Special thanks to, Rrj, Jack Ashton
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The soft hum of Aeternum Industries' security systems filled Alex's office, a constant reminder of how far he had come. Screens flickered with real-time data—financial reports, R&D progress, and the latest market movements. His company was growing, but so were the enemies circling like vultures.
Evan Drake sat across from him, his expression unreadable. "We've got another issue," he said, sliding a file across the desk.
Alex opened it, scanning the contents. His eyes narrowed. "Wayne Enterprises?"
Evan nodded. "They're watching us closer than before. At first, it was just passive interest, but now? They're actively looking into our tech. We're on their radar, and not in a good way."
Alex leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Bruce Wayne's company doesn't just spy for fun. If they're doing this, it means they think we're either a threat… or a puzzle they need to solve."
Lena Vasquez, his lead researcher, entered the office without knocking. "It's worse than that," she said, placing a tablet on the table. "Someone tried to breach our firewall. They didn't succeed, but it was sophisticated—military-grade. This wasn't some corporate snooping. Someone out there wants our secrets."
Alex's mind raced. Wayne Enterprises wouldn't resort to cyberattacks. LexCorp might, but even they wouldn't use something this precise.
"Can you trace it?" he asked.
Lena shook her head. "Whoever did this was good. The attack bounced through multiple countries, covering their tracks. But I did notice one thing—whoever it was, they weren't just looking for financial data. They were searching for specific files on our polymer tech and energy projects."
Alex frowned. The polymer project was public knowledge. But the energy research? That was a personal project of his, one he had barely mentioned.
Evan crossed his arms. "You think this is corporate espionage, or something… bigger?"
Alex was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "I don't believe in coincidences. Someone out there wants something we have, and they're willing to break the law to get it. We need to be ready."
The storm was coming. And Alex intended to meet it head-on.
(Line break)
The city skyline of Gotham stretched before Alex as he stood by the reinforced glass of his office window. The night was thick with tension, a storm lurking in the shadows. He had felt it brewing for weeks—corporate espionage, Gotham's underworld stirring, and now, an unknown entity attempting to breach his company's digital fortress.
His fingers tapped against the desk as he considered his next move.
If they want to dig into my secrets, let's see how they like it when I start digging into theirs.
He turned to Lena, who was still monitoring the failed breach attempt. "If we can't trace them directly, can we set up a honeypot? Make them think they've found something valuable while we track them?"
Lena smirked. "Already ahead of you. I designed a fake server loaded with convincing but useless research. If they bite, we'll get a digital fingerprint."
Evan, sitting nearby, sighed. "I don't like this, Alex. This isn't just some boardroom war anymore. You're playing a dangerous game."
Alex's expression remained unreadable. "I was never playing. This was always a war. Now, I'm just making sure I'm not the one caught off guard."
A sudden alert flashed on the screen. Lena's eyes widened. "They're trying again."
Alex moved closer. "Already?"
She nodded. "Same pattern. Same method. But they're being more aggressive this time."
"Trigger the trap," Alex said.
Lena tapped a few keys, and for a brief moment, the screen went dark before lighting up again. A small progress bar appeared, indicating that their bait had been taken.
"Got them," she whispered. "Whoever they are, they're in our fake system now. They think they're downloading classified files, but we're pulling their data instead."
Alex allowed himself a small smirk. "Let's see who's been snooping around."
Lena's hands flew across the keyboard, isolating the signal and tracing it back through layers of encryption.
Then, she froze.
Her voice, when she spoke, was barely above a whisper.
"Alex… you need to see this."
Alex leaned in, eyes narrowing as he read the decrypted trail. It led to a secure server deep within Gotham.
Owned by the Court of Owls.
The air in the room seemed to grow colder. Evan ran a hand through his hair. "The Court? As in Gotham's own secret cabal of psychopaths?"
Alex exhaled slowly. This wasn't just corporate espionage anymore. This was something far worse.
He straightened. "If the Court of Owls is involved, then we have bigger problems than just business rivals."
Evan muttered, "And here I thought LexCorp was bad enough."
Alex turned back to Lena. "Keep monitoring. Let them think they're getting what they want. The more they take, the more we learn."
She nodded. "And what about you?"
Alex's gaze was cold and calculating. "I think it's time I paid Gotham's underworld a visit."
He wasn't about to sit back and let shadowy figures dictate the future of Aeternum. If the Court wanted to play, then it was time they learned that he wasn't just some businessman.
He was something else entirely.
(Line break)
Gotham's Underworld
The city was a different beast at night. The streets were alive with whispers, hidden deals, and the scent of something rotting beneath the surface. Alex had spent enough time navigating Gotham's corporate battlefield, but the underworld had its own set of rules—ones he needed to understand if he wanted to stay ahead.
His destination was an abandoned warehouse near the docks, a known neutral ground for various criminal factions. He had arranged a meeting through one of his informants—a fixer named Saul, who specialized in dealing with people who didn't want their names on record.
Alex arrived in a sleek black car, stepping out in a tailored suit that screamed money but not arrogance. He wasn't here to impress—just to make an impression.
Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with cigarette smoke. A handful of men sat around a poker table, barely looking up as he entered. Saul, a man in his forties with slicked-back hair and a scar running down his cheek, leaned back in his chair, lazily shuffling a deck of cards.
"You sure you wanna be here, kid?" Saul asked, his voice like gravel. "Gotham's not friendly to people who stick their noses where they don't belong."
Alex smiled, slipping into a chair across from him. "Lucky for me, I never take friendly advice."
The men chuckled, but there was tension in the air. They knew who he was. Aeternum Industries wasn't just some no-name company anymore.
Saul set the cards down. "So, what's a billionaire's little brother doing in a place like this?"
Alex leaned forward. "I need information. About the Court of Owls."
The laughter died instantly. The mood shifted from casual amusement to something much darker.
One of the men at the table—a burly guy with a thick beard—stiffened. "That's not a name you throw around lightly."
Saul exhaled through his nose, watching Alex carefully. "You got a death wish?"
Alex's eyes didn't waver. "I have a business to protect. And if the Court is interested in me, I need to know why."
Saul tapped the table rhythmically, considering. Then, he sighed. "You're lucky I like you, Kent. But this isn't some LexCorp boardroom feud. The Court doesn't play fair. They don't just kill you. They erase you."
Alex remained silent, waiting.
Saul finally relented. "They've been moving more openly lately. Quiet takeovers, backroom deals. If they're interested in you, that means you've become a variable in their plans. And trust me, they don't like variables."
Alex's mind raced. The Court had always operated in the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes. If they were taking an active interest in Aeternum, it meant they either saw him as a threat—or an asset to be controlled.
