Broken(DC)

Batcave

On the operating table lay Bruce Wayne, motionless and nearly undressed. Beside him stood a massive iron structure resembling an exoskeleton, its intricate mechanisms mimicking the human form.

"Master Bruce, the technology is still incomplete. Lucius Fox has been adamant do not use it," Alfred warned.

"The city is in danger. It needs me," Bruce said with effort.

"And what about your new ally? The one who saved your life? Perhaps you should turn to him," Alfred suggested, his concern evident as he looked at the last of the Waynes.

"No. He's just as much a criminal as the rest of them. His hands are stained with blood. The compound Bane uses drives him insane. We can't risk giving him time to commit something even worse. As long as I live and breathe, I won't allow Gotham to fall," Bruce replied firmly. "Proceed, Alfred."

"I'll administer the anesthetic," Alfred said softly. Pressing a key, he carefully injected a dose of medication into Bruce's spine. "Because the technology is unrefined, the electrical impulses will link directly to your nervous system. It will cause unbearable pain when you use the suit," Alfred added, casting a final glance at Bruce in a last attempt to dissuade him.

"Do it," Bruce ordered curtly, unwavering.

A mechanical arm lifted and carefully positioned the metallic spine against Bruce's back. As the lines on the exoskeleton began to glow a cold blue, the room was filled with an ear-splitting sound a scream of agony. Any ordinary person would have succumbed to the torment, but Bruce, forged by an iron will, merely clenched his teeth. The compound injected by Alfred allowed his body to adapt to its new state.

After the spine was secured, armor plates began attaching to Bruce's body. Following them, mechanical enhancers connected to his limbs and spine. With each new component, the pain increased, but Bruce only tightened his jaw further. The final piece of armor was placed on his head, completing the assembly.

"Procedure complete. Project 'Iron Batman' activated. Estimated operational time: five hours," the computer's robotic voice announced.

Adjusting to the unfamiliar sensations, Bruce carefully began to rise. The suit initially resisted his commands, but with every passing second, it became more responsive. He sat up on the operating table. Alfred moved to assist him, but Bruce raised a hand, signaling he could manage on his own.

Placing one foot on the ground, then the other, Bruce slowly stood. Clenching his fists, he tested the exoskeleton's functionality.

[image]

"Alfred, prepare the Batmobile," Bruce commanded, his voice firm.

***********

City Hall

A crowd of people gathered, eagerly awaiting the mayor's speech. However, instead of the mayor, armed men appeared on stage. All entrances to the hall were quickly sealed off. Following them, Bane emerged, dragging a bound Mayor Cobblepot in a chair. A bulletproof vest rigged with explosives was strapped to the mayor's chest.

The room fell into a deathly silence no one dared to move.

Approaching the microphone, Bane gripped it in his hand.

"Tonight will unfold differently. Our dear mayor's speech will have to be indefinitely postponed," he announced with a grin. "My name is Bane, and I'm here to show this city its true nature. Minimal laws hold you back, but Gotham Gotham is a city of anarchy. It's time to stop pretending. Right now, I hold a detonator. One press, and all the bridges connecting Gotham to the outside world will be destroyed. From this moment on, only one rule remains in Gotham: the strong survive."

Finishing his speech, Bane pressed the button. Although everyone was inside the building, the distant sound of explosions echoed. The bridges that once linked Gotham to the outside world were obliterated.

"Let the new era begin," Bane declared, staring at the crowd with cold determination.

As Bane finished speaking, he grabbed Mayor Cobblepot and dragged him offstage. Cobblepot, gagged with cloth, struggled to speak, finally managing to partially spit it out.

"Do you even realize what you're doing? I was the one holding it all together! This is madness; your plan is insane," rasped the Penguin. Even in Gotham, he hadn't expected to meet someone this unhinged.

"Madness? No, I act only for the greater good of our city. For too long, it's been weak," Bane replied coldly. The compound coursing through his veins further eroded his cognitive abilities, clouding his thoughts. Yet, it didn't stop him he moved forward as if following a carefully devised plan.

"You're insane! Stop this. What do you want? I can give you anything anything you desire!" Cobblepot tried to bargain, realizing negotiations were his only chance at survival.

"I'll manage just fine without your help. It's time for you to take part in the final act," Bane said, dragging Penguin to the mayor's office. He positioned him before a panoramic window, where a camera had been set up to record his last moments.

"At the stroke of midnight, you and this building will disappear, marking the city's ultimate liberation," Bane added with a grim smile.

Moments after his words, the lights in the building abruptly went out.

"What's happening?" Bane growled, noticing the cameras had powered down.

"Not sure. Looks like the power's out," one of his subordinates replied.

"I can see that without your help. Everyone was supposed to witness this moment. You two, watch him," Bane gestured toward Penguin. "The rest of you, fix the power. I'll make sure no one interferes," he ordered, his patience waning.

