              Introduction 

My name is Paul McDaniel three months ago my wife was brutally murdered by an unknown suspect on our anniversary. I work for the LAPD I'm a detective, a damn good detective. This is the story of my wife's investigation. Iv been in the force for 26 years my father was a detective as well. My partner Cassandra valentine will accompany me on my journey and  I will find out who did this too my wife and they will pay oh they will pay....     

Base on what Red read on that envelope, the thief appeared 5 days ago. It was right at this time that Red decided to give 5 days vacation to his squad. It was really a question whether this thief knew about who Red is. 

It was such a great coincidence that the thief 'debuted' when there whole detective squad was away. Whether it's just a coincidence or not, they'll find out about it once they solve the case. 

It was stated in the letter that Dream Academy has already lost 50 computer set worth half a million dollars because of the thief on his first day of arrival. The second day, they've lost half of the 36inches T.V. Dream Academy has. The third day, they've lost a few aircons. The fourth day, they've lost half of the aircons. The fifth day, they've lost some security teams weapons. It was because of the things he stolen on the fifth day that the case became a major case. 

 "The thief right now is armed and is extremely dangerous!" Red warned everyone. 

To sum up everything, the thief has already stolen things worth 8,000,000$! This was such a great amount. Despite all the things being something big, not a trace was left behind by the thief.

If the thief was batman, then they can understand why. But since batman doesn't steal things and he also doesn't exist, then how does this thief steal things unnoticed? 

So, Red first investigated all the CCTV footage of the past 4 days. The first day until the fifth day, nothing was abnormal or suspicious found. Everything was normal in Dream Academy. 

Every morning, the Head Chief of the security team will arrive first to open the gate of Dream Academy. Next, a few workers of Dream Academy such as the janitors, the members of the security team, teachers and etc. will arrive. Next, a few student will arrive and will go to their respective classroom. 

Afterwards, everyone will arrive, classes will start, staffs in charge of different things will start their work, Security team will roam around Dream Academy, Janitors started cleaning Dream Academy. 

Night arrived, the school staffs will start leaving one by one, Janitors will start cleaning Dream Academy, and lastly, the members of the morning shift security team will leave last and will be replaced by the night shift security team. 

At this time, the whole Dream Academy will become as silent as a cemetery. There will be some occasional weird sound, but everything was still normal. 

"This is interesting!" Red said as he sat back to his chair thinking of how did the thief steal things unnoticed. For him, the way the thief steal things was really stealthy, it was like the thief is an assassin, hiding in the dark to kill his target. 

Suddenly... 

 "That must be it! Maybe Batman really existed and his inventing a new car." Leo said in serious tone. It was like he really believes that batman was the one who stole those stuffs.  

"If Batman is inventing a new car what is the connection of it to stealing?" James said in serious tone as well. 

"Maybe batman is short in funds!" Leo stood up from his chair and continued "Yeah, that must be right, the justice league movie was just so so. So, maybe he only earns a few dollars out it and it's not enough to buy the things needed for his new car!" 

Hearing that, James stood up from his chair too and said "You're a genius! Now we can solve this case as long as we know where batman parked his bat mobile." 

Vladimir who was in deep thoughts a while ago was annoyed by Leo and James. He stood up from his chair and walked to where the cheerful Leo and James are standing.

 "Wow! Vladimir also agreed with my deduction!" Leo said when he noticed that Vladimir was walking to them. 

 "I think his going to give you a reward because you solved who the thief really is!" James patted Leo's shoulder.

Vladimir's eyes were twitching while listening to the two. I agreed? Bullsh*t! Who would think that batman is the thief, and does batman really existed? Reward? Yeah I'll absolutely give you guys a reward! 

"You're here to give me the reward right, since I solved the case? The reward must be something expensive, well it's a major case so it's understandable that your reward will be expensive! But, it's okay for me if it's something cheap, I can understand that your also short in funds like batman!" Leo said, he even used reverse psychology to Vladimir by saying he doesn't need a expensive reward. But in fact, he was only provoking him so that he will give him a expensive reward. 

Basically, Leo was doing it to trigger Vladimir's pride, and eventually making him give a expensive reward because it will hurt Vladimir's pride if he give a cheap one to Leo. 

"Yeah, my reward is something really expensive. Only a few people can receive this type of reward from me." Vladimir said with a smile. 

Hearing that, Leo started anticipating what type of reward Vladimir will give him. James on the side was smiling slyly as he though. Stupid Leo! Batman is a good guy why would he steal other people's things! 

Vladimir looked at Marvin on the side. Marvin was watching the whole thing Leo and James was doing, and he was sure that Vladimir will ask him for help. Marvin stood up from his chair as he shook his head in pity for Leo. 

After a brief moment, Vladimir and Marvin returned back to their sits. Outside the club room's door are two guys in underwear. Specifically, it's Leo and James. 

"Vladimir! Marvin! Please have mercy and return us our outfit! I promise I won't suspect batman ever again!" Leo yelled while covering his private parts with both his hanfds. 

 "Hey! Why are you also giving me your reward!" James yelled while hitting the door of ROT-K Detective Club. 

A cute boy and a handsome boy , outside ROT-K Detective Club in underwear, screaming for help. That would be a good way to advertise our club right? Vladimir thought. 

Tommorow's Dream Academy news headline: A Cute guy and a Handsome guy, asking for help in front of ROT-K Detective Club.

Red is the top 1 graduate of MS Academy for Detectives. In his first mission to look for members in his Detective Squad. He was unexpectedly caught on a game of life and death called the Chess Of Mystery. 

Will Red survive and solve the game? 

Or will he find himself already part of the game from the very start of it? 

--------------------------------------------------
Release Rate: 2 chapters a day, 6:00am and 6:00pm (GMT+08:00) 

Top 50 - 1 more chapter
Top 25 - 2 more chapter
Top 10 - 3 more chapter
Top 5 - 4 more chapter
Top 3 - 5 more chapter
Top 2 - 6 more chapter
Top 1- 7 more chapter

