Marvel: Batman x Ironman

[SHIELD's Base] [New York]

It began with the antiseptics' sterile scent smacking her nose. Her ears picked up on the beeping sound of all the medical machines on stand-by beside her bed. "Argg!" Her head hit her like a drum against her skull, and each limb felt like it's been shredded. She forced her eyes to blink hard, trying to concentrate around her. The bed that she was lying on was far softer than the rickety mattress of the apartment. White sheets, a folded blanket, and the steady beep of the heart monitor to her right.

"Hospital?" She mumbled.

She tried to sit up, but her muscles protested. Pain shot through her chest and side, forcing her to collapse back onto the bed. "Ahh! Shit!" Her vision became slightly blurry but she could see the nearby things around her. It looked more like a high-tech medical bay than a hospital.

The sound of a door opening caught her attention. Her body stiffened. She was on high alert but then thought that whoever brought her here, if they wanted to hurt her they would have done so and she wouldn't be lying in this high-tech facility. So, she sighed in relief and took a deep breath, calming her nerves.

Two women entered the room. One with brown hair tied into a loose braid, wearing a black suit, and the other with short-cropped blond hair, wearing a typical lab uniform. Natasha Romanoff and Susan Storm.

"Good, you're awake," Natasha said, her voice calm but firm. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, her piercing green eyes studying Ami.

Susan approached the bed, her expression gentler but still cautious. "Don't try to move too much," she said, pulling a stool close. "You're still healing. Whatever you went through out there... it took a serious toll."

Ami's voice came out in a rasp. "Where... am I?"

"You're at a SHIELD facility in New York," Susan replied. She placed a hand on Ami's shoulder, her touch light but grounding. "You were in rough shape when we found you. Well... when he found you."

Ami frowned, confusion clouding her thoughts. "He? Who?"

Natasha straightened, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "A friend. He brought you here."

Ami's eyes widened. The memory of the dark figure, the sound of his voice, and the way he saved her from death... She remembered it now, although it was a little hazy.

"Why... why am I here?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Natasha stepped closer, her demeanor softening just slightly. "Because you're not ordinary, Ami. And neither were the things chasing you. From what we've seen, you're going to need help."

Susan nodded. "And it's not just about you. Whatever's after you could become a bigger threat. We need to understand what's going on."

Ami's gaze dropped to her hands, trembling in her lap. She remembered the way her foxfire faltered, the pain of her wounds, and the betrayal that cut deeper than any claw. Her voice was barely a whisper. "They... they were my friends."

Susan exchanged a look with Natasha, a silent understanding passing between them. "We've seen things like this before," Susan said gently. "People you trust, turning out to be something else. It's hard to process. But we need to focus on what's next."

Natasha pulled up a chair and sat, her tone shifting to business. "We need answers. What are you, Ami? And what were those things hunting you? Tell us everything from the beginning."

Ami hesitated, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. But she realized she had no choice. If SHIELD was involved, then there would be the Avengers, or whatever was left of them, so there was no hiding anymore. Right now, she was alone and needed help to survive as the last of her kind. She had guarded her truth for so long, but the weight of the past and the urgency of her present left her no room for silence. She looked at Natasha and Susan, their expressions a blend of curiosity and caution.

Slowly, she began to speak in a low voice.

"I am... was... a Kumiho," Ami started, her hands trembling as she gripped the blanket. "My kind is older than the stories. We were once a race of Dokkaebi, spirits born from the essence of foxes, able to take human forms. We were not born evil, but over time, our power... and our hunger... defined us."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Hunger?"

Ami nodded, her expression darkening. "Kumiho lived off the life essence of humans. Their hearts contained the purest form of it. The more we consumed, the stronger we became. For centuries, we roamed freely, blending into human society, living as gods or demons depending on the tale."

Susan's expression softened. "But that kind of power comes with enemies."

Ami let out a bitter laugh. "Humans feared us, and rightfully so. But it wasn't just them. There were creatures—Samjokgu—the three-legged dogs you saw. Some say they were created specifically to hunt us down, forged by ancient shamans who wanted to wipe out my kind while the other says they are demonic beings from the underworld."

Natasha tapped a finger on the table, her mind visibly piecing things together, "So, human and demon worked together."

Ami looked away, her voice faltering. "Yes. My kind became greedy... reckless. We believed we were untouchable, but the humans were smarter than we thought. They allied with Samjokgu, ambushing us, burning us out of our dens, killing us one by one. The Samjokgu could track us, resist our powers, and their claws... they're laced with a venom that slows our healing and burns our essence."

Susan frowned. "No wonder your wounds won't heal even with the latest nanotechnology."

Ami nodded, the pain in her body a constant reminder of her near death. "Over centuries, the Kumiho dwindled. By the time I was born, there were only a handful of us left, and we lived in hiding. My mother taught me how to suppress my essence, to blend in, to live quietly. She always said it was the only way to survive."

