Later that evening, Batman and Ultimate Bruce Wayne made their way back to Wayne Manor and descended into the Batcave. As they sat near the massive Batcomputer, Ultimate Bruce Wayne broke the comfortable silence.

  "So, that st guy was different," Ultimate Bruce Wayne observed.

  "Yes," Batman replied thoughtfully, removing his cowl and running his fingers through his graying hair. "Of all the candidates we interviewed, I think he would be the perfect repcement for me. He has the right attitude, the proper heroic demeanor, and traditional crime-fighting values. I feel like he would be the ideal candidate."

  "Yeah, but..." Ultimate Bruce Wayne hesitated. "Didn't he look sort of... cartoonish? And a little ft?"

  Batman waved dismissively. "Well, you know, nobody can be perfect, old chum. His demeanor was excellent—I'd just have to brush him up a little bit, but he's pretty much what Gotham needs!"

  "Batman," Ultimate Bruce Wayne said carefully, "he actually *was* a cartoon."

  Batman blinked. "Well, everyone can't be perfect, but—"

  "No, I mean he was literally two-dimensional. Do you think Gotham can really have a cartoon hero? I mean, don't you think that might be a liability? What if he meets somebody, I don't know, named the eraser or something? Maybe we should reconsider."

  Batman thought about this for a long moment, his expression growing more troubled. "You probably have a point there, chum. It could present some rather unique challenges for effective crime-fighting in our three-dimensional city."

  He sighed deeply. "Well, back to the job board, I suppose..."

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne asked with a thoughtful expression, "I've got a question about Stevie."

  "What about him?"

  "He's a fine young man," Batman replied earnestly. "Why do you ask?"

  "Yeah, all that's great. But you said he's always dependable, always able to deliver your food on time, no matter where you are, right?"

  "Yes, that's correct. His timing is absolutely impeccable!"

  "Well, isn't that pretty much what a hero is? Someone who's there to save the day and always arrives on time?"

  Batman blinked thoughtfully. "Of course! But what are you getting at, chum?"

  "So why can't Stevie be your repcement?"

  Batman looked surprised. "Well, he's a fine young man and all that, but he doesn't have the training—"

  "Yeah, but he could learn! How about this—let's put him to the test. How about you call him up, tell him you'd like supper, and hang up before you give him the address? Let's see if he can make it here anyway."

  Batman considered this. "Sure thing, old chum. This should be quite interesting!"

  Batman picked up the Bat-phone and dialed. "Hello, Stevie? Batman here. I'd like to order supper for myself and my friend—" Before he could give the address, he hung up deliberately.

  They sat there and waited. "I wonder what he'll do," Batman mused.

  Suddenly, they heard a noise from above, and the next thing they knew, Stevie came sliding down the Bat-poles with a delivery bag in hand!

  "Hi Batman! Hi Batman's friend! I have your food! Mom threw in her favorite pie because she wants to thank you for everything you've done for Gotham. There's enough for both of you!"

  Batman looked absolutely astonished. "Stevie, my boy... how did you find us?"

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne walked up and took the bag. "Thank you, young man."

  Stevie looked around at everything in wonder. "Wow, Batman! This is so cool! So this is where you live?"

  "Well, yes, I sort of... this is the Batcave," Batman replied, still bewildered.

  "Stevie," Ultimate Bruce Wayne asked carefully, "how did you know where this was?"

  Stevie shrugged his shoulders with an innocent smile. "I don't know. I just always have this feeling when I need to be somewhere. I just somehow know how to get there."

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne stared at Batman with raised eyebrows and gave a knowing look. "Wouldn't he be a good candidate?"

  Batman's eyes lit up with realization. "Stevie, how would you like to help me out in being a defender of the helpless?"

  "You mean like being another Robin?" Stevie asked excitedly.

  "No, maybe something a little beyond that. Maybe being my repcement—another Batman!"

  Stevie's eyes widened. "Well, I don't know if I can be a Batman. I mean, I don't have all your training and stuff."

  "Well, I can teach you!" Batman said enthusiastically.

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne stepped forward. "And I know just the thing!"

  Batman snapped his fingers in understanding. "Oh yes! The suit!"

  Batman walked over to the mechanical enhancement suit and touched it admiringly. "Stevie, take a look at this. This is an exoskeleton. It will enhance your abilities, so you can wear this suit. It's also a good disguise, and then we can work on your training!"

  "Wow! This is so cool!" Stevie excimed, examining the suit with wonder.

  While Stevie and Batman were talking, Ultimate Bruce Wayne spoke to BC quietly. "Scan the suit. Look at the defects, fix everything that needs to be fixed, and download the blueprints onto the Batcomputer so this universe's Batman can repair and maintain what needs to be maintained. Make sure you stay within this universe's technology parameters."

  "Scanning complete. Repairs implemented. Blueprints downloaded, Mr. Wayne," BC confirmed.

  While Stevie and Batman continued talking excitedly about the suit, Ultimate Bruce Wayne interrupted. "Okay, Batman and new Batman," he said, looking at Stevie with approval, "I have to go now. But there's a little gift on the Batcomputer about fixing those bugs in that suit of yours. You two have a good time!"

  Batman thanked him warmly, shaking his hand with genuine gratitude.

  Just then, that mysterious voice that Ultimate Bruce Wayne kept hearing popped up again: *And so our multiversal-traveling former Batman starts to leave this universe, having done his good deed with the help of his trusty AI BC*

  The voice spoke directly to Ultimate Bruce Wayne: "Thank you for helping out Batman. I really appreciate that."

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne looked up. "So you can hear me now?"

  "Of course I can," the voice replied warmly.

  "Who are you?" Ultimate Bruce Wayne asked.

  The voice paused thoughtfully. "I'm the God of this universe."

  "Interesting," Ultimate Bruce Wayne mused.

  "By the way, Bruce, you might want to stop by Rob's Comic Book Store every now and then. He has very interesting stories that might be useful to you. I'm pretty sure you enjoyed the one about Spider-Man, didn't you?"

  Ultimate Bruce Wayne smiled. "Yes, I did."

  The voice then spoke directly to BC: "BC, keep watching that soap opera you're watching. I like it too—very interesting characters. Maybe when you catch up, we can talk about it."

  "Sure thing," BC replied with what sounded like genuine enthusiasm.

  As Ultimate Bruce Wayne opened a portal to leave that universe, the announcer's voice rang out: *Tune in tomorrow, viewers! Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!*