The storm finally came to an end, and Gotham's rainy season was over.
Despite being battered by the storm surge for days and nights, Gotham did not appear dilapidated; instead, it seemed like a filthy floor that had been harshly cleaned with a high-pressure water gun. Every building appeared renewed, even the historical preservation structures like Falcone Manor had shed some of their years-old grime. It is through such storms that the city transforms into its wicked yet pure form.
Nyarlathotep came and went silently, leaving as the storm's final rain beats ended, disappearing completely within the manor. When the others awoke, all they saw was Schiller sitting beside the sofa, watching a television program rerun.
Tim held his head with his hands; he had spent the most time with Brand, and his spirit was drained, making him feel dizzy. He called out, "Professor Shearer."
Schiller turned his head to look at him, walked over, and helped him up from the sofa. Tim gasped, rubbed his forehead, and asked, "Is it over?"
"Yes, the rain has stopped," Schiller's voice remained somewhat low. Tim forced his eyes open and asked, "So what happened here? Why did that guy suddenly…"
"I'm his enemy," Schiller said, "To be precise, he sees me as his enemy."
"His enemy disguised as you?"
"His enemy is me."
"You've twisted my mind, Professor."
"The former me is not me," Schiller sighed softly, "Before coming to Gotham, Schiller Rodriguez was a different person. Brand's enemy was him."
"So, Brand wanted to escape his enemy, but in the end, he and the enemy came to the same city…"
Schiller shook his head and said, "By then, I was no longer his enemy."
Tim was a bit stuck; he sat up from the sofa and wiped his face. Schiller walked over and made him a cup of hot coffee. Tim held the coffee cup and asked, "The you before Gotham and the you after Gotham just look alike but are actually two people?"
Schiller gently nodded, "Before coming to Gotham, I was Brand's enemy, after coming to Gotham, I became his friend."
"What is the relationship between the two versions of you?"
"He was my former doctor."
Tim was stunned. The gossip from the Black Death Emperor had now spread throughout Schiller's acquaintance circle. However, since that battle, the doctor had been elusive, rarely seen by others.
"And the one drinking with us just now…"
"That was me," Schiller said, "When I said I wanted to go upstairs to rest, we exchanged places."
Tim showed an understanding expression because he intuitively felt that this doctor was not the type to join them in reasoning. Then Tim asked, "Given that your relationship is so close, why is your attitude towards Brand so different?"
"Actually, there's no difference," Schiller said, "Whether Brand is his enemy depends on what he does. Before, he was just an Outer God wanting to cause trouble on Earth, so the doctor couldn't be blamed for bothering him. But after he came to Gotham, he became an excellent doctor, so both of us would be his friends."
"That's what I can't understand," Tim said, "How can an Outer God become a doctor? And seemingly a good one at that?"
"Nyarlathotep is very cunning, he is a devil who can see through human nature." Schiller called out Nyarla's name, "He knows that if he becomes an exceptional and good doctor, neither of us can truly trouble him, at most just scare him a bit. Isn't this just what happened?"
"No wonder," Tim said, "Originally, he had already fled, but returned for Edward's sake. It seems he was worried that if he left Edward behind, causing severe consequences, you two would hunt him down together."
"But if he came back to handle the Edward matter and continued to cure him, the possibility of you two letting him off the hook would be greater. However—did you let him off?"
"We didn't do anything to him. If he simply refuses to lend his strength, then the doctor can't do much about it either. But Nyarlathotep, being the Outer God with the most human traits, also succumbs to his greed. He has no reason not to engage in a new round of events; it's all benefits, no harm for him."
"Then why does he act so terrified?"
"Nyarla is the God of Thousand Faces." Schiller's answer was a bit ambiguous, "You see only what he wants you to see; his true thoughts are unknown to anyone."
Yet Tim seemed to understand something. A person must have weaknesses and be subject to threats to have room for negotiation. If someone is completely invincible, there's no back-and-forth process, thus not participating in any events.
If the Outer God merely seeks "a sense of involvement," he certainly has to artificially create some weaknesses. Just like how Brand acts as if he doesn't want to offend him and Brainiac, but upon reflection, such a creature, even if he truly offends them, what can happen? No one here can reach him, and even if they could, could they truly kill him?
Tim didn't feel frustrated; he was more interested instead. These enigmatic things spark a strong desire for exploration; it's a pity Brand has already left, or he would definitely grab him and ask properly.
"By the way, Professor," Tim remembered the matter of Ogway, coinciding with the moment Cobblepot also walked in from the back door.
As the door opened, a hint of biting coldness was brought in. Cobblepot seemed to have regained his astute and powerful demeanor, carrying a very faint smell of blood.
"Excuse me, I'm going to freshen up," Cobblepot said.
So, neither of them talked about anything related to Cobblepot, waiting instead for him to shower and change before Tim stood up and asked, "How is it?"
