Author Preface
Alright, I lied. I won't be posting at least once a month, I'm too slow. Sorry. Look, I haven't abandoned this and I don't plan to, I'm just slow and get too distracted so just please be patient. Things happen in this chapter... Things will happen in later chapters. I am writing stuff for this, even stuff a long ways down the line... So if you don't hear from me just know that the next chapters are coming, albeit inconsistently and irregularly. I'm sorry, but whatever... I'll upload when I upload, goddamnit! Anyway, enjoy the chapter, or don't, I'm not your mum... Or am I? Reviews are always appreciated, but not as much as a good sunset... You ever seen one of them? That shit's good...
Love you, bye.
Chapter 5
DC Universe – Specification Unknown –
Gotham City
Batcave
A shadow loomed over the Bat-Computer as the figure sat in front of it constantly glanced between several recordings of the night's events, two live feeds and a series of news reports of current global news events. The recordings mostly comprised of the figure's own prior revelations and activities as they tangled with the Riddler's newest deadly puzzle, each clip providing an extra clue to the bat themed hero as they neared a solution to the riddle.
The lenses of Red Robin and Robin were what provided the hero at the computer the live streams they were also checking. Red Robin was currently on a recon mission, alongside Spoiler and Orphan, as they tailed and kept tabs on several individuals with supposed ties to the league of shadows, the feed a precaution in case anything went awry.
Robin was with Nightwing as the stream showed the pair engaging in an firefight with Blockbuster and his men. At the moment, it appeared that the two had the situation under control and that backup would not be needed just yet. The figure in the chair hoped it would remain that way but kept checking the feed ever few seconds nonetheless, Gotham was a city that revelled in ensuring each night had its own challenges for the watchful guardian and his allies, his family.
Batman was currently reviewing each piece of information on the computer screen as they developed. Hoping that the night would be free from any more surprises. Surprises such as the sudden appearance of a hero in red and blue, whose acrobatic and unique fighting style intrigued all those who witnessed him in action. His unprompted arrival enough to leave even Bruce Wayne perplexed.
He was in the middle of his fourth rewatch of the footage Batgirl had shared with him, each time he watched the clip anew, further details revealed themself. The initial thought that marched through Batman's mind, in regard to the stranger's origin, was that he was a young rookie trying to make a name for himself. Relying on a mix of his new found meta-abilities and crude, potentially stolen technology.
However, upon closer inspection, Bruce had diverged from that theory. The precision of the stranger's movements and the efficiency with which he was able to dispatch enemies was impressive, too impressive for a rookie.
Although, it was entirely possible that the stranger mostly relied on his meta-abilities. Most notably the stranger seemed to rely on some kind of precognition, which allowed him to make flawless evasive manoeuvres, even against unseen opponents. However, even if the stranger was simply trusting in his powers, it still wouldn't explain the uncanny fluidity and competence of his every move.
It appeared as if they had been performed a hundred times over, like they were practiced and nearly perfected behaviours. There was a mix of styles and techniques that were each adeptly performed, all seemingly adapted to better suit the stranger's superhuman abilities. It was as if the hero had somehow developed his own form of martial arts to work in conjunction with his powers.
The hints were subtle though, hidden behind a scrappy and improvised exterior. Most people would be forgiven for assuming the stranger was a newbie meta-human trying his hand at being a superhero with newfound powers, especially when considering the wider context. Batman was not most people, this stranger had a story to tell, and Bruce would make sure that he would tell it.
Batgirl's comms showed her advancing approach on the map, they were drawing nearer. She had been unreachable for a short spell and Bruce was seconds away from heading to her last known location to check that she was okay. However, he stopped himself after receiving confirmation from both Alfred and Barbara that she was okay and that she and 'Spider-Man' were headed over to the Batcave. At this point, Bruce was finished with his own lead and with that he too sped back to the base.
Arriving at the Batcave before Batgirl and Spider-Man, Bruce had only been sat at the computer for a few minutes, relieving Alfred of the duty. To which the older man responded, "Of course, Sir. I will put the kettle on for our guest… Do try to be nice…"
Bruce's concern however, had shifted slightly away from the stranger after Batgirl re-established contact for a second time, stopping Alfred's exit as he paused to listen. Not telling either Bruce or Alfred what had actually happened, she instead just stated to them that she was 'mostly' okay, that she had spoken to her father and that they would be arriving soon.
Both the Dark Knight and his butler could tell from the tone of Batgirl's voice that something had upset her deeply, and that it may have been a mistake on Alfred's part to allow her to go. To which the two men shared a look, Alfred's expression was one of contemplative regret. Bruce's meanwhile, was one of solemn acceptance that he was correct and it was too early for her.
Nearly every single one of the Batfamily, save Barbara herself, was wary about her going back in to the field so soon after recovery. Yet, she insisted she was fine, and at the end of the day, she was an adult and capable of making that decision herself. Even if Batman himself strongly disagreed with the idea.
Regardless, Bruce simply nodded kindly to his guardian to which the older man began ascending the stairs out of the Batcave. Both men knew that Alfred was part of a very select group of people that Bruce was unable to scold, even if the older man went against Batman's explicit instructions.
As such, he elected not to question his butler on why he had given Batgirl and Spider-Man a mission despite going against his wishes. Besides, if the older man's expression at Batgirls second communication was anything to go by, he felt bad enough about what may have happened to Barbara as a result of his suggestion.
As Bruce was considering all this, rethinking on the events just gone, he refocused his attention to Spider-Man. At first, Bruce had was cautious of him and even assumed he may have been the cause of Barbara's distress, an idea she quickly dismissed, albeit awkwardly, perhaps due to him listening in.
But now, Bruce was actually considering Spider-Man a prospective solution to Barbara's problems, not only would he give answers of his own origin and motivations, but he was potentially a second witness to the events in the warehouse.
By now, Batman was wholly aware of the Joker's escape and how he had been the one who staged the warehouse kidnapping, using one of his goons' identities as a scapegoat for the crime. As such, both he and Alfred were able to deduce what may have triggered Barbara's sour mood.
However, due to the jammer, there remained the mystery of the specific ongoings inside the warehouse, the ins and outs of the scenario: How Batgirl handled the situation, whether or not she was able to keep her cool and if she wasn't, whether she would lose focus in similar situations in the future.
Then there was the question of what Spider-Man was up to and whether it hinted to him being a potential liability, or worse, a threat. But finally and most importantly, the question plaguing both Bruce and Alfred the most, was Batgirl okay? There were too many unknown variables for Bruce's liking and he was going to ensure they became known as soon as possible.
As soon as possible became even sooner as Bruce watched Batgirl's icon approach the Batcave. He stood and turned, facing below to the platform where his Batmobile was parked. He heard the rumbling of bike's engine as he observed Barbara coming to stop and parking herself next to his car, the strange new hero sat on the back.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Spider-Man asked as he felt the bike come to a stop.
"Yes… We're here." Batgirl replied as she made eye contact with her mentor, who was looming over them on the platform above.
Peter's lenses widened as he opened his eyes and he quickly glanced about his surroundings, dismounting the bike as he did so.
"Cool… H- Holy shi- umm sorry… I mean, wow this place is cool…"
He was amazed at the sheer number of things he could see around him, the base seemed to be underground, built into a natural cave system with flowing water which pooled underneath the platform they were standing in. There were bats sleeping above them around the stalactites of the cave.
"Wow… I see that 'Batcave' is both thematic and literal… Just wow- Is that a dinosaur? …And a giant Penny? Why do you even have those?"
"Oh, those? I don't actually know… They've been around so long, you stop noticing them after a while." Batgirl replied, "Anyway follow me…"
"Cool sure…"
Peter responded absentmindedly as he followed, never once looking forward. His base desire of curiosity keeping a firm hold of his attention as he continued glancing at all the cool design aspects and trinkets of the Batcave around him.
A series of different levelled platforms surrounded them, in the distance on one he could see a brief hint of what looked like different costumes in display cases. Several distinct sections all separated by theme in what he assumed was the differing costumes of several different 'Batfamily' members, all with at least three alternate designs. Perhaps different suits for different purposes.
He looked to the other side as he walked, a mannequin in a tuxedo wearing a red helmet stood tall in a display case. Behind it was a life-sized 'Joker' playing card. 'Three guesses who that belonged to…' Peter thought as his feet continued to carry him as he vacantly followed in Batgirl's footsteps.
