The Dark Knight

When Batman showed Jay the temporary Batcave he had hidden beneath Metropolis, Jay wasn't even remotely surprised. If this world's Batman was even half as similar to his comic book counterpart as he seemed, then he surely must have at least ten secret strongholds hidden around Metropolis.

Still, that didn't stop him from expressing his awe as he entered the cave. Batman had carved out a space over twenty meters high underground, divided into three sections: the main control room with computer equipment, an armory for light weaponry, and a hangar housing vehicles like the Batwing and Batmobile.

How had he managed to create such a space in Metropolis?

Batman had barely spoken throughout the entire process. Upon arriving here, he immediately went into one of the rooms, leaving Jay and Helena to wait in the control room. Jay curiously surveyed the various facilities and equipment in the Batcave, then sheepishly averted his gaze when he realized he was acting like a country bumpkin who had just arrived in the city.

He smiled at Helena, "This place is pretty impressive."

Helena smiled back slightly, "You should visit the Batcave in Gotham sometime. Compared to that, this place is practically shabby."

Seeing that Batman was still busy inside, Jay decided to ask Helena the question that had been bothering him: "So, all of this was just a test you set up for me? There isn't actually some powerful organization that's aware of my existence?"

"That's pretty much it. I have to apologize for that, but I didn't exactly lie – I told Batman about you, but not my superiors. Batman insisted he needed to know your limits." Helena said apologetically, "You have to understand, he wasn't always like this."

"What do you mean? So suspicious?"

"No, he's always been very suspicious since I can remember," Helena shook her head. "But ever since the Apocalypse Invasion ended, he seems to have moved closer to the line he never crossed. He's become more ruthless, and after Commissioner Gordon stepped down, he severed all cooperation with the Gotham PD. He barely left Gotham for six years, completely ignoring anything happening outside the city. That is, until I told him about your arrival. I think I can understand why. After all, he's been through so much – Superman is dead, the Justice League has fallen apart, and then there's Mom's death..."

As Helena spoke, Jay suddenly froze. He suddenly remembered that he had indeed heard of a parallel universe in the comics where Batman married Catwoman, Selina Kyle, and had a daughter. That daughter grew up to don the cape like her father and become a superhero known as Huntress.

Her name was Helena Wayne.

Jay's jaw dropped, "You... you're his daughter?"

"Yes, I am." Helena made no attempt to hide it. "And I can tell you, my name is Helena Wayne, Helena Wayne from Gotham. That way, I don't need to tell you who Old Bat is, right?"

Gotham, Wayne – these two names were always naturally linked. Helena had effectively told Jay that "Batman is Bruce Wayne." Although he already knew, it at least showed she was willing to be open.

Jay felt the sheer volume of information he had just received was overwhelming, even for his super-brain. He made a "stop" gesture and asked, "Wait, wait, you said your mom died, what happened?"

"It was during the invasion six years ago." Helena's face showed a hint of sadness. "Parademon from Apocalypse Star were all over the globe, and Gotham was almost lost. A group of citizens in Gotham's slums were trapped, surrounded by hordes of Parademons. My mom wanted to rescue them, and then..."

She paused, closing her eyes gently, as if the events of that day were still vivid in her mind. Jay said softly, "I'm so sorry."

"Father had the chance to save her; he knew Mom had gone to the slums." Helena said in a low voice. "But at the time, it was the most critical moment of the Justice League's counterattack plan, so he chose to stay with the League and fulfill his duty. In the end, as everyone knows, the League failed. He couldn't save the world, and Mom died in the darkest corner of Gotham."

"Helena." Just as she was saying this, Batman's grim voice suddenly echoed in the room. "You've said too much."

"We've confirmed his background, he can be trusted." Helena said. "Besides, you always seem to forget that trust is mutual. Considering you set a trap for him the first time you met, I think showing some sincerity is necessary."

Batman said coldly, "That is for me to decide."

He walked up to Jay. Jay noticed that he had already changed into his usual Bat-suit. Most of his body was wrapped in a voluminous cloak, and his jawline was sharp beneath the mask. He stood so close to Jay that Jay could feel an immense authority and pressure emanating from him, but compared to the Batman in Jay's memory, he did seem older. Perhaps it was the harshness of reality, or the relentless march of time, or more likely, a combination of both.

Without a word, he pulled a badge with an "S" insignia from his cloak and handed it to Jay. It looked exactly like the one that had once adorned Superman's chest. Jay took it, feeling somewhat bewildered, unsure of what he was supposed to do with it.

