Nathaniel sat back in the comfortable chair, his posture relaxed as he absorbed the local news broadcast flickering on the screen within Tony's apartment. The report detailed how the Justice League had valiantly confronted what could only be described as an alien invasion that had seemingly materialized out of thin air, leaving the citizens of Washington in a state of bewilderment.
With a deep sigh, Nathaniel reached for the remote and turned off the television, feeling a sense of fatigue wash over him. He had grown weary of the constant escapades of the local heroes, who seemed to be everywhere at once, even in situations where their presence was hardly warranted.
"Ayoo, Tony, what did you even do with the information I gave you? It's pretty useless unless it's handed over to a scientist or someone who actually knows what those strange symbols mean," he remarked, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
Tony rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, his eyes darting across the screen of his laptop as he scoured listings for buildings within Jump City to purchase. He needed to expand his business, especially since Nathaniel had joined him as both bodyguard and employee.
Ever since Nathaniel's arrival, Tony had found himself avoiding any dealings with potential heroes; it certainly helped that most of his rivals were either dead or too intimidated to confront him openly.
"Sadly, I didn't sell the information. Instead, I posted it online and made it public, though I took care to keep my identity anonymous. It's bound to keep some of these heroes and villains occupied for a while as they try to decipher who's dabbling in magic and actively attempting to create an army of super mutants," Tony explained, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Thought, I think the government would be more inclined to figure out how to create an army rather than focus on the magic aspect but even that does pose an issue for us with a potential army possibly being created?" Nathaniel countered, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.
Tony chuckled lightly before responding, "Yes, that is true. But imagine this: with the looming possibility of a potential threat on the horizon, others will inevitably feel the need to acquire certain weapons to combat it. And that's precisely where we come in."
Nathaniel didn't reply but understood nonetheless, having understood what Tony was trying to explain, "So what's the next job? Anything exciting? Mainly Anything in Gotham."
Tony stopped for a second before sighing, having been updated about Nathaniel's origins and how he came to be and especially on how he sought to find who was involved in his death and sentence them to the same fate that had befallen him.
"New job, within Central City. I'm looking to rent a place there, nothing to do with my business of course. I just need a place for the potential time I need to retire and I need to set myself up to be well financially when the time comes."
"I just need you to look over the property and look into the routes of the Flash, I'd rather not buy a place where he frequents because that's where most of the issues will be and I'd rather have a place where I can just relax."
(Central City)
Nathaniel walked calmly along the bustling street, slightly impressed by how the city thrived under the watchful eye of the Speedster. Crime was nearly nonexistent, and when it did rear its ugly head, it was dealt with almost instantaneously. However, he knew all too well that there were still moments when things spiraled out of control.
Pausing for a moment, he seized the opportunity to examine the property Tony was considering for purchase. It resembled more of an apartment complex than a traditional home, but that made sense; it could serve as another source of potential income for Tony, a smart investment in a city that seemed to flourish.
With a slight shrug of his shoulders, Nathaniel decided that he really didn't need to scrutinize the place any further. The task felt almost tedious, and the only redeeming aspect was that it afforded him a moment to reflect on his current situation.
'For one, I need to find a way to gain access to a Heroes circle. They possess information that could be easily sold or even used for blackmail. The heroes already struggle with public perception and local government relations, and they're walking a precarious line at the moment.'
'I've already established connections within the criminal underworld, but I need to dig deeper. Information is the key to achieving my goals and uncovering what I truly want to know.'
Nathaniel released a long yawn before making his way toward the park, settling onto a bench and soaking in the sweet warmth that the sun generously provided. Yet, even in the comforting embrace of sunlight, chaos always seemed to trail closely behind him.
Suddenly, a deafening BOOM! Followed by a series of BAAAAMMMM!! Echoed from a nearby street. He turned to see cars flipping over, flames licking the pavement as panic erupted all around.
A sigh escaped Nathaniel's lips, his irritation palpable. "Okay, whoever caused this mess is going to pay. I don't care who or what they are."
In an instant, his body morphed, transforming into Cheetah, with thicker legs propelling him forward. Without a moment's hesitation, he dashed off toward the chaos, ready to confront whatever had unleashed this turmoil.