Chapitre 17: The Dark Knight
The fact that Batman revealed his temporary Batcave beneath Metropolis didn't faze Jay in the slightest. If this incarnation of the Dark Knight was anything like the comic book version, he surely had a dozen such secret haunts scattered across the city.
Still, it didn't prevent Jay from marveling as he stepped into the cavernous space. Batman had carved out a chamber some twenty meters high below ground level, divided into three sections: a central control room bristling with computers and monitors, an armory stocked with an arsenal of gadgets and weapons, and a hangar housing various modes of transport including the Batwing and the Batmobile.
How had he managed this in Metropolis?
Batman barely spoke throughout the tour, retreating into an inner chamber and leaving Jay and Helena in the control room. As Jay curiously examined the Batcave's high-tech wonders, he caught himself gaping like a newcomer to the big city and sheepishly redirected his gaze.
"This place is impressive," he said to Helena, trying to break the silence.
Helena managed a slight smile. "You should see the Batcave in Gotham. Compared to that, this is modest."
As Batman remained occupied elsewhere, Jay seized the moment to ask Helena the question that had been burning inside him. "So, all that was just a test? There's no actual organization that's aware of me?"
"Essentially, yes. I apologize for the subterfuge. I did not lie to my superiors—I merely informed Batman. He insisted on knowing where you stand." Helena's apology was tinged with regret. "Understand, he wasn't always like this."
"How so? More suspicious?"
"No, he's always been suspicious." Helena shook her head. "But since the Doomsday Invasion, he's been closer to a line I've never seen him cross. He's become harder, ceased all cooperation with Gotham PD after Commissioner Gordon stepped down, and hasn't left Gotham in six years, becoming completely indifferent to the outside world until I told him about you. I suppose I understand his reasons. After all, he's endured much: Superman's death, the Justice League's disbandment, and... my mother's passing."
At her words, Jay froze. He suddenly remembered a comic storyline where Batman and Catwoman, Selina Kyle, were married with a daughter who became the superhero known as the Huntress—Helena Wayne.
"You're his daughter?"
"Yes, I am," Helena confirmed without hesitation. "Helena Wayne from Gotham. That should tell you who Batman is without needing to say it."
Gotham. Wayne. The words went together naturally, and Helena might as well have spelled out, "Batman is Bruce Wayne." While Jay already knew this, her openness was appreciated.
The influx of information was overwhelming, even for Jay's enhanced mind. He gestured for a pause, saying, "Hold on, you said your mother died. What happened?"
"The invasion, six years ago," Helena's voice dropped as a shadow of sorrow crossed her face. "Parademons nearly overran the globe, including Gotham. My mother went to save people trapped in the slums, surrounded by those creatures, and then..."
She stopped, closing her eyes as if the scene were replaying before her. Jay murmured, "I'm sorry."
"My father could've saved her; he knew she went to the slums," Helena's tone was heavy. "But he chose to stay with the League at a critical moment in their counterattack. As history shows, the League failed. He didn't save the world, and my mother died in the darkest corner of Gotham."
"Helena," Batman's gravelly voice suddenly filled the room, "you've said too much."
"He's clear, he can be trusted," Helena argued. "Besides, you tend to forget trust is reciprocal. Considering you entrapped him on your first meeting, some goodwill seems due."
"That's for me to decide," Batman said coldly.
Approaching Jay, now in his signature Batsuit, his imposing presence was accented by the sweep of his cape and the stark lines of his jaw beneath the cowl. Standing face to face, Jay felt an immense aura of authority and intimidation, though Batman appeared older than in his memory. Perhaps it was the harshness of reality or the relentlessness of time, or likely both, that aged him.
Without a word, Batman drew a badge emblazoned with an 'S' from his cape and handed it to Jay. It resembled the one that once adorned Superman's chest. Jay took it, unsure of its purpose.
"Wear it on your chest," Batman instructed.
Without question, Jay placed the emblem where Superman's used to be, and in an instant, it reacted. Emitting a faint glow, blue particles spread like a tide from the emblem over Jay's body, forming a suit of armor complete with a flowing red cape—it was the spitting image of Superman.
"This much is certain," Batman said, "you're Kryptonian."
"Ah?"
Helena explained, "The suit you're wearing was Superman's, a Kryptonian bio-nanotech suit. It recognizes Kryptonian DNA and activates only when it detects the wearer has Kryptonian genes."
"Thanks, it's pretty cool," Jay said. "And you're giving it to me because...?"
"The world needs Superman, and you are going to fill that role," Batman stated, his voice void of negotiation.
Become Superman? It wasn't the first time Jay heard this, but the idea always felt distant. Superman wasn't just about superpowers—no one could just step into his shoes.
No, it was more accurate to say nobody could replace him.
Superman was gone, and the void he left in the world was permanent.
"I'm all for using my abilities to help others, save lives, but..." Jay hesitated, shaking his head. "I don't think I'm ready."
"No," Batman said. "You're not matured yet, you need more experience. But you have heart, real humanity, just like him. You haven't let your powers corrupt you, and that's what matters most." He paused before adding, "And I'll be watching you. If one day you stray from the right path, I'll be ready."
For others, such a statement might be comforting, but Jay understood Batman's meaning of 'being ready.' He imagined the possible outcomes, and even the mildest was chilling.
He fell silent, staring blankly at the metallic seams in the wall, lost in thought.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, it's just..." Jay hesitated, sensing a looming disaster with his next words. He glanced at Batman and, gathering his courage, spoke, "I was wondering if maybe Lex Luthor had a point. Maybe that era is over and the world doesn't need a Superman anymore. Look around—how many of those heroes are left?"
Jay saw Batman's eyes narrow, potentially a sign of disapproval. Perhaps he shouldn't have spoken.
"You say that because you've been sheltered in your own little world, never understanding what's happening outside," Batman's response was stern. "That creature in the Metropolis underground—have you considered where it came from? Have you thought about how many others like it there might be?"
Jay was speechless. He hadn't known or even tried to find out because deep down, he still considered himself a high school student.
"Do you really think the world is as peaceful as the politicians claim? That without news coverage, supervillains cease their chaos? They preach about a world improving day by day—nonsense! Use your enhanced vision, and you'll see the truth: the world is deteriorating every moment."
Jay struggled for words. He wanted to argue but found none. Batman was right. Jay had always remained within his cocoon, ignorant of the world's true state. But instinctively, he felt things couldn't be as bleak as Batman portrayed, an outlook surely shaped by his tragic experiences.
A communication request suddenly cut through the tension. Batman's brow furrowed as he answered, "Penny One?"
Penny One, the code name for his butler Alfred Pennyworth, was as close to a father as Batman had. He was integral to the legend that was Batman.
Alfred's voice relayed through the channel, "I suggest you turn on the television now and watch the local news."
"Not now, Penny One."
"Now, sir, or you might have to wait for a plane to crash into your head to take notice."
"A plane?"
Before Batman could inquire further, Helena had already tuned into the local news, which wasn't hard since almost every channel in Metropolis was broadcasting the same urgent report.
"A flight from Metropolis to Chicago has undergone a severe drop shortly after takeoff. With clear engine failure, the aircraft is circling the city, threatening to crash at any moment..."
"To Chicago?!" Jay exclaimed. "My dad's on that flight!"
"Go. Do what you must." Batman handed Jay a pair of yellow goggles. "Wear these."
"Uh, you know I don't need goggles."
"Put them on. You'll see their use," Batman insisted. "Then think carefully and make the right choice."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone