Superman

1 Month Later...

"Master Bruce, you do realize that you do have plans tonight? You should have already been on your way to Metropolis by now" Alfred's voice spoke to the dark knight as sounds of quick movements, and the sound of grunts echo throughout the room. Loud thumps and swooshing from the world's greatest detective adds to the overzealous arrangements of harsh crunches and quick screams from a group of seven masked thugs heading off against the knight with baseball bats in hand and with one holding a handgun, a few were even just simply using their fists. Batman's eyes narrow as he jumps back and takes out four Batarangs from his belt, two in each of his hands. He gives a sly smirk as he throws the four bat-shaped projectiles at four of the men.

"I'll be there...I am just finishing up here" Batman admires his work as he that his Batarangs had knocked away the thug's handgun and locked it down on the floor. He sees the other three Batarangs had knocked away three of the thug's bats, leaving them without any weapons and ripe for the taking. Batman left-hooks one of the men, spinning on his feet and using his cape to knock two of the men on his right side off balance. He grabs both of the men's heads and rams together; knocking them out.

"May I remind you that this whole event was indeed your idea, sir"

Batman lifts his foot and kicks another of the thugs in their chest; sending them back, The Dark Knight finishes him off with a single punch to the cranium "I said I'll be there" he replies with a soft growl which was made even more apparent with the effect of the modulator on his voice. Batman throws a punch behind him which struck one of the four remaining thugs that tried to take a swing at him. Only three of the criminals remain in sight and they were going to have just as much luck as the previous five. Which wasn't something that they will be excited to know.

"You're dead, freak!" one of the men yells at Batman as he managed to grab one of the bats that were previous resting on the ground. Swinging it towards the vigilante in a raw adrenaline-filled state. Batman raises his arm and lets his gauntlet take the hit. The bat was broken right in the middle as it flies across the floor. Batman quickly rams his elbow down on the man's upper back which succeeded in knocking him to the ground and lefts him out cold.

Two of them were left, no weapons, and no hope of winning the little brawl against the bat. Batman leaps forward and grabs one of the men by the collar and throws them against the ground, forming his hand into a fist he quickly ducks out of the way from the last man giving one final hope-full punch at him, but of course, it worked as well as expected. Batman grabs the man by his shoulders and hurls him at the semi-conscious man lying on the ground that was sent there only a few moments ago.

"There. They are out for the count. I will be heading back now. Let Gordon know about the mess here" Batman walks towards one of the downed men who he could see still had some consciousness left within them. He firmly plants his boot to their throat and glares down at him. The man crawled at the knight's boot, but to little avail "I know who you work for! Tell me where Black Mask is!" he growls at the floored man who was giving what little strength he had left to try and fight against Batman.

"I ain't tellin' you squat" the man spits his words out due to the pressure of the boot placed against his throat.

"Talk right now or never again. The choice is yours!" Batman threatens the man and increases the pressure of his boot on the man's jugular.

"OKAY! OKAY! I'll talk! I'll talk! I don't know where he is...I SWEAR! He comes to us...and anyone who knows where he is who isn't supposed to have a habit of just vanishing. All I know is that he is not working alone" the man gasps between breaths. Batman lifts his foot slightly to assist the man in talking.

"Who is he working with! TELL ME!" The Dark Knight growls.

"I dunno them exactly, I've only seen their faces - never heard their names. There has been one who has just appeared out of the blue! Some nice lookin' woman. Apparently, the guys heard Black Mask refer to her as the demon's head - That's all I know! I SWEAR!" the man yells. Batman's eyes widen as he stomps on the man's head; knocking him out.

"I knew that her staying in Gotham wasn't going to end up being a good thing" Bruce thought to himself as he walks towards the door leading to the outside world. Walking out into a bleak and far too dirty even for an ally way, Batman looks onward and sees a slim black car parked outside with black wings pointing out from the roof and the vehicle's sides. Pressing his index finger on the button on his gauntlet he sees the car's roof slide back to allow entry.

"Alfred, I'm on my way. Be there soon" Batman speaks through the communicator as he jumps over and seats himself in the seat of the Batmobile. The roof to the car slides shut. The windows seemed to be clear from his side, but anyone outside the vehicle would see nothing but black screens and as a bonus, they were even bulletproof. Batman presses his heel against the accelerator which caused the Batmobile to drive off faster than any car should be able to. Hearing a beeping coming from the front, he removes one of his hands from the wheel and presses one of the buttons on the side of the dashboard "Lucius, what's up?" he asks as he swivels around a corner.