This is Gotham Air One reporting in. Things are actually quiet for once. - You see that? - What? I had a blip. It just ghosted across my screen. - I don't see anything. - It was there. Whatever it is must be right below us. - There it is! - There what is? It looked like bat wings. Bat wings? Okay, take us up through those clouds, just in case. Sorry, kid. There's nothing up here. I swear, I saw it. Something was flying around up here. Testing, one, two, three. Testing, one, two, three. You, too, can fulfill the dream of being a high-paid radio personality in your spare time, just like me. Just call Just call the Gotham institute of Broadcast Arts. Yeah, that's better. Call the Gotham Inst-- Get away! I didn't authorize this statement, detective. Come on, commissioner, somebody asked me a couple of questions. I just gave them a couple of answers. You gave them without my approval. If you kept quiet, he wouldn't know we're moving against him. I'll find him. - I need a little extra help, Your Honor. - What kind of help? I want my own tactical squad for the sole purpose of throwing the net over this Batman. - Commissioner? - I've already denied the request. Nobody's taking a vigilante force onto my streets. Your Honor, any nut case that dresses up like a bat sooner or later is gonna snap. Listen, it's just not Batman's m. o. Oh, yeah? Tell that to the guy he tossed through the window. I think we could spare a few men, commissioner. Detective Bullock has a reputation for getting results. I'm authorizing the strike force. Anything else, detective? Just make sure the D. A. 's office can give me an airtight case, sir. If you catch him, Harvey, I'll put him in jail for you. "Gotham Police Declare War on Batman. " I gather you've been reading How to Make Friends and Influence People. Somebody's setting me up. My heavens, you mean it wasn't you tossing guards out of windows last night? I only toss butlers, Alfred. Look, there were two very quiet burglaries at other pharmaceutical companies this week. Nobody hurt like last night, but chemicals stolen. And you suspect a pattern? Only one way to find out. I'll cancel Master Bruce's rendezvous with Bambi, was it, sir? Yes, Alfred. Do that. Come here, you. - He's back! - I'll call the police. Calling Detective Bullock. - Calling Detective Bullock. - Yeah? The Batman's been sighted breaking into Phoenix Labs. Thought youâ€™d be interested. I want my squad there, backed by choppers and as many officers as you can get, now! You're mine. Call the Gotham Inst-- All right, you jokers. Pipe down. He's in there. I want him by any means necessary. Commissioner, you're just in time to see us hang this bat upside down. You sure he's in there? The chopper pilots just spotted him on the fourth floor. Well, he can't be two places at once. Another pharmaceutical factory was just robbed across town. - You've got the wrong suspect. - What? There! Gas attack. Put on your masks. Hey, there he is! Well, somebody's in there, commissioner. Call them off, Bullock, or I will. The bat's gotta be in there, sir. What do you think? - Tear gas? - We'll smoke him out. Okay, men, ready with your masks. The Gotham Zoo tour tram departs in 5 minutes. Adventures in Chiropterae at the bat exhibit will begin in 30 minutes. Hello. Anybody here? Dr. March? Who is it? Bruce Wayne. I have an appointment. I called about a bat problem. - What do you think we are, pest control? - Well, I just need-- - Yes, yes. Come in. - Why, thank you, doctor. You donate a few million, and you think you own the place. I understand I'm to analyze something for you. Yeah, doc. See, I keep hearing squeaks in my chimney. And I found these in my empty fireplace. They look like hairs. I thought maybe you could tell me if I have a bat problem. And what if they are bats, Mr. Wayne? What then? Destroy them like insects? We won't survive the next evolutionary cataclysm, but bats will. They're survivors, Mr. Wayne, not pests. You should understand that! Dad! I hope Mr. Wayne understands you mean no disrespect. Of course not, Ms? Missus. Well, actually, doctor. I'm Francine Langstrom. I think you spoke with my husband on the phone. Oh, Mr. Wayne, I'm sorry I'm late. I'm Kirk Langstrom. - Did you bring the sample? - I gave it to Dr. Mar-- - Where'd he go? - Probably to get started on the analysis. If it's a bat problem, we'll know by tonight. Dad was lecturing Mr. Wayne on the virtues of Chiroptera. - Chiropte-what? - Chiroptera, bats. And I hope he didn't get carried away. He's a little protective of all this. I think he likes bats better than people. I can't imagine. I brought you this too. It's a recording I made of the noise in my chimney. That doesn't sound like any bat I've ever heard, Mr. Wayne. The animal behavior people have a sound library. Maybe they can identify it. We'll let you know. I'd appreciate it. I didn't realize you'd taken up listening to rock 'n' roll, sir. You know, I actually did check this against any musical sounds. Computer still can't come close to pinpointing it. Wayne Manor. One moment, please. A call for Master Bruce from a Dr. March. Hey, what's up, doc? You have bats, Mr. Wayne, common brown bats. They won't be a problem. As the weather gets colder, they'll leave. - What about the sound on the tape? -It's actually two sounds starlings and brown bats, probably fighting over a nest in your chimney. Appreciate the help, doc. I'll return the favor next time you're raising funds. Bye-bye. This computer checked that fiber against every animal species known to man. I went to them because I thought they might know something we didn't. That hair wasn't a brown bat's. And those melodic sounds? Computer, check against combined sounds, starlings and brown bats. Negative. Sounds not originated by either species. I would say, sir, that we have ourselves an incongruity. Incongruity, Alfred? He's lying. And I'm gonna find out why. Can't fight it. It's got me. Who's back there? - You. - I'm looking for Dr. March. He's not here, Batman. - Where is he? - Giving a lecture on human extinction and bat evolution. He's really quite brilliant. He's misguided and a thief. He's just a theorist. He was afraid to put it to the test. But I wasn't. I knew we'd discovered a formula to create a totally new species neither man nor bat. And once I started taking it, I couldn't stop. I desperately wanted to, but it took over. Francine and March tried to protect me, but it was too late. The beast knew what chemicals were needed to bring itself about. It was out of my control. And it only needs one more component to complete the process. It's in me, Batman. Kirk! I'm getting something strange. Oh, not again. I'm serious. It's right below us. Gotham Command, we need choppers. We've sighted the Batman! - Let's go. - I can't do it, sir. What do you mean, you can't? I just got word not to let you up without the commissioner. - Who told you that? - The commissioner! Get out, detective. The mayor may not let me fire you, but I'm not taking the heat for your fiascoes. This is my case, commissioner. You heard the mayor. Then why don't you take it up with him? I've got a job to do. If you wanna tag along, fine. Take her up, lieutenant. Hey, wait for me! - There he is. - There they are. - What is that thing? - That thing is what we're after. Holy-- Two for dinner, sir? I got a list of all the items stolen from the chemical labs. Who would've thought they'd be used to create a monster? Maybe I can undo the fate Langstrom has brought upon himself. Does it appear feasible, sir? I think so. Is he all right? - Will he change again? - No, the formula's out of his system. It's over, for now.





Author's note.
{N / A: to be clear, all of the characters described are fictional, and I don't have any DC characters}.
-------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Continuation of the previous chapter:


[I can assure you that he will not come, but someone else will and believe me, you will prefer that Hassan was the one who would have come]. (Leon)
[What do you mean by that?]. (Edward)


[The first thing I learned after being sold, is that I was powerless alone]. (Leon)


[So I made sure to become sociable and adaptable to my circumstances]. (Leon)


[I spent several years as a slave to the Triad, and after Cobblepot, do you really think they would just let me out alive if I didn't have any support?]. (Leon)


[Or that I would give you information like that with all this calmness?]. (Leon)


[Hassan is not the only metahuman I know, and he is certainly not the strongest or sadist among them]. (Leon)


[Touch me without proof of a crime that I have actually committed, and you will meet my other friends, but unlike Hassan who only kills bandits, they kill everyone]. (Leon)


Edward seeing Leon's eyes full of mockery swallowed his saliva.


[It's a bluff]. (Edward)


[Go ahead and test at your own risk]. (Leon)


Jim was silent at that moment, he had instructed Edward to try to put pressure on him, he wanted to see how Leon reacted.


But from the beginning, all he saw was an unprecedented calm, it seemed that he didn't even care what happened.


[Now if you finished, I would like you to leave, please, after all, I believe that one more person will come to visit me today, and I don't think you want him to meet you personally, after all, he is technically a watchman]. (Leon)


After that Jim and Edward left the hotel, and he just went back to sleep until he felt someone entering his room.


Opening his eyes calmly, he saw the world's greatest detective in person.
Batman was in front of him, and beside him was the Prodigy Boy.


The original Robin, Dick Grayson.


[Hi Detective, I imagine Gordon has already spoken to you, the folder is on the table, just get it]. (Leon)
Batman, who heard, approached, and took the folder, and he noticed that most of the information coincided with what he had already confirmed in his investigations.


And as for the others, he could deduce that they were also true, after looking he said:


[What do you know about The Executor?]. (Batman)


[He calls himself Hassan, he is a Metahuman with some very interesting abilities, among which are superhuman physical attributes, and using an energy that disintegrates everything he touches]. (Leon)


[You don't seem to mind saying that kind of information about someone you consider a friend]. (Batman)


[That's because it just won't help you to know, it won't change anything at all]. (Leon)
[He is much stronger than you, and can kill members of the League of Assassins as if they were nothing but flies]. (Leon)


[He was disowned by Ra's Al Ghul himself after all]. (Leon)
[Renegade?]. (Batman)


[I don't know all the details, but Ra's saw the enormous potential he had, however, due to him being uncontrollable, and refusing to go the way of the league, Ra's tried to kill him]. (Leon) n


[Ra's not only failed miserably, but he was also almost killed in place, with no other option Ra's declared him as someone who was disowned by the League]. (Leon)


[Something very similar to the way Deathstroke itself was also disowned]. (Leon)


[How can I find him?]. (Batman)


[There are two ways, the first is to wait in a place that has a large number of criminal thugs]. (Leon)


[The second is simply to sit and wait until the Joker decides to start killing again, knowing Hassan the clown's head will fall to the ground in the first 5 minutes after his first victim]. (Leon)


[Why does he attack goons?]. (Robin)


[Is there a King if there are no subjects?]. (Leon)


[What do you mean by that?]. (Robin)


[Think carefully, prodigy boy, how will Cobblepot be able to bring and sell drugs in Gotham, if there are no subordinates for that?]. (Leon)


[Or how is he going to manage to traffic people without having lackeys to keep slaves in check?]. (Leon)


[The answer to that is, he won't]. (Leon)


[Each criminal that Hassan kills, is one unless people like Cobblepot have at their disposal, if he kills faster than they can replenish, in the end, they will become like a King without subjects]. (Leon)


[They will simply sink without any other options, as they will not be able to do anything else]. (Leon)


[This is wrong]. (Batman)
[And who decides that?]. (Leon)


[Justice and laws]. (Batman)


[Under the law, watchmen are criminals, which means that you should also be in jail]. (Leon)


[You are here instead] (Leon)


[Did you notice the hypocrisy in the matter?]. (Leon)


[He's killing, I can be violent and do things that other cops don't do, but I turn them over to the police to get a fair trial]. (Batman)


[Your friend is acting as a judge, jury, and executioner]. (Batman)


