"Charles never had that much luck in being in charge of a group, especially when it came to criminals since they had their ambitions and plans in making themselves infamous amongst the criminal underworld. Especially after Spinner went out to cause trouble and help get Fable's body in an attempt to get revenge on Paranoid after abandoning him and Slobster back in Fission City. However, with the return of Queen Fables and her fairy-tale powers, she decided to them on the swordfish Seaviate after they met each other at the bar. This left Kite Man and the others to focus on making Noonan's stand out from Villigan's so their establishment doesn't disappear from their competitor's popularity."

Morning-Noonan's Bar

With the sun shining over Gotham and everyone enjoying another day to survive in a crime-infested city, the residents of Noonan's Bar continued serving customers beers and meals who didn't mind getting service from dangerous criminals like Malice. The granddaughter of Darkseid, who had now become a skilled bartender after spending time serving drinks by herself. Looking over to the side was her cat Chesire who was grooming herself and nibbling on a human skeleton bone that she had 'burrowed' from someone who shooed her away from the table.

"Why do you have to give me that look? I know you're bored and want to kill everyone, but you do that on Apokolios. Here, we're making money and get to mess with these meat puppets you get to chew on."

Her familiar told the feline about the restrictions she had here than on the hell world that they were born on since the only means of surviving was either praising the dark god of Apokolios or being stronger than everyone. Continuing her job, her phone started to ring as she answered it where she saw her boyfriend Killamari posing for her with all four arms.

"Hey Babe. The doc gave me the hour to myself, got anything you had in mind for a squid like me?"

The text read as the photo alone made the white haired new god shutter at how despite him not having a beautiful composure like herself and immortality. She found his cold-blooded side and poisonous spears attractive since the first time she met him, it was when he was killing half of the Para-demons that were invading Villigan's. Covered in their blood and ripping her grandfather's soldiers piece by piece, it was one of the things that made Apokolips women interested if they wanted to start dating.

"In a city like this, there's a ton of activities to do. Such as taking down weak gangs and taking over territory. Oh! Maybe do some shopping for new clothes."

Malice thought about numerous ideas on what they could do together since she had several minutes left before her shift was over. Looking over at half of the patrons and everyone passed out drunk, she smiled in excitement as the girl grabbed her belongings and whistled to Chesire to come with her to meet up with Killamari. Just as she was ready to head outside to meet her boyfriend, Malice was stopped by Kite Man who was with Golden Glider, and Fugitoid who came inside the bar with an excited look on his face that annoyed the immortal girl since it could affect her shift ending.

"Malice! Glad you're still here, I'm sorry to do this but I need help with some new customers that Fugitoid managed to find for us. They aren't like the regulars and should meet our best bartender since Spinner is still with Fables."

He asked for Malice to help out with the new customers the trio had gathered as she looked annoyed at the humans that Kite Man had spoken to which could mean they were low-level villains that couldn't rob a bank. Before having the chance to make fun of her boss, Malice heard muttering coming from behind him as the new customers that they had gathered were mutants. Each of them acted like tourists to Gotham City as they looked around their surroundings, the girl could tell they hadn't been around the surface since she was staring at a walking manta-ray, a crab having a garbage can on his back and a female dolphin that was taking pictures of the establishment.

"Introductions. This is Ray Fillet, a former marine biologist who got mutated after studying manta rays. The crab is Crabapult, he kind of has a habit of launching stuff out of his garbage bin so make sure to not give him anything. Finally, we have Fiona Finn. She's a resident of Gotham, she got mutated when Joker's tower fell and some of the mutagen fell into the river. Not that much but enough to change her."

Charles introduced the trio to Malice as she groaned in annoyance at being kept away from her boyfriend to see new customers. However, if it meant getting more money, the better the chance she could use it to spend on stuff for herself and Killamari. They walked into the bar where Malice went over to the Counter table where she started to take in orders from the mutant trio as to what they wanted to drink.

