Gotham's Arkham Asylum Annex welcomed Batman, just as everyone had been hoping.
He descended from a jet like a giant bat — broad daylight and all — making quite the spectacle.
"Oh my God, you're finally here! Where's that miracle cure you promised?"
Commissioner Gordon rushed forward excitedly, eager to see the legendary medicine Batman had mentioned.
But after circling Batman once, Gordon didn't see so much as a medical kit.
"The medicine!? Don't tell me you lied to me!" Gordon couldn't believe Batman would pull such a cruel prank.
Batman simply raised his right hand — in it, he held a green hockey stick.
"...?"
Gordon's face twisted into a look of disbelief, like Batman had just slapped him with a joke.
"Wait a minute. That's your miracle cure? Not funny, Batman!"
The other officers didn't look too pleased either. They'd worked hard getting those patients here — they weren't in the mood for jokes.
Batman didn't respond. He just raised the stick, and instantly, a green glow radiated from the Shennong Ruler — a wave of healing light spreading across the area.
The officers, who were previously grumpy from fatigue, visibly relaxed. Their tense, worn-out faces softened under the soothing beam.
After about a minute, the healing light began to dim.
"This is unreal... My chronic migraine from night shifts is completely gone! This thing actually works? It's a miracle!"
Gordon felt better than ever. His body, numb from overwork, felt light and rejuvenated — he figured he'd shaved ten years off his age.
He was so full of energy now, he felt like he could solo the Joker and beat him into the pavement.
"Alright, Gordon. Let's not waste time. Gather the severely ill patients. I'll treat them next. This thing only works for a limited time."
"Huh? Oh! Right! Move, people, move!" Gordon shouted to his team to follow Batman's instructions.
But his eyes kept drifting toward the green hockey stick.
Batman: "Quit staring, Gordon. It's a magical artifact. Once the time runs out, the enchantment fades. When that happens, your department needs to issue a statement and inform the public."
"What? A magical artifact?! Magic... is real? Are we really going to tell the public something that absurd?"
Gordon was cautious — he didn't think Gotham citizens needed to know that magic was real. That sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
"Just tell them the truth. Whether they believe it or not is up to them."
...
All the patients were gathered in the main hall. Most looked exhausted and weak — some were even bedridden.
Batman didn't waste time. He lifted the Shennong Ruler high again.
A blinding green light burst forth, flooding the hall.
The healing beam mended wounds and soothed pain. Every person there felt like they'd been reborn — it was like witnessing a miracle.
A few believers even cried out, "He's an angel! An angel sent by God!"
The group healing scene was absolutely stunning.
Several people dropped to their knees in worship, staring at Batman as if he were a divine figure.
The Shennong Ruler muttered in a low voice, "An angel? Since when do angels look like demonic bats in black suits? That's enough to make a real angel cry."
Batman heard the comment but said nothing. He just mentally took note of it.
Three minutes passed. The light faded, and the healing was complete.
Batman immediately turned and left, not staying even a second longer — he knew the time limit was nearly up!
Gordon chased after him, trying to get Batman to help more hospitals. There were still small clinics that needed treatment.
"Sorry, Gordon. The magic's about to expire. After that, it's just a stick."
Batman walked away as he spoke. Outside the hospital, he pulled out his grapple gun.
Thwip! — it latched onto a nearby rooftop.
Using the recoil, Batman vaulted into the air and vanished.
Gordon stood there watching him go, torn inside. A part of him wanted to keep that green stick — with it, his officers wouldn't have to worry about injuries again.
But his sense of justice as a cop made him let go of that selfish thought.
"Hope he'll help again next time..."
...
Inside the Batjet.
Beep—beep—beep—beep—POOF!
Transformation ended!
The Shennong Beast reverted to Max.
He collapsed into the jet's chair, completely drained.
"What's the price of using that kind of power?"
Batman knew the basics of magic: the stronger the spell, the steeper the cost. Talent was also required to even begin learning it.
(That's also why Batman swore never to touch magic — he feared what he might do to resurrect his parents.)
He wasn't sure if the Shennong Beast's powers were magical, but judging by Max's current state, they clearly came at a cost.
Max shakily lifted a finger to point at his mouth and whispered hoarsely:
"I'm... so... hungry… I feel like I could eat a whole cow..."
"Hunger, huh? That's manageable. Hold on, I'll fix it."
