The atmosphere among the Bat trio was heavy after Ashborn's unsettling revelation. They conversed quietly, trying to make sense of everything they had just learned.
Batman was tense but determined. "We'll investigate this... privately," he said in his usual low tone.
Batgirl and Robin nodded, still trying to shake the surreal feeling that had settled over them.
Deciding they had enough madness for one night, the trio made their way toward the exit. As they walked through the chaotic but somehow peaceful villain gathering, they passed by Ashborn and Amazo, who were casually chatting as if nothing in the world could bother them.
Ashborn's voice reached their ears.
"You're at that age where you're interested in the other gender, huh?" Ashborn said with a slight proud smirk. "You have grown."
Amazo, his voice as calm and logical as ever, asked, "But Father, if I want to experience love... how should I do that? Build another intelligent android?"
Ashborn laughed quietly "You could," he replied, "but that would be more like raising your mate rather than finding love, and even if it works, it is still a morally questionable plan even for androids. We should find you a cute android girl who has already gained consciousness and has no perceived programming of you."
The Bat trio froze mid-step, staring at the two in bewilderment.
Amazo tilted his head thoughtfully. "I scanned Earth. There is no such android."
Ashborn chuckled again. "There must be someone out there in space. And worst-case scenario, we visit other worlds if needed."
Amazo nodded solemnly. "That make sense"
The Bat trio could only stare, dumbfounded.
Batman grunted and immediately resumed walking, wanting absolutely nothing more to do with Ashborn's madness.
Batgirl and Robin hurried after him, still looking over their shoulders at the strange conversation they had just overheard.
After a moment of silence, Robin whispered "Do you think they'll really try to find a cute android girl? And if they do... what are they gonna do? Program their children?"
Batgirl opened her mouth, then closed it. She had no words.
Batman, without even looking back, said coldly "Forget them. Forget whatever they're thinking. It's better to avoid them altogether."
The trio quickened their pace, disappearing into the cold Gotham night, leaving behind the strangest, most peaceful villain birthday party they had ever witnessed.
___________
Rex stood with a baffled look frozen on his face, staring at Ashborn and Amazo as if they had grown second heads "You two are going to other worlds... to search for a possible partner for Amazo? A girl-based android... with consciousness?"
Ashborn and Amazo both nodded at the same time, perfectly in sync, as if this was the most normal plan in the world.
Rex rubbed his temples, feeling a headache starting to form. "Putting aside the sheer absurdity of this insane quest... what about Shadow Corp? Who's going to manage it?"
Without missing a beat, Ashborn pointed at Tea with a lazy finger. "She's getting a promotion. New CEO."
Rex's eye twitched violently. "Are you being serious right now?"
Ashborn nodded, completely serious. "It's not like it's weird. Mercy Graves is the CEO of LexCorp, remember? She got the exact same promotion after all. And besides," he added, "you're there to help her."
Rex let out a deep, defeated sigh, realizing arguing would go nowhere. "I know better than to try and discuss logic with you. Just... don't disappear for too long."
Ashborn gave him a casual nod. "It'll be a few months at most. Shouldn't be too bad."
Ace, who had been lounging nearby, chimed in, half teasing, half serious. "What if something goes wrong while you two are gone? Like... the Justice League suddenly growing a backbone again?"
Ashborn chuckled, unconcerned. "Simple. Just call Beru and the others. They'll handle it."
Rex blinked. "Who the hell is Beru?"
Ashborn grinned mischievously. "The Ant King."
Rex stared at him blankly, then sighed again, even more exhausted. "Fine. Don't tell me."
Ace and Tea burst out laughing while Amazo and Ashborn just shared an amused smile between them, thoroughly entertained by Rex's constant state of barely-contained exasperation.
___________
At the Kent Farm, the evening air was filled with excitement and warmth. Lois Lane was sitting beside Clark, her hands gently resting on her stomach, as she shared the news with his family.
"I'm pregnant," she announced with a glowing smile.
Clark's parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, along with Kara, stared at her for a second in surprise before breaking into wide grins and congratulations.
Martha was practically bouncing with excitement.
"I'm going to prepare some dessert for the occasion!" she said, bustling toward the kitchen with renewed energy.
Laughter and soft chatter filled the room as the family celebrated. But just as Jonathan turned on the TV to catch some background noise, the room fell into an eerie silence.
The news anchor's voice cut through the warmth like a knife.
"In a shocking development," the anchor said, "Ashborn Black, CEO of Shadow Corp and one of the most influential figures in the world, has officially stepped down from his position, appointing Tea Hamilton as the new CEO."
The screen showed the image of Tea, the clone of Supergirl, dressed in professional clothing, smiling confidently at the camera.
The news anchor continued, clearly baffled, "Formerly known as the chauffeur for Ashborn's children, Hamilton's meteoric rise mirrors the unexpected appointment of Mercy Graves at LexCorp years ago."
Martha returned from the kitchen, dessert half-forgotten in her hands, staring at the screen.
"What is going on with them?" she asked, bewildered.
Lois frowned, folding her arms "That doesn't make any sense. Why would Ashborn suddenly step down?"
Without a word, Kara stood up sharply and left the house.
Clark stood up too, instinctively moving to follow her, concern flashing across his face.
