American comics: Random transformations

Tian Xiaoban effortlessly swung onto the horse's back, with Commissioner Gordon seated behind him. Although Gordon winced in pain as he mounted, his injury aggravated, he remained stoic, enduring the discomfort without a sound.

"Garfield, a little faster."

"Then you'd better hold on tight!"

The mane on the horse's back suddenly stood up, and a faint electric current began to surge erratically.

Electric Current Propulsion! Inefficient, Converged Version.

Aside from Garfield himself, Tian Xiaoban and Commissioner Gordon, sitting on his back, were also targets of this weak electric therapy.

"Hiss--"

Gordon was caught between pleasure and pain, involuntarily gasping for air.

… … … …

On the street, a purple horse, carrying two people, galloped wildly. Sharp-eyed passersby immediately recognized who was on the horse's back.

Moreover, judging from Commissioner Gordon's appearance, he seemed to be seriously injured.

"Holy crab! That's Gordon! Commissioner Gordon!!!"

Someone pointed at the horse and shouted frantically, attracting the attention of those around.

Others, realizing what was happening, rode their motorcycles in pursuit, shouting as they chased: "Catch up! Stop him! He's kidnapped Gordon!"

These words were like a bombshell, attracting everyone around, who revved their engines and gave chase.

"Go, old jalopy, go!"

"Don't run!"

Their speed had already exceeded a hundred, but they still couldn't catch up with the purple horse!

"Damn it! What breed of horse is that! It's faster than a car!"

"This road looks familiar! It's the road to Gotham General Hospital!"

"Who cares where he's going, catch up…"

… …

A fast horse needs no urging, and Garfield quickly arrived at the hospital.

"Ah ha, those losers thought they could catch me. Not in this lifetime, hahaha!"

Garfield smugly pranced around in place, making those on his back feel like they were about to throw up.

"You… next time, go slower! I'm about to puke!"

Tian Xiaoban's face was pale, and Commissioner Gordon behind him was in even worse shape, looking like he was about to die.

"Doctor! Doctor! Help! Someone needs help! Commissioner Gordon is here!"

Garfield's loud shouts attracted the attention of those nearby. A talking horse was a rare sight.

The talking horse made them keep their distance and observe the situation, but upon hearing the horse say Gordon was there, the passersby immediately went forward to investigate.

"Doctor! Doctor, someone come quick! He needs a ventilator! Also, he's been shot! Hurry!"

The person who shouted immediately began administering CPR to Gordon.

While on Garfield's back, Gordon was nearly deprived of oxygen and suffocated by the strong wind generated by the horse's galloping.

… …

Seeing that Gordon had been taken away by the hospital staff, Tian Xiaoban mounted the horse again and patted its rump.

"Let's go."

"Not waiting any longer?"

"Have faith in Gotham's hospitals. They can save anyone who isn't already dead. They're professionals!"

"Alright!" Garfield changed direction and galloped towards Wayne Manor.

A purple flash streaked past.

Passerby: What the f***… what was that? It just whooshed by!

On the way, Garfield asked: "I could have healed Gordon's injuries. Whether with qi or my cells, I could have restored him to full health on the spot. Why did you have me take him to the hospital? What a waste of time."

Tian Xiaoban communicated with it through the soul contract:

"First, to keep you low-profile; second, the fewer cards we reveal in front of Batman, the better, especially you, to prevent him from targeting you; third, Gordon gave us a reason to leave that place.

Staying there was a waste of time. It's better to get out early and eat dinner early."

"Oh, I see. We're here!"

After chatting for only a few minutes, they arrived at the entrance of Wayne Manor. The gate opened automatically after the surveillance cameras spotted them.

"Welcome back, Master Ban. Please come in."

Alfred's voice came from the surveillance system. He must still be in the Batcave.

"Okay, Alfred, get something for Garfield to eat. He's a big eater now, he can eat a lot!"

"Understood, I'll order it right away."

Garfield interjected: "I want it spicy. I've been eating sweets lately, I want something with a strong flavor."

"No problem! Mr. Garfield."

… … … … … …

In the manor's dining room, Tian Xiaoban chatted with Alfred while Garfield devoured takeout.

"So, you believe Kryptonians have come to Gotham?"

Tian Xiaoban's expression was a mixture of wanting to laugh and trying to hold it back. He hadn't expected that his slip-up at the time would make Gotham even more lively, causing a bunch of misunderstandings.

"Yes, Master Ban, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just thought of something funny!"

The thought of Batman scaring himself into equipping all his gear was indeed very funny.

