Not long ago, Magneto had arrived at the GCPD with full confidence, intending to crush the human defenders in a single, overwhelming strike. But the moment he showed his face, he was met with a storm of non-metallic bullets fired straight from within the precinct.
If not for a sliver of caution and the few pieces of metal he kept hovering around him, that first wave of gunfire might've cost him his life.
Even though he reacted in time, forming a makeshift barrier of metal to shield himself, it wasn't enough. From the rooftops of the buildings in the distance, snipers opened fire with high-caliber, long-range rifles. Each bullet traveled at supersonic speed and was made entirely of non-metallic materials, rendering them completely undetectable to his senses.
These specialized rounds were more dangerous than anything he'd anticipated. For the first time in his long life, the mutant leader realized that his powers weren't as invincible as he thought.
All it took was a slight adjustment in human weaponry, and the tide of battle turned against him.
With no other choice, Magneto used his magnetic abilities to pull every scrap of metal nearby toward him, forging an impenetrable suit of armor that covered him from head to toe. Only then could he ensure his safety against the relentless police assault.
At the end of the day, he was a man in his seventies; he couldn't afford to take even a single shot.
With the metal armor shielding him, Magneto finally launched his counterattack.
The guns in the officers' hands were indeed made of non-metallic materials, preventing him from simply brushing off their attacks. However, there was just too much metal inside the Gotham Police Department.
All of it became weapons in Magneto's hands.
As the officers tried to hold him off with their firearms, they were simultaneously being killed by pens, filing cabinets, and all the metal objects that were part of their daily lives.
...
Inside the commissioner's office, Harvey Dent burst through the door, blood dripping down his sleeve as he ripped a steel pen from his arm.
"Commissioner Gordon, we can't hold out much longer!" he said, gritting his teeth.
"Magneto's using his powers to summon every metal object nearby. He's sealed off all the exits; we can't even think about escaping the police station, let alone using the route to city hall for guerrilla tactics."
"I know," Gordon nodded grimly. He understood just how dire the situation was. The reason they chose to face Magneto here, at the GCPD, was simple: Gordon had hoped to take advantage of the mutant's possible underestimation of ordinary humans. Maybe, just maybe, their specially designed weapons could land a critical blow.
And to some extent, the plan had merit. The non-metallic guns developed by Stark Industries truly left Magneto with no way to manipulate them. But in the end, they failed to capitalize on that narrow advantage.
Now Magneto had fully fortified himself, sealed all exits, and turned the entire precinct into a trap.
They were the ones in danger.
"We can only wait for Batman to act now," Gordon said quietly. "He planned tonight's operation. He won't just sit by and watch. Let's hope he can at least drive Magneto off, even if just temporarily."
In truth, he didn't have much faith left.
Compared to Gotham's usual criminals, Magneto might not be as insane, but the power that came with his mutation was very real, and very dangerous.
To this day, Gordon had never seen 'Batman' defeat someone this powerful.
Harvey remained silent, not offering any rebuttal. He knew all too well; at this point, 'Batman' was their only real hope.
Time crept forward, and the resistance inside the police station grew weaker by the minute.
But 'Batman' never came.
Instead, what they saw from the office window was a thick green gas beginning to creep and spread through the city streets.
"What… what is that?!"
Gordon's eyes went wide. He asked the question, but deep down, after all these years of clashing with the Joker, he recognized that gas instantly.
Joker Venom. And not a mild dose either. This was concentrated, potent, and it was spreading through the city like a plague.
"Joker… he chose now of all times—"
Before Gordon could finish his sentence, the gas had already reached them. Even sealed doors and windows were no match. It seeped in through every crack, every vent. Within moments, the entire Gotham Police Department was filled with it.
Even Magneto was just as startled by the sudden shift. He barely had time to react before the thick green gas engulfed him completely.
Before coming to Gotham, he had done his homework, especially on the Joker. He knew exactly how terrifying the laughing gas could be. He also understood that his power over magnetic fields wouldn't make him immune to it. After all, just like everyone else, he still had to breathe.
With the gas swirling thick around him, Magneto dared not move, dared not even take a breath. But he was a seventy-year-old man, and his powers had nothing to do with enhancing his physical body. How long could he really hold his breath?
Just as he was about to give in, a sudden whirlwind crashed down from the sky, sweeping away the gas around him.
"Magneto! I'm here!"
Hearing Riptide's voice from within the storm, the mutant leader let out a breath of relief. Clearing all the gas from the city was impossible, even for Riptide. But clearing a small pocket around him? That, he could manage.
"Get to the sky, Magneto! I won't be able to hold out for long!"
It was only when Magneto heard those words that he noticed the streaks of red swirling through the vortex surrounding Riptide.
"You're hurt?!" He asked, alarmed.
Focusing more closely, Magneto realized it wasn't just a minor injury; Riptide was in critical condition. His body was riddled with blades. Dozens, maybe more, embedded deep in his flesh. Of his ten fingers, only three remained, split between both hands. And yet, until now, the mutant had hidden the pain completely.
"What happened to you?! Riptide!!"
Feeling the growing weakness in his limbs, Riptide gave a faint, pained smile.
What happened?
...
Time rewinds—back to the moment Riptide took Jason's advice and escaped the underground base.
He had no idea Jason would later encounter the Joker and learn the full truth from the madman's twisted lips.
What Riptide did know was this: the bomb was going to explode soon. He had to return to Magneto as fast as possible and shield him from the incoming wave of Joker Venom.
To maintain maximum speed, Riptide kept his body in a constant high-speed spin, the wind he created whipping around him in a controlled vortex. The sensation of the wind brushing over his skin brought him a strange sense of calm. For the mutants their abilities were the source of their pride, their identity. Few mutants who could truly control their powers ever felt anything but confidence in them.
Shrouded in his own personal storm, Riptide tore through the exit of the underground base.
But the moment he burst through the opening, he found someone waiting for him.
Dressed head to toe in black, unmoving, a silent shadow—'Batman' had been there, waiting all along.
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!