Batman Beyond: Return of the Bat
- Thread starter DhampyrX2
- Start date
Typhonis said:
Dhampyr you are forgetting something. Ivy cloned herself. How hard would it be for her to create a fully functional child if she wanted one? Hell that could be one way she gains some good publicity Having trouble concieving due too sterility? Ask Dr Isley for her natural options.
Bruce sat at the Batcomputer looking contemplatively at the the image of the "New" Joker captured by the hospital security footage. It was horrible, waiting for the other shoe to drop while that madman was out there, plotting.
It was even worse when the Joker was right. There was more than one way for Bruce to be out there scouring the city like his soul was demanding for him to do.
His own innate scientific curiosity in the face of the altered Lazarus Pit process Ra's had developed during his ruse had broken a code Bruce would need to fully circumvent mental side-effects of the pits. Heck, scans of Bruce's own DNA confirmed that while not as instantaneous and permanent as the original Pit treatment process, Ra's altered method had probably added a good 10-15 years to the first Batman's life.
There was the battle suit of course, but that was a stopgap solution at best. The strain would most likely send him into his final heart episode and leave him in a nice bat-shaped metal sarcophagus for burial. Almost fitting, in a way, but not feasible to stop the Joker.
And then, there was the... other option. Bruce couldn't help but remember when that door had first opened for him. And why.
*****
"Something I can do for you, Your Majesty?" Batman asked as he tried to keep the irritation out of his voice at the intrusion into the Batcave.
"I understand that you would be no more pleased with my intrusion here Batman, into your city, than I would be upon an unsolicited visit by you to Themyscira. And coming here to your Cave would be tantamount to you invading my very throne room. For that reason, I will be brief," Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and mother to Wonder Women responded evenly.
Batman's only reply was to look on in askance as the regal blond woman reached into a satchel at her side and removed a golden apple before setting it on a table to her right.
"My daughter cares greatly for you, Batman. Despite the fact you are mortal man she has come to develop very deep feelings for you. Far deeper than simple friendship or camaraderie between teammates," Hippolyta began.
"With all due respect, we both agreed long ago not to pursue anything resembling a relationship between us," Bruce began.
"I know, and on one level I want to thank you for trying to spare my Little Sun and Stars the pain of watching you age and die before her. On another level I want to rend you limb from limb for spurning her. Quite honestly, it was the fact you and your fellow charter members of the League are all honored heroes of Themyscira that swayed matters in your favor. My duties as a Queen come before my instincts as a mother," Hippolyta replied.
Batman's eyes narrowed dangerously even as he nodded in acknowledgment to her words.
"But now, I have found a way to try to reconcile the two, and offer a chance at happiness to my daughter. You no doubt have guessed that this," she said as she gestured to the golden apple, "is an apple from the garden of Hesperid. I have been granted permission by the gods to offer it to you in thanks for your aid to the Amazon nation. With it you can gain eternal life and eternal youth, just as Diana enjoys."
"And suddenly take away the 'problem' of my mortality," Batman added.
"Indeed. You would be free to guard your kingdom for all time as I have. The fact that it would make your greatest reason for avoiding my daughter evaporate is only a happy side-effect," Hippolyta responded.
"It sounds more like the reason for your gift than a coincidental side-effect, quite honestly," Batman confided.
"Perhaps," Hippolyta agreed with a small nod. "I am no great fan of men or of Man's World in general, but I do know you make Diana happy. That is reason enough for me. The gods grant you this boon because you deserve it, regardless of my opinion."
Batman silently regarded the Amazon Queen as he glanced back and forth between her and the apple.
"I do not expect you decide immediately, Batman. From what Diana has told me of you, you are not a man to decide things rashly. Indeed, you might be on your death bed decades from now before you choose to embrace your boon. I am simply here to deliver it to you, and to once again offer my thanks on behalf of both the gods and the Amazons," Hippolyta replied stiffly. Most other mortals would have been halfway through eating the apple at this point and she knew it. She certainly couldn't fault her daughter's measure of her chosen male in terms of self restraint.
"I appreciate the sentiment behind the gift, Your Majesty. The League was honored to help your people," Batman responded formally
Hippolyta nodded in acknowledgment before turning and making her way back toward the steps to the manor. "I do not expect to see you again in the near future Batman, but I think I may see you again someday. Until then, take care," she said.
"Safe journey, Your Majesty," Batman replied.
