is to take it by force. Goodbye, Terry. Give my regards to the Dodo."

*With that, Azrael opened his hand and let Terry's body fall off the side of Wayne Enterprises. Falling lower and lower, it isn't until melanie walker, piloting the Batmobile, catches Terry and flies him back to the Batcave. Azrael could only sigh, seeing that his message wasn't received.*

"Well then...as Gramps taught me, time for Plan B."

*Pushing a button on his utility belt, explosing begin to go off in the closed for the night Wayne Enterprises, as in moments, the building colapses and is reduced to ruble, Azrael staring on the entire time.*

------------------------

*Back at the Batcave, Terry begins to wake up, finding his friends standing over him as Bruce tells Terry that no matter what Damien did or said, Terry will always be more of a son that Damien ever will be. Terry is still terrified, knowing that somewhere out there, Damien is still on the loose with all their secrets, and knows what he must do.*

"What do you mean?" *Jack steps forward.* "What are you talking about, Terry?"

"Im saying that I can't let Dana, my Mom, and my Matt live the rest of their lives with targets painted on them. If Damien wants to be Batman, then he can have the job..."

*With that, Terry takes what's left of his mask and hands it to Bruce.*

"I quit..."

*With that, Terry turns his back on the Bat-Family and walks out of the Batcave, Bruce sighing softly and looking down at the mask of the former Batman.*

------------------------------

EPILOGUE

*After his trip to Gotham, Damien returns to his home in Bhutan, noticing that the old fashioned cassette that Ra's sent him had a Side B. Damien flips it and listens.*

"MY BOY. MY DEAR, DEAR GRANDSON. IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS, THEN ODDS ARE THAT YOU HAVE RETURNED TO YOUR CABIN, STILL YET TO TAKE THE CLAIM OF THE BATMAN. I AM ASSUMING THAT IT DID NOT GO AS PLANNED, AND FOR THIS, I CANNOT SAY I AM SURPRISED. DAMIEN, THE LEGACY OF THE BAT IS ONE THAT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP, AND FOR THIS, I HAVE IMPLIED ONE MORE PLAN FOR YOU. A CERTAIN...PLAN C. DAMIEN, NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO, I LAUNCHED A PLAN THAT DESTROYED 80% OF THE METAHUMAN POPULATION IN ONE SIMPLE STROKE."

"MY BOY, IF YOU FOLLOW THESE STEPS, YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REMAINING 20%. DAMIEN, ALLOW ME TO TEACH YOU THE WAYS OF WHAT I LIKE TO CALL...A CRISIS."

To Be Continued...

Description
PROLOGUE...

*Following the death of Ra's Al Ghul due to the actions of the new Batman, Terry McGuinnis, and Ras' long time foe, Bruce Wayne, a audio tape was immediatly to be sent to a small cabin in Bhutan, where a young man opens it and listens to it.

"MY BOY. IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS, THEN THAT MEANS MY ULTIMATE PLAN FOR EVER LASTING LIFE HAS, AT LONG LAST, COME TO AN END. HOWEVER, IN THE VIOLENT SHACKLES OF DEATH, I FIND THAT MY LIFE WILL LIFE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH YOU. BUT IN DOING SO, YOU MUST STOP THE ONE MAN WHO CAUSED MY PLANS TO END ONCE AND FOR ALL. MY BOY, LISTEN CLOSELY AS I TELL YOU THE SHORY OF 'THE DARK KNIGHT'...

------------------

*Things are fantastic for Terry McGinnis. He has never been happier. His partners, Batgirl and Robin, have made cleaning up the streets of Gotham even easier, he finally made peace between The Outsiders and JLU. Even things between Terry and Dana have been pretty good...granted, she is still in the dark about his secret, but still, they were happy, and deep down, that's all what Terry really wanted.

*Meanwhile, in the Batcave, Bruce is manning the computer as he see's a Batshapped shadow come over his shoulder.*

"Im glad you decided to check in early. There is a disturbance in Downtown Gotham. Judging by the use of force, it seems to be Stalker..."

*No response*

"Something wrong, McGinnis?"

*Still nothing, causing Bruce to turn around in his chair.* "McG---you're not Terry!"

