Gotham City After Midnight: The Real Batman

 Gotham City After Midnight 

1

There was ominous feeling across the city. Nightwing was moving about streets. He was darting in and out of the shadows. Crossing into the seedy part of town. He'd soon come to realize that he was not alone.  

"I  am Batman." The voice echoed of the alleyway. 

Nightwing turned to find the source of the voice. There stood Batman. Not with the cowl that he usually wore, but a helmet that enclosed his head. The microphone altered his voice making his sound robotic. 

"Batman, what are you doing here?" Nightwing asked. 

"I'm going to clean up Gotham. Starting with you." Batman said. 

Nightwing couldn't figure out what was going on. Was this really Batman? If so what's going on with him? 

"Starting with me, huh?" Nightwing asked. 

Batman pulled a small remote out of his utility belt.

"Something like that." 

Batman pushed a button and the sound of heavy metal music suddenly filled the air. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Nightwing wince, and grab at his ears.

The sudden barrage of metal music was disorienting, to say the least. A flood of sensory overload. 

Nightwing grunted in discomfort, wincing as the onslaught of sound assaulted his ears. The volume was cranked up to max, and the pulsing rhythm was like a physical force.

"Damn, Batman," Nightwing gritted out, trying to force the pained expression off his face. "Is this some new form of torture?"

But Batman was already on the move, using the distraction to his advantage. He rushed toward Nightwing, his footsteps eerily silent in the cacophony of metal music. Before Nightwing could regain his bearings, Batman had him slammed against the alley wall, arms pinned behind his back.

Nightwing struggled against the hold, but Batman's grip was like iron. He grunted in annoyance, realizing he was trapped. 

"This is not, Bruce." Nightwing said. "This is a cybernetic Batman." 

Lex Luthor had created the masterpiece, the cybernetic wonder that's an indestructible Batman. 

Nightwing's eyes widened as the truth sank in. This was not the Batman he knew. This was a machine, designed and controlled by Lex Luthor.

"You've got to be kidding me," Nightwing muttered, struggling in vain against Batman's unyielding grip. "This is beyond messed up."

Nightwing's eyes widened as the truth sank in. This was not the Batman he knew. This was a machine, designed and controlled by Lex Luthor.

"You've got to be kidding me," Nightwing muttered, struggling in vain against Batman's unyielding grip. "This is beyond messed up."

Batman remained silent, his expression hidden by the faceless helmet. But there was a coldness in his stance that sent chills down Nightwing's spine.

"What are you playing at, Luthor?" Nightwing demanded, trying to mask the fear in his voice. "You think a metal version of Batman is going to help the city?"

Gotham City Police had just received the Robocop. The cybernetic police officer that had been effective in other cities. Nightwing knew that this wasn't one of them. 

Lex determined to put Lex-Corps ahead of the rest of the industry in cybernetic creations. He had both the money and manufacturing abilities to get the job done. 

Nightwing grunted in frustration, trying to twist his arm free from Batman's grip. "You think a cyborg cop is what Gotham needs?" he said. "You're fooling yourself, Luthor. The city needs the real Batman, not some metallic imitation."

Batman's grip tightened, the metal suit seemingly strengthening his strength. "The real Batman is obsolete," he replied, his robotic voice devoid of emotion. 

"Lex Luthor has improved upon the original design, creating a machine that's superior."

Nightwing's jaw tightened at the comment. "You can't replace the real deal with a hunk of metal," he retorted. 

"Batman isn't just a force, he's a symbol. Something your machine will never be."

Batman's silence was his only reply. It was as if he was waiting for Nightwing to realize the futility of his statement.

In the background, the sound of the music continued to blast through the streets. It was a distraction, one Batman seemed to be using to his advantage.

Grayson hadn't been in favor of the Robocop coming to Gotham City, but especially not a mimic of Batman.

Batman's grip remained unyielding, his expression blank and cold.

"You're naive, Nightwing." he said, his robotic voice cold and flat. "Justice isn't about a person, it's about results. And Lex Luthor's cybernetic Batman is designed to be unhindered by emotions. It will bring order to this city in a way that the real Batman could never achieve."

Nightwing gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with irritation. "You don't understand the first thing about justice," he spat. "Justice is about more than just getting results. It's about compassion, ethics, and morality. Something your tin can will never possess."

Bane was walking through the parking lot and saw Nightwing struggling with Batman. 

Bane's gaze narrowed as he noticed the altercation in the alleyway. He was familiar with both Nightwing and Batman, but something was off about the confrontation. Something artificial and unsettling. He moved closer, trying to get a better look.

Batman's robotic voice echoed through the alleyway.

"Compassion, ethics, and morality are weaknesses that the real Batman has struggled with. My programming is designed to surpass these flaws and bring order to Gotham."

Bane's eyes widened as he finally caught a glimpse of Batman. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This wasn't the real Batman. This was a machine, created by Lex Luthor.

Bane's mind raced, trying to process the information. "This is bad," he muttered to himself, watching as Batman's grip on Nightwing didn't budge. "This is very, very bad."

"Lex Luthor's cybernetic Batman," Nightwing grunted, still struggling against the machine's grip. "This is bad, Bane. Like really bad."

Bane's expression darkened as he took in the sight of the cybernetic Batman. "I've heard whispers about this. I didn't think Luthor would actually go through with it."

"Well, he did." Nightwing grunted in frustration. "And now we're all in serious trouble." 

Bane studied the cybernetic Batman, the machine's robotic eyes seeming to stare back. "How do we take him down?"

"I don't know," Nightwing admitted. "This thing is made of some kind of metal alloy. Bullets are going to ricochet off him."

Bane nodded, considering the challenge. "We'll have to get creative then."

Bane lunged towards the Cybernetic Batman, aiming a swift punch at its robotic head. He knew it would do little to nothing, but it was a way to keep the machine distracted while formulating a plan.

The blow connected with the cybernetic Batman, but the robot barely flinched, its grip on Nightwing unwavering. 

Bane grunted in frustration. "Damn it. That's not going to do it."

"Wait," Nightwing spoke up. "Think about it. That thing was designed by Lex Luthor. It's bound to have an off switch or a vulnerability."

Bane nodded, catching on to Nightwing's line of thought. "You're right. This thing must have a weakness, a weak point that we can exploit."

"But where?" Nightwing questioned, still struggling against the machine's grip. "It's covered head to toe in that armor."

"There has to be a chink in its armor somewhere," Bane mused, circling the cybernetic Batman, looking for any visible gaps or flaws.

The sound of the metal music thumped loudly, adding to the intensity of the moment. Nightwing tried to focus on the conversation at hand, but it was damn near impossible with the volume.

Bane suddenly stopped circling the cybernetic Batman and turned to Nightwing. "This music. It's not just a distraction, it's a weapon. It's hindering our senses."

Nightwing nodded, catching onto his line of thought. "You're right. It's like a sensory overload. We can't focus with it blasting in our ears like this."

"We need to find a way to stop the music," Bane said, his eyes scanning the area for a source. "If we can shut it down, it will be like hitting a kill switch."

"How?" Nightwing questioned, still straining against the cybernetic Batman's unyielding grip. "We can't exactly go up and hit a pause button."

Bane's eyes flicked from the cybernetic Batman to the surroundings, scanning for any sign of a control center or remote. "There has to be something nearby. This much noise has to be coming from more than a few speakers."

"But where?" Nightwing asked, frustration creeping into his voice. "It could be coming from anywhere."

Just then, a faint blinking light caught Bane's attention, barely visible through a crack between two buildings. "There. Over there. See it?"

Nightwing followed his gaze, and sure enough, there was the flashing light. "I see it."

Bane nodded, his mind already devising a plan. "I'll go check it out. Try to keep the tin can distracted."

"Easier said than done." Nightwing replied, still struggling to break free of the cybernetic Batman's grip. 

Bane gave him a reassuring nod before disappearing into the shadows, moving swiftly towards the source of the flashing light.

"Easier said than done." Nightwing replied, still struggling to break free of the cybernetic Batman's grip. 

Bane gave him a reassuring nod before disappearing into the shadows, moving swiftly towards the source of the flashing light.

Nightwing remained in his predicament, his muscles straining against the cybernetic Batman's unyielding grip. The music continued its assault, making it almost impossible to focus on anything.

Bane, meanwhile, moved silently through the shadows, closing in on the source of the blinking light.

The blinking light led him to a small, unassuming van parked on the side of the road. It appeared ordinary, but the faint hum coming from it suggested that it housed something significant.

Bane approached the van cautiously, his gaze darting to the nearby buildings to make sure no one was watching. With a swift motion, he pulled open the van's back doors.

Inside, he found a complex array of electronics and equipment, all connected via cables and wires. The source of the blinking light was a large control panel with countless buttons and levers. Bane approached it, his hand hovering above the controls.

He hesitated for a moment, knowing what the consequences would be if he hit the wrong button. One wrong move, and the music could get even louder.

With a deep breath, he scanned the panel, looking for something that stood out. A button that said Off, or a switch labeled Stop.

Bane was in the back of a channel 4 news van. 

Bane's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. This wasn't just any control panel. This was the equipment used to broadcast the music that was currently invading the alleyway. 

His gaze flicked to a button labeled "Stop," his hand hesitating above it.

This was it. Hitting this button would stop the music, and potentially give them a chance to gain the upper hand against the cybernetic Batman. But what if there were other, unforeseen consequences?

Bane's hand hovered over the button, torn between the potential risks and the potential benefits.

As he stood there contemplating his next move, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. His gaze snapped up, his senses sharpening. Someone was coming.

He quickly ducked down, pressing himself into the shadows of the vehicle, trying to remain out of sight. He held his breath, listening intently.

The footsteps grew closer, the sound of heavy boots thudding against the pavement. Bane's heart pounded as he waited, every muscle tense in anticipation.

The footsteps came to a stop just outside the van, the gravel crunching under the unknown individual's feet. 

 Bane's pulse quickened, his eyes locked on the entrance to the van, praying that whoever it was would leave soon.

There was a moment of silence, the only sound the distant thumping of the music from the van speakers. 

Bane held his breath, still hidden in the shadows, hoping the stranger didn't decide to look inside the van.

Just when Bane thought he was in the clear, a gloved hand reached for the van's back door. His heart skipped a beat as he realized he'd been discovered.

The back door creaked open, bathing the interior of the van in a pool of light. Standing in the doorway was the towering figure of Lex Luthor, clad in a suit and an air of superiority.

"Well, what do we have here?" Luthor smirked, his eyes falling on Bane crouching in the shadows.

Bane's eyes narrowed, his face hardening. "What are you doing here, Luthor?" he growled, tensing, ready to pounce if necessary.

"Checking on my creation of Batman. Have you met?" Lex asked. 

Bane's fists clenched, his expression hardening even further. "I'm familiar with it," he replied, his tone filled with disdain.

Luthor chuckled, seeming amused by Bane's hostility. "Ah, I see you're not a fan of my little invention."

Bane gritted his teeth. "It's an abomination," he spat. "It's not the real Batman. It's a soulless machine."

Luthor stepped fully into the van, his gaze sweeping over the control panel. "I prefer 'upgrade,'" he said coolly. "My Batman is stronger, faster, and more efficient than the original. It's progress, Bane."

Bane's hand involuntarily clenched into a tight fist. "You call it progress, I call it heresy," he bit out.

 "You've taken away the humanity of Batman, what made him a symbol for hope and justice."

Luthor scoffed, clearly unphased by Bane's words. "The original Batman was flawed, limited by his emotions and morality," he said. "My version is free from those constraints, it's pure logic and function."

Bane's eyes flared with anger. "That's the point, Luthor. The original Batman was flawed. But those flaws, those emotions, they're what made him human. Your version may be powerful, but it's devoid of compassion, of empathy. It's nothing more than a mindless weapon."

Luthor took a step closer, his smirk widening. "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Bane," he said, a hint of mockery in his tone. 

"This Batman may not have emotions, but it has something even better - complete loyalty. It obeys my every command, without question or hesitation."

Bane's jaw clenched tighter as Luthor's words sank in. The thought of an unstoppable, emotionless Batman at Luthor's disposal was almost too unsettling to bear. "And what makes you think it won't turn on you?" he asked, though he already suspected he knew the answer.

Luthor let out a short, cold laugh. "Turn on me?" he echoed, "That's almost laughable. It's programmed to follow my every order. I'm its creator, its superior. It has no desires, no ambitions beyond what I dictate. It's the perfect tool, my dear Bane."

Bane's mind raced, searching for a weak point, a way to exploit this seemingly unstoppable force. But deep down, he knew the truth. Luthor had created a monster, a weapon that was as ruthless as it was efficient.

He forced himself to remain calm, his voice low and level. "And what do you plan to do with this...tool?"

Luthor's smirk turned almost sinister as he leaned closer. "Oh, I have... grand plans, Bane," he said, emphasizing the word 'grand'. "With my cybernetic Batman, I will reshape Gotham City into a model of order and efficiency. No more crime, no more chaos. Just the cold, hard logic of machine-driven justice."

Bane's stomach twisted with a mix of disgust and fear. "You're talking about a totalitarian regime," he spat. "You believe this machine will bring about a utopia, but all you'll do is turn Gotham into a cold, soulless prison."

Luthor chuckled again, the sound grating on Bane's nerves. "Ah, but don't you see, Bane?" he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "That's exactly what Gotham needs. 

It's been plagued by crime for too long, and the original Batman was never strong enough to truly break the cycle. But my Batman... it has no mercy, no weakness. It will cleanse this city, with or without your approval."

Bane's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists tighter. Every fiber of his being rebelled against Luthor's vision, the thought of Gotham under the control of this cold, emotionless machine was almost too much to bear. "And what of the innocent people who will suffer under your rule?" he ground out, anger lacing his every word.

Luthor waved a dismissive hand. "Collateral damage," he responded coolly. "Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good. A few lives lost in the name of a cleaner, safer city is a small price to pay."

Bane's heart clenched in his chest, his mind trying to grapple with the sheer callousness of Luthor's words. "You are insane," he said through gritted teeth. "You truly believe that the lives of innocent people are worth nothing more than a statistic in your twisted vision for Gotham?"

Luthor shrugged casually, showing no hint of remorse. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, Bane," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'm sorry if that offends your delicate sense of morality, but I'm simply being pragmatic."

Bane felt a wave of revulsion wash over him. "Pragmatic?" he spat. "You call this pragmatism? You're talking about the systematic oppression of an entire city! This isn't progress, Luthor. This is tyranny!"

Luthor's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with cold satisfaction. "Call it what you will," he said, his tone bordering on mocking. "But in the end, my vision will prevail. Gotham will kneel at the feet of my Batman, and all who resist will be crushed beneath its metallic heel."

Bane clenched his jaw, every muscle in his body tense as he fought the urge to lunge at Luthor's throat. "You overestimate your creation," he ground out. "Eventually, even the greatest machine will break. Your Batman will have flaws, vulnerabilities. And I will find them."

Luthor laughed, the sound cold and devoid of any real mirth. "You can try, Bane," he said, a hint of arrogance in his tone. "I have designed my Batman to be the ultimate weapon, the pinnacle of efficiency and precision. But by all means, if you think you can find a flaw, be my guest. I'll enjoy watching you fail."

Bane's eyes narrowed, the challenge in Luthor's words igniting a fire within him. "You underestimate me, Luthor," he growled. "I've faced and conquered impossible odds before. Your Batman is just another challenge to be overcome. I will find its weakness, and I will use it against you."

Luthor chuckled again, clearly not taking Bane seriously. "Big words, Bane," he said, his tone almost mocking. "But words are just that - words. Actions speak louder, as they say. And so far, all I've seen from you is a lot of talking."

Bane felt the heat of anger flare inside him at Luthor's condescending tone, his hands clenching into tight fists. But despite his rage, he forced himself to remain composed. 

"Don't mistake restraint for weakness, Luthor," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And when I do? You'll regret underestimating me."

Luthor merely laughed again, his arrogance infuriatingly palpable. "Oh, Bane, the day I fear is the day you actually take action instead of standing around spouting empty threats." He took a step towards Bane, clearly trying to intimidate him. "Until then, you're nothing but a minor annoyance."

Bane's muscles tensed involuntarily at Luthor's approach, every fiber of his being itching to lash out at the arrogant man. But he held his ground, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "I'll show you how wrong you are, Luthor," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And when I do, you'll wish you'd never underestimated me."

Luthor chuckled, clearly amused by Bane's determination. "I look forward to it, Bane," he said, a hint of mocking in his tone. "But let's be honest here. You're all talk. You've always been all talk. You're a creature of words, not actions. Deep down, you're just a frightened little boy, shouting empty threats into the void."

Bane bristled at Luthor's words, the insult hitting a nerve. But he refused to let it get to him, knowing that losing his temper would only give Luthor the satisfaction he craved. "You say I'm all talk," he said, his voice eerily calm. "But I've done things you could only dream of. So go ahead. Keep underestimating me. It'll make it all the sweeter when I prove you wrong."

Luthor's smirk widened, his arrogance on full display. "Prove me wrong?" he said, his tone still dripping with condescension. "Please, Bane. You've never done anything significant in your entire life. You're just a glorified henchman, little better than a common thug."

Bane's hands clenched further, anger coursing through his veins. Luthor's words were like a knife plunging into his chest, stirring up old insecurities and doubts. But he refused to let Luthor see how much his words stung. "Is that what you think?" he ground out. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Luthor laughed again, his arrogance now bordering on mockery. "I know exactly what you're capable of, Bane," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're a thug, a brawler, a mindless brute. You're like a wild animal, driven by instinct and impulse. You have no strategic thinking, no finesse. You're just raw power, without any refinement."

Bane's eyes narrowed, his anger now nearly at its tipping point. Luthor's words were like a dagger to his pride, each one poking and prodding at his deepest insecurities. 

He refused to give Luthor the satisfaction of seeing how much his words were getting to him. 

"Refined or not, I get the job done," he said through clenched teeth. "Which is more than I can say for you. All you do is give orders from afar, never getting your hands dirty. That's true weakness, Luthor."

