I opened my eyes with crust and sleep doing its best to keep them glued shut. I managed to roll over, the feeling of rough sheets making my groggy mind latch on to the abrupt idea that I needed to change my sheets soon.
My hand brushed the old brick of an alarm clock I had nearby. It cheerfully read back that it was 9 in the morning to me with black symbols on black.
"How can people stay up all night being heroes... and get up?" I said bleakly as I saw the day was well on its way outside my thin curtains.
"Get black out curtains... or black paint," I added, trying to suffocate myself into unconsciousness by using my pillow.
King Fog suggested a healthy meal of screaming souls to get me going. Ancient Elf, who was looking more faded than before, simply said to walk under the trees and bask in the glory of the world.
Lesser Dragon huffed and sent the strong idea of meat.
I agreed with the dragon.
Shuffling about the empty apartment, annoyed I didn't get to see the twins off, I managed to salvage what looked like a tin of pork and bean out the cupboard. The twin's sugary cereal taunted me but I would resist.
Me, the Elf, the Demon in smoke, and the dragon all crowded around the tiny microwave to watch the sticky mess turn slowly. Thank God they had these 'Card Spirit' forms or I'd feel claustrophobic.
It pinged and the monsters looked down at the small meal with concern.
"A meal... of kings?" Ancient said, voice doubtful.
"That's sadder than missing paradise by a single sin," Demon rumbled.
Lesser just turned away in shame.
"It's all I have," I snapped at them, spooning the tomato covered beans and tiny pork sausages into my mouth.
"For now," King Fog promised darkly and vanished with a chuckle, returning to... wherever cards went when I didn't need them.
"What are you guys? I know I asked Mystical Elf, but she was..." I waved my fork about vaguely and Ancient twirled his staff as if mirroring me.
"We are forms of your power. We exist inside your soul. We are your tools, your symbols, your ka," the elf said simply. I didn't think any of those words were 'simple' but I was getting an idea.
"You lot aren't going to just tell me anything, are you?" I asked abruptly and Ancient shared a look with Lesser.
"I think you can gain precious information if you simply phrase your questions right," the elf said and also vanished. I looked at Lesser Dragon who stared back, unimpressed.
"Anything?" I asked him and he made a strange huffing noise which I took as a laugh.
He gave me a long look and it was something deep with intent, the lizard eyes holding mine for a long moment as if trying to say 'be ready'... then he too vanished.
"Damn cryptic monsters," I frowned as I shovelled more food into my mouth, sipping tap water as my drink.
A quick shower later and I was almost ready for the day. I had work later, but my time was my own until then.
Before I even left the apartment, my power pulsed, indicating it was ready to show me another selection of cards. I didn't see anything new booster pack wise, so I stared at my options of Blue-Eyes, Metal Raiders, or Spell Ruler.
Blue Eyes had gotten me Mystical Elf, Lesser, and King Fog. Spell Ruler had gotten me the magical labyrinth I still hadn't used and Gravekeeper servant which still seemed active if I searched with my power.
Metal Raiders I only used once and that got me the Harpy Lady. I tried Spell Ruler, just to flesh it out and got the options of things like Penguin Knight or Rising Air Current, but what interested me most was this card called 'Mystic Tomato'. It let me search the 'deck' if it was destroyed.
It was pretty strong as it was, even out powering Lesser Dragon in sheer power, but I had a feeling that Lesser Dragon had a slight edge if the Tomato didn't pull its tricks out in time.
It slid into the 'hand' next to Harpy Lady, who ignored it steadfastly.
Despite how close last got to being out of control, I couldn't let it stay idle or die under Gotham's police department's care. Last night, that man said they were being forced out of their homes and those that resisted ended up kidnapped.
I frowned as I locked the door behind me, feeling the oppressive aura of the building seemed to tingle over my skin. I... never noticed that before.
'You're sensing the spirit of things, the soul. But even then... this is more manifested than I would expect,' King Fog breathed near my ear, making me try not to squirm in discomfort.
"I need to make sure everyone that was taken last night got home, but also if others are still missing. I doubt there was only one of those prison camps..." I said before I had a long think about how exactly I was going to do that.
It wasn't like I could just knock on doors with my exposed face and casually ask about any missing relatives. Most people would assume I was on the kidnapper's team, testing them to make sure they don't squeal...
'I can help, but it will take everything I have,' King said, voice amused and I felt suddenly nervous, but not... totally unwilling to listen.