"So is Batman here, or do we have to wait?"
"Maybe if you looked forward, you'd see he's been staring at you since we arrived…" Batgirl replied.
As amusing as she was finding Spider-Man's childlike wonder at the grandeur of the Batcave, she knew that it was probably best that she made him focus for now. Bruce won't be best pleased if they kept him waiting for too long.
"Wha- Oh god!"
Peter's soul nearly left his body in surprise as he finally saw the shadowy figure standing on the platform ahead of them. He was tall, an attribute that was further exaggerated by his elevated position. However the figure was nearly entirely cloaked in darkness, a dark cape draped over the figure giving him an ethereal visage. As if a silhouette had somehow been given physical form.
He leaned back slightly and his cape, which was draped over him like a cloak, shifted slightly as the light briefly caught the figure, softly illuminating him for a brief moment. Peter made note of all the features he glimpsed in that short time. The man's shoulders were broad and his jaw was square and chiselled, seemingly dotted by the small hairs of a faint 5 o'clock shadow.
Aside from the bat ears and crest, his suit held little similarities to Batgirl's. Batman was adorned in a grey armoured suit, contrasted by a deep, practically black, navy blue which coloured his cowl, cape, gauntlets, boots and shorts. A black bat symbol lay prominent on his chest and, similar to batgirl, a dull yellow utility belt sat above his shorts. His face was gruff and fixed in a brooding expression, he was staring at Spider-Man with an unreadable glare that gave Peter the shivers.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me earlier?" Peter whispered to Batgirl as they continued marching forward, approaching the stairs that led to the platform above.
"And miss you making a fool of yourself? Again?" Batgirl whispered back, a smirk forming on her lips.
"You know, I think I preferred you when you didn't have a sense of humour…"
"You want me to call that bluff?"
"…No."
Their whisperings came to an end as they began ascending the steps, Batman in turn moved away from the edge of the platform and disappeared from their vision momentarily before he was back in sight again. Standing over the computer and tapping away on the interface. Pulling up several of the images and footage of Spider-Man fighting acquired by Batgirl, most of which had seemed to have been annotated with notes on potential martial arts forms and fighting styles, as well as theoretical notes on strengths and abilities.
Batgirl and Spider-Man stood there for a beat, Peter feeling evermore uncomfortable with each passing second. Several times he went to open his mouth before deciding against it, every potential greeting seeming like a worse idea than the last.
After what felt like an eternity, Batman finally turned to face the pair. He looked Spider-Man up and down.
"Hmmm…"
Peter, not knowing how best to respond to the grunt, leaned closer to Batgirl.
"Was that a good or a bad 'hmmm'?"
"Hard to tell… I think it was neutral."
Batman finally spoke, "Why are you here, Spider-Man?"
The awkward silence returned as Peter felt the eyes of both Batgirl and Batman watching him curiously.
"Ummm… Hi. Firstly, nice to- errr meet you, Batman… Sir. Sir, Batman… Batman, sir…"
"Smooth…" Batgirl offered.
"You're not helping…" Spider-Man chirped back.
Ignoring the whisperings of the two younger heroes, Batman instead just furrowed his brow in impatience and annoyance. A move which was mostly unseen due to his cowl, but was by all means was somehow still felt by Spider-Man who rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"Answer the question, Spider-Man. Why are you here?"
His tone hadn't shifted but the tension in the cave still rose with each passing second. Peter felt himself shuffle before he looked to Batgirl. She simply shrugged in return as if to communicate: 'just answer the question.'
"I'm confused… I came here because Batgirl said you wanted to see me?"
"No. Not the Batcave… Gotham. Why are you in Gotham?"
Spider-Man squinted, trying to read the situation. He could feel that Batman was growing more impatient, but he didn't feel any threat from the imposing figure; his spider-sense remaining deafeningly silent.
"Well I feel like you could have been more specific…"
Batman did not flinch, Peter's exasperation was beginning to catch up with his now resting mind and body. Yet again, he was feeling the weight of his situation bearing down on top of him.
"*Sigh* Honestly?"
"Honestly." Batman's tone was no softer, but somehow felt more comforting.
"I don't actually know. I mean I have a rough idea but I'm not entirely sure why I ended up here. Or even where here is… Well, I mean Catwoman… I think that was her name?"
Pete turned to Batgirl who was looking at him curiously. She nodded in response, as if to confirm that he had indeed got the correct name. Though e=her expression was mixed with surprise as neither she nor Bruce were aware he had met Selina.
"Cool. Right, yes Catwoman said this is New Jersey? But I mean… Ugh. I feel like you're not going to like this answer, but it's the only one that makes sense… I'm like ninety-to-ninenty… Seven? … Percent certain that I'm from ano-"
"Another universe?"
Detecting no lie in the younger man's voice, Bruce finished his sentence for him before he simply grunted once more before turning back to the computer. He had suspected as much, from his analysis of the young hero's behaviour. Including the video Batgirl had sent of his actions while on the back of her bike. As well as the picture he now pulled up on the computer.
Batgirl had also come to a similar conclusion, but still hearing it aloud took her out for a moment. So much so, she had stopped leaning on the barrier behind her and was now looking at Spider-Man with even more curiosity.
"Do you recognise this?"
Peter's eyes, and in turn his lenses, widened in surprise as he saw what was on display. It was a picture of space, seemingly just above earth's atmosphere, but the location was only the second most peculiar part of the image. The thing that truly shook Peter was the object floating there, a building. Nearly intact in it's entirety albeit slightly battle worn and damaged.
"Fisk Tower? What? But how? I mean, again, I can guess but like… What?"
"So you do recognise it?"
"Yeah, I mean I'm pretty sure I'd recognise those big bold letters saying 'FISK' anywhere…"
Batgirl sniggered slightly at the mild sarcasm in the remark, Bruce however look as unamused as ever.
"Sorry… Actually no, I'm not apologising anymore… But, yes. I do recognise it. I have no idea what its doing in space though… I swear, that's not where it normally is…"
"I figured. Where is it normally?"
"Umm… New York… My New York."
"In this world, there are no known companies with that name, either in New York or anywhere else. I looked, and aside from some small family businesses… Nothing. Certainly not any skyscrapers with, as you say, big bold letters saying 'FISK'."
"I mean, is that so weird, we already kinda' established that both me and that building aren't from this universe?"
"We haven't established anything, merely speculated. Regardless, assuming you are telling the truth… What universe are you from?"
"What do you mean?"
"My first assumption was that you, Spider-Man, were an alternate reality doppelganger of this earth's Black Spider. A ruthless mercenary and member of the League of Assassins… But, after watching you fight, and seeing you now, there are too many differences for me to confidently go with that assumption…"
"So what does that mean? I mean none of those words mean anything to me… except 'doppelganger', 'alternate reality', 'mercenary'… 'spider', actually that last one's kind of a big part of my lexicon… Okay, I know what a lot of those words mean. But, aside from an educated guess, I have no idea what the League of Assassins is… I've also never heard of a 'Black Spider', and I've met a lot of alternate universe spider-people…"
At this point, Batgirl was getting mildly frustrated at the circles being ran round and round by the two men as they talked. Although she was appreciating the distraction from her darker thoughts of the evening, she felt that the current line of questioning was less than efficient. Especially since it seemed Spider-Man was getting too (understandably) flustered to think clearly about his answers. Not helped by the fact he liked to talk… A lot.
Speaking up, she said, "Okay! Stop. Please… This is giving me a headache, we're getting nowhere. Please just answer the question, Spider-Man…"
"Agreed, try to be more concise if you can. But, we will revisit the 'alternate spider-people' topic later. First though, let me start with what is troubling me about your arrival… does your universe have a designation? Something like a name or number?"
"Err… Let me think…'What did Reed call it? Come to think of it, I think Madame Web also gave my universe the same label… Think, Pete!' … Yes, I do! It's '616161'."
Batgirl and Batman looked at each other, their expressions and the unspoken communication between them giving Peter a mild sense of dread. The silence hung over the air for a moment before Peter couldn't stand the tension any longer and spoke.
"Okay… What's with the looks, what's wrong?"
"Spider-Man… That's not…"
Batgirl didn't know how to break the news to her new ally, and instead found herself deferring to her mentor figure as she looked to him for reassurance.
