"Charles has always been an optimistic person in a world that's filled with gods and monsters, no matter what would come his way he'd never let himself get angry or upset. His family? Is another story entirely when it comes to him trying to spend time with his father who was more invested in making money rather than spending time with him. His mother wasn't around that much either since she passed away when he was a child, the only way he had a chance of retaining his joy was his interest in kites. While not interesting and have been around for centuries, they can bring people together where they can socialize with each other. This was what he wanted during his time growing up, to be around people who enjoyed simple things rather than being rich and wealthy."

Morning-Gotham Heights

The morning had arrived in Gotham City as well and the fighting between Noonan and Villigan's had already hit the news with it being reported on television. At this time the one person who wasn't watching was Kite Man since he was in bed without his clothes and next to Glider, who decided to spend the night with him since she wanted to know about this secret he's been keeping from everyone. Resting next to his shoulder, she saw her boyfriend awake as well as looking outside at the sun shining on the city.

"I bet after having some quality time to ourselves, you might be open to talking about being a secret millionaire?"

Lisa asked in him as comforting as possible since Charles still seemed upset about being in this apartment that he's kept secret from the gang. Kite Man wanted to refuse to respond to her answer but remembered that they had made out and had made a narrow escape from Paradigm's people. Taking a deep breath and preparing to tell his girlfriend about his background, Lisa got herself comfortable to give him her full attention.

"It started back when my parents came to Gotham, they didn't have that much but knew how the city worked since they weren't that all good. Small-time thieves who learned about money as well as how to manage accounting. Deciding to leave robbing banks and deciding to work for them, they were able to become one of the richest couples here."

He started off his story somewhat similar to her family's background since she and Snart's parents were small-time criminals. They continued to be small-time thieves while Kite Man's folks decided to change their method of taking money and became rich in a different manner.

"Sadly, their fun didn't last that long when I came around. I wasn't exactly the smartest and strongest growing up, I mostly hung around maids and butlers whenever my parents weren't around."

Charles explained that the only people that he spent quality time with were the helpers who came around to clean up the place and make food. He remembered whenever his parents were around and appeared available to spend time with him, they gave him to one of the butlers and maids due to their focus on their business. The more she listened to how horrible his parents were, the angrier she became as her eyes started to glow at how unfair it was to spend quality time with their son.

"But it wasn't all that bad. The service taught me the simplicity of being normal, while it was rough working for powerful families. It helped build character as well as meet people who can relate to you and more importantly show something more enjoyable than being rich. Enjoying the small things."

He assured Lisa that it wasn't that terrible being around the help and finding the one thing that made his childhood enjoyable. Charles pointed over near their belongings where he was looking at his kite that had helped him smile with the upbringing he had.

"Whenever my parents couldn't pick me up from school the help was able to do it. We'd go to Gotham Park and fly kites for hours; it made me forget I came from a rich family. That I was normal like everyone else."

Responding in a subtle tone about not needing money and expensive things like his parents had gotten from years of swindling money from Gotham. The last part made Lisa scuffed at him for being normal since that didn't help with him wearing a costume and becoming a criminal, he smiled at Lisa looking into that comment and would have to explain that part of wanting to be normal.

"Maybe, not entirely normal. I did need to make myself different from my family and make my money than how they did it. With the sudden rise of supervillains and everyone getting their type of style. I decided to go with kites."

Finishing his story on how a rough upbringing with negligent parents gave him the chance to find a way to build a life for himself. With that being said, it still made Lisa feel sorry for what he went through since his parents had managed to get themselves into a position of power. They didn't share it with him nor acknowledge him living with them.

"My family had that reputation too; except I had an overprotective brother that looked after me when our mom remarried. She wasn't a fan of how Dad continued to be a thief, she sent me letters about traveling the world and wanting to spend time together. But I can't because if I'm close to her, I might end up killing her."

She shared her family side of having a somewhat decent family life that had its ups and downs. The only issue she had was being cautious with her powers and not knowing how to control them properly, Charles felt sorry about Lisa's uncontrollable power since he'd seen it in action. They continued to look outside to enjoy the sunrise as they still felt uneasy with how things were going after escaping Paradigm and having what is the weapon to end all wars underneath their bed.

"Maybe, If we're able to make it out of the mess I got us in and avoid a terrible death. We could see your mom and show that you've gotten better at controlling your powers."

