CHAPTER 148

Bruce Wayne, hidden in the depths of the Batcave, felt his frustration mount as he attempted to infiltrate Lex Luthor's impregnable security server. The homing signal embedded in his decrypted files had led him here, but it seemed Lex's defenses were more formidable than he'd anticipated. Fingers danced across the keyboard as Batman tried to find another entry point, his typically stoic demeanor strained by his mounting irritation.

A voice, familiar and comforting, suddenly echoed through the cavernous Batcave. "Burning the midnight oil, are we now?"

Turning toward the source of the voice, Batman's stern countenance softened at the sight of Nightwing emerging from the shadows. "Hello, Bruce," Nightwing greeted, approaching him with a reassuring smile.

"Dick," Bruce replied, his attention reluctantly returning to the monitor. "I'm in the middle of something."

Nightwing, undeterred, closed the distance between them. "You don't have to shoulder this burden alone, Bruce. You have allies you can rely on in times like this."

Bruce sighed, weariness in his voice. "Things haven't been going well lately, Dick. Luthor's influence is growing, heroes are being branded as criminals, and the real villains are running rampant. The cities are descending into chaos, and worst of all, Lex has managed to turn Superman into his pawn. It's hard not to feel powerless when I couldn't prevent all of this and stop Lex Luthor's reign."

Dick placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder. "You don't have to bear it all on your own. That's the advantage of having a team of superheroes."

Bruce nodded, his resolve slowly returning. "You're right. I need to remember that."

Changing the subject, Nightwing asked, "How are things here in Gotham?"

"Business as usual," Bruce replied, though there was an edge of tension in his voice. "Criminals are more active than ever, but Barbara and I are doing our best to keep them in check. The military is involved too. There's also a new vigilante in town who's been surprisingly effective."

Nightwing's curiosity piqued. "A new vigilante? Do you know who it is?"

Bruce shook his head. "I've been too preoccupied with other matters to investigate. But after all this, maybe we should look into it. What about Blüdhaven?"

Nightwing nodded. "We've got our own share of vigilantes, and the military is flexing its muscles, claiming they can handle crime without us. By the way, tell me more about this new guy in Gotham."

"He wears a red mask and his uses guns as he's primary choice of weapon. I haven't had a chance to confront him yet."

"He sounds interesting . We should check it out once this crisis is over," Nightwing suggested.

Returning his attention to the computer screen, Bruce sighed. "As for what I'm doing, I've been trying to hack into Lex's personal computer to uncover his true motives before he executes it. But I've hit a wall."

"Why not go old school and sneak into his office to extract the files directly from his computer?" Dick proposed.

"I've done that already," Bruce admitted. "There was nothing incriminating there. Lex might be using a separate system for his criminal activities. Quite a clever move for someone with as much to hide as he does."

Nightwing leaned against a nearby console, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, there might be an easier way to play this cat-and-mouse game with Lex."

An intrigued Batman raised an eyebrow. "An easier way?"

Smirking, Nightwing let out a chuckle. "A way where we can focus on putting an end to this madness and still anticipate Luthor's moves."

Bruce's curiosity was piqued. "What do you have in mind?"

With a grin, Nightwing leaned in closer. "Have you ever heard of a site called 'The Architect'?"

… 

[Tom Hendricks POV] 

Rachael and I engaged in a conversation that seemed tranquil on the surface, yet beneath it all, there hung a palpable intensity. "Let's just say my soul doesn't quite belong here; I can't reveal more than that. Just that I hail from a parallel universe," I responded to her earlier query, half-expecting her to burst into uncontrollable laughter, dismissing my words as a jest.

I had disclosed this simply for the thrill of sharing the truth, only to have it brushed off like fiction. It was reminiscent of that character from the TV series 'Lucifer,' who claimed to be the devil, met with incredulity because of the sheer audacity of his tale.

"That might explain why your presence feels like a disruption to this world," Rachael mused, her thoughts drifting deep into contemplation.

"For a moment there, I didn't anticipate you taking that story seriously," I admitted as I casually strolled over and took a seat beside her, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. With a simple tap on my watch, my mask and costume seamlessly vanished into its depths.

Rachael's eyes widened with curiosity as she examined my watch. "How does that work?" she inquired, her fingers delicately touching mine as she focused on the intricate piece of tech.

"Just a little gadgetry I dabble with," I replied, downplaying the marvel of it all.

