Gotham's Financial District is a stark contrast to the chaos that usually engulfs the city. Skyscrapers pierce the night sky, their windows glimmering with light, a facade of order in a world ruled by darkness. But beneath that thin veneer, the underworld thrives, and at its center tonight is the Iceberg Lounge—a posh nightclub that serves as a front for one of Gotham's most notorious crime lords, Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin.
Inside the lounge, the air is thick with cigar smoke and the murmur of low conversations. The wealthy and corrupt mingle freely, their secrets safe within the opulent walls. But all of that changes in an instant when the front doors are kicked open with a resounding crash.
Jotaro Kujo and Red Hood stride into the room, their presence immediately drawing the attention of every patron. The music stops, and a tense silence falls over the lounge as the two figures make their way toward the back, where the Penguin sits in his private booth, surrounded by his usual entourage of thugs and sycophants.
Penguin looks up, his beady eyes narrowing as he recognizes the pair. He's dealt with Gotham's vigilantes before, but Jotaro is an unknown quantity—something that clearly unsettles him.
Penguin (sneering): "Well, well, what do we have here? Red Hood, I should've known you'd come snooping around. But who's your friend? A new player in town?"
Jotaro's expression remains stoic, his hat casting a shadow over his eyes. He doesn't respond to Penguin's taunt, but the intensity in his gaze speaks volumes. Red Hood, on the other hand, steps forward, his tone laced with menace.
Red Hood: "Cut the crap, Cobblepot. We're not here to play games. You've got information we need, and you're going to give it to us. Now."
Penguin chuckles, though there's a nervous edge to it as he glances between the two vigilantes. He gestures to the thugs around him, a smug smile on his lips.
Penguin: "You boys really think you can just waltz in here and start making demands? You're outnumbered and outgunned. Maybe you should reconsider your—"
Before Penguin can finish, Jotaro moves. Star Platinum manifests behind him in an instant, its speed and power unmatched. With a single, swift motion, the stand sends a shockwave through the room, knocking Penguin's thugs off their feet and sending furniture flying. The entire room shudders under the impact, and a few of the patrons scream in panic, scrambling for the exits.
Penguin's eyes widen in shock, the color draining from his face. He's seen his fair share of strange things in Gotham, but this is something else entirely.
Penguin (stammering): "What… what the hell was that?!"
Red Hood steps up beside Jotaro, his pistol trained on Penguin's head, his voice cold and unyielding.
Red Hood: "That's the least of your worries, Cobblepot. You've got one chance to tell us what we want to know, or Jotaro here is gonna show you just how bad your night can get."
Jotaro's eyes lock onto Penguin's, and for a moment, the crime lord feels the full weight of the threat standing before him. He's faced Batman before, but this is different—this is raw, unfiltered power, and he knows he won't stand a chance if things get physical.
Penguin swallows hard, trying to maintain some semblance of control as he straightens his tie with trembling hands.
Penguin: "Alright, alright! No need to get violent. What do you want to know?"
Jotaro steps forward, his presence looming over the terrified crime lord.
Jotaro: "You've been moving shipments through the docks—illegal weapons, chemicals, things that shouldn't be on the streets. Who's the buyer, and where's the next drop?"
Penguin hesitates, but the sight of Jotaro looming over him forces him to reconsider his options. He knows he can't afford to lie—not with these two breathing down his neck.
Penguin (reluctantly): "Alright, I'll tell you! The buyer is Black Mask. He's been building me a superweapon. The next drop is happening tomorrow night, down at the old Kane Warehouse on the river."
Jotaro: "What about the Joker? Riddler told me he's got Batman. Where are they now?"
Penguin licks his lips, trying to gauge how much to reveal. But the cold, unyielding eyes of his interrogators leave him no choice.
Penguin: "Alright, listen up. Joker's been lying low for a while, but that's never a good sign. Word on the street is he's planning something big—bigger than usual. He's holed up in an old amusement park on the outskirts of the city. Abandoned years ago, but he's got it rigged with explosives and traps. He's turning the place into a deathtrap."
Jotaro: "Where exactly is this amusement park?"
Penguin: "It's an old place called Laughing Land. Used to be a big deal back in the day, but it's been abandoned for years. Joker's turned it into his own personal playground. You go in there… you better be ready for anything."
Red Hood: "Anything else, Cobblepot? If you're holding out on us, I'll make sure we pay you another visit, and we won't be as polite."
Penguin shakes his head frantically, eager to distance himself from the wrath of the two vigilantes.
Penguin: "That's all I've got for you! Joker's got his hands in a lot of pies, but this is the big one. You take him down, and maybe the rest of us can breathe a little easier."
Red Hood lowers his gun slightly, considering the information. The duo are about to be busy for a while, but now that they have leads, they can plan accordingly.
Red Hood: "Good. But if you're lying, Cobblepot, you'll wish it was Batman who came knocking instead of us."
Penguin nods vigorously, wiping the sweat from his brow. He knows better than to test their patience any further.
Jotaro steps back, giving Penguin one last look of warning before turning to leave. Red Hood follows, but not before giving the Penguin a final, pointed glance.
Red Hood: "Keep your nose clean, Cobblepot. We'll be watching."
As Jotaro and Red Hood exit the Iceberg Lounge, the tension in the room slowly dissipates. The patrons, still shaken by the sudden violence, begin to murmur among themselves, wondering what kind of storm is about to hit Gotham next. But one thing is clear: with Jotaro and Red Hood on the case, the city's underworld is in for a rough night.
Outside, the cold night air greets them as they make their way back to their vehicle. Red Hood casts a sideways glance at Jotaro, who remains as stoic as ever.
Red Hood: "Black Mask is bad news. Just what kind of superweapon was he building for Cobblepot?"
Jotaro: "I've dealt with worse. We'll visit him in Blackgate and see if he's willing to cooperate."
Red Hood nods, knowing that with Jotaro at his side, they have a fighting chance against whatever Black Mask has planned. Together, they disappear into the shadows of Gotham, ready to face the dangers that lie ahead.
