"Lena Luthor. Sister of Lex Luthor and successor in taking over her brother's company after he attempted to take over the planet and ally himself with two alien factions that would offer him their advanced technology. When he was taken into custody, she took over Luthor Enterprises and managed to conduct business within Metropolis and not work with the supervillain community. However, it didn't mean she was innocent after allying herself with the Foot Clan stationed in the city. Whatever their intentions were with Lena and the city, it wouldn't be good. As well as having one of Shredder's top lieutenants working with Lena, Tiger Claw."
Morning-Luthor Enterprises
It was a peaceful morning in the city of Metropolis with everyone going about their ways. Unknowingly being watched by Lena Luthor who was silently watching from above her tower with the company Tiger Claw by her side drinking a cup of milk.
"This city is unlike Tokyo, filled with light and protection. Not knowing that it's being stabbed by someone they believe to be helping them."
Tiger Claw spoke out about what Lena was up to since the mutant tiger knew how dangerous the Foot Clan was and the criminal activity they did in the shadows. The businesswoman said nothing since it reminded her of how Lex was in the same situation working with criminals, her intentions however were different from her brother's.
"What I'm doing is making this city the one place on Earth not a total shitshow. Look at the other choices that Shredder avoided before coming here."
She responded to the tiger about the various places that wouldn't do so well if they decided to set up camp. Lena grabbed a remote off her table to turn on the projector to show Tiger Claw the other cities that appeared to be perfect spots due to their location and how they provided a tactical advantage, only for Lena to chime in on why they were all wrong.
"Central City? Home to everyone's loveable speedster and his psychopath copycat. Star City? Green Arrow's home, seems like a good place but also gets threatened by shadow organizations and assholes trying to blow it up. Bludhaven? Gotham City's little brother."
Explaining how the cities that were suggested to be located would be the Foot's downfall and eventually had the city's crime fighters or resident villains learn about their presence and try to stop them. Tiger Claw said nothing but agreed with what she'd said since the locations seemed optional with how they could blend in without being noticed by prying eyes.
"All that matters is Master Shredder's plan. To establish an empire that can stand against forces like the metahumans like 'Superman' and the rest of his team. Especially with the mutants that Harley has been 'helping'."
Bringing up what his master had been plotting since his leave of Gotham City after his second defeat by Harley Quinn and her unusual alliance that involves heroes, villains, and mutants who stood against him. However, it appeared that the ninja master decided to take her idea and make it his own by gathering mutants and turning them into Foot warriors.
"While I know about his issues with her and Ivy since they'd faced him multiple times, they have their usage despite being a pain in the ass. However, all of this is to make Metropolis the strongest and well-protected city on Earth."
Lena brought up the reason for this alliance between her company and the Foot since it was a necessary alliance for them to keep Metropolis from falling like Gotham City. Just as they'd finished their conversation, they heard a beeping sound going off which indicated that they were needed for a virtual meeting. Lena locked the doors to keep anyone from entering and changed the decor of her office into a Foot-themed room as they saw a hologram appearing in front of them. The two quickly bowed before the figure as it was the Shredder, who was looking down at Lena Luthor and Tiger Claw to know what had been happening within Luthor Enterprises.
"Master Shredder. We have found a set of mutants that I have trained in the ways of the Foot when you arrive. They will be ready to follow your commands."
Tiger Claw informed him about the mutants that Harley had managed to help and sent to Lena to provide them help if there was a way to either turn them back to humans or find somewhere they could call home. Only to become the latest additions to the Foot's rank.
"And with the help of Ivy, we've managed to make the city filled with plant life. It'll look amazing once the city becomes ours to rule."
Lena responded how her botanic department helped bring in more plants into Metropolis so it would be majestic once the Foot came in and established their rule. Thinking that Shredder would respond with optimism about how their plans were going along, only to be met with silence as Lena saw him staring at her with no emotion coming from his eyes.
"Lena Luthor. When we first met, I had come to you in private in the hopes that we would topple your brother and take over the business. However, this was during my time running as mayor of Gotham City. For a time, things have gone according to plan. Until you allowed Ivy to work for you."
