Chapitre 9: Chapter 9
The Gotham night was thick with tension, similar to the evening before, as Private Eye crouched on a gargoyle overlooking the docks. His enhanced senses picked up the faint lapping of waves against the piers and the distant hum of the city. But it was the whispered conversations and furtive movements below that held his attention.
Rupert Thorne's men were on the move, and tonight was the night Private Eye planned to bring their entire operation crashing down. Weeks of investigation had led to this moment. He had pieced together the complex web of arson, real estate fraud, and political corruption that centered around Thorne's ambitious "urban renewal" project.
As he prepared to swing into action, a familiar tingle at the base of his skull made him freeze. A shadow detached itself from the darkness beside him. Great.
"I thought I told you to stay out of this," Batman's gravelly voice cut through the night air.
Private Eye didn't flinch. "With all due respect, Batman, you're not in charge. I've uncovered too much to walk away now."
"This isn't a game," Batman growled. "Thorne is dangerous. He has half the city council in his pocket and an army of thugs at his disposal."
"I know," Private Eye replied, his voice steady. "That's why I'm here. To gather the final pieces of evidence we need to bring him down. For good."
Batman was silent for a long moment, studying the younger vigilante. Finally, he spoke. "We?"
Private Eye turned to face him fully. "Yes, we. I'm not naive enough to think I can take down someone like Thorne alone. But together? We might have a chance." Abel didn't genuinely believe that he was sure he could have this operation done within 2 hours. However, it was a viable bridge builder between him and the caped crusader. As they say, stroke the ego of the arrogant.
Another pause, heavy with consideration. Then, almost imperceptibly, Batman nodded. "Alright. What's your plan?"
As Private Eye laid out his strategy, he could feel Batman's scrutiny. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to be working alongside Gotham's legendary vigilante. But there was no time for star-struck admiration. They had a job to do.
The unlikely duo moved swiftly and silently through the docks. Private Eye's spider sense proved invaluable, allowing them to avoid patrol routes and security cameras. Batman's years of experience complemented the younger hero's abilities, creating a formidable team.
They infiltrated Thorne's makeshift command center, a nondescript warehouse near the water's edge. Inside, they found a treasure trove of incriminating documents and digital files.
"This is it," Private Eye whispered, his fingers flying over a keyboard. "Financial records, blackmail material, even plans for future 'accidents' to clear more properties."
Batman nodded grimly. "Good work. Now we need to-" His words were cut off by the sudden blare of alarms. Private Eye's spider-sense screamed a warning just as the doors burst open, flooding the room with armed thugs.
"Well, well," Rupert Thorne's voice boomed from the back of the group. "The Bat and his new sidekick. I must say, I'm almost flattered by the attention."
"It's over, Thorne," Batman growled. "We have everything we need to put you away for good."
Thorne laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You heroes never learn, do you? In Gotham, money talks. And I have very deep pockets."
With a wave of his hand, Thorne's men opened fire. What followed was a symphony of chaos, the sharp cracks of gunfire interspersed with the grunts and cries of combat. Private Eye and Batman moved in perfect synchronization, their fighting styles complementing each other as if they'd trained together for years.
Private Eye's enhanced agility turned the battlefield into his playground. He ducked and weaved through the hail of bullets, his movements a blur. With fluid precision, he disarmed one thug, sending the gun skidding across the floor, and spun to deliver a high kick to another, dropping him instantly. His senses were heightened, allowing him to anticipate attacks and react with lightning speed.
Meanwhile, Batman was a force of nature. His sheer strength and tactical brilliance were on full display. He closed the distance to the nearest gunman with a single leap, his cape swirling around him like a living shadow. A powerful punch sent the thug crashing into a stack of crates. Batman's movements were deliberate and efficient, each strike calculated to maximize impact and create openings for Private Eye.
Their synergy was uncanny. Private Eye flipped over a thug, delivering a spinning kick to his head, while Batman used the momentary distraction to take out two more with swift, bone-crushing blows. When a particularly large thug charged at Private Eye, Batman intercepted him, lifting him off his feet and slamming him to the ground with a brutal force. Private Eye nodded in silent thanks before launching himself into the fray once more, his web shooters snapping out to entangle another attacker.
The thugs' numbers dwindled rapidly. Despite their initial bravado, they were no match for the combined prowess of Gotham's Dark Knight and the agile Private Eye. As the last of Thorne's men fell, the crime boss himself made a break for it, desperation etched on his face.
Private Eye's eyes locked onto Thorne's fleeing form. In a fluid motion, he raised his wrist and fired a web, the thin, sticky strand shooting out and snagging Thorne's ankle. The crime boss let out a startled yelp as the webbing tightened and yanked him off his feet, sending him sprawling to the ground with a heavy thud.
Private Eye approached, his chest heaving from the exertion but his eyes sharp and focused. Batman stepped forward, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over Thorne. The crime boss looked up, fear and defiance battling for control of his expression.
"Not so fast, Mr. Thorne," Private Eye quipped, securing the struggling criminal. "I think it's time you and the GCPD had a long overdue chat."
Thorne struggled against the webbing, but it was futile. Private Eye stood beside Batman, his youthful face behind the mask, set with determination. "You're not getting away this time, it's over," he said, his voice steady.
As sirens wailed in the distance, Batman turned to Private Eye. "Not bad. But this isn't over, Thorne has friends in high places. This will be buried."
Private Eye nodded, his expression determined behind his mask. "That's why I made copies of everything. By morning, every news outlet in Gotham will have the full story. No cover-ups this time."
Batman's eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of approval in his voice. "Good. Risky, but effective." He paused, then added, "You did good work here. But don't let it go to your head. This is a dangerous place, especially for lone vigilantes."
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm from Gotham. I appreciate the concern," Private Eye replied while shaking is head. "But I'm not going anywhere. This city needs all the help it can get."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone