Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

Batman's sudden appearance froze the atmosphere in the booth. Penguin instinctively took a step back, his umbrella trembling slightly. Tony's hand was already on the reactor in his chest, ready to summon his armor at any moment. Fury's single eye narrowed into a slit, his right hand stealthily slipping inside his jacket.

Only Chen Haotian remained calm. He slowly raised his hands, making a harmless gesture: "Batman, I've heard so much about you. We're just conducting legitimate business negotiations."

"Any business deal with Cobblestone is never legal," Batman's voice was as cold as steel. "You're not Gotham people. Tell me your true purpose."

Tony stepped forward, his tone carrying his characteristic arrogance: "Listen, you dark-skinned fellow, we don't need to report our itinerary to you. We..."

Chen Haotian raised his hand to stop Tony from continuing. He looked directly into the eyes beneath the Batman mask: "We're looking for specialized technological resources, nothing more. We have no ill intentions, nor do we intend to create chaos in Gotham."

Batman's gaze swept over the three men, finally settling on Fury: "Your identification."

Fury calmly pulled out a wallet containing a fake identity document he had prepared beforehand: "Nick Fury, Global Security Advisor."

Batman took the ID and examined it carefully, then tossed it back to Fury: "Good forgery, but not good enough. Now, tell me who you really are."

At this tense moment, Chen Haotian suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Bruce Wayne, is it really necessary for us to test each other like this?"

The box was silent. The Penguin stared wide-eyed at Batman in disbelief. Tony and Fury also looked surprised.

Batman's body visibly stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Chen Haotian smiled slightly: "Stop pretending. Your physique, your voice, and the funding for those high-tech equipment... besides Wayne Enterprises, who else could afford that? Moreover..." He pointed to an inconspicuous logo on Batman's belt, "That's a miniature energy storage device that Wayne Enterprises patented three years ago, and it's never been sold to the public."

Batman paused for a moment, then slowly removed his hood. Bruce Wayne's face appeared before them, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "Few can see through my disguise. Who exactly are you?"

The Penguin let out a shrill laugh: "Bruce Wayne! Gotham's prince is a vigilante of the night! How hilarious!"

Bruce gave the Penguin a cold look: "Cobbler, if you dare to reveal this secret..."

"Oh, of course not," the Penguin chuckled slyly. "That's a very valuable bargaining chip for me."

Chen Haotian interrupted their conversation: "Mr. Wayne, as I said, we are here for technology. We possess some... unique energy technologies and hope to exchange ideas with Wayne Enterprises."

Bruce turned his attention back to Chen Haotian: "What kind of energy technology?"

Tony then picked up the conversation: "A clean, efficient, and virtually limitless energy source. Decades more advanced than any energy source you currently use."

A flicker of interest crossed Bruce's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by wariness: "Prove it to me."

Chen Haotian took a small device out of his pocket, pressed a button, and a soft blue light formed an energy field around the device: "Miniature Arc Reactor, output power sufficient to power the entire Wayne Tower for one week."

Bruce carefully observed the energy field, his expression gradually turning serious: "This is indeed... unusual. But why are you looking for Cobblestone?"

"We need a local guide," Fury explained. "Mr. Cobblestone has a good understanding of Gotham's...unique resource distribution."

The Penguin straightened his tie smugly. "Indeed. I know every secret of Gotham, including Wayne Enterprises' closely guarded collection."

Bruce's eyes turned dangerous: "If you're referring to those alien artifacts..."

"Exactly," Chen Haotian nodded, "We are very interested in technologies from other worlds."

Just then, a commotion and gunshots erupted downstairs. The Penguin's expression changed: "Damn it, it must be Falcone's men! They won't let this go!"

Bruce quickly put on his headgear, transforming back into Batman: "Stay here and don't move." With that, he leaped out of the broken window like a ghost.

Tony walked to the window to observe the situation below: "Looks like our dark-skinned friend is off to take care of some chores."

The penguin nervously wiped the sweat from his brow. "Listen," he said, "if Falcone really sends men, this place won't be safe anymore. I know a more secluded spot."

Chen Haotian thought for a moment, then nodded: "Lead the way."

Led by the penguin, they left the Iceberg Club through a secret passage. The passage was dark and damp, with moldy walls, clearly unused for a long time.

"This passage leads directly to the warehouse in the East District," the Penguin explained as he led the way. "That's my... backup base."

Fury cautiously surveyed his surroundings: "Are you sure it's safe here?"

"Much safer than up there," the Penguin said, panting. "The people of Falcone don't know this place."

They finally reached the end of the passage, where a rusty iron door blocked their way. The penguin entered a password on the keypad beside the door, and the door slowly opened, revealing a spacious underground space.

This underground base was far more modern than I had imagined, with walls covered in surveillance screens displaying live feeds of Gotham from every corner. Several fully armed guards immediately stood at attention and saluted upon seeing the Penguin.

"Welcome to my command center," the Penguin said smugly. "From here, I can monitor every important corner of Gotham."

Tony observed the surveillance equipment with great interest: "These systems... some of them are Stark Industries products from five years ago. How did you get them?"

The Penguin smiled slyly: "I have my connections. In Gotham, you can buy anything if you can afford it."

Chen Haotian walked to the control panel and quickly scanned the surveillance footage: "Including Wayne Enterprises' secret laboratory?"

The Penguin's smile widened even more: "Especially Wayne Enterprises' secret laboratories."

Suddenly, a surveillance video caught Chen Haotian's attention. The video showed Gotham Port, where several men in black suits were loading and unloading some special containers. The containers bore a familiar logo—the Lexcorp logo.

"It seems we're not the only ones interested in special technologies," Chen Haotian said, pointing to the screen.

Fury leaned closer to examine him: "Lex Luthor... he's in this world too?"

The Penguin nodded: "Luthor's been quite active in Gotham lately, supposedly searching for some alien technology. He's getting very close to Falcone."

Tony frowned. "This isn't good news. Luthor has never been an easy opponent."

Chen Haotian pondered for a moment, then turned to the Penguin: "Mr. Cobblepot, I think we can reach an agreement. You help us acquire the alien technology we need, and we will provide protection to ensure that Falcone or anyone else will no longer threaten you."

The penguin squinted: "What kind of protection can you provide?"

Chen Haotian took a small device from his pocket and placed it on the table: "This device can generate an energy shield, strong enough to withstand attacks from any conventional weapon. Consider it a small gift."

The Penguin picked up the device curiously. "Interesting...very interesting." He thought for a moment, then held out his hand. "Deal. But I want more than just protection; I also need you to help me get rid of Falcone."

Chen Haotian shook hands with the penguin: "Of course. After all, a friend of a friend is a friend, and an enemy of an enemy is a friend."

Just then, the base's alarm went off. A guard rushed in: "Boss, someone's broken in! It's Batman!"

The penguin's expression changed: "How did he find this place?"

Chen Haotian, however, seemed completely unsurprised: "Of course he can find it. After all, he's Batman."