Seeing Bruce turn back, Lex's smile faded slightly as he asked, "What's wrong, Bruce? Did something happen?"
"Nothing. I just thought you still had something to say."
Bruce dismissed it with a wave before walking toward Axel.
At the same time, Axel was speaking with Harley, whose expression had turned unusually serious.
Resting a hand on her shoulder, he said quietly, "Arkham is the right place for you, but could you use your brain once in a while? Do you have any idea how many people you killed there?
Even if your goal was to make Arkham safer for Gotham's patients, you absolutely cannot go back there right away. Do you want to traumatize every remaining patient into completely losing it?
I'll keep the position of Arkham's director open for you, but not until the fallout from this incident dies down. Until then, stay home and don't go anywhere.
No matter what happened, Mad Hatter nearly broke you. That was your mistake, Harley."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It was a huge screw-up."
Harley's obedient expression disappeared, replaced by an annoyed pout.
"Fine. Even if every other word out of your mouth is 'damn,' you're right. I messed up.
I'll listen to you. You're the boss, so I'll behave.
Just remember your promise, Wraith. Once everyone forgets about this, I'm going back to Arkham.
I've already realized it. That place is where I belong."
With that, Harley huffed, turned around, and stormed back into Wayne Manor.
Watching her leave, Bruce approached Axel with a frown.
"She seems energetic, but that's exactly what worries me. I've seen her after being brainwashed before. She looked just like this."
"Yeah, she's completely insane, and her brain works differently from everyone else's." Axel grinned. "Still, I kind of like that madness. It's entertaining."
He patted Bruce on the shoulder.
"So, what did you need? Isn't Clark's ship enough to keep you busy?"
Bruce frowned.
"You didn't overhear our conversation on the ship? I thought your hearing was supposed to be incredible."
Axel laughed.
"What do you think I am? Just because I can hear well doesn't mean I'm constantly spying on everyone.
If I started listening to every conversation, I'd end up overhearing you and Rachel talking at night. Or Alfred chatting with Martha..."
"Damn it, Axel, shut up!"
Bruce immediately cut him off, resisting the urge to clamp a hand over Axel's mouth before those mental images got any worse.
Just then, Lex and Clark joined them.
Looking between Bruce's embarrassed expression and Axel's amused grin, Clark asked, "Axel, here's the situation.
The scout ship that brought me to Earth contains coordinates pointing to the North Pole. We think my biological family may have left something there.
Considering my abilities, and how advanced Kryptonian technology seems to be, there could be dangers waiting for us, especially for Bruce and Lex.
Would you come with us? If you're there, we'll all feel a lot safer."
Clark looked at him hopefully.
Although he strongly disagreed with Axel's willingness to kill, he still considered him a friend.
Axel glanced up at the darkening night sky before nodding.
"The North Pole? I've never been there before. Sounds interesting. Let's go."
"I'll get the aircraft ready."
Bruce and Lex quickly made the necessary arrangements, and before long the Batplane lifted into the night sky.
This time, Axel was fully equipped and seated inside the aircraft.
Watching Bruce expertly pilot the Batplane, Axel chuckled.
"So we're really flying? I figured I'd just teleport everyone there."
Lex smirked.
"And skip the fun of tracking down an alien outpost?"
He gestured toward the coordinates displayed on the console.
"I know teleportation would be faster, but that's not the point.
Searching, investigating, making discoveries, that's how we learn about Clark's people.
Besides..." He smiled knowingly.
"Don't you think men occasionally need a trip where they can get away from women for a while?
You may not need it yet, and honestly neither do I. Bruce probably needs it the most.
Sooner or later every man needs a quiet place, a few beers, a fishing rod, and absolutely no interruptions."
Axel stared at him before bursting into laughter.
"You're right, Lex. Every guy needs a secret clubhouse."
Still laughing, he continued,
"Though honestly, you and I probably won't need that escape nearly as much.
Clark and Bruce definitely will.
Those two look like the type who'll get completely wrapped around their girlfriends' fingers."
Bruce shot him an irritated look.
"What are you talking about? Do you even know what Rachel is like?"
"I do."
Axel nodded innocently.
"But what about everyone else?
For example... your cousin from the Kane family.
Or..."
His grin widened.
