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SM/DC Chapter 51 : Gotham City
🕑 Added 2025-03-07 20:46:35 +0000 UTCGotham -
The moment they crossed the bridge into Gotham, Arthur felt it.
A weight in the air.
The city was drenched in gloom, like the entire place had been dipped in shadow and left to dry in misery. The sky above was an endless gray, as if the sun had given up on shining here a long time ago. The towering buildings stood tall but suffocated, choked by age, pollution, and a creeping sense of decay that clung to every brick.
Raindrops dotted the windshield, faint streaks running down the glass like the city itself was crying, though no one here seemed to care. Gotham’s people moved through the streets with purpose, heads down, shoulders hunched. Even the neon signs of clubs and shady businesses failed to give the streets any real life, they only illuminated the darkness, never banished it.
Arthur let out a slow breath, eyes scanning the streets as the car rolled deeper into the city. He leaned back into his seat, arms crossed. "I see what you meant now, George. This city is... gloomy."
He let his words hang in the air before adding, “It feels like even the air here has given up.”
George, ever composed, remained focused on the road, but there was a small knowing smile on his face. "Well, Master Arthur, this is Gotham. It has always been this way." He took a careful turn onto a slick, rain-soaked road. "A city of contradictions...too stubborn to die, too broken to heal. A place where fear and crime have long since embedded themselves into its very foundation.”
Arthur hummed at that, watching as a group of men loitered in front of a convenience store, their eyes shifting toward the car with barely concealed interest. A second later, a pair of Batsignal-shaped decals reflected off their faces from a passing patrol car, and they quickly turned away, pretending to be busy.
George continued, voice smooth yet laced with a quiet kind of wisdom. "To Batman’s credit, he has done an admirable job keeping the city from plunging further into chaos. But Gotham…" He shook his head. "It never truly sheds its nature. Its reputation is well-earned, I’m afraid."
Arthur smirked. "Sounds like a great place for a vacation."
George chuckled softly. "Indeed, sir. A fine getaway, if one enjoys the occasional mugging attempts."
Arthur let out a breath through his nose, shifting his gaze to the skyline. Gotham’s skyscrapers were tall, but unlike Metropolis’s shining beacons of progress, these stood like jagged tombstones against the horizon. The shadows between the buildings seemed deeper, stretching just a little longer than they should.
"Well," Arthur said, cracking his knuckles. "At least I won’t be bored."
George sighed, though there was an unmistakable trace of amusement in his voice. "That, Master Arthur, I do not doubt in the slightest, but try to be careful."
The car continued down the rain-slicked streets, carrying Arthur deeper into Gotham’s embrace.
****
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the estate, the soft hum of the engine fading as George put it into park. With his usual poise, he turned slightly in his seat and announced, “We have arrived, Master Arthur.”
Arthur stretched slightly in his seat before running a hand through his hair. “That was a long road trip, but I’ll admit, it was worth it. Got to see some interesting places along the way.” He smirked, stepping out of the car and closing the door behind him.
Then, he turned to take in the place his brother had arranged for him.
And immediately, one of his eyebrows twitched.
This was not modest.
The estate was perched on a cliffside, overlooking Gotham’s restless sea. The waves crashed against jagged rocks below, sending white mist into the air like ghostly apparitions. The building itself was an architectural masterpiece, modern yet classical, with dark stone walls, large glass windows that reflected the stormy sky, and a wrap-around balcony that promised a breathtaking view of the ocean. There were tasteful exterior lights illuminating the pathways, and a small but meticulously maintained garden lined the entrance.
Arthur let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as he muttered under his breath. “Modest, you say, Adam?”
George, who had stepped out of the car and was already retrieving Arthur’s belongings from the trunk, smiled knowingly. “It would seem Master Adam has a rather… unique interpretation of the word ‘modest,’ sir.”
Arthur exhaled through his nose, placing his hands on his hips as he looked over the estate once more. “Yeah… I should’ve expected that.” He turned his gaze toward the sea for a moment, watching as the waves roared and crashed into the rocky shore. The scent of salt filled the air, blending with the faint smell of wet earth from the earlier rain.
After a beat of silence, he smirked and glanced at George. “Well, if I’m going to be roaming here in Gotham, I might as well do it in style.”
George closed the trunk and straightened his jacket with a dignified nod. “A fitting residence for someone of your stature, sir. Though, I do hope the city’s… unique brand of hospitality does not dampen the experience.”
Arthur huffed a small laugh. “Oh, I highly doubt that, George.” His eyes gleamed slightly. “If anything, I think Gotham and I are going to get along just fine.”
George stood beside the sleek black car, gloved hands resting neatly in front of him, as he gave Arthur a small nod. “Well then, Master Arthur, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave and return home.”
