Bang.
The golden haired young man crashed hard into the ground, shaking the entire area violently.
Where his back struck, the earth caved in instantly, forming a shallow crater as dust and soil scattered into the air.
Wonder Woman moved in immediately, closing the distance in a single burst. She planted one hand firmly on his shoulder, pinning him down with overwhelming force, completely restricting his movement.
Before he could recover, she followed through without hesitation, driving a heavy punch into his head.
A wave of dizziness slammed into him at once.
Pain exploded through his skull and he collapsed further into the ground, groaning in agony.
His spine was already in severe pain, and now his head throbbed with unbearable intensity. He could not even muster the strength to move.
Seeing him taken down instantly, the surrounding protesters froze in shock.
These citizens had placed their hopes in this so called super powered individual, but watching him fall so easily drained all confidence from them. Fear quickly replaced their earlier courage as they stared at Wonder Woman and Adrian.
Adrian descended calmly from above and looked down at the fallen man. The fear on the young man's face was obvious. Adrian shook his head slightly.
Just another artificial enhancement experiment that did not understand its own limits. It was fortunate he was not eliminated outright.
Adrian then shifted his gaze toward the gathered crowd.
"Disperse."
His voice carried a heavy pressure that made the surrounding air feel tighter.
Many citizens instinctively stepped back, shaken by his presence.
However, a few stubborn individuals forced themselves to stand their ground, despite their fear.
"We will not back down. We are here to demand our rights. You have no authority to take away our legal freedoms. This city does not need an army or authoritarian control. You cannot decide laws for us or control us. Even if you are the President, you do not have that right."
The speaker's voice trembled, but he still forced the words out.
Adrian had not responded when Wonder Woman stepped forward first, her expression firm.
"No matter what your demands are, you should be at home or at work. Gathering here to storm City Hall violates the law established under Homelander's administration. If you do not leave now, you will be arrested."
She did not soften her tone.
"As I said, disperse."
When several people still hesitated, Wonder Woman raised her fist slightly.
"This is the final warning."
Her expression made it clear she would act immediately if necessary.
The pressure in the square intensified. Even breathing felt difficult.
Gordon, standing within the crowd, understood clearly that hesitation here would lead to forceful removal.
Enhanced soldiers began to assemble in formation, ready to act on Adrian's command.
Fear spread quickly. Many protesters were not truly committed activists, just people caught up in the momentum of the crowd. Once reality set in, survival instinct took over.
Gordon glanced at his old partner Harvey and spoke in a low voice.
"Take them and clear Sunset Boulevard. Do not let this escalate further."
"What about you? Planning to talk your way through this?" Harvey asked, putting away his cigar.
Gordon adjusted his coat and stepped forward.
"I am going to speak with the President myself. If I am lucky, I will still have a job afterward."
Harvey shrugged.
"Losing the job is one thing. I still have loans to pay."
Gordon ignored him and walked toward Adrian.
The crowd slowly began to retreat under police guidance. Most people were already too intimidated to remain.
Soon, the square cleared significantly.
Gordon stopped in front of Adrian.
"Mr. President, Commissioner James Gordon. I did not expect to meet you in Gotham like this."
He extended his hand.
Adrian did not shake it. His eyes studied the older man quietly.
James Gordon, a police commissioner who had survived countless assassination attempts and never abandoned his duty despite repeated setbacks. A stubborn man who clung to justice even in a city like this.
Adrian had heard of him before. Seeing him now confirmed the reputation.
"You are James Gordon."
"It seems you know me," Gordon replied, slightly surprised.
"You are the Commissioner of the Gotham Police Department," Adrian said flatly.
"And the law enforcement authority of this city," Gordon added.
"Not anymore."
Adrian pointed toward the armored soldiers behind him.
"From this moment, they are responsible for enforcement. Gotham will now operate under a strict curfew system. At night, movement will be restricted until further notice. The police department will no longer function as the primary authority."
Gotham had become too unstable, too deeply corrupted by hidden forces and recurring criminal networks. Adrian was done with gradual methods.
The Black Lantern incidents had already shown how quickly chaos could spread. Now even enhanced serum was appearing in the black market.
He intended to erase the problem directly at its source.
Gordon's expression tightened.
"You cannot control Gotham with force alone. The people here will resist any occupation, no matter how strong your forces are."
Adrian looked at him without emotion.
"That is not my concern."
Gordon continued.
"You are underestimating this city. Violence alone will not fix it. It will only deepen resistance."
Adrian replied calmly.
"You only need to follow orders."
Gordon's voice rose slightly.
"This city will push back. You will not be able to hold it down forever."
Adrian gave a faint, dismissive look.
"Then let them try."
Wonder Woman stepped in, her tone sharp.
"If you cannot control crime in your city, then do not interfere with those who can."
Gordon's face tightened, but he said nothing in return.
Adrian finally turned away.
"Your concern should not be the city. It should be your own condition."
Gordon froze slightly.
Adrian continued.
"Go home. Rest. Consider it early retirement. Your salary will remain unchanged."
He had already noticed the severity of Gordon's illness. The condition was advanced. Time was limited.
Wonder Woman glanced at Gordon once more before following Adrian.
From a distance, Barry arrived but did not intervene. He watched everything unfold, processing the situation.
He had seen the golden haired man taken down instantly and remained conflicted.
Still, he chose not to interfere directly.
Instead, in a blur of red lightning, he moved in.
"Call an ambulance. Do not move him," Barry said quickly as he passed.
Adrian watched him leave.
Wonder Woman spoke beside him.
"He has always been like that. Even after gaining speed, he never changed."
She looked at the injured man on the ground.
"But this one does not deserve sympathy."
Adrian did not respond.
At the edge of the crowd, Clark and Amy stood watching silently.
Adrian had noticed them from the beginning, but his focus remained on Clark.
Their eyes met briefly. A complicated mix of emotions lingered in Clark's expression.
Adrian looked away first and turned slightly.
"Barry will handle the cleanup."
For now, Gotham would remain under observation. The deeper forces within the city, including the League of Assassins and the remnants of the Court of Owls, would reveal themselves in time.
As they prepared to leave, Wonder Woman spoke again.
"One more thing."
"What is it," Adrian asked.
"Joker. I have heard he is the most dangerous criminal in Gotham. He has not appeared yet."
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