Chapter 20: chapter thirty eight and thirty nine
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Chapter 38: Gotham's Monster Unleashed – The World Reacts
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Morning in Gotham – The News Breaks
Gotham never slept.
Crime never stopped.
And neither did the media.
By the time morning hit, the story had already exploded across every news station, newspaper, and social media platform in Gotham.
BATMAN'S NEW SIDEKICK – A MONSTER?
EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE OF GOTHAM'S NEWEST FIGHTER – IS HE HUMAN OR SOMETHING ELSE?
THE CREATURE FIGHTING ALONGSIDE THE DARK KNIGHT – WHAT IS HE?
News anchors, reporters, and crime analysts were scrambling, trying to make sense of what had been caught on camera the previous night.
And the footage was everywhere.
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The Viral Video – Gotham Watches in Shock
A grainy, shaky recording had surfaced, clearly filmed from a phone camera through a cracked window.
The video opened with a group of armed thugs inside one of Gotham's many abandoned warehouses. Their voices were muffled, their conversation unclear.
Then, the door burst open.
A figure stepped inside—small, fast, and covered in blue scales.
At first, it looked almost cartoonish, like some kind of mutated reptile.
Until it moved.
The V-Mon form charged forward, dodging bullets with inhuman reflexes, its fists glowing with energy before slamming into the first thug's gut—sending him flying across the room.
The camera shook violently as chaos erupted.
The figure moved with precision, weaving through gunfire, its small frame deceptively powerful. It took down three men in seconds, before jumping high—higher than any normal human—and delivering a spinning kick that shattered another thug's jaw.
Then—it changed.
The video became blurry as a surge of light engulfed the creature.
And when the transformation finished, the watchers were met with something far more terrifying.
The small blue lizard was gone.
In its place stood a towering figure covered in armor, its sharp claws gleaming under the dim warehouse lights.
Garurumon X.
The armored wolf snarled, its glowing red eyes locked onto the remaining gang members.
One man tried to run.
Bad idea.
With unnatural speed, the wolf lunged forward, grabbing the thug and hurling him into a stack of crates with bone-shattering force.
And then—it changed again.
The light engulfed it once more.
And standing in its place was a monstrous dinosaur—Greymon.
A deep, guttural roar filled the air, shaking the very foundations of the warehouse.
The camera trembled as the person filming cursed under their breath.
Then, the final scene played—Greymon unleashing a massive fireball that obliterated the last group of thugs, leaving behind scorched walls and unconscious bodies.
The video cut to black.
And Gotham went insane.
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Newsroom Chaos – Theories and Speculation
The footage was analyzed frame by frame by every major news outlet.
Some claimed it was fake.
Others insisted it was metahuman-related.
And a few—the conspiracy theorists—began whispering about extraterrestrial origins.
On the Gotham News Network, a heated debate had already begun.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is unprecedented!" The anchor, Mike Lawson, looked directly into the camera. "We all know Batman has had allies before, but this… this is something else entirely!"
His co-anchor, Lisa Reynolds, nodded. "The footage is clear, Mike. This isn't just some vigilante in a suit. This thing… this 'sidekick' of Batman's… is a shapeshifting monster!"
At the bottom of the screen, the banner flashed:
"BATMAN'S SIDEKICK – METAHUMAN? ALIEN? OR SOMETHING ELSE?"
One of the panelists, a retired GCPD detective, shook his head. "I worked the streets of Gotham for thirty years, and I've seen some crazy things. But this? This isn't just another masked crimefighter. This thing evolves—changes form—gets stronger. And if you're telling me this is Gotham's new hero, I have just one question: Who's going to stop him if he ever goes rogue?"
Lisa Reynolds sighed. "And that's the real question, isn't it? We don't even know what it is, let alone what it's capable of."
Mike Lawson turned back to the screen. "One thing's for sure—Batman has just introduced Gotham to something completely new. And whether that's good or bad… only time will tell."
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The Public's Reaction – Fear and Curiosity
Gotham's streets were filled with conversations, rumors, and panic.
