บท 122: Let The Games Begin #122
Gray's hideout
'Finally fucking done...' I mused, smiling as I peered at the finally completed forge, having finished during my break time.
It's been two days since the fight, and I haven't been able to do much since my battle with King Shark proved too strenuous, and its effect finally showed when the last vestiges of adrenaline left my body.
I felt so exhausted that I immediately collapsed on the couch after I dismissed the system interface, and even 12 hours of sleep weren't enough to alleviate the physical and mental stress.
Luckily, Little Soot's bowl was full, so the little demon was content to let me rest without bothering me too much. I also had my pre-programmed software do my work, scanning the Task Force X database for any vulnerability while I recovered, so I didn't waste any more time than I could afford.
The Penguin also decided to pause the tournament and postpone it until the heat died out, so I didn't miss anything in my two days of acting like a comatose couch potato.
Still, after two days of sitting on my ass and doing nothing other than meeting Richard and Benjamin to assure them everything was under control, I was in top shape and eager to get to work.
And the first thing I did was finish the forge because it was kind of an eyesore, just sitting there, half-complete, and now I can finally devote the entirety of my time to taking down Amanda Waller.
I've already made the necessary calls to my 'pals' in the GCPD to make sure no one would distort the facts or untwist what I twisted, which no one could at this point, not even Batman.
The Caped Crusader won't be allowed anywhere near the investigation. I made sure of it.
Even higher-ups from the justice department did their best to prevent any outside interference in Waller's case, whether it was from superheroes or anyone else.
They were understandably pissed at the idea of such a secret agency operating under their noses, for a good reason, too, since it was a severe blow to their already plummeting reputation.
They also seemed to view the situation as an opportunity for redemption since the general populace has viewed them as nothing more than incompetent nincompoops since superheroes started popping up all over the country.
Though people called me a vigilante, I didn't go about it as one would. I unmasked myself in front of live TV and declared my intention to see the matter to the end through the legal system.
I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-superhero political movements and the superhero haters in law enforcement agencies used my actions to discredit the justice league, and I wouldn't care either.
It wouldn't affect me either way since I was over the vigilante act already, even if I stepped into the light earlier than I originally planned because of my dumb fit of anger.
I might not be the wisest or most scheming person out there, but I'm quick to adapt. And I will turn things my way. It's swim or sink at this point, and I had no intention of drowning, thank you very much.
'I might have to create drones or something to do this kind of work when I'm busy...' I mused, looking at the finished forge before cracking my fingers out of habit as I activated my personal computer power and went limb.
...
Gotham
GCPD
"What do you mean I can't investigate the scene?" Batman asked, his tone blank as he stared into Commissioner Gordon's eyes, clearly displeased.
"It means what it means. And before you ask, I can't help you even if I wanted to," The commissioner replied, struggling to light up a cigarette due to the intense breeze hitting the GCPD rooftop.
"What do you mean?" Batman asked, getting straight to the point. His frown was visible even through the mask as he watched Gordon finally light up his cigarette and resume speaking.
"It's out of my hand..." The commissioner replied, deeply inhaling a puff of smoke. "The higher-ups want captain Tiegel from the 52nd running the show, and even I can't interfere in the investigation," he added, releasing the smoke from his lungs with a heavy sigh.
"You superhero folks have been doing the justice department's work for too long..." Gordon said, shaking his head. "You did too good a job and bruised more than a couple egos," he added, shrugging his shoulder as he threw the cigarette to the ground, stomping it.
"And when that boy unmasked himself for all to see, he was no longer one of ya'll, not in their books, at least," Gordon explained, trailing for a second before he continued.
"A win for the boy would be a win for them and a loss for superheroes, or so they think" Gordon concluded as he raised his head after extinguishing the cigarette, but Batman was no longer there, to no one's surprise.
The commissioner let out another sigh as he headed back inside.
...
Metropolis
Clark Kent's apartment
"Do you really have to go, honey?" Clark asked, holding on to his wife's hand, clearly reluctant to let her go. "You know how I feel about that city..." he added, trailing off at the end of his sentence.
"You know as well as I do that I have to," Lois replied, smiling at Clark as she stepped closer and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I just can't stand to see that rookie taking sides, and I already talked to Mr. Perry about it," she added, wiggling her finger.
"And you still haven't told me who you're supporting on this case yet?" Lois added as she retrieved her hand from Clark's and quickly put on her heel.
"You already know whose side I'm on, but I can't say it on record, not as Superman. The justice department made it very clear they don't want our kind anywhere near the case," Clark said, shaking his head as he leaned on the wall, appreciating his wife's charming figure with a smile.
"Fine. Be that way. But note one thing for the record — if Superman ever does speak up and I don't get the exclusive..." Lois said, trailing off as she finished putting on her shoes and picked up her purse.
"Then one Mr. Clark Kent better start checking his Linguini for Kryptonite..." Lois concluded, sending her husband a playful air kiss as she closed the door and left.
...
Gotham
East End
"I've already enthralled multiple high-ranking officers in the GCPD. They should be able to keep The Bat off the case..." Poison Ivy said as she surveyed the room, her gaze alternating between the four gathered villains.
"How are things going on your ends...?" She blankly asked, her gaze stopping at the small monitor that showed the Calculator's grinning visage.
"I've already leaked every piece of dirt I have on Waller and the others involved in the task force..." The Calculator quickly replied. "I didn't need to pour oil on the flame, though. The people were already going for their torches and pitchforks," he added with a chuckle.
"It's like someone's been riling the people up already and doing a damned good job at it," he concluded, his grin becoming more pronounced and somewhat impressed.
"I've warded multiple attempts to erase the digital evidence from the basement stored within the GCPD systems concerning Waller's case..." Anarky said from the side once The Calculator went silent.
"Now that I think about it... wasn't Wraith responsible for exposing your scheme? How does it feel to protect an enemy who bested you?" Moth Man said after hearing Anarky's words as he turned to face the latter.
"Anarky only has one enemy, the oppression of the system, and Waller is one of its cornerstones," Anarky replied with a scoff, turning away from Moth man in utter disregard.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, kid," Moth Man said with a chuckle, crossing his arms as he turned to Poison Ivy. "I've taken out a dozen spooks snooping around the city looking for the boy, so we don't have to worry about him 'mysteriously' disappearing," he concluded.
"Riddle me this, Moth Man, what do you call someone who does unnecessary things and takes pride in his futile actions?" The Riddler said as he smacked his cane against the ground.
"A cheeky deadbeat," The Riddler added with a broad grin, splitting his face. "If you can take care of those so-called spooks, then they were no threat to the boy to begin with," he added, shaking his head.
"Remind me why we brought this guy along again?" he asked as he turned to Poison Ivy, and Moth Man immediately snapped before the botanist could try to de-escalate the situation.
"Try saying that again, you useless joke!" Moth Man growled as he approached The Riddler, ready to make him swallow his words along with his teeth.
"I'll say it as many times as you're willing to hear it--" The Riddler replied, his grip tightening on his cane, clearly prepared for the fight, which never happened thanks to Poison Ivy's interference.
"Gentlemen, this is not the time for inner conflict," Poison Ivy said as she willed a giant green vine to emerge from the ground, separating the two villains.
"We have more important things to worry about for now... feel free to slit each other's throats once Waller is down for the count..."
...
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