C527 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
With Thanos and his army defeated, and Stan Lee gone, Peter and the Avengers shifted their focus to the aftermath of the war. The bug-like remnants of Chitauri invaders lay scattered across the many destroyed ships, their lifeless bodies serving as grim reminders of the conflict that had unfolded.
In the wake of victory, the Avengers commenced the arduous task of cleaning up the debris and disposing of the fallen foes. After taking everything back to earth, Peter used his flames to burn the many bodies as everyone else assisted in gathering the dead bugs, each member contributing their unique abilities to streamline the cleanup process.
Meanwhile, Iron Man and a few others scanned and catalog salvageable technology from the enemy fleet. The remains of Thanos's fleet, scattered like broken toys, presented a treasure trove of potential resources. The Avengers decided to salvage what they could.
Luckily, the intact vessels, numbering around 50, were deemed salvageable. Tony marked them down as candidates for retrofitting. After all, these warships would make a good addition to the Avengers' growing fleet, especially Thanos’s warship, which was damaged from their battle but still usable.
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As Peter and the Avengers diligently worked on the cleanup process, sorting through the remnants of the Chitauri forces and gathering salvageable technology, Superman and Batman found a moment to discuss matters of principle. Away from the clatter of debris and the hum of machinery, they stood side by side, admiring the Avengers work.
Batman spoke, his voice low and hesitant. “Clark…”
Superman turned to Batman with a serious expression. "What’s the matter?”
Batman, ever stoic behind his cowl, looked toward his fellow League member. He had been dreading this conversation ever since he changed his mind.
"I never thought I'd say this, but I've come to agree with your new views," Batman admitted, his gravelly voice carrying a reluctant admission. "I've seen the evidence, analyzed the data, and considered the peaceful state of this world… Killing certain criminals for the greater good makes… sense."
Superman, visibly surprised by Batman's sudden admission, raised an eyebrow. "I never thought I'd hear you say that. Why the change of heart?"
Batman sighed, a rare display of vulnerability. "It's not easy for me to admit when I'm wrong. I was against killing for a long time. But the evidence is here. This world is much more peaceful when the worst criminals are permanently dealt with. I just... I never thought I'd agree with you on this."
Superman nodded in understanding, acknowledging the difficulty of such a concession. "It's not about being right or wrong, Bruce. It's about doing what's best for the world we've sworn to protect."
However, Batman's admission came with a caveat. "While I agree with the new direction, I'm not sure I could ever kill someone myself. It goes against everything I've believed in for so long."
Superman raised a questioning brow. "Bruce, during the invasion, you killed at least a few hundred Chitauri. You blew them up, chopped them to bits, and even snapped a few necks. Does killing only count for you when they're humanoid people?"
Batman hesitated for a moment before realizing the weight of Superman's words. His eyes widened as the realization struck him.
"I..." Batman started, his voice faltering. "I didn't think about it that way. I always told myself that they weren’t human. But... they were alive and all of them were sentient."
Superman's gaze remained steady, prompting Batman to confront the reality he had avoided. The words of Nick Fury, spoken during their earlier discussion in the tower, echoed in Batman's mind. ‘Killing is far easier than you think it is...’
Fury was right. Killing was so easy that Bruce didn’t even realize that he’s done it countless times already. For a man that prided himself on pacifism, Batman found it hard to wrestle with the fact that his kill count was far higher than most serial killers.
Batman, for the first time, grappled with the acknowledgment that he had taken lives, not of human criminals but of extraterrestrial invaders. Even in his world, he’s killed more alien invaders than he could count. The ethical dilemma unfolded before him, and he couldn't escape the truth of his actions.
‘I killed them…’ Bruce repeated inwardly as his hands began to shake.
“It’s alright, Bruce.” As the weight of this revelation settled on Batman's shoulders, Superman rests a supportive hand on his friend shoulder. "We all have to confront the consequences of our actions. But it's what we do moving forward that defines us. And whether you decide to continue killing or not, I’ll still support you."
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A few days had passed since the confrontation with Thanos and his army. The Avengers, alongside Peter, worked tirelessly to clean up the aftermath of the war, restoring everything to as it was. Now, with the remnants of Chitauri invaders disposed of or repurposed and Thanos dead and gone, Superman and Batman prepared to return to their own universe.
With Batman officially changing his mind, the reason for their stay had been accomplished. Although Bruce was still conflicted on his past killings, as well as the prospect of future killings, he didn’t let it keep him down for long.
In preparation for their departure, Bruce didn’t waste a single second. He bought a bunch of high storage hard drives and proceeded to download everything related to the DC universe, his universe. From comics and Wikis to Movies and TV shows, nothing was left behind.
With the opportunity in front of him, how could Bruce not take all that he could. He even managed to swipe some tech from the invasion and bought some Stark tech that was advanced enough to catch his attention.
…
The night before their departure, Peter called Batman into his office in the Avengers tower. He had been monitoring the dark knights activities and couldn’t help but feel impressed with his determination to take everything he could back with him.
