I walked into my grandparents' house and was greeted by the familiar smells of home-cooked food. It was New Year's Eve, and we were all gathered for what they called an annual family dinner. My grandparents had spent the whole day preparing a feast of traditional dishes, and the table was set with their finest china and silverware.
As we sat down to eat, my grandmother poured everyone a glass of red wine. We raised our glasses to toast the new year, and my grandfather said a prayer of thanks for the blessings of the past year. They showed me what it was like to actually be part of a family.
The food was delicious, and we all ate until we were full. My grandmother insisted on serving dessert, even though we were all stuffed. She brought out a homemade apple pie, and they each had a slice except me. I had other plans for the evening.
After dinner, we sat around the fireplace and talked about our plans for the new year. My grandparents encouraged me to pursue my dreams and to never give up on my goals.
As I pondered the question of what my goal was in this second chance at life, the word 'goal' struck a chord. I couldn't just keep chasing thrills like it was a mere hobby; I needed a purpose that went beyond temporary excitement.
Creating a life as Ghost would only lead to me becoming a criminal overlord at best, but as Tom there wasn't an actual goal. Like I was freelancing at life itself. I guess it's up to me to make a decision as to what goals I would like to pursue as Tom, either under the light or in the shadows.
As the night wore on, I knew it was time to sneak out. I had a job waiting for me, and I couldn't afford to miss it. I hugged my grandparents good-night and proceeded upstairs upstairs as if heading for my room.
I slipped out of the house and walked down the quiet street. The snow crunched under my boots as I made my way to the bus stop. I checked my watch and saw that I was running late. I broke into a jog, hoping to make it on time.
…
The job I pulled off with that crew the other day went off without a hitch. I got paid thirty percent of the loot, which was a nice haul. But we didn't count on the Green Arrow and his band of do-gooders being on our tail.
I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. It was a rush like no other, knowing that we had successfully executed the heist. But now, with our pursuers closing in, I knew that we had to act fast if we were going to make it out with our lives and our loot intact.
It felt like I was playing a real-life video game, with my heart pounding as I directed my team of unskilled thieves through a daring heist. We had to move quickly, all while being pursued by the infamous Green Arrow and his team. The rush of adrenaline was intense as we dodged their attempts to catch us, using every trick in our arsenal to stay one step ahead. The stakes were high, but we were determined to pull off the perfect score.
As we raced through the back alleys and side streets of the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration mixed with fear as the thought of the plan being foiled came to mind. The Green Arrow and his team were formidable opponents as they knew every nook and corner of the streets, but we were determined not to let them catch us. I gave instructions to them as to routes they needed to take so they could lose the pursuers.
In the end, we managed to outmaneuver them and slip away into the night. But I knew that this was only the beginning of our dangerous game of cat and mouse. The thrill of the heist and the danger of the chase had me hooked, and I couldn't wait to see what other adventures awaited me in the criminal underworld.
Funny how we pulled off a heist a few hours into the New Year. While everyone was running their countdown to the new year, we looted a private bank.
Well enough of that now, It was New Year's day and I was having dinner with the family as I prepared to leave Star City.
As I slunk away from the scene of our latest heist, a troubling realization struck me: Central City had grown dull. Don't get me wrong, the speedsters that protect that place make for a formidable challenge. But the high-speed pursuits just don't get my blood pumping like these. There's something about a chase between equals, where every move counts and every second mattered, that truly exhilarates me.
Maybe I'm just getting restless, but I can't shake the feeling that we need a change of scenery. A new city, a new challenge, a new thrill to pursue. And with my skills and expertise, there's no doubt in my mind that I'll conquer whatever obstacles lie ahead.
Metropolis would be a good City but I don't want to stress about bothering about Superman, he was near impossible to get away from. Then there's Gotham, a true shit hole, a place where crime thrives even with the presence of the Boogeyman and his Crusaders.
I guess I just have to think about it and hopefully I'd make the right choice and not screw myself over by choosing one that could jeopardize my freedom, as I could either end up in jail or end up dead.
…
The Green Arrow perched on a rooftop, overlooking the dimly lit alleyway below. In the shadows, a group of goons were loading stolen goods into the back of a truck.
He called Batman as he seemed to think the incident from the other night was related to the group of thieves he was told about.
"Hello, Bats," Oliver greeted as he scanned the activity in the alley.
Batman wasted no time on pleasantries, getting straight to business. "Any news?"
Oliver's voice was tinged with surprise as he replied, "I don't know if it's related to the group you mentioned, but there's a gang here in Star City. They don't take up big jobs, in fear of getting caught but last night they bit on more than they usually chew and somehow managed to get away."
