WARNING: The following contains spoilers from the story "The Fearful" from Batman: Urban Legends #8, on sale now from DC Comics.

"Fear State" has proven to be a major threat to Gotham City, with Scarecrow's latest plan possibly sending the city on the path to become the Magistrate-controlled landscape featured in "Future State." But it turns out that it could end up leading to a far darker period where even longtime forces of chaos are among the last heroes standing.

In the dark future featured in the story "The Fearful" from Batman: Urban Legends #8 (by Brandon Thomas, Cian Tormey, Raul Fernandez, Alejandro Sanchez, and Steve Wands), it turns out that Teekl -- the longtime villainous magical familiar of Klarion the Witch Boy -- has become one of the world's last heroic figures.

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Future State Teekl 1

Batman: Urban Legends #8 reveals a particularly bleak future version of the DC Universe. Taking place thirty years in the future, the Gotham City of this era is in ruins. Hordes of demented souls scour the city, having seemingly helped kill many of the remaining heroes. This resulted in Scarecrow's "Fear State" becoming a permanent fixture in Gotham, while reality itself has been targeted and shredded to pieces over the years. One of the last remaining heroes is Signal -- now a bulkier and older fighter, with mystical writings tattoed across his arms. Among his final allies are old friends like Black Lightning (who still is trapped within the sword of Katana) as well as a surprising figure: Teekl.

Teekl is the animal familiar of Klarion the Witch Boy. Debuting in The Demon #7 (by Jack Kirby), Teekl is usually depicted as a cat who has a telepathic connection with the Witch Boy. However, when dangers arise, Teekl can gain a were-beast form and attack others on more equal footing. Like Klarion, Teekl is usually portrayed in a villainous light, working to spread chaos across the universe. Although the Witch Boy has occasionally been a heroic force (especially in recent years), Teekl is still regarded as a powerful and deadly magical threat. But in this dark future, the were-cat appears to be separated from Klarion and is instead fighting alongside the last heroes.

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Future State Teekl 2

In this dark timeline, Teekl serves as a mount for Signal and transports him across Gotham, away from the hordes of darkness who chase after them. Racing to the Ark -- the ruins of the original Arkham Asylum -- Duke and Teekl reach a mysterious energy source. Despite Duke pleading with Teekl to flee to safety, the former familiar decides to hold the line with Black Lightning while Signal uses a mystical vortex to channel enough energy for a massive spell. This shoots Black Lightning back in time so he can try to alter the past for the better, just as Teekl is seemingly killed by a monstrous force.

It's a sudden and somewhat surprising turn for Teekl. Even in recent stories where Klarion has been slightly more heroic, Teekl has remained a dangerous wild card. The idea that Teekl -- especially on his own and unleashed onto the world -- would decide to work with the heroes implies just how deadly things have gotten in this future version of the DC Universe. Regardless, his bond with Duke Thomas appears genuine, suggesting Teekl could forge other bonds with the heroes if he would only give himself -- and them -- a chance.

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