Terry hadn’t planned on familiarizing himself with the titans more so than what was needed to subdue and defeat them. Yet, within a few months, he quickly found himself intimately acquainted with them. By no means he met or spoke to them in person, but rather, they’ve taken to talking to T, the new “A.I” for the tower, about their problems and even going to him for advice. Some of the female titans had taken to using him as a diary.
As much as he wanted to stay away from them, he was only human. He still needed to eat. Sadly, with this place filled with mostly teenage heroes, there was a lack of real food that served as nutritious or sustainable for a healthy growing body. Fortunately, he’d learned how to cook from Alfred during the period he was recovering from his catatonic state. Every week, he left the tower cloaked in his invisible suit before changing back to civilian wear to buy ingredients.
He made certain the Tower’s security wouldn’t attack him when he came and went. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say the same for the titans. While he was cloaked in invisibility, his grocery bags did not share the same safety. He had forgotten when he walked in through the front and pass the living room.
“… Hey guys, is it just me, or is that a floating bag of groceries?” Virgil, the bang baby hero Static asked when he was lounging with Jaime current Blue Beetle.
“… You don’t think the tower is haunted do you?” He whispered, peeking from the couch with his fellow teen hero as the bag moved towards the kitchen.
“There’s no such things as ghost.” Virgil laughed but ended sheepishly. “… Is there?”
“Maybe it’s an enemy that snuck in?” Jaime suggested.
Virgil shook his head. “No, T would’ve noticed and warned us.”
“What the hell?” Amy, also known as the violent Bombshell cursed when she spotted the floating grocery bag.
“Bombshell wait!” Virgil shouted but the girl had already thrown a blast at the bag.
The bag quickly darted around the blast before it flew up towards the ceiling.
“Holy crap! It is haunted!” Jamie shouted as Bombshell flew after it.
“Forget that, we have to stop Bombshell before she blows up the tower.” Virgil said as he pulled out his metal disk and took flight to the high ceiling. The bag shifted when he went up before a green cabbage came out from the bag.
“…Vegetables? We’re being haunted by a bag of vegetables?” Jamie shouted in disbelief as the cabbage flew at Virgil.
“I thought vegetables are supposed to be good for you.” Virgil complained before tossing a blast of electricity at the cabbage. The ball of green exploded, scattering pieces of the leaves all over the room.
“You idiot!” Bombshell shouted at him as she swatted the loose leaves falling around them. “You created a diversion for it to get away!”
“It didn’t look like it was harmful! Quit attacking everything you see!” Virgil snapped at her.
“Shut up dreads.” She retorted back.
“Why don’t you make me?” Virgil retorted.
While the two were busy with their dispute, Terry took a quick breath of relief before hurrying back to his room. He would have to wait until later before he could put away his groceries. Now he knows that they were going to spout nonsense about haunted vegetables, it was not likely they would touch his food after it’s cooked with vegetables. Good thing too, he doesn’t have a fridge down in his room. But for now, he would have to wait until everyone settled and leave the tower before he can go up and use the kitchen.
“TEEEERRRRRYYYYYYY!” Bart chirped cheerily as he zoomed into his room an hour later. “What’s this I hear about haunted vegetables flying around the tower and attacking people?”
“Nothing, they’re just talking nonsense.” Terry said as he went about answering the messages from their fellow titans.
“Hmm?” Bart hummed in amusement. “But I recall them talking about a floating grocery bag. That wouldn’t have been you coming back grocery shopping with your invisible cloak still on right?”
“What do you want Bart?” He droned dully before a wrapped box came into his view. A colorfully wrapped box was thrust in front of him. He blinked in surprise as he glanced at the grinning speedster that hung off the back of his seat. “What’s this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? It’s a present silly!” Bart said cheerily with a wide Cheshire cat grin.
“I know what it is.” He responded dryly before turning to face the speedster directly. “Why are you giving it to me?”
The red-haired young man hopped off his chair before presenting the colorful box again. “I didn’t get to properly say thanks for getting us all back to the right time. If you weren’t there…” He grinned sheepishly. “Conner and I would’ve had a hard time trying to get back to the right time. So… I bought you a little present as thanks.”
