The Hog's perspective:

"You want a loan, huh?" asked a skeptical Becky "The Hog" Traylor.

"Yes," said The Scarecrow. "I'm seeking revenge against The Batman."

"We've been burned turnin' to you..." Al spoke, but stopped after sister Becky held her hand in front of his mouth.

"OK," said The Hog. "But Ah want 'im alive. It's none of your business. Just bring 'im to me. Remember, Ah'll expect repayment. From here or in Arkham." She wrote a check. "Or your future ain't gonna be too bright.

"Your faith in me is inspiring, my redneck friend," said Scarecrow.

"Ah ain't your friend, pissant," snapped The Hog. "Just take the check."

The Scarecrow took it and left.

"Ah hate Yankees who think they're smarter than they are," growled The Hog. "Skinny sumbitch can't even stay outta Arkham for five minutes, he wants to call us rednecks?"

"Yeah," said Al. "How come you're payin' 'im, anyway? He ain't gonna do shit."

"Maybe not," admitted The Hog, "But it's smart to play enemies of enemies against each other. Even if he don't come through, he's the one who gets caught. No-lose situation."

The Scarecrow's perspective:

The Scarecrow had his ear next the door and had been listening to the Traylors talk about him. So the fat bitch and her hillbilly idiot of a brother think they're using me, do they? Just for that, they're my next targets.

Robin's perspective:

It was another night in the Batcave. Tim Drake had suited up to become Robin. He was ready to hit crime once again. But the person dressed up as a bat was not The Batman. He was out of the country to answer Talia al Ghul's call. It was The Batgirl that Robin would patrol with, as it had been not too long before.

On the drive to Gotham City, Robin said, "Not that the big guy's not the greatest in the world, but I'm starting to like the idea of Batgirl and Robin better than Batman and Robin."

Batgirl smiled. " He's too much of serious stick in the mud, huh? I know. There's a reason why it's Dick that Barbara Gordon likes."

Driving through a neighborhood, Batgirl and Robin found a couple of men taking a TV set out of a house. They got out and walked towards the men, who shivered and put down the TV upon seeing them.

"I know TVs aren't exactly cheap," said Batgirl, "But surely the streaming services would be a better alternative to theft."

"Don't worry," said Robin. "You'll probably get on the air on the local shows talking about the vermin that are going upriver tomorrow." The burglars charged.

Robin delivered two body blows and a hopping knee to take one out. Batgirl's two high snap kicks did the other in. Batgirl made a fist. Robin bumped it.

"That's what I was talking about," smiled Robin. Suddenly, he heard a scream in the house.

"Let's go," said Batgirl. "They'll find their TV soon enough. But we can't let them find us. We're wanted people." Robin agreed and followed Batgirl back to the Batcave.

"I really hate having to run from the very people we're helping," said Robin.

"It won't last," said Batgirl. "We'll find a way to clear our names. You'll see."

Kalibak's perspective:

This story takes us to a distant planet known as Apokalips and the palace of the evil tyrant, Darkseid.

"Master," said Desaad, Darkseid's top scientist and technician, "I regret to report that Superman seems to be on the verge of victory." Desaad covered his eyes, but Darkseid seemed content to merely frown. However, his son, a near 8' beast named Kalibak, roared in frustration.

"So the Kryptonian managed to find and defeat Mongul and his army of alien invaders that we had financed before they could attack Earth," realized Darkseid. "Another setback. If only New Genesis had not vowed to protect Earth. A wishful thought. We are not strong enough to conquer both planets at once."

"Allow me," said Kalibak the Cruel. "I know you cannot attack because you are our leader, Father. I can get away with it. You send me to Earth and I promise you, I will destroy Superman. Without him, Earth's morale will crumble. Before The Highfather of New Genesis realizes it, most of the national governments of Earth will surrender to Apokalips and Genesis will find that the situation has reversed!" He laughed evilly at the thought of this.

But Darkseid was skeptical. "You have always failed in the past."

"I am wise to his tricks now," promised Kalibak. "This time, the people of Earth will cry over the grave of their greatest champion."

"You have had your chances," said Darkseid. "You may yet be a part of my next plan, but that is for the future. Go. Now. Before I decide you need to be punished, young man."

Kalibak walked away in frustration. Like he has not been failing to conquer Earth for years! He entered his room and smashed his bed with his fists.

"Poor Kalibak," consoled an Earth accent behind him. Kalibak looked to see a scrawny man in a scarecrow costume in front of a portal.

"How are you here, human?" asked Kalibak. "Why should I not destroy you?"

"It's the portal behind me," said the human. "I managed to find a way to recreate the portals you Apokalipsians have used in the past to get to Earth quickly. It took all of my recent huge loan from the Traylor crime family but I did it. Simply a matter of coming to understand the science behind it. I am called The Scarecrow, scourge of Gotham City."

