Volume 1: Welcoming Gotham Chapter 35 Catwoman told you not to contact her for the time being, she was afraid that new friends would misunderstand
"Boss! Boss, are you okay?"
When Mason followed the Batmobile out of the Blackgate prison, which had become a place of despair, Kite Man, who was resting outside, immediately came to meet him. Charles's worry was not fake. He was really scared when he didn't see Mason come out after destroying the communication headset.
He was afraid that Mason and himself would be discovered by Batman, and was given a VIP accommodation ticket to Arkham Asylum on the spot.
But it seems that nothing has been leaked yet.
"Don't worry, everything is fine."
Mason said something to his younger brother, exchanged glances and handed him the suitcase. Kite Man took a few steps back tacitly and ran to say goodbye to Young Master Nightwing who was in charge of treating the wounded.
He just said that as a villain he was not used to being with Batman and left first.
This poor excuse would certainly be suspected in other cities, but my city has its own national conditions. The young master did not doubt it at all. After exchanging contact information, he watched the kite man take off in the night and disappear into the horizon.
"Mason, what happened in prison?"
The young man was resting in a temporary safety zone set up by the police. He was holding a bottle of water to clean his hands and face when the eldest son rushed over.
Judging from the brutal bullet marks and cuts on Grayson's battle suit, their battle at the Assassin's League's weapons warehouse must have been extremely fierce.
He stared at Mason and whispered:
"I heard your warning on the communication network, but then your signal was cut off. Were you attacked?"
"Well, there are crazy samurai in front and zombie monsters in the back."
Mason said without looking up:
"I almost died there. My headphones were knocked off in the chaos and I don't know where they were lost. If it weren't for the invisibility cloak, I'm afraid I would have become one of those wandering monsters.
You can ask Commissioner Gordon about the specific situation.
I was setting up explosives outside the prison when the danger appeared. I didn't see how those monsters appeared, but I felt that they were not from the right place. "
"Um?"
The young master frowned and said:
"What do you mean by 'illegitimate'?"
"They appeared out of nowhere, Nightwing."
Commissioner Gordon, who was holding an ice pack to cool his forehead abrasion, came over and took over Mason's words and said to the young master:
“I am sure that those monsters did not enter the prison through the main gate. They bypassed our defenses and there were no signs before they appeared.
Even the Penguin Gang and the Assassin's League were caught off guard!
I saw clearly when that terrifying big dog slaughtered those black warriors, and they were also terrified. "
"It's a third party, no doubt about it!"
Barbara Gordon's voice rang out from the young master's arm armor communicator. The girl who had been in charge of intelligence support in the Bat Cave at the rear said in a serious tone:
“I just checked the internal surveillance of Blackgate Prison, and I found the location where the zombie cats and zombie dogs first appeared. They all suddenly appeared from cells where it was impossible for anyone to hide!
Either someone had ambushed them there in advance, or it could have been some unconventional means.
Supernatural forces perhaps?
After all, those two things don't look like normal creatures... Hey! Wait, Kite Man just shared with me some photos he accidentally took when he took the risk of blowing up the Assassin's League transport plane at high altitude.
The clarity is terrible, maybe that guy should practice his aerial photography skills.
Wait a mininute.
I need some time to get these photos pixel perfect.”
"So, this disaster was man-made, but it wasn't a trick of the Assassin's League?"
Young Master Nightwing frowned as he looked at the main part of the Blackgate Prison whose roof was still burning. Batman was searching for survivors in the prison, while the Batplane and Batmobile were temporarily equipped with high-powered flamethrowers.
It was obvious that the master did not intend to postpone resolving this matter until dawn.
These wandering zombies have a highly contagious and deadly virus, and they must be burned along with the prison to ensure the safety of the city.
Commissioner Gordon felt a little scared when he thought about how he had just escaped death. He sat next to Mason, picked up a cigarette and lit it. He habitually handed one to Mason but was rejected.
Minors are not allowed to smoke.
"If we think about it from another perspective, Nightwing, what if this zombie plague is some kind of biological weapon of mass destruction that the League of Assassins is trying to create?"
Director Gordon blew out a smoke ring and said quietly:
"What if Blackgate Prison was just a sacrifice for weapons testing? Think about it, if Batman didn't get back in time tonight, if Mason didn't discover their plan in advance, if there was any flaw in our actions tonight. What kind of hell would Gotham be like now?"
Hearing this, Nightwing was suddenly shocked.
Yes, if this dangerous zombie virus really leaked into the city...
"The chief's guess makes sense, Nightwing."
Another voice came from Nightwing's arm communicator, this time it was a man's voice, but it sounded very young.
