8 The Bronx

Chillin' in the backseat of a bus, I made my way towards the only budget-friendly option in the concrete jungle of NYC: The Bronx.

Now, don't get me wrong, the Bronx wasn't exactly a poster child for affordability. Being in the Big Apple meant everything came with an insane price tag. But hey, at least it was the one place where I didn't have to hustle every second just to survive.

Definitely beats Gotham, no doubt about it.

So, here's the thing—I ended up on the watchlist.

Yep, both the bad guys and the good guys are keeping tabs on me.

And while thanks to possibly Batwoman, the heroes weren't after me, but I was definitely being watched.

Why, you ask? Well, turns out I took care of a pretty important figure in the Gotham villain crew.

By care I do indeed mean murder.

I murdered the Scarecrow.

But it is not like anyone was going to miss him. Instead, the audience was happy with that news

But honestly, I can't say I regret it. Scarecrow wasn't your run-of-the-mill thief; he was way worse. Those so-called heroes never did anything substantial to stop him anyway. They'd toss him in prison, and guess what? He'd be out in a day or two, like every other villain out there.

So, really, they should be thanking me. I took care of a recurring nuisance that nobody wanted to deal with.

But will they show gratitude? Nah, not a chance. They're all about being 'heroes,' with their moral code that conveniently excludes killing. 

But what does that even mean?

It means the bad guys keep coming back, and the innocent folks have to suffer through it all.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about what those heroes think of me. They're nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.

The problem is, they're strong. If they decide to come after me, I'm screwed. So, I need to find a way to protect myself. I either have to become stronger than them or find some advantage over them.

I have to make myself so valuable that they can't even touch me.

But here's the catch—I have no clue how to do that. And that's the whole dilemma I'm facing.

Thankfully, there was one small detail that I noticed.

The more I use my ability, the stronger I get and the more information comes to my brain on how I can use my enchantment.

So, to grow stronger, I needed to keep using my powers and maybe take fights that wouldn't kill me instantly.

I know it was my change in personality that was affecting me, but I had to live with it for a while. Before I can even try to improve.

But right now, I had another dilemma on my plate.

I had nowhere to crash.

That's precisely why I'm headed to the Bronx.

Gotham is constantly under Bat's watchful eye, and honestly, I'm not keen on being spied on every damn hour of my day, whether I'm awake or catching some shut-eye.

Plus, let's be real, it's a dump to live in.

Sure, I'll have to make occasional trips there since it's a hotbed for superpowered and greedy folks, but those will be more like pit stops, not my regular haunt.

So, for the time being...

Bronx it is.

I don't have enough money to buy a house, so I'll stick to renting.

Besides, with all the crazy catastrophes that hit this world, buying a property doesn't seem like the smartest move. Dealing with property damage is a massive headache, and insurance only goes so far.

So, renting it is.

So, there's this other thing I have to figure out.

My current enchantment limits.

Basically, the reason I ventured into Scarecrow's turf was 'cause I thought I could handle his toxins, even with just the basics of my power.

And what else did he have? Guns?

Those never really cut it in superhero or villain situations.

Unless you're someone like Deadshot, whose whole deal revolves around that stuff.

But how would I win if I have to face someone like Flash or Supes?

Honestly speaking, I can't. At least not yet.

With Flash, it is near about impossible. The only times he has lost was because of bad writing.

Mybe, I can defeat him if I have 'Prep Time' like Batman. 

But that won't be the case against everyone.

There is a limit till where I can consider. 

Contingency can be made for a few maybe a hundred. But there are hundreds of thousands of adversaries to face, so such a strategy won't work.

I have to think it out.

I needed strength and I needed it fast.

My power had restrictions but they weren't permanent, which meant that I had to find ways to remove them.

So, what I need to do now is to find ways to overcome these restrictions.

It was going to take time, quite a bit actually but I had to prioritize the necessary work first.

Which included getting used to this place and the rules. 

The rules were going to be a bit annoying but I knew I would be able to adjust.

…

…

In the dimly lit backroom of a swanky Gotham City nightclub, The Penguin, a rotund and calculating crime lord, sat at a round table covered in a deep green velvet cloth. Surrounding him were his henchmen, dressed in sharp suits and armed with concealed weapons. Cigar smoke hung heavily in the air, adding to the clandestine atmosphere.

