On that cold, tense night, an electric atmosphere filled the auditorium, setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation. The infamous criminal known as Ace was in the building, and rumors swirled that the police were preparing to apprehend him, fully expecting a fierce resistance.

A nervous reporter couldn't contain their fear, shouting, "What is the criminal with the highest bounty doing here of all places?" Ace's presence alone sent shivers down their spine.

Lex Luthor, the evil-genius billionaire, seized the opportunity to further his own agenda. Attempting to manipulate Ace's thoughts, he discreetly probed for weaknesses, hoping to turn him into one of his puppets.

Lois Lane, ever the intrepid reporter, approached Ace, determined to interview him, and paid no mind to Lex. She drew out her pen and notepad, ready to extract the truth from Ace. "You are a hard man to get hold of," she remarked.

Ace, exhibiting an air of calm and charm, responded, "Well, after all, I am considered a very dangerous man and to top that... I have an unholy sum of cash on my head. I can't go walking around like you folks do."

As Ace and Lois conversed, Lex grappled with an unusual Bluetooth-like device in his ear. He pushed harder and harder, but he couldn't breach Ace's formidable mental defenses. It appeared Ace's mind was a fortress more impenetrable than even that of Superman's.

Lois pressed on, "So why would an individual as powerful as yourself decide to go down the path of crime when you are clearly capable of saving and protecting the lives of the people?"

Ace countered, "Can you list one crime that I was actually responsible for?" Before Lois could respond, he added, "Tell you what, beautiful, how about we schedule a date for your interview, preferably over dinner."

Lois played along, "That's a bold approach. I might just take you up on that offer."

Lex, growing impatient and frustrated, ordered the police to apprehend Ace. They flooded the room, guns trained on him. Ace, unperturbed, refused to comply with their demands. "I will not be doing that," he stated. In a blur of motion, he incapacitated the officers before anyone could react, returning to his seat as if they were frozen in time.

"They're not moving! Arrest him!" Lex commanded, but the police remained immobilized. He then called upon two metahuman members of his security detail to confront Ace.

Approaching Ace, these metahumans also found themselves unable to touch him, as he expanded a protective field around himself. Their punches were futile, and Ace swiftly knocked them out.

Seeing an opportunity to make his escape, Lex attempted to slip away from the scene, but Ace had other plans. Ace telekinetically brought Lex back to his side and overpowered him, using the environment to incapacitate the rest of Lex's security detail as he transmuted the ground to hold them in place. The audience, witnessing the scene, screamed and tried to flee, but Ace transmuted the ground once more and created a barricade of rocks to block the exits.

Lois, with a growing sense of fear, inquired if this was a hostage situation. Ace assured her, "Relax, just keeping the team outside from getting in while I speak. Besides, Superman would be here in no time."

Ace then turned his attention to Lois, offering her the exclusive interview of a lifetime, referring to himself and Lex Luthor, whom he held captive in a chair next to him.

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"You seem too relaxed, considering the situation you are in right now." Lois remarked on Ace's calm demeanor, given that he would soon face the Man of Steel. Ace responded, "That's because I have nothing to fear from a boy scout." The shift in his tone conveyed a sense of seriousness.

Lois asked, "Would you like to go live?"

Ace agreed, saying, "Absolutely, how else would I reach the masses?"

The interview began as Lois introduced both Lex and Ace, explaining that Ace's intrusion had disrupted Lex Luthor's campaign, leading to their live broadcast. She assured the viewers that they were not in immediate danger and that Ace simply wanted to discuss a few things.

Outside, the SWAT team desperately tried to breach Ace's barricade, but it proved formidable. The walls were thick and regenerated every time they made a dent, making their efforts seem futile.

The audience, along with reporters who had not managed to escape, watched intently as Ace began to speak. His words were direct and calmly conveyed to the public.

Ace began, "Whatever you are doing right now, take a step back and work with me here. Think about this for a second, the heroes who have dedicated their lives to protecting the citizens of this country and safeguarding the world from extraterrestrial threats are suddenly labeled as criminals and enemies of the state. And you all agree to that crap?"

