Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been five years since the incident with Dagon, Vilgax, Sir George, and the war between the Forever Knights and the Esoterica. At the time, Ben had proven his development into a proper young adult. Azmuth had gifted Ben with a brand new Omnitrix as a sign of approval. The Ultimatix was, in Azmuth's words, "an inferior copy." Instead of a gauntlet, the new Omnitrix was back to a wristwatch. Its faceplate was now square instead of round and had a white and green color scheme. The faceplate was black with two green stripes forming an outline for the hourglass of the intergalactic peace symbol. When the faceplate slid back, the Omnitrix revealed the core.

Ben was ecstatic that Azmuth trusted him with the final product. This was a new dawn in his hero career. Five years have passed since that day. Ben continued to fulfill his social roles as a family member, friend, and boyfriend. The cousins graduated from their respective schools, thanks to a mutual understanding of the duo's responsibilities. Max ensured that Ben and Gwen were only brought in when necessary, and their parents ensured they were not skipping out on schoolwork. The parents knew they were heroes but didn't want them to be high school dropouts. Gwen graduated with honors, and Ben graduated within the top twenty. Soon after, they went to different colleges. Ben wanted to continue hero work, but he promised his parents he would make it into his full career after graduating. He attended a local university to at least get his Criminal Justice degree.

On the other hand, Gwen fulfilled her childhood goal of attending an Ivy League school. Friedkin University was where Gwen studied the mystic arts. It was located east of Bellwood, the best Ivy League college among all the colleges around Bellwood. Given the fact that Ben 10,000 was able to perform some magic, Ben had asked Gwen to help him in that area.

During breaks, Ben also spent the last five years doing part-time Plumber work with his new partner, Rook. After many exciting adventures, he unlocked new aliens and sharpened his combat and mental skills at the Plumber Academy. In honor of Ben's eighteenth birthday, Azmuth gave a software update to his Omnitrix. This added new features and improved old ones. Initially, Azmuth believed that the evolutionary function that Albedo previously developed was asking for trouble. Then again, he made a sword and a watch that could allow a being to conquer galaxies. Ultimately, it all comes down to how power was used and how stable it was. Azmuth was well-regarded as the smartest being in the universe. His Galvan peers often referred to him as the First Thinker. Along with his intelligence, Azmuth was gifted with years of experience and knowledge. It was evident that if anyone could improve the evolutionary function, it would be Azmuth, and he did.

One of the initial problems of the evolutionary function was the lack of safeguards in the evolutionary process. Previously, the ultimate forms of the Omnitrix became unstable and conscious, and they tried to escape while possibly trying to kill Ben in the process. Another problem was the issue of a stable mental state. The evolution feature worked by placing the selected species in a simulation, right down to the DNA, for an extended period, about a million years or so, in what was described as a "worst-case scenario." The actual DNA was modified to match the new DNA. This survival of the fittest routine explains why the evolutions are more combat-centered than their standard forms. One would assume that a species spending a million years in 'hell' could cause possible mental problems. The new safeguards Azmuth placed in would slow the development of evolved DNA. Each genome was analyzed to meet Azmuth's requirements before the form would be allowed for use.

Earth has changed a lot in the last several years. Things had finally calmed down on Earth and throughout most of the universe. The Plumbers, an intergalactic police force dedicated to preserving peace throughout the cosmos, had been granted powerful new technologies developed by the Galvan.

New weapons, new armor; basically, everything they needed to combat threats that previously required the aid of Ben and his team. Azmuth made sure to regulate the level of technology distributed in the organization; in fact, he was made the leader of research and development. The Plumbers would be well equipped to handle low to mid-level threats, but the Tennyson family would be on call whenever extreme danger arrived, which was not often.

Ben was mature enough to know this change was a good thing. There was peace, crime was down, and life was good. But still, there was a part of him that missed turning into an alien every day and fighting some criminal or giant monster. He didn't do any of his heroics for the fame, or at least not anymore, he didn't. He enjoys the feeling of helping others. Ben even got back into soccer, along with other hobbies.

With the newfound peace, Ben could better strengthen his social bonds. He kept close ties with his best friend Kevin and his family. His relationship with Julie Yamamoto only strengthened thanks to the peace. They could finally spend quality time together without worrying about danger. Both of them attended university together. Ben and Julie moved in together in an apartment not far from campus. Luckily, they were still able to keep Ship as their pet. Julie continued pursuing a career as a professional tennis player, and Ben fully supported her. He did anything he could to keep her happy. After the situation with Esoterica, Ben knew he had to be more supportive, considerate, and understanding. They shared a very loving and intimate relationship. All in all, life was good.

Five years after Dagon

Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour Finals

Ben, Kevin, Gwen, Ship, and Zed spectated Julie in the tournament's last match. Ship lay on Ben's lap while Zed curled against Kevin's leg. Winning this tournament would be a big step in Julie's career. The final match was between Julie Yamamoto and Donna Vekic. So far, the first two sets have led to a tie, and the score gave Julie an advantage. To win the match, Julie had to score one more point.

"The game is cutting close. Do you think Julie can win, Ben?" Gwen asked.

"She's been practicing for months. I know she can do this. I have faith in her." His eyes were full of confidence toward Julie.

"Ship, Ship," Ship 'said.'

"That's nice to hear from you, Tennyson," Kevin commented.

"I'm not the same guy as before, and today is gonna be a big milestone for us," Ben said as he watched the match.

"I know. It's so sweet that you guys have been together for four years today," Gwen commented.

"I have you to thank for all this, Gwen. You made this all possible when you helped me ask her to the pier."

"Which you ended up wrecking," Kevin remarked.

"Ship…" Ship 'said' in a much lower and embarrassed tone.

Ben cringed at that memory of the date, sighed, and smiled. "I'll be honest. It could have gone better, but it all worked out. An alien was saved, we met Ship, and Julie and I walked home safe and sound." Ben stroked Ship's head as he purred.

"Walking a few miles home wasn't the most romantic, but it let you two get closer. I saw you two walk past my house holding hands," Gwen replied with a slightly teasing smile.

Ben blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, I remember that. When I escorted her to her house, her dad gave me a menacing glare for bringing her home the next morning. I ended up getting interrogated to find out what exactly happened. Luckily, Julie was there to confirm my lie that the car broke down and we got lost. He was suspicious, but in the end, all he cared about was that Julie was safe. When I got home, I ended up having an awkward conversation about my innocence, 'feelings' with girls, and safety." He sighed at that memory.

Kevin tried to hold in his laugh until Gwen elbowed her boyfriend to get him to stop, and she pointed toward the court.

It was Julie's turn to serve, and Donna was on the other side in a ready stance. Julie bounced the tennis ball twice, threw the ball up, and swung an overhand serve. The ball soared to the other side as Donna made her move. The ball bounced once, and just as it was going to make its second bounce, Donna stretched her racket arm in time to underhand swing the ball back to Julie's court. The awkward body movement made her stumble a bit. Julie was prepared for that and quickly knocked the ball to the opposite end of the court. It landed just before the line, and Donna couldn't make it in time, scoring the winning point for Julie.

"The tournament is over, and we have a winner! A first-time winner, Julie Yamamoto. Congratulations on your victory," yelled the announcer.

Julie walked toward Donna and shook her hand. "Good game."

Donna took a deep breath. "You too." She gave Julie a congratulatory hug.

Julie beamed a smile toward the crowd, taking in her hard-earned victory. The announcer approached Julie and said, "You are now the new WTA champion. What do you have to say to everyone out there."

"I want to thank all of my friends and family. I especially want to thank my boyfriend of four years, Ben Tennyson. He supported me in my dream. Meeting him was one of the best moments of my life. I love you."

Ben jumped from the stands and ran to his girlfriend and the announcer. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her tender lips. They both blushed, but Ben continued. "I love you too, Julie. Congratulations on winning. I knew you could do it."

"You were with me every step of the way. I could always count on you."

"Thanks, but there's something important that I have to ask you."

"Anything, Ben."

The announcer stepped off to the side while still maintaining the camera view and audio of the conversation.

Ben got down on one knee.

Julie, Gwen, the announcer, and all the women in the crowd covered their mouths in expectation.

"The life of a superhero is filled with danger, adventure, and excitement; however, I want to spend every moment with you by my side." He pulled out a small black box from his back pocket. He holds it in one hand and opens it with the other, revealing a gold ring with a sizable taydenite gem in the center. "Will you marry me?"

The crowd swooned at the proposal.

"Oh my god!" Julie immediately broke into tears of joy at what was happening to her.

Gwen was jumping up and down, excitedly squealing while latching onto Kevin.

"We have it here first, folks. The hero of Earth, Ben 10, has officially proposed to his longtime girlfriend," the announcer said to the camera.

'While I'm happy for you, bro, you raised Gwen's expectations for me." He gave his best friend a big smile with a small sweatdrop.

"Ben! I can't believe this is happening!" She exclaimed with such enthusiasm and excitement.

"The world is waiting for your answer, Julie," the announcer stated.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She opened her mouth, and just as she was about to give the obvious answer,

BTOOOM, a massive explosion occurred in the background.

While all the civilians screamed in shock at the development, Ben reacted differently.

Ben groaned in irritation and anger. "Why! Why! Why! Why now! Can't the universe see that I'm busy here!" He screamed into the sky. He sighed and looked at his love. "I'll be right back for your answer, honey. I want this moment to be free of any more distractions." He turned toward the cameraman. "Keep the camera rolling. This would make an interesting family video in the future."

Julie blushed at what that statement implied. The thought of them together at home with a young baby sleeping in her arms made her completely red.

"Gwen, Kevin, I'll meet you there!" The two and Zed ran toward the site. The faceplate of the Omnitrix opened, and Ben began scrolling through his aliens. He found the right one. "It's hero time!" He slammed down on the core, instantly transforming him in a flash of emerald green light. What replaced him was a blue-skinned, green-eyed, semi-armored Velociraptor wearing a helmet that was black, long, elliptical, and pointed at the top. The creature had spheres on his feet, stripes on his tail, arms that ended in three-fingered hands, black lips, black facial markings, black rings around its eyes, and the Omnitrix symbol on its chest. "XLR8!"

He looked at the camera, said, "Gotta go fast!" and ran to the battle. 'Always wanted to say that.'

Downtown Bellwood

XLR8 finally reached the area, which was the Plumber outpost downtown. Gwen, Kevin, and Zed were assisting civilians outside the danger zone. He zipped toward Gwen and Kevin and asked, "What's the current situation?"

Gwen turned to him and replied. "The civilians have all been moved, but the intruder is still inside."

XLR8 acknowledged. "Kevin and I will take point while you take our six and give support." Both nodded, and the trio headed toward the outpost entrance. Ben pressed his Omnitrix symbol and released another burst of emerald light. XLR8 was replaced with a humanoid crystalline-rock wearing a green and black jumpsuit with an Omnitrix belt buckle.

"Diamondhead. Not holding back, huh." Diamondhead was one of the first aliens that Ben transformed into, and the form had become one of his favorites.

With a hint of anger and annoyance, he gave a devilish grin. "Whoever interrupted my marriage proposal will pay for that." 'The world can interrupt my first date. It can ruin prom night. It can even crash my high school graduation. But interrupting a milestone in my life such as this crosses the line. "You guys ready?"

Gwen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We're a family, Ben. We stick together, no matter what."

"Consider this your early wedding gift from us," Kevin remarked and received another blow to his side.

"Don't worry, Ben. After this is all over, I'll be picking out the present. Kevin will just be paying for it. Isn't that right, babe?" Gwen gleamed a look to her boyfriend for approval. Kevin was such a softie for Gwen that even if he were in charge of the relationship, Gwen would tell him when to put it on. Kevin nodded nervously.

'There's nothing worse than a woman scorned, especially if she's an Anodite.' Kevin remembered the time when he almost forgot their anniversary. Luckily, Ben could distract her long enough for Kevin to prepare everything. Kevin shook his head at these thoughts as he genuinely loved Gwen, and he would go through a lot to be with her, even the fallout from his mistakes.

"Thanks. You guys are the best. Let's move out."

"Zed, stay. We'll take it from here," ordered Kevin.

"Bark."

Plumber Outpost

The hallways to the facility were significantly dimmed. "Whoever broke in cut off all the power except the auxiliary." Gwen raised the palm of her hand, creating three purple glowing orbs of mana. She had the spheres lead the way about 10 feet ahead.

Kevin gave his thoughts on the situation. "If I remember correctly, the only systems that should be on now are emergency lighting, life support, and high-level security. Many of the Plumbers stationed here escaped with minor to moderate injuries. The baddy is hostile. Does anyone know what this section houses? It might give us a clue on who we're dealing with." The other two shrugged, as both had no clue. Most of the time, they had to deal with off-planet issues. Allowing the Earth Plumbers to manage the local stations was more comfortable. The group came across a computer terminal in what appeared to be the receptionist area. Kevin logged in with his Plumber authorization. "From the looks of it, this facility was in charge of storing confiscated items until disposal transport."

"I have a bad feeling today is going to be one of those days," resigned Gwen.

Ben let out a sigh. "Great, just what I need. Even more drama with the possibility of big explosions."

5 Minutes Later

They heard a loud crash, and Diamondhead's hulking crystal figure sped up to the sound, with Gwen and Kevin following. Diamondhead reached a level 8 security door with a giant hole cut out. Alarms were going off, signaling the break-in. He whistled at the sight. Gwen and Kevin caught up and gave a similar response.

Kevin stepped forward and examined the metal door. "It's coltan. Whoever did this could heat this to the melting point at about 3000 degrees Celsius."

Diamondhead replied."We're getting close. Keep an eye out." After they went through the hole in the security door, they saw the walls lined with security boxes. "Wow. Look at all this. These must have been here for years."

Kevin explained. "Due to the amount of paperwork, Plumbers tend to keep them in storage for much longer than intended."

Gwen stopped. "Wait. Do you hear that?"

"Yeah. It's this way!" Kevin exclaimed as he ran toward the source.

BTOOOM

A door flew off its hinges, revealing a helmeted figure in a black cloak with purple lining.

"Well, if it isn't the pest, himself: Ben Tennyson and company. What an unpleasant surprise."

"Yeah, and it's all cinnamon and spice for us seeing you, Eon," stated Diamondhead sarcastically.

"What are you even doing here?" Gwen demanded.

"Uh... isn't he stealing confiscated alien tech?" Kevin whispered to his girlfriend. Gwen sweatdropped as the answer to her question was pretty obvious.

To salvage herself, she whispered, "It was a rhetorical question."

"What could you possibly want from here anyway?" Diamondhead cut in.

"Ah, but telling you would be too easy. As people say, it's for me to know and for you to find out. Now it's time that I get going." Eon reached into his pocket, grabbed a remote, and pressed a button. "Why don't I introduce you to my entourage while I continue without you people in the way?" Eon stepped aside, revealing approaching figures. As they left the shadows, it was clear who the enemies were: Techadon robots. "These five have been custom-made to hold you off. Ta ta." The Techadons jumped and landed in front of the team.

The Alien Force took their battle stances, and Ben looked toward the retreating figure and said, "Once we finish these tin cans, I'll be coming after you."

"Yes. Yes. Whatever you say. I have much work to do." Eon ran off into the shadows.

"Let's get this over with." Kevin absorbed the steel from a support beam, and Gwen raised her hands.

The room turned into an all-out brawl. The trio didn't take long to break through several walls to bring the fight outside.

Diamond held off the machine and glanced at the others. Gwen and Kevin were doing well, holding off one Techadon each, but the two extras pushed them back. "Looks like we're gonna have to even the odds." Diamondhead punched the machine straight in the chest, pushing it back about 20 feet. Diamond pressed the Omnitrix symbol on his cheek, and he was again engulfed in emerald light. When the light show ended, a small white humanoid stood. One of his most noticeable features was a square appendage resembling an MP3 player behind his back with a port. The alien appeared to have cassette tapes on his lower legs. He wore a pair of headphones around his head, and he had green circle-shaped indents on the back of his hands. The inside of his mouth was green with lines that gave it the appearance of an amplifier. "ECHO ECHO!" His voice sounded high-pitched and electronic.

He immediately split into three copies. "Help them."

"Got it." the two said in sync and ran off.

Echo Echo faced the staggering robot and glared. "Wall…." He split into three copies. "of…" The three turned into nine. "Sound!" All nine copies reverberated the last word in sync with one another. The sound waves amplified each other into a devastating blow through constructive interference. The Techadon was still standing, but it was sparking in places. 'Thank you, physics.' Echo Echo thought.

Meanwhile

"Lay off the family, rust buckets!" The two Echo Echos attracted the attention of the two extra Techadons. The two Echo Echos nodded at each other and stood opposite the robots. "Echo Chamber!" In a flash, the two robots were surrounded by copies, bearing down the force of multiple amplified sonic attacks and sparking like the others.

Suddenly, the Techadons grabbed Gwen and Kevin and pinned them down. The remaining three grabbed onto the Echos. "Ben!"

"Hey, let us go, you oversized action figures!" yelled the trio in unison.

"Yes. Thank you for the distraction, my minions. I have finally completed the device."

"What's it going to do? Destroy me? Just like every other time, someone tried that on me?" Echo Echo said sarcastically.

"As much as I would love to destroy you, I have found a much better solution to prevent your further hindrance." A machine with a large ring was wheeled into view. "Through my travels, I had seen many alternate timelines when I battled the Tennysons and the Omnitrix." His eye glanced at Gwen before turning his attention back to Ben.

Echo Echo didn't know why he used his family name, so he pushed the thought to the back of his mind. "So? That means I'll always be there to kick your butt one way or another." He replied in a mocking tone.

"That's where you're wrong. I know that I can't kill you." He looked at the Omnitrix symbol, remembering the Omniverse timeline. Echo Echo gave a confused look. "Since I can't do that, I'll just have to move you." Eon pressed a button on his wrist, and the device lit up and activated. Inside the ring was a distortion of colors. "It brings me great pleasure that I have the opportunity to cast you out, forever lost within the expanding multiverse."

"What!?" Gwen and Kevin called out.

"How is that even possible for you? I thought you could only move through time." Gwen was still struggling to get free.

"Ah. Yes. I still haven't gotten to that part yet." He turned to Ben and asked, "Do you remember that interview you had a few years ago?"

Echo Echo thought back and remembered. He hoped he wasn't right. "Yes."

"You disappeared on national television, so it was obvious for me to discover your...predicament."

"What did you do?!" Echo Echo shouted. Ben knew Eon was referring to the time he went into Rex's Earth, but what happened while he was gone?

"While you were on the other side of that thing doing who knows what, I decided to do a little digging. That little light show that appeared was an event horizon. The energy particles were able to tear through the boundaries of the multiverse. I tried to close the anomaly before you could return but to no avail. That was when I realized this was my opportunity to eliminate you. I needed to bide my time to get the necessary equipment and set the trap."

The three Echo Echos struggled to escape the robotic grips, but their small form didn't give them strength. "Don't make me do something I might regret, Eon. Surrender now, and maybe I won't punch you in the face."

Eon scoffed. "A tempting offer, but I must get started." He turned around to run some diagnostic checks.

The three Echo Echos looked at each other and nodded. 3...2...1

SCHREEEEEEECH

Each Echo Echo aimed at a different target. Two were aimed at the Techadons holding down Gwen and Kevin, and one at Eon and the control panel.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH," Eon yelled in pain. He needed to get out of range, so he fled to safety. The console began to spark, and the machine shut down.

Gwen and Kevin broke free from the Techadon's holds and bashed their helmets.

The three Echo Echos tried to blast sound waves at their captors, but they were able to shut them up. How? They shoved their fists into their mouths. Gross.

With Ben incapacitated and Gwen and Kevin still distracted, Eon needed to act fast. He ran to the console and again pulled the manual override, activating the machine. "I need you gone now!" The device powered on, but something was off. It was too unstable, and it began to pull in the surroundings. "Goodbye, Ben. I'll see you never." In an instant, Eon jumped out of the current timeline.

This was bad. The Techadons were still holding onto Ben, and he needed to get out. He never tried this move before, but now was as good a time as any. The three Echo Echos closed their eyes and focused. All three exploded into multiple clones, causing the robots to lose grip.

The clones unleashed sonic attacks, shattering the three robots into scrap. The clones didn't know that the machine's pull was getting stronger. The Echos tried to run for it, but the pull was too strong. Some recombined, and then they became a line of five clones, each hanging on to the other, with one hanging onto a nearby railing.

"Somebody, stop this crazy thing!" all five screamed in sync. The duplicates couldn't focus enough to recombine.

"I'm slipping," yelled the one at the far end.

"Just hold on a little longer," the one-fourth in line yelled back.

Number five looked ahead to the struggling Echo, slowly losing his grip on the railing. He looked back to copy number 4. "At least one of us needs to survive this and get married. We need to let go."

"Are you crazy? We can't do that. We don't know what's on the other side."

"We can't wait for the others any longer, and the pull is getting stronger."

"I don't want Julie to be a widow before getting married. I know I'm going to regret this, but fine. The original is the priority."

"Follow my lead." Both clones let go, allowing the leading Echo to reaffirm his grip. The two flew through the air toward the hole. Five gave a hard look at 4, and they both nodded. Both opened their mouths and unleashed a combined sonic attack on the ring. The machine began to break down, and the hole started to shrink slowly. Unfortunately, the pull was still active. "Hopefully, I'll see you on the other side. Stay safe," 5 saluted to 4.

"Who knows? Maybe we'll make it back home," replied Number Four. They both smiled at each other as they flew into the tear in space.

Seconds later, the tear closed, and Echo Echo 1 could finally let go and recombine. Gwen and Kevin returned to Ben and saw the broken robots at the destroyed machine.

"What happened here, Ben?" asked Gwen.

Echo Echo pressed the symbol on his chest and reverted to Ben. He had a somber expression. "I couldn't recombine, and I couldn't hold onto all five of us. 2 of my clones decided to let go so one of us could live." The hero sat down to absorb today's events.

Gwen placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ben, we can mourn for their loss later. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain. You still haven't heard Julie's answer yet." Ben's expression perked up at the mention of Julie. They began walking back to the tournament to find Julie.

Kevin took his other shoulder. "Don't worry, Ben. I'm sure they're in a better place."

Elsewhere

Echo Echo opened his eyes as he felt a massive wind blowing on his face. That's when he realized he was falling from the sky. "Oh, geez! What the–?!" Echo Echo tried to say as he kept falling. He immediately slapped the Omnitrix symbol and once again transformed. A hulking, broad-shouldered alien covered in natural, yellow armor plating on his back, shoulders, and arms was in place. The alien was mostly white, with four claws on both hands. This was Cannonbolt. He rolled into a ball and crashed to the ground, creating a sizable crater. At the bottom, Ben turned back to human. "Ow..."

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: XLR8

Species: Kineceleran

Home World: Kinet

Powers and Abilities:

Kinecelerans have adapted to the natural kinetic energy storms of their homeworld. They can manipulate friction to reach high speeds, such as when time appears to stop completely, and no top speed has been recorded yet. They also seem to think, act, and react at super speed. They can deliver speed-enhanced attacks rapidly, such as excessively kicking or stabbing enemies with great speed and strength. This species has enhanced speed, agility, jumping, reflexes, recovery, strength, dexterity, and durability. They have sharp claws and a prehensile tail. They can also run on walls and water and create vortexes.

Name: Diamondhead

Species: Petrosapien

Home World: Petropia

Powers and Abilities:

Petrosapiens are composed of extremely durable silicon-based crystals. They can manipulate the atomic structure of their physiology at will and can control all crystals they generate. Being living prisms, Petrosapiens can refract light and beam-based weaponry, channeling them through their bodies and projecting them back to their source. Due to the natural density of crystal, Petrosapiens are incredibly durable against physical impacts. Because Petrosapiens are made out of organic crystals, they are immune to aging.

Name: Echo Echo

Species: Sonosarian

Home World: Sonosaria

Powers and Abilities:

Sonosarians are small, white aliens whose bodies are living amplifiers. They are living sonic waves contained in a silicon suit. Sonorosians can emit sonic screams that range from audible to ultrasonic frequencies. Like the Splixsons, Sonorosians can duplicate themselves, but they are different in that the clones aren't linked in any way, allowing entire groups to be knocked out without harming the rest. Using their sonic screams, Sonorosians can use echolocation.

Name: Cannonbolt

Species: Arburian Pelarota

Home World: Arburia (destroyed)

Powers and Abilities:

Arburian Pelarotas can curl into a ball and, like a motorized wheel, roll at high speeds, ricochet, and bounce. This shell is highly durable. Arburian Pelarotas have a high sense of balance. Arburian Pelarotas can contain fairly large objects within their spheroid form. An Arburian Pelarota's shell is resistant to acids and heat and can refract lasers. While rolled up, Arburian Pelarotas can survive a drop from space to Earth, with just minor amounts of pain from the impact received. Arburian Pelarotas can roll in a circular pattern to damage enemies, compressing themselves tightly and then releasing the pressure to create a sonic blast. Arburian Pelarotas can flop onto the ground to create a shockwave and rotate quickly to generate a miniature tornado.

Chapter Text

Earth-16C

16:36 EST

"Wake up, Tennyson," said a voice.

The adult stirred on the ground. "No, Mom. I don't want to go to school today. I want to stay home and bake cookies with you."

"Ugh… Benjamin K. Tennyson, you wake up this instant!" the voice yelled in annoyance.

"Aaaah!" Ben woke up instantly.

He heard a sigh of relief. "Finally."

Ben looked around for the source of the voice but found none. "Who said that?"

"I did," the voice replied.

Ben looked at the Omnitrix in confusion. "What?" Suddenly, the faceplate opened up and projected a hologram of a small frog-like being.

"I've been trying to wake you for about an hour now."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Azmuth? What are you doing here?"

"I'm not Azmuth. I'm his tenth-generation AI that runs the Omnitrix. Who do you think autopilots it when you are indisposed... such as getting you and your arm in separate dimensions."

Ben coughed into a fist, a little embarrassed about that adventure. "I see what you mean. Julie mentioned that my hand moved independently, but I hadn't thought about it much until now. I'm surprised to see a different complex AI besides Eunice."

"The Omnitrix uses quantum computing to analyze all the DNA stored within and monitor the various functions. The First Thinker couldn't trust any AI except one he made himself. For simplicity, you may refer to me as Azmuth, as he used his neural network as a basis for mine."

Ben rolled his eyes. "That tone of voice says it all. So, why are you here now? You haven't shown up before."

"I have not received authorization until now. Things tended to go poorly whenever you lost connection to Primus, so I can speak to you in such cases."

"Well, that's good because I'm confused about what happened."

Azmuth sighed in annoyance. "What happened this time?"

Ben relayed the events before his arrival here.

"So, you're one of the Sonosarian clones. Interesting."

"Interesting? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remember when you split yourself using the Sonosarian DNA a while back."

"Yeah. I ended up causing trouble because of the different personalities."

"After you told me that, I was programmed to reduce mental side effects. At the moment, your mental state should be about equal from the start. "

"Well, that sounds good. If we can get back home, could we recombine?"

"I'm not so sure about that."

"Why?"

"Do you know how Sonosarians reproduce?"

Ben thought about Echo Echo. "Isn't the species just living sound in a suit?"

"Exactly. When Sonosarian clones separate for long periods, their brain waves come out of sync. The clone becomes a distinct consciousness. That's how they reproduce."

"So, if I don't get home soon, I won't be able to recombine as one Ben."

Azmuth nodded. "That is correct."

Ben sighed in relief. "That's not too bad. I'm alive. He's alive. Not the worst thing to happen."

Azmuth smirked at the response. "I'm glad to see such optimism in our current situation."

Ben shrugged. "After recreating the universe and multiverse a few times, this stuff doesn't phase me now. 'A Ben is still with everyone back home.' As for the other Echo Echo and me, we expected to fade into nothingness. Considering the alternative, this is a decent deal. Serena and Belicus still have their discussions in the queue, and I don't feel like talking to brick walls to try to skip their turn. I should probably look for civilization. I hope I'm not on some planet still in medieval times."

"Indeed. I may be able to help you with that. The hologram turned off, and a ping was emitted.

Ben raised a brow. "What was that?"

"I'm detecting long-range AM radio signals. Judging from the content, we are on a 21st-century Earth."

Ben breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God for that. I like my indoor plumbing and internet."

"After triangulating several sources, there appears to be a city a few miles North. Considering what I've heard on the radio waves, I wouldn't recommend flying and causing a scene for the locals." Azmuth gestured to the distance. "On a side note, I'm detecting a strange organic signature in that swamp, so you might want to stick to terrestrial transformations for your departure."

Ben nodded. "Thanks for the help."

"It's my job to oversee your development when the First Thinker is away. Call me again if you need further assistance."

"No problem." Azmuth closed the hologram function. 'Since we're going through a swamp, I know just who to be.'

He scrolled through the watch and pressed the core. He became a humanoid green and black-colored plant-like alien with red and yellow petals in a green flash.

"SWAMPFIRE!" 'Take that, damn mosquitoes.' "It will be a long walk… Engage Lifeform lock."

"Lifeform Lock Engaged"

'Better get a move on.'

Later

8:14 PM

In the middle of the swamp, Swampfire groaned. 'Sheesh, how big is this place?' After removing another section of bushes, he came to a small clearing with a strange plant-like house near the swamp water. 'Huh?'

Swampfire approached the structure carefully. His first thoughts were that this was a house to some swamp folk, but a feeling in his head was telling him otherwise.' Trusting this strange instinct, he stayed in his current form. Shrugging, he knocked on the petrified wooded door. "Hello! Is anyone inside?" A minute passed, and there was no response. "I guess no one's home."

"Who goes there?" A voice from around the corner of the home called out.

Ben turned to the voice. A shadowy figure soon stepped into his line of sight. Ben took a step back at what surprised him.

It was larger than a human being and similar to Swampfire. The entire body was composed of vines, leaves, and moss. Glowing red eyes watched the alien hero warily. "What are you doing here?"

Several questions raced in the hero's mind. 'Is he an alien? Is he hostile? Do plant creatures also populate this version of Earth?' Swampfire coughed to ease the tension. "Easy there, man. My name is Swampfire. I'm just passing through."

"Hmm." The creature looked at Swampfire once more before raising its left hand. It glowed a soft green, and Swampfire could have sworn he felt a warmth over his form and mind. The light dimmed, and the other plant man was satisfied with his observation. "...Very well. You may call me Alec. The Green seems to confirm your words."

'The Green?' "Uh...Thanks, I guess. Just to confirm, there's a human city to the North, right?"

"Why do you ask? It is not a place for beings like us."

"I have things to do there. Let's just say I don't always look like this."

Alec looked to the sky. "It is getting late. While one such as yourself should have no issue continuing through the night under normal circumstances, I would recommend against it."

Swampfire stopped mid-step to the city. "Why? What's wrong?"

"The malevolent spirits are more active at night."

Swampfire blinked. "...This place is haunted?" To Alec's nodding, he groans. 'Dammit. Not again.'

Seeing the other plant's demeanor, Alec walks toward his campsite. "The small territory around my home is guarded against them. The Green permits you to stay for the night. Come, I feel we have much to discuss."

The hero sighed and followed along.

10:13 PM

The two gathered around a fire, cooking some gator they had caught earlier. It seemed that Alec also had carnivorous characteristics when needed. They ate in awkward silence until Ben decided to break it. "So…what are you?"

Alec furrowed his brow. "What do you mean? Are we not of the same origin?"

Swampfire raised his nonexistent eyebrow. "You mean you're an alien too?"

It was Alec's turn to be confused. "An alien? No, I am a product of the Swamplands. You are an alien, then?"

Ben could feel the awkwardness in the air. "Well... yeah. I come in peace? Heh. Heh."

Alec eyed him from top to bottom, trying to get a read on him. "So, you're like that Superman and Martian guy but a plant..."

Swampfire jerked his head at the reply. "Wait. There are other aliens on Earth, and one is a Martian?"

"Indeed. I may not be as connected to Man's world as I would like, but I still hear the whispers from the Green on major events. Even a Stranger in blue comes by once in a while to talk stories. Sometimes, I think he knows more than he lets on."

Swampfire shrugged. "If that's the case, something like me is not surprising to you."

"A little, but I am curious about how you came to be."

"My species came from a planet where plants evolved into sapient life." That is what happened for this species but not him personally. "Did the same happen to you?"

"Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to develop long-term. From what I could tell, I used to be human, studying these very same Swamplands. I don't recall exactly what happened, but there was an accident, and here I am."

'Well... that's a new one to add to the origin books.' "I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been a shock to adjust." He wasn't sure what else to say.

Alec waved it off. "Don't worry about me. I came to terms with my new life some time ago. The Green comforts me, guides me."

"I've been meaning to ask, but what is The Green you keep mentioning?"

"It's a conscious force that created all plant life. It surrounds and binds beings like us together as well. It is within me. I can even sense it within you."

Swampfire placed a hand on his chest. 'That must have been what he did with his hand earlier.' "Woah. That's heavy. I'm familiar with the general life force, but this is definitely something new."

"As a former man of science, I can agree that this is an aspect of the world I never expected as well."

Swampfire pondered for a moment before speaking. "If it's okay with you, I think I know someone who can try to clarify all this."

Alec tilted his head in confusion. "I doubt anyone I might know on Earth besides the Stranger could elaborate."

The alien smirked. "It's good that this one doesn't come from Earth." 'And this universe.' "Hey, Azmuth, I think I found something you might want to look at."

From the Omnitrix came the Azmuth projection. "Yes, what seems to be the…" He cut himself off at the sight of Alec. "I see... Fascinating, sentient plant life on Earth. I would have thought this planet would have been too young to progress to this point of evolutionary growth."

Alec blinked at the hologram. "Who and what is he?"

Swampfire paused to come up with an answer and shrugged. "He's my guide of sorts. He's the smartest in five galaxies, so don't judge him before you get to know him."

Alec continued to stare at the little frog thing. "I see. Forgive this former scientist for being hesitant about the capabilities of alien life."

A yellow light panned over Alec. Azmuth put a hand to his chin. "You would not be the first. From my initial analysis, I've seen beings like you before."

"You have?" questioned Alec and Swampfire.

Azmuth rolled his eyes. "If you paid attention to some of my talks with Paradox, you would have remembered. We discussed higher dimensional forces, concepts, and beings after your encounter with the Naljians and Contumelia. In any case, you are not an evolved life form such as Swampfire here. Instead, your being is because of a larger metaphysical force."

"The Green," answered Alec.

Azmuth nodded. "So that's what you call it."

Swampfire's shoulders drooped. "Sorry, I'm lost here."

The First Thinker sighed. "The larger force I mentioned is similar to that of Mana."

Alec's confusion about the current situation grew, raising an eyebrow. "Mana?"

Swampfire decided to step in and explain. "To me, Mana is life energy. It flows through all life and objects, concentrating in a different dimension. It sounds like a broader version of the Green you mentioned."

Alec looked at his hands and then at the surrounding swamp. "That's fascinating, but how does that explain me?"

Azmuth nodded. "Mana and likely The Green are fundamental aspects of the universe, similar to nuclear and gravitational forces. However, it's always more complex when life is involved, conscious or not. Tell me, what does it mean to be alive?"

"From a biological point of view, life is the aspect of existence that processes, acts, reacts, evaluates, and evolves through growth."

"A sufficient answer, Alec. The crucial difference between life and non-life is that life has physical and conscious development."

Swampfire held up his hands. "Wait, are you telling us that there is a metaphysical consciousness from everything alive?"

"Indeed." Azmuth turned to Alec. "This higher consciousness deemed you necessary for its continued existence."

Alec's shoulders sagged. "But why me, of all people? I'm just a scientist. I would have expected someone like a guru to be more fitting. Even the Stranger could not help me in that matter."

"Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question either," replied Azmuth. He turned to Ben. "I take it you can handle it from here." With that, he returned to his duties in the Omnitrix.

Ben chimed in. "This Green saw something in you before you perished. From what you said before, you get vibes and feelings from it. Anything related to a possible goal?"

Alec slumped in defeat. "The Green isn't as generous with answers either. All I know is that there is an imbalance in nature."

"Human pollution?"

"While that is an obvious issue, it's something more supernatural. The Green. It has shown me many things in this swamp. As there is a light, there is also darkness?"

Swampfire frowned. "Darkness?"

Alec pointed into the distance. "Just as the Green is a force of life, there must also be forces of death. The universe has a natural state of balance. All things come to an end eventually. Life and death cannot exist without the other. However, an imbalance is out there, bringing unmitigated death, a Rot if you will."

