NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: **Chapter 2: Shadow of the Bat**
**Chapter 2: Shadow of the Bat** 2,628 word count
Ethan's pulse pounded in his ears. Batman was here, looming over him like a specter of judgment. Every muscle in Ethan's body screamed to move, to act, to do something—because standing still in Gotham with the Bat watching was never a good idea.
"You're new," Batman's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "And dangerous."
Ethan's fingers twitched against the gauntlet fused to his hand. He could feel its energy humming, ready to discharge at the slightest provocation. But going against Batman? That was suicide.
"I don't want trouble," Ethan said, forcing his voice to stay steady. "But I'm not rolling over either."
Batman moved, a blur of motion Ethan barely caught. In an instant, the Dark Knight was inches away, his imposing presence suffocating.
"Then don't cause any."
Before Ethan could react, Batman's hand shot forward—he was testing him. Instinct took over, and Ethan brought up his gauntlet, deflecting the strike with a crackle of electricity. The shock baton's energy discharge flickered against Batman's reinforced gloves, barely slowing him.
Ethan barely twisted away in time as a second strike came in, faster than the first. His enhanced body let him keep up, but just barely.
"You're strong," Batman noted, voice unreadable. "Not just physically."
Ethan exhaled sharply. "Yeah, well, let's just say I'm adapting."
Batman didn't look impressed. "Explain the weapons."
Ethan hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he should reveal, but he wasn't stupid enough to lie to the world's greatest detective.
"I can... fuse things," he admitted. "Merge materials, combine tech. Sometimes I get something great. Sometimes I get junk."
Batman's gaze flickered to the makeshift gear Ethan had assembled. His mind was already analyzing, assessing threats, calculating risks.
"Controlled or random?"
"Both," Ethan admitted. "I don't have full control yet."
Batman was silent for a long moment. Then, he did something Ethan hadn't expected.
He stepped back.
"Come with me."
Ethan tensed. "Why?"
"Because if you stay out here, you'll either get recruited by someone worse than the Penguin or end up dead."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "And if I say no?"
"Then I stop you now."
Batman's tone left no room for argument. Ethan weighed his options—fight and lose or go with the Bat and see what happened next.
With a sigh, he lowered his weapon. "Fine. But no cuffs."
Batman didn't answer. He simply turned and walked toward the Batmobile waiting in the shadows.
Ethan exhaled and followed. He had a feeling this was going to be one hell of a night.
To be continued…