"What's wrong, Homelander?"
A woman's intuition was always sharp — and for someone like Catwoman, it was razor-keen.
Alex had only drifted off for a moment, but she noticed immediately. Her knife paused mid-slice above her steak, and she lifted her head to look at him.
> "There's a robbery happening on Prynne Avenue," Alex said plainly.
He didn't bother hiding it. After all, he was about to handle it anyway — might as well give her a heads-up.
> "Someone's still got the guts to commit a crime?"
Catwoman blinked, genuinely surprised.
In the past few days, every citizen in Gotham had seen the endless news coverage about Homelander's crusade — anyone who committed a crime died. No exceptions.
And yet, even now, there were still people bold enough to defy him?
How hard is that skull?
Then, confusion set in.
Alex had been sitting right here — eating, talking — no phone, no comms.
So how did he know about a robbery happening across the city?
Could he… see the future?
But then again, given everything else about this man — the super-speed, flight, heat vision — what was one more miracle?
Catwoman quickly shrugged it off.
If Homelander said there was a robbery, then there was one.
There was no need to question it.
---
> "Wait — did you say Prynne Avenue?"
Catwoman's expression shifted instantly.
That street was home to Gotham's largest jewelry store — Dearest Alice.
She grabbed the remote from the table and turned on the TV.
---
> "Breaking news! Gotham's biggest jewelry store, Dearest Alice, is under attack!"
> "As you can see behind me, store clerks, customers, and even bystanders on the street have been frozen solid!"
> "The perpetrator is the notorious jewel thief known as Mr. Freeze!"
> "We still don't know his true identity, nor why he targets diamonds specifically, but he's already committed six heists across Gotham — every single one involving precious gems."
> "It's worth mentioning that Batman has crossed paths with Mr. Freeze multiple times, yet he remains at large."
> "His confidence comes from his deadly weapon — the Freeze Gun, a piece of black-market tech capable of instantly freezing any target it hits."
> "Sirens can already be heard approaching, and the Bat-Signal has been lit. Batman will likely arrive soon. But given Freeze's past record, there's little reason to be optimistic."
---
"Mr. Freeze, huh?"
Alex smiled faintly as everything clicked.
Catwoman, beside him, nodded in understanding.
No wonder someone dared to "defy" him now — it wasn't just any crook.
It was one of Gotham's super-villains.
And among Gotham's rogues, Mr. Freeze ranked near the top in sheer destructive power. That freeze gun of his was pure black technology.
Sure, he wasn't on Captain Cold's level, but for Gotham — he might as well have been a walking natural disaster.
So the super-criminals were finally crawling out of their holes again?
Perfect.
Alex's lips curved into a cold grin.
> Mr. Freeze will do nicely as a warm-up.
Time to show Gotham's super-villains what Homelander really meant —
that even for them, those three syllables spelled death.
---
> "With Mr. Freeze committing a crime during such a sensitive time," the news anchor continued, "one can't help but wonder — how will Homelander respond?"
> "Today marks the fifth day since Homelander declared that 'Gotham shall have no criminals.' After his ruthless campaign, the city's crime rate has plummeted to zero."
> "Until now, there hadn't been a single criminal act today — until Mr. Freeze struck!"
> "For Homelander, this is no ordinary heist. It's a direct challenge."
> "So far, however, we've seen no sign of him. The question remains — will Homelander appear once more? Can he stop a super-criminal like Mr. Freeze? Gotham awaits his answer!"
---
Catwoman turned to Alex with a faint smile.
> "Homelander, I think it's time for you to go."
She was perceptive enough to understand what this meant.
Mr. Freeze was dangerous, yes — but no one in Gotham knew Alex's power better than she did.
If anyone could end this quickly, it was him.
Still, she couldn't help but worry — not about his safety, but his reputation.
All eyes in Gotham were watching. If Homelander didn't handle this perfectly — if he slipped, even slightly — it could tarnish the invincible image he'd built.
And that was something Catwoman didn't want to see.
---
> "I'll go," Alex said with a shrug, "but not just yet."
"At least let me finish dinner with you first."
Her heart softened immediately, a smile lighting up her face.
With his super-hearing and vision, Alex could track everything happening on Prynne Avenue while sitting calmly at the table.
And with his speed and flight, he could be there in seconds if he wanted.
So why rush?
Besides, he could already hear the police sirens closing in — and Batman's engine roaring in the distance.
Let them go first.
Let the GCPD and Batman make their move.
Then, when they failed — as they always did — Gotham would finally see the difference between them…
and him.
---
> "Cheers."
"Cheers."
Their glasses clinked lightly.
And as Alex smiled across the table, his super-hearing picked up the sound of police car doors slamming open outside Dearest Alice.
> "Everyone, this is our moment to prove ourselves!" shouted the commanding officer.
"We'll show Gotham that the city doesn't need Homelander — it needs us!"
> "We are not useless!"
> "Move in!"
Five police cruisers lined the street. Twenty armed officers poured out, weapons ready.
Commissioner Gordon was there too, though not in charge tonight — command fell to Kevin Conroy, the leader of the city's tactical response unit.
Gripping his pistol tightly, Kevin rallied his men with fiery determination before signaling the assault.
> "Go! Move!"
And with that, the police advanced toward the frozen storefront of Dearest Alice.
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