The Devil Knight
PWI: I guess I'll be doing notes in the beginning too so I can address reviews or two I got from readers or to talk about things. Edboy4926 asks what's the relationship between Great Red and DC's Sandman. Now admittedly I haven't read or watched Sandman and when I got this review, I thought you were talking about the Golden Age Superhero with the rather unfortunate real name, but looking into the lore of the latest individual who bares the name "Sandman", I do believe I will be reading more on him, and delve into his comics to learn more about him for the future.
As for making Alfred a Devil, I cannot say. But I do know that Grayfia will be making an appearance this arc.
Also in terms of Highschool DXD Timeline, Currently the events of Volume 4 are co-currently happening but on a different time table. I know I mentioned the peace talks before but I'm also pushing it back a bit to fit into the timeline.
Also this story is still alive btw, I've been getting used to a new life schedule with working out heavily. Like zero to a hundred. Over the next few chapters, we'll be focusing on not only Bruce, but the wider spectrum of the universe I'm building here as well as highlighting important individuals.
Chapter 1 - 1
Wayne Manor, Morning After Batman's "Death"
Alfred Pennyworth was a man with a storied history. Actor, Soldier, MI6 Agent, Butler, not all in that order but his resume was padded. He thought he had seen it all over the years being the Butler, Father Figure, and Friend of Bruce, but Bruce's story brought in a whole new dimension to what he knew. Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils; He knew that the Gods of multiple religions existed, he read the report Bruce made on Felix Faust and his deal with Hades and have met Diana, Daughter of Zeus, and even New Gods like High Father and that monster who killed Bruce existed. The world was much larger now in his old eyes.
Bruce watched the man he considered a father figure digest everything he told him. He knew it was going to be much, but he knew how tough Alfred really was. After all, before he went on his journey of self discovery and training all those years ago, Alfred trained him in combat and tactics. Taking a sip of the excellent tea Alfred made, he let out a relaxed sigh of relief. It had been so long since he had Alfred's blend and it was magical to say the least.
"So what now Master Bruce? Should we announce to the world that Batman is alive and well?" Alfred finally asked after contemplating things.
"I do plan on returning but I will need to work on a suit that works alongside my new abilities and powers." Bruce replied. "I've spent the last forty years training and honing my body so I can hold back against certain combatants. But with the likes of Bane and Clayface I don't need to hold back as much."
"Meaning you can be more efficient when dealing with people above your visible weight class. Hopefully we can stop diverting a bit of the funds on medical supplies at least. Please do be careful Master Bruce, I wouldn't want your ladies tearing up Gotham because you chipped a nail."
Bruce silently groaned. He knew he shouldn't have told Alfred about Serafall and Selina.
Bludhaven, 8 P.M.
Richard "Dick" Grayson, also known as Nightwing, really wasn't in the mood to deal with the criminally insane. It had been less than sixteen hours since the man who raised him, his mentor, his father died. He and Bruce had.. issues they still hadn't fully reconciled but he never thought that the man would die, not like that.
Still as much as he wanted to go back to Gotham, Bludhaven still needed their nightly protector. And normally his rogues gallery weren't as consistent as Batman's, Nightwing wasn't dealing with his usual.
There was a late night report over the Police Radio. A massive wall of plants spawned within Bludhaven Natural Park, a recent update to the seaside city and Nightwing knew that meant only one person: Poison Ivy.
'I better take care of her quickly. I need to get back to Gotham.' Dick thought as he scanned the wall of plants that now surrounded the park. It reached almost as high as some of the surrounding buildings. 'It looks like a fortress.' he finished grimly.
Firing a grapple, Nightwing swung to the other side of the park. He knew there was a canal that lead through the park that he could use to sneak under. He remembered hearing how they were using Bludhaven's natural form to build a water feature through the park. Such things most people would gloss over but as the student of Batman it was something he couldn't overlook.
Seeing that the water was flowing naturally out of the canal, Nightwing guessed that Ivy didn't know about it. Donning a rebreather, Nightwing dove into the water and silently swam towards the park.
