In Gotham City, inside an abandoned theater hidden beneath the city streets, Joker sat in front of a makeup mirror surrounded by bright bulbs, slowly applying white greasepaint across his face while old swing music crackled from a dusty speaker nearby.
Newspapers were spread across the table beside him. Every front page carried the same story. Metropolis burning beneath alien machines. A man in blue stopping collapsing buildings. Another hovering over the sky wrapped in black storms and death.
Superman.
Reaper.
Joker stared at the headlines through the mirror while dragging red paint into the shape of his smile.
"You know," he murmured thoughtfully, "I think I'm getting bored of the bat."
He sounded almost disappointed saying it.
"Don't get me wrong, Batsy's wonderful. Really committed to the whole tortured creature of the night thing. But after a while you already know where all the cracks are."
He picked up the newspaper carrying Superman's image and tilted it slightly.
"But this…"
His grin widened.
"Now this is fresh."
A god raised among humans trying desperately to believe humanity deserves saving. Another thing walking around in human skin smiling like death itself finds people amusing.
Joker laughed quietly under his breath.
"Do you know what the best part is?" he asked nobody in particular. "Neither of them understands Gotham yet."
He leaned back in the chair, fingers drumming lightly against the newspaper.
"The bat already knows this city is sick. That's why he survives here. But gods?"
His eyes flicked toward Superman's symbol again.
"Gods always think they can fix things."
The laughter returned after that, softer and more genuine.
"Maybe it's time Batsy got a little vacation," Joker said while adjusting the purple glove on his hand.
"And maybe I should see what happens when you stop playing with broken people… and start playing with miracles instead."
"Now I need money," Joker said as he rose from the makeup mirror, dragging a gloved thumb across the smeared lipstick on his scarred smile.
He tilted his head slightly while staring at his reflection beneath the bright bulbs. "Should I rob a bank?."
A quiet laugh escaped him as he grabbed his purple coat from the chair nearby and slipped it on. Newspapers carrying the faces of Superman and Reaper remained scattered across the table behind him.
"Gods falling from the sky and Gotham still wakes up every morning pretending it's normal," he murmured while picking up a handgun from the counter. "That's why I love this city."
He spun the pistol once before tucking it away and walking toward the theater exit.
"Alright then," Joker said with a widening grin. "Time to remind Gotham I still live here."
***
Another thing changed after the invasion.
In Metropolis, Wayne Enterprises unexpectedly bought the Daily Planet, and nobody inside the building fully understood why Bruce Wayne suddenly wanted a newspaper company.
Most people assumed it was one of his billionaire impulses.
Inside the busy newsroom, reporters moved between desks while televisions replayed footage from Metropolis and discussions about aliens, Kryptonians, and the man now being called Superman.
"Hey, newbie," one middle-aged employee said while leaning against a desk. "What do you think made Bruce Wayne buy this place?"
The question was directed toward the newest reporter carrying coffee through the office.
Clark Kent looked exactly like an ordinary employee—slightly awkward posture, glasses, neatly combed hair, and the careful expression of someone trying not to stand out.
"I'm still new here," Clark replied while handing over the coffee cup. "How would I know what billionaires are thinking?"
The employee laughed. "Fair point. Most of us stopped trying to understand rich people years ago."
Clark Kent eventually made his way to his desk and sat down quietly while the chaos of the newsroom continued around him.
A moment later, Lois Lane walked over with a folder in hand before stopping beside his desk and staring at him for a second.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "I still don't understand how nobody recognizes you."
Clark looked up carefully. "Recognizes me from what?"
Lois pointed at his face. "From being Superman."
Clark nearly dropped the pen in his hand.
Lois continued talking before he could panic properly. "I mean seriously, this isn't some spy movie where people become invisible because they put on glasses."
She reached forward and lightly tapped the frame sitting on his nose.
"These are just glasses."
"They have different functions," Clark Kent said quietly.
Lois Lane looked at him for a moment before shaking her head slightly. "Then do Superman a favor and convince him to give me an interview."
Clark blinked once. "What?"
"The entire world wants to know who he is," Lois said while placing the folder onto his desk. "Where he came from. Why he helped. Whether he's staying."
Her expression softened slightly after that, becoming more thoughtful than aggressive.
"People are scared right now, Clark. Metropolis nearly disappeared. Then this guy shows up out of nowhere and saves thousands of lives."
She folded her arms lightly. "They want to hear him speak."
Clark looked down at the desk for a second before answering carefully. "Umm… is that really necessary?"
Lois gave him a long look.
"You saw what happened out there," she said quietly. "The world just found out it isn't alone anymore."
"Someone like him staying silent forever isn't really an option."
*****
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