Natasha's gaze hardened. "But hiding didn't work, did it?"

"No," Ami whispered, her voice cracking. "The Samjokgu found us. My family... my friends... everyone I loved was slaughtered. I was the only one who escaped. And I've been running ever since."

Susan placed a comforting hand on Ami's arm. "How long have you been on the run?"

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I... I don't remember. Weird!" She narrowed her eyes and tried to remember but everything was hazy. "Maybe too long... I thought the Samjokgu had finally lost my trail, but tonight... they found me again. And this time... Mina and Seojun..." Her voice broke, the betrayal cutting deeper than any wound. "They were my friends. I trusted them. I don't even know how long they were... whatever they are. I thought they were the three-legged dogs, but something about them was different."

Natasha's jaw tightened. "Demon hybrids."

Susan glanced at her. "Demon hybrids?"

Natasha nodded. "SHIELD's encountered similar creatures before. It's not unusual for demons to try to breed with other species, hoping to create stronger offspring. In some cases, they succeed. But we thought we took care of them way back. But with Fury's betrayal and all... Sigh! I don't even know what else he messed up and kept hidden from us."

She took a deep breath as she leaned back in her chair.

"You're safe here, Ami," she said. "SHIELD's got the resources to deal with this, and now that we know what we're up against, we can start putting the pieces together. Those creatures won't touch you again. I'll personally make sure of that."

Ami's eyes searched Natasha's face, looking for any hint of deception. She found none. The sincerity in Natasha's words was a rare comfort, and for the first time in years, she felt a flicker of hope.

Susan chimed in, her tone gentle. "You've been through so much. Rest is what you need right now. Your body won't heal properly if you keep pushing yourself."

Ami hesitated, her instincts still screaming to stay on guard. But her exhaustion was overwhelming. The pain in her limbs, the weight of her memories, and the strain of running for so long finally caught up with her. She nodded slowly, her shoulders sagging.

Natasha stood up. "Good. Get some rest. Susan will stay close to monitor your condition, and I'll start digging into this. We'll find out what's going on. Trust us, Ami."

As she headed for the door, she paused, glancing over her shoulder. "You're not alone anymore. Remember that."

Ami's throat tightened at the words. She had been alone for so long that the thought of someone standing by her side felt almost foreign. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Natasha gave her a faint smile before leaving the room, the door sliding shut behind her. Susan adjusted the blanket over Ami. "Try to sleep, Ami. I'll be right here if you need anything."

[Meanwhile...] [Bruce's lab]

Bruce entered his lab with the collected DNA samples secured in a containment unit. The soft glow of holographic monitors cast shadows across the walls, while robotic arms hovered over an empty analysis station. Jarvis's voice greeted him, calm and clinical.

He placed the container on the analyzer. 

"Sir, the DNA samples have been transferred to the primary analyzer. Initial scans reveal distinct anomalies indicative of unknown energy signatures. Would you like me to proceed with a detailed breakdown?"

"Yup," Bruce nodded, walking up to the console. His mind was a whirlwind of theories. The demons he faced weren't just supernatural; they had elements of advanced biological adaptation. "Run the analysis," he instructed, removing his cowl and gloves, and setting them aside.

Holographic displays came alive, detailing the molecular structure of the collected DNA. A 3D model rotated in the center of the screen, pulsing faintly with traces of red energy.

"Interesting," He muttered, his eyes scanning the data. "Jarvis, overlay the DNA structure with any known genetic anomalies related to supernatural entities."

Jarvis complied, and additional layers of data appeared. Bruce leaned closer, his fingers flying over the controls as he began isolating patterns.

"The unknown DNA appears to be a hybrid structure," Jarvis reported. "It incorporates elements of supernatural energy—likely sourced from a unique dimension—combined with human genome segments. The resulting mutations enhance strength, speed, and durability while allowing them to conceal their forms."

"Superior physiology. Interesting," He smiled. Although he has info from his first life, it's nearly impossible to know every single thing about the comic world. He heard about White Fox, but he lacked details on her and the demons. The thought of exploring the unknown seemed amusing to him. "What about regeneration?"

"The DNA exhibits remarkable regenerative properties. Even under extreme damage, the cells continue to attempt reconstruction, though prolonged exposure to specific energies—such as her foxfire or the nanites—can overwhelm the process."

Bruce yawned. "Doesn't sound impressive though."

A new window opened, highlighting weak points.

"Based on the nanites' reaction within their systems, the unknown/demonic energy they rely on creates instability in their cellular makeup. Introducing a controlled destabilizing agent—something like her foxfire but with enhanced dispersal—could create a permanent disruption."

"Well, simple enough. Anyway, keep an eye out for those demons and place five or six sentinels around Ami. I don't want her to die." 

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[Ultimate Ironman> 16 chs]