Chapter 4952

"Aren't you going to do something?" Polaris asked.

Polaris's impression of Batman mostly came from Arkham Knight. And the Batman of Arkham Knight, even among all Batmen, belonged to the very strong ones. So Polaris's impression of Batman could be said to be a collection of stereotypes. For instance, Batman always has a contingency, Batman is amazing and can fight well, Batman always finds a way...

The Batman trapped here with her looked the part in appearance and temperament. But he had been fixed in place for so long without any action seen from him. Even if he hadn't prepared in advance, half a day should have been enough for Batman to figure out how to escape, right?

However, Polaris also knew Batman was just an ordinary person; his physical strength might not be that great. So she said, "If you've thought of a way, tell me. Maybe I can try."

But then Polaris remembered she currently had no superpowers, so she asked again, "Do you know why I lost my mutant abilities?"

Bruce genuinely found her a bit annoying. Mainly because she kept asking questions he couldn't answer. He didn't have some plan that brought him here. Now that he was trapped, his solution was also to wait for someone to fish him out. If forced to come up with a Batman-style self-rescue plan, he couldn't very well say he planned to dodge the Omega Beams with a single roll, could he?

"Our mental bodies are trapped." To maintain his persona, Bruce still said, "Right now we are in a mental world. Naturally you can't use your mutant powers."

Polaris suddenly understood. He said, "But why didn't the Professor protect our minds?"

Bruce didn't know what to say either. These mutants seemed used to Professor X standing by their side every moment. And most of the time Professor X could do it. This made them overly reliant on telepaths' help.

"I admit I rushed in so recklessly because I thought no mental corruption could affect me." Polaris shook her head. "Didn't expect this one to be pretty tough this time, but it's fine. The Professor will definitely give him a taste of his own medicine."

Bruce's originally somewhat irritated mood slowly calmed down. He seemed to see another version of himself. When people have something to rely on, they unconsciously become reckless and unscrupulous. Polaris was like this; so was he.

The reason he could not be Batman, not pursue perfection in everything, even rampage through the multiverse, was because he had Professor Xilei, had the Justice League, even had Brainiac. He knew as long as something happened, his friends would definitely help him clean up the mess.

Maybe his thought of "swinging by to check the water purifier" also came from this mindset. Even if he fell into a trap, so what? The Professor would have a way, the Robins would have a way, Gordon would have a way. Someone would always be able to save him.

When people have a way out, they relax their vigilance, lose some defensiveness, and sometimes do foolish things. He and Polaris were both like this.

So he had no qualifications to blame Polaris for recklessness. After all, regardless of the reason, the fact they met here meant they were two of a kind. No one was nobler than the other.

Realizing this, Bruce felt like chatting again. But he still had to be slightly reserved, couldn't show too much desire to pour his heart out, because Batman just doesn't have that thing.

"I have indeed considered some solutions." Bruce immersively performed Batman's calm rationality, his tone as steady as possible, carrying a reassuring implication, "But none are very applicable right now. Perhaps we need to wait for a better opportunity."

"Makes sense." Polaris said, "If our mental bodies are truly trapped, then if we struggle too violently and provoke that thing into attacking, we're completely done for."

She sighed again and said, "But your adopted sons will definitely save you. They're all pretty smart; they should find us soon. The Professor will come too."

"You can try." Bruce suddenly spoke up, "Professor X must have left something in your mental body. Even if temporarily cut off, as long as you want to, you should be able to reconnect."

Polaris frowned. She felt Batman's words made sense, but she was also a bit worried. Mainly afraid her actions might disturb Charles. For instance, might make Charles misunderstand that their side was already out of ammo and food, in dire straits, leading him to take some irrational actions. This was what she didn't want to see.

"Better not." Polaris said, "I'm afraid of provoking the monster, and also afraid the Professor would make a wrong judgment."

Then she looked at Batman: "You haven't done any protection on your own mental body?"

"It's precisely because I worry my methods might provoke an excessive reaction that I hope you make some gentle attempts." Bruce was also making it up as he went along. Stereotypes of Batman could sometimes be utilized. Like now he said he feared his methods being too effective and causing a rebound, so he had Polaris try — perfectly logical. Polaris believed it too.

"Too bad I don't dare either." Polaris said, "I want to help you, but I know my own mental stability; I'm not far from checking into a mental hospital. You're actually the safer bet."