"But on Apokalips," threatened Kalibak, "You are an insect."

"Hear me out," said The Scarecrow. "You don't want to kill me. That's no challenge. But Superman? If you did that, wouldn't Darkseid be proud? Follow me to Earth. We will lure him out, I promise you!"

"I would be taking a risk in disobeying my father," said Kalibak. "What do you want, human?"

"If we destroy Superman," The Scarecrow assured him, "Darkseid will be proud of you, not angry with you. My needs are small. All I ask is that you help me destroy The Batman."

"He will be squished like the bug he is," promised Kalibak. "Along with you if you do not honor your agreement."

The Scarecrow nodded and they walked through the portal.

The Scarecrow's perspective:

Scarecrow and Kalibak were back in Gotham City. "I am ready when you are," said Kalibak.

"Patience," said The Scarecrow. "There's one building I specifically want you to hit above all others." He opened a rear door of his car. Kalibak entered, lying across the seats to fit his huge body inside.

Scarecrow drove towards Country Buffet, the restaurant owned by the Traylors. This is what you get for using and disrespecting the god of fear, Traylors.

"Out," commanded The Scarecrow to Kalibak, who was all too happy to do so. "Destroy this building. But not too quickly. And leave the owners alive to suffer for the destruction of something that is sacred to them." Scarecrow howled.

The Hog's perspective:

The Traylor family leadership was having a meeting. "Revenues have taken a hit as of late," began the marketing expert and cousin of The Hog, Daisy Thompson. "But it shouldn't last more a week or..." she was interrupted by thumping shounds.

The Hog, Al, Daisy, Joey (son of Al), and Yuji Takahan (lawyer/accountant of the familiy) rushed downstairs to to see a monster smashing the place. Customers could be seen fleeing or driving away outside.

"Sweet mother of God," exclaimed The Hog. The reader should understand that Country Buffet was where the family's criminal empire began. It was the first business it opened in Gotham City.

"Ah got 'im," said Al, drawing a submachine gun and shooting Kalibak over a dozen times, only for him to literally laugh them off.

"Nah," The Scarecrow spoke in a mock (and lousy) southern accent. "You don't got 'im."

"You're behind this," shouted The Hog. Scarecrow nodded. Kalibak went back to smashing things.

"I know your family doesn't believe in running from your problems," said Yuji, "But my mathematical calculations say we've got to get the Hell out of here!"

"We ain't goin' nowhere," said The Hog, offended by what Yuji said. "This is our first place and we ain't lettin' it go under. Not as long as Ah'm the boss."

"Would you rather be buried under it, Aunt Becky?" asked Joey.

"Yeah, be reasonable," said Daisy.

"C'mon," Al said to the others. "We're goin'. Becky can do whatever she wants."

The Hog grunted angrily as she followed them. They were right. But if it was the last thing The Hog did, The Scarecrow and Kalibak were going to pay for this.

As Al drove them away in his car, The Hog asked, "How come you didn't try to stop me from stayin', big brother?"

"I... thought you'd be too stubborn to go," said Al. The Hog let it go. They had bigger problems.

The Traylors watched from afar as Country Buffet collapsed. The Hog knew it was coming, but when it did, it broke her.

"There, there," Al hugged her as she began crying.

"Ah'm supposed to be stronger than this," sobbed The Hog.

"Ladies are allowed to cry, so go ahead," said Al. "'You ain't got nothin' to prove, anyway. You've gone up against The Bat himself and won"

"That damn Yankee and his freak from another planet are gonna pay for this," promised The Hog. "Ah just don't know how."

"I do," said Yuji. "This will get Superman's attention."

"Will he care what they're doin' to 'scum' like us?" asked Daisy.

"He's saved murderers from dying before," nodded Yuji. "He'll come."

Batgirl's perspective:

"This isn't the way to Bruce's house," said Robin. They were supposed to be patrolling for the night, but Batgirl had changed directions.

"I saw a place getting demolished in the distance," explained Batgirl. "And believe me, it wasn't a construction crew. It's probably too late to do anything about it, but remember what Bruce taught you about investigating."

"'The only wrong guesses are the ones you overlook,'" Batgirl and Robin quoted together.

Soon enough, they arrived. They saw what was once known as Country Buffet, now smashed flat. The Traylor family leaders were gathered there with sacks, no doubt containing anything precious or incriminating to them. Batgirl and Robin got out of the Batmobile and headed to the wreckage.

"You know," said Batgirl, "Getting the remains is a job for FEMA."

The Traylors reacted in surprise to Batgirl and Robin. "We don't want handouts," said The Hog with a sad and broken voice. "Southern thing."

