Chapter 51: How About a Different Wish?
October 23, 2023 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Gotham Harbor, an abandoned warehouse.
A room that should have been forgotten, a corner that should have remained unvisited for the past two years, now glowed with a faint green light.
It was the fluorescent glow from the monitors. Computer cases sat on makeshift shelves and desktops, while monitors arranged in upper and lower tiers encircled the room's only chair. The surroundings were pitch-black. The screensavers on the inactive monitors were uniformly green, each marked with a conspicuous '?'.
The Riddler's stronghold.
Edward Nigma, also known as the Riddler, was currently sitting among the monitors in this room.
Shortly after his debut, he had engaged in a prolonged battle of wits with Batman. However, following his greatest setback not long ago—when a certain deus ex machina-like giant, as if just passing by, effortlessly dismantled his carefully prepared trap and rescued the child he had kidnapped—the Riddler had temporarily gone quiet.
During this time, he had holed up in his small den, leaving no clues and no riddles. He was a shut-in, never leaving his house to cause any trouble. Consequently, Batman and the GCPD had no way to track him and had to let the matter rest for now.
But of course, he was not about to give up.
This time, he was planning something much bigger than anything before, a riddle for the ages, a grand stage befitting his super-genius identity.
Just then, a shadow slowly emerged from behind him, transforming into a twisted shape in the empty room.
"Edward Nigma."
The Riddler's pupils constricted. He stopped typing, frowned, and turned around.
"Who's there?"
"Me? I am the shadow manifested from the hearts of all who are resentful. I am Vengeance."
The shadow coalesced into the form of the Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit, its scarlet eyes filled with cruelty.
"A demon?"
As expected of a distinguished resident of Arkham, the Riddler was neither shocked nor panicked upon encountering such a supernatural phenomenon.
"A demon? No." The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit sneered. "My name is Cressus, a Demon Spirit, and I am here to help you."
The Riddler mulled it over for a moment.
"But you just said you were Vengeance."
The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit's mouth hung open, the rest of its prepared speech getting stuck in its throat.
"...That was a conceptual, abstract way of putting it," it explained in a booming voice. "I am indeed vengeance, but my name is Cressus."
"Man, you guys are really confusing."
The Riddler spun around in his swivel chair, steepling his fingers.
"I bet you don't get out much to do business with people, right? I'm guessing with your skills, you don't often succeed in tricking people out of fresh souls?"
"I've already told you, I'm not a demon, I'm a Demon Spirit!" The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit shook its head, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "In any case, you possess a unique talent, and a darkness deep within you that others lack.
We have taken notice of your talent and are willing to eliminate any obstacle to achieving your dreams! State your greatest wish, whatever it may be..."
The Riddler replied without hesitation: "Help me kill that 'Ultraman'."
The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit's smile vanished in an instant.
Its pair of scarlet eyes widened, staring intently at the Riddler.
*You want me to die?*
After holding back for a moment, it sullenly asked, "I thought you would want to kill Batman. Isn't he the one who's always foiling your plans?"
"I'd like that too, but I think I can handle him myself. After all, he isn't as smart as I am."
The Riddler smirked, folding his arms.
"But that giant last time was an unknown variable. He inexplicably ruined my plan, as if he were just casually passing by, not playing by my rules at all... I don't like that."
The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit considered for a moment, then said, "I know you're a great designer, a riddle master. Your masterpieces are impressive."
"Thank you." The Riddler puffed out his chest with pride.
"But I know your ambition doesn't end there. You want to achieve even greater things, to design an unprecedented riddle, to become an unforgettable scar upon this city, no, upon this world. Am I not right?
And we possess power—supernatural power that can accomplish anything."
The Demon Spirit floated behind him, whispering temptations.
"Embrace the darkness in your heart, and we shall help you realize that grand blueprint..."
The Riddler thought about it.
"Thanks, but no. I still want to kill that Ultraman."
The Demon Spirit: "..."
It was already roaring internally.
*I can't fucking beat him! How many times do I have to say it? I can't beat him, and that's that!*
*Can't you just wish for something else?*
After a moment of contemplation, the Demon Spirit changed its tune, altering its tactic.
"Or perhaps... I am curious. As a riddle master, how can you turn a blind eye to the greatest riddle right before your very eyes?"
"What?" As expected, the Riddler's interest was piqued.
"Batman," the Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit coaxed. "Aren't you curious who is truly beneath that mask? The one who appears and vanishes like a ghost, always one step ahead of you.
The one who solves all your riddles, who always sees through the clues you leave.
That man who is an enigma himself... surely... you must be curious?"
The Demon Spirit's voice echoed ethereally in the darkness, growing increasingly hypnotic.
For a moment, it seemed the Riddler was genuinely swayed.
A flash of that thirst for the answer, unique to this mad genius, appeared in his eyes.
"That's it," the Demon Spirit said, striking while the iron was hot. "Embrace the darkness within you, and we will grant you power..."
"Thanks, but no," the Riddler said, shaking his head. "My wish is still to eliminate that Ultraman."
The Demon Spirit: "..."
*No way, are you fucking doing this on purpose?*
"I will deal with Batman myself. There's no point to a riddle if you don't uncover the answer with your own two hands," the Riddler said.
The Demon Spirit could take it no more. The black mist around it surged as it raised its claws behind the Riddler, almost giving in to the urge to simply tear this fool to pieces to vent its anger.
Then, the Riddler changed his tune. "However... I've given it some thought, and accepting your help might not be out of the question. I am, in fact, planning a final confrontation with Batman, a riddle for the ages.
But you're right, he always solves my riddles. Perhaps I do need a contingency plan..."
Just as the Riddler began to turn, the Demon Spirit retracted the claws it had nearly failed to hold back, feigning nonchalance.
"I'm glad we could reach an agreement," it said with a light chuckle. "Rest assured. With us on your side, that Bat is as good as dead."
Back at the stronghold, the Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit heaved a long sigh of relief.
"That human isn't right in the head," it mumbled indistinctly. "Do we really need to cooperate with a lunatic like that?"
"It is necessary, Cressus."
A shadow emerged from the darkness; it was the Owl Demon Spirit.
"Edward Nigma, while a lunatic, is one with ideas, at least among humans. He can help us lure out 'Batman.' After all, capturing 'Batman' alive is our true goal."
"That's what I don't understand," the Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit said, puzzled. "Isn't he just some psycho in a costume? What do we need him for?"
"He possesses something that ordinary people do not. This makes him the perfect nourishment and sacrifice...
...one personally designated by 'That Lord'."
As it spoke, the Owl Demon Spirit shot him an icy glance.
"Do you dare question the will of That Lord?"
"N-no, I wouldn't dare." The Poison Scorpion Demon Spirit lowered its head.
The Owl Demon Spirit snorted coldly. "Soon, the Day of Arrival will be upon us. When That Lord descends, anyone who dares to block our path shall meet only death!"
(end of chapter)