The box was promptly shoved into the smaller boy’s hand. “You didn’t have to—”
“Come on! I looked everywhere for this! Just open it!” Bart whined.
Hesitantly, Terry tore the wrapping from the box before opening it to find a black tee shirt. “This is…?” He started when he spotted the cartoon styled picture printed across the chest of the shirt. It was a baby Batman on a tricycle with a pacifier in his mouth riding away with a decapitated penguin stuff animal tied to the back of his ride.
Bart lost his smile at the lack of reaction from the other. “… You don’t like it?” He said meekly looking almost like a kicked puppy.
Terry glanced up at him before placing the box aside and pulled the shirt over his head. “Hmm… it’s loose.” He complained.
The speedster pouted. “It’s kinda hard to guess your size when you keep stealing Conner’s clothes and swimming in them every time I see you.” Bart stomped his feet childishly. “Especially today when you look like you’re L from Death Note! White long sleeves that are too loose and jeans that barely stay on you without a belt and you have black rings under your eyes! Have you not been sleeping?”
“Of course I’ve been sleeping… just only I’ve been trying to train myself to take naps instead of sleeping full eight hours… There’s just not enough time during the day.” He said. “And I’m nothing like L. He’s by far too childish and competitive to do anything right. His sugar diet is likely going to turn him into a diabetic if he hadn’t died and that posture would lead to more physical deterioration than mental enhancement.”
“… Wow… never thought I’d hear someone bash L like that… and you’re trying to train yourself for polyphasic sleep? You do know you’re still growing right? If you do that, you’re going stunt your growth.” Bart chided.
“I know.” He fanned the other’s words away. “Is there anything else?”
“Yeah! You’ve been in here for too long! Let’s go out for a change!” Bart said as he tugged at the boy’s arm.
“Correction, I went out an hour ago.” He said as he tried to return to his screens.
“But Teeeeeeer!” Bart whined. “That doesn’t count! You’re not even doing anything fun! Come on, you look like you can use some new clothes anyway! Conner’s clothes are way too big on you.”
“It’s comfortable.” Terry replied.
“Are you afraid of the light?” Bart stares at him pointedly. “You know if you’re scared of the light I can get you and umbrella.”
“I’m—” Bart pouted and tugged on his arm. “… Fine…” He sighed. “Where do you want to go?”
The speedster grinned brightly and yanked him out of his room and tower in a blink of an eye. The next thing he knew, they stood in the middle of the city with its various outdoor shops and Bart was out of costume with a bright grin over his face.
“See! It’s not that bad.” Bart chirped.
“Ah… ahhh…” Terry said dully. “The light… It burns…” His tone dropped to boredom. “Alright, I’ve seen the light, can we go back now?”
“That hardly counts as going out! Come on! There cool things here that you got to see!” Bart said as he dragged him along.
For hours, Terry was dragged to various street performances and street art. He could see how excited the speedster was and how careful he was trying to slow down in showing him around. The performances looked like something out of a circus and the chalk art on the ground looked realistic enough to walk into. It was enjoyable and a nice change of pace from the glare of the computer screen and the endless text from the other titans and reports.
“You know we can go back to the tower to eat.” Terry commented as he waited on line with the other.
“No way! The crepes from this shop are awesome! And I gotta take you to this burger place later!” Bart said excitedly. “Oh! And the ice cream shop! Then we should go to that awesome pizza shop.”
“… You do know I’m not a bottomless pit like you right?” Terry said wryly.
“That’s all right.” Bart chirped. “We can always buy a bunch and eat it later!” He paused thoughtfully. “Though… it is better when fresh… hmm… what do you want to eat?”
Terry felt the corner of his lips twitch up as the other tried desperately to decide what they should eat. “Whatever you decide.”
“You’re no help.” He pouted but quickly went back to deciding what to eat.
Terry watched the speedster mumble to himself excitedly before he felt someone approach. He casually glanced around and spotted a teenage girl with long black hair and in a red Japanese schoolgirl uniform. Suspicion hit him as she neared. “Bart.” He whispered, but he was already lost in thought about food with a slight drool at the corner of his lips.
“Aw… did you and Carol have a kid Bart?” The girl said sweetly.
