The next morning, at the Metropolis docks, Superman descends to see if Lois was still there. What he sees instead horrifies him.

"Jimmy," he said to the dead body of Jimmy Olsen.

Looking around Jimmy's body, he finds a clue right next to Jimmy's bleeding head...

A Joker playing card.

XXX

Meanwhile, at STAR Labs, Batman was looking over the damaged labs.

"Was anything else stolen?" he asked a scientist.

"A small amount of equipment but nothing as significant," said the scientist. "I guess you can see why we didn't contact Superman."

"You were experimenting with Kryptonite."

"Not to hurt Superman. We wanted to know if it had any benefits. Whether it could be used as a power source. Whether it could cure diseases. We're scientists, not monsters."

Batman looks down on the corpses of several lab workers, their faces twisted into horrible grins.

"Well, it's in the hands of monsters now," he said. "I want a list of every person who had knowledge of the Kryptonite's existence. No one leaves this facility until-"

Suddenly, Superman bursts in.

"I can't see her," he said panicked. "I can't see Lois!"

"We're not alone, Superman," Batman said calmly. "Maybe you should-?"

The Man of Steel holds up the Joker's bloody playing card.

"He has her. Please. Help me," he pleaded his friend. "Find her."

The Dark Knight instantly understands and issues a priority call.

"This is a priority call to all Justice League members and reserve members," he said into his communicator. "I need as many eyes, ears and minds as we can spare in Metropolis. A woman is missing."

"You want the whole Justice League on a missing person case?" Green Arrow asked incredulous.

"Absolutely. We believe she was taken by the Joker."

"Who is this woman, Batman?" Cyborg asked.

"She's one of us. That's all you need know for now. Her name is Lois Lane."

"Lois..." Wonder Woman whispered to herself.

"Wonder Woman, Miss Lane was last seen at the Metropolis docks. Head there and find out if anyone saw her or the Joker."

"I'm on my way." Wonder Woman immediately heads to the docks.

Batman next contacts Flash.

"Flash," he said.

"I'm-" Flash instantly runs to Metropolis. "-in Metropolis. What do you need?"

"Search every inch of Metropolis. Superman is scanning the city from above, so start with everywhere he can't see. Underground facilities, sewers, basements - anything lined with lead."

"On it."

Flash searches the entire city at super-speed.

"Everyone else, report in as soon as you reach Metropolis," Batman said. "Share anything you-"

A moment later, Barry comes back.

"You have to see something," he said.

He takes Batman to see what he has found.

"Sorry. I know carrying you is a bit...awkward but it really is the quickest way," Flash apologized.

"Just go fast enough that no one sees us," Batman requested.

XXX

"I figured this could be related," said Flash.

"Star Labs?" Batman asked.

"And what looks to be another one of yours in Metropolis."

They see the body of the Scarecrow.

"Yes. It's Crane," Batman inquired. "It's the Scarecrow."

Batman pulls off Scarecrow's mask, showing that the deceased super-villain's was also twisted into a horrible grin. The murderer is all too obvious.

Wonder Woman suddenly reports on a lead she found.

"I'm at the docks," she said. "We got lucky."

XXX

"As I showed up, someone ran," Wonder Woman continued.

She used her Lasso of Truth on a witness.

"And?" Batman urged.

"Tell him."

"Joker's not in Metropolis," said the witness. "Him and that clown lady hijacked a submarine."

A split-second later, Superman scans the water around Metropolis.

"I see it," he said.

He scuttles it onto land with is bare hands. Then he tears a hole in the hull to get inside.

"LOIS!" he shouted horrified. He sees the Joker and Harley seemingly operating on Lois. "What did they do too...?"

But before he can free her, the Joker gasses him. The Man of Steel gets confused as he suddenly becomes dizzy.

"What's...? I..."

"Something wrong, Supes?" Joker provoked.

"Yeah, for a man of steel, you look kinda wobbly," Harley joined in.

"SUUUUU-PAH-MAAAN!" something shouted.

"No," Superman said horrified. "Doomsday!"

"SUUU-PER-MAN!"

Indeed, before Superman was the monster Doomsday.