American comics: The off-the-charts random transformation

Tian Xiaoban smiled slightly: "Of course, with this ability, no matter how hard Garfield hits, it can always get back at the opponent! So, if you team up with it, you can be a little more unrestrained in your attacks."

Alfred picked up a fruit knife from the bedside table and began to remove the cast from his leg, continuing to ask, "How much do you know about the current situation?"

Tian Xiaoban replied, "Well, apart from your injury, Batman's disappearance, and Dick saying that Batman went to cause trouble for the Penguin and Bane's gang in the mission log, I know nothing else."

Dick Grayson added from the side:

"I originally planned to investigate by myself tonight! But I ran into the two of them, and after learning that they could cure you, I brought them here to find you."

After cleaning the plaster cast, Alfred walked out wearing his hospital clothes.

"Let's go back first. There are some things we need to give you."

After everyone left the hospital, Dick drove off towards Wayne Manor.

....................................

The nights are no longer as deserted as they used to be; you can see groups of people performing superpowers outside late at night.

People with superpowers, especially those with really cool abilities, like to go out at night to have fun, show off to their friends, and maybe even rob someone.

Along the way, there were flashes of fire, electricity, and all sorts of colorful lasers, which were even more dazzling than the colored lights in a bar.

Sitting in the car, Tian Xiaoban asked:

"What's the situation with your super-powered drugs these days? I know this stuff has been circulating in the metropolis for a while now. But looking at the streets, it seems like it's become standard equipment for thugs here?"

Where are the police? Why are there no patrol officers left?

Alfred, who was riding in the car, glanced out the window:

"There's nothing we can do about it. All the officers at the police station who can handle things are in the hospital, so naturally no one's here to take care of things now."

The Master had previously tried to restrict the distribution of drugs, but the more restrictions he imposed, the stronger the backlash from Gotham became.

A superpower pill that costs a thousand dollars is being sold for five or six thousand dollars on the black market here.

This stuff instantly became an even more popular and lucrative industry than leaves.

The Gotham gangs are smuggling superpower drugs in large quantities, and it's out of control. Basically, anyone with a little money will buy one; they're even more sought after than guns.

Not only that, the Gotham mob has been secretly researching this, and a large number of counterfeit drugs have flooded the market. These drugs not only fail to grant superpowers, but can also easily cause people to die instantly due to genetic collapse.

In order to reduce casualties and crack down on the criminal underworld, the Gotham City government is now officially selling super-powered drugs.

You make an online reservation using your real name, and then purchase the medicine at the city hall. While there's no limit to the quantity of medicine you can buy, there are restrictions on the types of superpowers you can possess.

The unlimited superpowers are all life-saving abilities like healing or regeneration. However, offensive superpowers will be recorded by the GCPD, allowing the authorities to easily identify suspects in case of an incident.

However, so far, this method has been ineffective. Most Gotham residents trust the cheap but problematic super-powered drug sold on the black market more, because they believe the Gotham government will try to rip them off.

Dick Grayson, who was driving, added: "There are more and more superpowered crimes lately, and the economic losses they can cause are also increasing."

Especially after Batman's disappearance, major problems have arisen in parts of Gotham.

The mayor of Gotham City has decided to enlist LexCorp's help to create a super-powered team! The kind with permanent superpowers, to fight crime and, more importantly, to take down Batman.

Tian Xiaoban frowned. Gotham has become such a horrible mess?

Although Gotham was already rotten to begin with, the advent of the super drug made it even more rotten.

"Aren't you going to do anything about it?"

“…I just got back,” Dick Grayson emphasized. “If Batman hadn’t gone missing, none of this would have happened!”

Alfred shook his head: "I'm willing but unable... I still need to find the Master. I don't have much time until I find him."

I think young Master Dick would be more than happy to help the master manage this chaotic Gotham.”

Dick Grayson was silent for three minutes, then answered Alfred:

"No, Ah Fu, I still know my own limitations. Facing those criminals who can lift up bank vaults at the drop of a hat, I probably don't have that kind of strength."

Although Dick was reluctant to admit it, Batman was indeed better than him; Batman could always handle these illogical criminals.

"Watch your car while driving, Mr. Dick."

Master Dick is just an ordinary person, and being an ordinary person does not mean being weak.

Don't give up too soon. Although Lex Luthor's gene-enhancing drug can mass-produce superhumans, it's not permanent. We'll always find another opportunity.

"Turn, let's go to Hangar Three. There's something there that can help you."

The car drifted around the corner and stopped at an artificial fountain.

The artificial fountain rose automatically, revealing the entrance to the underground hangar. Dick stepped on the gas and plunged down.