He stood. "Appreciate the warning."
Saul smirked. "You should. Most people don't get one."
As Alex turned to leave, Saul's voice stopped him.
"One last thing, Kent."
Alex glanced back.
"If the Court is watching you… it's not just them you need to worry about."
Alex frowned. "What do you mean?"
Saul's smirk faded. "Let's just say Gotham has bigger monsters lurking in its dark corners. And some of them don't like competition."
(Line break)
Gotham's Streets
Alex walked out of the warehouse, his mind already running through scenarios. If the Court of Owls was getting more aggressive, it meant they were no longer satisfied with operating purely in the shadows.
That meant two things.
One, they had grown desperate, which made them dangerous.
Two, they had already decided who in Gotham needed to be removed.
And Alex had no intention of being on that list.
He slipped into the driver's seat of his car and pulled out his phone, quickly typing a message to Evan:
"Double security on all active projects. If you notice any unusual interest from 'private investors,' assume hostile intent."
Evan's response was instant.
"Already ahead of you. Someone tried to bribe one of our R&D guys this morning. Thought you should know."
Alex tightened his grip on the steering wheel. It had started.
As he pulled onto the main road, a subtle itch ran down his spine. He wasn't alone.
His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. A black SUV, no headlights, keeping pace two cars back. Too careful to be a random tail.
Alex exhaled. Alright. Let's see how persistent you are.
Rather than speed up or take obvious evasive action, he took a longer route through Gotham's industrial district, winding through backroads. The SUV stayed with him, keeping a steady distance.
After five minutes, he had his answer: they weren't amateurs.
"Fine," he muttered, reaching into the glove compartment. He pulled out a small device—one of his own creations, a compact electromagnetic pulse generator designed to disable unshielded vehicles within a fifteen-meter radius.
He took a deep breath. One shot.
Slowing slightly, he let the SUV get closer. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he activated the device.
The moment the EMP pulse went off, the SUV's headlights flickered, and the engine sputtered. It swerved, tires skidding against the pavement before coming to a full stop.
Alex didn't stick around. He gunned the engine and vanished into the night.
One problem solved. For now.
The Court of Owls Moves
An hour later, Alex parked outside one of his secondary safehouses—a high-end apartment in Gotham's upper district. He needed time to process.
As he stepped inside, he locked the door behind him, reinforcing it with an advanced security system of his own design. He pulled off his jacket, tossing it onto the couch.
Then, he froze.
There was an envelope on the table.
It hadn't been there when he left.
Slowly, he approached it, his heartbeat steady despite the clear intrusion.
The envelope was plain, sealed with an elegant wax emblem—an owl's face.
Alex exhaled. So, they wanted to send a message.
He carefully opened it, revealing a single note:
"You are not beyond our grasp, Alexander Kent. Do not make an enemy of the Court."
He stared at the words, then smirked. "Too late for that."
(Line break)
Alex didn't need to check the apartment to know he was being watched. The Court of Owls wouldn't leave just a note; they were meticulous. If they had gone as far as breaking into one of his safehouses, then this was more than a warning—it was a challenge.
He pocketed the note and made his way to the small bar in the corner of the room. Casually, he poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling as he leaned against the counter.
Three seconds.
That's how long it took before he heard the faintest shift in the air. A whisper of fabric, the subtle sound of controlled breathing.
Alex sighed and took a sip. "You know, breaking into someone's home is bad manners," he said, his voice calm. "But I suppose assassins don't exactly care about etiquette."
Silence.
Then, from the shadows of the dimly lit apartment, a figure stepped forward.
A Talon.
The assassin wore the Court's signature mask, their form draped in dark armor that blended seamlessly with the night. Their movements were precise, controlled—utterly inhuman.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. You're here to reinforce the message?"
The Talon didn't speak. Instead, they lunged.
Alex barely had time to move before a blade whistled past his ear. He twisted, using the counter as a pivot to kick the assassin back, but the Talon absorbed the hit effortlessly, rolling into a crouch.
Fast. Strong. Conditioned beyond human limits.
And worst of all—they didn't stay down.
Alex didn't panic. He had expected this. The Court didn't just threaten people; they tested them. And this was his test.
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out one of his latest inventions—a concussive shock emitter.
It looked like a sleek, modified watch, but the moment Alex twisted the dial, a pulse of concentrated kinetic force erupted outward.
The Talon took the hit directly, their body flung back into the wall with a heavy THUD.
But even as Alex watched, the assassin stood back up.
The Talon cocked their head, as if analyzing him, then stepped forward again.
Alex exhaled. So that's how it is.
"Alright," he muttered, setting his drink down. "Let's see how much punishment you can actually take."
The Unkillable Assassin
Talon didn't hesitate, launching into another assault. This time, Alex didn't just dodge—he adapted. He had seen enough of their movements to recognize the patterns. They were highly trained, but there was something off about them.
No hesitation. No signs of fatigue.
As if they weren't entirely… human.
Alex feinted left, then activated another device hidden in his sleeve—a micro-drone injector.
The moment the Talon got close, he pressed it against their armor. There was no visible reaction, but Alex knew the microscopic nanites were already working, transmitting real-time biological data to his HUD.
And what he saw confirmed his suspicions.
Regeneration. Beyond normal human capability. Enhanced metabolic structure. Signs of necrotic reanimation.
He frowned. They're not just trained assassins. They're reanimated corpses.
That complicated things.
"You guys really don't stay dead, do you?" Alex muttered, sidestepping another attack.
He needed to change tactics. Direct combat wasn't the solution.
Instead, he activated his electromagnetic disruptor.
A high-frequency pulse emitted from his palm, scrambling the neural signals of anything within five feet. The Talon staggered, their body momentarily unresponsive.
Alex didn't waste time. He grabbed a high-impact charge from his belt and slammed it into the assassin's chest before detonating it.
The Talon was sent crashing through the window.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then, Alex walked to the broken glass, looking down at the street below.
No sign of the Talon.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. Of course, they survived.
The Court Leaves a Mark
Alex turned back to the apartment, only to see something new.
Etched into the wall, just above where the Talon had landed, was a symbol.
An owl.
It hadn't been there before.
His expression darkened. They weren't just sending a warning. This was a declaration.
The Court wasn't done with him.
And now, he wasn't done with them either.
(Line break)
Alex took a steady breath, surveying the damage to his apartment. The broken window let in the cold Gotham air, rustling the curtains as glass shards crunched beneath his boots.
The Court of Owls had escalated.
