Tokyo
"Thank you for joining me tonight. Your cooperation is most appreciated."
Sportsmaster scowled. "Yeah, well... make it quick."
The man he was addressing sported a red mask, a leather jacket, a bulletproof vest, and black gloves. They were sitting at a gray table, in a dimly lit room.
The man in red chuckled. "Oh, I like you already. But... anyway, to business. I need your help. I have... an old grudge against a certain deranged clown."
Lawrence's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, what about him?"
The man in red folded his hands on Lthe desk. "I'm planning to kill him, and I can't do it alone. His Steel Mill is a fortress. Superman would have difficulty getting in. I heard you're the best, so I arranged for this little meeting."
Sportsmaster leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "I thought he was in Belle Reve?"
"He's breaking out tonight," the man in red replied.
Sportsmaster then posed an obvious question. "How much are you gonna pay me?"
The man in red pulled out a briefcase from under the table and opened it. "Two million dollars in cash, up front."
Sportsmaster took the briefcase, then shook the man's hand. "You've gotten yourself a deal. What do I call you?"
The man stood up and started towards the door. "The Red Hood."
Gotham
"Look, I don't like this anymore than you do, but-"
"I know. For the boss."
The two thugs stood in the cold, shivering in their coats.
"Man, where did the boss get that kryptonite bullet anyway?" one of them asked.
"From one of his old encounters with Superman, I suppose. He bought it off of Luthor."
"Heh. It sure made capturing Superboy a helluva lot easier."
They were stationed on top of a ledge, overlooking the Gotham skyline. Smog filled the cool air, and the smell of cigars floated with the wind.
"Is Johnny smoking again?"
"I dunno, just a-"
A fist slammed into the man's face, knocking him out instantly. The assassin then kicked the other off of the building, sending him plummeting to his untimely death.
Sportsmaster cracked his knuckles. "Huh. I thought you said the security was top-notch."
The Red Hood landed next to him, c4 in his hand. "It'll get worse as we go in further. Trust me." He placed the explosives on the wall and detonated it. Chunks of the wall were reduced to rubble and hurled into the streets below. The two partners made their way in, wary of their surroundings. The Steel Mill was a factory, producing weapons that the Joker was undoubtedly reaping the profits from.
Sportsmaster scowled. "Look."
Several armed thugs were aiming at them, joker masks on their faces.
Red Hood pulled out a pistol. "This night just got interesting."
Apokolips
Despite its hellish appearance on the outside, the royal palace of Apokolips was quite a sight. Its grandeur and beauty were unmatched, and its impenetrable walls stronger than all others. Its impressive appearance concealed the evil that lay within; Darkseid, the God of Apokolips. Inside the palace's walls, Darkseid sat on his throne of gold. His advisor, Desaad, stood before him.
Darkseid glared at Desaad. "My patience grows thin, Desaad. Has the Superboy been captured?"
"Yes, sire. The one whom they call the Joker completed the job quite quickly," Desaad replied.
"Very good. Tell Savage that all is going according to our previously discussed plan."
The Watchtower
Aqualad was troubled. It wasn't a painful experience, but it gnawed at him like a ravenous wolf struck with famish. He was addressing the Team about Superboy, who had mysteriously vanished during a mission in Metropolis.
"The situation is well under control. Batman is working day and night to locate Superboy, and other Leaguers are also doing all they can to find him. Rest assured, for we will not give up as long as any of us are still breathing."
Not one of his best speeches, but not particularly poor, either. The Team grumbled to themselves and dispersed, glum looks on their faces. Aqualad sighed. This needed to end now.