Bane and a group of men descended into the basement, where they found sparking circuit breakers and damaged electrical panels.

"Boss, someone sabotaged the wiring," one of the subordinates said, inspecting the damage.

"I see. Find whoever did this," Bane ordered, scanning the darkness. The dim glow of flashlights illuminated the area around them.

Suddenly, a faint blue light flickered in the distance. The silhouette of a man appeared at the edge of the room. Before anyone could react, the figure swiftly closed the distance, incapacitating enemies with precise, single strikes. Each opponent fell in one decisive blow.

"So, you survived… I should've torn your head off," Bane growled as he spotted Batman. He began cracking his knuckles, his massive hands flexing ominously. A hiss echoed through the room as the "Venom" compound surged into his veins, causing them to bulge grotesquely as fresh doses coursed through his system.

"But this time, I'll enjoy crushing you," Bane added with a devilish grin, his muscles swelling with newfound strength.

"Your rampage ends here," Batman replied. The servos of his suit hummed to life, augmenting him with inhuman power.

They struck simultaneously. When their fists collided, the sound reverberated through the room. Bane screamed in pain, staring in shock at his fractured hand.

"Weak," Batman said coldly, throwing Bane's own taunt back at him.

"Raaah!" Bane roared, charging at Batman with feral rage. His fists lashed out wildly, but Batman evaded with precision, counterattacking at Bane's vulnerable points. With calculated strikes, Batman cracked a few of Bane's ribs, then expertly grabbed his arms, slamming his face into the ground and pinning his body beneath his armored boot.

Before Batman could deliver a final blow, Bane slammed his hand into the floor with explosive force, creating a shockwave that threw Batman into the air. The "Venom" compound took full effect, flooding Bane's muscles with overwhelming power.

[image]

"I'll crush you!" Bane growled through gritted teeth.

Fueled by rage and strength, Bane attacked with blistering speed, his punches growing more devastating. Even Batman's exoskeleton began to buckle under the relentless assault. But despite Bane's raw power, Batman's superior skill and strategy kept him a step ahead. He dodged the most dangerous strikes, blocked what he could, and counterattacked with surgical precision.

Batman launched several projectiles, arcing them through the air while diverting Bane's attention. One struck its intended target: the tube feeding Venom into Bane's body. The toxic liquid spilled onto the floor.

Deprived of his lifeline, Bane's strength began to fade rapidly. His punches grew weaker until, with a final strike from Batman, he collapsed to the ground.

Batman restrained Bane, securing him with reinforced cuffs to ensure he wouldn't move again.

"Not bad. Did the new tech help?" a voice called out from the shadows.

Pov Brian Forman

The explosions that destroyed Gotham's bridges caught me completely off guard. It wasn't hard to guess who was behind it, but how had he managed to orchestrate everything so quickly? Bane never struck me as particularly intelligent, yet somehow, he'd executed a meticulously planned operation. I had to move swiftly, saving as many victims as possible. Hundreds plunged into the river, and not all of them lived long enough for me to intervene.

The chaos stemming from Penguin's predicament revealed the fragile nature of his rule. Once he showed weakness, the gangs scented blood like ravenous wolves and tore into everything in sight. The situation spiraled out of control. It pained me to admit it, but Cobblepot needed to regain power. Otherwise, by dawn, Gotham would drown in a sea of corpses.

I prepared to storm the mayor's office and put an end to Bane myself, but the sudden blackout across the building surprised even me. Could this be Batman's handiwork?

Descending to the lower levels, I spotted him in the shadows, setting up an ambush. Odd. How is he still standing? Could that formula have restored his spine? While Bane left the area, I slipped into the office, taking out two guards with quick, silenced shots.

"Who sent you? Free me, and you'll be handsomely rewarded," Cobblepot offered, his voice trembling.

The urge to pull the trigger and end his pitiful existence was strong, but I couldn't afford to give in not now.

I said nothing, stepping behind him and pressing the barrel of my gun to his head.

"Wait! Wait! There's no need for this. Trust me, my gratitude will be boundless. I wield enormous power and influence across the entire country," he stammered, forcing a nervous smile.

I lowered the gun, then cut his bindings with my knife.

"Stop the bloodshed in the streets," I said, my tone icy.

"Of course, those bastards dared to challenge me… They'll pay dearly for their insolence," Cobblepot snarled.

"There's been enough death tonight," I warned. "If you keep killing, I'll come back and fire one shot. You won't even see it coming."

"Tsssss," he hissed, trying to mask his fear. No, the feigned terror faded quickly, replaced by the feral gaze of a cornered predator. I'd read enough about him to marvel at how many times he'd skirted death, only to cling stubbornly to life.

Melting back into the shadows, I made my way to the basement, where Batman was locked in combat with Bane. I worried he might not be able to handle it, but it seemed he didn't need my help. I observed the fight closely, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Not bad. The tech worked, huh?" I said, stepping from the shadows as the fight concluded. Even through his mask, I could see the furrow of his brow.