"Oh nothing, Mr Wayne, just checking in on how the car is performing. I hope that you aren't being too rough on her - she is brand new after all" and is not built like a tank" Lucius Fox asks as his voice was sent through the speakers placed on the dashboard's centre. Batman presses his thumb against a button at the bottom of his cowl to turn off his modulator.

"The car is perfect so far and it sure as hell beats having to grapple everywhere. The car is having a little trouble turning sharp corners, but I am sure that you can fix that. For the first real-world trial...it is without a doubt some of your best work" knowing that no one could see him, Batman gave a smile to follow after his words "It's a good thing that you called me, since you are coming with me to the fundraiser tonight, I should let you know that Luthor is going to be there - I'll try to get as much out of him as possible, of course Bruce is going to have to be the one who does the sweet talking tonight"

"Shame with his rap sheet...he deserves a one-on-one meeting with Batman. Just don't make it too obvious that you are aware of his...after hour business ventures. If he suspects that you are onto him...who knows what lengths he would go to, to silence you" Lucius cautions the dark knight.

"I would like to see him try. Luthor has more enemies than I do right now...and that's saying something. I will be heading out to Metropolis soon after I return to the Batcave. Meet me at Wayne Tower afterwards. I have to talk to Alfred first, I will keep you updated"

Metropolis

"Hi, I would like to be put through to Bruce Wayne? Yeah, I know that he isn't able to answer, but can I at least leave a voice mail? Lois Lane...yes from the Daily Planet...what do you mean that you never heard about me? I'm like one of the biggest reporters that the Planet has. Yes, I know that Bruce Wayne is from Gotham...I am well aware, but I wanted to book him for an interview and ask him why he thinks inviting Lex Luthor to his fundraiser is good publicity? Hello? Hello? Unbelievable...they hung up..." Lois Lane, a brunette, wearing a red jacket that was buttoned up.

Her eyes widen, looking up she sees a red-blue blur fly past above the streets. A red cape is reflected in one of the windows of one of the skyscrapers that the blur passes by. People all around the streets point into the air at the figure with glee and smiles. Their eyes full of hope "Look, it's him!" a little girl tugs at her father's hand as she looks up as she tries to get her father to look at the man in question. Just as quickly as he appeared...he was equally gone at the same speed.

Lois closes her flip phone and lets out a groan "I wish I could fly...the first thing I would do is make my way to Gotham and go kick the guy who hung up on me's ass. I would send him right to the moon" Lois puts her phone back into her purse "Oh well...I guess I just have to fly the normal way just like everyone else...the world is so unfair...Luthor gets an invite to the first ever Wayne event in Metropolis, but I don't? I know the press gets a bad rep these days, but Bruce trusting Luthor over anyone from the planet is so not cool!"

"At least Smallville didn't get invited either so there's something..." Lois thinks to herself

Across the city, on the edge of it was a raging fire that set blaze to a five-story building. A pantaloon of firefighters was trying their hardest to hose down the soaring flames with most of them holding the hose and the rest were busy helping the escapees of the blaze. Smoke was soaring high in the sky, far greater than any normal fire could be capable of "There are still people inside, what are we going to do?" one of the firefighters called out to the chief who has no response ready.

"Look up in the sky!" one of the bystanders calls out to everyone else as she points up.

"It's a bird..."

"A plane?"

"No...it's...him!" the chief firefighter smiles as he looks up and sees the Man of Steel. As a red cape flutters in the air. A red-blue-blur flies into the building and just as quickly flies out while holding the hands of a man and woman. Slowly descending on the ground, red boots press against the concrete road and next to the firefighters. He lets go of the man and woman as one of the firefighters escort them away. The man of steel then looks back to the building, taking a deep breath the man in the red cape unleashes a large force of an ice-cold stream of breath at the blazing structure which quickly dampened the fire and soon put it out; leaving the building with only the excess smoke that remains.

The firefighters crowd around the red-caped man with awe "That was amazing...you saved our asses there" the chief tells the man of steel.

