Bruce stared at the lump Tuotuo in mid-air.
Two bats, one large and one small, stared at each other, less than half a meter apart.
Bruce stood ramrod straight, his black bat-like hood covering most of his face, the lower half of his face taut.
The Bat Tuotuo hovered in the air.
It wore a miniature version of Batsuit, its small, pointed ears stood straight up, and it also had a stern face.
Bruce raised his right hand.
Tuotuo raised its little left paw.
Bruce lowered his hand, his brow furrowing deeply.
Tuotuo lowered its paws, and two fine wrinkles appeared between its brows.
This thing is imitating.
Not only the movements, but even the oppressive aura of being constantly immersed in the darkness of Gotham City was perfectly imitated.
Bruce's mind raced through the possibilities.
The danger level of this alien creature is unknown.
Its ability to conjure Batarang out of thin air suggests that it possesses a spatial storage organ or has mastered some kind of microscopic matter recombination ability.
We cannot attack directly, as it could easily lead to unforeseen consequences.
He opened his mouth, ready to give an order.
Tuotuo also opened its mouth.
After thinking for a moment, Bruce swallowed his words and shut his mouth.
Click!
Suddenly, a crisp click of a camera shutter rang out in the quiet living room.
Bruce turned his head abruptly.
Clark was found standing next to the sliding door of the balcony, holding a silver-gray digital camera in both hands.
The camera is pointed directly at Bruce and Tuotuo.
Bruce didn't speak, his eyes fixed on Clark.
Clark scratched his head awkwardly and hid the camera behind his back.
" Barry said he wanted to see something new." Clark coughed lightly. " Diana is also quite curious. Everyone's under a lot of pressure these days, the League needs some lighthearted atmosphere."
Bruce took a step forward.
Clark instinctively took a half step back, his back pressed against the glass door.
"Ten thousand US dollars," Bruce said.
Clark shook his head.
"This isn't about money, Bruce. League members need to share their lives."
"Fifty thousand."
"I am a journalist, and recording the truth is my professional ethics."
"One hundred thousand." Bruce paused for two seconds. "Cash, transferred to your Metropolis salary card tomorrow morning. Plus, that French-style four-door smart the Fridge Lois saw in the mall last week, with ice making and an all-day freshness system, delivered directly to your apartment building."
Upon hearing this, Clark did not hesitate at all, took the camera out from behind his back, and handed it over with both hands.
"The film and memory cards are all in there," Clark said quickly. " The Fridge needs to be silver-gray; Lois likes that color."
Bruce reached out to take the camera.
The moment his finger touched the camera casing, the Tuotuo in mid-air moved.
The little guy flew between the two of them and put its two short, chubby paws on its waist.
It mimicked Bruce's stance during the negotiations, slightly raising its chin and extending a short paw to beckon to Clark.
"Chirp chirp."
It emitted a series of short cries.
The intonation and rhythm were exactly the same as when Bruce had just announced "ten thousand dollars".
Selene leaned against the sofa, turned her head to the side, and her shoulders twitched slightly.
"Pfft."
She couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Bruce turned to look at her.
Selene waved her hand, then laughed so hard she bent over, clutching her stomach.
"Sorry, I'm professionally trained, unless I really can't resist." Selene pointed to the little guy in mid-air, " Bruce, look! It's helping you bargain."
Bruce slipped the camera into the hidden compartment of his Utility Belt.
"This thing's origin is unknown." Bruce looked at Tuotuo. "An alien creature with advanced mimicry abilities. We can't rule out the possibility it carries unknown pathogens or mind control energies. I need to take it back to the Batcave for comprehensive quarantine and testing."
He reached out to grab the little creature in mid-air.
Bat Tuotuo reacted extremely quickly; with a flick of its miniature cape, it left a black afterimage in the air.
"Chirp!"
It flew back to Selene's head.
He used all four limbs to cling tightly to her hair.
Immediately afterwards, he flicked his small cape.
Three miniature Batarang, barely larger than a fingernail, flew out.
Ding, ding, ding!
The Batarang struck Bruce's breastplate, leaving not even a white mark, and fell directly onto the carpet.
It's clearly a silent protest.
Selene raised her hand to protect the little one on her head.
"Don't even think about it, Bruce." She stared at Bruce. "This little guy has his own mind, and he's very docile. Don't use the same methods you used on Arkham Madman on him."
" Selene, I can't be sure if what Thomas gave me is safe."
"It was just mimicking you. It even controlled the force of its hit on you perfectly so it wouldn't hurt." Selene covered her head. "Isolation and testing? Are you going to draw its blood, lock it in a lead box, and scan it with all sorts of rays for three days and three nights?"
Bruce didn't respond.
That was indeed his plan.
This creature's ability to mimic is incredible.
If it imitates Superman's Heat Vision or the Flash's Speed Force, even if it's just a weaker version, it would be a huge threat in Gotham.
Gotham must never have another Amazo!
Selene saw through his intentions.
"This is an engagement gift from Thomas," Selene emphasized the word "engagement," "It's under my control."
Bruce stood there, watching Selene's protective behavior, and abandoned the idea of forcibly arresting her.
He turned around and walked to the window.
" Thomas Wayne," Bruce said, his voice dropping to freezing.
Selene stroked the little guy's fur twice.
"He's your father."
"The father I remember was a gentle surgeon; he saved lives, he didn't kill." Bruce looked out the window.
"But the person who appeared tonight is reckless, has no bottom line, and is ruthless. Most importantly, his abilities are completely beyond conventional understanding."
Clark walked over.
"If you're not sure, why not ask the person who knows him best to confirm?" Clark suggested.
Bruce turned around.
" Alfred," Clark said, " Alfred watched your father grow up, and then watched you grow up. If that person really is Mr. Thomas, Alfred will recognize him at a glance. You can fake your appearance, but you can't fake the details of a lifetime. A person's habits are ingrained in their bones."
Bruce stared at Clark.
Clark felt a little uneasy under their gaze.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with this suggestion?"
"No, that's a good suggestion," Bruce said calmly. "I was just wondering, is your super brain usually in a dormant state?"
Clark was stunned.
"If you could use your brain cells to think about these substantive issues earlier," Bruce straightened his black cloak, "Instead of using them to take sneaky photos and then trade them for the Fridge, the Justice League's annual battle damage report could be reduced by thirty percent."
Clark opened his mouth, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. He could only chuckle awkwardly and touch his nose.
Bruce looked away and stood on the edge of the balcony, the night wind ruffling his cloak.
He glanced back at the Tuotuo on Selene's head.
Tuotuo looked at him too, put her little paws on her hips, and raised her chin.
Bruce leaped into the night sky.
The matter is far from over.
Gotham's chess game has gained an unconventional player.
He has to go back and find out everything.
What if Thomas really did bring Martha back to life?
How will he face this so-called "father" then?
What will become of Gotham in the future?