Arthur, who had been inspecting the house’s entrance, turned his head slightly. “Where are you going?”
George blinked. “Home, sir.”
Arthur scoffed, shaking his head with an amused smirk. “No, you’re not.”
George arched an eyebrow, his composed expression not faltering, but there was a subtle glint of curiosity in his eyes. “Sir?”
Arthur walked back toward him, standing just a few steps away. “I need someone to take care of this place while I’m gone. Make sure it doesn’t fall apart, keep unwanted guests away, and more importantly…” His sharp gaze met George’s. “…Make sure my identity stays a secret while I’m here.”
George studied him for a moment, then let out a small, knowing sigh. “I see. So, I am to be both caretaker and ‘owner’ of this ‘modest’ estate of yours?”
Arthur shrugged. “You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”
George smiled faintly. “On the contrary, sir. I find the prospect rather intriguing.” He gave a small bow, a gesture of acknowledgment rather than submission. “Very well, Master Arthur. I shall remain and oversee the estate in your absence.”
Arthur nodded, satisfied. “Good. You’re the only one I’d trust with this anyway.”
George straightened his jacket, his posture effortlessly refined. “I shall consider that the highest of compliments, sir.”
Arthur chuckled. “It was.” Arthur paused then added “also it is either you or my shadow soldiers.”
George, who had been adjusting his gloves, stopped momentarily and gave Arthur a puzzled look. “Shadow soldiers, sir?”
Arthur simply gestured toward the house. “Come inside. It’s easier to show than explain.”
George regarded him for a moment, then gave a small nod, following Arthur into the grand estate.
****
The house was vast, far from the "modest" place Adam had claimed it to be. A mixture of modern design and gothic elegance, with tall windows overlooking the sea, high ceilings, and intricate architecture. But George wasn’t admiring the interior.
No, his attention was currently fixed on the creature standing before him.
A hulking, shadowy figure loomed in the dim light of the room, its form shifting, wraith-like yet solid, glowing eyes staring at him with eerie intensity. It was undoubtedly not human.
George, standing just a few feet away, merely adjusted his sleeves and let out a slow breath. “I see.” He observed the creature with a calm, unreadable expression. “So you do have powers after all.”
Arthur leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, watching George’s reaction with mild amusement. “You’re way too calm about this.”
George tilted his head slightly, studying the shadow creature with the same air of scrutiny one might give a particularly curious work of art. “Well, sir, I have seen terrible things in my lifetime.” He glanced back at Arthur, his voice as composed as ever. “This creature you’ve summoned is rather… cute in comparison.”
Arthur blinked. Then barked out a short laugh. “Cute?!” He gestured toward the towering entity. “This thing could tear through steel like paper.”
George gave a small shrug. “And yet, it obeys you. Which makes it far less concerning than the horrors I’ve seen men commit in their pursuit of power.”
Arthur smirked, pushing off the pillar. “Interesting...Fair point.”
George glanced back at the shadow once more, then adjusted his jacket. “Shall I assume there are more of these… ‘cute’ creatures lurking about?”
Arthur grinned. “Oh, you have no idea.”
George clasped his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze lingering on the shadowy figure that loomed before him. “Is this the reason you came to Gotham, sir?” His tone was thoughtful. “To fight crime with these creatures? Like the heroes you once admired as a child?”
Arthur let out a laugh low, amused, and carrying a touch of disbelief. “Oh, no. Definitely not. I won’t be doing that.”
From the depths of the shadows, a new figure emerged.
A hunched, wiry silhouette stepped forward, its presence unnerving yet distinctly weaker than Arthur’s usual summons. Unlike his other soldiers this one was… different.
And it had a wide, unsettling grin.
Arthur’s grin mirrored it. “This guy will.”
George’s brow furrowed as he examined the shadowed figure. There was something eerily familiar about it. He tilted his head slightly. “This shadow… it bears a resemblance to…” His voice trailed off.
Arthur clapped a hand on George’s shoulder, his smirk widening. “Oh, you have no idea how ironic this is.”
[Normal Grade Shadow Solider
Name : ‘Low Ranked Can’t be Named’]
Then, turning his attention back to the shadow, Arthur waved his hand lazily. “I can’t name you yet, but that doesn’t really matter.” His voice dropped into something more commanding.
“Go. Stick to the shadows of this city avoid being seen. Fight crime however you see fit. Avoid killing small fries, but as for the so-called supervillains of this shithole…” He smirked. “Do whatever you want.”
The shadow tilted its head, the eerie grin stretching wider before it sank into the darkness.
George watched in silence for a moment before exhaling slowly. “A rather poetic choice, I must say.”
Arthur chuckled. “Poetic? No.” He placed his hands in his pockets, looking toward the Gotham skyline beyond the windows. “I’d call it justice.”
