The Penguin's Predictions

[The Penguin]

The studio at GNN had a recurring special guest that week, and that guest was none other than Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, well known to both sides of the law by now as the Penguin. However, the reason he was a guest was not because of his crimes, but rather crimes he was predicting to supposedly aid the Gotham City Police Department. And so far, the crimes had come true!
Facing the camera, The Penguin cleared his throat and grinned sincerely.

"Good evening, my fellow citizens of Gotham," he said. "I come to you tonight not to boast of this strange new supernatural ability I have apparently been blessed with, possibly by some guardian angel, but to use my gift once again to potentially clean up the growing crime in our fair city. If Oswald Cobblepot is anything, he is a friend of the people. So having said that, let me give you my next prediction. On this very night, a band of ruthless thieves will break into the Gotham Exhibition with the sole intention of relieving it of the famous Star if Ireland Emerald. I pray that the police, and possibly our city's costumed crime-fighters will take heed of my prediction and stop the heinous act from taking place." The Penguin then looked away dramatically as the interviewer thanked him.

[Nightwing]

Dick hummed to himself as he lathered his bagel with cream cheese. It was his evening snack and he felt he was entitled to it. He’d just gotten back from a quick, pretty eventless patrol. He exited the kitchen and entered the apartment living room. Despite the fact that he ended up spending most of his free time at the Manor, he was still renting out an apartment, as if to symbolically ensure his independence. He grabbed the remote and absent-mindedly turned on the television. He paused mid-bite when he heard the host announce a familiar name.

“You have got to be kidding me…” Apparently, these “Penguin’s Predictions” were a regular thing. His mouth hung open slightly in subtle shock. He normally had patrol around this time, so he’d been completely unaware of Penguin’s latest scam. “Friend of the people?” He snorted in disbelief and set his bagel down on the coffee table. How gullible were these people? It was like some sixties television show.

He laid back in the couch, watching the dramatic display. A part of him was amused at the Penguin’s antics. There was no way Gordon and his guys bought this, but the crimes were happening. He’d heard something about it the other day, but had brushed it off.

He sighed at the end of Penguin’s “prediction.” Well, he knew what he was doing tonight.

---

He waited in the shadows for the thieves to arrive. He’d managed to sneak into the exhibition easily and had arrived in plenty of time before the cops. He crouched further into the shadows when he heard footsteps. He watched as two people, dressed obviously as burglars, came into view. He cocked an eyebrow. Only two, huh? Seemed like someone couldn’t care less if this burglary was successful.

He leaped out from the shadows, sending his fist into one of the thug’s faces and knocking him unconscious. He then grabbed the other by the collar of his shirt and slammed him into the wall. He was no Batman, but he knew how to be intimidating.

“I already have a pretty good idea, but why don’t you humor me and tell me who you work for?”

[The Penguin]

"Doesn't matter if I did," groaned the crook. "The boss is going to have a perfect alibi just like all the other times. Even your pal the Bat can't nab him. As for me, I already got my pay-off. A few years in Blackgate and I'm set for life."
....................................................................................................................

As Nightwing interrogated the goon, The Penguin returned to his penthouse suit. His moll, Bluebird, and his two head goons Beak and Talons awaited him quite a few questions. They just made sure their content employer was relaxed first on his cozy couch with his champagne.

"So boss, I don't get it," said Beak. "What's the point in settin' up the fella to commit crimes, and then rattin' on them?"

[color-navy]"You don't get it, Mr. Beak because you have the intellect and imagination of a half dead hummingbird,"[/color] said the Penguin as he sipped his champagne. [color-navy]"I know what I'm doing?"[/color]

"But boss, when are we gonna start stealin' again?" asked Talon.

The Penguin rose and smacked both goons across the face with his umbrella.

[color-navy]"Don't you two guppies understand what's going on here?"[/color] he asked. [color-navy]"I AM stealing. I am stealing the confidence of the police and the citizens of Gotham. A few more of my predictions and they'll believe everything I say... and that is when we strike for the real prize!"[/color] The Penguin then waddled over to the phone and picked it up before turned back to Bluebird. [color-navy]"My dear, get my latest contact on the phone and tell him all is set. I need to call the Gotham Gazette with my latest... prediction."[/color] The Penguin quacked out a laugh as he dialed the number.