His plan was simple.
That should have clued me in that it was bound to go wrong.
-
The woman flushed as I smiled. Well, I said 'me', but what the woman 'saw' versus what I actually looked like was a bit different.
To her, I was a six foot, slightly grizzled, but charming man with a nice suit and the convincing tones of a smooth demon.
What the woman saw was a King Fog surrounding me in his smoke and shapeshifting a shell around me. I moved a little too fast with my hands and my real fingers poked out of the 'image' for a split second, making her look down in confusion.
"So, you say your neighbour hasn't come back in awhile?" I asked, my voice coming out deeper and with a slight accent that felt unironically husky. She looked up, her shirt slightly rumpled from sleep, but she looked more open to me. I think the form shifted ever so slightly to match what she found reassuring...
"Y-yeah, some guys came by last week to take her stuff so I thought she moved out," she said and leaned in.
"You remind me of someone. Are you sure we haven't met?" she asked coyly and I wasn't blind to see the way she twirled her hair. I just couldn't get excited because she was attracted to a demon smoke shell and not the gawky boy underneath.
I bet no other hero had this stupid issue of feeling like a kid on the inside...
Thanking her, I slunk off, looking macho and lean as I moved, but honestly I was trying not to move so fast I broke the spell.
'I've used everything I had for this little act so you better offer me a small sacrifice when I'm gone. Not every Fiend is so nice and helpful,' Fog huffed and I mentally had to hold back a snort.
This coming from the monster who traumatised two men with a tv and a story.
"I'll get you a hamburger or something," I offered and King Fog was quiet for a moment.
'No pickles. I'll accept it since I've seen how sad you live and what you eat. A burger will be a king's ransom!' he mused and I scowled at the dig.
There was nothing wrong with cheap tin food!
Well, since he was a Fiend, he would understand that I never specified when I'd get the burger to him... or in what state.
But he was being useful so I'd probably get him the burger before he left or ask another monster to take it to him if that was possible. If nothing else, I'd redraw him eventually. He was super useful to be honest. Possession of tech, shapeshifting, and smoke abilities.
I was about to knock on the next door when something very strange happened. It was the spell card I used the day before, it suddenly flared and around my body, a tiny little winged demon hissed and slashed the air.
I spun to see what set Gravekeeper's Servant off and the guy that had been waiting near the stairwell gave a strangled cry as his holstered gun flew out its hiding place and smashed through a nearby window to the parking lot below.
It didn't quite slow the baseball bat he was swinging at my leg down, but the smoky form of Fog gave one last surge, gathering to stop the attack before he abruptly shattered into pieces.
'Run, meatbag. I need you alive to collect on my... debt...' Fog whispered before fading.
I pulled my hood up before the smoke cleared totally. I don't know what exactly possessed me to kick the stunned guy in the balls, but he bent forward, air leaving his lungs. There was another guy behind him and he was drawing his gun in surprise or anger.
I reached to summon Lesser on these guys when I saw doors opening and wary eyes seeing the fight.
I turned and ran, turning the corner as I heard my attackers give chase. If I summoned Ancient, he would be weak from the dwindling energy he had... Harpy could be an option, but she had a distinct 'feral' edge to her which I felt meant she wouldn't restrain herself even if I ordered her to.
I was running as fast as I could, using the building's opposite stairwell to crash down to the back exit where the garbage was dumped. My heart sank when I saw the smoking guy dressed in the similar suit style as the other attacks, leaning against a van that had dark windows.
'Your questioning stirred the beehive,' Ancient said calmly before carrying on.
'A good sign if you wish to find the honey of answers,' he added and went quiet. I did not think if I got superpowers, they'd include a free fortune cookie dispenser in my head. Ancient sighed.
'The men know more about the operation going on than the tenants. If you were to snag one for a conversation, you'd make progress on your quest,' he stressed before mumbling about something to do with poets and no one to 'elven banter' with.
The van blocked the way to the street and I had a bad feeling the other direction might have a watcher... but before I could think to panic... I had a slight 'idea'.
It was a lot like King Fog's idea. It was simple really.
-
Bursting out the building, massaging his bruised jewels with a snarl, the man with the baseball bat pointed at the kid running around the corner.
"Get him and break his legs," he yelled to the driver and the bored guy in the back. He knew his man at the far end would stop the little bitch from getting far. Then he could return the kick to the balls with interest.