"I have to go after her," he said quickly. "If she confronts Ashborn, she could be in real danger."
But Martha put a firm hand on his arm.
"No, leave her alone for a while." she said gently.
Clark looked down at his mother, uncertain. "You don't understand. Kara might do something reckless. If she goes after Ashborn, or even just her clone…"
Martha shook her head calmly. "She won't seek him out."
Lois, confused and concerned, looked between them. "What exactly is Kara's deal with Ashborn anyway?"
Clark sighed heavily and sat back down. He told Lois everything he knew, how her fight with the clone ended, how Kara and Ashborn had once been somewhat close, and how a misunderstanding, fueled by her clone's existence, had shattered that bond.
Martha added quietly "Kara told me that her clone lied to her. It led to Kara cutting ties with Ashborn... thinking he betrayed her trust. By the time she realized the truth, it was too late. Ashborn and the clone were together"
Lois frowned deeply, the pieces fitting together grimly. "So she hates the clone. The clone beat her, ruined her chance with the person she liked, in her eyes the clone took her place."
Clark nodded with a sigh.
"I think it is for the better she has nothing to do with Ashborn, he is extremely dangerous and he doesn't think or act the way we expect from someone as powerful as him. I must find her, if Kara acts on her anger..."
He didn't complete his sentence, but it was clear how concerned he was. The last thing Superman wanted is to have a conflict with Ashborn again, the Justice League still don't understand how his powers work, a confrontation with him is no different than suicide, and that without accounting for his family.
Martha shook her head again, more firmly this time.
"Kara knows she can't beat the clone. Not in a fight. And then there's Ashborn's monstrous kids... and she saw what Ashborn is capable of"
She looked out the window, her gaze soft. "Kara needs time. Time to grieve... and time to let it go."
Clark sat back, the weight of it all sinking onto his shoulders, as the house fell into silence once again.
___________
Tea sat behind the massive desk of the Shadow Corp office, her cheek resting against her hand as she stared boredly at the endless reports in front of her. She let out a deep sigh, twirling a pen between her fingers.
"So this is what being a CEO feels like..." she muttered.
She had honestly thought this job would be fun, wielding power, making decisions and being important while the others did the actual work.
Instead, it was mind-numbing torture. She couldn't believe Ashborn actually enjoyed this kind of boring work. In her eyes, Ashborn was micro managing everything in Shadow Corp.
A light tapping came from the window, interrupting her suffering. Tea blinked, looked up and there she was.
Supergirl hovered outside the glass, her expression cold and unreadable.
Tea blinked in surprise for a moment before a sly smirk curled on her lips. Her gaze shifted to the desk where a single button waited invitingly. Without hesitation, Tea pressed it.
A soft hiss echoed as the window panel slid open.
Still, Supergirl didn't enter. She remained outside, hovering midair, her cape fluttering behind her.
Tea stood up slowly, brushing her skirt smooth.
"Do you like my new look?" she asked mockingly, gesturing to her sharp, professional attire.
Supergirl ignored the taunt completely.
"What is going on? Where is Ashborn?" she asked, her voice sharp and controlled.
Tea chuckled, her smirk widening.
"Not throwing a punch first? And here I thought you were here to fight me," she teased. But seeing Supergirl's unchanged expression, she shrugged lazily. "Who knows? He and Amazo left this dimension. I don't know where they went or when they'll come back."
Supergirl's fists clenched at her sides.
"Is this another one of your lies?" she demanded, her voice low with anger.
Tea laughed lightly.
"Not this time, It's the truth. You can check with Ace if you want. Make sure you don't cause another misunderstanding, like last time." she said.
Supergirl's eyes flared red.
"You have no shame," she spat, "saying that after lying to me!"
Tea only laughed harder, clearly unfazed.
"I lied back then just to annoy you," she said easily "I didn't think for a second that you'd be that stupid. That you wouldn't figure it out and would actually make everything worse."
Tea tilted her head mockingly "Honestly? I didn't even know you hadn't realized the truth until Amazo told us about his conversation with you."
Supergirl's eyes widened slightly, her fury faltering "Does Ashborn know?" she asked tightly.
Tea nodded without hesitation.
Supergirl's voice was strained as she asked, "And he didn't tell you anything?"
Tea shrugged and said "He didn't care much about it. I lied, sure. But you were the one who drew the line. You were the one who didn't even try to understand properly and made your judgement. You even went behind his back... exposed me to Amanda Waller and hero band. Oh, and that day he gave you the potion because you asked, he just accepted your request, it was never a trade in his eyes"
Supergirl's eyes widened even more, a flash of guilt flickering across her face.
Tea laughed cruelly "Ashborn has his ways of knowing things. He knew about your little secret meetings. He knew how you stepped in to make him look worse to the others and every word you spoke."
Turning back toward her desk, Tea pressed the window button again. The glass slid shut with a final click, cutting Supergirl off from the office.
Tea sat back down, not sparing another glance at the floating figure outside. She grabbed a new report and began reading, as if Kara wasn't even there.
Outside the window, Supergirl hovered a moment longer before finally turning around and flying off into the distance.
Inside, Tea smiled smugly to herself. Tormenting Supergirl was way more fun than running a company.