The Dark Knight Initiative
A/N: Just so everyone knows, I re-posted this chapter again because of a certain movie's timeline *coughhomecomingcough* and to change Natasha's part in this chapter.
I know it's been a long time, almost six months to be exact but I hope everyone understands, we all have things we have to attend to before other things. That doesn't mean I'm not having hun writing this, and thanks for the criticism and input. I always try to make my fics as best as possible, keep up the critiques.
Disclaimer: I don't own either of these movies or franchises, if I did, or rather if anyone did they wouldn't be putting it on the internet but rather make the crossover happen in reality right now. Lol
Ch2: Assessment
Just as Fury expected, each of the Avengers have heard about the Dark Knight's reappearance.
"Hmph, so the guy returns after eight years and he gets as much press as when we saved the world?" Tony Stark, crossing his arms as he snarked at the TV screen, "That sounds a bit unfair."
"Well I'm sorry for the blow to your ego Tony, but it isn't that bad, at least he'll take the media off our backs," Banner, sitting at his desk, remarked back.
Tony and Banner are currently in Stark Towers, located in the heart of New York City. Ever since the incident, Bruce took up Tony's offer and started working for him, running it as the new head of R&D department alongside Tony. They were working on some new ideas for security for the newly rebuilt skyscraper when the news came on and the first thing they showed was the very topic the two are currently discussing.
"What are you stressed over the media for? They don't even know your real identity, just the 'Other Guy'," Tony answered back.
"I'm just trying to be modest," Banner raises his hands in defense, "...Do you think the others saw the same thing?"
"Probably, I dunno if Thor has any cable though, much less if Cap knows how to use a TV in this era."
"Tony," Banner tried to reprimand him before he got too far with the jokes.
"Hmm.. " Tony ignored him as he rubbed his goatee, "How much you wanna bet Fury wants this guy in on the team?" The billionaire genius asked.
"Fury? Why do you say that?"
"Well for one the "Batman"," Tony quotes and unquote's with his fingers, "which is a silly and unoriginal name by the way, was supposedly gonna be recruited by Fury before any of us several years ago, but he couldn't even collect any trace of the Bat, and after having disappeared for years and comes back, I doubt Mr. One-eyed Monster would let the chance slip by."
"Interesting," Banner simply nodded trying not to show any surprise on his face on how Tony knows all this, "And where did you get this information?"
"I hacked into SHIELD's private files."
"Again?! Why?"
"Just for fun," Tony grinned, "And to see if I can do it again. Did you know they have tons of reports of nearly every high-profile beings and organizations in the world? Take this for example, there's a school located in the northeast corner of Westchester County that houses and teaches mutants? Not to mention the Baxter Building, what scientist doesn't know Dr. Reed Richards and his fantastic family, need I go on?"
"Who's stopping you? We all know how you like the sound of your voice."
"Haha, cute. Well the most interesting thing about all this is unlike us, you, me, and the rest of the team, all they have on the Batman is just fifteen pages! Fifteen measly pages of reports. Is SHIELD just sad for a secret security organization or what?"
"Or he's just that good. How many pages do I have?" Bruce was curious to know what SHIELD has on him.
"Not that much, about one-fifty, Barton and Romanov has around the same, Cap has two-fifty, Thor nearly has a hundred, as for yours truly, I have nearly five hundred pages on their reports," Tony announced proudly.
"I don't think that's something to be proud of. But then again you do like the attention."
Tony laughed briefly then began walking out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Bruce asked.
"Where else? We're gonna pay a visit to Fury, see what's up with the recruitment," Tony replied.
"We? I don't think I wanna go, I don't do too well with too many people, especially if they're armed and ready to shoot me if I so much as turn the wrong way."
"Aww come on, it'll be fun, I'm sure everyone'll be there, and if anyone has itchy trigger fingers you can always do your thing and turn green with envy, or anger in your case," Tony said as he began walking towards his private jet with Bruce reluctantly following as they visit the SHIELD Helicarrier uninvited.
Somewhere in Florida
"Umm, ma'am, could you increase the volume please?" The man known as Steve Rogers requested of the waitress. He was currently in a local diner somewhere in Tampa Bay Florida, enjoying the sights while he explores what else has changed since his time frozen in ice. He had the chance to explore New York and its development, now that he had an indefinite vacation until his next mission he might as well see what he can of the current America. And as he entered this little diner he sat and ordered a burger and an apple pie; quietly eating when he heard the TV announce on a national news station about the return of a supposed Bat-man?
