Chapter 25: The Bat's Gaze
Peter couldn't believe it. The deep thought he'd put into his answer, the principle he wanted to discuss, didn't even earn a flicker of interest in the Bat's cold eyes.
"You are such a great friend," Peter B. Parker said to Batman through gritted teeth, his friendly gesture falling flat.
While Peter was trying to be buddy-buddy, Gwen saw only a deeply mysterious and potentially dangerous figure. She knew May Parker's address was public knowledge by now, but the fact this Bat had led them straight here was telling. He knew exactly where they were staying.
"Answer my question," Gwen insisted, not backing down. She was seriously worried now. What were his intentions?
Bruce ignored her completely. His full attention was on Peter Parker. The intensity of that gaze, even for a man who'd seen as much as Peter had, was hard to bear.
"I... I was hoping you could help us get back," Peter finally blurted out, dropping the pretense of debate.
But Bruce was a step ahead. "Back to your own universe."
"Yes! That's it exactly!" Peter said, excitement returning as he hammered a fist into his palm. Then he paused, leaning in. "Wait. Did you already know I wasn't from this universe?" He searched the white lenses for any reaction. He might be older, but his mind was sharp. He was remembering their first cryptic conversation. Had the Bat seen through him from the start?
"I told you. Your situation is a problem." Bruce simply repeated his earlier, dismissive line.
This whole exchange left Gwen and Miles completely lost.
"So... you already knew about our problem before we even told you?" Gwen stared at the imposing, silent figure in disbelief.
"Simple deduction."
When Bruce said that, Miles suddenly felt a flush of embarrassment. He'd been asking Peter a million questions before and had eventually come to the same conclusion, but he hadn't been nearly as cool about it. Plus, it had felt more like Peter telling him the answer.
"Wait," Gwen pressed, her analytical mind kicking in. "Why did you come when we signaled? You said before that what Peter was involved in was 'trouble.' And judging by your attitude, you don't seem like the type who wants to get involved in other people's problems."
She didn't know the details of their first meeting, but she knew one thing: when someone calls something troublesome, they usually avoid it. Because people who call things troublesome are afraid of the trouble.
"That's right!" Miles chimed in, remembering how quickly the Bat had left them last time. If he didn't want to be involved, why show up now?
"First," Bruce said, his voice a low growl. He took a single step forward, closing the distance to Gwen. He held up one gloved finger. "The Bat-Signal was lit."
His height, well over six feet, combined with the broad, armored build, completely overshadowed the smaller Gwen. She knew intellectually this Bat likely had no superpowers, that he probably wasn't as physically strong as, say, Doctor Octopus. But the sense of raw pressure and imminent threat he radiated far exceeded any enemy she'd ever faced.
She forced herself to look up, meeting the shadowed blue eyes visible in the mask's sockets. She saw no warmth there, no melancholy, certainly nothing inviting. What she saw made her heart pound with something other than attraction. It was pure apprehension. This Bat brought too much pressure. A few seconds of his direct gaze, and she felt her resolve waver.
"You're scaring her," Miles said, stepping forward to stand beside Gwen.
But when he actually lifted his head to meet Bruce's eyes, his own courage faltered. He couldn't help but take a step back. In their eyes, Bruce wasn't just a man; he was a specter walking the earth, emanating a chilling, unforgettable darkness and an aura of endless fear.
"Secondly," Bruce said, withdrawing his gaze as if switching off a spotlight. He turned back to Peter. "Your enemy is now my enemy as well."
Peter had his hands up in a placating gesture, having been about to step in and stop Bruce from intimidating the kids. He hadn't expected Bruce to stop on his own.
"So... we're allies now?" Peter said, lowering his hands. He walked to Bruce's side and, in a gesture of trust, pulled off his own mask. "Peter Benjamin Parker. Spider-Man. From another world."
He didn't ask for an explanation. He understood that everyone had secrets. He wouldn't press Bruce on why he and Kingpin were at odds. Some things you didn't need to know.
Gwen took a few steadying breaths before slowly raising her head. She followed Peter's lead, pulling off her own mask. "Gwen Stacy. Also Spider-Man... Spider-Woman."
Miles moved to introduce himself, but then hesitated. He realized he was just a guy with spider-powers. He didn't feel he'd earned the name 'Spider-Man' yet.
"So," Peter said, a teasing note returning to his voice as he saw Bruce made no move to unmask. "Aren't you going to take that off? Let us see who's under the scary mask?"
Gwen was curious too. What face was hidden under all that fear?
"There is one among you who does not have the will to be Spider-Man." Bruce didn't name names, but everyone knew who he meant.
At first, Peter thought Bruce was just making a general, slightly harsh observation. But the next moment, Bruce turned that formidable gaze directly on Miles.
"Am I wrong, Miles Morales?"
Miles felt a spark of defiance. He'd been chosen by the Peter Parker of this world! The man had wanted to teach him, to be his mentor! He had the right to be here!
But when he met Bruce's eyes, the words died in his throat. The confidence he'd mustered withered under that silent, judging stare. He looked down at his shoes, unable to hold the gaze.
Miles's reaction made Peter's heart sink a little. He'd had high hopes for this kid. He saw real potential in him. But faced with the Bat's uncompromising presence, Miles had just... folded.
"Okay, okay," Peter said, inserting himself firmly between Bruce and Miles, physically blocking the Bat's gaze. He needed to change the subject, fast. He held up the broken encryption key. "Let's focus on the immediate problem. How do we fix this little thing?"
(End of Chapter)
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