The sun bled orange through the perpetual grey shroud over Gotham, barely illuminating the cityscape below. Buildings clawed at the sky, and for once, the streets were eerily quiet. + 

Perched atop a rooftop gargoyle, Robin impatiently tapped his heel. Batman stood beside him, silent, surveying the city. “Robin,” Batman’s voice rumbled, cutting through the boy’s restless energy. “I need to show you something important.” + 

Robin sprang to attention, stepping closer to his mentor. “Yeah? What is it, Boss?” + 

Batman gestured towards the sprawling urban landscape. “Look over our city.” + 

Their capes billowed in the wind as Robin followed Batman’s gaze. He raised an eyebrow. “…Okay…” He slowly scanned the oppressive cityscape. + 

“Everything the shadow touches is ours,” Batman said, his voice low. The buildings seemed to stretch endlessly, but a faint glow flickered in the distance. Robin frowned. + 

He pointed towards the distant light. “What about the little light over there?” + 

Batman’s gaze hardened. He fixed Robin with a serious stare. “That is Metropolis. Never go there. They have metahumans, and arrogant fools like Superman.” He paused, his jaw tightening. “As long as we have kryptonite, we’re fine.” + 

Robin nodded, absorbing the warning. The vigilantes turned, heading in separate directions. *Note to self,* Robin thought. *Visit Metropolis. See if it’s really as bad as he says.* + 

--- + 

A moment later, miles away in Metropolis… + 

The city blazed with sunlight. It was Clark Kent’s day off, but not Superman’s. He was showing Manhunter around. + 

After the alien invasion, he and J’hon had become close. Clark figured he should let the Martian stay in the apartment across the hall from him. + 

They stood on the tallest bridge in the bustling city. “All that the light touches, is mine,” Superman said, spreading his arms to encompass the endless expanse of Metropolis. + 

But a shadow lurked beneath the brightness. A darkness obscured what looked like a city. + 

“What about the shadows over there?” Manhunter asked. + 

Clark gripped the alien’s shoulders, turning to face him directly. “That’s Gotham.” He released his grip, pointing towards the shadowed area. “Never go there. The guardian of that city is Batman. He has kryptonite, and enough explosives to shove up our asses.” + 

Manhunter filed the information away as they headed back towards their building. + 

--- + 