64 Operation Light Brigade #64
As the video played out before me, the pieces of the puzzle started clicking into place like a twisted game of Tetris. It was becoming painfully clear: our supposed mastermind wasn't some cunning puppeteer pulling strings from the shadows; no, it was more like a demonic force, capable of slipping into human vessels and manipulating them like marionettes.
Combine that with my other findings, and you've got yourself a demonic entity capable of possessing and empowering humans with a knack for scheming and a grudge against solar technology, hence the relentless pursuit of Bruce Gordon and his research.
But it wasn't just the tech that irked this entity; it was the light itself, the byproduct of solar energy. Only one character perfectly fits the bill.
In the midst of my contemplation, the Penguin's impatience cut through the haze. "Well, what's the verdict?" he demanded, his tone laced with irritation. "Spill it, kid," he pressed, tapping his foot impatiently.
I sighed, meeting the mob boss's gaze head-on. "I've finally cracked the case..." I began, my voice trailing off as I struggled to find the right words. "Our culprit is none other than... God's spirit of wrath," I announced, shaking my head in disbelief.
"The spirit of wrath? Sounds like a bad title for a wrestler," Penguin quipped, arching an eyebrow skeptically. "Who exactly is this supposed spirit of wrath?" he inquired.
I shook my head, a sense of gravity settling over me. "This isn't a cliched title or a metaphor, Mr. Cobblepot. We're talking about Eclipso, once the literal embodiment of divine fury," I explained, but the Penguin's expression remained unmoved.
It was no surprise that the Penguin wasn't buying into the whole "God's wrath" spiel. I mean, if divine fury really existed, wouldn't it have taken him out ages ago? And what's with a cosmic powerhouse like that bothering with drug lords? But hey, I knew the Penguin had crossed paths with something similar no the past, so I just had to jog his memory a bit.
"Ever heard of the Spectre?" I asked casually, watching as the gears turned in Penguin's head at the mention of the name. "Well, Eclipso's like his meaner, nastier older brother with a serious vendetta and a world domination complex," I elaborated, and that seemed to do the trick.
Doubt vanished from Penguin's face faster than Batman disappeared into the night. "Hmm..." Penguin mused, his expression turning contemplative. "And does this Eclipso have any Achilles' heels?" he inquired after a beat.
I shot him a sidelong glance, eyebrows raised. I knew Penguin was no stranger to holding a grudge but hunting down the literal spirit of wrath to settle a score? That was a whole new level of vindictive. I was about to suggest he leave the superhero stuff to the capes, but then it hit me like a ton of Bat-bricks.
Could the heroes handle Eclipso? Sure, on the comic book pages, they usually do. But this was no comic book world; it's a chaotic carnival of consequences, and I've been flipping switches and pulling levers without a care in the world like a butterfly on crack. Who knows what kind of hurricanes I've stirred up already?
I racked my brain, desperately trying to come up with a plan. But let's face it, I was like a goldfish trying to solve a Rubik's cube—out of my league. Sure, I had some upgrades courtesy of the system, but facing off against Eclipso? That was like bringing a squirt gun to a supernova showdown.
His kryptonite was light, and I couldn't exactly shoot laser beams from my eyeballs. I was also broke in the points department, with zero chance of buying anything remotely useful against him.
Lost in my futile brainstorm, the Penguin's patience wore thin. "Well? You planning on waking up anytime soon?" he snapped, yanking me out of my reverie.
I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples. "Look, Mr. Cobblepot, I hate to burst your bubble, but you're punching way above your weight class here," I confessed, shaking my head. "Taking on Eclipso? That's a one-way ticket to a world of hurt..."
Penguin scoffed, his feathers clearly ruffled. "And who said anything about me personally taking on Eclipso? Who do you think you're talking to?" he retorted, sounding genuinely offended.
"I'll simply hire someone to do the dirty work for me. All you need to do is spill the beans on Eclipso's Achilles' heel, assuming you know it, and I'll handle the rest," he concluded, his eyes glinting with the brand of vengefulness that was unique to him.
Before I could respond to Penguin's request, a notification from the system suddenly popped up in my vision:
[You have received the quest: Operation Light Brigade]
I sighed inwardly before shifting my attention to the Penguin. "Give me a minute, will you? I just need to gather my thoughts..." I requested, and Penguin shot me a quizzical glance before consenting with a nod.
Without wasting any time, I accessed the quest details to see what it entailed. The prompt read:
[Operation Light Brigade: Eclipso is back to his usual mischief in Parador, hatching a devious scheme. Your task? Rally as many allies as possible before his showdown with the heroes and prepare to either assist Eclipso or thwart his plans. Rewards: unlock the system's Currency Exchange function, along with 1500 points]
'Well, well, well... look what the cat dragged in,' I muttered to myself as I skimmed through the quest description. 'Guess even the system is asking me to table with Mr. Sunshine Stealer, huh? Fine! Bring it on, universe...!'
I glanced up at the Penguin, wearing my best poker face. "So, you're itching to put Eclipso in a timeout, huh? Well, you don't have to look far. I'm your man, but I ain't doing this for free," I declared with a smirk. "I want a truckload of cash and your full support."
Penguin's face did a little dance between amusement and suspicion. "Funny how you went from zero to hero on this Eclipso gig," he quipped, giving me the once-over. "What's with the sudden change of heart?"
I waved off his skepticism. "Don't worry, I'm not pulling a fast one on you if that's what you're getting at. You're the only reliable source of information in Gotham, and that's worth more than some quick cash gains for me..." I reassured him, leaning in.
"But about Eclipso... let's just say the guy's a bigger threat than anyone can imagine. Someone's gotta step up, and I'm feeling a bit heroic today," I added, speaking in a slightly more serious tone.
The Penguin hummed thoughtfully, his rotund figure sinking into the plush cushions of his seat. "Well, you've got confidence, if nothing else," he remarked, giving me a once-over with his beady eyes. "So, spill the beans. Got a master plan brewing?"
"Let's just say I've got a rough sketch in mind," I replied with a half-smile, leaning in. "Give me a little time to polish it up, and I promise you, it'll be a showstopper. You'll be thanking me while sipping your finest brandy."
Penguin's grin widened, revealing a row of crooked teeth.
"You're an interesting one, I'll give you that," he chuckled. "But talk is cheap. I need to see the results. You've got until tomorrow to wow me with your brilliance."
I nodded, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "You've got a deal," I declared, extending my hand. Penguin met it with a firm shake, sealing our agreement.
Stepping out of his office, a wave of exhilaration washed over me. The whole eclipse debacle marked my first real test since I came to this world, and I was now itching to prove myself.
With a newfound determination, I was ready to make my mark and show everyone what I was capable of. This was my moment to shine, and I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers, though a sense of nervousness still lingered in my mind.
...
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