Chapter 3: When Batman Comes Knocking

The scent of perfectly cooked chicken and rice filled Alex Bayley's small apartment.

Despite his lack of ambition, he had to admit—his Pokémon World Chef transformation was a godsend. Every meal he made was five-star quality, and he had long since stopped wasting money on takeout when he could whip up something delicious in seconds.

He took a slow bite, savoring the rich umami flavor.

"God, I'm amazing," Alex muttered to himself, watching TV as he ate.

Then—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Alex sighed, not even looking up.

"The door's open!" he called out lazily, taking another bite.

The door creaked open, and heavy footsteps entered.

Alex froze mid-chew as his eyes lifted from his bowl.

A long, flowing black cape. A dark cowl covering a grim face.

White, piercing eyes staring directly at him.

…Batman.

Alex stared. Batman stared back.

They sat in silence for a moment.

Then Alex swallowed. "…Hold up."

Alex set his bowl down, raising an eyebrow.

"Okay, first of all, my door is supposed to only let in cheerful attitudes. How the hell did you get in?"

Batman didn't even blink. Instead, he reached into his belt, pulled out a photograph, and tossed it onto the table.

Alex glanced down.

It was a picture of a toy store.

Or rather, what used to be a toy store.

Because Optimus Prime was currently bursting through the damn roof, towering over Metropolis.

Alex let out a low whistle. "Wow. Weird world, huh?"

Batman did not look amused.

"It's you," Batman said simply. "Just like the Hulk."

Alex scoffed. "Pfft. Me? Come on. Why would I—"

Batman's gaze sharpened.

Alex sighed. "Alright, fine. Let's say I was the Hulk. And maybe I did chuck Amazo into space. Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Batman didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "What's the limit?"

Alex's eyes narrowed. That was a dangerous question.

"Get out."

Batman didn't move. "How many forms can you take?"

Alex's fingers twitched. "I said, get out."

Batman remained silent, his presence unshakable. Then, before Alex could react—

Martian Manhunter phased through the wall.

Alex stilled.

Oh.

So that's how it's gonna be, huh?

Martian Manhunter's red eyes locked onto him.

Alex felt the faintest pressure in his mind—like an invisible hand gently knocking on his mental walls.

But Alex?

Alex smirked.

Two can play that game.

With a single thought—

His entire body shifted, his form warping, his mind restructuring itself.

Within seconds, he was no longer Alex Bayley.

He was Professor X.

A powerful, bald-headed telepath with enough mental strength to rival even Martian Manhunter.

Martian's expression immediately changed. His head snapped back, his connection to Alex's mind forcefully severed.

He staggered.

"What—?"

Alex smirked, leaning forward.

"Nice try, Green Bean. But you're messing with Professor Charles Xavier now."

Martian visibly struggled to re-enter his mind—but Alex's transformation held firm, his mental defenses impenetrable.

Even Batman, ever-stoic, seemed mildly intrigued.

Alex stretched his arms lazily. "Welp. Looks like you guys aren't playing fair."

Then—he transformed again.

In an instant, Alex's body shifted—his bald head now covered in a yellow cowl, red lightning sparking across his body.

His mind raced with speedster instincts.

And then—

He was gone.

A red-and-yellow blur shot past Batman and Martian Manhunter, blowing the door off its hinges as Alex vanished down the street.

Back in the apartment, Martian Manhunter was still dazed, his mind still recovering from the telepathic battle.

Batman, however, remained completely still.

Watching.

Processing.

Analyzing.

Because Alex hadn't just transformed into some random speedster.

He had transformed into Reverse Flash.

And that?

That raised a lot of questions.