Black Mask paced his dimly lit office, surrounded by stacks of papers detailing his failing operations, each one marked with the red ink of dwindling profits or gang members abandoning ship. His once-dominant hold on the city was slipping, and there was only one man to blame: Kian Mathis. This newcomer had disrupted the underworld's balance, asserting control through his mix of ruthless efficiency and calculated alliances. But worse than the loss of territory was the humiliation that came with it. Black Mask was losing respect.
A voice crackled through the speaker on his desk, interrupting his brooding. "Boss, we got word that some of your contacts have been joining up with Mathis's people. Looks like he's offering better terms, promises of stability."
"Stability?" Black Mask growled, slamming a fist onto his desk. "They're rats—jumping ship at the first sign of a storm. What, they think I can't keep Gotham in line?" His voice trembled with barely suppressed rage.
But even as he shouted, he knew there was truth in their betrayal. Kian had done more than just dismantle Black Mask's empire; he'd sown seeds of doubt about Black Mask's ability to lead. And for men like Black Mask, perception was as deadly as any weapon. In the underworld, respect was earned by fear and loyalty—a currency Kian was now cashing in on.
He sank into his chair, the wheels of his mind turning. If he didn't act soon, he risked being erased entirely from Gotham's underbelly, his reputation reduced to a mere cautionary tale. He'd been biding his time, gathering intelligence on Kian's movements, watching for weaknesses. But Kian's strategic mind was proving hard to counter.
With a growl, he grabbed his phone and dialed a trusted associate. "Get everyone together. I want my enforcers, the best of the best. And make sure they're armed. If Mathis wants to play games, we're about to show him what happens when you cross me."
A pause hung on the other end of the line. "Are you… are you sure about this, boss?" the voice asked hesitantly. "Mathis isn't like the other players. He's got heavy backing now. Deathstroke, Deadshot… and rumor has it he's even pulling in the Red Hood."
"I don't care!" Black Mask shouted. "They'll fall, just like every other so-called 'power player' in Gotham. This city belongs to me!"
But the words felt hollow, as if he were convincing himself more than the man on the other end of the line. With a final grunt of frustration, Black Mask ended the call, his fingers gripping the armrests of his chair with renewed determination. He didn't need his men's loyalty to believe in him—he'd do whatever it took to remind them why he was feared.
As he leaned back, contemplating his next steps, a grim smile crossed his face. "Let's see what Mathis does when he has an entire war on his hands."
Meanwhile, Kian had received confirmation from both Merlyn and Nyssa—tentative acceptance of his invitation. They'd agreed to meet in a neutral location outside of Gotham to discuss terms. Kian had taken every precaution, sending Deadshot and Deathstroke to secure the area well in advance. It was clear that both Merlyn and Nyssa were intrigued by his offer but cautious, prepared to walk away if he failed to present a compelling enough reason for them to join.
The meeting was set to take place in an abandoned industrial complex just beyond the city's limits. Kian arrived alone, his confidence bolstered by his preparation and by the strength of his team stationed nearby, watching from the shadows. When he entered the dimly lit warehouse, he found Merlyn already there, standing by a broken window with his hands clasped behind his back, his silhouette illuminated by a sliver of moonlight.
"Mathis," Merlyn greeted, his tone cool, assessing. "I trust you know how rare it is for me to entertain offers like this."
Kian nodded, unfazed. "I'm aware. But I wouldn't have reached out if I thought you'd say no."
A faint smirk tugged at Merlyn's lips. "Confidence. I like that. So tell me—what makes you think you can control Gotham, and why should I risk my resources aligning with you?"
Kian's gaze was steady. "I'm not here to 'control' Gotham. I'm here to build something new. Something that's not bound by the petty rules and limitations of the usual criminals. I'm looking for people who understand that true power is subtle, strategic."
Merlyn studied him, intrigued. "And you think I'll fall in line with this… vision of yours?"
"No," Kian replied smoothly. "I expect you to do what you always do—act in your own best interest. But I also know that alliances, when built on mutual benefit, can accomplish more than any one of us could alone. You know it, or you wouldn't be here."
At that moment, Nyssa al Ghul entered, her steps silent, her gaze coldly analytical as she observed Kian. "I see you've assembled quite the team, Mathis," she said. "But why should I lend my skills to your cause? What is it you're truly building here?"
Kian met her gaze, unflinching. "You've been fighting for a cause that's not entirely your own, Nyssa. What I offer is independence—an opportunity to reshape the world without bending to anyone else's will."
Nyssa's expression softened, just slightly, at the thought of a cause that could belong to her alone.
Merlyn chuckled. "Bold words, Mathis. But boldness without action is as empty as Gotham's promises of justice. Show me results, and I'll consider."
"Results are exactly what I plan to deliver," Kian replied confidently. "If you join me, you'll be part of something far greater than any one of us."
The meeting continued, each side testing the other, feeling out the boundaries of trust and mutual gain. But by the end of the night, tentative agreements had been made, and Kian left with the assurance that both Merlyn and Nyssa were, if not fully loyal, at least willing to align their resources with his. He had made his case well enough, but he knew both of them would be watching him closely, ready to turn if he showed weakness.
Across the city, Batman had heard the murmurs of Kian's growing influence, of his alliances, and of the threats now brewing within the underworld. Each new rumor was like a knot tightening around Gotham's future. He had long anticipated a time when Gotham would face an adversary not just motivated by chaos, but by a vision of control. And while he hadn't fully grasped Kian's goals, he knew he couldn't face this threat alone.
In his quiet moments at the Batcave, Batman reviewed the files on each of Kian's allies, lingering on reports of Kryptonite rumors and mercenary activity. It was unsettling—a shadow forming just beyond his reach, composed of powerful figures who had never before operated together.
"We're going to need all the help we can get," he muttered to himself, staring at the files of the young heroes he had recently begun mentoring. The idea of a Young Justice team was growing more appealing, a force that could tackle the ever-rising tide of crime and keep some of the smaller threats at bay, freeing him to confront the core of this new power himself.
But even as Batman prepared his next moves, he couldn't shake the feeling that Kian's influence would be more difficult to uproot than anything he'd faced before. Kian wasn't a villain in the usual sense; he was methodical, strategic, and, perhaps most unsettling of all, he had no qualms about using whatever means necessary to achieve his goals.
As Batman plotted his approach, he knew the time to strike was approaching. But for the first time, he questioned whether even Gotham's defenders could match the cold determination of Kian Mathis and his growing network of allies.