"It's not possible. That universe doesn't exist…"
"I mean it has to right? I'm standing right here… And the building…"
"That building is the one of the only reasons I don't think you're lying right now…"
That wasn't strictly true, Batman had also been reading the masked figure's body language and studying his voice as he spoke. All of the hero's mannerisms also pointed to him telling the truth, or at least what he believed to be true. But Bruce was too paranoid to take that a face value, especially when the figure was wearing a mask and saying things that couldn't or shouldn't be true.
"But like… how can a universe not exist? The multiverse is infinite…"
"No… It's not."
"What? Yes. It is. Listen, not to toot my own Spidey-horn, but I'm pretty smart, and like… I've travelled the multiverse before. And met other people from different universes, all of them talking about the infinite multiverse…"
"No. There used to be. Now, for reasons we don't really understand, there are only fifty-two unique universes in the multiverse, no more, no less… And from our research and knowledge into those alternate realities… We have never heard of a 'Spider-Man', nor do we recognise that designation."
"Okay that is impossible, you can't just lose infinity… And I definitely exist… I'm right here… And so do others… You know like I've met dudes from like… '1610-C', '199999', '2099-B'... How can they exist if the multiverse is capped at fifty-two?"
Peter continued, "An- And I'm sorry but that's the label my universe was given by people with, no offense, much higher authority on the multiverse than you. If your ego, and seeming misunderstanding of quantum mechanics can't handle that, then that's your problem not mine! Do you even know the designation of this universe?"
Batman had been a statue throughout Spider-Man's desperate ramblings. Expressionless and solidly still, "Yes which is why I know that yours is an impossibility. This is Earth-Prime…"
Peter was silent for a moment as exasperation seemed to wrap itself around him like a blanket attempting to smother him to death, "Well, that's just self indulgent..."
'Typical Parker luck! The one person I'm told might be able to help, and this is them. A confrontational brood machine who doesn't even understand the basics of the multiverse?'
Peter was starting to get agitated with the conversation's progression, causing him to lean back on the railing behind him in shock at his shattered hope. Batgirl, who was still standing, and Batman both looked at Spider-Man with suspicion and growing concern. Batman specifically, who was still trying to read the mask figured body language, had inched closer as his expression became grimmer.
Although Batman did not believe the explanation he had been given, for some reason he believed the one giving it. Not enough to trust, but enough to question… He was beginning to question all his knowledge of quantum physics, it was actually seeming more likely that the very laws of multiverse itself had been broken, rather then Spider-Man lying. Still a good liar would be able to convince anyone of anything, Batman needed to look in the boy's eyes.
"Spider-Man… I need you to remove your mask…"
"Wha- No? Why?"
"How do I know this isn't all a ruse, that you aren't just Black Spider, or even someone else trying to trick us?"
"Because that would be ridiculous? Why would the 'League of Assassins', or whatever, or anyone else for that matter, go to all the effort of putting a building in literal space just to trick you? That's insane. That's like… Doctor Doom, levels of insane."
Brushing off the 'Doctor Doom' comment, Batman continued, "You're right that would be insane. But not impossible. Also, as you said yourself, the name is on the building… What's stopping me from assuming you didn't just make up the story when I showed it to you? If you're truly from another earth, you have no reason to keep the mask on, especially if removing it will help corroborate your story."
"Yes I do. I have every reason to keep it on, it's mine. I wear a mask for a reason, to cover my face. Same as you, so I'm not just going to hand it over to you just because you ask. You haven't even said please…"
"I'm not asking Spider-Man."
The tension continued to rise, the pressure of the room slowly but surely approaching boiling point. Batman had now shifted his body, not entering a true fighting stance just yet, but closer than he had been before. Peter felt a low rumble in the back of his head, threat wasn't imminent, but it was becoming more and more of a possibility with each passing second.
"Batman, maybe we should-"
Batgirl was silenced by a glare, she stepped back with a sigh of disapproving resignation. Peter could feel it, he knew know that if he didn't remove his mask willingly the bat-themed hero, potentially both of the bat-themed heroes, would attempt to take it. Getting up from the railing behind him, he looked between the two figures surrounding him.
"… What's to say that you're not lying to me?" Peter said, his voice reeking of desperate realisation.
"Spider-Man. Take off your mask…" Batman's voice had grown even colder.
"No! No… I have been very accommodating up until now… Willing to go along with all of your questions," Spider-Man looked at Batgirl, "Y- your snide attitudes…"
While Spider-Man's offhanded remark stung a bit, Barbara felt that it was at least somewhat deserved. It was also clearly the result of Spider-Man's growing agitation. A mood that was understandable, especially if what he was saying was somehow true, despite the impossibility of it.
Peter however, had regretted it as soon as he said it, even before he saw Batgirl flinch in response to his comment. She was clearly hurt by the remark, and Peter truly felt bad about that, he didn't mean to make her feel worse than she clearly already did. Nevertheless, he continued.
"I- Sorry. I didn't mean… But, no. I'm not taking off the mask… I've had a very bad day. Night! I don't know! One minute I'm fighting… Electro? I think… ARGH! I don't even know, it's all fuzzy! But… It was Spring for god's sake, now it's Autumn? Winter?I don't know!"
Peter looked directly at Batman who was still listening, for now. But the rumble of his spider-sense, paired with Batman's own shifting body language and determined glare, told Pete that a fight for his mask could break out at any moment.
"I've told you the truth. The honest truth. And now, you want me to reveal my face? Why should I? What's to say this stupid interrogation isn't all just some ploy? That this isn't all some kind of Mysterio illusion? But… You know what, sure… I'll take my mask off, I'll even tell you everything… If, and only if, you do the same for me."
"That's not happening. Look, I don't want to have to do this, Spider-Man. So either take off your mask or I'll take it from you…"
As if it were currently a dog with its hackles up, the soft rumble of Peter's spider-sense became a brief growl at that sentence. At least that's what Peter assumed it was responding to, in actuality Batman's shifting body language and assertive words distracted Peter from the older hero's subtle reach into his utility belt, readying a flash bomb in the palm of closed hand.
"You can try…" Spider-Man said as he stood tall, facing Batman.
Batman didn't reply, at least not verbally, instead throwing the flash bomb to the ground as fast as he could. Peter's spider-sense warned of an attack, but his frantic mindset left him blindsided by the flash of light and loud bang.
By this point Batgirl had removed herself from the situation, stepping back to allow the men to have their inevitable scuffle uninterrupted. She didn't want to stand against either of them, nor did she want to involve herself in the, quite frankly, childish display to come.
Also as much as she'd love to stand up for Spider-Man, she knew Bruce would be too stubborn to listen to her. Truth be told though, as it stood she was secretly routing for her new ally rather than her mentor, perhaps this could even be good way for him to earn Batman's respect. From what she'd seen so far, she felt that Spider-Man should be able to at least hold his own against Bruce.
Just like with Batgirl earlier, Spider-Man's momentary disorientation due to the flash bomb, made it harder to interpret his spider-sense. 'Again? I can't believe I fell for the same trick twice…' Peter thought as he readied his body, unable to see clearly as his eyes, as well as the HUD in his lenses, were frazzled by the bomb.
Not a millisecond too late, Peter focused and felt a final blare of his sense as he ducked backwards out of the way of a charging Batman. Before the older hero was able to react to the Webslinger's evasion, Spider-Man had used his palms to stick himself firmly to his chest, either side of the armoured suit's bat shaped crest.
As the two fell backwards, Spider-Man planted his feet onto Batman's stomach, pushing upwards as his back landed on the floor. Peter deactivated the adhesion to his new found adversary as he pushed up with all four limbs, sending Batman flying rapidly skyward.
While still on his back Peter then shot two impact webs at the ceiling bound vigilante, encasing him in webs and launching him up even faster. As soon as Batman made contact with the rocky surface above them, he was immediately cocooned even more as he was webbed to the ceiling.
Peter's spider-sense then made two things horrifyingly clear to the Webhead. Firstly, a small blinking device had been planted on his chest by Batman, which sent a pulse of electricity through the hero's body. It was clearly designed to incapacitate, but Spider-Man's durability meant the device just caused him to thrash in pain for a couple seconds before resting back on the floor.