"Sure thing hon," The waitress replied as she turned up the volume with the remote, "Let me know if there's anything else you like," she gave Steve a wink.
Steve flustered a bit before looking back at the screen, to be frank, he didn't quite know what was going on. Even after being frozen and woken up seventy years apart, partnering up with a Norse God and insanely super powered Hulk, AND fighting off an alien invasion; there are still things in life that surprise him, such as why is the guy dressed up as a bat? And whoever he was, it seemed he's wanted by the officers of Gotham, curious to know why, he asked one of the other customers,
"Excuse me, I'm not from around here, could you tell me why the police were chasing him?" As he asked this he earned some glares and stares from the patrons.
"What?!"
"Did you live in a cave or something?"
"Where have you been living?"
Those plus a few other insults he will not elaborate were thrown at him as he looked on in confusion, which is until the waitress came over and shushed everyone, "Hey! Alright guys, leave the guy alone!"
Steve had to be thankful for the help; the waitress was a really nice lady, she had blonde hair tied in a ponytail, a trace of wrinkles starting to form under her eyes and looked to be in her early forties. He had to admit she still looked good for her age, though he'd never tell her that otherwise he'll never hear the end of it from her.
"So hon," she spoke to him, "You've really never heard about the Batman?"
Sheepishly nodding his head, Steve admitted he knew almost nothing about current events, being frozen for seventy years and losing everything you knew can do that to anybody.
"Well, I'll tell you what I know."
"Thank you very much ma'am."
The waitress giggled at his response, "Oh you, they don't make men like you anymore, people'd think you were born in the wrong era."
'Well at least she's half right,' Steve mused.
"From what I heard hon, the Batman has been wanted for murder for the several years."
"Murder?" That caught his interest, "Of who?"
"The former DA of Gotham City, they say the DA was cleaning up crime in Gotham when he was murdered by the Batman, who has gone and disappeared soon after. And let me tell you, Gotham is one of the most corrupt cities ever to live in."
Steve stayed silent as he listened, 'Hmm, so he's wanted by the police for taking the life of a man who was trying to make his city a safer place, so why does it feel like something isn't right.' From what he's seen of the recent news, Batman had some high-tech equipment that could give Tony some competition, but despite during the entire chase with the police, not once has Batman retaliated, even though the authorities have all their firepower set solely on him.
His thoughts were interrupted by the waitress when she added, "I mean, who gave Batman the right to be judge, jury and executioner? He spared that psychopathic clown but took a good man's life away. A lot of people are saying the Batman belongs in the same nuthouse or prison he locks those criminals away."
"He actually had them locked away? Did anybody die?"
"Hmm, not really, but I guess after spending over a year trying to stop crime just to have them get back out must've made him snap, you know? I know I can't keep my sanity doing what he did."
She kept talking but at this point Steve didn't pay her much mind, his curiosity has been piqued by the Batman, 'He locks up criminals and has never taken a life, yet kills a man trying to make the city a safer place, is it jealousy? Or perhaps Batman is obsessed with what he does, no that can't be, otherwise he wouldn't have disappeared for several years.' He had his hunch, but perhaps he should pay a visit to Gotham City, if he left now it'll take him ten hours to get there.
"Hmm? Hey, now that I got a good look on your face, haven't I seen you somewhere before?" The waitress wondered, staring at him intently.
"Ummm, maybe I look like somebody you saw before…" Steve quickly answered, not liking the idea of being hunted by the media like Tony does, at least he liked the attention. Not wanting to bring further attention to himself, Steve quickly paid for the meal and left. Riding his Harley Davidson up north to Gotham City as fast as he could, he also had a hunch that the others saw the same news he did, and since they're from this era, Thor aside, they probably know about the Batman more than he does, and he intends to find out the truth about him.
Asgard…
"Heimdall, what news have you of Midgard?" Thor asks the guardian of the rainbow bridge Bifrost.
Heimdall, one of the strongest Asgardians ever known, just behind Odin and Thor. The guardian of 'The Bifrost Bridge', the magical rainbow bridge that links all nine realms. Chosen for his super sensory capabilities far beyond those of other gods, letting him see and hear across all nine realms.
"How has been the rebuilding of New York since the Chitauri's invasion?" Thor asks, curious to know to what's been occurring these past six months, even though time was relative in Asgard and months just passed by like days, he still missed being in Midgard.
