DC: A Cop in Gotham

Chapter 60: As Long as You Don't Stop, the Road Will Continue to Extend

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At the Gotham Police Station, the tired Gordon pushed open his office door, stepped back slightly, and said unexpectedly, "It's really unlike you to stay in the police station."

Dean was sitting at his workstation, and Manaphy was perched on the desk beside him, both of them indulging in an oversized cup of ice cream. Manaphy took small, eager licks while Dean absentmindedly dug into his with a spoon, lost in thought.

"There's nothing we can do," Dean finally muttered between bites. "Although those congressmen have been removed from office, the families they represent are still doing well." His voice carried a mixture of frustration and resignation.

A ring of cream had formed around his mouth, making him look like a bearded Santa Claus. "No matter where I go these days, at least ten pairs of eyes are following me, just waiting to dig up some dirt and throw me into Arkham. With that in mind, how can I dare step out into the field?"

Since his enemies were lying in wait, hoping for him to slip up, Dean had made a strategic decision: do nothing. The logic was simple—if doing more meant making more mistakes, then doing less meant making fewer mistakes, and doing nothing at all meant no mistakes. So, Dean had settled into a routine of clocking in and out of the police station every day, refusing to give them any ammunition.

Manaphy licked at the ice cream and let out a small, content sound as Dean buried his face back into his oversized dessert.

"Besides," he added between bites, "I've found that it's actually pretty comfortable to fish around in the office. Nothing to do, just a nice break for once."

Gordon raised an eyebrow. "So you're telling me you've just been sitting in the police station for the past two days, doing absolutely nothing?"

Dean paused, glanced up, and recalled, "Well… I treated everyone to a meal yesterday, studied the sales figures for Wonder Woman merchandise, and tried out a bunch of desserts I'd never had before."

Upon hearing this, Gordon's face darkened so much it seemed like he had been smeared with charcoal. He adjusted his glasses with a slow, deliberate motion and said, "That's it?"

Without another word, he turned around and walked back into his office.

Dean and Manaphy exchanged glances before shrugging and resuming their attack on the ice cream.

But just as they were about to enjoy another spoonful, a heavy stack of documents slammed onto the desk, making Manaphy jump slightly.

Gordon stood there, his expression unreadable as he spoke in a flat tone. "Since you're so free, you can make up for the case reports you've been neglecting, as well as your weekly work summary. I expect them on my desk before the end of today."

Dean groaned, slumping into his chair like a deflated balloon. "Director, come on, I just solved a huge case. Shouldn't I get a few days off? Can't you at least give me a grace period?"

Writing reports wasn't difficult, but Gordon was meticulous. Dean knew that under Gordon's scrutiny, he couldn't just scribble something generic and get away with it. He had to write these reports with the same energy and effort required for an academic thesis.

Gordon, however, didn't seem swayed.

"Fine," he said at last. "But understand this—I don't just want you to be a good detective. I want you to be a great one. That means knowing how to do more than just the fieldwork. You're being watched, Dean. People are waiting for you to make mistakes, just like they wait for me to make one."

Dean sighed. He knew Gordon was right, even if he didn't like it.

Satisfied that his point had been made, Gordon put his hands in his pockets and turned toward the window, gazing out at the city. "Are you really not going? The groundbreaking ceremony for Gotham's new district is something you planned yourself."

Dean, still lounging at his desk, used his fingers to make little action figures out of the air while Manaphy mimicked him, pretending to battle imaginary enemies.

"It doesn't matter whether I go or not. The real focus is on the follow-up construction of the district. I trust Wayne Industries completely—they've been working toward Gotham's betterment for hundreds of years. Gotham's development into a world-class city owes a lot to them."

Dean leaned back in his chair, his tone turning more serious. "Wayne didn't impose any harsh conditions for investors in the new district either, which means almost everyone sees its potential. Capital is going to flood in, shifting Gotham's economic center of gravity toward the new area. Every inch of land will become valuable, and new jobs will be created. That's the key to actually solving Gotham's problems at the root."

He gave Gordon a knowing look. "And isn't that exactly what we want?"

Gordon didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on something beyond the window—something more immediate and real.

"You're talking about all the positive impacts," he finally said. "But the emergence of this new district won't just bring benefits. It's an enclave. It's a brand-new gold rush. Everyone knows how big this pie is, and everyone will fight to get their share. But this is Gotham—there's no such thing as 'healthy competition.'" His voice lowered slightly, as if lost in thought. "I can already see gangsters tearing each other apart over territory. And not everyone wants change, Dean. The ones who already have power, the ones with a lot to lose? They're going to be the biggest threat."