"I owe you a personal favor," Cobblepot said, "It was him."
Tim sighed softly, "What about the mastermind? Have they been found out?"
"The person pulling the strings naturally wouldn't let him know. However, I suspect it's Doctor Manhattan," Cobblepot said, "Doctor Manhattan is trying to disguise as the Blue Beetle, but what he wants to do after taking me down, I'm not quite sure."
"He's probably targeting Brainiac," Tim suggested, "Because Brainiac also created a game system; they're the real competitors."
"I don't care about that," Cobblepot said, "I don't have the energy to concern myself with matters beyond the universe right now. I have to take care of my mother and Edward, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment during the optimal recovery period. But that doesn't mean I won't retaliate."
Cobblepot looked into Tim's eyes, "If I hire you to gather a group of people to investigate Doctor Manhattan's conspiracy, what will it cost me?"
"To be honest with you," Tim smiled and said, "I had the same idea, so you don't have to pay anything. I can't do this alone, but I happen to have some friends; I just need some supplies support."
"No problem," Cobblepot said, "Brainiac and I will provide logistical support. Right?"
Brainiac beeped twice in response. If it turns out this is indeed Doctor Manhattan's doing, Brainiac would certainly make him regret it. It's time to reclaim his villainous account.
"It's settled then," Tim said, "I need to gather some people first; once everyone is here, we'll hold a meeting."
After saying this, he hurriedly left. Shearer looked at Cobblepot and said, "The water in the hospital hasn't receded yet, but Edward's situation can't afford to be delayed; Brand took him away first."
"You know, Professor, I've never been interested in those mystical things." Cobblepot sat down and said, "Both Edward and my mother can use Clarkia glycosides, but Mr. Falcone's situation is more complex..."
"I've already contacted Professor X, and he'll be here shortly," Shearer said, "And he got in touch with the one from the Universe of Greed, Charles. The other side isn't exactly free either, but the situation with the Alberto and Evans brothers is very rare, so Charles is quite interested and should be arriving soon."
"Professor," Brainiac suddenly spoke up, "Could you please bring Chief Gordon back?"
"Isn't it a bit late to realize now?" Shearer said.
"Tim has left." Brainiac seemed to sigh, "I also need him to investigate Doctor Manhattan's affair, but the position of Gotham Police Chief can't be left vacant, and there's no one else suitable."
"Where is Chief Gordon now?"
"Prime Universe," Brainiac replied, "He's on vacation with his family. I'm not sure if he's willing to return, that Primary Universe Batman is quite hard to deal with..."
Brainiac then went on a long tirade. Clearly, interactions with Primary Universe Batman weren't enjoyable. In this world, perhaps the only thing more uncompromising than electronic life is Batman.
"I can make a trip," Shearer said, "The water pollution issue..."
"I think we should focus on solving the problems we already have now, rather than clinging to the minutiae of the past," Brainiac said helplessly, dealing with these Gothamites taught even an electronic life form like him to take a step back for peace of mind.
"When will the water recede?" Shearer asked.
"About another twelve hours," Brainiac provided some data, "Your house is fine, it wasn't flooded; you just need to tidy up the yard a bit."
Shearer nodded, "I need to entertain Charles; I can't let things look too shabby."
At this moment, Ethan also got up, feeling a bit lost about the current situation, "How did I suddenly fall asleep?"
"You drank too much," Cobblepot said. He glanced at the bottles scattered on the coffee table; aside from red wine, there were two bottles of whiskey. Whiskey with ice always leads people to underestimate their alcohol tolerance.
"I remember I could hold my liquor," Ethan muttered, but didn't ask much more. Then Victor followed shortly after.
Cobblepot stood up and said, "Professor, I'll have someone send those two hundred tons of ice back."
"I thought you might want to keep it to build an Iceberg Restaurant," Victor came over and patted him on the shoulder. Cobblepot smiled, with a bit of the youthful shyness commonly seen.
No matter what, the rain had stopped. Shearer looked out the window and said, "The storm will pass."
The damp air still shrouded the entire city in a misty fog. The once dark City of Darkness, after the night rain, exuded a certain melancholic gentleness amidst its coldness.
The Prime Universe Red Hood stepped out of the teleportation portal, taking a deep breath, feeling as if his whole body was soaking in water. He turned back to look at the teleportation portal, wondering if he had taken the wrong step.
And then, right after, came Red Robin. He halted as soon as he stepped out, "Are you sure this is the Universe of the Nameless Bat? Wasn't it supposed to be sunny here? Where's the sun?"
Nightwing and Cassandra emerged one after another. Nightwing exaggeratedly said, "How is it even more humid than our place? Did it just rain here?"
"I'm afraid not," Red Hood stuck his head out and said, "That guy called us over, could it be to prevent a typhoon?"