Luthor's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his arrogance taking center stage once more. "I don't get my hands dirty because I don't have to," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "I'm a mastermind, Bane. I'm above the grunt work. I let my creations do the heavy lifting while I sit back and reap the rewards. It's called efficiency, something you and your primitive brain could never comprehend."

Bane couldn't help it - a sharp, bitter laugh escaped him at Luthor's audacity. "Efficient?" he sneered. "You call sitting behind a desk all day efficient? You're no better than a pampered lapdog, living off the hard work of others. That's not efficiency, that's cowardice."

Luthor's eyes narrowed, his irritation starting to show. "Cowardice?" he echoed, his voice laced with irritation. "Hardly. I'm a master strategist. I know how to delegate. Why would I waste my time doing grunt work when I can simply have others do it for me? It's called being smart, something you and your one-track mind could never understand."

The two men were too absorbed in their argument to notice the mechanical footsteps creeping up behind them. Only when the imposing figure of the cybernetic Batman came into view did they pause, the sudden presence of the mechanical monstrosity cutting through their heated conversation.

Bane and Luthor turned to face the Batman, both taken aback by the sheer size and imposing demeanor of the robot.

Luthor let out a soft scoff, his expression a mix of annoyance and arrogance. "Oh, great. He's here."

Bane, on the other hand, was more cautious than annoyed, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the robot. "So this is your creation, Luthor?" he said, his voice laced with distrust. "A metallic monstrosity, programmed to follow your every command. How predictable."

Luthor smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "Yes, Bane, this is my creation," he said, gesturing towards the robot. "A state-of-the-art cyborg, designed to be the ultimate enforcer. It's obedient, efficient, and utterly ruthless. It follows my orders without question, and I have complete control over its every move."

Bane's eyes flicked from the robot to Luthor, a hint of disgust in his expression. "A mindless puppet, programmed to do your dirty work," he said, his tone sharp. "Is that what you call progress, Luthor? Replacing human ingenuity with cold, mechanical obedience?"

Luthor's smirk deepened, his arrogance unshakable. "Progress, Bane? This is beyond progress. This is perfection. With this machine, I can shape Gotham into whatever I want it to be. And you..." He stepped forward, his voice dripping with contempt. "...You are nothing more than an outdated relic, a dinosaur in a world of machinery."

Bane clenched his fists at Luthor's words, his anger flared up again. "Outdated relic?" he hissed. "I'm more capable than that tin can you call a robot. I've taken down men twice my size, faced threats you couldn't even imagine. You think a mindless machine can compete with that?"

Luthor chuckled, clearly enjoying the verbal sparring match. "Oh, please. Your physical strength is a pittance compared to the capabilities of my machine. It's designed to be the peak of human potential: stronger, faster, smarter. It's the next step in evolution, and you..." He shook his head, his expression dripping with mockery. "...You're just a caveman, bashing things with a club. You're obsolete, Bane."

Bane's eyes gleamed with a dangerous fire as Luthor's words struck a nerve. "Obsolete?" he repeated in a low, warning tone. "Don't mistake your technological wizardry for true power, Luthor." He took a slow step towards Luthor, his gaze locked on the other man. "You may have created a robot with superhuman strength, but it's still just a machine. It can follow every order, but it will never have what I have."

Luthor raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Bane's words. "Oh, and what is it that you have that this machine doesn't?" he asked, almost taunting.

Bane's gaze intensified as he took another step closer to Luthor. "I have something your robot could never understand: a heart. Emotions. A drive that goes beyond a set of programmed instructions. I have the ability to think and feel, to make decisions based on more than just cold, rational calculations." 

He let out a scoff, his tone taking on a dangerous edge. "Your machine may be stronger, faster, and smarter than me, but it's also sterile. Lifeless. A soulless husk of metal and wires."

Luthor scoffed in disagreement, his arrogance still bubbling at the surface. "You call your emotions a strength? I call them a weakness. A distraction. Emotions cloud your judgment, make you vulnerable. My machine is free from all that. It operates on logic and objectivity, not on feelings and whims."

Nightwing struggled to maintain, but he couldn't abandon Bane, and didn't intend on turning away from the problem at hand. 

As the argument between Bane and Luthor continued to escalate, Nightwing remained on the sidelines, watching their every move. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Bane, fueled by a mix of anger and pride, continued to fire back at Luthor, his words sharp and biting. "You call your robot's cold, sterile logic a strength? Ha! That just makes it weak. It's unable to adapt, to improvise. It's predictable, and predictability is weakness."

Luthor smirked, his arrogance not wavering. "Adapt? Improvise? Why would it need those things when it's perfect just as it is? My machine is programmed with the optimal response to every situation. It doesn't need to improvise. It already knows the perfect course of action."

Bane's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Optimal? Perfect? You think you can account for every possible scenario, every random variable? Life isn't a set of equations, Luthor. It's chaotic, unpredictable. Your machine is nothing more than a calculator with legs."

Luthor chuckled, his confidence growing. "A calculator with legs? My machine is a state-of-the-art, artificially intelligent being. It's capable of processing information, analyzing situations, and adapting faster than any human ever could. It may not have emotions, but it has something even better: objectivity. It makes decisions based on logic and facts, without the bias and personal agendas that so many humans are plagued with."

2

The next day Nightwing had called Bruce about the Batman he had been fighting with, and that Luthor controlled it. 

Batman listened quietly to Nightwing's report, his expression grim. The information about Luthor's involvement was worrying, but it didn't surprise him in the slightest. Lex Luthor had been a thorn in his side for years, and the fact that he had created a cybernetic Batman as a minion was right on brand.

"Did you happen to get a good look at the robot's capabilities?" he asked, his voice cool and calm.

Nightwing nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I did. It's stronger than anything I've ever seen, faster too. And unbelievably durable. It shrugged off everything we threw at it."

Batman grunted in acknowledgment, his mind already formulating strategies and contingency plans. "Luthor's never been one to settle for mediocrity. It figures he'd create something as advanced as this."

"Yes, that's true." 

"Bane helped you?"

"Yessir... he saved my life." 

This information caught Batman off guard, his expression betraying a hint of surprise. He knew about Nightwing's complicated relationship with Bane, and hearing that the former villain had helped his protégé was unexpected, to say the least.

"Bane... helped you," he repeated, his voice betraying a hint of doubt. "And you're sure he didn't have an ulterior motive?"

Nightwing nodded, his eyes meeting Batman's gaze. "I was just as surprised as you are, but yes, he helped. He actually seemed... protective of me."

Batman's eyes narrowed as he considered this news. It was unheard of for Bane to show any form of loyalty or protection towards anyone, let alone one of Batman's allies. Something about this didn't add up.

"Protective?" he echoed, skepticism creeping into his voice. "Bane? Are you sure about that?"

Nightwing nodded again, his expression firm. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. He shielded me from the robot. He made sure it didn't hurt me."

Batman's mind raced as he tried to piece together this information. It was inconceivable to think that Bane, a man he had fought and battled countless times, had stepped in to protect Nightwing. The mercenary, the ruthless villain, had put himself in harm's way for Nightwing.

This was uncharted territory for Batman. He had always seen Bane as a cold-blooded killer, someone incapable of any form of concern or care for others. But now, he was faced with the possibility that there was more to Bane than met the eye.

"Did he say anything to you?" Batman asked, his voice low. "Anything at all?"

Batman quirked an eyebrow at these words, clearly intrigued. "He actually voiced that opinion?" he asked.

Nightwing nodded. "Yes. He seemed genuinely against the idea of replacing human police officers with cybernetic ones, and he expressed similar feelings about the idea of a cybernetic Batman."

Batman leaned back in his chair, considering this new information. The fact that Bane had actually taken a stance against cybernetic police officers and a robotic Batman was significant. It suggested that there was more to Bane's mindset than just brute force and mindless violence.

"Interesting," Batman mused, his voice betraying a hint of intrigue. "That's not something I would have expected from Bane. He's always struck me as someone who would embrace the idea of advanced technology and mechanical strength. But to oppose it..." He trailed off, his mind racing with possibilities.

Nightwing nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I know it seems out of character. But there was a genuine look of anger on his face when we were talking about it. He seemed... disgusted by the idea."

Batman's eyes narrowed as he considered this. This was unexpected. Bane, the ruthless mercenary, having an emotional response to the concept of a robotic police force and Batman? It was nothing short of bizarre.

"It's hard to imagine Bane caring about something like that," Batman admitted, his mind still trying to make sense of it all. 

Nightwing chuckled softly. "I know. It's like finding out the Grinch has feelings or something. I was just as surprised as you are."

Batman couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the comparison. "You're not wrong," he said. "But this raises a lot of questions. Why would Bane feel so strongly about this? And why would he put himself in harm's way to protect you?"

Batman's gaze turned more intense as Nightwing spoke of Bane's compassion and concern. This was something completely out of character for the man he knew.

"Compassion..." he repeated slowly, "That's not something I associated with Bane. But you're saying he showed genuine concern for you?"

Nightwing nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, he did. I was in trouble, and he stepped in to protect me. He put himself between me and the robot, taking hits that he didn't have to. He could have easily let me fend for myself, but he didn't. He prioritized my safety over his own."

This information was like a punch to the gut for Batman. He had seen many sides of Bane over the years, but this was something completely new.

Bane, the ruthless mercenary who always put himself first, had willingly thrown himself in harm's way for Nightwing's sake. It was almost inconceivable.

But there was something else about Nightwing's words that stood out to Batman. "You said he showed compassion and concern for you... specifically you. Why do you think he chose to protect you?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.

"Because he saw me in a compromised position and it was becoming obvious that I needed help."

Batman studied Nightwing's expression, searching for any hint of deception or misunderstanding. "And you're certain that he didn't do it for any ulterior motive? To use you as a bargaining chip or something like that?" he asked, trying to find a logical explanation for Bane's behavior.

Nightwing shook his head, his eyes meeting Batman's gaze with firm conviction. "No, I don't believe that's the case. There was a genuine look of concern on his face. It wasn't just about strategy or tactics. It was like... like he actually cared about my well-being."

Batman couldn't deny the sincerity in Nightwing's voice. He knew his protégé well enough to know when he was telling the truth.

"So he protected you out of... what? Kindness? Concern?" Batman asked, still struggling to wrap his mind around the idea.

"Human instinct against robotic killers." Nightwing replied. "I won't be expecting a Christmas card or anything, but for a moment we shared a common enemy in the cybernetic Batman." 

Batman's mind raced with this new information. Bane, the ruthless mercenary, teaming up with Nightwing to defeat a common enemy. It was almost surreal.

"So you and Bane, working together... against a machine," Batman mused, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Nightwing nodded, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "I know, I can't believe it either. But it's true. We fought together, back to back. We had a common goal, and for that moment, we were on the same side. It was... bizarre."

"To say the least," Batman agreed, his gaze still fixed on Nightwing. There was a part of him that wanted to deny the possibility that Bane could have changed, could have shown altruism and compassion. It went against everything he had believed about the mercenary for years.

But he knew deep down that Nightwing was not one to exaggerate or fabricate stories. The young hero was brutally honest to a fault, and if he said that Bane had protected him and helped him take down the robotic Batman, then he was likely telling the truth.

With this realization, Batman felt a mixture of shock and confusion. He had seen and experienced a lot in his life, but the idea of Bane showing anything remotely close to kindness and concern for someone other than himself was a concept that was almost too difficult to grasp.

And yet, here he was, sitting in front of Nightwing, hearing firsthand account of the mercenary's unexpected act of heroism. It was a jarring contrast to the cold-hearted killer he had fought countless times before.

Batman clenched his jaw, his mind racing with questions. What could have caused such a drastic shift in Bane's behavior? Had age and experience changed him? Or was this just a one-time occurrence, a moment of weakness that he would never repeat?

Alfred entered the room. "Master Bruce, you have a telephone call." He said. 

Batman's gaze shifted momentarily to Alfred, his attention pulled away from the conversation. "Who is it?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of distraction.

"Jim Gordon." Alfred replied. 

Batman's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Jim Gordon, his curiosity piqued. "Put him through," he said, turning his chair towards the nearby video phone.

A few moments later, the video phone buzzed to life, and the familiar face of Jim Gordon appeared on the screen. 

"Batman," Gordon greeted, his voice slightly weary. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Batman shook his head, his expression serious but composed. "No, not at all. What can I do for you, Jim?" he replied, his focus shifting to the Gotham City Commissioner.

Gordon sighed, the lines on his face deepening. It was clear that something weighed heavy on his mind. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," he said, his tone grave. "There's been another attack, and we need your help."

Batman's jaw tightened at the news, his mind immediately shifting gears into detective mode. "What kind of attack?" he asked, his voice hardening.

"A series of bank robberies," Gordon answered, his gaze locking with Batman's. "But it's not your typical crime spree. These robberies are happening during the day, with little to no resistance. And the security cameras..." He trailed off, as if struggling to find the right words.

Batman picked up on the hesitation in Gordon's voice. "What about the security cameras?" he prompted, his voice betraying a hint of intensity.

"They're all disabled before the robberies even start," Gordon explained, the concern in his voice increasing. "It's like the robbers know where the cameras are located and how to deactivate them without triggering any alarms. It's like they have inside information, someone on the inside feeding them intel."

Batman's gaze sharpened, his mind already beginning to piece things together. "That's... concerning," he said slowly, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair. "Have you considered the possibility that one of your officers is leaking information?"

Gordon nodded grimly, the suspicion obvious in his expression. "Yes, I have. In fact, that's one of the main things I've been investigating. But so far, we've come up empty-handed. None of the officers have any apparent ties to the criminals, no suspicious financial transactions or known associates."

Batman's mind was racing, his thoughts churning as he considered the situation. "Have you considered the possibility that it's someone in a position of authority within the police force?" he asked, almost certain that this was the case.

Gordon nodded again, his expression grim. "I've considered it, but again, I've come up empty-handed. No high-ranking officers have any suspicious ties either. It's been frustratingly difficult to pinpoint where the leak is coming from."

Batman let out a low sigh, his grip tightening on the armrest of his chair. "This is... troubling," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "If we can't narrow down the source of the leak, we'll never be able to put a stop to these robberies."

"I know," Gordon agreed, the frustration evident in his tone as well. He ran a weary hand over his face, a look of helplessness in his expression. "I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out what to do, but I'm hitting a wall. That's why I called you."

"I understand," Batman replied, his tone softening slightly. He knew exactly how Gordon was feeling - the frustration, the helplessness, the desperation to put a stop to the chaos. "What is it that you're hoping I can do that you haven't already tried?"

"I need your eyes," Gordon said, his voice growing more determined. "You have a different perspective, different resources. I need you to look at this from a different angle, see if you can find something that we've missed."

Batman nodded, his focus now fully on the task at hand. "I'll do my best," he promised. "Send me all the information you have, and I'll go over everything with a fine-tooth comb. I'll leave no stone unturned."

"I knew I could count on you," Gordon said, a glimmer of hope in his weary eyes. "I'll have all the files sent over to you as soon as possible. Be careful, Batman. Whoever is behind this... they're smart, and they'll stop at nothing to keep their operations going."

"Do you want me to come with you, Batman?" Nightwing asked. 

Batman turned towards Nightwing, considering his protegé's offer. It was true that having Nightwing by his side would be a significant advantage. He was a skilled fighter, with instincts and reflexes that could prove invaluable. But at the same time, Gotham was a dangerous place, especially during the day. Batman didn't want to put Nightwing in unnecessary danger.

He shook his head at Nightwing's question. "No, not this time," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things."

Nightwing's expression showed a hint of disappointment, but he didn't argue. He understood the need for caution. "Alright," he conceded, his voice steady. "I'll hold down the fort here. Just be careful, okay?"

Bruce looked over the files Gordon had sent over. Then he exited the office with the file in hand. 

He entered one of the many training halls of Wayne Manor. The room was dark as usual. 

"Lights!" Bruce commanded. 

The lights turned on, revealing the training equipment; targets, dummy's, robots, weights. 

"Where's the brat." He mumbled, looking around for Damian.

"Over here." A voice said from a few yards away. 

Bruce followed the sound. 

Damian stood before a large target with his training staff in hand. 

"I've been waiting." Damian said.

"You know I'm busy." Bruce replied, approaching him. He handed over the file. 

"We have another case." 

Damian took the file, curious. 

"What's the case?" He asked as he started leafing through the file.

"A vigilante has been roaming Gotham's streets." Bruce replied, 

"The guy's been putting a dent in the gang's numbers and the police can't seem to stop him." 

Damian let out a small 'hmm' as he read through the file.

"His target so far seems to be the same. Criminal gangs. But he's got a few more tricks than we're used to." 

Damian came to a stop at a specific page. 

It showed a picture of the vigilante in question. 

Damian stared for a few moments, then looked up at Bruce. 

"You have got to be joking."

Bruce raised a eyebrow. 

"What?" 

Damian spun the file around to reveal the photo he had been looking at. 

Bruce got a good look at the vigilante's mask, then let out a defeated exhale. 

Indeed, he had to be joking. 

"That's not a stranger, that Jason Todd."

"He was dead, wasn't he?" Damian inquired, crossing his arms. 

Bruce sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

"Alfred said they had evidence of someone breaking into his grave. I didn't expect to find him like this."

He paused, thinking for a moment.

"Still though, why hasn't he shown himself?" 

Damian shrugged. 

"Perhaps hes enjoying his time being a vigilante again." He answered sarcastically.

Bruce and Damian froze at the new voice. 

They turned their heads in synchrony towards it. 

Jason stood there, leaning against a nearby wall. 

He had been listening in. 

Bruce frowned. 

"How long have you been standing there?" He asked.

"Long enough." Jason replied, stepping away from the wall. 

He entered the light, holding up the file that Damian had been reading. 

"This is you, right?" He asked, showing off the picture of the vigilante. 

Bruce nodded. 

"You're being smart." He noted. 

Jason smirked. "That's for damn sure. A lot smarter than when I was a kid."

