The next day, Richard was invited to go for a ride in the Batmobile. He accepted and left his wife and girls to their own devices. “So,” said Megumi to her girls, “what do you want to do today?”
“Honestly, Okaa-san,” sighed Kaitlyn, “I just wanna do nothing today.”
“Hear, hear,” agreed Kaede.
“…Well, we’ve been rushing around a lot lately,” conceded Megumi. “…But there IS a bit of news your father and I discussed.”
“Oh?” asked Kaitlyn.
“First off, your father and I will be graduating next month and believe it will do your sanity some good if you two do the same sometime soon, but that’s entirely your call.”
“Congratulations, Okaa-san!” said Kaede.
“Second, I’ve been thinking about the future for me…and I believe it’s time for me to step down as head of the F.N.S. I’ve spoken with everyone in it and, Kaitlyn, after yesterday…I can safely say you will be my successor.”
“ME?!” yelped Kaitlyn.
“You have the necessary strength, compassion, and intelligence to rule,” replied Megumi. “What do you say?”
“W-Well, I always thought Kaede-!”
“I’m more like Batman in that regard,” replied Kaede. “I don’t really NEED to lead, nor do I want to.”
“…Okaa-san, are you and Dad really sure?” asked Kaitlyn.
“Beyond the shadow of a doubt,” assured Megumi. Kaitlyn thought for a bit, then smiled.
“I accept.”
“We’re all proud of you, Miss Kaitlyn,” said Lisa as everyone hugged her.
“You think Kaitlyn will accept?” Batman asked Richard as the Batmobile continued on its way.
“I know she will,” replied Richard. “She’s got the skills needed to lead. What about you? Any plans for passing on the cowl?”
“You weren’t there for that conversation, but Persephone’s going to inherit the mantle.”
“Really? She’s gonna be BatMAN?”
“We already designed a suit for her that will mask her feminine features, even a voice modulator.”
“Wow, you really DO think of everything. …Now if you’d learn how to cook-!”
“We’re here.” The Batmobile DID stop at the Beyond City Police Department’s lockup, but Batman also said that to avoid a conversation on his crap cooking skills. The two men left the Batmobile, went inside, were subjected to security procedures, then escorted to Katie Barker’s cell. She fell a long way from the glamorous appearance she had during the crisis. Now she had a prison uniform, no makeup on her face, and her hair was in a loose ponytail.
“You’re gonna be in here for a long time, Katie,” said Richard. “All that proselytizing about God making you Barkers into the supreme beings, look where that led you.”
“Richard, I long accepted that there is NO God out there,” replied Katie. “If there were, He would have let me take his place, kept my wife alive, and there’d be a new multiverse for me to rule! Poverty would be a thing of the past! Travel would be granted to ALL universes!”
“People would live in terror of you. There’d be resistance cells against you lot. Trust me, I’ve seen universes where people went against their god and succeeded.”
“That wouldn’t have happened if we were in charge! And, rest assured, when the time comes, these bars will dissolve like the wax of a candle and I WILL be free!”
“If I were in your position, I’d pray,” remarked Batman.
“Oh, I will!” hissed Katie. “I’ll pray for everyone! For every Lost Child in New York, Sodor, Adrexia, and especially Gotham! I’ll pray for you, even! I’ll do one special, just for you!”
“I’ve heard enough, you’re unrepentant,” said Richard.
“I haven’t exactly sinned,” replied Katie.
“And that’s why I’m pushing for your psychiatric treatment instead of execution.”
“…You’re locking me in an asylum?! Which one?! Arkham?!”
“Nothing so porous in terms of security. You’ll see.”
“I’M NOT GOING TO LIVE AMONG FREAKS LIKE THEM! I’M NOT CRAZY!” By then, Richard turned away with Batman following them.
“…Did the judge really say no to Arkham?” asked Batman.
“Bats, you once told Megumi during the Vortech Wars that you’re surprised the inmates of Arkham don’t use a sign-in sheet for when they get out,” replied Richard. “I’m siding with the judge on that one.”
“…That was when we fought the Riddler in Minas Tirith,” recalled Batman. “How did you learn about it?”
“Megumi told me later in our marriage.”
“…Makes sense. Now, there IS something we need to discuss, not as superheroes,” Batman then took off the cowl to reveal Bruce Wayne, “but as entrepreneurs,” he finished, dropping the Bat-voice.
“…Mr. Wayne?” asked Richard.
“Your idea for an electric minivan has merit,” explained Bruce. “What say WayneTech helps you refine it? Add it to our list of electric vehicles in production?”
“…How much will you sell it for and how much of a cut of the profits should I expect?” asked Richard.
“That’s what we need to discuss,” said Bruce. Richard stroked his chin in thought.
“…Not here. A little gauche to talk numbers outside my best friend and nephew’s place of work. Let’s head home.”
What about Hiro and his family? They escaped to a fallback universe once established by Shocker Rift. There was only one remnant of that organization left and they established a small fortress there. Imagine their surprise when Adachi Hiro himself returned with his wife and their daughter having been born already! The Combatmen and loyal Cybermen assembled at a stage with Hiro at the podium. “My loyal followers,” he began, “I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel about your loyalty. Now, you’re all eager to see me show you how it’s done, from what I’ve heard. However…our enemies know our tricks, MY tricks. …It’s time for this old dog to step aside. And, in my place, my daughter, Adachi Hana, born when Igura and I were unjustly rotting in Hell, shall lead us.” The audience applauded politely as Hana took the stage.
“My friends,” she began, “my father told me that he lost sight of our long-term goal of control over the multiverse.” The crowd didn’t argue, she was right. “You all have heard of our supposed rival, Shocker Umbra. You all became general nuisances in their buttocks. …Here’s where you finally get some good news. Your sacrifices paid off! Because, as of now, Metaltron is the only survivor of that group and she’s mortal again!” The crowd whispered amongst themselves in astonishment. “Granted, she has a man named Intrag and an evil version of Miles ‘Tails’ Prower known as Nemesis Prime, but they’re just as mortal…and unlike us, they have no remnants! They committed all their forces to a major battle on Foundation Prime and lost it horribly! Whereas we…we were smarter than that. We kept remnants in reserve! We kept up an economy for our eventual return to power! We accomplished the short-term goal of staying alive…now let’s think a little more long-term! We need to start recruiting more soldiers, infiltrating the local government, and constructing more weapons! We have the means to build up our army, Metaltron and her flunkies are starting completely from scratch! We must build on that advantage and defeat her quickly! Once that’s done, we turn our attention to the rest of the outer universes! And once they’re completely under our sway, we turn our attention to the inner universes and destroy all who stand in our way! Even the heroes that defeated us in the past will not withstand that kind of onslaught! We’ll be more than just a nuisance! The single pistol will become a fleet of warships! The scant few silver studs you all have in your pockets will turn into a multitude of purple! Shocker Rift Gundan BANZAI!” (Long live the Shocker Rift Army!)
“SHOCKER RIFT GUNDAN BANZAI!” cheered the audience. Hiro and Igura smiled, proud of their daughter for taking over so beautifully.