"Axel? Axel!"
The ringing in Bruce's head slowly faded as his vision cleared. Axel stood in front of him, looking far too relaxed for the situation.
Axel pulled him off the billboard with ease and let out a low laugh. "That sounds terrible. Did you really just call me twice?"
Bruce ignored the comment and grabbed Axel's arm firmly. "Be careful. Lucius might have been compromised. Jonathan has the fear toxin, and he knows about the antidote I was carrying."
Axel blinked, then stared at him like he had just said something ridiculous. "Are you serious? That toxin really scrambled your brain, didn't it?"
He patted Bruce's shoulder with mock sympathy. "I thought the first thing you would say after waking up was thank you. I just saved your life. Instead, you start accusing your own people. That is disappointing, even for you."
He lightly knocked Bruce on the head.
Bruce steadied himself, his thoughts becoming clearer. "You are right. It cannot be Lucius. Jonathan has been targeting homeless people for three months. And his toxin is different. More refined than mine, with elements similar to the League of Assassins' formulas."
His expression hardened. "Jonathan Crane is working with them, or at least connected."
Bruce turned his head toward the distant streets. A few cars cut through the darkness, but one stood out. Jonathan's vehicle was moving fast, far more aggressively than the others.
Locking onto it, Bruce wiped the sweat from his face. "I need to keep tracking him. Are you coming?"
Axel stretched lazily. "I need sleep. But next time you get into trouble, do not call Alfred. Call my name instead."
He grinned. "No matter where you are, even on the other side of the planet, I will hear you and show up instantly."
Bruce frowned slightly. "That makes no sense. Sound does not travel that far, not at that speed. It is slower than light. You should not be able to hear something that has not reached you."
Axel immediately smacked him on the head again. "Stop overthinking it."
Bruce exhaled, forcing himself back to focus. "Fine. Tomorrow, Lex and I will test your abilities properly. Right now, I have to move."
Without hesitation, he leapt off the billboard.
He dropped several dozen meters, landed in a controlled roll, and transitioned smoothly into a sprint. Within seconds, he disappeared into a nearby alley.
The roar of an engine followed. His motorcycle burst out and sped after Jonathan's car.
Axel watched him go, shaking his head with a faint smile before vanishing in flames.
Back at Wayne Manor, Alfred was already waiting.
The moment Axel appeared, Alfred stepped forward. "Master Axel, is Master Bruce alright?"
"He will be fine. I gave him the antidote," Axel replied casually. "According to Lucius, once it takes effect, the toxin will not affect him again for about twenty minutes."
He yawned. "And without the toxin, Jonathan is not a real threat to him."
Axel waved as he turned away. "I am going to sleep. Goodnight, Alfred."
He returned to his room and fell asleep almost immediately.
About twenty minutes later, the door creaked open.
Selina peeked inside, her expression shifting as she saw Axel sleeping peacefully. The irritation on her face was obvious, but it did not last long.
She muttered under her breath, then climbed into bed and settled against him, closing her eyes.
Elsewhere, far above Wakanda, a Helicarrier hovered in the night sky.
Under Director Hill's command, it came to a steady stop above the capital.
On the ground, King T'Chaka raised his hand, bringing the ongoing celebration to an immediate halt.
Soon after, Nick Fury and Maria Hill descended from the Helicarrier.
T'Chaka, clad in the Black Panther suit, stepped forward to meet them.
Fury observed him closely. "He is stronger than expected. The way he moves reminds me of Steve."
Hill nodded. "And that suit, pure vibranium. Lightweight, yet more durable than anything we have."
She stepped forward. "King T'Chaka, we apologize. Our consultant, Axel, caused significant damage to your people. We are prepared to offer compensation."
T'Chaka's expression remained calm, but firm. "There is no need."
He continued, his tone steady. "Axel is not simply your agent. He is someone acknowledged by the Panther God. What happened today may have been a test for Wakanda."
He gestured toward the city. "This was an internal matter. It does not concern the outside world. And now that you have seen what we have kept hidden, you should understand our position."
His voice grew colder. "Wakanda chooses isolation. The outside world is filled with conflict, and we will not allow that chaos to reach us."
He raised his hand again.
Dozens of vibranium cannons emerged across Birnin Zana, locking onto the Helicarrier above.
T'Chaka's gaze sharpened. He had no intention of showing weakness. If necessary, Wakanda would fight.
Faced with the clear warning, Fury and Hill exchanged a look before withdrawing. They returned to the Helicarrier without further argument.
At the same time, in a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in New York, Agent Sitwell stood before Secretary Alexander Pierce.
Sitwell kept his head lowered. "I am sorry. I could not stop Rumlow."
Pierce studied him in silence. "Rumlow was one of our best. Losing him is not a small matter."
Sitwell stiffened.
After a moment, Pierce's expression softened slightly. "Relax. This was not your fault."
He poured a glass of wine and handed it to Sitwell. "Axel is not someone easily controlled. Even I was forced to make concessions after encountering him."
Pierce took a sip, then smiled faintly. "But his actions revealed something valuable."
Sitwell looked up. "Sir?"
Pierce's smile widened. "His nature. Power without restraint, but not without reason. That makes him interesting."
He set the glass down. "If handled correctly, he could become more than an ally."
Sitwell hesitated. "You mean…"
"A leader," Pierce said calmly.
The word hung in the air.
Pierce continued, his tone measured. "Titles do not matter as much as influence. If we elevate him, we can direct that power toward our own goals."
He leaned back slightly. "We have missed opportunities before. Hulk, Thor, Stark. Powerful assets, none of them ours."
His gaze sharpened. "Axel is different. He is not bound by ideals."
Pierce's smile returned, colder this time. "And that means we should not make the mistake of letting him slip away."