[Bruce Wayne's POV]
It was late evening in Gotham City. Batman and Batgirl just returned to the Batcave, taking off their cowl as they got out off the Batmobile.
"Welcome Master Bruce, Miss Barbara." Alfred welcomed.
"Thank you Alfred. I won't be having dinner tonight, and if you need me I'll be at my study." Bruce said, walking out of the Batcave as he called it a night.
"I'm afraid you have a guest Master Bruce." Alfred said, stopping him on his tracks.
"Master Queen has been seated at your study for the past three hours, he insisted I don't inform you of his presence until you returned." Alfred informed. "If you'd excuse me Master Bruce, I have to go and prepare some tea." Alfred said to him, walking out in the direction of the kitchen.
"It seems you have your hands full tonight, goodnight Bruce" Barbara said to him as she left for her room.
Walking into his study, he saw Oliver standing in front of a bookshelf, scanning through the books.
"You stay out so late, do you even sleep?" Oliver Queen teased, having a playful tone to his pitch.
"Why are you here?" Bruce bluntly asked.
"With everything that's been going on, I think we're due for a little chat." He replied gesturing for Bruce to take a seat.
"I know we are still recovering from the attack but I think…." He was abruptly cut off by a beeping sound from Bruce's watch.
"What's that sound?" He asked.
"An emergency, whatever it is you want it can wait for the night, I have to go." Bruce said as he made his way to the Batcave. "Stay here." He instructed before leaving Oliver behind.
Dropping on a rooftop as he surveyed the scene, trying to get gather as much information concerning what he just stumbled upon before dropping down.
As he observed the scene, he barely noticed the person behind on time but immediately turned around to strike the invader.
"Shhhhh!!! It's just me." Green Arrow said, fully geared up in his hero getup.
"What are you doing? Gotham is under my jurisdiction and I don't like it when people interfere with any of my business regarding Gotham." Batman said in attempt of shutting him down completely without rescues.
"So, what are we looking at?" Green Arrow asked, completely ignoring Batman's words.
Seeing as there was no point in trying to persuade a man who wouldn't listen, he decided to move on without stressing on it.
"Just stay close, and don't do anything out of character, this isn't Star City." Batman instructed before shooting his grapple hook and gliding through the air, Green Arrow did the same except with an arrow attached to a line as they both dropped in the midst of some lackeys.
The Green Arrow and Batman neutralized the base and Batman singled out a man as he dragged him to the kicked him to the ground.
"He goes by the name Luka Volk and his a crime lord here in Gotham. I've been tracking his activities for a while now but he went completely off the grid for some months now." Batman filled in Green Arrow on the situation.
"My facial recognition software just spotted him about half an hour ago. Either someone has been helping him hide, or he grew smarter, but I doubt it's the latter." Batman said as he stood up to his feet, dragging him up. "Now why don't you give up who's been helping you transport your goods on the low and completely evading the law." Batman added.
"Give us a name in five seconds or I'd drive this steel arrow right through your knee." Green Arrow threatened with a baleful attitude, drawing his bow as Batman landed a quick and solid punch across the jaw of his hostage.
"Speak up." Batman threatened while Green Arrow ended his countdown. "Time up buddy." He said as he sent a steel arrow right through the thigh of their captive.
Arghhh!!!*
As the arrow drilled through his thigh, it's metal head dug into the ground with the arrow half way through his thigh. "That was a warning shot. Unless you want to start using a wheelchair for the rest of your life, start talking or the next one goes through your knee cap, then right into the other if you choose to be stubborn." Batman warned, his cold and stoic demeanor made it clear he wasn't kidding around.
"This time around you have just until five." Green Arrow said as he began his countdown and drawing his bow in the process. "One…. Two… Three."
"Okay.. Wait." He pleaded. "I could loose my life for this." He said, a bit hesitant.
"Speak up!" Batman said as he ripped out the arrow from his thigh. "Ghost!!" He yelled in agony. "His name is Ghost, that's all I know about him."
"YOU FUCKER!" He exclaimed in agonizing pain as he instantly applied pressure to his wound.
"Ghost…" Batman muttered as he locked eyes with Green Arrow and both gave a subtle nod. "Tell us everything you know about him." Batman pressed on.