He analyzed with a tired tone:
“But I am more inclined to believe that perhaps the Assassin’s League urgently adjusted its plan because after we attacked the warehouse where they stored their weapons, the original riot could no longer proceed.
Therefore, the senior leaders in charge of the operation decided to use Blackgate Prison as a testing ground for new weapons.
"Tim, do you, as a detective, think this is possible?"
The young master seemed to trust this person's inference and asked. The guy was silent for a few seconds and said:
"This conclusion is at least logically plausible, but it needs more evidence to support it."
Mason, who was sitting next to him, didn't say anything but just listened to the Bat Family's analysis quietly. A minute later, Barbara came online again, this time with a much more serious tone, and said:
“The photos taken by Kite Man are a surprise. Everyone, at the same time that Blackgate Prison was invaded by zombies, there were strange people moving less than one kilometer to the north of the prison.
I mobilized the nearby surveillance and confirmed that he invaded a long-abandoned cemetery, stayed there for more than thirty minutes, and took some things away from it.
Based on the photos, that person most likely had access to some supernatural powers.
Perhaps the disaster at Blackgate Prison was related to him!"
This new information surprised the Bat Family but delighted Mason. He is indeed the unlucky old scumbag Kang! He is a good friend who helps in times of need.
He didn't expect that Zha Kang's clue would confuse the Bat Family for long.
But delaying it for a while is better than delaying it for a while. At least it gives Mason more time to accumulate strength and prepare for future disturbances.
"Nightwing! I found a few survivors in Cell Block C. I asked the Batfighter to float above me and take them out. Also, there are some abnormal signs in the sewers. I need to go check it out.
Tim took over the ground search.”
Batman's hoarse voice sounded from the communicator. The eldest and third young masters who were summoned immediately responded and rushed towards Blackgate Prison. Mason and Commissioner Gordon stayed where they were and did not move.
After Nightwing left, the haggard old man stamped out his cigarette butt and whispered to Mason:
"Thanks, kid, you saved me again."
"Aren't you my guardian?"
Mason bowed his head and said:
"Isn't this as it should be? If something happens to you, many people will be very sad. By the way, Gordon, when we were evacuating just now, did you notice a short guy among those zombies..."
"It's the Penguin!"
The director took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and whispered:
"I'm definitely not wrong. That guy got what he deserved. He threatened me that his allies would resurrect him. I want to see how he will crawl back from hell after being burned to ashes tonight."
At this point, Gordon reached out and patted Mason on the shoulder, saying:
"This is a good thing for you, too. You can finally get rid of the shadow of the past. Mason, you are safe now, so why not move back?"
"Well, I plan to get a job and start a small business to support myself."
Mason shrugged and said:
"To be honest, I've already chosen the place where I want to work and my own store, but I will keep my promise and come back often, Gordon."
"Chief, Lewis may not be able to make it."
Just as the two were chatting, a female police officer ran over and said something.
Gordon's face changed and he stood up and walked over. Mason thought about it and followed him.
Lewis was the police officer who was hit by the black warrior when he was escorting the Penguin. He was strong enough to survive to the end, but now he is extremely weak.
Gordon grabbed his hand and wanted to say something, but the director finally fell silent. Mason behind him put his hand on Gordon's shoulder and whispered:
"Give me some time, maybe I can help."
"Um?"
Gordon looked at Mason in surprise, and then thought of this guy's other identity.
"Yes! You are an alchemist!"
The director jumped up and angrily dispersed the other people in the makeshift tent, leaving the space to Mason.
The young man took out three bottles of primary treatment potion and fed them to the critically ill old policeman, then removed the gauze on his body and bandaged him again.
Such treatment certainly could not bring the patient back to life, but the lasting effect of the healing potion and the skilled first aid bandage at least allowed the old policeman to stop the bleeding and hold out until the ambulance arrived.
The rest is beyond Mason's control.
He has done his best.
Gordon personally accompanied his old brother to the ambulance. Before leaving, the police expressed their sincere gratitude to Mason. They owed this young man a big favor tonight.
If the Gotham Police Department also had a reputation bar, after today's special battle, Mason's favorability would definitely be raised to above "Respected".
Of course, considering the general quality of Gotham police, being respected by them has no practical significance.
"Did you learn all that from that wizard?"
The old man's hoarse voice suddenly sounded behind Mason, which instantly tensed up the young man's relaxed spirit. He took a deep breath and turned around and said:
"Yes, I can't tell you much, I can only say that the five days I was missing were a long time, and I was changed forever in that house.
But maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
Mason took out the USB drive that Catwoman had given him before the operation from the small bag on his waist, handed it to Batman, and said:
“This is the information that Ms. Selina hid, copied from the hard drive. It was from this information that she learned about the alliance between the Penguin and the Assassin’s League.