"Speaking of when you were a kid. How are you even alive and standing here?!" Damian questioned, waving his hand at him.

Jason shrugged. "Lazerus pit." He responded, not meeting Damians eye. 

Bruce studied him, noting the subtle body language Jason was using. "We need to talk."

Jason sighed, finally looking at him. 

"Knew you'd say that."

They moved up to the computer bay, leaving Damian behind. 

Both Bruce and Jason sat in the chairs behind the desk, sitting in silence for a moment. 

Until Jason spoke. 

"I assume Alfred's the one who told you about my little revival." He said, casually.

"You assume right." Bruce answered, typing away on the computer. 

"He found the broken lock and disturbed grass in your grave." 

Jason leaned back in his chair, folding his hands and putting them behind his head. 

He let out a sigh. "Good ole Alfie."

The silence came again, this time more tense and awkward. 

Jason was the one to break it this time. 

"No scolding first?" He inquired, curious. 

Bruce paused his typing, looking over at him. 

"...what would be the point?"

Jason stared a moment, then shrugged. 

"Fair enough. So when are you gonna give me the classic 'what you're doing is wrong' speech?"

"Oh I'm not going to."

Jason let out an exaggerated gasp. 

"You're not?!" He inquired, acting dramatic.

Bruce sighed heavily, giving him a less than amused look. "You're killing people."

Jason sat up in the chair, dropping his dramatic act. "To be fair, they are criminals." He responded.

"Did you know that Gotham City has a Robocop that does not distinguish between vigilantes and criminals?" Bruce asked bluntly. 

Jason let out an annoyed sound, folding his arms. 

"Yes. I've had a few fights with the stupid bot." He huffed.

"So you know you won't be able to keep operating for too long. Gotham doesn't need another violent vigilante." Bruce responded.   

  

Jason rolled his eyes, giving him a look. 

"Oh spare me from the lectures already. I know exactly what I'm doing."

"Jason," Bruce sighed again, dropping his hands into his lap. "Do you really? You're picking up where you left off." 

Jason tensed, suddenly uncomfortable. 

He looked away from Bruce, mum"How can I believe that you've changed?" Bruce asked. 

The question made Jason go quiet. He still refused to look at Bruce. 

Bruce continued. "You're still using fear to get your way." 

Jason shifted in his chair, grumbling. He was starting to get irritated. "And hows that different from what you do?" He argued.bling a quiet "I've changed." 

"I'll help you out in anyway that I can. I've always felt like I could've done more with you, Jason. My own life was in a bad place at the time." Bruce explained. 

Jason finally looked at him. 

He was expressionless, but his eyes showed anger. 

"Like you could've been a better parent?" He questioned harshly.

Bruce didn't flinch, but he did frown. "Jason," He began, in a soft tone. 

Jason cut him off. "No, don't give me that." He said sharply. 

He stood up, starting to pace. "Do you even know what you put me through? How much you messed me up?!"

Jason let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. 

"Didn't know you would mess up? Don't bullshit me, Bruce." 

He stopped pacing and turned back towards him. 

"You knew exactly what you where getting into when you took me in. You knew what I had been through. You knew how broken I was."

Bruce sat silently, letting Jason get all of it out. 

"But you still did it anyway. You took in some broken kid and acted like it would make everything better." Jason continued, raising his voice. 

He was angry, he had kept this all bottled up for so long that it was finally starting to explode.

Jason laughed humorlessly, running a hand through his hair. 

"You've always been out of touch." He said, bitterly. 

He paused, taking a deep breath to calm down. 

"You should've known that things wouldn't work out. With me and with Tim. Hell, even with Dick."

"I did as good as I could with Tim and Dick." Bruce explained. "I admit that I didn't with you, but Grayson is here now." 

"Oh great. Golden boy to the rescue once again." Jason mumbled sarcastically. 

He was still seething with anger, but it was fading into exhaustion the longer they talked.

Bruce watched Jason, noticing how the anger was turning into something else. 

"Jason," He began, carefully. 

"Sit down."

Jason paused for a moment, debating whether or not to listen. Then he sat back down in the chair, slumping and avoiding eye contact.

Bruce leaned forward a bit, resting his forearms on his knees. 

"You're tired." He said, with a mix of concern and tiredness himself. 

Jason finally looked at him, letting out a heavy sigh. "That's the first thing you've gotten right today."

Bruce ignored the comment, choosing to focus on the matter at hand. 

"When was the last time you slept properly?" He questioned, watching as Jason shifted in his seat. 

Jason didn't answer at first, avoiding eye contact once again.

"I've been using something to stay awake and alert." Jason said. "Three or four days." 

Bruce's expression shifted to concern. "You need sleep." He said firmly. 

Jason let out a bitter laugh, throwing his hands up in defeat. 

"I'd love to, really, but crime never sleeps. And neither can I."

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose for what seemed like the umpteenth time tonight. 

"You can't keep going like this." He said, trying to reason with Jason. 

Jason just shrugged, clearly not wanting to listen. 

"I'll be fine." He replied, stubbornly.

"Listen...I care about you, son." Bruce said with confidence. 

The word 'son' hit Jason like a punch to the gut. 

It caught him off guard, causing his expression to soften slightly. 

He fell silent, staring at the ground. 

Bruce noticed this, but didn't say anything. 

He leaned back in his chair, studying Jason.

"You really think I'm gonna stop because you claim to care now?" Jason said suddenly, breaking the silence. 

He looked up at Bruce, his expression back to that stubborn anger. "Don't try and guilt trip me into stopping."

"I'm not trying to guilt trip you." Bruce responded, keeping his voice even. 

Jason scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Please, you're the master of guilt tripping." He sat up in the chair once more, a defiant look on his face.

Bruce sighed, clearly frustrated but still trying to keep a level head. "You're being stubborn." He pointed out. 

Jason let out a dry laugh. "Is that supposed to be shocking?"

Jason slouched back into the chair again, crossing his arms. 

For a few moments, there was silence between them. 

Until Jason spoke up, his voice softer than before. 

"Why do you care so much anyways?" He asked, looking up at Bruce.

3

Deathstroke moved through the parking garage at the Wayne Enterprises building. Nobody saw him, and he saw nobody around. 

He kept a steady and cautious pace, taking in his surroundings. 

Every corner he turned, he expected one of Batman's brats to come jumping out. 

But no such thing happened. 

The garage was empty, quiet, and exactly what he needed. 

He stopped by a particular vehicle, a red jeep. 

He crouched down, examining the lock in the door. 

It was a simple one, easy to break. 

He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small lockpick tool kit.

He got to work on the lock, carefully maneuvering his tools. 

Within seconds the lock clicked open, and the door was open. He smirked, pleased with his handiwork. 

He tucked his lock picks back into his pocket, and began searching the jeep.

He searched through the glove box first, finding nothing of interest. 

He moved on to the center console, rummaging through its contents. 

Just some old receipts and a phone cable, nothing he could use. 

He huffed in frustration, moving onto the backseat.

Nothing in the left seat, he checked the right next. 

As he leaned over the seats to check, he spotted something.

A black backpack, sitting on the floor. 

He grabbed it, pulling it towards him. 

He opened it, curiosity getting the best of him.

Inside the backpack was a collection of different things; a water bottle, a small first aid kit, a few protein bars...and a laptop. 

He pulled out the laptop, examining it closely. 

This was exactly what he was looking for.

He opened the computer, booting it up. 

It whirred to life, the screen showing the login screen. 

Password protected, of course. 

He paused for a moment, thinking.

He tried a few different common passwords, but none of them worked. He let out an annoyed sigh, his patience starting to wear thin. 

He had to get into this computer. 

He stared at the password field, thinking hard. Then he suddenly had an idea. 

He exited the password page, and went into the settings. 

With a few quick clicks, he was in the file settings. 

He found a list of all the files the computer had, scrolled down to a specific file labeled 'photos'. 

He clicked on it, opening it. 

As the images popped up, he began scrolling through them, studying each one carefully. The images were of people, some of whom he recognized; Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson. 

He paused at a particular image of a young man in a red hoodie, the same vigilante who had been causing trouble for his clients. It was Jason Todd, of course. 

Further scrolling revealed a few pictures of the man without his helmet, and also a fair amount of images of a younger boy with dark hair and eyes. 

Tim Drake, another one of Batman's sidekicks. 

Slade smirked, things were starting to make sense. 

He kept scrolling through the images, looking for any indication of where the laptop might be from. 

He stopped on a picture of Bruce, Dick and Jason standing together, outside Wayne Manor. 

He paused, realizing what he was looking at. This laptop wasn’t just anyone’s. 

It was clearly Tim Drake’s, the other Robin. 

Now he had a lead on where the vigilante was coming from.

After a few moments, his phone buzzed with a response. 

He took it out, reading the message. 

'Target is Tim Drake.'

Slade let out a small huff. 

Killing a Robin wouldn't be an easy task, but he'd been hired for worse.

Headlights were coming through the garage. Deathstroke moved into the dark corner beside the concrete walls. 

He hid in the shadows, watching as a car pulled into the spot where Tim's jeep was parked. 

The car's engine shut off, and the driver stepped out. 

He was able to get a good look at him, recognizing him instantly. It was Bruce Wayne.

He watched as Bruce approached Tim's jeep, the red color of it very noticeable in the garage's yellow light. 

Bruce stopped next to the jeep, staring at it for a moment. 

He must have noticed something off, because he crouched down, examining the wheels. 

Slade couldn't hear what he was saying, but he could tell that Bruce was not happy with the sight of his son's disabled vehicle. 

He was clearly upset, his expression stern as he pulled out his own phone. 

He dialed a number, likely calling Tim.

The phone rang a few times, then picked up. 

Bruce put the call on speaker. 

"Bruce?" Tim's voice came through the phone, sounding tired. Bruce sighed, leaning against the jeep. 

"Tim, are you at home?" He asked.

"Yeah? Why?" Tim responded, a note of confusion in his voice. 

Bruce didn't answer right away, still examining the jeep. 

"Have you talked to Jason at all recently?" He inquired.

There was a pause on the other end, then Tim responded. 

"No, why? Has he done something?" 

Bruce let out another sigh, leaning heavily against the jeep now. "Nothing new," He responded. "Tim, I need to ask you something."

"Ask away." Tim said, sounding a bit concerned. 

Bruce took a moment before responding, choosing his words carefully. 

"When was the last time you used your jeep?" He inquired.

"Um...yesterday. I drove it here, why?" Tim replied, now sounding a bit more confused. 

Bruce closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Tim, your Jeep's brake lines are cut."

There was a loud clattering sound over the phone, like something had fallen. Then Tim spoke up again, his voice strained. "Excuse me?" He questioned, disbelief in his voice. 

Slade couldn't help but let a smirk appear. This was getting interesting.

"Your brake lines are cut." Bruce repeated, his tone grave. 

There was another pause on the other end, then came the sound of Tim cursing. 

"I don't understand," He said, frustration creeping into his voice. "I just used it yesterday, and everything was fine."

"Your brake lines are cut." Bruce repeated, his tone grave. 

There was another pause on the other end, then came the sound of Tim cursing. 

"I don't understand," He said, frustration creeping into his voice. 

"I just used it yesterday, and everything was fine."

"Clearly it wasn't." Bruce responded, his expression darkening. 

Tim let out a frustrated sigh. 

"How am I going to get home now?" He asked. 

Bruce paused, a thought coming to him. "Do you have your laptop with you?"

"Yeah, why?" Tim replied, still frustrated. 

Bruce's expression shifted, a hint of hope in his eyes. 

"I need to ask you a favor." He responded, his tone softening slightly.

"What is it?" Tim asked, sounding a bit cautious. 

Bruce glanced around the garage, making sure they were alone. 

Satisfied that no one was listening in, he spoke again. "I need to borrow your laptop."

"My laptop?" Tim's voice came through the speaker, confusion in his tone. 

"What for?" 

Bruce took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain. 

"It's...complicated." He settled with, his voice low.

"That doesn't sound good." Tim said, sounding uneasy. 

Bruce sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

"Tim, I need to check something on your laptop. It's important." 

There was a beat of silence, then Tim spoke up again. 

"Can't you just use your own laptop?"

"It's...not an option." Bruce avoided answering directly. 

Tim, clearly noticing the evasion, pressed further. 

"Why not?" He asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

"It's...compromised." Bruce answered vaguely. 

He tried to keep his voice steady, but there was a hint of uncertainty in it. Tim picked up on it. 

"Compromised?" A note of concern in his voice.

"Yes." Bruce responded, not wanting to reveal more than necessary. 

He could only hope that Tim would comply without too many questions. 

There was another silence from the other end, longer this time. 

Then Tim spoke up. "Okay, fine." He finally said.

"You'll let me borrow your laptop?" Bruce asked, a mix of relief and surprise in his voice. 

Tim let out a sigh, clearly reluctant but not having much of a choice. 

"Yeah, I...I guess so. Just don't break it."

Tim let out a dry laugh, clearly not believing him. 

He sighed again. 

"Just, promise me you'll be careful, alright?" He said, his voice softer now.

"I promise." Bruce answered, meaning every word. 

He knew how important Tim's laptop was to him. 

There was a brief pause, then Tim spoke up again. 

"Alright, I'll bring it over right now." 

He suddenly sounded worried for his laptop.

"No, I'll come to you." Bruce quickly interjected. 

He needed that laptop as soon as possible. 

He could see Tim's expression change in his mind when he spoke again. 

"Why?" He asked, suspicion returning to his voice.

"It's...it's safer that way." Bruce explained, trying to sound convincing. 

Tim was silent for a moment, then let out a defeated sigh. 

"Fine." He reluctantly agreed.

"I'll be there shortly." Bruce said, ending the call. 

He shoved his phone into his pocket and took a deep breath, steeling himself.

He looked back towards the jeep, his expression hardening again. 

He needed to find out who had tampered with Tim's jeep. 

He crouched down, examining the cut brake lines once more.

He traced a finger along the cut brake lines, noticing something odd. 

The cuts were clean and precise, as if made by a professional. 

This wasn't the work of an amateur.

He stood back up, his mind racing. 

Whoever had done this was skilled, and had targeted Tim's jeep specifically. 

He couldn't help but think of Red Hood, the vigilante targeting Gotham's underworld. Who seemed jealous of Tim in many ways. 

The thought nagged at him, the possibility of Jason being involved. 

He shook his head, pushing aside the thought. 

He had to focus on the task at hand. 

He needed to talk to Tim, and get that laptop.

Deathstroke thought about attacking now, ambushing them while they were caught off guard. 

But ultimately he decided it wasn't worth the risk. He still needed to know more about Tim Drake and his involvement. So he remained in the shadows, waiting and watching.

He heard the sound of a car approaching, and saw headlights coming through the garage entrance. 

He shifted, trying to get a better look at the arriving vehicle.

Tim got out of the car, leaving it running as he walked over to Bruce. 

The two of them exchanged a few words, too quiet for Slade to hear. 

Then Tim handed over something to Bruce. 

Slade squinted, leaning forward to try and get a better look. 

From his angle, he could just make out the shape of a small, rectangular object. 

Definitely a laptop, the one he was looking for. 

Deathstroke's target had the laptop in his possession. 

For a moment, he was tempted to just attack and take it from them right then. 

But he knew that would be foolish. No, he needed to wait for a better opportunity. 

He watched as Bruce and Tim talked for a few more minutes, their voices fading in and out. 

Then Tim headed back towards his car, giving Bruce one last look before getting in and driving Away. 

Slade took a deep breath, his mind racing.

As he watched Tim pull away, Slade began to formulate a plan. 

He'd have to be discreet, and find a way to follow the young vigilante without being seen.

He would wait until Tim was alone and vulnerable before making his move. 

He was patient by nature, and this was just another challenge to be faced.

For the next few days, Slade watched Tim's every move, monitoring his behavior and routine. 

He followed him from a distance, observing from the shadows. 

It was clear that Tim was exhausted, running on little sleep and caffeine. 

Slade couldn't help but wonder why someone so young was pushing themselves to the brink of collapse.

Slade observed from a distance, watching as Tim sat at a nearby table, sipping his coffee. 

He looked like he could fall asleep at any moment, but something was clearly keeping him going. 

Slade couldn't help but wonder what it was. 

Wasn't he just some rich kid, playing vigilante with his wealthy father's money?

He watched as Tim finished his coffee and got up from the table. 

He seemed to be heading towards Wayne Enterprises. 

Slade followed, keeping a safe distance from him.

He had an office job...Tim wasn't even a vigilante. He again text Kingpin to confirm it was Tim they wanted dead. A nine to five worker with a family. 

As he followed Tim, he continued to gather information. 

He watched as Tim entered Wayne Enterprises, greeting a few employees and security guards. 

They seemed cordial with him, treating him respectfully. 

Slade couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. 

This wasn't what he had expected. 

He had thought Tim was some rich kid, playing hero. 

But the more he watched him, the more he realized that wasn't the case.

He followed Tim through the building, keeping close but out of sight. 

Tim seemed to be heading towards his office, a small, cluttered space filled with computers and papers. 

Slade watched from a nearby vent, taking in the scene. 

This was clearly Tim's work space, and it was evident that he spent a lot of time here. 

There were coffee mugs everywhere, and a few empty energy drink cans.

Slade couldn't help but shake his head. 

This boy was working himself to death, clearly not taking care of himself. 

It was almost pitiful.

He continued to watch Tim and noticed a picture on his desk. 

It was a picture of Tim and his family, all smiling and happy. 

Seeing the picture caused a pang of guilt to form in Slade's gut. 

He shook his head, trying to ignore the feeling.

He couldn't afford to feel guilty about this. 

He was a professional assassin, and this was just another job. He had to stay focused. 

But the sight of Tim with his family stayed with him, nagging at his conscience.

He pushed the feelings down and refocused on his mission. 

He needed to find a way to get that laptop without alarming Tim. 

He thought through possible strategies, trying to come up with a plan. 

But every idea that came to mind seemed too risky, too likely to draw attention.