"All I know is his name, I swear. No one has seen him, no one even knows him. He could be anywhere and currently has great influence in Gotham City underground…" Heavily talking through the pain, he continued. "Surprising thing is that the Valentines, the Falcone, the Berettis and even the Cassamento crime family aren't in opposition to the kind of power he's been accumulating." He spilled out.
"What else do you know about him? Tell us what he's majorly known for." Green Arrow asked as he placed a foot right on the hand placed on the bleeding thigh as Green Arrow slowly increased the pressure, stepping on his wounded leg.
"Honestly I don't really know, his into a lot of jobs but is currently known as the most trusted and efficient broker in Gotham underworld…I swear that's all I know." He said, groaning from the pain.
"We are done here." Batman said before striking a blow to his head, knocking him out, the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.
…
"You're telling me this Ghost guy has been in your city for a while and even established himself in the criminal underground, all without your knowing." Green Arrow said to Batman upon their arrival at the Batcave, Batman on his Batmobile and Green Arrow with his bike.
"I've been on the lookout for him since we first came across him, but am just only hearing of him in Gotham." Batman said, taking a seat at his desk as he looked through a mass of information on the monitors.
"He's in my turf now, I'll smoke him out like I have always done." Batman declared in a calm and stoic tone, not breaking his sight from the computer screens for even a second as typed on the keyboard.
"Tea sir" Alfred poured Oliver Queen a cup of steaming hot tea, then placed another cup full of tea on the desk next to Bruce. "Thanks Alfred, it's going to be a long night so I suggest you head on out now." Batman suggested to Green Arrow, hoping to shake him off.
"Come on Batsy, he's involved with I and my city too." He said, refusing Batman as they went through clues that could help them map out any of Ghost's activities so far.
…
Lois Lane emerged from the bustling building of the Daily Planet which was just finished with reconstruction and back in business, her auburn hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders. The city's chaos seemed to fade as she stepped into the crisp air, a momentary escape from the relentless deadlines and newsroom chatter. Unbeknownst to her, an unexpected force brewed above, a tempest gathering strength.
Suddenly, an intense gust swept through the city, catching Lois off guard. She felt weightless, lifted off her feet as the wind whisked her into its invisible grasp. A symphony of her startled screams blended seamlessly with the howling wind, echoing through the urban canyons.
"Lois Lane, just the woman I wanted to see," he declared, the words barely audible over the gusting wind.
As Lois found herself suspended mid-air, her eyes fluttered open to an unexpected figure clad in sleek black attire, and his fit physique quite visible through his getup. Ace who was currently one of the most talked topics among the media, grinned beneath the mask concealing his identity.
With a gust of effort, Lois managed to steady herself, adjusting her disheveled clothes with an air of composure. "You basically kidnapped me for an interview?" she quipped, meeting Ace's gaze with an arched eyebrow.
Ace chuckled, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "Would you have preferred a fancy dinner for our tête-à-tête?" He asked as he handed her bag to her.
Lois rolled her eyes but couldn't deny her intrigue in the unexpected encounter. "Fine, what's the message you went through all this trouble to send? "
Leaning closer, Ace's eyes sparkled beneath the mask. "Tell Superman I'll be at their headquarters tomorrow night, right after dinner time. I just might be willing to address their request on the news."
"Why not do a private interview right now, we're here already, we might as well do something."
"I think it's an opportunity for us to get to know ourselves even better. For starters, how about you give me your digits and we could go out on a fun date sometime." Ace suggested, taking a step into her personal space, his nanotech mask unveiling itself into a visor as he planted a gentle kiss at the back of her hand before turning back into a complete mask.
"What do you know… He does have manners." She sarcastically remarked. "Only when I choose to." He replied, clearly flirting with her."
"Cocky much?" She asked, referring to his personality. "Very, much." He replied as she called out her cell phone number, not showing much resistance her head overflowing with so many questions but she knew he wouldn't answer them if he didn't feel like it, so she kept quiet.
"Pass on the message to Superman and the rest of the League." Ace said as his feet left the ground, slowly floating into the night sky as he spoke to Lois. "Hopefully we get our date night one of these nights." He teased before turning around.
"Wait! Don't just leave me here." She called out.
