Gotham was eerily quiet, almost too calm. Rex always hated when the city pretended to be peaceful; it never lasted and it never felt real. Sitting on a decaying clocktower, he stared at the skyline, feeling bored. His red coat fluttered in the wind, and his sword hung over his shoulder effortlessly. Evelyn played with her satchel beside him, eyes focused on the same view.
"So what's the hold-up?" she complained, not even trying to hide her impatience.
Rex gave her a crooked grin. "Got a date."
"Ha. With who?"
Just then, a loud sonic boom boomed through the air. A big shot rocketed across the sky, landing hard enough to shake a rooftop.
Cracked stone. Boots heavily armored.
"Her," Rex nodded.
Gold armor, shining in moonlight, with a lasso hanging from her hip. Her eyes were sharp. Yeah, you guessed it—Wonder Woman herself.
Subtle? Not at all.
She wasted no time. "Rex."
He flashed a wolfish grin. "Look at that, you did your homework, Princess."
"You've been busy wrecking the place."
"Gotham was messy before I got here. I'm just adding some color, you know?"
She wasn't convinced. "You interfered with League operations. Devil Trigger in civilian areas."
He shrugged. "So?"
"This isn't up for debate, Rex." She stepped closer. "It's an intervention."
[DETECTION: COMBAT IMMINENT. OPPONENT: WONDER WOMAN. THREAT LEVEL: HIGH.]
Evelyn interrupted, her voice sharp. "You're not really going to fight her, are you?"
Rex's grin widened. He looked like he thrived on this.
"Oh, I am definitely going to fight her."
Evelyn sighed. "Of course you will."
The roof creaked as Rex dashed forward in a flash.
Rebellion collided with her shield. Sparks flew everywhere.
Diana? She didn't move an inch.
Neither did Rex.
For a moment, no one budged. Just a clash of raw power.
Then she pushed him back, and Rex slid across the gravel.
"Not bad, Princess. Not bad at all."
Diana didn't bother with talk. She charged in faster than most people could blink with her sword raised. Rex deflected her blow, the shockwave sending broken bricks flying.
[STYLE RANK: D — DULL.]
"Tch. Not now, [V.E.R.G.I.L.]," Rex mumbled.
[INCREASE COMBO FLUIDITY. STOP BLOCKING. START FIGHTING.]
"Yeah, yeah.your majesty as your wish"
He ducked under her next swing and fired a quick volley with Ebony & Ivory. She deflects every bullet away, closing in effortlessly.
Her fist slammed into his stomach. He skidded back, coughing, but he couldn't stop grinning.
"Now we're talking."
He spun his Rebellion, the wind howling, forcing Diana back a step.
[STYLE RANK: C — CRUDE.]
Not good enough.
She came down with her sword in a diagonal strike—Rex caught it, the blades screaming. Their eyes locked.
"You're reckless," she shot back.
He winked. "You're still holding back."
She pushed him away, jumped high, and the lasso snapped out, glowing brightly.
Rex flipped back, narrowly avoiding a serious blow.
[ADVICE: USE ENVIRONMENT. ADAPT OR BE CRUSHED.]
His eyes lit up. This was the exciting part.
He dashed toward a broken pillar, leapt up, and came down with Rebellion in a two-handed smash.
Diana blocked with her shield—the ground shattered.
Dust filled the air.
Amid the chaos, Rex's voice emerged with teasing and confident.
"You know, Princess... you're growing on me."
Her response? The shield hit him in the chest, sending him crashing straight through a wall.
Evelyn stood with her arms crossed, completely unimpressed.
"He is way too into this."
As the dust settled, Rex stunned up, brushing debris off his coat, still grinning like a lunatic.
[DEVIL TRIGGER ENERGY: 62%. ACTIVATION NOT ADVISED.]
"Chill, [V.E.R.G.I.L.]. We're just having a bit of fun."
Diana approached, her sword lowered slightly.
"You're dangerous, Rex. Not evil. But the League needs to understand that."
He nodded, "Maybe the League should stop acting like they control all the wild cards."
She paused, a flicker of softness appearing in her eyes.
"This city is falling apart. People are terrified. We can't take risks with loose cannons."
He leaned in, resting Rebellion on his shoulders.
"I'm not a loose cannon. I'm the one you direct at the things your rules can't handle."
The tension was Obvious.
Finally, she sheathed her sword.
"This isn't over."
He tilted his head, his smirk unwavering. "Didn't expect it to be."
She jumped off, disappearing into the night.
Evelyn rushed over, hands on her hips.
"Tell me you're not going to poke that hornet's nest again."
"No promises, doc."
[MISSION COMPLETE. REPUTATION: UNSTABLE NEUTRAL.]
Rex's grin widened.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."