"I've already reported today's events to S.H.I.E.L.D. A specialized transport plane will arrive within a day to take these primitives away."
Garrett—the Black Knight—removed his metallic helmet and smiled at Commissioner George Stacy.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Commissioner Stacy breathed a sigh of relief and proactively extended his hand. "I know one of your colleagues."
"Agent Coulson, right?" Garrett held his helmet tucked under his arm and shook George Stacy's hand. "He was actually the one who came up with the name 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' Before that, our title was a real mouthful."
"Tell me about it," George Stacy chuckled.
Compared to Batman—who hid in the shadows, whose face, name, and even species or gender remained uncertain—George Stacy much preferred dealing with someone straightforward like Garrett.
"I managed to take down all those dinosaurs, but I can't handle the carcasses alone. Besides, they likely carry viruses or bacteria from the ancient era."
Garrett had slightly curly black hair; without his helmet, he possessed a remarkably scholarly air.
"I suggest the precinct arrange a team as soon as possible to gather the remains. Once the transport plane arrives tomorrow, we'll haul them away for S.H.I.E.L.D. specialists to examine."
Commissioner George Stacy nodded repeatedly, giving Garrett's hand a firm, appreciative shake.
"We owe you one for the assist today. Otherwise, we would've been fighting a street war against dinosaurs in the middle of the city."
Garrett smiled and patted the Commissioner on the shoulder.
"It was nothing. Speaking of which, there is something else I'm quite interested in: Batman has been active in New York for two months now and is on the NYPD's wanted list... Have you had any contact with him?"
Commissioner Stacy didn't harbor the slightest suspicion toward this S.H.I.E.L.D. agent—especially since the man had just been flying around on a winged horse hunting dinosaurs. While Garrett's appearance had been abrupt, his actions had been clearly observed by the police helicopters circling above.
"We've had contact. It went like this..." George Stacy proceeded to explain everything he knew regarding Batman.
Garrett listened with extreme focus, occasionally interjecting with questions about specific details. Finally, George Stacy added:
"I met Batman face-to-face the other night. I believe that regardless of who he is or what his motives are, his actions are ultimately controlled. Perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D. could try to reach out to him."
Garrett nodded. "I intend to. In fact, I was sent to New York specifically to attempt contact with Batman."
"By the way, wasn't Batman searching for a woman a few days ago? I heard he broke the bones of at least a hundred criminals for it?"
"That's correct. That did happen," George Stacy confirmed.
"Can I meet with those criminals?" Garrett asked.
"Not a problem," the Commissioner said, pulling out his phone. "Most of them are being held at Rikers Island. I'll arrange a car to take you there."
"I don't exactly look like someone who needs a car to get around." Garrett pointed to his jet-black armor.
The Lizard remained in his reptilian form, staying on Bat Island alongside the red Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"What do we do with this guy?" the Lizard asked Batman.
The "guy" he was referring to was, of course, the very dead, giant Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"What were your thoughts when you brought it back?" Batman asked, respecting the Lizard's opinion as much as possible.
Theoretically, this was the Lizard's trophy.
"Oh, I wanted to see what it tasted like," the Lizard said, flicking his crimson, forked tongue.
Batman fell silent for a moment before telling him:
"Dinosaur meat... especially T-Rex... has very coarse muscle fibers. It tastes like turkey."
The Lizard immediately shook his head at the mention of turkey. "Never mind, then."
He paused. "Wait, how do you know what it tastes like?"
Batman didn't answer. He simply gave the Lizard a look and turned to leave.
Splash!
As Batman reached the shore of Bat Island, a loud splash erupted from the water. The Batmobile broke the surface and came to a halt beside him.
According to Batman's original plan, this Batmobile was supposed to have been scrapped during today's battle with the Hulk. However, because the infrasound waves affecting the Hulk's emotions were neutralized by the Batmobile's sonic weaponry, the Hulk's rage dissipated, and the vehicle was spared from destruction.
"Antarctic Vibranium..."
As Batman climbed into the cockpit, he was still contemplating the information Ronin—Clint Barton—had given him. He pressed a button, switching the Batmobile to its submersible mode. It dove rapidly into the water, following the East River toward the Manhattan sewer system.
Fifteen minutes later, at the top of Stark Tower.
Batman, clad in his Arkham suit, entered Tony Stark's private quarters.
"Jarvis, order me a cheeseburger!"
Tony Stark was sprawled out on a sofa, his Mark IV armor already removed. Seeing Batman arrive, he quickly corrected himself:
"Make it two! And get a coffee."
"Of course, Mr. Stark," the JARVIS AI replied.
Batman walked up to Tony Stark, looking down at him from his position standing over the sofa.
"You should avoid caffeine for a few days after an adrenaline shot."
Hearing Batman's low, gravelly voice, Tony's body convulsed slightly in the sofa. He snapped back:
"The coffee was for you!"
"I don't drink coffee," Batman said expressionlessly.
"'I don't drink coffee,'" Tony Stark mimicked in a high-pitched, mocking version of Batman's voice. "Come off it, Peter! How can you still act like such a brooding jerk even though I already know who you are?"
"Tony Stark," Batman's voice grew even deeper. "I am speaking to you now as Batman, not as Peter Parker."
Tony was startled by Batman's severe tone. He looked up, squinting at Batman's prominent cleft chin.
"You used anti-armor missiles to bomb the Baxter Building, and then you used a beam pulse to blow a New York Police Department helicopter out of the sky."
Batman looked at Tony Stark with grim intensity.
"You could have avoided both of those things, but you didn't."
"I didn't come here to interrogate you. I came because you need to consider a question: How exactly do you plan to explain 'Iron Man's' actions to the world tomorrow?"
Tony Stark sat up from the sofa. He held up two fingers in a peace sign, then slowly curled one down.
"First: You bastard, you sounded like you were giving your damn last rites over the comms when you told me you were Peter Parker. You said I'd definitely make it there within two minutes."
"I could have taken the time to find a stealthier way into the Baxter Building, but I didn't have the luxury of time then... You exploited my concern for you, Batman."
"Second: When the sun comes up, I'm holding a press conference to explain everything I did."
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my pa-treon:
pat reon .c-om/windkaze