"To victory!"
Vandal Savage raised his drink high, facing the villains who had returned in triumph.
"To victory!"
Everyone raised their glasses with him, excitement shining on every face.
"To the Legion of Doom!"
"To the Legion of Doom!"
Everyone shouted along with him again, their voices echoing through the cavernous Hall of Doom before dissolving into unrestrained laughter.
"Yes, that stupid man held the body of an android modeled after me, and it completely broke him."
Star Sapphire giggled. "What a delightful sight that was."
"I can't say I'm happy." Cheetah lightly scraped a claw along the rim of her glass. "I should have waited there to cut her head off myself."
"Count your blessings. The Flash might still be running all over the world with that bomb that won't let him slow down."
Mirror Master shrugged. "But I doubt he can keep it up much longer."
"You're all exceptional talents. Add my exquisite planning, and the all-powerful Justice League was finished just like that."
Savage swirled the wine in his glass and said casually, "Only Hush hasn't returned yet, but I imagine... he won't be long."
"Yes, sorry I'm a little late."
All the villains looked toward the entrance. A figure with his face wrapped in bandages stood in the doorway. His speech sounded slow and drawn-out, with a distinctly reluctant cadence.
"I'm afraid I have to tell you..." He walked slowly into the hall and said quietly, "some rather bad news."
"Judging by your expression... ah, you don't really have one anymore."
Savage said dismissively, "Any plan is bound to encounter unforeseen complications. That's hardly unusual. You didn't defeat Batman?"
"No, I knocked him out and buried him alive," Hush said calmly. "But Gotham's police intervened. They found the cemetery, pinned down my ally with heavy firepower,