Batman remained silent as ever. He simply reached into his utility belt and pulled out the vibranium.
He had already run radiation tests on this metal and confirmed it wasn't radioactive; carrying it posed no risk to himself.
T'Challa stared at the vibranium in Batman's hand. There wasn't the slightest trace of greed in his eyes, nor the instinctive lunge of a thief spotting his prize.
"Batman," T'Challa said, "I believe you are not the cold-blooded, heartless vampire the rumors paint you to be… Even if you were, you would be the most learned and knowledgeable among all vampires."
His gaze shifted from the vibranium to Batman's eyes, which glowed with a faint white light.
"I cannot contact you directly. That tells me your personal strength is formidable, but your achievements in technology far exceed most people's wildest imagination."
"You've built an anti-surveillance system the likes of which I've never seen. I assume you've already done some research on this piece of vibranium, haven't you?"
Batman said nothing. From beginning to end, T'Challa was the only one speaking.
Batman didn't need to talk. He was waiting for T'Challa to prove just how vital vibranium was to the nation of Wakanda.
"It is more than just a material. It is the origin of everything we are: our cities, our transportation, our communications; our entire technological tree is built upon our understanding of its properties."
"Yet this gift also carries a curse. We chose isolation precisely because of it. History records multiple wars launched by foreign powers coveting vibranium."
"Every single piece that slips beyond our borders must be recovered, to keep it from falling into the wrong hands and exposing our hidden nation. Otherwise, Wakanda will face the very war of conquest we have spent centuries desperately avoiding."
Even Batman could find no flaw in T'Challa's earnest demeanor. He couldn't tell whether the African prince was acting or not.
But from the man's tone, heartbeat, and breathing, Batman was inclined to believe these words came from the heart.
By Gotham standards, this was the moment when the other guy would pull some weapon out of nowhere and take a swing at him. T'Challa didn't. He kept trying to reach Batman with words alone.
"Of course, this is also a personal request. This particular piece was lost less than a year ago; a failure of guardianship. It is a debt my royal family must repay. Recovering it is my duty as prince: to wash away the stain on our honor and fulfill the promise made to our ancestors."
"So I ask you, please return it to me."
T'Challa paused. Seeing no flicker of expression on the small strip of Batman's exposed chin, even someone as even-tempered as T'Challa began to feel a touch of anxiety. Still, he reined it in and even handed the initiative entirely over to Batman.
"You are, of course, free to refuse. But from everything I've learned about you, everything you do is about fighting criminals and eliminating threats. With your understanding of power and responsibility, I believe you will make the right choice."
He did not mention a single word about the consequences of refusal. That would only be a last-resort measure; he had no intention of using it as a bargaining chip or threat against Batman.
At last, Batman spoke. He tossed the vibranium to T'Challa, who caught it smoothly and placed it carefully into an inner pocket. Then Batman said,
"I studied it. Its power is awe-inspiring. You chose honesty over force to reclaim it. That alone proves your sincerity."
Batman likewise made no mention of what would have happened if T'Challa had tried to take it by force, or of the consequences if all those fine words had merely been a ruse to trick the vibranium away.
From T'Challa's words, Batman judged the prince no fool; quite the opposite, in fact. He was extremely sharp.
T'Challa was perfectly aware of the price of duplicity.
Taking the vibranium, T'Challa gave a solemn nod of gratitude.
"You could have done anything with it, yet you chose to return it to its rightful owners. That sense of honor; I will remember it always. Wakanda will remember this friendship forever."
Batman watched him. T'Challa's attitude remained impeccable even now that the metal was in his possession; his demeanor stayed humble.
So Batman dropped the icy wall at last. He no longer regarded T'Challa as a potential enemy. After a brief moment of thought, he said,
"Guard it well."
"And remember: the world is far larger than you imagine, and so are its threats. When you need help, you know how to find me."
Batman was willing to count a prince this humble, this sincere, this free of any irritating traits as an ally; even if only as "Batman," not as Peter Parker.
"I will. Wakanda owes you a debt, Batman. When you need us, contact me anytime." T'Challa answered with a warm smile.
The two men stepped forward at the same time and clasped hands firmly.
T'Challa left with the relief of a problem solved and deep respect for Batman, while Batman logged away the existence of an advanced, trustworthy civilization.
"If Kahndaq's Black Adam were anything like T'Challa…"
After T'Challa departed, Batman stood in place for a moment, lost in memory, then vanished into the shadows.
In a seaside villa in Los Angeles, the television behind Tony Stark was replaying last night's news.
Tony held a newspaper whose front page also featured the previous night's events. With Pepper Potts curled in his arms on the couch, he grinned and said,
"Iron Man? Gotta admit, the name has a ring to it; though it's not entirely accurate. The suit's shell is titanium alloy. Should really be called Titanium Man."
Pepper rolled her eyes and popped a painkiller into Tony Stark's mouth.
"Whatever you call it, you are absolutely not allowed to go out fighting in that tin can again… And didn't you swear you were done making weapons?"
"That's not a weapon, Pepper." Tony swallowed the pill. "It's just personal protection."
Pepper knew she couldn't talk sense into this stubborn playboy. She stood up. "I'm going to deal with Obadiah and handle the media."
"Bye-bye." Tony waved one finger lazily as he watched her leave.
As the click-clack of high heels faded into the distance, the smile slowly vanished from Tony Stark's face. He stood as well.
"Jarvis, did you finish recording Batman's biometric data last night?"
"Complete recording and analysis, sir," the AI replied. "Comparison confirms that Batman and Peter Parker are not the same person."
Tony nodded and started toward the workshop inside the villa.
"Good, Jarvis."
"Build a suit for Peter based on his physical dimensions. Call it Rescue Mark I."
"And initiate the Anti-Batman Armor Project."
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