Chapter Fifty-Eight

Meanwhile, back with Michael, he sat on some stairs while the Gotham police searched the area and ask for all the information they could from the heroes.

Michael had already been questioned and was now contemplating his next step.

" I did it...Tony, I did it.." Michael's said with a soft and choked whisper. He remembered the memory of his game partner and what they had gone through earlier.

(Flashback)

It was around the second game when Michael truly started to despair and give up hope of ever leaving and getting rid of his debt.

As Michael and Tony found themselves immersed in the intense second game of the Architect's twisted tournament, the weight of the situation began to take its toll on Michael's spirit.

Doubt and despair started to creep into his mind, clouding his vision of victory and a better life.

Michael sat down in a cradling position while sobbing. Sensing his partner's struggle, Tony decided to sit beside him while taking a quick smoke break.

In the midst of the game, where the stakes were high and the odds seemed insurmountable, Tony turned to Michael and initiated a heartfelt conversation.

"Michael, I know it feels like we're trapped in this endless cycle like there's no way out. But let me tell you something, my friend."Tony began...

"I remember a verse in the Bible, my uncle Luie used to always say to me whenever I got into a scrap...What was it again...Romans 7:15-18?"

Tony thought about it trying to remember the verse before it came to him.

"I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do the good I want to do, and I do evil I hate. And if I don't what to do what I do, that means I agree law is good. But I am not the one doing the evil.

It is sin living on me that does it. Yes, I know nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is not spiritual. I want what is good, but I don't do it."

Michael slowly absorbed the words Tony had given him.

"In any case, I never really believed in all that malarchi...but that book does hold a lot of wisdom.

It speaks of the struggle within us, how some find it easy to overcome their demons, while others feel like they're trapped in darkness."

Michael listened intently, his eyes searching for solace in Tony's words.

Tony continued, "You see, Michael, for some, depression and despair may be easy to beat. They find their way out of the darkness, and the light shines upon them once again. But for others, it feels impossible to escape that relentless grip. It feels like we're drowning in our own failures, our own shortcomings."

Michael's gaze dropped momentarily, the weight of his past mistakes pressing heavily on his conscience. But Tony's voice grew stronger as he imparted his wisdom.

"But here's the thing, my friend," Tony said firmly, locking eyes with Michael. "Are you a loser? Are you ready to give up on yourself, on your dreams, on the hope of a better life?"

Michael's initial response was tinged with self-doubt as he whispered, "Maybe... maybe I am."

Tony's voice rose, filled with anger. "No, Michael! You are not a loser! Losers are quitters, and I don't see a quitter standing in front of me.

As long as you still hold your breath, as long as you're willing to fight, there's a chance to win. Don't you dare give up until you see that light, until you reach for it with all your might!"

Michael's looked at Tony in shock...and for the first time in a long time, he felt that maybe...just maybe, he had a chance to really change.

Being, fueled by Tony's passionate words. He shook off the self-defeating thoughts that had plagued him, and his spirit ignited with renewed purpose.

At that moment, he found a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, a flicker of belief in his own strength and resilience.

With a fiery resolve burning in his eyes, Michael looked at Tony and said, "You're right, Tony. I'm not a loser. I won't give up. I will keep fighting until I see that light shining brightly before me. No matter the odds, I will push forward with all my strength and courage."

Tony smirked, a sense of pride and camaraderie shining through his eyes. "That's the spirit, Michael. Together, we'll face whatever comes our way, and we'll come out on top. Trust in yourself and never lose sight of that light."

With his spirits bolstered and a newfound determination pulsating through their veins, Michael and Tony faced the challenges of the Architect's game with unwavering resolve.

Michael knew that victory was not guaranteed, but he was ready to give it his all, driven by the belief that as long as he held onto hope and kept fighting, the light would eventually guide them to success.

And Michael owed all his success to him, Tony...He hopes that wherever Tony is now, it is in a better place.

Michael thought unaware that Barbara who had just left the scene had found a note that was addressed to her.

At first, she was cautious, but after reading the contents of the note she couldn't help but be ecstatic...hopefully what was written on the note was true.

Afterwards, she communicated to Batman what she had found and together with the Gcpd, it was later found out that what was written on the note was true.

It was the location of all four participants that were completely unharmed to the shock of many.

'Looks like a guardian Angel was looking over these four people tonight.' Barbara thought.

But the question that still plagued her was, where had the other participants that were with them gone to if the others were safe?

.....

(Uptown, 777 Grant Wood Road, Gotham City)

Meanwhile, at the same time the Architect case was coming to an end, Jayden who was in bed with Selina and Lola who were snuggling up to him smiled while opening his eyes.

Four wisps of energy-like spheres slowly flew through the walls of his building before entering the pendant that was wrapped around Jayden's neck.

Jayden then heard a whisper inside his mind that said." Mission complete boss...unfortunately the target got away."

Jayden smiled and his stiff body had finally relaxed.

Selina and Lola seemed to have sensed his new calm as they snuggled their bodies even closer to him to get into a more comfortable position.

'I can finally relax...that cruise trip isn't sounding so bad right now.' Jayden thought in anticipation of finally getting a holiday after everything he's been through these past few months.

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(Midtown - Gotham)

After sorting everything out at the warehouse Michael was finally able to return home.

Though he would have to go back to the Gcpd tomorrow for some paperwork.

When he got home he was greeted by the sight of his trashed house. And instead of crashing on the sofa like he normally would have he instead started to clean everything up.

He didn't want to wait a second longer in improving his life, and it started here.

A few hours later he was ninety per cent finished with the cleanup...now his home didn't look like a dump anymore.

Wiping the sweat of his brow he decided to take a breather outside on his patio...once outside he was hit with the cold air of Gotham.

Subconsciously he took out a packet of cigarettes to smoke, but once he realised what he was doing he crushed the packet and threw it into one of the garbage bags he had filled.

He then decided to just look at the sky...but as he did he noticed something blue In nature shining in the sky.

He thought it might have been a shooting star, but...

"Why does it feel like it's getting closer to—HOLY SHIT IT IS..."

*BOOOM*

Before Michael could even react or get out of its destructive path...he was struck by the light and flew through his patio window before flying back 5 meters and falling unconscious on the floor.

He was unaware of just how much his life was gonna change from here on out.

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[Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps... Michael Ashley.]