They hadn't just left a warning; they had sent one of their undead enforcers to kill him—or at least test him. Either way, they had marked him.
Alex retrieved his phone and dialed a secure number. A single ring before the other end picked up.
"You got rid of the body?" he asked, still staring at the owl symbol carved into his wall.
Evan Drake's voice came through, calm as ever. "What body? The Talon disappeared before I got there."
Of course.
Alex exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Check the usual spots. They're probably back in their little hidey-hole, licking their wounds."
"You do realize they don't exactly 'lick wounds,' right? These guys don't die properly," Evan replied dryly. "You're lucky they didn't send more than one."
Alex glanced at the owl symbol again. "They will. This was a test."
Evan sighed. "Then what's the plan?"
Alex didn't respond immediately. He turned, looking over his apartment one last time. The fight had been short but costly. A Talon breaking into his safehouse meant nowhere was truly secure.
That meant he needed to change the game.
"I'll deal with them," he said finally. "But I need information first. The Court operates in Gotham's shadows, which means I need someone who knows those shadows better than anyone else."
Evan picked up on the implication. "You're going to see him, aren't you?"
Alex smirked. "You say that like I have a choice."
A Visit to the Bat
Wayne Manor.
Most people saw it as an old, aristocratic estate—untouchable, distant, a symbol of Gotham's elite. But Alex knew better.
Underneath the wealth, the prestige, and the carefully crafted image of Bruce Wayne, there was a war machine.
And right now, Alex needed it.
He bypassed the main road leading to the manor, instead following a hidden path through the woods. It led to a lesser-known entrance, one that Bruce had used during his younger days before upgrading to more sophisticated escape routes.
As expected, the moment he approached, the ground beneath his feet shifted.
A trap.
Alex moved fast, rolling forward just as three automated turrets emerged from concealed panels in the trees.
"He really doesn't trust anyone, huh?"
Instead of dodging further, Alex raised his arm, activating his counter-frequency device.
The turrets flickered, momentarily confused by the disrupted signal. A small opening—but enough.
Before they could readjust, Alex reached into his belt and tossed a neural scrambler.
The moment it hit the ground, the turrets deactivated.
Silence.
Then—
"Impressive," a voice called out from the shadows.
Alex turned, his smirk widening. "You say that like you weren't watching the whole time, Bruce."
From the trees, Batman emerged.
The dark silhouette of Gotham's protector was imposing, even in the dim moonlight. His cape barely moved, his stance perfect—calculated.
But his eyes were the real danger. They scanned Alex like a machine, processing every movement, every breath, every possible weakness.
"You shouldn't be here," Batman said, his voice as cold as ever.
"And yet, here I am," Alex replied smoothly. "Don't worry, I didn't come to fight. I need information."
Batman didn't move. "About?"
Alex took a step closer. "The Court of Owls."
A flicker of something—recognition.
Batman didn't respond immediately, but Alex had already seen the subtle tension in his shoulders. The Court was one of the few things that even Gotham's Dark Knight respected as a true threat.
"You don't want to get involved with them," Batman finally said.
Alex chuckled. "Yeah, well, I didn't exactly have a choice. They already made the first move."
Batman's expression didn't change, but Alex knew the gears were turning. He wasn't dismissing this. He was analyzing.
After a long pause, Batman turned. "Follow me."
Into the Batcave
The hidden entrance beneath Wayne Manor was just as Alex remembered—sleek, high-tech, intimidatingly efficient.
The moment they entered, the Batcomputer came to life.
"Hmm. You upgraded since the last time I was here," Alex noted, glancing at the new interface.
Batman ignored the comment and brought up a holographic map of Gotham. Several red zones lit up across the city.
"The Court has existed for centuries," Batman said. "They control Gotham's elite from the shadows, manipulating everything from business to politics. But recently, they've become more… aggressive."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "You think something changed?"
Batman zoomed in on one particular sector of Gotham.
"Their movements suggest a shift in leadership. They're taking bolder actions, eliminating targets they would have previously left alone."
Alex crossed his arms. "And now they're testing me."
Batman looked at him. "They don't test people unless they see potential."
The unspoken implication hung in the air.
The Court saw Alex as someone they could either control—or eliminate.
Alex exhaled. "Great. So, any ideas on how to make them back off?"
Batman didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled up another screen—this time showing an image of a masked figure.
A different Talon.
"This one has been spotted multiple times over the past month," Batman said. "Unlike the others, he operates independently. No confirmed kills, but multiple disappearances linked to him."
Alex studied the image. Something felt off.
"This guy isn't like the others, is he?"
Batman shook his head. "I don't think so. He's moving too carefully. Almost like he's searching for something."
Alex smirked. "Or someone."
The pieces were starting to fit.
The Court wasn't just sending threats anymore. They were actively hunting.
Which meant Alex had less time than he thought.
The Next Move
Alex leaned against the Batcomputer, deep in thought.
The Court of Owls wasn't going away. They had marked him, sent assassins after him, and were now making moves across Gotham that even Batman was tracking.
That meant there were two options.
1. He could lay low, avoid provoking them further, and let Batman deal with it.
2. Or… he could flip the board.
Alex smiled to himself. The answer was obvious.
He turned to Batman. "You know, I was hoping to take things slow with Aeternum Industries. Let my company grow at its own pace."
Batman watched him, silent.
"But now," Alex continued, his smirk sharpening, "I think it's time to make some big moves. If the Court wants to play in the shadows, let's drag them into the light."
Batman's eyes narrowed. "That's dangerous."
Alex grinned. "So am I."
The war had officially begun.
(Line break)
The Batcave's dim glow illuminated Alex's face as he stared at the holographic map of Gotham. The Court of Owls was a cancer that had embedded itself deep into the city, and if Alex wanted to survive, he had to be smarter than them.
"I assume you already have a plan," Batman said, his voice neutral but sharp.
Alex grinned. "I have an idea. I need to draw them out, force them to show their hand. And what better way than to threaten what they value most?"
Batman's eyes narrowed. "You're going after their resources."
"Exactly."
Alex tapped the Batcomputer's interface, pulling up Gotham's corporate infrastructure—a web of companies, subsidiaries, and hidden shell organizations. Batman had already mapped many of them, but Alex zoomed in on a particular set of entities.
"These three companies," Alex pointed, "are all owned by different firms, but if you trace their financial records far enough, they lead back to the same handful of investors—ones that don't technically exist."
Batman crossed his arms. "The Court's front companies."
Alex nodded. "They use these businesses to launder money, move assets, and fund their Talons. If we cut them off—"
"They'll be forced to respond," Batman finished.
But his expression remained unreadable.