Bart glanced up at his girlfriend’s name before tilting his head. “… Do I know you?”
The girl pouted. “I’m hurt you don’t remember me.”
“… She looks like Rei Hino, doesn’t she?” Terry commented.
“Come to think of it she does… wait, how’d you know…” Bart trailed off. “Never mind.”
“… You’re Miss Martian.” Terry concluded.
“Call me Megan.” She said cheerily. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Terry.” He said as he shook her hand. “I don’t have a costume name.” More that he didn’t want to go by Batman Beyond as he had back in the other world. There was already a Batman in this world. They don’t need another battle for the cowl.
She glanced at his tee shirt with a warm smile. “Interesting tee shirt you’re wearing… any relations to Tim?”
“Yes!” Bart chirped. “He’s the youngest!”
Terry flushed in embarrassment. “He bought it.” He pointed to the speedster next to him.
“It’s cute on you! Don’t be embarrassed!” She said before placing a finger to her lips thoughtfully. “We should call you Batboy.” She said with a giggle and drew him into a hug.
“… And this is before I even mention my similar production to XIII.” He muttered in embarrassment, his face flushing red as she continued to cuddle him.
“Kyaa.” She gushed. “You’re so adorable! Can I keep him Bart?”
Bart’s face turned red as he held his laughter back at Terry’s “help me” expression. “Baaart! Help meee!” He whined.
Bart’s resolve snapped as he covered his mouth giggling. Terry still needed practice with his puppy face, but he was getting better. Terry grinned lightly as Bart settled in laughter and Megan joined their little outing. She proved to be very resourceful in picking out a new wardrobe. They parted ways when they returned to the tower.
He hadn’t expected the outing to be as pleasant as it had been, but he’d still prefer the screen any other day. As much as Bart liked to believe he abhorred the light, he found it more productive to do things at night. Only during the night was he able to move freely about the tower without having to worry about running into other titans. At least, that was what he thought when he went to cook his meals for the week.
“Uh… hi.” Virgil said awkwardly when he came in for a drink in the middle of the night and spotted Terry by the stove stir-frying meat and vegetables. “Never seen you here before are you new?”
Terry tensed at being caught out of his costume. He was careless. “You can say that…” He murmured as he continued his cooking.
“I’m Static, but you can call me Virgil.” He commented as he leaned against the counter and sipped from his bottle of water.
“… Terry.” Terry mumbled. “… Or Batboy.”
“… Batboy?” Virgil raised a brow.
“I didn’t think of the name.” He mumbled in defense.
“So… what are you cooking?” Virgil asked casually as he tried to continue the conversation.
“Chicken and cabbage.” He replied offhandedly.
“…Cabbages?” Virgil said in surprise before Terry noticed his mistake. “It was you today wasn’t it?”
“… “ He paused with a thought before shrugging, it couldn’t hurt to talk to him. “You owe me a cabbage.”
“That was a pretty cool though, how did you go invisible? And how come you’re never around?” The other asked curiously.
“Invisible cloaking technology… and I’m not a people person.” Terry shrugged.
“So you’re shy.” Virgil said with a grin. “Come on, we’re not scary people, we don’t bite.”
“Nooo, you’re big and scary!” Terry said dully as he tossed his food. “The big scary black man is going to eat me.”
“…” Virgil stared at him.
A moment of silence passed before Terry glanced up at him. “It was a joke…”
“Oh… ha…ha…” Virgil laughed sheepishly.
“…It’s a bad joke I suppose.” Terry mumbled.
The other chuckled a little. “Well… it’s pretty funny that you’re trying so hard.”
Terry sighed in embarrassment as he quickly finished up his cooking and poured it into a sealable container.
“So how often are you around the tower?” Virgil asked.
“Often enough.” He replied.
“So… how come you don’t come out and meet the rest of the titans?”
“… I don’t have any powers and it seems like I might’ve offended you earlier. I don’t want to offend anyone else.” Terry said.
“Ah don’t worry about it, everyone insults each other here at the tower, it’s part of the fun… though you might not want to insult Bombshell, she might kick your ass.” The other said as an after thought.
Terry shifted uncomfortably as he hurriedly finished packing his food.
