ตอน 53: Buttons, So Many Buttons! #53
Walking through the dimly lit subway system, I found myself in surprisingly good spirits, the echoes of my humming bouncing off the damp walls. The rats scurrying around didn't faze me; they were just spectators in this underground theater. Negotiations with Mr. Freeze had gone smoothly, and we had reached an agreement: he'd join my team, and in return, I'd provide him with the means to save his wife. Simple enough, right?
Except for the part where he tried to blast me with his cryo gun, but hey, minor details.
As I navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, thoughts of boundaries and consequences danced in my mind. Though Freeze wanted me to leave the Father Box with him, I refused for now.
Frankly, I was all for it; I had no clue how to operate the thing, and Freeze was probably the best bet at cracking its secrets. However, his attempt to swipe it from me hadn't sat well, and I couldn't let that slide. Boundaries were crucial, especially when dealing with someone as dangerous as Freeze.
Emerging into the subway station, ready to ascend to the surface, I froze at the sight before me-- A figure lurked in the shadows, their silhouette a menacing presence against the flickering lights.
The figure, a towering silhouette with unmistakable pointy ears, strategically placed himself in a patch of dim light, casting an imposing shadow. His mask's white lenses gleamed with an eerie intensity. Spotting him, I couldn't resist a smirk.
"Do you always go for the dramatic lighting, or does it just follow you around for effect?" I quipped, my tone laced with amusement. "Either way, it feels like you're trying too hard," I added, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.
Unfazed by my attempt at humor, the figure remained stoic. "What are you doing here?" Batman inquired calmly.
I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Well, seeing as you're here, lurking in the shadows like the night itself, I'm guessing you followed me and even heard my entire chat with Freeze," I replied matter-of-factly. "So, why bother asking?"
Batman's silent glare attempted to bore into me, but I met it with a grin. The legendary bat-stare might intimidate most. However, I wasn't about to be cowed, knowing that glaring was all he could do right now.
I hadn't done anything wrong, and Batman wouldn't do something as ridiculous as picking a fight with me just for having a conversation with a convicted villain.
In the end, Batman seemed to abandon his attempts to intimidate me with his glare. "Aren't you a bit too relaxed?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
I couldn't help but let out a genuine chuckle at his remark. "What else am I supposed to do? Freak out? Run?" I retorted. "I made sure I wasn't being followed, but this is your turf, after all. I figured you'd have your ways of tracking me down whenever you pleased," I explained with a nonchalant shrug.
"Besides, I haven't done anything wrong, so why sweat it? In fact, you could say I'm doing you a favor," I added confidently.
It might have been a trick of the light or my own imagination, but I could've sworn I saw a hint of a smile tug at the corner of Batman's mouth before it completely disappeared.
"You lied to the Justice League. You know more than you're letting on," Batman accused, his tone firm.
I responded with a simple shrug, neither confirming nor denying his accusation. "Follow me," he commanded, turning on his heel and heading toward the subway station's exit.
As I watched him stride away, a scoff threatened to escape my lips. Follow him? Like he was the boss of me? But before I could voice my thoughts, Batman halted and spoke up.
"I'll let you drive the Batmobile," he declared, and that was all I needed to hear.
"Where to, boss?" I chimed in with an eager grin.
...
As I took the wheel of the Batmobile, the thrill of driving such an iconic vehicle surged through me.
My eyes flicked between the road ahead and the array of buttons and dials adorning the dashboard, each one seemingly begging to be pressed. The urge to indulge in some impromptu button-pushing fun was almost overwhelming.
But before I could give in to temptation, I felt the weight of Batman's gaze boring into me from the passenger seat. His stern expression warned me against any rash actions, and I couldn't help but swallow the impulse to start randomly pressing buttons like a kid in a candy store.
With a reluctant sigh, I focused my attention back on the road, resisting the magnetic pull of the Batmobile's controls. After all, I was a guest here, and it wouldn't do to upset the Dark Knight with any unnecessary antics.
So, I settled for enjoying the exhilarating drive through the outskirts of Gotham, content to savor the experience without causing any unnecessary trouble while following the GPS coordinates Batman had placed.
The journey was as quiet as a graveyard at midnight. Any attempts I made to spark a conversation were met with nothing more than monosyllabic responses from Batman, who seemed determined to maintain his air of mystery.
It was like trying to talk to a brick wall, albeit a highly intimidating one.
Despite the eerie silence and the nagging feeling of being led into the unknown, I couldn't help but find a certain thrill in the situation. After all, how many people could boast about driving around Gotham City in the Batmobile?
It was the stuff of dreams, or at least, the kind of thing you'd expect to see in a comic book.
Sure, some might have called it a classic case of "stranger danger," but as an orphan who grew up in the warm confines of the foster system, I never received the memo about avoiding suspicious strangers' vehicles. Besides, this was Batman we were talking about, not some mustachioed creep offering candy from a van.
As we drew closer to our destination, the landscape began to change, transitioning from the familiar cityscape of Gotham to a more rugged and remote area. The GPS coordinates guided us onto an off-road path, winding through dense foliage until we reached the foot of a towering cliff, its surface cloaked in greenery and moss.
With a practiced ease, Batman retrieved a sleek remote-control device from the depths of his utility belt. As he aimed it at the cliff face and pressed a button, the rugged stone parted like an automatic garage door, revealing a hidden passage carved into the heart of the cliff.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I recognized where we were headed. "This is..." I muttered under my breath, momentarily stunned by the revelation. I quickly composed myself, attempting to conceal my expression, but it was clear that Batman had noticed my reaction.
"So you do know..." His voice was laced with a hint of suspicion as if he had finally confirmed a longstanding suspicion.
Caught off guard, I could only offer a sheepish shrug in response as I guided the Batmobile through the opening, descending into the depths of the Batcave.
...
Standing within the expansive confines of the Batcave, Alfred Pennyworth wore his customary smile as he observed the Batmobile gliding to a halt, its engines humming to a gentle stop.
Tray in hand, laden with refreshments and snacks, and with a towel draped over his arm, he approached the driver's seat, ready to greet his employer.
"I'm pleasantly surprised. You've returned early today, Master Br--" Alfred's words faltered as the door swung open, revealing not the familiar figure of Bruce Wayne but instead a young man he had never encountered before.
"Well, I'll be," Alfred remarked, his tone carrying a touch of amusement as he studied the unexpected visitor. "A new face in the Batmobile. You're not the usual clientele, are you?"
The young man met Alfred's gaze with a wry grin. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not here for the snacks, though they do look tempting, so I'll accept your generosity," He said, snatching two cookies, one for himself, the other for the royally dressed rat atop his shoulder.
Alfred arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And just who might you be, then?"
The visitor's grin widened. "Let's just say I'm a friend of the Bat, here to lend a hand... or a paw, if you will," he said, prompting the rat to wave at the butler.
Alfred's confusion deepened, but before he could voice his inquiries, Batman emerged from the passenger seat, cutting through the tension with his presence.
"Alfred, this is Micah," Batman introduced, his voice carrying a hint of approval. "I brought him here to discuss something important."
Alfred's gaze flickered between Micah and Batman, his expression a mix of bemusement and intrigue. "Well, well. It seems I have much to catch up on. Welcome to the Batcave, young man."
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