Chapter 178: Hellbat Armor
"Building armor?" George asked, his curiosity clearly sparked by Bruce's unexpected request.
"Yes, that's exactly right," Bruce replied with his usual serious tone.
"What kind of metal could possibly need our combined effort to work with?" George asked, genuinely puzzled by why they'd need the entire Justice League's help.
"Over here, everyone. Come take a closer look at what we're dealing with," Bruce said, pointing toward a nearby experimental platform that had been set up for this demonstration.
After everyone had gathered around the fancy experimental platform, Bruce carefully pulled back the red protective cloth that had been covering the mysterious metal specimen.
A briefcase-sized piece of shining metal was positioned exactly in the center of the platform. George moved closer and examined it with intense focus and concentration.
The material felt somewhat similar to X Metal in terms of its energy signature, but it was extremely rare, at most about one gram in total quantity. The metal had completely fused with another unknown substance, making it impossible to identify the exact composition from just looking at it.
However, George had a big advantage in this situation. Since he had genuine X Metal and had integrated the mother box's advanced molecular manipulation abilities, only by using his enhanced molecular analysis powers could he properly identify this complex mixed metal.
No wonder Bruce had called the entire team for this project. He had probably tried to work with the metal himself first and had discovered it was completely impossible to dissolve or even scratch the material in front of him.
"I've already finished the detailed design specifications for the armor's construction," Bruce explained step by step, "but I simply cannot dissolve this metal. I can't even manage to leave the smallest scratch on its incredibly tough surface."
"No problem at all. I can definitely help with the magical enhancement process," George said confidently, already mentally going through the various spells and enhancements he could apply.
"Then I'll take this metal directly to the Sun for the initial shaping and molding process," Clark volunteered without hesitation. "I believe the intense temperature inside the Sun's core should be enough to melt even this resistant material."
"After that, I'll transport the shaped components to the coldest depths of the ocean for proper quenching and cooling," Aquaman added, glancing at Bruce with understanding. "The extreme temperature difference should enhance the metal's structural strength."
"I will personally give a powerful divine blessing to the completed armor," Diana declared seriously, her gaze fixed on the remarkable metal resting on the experimental platform.
"I can craft you a special pair of boots that will allow you to run as fast as me!" Flash said eagerly, practically bouncing with excitement at the prospect of contributing his unique abilities.
Flash had discovered his ability to create and repair items quite by accident after their last major battle. His armor had been severely damaged during the conflict, and he couldn't afford the expensive replacement costs, so he had experimented with channeling the Speed Force in new ways.
Previously, he had only been able to speed up the healing of his own wounds using the Speed Force's time manipulation properties.
However, since that breakthrough moment, he could even repair and enhance his clothing and equipment completely free of charge. Perhaps this represented Flash's most wonderfully simple and practical approach to problem-solving.
"Then you can leave all the advanced electronics and technology integration to me!" Cyborg stepped forward enthusiastically, his cybernetic systems already analyzing potential improvements and modifications.
"Thank you so much, everyone! This amazing metal should rightfully have provided a share for each of you to use," Bruce said with genuine sincerity and obvious gratitude.
"Since that's not possible now, I can only promise to compensate all of you from other resources and opportunities."
"You're being far too formal, Bruce," Diana said warmly, her voice carrying the wisdom of ages. "We're friends, aren't we? When any of us need your help in the future, we believe you won't refuse to assist us either."
"That's absolutely right, Bruce. There's no need whatsoever to discuss compensation between allies,"
Superman added with his characteristic optimism and moral clarity. "Your increased strength and capabilities will also be tremendously beneficial for our entire team. When Darkseid inevitably attacks Earth again in the future, we'll need to gather and combine all our available strength."
"Exactly, and what we're doing here represents just a small favor for each of us individually," George said while placing a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Nothing more than friends helping a friend."
"Uh, if this whole project could somehow be exchanged for a really big celebratory meal afterward, I think we'd all be thrilled to accept that kind of payment," Flash added with his typical lighthearted humor.
"Alright then, let's get started on this ambitious project!" Arthur declared with enthusiasm.
"Flash, bring your current suit over here as well," George suggested thoughtfully. "I'll enhance it for you while I'm working on Bruce's armor anyway. That way, you won't be caught off guard by another sneak attack in future battles."
"Oh, that's absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much, Master Mage," Flash responded with genuine appreciation.
"By the way, and I'm being completely serious here, have you gotten even more handsome recently? And has your height actually changed since we last saw you?"
At that moment, everyone else also directed their attention toward George, noticing the subtle but unmistakable changes in his appearance and bearing.
"That's correct," George acknowledged calmly. "A truly great enemy has been permanently eliminated from existence, and my state of mind has achieved a significant breakthrough as a result. Consequently, my overall strength has improved considerably."
He paused briefly before continuing his explanation. "The increase in height and the external physical changes that you're observing are merely the outward signs of internal growth. Nothing particularly significant in the grand scheme of cosmic power."
The Justice League members didn't pursue this personal topic any further, as everyone understood that individual strength development and power sources were very private matters that deserved respect and discretion.
....
A whole month later, this remarkable armor, personally designed by Bruce's brilliant tactical mind was completed.
This armor represented a heartfelt gift from every member of the League to Bruce, crafted with their combined abilities and friendship.
Superman's careful forging of the outer shell within the Sun's nuclear furnace gave the armor Superman's legendary strength and nearly impenetrable defense capabilities.