"So, enlighten me. How did my boyfriend become the criminal tyrant figure known as Ace?" Rachael's tea remained untouched as she turned to me, her porcelain complexion marked by a resolute expression.

"First of all, I didn't choose the name Ace; that was bestowed upon me by the heroes of this city. And I assure you, I'm not heartless. I do possess a heart," I paused, my words stumbling momentarily. "Though it's a dark and desolate place, likely filled with cobwebs, and it primarily engages in logical reasoning rather than emotional connections."

A perplexed look crossed Rachael's face before I continued, my tone shifting subtly. "Well, that was until I met you. You're the faint glimmer of light that pierces that darkness, filling it with warmth. That's why I was consumed by fury when I learned of your abduction." As I spoke, I watched Rachael's expression evolve from one of inquiry to one that blushed in response to my heartfelt confession.

I couldn't help but smirk internally at my own words. 'The things I say in pursuit of a woman's heart,' I mused as I reached for her chin, gently turning her face towards mine. Slowly, I leaned in, my lips softly meeting hers, her eyes closing in perfect harmony as she welcomed my kiss.

She crossed her leg over me and sat right on me, my dick to me precise. I I held on to her waist and we kept making out on the small sized couch. 

It got so intense and hot, I reached for her soft ass and grabbed onto them, kissing the heck out of her. I reached for her top, unzipped it from behind her and slowly took it off.

Her bra was in the way but that wasn't an issue for me, I snapped my fingers and telekinetically unhooked her bra. "Quite a trick you've got there." She said as we continued to make out. 

"Why don't we free these babies from their confinement, shall we." I said before taking off her bra, exposing her juicy breasts with her pink and pointed nipples pointing right at me. 

"Oh wow." Were the words that escaped my mouth as I took a second to appreciate such divine titties. I grabbed onto them, putting one into my mouth and sucked on her nipples as she immediately gave a cute soft moan. 

Her face had completely gone red and I could feel her wet pussy dripping through her panties and onto me already. I turned her over and laid her on her back as I continued to suck on her breasts, shoving it all into my mouth as I fondled on the other, pinching on the nipples and giving a slight twist to it. 

I realized what she responded to and went back to kissing her from her lips, to her neck, as I kept fondling her breast. Licked her down her navel, as I went back up to her lips. 

My hand had found its way between her thighs as she had given me access without resisting, complying with my every act. I slipped it into her panties and slowly caressed her clit. 

*Hmmm*

She moaned out softly as I kept at it. I was on top of her, caressing her clit in circular motion as I sucked on one nipple and fondled the other breast. You could say I was quite busy with my hands. 

Slowly I slid a finger into her pussy, she gasped a bit and I started to finger fuck her. I added another finger and her moans became more intense with the rapid motion of my hands. 

"E…En… Enough with the teasing, just fuck me already." She stuttered as she spoke through each word. "Calm down sweetie, we haven't even gotten to the good part." I replied to her as I returned my focus to her clit, I took off her panties and could freely work that clit of hers. I must say, her pussy was so neat and juicy that I was compelled to give her head. 

I leaned in with my tongue and grazed it against her clit, giving her head as I showed her what this tongue could do.

*Ahhhh*

She moaned out some more. "Come on, that's enough torture… Just fuck me already." She begged as she moaned through each word. 

She pulled me up and reached for my dick, unbuttoned my pants and pulled out my rock hard cock. She wrapped her soft hands around it as she said…"Fill me with it already, I can't bear this any more." She said with a cute tone as her face became bright-red due to blushing. 

I looked her in the eyes for a few seconds but she looked away for a second and reverted back to me. I tapped my cock on her pussy then slid in the tip, pulled out and repeated about four times. 

"Why are you teasing me so much? It seems you enjoy doing this to me." She said with a low, yet sexy voice.

"Of course I do, I am not in a hurry. And besides, I want to take my time with this pussy of yours." I said to her. Just as I was about sliding my cock into her pussy, my watch beeps to life. 

"Do you need to take that?" Raven asked, fully aware of how busy my life must be. 

"Let me see." I clicked on my watch and a disturbing news from Deathstroke concerning Black Mask displayed on the screen. 'Slade Wilson, you motherfucking cock blocker.' The words that came to mind as I saw the message from Deathstroke, saying that Black Mask had attacked a few warehouses and caused trouble in some of my territories, while I was out rescuing Raven.