DC X LOTM: A Beyonder in DC

Morning light filtered through the towering glass windows of Aeternum Industries, casting long shadows across the executive office. Alex sat behind his desk, studying the Joker card in his hand.

It wasn't just a message. It was a declaration.

Evan stood across from him, arms crossed. "So... what's the game plan? Because I'd rather not be the guy who has to explain to the board why a homicidal clown is suddenly interested in our company."

Alex flicked the card onto the table. "Joker doesn't care about business. This is about entertainment. He's testing me."

Evan sighed. "Yeah, well, considering he thinks murder is a fun pastime, I'd rather not play."

Alex leaned back, eyes narrowing. "We don't have a choice."

As if on cue, his phone buzzed.

The screen displayed an unknown number.

Alex answered. "Who?"

A distorted voice came through, layered with static. "Hello there, Mr. Kent. You're quite the mystery, aren't you?"

Alex's grip tightened on the phone. "Joker."

A giggle crackled through the line. "Oh, you do know me! I was worried you'd be one of those boring corporate types. But no, no, no—you're something else. You're fun."

Alex remained silent.

Joker continued, "You see, I love breaking things. And right now, I'm feeling curious about you. You come out of nowhere, build a company out of thin air, make all the big boys nervous—and yet, nobody knows what's inside your head. Oh, that's just delightful!"

Alex's voice was ice. "If this is a threat, you're going to have to try harder."

Joker giggled again. "A threat? Oh, Alex, don't be silly! This is an invitation. Let's have some fun."

A pause.

Then Joker whispered, "Turn on the news."

The line went dead.

Chaos on Live TV

Alex switched on the news broadcast.

"Breaking news! We're coming to you live from downtown Gotham, where a hostage situation is unfolding at the Gotham Commerce Bank. Witnesses report—"

The screen cut to shaky camera footage.

People were screaming, fleeing as armed men in clown masks held hostages at gunpoint. Spray-painted across the bank's walls in blood-red letters:

"COME PLAY, ALEX."

Evan exhaled sharply. "Well, that's not ominous at all."

Alex was already moving.

"I'll handle it," he muttered, grabbing his coat.

Evan held up a hand. "Wait. You're going alone? Against Joker?"

Alex's eyes glowed briefly with an unnatural golden light. "He wants a game?"

His smile was sharp. "I'll show him how I play."

The Gotham Commerce Bank Siege

By the time Alex arrived, GCPD had barricaded the area.

The police chief, a grizzled man named Harvey Bullock, was barking orders into his radio when he spotted Alex approaching.

Bullock scowled. "Oh, great. Another billionaire playing hero. You Wayne or something?"

Alex ignored him. "What's the situation?"

Bullock sighed. "Joker's guys took forty hostages. They've rigged the doors with explosives. If we try breaching, boom."

Alex's gaze flicked to the roof. "What about Joker?"

Bullock scoffed. "You think that freak's actually inside? He never sticks around when the bullets start flying. Nah, this is just a show."

Alex smirked. "Then let's give him a better one."

Breaking In

Most people wouldn't walk into a hostage situation.

But Alex was not most people.

Under the cover of darkness, he moved like a ghost, slipping past GCPD's perimeter.

Using his Seer abilities, he rewound time's echoes, watching distorted afterimages of the criminals inside. Their movements. Their patterns. Their mistakes.

Then, he stepped through the side entrance.

The first gunman didn't even have time to scream before Alex silenced him.

A second turned—Alex twisted his wrist, disarming him before knocking him out cold.

One by one, he cleared the rooms.

Until he reached the main hall.

The Hostages

The remaining gunmen were gathered in the center of the bank, laughing as they toyed with the terrified hostages.

One of them, a tall man with a Joker grin painted across his face, held a gun to a woman's temple.

"Time's ticking, people! If our special guest doesn't show up, we start removing heads."

Alex stepped forward. "How about you start with me?"

The room fell silent.

The lead thug blinked. Then grinned. "Well, well, well. Look who finally—"

CRACK.

Alex moved before he could finish, slamming his fist into the man's ribs. Bone shattered. The gun clattered to the floor.

The others panicked, raising their weapons.

Too slow.

Alex moved like a shadow, weaving through them with precise, brutal efficiency.

A punch to the throat. A dislocated arm. A shattered kneecap.

Within seconds, every attacker was down.

The hostages stared in stunned silence.

Then—

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

A slow, mocking applause echoed through the speakers.

Alex looked up.

A camera feed flickered on the bank's monitors.

Joker's grinning face filled the screen.

"Ohhhh, Alex," Joker cooed, "you really do know how to put on a show. I'm so proud!"

Alex's fists clenched. "This was never about the hostages, was it?"

Joker's grin widened. "Oh, please. I knew you'd handle the small fry. This was just a little test. And guess what?"

The screen glitched.

Then it showed a new location.

Aeternum Industries.

Joker winked. "Time for round two."

Then—

The dream broke

Alex's blood ran cold.

Joker wasn't just playing games.

He was targeting Aeternum directly.

The real battle was about to begin.

And this time, it wasn't just Alex's company at risk.

It was everything.

[To be continued in Chapter 32]

------------------------------------------------------

If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at

"https://www.patreon.com/Goku_01"

Or Just search Goku_01 in your patreon and you can find the advance chapters there