Batman: Hero of Gotham

25- Cobblepot's Location

Skyline Club, 4:57 PM.

Batman arrived at the Skyline Club, alert of his surroundings. He got up to the roof and saw Oz with some companions. A big blue monster seemed to be the deadliest of all five of them. Batman realized that one of the five was the owner of the Skyline Club. Batman recognized him as Evan Norton. Batman used one of his devices to eavesdrop on the bunch. He heard Oswald talk. "Come on, come on, I know there's gotta be more around here. The man probably had millions in his sock drawer alone." Then, Evan spoke in a nervous voice.

"If Falcone finds out I helped you, he'll kill me!"

"Your old boss won't be doing much of anything! Ever again. He's been murdered earlier today. Haven't you heard, Evan?" Oswald said.

"He's...dead? I-I didn't know, I swear!"

"Eh, that's alright. No one really cares. Hell, when I found out I clapped along with my mates like it was a new year!" Oswald chuckled. The five of them went upstairs to the room where Batman had fought Falcone just the night before. Batman followed them, furtively. He overheard their conversation again. Oswald talked. "Where is it?"

Then Evan spoke. "I don't know! Please, Mr. Cobblepot!"

"The name's Penguin." Oswald corrected. "You can help me, or you can join Falcone in hell. Your choice, mate." 

"I...I--"

Batman then skillfully grappled to where the lot were. Immediately, the companions of Oz pointed their guns at Batman. "Let Evan go." Batman demanded.

"Batman! It's about time." Oswald greeted him. One of his companions aimed his gun at Evan. "You kill a crime boss, you'd expect a thanks from Gotham's number one vigilante! Don't worry-- I'll pass your gratitude on to those who made it happen. They'll be pleased to know you think so highly of their work."

"You used an innocent cop to do your dirty work." Batman said. "I know how you've been using the drugs you stole at the docks. Where are they?"

"Is this about Falcone? We all saw how you felt about Falcone. Pounded him to a pulp on live TV! If you were truly the defender of this city, you'd have finished the job yourself. Admit it, Falcone deserved to die. Vermin like Falcone-- they deserve to be stomped out. Believe me, I know."

"You don't decide who lives and who dies. That's not justice."

"But it's bloody well satisfying, isn't it? As a show of good faith, I'm gonna let Mr. Norton go. But, not without something for him to remember us by. Max, cut a finger off our friend here." The man named Max took out a pair of scissors. 

"Please, no!" Evan cried.

"Don't do it. You'll regret it." Batman tried.

"Shut up, you! You're going to watch every second of this." Oswald spat at Batman.

Evan stuck his middle finger up at Oz. "Which finger do I cut off?" Max asked.

"Cut off the middle finger on both hands." Oz ordered. Max nodded and got the scissors ready.

"No! Please, don't do this!" Evan yelled.

"You'll never be able to stick those fingers up to anyone ever again." Oz angrily said. "Max, do it."

Batman watched as Max cut off the middle finger on Evan's left hand. "Ahhhhhh! Shit! Please, no more! Please!!"

"This man needs to learn some manners. Cut the other one off. Now." Oswald said, looking at Max. This was Batman's time to act. Right before Max could cut off the other finger, Batman sprung forward and tackled Oz to the ground. 

"You do it, I break Oswald's middle finger." Batman said. Max stood there, trembling.

 "What the hell are you doing? Surrender already!" Oswald yelled. Max dropped the scissors and his gun. Evan got up, still in pain.

"Thank you, Batman." He ran away.

"Let me go, now!" Oswald shouted.

"I think you need to learn some manners." Batman said, twisting Oz's middle finger on his right hand and breaking it. Oswald screamed in pain.

"You son of a bitch!" Max picked up the gun and pointed it at Batman. Oz headbutted Batman and stood next to Max.

"How's about we talk this through, eh? An eye for an eye, I get it. But let's talk. We helped you with Falcone. Now-- if we could just cut out the rest of the rot, like Wayne and Hill-- ordinary folk might be able to breathe. Your whole violent brooding thing must be exhausting. Here's the thing. I actually admire you, Batman. We both want the same kinds of things. Me and my people-- we've got big plans for Gotham." Oz calmed things down. One of Oz's companions took out a phone and nodded at the blue monster. Then, the blue monster who was standing on the other side of Oz, spoke.

"They found Catwoman." 

"What do you want with her?" Batman asked.

"We had a deal. She didn't make good on it. So sorry this didn't work out, mate. I'd stay to watch but I have a Catwoman problem to deal with. Or what's her name?" Oswald asked Max. The blue monster who was named Blockbuster stood in the way of Batman.

"Selina." Max answered.

"Yes! Beautiful name." Oz remarked. He, Max and the other thug ran out of the room, leaving Blockbuster with Batman. Blockbuster mocked Batman by laughing and blocking the way out. Batman kicked Blockbuster in the knee which did no good. Blockbuster elbowed Batman in the face. While Batman blocked many punches, he still was hit a couple times. He grabbed a nearby stool and hit Blockbuster in the face with it. 

"Gonna have to try harder than this." Blockbuster said, laughing. Blockbuster punched Batman so hard, Batman flew out of the building. Batman used his grapple gun to grapple back to his previous location. It was too late. Blockbuster had vanished. Batman spoke to Alfred.

"Alfred, track down Selina Kyle."

"I'll find her right away." Alfred responded as always.