"This is dangerous," Batman warned. "The Court doesn't play fair. If you do this, they'll come after you directly."
Alex smirked. "They already did."
Batman studied him for a long moment, then exhaled. "What's your plan?"
Alex's grin widened.
It was time to go on the offensive.
Three hours later, Alex stood on the rooftop of GothCorp Holdings.
It was one of the Court's primary money-laundering operations—posing as an investment firm but really funneling billions into black-market deals, weapons procurement, and political bribery.
Taking it down wouldn't just cost the Court money—it would send a message.
Alex adjusted his disruption gloves—one of his personal inventions. They allowed him to disable electronic security systems without triggering alarms.
With a flick of his wrist, the building's CCTV feeds glitched.
He was in.
Sliding down the fire escape, Alex landed softly on the 28th floor balcony. A quick override of the electronic lock, and he was inside.
The office was empty, as expected.
But the data inside wasn't.
Alex moved quickly, pulling out a data extraction device and plugging it into the server.
"Come on…" he muttered, watching the progress bar.
75%...
82%...
Then—
A soft click echoed behind him.
Alex didn't turn immediately. He knew that sound.
A silenced pistol.
"You really shouldn't be here," a deep voice rumbled.
Slowly, Alex raised his hands and turned—facing a man dressed in a tailored black suit, wearing a smooth white owl mask.
A Court of Owls operative.
The man aimed his gun at Alex's chest. "We don't appreciate—"
Alex moved.
Before the operative could finish his sentence, Alex flicked his wrist launcher.
A small EMP dart shot out, hitting the pistol. Instantly, the weapon short-circuited, sending a jolt of energy through the man's hand.
He cursed, staggering back.
Alex lunged forward, striking fast and hard. A precise hit to the throat, followed by a sweep kick.
The operative went down.
Alex grabbed him by the collar. "Tell your masters that Gotham isn't theirs to control."
The man coughed, laughing weakly. "You don't get it… do you?"
Alex frowned. "What?"
The man grinned beneath his mask. "You're already too late."
Suddenly—
The entire floor shook.
An explosion rocked the building.
Alex barely had time to react as the windows shattered, fire and debris tearing through the office.
"Shit!"
He dove behind a desk as the shockwave knocked everything over. The Court had just destroyed their own facility.
Alex narrowed his eyes.
They weren't just covering their tracks.
They were sending a message.
Twenty minutes later, Alex crouched in an alleyway three blocks away, watching the burning skyscraper.
The police and fire department had already arrived, but Alex knew the truth—there would be no evidence left.
The Court had erased everything.
Batman's voice crackled in his earpiece. "That was reckless."
Alex sighed. "Yeah, well, it was worth a shot."
"And what did you learn?" Batman asked.
Alex's jaw tightened.
"The Court isn't just reacting," he said. "They're planning something big. And I just put myself right in their crosshairs."
Silence.
Then Batman spoke. "Then you better be ready for what comes next."
Alex exhaled, staring at the burning wreckage.
He was counting on it.
(Line break)
Alex made his way back to his safe house in Gotham, slipping through the city's dark alleys with practiced ease. His mind raced. The Court of Owls had been willing to blow up their own assets just to keep their secrets hidden. That meant they were desperate—and desperation made people dangerous.
As he entered his hidden lab beneath an abandoned warehouse, he immediately activated his monitoring systems.
A wall of holographic screens flickered to life, displaying live feeds, intercepted communications, and Gotham's underground networks.
"Let's see what you're hiding," Alex muttered as he began decrypting the stolen data.
Lines of code scrolled past, revealing financial transactions, encrypted messages, and hidden meeting logs.
Then, something caught his eye.
A location.
Blackgate Prison.
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Why would the Court be interested in Blackgate?"
Before he could dig further, his security system flashed red.
INTRUSION DETECTED.
Alex spun around—just as his defensive turrets activated.
The warehouse door exploded inward.
And stepping through the smoke—
A Talon.
A Deadly Encounter
The assassin moved without a sound.
Alex barely had time to activate his kinetic armor before the Talon lunged.
A dagger slashed toward his throat.
Alex dodged, feeling the blade graze his shoulder.
"You guys really don't take rejection well," Alex quipped, backpedaling as he grabbed a pulse grenade from his belt.
He threw it at the Talon—
BOOM!
The concussive blast sent the assassin staggering backward.
Alex didn't waste time. He activated his magnetic gauntlets, sending a wave of electromagnetic force that pulled the Talon's weapons straight from his hands.
The assassin didn't hesitate.
In one fluid motion, the Talon pulled a second blade from his boot and charged again.
"Persistent bastard," Alex muttered.
He activated his wrist-mounted taser, meeting the Talon's attack head-on.
Their blades clashed—sparks flying.
Alex twisted, using his enhanced reflexes to duck beneath a swing before driving his taser into the Talon's ribs.
A surge of electricity shot through the assassin's body.
For a moment, the Talon froze.
Then—
He started moving again.
Alex's eyes widened. "You're kidding me."
The Talon ripped the taser from his side, unaffected.
His body was already healing.
"Of course, super regeneration," Alex muttered. "Because fighting an undead assassin wasn't hard enough."
The Talon smirked beneath his mask.
Then he attacked again.
Alex knew he couldn't win in a prolonged fight because the other Talon's would soon come. The Talon's healing factor meant that even the best strikes wouldn't keep him down for long.
He needed a way out.
Glancing at his console, Alex saw the decryption was at 92%.
"Just a little longer…"
The Talon came at him faster.
Alex sidestepped, grabbing a flash charge from his belt and slamming it against the ground.
A blinding light filled the room.
The Talon recoiled—just for a second.
But a second was all Alex needed.
He sprinted toward his console, grabbed the hard drive, and activated his emergency exit.
The floor beneath him opened, and he dropped down into a hidden tunnel—just as the Talon lunged again.
Alex landed hard, rolling as he hit the underground passageway.
He didn't stop moving.
Above him, he could hear the Talon tearing through the floor.
"Time to go," Alex muttered, pulling out a remote detonator.
He pressed the button.
BOOM!
The warehouse collapsed behind him, sealing the tunnel.
Alex exhaled.
That should buy him some time.
But he knew one thing for sure—the Court of Owls wasn't holding back anymore.
Alex arrived at Wayne Manor an hour later.
Batman was already waiting.
"You were followed," Bruce said.
Alex sighed. "I know. I dealt with it."
Batman studied him. "You encountered a Talon."
"Yeah. Almost got my ass handed to me." Alex tossed the hard drive onto the Batcomputer. "But I got this before they showed up."