*A metalic, armored gauntler reaches out, grabbing Bruce by the throat and slams him into the bat-puter, cracking the screen.*

-------------------------

*As Terry is manning the Batmobile, he suddenly gets a call from Melanie Walker, Batgirl, patching directly into his comlink.*

"Terry, you need to get to the cave! Now! Its Bruce...something attacked him!"

*Batman immediatly speeds back to the cave and out of costume, just in time to see Jack, Melanie, and Max to watch Bruce being wheeled away by paramedics. They inform Terry that Bruce was found beaten senselessly in the cave, but the only evidence they had was a stray batarang found near his body. Terry examines the Batarang and discovers that it doesn't match any of the type Bruce carries in the cave. He tells the team to suit upa nd begin an investigation into who could have attacked Bruce.

--------------------------

*Knowing that they would need help, Jack 'Robin' Drake decided to check in with his friend and mentor, Dick Grayson, still patrolling the streets as Nightwing. Entering Dick's apartment, Jack is astonished at what he finds: Nightwing laying unconcious on the floor in a pool of his own blood, with a man wearing an armored version of the Batman uniform standing over him. The mysterious Batman stares back at Robin.*

"The famous 'Boy Wonder'..."

*Robin tries to attack the Batman, but his lack of experience makes him defeated rather quickly, but with Robin pinned to the floor, the Batman seems to pull a sword from his utility belt, which suddenly is ungulfed in flames.*

"I am the angel of death. I am the Azrael. Your judgment has come..."

*Just in time before the sword could take Robin's head, Batman arrives and counters with Azrael, using a roundhouse kick to hurl Azrael from the window of Dick's apartment. batman rushes over to the edge to catch him, but Azrael seems to have disappeared.*

-------------------

*Back in the Batcave, Dick is being treated for his injuries as he explains how Azrael attacked him from behind, muttering something about 'exterminating the shell to get to the pearl'. Terry imemdiatly views the ravings as nothing more then a threat, but warns the Bat-Family to be on their guard.*

*A news report suddenly comes on, entitled 'Brutal Batman' that discusses how Batman has seemingly used unnatural, brutal tactics to beat his rogues gallery almsot to death, leaving the likes of Scarecrow, Dee Dee, Hyena, Shriek, and even the recently escaped Stalker a gorey mess. Commissioner Barbara Gordon is reached for comment, but she states that there is no proof that these actions were done by Batman.*

*This action leads to Terry to get serious about finding this 'Azrael', knowing that not only is he dangerous, but he seems to know his and Bruce's identities.*

-------------------

*Knowing that it was important to return home and check on his family, Terry rushes in to discover his mother and brother sitting at the kitchen table, laughing away with a young man who looks to be about Terry's age. His mother stands up and smiles when Terry walks in.*

"Oh Terry. There you are. Your friend from school dropped by and said that he needed to speak with you. It was so nice to meet you, um...Im sorry. What was your name again?"

"Its Damien, ma'am. Damien Wayne."

"Oh. As in Bruce Wayne?"

"Something like that. No relation, but Im just a big fan."

"Well, you have a lovely friend here, Terry. Now come on, Matt. Let's give these boys some privacy."

*Damien smiles as Mary and Matt step out.* "My, what a lovely family you have. Sure would be a shame if something happened to them..."

*Terry takes along of Damien's shirt collar and slams him into a near by wall in the kitchen.*

"Who are you? Why did you attack Bruce and Dick!"

"Now now. Calm down...Batman...all I wanted to do was get your attention so that we could talk..."

*Terry looks furious, but he steps off Damien.*

"Then talk..."

"See, Terry, latelly, I have been learning alot about myself. About my origins. My past. My history. And wouldn't you know it, it seems that I just happen to be son of Bruce Wayne, who we all know as the REAL Batman."

"And who was it that told you this piece of fiction."

"I heard it from my grandfather. Ra's Al Ghul."

"Ra's...so that means...Talia."

"My mother. See, when Grandpa Ra's had that brilliant plan to take over Bruce's body and return to Gotham, you are looking at his inspiration. He knew that unless he took Bruce Wayne down, he would never be able to pull off the role of his life...but gramps was a smart man. he had a Plan B ready to go jsut in case Bruce was able to stop him, yet again, and you are looking at him."

"What do you want?"

"Its simple really. All I want is what is rightfully mine. All I want is my heritage. I want you to step down as Batman so that I can rightfully take the role."

"After seeing what you did to the Jokers, if you think I'll step down for anything, you're crazier then I thought, Pal."

"Oh, but Terry. Think of everyone that you have in your life who will be so much safer with me as Batman. Your sidekicks. Your mother. Your brother. That cute little girlfriend of yours...what's her name...Dana?"

*With that, Terry puches Damien in the chin, causing a drip of blood to leak down Damien's chin, who simply grins.*

"You have 24 hours to think over my proposal. Meet me on the roof of Wayne Enterprises with your answer. I'll be waiting..."

*With that, Damien stepped out of the McGinnis home as Terry stands with his heart racing, filled with rage...and fear.

-----------------------------

*This was officially personal. With bruce returning from the hospital, Terry instructed his team to stay with him, that terry needed to face Damien...Azreal...alone. Bruce was stunned to learn that he was a father, but after hearing what Damien has done, all her felt for his son was 'shame' and understood that this was a fight Terry needed to fight by himself.*

*Melanie, however, saw it differently...*

*Batman and Azreal met on the roof of Wayne Enterprises as Azreal told Terry one more time to step down. Terry responded with a Batarang to the face...which Damien caught.*

"As you wish..."

*From there, Batman and Azreal finally faced off. Terry McGinnis, the Batman, faced the fight of his life. Punches. Kicks. Batarangs. Flaming swords. It was a battle to the end...a battle, which Terry lost.*

*Broken and battered, terry laid at Damien's feet, staring up with his shattered mask as Azrael held him by the throat, dangling from the side of the building. Azrael could only laugh under his mask.*

"I did my best to let you off easy, McGinnis, but it seems that the only way to be the one, true Batman is to take it by force. Goodbye, Terry. Give my regards to the Dodo."

*With that, Azrael opened his hand and let Terry's body fall off the side of Wayne Enterprises. Falling lower and lower, it isn't until melanie walker, piloting the Batmobile, catches Terry and flies him back to the Batcave. Azrael could only sigh, seeing that his message wasn't received.*

"Well then...as Gramps taught me, time for Plan B."

*Pushing a button on his utility belt, explosing begin to go off in the closed for the night Wayne Enterprises, as in moments, the building colapses and is reduced to ruble, Azrael staring on the entire time.*

------------------------

*Back at the Batcave, Terry begins to wake up, finding his friends standing over him as Bruce tells Terry that no matter what Damien did or said, Terry will always be more of a son that Damien ever will be. Terry is still terrified, knowing that somewhere out there, Damien is still on the loose with all their secrets, and knows what he must do.*

"What do you mean?" *Jack steps forward.* "What are you talking about, Terry?"

"Im saying that I can't let Dana, my Mom, and my Matt live the rest of their lives with targets painted on them. If Damien wants to be Batman, then he can have the job..."

*With that, Terry takes what's left of his mask and hands it to Bruce.*

"I quit..."

*With that, Terry turns his back on the Bat-Family and walks out of the Batcave, Bruce sighing softly and looking down at the mask of the former Batman.*

------------------------------

EPILOGUE

*After his trip to Gotham, Damien returns to his home in Bhutan, noticing that the old fashioned cassette that Ra's sent him had a Side B. Damien flips it and listens.*

"MY BOY. MY DEAR, DEAR GRANDSON. IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS, THEN ODDS ARE THAT YOU HAVE RETURNED TO YOUR CABIN, STILL YET TO TAKE THE CLAIM OF THE BATMAN. I AM ASSUMING THAT IT DID NOT GO AS PLANNED, AND FOR THIS, I CANNOT SAY I AM SURPRISED. DAMIEN, THE LEGACY OF THE BAT IS ONE THAT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP, AND FOR THIS, I HAVE IMPLIED ONE MORE PLAN FOR YOU. A CERTAIN...PLAN C. DAMIEN, NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO, I LAUNCHED A PLAN THAT DESTROYED 80% OF THE METAHUMAN POPULATION IN ONE SIMPLE STROKE."

"MY BOY, IF YOU FOLLOW THESE STEPS, YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REMAINING 20%. DAMIEN, ALLOW ME TO TEACH YOU THE WAYS OF WHAT I LIKE TO CALL...A CRISIS."

To Be Continued...