The aftershocks of pain running through Pete's body, both from the device and the still untreated aches of the night's multiversal misadventures, were nothing compared to the annoyance Peter felt at his second realisation. His mask was gone. Looking up, he saw it firmly in the hands of the thrashing hero above him. Peter rested his head on the floor defeatedly, he felt as rough as he must have looked.
A shadow cast itself over him as Batgirl entered his vision, she was looking down at him with a compassionate face of pity. Peter had no idea where to go from this moment, unsure if Batgirl would also return to her antagonism towards him. His spider-sense however had been silent since she had walked into view. He looked at her, his face one of pure defeatism and self-contempt.
Softly smiling at him, she offered him her hand. He took it and she helped pull him up to his feet. A silence decorated by the flutter of bat wings, running water and hums of the computer, filled the Batcave. Barbara looked at the young hero's face, it was soft and kind. But also deeply sad and tired, something which diametrically opposed the façade he had with the mask on.
He was clearly a similar age to herself, his slightly dishevelled brown hair framing his head. His face was punctuated by a couple of cuts and bruises from the night's exploits as well as a few smaller, barely visible, scars from what she could only assume were previous battles. She looked into his deep brown eyes, the whites replaced with an exhausting looking red.
"you know, I was imagining blonde hair…" was all that Batgirl said as she looked at him.
Peter softly chuckled before replying, "Funny you should say that, one of my cl- No. Never mind… Forget I said anything."
She felt it best to ignore his comment for the most part, instead asking, "Are you okay?"
Peter sighed as he looked above him, Batman still in webs and thrashing about on the roof of the cave. Peter's Spider-Man mask in hand. Peter then saw a flutter nearby as he saw several small bats, sleeping a bit away from the vigilante, Bats that he had seen initially scatter and disperse as Batman rapidly collided with the ceiling near their earlier position.
"Not really… Kinda' pissed off actually..." He replied as he looked back to Batgirl before looking up at Batman again, "That was a cheap shot!"
Spider-Man pointed at Batman as he spoke, before sighing once more and looking at the bats again. Finding some semblance of peace in observing the small, sleeping, winged mammals. Batgirl watched as he did this, not speaking again. Unsure how to act towards him now, she felt it was best to watch for potential retaliation from the hero. But judging by his character so far, he didn't seem the type to go that far.
"I'm sorry it went like this…" She said.
"Yeah well, what could you do?"
"Not much, if Batman's set his mind on something it's hard to get him to change it… Sorry I didn't, you know… Step in."
"I get it, he's your boss… I'm just the stranger who waltzed in to your city like forty-five minutes ago..."
"Sure, but still…"
Batgirl in turn then removed her own cowl, looking at Peter with her unobstructed face. She was probably around the same age as him, her skin was pale and freckled. Her deep blue eyes contrasted her vibrant red hairs, something that he only really noticed now her mask was off, despite the fact both were visible earlier. Her face seemed gentle but firm, kind but troubled and soft but strong. She had a slight cut on her nose, probably from taking a hit earlier in the night.
Although the two women were wholly distinct in appearance, aside from the obvious similarities, Peter realised just how much she reminded him of MJ. Perhaps due to how her facial expression simultaneously communicated great compassion, unwavering self assurance and formidable strength.
One distinct difference was abundantly clear however, and would have been clear even if Peter hadn't witnessed Batgirl snap at Joker, there was a glint of darkness in her eyes. The kind of coldness that had developed after years of fighting crime, after years of seeing some of the worst humanity has to offer. But there was hope in them too, the kind of hope that was the result of seeing some of the best of humanity as well.
"You know, I was expecting black hair." Peter joked.
"Hah… You're so funny." Barbara dryly remarked back, a slight grin on her face as she then offered her hand, "Barbara Gordon. Pleased to officially meet you…"
Peter sighed as he contemplated his next move carefully, "Peter Parker…" He eventually spoke as he shook her hand.
"So what now, Barbara Gordon?" He continued.
"I guess we talk… Peter Parker…"
"Yeah, sur- Wait a minute, this wasn't all just some kind of elaborate 'good cop, bad cop' routine, was it? Oh god, I told you my name and everything…"
"No… I promise. Look, I'll even let you ask the first question and answer as honest as I can…"
Peter looked up once more before looking Batgirl in the eyes, "Fine… I don't have many other options anyway I guess… So… Okay, one thing has been bothering me since we arrived."
"Go ahead."
"Who cleans up all the bat poop? I mean there must be quite a bit right?"
Barbara was taken aback by the question, not expecting that to be the first thing he asked. Dumbfounded at the sudden shift in tone, she was unsure of how to answer it. Thankfully, that responsibility was alleviated from her hands and placed upon those of the Batcave's newest arrival…
"That would be me…"
A familiar British voice echoed across the cave as Peter and Batgirl turned to see the approaching figure responsible for the reply. A formally dressed balding man with a pencil moustache was descending the steps into the Batcave, he was holding a tray which was populated by several cups and saucers.
No one spoke as the man promptly approached Batgirl not really knowing how to proceed as Alfred eventually joined the trio in the Batcave. Spider-Man was instead mildly confused by the appearance of the fourth person and their attire. His clothes and demeanour wholly out of place in the superhero lair. Yet it was seemingly fitting when considering the cost of everything in the Batcave.
'Of course Batman has a butler… Why wouldn't he?'
The silence crumbled when the butler spoke, "Tea?" he asked as he neared Spider-Man and Batgirl.
"Umm… Sure. Thanks." Peter replied as he picked up one of the cups and its saucer, inspecting the steaming translucent brown liquid inside.
Peter turned to Batgirl with a look of suspicion, she simply shrugged in response. As if to communicate that there were no tricks at play, that the liquid truly was tea and that the man was simply offering a drink.
"Do you take milk and sugar?" The older man asked as he watched the guest as he held the cup and saucer with care.
"Ummm… No thanks. I'm good." Spider-Man responded before tentatively taking a sip of the hot liquid.
After he took a sip of the tea he watched as the man also offered a drink to Batgirl who politely accepted the offer. Smiling solemnly at the older man's concerned face as she took her own cup.
Upon further inspecting the tray Peter also saw a larger mug at the edge, filled with a similar, yet darker, steaming beverage. A black coffee he could only assume was prepared for the brooding bat on the ceiling.
The entire situation felt so surreal, Peter had no idea what he was doing anymore. After meeting several hero's throughout his career as Spider-Man, Batman had quickly established himself in Peter's mind as one of the most intense and stress inducing personalities he had ever encountered; both through the way in which others spoke of him and by how the older hero had presented himself.
And yet, as serious as Batman seemingly took himself, there was a level of ridiculousness in the entire situation Peter had found himself thrust into. Here he was standing in Batman's fancy basement, drinking tea that he was served by the gruff hero's polite British butler as the man himself struggled on the ceiling above them. Most likely watching the whole display.
The moment felt as if it lasted an eternity, as if his mind was battling itself. The knowledge that he wasn't dreaming wrestling with the absurdity of the moment, insisting to Peter that he must surely be asleep.
"Sorry… Thanks again… This tea's… Actually very nice… Wow. That's delicious, how do you brew it so perfectly… It's even better than Aunt Ma- Nope, sorry I was distracted, that's not what I was gonna' say… What I meant was, who are you?"
"Alfred Pennyworth, at your service… Mr. Parker, was it?"
Peter slowly began to place the voice as he looked at the man, he was the person Batgirl was talking to over her comms earlier. As this realisation dawned on him, Peter's mouth moved before he could think.
"Oh my god! You changed Batman's diapers!"
Barbara nearly choked on the tea she was quietly sipping at the sentence that barrelled its way out of Spider-Man's mouth. She looked from Alfred's bemused expression to Peter's reddening face.
Almost immediately, Peter shut his mouth in an attempt to stop any further noises escaping as he closed his eyes in mortification. Not wanting to face the consequences of his big mouth, he hoped he would open his eyes and find himself laying on the floor of Fisk's basement, amongst the wreck of an exploded collider. Recuperating his addled brain after a long, vivid hallucination of purple suited weirdos and bat-themed vigilantes with posh butlers.
Instead he opened his eyes and met Alfred's, a deadpan expression on the butler's face, before he turned and placed the tray on the table behind him, turning back as he spoke.