[Nightwing]

Nightwing narrowed his eyes into a glare at the crook. The guy was talking tough, but he had a feeling that if he was being held to the wall by Batman, the thug would’ve rattled off everything he knew by now. Nightwing sighed as he heard the sirens approaching. Oh well. Asking questions he already knew the answers to would just be a waste of time.

“How nice for you. You can brag about it all you want to your bunkmate, ok?” He punched the man in the face, efficiently knocking him out. He then tied man and the other crook up. He looked up as the police entered the building. He grinned.

“Wish I could stick around and help clean up, fellas, but I’ve got a visit to pay to a certain waddling man with an umbrella fetish.” He ignored the odd looks that some of the police men gave him and strutted out through the front doors of the exhibition. He took out his grapple and shot it out, already knowing his destination.

[The Penguin]

As Nightwing was heading to confront the Penguin, a headline was already making the newspaper:

Psychic Penguin's Latest Prediction: The Gotham Galleria To Be Robbed At Six O'Clock Tomorrow Evening. The Penguin Urges Police And The City's Costumed Crimefighters To Be On Alert.

Of course, it was all on the news as well. The Penguin sat and watched the report with a sinister grin on his face. By this prediction, he would have stolen the confidence of most everyone in the city. And then it would be time for the "big prediction", one that even his famous foes couldn't pass up.

[Nightwing]

He landed in a crouch on the suite balcony. He looked through the glass, picking out Penguin and some of his goonies. He’d have to go for some shock value and make sure that he was the one who had the advantage, in case Penguin’s men attacked him.

Tap, tap, tap, he tapped his knuckles against the glass, putting on a smile and waving his hand in the air. This definitely wasn’t the type of entrance Batman would make. The big guy probably would’ve either gone to the trouble of sneaking in through one of the windows, or just crashed through the glass. Nightwing wasn’t in the mood to go through that kind of trouble. Besides, he liked to base his entrances more off his quips than style.

His eyes scanned the room, noting any details he might have to use to his advantage later. He also eyed the thugs, reading their body language and pinpointing any weak spots they may have.

[The Penguin]

The Penguin was a tad startled at first, but knew why Nightwing had arrived. He guessed that his costumed foes would be suspicious of his scheme. So, instead of doing what Nightwing expected him to do, he rose and smiled at Beak.

"Mr. Beak, kindly allow our honored guest entry," he said. Beak nodded, nodded, stepped over and opened the glass, showing no hostility to Nightwing like he usually would. Talon was also docile, even giving Nightwing a smile of greeting. Bluebird even batted her eyes a bit.

"Good evening, my masked ally in the war against crime," said the Penguin. "I heard about you preventing that heinous crime. I'm honored to be of service to you and the police with my humble prediction. I trust you saw the news report regarding my latest prediction. Six o'clock tomorrow night. Better be at the Galleria. But for now, what can Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, friend of the people, and EYE OF THE NATION, do for you?"

[Nightwing]

Nightwing cocked a brow when Penguin sent one of his goons to simply open the door, instead of, say, ram through it and push Nightwing off the balcony. So, it was going to be one of those interrogations.

He walked onto the room calmly, masking the cautiousness he felt. He even sent a quick, charming grin to the woman who had batted her eyes at him, before getting back to business. He walked up to Penguin, eyes narrowed. There was really no point in hiding his disbelief and lack of trust in a man responsible for more scams than Nightwing could count with his fingers.

He showed no reaction as he picked up on the clue. Obviously, Penguin had been spending just a tad bit too much time with Riddler.

He let out a snort and shook his head. “You and I both know what you’re doing here, Penguin. And if you think anyone’s falling for this little act of yours, you’re mistaken.”- There probably were people falling for it, actually, but those were probably the people who also believed in a lot of other mumbo-jumbo. –“This little game of yours won’t be lasting much longer.”

His words came out calm, almost conversational. He wasn’t Batman, so he didn’t feel the need to make every word sound like a threat.