After driving down for ten minutes, the view suddenly opened up. Below was a large cavern, but it had now been paved with a large number of metal plates, making it a good secret base.

Two large Bat fighter jets stood quietly here, exuding an indescribable aura of power and dominance.

"Come with me."

Alfred led the way, taking the two people and the cat to a place that resembled a laboratory.

"The Master had foreseen the explosive growth of superpowers. That's why he made several more power suits as a precaution."

The metal explosion-proof door opened, and five light powered armored vehicles stood quietly in the warehouse.

Alfred turned on the lights, and the cold white light illuminated these powerful machines, igniting the passion of the two young men.

Alfred didn't stop the two young men who had already started touching them. He calmly explained from the side:

"Movable lightweight titanium alloy powered armor. Titanium alloy has high strength and good toughness."

This power armor is two meters tall. Anyone within two meters can automatically shrink and adapt to the height of the person entering the cockpit.

This power comes from a small reactor, which can operate at full capacity for three hours and in energy-saving mode for five hours. On the right arm, there is a shield that can absorb external energy and is specifically designed to target those with superpowers such as fire and laser abilities.

The mech weighs nearly a ton, so Mr. Dick, it's not suitable for jumping on rooftops; Gotham's buildings don't have that kind of load-bearing capacity.

"Outside transport planes can carry these, making your operations safer."

"Well done, that's exactly what I need."

Dick Grayson was itching to get his hands on it.

"Young Master Ban, do you need it?"

"No need, Garfield is enough for me. I can't wait to leave."

Tian Xiaoban is indeed bold; he wants to see if Gotham City will produce any powerful individuals due to the super-powered drug.

"OK, I'll support you from inside the bat cave. Let's go. I'll send the address to the fighter jet."

Alfred pressed two buttons, and the power armor platform automatically raised its wheels, allowing this nearly one-ton behemoth to be pushed around like luggage.

Dick pushed away a blue armored vehicle, which was clearly designed specifically for him.

Once everyone boarded the fighter jet, after Alfred transmitted the address, the jet immediately flew towards its destination.

.......................................

"This is... Crime Alley?"

The riddle-maker felt very familiar with this place, but he couldn't leave, as if trapped in a bottomless quagmire.

"Shit, what's in this godforsaken place? Is it some kind of riddle I can't solve?"

No matter which way he went, he always ended up in the same dilapidated alley, where it would rain from time to time, which puzzled the riddle solver greatly.

"Is Batman's origin story related to this place?"

The clever man immediately realized the key point: this was the place where the Wayne couple were murdered, and it was also the most talked-about news at the time.

He actually knew some of the people involved at the time. The riddle-maker had read many strange records and found an organization between the lines.

That's Gotham's most famous courthouse, the Owl Court.

"Is Batman also a member of the Court of Owls?"

The riddle solver immediately rejected the guess, and suddenly the scene changed, and he saw a child crying in the rain.

"Bruce Wayne, ha, losing your parents and getting an endless fortune, how many people in Gotham want that opportunity."

The riddle teller's voice was slightly sarcastic. He couldn't stand these little brats who acted like the sky was falling over the slightest setback. He found it all meaningless.

Suddenly, he saw the person standing behind the child.

“Oh, old friend! Oh, you’re still so young, Gordon.”

That's right, the person standing behind Bruce Wayne was Gordon, who had just become a patrolman at the time.

The riddle-maker frowned, keenly sensing that something was amiss.

This is Batman's inner world. How did a young Gordon suddenly appear here?

The more questions arose, the more excited the riddle solver became.

Can a child become Batman?

The riddle teller said it was very difficult.

But what if a child is so rich that he can create a Batman?

Yes, absolutely!

In a crazy place like Gotham, it's possible to cultivate a Batman from among countless people by simply throwing money at him.

This explains why Batman has "died" so many times, but he has never truly died!

"I get it, you brat, you're the real Batman! You can use money, resources, and equipment to create one Batman after another! You're the one playing the game!"

"Hahaha, so that's it! No wonder the Court of Owls didn't dare to take action against you. It turns out you have the means to fight them!"

The Riddler grew increasingly excited, and now the Penguin's question was answered: why was Batman still alive and kicking after brain death? Because he wasn't the same person at all!

Perfect conclusion! Perfect closed loop!

Why can anyone be Batman just by wearing a mask? Because there is a group of Batmen!

"I never expected Bruce Wayne to be so cunning, hahaha..."

Amidst the riddle-maker's maniacal laughter.

The crying child seemed to have heard everything he had to say.

He silently stood up and walked step by step to the riddle teller.