At coffee shops, people watched the footage on repeat.
At bars, criminals whispered in hushed tones about the new bounty that had been placed overnight.
And on social media?
It was everywhere.
Memes, reaction videos, theories—everyone had something to say.
@GothamWatcher: "Batman having a shapeshifting monster as a sidekick is the most Gotham thing ever. Of course, we get the scariest superhero team-up in history."
@Nightwing_Fanboy: "I don't care what anyone says—this guy is cool as hell. Who else just solos an entire gang and THEN evolves mid-fight?!"
@CrimeReportGotham: "Rumors say the bounty on Batman's 'Monster' has increased. If true, Gotham is about to get a lot more dangerous."
The city was divided.
Some feared him.
Some idolized him.
But one thing was certain—everyone was watching.
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Wayne Manor – Batman's Response
Deep beneath Wayne Manor, in the Batcave, the footage played on multiple monitors.
Batman stood silently, arms crossed, eyes locked on the screen.
"So… it's out there now," a voice said from behind him.
Alfred Pennyworth stepped forward, a tray of tea in hand, but his usual calm demeanor was overshadowed by concern.
"It was only a matter of time," Batman replied.
Alfred exhaled. "And the bounty?"
"$5 million alive. $2.5 million dead," Batman said flatly.
Alfred sighed, shaking his head. "That's quite the incentive. Every assassin in Gotham will be looking for the boy now."
Batman's jaw tightened. "Let them come. They won't be ready for him."
He turned away from the screens, walking toward the Batcomputer.
Because if Gotham's criminal underworld thought this was going to be a simple hunt…
They had no idea what they were dealing with.
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In the Shadows – A New Threat Emerges
Far from the media frenzy, in a hidden location deep within Gotham, a phone buzzed.
A man in a dark suit, his face obscured by shadows, answered.
"You've seen the footage?"
A deep, gravelly voice on the other end replied.
"I have."
The man in the suit leaned forward. "Then you know the target. Batman's new partner. The bounty is set. We need him taken out."
Silence.
Then, a slow chuckle.
"Consider it done."
The line went dead.
And Gotham's newest monster had just been marked for death.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
Chapter 39: A Day at School – Joshua and Barbara
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Gotham Academy – The Morning Begins
Gotham Academy was one of the most prestigious private schools in the city, a place where the children of Gotham's elite studied alongside those who were either incredibly intelligent or extremely lucky.
Joshua still wasn't sure which category he fit into.
Dressed in the standard Gotham Academy uniform—a white button-up shirt, navy blue blazer, and matching slacks—he walked through the hallways, his hands tucked into his pockets.
The school was buzzing with chatter, the usual morning gossip turned into a full-blown frenzy over one thing—Batman's new "sidekick."
Joshua smirked to himself.
So the news is spreading faster than I expected.
Students were gathered in small groups, eyes glued to their phones, replaying the viral video of his battle from the night before. Some were debating if it was real, others were arguing whether Batman's new ally was a hero or a threat.
And then there was Barbara Gordon.
She was leaning against her locker, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she watched Joshua approach.
"Took you long enough," she said, raising an eyebrow. "I was starting to think you'd skip school today."
Joshua shrugged. "And miss all the fun? Not a chance."
Barbara's piercing blue eyes studied him for a moment before she let out a small chuckle. "You're surprisingly calm. Everyone's talking about this 'monster' that's fighting crime with Batman, and you don't even seem interested."
Joshua grinned. "Maybe I just have other things on my mind."
Barbara rolled her eyes. "Right. Because something like this isn't the biggest news Gotham's had in weeks." She tapped her phone, showing Joshua the video of his fight. "You have to admit, this is insane. That thing—whoever he is—he took out an entire gang like it was nothing. Then he just… changed. Twice."
Joshua leaned in slightly, pretending to be curious. "And what do you think about it?"
Barbara tilted her head, considering the question. "Honestly? I think it's kind of cool."
Joshua blinked. "You do?"