Superman sends a smile out his way and shakes the chief's hand "Nonsense. You got most of the people out...you all are the heroes here, not me. I was just helping out", Superman, the man of tomorrow some people call him. Others may choose to refer to him as The Man of Steel, but everyone knows him as Superman.

The man who dressed in a blue suit with the red cape that dangled down to his ankles. The shield on his chest that showcased the "S" that inspired people. The red boots that plant themselves on the ground every time he becomes earthbound. A face that everyone knew and trusted, even the slicked back hair with a curl on his forehead, but it was his smile that assured everyone. The honest, friendly and true smile that he proudly wears. Everyone knew that that smile is what makes them believe in him. He has nothing to hide from them and they sleep soundly knowing that he is out there.

"Still...we owe you big time. You have been helping us out a lot lately with this sudden surge of fires" the chief responds with a smile back at the Man of Steel "You have saved a lot of lives"

"So have you, all of you. I am proud to know that you are the ones who choose to save the lives of countless people even with the risk of being high. Ladies, gentlemen...it's been my honour" Superman salutes the men and women and gives a wink before he take-offs from the ground and takes his place back in the sky over Metropolis. Lifting his left arm ahead of him he quickly becomes the red-blue-blur that shoots through the air, waiting for the next cry for help.

The Batcave

"Are you sure that the man was talking about Talia? Her code would never allow her to work with the likes of Black Mask" Alfred places down a silver tray on the table next to the bat-computer. He looks to his right side and sees Bruce closing the glass case on the storage unit that held the Batsuit. Bruce was now dressed in one of his different kinds of suits. A specially tailor-made suit, fancy and fashionable. A black jacket and white shirt, along with a red tie. The wrists of the jacket were fitted together with the cufflinks once used by his Father.

Bruce sees his reflection in the glass case that held the Batsuit "They said that Black Mask calls her The Demons Head, which means that he knows about the League of Shadows. I just don't understand why she would align herself with someone like Black Mask. I am just as confused as you are, Alfred. The League would never think about working with Black Mask or anyone like him - which means Talia must be trying to play him. I am honestly scared to find out just what she is planning"

"You did train with her for years, Master Bruce. You have probably gotten closer to her than anyone else in her life, besides her family. If anyone would have some knowledge of her psyche, it would indeed be you. You must have had a good idea of her when you and her were together" Alfred tells Bruce.

"That's the thing, Alfred. I did love her...more than I loved anyone before, but Talia is smart, clever and worst of all...cunning. Maybe the person I fell in love with was never real in the first place. She could have just been trying to manipulate me into following my so-called destiny. I'm starting to notice that I'm not the type of guy that goes for the normal girls. One of my exes is a professional Cat Bugler and the other is the leader of one of the most dangerous groups of assassins in the history of mankind. I hope one day that I can meet a woman who is just...normal and try not to screw it up in the process..." he tightens his tie and turns to Alfred.

"If I may comment on such a rich and engaging topic. This is the life that you have chosen...truth be told - if you keep up this crusade of yours...you will never be able to find that one normal girl that you speak off. You may just have to make do with the fact that in your line of work...love is a rare, but a lasting sensation. Miss Kyle and Talia may be the most normal girls you may ever love" Alfred stands with his hands behind his back as he looks to Bruce.

"Speaking of which...did Selina respond to my messages?" Bruce asks.

"Afraid not, sir" Alfred replies.

"I see. Listen, Alfred. I'm heading out to Metropolis right now. I should be gone for no longer than a few days, but I want you to keep me in the loop about the happenings in Gotham, also standby on contact just in case I need my other suit..." Bruce looks back to the glass case "Gordon should be fine managing the petty crimes on his side, but just in case anything bigger shows up - you are to tell me immediately" Bruce tells Alfred who gives a quick nod in response.

"You can take the man out of Gotham, but you cannot take Gotham out of the man. I will give you regular updates every hour on the hour. You have my word" Alfred reassures the man "I know that you are going there to meet with Lex Luthor, but please do try to enjoy your time outside of Gotham, sir. I would do you good to get away from it all" the older man smiles.

Bruce and Alfred head towards the elevator at the end of the room "Last time I left to get away from it all...it was only to come back one day. I normally wouldn't go for leaving Gotham, but Lucius says that it is worth looking into - and I have yet to see that man be proven wrong about a single thing. Am I glad that he is working for Wayne Enterprise who knows what a guy like Luthor would have him do" they both step into the elevator as the gate shuts behind them. Alfred pulls one of the leavers attached to the side as they begin to ascend, leaving the Batcave empty.