"Sure it is," said Robin sarcastically. Batgirl doubted it had anything to do with anti-government philosophy herself. There was nothing she or Robin could do about, however. The Traylors had a right to their personal property.

Before The Hog could speak, Al placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let me handle this, Sis," he said. Looking at Batgirl and Robin, he said, "My sister's had a really tough night. Send any question you got this way." He pointed a thumb at himself.

"Who did this?" asked Batgirl.

"The Scarecrow and some freak called Kalibak. Sorry Ah can't be more helpful, but Ah don't know what it is."

"I do," said Batgirl. "He's the prince of Apokalips."

"No wonder Ah couldn't hurt 'im," Al tapped his forehead in realization.

"Can you arrange distractions to keep them from destroying this city too soon?" asked Batgirl.

"Sure," affirmed Al as he picked up his phone, presumably to call hired guns. "But how the Hell are you and your boss who makes Sis all hot inside squeal gonna stop the beast?"

"We can't," said Batgirl. "But we know Superman. That's why you need to distract him."

"Ah can do that, but how do you know - wait!"

Batgirl and Robin were already on their way out. Batman would have just left him hanging, but Batgirl yelled, "No time. Just make the call."

Batgirl drove the Batmobile to a safe place. It easy to find one since The Scarecrow and Kalibak were the GCPD's highest priorities. Batgirl made the phone call.

"What's so important that you had to wake me up at bedtime for it?" demanded Lois Lane Kent. It was more than twenty minutes past midnight.

"This is Batgirl," The Dark Lady revealed herself. "Gotham City needs your husband's help." No answer.

"Than you're an outlaw now," said Lois. "In my book, that makes you the enemy. Besides, we Metropolisians didn't care for your roughness before that was the case."

"Listen," said Batgirl. "Years ago, your husband was framed. Batman could have turned him in - and believe me, he had the tool to do it. But he didn't. All I ask is that Clark help us with a job bigger than us." In case the call was spied on, Batgirl avoided saying anything to reveal that Clark Kent and Superman were the same man.

Lois paused before saying, "OK. He did always tell me you were good at heart, but I'm afraid he's off-planet. I'll give you Kara's number. She's not as powerful as him but should give you a fighting chance." Since Lois was a reporter, Batgirl was not surprised that she seemed to know what was going on.

"That's all I ask," said Batgirl. "Bye."

"Now what?" asked Robin.

"Better get up high so the cavalry will see us," said Batgirl as she pushed a button to open the front shield of the Batmobile. One nice thing would be working with another woman for a change. Sure there was The Huntress, but Batgirl meant a woman, not a bitch.

Supergirl's perspective:

Even Supergirl took some time getting to Gotham. This gave her time to think. She had not liked being awakened to go on a mission. But if you want to be a heroine, you have to make sacrifices sometimes.

She saw The Batgirl and Robin on a rooftop. Supergirl already knew The Batman was out of the country and would rekindle her friendship with Batgirl, but not before something more important was done.

"Supergirl," smiled Batgirl. "It's been too long."

"Good to see you again," said Robin.

"Hold it," said Supergirl, frowning and putting her hands on her hips. "Is there any truth to what your city government says about you? Are you really loose cannons?"

Batgirl and Robin went from jubilant to outraged. "I thought we were friends," said Batgirl.

"I'd love to think so," said Supergirl. "And I'd be willing to give you the benefit of doubt in light of the past, but by looking around with telescopic vision, I know for a fact that Batman is traveling with the notorious thief known as The Catwoman."

"That's impossible," insisted Robin. "He said he was going alone."

"Robin," said Batgirl, "His judgment's God-awful when it comes to Catwoman. I'll have a talk with Batman."

"Not so fast," said Supergirl. "Are you on the level or not?" as she spoke, she secretly turned on her x-ray vision.

"Yes," said Batgirl and Robin. Their heartbeats maintained a consistent pattern.

"That's all I needed to know," said Supergirl. She opened her arms. Batgirl hesitated before walking over and hugging her.

"Put your arms around my neck," suggested Supergirl. "No offense, but I can get you around faster than your Batmobile, and we can't wait any longer." Batgirl and Robin did not object.

The three went to the wreckage of Country Buffet. "The beast and his mangy keeper ain't caused much more trouble, thanks to our men," said Al Traylor, the one gangster who was still there. "But Ah really think you better leave this to the grownups."

"First of all," said Batgirl. "Let's get one thing straight. Except for Robin, we are grownups. Second, we're what you've got. Batman and Superman are out of town. And no, it's none of your business. Where are Kalibak and The Scarecrow?"

"Northeast of here," directed Al, pointing to the direction. "You kids are outta your league, but Ah guess you got the best chance if Bats and Supes really are gone for the moment. Good luck!"