*****
Bruce shook his head as he came out of the memory of Hippolyta's visit. The apple, being mystical in nature, was still as fresh as it had been the day it was picked, and was currently stored in a secure secondary Cave location well away from the manor.
In the depths of his heart, the part of him that wanted to protect Gotham, he wondered not for the first time, Would it be worth it?
It was even worse when the Joker was right. There was more than one way for Bruce to be out there scouring the city like his soul was demanding for him to do.
His own innate scientific curiosity in the face of the altered Lazarus Pit process Ra's had developed during his ruse had broken a code Bruce would need to fully circumvent mental side-effects of the pits. Heck, scans of Bruce's own DNA confirmed that while not as instantaneous and permanent as the original Pit treatment process, Ra's altered method had probably added a good 10-15 years to the first Batman's life.
There was the battle suit of course, but that was a stopgap solution at best. The strain would most likely send him into his final heart episode and leave him in a nice bat-shaped metal sarcophagus for burial. Almost fitting, in a way, but not feasible to stop the Joker.
And then, there was the... other option. Bruce couldn't help but remember when that door had first opened for him. And why.
*****
"Something I can do for you, Your Majesty?" Batman asked as he tried to keep the irritation out of his voice at the intrusion into the Batcave.
"I understand that you would be no more pleased with my intrusion here Batman, into your city, than I would be upon an unsolicited visit by you to Themyscira. And coming here to your Cave would be tantamount to you invading my very throne room. For that reason, I will be brief," Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and mother to Wonder Women responded evenly.
Batman's only reply was to look on in askance as the regal blond woman reached into a satchel at her side and removed a golden apple before setting it on a table to her right.
"My daughter cares greatly for you, Batman. Despite the fact you are mortal man she has come to develop very deep feelings for you. Far deeper than simple friendship or camaraderie between teammates," Hippolyta began.
"With all due respect, we both agreed long ago not to pursue anything resembling a relationship between us," Bruce began.
"I know, and on one level I want to thank you for trying to spare my Little Sun and Stars the pain of watching you age and die before her. On another level I want to rend you limb from limb for spurning her. Quite honestly, it was the fact you and your fellow charter members of the League are all honored heroes of Themyscira that swayed matters in your favor. My duties as a Queen come before my instincts as a mother," Hippolyta replied.
Batman's eyes narrowed dangerously even as he nodded in acknowledgment to her words.
"But now, I have found a way to try to reconcile the two, and offer a chance at happiness to my daughter. You no doubt have guessed that this," she said as she gestured to the golden apple, "is an apple from the garden of Hesperid. I have been granted permission by the gods to offer it to you in thanks for your aid to the Amazon nation. With it you can gain eternal life and eternal youth, just as Diana enjoys."
"And suddenly take away the 'problem' of my mortality," Batman added.
"Indeed. You would be free to guard your kingdom for all time as I have. The fact that it would make your greatest reason for avoiding my daughter evaporate is only a happy side-effect," Hippolyta responded.
"It sounds more like the reason for your gift than a coincidental side-effect, quite honestly," Batman confided.
"Perhaps," Hippolyta agreed with a small nod. "I am no great fan of men or of Man's World in general, but I do know you make Diana happy. That is reason enough for me. The gods grant you this boon because you deserve it, regardless of my opinion."
Batman silently regarded the Amazon Queen as he glanced back and forth between her and the apple.
"I do not expect you decide immediately, Batman. From what Diana has told me of you, you are not a man to decide things rashly. Indeed, you might be on your death bed decades from now before you choose to embrace your boon. I am simply here to deliver it to you, and to once again offer my thanks on behalf of both the gods and the Amazons," Hippolyta replied stiffly. Most other mortals would have been halfway through eating the apple at this point and she knew it. She certainly couldn't fault her daughter's measure of her chosen male in terms of self restraint.
"I appreciate the sentiment behind the gift, Your Majesty. The League was honored to help your people," Batman responded formally
Hippolyta nodded in acknowledgment before turning and making her way back toward the steps to the manor. "I do not expect to see you again in the near future Batman, but I think I may see you again someday. Until then, take care," she said.
"Safe journey, Your Majesty," Batman replied.
*****
Bruce shook his head as he came out of the memory of Hippolyta's visit. The apple, being mystical in nature, was still as fresh as it had been the day it was picked, and was currently stored in a secure secondary Cave location well away from the manor.
In the depths of his heart, the part of him that wanted to protect Gotham, he wondered not for the first time, Would it be worth it?
