The gala had been advertised for months.

A night of unity.

A symbol of cooperation between Gotham and Metropolis.

Community leaders loved it. The public loved it. The press called it historic.

The problem?

Someone had decided that “unity” meant forcing both the Justice League and the Legion of Doom into the same ballroom.

Nobody had consulted the people actually attending.

And now everyone was suffering.

At the top of the grand staircase stood Lex, dressed perfectly, expression controlled, looking like a man who had personally been betrayed by civic engagement.

“This is extortion with decorations.”

Around him, the Legion had spread through the room in varying stages of tolerance.

Black Manta occupied a corner near the walls, silently observing. Captain Cold had already located the drinks table and clearly intended to stay there. Riddler was studying the seating arrangements like he intended to file complaints. Scarecrow had already been politely asked not to discuss toxins during dinner conversation.

Cheetah paced restlessly.

Giganta had received several quiet reminders from staff about leaning on decorative columns. Solomon Grundy found the buffet and immediately dedicated himself to it.

Sinestro stood in elegant silence, visibly regretting attendance. Gorilla Grodd frightened half the room simply by standing still.

Brainiac looked one inconvenience away from deciding humanity was a failed experiment.

On the opposite side of the hall, things were not improving.

Joker seemed delighted by everyone else’s discomfort. Beside him, Harley looked seconds away from causing problems for entertainment.

Poison Ivy had quietly relocated near the indoor plants and refused to move.

Across the ballroom stood the heroes.

Actual heroes.

Still somehow looking just as miserable.

Somewhere near the center, Batman and Superman wore the expressions of men wondering whether saving the world had truly been worth it.

Lex adjusted his cufflinks.

“This evening ends in one of two ways,” he said calmly.

A pause.

“Peaceful cooperation…”

Across the room Joker started laughing at absolutely nothing.

Lex closed his eyes briefly.

“…Or extensive property damage.”