Chapter 37: Chapter 35: A Game of Shadows The Devil’s Bargain
Special thanks to RrJ, Juice, Ashton Jackson. Thank you for the support and Thanks LoreKeeper_101 for the Ideas
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Alex sat in his dimly lit office, fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. The small flash drive Batman had handed him earlier rested in his palm, its weight heavier than it had any right to be.
This wasn't just evidence.
It was an invitation.
A choice.
Batman had practically thrown him into the deep end—handing him enough leverage to dismantle a fraction of LexCorp's underground dealings, but not enough to end it entirely.
Alex exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
Lex Luthor wasn't a man who made mistakes. If Batman had managed to get his hands on this data, it meant Luthor wanted it to be found—or at the very least, he had contingencies in place.
So the question wasn't what to do with this information.
It was how to use it without playing into Luthor's hands.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," Alex said.
Evan entered, a tablet in hand, looking as exhausted as ever. "I pulled what I could on LexCorp's transactions. You're going to love this—turns out they've been funneling money through over a dozen shell companies, all tied to Gotham's underworld."
Alex smirked. "Oh? You mean a multi-billionaire businessman is doing something illegal? I'm shocked."
Evan ignored the sarcasm and tossed the tablet onto the desk. "It gets worse. Some of those funds? They trace back to contracts with private security firms—mercenaries."
Alex's smirk faded. "Arming criminals and hiring guns. That's not just business—that's preparation."
Evan nodded. "And you know who else is in the mix?"
Alex's eyes darkened. "The League of Assassins?"
"Close," Evan said grimly. "Black Mask."
A beat of silence.
Black Mask was one of the most ruthless crime lords in Gotham. Unlike the Joker, he didn't thrive on chaos—he thrived on control. He ran his empire like a corporation, and if he was working with LexCorp?
That meant Gotham's underworld was about to shift.
Alex sighed. "Of course."
Evan crossed his arms. "So, what's the plan? You going to turn this over to the police?"
Alex gave him a flat look.
Evan scoffed. "Yeah, didn't think so."
Alex picked up the flash drive and twirled it between his fingers. "I need more information. Joker, LexCorp, Black Mask—there's a pattern here. I just don't see it yet."
Evan raised a brow. "And how exactly do you plan to find that pattern?"
Alex grinned. "By asking the right people."
A Meeting with the Underworld
Gotham's East Side had always been a cesspool of crime—a place where deals were made in back alleys and bodies were dumped into the harbor.
Alex walked into The Black Rose, a high-end bar that catered to Gotham's criminal elite. The air was thick with cigar smoke and whispered conversations, but he wasn't here for drinks.
He was here for information.
He approached the bartender, a grizzled man with scars running down his cheek. "I'm looking for Sienna."
The bartender gave him a once-over before nodding toward a private booth.
Sienna Falcone—one of the last remaining heirs to the Falcone crime family. She wasn't in the business herself, but she had connections.
Alex slid into the booth across from her, flashing his most charming smile. "Evening."
Sienna sighed. "You're either very stupid or very desperate to be sitting here, Kent."
Alex's smile didn't waver. "Bit of both, honestly."
She sipped her wine. "What do you want?"
Alex leaned forward. "Black Mask. I need to know what he's planning."
Sienna raised a brow. "And why would I tell you?"
Alex slid a small encrypted device across the table. "Because LexCorp's involved. And we both know Luthor doesn't play fair—not even with his allies."
She hesitated, then sighed. "You're insane, you know that?"
Alex smirked. "It's been mentioned."
Sienna exhaled slowly. "Fine. Black Mask has been moving product—high-tech weapons. But here's the thing—he's not selling them. He's stockpiling."
Alex's fingers tightened slightly. "For what?"
Sienna shook her head. "No one knows. But whatever it is? It's big."
Alex leaned back. "Well, that's just fantastic."
Sienna smirked. "You asked for answers. I never said you'd like them."
Alex chuckled. "Fair point."
As he stood, Sienna's voice turned serious.
"You're making enemies, Kent. Big ones."
Alex's smirk softened. "Wouldn't be Gotham if I wasn't."
The Bat Returns
Alex barely made it back to Aeternum before his security alarms went off.
He sighed. "Oh, come on—"
A shadow moved in the corner of his office.
Alex didn't even flinch. "You really need a doorbell."
Batman stepped into the dim light, arms crossed. "You were at The Black Rose."
Alex sighed. "Let me guess—you were watching?"
Batman's expression remained unreadable. "Black Mask isn't someone you can outmaneuver easily."
Alex smirked. "Neither is Luthor. And yet, here we are."
Batman's voice dropped. "This isn't a game."
Alex's expression turned serious. "I know."
A beat of silence.
Then, Batman tossed something onto the desk.
A black envelope—sealed with a familiar symbol.
A skull.
Alex's brow furrowed. "And this is...?"
"An invitation," Batman said grimly. "To meet Black Mask."
Alex exhaled slowly. "Well. That was fast."
Batman stepped closer. "This isn't an opportunity. It's a trap."
Alex smirked. "Oh, I know."
Batman's voice was low. "Then why are you going?"
Alex's eyes gleamed.
"Because I love ruining people's plans."
Batman didn't react, but there was something in his gaze—a warning.
"You're walking into fire, Kent."
Alex's smirk widened. "Then let's see who gets burned first."
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