Chapter 1
METROPOLIS WAS nicknamed the City of Tomorrow with its sprawling bright lights and gigantic towers. The city's design speaks of a technological grandeur and in someways, Bruce thought, Clark's city reflected his lost Homeworld. He hated coming to Metropolis not because of that, but because of the bright lights. Even in the evening it was harder to blend in the shadows.
Bruce Wayne was here on business, Wayne Industries business. Few realized how active he was with his own empire. He wasn't just he poster child of the company his family founded. Sure, Lucious Fox brought a lot of things on the table and actually ran the day-to-day business of his Conglomerate. But it was Bruce Wayne who with expert subtlety controlled the strategic direction of his business empire. He was even richer than Lex Luthor and that was not even counting the various other indirect businesses he had created over the years. No one bothered to look that over. Certainly even this acquisition of the Daily Planet would be seen as nothing more than a short column at a business page and would undoubtedly be viewed as poor business sense, especially when he made it clear it was his decision to buy the Planet.
The Business Tycoon walked into the Daily Planet building, and the elevator took him to the newsroom.
- - -
"HEY, SMALLVILLE, how many 's's are are there in..." Lois was asking when suddenly someone gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"there are two 's's in "kiss", Lois".
"BRUCE!" Lois turned startled, around and the Billionaire stood in front of her. "I didn't even hear you!"
"Of course."
"Rrrriiigghhttt" Lois said sarcastically. "I would have brought flowers but somehow someone forgot to put a florist in this building."
"Never mind that, what brings you to the Daily Planet? With your super celebrity status, I'd think you'd avoid places like this."
"Business."
"I'm not getting more than that am I?" Just then Clark Kent chose to cut in. "Bruce" He said, offering his hand which the other man shook while he said,"Clark"
"This is a surprise you know."
"Well to answer both your questions, would you step into Perry's office with me?"
"You're not coming out of the belfry are you?" Lois asked.
"No, but that florist would be a good idea, don't you think?" as they walked towards the Office, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Planet."
- - -
DEEP IN space, the Green Lantern John Stewart and his team were nearing the watchtower.
"Watchtower, this is Stargirl, do you read us over?"
"Watchtower here. What happened?"
"Open the hanger bay, prep it for emergency. GL here doesn't have enough juice to get us in safely."
"Roger that, Docking Bay 27 is now cleared for you. Emergency medical personnel are being dispatched."
"Thank you Watchtower," Stargirl said quietly.
"Is something wrong, Courtney? You sound different."
Stargirl, Courtney Whitmore was sobbing on the open line.
It was John Stewart who answered. "You'll have our report as soon as we land, Watchtower."
- - -
GORILLA GRODD stood before a huge monitor where several missions were being executed. He was at the heart of his Secret Society's home base. They were legion! They were a Legion of Doom ready to wage war against the forces of the Justice League! True, theirs was an uneasy alliance. They all knew there was safety in numbers... for now with the Justice League seemingly an unstoppable Army for Good.
The display changed itself. It was an incoming transmission. "How goes the War, Grodd?"
"It is marching along just as you have foreseen."
With that the display changed.
Grodd turned to a console. "Lex, is your team ready?"
"As ready as they'll ever be."
- - -
THE STILLNESS of the night was shattered as an explosion rocked a Wayne Industries warehouse in Metropolis Harbor. Several night watchmen moved to investigate while others called for emergency services.
"Sapphire, take care of those rent-a-cops." Star Sapphire went to intercept the Wayne Guards.
"Firefly, secure the area, quickly!"
"Sure Lex!" Lex Luthor wearing his Green Armor walked into the Wayne warehouse.
"Livewire, disable those security systems."
Immediately, Livewire shorted out the blastdoors protecting the facility. "You've got access Lex"
As the doors opened, they could see a warehouse full of lead-lined containers, marked radioactive. Lex immediately walked into the warehouse and began searching for something.
- - -
"BRUCE, I trust that our new partnership will be a fruitful and long lasting endeavor."
"I have no doubt, the Planet is in good hands, Perry."
And before Daily Planet reporters Lois and Clark, he and Perry signed an agreement as co owners of the Daily Planet. They started talking about how Bruce 'won' the Planet through a golf game. He proposed to an old friend of his to invest in Gotham--- and promised to throw away US$1M to him if he would invest in Gotham and that, he knew that the older man was looking to get rid of the Planet and that he would pay a 30 premium on the share price for it.
When they agreed, Bruce just threw the game away and purposely missed.
When Perry asked him why he did that, Bruce answered, "I believe in my city and US$1M of investment is nothing compared to how much his Rockwell T. Jones was going to invest and generate jobs. And asked why he wanted the Planet. He said the men and women working at the Planet were always after the truth and he believed in that cause and it was a shame they couldn't do a better job at it."
It was then that Bruce signed over 48 of the majority stake to the men and women of the Daily Planet.
Before they could get over the surprise, an explosion caught their attention. Immediately Perry went to action.
"Lane, Kent! check that out!"
"CHIEF! Explosion at Wayne Industries warehouse over at the Harbor!"
"I better call my people, Perry."
"We'll get to the bottom of this Bruce." Perry said. Bruce nodded. "I won't get in the way then."
Bruce caught Clark's eye. "Perry I'm on my way to the docks" As Clark was headed into the elevator. "I'm right behind you, Smallville".
"Alfred. Meet me at the lobby, in five".
"I might as well take you there." He reached for his Phone and dialed.
"You're the boss, boss" Lois said as the elevator closed.
As they walked out of the Planet, they all took to the car as Alfred waiting, opening the door for all three. When the car took the curve, Clark asked. "Alfred could you open the sunroof?"
"Certainly Mr. Kent," and the roof opened, Clark gave his wife a kiss and flew, faster than a speeding bullet.
Lois' eyes narrowed as she saw Bruce removing his shirt.
"You don't happen to have a Bat suit under there do you?"
"No, just behind the seat," Bruce replied as a panel flew open and surely, his uniform and weapons were all arrayed neatly.
His voice changed as soon as the cowl came on and activated a comm link to the Watchtower. "Justice League, we have a problem. Metropolis. Wayne Industries warehouse. Superman is enroute. he'll need support ASAP. I'm in bound, ten minutes." With that he flipped his utility belt and fired a Bat-line to the sky.