Secret meetings weren't exclusive to S.H.I.E.L.D. These gatherings were happening all across the world.
Gotham City.
In the dark, towering estate of Bruce Wayne, the grim shadow of the Bat loomed over a dimly lit study.
"Lex Luthor has escaped."
Batman's voice was low and brooding. His eyes, shaded beneath the cowl, radiated frustration. "Seventy-two hours. That's all it took. We put him behind bars, and not even three full days later—he vanishes."
Across from him sat Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman. Her expression softened, though she was clearly not surprised.
"Gotham's... not exactly known for its secure institutions," she said diplomatically, a trace of amusement in her dark eyes. "I've never lived here, but even from Themyscira, I've heard tales. Criminals seem to have revolving doors for jail cells here."
She wasn't wrong.
Gotham's justice system—riddled with corruption and incompetence—had become infamous. Its prisons, particularly Arkham Asylum, were often jokes among criminals. The idea that a villain like Lex, who had nearly ended the world by unleashing Doomsday, could slip out unnoticed wasn't just frustrating—it was terrifying.
Batman clenched his fists.
"I've been thinking," he said, voice tense. "Cities around the world are working with the X-Men to clean up crime. Maybe it's time... we ask them for help here."
Diana raised an eyebrow. "You mean, join forces with Mutants? A coordinated anti-crime campaign in Gotham?"
He nodded. "We're too fractured. Joseph's teams have structure. They're efficient. Maybe... we need that kind of unity."
He reached into a compartment in his desk and pulled out a sleek, black bracelet. He set it gently on the table in front of her.
"Clark's relic," he explained. "He was testing something before he died. This... is from the company called Second World. It's connected to the game 'Oasis'... and that game is tied directly to Joseph and the new Xavier's School."
Diana took the bracelet in her hands, puzzled. "Clark... was gaming?"
Batman allowed himself a rare, hollow chuckle. "It's not just a game."
He outlined what little intelligence he had gathered. How the bracelet wasn't a toy, but a training device. A simulator. A tool that had reportedly enhanced not just gameplay but real-world skills and combat ability.
"Clark never had any hostility toward Mutants. If he trusted them enough to test this, maybe it's time we consider aligning with them."
Diana folded her arms, clearly intrigued. "You want to formally work with the X-Men. Help Gotham through a joint task force?"
"I want to save this city," Bruce snapped. "And if Joseph and the X-Men are serious about protecting people, then it's time we swallowed our pride."
Diana considered it.
Then she sighed, lifting the bracelet again. "Let me go talk to them. I'll try to establish contact with Joseph. Maybe we can negotiate something."
Bruce didn't stop her. Truth be told, he welcomed the idea of someone else taking the lead on this—at least for now.
But unknown to him, Lex Luthor wasn't exactly hiding after his escape.
Far from it.
---
Out on the open water, a massive yacht floated lazily beneath the night sky, the hum of music barely masking the tension in the air. Lex stood on the deck, sipping red wine and surrounded by an eclectic group of criminals, mercenaries, and opportunists.
A small speedboat approached, cutting through the waves. A tall, muscular man with a Mohawk and a single eye leapt aboard with a grimace.
The knife strapped to his back gleamed under the deck lights.
"You know who Batman really is?" he growled.
"Of course, Mr. Slade Wilson," Lex said with a smile, raising his glass in greeting. "If you want, I could whisper it to you right now. Help you kill him."
Slade narrowed his eye. "And since when are you so generous?"
Lex smirked. "Come, now. Don't be so cold. Sit. Drink. Let's talk."
Slade remained still.
Before either man could speak again, a thunderous impact shook the yacht.
From above, a feline-shaped figure in leopard print landed on the deck, sending ripples through the water.
"If you can help me kill Wonder Woman, I'll hear you out," Cheetah snarled.
Lex grinned wider. "Barbara, I thought you'd say that. Stay the night. I promise, you won't be disappointed."
Another speedboat neared.
But this time, even before it docked, a piercing, mocking voice rang out across the bay.
"Three days out of prison and you're already hosting parties? That's bold, Lex."
A flickering shadow landed on the yacht—Harley Quinn, twirling a mallet over her shoulder, gave him a manic smile.
"You're bragging about killing Superman? Funny, because I don't remember seeing that headline."
Yet another voice joined them.
This one deep. Gruff.
A hulking figure stepped from the shadows. He towered over the others, his body rippling with red muscle and simmering fury.
"You claim you killed Superman," the beast snarled. "But all I've seen in the papers is Mutants. Mutants saving the world."
"Ah, Mr. Stryker," Lex said smoothly. "Your hatred of Mutants is legendary. That's why our little club reached out to you."
Lex stretched his arms wide, gesturing to the villains assembling.
"A new age is dawning. Earth is changing. The balance of power is shifting. And we can't—we won't—let Mutants take the throne."
Stryker didn't smile. "I paid a high price for my revenge. That bastard General Ross injected me with Hulk serum. I'm ready to unleash hell on Mutants."
Lex raised his glass. "And unleash it we shall. But before we begin... perhaps we should have a name?"
He chuckled.
"The Justice League is forming... so why not call ourselves... the Injustice League?"
The others exchanged looks.
Boats continued arriving, more criminals joining this quiet war council.
Lex Luthor wasn't alone in his fears. Across the globe, there were still many who couldn't stomach the idea of Mutants leading the way.
---
Meanwhile, in another secret chamber, a different alliance was taking shape.
One just as dangerous.
The air in the room was electric with tension as Norman Osborn—his eyes glowing behind the Green Goblin's mask—and Doctor Victor Doom, clad in gleaming metal, addressed a seated audience.
"The world has changed," Doom said coldly. "Superman is dead. The Chitauri have invaded. S.H.I.E.L.D. has failed."
"And now," Osborn added, "a game company leads the charge against evil?"
They paced in front of a long table filled with scientists, arms dealers, and rogue inventors.
"Power," Doom said, "is the new currency."
"Mutants have it. The X-Men are global icons. The Avengers were tolerated because of power. We now possess our own."
Osborn pointed at each guest.
"Killian. Doctor Octopus. And others. You've all tasted it. You know what you're capable of."
He slammed a hand on the table.
"Then why are we still on the sidelines?!"
No one responded aloud—but their eyes shimmered with greed.
With ambition.
And Osborn saw it. He smiled slowly.
"We don't need permission. We don't need to wait for governments or hero leagues."
He exchanged a look with Doom.
"We're done being pawns."
Doom raised his metallic hand.
"Joseph," he said icily, "may think he's different from Grant King. But if he tries to control us—"
"We surprise him," Osborn finished. "And we remind the world... that power comes with a price."
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