He let out a frustrated sigh, realizing the difficulty of the task. 

He couldn't just charge in there and take it, and he couldn't exactly walk in and take it either. 

The only way to get the laptop was to get Tim alone...but how?

He let out a frustrated sigh, realizing the difficulty of the task. 

He couldn't just charge in there and take it, and he couldn't exactly walk in and take it either. 

The only way to get the laptop was to get Tim alone...but how?

He thought for several minutes, contemplating different strategies and scenarios. 

But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't come up with anything that wouldn't put him in danger. 

Just when he was about to give up hope, a potential solution popped into his head.

He had been thinking of this in wrong way. 

He didn't need to get himself into the Wayne Enterprises. 

He just needed to find a way to make Tim come to him. 

The plan came together in his mind. 

He smirked, confident he had found a solution.

He watched Tim work for a few more moments, before leaving the vent. 

He had work to do. 

It was time to set his plan into motion.

For the rest of the day and the following night, he worked, gathering the necessary materials and making preparations. 

He needed to be swift and precise when the time came to act, and he can't afford any mistakes. 

He went over his plan in his mind, going through every possible angle and potential obstacle.

When everything was set up, he waited. 

He knew Tim's routine, and he knew when he would be leaving the office building. 

He watched as the time ticked by, getting closer and closer to Tim's usual leaving time.

Finally, the time came. 

Tim packed up his things, looking just as tired as the day before. He left the office, heading towards the parking garage.

Deathstroke moved into position to get the laptop. Slade followed close behind, keeping an eye on him. 

Tim reached his car, unlocking it and getting inside. 

Slade waited near by, watching as Tim started the car and began to drive away.

But just as Tim pulled out of the parking space, someone stepped out in front of his car. 

It was a large, imposing man, dressed in a hoodie and dark sunglasses. 

Tim hit the brakes, stopping just short of hitting the man. He rolled down the window, looking confused and a bit annoyed.

"Can I help you?" He asked, trying to sound calm. 

The man said nothing, just stood there with his arms crossed, staring at Tim. 

Tim shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the man's silent and intimidating demeanor.

"Look man," He said, starting to get more frustrated. 

"Can you just move? I need to get home." 

The man finally spoke up. 

"Are you Tim Drake?" He asked, his voice deep and gruff.

Tim tensed, a look of confusion and concern crossing his face. 

"How do you know my name?" He asked, his tone wary. 

The man took a step forward, closer to the car. "Because I'm Bane." 

Tim's eyes widened, recognizing the name instantly. 

Bane, the infamous mercenary and member of the League of Shadows. 

He immediately became more cautious, trying to keep his fear under control. 

Bane leaned in closer, staring at Tim through the car window. "You've been working very hard recently." He observed.

"Making ends meet." Tim said.

Bane almost smirked at his response. 

"You're pushing yourself too hard." He noted. 

Tim shifted in his seat, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. He didn't like where this was going.

"What do you want?" Tim asked coldly, trying to sound more confident than he felt. 

Bane just stared at him for a moment, a considering look in his eye. Then he spoke up. "I have a proposition for you."

Tim's eyes narrowed skeptically. 

"I'm not interested in any deals with you." He said firmly. 

Bane shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. 

"You haven't even heard my proposal." He pointed out.

Tim paused, considering his options. 

He knew he couldn't take on Bane in a fight, especially not while sitting in his car. 

He sighed, finally giving in. "Fine. What's the deal?" He asked, his voice less harsh.

Bane's smirk grew into a small grin, pleased that Tim was willing to hear him out. 

"I have a...client." He began, his eyes never leaving Tim's. 

"And this client wants something from you."

Tim's expression changed, concern and suspicion once again appearing on his face. 

"What do they want from me?" He asked, his voice holding a hint of fear.

Bane leaned forward, his hands resting on the car door. 

"Let's just say the client is looking for a...specific type of information." He said calmly. 

Tim frowned, a sickening feeling starting to form in his gut. He didn't like where this was going.

"What kind of information?" He asked, wary. 

Bane studied him for a moment before answering. "Information that only you have access to." He said simply. 

Tim's heart dropped, realizing what Bane was talking about.

"My work." He whispered, realization hitting him. 

Bane nodded, confirming his suspicions. 

"Your work." He repeated. 

Tim's brain went into overdrive, trying to figure out how he could get out of this situation.

He couldn't think of anything. 

He was tired, and not thinking clearly. 

And Bane was blocking his way to escape. 

He was trapped, and he knew it.

"So here's the deal." Bane said, noticing the look of defeat on Tim's face. 

He leaned in closer, his tone taking on a more threatening quality. 

"You'll give us the information we want, and not tell anyone about it." 

Tim's grip on the steering wheel tightened again, his knuckles turning white.

"And if I refuse?" He asked, trying to sound brave. 

Bane chuckled, clearly amused. 

"If you refuse," He began, a dark gleam in his eye. "Well...let's just say I have access to some...persuasive methods."

Tim's heart raced, his mind flashing back to all the terrible things Bane could do. 

He didn't want to anger this man, that would only make things worse then they already were. 

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his fear under control. "Ok," He said, his voice shaky. "I'll do it."

Bane's smirk grew into a full-blown grin. 

"Atta boy." He said, sounding pleased. 

He stepped back from the car, gesturing for Tim to get out. "Come on." He commanded.

Tim took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. 

Slowly, he stepped out of the car, putting on a brave face. 

Bane led him over to a nearby parked van. 

He opened the passenger side door and gestured for Tim to get in.

Tim hesitantly climbed into the van, taking a seat on the uncomfortable bench seat. 

Bane closed the door behind him, then got into the driver's seat. 

He started the van up and began driving, leaving the empty parking garage. 

Tim sat silently, watching as bane drove through the city. 

He was tempted to try and make a run for it, but he knew it was a bad idea. 

He was tired, and Bane would catch up to him easily. 

The van was silent for a while, the only sound coming from the engine and tires. 

After about ten minutes, Tim spoke up, unable to handle the silence any longer. 

"Where are we going?" He asked, keeping his voice steady.

Bane didn't look at him, focusing instead on the road. 

"You'll see." He simply responded. 

Tim huffed in frustration, not satisfied with the answer. 

He shifted in his seat, glancing around the interior of the van.

It wasn't too flashy, just a normal van with no windows. 

Tim figured it probably wasn't even registered to Bane, just a throwaway vehicle for this one job. 

The ride continued in silence for some more, the tension between the two men thick in the air.

Tim fidgeted in his seat, trying to calm himself. 

He couldn't help but feel anxious, his mind racing with all sorts of possibilities. 

Where was Bane taking him? What did this client want?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Bane's voice. 

"Nervous?" He asked, his tone teasing. 

Tim looked up, meeting Bane's gaze. 

He tried to look composed, but he could tell the man could see right through him.

"No." He lied, forcing his expression to remain neutral. 

Bane simply snorted, clearly not buying it. "You're a terrible liar." He noted, sounding almost amused.

Tim bristled at the comment, not appreciating the jab. 

He wanted to snap back with a sarcastic remark, but he held himself back. He had to keep his cool.

Bane chuckled, seeming to find this whole situation amusing. 

Tim frowned, annoyance building up inside him. 

He wondered how long the ride was going to be, and what was waiting for him when they got there. 

He shifted in his seat again, struggling against the desire to ask.

The ride continued, and Tim's patience was wearing thin. 

He couldn't sit still, his body tense from the anxiety and uncertainty. 

He kept shooting glances over at Bane, hoping to see some sign of where they were going. 

But the man just kept driving, his expression completely calm and nonchalant.

Tim fidgeted in his seat again, the silence becoming unbearable. 

He couldn't stand it anymore. 

"How much longer till we get there?" He blurted out, not caring if he sounded impatient.

Bane glanced over at him again, a small smirk on his face. 

"Impatient, are we?" He teased. 

Tim huffed in annoyance, not appreciating the jab. 

"Just tell me how much longer." He said, his tone sharper than he intended.

Bane chuckled, clearly enjoying messing with him. 

"Calm down, were almost there." He said, the smirk still on his face. 

Tim let out a frustrated sigh, but did his best to calm down. 

He knew getting worked up wouldn't help his situation.

The van kept going, and Tim's anxiety started to grow. 

He had no idea where they were going, or what was waiting for him. 

He fidgeted in his seat again, trying to distract himself. 

He focused on the sound of the engine, listening to it rev up and down as the van went up and down hills.

The ride continued, and they turned onto a dirt road. 

Tim's heart rate sped up again, his mind racing with possibilities. 

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his nerves under control. 

Whatever he was in for, he knew he couldn't let Bane see how freaked out he was.

The van hit a bump in the road, causing Tim to jolt in his seat. 

He looked out the window, trying to get a glimpse of their surroundings. 

It was hard to tell where they were, the darkness and dense foliage making it hard to see anything.

They drove on, the road getting rougher and more uneven. 

This only made Tim more nervous, his mind wondering what was waiting for him. 

He wanted to ask again, but he knew Bane would only give him a vague answer.

The van took a hard left turn, bouncing on the rough road. 

Tim grabbed onto the door handle to steady himself. 

He could see something up ahead, lights and movement in the distance.

Bane glanced over at him, noticing his white-knuckled grip on the door handle. 

He let out a small chuckle, clearly enjoying Tim's anxiety. 

"Almost there." He said, sounding pleased. 

Tim's heart pounded in his chest, his palms sweaty as he tried to take deep breaths.

The lights were getting closer now, and Tim could make out the shapes of houses in the distance. 

They were in a heavily wooded area, with thick trees and shrubs blocking the view.

 

As the van drew closer, he could make out the silhouette of a small group of buildings.

The van slowed to a stop, and Tim's heart raced. 

This was it. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever was to come. 

Bane cut the engine, the sudden silence making Tim feel even more on edge.

"Out." Bane said, opening his door and getting out. 

Tim hesitated for a moment, then followed suit. 

He stepped out of the van, his heart still racing. 

He looked around, taking in his surroundings.

They were in a large area, surrounded by trees and dense foliage. 

In front of them, Tim could make out a few large buildings. 

They all looked abandoned, with boarded up windows and rusted metal doors. 

It was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from the chirping of crickets.

Bane gestured for Tim to follow him, heading towards the first building. 

Tim hesitantly followed, trying to ignore the feeling of dread growing in his chest. 

He knew what was coming, and he wasn't looking forward to it. 

They stopped in front of the first building, the door boarded up with a large padlock. 

Bane reached into his pocket and pulled out a key ring, sorting through it until he found the right one. 

He unlocked the padlock and pulled the boards away, revealing a dark entryway.

Bane pushed the door open, gesturing for Tim to enter. 

Reluctantly, Tim stepped inside, his heart pounding in his chest. 

The inside was dark, the only source of light coming from the moonlight seeping in from the boarded up windows.

He paused for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness. 

Bane followed, closing the door behind them. The sound echoed in the empty space, sending chills down Tim's spine.

He stepped forward, trying to get a better look around. 

The only thing he could make out was the vague shape of the walls and a few large shadows. 

Bane suddenly spoke, his voice harsh and loud in the quiet space. 

"Come here." He commanded.

Tim jumped at Bane's voice, startled by the suddenness. 

He obeyed, walking over to Bane. 

Bane took his arm, leading him further into the building. 

They walked for a moment, the silence heavy and tense around them.

They came to a large room, the outline of a large table visible against the darkness. 

Bane lead him over to the table, gesturing for him to take a seat. 

Tim hesitantly sat down, feeling vulnerable in the dark room.

Bane took a seat across from him, folding his hands on the tabletop. 

The light from the windows shone on his face just the slightest, causing his scars to cast strange shadows across his face.

 

Tim shifted in his seat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable and trapped.

Bane didn't say anything for a moment, studying Tim silently. 

Tim fidgeted under his gaze, feeling like a bug under a microscope. 

The silence dragged on, the tension in the room growing with every second.

"You're probably wondering why you're here." Bane finally spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. 

Tim jumped slightly, not expecting him to speak. "Um, yeah." He said, his voice coming out more nervous then he intended.

Bane chuckled, clearly enjoying this whole situation. "You see, I have a client who's interested in certain information." He said casually. 

Tim's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing. He knew what kind of information Bane was talking about.

"Information that you have." Bane said, watching Tim intently. 

Tim swallowed hard, trying to keep his cool. "Yeah, I figured." He said, trying not to sound too panicked.

Bane leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "You're a smart kid." He noted, a small smirk on his face. "I'm sure you can guess what my client needs from you."

Tim nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew what Bane was talking about, and he wasn't looking forward to it. 

He could feel sweat starting to form on his forehead, fear starting to take hold.

"Now, I'm sure you have questions." Bane said, leaning back in his seat. 

"Feel free to ask." 

Tim took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had a million questions running through his mind, but he knew he had to tread lightly.

"What exactly does your client want from me?" He asked, keeping his tone steady. 

Bane smirked, clearly pleased with the question. 

"My client wants access to the systems at Wayne Enterprises." He explained.

Bane's smirk grew wider. "That's not important." He said, his tone brooking no argument. 

Tim's grip on the table tightened, frustration building up inside him.

He wanted to object, to demand answers. However, he knew it would be useless. Bane was enjoying this power trip too much, enjoying seeing Tim squirm.

"What if I said no?" Tim asked suddenly. 

Bane's smirk faded, his expression turning serious. 

"You won't." He said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Tim swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. 

He knew that he was in no position to argue right now. 

That didn't make it any less frustrating.

"It's simple really." Bane continued, his voice stern. "You give my client access to Wayne Enterprises' systems, and nobody gets hurt."

4

The night had fallen over Gotham City. Batman moved silently through the streets of the bustling city. 

Red Hood moved in and out of the shadows himself. He knew that something big was going on, but he'd not figured out what. 

He kept his eyes peeled, watching for any signs of trouble. His mind was focused, all his senses on high alert. 

He could feel something in the air, a tension that told him something was about to happen. 

He kept moving, heading towards the more industrial part of the city. 

That was where things usually went down. 

He kept his hand close to his pistols, ready to draw them at a moment's notice. 

Red Hood thought he was watching Batman, but he was watching the cybernetic Batman and not Bruce Wayne's Batman. 

He suddenly heard a noise behind him, and he spun around. 

His hand went to his gun, ready to draw. 

But there was nothing there, just a trash can that had been knocked over by the wind. 

He sighed, lowering his hand. He was too on edge, getting paranoid at every little noise.

He turned back around, continuing down the street. He kept a steady pace, his eyes darting back and forth. 

He knew he was getting close now, he could feel it in his gut.

He turned a corner, and his senses went on high alert. 

There was something here, he could feel it. 

He slowed down, moving silently through the shadows. 

He looked around, trying to see what was setting off his instincts.

The cybernetic Batman realized that Red Hood was close. It begun searching for the human on his path. The heat signature would expose him.

The cybernetic Batman activated its thermal vision, scanning the area for any heat signatures. 

It looked in all directions, trying to pick out Red Hood's silhouette.

There he was...

The cybernetic Batman locked onto Red Hood's heat signature, following him as he moved through the shadows. 

It was only a matter of time now.

Red Hood kept moving, unaware that he was being watched. 

He kept his ears open, listening for any signs of trouble. 

He heard a soft sound in the distance, and he stopped, straining to hear it again.

Red Hood spun around, his hand on his pistol. He scanned the area, trying to see who had spoken. At first, he saw nothing.

 

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shape moving through the shadows.

He drew his pistol, aiming into the shadows. 

"Who's there?" He called out, his voice echoing off the nearby buildings. 

The shape emerged from the shadows, the cybernetic Batman stepping into view.

Red Hood's eyes widened, startled by the sight of the robot. 

He had heard rumors of Gotham's new cybernetic Batman, but he hadn't expected to run into the thing himself. 

He kept his pistol trained on the robot, studying it closely.

It was much taller than Red Hood, standing over seven feet tall. 

Its armor was a matte black, the Gotham bat insignia standing out in stark white against the black. 

Its face was shielded, the only visible part a small slit that revealed two glowing red eyes.

Red Hood watched it closely, trying to get a read on it. "You don't wanna do this, Tin Can." He said, his voice low and menacing.

But the cybernetic Batman didn't respond, its own voice coming out cold and mechanical. 

"Drop your weapons." It repeated. 

Red Hood's grip on his pistol tightened. 

This thing wasn't backing down.

His mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. 

He could take on a lot of Gotham's criminals, but something told him that this thing wouldn't go down so easily. 

He took a step back, putting some distance between himself and the robot.

"Listen, cybernetic freak, I don't wanna hurt you." Red Hood said, keeping his voice steady. 

The robot just remained silent, continuing to advance towards him. 

Red Hood raised his pistol a little, trying to look threatening. "I'm warning you, don't come any closer." 

But the robot didn't seem fazed, taking another step towards him.

Red Hood felt a spike of fear. 

This thing wasn't going to back down. 

He gritted his teeth, trying to think of a way out. Before he could, the robot lunged at him, its movements eerily fast.

He sidestepped, just barely avoiding the robot's attack. 

He fired a shot at it as he dodged, but the bullet bounced off the robot's armor with a loud clang. 

Looks like brute force wasn't going to work here.

He quickly holstered his pistol, pulling out his taser instead. 

He fired it at the robot, the electric prongs hitting its armor. 

But the robot seemed unfazed, its movements not even slowing down.

 

Red Hood's eyes widened in surprise, realizing the taser wasn't going to work either.

The robot continued to advance, its movements fast and precise. 

Red Hood quickly holstered the taser, pulling out his second pistol instead. 

He fired both at the robot, hoping to do some damage. 

But again, the bullets just bounced off the robot's armor.

The robot kept closing in, and Red Hood realized he was running out of options. 

He needed a way to get past the robot's armor, to do some real damage. 

He quickly holstered his pistol, his mind racing to think of a plan.

He looked around, trying to find something, anything, that he could use. 

His eyes landed on a nearby dumpster, its lid partially open. 

An idea formed in his head.

He took off towards the dumpster, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the robot was still following him. 