Informing her about what his intentions were when Lex was running the business and had planned on taking him out to expand his control to two cities. Lena was focused on the last part about Ivy working with them since her scientific research could benefit the Shredder if it was used for his upcoming rule.
"If you hadn't invited the clown and plant woman in, we wouldn't have this issue in the first place. Which is why I must terminate this partnership, I will not have their mistakes jeopardized again. Not after all my time away preparing for my return."
Shredder informed Lena about the sudden breakup between the Foot and Luthor Enterprises, looking over to Tiger Claw with a simple glare. The tiger went over to the desk and started to collect the information that her company had collected from Ivy's research and the mutants that had been sent to Lena from Harley's sessions.
"Wait. Let's take a moment to think about this quick decision, Harley and Ivy while dangerous have their usage. There's no reason to ruin our partnership."
Lena responded to Shredder's suggestion to break up their partnership which resulted in Tiger Claw growling at the woman for talking back at his master. Shredder halted the mutant warrior from attacking her as he wanted to respond to her suggestion of maintaining their alliance.
"Yes, they are essential. But they are uncontrollable and will not serve anyone who is above them. A calculation you didn't think of when you hired Pamela Ivy. Tiger Claw, give our former benefactor a graceful exit"
Informing Tiger Claw to handle her subtly before his hologram went off leaving Lean Luthor in his capable claws. Unsure of what he had planned for her and watching his side where he had two pistols attached to his holster, attempting to think of a way she could avoid being in the crossfire of Tiger Claw's sight, they didn't hear the door opening up to show an unexpected visitor, Clayface.
"Lena! Finally, I've been trying to find a time for us to meet but your receptionist has been telling me you were in a meeting. I know that was a lie since whatever meeting you're in; the people wait for you."
Clayface spoke out about trying to talk to her but stopped when he noticed the Foot Clan banners around the room and Tiger Claw standing in front of Lena. Growling at the interruption, the mutant tiger started to open fire on Clayface and Lena Luthor. Only for the shapeshifting creature to fly over Lena and encase her into an ball. Understanding why he morphed into a ball; Lena rolled her way out of the office and down the hallway where she jumped out of the window. Clayface reverted back to his normal self and elongated his arms toward to a nearby rooftop as they continued to avoid getting shot at by Tiger Claw who stood out at the broken window.
"This will be interesting."
He responded to what will happen next since Lena would make her way toward Harley and Ivy to no doubt inform them about the former alliance she was just in. Meaning he and the rest of the Foot would have to work quickly to avoid getting noticed by Power Girl and anyone else who'll hear about the incident since it happened in broad daylight.
Later-Harley and Ivy's Penthouse
Having no choice and needing to avoid her safehouses that were planted around the city, Lena instructed Clayface to take her to Ivy's home since Shredder and Tiger Claw would attack them without risking their plans for a fight to breakout. In the living room was the businesswoman having a cup of tea that was made by Splinter after she'd explained what had happened to her, the crew's response toward Lena wasn't taken since she'd basically betrayed them and working for their deadliest enemy.
"What the fuck were you thinking?! I mean yeah, I was an idiot when I trusted Joker and Lex since they offered me excitement and tons of expensive stuff. But this guy should have told you, 'Don't trust the bastard!'"
Harley questioned Lena of thinking that working with the same man that threaten their lives, abused Bebop and Rocksteady, corrupted Ivy's plan on giving Gotham a green makeover, and threatened Splinter's family for years before he met the women that made his former mutants into serious threats.
"Forget about that, I wanna know about this other knock off me and Bebop is. Can't he just get ninjas to handle his jobs than mutants? It's starting to mess with me."
Rocksteady asked about Tiger Claw since the rhino felt upset at how the new mutants that Shredder had brought into the group had better weapons and had mutations that were dangerous than a rhino. Splinter could answer his question by showing him a scar on his wrists and arms showing that he'd encountered Tiger Claw in the past.
