While the drama unfolded in Central City, Batman's eyes and ears were active elsewhere. In the Batcave, isolated from the world, Bruce Wayne analyzed global energy anomalies. An alert flashed on his main screen, cross-referencing satellite data with reports of geomagnetic disturbances.
"There's a second point of origin," he murmured, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "The same energy signature as the field around Central City, but weaker, more unstable... in Central Africa."
He activated his communicator, the secure line linking the Watchtower and all active League members.
"Batman here. I've located a secondary source of the phenomenon in Central Africa, coordinates 4.30 North, 16.27 East. Gorilla City is not a legend. I repeat, Gorilla City exists, and it's linked to what's happening in Central City. All available agents, converge on my position. The answer is there."
A few hours later, the Batwing cut through the air above the dense, green canopy of the rainforest. Behind it followed the Javelin, carrying Wonder Woman, J'onn J'onzz, and Hawkgirl, having left the sterile perimeter of Central City on his recommendation.
"I still detect nothing visible," announced J'onn, scanning the jungle with his Martian vision. "But there's a fissure in the magnetic field, a backdoor. There."
He pointed to an area seemingly identical to the rest of the forest. Batman guided the Batwing closer. The moment the craft's nose touched the indicated zone, a blast of bluish energy struck it head-on, short-circuiting all systems. The Batwing veered violently and crashed into the vegetation, soon followed by the Javelin, hit by a concealed laser turret that emerged from the foliage.
---
Consciousness returned to Batman with a dull ache. He was suspended by his arms, heavy, crude metal manacles biting into his wrists. Around him, in a cell carved from stone and lit by luminous crystals, his teammates were in the same state. Wonder Woman, J'onn, and Hawkgirl, all shackled, were either unconscious or struggling to regain their senses.
"J'onn," Batman called, his voice raspy. "Your phasing abilities."
The Martian opened his eyes, still dazed. He concentrated his will, his arm becoming intangible for a brief moment before turning solid again with a sizzle of pain. He grimaced.
"I cannot... These manacles... they emit a frequency that specifically neutralizes my intangibility. It's technology designed for me."
Before they could say more, the heavy stone door of their cell slid aside with a grating sound. In the doorway stood a imposing gorilla, with silver fur and eyes of ancient wisdom. He wasn't alone; an honor guard of gorilla soldiers, armed with energy lances, surrounded him.
"I am N'Jah," declared the gorilla, his voice deep and calm, echoing in the cell. "Former advisor to the king. I apologize for the brutality of your welcome. It was a necessity."
His eyes settled on Batman, seeming to perceive his calculating mind.
"You seek answers about the one you call Grodd," N'Jah continued. "Know that he is not our king. He is an exile. An outcast."
He took a step into the cell, his gaze filled with a profound sadness.
"Grodd attempted to seize the throne many moons ago. His weapon? A mind-control helmet, an abomination he had developed in secret. He did not wish to rule, but to possess every mind of our people, to make us an extension of his own will. A madness. Our previous king, his own father, discovered it and banished him forever from our walls, at the peril of his own life."
N'Jah raised a hand, and a primitive but clear hologram emanated from a crystal in the center of the room. It showed a younger Grodd, brandishing an ornate helmet before a crowd of terrified gorillas, before being subdued and dragged out of the city.
"We believed the threat extinguished. We were wrong. He has found a way to amplify his power, using the resources and intellect of your world. The disappearance of your city is merely the first step of his vengeance. Against you, humans, who may have harbored him. And against us, his people, whom he sees as traitors."
He approached Batman, his gaze piercing.
"His madness will not stop at one city. He is coming for us. And after... for the rest of your world. We were your potential enemies. Today, we must be your allies. Free yourselves from these manacles. We have a common enemy to stop."