898 Turn of Fortune
The Batbike drove all the way to the building's entrance, and then stopped with the sound of screeching brakes. Batman sat on the motorcycle and looked at them and said, "What about the Joker?"
Bruce and a couple of his buddies reflexively responded and pointed at the back where they lived. Batman nodded and started the motorcycle. Just as he was about to pass Bruce's path, he stopped and stared at him. Bruce looked directly into his eyes and was dazzled. It is Batman, it is Batman! Batman is right in front of me!
After staring at each other for a moment, Batman turned off the bike and asked, "What's your name?"
Before Bruce could speak, Mini Donkey shouted again. "His name is Bruce. He's Batman, too. He's the Batman of Salem Harbor."
Upon hearing this, Batman nodded and reached out his hand. "Hello, my Batman."
"What?" Bruce asked in surprise, looking at the hand stretched out in front of him.
Batman said, "You are the heir of Batman, and I see in your eyes the justice, the toughness, and the wisdom that you possess to be Batman."
Bruce was stunned. He took Batman's hand and murmured, "Ah, I heard you correctly. Do you think I could be Batman? Oh God!"
The two shook hands, and Batman said, "The Joker is doing evil. I have to deal with him. I will make sure he pays when I catch him."
"You certainly will," Bruce finally responded with tears in his eyes.
Batman said, "But the joker is not a simple guy. He's not going to be caught with his pants down."
Batman took off his cape and his Batman armor, and put it all together on the motorcycle before finally taking off his mask to reveal a handsome face. It was Christian Bale, the new Batman, the superstar of the DC comics universe!
He handed Bruce the keys to the motorcycle and said, "Hey, Batman, this is the last time I'm going to be Batman, so the world of justice will depend on you."
Bruce looked at the key in his hand and cried, "What does that mean? Mr. Wayne, what does that mean? I don't understand, I don't know what's going on here."
Christian Bale smiled. "It means you've got the Batman legacy, and from now on, you will be the real Batman. The Batbike and Batsuit belong to you now."
Rex Latin said, "Cool, it's the new Batman! Bruce, congratulations!"
The teenager, looking at the scene blankly and excitedly, repeatedly asked, "Am I inheriting this? It's not a dream, it must not be a dream, right?"
He turned to Mini Donkey and said, "Mini Donkey, come and punch me so I know I'm awake."
Mini Donkey actually clenched his fist and hit him on the nose. Bruce grunted with a double step back, and his nose bled.
Christian Bale, who had been previously looking calm, gasped and said, "This boy is real. Just pinch him."
Bruce was not angry. He stepped forward excitedly to take Bale's hand and cried, "I'm not dreaming, all this is true, I've become Batman. I have Batman's motorcycle and suit, and I've also got the real Batman heritage!"
Christian Bale solemnly tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Come on, Batman, follow your heart, and you must believe that the good you do will not be buried, and that the world will tell of your heroic deeds."
Bruce nodded and said, "I know. Thank you, Christian, thank you, Batman!"
People in the room clapped as Li Du, Francis, and the others appeared in the crowd, watching the scene with relief. So far, things had gone way beyond Li Du's expectations. He had wanted to go to Francis to buy the motorcycle and give it to the boy as a gift, rewarding him for what he had done in the community's dark plight and encouraging him to keep doing it himself. It turned out that Francis had contacted the new Batman, Christian Bale, one of Hollywood's biggest stars, after confirming Li Du's story was true.
Christian agreed to Francis' request when he learned of the incident. He was available and had nothing to do at the time, so he decided to play the part to encourage Bruce. After that, Hans and Christian Bale got in touch with Rex Latin, the manager of the factory community, and they planned the scene together.
It might have been a play, but the encouragement given to Bruce was solid and real. Christian Bale left Bruce after completing his Batman legacy and was surrounded by community members who rushed to hand him paper and pens for his autograph.
"What amazing luck seeing Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom a while ago, and now Christian Bale," someone exalted as the crowd gathered. "Great!"
Li Du and Brother Wolf went up to protect Christian, but he was a very nice guy, and he didn't refuse anyone's request. He would accept the pen and paper put in front of him and sign it.
Christian was escorted to the car, and Li Du asked Brother Wolf to bring Bruce. Along with Chris Bell, Hans, and others, he invited Francis and Christian to dinner.
There was no doubt that Christian was Bruce's idol. In fact, every Batman actor was his idol, while Christian was the most outstanding actor in Bruce's opinion. Bruce worshipped Christian.
Over dinner, Bruce, though excited, tried to be restrained and calm, and instead of talking too much and harassing Christian and Francis, he kept saying thank you. At the end of the meal, Christian suddenly asked Bruce, "I know about Salem Harbor's security. Can you protect your motorcycle and suit?"
Bruce said firmly, "I'll protect them with my life!"
Christian smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Don't. You have to remember that the most precious thing in the world may not be your life, but life must be more precious than something like a motorcycle."
He thought about it for a moment and then said, "Now that you're still in school, why don't we make a deal. You help me with some things, and I'll pay for your friend's living expenses and school."
Bruce nodded wildly and wept.