"Tiger Claw is one of Shredder's fiercest warriors under his command. He kept him in the shadows only to be summoned if his service was needed, I encountered him in New York when he abducted my sons. He's not to be taken lightly."
The old rat warning them how experienced of a fighter Tiger Claw is if he could give him scars that didn't leave him. Lena acknowledged Splinter on that being truth but knew they would want to know her reason for working with Shredder.
"While I did mess up in working with Shredder, it was because about the shit my brother did in Gotham City. The last thing I want was Metropolis to end up as another apocalyptic shit show. You guys have made a reputation in making a warzone wherever you go, I thought there was a way to avoid it if we worked together."
Lena informed them about what she did was to protect the city from the dangers of the outside world and bring the women into her business to avoid them ruining anything. Only for it to happen without her noticing and forcing Shredder to move forward with his plans in taking over the city.
"Less talking about this 'greater good' crap. More about the mutants that Harley sent to you since there was a mention about you helping them."
Ivy getting to an important issue which resolved the new mutants Harley had managed to calm down and send to Luthor Enterprises with the chance of helping them be cured or find a new way to coop with what they'd become. Lena brought out her phone where she showed them several photos of where the mutants were being taken after they were sent to her building.
"There's a small building that I rented out where Tiger Claw who would force them to join the Foot. Otherwise, he'd threaten to kill their loved ones."
She explained about how Tiger Claw kept the mutants from escaping due to Harley giving Lena information on her patients to help them see their loved ones after their sudden transformations. The four were inches away from killing Lena for being used and having people they mutated become soldiers for the Shredder's army, Clayface stepped in prevent a death from happening in the penthouse since there were important things to think about.
"Now is not the time for random chaos. What's needed is organized chaos, and what better way to rescue the mutants you sent to their doom? With a musical performance!"
Announcing how they could rescue the mutants and halt Shredder's plans since they required him assembling a new army to command. They took a minute to think if what Clayface was making sense with what he'd suggested, only for Harley to wave her finger toward her former teammate at how he was right.
"We need to be unpredictable. This pussycat that has my patients is an badass with no sense of humor, meaning we need to come at him with our usual bullshit. But how are we going do it?"
Harley agreed with the musical performance that Clayface offered since it could distract him long enough for the others to go into the building and rescue the mutants. Feeling like it was a perfect moment for him to offer an idea, Bebop coughed out loudly to get their attention which left them with the impression of the warthog having an idea.
"I don't wanna brag or anything but before I moved here. Karai and I were planning on getting popular on the internet with some dancing, and I happen to have an album that could help us out."
Bebop informing them about what type of music could be use that could distract Tiger Claw and whatever forces that might be in the building that are keeping the mutants from escaping. Looking over at Splinter to see if it was a good idea since they'd never face Tiger Claw and wanted to be sure they weren't walking into a trap. The old rat felt unsure about their plan but knew that it was something that not even Shredder would see coming due to how serious the Foot were. He offered a simple nod before letting the four get started on their plan leaving him to watch Lena by himself and glare at her for working with his most hated enemy since she didn't have any idea what she'd let into Metropolis.
Night Time-Lena Luthor's Mutant Haven
The full moon had risen over the city without anyone noticing there was foul working happening within the streets. Right now in the building that Lena had purchased to take the new mutants that started to appear in Metropolis were in the middle of training under Tiger Claw's watch. He'd already train half of the mutants with sentient minds to follow his commands while the others to be imprisoned, they'd be sent to the Shredder where they'd be modified into serving the Foot obediently. Watching them the mutants using their new forms to become deadly warriors, the tiger was sharpening his claws waiting for a chance to start taking over Metropolis.
"Just wait, young cubs. The time will come for all of you to prove yourselves worthy of falling under the banner of the Foot and rule with power."
Tiger Claw telling his new recruits about how when they came to him, they had believed what Harley said about a chance becoming human was possible. However, he was able to convince them there was no chance due to him being mutated in the past when he was a child. Continuing to watch their progress, one of the Foot ninjas walked out of the shadows and whispered in his ears about something happening outside.