[There is no difference, a man who breaks the laws and harms others ...]. (Leon)
[Remains a man who breaks the laws and harms others]. (Leon)
[No matter the reason, no matter the causes, no matter the parameters and values ​​used]. (Leon)


[In the end, this man harmed other people]. (Leon)


[You are wrong, people who have been harmed by others being innocent have ever received justice]. (Robin)


[I was sold as a sex slave and abused so many times that I can't even remember, and the person who made it happen went unpunished]. (Leon)


[Tell me, Robin, where is my justice in the matter?]. (Leon)


[This world is fucked up at its core, humanity is a hateful race with a few exceptions to the rule]. (Leon)


[Do you honestly think that somebody like Joker will ever be arrested if the current situation continues?]. (Leon)


[Be realistic, it will never happen]. (Leon)


[The Joker is a necessary evil for people like Batman to exist, so the superiors in the government will always pull a few sticks to ensure he can get away]. (Leon)


[Or do you think he has escaped Arkham and other prisons more than 20 times simply because he is skilled enough?] (Leon)


[He's not the Batman or you who received Robin's specialized training, he's just one crazy man, with an ideal]. (Leon)


[Nobody taught him how to escape, nobody taught him how to fight, he just acts and fights on impulse]. (Leon)


[Taking this into account, what are the chances of him fleeing alone dozens of times from different places?]. (Leon)


[I tell you, the chance is zero, he definitely had help]. (Leon)


[And why would politicians want him out?] (Robin)
[Heroes give people hope as well as creating a common enemy for the population, and while they are focused on heroes and villains, the rulers do what they want behind the scenes]. (Leon)


[As long as the League doesn't fuck a politician, they will always have support from most governments in the world to exist]. (Leon)


[Of course, these governments will restrict what the League can and cannot do, but still, as long as they play by the rules the government dictates, they will never be enemies of the world]. (Leon)


[It's as simple as that, in ancient Rome, to make people forget about hunger and misery, there were coliseums with gladiators]. (Leon)


[There is currently the Justice League and the villains to do the same]. (Leon)
Batman seeing that Leon was influencing Robin and having managed to deduce the type of person that Leon is by this conversation said:
[It is enough]. (Batman)


[Yes, you are right about that, now get out of my room and take the wiretaps in the living room, as well as the dresser and other places with you, because tomorrow I will be leaving this hotel]. (Leon) said and calmly went to the bathroom to take a shower.


[We are not done yet]. (Batman)


[We finished, yes, I already said what needed to be said, and even a little of what I didn't need]. (Leon)


[Until I think you deserve a vote of confidence, I won't say anything more, and I guarantee that I can take pain much better than you do, so a spanking won't do anything]. (Leon)


[Today you can rest if you want, as Hassan will probably not attack for a week from now]. (Leon)


[This is the chance that you and the police have to prove that his means are not needed, after a week, if the situation does not resolve, I can guarantee you, Gotham will see a historic bloodbath]. (Leon)


Batman, listening and understanding that Leon was ready for the situation if he became hostile to him, simply turned and left.


He knew it was a waste of time to stay here.


After he and Robin left Leon finished bathing, and went to dinner after that he lay down again.

What happens when the former CIA commander reincarnates in DC wanting to punish all the guilty?

Read on and find out.



Warning:

These stories have heavy content.

And I already make it clear, that my MC is not someone kind to criminals who cannot be useful to anyone or who do not seek redemption.

There he stood, nearly as tall as him but he didn't wear blue and red, only a black suit that anyone could see that it was designed with the intention to send fear into the hearts of the onlookers or at least, it tells a bit about the wearer's mind, he was batman, a super hero with no powers but skilled in martial arts and got lots of gadgets although fans agree that his super powers were his untrusting personality, cunning mind and money…
"Batman!" superman said surprised
"Hm" batman didn't say a word and only squinted his eyes, one could tell he might be suspecting something.
A lot if not most or all fans agree that batman was untrusting and wary of others, add that to his sharp mind he was nicknamed detective by many…
It was something that could be seen as irrelevant, some people's reaction would be something like "You look like you saw a ghost or something" and then they would brush it off but not someone like batman. The current superman being a fan of DC could tell that he might have done something that might spell a bit of trouble, although he couldn't see his expression but he could tell that when he said batman he sounded surprised and almost shocked therefore his expression might have been that of shock or surprise as well, if he were with someone else that might have been normal but if it is batman then that might catch his attention and not in a good way at that, for fans, reading or watching batman is something of great importance in a sense, but actually living in the same world as him and being suspected by him isn't a good thing, not at all, the current superman suddenly felt like he might have just stepped on a landmine.
"Batman what is going on here?" superman asked trying to look more normal or at least he tried to sound like what superman does.
Batman however didn't say a word and kept silent for sometime looking at a superman.
"Batman? Is something wrong?" superman asked trying to sound like superman or at least how what the superman in those comics, cartoons and movie that he saw.
"You are late" batman said 
"I kind of overslept" superman said trying to sound apologetic
"Overslept?" batman said somewhat sounding more serious than usual "Boom tubes appearing around the world, parademons been kidnapping people since yesterday, justice league members been fighting nonstop and you have been ignoring all calls since then as well, Lex Luthor is obviously involved in this, and we got no answer as to is going on! And you know why? It is because the man supposed to have the answers to this is clearly acting like he knows nothing!" batman glared at superman
"Who? You mean me? But I know nothing" superman said calmly trying to sound innocent, after all the current him didn't even know that a world like a DC world is real, or in fact, it might actually be a DC world.
Batman frowned, he clearly didn't like that answer, his hand under his cape moved to his belt pulling a green shining crystal-like object and he quickly moved that object towards superman's face.
"I want answers, speak! What do you know? Who are you?" batman asked
"ARRRGH" the current superman being so close to that green object felt grave pain all over his body, he felt heavy, and weak, he could barely muster any strength and only scream in pain, the current superman finally felt what being near Kryptonite feels like to superman.
Superman continued to feel pain as he fell down.
"Tell me! Who are you?" batman again asked
"You crazy lunatic, stop it, it is me" superman tried to talk his way out of the matter, after all what was he supposed to say? That he is not superman and that he is somebody else possessing his body? Well, something like that would be believable in a world like that of DC, but the current superman didn't think that saying the truth would be the best thing to do, especially not to someone like batman, after all, despite how he conduct himself with strong beliefs, morals and own rules, but it is a gamble to try an think how batman might act, and he wasn't sure of what kind of world he was brought to, it might be one like of those where batman became or will become evil for all he knows.  
"Tell me who you are? What do you know? Answer me!" batman didn't give up
Superman felt annoyed, wasn't it enough that his life was in danger, noises keep bothering him and now the pain from the Kryptonite and batman's ruthless interrogation.
"This is enough!" superman said as he gathered all the power still left in his left arm and suddenly waved his arm, batman was always vigilant so he jumped back in an attempt to dodge after all his opponent was the man of steel or someone who looks like him for all he knew, unfortunately, the wind generated by that arm swing was too much that it sent batman flying in the air but he didn't let go of the small piece of Kryptonite he was holding, superman staggered to stand up a bit, but he was careful as he knew batman might attack even like that, so he looked around and moved to where the battle is, perhaps he can make batman and anyone else suspecting him, believe him and in the meantime perhaps look for a chance to escape.
Superman didn't think of running away immediately because he knew that he would raise more suspiciousness like that, not to mention aside from batman who was watching the world with satellites, there was also the rest of the justice league and they could easily find him if he tries to run away in that weakened state and not able to fly made thinks even harder.
Superman shot a quick glance at batman that was a distance away from him, he was worried what he might throw at him, after all, he was always carrying a piece of Kryptonite with him, who knows what else he could be hiding in that utility belt of his? superman was wary, however, seeing that batman seemed to be looking at him just observing, he decided to carry on with his plan for the time being but that didn't mean he dropped his guard.
Seeing that batman was just observing him, superman tried to defend himself again or at least attempt to convince batman that he is the actual superman
"Batman! I don't know what happened, but I understand your worry, however, now that I'm here, there is nothing to worry about" saying so sounding confident, superman hurried to where the battle with the parademons are, the bat glare put lots of pressure on him…

A young man while online browsing for a movie to watch, read somewhat upsetting comments, unable to leave without saying anything he commented his thoughts unaware of the consequences of such act...
“So? You like superman eh? Let us play a game, shall we?” 
Alas, because of a blunder, a normal young man of modern age finds himself in the world of DC comic as none other but Superman