Supergirl flew the other two northeast and frowned. "He just said, 'They'll need it' because he doesn't think any of us have Super Hearing. What a dick!"

"You don't know how big a dick," laughed Robin.

They finally spotted The Scarecrow and Kalibak. Actually, it was not difficult once they were in position because the police were shooting at Kalibak, to no avail. No! They're sacrificing their lives for nothing.

Descending to the ground, Supergirl said to Batgirl and Robin. "Better hide. You don't want the police to see you." With that, she super sped her way on top of one of the police car. "Thanks for trying, but this is too big for you."

An overweight detective said, "You expect us to abandon our duty on yer say-so?"

"Be reasonable, Bullock," disagreed Detective Bullock's partner. "This is one of the Superpeople from Metropolis and that beast is her department."

"I guess so, Montoya," sighed Bullock. "Move out!" The police left Supergirl to brave Kalibak and Scarecrow alone.

"You're not supposed to be here," Supergirl reminded Kalibak, despite knowing that he and the rest of Darkseid's minions were always seeking any excuse they could to attack Earth.

"I'm responsible for his appearance, Supergirl," said The Scarecrow. "The terrifying Scarecrow at your service."

"Forgive me if I don't scream," said Supergirl.

"I wanted Superman himself," complained Kalibak.

"Cheer up," Supergirl gave Kalibak a challenging smile. "I can handle anything he can. He's taken you down a million times. I'm ready for my first."

Kalibak went from disappointed to roaring and charging. But he was too angry to not to be sloppy. Supergirl smiled. This won't take long. She flew up to dodge a punch, then came down hard on Kalibak with both fists!

Supergirl rained two more punches on a fallen Kalibak's head. "Had enough?" A punch that knocked Supergirl several meters away was her answer. Kalibak advanced more slowly. Still crudely, but less so.

Supergirl, punched again, but her wrist was caught. She grunted in pain and astonishment at how strong the monster was. Had he enough sense to twist the arm, it might have broken. A punch decked Supergirl, and a few kicks further hurt her. A stomp did more damage and destroyed the street below them, knocking them down into the subway tunnel below them.

"Some replacement," mocked Kalibak. Supergirl realized then that with her powers still years away from full potential, she was no match for Kalibak in a pure brawl. Her only hope was to use her small size. And maybe speed, but for all she knew, Kalibak was as much faster as he was stronger.

Supergirl quickly jolted her head forward to smack Kalibak in the gut, surprising him. Wrapping her arms around him, Supergirl flung Kalibak behind her hard onto the ground. Supergirl flew and punched at Kalibak as fast as she could. She actually managed six punches before Kalibak could retaliate. So he's not that fast. Just have to keep the pace up and I've got him but just to make sure...

"Come on," taunted Supergirl. "I prefer men who don't force me to forget all my dancing lessons." Kalibak roared again. That's right, dunce. Get mad!

Kalibak threw three punches, all of which Supergirl easily dodged. An opening appeared to Supergirl so hit as hard and precisely as she could. Kalibak stepped away as blood slid down his left nostril. "C'mon, Kalibak. Get it together. What would daddy Darkseid think if he knew you were getting beat by a girl?"

This time, Kalibak seemed more afraid than angry. Like a man who had been beaten many times and was finally questioning if it was ever going to change.

"We'll always beat you and the scum bucket you call 'Dad,'" vowed Supergirl. Kalibak cried out in anguish until he heard the sound of a train in the distance. Kalibak's eyes widened at that, and he hopped backwards many times until he was on the tracks.

"We can't fight there," said Supergirl. "There's a train full of people on the way."

"Gnats," Kalibak grinned sadistically.

"You coward," said Supergirl. Her rural upbringing taught her that attacking those who could not defend themselves was one of the lowest acts you could commit. But what could she do about it but fight Kalibak on his own terms? She charged at Kalibak and delivered several punches. She hoped that would be enough, because she did not need to be toe-to-toe with this monster for long.

Punches to the stomach, right cheek, and left shoulder disillusioned and decked her. Kalibak picked her up and headbutted her twice. Supergirl felt groggy, but noticed the bright light of the train.

"Please, spare them," begged Supergirl. She was thrown into a vending machine on the concrete floor a bit above. The machine was broken in half, and Supergirl thought the tunnel was spinning. No, don't get dizzy. Not now.

Kalibak stood besides a beaten Supergirl and asked, "Where are your taunts now, Kryptonian girl?"

"Bite me," said Supergirl courageously. Kalibak actually did just that to her left forearm, causing her to scream. Was this her fate? To be eaten by this creature?

Instead, Kalibak picked Supergirl up and jumped right back to the surface with her. "I did it," Kalibak boasted to The Scarecrow.