Hobbling after the others, he grinned with the images of the kid beginning for mercy when he was done with him. His footsteps were loud on the concrete and the looming buildings filled the alley with shadows.
He turned the corner and frowned as the alley stretched onwards into a split path.
Shit... did he read the map wrong? He was sure there were streets on either side of this building. He moved onwards, turning another corner and stared as he came to another intersection of three paths. Ahead was a sharp turn to the right with more dumpsters, but all the windows looked... boarded up and none of the fire escapes were even close to reach for.
Swallowing, he looked left and right.
"Where are you lot?" he barked, expecting responses, but the only reply was a mournful moan of the wind travelling down another path.
He backed up, thinking the kid had some weird ass smoke and shapeshifting smoke power, but he ran so he must... not have been strong!
Strong people didn't fucking run!
He turned, holding the bat close as he retraced his steps to get back to the van and the street. He stopped cold as his simple two-turn way back was now a dead end.
Reaching down, he tried to get his phone, but the ground shook and the ground opened up beneath him until he felt he was tumbling. He could hear the screams of his men and he saw that he was screaming as well.
The walls rose and the sky became stairs.
His reality was turns and twists and he screamed in terror.
-
"Too much?" I mused and Lesser merely snorted in disdain. My new monster grinded slowly in a series of noises that I think was communication.
I walked over and bent down, picking up the solid stone cube that fitted in one of my hands, the corners and edges occasionally shifted and if I put the thing to my ear, I could hear tiny voices screaming or yelling in anger.
My Magical Labyrinth was cool enough, but when I actually drew a monster called 'Labyrinth wall'? I had to summon it. It turned out there was a system to the stars on the card. It needed a tribute. Labyrinth was a five-star so it needed a single monster to be offered to cement itself properly. Ancient Elf offered himself up with a single smirk.
'Terrifying humans in a confounding unfair maze? I can't see a better way to rest,'" he gushed.
I don't think Labyrinth could do this neat size trap thing on its own without massive power consumption, but since I had the spell card that made it a 'Magical' maze? Well, that did the heavy lifting.
But I still needed answers and just as I was pondering on how to ask my trapped attackers when Labyrinth shifted its power and my left eye seemed to go black before I was now seeing a new scene of upside down stairs, shifting walls, and a massive hall.
I looked down to see my hand was made of solid rock.
"This is so cool..." I muttered, speaking both in the real world and in the maze at the same time.
The message was clear. I was the master of the maze and its secrets were mine.
A power like this could go to a guy's head.
'Fear me, I will make you lose your mind in my maze for I am Labyrinth Lad!'
After a moment of testing, I found it was easier to control my maze-avatar like a game, sort of pretending I was using a controller or something. I found one of the men easily, the same guy who I kicked in the nuts. He stared at me and he was upside down on another stairway.
No wait... his clothes were normal.
I was upside down.
Gravity? Never heard of her.
He punched me and I stared incredulously as he howled, his hand sounding like something broke inside.
"You're kind of an idiot," I said, my voice distorted with a rumble and deepness of a cold tomb.
I reached and pulled him down or lifted him up. Labyrinth physics made exact wording hard at times.
"We need to talk about why you're making people move out," I said and he struggled, trying to pry at my hands with his weedy fingers. He looked like a weasel now he was in some light.
"I ain't talking to no freak!" he screamed, eyes wild.
"Oh, okay," I said casually, making his defiant expression of pain and fear turn confused for a moment as I turned off the path and suspended him over the edge with a hum. The center of the Labyrinth was mostly empty, giving it a massive hollow feeling that people went around and around in.
You couldn't see the top or the bottom.
Well, I could and I gave a mental command to my monster.
"We'll talk when you feel up to it," I said and dropped him. My attacker-turned-prisoner fell out of sight and after a moment reappeared, shooting down back into the void. Since the Labyrinth was in a contained space of magic. He couldn't actually 'go' far so he just circled back around eventually.
I reached out before he could start hitting terminal velocity. I had no idea how I'd stop him when he went that fast. He grunted, screaming and waving his hands. I saw another of his friends run through a door and reappear back out the same door without even noticing.
"Wanna talk?" I continued casually, looking around with my real vision to make sure I was safe as I listened in the maze.
"Stop, let me out! I'll talk! Just get me out!" he pleaded, his bravado gone.
"Hmm... talk first then I'll let you out," I offered, giving him a deal that he had no choice but to accept really.
