The Multiplicity

"Internally, we call him The Multiplicity."

"He appeared four days ago and robbed the Central City First National Bank's vault, stealing a total of $35 million in jewelry and $3.2 million in cash."

Mark took off his glasses, his gaze stern and serious, and continued, "His methods are very direct."

"Based on surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts, it's confirmed that he possesses superhuman abilities."

"He can instantly create countless clones. These clones directly broke into the Central City First National Bank's vault and used explosives to blow it open. It was crude, simple, and lacked any technical skill."

"He brazenly took $35 million worth of jewelry, including a rare purple diamond necklace, the Dream Star."

Alex focused on the case file. As the light from outside the window refracted and shone upon it, he flipped to the last page, a hint of confusion in his mind.

Why would The Multiplicity appear in Central City? And where was Firestorm?

Alex hadn't seen any news reports of Firestorm appearing as a superhero. Had they not merged successfully yet? Or had something gone wrong?

After a moment's thought, Alex dismissed the questions from his mind.

This was a real world, and anything could happen. It wasn't realistic for various villains and heroes to be confined to one city. It was normal for The Multiplicity to come to Central City. He no longer worried about Firestorm's safety and recalled information about The Multiplicity.

In the DC world, there had always been only one The Multiplicity, unlike other villains and heroes who had successors over generations, with even their timelines becoming a bit muddled, making it difficult to distinguish who was who.

There was only one The Multiplicity.

Danton Black.

He was a nuclear physicist under Stagg Industries, assisting Martin Stein with nuclear experiments. On the eve of the nuclear power plant's activation, Stein discovered Danton stealing blueprints and reselling experimental equipment, so he fired him. Fired, Danton retaliated, claiming Dr. Stein had stolen his experimental results.

One night, he snuck into the laboratory to steal experimental blueprints to fabricate evidence that he had developed the experiment first. That night, Dr. Stein was activating the experiment.

The experiment went awry, affecting three people: Dr. Stein, Danton, and a student, Ronnie Raymond. Ronnie merged with Martin to become the hero Firestorm, while Danton gained the ability to clone himself, becoming the villain The Multiplicity.

The Multiplicity was also Firestorm's first villain.

"Is there so little information?"

Alex lightly tapped the closed case file with his finger. The file was thin, only five pages, detailing the stolen jewelry, estimating the number of The Multiplicity's clones, and their range. They didn't even know Danton Black's face.

This was because Danton Black wore a mask the entire time during the crime. When he cloned himself, the clones seemed to have skin mimicry, copying the original's clothing while still wearing masks.

They could only estimate his height to be around 1.82 meters and weight around 80 kilograms based on shoe size and surveillance footage.

There were plenty of people in Central City with such characteristics.

With so little information, unless Danton Black sold the jewelry while showing his face, it would be a miracle for anyone to find him.

"Yes. Additionally, Patty, the forensic expert from the police department, is currently performing data matching on the clothing fibers left behind by The Multiplicity and analyzing the residual components of the bomb. You can ask Patty later," Mark said.

Alex's finger paused. Patty... wasn't that Barry's girlfriend?

Alex had almost forgotten that he would have to interact with her.

But it was fine, it was just business.

"Is there a problem?" Mark asked, noticing Alex's expression falter.

"No, I'll go get the results from her later," Alex replied calmly.

Mark continued, "A bomb capable of blowing open a bank vault indicates that this criminal possesses a very high level of education. The police have been searching for days with little progress. The situation is not optimistic, Alex."

"I know you're very knowledgeable about these meta-humans and have been gathering information on them. The entire police department will cooperate with you to apprehend him. If necessary, I authorize you to neutralize him on sight."

Mark frowned, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"I know some people in the underworld and have sources. Mark, don't worry, I'll have people keep an eye out for large jewelry transactions in the lower districts."

Alex nodded. He hadn't yet confirmed if The Multiplicity was the Danton Black he was familiar with, so he couldn't make any firm promises. He could only wait for the police's other leads and do some investigating himself before making a plan.

The police also had informants in Central City's underworld, but no news had come in yet. The longer it dragged on, the more pressure Commissioner Mark felt. The Central City news had already begun criticizing the police's incompetence with meta-humans.

Furthermore, the Central City First National Bank branch was constantly pressuring him, making him feel overwhelmed. That's why he had quickly brought Alex into the police department to form the Meta-Human Special Response Team, hoping to achieve success.

But now, with no leads, they couldn't even find the person. Even with his combat prowess, Alex found it difficult to act.

Mark nodded and reminded him, "Alex, I hope you can give me some good news soon. The media and the mayor have been putting a lot of pressure on me lately."

"I understand, Mark."

Alex understood Mark. As the police commissioner, he was under immense pressure from the overwhelming news and the emergence of meta-human crimes.

He also understood Mark's directive for him to handle meta-humans with abilities beyond normal people – if he couldn't apprehend them, he should neutralize them on sight, with no room for negotiation.

For the sake of Central City's peace.

After discussing Bert and Al Swan and introducing some of the police department's situation, Commissioner Mark stood up, opened his office door, and led Alex outside.

Clap, clap...

Commissioner Mark clapped his hands to attract attention. Numerous police colleagues in the lobby, who were looking on with curiosity, turned their gazes towards Alex.

Alex stood calmly beside Commissioner Mark, a faint smile on his face, his eyes warm and polite as he scanned everyone present.

"Everyone, allow me to introduce you."

"Alex Liang, he will be the captain of the Meta-Human Special Response Team."

"I believe Alex will cooperate well with all of you as we work together to serve Central City."

Director Mark introduced him with a smile.

'Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...'

Everyone present naturally applauded, welcoming him. Those who didn't know Alex looked at him with curiosity, while those who did know him smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, praising him.

Being able to snatch the position of captain of the Superpower Special Handling Team from Al Swan was worthy of their praise.

After Alex finished his own gentle and composed introduction and shook hands with everyone, Director Mark handed Alex over to Jenson, asking Jenson to show Alex around the specific locations and various departments of the police station.

Seeing Director Mark return to his office, Jenson unceremoniously punched Alex in the chest with his fist, praising him with a full smile, "Good kid, you've surpassed your master! You've already surpassed your father!"