Dean considered this for a moment before asking, "Director… are you saying someone might try to sabotage the groundbreaking ceremony?"

Gordon exhaled, his expression grim. "With my twenty-plus years of experience? Let's just say, whenever Gotham announces a new project—especially one that involves constructing something big—there's always a risk it'll blow up."

Dean thought about that and smirked. "Director, I think you're remembering things wrong. That kind of thing happens more often in Metropolis. In Gotham, the biggest problem isn't bomb threats—it's kidnappings. Seriously, the average member of the Bat Family has been kidnapped at least twice. If anything, you should be worried about that happening today."

Gordon didn't look amused.

"I think your worries are unfounded," Dean continued, stretching his arms. "Nothing's going to happen this time."

He wasn't afraid at all. Please, he had seen the list of attendees for the groundbreaking ceremony: Bruce Wayne cutting the ribbon, reporter Clark Kent covering the event, special guest Wonder Woman, and Atlantis' representative, Aquaman.

Essentially, a small Justice League gathering. Who in their right mind would dare to cause trouble at this event? Even the Joker wasn't that insane. And if anything did happen, Batman had probably already prepared several backup plans.

"Unless Darkseid himself decides to drop by, I'd say most villains are smart enough to stay put."

Gordon sighed. "I hope you're right. I'll be heading over now. Just remember to finish that report."

As the director walked out, Dean waved after him lazily. "Don't drink too much while you're there."

The moment Gordon left the building, Dean pressed his face against the window, watching the car disappear into traffic.

"The director's gone, Manaphy!"

Manaphy perked up, and with a flick of her tiny hands, the air shimmered.

Dean's figure slowly vanished from sight.

"Manaphy," he murmured.

("The invisibility will last two hours. Don't stand in direct sunlight.")

"I know," Dean whispered. "I'll leave everything to you."

And with that, he leaped out the window.

Since the police station's entrance was equipped with infrared surveillance, he jumped directly out of the window instead.

Only nine out of the ten words he said to Gordon were true. There was no way he'd stay at the police station peacefully—this was just a way to throw off suspicion.

As Gordon said, the new district was planned by Dean. It was like his own child, and there was no way he would miss its birth.

But I really should consider buying a car, he thought again, regretting not having a proper vehicle for occasions like this.

---

The once-prosperous Port Adams had been completely razed in the battle with Trigon, but today, it was being rebuilt as the connection point between Gotham's new district and the old city. In the future, it was destined to become a major transportation hub.

On the podium, a swarm of reporters, armed with cameras and microphones, bombarded Bruce Wayne with questions. Each of them wanted to shove a microphone into his face.

"Everyone, line up and come one by one," Bruce said, trying to maintain order.

He hadn't seen the media act this crazed in a long time. The last time was when Damian had suddenly appeared. The public had been obsessed with the identity of the Wayne family's matron, speculating endlessly about which woman had managed to tie down Gotham's most eligible bachelor.

"Mr. Wayne, I heard that Wayne Enterprises is finally pushing forward the reclamation project that has been stagnant for three years. You claim you're going to build a city that rivals Gotham. Is this truly an ambitious plan, or is it just a publicity stunt to boost your stock prices?"

The question was sharp, and Bruce suspected the reporter had been planted by a rival corporation.

Feigning mystery, Bruce replied, "Everyone will know the answer in a moment. Wayne Enterprises has been preparing for three years just for today's big reveal."

In the crowd, Clark Kent, disguised as one of the reporters, smirked. Three years? More like one week.

As for why Clark was here instead of Lois, it was simple—this event wasn't dangerous enough to interest her.

Noticing Clark's amused expression, Bruce narrowed his eyes. He knew exactly what that look meant.

"Reporter from the Daily Planet, you're next. Go ahead and ask your question."

Clark blinked, surprised. "Me?"

Clark was a little embarrassed. He hadn't prepared any questions. This trip to Gotham had been entirely his own request, and the purpose was, of course, to visit his beloved magical dinosaur, Groudon.

But Clark was also a journalist who had won the Pulitzer Prize. His professionalism was top-notch, and after running his super brain for three seconds, he came up with an excellent question.

"I heard that Atlantis is involved in the construction of the new city. What role will they play in it? Can ordinary people like us look forward to a mysterious deep-sea adventure in our lifetime?"