"In the ugliest and dirtiest way," Supergirl reminded Kalibak. He began choking The Girl of Steel.

"We have better things to do than to hear you cry," said Kalibak.

"Let her go," said Scarecrow. "I, for one, want very much to see her cry. Let's see if she's immune to fear gas."

Supergirl was. Not that it would do her much good.

Batgirl's perspective:

"Uh-oh," said Batgirl. "Supergirl's in trouble. We've gotta step in."

"But if she couldn't beat 'em," worried Robin, "What chance do we have?"

"I don't know," Batgirl had to admit, "But if you're gonna be a hero, you've got to do crazy things every once in a while. Get your Batgrapple. No, don't waste time asking what good it'll do. Get to one side and prepare to hit him in the cranium." The plan was that while Batgirl and Robin had no way to physically harm Kalibak, he looked like a mutant lion. That may have meant that he had cat-like senses. Senses that could, perhaps, be overloaded by a sharp impact on the skull.

They were soon facing Kalibak from opposite sides. "Now," cried Batgirl. Both Batgrapples shot at the same time. Kalibak was hit by both and groaned in pain as he stepped back a few steps before falling down. Batgirl's plan had worked.

"Stop playing around," said Scarecrow as he checked on Kalibak.

"Shut up, human gnat," retorted Kalibak.

Meanwhile, Batgirl and Robin were holding Supergirl tight. Batgirl used her own Batgrapple on a distant lampost to get them a distance away. They ducked into an alley, hid in a dumpster, and buried themselves in the trash.

"Thanks," said Supergirl. "I'm really sorry I failed you. I'd have won, but he forced me to fight him toe-to-toe by threatening to wreck a train."

"You tried," Batgirl consoled her. "And it's never over until it's over. I've learned that the hard way."

"Who is the coward now?" asked Kalibak. He opened the dumpster, but not seeing the heroes of the world, he seemed to shut the door. Batgirl sighed in relief.

"Uh-oh," whispered a still groggy Supergirl. "I can hear him sniffing. And now he's coming back."

"It's my aftershave," a frightened Robin squirmed.

"I didn't know you were old enough to shave," said Batgirl. Yeah, make that the last thing you ever say to him, Babs!

Supergirl made a very convincing "Meow" sound.

"Just a stinking cat," said Kalibak disappointingly.

Several minutes passed. "He's gone," said Supergirl. "Let's get out of this pigsty." They did.

"Where'd you learn to sound like a cat?" asked Robin.

"I love cats," explained Supergirl.

"I don't," said Batgirl. "It's a long - argh!" She felt a drug-tipped dart hit her in the face; she dropped to her knees and felt sick.

"Batgirl," cried Robin, checking on her.

"Move," commanded Batgirl. "Before you..." Robin was darted as well. "Get the same."

Pretty soon, the physically imposing, red-haired bounty hunter named The Fox came into view. "I knew you couldn't resist going after those other two bastards," he said. "Blondie, I've got no beef with you, so let me collect on the other two's bounties, and go."

"I can't do that," said Supergirl, now able to stand, although with difficulty. "Go away."

The Fox stared at Supergirl for a few seconds before saying, "You don't live here. You won't always be able to protect them."

"Surely I'm not stopping you from getting your bounty, right, big boy?" challenged Supergirl.

"I know you want to provoke me so you can put me in jail," smirked The Fox. "Forget it. I'm not stupid. We ain't meeting again. The Bat and Bird? Different story."

"What are you waiting for?" asked Batgirl.

"I'm not going after him if that's what you mean," said Supergirl.

"You're not?" asked a shocked Batgirl.

"I'm sorry," explained Supergirl, "But there's an arrest order for you so bounty hunters have every right to come after you. I tried to get him to attack me so I could bring him in for assault. He didn't."

"You mean you have to let him get away with this?" asked Robin. Supergirl nodded.

"I can't believe what choirboys you folks are," protested Batgirl.

"First of all," said Supergirl, "I'm not a boy or for that matter, a girl. Second, maybe if your team didn't cross so many lines, people wouldn't be so afraid of you."

"Easy for you to say," said Batgirl. "You don't have to worry about a bullet or knife."

"Oh, I can think of a few unnecessarily extreme measures you take," said Supergirl with a pinch of anger. "We're loved because we don't try to scare everyone, unlike you. Besides, have you checked the stats? Metropolis has much less crime than Gotham."

"It doesn't have the scum Gotham is," Batgirl defended herself.

"Calling them scum isn't going to make them do what's right," pressed her case. The heroines were now staring hard at each other.

"Ladies," said Robin, "You've both got good points, but we've got a job to do."

"Not now," said Batgirl. "We've all been weakened. We need a rest."