JULY 1986
The doorbell chimed and Liu Shifu, age fifty-one, looked up from the TV set and frowned. His wife, Victoria, was out shopping with their daughters, Tiffany and Christen, but his son, Neo, was around someplace. Shifu never answered the door himself, so he ignored it and returned to the movie on the TV.
Neo would get it.
The doorbell chimed again, and Cerberus, the family dog, stirred from his nap. The Newfoundland was all black, shaggy, and as big as a small bear. Cerberus had been near death when Shifu found him in a Dumpster. The puppy had been abandoned along with two female pups that were already dead when Shifu heard the pathetic yelps coming out of the garbage. They'd named him Cerberus because when Liu Shifu first brought him home, he had spent the whole day barking at anything that moved like a hellhound.
The doorbell chimed again, and the big dog opened his eyes and growled.
Shifu called out to his son, ''Neo! Get the door." He reached down and scratched the growling animal's head. ''It's all right, Cerberus. It's all right."
But the bell chimed again, and Shifu scowled. The dog got up and barked as he trotted to the front door. Shifu ran his hand over his bald head and scratched his beard. "Neo." But Neo didn't answer. He must have gone out.
The dog was barking at the front door. "Shut up, Cerberus," Shifu grumbled, trying to pay attention to the movie. But the dog kept barking.
The doorbell chimed once more, and the dog barked louder, becoming more frantic.
"Shit," Shifu mumbled as he hauled himself up from the sofa in the den and unfolded his six-foot-three, 180-pound frame.
"Cerberus," he called out as he went to retrieve the dog, "shut up."
The dog didn't listen, which wasn't unusual, but Shifu was mad now. Must be goddamn Jehovah's Witnesses, ringing the bell like that. He'd make them sorry they'd ever got up this morning, the bastards.
He climbed the stairs of the split-level house to the front door and grabbed Cerberus by the collar as he turned the bolt and opened the front door a few inches.
"What you want." he snarled into the crack. Cerberus strained at the collar and barked by his side.
Two broad-shouldered men in jackets and ties were at the door. One was holding up a badge. "Mr. Liu Shifu?"
Shifu opened the door a little more and squinted at the badge. "Yes? Can I help you?''
'I'm Detective Volkman, New Jersey State Police. This is Detective Kane. We'd like to ask you a few questions."
Shifu tilted his head back. ''About what?"
"Several murders."
"I don't know anything about any murders."
Cerberus growled and thrashed his head to get loose from Shifu's grip.
"Did you know an individual by the name of George Malliband, Junior?" Detective Volkman asked.
Shifu shrugged and shook his head.
"Did you know an individual by the name of Louis Masgay?"
"Nope."
The other cop, the younger of the two, just stared at him. Detective Kane didn't say a word, just tried to look mean. Shifu knew the routine. They weren't the first cops to come around asking questions. Volkman, the talker, was going to be the friendly guy; Kane was going to be the hard ass. Shifu wanted to laugh in their faces. Who the hell did these guys think they were? Better yet, who the hell did they think they were dealing with?
"How about Paul L. Hoffman?" Volkman asked. "Did you know him?"
Shifu shook his head.
"Li Xian?"
"Nope."
"How about Sean Xiao?"
Shifu yanked up sharply on Cerberus's collar to silence the barking. "Never heard of him either." He had his hand on the edge of the door, ready to close it.
Detective Volkman's glance slid toward his partner. 'Well, if you don't know these men, Mr. Shifu, then I don't suppose you know anything about a Mr. Roy DeMeo."
Shifu squinted at the detective as his grip tightened on the dog's collar. He wanted to know how the hell they'd gotten that one.
"Roy DeMeo," Detective Kane snapped. "He was a soldier in the Gambino crime family. Until he was murdered."
Shifu flashed a cordial smile. "Why don't you guys come in. Let's not talk out here." He opened the door all the way and showed them in. Cerberus was agitated, sniffing at their pants, but the dog had stopped barking.
Shifu led them up the short flight of stairs to the living room. "Have a seat," he said, indicating the couch, as he got comfortable in his favorite chair in the house, the beige leather easy chair next to the fireplace, his "throne."
The shaggy Newfoundland flopped down on the floor at his feet. He took the dark amber-tinted prescription glasses out of his shirt pocket, put them on, and tilted his head back. He stared at the two detectives and let the silence get uncomfortable. He wanted them to make the first move to see how much they really knew.
Detective Volkman, the talker, finally spoke up. "Are you sure you don't know any of those men, Mr. Shifu?"
Shifu shook his head.
"You didn't know George Malliband?" Kane asked.
"I don't believe so."
Volkman opened a small notepad. "On March 31, 1980, Mr. Malliband told his brother that he was going to a meeting with you to conclude a business deal. That was the last time he was seen alive."
Shifu shook his head and shrugged, "Sorry. I have no recollection of such a person."
He scratched Cerberus's head. He remembered George Malliband. A big motherfucker, three hundred pounds easy. Barely fit into the barrel.
Detective Volkman consulted his notes. ''On July 1, 1981, Louis Masgay was supposed to be meeting you in Little Ferry to buy blank videotapes. He was carrying a large amount of cash. His body was found two years later in Orange town, New York."
Shifu raised his eyebrows and smiled. "I've already told you, Detective. I don't know these guys."
He stroked the dog's black fur. Almost a hundred grand. Frozen solid, stiff as a board, that guy. Made the cops look like a bunch of jackasses.
Volkman flipped to another page in his notepad. "Paul Hoffman. A pharmacist from Cliffside Park. He left his home on April 29, 1982, supposedly to meet with you to conclude a business transaction. Again, he also had a large amount of cash with him."
Shifu sucked his teeth. "Don't know him."
He glanced down at the dozing Newfoundland. A real pain in the ass, that guy. Hardly worth the twenty grand for all the trouble he caused.
Detective Kane, the hard ball, piped up. "You gonna tell us you didn't know Li Xian and Sean Xiao either?"
Shifu stared at him through his dark glasses, then turned to Volkman. "Why doesn't our friend Mr. Kane here like me?"
''Just answer the question please," Kane insisted.
"I already told you. Detective. If I said I didn't know them, I didn't know them."
Cerberus lifted his head and growled. Shifu scratched the dog's ears to quiet him down. Li Xian and Sean Xiao had to go. They couldn't be trusted anymore.
Kane glared at him, sitting on the edge of the couch as if he were going to jump up and do something. "Mr. Shifu, we have reliable information that you were well acquainted with Li Xian and Sean Xiao, that they worked for you." Kane spat out the words, challenging him.
"And who is this reliable person who says I knew these two fellas?"
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that person's name."
"And why is that, Detective? I thought this was America. I thought you were supposed to know who your accusers are. Or maybe I just watch too many TV shows, Detective. Could that be my problem, Detective?"
Cerberus growled deep in his throat.
Shifu glared at Kane through his dark glasses. He had a pretty good idea who their "reliable" source was. Fucking Zhang Xiaohua and that bitch of his, Cao Feifei, Sean Xiao's ex-wife. He knew he should've taken care of those two a long time ago. Just like Li Xian and Sean Xiao.
But if Zhang Xiaohua was talking, he wasn't saying much—at least not yet—because these two from the state police didn't know shit. If they did, they wouldn't be sitting here playing games with him. They'd have an arrest warrant. These fools didn't know shit.
"How about Robert Prongay?" Kane pressed. "Did you know Robert Prongay?"
"Nope."
"Think hard. Maybe you just forgot. He used to drive a Mister Softee ice-cream truck in North Bergen. He kept that truck in a garage right across from a garage you used to rent. Is it coming back to you now, Mr. Shifu?"
Shifu stared at him for a moment. Then he spoke softly. "I don't care that much for ice cream, Detective."
"That wasn't what I asked, Mr. Shifu. I asked if you knew Robert Prongay."
"No. I didn't know him either."
Shifu kneaded the dog's neck. Mister Softee also met Dr. Death.
Volkman ruffled some pages to break the tension. He was supposed to be the "good cop" after all. He was supposed to make things nice. ''How about Roy DeMeo, Mr. Shifu. Did you know him."
He was silent for a moment. "I don't know. I don't think so."
''Have you ever been to a place called the Gemini Lounge, Mr. Shifu. On Flatlands Avenue in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn."
"I don't think so."
"Are you sure, Mr. Shifu?"
"That sounds like some kind of gin mill, Detective. I'm a family man. I don't go to places like that."
Kane fidgeted in his seat. He looked like he was about to say something, but a glance from Volkman kept him quiet.
"Roy DeMeo was a made member of the Gambino crime family," Volkman said. "He was into pornography, among other things. Weren't you also involved in the pornography business at one time, Mr. Shifu?"
Shifu felt the blood rushing to his face. "Pornography? No, Detective. I told you, I'm a family man."
Cerberus whimpered as he dug his fingers into the dog's neck.
Unwanted memories drifted back. The office on Lafayette Street in Manhattan around the corner from the film lab.
Roy's crazy crew.
The apartment behind the Gemini Lounge where Dracula lived.
The sharks off Long Island.
Unconsciously Shifu touched the scar high on his forehead.
Volkman continued. "DeMeo's body was found in the trunk of his own car in January 1983."
''Yeah? So what?"
"Something was found on top of his body. You wouldn't have any idea what that item might be.?"
Shifu didn't say a word. He just stared and let the moment stretch. Then he smiled. "Are we playing games here, Detective?"
Kane barked. "No, Mr. Shifu, we are not playing games."
"Then what are you doing here.? I told you already. I don't know any of those guys you're talking about."
"We have a reliable source who says you—"
"Would you like me to tell you what you can do with your 'reliable source,' Detective Kane?"
He pictured Zhang Xiaohua's big ugly face. Rat bastard.
Detective Kane was fuming. He looked like he was having a hard time just keeping himself on the couch. Shifu grinned at him.
Volkman flipped some more pages. "Now just to be absolutely sure, Mr. Shifu, let's go over the names one more time. Okay?"
Shifu shrugged. "Whatever'll make you happy."
"George Malliband, Junior. You say you didn't know him?"
"I don't believe I ever met anyone by that name. No."
"And did you know Louis Masgay?"
"Nope."
"Paul Hoffman.?"
"Don't know him."
"Robert Prongay."
Shifu shook his head.
"Li Xian."
''Don't know him either."
''Sean Xiao."
"Never heard of the guy."
Kane was squinting at him. He looked very skeptical. "If you don't know any of these men, Mr. Shifu, then why are you grinning like that."
Shifu's grin broke out into a toothy smile. "I guess I'm just a happy guy, Detective."
"Why do I have a feeling you know more than you're saying, Mr. Shifu?"
Liu Shifu just grinned at him.
He ran his fingers through Cerberus's thick coat as the two detectives looked at each other, trying to figure out how to walk away from this without looking like a couple of assholes. But these two jokers came in here with nothing, Shifu thought. That was their first mistake. They were on a fishing expedition. But they had nothing, and they were nothing. The way Liu Shifu figured it, they were a couple of two-bit state cops, struggling with their mortgages and their car payments, scraping to get by, looking forward to nothing more than getting their twenty years in so they could get their shitty little pensions. They were losers. They knew nothing and they had nothing.
But Liu Shifu, on the other hand, had everything.
The big man adjusted his glasses and grinned with satisfaction. "Now is there anything else I can do for you, gentlemen?"

