DC: The Brave and the Bawdy

Supergirl & Batgirl: World's Finest Feud

"And here you'll find our CSI lab," explained the tour guide, "Here MCPD forensic scientists use their dedication and experience to help ongoing investigations."

Barbara looked over the guide's shoulder into the lab. It didn't seem very different from the Gotham City Police Department. Indeed, it was significantly less impressive than the lab Batman kept in the batcave. Bruce had warned her this might be the case. Still, it was worth the trip to see Metropolis.

Barbara was still enrolled in her forensic psychology track at Gotham University. Though Bruce assured her it was unnecessary and that he could teach her anything she needed, she remained skeptical. She didn't want to stake her entire hero career on faith in one person alone, even if that person was Bruce Wayne.

The university had offered a trip to visit Metropolis City Police Department Headquarters, which Barbara was touring now. She was already exasperated with this tour. She knew everything they'd say; it was a waste of her time.

Initially Barbara had also hoped to get a sighting of Superman out of her trip. Batman had files on him of course, but they were all very impartial and technical. She wanted to see Superman in person. Unfortunately, Bruce informed her before she left that Superman would be off-planet on Justice League business during her trip.

Suddenly the fluorescent lights throughout the room flickered, emitting a buzzing sound as everyone began to murmur. After a few seconds the power went off completely. The murmurs escalated into fearful whispers.

"Relax, everyone!" said the tour guide, holding up her phone, "Superhuman activity near the power plant. Our power's down but we're safe."

Barbara realized that Metropolis had some sort of citywide alert system for emergencies. Gotham could benefit from something like that. Maybe she'd casually bring it up with her dad sometime.

"I'm sure Superman will have the situation handled shortly," assured the guide.

Except Superman isn't in town, thought Barbara, slinking away from the tour group, Looks like this trip's about to get a lot more interesting.

***

Supergirl slowed to a steady cruise over the power plant. She did a quick x-ray scan of the building and realized to her relief that everyone had already been evacuated. There was only one person still inside: the perpetrator. Supergirl couldn't make out exactly who or what it was, but it appeared humanoid in form and was headed toward the generator room. Supergirl rushed in through a window and swooped to cut them off.

When Superman had left on Justice League business, he had requested Supergirl watch over Metropolis for him. It was easier said than done when there were no procedures in place for the city coordinating with Supergirl. She didn't even find out about this incident until long after the alert system went off. She was just glad no one was hurt.

The figure rounded the corner and arrived at the door to the engine room where Supergirl stood guard. He was a masculine figure made of a glowing pink substance with patches of glowing white light. The faceless front of the head moved as to make a facial expression.

"Parasite," identified Supergirl, "Old habits die hard, huh? Still stealing whatever energy you can find."

"Supergirl," hissed Parasite, "Get out of my way. That electricity is mine!"

Parasite ran at Supergirl, who instinctively fired her heat vision at him. The red laser collided with Parasite's chest, but his whole body pulsed as his body just absorbed the heat and energy from the attack.

"More..." purred Parasite.

Parasite went to jump at Supergirl again, but a bolas struck him from behind and left him bound in the weapon on the floor. Supergirl looked up in confusion. Standing behind the downed Parasite was a woman in a bat costume.