Batman plugged it in, his expression unreadable as the data loaded.
Then, his eyes narrowed.
Alex frowned. "What is it?"
Bruce turned to face him.
"They're planning a breakout at Blackgate."
Alex's heart dropped.
A breakout? That meant—
"Who?" he asked.
Batman's voice was grim.
"Every high-profile criminal in Gotham."
Alex clenched his fists.
The Court of Owls wasn't just covering their tracks.
They were starting a war.
(Line break)
Alex exhaled sharply as he ran a hand through his hair. A mass breakout at Blackgate? That meant Gotham was about to descend into absolute chaos.
Batman's expression was unreadable, but Alex could see the tension in his stance. He was already planning his next ten moves.
"How soon?" Alex asked, stepping toward the Batcomputer.
Bruce didn't hesitate. "Within the next twenty-four hours."
Alex muttered a curse. "That's not a lot of time."
Bruce pulled up surveillance feeds of Blackgate's security system.
"The Court of Owls has been infiltrating the prison's infrastructure for months. They've overridden fail-safes, bribed guards, and installed their own people inside. When the signal goes out—every cell door opens at once."
Alex crossed his arms. "Who's inside right now?"
The list wasn't pretty.
Killer Croc
Firefly
Victor Zsasz
Deadshot
Bane (in solitary)
Multiple high-level enforcers from Gotham's biggest gangs
Alex let out a slow breath. "Great. So it's not just a prison break—it's a full-blown power shift in Gotham's underworld.*"
Batman nodded. "The Court isn't just releasing them. They're choosing who gets out first—and who gets eliminated in the chaos."
Alex smirked. "Let me guess—anyone who isn't useful to them gets 'accidentally' left behind?"
Bruce tapped a file. "Or executed during the breakout."
Alex clenched his fists. The Court wasn't just starting a war—they were engineering it.
Alex walked to the Batcave's armory, scanning the high-tech gadgets and weapons.
He wasn't going to rely on his powers for this. Not against the Court.
Instead, he pulled out:
A compact EMP device (to disable security doors)
Shockwave gauntlets (enhanced with kinetic force tech)
A portable cloaking field (short-range invisibility for 30 seconds)
A collapsible plasma baton (for close combat)
Hacked access keys (to override Blackgate's digital locks)
He strapped on his reinforced tactical suit, custom-designed to withstand both bullets and blades.
As he fastened his gauntlets, he saw Bruce watching him.
"You're sure you can handle this without using your powers?"
Alex smirked. "Please. You think I'd pass up a chance to beat Gotham's worst with pure skill?"
Bruce said nothing—but there was the faintest hint of approval in his eyes.
Midnight.
Blackgate Prison loomed like a fortress, surrounded by stormy waves crashing against the cliffs.
On the rooftop across from the prison, Alex crouched next to Batman, gazing through his tactical scope.
"Security looks normal," Alex muttered. "Too normal."
Batman's eyes narrowed. "That's because they're already inside."
"Then let's crash the party."
Batman fired his grapple gun.
Alex followed.
They soared through the stormy night—straight into the heart of the chaos.
(Line break)
GotInside Blackgate
POV: Alexander Kent
Alex moved like a shadow through the prison corridors. No powers. No supernatural tricks. Just pure skill and technology.
He adjusted his grip on the small EMP disruptor in his palm, feeling its smooth, cold metal casing.
Batman was ahead of him, his cape barely making a sound as they advanced.
They had already taken out three groups of compromised guards, neutralizing them before they could trigger the mass breakout.
But now…
They had reached solitary confinement.
"The Court wouldn't break out just anyone," Alex whispered, scanning the reinforced cells. "They have a plan."
Batman responded with a slight nod. "We need to know who they're after."
The first high-security cell came into view.
Inside, sitting against the wall, was a massive figure—muscles coiled like steel cables, his breathing controlled.
Bane.
Alex felt a wave of irritation hit him. "Of course it's Bane."
The man looked up, his scarred lips curling into a slow grin.⁹
"Ah… the Detective. And his… new accomplice." His deep voice rumbled through the reinforced glass.
Alex smirked. "Accomplice? I like to think of myself as a very annoying problem."
Before Bane could reply, the alarms blared.
A deep rumbling shook the prison.
The riot had begun.
West Wing – The Joker's Play
POV: The Joker
"Ohhh, the show's starting early!"
Joker twirled on his heel, stepping over an unconscious guard like he was dancing on a ballroom floor.
The lights flickered red as the sirens screamed.
"Tick-tock, tick-tock," he hummed. "And here I was thinking I'd have to wait for Batsy to show up before the fireworks began!"
Harley giggled beside him, twirling a stolen keyring around her fingers. "Puddin', this is too easy. What kinda prison lets us out without so much as a 'pretty please'?"
Joker's grin stretched unnaturally wide.
"Oh, my dear Harley, that's because some people want us out."
His eyes gleamed.
"But lucky for them, I don't take orders."
Harley gasped, putting a hand to her chest. "You mean we ain't gonna play nice with our new friends?"
Joker pouted. "Harls, have I ever played nice?"
Then his smile sharpened.
"But first things first! Let's see if we can't make this night a little more… entertaining."
He pulled out a small detonator and flipped the switch.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the entire facility.
"Joker," Alex muttered, his mind racing.
Batman's jaw tightened. "We split up. Find him before he turns this riot into a massacre."
Alex nodded. "On it."
He tapped his belt, activating his stealth mode, and vanished into the chaos.
(Line break)
Alex sprinted through the collapsing corridor, his mind racing.
Joker's bomb had done more than just break walls.
It had triggered the worst-case scenario.
Cells were opening.
Inmates were flooding the halls.
And worst of all— Joker was loose.
"Figures." Alex muttered, dodging past two escaping prisoners.
Ahead, a squad of security officers was desperately trying to hold the line, their tasers and riot gear barely slowing down the more dangerous inmates.
Alex tapped the control pad on his wrist.
"Time to be useful."
He tossed a small metal sphere into the air.
With a soft hum, the device activated.
A sudden burst of electromagnetic energy pulsed outward, shutting down the prison's hacked security doors.
"That should slow them down."
One of the officers turned, his face drenched in sweat. "Who—what the hell are you?!"
Alex gave him a mock salute. "Your best chance at making it out of here in one piece. Now move!"
They didn't argue.
Deep Inside
POV: Unknown Talon Operative
In the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes observed the chaos.
The plan was working.
The riot was a distraction.
The real mission? Bane and the others.
The Court's best assassin—a Talon only known as Shade—moved like a ghost, his black armor blending into the dim corridors.