Typhonis said:
So what would it take for Bruce to bite the apple? An attack on Terry and his wife ? Afterall Terry could head Wayne Enterprises if need be.? Of course there is the scary thought that Joker KNOWS the Dee Dees are his grandkids and approves.
Depending on how direct you want the Joker to be about this, he could either go for killing large numbers of bystanders and leave Terry running around behind trying to catch up, or he could attack Terry's family and friends and leave him trying to defend a circle of people that is steadily shrinking as the Joker kills them one by one.
Either way, IMO, the Joker will be going out of his way to prove that the "batfake" doesn't have what it takes, in order to draw Bruce back into the game.
bored said:
Typhonis said:
So what would it take for Bruce to bite the apple? An attack on Terry and his wife ? Afterall Terry could head Wayne Enterprises if need be.á Of course there is the scary thought that Joker KNOWS the Dee Dees are his grandkids and approves.
Depending on how direct you want the Joker to be about this, he could either go for killing large numbers of bystanders and leave Terry running around behind trying to catch up, or he could attack Terry's family and friends and leave him trying to defend a circle of people that is steadily shrinking as the Joker kills them one by one.
Either way, IMO, the Joker will be going out of his way to prove that the "batfake" doesn't have what it takes, in order to draw Bruce back into the game.
Targeting Terry and his Family specifically would among other things have people asking WHY... which in turn might expose Batman... which would make it less likely Bruce would go the youth option because if everyone knew he and/or Terry was BAtman... neither could operate as Batman....
Also there is the fact Terry is associated with the League... and if its just his immediate family and friends being targeted, than thats a small group that can justify calling in the league to watch over in order to catch Joker (And Joker rememebr has gone toe to toe with Superman and now he's enhanced! definitlya threat for the league to take interest in).... Whereas large number of people who can be struck at random in one city the league couldn't watch 24/7 what with other problems on earth and the galaxy.
Finally Attacking Terry and Family might make Terry take it really personally.. and theirs a chance where Terry might snap and decide he HAS to take out Joker, thus sabotaging Bruce's own youth plans. Not that bruce couldn't bypass Terry, but there is a real chance he wouldn't because Terry is his protege. (Keeping in mind Joker has no idea how Bruce would get young... and probablyt hinks it some uebr complex scheme going with his impression of bats. )
Of course this is Joker, he probably has some convulted reason he'd publicily state for targeting random passerbyers instead of Bruces close friends and family (perhaps something along the line of 'Its just not fun targeting his friends if old Batsy isn't there to try and foil me.... better kill time with the no name extras till eh gets off his wrinkly ass! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!' )
Typhonis said:
So what would it take for Bruce to bite the apple? An attack on Terry and his wife ? Afterall Terry could head Wayne Enterprises if need be. Of course there is the scary thought that Joker KNOWS the Dee Dees are his grandkids and approves.
Then maybe a post-dated invitation to a funeral for "Batfake and friends."
Of course this is after a regular body count well into triple digits for the rank and file Gothamites.
As for the other issue, now I can picture Joker taking shots at Dana as part of a twisted idea of matchmaking if he knows that Terry is Bruce's son. Maybe giving Matt to them as a plaything until the final push against Bruce.
da_fox2279 said:
DhampyrX2 said:
sith2886 said:
Awesome, and scary. Who survived the night with Ivy?
That's how they explained why she suddenly turned white skinned and seemed more plantlike in the later episodes. That was one of her advanced plant clones impersonating her. After the last caper in canon she came home before dissolving back into plant matter. Ivy, who was there with her husband living peacefully commented that she hoped it didn't cause too much trouble.
Damn, it's been a long time since I've seen the show...
Still, interesting story premise. And truth be told, I could care less about the immortals of the DCAU, because I see this as a Batman story.
Too many cooks spoil the broth, yeah?
Not dismissing some of them - Diana would be an interesting addition, seeing how ... not naive, but uninformed about man's world in JL/JLU. Here, she's had decades to learn - will she be closer to her comic counterpart here? (I liked the interaction between her and Bats in the previous JLA series.)
Still, my curiousity has been peaked, and I wish to see more.
Keep up the good work.
A odd thought that might make a amusing omake..
but if I recall correctly.. isn't Joker in cannonly in BTAS absolutly terrified of teh IRS?
If IR ecall the episode correclty Joker was telling his minions that 'batmna is batman.. but these guys.... they are scary.' or something to that effect..
wonder if said fear still exists for Joker in BB?