"You again," Batman replied. "For your assistance, I won't try to apprehend you. Leave."

"Apprehend me? You think you can?" I smirked, glancing at his exoskeleton.

"Don't doubt it. You've killed a lot of people. Your place is in Arkham," Batman replied coldly.

"Perhaps, just like yours," I answered, knowing full well that he too operated outside the law, prowling the night and beating criminals.

Lifting Bane's unconscious body, Batman turned toward the exit. His silence spoke volumes. There was no reason for me to stay any longer.

Teleporting to the roof of City Hall, I saw Penguin addressing the gathered journalists, delivering his speech with an air of authority.

"Every individual who dared disrupt order in my city will pay dearly for it! I promise you, the guilty will face justice, and peace will return to Gotham," he declared, his words a calculated show of strength.

Many had already considered ousting him after his display of weakness, but tonight's events could take a different turn. The chaos in the city was slowly subsiding, yet panic still lingered. People flooded stores, buying up everything in sight. The destruction of Gotham's bridges had severed its ties with the outside world or so it seemed.

One crucial detail escaped most people's attention: the port was still operational. Most goods were brought in through it. Ultimately, we're all victims of the herd mentality. Even the most rational minds can succumb to the instincts of the crowd.

But one thought gnawed at me: Bane's plan had gone far too smoothly. It might have succeeded if not for us. Digging a bit deeper, I discovered that the substance enhancing Bane's strength was a modified version of the drug known as "Venom." Apparently, James Gordon hadn't managed to eliminate all the scientists conducting those experiments, and they had refined the formula.

Bane was monstrously strong, but his mind was distorted, his actions erratic. I doubted he had orchestrated everything alone. It seemed likely someone had aided him. Someone with a vested interest in toppling Cobblepot.

And who would Penguin threaten more than anyone? Organized crime? No. The wealthy. He controlled almost everything, and nothing happened in Gotham without his say-so, making him a roadblock to many deals. It became clear that Penguin wasn't the real enemy at least, not the primary one.

"Gotham, still full of mysteries," I muttered, vanishing into the ashes.

***********************

Meeting in the Court of Owls' Chamber

"Who are those masked clowns who ruined our plan? It was almost flawless. That mad beast nearly killed Cobblepot, and his loyalists would never have guessed it was us behind it all," growled one of the members of the Court of Owls.

"Batman. He appeared about six months ago. As long as he didn't interfere, we paid him no mind," said another member of the Court.

"And the second one?" someone from the chamber interjected.

"We don't know who he is, but he clearly possesses superhuman abilities. He can appear anywhere in the city in seconds, is highly skilled with weapons, and acts with brutal efficiency," replied the first member.

"Let's send the Talons after him. They'll deal with him quickly," suggested a third member.

"Foolish. He'll easily escape. Without a proper trap, he'll be hard to catch," countered the fifth member.

"Leave him for now. We didn't manage to eliminate Cobblepot, but his authority is undermined. That means it won't be long before others want to remove him, and we'll be there to help," concluded the first member.

"Isn't the cost too high for the city? This incident caused significant casualties among the population. It could negatively impact the economy," added the second member, his concern evident. He had opposed the plan involving Bane from the beginning but hadn't dared to go against the majority.

"Nonsense. If it had worked, the casualties would have been justified. What are their miserable lives worth compared to our goals?" the third member said coldly. She was smug, basking in the wealth of her family, though she had contributed nothing to earn it herself.

"Let's get back to business. We need a plan, and this time it must be perfect," the first member declared.

What followed was a long and tedious process of discussion. Numerous pointless suggestions were made, most of them outright absurd. Not everyone in attendance was intelligent or capable. Many simply inherited their power rather than earning it themselves.

************

"Hold on a little longer, I'm almost done," Alfred said as he carefully removed the armor.

"I warned you the suit wasn't fully tested," added Lucius, who couldn't help but join in assisting.

"I stopped Bane. That's far more important than my suffering," Bruce replied. His body was utterly drained from using the exoskeleton. It wasn't just the mental focus required to control it; his physical endurance was pushed to its limits. His body refused to obey, and his reserves were completely depleted.

"It's remarkable you were able to fight in it. In the simulations, the best result we anticipated was minimal finger movement. Yet you managed not only to move but to hold your ground against a stronger opponent in direct combat," Lucius said in astonishment.

Only one component of the suit remained: the metallic spine. But Lucius hesitated to proceed with its removal, fearing it might paralyze Bruce entirely. This was the suit's primary flaw. While part of it operated using neural activity, a significant portion of its functions was directly connected to Bruce's nervous system.

"Mr. Wayne, I'm afraid you'll have to keep this component for now. I lack the expertise to remove it safely. I'm an engineer, not a surgeon. I work with technology, not the human body," Lucius admitted with a note of concern.

"Then I suppose we'll need to consult a specialist," Alfred suggested thoughtfully.