He paused for a moment and continued, "This country even went as far as placing a bounty on each of their heads. Normally, I don't mind the bounty on my head because I never gave a damn and will never give a damn. But all of a sudden, you all forgot how many times they've saved your lives."

Lois, sensing the importance of this revelation, asked, "Do you have some kind of connection with the heroes?"

"No, I don't," Ace replied. "They are way too 'goody-two-shoes' for my liking. Also, do not interrupt me next time." He said to her with a low but tensed tone, sending shivers down her spine as she realized he was done flirting and now meant business.

Ace expressed his disappointment in the police and the citizens who had believed the heroes were criminals. He suggested that they hadn't considered why only Superman had his bounty dropped after aligning with Lex Luthor.

As Ace gestured to Lex, he implied a nefarious connection between the two. Lois felt a pang of anger but kept her composure.

Gwen, monitoring the situation, alerted Ace to Superman's imminent arrival. "I am almost out of time, so I'll make this short," Ace said, preparing to conclude his message.

Lois and the viewers leaned in, eager to hear his final words. The heroes, the police, and the citizens watched with bated breath.

Just as Ace was about to deliver his closing statement, a sly grin crept beneath his mask. In a flash of crimson, Superman soared into the auditorium, his presence calming the restless audience.

Relief washed over the spectators as they saw the Man of Steel in action. The SWAT team, ready to breach the barricade, received orders to stand down. Superman had arrived.

"Give it up, Ace. Surrender quietly, and no one gets hurt," Superman declared, his voice laced with unintentional sarcasm, as he believed he could apprehend him without Ace laying a finger on him.

Ace, still confident, quipped, "Hey there, boy scout. I've been waiting for you." With Superman now on the scene, Ace knew Lex would attempt to escape, but he also saw this as a chance to test Superman's current capabilities.

…

Infiltrating Lex Luthor's heavily fortified mansion was no simple feat, but Captain Cold and his team, skilled in the art of thievery, moved with finesse. They covertly incapacitated the security personnel, rendering them unconscious and concealed in the shadows, allowing their intrusion to go unnoticed.

The five-man team, led by their captain, Cold, operated smoothly, following the plan outlined by Tom. Utilizing Tom's sophisticated tech, they swiftly gained control of the mansion's security systems, ensuring their movements remained undetected. While some of the crew looted the opulent residence, Captain Cold had a singular objective: to access Lex's personal computer, the true target of their mission that night.

Captain Cold ventured into the study, scouring the room for any trace of Lex's laptop. He methodically searched through drawers, using gloved hands to sift through confidential documents and hidden compartments. The tension in the room mounted when a voice abruptly disrupted his search.

"Hey…" The voice, stern and authoritative, commanded Captain Cold's attention. "Keep your hands where I can see them and slowly turn around." It was accompanied by the menacing sound of a gun being cocked.

Captain Cold obeyed, raising his hands in surrender, turning cautiously. But his criminal ingenuity couldn't be underestimated. Swiftly, he deployed a concealed taser, delivering a shock that sent the security personnel who had confronted him, out of commission. His body dropped to the floor, unconscious. "Nothing like a good ol' taser to electrocute the shit outta you." He muttered as a smirk played on his lips.

With the threat neutralized, Captain Cold continued his quest. "Seems like what I'm after isn't here," he muttered to himself. He deftly concealed the unconscious man under a desk in the study, ensuring his own unimpeded access to Lex's inner sanctum.

His focus remained unwavering as he set his sights on the master bedroom, his ultimate destination. En route, he pilfered any valuable or intriguing item that caught his discerning eye, accumulating a small fortune as he and his team systematically stripped the mansion bare. "I haven't been to the room of a multi-billionaire in a while. Oh, how much I've missed this miniature hobby of mine," he mused, anticipating the valuables he might be able to get his hands on.