Chapter 8: Chapter 8
"I know you're inside the storage cabinet," Nolin said calmly. "It can't block my sight."
There was still no response.
But Nolin could see through the cabinet door. He noticed Bruce Wayne's hand gripping the door tightly, as if ready to burst out at any moment.
Nolin observed him carefully—no weapons.
He trusted his enhanced vision and remained calm.
Instead of pushing further, Nolin stepped aside and lifted the pot lid on the stove.
Steam rose as he stirred the ramen, ensuring it didn't stick together.
Then, he grabbed a stool, sat down, and began to speak:
"Bruce Wayne—the mysterious Batman of Gotham—I mean no harm."
"Let me introduce myself first. I'm not from your universe."
"I came from another world, and I have superpowers. I'm sure you understand what that means."
"If you don't believe me, you can easily look up my identity later. It won't be hard for you."
Nolin leaned back slightly, his tone calm yet firm:
"Listen, Bruce. I know the future of your world."
"Sometime within the next year, your universe will be destroyed by an unstoppable event."
"You heard me—not just Gotham, not just Earth—the entire universe will end."
"If you believe me, come out now."
"If you don't, I'll leave in one minute."
"I won't interfere with your world's fate any longer."
Nolin glanced at the clock and began counting down.
Nolin wasn't sure Bruce would believe him.
He knew Bruce Wayne's paranoia—a trait he shared with Tony Stark.
Bruce trusted no one completely, always preparing backup plans for every ally and enemy—even Superman.
But even with his honesty, Bruce might only half-believe his story.
That was enough.
If Bruce came out, it meant he'd monitor events and help locate Supergirl's pod.
Nolin could then focus on stabilizing Kara, saving her from General Zod, and eventually copying her powers permanently.
If Bruce refused, Nolin had backup plans—he could recruit hackers using:
Money.
Drugs.
Mind-control agents.
But hacking military systems came with risks.
Only someone with Bruce's resources and satellites could monitor the world effectively.
The clock ticked down.
3… 2… 1…
A creak echoed as the cabinet door opened.
An older man in a gray coat, with shoulder-length hair and a messy beard, stepped out.
His sharp eyes swept the kitchen, then settled on Nolin.
Bruce glanced at the boiling ramen and raised an eyebrow.
"Hungry?"
Nolin shrugged. "Don't mention it."
Minutes later, Bruce sat across from Nolin, slurping the ramen.
"So, you're telling me," Bruce began, wiping his mouth, "some idiot from the future messes with time, breaks reality, and leaves our universe to die?"
Nolin nodded.
Bruce continued, "And this idiot keeps repeating the process, failing every time, and ultimately decides to just restart time?"
"What kind of moron risks dozens of universes to fix his own mistake?"
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Sounds like a terrible sci-fi plot. Not even worth funding."
But then he paused, examining Nolin carefully.
"Let me guess," Bruce smirked. "This idiot exists, doesn't he?"
Nolin remained silent.
Bruce slammed his bowl onto the table.
"Unbelievable. And they call this guy a hero?"
"He rewrites time, wipes out countless worlds, and still can't fix it?"
Bruce's voice dropped lower. "And you think I'm going to sit back and let this happen to my world?"
Nolin smiled faintly.
"That's why I'm here."
Bruce leaned forward. "Alright. What's the plan?"
"But," Bruce's voice turned cold, "if you're lying, you'll regret ever stepping foot in my house."
Nolin nodded.
"I need you to monitor Siberia."
"Soon, an alien spacecraft will crash—or may have already landed."
"If you find it, contact me immediately and give me a ride."
Bruce's eyes sharpened.
"An alien? From Krypton?"
"I'm looking forward to seeing her laser eyes and freeze breath in action," Bruce said sarcastically.
But then he finished his ramen, placed the bowl in the sink, and stood up.
"Let's go," he said. "Time to meet this indestructible Supergirl."
As Nolin followed Bruce, he glanced at the messy house.
It was clear—Alfred was gone.
Without his trusted butler, Bruce had become a recluse.
Bruce had likely chosen isolation rather than risk trusting someone new.
Typical Batman.
Despite his age and weariness, Bruce Wayne still had the determination of the Dark Knight.
And that was enough.
Nolin's mission had begun.