“Oh come on! You don’t have to be shy. If you’re scared, you can hide behind me if you want.” Virgil grinned brightly. “The big scary black dude can scare other people away for you.” He joked.
A faint smile touched Terry’s lips. “…Thanks.”
“No problem,” chirped the other.
It was a good day at the tower.
o.o.o.o.o
Even with Static’s reassurance, he rarely made an appearance among the titans. Of course, that mattered very little when the Black Lanterns attacked. It was so sudden; there was no time to prepare. Garfield was the first to get attacked and in the most unfortunate manner. He can’t imagine what it’d feel like to wake up to a corpse kissing him. It sent chills up his spine. Nevertheless, it was still hard for him to figure why these Black Lanterns were here, or what they wanted.
He watched in terror, as the titans’ efforts had no effect on these monsters. He did what he could as T to direct them to fight these monstrosities. Supplying information, contingency plans against the deceased titans, but as time passed the titans were breaking. When the titans’ fell he was certain it was going to be the end of them…. But something was strange. The Black Lanterns didn’t go after the unconscious titans even though they were much easier to grab. Instead they went after the more agitated titans. Bombshell with her fiery temper had the most lanterns after her person, while the other titans were attacked in a less frequent manner.
“…Could they be… sensitive towards emotions?” He murmured to himself.
The titans were losing. Terry clenched his hands as he closed his eyes and breathed out slowly. They needed help and he couldn’t just sit idly behind and watch them anymore. He needed to rid himself of emotions. He needed to cleared his mind and go back to when Cadmus captured him. That empty feeling, that lack of emotions. Breathe; think of nothing but the mission, nothing but the goal.
When his eyes opened, the only thing in his mind was strategies and calculations. Quickly suiting up, he raced out of his room and towards their Titans’ Rogues Gallery Hall. He had limited weapons himself, but the hall has plenty of their rogue’s weapons. He grabbed the flamethrower and quickly strapped it onto his back before running out to the front of the tower and towards the first Titan that needed help.
The Black Lanterns hadn’t reacted when he neared, they barely registered that they were being attack until the flames consumed their bodies and compromised their physical forms.
“Who’s the kid?” One of the titans shouted when the Black Lantern disconnected from their rings.
“I don’t know, but he has a bat symbol, which means he’s one of Batman’s right?” Another said. Terry ignored the conversation around him. The Black Lanterns, while they couldn’t see him, they could see the flames from the flamethrower. When their attention was turned to him, he fled.
“Behind me!” Dove shouted to him. She was guarding the fallen titans. The Black Lanterns seemed to incinerate as they neared her.
“Go help the titans, the ones already unconscious are useless now.” He commanded.
“What?” The girl said in disbelief. “I can’t leave them! They’re defenseless right now!”
“You rather see the ones still fighting get turned? They’re unconscious. They’re useless. They can’t help us now. You can, now get going.” He snapped.
“You!” She growled.
“Dove!” Bart shouted as he ran from one of the Black Lanterns. “Batboy knows what he’s saying! Just listen to him! They’ll be fine!”
She was torn. She didn’t want to leave them, but Bart was normally a good judge in character.
“Choose what you want, if you won’t help them, I will.” Terry turned his heel and raced to the next needy titan.
He managed to disconnect two other Black Lanterns before Dove finally joined the assault and demolished the remaining Black Lanterns.
“Batboy!” Bart chirped cheerfully as he plowed the shorter boy over and cuddled him. “I can’t believe you’re actually out for a change! That’s was so cool that you managed to take out all those Black Lanterns! How come they didn’t come after you? Huh? Huh? Huh?”
“Talk to your friend later, we need to warn the other heroes.” Flash, Wally West called out to Bart when he was done with the senior titans.
“I’ll talk to you later ‘kay?” Bart said, but Terry grabbed onto his arm.
“Keep your com-link on.” He ordered.
Bart smiled brightly. “Will do! You watch out for yourself Batboy!” He said before zooming off after Wally who had already left.
Terry didn’t stand for long as he moved to help the injured titans. While he was doing so, Dove hesitantly came to him. “…Batboy is it?” She started quietly.
“What?” He droned.