"What are you talking about?"
He questioned the foot soldier about what was going on in front of the building, Tiger Claw made his way toward the window to see an unnatural sight, it was a small homemade stage with Harley and Bebop wearing black clothes along Clayface and Frank the Plant by the side with a DJ set to help with they had planned for Tiger Claw.
"The doctor wanted to check up on her patients! And she wanted to apologize for sending them to you by singing! Hope it doesn't ruin your training but cause I hope it does!"
Bebop shouted at him with Harley giving him the middle finger to make him know she was upset with taking her patients and turning them into soldiers. Not saying a word and growls toward the soldier, it was a single to summon the ninjas as they made their way outside and surrounded the four without making a sound and pointing their swords at them.
"I thought you said this was a gig, not a fucking execution."
Frank the Plant spoke out at Harley who called him over to help with their plan since they needed someone who could work on the DJ set. The ninjas made a path for Tiger Claw who walked out of the building to see the clown and warthog up close since he's heard much about them after the group's encounter with the absurd criminals.
"My master has told me much about you. How you bested him twice, as well as to kill you on sight before having a chance to act. I say this now because I'm granting a few more seconds at live, a privilege I do not offer to my enemies."
Telling the four about his intention on killing them on sight before leaping into the air and pulling out his sword to cut them down quick haste. Only to be taken out in midair and collapsing on the ground amongst his men, the small army looked up to see a blonde haired woman looked down at them and upset with there being an hidden group of ninjas hiding in her city.
"I can't have one day to relax without you bringing this into Metropolis."
She commented toward Harley and Bebop about what was happening as their mystery savior was Power Girl who had been informed about what was happening. With her throwing the first punch toward their leader, Bebop singled Frank to start playing as the speakers were loud enough to cause the Foot Ninjas to break out of formation giving Harley and Bebop the moment to start their performance.
"I'm tired of injustice, I'm tired of the schemes. Your lies are disgusting. So, what does it mean, damn it? Kickin' me down, I got to get up, as jacked as it sounds. The whole system sucks, damn it!"
He started singing for them while punching the ninjas who attempted to stab him with their swords. Using the dance moves he had practiced with Karai back in Gotham, he'd managed to avoid the attacks but wasn't able to see a set of chains grabbing him by the legs. Dropping to the ground and going for the kill, they didn't see Harley kicking them in the face and joining the fight.
"Peek in the shadow, come into the light. You tell me I'm wrong, then you better prove you're right. You're sellin' out souls but I, I care about mine. I've got to get stronger, then I won't give up the fight."
Telling the ninjas about getting stronger as she helped Bebop get back on his feet and taking the swords that were on the ground. The two went back-to-back watching the ninja's cornering them on all sides leaving Clayface and Power girl wanted to help but was stopped since they had an idea on what they were doing.
"With such confusion, don't it make you wanna scream? Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme. You try to cope with every lie they scrutinize, somebody please have mercy cause I just can't take it!"
Bebop cried out before pulling out a trigger from his pocket and pressed it which made the stage sent out several smoke bombs to the ground blinding everyone who was on the street. Giving everyone the chance to overwhelm the ninjas by taking them by surprise.
"Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream. Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop fuckin' me, make me wanna scream."
The two doing a duet together while taking out the ninjas with having support from above with Power Girl taking them out and Clayface using his shapeshifting abilities to overwhelm them. While they provided the distraction of keeping Tiger Claw outside as well as his ninjas, Ivy along with Rocksteady and Splinter made their way inside of the building to help free the mutants and getting them away from the Foot.
"Tired of you tellin' the story your way, its causin' confusion. You think it's okay, damn it!"
Bebop shouting at a Foot ninja before throwing one into a car as the smoke started to clear and show Tiger Claw the last one standing against them unfazed by their skills in handling his warriors. He lets out a roar that singled several mutants that had been converted into the Foot to leap out of the building and land by his side. Harley was shocked at the patients she attempted to help with their transformations turned against her and would be used for whatever Shredder had planned for them.
