The Lost Souls of Gotham

Jimmy struggled under the weight of his camera, sprinting to keep pace with Lois Lane.

As for Downton, the object of her focus, he sat nonchalantly on the shop's sofa, staring down the barrels of countless police weapons.

After shifting into a more comfortable position, Downton tucked his pistol into his waistband while the surrounding officers watched with bated breath.

Seeing him unarmed, an officer immediately reached for him, but Downton caught the man's wrist and spoke toward Gordon.

"You are all experienced Gotham veterans; you should know how to act more professionally."

"So, what makes you think I came here unprepared?"

"Even though I was kind enough to let that glib little girl go, do you really think I would be sitting here so brazenly if I didn't have an ace up my sleeve?"

"Why don't you take a guess? When will the bombs I've planted go off, and which crowded part of Gotham will they turn into rubble?"

With that, Downton yanked the wrist of the officer who had tried to restrain him, pulling the man right in front of his face.

He gripped the officer's throat with one hand, gave his cheek a light, mocking pat, and then shoved the gritting, furious man away.

Behind Downton, the officers who heard his words were struck with panic.

"There are bombs!"

"He's planted bombs all over Gotham!"

"No wonder he's acting so bold!"

"Shut up, all of you! Don't let the reporters hear!"

"They've already heard!"

Gordon looked helplessly toward the storefront, where a swarm of reporters let out a chorus of shocked, terrified "Whoas!" that sounded like a pack of startled teddy bears.

The flashes and shutter clicks became a relentless, overlapping barrage.

Lois, leading the pack, paused for a brief moment before fixing a look of even greater disgust upon Downton.

Meanwhile, watching Downton's unshakable confidence, Gordon swallowed hard and asked in a low voice.

"Why are you doing this? What is your goal?"

"My goal is simple. I wanted a phone, a watch, a new set of clothes, and a wallet to pick up along the way. My goals have already been met."

Downton replied with a light chuckle, but his words only made Gordon look at him as if he were an idiot.

"Don't joke around, Downton. You've kidnapped the daughter of a councilman and the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and you've planted bombs across Gotham. Your goal cannot be that simple!"

"Fine!"

Faced with Gordon's complete lack of trust, Downton shrugged with feigned boredom.

"You really are a genius, Gordon. Since you insist, I'll tell you my true purpose!"

"I want to rule this city! I want my shadow to shroud Gotham!"

"I want my actions to announce my arrival to this city, and I want to tell every citizen of Gotham, right in front of the media, that their emperor has returned from hell! Ha!"

Downton laughed mockingly, waving at the female reporter rushing toward them.

"That's right, I want everyone in Gotham to know my name. You, reporter—get over here and interview me, or I'll detonate the bombs!"

Hearing this, Gordon grew suspicious and asked with hesitation.

"Are you sure there are bombs?"

"Do you want to test it?"

Downton glared back, completely indifferent.

After a long, tense standoff, Gordon finally backed down; he didn't dare to gamble.

While Gordon hesitated, Downton waved at Lois again.

Lois was brave, but not brave enough to charge into a circle of armed police. She had only intended to find the best, most daring angle for a few photos and eavesdrop on the conversation.

So, when she saw Downton beckoning to her and issuing threats, she was completely stunned.

Behind her, Jimmy couldn't help but gulp.

"Lo... Lois, you can't listen to him. It's too dangerous!"

"If I don't, he'll detonate the bombs. That damn bomber!"

Lois replied, then walked nervously toward Downton.

Seeing that Lois actually dared to approach, Gordon immediately blocked her path.

"He's dangerous. We cannot agree to his terms!"

"If I were afraid of danger, I wouldn't have chosen this profession. Don't worry, this is my own choice!"

"Besides, I'll keep an eye on his mental state during the interview and do my best to stay safe."

Lois pushed past Gordon, approaching Downton with a look of righteous resolve.