It was, closing the distance between them with its long strides. 

Red Hood reached the dumpster, jumping up and grabbing the edge of the dumpster lid.

He pulled himself up, throwing the lid open. 

The dumpster was full of trash bags, the smell hitting him full force. 

He ignored the smell, quickly searching through the bags.

He pushed aside the rotting food, trying to find something useful. 

He could hear the robot getting closer, its footsteps getting louder. Come on. He thought desperately, still searching through the trash.

The Cybernetic Batman turned around when he heard the Gotham City Robocop behind him. "Target Identified." 

The cybernetic Batman turned his attention towards the cybernetic police officer. 

"Get on the ground...now." Robocop said. 

The cybernetic Batman didn't relent. It continued toward the robotic police officer. 

Robocop took a few steps back, trying to maintain a safe distance. 

"I'm warning you, stop what you're doing right now." He commanded, his voice stern. 

The robot didn't listen, continuing closer.

Robocop raised his pistol, aiming at the robot's chest. "Stop or I will open fire." He warned, but the robot seemed unfazed. 

It kept moving closer, seemingly unafraid of the gun pointed at it.

Robocop's hand shook a little, uncertainty creeping into his mind. 

This wasn't like any criminal he' had ever encountered. 

He took aim, his finger on the trigger. 

"Last warning." He said, hoping the robot would finally listen. 

But the robotic Batman kept coming, closing the distance between them.

Lex watched from the robot's body cam. This was a formidable opponent, but the Batman had more weapons. 

Robocop steeled himself, trying to calm his nerves. 

He had a job to do, and damnit he was going to do it. 

He took aim again, his finger tightening on the trigger.

"Alright, you asked for it." He said, his voice stern. 

He fired a shot, aiming for the robot's shoulder. 

The bullet hit its mark, ricocheting off its armor. The robot didn't seem affected at all, continuing to advance.

Robocop's eyes widened in surprise. 

The bullet hadn't even slowed it down. 

He aimed again, firing off another shot. 

It also bounced off, leaving the robot untouched.

"What the hell?" He muttered, his confusion turning to fear. 

He fired off a few more shots, but all of them just bounced off the robot's armor.

 

The robot was getting closer, its movements fast and precise.

Robocop stepped back, trying to create some distance. 

But the robot was too fast, closing the gap in seconds. 

Robocop took another shot, aiming for the robot's head. 

This time, the bullet hit its mark, but again the bullet just bounced off its armor. Red Hood opened the door on the dumpster. To sneak a peek of the action.

He couldn't believe his eyes. 

The robot seemed completely impervious to bullets. 

Robocop seemed to realize the same thing, his expression turning to one of fear. 

He took a step back, trying to get away from the robot.

The robot reached out, grabbing hold of Robocop's gun. 

It effortlessly wrenched it from him, throwing it to the side. 

Robocop stumbled back, startled by the robot's strength.

The robot moved in, moving with an almost inhuman speed. Robocop tried to fight back, throwing a few punches. 

However, they were easily dodged, the robot moving out of the way with ease. 

It retaliated with a punch of its own, hitting Robocop in the stomach.

The cybernetic Batman pulled out his own gun. He fired a red hot lazer beam into Robocop. 

Robocop let out a pained cry as the beam hit his chest, the force knocking him to the ground. 

He lay there for a moment, trying to catch his breath. 

The robot stood over him, watching him with those cold, red eyes.

Robocop tried to get up, but his body was weak. He looked up at the robot, his own fear reflected back at him. "What...what are you?" He managed to gasp out.

"I'm in charge." The robotic Batman replied. 

Robocop stared up at the robot, trying to process those words. "In charge of what?" He asked, his voice weak. 

The robot didn't respond, instead looking down at him with those cold, unfeeling eyes.

Robocop's eyes widened, realization dawning on him. 

"You're the Failsafe Batman." He said, his voice a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"I was created by Lex Luthor to maintain order." The robot confirmed, its voice still emotionless. 

Robocop shivered at the mention of Lex Luthor. 

He'd heard rumors about the Failsafe Batman, a robot programmed by Lex Luthor to keep Gotham safe.

"This is insane." He muttered, still trying to wrap his mind around the situation. 

He tried to sit up, but the pain in his chest stopped him. 

The robot just looked down at him, watching him struggle.

"Why...why are you doing this?" Robocop asked, desperation creeping into his voice. 

The robot didn't answer for a moment, its eyes scanning Robocop. 

"I am merely following my programming." It finally said, its voice still cold and emotionless.

"Your programming? You mean Lex programmed you to be a killer?" Robocop asked, disbelief in his voice. 

The robot seemed to consider his question for a moment, before answering. "My primary directive is to keep Gotham City safe. If that requires lethal force, then so be it."

Robocop couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

The robot had absolutely no remorse, no sense of morality. 

It was just a machine programmed to carry out its mission, no matter the cost.

"You can't just kill people because you're following orders." He protested, struggling to sit up. 

The robot just looked down at him, its expression still blank. "I am not programmed to feel empathy. I only see outcomes and probabilities."

That realization hit Robocop hard. 

This robot was just a machine, following its programming no matter what. 

It didn't care about the lives it took, it was only following orders. 

And right now, those orders were to keep Gotham safe. By any means necessary.

The realization made him feel sick. 

This robot was going to cause more harm than good. 

He tried to stand up, ignoring the pain in his chest. "You can't...this isn't right." He said weakly. 

The robot just stood there, watching him. "My primary directive is to keep Gotham City safe." It repeated, its voice unchanging.

"At what cost?" Robocop demanded, his voice still weak. The robot didn't respond, just continued to stand there. 

Robocop struggled to stand, his legs feeling weak. 

He stumbled, almost falling back to the ground. The robot reached out, catching him by the arm. "You should not get up." It said, its voice almost a hint of concern.

Robocop looked up at the robot, surprised by the unexpected act. 

The robots was holding him up, supporting him as he struggled to stand. 

Was the robot concerned for his wellbeing? 

He couldn't tell, the machine's expression was still completely emotionless. 

He looked into those cold, red eyes. 

There was no sympathy there, no sign of emotion at all. 

Yet, the robot was still holding him, as if trying to keep him from falling. Robocop was confused, struggling to understand what was happening.

The robot didn't say anything, just continued to hold him steady. 

Robocop was at a loss for words. 

He couldn't believe this situation. 

Here he was, being assisted by a robot that had just seconds ago tried to kill him.

The robot was still holding him, its grip firm but gentle. 

Robocop could feel the strength in its grip, no doubt it could rip him apart if it wanted to. 

But right now, it was supporting him, almost like it cared about his well-being. 

He couldn't make sense of it.

5

Bane stood over Tim as he transferred the information to his laptop. He'd also turned on his location. So Batman could find him, if he happened to be looking for his location. 

Tim watched the laptop, watching the files transfer over. 

He felt a mix of emotions - fear, frustration, anger. 

But mostly, he was just tired. 

He was tired of all of it. 

Tired of being dragged into this mess, tired of being in danger. 

He just wanted to go back to his normal life, but he knew it was too late for that now.

Bane was watching him, his eyes never leaving Tim. 

He could see the emotions play out on Tim's face, the fear and frustration, but there was something else there too, a look of defeat. 

Bane almost felt a pang of sympathy for the young man, but he quickly pushed it down. 

This was just business, nothing more. 

He couldn't afford to feel pity, not in this line of work.

The files finished transferring, the laptop beeping to indicate they were done. 

Bane grabbed the laptop, putting it into a bag. 

He was about to turn back to Tim, when his earpiece crackled to life. 

"Bane, we have a situation." A familiar robotic voice said.

Bane raised an eyebrow, surprised by the interruption. "What kind of situation?" He asked, his attention still on Tim.

"We have a problem at the warehouse." The voice said, a hint of urgency in its tone. 

Bane frowned, his mind going to the warehouse. "What kind of problem?" He repeated, his voice stern.

"It appears there has been a break in." The voice replied, its voice remaining emotionless. 

Bane's expression hardened, his mind going to the valuable cargo being stored there. 

"How many intruders?" He asked, his voice all business.

"Unknown." The voice responded. 

Bane cursed under his breath. 

"I want a full report on the intruders. And I want all surveillance footage sent to me." He commanded.

"Yes sir." The voice responded, before disconnecting. 

Bane gritted his teeth, frustrated by this unexpected situation. 

He looked back at Tim, who had been watching the whole exchange silently. 

"Looks like I have some business to take care of." He said, his voice cold.

Tim just stared at him, his expression a mix of exhaustion and resignation. 

Bane could see the weary look in his eyes, the fight seemingly gone out of him. 

He almost felt sorry for him again, but pushed it down. 

This wasn't the time for sympathy. 

He needed to handle this business first.

He reached out, grabbing Tim by the arm. "Come on." He said gruffly, pulling him to his feet. 

Tim stumbled and almost fell, his legs weak from the stress of the situation. 

Bane steadied him, keeping a firm grip on his arm. 

"Where are we going?" Tim asked, his voice tired. 

Bane started dragging him towards the door. 

"You're coming with me." He said, his voice leaving no room for argument. 

Tim didn't protest, too tired to fight. 

He let Bane drag him out of the building, following him out into the cold night air.

The rain was still falling in sheets, soaking them both within seconds. 

Bane didn't seem bothered by it, striding through the puddles with purpose. He kept his hand on Tim's arm, pulling him along roughly.

They walked quickly through the streets of Gotham, Bane's grip on Tim's arm never loosening. The only sounds were their footsteps splashing through the puddles and the distant sound of traffic. 

Tim stumbled again, his legs still weak. Bane kept him upright, but he didn't slow down.

They walked in silence, the only sound was that of their footsteps echoing on the wet pavement. 

Bane could feel Tim's exhaustion, but he didn't care. 

He needed him to keep up, he couldn't afford to lose him. 

He kept a firm grip on his arm, refusing to let him fall behind.

They turned a corner, and Bane finally stopped. They were in an alleyway, away from the main streets. 

The only light came from a nearby streetlamp, casting a dim glow over them. Bane pushed Tim up against the wall, leaning in close.

"I need your assistance inside the warehouse." Bane explained to Tim. 

He handed Tim a handgun. "Cover me." 

Tim took the gun, his fingers tightening around the cold metal. He'd never handled a gun before, but he'd seen enough movies to know how to point it and pull the trigger. 

He nodded at Bane, determination setting in his eyes."I got your back."

Bane smiled, appreciating Tim's willingness to help. 

He knew he needed all the help he could get. 

They approached the warehouse, the building looming large in the darkness. 

Bane could see that the door had been forced open, the metal door hanging from its hinges.

They cautiously entered the warehouse, Tim staying close to Bane. 

The inside was dark and eerie, the only source of light coming from the moon peeking in through boarded up windows. 

Bane could hear movement deep within the building, the sound of something moving around.

He gestured for Tim to stay close, moving quietly deeper into the building. 

They stopped at a corner, Bane taking a moment to listen. The sound of voices came from a nearby room, quiet but still audible. 

Bane's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his weapon. 

He signaled for Tim to stay behind him, keeping his movements slow. 

He crept forward slowly, peaking around the corner. 

He could see the source of the voices now, a group of figures gathered in the middle of the room. 

Bane gritted his teeth, recognizing one of them.

It was Lex Luthor, standing in the middle of the group. 

Bane recognized the rest of the figures as Lex's henchmen. 

They were all armed, clearly here for a reason. 

Bane's knuckles went white on his pistol, anger starting to coil in his gut.

He heard Tim move closer behind him, the sound of his footsteps unusually loud in the quiet. Bane shot him a quick glare, silently mouthing "Stay back."

Tim obeyed, stopping in his tracks. 

Bane turned his attention back to Lex and his henchmen. 

He could hear them talking now, their voices getting louder. 

They were looking through crates scattered around the room, clearly searching for something.

Bane's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. 

He couldn't just charge in, there were too many of them and they were all armed. 

He needed to play this smart, catch them off guard.

He watched the group for a moment, trying to gauge their numbers. 

Five men, all armed with automatic rifles. 

Bane let out a quiet "shit" under his breath, this wasn't going to be easy.

He looked back at Tim, seeing the fear in his eyes. 

He knew that he had dragged the kid into a dangerous situation, but there was no going back now. 

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising anger.

He glanced back at the group, watching them work. 

They were getting closer to what they were looking for, he could feel it. 

He turned back to Tim, taking a deep breath. "I need you to stay here." He said quietly. 

Tim's eyes widen, surprised by the sudden command. "What?" He asked, his voice a mix of fear and confusion.

Bane knew he needed to act fast, before it was too late.

"Okay...I will, but what are you doing?" 

"I'm going to distract them." Bane replied, his voice confident. "You stay here, stay out of sight."

Tim nodded, fear creeping into his expression. 

Bane could see the worry in his eyes, but he didn't have time to coddle him. 

He need to get the job done, and he couldn't do it with an inexperienced kid tagging along.

He turned back towards the room, taking a moment to steady himself. 

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do. 

He had to be quick, surprise was the key here.

He turned back towards the room, taking a moment to steady himself. 

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do. 

He had to be quick, surprise was the key here.

He stepped out from the corner, heading straight for the group. He moved quickly and quietly, keeping low to the ground. 

He could see the group stopping what they were doing, their heads turning towards him. 

Bane kept moving, closing the distance between them.

The henchmen saw him, their faces going slack with surprise. 

They didn't have time to react before Bane was on them. 

He moved fast, taking the first one down with a kick to the stomach. 

The man went down hard, clutching his stomach.

The others reacted quickly, raising their guns. But Bane was faster, grabbing the nearest henchman and using him as a shield. 

He twisted the man, putting him between him and the other men. Bullets pinged off the shield, the sound echoing loudly in the room.

The man he was using as a shield struggled and squirmed, trying to get free. 

Bane ignored him, focusing on the other men. 

He kicked one of them in the chest, sending him flying backwards into a pile of crates. 

The other shot at him, the bullets narrowly missing Bane's head. 

Bane kept moving, taking down the men one by one. 

He was a blur of violence, dodging and weaving through the hail of bullets. 

He didn't feel the shots, fueled by Venom, adrenaline and pure anger. 

The henchmen didn't stand a chance under Bane's onslaught. 

He took them down swiftly and efficiently, moving through them like a machine. 

They were no match for him, their bullets barely able to graze him. 

In a matter of moments, all of them were on the floor, unconscious. 

Bane stood in the middle of the room, breathing heavily. 

He looked around at the fallen henchmen, his chest heaving. 

He had done it, but he knew the real threat was Lex. 

He turned his attention back to Lex, who had stepped back during the chaos.

Lex stood in the corner, a small smirk on his face. He watched Bane with amusement, not seeming threatened at all. 

Bane's anger boiled over at the sight, his grip on pistol tightening.

"Bane." Lex greeted, his voice nonchalant. Bane didn't respond, just kept walking towards him. He moved with purpose, his eyes locked on Lex. 

They stood there in silence, the only sound was their breathing. 

Bane wanted nothing more than to wring Lex's neck, but he kept his cool. 

He needed to be smart about this, he couldn't afford to lose control.

"What are you up to, Luthor?" Bane questioned.

Lex chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh, just a little business venture." He replied, his tone smug. 

Bane's eyes narrowed, his grip on the pistol tightening.

"A little business venture that involves raiding my warehouse?" Bane asked, his voice steely. 

Lex's smirk widened, seemingly enjoying the situation.

"Oh, I suppose you could call it that." He replied, his tone mocking. 

Bane's grip on the pistol tightened even more, his knuckles going white. He couldn't stand Lex's smug attitude, it made him want to punch him in the face.

He held back, telling himself to stay calm. He had to stay focused, he couldn't let himself get emotional. 

He took a deep breath, trying to contain his anger. 

"I never thought you were the type to have a warehouse." Lex continued, his tone condescending. 

Bane gritted his teeth, his patience starting to wear thin. He could feel himself getting close to losing his temper.

"I suppose everyone has secrets." Lex continued, clearly enjoying himself. 

Bane forced himself to control his anger. 

He couldn't afford to lose his cool, he needed to think rationally. 

"What exactly are you looking for?" Bane asked, trying to keep his voice level. 

Lex's smirk grew wider, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, just something valuable." He replied, his tone casual.

Bane couldn't help but roll his eyes, frustrated by Lex's vague answer. 

He was getting tired of his games. 

But he had to find out more, he needed to know why Lex was here.

"Something valuable, you say, huh?" Bane asked, nonchalantly. 

Lex's smirk widened even more, enjoying this exchanges. He was obviously taking great pleasure in keeping Bane in the dark. 

"That's correct." He replied, his voice smug. 

Bane wanted nothing more than to punch that smirk off his face.

"You think you can just claim my things?"

"I don't see how you can legally own this warehouse." Lex responded, his tone mocking. 

Bane's fists clenching hard. He fought the urge to attack him right then and there. 

"My lawyers would say otherwise." Bane said through gritted teeth. 

Lex chuckled, clearly unimpressed. 

"Your lawyers, huh?" He said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"That's exactly what I said." Bane snarled. 

Lex smirked again, clearly enjoying getting under Bane's skin. "Oh, I don't doubt you could afford some good Lawyers." He said, his tone mocking. 

Bane's jaw clenched, his anger starting to boil over. 

"I'm just curious what kind of lawyers you have." Lex continued, his voice dripping with faux innocence. 

Bane took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. He couldn't let himself get baited into a fight, he needed to stay rational. 

"You see, I have some top tier lawyers myself." Lex said, a grin on his face. 

Bane's jaw clenched again, his patience running thin. 

He knew exactly where this conversation was going.

"Some of the best money can buy, actually." Lex bragged, his voice filled with smugness. 

Bane's anger boiled over, he couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something, anything to shut this man up.

"Oh, really?" Bane said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You mean the lawyers that were bought from money laundering?" He continued, his tone biting. 

He could see Lex's smirk waver a bit, his confident facade cracking.

Lex's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. 

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said, trying to sound nonchalant. 

Bane's eyes narrowed, he had struck a nerve. "Oh spare me the bullshit." 