"It was out of luck to discover them after you thought it was best I learn about the hierarchy of Gotham. Mostly how the ones in power the companies such as Wayne Enterprise and Lex Luthor, who is now serving time after the alien invasion."

The Fugitoid responded to Kite Man and Glider that during his stay in the city, they found the three exploring the streets. Both Lisa and Charles could agree on that since it worked for them in both ways such as giving the trio the chance to spread their business to other places since the mutants can swim to wherever they like. Along with opening Noonan's to serve not just ordinary folks, but that of mutants and seaviates that wouldn't be hated and looked at by the residents in Gotham.

"Let's hope that it can boost the notice of Noonan's. I checked out Villigan's posts and saw them getting popular, they've been visited by celebrities and villains that left the Legion of Doom after Lex got arrested."

Glider brought up their competitor having special guests visit their place and villains who weren't noticed due to them being in Lex's team, to now become popular again and giving Villigans their popularity for the service they receive during their stay. Showed her boyfriend the infamous villains that had gotten photos of the owner, Luther Paradigm. While he felt a bit of jealousy toward the success that was being made, it didn't make him angry but only focused on making Noonan's popular than his establishment.

"Then we need to do the opposite. Just like how we met those new mutants, we can make our place just as exciting as theirs. Doctor? Think you can help us out? Promise to show you earth's best reality shows when it's all over."

Requesting help from Honeycutt as the Fugitoid was an advanced cyborg that could invent an invention or anything that could make Noonan's stand out from Villigan's. The three went off to discuss ways to make their establishment popular, Slobster was in the bar assisting Volcana and Bane who were cleaning up any bottles that were left on the table and floor.

"This is bullshit. After the years of me hanging out with that jerk, he gets a woman to spend time with, and they're off banging in a bug lady's nest. While we're here cleaning up after Six Pack's puke."

The red crustacean complained about his swordfish friend getting lucky with Fables and being the first out of Paradigm's creations to have a relationship. Volcana could tell from his expression that he looked annoyed by it since from how Spinner acts, it was likely that he'd attracted someone that be interested in a guy like him. She was about to offer him advance on how he could get the edge on his friend before they heard Bane lifting a table to clean underneath it.

"Relationships in Gotham City are not to be taken lightly. Most people who desire to have a partner are interested in their powers or personality, I've attempted to find someone who could fill the emptiness in me after seeing others form relationships. Luckily, I met a woman this Valentine's Day."

Bane told Slobster about the challenges of dating in Gotham City and how it wasn't easy to form a serious bond. His predicament however was different as Bane dropped the table back to the ground as he walked over to show the two of a woman he was in a relationship with. It was a photo of a red-haired woman wearing a dominatrix outfit and sharing a smoothie with him, Volcana and Slobster looked confused at his taste in women as Bane didn't mind his girlfriend's occupation.

"Her name is Betty. The only downside is her owning a cat, my allergies act up when I'm around it. Which is why we date outside than at home, as well as have sex at her workspace since it's comfortable there."

He brought up the pros and cons about how in every relationship, there would be pros and cons to it. However, as long as the two partners were happy with each other's company, it didn't matter. Continuing with the job and continuing to keep the place clean, Slobster grunted in frustration that even someone like Bane who keeps his face covered has someone in his life.

"Don't take it too seriously. My love life isn't that all cracked out to be, one minute someone slaps my backside thinking I was hot stuff. He gets his answer in losing his right hand, guess he'll need to use his left to satisfy himself since I might have scared his interest in women out of him."

Volcana told him about dating not being that important and there being other things to think about since he had time on his claws than he ever had back in Fission City. The lobster considered it as it was true, Slobster decided to look over at the three aquatic mutants that Kite Man and Golden Glider brought in since he hadn't seen any mutated creatures like himself.

"This place smells, but the accommodations are nice, to say the least. Do you take gold coins?"

