The Batman

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Chapter 28: The Batman

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Ian put a black sweater on, followed by black pants and a pale brown coat going well with his brown eyes. He already had gloves on as usual.

He then put on a belt and made sure it was as tight as possible before putting a few guns on, hidden under his coat.

He walked down to the coffee, noticing quite a lot of people around. Gotham has been relatively peaceful for the past week, so people could at least let out a sigh of relief.

It's still just as much of a shithole as it ever was, but it was a shithole they were used to.

"Boss." The middle-aged woman who bowed was one of the Rose family members. She was also responsible for overseeing the coffee

"Layla," Ian nodded at her, "The weather seems nice. Perhaps we have a very nice day ahead of us."

"I'm sure we do. Anything I can do?" She gently spoke. She is a simple woman who had to scavenge for herself her entire life.

The life of homelessness was certainly cruel to her, yet she prevailed. She is extremely patient and understanding which is why she found herself in her current position.

"Tell Ralf to meet me outside." Afterward, he started walking outside while yawning, "So sleepy, who likes to have meetings this time in the morning? Does he even sleep?"

His complaints brought a laugh to Layla. She then hastily did what he ordered.

Ian waited until Ralf stood next to him, "Don't even hesitate to use it if you see it fit. I'd prefer little to no casualties on our side, so hit them with our best if possible.

The consequences don't matter. Just do what you have to do if the situation requires it, and remember... Get the crime alley no matter what."

A smirk surfaced on Ian's face as he spoke his next devilish words, a tactic used by many nations across history. A front everyone sees but none can fight against... And it works.

Another thing, our goal isn't war... Our goal is to give the homeless their home back, and their freedom. This is definitely not for personal benefits. Convince yourself that, and our people will believe it."

Ian then made his to the airport. He had his duffel back with him and also his guns, yet he just passed by the backdoor without the guards paying attention to him, seemingly expecting him.

He just drove into one of the airport's personal garages where he noticed a private plane, Ian directly went into it, finding two people inside.

One was the Batman fully attired with his black suit, not far away from him was a gorgeous woman, her silky ebony hair was falling to her waist.

"Is this who you were waiting for? He doesn't look so special?" The woman remarked with surprising bluntness.

Ian on the other hand just observed Batman, ignoring the rude woman. Speaking of rudeness, 'The suit is perhaps too much, but I can make light armor with it... Nah, I will just keep it in my collection. The question is how do I get it.'

He adapted to his new world quite quickly and seemingly forgot the days he read about Batman and enjoyed those fabulous stories... It was as if meeting him now wasn't so much of a big deal for him.

"Ian Rose, nice to meet you, finally in person this time. I'm an admirer of what you do." Oh? Perhaps it was a bit of a big deal for him?

"You are? I never imagined such words coming out of the mouth of a criminal." Batman spoke in his usual disguised raspy voice, seemingly unimpressed.

"I mean, if not for the other criminals' fear of you, I wouldn't be able to reach where I am so easily." Perhaps not... His bluntness overshadowed even that of the annoyed and ignored woman.

Ian knew there was business and discussion to be done, so he sat face to face with Batman. The latter was also interested in continuing the conversation.

"You should've already read all the information I sent you, and we're both smart people, so such tricks are unnecessary. This is only happening because I am testing you."

'Interesting,' Ian raised his eyebrows in surprise, "I thought as much, but I didn't think you'd be so blunt about it. However, you overestimate my cleverness, I just think and use my common sense... I think?"

Batman ignored the last point and asked, "First, who are you?"

Ian clearly felt the plane has started moving as he answered, "Ian Rose... That's my real name. What about you? Any name to speak of?"

"Batman, that's my name." Both of them didn't lie. It was all the truth, mental gymnastics between two strange individuals. Batman then added, "What's your goal?"

"Hmm, money and things I like I guess?" Ian answered as if he wasn't entirely sure, "What's yours?"

"Fight against crime."

Ian's eyes showed seriousness for a second as he asked, "Do you think you can succeed? You've been doing the same thing for years.

You've brought down several crime families and brought terror upon the criminals, yet Gotham is still as it ever was, in fact, it's just getting worse."

Whatever expression was on the Bat's face, Ian saw none of it. Perhaps the mask was there for a reason other than hiding his identity.

The bat remained silent for quite a while, "No matter how long it will take, I will succeed... someday. Slowly but surely, I will leave my trace on the city."

Ian started stroking his chin, not quite understanding the last part, "In what way are you actually testing me?"

"Just understanding your character, you're talented in what you do. You do bad things but mostly good things, mainly for selfish reasons. I don't know how far you'll go for those selfish reasons."

Batman was surprisingly honest and blunt. Something Ian didn't expect, this is Batman after all, one of the most secretive heroes of all time.

"Hmm, I see," Ian muttered under his breath before answering, "I've never killed anyone, not yet at least. I don't do drugs, never will not will I ever participate in a business related to narcotics.

I have established my family, and I'd like it to work on the basis of respect and fear respectively. I feel like that's the optimal way for a criminal family to work, so I am therefore bound by those rules."

Ian also appeared to be honest? They both did, but only they understand the massive dosage of mental gymnastics they're dealing with right now.

"I believe I understand what you're getting at, and why you turned a blind eye to my actions lately."

Ian ended his speech with that. Of course, he understand that Batman has only figured out a small percentage of what he did, else he wouldn't simply let him go.

"We'll talk about that when we come back," Batman spoke, finding the conversation overall pleasant which means in his mind that he should elevate the danger of the man before him a few more degrees.

There was a long silence afterward. Ian seemed to hesitate for a few seconds to say something while Batman was waiting patiently.

At last, he said, "I am curious, you can just ignore my question if you wish... Are you gonna remain like that the entire trip?"

"Like what?" Batman was understandably confused.

Ian was the one confused this time as he thought what he said is understandable and is a matter of common sense, "The suit? You're going to remain wearing it the entire way? Is it actually comfortable?"

And then there was silence, Batman seemed to be speechless. He just shook his head and stood up and walked to one of the private rooms. It was an exquisite and incredibly expensive plane.

"Hahaha, I was wrong, you're special aren't you?" Perhaps that little laugh was enough to get rid of the woman's annoyance?

"I guess?" Ian turned his attention to her. She's certainly beautiful, but he could faintly see this snaky aura around her, almost as if she's bad news.

Ian wasn't able to remember the last time that stopped him from doing what he wishes, in fact, bad news was the sweet candy of his day.