Chapter 2437: The Battle for the Cape (Part 2)

Several groups soon converged at Barbara's Clock Tower base. Nightwing was wearing his suit and carrying a weapon case. Robin wasn't wearing his Robin costume, but he had brought a computer he had previously obtained from Batman.

Jason and his group rushed over from Wei En Manor, carrying their own equipment, driving the Batmobile, and even bringing desserts freshly made by Alfred.

Only the Arkham Knight remained in his very cool armor, but what looked out of place was that he was holding a Bat-doll half his size.

How big was this doll? This giant Robin bird, weighing 200 pounds, had to hold it with both hands, even leaning his body back, just to keep it from dragging on the floor.

The Arkham Knight threw the doll onto the sofa behind Barbara, let out a long breath, put his hands on his hips, and looked at the doll. "I knew Batman wasn't that kind. It took me half an hour just to get this thing down from the attic."

That was the thing speaking just now. Jason curiously leaned in, but found nothing unusual about the Bat-doll.

This large doll was essentially a cartoonish Bat-shape, with a horizontal oval in the middle featuring two pointed ears, two round eyes in the center, and two large bat wings on the sides. The entire doll was made of long-pile material, a very bright satin fur, and was sewn very delicately. It felt very soft and was perfect for hugging while sleeping.

The only problem was that it was big enough to kick someone off a double bed. So far, everyone in the house who had hugged it couldn't see where they were going.

The others also leaned in, poking and prodding the doll, though there wasn't really anything to poke. The Arkham Knight's last birthday was spent at Wei En Manor, and Alfred had insisted on taking him back and cooking a table full of good food.

The atmosphere during the meal had been heavy, but that wasn't strange. After all, the two protagonists at the table didn't speak, but the highlight of the banquet was when Batman pulled this doll out of nowhere—his movements couldn't be called elegant—and everyone was stunned.

Because the thing looked so soft and touchable, everyone gave it a big hug, but it was just a slightly larger doll when held; there was nothing special about it.

The Arkham Knight waved at Jason and the others, signaling them to move aside, and swung his fist into the center of the Bat-doll. *Bang! * A large dent appeared where he hit it.

That clearly wasn't the sound a doll should make. Sure enough, a small creature about one-fifth the size of the doll flew out, clutching its head and screeching.

Once the small creature let go of its head, everyone saw that it did indeed look like the doll, especially the head.

The creature's overall structure was Batman: ears on the head, wings on the back, but with a large head and a small body. The head was a horizontal oval with two large eyes in the center and two large front teeth sticking out from the mouth below.

"Oh! I said I was preparing a grand entrance, why are you in such a hurry?!"

The Arkham Knight looked incredibly annoyed. "What time is it for a grand entrance? Hurry up and tell us what's going on, what happened to Batman?"

"Say it again, call me Bat-Mite," the little creature said, rubbing its head. "You rude little brat. If I'd known, I wouldn't have sung you a lullaby. If it weren't for Batman, I wouldn't bother with you lot..."

"Alright, Mr. Bat-Mite—it is Mr., right?" Dick looked at him. "We are indeed very concerned about Batman's condition. I think you are too. Why don't you tell us now, and we can think of a way together."

Bat-Mite immediately accelerated, flew over, hugged Dick, and gave his cheek a big kiss. "Of course, my sweet little treasure."

Then he glared at the Arkham Knight. "You're nothing like that little brat. You clearly collect a whole pile of Batman photos, postcards, and keychains yourself, yet you insist you..."

"SHUT UP!!!!"

This overly strong Robin bird, in a fit of rage, even swung the giant Bat-doll and *bang! * slammed Bat-Mite against the opposite wall.

Bat-Mite stuck out his tongue, stars spinning in his eyes, and sat there for a while before flying up, shaking his head. "Mean kids aren't loved. Batman will never like you."

Barbara glared at the Arkham Knight, sat in her chair, and reached out to catch Bat-Mite as he fell from mid-air, stroking his head. "I'm sorry, sir. You shouldn't be hurt, right? Perhaps you can sit in the doll for a while. That way, that guy won't be able to use it as a weapon."

"Good idea," Bat-Mite nodded. He made the giant Bat-doll float, dug a hole between the two ears of the Bat-doll, lay down in it, and sat on it like a throne, looking down at everyone triumphantly.

"I'm not joking. Batman is in danger now, but I'm afraid only you can save him. Because one of my old rivals—who is also an old friend—has been following me. If the two of us fight, all universes will be destroyed."