"In the meantime," frowned Supergirl, "Kalibak and The Scarecrow are gonna cause more trouble."

"Be reasonable," said Robin, "We can't take 'em in this condition."

"I can," said Supergirl.

"Don't make me stop you," threatened Batgirl.

"Try," dared Supergirl.

"Thanks for the permission," smiled Batgirl. You survivors of Krypton's explosion are so disgustingly moral as to make it hard to not punch you in the face. I'll try not to enjoy this too much. She whipped a rock of Kryptonite out of her belt. Supergirl groaned in pain for several seconds before trying and failing to fly away.

"Promise to rest?" asked Batgirl.

"Fine, you cold-hearted fascist," said Supergirl.

"Better than a naive, holier than thou, dreamer," retorted Batgirl. She put the Kryptonite back away.

A few hours later, Batgirl said, "I think we're well enough." It was true. She felt much better. Supergirl and Robin seemed to have recovered as well.

"About time," said Supergirl. "Arms around my neck." Batgirl and Robin did so, and Supergirl flew them around. They soon found Kalibak and The Scarecrow again.

"OK," said Batgirl. "Here's the plan..."

The Scarecrow's perspective:

"Klutz," shouted The Scarecrow.

"You were the one who refused to immediately kill Supergirl," growled Kalibak.

"Do not question your vast intellectual superior," said Scarecrow. "You were bamboozled by people infinitely weaker than you. Don't dare match wits with me."

"You are not so smart to insult I," said Kalibak, clenching his fists.

"Go ahead," dared The Scarecrow. "You won't know this place well enough to find Superman and Supergirl before Darkseid finds out you're here and punishes you."

Kalibak groaned like a beaten dog. A pleased Scarecrow laughed to himself at how he had tamed Kalibak the Cruel.

Batgirl's perspective:

Batgirl had pulled a few crazy stunts in her time, but this had to take the cake.

Batgirl felt encouraged by how unhappy The Scarecrow and Kalibak looked with each other. "Hey," The Dark Lady shouted at Kalibak. "You, ugly! Yeah! Come get some! Your choice of what that something is." Kalibak growled and walked towards Batgirl.

He's taking the bait and walking towards me. Back away. No sudden moves. Don't want him using his speed or it's all over.

Batgirl stopped. "Uh-uh," she said. "What am I doing?"

"Realizing how stupid you have been?" laughed Kalibak as he continued walking towards Batgirl. "It is too late. We Apokalipsians are not gentlemen. All prey are equal in being crushed and splattered.

OK, Babs, this is either the smartest thing you've ever done, or the dumbest. Be ready, Robin.

Once Kalibak came within two and a half meters of Batgirl, two battering rams suspended above the air on ropes moved towards Kalibak, each hitting him in the skull. He was not even scratched, but his hyper-active cat reflexes were overloaded by the heavy impact in the skull. He screamed in pain as a result and held his skull. Robin came out from under a nearby car.

Batgirl and Robin used Batarangs to cut down the battering rams, and continued striking Kalibak in the skull with them by hand.

Batgirl was surprised that Supergirl had not captured The Scarecrow by now to be used to distract Kalibak. But this mission could still be completed. Batgirl and Robin continued began Kalibak in the cranium with the battering rams. He screamed louder and louder as the pain he was feeling from his overloaded senses intensified. Finally, he fell unconscious. In truth, this had not hurt him, but there was more than one way to skin a monster cat.

"Great plan," said Robin, holding up his hand. Batgirl slapped it.

"Bet Batman doesn't go for that," said Batgirl. "Let's check on Supergirl."

Supergirl's perspective:

Supergirl could not believe she let Batgirl talk her into this. This was very risky, although it could conceivably have worked. Regardless, she had promised to cooperate, so after Kalibak was a great distance away from The Scarecrow, Supergirl descended right front of him. For some reason, Scarecrow held a violin.

"I know you think you have outsmarted The Scarecrow," said Scarecrow, "But think again." He played a remarkably sour tune. Supergirl's hearing became her enemy; her ears hurt like Hell.

"Like they say," cackled The Scarecrow. "Music can tame the savage beast. Or beauty. Because you're both.

Supergirl collapsed to her knees and elbows. Not hands. They were vainly covering her ears. "Stop, please," she pleaded.

"If you think I'm stopping," said Scarecrow, "You're even more of a dumb blonde than you look!"

Straining her muscles and will, Supergirl aligned her face with the violin.

The Scarecrow laughed. "I know you costumed cop wannabes don't kill. I could never have survived as a high school nerd if I didn't know how to deal with pain."

Supergirl blew some freeze breath at the violin's strings and bow, freezed them solid and together. "Who... said anything about... heat vision?"