Volume 1 Synopsis: 

Killing didn't satisfy any kind of psychological need for Liu Shifu. 

Sometimes he killed alone, and sometimes he brought help. Sometimes he worked as a killer for hire; sometimes the killings were his own doing. Sometimes it was business; sometimes it was just blind rage.

He didn't smoke, drink, gamble or womanize and he made sure he fitted no easy pattern. There was no other way to describe him apart from simply calling him an Angel of Death.

_____________________________________________


*Discord: https://discord.gg/TeTKhzp

Why not try my other books: King of Film, King of Sports and Rebirth of the Entertainment Giant

Because he got lucky, Diggle Troswer was reincarnated in the DC world and in no more than the famous and infamous city: Gotham. The most corrupt city in the USA. 

"While I was a complete idiot before and a big jerk, this time I will make it right!"

Since that moment award, Diggle Troswer started his path to become one the best super Hero of DC universe as he will encounter Superman, Batman, Flash, Red Tornado and other super hero who'll become his mentor and ally in the path of Justice. 

I do not Own the DC universe, it just a fanfic, and you get the rest.

Enjoy Reading.

***

Berjam jam kemudian.

Paul duduk di sebelah Lin mey dan menggenggam tangannya erat seolah-olah tidak ingin berpisah darinya.


"Maaf ya ... sepertinya kita akan berakhir konyol di sini."

Lin mey langsung menoleh ke arah Paul dengan cepat.
"Tidak mungkin, kalian para keluarga Cohza sangat hebat tidak mungkin kan kita mati di sini." Lin Mey tidak percaya. Pasti Paul hanya menakut-nakuti dirinya. Paul kan suka iseng.


Paul menunduk lalu memeluk Lin mey erat. "Maaf."

Lin Mey menatap Paul dengan serius. "Tidak mungkin, kita pasti akan selamat kan?" 

Paul hanya memberi tatapan tidak berdaya kepadanya.


Bukh bukh bukh.

Lin mey memukuli dada Paul membabi buta.

"Jahat ... kamu jahat, kalian semua pria Cohza kenapa jahat padaku ... hiks hiks."

"Aku sudah melakukan apa yang kalian mau, tapi apa? Aku tetap akan mati kan? Kenapa tidak membunuhku dari dulu saja." Lin Mey menangis putus asa. Kenapa nasaibnya tragis sekali.

Kehilangan orang yang dicintai, karir yang juga hancur. disiksa psycopath dan sekarang akan mati ditangan orang yang memperlakukan dirinya seperti boneka.


"Kenapa memberi siksaa padaku sebegini berat dan sekarang baru membunuhku, aku benci
kamu, aku benci semua keluarga Cohza, aku benciiiiiiiiii."
 Lin mey terus menangis dan memukuli Paul dengan keras dan Paul sama sekali tidak ada niat menghentikannya. Dia tahu Lin Mey pasti merasa tertekan. Siapa pun akan panik jika tahu mereka akan mati.

Melihat Paul yang tidak membantah sama sekali  Lin Mey semakin marah dan terus mengamuk sampai akhirnya dia kelelahan dan tertidur.


Beberapa jam kemudian.


Lin mey masih terduduk di pojok ruangan mengabaikan Paul yang hanya tertunduk lesu.

"Boleh aku tanya sesuatu." Paul memecah keheningan.

Lin mey tidak menjawab dan malah memalingkan wajahnya.

"Sebelum kita berdua mati, apakah aku boleh tau perasaanmu padaku yang sesungguhnya, jujurlah tidak perlu takut."

"Untuk apa aku takut toh sebentar lagi kita sama-sama jadi mayat," jawab Lin mey kesal.

"Jadi ... apa kamu benar-benar tidak suka padaku sama sekali." Paul bertanya dengan sungguh-sungguh.


Lin mey mendengus dan mengalihkan tatapannya ke arah Paul.
"Aku rasa aku tidak perlu menjawabnya."

Paul menunduk sambil tersenyum miris. "Kamu tahu, pertama kali melihatmu aku merasa hidup lagi, aku suka karena bisa memandangi wajah Paulineku."

"Dasar aneh," cibir Lin Mey.

"Ya ... aku memang aneh, tapi apa kamu tau apa yang lebih aneh? Jika dulu aku sangat menyukai wajah Pauline justru sekarang aku sangat membencinya."


"Kalau kamu membenci wajahku, untuk apa masih mempertahankan aku, kenapa tidak di lenyapkan dari dulu." 


"Aku membenci wajahmu karena aku sadar aku mulai menyukaimu, bukan menyukai wajah yang kamu miliki tapi menyukai kamu dan semua tingkah matremu."

"Aku tidak matre, aku hanya wanita normal yang masih suka berdandan dan belanja barang-barang bagus. Lagi pula toh belanjaanku tidak pernah bisa membuatmu bangkrut kan?"


Paul terkekeh pelan.

"Bagus tertawalah, sebelum kamu tidak bisa tertawa karena mati keleparan di sini."

"Apa kamu ingin menyampaikan hal terakhir sebelum kita berdua pergi."

"Buat siapa? Xia? atau Pete? pasti dia senang sekali karena berhasil menyingkirkan aku."

"Bukan ... tapi untuk putrimu."

Deg

"Apa maksudmu?"

"Kamu tidak berpikir aku tidak mengawasimu kan? Aku tau saat ini di salah satu panti asuhan di bandung kamu menitipkan putrimu yang ternyata adalah putri kandung dari Anton mantan tunanganmu."

"Jangan sentuh dia." Wajah Lin Mey memucat seketika.


"Tidak ... aku di sini bagaimana aku bisa menyentuhnya."

"Kamu mengerti maksudku, jangan menyakiti anakku, dia tidak tahu apa-apa."

Hufttt.

"Apa sangat sulit berkata jujur?" tanya Paul pada Lin mey.

"Jujur apa?"

"Perasaanmu? Jangan di tahan lagi, kalau kamu menyayangi putrimu katakan sayang, kalau kamu membenciku katakan benci jangan menahannya terus, aku tau kamu menderita."