Fiona Finn asked Malice as she showed the bartender a set of gold coins in her flipper that caught her attention. Accepting the money and getting the dolphin another beverage, the aquatic trio didn't seem aggressive like the seaviates he created during his time back home. He wanted to speak with them about how they'd survive their time around humans and the environment before his antennas started to twitch, he was picking a familiar scent at the entrance that caught him off guard.

"No. They couldn't be here. They can't!"

Slobster told himself as he was able to figure out the scent that was causing him to act angry. Looking over at the door with his claws clicking, he rushed over to attack a possible threat to the establishment. The others noticed Slobster acting up and rushed outside to see what he was doing; everyone saw the enraged lobster on top of Noonan with his claw ready to cut his head off.

"Kid! Get your oversized crab off me before I cook him in a pot!"

The former owner shouted as he pulled out a gun from his pocket and was ready to shoot Slobster in his stomach. Kite Man asks Bane to help pick Slobster up to figure out what drove the Seaviate to act violently, realizing that it was Noonan. The large crustacean noticed the looks he was getting toward what he had just done.

"I'm sorry. I thought it was someone I knew back in Fission City, someone that pissed me off and almost broke my claw."

He explained his cause for acting hostile as they didn't know if Slobster was telling the truth since he often thinks with his claws rather than his head. Noonan looked over at Kite Man to see if he would reprimand Slobster for what he attempted to do since this would be an example to show Villigan's that he wasn't a owner to be pushed around. Before he could think of a punishment to give Slobster, his nose caught the wife of something tasty and freshly cooked.

"While I want to think of something to tell you Slobster, I'm starting to get the same smell. Only it's amazing then threatening."

Charles responded to the Seaviate's notion of a threat near their bar as the others started to get the same smell. The gang took a moment to check around the street trying to figure out where the smell was coming from, only for Chesire to walk past them and follow the scent as the purple feline walked over toward a motorcycle that was parked at a meter maid. Looking over to see a small store where the bike was parked, they looked at someone stepping outside to see an unexpected sight. It was a humanoid female killer whale wearing a pair of dark orange pants, a leather jacket with a tank top with the symbol of the moon, and wearing a baseball cap. Chesire walked over and rubbed her head toward the woman's leg as she noticed the purple feline as well as the people staring at her.

"Someone missing a kitty cat?"

She asked the group staring at her as Slobster snarled at the whale as the lobster ran at her knowing that the whale was the enemy. Putting the cat to the side in avoiding getting trampled over, the whale was able to grab Slobster by the waist and give him a body slam that shook the pavement.

"Now then, anyone wants to explain why they have Seaviate who was ready to kill me?"

Questioning them again with a stern look to see if they'd answer her question as they pointed at Kite Man who'd be the one to answer her. Deciding to be a leader and explain his friend's action, he offered to take her somewhere away from Noonan's so they didn't get any more attention on them. While they made their way from the bar, Killamari watched from above Villigan's and recognized the whale from afar as he felt his hands becoming fists. Pulling out his phone and seeing several apps that were available thanks to his creator, he found a tool that would help him meet the latest customers in Noonan's.

Later-Restaurant

Finding an appropriate spot to not be stared at by the public, they went to a small establishment that welcomed anyone for the right amount of money. Kite Man brought his girlfriend, Slobster, Volcana, and Malice since the girl's feline enjoyed being around the killer whale seaviate. Charles had been able to explain Slobster's issue with the concept that she was one of the so-called 'Street Sharks' that he fought in Fission City, he wasn't fully wrong.

"My name is Maria, Maria Balin. Several years ago, my dad was a friend of the Bolton brothers, or what the walking lobster dubbing them 'Street Sharks'. He was mutated by Paradigm into a killer whale who wanted him to kill the four, but it didn't happen. While he wouldn't mind fighting the doctor and knocking out his teeth, he decided to find his path on the road. Later down the road, he met a woman who seemed to be in the same situation as he was."

Introducing herself and explaining her parent's background along with how she was connected with Slobster as the lobster said nothing since he didn't trust her along with the idea of not trying to avenge her dad. Maria pulled out her phone to show a photo of her parents, one was a killer whale wearing no shirt and the same orange pants that she had on while next to a familiar face that Kite-Man had seen before.

"Your mom's Orca? Wow. She used to be a Batman villain before leaving to go try and be infamous in Blood Haven, I didn't hear much from her after she decided to retire. Guess I know why."

Charles explained to his friends about a former Batman villain deciding to change her life and choose a new career, it seemed like being a mother was her choice which led to more photos of her and the killer whale male spending time with a smaller Maria and giving her a normal childhood. Lisa fawned over it since the idea of two people who weren't like anyone else and becoming a mother seemed best for her because of how happy she appeared on Maria's phone.

"I questioned my dad about how he ended up a whale since I thought we were from the ocean like Aqua Man. He told me the truth about him being a part of an experiment and turned into a weapon, I decided to help him out by getting payback for gene-slamming him. But I couldn't find him, he left Fission City without a trace. Until today."

Maria summarized what sounded like a revenge mission she was on to make the human pay for turning her former human father into an aquatic beast. It was almost all for not if she didn't see a post that showed Kite Man and Golden Glider promoting their bar with the side of Villigan's appearing near the photo. Volcana kept silent as she looked over at Slobster who wanted to fight Maria for humiliating him in front of everyone back at Noonan's.

"What does that have to do with us? You want to get back at him by taking out the people who helped turn your dad into a killer whale?"

Glider asked her if Slobster and Spinner would be on Maria's list of people who changed her father's life. The whale daughter looked at Slobster getting the notion that he wanted a rematch, though she shook her head at the idea since it wouldn't get anywhere since her sights were on Paradigm.

"With what I've heard from these two, they despise him more than I do. The reason why I'm hanging around here is that the guy is waiting for something because guys like him don't decide to give up or call it quits. They wait for something important and powerful to appear and then go for the kill."

Responding toward Volcana as she knew Paradigm was up to something if he was in Gotham. It made Charles nervous of her suggestion being real, that the once villainous doctor that terrorized his old city came here looking for an object of power that would make him relevant again. The only one that didn't seem to care was Malice as her focus was on Chesire who was enjoying being near Maria due to her muscular appearance and the food that she'd ordered. The whale girl allowed Chesire to have some of her leftovers which was a hamburger with fries as the purple cat stopped eating and hissed at the front door.

"Nice going 'Liby Thick'. You made my cat get sick and will have to eat whoever will enter here to get the grease out of her."

Malice told Maria as the others looked at what Chesire was staring at as they saw a figure appearing in front of the door. They see the person rip the door off its hinges to reveal Killamari wearing a Villigan's uniform along with a set of employees armed with harpoon guns and hooks with a murderous intent toward the gang.

"Babe. I thought you were getting yourself ready for me, not hanging out with these schmucks."

He questioned his girlfriend from the table as Malice didn't know how to respond to him since this was the last place she'd want him to see her in, hanging around her bosses in a restaurant with greasy food. Deciding to not answer and not getting in the middle of this debacle, Kite Man stepped forward to try and stop a potential fight from breaking out since he's had a history of being an ambush.

"Schmuck is a strong word, but we're just trying to have a simple dinner with our new friend Maria. I'm sure that we can enjoy brunch together with your boss not minding it, right?"

Charles offered a resolution to him and his crew coming in here to start trouble as Killamari scuffed at the human before whistling to his men and ordering them to shoot their harpoons at him. Glider reacted quickly as she brought out her ribbons and caught them before they landed on Kite Man's body, angered by their attempt she threw the harpoons back at the soldiers and sent them flying out of the building.

"Honey? With all due respect, shut up and start fighting."

Lisa told her boyfriend as the rest of his friends sprang into action to go up against Killamari's men as they reloaded their harpoons and shot at them again. Malice on the side whistled Chesire to the side so she didn't stain herself in their blood as the girl felt embarrassed in being involved in a fight, all the while was Killamari trying to fight everyone while attempting to speak to her.