Batman's suspicions were confirmed. "I had a feeling that something like this might happen. Find that gang and get answers out of them."
Oliver's smirk was audible through the phone. "Already on it. I've got their asses as we speak."
"Good. See what you can get from them," With that, Batman ended the call and left the Green Arrow to deal with the rest while he hoped for positive feedback. If his assumptions were wrong all along, then it would seem he had been on a wild goose chase.
The Green Arrow waited patiently outside the warehouse, hidden in the shadows. He knew that the goons who had stolen the valuable artifacts the night before would be gathering inside. He had to act fast if he was going to catch them in the act.
As soon as he saw them all inside, he shot an arrow and glided down, ready for action. The goons were caught off guard, but they quickly recovered and a short, intense fight ensued. The Green Arrow used his trusty bow and arrow to beat the crap out of them, eventually subduing them all.
Now that they were at his mercy, he demanded answers. Who had helped them with the theft? The goons were uncooperative at first, telling him to go fuck himself. But The Green Arrow was not one to be deterred. He beat the shit out of the most stubborn of them and asked again. Finally, they revealed something that he wasn't expecting.
"It was a person who helped us, not a group," one of them said.
The Green Arrow pressed for more information, but all they could tell him was a name the person went by – Ghost.
The Green Arrow's mind raced as he calmly tried to piece together the identity of the mysterious Ghost. Was he a skilled thief or a cunning mastermind? With stray thoughts rampaging through his mind, he reached out to Batman.
As Green Arrow relayed the details of his operation to Batman, he couldn't help but feel frustrated that he had only managed to obtain an alias, 'Ghost.' He knew that Batman would expect more, but he also knew that he had given it his all.
As Batman leaned back in his chair, he thought of the first solid clue he's had since. "So it wasn't a group of thieves after all," He muttered to himself, "just one mastermind operating behind the scenes and using other thieves as pawns in his twisted game.
"Thanks, Oliver." Batman said.
Oliver, always quick to downplay his contributions, replied. "Sure, just doing my part in protecting my city. I'll try to track him down and see what I can find out. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."
"Sure." Batman said, ending the call without breathing another word.
I stepped out of the train, the cold January wind whipping through my hair. I took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of Central City, and felt a pang of nostalgia. It had been nice to spend the holidays with my grandparents, but Star City gave me an idea as to what Central City was missing.
In the bustling town of Central City, the crime rate was astonishingly low, especially when compared to neighboring Star City. The reason for this was clear - the speedsters. These lightning-fast heroes had made it nearly impossible for criminals to operate within Central City's limits, striking fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminals.
It wasn't just the speedsters' presence that kept crime at bay, however. Most of the city's villains were metahumans, individuals with extraordinary abilities that made them nearly unstoppable. In Central City, these metahumans knew that they had to tread carefully, as any criminal act could quickly draw the attention of the speedsters and lead to their capture. And they eventually end up at Iron Heights.
Why would anyone commit a crime in Central City when the heroes had such an overwhelming advantage? With metahuman abilities that allowed them to move at blinding speeds, these heroes could apprehend criminals before they even had a chance to react. It seemed like a fool's errand to try and make a name for oneself in a city where the odds were so clearly stacked against them.
And yet, there were those who were willing to take the risk. Maybe they were desperate, maybe they were foolish, or maybe they were simply too arrogant to be deterred by the presence of the speedsters. Whatever their reasons, they soon started a little game of hide and seek with the speedsters.
But for those with a cunning mind and a desire for challenge like me, there were other cities to test our mettle. Cities where the heroes were mere mortals, with no metahuman abilities to speak of. These heroes were skilled, no doubt, but they were limited by their own physical abilities, and could be outmaneuvered by those with superior intellect and agility.
For these thrill-seekers, the choice was clear. They would go where the competition was fiercer, where the stakes were higher, and where victory was all the sweeter for the risk.
Gotham might be a complete nightmare for most people but that was the only city with criminals who are willing to risk it all, just to have it all. Criminals who are willing to go up against the Dark Knight and his Crusaders, with the intention to do whatever it takes just so they don't get caught.
Being that they were always on their toes keeps them on high alert and cultivates their survival instincts. That city was crawling with talented thieves that would make any heist I oversaw, go smoothly without any hiccups unless something unprecedented happened.
As I sat in a cozy coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed morning coffee enveloped me, and I came to a life-changing decision. I was going to visit Gotham City and spend some time there. With my laptop open before me, I eagerly began to search for the perfect property I could rent.
After scrolling through numerous listings, I finally stumbled upon a hidden gem that captured my heart. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this private property offered the peace and tranquility most had been seeking in that city.