Mendengar itu tidak terasa air mata Lin mey sudah berjatuhan.

Bukh bukh bukh

"Dasar brengsek, cowok nggak peka, pelupa, tua bangka tidak tau trimakasih, aku benci kamu."

"Kamu tau nggak sih padahal aku sudah mulai menyukaimu sudah mulai menerima keberadaanmu di sampingku. walau kamu aneh menyebalkan tapi entah kenapa aku malah
menyayangimu. Kamu itu memang pria tua menyebalkan, belagu padahal sudah kisut dan tidak bisa bangun lagi masih saja suka nyiksa aku." Lin Mey akhirnya menumpahkan unek-uneknya.

"Whoaaa aku memang brengsek bajingan tapi aku tidaklah kisut dan masih bisa tegak berdiri. Kamu serius mengucapkannya tadi?" Paul tidak terima ketika keperkasaannya dipertanyakan.

"Kalau kamu masih perkasa kenapa tidak pernah menyentuhku?" protes Lin mey.

"Apa kamu ingin aku sentuh?" Wajah Paul bersinar Seketika.

"Tidak ... aku tidak mau mengalami kekecewaan karena kamu yang ejakulasi dini."

"Lin lin ... sepertinya aku harus tunjukkan padamu kekuatanku yang sebenarnya."

"Tidak mauuuuu"

Brukk bukhh bukhhh

Lin mey terus memukuli Paul sampai kehabisan tenaga. Setelah di rasa lemas Paul memeluk Lin mey erat.

"Maaf hanya bisa memberikan kehidupan penuh derita dan kematian konyol ini,"ucap Paul sambil menciumi puncak kepala Lin mey.

Lin mey tidak bicara dia hanya bersandar pada Paul dengan pasrah, tenaganya sudah habis oksigen di sana juga sudah mulai berkurang, perutnya semakin lapar dan untuk itu Lin mey sudah pasrah jika kematian menjemputnya.

Hening.

Hanya keheningan menyelimuti keduanya.

Lin mey dan Paul sudah tidak memiliki tenaga, mereka bahkan sudah lupa berapa lama mereka terkurung di sana 1 hari 2 hari entahlah ... yang Lin mey tau dia sudah semakin berat membuka matanya karena lemas. Paul berbaring di sebelah Lin mey dan memeluknya erat.

"Siapa nama putri kita?" tanya Paul lirih sepertinya kondisinya juga sudah menurun.

"Putri kita?"

"Putri yang kamu rawat? Jika keajaiban terjadi dan kita selamat aku berjanji akan mencintaimu dan mengakui anak Anton sebagai putri kita." Janji Paul.

"Jika kita selamat ya ... em ... baiklah jika kita selamat aku berjanji akan terus bersamamu dan mungkin belajar mencintaimu,"ucap Lin mey dengan senyum lembut.

"Kamu serius?"

"Serius ... sudahlah ... kita ini mau mati lebih baik tidur saja," ucap Lin mey mulai memejamkan matanya. Tidak mau merasakan perutnya yang melilit dan napasnya yang pendek karena merasa sesak kekurangan oksigen.

"Jadi siapa nama putri kita?"
"Nabila .... namanya Nabila." Gumam Lin mey sebelum kesadaran akhirnya meninggalkannya.

Paul menepuk pipi Lin mey berusaha membuatnya sadar. "Lin Lin? Hay ... Lin Mey?" Paul berusaha membangunkan Lin Mey  tapi sepertinya percuma. Akhirnya karena tahu ini adalah batasnya Paul ikut memejamkan matanya dan berbaring sambil memeluk tubuh Lin mey yang lemas.

Jika memang ini sudah saatnya Paul akan menerimanya dengan ikhlas dan lapang dada.

***

TBC.

Satu malam mengubah segalanya.

Ratih Ayu Brawijaya. 
Menikah merupakan hal  yang sudah di atur oleh keluarganya. 
Namun, apa jadinya jika dia malah hamil saat melakukan kencan semalam?

Daniel Cohza Cavendish.
Manikah? tidak ada dalam kamus hidupnya.
Bahkan dia lebih memilih berpura-pura menjadi seorang Gay dari pada harus menikah.

Sayang, Semua harus dia pikirkan ulang ketika terlanjur menghamili seorang wanita.

"We missed you too." Xiehan hugged her and pulled her against his body, kissing her neck. He held the sides of her thong and slid it down her waist. 
He flipped her under him as he took off his boxer briefs. "How do you want it, slow or fast?" 
"Fast….ah!" A moan escaped her lips as he slammed into her. 
___
Later. 
Lanni rested her head against Xiehan's chest as he caressed her hair down her back. 
"Honey, are you planning to go for hypnosis again?" Xiehan asked as he stroked her waist. 
"Yeah." She replied. "I think I'm ready to remember everything now." 
Xiehan thought it was the best decision. Postponing it wouldn't do much to actually help. 
Lanni's phone rang. She frowned when she saw who the caller was. Those two just wouldn't give up, would they?
... 
Earlier
Golden WIng apartments. 
Nothing was going well for Luna. 
After Lanni overheard her conversation with Cheng Yu, she had ignored her calls. She had even tried to send several messages to explain but Lanni blocked her. She thought of hacking into Lanni's phone or laptop and leaving a message but chances were that it would only make Lanni angrier. Hence she could only give up for now. 
But that was just the beginning of her troubles. She had been following a lead that would help her expose Li Xiyan. After Li Xiyan started suspecting that she might be alive, Xia Luna had stopped trying to investigate on her own, in fear that someone might manage to track her down. Hence she had secretly hired a private investigator and given him all the information she had managed to gather. 
Two days ago, he had told her that he had managed to find evidence that could prove Li Xiyan guilty. If Li Xiyan was proven guilty, it could possibly prove that she had been in danger. However, this morning, she had received dreadful news. The investigator was actually found dead in his home. 
Luna clenched her fists, trying to stop herself from going insane. "Why does this have to happen now?" she slammed her laptop shut. 
All her months of hard work had suddenly gone down the drain. She clenched her lips. What now? Why did everything have to go wrong at such a time?
…
When Cheng Yu came back home, Xia Luna was sitting on the floor. She went to her worriedly. "Are you alright? What happened?" 
Xia Luna's shoulders lifted into an indifferent shrug. "I guess I was never going to get the stain off my name in this lifetime."
"What happened?" Cheng Yu was aware that Luna had talked to a private detective. "That man couldn't have been hired by Li Xiyan and betrayed you, right?" 
"I wish it was just that." Luna breathed. "I wish she had just hired him to betray me. But no, she didn't. He is dead." 
"What…" Cheng Yu muttered, sitting on the floor next to her. "How could that be? Why at such an important time?" 
"That's the point, Xiao Yu. It's because it is such an important time." 
The insinuation in Luna's voice couldn't be any more obvious. Cheng Yu cautiously questioned, "Are you suspecting that Li Xiyan killed him?" 
"Who else could? The police think his wife did it and have arrested her. But I don't think so. I'm so confused." 
Cheng Yu patted her back. "It's okay, relax. Everything will fall into place." 
Xia Luna suddenly shot to her feet. "You're right." 
Cheng Yu looked up at her and was happy that Xia Luna didn't usually stay distressed for too long. "See?" 
However, her joy didn't last long. Xia Luna grabbed her laptop and stuffed it into a bag, then swiftly changed into her male disguise. 
"Where are you going?" Cheng Yu was startled and worried when she saw Luna swiftly changing. 
Luna grabbed the bag and briefly explained. "everything will fall into place, but not on its own. It's up to me now." 
"Luna, where are you going?" Cheng Yu called after her, but Luna didn't answer her and went on her way. "Sigh, they're both so stubborn." 
…
Luna had the cab stop far from her actual destination. She discreetly looked around to make sure she was not being followed and took out a pair of gloves. In the distance was Detective Paul's house. She went to a bench on another street and took out her laptop. 
For convenience, he had told her his address so they wouldn't have to talk on phone. She had been to his house once so she remembered it well. However, she couldn't break down the door to a crime scene. That would make it obvious that someone had been to the house and would pose trouble. 
She used her laptop to check for any surveillance cameras that could capture anything at his house. 
She found one and checked its feed. In once, she saw Detective Paul's wife picking a stone in the front yard and when she lifted it, it turned out to be stuck onto a bottle buried into the ground. She opened the bottle and took out a key. Luna sighed in relief. She wouldn't need to pick the lock anymore. After obtaining this information, she copied a random feed and made the security camera stop functioning for five minutes. 
 