Gordon wanted to stop her again, but Mayor Mitchell's secretary suddenly grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the mayor.

And so, Lois walked toward Downton and held out her microphone.

"Hello, I am Lois Lane, a special correspondent for the Metropolis Daily Planet.

I want to know what exactly drove you to become who you are today, and why you would implement this kind of... in Gotham."

"Wait!"

Before Lois could finish her sentence, Downton frowned and interrupted her.

"The Metropolis Daily Planet? You aren't even local Gotham media!"

"Huh?" Lois was slightly stunned. "Does it make a difference?"

"It makes a huge difference! You're just brushing me off!"

Meeting Lois's suddenly widened eyes, Downton grabbed the hand she was holding the microphone with.

"Don't move!"

"Sit down!"

"Stay still!"

In an instant, countless police officers went on high alert, the sound of pistols being cocked rang out incessantly, and the Mayor's voice drifted over from a distance.

"Can't you just take him out? Don't let him continue like this, the voters will tear City Hall apart tomorrow!"

Along with the Mayor's words, Gordon's explanation followed.

"Mr. Mayor, he isn't an ordinary criminal. He is special; if we open fire, it might actually give him a chance to escape!"

Before Gordon's voice had even faded, Downton had already dragged Lois in front of him.

The sudden change made Gordon's heart skip a beat, but he was simply too far away, and the other police officers were truly useless.

Downton had actually pulled Lois onto his lap just like that.

Lifting an arm to wrap around Lois, whose face was written with the realization that she was doomed, Downton grinned.

"I remember now, it's actually Lois Lane, haha."

"I... it's me!"

Held in Downton's arms, Lois fought back the nausea brought on by fear and managed a difficult reply.

Seeing Lois's stiff tone, Downton gently patted her back and continued.

"Relax, Lois. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"N-no, why?" Lois answered instinctively.

At the same time, seeing Lois being held hostage by such a dangerous man—and right under the noses of the police—Jimmy, who was filming from the side, finally couldn't hold back.

"Let Lois go! Her father is a General and a Senator!"

"What?!!"

Hearing Jimmy's words, Downton didn't react, but the surrounding police officers collectively panicked, immediately shouting at each other in confusion.

"Why the hell didn't you say so sooner!"

"Where do all these people with connections keep coming from!"

"I have to shoot, screw the explosion!"

"No, I'm requesting to fire, I have to save her!"

"Save her quickly!"

"Get the General's daughter out of there!!!"

Right in the middle of this chaotic group of Gotham police, Downton smiled and shoved a phone into Lois's hand.

"No boyfriend, then? Good. Keep my phone safe. I'll find time to call this phone to reach you. Don't you dare give it to anyone else."

"I will!"

Hearing Downton's demand, Lois suddenly calmed down and immediately proposed a counter-offer.

"I will definitely answer your call. Whether you want an exclusive interview or for me to take you out to dinner, I'll agree to it all, as long as you disarm the bomb!

No matter what, don't hurt anyone else, Mr. Downton!"

Listening to Lois, Downton grinned and leaned close to her ear.

"There was never any bomb, Lois. All I have is guts."

As his voice trailed off, Downton pushed Lois away and made a phone-call gesture at her.

"Wait for my call."

With that, Downton dissolved into a ball of flames and vanished into the air, leaving only a completely stunned Lois clutching the phone in disbelief.

All around, the police and Gotham reporters were terrified by his disappearance.

"He vanished!"

"He's gone!"

"A wraith, he's the wraith of Gotham. This is the third time I've seen him disappear into flames!"

"He is a devil walking among men!"

"That is the fire of hell!"

Amidst the surrounding screams, Jimmy rushed to Lois Lane's side in a panic.

"Lois, are you alright?" he asked with concern.

Faced with Jimmy's inquiry, Lois swallowed hard, then held up the phone Downton had left behind.

"I'm not alright, Jimmy. I'm afraid I'm in real trouble!"