Without hesitation, I made payment and rented the property. I started packing my belongings, It was a simple task, really. Just one briefcase filled with clothes, and a bag for my laptop.
Once I finished packing, I locked up the house and set out for Gotham. It was a city with towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, with danger lurking at every corner.
…
Finally, I arrived in Gotham, and I stepped out of the taxi and took in my surroundings. Gotham City was not what I expected it to be. The air was thick and smelled disgusting, like a mix of garbage and chemicals. The streets were narrow and crowded, with people rushing past me in all directions. I couldn't help but notice the graffiti on the walls and the broken windows of the buildings.
As I walked down the street, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I saw crime at every alley corner I turned to. I saw a group of men loitering in front of a convenience store, and I could tell they were up to no good. I saw a woman being harassed by a man, and no one seemed to care.
I knew I was in a dangerous place, but I couldn't turn back now. I had come to Gotham in chase of the ultimate thrill and for unprecedented opportunities, and I can't turn back now. As I walked further into the city, I couldn't help but wonder how anyone could live in a place like this. It was like a living nightmare, straight out of the pages of a comic book.
I approached my new place, a beautiful private property I had rented just outside the bustling city. As I walked up to the quaint little house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. The property was better than I had expected, the level of privacy it had was uncanny.
As I stepped inside, I took in the empty rooms, excited to start making them my own. I spent the rest of the day unpacking and settling in, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.
As night fell, I decided to go grocery shopping. The streets were dimly lit, and the air was thick with the scent of danger. But I wasn't afraid. With my powers I am near invincible and to low life thugs I'm more like a god for they can't even come near me.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see a group of shady looking characters, their faces obscured by the darkness. They didn't seem to take kindly to my presence and immediately started approaching me with ill intentions.
I couldn't believe it, just as the thought of getting jumped by some thugs crossed my mind and here they were. My first night in the city and already I was being attacked. Of all the fuckers in this shitty city and I was the one they decided to rub, possibly kill if I struggled. I can't actually blame them, from their point of view I was a defenseless white haired kid walking around without any sense of danger.
I assessed the situation and watched the three men slowly approach me, one stopped midway and was on lookout while the other two proceeded to try and apprehend me.
"Okay now, this shit is getting kinda old," I muttered as I irked at the thought.
I stood facing both men with my hands in my pockets and with a cold and unfazed expression. They ran at me with knives in their hands, hoping to strike fear into me before they robbed me for any valuables I might have on me.
It felt like using my powers on low life thugs like this, those that didn't pose any kind of threat whatsoever, was a massive waste. They closed the distance between us but they also seemed a bit cautious, maybe it was because of the expression I had on at the moment. Just before they could get too close, I didn't bother using any vector against them but instead used telekinesis on their wrists and twisted it in a manner it should never be done.
They both screamed and dropped their knives, then held their wrists with their other hand and fell on their knees. I guess it was instinct as they both responded to the pain in a corresponding manner.
"You prick, what the fuck did you do to us?" One of them said as he grunted in pain, while the other slowly backed away using one hand to pull himself back and with terror in his eyes. The third guy on lookout was confused, he could not comprehend what just happened but he wasn't going to get himself involved just to find out first hand.
I saw the way they looked at me, I don't know why but for that short moment it felt good. I might be oppressing them because I'm stronger than them, but it feels good to put people in their place every once in a while. Especially with the look of terror I saw in their eyes.
"That's just me being a little bit generous and not in the mood to cause you two any further damage," I looked down on them as I spoke, with both hands still in my pockets.
"P-Please, just let us go." The first one begged. "We won't bother you no more, please just don't hurt us." The second one joined the first one to plead for mercy, hoping I don't take a limb from them both.
I brought out my left hand from my pocket and gestured for him to come to us, he hesitated but nevertheless still came. His movements could be compared to that of a snail as he slowly approached with his legs unsteady due to fear of what I might do to him.
"You are scared?" I asked the terrified fellow. "Good, you should be. Now help your friends and get them home, change your ways and get a job at least. If I see any of you mugging anyone, then I'll take a limb."
"No no… we will change our ways. We promise." They tried to convince me with the pitiful expressions they had on their faces, but I know better than to think they would change just from that little encounter. Once they heal up I'm sure they will get back on the streets and continue with their routine. The people of Gotham were rotten to the core and they won't change easily, scratch that, they'll never change.
I slowly walked past them and walked towards the streets from the dark alleyway but just before I stepped out, I tilted my head halfway and said. "One more thing, never speak of this to anyone." With that, I walked out of the alley and into the streets.
Please kindly visit my to read ahead./Maverick_DaSupreme