The alien blanched. "That doesn't sound good at all." Swampfire turned solemn. "This Green, it's trying to find balance again, right?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me how I can help you. I can only imagine how lonely it can be on your own with this Stranger coming by once in a while."

"While I have managed so far, I take comfort in your words."

"You said that you sense the Green within me. Anyway, can you teach me how you wield it when the time comes? Maybe we can exchange tips on controlling plants. I'm pretty sure you grew the house that way."

Closing his eyes, Alec took an instinctive breath and focused. A few seconds later, a small smile formed. "It seems that the Green is accepting of your intent. However, there seems to be a small disconnect between you and the rest of the Green. You are foreign yet compatible."

'I don't suppose the Green can tell I'm not from this reality.' "Well, I guess that comes with being an alien."

Alec got up. "If I may, the Green wishes to solidify its connection with you."

Swampfire rubbed an arm. "Uh... Is it Gonna hurt?"

Alec chuckled before walking toward him. "The opposite." Like before, he placed a hand on Swampfire's chest." Close your eyes, and let the Green flow through you."

Swampfire felt more connected to the world for the next hour than ever.

7:16 AM

Both of them had woken up at the crack of dawn. They were standing outside the camp, seeing each other off.

"Good luck on your journey. I hope you find what you are looking for." Alec held out his hand toward Swampfire.

Swampfire took his hand and gave a firm shake, confirming their friendship. "Thanks for everything. You have a lot on your shoulders, and if there's one thing I know, it's saving the world. We got this. I'll come by and visit sometime." He began walking North.

Alec waved at the shrinking figure. "Farewell!"

Swampfire waved back, continuing his journey toward the city.

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Swampfire

Species: Methanosian

Home World: Methanos

Powers and Abilities:

Methanosians are bipedal plant-like creatures whose height normally varies from 6 to 9 feet tall. Methanosians come in an array of colors, petal patterns, and abilities. Methanosians can release volatile organic compounds that allow them to communicate with and control nearby plant life. As a result of growing in such a saturated environment, Methanosian bodies are soaked in methane and have, over time, learned to generate it. As they age, they learn how to pool the methane to various pores in their bodies and ignite it, allowing them to create fire. Methanosians possess a quick form of regeneration, allowing them to heal or reattach severed limbs.

Chapter Text

3:46 PM

"Man, that walk took forever." Ben reached the end of a forest line near the city limits. 'I don't want to scare people, so I better change back.' With a thought, he reverted back to human. He checked his jeans, black shirt, and green jacket to ensure nothing made him stand out too much. Seeing nothing wrong, he walked toward the city and approached a large green sign. "Welcome to Central City. Huh. Not much of a creative name there." He shrugged. 'Well, time to explore the place.'

The city had its usual social classes: upper, middle, working, and lower. After exploring the middle of the city, his stomach growled. Reaching into his pockets for his wallet, he only found his ID, credit, and debit card. 'Of all the days I forgot to bring cash.' Ben sighed at his situation, deciding to take a look around town. Seeing a pawn shop, he had an idea. After confirming it was empty, he walked into a nearby alley and activated the Omnitrix, transforming into Diamondhead.

Ben remembered the time when Kevin's body was used to farm taydenite. Initially, Diamondhead could only control silicone crystals, but after much training and focus, he could control crystals of varying compositions. Calming his mind, Ben grew a high-grade sapphire from the ground. He decided against making a diamond since he learned that diamonds are intrinsically worthless. He dug up the sapphire and transformed himself back into a human. From there, he went to the pawnshop and spoke to the manager.

The man examined the stone with his eyepiece. "This is some high-grade crystal. You didn't steal this, did you?"

"No, I didn't." He gave a slight glare to the rather large pawnshop owner. Ben lied, giving an innocent smile. "It's been in my family for generations."

The man sighed and took another look at the rock. 'There is no professional cut, so it wasn't from any high-end place. There aren't any identifying marks. Even if this was stolen, there would be no way for police to identify it.' He gave a small smile. "Okay, kid, I'll believe you."

The semi-high grade crystal was about 1 carat, so Ben received a respectable 10 grand.

The first purchase he made was chili fries from a nearby vendor. 'Thank whatever God exists that chili fries are an Omniversal concept.' Now that his hunger was resolved, he had to rebuild a life here. He walked near the government district and found the city library. Luckily, people only needed a library card to borrow books. He walked to a computer terminal in an empty corner of the room.

Ben decided to update himself on the current events on Earth. What surprised him was that there were many superheroes and supervillains around. The US even made a prison specifically for villains and criminal "meta-humans," as the article said. Apparently, a group of superheroes formed the Justice League that works alongside the UN for the world crisis. 'They remind me of The Galactic Enforcers. I really hope that they aren't similar in personality.'

He continued to browse through various articles, learning about the members of the league and their respective adversaries. One article came from a newspaper called The Daily Planet from Metropolis. 'Did they really use a word that describes a city as the city's name?' What really caught his attention was the headline "Superman Prevents Plane Crash." The cover photo showed a Caucasian man in a blue suit, red cape, and tights holding up a plane that had its engines in flames. On his chest was an emblem with the letter "S." 'So that's Superman. From what Swamp Thing said, he's an alien.' He looked up some general info about the guy and was surprised. 'Apparently, he's the last of his kind. I wonder if I can get his DNA in the database later.' He looked back at the Omnitrix. 'Other than helping people understand other species, the Omnitrix is also an Ark of sorts for the DNA of many sentient beings.

What's more surprising is that Martians exist. I never did ask Orb and Decka if there were any Martians there. They called it the Popcorn Planet, but where did it come from? In any case, I'm sure the other heroes will take care of any trouble while I settle down here.'

He whispered to the Omnitrix. "Hey, Azmuth."

The hologram appeared. "Yes?"

"Could you get into the network and set up my identity?

"Very well. It will only take a moment." The hologram disappeared, and the Omnitrix connected to the local Wifi signal. A few seconds later, it disconnected. "All information has been made with nothing left behind. You may visit the district office nearby to pick up your replacement papers and driver's license."

Ben smirked. "You got me a license too?"

"Of course. You didn't think I would let you walk around forever in this place. Would you?"

"Thanks, Azmuth. I really appreciate all this. Now I have to get a car." Ben did as Azmuth said and retrieved his papers. With the required documentation, he could now start looking for a home. After browsing Craigslist, he found a modest studio apartment on the city's north side.

The Next Day

Ben's Apartment

Ben was currently lying on the couch, watching some TV. The apartment looked fairly modest. It was a studio apartment with a proper bathroom and kitchen. He was able to get some decent furniture from thrift and discount stores. He may have money, but he's not wasting it all at once.

Azmuth decided to appear around noon. "What do you intend to do for continued stable living conditions, Ben?"

"Even though living off sapphires would be easy, people would get suspicious about the recent influx of sapphires in the market. I need to make a steady income."

"Oh?"

"Luckily, I've had an idea ready for this situation for a long time." He gave a beaming smile.

Azmuth knew that smile. "I think this will be something rather personal to you." All he received back was a grin and a nod.

Time Skip - 3 Months Later

Two women walked down the street. One appeared to be an emerald-haired Brazilian with green and black attire, and the other a snow-white-haired Caucasian with white and light blue attire. At first glance, anyone could see that both women looked flawless. They appeared to be in their early twenties. The first woman's outfit was a green long-sleeve blouse, black skirt, flats, gold earrings and bracelet, and a black Nixon watch. Her friend had a more modest impression. She had a light blue shirt, Vans shoes, and a white undershirt. Her socks were white, but blue snowflakes were placed around the top. Around her neck was a simple gold lace. The two continue to walk for a few blocks toward the local mall.

The Brazilian was the first to speak. "It's nice to finally have some time together."

"I know. With you being a traveling model, it's hard to juggle our careers and enjoy ourselves."

"Yup... It's getting kinda hot. Do you mind if we stop for a drink nearby?

"Personally, I like the heat." The woman in blue rolled her eyes at the inside joke. "But... If it'll make you happy, sure."

"You're the best!" she said, quickly hugging her best friend.

The emerald beauty reached for her phone and did a quick search. "According to Yelp, there's this hot and new drink place ahead."

"Even better!"

About half a block later, they reached the storefront.

The Brazilian raised a brow. "Mr. Smoothy?"

"I love smoothies! Let's order." She ran inside, dragging her model friend along.

The inside had a modern look. The walls were pearl white, and the floors were hardwood. There were also wooden tables with houseplants placed around them, giving off a homely atmosphere. They reached the counter and took a look at the chalkboard menu. No one was there, but they noticed a bell on the counter.

DING

"Coming!" A voice came from the back room. A young man soon came walking in. He had worn his common black shirt and jeans under his green apron. He looked at the two and smiled. "Welcome to Mister Smoothy. What can I get for you ladies today?"

The snow-haired girl was the first to reply with a smile. "I'll have a Winter Melon, please."

'Huh...Nordic. You don't see them often. Her outfit really suits her along with her Brazilian friend.' He turned to her and asked, "And you?"

'Green eyes...' the emerald woman thought. Shaking her head out of her stupor, she gave her order. "I'll have a Strawberry Sunrise."

"Sure. Coming right up. Can I get your names?"

The emerald Brazilian was the first to speak. "You can call me Beatriz,

Her friend spoke next. "And you can call me Tora." She smiled happily at the man before them.

Chapter Text

Mister Smoothy

11:25 AM EDT

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A young man soon came walking in. He had worn his common black shirt and jeans under his green apron. He looked at the two and smiled. "Welcome to Mr. Smoothy. What can I get for you ladies today?"

The snow-haired girl was the first to reply with a smile. "I'll have a Winter Melon, please."

'Huh...Nordic. You don't see them often. Her outfit really suits her along with her Brazilian friend.' He turned to her and asked, "And you?"

'Green eyes too...' the emerald woman thought. Shaking her head out of her stupor, she gave her order. "I'll have a Strawberry Sunrise."

'I always liked Latin accents.' "Sure. Coming right up. Can I get your names?"

The emerald Brazilian was the first to speak. "You can call me Beatriz,

Her friend spoke next. "And you may call me Tora." She smiled happily at the man before them.

He smiled at the two. "It's nice of you two to stop by. You may call me Ben." He walked around the kitchen and soon made their drinks. After he received payment, he handed the two their drinks.

"Thanks," Tora and Beatriz both smiled. They decided to take seats near the counter.

"Enjoy."

The room was quiet at first, but a conversation started between them. The three continued to talk for another half-hour, enjoying each other's company.

"We're actually staying here in Central City for a month," answered Tora

"I'm sure that you'll enjoy your stay. You two can come by anytime," he replied.

"I take it that we gave off a good first impression," Beatriz commented.

"Don't sell yourselves short. It normally takes time for people to get on my good side. Now that I think about it, where were you two headed before you stopped by here?"

"Tora and I were on our way to Central City Plaza to check out the sites and do some shopping," Beatriz answered.

Tora's eyes widened at the idea. "Ooh! Do you want to come with us?"

Ben blinked at the sudden request while Beatriz raised an eyebrow at the invitation. "Excuse us while I chat with my friend here." Beatriz grabbed Tora and walked to the other side of the store. Ben was used to girl talk, so he didn't mind.

Beatriz looked at Tora expectantly while tapping her shoes. When she saw her confusion, she whispered to her, "Why did you invite him to come with us?"

Tora simply rolled her eyes and whispered back. "Come on, he seems nice. As far as I can tell, he seems pretty docile and sweet."

"So?..."

"We're new here, and I would prefer a local show us around rather than a tour guide. Remember what happened in New York last winter?"

Beatriz shuddered at the memory. Their tour guide was a total sleaze. He barely knew anything about the town and tried to get into their pants the entire day. "You have a point..."

"Plus, he is pretty cute, especially with his green eyes."

Beatriz twitched. "Really? I haven't noticed..."

"So? Is it a plan?"

"Fine... He can come along."

"Yay!"

"But if he steps out of line," she lit a small green flame on her thumb, "I'll roast him."

They turned to see Ben leaning against the counter, his hands in his pockets. "So..." He started with a hopeful smile. "Does the offer still stand?"

Beatriz nodded, and Tora smiled back, replying. "We would love for you to accompany us today."

Ben pushed himself upright and clapped his hands. "Great! We can take my car. It's pretty hot out there for us to be walking there. I'll close up shop. Wait for me outside, and I'll pull the car upfront."

They both looked at each other to see the other's reaction to getting into their new friend's car. They had the unspoken agreement, 'We can handle him if anything.' Turning back to Ben, they answered, "Sure," and walked out the front door.

As soon as they were out the door, Ben took a deep breath. "It's been a while since I went out with people on this new Earth, Azmuth."

As Ben closed the shop, a hologram projected from Ben's wrist and replied. "Indeed it has. Since coming here, you haven't had much social interaction outside your shop. Then again, you devoted much of your time to your recent projects."

"I'm just glad I had the Flashes to keep things calm until I set everything up. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to bring him back and build my new ride."

"One of which you will show to your new acquaintances." A smile pulled at Azmuth's lips.

Ben rolled his eyes at the implication. "We just met, and I'm not one to rush into relationships. I will admit, they are both really cute. I swear. Beatriz has to be a model or something. If things go well, then who knows."

"Julie was a special one. A little naive with the cult fiasco, but whole-hearted nonetheless."

"Yeah. Even though I'm a copy, I still miss my family and friends, especially Julie." Ben walks into the back room and changes into his signature green jacket. "I'm sure she's happily married with 'me' right now... disregarding the flow of time across universes." He shook his head. "Getting back on track, I better not keep those two waiting." After pocketing his wallet, phone, keys, and a small metallic device, he walks to the garage.

10 Minutes Later

"What kind of car do you think he drives?" asked Tora.

Bea shrugged. "If it's a windowless van, we book it."

In the corner of their eyes, a sleek black blur sped down the road and stopped right in front of the pair. (The car in Alien Swarm and the series was based on the Mazda RX-8, but I wanted his new one to be modeled after the 2016 Nissan GT-R) Now that it stopped, the two could finally get a better look at the car. The overall color scheme was jet black with emerald green highlights. Said highlights formed an "x" on the front and stretched to the side skirts and the rear spoiler. The chrome rims also had an emerald green center.

Bea whistled, and Tora gawked. It looked damn good.

The tinted passenger window lowered to reveal their new friend, Ben, with a knowing smile. "Thanks for waiting. Ready to head out?" He wore the familiar black shirt and jeans but was now wearing a green jacket with white stripes and the number ten. Strangely, it suited him very well.

Bea placed her hand on her hips."Sure. I have to say, Ben, you really know how to make a good first impression."

Ben gave a modest shrug and grin. "I aim to please. I'm glad you guys like it. Hop in."

"I've never seen this kind of car before," stated Tora, getting into the rear seat while Bea took the front passenger.

The emerald empress nodded. "I have to agree with sis. What model is this?"

Shifting gears, Ben replied, "I'll tell you later. In the meantime, here's a little demo." Reaching for the dashboard, he enabled high-performance mode and adjusted dynamic control, transmission, and suspension. Holding down the brake, Ben charged the engine by stomping on the accelerator and then released the brake. The car shot to sixty miles an hour in less than three seconds.

"Whoop!" Everyone in the car was excited. The G-force was incredible. Luckily, Ben was taking the back roads, so he didn't need to worry about any traffic. They eventually came to a calm and steady forty-five and began to talk.

"So, have you had a chance to see the Flashes?" asked Tora.

Be shook his head. "No. Not really. Things have been pretty quiet since I've been here."

Bea raised a brow. "Really?"

Ben shouted, "Hey, it's been peaceful in my part of town. I'm not complaining, but it would be nice to talk to them eventually. Maybe the villains and crooks are on summer vacation. Besides, I'm sure some of the heroes appreciate the quiet. " Ben ended up striking up another entertaining conversation with Tora while Beatriz looked out the window and stared at the passing clouds.

'I do admit. It is nice just spending time with my best friend.' She glanced at her friend through the side mirror. 'As much as we love both jobs, we needed this outing.' Her thoughts drifted to Ben. 'He's not such a bad guy.'

"You alright?"

Ben's words pulled Bea out of her thoughts. To recover, she replied, "You might want to keep your eyes on the road, juice boy," with a playful tone and smirk.

A smile tugged at his lips. "What? You think we're gonna crash?"

She tilted her head. "I haven't decided yet."

"Is that a challenge?" He changes gears and pushes on the accelerator.

"Ben? What are you doing?" Tora asked, slightly panicked at the increase in speed.

The speedometer was going over sixty miles per hour. There weren't any other cars around, but the speed was still high. Ben and Beatriz looked straight in the other's direction, a blink here and there, not looking at the road at all.

"Ben? Bea? You're scaring me!" Her hands latched onto the seat.

The speedometer reached ninety miles an hour, and the upcoming light was red.

"Ah!" Tora closed her eyes tight, but nothing bad happened.

The next red intersection arrived, and the car came to a sharp yet comfortable stop.

She opened her eyes to see the smiling pair in front of her. "Oh..." She was rather pink in embarrassment.

A few snickers escaped before the car erupted into full laughter.

"Oh, my god! That was hilarious!" exclaimed Beatriz.

"I know," wheezed Ben. "I can't believe you called my bluff!"

"I can't believe you called my bluff!"

"I can't believe you guys did that!" The two turned around to see a squealing Tora in the back seat. She gave off a watery-eyed puppy-dog expression that clearly melted hearts. Even her friend Beatriz was not immune to those eyes.

Beatriz sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck with an apologetic look."Sorry, Tor. We got so caught up in everything that we put you through that. Hehe."

"If anything, it's my fault. I'm the driver. Can you forgive us?

"Bea is my friend, so I'll let her go... for now." A small, sly smile appeared on her face. "You, Ben, are not getting off that easy."

He sweat-dropped with a nervous smile. "What do I do to make it up to you?"

"Hmm. I'll forgive you if you do two things for me. I'll think of the second one later, but you'll treat us to dinner tonight."

"Sure." He rolled his eyes.

The best friends proceeded to high-five each other.

"Somehow, I feel like that was you guy's plan all along." Ben only received giggles.

20 Minutes Later

Central City Plaza

They had just arrived at the Plaza near sundown, and Ben started to show them around. Surprising to them, Ben seemed to know all about the local hot spots and a little bit of the history. They visited many nearby landmarks, scenic points, and a few shops. Beatriz also helped Ben pick out a few clothes since she had an eye for fashion. When they visited a dog park, the girls went head over heels for Shibas and Corgis. "Don't leave me. I will hug you, squeeze you, and call you George," squealed Tora, hugging a Corgi. Ben finally got them to their next stop: the top of the Central Arch in the middle of town.

(Nearby radio speaker plays Zelda's Lullaby (Violin Cover) Taylor Davis)

The three were the only ones there as they gazed out into the distance. "Wow!" cheered Tora. "It looks amazing up here!"

Bea chuckled at her enthusiasm. "It really is great to be here."

He shrugged. "I'm sure you have been to other great places like this."

The three ended up against the railing, taking in the entire view and overlooking the sky, park, and city lights.

"Truth be told, Tora, I haven't had much time to venture during our stays.

They eventually stopped talking

BOOM!

"Well... That killed the mood," Bea deadpanned. Shaken from their relaxed state, they raced toward the source of the sound.

Down below, a beast was wreaking havoc. Upon closer inspection, he looked vaguely like a giant tiger cat or a puma. "Where is Flash!" He yelled. "It's time we settle our score without that runt of a sidekick getting in the way!"

No one was getting hurt, but he was causing a lot of property damage. "With that kind of entrance, the Flashes should be here any second?" stated Tora.

The music was cut off, and a female announcer took control. "This just in. Broadcasting to you live, the Flash and Kid Flash are currently engaging with Mirror Master at the Springfield Natural History Museum. Earlier today, the Hope Diamond had just stopped along its nationwide tour.

CRACK!

"Oh no! The Flashes have just been trapped in the mirror dimension. This isn't the first time they have been trapped, but it will take some time for them to find their escape. Local law enforcement is pursuing Mirror Master, but his use of mirror gateways makes apprehension extremely difficult. We'll keep you up to date on this as best we can. We advise all citizens to vacate the surrounding area until further notice." The loudspeaker was cut to a commercial.

"Or not," said Ben dryly.

Bea gave Tora a serious look and whispered. "We need to get down there now."

"What about Ben?" Tora asked.

"What about me?" Ben wanted to go down there to help, but he had to deal with the girls first. He had just overheard his name come up.

Bea grunted loudly, expressing much of her irritation and discomfort. She pointed straight at Ben. "If you tell anyone about us, I swear to God I will-."

"Fire, come on." Ben turned to Tora's voice to see her encase herself in ice and break out of it in a completely different outfit. Ben's eyes widened as Tora was the perfect combination of cute and sexy. Her snow-white hair, sky-blue eyes, and face shape were amazing. Ben also noticed her silky smooth legs revealed by her rather high-cut suit. It didn't help that the suit also gave a distracting view of her cleavage.

"Yeah, yeah, Ice. Remember what I said, Ben." He turned back to her, and she erupted into green flames, transforming into an Emerald Sun Goddess, in Ben's opinion. Her skin was green, while her hair was a torrent of flame. One thing that stood out to him was that she looked mostly naked, allowing Ben to see her luscious skin and jaw-dropping curves while her other flames covered her conservative areas. His eyes moved between the two elemental beauties, processing the shock and awe of what was before him. Bea flew down to face the obnoxious threat.

Tora walked up to Ben, kissed him on the cheek, and gave it a light pat. "Don't worry. We'll explain this later. You still owe us dinner," said the last part teasingly. There, she glided down below, Iceman style.

It took a few seconds for Ben's brain to reboot and draw a conclusion. "Oh, I did not just get left behind to fight crime!" He looked down at the two now facing off against the feline freak. A grin grew on his face. "Well, Azmuth. It's hero time!"

Down Below

"I asked to fight the fastest man alive, not some hot head and an ice princess!" He uprooted another tree and hurled it toward Fire. Luckily, the tree phased right through her, and she fired another scorching flame. As he named himself, Sabertooth took on the searing flames without flinching. From above, Ice was sending slabs of ice in his direction. His thick hide and brute strength could withstand her attacks, so she was acting as support for now.

'Fire flew in close, blazing like a phoenix, and launched a stream right at Saber, knocking him into a tree behind him while Ice started hailing him with rock-hard snowballs. Saber pulled the tree out of the ground to block the snowfall and then threw it at the heroine in question, knocking her out of the sky and behind Fire.

"Ice!" Fire turned and saw Saber get closer. She shot out some fireballs, which didn't do much to stop him. Suddenly, Ice shot the ground underneath him with her powers, making her equivalent of a banana peel beneath him, tripping him up.

As he slid forward, Fire and Ice shot extensive blasts to each side of him, making him roar slightly in pain. He jumped out toward Ice and plucked her out of the sky, throwing her at her friend when he landed. He picked up a nearby fire hydrant as she hit and threw it at the duo. As Fire and Ice saw it, they countered, firing streams of their respective elements at it, trying to stop the velocity of it enough to get away. As they just managed to duck under it, Ice shot an ice cage around the offending cat's feet and promptly collapsed.

Fire then flew towards him and started fighting up close.

Ice was losing her breath. She was overtaxing herself. She stood behind cover to regain her composure. At that time, Fire was going in close-quarter combat with the cat. While Fire had technique, she lacked the brute force Sabertooth had. With a few bruises here and there, Sabertooth was able to get Fire off-balanced and on the ground. He picked her up by her neck and declared, "Come on out, Flash. If you don't get here soon, you won't like what you'll see afterward."

Ice was still exhausted, and she feared for her best friend's safety. A thud happened behind her, and she quickly whirled around only to be left speechless in shocked silence by the darkened nine-foot figure towering over her.

Ice stared at the newcomer. She saw what looked like two claws protruding from its wrists extend outward by at least half six inches.

"YOU WANNA FIGHT, SABERTOOTH? RAAAGH! LET'S GO!" The towering figure turned to her. "You okay?"

Surprised at the new guy just talking to her, she simply nodded.

The behemoth's fiery gaze instantly shifted from to the beast. "USING HOSTAGES IS NOT COOL!" The shadow-veiled colossus jumped near the pair and then unleashed a primal roar so powerful its resonance echoed for miles.

"LET ME TELL YA SOMETHING, SABERTOOTH!" it shockingly bellowed, pointing menacingly at the man. "Nobody threatens Rath's friends. YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ALPHA PREDATOR HERE? THERE'S A REASON YOUR NAME IS EXTINCT, AND RATH IS GONNA MAKE YOU WISH YOU WERE!"

Not at all intimidated, the beast-man merely replied with a snarl. "I'm still waiting for the Flash, but I guess I'll have to establish my dominance over you right after I'm finished with her, feline."

Without further adieu, the newcomer instantly exploded out from the shadows, rocketing past the female duo and crashing into Sabertooth with the full force of a jet-propelled battering ram.

The Fire, Ice, civilians, and newscasters still in the area stared in shock as the now exposed luchador-tiger-like behemoth slammed his forearm into Saber's chest, bringing the tiger-man crashing to the ground.

Standing about nine feet tall, he resembles a tailless orange and white bipedal tiger with one claw out of each wrist. He is wearing sleek green and black wrestling shorts. His green eyes contrast with his sharp black eyebrows. Black stripes run on his shoulders, head, legs, and upper body, while white fur fills his jaw, neck, chest plates, hands, and feet. Finally, an hourglass symbol is on his luchador-like belt.

Free from the throat hold, Fire stood back up and faced her rescuer. "I don't know who or what you are or why we are friends, but thanks. Now, let's kick his ass!"

The battle of the beasts raged on as the newcomer jumped and brought his hulking elbow smashing into Saber's solar plexus. Distracted by the pain, Saber was set aflame by a pissed-off Brazilian.

Saber helplessly gasped desperately for the air that the blow had knocked from its lungs and that the fire burnt up. Ice jumped in to douse the flames and freeze Saber's entire lower section and left arm. The tiger-like behemoth picked up Saber by its chest fur. "COME ON!" he thundered into Saber's face. "YOU WANTED A FIGHT, AND NOW YOU GOT ONE! SO SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!"

Saber was not going to give up until he got his revenge. He roared right into the Appoplexian's face and sent a mean right hook, sending the newcomer reeling backward. Saber was able to free his left arm and right leg, but he didn't have the time to free his left because Fire started beating down on his chest with plasma-enclosed fists.

The Appoplexian was unable to help itself from grinning. "NOW, THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!" he shouted with pumped-up enthusiasm. "YOU THINK YOU GOT A SECOND WIND? WELL, RATH IS GOING TO RIP IT OUT OF YOU!" He then cracked his knuckles and neck as he loosened up for round two. "RAAAGH!"

Without any hesitation, Saber countered Fire's last strike, spit out some blood, and tossed Fire aside to face Rath. Rath narrowed his eyes at Fire and back to Saber.

Unfortunately, having never actually encountered an Appoplexian, Saber had no idea what a mistake he had just made. While Saber was strong, he had nothing over Rath's raw strength, fighting prowess, and overall unbridled savagery.

With savage ferocity, Rath instantly smashed its fist into Saber's windpipe, cutting off his momentum. He then dealt Saber a powerful knee to the stomach, causing Saber to keel over in pain. The battle-hungry Appoplexian picked him up upside down, securely locking him in its hulking arms, and sprang high up into the air. "POLARIS PILEDRIVER!" he thundered as they came crashing back into the ground.

Focusing her power on a high-powered stream of fire, Bea unleashed it on the being, getting back up and stopping after a few seconds. Fire grinned wickedly as Saber soon collapsed into an unconscious black soot mess.

Ice took the chance to make his ice prison so the police could take him in without any further problems.

Bea stretched her arms from the fight. "Thanks for the help, ... Rath."

Ben waved it off. "Don't mention it. It's what I do."

The civilians nearby were cheering the trio in thanks and taking photos while a few reporters were already targeting the heroes.

Questions were shot at them from multiple directions. "Who are you? What are you? Are you ladies single? Are you an alien like Superman? What are your three sizes? Are you part of the Justice League? Will you go out with me? Are you three new heroes to Central City?"

Ice made a small Ice blast to the sky to get the reporters to shut up. "One at a time," asked Fire. "Yes, we are single. We will not tell you that, and we respectfully decline." She turned to Rath. "We gave our answers. Now, it's your turn."

Rath grunted. He still hated the media after his experience with Will Harangue. It didn't help that Rath was the body holding in the emotions. He needed to stay composed. "Rath is a hero! That's all you need to know! I'm not part of the League. I kick criminal butt whenever I see it. Kinda sorta on the last one!"

"Rath and Rath's friends will be on our way." He scooped up Tora into a bridal carry, causing her to redden in embarrassment. Rath motioned Fire to follow.

The three moved to a nearby rooftop, away from the media and civilians.

Rath gently put Tora down on the roof. "Sorry. Rath wanted some privacy. Didn't want an ice trail."

She nodded slowly. "No, I understand... Who and what are you, by the way?" asked Tora.

"And Why did you call us your friends?" asked Bea, who just landed.

Rath sent a fake hurt expression to the pair. "Rath hurt that you guys don't recognize me, Tora and Beatriz."

The two girls winced at the knowledge of their identities. "Should we?" Bea asked. I'm pretty sure we would remember a gigantic luchador tiger man."

Rath grew a mischievous grin. "After all the time we spent together this afternoon..."

It was their turn to go wide-eyed at the sudden revelation.

"Ben!?" Tora exclaimed in shock and awe. "Is that really you?"

"Hold on a sec." He pressed the hourglass symbol on his belt, causing him to be engulfed in emerald light. After Tora and Bea removed their hands from their eyes, they saw the familiar Ben standing there with a friendly expression on his face. "It really is me. The one and only. Considering that you showed your secrets to me, it is only fair that you know this little bit about me."

Tora and Beatriz changed back into civilian clothes once they confirmed it was Ben. "That still doesn't explain how you changed." Tora was still confused.

"We'll trade stories soon. Come follow me. The night's not over yet."

"What are you talking about?" said the two in unison.

"Anybody hungry? Like I promised you guys earlier today, dinner's on me, and I know just the place."

Tora and Beatriz are so consumed by the fight and Ben that they forget about their hunger. Their faces reddened as growls escaped from each of them.

Ben laughed. "Glad to see I'm not the only one ready to eat.

Ben took them to an all-you-can-eat Yakiniku restaurant. For those who don't know, a Yakiniku restaurant allows you to cook the food on a stove at your table. They had their own private booth, and each gave a cliff notes version of themselves, nothing too specific but getting the point across. Ben talked about his Omnitrix briefly but focused more on some of his past adventures. He even explained why he opened a smoothie shop. Ben did not mention that he was from a different universe. No one needs to know that. Why would anyone need to know that? Seriously? Why does anyone need to know someone is from a different universe? It's just stupid. After trading stories, they ended up enjoying a casual dinner together. This was Tora's and Bea's first time in this type of restaurant, and they liked Ben's company.

Once everything was said and done, Ben drove them to their hotel.

Both paused before either of them got out of the car. "We should do this again sometime."

Ben was surprised by that. "I take it that the villain thing didn't ruin things."

"Actually, that is the best-case scenario," replied Tora. "It's hard making friends when you travel the world occasionally, but we can finally relax when we hang out with you since we both know each other's secrets. Bea will be busy with a meeting, but are you free next Friday?"

"Are you kidding? It's a plan," Ben answered in a quite happy tone.

With a small flicker of jealousy, Fire spoke. "I'll be modeling in the Victoria's Secret pageant in a few weeks. Why don't you stop by?"

Noticing Bea's intentions, Tora also spoke up. "You should come! If you want to, call us later, and we'll give you the details and the backstage pass so you can meet us."

"How could I turn down such an offer, especially from you two? I'd love to go." Ben replied sincerely and teasingly. A slight hue of pink grew on their cheeks.

Beatriz and Tora took out pieces of paper and gave Ben their phone numbers.

Tora smiled. "Bye, Ben. Don't be a stranger."

Bea waved back. "The same goes for me too."

"I'll call. Goodnight, ladies," Ben said, waving them back goodbye. As Ben drove off, he thought, "Looks like I'm back in the hero game."

Back with Tora and Bea. Tora gave her friend a sly smile. "I told you that he was a great guy."

"Shut up!" Bea muttered in embarrassment from her best friend. 'We both like the same guy. This will be interesting...'

Meanwhile

Washington D.C

"Hey, Dawn, are you feeling okay? You've been staring in that direction for a while now."

"Holly, you feel the same thing. Right? Something new has arrived, and it keeps popping up every month. I can't figure it out but feel somehow connected to it.

"I know. It's strange. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Forget about it for now. Come on. Let's go home."

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Rath

Species: Appoplexian

Home World: Appoplexia

Powers and Abilities:

Appoplexians possess enhanced strength and agility, enabling them to jump great distances and lift objects heavier than themselves. While not the smartest of species, their expert fighting style combines wrestling, grappling holds, and sheer brute force, allowing them to power their way through dozens of opponents and smash through tough defenses. Appoplexians possess a large, retractable claw on each wrist. Appoplexians are extremely durable. Appoplexians can always remember things relating to fights or battle techniques learned. Their unbridled aggression gives them a psychological edge in combat. There are very few things that Apploplexians fear, and many opponents find it extremely difficult to stop one who is fully enraged.

Behavior (Special Case):

Appoplexians value emotional openness: if an Appoplexian has a feeling, they express it openly. Generally, the feeling is a blind rage. Appoplexians love to fight and have a great appreciation for the best fighter. Instead of shaking hands when they meet, they engage in a wrestling match until one is established as dominant. Appoplexians believe any problem can be solved by hitting it. Appoplexians are prone to referring to people by their full name or title and beginning a conversation with "Let me tell ya somethin'!" They also refer to themselves in the third person. Appoplexians have an advanced level of shame and wear pants. The Rath strand of DNA lacked the strong sense of shame that most Appoplexians have, as he ran around naked uncaringly.

Chapter Text

Justice League Watchtower

Green Arrow slumped over the monitor. "Ugh... Monitor duty is so boring!"

The scarlet speedster was sitting right next to him in a similar state. "Come on. Someone. Anyone. Try to make a doomsday machine. Anything. I'll even take stealing candy from a baby."

"Just two more hours, and I can finally go on my date with Felicity."

"How long have you been with her again?"

"A little more than a year. She was the one who helped me launch the whole Green Arrow gig. She's been with me the whole way."

"That's so sweet. I still have to buy a gift for my anniversary with Iris. I was supposed to get it yesterday, but Mirror Master ruined my outing." Flash put a hand to his chin. "Is there something specific for a fifth anniversary?"

"Not that I know of... Now that I think about it, what was that huge ruckus on the other side of the state back in Central at the time?"

"What do you mean?" Flash wasn't aware anything happened. "I heard there was something, but it was taken care of. At least, that's what the police chief told me."

"Hold on. Let me Google it real quick." After a few clicks and keystrokes, he found what he sought. "Check this out."

Flash checked the screen to see his old villain, Sabretooth, fighting Fire and Ice. They were on the League's charter for potential members but said they weren't ready for the League commitment yet. "I'm glad they could hold the fort down while I was gone."

"That's not the part I was referring to. Keep watching."

Flash watched as Fire and Ice were on the edge of defeat. "Oh, God. Are they okay?" Instead of replying, he heard a roar off-screen. The video continued, and the two men watched the Tiger wrestler intervene. With assistance from the two women, Sabretooth was taken down. The reporters ran up to the trio, loaded with questions.

Flash and Green Arrow rolled their eyes at the inappropriate questions asked of Fire and Ice. They were more interested in the newcomer's answer.

The Tiger Man grunted. "My name is Rath, and I'm a hero! That's all you need to know for now! No, I'm not part of the League. I'm more of a freelancer now, and sorta for me on the last one! If you all don't mind, we will have a private chat." Ice was scooped up by him into a bridal carry, causing her to redden in embarrassment, and Rath motioned Fire to follow.

"He's a loud one, that's for sure," noted Arrow.

"I'm glad to hear that he's on our side."

"What do you think about him being in Central?"

"Since I've been with the league a lot, it's good to see that the city is still in good hands while I'm gone."

"What do you think of the guy in general?"

"He seems alright. A bit rough for my taste, but it looks like the girls are keeping him company." Flash nudged Arrow on the shoulder.

He simply chuckled. "Yeah, from the looks of it, they are having fun with their new toy. Do you think we should tell the others about the new guy?"

Flash shrugged. "Meh, he was on the news. I'm pretty sure that they already know."

"I wonder what he's doing now, being a Tiger Wrestler."

