21

With the 2.3 million dollars he had successfully "fluidly redistributed," Joseph didn't need to go out as Flux anymore.

And weirdly enough, he didn't know how to feel about that.

At least he could finally revamp his apartment. He'd thought about moving, but that meant dealing with banks, accounts, and way too many questions. This place took cash, no questions asked. Plus, it had been home—his mom had lived here with him his whole life.

He replaced everything. Old furniture was left outside for anyone to take. New furniture was brought in. Nova handled the rest, piloting Joseph's body with precision as it repainted the walls and arranged everything in a layout designed for happiness and productivity. Something about Feng Shui.

By the time it was done, the apartment was unrecognizable—clean white walls, dark brown furniture, light marble vinyl flooring.

All done past midnight. No need for nosy neighbors to get ideas.

He also got himself a high-end PC. LexCorp made the best specs on the market, even if he hated them for the whole "experimental vaccines on kids" thing.

Now, as he sat watching Nova monitor BellCoin, he saw it growing. A small but dedicated group of cryptography enthusiasts, developers, cypherpunks, and criminals had started running the software, strengthening the network.

BellCoin was taking off.

And then he got an email.

Someone from LexCorp wanted to "collaborate" and "promote BellCoin together."

Buying their tech was one thing. Actively working with and benefiting them?

Hell no.

Joseph left the message on read.

**

Selina had been busy lately. She had just liberated trafficked women from a Leviathan facility.

Leviathan was a growing dangerous terror organization that sought to dismantle society and rebuild it with them as rulers. She didn't know what purpose these women served but some things just had to be done. And some people had to be stopped.

That's how she found herself in Barcelona.

The masquerade was in full swing at the opulent Montserrat Mansion. Chandeliers sparkled over guests dressed as their favorite heroes and villains. Music swirled through the air, laughter punctuating the decadent atmosphere.

Black Mask and his entourage arrived in style, stepping through the grand entrance as if they owned the place. Tobias Whale, towering and monstrous in his white suit, greeted them with a shark-like grin.

"Our hostess awaits," Whale said, leading them through the velvet-draped corridors.

Behind them, Selina Kyle entered alone, draped in an old-school Catwoman costume—purple bodysuit, high boots, and a domino mask. Black Mask's men barely spared her a glance, unaware of the danger that had just slipped past them.

In the grand chamber, Barbara Minerva otherwise known as Cheetah stood at the center, radiating authority. Golden bracelets jingled on her wrists, and her piercing eyes took in Black Mask's approach.

"Welcome to Leviathan, Roman," Minerva purred. "Do you have what we discussed?"

With a flourish, Black Mask produced a small velvet case and opened it. Nestled inside was the Cat's Eye Emerald, its deep green hues shimmering under the lights.

"Consider this my entrance fee," Mask said.

Minerva smiled approvingly. The emerald was taken to the mansion's vault for safekeeping. The moment the doors shut behind the guards, Selina slipped away.

Outside, her black cat, Isis, who she had found when training Joseph, prowled near the security post. The feline leaped onto the guard's shoulders, claws digging into flesh. The man yelped and scrambled to chase the cat, leaving a window of opportunity to sneak in.

Perfect.

Selina shed the outdated disguise, revealing her modern Catwoman suit beneath. She moved with precision, scaling the mansion's walls and planting a device that would loop the security feed. The vault awaited.

Inside, the emerald sat atop a marble pedestal, surrounded by laser sensors. She flipped acrobatically over the beams, landing soundlessly. Just as she reached for the gem, a batarang clanged against the pedestal.

The alarms screamed to life.

**

The masquerade turned into chaos as Catwoman crashed through the ballroom, the emerald clenched in her gloved fingers. Guests gasped as Whale and Mask's men drew their weapons.

"Stop her!" Minerva's voice cut through the clamor.

Selina vaulted off a table, kicked off the chandelier, and landed at the exit. Outside, her car awaited.

Engines roared behind her. Black SUVs surged after her down the winding streets. But Selina was no amateur. She weaved through alleys, tires screeching.

Just when she thought she'd lost them, a dark figure appeared in her path. A Batcycle.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," she muttered.

The last thing she saw was Batwoman launching a grappling line at her car before she lost control and crashed.

**

Pain pulsed through Selina's skull as she stirred. Isis meowed, nudging her awake.

She was in a jet, restrained but unharmed. Across from her stood Batwoman, and beside her, two serious-looking individuals—Julia Pennyworth and King Faraday of Interpol.

"Morning, Cat," Batwoman said. "We need to talk."

"I assume you're not here to discuss my fashion choices," Selina quipped, flexing against her restraints.

"Leviathan is bigger than you think. Minerva's at the top, but there's an entire network beneath her," Julia said. "We need someone who can infiltrate their inner circle."

"And you need me," Selina said, rolling her eyes.

"You've been very active lately. We've been watching. Help us take down Leviathan, and we'll clear your record."

Selina sighed. "Am I working alone?"

"You can bring backup," Batwoman offered. "But make it count."

Selina hesitated. This was huge. Dangerous. But… she had just the person in mind.

A smirk curled her lips. "Alright. I know a guy."

As she was handed a comm by Batwoman, she whispered, "Time to call in that favor, Flux."

**

Barbara Minerva swirled a glass of wine, her expression cold.

"She took the emerald," Whale said. "We recovered it, but—"

"No excuses," Minerva cut him off. "Catwoman thinks she can defy Leviathan. We'll make an example of her."

She reached for a secure line. "Find her. And kill her."

The hunt was on.