“I want to apologize for my behavior earlier… You were just trying to help.” She said softly.
“Instead of wasting time with apologies go do something more productive and help the other heroes who might be attacked by the Black Lanterns.” He said bluntly, returning to the titans while listening in on Bart’s com-link. He could hear Conner on the other end with the speedster.
Dove was taken aback by his cold words, but she knew he was right. She shouldn’t linger when she could be helping others. “I understand.” She said before racing off.
He and the rest of the remaining titans managed to take the injured titans to the medic bay, when they all heard Bart whisper through the com-link in disbelief. “…Batman?”
At first the titans thought maybe he was referring to Dick, the new Batman, but at the voices of the other heroes, they realized he was referring to Bruce Wayne, the first Batman.
Terry said nothing. In his current state he couldn’t feel anything.
Following Bart’s gasp was a scream from the speedster. “Bart Allen of Earth.” An ominous voice whispered in their ears. “Die!”
“Bart!” The titans screamed for him when the boy was silenced and again when Conner was taken.
“Damn it!” Static shouted.
Terry glanced about, with Bart and Conner both taken. It was possible he would be next. “Brace yourselves.” He warned them. Compared to Bart and Conner, he was less of a threat physically, but there was always a possibility that the Black Lantern version of himself might retain his knowledge and still use it against them.
Not a moment later the window broke as a small black ring flew at their Batboy. “Terrence Wayne of Earth.” It roared.
The titans paled.
The ring hovered in front of the boy’s face. Terry made no attempt to resist or flee as he stared the black ring down. The titans had no clue how long they held their breaths before the ring dropped to the ground with a clatter.
“…It didn’t take him…” Someone whispered.
“… No it didn’t.” Terry murmured as he knelt down and picked up the ring. There was still a chance he could fix this. “I’m going to Tim’s lab.”
o.o.o.o.o
After hours of studying the ring, he found that the rings are attracted to strong emotions and with what they heard from Bart before he was taken, his dad was used to ignite the strongest surge of feelings among the heroes. There was nothing he could do to reverse it. The only ones that can hope to do anything to remedy this situation were the lantern corps who started the whole mess.
The titans hadn’t approached him as they waited the fight out; they were scared of him. Not that he minded he didn’t wanted to be bother right now. Through Bart’s com-link, he could still hear the fight. Barry Allen the Flash was doing what he could to bring Bart back. He and the other heroes who were taken by the ring were still alive to some extent. They couldn’t recklessly attack them.
Without turning from his seat he raised an arm to wave at Megan as she phased in from the wall. “Terry, are you okay?” She asked after he lowered his arm.
“I’m fine.” He said bluntly.
“I’m sure Bart will be fine.” She said gently. “But… on the off chance he’s not… you can come to talk to me, if you need someone to talk to.” She was worried.
“I appreciate the offer.” He didn’t care. “Is that all?”
“… Yeah…” She said softly. “I’ll see you around the tower.” She quietly left when he said nothing.
He waited for a moment longer before moving to a terminal. The titans’ fight with their deceased titans’ Black Lanterns has exhausted them. If they are to be any use to anyone, they needed to rest and recover. Using the intercom, he access T as a means to inform the titans to rest and recuperate for possible coming battles. He could guard them while they rest. Unlike them, he was still refreshed and not burdened by the emotion trauma the Black Lanterns inflicted.
Once done, he headed towards the kitchen. He was hungry. No doubt the other titans were just as hungry. They need something more sustaining than the usual junk they eat. For the next three days if he wasn’t cooking or checking on the security, he’d be helping at the medic bay. Sleep was his lowest priority. He did what he could to prep and assist the other titans.
Eventually, through Bart’s com-link he heard the speedster’s confused voice. “Wha—?” He said in bafflement. “What happened?” The other was finally free from the ring’s control.
The lantern corps had made their stand and broken through the Black Lanterns’ assault. He would have wanted to sit through the last moments, but by then he was exhausted. Three days of constant vigilance and guard duty was his limit. He was found asleep at the medic bay, next to a computer terminal when Conner and Bart returned. The two were so excited to see the small boy out of his room they couldn’t fight the urge to scoop him up and cuddle him.
