DC: Rise Of Krios

*Oswald Cobblepot "Penguin", Penguin Lounge, Gotham

Oswald was enjoying his freedom to the best of his abilities with a file mignon, a carbonara and a wine over 100 years old from Sicily.

Despite James destroying all the criminal files and data concerning his illicit crimes it still took nearly a year for his lawyers to get him out of jail. And while he was certain he would be able to escape on his own, it definitely would of taken much longer, more money and he doubted he would be able to get out without having to suffer some sort of parole.

Thanks to the destruction of so much evidence and files against him the attorney general and his team of prosecutors scrambled to try to indict him on anything. And despite the judge giving them extensions the case against him had been effectively torpedoed. Everything soon became circumstantial and the few witness they had that could of saved their case soon disappeared thanks to other Penguin associates.

His court case and the chaos it wrought shook Gotham. Many were protesting his release as an obvious show of corruption, which they were right. Penguin had bribed dozens of people and wacked a handful more to insure his eventual freedom.

Still, it had nearly been two weeks since his release and today was the day where he finally returned to his Lounge. As soon as he got out he had to work hard to re-establish his control over the various territories. Some were more successful then others.

Most of the docks had returned to him save for the Blackwater gang territory, the territory that had started all his problems. 

Perhaps he should of been more cautious, perhaps he should of seen the signs. It was only when he heard that old Falcone had left prison that he saw the weave his former boss had spun. He had been set up, and now one of Gotham's oldest but once thought beaten crime families had returned. Not only had Falcone taken over the Blackwater territory, but several areas in the financial and diamond district had rejoined the former godfather of Gotham. Rumors swirled of previous allies and enemies returning to the Falcone's. 

Oswald still technically ruled Gotham, but his throne was no longer secure.

And he could not act. Falcone had already spread his influence far and wide gaining a significant amount of protection doing so. If Oswald tried to act now he would fight immense pressure he was not ready to face. Not only that, but if he failed in his shot to take out Falcone he would find himself in a war he was not sure he could win at the moment.

To most people, the idea of the Penguin being a religious man seemed downright comical. But if you got to know him, you would realize the man still kept up his Catholic roots, if in words perhaps not deeds.

Penguin after seeing the state of his empire had taken one late evening to attend mass incognito. Mostly to just take a break, but also because despite his criminal lifestyle, the hard wooden pews, echoing halls, and cold atmosphere of the Gotham Cathedral always brought a sense of comfort to the man.

'Probably some childhood nostalgia,' he had thought that night.

He had given his hail Mary and a small prayer for guidance not thinking much of it. Oswald had learned early that if you want a miracle you make it yourself. 

He would seriously have to reconsider his stance on that after today.

While enjoying his pasta and steak one of his henchman walked into his private dining area,

"Boss, someone came through the discreet entrance. Face is hidden but is demanding to speak to you."

Pausing in-between bites, Penguin stared at his henchman with obvious displeasure. He had been basking in relaxing and enjoying one of his favorite meals and he brought this to him.

"I said I would not be disturbed..." Penguin stated coldly.

The henchman bowed his head and said apologetically, "I know boss, but he seems serious. He also gave the lieutenant password..."

"He gave the password?" 

Oswald sat straighter as he consider was he had been told. As a crime boss he constantly had meetings or people reaching out to him. Such a schedule would drive anyone crazy, so he set aside time specifically for him to relax and not have any work. But things could pop up that required his attention so he gave a specific password for his lieutenants who he could trust that would immediately grant them audience with him.

Oswald questioned his henchman, "Did he say his name?"

"No sir."

Sighing, Oswald took a sip of his wine and waved his hand lazily.

"Show him in."

A few moments later a man wearing too big of jeans, a worn jacket, baseball hat and scarf covering his face walked in with the henchman.

Raising an eyebrow Oswald said, "Do you shop at a thrift store or just like wearing hand me downs?"

"I just got back into town, ever the critique of my dress style aren't you Cobblepot," the man chuckled.

Oswald felt his eyes widened, that voice.

'It can't be!'

Looking at the henchman he spoke quickly, "Get out and make sure no one disturbs me, even if its the goddamn Batman no one is to bother us, understood!"

The henchman frightened by the tone of his voice practically ran out with his tail tuck between his legs.

The man took off his hat and scarf and tossed them on the table before plopping down on a seat in front of Oswald.

Without a word Oswald grabbed another glass behind him and poured a small amount of wine into it. 

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you again," Oswald said with obvious happiness.

The wine glass in Oswald's hand suddenly left his hand and floated over to the man who grabbed it from the air and took a small sip of it.

With a grimace he put it down, "Sorry Cobblepot, this tastes very expensive but wine will never suit me."