Lex's composure faltered again, his smirk disappearing completely. 

Bane took advantage of the moment, stepping closer to him. He leaned in, his voice low. "You think you can just come in here and take what's mine?" He asked, his tone dangerous.

Lex took a step back, a hint of fear in his eyes. He wasn't used to someone standing up to him. Bane relished in the sight, enjoying seeing the usually confident man squirm under his gaze.

"Y-You have no proof." Lex stuttered out, his voice faltering. 

Bane's lip quirked up into a smirk. 

"Oh, but I do." He replied, his tone now smug.

Lex's eyes widened, fear creeping into his expression. Bane took another step forward, closing the gap between them. 

"You see, I happened to have a little talk with a certain police officer." He said, a hint of triumph in his voice. 

Lex looked panicked now, sweat starting to form on his forehead. Bane could smell his fear, and it was all he could do to keep from laughing. He was enjoying this more than he'd like to admit.

"That's...that's impossible." Lex stuttered out, trying to regain his composure. 

Bane let out a low laugh, enjoying the sound of panic in Lex's voice. 

"Oh, it's very possible." He said, taking another step towards him.

Lex staggered back, his eyes darting around nervously. 

Bane's grin widened, he had him cornered now. 

"You see, when you've been in my line of work as long as I have, you pick up some interesting...relationships. Especially with law enforcement." He continued, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Lex was sweating now, looking more and more terrified. 

Bane couldn't remember the last time he'd seen someone so scared of him. 

He took one more step forward, towering over the shorter man. 

"But I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" He mocked, his voice dripping with contempt.

Lex was completely rattled now, his composure completely gone. Bane couldn't help but revel in the sight. 

He'd never seen him look so vulnerable, so defenseless. "I...I..." Lex stuttered out, clearly at a loss for words. 

Bane's smirk turned into a full grin, enjoying this rare sight. He'd never seen Lex so powerless, so afraid. 

"What's the matter, Lex? Cat got your tongue?" He taunted, towering over him.

Lex looked panicked, his usual confidence completely gone. 

Bane could see the fear in his eyes, and it was a sight he was enjoying all too much. 

He could see the gears turning in Lex's head, trying to come up with some kind of retort. But he was at a loss, completely at Bane's mercy.

Bane was relishing this moment, his grin growing wider. 

He had Lex right where he wanted him, completely cornered and defenseless. 

"Oh, this is too good." He murmured, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Lex was silent, clearly trying to find something to say. 

But nothing came, he was too caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. 

Bane took advantage of the silence, stepping even closer. 

"You thought you could just come in here and take what's mine?" He repeated, his tone dripping with venom.

Lex tried to take a step backwards, but he was already backed up against the wall. 

He was trapped, and he knew it. 

Bane's grin grew wider, enjoying the fear in Lex's eyes. 

"You thought you could walk all over me, take whatever you wanted." He continued, relishing the feeling of power.

He was so close now, towering over Lex. 

He could see the fear in his eyes, the sweat beading on his forehead. 

Bane had never seen the powerful Lex Luthor so powerless, so defeated. 

"But you were wrong." He said, his voice cold and threatening.

He was so close now, towering over Lex. 

He could see the fear in his eyes, the sweat beading on his forehead. 

Bane had never seen the powerful Lex Luthor so powerless, so defeated. 

"But you were wrong." He said, his voice cold and threatening.

Lex was silent, his usual arrogance gone. 

He looked small and vulnerable, completely at Bane's mercy. 

Bane couldn't help but relish it. 

This is what Lex deserved, being humbled and humiliated like this. 

He was going to enjoy this moment.

He took another step closer, standing over him. "You see, Lex, I have something you don't." He said, his voice low and menacing.

"W-What's that?" Lex managed to stammer out, his voice weak. 

Bane's grin widened, enjoying the feeling of control. "Patience." He replied, his voice cold and calculated.

Lex's eyes widened, realizing the truth in his words. 

Bane had been waiting for this moment for years, biding his time until he had the perfect opportunity to strike. 

And now, that time had come. 

"You see, while you were running around, playing the high and mighty billionaire, I was planning." Bane continued, his tone smug.

Lex was silent, listening to his words. 

Bane couldn't help but relish the look of fear in his eyes. 

He was finally getting his revenge, and it felt good. 

"I knew eventually, I would have an opportunity to make you regret everything you've done to me." He continued, his voice taking on a more malicious tone.

Lex's expression shifted, a hint of fear in his eyes. 

Bane could see the realization dawning on him. 

He was realizing that he had underestimated Bane, that he had underestimated just how far he was willing to go. 

"You're not the only one with connections, Lex." Bane continued, his voice cold and calculating. 

Lex's eyes widened at the implication, realizing his mistake. 

Bane had connections too, and he had used them to his advantage. 

He had prepared for this moment, and Lex had walked right into his trap. Bane's grin widened, enjoying the look on Lex's face. 

"You thought you were untouchable, but you were wrong. I've been observing you, watching for any vulnerabilities." He continued, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Lex was silent, his usual confidence fading away. 

He was starting to realize just how much danger he was in. 

Bane had him exactly where he wanted him, cornered and powerless. 

"You thought you could get away with anything, but you were wrong." Bane repeated, enjoying this moment too much.

6

There was a no sound as Batman entered Bane's warehouse. He kept it as quiet as possible. Tim saw him, but remained silent. He knew Batman was his only chance of getting out safely. 

Batman kept to the shadows, moving silently through the warehouse. 

He could hear voices in the distance, deep in conversation. 

Bane's voice, and another that sounded vaguely familiar. He continued moving, staying out of sight. 

He had no idea what he was walking into, but he trusted his instincts. 

He reached a door, slightly cracked open.

He peered through the crack, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. 

He could see two figures in the distance, standing face to face. 

Bane, tall and imposing, towering over the other figure. 

He couldn't make out the other figure's face, but something about him was familiar. 

He continued watching, listening to their conversation.

Bane's voice was low and menacing, clearly enjoying himself. 

The other figure was silent, listening to Bane's words. 

Batman strained to hear what they were saying, but the words were too muffled to make out. 

He watched them for a moment longer, trying to get a better look at the other figure. 

There was something about him that was familiar, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

He continued watching, trying to figure out who the other figure was. 

The darkness was too deep, and the distance was too great. 

He couldn't make out any defining features, only a vague silhouette. 

He could hear Bane talking, his voice deep and cold. The other figure was silent, listening attentively.

Batman's mind raced, trying to remember where he'd heard that voice before. 

It was so familiar, but he just couldn't place it. He tried to think back, trying to remember, and then it hit him. Lex Luthor.

He'd seen Lex on the news before, recognizing that distinctive voice. 

He'd seen him in interviews and press conferences, usually being cocky and boastful. 

He couldn't remember him ever sounding this scared, this vulnerable. Batman continued watching, waiting to see what would happen next.

Bane was clearly enjoying himself, leaning in close to Lex. 

Lex was clearly terrified, his usual bravado gone. 

He was listening intently, hanging on every word from Bane's mouth. 

Batman could see the fear written all over his face. 

It was a strange sight, seeing the usually confident billionaire so shaken. 

Bane's voice was low and menacing, his tone condescending. 

He was clearly reveling in this moment, enjoying seeing Lex so vulnerable. 

Batman continued watching, his mind racing. 

He had no idea how Lex had ended up here, but he clearly wasn't here by choice. 

He couldn't help but wonder what had happened, what had led to this moment.

Bane finished speaking, letting out a low, menacing laugh. 

Batman could hear Lex's heavy breathing, his fear evident. 

Bane was clearly enjoying this, taking pleasure in Lex's fear. 

Batman couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. 

He had never liked Lex, always finding the man to be cocky and arrogant.

Lex was clearly struggling to regain his composure, trying to regain some semblance of control. 

But Bane wouldn't have it, he was enjoying this too much. 

He leaned in even closer, towering over the shorter man. 

Lex seemed to shrink under Bane's gaze, his confidence completely gone. 

Batman watched the scene, trying to figure out what was going on. 

The situation was strange, but he couldn't help but enjoy seeing Lex humbled.

Bane chuckled again, clearly enjoying himself. He looked down at Lex, a smug expression on his face. 

"You see, Lex, I know you. I know how you operate." He said, his voice low and cold. 

Lex said nothing, too scared to speak. 

Bane leaned in even closer, looming over him. 

"I know all your secrets." He continued, his voice dripping with menace.

Lex's eyes widened, fear creeping into his expression. He was clearly terrified, his confidence shattered. 

Bane seemed to relish in his fear, taking pleasure in seeing him so vulnerable. 

Batman watched the scene unfold, still struggling to make sense of it all. 

He knew Bane was dangerous, but he had never seen him so sadistic before.

Bane leaned in even closer, towering over Lex. "I know your every weakness." He continued, his voice dark and dangerous. 

Lex's whole body was shaking now, his fear obvious. Bane seemed to be enjoying this, taking pleasure in Lex's fear. "And I know exactly how to break you." He sneered, a cruel smile on his face.

Lex's eyes widened again, his fear growing. He was visibly shaking now, completely under Bane's control. 

Bane chuckled again, clearly relishing in his power. 

"You see, Lex, I've been watching you. 

I've been studying you. 

I know all your patterns, your routines. 

I know how you think. I also know how to use that against you." He explained, his voice cold and calculating.

Lex was trembling, his whole body shaking with fear. 

Bane seemed to get a sick sense of joy from this, taking pleasure in seeing him so powerless. 

Batman couldn't help but watch, surprised by Bane's sadistic behavior. 

He had never seen him act like this before, so cold and cruel. 

Batman was still trying to figure out what had led to this moment. 

He knew Bane was dangerous, but he had never seen him so sadistic.

"I didn't know that this was your warehouse, Bane." Lex said

"You don't steal my things like you stole the blueprint for that cybernetic Batman." 

Bane was taken aback by the sudden interruption, his expression hardening. 

He turned to the voice, his eyes narrowing. 

"Who's there?" He demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Batman stepped out from the shadows, revealing himself. 

He stepped into the light, looking at Bane with a calm expression. Bane's jaw clenched, clearly not happy to see him. 

"Batman." He said, his voice dripping with contempt. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Batman replied, his voice calm and controlled. 

Bane's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. 

"This is my business, Bats. 

I would suggest you stay out of it." He warned, his voice threatening.

Batman didn't back down, he met Bane's gaze head on. "I don't think so." He replied, his voice emotionless. 

Bane's jaw clenched again, clearly frustrated. "You're meddling in something you don't understand." He said, his voice low and venomous.

"I understand more than you think." Batman replied, his expression neutral. 

Bane's eyes narrowed, his eyes flaring with anger. 

"You think you can stop me? You have no idea what I'm capable of." He warned, his voice cold.

"I know what you're capable of." Batman replied calmly. 

Bane was taken aback by his response, his expression flickering with surprise. "You know nothing." He snapped, his voice filled with anger.

"I know enough." Batman replied, his voice steady. 

Bane's expression hardened, his jaw clenching tight. He was clearly frustrated by Batman's confident attitude.

"You should leave, Bats. This is business between me and Lex here." He said coldly.

Batman glanced briefly at Lex, who was still shaking. "It doesn't look like Lex wants to be here." He commented. 

Bane's eyes flickered with annoyance, clearly not liking Batman's comment. 

"That's not true...he wanted to steal my things. " He snapped, his voice harsh.

"Did he now?" Batman asked, his eyes narrowing. 

Bane's expression faltered for a brief moment, realizing he said too much. 

Lex looked between Batman and Bane, his fear visible.

"He did, " Bane replied, his voice regaining its confidence. 

"What exactly did he take?" Batman asked, his voice steady. 

Bane's mouth set in a thin line, realizing he had said too much. He was silent for a moment, trying to come up with a response.

Batman took advantage of the silence, his eyes never leaving Bane. "Or is this just about something else?" He asked, his voice filled with suspicion. 

Bane's expression hardened, his jaw clenching. "What are you implying?" He asked, his voice cold.

Batman tilted his head slightly, his expression indescribable. "I'm simply curious about your motives." He said, his voice neutral. 

Bane's expression flickered with anger, his patience wearing thin. "My motives are innocent in nature, for now. However, Lex cannot say the same thing." He snapped, his voice condescending.

Batman's expression didn't change, his eyes locked on Bane. "Innocent for now?" He repeated, his tone skeptical. 

Bane's jaw clenched again, realizing his mistake. He had said too much again.

"Yes." Bane replied gruffly, his voice low. 

Batman's eyes narrowed, his expression calculating. 

He knew that something was up, he could feel it. "And what happens when your innocence expires?" He asked, his voice cautious.

Bane was silent for a moment, his face unreadable. He was clearly struggling to come up with a response. 

Batman could feel the tension in the air, the atmosphere thick and stifling. 

Finally, Bane spoke, his voice cold. 

"That's none of your concern." He said, his teeth gritting.

"Just know I am not here with malicious intent, but Lex and his goons are." 

"Lex...what are you doing here?" Batman asked. 

Lex's expression filled with fear, his body trembling. 

He was clearly terrified, his eyes wide and watery. 

Bane let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the man's fear. 

"He's here to steal some of my technology." Bane said, his voice cold. 

Batman's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered towards Lex. 

He could sense the man's fear, but he was more concerned about Bane's intentions. 

"What kind of technology?" He asked, his tone cautious.

Bane paused for a moment, clearly hesitant to reveal too much...but he was too proud to back down, too confident in himself. "Computer chips, to be specific." He replied, his voice cold.

Batman's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. He was familiar with the chips Bane was referring to, and he knew they were dangerous. 

"You realize what's on those chips, don't you?" He asked, his voice careful.

Bane's expression didn't change, his jaw clenching tighter. "Of course I do." He replied, his voice cold and confident. 

Batman's expression hardened even more, his eyes narrowing further. 

"You know what kind of damage those chips could cause in the wrong hands." He stated, his voice stern.

"That's exactly why they're in my care, Bats." 

Bane's face twitched, showing a hint of annoyance. 

But he quickly composed himself, his face returning to its usual stoicism. 

"They're safe with me." He assured.

"Safe with you?" Batman repeated, his tone skeptical. 

Bane's expression hardened, his jaw clenching once again. "Yes." He replied, his voice firm. 

Batman's jaw tensed, his eyes searching Bane's face for any hint of dishonesty.

"Not like with Lex here, who stole the blueprint for his version of the Failsafe cybernetic Batman." Bane said firmly. 

Lex flinched at the mention, his fear visibly increasing. Bane grinned, clearly enjoying the man's terror. 

Batman's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "You know about that?" He asked, his voice cautious.

"I've faced it a couple of times." Bane smiled. 

Batman's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered with surprise. 

He had known Bane had run-ins with the cybernetic Batman before, but he hadn't realized the extent of it. 

"You've fought him?" He asked, his voice cautious.

"I helped Nightwing, he didn't tell you?" Bane replied. "Luthor was there undercover in a news van." 

Batman's expression hardened even more, his jaw clenching tight. 

He could feel the anger rising in him, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists. "You knew Lex was responsible for the cybernetic Batman?" He asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Nightwing had figured it out, but I found Luthor sneaking around."

"Nightwing had figured it out, but I found Luthor sneaking around." Bane answered. 

Batman's expression darkened, his anger growing. 

He could feel the anger boiling inside of him, his muscles tightening with tension. 

"And you didn't think to inform me?" He asked, his voice deadly quiet.

Bane's expression shifted slightly, a hint of guilt creeping in. 

He knew he should have told Batman, but he had been more concerned with his own vendetta against Lex. "I...figured Nightwing would tell you." He replied gruffly, his voice hesitant.

Batman's expression didn't change, his expression still stern. 

He could sense Bane's hesitation, but he wasn't easily swayed. 

"You still should have told me." He said, his voice firm.

Bane let out a low grunt, his expression turning defensive. "I was handling things." He snapped, his voice tight. 

Batman's expression didn't change, his eyes locked on Bane. "And how well did that work out?" He asked, his voice cold.

Bane's jaw clenched, his pride hurt by Batman's words. 

He knew he had made a mistake by not informing Batman immediately, but he was too stubborn to admit it. "I had it under control." He retorted, his voice defiant.

Batman's expression didn't change, his eyes narrowing. 

He knew Bane was lying, he could read it all over his face. 

"Under control, huh?" He repeated, his tone skeptical. 

Bane's expression hardened, his jaw clenching tight.

"Yes." He replied through gritted teeth. 

Batman's expression remained unchanged, his eyes locked on Bane. 

He could see the anger and frustration in Bane's expression, but he wasn't backing down. 

"Then why is Lex here?" He asked, his voice insistent.

Bane's expression faltered, his confidence crumbling. 

He knew he had no excuse for Lex's presence here, and he was running out of excuses. 

He was silent, his jaw clenching tighter.

Batman watched him, his expression cold. 

He knew he had him now, Bane was starting to crack. 

"You were too focused on your personal vendetta with Lex." He pointed out, his voice stern yet calm.

Batman watched him, his expression cold. He knew he had him now, Bane was starting to crack. 

"You were too focused on your personal vendetta with Lex." He pointed out, his voice stern yet calm.

Bane's expression darkened, his pride wounded. He knew Batman was right, but he was too stubborn to admit it. 

He was silent, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful.

Batman continued, his eyes locked on Bane. 

"You let your emotions cloud your judgement." He said, his voice firm. 

Bane's expression hardened, his anger increasing at Batman's words. 

He didn't like being called out, especially not by Batman.

"You thought you could take down Lex on your own, but you were wrong." Batman continued, his voice steady. 

Bane's expression darkened even further, his anger almost palpable. 

He was clearly furious, but he couldn't argue with Batman's words.

Batman continued to watch him.

He could see the anger and frustration radiating off Bane, but he wasn't backing down. "You knew you needed help, but your pride wouldn't let you ask." He said, his voice matter-of-fact.

Bane's expression flickered, a hint of vulnerability showing through. He hated feeling vulnerable, and he hated that Batman could see it. 

But he couldn't deny that Batman was right.