"Wear it on your chest," Batman said plainly.

Alright, wear it on his chest. Jay complied, placing the "S" emblem on his chest, mimicking his memory of Superman. The badge immediately reacted, emitting a faint glow. Deep blue particles spread from it like a tide, instantly covering Jay's entire body and transforming into a complete, form-fitting suit. A bright red cape draped naturally from his back, styled just like Superman's.

"At least this confirms one thing," Batman said. "You're a Kryptonian."

"Huh?"

Helena explained, "The suit you're wearing is Superman's. It's a Kryptonian bio-nanotech suit. It can recognize Kryptonian genes, and only activates when it detects Kryptonian genes in the wearer."

"Thanks, it looks pretty cool." Jay asked, "So why are you giving this to me?"

"The world needs Superman, and you will take that place." Batman continued in his characteristic detached tone, sounding like he was issuing an unchallengeable command.

Become Superman? This wasn't the first time Jay had heard such a thing, but each time, he felt the statement was somehow distant from him. Superman was Superman not just because of his incredible abilities; anyone could not simply replace him.

No, it should be said that no one could replace him.

Superman was dead, and this world would forever bear that void, a void no one could fill.

"Well, I am quite willing to use my abilities to help others and save lives, but..." Jay pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think I'm ready."

"No." Batman said, "I've observed you. You are indeed not mature and need more experience. But you have a heart, you have genuine humanity like him, and you haven't changed your essence because of your omnipotent power. That's the most important part." He paused and added, "Also, I'll be keeping an eye on you. If, one day in the future, you go down the wrong path, I will be prepared for you."

If someone else had said this, it might have been reassuring, but Jay understood what Batman meant by "prepared." He tried to imagine the consequences, and even the most lenient of them sent a chill down his spine.

Jay fell silent, staring at the seams on the metal wall, lost in thought.

"Any problems?"

"No, I..." Jay hesitated. He had a premonition that saying it out loud would have dire consequences. He glanced at Batman, then finally mustered the courage to speak, ".I just feel, maybe Lex Luthor was right? Maybe that era is over, and perhaps the world no longer needs Superman. I mean, look around you, so many superheroes back then, how many are left now?"

He noticed Batman's eyes narrow, a possible sign of his bad mood. Perhaps he shouldn't have said that after all.

"The reason you say that is because you've been hiding in your own little world and never understood what's happening outside," Batman said in a deep voice. "That monster that appeared in the Underground Mall in Metropolis, have you ever thought about where it came from? Have you ever thought about how many more things like it exist in the world outside that you don't know about?"

Jay was speechless. He truly didn't know, and hadn't even tried to figure it out, because subconsciously, he still saw himself as a high school student, and it wasn't his responsibility.

"Do you really think this world is as peaceful as those politicians who talk nonsense say it is? Do you think just because the newspapers don't report it, supervillains won't act recklessly? They talk every day about how the world is getting better, what nonsense! Use your X-ray vision and look properly, you'll find that the world is only getting worse, every single day."

Jay didn't know what to say. He wanted to argue, but found himself at a loss for words. Batman was right; he had always stayed within his small circle of life, never understanding what the current world was like. But instinctively, he felt it couldn't be as bad as the other man claimed. Batman was just too pessimistic. Considering everything life had thrown at him, you couldn't blame him for that.

A communication request came in at that moment. Batman frowned and answered, "Penny-One?"

Penny-One was the codename for his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, the person closest to a father to Batman, and an indispensable part of shaping the legend of Batman.

The line connected, and the old man's voice came through the channel: "I suggest you turn on the television now and watch the local news program in Metropolis."

Batman frowned, "Not now, Penny-One."

"Now. If you wait any longer, it might be too late when a plane crashes onto your head, sir."

"What plane?"

Helena didn't need him to say more; she had already pulled up the local news on the computer screen. It wasn't difficult, as almost every channel in Metropolis was broadcasting the same story.

"A flight from Metropolis to Chicago took a sharp nosedive shortly after takeoff. Following what appears to be an engine failure, the plane is circling above the city, in danger of crashing at any moment."

"To Chicago!?" Jay exclaimed in surprise, "My dad's on that!"

"Go do what you need to do," Batman said, producing a pair of yellow goggles from somewhere. "Put these on."

"Uh, you know my eyes don't need goggles."

"Put them on, and you'll see why," Batman stated calmly. "Then think carefully and make the right choice."