"All has been going well, Thor Odinson," Heimdall replied, "…But I fear a storm is coming."
"Explain," Thor immediately responded with concern, it seemed even though they saved the earth from doom there never appears to be peace in Midgard, he was aware of that but if Heimdall himself was a bit worried about an oncoming event it's not something anyone should take lightly.
"I see… a mortal, one with a strategic cunning mind that matches Loki's, along with a savage ferocity that makes him more monster than human, and he plans to commit mass genocide."
"Where?" Thor demanded.
"Gotham City, I have seen the events that occurred in this city years before, there has never been a modern civilization that has some of the worst dereliction and lawlessness that I've witnessed than what occurs here. A kingdom where the wealthy and powerful watch as the people beneath them eat at each other in order to stay alive."
"Are the law enforcements not doing anything about it?" Thor asked, starting to get angry at how such injustice could have stood by.
"No, even the keepers of peace have been bought by the rich and immoral to do absolutely nothing, some have even become depraved to help these malefactors for quick wealth."
"I shall go down to this Gotham City and show them that there is nothing to fear from these criminals," Thor roared, but as he was about to turn back to his father's palace Heimdall stops him.
"As I said Thor Odinson, these events have occurred years ago, now it's a time of peace."
"Peace? How did they acquire it if it is as corrupt as you say?" Thor inquired.
"Gotham city has… a knight if you will, a Dark Knight, that has fought for it in the shadows for years, away from ignorant eyes."
"You mean one man was able to do this alone?"
"This Crusader," Heimdall ignored the question continues on, "despite being only a mortal, has fought so hard to keep and maintain peace for his beloved city, but due to an unforeseen chaos, he has fallen from grace and has been banished from returning to the city he gave everything for."
"That's a somber story my friend, but what does this have to do with the madman you speak of?"
"Yet despite all that, the aged Knight has returned to a world that despises him yet he still tries to help anyway he can. And now, this evil rises, attempting to not only break the Knight, he also plans to make twelve million lives suffer despair before completely annihilating them, and he'll make the entire world watch as they are powerless to stop it."
"…I have heard enough Heimdall, I shall request of my father to send me back to Earth, the Avengers and I shall handle this," As Thor leaves Heimdall tells him one last warning.
"Be cautious Odinson, this foe fights with his mind as much as his body, an opponent like that is never to be underestimated. Also, he is not the only one to be wary of, a seductress is trying to tempt the fall knight to drop his guard before she betrays him, I pray you and your friends manage it in time before you lose a potential ally."
With those final words of warning, Thor hastily rides his horse back to Asgard, to ask of his father's permission to use the Tessaract to be able to travel to Midgard, whoever the madman is trying to destroy millions of lives has to be stopped. And from hearing how Heimdall seems to hold this Dark Knight in such regard for a Midgardian, he was curious to meet him too, he sounds quite like Captain America if he says so himself.
Onboard a SHIELD Quinjet
"…So, what do you think Nat?" Clint asks his long-time partner, "Aren't you the least bit excited about this?"
Natasha Romanoff looked at her partner and rolled her eyes, they were currently on a SHIELD personnel carrier taking an express ride all the way back to the SHIELD helicarrier, "Very," was her deadpan reply.
Really, since the invasion they decided to take a well-deserved vacation, both she and Clint have traveled around but never truly had the chance to just admire the scenery. So as soon as the invasion of New York has been handled and everything squared off they packed up and went to Clint's homestead.
It's been a while since she visited Laura and the kids. She remembered meeting Clint's wife and Cooper, their son, when SHIELD first recruited her and made Clint her supervisor until she could be trusted. It took a while for her to warm up to Clint's family, but Cooper broke the ice when he asked her to teach him some Russian. The question caught her off guard, but she taught him some words nonetheless, with Laura telling her not to teach any vulgar words, which Natasha acknowledged.
Everything was coming along until the birth of Lila came, which both Clint and Laura asked her to be the godmother, she didn't understand why they would ask her something like that, especially with her history, but she eventually relented. Now Lila, she was her легкий, the light of her life, she would always run up to her, calling her "Auntie Nat!" begging to be picked up and hugged. That feeling, of the innocent love of a child, made her feel hope of forgiveness for the first time in her life.
Now, any time she didn't have any assignments for SHIELD, she would visit that small, humble family, and spend time with them. They'd go mountain hiking, camping, water-skiing, even something as simple as story-telling. They did all of that without having to watch their backs, or following a target, it made her believe that her ledger was starting to be washed of all the red.