(its the episode where Joker gets a inheritence from a mob boss he hated... was tol dit was like 100 million... when it was only 1 million and a bunch of funny money the mob boss 'last joke' on Joker.)
but if I recall correctly.. isn't Joker in cannonly in BTAS absolutly terrified of teh IRS?
If IR ecall the episode correclty Joker was telling his minions that 'batmna is batman.. but these guys.... they are scary.' or something to that effect..
wonder if said fear still exists for Joker in BB?
(its the episode where Joker gets a inheritence from a mob boss he hated... was tol dit was like 100 million... when it was only 1 million and a bunch of funny money the mob boss 'last joke' on Joker.)
It was clear once things got started that the Joker had been doing more than biding his time while Bruce recovered. A new variant of Smilex toxin that was highly resistant to the original antidote hit the streets a week after Bruce's conversation with Harley. Worse yet, it was being used to taint several different drugs from cocaine to marijuana.
Within four days, the number of deaths with a smile in Gotham was reaching triple didgits.
It was the first time Terry got a real dose of the kind of mayhem the Joker enjoyed on a palpable level and it disgusted the Torrow Knight thoroughly. "Have there been any leads to where the source of the toxin is coming from, Commissioner? Jokerz acting a dealers? A common distributer or distribution point?" Terry asked as he looked over the files with Barbara in her office.
"No. The Joker isn't generally that sloppy kid. He's crazy, but he doesn't stick his neck out. At least, not unless it will gather major attention. Or to bait your boss," the Commissioner responded. Even in the safety of her own office, that she sweeped several times a day for bugs thanks to a healthy level of paranoia Bruce had instilled in her, she still didn't dare use the first Batman's name in public.
"He'll have to slip up eventually. When he does, I'll stop this. I won't have him harassing the Old Man like this. And Gotham isn't the Clown's playground any more," Batman growled, worried that the stress of this case might do more harm to Bruce.
"Don't get cocky, kid. There was always one rule to follow with the old guard. It's never-" Barbara began.
"-easy with the Joker," Terry finished grimly as he set the file down and headed for the window. He had heard it enough times before but he was starting to understand what Bruce and Barbara meant when they said things like that. This wasn't a crime spree, it was murder or a major scale with no profit in it. The Joker wasn't working toward any kind of sane goal, he was just doing this because he liked it. Or that's how Terry saw it, at least.
"Watch yourself out there, Batman. This one might get a whole lot worse before it's over. This time, the Joker knows more about us than he ever did," the Commissioner warned with a tired sigh as her attention returned to the reports on her desk.
"I know," Terry responded with a scowl before jumping out the window and igniting his rocket boots to take off into the night.
Within four days, the number of deaths with a smile in Gotham was reaching triple didgits.
It was the first time Terry got a real dose of the kind of mayhem the Joker enjoyed on a palpable level and it disgusted the Torrow Knight thoroughly. "Have there been any leads to where the source of the toxin is coming from, Commissioner? Jokerz acting a dealers? A common distributer or distribution point?" Terry asked as he looked over the files with Barbara in her office.
"No. The Joker isn't generally that sloppy kid. He's crazy, but he doesn't stick his neck out. At least, not unless it will gather major attention. Or to bait your boss," the Commissioner responded. Even in the safety of her own office, that she sweeped several times a day for bugs thanks to a healthy level of paranoia Bruce had instilled in her, she still didn't dare use the first Batman's name in public.
"He'll have to slip up eventually. When he does, I'll stop this. I won't have him harassing the Old Man like this. And Gotham isn't the Clown's playground any more," Batman growled, worried that the stress of this case might do more harm to Bruce.
"Don't get cocky, kid. There was always one rule to follow with the old guard. It's never-" Barbara began.
"-easy with the Joker," Terry finished grimly as he set the file down and headed for the window. He had heard it enough times before but he was starting to understand what Bruce and Barbara meant when they said things like that. This wasn't a crime spree, it was murder or a major scale with no profit in it. The Joker wasn't working toward any kind of sane goal, he was just doing this because he liked it. Or that's how Terry saw it, at least.
"Watch yourself out there, Batman. This one might get a whole lot worse before it's over. This time, the Joker knows more about us than he ever did," the Commissioner warned with a tired sigh as her attention returned to the reports on her desk.
"I know," Terry responded with a scowl before jumping out the window and igniting his rocket boots to take off into the night.