The Dark Knight Of Another World

The rain poured over Gotham City like a relentless tide, drenching every corner of the shadowy metropolis. Perched on the edge of a rooftop, Batman surveyed the docks below. The pale light of a flickering streetlamp illuminated figures loading crates onto an unmarked truck. A routine arms deal—until Bruce caught sight of a weapon too advanced for Gotham's usual criminals.

"Prototype energy weapons," he muttered into his comm.

"Shall I alert the GCPD, sir?" Alfred's calm voice responded in his earpiece.

"No time. They'll scatter before the police arrive."

Bruce fired his grapple gun, soaring silently through the rain-soaked sky. As he landed in the shadows behind the criminals, his presence loomed like a specter of justice.

"Time to end this," he growled, stepping forward.

But just as he prepared to strike, reality warped. A brilliant flash of light erupted from the center of the dock, consuming everything. The world twisted and folded around him, the rain fading into silence.

...

When Bruce regained consciousness, he found himself lying on unfamiliar terrain. The hard, cold surface beneath him was not the concrete he expected but a rocky, uneven ground. Rising to his feet, he immediately noticed two things: the dense forest surrounding him and the absence of the Gotham skyline.

The air smelled different, cleaner yet charged with an unexplainable energy. Above, stars gleamed brighter than they ever had in Gotham, painting an unfamiliar constellation across the night sky.

"What… happened?" he murmured.

"Welcome, Bats!"

The all-too-familiar voice of Bat-Mite echoed through the forest, cheerful and mocking.

Bruce turned, his sharp gaze scanning the shadows. "Bat-Mite. What have you done this time?"

With a pop, the imp appeared, floating lazily in the air. "Oh, don't give me that tone! I just thought you needed a little vacation. Well, a vacation with a twist."

"Explain."

Bat-Mite grinned. "This world is different, Batsy. Magic, monsters, kingdoms—you name it! I brought you here to see how you'd handle a new kind of challenge. And to make it interesting, I've given you a special tool: the Shadow System!"

A glowing interface appeared before Bruce, its translucent display filled with information.

[System Initialization Complete]

Welcome, Shadow Knight.

"What is this?" Bruce demanded, his tone low and dangerous.

"Oh, just a little helper to keep things balanced," Bat-Mite replied. "You'll earn skills, complete quests, and unlock all sorts of fun upgrades as you go. Trust me, you'll need it!"

Bruce studied the interface, his analytical mind already working to decipher it.

Name: Shadow Knight

Level: 1

Skills: None

Quests: [Survive the First Night]

"I didn't ask for this," Bruce said, his voice cold.

"No, but you'll thank me later! Look, I even made you young again. You're welcome!" Bat-Mite gestured dramatically.

Bruce's hand instinctively went to his face, feeling smoother skin. His body felt lighter, faster. He glared at Bat-Mite. "You've crossed the line."

Bat-Mite only laughed. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. Just think of it as a new adventure! Now, I've got other dimensions to visit. Have fun!" With a wink, the imp vanished.

...

Bruce's focus returned to his surroundings. The forest seemed alive, with glowing plants and distant, unearthly sounds. As he moved through the trees, his instincts screamed danger.

A low growl rumbled behind him. Bruce turned sharply to see a massive wolf-like creature emerge from the shadows. Its eyes glowed red, and its fur shimmered unnaturally.

The system chimed.

[Quest: Survive the First Night]

Objective: Defeat the Shadow Wolf

Bruce frowned. "A tutorial, I presume."

The creature lunged, jaws wide. Bruce dodged, using the momentum to hurl a batarang. It struck the beast's flank, but the creature barely flinched.

"Adapt and overcome," Bruce muttered, retreating as he analyzed its movements.

The interface blinked again.

[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Strike]

Without hesitation, Bruce activated the skill. His movements became a blur, his strikes faster and more precise. The wolf howled in pain as Bruce delivered a decisive blow, sending it collapsing to the ground.

The creature dissolved into shadows, leaving behind a glowing orb.

[Shadow Essence Acquired]

The forest grew silent once more. Bruce studied the orb briefly before pocketing it. The system chimed again.

[Quest Complete]

Reward: +1 Skill Point, New Skill Unlocked: Stealth Veil

Bruce's eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings. This world was foreign, dangerous, and clearly designed to test him. But he was Batman—no matter where he was, no matter what tools or challenges he faced, he would find a way to win.

And he would find a way back.