She nodded. "I mean, yeah, it's weird. But Gotham is full of weird. This guy? He's doing what Batman does—maybe even better. The way he fights… it's not just brute force. It's smart. Tactical. He adapts. And you can tell he's not just some mindless beast. There's something… human about the way he moves."
Joshua's smirk widened. Smart girl.
Barbara then shot him a sideways glance. "What about you? What's your take on Gotham's newest 'hero'?"
Joshua chuckled. "Hero? That's assuming a lot."
Barbara shrugged. "You saw the video. That thing only attacked criminals. It didn't hurt any civilians. That says something."
Joshua pretended to think it over, before saying, "Maybe. Or maybe he just hasn't been tested yet."
Barbara narrowed her eyes. "That almost sounds like you're waiting for him to snap."
Joshua smirked. "Not waiting. Just… observing."
She studied him for a moment before shaking her head. "You're weird."
He grinned. "Takes one to know one."
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The Lunchroom – More Theories and Chaos
By the time lunch rolled around, the hype hadn't died down—if anything, it had gotten worse.
Joshua and Barbara sat at their usual table, surrounded by the ongoing chatter of students who were still obsessed with the story.
At the next table, a group of students debated loudly.
"I'm telling you, it has to be some kind of experimental government project!" one student said, waving his phone around. "Think about it—Batman always has gadgets from Wayne Tech. What if this thing is a prototype?"
"No way," another girl countered. "Did you see the way it moved? That's not a robot. That's something alive. Maybe even an alien."
"Or a metahuman," someone else added. "There's no way a normal person can do that."
Joshua leaned back in his seat, amused by the wild theories being thrown around.
Barbara, on the other hand, was clearly entertained. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she asked, nudging him.
Joshua shrugged. "Can you blame me? It's not every day Gotham gets a new urban legend."
Barbara smirked. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you're a little too entertained by all this."
Joshua just grinned.
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A Walk Around Campus – A More Serious Conversation
After lunch, Joshua and Barbara found themselves walking through the school courtyard. The sun was shining, but the air was crisp—a reminder that winter wasn't quite over yet.
Barbara was quieter now, lost in thought.
"You're thinking about the 'monster' again, aren't you?" Joshua asked.
Barbara sighed. "It's hard not to. My dad hasn't stopped talking about it. He acts like it's just another case, but I can tell it's bothering him. And I get it—Gotham already has enough problems without throwing something like this into the mix."
Joshua nodded. "But you still think it's a good thing?"
She hesitated. "I think it could be. But Gotham has a way of… twisting things. People don't like what they don't understand. And right now? No one understands this guy."
Joshua looked at her carefully. "But you want to?"
Barbara met his gaze. "Yeah. I do."
For a moment, Joshua considered telling her the truth.
But only for a moment.
Instead, he simply smiled. "Then I guess you'll just have to keep watching."
Barbara smirked. "Oh, I will. And trust me—I'm going to figure this out."
Joshua chuckled. Good luck with that.
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The End of the School Day – Trouble on the Horizon
As the final bell rang and students began packing up for the day, Joshua noticed something strange.
A few older students—guys who looked like they had no business being at Gotham Academy—were hanging around near the school gates.
Their eyes locked onto him almost immediately.
Joshua's expression didn't change, but his mind was already analyzing the situation.
Bounty hunters? Gang members? Just curious idiots?
Barbara followed his gaze and frowned. "You know those guys?"
Joshua shook his head. "No. But I think they know me."
Barbara's expression darkened. "You need a ride home?"
Joshua smirked. "I'll be fine."
She gave him a look. "Seriously. Don't do anything stupid."
Joshua grinned. "Come on, Babs. Have a little faith."
Barbara rolled her eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of."
With that, she turned and walked toward her father's car, where Commissioner Gordon was waiting.
Joshua, meanwhile, turned back toward the strangers near the school gates.
And as he walked toward them, his smirk faded.
Because if they were here for him…
They were about to learn the hard way that Gotham's so-called "monster" wasn't as easy to hunt as they thought.
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End of Chapter