Batman's expression softened slightly, seeing the vulnerability in Bane. 

He could tell that Bane was struggling with his pride, but he was starting to get through to him. "You can't do everything alone, Bane." He said, his voice gentler now.

Bane's expression twitched, his anger warring with his vulnerability. He wanted to resist, to keep fighting and deny Batman's words. But he couldn't, something in Batman's voice was getting to him. 

7

Red Hood realized the extent of the damage the cybernetic Batman would cause.

He made the call he didn't want to make, but he called on Batman. Knowing that he had been in over his head. 

Batman listened to the story, his expression growing more and more concerned. 

He could see the damage that the cybernetic Batman had caused, and he knew that it would only get worse if nothing was done to stop it. 

He could feel the weight of the situation on his shoulders, and he knew what he had to do. 

"Where is it now?" He asked, turning his attention back to Bane.

Lex's expression turned terrified again, his eyes wide with fear. 

He knew exactly where the cybernetic Batman was, but he was too afraid to say anything. 

Bane took a step towards him, towering over him.

"I believe it's fighting with the Gotham City Robocop." Lex said mildly. 

Batman's expression darkened, he knew that area. It was close to a populated industrial area, and the potential for civilian casualties was high. 

He turned to Bane, a sense of urgency in his voice. "We have to go now."

Bane nodded, his expression determined. He knew the situation was serious, and he was ready to help. 

Batman turned to Lex, his expression stern. "You're coming with us."

Lex's expression turned even more terrified, his body shaking with fear. 

He knew he was in no position to refuse, and the thought of facing the cybernetic Batman again was enough to make him nauseous. He slowly stood up, his legs still shaking. Tim Drake assisted Batman.

Batman made quick work of handcuffing Lex, making sure he wouldn't be able to run away. 

Bane watched, his expression hard. 

He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction watch Lex get cuffed, knowing that the man had caused so much trouble.

Once Lex was secured, Batman turned to Bane. "Let's go." He said, his voice firm. 

Bane nodded, ready to take on the cybernetic Batman.

They made their way out of the warehouse, Lex in cuffs. The night was dark, the streets eerily silent. 

Batman could feel the tension in the air, the sense of urgency driving him forward. 

Bane followed closely behind, his expression focused.

As they moved through the city, Batman's mind raced. He knew that the cybernetic Batman was a powerful opponent, and he couldn't afford to underestimate it. 

He kept a close eye on Lex, making sure he didn't try anything sneaky.

Bane walked silently next to him, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the cybernetic threat.

They turned a corner, and that's when they saw it. The cybernetic Batman was standing in the middle of the street, its eyes scanning the surroundings. 

It was a formidable figure, its metal body gleaming in the moonlight.

"Turn off the machine, Luthor." Batman growled. 

Bane gritted his teeth, his frustration visible. 

Batman could feel his anger growing, realizing that they were facing a difficult problem. 

The cybernetic Batman began to move towards them, its footsteps resounding through the silent streets.

"I don't know how to stop it, Batman." Lex Luthor confessed. 

Bane gritted his teeth, his frustration visible. He stepped forward punching the cybernetic Batman in its face shield. 

The cybernetic Batman stumbled back, clearly surprised by the punch. Bane quickly advanced, delivering another punch to its chest. 

Batman watched, impressed by Bane's strength but also aware of how hard it was to damage the cybernetic body. 

The cybernetic Batman regained its composure quickly, launching a counter attack towards Bane.

Batman could feel his anger growing, realizing that they were facing a difficult problem. The cybernetic Batman began to move towards him, its footsteps resounding through the silent streets.

Bane blocked the attack, his reflexes quick. 

He retaliated with a series of powerful punches, each one landing with a satisfying thud. 

Batman watched, feeling a mix of respect and concern. 

Bane was holding up admirably, but he knew they couldn't keep this up forever.

Batman's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. 

He knew that they couldn't just fight head on, the cybernetic Batman was too strong. 

He needed a strategy, a way to take it down without causing too much destruction. 

Bane was struggling next to him, his fists clenching and unclenching. Punching and blocking the cybernetic challenge. 

It threw Bane once it managed to grab him. Batman heard Bane hit the brick wall, and it didn't sound like he'd be fighting anymore. 

Lex watched his creation approch Batman, and had already splattered Bane against the wall. Batman backed away as it approched him. His hand on his grappling hook. 

The cybernetic Batman advanced on him, its movements fast and precise. 

Batman knew he couldn't beat it head on, he had to use his wits. 

He pulled out his grappling hook, gauging his distance to the nearest building.

The cybernetic Batman lunged forward, its metal fist swinging towards Batman. 

He dodged the attack, just barely escaping its reach. 

He threw the grappling hook, hoping to create some distance between them.

The line shot out, the hook latching onto a nearby building.

Batman pulled himself up, using the line to swing away from the cybernetic Batman. 

He landed on the rooftop, but the cybernetic Batman was right behind him. 

It jumped up, its metal body moving with surprising agility.

Down below Red Hood had arrived, and Robin was with him. Alfred supplied them the shotgun with slugs in both barrels. He knew that they needed something powerful. 

Red Hood aimed the shotgun at the cybernetic Batman, ready to fire. 

He knew it wouldn't be easy to take it down, but he had to try. 

Robin stood next to him, his heart racing. 

He was scared but determined to help.

Red Hood fired the shotgun, the sound echoing through the night. The bullets hit the cybernetic Batman, denting its metal shell. 

It stumbled back, thrown by the force of the blast.

Batman watched from the rooftop, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. 

Red Hood continued firing, unloading the shots left in the shotgun. 

Robin watched too. His eyes wide with a mix of fear and anticipation.

The cybernetic Batman stumbled more, its body taking more damage. 

It was clearly hurt, but still operational. 

Batman knew they had to keep pushing, to take advantage of its weakened state.

Bane came out of the dark, and grabbed the cybernetic Batman by the neck. He wrapped his body around the machine, and twisted the head as hard as he could. Trying to break the neck of the cybernetic Batman. 

The cybernetic Batman struggled against Bane's grip, its metal body creaking and groaning. 

Bane gritted his teeth, using all his strength to twist its neck. 

Red hood and Robin watched, their eyes wide with surprise. 

They had never seen Bane this determined before. 

The cybernetic Batman's body was twisted awkwardly now, its neck bent at an unnatural angle. 

Bane was straining, his muscles visibly bulging. The cybernetic Batman's arms flailed awkwardly, trying to break free.

Finally, there was a loud SNAP! 

The cybernetic Batman's head fell forward, dangling limply from its shoulders. 

Bane released his grip, stepping back. 

Batman watched from the rooftops, impressed by Bane's strength.

The cyborg Batman slumped forward, lifeless. Bane stood over it, panting heavily from the effort. 

Red Hood and Robin looked on in awe, their mouths hanging open. 

They couldn't believe they had defeated the cybernetic menace.

Batman jumped down from the rooftop, landing next to Bane. 

He looked at the motionless cybernetic Batman, his mind still whirling. 

Bane stood next to him, still trying to catch his breath. 

"You okay?" Batman asked, looking at him. 

Bane nodded, straightening up. 

"I'll be fine." He replied gruffly.

"I thought it killed you." Batman said. 

Bane nodded. "So did the machine." He smiled. 

Batman raised an eyebrow at Bane's comment. 

He could sense the man was being sarcastic, but he didn't take offense. 

"We make a good team." He said, his voice gruff but respectful. 

Bane grunted in agreement, still trying to catch his breath.

Lex tried to escape from Tim when his Robot was destroyed. "Let go of me, you asshole." Luthor said angrily. 

Tim ignored his protests, keeping a firm grip on him. 

He wasn't about to let Lex get away after all he had done. 

He looked at Batman and Bane, gesturing to the unconscious Lex.

"What do we do with him?" He asked, his voice tired but firm.

"Jail." Bane answered.

Batman nodded in agreement. 

He knew that Lex needed to be imprisoned for his crimes. 

He looked at the motionless cybernetic Batman, his mind still racing.

"We'll take him to the police." He said, gesturing to Lex. 

Red Hood and Robin watched, still impressed by what they had witnessed. 

Bane grunted in agreement, his expression dark.

Together, they began to move towards the exit. Batman carried the unconscious Lex with ease, his strength apparent. 

Red Hood followed behind, his shotgun tucked away in its holster. Robin brought up the rear, his heart still racing from the encounter.

They made their way through the streets, the city silent around them. Batman broke the silence, his voice gruff. "That was a close call." He said, referring to the cybernetic Batman. 

Bane grunted in agreement, his expression grim. "That machine had some serious power." He remarked, his mind still replaying the battle. 

Bane grunted again, his jaws clenching. 

He was clearly still feeling the adrenaline rush from the fight.

Red Hood chuckled, clearly amused by Bane's reaction. "You really gave it a good beat down." He said, his voice teasing. 

Bane grunted again, not appreciating the comment. Robin couldn't help but smile a little. 

The sight of the mighty Bane taking down that cybernetic Batman was impressive. 

He looked at Bane with a mix of respect and admiration.

Batman remained silent, his mind focused on the task at hand. 

They walked in silence for a while longer, the streets still eerily quiet. 

Finally, they reached the police station. 

Batman handed the unconscious Lex over to the cops, his expression serious.

The cops took Lex off their hands, taking him into custody. 

The night was still young, but they had accomplished their mission. 

Red Hood and Robin stood next to Bane and Batman, their eyes tired but alert.

8

Deathstroke sat silently inside the home of Tim Drake. Waiting for him to arrive. 

Tim entered the apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him. 

He was tired and sore from the fight with the cybernetic Batman, but he was alive. 

He made his way into the living room, surprised to see Deathstroke sitting there. He stopped, his eyes narrowing.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice guarded. 

Deathstroke leaned back in his chair, his expression lazy. He seemed completely at ease, which only made Tim more uneasy.

"I'm going to kill you." Deathstroke replied.

"What? You're here to kill me, why?" Tim questioned.

Deathstroke's expression didn't change, his eyes locked on Tim. 

He didn't answer, just continued to watch him. 

Tim could feel the tension in the room, the air thick with animosity. He reached for his staff, gripping it tightly. 

"You don't stand a chance." Tim warned, his voice steady. 

Deathstroke chuckled darkly, his eyes still locked on Tim. "We'll see about that." He replied, his voice cold.

Tim's grip on his staff tightened, his heart racing. He had faced plenty of threats before, but something about Deathstroke was different. 

There was a ruthless confidence about him that made Tim uneasy. He took a step back, putting some distance between them.

Deathstroke stood up slowly, his movements graceful and fluid. He was a tall man, towering over Tim. 

He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Tim's. 

Tim swallowed, his throat dry. This was going to be a fight. 

Deathstroke lunged forward, his movements lightning fast. 

Tim barely had time to react, swinging his staff up to block the attack. 

It connected with a loud *clang*, the impact jarring Tim's arm.

Tim stumbled back, surprised by the force behind the attack. 

Deathstroke pressed the advantage, lashing out with another attack. Tim brought up his staff again, blocking the strike. 

But he could tell that Deathstroke was playing with him, not even trying his hardest.

Tim gritted his teeth, determination flaring inside of him. He couldn't let Deathstroke win. 

He pushed back with his staff, forcing the taller man back. 

Deathstroke's expression didn't change, his expression almost bored. He blocked the attack easily, retaliating with a lightning fast kick.

The force sent Tim crashing through the glass door to the balcony. 

Tim landed heavily, the glass shattering around him. He let out a gasp of pain, the wind knocked out of him. 

Deathstroke walked out onto the balcony, looking down at him. 

His expression was still nonchalant, like he wasn't even trying.

Tim struggled to get up, his body screaming in pain. He had been through some rough fights before, but nothing like this. He managed to stand, leaning heavily on his staff. 

Deathstroke just watched him, his eyes studying him intently. 

Tim took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew he was outmatched, but he couldn't give up. 

He took a step forward, raising his staff in a defensive position. Deathstroke moved towards him, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

Tim steeled himself, ready to defend himself. 

But before he could react, Deathstroke was on him, his movements too fast to follow. 

He attacked with ruthless precision, his strikes hard and fast. 

Tim struggled to keep up, his movements clumsy compared to the other man's grace. He blocked and dodged as best he could, but he was no match for Deathstroke. 

Each hit landed, sending waves of pain through his body. He could feel himself growing weaker, his energy dwindling. 

Nevertheless, he refused to give up, even as the pain became almost unbearable.

He gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. 

He blocked another strike, throwing a punch of his own. 

It connected with Deathstroke's chest, but he just shrugged it off. 

It was like hitting a brick wall. 

Deathstroke retaliated with a kick to Tim's stomach, sending him crashing into the balcony's railings. 

Tim cried out in pain, doubling over. 

He was struggling to stay conscious, his vision blurring. 

Deathstroke advanced once again, his movements still graceful. 

Tim tried to block the attack, but his arms were slow from the pain.

Deathstroke knocked the staff from his hands, the weapon clattering to the ground. 

Tim looked up at him, fear flashing across his face. 

He was defenseless now, with nothing left to protect himself. 

Deathstroke seemed to relish in his fear, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.

He stepped closer, towering over Tim. 

Tim shrunk back, pressing himself against the railing. 

There was nowhere left to run, nothing left to hide behind. He was completely vulnerable, at the mercy of the man towering over him.

Deathstroke's smile grew wider, his eyes cold. He leaned in dangerously close, his face just inches from Tim's. 

Tim could feel his hot breath against his skin, sending chills down his spine. 

He tried to speak, to say something, anything, but the words caught in his throat, panic taking over.

Deathstroke grabbed his shirt, pulling him upright. Tim felt himself being lifted off the ground, dangling in the air. 

He tried to protest, struggling against the grip. 

But he was too weak, too tired to put up much of a fight.

Deathstroke's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing. He looked almost disappointed, like he was expecting more from Tim. 

He watched the smaller man's struggles, waiting for him to tire himself out.

It didn't take long, Tim's struggles slowly ceasing. He was so exhausted, he could hardly keep his eyes open. 

Deathstroke watched him, his expression still cold. "Pathetic," he said, his voice filled with disdain.

Tim couldn't respond, his body too weak to move. He just hung there, his eyes half open. 

Deathstroke seemed to almost enjoy how helpless he was, a cruel smile playing at his lips. "I expected more from you." He said, his voice low and mocking.

Deathstroke held him there for a few more moments, enjoying the dominance. 

Then he suddenly let go, dropping Tim to the ground. 

Tim hit the ground hard, his body too weakened to break his fall. He just lay there, too exhausted to move.

Deathstroke towered over him, looking down at him with disdain. 

"You never stood a chance." He said, his voice cold. 

Tim just laid there, trying to catch his breath. Everything hurt, his body and ego both bruised. He wanted to do something, anything, but he was too drained to move.

There was a long moment of silence, broken only by the sound of Tim's labored breathing. Deathstroke just stood there, watching him. 

Tim could feel his eyes on him, burning into him. He couldn't bring himself to look up, couldn't find the strength to move.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Deathstroke spoke. "I'm leaving." He said, his voice cold. 

Tim's heart leaped at the words, a mix of relief and fear coursing through him. 

Was he going to let him live? 

He slowly raised his head, looking up at Deathstroke.

"W-Why?" He managed to croak, his voice hoarse. 

Deathstroke cocked his head to the side, studying him. "Why what?" He asked, his voice unimpressed. 

Tim swallowed, his throat feeling dry. "W-Why are you leaving?" He repeated, his voice wavering.

Deathstroke's expression remained unchanged, his eyes still cold. 

"Because I've had my fun." He replied, his voice nonchalant. 

He took a step back, putting some distance between them. 

Tim just watched him, still too weak to do anything else. "They sent you to kill me." 

Deathstoke paused, his expression shifting slightly. He didn't look surprised, as if he already knew. "They did." He replied, his voice low. 

Tim's heart raced, fear creeping in again. 

He had never seen Deathstroke this dangerous, this ruthless.

He watched the man closely, trying hard to hide his fear. "Who...who sent you?" He asked, his voice trembling.

Deathstroke simply smiled, his expression almost mocking. "Wouldn't you like to know." He replied, his voice smug. 

Tim's heart sank at the response, but he tried not to let it show. He had to stay calm, had to keep his cool.

"Just know that someone wants you dead." Deathstroke replied. 

Tim's heart pounded in his chest, fear and panic taking over. He tried to keep his voice steady. "Wh-Who...?" He repeated, his voice weak.

Deathstroke let out a low chuckle, enjoying the fear he was causing. "That doesn't matter, hope you are lucky enough to not find out." 

Tim thought about it a moment, "I'm just a regular person who is trying to survive in the world."

Deathstroke's expression shifted to one of disbelief. He studied Tim for a moment, almost like he was trying to figure him out. "A regular person?" He repeated, his voice skeptical. 

Tim could feel the doubt in Deathstroke's voice, but he didn't waver. 

"Yes." He said, his voice steady. 

He met Deathstroke's gaze, refusing to back down.

Deathstroke's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly. 

He was clearly not convinced, but he didn't say anything else. He just continued to exit the courtyard. 

9

There were police cruisers surrounding the apartment complex. The ambulance pulled away with Tim Drake in back. 

Tim lay back on the stretcher, his body still aching. 

The paramedics bustled around him, checking his vitals and tending to his wounds. 

He was in pretty bad shape, his body bruised and battered. But he was alive, that was all that mattered. 

He closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain. He could hear the paramedics talking around him, their voices a familiar comfort. 

He knew he was lucky to be alive, but he couldn't help but feel scared. Whoever wanted him dead was still out there.

The ambulance came to a stop, and the paramedics quickly got him out. 

They wheeled him into the hospital, still running a few test. 

Tim's mind was racing, trying to come up with a plan. 

He knew he couldn't stay here forever, he needed to figure something out.

They stopped outside the ER, and the paramedics prepped him for transfer. 

A nurse approached, her expression kind. 

"How are you feeling?" She asked, her hand on his arm. 

Tim could barely speak, his throat sore from the abuse. "I've been better." He managed to choke out, his voice raspy.