Scarecrow ran. Supergirl slowly got up, super sped in front of Scarecrow, and finger-flicked him out. She held her ears in pain and dropped back down to her knees.

Batgirl and Robin came by. "I see he almost overcame your powers with intelligence like we did Kalibak," said Batgirl.

"Better than intelligence are self-esteem and determination," smiled Supergirl. "Oh, no." She pointed to where Kalibak lay unconscious. A portal had opened up. Darkseid was picking up and carrying Kalibak towards it.

"Looks like Darkseid is taking his spoiled rotten son home," said Robin.

"I can't do anything about that," sighed Supergirl. "My ears hurt too much. But knowing Darkseid, his boy's gonna wish we still had him."

Kalibak's perspective:

A punch to the face awakened Kalibak. "Father?"

"Unfortunately, I am," said Darkseid harshly. "I told you to wait for new orders. And then I find that you let an inferior human command you."

"I did it for you," said Kalibak, knowing that there was nothing he could say to help his case. "I thought if I could destroy Superman, you would be proud of me."

"That is true," said Darkseid contemptuously. "But instead you were defeated by two of the insects of Earth." He blasted Kalibak with the Omega Effect.

Kalibak began screaming. "Father, please!"

"You have not begun to beg," declared Darkseid.

Batgirl's perspective:

It was sunrise.

"All's well that ends well," said Robin, smiling. But neither Batgirl nor Supergirl were feeling nearly as happy.

"I know when you called me," said Supergirl, "We agreed to play a little Monopoly, but..."

"I don't feel like it either," Batgirl also changed her mind. "Maybe over the weekend."

"Maybe," said Supergirl. "Up, up, and away!" On that note, she flew away, waving goodbye. Batgirl and Robin did the same.

"You OK?" asked Robin.

"Not really," said Batgirl. "Don't worry. It was just an argument between friends, that's all. What really concerns me is what Supergirl told us about Batman."

Batgirl frowned. She really hoped Supergirl's powers were not as great as they were said to be. Because otherwise, The Dark Knight really had lost his mind,

Bruce Wayne's perspective:

Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle lay together in a bed not eighty miles away from Wayne Manor.

"I told you my shoulder felt better," said Selina, referring to the shoulder that had been cut by Talia al Ghul days ago. "Thanks for trusting me. You're a great boyfriend."

"A great boyfriend would have made sure it was healed before he let you get going," said Bruce. "But I've never thought of myself as much of a family man."

"Yet you've got a family of a sort," noted Selina.

"If there's one thing I am," explained Bruce, "It's adaptable."

"Let's hope the others are as well," said Selina.

The next afternoon, they returned to Wayne Manor. Bruce had arranged for Tim to be there. Not Barbara. Bruce felt she would take this the hardest and wanted it gently.

"Well," said Tim, "This is a bit of a shock, but I don't think you're all bad, Selina. You've done good from time to time. And I guess if the big guy vouches for you, you're all right."

Selina smiled and patted Tim on the head. "You're a scholar and a gentleman."

"When I suggested that you find a lady who you have certain things in common," said Alfred, only a bit uneasily, "This is not what I had in mind. But I do see good in Madam Selina."

"Thanks," said Selina, "But don't call me Madam."

"It is no problem," said Alfred. "I have great respect for my employers, so..."

"No," interrupted Selina. "I don't mean you don't have to. I mean I don't want you calling me that like I'm some kind of aristocrat. It makes me uncomfortable. But not too uncomfortable for this." She grabbed Bruce from behind.

"OK," said Tim. "I think now's the time to take me home, Alfred."

"Smart boy," said Selina. "Question is, what's the Baby Bat gonna say?"

Barbara Gordon's perspective:

"Over my dead body," thundered an incensed Barbara Gordon in her apartment. Bruce apparently trying to soften her up with small talk before hitting him with the woman he called a girlfriend had not worked on Barbara.

"That's not a problem," said Selina, crossing her eyes.

"Ladies, I think you're both..." Bruce he stopped when Barbara put an open palm directly in front of his face.

"Don't you dare tell me I'm overreacting," said Barbara. "God damn it, Bruce, this is a thief who once betrayed us to the mercy of the Traylors."

"You know a life was at stake," Selina reminded Barbara.

"So you took the coward's way out," said Barbara. "Listen, Bruce, she's using you. And don't even think I'll take that leverage she had over you as anything but an excuse. She wouldn't be free today if you didn't have this screwed-up in the head crush on her."

"If I were the true villainess you think me to be," said Selina, "I'd be whipping him into the life I used to lead. And believe me, I could."

"I think that may be the first truly honest thing that I've ever heard come out of your mouth," said Barbara, glaring at Bruce. "Bruce... I didn't want to believe Supergirl when she said she saw Batman and Catwoman traveling together abroad, but now that I know she was right, you need to give me one good reason why I shouldn't attack Selina and if you get in the way, you too!"