Surprised to be suddenly pulled from his sleep, he woke up groggily. “You’re back.” He said managed before he fell into a slumber again.
o.o.o.o.o
A week after the Black Lantern fiasco the titans returned after assisting with the relief efforts. Terry returned to his room and resumed his usual routine, avoiding the titans and seldom left his room save for food. However, both Bart and Conner noticed something off with their little Batboy. He was colder and more distant. Terry had reverted back to his catatonic state.
The other titans had asked of him, curious about the boy who helped them and grateful that he tried so hard. When they realized that he was also T a few of them were infuriated that they’ve trusted him with so many of their secrets. Even so, their anger eventually faded and their curiosity of the mysterious boy made them want to meet him even more.
“Beyond?” Conner floated down the steps to Terry’s room.
“XIII the camera to the commons was disabled, go check what’s wrong with it.” He said as the super neared.
“Yeah, about that, I kinda my fault. My tactile telekinesis went a bit screwy and I had a little trouble fixing it.” He lied. He only unplugged the wires to the camera.
“Bring me the pieces, I’ll put it back together here.” Terry said bluntly as he continued with his work.
“Why don’t you go up and fix it there?” Conner fidgeted. “I think I might’ve dismantled some of the circuitry on the wall.”
“…” Terry spun his chair around. “Are you hiding something XIII?”
“No!” He laughed sheepishly with a hand behind his head. “Why would I do that?”
His fellow project gave him a firm look.
“You’ve been down here a whole week! Come on! It’s just the commons and the camera is down, so you might as well go up. Pretty pleeeeaasee?” Conner said with a pouty lip and puppy eyes as he tugged on the younger boy.
“… Is that all?” Terry responded dully.
“Come on! Let’s go! You need a little fresh air anyway!” Conner said before pulling the boy to his feet and led him up the stairs. He knew better than to just pluck the other off his feet and fly up. Terry would’ve just used the RSS on him and be done with him. “So what were you doing down there the whole week?”
“Things.” Terry said bluntly as they walked down the halls.
Conner rolled his eyes. “Yes, I know you were doing things, what things were you doing?”
“I’m looking for someone, it’s nothing you have to be concerned about.” He replied.
“Looking for someone?” Conner tilted his head. “Who are you looking for?”
“A teacher.” He answered before a sound caught his attention. “What’s that noise?”
“What noise?” Conner asked innocently with a nervous grin. “Stay here! I’ll be right back!” He quickly zoomed off towards the commons.
Terry didn’t listen. He followed swiftly with a near silent pace.
“You guys aren’t finished yet?” Conner hissed out in a whisper.
“Well sorry! There are a lot of things to do!” Cassie retorted back before she spotted Terry at the door. “Terry!” She said in surprise before shuffling around with all the decorations in her arms.
He could see a large “Welcome to the Teen Titans” banner hanging in the middle of the commons with Bart speeding about putting up decorations and setting up the tables. “What is this?” He asked as a tinge of confusion crept onto his face.
Megan appeared next to him with a platter full of sandwiches and bags of chips in her hands. “It’s a welcome party silly.” She said as she placed the food down and slapped Bart’s hand when he tried to steal one. “Not until the decorations are done Bart.”
“Aww!” He whined but he zoomed to Terry with an affectionate hug. “Hiya Terry! Everyone wanted to meet you, since you helped out a lot during that whole Black Lantern mess, but since we know you wouldn’t come up if we told you that, we kinda screwed with the camera in the commons and got Conner to drag you up!”
“It was supposed to be a surprise welcome party.” Jaime said as he hovered in his alien blue armor to put up the balloons. “You were supposed to be back earlier with the stuff so we can set up.”
“Hey! I had to go to 15 different stores to get the decorations! And there was a line!” Bart retorted. “I don’t see you going out getting the stuff.” He stuck his tongue out while still clinging to Terry as if he was a teddy bear.
“Quit fighting.” Virgil said as zapped the stereo on. “This is supposed to be a welcome party for Terry.” He turned to the younger boy with a grin. “By the way, the offer to hide behind the scary black dude is still open if you still need it.”
Terry was startled by their welcoming attempts.