"Use the Elevator." Ace briefly replied and with a smirk beneath his mask as he flew off into the night sky, leaving Lois at the rooftop and with a mix of confusing emotions.
In the heart of Metropolis, the Justice League gathered at their headquarters, encircling a large table bathed in the ambient glow of overhead lights. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of urgency as the iconic heroes, each with their unique abilities, convened to address pressing matters and strategize solutions.
"It's almost nine o'clock," Superman's commanding voice cut through the air, his piercing gaze fixed on the entrance. "He would be here soon."
The Flash, ever the Irreverent speedster, leaned back in his chair, eyes darting toward the doorway. "I guess we should be expecting him to walk through that hallway. Might be just me, but I can't wait to watch his awkward entry and introduction."
"That's too bad; I've been here the whole time," a disembodied voice echoed, sending a chill through the room. "Jesus!" Flash reacted, looking around like there was some kind of ghost in the room. Wonder Woman, quick to react, demanded, "Show yourself," prompting the heroes to assume defensive stances.
Superman and Martian Manhunter used their heat vision, attempting to pierce the unseen veil. Batman, donned in ultraviolet goggles, found no advantage. "Listen for a heartbeat," Batman suggested to Superman, who strained but couldn't discern a sound. "He completely erased his presence," Martian Manhunter added.
"Show yourself, Ace, enough with the games," Batman's gruff tone cut through the tension.
"Chill out, Batsy, I'm here, aren't I?" a voice nonchalantly responded. Ace's figure slowly materialized at the far end of the table, confidently seated as if he'd been there all along.
"How did you do that?" Flash asked, for him he would have to phase faster than the human eye could see as his molecules temporarily become like the wind, all while standing still. But Ace cloaked himself with his defective field which deflected light particles of his surroundings, nullifying every sound from escaping his field as it also concealed his heat signature.
"It's all in the art of deception." Ace replied, clearly indicating he just made himself undetectable from their senses."
"How long have you been here?" Batman asked.
"For almost half an hour, really good speech by the way, I could almost feel the American spirit of patriotism." Ace commented on Superman's speech, while Batman gestured for everyone to take their seats.
"Why didn't you make yourself known when you arrived?" Aquaman asked.
"No particular reason, I just wanted to watch you heroes in your natural habitat, away from the cameras and in the absence of the media." Ace bluntly replied.
"I've noticed your powers are quite versatile, I'd really like to know it's basic nature." Batman said, directing his request to Ace as he did not want to waste an opportunity to figure out the true nature of Ace's powers.
"How about we just get right to the chase." Ace openly suggested, clearly aware of the true intent behind Batman's inquisition regarding his powers.
"There's no doubt you are one of the most powerful person's on the planet, why not use that power for good and help make the world a better place. For with great power comes…" Superman was abruptly interrupted by Ace.
"Don't give me that great responsibility crap, I refuse to be responsible for anything or duty which does not affect me directly." Ace said.
"So you'd rather roam around like a nuisance, wasting your potential on insignificant activities." Green Lantern chipped in.
"Yeah, I'd rather keep my freewill, roaming around without being restricted by any rule. If I find something unpleasant, I might just do something about it every once in a while...If I felt like it, that is." He said for all to hear.
"You need to pick a side, it's either you are the same side with the law or at the other side of it." Superman said, pressing Ace to pick.
"That's were you're wrong, Boy Scout." Ace replied. "You all act as if you only see the world through black and white lenses." Ace added, seating up as he continued.
"In this world where people only see black and white…. I see the Grey of things, that's why I choose to stand on the grey side of things, minding my business and not meddling unless necessary, or if I feel like it." He added.
"And what specifically do you mean by staying in the grey?" Manhunter asked.
"It means I'm not going to get involved with hero business, neither would I indulge in the crappy lifestyle of your so-called villains it'd be a waste of my time and an almost too-easy hobby." Ace clarified. "I'm just a dude who wants to live my life to the fullest and with all it's perks as I try to figure out this journey we all call life." Ace concluded.
"Then why you wear a mask? To evade the consequences of your wrong doings while at it?" Wonder Woman questioned.
"If my identity is revealed, I wouldn't be able to walk down the streets like a normal dude, would I now?" He defended.
