What Bad Thoughts Can Batman Have 70

Chapter 70: Owls

Mist rose.

Under the pale moonlight, a soft veil drifted across the glimmering ground. Batman, cloaked in black mist, soared through the air, enveloped by the deep darkness.

Bane looked up, watching the moonlight pierce through the swirling, ink-black clouds, casting the figure’s shadow…

A colossal silhouette on the ground.

He’d dreamed of this beautiful scene countless times.

So captivating, awe-inspiring, and beautiful.

“Damn it! It’s Bane! The Court! You told me you were going to work with me, to rule this city together! I’m your ally! When did you turn your backs on me and Bane… don’t you know Bane and I are competit…”

Bane, still immersed in the image of Batman, shot a look of disgust at the other.

“Shut up, Clein. Or I’ll kill you.”

The threat was very real, and Scarecrow immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Rustle…

Countless tiny sounds echoed around them. The sound of clothes brushing against the walls.

The sound should have been so quiet as to be imperceptible.

The sound should have been lost in the din of a bustling street.

But at this moment, everyone present could hear the subtle sounds.

Rustle… Rustle!

“What the hell?” Penguin said.

He took off his monocle, his voice trembling.

“Is this even possible?”

Deadshot tried to force a smile, but the rigid movements of his facial muscles prevented him from even performing this simple action.

He muttered under his breath: “Damn it, Zoi’s still waiting for me to go back.”

“I think my butt is sore.” Poison Ivy responded.

She wrapped herself in a clump of plants, then snapped her fingers. The wooden baseball bat in Harley Quinn’s hand, who was still looking around, immediately grew into a wooden snake. In a scream of bewilderment, the snake wrapped around Harley, binding her like a dumpling, then carried her to Poison Ivy’s side, where she was further enveloped by the plants.

Killer Croc silently cradled his head.

Claws emerged from the surrounding rooftops.

They surged like a tidal wave, occupying every rooftop in the surrounding buildings. They were tall and thin, their only commonality being their full armor.

Then, the next second, they all jumped from the buildings.

Thump. Thump… Thump!

The sound of flesh hitting hard concrete was incessant, almost rhythmically symphonic.

The claws that jumped from the high buildings had broken spines, twisted limbs, some even landed with their heads pressed against their own backs.

But they all stood up as if nothing had happened. Twisted spines straightened, fractured limbs seamlessly rejoined.

Everyone watched, dumbfounded, as those who should have suffered fatal injuries got back up.

“Wait, let’s all calm down,” Killer Croc said. “As the most intelligent person here, I’ve just thought of a very damn terrifying question, but I’m not sure if I should say it.”

The big green crocodile swallowed.

Deadshot chimed in: “If Scarecrow has already solved the problem of Bane’s venom and their so-called Amber Gold for that damn organization called the Court of Owls, then it means…”

“That’s right.” The white owl mask projected from Lincoln March’s arm armor said: “They can all use both Amber Gold and Titan Toxin at the same time – the perfect weapon!”

“Oh, right. Batman… you probably don’t know who we are yet, but you won’t have that problem for long.

Bruce Wayne remained expressionless.

“To be honest, this wasn’t supposed to be our final battleground. You’ve disrupted our plans and our pace.

But it doesn’t matter, sooner or later it will all happen anyway –

You know, all bats eventually die.”

Lincoln March raised his arm and flipped the 3D projection, fully exposing the white owl mask to Bruce.

He was a mix of emotions, filled with anger at the Court for treating him like an outsider, constantly on guard, but also with a deep respect and fear of the overwhelming power they wielded.

An organization that held sway over the entire city, powerful in politics, economics, culture, physical annihilation, and stealth…

How could one not be afraid?

For two centuries, they had been the hidden hand that controlled the city. “Roman” Falcone, “The Boss” Maroni, those who claimed to have conquered the city were just their lackeys and dogs.

The Waynes had opposed them, so they created Crime Alley. Batman had been fighting crime in Gotham for so many years, the world’s greatest detective, huh?

But he still had no idea of their existence. Maybe he had some suspicions, but he never had any evidence, right?

He spent every year taking down criminals, but to the Court of Owls, he was just their watchdog, a guard dog tasked with containing the crazies, how pathetic?

Oh, and poor Bruce Wayne, Lincoln March knew, he was constantly trying to find ways to reverse the course of the city through political and economic reform, but each time he was unsuccessful.

Of course, that’s what would happen, destruction is always 100 times easier than construction, and much more covert. Bruce would always find himself inexplicably failing, right?

Those plans that looked good on paper, charitable initiatives, schemes to stimulate local economic growth, reduce unemployment rates, would always end in a mess once implemented.

Wayne Enterprises poured in all that money, but it never reached the hands of those who truly needed it, instead, it all flowed into the pockets of the Owls.

That’s right, Lincoln thought sadly.

Owls are creatures that are very good at seizing other’s nests.

They seized the giant nest called Gotham, and for two hundred years, generation after generation, they have continuously absorbed the city’s blood.

The Court of Owls knows everything, no one can win against the Court of Owls.

“… And after we get your corpse, Batman, we will give you the respect you deserve. The Court has decided to preserve your bones underground, in the maze, for all time. A monument to a brave adversary! In all of history, the Court has only bestowed this honor three times.

Do you have any last words before you receive this honor?”

“You’re a bunch of maniacs.”

The other made a clicking sound.

“It seems you have no last words. So, we only need to decide how you’ll die. For that, we’ve invited a special guest who’s recently joined the Court’s ranks.”

The white owl mask clapped.

Then Lincoln heard a laugh that chilled him to the bone.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…”

“Little Bat, we meet again!”

(End of Chapter)

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