The League of Assassins had its methods.
The Joker had his insanity.
But the Court?
The Court played the long game.
And tonight, they would claim their prize.
West Wing
POV: The Joker
Joker cackled as he skipped down the halls, twirling a stolen baton.
"Oh, I do love a good jailbreak!"
Prisoners screamed, officers shouted, and smoke filled the air.
Harley, still wearing the guard's stolen hat, blew a kiss. "Puddin', where to next?"
Joker spun dramatically.
"Well, my dear, I do believe we should pay our dear friends a visit!"
Harley clapped. "Ohhh, you mean the ones who thought they could boss you around?"
Joker grinned wider.
"Exactly. And we must be such gracious guests!"
With that, he reached into his coat and pulled out two more explosives.
Time for round two.
POV: Alex
Alex barely had time to react before he felt it—
A shadow moving faster than a normal human.
He dodged just in time to avoid a blade slicing through the air.
A Talon.
"Of course the Court's involved," Alex thought grimly.
The assassin landed soundlessly, his glowing yellow eyes unreadable behind his mask.
"You do not belong here," the Talon said.
Alex smirked. "Neither do you, buddy. But here we are."
The Talon attacked again.
Alex activated his combat gauntlets, parrying the strike just in time.
He didn't have powers right now.
But that didn't mean he was helpless.
(Line break)
POV: Alexander Kent
Alex barely dodged another slash from the Talon's blade, feeling the sharp air pressure against his cheek.
The assassin was fast. Too fast.
Even without using his Beyonder abilities, Alex had trained his body to near perfection. But these guys? They weren't normal.
"Damn undead assassins."
He activated his combat visor, analyzing the Talon's movements.
The moment the Talon lunged again, Alex sidestepped, twisting his body in a calculated movement.
The assassin's blade scraped against his reinforced suit, barely missing his ribs.
Strike. Counter. Dodge. Repeat.
It was a deadly dance.
Alex needed an opening.
His hand slipped into his belt, grabbing a modified shock grenade.
"Hope this works."
He threw it at the ground, where it exploded in a silent EMP pulse.
For a brief moment, the Talon froze.
Not long—but just enough.
Alex launched himself forward, slamming an electrified knuckle-duster into the Talon's chest.
The assassin stumbled back, stunned.
"That should keep him down... for a few seconds."
He wasn't going to waste them.
Elsewhere –
POV: Batman (Bruce Wayne)
From his perch on the upper walkway, Batman watched the riot unfold.
Joker was loose.
The League of Assassins was involved.
And now, the Court of Owls?
Gotham's worst all in one night.
"This is getting out of control."
His cowl's scanners locked onto the most immediate threat— Joker and Harley, making their way to the maximum-security wing.
"No. Not happening."
With a flick of his wrist, Batman grappled forward, dropping down like a shadow.
The moment his boots hit the ground, the air shifted.
The inmates froze.
Then—chaos.
Batman moved like a storm, taking out three criminals before they even reacted.
A strike to the throat. A disabling kick to the knee. A brutal elbow to the temple.
All unconscious.
Joker turned, grinning ear to ear.
"Batsy! Just in time!"
Batman didn't stop moving.
He was already on Joker, throwing a punch aimed at his smug face.
Joker twisted away, laughing.
"Oh, don't be so rough, Bats! We're all just having fun here!"
Batman wasn't in the mood for games.
He grabbed Joker by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
The riot was ending.
Right now.
Back to Alex –
POV: Alexander Kent
Alex sprinted down the hallway, Talon still chasing him.
The assassin had recovered faster than expected.
"Okay, Plan B."
Alex ducked into a side corridor, pulling out his wrist communicator.
"Evan, tell me you got the exit ready."
Static. Then—
["It's up. But you have maybe sixty seconds before everything goes to hell."]
"Typical."
Alex vaulted over a railing, landing in the prison's lower levels.
The Talon followed, moving like a shadow.
Alex turned—pulling a compact baton from his belt.
"Alright, buddy," he said. "Let's wrap this up."
(Line break)
Blackgate Prison –
POV: Alexander Kent
Alex swung his baton, aiming for the Talon's ribs.
The assassin blocked with unnatural speed, twisting the blade in a counter-strike.
Alex barely dodged.
This was getting annoying.
"Y'know," Alex muttered as he sidestepped another strike, "I really respect your whole 'silent killer' aesthetic, but don't you guys ever take a break?"
The Talon lunged again.
Alex pivoted, grabbing a smoke pellet from his belt and slamming it against the ground.
A thick cloud engulfed the hallway.
Using the cover, Alex backflipped over a set of fallen debris, distancing himself from the assassin.
Thirty seconds left until Evan's exit plan kicked in.
POV: Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Joker was on the floor, laughing, one of his ribs most likely fractured.
Harley swung her bat.
Batman caught it mid-air.
With a twist, he ripped it from her grip and sent her crashing into the nearest table.
She groaned, half-conscious.
The remaining inmates?
They weren't willing to test him.
The riot was done.
But Batman's night wasn't over.
His cowl's scanners picked up Alex's fight with the Talon.
"Damn it."
Batman fired his grappling hook, launching toward Alex's location.
["Alex, door's open. You have ten seconds before security locks down everything."]
"Got it."
The Talon rushed through the smoke.
Alex ducked, pivoted, and drove his baton into the assassin's knee.
The undead killer stumbled, just for a second.
Enough.
Alex turned and ran, dashing toward the emergency exit.
He slid through the doorway just as the security lockdown initiated, trapping the Talon behind a reinforced door.
"Perfect timing."
(Line break)
POV: Unnamed Court of Owls Member
Deep beneath Gotham, in the hidden chambers of the Court of Owls, an emergency meeting was held.
A dozen figures sat in a dimly lit circular hall, their white owl masks gleaming under the chandelier's cold light.
A holographic display showed Alex Kent's face, captured from a Blackgate security feed.
"This child," one of the masked figures scoffed. "You're telling me a child fought one of our Talons and lived?"
"He did more than just live," another said. "He defeated a Talon."
A murmur spread through the room.
"That shouldn't be possible," an elder member spoke, voice filled with restrained anger. "And yet, here we are."
"Who is he, truly?"
The question hung in the air.
"We know he runs Aeternum Industries—a new technological upstart."
"He has ties to the Kents," another voice added. "That means Superman."
A pause.
Silence.
Then, a colder voice spoke.
"No... If Superman were protecting him, he wouldn't have been alone in that prison."
"Then who trained him?"
"Who is backing him?"
The leader of the Court stood.
"We find out. And if he's a threat?"
A long silence.