"It's on, spoiled Bat princess," Selina challenged.

"No rash actions," Bruce quickly tried without success to calm the mutually-loathing women down. She helped me save the world."

"It may be a reason," said Barbara, more than unconvinced, "But it's not good. If she were the woman for you, she wouldn't have blackmailed you."

"True," Bruce admitted with his hands held up defensively. "But despite that, she came through for me in the end."

"I was much more help than Batgirl would've been," boasted Selina. Barbara was irritated.

"Listen," said Bruce. "Here's the deal. We'll give her one chance to redeem herself. Selina's my responsibility. She gets into trouble, we'll nail her."

"Oh, no," Barbara refused. "I'll give her a chance, but I'm afraid I can't trust you to keep an eye on her. I'll do it. From now on, either Alfred or me have to watch anything you do together, aside from sex. She so much as speeds and I'm taking her down. And when it comes to that, don't get in the way or you can be her cellmate. Don't argue; this is as far as I will go. You're excused."

Bruce and Selina left. No more words were exchanged. Barbara thought. She knew that Kyle would never give up stealing, but proof that she was still a criminal would be needed. But Barbara would get that proof.

She just hoped that Batman and Batgirl would not end up on different sides this time.

Jonathan Crane's perspective:

Being an archcriminal was overrated. Jonathan Crane, The Scarecrow had spent this period of his life returning to the horrors of high school, where poor Jonathan Crane, would be pranked and ridiculed as "nerd" and, more ironically, "scarecrow" by the gorgeous girls, cool kids, and athletes of Gotham High. Instead of being feared, Jon was fearing all too often. But that beat spending most of his time in a padded cell.

A few days after returning to Arkham Asylum, Jonathan got a visit in his cell. "Go away," he said.

"It's a letter for you," the messenger ignored him.

Taking the envelope, Jon shouted, "Gimme that!" The messenger got the message and shut the cell door quickly. Jon read the letter.

I owe you one, so I'll help you outta there. Look for the signs of loose flooring.

Jon looked around. There was a square of dirt surrounding what it made look like a block of concrete. A little fiddling and Scarecrow was able to remove the bunch of flooring surrounded by dirt. Not only that, it seemed that someone had been tunneling. Jon had no idea who had done this, but this was too good to pass up! He crawled through the underground tunnel.

After hours of crawling, he finally, saw a hole. He returned to the surface through it and saw an overweight person whose identity was concealed by a cap with a rooster logo on it.

"Thanks," said Jon. "I owe you one."

The "man" looked Jon in the eye to reveal a woman: Becky "The Hog" Traylor. "Weren't nothin'," she laughed. "As much as Ah hate those damn Clemson Tigers for beatin' the shit out of my South Carolina Gamecocks every year, they're too far away to pay back, unlike you. Plus, you did way worse to my family."

"The alien idiot and I destroyed your first Gotham business," Jon realized exactly what was going on with a smirk. "You're angry, aren't you?" He certainly was not afraid of a fat woman.

"So much more than when Clemson follows up that beat-down of Carolina by winnin' the National Championship," said The Hog. "You made me way worse than that. Ah don't think you deserve the nice treatment the gub'ment gives the nuts."

Jon decided now was a time to silence The Hog with a kick to the gut. The Hog did not feel it. In fact, it left Jon on his side and clutching his ankle in pain.

"When are they gonna learn that Ah got a lotta muscle down there?" asked The Hog, lifting Jon to a stand, wrapping her arms around him, pulling her arms against his back, and pushing her breast and gut against Jon's own.

Jon grunted in pain. "L-let's make a deal. I've got things I want to do. Please!"

"Ah know," said The Hog. "Little Bat, as Ah call him, beats you at the scary game." She sighed dreamily. "You don't wanna die without doin' away with your little brother complex, do you?"

"No wonder you like him," said Jon. "You're both bullies."

"No," disagreed The Hog. "Bullyin' is destroyin' a place of sentimental value to me just 'cause you can't stand one Southern family in Gotham City. So don't worry. Ah ain't killin' you. How could Ah make your life miserable? But first, to break your back and scatter your ribs without killin' you."

The Hog closed her eyes as if she was concentrating. The pressure on Jon radically increased, but not without limit. Before long, spine and ribs were breaking. Jon was allowed to fall down, disabled and in pain.

"You OK, little man?" asked The Hog as she looked down on Jon. "Aw, you'll make it. Ah'll call the hospital. Now you're gonna spend three years to forever in a bed, knowin' you can't ever, ever get revenge on Little Bat. But if Ah ever get his heart or head, Ah'll let you know."