Batman Beyond: The Legacy Returns

Prologue/Chapter 1 - Funeral For A Friend

Based on "Batman" created by Bob Kane and the "Batman Beyond" Animated series.

Prologue –

Bruce Wayne, former Batman and personal mentor to Terry McGinnis, is now dead. Having been plagued by continuing strokes and heart problems; Wayne finally succumbed to his failing health. Before his death, Bruce urged McGinnis to take time to put down the costume life and finish his education. For a while, young Terry didn't heed to Bruce's advice and continued to battle the crime of Gotham City. But this life became destructive to Terry on a personal level, his mother met a new man and planned to marry, his brother was rebelling from the new union by constantly running away, his girlfriend Dana broke up with him as he neglected her and Bruce was slowly deteriorating before his very eyes. The burden was too much for the young man and with one last tour of the city as Batman; he hung up the suit and finally gave in to Wayne's suggestion. He was tired of watching everyone else live their lives way they wanted and having nothing of his own. Terry traveled the world, studied and was taught by all the masters that Bruce had learned from. Wayne was only too happy to send him to his former schools and give Terry the chance to learn and not live in vengeance all of his life. Wayne was afraid the boy would become as alone and isolated as he had become, all those years of fighting crime gave him no family, no children...no life.

Terry's life had been a rocky one, just as Wayne's was when he was a child. Both had to witness the horror of loved ones being murdered, Bruce had both parents killed in front of his eyes and McGinnis's father was slain upon his return home. Terry took the mantle of being Batman only to avenge his father's death, much as Bruce had for his parents. Now the young man was beginning to see why Bruce was so alone, the sleepless nights of patrolling the city, the constant bruises and broken bones and the strain of keeping relationships in his daily life took their toll on him. Dana had waited for him for years; she never understood his devotion to Wayne, nor his constant routine of breaking dates with her on spur of the moments. She blasted him for never being there and told him that she was dating another man, one that was always around and cared for her in time of need. McGinnis was crushed; the reason for being this dark knight no longer appealed to him and swore he'd never be that 'thing' ever again. To him, Batman was dead. Gotham City had no appeal to him anymore and voyaged beyond it with no intent on returning ever again.

As Bruce and Terry kept in touch during his education, it was decided that McGinnis would become the rightful heir to the Wayne fortune and the legal owner of the company he fought so hard to get back. Terry was hesitant to say no to his old mentor, he knew that meant he'd have to return one day to that city of sin he swore off years ago, but how could he refuse this great man who changed his life forever. Then, the day finally came as Bruce Wayne died in his home a few months after the documents we're signed. In a chair he sat all by himself, by the fireplace where the portrait of his mother and father hung, Terry's last email message was still clasped in his hand. On the small palm pilot like device, which the letter was kept on, was a final thought of Terry's that Bruce had been reading.

It read:

Bruce, forgive me but I've changed my mind...I no longer wish to be the rightful heir. I want to live my own life and not live in the shadow of yours anymore. If you are angry I'm sorry, but I never want to come back to Gotham City ever again. We've talked about this time and time again, but having seen and learned so much, it's opened my eyes to better possibilities and new ideas. You have been like a father to me and I thank you for your kindness, your wisdom and even being part of your special 'family'. But I want to have no part of becoming the empty shadow to you anymore. Bruce, you are Batman, but I now know I will never be anything but a kid who borrowed you're suit for a short time. I'm not Batman...I am myself. Please send me your thoughts on this soon.