Chapter 307: Black Knight
"Mark IV's firepower isn't aggressive enough. Beyond full-power chest beam, it lacks other necessary lethal options. Extended palm repulsor use pushes the armor's systems past their limits."
"The suit doesn't support remote deployment. I can't even swap armor mid-mission."
"I desperately need Mark V—independent flight capability, reinforcement deployment, far more devastating firepower."
Tony Stark blasted dinosaurs one by one inside Baxter Building with palm repulsors, his mind racing through design specifications.
Last time against Crimson Dynamo, Tony's armor had vastly outclassed Yuri Petrovich's suit in both technology and combat capability.
That battle had been too easy. So easy that Tony had delayed developing Mark V.
But now, truly mired in brutal combat conditions, Tony clearly felt Mark IV's numerous inadequacies.
Mark IV still required mechanical arms for assisted deployment. The current "battlefield" couldn't possibly give him time for that process.
As for Rescue One worn by Reed Richards—it had deployed from Stark's satellite with several mechanical arms built-in for assisted donning.
Plus with Tony present, he'd practically forced Reed into Rescue One.
"I need constant armor upgrades to prevent future incidents." Tony glanced at Reed, still standing rigidly at attention.
He couldn't guarantee Reed wouldn't cause another disaster down the line.
THUMP!
Lost in thought, Tony heard sounds from the original yellow-green vortex. He instantly aimed one hand at the portal, palm repulsor charging continuously.
But seeing the figure emerging wasn't a dinosaur but Batman holding a little girl, Tony lowered his hand.
Tony didn't bother concealing his identity. He lifted his faceplate and looked at Batman. Before speaking, he caught a smoky scent.
"You're injured?" Tony asked immediately.
"No." Batman answered curtly. "You opened other portals?"
While in the primitive world, seeing those new channels appearing in rapid succession, Batman had considered this possibility.
Tony's mouth twisted.
"Not me. But I share responsibility."
He pointed at Rescue One.
"Reed bears primary responsibility though."
"Now's not the time for that, Tony." Batman surveyed the surroundings—dinosaur corpses everywhere. "Close the full-wave projector."
"I believe simply cutting power won't shut it down." Tony closed his faceplate, studying the projector. "The damn thing doesn't even seem to be plugged in."
"I'll research it, Tony. You handle the dinosaurs and rescue people." Batman said.
"How long do you need?" Tony asked.
"Don't know." Batman admitted.
When he'd first arrived at Baxter Building, he'd wanted to study the full-wave projector. But rescuing Lunella had forced him to abandon that opportunity and charge into the primitive world.
Starting from zero on this unfamiliar device—Batman couldn't estimate the time required.
If Alfred AI were operational, he could use the butler's assistance. But right now, Batman could only rely on himself.
"If it's just shutting it down, I believe I can do it." Lunella spoke suddenly from Batman's arms.
"You've studied it?" Batman asked.
Lunella jumped down from Batman's embrace. She glanced curiously at Tony in Mark IV and Rescue One standing at attention, then examined the full-wave projector.
"Reed and I studied this thing for about two hours. After those primitives kidnapped me, I kept thinking about how to close it. I can do it, Batman."
Batman shook his head.
"We'll do it together."
After entrusting the projector to Tony's protection only to have countless portals opened between the primitive world and modern society—Batman preferred spending time handling it himself.
"Tony, outside dinosaurs are yours. I'll arrange backup." Batman told Tony.
"Backup? Who?" Tony looked at Batman.
"Robin."
---
Manhattan is actually an island. The Hudson River flows along its southern edge.
Liberty Island—home to the Statue of Liberty—sits on the southwest Hudson River surface.
Currently on Liberty Island stood Garrett—SHIELD agent who'd been lurking in New York for days searching for Batman. Also a Hydra spy.
"What genius opened portals to another world? What idiot turned one portal into countless?" Garrett muttered to himself.
His gaze swept across the distant Hudson River surface.
Compared to Manhattan currently in chaos from hundreds of dinosaurs and primitives, here the river remained calm.
But in Garrett's vision, a black dot floated on the distant water surface, approaching rapidly. The water rippled as the dot drew closer.
"Whoever it was, I need to thank them. They've given me a perfect opportunity—a chance to earn New York government trust and openly search for Batman."
CLOP CLOP CLOP!
The black dot approached, accompanied by hoof beats. A completely black horse with wings galloped across the water, finally rearing on its front legs with a long whinny before standing before Garrett.
The horse wore saddle and reins. On its back sat a square metal case, its surface engraved with patterns identical to those on the shattered tablet from the Metropolitan Museum.
Garrett removed the case from the horse's back and opened it. Inside lay a complete set of black armor with red trim—breastplate, knee guards, shoulder plates, full body coverage, neatly arranged.
The case also contained a pitch-black longsword sheathed in its scabbard, positioned separately in a recessed compartment.
Garrett methodically donned each armor piece. Then he lifted the black sword, studying it for a long moment before hanging it on the saddle.
He didn't choose the longsword as his weapon. Instead, he retrieved from the case's bottom a staff, a handgun, some explosives, and equipped them all.
Finally, he patted the black horse's head, grabbed the reins, and vaulted into the saddle. Raising his staff high toward the Hudson River, he shouted:
"Come, old friend! I haven't fought alongside you since joining SHIELD!"
"Now finally we can restore the Whitman family honor together—my way!"
"I am Nathan Garrett, Black Knight inheriting from the time of King Arthur!"
"Attack!"
The horse whinnied toward the sky. Its wings beat once, carrying Garrett skyward. They circled once around the Statue of Liberty's raised torch, then accelerated toward Manhattan.
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