Then—
"We remove him."
Aeternum Safehouse – Planning the Next Move
POV: Alexander Kent
Alex stood over the holographic map in his safehouse.
Evan and Dr. Lena Vasquez stood nearby, watching him with concern.
"You're making that face again," Evan said.
"What face?" Alex asked without looking up.
"The 'I just pissed off an ancient secret society, and I'm planning something reckless' face."
Alex smirked.
"Ah. That face."
Evan sighed. "I hate that face."
Lena adjusted her glasses. "What's the plan?"
Alex zoomed in on Blackgate's layout.
"The Court of Owls clearly has operations there," he said. "And if they've noticed me, they'll come looking."
"You don't seem... worried?" Lena raised an eyebrow.
Alex leaned back.
"I am," he admitted. "But being worried doesn't change anything. Preparing does."
Evan crossed his arms. "So? What's the next move?"
Alex's gaze turned sharp.
"We go hunting."
Lena blinked. "You're going after them?"
"Of course," Alex said. "They're expecting me to hide. That's what any sane person would do."
Evan sighed.
"You're not sane, are you?"
Alex grinned.
"Absolutely not."
Wayne Manor –
POV: Bruce Wayne (Batman)
Bruce sat in the Batcave, eyes flicking across the data on his monitor.
Alexander Kent.
Who are you?
The footage from Blackgate played on repeat.
A normal young man—but far too skilled for someone with no official training.
Bruce tapped his fingers against the desk.
Clark's brother.
But not a Kryptonian.
So what are you?
Alfred approached with a cup of tea.
"You're obsessing again, Master Wayne."
Bruce exhaled. "I need to know what I'm dealing with."
Alfred glanced at the screen. "Perhaps... it's time you simply ask him?"
Bruce's jaw tightened.
That wasn't his way.
Instead, he'd watch.
Observe.
And when the time came...
He'd get his answers.
(Line break)
POV: Alexander Kent
Aeternum Industries' Gotham branch had been modified overnight.
On the surface, it was a sleek, up-and-coming tech company.
But beneath the polished exterior, it had become a fortress.
Alex stood in the central command room, where multiple holographic displays tracked Gotham's major power players.
On one screen: LexCorp.
On another: Wayne Enterprises.
And now?
A new addition.
The Court of Owls.
Evan entered the room, arms crossed. "Alright, I'll bite. How the hell do we fight this?"
Alex didn't look away from the screens. "We don't fight them directly."
Lena, adjusting her glasses, frowned. "Then what do we do?"
Alex zoomed in on a map of Gotham.
"We make them fight each other."
The First Strike
The plan was simple in concept—but incredibly dangerous.
Step one: Expose the Court's influence to the public.
Step two: Use their enemies against them.
Step three: Burn them from the shadows.
Alex sent carefully fabricated 'leaks' to various groups across Gotham—criminal syndicates, the GCPD, even Wayne Enterprises.
He made sure every lead pointed to one undeniable fact:
The Court of Owls was real.
And they had powerful enemies.
Within hours, panic spread through the underworld.
"You just declared war," Evan muttered.
Alex smirked. "No, I just gave the truth a push. They declared war the moment they came after me."
Lena exhaled. "And now?"
Alex's eyes glinted.
"Now, we wait for the storm."
Meanwhile –
POV: Bruce Wayne (Batman)
Bruce stared at the reports flooding in.
Someone—someone clever—was pulling strings from the shadows.
The Court of Owls, a whispered legend in Gotham, was suddenly exposed.
That wasn't coincidence.
Someone had orchestrated this.
And Bruce had a very strong suspicion who.
He closed the Batcomputer, standing.
"Time for a conversation," he muttered.
(Line break)
POV: Alexander Kent
Inside the secure conference room of Aeternum Industries, Alex watched the chaos unfold.
The fabricated leaks had spread like wildfire.
The Court of Owls was exposed—even if only partially.
And the sharks in Gotham's underworld?
They were circling.
Lena paced, arms crossed. "The GCPD's gotten wind of this too. Gordon's treating it seriously, but you know how Gotham works—"
"They'll bury it," Evan finished. "Unless someone forces their hand."
Alex smirked. "That's where our next move comes in."
A file landed on the table.
It contained real evidence—things the Court had worked centuries to keep hidden.
Murders. Corrupt officials. Even records of Wayne family members who had ties to the Court.
Evan whistled low. "You're really going for the throat, huh?"
Lena adjusted her glasses. "And what happens when the Court figures out this is coming from us?"
Alex leaned back in his chair.
"They already know."
Wayne Manor
POV: Bruce Wayne (Batman)
The Batcave was silent, except for the steady hum of the Batcomputer.
Bruce scrolled through the latest data.
Every lead pointed to one person.
Alexander Kent.
A teenager. A businessman. A prodigy.
And now?
A player in Gotham's deadliest game.
Bruce's jaw tightened.
He had seen the signs before—Lex, Ra's, even Joker.
People who thought they could control Gotham.
None of them understood the city like he did.
None of them belonged here.
His hands tightened into fists.
It was time to intervene.
The Court Moves
POV: ??? (Court of Owls Member)
In the heart of Gotham's oldest district, a secret gathering took place.
The Illuminated Ones—the Court of Owls—sat in shadows, their white masks gleaming in the dim candlelight.
"The boy has overstepped."
"He has made a mockery of our secrecy."
"He must be silenced."
A voice, deep and commanding, cut through the whispers.
"No."
The others turned to face him.
"We do not simply kill him. That would be too easy. Too… expected."
A slow smile spread beneath the mask.
"First, we remind him who truly owns Gotham."
(Line break)
POV: Alexander Kent
The attack came at dawn.
Alex had anticipated retaliation, but the Court of Owls didn't hesitate.
His penthouse in Gotham? Gone. A controlled demolition disguised as a "gas leak explosion."
His underground safe house? Compromised. Security footage showed masked figures dismantling his defenses with surgical precision.
But the worst part?
They didn't go after him directly.
Instead, they went for his company.
Aeternum Industries woke up to police raids, IRS investigations, and legal battles appearing out of nowhere.
Alex stood inside his temporary office, watching the news unfold.
"Aeternum Industries—Promising Startup or Criminal Empire?"
He exhaled sharply. "Tch. These guys don't waste time."
Evan slammed a report onto the desk. "Half our assets are frozen. If we don't push back, they'll cripple us before we even fight back."
Lena adjusted her glasses. "They're making an example of us. They want Gotham to see that no one challenges the Court and wins."
Alex smiled. It wasn't a happy smile.
"They made one mistake."