Bruce responded with a standard smile. "Of course. Wayne Enterprises has invited Aquaman as Atlantis' representative for this groundbreaking ceremony. The new city will serve as a bridge of communication between our two civilizations. Gotham, as the largest human city, will showcase the cultural characteristics of human civilization to Atlantis…"

He continued speaking at length, using perfectly crafted official statements. Every word was measured and precise because, at this moment, he wasn't just addressing the thousands of Gotham citizens gathered below the stage—he was speaking to the entire human world and the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

This was a live broadcast being streamed across the globe.

Dean stood atop a telephone pole, watching the scene unfold with a soft expression.

Then—

Click!

Dean noticed a sudden flash and immediately looked down, spotting a strange woman aiming a camera directly at him.

"Are you really not going up on stage?" she asked, tilting her head slightly toward the ongoing ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Dean scanned his surroundings to confirm that she was talking to him before jumping down from the pole.

"Wait… you can see me? Who are you?" He scratched his head, trying to recall if he had seen her before.

She adjusted the glasses perched on her forehead, and in that instant, Dean recognized her—it was Wonder Woman. Those glasses must have had the same cognitive interference function as Superman's because, after putting them on, even her own mother probably wouldn't recognize her.

Dean's eyes widened in surprise. "Wonder Woman? Have you regained your divine powers?"

Diana smiled and nodded. "I went back to Mount Olympus, and they returned all my equipment to me. The gods even spoke to me about you specifically. They said you did exceptionally well. It seems you've earned the favor of the gods, Dean."

The mention of those chaotic Greek deities made Dean squint in suspicion. "I'd honestly prefer if the gods ignored me entirely."

Diana scoffed, clearly unimpressed by the divine beings who had once stripped her of her weapons. "Fine, I won't bring them up anymore. But I asked you something earlier—why aren't you going up?"

Dean grimaced. "I can't show my face right now. The Court of Owls is definitely going to make a move."

Diana crossed her arms, unconvinced. "Then let them come," she said with absolute confidence. The business suit she wore couldn't hide her warrior spirit in the slightest.

"This ceremony marks Gotham's rebirth. After today, I finally see a glimmer of hope that Gotham might be saved. It's a significant turning point in Bruce's life. If we continue moving forward, we may lose Batman in the future… but as Bruce's friends, we should hope for that day to come."

She gestured toward the ceremony. "That's why Clark and I are here. We won't let anyone disrupt this moment. You can step onto that stage without worry."

Dean still shook his head and explained, "I'm not afraid of the Court of Owls. The real issue is that among the dignitaries attending this event, nine out of ten are affiliated with the Owls… and the last one is someone who failed to become an Owl."

His voice turned serious. "The Court of Owls' hatred toward me is sky-high right now. If I go up there, I could end up causing trouble for the ceremony."

After all, he had personally sent many of their parents to prison. If he suddenly walked onto that stage and stood next to their families, there was a good chance these Owl brats would go berserk. He didn't care about himself, but it would be disastrous if the scene turned ugly in front of a global audience. It simply wasn't worth the risk.

"I'd rather stay invisible and act as a silent guardian," he concluded, already turning back toward his chosen perch atop the telephone pole.

Diana, however, had other ideas. "Is there a rule that says you can't be invisible and on stage?"

Before he could react, she removed her glasses and shrugged off her business suit, revealing the golden armor underneath. Without warning, she grabbed Dean's right hand and launched into the air, flying straight toward the stands.

The audience was not surprised by the appearance of Wonder Woman because the promotion had already stated that she would appear as a special guest.

"Wonder Woman, look at me, I've been supporting you for ten years!"

"When will new merchandise be released? My wallet is ready!"

"Heroine! Hey, Heroine!"

"Wayne Group actually invited Wonder Woman. It's great to have money."

"Wonder Woman I love you!"

Unlike Batman, who had a more complicated relationship with Gotham's people, Wonder Woman was widely beloved by the public. At least one-third of today's attendees had come specifically for her. Dean made this estimate based on the sheer number of glowing support sticks in the crowd, as well as the fans holding signs calling for their "Magical Heroine" to take center stage.

Diana waved at the enthusiastic crowd as she flew across the sky. "Hello, Gotham!"

