Chapter 2: Into the Unknown

Xander kept moving, his sneakers slapping against the pavement as he and Steel navigated the bustling streets. The city hummed with a life that felt both exhilarating and overwhelming. Neon signs flickered overhead, advertising products he'd never seen before. Vehicles with sleek, futuristic designs zipped by silently, powered by technologies that made the electric cars of his world look primitive.

"So, diagnostics are incomplete," Xander said, glancing at Steel as they walked. "But what do you know for sure?"

Steel whirred thoughtfully. "I have partial systems registry online. Core functions operational. Scanning and analysis capabilities are functional. Bond status with user: pending."

Xander frowned. "Bond status pending? What does that mean?"

"I am currently not fully integrated with your bio-energy matrix. TURBO-energy detected but unregulated. Full bond will stabilize energy flow and enhance operational efficiency," Steel explained.

"Great," Xander muttered. "So I'm basically a ticking energy bomb until we figure this out."

He needed a plan. First, he had to figure out exactly where—or when—he was. The towering architecture and advanced tech suggested a world far beyond his own. But that wasn't enough. He needed concrete answers.

Spotting a newsstand up ahead, Xander jogged over. A grizzled vendor in a stained cap leaned against the counter, flipping through a comic book. Xander's gaze darted to the newspapers displayed on the rack.

The Gotham Gazette.

The bold headline read: Wayne Foundation Hosts Gala Tonight; Security Heightened.

Xander's breath hitched. Gotham. As in Batman's Gotham.

"No way," he whispered.

Steel floated closer, catching the vendor's eye. The man's brows furrowed as he pointed at Steel. "What kind of drone is that? Fancy tech, kid."

Xander forced a laugh, waving dismissively. "Oh, uh, just a school project. Totally harmless."

Steel's eyes glowed faintly. "Correction: I am highly advanced and far from harmless."

"Steel, not helping," Xander muttered through clenched teeth, grabbing the newspaper quickly.

As they walked away, Xander hissed, "You can't just float around like that. People see you!"

"Visibility acknowledged," Steel said. "Recommendation: concealment mode unavailable. Manual hiding suggested."

Xander sighed, ducking into an alley. "You're riding in my bag from now on." He opened his backpack wide.

Steel hovered reluctantly. "This is undignified."

"Would you rather get captured by government agents?" Xander shot back.

Steel bobbed once before folding himself down and nestling into the bag. "Compromising dignity for operational security. Noted."

Xander zipped the bag partially closed, leaving enough space for airflow. "Much better."

He grabbed a newspaper and skimmed through it, absorbing as much information as he could. Mentions of Wayne Enterprises, Lex Corp, and reports of a recent Justice League sighting cemented the truth.

I'm in the DC Universe.

"I need a minute," Xander said, stepping away from the stand. He leaned against a brick wall, heart racing.

"Are you experiencing cognitive overload?" Steel asked from within the bag, his voice muffled.

"No, I'm just… trying to process the fact that I'm in a world where Superman is probably flying around right now."

"Recommend maintaining composure. Situational clarity will be advantageous."

Xander took a deep breath. Steel was right. Freaking out wouldn't help. He needed to think strategically.

"Okay," he said, standing straighter. "Priority one: figure out how I got here and whether there's a way back. Priority two: stay off the radar until I know who's friendly and who's not."

Steel's muffled voice responded, "Logical objectives."

Xander's stomach growled loudly, cutting through the moment. "Guess priority three is finding food," he added sheepishly.

Steel scanned from within the bag. "I detect a nearby food vendor."

Following Steel's lead, Xander found a street cart selling hot dogs. The vendor, a burly man with a thick mustache, gave him a suspicious once-over.

"You got money, kid?" the man asked gruffly.

Xander froze. Money. Right. He hadn't exactly packed his wallet before dying and being transported to another universe.

"Uh… not exactly," Xander admitted.

The vendor's expression hardened. "No freebies."

Steel's voice piped up softly, "Recommendation: Utilize TURBO-energy to create a distraction and acquire sustenance."

Xander gaped at him through the bag's opening. "I am not stealing a hot dog."

Steel's tone turned curious. "Why not?"

"Because it's wrong," Xander said firmly. "We'll figure something out."

Steel whirred thoughtfully. "Ethical boundaries noted."

As they moved away from the cart, Xander's mind churned. He needed a way to get resources without drawing attention.

A sudden commotion caught his attention. Across the street, a group of masked robbers stormed out of a jewelry store, bags of stolen goods slung over their shoulders. Civilians screamed and scattered as the robbers fired warning shots into the air.

Xander's pulse quickened. His instincts screamed at him to stay out of it, but the sight of terrified bystanders froze him in place.

"Hostile activity detected," Steel reported. "Potential intervention required."

Xander clenched his fists, energy sparking faintly around his body. He could feel it building, erratic and unstable, like a pressure cooker about to blow.

"I don't think I can handle this energy yet," he muttered. "Steel, isn't there a way to stabilize me?"

"Bonding protocol initiation recommended. Will stabilize energy fluctuations," Steel advised.

"Then do it," Xander said, wincing as the energy surged through his body.

"Affirmative. Commencing bond protocol," Steel announced.

A sudden wave of blue energy enveloped Xander, lifting him off the ground. His vision blurred as data streams flowed through his mind. Steel's form shimmered and then fused into his chest, sending a shockwave of power through his body.

Pain and exhilaration warred within him as his energy stabilized. His senses sharpened, and the erratic crackling around him smoothed into a steady, controlled hum.

When the light faded, Xander's form had transformed. He stood clad in sleek, futuristic armor—the iconic Max Steel suit, complete with glowing blue accents tracing along its surface. The chest plate pulsed with TURBO-energy, and a high-tech helmet snapped into place over his head, enhancing his visual interface.

Xander flexed his fingers, marveling at the newfound control. "Now that is more like it."

"Bond complete," Steel's voice echoed in his mind. "TURBO-mode activated. Defensive and offensive systems operational."

The robbers, still stunned by the spectacle, finally recovered and aimed their weapons.

Xander didn't hesitate. He moved faster than ever, a blur of motion as he disarmed the first robber with a swift strike. The second went down with a perfectly timed kick.

Steel provided tactical updates, highlighting threats and suggesting maneuvers.

Within moments, the robbers were disarmed and incapacitated, groaning on the ground.

The girl's mother rushed over, tears streaming down her face as she scooped her daughter into her arms. "Thank you," she whispered, eyes wide with gratitude.

Xander nodded, heart pounding. The police sirens grew louder, and he knew it was time to disappear.

"Come on, Steel," he said, turning down a side street. "Let's not stick around for questions."

As they slipped away into the maze of alleys, Xander couldn't help but marvel at what had just happened. He'd taken down armed criminals and saved innocent lives.

Maybe he wasn't a superhero—but he was starting to feel like one.