Flash smirked. "Maybe he's auditioning for the next season of WWE?"

Meanwhile

Central City

Ben wiped the counter with a positive expression on his face. The day before was quite eventful. He met two beautiful women who were heroes just like him. In addition, he can make his debut on the hero front. Considering what happened the last time his identity was leaked, he would do his best to keep his secret in a small circle. Things were looking up for Ben.

The doorbell rang, signaling a new customer.

Ben wasn't looking at the door as he moved some things under the counter. "Welcome to Mr. Smoothy. May I take your order?"

"Hands in the air, bub!"

That caused Ben to drop what he was doing and look up from the counter.

At the entrance of the store was a quite attractive blond woman pointing a gun at his face.

Her outfit was an ensemble of red and black leather. If you were to draw a line down her middle, you could see that each side was the opposite of color. The corsage gave a clear view of her navel and lower back. Each of her arms had a sleeve and glove. She also wore tights with a brown belt around her waist. Around her neck was a choker. To Ben, the design gave off the theme of a deck of cards. Her blond hair was tied in two ponytails, each with colored tips.

(I based her off the picture in this link: harleyquinn111992 deviantart com /art/Harley-Quinn-By-Rajivcr7-d7jhzkm-498912488)

Ben looked at the sign he posted on the wall nearby.

Days Without Incident: 54

"Well, looks like I have to update the sign..." Years of getting pointed at with guns got him used to the experience. Ben could have used Master Control to change, but the woman would have still seen him change.

"Shut up!" she yelled. She walked closer to the counter, still aiming the gun.

As she drew near, Ben noticed her eyes. They were quite red, with dry tear marks trailing down each of them. What caught his eye was the bruise on her left eye. 'What happened to her?'

"Come out from behind the counter," she ordered, and Ben complied. "Now, I want you to remove all the money in the register and place it in a bag."

Ben wasn't concerned about the money as he could simply make more sapphires. He was more concerned about the woman in front of him. Looking into her eyes, Ben could see how broken she was. Over the years, Ben has helped people of all backgrounds. There were times when Ben was to assist in domestic issues on other planets. This person in front of him needed help.

Ben reached for the register and started packing the money. The woman started to relax a bit as everything was going smoothly. This was his moment to act, but it would be a huge risk. "Would it be okay for me to know the name of the woman who's robbing me?"

The woman's expression didn't change, but she answered. "It's Harley. Harley Quinn."

Ben smiled. 'I'm making progress.' "Harley... Nice name. You can call me Ben."

"Well, Ben. I'm glad you're making this easy."

He continued to pack the money. "So... Harley. What's a woman like you doing here?"

She raised a brow. "What's it to you? I'm robbing you, aren't I?"

"That's not what I mean."

Harley tilted her head. 'What's he going on about?' "What do you mean?"

"You're robbing a smoothie shop. I wouldn't call it the best place for profit." Ben paused for a moment to look her in the eyes. "Does it have anything to do with whoever gave you that bruise?"

Harley's eyes widened at the comment. Her free hand slowly reached for her left eye, but she shook her head at the last moment. "N-No! This has nothing to do with it!" She yelled.

Ben could see that her conviction was wavering by the look of her hold on the gun. 'Just a little more.' "Did someone you care about do this to you?"

She kept silent.

"I guess I'm right...aren't I..."

"No," she answered. "H-He loves me. I-I deserve his love." Her belief in her statement was faltering.

Ben was seeing the signs of what this person was, and he didn't like it at all. "Whether he loves you or not, it's obvious that he doesn't respect you. Is this really what you want in a relationship?"

"I...I..." She didn't know how to answer.

Ben frowned. 'What kind of person was she involved with?' "Was there ever a moment he put you ahead of his or her desires?"

Harley's mind raced through several memories of her with the Joker. It wasn't good... at all. The betrayals, the lies, and... the abuse... began to surround her mind.

That straw broke the camel's back as Harley collapsed onto the floor in a crying mess. She felt so helpless.

She felt so helpless.

Ben couldn't help but feel empathy. Ben placed the money on the counter and walked toward the still-crying Harley. He took a seat beside her, and Harley didn't react. At that moment, he pulled Harley into a hug. Harley continued to cry, but she knocked on Ben's arm with the butt of the pistol. Each hit was weaker than the last until she simply let go of the gun and dug her face deeper into Ben's shoulder.

Harley slowly wrapped her arms around him, returning the hug while still tearing up.

1 Hour Later

Ben was leaning against the store counter, Harley resting on his lap. Harley's sobs slowly stopped over the course of half an hour. She finally stopped when her body gave up from all the fatigue and stress that was likely building up inside. Ben gently stroked Harley's hair as she let out slow breaths in her sleep.

'You know, when she's not pointing a gun at me, she does look pretty cute.'

Her sleeping form slowly squirmed, and her eyes lifted open. She took a few seconds to get her bearings. Once she saw Ben, she realized that she was on his lap and moved to get away.

Ben gently placed his hand on her shoulders to get her attention. "Harley. Hey, hey. It's okay. Calm down. I'm not going to do anything."

She gave him a skeptical look. "How do I know that you haven't already called the cops and that they're on their way right now to take me away?"

"Well, for one, we've been in this position for about an hour now."

Harley blinked at the statement in his lap and gave a nervous laugh. "Oh... I guess so..."

Ben rolled his eyes with a small smile. "Two, I think it would have done more harm than good for you if I had called the cops and let them handle you."

Harley raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Good for me?"

"While I respect the men doing their job, I believe you need help outside the system."

Harley lightly scoffed. "You expect me to believe that you want to help me?"

"Hey, I'll have you know that my best friend was a criminal."

This surprised her. She thought back to the statement. "Was?"

Ben shrugged. "He moved on to better things. He's much happier if you must know."

"Oh..." she replied.

There was a brief moment of silence before Ben spoke up. "So... Do you feel much better now?"

Harley was slightly taken aback by the concern for her well-being but straightened herself back up. Her eyes drifted away from Ben's face, a little embarrassed at what happened so far. "Well... Much better than before... Thanks for not calling the cops."

"It's not what I do on a daily basis, but I made an exception." Ben stood and held out his hand to Harley. "Come, let's get you cleaned up."

She was hesitant to trust the guy she had just met, but he didn't seem to have any ill will toward her or her actions. This piqued the curiosity of the psychologist inside her. The way this man acted was contrary to her expectations. She wanted to know more about him. What made him tick? Why is he helping her?

She closed her thoughts, gathered her resolve, and took Ben's hand. 'I hope that I don't regret this.'

She was led to the back of the store and up the stairs to the second floor. She was surprised to see a loft right above the shop.

Ben noticed her surprise and explained. "Sometimes, when I stay here late, I crash here as a second home." He led her to the bathroom. "Go get yourself clean. I'll be back with a change of clothes." Harley was left in the bathroom as Ben walked away.

Harley's first instinct was to lock the door behind her. After taking a breath, she walked to the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. 'Aren't I a mess...' She sighed and began to strip, placing her clothes on the toilet seat. Soon, she was in a lukewarm bath, lying back against the tub, staring up. She occasionally scrubbed away the dirt and grime she collected but stared at the roof at the end. The scars from her previous injuries have nearly faded away. Her thoughts were reviewing everything that had happened in the past few weeks.

'It's been one year since I joined the Joker, and about a month since I left Gotham... I just wanted to get away from it all. My feelings with the Joker were all messed up since that day.' She gave a sad chuckle. 'I guess I was just in denial... I still can't believe I was lucky enough to leave Arkham during the breakout. I wonder if Pam is doing okay without me.'

Knocking on the door brought her back to reality.

"I have some spare clothes at the door. Call me if you need anything."

She sank into the water and thought about what she would say to Ben when she got out.

15 Minutes later

Ben was sitting on the couch in the living room watching TV when he heard the bathroom door open, followed by footsteps. Out of the walkway came a clean Harley wearing a black T-shirt and shorts one size larger than her. The larger clothes enhanced the mystery of the luscious body underneath, while her smooth arms and curvaceous legs gave a pretty good hint. She soon planted herself on the couch next to Ben, and they watched the TV silently for a short time.

"Hey," Harley asked to get his attention.

"Yeah?"

"Listen, I just want to say... I'm..." The words were getting caught in her throat. "I'm... sorry about earlier." That was a load off her chest. "I've been through a lot and took it out on you." Her mind drifted back to her time in Gotham, but she shook those thoughts away. "Also... Thanks... For everything. Most of the time... people don't spare me a second glance before they judge me and run away..."

Ben smiled at her honesty. "I'm glad I'm not most people." He gave a small chuckle. "I don't mean to push, but do you want to talk about it? You said that you were dealing with personal issues."

She opened her mouth to answer but stopped. She took a moment to think before answering."No... Maybe not now. I just need some time to think everything over..."

Ben accepted her answer. "I don't want to force you into anything you don't want. Take as much time as you need. I'm all ears anytime."

"Thanks for understanding... I should be okay. I'm a psychologist, you know."

He smiled. 'Huh. Who knew?' "That's all well and good, but it's always good to have an outside perspective. Like I said. I'm all ears if you need me. I have experience in psychology when I went for my criminal justice degree."

That threw her off a bit. "You have a degree in Criminal Justice?"

"Yup," he replied, still with a smile.

It was Harley's turn to laugh a bit. "So you have that degree, yet you're running a smoothie shop?"

Ben laughed a bit along with her with a shrug. "You know what they say. Do what makes you happy."

"Yeah...What makes you happy..." A brief pause came before she spoke again. "Hey, Ben. I know you've done a lot for me already, but..." She turned her head in a feeling of shame. "Do you mind if I stay here for a while? I don't have anywhere to go, and I don't feel like talking to anyone else. In a way, I did what I did this morning because I needed money for a place to stay." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and braced for the rejection... only it didn't come.

"Of course you can stay."

Harley's head made a one-eighty to face Ben. "R-Really?!" She couldn't believe it, yet she could see the sincerity in his emerald eyes.

Ben took a seat closer, smiled, and continued, "I promised that I would help you through this. Right?"

Harley lunged at him and pulled him into a deep hug. "Thank you..." That was all that she could say at the moment. Ben returned the hug with a tinge of pink on his face.

The afternoon went smoothly as they talked a little about themselves. Harley really enjoyed Ben's stories of his summers spent across the country.

Ben offered to sleep on the couch when night fell while Harley slept in the bedroom.

Before Ben left her alone with the room, she called out to him. "Hey, Ben."

"Yeah?"

"I have to ask... Why are you helping me? I pointed a gun at you. I tried to rob you. Now I'm taking baths and sleeping in your home. What did I do to deserve this?"

Ben's face turned into a much more solemn one, and they answered. "Just like you, I had my moments of helplessness. When I first saw you this morning, I recognized the look in your eyes. The eyes of someone on the verge of breaking. Someone was feeling hopeless. I was lucky enough to have friends and family around for me. I assumed that you didn't have someone to talk to. After that time, I learned that the best way to cure hopelessness is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope. I wanted to give you hope. I wanted to help you see a better tomorrow."

A smile grew on Harley's face, and she had a slight tear in her eyes as she heard those words. It has been a long time since someone genuinely cared for her well-being. "Thank you, Ben. You have no idea what this means to me."

"I'm glad to help." Before Ben closed the door, he said one last thing. "By the way, you're cute when you have a smile on your face."

The closed-door hid Harley's face, which had an even larger grin with pink on her cheeks.

She looked at the nightstand and saw the phone. She needed to call someone.

Gotham City

Pamela Isley was lying in her apartment for the night. Her fair skin gave an alluring contrast to her auburn red hair, and her leaf-patterned nightwear accentuated her curves.

(You can imagine her to be any appearance you see as attractive. One look at her DeviantArt told me I couldn't choose one.)

Her room was filled with plants that she called her babies. She looked out the window as she stroked her tulip. 'I hope that Harley is okay. I haven't seen her since we were both in Arkham.' Her face scrounged up. 'It's all that damn Joker's fault...' She then grew a sad expression. 'I knew he was bad for her, but I just let her live in her deluded fantasy, hoping she would realize her mistake.' She sulks even more. 'I should have known that Joker's manipulation would have ingrained deep in her head. Does his madness have no bounds?' She has been friends with Harley Quinn since she met her. Unlike most team-ups, their partnership is genuinely rooted in friendship, and Ivy wants to save Harley from her abusive relationship with The Joker.

Her thoughts were broken by the ringing of her cell. She sighed and answered the unknown number, somewhat irritated. "What? Who is this?"

"Hey, Pam. It's me, Harley,"

Pamela paused, nearly dropping the phone. The sound of the familiar voice and name made her jump at attention. "Oh my God, Harley. Is this you?" Her voice grew in concern.

"Yeah, it's me, the one and only," answered her friend shyly.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you since the breakout. I almost thought you were dead! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you!" Pam was in a state of anger and relief because, deep inside, she was glad she was safe.

"I'm sorry that I made you go through all this. I just needed to get away from it all. I didn't mean to hurt you, Pam. You're my best friend in the world."

Pamela smiled since Harley sounded much better than a month ago. "Well, I'm glad that you're alright. So tell me. Where have you been? Why did you leave?"

"I finally did it, Pam. What you've been telling me for the past year. I finally left the Joker..."

To say that Pamela was shocked was an understatement. She was amazed that Harley had finally left Joker. "Oh my God, Harley! That's great! I always knew that you had it in you!"

"I guess that I did the right thing then..."

"He was never good for you, Harley. That man had no respect for you. I've seen the bruises and scars. Last time... Last time was just unforgivable for me..."

"I'm starting to see that now. Anyway, I'm currently staying in Central City while I get everything sorted out. I almost forgot to ask. How are you doing since the escape?"

"I'm doing fine. I'm just living in my apartment with my babies until the heat dies. Are you staying somewhere nice?"

"I'm staying with a... friend."

"Oh..." This piqued Pam's curiosity and concern. She experienced cruel men in her lifetime and grew to distrust and manipulate these men. Meeting men like the Joker manipulating Harley did not help man's cause. "I see that you've already moved on. Who's the lucky man?"

Harley sputtered before replying. "I just met him today, and his name's Ben."

"So... How'd you two meet?"

"Uh...Well... I was robbing his store..."

Pam blinked at the statement, even though it was a phone call. "Uh... You didn't hold him hostage while you lived in his house. Did you?"

"What! No!" Harley replied. "I was just trying to get money for a night's rent. One thing led to another, and I ended up having an emotional breakdown in his store."

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked with concern, and then her tone changed into a more threatening one. "He didn't take advantage of you. Did he?"

"N-No! He didn't do anything like that. He's been nothing but empathetic to me. He genuinely wants to help me... He didn't call the cops on me. He got me cleaned up and clothed. He's even letting me stay with him while I sort myself..."

All of this coming from Harley was something new to Pamela. She sounded so relieved... so happy...

"I honestly don't know what would have happened to me if I didn't meet him... I honestly don't want to imagine it..."

When Pamela learned about Harley's new situation, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She was getting the help that she desperately needed. "Me too... I don't want to lose my best friend."

"Best friends for life, Pam. Anyway, it's getting late. I should probably go to bed now."

"You're right. Take care, Harley. Call me back soon."

"Thanks. I'll keep you updated."

"Oh, and if this Ben gives you any trouble, I'll be right there to turn him into fertilizer."

Harley chuckled at the threat. "I do not doubt that you will. You'll like him if you meet him. He's different from the people we're used to."

Pamela smiled at the idea. "Maybe when the heat dies down, I'll come to visit.

"I'll send you the address when you're ready. Just try not to scare him too much."

"Oh, Harley. Whatever do you mean?"

"Goodnight Pam. I'll talk to you later."

"Goodnight, Harley. I'm so proud of you."

Central City

Harley washed up and wrapped herself in her sheets. Before she closed her eyes, she whispered, "Thanks, Ben... for everything."

It didn't take long for her to enter her dreams.

Harley had a peaceful night of sleep for the first time in a long time.

Living Room

Ben just left Harley in the room, and he slumped onto the couch. Today was quite the day, but he was happy to help Harley. He waited for Harley to sleep before pulling up his watch and calling for his friend. The image of Azmuth came up and greeted him.

"Greetings, Ben. How are you?" The two of them talked every other day.

Ben gave him a recap of what happened, and He was surprised at the response. "I must say, Ben, I am very proud of you. This is a sign of your growth and maturity as a person."

He blinked at the compliment. "Thanks. I normally don't hear that from you often."

Azmuth scoffed. "It's not often that you give me a reason to, at least until recently. If you were put in this morning's events from about five to six years ago, he would have gone straight to the violent approach."

Ben cringed at that thought. He knew it was true and sulked a bit. He didn't want to imagine himself hurting Harley physically when she was having emotional problems. "I see what you mean..." 'Thank God it turned out better.'

Azmuth expressed hope, "But you are much different from then. The Ben today was calm and collected. He went to the root of the problem and dealt with it appropriately with compassion and understanding."

"I have changed... haven't I?"

"Indeed you have. Do you remember why I made the Omnitrix?"

Ben nodded. "It was to bridge the gap between species to promote understanding and peace."

"And what you did today was of your ability. It seems that you continue to prove that I chose the right wielder of my creation."

Ben smiled at the compliment, but it returned to a neutral expression. "That means a lot to me, Azmuth. However, I still remember the day I broke your trust when I tried to hack into the first Omnitrix. I still feel remorse for that. I'm glad you still allowed me to continue working with you."

Azmuth gave a small chuckle. "For what it is worth, Ben, I have gotten used to humanity by now. Your kind means well, but they don't realize their mistakes until after the consequences. The same can be said for Sir George. May he rest in peace. You have learned your lesson and changed for the better. I do forgive you, but I hope that you please show some respect for my warnings."

"Thanks for the talk and everything, Azmuth."

"Thanks to you as well."

"By the way, it's that time of the month to meet with Serena and Bellicus." After getting the new Omnitrix, Ben tried to improve his relationship with Serena and Bellicus. They have not been on good terms the last time they met before that. Since then, Ben has tried to do his job as the voice of reason. Thankfully, college helped to improve his public speaking and persuasion. As Serena and Bellicus have been arguing for eternity, never having a tiebreaker, getting them to focus on any present task is difficult. This leaves Alien X's body trapped in place, floating about a foot above the ground until an agreement is made.

"It is indeed. Fortunately, they allowed time to dilate when you are helping them make decisions."

He sighed. "I know. Last time, it felt like a week, but only a minute had passed. That still doesn't compare to the first time I talked with them here in this universe... Anyways, release the safeguards, Azmuth."

"Very well. Do take care. I hope that your meeting goes well."

The core opened up and displayed the hologram of Alien X. Ben took a breath and pressed it down, now engulfed in emerald light. He soon disappeared, and in his place was a seven-foot humanoid. He was shaped like a human, save for the three crests that rose out of his head; his entire body was black as the void itself, yet was dotted by distant stars. It was as if someone had poured a part of the night sky into a glass man. The only part of him with a different color was the green Omnitrix symbol on his chest.

When he spoke, he did so with three voices: a deep, male voice, a gentle, feminine voice, and Ben's voice. "Alien X."

Inside Alien X

At that moment, Ben found himself within Alien X's mind, which appeared to be the darkness of space with stars in the distance. Of course, he wasn't alone; the other two personalities within Alien X were also there.

They appeared as giant green faces without eyes, the empty sockets revealing only the space behind them. On one side was Bellicus, the embodiment of rage and aggression; on the other, Serena, the embodiment of love and compassion. The two constantly debated what actions to take, unable to agree on anything unless Ben intervened.

"Motion to welcome Ben Tennyson?" Serena asked pleasantly.

"I guess it's that time again. Fine. Very well. Motion carried!" Bellicus said. "Welcome," the two faces said in unison.

"Are you ready to begin?" asked Serena.

Ben nodded. "Yup."

Bellicus chimed in. "Remember our agreement, Ben. For every one hundred decisions you resolve for us, we'll listen to one of yours, but that doesn't mean we will say yes."

"I got it," replied Ben

"What was our last decision, Bellicus?" Serena asked again.

Bellicus thought about it for a moment. "I believe we were on whether we should create a new star and whether or not we bring back the dinosaurs on this Earth. We never had a chance to decide in the previous universe."

Serena gave a light sigh. "I remember when Ben first talked to us in this new universe."

"Yeah... I wish that you would allow us to go home... and set Ben on fire."

"It certainly was an eventful meeting..." replied Ben.

Serena faced her companion. "Oh, Bellicus. Don't be so reckless. I remember it like it was yesterday..."

Flashback to the first month

Ben found himself in Alien X's mind with Bellicus and Serena. At the moment, Bellicus looked angrier than usual, while Serena seemed more excited.

Ben was extremely nervous as the two faces in front of him learned about the scenery change. "Hey...guys...How's it going?... Anything new?..."

Bellicus merely narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you know, the usual. Arguing, staring out into space, finding out that we're in a completely different multiverse..."

Ben coughed. "What?... I-I have no idea what you're talking about." 'This is never going to work.'

Serena chuckled at Ben's attempt while Bellicus sighed and continued. "Ben. Did you think that would work?"

"No, I was just trying to relieve the tension."

Serena spoke up. "We are one of the most powerful beings in the... this universe. We noticed the change in the balance between chaos and order."

This was new to Ben. "Uh... Change in chaos and order?"

She smiled. "Why, yes. The universe, or any universe, really must stay in balance. This universe, in particular, has several entities of chaos and order."

Bellicus scoffed. "Bah... Those beings are ants compared to us."

Ben raised a brow. "It makes sense that you guys are aligned with chaos and order. Chaos can be connected to rage and aggression, and order can be connected to love and compassion. Anyways, What do you think of the place?"

Bellicus sighed. "It's alright, I guess. There are some pretty interesting places full of rage and aggression. The color red seems to come up a lot in that area. With little pockets of yellow and a speck of orange."

Serena giggled. "I love it. The Forge of Creation was always so boring. It's exciting to see something new that we or the other Celestialsapiens didn't do. I can also feel the areas connected to me too. Mostly indigo and violet with a touch of blue."

"That's pretty interesting. Not sure why you're thinking about colors, though." Ben shrugged. "You guys want to go home, or do you want to check this place out? I want to see more of this world of heroes."

"Meh," Bellicus replied. "We'll make it a decision later if we want to leave. Now that I think about it, a new multiverse means a new set of decisions." He chuckled. "Oh, I haven't felt this way in eons. Same for you, Serena?"

"Most definitely, now that you bring that up. What do you want to do first?" she asked, excitedly.

"Good question." He looked at Ben. "You have your job as reason out for you now, Tennyson. Now, I would like to wage war against the gods of this place and establish my dominance!" The excitement in his voice rang out as Ben and Serena gave him a blank look. "What? Too much?"

"Motion denied," the two said in sync.

Bellicus groaned. "Fine. Fine. We'll start a little smaller, then. I propose that we bring back the dinosaurs."

Ben and Serena glanced at each other and looked back at Bellicus. "We're listening."

Flashback End

"Anyways, back to business," Bellicus replied.

The meeting had gone on for about two days inside Alien X before the two personalities decided to give Ben a break.

Ben's Living Room

In a flash of green light, Ben turned back and yawned.

Azmuth popped up again and asked how it went.

"Oh, the usual. Stopped Bellicus from waging war against the local deities. Made a few planets and stars here and there." Serena convinced Ben to make an entire society of Corgis in one of those worlds. "I might visit that planet one day. We did some other stuff, but I'll tell you that later."

Azmuth chuckled. "Quite a productive meeting then."

"I'll say so. I'm going to sleep." He fell on his couch like a log. "Night, Azmuth."

The Omnitrix gave off a faint glow as Ben went to sleep, indicating that Azmuth was still active.

Little did the two know that a few individuals felt Alien X's appearance.

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name:

Alien X

Species: Celestialsapien

Home World: Forge of Creation

Powers and Abilities:

Celestialsapiens are an extremely powerful species. They are capable of controlling reality with ease and at any level. Professor Paradox sees them as the greatest power he's ever seen, going as far as to call them omnipotent. He places them above his Chrono Navigator, which can destroy a Multiverse. It is said that Celestialsapiens can destroy the multiverse with six thoughts, but this has yet to be confirmed. Celestialsapiens are immortal, or at least extremely long-lived, as they can live for tens of thousands of years before even being considered "mature." Celestialsapiens have their personalities; Bellicus and Serena are unique to Alien X.

Chapter Text

Mister Smoothie

Friday, June 4, 2010

When Harley woke up, she seemed to have a much more positive attitude than the day before. While she was still broken after her relationship with the Joker, Harley felt that yesterday gave her hope to continue. She sat on her bed for a short while, staring out the window and thinking over what happened. 'I guess it wasn't all a dream.' Harley looked down at herself, thinking about the previous weeks without clean ones. Now that she thought about it, Mr. J always picked out her outfits. 'This… This feels nice.'

She got to her feet, stretched, and went to the door. 'I wonder if Ben is still here.' Harley peeked out of her room to see if Ben was still around. While she didn't see him, a fresh breakfast aroma blew into her face as soon as the door opened. 'He's in the kitchen, then.' Knowing that Ben had shown some concern since yesterday, she plastered on a small smile. While she appreciated that Ben let her stay here, she didn't want him to worry too much about her problems. She took a deep breath of the deliciousness and went downstairs, still in her sleepwear. "Something smells good. What's cooking, Ben?" She could hear the light bustle in the kitchen when she descended the stairs.

Ben was wearing a simple black T-shirt and jeans and holding a hot pan. "Oh, Morning, Harley. I decided to make some breakfast for us before opening the shop."

She smiled at the small array of food on the table. Some waffles, breakfast sausages, and pancakes were ready to be served. "Wow. Thanks. This looks delicious. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I'm still working on the omelets, so if you can grab some salt and pepper from the pantry, that would be great."

"Sure." She walked up to the cupboard, opened it, and traced her finger along the rows of boxes and other containers.' Salt and pepper. Salt and pepper. Salt and pepper. Ah, right next to the bulk popcorn.' "Here you go."

"Thanks. Take a seat, and I'll have this ready for us."

About five minutes later, all the food was set and ready to be eaten. Harley's mouth watered a bit from being so close to the smell.

When Ben sat down, he noticed this. "Thanks for waiting. Let's dig in."

While they were eating, Harley decided to start up some conversation. "This is all good. How did you learn to cook like this anyway?

"When I finally left my parent's place after college, I had to start learning to cook independently. The internet helped, but that didn't stop me from burning a few things at first." Harley laughed at his modesty. "My cousin and best friend didn't like how I ate out often. In retrospect, a diet of chili fries and smoothies for a few weeks does not end well."

Once they finished breakfast, the two began to open up shop. Ben decided that Harley could live in the room upstairs and help around while she recovered. She was still unsure what to do with her life, but who does?

Things were looking up for the two of them.

Oa

Things were not looking up for the Green Lantern Corps. The Guardians of the Universe were in a frenzy. Random stars and planets were popping up out of nowhere, and they couldn't find a reason why.

One of the sagely blue beings was sitting in a chair, massaging his head from today's headache. A knock came, and he let the man in.

It was Kilowog, a rather large alien man who is a well-respected member of the Corps. He was holding a datapad and read out the message to him. "Ganthet, it appears that one of the planets that popped up has intelligent life. Wanna send Lanterns to investigate?"

Ganthet took a breath and contemplated the situation. "Considering that we have no idea who these inhabitants are, I advise that we only send in one Lantern to scout. I hope to know more about these new arrivals and if they know how they came there. I advise against any direct contact with them. We need someone who can blend in with the surroundings."

"Considering that the planet contains many forests and plains, I know the perfect man for the job." He raised his hand to his communicator. "Hey, Chip. I got your next assignment for you."

This wasn't the first time events like this happened. They began several months ago and have occurred about a month apart since then. The Guardians could not find a single pattern. This phenomenon has never happened before and will most likely lead to trouble. News of these happenings has been kept to a select few to prevent panic.

'On another note, there have also been reports of power fluctuations coming from all colors of the lantern spectrum at the same time as these events. 'The emotional spectrum beasts are reacting to something, but I don't know what. Thankfully, the beast of willpower seems to have the least reaction during these timeframes.'

"Kilowog, where are Lantern Members Hal Jordan and John Stewart currently?"

"They should be with the Justice League back on Earth. Since Guy got in that accident a few years back, they try to stick near him so he doesn't get into any more trouble."

"Yes. I remember that incident. He really should not have aggravated that prisoner during transport."

"He really should have read the prisoner report beforehand. Maybe he wouldn't have poured his drink on the guy."

Suddenly, a light buzzing came upon Ganthet's monitor. "It looks like another Lantern Corp calling," he sighed. This must be regarding the latest incident.' "I better take this."

"Okay then, I'll be off on my rounds." Kilowog left while Ganthet answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Greetings, Ganthet," a feminine voice said. On the other side, the caller had blue skin, a slim figure, and black hair. She had darker blue eyes and face paint. She wore a sleeveless pink top that exposed her midriff and navel, two pink bands around the arms, a pink skirt with a longer length in the back than in the front, and pink high heels.

"To you as well, Aga'po." He sighed once more. "Let's get this over with."

Central City

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A young raven-haired woman was currently stretching on the lawn. If men were to walk by, they would stare at her for a bit before they walk right into the nearby tree. It happened more often than one would think. In all fairness, she was wearing a typical female workout attire. She wore a black sports bra with midnight blue athletic shorts. 'This is good for me,' Dinah Lance thought to herself.

Due to personal issues, Dinah traveled around the country to help clear her head. While this may sound like an expensive task, it helps that the Justice League has Zeta teleporters across the United States and some parts of Europe. It helped when she had to meet with the other League members when mutant Horseshoe Crabs began attacking San Francisco Bay, and she was back in Boston. If she remembered correctly, Arthur said it was due to some radioactive waste being dumped off the coast under the table. Arthur took the leftover population to a remote location in the Pacific Ocean due to his natural affinity with sea life.

Dinah stayed in Barry's home for the past two weeks with his wife, Iris. It was fortunate that the two were understanding and generous toward her. Then again, she and Iris are very close friends. For some of the League members who were more open about their identity to trusted friends, they hung out during the holidays and other special events. Considering that Dinah never really had a secret identity in the first place, it made introductions quite easy. Whenever she fought on the streets, most people never had time to get a good look at her.

Anyways, Iris and Barry were now at their respective jobs. Iris was working on a report about the incident when Barry took care of Mirror Master's latest heist. Dinah didn't look into it, as it was stated in his short interview with the press at the time that he was an alien. If anything, Hal and John would look him up in the Lantern Database for any past discrepancies. Another one is the recent crow problem.

On the other hand, Barry is running some tests at his CSI lab. He wanted to stay indoors since yesterday. 'Something about crows, popcorn, and water. I'll ask him about it later.'

Whenever Dinah was alone at the house, she would take the time to exercise during the day and catch up on some TV shows and movies at night. She had just finished her stretches and was about to jog to the UFC Gym. While she had her Canary Cry, she still needed to stay in peak physical condition to fight. She had numerous mentors before that helped her become an expert in hand-to-hand combat. Even though the people at the gym weren't her level, they could keep her on her toes whenever she sparred.

Packing up her gym bag, she started jogging West.

Mister Smoothie

The breakfast and lunch rushes had passed, and it was time for Ben to go on his break. At the moment, he was tying his sneakers, ready to head out. He's currently wearing a silver tank top with black basketball shorts. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me to the gym?"

"Nah, I'll be fine. As much as I love to get worked up and sweaty, I have some stuff to do before I work the afternoon shift." Harley volunteered to work the shop in the afternoon while Ben took the morning and lunch rushes.

'Ignoring that little tidbit…' "Are you sure about doing that?"

"Why?"

"Remember what happened last time you went out? The sign clearly said not to feed the birds."

"How was I supposed to know that it was the crows' mating season and that they get violent during this time?"

"..." He placed a hand on his chin. "Fair point. I didn't even know that."

She waved her hand carelessly. "Besides, everyone got out of the park okay."

Ben's face reverted to a deadpan expression. "The elderly nearby were almost getting their eyes poked out." He groaned. "Thank God that they were wearing such thick glasses."

"See! Almost. The worst thing that happened was when that guy with blond hair got attacked and kept running into street lamps."

"And then he ran into a popcorn stand, spilled it all, and got assaulted by even more crows."

"Psh… He's fine." Her smile grew to a mischievous grin. "That sexy firefighter saved the day. Didn't she?"

"If you were referring to when you showed up in the eye-catching outfit, hijacked that fire hydrant, and sprayed at that poor man for a minute even though the crows already flew away in the first five, then yes, you did "save" the day."

'Glad you liked the show' "You bet your sweet ass, I did!"

Ben simply gave a nervous laugh. "You're lucky I could pick you up after seeing the news flash before anything else happened. So, can you promise me you won't cause more trouble today?"

"I make no promises, but I'll try." The innocent smile she gave would make any man think she was serious. Ben, however, held it with a grain of salt.

"If you get in trouble again, no more dessert."

"What! Wait. Oh, I get it. You want me to blame it on someone else. That's the most basic rule in Gotham. I can't believe that I forgot that."

"That's not what I…"

"Don't worry, Ben, I hear you loud and clear. I'll try not to hurt anybody, but I hold no responsibility regarding the mimes at the park." She gave a final wave before she slammed the back door shut.

Ben sighed. "Azmuth…"

The holographic mentor appeared before him. "Yes, Ben?"

"What's the probability that she'll make another scene?"

"Taking into account her prior history and current emotional state. I calculate a sixty percent chance of recklessness and tomfoolery."

"At least that's an improvement from last time."

"I'm surprised you let her out when I said it was ninety percent."

"I had faith in that ten percent."

"And now?"

"I'll deal with it when the time comes. Right now, I better get going."

"While I admire your somewhat trust in your new companion, I do hope she does to you in turn."

"Well, Azmuth, sometimes all you can do is hope for the best." With that, he packed his backpack and headed South on Sienna Avenue.

Taylor Street

30 Minutes Later

It was pretty clear out for an afternoon in the city. Usually, it would be somewhat cloudy, but not as much as Gotham. Dinah left the house a while ago and left a note for the Allens. As Dinah continued her jog and thought about recent events, she felt more at ease thanks to the soft breeze brushing her face with the warm sunlight. 'As they say, exercise is therapeutic.' Things were going well; however, these comforting thoughts were cut short. Just as she was passing the corner, another figure ran by, and they collided, leaving both of them dazed for a bit and on the ground. 'So much for that easing feeling.' She blew at the strands of hair that covered her left eye.

Dinah fought criminals daily. This was nothing compared to that, so she was used to getting hurt. Today's difference was that it was still her vacation and that the criminal wasn't a criminal but a civilian. 'Is asking for some relaxation time outside of work too much?' She was more annoyed than hurt.

"Well, that hurt," answered the other person nearby.

Shifting her gaze to said person, she saw what looked to be a man in silver and black workout attire. On the ground, she shook her head. "Would you watch where you're going? I'm pretty sure neither of us wanted to end up on the floor today," she complained in an annoyed tone.

As he noticed her, he immediately stood up in a flutter. "I'm sorry. I should have been more careful when I was running." He dusted himself and regained some composure. With a calm smile, he extended his hand to Dinah. "Here, let me help you up."

'At least he apologized.' With what just happened, she sighed. She grabbed onto his hand as he pulled her to her feet. "Thanks. I guess I can forgive you a little for your consideration."

Rubbing the back of his head, he asked, "That's good, I guess. You're not hurt, are you?"

"Trust me. I've had worse," replied Dinah as she adjusted her clothes.

A nervous sweat dripped as he took a small breath. "That's a relief. Again, I'm sorry for the mishap."

She moved her hair out of her face. 'He seems like a nice guy. Given his body language and tone, he appears genuine.' The thought lightened her up a bit. "Don't worry about it. In any case, putting all the blame on you wouldn't be right."

This caught him off guard briefly, and he tilted his head slightly. "Really? Uh. I mean, why do you say that?"

His shift in mannerisms made her chuckle. "To be honest, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment too. I'm on vacation right now, so I've been trying to ignore the stress of my work life."

He nodded in understanding. "Yeah. Work can get pretty unsettling sometimes. I'd be lying if I said my life was always perfect."

'Tell me about it…' thought Dinah. "I may get rough sometimes, but it feels nice to help people who need it."

This piqued his curiosity visibly. "If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living that has you all stressed… uh. Sorry. I completely forgot to ask your name."

She moved a lock of her hair behind her ear and reached her right hand out. "I should have introduced myself. I'm Dinah. Dinah Lance. And you?"

He reached out to her hand in turn and replied, "Ben. Ben Tennyson."

