"Hello?" Flash answered, out of breath.
"Barry, where are you?" he heard Batman say.
"The police department. Why? Are you okay?"
"I'm down in the sewers. I'm tracking the signal I got off the autopsy. I need you to do two things for me. You're fast enough for the job."
"Okay. I'm ready." Flash said, popping his elbow back into place.
"There's a small S.T.A.R. Labs facility in D.C. Just down from the Science Museum. Do you know what a vircator is?" Batman asked.
"Yeah. A small motor capable of firing an electromagnetic pulse, right?"
"Basically. My associate already checked the supply line at S.T.A.R. Labs. They have a few in the energy wing. I need you to grab two. They'll be inside glass containers being constantly refrozen to preserve their power reserves. We're going to need it once I found the place Cook is sending out the Amazo's signal."
"Okay. Got it. What's the second thing?"
"Find Superman. Tell him to bring me the car at the cave. He'll know what I'm talking about. I'd ask you but even though you're fast, you're not as strong. And tell him not to worry about the car… it won't be coming back." Batman said plainly.
"Ohhhkay. We may have a slight problem on that second one, Bats."
"And why's that?"
"Well, Superman just got KO'd by knocking down the Washington Monument. I don't know how's he's doing now. You probably heard him, even from down there."
"Dammit! Well, find him. We need the car."
"Okay, I'll try. See you soon, Bats." Flash said before hanging up and zooming toward the remnants of the Washington Monument.
"Come on!" Superman yelled as a mercenary Humvee zoomed toward and used a broken side piece of the Washington Monument as a ramp.
Superman grabbed the fender of the Humvee and tossed it around, letting the back of the truck become crushed. Metal and tires flew about as the men inside screamed loudly in pain. Superman flew down to the damaged vehicle and ripped the entire right section off, grabbing two of the men as they shot harmless bullets at his face. He threw the two of them together before tossing them in opposite directions. White dust and marble particles covered the air as the debris finished settling from the massive crash. Superman spotted the driver trying to escape and kicked the vehicle, letting it run over the man and break thirty bones in total according to his x-ray vision. He growled in anger as more men fired at him, the sparks and bullet fragments blinding him before he blew his super-cold breath onto them, stopping them in their frosty tracks. He watched as two Amazo drones landed in front of him and prepared to fight. Superman saw the piece of the Monument they were standing on and picked it up. The drones went flying momentarily before Superman twisted the platform around and smashed them beyond repair.
"Hey, Supes! Are you okay?" he heard the Flash yell as the yellow streak appeared at the scene.
"No." Superman said, his eyes still glowing red with rage and heat vision.
"No, I'm not."
He crushed the remaining pieces of marble in his hands and walked over to the speedster.
"What do you need?" he asked.
"Batman needs something actually. The car from the cave, he said?"
Superman smirked and gave a small laugh as he brushed dust off of his sleeves. He turned to the north, looking in the direction of Gotham.
"I hope he knows that it won't be in the best condition if he gets it back by the end of this." Superman replied.
"He said he's not bringing it back."
"Hm. Always to the point. I'll be back shortly. You might want to find Green Lantern. He looked like he was in trouble the last time I saw him." Superman said before flying into the sky and vaporizing three more drones as well.
"Is she still alive?" a Marine asked as he came over to the body of Diana.
"Wonder Woman?" another Marine asked, coming close to her face with his rifle.
Crushed bullets, discarded casings, and abandoned weapons darted the sidewalk and grassy area below her. There were six dead men scattered about, body parts sliced off violently by her sword followed by a dozen deactivated Amazo drones. Diana's eyes flicked open and she grabbed the man's throat, cutting off all air from getting his lungs. The Marine beside him aimed his rifle at Diana and she gave a small, but angry smile. She looked at the fearful soldier and groaned in confusion.
"What did you just call me?" she asked.
"Drop him!" his friend yelled.
"What did he call me?" she boomed, holding him high in the air.
"Wonder Woman. Steve Trevor started it! It was a nickname because you were so powerful and awesome! We're sorry!" the Marine yelled as he backed off.
She held the man up for another moment, finally waking up fully, and dropped the man to the ground. She scooped up her shield and sword, flinging them both into their proper place as she brushed off the excess gunpowder across her breastplate and looking at the choked Marine with a sudden sense of kindness.
"I apologize, soldier. You startled me. I hope you are alright." she said softly.
The Marine gave her a nod and ran off to help more people in need. She cracked her neck loudly and watched as a fighter jet flew overhead, followed by a few Amazo drones. She jumped into the air, drawing her sword and stabbing a drone through the abdomen. The drone tried to grab her arm but she snapped it off, headbutting the face and crushing it completely. She saw the wiring loose and fluid spilling out from a small hole. She reached up into the head and bit the wiring, the fluid spraying out in a fury. She kicked it in the stomach area, the sword flying out as she fell to the ground. She cracked the concrete beneath it and watched as the drone flew out of control before its head and shoulders blew off completely.
"Did I mention I apologize?" the Marine yelled to her from a few blocks away.
"Don't worry!" she said with a smile.
"I like the name!"
"Come on! There's got to be a sign!" Batman growled, feeling hopeless in the darkness of the sewers.
He kept searching for a ping on the tracker for the last ten minutes and had not received a signal. He heard the bangs and booms from above that shook the tunnels and rippled the ankle deep water. He rested for a moment against the side of the tunnel, breathing deeply and ignoring the foul, rancid smells of the water. Batman closed his eyes and took off his cowl, letting the coolness of the tunnel let his skin breath for the first time in over 12 hours. He stuck the flashlight against the wall and looked at the cowl in front of him as he held it, looking deep into the eye holes. Who was he in the midst of these super-powered heroes? He was just a man. Bruce Wayne. A billionaire in a bat suit, trying his best to keep up with the rest of the group. A man on a suicide mission while the rest were doing their part to save the world.
"It's hard, isn't it?" a voice said suddenly.
Bruce looked at the cowl, pulling it close to his ear and trying to hear the voice inside the comms-link. No further talking. He looked back down at the cowl and turned it around, inspecting it carefully. He looked up, tucking the cowl in his arm and shining the light around the tunnel, looking for a man to match the voice. No one was in the tunnel but himself. He slammed the flashlight against the wall again and flinched as another loud boom rocked the rock walls and dust fell from cracks in the concrete. He slammed his head softly and closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly.
"It's hard. Trying to keep your head above water when you can't seem to swim, son."
He flicked his eyes open and swatted at the air, spotting a familiar figure in the shadows. Water splashed up from his legs and he nearly fell into the murkiness as his fist swung his whole body around. The figure remained still, leaning against the other side of the wall. Bruce quickly placed the cowl back over his head and put his fists out in front of him.
"Who the hell are you?" he asked, walking toward the figure.
The figure chuckled to himself and walked to the left as Batman seemed too slow to stop him. The figure crossed his arms, his brown sweater sleeves making a distinct sound against itself that made Batman stop in his tracks. He swallowed a lump in his throat and looked through the darkness, seeing the parted light brown hair to the right and the clean-shaven face with a cleft chin. Batman leaned in close, touching the man's face as he smiled and laughed with a friendly tone.
"Dad?"