The city is burning and the architect of it's meltdown, the new Black Mask is celebrating. But contrary to all appearances, the twisted mastermind seems to attribute his accomplishments to the hard work of both himself and an unknown teammate, bestowing his adulation on a group of sorts. Mystery partner or no, he certainly has a lot to be proud of. The Penguin is being arrested and Harvey Dent is being run out of town. Yes, it turns out that when someone blows up several government buildings and murders a government official in your name, you earn yourself the wrath of the entire US Military. And that's exactly who is rolling into Gotham right now, seizing the reigns from Commissioner Gordon and starting a massive manhunt for Two-Face, the other party they believe to be responsible for the massive gang violence erupting across Gotham. Commissioner Gordon can only standby and watch helplessly as the city slips completely out of his control.

Speaking of out of control, it would appear as though things have been out of control for Jason Todd long before now - perhaps for almost his entire life. Something happened to him as a young boy. Something terrible and traumatic and it's something that Bruce tried to address with Jason in his final message to him. But instead Bruce's message triggered an almost primal rage within Jason Todd, sending him completely berserk and giving way to the fully armored Bat-madman parading across Gotham City today. Dick, realizing what is on that private message, loads it onto his holo-projector built into his gauntlets. He plans on forcing Jason to confront the awful memories once he tracks down Tim Drake. But as he descends further and further into the run-down subways of Gotham, his comm-link cuts out. Dick Grayson is now completely alone without the aid of the Oracle or the rest of the Network as he finally stumbles upon Todd's den.

Luckily for Dick, a bruised lung and severe blood loss isn't enough to keep the headstrong son of Bruce Wayne in bed. Damian pulls himself up by the boot straps and demands to be let back in on the action. Perhaps realizing the fruitlessness of trying to talk him out of it, Alfred sends Damian with the Squire to go and follow Dick and help search for Tim. Despite the alpha-brat's insistence on being the "leader" of the two, somehow the heroes are able to find Tim Drake - and just in time! Though he was able to play possum and slow his heart-rate down enough to convince Jason of his demise, Tim's injuries are nonetheless very serious. And on top of that, Nightwing's confrontation with Jason Todd just reached an explosive fever pitch! Damian and Squire swoop in just in time to rescue Tim as Todd's boobytraps go off and threaten to collapse the tunnels!

From the forgotten tunnels to the current ones, Jason Todd brings his fight with Nightwing to the top of a speeding train, threatening the lives of an untold number of civilians. Once again, Jason offers his opponent the opportunity to join him at his side and become his Robin as he continues his bloody crusade across Gotham's underground. He taunts Grayson over his perceived inability to save Tim Drake and stop Black Mask. Todd continues, mocking him for his cowardice over taking the mantle of the Bat. But what Jason doesn't realize is that Dick Grayson was never afraid to become the Bat - it was something requested of him by Bruce in his final message! Bruce believed that the city would be safe with just a Nightwing and Robin and had asked Dick not to become Batman. He could never have truly anticipated the massive impact his absence would have on the city. And at that moment, looking into the crazed eyes of the madman in front of him, Dick realizes what he must do.

Using the train's forward momentum, Jason takes off the cape and cowl and sends hit flying into Nightwing's face, covering his eyes and leaving him blind atop the speeding train. Dick reaches up and tears the cape away from his eyes just in time to see Jason moving in for the kill! A swift kick from Nightwing sends Jason Todd toppling over the side as the train now moves from below ground to high above the Gotham River. Dick reaches out to save Jason but the wayward youth refuses and lets himself plummet to the waters below. Jason's dramatic action makes Dick realize that some people don't want to change. Sometimes it's hard for people to change their ways - so hard in fact that they'd rather not try. So they hide from the options before them, denying their true potential.

This is something that Dick Grayson does not want for himself. Bruce's last wishes not withstanding, Gotham City does need a Batman. And it is Dick Grayson's birthright to inherit the mantle vacated by his father. And so, with that in mind - Dick Grayson returns to Wayne Manor, opens the secret Grandfather Clock entrance and steps down into the Bat-Cave. That night, Dick Grayson becomes Batman.