Meanwhile, Dean's current predicament was… unusual. Being carried by Diana with one hand wasn't exactly a dignified experience, and due to gravity, their limbs inevitably made contact. Looking down at the excited fans below, he couldn't help but wonder—if they knew that their idol was holding an invisible man, how would they react?

Wonder Woman landed gracefully on the stage. Bruce, who had been standing nearby, nodded at her in greeting. But as soon as he heard the sound of more than one person landing, his brows furrowed slightly.

Of course, invisibility wouldn't fool Clark, who could see through things with ease. He shot Bruce a glance, and Bruce immediately deduced who the unseen guest was.

Wonder Woman looked at Clark and Bruce, then positioned herself between them, subtly blocking their line of sight.

Dean, realizing that Bruce wasn't stopping him from being on stage, grew bolder. The benefits of invisibility are really showing now. He silently admired the Justice League members from all angles.

Tsk. If only they were all in costume. Right now, Bruce doesn't look like Batman at all. He just looks like an arrogant rich guy.

As Atlantis' representative, Aquaman stood at the podium, addressing the world. He spoke about Atlantis' vision of peaceful coexistence and announced that Gotham's new district would serve as a pilot project, a model for future human-Atlantean relations.

Under normal circumstances, with an event of such diplomatic significance, the human side should have sent a high-ranking government official—perhaps even a permanent member of the UN Security Council. However, strangely enough, no official representative had been notified, not even the President of the United States.

Instead, Gotham's current mayor, Hamilton Hill, was standing beside Aquaman. Next to him was the Penguin, who had strong public support but was attending as an investor rather than a politician.

"Mayor, your speech is coming up soon, but you don't look well."

Hearing this, Hamilton's face darkened. If it weren't for the cameras, he might have slapped the Penguin right then and there. Of course, he wasn't feeling well—the Court of Owls had been wiped out overnight, leaving only a few old survivors who were either in hiding or running for their lives. Meanwhile, as the mayor, he had nowhere to escape.

Yet he still had to follow protocol, standing on stage next to Bruce Wayne while the entire Justice League watched him like hawks. It was a wonder he hadn't fainted yet.

"It seems the mayor doesn't really want to speak. I, Cobblepot, would be more than happy to do it for him," Penguin offered with a sinister grin.

Then, with a move so quick and subtle that even the cameras didn't catch it, he lightly elbowed Hamilton's massive gut. Instantly, the mayor doubled over. The Penguin feigned panic, supporting Hamilton with both hands as he called out, "The mayor doesn't look well! Someone call the medical team and get him some rest!"

A group of paramedics—who had been waiting under the stage for this exact moment—rushed forward. Before Hamilton could utter a single word, they had already gagged him and whisked him away on a stretcher.

As the Penguin chuckled, satisfied that no one had noticed his little maneuver, a faint voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

"What happened to doing things 'the proper way'?"

Penguin froze. His smug expression vanished, and for the first time that evening, genuine panic flashed across his face.

"I—I can explain! Apart from this one instance, I haven't done anything shady! You have to admit—"

"But well done," Dean interrupted, patting the Penguin's shoulder. "I know what you're trying to do, and I support it… but you can't afford any mistakes in this."

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared like a ghost. The Penguin wiped sweat from his brow. Did I just… pass the test?

"…That concludes my speech. Now, it's time for the mayor of Gotham to take the stage," Aquaman announced, stepping aside.

Instead of Hamilton, however, it was the Penguin who walked up.

"Ahem. The mayor isn't feeling well, so I'll be speaking in his place."

He straightened his posture, puffed out his round belly, and nudged Aquaman aside as he prepared to address the people of Gotham. Throughout the speech, he didn't directly campaign for himself, but his carefully chosen words heavily implied that he was the most qualified leader for Gotham's future.

Watching from the sidelines, Wonder Woman leaned toward Bruce and whispered, "Are you sure it's okay to let this guy speak? He doesn't exactly look like a good person."

Although people weren't supposed to judge by appearances, Penguin was definitely an exception. His entire character design was based on stereotypical depictions of corrupt businessmen—black top hat, hooked nose, round belly, monocle, and a cane (which he had replaced with an umbrella). Even if he went through a complete makeover, he would still look like a scheming capitalist.

Bruce, however, remained unbothered. He knew Dean was working with the Penguin, and even if the man was merely pretending to be a good person, that was fine—as long as Dean could force him to keep up the act for ten, twenty, even fifty years, then for all intents and purposes, the Penguin would be a good person.

