Batman Beyond: The Legacy Returns

Chapter 9 - Return Of The Dark Knight

Terry gasps in disbelief as he hears Bruce speak in his head again. This wasn't like the inner voice he had listened too before; in fact, this was coming from within the suit he was wearing.

"Bruce? Is that you?"

"Not exactly." The raspy old voice of Wayne replied. "I anticipated that you would return and downloaded this visual interface should you slip on the suit again."

"Visual interface?" Terry says questioningly. "What the heck are you..."

Suddenly his eyes go black and his vision is now faced with a wall of glowing green numbers, grid lines and scrolling data that seems to almost pull his mind in. As he stands there in a digitally created version of himself, so too does a green image of Bruce Wayne; the old man was looking just the same as he had left him.

"Sorry bout the drama. Guess I could have just as easily done this without all the graphics." He snickers.

Terry stands there in awe and looks at the computer-imaged man with confusion. "What is all this? Are you really here?"

"As I said before...not exactly. I programmed the suit to respond to any possible inquiry you might ask. There's not much time to explain, seeing how this recording only lasts for a few minutes. Terry, within this suit I've downloaded my brain patterns and the entire memory core of the bat computer. This suit is now capable to perform any task usually done in the bat cave itself. You can look at files, analyze chemicals using your finger tips and so on and so fourth."

"No way..." Terry gasps.

"If need be, you can download this whole thing into another computer should you not want to have only one version that might get destroyed. I highly recommend you do this." Wayne says to him as he raises his eyebrows. "Now comes the final question that you need to answer before we say our final goodbyes and my digital self becomes part of the computer matrix for good."

"What's the question?" Terry asks curiously.

"Batman...do you want to be him for the rest of your life? There's still a chance to turn away kid...all you have to do is take off this costume and leave it in the cave...then push the button. No more late nights flying around Gotham, no more risking your personal time or life to help the people and you can go off and leave here forever. As I said to you before in the cave, I won't think any less of you if you walk away...sometimes I wondered what life would have been like not being Batman...but I chose my path. Now it's your turn to decide Terry, are you in? Or are you out?"

Terry's digital imaged self gave a look of thinking the matter in his head, it wasn't too late for him to turn back, but thinking about the Jokers and his good friend Max in trouble...he gave the only response he could.

"I'm definitely in."

The image of Wayne slowly disappeared as the old man smiled at his answer; the bat symbol began to shine in his place as the green light outlined the entire shape.

"Good. You've been the best replacement I've ever had Terry...and here's a few things to help you along the way."

New images exploded out of the symbol in green and red, architectural and vehicle blueprints, weapons designs and other various schematics.

"I've decided to give you everything you need to start on your own, even a new place of residence in the heart of the city. I even put in the suit modifications you once asked me for, even though I wasn't sure it was possible. Funny how technology tends to speed up and get better every year. Whatever else needs to be made is up to you now...but just know that I am with you ever step of the way and that all that I have learned or studied is now in this computer forever. Good luck Terry...or should I say...Batman."