“All right, quit your yapping and let’s get everything set up.” Amy grounded out. “You should help out too Batboy, it is your party.”
“Bombshell.” Cassie started, but Terry grabbed some of the decorations from her arms.
“It’s all right.” He said as a smile crept onto his face. “I’m not much for a surprise party… This is the least I can do.”
Conner caught the smaller boy in a happy one-arm hug. “Welcome to the Teen Titans Beyond.”
Terry felt his heart flutter in as he leaned into the friendly hug. “Thanks.” Maybe he’ll enjoy his time with the Teen Titans after all.
o.o.o.o.o
Six months later, he found Cassandra Cain, the former Batgirl in a small little city not too far from Gotham. She was still doing what she did best, fighting. While she renounced her Batgirl mantle to Stephanie Brown, she still continued to help people in memory of Bruce. He had no chance of hiding from her when he found her. She spotted him and confronted him immediately.
“Terry.” She greeted. Her clothes were tattered and it seemed like she was living off the streets since the last he saw her.
“Hi.” He said sheepishly.
“You’re not dead.” She continued.
“Don’t tell the family.” He said quietly.
“Why?” She asked with a frown.
“I’m not ready to go back to them… Not yet. I need to be able to protect myself.” He replied. When she said nothing, he hesitantly spoke up. “There’s a blonde Batgirl right now…”
“Stephanie Brown, Spoiler. She’s good.” She answered.
“Why did you quit?” Terry voiced his curiosity.
“Gotham… needs a light. She is light, I’m not.” She said simply.
“Did you have to leave?” He asked.
She was quiet for a moment before answering. “I don’t belong.”
“Were you dissatisfied?” He asked.
“… I protected Gotham for Bruce… Bruce is gone… Stephanie is a better guardian for Gotham.” She replied.
“Then what do you wish to do now?” He asked somewhat sadden that the elder girl was likely to leave Gotham for good.
“… I don’t know.” She answered truthfully. “I can’t read, can’t write and can’t talk… I don’t know.”
“… Do you want some suggestions of what to do?” Terry asked quietly.
She glanced at him. “What?”
“You should be a self-defense sensei.” He suggested.
She raised a brow.
“You said you’re not good at the other stuff right? But you’re good at fighting. You can open a dojo and earn a living that way. You can teach people to defend themselves.”
The idea intrigued her.
“And since nothing can go pass you, you can choose who to teach.” He said.
“No money, won’t work.” She reasoned.
“I can handle the legal aspect of that, you don’t have to worry.” He reassured.
“Where are you getting the money?” She asked cautiously.
He smiled lightly. “Don’t worry, it’s all legal. I am dad’s son after all, I know how to make money.”
“Are you going to leave Gotham afterwards?” She asked as she noted the change in his body language.
“I wanted to ask you to teach me so I don’t have to leave Gotham.” He said hesitantly and when she didn’t say anything he became frantic. “I’ll do all the paperwork and any legal matters! You don’t even have to pay me back! I promise!”
She stared at him a moment longer before an amuse grin touched her lips. “I’ll teach you.”
His face lit up as he rushed to her with an enthusiastic hug. “Thank you! Thank you!”
o.o.o.o.o
For months he was busy with Cassandra’s training and developing the false history of the McGinnis family. It hadn’t taken him long to hack the education system and fill out the needed paperwork for Terry McGinnis and his father Warren McGinnis. Both identities had been solidified and added to various clubs and organizations appropriate to their age. It would help him when time comes for him to enter Wayne Enterprise and work up the corporate ladder. He will rid Talia from the company and keep her from using its funds for Ras or any of her operations. And with Hush, he would get eliminate the imposter that dared steal his father’s identity.
He was nearly sixteen when he met up with the Ivys again during Halloween. Having been gone for nearly three years without a word left them worried and troubled. However, when he found them again, they were more than ecstatic to welcome him back and catch up with his exploits. They had become a gold mine of information on Gotham. They had kept tabs on any and all news on Gotham in his absence. He was right to have trained them as he did.