"It's quite a shame because the Justice League could really use someone with your abilities, it would be a real tragedy to watch it waste away like that." Aquaman said, trying to envision the Justice League with someone like Ace who could go toe-to toe and hold his own against their major powerhouse.
"As from this moment onward, you're hereby forbidden from interfering with hero business, and would have to face the law if your actions are crime related."
"Absolutely not." Ace calmly objected. "As the name given to me suggests, a tyrant doesn't abide to rules but does as he pleases." Ace said.
"The reason I set up this meeting on this fine evening, is so I could clarify where we stand with each other. Our little team up against Darkseid doesn't make us buddies. If anyone of you lots dares to interfere with my business and attempts to apprehend me in the name of your so called justice, they would certainly regret doing so." Ace warned as he stood up from his seat.
"The laws are what keeps us civilized, a lawless man is comparable to an animal who acts on instincts." Batman stated.
"That's all I had to say to you all. Goodnight folks, and thanks for being present this fine evening." Ace quickly concluded before disappearing into thin air just as he had appeared earlier, not giving anyone a chance at trying to stop him from ending the meeting right there and then.
"Hey, don't just state your demands and disappear like that…" Flash said out loud but got no response. "He's gone isn't he?" Flash said with a hint of sarcasm, turning back to the others.
"Damn, that's one cool way to exit a room." Cyborg muttered, admiring how cool Ace powers actually was.
"Is it just me or did it seem like we offered him some terms and conditions, but he ended up making it one sided and dropped a list of demands instead." Green Lantern said as he mused at the turn of events. The Justice League usually has the upper hand in these cases but this time Ace managed to turn the table around and force his will unto them.
"We aren't letting him roam around doing as he pleases right?" Cyborg asked Batman.
"Of course we aren't, we just have to carefully tend to his case since he's unpredictable and very dangerous. Do well to stay clear of him." Batman replied, dismissing the meeting as they called it a night.
…
[Bruce Wayne's POV]
In the shadowed depths of the Batcave, Bruce Wayne, the enigmatic vigilante known as Batman, found himself haunted by whispers of a mysterious crime lord—dubbed "Ghost." Veiled in secrecy, Ghost had eluded Batman's relentless pursuit, remaining an enigma within the criminal underworld. Despite his vigilant efforts, the Dark Knight had been blindsided by the elusive figure's presence.
Silent and brooding, Bruce immersed himself in the dim glow of multiple monitors, each revealing fragments of intelligence he had meticulously gathered. The murmurings of the criminal elite provided mere whispers, leaving Batman grappling with the inscrutable identity of Ghost. His dedication to the pursuit of justice had consumed him, leading him to interrogate influential criminals, but their lips remained sealed, denying any knowledge of the crime lord.
Tonight, the atmosphere in the Batcave crackled with anticipation, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface. The air resonated with the distant echoes of Batgirl's arrival, the roar of her motorcycle announcing her return from the nocturnal patrol. Yet, Bruce's steely gaze remained fixated on the array of screens, his attention undiverted even as Alfred, the loyal butler, extended a courteous welcome to Barbara.
"Welcome back, Miss Barbara," Alfred intoned with a dignified grace.
"Thank you, Alfred," came Barbara's reply, her voice carrying the fatigue of a night spent thwarting criminal endeavors.
Observing the apparent tranquility, Bruce finally acknowledged her presence without diverting his gaze. "A calm night, I see."
Barbara, undeterred by his stoicism, offered insights into her night's exploits. "After stopping a sloppy attempted robbery, the rest of the night was pretty chill."
"Still nothing on this Ghost guy?" The mention of Ghost prompted Bruce's response, revealing the weight of his obsession.
"Nothing useful so far," he admitted, a subtle promise of resolution underlying his words.
As Barbara sought potential avenues, Bruce's mind hinted at a strategy involving Oswald Cobblepot, the infamous Penguin. A spark of determination flickered in his eyes as he considered the possibility of Penguin actually snitching.
"Oswald Cobblepot would give me information if it benefits him," Bruce mused, his tone implying a shared interest.
Barbara, ever perceptive, completed the thought. "Meaning you hope he also wishes to take down this Ghost guy as much as you do."
With a decisive resolve, Bruce stood, the ambient light glinting off the edges of his hanging cowl. "Seems like Penguin would be getting a little visit from the Bat tonight."