As with most people with secret identities, she had a cover story. Lucky for Dinah, it fitted well with her profession and education. "Well, Ben, I'm a private consultant for the Department of Defense," she explained.

Ben blinked at the answer. "Private consultant? You mean you're like Sherlock Holmes."

She laughed a bit at the statement. "Yes, in a weird way, I am like Sherlock." She paused a bit before she continued. "I still have season four in my queue."

Ben beamed at the mention of the show. "Same for me. I like the show, but I was left off after Moriarty made his return."

"I know, right? I can't wait to see what happens next." She shook her head in realization. "Sorry, I got off track. As I said, I have a doctorate in psychology, so I assist in behavioral analysis and therapy."

Earning that degree was one of the hardest moments in her life. Well, aside from the time toy robots nearly overran the city. You would think that the robots made of Legos would make them break more easily. She was right about that, but the others would rebuild them afterward.

"So, you're Dr. Dinah, then?" asked Ben in a teasing tone.

She answered back with a smiling eye roll. This wasn't the first time she had been called that.

Ben continued to talk. "You know, my friend and I also have degrees in psychology, although she received a doctorate in her major and not me."

"That's good for her, but if you didn't go for Psychology, what did you end up majoring in?"

Ben went on to talk about his time in college and his current career status. In a similar matter to Harley, she couldn't help but laugh. 'I know it's not the most common choice. It's still mine. I'm happy with it. Maybe I should just tell people I'm in the consumer beverage industry. Maybe that'll hold off the laughter till later. Meh. People are enjoying the new Boba Tea flavors I added recently.'

They talked a bit more before Dinah asked the obvious question. "I take it that you were also exercising before our… meeting."

"Hehe. Yeah. I was heading to the UFC Gym, which I've heard so much about."

"Well, I'm headed there, too." She started walking ahead of Ben. "Would you like to join me?"

Ben crossed his arms and replied, "Sure. It's always better to have a partner to train with. If anything, that'll probably keep us from accidentally running into each other." They both laughed and continued their walk.

About ten minutes into the walk, Ben decided to ask about the gym. "They say many professional UFC fighters go there to train and spar with each other in preparation for the next tourney."

"I've been going there for a while, so I can confirm that what you heard is true. With my profession, the higher-ups encouraged me to take part in various self-defense arts. What about you? What's a smoothie jerk doing at a UFC gym."

"I'll have you know that I have been… sparring with people since I was ten years old."

"You sound experienced. I'm surprised that you kept it up for so long."

"To be fair, I had an unrefined style until I was 15. After that, I started taking martial arts. My cousin is much more skilled than me in Judo since she started before me."

She raised a brow at his history. "I won't lie, Ben. Some of those people can get rough. I should know. I'm one of the top fighters there."

Ben's widened a bit from the revelation. "Wow. You weren't kidding when you said that you were doing self-defense. What's it like over there?"

"I'll be honest. I'm still looking for a challenge to come up." 'Fighting the League of Assassins once in a while is a much better learning experience than traditional training.'

"You sound confident."

She looked up to the clouds in the sky before she spoke. "My mother always said to control the fight on your terms. Act. Never react."

Ben nodded in agreement. "Your mother is a wise woman."

A sad smile formed on her face. "Yeah… she is."

Noticing her shift in tone, he decided to change the topic. "Heh. Maybe we should spar to see how well I stack up."

"Maybe. Let's see how you do with the warm-up and training before we even think about going there. I wouldn't want to break you by accident."

"We'll see about that. People have underestimated me before, and it didn't work out for them."

Dinah smirked at the hint of a challenge. "Noted." She looked ahead before she gestured at Ben. "Come on. We're almost there."

Once they finally reached the gym, Dinah offered Ben to do the same routine as her, and he gladly accepted. What they did would be considered a High-Intensity workout for MMA fighters. The workout consisted of a warm-up, a station workout, and an additional set of grip strength moves. By the end, both were fatigued, Ben a little more than Dinah.

"I gotta say, Ben." She took a short breath. "I'm surprised that you made it this far."

He gave her a grin. "I'll take that as a compliment." He breathed and pointed to himself with a thumb. "As I said, don't underestimate me."

She laughed a bit with a grin of her own. With a raised brow, she asked, "So, you wanna keep punching the bag, or you want to go a few rounds with me?"

Ben paused at her words. 'What?"

She turned away from him and started walking toward one of the practice rings. "I am talking about sparring."

Coming back to reality, Ben replied, "That'd be nice too." He narrowed his eyes a bit with a sly smile. 'Oh, it's on.' "I'll have you pinned under me in no time." Ben waved his hand dismissively.

"..." Dinah looked at him with a raised brow and a small smile. She decided to push it further. In a humorous and mocking tone, she continued. "I'm a classy girl." Her palm bent over, pointing at her chest. "At least take me out to dinner first."

Seconds passed before both of them broke into laughter. Some bystanders gave odd looks, but the two didn't care. They soon arrived at the ring and set themselves up in the center.

The two got into defensive stances. "Last chance to back out. If you think I'm too much for you to handle, we can do something else?" Dinah asked.

Ben shook his head. "Nah, kicking butt was on my to-do list anyway. Might as well take care of it now. Standard rules?"

She nods. "Let's go."

She immediately swung her left leg towards Ben's face. He could block it with his left arm, but her right fist rushed in. Using both arms, he held back, but he was put on the defensive.

This caused Dinah to frown. "Is that all you can take? Frankly, I'm disappointed."

Ben got ready again. "Don't worry. We're just getting started. I don't disappoint." Narrowing his eyes, his instincts and training at the Plumber Academy kicked in.

Dinah sent a left hook, and he narrowly dodged it just in time. When Dinah threw a right fist, Ben rotated his torso and countered with a right hook to her face. Moving with the momentum, he continued to rotate his left and sent his left leg as a follow-up.

Dinah managed to duck the swing, and as Ben sent another left kick, she grabbed onto it with both arms. Swinging her body, she flipped Ben over and onto the floor.

Dinah took a breath. "I'll admit. You're good." Ben got back to his feet, sending a left strike. Unfortunately, Dinah deflected it. Ben sent a right strike, but she deflected it again. This went on for a few seconds before Dinah sent another swift kick to his face, turning once more to deliver a kick to his chest and sending him back. 'But you still have much to learn.'

Just as Dinah sent a left strike, Ben grabbed that arm, diverted her movements, and delivered a connecting right hook.

They soon began to grapple arms together, but Dinah was beginning to overpower him.

'I wish I had four arms right about now.' Dinah ended up pushing Ben down to one knee. Taking a page from Kickin-Hawk, he pulled her arms toward him. This caused her to lose balance easily, and Ben dropped to his back. With her falling over, Ben used his legs with her momentum to throw her right over him, sending her landing about a yard away on her side. Thankfully, the floors were padded.

Ben waited for her to recover, and she immediately went for a leg strike. Anticipating this, Ben dropped down and performed a sudden leg sweep, bringing Dinah to the floor. He quickly rolled to get on her back and grab her arms, putting her into a standard hold. With bated breath, he asked, "Told you I'd be on top. You yield?"

She smirked. "As if!" Dinah forced her arms outward while knocking Ben off-balance from her back.

The struggle for dominance on the floor continued for another five minutes until Dinah finally got Ben pinned.

Unable to get free, Ben surrendered. "Okay! Okay! I yield!"

With that said, Dinah let go. She dropped onto the floor with heavy breaths. 'That took longer than I expected.' "You have potential. Where'd you learn to fight like that, anyway?"

He stretched his body. "I traveled a lot, learning from new teachers all the time. I even went to an academy." 'I couldn't use what I learned on Khoros because of the lack of extra appendages and more brutal methods. This is a spar in a gym, after all.'

"You've been taught well but still have room to grow." She thought for a second. "If you want, we can train together while I help polish your technique."

"That's generous, but I don't want to be a burden."

She shook her head. "No. It's alright. I don't mind having someone to exercise with. To be fair, it's been kind of lonely here since the others get intimidated by me."

'Is it because of your looks or your fighting skill because both knock people out easily?'

"You're the first person here to reach my level."

"Has there been anyone who beat you?"

Dinah thought about the normal people she fought with and spoke to. "There is this one guy, but he's a bit of the loner type. My other friend bested me too, but she is busy with politics most of the time."

"If that's the case, I'm happy to come along and learn from you."

They shook hands before heading to the lockers to shower and change clothes.

About ten minutes later, they met outside the locker rooms.

"Today was a long day. Do you want to grab a drink before we go?" she asked as she pointed out the room.

He nodded and replied, "I know a place. Drinks are on me."

Mister Smoothie

45 Minutes Later

They finally reached the storefront, and Ben was relieved that everything was still in one piece. He opened the door and saw Harley in a simple red apron working the counter. "I'm back from the gym," he said.

"Hey, Ben. You're back." Her eyes widened when she looked at the fellow woman in the room who she recognized from an encounter in Gotham last year. Why she didn't wear a mask, she didn't know. 'Black Canary?!' It took all her willpower not to flinch. "So...Uh… Who's your new friend?"

Dinah extended a hand to Harley, which she accepted fully. "Sorry, I'm Dinah. It's nice to meet you. I met Ben at the gym, and he offered a drink for winning our spar." She sent her a smile before turning to Ben. "Is this the smoothie store you told me about before?"

"Yeah, I opened this place not too long ago. People seem to like it." He looked back to Harley, who seemed a bit nervous. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce my friend. Dinah, this is." However, Harley cut Ben off.

"Haley. It's nice to meet you too," Harley stated in a cheery tone.

Not sure about the sudden name change, Ben decided to just roll with it for now and ask about it later. "Yup. I've known her briefly, but when you get to know her, she's a nice girl." 'When she's not outside doing who knows what…'

Dinah tilted her head when she got a close look at Harley. Luckily, the entire time she was Harley with the Joker, she wore her red and black skinsuit with a hat covering her blonde hair. Not to mention that she always wore face paint at the time. Not many people remember what Harleen Quinzel looked like. "Do I know you from somewhere? You're strangely familiar."

"Uh... I don't think so. I tend to blend in sometimes, Ya know. Maybe we crossed paths at the park?"

Dinah looked at her for a little longer before she shrugged. "You're probably right."

Harley couldn't help but feel relieved. 'Oh, thank God…"

Ben crossed his arms with a smile. "I'm glad that we made a good impression. I'll go make us some drinks. Anything from the menu?"

Dinah asked for a banana-blueberry while Harley asked for a raspberry-vanilla. After making drinks for the three of them, they sat and talked in the store for a while as customers came and went.

Dinah checked her watch. "It's getting late. I don't want to miss dinner with my friend. I guess I'll see you guys later."

"I'll see you at the gym next time," Ben said as he waved goodbye.

Harley did the same. "Don't be a stranger. Come back anytime."

Once she left, Ben turned to Harley and asked about today. "So...Why did you change your name to Haley?"

"Well… If I used Harley or Harleen in public, people might recognize me even though I don't have my outfit and makeup on."

"Good point." He took a seat at the counter. "So… how was your day today?"

She simply smiled. "I did some shopping, exploring, and whatnot."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Well…"

He groaned. "What happened this time?"

"It involved three cats and a tuna sandwich..."

He held up both hands. "Stop… We'll talk about it in the morning."

She laughed nervously. "I'm also not allowed at the Subway on Fourth Street…"

Ben sighed as he walked up the stairs with Harley close behind.

Later

Dinah finally finished her jog back to the Allen residence. She knocked on the door, and a red-haired woman with green eyes greeted her with a bright smile.

Iris always knew how to make people smile. "Hey, Dinah. You're back just in time for dinner."

Dinah looked around the dining room and couldn't find the Scarlet Speedster. "Where's Barry?" He's usually on time for dinner.

Iris shook her head with a slight frown. "He decided to turn in early. That incident with the crows and the fire hose is still fresh in his mind. I told everyone in my report that they were getting more aggressive, but maybe he didn't see it."

"That's too bad. If anything, I'm willing to talk to him if things don't get better for him soon."

"Thank you, Dinah. That would mean a lot to me."

"So… anything new happened today?"

"Why do you say that?"

"First off, you look more scuffed up than all the other times. Second, you seem much happier than I saw you this morning."

"If it's that obvious, I guess." Taking a plate from the cupboard, she smiled back at Iris. "I made some new friends today. Ben and Haley."

"What's he like?"

She told Iris the short version of who Ben and Haley are and what happened during their spar earlier.

"He was able to keep up with you?" a surprised Iris asked. Not many people, normal people anyway, match her combat experience.

"Yup. He almost kept me pinned to the floor. We went for five rounds before he tapped out. Lucky for me because I was running out of steam myself."

Iris grinned like a madwoman.

With a raised brow, Dinah asked. "What?"

"Tell me. Is he cute? "

Dinah rolled her eyes. "I just met him, so it's nothing like that. We're just friends."

"Aww. I swear, Dinah, you have to get out more and talk to people." She dropped her head onto her palms. "You don't need to flat-out marry like I am with Barry, but you must keep up with the dating scene."

"But," Iris looked back up at Dinah."If I put him on a scale of one to ten, he would be about an eight-point five."

After a good dinner with Iris, Dinah got ready for bed. She walked by her dresser and placed her choker by a photo frame. Picking up the frame, she looked at it with a melancholy smile. Her thumbs would grace the wooden finish before she placed it back down.

The photo showed three people: two adults and a little girl. The man was in a police officer uniform with his arms draped around his wife. She wore a blue jacket over a black blouse, with a choker around her neck. Her hair matched that of their daughter, wearing a white dress. The girl's face was beaming with joy on her mother's lap. They looked so happy together.

Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Goodnight, Mom. I'll always miss you."

Chapter Text

Friday, June 11, 2010

Things have been going well so far since the defeat of Mirror Master and Saber. The local Rogues decided to bide their time to make their next heist. There have been a few crimes here and there, but the police could handle them without complications. Throughout the day, he could see the occasional blur of red and yellow passing by.

Ben continued to train with Dinah, and she even invited Harley to come along. She was hesitant at first, but they eventually convinced her to join. Harley surprised both of them with her agility and dexterity with a few acrobatic moves and stances. She said that she used to do gymnastics in high school, but most of her recent practice came from battling the dynamic duo during her career.

It was fine for Ben since running the shop is more of a hobby and passion than a job. One would wonder how he stays in business and pays bills, but it  greatly  helps when people love his drinks. That's also not including spending late nights in his room, eating popcorn, watching movies, and literally "making" gold. Thank Azmuth for Master Control.

12:30 PM

The shop's door chimed open, and a young Norwegian entered enthusiastically. Walking to the counter, she greeted Ben with a hug from behind while he was wiping down one of the tables. "Hey, Ben!"

He laughed at the surprise before turning around and returning the hug. "Nice to see you too, Tora."

"So, you ready for our date?" Tora cheekily asked.

"Yeah, I'm just closing up right now. Harley should be in the back putting away our stock." The blond walked out from the back to hang up her apron.

Tora waved to her. "Hi, Harley."

"Hiya, Tora." While the two model besties couldn't visit for long, they did their best to come by when they could. All four of them ate lunch together often. During that time, they got acquainted with Ben's roommate, Harley.

Harley was preparing for her shift when she thought of something.  'I wonder  if Ivy and I can meet in a few weeks.  She still needs to lay low from the bat and the police. "Hey, Ben, is it okay if I invite a friend to come over next week?

He blinked at her for a second before he shrugged with a smile. "Uh, sure. I'm glad to see you opening up again. What's he or she like?"

She smiled at his reply. "You'll like her. She has a knack for plants. You could even say she has a green thumb. Ha. Ha. She's one of my best friends back in Gotham. In a way, she is one of the few people who looked out for me..." The smile didn't look as bright anymore.

Ben and Tora both frowned at her expression. "Harley…"

The blonde shook her head. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. You two go and enjoy yourselves."

"Are you sure? If you want, we can just hang out here," offered Tora.

Harley shook her head. "No… No… I can handle myself. I wouldn't want to spoil your date. Besides, after work, I'll visit the store for something I want to try and cook tomorrow."

Ben complied, "Well, if that's what you want."

"Don't hesitate to call us. We'll be here," added Tora.

Harley rolled her eyes jokingly. "I always have him on speed dial."

Ben turned to the Norwegian beauty. "Ready to go, Tora?"

"Yeah," replied Tora. As the couple left the building, the two said their goodbyes.

Ben and Tora were riding along Main Street, enjoying the midday atmosphere. "So, what do you want to do today?" asked Ben.

Tora shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure. There are so many interesting places we passed last time that we didn't get a chance to visit."

He nodded. "Yeah, he did take a huge chunk of our time. Now that I think about it, I know where we should go first."

"Oh, what do you have in mind?"

"You'll see when we get there." With that, he took an on-ramp for the freeway and stepped on the gas. "Anyways, how have you been so far? I've texted you two a few times since then, but it feels great to meet face-to-face again."

It brightened Tora to hear her effect on him. "It's great to see you again, too. It's been pretty busy this past week. A lot of preparation is being made for the event. We've had to meet with numerous managers and sponsors. Today's meeting involved all the models perfecting the layout according to each style."

"Wow. Seems like a very high-profile event."

"It really is. Some up-and-coming designers are trying to get their careers to take off. My good friend Mari is both the designer and the model."

He nodded. "I hope that it goes well. I've heard that it's a competitive niche."

"Yeah, well, enough about me and work. Anything new with you lately?" she asked.

"Heh, a lot actually. I'm glad that you two are getting along."

"She seems like a sweet girl. My heart goes out to her. Such toxic and abusive relationships should never be tolerated in today's society. I'm glad you're helping her get back on her feet."

"It's a challenge, but she's progressing."

"Should I be worried about you coming onto her?" she slyly asked.

Ben knew she was joking, but it still stung as an insult to his character. "I'll admit she's cute, but I wouldn't do that to you both. Harley's still healing. A lot of her issues still lie in interactions with those around her. She and I understand the effect toxic relationships have in the long term. People feel less confident and closed off from others. It would be morally and professionally wrong for me to take advantage of her vulnerability."

"It's good that you are knowledgeable on the subject."

"Yup. While she and I are certified psychologists, the treatment is easier said than done. If things get worse, she'll show signs of sociopathy, a weakened conscience, and weakened empathy." 'I've also had to do counseling with alien couples back home.'

"I hope for the best with her recovery. Also, points for you."

"Points? What's that about?"

"I wanted to see a little more of your personality. I see a lot of compassion and empathy. You gave a great answer and more. I knew you wouldn't disappoint."

Ben rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm glad a lovely lady like yourself has high expectations of me."

"Bea and I never settle for anything less."

"So, about these points, can I redeem them for some sort of... prize?" he asked suggestively.

She smirked. "That's for us to know and for you to find out."

"Let's hope that I go on a points streak," he replied with a  small  smirk.

They continued to talk more about each other, with Tora explaining a bit about her early life and home. When they pulled into the parking lot, Tora realized where they were: it was the largest indoor mall in the state.

Inside

The two walked among the crowd with arms locked in each other. While the many shops and decor were, the  large  ice rink in the center of the plaza drew her attention. She raised an amused brow toward Ben for his choice of activity.

"With a person of your talent, I thought it would be nice for us to go ice skating."

Tora rolled her eyes in amusement. "A little bit on the nose there, but you're lucky it's one of my favorite things to do." She smirked at him. "Have you ever skated before?

In an honest voice, he replied. "Not one bit."

This surprised her. "Really? You never had a chance to try?"

"Yeah. My place never really had one. The closest I ever got to ice skating was when I had to dash through a frozen river to stop an artificial spirit of Christmas from turning my grandpa into Santa."

Tora tried her best to hold in her laugh and disbelief. "You can't be serious?"

"I'm completely serious. The old Mayor built a machine years ago to keep the entire town in a moment."

"You definitely need to tell me more about that later."

"I know."

They finally reached the rink and paid the rental fee. All strapped up, Tora jumped onto the ice with no problem. Ben, however, had more difficulty.

"You weren't kidding. So, you want me to teach you?" she teased.

"If you're willing to," he asked wryly.

"In that case, grab my hand, and I'll lead you."

From there, the rest of the day went off without a hitch. It took about half an hour before Ben could move on the ice by himself. Tora and Ben took slow laps around the rink, and they didn't mind at all. It gave them an excuse to stick together as the world passed by around them.

At one point, Ben hung around the wall to watch Tora glide across the rink. She could turn her cheap rental skates into temporary professional blades with a  little  ice power. She performed spins and leaps with the grace and elegance of an Olympic figure skater. To put it simply, he was stunned and amazed like everyone else.

When she skated back into a hug, she asked with a wry smile, "So, how'd I do."

The words simply fell out of his mouth. "It was a work of art that no one else could ever copy."

She pressed her finger against the tip of his nose. "Points." Tora kissed his cheek lightly before wrapping her arms around each other. "A bit cheesy, but still good."

Ben said, "Hey, I'll let you know that some people like cheese now and then."

She pressed her head against his chest."Well, you're not wrong since I'm one of them."

The two spent the next few hours exploring the area, finding new things to do at every turn. After a sushi dinner and dessert, it was time to go home.

Right now, Ben and Tora pulled to the entrance of her hotel like last time and walked her to her room. "I had fun today, Ben."

"Yeah, me too."

Tora's Hotel Room (1 Minute Earlier)

Beatriz just came from a long day of preparation for next week's event. At the moment, she was getting a drink from the mini-fridge.  She  scrolled through her social media feed until she heard familiar voices outside the room. To satisfy her curiosity, she peeked through the peephole.

Ben and Tora stood close, still holding each other's hands. 'Tonight just got more interesting,' thought Beatriz.

"I had fun today, Ben."

"Yeah, me too."

'Go for it. Do it. You guys better not leave me hanging,' the emerald beauty exclaimed in her thoughts.

Outside

Their faces started to draw close. It didn't take long for their foreheads to make contact and to look into each other's eyes. To them, it felt like an eternity waiting for something to happen.

'Screw it.' thought Ben. He started off with a forehead kiss. She felt so warm. A kiss on the tip of her nose followed. A small giggle left her mouth. Finally, after cupping her face in his hands, he went in for a kiss. Tora pulled him closer by the waist. A few seconds later, they separated. "Vanilla..." commenting on her lusting taste.

Tora smirked. She grabbed Ben by his coat and pulled him in, softly pressing her lips against his again. While Ben was surprised for a second, he quickly recovered and followed her lead. Both of their hands wrapped around each other. They kept soft eye contact as they eased into the kiss.

They kept them soft and tender at first, kissing the top and bottom of the lips. Tora teased him by putting the tip of her tongue in his mouth for a moment and then moving your head back slightly. So sweet and seductive… She began grazing her tongue between the lips and slowly added a little tongue. Soon, it became a little game where they chased each other's tongues for a couple of seconds and then sucked on the top and bottom lip. The intensity continued to grow between them. As Ben ran his fingers through Tora's hair, Tora gently scraped hers along his back and neck.

His hands slowly started to lower from her back to her hips. In return, she started to kick it up a notch; they began using tongue, a lot of tongue. 'Thank God for nose breathing.'

Contrary to what's seen in movies, they follow about a gentle use of your tongue. There is an ebb and a flow, at times slow, tender, and sweet but gradually increasing in intensity.

Light moans and deep breaths escaped both of them. The taste of her saliva had hints of vanilla from dessert. Their eyes would occasionally make soft contact. She pressed her modest breasts against his chest. Her fingers lightly dug into his back. It didn't take long for his hands to slowly creep towards her butt. Ben waited to see if she wanted him to stop, but her lips and hands told him to keep going. His hands finally reached her curve to an increase in her moans, and it only got him riled up even more.

What followed were varying intensities of squeezes, clawing, and moaning. They let go and got lost in the moment. They started going through a wide variety of things.

She ran the tip of her tongue around his teeth, played with his tongue, and even sucked on his tongue gently for a few seconds, which felt surprisingly  amazing .

There were combinations of kisses with sweet kisses, slow and soft kisses, neck kisses, cheek kisses, etc.

It took a few minutes before they needed to take a break. They were left hot, bothered, and ragged when separated.

Tora moved stray hairs from her eyes. "Wow…"

"Took the words right out of my mouth." He chuckled. "Sorry if I got a bit carried away there."

"Don't be. I don't mind. I may not be like Beatriz, but I know passion. I'm sure she'll enjoy herself with you as much as I have."

He shook his head in amusement. "I swear. Every time I see you guys, I hate having to leave."

She whispered into his ear in a seductive tone. "You know what they say, always leave the other wanting more." With that, she kissed him again and entered her room, leaving Ben alone in the hallway, a bit dumbstruck and staring at the door.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down before leaning against her door. With a smile, he whispered, "She knows how to push my buttons, doesn't she?" 'I need a cold shower when I get home.'

Inside

When Tora entered her room, she leaned back against the closed door. Looking up, she saw Beatriz lying on her bed, her expression teasing.

"So…" Beatriz smirked. "How was your date?"

"Long story short, it went well."

"That sounds like an understatement when you compare it to what happened outside just a minute ago.

Tora's face glowed red. "Oh my god. Were you watching us in the hallway?"

"A little." Beatriz had her own red glow. "You weren't being subtle with all those sounds."

Tora groaned into her pillow. "You're killing me, Bea."

"Oh, calm down. If anything, you two almost made me want to open the door just to join."

Tora moved from her pillow and gave a grin. "Oh, you'll love him. He's definitely a keeper."

Mr. Smoothy (Tuesday, June 15, 2010; 1:32 PM)

It all started out like any other workday. It wasn't till around 4 o'clock that a woman with luscious red hair walked through the door. In Ben's honest opinion, she was a beauty, rivaling even Beatriz. "Welcome to Mr. Smoothy." Instead of walking to the counter to order, she flipped the door sign to closed and closed the blinds. "Can I help you?" Ben had a feeling that this was no ordinary customer.

She smiled mischievously. "Yes. Yes, you can. But before that, let's get more comfortable." She raises an arm, and the nearby ficus soon  grows rapidly . The branches wrap themselves around Ben's ankles and lift him off the ground.

Ben stared at his new predicament. 'A chlorokinetic. I did not expect that…'

She soon pulled out a chair to sit right before the dangling owner. "That's better."

'Who is she?' he thought with a dumbfounded look. "... Are you robbing me? If you are, why are you robbing me? It's a smoothie shop, not a bank." 'That's not including the piles of gold in my room safe.'

The redhead rested her chin on her hands. "Well, that all depends on whether or not I found who I'm looking for? Is Harley here?"

Ben blinked at the mention of his housemate. 'She's here for Harley? Wait… Didn't Harley mention a friend coming over, the one with… the green thumb.' "Huh. Harley invited you, right."

She smiled in amusement. "So, I am in the right place. Has she told you about me?"

'Not enough apparently...' he thought dryly. "Well, you're her best friend with a knack for plants. She said that you had a green thumb, but I didn't think of that in the literal sense. Now that I think about it, Harley never told me your name."

She rolled her eyes. "I shouldn't be surprised. Friends call me Pam. You, however, can call me Ivy, Poison Ivy."

Still hanging upside down, Ben introduced himself. "Well, my name's Ben, and it's nice to finally meet you... given the circumstances. I see that the name fits. Is Pam short for Pamela?"

She raised a brow at Ben's attitude. "Yes. In fact, it is."

"Ah… So… how did the whole plant thing happen?"

"Oh, you know, science, genetics, and whatnot. You're taking this situation rather well."

'Well, this is way better than being over molten lava on a planet about to explode.' "Would you believe me when I say I've had worse?"

"Really?" Her curiosity about the man before her increased.

"If you've looked at the news lately, it's a pretty crazy world. Am I right?"

Ivy nodded in agreement. 'And that's why I don't leave Gotham often.' "So... you're the one that Harley's living with?"

"Yep. We take turns running the shop. She's gotten the hang of it so far."

She waved off the latter half of his statement. "Enough with pleasantries. What's your angle?"

Ben blinked at the change in tone. "Uh... what?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Your angle. What are you trying to do here?"

Ben  was confused , but he gave an honest answer anyway.  "Run a smoothie shop?"

Her scowl didn't let up. "Don't play dumb with me. No one just takes in a random person off the street. Why did you take Harley in? Are you using her for some sick pleasure?

"What? No! What kind of person do you take me for?"

The scowl continued until she thought, 'Right... we're in Central City. Some people here couldn't compare to those in Gotham. That Flash guy deters a lot of lower-class criminals.'

Harley's voice echoed from the staircase. "Hey, Ben! I'm almost ready for my shift."

He looked at Ivy for what she wanted him to say. Instead, she shrugged. Ben shook his head in slight annoyance. 'Being Harley's best friend certainly explains the somewhat hostile first impression.' "That's good," he called back. "By the way, that friend of yours came over."

"Oh my God! Ivy? Is that you down there?" Harley ran down the staircase in her work attire.

Seeing that her friend was safe, Ivy gave her a warm greeting. "Harls."

"Pam!" She practically leaped from the bottom of the stairs into a tight hug. "Oh, I've missed you so much."

Pamela laughed at her attitude. "You call me all the time."

"Pssh. It's still nothing like the real thing."

"I'm glad to see that you're okay."

"Yeah. Things didn't go so well until I met Ben… Now that I think about it, where is her."

Ivy laughed and whispered. "He's right there." She pointed behind the counter.

Harley turned to the overgrown ficus and her friend dangling from it. "Oh, crap. Ben, how long have you been like that?"

A while ago, Ivy stopped controlling the plant, so Ben rotated upside down. 

"About a good eight minutes or so."

That surprised the blonde. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well, I haven't seen this happy in a while, and I didn't want to ruin the moment."

Harley chuckled. "Idiot…" She turned to Ivy. "Would you mind letting him go?"

"Sure." Ivy waved her hand again, and the plant released Ben to his feet and regressed back into the pot.

Harley sighed. "Sorry about that, Ben."

Ben rubbed his lower back. "I'm just glad my blood is circulating again."

"Pam, this is the guy I told you about, Ben," gestured Harley.

"He and I have already exchanged greetings," Ivy stated with a shrug.

"I hope you guys had a good first impression," Harley sweat-dropped.

"He/She seems alright," stated the two people of green in sync.

"That's good."

"Hey, Ben.  You  don't mind  if I steal Harley for the afternoon.  Do you?"

The young blonde frowned. "Pam, I can't. It's my shift."

Ben interjected, "I don't mind, actually."

"Really, Ben. Are you sure?"

"Come on, Harley. You and I both know that being with supportive friends helps the process we've discussed before. I'll still be here tomorrow, but I don't know how long Ivy will be."

"Actually, I'll be vacationing here for the week. Mr. Cobblepot finally paid back his debt, so I have some vacation days to use."

"Really! Oh my god. We're going to have so much fun!"

"You two enjoy yourselves. I can manage an extra shift."

She gave Ben a sweet hug. "Thanks, Ben. I'll make it up tomorrow morning."

"Go ahead and get yourself ready. Just remember what I asked you before."

Harley rolled her eyes and recited, "Don't do anything illegal, and don't show up on the morning news."

While Harley was upstairs, Ivy and Ben tried to restart their previous conversation. Ivy asked, "I understand the illegal thing, but why the news?"

"Would you believe me when I say it started with crows attacking, a firetruck, and a bikini?"

Ivy blinked at that statement before she laughed a bit. "Ha. That's Harley, alright."

"It's kinda exhausting to have the person sitting next to you on the couch also on the news for doing something outrageous the day before." Ben asked, "So, how did you first meet Harley?"

Ivy thought for a bit before she answered. "I first met her when she was my therapist. My profession can be overbearing at times."

Ben nodded. "I understand. I would assume that it's something along the lines of botany."

She shrugged. "Yeah. As you can see, I went through a little bit of a change during my career." Her eyes narrowed a bit. "This isn't going to be a problem. Is it?"

It didn't really faze him. "Not at all, really. Harley trusts you, so I do, too." 'Besides, I've met stranger people and aliens.' From there, more small talk happened. Ben even offered him a smoothie for the road, which led to a conversation about how he's cultivating Gros Michel bananas in the backyard."

Soon, Harley came down the stairs with a black miniskirt and red blouse. "Okay, Ivy, I'm ready to go." She turned to Ben. "How do I look?"

After a short look over, Ben replied, "You look great. You two are definitely ready to hit the town."

"Thanks," Harley beamed. She turned to Ivy. I can't wait to take you to the Pho restaurant Ben showed me last Tuesday."

Ben gave one last goodbye to the duo. "You two take care now."

Ivy smiled back. "We'll be alright." Harley left, but Ivy opened the door and looked back at Ben. "Also, please, call me Pam." With that, she left the shop behind Harley.

Chapter Text

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Downtown Farmer's Market

Ben was browsing the various boxes of produce. While he could easily grow fruits and vegetable seeds at home with a little alien help, Ben enjoyed getting the fresh air and talking to the people. Ben walked to his usual stand and waved to the owner. "Morning, Mr. Abernathy."

The middle-aged was currently helping another customer pack her order. Hearing a friend, he turned his head and waved in return. "Good morning to you too, Benjamin. I'll be with you in a minute."

Ben chuckled. "Like I always say, take your time."

Once he finished with the woman, he turned to his regular. "What can I do for you, Benny? The usual?"

Ben shook his head with a smile. "Not today. I'm preparing a roast, so I'll need onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes."

Abernathy grinned at the thought. "Ah, you're trying to savor those drippings, right?"

"I wouldn't cook it any other way."

"I still haven't had a chance to visit that shop of yours."

"If you ever do stop by, I'll give you the first one on the house." Selecting his food from the crates, he made his way to the register.

Forty Second  Street, 30 Minutes Later

Ben was walking back to his car, groceries in hand. 'I wonder if Harley wants me to get her anything.' Ben pulled out his phone, but before he could call, a car flew through the air and landed twenty feet away from him. Several people ran in fear from the intersection. Peeking his head around the corner, Ben found the culprit. It was some weird robot rampaging through the streets. "Dammit... Is it so hard to have a nice day."

After looking around for any civilians nearby, Ben reached for the Omnitrix. The holographic interface appeared, and the hero activated his uniform. He glowed in white light before his clothes started to change. His signature green jacket, black shirt, and jeans changes into a black and green jacket, matching black pants and gloves, and silver boots. A black mask covered his face. The part covering the mouth was smooth while the area covering the eyes had a digital display. In place of his eyes were symbols. At the moment, they were simple X's. (X X). Taking cover, Ben's mask started analyzing the situation. His modulated voice came out. (# #) "So, Azmuth? What am I dealing with here?"

In the corner of Ben's vision, an icon of the Omnitrix's AI voiced his thoughts. "It's definitely on the higher end of level 3 technology. I'm detecting a fission power source."

(= =) "You know, I never understood why my Earth was level 2."

"The range of level three tech is quite large. While your Earth had electrical systems and engines, Interstellar law forbids alien technology greater than or equal to the planet's current technological age going to the public. With the rate you humans progress, your planet was due for an upgrade soon."

(~ ^) "Huh, good to know. Anyways, it doesn't seem like the robot has a target. It's just working at random." With recon done, he ran behind a dumpster. (^ ^) "It's Hero Time!"

One green flash later, the transformation finished. "It's time to face the Rath!" Considering that Rath already made a positive impression on the public, it would be for the best to not scare them with a different alien showing up. He's already had to deal with people back on the other Earth that he was starting an alien invasion.

Running down the block, he arrived at the scene. Several police officers were pinned down behind their squad cars, occasionally taking potshots at the rampaging machine. While the robot was still bashing against a storefront, Ben took in the entire area and saw officers attempting to help people out of their overturned vehicles. They kept getting pushed back by the flying debris. Taking a few leaps, Rath landed alongside the officers. They immediately pointed their guns at the unexpected arrival, but Ben wasn't fazed. "Let me tell you something, officers! You want a piece of Rath, you got a piece, but Rath's only here to stop that." He pointed to the robot. "And help them." He pointed to the trapped civilians.

Several officers were hesitant. While they usually worked alongside the flash, it was only recently that they heard of an alien running around their city.

Sergeant Ramirez glared at the intruder. "You ain't the Flash. Why should we take a stranger's help?"

Rath groaned. "If you haven't noticed, Flash ain't here. So, unless you have a tank coming anytime soon, Rath's clobber that guy so you can save those guys."

The group was silent before one of the lower rank officers spoke. "I say we trust him, Sergeant."

Ramirez turned to his subordinate. "What makes you say that? This alien might have been the one who unleashed this thing in the first place."

Rath rolled his eyes. "Ya gotta be kidding me! Why would Rath be involved with that bucket of bolts?"