Bruce was again at a loss for words. At this point he should think what Batman would do, but the problem is Batman would never be trapped here in the first place!

But Bruce ultimately still had Batman's IQ. He directly said in his mind: "Brainiac, what's the situation? When is rescue arriving?"

"Soon." Brainiac replied, "Otherwise why don't you try self-rescue? You're an angel, after all?"

"You mean you want me to crash your whole game platform like Lucifer did?"

"You can't." Brainiac was calm and collected, "Batman has two people watching me. The moment the game system has a problem, they'll find out who did it. Then you won't be able to hide it."

"Cunning AI." Bruce commented. But of course he didn't really want to crash the game. He continued, "Didn't you say you joined the game and became a smart butler? Exert some function."

"You charged straight to the source of corruption, the Outer God's lair. You want a smart butler to exert function?"

"In the setting, electronic lifeforms can't see hallucinations, right? You're the Outer God's natural enemy, Brainiac." Bruce said, "Since I'm trapped in the mental world, my body must still be outside. You're in my terminal; you've got to do something, right?"

"You have to give clear instructions too." Brainiac's tone carried complaint, "You people seem to completely forget I'm an AI, always hoping I'll realize something on my own. When you operate your computer, do you just stare at the keyboard and fantasize?"

Bruce was speechless. He discovered this evil AI, after being severely damaged by Doctor Manhattan and returning, not only hadn't become less sharp, but was becoming more and more like a person. And precisely because of that, less and less like a person.

"Send my body's coordinates to the people coming to save me." Bruce said, "Then warn them it's very dangerous here, no foolproof plan, don't come in. Especially don't look at that heart."

"Understood." Brainiac replied.

When the main universe's Robins received Brainiac's message, they were indeed worrying over Batman's precise location. Gotham's underground water system was extremely complex; the East District here was a severe disaster area.

Brainiac had restored the East District's ecosystem very well, which also meant the sewers were intricate, full of monsters. Although the Robins had ample weaponry, clearing a path like this was also exhausting. Especially when they discovered they'd circled for half a day but actually only went from level one to level two, coordinates unchanged.

"I'm convinced." Damian said, "How can this sewer be more complex than ours? Are they trying to build a dungeon here?"

"I suspect Brainiac added extra ingredients." Red Robin said, "After all, each zone's final boss needs difficulty. If that thing trapping Batman is indeed a crucial clue, naturally it can't be found so easily."

"This Batman is also impressive enough." Red Hood exclaimed, "In such a short time he directly found the core source. If not ambushed, by now the East District's final boss would probably have been cleaned up by him."

The same figure flashed through several minds — of course, Arkham Batman. Almost every Robin had been stunned by his speedrun operations in the Fighting Realm. Basically when they were still chopping the first tree, the other side was already fighting the Ender Dragon.

"Tsk." Red Hood let out an exclamation, "Maybe that Batman has a rival now. Who do you think is stronger between the two?"

"Hard to say. Feel like that guy is still a bit stronger." Nightwing said, "That Batman likely wouldn't get trapped. Or he'd choose not to investigate the source, but just brute force. Could also succeed, right?"

Just as he said this, Brainiac's message arrived. Nightwing opened his terminal, a look of realization appearing. "Sure enough it's Batman, he left a backup. AI isn't affected by mental corruption; he recorded the coordinates and intel on the corruption source."

"What do we do now?" Damian frowned, "Batman said it's very dangerous there, unprepared, absolutely don't go over. But we have to go eventually, otherwise the East District boss can't be beaten."

"Definitely not just us who got coordinates. How about we head for this coordinate first, bound to meet others on the way. Worst case we gather at the door; there'll always be a way."

This proposal gained everyone's agreement, so they hurried toward the target location. And all others who received coordinates also used the same method, heading straight for the destination.

And when approaching the central water purifier, they indeed all met up, and discovered every squad had people come. Batman's charisma really was too great.

"What now?" Pamela asked, "Is there any foolproof method to get Batman out without us suffering mental corruption?"

"Only inside-out coordination." Tim said, "I don't believe Batman has zero resistance. Professor Xavier, since you know he's trapped, you must be able to contact him. Have him cooperate with us; maybe we can directly uproot the corruption source."

Charles opened his mouth. He really wanted to say you think beautifully; if the one inside were a normal Batman, this plan would be simply perfect.

The problem is, the one inside now is Bruce. Leave this to him, and you'll just be worried sick!