"Once Cobblepot finishes, the ribbon-cutting ceremony begins," Bruce stated plainly. He then adjusted his earpiece. "How's Groudon's preparation going?"

Barbara's voice crackled through the comms.

"The projection system is in place. After two test runs, we've confirmed that the heat distortion won't affect the visuals. From the camera's perspective, Groudon looks like a massive machine, emitting steam as it moves. It's convincing."

And as the Penguin wrapped up his speech, everything was set.

Aquaman held one end of the red satin, while Penguin—standing in as the substitute for the mayor—held the other. In the center, Bruce received a pair of golden scissors from Wonder Woman, their ornate edges reflecting the bright stage lights. These weren't ordinary scissors; legend had it that Zeus himself once used them to shear divine fleece.

Just as Bruce prepared to cut the ribbon, he suddenly paused, his gaze shifting ever so slightly before he took a small step to the right.

Dean, who had been watching everything unfold, immediately understood the silent message. His heart pounded. He had entertained this thought earlier, but now that it was actually happening, he found himself momentarily frozen.

No way… he's actually including me?

"Go on, little one."

Wonder Woman gave Dean a slight nudge, and just like that, the invisibility magic dissipated.

The audience gasped in shock, their murmurs rippling through the massive crowd.

Dean took two unsteady steps forward, his mind still processing the weight of what was happening. The Justice League was here, Aquaman was standing tall as Atlantis' representative, Wonder Woman had personally brought him to the stage, and now… Batman was handing him the golden scissors.

Bruce's voice, calm and resolute, reached only Dean's ears. "At this point in the ceremony, nothing can go wrong anymore."

That simple reassurance was all it took to steady Dean's nerves. With a deep breath, he reached out, his hand grasping the scissors alongside Bruce's.

SNIP.

The sound of the ribbon being cut was crisp, but almost immediately, it was followed by another sharp sound—

CLICK!

Dean turned his head just in time to see Clark lowering his camera.

Everything had been captured in that instant.

Then, as if waiting for this precise moment, the God of Earth opened its eyes.

Right on cue, a fleet of drones carrying powerful projectors emerged from the sky, casting a lifelike hologram of Groudon. From its seaside cavern, the Earth God took a mighty step forward, and as it did, the land beneath its feet expanded.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked as if some colossal machine—an engineering marvel beyond human comprehension—was methodically generating vast stretches of land from the ocean itself. Billowing steam hissed from its core, adding to the illusion that it was some kind of advanced terraforming device rather than a mythical beast.

The audience erupted into cheers.

Penguin, standing near the edge of the stage, could hardly contain his excitement. His Cobblepot family name had finally been restored. After years of political maneuvering and survival, he had returned to the forefront as a pioneer in Gotham's history.

On the opposite side of the stage, Aquaman observed the gradual covering of the ocean. Yet, rather than feeling any sense of loss, he remained composed. This land was not being stolen—it was being shared. Soon, it would serve as a foundation for both humans and Atlanteans alike.

And then there was Bruce.

Standing side by side with Dean, he didn't see just a land expansion—he saw the future. A clean slate. A Gotham untainted by the Court of Owls, untouched by crime syndicates. A place where hope might actually take root.

Would this new city remain untainted? Would it become a beacon of change, or would it simply be another shade of Gotham's darkness, diluted by progress?

No one knew for sure.

But for the first time in a long while, Batman had hope.

"I got a perfect shot," Clark said, breaking the silence as he examined the screen of his camera. His expression was one of pure satisfaction.

In the captured image, the three figures stood out distinctly—

Penguin, looking back at Gotham's past.

Aquaman, representing the present and the unity between land and sea.

Bruce, standing tall as he looked toward the future.

And right in the middle of it all was Dean.

Clark couldn't help but wonder—What did Dean see? What was the vision of this man who had carved his own place in Gotham's ever-changing landscape?

---

But Dean wasn't looking at the land. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Groudon, or rather, what Groudon represented. This massive creature—an entity that did not belong to this world—was a reminder.

Like Dean, it was an outsider.

Some of these beings had come peacefully. Others… had not.

Would they band together in a world that wasn't their own, or would they remain scattered, unable to find common ground?

No one could say.

But as the only person who truly understood them, Dean had already realized his purpose. Some of these "visitors" would find peace. Others… would not be so lucky.

The only thing that was certain was this—

"Whoever comes… let them find peace.

Whoever comes with ill intent… let them rest in peace."

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This chapter is long, sorry for the delay.

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