The nurse smiled sympathetically, gently patting his arm. 

"You're gonna be alright." She reassured him. 

Tim managed a small smile in return, appreciating the comfort. 

The paramedics transferred him to the hospital bed, the familiar beeping of monitors already starting.

He closed his eyes, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. He knew he needed to rest, to heal. 

But he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness. 

How was he going to protect himself if he couldn't even face the one trying or wanting to kill him?

He tried to push the thoughts out of his mind, focusing on the sound of the monitors beeping. It lulled him into a semi-sleep, his mind still racing. He felt vulnerable, exposed, and he didn't like it.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He knew he had to be strong, to face his fears. 

The fear was still there, gnawing at him like a parasite. He thought about what Deathstroke said, about being lucky. 

He knew he had been lucky, but he couldn't count on luck forever. He needed a plan, something to help him survive. 

He couldn't just wait around, hoping he would be spared.

The thoughts kept circulating, but he slowly started to settle. 

His breathing evened out, his heart rate slowed. 

He felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, a small part of him grateful for the escape. 

Then, just before he drifted off completely, a thought crossed his mind. 

Maybe he couldn't fight this threat head on. 

Maybe he needed to take a different approach.

A different approach.... Something like disappearing maybe? Going off the grid? 

He thought about it for a moment, the idea taking root in his tired mind. 

It was a risky move, but it could work.

He took another deep breath, feeling the exhaustion take over. He knew he couldn't make a decision right now, he was too tired. The idea lingered, the first seedlings of a plan forming.

When he woke up, Batman was standing beside him. Looking down at him in the hospital bed. 

Tim's eyes flickered open, his vision blurry at first. 

He blinked a few times, attempting to focus. 

When he did, he saw Batman standing there, his expression serious. 

He tried to sit up, but the pain from his injuries made him wince. He laid back down, looking up at Batman. 

"Hey." He managed to say, his voice still hoarse.

Batman's expression didn't change, his eyes examining Tim's injuries. "You look terrible." He said gruffly, his voice betraying none of the concern he felt.

Batman's expression remained emotionless, but his mind was racing. 

He had been worried about this happening, he knew Tim was in danger. 

He knew the boy didn't have the training or the experience to deal with someone like Deathstroke.

He studied Tim for a moment, taking in the extent of his injuries. 

They were severe, the worst he had seen in a while. 

He felt a pang of guilt, knowing he should have been there to protect him. "I will find Deathstroke and get the information you seek." 

Tim's expression changed, his eyes hopeful. "Really?" He asked, his voice cracking with relief.

Batman nodded, his expression still firm. "Yes." 

He was determined to find the person behind all this, to keep Tim safe. He would not let another child be hurt by this violence.

Tim let out a small sigh of relief, his body relaxing slightly. He was grateful for Batman's determination. 

He knew he was in good hands. 

"Thank you." He said, his voice grateful.

Batman immediately started searching for Deathstroke. His intentions to get revenge for Tim. To stop any planned attack on his boy. 

He began with the basics, searching for any signs of the mercenary in the city. 

He knew Deathstroke had escaped the apartment, but he didn't know where he had gone. 

He knew the man was smart, he wouldn't stay in one place for long. 

He searched through CCTV footage, checking the city's security cameras. 

He saw Deathstroke's movements after he had left the apartment, but the trail went cold quickly. 

It was like the man disappeared into thin air.

Frustrated, Batman shifted his focus. 

He needed to get inside Deathstroke's mind, think like him. 

He knew the mercenary was smart, calculated. 

He wouldn't have attacked Tim without a reason. 

He began to dig deeper, searching through Deathstroke's old files. 

He looked at his old missions, his known enemies. He tried to find a connection, a reason why Deathstroke would target Tim.

He spent hours pouring over the files, but nothing stuck out. 

There was no clear reason why Deathstroke would want Tim dead. 

He felt the frustration mounting, the lack of information driving him insane.

Batman walked into Cobblepot's bar and casino, the nightclub. Knowing that he knew what was happening in the underworld of the city. 

"Where is, Cobblepot?" Batman asked the bartender. 

"In the office." The barkeep replied. 

Batman walked in the back without hesitation. 

He entered the office, finding Penguin sitting behind his desk.The man looked up, expression wary. 

"Batman." He said, his voice cautious.

Batman wasted no time. "I'm looking for Deathstroke." He said, his voice firm. 

Penguin's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed. 

"What makes you think I know where he is?" He asked, his voice nonchalant.

"Oh I'm just betting you know something, or can find out...huh?" Batman told him. 

Penguin's eyes scanned Batman's face, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

"I might know something." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap.

"Enlighten me." Batman said sharply. 

Penguin leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I heard a rumor." He said, his eyes still on Batman. 

"They say Deathstroke's been hired by someone."

Batman's expression remained neutral. 

"Who?" He asked, his voice impatient.

"He was hired to get Tim Drake’s laptop to get past the security system at Wayne Enterprises." Penguin sitting with his head down. "Deathstroke was just a hired hand. Tim just happened to know too much." 

Batman felt his fists clench at the mention of Tim's name. 

He was angry, the thought of Tim being targeted because of some information, made his blood boil. 

"And the Kingpin needs this information from Wayne Enterprises?" He asked, his voice low.

Cobblepot nods. "He is trying to infiltrate the company's network. Access the funds and information needed to take it down without being detected." 

"Oh really?" Batman asked with a chuckle. 

"Indeed...Kingpin is well connected and takes whatever he wants. He's very well connected." Cobblepot warned Batman.

Batman took a deep breath, his mind running through all the possibilities. 

The Kingpin was dangerous, and he was clearly trying to destroy Wayne Enterprises. 

"And you're sure this is about Tim?" He asked, his voice firmer.

Penguin nodded slowly. "Yes." 

He knew better than to lie to Batman. 

Not that he had any loyalty towards the Kingpin, but he was too afraid of the Batman to lie.

Batman's expression darkened, his fists clenching tighter. 

He couldn't believe this was happening. 

He had promised himself to protect Tim from the violence and danger of Gotham, but it seemed like he had failed. 

He knew he had to act fast, to stop the Kingpin before it was too late. 

"Thank you, Penguin." Batman said, his voice gruff. 

He turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "One more thing." He said, looking back at Penguin.

Penguin looked up, his expression cautious. "Yes?" He asked.

Batman fixed him with a steely glare. 

"If you find out anything else, you tell me." He commanded, his voice firm. 

Penguin nodded quickly, his throat suddenly dry. 

He didn't want to cross the Bat.

10

Damian was ready to go. Batman and Robin were headed to the Big Apple. 

Kingpin knew why they were both in his city, and he suspected that he knew why. If they were there to go for him, he would make sure they both die. 

Kingpin sat at his desk, scrolling through his phone. 

He had heard the rumors, that Batman and Robin had been seen in New York City. 

He knew they were here for him, and he wasn't going to let them take him down. 

He had too much to lose. 

He took a deep breath, his mind racing. 

He had to act fast, to get ahead of Batman and Robin. 

He knew how dangerous they were, how resourceful. He couldn't underestimate them.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed in thought. 

He had to think like them, anticipate their every move. 

He had to stay one step ahead.

He stood up, walking over to the window. 

He could see the city laid out before him, the lights twinkling in the dark. 

He had built this city, he was king here. 

He wasn't going to let anyone take that away from him. Even Batman and son. 

He walked back to his desk, picking up the phone. He had people to call, orders to give. He had to be ready for when Batman and Robin came knocking.

He began making phone calls, his voice cool and confident. He wasn't going to hold back, he was going to fight fire with fire. 

He would show Batman and Robin that he wasn't some easy target. Being the underworld Kingpin meant something.

He continued making phone calls, his mind working overtime. 

He had to make sure everything was in place, that everything was ready. 

He couldn't afford any mistakes.

He was the Kingpin, and he didn't lose.

He finished up his calls, his mind racing. 

He was confident in his plan, in his people. 

He had everything covered. Now he just needed to wait.

He sat back down, his mind still racing. 

He ran through the plan again in his head, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything. 

He was confident, but a small part of him was still nervous. He couldn't let himself fail.

He heard a knock on the door, and his head snapped up. 

"Come in." He called, his voice sharp.

The door opened, and his Number Two stepped in. He was a large man, muscles visible under his suit. He was loyal, and he was ruthless. Just the way Kingpin liked it.

"What is it?" Kingpin asked, his voice gruff. 

His Number Two shifted awkwardly, clearly nervous. 

"We have a problem." He said, his voice hesitant.

"What kind of problem?" Kingpin asked, his eyes narrowing. 

He didn't like the sound of this. 

His Number Two shifted again, looking uncomfortable.

"We have a few cops undercover." He said finally. 

Kingpin felt a surge of anger. 

"What!?" He snapped, his voice louder.

The Number Two flinched, taken aback by his raised voice. "I'm sorry, sir. We didn't know they were police." He said quickly. 

Kingpin sat back down, his hand running through his hair. "Damn it." He swore quietly.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had to think rationally, to come up with a solution, but he was angry, and anger made it hard to think straight.

He stood up, pacing back and forth across the room. He needed to make a decision, and fast. He couldn't let these cops throw a wrench in his plans.

He stopped pacing, an idea forming in his mind. 

"I want those cops dealt with." He said, his voice cold. His Number Two looked up at him, his eyes wide. 

"Dealt with?" He asked, his voice doubtful. 

Kingpin looked at him, his eyes steely. 

"Do whatever you have to." He said, his voice firm. 

His Number Two hesitated, clearly uneasy with what he was being asked to do.

However, he knew better than to defy the Kingpin. 

He had seen what happened to those who crossed him. "Yes, sir." He said finally, his voice resigned. 

He turned to leave, but Kingpin's voice stopped him.

"One more thing." Kingpin said, his voice gravelly. 

His Number Two turned back, looking at him questioningly.

"Make sure it doesn't come back to me." Kingpin said, his eyes narrowing. 

His Number Two nodded, understanding the implication behind the words. 

"I understand." He said, before leaving the room.

Kingpin sat back down, his mind racing. 

He hated having to get his hands dirty like this, but he couldn't let these cops get in his way. There was too much at stake.

He knew Batman would stop at nothing to take him down. 

He was a relentless pain in his ass. 

Kingpin had dealt with him before, but it was always a headache. 

He would need to be clever to outsmart the Dark Knight.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. 

He had been planning this for months, and he couldn't let some stupid cops or Batman ruin it. 

He had been working too hard for this.

He leaned back in his chair, trying to relax. 

He had a plan, he just had to trust it would work. 

He would use the chaos in Gotham from the past week to his advantage. 

He would make sure he came out on top.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the messages. 

He had a lot of things to check on, a lot of people to talk to. 

He didn't have time to worry about Batman. 

He would handle the Dark Knight, just like he always did.

He stood up, his determination reignited. 

He had to stay focused, to stay one step ahead. 

He would use his resources, his connections, to make sure nothing went wrong. 

He was the King of New York, damn it.

He began pacing again, his mind racing with ideas. 

He had to be clever, to outmaneuver his enemies. 

He had to be ruthless, to do whatever it takes. 

The police were a nuisance, but he would deal with them. As for Batman? Well, he would just have to wait and see.

He stopped pacing, his anger fading once again. He was calmer now, able to think more clearly. He knew what he had to do. 

He knew what he needed to do to stay ahead. 

He had the money, the connections, the resources. 

He had everything he needed to stay King of New York.

He took a deep breath, his mind focused. 

He knew he could do this. He had done it before, and he would do it again. He was Kingpin, and no one messed with him.

Damian Wayne entered the building they suspected that Kingpin was in. Batman covered him and watched for any signs of trouble. 

Damian moved quickly, sticking to the shadows. He was stealthy, his movements almost feline. 

He had been trained by Batman himself, and he was damn good at what he did. 

He slunk through the building, avoiding the few guards patrolling the halls.

Kingpin was sitting at his desk when Robin entered the office. 

Kingpin's 9mm handgun lay there in front of him. 

"Don't move and nobody gets hurt." Damian said firmly. 

Kingpin's head snapped up, his eyes immediately landing on Robin. 

He didn't look frightened, more annoyed than anything. 

He had dealt with the Batman’s little partner before, and he wasn't intimidated.

"You're making a mistake, kid." He said, his voice cool. 

He slowly leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Robin. He was calm, his demeanor confident.

Batman covered the door. "Kingpin...we are here to stop any planned attack on Tim. What's your deal with my boy?" 

Kingpin's eyes flicked to Batman for a moment. "Your boy?" He repeated, a smirk tugging at his lips. 

He turned back to Robin, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a simple businessman, doing business."

Batman's eyes narrowed, not believing a word. He had heard rumors about Kingpin trying to get into Wayne Enterprises. 

He knew Kingpin was a dangerous man, and he didn't trust him. 

"You're not a businessman." Batman said, his voice gruff. "You're a crimelord."

Kingpin's smirk widened. "Maybe so." He admitted, not even trying to deny it. 

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. 

"But I'm also a businessman. 

I'm just trying to expand my empire."

Batman gritted his teeth, his anger flaring. He didn't like the way Kingpin was talking, like he was completely unbothered by their intrusion. 

"You're not touching Wayne Enterprises." He said, his voice final.

"What do you think i'm going to do, Batman? Turn myself in?" Kingpin picked up the handgun. 

Batman tensed, his hand on his belt. 

He was prepared to act if Kingpin tried anything. 

But he knew Kingpin was smart, he would know not to push it too far. 

Kingpin's smirk faded a bit, his expression becoming serious. 

"I'm no fool." He said, his voice firmer now.

Kingpin's eyes followed Batman's movements, his expression still serious. 

He knew he was dealing with someone just as dangerous as himself. 

"You think you can stop me?" He asked, his voice challenging.

"I know I can." Batman replied, his confidence unwavering. He was ready for whatever Kingpin threw at him. 

Kingpin's expression darkened. "You're overconfident." He said, his voice bordering on mocking.

"And you're dangerous." Batman retorted, his eyes fixed on the crimelord.

 

He didn't trust Kingpin, not one bit. 

Kingpin's expression darkened even further, his eyes narrowing. 

He didn't like being insulted, especially not by Batman.

"You have no idea the kind of power I hold." He said, his voice dripping with menace. 

He was beginning to lose his patience, his anger starting to show. 

Batman wasn't backing down, his expression still determined.

"I know exactly how much power you have." He said, his voice steady and even. 

He wasn't intimidated by Kingpin's threats. 

He could see through his blustering, could see the fear beneath the surface.

"I know exactly how much power you have." He said, his voice steady and even. 

He wasn't intimidated by Kingpin's threats. 

He could see through his blustering, could see the fear beneath the surface.

Kingpin leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. 

He was starting to think that maybe this wasn't worth the trouble. He was good at avoiding confrontation, at coming out on top. 

Maybe it was time to cut his losses. 

"Maybe you do." He admitted, his voice quiet. 

He put the gun back down on the desk, his demeanor shifting.

Batman's eyes tracked the gun, making sure it wasn't a trick. He was cautious, always on guard. He could feel the tension in the room start to shift, Kingpin becoming more defensive than offensive. 

"Maybe it's time we come to an agreement." Kingpin said, his voice less antagonistic.

Batman's expression didn't change, but he relaxed a bit. Maybe Kingpin was willing to listen. He waited to see which way the conversation was going.

"I'm a businessman." Kingpin said casually, his demeanor changing once again. 

He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. "I know how to make a deal." He said, his eyes fixed on Batman.

"I don't deal with criminals." Batman said sharply. 

Kingpin's expression hardened at the blunt refusal. 

He was used to getting what he wanted, and he didn't like being denied. "You don't have a choice." He replied, his voice cold.

Batman's expression didn't change, his eyes locked on Kingpin. 

He wasn't going to back down, wasn't going to let Kingpin pressure him. 

"I have a choice." He snapped back, his voice firm.

Kingpin's expression darkened, his anger starting to show. He wasn't used to people defying him, especially not someone like Batman. He clenched his jaw, trying to contain his annoyance.

"You think you're above the law?" He asked, his voice borderline mocking. 

He was starting to lose his cool, his control slipping. "You're just a vigilante, a masked crusader."

"I'm Batman." He shouted. 

Kingpin's eyes widened for a moment at the sudden shouting. 

He wasn't expecting that, wasn't prepared for Batman's response. 

He quickly composed himself, trying to regain his composure.

"You're just a man in a mask." He said, trying to sound casual. There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Batman was unpredictable, and that made him dangerous.

"Handcuff this man, Robin." Batman said gruffly. 

Robin jumped into action, pulling out a pair of handcuffs from his belt. 

He moved quickly, approaching Kingpin carefully. 

Kingpin's eyes widened, realizing that he was about to be arrested. He tried to get up, but Batman was too quick. 

He grabbed Kingpin’s arm, pinning him to the chair. "Are you kidding me?" 

Kingpin struggled against his grip, but it was futile. 

He was no match for Batman's strength. 

Robin quickly slipped the handcuffs on, restraining Kingpin's wrists. 

Kingpin's expression darkened, his anger reaching its peak. "You can't do this!" He snapped, struggling against the cuffs.

Batman ignored his protests, focusing on securing the handcuffs. He wasn't going to let Kingpin escape. He was too dangerous to be free.

Robin watched Batman, ready to jump in if needed. He knew better than to underestimate Kingpin. 

Kingpin was seething, his eyes full of anger and hatred. He had been humiliated, defeated by the Batman once again. 

He struggled against the cuffs, struggling to free himself. 

"You'll pay for this." He spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Batman ignored his threats, standing up straight. He looked down at Kingpin, his expression stern. 

"You're going to face justice." He said, his voice final. 

Robin stepped forward, grabbing Kingpin by the arm. 

Kingpin struggled against Robin's grip, still trying to free himself, but he was not in a good position. 

He was starting to realize that he had been bested, and he didn't like it. 

He let Robin lead him out of the office, looking back at Batman one last time.

"Let's go." He said, starting to usher him out of the office, looking back at Batman one last time.