Chapter 219: Mutual Destruction
"Sir, the reactor core has accepted the new element modification."
Tony couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Batman.
Batman's only exposed feature—his jawline—revealed nothing. One hand moved to retrieve the diamond-shaped vibranium isotope, returning it to his utility belt.
"Not going to test your new element in the reactor too?" Tony asked.
"No." Batman's single-word response ended the discussion.
If the vibranium isotope proved compatible with arc reactor technology and saved Tony's life—excellent. If not—no loss whatsoever.
Given Batman's extensive vibranium research, discovering the isotope had been inevitable. Simply a matter of time.
Since the Tesseract isotope successfully replaced palladium as the reactor's power core, the vibranium isotope would serve other purposes.
"Running reactor and Mark IV armor tests now..."
As the arc reactor accepted the Tesseract isotope, Jarvis immediately deployed protocols integrating the reactor into the Mark IV.
Rings of cold white luminescence expanded outward, growing increasingly bright until the entire secure room blazed like midday.
Laypeople might have feared imminent explosion. But Batman and Tony remained seated, calmly awaiting Jarvis's test results.
Time passed. Finally, Jarvis spoke again:
"Congratulations, sir. The new reactor's stability and output power have successfully passed Mark IV integration testing."
Tony exhaled sharply. His first action wasn't examining the reactor—he immediately searched for alcohol.
Even the secure room contained a hidden liquor cabinet. Tony opened it, extracted the sole bottle of whiskey, and drank directly from it.
Batman didn't intervene. After Tony consumed roughly a third of the bottle, Batman spoke:
"Suit up."
"What?" Tony nearly choked. "What are you planning?"
"Peter Parker needs assistance. I'm insufficient alone. I need you in your armor." Batman's explanation was uncharacteristically detailed.
"I'm listening." Tony continued drinking.
"You're aware of the Oscorp Tower incident. Three people missing, including Harry Osborn." Batman continued. "Should be a simple search and rescue. But I suspect complications."
Tony's mouth twisted into a knowing smirk. He set the bottle aside:
"Like one of them becoming a vampire who calls himself Batman?"
Tony studied Batman's expression closely.
With the upper face completely concealed, Tony focused primarily on Batman's jaw, watching for any reaction.
Batman's facial hair didn't even twitch.
"All right, poker face." Tony tapped his own skull with one finger. "Don't assume you're the only one who knows everything. As first responder to the scene, I possess considerably more information than you."
"Such as?" Batman watched him.
Tony snapped his fingers, instructing Jarvis to display aerial footage from that day—two figures departing Oscorp Tower in sequence.
'Just as I theorized. Max Dillon became something similar to 'Livewire.' Maybe we should call him Electro instead.'
Batman regarded the screen images impassively.
The black, blurred shadow almost certainly represented Professor Morbius transformed into some vampire-like creature. The other figure radiating golden electrical energy was Max Dillon.
"One vampire. One energy being." Tony closed the display. "As for Harry Osborn... based on my analysis, he likely became what his father became."
Batman nodded slightly. These conclusions matched his own evidence-based deductions.
Batman didn't question why Tony hadn't transported both Harry and Warren to the hospital simultaneously. Didn't ask why Tony had injected super-soldier serum into Harry.
Evidence Batman had collected indicated Tony's condition that day had been severely compromised. Time constraints had made separate hospital transport impossible.
Preserving both Warren's and Harry's lives while ensuring his own survival represented Tony's maximum possible effort.
Batman wouldn't engage in moral condemnation.
"How long before your Mark IV becomes operational?" Batman asked with a slight nod.
"Minimum six hours." Tony estimated.
"This is a dedicated private communications channel. Contact me when ready." Batman placed a chip on the table, rising to depart.
"Wait—" Tony moved to intercept Batman, hesitating extensively before speaking. "Who are you, really? Throughout Peter's interactions with me, have you been manipulating events from the shadows?"
Batman had infiltrated the villa silently. Had produced a new element created via proton accelerator.
Tony strongly suspected the incomplete AI model Peter had given him had actually originated from Batman.
Batman didn't answer. He opened the secure room door and walked out.
Tony immediately pursued. He exited mere seconds behind Batman.
The villa was empty. Batman had vanished completely.
"Peter. Batman..." Tony murmured both names, returning to the secure room.
"Jarvis, establish remote connection to the large arc reactor beneath Stark Tower. I'm upgrading you."
Tony refocused, addressing the Jarvis AI.
"Add medical systems to the Mark IV. Make them standard equipment for all future armor iterations."
"Adjust propulsion systems. Integrate parachute functionality."
Tony refused to repeat the Oscorp situation—wearing advanced armor yet unable to save everyone.
He couldn't install a medical bed inside the suit. But he could integrate a parachute—preventing high-altitude crashes from power failure while simultaneously serving as a soft cargo net for transporting injured patients.
The armor had evolved to Mark IV. The reactor now utilized Tesseract isotope technology.
As for Jarvis AI upgrades...
The current Jarvis couldn't even secure Tony's home adequately. Comprehensive algorithmic improvements were essential.
Nick Fury had infiltrated his house at night. Batman had penetrated security completely undetected. Tony refused tolerating similar incidents.
He even planned using Stark Tower's basement arc reactor to power the upgraded Jarvis AI.
Oscorp Tower, floor twenty. The supposedly sealed, empty laboratory now contained a green figure standing over another man collapsed on the floor, head covered in blood.
The standing green figure was Harry Osborn. The collapsed man was Valentine—formerly an Oscorp board member.
"Valentine never visited Ravencroft Institute. Peter Parker impersonated him."
"Harry! Kidnap Aunt May! Lure Peter here and kill him! He's connected to your father's disappearance!"
Harry's mouth twisted grotesquely as sinister words emerged.
WHAM!
Mid-sentence, Harry's fist crashed into his own face.
Tremendous force dislocated his jaw instantly. Several teeth flew out. Blood sprayed across the floor.
"Want to kidnap May? Lure Peter here?" Harry's voice emerged as a guttural snarl. "Without Peter, Oscorp would be finished!"
Valentine cowered on the floor, trembling as he watched Harry's dislocated jaw reform into a sinister expression:
"But he definitely harbors ulterior motives, doesn't he?"
"You really believe in 'friendship'? Capture him! Force him to confess what he did to your father!"
WHAM!
Another punch. Harry attacked himself like beating a mortal enemy.
"So after interrogation, you'll kill Peter? Monster—die!"
WHAM!
"HAHAHAHA!"
Furious curses and maniacal laughter erupted alternately from Harry's mouth. Complete madness.
Valentine was terrified beyond speech, silently praying to Jesus, wondering what sin warranted such misfortune.
First Kingpin. Then identity theft. Now captured by the insane Harry.
Harry violently snapped his dislocated jaw back into position, then sat in the insulation chair Morbius had previously used for restraint.
"Tie me down, Valentine." Harry's expression shifted.
Valentine didn't dare disobey. Legs shaking, he climbed upright and secured Harry thoroughly.
"Oh my, what are you planning?" The Green Goblin voice returned, mocking.
Harry's eyes flashed with vicious determination:
"I'm taking you down with me!"
Behind the insulation chair sat an enormous container filled with every lethal chemical poison Harry had managed to collect.
As restraints secured his body, needle after needle pierced Harry's flesh. Toxins began flooding his system. Harry clenched his teeth, laughing:
"Green Goblin, right? Madman, right?"
"Why'd you stop laughing? Keep going! Don't stop!"
***
advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces
20% off