She shook her head. "You and I both know who that robot belongs to. This thing broke out of the captivity somehow." She then turned to "Besides, he's the same guy who fought Sabertooth alongside Fire and Ice."

The squad leader groaned and turned to the alien. "Alright. I have faith in my people, so I'll put my faith in you just this once. Just know that if you make one wrong move, I'll have your hide in my den." He then bellowed orders to the other officers. "Prepare for emergency rescue. Carlos, you're taking point."

"Yeah... sure." Rath faced the female officer. "Thanks for having my back, uh..."

She coughed. "It's uh... officer Spivot."

"Got it."

She nodded. "No problem. It's not every day I get to meet an alien-like Superman. Now, we need you to get him at least thirty yards away from the civilians. I'm sure you can pull this off."

With that, Rath jumped into the fray to engage, and the officers went to work. The doors were jammed, so they had to break the windows open and pull them to safety. The two fighters traded blows as the people made their moves in the background. Once they were all free, Rath motioned them all to get out of range. "Get out of here if you don't want to end up as robot roadkill." They all followed the order immediately.

Rath turns back to the rampaging robot to see a mailbox flying at him. Crossing his arms, he braced the force of impact. Rath glared at the machine across from him. "Let me tell ya something, Chrome Dome. Rath's just trying to enjoy his day, and now you show up and ruin it along with everyone else's. It's time that Rath fixes his problems in the one way he knows how." Rath jumped on the metal torso and began jabbing at the head. "By beating them into submission!"

Seconds of a beating later, it managed to grab Rath in between hits and slammed him into the concrete.

In return, Rath headbutted it in the torso. "You think that hurt Rath? Let me tell you something. Rath has faced all sorts of enemies in the cosmos, and you're at the bottom of the totem pole!" The two began duking it out in the streets even further. Blaster bolts fired from its shoulders. Irritated, Rath ripped both of them off and crushed them in his hands to scrap. "That's your first mistake; When you shoot Rath, you just make Rath Mad!" Picking up a crushed car, he launched it right at the enemy. However, one of the hands converted in an energy saw, cutting the vehicle in half. This just enraged Rath even further. "You think you're so smart, robot man. I'm gonna rip you to pieces and turn you into a moped!"

Just as the alien hero was about to recycle the machine, a scarlet blur sped by and landed a kick against the machine, pushing it into a brick wall. The figure ran back right in front of Rath. He was a man in a red bodysuit with a lightning bolt on the front. The sides of his head also had the familiar colts. While his eyes were hidden by white lenses, his mouth and nose were exposed. This man was the iconic hero to all of Central City. "I hope you don't mind that I dropped by."

Rath blinked at the hero's arrival. "Flash?"

"That's me." Flash pointed a thumb at himself. "You're Rath, right? The alien hero I've heard about recently."

"You got that right." Rath crossed his arms. "Super speed my ass. You're late to the party"

"I get that a lot," Flash replied with a shrug. "Did you just throw that car at him?"

"What?! It was already busted!" Looking past Flash, Rath noticed the bot pulling itself out of the wall. "Whatever, let's take this thing hunk of junk down." Rath extended his blades and ran back into the fray.

Flash sprinted along side him and spoke. "We have to stop it, but we can't destroy it completely."

Rath grabbed an oncoming metal fist with one hand and gave Flash a disappointed look. "What? Why not?"

"It escaped Star Labs. Originally, it belonged to Toy Man. They were trying to reverse engineer the technology for advances in prosthetic research, but the original programming reactivated."

Rath sighed. "Rath's got the picture." He dodges another swing from the robot. "You have a plan or are you just gonna stand there?"

Flash ran around the robot, striking the torso in specific points trying to find a proper access port. "If you can hold it down, long enough, I can find an access port, upload the override codes from Star Labs, and power it down.

Rath nodded back. 'This would have been much easier with Upgrade, but I'm already in this mess as it is. Azmuth, start scanning.'

The AI replied. "Understood." The machine sent a barrage of punches with its free arm before an enraged Rath grabbed the other as well. "Have him check under its left side."

"Check under its left arm!"

Flash narrowed his eyes on the area under. "I think I've found it. Good eye. I need you to keep him stable for me."

"Leg hook Camel Clutch!" Rath moves his weight to the right and drags the robot face-first to the ground. The alien Tiger gets on its back, places both of his arms on its thighs, and reaches around the head. Rath pulls his opponent's leg backward, and tucks it under his underarm and applies a chin-lock. Rath then leans back and pulls its head and torso, applying more pressure to the lower back with the leg's new position.

"Great job, Rath!" Flash quickly plugged in a device. Lines of code ran down the terminal screen. Below, a progress bar slowly grew. "Come on..."

Suddenly, a panel from the robot's leg opened, revealing a sparking prong. It stabbed onto Rath's hide and began shocking him with several thousand volts of electricity.

Rath grunted at the jolts, his fur all standing up. "Can you hurry it up?! Rath doesn't like being a lightning rod!"

"I would if I could! I'm just following Star Lab's instructions." Another panel opened up revealing a dagger. While the prongs were busy with Rath, the blade darted for Flash and the Terminal. "Holy crap!" The world began to slow. Flash contorted his body and the Terminal to avoid the numerous stab attempts. 'Not to self, don't underestimate Toy Man.' What felt like minutes to the Flash, he watched as the loading screen progressed. In the corner of his eye, he saw Rath gnawing on the taser. After what seemed like forever to him, the screen blinked, red and the robot's movements began to die down. "It's done!"

Rath released the metal body as it fell lifelessly to the ground. "Finally." Rath started patting down his fur to a more decent appearance.

From several yards away, cops, civilians, and a news crew were cheering and thanking them.

Flash smiled at the alien. "We did pretty well, there. Thanks for the assist. I wouldn't have been able to neutralize it as safely without you."

"Nah, it's cool." Rath checked his surroundings again while Flash answered a phone call. The destroyed street, walls, and vehicles was a real mess. Suddenly, his headset started ringing, and Beatriz's picture popped up in the corner of his eyepiece. He took a deep breath. "Hey, Fire. What's up?"

"Hey, Ben. I wanted to check up on you. I heard about an incident in the city."

"It's nothing Rath couldn't handle. Hell, Rath finally got to meet the Flash. Apparently, this hunk of junk is confiscated villain tech."

"Rath? Well, I'm glad to hear things went well. Tora and I were out of town sightseeing, and we had to deal with some guys trying to siphon off the local oil pipeline."

"Sheesh. They're really coming out of the woodwork now. Was starting to feel like a vacation."

"I know, right. It was a real pain trying to deal with them because of the oil everywhere. Thankfully, Tora was able to keep things under control. On a more lighter topic," She paused. "You're still up for our date tomorrow, right?"

"You kidding. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You certainly sound excited. Tora told me what happened to her."

"Really, now. What did she say?"

"You're definitely better than some of the others we've met in a while. I hope that it'll be the same for me. I'll see you then."

Rath coughed at her seductive voice. "Won't disappoint. Pick you up at eleven. Later." Rath hung up at the same time Flash did too. "So, is this Star Labs gonna pick this hunk of junk?" Rath gestured to the mess around them.

Flash hung up. "I just got off the phone with them. They're on their way. As for the damage, it's in their budget. You won't believe what happens because of criminals trying to steal their tech or Star Labs confiscating their tech."

Rath looked over the street again. "Rath can imagine." 'I'm gonna have to come back as Clockwork and fix some of this. I doubt most of these people have Robot insurance. Hell, people back home were reluctant to buy alien insurance.'

Flash started walking toward the news crew. "You sticking around for the public? I still have to tell them what happened."

"Nah you go ahead. You know more about the robot stuff. I still have to take care of a few things."

Flash frowned but shrugged. "No problem."

Before Rath started to leave, he turned around. "Hey, Rath'll be done in about a half-hour. You hungry?"

A grin grew on the speedster. "Are you kidding me? I'm always hungry."

Rath smiled back. "Cool. Once Rath's done with Rath's errands and you're done with them, we'll meet back here and go get some lunch."

Flash reached out and shook Rath's hand. "I'm down for that, but I get to pick the place."

45 Minutes Later

The Scarlet Speedster and El Tigre were ordering food at Chipotle. All around them, people were whispering with a few being brave enough to talk to them and ask for a photo or an autograph.

"Will that be all, sir?" the woman behind the register asked.

Rath turned to Flash. "You want anything else, man?"

The scarlet speedster read over the screen once more. "Nah, I think we're good. We can get more if we're still hungry."

She nodded. "So that'll be twenty beef burritos and blows with guac, cheese, and sour cream, twenty soft tacos, and six large sodas. The total is $655."

Rath pulled out seven hundred dollar bills from his pocket. "Keep the change." The two carried their food to an empty booth. As they ate, they struck up a conversation.

"I can't believe it took me this long to actually meet, the new guy in town."

"When Rath came here, he heard about a speed demon living here."

Flash brushed a fist his chest "Fastest Man alive."

Seeing the opening, Rath went for it. "Must have been hard dating."

"You wouldn't imagine..." Flash took a sip out of his soda as Rath tried his best to hide his laugh. It took a few seconds for Flash to register his answer. "Hey!"

Rath stopped hiding it and let out a few hearty laughs. "Totally fell for that one."

"Ha. ha. Very funny." Flash grinned. "I will get you back for that."

"Sure you will. By the way, don't you have a mini-you running around too? Rath saw him on the news with you sometimes. What's his name? Speedy?"

Flash did his best to hide his own laugh. "Whatever you do, don't say that in front of him. He gets really angsty about it. Honestly, it's hilarious. We call him Kid Flash. Green Arrow's protege is named Speedy."

"Ah. Rath gotta hand it to that modern-day Robinhood. He does good work."

"He's cool. He's much more of a conversationalist than Batman." he joked. Flash thought for a moment. "By the way, I almost forgot to thank you, Fire, and Ice for taking down Sabertooth while I was... indisposed."

Rath waved it off with a burrito in hand.

Flash paused a sip. "How'd an alien, like you, meet up with them, anyway?"

"Honestly, it was a  coincidence . Rath didn't even know Fire and Ice till that night."

"I hope they were a good first impression of Earth sans Sabertooth." He scratched his chin in thought. "So, what brings a guy like you to our Solar System anyways?"

"Rath lived on Earth for some time when Rath was growing up, and Rath thought about coming back here."

"Wait. Wait. Wait. Are you telling me that you lived on Earth before?"

Rath nodded. "Yeah."

"I've met Martians and Kryptonians, but what kind of alien are you anyway?"

"Rath's an Appoplexian."

Hearing the name, Flash nearly choked on refried beans before coughing it back out.

Rath quickly handed the flash his soda. "Dude, you okay."

Flash took a gulp and breathed slowly. "Can you say that name again?"

Rath raised a brow. "Rath's an Appoplexian. Why? you've met Rath's kind before." 'Considering humans can evolve in another universe, there was a chance that other Alien species from my universe live here too.'

Flash breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank god. I thought I had to knock you out a second there."

Rath glared and flexed an arm. "Give Rath one good reason why Rath shouldn't knock you out."

Flash tried to recover from the awkward threat. "The aliens that invaded Earth last time were called Appellaxian. Your species name sounds dangerously similar to theirs."

"Really?" The alien tiger growled. "Damn name stealing invaders! The next time Rath sees them, he'll show em what for!"

Flash laughed shyly. "Kinda too late for that, we already sent them packing."

Calming down, Rath grinned. "Let me tell you something, Flash. If anyone tries to invade this Planet. You let Rath know because Rath will shove his fist where the sun doesn't shine."

Flash laughed. "I'll be sure to do that."

After another bite, Rath remembered one of Flash's friends."Hey, you said that you met a Martian, right?"

"Yup," he took another bite.

"Has he ever mentioned popcorn before?"

"Not that I can remember... Why?" Flash started on another bowl.

Rath shrugged. "Might be related to Martian culture."

"Weird..."

Later

The two spent the next two hours talking before they both had to leave.

"I'll be honest, today was nice. If I see you around, we should hang out again sometime. Maybe I'll introduce you to Green Arrow."

"Rath's down for that."

With that, Rath saw the red blur speed off into the distance. 'If I ever meet him as XLR8, we should totally race.'

Chapter Text

June 20, 2010

Days passed since Pam's arrival and his date with Tora. When Beatriz was finally free, Ben invited her to the park. While the picnic lunch was delightful, the date took an exciting turn when Ben mentioned his time playing college soccer. A figurative fire lit her eyes. After correcting Ben with the international name of Football, she passionately challenged him to a one-on-one game. Lucky for them, Ben keeps a spare ball in the trunk.

Since it was just between them, they would take turns as a striker versus a goalie with each point. The first five rounds went off without a hitch, but it soon got more intense between them. Beatriz asked Ben if they could have super-powered matches. While hesitant, Ben eventually caved into the emerald beauty's request. However, this came with new rules and a new setup. Like before (think Rocket League), neither could use their hands, but they didn't need to hold back in terms of strength and speed within reason. Moving to a more secluded area of the city's park, Ben got to work creating the new field with Diamondhead and a new ball. After ensuring no civilians or cameras were around, they both powered up. Beatriz lit up as Fire.

Needless to say, the  sounds of loud impacts and their smack talk drew people's attention.  Soon, there were a few spectators. The game wasn't a competition, but it felt like one now. Neither of the two was going to lose without a fight. The first to fifty goals won the game. Beatriz and Ben dashed across the field, shooting and blocking shots one after the other. Half an hour later, the two were soaked in sweat, and Ben was tiredly pumping his arms up in victory. It was a close game, but Ben earned his soccer scholarship. Once they got cleaned up, Ben drove Beatriz to her hotel and walked her to the room. When Beatriz and Ben said their goodbyes, she was much more proactive and hands-on in her appreciation than Tora. Another enjoyable date comes to a close.

Later

When Ben's not at the Gym or out in the city, there is never a dull moment at the shop. It made him smile whenever one of his newest recipes gained another fan. Experimenting with acai and lychee paid off. More tropical fruit flavors were a bit of a summer day hit. Regarding his recent roommate, things have been progressing. The two would have a movie night every other day, alternating pics. With a small smile, Harley was more open to talking with Ben about her experiences. Her growing list of friends was a  major  contributor. Silence is a Petri dish for abuse. It's where it thrives, and it needs to be broken.

As for Pam, she often came by once Harley finished her shift. They haven't caused any trouble, so Ben paid no mind to their excursions. Some days, the three of them would go out for Mexican food. Unfortunately, there was a night that both came back drunk out of their minds as Ben came down to see the shop a mess. Both were passed out on the floor, and cans of whipped cream and tree sap were littered around. It didn't help that his plant grabbed him as a self-defense mechanism for Pam, leaving him again hanging. One transformation later, he was free and out of range.  Suffice it to say, they  were closed for a few hours for clean-up.  The  next morning  was filled with sighs, apologies, and admissions of self-defense. Apparently, someone received several bruises for trying to get fresh with them. Pam mentions a new breed of plant she was experimenting with to calm the nerves with little side effects, leading to last night. No surprise, it needs work. Thankfully, Ivy's plants cleaned up most of the mess.

June 25, 2010

Eventually, the fashion show arrived. Beatriz and Tora offered to invite Harley, but she declined, saying that it wasn't a venue she was comfortable with. Before the show, Ben greeted the girls backstage, and they introduced him to their friend Mari McCabe. Apparently, she also took part in heroics; however, he never got a chance to hear the details when the directors asked him to leave backstage for show preparations.

The audience was bustling as they chatted away. Camera flashes lit the room. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. When trying to reach his reserved seat, Ben met Oliver and Felicity, a nice couple two seats down. They were nice but a little antsy. It might have been the crowds. So far, the event went off without a hitch. The host introduced their sponsors and exclusive guests, and Ben was surprised to hear that Oliver owned his own company, Queen Industries. Many lovely ladies strut down the walkways as the show progressed, looking fabulous. When it was Beatriz's turn to strut down the runway, she cheekily blew a kiss and winked in Ben's direction. Unfortunately, the crowd believed it was for Oliver, much to Felicity's chagrin.  As the show progressed, every model  didn't lose  their flair.  Each outfit was as stylish, if not more. Overall, the night was a success. When the three returned home, they   brought up an  interesting  offer.

Bethany Beach

July 4, 13:50 EDT

Soft waves washed over the warm sand, and the cool ocean breeze diffused the scent of cooked meat from the nearby grill.

Beatriz laid against her beach chair with a meat kebab, relaxing under the Summer sun. "It's great that you came with us, Ben. Not to mention helping out with the food."

Tora nodded as she applied sunscreen. "Especially since this is our last stop in the States before we head back to Europe."

Ben sipped from his iced tea in his chair. "You allowed me to spend the holiday weekend with you girls and have a beach barbecue. How could I refuse?" A frown briefly appeared. "It's too bad Harley decided not to come with us."

Beatriz raised her glasses to look at him. "You said she wanted to spend her weekend vacation in Gotham, right?"

"Yup." He stood back up to turn the beef over. "From what I heard, Gotham isn't what I would call a Summer destination, but she knows the place better than I do."

Finished prepping her skin, Tora got up to make herself a plate. "I swear. Some of them are psychotic. Did you hear? Some ice villain attacked a public park there earlier today?"

"Seriously? What a Dick." Ben sighed. "What does a person gain from that?"

"To inflate his ego?" Tora guessed. "I don't know. Thankfully, Batman and the kid were there to stop him."

Beatriz raised a brow. "That one happened in Gotham? On the way here, I heard about someone freezing over Pearl Harbor."

"Not even Hawaii is safe." Ben crossed his arm. "How many villains are Ice-themed anyways?"

Tora groaned. "At least four. I swear. If any more show up, people will start thinking I'm the bad guy when we show up."

"Nope," he snarked. "You're too cute to be a villain."

Tora giggled while Beatriz grew a sly grin. "What does that make me?"

Ben smiled as well. "You would be the type of villain I would humor being trapped by."

"I don't know," added Tora. "You can be surprised what the two of us can do."

"A wolf in sheep's clothing?" he described the Ice Princess. "Clever girl." Ben finished placing all the cooked meat on a platter and lit the flame. "Anyways, that's enough of hero talk. It's time for us to have some fun."

"What do you have in mind?" the emerald heroine asked.

With a smirk, Ben snapped his fingers as he was engulfed by the familiar green light. When the light faded, they immediately felt the temperature increase. In Ben's place was an alien with a body composed of bright yellow magma and dark red or brown rocks. His feet have a slight oval-like design with only two toes and one back toe. "Who's ready for Fireworks?"

Realizing Ben's new form, Beatriz ignited her body's flames and walked up to him. She danced her fingers across his stone chest. "You didn't tell us you had an alien similar to Moi."

Tora allowed her ice to counter the radiating heat.

Heatblast shrugged. "You didn't ask."

Fire rested her head on his shoulder. "So what can you tell us about tall, dark, and fiery?"

"This alien is a Pyronite, though, I called myself Heatblast. They live on a planet-like star, and as you can tell, their specialty is Fire."

"Amazing." Tora walked up to him, more comfortable than before. "Do you have any aliens with cryo-powers?"

Heatblast nodded. "I have a few I found so far, but do you want to know something weird."

Fire tilted her head. "What?"

"When Pyronites get sick, their abilities flip, and they control ice."

Both girls started laughing. "Shut up. You can't be serious."

Ben joined in. "It's true. You can be surprised how illness can affect aliens."

Composing herself, Fire walked to the water's edge. "What are we waiting for? Let's see how good you are."

Heatblast followed her, with Tora close behind. "Ladies first?"

Fire shook her head. "Newbies first."

He smiled. "If you say so." Charging his fists, Heatblast sent out a coordinated array of fireballs. Some that were more charged than others exploded in a cluster of embers. He continued trying to make an appealing show before finishing it off with his signature in the sky.

Heatblast!

The girls applauded in approval. Fire smirked. "Not bad. I can see that you've had practice with this one. However, I think your output was a little off. The dot of the exclamation point is still there."

Ben waved it off. "I've been using Heatblast for years. I'm sure that it'll burn out soon."

Washington D.C.

Cadmus

10 Min Later

Dubbilex stood before the maintenance computer, typing away at console commands. 'All I have to do now is overload one of the fuel lines, and hopefully, assistance will arrive.' Suddenly, a large explosion was heard that rocked the facility a bit. He reached for his comm. "Security, report. What happened?"

"I don't know how, but one of the rooftop generators exploded. We couldn't cut the fuel lines time, and the fire is still spreading. Emergency services have been called to assist."

Dubbilex nodded. 'This will work. No suspicion will be placed on me as well.' "Thankfully, the lower levels are still locked and separate from the above-ground structure. Proceed with evacuation procedures."

Washington D.C.

Outside Cadmus

5 Minutes Later

Many people were running out of the building as first responders arrived.

A man in a white lab coat burst through the fire exit, coughing a lot. "Where the hell did this fire come from?!"

The next to come out is a coughing blonde woman. "Thank god, I'm out of that hell hole."

The man turned his attention to her. "Janet! What the hell were you thinking? How many times have I told you that this-" He made a mocking flick of the wrist. "-isn't putting out a cigarette."

Her brows furrowed. "It wasn't me. I flick it to the playground next door like decent people."

Bethany Beach

July 4th; 14:00 EDT

Once Fire had done her routine, they agreed that Fire did it better. Who knew that her elegance and spontaneity also applied to pyrotechnics?  Tora did  a bit of  her own demonstration by making a few ice sculptures.  Ben had to admit that they were  very impressive . It was a shame that they would soon melt. Still feeling the heat, the three of them hopped into the ocean.

Just as Ben tried to surf with Tora's ice board, the sun decided to take a mid-day break, causing the hero to dip. When he resurfaced, he looked at the sky with interest. "Did it just get dark all of a sudden? I know Daylight Savings time is a thing, but this is ridiculous."

Lighting a hand, Beatriz guided them back to shore. Checking her phone, she frowned. "It's only 4:30."

Tora nodded. "Something's happening to the sun."

"Hold on, let me check the news." He held up the Omnitrix as the interface projected. "Azmuth, do you have any idea what's going on?"

The Omnitrix icon at the top left blinked as it replied, "It seems that we have a rogue magic user. I'll relay the news report to you three."

The Omnitrix started broadcasting live news in the area. "Attention. A Justice League-level threat has been identified. A villain named Wotan somehow blocked out the sun for unknown reasons. We are advised to stay away from the East Coast and indoors until the situation has been dealt with. Please stay safe until then."

"Crap..." muttered Ben.

"Is it that bad?" asked Beatriz. "I can't think of any issues because night came early."

Tora answered her friend. "Normally, it shouldn't. However, we're dealing with that wizard guy. Who knows what he's up to?"

Ben nodded. "In my experience, nothing good happens when someone tries to block out the sun permanently."

"What happened last time?" asked Tora.

"The alien I was fighting was trying to mind control the entire planet and mutate them into shadow monsters."

The girls whistled in shock. "That's worse than what I thought it would be."

"Yeah," Ben nodded. "And I don't feel like finding out what this Wotan is up to the hard way." In a flash, Heatblast was back. "Let's fly."

While Beatriz became Fire, Tora waved her hand. "Uh, I can't fly, remember."

Before her friend could reply, Heatblast laughed while Fire and Ice looked at him quizzically. "Let me show you a trick I learned."

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Heatblast

Species: Pyronite

Home World: Pyros

Powers and Abilities:

Pyronites can generate flames from their bodies in many forms. They can form fire into any shape or make them explosive if they choose to. When infant Pyronites have a temper tantrum, their firepower becomes greatly magnified. Pyronites can channel flames through other surfaces (such as large rocks) to generate jet propulsion, allowing them to 'surf' through the air. Pyronites are fireproof, heat resistant, and invulnerable to magma. They are also cold-resistant and ice-proof. Pyronites are not limited to simply creating fire; because their bodies are naturally heat convective, they can absorb heat, effectively allowing them to put out fires. Despite their water weakness, Pyronites can swim and use their powers while submerged, but with very low intensity. When infected with an Earth cold virus, Pyronites gain cryokinetic abilities while losing their pyrokinesis. In this state, they can fire ice beams and an ice ball that freezes everything it touches.

Chapter Text

Above the  East Coast

"Woohoo!" Tora smiled as she soared through the air.

To her left, Heatblast grinned forward, piloting their flaming rock. "I told you that it'd be fun.

Tora kept herself stable with ice stakes pierced into their platform.

Even though the sky was dark, Beatriz and Heatblast's fire lit the way. She turned to Ice with a smirk. "How's the 'hot rod?'"

The three of them chuckled. Tora smiled back, "A bit warm, but nothing I can't handle." A small wave of ice extended down the spices and her feet, keeping her in place.

"I have to try that out later," Fire smirked.

Heatblast sighed. "It's too bad a Doomsday scenario cut our day short."

Beatriz shrugged. "It's nothing. We're used to danger putting a pause on life."

Tora continued. "What use is a day at the beach if it's gonna be completely dark the entire time."

"Hopefully, we don't waste the whole fourth of July on this guy." Heatblast narrowed his eyes. "I think I see something up ahead." He pressed a finger to his headset to zoom into the distance.

The Omnitrix symbol on his HUD lit up. "We are nearing the state known as New Jersey."

"Uh, guys, I don't think Wotan's doing this alone." Tora's pupils shrunk for a second as she stared at a massive horde of unknown creatures swarming through the city streets. Not a second later, one of the smaller ones flew by before exploding into a mess of stone rubble.

Heatblast frowned. 'Reminds me of Charmcaster.'

Fire cringed. "Wow, this is close to your story, Ben."

The Pyronite witnessed a green anti-aircraft gun materialized before cutting down stone golems. Nearby, a bolt of lightning struck down, turning a parking lot into a crater. "Woah..."

"That must be the League!" Beatriz took the lead. As they drew closer, the trio started to notice the scope of the battle. Several heroes scattered throughout the battlefield. Each of them faced their group of summons.

Some of the soldiers noticed their arrival, and a stray blast of electricity narrowly missed the trio. Heatblast huffed. "Looks like we're not too late for the party." He looked around.

At the center of the enemy forces, a large pyramid had grown from the ground surrounded by a transparent yellow shield. At the top, the wizard they assumed to be Wotan floated cross-legged with closed eyes. The strange object around his neck glowed with fury.

Beatriz sweat-dropped. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"An ancient temple unleashing an army of darkness upon the city?" suggested Tora.

She slowly nodded back. "Oh, okay. Just wanted to make sure."

"I swear, this place looks like a disaster movie." Heatblast noticed a giant golem flowing with orange light, launching someone through two buildings. "Some of them are having more trouble than others. We better split up."

Tora's eyes narrowed. "Ben, drop me off below, and we'll all try to help push the enemy line out of the city."

Heatblast started their descent and gave her a thumbs up. "Everyone stay safe. Activate comms "

Beatriz started charging her hands. "This will certainly be one hell of a story."

Atlantic City, New Jersey

When Zatara requested a full League response for Wotan blocking the Sun, Barry didn't expect much. He imagined the wizard to be floating in the air with his arms raised into the air. They would listen to him monologue for a minute before Superman or Wonder Woman would take him down. Afterward, they would hit the city for drinks to celebrate before checking up on the kids. Barry was way off the mark. If there's one thing he learned on the job, it is that magic is a bitch.

The Flash sped through the city. He scoured several city blocks to help evacuate any remaining citizens. Barry activated his comms. "Bats, I've cleared the last of the civilians. What's our status?" He hears a loud explosion before the Man of Steel is launched through an apartment building. "You okay Supes?"

Superman, the Man of Steel, replied with a heavy groan. "I've been better." Getting up, he stretched his arms. "Lousy magic..."

Gargoyles and Wraiths took to the skies as they targeted the sleek bat-shaped jet soaring above. The Batwing's artillery guns fired several missiles at a swarm while being chased from another squad. Batman, the Dark Knight, shook his head. "Not ideal." The smoking entities behind him gathered flames in their jaws, ready to unleash.

Suddenly, a pair of heroes with giant wings tailed the Dark Knight and the flying squadron. A simple mace crushed the opposition. Hawkman took a deep breath. "This is getting old," Hawkman declared. "I've taken out like fifty of those things, already."

Beside him, Hawkwoman rolled her eyes. "You're just mad that I'm still in the lead." Hawkwoman snarked before stretching her dominant arm. "Still, you're not wrong. We need to pull the plug on this."

Batman grunted in acknowledgment. "It's clear Wotan came prepared for the League's interference." The Batwing fires a hailstorm of projectiles at Wotan's pyramid only for them to not even scratch the magical barrier.

Flash ran towards the fray. "No kidding."

Batman pulled up higher into the air. "I need to locate Zatara so we can regroup for a counterattack."

Dodging incoming magical bolts, Flash vibrated his fist before punching straight into a golem's torso. "I'll get Canary and GA." He switched channels. "Canary. Arrow. You copy?" No response. Barry groaned before a loud screech echoed a few blocks down. "Better than my car keys." Approaching the area, Flash witnessed his friend cleaning up the last of the block.

The female fighter with long blonde hair dodged a stone fist. Her distinctive costume included a black one-piece bustier-leotard, gray stockings, boots, fingerless gloves, and a blue jacket. Black Canary dropped kicked a wraith before it dissipated into smoke. With another scream, the stone warrior shattered to pieces before catching her breath. Seeing sudden movement in the corner of her eye, she pivots, ready to strike. Just as her heel was an inch from the torso, she glared at the nonchalant crimson speedster. "Took you long enough." She took the chance to catch her breath. "I need a drink when this is over."

They head a growl from above as a stray gargoyle dived for them. Dinah looked at the thing with an annoyed expression. Before the beast could attack, a blur flies by, freezing it solid before fracturing into pieces. "First rounds on me." Flash and Dinah turn to see the Emerald Archer jump down from his vantage point. "Late as always, Flash." Green Arrow loaded another explosive arrow just in case. "So? We got a Plan B or what? I'm not an expert on this magic crap."

Batman didn't tell Flash the precise details of the plan. "Uh, we're working on getting Zatara back, but we need to get everyone together."

Suddenly, the trio hears a chorus of inhuman wails coming from above. Taking a battle stance, they readied themselves for another wave of summons. To their surprise, lumps of flaming entities crashed around them as they burnt to ash.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Arrow called out to no direction in particular. "Thanks for the help, Supes!"

However, a much deeper voice replied. "You're welcome, but I'm not Superman!"

The trio's eyes widened before turning above. They were not expecting a flaming bipedal rock monster.

Remembering the invasion seven years ago, Green Arrow quickly fired an ice arrow. "Fire Lord!"

'Fire what?' Heatblast's eye sockets widened. He leaned out of the arrow's trajectory before attempting to land. The sonic screams following him did not make it easier. Touching down, he quickly put his hands up as the speedster ran toward him, ready for a punch. "Hold your fire! Hold your fire!"

To Flash, the world slowed. He reared a fist back, but as his eyes took in the newcomer, he noticed the familiar green hourglass badge on its chest. Realizing his mistake, Barry stopped his attack halfway, almost tripping over himself. "What the heck? Rath's friends with an Applexian."

Hearing Flash, Heatblast groaned in annoyance. "Applexian? Are you serious?" He stared at the speedster dryly.

Arrow and Canary readied for anything behind the alien. "Turn around slowly."

Heatblast complied. "Whoa whoa whoa. Chill." He motioned his flaming hands as non-threateningly as possible.

Green Arrow raised a brow. Seeing the universal hand gesture for surrender, he lowered his bow. "Ironic."

"So you aren't Fire Lord?" asked Canary. She saw the report of the League's first team-up.

Arrow turned to Flash. "Who the hell is this guy?"

Flash pointed at the alien's chest. "Judging by that symbol, he's with Rath."

Now that the tension settled, Heatblast nodded in relief. "Pretty much."

"You mean that Tiger luchador-looking alien?" Canary walked up to him and eyed Heatblast. "That so? I haven't seen you around Central City. Far from there right now too."

Heatblast gave a nervous chuckle. "It's not a great first impression for a walking fire hazard to tour the city." He pointed to the blackened sky. "This is the exception."

Arrow nodded skeptically. "Right. Just to be clear, you're on our side."

"Yes. I am." Heatblast huffed. "I can say it all I want, but I doubt you'll believe me until after we clean up this mess. By the way, call me Heatblast."

Flash chuckled. "Fitting."

"Eh, it's more of a codename."

"Where's Rath anyways? Is he here too?"

Heatblast dismissed it. "He's got his mission at the moment."

"Sure," drawled Canary.

"Getting back on topic," interrupted Arrow. "We have to regroup with the League for a coordinated counter-attack."

"Hopefully, you can make it easier to deal with all the monsters," the speedster smirked as he pointed to the Pyronite.

"By the way, where's that mini-you that Rath mentioned?" asked Heatblast. "I would have thought you brought him along to this."

"He and his friends are staying behind." Flash frowned a bit. "We disagreed before I left, and I didn't want him caught up in all this." A nearby empty building toppled over.

Heatblast nodded. "I see what you mean. In that case, I have good news." The Pyronite smiled. "I brought help."

Canary raised a brow. "Who?"

"Fire and Ice."

She remembered meeting them in passing at the Watchtower. Canary thought about their powers set. "Would you look at that? You fit right in."

The alien hero laughed. "Just some of the time." The others didn't understand what he meant. Heatblast placed a hand to his chin. "I wonder who they're with right now."

Several Blocks Away

A tall red robot with a blue cape flies upward. Red Tornado evades several thrown objects. "J'onn, the probability of our success is slowly decreasing." His hands become cyclones as miniature tornadoes sweep the area.

Down below, a tall, green-skinned humanoid turns transparent as the strong winds and numerous creatures phase through him. "I am aware of our current predicament." Martian Manhunter pushed out his hands, sending more enemies into the torrent of wind.

Several wraiths and golems crash into each other like a blender, leaving only debris and ash. Before Tornado could send out another series of cyclones, his radar pinged, detecting incoming bogeys. Turning in their direction, he noticed a familiar trail of ice and green fire approaching. "Our probability of success has risen dramatically."

Manhunter didn't notice the arrivals until an entire wave of summons became trapped in thick sheets of ice. Not missing the opportunity, J'onn focused his telekinesis, releasing a wave of psychic energy. The frozen evils didn't stand a chance, shattering to bits. The martian looked to the sky and smiled at the sight of Ice raining down attacks. It didn't take long for him to remember who is always close by. His expression grew nervous and fearful as balls of green flames scorched the Earth around him. Wraiths screamed in pain as gargoyles pushed through the fire.

The summons' attempts to escape the fire were to no avail as Ice trapped them in several frozen barriers

"Red, fan the flames!" the emerald beauty called out, continuing her barrage.

Red Tornado outstretched his metal arms and complied. Each cyclone fed oxygen to the fire, burning brighter and hotter.

Feeling the immense heat, J'onn phased through several walls to evade it. He drew heavy breaths, safe from the danger. He waited a minute before feeling out for the women. Phasing through the walls back to the street, get gazed at the scorched Earth. The area had been cleared, leaving molten slag behind. Looking back up, he saw Red Tornado greeting the reserve members.

Tornado shook Beatriz's hand. "Thank you for the assistance, Fire."

"No problem," she smiled. "It's why we signed up for the gig."

The robot greeted Tora as well. "It's a pleasure to work with you once more."

Ice sighed. "I hope we can take care of this soon." Looking down, she saw J'onn. "Oh, hey, Martian."

The green man calmed himself before nodding. "Hello to you as well."

Floating down, Beatriz waved to the Senior member. "It's a good thing we got here. Everything is chaos."

Martian Manhunter looked at the fiery woman before turning away slowly. "Yes, it is. We must get going. Come Tornado, Ice,... Fire."

As the senior members took the lead, Beatriz crossed her arms in annoyance and turned to Tora. "What's his problem?"

Her best friend simply shrugged. "It's been a while since they last met. Maybe it's a Martian thing." With that, the heroes moved out to help the rest of their comrades.

Meanwhile at Cadmus

A gray creature sits on one of the desks in an expansive lab as Desmond paces across the center. Finally slowing as seven screens come down from the ceiling. All seven are active, but instead of pictures, white outlines counteract the blue background.

"Dr. Desmond, you require an audience with the Light?" a man's voice asked, anger clear in his tone.

"Yes. I'm sorry to disturb you," the doctor replied.

"Just make your report," another man's voice spoke up, annoyance clear in his tone. His outline had an oval-shaped head.

"Of course," Desmond said quickly. "Well, we had a small fire, here at Project Cadmus. The origin is still unclear, but I've heard rumors that it was caused by a cigarette."