Suggesting having the chance to meet Lisa's mom once things had settled down and survive the people who are after them. The metahuman smiled at the idea and showed her how she'd changed from a frightened child to a mature woman with a business and a stable relationship. While they continued to watch the sunrise, the other duo who had managed to get a peaceful night at the apartment were Spinner and Slobster who were enjoying the luxury that was offered to them.

"I still think it's bullshit that he didn't tell us about him being rich. I mean we've been with Paradigm before and he was rich, but he didn't share his money with us. Now? We have a human who is nice and decides not to touch it at all. I don't get it."

The swordfish complained about not coming here during their arrival and enjoying the accommodations that Kite Man decided to ignore. Slobster wanted to respond to that until the lobster noticed one of the tables had a binder on it that was labeled 'vacant signing'. Taking a moment to open the cover with his claw, he attempted to read the numerous names that were written on each page as well as the family that would occupy the place. Slobster tried to figure out what this meant and continued to think about why Kite Man would stay in a small apartment rather than live in a spacious place like this.

"Because he's letting people stay here."

Responding to his friend's comment about not making this place his home which left Spinner looking confused at what he meant as he went to read the paper. Checking out the dates and times that they'd rented the place, it showed that Charles allowed people to live here during their time in Gotham Heights.

"Should have guessed it. The human favors simplicity over luxury as well as common folk."

Spinner responded toward this binder of people who'd rent this place as it appeared that different families would come in and live in the apartment for one week before cycling to another. This made the swordfish's perspective on Kite Man that despite being weak compared to the people in the city and others who didn't think he was important, his personality made him stand out from everyone. His moment of thinking was interrupted by the sound of knocking coming from the front door.

"That has to be food service. I looked at half of the meals they had here, and it sounds tasty."

His friend spoke out as Slobster made his way to the front door to allow the people with plates to come in and present the two with food. Opening the door with excitement, he didn't expect a couple to be standing in front of the entrance. A human male wearing an extravagant costume with a color palette of it being green, yellow, and orange. The woman next to him who was taller and stronger wore armor that was red, blue, and yellow.

"Hello. We're friends of Kite Man, is he here?"

The man asked Slobster as the Seaviate didn't know how to respond since they could have been hired by Paradigm. Before he could respond to him and the woman, they heard footsteps coming from the bedroom which showed Kite Man and Golden Glider dressed in their uniforms and noticing the couple.

"Mister Miracle and Big Barda! It's a sight to see you two again."

Excitingly announcing their names which showed that he knew the two which left Slobster to allow them inside the apartment. Taking a moment to look outside to see if they were followed, the Seaviate closed the door and looked behind them seeing that Charles was friendly with Mister Miracle and his wife.

"We got the call from Malice about what happened at your establishment. I need to know if it's real."

Barda told Charles about getting the call from her Apokolips sibling on having the weapon that Darkseid's been looking for thousands of years. Understanding the seriousness in her voice, he went back to the bedroom to get the briefcase where it held the Anti-Life Equation.

"Apologies if we're being blunt about this, but this is what Darkseid's been wanting forever. I should know because I'm his kid, adoptive kid to be exact."

Mister Miracle told them as it made Glider and the Seaviates shocked at their connection to Darkseid. They wanted to ask him questions about that as well as how many people the ruler of Apokolips had underneath him, the group looked over to see Kite Man returning with the briefcase as he placed it on the table where he presented it to Barda and Mister Miracle. They took precautions in opening it as they saw a bright light emerging from it as well as whispers echoing in their ears. Continuing to hear it, Barda closes it and makes sure it is kept shut.

"This is the real. And there are many questions as to how the hell someone like you came to acquire it. No offense."

Barda apologized to Lisa since the likelihood of someone like Charles getting a universal weapon was impossible due to how innocent he was. Glider accepted the apology since it was she could see it being impossible for him to get it.

"It was Luthor who got it first, I didn't know where he even got it in the first place."

Responding about the original owner of the briefcase coming from Lex after he dropped it off before using the Earth Savior on the world. Whether or not who was able to acquire it first, the main goal was to get it off world before Scott's father heard about it. Deciding to use the boom tube device that she had brought, Barda was able to open a portal that would take them out of Gotham City.

