S.H.I.E.L.D. Makes a Move

But faster than Zhou Xiao were the people from S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Hello, please tell Bruce Wayne that S.H.I.E.L.D. is here to see him. Yes, that's the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division..." Outside Wayne Manor, the Black agent leader, Agent Hill, and one other unexpected figure spoke into the camera at the gate.

Alfred's voice came through, "I'm sorry, I don't seem to recall that name..."

"You can call us S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

The old butler fell silent for a moment. Then, with a creak, the gate swung open.

"See, that Tony guy really is his old family friend. News like this even reached the ears of Gotham City's golden boy..." the Black agent leader said.

Hill shrugged. "Boss, are you sure it was Tony the big mouth who said it?"

"You called him a big mouth yourself—how could he not blab it everywhere?" The agent leader's reasoning was so airtight that Hill couldn't argue.

Crossing the courtyard, the big shots of S.H.I.E.L.D. met the old butler.

"Sorry to disturb you so late. Is Mr. Bruce Wayne at home?" the agent leader asked with feigned politeness.

"Of course." The old butler replied with impeccable courtesy, "My master heard of your arrival and sent me out to welcome you both... and Miss Natasha Romanova!"

Indeed, the young lady Bruce had been wooing earlier was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top-tier agent, the Black Widow, Natasha Romanova.

"I'm very sorry to disturb you so late, Mr. Alfred..." the Black Widow said with ladylike grace.

By now, it was clear that the so-called principal dancer of the Moscow Ballet was actually a spy. Thus, the old butler responded with polite but hollow courtesy, "Gentlemen, ladies, my master awaits you in the living room. Please."

As for any lingering irritation from the old butler or Bruce Wayne, neither Nick Fury, Hill, nor Natasha cared in the slightest—shortly after the Joker's terror declaration, a video surfaced online showing the Joker brutally killing a citizen who had tried to emulate Batman's 'vigilante justice,' sending shockwaves through Gotham City and even the entire United States.

Just as the Joker said in the video: "Don't think I'm joking! Though I do love a good joke! I say what I mean and mean what I say—ten people dead means ten people dead, not one less, not one more. Wah, ha, ha,"

"This is the first one, Batman!"

"If you don't bow to me, there'll be a second, a third... until you take off that hypocritical mask and surrender to me."

Thus, as soon as he landed, Nick Fury directly contacted the agent embedded beside Bruce Wayne, the Black Widow, Natasha Romanova, ready to lay all cards on the table with Batman.

As for how S.H.I.E.L.D. discovered that Batman was Bruce Wayne—well, to be honest, it wasn't that hard. In 2012, Marvel and DC America were full of cameras, high-tech facial recognition databases, and the like. Comparing that data, could the flashy playboy who drove the Batmobile and flew the Batplane really escape detection? (In the real world, if he were that flashy, the author thinks he wouldn't last long either...)

So, after Batman had been active for a while, S.H.I.E.L.D. quickly locked onto his identity. Surprised, they dispatched their top agent to get close and assess him, to see what kind of person he really was. That was the setup for Natasha Romanoff transforming into a ballet dancer and infiltrating his side.

When the Joker incident erupted, the Black Widow decisively sent a report back to headquarters. She was worried that this young superhero might not withstand the Joker, a master of psychological warfare, whose relentless mental contamination and personal attacks could break him. That's why Nick Fury and Hill made the trip to Gotham City.

With the preamble out of the way, Nick Fury and his two companions met their target in the living room.

"S.H.I.E.L.D.? The spy nest Stark mentioned? What does an intelligence agency want with me? Wayne Enterprises doesn't evade taxes or sell illegal goods—why would intelligence come knocking? Even if they did, I'd expect the FBI or the Tax Department. Since when does S.H.I.E.L.D. care about my family's little company, the Wayne Family's humble business in Gotham City?"

Bruce, far from gentlemanly, let the old fox and his two female foxes stand without offering them a seat. "So, tell me, what can I do for you?"

The Black agent leader didn't mind. Shamelessly, he plopped himself down onto the Wayne Family's custom-made, high-end sofa with a groan. "Now this is what I call luxury!"

"Agent Hill, Agent Natasha, you two should try sitting too."

Hill was fine, but Natasha felt a bit awkward. She said to the master of the house, "Sorry, Bruce..."

"Call me Wayne!" Gotham City's golden boy snapped rudely.

"...Wayne!" The Black Widow's face stiffened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "We're here about what happened today, Mr. Wayne. The Joker's actions not only violate federal law, but we're also concerned..."

"Since when does S.H.I.E.L.D. meddle in personal affairs?" Bruce cut her off again without hesitation. "The Joker made it clear he's coming for me. Why are you butting in? Besides..."

He sneered, "As far as I know, your focus should be on global security, anomalous objects, alien tech, and the like. Me and the Joker—at worst, we're a public crisis or a terrorist attack. Does that really warrant a personal visit from your director and two senior agents?"

"Bruce." After a moment of silence, Nick Fury stepped in himself. "You're right. On the surface, this doesn't seem to require our involvement. But..."

Nick Fury pressed on, "This world is full of crises and unstable elements. Not long ago, Agent Phil Coulson discovered some weapons in Northern Europe suspected to be of alien origin. Then, near Asia, rumors spread of warlocks—yes, exactly what you're thinking! A bunch of Dark Warlocks appearing out of nowhere, capturing homeless people and beggars for sacrifices. Yes, just as you imagine..."

Ignoring Bruce Wayne's incredulous expression, as if he were hearing a fairy tale, Nick Fury continued with content that sounded like gibberish to most.

"Sacrificing to a Demon God? That's what they call it." S.H.I.E.L.D. had misheard the Dark Lord as the Demon God. "To gain great power... Bruce, don't shake your head just yet!"

The agent leader's one eye locked onto Bruce's gaze.

"As unbelievable as it sounds, I'm telling you, Bruce Wayne, supernatural forces do exist in this world..."

"..."