"I should be turned on by the fight you brought me Malice, but I think it would have been better if it was just us and not these people!"

Killamari shouted as he was tackled by Slobster who took the fight to the kitchen and started destroying everything in the room in an attempt to defeat each other. Unable to find a way to respond to her boyfriend, Malice tried to figure out a way to respond to Killamari but wasn't able to since the screams of his men were coming from Volcana and Glider either burning or cutting them to pieces.

"And I know how you enjoy it, but I got dragged along since this whale creature has an issue with your employer. Not that it's my busy but I can see that he doesn't mind attacking my boss who while annoying, is somewhat friendly to me in an annoying way."

She responded to him in the kitchen while seeing Kite Man thrown across a table with a Villigan's employee on top of him in an attempt to stab him with a knife. Struggling to keep the blade away from his eye, Charles grabbed a cup from the side and smashed it against the attacker's face while seeing him getting up and about to do it again. It was stopped by Maria who stretched out her tongue and wrapped it around the man before slamming him upward to the ceiling before tossing him outside.

"Nasty. I'm going need a pizza mint for that asshole."

Complaining about the taste sticking to her tongue as she goes over to help Kite Man up to avoid falling back down since they were being outnumbered. The girls continued their effort to take out the employees before they saw Slobster thrown out of the kitchen with harpoons stabbed in his chest. Walking out with bruises on his body and cuts across his chest, while Malice found it attractive she didn't want to see her people killed in a place like this.

"Killa? While I'm turned on by the blood that you spilled from Slobster and your muscles exposed, I think this is enough."

Malice suggested to her four-armed boyfriend to stop the fighting due to her losing her job and make her godfather angry since she was the only new god of Apokoliops that wasn't occupied in anything. Annoyed by her comment about stopping the fighting he was doing, Killamari pulled four spears out of his hands and pointed them at his girlfriend and her friends.

"Sorry babe, but there are bigger things than us banging each other for fun. You're either with me or against me, I suggest you choose the right side."

Responding to his girlfriend's reaction to prevent him from doing what now was a job from Paradigm that involved taking care of Kite Man's people and Maria. Realizing the look in his eyes and seeing he wouldn't blink in taking her out if she stood in his way, Malice made her choice in the form of whistling to Chesire which caused the purple cat to change from its cute form to the size of a tiger. It lashed out at Killamari's people before leaping onto the four-armed Seaviate as she attempted to kill him, only for him to scratch Chesire with his poisoned spears.

"Malice? Call off your cat."

Glider instructed the new god as she whistled Cheside back where the sight of her cat being cut caused Lisa to lose control of her powers as she focused her ribbons at Killamari. Seeing how destructive his girlfriend was acting, Kite Man and Volcana dragged the injured lobster seaviate to the side so he didn't get caught in the crossfire while Maria grabbed a table to protect Malice and her cat from the golden metahuman lashing out at Killamari. Getting cut by the ribbons and forced to move away from them, the four-armed Seaviate had no choice but to escape and leave an entire group of dead Villigan employees on the ground. Feeling herself drained and out of breath, Lisa was about to collapse as Charles rushed over to catch her seeing how the attack took a lot out of her. The killer whale girl took a moment to check if there were any more men outside waiting to step in as it seemed they were in the clear, she walked over to check out the dead men to see there were small cameras disguised as buttons which left the impression of Paradigm watching the fight when they entered the building.

"Do you now believe me that Paradigm wants something from you?"

Maria asked the gang if the idea of their competitor sharing the street with them was false and if there was something at Noonan that was in their possession. Kite Man looked over at his friends who were either wounded or conflicted with the sudden attack showing that she was right, Paradigm wanted something from him. Deciding to call the Fugitoid for help to get Slobster medical treatment for the poison that he was given, he'd have to figure out what would be valuable to his competitor that he'd send Malice's now ex-boyfriend and his staff to attack him and his friends in broad daylight.