As far as Batman was concerned, if money could solve it — it wasn't a real problem.
They landed at Wayne Manor just three minutes later.
...
Batman carried Max princess-style into the mansion.
Alfred, Jason Todd, and a stunning woman were in the lounge, chatting about the captured Joker Claws.
"You're back, sir," Alfred said, stepping forward to take Max from Batman's arms.
"What happened to him?"
"He was a huge help. Get him something to eat," Batman replied.
"Right away, sir." Alfred carried Max to the dining room. Jason, recognizing Max, followed along.
Back in the lounge, Zatanna remained with Batman and the restrained Joker Claws.
Zatanna wore a tailcoat tuxedo dress, a black magician's hat, and — most eye-catching — black stockings stretching down her long, mature legs.
Batman's eyes flickered beneath the cowl. After all, she was his first love. Seeing her again did stir something.
"Long time no see, rich boy. Or should I call you Mr. Wayne now?" Zatanna teased him, clearly annoyed that he hadn't contacted her for ages — and only did so now because he needed something.
Her eyes locked on Batman's.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Zatanna."
Batman looked away awkwardly, focusing on the Joker Claws instead. "What are these things? Magic puppets?"
"Not sure. I already examined them with magic. Their bodies haven't been tampered with, and there's no soul. Doesn't feel like a summoned corpse from a ritual."
"But there is some strange life force keeping their bodies functioning. It's definitely not magic."
"I see…"
Zatanna was a renowned magic expert now. If she said it wasn't magic, then it probably wasn't.
So what was it? Alien tech? Unknown forces?
Batman suddenly thought of Max's transformation into the Shennong Beast. "Maybe... it's alien tech."
He snapped out of it and nodded. "Thanks for helping, Zatanna."
Zatanna stepped closer, pressing against him and whispering, "I didn't come here just to be thanked, Bruce."
Batman didn't hesitate. After nearly an hour of Shennong Ruler healing, his body was way too healthy to resist temptation. He swept Zatanna into the bedroom.
What followed... was lightning striking dry wood — fast, hot, and unstoppable.
(The room's soundproofing was excellent — not a peep could be heard!)
...
Wayne Manor Dining Room.
"Hey bro, what happened to you? You look wrecked."
Alfred asked, "Master Jason, do you two know each other?"
Jason nodded. "We worked at the same place once. He helped me out a lot. He's got some solid skills."
Alfred nodded in understanding, then set Max at the dining table.
From a nearby cupboard, he brought out a plate stacked with chocolate bars and placed them in front of Max.
These were treats he had bought when Jason returned — just in case.
Jason watched as Max devoured chocolate like a man tortured for days and finally thrown a snack.
He swallowed in shock.
After a few bars, Max finally caught his breath.
He wasn't sure why, but this time after transforming, he was way hungrier than before.
"Jason? Haha, didn't expect you to become Robin! Mind passing me your chocolate too? Thanks!"
Jason pushed his plate over. "...You don't get sick of chocolate?"
Max nodded earnestly. "I do. But I have to eat it. Feels like I'll starve to death otherwise."
Jason Todd: "…"
Alfred then arrived with a food cart. "Gentlemen, afternoon tea is served. Today's special: cheese steak!"
Looking at the covered dish, Max didn't stand on ceremony.
"Alfred, I need a lot of high-calorie food! This isn't gonna cut it!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Max. I've prepared food for ten people. It'll be more than enough."
"Really?! Thanks, Alfred!"
With no worries left, Max focused entirely on feasting.
He'd already guessed why he was so hungry.
Using the Shennong Ruler was one reason — but it also healed and enhanced his human body.
He used to be mildly malnourished due to genetic optimization. The device must've corrected that, completing the optimization.
That intense hunger was probably his body craving fuel post-upgrade.
Max could clearly feel that the food he ate was being rapidly digested and converted into energy.
Alfred silently watched Max's thin frame slowly grow healthier with each bite. His expression twitched.
He reminded, "Mr. Max, you might want to slow down. Overeating isn't exactly pleasant."
Max froze mid-bite. He suddenly stood up and shouted, "Alfred! Where's the bathroom?!"
Alfred: "..."
You don't ask that while eating!
"Down the hall, third door on the left. Then turn right!"
"Thanks!"
Max clutched his stomach and dashed off.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHAHA!"
Jason clutched his gut, laughing uncontrollably.