"You never could hold your liquor James," the crime lord chuckled.

"More like I just can't get into alcohol," James dismissively said.

"Would you like something to eat or...."

"No thanks," James said politely.

Sighing, Oswald looked over his former protégé. Besides looking tired the kid... no.... man looked good. Quickly thinking in his head he realized James should be about 17 at this point, perhaps nearing 18. Muscles were self evident as it appeared training with Slade and if what the mercenary hinted at was correct Ra's Al Ghul had done some good. It was the look in his eyes though that told Oswald all he needed to know. He had seen and had the look, James had seen the uglier side of this world and had survived it, typically that is only done bloodily.

"I am happy to see you boy," Oswald said finally.

James gave him a smile, "It is nice to see you free."

Oswald snorted, "You destroying Gotham Major Crimes saw to that... I don't suppose seeing you again means you are looking for work?"

"Not quite," James leaned back in his chair.

"I have spent this last year training non-stop and I think I want a break and look into somethings. I made some money with Slade in Kahndaq, should be enough to cover me for this year."

Oswald shook his head, "After how you helped me, I am happy to set you up for a decades."

"I know," James nodded appreciatively, "But I didn't do it to gain your favor. I did it to protect Jane and help you, my friend."

"Still though, let me help you out." Penguin said insistently.

James kept smiling causing Penguin to sigh. Just like his parents, always so stubborn and always refusing handouts.

"Well, I do need help with a few things," James voice took a more business tone.

"I still plan to continue training my powers, I was close to something before... events forced me to return here. But I think I can pull back on training my melee and hand-to-hand, I know enough now and honestly, my powers need more focus."

"Hmmm," Oswald said thoughtfully, "I heard you have grown exponentially. How much of it is true?"

James waved his arm dismissively, "Enough that I do not fear the Batman anymore. But the rest of his friends in the Justice League, especially united I have no chance against."

"Until I can break my limits I worry the sins of my past will catch up with me. I already had the Justice League side kicks try to take me out and its been over a year since I last made an appearance. That just tells me they won't leave me alone until I make the cost of confronting me too great."

Oswald frowned, confused he said, "Wait, is that why you had to leave the League of Shadows?"

Sighing, James recounted the attack that occurred in the Himalayas, from the Chinese army to the Team being at the base and finally the mysterious black armored soldiers and the man Felix who tried to forcefully recruit him.

"Hmmm," Oswald hummed pensively, "You are sure they were there for you and not just for Ra's Al Ghul?"

"Considering that Robin seemed to seek me out specifically I would say I am on a most wanted list with the League." James said annoyed.

Clearing his throat he then said, "I was hoping you could help me look into this Felix guy. He said somethings about my parents, I feel like he knows stuff. That and knowing who is actively hunting me will make it easier to kill them all."

"You have become a lot more bloodthirsty since the last time we saw each other," Oswald said.

"A lot has changed in the years we last saw each other," James replied.

Oswald raised an eyebrow but did not comment any further.

"Either way, if you can look into it that would be great," James continued, "I also need new identification papers and documents that can get me into GCU, preferably pre-med or already into the medical program."

Oswald let out a deep laugh, "YOU! You are seriously going to school and trying to become a doctor?"

"Surgeon perhaps," James laughed with him, "I know, ironic considering how much I hate school, but I need a better cover and some skills that are not criminal related. Plus, with my powers I think I could be pretty good at it."

"Undoubtedly," Oswald chuckled, "Still while you are in town I was wondering if you would be interested in some contract work? Especially when it involves a certain individual who caused all our problems."

James eyes gleamed, "Oh, I suppose as long as it doesn't trace back to me or get too much attention I would be happy to hear it."

The two talked for a little while longer figuring out some of the details. James returning to Gotham was in some ways foolish and in others genius. Foolish considering all the problems he had caused, but genius considering no one would expect him to be here.

Getting all the paperwork and airtight identification wouldn't take too long. He imagined James would maybe need to take some qualifying courses to get into a medical program, but based on some of his extra trainings he had with the League of Shadows he thought the process should be smooth.

Still, as James put back on his disguise and left Oswald felt bad.

Using James to get rid of Falcone despite his own desires to remain quiet. Oswald was not sure if James realized how easy he was still able to manipulate him. Or he did know and did not care, the Penguin was not sure.

But perhaps worst of all was his omission of the truth. When he and the others realized the potential of James they all swore to craft him to be a perfect weapon to kill the Commandant.

He wondered how long he could keep James away from the Order, and the knowledge of Felix's role in making him an orphan. How long before James learned the truth about everything?

Sighing, Oswald prepared to make a call to a few of the others. He better let them know where James was and what he was planning.