Lex could already handle the Batmobile without supervision. Taking it out, maneuvering through Gotham's broken streets, even pushing its tactical functions—none of that was an issue anymore.
This time, Alfred didn't hover like a watchdog.
He lectured like a professor.
They stood in the Batcave, lights reflecting off glass cases and steel platforms. The air carried the faint hum of servers and filtered ventilation.
"Let's begin properly," Alfred said, hands clasped behind his back. "The standard combat suit."
Lex had worn it before—the reinforced bodysuit with embedded armor plating, modular gauntlets, cape, utility belt, and cowl.
But this time Alfred dissected it piece by piece.
"The cowl," he began, lifting it carefully, "is far more than theatrical design."
He tapped one of the pointed ears.
"Directional audio receivers. They amplify and isolate sound signatures over considerable distance."
Lex tilted his head slightly. "So the ears aren't just branding."
"No," Alfred replied dryly. "They are functional."
He continued.
"The internal HUD includes a micro-calculation module. Threat assessment, trajectory prediction, environmental mapping. It links directly to the Batcomputer when signal integrity permits."
Lex slipped the cowl on briefly, watching the interface bloom across his vision.
Clean.
Responsive.
Efficient.
But then his attention drifted.
Across the platform, behind reinforced glass, stood something else.
The heavy armor.
Bulky. Mechanical. Brutal.
Lex approached it slowly.
"Is that," he asked, unable to hide the flicker of excitement in his voice, "the suit he used against Superman?"
Alfred's posture shifted almost reverently.
"Yes."
His gaze lingered on it like one might regard a monument.
"Wearing that, Master Wayne defeated Superman."
Lex circled the armor.
Reinforced plating capable of absorbing superhuman impact. Hydraulic strength enhancement. Integrated weapon ports.
And, of course—
"Kryptonite interface compatibility," Lex murmured.
"Precisely," Alfred said.
There was a beat.
"You are not considering wearing that to confront the Joker, are you?"
The tone carried something sharp beneath it.
Mockery.
Lex glanced sideways at him.
"Well," he replied mildly, "if you believe the Joker operates on the same threat level as Superman, perhaps it would be appropriate."
Alfred lifted his chin slightly.
"The Joker is a far more complicated adversary than you realize."
There it was.
Not subtle.
Not Bruce.
Not experienced enough.
Lex's temper flickered briefly under the surface.
If Bruce Wayne were standing here as a zombie instead of a memory, Lex would've gladly proven the comparison in five seconds flat.
But he only shrugged.
"I never said I'd use it."
He looked back at the heavy armor.
"Against Joker, that thing would be overkill. Like bringing artillery to a knife fight."
"And it would raise questions," he added. "Batman doesn't escalate without cause."
Alfred's shoulders eased slightly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"I may have spoken too sharply."
Lex looked at him.
Alfred straightened.
"You have performed… admirably. There was no need for me to imply otherwise."
For a man of his age and pride, that was a full apology.
Lex nodded once.
"Noted."
They moved on.
Weapons.
"Batman's arsenal," Alfred began, opening a compartment, "is intentionally non-lethal."
Rows of batarangs gleamed under the light.
"Symbolic more than deadly," Lex observed.
"Correct," Alfred said. "The batarang announces presence. It is as much psychological warfare as tool."
He handed one to Lex.
Balanced. Lightweight. Aerodynamic.
Then the grappling gun.
Compression system. Rapid deployment cable. High-tension retraction motor.
Lex spent several minutes firing into designated cave anchors, adjusting grip and timing.
Fluid motion.
Minimal recoil.
He was just beginning to sync movement and release when—
The cave doors slid open abruptly.
He didn't turn immediately.
He recognized the footstep pattern.
"Miss Selina," Alfred greeted quickly.
"Alfred. Later."
Her voice was sharp.
She walked straight toward Lex without hesitation.
Before Alfred could finish another sentence, cold metal pressed against Lex's throat.
Selina's dagger.
Again.
"Are you out of your mind?" she demanded.
Lex didn't flinch.
"Depends who you ask."
"They told me," she snapped, eyes blazing, "you're planning to attack Wayne Tower."
Alfred lifted his hands slightly.
"I did attempt to explain—"
"You agreed to this?" she shot back.
"I acknowledged the possibility," Alfred corrected stiffly.
Selina ignored him.
"You're going up against the Joker. On his ground."
"Correct."
"With twenty volunteers."
"Twenty-one," Lex said calmly. "Gordon's coming."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Twenty," she corrected. "Including him."
Alfred interjected quietly, "It is the maximum we can spare without leaving the manor exposed."
Selina's eyes never left Lex.
"Do you honestly believe twenty people can take that building?"
Lex smiled faintly.
"Are you worried about me?"
Her jaw tightened.
"Don't flatter yourself."
She leaned closer, anger flaring.
"I'm worried about the idiots you're dragging with you."
"If you want to die, fine. But don't take them with you."
Lex tilted his head slightly.
"So you are worried."
"Damn you," she hissed.
"If you're so eager to throw yourself off a building, just do it alone."
She pulled the dagger away sharply and turned.
"Selina—" Alfred started.
But she was already walking.
"Don't try to stop me," she muttered over her shoulder. "If he gets everyone killed, that's on him."
The cave doors sealed behind her.
Silence returned.
Alfred exhaled.
"Miss Selina is… concerned."
"She's angry," Lex corrected.
"Because she cares," Alfred replied sharply.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"She was Master Wayne's partner. His equal in many ways."
Lex arched a brow.
"And?"
"And," Alfred said firmly, "you would do well to remember that."
Lex smirked slightly.
"She's the one who keeps coming to me."
Alfred stiffened.
"That is hardly—"
"And Bruce," Lex continued, "is currently a zombie."
The words landed like a slap.
Alfred's eyes flashed.
"I will restore Master Wayne."
"Maybe," Lex said calmly.
"But until then, she's allowed to live her life."
Alfred's jaw tightened visibly.
"You are overstepping."
"And you're projecting," Lex replied evenly.
For a moment, Alfred looked like he might actually swing at him.
Instead, he inhaled slowly.
"It is nearly time," he said stiffly. "You should prepare."
Lex grinned faintly.
"Don't worry, Grandpa."
Alfred froze.
"Grandpa?"
Lex walked past him toward the equipment rack.
"I'll come back alive."
"What concern is that of mine?" Alfred muttered, turning away.
But his voice lacked conviction.
Lex caught the faint redness in the older man's eyes before he looked away.
Concern.
Fear.
History repeating.
Lex didn't say anything else.
He selected the standard combat suit.
Lightweight. Mobile. Symbolic.
Tonight wasn't about overwhelming force.
It was about presence.
He stepped into the armor methodically, piece by piece.
Cowl last.
As the HUD activated and the world shifted into tactical overlays, he felt the shift settle into place.
Not Bruce.
Not a replacement.
Something different.
He walked toward the Batmobile platform.
Behind him, Alfred's voice came quieter now.
"Return alive."
Lex didn't turn.
"Always do."
The engine ignited with a low, controlled growl.
Wayne Tower waited in the distance.
And somewhere inside it—
The Joker was smiling.
....
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