Chapter 9: The Forge of the Blade, the Battle Begins

The air in Bateman's newly claimed fortress was thick with tension. The dark power within him surged, and the blood of the mutants he had absorbed simmered in his veins. But despite the overwhelming might of the curse and the vampiric energy that now defined him, Bateman knew he needed more. He needed something physical, something that could be wielded in battle—something that would make him unstoppable.

He approached his private forge, a vast chamber deep within his lair, where the remnants of some of the most powerful materials in the universe lay scattered. He had acquired rare and indestructible metals through his connections and his vast fortune, each with unique properties that would allow him to forge a weapon capable of rivaling the most legendary artifacts in existence. Materials like Carbonadium, Galactic Glaze, Cavorite, Nanominium, Vibranium, Adamantine, Mysterium, Uru, Adamantium, Dargonite, NTH Metal, Inertron, Marvelium, Omnium, Supermanium, Promethium, and Amazonium had all found their way into his hands.

Each of these metals held unique properties—Carbonadium's ability to withstand even the most potent forms of energy, Galactic Glaze's sheer weightlessness and mystic qualities, the indestructibility of Adamantium, the elemental resonance of NTH Metal, and the unparalleled durability of Vibranium, to name a few. Bateman knew he needed to combine them into a single weapon, a blade that could cut through anything, a shield that could protect him against any force.

For days, Bateman worked tirelessly, using the cursed energy and mutant abilities coursing through him to craft the ultimate weapon. The heat of the forge was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, but with every strike of the hammer, the blade began to take form. Sparks flew, and the very air seemed to crackle with the immense power being woven into the blade.

The process was slow but methodical. Bateman, now a fusion of mutant strength and cursed energy, knew that perfection was not just a goal—it was a necessity. As he melted down each metal and forged it into the blade, he bound them with the elemental powers of the mutants he had absorbed, blending their powers into the very fibers of the weapon. The blade grew heavier, sharper, and more powerful with every passing moment.

Finally, after days of work, the blade was complete. It shimmered with an otherworldly glow, radiating energy, the very air around it humming with power. Bateman hefted it, testing its weight. The blade was a perfect extension of his own will, and its dark, radiant power was a perfect match for his own dark ambitions.

But Bateman did not stop there. He needed protection as well, something to defend him from the heroes and villains that were beginning to close in on him. Using the same metals, he forged a shield—an indestructible wall of metal that could deflect even the mightiest blows. The shield was infused with the same elemental mutant powers as his blade, making it a formidable weapon in its own right.

Satisfied with his creation, Bateman looked upon the blade and shield with a sense of pride. He was ready. He had the power of gods, the strength of monsters, and now, he had weapons that could match even the mightiest heroes.

But the battle was far from over. The world was not going to sit idly by while Bateman rampaged through it. A new threat was rising—heroes, warriors, and gods, all coming to challenge him, to stop him from becoming the ruler of all.

It began with a ripple of chaos. Across the world, the forces of justice were starting to organize against him. Iron Man, the genius billionaire who had been quietly watching Bateman's rise, made his move. He was aware of Bateman's growing power and knew that a man like him could not be allowed to grow unchecked. Tony Stark activated his armor, a gleaming, sleek piece of technology designed to take on the greatest threats in the world. His first mission was clear—take down Bateman.

Stark was not alone. Superman was the second hero who had taken an interest in Bateman's activities. The Man of Steel had been monitoring Bateman from the shadows, and with the increasing reports of mutant violence and cursed rituals, he knew the time had come to confront Bateman directly. Superman's arrival was imminent.

Meanwhile, in the streets, the hulking figure of The Hulk roared in fury. His constant battle with his own inner rage and strength had never made him easy to control, but it had made him an incredibly valuable weapon. When the call went out to take down Bateman, the Hulk's monstrous form was unleashed on the battlefield. The Hulk's fight was with Abomination, a creature as monstrous as himself. The two titans clashed in a battle of unbridled rage and strength, tearing through cities, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

As the chaos spread, Bateman sensed the shifting tides. He knew the heroes were coming for him. Superman, Iron Man, and the Hulk—all of them were gathering forces to take him down. But Bateman had something that they didn't—his new powers, his cursed energy, and the weapons he had forged. He was ready for this battle, and he would not go down without a fight.

The battle began in the heart of a shattered city. Bateman stood at the center of the chaos, his blade glowing with dark energy, his shield raised in defiance. Iron Man was the first to strike, soaring through the sky in his advanced suit, his repulsor blasts lighting up the night. Bateman raised his shield to deflect the blasts, the shield vibrating as the energy bounced off. In one swift motion, Bateman threw his blade, cutting through the air with the precision of a predator.

The blade clashed with Iron Man's suit, cutting deep into the armor. Stark grunted, using his repulsors to propel himself backward, but Bateman was already on top of him. The two exchanged blows, Iron Man's superior technology battling against Bateman's raw power and cursed strength. Sparks flew, metal clanged against metal, but Bateman's ferocity kept Iron Man at bay.

Meanwhile, Superman descended from the heavens, his eyes glowing with heat vision. He launched himself at Bateman, the two locking in a brutal contest of strength. The sheer force of their battle sent shockwaves through the city, buildings crumbling around them as Superman attempted to subdue Bateman with superhuman strength. But Bateman matched him blow for blow, his vampiric strength amplified by the cursed energy coursing through him. The two clashed like titans, neither one willing to give an inch.

The Hulk arrived just in time, his massive form crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom. He charged at Bateman, his fists swinging like wrecking balls. Bateman narrowly dodged a punch that could have obliterated him, but Hulk's power was undeniable. He slammed into Bateman, sending him flying through several buildings. Bateman managed to regain his footing, his rage bubbling to the surface as he fought back.

Then, just when the tide seemed to turn in Bateman's favour, the arrival of Omni-Man shook the battlefield. The Viltrumite warrior descended like a meteor, his eyes burning with determination. With his strength, speed, and advanced combat skills, Omni-Man became a force Bateman hadn't anticipated.

The battle was becoming more than Bateman had bargained for. With Superman, Iron Man, the Hulk, and Omni-Man working together, Bateman found himself overwhelmed. But he was no ordinary villain. With a growl of fury, Bateman unleashed his full power, summoning blasts of cursed energy that tore through the city and sent heroes flying.

Still, it wasn't enough. Bateman's blade cleaved through the heroes in a flurry of strikes, but even with all his power, he was beginning to falter. The combined might of Superman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Omni-Man was too much. Bateman realized that he couldn't fight them all—not at this moment.

He needed to retreat.

With a final, blood-curdling roar, Bateman summoned the power of his blade, cutting through the ground and propelling himself into the air. He left behind a trail of destruction as he escaped, his enemies momentarily dazed but still alive. He had injured them, yes, but the battle wasn't over. It was only just beginning.

Bateman vanished into the night, knowing that this was just the beginning of a war—a war he intended to win.