"Can I help you?" Batman's growl-like voice was abnormally calm. Calmer than his good days. Superman sat down beside his old friend.
"Have you found anything?" The big man gazed over the earth, wisps of clouds covering over half of the continent of Australia.
"Luthor has hired Grundy. That's the most I've been able to uncover, and that's just due to criminal gossip on the street." Superman frowned.
"So there is no clue as to what he's thinking? Wait, 'criminal gossip on the street?'"
"Whatever it is, my toys have been part of it." Despite the constant frown under his led cowl – pointless with Superman, as they both knew each other's identities, but great when dealing with General Zod – and the obviously grim situation, the Dark Knight's voice was almost... Cheery. "I contacted Vera." Uh-oh.
"So you're not attending the gala tonight?"
"Oh, I am." Superman stared at the black-clad man, not sure whether to be scared or just confused. "Diana."
"Bruce?"
"We'll see."
"Watch tower." Hawkgirl's voice buzzed over the com-link.
"Batman and Superman. What's happening?" Superman replied.
"Grodd has escaped prison. I just missed him on my way through."
"On our way."
Hawkgirl swung her mace furiously, barely missing the giant gorilla's head as he turned calmly to look at her.
"Well, that was pointless," he remarked, a twisted smile playing his lips. "Perhaps you should try this, instead." Before she knew it, Hawkgirl was flying back into a telephone pole. And another... And another. As she was trying to focus her vision, she caught blurs of blue and black racing past her.
Superman punched Gorilla Grodd in the jugular – not enough to kill him, but to send him flying a couple of blocks away. He looked around for Batman, but, as per usual, he was nowhere to be seen.
Vera Edwards glanced at her diamond watch as she held her compact level with her face, watching the reflection behind her. Curses on Batman.
Now, that's not fair.
No, it isn't. But neither is this.
He needs you. Is that so bad?
She hated it when 3-O was right.
Yeah, it is. The day the Batman needs someone, the world ends.
It's ending every day.
Well, crap.
She tucked her compact back in her handbag, satisfied nobody had looked twice at her. As the large metal doors swiftly closed shut, Vera somersaulted through the V-shaped gap from a walk, landing silently in a crouch. She heard 3-O sigh in the back of her mind. Superman said she was the female equivalent of Batman himself, just with more of a smile on her face and charm. Batman said similar, the alteration being an "almost" and without making the comment on the smile or charm. She'd been trained by members of the Justice League themselves, after Wonder Woman recognised fellow Amazon blood and training. The Flash called her "The Package" – beautiful, smart, and deadly if necessary. The League had taken her in when she was 16, and after two short years of training (while everyone else would have taken at least double that time), she was their go-to girl when it was tough. Bruce, Clark, and even Lois Lane had each especially been her family, like two dads and a motherly sister. Closer than that, even. A bond that wouldn't break.
Is this good for you? Asked 3-O, worriedly. Vera ignored him, focussing on the next three doors. One of which Lex Luthor was sitting at his desk. She felt like she was going to be sick. You need to talk to someone. You need help.
I'm fine. I don't need help. I've done this before.
Not a time for petty pride, Mistress.
Don't call me that.
Batman flipped out of the window. Superman had taken enough hits now, and Hawkgirl wasn't having any more luck. His bomb was about to explode. If Grodd would just take notice... He did. Swinging behind Grodd silently, Batman released seven gas bombs on him. The gorilla sniffed, seeming to notice something out of place. "Oh, crap," he said, seconds before he passed out.
"Took your time," Superman called, brushing dirt off his sleeve. Batman just glanced at him as he secured knots on Gorilla Grodd's wrists and legs. "Right. But was the bomb relevant?"
"Will be."