Shadow of the Bat

Chapter 14: Into the Lion's Den

Bruce Wayne stood before a full-length mirror in his penthouse, adjusting his cuffs with methodical precision. His public persona had grown significantly over the past year—philanthropist, businessman, socialite. But beneath the tailored suits and carefully crafted smiles, he remained Batman. The suit on his wrist, disguised as a simple watch, hummed with latent energy, connected to his shadow abilities. This allowed him to be in two places at once: Bruce Wayne, mingling with the elite, and Batman, stalking the shadows of New York, hunting those who thrived in the city's underbelly.

Tonight, a new opportunity presented itself.

The Avengers had reached out—finally. They'd been curious about the mysterious figure operating in the city's darkest corners. Batman had become an urban legend among criminals, and now, the so-called heroes were taking notice. But Bruce didn't intend to join them as a comrade. No, his goals were far more calculated. The Avengers had resources, systems, and intel that he needed to continue his mission. Knowing their weaknesses could also prove useful if any of them ever got in his way.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. His assistant, Thomas, stepped in quietly.

"Mr. Wayne, your car is ready. The Avengers are expecting you at Stark Tower."

Bruce nodded, pulling his coat over his suit and adjusting his watch. "Let's not keep them waiting."

Avengers Tower

Tony Stark stood at the head of the meeting room, leaning casually against a holographic display. Beside him, Captain America, Natasha Romanoff, and Thor waited, each watching the door with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. They had heard about this "Batman" character—a vigilante who operated in the shadows of New York, but no one had ever seen him up close. Rumors had swirled about his brutal efficiency and mysterious disappearance after every encounter.

"We don't even know what this guy looks like," Tony remarked, adjusting his tie. "For all we know, he's just a glorified urban myth."

"He's real," Natasha said quietly. "And from what I've gathered, he's far more dangerous than the stories make him out to be."

The doors to the room slid open, and in walked the Batman. He wasn't dressed in his iconic cape and cowl. Instead, he wore the dark armor he'd designed to blend with the shadows, though without the full mask. His face was covered by a simple mask that concealed everything but his eyes, which glowed faintly red. His suit, lined with shadow energy, looked like it was absorbing light rather than reflecting it.

The Avengers exchanged glances—none of them had expected him to walk in openly, without the theatrics they'd heard about.

"Nice suit," Tony quipped, breaking the silence, though his voice carried an edge of caution.

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Batman replied, his voice low, modulated into a growl.

Tony raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet. Batman wasn't here for banter.

"We've been monitoring your activity for a while now," Steve Rogers began, his tone calm but direct. "You've been effective, but your methods raise concerns."

"I don't care about your concerns," Batman said coldly. "I'm here because you have something I need. And maybe, just maybe, I can offer something in return."

The room went quiet for a moment. Tony, ever the strategist, was the first to speak.

"We want you to join us," Tony said, crossing his arms. "You've got skills. We've got resources. Together, we could do a lot more good than you ever could alone."

Batman didn't respond immediately. His glowing eyes scanned the room. He already knew who these people were beneath their masks—Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff. He had studied them before ever stepping foot into this room. He knew their weaknesses, their secrets, their strengths. But they knew nothing about him—not his identity, not his methods, and certainly not his real goals.