"...don't tell me you've forgotten Ra's al Ghul's daughter."
"Hell, shut up!"
Bruce nearly jumped out of his seat.
"How do you even know about that? You weren't there! That happened while I was traveling the world..."
Unfortunately, Lex and Clark had already heard enough.
Clark stared at Bruce with obvious surprise.
Lex laughed.
"I knew this trip was a good idea."
Patting Bruce on the shoulder, he added,
"Turn on autopilot.
Let's celebrate Clark getting closer to his origins, and while we're at it, toast to Bruce's impressive romantic history."
Bruce punched Lex in the shoulder.
"I can't wait until you get married.
I'll make sure your wife receives every embarrassing photo of you with other women as a wedding gift."
Even so, he switched the Batplane to autopilot before leaving the pilot's seat.
The cabin wasn't large, but it was comfortable enough for the four of them to gather around a small table.
Lex dug out several cans of beer.
Clark casually opened the hatch and leaped into the Pacific Ocean, returning moments later carrying fresh shrimp and crabs.
Axel blinked.
"Hold on. You guys made him a suit too?"
"Of course."
Bruce accepted the seafood and began preparing it.
Lex nudged Axel.
"Help out.
You may be the boss, but don't stand there like some rich landlord while the rest of us do all the work."
"I wasn't planning to."
Smiling, Axel joined them.
Together they cleaned the seafood before steaming and boiling it.
Soon, a generous spread covered the table.
The hatch remained open, allowing the powerful ocean breeze to sweep through the cabin, but none of them seemed to mind.
Lex cracked open a beer and tossed another to Axel.
"First toast," he announced with a grin.
"To the Human Federation."
"No objections."
Axel clinked cans with him.
"To our team!" Clark declared enthusiastically.
Bruce raised his can.
"Cheers."
He took a long drink.
Ever since Axel had forced him to take that first sip months ago, Bruce had gradually stopped resisting alcohol.
Batman might refuse to drink.
Bruce Wayne, when life drifted away from the endless crusade, was another story entirely.
The four men laughed together as they enjoyed the quiet flight.
Far below them, in the Pacific Ocean, a rugged man with long hair and a thick beard stood atop the waves, gripping a golden trident.
His expression was filled with confusion.
He had witnessed Clark plunge into the sea and return almost instantly.
Now he watched the Batplane disappear toward the northern horizon.
"That's the Batplane from the Washington incident..."
His eyes narrowed.
"So why are Gotham's people heading toward the North Pole?"
He had followed the recent news closely.
The exploits of Wraith and the anti-hero group operating out of Gotham had spread across the world.
Anyone familiar with the hidden supernatural community knew about them.
Was there really something in the Arctic important enough for all of those dangerous individuals to travel there together?
For a brief moment he considered following them.
Then he shook his head.
His own responsibilities, and his father's safety, mattered far more than satisfying his curiosity.
As far as he was concerned, those people from Gotham were trouble wherever they went.
Even though Bruce, Clark, and Lex all saw themselves as heroes, Axel's reputation had pulled the group's public image into much darker territory.
With one final glance at the disappearing aircraft, the mysterious man dove beneath the waves.
Powerful currents surged behind him as he rapidly returned home.
Back aboard the Batplane, Clark suddenly looked toward the ocean.
Bruce noticed immediately.
"Did you sense something?"
"Maybe."
Clark frowned.
"I thought I saw someone out there, but whoever it was moved too fast."
He focused his vision on the water again.
By then, the mysterious figure had already disappeared beyond his sensory range.
Bruce exchanged a knowing glance with Lex.
"It was probably him."
"I think so too."
Lex nodded.
"If anyone could notice us from the middle of the Pacific, it'd be him."
Clark looked between them.
"Who are you talking about?"
Lex smiled.
"The son of a lighthouse keeper.
The so-called King of Atlantis.
A man rumored to communicate with sea life."
He leaned back comfortably.
"Bruce and I have spent quite a while cataloging unexplained phenomena around the world.
Among all those urban legends, there's one figure known for rescuing sinking ships and stranded submarines during violent storms.
If you really saw someone, it was probably him.
And if we ever expand our team..."
Lex smiled.
"He'd be a very interesting candidate.
Even if he never joins Wayne Manor, he'd definitely qualify for the Human Federation's men's club."