That's right. Batman hadn't just stolen Pym Particles from the Pym Technologies Building, injected giant ants with pheromones, and implanted a virus into an Ultron robot...
He had even gone out of his way to make off with an entire Ultron robot. After studying and analyzing it inside out, he gave it a quick modification, fitting it with the outer shell of an Arkham Batsuit to serve as a temporary body double.
Batman didn't need this modified Ultron robot to fight crime for him; all he needed was for the machine, draped in the Batsuit, to make an appearance at crime scenes.
Given the sheer intimidation factor Batman had built up over the two-plus months since his arrival in this world, its mere presence was enough to deter ordinary criminals.
The Ultron robot wasn't even equipped with any weapons. Batman had even removed several of the internal hydraulic rams and electric actuators used to transmit power, eliminating even the one-in-a-million chance that "Ultron" might lose control and harm anyone.
Even if an enemy appeared who couldn't be deterred by a mere appearance, Batman would immediately notify Iron Man, Tony Stark, to handle it, or call in Daredevil, Luke Cage, or Jessica Jones.
In fact, Batman hadn't even told the four scientists on South Brother Island about his departure.
"Robin, you need to get some sleep," T'Challa said from his seat inside the Batwing, looking over at Venom Robin, who had been glued to the cockpit window, staring outside.
"Shh."
Venom Robin turned around and pressed an index finger to his lips.
"Doesn't he need to sleep?" T'Challa asked, glancing over at Batman, who was entirely focused on piloting the Batwing.
"Most likely," Batman replied.
T'Challa's lips parted, finally voicing the question that had been building up in his mind for a while:
"Batman, you must know how dangerous this mission is. Why did you bring Robin along?"
Batman didn't say anything, nor did he even glance back at T'Challa. After a heavy silence that lasted for over ten seconds, he finally spoke, his voice deep and commanding:
"Is Khonshu speaking to you?"
T'Challa's brows furrowed.
"Who is Khonshu? I haven't leaked our operations to anyone. This involves Wa—"
Before T'Challa could finish, Venom Robin interrupted him.
"Yeah, the old geezer has been pestering me the entire trip."
"What is he asking?" Batman's voice grew even lower.
T'Challa noticed that Batman referred to this entity as a mere "he."
"He's asking why we're going to Wakanda, and says he already warned us not to..." Venom Robin conveyed word for word. He listened intently for a moment before snapping irritably, "Shut up, you old fossil! Come out and tell Batman yourself!"
T'Challa's brows knit together tightly. Looking at the suddenly furious Robin, then at Batman, who hadn't even turned his head while piloting the Batwing, he asked hesitantly,
"Is there a fourth person in here?"
He looked back toward the rear cabin, but aside from a strange, crab-like mech, there was nowhere else a human could possibly hide.
Amid T'Challa's confusion, Venom Robin stomped over to Batman's side, a hint of grievance slipping into his voice.
"Khonshu's been nagging me the whole time, saying we shouldn't go to Wakanda."
"I will negotiate with him," Batman said, rising from the pilot's seat. "Take over piloting."
T'Challa nodded and was about to step forward to take the controls when Batman reached out and held him back.
To T'Challa's bewilderment, the elderly voice of a man with a distinct London accent echoed through the cabin:
"Piloting assumed."
"An artificial intelligence?" T'Challa asked, noting how the voice fell just slightly short of sounding like a real human.
Wakanda's technology was highly advanced, but they had barely developed the field of artificial intelligence. As a result, it hadn't even crossed T'Challa's mind that the Batwing might be equipped with an AI.
"Not quite yet. It's just a slightly advanced computer," Batman replied, shaking his head.
The Alfred AI required massive computing power, as well as an even larger cooling and power system to run, and the necessary microchips weren't fully prepared yet.
At this stage, just as Batman said, the Alfred AI could only be considered an advanced computer.
Before T'Challa could even begin to wonder just how "advanced" this onboard computer actually was, the events shifted.
The moon in the sky flared with sudden brilliance. Beams of moonlight coalesced into clearly visible shafts of light—resembling the Valentine effect—streaming into the Batwing all at once like broad ribbons.
Sneck!
Without a second thought, T'Challa extended the claws of his Vibranium suit, dropping into a combat stance.
This time, Batman didn't stop T'Challa. Even he was quietly on high alert.
The streams of moonlight pooled within the Batwing's cabin, shimmering like a pool of crystal-clear spring water.
In the next instant, the gathered moonlight condensed into a crescent scepter. A skeletal hand materialized from the light, gripping the staff.
A second later, Khonshu, the Moon God, stood inside the cabin, clad in a pure white suit, his head a massive avian skull.
Standing two meters in front of Khonshu, Batman pulled Venom Robin behind his back and faced the deity directly.
"If you have something to say, you can tell me directly, Khonshu."
"I come on behalf of the Ancient One to tell you: do not go to Wakanda." Inside Khonshu's hollow eye sockets, twin flames of cold fire burned intensely.
"Your reason?"
"It is a conspiracy aimed directly at you. The repercussions are far greater than you anticipate," Khonshu said.
T'Challa turned his head to look at Venom Robin.
The kid had just said Khonshu was talking to him the whole way. Was it this entity that had stepped out of the moonlight?
Was Batman's reason for bringing the boy along specifically to deal with that bizarre prophecy?
"You might as well be direct," Batman said, staring at Khonshu, his imposing frame shielding Venom Robin like an unmovable mountain.
Batman was concerned that if Khonshu failed to stop him, the god might use the power of the moonlight to transform Venom Robin into the "Eclipse Knight," forcing a brutal showdown inside the cramped confines of the Batwing.
"I cannot," Khonshu replied. "If I lay bare his entire conspiracy, I will be targeted."
Buffeted by a sudden pocket of turbulence, the Batwing shuddered violently, but Batman remained completely motionless, as if rooted to the floor.
"Are you afraid of him?"
"..." Khonshu fell silent for a few seconds, staring fixedly at Batman. "Your mind is made up?"
"My mind is made up," Batman answered without a shred of hesitation.
"Very well." Khonshu pressed no further. Instead, he took a step forward, intending to bypass Batman.
But with a swift shift of his weight, Batman blocked him again, remaining firmly stationed in front of Venom Robin.
Khonshu shook his head. With a flicker, his form dissolved completely into moonlight, only to reappear a split second later right behind Batman.
He brought his crescent scepter up horizontally, pointing the sharp tip of the crescent blade directly at Venom Robin, who hadn't even had time to react.
"When the dark tide surges, use the method I just taught you," Khonshu told Venom Robin. He then turned his head back to face Batman. "Do not worry. It is merely a ritual to summon thunder."
After a brief pause, Khonshu added,
"The Ancient One ordered it."
With that, the deity vanished entirely, and the moon in the sky returned to normal.
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