Chapter 2232: Battle of the Two Cities! (63)_2

Red Robin and Jason glanced at each other and made silly faces. However, when Bruce came by, it was evident he was hurt.

"I had to get close enough to the shield in order to see Clark," shrugged Bruce, glancing at the wound on his arm and said, "The thing has an automatic defense function, it fired a laser cannon at me. Had I dodged a bit slower, this would've been the result."

"Oh, for heaven's sake, you're just as battered as the guy lying in the hospital," Red Hood exclaimed, "Of course the thing would have an automatic defense function, how could it be just a shield?"

"You both might as well share a room in the hospital," Batman said, not bothering to look up from his device, "I'll have Alfred pick you up and take you there."

"It's just a minor injury, nothing too serious, a wrap will do, and anyway, I won't be going near there again," Bruce gestured with his hand, "However, if you could provide me with a more waterproof armor, that'd be better."

"That might not be a good idea," Nightwing cautioned, "No armor, no matter how advanced, can protect you completely underwater, and we have no idea who Aquaman in this universe is, if he attacks, it would be very dangerous."

"I'll figure out a way to get him on land," Bruce proposed, "We can set a negotiation point in Metropolis' port. After all, they can't sit back after such a significant incident. It will also prepare us for establishing the Justice League."

Red Robin gaped a bit. He really wanted to say that there didn't seem much need for a Justice League looking at the standard of Batman in this universe - a Justice League without a brain would still be weaker than Superman and Wonder Woman fighting alone.

Then he heard Bruce say, "The Batman of this universe might be slightly inferior, but I was like this when I first started too; more practice will solve that."

"Even if he isn't that good, he wouldn't give up being Batman. It's better to establish the Justice League earlier. He can fund the logistics, and others can protect him and the safety of Gotham. That would be a win-win."

The group seemed to agree with his reasoning. Nightwing, still a bit worried, said, "Negotiating with Aquaman isn't easy; are you planning to go alone?"

"Of course he can't," Red Hood promptly suggested, "We'll accompany you, don't worry, he wouldn't dare to do anything."

Red Robin turned to look at Batman, knowing that at this point, Batman could only agree.

Because he understood very well that if he did not agree, Bruce would dare to die in front of Arthur. Then, Robin and the Waynes would find out that he had killed another Batman, and who would they turn against now?

Batman swept a glance over the three of them who instantly grew anxious and recoiled in response. In the end, he gave a small nod, but the warning in his eyes couldn't make the three of them feel any joy about his approval.

Bruce left with the three Robins, Batman's expression remained as inscrutable as ever, showing no sign of joy nor defeat.

To travel to the surface, they had to board the Batplane. However, the small Batplane couldn't fit all four of them. Red Robin suggested, "Let Jason pilot the plane, Dick can help you wrap the wound, I can't help much, I'll travel alone."

The arrangement was fine. All three Robins could pilot the plane, and speaking of technical skills, Jason was the best, followed by Tim, and Dick always knew where the medical supplies on the Bat equipment were.

The three boarded the plane first, while Red Robin piloted a separate plane and followed. As they slowly headed towards Metropolis and New City, the planes gradually got closer to the shield.

"Be careful," Bruce warned, "It has defensive functions. As soon as it detects anything approaching from outside, it will fire a laser cannon. It's swift and powerful."

"Oh my God!!!"

Red Robin's frantic shout came from the communicator. Those in the other plane instantly grew tense. Red Hood connected to the communication and yelled, "What's happening? What happened?! Tim?!!"

"Strange electromagnetic signals are interfering with the plane!" The sound of Red Robin's voice stuttered through the channel, "They've discovered ... interference ... sizzle sizzle ... out of control ... sizzle —!"

The talking suddenly turned into a sharp noise, and Red hood immediately maneuvered the plane to turn around, but it was too late. He watched helplessly as the plane behind him kept getting closer to the shield.

Bruce's eyes grew wide as he cried out, "Stop it quickly! Once it touches the shield, it will be shot down!"

Red hood, without needing to be told, steered the plane quickly downwards, attempting to knock Red Robin's plane away from the shield, preferring a crash landing or destruction over being hit by a laser cannon.

But Red Robin's plane completely lost control, as if something was manipulating it, heading straight to the shield. Before it could collide, a dazzling laser shot over, with a sizzling sound the Batplane's wing was pierced through.

The plane began a downward spiral, meanwhile, everyone on board saw a group of aliens approaching, it was clear they had planned an attack.

Bruce immediately thought of Darkseid's habit of kidnapping. If Darkseid wanted to threaten Batman, fighting in Gotham City was not the most efficient way. Robin had always been a target.

The plane Bruce was on landed smoothly, and the three of them rushed out, only to see the wreckage of the Batplane at the crash site. But the aliens and Red Robin had disappeared.

Bruce estimated the distance to the shield and said, "They won't get back there so fast. We need to catch up with them."

Unfortunately, they were in a forest, and the aliens had left no traces. Red hood made a snap decision and said, "You chase forward, I'll fly overhead and see if I can find any signs of them."

He turned back while Bruce and Nightwing continued forward, where they spotted some alien traces. However, the traces indicated they had split into two groups, one possibly taking Red Robin back and the other looking for them elsewhere.

Each of them followed a trail. Bruce speculated that the aliens could not freely pass through the shield either, they must have a specific door so he kept his distance from the shield and searched around it.

The traces disappeared into the forest in front of the shield, Bruce continued to walk forward and discovered a canyon ahead, the shield extended down to the bottom of the canyon, which was very likely to be the entrance.

Bruce stood on the edge of the canyon looking down, carefully searching for traces of aliens.

Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared behind him, with a bang, he felt himself falling weightlessly, a heavily figure grabbed him and he was plunged straight off the cliff.

Boom!!!

Bruce crashed heavily to the ground, dust and frightened birds flying up.

The cliff was quite high and the person had landed on top of him. He felt at least two of his ribs had broken, his arm too was broken, and a strong taste of blood filled his throat.

Before he could spit out the blood in his mouth, a needle stuck into his neck, amidst his blurring vision, Bruce saw a pair of familiar boots.

It was Red Robin.

"I'm sorry, Bruce, but you can't treat Batman like this. I have to save him… Only I can save him…"

In the lab, a finger covered in a black gauntlet gently pressed a button, and a wisp of blue smoke rose from the black box of the crashed Batplane, as it was completely destroyed.

Yes, a madman, an anti-social personality, a psychological abusive...but he survived for twenty more years.