Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics

Batman did not want Superman to hug him, not out of shyness or a psychological resistance to physical contact.

It was the same logic as not wanting a Tyrannosaurus Rex to hug you.

Faced with a colossal being who could send you flying with a mere flick of his hair, no normal person would want any physical contact with him. Who would want to embrace the sun?!

Batman might have a touch of paranoia, but his reluctance to get close to Superman was purely out of the instinctual self-preservation of the human race.

This guy's strength was just too terrifying. If Superman used even one hundred thousandth of his strength, Batman would turn into mush on the spot.

Batman understood Superman all too well; people like him take an inch and go a mile—you let him hug you once, and then he'll want to hug you every time he sees you. And what if he loses control one day?

Surely you don't drive on the road every day just because cars have brakes, right?

Normal people wouldn't do that, would they?

But unfortunately, Bruce was not normal.

Batman even started to wonder if his alternate-universe self had never met Superman or perhaps never seen Superman fighting crime?

When Superman punches, aliens and their spacecraft turn into wall decals. Planets as big as Earth become like kettlebells in his hands, which he could swing around and throw out of the Milky Way.

Even Joker, with his mushy mind, knows better than to make easy contact with someone like that. Did Bruce overdose on his medication or what?

Batman completely overturned his previous plan. Sharing an identity with Bruce was too dangerous. Today he dares to hug Superman, tomorrow who knows what else he'd dare to do—I can't even imagine.

But the problem is, if he wants to expel Bruce from the identity of Batman, he has to explain where Bruce came from. But he doesn't want anyone to know the secrets of the Multiverse and Battleworld.

"Maybe I should expel myself from the identity of Batman." Batman thought.

But he clearly still underestimated Bruce's influence.

Clark said with a sense of grievance: "I know things aren't going smoothly, and it might be hard for you. If you don't want to explain, I won't force you. But it was you who let me keep the information. Now you won't let me do it; you should at least give me a reason, right?"

"Fine, if you don't want to say the reason, then there's no need for you to be so cold to me. It's not my fault that I've caused you trouble. You can't pin the blame on me when I've done nothing wrong. That's unfair..."

The atheistic Batman really wanted to ask God what kind of nonsense Bruce had told Superman.

What do you mean cold? Batman was puzzled—it's not like I've ever been different. What is this 'warmth' you speak of?

Batman felt like he was truly looking for trouble. He knew the answer would not be pleasant, but he wanted to ask anyway.

"Do you think I'm cold?" Batman asked.

"I don't think so. I just... I just don't understand why you're suddenly acting like this again. I clearly haven't done anything."

"But you have a poor eye." Batman thought to himself.

"Now is not the time to talk about this." Batman planned to brush it off with his usual method, saying, "Give me the information first, then I'll explain it to you later."

Batman walked towards him, and to his surprise, Clark stepped back and said, "No, I won't give it to you. I suspect you're someone else impersonating him."

Batman really had to resist sighing. He should have expected this day from the moment he saw Bruce, but when it finally arrived, he was truly at a loss.

He had always been like this, and it was Bruce who was clearly not right. But Superman met with Bruce and, without suspicion, even thought Bruce was the genuine article. Isn't that absurd?

Suddenly, Batman wondered if in Superman's heart, he had always been like Bruce.

The possibility sent chills down Batman's back. What kind of structure does Superman's brain have to be able to identify traits he shares with Bruce?

This must be one of Krypton's unsolved mysteries.

Batman did not want to continue the topic, but Clark obviously didn't want to give up on communicating. He said, "I'm sorry again for not being there for you recently. If you're still bothered by it, I promise I won't do it again."

"There is no need." Batman could only say that. He certainly didn't want Superman coming to Gotham every day.

But Clark took it differently. He looked into Batman's eyes and said: "Bruce, you're more vulnerable than you think. Why won't you ever admit it?"

This successfully ignited Batman's emotions. He looked coldly at Clark and said: "Aren't all humans fragile in your eyes? You don't even need to lift a finger to kill them easily."

"You know that's not what I mean. I'm talking about emotional, not physical, strength and weakness. You're not as strong and resolved as you think you are, but you insist on believing that you are."

Clark stepped forward and said, "Someone who does not feel a shred of sadness or despair for the death of a loved one is not strong but cold and heartless. If you insist on acting like this, you will eventually lose everyone who loves you."

"Gotham is a terrible city. Feeling upset about the situation here shows sympathy, not weakness. Imagining the completion of the work you need to do and feeling unbelievable and exhausted is a sign of normal intelligence, not laziness."

"Batman, why can't you understand that many people are willing to help you if you just let them? We've waited so long, yet you only use your feigned toughness to accuse us of being indifferent, cowardly, and incompetent."

"That's not a facade!" Batman raised his voice, "That's who I am. Why can't I live as myself?"