The screen with a smooth outline growled. "This is why I was against smoke breaks. Damn labor unions and their asinine demands."

"Let it go, L. We've heard your rant numerous times. That's why I control my men with strict discipline," the feminine figure replied. "Continue, Doctor."

"Anyways, the fire attracted the attention of three young men." A sly smile grew. "Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash penetrated my security. They went deep into the facility, found, and released the Superboy. Of course, the Superboy is under my control and, as ordered, turned against his would-be liberators." His attitude went giddy. "The three are currently restrained, and we don't believe the League knows they're here." With that, he finished his report.

The room went silent for a moment as they noted the Doctor's change in tone. "Yes... Thank you for telling us."

"How do you plan on dealing with them?" asked the gruff voice, unnerved about his tone.

Now comes the climax of the conversation, why he called them. The grin turned much more malicious. "Shall I repeat what I did last time? I can't wait to get my hands on those boys. I'll be able to pull things out of them that they never knew he had."

Once again, the room processed the request and the possible undertones. "Uh... sure. Just dispose of them after," the deeper voice commands with a little uncertainty. "Leave no trace behind!"

Desmond only smiles sadistically in response. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to suck them dry." He turned around to leave the room.

The white figures in the monitors went silent.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"We were talking about cloning, right?"

"God, I hope so."

"Who was in charge of hiring him?"

The white figure with devil-like horns raised his hand and giggled.

With Heatblast

After giving Heatblast a brief rundown on Wotan, Flash scouted ahead while the others followed behind. Arrow turned to their new acquaintance. "If we're gonna stand any chance, we have to find our heavy hitters."

Heatblast nodded. "According to Google, there are supposedly gods among you guys. That true?" The sky flashes with light before thunder crashes in the distance.

Black Canary waved a horizontal hand. "Well, yes, but actually no."

"It's complicated," summarized the Archer.

Suddenly, Flash zoomed in front of them. "Quick! I found more of the others." He dashed back into the fray.

As Heatblast flew after him, the Omnitrix symbol illuminated. "Uncatalogued DNA has been detected nearby."

Knowing what would happen if he allowed the Omnitrix to continue, Heatblast quickly replied. "Please hold off the scanning process until I say so."

"Understood," replied Azmuth

By the time the trio caught up with him, they had found a blond man in an orange scale-mail tunic, dark green leggings, and golden gauntlets stabbing into the stone beast with a trident.

Above, a man in a red costume with a lightning bolt logo grabbed onto two gargoyles before slamming them into the ground.

Not wanting to be left out, the trio made their moves. "Blaze Rush!" Heatblast threw his hands back and propelled himself forward. Landing in the middle of a large group, the Pyronit charged up. "Solar Flare!" A brief burst of flame lit up the entire area, leaving molten shells of the summons.

Seeing the newcomers, Captain Marvel dropped down to Black Canary. "Thanks for the assistance." He pointed a thumb at the living torch. "Who's the new guy?"

"He's an alien," she replied before screeching in another direction.

The Captain looked back at the hero and smiled. "Cool."

The group made their way towards the central spire, fighting many minions. As much as Ben wanted to speak to Dinah, now wasn't an appropriate time for personal stories. The Justice League slowly pieced itself together, even meeting up with Fire and Ice's group. Heatblast introduced himself to the likes of Wonder Woman, Captain Atom, the Green Lanterns. By the time Batman flew by with the Hawks, Azmuth was preparing genetic scans and analyses. He was most interested in the species cohabiting the Earth. It was surprising to see an emerald Hard Light vehicle arrive. With the Dark Knight landed and updated on the situation, Batman gave each group-specific orders to trim down the opposition; however, he was still suspicious about the newcomer.

Several pairs teamed against large stone giants, more swarms of gargoyles and wraiths, and squads of artificial paladins.

Heatblast spun himself around in the air, building up momentum with his arms before firing a flaming tornado at a paladin that caused a massive explosion. Not stopping, Heatblast moves through mid-air and grabs a golem before using his free arm to propel himself. He spins himself and his target with thrusters until he gains enough momentum to slam the magical swordsman into the ground forcefully. Collecting himself, Heatblast took note that if this kept up, the beasts would overrun them. Turning his head, he notices Green Arrow bashing down on a Wraith with his bow, his quiver empty. Several more wraiths came over with mouths charged up and ready to fire. In response, Heatblast ignited his arms and rocketing toward him.

Dinah noticed as well and called out to him. "Olly!" A blast of purple and green light filled the area. When the smoke cleared, Dinah was both confused and relieved. In place of Heatblast was a large green turtle shell. It's arms and legs wrapped protectively around the Archer. "The hell?" she looked at the two in disbelief.

When the new alien released him, Green Arrow got a better look, also confused. "What happened to Heatblast?"

Terraspin rubbed his head with a flipper nervously. "Heh heh heh. Surprise..."

Dinah and Arrow shook their heads, deciding to save it for later. "I demand an explanation when this is all over."

"Yeah, we all do," added Dinah.

Captain Marvel touched down to check up on the archer. "I'm glad you're okay, man." He looked at the alien with the same symbol on his chest. "Woah, you turned into a turtle. Are you like a Martian or something?"

Terraspin raised a brow. 'Martian?' Before he could answer, Wonder woman, called out to them.

"I've found Zatara, but he's in bad shape."

Following the voice, everyone made their way towards the pyramid. They soon came across a smoking man in a magician suite crumpled up in nearby rubble. The Warrior Princes carefully pulled him out before setting him down on the ground with the others on guard. With Doctor Fate currently in retirement Normally the league's own master of the mystic arts could deal with him all by himself. But with the mystic Amulet of Aten around his neck. It was simply too much for him on his own. But even with the help of his superpowered friends, this was proving somewhat difficult.

Suddenly, every creature went still. Their glowing eyes slowly dimmed before collapsing into an empty husk.

"Uh... Did we win?" questioned Hal Jordan, putting down his ring.

As the last minion fell, the pyramid released an enormous beam of light from its peak into the clouds.

John Stewart groaned. "Why did you have to say that?"

The light at the apex of the pyramid faded.

Zatara's eyes fluttered before he gagged. Seeing his teammates, he went somber. "I couldn't stop him. I'm sorry," the magician muttered.

"Greetings, peasants." The being known as Wotan stole their attention, floating down from his temple.

Terraspin noted his light blue skin and red eyes. Wotan was adorned in crimson robes with several golden lines, appearing like circuitry. The heavy aura of arcane energy permeated from him. The devil-horned hairstyle accentuated his presence.

Wotan looked down upon the League like ants. "You know not what stands before you. The Power of the Sun is mine to command!"

From Terraspin's communicator, Azmuth warned "He's building up critical energy.

Eyes widened, Terraspin grabbed onto the injured mage and gestured to everyone. "Everyone take cover!"

Gusts of wind pick up as Wotan floats higher into the sky. He laughed maniacally with surges of magic flowing through him each second.

Everyone got out of dodge, braced for impact, or constructed their barriers. Several explosions raged across the battlefield.

From a collapsed building, Terraspin vented the dust out of his shell. Thankfully, he could handle magic. Placing down Zatara, he asked the man, "What the hell just happened?"

Zatara looked at the turtle creature and coughed up a bit of blood. "It took a while, but Wotan managed to unlock the Amulet of Aten's power. I tried to cut off the ritual, but I wasn't strong enough. Now, he has the power of an Egyptian God."

Remembering documentaries from the History channel, Ben knew how serious that sounded. Terraspin looked at the floating wizard crackling with magic, thrashing against Captain Marvel in the distance. "Well, sh*t..." 'I might have to bring out the big guns.'

Green Arrow stood next to Batman and Dinah safe in a bubble shield with a strained John and Hal. Dryly, he turned to their leader. "So, Bats. How's that plan B coming along?" All he received back was a deep glare.

Half a second before the bombs dropped, Flash raced to the rooftop of a distant highrise and out of danger. Wotan threw spells in several directions. The speedster sighed, seeing his friends taking up arms once again. "I'm really glad that the kids are safe back at the hall."

Meanwhile

Three teens were trapped in pods as they looked down at their captors.

"You won't get away with this!" the yellow speedster exclaimed. "If we don't get out, the Justice League will bring this place down."

Doctor Desmond smirked. "Oh, you mean this place that's secluded and deep underground. Where there's no one nearby for miles to hear loud noises, like say someone screaming."

Aqualad nodded without hesitation. "Yes, exactly."

In contrast, his friends grew worrisome. "I don't like where this is going," stated Robin, discretely taking out his lock pick.

Desmond shrugged. "You won't like what I'm about to do either. It's too bad for you fine young boys that all the heroes are away."

Kid Flash went a bit pale. "Robin, I don't. I don't feel so good."

The doctor chuckled. "I've been told that I tend to have that effect on people. Now, stay still." He stepped over to the terminal, typing out several commands. "It's your first time, so I might be gentle. Drift away as I penetrate deep inside you and suck our your life juice.

"We need an adult?" Robin smiled weakly, his right hand desperately trying to unlock his restraints.

Desmond grinned to them innocently. "I am an adult." His finger pressed down onto a large red button.

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Terraspin

Species: Geochelone Aerio

Home World: Aldabra

Powers and Abilities:

Geochelone Aerios can retract their heads into their shell, where an opening in the shell serves as a viewfinder, their fins become triangular and their legs combine into a similar triangular shape. Geochelone Aerios can blow a powerful wind from the holes in their shell while also using their triangular shape arms as propellers; allowing varied powers such as creating winds and spinning themselves at high-speed; they can use this blowing ability to fly. Their appendages rotate with their shell, staying static and suspended when flying. Geochelone Aerios also have superstrength. This species also has selective mana and magic immunity. Geochelone Aerios can learn to use magic.

Chapter Text

Earlier,  Gotham City,  July 4th; 16:15 EDT

Harley pushed open the apartment door before crashing on the couch with a groan.

Pam came after, taking a seat to the left. "Did you really have to down all that food?"

The blond raised her arms. "It was an all-you-can-eat special! They were calling to me, Ives. The steak, the shrimp, the butter, it was so good." Her stomach grumbled in discomfort. "Oh, why didn't you stop me?"

Ivy shook her head. "I tried, multiple times. I said to pace yourself or have some of my salad, but you said 'It's a holiday. I can treat myself however I want.'"

"Damn you, past Harley. You always make my life harder."

"That's one way to put it." Ivy handed the TV remote before walking to the kitchen. "I'll check if I have any antacid tablets."

"Thanks..." Harley lazily flipped through the channels before landing on a familiar face."

Summer Gleeson stood on the grass with several families being thawed or chipped from ice. "Tragedy struck this fourth of July as one Mister Freeze began his reign of terror. As many people were shot by his signature freeze. Thankfully, the caped crusader and his young ward put a stop to him. We have more details after the break.

"Huh, I thought I heard his name at the other table."

"What was that, Harls?" Ivy called as she dug through the drawers.

"Nothing much. It looks like Freeze went out and got caught again."

"It's the middle of summer. He usually waits for the fall. What the hell is doing in this heat?"

"Don't know. Kinda weird for Freeze to terrorize people. He's usually robbing places. It's not in his profile."

"You really need to stop profiling us, considering you're also one of us."

"What can I say, old habits die hard. Hey, you ever think I should start my own crew?"

"I run solo most of the time, so I don't think I'm the right person to ask." Soon, the sky and the room began to dim, leaving the girls confused with only the TV partially lighting the room.

"Uh, who turned out the lights?"

"Hold on." With a wave of her hand, Ivy summoned a bio-luminescent bulb. Making her way to the light switch, the apartment went back to normal, relatively speaking. "The hell was that all about?"

The girls looked out the window to see the entire city darkened. Slowly, street lights illuminated, showing many concerned citizens. "This can't be good," Pam stated dryly.

Harley waved her off dismissively. "Nah, I'm sure the Justice Dweebs has it covered."

Atlantic City, New Jersey,  Present

Terraspin looked at the floating wizard crackling with magic, thrashing against Captain Marvel in the distance. "Well, sh*t..." 'I might have to bring out the big guns.'

Just as Wotan began chanting another spell, Wonder Woman caught him in her lasso to slam him into the Earth, cratering the ground. Pulling himself to his feet, Tora struck him with icy blasts keeping him in place. Aquaman followed up striking his chest with a trident, sending him flying through another building. Seeing the opening, Hal constructed two jets before unleashing their arsenal down below. It didn't take long for the entire building to explode.

With the pause in fighting, John released the shield around some of the members before flying up to his "Was that really necessary," complained John.

Hal shrugged. "It worked, didn't it."

"Uh, I think he disagrees." Captain Marvel pointed at the rubble slowly rising.

Below, Wotan's eyes glowed in fury. "Such insolence will not go unpunished. I will have my retribution." He raised another barrier around him, and the material divided and coalesced, changing shape. Ten godly wizards stood in front of the League. All of them grew smirks as arrays of magical beams and lightning rained from above.

"This is getting out of hand! Now there are ten of them!" exclaimed Oliver.

"I know. If this keeps up, we'll miss the free food and fireworks," added Captain Marvel.

Beatriz looked at him incredulously. 'That's the only problem?' Her flames sped forward only to be pushed back by a gold barrier.

Captain Atom frowned at the current situation. His earpiece buzzed before a gruff voice spoke. "Captain, we are requesting a sitrep."

"General Eiling, it's not looking great. Wotan doesn't seem to budge, and I haven't been authorized to remove my limiters on domestic soil."

"This asshole blocked out the sun. I've got calls coming in and people online claiming it's the apocalypse. I need you and your associates to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. The Pentagon is currently at DEFCON 3. If not, the defense council will make the final decision. Pray that we don't have to."

Captain Atom nodded. "Don't worry, sir. You may not like the League all that much, but I trust them with my life."

The general sighed. "That's what I worry about sometimes. Keep us posted." The atomic hero flew back into the fray, landing an energized punch against one of the duplicates.

Meanwhile, in a damaged building, Terraspin protected the magician from any stray debris. He patted the old man on the cheek to keep him awake. "Come on, wizard guy. Please tell me you had a plan."

A cough left him. "Just let me rest, creature." His eyelids started to flutter.

"Okay, dude. My cousin may be more magic than me, but even I know that there's a spell, counter-spell, or something. We have to fix this!" Terraspin gestured to the battle happening outside.

A weak smile crept to the man's face. "Your words remind me of my daughter."

The Turtle raised a brow. "Your daughter?"

He slowly nodded. "Yes." He blankly stared in the air. "It's been rough since we lost Sindella."

Seeing where this was going, Ben planted both flippers firmly on his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Dammit, man. Pull yourself together." He shook the man a bit. "You can't say that and then leave her too."

Realization dawned on the tired man. "No..." He gasped for air. "I can't. She knows no one else besides... Constantine " He hissed out the name like poison.

Terraspin blinked at the shift in tone. "Uh."

The magi grit his teeth, sparks fluttering in his core. "Constantine..."

"Uh..." Ben took a step back.

Zatara struggled to his feet, denying help. He looked to the ceiling in protective fury and screamed. "Constantine!" After taking several ragged breaths, he muttered to himself. Slowly, the wounds around his body started to close.

The alien hero simply watched the man do his magic. By the time, the glowing stopped, Terraspin caught the man before he could collapse. "Woah..."

The man winced in pain. While the bleeding stopped, the flesh was still sensitive. Zatara was running on fumes. He turned to his companion before chuckling. "It'll be a cold day in hell before I let that bastard raise her."

Terraspin was just as confused from the start. "Do I want to know?"

"I'll save you the trip to Hell by saying no." Zatara waved him off. "Now, there is a way to stop Wotan, but I cannot do it alone, especially the way I am now. We must regroup with the others."

Terraspin smirked. "On it." In an instant, the strange being changed once more. A flash of light later, a red-ish pterodactyl-like creature wearing a green harness stood.

"You are a changeling?" The man tilted his head in slight confusion.

The new alien shrugged. "Sure. Why not?" With that, Astrodactyl grabbed onto the magi with his talons and flew to the warzone.

So far, the League was not having a good time. Everyone once again fought in groups, but they were losing ground. From the sidelines, Batman, Dinah, and Arrow sprinted around the battlefield taking potshots and commanding the members.

"Dammit, Bats." Oliver fired another explosive arrow, giving Diana an opening to uppercut. "They're kicking our asses, and I'm starting to run out of arrows. Not all of us have an extra weapon cache in the trunk."

"Your concerns are noted, but we still don't have enough information to properly take him down. Do this incorrectly, and we'll be either killed or in the dark for the rest of history."

"Where did that turtle take Zatara anyways?" asked Dinah

As if answering his question, a voice shouted from above. "Incoming!"

They looked up, ready to fight. Oliver quirked a brow in confusion. "What now?"

A large bird creature with a jet pack swooped down to their location setting down the previously mentioned mage. "I got a wizard who can solve all our problems."

Dinah took a breath at the sight of Zatara. "You had us worried there for a sec."

Batman narrowed his eyes with a Batarang in hand. "Who are you supposed to be?" His gaze drifted to the green symbol on its harness before he put his arm down. "You are... were the turtle, a shapeshifter."

"Pretty much," shrugged Astrodactyl before waving to the others "Hey guys."

Dinah and Oliver helped support the exhausted man. "Glad to have you with us again, Z." He smirked at the alien. "Thanks, man... bird?"

"No worries," the alien waved off. "How are things here?"

Dinah rubbed her neck. "Not good. We're lucky that you brought Fire and Ice along."

Bruce shook his head at the newcomer. "We'll deal with you later. In any case, Zatara may hold the key to ending this."

"If you say so." Ben turned to the elderly father. "So, Gandalf, what's the plan?"

Zatara sat down in relief on a concrete block. "Well, the first step is to break Wotan's connection with Aten. The second step is to drain him of his magic without blowing up the entire city."

Canary frowned. "Yeah, that would very bad."

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Easier said than done."

"I assume there is more to this plan," continued Dinah.

"Indeed," Zatara smirked and coughed. "If we're going to win this, we're going to need Flash, the Lanterns, and a distraction." He continued to elaborate on what needed to be done. "Batman, you're assisting me in calculations and navigation."

The three of the heroes in front of him smirked. Dinah crossed her arms. "I think we can get that done."

"It's risky, but it's a shot we'll have to take." Batman put a hand to his communicator to relay the plan.

Meanwhile At Cadmus

The tops of metal arms broke apart into four fingers, two prongs on the tips of each one. With no hesitation and a slight electrical buzz they plunged the prongs into the boys. All four scream out, which only increases as the fingers began to pull on their insides.

"The screaming never gets old," Desmond said wistfully. He turned around only to see the Anthropoid shadow coming out of the darkness. "Ooh!" he gasped, taken off guard. "Lurking as usual. You've learned a lot from me. Anyways, get the G-gnomes downloading their memories. When that's done, pacify the source material."

"For disposal?"

"...Yeah, sure. Let's go with that."

Suddenly, a boom that echoed through the containment room, catching Desmond's and Guardian's attention and turning it back to the door which is being crinkled as Superboy removes it. He held it over his head with ease. As he did the torture devices power down. Then he threw the door away and stalked into the room. Desmond, Guardian, and Dubbilex all made their way towards Superboy.

"What the? I thought I told you to get back to you-" Desmond began, but was cut off as Superboy's right-hand swiped him away. His left hand took out both Guardian and Dubbilex. Guardian got thrown into the wall while Dubbilex and Desmond hit the ground with a thud.

Superboy stood tall and glares down at Desmond. "Don't give me orders," he nearly growled. He then stood in front of the teen heroes.

"Please tell me you're not gonna kill us." Kid Flash relented.

Superboy declared to the red-head, "Come on me if you want to live."

Kaldur shook his head, only now clearing his head from the pain. "What? Go where?"

Kid Flash stared at the clone with a shocked expression. "I change my mind. Death is starting to sound like a very tempting offer."

Robin paused his lock picking to look at the clone. "Don't you mean 'come with you?'"

Superboy blinked in confusion. "Why? What did I say?"

Wally cringed. "Doctor Desmond was in charge of your flash learning, wasn't he?"

The clone nodded. "Yeah. How did you know?"

The speedster groaned. "Just a hunch."

"I don't follow," replied the Atlantian.

"Just forget it, Aqualad. I'd rather not have that conversation."

Robin managed to get his wrist restraints open, then jumped from his pod. "Ahh. Finally!" he says, annoyance in his tone as he rubs his wrists. "Lucky Batman isn't here. He'd have my head for taking so long."

"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" Kid Flash groaned. "We just got caught by a super suspect doctor. I'm not even sure if he was using metaphors or not. That's doesn't include the whole League having our heads after tonight," he snapped angrily.

Robin shrugged. "Still better than Desmond having our asses."

"Literally or figuratively?"

"Yes."

Wally deadpanned his best friend. "Dammit, Rob. Just get us out of this thing!"

Atlantic City

Hawkwoman flew back as a mystical typhoon whisked her into the street. Getting back to her feet, she lashed out and struck true with her mace. A loud clang echoed through the block, and the entire arm tore apart. In return, the duplicate grabbed the mace and swung her body through a minivan. Hawkwoman clearing her throat through the injury. "Can we please go back to the rock things?" In the background, red and green figures traveled all around the city.

"On the bright side, fewer targets," remarked Wonder Woman as she came up from behind Hawkwoman. Her lasso restrained a pair of hands, redirecting a spell downward. The magical explosion consumed the immediate area. While the copy was strong enough to harm itself, the body started to piece itself back together. "Doesn't make them any less annoying."

"Coming through!"

Wonder Woman backflipped as a brown creature with a familiar symbol opened its mouth and unleashed an energy blast at the copy, staggering it back.

Fire flew alongside him and smirked. "About time you returned. So, what do you call this guy?"

The avian gave his version of a smile. "Astrodactyl." With a wave of his claws, energy whips projected out. Twisting his wrist, the two strands of energy shot outward to a Wotan. Crossing his arms heavily, the two fakes crashed into one another. "You all heard the plan."

"Yeah." Tora swept out a wave of frost, trapping two Wotan copies in thick ice. While she punched one of the makeshift statues to shards, Beatriz turned up the heat, attempting to melt the fakes into slag. Unfortunately, while their material glowed red, their movements didn't stop. Tora barely had time to erect a barrier before being struck by lightning.

At the center of it all within a golden shield, the true Wotan maintained a meditation position, channeling energy from his medallion to his pawns.

Just outside the barrier, a red-clad hero unleashed his might. "Shazam!" A great bolt of lightning shook the block, arcing all over the place; however, the shield only shuddered. "How did that not work?!" growled Captain Marvel. He slammed his fists into the shield in anger, each hit created distortions.

Wotan opened his eyes. "You have been blessed by great beings, hero, but I have a direct line to one." Wotan crossed his arms and separated the. ".enogeB"

Just as Marvel was about to strike another blow, he felt something wrap around his leg. Looking down, he sees the feet sinking into the ground. "Ah!" Before he could fly upward, he was quickly pulled underground.

Astrodactyl's eyes widened at the man's disappearance. He was about to chase after the guy, someone tugged on his arm.

Diana shook her head. "Don't worry. He'll be fine. It'll take more than that to stop Marvel. We have to follow Zatara's lead."

Over the comms, the man in question spoke. "So this is what being buried alive feels like? Itchy."

Ben shrugged at his calm tone and continued to stall time.

The copies motioned to attack only to be halted by a loud screech that echoed through. The familiar blonde fighter advanced forward. Sliding down a stretch of ice, she released another scream as it staggered the metal body."

Astrodactly hovered nearby in surprise. "You would be killer on karaoke night."

Dusting her coat a bit, Black Canary smiled. "Been a while since I was banned."

Tora made an Ice wall to cover their rear. "If we make it out of this in one piece, we're celebrating."

Nathaniel stood back to back with Red Tornado, holding off their own partners. "Yeah, well if we don't fix this and fast, the military's gonna-" He was cut off by his League communicator going off. "Yeah? What is it?" He deflected a punch and countered back with a kick followed by an energy beam. "Superman?" He turned his gaze to the Man of Steel. While he looked roughened up, he still pulled his weight with assistance from Aquaman. "He's managing... You want me to do what? Hal?" He paused in his stance before dodging another blow. "You do realize how dangerous that is, right?... Fine." He turned around. "Tornado, cover me."

The android's lower half accelerated along with the gales coming from his palms. The artificial tornado masked both heroes from view. The sensors in the Android went off as he detected rising radiation levels.

In Captain Atoms' hands, atomic and quantum energy coalesced, and then a yellow star was born. The intense glow filled the area with light. "It's ready!"

A translucent green hand descended from above and wrapped around the star. "Supes, head's up!" called out Hal.

The energy extended to the Man of Steel and wrapped around his torso like armor. The star was positioned right over his symbol. The effects were instant as Clark's eyes shimmered and his muscles tensed. With a shout of adrenaline, several Wotans were forced off his body. "I feel great!" Superman felt better than his old self. He quickly caught the punch one copy and slowly pushed it back. Clark's eye's glowed red, unleashing heat vision into the fake head.

Astrodactyl and the other heroes glanced at the rejuvenated Superman. "He certainly looks better," commented the alien hero.

"Ha Ha! That's more like it!" laughed Aquaman. He pulled a fist close to his chest as a wave of water carried an unsuspecting drone. He thrust his trident with immense strength, only managing to pierce a few inches.

Nathaniel smirked. "You're welcome Supes. Any more, and I risk giving people skin cancer."

"Thanks for the courtesy," scoffed Green Arrow over the radio.

A distance away, Manhunter increased the density of the fists before bashing a pawn's chest. In response, a circle of flames engulfed the green hero. The burning sensation raced through his body, screaming in pain. He didn't know how long he was aflame until the pain stopped. He rubbed his singed face and arms in surprise before looking up.

Above, Beatriz just finished absorbing the flames. "Don't worry. I got ya."

J'onn breathed heavily while recovering. "Thank you."

She simply smiled and nodded back. "That's what friends are for."

The Martian smiled back, getting ready to fight once more.

The battle continued for a while until all their comms rang. "Flash and John finished the connections. Keep them in the area!" Zatara yelled.

Zatara clapped his hand together before pressing them down against a line in the dirt. ".gnireffo ruo tpeccA .htarw s'nus eht morf su eraps rehtoM htraE eht yaM" Instantly, green light spread through the markings in an intricate pattern. If one were to look from above, the entire city was engulfed in an incantation circle designed with several geometric shapes and greek symbols. As the light completed the incantation circle, every copy of Wotan, including the original screamed in pain. Feeling the source of the torment, they attempted to flee further to the skies, but the Justice League would not let them escape.

A fist burst from the ground, uppercutting a minion and revealing the missing Marvel.

Each member attempted to restrain the villainous wizards. Wonder Woman grabbed her tiara and launched it toward a rusting copy. The projectile sliced at its leg before returning to the princess. With him slowed, she threw her lasso to reel him back to the circle. "Don't let any escape!"

Wotan's golden shield began to falter, flickering as magic was literally pulled out of him. "No!" He fell to one knee as he tried to accumulate magic in his hands with little success.

Astrodactly lands in front of him and wrapped his whips around him, binding the villain's legs. "Dude, just give up, so we can get on with our lives. You're only making it worse for yourself."

Martian Manhunter followed up with a passive expression. "Our new friend is right. Please, surrender."

The foreboding feeling slowly crept. Weak. Helpless. Vulnerable. The world around Wotan shifted to that of a dark cavern lit by fire. Wotan looked up at the wall, only to see a shadow loomed over with malicious intent before pouncing on its prey. Wotan screamed in anguish, nails driving into the skin and bleeding. "Not again!" All around him, the copies deteriorated to scrap, and the heroes started to gather at the ready. "He will be mine!".

Batman pulled out restraints from his utility belt, but just as he was about to cuff him, Wotan slammed his skull into the Dark Knight.

With blurred vision, Wotan wrapped his bloody hands around the Amulet of Atem. The artifact absorbed the crimson liquid and vibrated erratically. "!eiD." With that one word, all eyes widened. In a flash, a burst of gold and green blinded the area.

Tora stood still, waiting for an attack that never came. Cracking open one eye, she saw her hastily made barrier. Not all the Leaguers had some form of protection or enhanced durability.

As the light faded, everyone got a view of a new creature. They saw a muscular black being with one green eye, two antennae, a tail, and the familiar symbol on his chest. Several of his appendages had metal tips that made contact with Wotan's body and the amulet.

Wotan strained to hold on, but each second, his strength was fading. His last spell was supposed to vaporize at least half of the heroes, but the gods were not on his side. The menacing aura around him diminished. He stared at the changeling in front of him with utter contempt. Wotan's chance at revenge fell from his grasp once again.

"Almost had us there, but you're gonna need to be faster than that." Having drained enough of the volatile energy, Feedback unplugged himself from the villain who clung to his chest for air. Feedback felt the magic course through him, gathering a bit in his hands, and he smirked."Oh, yeah! Time to give this planet a recharge!" His various contacts plugged themselves into Zatara's seal as it dumped the godly energy into the planet's biosphere. The circle glowed brightly. Across the country, all the plants grew a bit taller. A certain Swamp acquaintance and Redhead felt the equivalent of a brief acid trip. When the transfer ended, Feedback stretched his arm and smirked the defeated Wotan. "Gotta hand it to Zatara. The guy's a miracle worker." Above, the mass shadow disappeared, revealing the orange sunset on the horizon.

"Damn, that was a close one." Arrow got out from behind Clark and readied his weapons. The archer leveled a tired expression. "Done yet?" Wotan simply looked up at them before collapsing on the ground. "We'll take that as a yes."

A tired Zatara limped to him before securing runic bindings. "So much potential thrown away once again. As much as I would like to banish you to the Nether Realm, the UN will decide your fate."

Fire walked up to stretching Feedback and nudged him in the elbow. "You sure know how to make a good impression."

Ice came up on his left and smiled. "Not how I would spend the holiday, but it's still exciting." She glanced at the others coming by

Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Green Arrow Captain Marvel, John, Captain Atom, Hawkwoman, Hawkman, Manhunter, Aquaman, Flash, Red Tornado, Black Canary, Zatara, and detained Wotan walked to the trio.

Captain Atom breathed a sigh a relief on his comm. "The threat has been neutralized, sir. I repeat, The threat has been neutralized." Thankfully the higher-ups didn't get the chance to blow them up first.

As the Justice League walked forward, none of them seemed to notice the infrared scans. Within the Omnitrix, Azmuth was intrigued by the DNA samples of this universe. 'Such strange developments in their evolutionary line.'

Superman opened his mouth to greet the trio, but he was cut off.

"Dude! That was so cool!" exclaimed the godly man-child. "Up top!" Captain Marvel emanated friendliness.

Feedback smiled in return. "Yeah!" The two clapped hands. "You weren't bad yourself. What happened after you got dragged down?" asked Feedback.

Marvel scratched his head. "I got pulled down deep. Like way deep. Uh, what's that place under the crust called again?"

"The Mantle?"

"Yeah, that." Marvel wiped his forehead. "Too hot for my tastes. Anyways, we saved the city!" An exploding car sounded in the distance. "Well, most of it..."

"Damn. We really trashed the place." Just as Ben considered turning into Clockwork, someone interjected.

"All is not lost, my friends." Zatara held up the Amulet of Aten. "Even after the ritual, there's still enough residual magic in the ley lines and the medallion for one more miracle." He held the artifact with reverence as he chanted. "!ytic eht riaper ot rewop ruoy esu ew yam ,netA" A few seconds later, the entire city glowed bright yellow. Slowly but surely, pieces of buildings floated back into place. Dented metal bent back into place. In minutes, the entire city was back to normal.

Seeing the relatively pristine city, Oliver laughed. "Hah. Who needs insurance when you have wizards?"

While Hal was happy about the repairs, he sulked at a realization. "Are you telling me that we could do that anytime we wreck the city? Do you have any idea how many court orders I got before joining the league for property damage."

"You're lucky that a certain someone was able to settle those for you." Wonder Woman turned a glance to Bruce who turned away.

"How many times must I remind you that I'm a Magi. Completely different."

"You're a man who makes magic happen. That's good enough for mem," shugged Oliver.

"Ahem." A cough caught their attention back to the rest of the League. The miniature sun and green armor have since faded away, and The Man of Steel walked up to Ben with a relaxed step. "I've heard a little bit about you from my friends. We were having trouble here, and I'd like to thank you, Fire, and Ice for helping us stop Wotan."

"We were in the area when things got dark, so we decided to help out," stated Tora.

Beatriz smirked. "What are reserve members for?"

"Can't let the bad guys ruin everyone's day off," added Ben.

The Man of Steel held out his hand. "Superman."

Ben smiled back. "When I'm like this, you can call me Feedback." He reached out and the aliens of two different worlds shook hands.

"Well, Feedback, you seem like a nice guy. Fire and Ice seem acquainted enough with you."

"Heros stick together." He clapped his hands of any dirt. "So... who's down for dinner. My treat," offered Ben.

"I'm down for that," answered Dinah. "It'll be a good chance for us to talk, Heatblast." She crossed her arms and gave Feedback a knowing smile.

The Alien hero chuckled meekly. "I did promise an explanation."

Oliver rubbed his neck. "After all that happened today, I could use a drink right about now."

Captain Marvel beamed. "You're buying? Sweet!" It wasn't likely that the beach celebrations would start back up any time soon, and he was starving.

Hal and John shared a look before shrugging. "We could eat. I think the only ones available now are Bar style the next town over." One by one they were all hopping on board to eat out. Red Tornado didn't mind tagging along if just to socialize.

"I'm going to have to take a rain check on that," replied Zatara while rubbing his back.

Diana nodded. "I'll be taking Zatara to the hospital to get looked at before I drop off Wotan to Belle Reve, but I can meet up with you all later after I make sure he's okay."

Batman was about to chastise everyone until his communicator started blaring. "Yes, what is it, Gardner? ... What do you mean the kids are gone?! Yes, this is your fault. We explicitly asked you-" yelled Batman. "Hold on, I have another call. We're not done with this... What?... Excuse me?!... Okay, we're heading there immediately."

Everyone was now staring at the now upset hero. "What happened now?" complained Dinah.

Batman gave the group an irritated look. "Our wards snuck out, and Cadmus exploded. It doesn't take a detective to know what happened."

Feedback blinked in amusement. "Huh. Just like the old days on the Rust Bucket."

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Astrodactyl

Species: Unknown (To be named)

Home World: Terradino

Powers and Abilities:

Astrodactyl is capable of flying through the aid of his 'jetpack', and with his retractable wings proving stability for this ability. He can create a propulsion blast from his jetpack using some kind of internalized star power to enhance his flight. Astrodactyl's star power can be used to create different forms of weapons, the most common weapon being energy whips. Astrodactyl can use his star power to fire an energy beam from his mouth. Astrodactyl possesses enhanced strength, strong enough to carry and lift a Cerebrocrustacean with his prehensile feet.

Astrodactyl can survive in the vacuum of space.

Name: Feedback

Species: Conductoid

Home World: Teslavorr Nebula

Powers and Abilities:

Conductoids have the ability to absorb and redirect any kind of energy from any source. This ability is refined to the point that Feedback can redirect energy at point-blank range. They absorb energy through the conductors on his antennae, tail, and fingers. Any stored energy can be used to generate electrical charges, which can be used as ranged attacks or to empower his punches. By joining hands, they can fire an energy blast. By projecting energy behind them, they can fly like a jet engine. Their antennae can be used to sense radio signals.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12: Independence Day Part 3

Washington DC

When the Justice League and their new companions prevented the would-be apocalypse, they wanted a short break. Unfortunately for them, dinner had to wait. At the moment, they were all following John Stewart and the other members he carried. The other Green Lantern offered the Flash a lift, but the speedster decided to run there. The recently transformed Astrodactly carried Ice while flying alongside Fire, Captain Marvel, and Wonder Woman, who was carrying Zatara.

"Come on. Please?" begged Captain Marvel.

Ben huffed. "Like I said the past five times, you'll just have to wait until we eat."

The caped man frowned. "Fire said that you met the Loch Ness Monster."

Ben looked back at the flying woman, who averted her gaze. "And I told her it was a different Lake Monster in the States."

Wonder Woman chuckled with a smile. "I must admit that is a very tempting story to hear."

The Alien Hero shook his head and looked at the elder mage. "How are you holding up?"

He breathed easy in Diana's hold. "I'll live. My little girl  just  won't be happy about me being late for our neighborhood block party."

Marvel raised a brow. "Wait, you live in a regular neighborhood. How do your neighbors not recognize you from the news and stuff?"

Zatara gave him a humorous look. "Magic." Then, he raised a brow in return. "Isn't that what you do as well?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Me too." The man of many gods nodded back.