"Indeed, I did." Nonchalance heavy in his tone, "I must say though, although we have been sharing names, I am curious how you came across that information. It would require certain knowledge of my own and Master Bruce's relationship. Knowledge I am surprised you have, especially considering you are supposedly not from this dimension…"
The British man's glare intensified with each passing sentence, Peter feeling every second of the gaze. 'Jeez. Even the butler's scary…' Peter then saw as the gaze moved to the side of him as Alfred made mildly accusatory, intensely inquisitive, eye contact with Batgirl. Clearly assuming she had shared the remark with him.
Barbara simply rolled her eyes as she spoke, "Don't look at me like that, Alfred. I didn't tell him… What possible reason would I have for sharing that? He overheard it from you. And he said he wasn't going to mention it…"
Peter was rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he continued to cringe at his own idiocy. 'Christ. I need sleep…'
"Overheard it? Why was he on the comms channel, Miss Gordon?"
"He wasn't… Hey, Peter you wanna' take a break from drowning in embarrassment, and explain?"
Before Peter could open his mouth, an intense ringing blared through his ears, causing him to again close his eyes. This time in anguish as the high pitch frequency pierced his eardrums with ferociousness. He clasped his hands to his ears in a desperate attempt to disrupt the flow of the sharp ringing. The display causing confusion and concern in both Batgirl and Alfred.
"He has heightened senses, included superhuman hearing…" Batman spoke as he pressed the button in the small blinking device in his hand, ceasing the onslaught of high frequency noise attacking Spider-Man's senses.
Everyone in the room turned to face the Dark Knight, a myriad of disapproving looks staring in his direction. Causing pause in the hero as he realised the selfishness in his action, he had wanted to test the limit of Spider-Man's powers, yes. But more than that, he knew part of him wanted payback for Spider-Man swiftly incapacitating him.
"What the hell, man? That was so unnecessary! I was about to explain! Also how the hell did you get down from the ceiling?"
Batman, placed the device back in his utility belt as he neared the others in the room.
"I apologise… I should have warned you. I merely wanted to test the theory…" He spoke, ignoring the second question proposed by Spider-Man.
"Well consider it tested, you get the results you wanted?"
"Partly. We have confirmed you aren't Black Spider, nor a doppelganger. As for your origin that is still yet to be confirmed. I have more questions for you, Mr. Parker…" Batman said as he approached the Batcomputer, placing a sample of webbing on the scanner.
"Nuh-uh! I'm not giving you anything else until you give me something back… Also, again… How did you get out of my webbing?"
Batman merely stretched his arm out and passed the mask back to the younger hero who cautiously took it from the gauntleted had offering it to him. There was a silence as Peter realised the figure was still ignoring his question and was unlikely to answer it. Instead he eyed the shadowy figure who now loomed over the computer, inspecting his webbing.
"This… 'Webbing' is impressive. How did you come across it?" Batman finally asked.
"I made it." Peter simply replied as he tucked his mask into his waistband, not seeing any point in wearing it anymore.
Batman turned to Peter and looked him up and down before grunting curiously, a hint of impressed fascination lacing the noise.
"Interesting…" Batman replied as he stood to face, "So tell me, if you truly are from another universe, multiverse even, if what you say is true… How did you end up here?"
Peter looked to Barbara, he was tired of the questions and quite honestly just wanted to lay down and close his eyes. Batgirl offered him a sympathetic smile before nodding, communicating that it was best he answered them as well as he could.
"*Sigh* I… Well I can't remember the specifics, but that building there," Peter spoke as he pointed at the image of Fisk Tower in the corner of the screen before continuing.
"Well, it had a super collider in its basement, designed for multiversal travel by evil scientists under the orders of a power hungry and grief stricken Kingpin of crime.
"And to cut a very long story short, it had caused… problems before, so I tried and failed to destroy it… then it was actually destroyed by some other heroes… Yay, multiverse saved… Kinda'.
"But earlier… today? I guess. Maybe. Could be days ago actually, I dunno' how spatial and temporal relativity here affects my earth, yet. Which is actually pretty, terrifying when I think about it…"
Pete shook his head, as if to physically shake off any rogue thoughts about the scary implications of potential time dilation. Pushing them to dark recesses of his mind for the time being as he continued.
"Anyway, a bunch of my enemies attempted to rebuild it and it was causing tremors, and dimensional instability… You know? Classic super collider stuff…
"So me and the other Spider-Man… He's kinda' like my… Not sidekick perse, he's his own hero. But like, I'm the original Spider-Man so he's like my… Mentee-slash-sometimes-partner kinda' thing… But he does his own thing too, even though he's a bit younger…"
Peter looked at the expressionless faces that stared at him, clearly growing unamused by his evermore convoluted explanation.
"Sorry, right. That's not relevant. Anyway me and him… Him and I? Whatever. We were trying to stop a bunch of evil guys from potentially destroying the fabric of reality, and I remember getting in a scuffle and their being this a big white light.
"But I can't remember, what actually happened, I just remember… Flashes. And every time I try to think about it, it just makes my head hurt, like It's locked behind a door in my brain or something… But yeah, that's all I can really tell you right now."
There was moment after Peter had finished his frantic rambling, a loaded silence which every person in the Batcave felt, all of them desperately trying to process the convoluted explanation given to them.
Batgirl was the first to speak, "Wait. There's another Spider-Man? And he was with you when whatever sent you here… Sent you here? Doesn't that mean…"
"That he could be here as well…" Alfred finished Barbara's sentence, his voice solemn.
Peter closed his eyes for a moment as he pulled an expression of unbridled focus, "No. I- I think he got out in time… I don't know how. Nor do I know, how I know. But part of me just kinda' knows, ya' know?"
At this point everyone, Peter himself, turned to face Batman.
"Hmmm… Nevertheless, we should be vigilant in case he is lost somewhere out there as well… Hopefully he'll cause less trouble then yourself… What of the villains? Your enemies?"
"That, I have no idea about. Like I say it's foggy, with the other Spider-Man my intuition, or maybe my Spider-Sense, is telling me he's not here. With them… I just can't tell, I can't even fully remember who I was fighting, let alone what happened to them… Also, what do you mean trouble? I helped stop the Joker…"
Batman raised an imperceptible eyebrow at the term 'Spider-Sense', but elected to move past it for now, "Yes. That is part of the trouble I am referring to. You also stopped Black Mask's thugs…"
Batman looked directly into Peter's eyes, his stare was stubborn and self assured, yet not unkind to the young hero, "You may not realise it yet, but you're already making a name for yourself in this city. That will put a target on your head… There may already be a bounty as we speak."
Peter, shifted slightly, but kept Batman's gaze. He was right, and for some reason, that greatly irritated Peter, nevertheless he let the older man continue.
"Plus, we don't know if you brought any of your enemies here, more unknown variables… Potentially dangerous ones. I would say that counts as trouble."
"Alright, fair enough… But, I didn't ask to come here, I was shanghaied… And, I'm being as honest as I can be, if you don't like it, that's your problem… if my villains did end up here, Iwill happily find the stragglers and take them, and myself, back home as soon as possible… I was hoping you could help with that, since it would also stop me from causing more trouble. You're the one who told me my home doesn't exist…"
"As far as we know, it doesn't. That is an issue for a later time… Now, tell me how you came across your meta-abilities…"
"My meta-what? You mean my powers?"
Batman gave the most minute nod humanly possible.
Peter rubbed the rim of his nose as he sighed a reply, "Radioactive spider bite. Next question?"
"I need more details."
"Listen tall, dark and grumpy, I'm not going to go into detail on my superhero origin with you in your basement while you keep throwing question after question at me. I've had enough, I came here because I hoped you could help me get home. I want your word you will help me."
There came yet another painfully loaded silence. Batgirl and Alfred had already extricated themselves from the discussion partly. Engaged in their own soft spoken conversation while they observed the other two from afar. They felt the silence, and looked in each others eyes with surprise at Spider-Man's assertion, before turning back to the watch the other duo.
"Fine… You have my word, Spider-Man. I will do everything in my power to help you, assuming everything you have said is true… Now your powers..."
"Nuh-uh, I want you to say it to me face to face, you took my mask so it is only fair… Look me in the eyes and promise. No cowl."
Barbara and Alfred yet again looked at each other, wide eyed with shock at the demand.