"Actually, if Batman had encountered ordinary danger, I wouldn't have appeared. But the trouble this time is that I've run into one of my own kind—I mean a fifth-dimensional being. Do you know what that is?"

Several people looked at each other. This word was a bit unfamiliar to them, but Jason repeated it. "Is dimension related to dimensions? I seem to have heard some people who have piloted spaceships use this word. It's a very magical technology."

"You're only half right," Bat-Mite said. "There are indeed beings that can traverse dimensions, but they are just staying in dimensional channels briefly. We are different. Dimensional beings are essentially fairies and demons naturally existing in different dimensions. We are natives of the dimensions, not travelers."

"So, Batman has encountered a dimensional fairy this time?"

"To be precise, a fifth-dimensional imp. He's of the same kind as me, not as strong as me, but enough to give Batman a headache." Bat-Mite shook his large head helplessly. "Humans are too fragile. Forget the fifth dimension; even the fourth dimension, just one higher than yours, could cause you devastating destruction."

Robin couldn't sit still. He stood up and walked to Bat-Mite's side. "Then what should we do? Will you help us? Or is there any way to defeat you creatures?"

"Don't even think about defeating us," Bat-Mite crossed his legs. "Different dimensions make it very difficult for you to defeat us in any fundamental sense. However, because we aren't beings of this dimension and our connection to this dimension isn't deep enough, there are ways to banish us from the universe and keep us from coming back for a short time. I suggest you use this method."

"Alright, then how can we banish the fifth-dimensional being threatening Batman?"

"I don't know." Bat-Mite shook his head.

The Arkham Knight grabbed a cushion and threw it at Bat-Mite, who waved his hand to deflect it. "I'm not playing with you. The rules for every fifth-dimensional being are different, and their weaknesses aren't the same. Usually, the more powerful the fifth-dimensional being, the harder it is to banish. But the one Batman is facing now isn't very strong."

"Then is there any pattern to this?" Tim grasped the key point. "Since it's the same kind of being, there must be similarities in the banishment method, right?"

"Oh, smart little treasure, you're right about that. The key to banishing fifth-dimensional beings lies in their names. You can think about it from that angle."

Several people looked at each other, not knowing whether to believe this mysterious creature. But soon Bat-Mite spoke again. "Oh, I forgot to remind you earlier. You got one thing wrong. It's not just the fifth-dimensional imp threatening Batman. I've actually heard rumors that it's a poor soul who was captured years ago."

"Captured? By whom?"

"It's hard for me to say, because that might provoke another troublesome guy. Anyway, I only took the risk to come and notify you for Batman's sake. The rest is up to you to figure out. And I have to go stop my old rival from bothering Superman; that big guy isn't doing too well right now either."

After speaking, Bat-Mite was about to fly away, but Dick suddenly called out to stop him. "Um, thank you very much for your help. It seems you like this doll very much. I think we can give it to you as a thank-you gift, but could you please answer our last question?"

Bat-Mite's departing figure stopped immediately. He flew back and circled Dick a few times. "God, I'm so envious of the Batman in this universe. You really are a little sweetheart. Alright, what do you want to ask?"

"Is Superman still alive?"

"Of course, at least his soul is still alive."

After saying this, Bat-Mite covered the giant Bat-doll with his suddenly enlarged cape and disappeared into the air together.

The Arkham Knight glared at Dick immediately, but was first met with Robin's mockery. "You didn't say you didn't like this thing? You sent it away as a favor, and you even saved on garbage disposal fees."

The Arkham Knight turned to glare at him, even taking off his mask to strengthen the intensity of his gaze.

"Alright, you don't even think about where this thing came from. There must be a factory making it. Then guess where the factory is?" Dick didn't care at all. "After this is over, I'll get you a bigger one."

Then their conversation finally returned to the main topic. Robin speculated, "The little guy just said that the fifth-dimensional being threatening Batman is a poor soul who was captured, which means the culprit behind it is the person who captured him."

"Then it looks like we have to deal with..."

While they were still analyzing, Barbara suddenly let out a scream. Robin walked over and saw Barbara staring at the tablet in her hand in disbelief.

"Breaking news! Our great nation... will welcome a new... greatest president... he is... Bruce Wei En!"

Pale-faced and terrified, the host stammered as he read the prepared news script, but the face appearing on the screen behind him wasn't the Wei En president everyone knew, but a pale, evil, smiling face wearing a crown of thorns.