Selina's Apartment

Crawling through from the fire escape and into her apartment. Selina was greeted with the place that she called home. Dressed in her black jumpsuit and cat-shaped helmet and goggles she manoeuvred her way across the room. She has a small black bag in hand which she unties the rope that sealed it. Sitting down on her bed she shook the bag and emptied it, allowing for what is inside to spill out across the sheets, a pile of small diamonds were formed, she didn't bother to count but she knew that it was enough to full both of her hands.

"That was way too easy. When am I ever going to have a challenge. The thrill is half the fun for me" Selina unstraps her helmet and throws it across the floor "Though seeing the look on the guy's face in the papers should more than make up for the bore fest" she gives a grin as she scoops up the diamonds in her hands "I am at least looking at a payday of half a million if I go to the black market" she puts them back into the bag and ruffles her hands through her short-cut black hair.

Her eyes green eyes slowly look over as she sees that her answering machine was flashing. Since the only one person has been calling her in the last few weeks, she could make an educated guess about who was calling her "Okay...time for *Bruce's cruddy apology of the day* , seriously, if you are going to apologise at least do it in person, or dinner or anything than a message over the phone...I would even take a much more intimate way of apologising" Selina rolls over and presses the top of her answering machine. Selina looks to her side as a white cat jumps up to greet her as it rubs its head against her leg.

[You have two new messages]

"Two? just for me, Bruce? Wow, what a lucky girl I am" Selina strokes the cat.

[Message 1]

/Bleep/

"Selina, I know that you have been listening to my messages. Look, I'm sorry that you ended up getting shot because you stuck your neck out for me, even though I sure as hell didn't deserve your help, thank you. I would come and see you, but I find talking over the phone so much easier. It's hard to look someone in the eye when you have caused them so much pain...I can't bring myself to meet you in person, I'm sorry"
Selina looked down to cat that was rubbing its head against her leg "So. The same half-baked apology as before - check. Making it all about himself, saying that he is too ashamed to meet me in person - check, and thinking that saying *I'm sorry* for avoiding me in person and treating me like I don't have a say in the matter - check. Look at that folks - we are three for three"

"I just wanted to tell you that just in case you wanted to meet me...that I am leaving Gotham...but only for a couple of days at most. There has been something that came up in Metropolis - I have some business to attend to. Please call me back when you can...you mean a lot to me..."

"If abandoning me for ten years is *meaning* a lot to you...god knows what shit you would pull if you actually loved me" Selina rolls her eyes and lies back down on her bed. The white cat jumps off of the bed and walks off "Okay...time to your second *apology* of the day" Selina rests her knuckles against her head. She crosses her legs and looks up to the ceiling.

[You have one new message]

/Bleep/
"Hey, Selina. It's been a long time - I've missed you...somewhat..."

Selina sits up and looks confused "That voice...Bridgit? Talk about a blast from the past" she comments.

"Rumour has it that you have become quite the *handywoman* these days. I got a job for you...well my employer does. He needs you to steal something for him...and before you ask - he will make it worth your while. He is offering you six figures for this job. How does 3 Million dollars sound? In cash...no questions asked...if you are interested then come to Metropolis...my employer will sort out all of your travel, of course. Go to the Gotham docks...there will be a chopper ready for the you...no need to worry - they are expecting you..."

"3 Million in cash?" Selina raises an eyebrow as her eyes lit up "Bridgit...it has been some time, just what are you up to? Consider this cat now...curious. Bridgit has always been a Gotham Gal...now she is hiding in Metropolis. Maybe what I need is to see an old friend - a psychotic one, but an old friend none the less. Maybe she has become more chilled over the years...oh who am I kidding...she's still probably fuming" Selina flicks her hair as she jumps to her feet "And just when I thought I would be done with this thing tonight" she looks down to her jumpsuit, feeling it slightly damp by the rain outside.