"Well he is certainly brave…" Alfred whispered to Barbara, yet still loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You are in no position to be making demands, Peter." Bruce simply replied as his white lensed eyes tightened.
"Neither are you… I've been humouring you so far, but trust me, I could leave at any point. I fell for your tricks once, not again. So either you show me your face, Bruce. Or I leave and find someone else who can help me and you get no more answers. And, if you try to stop me, I'll show you what I can really do."
Peter's face was made of stone, unshakeable and solid. Inside however, Peter's heart was violently thumping with adrenaline and fear. Here he stood, in front of, as far as he could tell, a mortal man with no powers, yet one who exuded pure authority.
The brooding symbol of justice, law, order and sheer human will, stared at Peter, unmoving; his expression, frighteningly unreadable. And here Peter was, a nineteen-year-old, staring him down. Demanding he take off his mask, 'Ohmigod! What are you doing Peter? He's your biggest chance of getting home, and your doing this?'
Peter ignored the voice at the back of his head, he had faced monsters, demons and gods. He wouldn't let this man with fancy gadgets, a big wallet and a god complex keep pushing him around, not anymore. Yet still, in the Batman's presence, Peter couldn't help but feel like a kid again. His body and mind sending him signals reminiscent of the sixteen-year-old fanboy he once was during his first run-in with Captain America; albeit he was less star-struck this time and more nerve-struck.
Peter's biggest weakness was often his own self-doubt, the feeling he didn't belong among the other heroes, that he wasn't doing enough, that he wouldn't be strong enough to live up to his Uncle's expectations.
But right now Peter's adrenaline was working overtime, his fear and doubts were being drowned by the boiling blood coursing through his veins, as he faced the man towering over him. The symbol of Gotham whose influence had been felt almost as soon as he arrived in the city. The Batman.
Peter still wasn't going to budge, however. He may be new here, but he had been a hero for nearly five years and he wasn't going to be talked down to like a child. His subconscious had decided for him, he was going to be treated like an equal or he would leave.
All eyes fell on Batman as the now silent spectators eagerly awaited for a response from the hero. The air in the Batcave felt impossibly dense yet the somehow simultaneously non-existent, as if the oxygen had become so thick it had changed its very nature into something else, with an atmosphere of pure tension and curiosity replacing it.
Barbara and Alfred were both so silently still that a pin drop would seem like explosion in comparison. They were staring between two figures, shooting their eyes back and forth as if watching tennis. In all the years Barbara had worked with Batman she had never seen anyone, outside of a handful of exceptions, stand up to Batman this strongly. And she had most definitely never seen someone demand he remove his cowl on their first meeting.
Barbara was at an actual loss for words, as well as possibilities. She was so shocked by the exchange that she couldn't think of a single possible outcome for this scenario, she could only think that time itself would surely have to cease at this very moment leaving everyone in the Batcave in suspense for all eternity.
Alfred too was genuinely unsure as to how this moment would progress, albeit to a slightly lesser extent than Barbara. Nevertheless he watched the two men with extreme fascination, subconsciously counting the seconds of silence as they passed.
Eventually Batman let out a soft grunt of resignation as he pulled the cowl back over his head, revealing the chiselled face below. He was handsome, unfathomably so. His face, even with the 5 o'clock shadow and soft scars, wouldn't look out of place on the cover of a magazine. His blue eyes were piercingly intense, highlighted further by the jet black eyeshadow surrounding them.
"Wow… I wasn't actually expecting you to do it. Thought I was just going to have to give up and tell you anyway…"
Bruce's eyes narrowed as he looked at Spider-Man, clearly unamused by the comment.
"Errr… Sorry. I tend to make dumb jokes in tense situations."
"I noticed."
"Right so umm… My powers."
"You mentioned something about a spider bite?"
"Yeah. There's not really much more to it other than that I guess. I was like 14, nearly 15. We were on a school trip at Oscorp and were being shown some radiated and genetically altered spiders, I notice one was missing and before I could even say anything… Well, it bit me. Next thing I know I go from scrawny kid with glasses, to superpowered and… hmm- marginally less scrawny kid with abs and perfect vision… Plus you know, the whole sticking to walls thing…"
"And then you became a hero?" Batgirl spoke, almost absentmindedly, still reeling from the fact that Bruce actually took his cowl off.
"Ehhh… Not exactly, not straight away at least."
All eyes were back on him again, beckoning him to continue. Bruce's face he found had actually softened a bit. Not to the point that it was any less intense, but more so that the frustration and irritation had been replaced with careful consideration and interest. As if he was actively listening to Peter, not just hearing the words through his own bias.
It was as if the absence of the cowl had made him more vulnerable. The intimidation game had been mostly given up by this point and his façade had been cracked slightly, not through fear, but instead through the fact that no one in the room felt it was necessary anymore.
"Look." Peter continued, "I'm going to be honest here. When I was bitten, I was just a dumb kid. I mean, I was a genius. Still am I guess. But still, I was selfish and angsty and just angry at everyone else.
"I wasn't that popular in the early years of high school, and the years of torment and stuff, it made me feel weak. Powerless. And then…"
"Then you were bitten?" Alfred finished the sentence. His calm manner and judge-free tone seeming to give Peter more confidence to go on.
"Yeah. And I won't lie, I became a bit of… Well a dick to be honest. I saw it as a way to stand up for myself and for the first couple weeks or so I did. I stopped taking the bullying and I guess I went a bit far a times… But you know I was kid. I was just a stupid kid…"
Batman spoke, "You hurt someone?" his voice nearly neutral, but with the slightest hint of understanding.
"Yes. But it wasn't because of anything I did really… More that… Look, when you can do the things I can, and you don't… Then the bad things happen... Well they happen because of you… And I found that out the hard way."
No one spoke, everyone continued to look at Peter with patience. When Peter's eyes glanced over Barbara's she gave him a soft smile of comfort as she nodded slightly, ushering him to continue. She communicated the safety of the room in that single motion, allowing Peter to ease himself away from his hesitation.
"Other than petty revenge at high school, I found a way to get some cash, quick." Peter continued, "I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle, and they weren't the wealthiest of people… I thought I could help a bit… Help with bills and stuff. But you know also keep some cash for myself so I started…"
"Stealing?" Batgirl suggested. Her voice inviting and non-judgemental.
"Oh god no. I wish. That would be far less embarrassing…" Peter grimly chuckled before continuing, "No. I started pro-wrestling. And I was good at it, obviously. But the guy who ran things wasn't the nicest of guys and he underpaid me after a fight. So I thought, it wasn't my problem when he got robbed. I even held the door open for the thief..."
The room was silent as everyone could hear the pain building in Peter's voice, his eyes growing even more red, the tiredness being overshadowed by the beginnings of tears.
"But, that thief I didn't stop… He shot someone… Someone very important to me… my uncle Ben.
"And he died and it was my fault and… He thought he was dropping me off at the library and he was there waiting to pick me up… That's why he was there… And that's why the guy tried to steal the car…"
Peter paused, there was clearly more to say but he needed to breath for a moment. He thought about uncle Ben everyday. But saying out loud was always harder, especially this time. His thoughts were becoming tangled and so were his sentences. His emotions had been kept at bay for a while now, but revisiting one of the hardest days was made even more painful by the fact he didn't know if he could ever get home, he was becoming overwhelmed again and he needed to readjust himself.
He knew he would never see his uncle again, but what if he never saw Aunt May again, either? He decided it was a thought best not dwelt on, especially now. Blinking the water out his eyes he took a deep breath in as he looked to the expectant faces watching him. Sympathy and understanding on all there faces, even Bruce's. He realised, they knew the pain Peter was revisiting.
"I umm… I saw him on the street before he went, and I… All I could think about was revenge… And I went after the thief, and I was ready to kill him, but I stopped myself, because… Because, I remembered what uncle Ben had told me that day when he dropped me off outside the library…
"We got in an argument and I said some things I'll never be able to take back… Things I wish I could forget. But what I will never forget is what he said to me… he said: 'With great power, there must also come great responsibility.' I didn't know what it meant at the time, but as I looked up and saw the man wriggling in my grip… His face… He was terrified, and all that satisfaction from revenge, just sapped away…
"And that's when I swore I would never use my powers for revenge again, that I wouldn't use them just to get rich, or for personal gain. That I had a responsibility to help others, that I would protect those who couldn't protect themselves. So those words became the words that I live by. And I do everyday…"
The gentle hum of the monitor and soft fluttering of wings above created a heavy atmosphere in the Batcave, one that felt monstrously loud in comparison to the silence of its occupants. Each one of Peter's audience looked at him with pity and sympathy.