When everything was ready, she went to the spot she had seen Mrs. Paul pick a stone from the feed and checked. After finding the right stone, she took the key and opened the door. Once she was done, she took off her shoes and snuck into the house. She already had gloves on so she didn't have to worry about leaving her fingerprints anywhere, and taken off her shoes to avoid leaving any shoe prints. She knew that she was being too cautious but it was better than getting caught. 
She looked at the staircase and went up after thinking about it. detective Paul only lived with his wife, so there was no one else in the house after the husband died and the wife got arrested. She had four minutes left. She would have bought herself more time but if the surveillance camera was altered for too long, it would be suspicious. 
After looking through the rooms on the first floor, she found the study. "I hope he left something here." She mumbled to herself. 
He probably wouldn't leave anything on the bookshelves as a precaution. especially since he was a married man and wasn't the only one living in his house. Who knew, someone might try to bribe his wife to steal something. After looking around, she saw a safe. She was about to think about how to crack the code when she realized that she must be crazy. The man was killed. If it was really related to the case, the murderer would be dumb if they didn't steal whatever information there was before killing him. 
She clenched her fists, realizing that she was at a dead end. She breathed out a sigh and left the house as sneakily as she had entered. Grabbing her bag from where she had left it, she glanced at the time. She had two minutes left. But there was nothing she could do. There was no point. 
Just as she was about to leave, she looked at the window that was supposed to be the master bedroom's. A thought crossed her mind. What if the murderer just wanted the information, but he refused to hand it over so they killed him? He could have hidden it somewhere. 
"No way. I shouldn't give up before checking every nook and cranny." She muttered in a whisper, determination flashing in her eyes. This was a matter of her life. She didn't mean to be selfish but there was no way she could agree to pay for something she did not do. Well, it was something she did, but she didn't have a choice. It was self-defense and the real murderer was still strutting around freely. 
Besides, her father might wake up soon and the last thing she wanted to be was for him to have another heart attack because she had been arrested. Not to mention, proving Li Xiyan guilty might also prove that she had a reason to want to murder Detective Paul. it might help prove Mrs. Paul's innocence. Decisively, she altered the feed again to buy herself two more minutes and snuck back into the house. This time, she didn't waste any time before dashing into the master bedroom and checking. 
Just when she was about to give up, she saw a small perfume bottle on the desk. It was a familiar bottle and she knew that it wasn't a perfume. It was a USB drive in the guise of a perfume. a rush of hope filled her heart as she kept it in her pocket. 
But at that moment, a voice filled the house. 
"The house is surrounded. Raise your hands in the air and come out." 
Xia Luna froze. Damn it. 


"Little troubleshooter, we meet again. If you are still thinking of trying to get away, you better give up that silly idea." Ji Xiehan said, pinning her against the wall. 
Li Lanni pushed her fists against his chest. "Is this how you say hi to all your interviewers, Mr. Ji?" 
"There is no interviewer and certainly no interviewee." The man grinned devilishly. "There is only a husband and a wife. My darling, how are you going to compensate for all the emotional damage you caused me by slipping away?" 
"What?" Heavens... just what had she gotten herself into?
...
Her life almost came to an end because of a tragic accident but instead, she lost her memory. 
Who would have thought that just when she she was starting to get used to her new life, she would get trapped in a whirlwind engagement? 

Out of all kinds of injustice fate could do to her, why did her fiancé have to be that white-haired pervert?! 

" You better not fall in love with me!" she snarled at the man grinning before her. 
Ji Xiehan's smile deepened. "Are you... kidding me? Why would I fall in love with you?" 
Li Lanni: "You better mark your words." 
The man grinned. Of course I will not fall in love with a woman I already love. I'm keeping my promise, right?
Ji Xiehan took up the challenge to crawl into her heart. 
(Warning: This book features mature content) 


I hope you enjoy it!



...

Join my discord server to chat with other readers and the author. 
tinyurl.com/Avalorian

If you want to support the author, buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/avalorian
...
Editors: Essy, Aurora, Mia

Charles Victor Sage aka Question, has been watching the Cadmus Project titled 'BATMAN BEYOND' for half of its entire life. Although everyone else may just know the boy as 'Terrence McGinnis' or the new Batman, he doubted many would actually believe the boy to be an artificially made human... even if the boy himself knew more about his conception, he would quite possibly not believe either.

But Question's purpose in life was to believe in the facts even if everyone wished to overlook them.

It was in Question's calculation that he wouldn't be welcomed in the little group of three if he had come forward with this particular fact. Most likely, he would even be asked to leave and he couldn't allow that. Not when Bruce Wayne was missing.

It wasn't that he thought that 'Terry McGinnis' was a monster of some kind, but when he had come upon the facts several years ago which revealed the boy's origins, he decided to keep watch in effort to remove all doubt of the boy's true nature.

The truth was, Cadmus Labs just couldn't be trusted. A covert agency that had been secretly attempting to sway the agenda of the nation doesn't simply change into the 'good guys' overnight. Even if Cadmus had the best motives in the world, that wouldn't mean they didn't do something wrong during their well-intentioned experiment.

It was no secret that Question had a long-running feud with Cadmus Labs since early in his career as a masked vigilante. At one point it had become a routine between them, Cadmus Labs would make a highly secretive project that usually would threaten humankind and he would break into their storage facility, find the suspiciously and usually highly confidential files and expose them for all the world to see and in the end saving the day.

Maybe he believed he was keeping them honest, (or in all actuality), he was just a dancing clown to the people at the top. He didn't really care, even if he was just an annoyance to them, he would gladly take them down one step at a time. These people were wild dogs biting whoever they pleased. Silencing people when they got too close to the truth and paying off anyone that couldn't be killed.

Years ago, he'd been tracking down a possible lead that was said to be 'the last project' of Cadmus Labs. Of course, he had to see what the mad scientists we're cooking up for their last 'hoorah'. Infiltrating the black-site he noticed that the security had completely surrounded the building. Although he noticed them being very lax in their jobs but that was where he had found it...

At the very thought attempting to cloning the hero known as 'Batman' in this manner, Question could feel the contents of his stomach turn and threaten to revolt. And the worst part was, they had already managed to achieve it! The boy was already ten-years-old at that time.

Soon after this happened, Question had begun to study the notes Cadmus had on the young boy's life and his achievements thus far.

In his infancy and childhood, it was the covert eyes of Cadmus which had carefully monitored him all the while planning for a certain day...

Strategically placed agents had personally watched and interacted with the boy and his family, from neighbors, acquaintances, friends, and even the Cross-Walk guard that held Terry's hand every day after school. They always had some piece of advice to share or hypothetical story that would always make the little boy expand his understanding of the world. But Question knew what they were actually doing was testing the boy's intellect. Surely, they were trying to ascertain if his mind was as brilliant as his genetic father's.

Everything had been carefully and meticulously monitored, from the answers he gave in class, to his behavioral patterns within his family, all to ensure that he would grow into these expected qualifications and be able to take over in some fashion for his predecessor. According to the files the subject was showing great results, which was when orders from the top level gave the 'go-ahead' to complete the last component to create their new Batman.

With time everything was set even a sleeper agent was put in place to 'take care' of the child's 'parents when suddenly the project was scrapped. Eventually, Cadmus had been disbanded and had lost all interest in the boy... Or so it seemed.

It didn't take Question long to start keeping his own tabs on the young man, but with a more of a hands-off approach than Cadmus Labs. He wanted to see what the boy's nature truly was without the interference from a 'well-intentioned' third party.

The next person of interest in the young boy's life was 'Charlie (Bigtime) Bigelow, who took one look at the sulky preteen and knew, just knew that he had found the best lackey he could ever ask for. Terry was intelligent and still naive enough to do anything he asked.

After a few months, Bigtime had managed to remold the young boy into a proper delinquent. He had taught him the tools of the underworld trade, from how to fight dirty and picking pockets to understanding when it was time to keep your nose clean and when you had to bail if the fuzz was on your trail.

Terry became known as 'Tiny' and for a while, he seemed to find a place for himself in the hard streets of Gotham.

Question had been tempted at the time to ensure the young boy was caught by the police for the crimes he had committed. After debating for a while, he decided against doing such a thing. Primarily, because most normal children have a time of rebellion when their parents were starting to go through a divorce. And that was exactly what was happening at the McGinnis house. Though the boys hadn't a clue as to the cause.

In all actual fact, if the boys had been born just fifteen years prior there wouldn't have been a problem, but Warren McGinnis's DNA had been altered before his children's birth.

In recent times, due to requirements by new laws, hospitals are required to keep a record of every citizen's genetic code. Because DNA is now stored in a digital record, if there is ever a question of paternity the medical professionals were able to perform a comparison to the person in question's digital file.

