Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 26

Metropolis; October 1st, 04:42 EST

"Could really use that backup any time now," I angrily growl out my frustration into my commlink, grunting as I throw a handful of batbombs at Grundy.

I follow up with a kick at Copperhead's gut, launching him backwards and not a moment too soon. He was about to sink his dangerous fangs into my shoulder. I duck and roll, coming up into a crouching position, assessing the situation to find five villains coming at me at once.

"Will I do?"

Wonder Woman suddenly flies by me with arms extended and fists clenched, her raven hair whipping behind her like a banner as she slams directly into Bizzaro who is in the process of charging straight at me. The corner of my mouth twitches slightly at the sight of her, a red blur racing past me on the other side to tackle Killer Frost to the ground.

"Can I join the party too?" Flash asks as he jumps to his feet, his fists on his hips in an overemphasized triumphant stance, though victory is hardly ours yet.

My delight with seeing Diana is abruptly erased with the sight of the scarlet speedster. "If you must," I grumble under my breath, turning to take on an enraged Grundy who has already recovered from the bombs I'd tossed his way.

"Grundy gonna pound you into little bat pieces," he threatens me, his fists clenched as he takes a swing at me.

I duck beneath his arm, spinning on my heel and slamming my elbow into his back. He growls in anger as I slip on a pair of brass knuckles, swinging back around and connecting with his jaw. He stumbles back from the direct hit, allowing me a chance to throw an electrified bola. It wraps around him, effectively dropping him to the ground with a loud cry of pain.

I turn, pulling my cape around me to check on the others. Diana is trading blows with Bizarro in the air while Flash dodges icy blasts from Killer Frost and Star Sapphire. Copperhead decides to take out Flash while he's distracted, sneaking up from behind.

"Flash!" I yell. "Behind you!"

He zips out of the way of an icy blast at just the right moment, Killer Frost hitting Copperhead. I throw a batarang at a distracted Killer Frost, hitting her in the forehead and knocking her out. Bizzaro yells as Diana delivers one unremitting blow after another, finishing him off with a bone-rattling kick to the jaw.

He falls to the ground, groaning and struggling to get back up only to fall back down face first. Diana turns towards Star Sapphire, blocking a direct hit before wrapping her up in her lasso. She pulls the female villain in and slamming her fist into her jaw, effectively knocking her out.

Flash waits as I finish securing Killer Frost, Diana landing on the ground next to him with Star Sapphire. Straightening up, I turn towards them to find Diana giving me a mischeivious smile. "So could I have a recording of you saying you needed help?" she teasingly asks.

I give her a deadly glare for Flash's benefit only. "No," I flatly state. "Took you two long enough."

"What were you doing in Metropolis?" she asks. "I thought you were in Gotham patrolling."

"I had to come to Metropolis to follow up on a lead on Ash," I reply. "Where's Superman? Why isn't here taking care of his own city?"

Diana cocks an eyebrow, telling me that she isn't going to settle for such little information. "He's in Argentina. What lead and why wasn't I notified of this development?"

Flash looks from her to me and back again, laughter spilling from his lips. "Why would Bats call you for anything related to Gotham?" he asks. "That's like—"