Except Bruce, Batman looked at Peter with what could only be seen as respect. Respect born of complete and utter understanding, as if he shared Peter's pain. The knowledge that the worst day of your life can often turn you in to the person you were always meant to be. Bruce recognised the determination on the young hero's face.
He saw that Spider-Man was the hero he was not in spite of his pain, but because of it. Just as Batman was Gotham's hero because Martha and Thomas Wayne were gunned down before they could be. That without the pain Spider-Man wouldn't be the hero he was clearly trying to be. The words Pete's uncle had told him were clearly embedded in his ethos and they mirrored Bruce's own.
Batman now saw that Spider-Man threw himself in harms way not for glory or recognition, and not through stupidity and naivety, but because he knew it was his responsibility to help everyone he could. Even if it put a target on his back. He wasn't dangerously inexperienced, he was recklessly selfless. A selflessness that was born from guilt.
Barbara was the first to speak, "I'm so sorry, Peter. Your uncle sounded like a great man…"
Peter smiled back with red eyes, "Thanks… He was… Not a day goes by I don't think of him." Peter wasn't allowing himself to cry. Not through fear of judgement, but through the simple fact if he started now he wouldn't be able to stop.
Alfred also spoke, "Although I don't know you, very well Mr. Parker… If you are half the hero you seem to be… Well, I'm sure that your uncle would be very proud."
Peter didn't speak, he couldn't, not without immediately choking up and becoming a mess of tears. Instead he simply smiled at the old brit and nodded gratefully, his eyes growing ever redder.
Finally, Batman spoke, "For what it's worth… I'm sorry too, Peter. I understand, that kind of pain never truly goes away… I also want to apologise for earlier… While I still stand by my actions, I nevertheless, am sorry for how everything occurred. No matter how necessary it was…"
Peter felt as if that was the best apology was going to get, he looked to Barbara who seemed baffled by the fact Batman was even apologising at all. She looked at him wide-eyed and nodded, desperately trying to tell him to just accept the apology.
Peter turned back to Bruce before speaking again, "Thanks… I think? I'm sorry for how it happened too… Though I don't forgive your actions, I think I can at least understand where you were coming from…"
Batman nodded affirmatively, his unmasked face returning to its earlier expression of resolute focus, "I think that will do, for now."
"It will? Finally…" Peter involuntarily responded.
Batman spoke as he turned his back on Peter, "Yes. While I still don't fully trust your interdimensional origins, Peter Parker…" He continued his monologue as he was re-equipping his cowl and approaching the computer, "I trust your words, and I don't believe you were lying about your uncle. We will look further into where you came from later. But for the record, though I still don't believe it myself, your body language tells me that at least you think you are telling the truth."
By the end of Bruce's sentence, he was sat back at the computing. Reviewing several pieces of information in the screen.
"Did you just offer condolences and then immediately imply I was insane? Cause' that's what it sounded like…"
Batman ignored the question, instead he seemed to be pulling up pictures of crime scenes and what seemed to be puzzles, "I need to get back out in to the city, I have spent too much time here as it is… Spider-Man, you will be staying here tonight… Alfred will show you too one of the guest rooms…"
Bruce's tone and matter-of-factness left little room for argument, something Peter may have attempted had he possessed more energy. Instead he simply accepted it. He knew Batman wanted to keep him somewhere he could keep an eye on him, and although it mildly annoyed Peter, the offer of a soft bed was too good to deny. Even if said 'offer' was more of a demand born of pragmatism rather than an act of generosity.
"Umm… Okay? Not to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything, but you're still going to help me get home, right?"
"You have my word… I need to do some research first. I will get to the bottom of this, Peter Parker. I warn you now though: If you've been lying to me, I will find out. And, you will regret it."
The threat disguised as a warning was so intense that even Peter himself began to doubt his own story, if only for a moment. A momentary hum rippled through his spider-sense, Batman was telling the truth alright.
"Heh. Well good thing I'm not lying then, I guess…" Peter said rubbing the back of his neck, while he was comfortable he could beat Batman in this moment, he had no idea what other tricks he could possibly have up his sleeves should they tussle again.
Batman now turned to face Peter again, he simply looked at him and grunted before turning to Barbara. She had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout his and Spider-Man's interaction. Perhaps out of respect for the two, but Bruce could see there was also something darker occupying her mind.
Nevertheless, there was little time for it now. Plus even he could recognise that it was too early for Barbara to talk about what was truly bothering her. A few years ago and Bruce would have simply demanded answers right away, but not anymore. He recognised that approach would only cause further distance between them, shutting down any chance for actual progress.
Over time as Bruce spent more time with other Justice League members, and as the 'Batfamily' itself grew, so too did Bruce's understanding of others emotions. He would never admit it himself of course, but it was nevertheless obvious to those around him that he had become less stubborn and more empathetic to his allies over the years.
Dick, Barbara, Alfred, and even Jason, noticed the change the most and welcomed it; though the latter would never concede that due to his own stubbornness. Of course Bruce could still be abrasive and even downright antagonistic at times, but to others , it was clear he was trying harder than he had in his earlier years as Batman.
Barbara and Bruce held the gaze between them for a moment, before Bruce softened his eyes and nodded at her questioningly, looking for reassurance she was okay. She nodded back, to which Bruce finally broke the silence of the room.
"We will discuss what happened in the warehouse, tomorrow. That includes you, Spider-Man." he continued as he looked between the two younger vigilantes, "For now though, both of you get some rest. That goes especially for you, Peter, we still have a lot more to clear up, beyond what happened tonight."
"Umm… Right. That makes sense." Peter replied, a little taken back by the sudden return to formality in Batman's voice. Again though, he was too fatigued to question it. He was basically coasting at this point, his aching body running on fumes.
In mere moments Bruce downed his now tepid coffee in one gulp, thanked Alfred, before jumping into the seat of the Batmobile through the open hatch, starting the engine and speeding off into the night. The others watching in silence as he left.
Peter secretly though the whole display was actually rather ridiculous, yet somehow, through its ridiculousness a level of complete and utter seriousness was felt. Only a man of total focus, and determination could act so abnormally with such severity and have it seem so characteristically normal.
By this point, Peter had come to accept everything about his newfound colleagues without the slightest apprehension. Perhaps the result of Batman's no nonsense attitude and unwavering commitment to his city, perhaps the result of severe physical trauma and sleep deprivation on Peter's part; most likely it was a combination of all those factors.
"Hmm. That went well, I think." Peter said as he turned his attention back to Barbara.
"Well? That went amazing... I'm actually shocked, how was Batman less annoyed by you then I was?" Batgirl replied.
"That was less? I felt like I was walking on egg shells the whole time…"
"What can I say? Batman's less is everyone else's more…"
Peter shrugged before responding, "I mean, I have been attacked by both of you tonight… Let's not forget that."
"I was more he was less,it all balances out. Trust me… As far as Batman is concerned, that was a good first impression…"
"Okay. I'll take your word for it… Not really first, though. Considering he was spying on me…"
"Yeah… You'll get used to that. But trust me, I've seen plenty of first meetings with the big, bad, Bat. And that was definitely in the… top five, at least."
She gave a sly grin as she spoke, causing Peter to smirk back, it was clear she was being somewhat sarcastic. Her expression and tone implying that she was far more impressed than her words may suggest.
Peter didn't fail to notice how Barbara's earlier antagonism towards him was now completely gone, shifted into a sly playfulness. One that seemed to be much more natural and comfortable for her. Pete definitely enjoyed her current attitude a lot more, but perhaps there was also a level of contextual comfort at play. After all, when he compared her to the Batman, even Barbara's meaner attitude felt positively delightful.
Alfred interjected into the conversation, "Indeed. Mr. Parker. You even managed to convince Master Bruce to willingly remove his cowl on your first meeting. That is no mean feat…"
"Well, I didn't want to… But you know, he started it…"
"I assure you Mr. Parker, I am by no means judging your choice, merely impressed that it actually worked."
"Oh. Well, thanks."