Opposite The Penguin sat a nervous-looking man named Eddie "The Snake" Malone, a small-time criminal who had recently crossed paths with the notorious underworld kingpin. Eddie's beady eyes darted around the room, his fingers tapping nervously on the table.

"You see, Eddie," The Penguin spoke, his voice dripping with an air of malice, "I don't take kindly to cheaters in my establishment."

Eddie's face turned pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He stammered, "P-Penguin, I-I swear, it was just a game! I didn't mean any harm."

The Penguin smirked, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. "Oh, Eddie, Eddie. You don't understand. In my world, every action has consequences." He motioned to one of his henchmen, who silently handed him a small, silver pocket watch.

"I have a proposition for you, Eddie," The Penguin continued, his voice surprisingly calm. "You see that balcony over there?" He pointed towards a secluded corner of the room, overlooking the city's skyline.

Eddie followed The Penguin's gaze, his eyes widening with fear. "What... what do you want me to do?"

The Penguin leaned in, his eyes narrowing. "I want you to take a leap of faith, Eddie. A literal one. Jump off that balcony. If you survive, you're free to go. If not... well, let's just say you won't be cheating anyone ever again."

Eddie's heart raced, his mind grappling with the unimaginable choice before him. He knew the twisted reputation of The Penguin and the consequences of crossing him.

With a mix of desperation and resignation, Eddie slowly rose from his chair, his trembling legs carrying him towards the balcony. The room fell silent as everyone watched with morbid curiosity. As Eddie reached the edge, he cast one last terrified glance at The Penguin before plunging into the darkness.

The silence was shattered by a sickening thud, followed by eerie silence. The henchmen exchanged uneasy glances, their fear palpable. The Penguin chuckled, satisfied with his ruthless display of power. He turned his attention back to his henchmen, resuming the game as if nothing had happened, the lifeless body of Eddie Malone forgotten in the depths below.

The henchmen, their hearts heavy with dread, knew that this act of brutality would serve as a chilling reminder of The Penguin's dominion. Fear gripped them tightly, whispering in their ears that they would continue to serve him for a long time to come. The consequences of rebellion, in their eyes, were far more terrifying than the consequences of loyalty.

The darkness of that casual scene enveloped them, solidifying their roles as pawns in The Penguin's twisted game. Their fear would bind them to him, ensuring their obedience and unwavering servitude in the shadows of Gotham City's criminal underworld.

Hours later, the nightclub was filled with vibrant music and laughter. Patrons danced and reveled, oblivious to the sinister events that had unfolded mere hours ago. The Penguin, his cruel act buried beneath layers of secrecy, continued to thrive in the shadows of Gotham's underworld.

As The Penguin indulged in the decadence surrounding him, a whispered rumor reached his ears. It spoke of a ghastly murder committed against one of his rivals - The Scarecrow. The news flickered across The Penguin's eyes, igniting a spark of intrigue.

He contemplated the implications with a casual yet dark tone, his mind spinning webs of possibilities. The killer, he thought, could either be a formidable threat or a valuable addition to his crew. A twisted smile crept across his face, revealing the depths of his twisted psyche.

"Ah, the Scarecrow," The Penguin murmured, relishing the idea of chaos brewing within Gotham's criminal hierarchy. "Whoever did this... they might just be the missing piece in my grand design."

His thoughts swirled, envisioning the potential power this enigmatic murderer held. The Penguin had always been a collector of talents, assembling a web of loyal and capable individuals to further his agenda. But now, there was an opportunity to bring someone into the fold who had proven themselves capable of striking fear into the hearts of others.

With a calculating gleam in his eyes, The Penguin made a mental note to investigate further. The killer, whether ally or adversary, was someone he needed to assess personally. Only then could he determine if they were worthy of joining his twisted ranks or if they needed to be eliminated as a threat.

In the depths of his dark and casual thoughts, The Penguin reveled in the wicked game of power and control. He relished the macabre dance of manipulation, always seeking to bend others to his will. And now, with the news of The Scarecrow's demise, a new player had emerged, their fate hanging delicately in the balance.

The shadows danced around him as The Penguin's mind plotted and schemed, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon of Gotham City. For in the heart of darkness, amidst the chaos and bloodshed, he saw the opportunity to weave a tapestry of fear and dominance, solidifying his position as the puppet master of Gotham's underworld.

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[[A.N: Edited by Shiro

Read 25+ Chapters ahead on Pat reon: Pat reon.com/Greedyfrog]]