Chapter 19: Run Away!
"I don't kill criminals, but that doesn't mean I won't protect myself." Nightwing's heart was racing as he moved swiftly.
"I don't kill, but I can make sure the guy in my hands is permanently disabled."
Nightwing didn't know the true identity of the Arkham Knight, but he knew this guy must be important—otherwise, Penguin's men wouldn't be so desperate.
"Kill him! Don't worry about me!" The Arkham Knight's voice was weak but firm, showing his unwavering resolve.
"You don't get to give orders right now, Mr. Knight!" Nightwing flipped the Arkham Knight over, adjusting his grip. Carrying a two-hundred-pound armored man wasn't easy, but he pushed forward.
"Get out of my way!" Penguin's men exchanged glances before slowly stepping aside. They had seen how respectful their boss was toward the Arkham Knight. They weren't about to risk their necks against someone that important.
After all, Penguin was just outside—he could decide what to do about this mess.
As Penguin saw his men retreat, his expression darkened. When he caught sight of Nightwing carrying the Arkham Knight, his frustration boiled over. "A few days ago, this arrogant fool was useful to me. Now, at the worst possible moment, he turns on me!"
Martin, one of Penguin's top enforcers, stood beside him, watching the scene unfold.
Although he was also curious why Nightwing was involved, now wasn't the time for questions.
He glanced at the security guards in front of him—large men with body armor, armed to the teeth.
"Nightwing, don't think you can just walk out of here with that piece of trash."
Penguin pointed his umbrella at Nightwing, his voice filled with menace. "He's nothing more than a pawn. I can replace him. Take them out!"
The moment Penguin's order rang out, a sickening crack echoed through the air.
He turned around just in time to see two of his guards collapse, their necks twisted at unnatural angles. Martin, his red hair glinting under the dim light, grinned as he stepped forward.
"Protect the boss!" Penguin's voice cracked as he panicked.
Before his men could react, Martin pulled a gun from one of the fallen guards and fired.
Bang!
The bullet tore through Penguin's signature top hat and buried itself into the skull of the bodyguard standing in front of him.
The room fell silent.
Martin's voice was cold. "One Arkham Knight isn't worth Nightwing's life. But throw in Mr. Cobblepot, and now we've got a deal."
"Step aside."
He motioned with his gun. Reluctantly, Penguin's men lowered their weapons and backed off. The Arkham Knight's death would be one thing, but if Penguin died? That would cost them everything.
Martin pressed the barrel of his gun against Penguin's back, kicked away his umbrella, and ordered, "Take off your coat. Don't try anything funny. I promise, if you do, I'll blow your head off before you even move."
Penguin obeyed, raising his hands in surrender. "You've been working against me from the start? You betrayed my trust?"
Martin smirked. "Trust? You had gunmen at your own banquet watching my every move. That's not trust."
Penguin sighed. "This is Gotham. You know how things work."
"Then you also know how this works. Follow my orders, or you won't make it out of here."
The two of them made their way to Nightwing.
"Hey, you're Martin, right? Thanks."
"No time for thanks."
Martin glanced at the hallway, now swarming with Penguin's men. "Drop the Knight. He's dead weight now."
Nightwing delivered a swift electric shock to the Arkham Knight, ensuring he wouldn't wake up anytime soon, then let Penguin's men take him back.
Martin couldn't help but wonder—when his true identity was exposed, how would Nightwing see this moment?
Nightwing moved closer to Martin and whispered, "There's an escape tunnel in the back. Leads straight to the Gotham sewers. We can get out that way."
"Good thing I saved you, then."
Martin nodded, then pistol-whipped Penguin, knocking him out again. "You carry him. Let's go."
Penguin's men hesitated, unwilling to let Martin leave so easily, but none of them dared to harm their boss.
Step by step, Martin and Nightwing advanced. Step by step, Penguin's men backed away.
Martin smirked. "Hey, I know you'll all miss me, but don't be so sentimental. I'll be back soon enough."
The goons remained silent.
"Alright then. Don't blame me if I start shooting."
Martin fired at the ground near Penguin's feet.
The sudden pain jolted Penguin awake, but before he could scream, Martin knocked him out again.
"Next shot goes in his leg. After that, his stomach. If you're fine with him bleeding out, we can keep playing this game."
Martin's casual threat sent a chill down everyone's spine. Without hesitation, they stepped aside.
Martin and Nightwing quickly carried Penguin to the exit, tossing him into the trunk of an SUV.
"I don't know my way around Gotham's underground. You drive."
Nightwing took the wheel, and the SUV roared to life, speeding down the tunnel.
Martin struggled to keep his balance as the car lurched. He opened a crate in the back, finding automatic rifles, ammo, and C4 explosives.
"This isn't just for turf wars—this is enough for a small war."
He grabbed a rifle and fired through the rear windshield. The bullets hit the hood of the pursuing car, but two of them found their mark—piercing the windshield and striking the driver.
Screech!
The car spun out of control, flipping over and blocking the tunnel.
The next car didn't slow down in time. It crashed into the wreckage and flipped over as well.
"This is insane!"
Martin shook his head and kept firing, not aiming to kill—just slowing them down.
"Hold on!"
Nightwing's warning came just in time.
Martin braced himself as the SUV launched into Gotham's sewer system, sewage splashing through the broken rear window and soaking Penguin in the trunk.
Nightwing pushed the SUV to its limit, but the pursuers were still gaining.
"How deep are we underground?"
"More than ten meters. Why?"
Martin didn't answer. Instead, he scattered C4 explosives along the tunnel behind them.
Once they reached a safe distance, he pressed the detonator.
Boom!
A massive fireball erupted behind them, sending a shockwave through the tunnel. The pursuing vehicles were instantly torn apart, their remains vanishing in a cloud of fire and smoke.
Nightwing barely flinched as he kept driving. "Nice work."
Martin reloaded his rifle. "Let's get out of here before more show up."