"The situation in Gotham is very chaotic right now. There are outsiders, escapees from Arkham Asylum, and the busy GCPD. Master Bruce can't handle it all alone."

Tian Xiaoban's expression was strange. He could tell that Alfred wanted him to lend a hand.

This… wasn't impossible. However, it wouldn't be him helping.

"Garfield!"

"What! Can't you see I'm eating!" The cat looked up.

"Interested in helping Batman?"

"Not interested." Garfield turned his head away and continued eating.

Tian Xiaoban immediately took a roundabout approach:

"All-you-can-eat! You can have any food that money can buy!"

The cat looked up again: "Deal!"

Tian Xiaoban nodded in satisfaction and said to the stunned Alfred, "See, Batman's all-purpose assistant is here. Don't worry, this guy is a magical creature, durable, smart, and can transform into other creatures to help. Helping Batman through this difficult time is no problem."

"Really?"

Alfred only knew that Garfield could turn into a horse, but he didn't know what other animals he could transform into.

"You don't believe me? Garfield, put on a show for your future caretaker!"

"? Show what?" The cat's face was bewildered.

"Transform! Something cool."

Tian Xiaoban said matter-of-factly.

"That golden-haired one?"

"That's right!"

Garfield swallowed the food in his mouth, took a few steps, and came to an open space.

With a flash of light, the cat transformed into a black-haired boy with a long tail.

Alfred's eyes widened instantly! What? This cat can turn into a human? But why does the tail look more like a monkey's?

"Haaah~! !!!"

As Garfield unleashed his energy, a gust of wind swept through the dining room! The moment golden flames ignited within him, his black hair turned into golden hair that shot straight up, instantly doubling his attractiveness!

"This!!!!" Alfred was too shocked to speak. Although he didn't know what the golden hair represented, the powerful aura was clearly not to be trifled with.

Tian Xiaoban said somewhat boastfully:

"Hehe, amazing, right, Alfred? With Garfield's current strength, he can walk around Gotham without fear. No one can defeat him!"

"Is that all?" Garfield asked sharply.

"That's enough, you can go back to eating!"

"Oh!" The flames disappeared, he turned back into a black-haired, black-eyed cat, and transformed back into a cat on his way back to the pile of food.

"Alfred, you've seen it too. He has a lot of demands when it comes to food, and I don't have that much time to take him out to eat, so… you understand."

"Rest assured, Master Ban, I will take good care of him!"

"Good. Garfield, I'm leaving first, remember to be obedient!"

Garfield continued to eat, pretending not to hear, and waved his tail in farewell.

… … … … … … … …

Bang bang, crack—

After breaking all of his bones, the Riddler finally became honest, because he was now completely unable to move.

"Now, tell me. What is the secret you spoke of?"

It was like a password, and the Riddler, who had been rolling his eyes in pain, suddenly perked up and said through gritted teeth:

"Beware the Court of Owls, ever watching your movements.

Secretly observing Gotham City, hidden in the attics of low walls.

He is at home, he is also on the bed.

Do not mention his name, or claws will seek your head."

This is a dark nursery rhyme that everyone in Gotham has heard.

But it is also a riddle that exists in the darkness of Gotham. People who have heard the nursery rhyme cannot find them; those who have accidentally seen them will be forced to become one of them; and those who join them will not leak any information to the outside world.

Batman narrowed his eyes, thinking as he spoke:

"The Court of Owls, your escape from Arkham is also related to them."

"Pfft, hahaha, hiss—, even the pain cannot stop me from wanting to laugh now. Hahahaha…"

"It seems to be related to the Court of Owls, but it wasn't someone from the Court of Owls who saved you."

Batman's tone was calm, as if he had already guessed this answer.

Tian Xiaoban was the first to tell him about the Court of Owls and its connection to his parents' deaths.

The Riddler leaned on his unbroken spine, stubbornly propping himself up, and stared into Batman's eyes as he said:

"NONOno, the answer to this riddle is not the Court of Owls, but what the Court of Owls represents!

Believe me, Penguin will help you solve this riddle next. Hahahaha…"

He laughed like this and passed out, his body had reached its limit, and his mind was stretched to the limit, in shock from the pain.

Batman was silent. How did the Penguin get involved? Wasn't he missing? Could he also be related to the Court of Owls?

He checked the Riddler's body. It was okay, although the Riddler's random movements had caused some of the broken bones to shift, it didn't matter, Gotham's medical care was good enough to heal him.

He made an emergency call and then walked towards the pile of metal wreckage that Garfield had smashed.

He carefully searched and found the riddle:

I have a thousand faces, but no true self; I hide in the dark, but control the light. What am I?