Shadow of the Bat

Season Two, Chapter 11: The Final Farewell

The smoke still hung heavy over the shattered streets of New York. The silence that followed the battle against Thanos was thick with loss, with a sense that nothing would ever be the same again. The ruins of the once-bustling city now stood as grim monuments to the titanic struggle that had just ended.

In the center of it all, lying amid the debris, was the broken figure of a man who had once been the protector of the shadows, the guardian of the night. Batman—no, Bruce Wayne—lay lifeless, his armor shattered, his cape torn, the symbol of the Bat barely visible beneath the dust and blood.

Nick Fury stood at the edge of the scene, his single eye scanning the devastation. The Avengers, battered but alive, gathered around in silence. Tony Stark, in his damaged Iron Man suit, looked down at the fallen body of the man he had long wondered about, the man who had kept his identity hidden from everyone. Steve Rogers stood beside him, holding his shield at his side, as if unsure what to do next. Natasha Romanoff, eyes hard but filled with sorrow, remained quiet.

But it wasn't just the Avengers. The soldiers of The Mind's army, who had been instrumental in defeating Thanos, stood at attention, their heads bowed in respect. Even they, who had followed orders from a distant leader, had understood that Batman had fought with a purpose far greater than any of them could comprehend.

Nick Fury stepped forward, kneeling beside Batman's body. With a gloved hand, he reached up and gently removed the shattered cowl, revealing the face beneath.

Bruce Wayne.

The secret that had been guarded for so long, the identity behind the mask that had been whispered about but never confirmed, was now laid bare. And with that revelation, came the full weight of his sacrifice.

"Get him ready," Fury said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "We're bringing him home."

The Recovery

It took nearly half an hour for SHIELD and The Mind's soldiers to carefully lift Bruce Wayne's body from the ruins of the battle. A small aircraft, painted black and without any markings, hovered above, its ramp lowered as they worked with quiet efficiency.

Tony Stark, in silence, assisted with moving Batman's body. There were no quips, no remarks, no questions. Only a solemn understanding that the world had just lost one of its greatest protectors.

Steve Rogers placed his hand on Stark's shoulder as they watched the body of their ally—perhaps even their friend—being carried into the aircraft.

"He fought for all of us," Steve murmured.

"He always did," Stark replied, his voice softer than usual.

Natasha stood a few steps away, her eyes following the black casket that was now being secured inside the aircraft. "No one else could've done what he did," she said quietly.

"And no one will again," Steve added.

The soldiers of The Mind's army, though they knew little of the man behind the mask, saluted as the casket was secured. Their leader, The Mind, watched from a distance, hidden from view, his thoughts unreadable, yet his presence unmistakable.

Fury, standing by the ramp of the aircraft, gave a nod. "We'll handle the rest," he said to his team. "It's time to say goodbye."

The Funeral

The days following the battle against Thanos were a blur of recovery and rebuilding. But amidst the devastation, there was one event that stood out above all others: the burial of Bruce Wayne.

The funeral took place on the outskirts of New York, at a private, secure location known only to a select few. It was not a public spectacle. The world didn't know the true identity of the man being laid to rest that day. To them, Batman would always be a mystery, a legend who had fought in the shadows to protect the world from threats that they could hardly comprehend.