dc with power of digimon

Chapter 32: The Batman Protocol

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The Shadows Watch

The Batcave was silent, save for the distant hum of machinery and the rhythmic tapping of keys on a keyboard. The massive underground lair, carved from the depths of Gotham's foundation, housed some of the most advanced technology on the planet. And at the center of it all, standing with arms crossed, was Bruce Wayne—Batman.

His piercing blue eyes were fixed on the giant monitor, where surveillance footage played in real-time. The screen displayed various clips—Joshua in combat, training, and moving through the city as his Digimon forms.

Garurumon X moving like a shadowy predator, Greymon rampaging through criminal hideouts, and V-mon—small, fast, but growing in power and skill.

Bruce narrowed his eyes.

Joshua was learning. Evolving.

And that was a problem.

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The Birth of a Protocol

Joshua was unpredictable.

Unlike Dick, who had trained under Bruce's direct supervision, Joshua's abilities weren't human. He wasn't just a skilled fighter or a trained vigilante—he was something else entirely.

Something that, if left unchecked, could be a threat.

Bruce turned away from the monitor, his expression unreadable. He approached the Batcomputer and pulled up a new file—a contingency plan.

One that had been forming in the back of his mind since the moment he adopted Joshua.

Project: Protocol Joshua

The protocol was not an execution plan—Bruce wasn't planning to kill Joshua. But it was a failsafe.

Because Joshua wasn't just a fighter.

He was a shapeshifter. A creature who could take on multiple monstrous forms, each with terrifying abilities that could rival Gotham's most dangerous foes.

And if he ever lost control…

Batman had to be ready.

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Analyzing the Threat

Bruce pulled up his assessment of Joshua's Digimon forms.

[Digimon Form Analysis]

V-mon (Level 1) – Small but deceptively strong. Potential for rapid evolution.

Garurumon X (Level 2) – High-speed, high-agility predator. Capable of silent takedowns.

Greymon (Level 2) – Pure destructive power. Potential city-level threat if left unchecked.

The problem?

Joshua was only getting stronger.

Batman had been tracking his progress for weeks now, and the rate at which Joshua's Digimon forms were evolving was staggering.

At this pace, it was only a matter of time before he unlocked something beyond Level 2.

Something unstoppable.

And Bruce?

He needed to prepare for that moment.

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Protocol Joshua: The Failsafe

Bruce began crafting countermeasures.

Step 1: Psychological Profiling

Joshua's mind was sharp. Too sharp. He played with Barbara Gordon, toyed with criminals, and enjoyed the game.

If Joshua ever turned against them, it wouldn't be through brute force—it would be calculated.

Batman needed a way to manipulate him back to reason if things ever went south.

Step 2: Combat Adaptation

Joshua had three forms, each with different strengths.

Batman needed countermeasures for each one.

V-mon: Small but strong. Focus on containment and exhaustion.

Garurumon X: Too fast. Shock-based weaponry might slow him down.

Greymon: The biggest problem. If Joshua ever lost control in this form, Gotham would suffer. Batman needed heavy artillery to deal with it.

Step 3: Contingency Plan

Unlike Dick, Joshua didn't rely on gadgets or training.

His power was biological.

Batman needed to find a weakness.

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The First Test

Batman closed the protocol file and stood up.

It was time to test Joshua.

Descending from the Batcomputer's platform, he activated the training simulator. The cavernous training area lit up as holographic enemies materialized—combat droids, Gotham's worst criminals, and even mock versions of Batman himself.

A challenge designed for only the best.

And as Joshua walked into the Batcave, stretching lazily with a smirk, Bruce met his gaze.

"Suit up. You're being tested."

Joshua blinked, then grinned. "Oh? Finally realized how amazing I am?"

Bruce didn't react. "Show me what you've learned."

Joshua's smirk widened.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun."

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The Shadows Move

As the battle began, high above in the Batcave's shadows, Alfred Pennyworth watched.

His keen eyes flickered between Bruce and Joshua, reading their movements, their unspoken tension.

And in that moment, Alfred realized something.

Bruce wasn't just training Joshua.

He was preparing for war.

