Forged in Chaos: A Transmigrator’s Tale in the DC Universe

Chapter 4: Trial by Fire

The Batcave was unlike anything Ethan had ever seen before. Despite everything—the fights, the fusion power, the fact that he was in Gotham—this was what truly cemented the reality of his situation. He was in Batman's inner sanctum. And, judging by the scrutiny in Bruce's eyes, he was being measured for something more than just curiosity.

Jason had left after their spar, leaving Ethan alone with the Dark Knight. The silence between them was thick, but Ethan didn't break it. He had learned enough about Batman's reputation to know that the man spoke only when he had something important to say.

Finally, Batman turned from the Batcomputer, his cape shifting slightly with the movement. "You learn fast. But raw talent and power aren't enough to survive in Gotham."

Ethan leaned against a nearby workbench, arms crossed. "That's why I agreed to let you train me, right?"

Batman studied him. "Training starts now."

Before Ethan could react, the lights in the Batcave cut out completely.

Darkness swallowed everything. No glow from the Batcomputer. No soft blue lights from the various workstations. Absolute black.

And then—movement.

Ethan barely had time to register the sound before something slammed into his ribs. A gloved fist, fast as lightning, struck him dead center and sent him stumbling back. His body's enhanced durability dulled the pain, but it still felt like getting hit by a sledgehammer.

Batman's voice came from somewhere in the darkness. "Gotham doesn't wait for you to be ready. You either adapt—or you die."

Ethan gritted his teeth, his instincts flaring. He focused, reaching out for the objects around him. His fusion ability hummed at the edge of his mind, ready to be used.

He grabbed a discarded training staff and a broken batarang from the nearby workbench, forcing them together. The moment the fusion completed, the weapon pulsed in his grip—a modified staff with retractable razor-sharp edges.

A flicker of movement in the darkness. Ethan swung.

His staff cut through the air, striking nothing.

Another blow struck him from behind, sending him staggering forward. He pivoted on instinct, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to barely avoid a second hit aimed at his head.

He couldn't see. Batman was using the darkness against him.

"You rely on your power too much," Batman's voice echoed around him. "You think it makes you invincible. That's why you're losing."

Ethan snarled, gripping his weapon tighter. "Yeah? Well, let's change that."

He dropped low, using his fusion ability on his own gear. His boots and a discarded grappling hook merged, forming something new—shock-absorbing soles with a slight magnetic pull. He could feel the metal veins in the Batcave floor.

He launched himself upward, grabbing onto the overhead scaffolding.

Now he had the high ground.

He reached for another object—a broken drone and a spare smoke pellet. The fusion completed in seconds, and a small, self-guided device activated in his palm. He released it into the air, and the moment it detected movement, it detonated a bright flash of light.

For a split second, the Batcave was illuminated.

And Ethan saw him.

Batman, mid-motion, inches away from striking again.

Ethan reacted purely on instinct. He lashed out with his staff, aiming for the precise moment Batman had to shift his weight. Direct hit.

The staff connected with Batman's armored shoulder, forcing him to step back. It wasn't a knockout blow—not even close—but it was something.

Then, just as suddenly as the fight began, it ended.

Batman took a step back, and the lights flickered back on. He studied Ethan with an unreadable expression.

Ethan was panting, gripping his weapon tightly. "How'd I do?"

Batman's silence stretched for a long moment before he finally gave a short nod. "Better than expected."

Ethan blinked. "Wait... Was that approval? Did Batman just say I wasn't terrible?"

A faint smirk ghosted across Bruce's face—so subtle that Ethan wasn't sure he imagined it. "Training continues tomorrow. Get some rest."

Ethan let out a breath, rolling his shoulders. "Guess I'll take the win."

As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel something stirring inside him. Confidence. Purpose. A drive to push his abilities even further.

He was in Gotham now. And he was ready to forge his own legend.

To be continued…