"If there was ever a situation when someone would have the Anti-Life Equation. We'd take it to someone who would be able to keep it away from everyone, even from Darkseid himself. Will go there and come back to help with this 'piranha' issue you have back at the bar. In exchange for me doing my show there?"

Miracle asked Kite Man in exchange to help them get the weapon away from Paradigm, he could do his one-man show at the bar and entertain his customers. Having no issue with it and agreeing to the terms, Charles gave the briefcase to Mister Miracle as he and Big Barda walked through the boom tube and handed it to someone who would keep it safe. The portal disappeared leaving the four to think they were in the clear and were able to handle Paradigm without him trying to get the Anti-Life Equation.

"So, anyone wants breakfast?"

Slobster asked the three about ordering breakfast to celebrate the moment which was quickly responded with the boom tube opening up with Mister Miracle and Big Barda flying out. Spinner was able to catch the green-capped man while Slobster caught Miracle's wife who crashed into a coffee table. Groaning from the sudden toss, Barda looked down at the crustacean who seemed to be looking at her legs up to her thighs.

"Sorry, I'm right now going through things with a girl want to talk to and your body reminds me of her."

He explained to Barda as the married woman ignored the comment and stood back up with help from Glider as she was confused about what happened. Kite Man looked at the portal where it shot out the briefcase and back into his hands which made him collapse to the ground as he saw the portal closing.

"So good news, the guy we were going was informed about what we have and will be able to take it in. Bad news, he's exploring the Source Wall and he'll be gone for God knows how long. All we need to do now is protect it."

Mister Miracle informed the gang about they needed to keep the briefcase safe until their informed about the arrival of their contact. This made the four unsure about whether they could protect the Anti-Life Equation due to how ill-equipped they were back at the bar. If anything, they could gather any means of accessories and weaponry to protect themselves until Mister Miracle and Barda's friend would return and take this burden off their hands.

Later-Noonan's Bar

The aftermath battle between Noonan and Villigan made the street look like a gang war broke out. Inside the bar was the gang wrapping up their wounds from the bruises, gunshots, and wounds they'd sustained during the fight. Fugitoid was at the moment monitoring any hostile activity that might be outside waiting to start another attack.

"I'm reading no heat signatures from the establishment. We might have to leave to get a better advantage over them."

Calculating the odds of them not surviving another attack from Paradigm and his people, the professor heard a grunt coming from the windows that were made by Bane who was placing the tables over them. Barricading the windows and anywhere else that might be used against them, the masked man didn't seem to agree with running away.

"It would be a mistake to leave this place after the work that Kite Man put into this place. He hired us to work for Noonan's, as long as the building stands, so do we."

He informed everyone conscious and not passed out that they were his employees, and their responsibility was to keep the establishment intact until they came back. Nobody said anything as they continued to check on their wounds to make sure they would be ready for another attack, near the counter table was Volcana who was checking out her phone as it had photos of her and Slobster getting to know one another.

"Guess someone got the need for seafood, right hun?"

Someone taking a look behind her as it came from Fables who had gotten herself injured during the fight with Paradigm. The volcanic woman said nothing since it was clear that Fables was with Spinner after the Seaviate helped her recover her body, but it didn't stop her from being rude and digging into other people's business.

"Don't act all sweet and innocent, this place isn't the business to be nice. Along with you might not survive with what the walking fish tank has in store after punking out like a bitch."

She spoke about not having the chance to say anything unless they got killed by the reinforcements that Paradigm would be bringing in. Seeing that it could be true and that they were going to be getting into another fight, Volcana decided to explain her interest in the photos she'd taken several days ago.

"I mean. He can be brutish and has a problem drooling whenever he gets hungry, Slobster isn't all that bad. He's a great listener when it comes to me letting out steam."

Volcana explained what made him interested to be around unlike the numerous men and brutes that occupy Gotham, the lobster seemed like the only decent individual who doesn't mind being around a hot-headed metahuman like herself. Fables said nothing but let her have the moment since she thought that Volcana was fun to be around because he could satisfy her the way Spinner did after he helped restore her body. Before they could continue their conversation, the front door opened to show Kite Man and the others coming in to see what had happened to everyone.

"Sorry for us coming in late. But don't fear, because I got us some backup. And other things we can use."