However, he could see one or two of them at risk of falling into the wrong path, Michael in particular, but he would have to deal with that another time. It was Halloween and for once he wanted to enjoy the festivities as a kid for a change. Surprisingly, one of the places they had dragged him to were the gates surrounding Wayne Manor. He made sure to keep them away from the security cameras planted around the estate. He didn’t need them to see him.
“You know, this place would make a pretty good haunted house.” Michael commented.
“I heard some stories about the family that lives in this house.” Terry added.
“What?” Chelsea asked curiously as the others were intrigued.
“You know, this manor used to have a happy couple living with a son.” He started. “But then the two were killed one night, leaving the boy with all the inheritance. He was a trust fund baby, growing up throwing money left and right. Going to parties, being in the company of beauties and living the high life.” Terry trailed off for a moment.
“Then what happened?” Nelson asked.
Terry glanced to him briefly before looking through the gates and the vast property. “He started adopting children. Children he barely knew anything about. He was kind. Even when an illegitimate son showed up, he accepted him without question. Even though he had no clue who the mother was.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Kevin reasoned.
“Then, not long after he was accused of murder.” Terry continued. “The papers had said he killed one of his previous love interests. They said he killed the son. He was on the run for nearly half a year.”
“What happened?” Chelsea asked excitedly in hush tones.
“Turns out, he was innocent.” Terry said brightly, making them huff in annoyance that it was so anticlimactic. “But not long after they returned, the little boy was kidnapped. The kidnapper left no note. They didn’t call for a ransom. There was nothing. For three months, they searched for the boy, but they couldn’t find him. He did everything to find the boy, but no one was about to find him… well no one save for Batman.”
“Oh, is he okay?” Rose asked worriedly.
“The dad spent more time with him after he was back, but then another illegitimate son appeared.” Terry noted.
“Just how many illegitimate children does this guy have?” Blade said in annoyance and crossed her arms.
“Playboy.” Max noted rolling her eyes.
A hint of smile touch Terry briefly before it disappeared. “No one knows what happened, but the boy disappeared again and the father had secluded himself away from the manor. Only the adopted sons and the second child lives in the manor now.”
“What do you think happened?” Jared asked.
Terry shrugged. “Don’t know, but how about let’s make this a game and see what Halloween scenarios you guys can come up with?” He suggested.
“Sounds like fun.” Aaron spoke up. “How about the first son’s mom is a witch that seduced the dad with a love potion and when it wore off he tried to pay her off and take the son away from her, but she didn’t like it and came to steal his soul?”
Max laughed at his story. “Really?” She chuckled. “A witch? I know it’s Halloween, but seriously! I think the second son killed the first son.”
“Nah! They’re all vampires!” Michael said with a laugh. “I haven’t heard news of them showing up during the day lately.
Terry listened in amusement as the stories progressively grew more and more ridiculous and out of hand.
“You guys are ridiculous.” Kevin chuckled. “I say this family is secretly working with Batman!”
The group laughed at the ridiculousness of his suggestion, but Terry was surprised that the random declaration was actually the most accurate one out of all of their stories. He paused when he noticed a familiar path they were walking into.
“Guys, let’s head back.” He spoke up before they all paused.
“Why?” they asked.
“There are zombies.” He said seriously.
The others laughed but when he didn’t laugh along, they got worried. “Seriously? There are zombies?” Michael said worriedly.
“Yes, and they can detect fear or any emotions you emit.” He continued. “They’ll bite you and tear out your heart before making you one of them. You’re going to go after everyone you know and care about.”
“Ter.” Max rolled her eyes. “Quit scaring him.”
A gust of wind rush past them before Michael screamed and started running. The group looked at Terry in surprise before he smirked and hurried after Michael.
“How’d you do that?” Jared asked as he hurried after the other.
The group shook their heads in amusement as they chased after them. Little did they know the wind was caused by the batmobile. Terry had wanted to give them a Halloween surprise and it worked out better than he expected.
As the batmobile sped away the teenager, clad in red and black and a yellow cape, glanced out the window with a frown. There was something familiar about one of the retreating figures. When he turned for a better look, the batmobile was already too far from the group.
“Something wrong?” Batman asked his charge.
Robin turned away from the window. “Nothing…” He said as he settled back in his seat, his hand idly toying with the pendent around his neck. “It’s nothing…”
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