The crystalline towers of Gotham gleamed under the pale moonlight, shining in an other worldly glow. Neon signs painted patches of color across the streets below, blending with the soft golden glow of streetlights.
The city had settled into an uneasy harmony, adapting to its crystalline transformation and the silent, watchful presence of Sentinels patrolling alongside human officers.
Above it all, on the jagged edge of a gothic tower, Batman stood vigilant. His cowl's lenses scanned the city below while his gauntlet projected a 3D holographic map of Gotham. Points blinked in seemingly random locations, a puzzle waiting to be solved.
For the past two weeks, Gotham had been plagued by a chilling mystery.
Several disappearances.
Random victims.
No shared location.
No connections between them.
Each one sooner than the last.
Witnesses had reported seeing the victims simply vanish, turning into nothingness. No clue as to why or how. Leaving the case a mystery, for him to solve.
These victims had no connection in between them, most disappearing before many eyewitness. He had analyzed and rechecked the location several times, but all of it resulted in nothing. No-thing.
No trace of Spatial distortion, Zeta beam nor molecular phasing. Not even magical particles were found on the crime scene. He had tried to form a semblance of connection between the incidents, not even the Bat-Computer could formulate the randomness of the event.
The possibility of an abduction, as hostages or test subjects of some criminal. Yet no criminal popped up in his radar. But he never stopped, even if all direction of his search hit dead end
However,
Today, he was out in the city due to a tip he received from someone or Something named G.C(Gotham City). Who revealed itself to be the Artificial intelligence that govern the very city he swore to protect. This intelligence had took notice of the disappearances and had deduced its patterns, informing him of the coordinates of the next few location of such events.
Even though he did not completely trust the said AI nor its creator, he followed up on its intel. To save the next victim from being claimed and gather data.
From his perch, he watched the street below, the quiet hum of city filling the night air. The location G.C had identified was a narrow ally wedged between two building complex. Pedestrians moved about, unaware of the looming danger.
A civilian caught his attention—a man in his late thirties squatting down as he gathered his spilled groceries. The man gathered his grocery in one arm as he reached for his phone, unaware of the danger that he was in.
His figure began to shimmer like glass, slowly turning transparent.
Batman's heart raced as he leapt from the tower, his cape billowing as he dove toward the street. He extended his grapnel, firing it to adjust his trajectory. The shimmering intensified as the man turned, with confusing etched in his face. Pedestrians, who saw the man turning into nothing, watched in shock.
Batman hit the ground running, reaching out to grab the man's arm. But his glove hands passed straight through as if grasping smoke. The man's eye widened in terror as his body fully turned transparent, phasing out of reality.
Turning into Nothingness.
Batman froze, staring at the empty space where the man had stood. His jaw tightened beneath his cowl. He had failed another. He was here and he failed to save the man. As Batman wallowed, a shadow caste on him.
He turned to shadows originator, its glowing eyes fixed on the area where the man had vanished. The sentinel stationed at this
"Why didn't you help?" Batman's voice was a low growl, edged with frustration and anger.
The Sentienl turned its head toward him, its voice neutral. "Analysis of the phenomenon was imperative. Intervention deemed nonviable due to lack of countermeasures. "
"Nonviable?" Batman's tone dripped with disdain. "You're supposed to protect this city."
The Sentinel tilted its head slightly, as if considering his words. "Protection protocols prioritize data acquisition for anomaly resolution. Intervention without understanding could escalate the situation, resulting in more harm than good."
Batman took a step closer, his cowl lenses glowing faintly as he scrutinized the Sentinel. "Then consider this an escalation. I need every detail you've gathered. Now."
The Sentinels eyes flash before a file was sent directly to Batman's wrist computer.
[ Analysis completed. ]
[ Event classified: Dimensional Breach.]
[ Dimension Identified: Phantom Zone. ]
Batman's eyes narrowed. "Phantom Zone?" His voice sharp, his mind racing.
Batman clenched his fist. The Phantom Zone—a dimension used by Kryptonians to imprison their most dangerous criminals. He had only heard about it from Superman, but to see it active on Earth, targeting random civilians, was something he hadn't anticipated.
The Sentinels eyes remained fixed on Batman. "Anomalies indicate a weakening of the dimensional barrier. Cause unknown, could vary from natural phenomenon to unnatural intervention."
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Batman's mind worked furiously as he absorbed the information. With the new information added, he could see the patterns forming—a slow, deliberate weakening of the dimensional barrier. Like drilling hole in wall to weaken its structure.
The breaches weren't random, but the energy signature was not of any known origin.
"This isn't just the Phantom Zone," He muttered to himself. "Someone's tampering with it. Weakening it."
The Sentinel added, "Projected consequence: dimensional instability. Preparing Counter measures."
Batman's jaw tightened. If the breaches widened further, it wouldn't just be random civilians disappearing. It could mean an invasion, a flood of beings from the Phantom Zone spilling into Gotham—and possibly beyond.
He turned away from the Sentinel, grappling to the rooftops once more. From his elevated vantage point, he gazed out over the city. Pulling out his communicator, he activated a secure channel.
"Alfred, prepare the Batwing. I am departing to Metropolis."
"Right away, sir," Alfred's calm voice replied.
As he stood against the night sky, the weight of the city pressed heavier than ever on his shoulders. Whoever was behind this, whatever their plan, the disappearance was only the first step.
And he would would be damned if he let them take another.
...
The Batwing cut through the night sky, with silence and stealth.
In the cockpit, Batman's eye remained fixed on the holographic display projected from his gauntlet. The Sentinel's data replayed endlessly, overlaying energy patterns and breach signatures. Every instinct told him time was running out. His mind raced to form a contingency plan for the upcoming danger.