Evan raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
"They thought I'd play fair."
POV: Batman
Perched on a rooftop, Batman overlooked the Aeternum Tower.
He had spent all night reviewing Alexander Kent's activities.
The boy was too smart, too fast, and too prepared for someone his age.
Something was off.
And now, the Court of Owls had made their move.
Bruce's instincts screamed at him—this wasn't just business.
This was a war.
He activated his communicator.
"Oracle, get me everything on Aeternum's legal team. Who's pulling the strings behind this crackdown?"
A pause. Then Barbara's voice came through.
"It's bad, B. The Court isn't using their usual proxies. They're using Wayne-affiliated lawyers. This is a power move."
Bruce's eyes narrowed.
That meant they wanted him to see it.
A direct challenge.
"Keep digging. If the Court thinks they can use me as a shield, they're mistaken."
POV: ??? (Talon)
From the shadows of an abandoned cathedral, a figure watched.
A Talon.
The Court's deadliest weapon.
His mission?
Eliminate Alexander Kent.
Tonight.
No mistakes.
No survivors.
The Court had spoken.
POV: Talon
The rooftop was silent. The cold Gotham air carried the distant echoes of sirens, but up here, in the darkness, there was only the prey.
Alexander Kent stood near the edge, his back turned, as if completely unaware of the predator lurking just behind him.
Perfect.
Talon moved, silent as death. His dagger, coated with a special neurotoxin, gleamed under the moonlight. One clean stab to the spine, and it would be over.
He lunged.
And then—
A hand shot out.
It wasn't a dodge. It wasn't a block.
Alex thrust his arm backward with sheer brute force.
Flesh, muscle, and bone shattered instantly.
Talon jerked, his mouth opening in a silent scream.
A horrible wet sound filled the air—
Alex's bare fist had pierced straight through his chest.
His fingers burst out from the assassin's back, covered in blood and crushed remnants of a ribcage.
Talon's dagger clattered to the ground.
His body twitched violently.
His mind screamed to escape—but it was already too late.
Alex ripped his arm free.
Blood sprayed across the rooftop as Talon collapsed lifelessly.
[Black Emperor Pathway – Sequence 8: Barbarian]
Alex flexed his fingers. His hand was covered in blood, but not a single bone in his body had fractured from the impact.
The sheer raw power of his new Sequence made him feel like a walking demigod.
He hadn't even needed to use technique.
Just pure, overwhelming strength.
"I barely even put effort into that," he murmured. "And he still popped like a balloon."
His Barbarian digestion was accelerating. If this continued, Sequence 7 wouldn't be far off.
POV: Batman
Hidden in the darkness, Bruce Wayne's mind raced.
He had already prepared to intervene the moment he saw Talon move.
But then—Alex moved first.
And Bruce froze.
That wasn't just superhuman strength.
That was something else.
This wasn't combat skill or trained lethality.
This was raw, unnatural might.
Bruce's jaw tightened.
Alex Kent was hiding a lot.
(Line break)
POV: Batman
From his vantage point, Bruce Wayne remained absolutely still. His mind processed every frame of what had just happened.
Talon—one of the Court of Owls' most elite assassins—had been obliterated in a single motion.
There was no technique, no advanced martial arts involved.
Just a simple thrust of Alex's arm.
And it had torn through bone, muscle, and flesh like paper.
Bruce had spent his entire career analyzing metahumans, aliens, and enhanced individuals.
But this?
This was not normal.
Kryptonians didn't fight like that.
Even Superman, with all his power, never used his strength in such a direct, brutal manner.
And Alex… he didn't even seem fazed by what he had done.
Bruce narrowed his eyes.
This isn't just natural strength.
Something had changed in Alex Kent. Something unnatural.
Bruce had to find out what.
POV: Alex Kent
Alex stared down at the lifeless corpse of Talon, blood still dripping from his fingertips.
He clenched his hand into a fist.
His strength had increased far beyond what he anticipated.
"Sequence 8 Barbarian…" he mused internally.
This wasn't just strength. His entire physical structure had evolved. His bones felt like steel. His muscles barely fatigued. His body was now built for war.
And this was only Sequence 8.
A sharp gust of wind blew across the rooftop, dispersing the thick scent of blood.
He turned his head slightly.
Someone was watching.
He knew exactly who it was.
"Of course he's here."
Alex sighed and crouched down, pulling a small device from his pocket. It was a compact incineration tool—a failsafe for messy situations like this.
With a click, a concentrated stream of blue flames engulfed Talon's corpse.
Within seconds, the body was reduced to ash.
No evidence. No trail.
Just another Gotham ghost.
POV: Batman
Bruce had seen enough.
Silently, he moved from his concealed position, landing on the rooftop behind Alex.
The moment his boots touched the ground, Alex spoke without turning around.
"You're getting sloppy, Batman."
Bruce's eyes narrowed beneath the cowl.
"And you're getting reckless," he countered. "That kill was brutal."
Alex finally turned to face him, his expression unreadable.
"He was an assassin. He came to kill me. So I killed him first. I ended the problem."
"You could have incapacitated him."*
Alex smiled slightly. "Oh? Like how you 'incapacitate' criminals with broken bones and permanent spinal damage?"
Batman didn't flinch. "That's different."
"Is it?" Alex took a step forward, his tone calm but firm. "Or do you just not like seeing someone else use force effectively?"
Silence.
Then, Batman shifted the conversation.
"Your strength." His voice was even, but there was an underlying edge to it. "It's not normal."
"Neither is Gotham," Alex replied smoothly. "We all adapt."
Bruce didn't look away. "This isn't just adapting. This is something more. What are you, Alex?"
Alex's smirk deepened. "A businessman. A scientist. A Kent."*
Batman's jaw tightened.
He was lying.
And Bruce hated that he couldn't see through it.
"You're hiding something," Batman said, taking a step closer. "I need to know what it is."
"No," Alex said simply. "You don't."*
Their gazes locked.
Tension crackled in the air.
Then, Alex sighed dramatically and stepped back. "Look, Bruce. You can waste your time playing detective, or you can focus on the actual threats. Like the Court of Owls. Or LexCorp. Or the hundreds of criminals crawling through this city."
"I deal with them."*
"Then deal with them. And stay out of my way."*
Batman didn't move.
Neither did Alex.
The unspoken warning was clear between them.
After a long pause, Batman finally spoke.
"Don't become the monster you're pretending to be."*
Alex chuckled. "And don't pretend you're not one already."
With that, Alex turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.
Batman remained on the rooftop, his mind racing.
This wasn't over.
And now...
He was even more dangerous than Bruce had feared.
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