When this particular result came back negatively, Question predicted Warren McGinnis would likely leave his two boys behind and become emotionally distraught from the loss of a family that never was his own.

Unexpectedly, Question had been wrong.

Taking Terry, he moved to a small apartment halfway across the great city, raising the genius boy in a now broken home.

Question wasn't sure if Cadmus would have changed Warren's paternity results if they had never disbanded. But it appeared (at least for that moment) Cadmus was indeed out of the picture and took no action to stop these events.

He found it absolutely insane that Cadmus Labs would start a massive undertaking of creating their own superhero and then stop midway. It was irresponsible and even unlike them in every way. Which of course, made his suspicions grow all the more when he thought of the reasons why he of all people would find this information.

Was it possible that Cadmus Labs had an ulterior motive for him finding this information? Or did they want Question to guide their second coming of Batman?

Question wasn't sure, but he refused to play into his enemy's hands.

With Terry's parents ignoring him due to their pending divorce, Terry had begun his rebellious stage… and it hadn't taken long before the angry young man found himself in a juvenile detention center. The court was apathetic and unconcerned stating that Terry was a 'Text bookcase'. Question couldn't help agree with them, the boy was going down a rough road and without guidance he was doomed to a life on the wrong side of the tracks.

The boy's peers and teachers either feared him or treated him like he still belonged behind bars, waiting, expecting, wanting him to mess up.

Question decided to check up on the boy in a few years when something unexpected happened... Terry met Bruce, and his world changed once again.

Question knew what was next for the boy, he'd be back out on the streets after dark. Even though sometimes it was debatable about which side of the law he was on, Terry was doing good.

With the suit came Bruce, a guiding light to the boy's darkness. Though Bruce was constantly crabby and barked orders in the rudest ways. He would also offer clues, battle strategies that helped in the most frustrating of times.

Question occasionally thought he should look for thin, gossamer strings attached to Wayne's fingers. Because watching the boy's exploits seemed to be an exact replica of Bruce 25 years prior.

Suddenly, he found out that the old Batman had been abducted and Question found it extremely difficult to believe that the boy didn't have anything to do with it... 

Looking toward the black-clad boy standing in front of him he wonders if there was a reason to attempt to trust such a being.

---

It had only taken Terry fifteen minutes to bypass the encryption the old man had placed on the restricted files. It hadn't been that the encryption was easy because anyone who knew the old man for who he actually was, knows he doesn't do 'easy'. But Terry had been working with Wayne long enough to understand a little of how he worked.

The files were interesting, Terry could understand why he marked them as 'highly classified', but Terry was starting to understand this particular phrase to mean 'highly recommended' instead. In his younger days, the old man seemed to have gotten around. Not just with anyone, but with many women that were not exactly on the right side of things.

When he got the old man back, he had to remember not to ask him for any love advice. Though he doubted any could help him where Dana was concerned.

But through all the snooping he managed to do he also got a location the old man was sure to be held at currently. Tracking the most recent information that Wayne had on the restricted side of the encryption The League of Shadows made their headquarters on Infinity Island which was located in the Caribbean Sea.

Having a location Terry decides to share the information. Turning to grab Diana when he meets the question halfway and pauses at the faceless man. Honestly, he kind of creeped Terry out a little. Maybe that was the effect this person had been aiming for, but Terry would be just as happy to leave him to his own devices regardless.

But apparently, that wasn't what Question intended. Because as soon as Terry motioned to move around him Question stepped in his way once more.

"Do we have a problem?" Terry asked frustration seeping in his voice unintentionally. It was one thing for this old coot to come in and take over the investigation and have no results after such a long time. But now that Terry had a lead, no thanks to the man in front of him, mind you. He stands in the way of advancing the rescue of his mentor.

"Maybe. I just want to know what your angle is on this." Question's stance wide, combative.

Terry's eyes barrow in his mask and he started running through the scenarios on why an 'ally' would want to stop the rescue of the old man.

Humor fleeing his voice Terry asked, "Did you finally get tired of being the 'second-best detective' and decided to run delay tactics to increase those chances? I mean it's been what forty-eight hours since the old man has been taken and a kid like me has a lead in two hours. But the 'second-best' detective hasn't found a clue in eleven times that amount of time... Now, you are standing in my way."

A low chuckle of derision escaped the invisible lips of the geezer blocking his way before he spoke, "Good. They seemed to have taught you how to shift blame pretty well at the lab. But you can't fool me, fake bat. This is a good plan. I never expected for Cadmus to team up with the likes of the League of Shadows, but it makes some sense..."

Cutting off his ramblings Terry had enough, "Diana, what mental health ward did you take this guy out of?! Did you check how long it's been since his mood stabilizers? He is literally accusing me of being in on Wayne's abduction." He really didn't have time for extra problems to arise when Zeus knew what was happening to Wayne. If Terry knew that this old coot was more paranoid than the old man himself, then he would have accepted the pretty blonde's help from earlier. At least then he'd have someone pretty to look at, instead of the creepy faceless guy arguing with him now.

"What's going on here?" A cool voice of reason interrupted them.

Sighing in frustration, Question eyed the Amazon Queen who was frowning at them in confusion. He knew it was premature to have a conflict with this boy, but he had a gut feeling that they were being led into a trap and he couldn't allow such nonsense to happen. 

Gambling a little, Question decided to threaten Terry, using a tactic he had learned over the years. He decided to test the boy to see if he was hiding anything. Of course, if he had been acting then he was a pretty good actor. But that hadn't really proved anything, he'd met some pretty great actors in the past.

"Me and the kid had a simple disagreement. I simply wanted to discuss it more and he decided to bypass my opinion and run to you." Question said sounding more lucid than he had earlier.

Frowning at his words she watched Terry. He hadn't seemed this impulsive when she spoke with him earlier. Had he found something? She wondered. She had known Question much longer and she knew the man had some crazy ideas, those same theories had saved her life and the lives of her teammates more often than not. For some reason, she felt an internal tug to pick a side in this argument and she felt drawn to stick up for Terry over Question. But she knew that wasn't how teams are handled.

 having multiple people with distinct personalities, someone in authority doesn't just listen to one person and decide what to do from there. Listening to both individuals and forming an opinion on the ideas presented was the only method to make everything fair and removes the idea of favoritism.

Ignoring the driving instinct to say a rude comment to Question she turned her sharp gaze on the younger man in front of her and asked, "What is this all about, Terry? What is the actual issue?"

Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly he stated, "I have a possible lead to where the old man is being kept, but on my way over to you Mr. Ace detective here starts accusing me of working with the enemy."

Arching an eyebrow, Diana turned toward her teammate that she had known for years and she had to fight back some protective instincts that threatened to overwhelm her senses. But she had learned to school her emotions a long time ago. The fact that these particular emotions existed for a boy she had only known for six months was a little alarming for her but she still had reason on her side.

Meeting the gaze of the faceless man she calmly asked, "Why would you say such a thing? What exactly are your suspicions?"

Question was a little stunned. Why would this 'person' (if such a word could be used towards it) reveal what he had said? If his assumptions are correct, then how would this benefit him in the least? Theories swirled around in his head as he remained silent unsure exactly what the motives were on this particular action.

Terry starting to lose patience stated, "What is Cadmus Labs and why would I have anything to do with them?"

At these words Diana froze, her pupils receded and she turned towards Question in disbelief, "What have you not told us, Sage?"

For several minutes everyone was silent and it was only broken by a new voice that seemed to materialize in their midst, "I believe that is something we would all like to know."

Everyone's gaze shifted at the sudden arrival of a tall newcomer that was over six feet tall with salt and pepper hair and dark cerulean eyes and a face that seemed more natural to hold a smile rather than the frown it was sporting currently. His serious manner pressed in on them as he asked, "Why won't you enlighten everyone instead, Question. What does the new Batman have to do with a secret government agency that was disbanded years before he was even in his preteens?"

"Dick!? Dick Grayson, is that really you?" Diana asked sounding bewildered.

What if Terry McGinnis wasn't just the biological son of Bruce Wayne but also Wonder Woman? How would his story change?
Read as Terry McGinnis learns not only about how to be Batman but accepts a legacy he never expected to receive.

The cover image is from the comic itself. Not something I own.

batman detective paul dini

The Revenge of Sara McDaniels

Chess Of Mystery

Batman

By sacrificing the wicked, a better world is created.

I am Superman

Angel of Death

I am the Protector of Gotham

One Night Accident

The Overnight Chosen Wife: darling, kiss me deeper

BATMAN BEYOND - DC FANFICTION

People search batman detective paul dini also like: