Bat-Troll Beyond: Return Of The Joker

Branch Suspends Terry

In the Batcave, Branch, Poppy, and Brozone were trying to find out how The Joker is still alive by comparing videos. They play the first video.

Joker: A countdown of victims that will end at midnight unless our dear Dark Knight stops me first! (Laughs)

They play the second video.

Joker: Hello, TrollsTopia! Joker's back in town! (Laughs)

The voice ID is identical.

Terry: It's funny. I know all about your other major enemies but you never mentioned him.

Violet: He was the biggest, wasn't he?

Branch: It wasn't a popularity contest. He was a psychopath. A monster.

Terry: So how is it possible he could still be around after all this time?

Branch: It's not possible. He died years ago.

Terry: You're sure?

Branch: I was there.

Terry: You killed him, didn't you? He was about to do something so terrible, you had no other choice.

Poppy: Terry—

Terry: That's was it, wasn't it?

Branch: I want you to give back the Bat-Troll suit.

Terry: What? Why?

Branch: There's no reason for you to continue. You've made your father's killers pay for his murder, then put your own needs aside to help the city when it most needed a hero. You've honored the reputation of Bat-Troll many times over and for that I thank you.

Terry: Then why?

Branch: I had no right to force this life on you or anyone else.

Terry: Hey, I was the one who broke in and swiped the suit, remember? Yes, there was my dad's murder, but we come from two different worlds, King Branch. I wasn't like you or the kids you took in. I was a pretty bad kid once. Ran with a rough crowd, broke a lot of laws, to say nothing to my folks' hearts. The kind of punk you wouldn't have wasted a second punch on back in the day.

Branch: Your point?

Terry: I'm trying to make up for past sins. The state says my 3 months in juvie wiped me clean, but my soul tells me different. Every time I put on that suit it's my chance to help people who are in trouble. I guess on a personal level, it's a chance to look like a worthwhile Troll again. In my eyes, no one else's. It's what I want, Branch.

Branch: Stupid kid. You don't know what you want. None of you ever did.

Terry throws his bag containing the suit in anger and runs away.

Violet: How could you say that, Dad? Now we don't have a Bat-Troll!

Poppy: Sweetie, your Dad's just—

Violet: No, Mom! I don't need an explanation from you.

Violet walks away in anger from her parents who won't tell her or Terry anything.

At Terry's home, he eats breakfast with his mother and his little brother.

Matt: Mom, come quick! Some weirdo broke into our house!

Mary: Matty, what are you talking about?

Matt: There's a stranger sitting at our table!

Terry: Ha, ha.

Mary: That's your brother.

Matt: I've never seen him before in my life.

Mary: It is rare that you're up and around before noon, Terry what with your job and all.

Terry: I'm not working for Violet's parents anymore.

Mary: Well, it will be nice to have you home for a change. Right, Matt?

Matt: Sure. Great. Just when I was getting used to being an only child.

Terry flicked a piece of his cereal into Matt.

Matt: Mom!

Mary: (sighs)