"Bruce," Peter began as Batman walked in. "I wanted to talk to you before you head back home."
Batman acknowledged Peter with a nod, taking a seat across from him. "What's this about?"
Peter took a moment before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "I know that revealing your identity to the Joker was rather rude, even if he’s already dead. As a way of saying sorry, I wanted to offer you something before you leave."
Batman, ever vigilant, raised an eyebrow. "Offer me what exactly?"
Peter smirked excitedly. "I want to offer you a chance to become a super soldier, like Captain America. I’ve always thought a Batman with superpowers, even minor ones, would be a force to be reckoned with."
Batman, known for his skepticism, eyed Peter cautiously. "And what's the catch?"
"No catch," Peter replied with an earnest shake of his head. "Consider it an apology and a way to make sure you're better equipped. We may have had our differences, but we’re both heroes at heart."
Before Batman could give his answer, Peter continued. “It’s completely safe, by the way. Many Avengers have gone through the procedure without any complications.”
After a moment of contemplation, Batman nodded. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
Peter led Batman to a heavily secured part of the Tower, and into a room filled with an array of high-tech equipment. A giant metal pod, gleaming in the soft light, stood as the centerpiece of the room. Peter explained the procedure and the enhancements it would provide, emphasizing its potential benefits.
Batman cautiously entered the pod as Peter assisted in strapping him in. Once everything was in place, Peter closed the pod, attaching vials containing a specialized serum to the exterior. He looked at Batman through a small window on the bod and asked, "Ready for this?"
With a resolute nod, Batman braced himself, knowing that the procedure was a significant step into the unknown. Peter, holding a lever in his hand spoke again, "Here we go," before flipping the switch.
Energy surged into the pod, and the vials emptied their contents into Batman's body. The room echoed with screams of pain, a consequence of the transformative process. Peter, accustomed to the procedure, maintained his focus, allowing the enhancement to take its course.
As the energy subsided and the pod opened, Batman emerged, revealing a visibly transformed physique. His frame, now more muscular and defined, bore the marks of the enhancement process. Batman, albeit exhausted, examined his own arms, flexing them with a hint of satisfaction.
"Is it done?" Batman inquired, feeling a newfound power course through his body.
Peter nodded. "You're now enhanced. Welcome to the club, Bruce. This should give you an edge you’ve never experienced before. Consider it a gift from one hero to another."
Batman, though not one to express gratitude openly, offered a nod of acknowledgment. The weight of the enhanced capabilities settled on him, and as he left the room, a new chapter unfolded for the Dark Knight, armed with newfound strength in his quest to safeguard Gotham and the rest of his world.
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The next day arrived, and Peter and Tony's multiverse ship appeared back in the familiar universe of Superman and Batman. The heroes gathered at the entrance of the ship, ready to bid farewell to their interdimensional allies.
Superman, clad in his iconic suit, exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with Peter. "Thanks for everything, Peter. I appreciate your help more than you know."
Peter grinned, giving Superman a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Anytime, Supes. Take care of that world of yours. The next time I visit, I expect to see a totally different universe."
As Superman rushed off to reunite with his family, Batman approached Peter, his cape billowing in the breeze. The two heroes stood, facing each other with a sense of mutual respect.
"Peter," Batman acknowledged, his deep voice carrying gratitude. "I appreciate the enhancements. They might come in handy."
Peter shrugged casually. "No problem. Just doing my part to make the world a better place, even if it’s not my world."
As Batman nodded his thanks, Peter's expression turned contemplative. "Hey, before you go, I've got one last piece of advice for you."
Batman arched an eyebrow, signaling Peter to continue.
"I've always thought it would be cool if you took over the League of Assassins," Peter suggested with a mischievous grin. "You know, turn them into a group of heroes, like yourself. Now that you're a super soldier, it would be easier than ever to dethrone Ra’s Al Ghul ."
Batman, ever stoic, took a moment to mull over the suggestion. The idea of leading an organization known for its lethal methods towards a more noble cause had its merits, though the ethical complications weren't lost on him.
Tony, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, chimed in, "And it helps that Ra's Al Ghul's daughters are both hot. And at least one of them usually has the hots for Batman in the comics."
Batman rolled his eyes at Tony, but couldn't help a subtle smirk. "I'll consider it."
As Batman was about to leave, Peter tossed a small, sleek phone to him. "Take this. It connects to a group chat. Just in case of emergencies or if you ever want to catch up on superhero gossip across the multiverse."
Batman inspected the phone for a moment before pocketing it. "Thanks," he said, acknowledging the practicality of staying connected.
With his hands free, Peter tossed him a second phone. “And give this one to Clark. I wouldn’t want him to feel left out.”
Batman, a man of few words, nodded appreciatively before walking away, the doors of the multiverse ship closed behind him. And as the ship vanished into the fabric of reality, Peter and Tony disappeared alongside it, both planning to return one day to see how the League and their world changes.
A/N: 1980 words :)