It didn't take him long to reach the park, so he silently climbed up the side of a wall to see how the situation was. He squinted. Park looked… normal, as if all Ivy had done was build a wall. None of her normal aesthetics were present.
'Maybe it isn't Ivy.' He thought as he fully climbed onto dry land. 'But who else could do something like thi-' His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a pain in his neck. Reaching for the spot, he pulled away what looked like. "A dart… damn it!"
"You're slippin', Boy Blunder~!" Came a rather familiar voice echoed around him. 'Great.. Ivy and Harley Quinn..' his vision was getting blurry too.
"Do you like my new concoction, Nightwing?" His eyes widened. When did Ivy sneak on him?! He tried to move but he realized he couldn't. "A rather nasty blend of chemicals of plants that numb the five senses." He could barely hear her now, it was like she was muffled. He didn't even feel the blow to his head that knocked him out.
Dakota City, 7 P.M. (timezones)
"Are you sure you want to do this, son?" Robert Hawking asked his son, Virgil, as his son got dressed in his Superhero costume. It had been a long while since Robert found out that his son was Dakota City's main protector Static, and had long come to terms with it. Still, his son was adamant about what he was planning on doing.
"It's the least I can do Pops… Batman…no, Mr. Wayne has done so much for the city, for us, the least I can do is help. And.. I worry about Alfred, you know? I got the vibe that he was like a father figure to him from when I spent time with them." Virgil replied. "I'm not even going to head into the city proper, just going to pop over to make sure Alfred is okay."
Robert smiled. He was glad that his son grew up to be the responsible young man he raised him to be. He did much for their city and the people he cared for. He couldn't begrudge this act of kindness.
"Alright son, but please give me a call when you get there alright?"
"Sure thing, pops. It's a long flight to Gotham but I can make it there by morning."
The Batcave, 9 P.M.
Bruce let out a comfortable sigh as he put the finishing touches on his new Bat Suit. It looked a little more high tech than his usual one but that's because it was meant to limit his power to that of a human with the ability to release those limiters to allow his full devil strength out. The suit, when active, glowed blue in certain places to show that the "limiter" is on, and he could dim the LEDs to further his stealth capabilities. It was a bit much, but he couldn't in good conscience hit anyone less than Bane with his full potential now. His new body was too strong, too dangerous for mortals.
"You wasted no time innovating, Bruce." Bruce looked up to see Selina and Alfred coming down from the mansion. Selina, moving faster than Alfred had ever seen anyone move, rushed down to Bruce and jumped into his arms. "You're learning~!"
"You know how Gotham's nightlife is. Even one night without Batman is one night too many." Bruce replied. Alfred silently marveled at his once young charge. It surely was something he would say, but there was a warmth there he could not deny. His experience surely changed the man he thought of like a son for the better. He still wasn't sure about this Devil Business. Alfred wasn't a religious person but he still was wary. Also being nigh-immortal felt like it was facilitating Bruce's drive even more.
"Well you're not doing that alone anymore. I'm not changing my name, mind you, but I won't let my mate endanger himself alone." Selina's tone was very matter of fact. "That said, I too switched up my outfit as well."
As the lovers conversed, Alfred went over to the Bat-Computer to check if there were any crimes occurring. As much as he'd want Bruce to stay safe longer, he knew his charge would not sit still, not when there was much to do. Pulling up the reports, his eyes widened. "Master Bruce!"
"What is it Alfred?" Bruce questioned before his eyes widened at the information on the Bat-Computer. Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn at large in Bludhaven? Nightwing reportedly captured by the criminals?
"I guess we're suiting up." Selina said grimly. She knew how much Bruce cared for his kids, their kids. She was one of Bruce's mates now. Bruce nodded before reaching for his new suit. Selina reached into her shirt…and pulled out a scroll? Alfred didn't bat an eyelash at this. After all, he's seen a lot being Bruce's closest ally.
"Might I suggest the sea route, Master Bruce?" Alfred chimed up as well. "You are still quite dead in the eyes of the community and surprise has always been your greatest weapon."
Bruce nodded before going to change into his suit. The nightlife of Batman never stops, even for one night.
End of Chapter 1-1
