Night fell. Walking amidst the dazzling lights and bustling crowds, Bruce felt a long-lost sense of ease return to him...
'Maybe Alf was right... I've been away from peaceful nights like this for too long...'
"Y'know, there are about 3.5 million women left in New York now. Heh..."
With his thoughts interrupted, Bruce raised an eyebrow at Bucky, who was boasting to Steve.
"What are you planning? Gonna set our 'Pipsqueak' up on a date tonight?"
Steve's eyes lit up at the word 'girlfriend'...
He cleared his throat, "Just one would be enough for me~"
Bucky slung an arm around Steve's shoulders, "Lucky guy! Tonight, we're solving your bachelor problem!"
Bruce shrugged and pointed at them teasingly, "Come on, when has any of your setups ever worked for Steve?"
Internally, he added: 'His future girlfriend will have both beauty and brawn. No need for us to worry...'
...
Ten minutes later...
Steve walked beside them whilst shooting resentful looks at Bruce (who avoided his gaze) and the young woman nearly leaning on his shoulder.
"My, you're so strong~" Said the woman who was feeling Bruce up.
"Uh, not really ma'am... Your hand..."
Bucky had already slipped away, pretending not to see Bruce's pleading glances.
"Oh! I just remembered, I've got company matters to handle tonight. You guys have fun!" Dodging another attempt from the woman to grab his arm, Bruce made up an excuse and quickly retreated in the opposite direction.
As he passed Steve, he paused and whispered, "Nowʼs your chance. Go for it!"
"Thanks, brother." Steve murmured back.
He then smoothed his hair before approaching the disappointed woman with a smile...
...
Bruce melted into the crowd and scanned the area until his eyes landed on a building beside the venue.
"U.S. Army Recruitment Office..."
Muttering to himself, he compared it to his fuzzy movie memories and stepped inside curiously.
"Wow pal! You'd make one heck of a soldier! Asian descent? Look at that build... Which Army branch are you eyeing?"
Faced with the enthusiastic young Black recruiter, Bruce forced an awkward smile, mumbled some excuses, and took a seat in the corner. His earlier cheer had faded.
He lowered his head whilst massaging his temples... 'This is where Steve meets that doctor soon, right? And then... Damn it! It's been over a decade since I last saw those movies. My memory's hazy...'
[Dream Engine fully charged... Rebooting...]
[Current main world data recorded... Saved!]
«Pleased to see you again, Host...»
The sudden notifications made Bruce freeze...
Unlike before, the floating panel now displayed a small glowing orb hovering at its center as if announcing its identity.
"Dream Engine?"
«Yes. How may I assist you?»
The synthetic voice sounded eerily familiar.
Startled, Bruce realized it was the same voice modulator he used as Batman, "Why now? After more than ten years? And... what should I call you?"
«The Dream Engine exhausted its energy. Rebooting required baseline charging, which Host couldn't provide initially. Emergency protocols initiated slow recharge during hibernation... You may designate my name as preferred...»
"Mhm... So you've been 'asleep' all this time... Alright. Let's go with... 'Zero'? It fits your aesthetic. Also, can you change that voice? It's kinda..."
«Acknowledged...»
After a brief pause, the voice returned, now having a warm baritone timbre.
«Vocal modulation complete. Zero at your service...»
Holding back a flood of questions, Bruce ventured hopefully, "Did you... forget to give me something? I mean, back when you brought me here, you gave me the 'Batman' growth template. However, some gear seems to be missing..."
«Host currently possesses all equipment provided by the Dream Engine. No omissions detected...»
Bruce's jaw tightened, "What? I may not have read the comics, but even I know about the Batmobile, Batwing, and near-indestructible suits. All I got was a Level 1 Batsuit that barely tanks blunt force! You–"
«Current equipment constitutes 'basic' complimentary gifts. Additional gear requires 'Mission Points' for purchase in the 'Dream Store'...»
Bruce gaped, "What 'Dream Store'? I've never seen it on the panel! So I have to 'buy' equipment from you? What even are 'Mission Points'?"
«Mission Points are–»
"Bruce? What're you doing here?"
The voice cut off Bruce's conversation...
Disconnecting from the panel, he looked up to see Steve watching him quizzically.
Alarm bells rang in his mind... 'Shit! Why is Steve here already? Did he already meet the doctor?!'
"You okay? You look... unwell."
Bruce met Steve's concerned gaze, his expression conflicted.
'Should I really let him endure everything I saw in those movies? The pain, the burden... I promised Sarah we'd take care of him...'
After a long internal struggle, Bruce forced a smile and made his decision, "It's nothing, Pipsqueak. Let's... let's get out of here first..."
"Leave? I just got here. You go ahead if you need to."
"No– wait! Let's find Bucky. Weren't you with him earlier? He's probably waiting!"
"Bruce, Bucky came by just now. He's off dancing with those girls." Steve shrugged and continued, "Consider this his farewell night. Don't worry, he'll understand."
"But Steve, I–"
[Alert! 'Non-Rejectable' Mission Generated!]
[Objective: Ensure Steve Rogers becomes Captain America...
- Reward: 100 Mission Points
- Penalty: Dream Machine detachment... And Host assumes all unforeseen risks...]
Zero's prompt made Bruce stiffen, his face darkening.
'This... complicates everything...'