56 Research

[Present Time]

"Magic is Science."

Repeating the phrase in my mind, I 'flew.'

Enchanting my body weight and making it accelerate towards the destination –It was my version of flying.

It was magic.

It was science.

But mostly importantly, it was my belief that propelled me.

The soft and aromatic wind touched my face as I flew towards the people I promised to meet.

Well I should have already met with them, I am late by a lot.

Fuck me… But I couldn't help it.

And well, not everything was chaotic.

The district was coming along well. It was almost a separate space from the dark and gritty pot of Gotham.

Much different from the gothic Gotham. Especially considering how mellow this place felt –light and with a cheery feel. 

The weather was hot but my enchantment helped to cool the place. Simply put, I was a walking air cooler.

"Jasper!"

I heard the sweet and familiar voice of Zatanna calling me from near the laboratory. 

She seemed cheerful which was good as she had been depressed for a very long time. 

From the burning of the circus till the death of Joker –She was drowning in her worries, but now she seemed happy as she waved at me.

Giving her a smile, I waved back before making my way towards the two girls.

Yes, two.

Ivy was also with her. Or well, I asked her to be here.

"I apologize for the long wait," I did feel bad but I had quite a lot to do before making my way here, "Did I make you two wait long?"

"A little."

I heard Ivy say as I swiftly landed next to them.

"But we had each other's company so it wasn't too bad." She added, making sure that I wasn't put at a tough spot.

"An unexpected friendship," I said as I looked at the two women, "But I can't say that I don't like it."

"What took you so long?" Zatanna finally asked, "It's rare to see you being late."

"I was a tad but busy with a meeting," It was an important meeting after all, "Or well it was more like a trade."

The anti-superman trade.

"Something that involves us?" Ivy wondered as she was now a part of the district.

"Not really," I assured, "Don't worry about such things. Instead how about you two tell me what you were up to?"

It had been a while since I talked to them freely. 

"Other than dealing with the investors that you sent to me and planning out the shops for each floor of the shopping complex," Zatanna sighed, "And working on the amusement park a little… nothing much."

That was a lot. 

"I should apologize," I said, "I might have forced a lot of work on you."

"It's not much," She assured, "It's something that I wanted as well."

She was immersed in this project and for that I respected her quite a lot.

But there was someone else that was busy with a few things that I asked for as well.

"As for me… I had been recently working with a few NGOs working towards a greener earth." said the green hued beauty.

I asked Ivy to take help from NGOs and people that supported her cause rather than acting as a bioterrorist.

It wasn't easy but it was honest work. Especially when her cause was good, just the way of doing it was… not so good.

"And other than that, I have obviously been researching on the toxins."

This…

This was one of the major reasons for Ivy to be here.

"How is she?" I finally asked, as the reason for Ivy researching specific toxins was not for a fight or to develop some new weapon –but it was to cure someone.

"She has been better than before," Zatanna sighed, "Although she has been going through a lot of panic attacks, quite a bit of neurotransmitter issues… but her body is mostly healed."

Of course, the woman in question was Harley.

Me killing Joker left her in a very chaotic state, almost making her lose her sense of self.

Panic attack, psychotic breakouts, severe depression.

She was suffering a lot.

Her physical injuries were healed relatively quickly but her psychological state wasn't the same.

"Are you going to meet her?" 

Ivy asked a good question, but the answer was quite straightforward.

"Not now." I sighed, "Seeing me would only worsen her condition."

I was the very reason she was in that condition –both physically and mentally. And I did not want her to explode in a psychotic rage.

"It is difficult to crack the Joker's toxins," Ivy bit her lips, feeling pained to not be able to help her best friend, "But I will do my best. I will come up with an antidote soon."

It was a hope for now as even my enchantment was not fully capable of healing her.

The mind was a delicate thing and I did not want to play with it.

Not yet.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Zatanna asked, "Other than checking out this place?"

"Well… I would love to take you two out for dinner." I said, "But I have to meet a certain someone."

I was going to spend some time with them. They deserve a break and something good for working so hard.

But right now, my top most priority was meeting a certain crime lord.

"And soon, I will need your help for an expedition." I said, drawing their attention.

"What kind of expedition?" Ivy asked.

"An expedition where we look for a very certain item."

This confused the two, but I couldn't explain to them just yet.

It was something special.

"You will know soon."

After all, I did learn quite a bit from Fate.

…

…

[Hours Later]

Recently.

Time felt to be moving a little too fast.

It was difficult to keep up, especially when I had to keep rushing from place to place.

Even though the said place was close, I barely felt stationed at one place.

Just a while ago, I was with Ivy and Zatanna –hoping to spend some time relaxing.

Maybe a little fancy dinner.

But alas, I had to push those wishes away.

"I thought you ditched me."

I heard the man laugh, picking up the glass of wine with his chubby hands.

"This friendship is not something I wish to lose."

He truly was sly.

"As I said before," I looked at the man grinning at me, "We aren't what you can call friends."

We really weren't.

While we were on good terms, friendship just didn't seem like something that was possible.

"Of course," He said, not losing his smile. "Our relationship is professional but I cannot help but hope for it one day."

He might not see that friendship bloom even in the future

But that didn't mean we were on bad terms. While it was a professional relationship that we shared –it was still a good one.

"That is indeed something you should worry about in the future," I said, "Not now."

The man gave a disappointment shrug, "I guess that's for the best."

"But I must thank you for helping with the investors and even funding a portion yourself."

This made him grin, "It wasn't much. You did all the work, I just invested into something that is bound to succeed. And once it succeeds, my yield be higher than my sow."

He wasn't wrong.

I wasn't here today for any mission, or even to trade.

Rather, I came here to express my gratitude.

"Croc and Deadshot are in my bar, would you like to meet them?" He asked, "They would love to have you over for a drink."

Well…

"I can't say no to a drink, can I?"

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