The plan had been simple.

Annual gala. Private venue. Controlled guest list. Minimal chaos.

For the Legion of Doom, it was supposed to be the one night a year they didn’t try to conquer anything.

Just… exist.

Unfortunately, nobody told the world that.

So when the ceiling panels exploded inward and caped figures dropped into the ballroom expecting a coordinated supervillain operation, the reaction from the room was not fear.

It was confusion.

Lex stood mid-toast, glass still raised, watching the intrusion like it was a scheduling conflict.

“…This is embarrassing,” he said calmly.

Around him, nothing had actually stopped.

Captain Cold had paused mid-drink to stare at the broken ceiling. Black Manta didn’t even turn around.

Brainiac simply observed the new variables. Cheetah looked annoyed that her evening had been interrupted.

Giganta sighed like someone had just ruined a perfectly good buffet. Gorilla Grodd remained seated, utterly unimpressed by the entrance.

Riddler immediately started analyzing how the Justice League got past security. Scarecrow looked vaguely disappointed it wasn’t more terrifying.

Sinestro exhaled slowly, already tired of everyone involved. Solomon Grundy went back to the food.

Across the room, Joker looked delighted. Beside him, Harley waved at the incoming heroes like they were late guests.

Ivy did not look up from her drink.

Then the Justice League fully entered.

Weapons ready. Expressions serious. Full combat readiness.

And then they stopped.

Because nothing was happening.

No weapons drawn.

No coordinated attack.

No evil monologue.

Just villains in formalwear eating, drinking, arguing over seating charts, and ignoring them completely.

Superman blinked. Batman narrowed his eyes. Wonder Woman lowered her weapon slightly.

“…This is a party,” Superman said slowly.

Lex finally turned his head.

“It’s a gala,” he corrected.

A pause.

“…Annual,” he added, like that explained everything.

The room stayed exactly the same.

And for the first time in years—

The Justice League wasn’t sure who had made the mistake.