"Three million dollars, getting to meet Bridgit again and getting on good terms with a very wealthy client - now that is a three-for-three that I like. But if I go to Metropolis...Bruce will be there. The irony is not lost on me, not even now. Oh well, screw him anyway. It's not like I am going to be face-to-face with the Batman. Not even Bruce can explain that one without looking suspicious that both he and Batman show up at the same time...I should be good to go"

The Daily Planet

It is hard to miss. The tall building in the centre of the neon-lit city, full of warm blues and reds among the buildings. Above the building was a large golden globe to signify just what it was. The building stood tall, large among the other skyscrapers of Metropolis.

"Clark, we need to find a way to get in there. The Wayne Fundraiser is the biggest event of the year in this city, and I will be damned if I will not be a part of it" Lois tells the man that she was walking next to. A timid-looking man. One with a slight slouch, and a habit of being clumsy. Wearing a pair of glasses that looked to be a size too big and his hair that slicked across his head. Wearing a cream-coloured trench coat over his white shirt and black tie and waistcoat. He held a briefcase in his right hand, settling it on his desk which was opposite Lois'.

"Honestly Lois, I think our time is better suited to find out what is causing the sudden surges of fires all around the city. Today was the tenth large scale fire in the last two weeks. I can't accept that as a coincidence or the fact that Lex is always ready to sweep in and buy those buildings for dirt cheap" Clark Kent adjusts his glasses as he looks to the brunette.

"You think that Luthor is behind this? Really, Smallville? I know Lex had his illegal dealings in the past, but you are talking about him using mass arson? That's quite the stretch that you got there" Lois comments with a coy look that she sent Clark's way "Plus there is a fact that all the fires have been said to be caused by faulty wiring, there were no signs of arson found" she adds.

"Those buildings have been there for decades, hundreds of years in some cases, and it's only now that they become faulty? All at the same time? I just find it hard to believe" Clark tells the woman as he looks down to the newspaper next to his briefcase which Lois picked up on.

"Clark. Even if your outlandish theory is correct...we still have Superman to put out those fires. So there is no need to worry yourself" she gives a light playful jab to the man's shoulder "Plus Bruce Wayne is what is going to end up selling papers. I can already taste the promotion coming my way"

"I would rather prefer to stop the fires altogether. Prevention is better than cure as they say. If they keep up...there may end up being some people that he'll be too late to save" the man adjusts his glasses once more, almost as a nervous tick that he couldn't help.

"Says you. You don't know Superman as I do. I haven't even seen you meet him in person. Everyone believes in him to save the day, that's what he does. Listen, Clark. You can keep at your foolhardy investigation, but I got a party to attend...which I need to be invited to first...I'll figure it out" she raised an eyebrow and smiles as she heads towards the elevator to the floor "Let me know if you come up with anything..." she calls out as the doors close behind her, but Clark was already gone. Once again, the red-blue-blur zooms past, high above the streets of the city.

Bruce was sitting in a seat in his private jet, funded by Wayne Enterprise oversite him was none other than Lucius Fox. The jet was high in the sky, thousands of miles above the ground as it moves through the air, but still below the clouds. Bruce swirls around a small glass of whisky in his hand"I should be arriving in Metropolis in less than an hour. I hope that Gotham has not suddenly gotten worse" the man speaks out loud.

"Gotham should be fine without for a few days, sir. But I will let you know If anything comes up, just focus on the task at hand" Alfred replies to Bruce over the communicator next to his seat. Bruce leans back in his chair, crossing his legs.

"This is just a simple investigation. I will get what I need to know and leave. That's all" Bruce reminds Alfred.

"But as a man with your line of work. I would be hard pressed to believe that you are not without your backup plans"

"If Bruce Wayne cannot get Luthor to talk...then Batman can give it a shot" Bruce smirks as he looks outside the window, seeing the small buildings from a deep below on the ground. Lucius is going to help me locate the source of the signal, getting him at the centre of the city should give all he needs to finish the decryption. As soon as we enter Metropolis air space we are to enact radio silence. Luthor isn't one to let someone just as powerful walk into his city and make a scene without him getting the drop on them..." Bruce tells Alfred.

"Understood, Master Bruce"

Lucius looks over to Bruce "If it even comes to needing Batman. You will be glad to know that your suit is available to you at any time when you need it, but I'm afraid that the car will have to remain in Gotham. There was no way we could sneak that into Metropolis without drawing suspicion"

"Thanks, Lucius"

"It may not be the suit that you are used to, but it's basically the same - with a few alterations. Nothing too major though" Luscious adds.

Chapter End