Clark's phone buzzed again. This time from Bruce Wayne.
"Hey Clark. Saw you were online. How are things going? Powers still developing okay?"
Clark smiled slightly. Bruce was one of the only people who knew the truth and actually understood. He typed back.
"Getting stronger every day. It's kind of scary. Yesterday I accidentally crushed a wrench at the farm. Dad wasn't happy."
"Control comes with practice. Keep doing the breathing exercises. And remember, the fact that you're scared of hurting people means you won't. Dangerous people don't worry about collateral damage."
"I guess. Have you been following the Batman news?"
"Hard to miss it. Gotham's obsessed."
"Do you think he's doing the right thing? Taking the law into his own hands?"
There was a pause before Bruce's response came through.
"I think the law in Gotham is broken. Corrupt cops, bought politicians, criminals running free because the system protects them. Sometimes someone needs to step outside the system to fix what's broken from within."
"But isn't that dangerous? What if Batman goes too far? What if he becomes what he's fighting?"
"That's the risk. But I think the alternative is worse. Doing nothing while people suffer and die because you're afraid of making mistakes."
Clark read that message three times. Bruce had a point. How many people had died in Smallville over the years because Clark was too scared to use his powers? How many accidents or crimes could he have prevented if he'd been willing to take the risk?
'But I'm not ready,' Clark thought. 'I can barely control what I can do. Batman seems to have everything planned and executed perfectly. I'd just cause chaos.'
Another text from Bruce came through.
"You'll figure it out, Clark. When the time comes, you'll know what to do. Trust yourself. And call me if you need to talk. Anytime."
"Thanks, Bruce. You're a good friend."
"So are you. Stay safe out there."
Clark set down his phone and looked out his window at Metropolis spread before him. Somewhere out there, people needed help. Somewhere, crimes were being committed. Somewhere, someone was suffering.
But he wasn't ready to be a hero yet.
Maybe someday.
---
At Gotham Academy the next morning, the Batman phenomenon dominated every conversation. Students clustered in groups, debating whether he was a hero or a criminal, whether he'd get caught, whether he was even human.
Bruce navigated through it with practiced ease, contributing just enough to seem engaged without revealing anything.
"Wayne, you're rich and connected," one of his classmates said during a break between classes. "You must have heard something about who Batman is. Any inside information?"
"If I did, I wouldn't share it," Bruce said with an easy smile. "The guy's trying to stay anonymous for a reason. Exposing him would just put a target on his back."
"So you think he's a good guy?"
"I think he's doing what needs to be done. Gotham's been broken for a long time. Maybe it takes someone willing to break the rules to fix it."
Selina appeared at his elbow, books tucked under one arm. "Speaking of breaking rules, we need to talk about your complete inability to pay attention in Literature class this morning. Mrs. Brennan asked you a direct question and you were in another dimension."
"Was I?"
"Yes. For like the third time this week." Selina steered him away from the group toward a quieter section of the hallway. "Okay, seriously, what is going on with you? And don't give me the 'just thinking about college' excuse again."
Bruce looked at her properly. Selina at seventeen was sharp as a knife, with green eyes that saw more than most people. She was also clearly concerned about him, which was touching in a way that made his carefully constructed emotional walls feel thinner.
"I've been distracted," he admitted. "You're right. And I'm sorry. That's not fair to you."
"I don't want an apology. I want to know what's going on in that genius brain of yours that's so consuming you can't function in normal life."
"It's complicated."
"I like complicated. Try me."
Bruce considered how much he could say without revealing too much. "I'm working on some projects. Personal things. Trying to figure out how to make a real difference instead of just coasting on my family's money and reputation."
"That's admirably vague."
"It's the best I can offer right now."
Selina studied him for a long moment. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But Bruce, whatever you're doing, just, be careful, okay? You've got this intensity about you lately that's kind of scary. Like you're pushing yourself too hard."
"I'll be fine."
"Promise me. Because I actually like having you around, and I'd prefer you didn't burn yourself out or get yourself killed or whatever it is that intense rich boys do when they're on a mission."
Bruce smiled despite himself. "I promise I'll be careful. And I'll try to be more present. Starting now. What did Mrs. Brennan ask me that I completely missed?"
"She wanted your interpretation of the symbolic significance of the green light in The Great Gatsby. You know, the whole unattainable dream thing?"
"Ah. Well, Gatsby spent years building himself into what he thought Daisy wanted, only to discover that the person he'd become was pursuing a fantasy rather than reality. The green light represents hope, but also delusion. The belief that if you just work hard enough and want something badly enough, you can reshape the past and future to match your desires."
Selina blinked. "That's actually really good. Why didn't you say that in class?"
"I was thinking about other things."
"About unattainable dreams and reshaping the future?"
"Something like that."
The warning bell rang. Students started moving toward their next classes.
"Spring formal is this weekend," Selina said. "You haven't forgotten, right? Because I will be very annoyed if I bought a dress for nothing."
"I haven't forgotten. Saturday night. You and me. I'll even try to stay present for the whole thing."
"Miracles can happen." She smiled and walked away toward her next class.
Bruce watched her go, processing the conversation. Selina was getting closer to figuring out that something major was happening in his life. He'd need to be more careful, or bring her into the loop at some point.
'But not yet,' he thought. 'Not until Batman is established enough that the risks are clearer.'
His phone vibrated with a message from NEXUS.
"Operation Six scheduled for tonight. Target: Vincent Moretti, human trafficking ring. Location: Docks, warehouse 17. Recommend insertion time: 23:30. Estimated hostile forces: 12-15 armed."
Bruce read the message and deleted it immediately. Six operations in three weeks. The pace was brutal, but necessary. Each night he went out as Batman, more lives were saved. More criminals were taken off the streets. More evidence was collected that would eventually bring down the entire corruption network.
But Selina was right about one thing. He was pushing himself hard. Peak human physiology meant he recovered faster than normal people, but he was still human. The fatigue was real. The risk accumulated with each operation.
'Just need to maintain this pace a little longer,' Bruce thought. 'Establish Batman's reputation. Make criminals afraid. Build public support. Then I can ease back slightly and focus on the next phase.'
The next phase being superhuman enhancement. Because peak human wasn't going to be enough when Superman emerged and the real threats started appearing.
But that was a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, he had human traffickers to stop.
Read more chapters, days ahead of Webnovel Updates on Patreon marvelstark