I did in King Fog's honor, may he rest in smoky cackling peace.
-
The front desk officer stared as five men walked into the station, white as ghosts. They were trouble in motion, given their suits and expensive watches, but their attitudes...
"We... assaulted people and have guns on us with no permits. Please... may we be arrested?" one asked, putting a baseball bat on the desk, eyes wide and voice that of someone in shock.
"Just hug the corners," another hissed as one didn't let go of the front door as if the sky would vanish if he went inside fully.
The officer reached for his phone.
"Commissioner? I have a... I need back up," he finally settled on, scratching his head. The voice on the other line sounded annoyed, but when he explained what was happening to his boss, he backed up very quickly.
It was a good thing too because three of the men were complimenting how the walls didn't move and it was quite refreshing.
It was spooky.
-
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot.
Cobblepot.
Penguin.
I circled these names over and over in my mind as I cooked a basic pasta meal for the twins and I looked up as my Mom came in. She looked surprised and looked over her shoulder back into the corridor.
"I swear I only climbed one flight of stairs," she said, amused as if she was either getting really fit or going insane. I put on a pleasant puzzled expression and reached into a drawer for a spoon. Inside the drawer was the fridge.
'Lab... I need my house to be stable in reality, not playing musical rooms,' I thought hard as our bedrooms had already switched and Liam had exited the bathroom to find himself directly in his bedroom.
Everyone was playing it off as being on autopilot, but if Lab kept this up, my Mom would walk into her bedroom and find herself on the roof...
I think Lab was bored, of all things. So, deciding as long as he didn't harm anyone or get spotted... he could mess with the other tenants playfully.
It was when I was taking the garbage out I overhead Mrs Muller of the floor above compliment the elevator for being so quick.
"I was barely in there for a moment and I was on the ground floor. So efficient technology is getting," she said to the elderly man on the first floor who was collecting stuff from the nearby deli.
I turned inwards.
"You made me walk all the way down, but you gave her a lift?" I asked, annoyed and Labyrinth merely returned a 'the walk is good for you' vibe.
-
"I can't be sure, Jim... but this could be Jarvis Tetch up to his tricks. Hypnotising or drugging people into thinking they're lost in a maze would tickle his funny bone and be in theme," Batman said as he looked up from the report on the man's desk.
"He's been presumed dead since his great 'rabbit chase' ended him going off the Gotham Bridge into the depths," Jim Gordon responded, leaning back in his chair, nursing a scotch.
"Presumed isn't what I do. No body means unaccounted for. He's survived worse, Tetch, and he could be frustrated without a suitable victim to focus on," Batman reminded as he pulled his cape around him.
"The 'man' knocking on doors, asking about missing relatives?" Jim asked, wary and Batman nodded slowly.
"Could be him using a subtle hat to make him appear more handsome or alluring. One woman mentioned the man being... almost too good to be true. He could have been looking for his next victim and Cobblepot's men thought he was looking into their operation," the bat said with a frown.
"You don't like the theory?" Jim asked, leaning forward to pour himself another small drink.
"Not completely. It lacks the Mad Hatter's usual chaos. It feels... organised for Jarvis. Along with last night's smoke-phantom, and the arrow attack before that? I feel like I'm being thrown red herrings and I'm not seeing something," Batman admitted before he reached and pulled the bottle away as Jim finished his drink.
"You're not my mother," Jim warned and Batman smirked.
"If you were my son, you'd be running laps for drinking on the job, so you're lucky," he replied and Jim sat back with a huff.
"Be honest with me, Batman... is a storm coming?" he asked and Batman was quiet for a moment.
"Perhaps, but we're not alone. My pride already nearly doomed Gotham once before and it won't happen again. If things turn bad, I have my team on my side. You don't have just me anymore. The Justice League is... I trust them, as much as I can anyone," Batman said firmly.
"Even the Flash?" Jim said with amusement. Batman's face didn;t change.
"Even him, but tell anyone and I'll tell Barbara that you're cheating on your diet with those ribs when she isn't around," he warned and Jim audibly gulped before scowling.
"You play dirty," he said, surrendering without saying it.
"I'm Batman; I skulk and I break the rules," he said and stared at Jim.
"I'm not looking away for you to vanish," the commissioner said grouchy.
His desk lamp abruptly began to flicker in the few moments between light and dark, the dark knight was gone, the window open.
"Son of a..."