The emerald glow of Hal Jordan's ring shimmered faintly as he clenched his fist. His tone sharpened, voice echoing in the corridor's metallic stillness.
"You won't pull that stunt again, Batman." His eyes narrowed, tired of the stoic silence.
Batman didn't flinch. His reply came cold and deliberate.
"Not unless I want to."
He strode past, cape brushing Hal's arm as though the encounter had already been dismissed.
Lucian let out a quiet exhale, shaking his head with a smirk that said *I've seen this before.* He turned to leave, hoping the storm would pass. But Green Lantern wasn't known for letting things go.
Hal reached out, placing a hand on Batman's armored shoulder.
"That's it, let's rumble, spooky-boy—"
In a blink, Batman moved. A twist of the wrist, a shove, and Hal slammed against the nearest wall. The hallway rattled. They locked eyes in a tense stare, raw energy between them. Then Batman raised a single gloved finger to his lips — silent, commanding.
"Not now."
Before Hal could protest, a faint metallic *beep… beep...* echoed through the shadows. The trio turned—the demon was crouched at the far end, planting a strange, yellow-metallic device with a glowing red core pulsing like a heartbeat.
Batman's eyes narrowed behind the cowl.
"Stay back," he ordered. "We wait and—"
But Hal had already launched himself ahead, green aura blazing.
"Wait?! That's a freakin' bomb! He just planted it!"
"Lantern!" Batman's bark came too late. Lucian grabbed Hal's arm mid-flight, yanking him back as the beeping escalated. The demon turned, letting out a guttural screech.
"For Darkseid!!" it howled before a blinding explosion swallowed the scene.
*BOOOOOM.*
When the dust cleared, a shimmering green vault stood where the blast had been — a protective shell conjured by Hal just in time. Inside, Batman, Lucian, and Green Lantern emerged covered in ash but unharmed.
Hal coughed. "Darkseid? What's that — a band name?"
Batman's gaze remained cold. "More like a death cry."
Lucian brushed off debris. "Or their master's name. Either way… something's calling the shots."
They approached the blast site and found the bomb itself still intact, its pulse faintly glowing. A beacon, not a weapon. Batman crouched, analyzing its construction.
Before he could speak, a soft beeping from his belt cut through the quiet. He pressed a finger to the comm built into his cowl.
"Monster activity detected… Metropolis. Visual match to our demon."
Lucian's lips curved into a half-smile.
"Then off we go — to Superman's yard."
### The White House
Far from the chaos, a sleek black limousine rolled through a mob of protesters gathered outside the White House gates. Inside sat Diana of Themyscira — Wonder Woman — poised, regal, and visibly irritated. Beside her, Steve Trevor scrolled nervously through his phone.
Outside, the crowd chanted: "These freaks bring nothing but destruction! Kick them out!"
A protester climbed atop the limousine, waving a burnt effigy dressed like Wonder Woman on a stick.
Diana frowned, opening the door before Steve could react.
"Diana, wait—!" he called, but she was already standing in the open street, sword gleaming.
Her voice boomed over the furious chants.
"Who is this *intruder* you speak of? Point me to them, and I shall see justice done!"
The crowd fell silent. Then the protester sneered, gesturing toward her.
"It's *you!* The so-called goddess in a swimwear costume!"
Diana's brows furrowed. "You gathered to protest... me?"
The man spat venom. "You swing that sword like destruction itself — and dress like a whor—"
Before he could finish, the golden Lasso of Truth snapped forward, wrapping around him with divine precision. His tirade faltered, replaced by frightened honesty.
"This isn't your truth," she said gently. "The lasso compels you — speak freely."
Through trembling lips, the man confessed that he sometimes dressed as Wonder Woman because it made him feel powerful. Diana smiled warmly.
"It makes me feel powerful too. Embrace your truth."
The crowd fell quiet — the rage dissolved into awkward awe. She turned to Steve with a playful smirk.
"Come, Trevor. Let us see this President you were so eager to meet."
### Metropolis
The Batwing cut across the skyline before touching down on a half-ruined rooftop. Batman disembarked first, checking a holo-display brimming with red and blue flight paths.
"Superman's close," Batman muttered. "I've been tracking his flight pattern."
Hal landed beside him, folding his arms.
"Pffttt ... With what your personal satellite? ."
Batman glanced sideways without answer.
"...You own a satellite?!" Hal yelled, half laughing, half offended.
Lucian sighed. "Stop asking questions that'll just hurt your wallet."
Before Hal could retort, the radar spiked — incoming at high velocity. Crimson light blurred across the sky. Seconds later, a thunderous crash ripped through a nearby skyscraper. From the wreckage, Superman emerged, eyes sharp and jaw tight, dragging the battered body of the demon behind him.
The three heroes tensed. But before a word left their lips, Superman vanished in a red streak, colliding head-first into Hal. The Lantern tumbled through the air, smashing into a construction site.
Hal roared, conjuring a massive green hammer mid-flight. "Round two, farm boy!"
Superman met it with bare hands, shattering the construct in a single punch. The impact sent shockwaves across the street.
Lucian stepped forward as Hal hit the pavement again.
"Guess he's stronger up close."
Batman barely moved as Superman closed the distance, landing with crushing force that cracked the street. The Man of Steel stood inches from him, voice low and dangerous.
"And you—what can you do?"
Before Batman could answer, Lucian struck. A blur of motion, a glowing green fist slammed into Superman's gut, sending him soaring backward into a building. Dust erupted.
Batman turned sharply.
Lucian flexed his hands, revealing knuckles lined with green, crystalline shards.
"Kryptonite gloves," he said with a grin. "Big guys like him? You come prepared."
"How much?" Batman asked flatly.
Lucian chuckled. "Consider 'em friendship knuckles."
From the rubble, Superman reappeared, landing hard but weary, his expression shifting from anger to disbelief.
"How do you even have Kryptonite?"
Lucian shrugged. "When someone can kill you in one breath, you make contingencies."
Batman allowed the faintest smirk.
Superman folded his arms, floating slightly off the ground.
"This is *my* city. What do you want?"
Batman stepped forward. "We're chasing a string of similar incidents — creatures planting these… beacons. We need your help, Clark."
Superman's jaw tensed, then softened.
"Never thought the billionaire playboy gave a damn about the world Bruce," he said with a crooked smile.
They exchanged a look—half rivalry, half respect. Lucian walked ahead, scanning for signals.
Without turning back, Superman muttered,
"He's just like you, isn't he?"
Batman followed, cape fluttering.
Superman sighed. "God help me."
And as the trio strode on, Leaving behind their forgotten green companion. Metropolis burned faintly in the distance — a city on the edge of salvation or ruin.