Prologue – Briefing in Gotham
The Batcave's silence pressed in like stone. Screens glowed with grainy footage of a figure in black, blindfolded, warping through rooftops as though the city bent to his will.
The Teen Titans stood before Batman.
Nightwing's arms were crossed, calm and unreadable. Damian leaned on his staff, impatient and itching for action. Raven hovered slightly above the ground, hood shadowing her face. Starfire's eyes glowed faint green. Beast Boy fidgeted in place, shifting restlessly from foot to foot.
Batman's voice cut through the dark. "You've all seen the reports. New York's new vigilante."
Robin scoffed. "A blindfolded clown interfering in Gotham business."
Batman's eyes flicked toward him, cold and sharp. "He dismantled the Central City Rogues in under a minute. Captain Cold. Heat Wave. Weather Wizard. Neutralized without effort."
Nightwing narrowed his eyes at the screen. "Blindfold."
"That's what he calls himself," Batman said. "No real identity. No registry. His blindfold scrambles optics and recordings. I've cross-checked every database. He doesn't exist."
Starfire tilted her head. "You fear he is an enemy?"
Batman's tone was flat. "I don't know what he is. But he's efficient. Too efficient. Gotham breeds shadows. Central breeds speed. New York may have just bred a problem."
Raven's eyes glowed faintly under her hood. "There's a depth in him. Endless, heavy. Like staring into a void that wants to swallow you."
Beast Boy muttered, "Sounds like a fun guy at parties."
Batman ignored him, changing the screen to Bane's scowling face. "Blindfold isn't the only concern. Bane has resurfaced. He's moving Venom and narcotics through New York's docks. You'll stop him before the shipment leaves."
Nightwing's voice was steady. "And if Blindfold shows up?"
Batman's eyes narrowed. "Do not underestimate him. Engage only if necessary. If he crosses the line… contain him."
Damian smirked, spinning his staff. "Finally. A challenge."
Patrol in the Night
New York stretched under Blindfold's boots, a grid of neon and noise. The city smelled of salt and oil tonight, the kind of edge that carried whispers of trouble.
Kai perched on a rooftop, scanning. "Quiet night," he muttered. "Which usually means the city's planning something."
Ava's voice slid into his ear. "Suspicious activity. Pier 17. Cargo movement at this hour. Armed men. Elevated vitals. One of them enhanced."
Kai tilted his head. "Enhanced how?"
"Venom."
He grinned under the blindfold. "So the big luchador himself."
"Confirmed. Bane. At least twenty men with him. Crates full of drugs and Venom."
Kai cracked his knuckles. "Guess it's leg day."
The Docks
Mist hung heavy over Pier 17. Shipping containers loomed like silent giants, their steel sides painted with rust. The water slapped against the wood in steady rhythm.
And there, commanding the shadows — Bane.
A mountain of muscle and menace, venom tubes pulsing green as they pumped into his body. His goons hustled crates into trucks, their chatter clipped and nervous.
"Faster!" Bane barked, voice like gravel. "Tonight, Gotham's veins fill with power. Tonight, New York pays its dues."
Kai crouched on a crane, watching. "Overcompensating much?"
He flexed his fingers, ready to warp down—
But movement caught his eye.
The Titans' Strike
They came from above, shadows in motion.
Nightwing dropped first, escrima sticks crackling with electricity. Two goons dropped before they even screamed.
Damian landed next, staff spinning, ruthless precision breaking knees and ribs with efficient brutality. "Pathetic."
Starfire descended in a flare of green, her starbolts lighting the fog as men scattered.
Raven hovered silently, hands glowing as black energy wrapped around a truck, pinning it in place.
Beast Boy thundered in as a tiger, scattering men like bowling pins, before shifting mid-leap into a gorilla to smash another.
Kai blinked. "Well. That's new."
Ava confirmed in his ear. "Teen Titans. Acting under Batman's directive."
Kai smirked. "Figures he'd send his kids."
Blindfold Enters
Bane roared, venom tubes hissing louder as his muscles swelled. "Children! You dare challenge me?!"
He ripped a steel container in half, hurling it across the dock.
Starfire blasted it midair into molten shards. Nightwing barked orders, the Titans flowing together in practiced rhythm.
Kai sighed. "Looks like they've got it covered… almost."
A goon crept behind Raven with a crowbar. Kai flicked Blue. The weapon tore free and smacked the man squarely in the skull. He dropped instantly.
Raven spun, eyes narrowing at the ripple in space.
Kai stood up straight on the crane. "Guess it's rude not to say hi."
He warped.
One blink, and he was in the middle of the goons. A light OFA tap to the ground sent a shockwave flattening them.
Another warp, another flick of Red — a cluster of smugglers flew into the bay, splashing like stones.
Finally, Kai landed before Bane, grin sharp. "Hey, big guy. Heard steroids are bad for your health."
Bane roared, swinging a fist like a hammer. Kai sidestepped, warped behind him, and tapped his shoulder. "Behind you."
Then drove an OFA punch into Bane's chest. The shockwave cracked wood and steel alike. Bane flew back through two containers, venom tubes sparking, body limp.
The docks went silent. Goon after goon either unconscious or fleeing.
Ava chimed. "Battle time: eighty-two seconds. Collateral minimal. Grade: excessive."
Kai stretched. "What can I say? I'm consistent."
First Contact
The Titans regrouped, eyes fixed on him.
Nightwing stepped forward, calm but firm. "So. You're Blindfold."
Kai tilted his head. "Depends who's asking. Halloween club or hero squad?"
Robin sneered, staff leveled. "You interfered with my mission."
Kai chuckled. "Kid, I just saved you a ton of cleanup. You're welcome."
Starfire floated closer, eyes curious. "You wield great power. Yet you walk alone. Why?"
Kai shrugged. "Teamwork's not for everyone. Some of us prefer solo runs."
Raven's voice was low, her eyes glowing faintly. "You aren't what you seem. There's something inside you… vast. Unfamiliar. Dangerous."
Kai smirked. "Thanks. I'll add that to my résumé."
Beast Boy tilted his head. "Blindfold, huh? You know it makes you look super creepy, right? Like a horror movie guy."
Kai pointed finger-guns at him. "Creepy's the brand."
Nightwing cut the chatter, tone crisp. "We'll be reporting this to Batman. He'll want to meet you."
Kai leaned back, grin wide. "Tell him Blindfold says hi. But if he wants a meeting… I pick the place."
Before they could reply, Blue folded space around him. He vanished in an instant, leaving only a ripple of distorted air and faint laughter.
The Titans stood in the fog, the dock wreckage around them.
Robin growled. "Arrogant."
Raven's voice was colder. "Arrogant… and dangerous."
Nightwing exhaled slowly, still staring at where Blindfold had been. "Batman was right. He's not like the others."