As Metropolis came into view, its crystalline skyline glittered like a beacon, Batman opened a secure channel. "Superman, I'm en route. We need to talk."
Moments later, Superman's voice responded, steady and confident. "I'll meet you on the roof of the Daily Planet."
The Batwing descended silently, its VTOL engine engaging as it hovered above the iconic floating globe atop of the Daily Planet. Batman leapt from the cockpit with practice ease, his cape billowing as he landed beside Superman.
"Batman," Superman greeted, bit of concern visible on his face. "What's going on?"
"The Phantom Zone," Batman cut to the chase. "You heard of the Civilians vanishing in Gotham. The Sentinel confirmed they've been taken there through the breach."
Superman's expression darkened, his brows furrowing. He had heard of the disappearances in Gotham but had decided not to get involved since Batman was dealing with it. but he never though it would involve something from his dead planet.
"The Phantom Zone? That shouldn't be possible," Superman voiced, concerned. "There is only one way to access it—through the projector."
"That's why I'm here," Batman said, his voice low but firm. "I need to know if you have a way to enter it. If there's any change of rescuing them, I'm taking it."
Superman crossed his arms, considering the implications. "The projector is in the Fortress od Solitude. It's heavily secured. No one else should have access to it."
"Should," Batman repeated grimly. "But someone is using it—or something like it. But its the only way to rescue the citizens and investigate who is causing these breaches."
Superman nodded, determination settling in his eyes. "Then we'll check it out. Follow me."
Superman took to the skies, leading the way to the arctic. Batman fired his grappled back to the Batwing and followed Superman. As they approached the Fortress of Solitude, the crystalline structure glimmered against the stark white of the icy tundra.
It's alien architecture loomed like a monument to a lost world.
Superman landed first, using a massive key to open the doors to the fortress. The massive doors parted with a low him, revealing the labyrinthine interior. Batman gave the massive key an amused look but decided to not question its architecture. He followed closely, his sharp eyes scanning every detail.
"This way," Superman said, guiding Batman through the hallways.
They passed towering statues of Kryptonian figures holding a globe, crossing alien artifacts, and further into the fortress. Even traveling some ragged terrain. Batman understood something for the first time.
"A man who flies doesn't think to build the stairs," Batman commented as he used the grapple to slip down.
"Sorry, still brand new," Superman commented as waited for Batman.
"You should build some stairs," Batman said flatly.
Superman then lead Batman to a less than welcomed room with items covered with cloth. At the very back stood a massive screen covered with back cloth and dust. Connected to it was a red, old modeled projector, more like a lamp. Shitty design on the Kryptonian part.
On the broken screen, swirling shadows and faint figures could be seen—the eerie, distorted landscape of the Phantom Zone.
"This is it," Superman said, stepping forward. "This projector can open the door to the Phantom Zone. The screen shows a life feed of its interior while also acting a door frame."
Batman's eyes narrowed as he approached the screen. He studied the shapes and movements within, his eyes catching something unusual. Among the swirling shadow was a distinct paw print, imprinted on the ground as though something had passed through.
"What's that?" Batman pointed, his voice sharp.
Superman's expression hardened as he leaned in to look. "I don't know. Looks like a dogs paw print. But there.."
Before he could investigate further, a faint noise behind them drew Batman's attention. His instincts hones in street of Gotham screamed danger. He turned sharply, his hands already reaching for a batarang.
A figured emerged from the shadows, wrapped in tattered bandages that trailed like smoke. Its hollow eyes glowed faintly, and it moved with puppeted steps. The mummy intruder reached it metallic hands towards the projector, murmuring in a guttural language.
"Superman, move!" Batman shouted, leaping to the side on pure practiced reflex.
Superman turned, but before he could react, a burst of energy erupted from the projector. The crystalline screen flared brightly, and in an instant, Superman was caught in the energy beam. His began to shimmer, his form turning transparent as he was pulled into the screen.
"Clark!" Batman's voice cut through the silence, but it was already late. Superman's figure completely vanished from this side of the reality, sucked into the Phantom Zone. This why dodging is better than using your chest as a shield.
The ghost mummy turned its glowing gaze towards Batman, a low, guttural laugh escaping its bandaged mouth. It spoke in a similar guttural language, its voice fill with pure malice.
"You have helped us well, insect! As a reward, I shall make your death painful."[Translated]
Without hesitation, Batman hurled a batarang, but the intruder slapped away the trinket. Taking rigged but steady steps towards him. The figure slowly walked to him, its bandage face conveying pure viciousness through its glowing eyes.
"You made a mistake," Batman said coldly, his voice carrying through the chamber.
The voice uttered another incomprehensible sentence, but Batman was not with time to listen to it. He reached into his yellow belt and threw first step of his plan. The black pelets at the alien mummy. The mummy reacted with lightning speed as it clawed at the pellets, causing it to explode into smokes that covered the whole room.
"Is this suppose to hurt me?!"
It questioned as it strode towards Batman with frightening speed. But when the smoke settled, Batman vanished from the where he stood and appeared next to the projector. And Batman pressed the detonator he held in his hand.
The explosives beeped once under the Mummy's leg before exploding into fiery fireworks. Throwing the mummy like a rag-doll against the crystalline wall, burning its cloths and cracking its claws.
"Clark," Batman muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening.
His gauntlet activated as he tired to access its controls. The scree displayed the swirling chaos of the Phantom Zone, but Superman was nowhere to be seen. His mind raced, calculating his next move. Superman was in the Phantom Zone, and there was an intruder who seem to be involved with all of it. They had knowledge of the Fortress and its technology.
Batman strightened, he would find his answers and bring Superman back. He turned to the standing intruder, its face filled with fury and black smoke.