Wonder Woman's sacred blessing, conducted within the divine realm of Olympus, granted the armor powerful mental defense against psychic attacks and manipulation.
Cyborg's advanced electronic engineering provided the armor with the most sophisticated and cutting-edge electronic systems available in the modern world.
Flash's specially crafted boots, permanently linked to the Speed Force itself, granted the armor access to the incredible speed of the Speed Force's time manipulation.
Aquaman's careful quenching and cooling process in the deepest parts of the ocean significantly enhanced the armor's inherent durability and structural integrity.
George's comprehensive magical enhancement condensed a powerful energy cloak around the entire suit, providing the armor with formidable energy defense capabilities.
The mystical cloak also had additional abilities including complete transformation, perfect invisibility, and effortless flight. Most crucially, the armor had also gained the rare and valuable ability to break through and dispel hostile magical effects.
The Hellbat Armor system is not only controlled by its host's conscious commands. Its built-in quantum computer allows the Hellbat to perform complex actions and calculations that even Batman's enhanced intellect cannot process simultaneously.
This remarkable armor maintains a substantial energy reserve for extended operations. Once that primary energy supply becomes depleted, the system will automatically begin drawing upon the pilot's willpower and mental strength as an emergency power source.
Furthermore, this adaptive armor can absorb virtually any form of energy to replenish its consumption and can also absorb other energy types to project them as offensive weapons or defensive barriers.
According to Bruce's original design specifications, this armor can activate a devastating Destroyer mode, allowing the user to freely transfer and concentrate all available energy within the armor to any specific location. For example, concentrating all power into a single fist for a potentially world-shattering critical strike.
George had also specifically created a comprehensive survival system for this armor as an additional safety measure.
Once the entire armor's energy reserves became completely depleted, a pre-programmed emergency protocol that George had secretly installed would automatically activate, directly teleporting Bruce back to the safety of the Batcave without requiring any conscious input from the wearer.
George had added this life-saving mechanism during the final stages of enhancement, and he had deliberately chosen not to inform anyone else about this hidden safety feature.
The intricate magic circle array that George had carefully inscribed was directly connected to the armour's primary energy core, coupled with its remarkable ability to absorb and convert various energy types. It could be said with complete confidence that this armor was absolutely and thoroughly armed to the teeth with every conceivable advantage.
According to Bruce's philosophical explanation, this armor was specifically designed for dealing with demonic kings from the underworld, for sending dangerous enemies back to the hellish realms where they belonged. Therefore, the armor's official designation became the "Hellbat Armor."
After Bruce had put on the completed armor for the first time, he engaged in comprehensive sparring sessions with each of the heroes of the Justice League to test its capabilities.
The results were remarkable beyond expectations. He could now engage in direct hand-to-hand combat with Superman on relatively equal terms.
In contrast, previously, Bruce could only rely on Kryptonite weapons and careful tactical planning to effectively deal with Superman's overwhelming power.
Finally, even George couldn't resist the temptation to join in for an extensive sparring match with Bruce to test the armour's magical defences.
Of course, most of their individual battles ultimately ended in draws due to the armour's balanced design.
The fight between Superman and Bruce, with its essentially punch-for-punch exchanges of tremendous force, proved to be the most visually spectacular and impressive demonstration.
The chase sequences between Flash and Bruce were somewhat less meaningful as tests of combat effectiveness. Cyborg discovered he couldn't defeat Bruce in direct combat without resorting to his electronic control abilities, but if he used those digital powers, the nature of the fight changed entirely and became less about the armour's physical capabilities.
The battle between George and Bruce became entirely an opportunity for George to demonstrate his personal magical abilities in a controlled environment.
Of course, this was only when George wasn't using his full power potential; otherwise, Bruce wouldn't have been able to break through even a single one of George's teleportation portals.
After several comprehensive battles and testing sessions, everyone worked together to help Bruce become fully adapted to his newest armour and all its complex systems. During this extended period, George also took the time to enhance Flash's existing suit with beneficial magical properties.
The functions George added were relatively simple but highly effective: one provided mental protection against psychic attacks, and the other offered passive defence against physical harm.
With these two passive abilities working continuously in the background, Flash would remain safe from most threats as long as his magical defence systems weren't completely overwhelmed or broken through brute force.
All good things must eventually come to an end, as the saying goes. After the armour project was finished and thoroughly tested, everyone gathered to enjoy a magnificent celebratory feast at Bruce's ancestral Wayne Manor.
They spent the evening sharing stories and strengthening their bonds before everyone departed that same night.
George stood alone in the stratosphere high above the Earth, looking down at the beautiful blue planet below with a mixture of satisfaction and sadness.
He thought silently to himself, "Goodbye, my friends. When we meet again in the future, we may no longer recognise each other due to the nature of multiversal travel, but when you truly need me, I will find a way to return."
After taking one final, lingering look in the direction where he knew the Batcave was located, George lifted his gaze toward the infinite cosmos above and flew directly into the vast emptiness of space, beginning his journey to the next universe.
"He's gone, isn't he?" Bruce said quietly, his voice barely audible as he watched the satellite images that tracked George's departure. "Well, perhaps that's for the best. We never truly understood who he really was or where he came from."
The Dark Knight stood in the Batcave, surrounded by the familiar shadows and the gentle hum of advanced technology, knowing that their mysterious ally had moved on to face whatever challenges awaited him in the infinite multiverse beyond.
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