Chapter 29 Chapter 29 You have always been our heroes...
If the Templars' previous purpose of entering Gotham was simple, which was to establish their own order in this wild land - simple, clear, and as always in line with their doctrines - then this time, their attempt to enter Gotham was somewhat of a personal vendetta.
Being expelled from Gotham by the Wayne Enterprise was one thing. This caused dissatisfaction among the Templars, but it was understandable, considering the Wayne Enterprise's long history and control in Gotham (and Gotham's reputation for xenophobia), and Abstergo believed that the matter could be negotiated.
Of course, why not? They all share a common goal, which is to bring order to this chaotic city and to lift up from the mire all those talented individuals struggling to rise above it all… They are the few capitalists with a conscience, so why not!
Upon hearing this, the Court of Owls, their allies at the time, remained silent for a long time, then uttered an eerie laugh. The Templars graciously forgave their offense, as Batman soon eliminated them.
But the Templars immediately took a grudge against Batman.
Because Batman has chosen to work with the Brotherhood—with the thugs who roam freely, killing people at will and breaking the law! After studying Batman's terrifying, sobering image, the Templars immediately realized that this lawless outlaw wreaking havoc in Gotham is no different from the Assassins!
What’s even more infuriating is that after Batman, they found more superheroes who were closer to assassins.
While neither the Justice League nor the Avengers explicitly supported the Brotherhood or recruited Assassins, they undoubtedly displayed a friendly attitude toward them. The Templars understood this all too well. Whenever they discovered an Assassin ally in the open, it often meant that a whole group of Assassins were already there in the dark!
As expected, the superhero sponsors tacitly adopted a strategy against Abstergo, not only alienating their partnership but also intentionally or unintentionally interfering with Abstergo's normal business dealings (such as Wayne in Gotham, Quinn in Star City, Stark in New York, and so on), causing the Templars a headache. What kind of drug had the Brotherhood given them to make these idle, wealthy people turn against them?!
It's time to strike back. Abstergo cannot afford to sit idly by.
No, they certainly didn't directly assassinate the wealthy. They'd carefully researched the situation. Putting aside the fact that Tony Stark was the battle-hardened Iron Man, the wealthy people of Gotham and Star City seemed harmless. But whenever an assassination crisis occurred, the local superheroes and even their assistants always jumped in, even faster than protecting the president.
The Templars, of course, wouldn't be as reckless as the Assassins (though outright murder is also an appealing option). They established a new technology company in Gotham City through completely legal means, using money and gifts to legitimately gain the "friendship" of certain political and police figures. They also abided by Gotham's local rules and struck unspeakable deals with the likes of Cobblepot and Sionis...
They would give Wayne one last chance. If he continued in his desperation, Abstergo would, as always, remove all obstacles in its path.
All of this is for the greater good.
"If that's what you wish." Galahad nodded indifferently. He accepted Mitchell's transfer order, claiming that he needed to prepare for his trip to Gotham, and then he left the scene leisurely.
·
"Silvio Galahad," Batman pointed out. "He's the head of Chicago's underworld, chairman of the Galahad Corporation. Abstergo has sent him to take control of their enterprise, perhaps with the intention of re-employing him. If he goes all out, he'll be a formidable foe."
The screen displayed a candid photo, apparently circulating in the media. Galahad, surrounded by a hurried crowd on the red carpet, his shirt stiff and his windbreaker flowing, was talking to his assistant. He noticed the reporters snapping photos but didn't comment, simply glancing at them with a cold expression.
No one spoke. The vigilantes stood or sat, some with their arms folded, others leaning against the edge of the table, seemingly casting half-eye glances at the assassin. Still unaware of the situation, Elio studied the Templar on the screen for a moment, convinced he was a formidable foe.
But fittingly, this person also appeared in the memories he read.
"Is he mine?" Elio asked.
Batman was silent for a moment. The vigilantes seemed to exchange glances more intensely. The base was completely silent, but Elio thought he heard countless glances exchanged, and even read a subtle expression from Batman's exposed chin.
"Is there anything I should know?" Elio said.
"Maybe you should ask your mentor about this name," Batman said. "Of course, this is just my suggestion."
The assassin showed a puzzled expression under his hood. Batman didn't notice this (or maybe he pretended not to notice), just turned his head away and continued to switch the information on the screen.
"The next Templar sent to Gotham," Batman said.