But she also said that this information might be a bait for the Assassins to target you, and once you put it in the Batcomputer, your entire security database will be under their control."
"Well, this is indeed Lei Xiaogu's style. He gives you a hint of curiosity while hiding a bait deep inside."
Batman took the USB drive and put it into his multi-purpose belt. He glanced at Mason and didn't ask too much about alchemy.
After a few seconds of silence, he asked:
"Where's Selina? Nightwing told me she left the operation on her own and came to Blackgate to help you. She also said she considers you her little brother.
Did you see her here?"
"Yes, just before I escaped."
Mason took out Catwoman's cat tail whip, handed it to Batman and said calmly:
"She asked me to give this thing to you. She is sure that you will show up as a hero at the last moment. She also said that what she said to you when Nightwing and I used the truth serum to deceive her was all false, and asked you not to think too much about it.
But to be honest, I doubt she is trying to cover up something.”
Batman did not answer, but stroked the cat tail whip in his hand and asked:
"So, she's gone?"
"Well, it's a very cool walk."
Mason lowered his head and said in a tired voice:
"She said she needed some time to calm down and think about the future between you two. She told you not to bother looking for her and even jokingly told you not to contact her anymore because she was afraid of being misunderstood by her new friends.
But she also said it.
After she figures it out and sorts out some of the little interpersonal and trust issues she's having, she'll reach out to you."
At this point Mason raised his head and showed the gossipy expression that a young man should have, and whispered to Batman:
"I don't understand how you old people fall in love, but I think this is too awkward. You are obviously in love, but..."
"Mason!"
Batman raised his head and glanced at the young man. Although he couldn't see his eyes, Mason knew he shouldn't continue.
There was silence between the two, with a hint of awkwardness.
After a few seconds, Batman took the initiative and said:
"What are your plans for your future?"
"I have no idea."
Mason shrugged, spread his hands and said:
"The Penguin is dead, the Penguin Gang has collapsed, and the Assassin's League has suffered a heavy blow and probably won't have time to hunt me down. I can finally settle down and think about the future.
For now, I plan to take it one step at a time. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Yes, I have."
The master nodded, looked Mason up and down, and said:
"You've met Grayson, and he has his own business and life in Blüdhaven. You haven't met Tim, but he's interested in you, but Tim plans to complete his studies and pursue a career as a detective.
Mason, I'm in need of an assistant.
Are you interested in becoming the new 'Robin'?"
"ah?"
Mason froze in place.
Although Catwoman, Gordon and Barbara had made similar jokes before, he never expected that Batman would actually take the initiative to make this suggestion.
Perhaps it was because of his outstanding performance in a series of recent events that his master saw his "potential"?
But your beloved lover is still locked in my suitcase! And I was the one who caused the zombie disaster that is giving you a headache!
Are you sure you are not inviting a wolf into your house?
"Thank you for your kindness. To be honest, I am flattered."
Mason thought seriously for half a minute before shaking his head.
He took a step back and said to Batman in front of him very frankly:
"But I think my style of doing things doesn't quite match your insistence, so let's forget it. To be honest, I actually have some small troubles of my own that I need to deal with."
"Yeah, that's okay."
Batman was not too disappointed. He looked at Mason and said:
"Then continue to pursue your life. This city doesn't need any more turmoil and unrest. Mason, use your abilities for better things."
After saying that, the master fired the grappling gun into the sky and disappeared from Mason's sight with a whoosh.
A few minutes later, Bruce Wayne, sitting in the Batplane, stroked the cat-tail whip in his hand, and the image of the old butler Alfred appeared in front of him.
The master said to his most trusted butler:
“Afu, inform Lucius to prepare the biological laboratory. I will bring the zombie virus samples over. We must analyze them as soon as possible and make corresponding preparations.
Also, create a file in my private database.
Target...Mason Cooper!"
"Um?"
Ah Fu was stunned by this request, and he asked:
"Master, this..."
“I reapplied another pheromone mark to Mason the other day on the way to Dr. Leslie’s clinic, meant to protect him.
But just now, when I was searching for traces of the beast that tore apart more than thirty elite members of the Assassin's League in the sewers of Blackgate Prison, I accidentally detected a weak pheromone signal reaction. "
Batman pursed his lips under his helmet and whispered:
"Mason went to the sewers and stayed there for a while, but he concealed it. He might have taken refuge there, or he might have been doing something else. I need to investigate further.
I just hope that what happens tonight is not the worst I imagined.
But Ah Fu is just the same as before.
We have to plan for the worst-case scenario.”