Chapter 33: The Protocol and the Challenge

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The Hidden Preparation

Deep beneath Wayne Manor, the Batcave buzzed with activity. The air was thick with the sound of distant waterfalls crashing against the cave walls, the hum of the Batcomputer's processing power, and the steady breaths of two figures standing across from each other.

Batman's gaze was unwavering, his arms crossed as he observed Joshua standing at the center of the training area. The boy had a confident smirk on his face, stretching his shoulders as he took in the environment.

The room was massive, filled with various training modules—combat dummies, obstacle courses, and holographic simulations designed to mimic real-world threats.

But none of it was for training.

Not really.

This was a test.

A calculated experiment that Bruce Wayne had been preparing for weeks.

Because Joshua wasn't human. Not in the traditional sense. And as much as Bruce trusted him to a certain degree, he needed contingencies.

Which is why he had created Protocol Joshua.

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The Need for a Plan

Joshua was unlike anyone Batman had ever trained. Not a vigilante, not a metahuman—something different.

A shapeshifter. A fighter with multiple forms, each with unique abilities. He had already shown Garurumon X and Greymon, two forms that had incredible combat potential. And yet, there was still V-mon, the form that Bruce assumed was the foundation of them all.

But what came after?

What happens when Joshua pushes his abilities further? What if his next evolution was something Batman couldn't control?

That's why this test wasn't just about training.

It was about understanding. About finding weaknesses.

And if necessary... preparing for a worst-case scenario.

Joshua cracked his neck and looked at Batman with an easygoing grin. "So, what's the plan, old man? We gonna spar, or am I running through another obstacle course?"

Batman didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped forward and activated the simulation.

The training room flickered as holograms came to life—Gotham's worst criminals, from the Joker's thugs to Black Mask's enforcers. But then came something more… unexpected.

The final hologram opponent appeared.

A perfect copy of Batman himself.

Joshua raised an eyebrow, his amusement barely hidden. "Oh? You want me to fight you? Thought we were bonding, Bats."

Batman's expression remained impassive. "This is an evaluation. I need to see how you handle different threats."

Joshua rolled his shoulders, then cracked his knuckles. "Alright then. Let's see how good I really am."

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The Battle Begins

The simulation started, and the holographic Batman moved first, lunging at Joshua with precision strikes.

Joshua dodged, barely avoiding a punch aimed for his ribs. He was fast, but not fast enough. The hologram adjusted immediately, shifting into a leg sweep that sent Joshua skidding backward.

Batman, standing on the sidelines, took mental notes.

V-mon was strong, but not overwhelming. His agility was good, but against trained fighters, he still had gaps.

Joshua rolled to his feet and narrowed his eyes. "Alright. Enough testing the waters."

In a blink, his body began to glow.

The room was bathed in blue light, and before the holograms could react, Joshua's body expanded—his muscles growing, his shape shifting.

Garurumon X emerged.

The wolf-like form landed gracefully, claws scraping against the ground. With a burst of speed, he vanished from sight.

Even Batman raised an eyebrow at the display. Garurumon X was absurdly fast. Faster than Bruce had anticipated.

The holographic Batman barely had time to react before Joshua slammed into him at full force, sending the projection flying across the room.

Joshua's growl echoed in the chamber. "You wanted to see what I can do?" He lowered his stance. "Then let's get serious."

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Taking It Outside

Batman analyzed the data in real-time. Garurumon X's mobility was beyond any human limit, but it was still a mid-tier form. He wasn't testing Joshua's raw power—he needed to know his full limits.

And Joshua knew it.

The boy shifted back into his human form, grinning as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "If you want data on my stronger forms, we need to go outside."

Batman met his gaze. The cave wasn't enough. Joshua's stronger forms required open space, somewhere he could push himself without destroying Wayne Manor's foundation.

After a moment, Bruce turned off the simulation.

"Fine." His voice was calm, controlled. "We'll move outside. But this is still a test. No collateral damage."

Joshua smirked. "No promises."

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The True Challenge Awaits

As they left the Batcave, heading toward a private training ground outside the city, Batman kept his thoughts to himself.

He wasn't just watching Joshua.

He was studying him.

And with every evolution, every new form, Bruce realized something unsettling.

Joshua was becoming more than just a fighter.

He was becoming a force of nature.

And if that force ever turned against Gotham…

Batman needed to be ready.

End of Chapter