A young man with blond hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen. Elio's eyes changed. He was too familiar with this man and this place. Behind him was the library of Bludhaven University, which they had visited countless times. The wind from the seaside ruffled his fluffy blond hair, but the gentle smile in his eyes passed through the screen, through time and space, and looked at Elio countless times.
For a moment, Elio was lost in thought at that familiar gaze. It was as if he could smell the aroma of sandwiches heating up in the campus coffee shop, the sea breeze lifting their spirits, and the sunlight shining on them making them feel warm...
But soon, Batman's mechanical voice interrupted Elio's memories.
"His name is Leopold Mitchell, of Blüdhaven..."
"The Grand Master's only son," the assassin continued, "recently graduated. This isn't his first time leading an Abstergo project, but it is his first time being assigned to one of their newly established branches. His father must have hoped to train him in Gotham, but he will never succeed in this city."
This was the first time he had interrupted someone in such a forceful tone. Batman turned around and looked at Elio with an unreadable expression.
"He's mine," the assassin pulled his hand out of his arms and pointed at the screen. "Any objections?"
He looked around, the vigilantes exchanging heated glances again, but no one uttered a different sound.
"No," Batman concluded for them, "I leave these two Templars to you."
The assassin nodded. This little episode was over. After discussing the remaining division of labor, they quickly dispersed, each heading off to act, or to rest and recuperate. During their discussion, daylight had unknowingly risen, marking the time for nocturnal creatures to rest. Although few people voluntarily chose this option.
Red Robin wanted to stay and work with Batman on a cure for the Man-Bat Serum, but his mentor persuaded him to stop. Batman, with a stern yet loving touch, confiscated the cup of coffee he had just poured and gulped it down before Red Robin could intervene. Under Red Robin's disapproving gaze, Batman pushed a cup of warm black tea towards him, successfully persuading him to go upstairs for a nap.
Helpless, Red Robin yawned and left. When passing by the assassin, he patted his shoulder weakly, receiving a nod and smile from the assassin, as well as a soft "good night".
Perhaps because of this, or perhaps because the meeting had been disbanded and their mentor Batman was sitting there, just studying the antidote for the serum and showing no resistance to the assassin's presence; the young vigilantes crowded around and tripped Elio as he was about to leave.
Black, purple, yellow, green, red, not to mention the blue in Blüdhaven, the various uniforms and code names almost made Elio dizzy; although he was from Gotham, he never realized that the Batman had so many members, whether they were partners, assistants or Robins.
"Trivia," the purple-clad vigilante, calling herself the troublemaker, jokingly said, "I was once Robin!" Then, at the assassin's surprised expression, she burst into laughter. Clearly, the blonde girl enjoyed this segment.
No wonder everyone thought Robin never grew taller, Elio thought to himself. But he didn't say it out loud, because in front of him stood a boy who looked only ten years old, about the age when height matters—at least Elio did.
Robin, with his spiky haircut and a genuine concern for his height, regarded the assassin warily, his arms folded, and he remained silent. If he were twenty, Elio might have considered his expression arrogant, but he was clearly still in elementary school (if he was even in school at all), so the assassin saw his expression as adorable.
Besides, that's Robin.
“When I was little, there were always brothers and sisters who couldn’t sleep at night,” Elio said with a smile. “The childcare staff would tell them the legend of the Dynamic Duo, telling them that even if there were monsters at night, Batman and Robin would fight them off.”
The young vigilantes who had more or less been Robin, or Batgirl, all looked at him.
"For a long time, there was a game in our area. We would dress up as Robin and Batgirl, and the teachers or the older kids would dress up as Batman, and run around the yard," Elio said. "For a long time... I believe it's still like that."
The assassin's gentle eyes swept over these young vigilantes one by one. Although they were wearing masks or face shields, they did not bother to hide their figures or disguise their voices. They stood there full of vigor and vitality, and they were the image that all the children in Gotham hoped to become.
“Even though I don’t recognize your faces,” Elio said, “you’ve always been our heroes.”
Not far away, the sound of Batman's keyboard tapping gradually died down. The horned bat turned around and saw the assassin pulling back his hood, revealing the young man's rosy face.
"I'm glad to meet you," Elio said. He smiled and glanced at Batman from a distance. What the assassin didn't expect was that Batman also stared at him for a long time and nodded slowly.
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The author has something to say: The real reason why I wrote Oreo is a Gotham native: It is a natural way to express my admiration for the Bat-Superhero!
What kid in Gotham hasn't fantasized about being adopted by Batman and becoming his Robin to fight crime together? Stand up! Look me in the eye!
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