"You're welcome… Now if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room for the night. Ms. Gordon. I believe you should be heading home as well. You both deserve some rest…"
"Right. Thanks, Alfred…" She said, giving the older man a quick hug which he reciprocated.
Peter stayed silent as the two of them shared their moment, but was surprised to find himself also caught in an embrace from Barbara after she had let go of Alfred. It was quick and friendly, but nevertheless there was a tightness in the hug Peter wasn't expecting. He held her back softly before the two separated themselves.
As she pulled back she looked at Peter as she put her hand on his shoulder, smiling sincerely, "Thank you."
"Didn't you thank me earlier?"
"I did. But I was also a bit emotional earlier, so I'm saying it again to prove I meant it…"
Peter chuckled slightly at that remark before replying, "Fair enough, then. You're welcome."
Barbara smiled as she looked between him and Alfred before she too said her goodbyes, not that Bruce said much of a goodbye in comparison. The two men watched her as she mounted her bike, started the engine and rode off into the night.
"Now, if you'll follow me, Mr. Parker…" Alfred spoke.
"Lead on, Jarvis…"
The older man raised an inquisitive eyebrow at that statement, to which Peter blushed slightly in embarrassment before responding, "Sorry… Inside joke."
Alfred simply smirked and continued to lead Peter up the stairs into the building above the Batcave. Peter had obviously figured that Batman was pretty rich judging by all his fancy gadgets and swanky lair. Still he was completely taken aback at the absolute grandeur of the mansion above the Batcave.
Alfred led him through several elegant hallways and passed multiple rooms could easily fit his entire shared apartment into. Eventually after what felt like hours, Peter was led into a vacant bedroom. Again, Peter was amazed at the sheer elegance in front of him. The bedroom on its own was larger than his, Bobby's, Angelica's and Rand's bedrooms combined. Not that they were necessarily large rooms, but still in comparison, this room was gigantic.
He briefly paused and thought about how his roommates were doing, if there was no time dilation, then they probably hadn't even noticed anything was wrong, they would just assume he was out doing Spider-Man things. But, perhaps they were out, looking for him. Or maybe everyone thought he was dead. Again, his mind went to places he didn't want it to go. So he shook the thoughts away and focused on the room in front of him.
The ornate furniture of the large room was unreasonably clean and polished, to the point Peter felt he could see his gobsmacked reflection in the dark oak. The trinkets, odds and ends and bits and bobs that served merely to decorate the spare room were themselves so fancy that Peter felt even pawning one of them would be enough for him to by a mid-sized studio apartment in Manhattan.
There was an equally grandiose door open in the corner, beyond which Peter could see an En-suite, something which had never been a part of anywhere Peter had stayed before; let alone one which apparently came with a bidet. But what really put everything into perspective was Bruce's comment about Peter staying in one of the guest rooms, and yet Peter felt as if this room alone held enough value within it to pay-off the entirety of Aunt May's mortgage, twice.
"Wow… You didn't need to go to all this trouble for me…"
"Excuse me?" Alfred replied with confusion, genuinely unaware of Pete's meaning.
"Well I really appreciate, but this room is too much, anything with a bed would've been more than enough."
Alfred chuckled before responding, "You misunderstand, Mr. Parker. This is actually our smallest room, and most basic… I was actually going to apologise, if I had more time I would of prepared one of the larger ones…"
"This is the smallest!" Peter's tone was one of complete and utter disbelief, "How many other rooms are there?"
"Well discounting mine, Master Bruces, Master Damian's, Master Tim's Master Dick's and Master Jason's, although those las two aren't used very frequently… Let me think… Seven."
"Seven spare rooms?"
"Yes."
"And this is the smallest?"
"Yes."
Peter muttered the words, "Holy shit?" under his breath.
Although Alfred very clearly noticed, he didn't pull the younger man up on his language, instead he simply smiled and responded, "Holy shit, indeed. It makes upkeep an absolute nightmare..."
The butler continued, "Now, there are some clean clothes that should fit you in the wardrobe. There are some simple toiletries in your bathroom and some pyjamas on the bed should you need them… Oh, and if you leave your suit on the chair, I can clean it and patch it up for you…"
Peter looked at Alfred suspiciously, unsure what to make of the offer.
"Of course, the decision is entirely yours… I just thought that you might want you suit in one piece before you go home…"
"Thanks, but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather fix it myself tomorrow."
"Of course. Should you need me don't hesitate to ring the bell on your nightstand. Goodnight, Mr. Parker"
"Right. You too. Thanks for everything."
The British man simply smiled as he excused himself and left Peter in the lavish room. Peter was still in a state of disbelief, but now introspection was not at the top of Peter's priorities, sleep was. He unceremoniously tore his costume off piece by piece before performing his nightly bathroom rituals and throwing himself into the ridiculously large bed.
He sunk into the cloud below him and for the briefest of moments all of his fears and worries for the future seemed to slip off into the distance, his vacant head becoming the perfect staging ground for sleep to overtake his body. Before Peter could even approach the simplest thought, his mind and aching body became still, and he drifted off into the blankest and most dreamless sleep.
- Meanwhile -
DC Universe Prime
Gotham City
Black Mask's safe house
Roman Sionis was current watching the 3rd replay of the bodycam footage from one of his GCPD rats. The expression on Roman's permanently fixed, skull-like mask was one of morbid fascination laced with tempered fury. He looked up to see his assistant Ms. Li looking back at him with patient expectance.
"Who is this, punk?" He asked, referring to the red and blue clad vigilante in the video, who was currently backflipping over one of his goons.
"We don't know, sir. Word from our GCPD informant is that he refers to himself as 'Spider-Man', he showed up from practically nowhere. Stopped our ambush and also helped put the Joker back in lock-up."
"Ugh… Batman, Robin, Catwoman and now 'Spider-Man', what's next… Pigeon-Kid? Who does this kid think he is? He can't just put on a stupid costume and pick a fight with me, he's nothing but a punk who's in over his head…"
"Regardless, sir, he has stopped two of our operations tonight…"
"Two? What was the second one?"
"A debt collection in the narrows, not much mind you. But still, they were known employees of us…"
"Great… Where are they now?"
"Jail, GCPD picked them up not long after they were taken down…"
"See if we can get them out… If not, have them killed. Don't want them spilling anything… What about the masks at the ambush?"
"We're waiting on bail… We still have a couple of judges in our pocket so shouldn't be too long."
"Good. I want to talk to one of them about what they saw, and who this kid is…"
"Very good, sir. What about Spider-Man himself?"
"Hopefully Batman will send him on his way, can't imagine he's too happy with this development… Regardless, this is my city, I can't let him disrespect me and get away with it… Put a bounty on his head, 100 grand. Dead."
"Understood, sir… Anything else you need of me."
"No that'll be all, Li…" Roman replied as he got up from his desk and began pouring himself a glass of bourbon.
Ms. Li simply bowed her head slightly before exiting his office, closing the door after herself. Roman swirled the drink in his hand for a moment as he stood and stared out the window. Taking a sip, he surveyed the city contemplatively.
This used to be his city, he had near complete control of the criminal underworld, now his empire was crippled. The Red Hood and Batman denting his criminal enterprise nearly beyond repair. Quite frankly, he was lucky he wasn't dead, both Red Hood and the Joker came close enough, but still here he was.
He had narrowly avoided prison, through some strategic greasing of palms and other, less pleasant, methods. Yet now, his once vicelike grip on the city's underbelly was a mere clutch at strands. He sighed with contempt as he took another sip, he would take back this city.
There was nothing anyone could do now, not Batman, not Cobblepot, not the Court of Owls and certainly not some punk dressing up in his kiddy pyjamas. A part of him secretly hoped Spider-Man would be dealt with by the Bat, 100 grand may not have been a lot to Roman a few months ago, but now it was enough to cause slight discomfort.
But the other, more spiteful part of him, definitely wanted to see the new wannabe hero dead. Unceremoniously and swiftly, a decisive and clear message to everyone out there, Black Mask was still a threat. And once he claimed his city back, he would laugh about ever worrying about a measly 100 grand.
He grinned under the skull-like mould stuck his face, a sickening sight to any who would see it; but as the only one witness to the display, Roman found it a glorious sight. He focused on his reflection in the window pane and as the city began to become a mere distant blur below his own figure, he saw his goal perfectly reflected. The entirety of Gotham, under him.