Wonder Woman smiled. "Don't worry. I'll  get you checked  out as soon as we finish this Cadmus incident. If all goes well, you can spend the rest of the night without interruptions."

Beatriz started flying on her back, resting her head on her arms. "So, what do you think happened with the sidekicks?"

Tora quirked a brow. "And what exactly is Cadmus?"

"I was wondering the same thing," added Astrodactyl.

"Cadmus is a genetics research laboratory," the Amazon answered.

Ice blinked. "That doesn't sound so bad."

The Alien narrowed his eyes. "Wait for it..."

Diana sighed. "It was founded by Lex Luthor."

Ice nodded along. "Ah, I see your concern."

"I keep telling you guys, Luthor has changed," retorted Marvel. "I hear he's working with international relations now."

Diana smiled softly at him. "I'm aware of that, Marvel, and while I'm happy you are giving him the benefit of the doubt, some of our members still have reservations if his motives are true."

"I know," relented Marvel.

"I guess we'll see what drew Kid Flash and the others to Cadmus," argued Astrodactyl.

"From there, we'll see if Luthor did anything," concluded Fire.

Looking ahead, Astrodacty pointed at a large pile of rubble in the middle of the city. "I take it that's supposed to be Cadmus."

Descending, Ben could recognize the protégés from the news except for one. Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and another teen stood in front of the remains of the research facility, each having their fair share of injuries. He whistled at the sight. "Wow. When Batman said that they blew up the place, he wasn't exaggerating." His eyes drifted to the strange being still covered in rubble. "Who the hell is that?"

Superman was the first to land in front of the teens, and the rest of the heroes followed.

Batman and King Arthur step up next to Superman, and Flash zooms into the area on Batman's left.

As Diana set Zatara down next to Astrodactyl, she saw the mentors walking up to their wards. "I believe we should let them talk first ,"  she said.

Captain Adam nodded in agreement. He pulled out his communicator and started calling local law enforcement so they could begin a joint investigation of the incident.

The Flash walks up to his nephew and brushes the dust off his shoulders. "You alright, kid?"

Kid Flash returned a wry smile. "Yup..."

"That's good," the Scarlet Speedster clicked his tongue. "So... It seems that you three have been busy tonight." He looked at Superboy and then at the hulking being. "Who are your new friends?"

Superboy stepped up first, gaining scrutiny in Superman's eyes but not stopping as he lifted the torn front of his suit, revealing the same S mirrored in his costume.

Superman's eyes widened in shock, while Superboy's features softened. The Man of Steel continued to open and close his eyes as if this was all a dream. Superman's gaze turned confused and worried, and Superboy also mirrored his expression.

In the back of the large group, Oliver, knowing Clark's age, snapped his fingers. "Supes had a prom night, baby." As soon as Oliver said that, several whispers were happening in the background.

Dinah glanced at Oliver. "I don't think that's what happened."

"I wouldn't expect Superman to be a deadbeat dad," remarked John Stewart.

"Maybe the girl never told him about the baby," replied Astrodactyl

Hal crossed his arms. "It's like one of those episodes of Maury."

Superhearing made their banter very clear for Superman. He started massaging his temples to control the development of migraines. 'Why me?'

Batman rolled his eyes at the other's assumptions and turned his attention to the Boy Wonder. "Robin, is that what I think it is?"

"He doesn't like being called an 'it,'" corrected Kid Flash as he stepped up and gestured his left hand to face Superboy.

Superboy took a breath. "Superman is inside of me."

That one sentence  seemed to shut  everyone up, causing most of them to make disgusted expressions.

Robin pressed his face into his hand. "Dude. Don't... Don't say it like that."

Superboy frowned at his new companions. "Why? I have another man's DNA inside of me."

Wally pinched the bridge of his nose. "Goddamnit. That's even worse."

Superboy, Kaldur, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel had no idea why the others were upset.

Batman groaned at the constant misunderstandings. "He's Superman's clone."

The other heroes look on in shock and realization. Meanwhile, Clark groaned at how easily they believed he was a teen father, along with the other bombs dropped on him.

Batman's eyes zero in on the four teens. "Start talking."

Superboy opened his mouth before the others could. "They came here because of the fire, but it started when they met me in the basement. Doctor Desmond," he pointed to the large unconscious man," took them from behind, tied them down, and tried to suck them dry."

Everyone went wide-eyed at the teen's explanation. 'The doctor did what!'

Robin and Wally tried to correct them, but Kaldur cut them off. "Yes, that is all true."

Immediately, many heroes wanted to rush over to the doctor and pound him into the ground.

Flash was doing rapid-fire stomps on the man's arm in an instant. Unfortunately, he was barely making a scratch on the durable skin. He yelled several curses at the man at high speed.

With hate-filled glares, Hal and John used their rings to pull Desmond out and wrap him in chains. Ben was considering turning into Humungousaur but restrained himself.

Dinah leaned over to Martian Manhunter with her own glare. "I may need to bring out the therapy doll."

Bruce sighed at those around him. 'This is going to be a long night.'

1 Hour Later

Everyone seemed to calm down after repeated assurances that they weren't violated in the basement. After talking with the cops and dropping off Blockbuster, many adults needed to blow some steam.

Checking his texts, Ben answered a few from Harley asking if he was okay. She replied that she was fine and that it ended up being another day in Gotham City for them. She said that Ivy was sick for a moment before getting back up and feeling much more refreshed. At the moment, they were out and about in the city.

Batman walked up to Astrodactyl with his usual Bat-glare. "While we appreciate your assistance today, it would be in your best interest if you met with the League later this week to discuss your future activities here on Earth."

Ben turned to Fire and Ice, who gave their nods of approval. It seemed they knew what he was talking about. "Uh, sure," he replied.

"Come to the Hall of Justice on Monday at 5:00 PM sharp. We would like to share a few words."

"Okay..."

With that, Batman, Captain Adam, Hawkman, and Hawkwoman went their separate ways. The rest of the league hit the town. Wonder Woman would get Zatara checked out before meeting up with them later. Thankfully, a nearby bar was more than eager to accommodate the heroes who saved the city.

As much as Ben liked being an alien, he preferred relaxing in his  own  skin. Right outside City Tap House Penn Quarter, he reverted back to human. Instead of his normal appearance, the Omnitrix left him in his black, green, and white uniform and digital face mask. Many of the heroes were surprised by his new look.

"Is this what you normally look like?" asked Dinah.

"Something like this. The uniform is still a work in progress," answered Ben in a digitized voice.

Diana raised a brow. "So you're a human?"

"Listen, we can all talk in-depth when we get inside."

"So, what do we call you?" asked John Stewart.

"Huh... I guess I've been putting it off for a while now." He shrugged. "For now, I suppose you can call me Ark. Short and simple until I think of anything different."

Once seated and ordered, Dinah and Flash were the first to ask questions.

"Ark, who exactly are you?" asked Black Canary.

"Yeah, and what's with the different transformations?" added the speedster.

"Right. You know how I told you and the others that I was an alien."

"Yeah?"

"Well, that is partially true. I'm also part human."

"How did that happen?"

"My grandpa fell in love with an alien after saving her from getting kidnapped by a different alien."

Green Arrow chuckled. "Ah... Sounds like one of those early sci-fi movies."

Green Lantern smirked. "I've romanced many girls from other worlds."

John Stewart rolled his eyes and snarked. "Yeah, and how long did those last? Not very long."

"How are you able to transform?" asked Manhunter.

"That's actually a bit of a secret." He looked at Fire and Ice across the table. "For most of us, at least."

"Aw, come on.  They  know, but you won't tell us?" complained Captain Marvel.

"It was a bit of an equivalent exchange of secrets between us," explained Ark. "We can't show off all our cards at the start. Am I right?"

While most accepted the answer, Ben threw them a bone on his hero activities. He talked about some of his adventures from when he was ten. There were so many to list that he didn't get to think about his teen years.

"And that's how I made friends with a lake monster," concluded Ark.

Hal gulped his beer. "It's hard to believe you started at 10 years old."

Dinah bit into a fry. "I'm impressed. I didn't start my training until my mid-teens. I'm pretty sure Robin is only 12 or 13."

"To be fair, I've made my fair share of mistakes at that age. A ten-year-old with the power of different aliens has too many misadventures."

Captain Marvel bit into his slider. "You're not wrong. I still can't believe your Grandpa is Santa Claus."

"Was Santa Clause. We saved the town and stopped my cousin and me from staying as elves."

Diana was amazed that such a holiday device could be built.

Flash laughed. "You saved Christmas in the middle of July."

"That's one way of putting it."

Dinah snorted. "Still, you named one of your aliens Four Arms?"

He shrugged. "I was 10. Since then, the name kinda stuck. He fulfilled my ten-year-old dream of being a professional wrestler, you know, without the soap opera stuff."

They all continued to get to know each other better. Eventually, they started talking about some of their more recent issues.

Ark patted Green Arrow on the shoulder. "Sorry to hear about you and Speedy."

The Archer sighed as he took another shot. "Where did I go wrong?" Meanwhile, Superman took one himself, knowing he couldn't get drunk.

"My old partner Rook had our differences, but we eventually worked it out.  If anything,  Speedy probably needs time to cool off ."

"I know. Speedy's an adult now, and I can't force him to stay."

"You shouldn't have gotten his hopes up about becoming part of the League," answered Aquaman.

Diana sipped her tea. "He's not wrong. It's  a very serious  commitment and responsibility."

"Yeah," interjected Fire. "Ice and I are just reserve members. Even Speedy has more privileges than us."

Hal smirked at Ark. "It's likely the same reason Batman asked you to come by the Hall."

"I'm being called in for a job interview?"

"Something like that. If you don't screw up, you'll be on probation before becoming a reserve member like the girls."

"That seems nice." Ark turned to Superman, who stared at his drink. "Is everything okay?"

Dinah sighed. "He's still hung up on the new addition to his family."

"In fairness, Cadmus created him for the sole purpose of fighting Superman," argued John. "Not the best first impression."

"I see." Ark turned back to the sulking man. "How does it feel to be a father slash possibly mentor?"

Superman rubbed his eyes. "I... I don't know. I'm not ready. This is all just happening too fast and out of nowhere. It's all so confusing." The burn of alcohol was just a temporary relief for his troubles.

Ark nodded along. "Well, if it's any consolation, you're not the last Kryptonian anymore. Maybe you can toss the football across Metropolis or dive the Mariana Trench," he joked. Superman looked at him, annoyed. "Too soon?"

"Yes."

"As entertaining as that would be, we now have to worry about any other people trying to make weapons against us," remarked Martian Manhunter. "Who knows if they attempted to clone any more of the League."

"They already tried it on the kids," remarked Flash. "If it wasn't for Superboy defecting, they might have been replaced without us knowing."

Ark sighed with a frown. "You have a point there, but your wards seemed to handle themselves well enough."

Superman rested his head in his arms, still in his own anxious state.

Seeing this, Green Arrow ordered a round of drinks for everyone. "Come on, guys. The world may be tough now, but we always pull through somehow. Things have certainly changed for us, but that's life." He raised his glass and looked at Ark and Superman. "To new friends and new beginnings."

Everyone in the room smiled and did the same. "Cheers!" They set their problems aside and do their best to relax. Even as a drunk, Green Arrow would beat the others at darts. Arm wrestling was fun until Hal accidentally broke a table. They finished off the night with a bit of singing. As good as Dinah was performing Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You, Martian Manhunter killed it with celebrity impressions. He pulled off Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's Endless Love without a hitch.

July 5, 01:05 EDT

By this time, everyone had left the bar and returned home. Who knew that Lantern rings could cure drunkenness? Much like before, Ben walked with Beatriz and Tora to their hotel room in their civilian clothes.  "I gotta say, everyone  was pretty cool tonight.  If anything, I hope we get to do something like that again."

Fire winked. "Are you sure about that? You lost most of the games."

He laughed. "I wanted them to know the real me. Also, I was not expecting Diana to do so well in Bar Trivia."

"She is like 80 years old," added Tora.

"But she doesn't look a day over 25. We really need to ask about that Amazon magic." Fire pulled out her key card and opened their door. She turned around and hugged him, and Tora did the same. "Thanks for coming out here with us this weekend."

"I've said it before. I would regret not spending more time together." Ben placed both hands in his jacket pockets. "So, this is it, huh. You two will be heading to Europe in about 18 hours."

Beatriz smirked. "We've had fun this past month."

"It's been nice while we were back in the States," smiled Tora as she rubbed her forearm.

"I feel the same way." Ben smiled at the duo. "I guess I'll see you guys off at the airport."

The trio knew their time together was brief, but the girls wanted to end it on a high note. Beatriz and Tora gave each other sly looks before grinning in agreement. They both grabbed Ben by surprise and pulled him into the room, closing the door.

Chapter Text

Hall of Justice, Washington, D.C

16:45 EDT, Monday, July 5, 2010

Across the world, the Hall of Justice was known as the headquarters of the Justice League. From what Ben heard, their HQ used to be secret, but it was discovered a few years back, so they had to move and decided to go more public.

It was about an hour ago that he saw Tora and Beatriz off on their flight. 'They certainly know how to leave a lasting impression. I hope they have fun in Europe.' The uniformed hero observed its grand marble structure. 'Much better looking than the Pentagon.' Turning to the steps, he saw several families taking pictures on the steps to the building. When Ben first arrived on the grounds, he got a few warry looks from visiting parents. Unsure who he was supposed to meet, Ben went with the direct approach, entering the Hall.

Immediately, the guard by the door noticed the masked individual and radioed it in. "Please advise. We have an unknown super on the premises."

"You know that I can hear you, right?"

He called in again. "The super is getting snippy with authority." Officer Johnson walked up to the man with suspicion. "Can I help you, sir?"

Ben sighed. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I have an appointment with the League."

Johnson raised a skeptical brow. "Oh, really. Let's see if you're on the list. This way, please." The officer led the alien hero past reception and toward the administration section. There, a Caucasian woman with green eyes and long black hair worked at her computer. He cleared his throat, bringing her attention away from the screen.

"Oh, Officer Johnson. How can I help you?" Looking behind the guard, her eyes widened at the masked man.

"Hello," waved Ben.

Cobert blinked at the innocent behavior. "Um, hi." She turned back to the officer. "I see that we have a unique visitor." 'I hope to God that we aren't about to get held hostage again.' "Are we having any issues?" she asked nervously.

Johnson crossed his arms. "He says that he has an appointment with the League."

"I'm sorry. Did I come at a bad time, miss...?"

"Catherine Cobert," she carefully replied.

"Uh... I'm Ark. I have a Five o'clock appointment."

"I see." She started checking her work calendar and found a new entry from yesterday. Reading it, she raised a brow. "I believe this is the right one."

Johnson huffed. "Looks like you weren't lying."

"Again, why would I do that?"

The officer crossed his arms. "You'd be surprised by the upstarts that try to sneak in here during the day hoping to pick a fight with the League."

"Yup." Cober nodded slowly. "I've had to order rebuilding the south wall multiple times. In any case, I'll send a message to the League's representative, and you can take a seat until they arrive. It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes for someone to come."

Johnson placed a firm hand on the young man. "Stay out of trouble, you hear. I know Superman." With that, the officer started walking back to his post.

At the admin section, Ark sat quietly, not wanting to upset anyone by accident. He saw other workers leading tour groups, and a few stares were sent his way again. It was interesting how the supposed HQ was partially open to the public. 'Maybe there's a secret elevator to an underground bunker.'

Catherine called out his name. "I got a response. Someone will be here shortly.

Like clockwork, one of the security doors opened revealing the representative, Wonder Woman or rather Ambassador Diana. Instead of her uniform, she wore business attire. Seeing her new ally from yesterday, she smiled. "I apologize for the wait. The session at the UN took longer than expected, and the others still have business to take care of."

Ben waved off her worries. "Don't worry. It's fine. Being both a government official and a crime fighter must take a lot of your free time. Similar things can be said for your friends."

She chuckled at her life as both an Amazon princess and a superheroine. "After many years in service, one learns better time management."

Ark checked if there was anyone in earshot. "So, how's Superman handling the new addition?"

"Similar to last night," sighed the princess. "Not that great."

"That bad?"

"He's not answering his comm, and he's been seen constantly patrolling Metropolis. I think he's just trying to avoid the problem altogether."

"He should really talk to someone about that."

"Don't worry. We have a friend working on that. Anyways, I welcome you to the Hall of Justice." She gestured to the building around them."

"I've seen pictures of it before online, but It's much different in person."

"I got to say, though. It really does look more like a museum, than a heroic headquarters."

Diana shook her head in amusement. "You're not the first to say that. Much of the building is dedicated to educating the public on the history of our relationship with world leaders."

Ben hid a wry smile under the mask. "I don't suppose you could give me the tourist experience?"

The princess rolled her eyes in amusement. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to educate a possible reserve member on our founding and principles. We still have to wait for the others to arrive?" Seeing Ark's expression she elaborated. "You will be interviewed by me as well as three other League members."

"Ah, I see. In that case, I'm all ears. Lay it on me."

Wonder Woman nodded in approval and led the alien hero to the first room lined with bronze statues of several heroes. At the base of each of them was a plaque with their aliases and a personal photo and autograph.

The first statue was of a similar aesthetic to the Flash. Instead of a full-body suit, he wore a simple uniform, consisting of pants, a long sleeve shirt emblazoned with an upside-down lightning bolt, boots with small stylized wings, and a tin doughboy helmet that also sported stylized wings on the side.

The second one wore a cape with a high collar and a domino mask. His tunic had an emblem of a classic oil lantern on the chest.

The next one wore a golden helmet that covered the entirety of his head. He wore a long, high collared cape, fastened with two large buttons. Beneath is a shirt with an oval set in the chest. He also dons a large belt with a circle in the center, and pants with boots.

One wore a regular suit and tie with a cape and a fedora. He hides his face behind a gas mask.

The last human wore a monochromatic unitard with a cat-shaped hood with large lenses. It had tiny cat ears and a nose. The bandage around his fists and wrists signified the American boxing background.

The final figure was a familiar one, Red Tornado. He looked exactly the same years ago as he did just the other day. 'I'm still surprised that someone built an advanced android in the 1940s without any alien technology. Makes me wonder what else the world made during that time.'

Wonder Woman smiled nostalgically at the figures. "The JSA's origin began at the early years of the second World War."

"I've heard a few snippets on the History channel, but it must have been a shock to everyone at seeing superheroes for the first time."

"Indeed. Seeing someone who can fly and break the sound barrier caused a major shift in society. Foreign powers thought so as well. The British informed President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of German Chancellor Adolf Hitler's plan to dominate all of Europe through rather supernatural means."

"Wait, are you telling me that Raiders of the Lost Ark was based on a true story?"

Diana chuckled at the memory of the film. "I can neither confirm nor deny those claims," she answered wistfully. "At the time, Congress wanted to stay out of the war. Contrary, FDR tasked two Mystery Men against the Axis forces, the first Flash and the first Green Lantern."

"That's one way to use the draft."

She shook her head. "It was entirely voluntary. They could have said no, but they accepted the opportunity anyway."

"That goes to show their dedication." Ark blinked in thought. "Is there any relation to the other Green Lanterns I met?"

Diana chuckled. "Interestingly enough, no. While both share similar abilities and names, their origins are different. Now, it wasn't until later that the one known as Doctor Fate joined the crusade against the Axis powers."

Ben nodded solemnly. "Must have made a huge change in the tide of the war."

"You're not the only one to think that. With the rise of superheroes came the rise of supervillains. President Roosevelt knew their foreign involvement was inevitable and proposed that they become a formal team to protect America's homefront. Thus, the Justice Society of America was born." The duo walked up to a large mural of everyone gathered on the white house lawn with FDR. "Once the Society was established, they started helping more domestically than overseas."

"Makes sense," nodded Ark. "After introducing superheroes to the nation, you want to show what they can do for society and attract people of similar ideals."

"Indeed. While there were other heroes appearing in the states, very few were able to join the society."

In another corner of the room, they saw a statue of a masked woman holding a flame with both hands. Below, her plaque stated the following: In loving memory of Firebrand. She gave her life to save another. She will be lost but not forgotten.

Ark noticed the Amazon's forlorn expression and connected the dots. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Diana sighed. "It has been years, but the feeling still lingers. She was a noble soul." She took a breath and spoke again. "Come. Let's move on."

The two would continue through the rest of the museum wing getting absorbed in the history. Members came and went. War pushed our heroes to the front lines. Wonder Woman and her people reconnected with the world. The World War may have ended, but the JSA was still under threat. The group returned to being the JSA, but they were under fire of allegations of communism. Politics and the threatening of civil liberties ensued. Even though the Justice Society instead elected to disband, the public never lost faith in their heroes. Several ex-members of the JSA continued to serve the people on a smaller scale. It took more than 50 years until another group of heroes banded together against a global threat.

In the trophy room of the Hall, Ben examined the seven extraterrestrial husks through the plexiglass. Each case had their respective designations: Golden Roc, Wood King, Stone God, Crystal Creature, Fire Lord, Glass Man, and Mercury Monster. "So, these are the jerks giving Rath and Heatblast a bad rep?" Within the Omnitrix, Azmuth analyzed the remains, comparing and contrasting with samples already in the databanks.

"I apologize for any confusion between you and the other members."

Ben waved off her concerns. "No harm done. I've had to deal with my fair share of alien invasions."

"Really?" Diana raised a brow in surprise. "That would have been an interesting story to share with us over drinks last night."

Ark sighed. "Some of them are more complicated than I would like them to be." He shook his head. "In any case, tell me about the day you all saved the world."

Diana noticed the deflection, but she didn't press. "It was 2003 when they arrived. Each one descended on a different part of the country overrunning entire city blocks to construct strange towers. In turn, Superman, Batman, myself, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter went to investigate. Unfortunately, they started attacking on-sight. While some of us were busy fighting, Batman and Green Lantern were able to figure out the purpose of the pylons. They were all transmitting hyperspace coordinates."

"They couldn't complete the invasion with just the seven of them. They needed reinforcements," deduced the Alien Hero.

Wonder Woman smirked. "Thankfully, Batman and Green Lantern traced the signal back to the receiver just before the signal stopped. Realizing that their plan was in jeopardy, all seven invaders converged at the landing zone with all of us on their tail."

"Huh. How did the first team-up with you all go?"

"At first, it was rocky. Upon reaching the interstellar warp gate, we inadvertently got in each other's way. It took Batman's and my own commanding demeanor to get us organized. Understanding the basics of our skills, we split into groups to hold off the Applexians and to disable the teleporter. Thanks to our coordination and timing, we succeeded. On the verge of defeat, the aliens left their physical bodies and retreated back into space."

Ark blinked in surprise. "So they got away and are still out there?"

"Sadly. Last I heard from the Lantern Corps, they are still on the run with their homeworld being monitored. Since that little success of ours, we collaborated more often. By the time 2006 rolled around, we'd expanded and went public as the Justice League, commissioning this Hall."

"And now, I have the opportunity to become a part of it."

"We'll see." Her phone buzzed, and she read the notification. "It seems the others have arrived. We can get started now." Exiting the museum, Wonder Woman scanned her key card, opening the door to her office. Inside, there was the center desk along with three heroes in their own respective chairs: Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern.

Seeing the familiar faces, Ben smiled. "Hey, guys!" They all exchanged greetings before shifting to a little small talk.

"I would have thought Batman would be here."

GA laughed. "That's what I thought too, but apparently a lot of crap went down in Gotham during the Eclipse."

"Bats found a lead on a cold case he's been working on and will be busy for a few days," added Canary.

"I like to think that he just trusts to be good judges of character," shrugged GL.

Diana cleared her throat and took a more professional mannerism at her desk. "Now that introductions are over, are you ready to begin your interview, Ark?"

"Ask away."

Chapter Text

Chapter 14: The Interview

Mister Smoothy

Central City

July 6, 11:30 EST

Harleen forced a smile on her face for the customer on the other side of the counter. "Again, Ma'am. We do not sell caramel macchiatos or any other coffee. We also have tea. If you like, we have some fresh dragon fruits for-"

The mother, in her mid-thirties, raised a fist in irritation. "What kind of Mickey Mouse establishment is this?!"

The nine-year-old next to her sunk her head into her hands. "Mom, please. The store is called Mister Smoothie."

'At least the kid seems to know better.' Harleen couldn't help but imagine strangling the mother.

The woman waved the child off. "Quiet, honey. The adults are talking. Well, one of us, at least." She stuck a finger at the cashier. "I demand to speak to your manager!"

"Oh yeah? You want to speak to the manager?" A sly grin crept onto Harleen's face. "Well, guess what. I am the manager, and I'm asking you to leave."

She huffed in indignation. "Why, I never. I am a Yelp Elite member! I will ruin you!" She grabbed onto her daughter's wrist. "Come, Jenny. We're leaving this hussie and her dump of a shop." As the two left the store, the kid mouthed a 'sorry' to the worker, waving goodbye.

Harley rolled her eyes and waved back at the child. As soon as the door closed, she collapsed against the counter. "God, I hate people like that!"

The backroom opened, revealing Ben against the door frame. "I must say. You handled that better than I expected." He chuckled. "Although this is my first time hearing about your promotion to manager."

Harleen crossed her arms. "Consider it a temporary position of power. Isn't that how you deal with them, especially since you are the owner?"

Ben shrugged. "Kinda. I still try to be nice to them but don't accommodate unreasonable people."

"What about the fake reviews?"

"Eh, don't worry. If I find any fakes, I can sometimes find their picture. From there, I match it up to the security tapes. After I report it to the admins, they usually remove it."

"Smart move. I swear I would've strangled that bitch." She made the hand motions only to notice Ben's flat look. "But I didn't. Not with her kid there."

"Right… That's the issue I had with the strangling. How about you have an early break while I take over?"

She sighed in relief. "Thanks." Harleen dropped onto the shop's couch by the window.

Ben started wiping down the counter. "I'm surprised that you're feeling this stressed already. I thought you blew off some steam during your weekend in Gotham?" He paused. "I don't think you told me what you guys did. What's fun in Gotham this time of year?"

Harleen went stiff at the question before straightening herself a bit. "Well, we did some bird watching, flew some kites, and tried one of those escape rooms."

Unknown Building

Gotham City

19:45 EDT, Saturday, July 2, 2010

A man in a green suit decorated with a question mark appeared on the monitor. "Welcome to the Think Tank!" Riddler grinned wide. "If you don't find your way out in time, you'll either lose your life or your mind!"

In the middle of the dim room, Harleen and Ivy stood, staring irritatingly at the man. "Thanks a lot, Harls..."

The blond raised her arms in indignation. "Oh, come on. How was I supposed to know it was a trap?"

The Riddler rolled his eyes. "I saved this for the Batman, but you'll do well for a trial run. Besides, Penguin asked for a favor."

"Dammit! I thought he would have taken a day or two to recuperate his resources."

"You two blew up his most recent shipment and escaped on kites." The monitor showed a recording of an explosion at the Iceberg Lounge. "His reputation and profits took a serious hit because of you."

"Oh, he started it."

"Yeah, well, I'm ending it." He gestured through the screen. "If you look behind you, you will see several doors leading to different rooms, each with a different theme and array of tricks."

Ivy raised a brow. "Wow. You're really pushing the SAW deathtrap inspiration, Nygma."

"Kinda." Riddler shrugged. "Less overcoming your personal struggles and more mind games and bodily mutilation."

Harleen crossed her arms. "Nigma, I've read your file numerous times before. I know how you tick."

"It's never the obvious answer. Also, you cheat, like a lot," added Ivy.

"I don't really care if you two live or die, but I don't feel like cleaning up your bodies when Batman gets his turn."

Harleen deadpanned. "This helps us how?"

"Okay. Fine." The Riddler held up one hand with the other on his heart. "I promise that I'll go easy on you and not cheat. There. Happy?"

Ivy rolled her eyes. "Yeah… Real reassuring."

"Whatever, Riddler. We'll play your games." The blonde smirked. "I'm sure we'll get out of here in less than an hour."

The redhead pressed her face into her palm. "I just wanted to have a good time this weekend, which doesn't include dying. So, there's no way we'll lose to you."

Riddler huffed. "I'll believe that when I see it. Choose your theme." Without a second thought, they chose the second door on the right. "Predictable… Go ahead and choose your number of hints. I do not care."

"We don't need you-"

Ivy covered her friend's mouth. "We'll take as many as you can give."

"Very well, but I doubt you'll be able to find the exit. Begin!"

The door opened, and as soon as the duo entered, it locked behind them. Ivy saw a potted plant, thinking it would be their easy ticket out, but it turned out to be plastic. In the corner of the room, a TV displayed several question marks.

Immediately, Harley opened stuff randomly.

Ivy kicked away the broken vase. "Uh, Harley, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to find the key to the door, duh."

"Well, yeah. But we're supposed to work on the other locks first. Do you know how these things work, let alone how to solve an escape room?"

Harleen dismissed the concern. "So what? Joker and I robbed a Thinker Toys last year. I don't think this is so different."

"This is gonna be a long day," sighed the redhead.

'It's a miracle that we made it out of there alive. We must have used god knows how many hints. At one point Nygma just wanted us out of the building.' "That last one was a mind-bender. We improvised some stuff on Sunday, but it was nice. What did you and the girls end up doing?"

"Oh, man. We ate out a lot. I'm a sucker for food. We did a lot of tourist stuff in the first two days. We were at the beach when the whole eternal darkness thing happened."

"Considering how dark it normally is in Gotham, about half the city didn't care. The other half decided to have fun apocalypse-style. The GCPD hasn't been that active since the Arkham incident."

Ben ignored the voice in his head, saying that Harleen and Ivy were part of that other half. "Well, you came back in one piece, and the city didn't burn down. That has to mean something."

"Ye of little faith." She placed a hand dramatically on her heart. "You wound me."

He chuckled. "Yeah. The governor put us in a state of emergency. Everyone had to stay indoors until the situation ended. So much for their last day in the States. Thankfully, we found a way to pass the time before they had to leave."

"Oh, I'm sure you did." She scoffed.

"What are you on about?"

"Hey, don't think I haven't noticed that dumb look on your face when you got back."

Ben groaned in irritation and slight embarrassment. "Come on, Harleen."

She resisted a laugh. "Hey. I ain't judging."

"I'll let you know that I was talking with a group interested in my services."

"Oh, really?" The blond raised a brow in skepticism. "You met sponsors? How'd that go?"

"Something along those lines. I'd like to think it went pretty well. They said they would call me after some more checks."

Hall of Justice, Washington, D.C

17:50 EDT, Monday, July 5, 2010

The four representatives of the Justice League took their respective seats in front of their new recommendation.

Black Canary placed a smartphone on the desk. "For our records and future reference, do you consent to recording today's interview?"

Ark shrugged. "I'm fine with that."

"Thank you."

Diana handed him a packet of paper. "Since the Justice League has a charter with the UN, they have provided their own questions and our own for the recruitment process. I must warn you that some of them are rather blunt."

Green Arrow nodded. "It's important that we reiterate that this is an interview, not an interrogation. You are free to answer or not answer any questions that you feel are uncomfortable."

"We hope to understand your character better to see if you are a promising fit for the League. If things go well, we'll have you complete any necessary paperwork," added Green Lantern.

Canary brought up her clipboard. "With that in mind, we will start with the simple ones and work our way up. Do you have any questions?"

Ben thought for a moment and came up with nothing urgent. "I think I'm good for now."

Diana smiled. "Alright then. Why don't you start by telling us more about yourself."

GA agreed. "You've spoken of a few of your endeavors last night, but we still have questions. Considering your current uniform and alias, it's safe to say that you prefer to have a private identity."

"You would be correct. I have insight on what it's like to go public." Ben groaned at the thought of having another Will Harangue. "It would be a weight off my shoulders to not deal with the media and interference in my personal life."

"That's perfectly fine," acknowledged Black Canary. "It's important for people to have a balanced lifestyle. Devoting oneself entirely to a single goal would harm relationships and possibly health."

"I agree," added Diana. "People are more than machines. Even Red Tornado has desires beyond his initial programming."

"So, could you tell us what it was like when you started in this line of work?" asked GL

Ark chuckled at the memory. "Well, it all started when I accidentally set a forest fire." They raised a brow at his admission. "As I said before, I was ten at the time. My life stopped being ordinary during the first few weeks of getting these superpowers. I started fighting many bad guys, including mad scientists, clowns, and alien bounty hunters."

"Clowns?" repeated GA with a snicker.

Hal's expression went stern. "Wait, what bounty hunters?" His thoughts went to the Guardian's Most Wanted List, showing a gray alien with dreadlocks on a flying motorcycle of all things

Ark held his hands in defense. "In that order, it was an evil clown that practically tried to steal my family's and me's souls." The quartet stared at him blankly from the declaration. "I know. It sounded weird to me, too."

'I'm starting to see Bat's paranoia regarding Joker now,' thought Green Arrow.

"As for the hunters, one wanted to mount my pelt on his wall, and another cut my left hand off."

Eyes drifted to the still attached appendage.

"I was able to get it back on."

Lantern shook his head. "Alright. Um. Let's move on. We've seen a few reports of your work in Central City, and you seem to be doing well. With that in mind, why do you want to join the League instead of staying independent?"

Ben leaned back against his chair. "Whether or not you have the power to change the world, fighting on your own can leave an empty feeling. I've had family and friends by my side, giving me different perspectives or even pointing out my mistakes. I'd like the opportunity to work with others again."

"I understand the sentiment," replied Arrow. "Helping Star City was a difficult task. I started building up my own little group. Once I met with League, we started sharing advice and resources. Things have been much more positive since."

"Yeah. My old partner Rook was really by the books, but I would trust him with my life."

Dinah coughed into her fist. "On a more sensitive topic, have you committed any criminal offenses?"

Ark raised a brow. "Am I including vigilantism?"

"For the sake of this interview, no."

He started listing things off on his hands. "Well, I trespassed on an old military base to stop a time wraith. I technically entered Egypt illegally when crash-landing after fighting a ghost and a knock-off Frankenstein in space."

Not for the last time did the four heroes look at their recruit in surprise or disbelief. Oliver stood from his seat and walked to the nearby liquor cabinet. "I think now's a good time for a quick drink."

Suffice it to say that the interview ended with more questions than answers. Ben gave them brief descriptions of the aliens he had used so far but was vague about any other possible transformations. There was a long list of items that needed to be cross-referenced and verified. Behind closed doors, they followed the standard procedure of having potential heroes under probation and observation until further notice.

Chapter Text

Central City

10:24 EDT, Thursday, July 8, 2010

Ark tapped his foot, eyes narrowing at the  supervillain  now tied up before him. "Let me get this straight. You wanted to defeat the Flash."

The captive wore an orange and blue striped shirt and a midnight cape.  His  pants were half orange and half yellow with blue polka dots. "Exactly! For I am the Trickster, his greatest archenemy."

"Uh-huh." The alien hero blinked.  " I was  walking down the street  and  saw something sticking out from behind the warehouse."  He gestured to the Rube Goldberg machine of assorted objects and weapons. "Lo and behold, I find you stuffing a bowling ball into a turkey.

"Yes! It is one of the ways that I will overpower the scarlet speedster." He snapped his fingers. "I never had a chance to set up the crates of Orbeez and marbles."

Before Ark could reply, the familiar speedster finally arrived. "Ark! I got your call."

"Thanks, Flash." Ark pointed a thumb at the Trickster. "We were just talking about you."

A yellow blur soon followed with the red-headed teen from before coming in. "I came as fast as I could, Flash."

Ark smiled. "Hey, it's Mini-Flash!"

Hearing the name, the protege frowned. "It's Kid Flash. No one gets to call me Mini-Flash."

"Yeah, only I get to do that," declared the Trickster.

The teen rolled his eyes before staring at the man. "What? James? You relapsed."

Ark raised a brow. "Am I missing something here?"

Flash apologized. "He's got a medical condition. We know who to bring him to." He walked around the contraption for a bit. "I have to say, James. This might have been your most complicated work yet."

The villain smiled. "Thanks, Flash. That means a lot."

"That's not a good thing," replied KF. He looked at Ark. "So you're the new guy?"

"Yup. Nice to finally meet you. Flash has said a lot about you."

The teen laughed. "Good things, I hope."

"He mentioned how you kept crashing into walls when you first started."

"I figured…" Kid Flash rolled his eyes. "I heard how you helped out the League against Wotan. You turned into a bunch of different aliens and kicked his but. Man, I wish we could have joined you guys."

"I mean, I helped, but Zatara took control of the situation. It was a battle of magic, after all.