[The Penguin]

The Penguin quacked out a laugh.

"This game you say, Nightwing?" asked the Penguin. "Tell me something, where there umbrellas used in these crimes? Where birds flying about. Where the crimes done with the high standards that go along with being the Penguin? And most importantly, why would the Penguin set up his own men to be caught? Think about what you're accusing me of, my friend."

The Penguin knew full well that Nightwing was smarter than that, but he also knew the hero wouldn't turn away from a potentially chaotic event that could affect the entire, regardless of whether or not he knew that the Penguin set it up. The Penguin was counting on that.

"So, if there's nothing else this evening, I must get back to focusing my psychic mind," said the Penguin. "Who knows what the heartless criminals of Gotham City could be up to next." The Penguin the motioned for Bluebird to show him out. With a smile, she walked over and took his arm.

[Nightwing]

He had an answer to every one of Penguin’s questions, but he knew that the Penguin knew that. His eyes were narrowed, arms crossed over his chest. This whole thing was truly ridiculous. But somehow, it made sense that one of Gotham’s rogues would be crazy enough to try it. He had no doubt that this would be a case he would look back on and laugh. But right now, it was kind of annoying. He never liked it when people treated him like he was stupid or just a kid. He though he had proved himself by now, to everyone.

“I’m accusing you of being you, Penguin. Simple as that.” Maybe if this “reform” had been more subtle and not nearly as absurd, Nightwing would’ve given him the benefit of the doubt. But he was forgiving, not naïve. There was a difference.

He put his hand on a piece of furniture, as if absentmindedly. In reality, he was discreetly placing a listening device that would hopefully go undiscovered. He had the clue, now all he needed was the puzzle. He leaned forward toward Penguin, in an effort to intimidate and also make the movement with his hand less suspicious.

“I think you already have an idea.”

He glanced at Bluebird when she came over to him. He may flirt a bit, just ‘cause it was in his personality and there was really no harm to it, but he didn’t trust her to actually touch him. Call it paranoia, but he wasn’t taking any chances. He nonchalantly moved his arm out of her grip, but followed her toward the exit anyway.

[The Penguin]

As Nightwing departed, Beak was about to ask the Penguin about the next prediction when the handle of his boss' umbrella began ticking.

"He planted a bug," mouthed the Penguin silently. The Penguin the moved about with the umbrella as the ticking went faster until he found the bug. He then winked at his goons.

"Well lady and gentlemen," he said intentionally aloud. "Looks like our black and blue friend has gotten wind of my little prediction plot and no doubt will know that I am the one scheming behind my final prediction tomorrow night. So we'll just have to be extra cautious. Wouldn't you say so?"

"Yes, sir," said Beak and Talon.

"Yes, Pengy," said Bluebird. The Penguin the motioned for the three to join him on the spacious balcony. Once they were outside, he shut the sliding door.

"The masked fool!" he quacked. "He thinks he's so clever. I've caught him hook, line, and sinker, and while he's away trying to save the city from chaos, we will gain possession of the Eagle's Eye and go on to rule the world!"

.............................................................................................................

As The Penguin predicted, The Gotham Galleria was broken into the following evening. Again, the Penguin hoped Nightwing or whoever showed up to stop it would return in time to hear his next prediction... his final and biggest one. The Penguin was on the news broadcast again, giving the people of Gotham his deceptively solemn look.

"Good people of Gotham City, tonight I must give you my most earth-shattering prediction yet," he said. "At midnight tonight, certain criminal forces will organize a mass break-out of five of Arkham Asylum's worst. The break-out must be thwarted immediately, or the city could be in dire chaos! I urge any and all available police to go to the asylum, along with the heroes who have successfully stopped this rogues before! Only a combined effort will prevent calamity to all of Gotham! I thank you!"

This would be the first prediction to not come true, and the Penguin could care less. In his mind, no one would be able to stop him from committing his greatest crime ever!