The owner told everyone as Kite Man brought his friends in and introduced Mister Miracle and Big Barda to the gang. Noticing the couple looking at their friend's unusual collection of employees who battled Paradigm's people, they quickly noticed Malice who was sitting with Maria as the Seaviate whale was petting Chesire.

"Great. The other half of my family decided to go against Darkseid and decide to be performers for braindead humans. No offense, Maria."

Malice responded toward the former Apokolips residents since they'd made the planet hate them for defecting and becoming heroes for Earth. Deciding to not respond and focus on the issue at hand, Barda carried a large container that gave the impression that could help the group out with the second attack Paradigm would launch at them. Noonan was behind the counter table where he took a second to look at the uncertain look that Kite Man had on his face for what would happen to him and his friends.

"Guess you're gearing up for a proper fight there, Charles. Think you can handle what's coming?"

Noonan asked Kite Man and used his real name since this was a serious moment that he's facing which involved protecting the Anti-Life Equation from Paradigm. How he said it made the ordinary mam think for a moment about what he'd be facing, with that being said. He decided to make a speech as Kite Man gathered everyone in the bar to hear him, including Six-Pack who managed to pay attention despite being heavily drunk.

"For a while now, you may know that I'm not intimidating or violent like everyone in the room. But you know what I am? An idiot."

Kite Man announced himself about not being intelligent like everyone in the room which took them by surprise for their owner to declare himself an idiot. Golden Glider looked concern for her boyfriend bringing that word up, but he assured her that he was on a role with his speech.

"But being an idiot isn't all that bad, it just means you don't know when to stop. That you can learn from people who are experienced with different skills and ideas you can learn from. And right now? I need to learn how to be strong, for all of us."

Admitting that he wasn't powerful like everyone and wanted to be a better leader if he wanted to continue running Noonan's and protect them from Paradigm. Going over to the container that Barda had brought in, he opens it to show a set of armor that appeared Apokolips issued. His staff and girlfriend watched him assemble the armor on himself as he appeared combat ready as well as have it appear to match his motif of using kites.

"I might not have powers or the skills to take a life. But I promise you, that this idiot is going to need a lot of help if we're going make it out of this."

He asked everyone if they could aid him in this moment of desperation as the sight of him looking serious took each of them by surprise. Out of everyone who looked at him in the bar, Spinner was the first seaviate was the first to walk out and stare Kite man in his eyes to see if he was serious in asking for help. The human didn't blink nor showed any sign of going to run away like they did before, in which earned the bar owner a smirk from Spinner.

"Your just like the Street Sharks back home, defiant to the end. Even in the face of a bigger fish that can bite your head off."

Spinner informed him of his former enemies not giving up no matter what the situation his creator put them in. Patting his shoulder to show he had his support; the others did the same as they were ready to help him in protecting the briefcase and the bar. While it was a good speech for Kite Man and made his staff follow him in the upcoming fight, Barda gestured to everyone for a second since she was curious about something that was bothering her.

"During our trip here, you all told me about how dangerous the human was. What you didn't tell me or Scott is how exactly Paradigm know about the Anti-Life Equation in the first place?"

Asking about how an outsider who hadn't been involved with this type of power come to learn about it. Unsure of how to respond to that question, it was answered with the sound of a booming sound coming from Villigan's as the gang rushed outside to see the building changing. They watched the structure of the establishment changing to a familiar form that made Mister Miracle and Big Barda look in horror of them knowing what it was.

"It's a Para-demon sleeper base."

Mister Miracle recognizing it to that of the omega symbol that was in front of the structure. The doors opened up to show a group of para-demons stepping out and lining up to present the one in charge of them, stepping out was an Apokolips armored Piranoid with that of Killamari and Repteel standing with him. The trio walked out to greet Kite Man's friends as Paradigm growled at them with his piranha face exposed and showing a bloodthirsty expression at them.

"I guess your not the only ones who made friends in the city, my creations."

He told Spinner and Slobster on becoming one of Darkseid's soldiers which caught the two by surprise as well as the rest which made it clear that he served the new god. Kite Man felt scared at his competitor having better equipment and employees with him, but it didn't matter with how he was feeling. Remaining steadfast and not showing any fear toward the Paradigm and the para-demons, he knew that his friends as well as himself would be able to make it out of this, hopefully in time for Scott and Barda's friend to come in and save them before it was too late.