"Because you just can't, you're unable to," Clark said louder, "If you truly were fearless and invincible as you imagine, Gotham wouldn't be like it is today!"

"So, you still think I'm incompetent?!" Batman stared into his eyes, almost growling, "You agree with Joker, thinking that everything I've done is wrong?!"

"You know this has nothing to do with Joker," Clark retorted without yielding, "The way you insist on arguing about right and wrong just goes to show how vulnerable you are. If you were confident in being right, you wouldn't need to ask me again and again, nor anyone else."

Batman's hands fell. The force that seemed to be pinning his facial muscles in place dissipated all at once. His features appeared to melt and flow downwards.

"Yes, if I am that coward you speak of, then what are you planning to do? Find someone else to replace me?"

"Weakness has never been a barrier; arrogance is," Clark stated, "Vulnerable species become strong because they desperately protect their vulnerabilities. This process is the great miracle of life. As an observer, I only feel envy. You're a participant and a creator; you should feel honored."

"Because you are a fragile human, without an indestructible body, you had to forge armor for yourself. Lacking an unshakeable spirit, you continuously reflect and explore yourself to find paths and truths."

"The efforts you've made have turned you into Batman. But that's just an outcome. Regardless of whether the outcome has truly made an impact, the process of humanity transforming weakness into greatness is proof itself. It is fundamentally why I admire Batman. Why would you feel ashamed of this?"

For a moment, Batman saw the sun rise over Gotham.

He turned his head away, finally remembering why he was so reluctant to see Superman. At times like this, he felt like he was changing from a bat into a sewer rat.

Considering that Superman was an alien, it was absurd for an alien to urge a human to admit he is human and to take pride in his human identity. Could there be anything more ridiculous in the world?

Batman no longer wanted the information Superman held. Let him write if he wishes. If someone in the world is to be scorched by the sun, then let the super villains make that grand sacrifice.

Batman wanted to leave, but it was already too late.

The pale knight, Gordon, and a man in a Federal Bureau of Investigation uniform burst into Wayne Manor.

Though there was no rain, everyone could tell that the atmosphere in the Manor's hall was not amicable.

Having just heard the shocking news from Shiller, the newcomers naturally took the tension as a sign that Batman and Clark were discussing matters related to their bet.

"I'm sorry…" Gordon started.

"I know this is hard to accept," said the pale knight, "I think I should take some of the blame."

"Anyway, we shouldn't jump to conclusions," Chandler insisted, "Are you sure you have sufficient evidence? This is no small matter."

Clark thought of Batman's recent mention of trouble and figured these people must be the reinforcements called in. Since they were all on the same side, it seemed pointless to beat around the bush, so he decided to be direct.

"I just visited Arkham Asylum and saw those insanely designed traps. It's indisputable evidence."

"Did you take pictures?" asked the pale knight.

Clark was cautious on this matter, stating, "Before it hits the papers, I won't tell you anything. I can only promise to restore the truth as much as possible."

"Wait a second!" Chandler quickly interjected, "Do you plan to expose this directly? Are you aware of the consequences?"

"Are you scared?" the pale knight asked coldly, "Is that all the courage the Federal Bureau of Investigation has?"

Chandler tasted bitterness in his mouth. He said, "This kind of scandal could deliver a fatal blow to stock prices, those people would chase you down like madmen. And they won't rest until you're dead; I don't even know which newspaper would dare publish this news."

"That's none of your concern," Clark responded.

"I think we can make synchronous arrests," Gordon suggested, his hand in his pocket, "We can arrange a stakeout before it hits the press, spreading the news and apprehending targets simultaneously. At least then the public won't fault the police for inefficiency."

"Do you have enough manpower?" asked the pale knight, "It's not just one or two, but hundreds of targets living in closely guarded mansions. Each has at least several tunnels, some even have helicopters."

Gordon obviously had no confidence at all, otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to turn to Batman. In his view, since Batman dared to expose it, he must have prepared thoroughly for the arrest, and all he needed to do was to cooperate.

Unfortunately, among those present, only Batman was left out of the loop.

But everyone assumed he was the initiator of the plan. Trusting in Batman's plan, they readied their skills and positions, waiting for Batman's signal to initiate the well-assured group battle.

Batman's silence was interpreted as confidence. And Batman's pre-speech hesitation caused him to miss the best opportunity to ask.

By the time he realized what was happening, everyone had already agreed on the plan then dispersed. Clark went to write the press release, Gordon went to arrange the arrests, Chandler went to call his colleagues, and the pale knight went to coordinate logistics.

In this plan made by Batman, he was the only one idle. He wanted to cooperate but didn't know how to start; he wanted to ask, but no one answered.

The Gotham train, due to its broken engine, had already turned into the ship of a new era.

Holding an old ticket, Batman couldn't find his seat and stood alone and lost in the familiar carriage, like an old guard who hadn't come to terms with reality, his stubbornness becoming sorrowful.