…And it lasted for half a year, longer than any vacation normally should have taken, but Natasha was starting to enjoy that kind of life. Until one day, despite her and Clint were living in an isolated spot a long way away from the public, they heard the rumbling of an aircraft coming in closer, but not any regular aircraft, the sound it emitted indicated it wasn't a civilian model, but rather a military one. And lo and behold she sees a SHIELD personnel carrier landing right in front of the little farm, she didn't like that her vacation already ended, but what she didn't like worse was the pilot risking the location of her семья, she'll have to deal with the pilot for not being considerate of other's private lives.
"So… you gonna tell me what's with the silent treatment?" Clint asked aloud.
"Huh? What're you talking about?" Nat answered back, being knocked out of her reverie of missing vacation.
"Heh, you miss vacation that much already?" Was Clint's smart reply, "I meant about us tracking down the Batman. Heard he was really good, wouldn't mind getting some tips from him, maybe give him a few advices of my own."
Despite the fact he knows her so well, and she owes Clint for helping rid her of her ledger, she just wants to slap him for being a smartass sometimes, and the Batman? She wasn't a believer at first; she always thought he was a myth, some urban legend that started around Gotham to scare the criminal minds. Heck, maybe even the police started it to make it easier to catch the criminals. That is, until she was handed files that SHIELD has of the Batman, including photos and videos of his sightings, they weren't much, but she had to admit his accomplishments are promising for a SHIELD agent. He even exceeds beyond the best agents SHIELD offers, except of course her and Clint, they have skill-sets even Batman doesn't have. Is that why they were called? Is Fury thinking of recruiting the Batman to the Avenger's?
"Okay so I do miss the time-off from SHIELD already, but they brought us back for what a lot of people thought was an urban myth? Please don't tell me Fury is thinking of recruiting someone who retired from the game years ago."
"So what if he is recruiting the Bat? He's got more experience in this superhero biz than the rest of us combined," Barton countered, "I mean, yeah Cap prolly has more experience, but he was a soldier first, the Bat has been doing what he does by himself according to -"
"Because the Bat is rusty, he's been retired for several years and decides to come back? That's nothing but a fool inviting death," Natasha cut him off. Her cold, logical personality surfaced, it's part of her training to become the 'Black Widow' she's come to be known as.
"Maybe he has a reason," Barton said in defense, "Even though I never met the guy… he must have been crazy to take on one of the most corrupt cities in the world, but you know what? He managed to succeed, now no one knows why he retired, maybe cuz he did his job, or suffered too many injuries to continue."
"You're forgetting about the murder of the DA Harvey Dent?" Natasha reminded him why the Bat is still on the list of Americas' most wanted.
"He didn't murder the DA," Barton stated with as much confidence as he always had.
"What makes you so sure of that?" Natasha counters back.
"Cuz it doesn't fit his profile, that and there were eyewitness accounts of him battling the Joker and his loony crew plus the SWAT, now records also state that the others murders the Bat was accused of were pronounced dead during the times Batman was also spotted elsewhere. The only one that wasn't accounted for is Dent, where the Bat was last seen, that's the only thing I couldn't figure out, nothing was filed or reported, just saying that the Batman was responsible," He sighed as he finished his side of the argument, leaning up against his seat he closed his eyes, "Wake me when we get there 'Tasha, gonna take a nap."
Rolling her eyes again at her partner, Natasha just took back to staring out the window, her mind trying to organize what Clint said, whatever happened then, she didn't care that much, it wasn't part of her job unless ordered to do so. But to hear Clint of all people being a tad bit defensive, it piqued her interest, making her looking forward to taking this assignment as she looked out the window once again to see the SHIELD Helicarrier approaching from the distance. She waited a few more minutes to wake up Clint as she began to focus her entire concentration on the incoming mission.
To Be Continued…
A/N: A little Russian words for you guys
Легкий (pronounced – legkiy) meaning - light
Семья (pronounced – sem'ya) meaning - family
Just so you guys know, the hardest ones to write were in this order…
Tony/Banner: Mainly cuz I didn't know where to put Banner until I saw Ironman 3 which made it much easier.
Natasha/Clint: Another hard one cuz it's hard to get Nat and Clint's personality down, so I took my time with these two.
As for Cap and Thor, it was easy to use Cap's 'man out of time' dilemma and Thor's world making things sound like legends put down on the crossover.
Anyway, later guys, let me know if there's anything else I might have missed.