Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The underground tunnels beneath Metropolis stretched in every direction, a labyrinth of forgotten passageways and reinforced escape routes that Alexander had carefully mapped and modified. As he and Selina landed on the metal platform below, she shot him a glare.

"That was reckless."

Alexander adjusted his collar, smirking. "It was necessary."

Selina scoffed. "Superman nearly crushed your throat."

He rolled his neck, feeling the lingering pressure where the Kryptonian had held him. "And now he's angry. That's exactly what I wanted."

She crossed her arms. "Explain."

Alexander stepped forward, leading her through the dimly lit tunnel. "Superman is predictable. He holds back, follows rules, and believes in the system. If I play by that system, he has to hesitate. But the moment I start breaking those rules?"

Selina's eyes narrowed. "You force him into a position where he either breaks his own code or watches everything slip away."

"Exactly." Alexander smirked. "He's the symbol of order, which means he can't fight someone who knows how to make the system work in his favor."

They reached a reinforced door at the end of the corridor. Selina leaned against the frame. "And what happens when he stops playing nice? When he decides he's done following the rules?"

Alexander chuckled, placing his hand on the scanner. The door hissed open. "Then we adapt."

Inside, the underground war room came to life. Screens displayed Metropolis, Gotham, Central City—every major hub where Alexander's influence was growing. His lieutenants stood at attention, waiting for their orders.

One of them, a former Intergang strategist named Marcus, stepped forward. "Sir, the Kryptonite gas slowed him down, but it won't work next time. He's already developing countermeasures."

Alexander nodded. "Good. That means he's acknowledging us as a real threat."

Selina leaned on the table. "So what's next? We keep poking the bear until he snaps?"

Alexander's smile didn't fade. "No. We starve him."

The room fell silent.

Marcus frowned. "You mean… cut off his support systems?"

Alexander turned to the screens, watching a live feed of Lois Lane at the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olsen following leads, and even Bruce Wayne in Gotham. "Superman doesn't operate in isolation. He relies on connections—people he trusts, systems that function without question."

He pointed to the screens.

"Take those away, and he crumbles."

Selina studied the footage. "You want to dismantle his world piece by piece."

"Not just his," Alexander said smoothly. "All of them."

The room grew colder.

Marcus hesitated. "Sir, if we push too hard, we'll be at war with the entire League."

Alexander's smirk widened. "Marcus, we've been at war. The difference is, now they know it."

A notification flashed across the main screen.

Gotham: Phase One Initiated.

Selina arched an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

Alexander picked up a glass of whiskey from the table, taking a slow sip before answering.

"I just sent Bruce Wayne a very personal message."

Across the city, in the depths of the Batcave, the Batcomputer went dark.

Bruce Wayne stared at the screen as a simple message replaced his encrypted files.

"You're not untouchable. Let's talk."

A low growl escaped his throat.

For the first time in years, Batman felt hunted.