"You keep changin' the rules while I, I keep playin' the game. I can't take it much longer, I think I might go insane!"
Harley shouted at Tiger Claw before seeing one of her patients that was a mutant pigeon attempting to take her head off with its peak. Only for Power Girl to grab him by the leg and toss him to the side as she and Clayface offered their support since the mutants were twice as strong as Bebop.
"With such confusion, don't it make you wanna scream? Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme. You find your pleasure scandalizin' every lie. Oh father, please have mercy, cause I just can't take it!"
The two continued the song while avoiding being mauled by the mutant Foot soldiers. Meanwhile, Tiger Claw decided to step into the fight as he engaged the warthog head on while Harley had to prevent from getting killed by the mutants since they had it out for her on putting them in this predicament.
"Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream. Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop fuckin' me, make me wanna scream."
Continuing to sing despite being overwhelmed by the mutants as the three had started to have their hands full with what they were fighting. Harley was dealing with an mutant beaver that was chomping his teeth at her, Power-Girl was fighting in the air as she was handling an mutated condor that was able to overpower her with its size and Clayface being ripped to pieces by two insect mutants. Frank watched the horror show happening in front of him and looked at his DJ set seeing he needed to change the tide of this fight.
"Oh my God, can't believe what I saw as I turned on the TV. This evening, I was disgusted by all the injustice. All the injustice."
He sang softly before putting on a set of headphones and turned up the volume which caused the mutants to move back and shrink away from Ivy's plant using music to battle them. Looking over at how disoriented the mutants had become and realizing what was happening, Bebop helped Harley get back on stage where they synchronized their movements which caught the mutant's attention where they were able to help forget the training Tiger Claw had given them.
"With such confusion, don't it make you wanna scream? Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme. You find your pleasure scandalizin' every lie. Oh Father, please have mercy, cause I just can't take it!"
They told them about how they couldn't handle seeing the people they were responsible for mutating and sending them to a place where they'd been turned into soldiers. It was responded by the building behind them being destroyed from the inside with plants coming out from the walls and windows with Ivy making her exit and having Rocksteady and Splinter getting the captured mutants of the building.
"Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream. Stop pressurin' me, just stop pressurin' me. Stop pressurin' me, make me wanna scream."
Finishing the song and having the mutants that had broken free from Tiger Claw's training and released from there prison applauded on being saved. Meanwhile, Tiger Claw growled at the humiliation at being bested by a clown and pulled out special gun that been designed by Luthor Enterprises and aimed it at Harley.
"My master might have failed to take out someone when he was beaten. But I won't!"
He shouted which caught the gang's attention and saw Tiger Claw pulling the trigger which fired off a bullet that was glowing green. It was a kryptonite bullet that appeared capable of killing Superman, but instead of killing Power Girl due to her being related to the man of steel. He took his frustration out on Harley as it was seconds away from going through her heart, only for Frank the Plant to throw himself in front of her and take the bullet.
"Frank!"
Ivy cried out as she made her way past the ground to check on the wounded plant as the kryptonite bullet had managed to shatter the plant as well as go straight through his body. Power Girl wanted to assist but couldn't due to her getting weak from standing near the green rock, it gave Tiger Claw the chance to escape from being captured by the crew. However, they were focused on helping Frank with the bullet but was unable to pull it out of his body, the plant coughed up blood as he looked at Ivy trying to save him.
"I guess got to be a hero for once. Didn't know it hurt this much, right mom?"
Asking Ivy which made the woman tear up before seeing Frank dying in her arms after calling her a parental figure. The mutants watched in silence at the plant woman breaking down as well as the others since Frank had been with them since the beginning. Splinter gripped his fist in silence at how this was what Shredder would do to people who stood against him. He'd take away loved ones who were important to his enemy's lives; it was also his downfall when it came to them avenging their deaths at any cost.
The song used for this chapter was 'Scream' by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. All rights belong to the writers and those who helped make the song.