[Nightwing]

It was a good listening device, sensitive to the noise around it. Of course, it didn’t really pick up on anything outside the room it was planted in. He cocked an eyebrow as he heard a ticking noise that was too fast to be a clock. Besides, he also didn’t remember that kind of clock being in the suite. The ticking got faster and closer, and then Penguin was speaking. His eyes narrowed. He’d been busted. Well, he had tried. He sighed, he couldn’t trust what he had heard Penguin saying, but he couldn’t be sure that it wasn’t the truth. Gotham rogues liked to play mind games.

Sitting around on a rooftop wasn’t going to accomplish anything. For now, he’d have to let Penguin think he was playing along. He took out his grapple and shot it out before swinging above the streets. He was going to pay Gordon a visit.

---

Nightwing stood in front of the Gotham Galleria, hands on his hips and flashing lights behind him. He looked down at the three thugs, shaking his head as if in disappointment.

“Now, be good for the police and be in your cells by ten. Got it?” Nightwing raised his brows at them, as if waiting for an answer. The thugs’ mouths were duct taped, though, so all that came out were muffled sounds that sounded vaguely like cuss words. Nightwing shrugged and took out his grapple, leaving the scene.

He arrived at his apartment a little later. Just in time to turn on the news and see what Penguin’s latest “prediction” was. He had to admit, he was pretty surprised. A breakout at Arkham? The worst criminals were no longer held at the Asylum with the addition of Arkham City- that was a subject for another time –but there were still some dangerous people at that asylum. Although, this wouldn’t be the first breakout, they were best to be avoided.

But he had to think about this for a second. Did Penguin really have the resources it took to pull something like that off? And what about the clue he’d received from the waddling man? His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He stood up, still clad in his costume. He wasn’t the only hero in this city, especially with all the new ones flowing in. He’d follow the clue. If the breakout proved real, he wouldn’t hesitate in helping out. But for now, it was best to cover all angles.

[The Penguin]

As the police rushed toward Arkham that night, far from the asylum, the Penguin was at WayneTech, using his umbrella to override the security devices and waddling toward the Eagle's Eye, one of the most powerful computer devices in the world. With it, he could take over the world via cyberspace. In the past, that would be a crime for his former co-hort, the Riddler, but Penguin couldn't help himself due to the device's name. Plus, the idea of running the world's computers was a tasty one.

The Penguin motioned for his men to enter with the suitcase, Bluebird by his side.

"Hurry up, you two," he ordered. "Just because all the dismal do-gooders are at Arkham doesn't mean someone might not be prowling around here. We did leave the city open for criminals after all, and I don't want to cross swords with any competitors tonight, so get that Eye in the case and let's get out of here!" Thankfully, The Penguin's umbrella also doubled as a machine gun in case trouble did arrive.

[Nightwing]

He knew WayneTech inside out, a detail he used to his advantage. By the time he’d arrived, the security system had already been disabled. Bruce was probably fully aware of this, since he most likely had some sort of contingency that alerted him when the security was disabled, but Nightwing had contacted his mentor to let him know that he had this handled. Bruce’s response was predictable, but at least he hadn’t questioned Nightwing. Those days seemed to be behind the two.

He’d gone through the ventilation system. It was overly complicated, but he had long ago memorized the blueprints. He crawled through them, putting some extra effort into being quiet. Eventually, he reached the room that held the Eagle’s Eye. He quickly opened the vent and jumped down into the room. He leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited.

He watched as the door opened, revealing Penguin and his goonies. He caught the tail end of the Penguin’s statement. He smirked.

“Breaking and entering is a crime, Penguin,” he shrugged, “So much for your reform, I guess.”

[The Penguin]

The Penguin quacked in annoyance as Nightwing showed up. He thought he had pulled the wool over Nightwing's eyes. He then remembered the cocky little clue he mouthed off and cursed himself. Oh well, so he was caught in the act... he wasn't going to let the black and blue bird send him back behind bars.

"Very clever of you, sir!" he said. "I suppose my tricky little game is almost at an end... but it's not over yet!" He then quacked out a laugh as he fired his machine gun umbrella at Nightwing. It was dark, so his aim was probably not the best. Beak and Talons pulled their guns and fired as well. "Here's another prediction, Nightwing! In a matter of seconds, you'll be a big black and blue piece of Swiss Cheese!"