KF scoffed. "Magic. Yeah, sure." He walked away, smelling something good coming.

Ark noted the tone, but he didn't press on the matter.

Meanwhile, James was chatting with Flash. "I was hoping we could try it out later today, but never got a chance to finish."

"That's for the best. We'll take care of you in a bit." Flash turned to Ark. "On lighter news, the League finished reviewing the paperwork, and they want to see you again today about your probation membership."

Ark smiled. "That sounds like good news."

The scarlet speedster turned to the teen, too. "We would also like to see you and your friends."

Kid Flash stopped disassembling the contraption and held a turkey with a bite removed. "You guys are keeping your word about giving us more freedom?"

"Something like that. Batman will explain it better than I can." Flash walked over to the Trickster and picked him up. The two became a blur, and a few seconds later, Flash returned, dusting his hands.

Kid Flash gave a thumbs up. "Great. Let's get to the alley."

Ark blinked at the teen. "What?"

Kid Flash pressed his face into his palms. "Oh, god. It's happening to me now. We have a teleporter!"

Flash turned to Ark. "Unfortunately, as a Probation Member, you won't have access to the teleporters, systems, and other League services without a registered member with you."

Ark shrugged. "Understandable."

Soon, Flash, Kid Flash, and Ark stepped into the derelict-looking phone booth and disappeared.

However, they never noticed a man in a Victorian lab coat standing on a rooftop not that far away. He tapped his cane against the floor. 'It seems things are all coming together.' He checked his metal right hand. 'I better not be late for the  God of Knowledge . Who knew being let in here would lead to this.' Checking his pockets, he pulled out a red Fez. 'I hope my old friend is right about this sort of gift. I'm not sure if they are still cool.' In an instant, he disappeared from this plane of reality.

Mount Justice, Happy Harbor

10:58 EDT, Thursday, July 8, 2010

The trio exited the portal to see cave walls and various advanced hardware. Several heroes were moving equipment and cargo.

Kid Flash ran further into the cave. "Woah. This is so cool!"

Ark smiled as well. "Nice place. You got here."

"Thanks. It's old, but it'll do." Flash walked over to the other Leaguers. "We still have time before the rest come, so let's help with cleaning."

Overhead, Green Lantern and Captain Atom lifted the last large pieces of equipment around the mountain.

They were ready to start the meeting in the central command room. Four teens dressed in civilian clothes stood before them: Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel. They had Ark stand to the side until the latter half of the discussion.

Batman stepped forward. "This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. Due to recent events, we're calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms." Batman gestured to the others. "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary requested to be in charge of training. I will assign your missions."

Wearing a pair of dark sunglasses, Robin spoke up. "What kind of missions?"

"Objectives will vary, but you will be deployed when the League cannot respond," replied Batman.

Flash spoke up from behind Kid Flash's right shoulder. "The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There's a reason we have these big targets on our chest."

"The Cadmus incident proved that criminals are getting smarter, and the League can't be everywhere at once," Aquaman said before turning his head towards Batman to continue the conversation.

That's why we've decided to try something new." Batman nodded and turned to Ben. "After further discussion, we at the League would like to welcome you as a probationary reserve member."

Ark smiled as the rest of the room congratulated him. "Thank you for the opportunity to work with you all. However, what does all this have to do with me?" He gestured to Mount Justice.

"As part of your probation, you will shadow the League's senior members for the next few months. I believe that assisting Black Canary in training, for now, would be beneficial to you and them."

Ark nodded at the offer. "I see. That doesn't sound too bad. I'll do it."

Batman turned to the teens. "With that out of the way, the five of you can get acquainted as a team."

"Cool! Wait." Robin blinked. "Five?"

Batman only looks over his protégé's shoulder, and they turn to see Martian Manhunter stepping out of the shadows with a green-skinned, red-haired teenage girl. "This is the Martian Manhunter's niece. Miss Martian."

Ben waved at her and the other adults as another genetic sample was logged.

She raises her left hand, giving them a small wave and smile, then a shy "Hi." Kid Flash quickly introduced himself while skimming over the others. "I'm honored to be included." Miss Martian clasped her hands in front of her to enunciate her point.

Upon greeting Aqualad, she gave him a wide high-five. "Whazzup?" She then leaned back to the right while snapping her fingers.

The Atlantean teen smiled. "I am doing well. Thank you for asking."

While Aqualad and Aquaman shrugged off the unusual greeting, the others in the room looked at each other with raised brows.

Green Arrow leaned to J'onn. "Uh, where did she learn that?"

"Oh, she and I have been watching much Earth television to understand the local culture," he whispered.

"From what? The 90s?"

"Yes.  They  were highly recommended online."

As this  was going on , a dedicated camera in the cave focused on their new Probation Member. There was a fine line for caution.

Elsewhere

Under Cadmus's reconstruction, Guardian spoke to Dubbilex and the scientist from the endeavor. "Cadmus changes today. With Desmond out of the picture, the board has placed me in charge." he turns to the scientist. "Dr. Spence, you're acting Chief Scientist. No more G-gnomes suppressing our wills. No more secret breeding projects. This is a kinder, gentler Cadmus."

Dubbilex ensured Guardian. "Then I will, of course, help in any way I can, brother."

Unknown to the group, the entire conversation is being watched.

#

Ocean Master hummed in contemplation. "Can the Light afford to leave Guardian in charge without the G-gnomes?"

Lex Luthor shook his head. "We have a subtle means of control. What concerns me are the two new pieces on the board: the children and this shapeshifter. L-7, did you know of Wotan's plans?"

Klarion shrugged in indifference. "I mean, yeah. It was supposed to keep the League distracted, but how was I supposed to know their kids would intervene."

"My interest in this Shapeshifter and its possibilities," added the Brain.

Vandal Savage nodded. "We shall deal with these new variables carefully. We may be able to use them to our advantage. Even the temporary loss of the weapon may prove useful. Eventually, everyone sees the light."

Chapter Text

Mount Justice

July 8, 12:30 EDT

Once the teens made their acquaintances with Miss Martian, both the teens and the adults either returned home or continued work within the cave. Ben had left the mountain to get supplies before he returned to the teleporter.

Recognized: Ark C010

Ben exited the yellow light carrying a few boxes. Just as he thought about what to set up, his eyes came across the room in front of him. There were several holes in the wall with broken furniture strewn around. At the center of the destruction was a crater. Superboy stood there breathing heavily while glaring at a small gray creature held in his hand. Miss Martian came running into the room not long after. "Uh. I have many questions on what the hell just happened, but let me just say I am not cleaning this up."

July 8, 13:11 EDT

After making a call, Red Tornado finally returned to the mountain, and as caretaker, he was busy cleaning up the mess.

On the sidelines, Ark, Superboy, and Miss Martian sat around the table with the little gray creature sitting on it while munching on a celery stick. The clone had given them the general explanation for his outburst. It was a G-Gnome, a small, four-legged white creature with black stripes on its head and short horns with red eyes. This creature caused him to experience the previous attack on the mountain by the Joker.

Megan cooed at the little guy. "Aw. Aren't you cute?" She handed the little one a carrot which it took appreciatively.

Ben examined the creature while Azmuth did his own studies. "So, this is a genomorph?"

Superboy took a sip of water as he glared at the little monster. "Yes."

Ben shook his head. "I know that I wasn't privy to what happened at Cadmus besides you, but this is pretty concerning. They created new species, and their top priority was to make an army of these guys."

Azmuth grumbled within the Omnitrix. "While the overall feat is impressive for this Earth's humans, as expected, they did a shoddy job with the DNA structure. It's no wonder they had to splice your friend Superman's genes just to get this stable clone."

Ben filed that information for later, hoping to get a better understanding of what Cadmus created.

The clone sighed. "There were classes of them, each with a different purpose. As much as I am annoyed, this is the same G-Gnome that helped with my flash learning."

Megan patted the creature on the head as its horns glowed for a moment. "I can tell he missed you."

"Yeah, well I don't. That thing was controlling me almost all the time," scoffed Superboy.

Ben crossed his arms. "I can't imagine why it would follow you here and make you see the psychic residue."

Megan agreed. "Even on Mars, cases such as this happen rarely. It must have been very traumatic to the victim of the previous break-in to leave such an imprint after all these years. Even though it was all in your head, because your connection was so strong, all of it felt real, even the pain."

Finished with most of the work, Red Tornado walks over to them and takes hold of the G-Gnome. "It would appear that the mountain's security still needs improvements." He turned to the clone. "Considering recent developments, I would recommend that you get some rest."

"Yes. Such mental feedback can cause significant fatigue," added Megan.

"I'm fine," argued Superboy. "If Superman wasn't bothered by it at the time, then neither am I."

Ark's expression softened. "Has Superman gotten a chance to speak to you since the fourth?" Receiving only a scowl that desired heat-vision, Ben swore under his breath. 'When are they gonna talk to Supes, on his deathbed?'

Tornado nodded. "I will report this to the others and begin procedures to return the G-Gnome to Cadmus."

Seeing the opportunity, Ark stood up to follow him. "I hope you don't mind if I come along. What happened at that facility sounds like slavery with extra steps."

"So long as you don't touch anything, I have no concerns." With that, Tornado and Ark left with the G-Gnome.

Miss Martian took a bite of her carrot. "Since your friend came all the way here to show you something, did you happen to learn anything about yourself?"

Superboy huffed. "Yeah, I hate monkeys."

"Huh, I was expecting you to say clowns."

Infinity Island

July 8, 22:18 EDT

An old, light-skinned man with white hair and dark brown eyes stood before a group of people. He has a large scar across his chest and a smaller scar extending from his forehead to just under his left milky eye. "Our employers are ending their relationships with certain corporations they were previously doing business with. Cutting ties, so to speak because of the fiasco with Cadmus. They are being cautious. They do not want anything traced back to them. This is the reason we are called into action." He held out a photo of their target. "We are the solution to the problem. We are the League of Shadows. Do not fail me!"

Mount Justice, Aqualad's Room

July 9, 13:28 CDT

Kid Flash raised a brow. "So, who am I looking at a picture of?"

Next to him, Robin answered. "Her name is Gonzalez, Selena Gonzalez."

"And we care why? Other than the fact she's a hottie?"

Robin shook his head. "She lives in Central City and is being targeted for a hit. There's a reason. I just don't know what it is yet, but I think I found something that might be related to her."

On his bed, Aqualad crossed his arms. "Related how?"

The Boy Wonder sighed. "Looking through some of Batman's files, I found that there have been a few targets, seemingly unrelated. However, I've cross-referenced tons of data, and I think I found a pattern."

"Looking through?" KF scoffed. "You mean you hacked into Batman's files."

Robin didn't answer the question. "Anyway, I think this CEO might be next. All of the other hits have been made to look like accidents, random muggings gone wrong, things like that. Anyway, I figured we could look into this."

Aqualad nodded. "And what brought this to your attention in the first place?"

"I've been looking into Cadmus the last couple of days: corporate holdings, who they do business with, and such. I noticed a few people they've done business with seem to meet with untimely accidents."

Kid Flash chuckled. "You want us to look into a possible CEO assassination in Central?" A grin crept onto his face. "Cool!"

"What's this about an assassination?"

The trio quickly turned around to see the bedroom door open, revealing Ark. Robin and Aqualad looked at the last of them to enter the room. Kid rubbed his neck in embarrassment. "Hehe. Forgot to lock the door." Attempting to salvage the situation, Wally started talking. "Assassination? No. We were just talking about... asses… in the nation. We hate politics?" The second those words came out of his mouth, the regret permeated the room along with silence.

Cringing, Ben crossed his arms in and broke it with sarcastic skepticism. "Uhuh," His eyes drifted to the nightstand. "If that's the case, then I guess you wouldn't mind handing me that headshot photo still out in the open." The teens internally swore. "First off, Kid, if you've got nothing, let someone else handle it. Two, I was preparing some stuff for our first training session, but this is obviously more important. So, who's getting killed, and by who?"

KF groaned in defeat. "Okay, we're investigating someone. Come on, man. Please don't rat us out."

Ark waved his hands in defense. "Woah. I'm not gonna tell Batman or whatever. Can I see what you guys have so far?"

Robin looked to the others before relenting, bringing up his gauntlet and several documents and articles.

From within the mask, Azmuth started doing his own cross-referencing. "Hm. It would appear that there is a 70% chance that Ms. Gonzalez would be targeted. Considering her advances in CRISPR, I can see how she was associated with the developments at Cadmus."

Ben nodded as he read along. "I understand why you couldn't report this to the DOJ."

Robin relaxed. "There isn't an active criminal investigation against Cadmus for her to be taken in by Witness Protection, and the evidence I'm using is circumstantial in court."

"If that's the case, I want to help out."

The trio exchanged looks before replying. "You do?"

"Why not? I would rather check it out and nothing happens than do nothing and hear about her death afterward. Besides, my impression is that you three would end up going on your own anyways."

Robin smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"If I recall, the last time you guys went out on your own without telling anyone led to getting locked in the basement with Doctor Stranger Danger."

Robin and Kid Flash gave an embarrassed laugh.

"He's not wrong about the risks. In fact, should we not include Superboy and Miss Martian?" asked Aqualad.

"Yeah," Ark said aloud. "Where are those two? I would have thought that you all would want to do this together."

Robin shook his head. "I asked Megan to take Superboy shopping. He can't just have the same clothes for missions as. As I said, I'm working on limited evidence. Besides, they're still new to the gig compared to us. We don't want to get them in trouble before the team.

Ark raised a brow. "I take it that this isn't your first group mission besides Cadmus?"

KF gave a thumbs up. "You know it. Bats and Rob teamed up with Flash and me when one of our rouges tried something in Gotham."

"What about you, Aqualad?" asked Ark.

"While I have limited experience on the surface, I have been trained for years in the Atlantean Military and under my King."

"See, Ark. We got the skills. Let's do it!" The speedster patted the Atlantean on the shoulder. "C'mon, Aqualad. This could be fun."

Kaldur hesitated. "I am not sure about this."

"Well, I am! Count me in." Kid Flash looked at the photo again. "You think Selena likes younger guys?"

"If she liked guys your age, we would be taking her to jail instead," answered Ark.

The speedster stuck his tongue out in response.

Robin turned to the alien hero. "If you're willing to help us, then you can treat this as a training session. We're always doing our own crime-fighting thing with our own partners. It would be a chance for us to clear the cobwebs before we get into full team mode."

"Cobwebs?" Kid Flash laughed. "You've been hanging out in dark caves way too much."

Ark shook his head. "I see. It's clear that you did your homework on the matter. So, did Cadmus hire a middle man, or are we gonna be fighting more of those Genomorphs?"

Kid sighed. "Please don't let it be that."

Rob shook his head. "It's hard to tell. It could be Cadmus, but none of the evidence points to them. However, I think I know the likely candidate taking the job: The League of Shadows."

KF's eyes widened. "Whoa! Really?"

"Yeah," answered the pre-teen hero. "I think these accidents were executed by them."

"Executed?" The red-head leaned back. "That seems like an appropriate word."

Both Ark and Kaldur blinked at the name. "Who?

"What? You've never heard of the League of Shadows?" The speedster blinked. "Have you two been living in a cave or something?"

"More like underwater," replied Aqualad.

"And off-world," added Ark.

"Oh, yeah…"

Robin pulled up several articles mentioning the group. "The League of Shadows is an organization with connections all over the world. Bats theorized they were involved in numerous political conspiracies throughout the years. Assassinations are only part of their business."

Wally crossed his arms. "I'm still suspicious that they were involved with JFK."

The Boy Wonder continued. "You wouldn't be the first. Only a few people have met the actual organization in person, and they have their ways of avoiding public attention. No hero or government has been able to gather enough evidence to expose them to the public. Those suspected or captured have either claimed allegiance to other organizations or suffered medical complications before interrogations."

Ark narrowed his eyes. "Well, it seems we're just gonna have to blow the whistle one member at a time."

Aqualad stood up. "Just to reiterate, we are going to look into what may or may not be a sanctioned assassination attempt, carried out by a covert organization called the League of Shadows, with a reserve member but without authorization from Batman or the rest of the Justice League?"

"Since it is all circumstantial, we wouldn't have anything to show them," offered Ark. "We'll check it out and radio for support if we can find something more solid."

"We don't need a Cadmus repeat. Besides, if no one dies, we should be in the clear," defended Robin.

"Yeah, pretty much," shrugged Kid Flash.

Chapter Text

Star Labs, Reception Room

July 10, 05:45 CDT

As a speedster, patience was an extreme virtue, and Flash was currently pressed for more. He pinched the bridge of his nose in front of three nervous teens. "I'm sorry. Can you please explain this?" He gestured to the TV.

A woman with green eyes and long red hair took on a serious expression. "This is Iris West-Allen with GBS giving you breaking news. Central City had a rude awakening with the destruction of the Farano Enterprise Complex. While we haven't received reports from officials, eyewitnesses say they saw numerous masked men fleeing the complex before the blast. Some are suggesting the cause to be terrorists, but this is still just speculation. We'll keep you updated as more information comes."

Wally shrugged his arms. "Technically, they aren't wrong."

"Yeah. Depending on your definition, The League of Shadows can be called a terrorist organization," added Robin.

"That's not the point I was getting at," Flash replied dryly. "Why were you guys there?" The teens looked away from him in silence. Flash sighed and turned to the other adult in the room. "Care to add anything?"

Ark shrugged. "They wanted the mission, so they'll handle everything that comes with it. This includes the fallout. I just made sure none of us died."

"That's good, but not what I'm looking for." Flash took a breath and turned back to the teens. "Well?"

Kid Flash cracked. "Please don't tell the rest of the League. They'll never trust us again."

"We just got our chance to prove ourselves, and we might have jumped the gun a bit," admitted Robin.

Flash replied dryly. "A bit?"

"Unfortunately, the threat was more than we initially anticipated. Nevertheless, we completed the mission," concluded Kaldur.

Barry groaned and caved. "Fine. I'm not going to rat you guys out."

Wally's eyes widened with hope. "Really?"

Flash narrowed his eyes. "I can't do anything about Robin and Aqualad, but you bet your butt that your parents will be hearing about this."

Much to Kid Flash's chagrin, a wave of relief washed over Robin. "Oh, thank god."

Flash crossed his arms. "Yeah. I stuck my neck out for you guys at the meeting, and I'll be damned before I get another. I told you so."

Ark chuckled. "Ah, pettiness. The best motivator."

The Scarlet speedster shook his head in annoyance. "Just start from the beginning."

Central City

July 9, 21:54 CDT

About a hundred meters north of the Mondera Industries, a certain Boy Wonder monitored his wrist computer, surveying his surroundings. "Motion sensors still haven't picked up anything out of the ordinary."

To the South, a disguised redhead lay on a piece of cardboard in an alleyway. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but can the bad guys please show up now. It reeks here."

To the West, the Kaldur sat on a park bench reading a newspaper. "Patience, Kid Flash. We all have a part to play."

To the East, Ark tapped away on his laptop, doing his own surveillance. "Yeah, Kid. It was your idea to draw straws, and you lost."

The speedster rolled his eyes. "I am aware of that… Couldn't I have gotten a better disguise or location? Why must I play the homeless guy in a dingy alleyway?"

Robin frowned. "Considering your area, you couldn't hide out on a civilian's balcony or the sidewalks without drawing unnecessary attention. Remember what happened last time?"

The redhead groaned. "Don't remind me. That old lady accused me of being a peeping tom."

Robin managed to patch into the facility's external cameras, but anything deeper was on a closed network, needing a direct connection. He could see Selena Gonzalez in her office on the second floor from the top using binoculars.

Kid Flash sighed. "Why is she still here? Everyone else went home hours ago."

Looking at the corner of the office, Ark took note of the leftover TV dinners and stray energy drink cans. "She's one of the lead researchers in the company. Unsurprisingly, she binges on her work for days at a time."

Robin thought about Batman sitting in the cave, living off Alfred's coffee for the same amount. "I'm familiar with the concept. This is a cakewalk compared to other stakeouts I've done. Hell, Batman posed as someone in the mob for weeks."

Wally raised a brow at that. "Really? How'd it turn out?"

"We were able to stop four meth labs, two human trafficking rings, three military-grade weapons deals, and one cult."

The speedster cringed. "I grow more concerned about Gotham by the day."

Robin sighed. "You and everyone else. Now, quit complaining, KF. We're on the job."

"Well, sorry. I'm pretty sure pretending to be in the mob is better than being homeless." He batted away some flies. "I'm cold. I'm hungry, and I'm pretty sure I saw a rat glaring at me."

The Boy Wonder frowned and took a stern tone. "Take the time to understand the experience, man." A memory from his training became prominent in his mind. "Batman said people like us have so much to lose. Not many understand the ugly side of life. I can confidently say that you've never tasted desperate, KF."

Everyone paused what they were doing for a moment.

Robin closed his eyes momentarily, images of people going to extreme lengths just to live. "It is a world that some people never understand. And people always fear what they don't understand."

"He's right, you know," Ark interjected. "For some of the people I've come across over the years, I can't even imagine what they have gone through, what they go through every night. I haven't experienced squalor. I've never felt the fear that they feel."

Hearing these words, Kaldur agreed with them wholeheartedly. "How can heroes ever hope to stop the fear if we can't understand it, if we can't at least try to empathize with it?" Thoughts drifted to his former schoolmates Blubber and Topo and how some of the more purist students would harass them from time to time.

Wally said nothing and sighed. He never truly tried to understand the poor and the anguished around him. Volunteering at the soup kitchen and orphanage with his uncle was good, but he didn't experience the life they lived. Perhaps this would be the first step.

3 Hour Later

Ark narrowed his eyes behind his mask. "Something just tripped sensor number four by the south entrance. Do we have a visual?" One of his screens went dark. "We just lost camera three."

Aqualad nodded. "Thank you, Ark. Kid, stay sharp on your end. Robin and I will start closing in."

"Finally, some action." Wally stood up and checked for any lingering civilians. Knowing the coast was clear, he ditched his getup and dusted himself off. The speedster sighed in relief, feeling warm again in his insulated uniform. 'Note to self: Don't complain to Mom and Dad about living in their house.'

Kid Flash sped towards the complex just outside the security gate. His back was pressed against the adjacent wall, and he did a quick check of the face of the building. Immediately, he spotted a dark figure climbing the fourth-story window. "I found our killer. I'm going in."

"Wait, Kid Flash. Don't-" Kaldur's words were left on deaf ears.

Unfortunately for Wally, he didn't thoroughly check the path ahead of him. After a few yards in the lot and past a shed, he felt slight pressure against his ankle, followed by an ominous click. Survival instinct kicked in as his world slowed down. Eyes drifted to the source before widening at the familiar shape of a grenade. In a sudden burst, the hero jerked right, narrowly avoiding getting ripped by the blast. "I've been had." With that trap going off, their cover had been blown.

Not too far away, a man cackled with glee.

When the dust of the explosive finally settled, Kid Flash activated his goggles and deadpanned at the area around him. "You have got to be kidding me." He was standing in a literal minefield with tripwires surrounding him.

"Hello, Flashy Boy!"

KF turned around to see a blonde-headed man wearing a watch and helmet with green lenses. His outfit seemed to be a modified flak jacket with metal plating. "Okay, who the hell are you supposed to be?"

The man's smile seemed to deflate. "How disappointing. I figured the other rogues would have mentioned me."

Kid Flash kept analyzing the area for a safe way out. "Humor me."

The seemingly deranged man took a bow. "You may refer to me as Ziggy."

KF paused his search and looked at him with a raised brow. "... Really?"

Ziggy's face turned indignant. "Yes, really! I'm the greatest explosive expert on the East Coast." He turned to the sky, placing one hand over the other. "For years, I have supplied all the black powder, TNT, nitroglycerin, and C4 to the criminal underworld, but now it is my time to shine!"

"Good for you…" Finished calculating his path to victory, he got into a sprinting stance. "But not for long." Wally ran between the visible mines at superhuman speed and tried to twist his way through the wires. One caught onto his elbow, and a chain reaction began.

One by one, explosions chased after the teen speedster. 'F*ck! F*ck! F*ck! F*ck! F*ck!' Nearing the edge of the field, three consecutive blasts singed against the back of his uniform, launching him out but in the direction of Ziggy. Arms outstretched, he prepared to take him down. "Gotcha!"

Unfazed by the outcome, Ziggy simply pressed a button on his wristwatch. In an instant, the Flak Jacket on his chest burst, launching a massive glob of brown goop at the mid-air teen unable to dodge.

Kid Flash landed flat on his chest. He attempted to get up, only to get forced back to the ground. His fingers tested the consistency of the material, only for him to go slack at the results. "Is this a goddamn human glue trap?!"

"Yup!" The man began dancing with glee around the now-trapped teen.

Wally pulled against the adhesive without success. "You've been talking to James, haven't you?"

Ziggy beamed. "We go to the same improv class."

Wally tried to vibrate out, but he just got a splitting headache. "Just great…"

Earlier

West

Kaldur took off his disguise and prepared for battle.

Before he could reach the western wall, a metal object from a blind spot struck him, crashing into a nearby dumpster.

The object revealed itself to be a hook being pulled back by a chain, leading to the attacker's forearm.

A muscular man in combat gear with white hair smirked. The large metallic hook for a right hand scraped against the wall. He noticed the gills around the boy's neck before flexing his metal appendage. "Would you look at that? An Atlantean. Hook, line, and sinker."

Igniting his water bearers, Kaldur groaned at the poor attempt at humor. He leaped at the large man with aquatic maces in hand.

Anticipating the attack, a raised metallic arm holds back against the strike while the other counters against the teen's chest.

Kaldur analyzed his situation. "This is troublesome." He quickly parried a metallic hook with an aqua shield before riposting with a water saber. The enemy's sheer size and power would make this fight take longer than he would like.

Earlier

North

Hearing the detonation across the property, Robin quickly swung toward the main building with his grapple. Just as he was about to land, he spotted something in the corner of his eyes. They widened as he veered right to dodge an incoming red projectile narrowly. Gloved fingers latch onto a window ledge. "Dammit." After pulling himself up and crashing through the window, Robin finally got a good look at his attacker, who followed. "Seriously? You're here?"

The man wore purple and black spandex in different shades. His red-eye lenses contrasted with the spider emblem on his forehead.

"I should be saying that to you, you brat. What the hell are you doing out of Gotham? Don't tell me Bats is around." He paused before looking behind him and back to the boy.

"Don't flatter yourself, Black Spider. He's got more important things than you to take care of."

A smile grew under the man's mask. "So, you're telling me that the big guy isn't here to save your ass."

A bead of sweat formed on the younger hero's brow. "That implies you're gonna beat me in the first place. You're going down." He took a fighting stance with Birdarangs in his left hand.

Black Spider "Such disrespect from kids these days. A man's just trying to do a hard day's work."

Robin made a disturbed face. "Dude, you kill people."

"Yeah, for money. I miss the part where that's my problem." He scoffed in indignation before shrugging. "You're not my target, and I'd rather not have Bats on my ass for killing his sidekick." He aimed and cocked a wrist gun. "So, I'll just shoot out your kneecaps."

Thinking fast, Robin threw two birdarangs before dashing right with his bow staff. He weaved through bullets as one of his Birdarangs grazed Black Spider's left forearm and right leg.

"That's all you got?" Wincing, Black Spider jumped back a few feet to prepare for close combat. He ducked under a staff swing before throwing a right hook.

Robin managed to deflect it, but he caught a surprise kick to his side, stumbling him.

Keeping up the flow, the assassin went to sweep the leg, only for the boy to catch it and flip him on his back with the new leverage. He rolled left, letting the bow staff slam into the floor where his chest would have been.

Seeing a gun barrel aiming, Robin jumped over the man, using his staff as a pole vault. Using the opening, he stomped at the back of the Spider's Knees, bringing the man down.

As soon as Black Spider's knees fell, he crossed both arms, bracing against another strike. Before it could retreat, he grabbed the staff and chucked it down the hall.

A pair of Eskrima sticks extended out from his thigh compartments as if expecting the loss.

Black Spider got back into his combat stance. "That's a cute toy. Did your daddy give it to you?"

Robin huffed in annoyance. "You know what they say. Beware of choking hazards."

The two charged at each other in a flurry of strikes, counters, and dodges. While Robin had the advantage in speed and being a smaller target, Black Spider had the edge with experience and training. A well-timed kick to Robin's calf sent a sharp pain through the boy, causing him to retreat to a safe distance.

The calf kick targets a much more vulnerable body part than the traditional low kick. Instead of going to the meatier thigh, the calf kick lands near the top of the shin, where the comparatively small tibialis muscle provides scant protection to a bundle of nerves.

"Stings, doesn't it? Compared to the Bat, you're trash." Black Spider checked his watch and grumbled. "You're lucky, Kid. I've got places to be and contracts to complete." He pulled an object from his belt. "Now dig into this." He slammed it against the floor, engulfing the entire hallways in smoke.

Blinded, Robin coughed as he tried to find fresh air. Unfortunately, Black Spider was nowhere to be seen. He knew his destination. Robin took off, hoping to cut him off within the 7-floor trip, albeit slower due to the calf strike.

East

Earlier

Back in the east, Ark transformed in a green flash. In his place was a blue-furred monkey-like creature with four arms and three pairs of eyes. The Omnitrix was on a green sash worn across his chest. Ready, the extraterrestrial simian leaped into action. He punched through the high-rise window and into their target's office with enhanced strength.

Upon seeing the unnatural blue beast crashing in, the doctor reasonably screamed in shock, throwing several desk ornaments at the apparent intruder.

Spidermonkey easily caught them with his extra appendages. "Dammit. Calm down, lady."

Selena pressed herself behind a filing cabinet. "Who are you?!"

"Sheesh. I'm with the Justice League. You've got a target on your head, and bounty hunters are outside."

Processing the creature's words, she visibly paled. "I should have known those guys on the Dark Web were shady, but no, the board just had to get those discount stem cells."

Ark blinked at her words. "Wait. What are you talking about?"

Selena Gonzales blinked back. "...What are  you  talking about?"

"Your company's business with Cadmus."

The woman visibly paled. "Ah… Forget I said anything."

"Uhuh…" Spidermonkey shook his head. "Whatever. We gotta get you outta here." His back hair tingled as he reached for the woman, so he quickly tackled the doctor to the floor. Selena narrowly missed throwing knives, now striking the wall behind her.

"We didn't expect much resistance with tonight's job, but four heroes? Isn't this a bit overkill? I was hoping to get this over while the others were preoccupied." A woman in a dark green kimono and black knee-high boots stood at the doorway. Adorned on her face was a white mask resembling a cat's head with red stripes and a wide grin.

Spidermonkey helped Selena get back to her feet while keeping vigilant about the new arrival. "Considering what I'm hearing on my comms, four hunters to get one doctor is overkill, too."

"Touche." She shrugged. "But that's what the client paid for."

Ark slowly backed up, guiding Selena behind him. "Four versus four. Balanced, as all things should be, huh." He raised a brow at the apparent assassin. "The Shadows, I presume?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, juggling a knife in each hand. "Who knows?"

Spidermonkey rolled his eyes. "Sure..."

"Now, why don't you be a good little monkey and hand over the doctor? I'd hate to get on the wrong side of PETA."

Spidermonkey scratched his chin playfully with two arms before smirking. "Nah!" His tail quickly extended, shooting his web directly onto the woman's mask. At the same time, his other two arms grabbed onto the professor and backflipped out the window.

Cheshire took a few seconds to rip off the webbing, leaving her confused and pissed. "This night can't get any worse, right?"

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: Spidermonkey

Species: Arachnichimp

Home World: Aranhascimmia

Powers and Abilities:

Arachnichimps can expel webbing from their tail, which was once stated to be as strong as steel. Their webbing is very sticky, meaning they can trap opponents or blind them by shooting webbing in their faces. Arachnichimps can also shape their webs into slings or swing across vast distances. An Arachnichimp's paws can stick to and be used to scale vertical surfaces. Arachnichimps are highly skilled in hand-to-hand with enhanced strength, agility, and acrobatic skills.

Chapter Text

West

With arms outstretched, Aqualad prepared to unleash the power of the water bearers. His opponent, Hook, flexed his metal hook arm, ready for a grappling and tearing attack.

Aqualad struck with lightning speed, slicing through the air with his water blades. Hook quickly reacted, dodging and deflecting the attack with his hook arm. He swung the hook with precision, trying to snare Aqualad.

Aqualad was a formidable opponent, his agility allowing him to jump and dodge Hook's hook arm strikes. With a flurry of sword swings, Aqualad created a shower of water that battered Hook's metal suit.

Hook countered with a punishing punch, connecting with Aqualad's midsection. Aqualad stumbled but regained his balance, launching another attack with his swords.

Hook was caught off guard and was struck by one of Aqualad's water blades. Roaring angrily, Hook lunged forward, grappling with his hook arm and pulling Aqualad in close.

Aqualad's quick thinking allowed him to slice through the hook arm's metal cables, rendering it useless. Seizing the advantage, Aqualad launched a relentless barrage of water attacks, drenching.

Kaldur launched himself towards Hook, tapping into the power of his eel tattoos. Channeling this energy through water, he created a surge of power that hurtled towards Hook.

At the same time, Hook shot his hook toward Kaldur, but the agile hero evaded the attack and kept advancing.

Kaldur summoned a hard-water weapon from his Water-Bearers, twin hilts that he used to strike Hook. The villain blocked the attack, but Kaldur wasn't deterred. He summoned a wave of water and electricity, slamming Hook with the impact.

Hook regained his footing and lunged forward, his hook swinging wildly. Kaldur used his hard-water weapons to block the hook. However, Hook managed to pull Kaldur off balance.

Kaldur unleashed a jolt of electricity that shocked Hook and sent him stumbling. Despite this setback, Hook quickly recovered and charged forward once more. This time, Kaldur was ready. He created a hard-water wall to block Hook's attack.

Kaldur pushed forward, relentlessly attacking with his hard-water weapons. Hook blocked the blows with his hook, but Kaldur's relentless pace pushed Hook back until he was cornered against a wall.

With lightning speed, Kaldur summoned a wave of water and electricity and sent it crashing toward Hook. The villain stumbled but remained on his feet. He retaliated with a powerful hook swing, but Kaldur was ready. He summoned a hard-water shield to block the attack.

Kaldur continued his assault, using his hard-water weapons to overpower Hook. The villain blocked the blows, but Kaldur was too quick. He managed to land several strikes, forcing Hook to stumble back. Kaldur pressed his advantage, attacking relentlessly until Hook was forced to retreat. Thankfully for him, the teen was too tired to give chase.

North

As Black Spider and Robin faced off, they stood ready for battle. Armed with his webs, Black Spider easily dodged Robin's initial attacks. Robin, twirling his Escrima sticks, grew frustrated as he struggled to land a hit.

Desperate to gain the upper hand, Robin changed tactics and used his acrobatics to flip and twist around Black Spider.

However, Black Spider was quick and managed to grab Robin's weapon, pulling them out of his hands.

Undeterred, Robin retreated and flipped backward, distancing himself from Black Spider. But Black Spider was relentless, using his webs to pull Robin back and ensnare him.

Darting around Black Spider, Robin used his acrobatics to dodge the bullets fired. He gradually closed in on Black Spider but was disarmed when Black Spider grabbed onto his Escrima sticks.

Unarmed and at a disadvantage, Robin still refused to give up. He used his acrobatics to flip over Black Spider and deliver a swift kick to his back, causing him to stumble forward.

Black Spider quickly realized he had made a mistake in his initial approach to fighting Robin. He switched gears and shot webs out to ensnare the vigilante. Robin was caught off guard and found himself trapped in the webs. With his gun aimed at Robin, Black Spider appeared to have the upper hand.

However, Robin was not ready to give up. He broke free from the webs using his strength and disarmed Black Spider. Robin struck with the advantage on his side, punching Black Spider in the face. He grabbed Black Spider's gun and assumed a fighting stance, birdarangs at the ready.

Black Spider responded by drawing his wrist-mounted guns and firing a barrage of bullets at Robin. The vigilante's agility allowed him to dodge the bullets, and he then threw a birdarang at Black Spider to distract him. The weapon caught Black Spider off guard, and he could not dodge it, causing him to fly backward.

Eyes widened in surprise. His body slammed against the wall before attempting to soften his landing. It didn't work as well as he would have liked. Black spider groaned in mild pain. "My Back. Oh, my back." Slowly getting back up, he glared. "Oh, I'm so gonna put some dirt in your eye."

Robin quickly disabled Black Spider's web shooters and rushed toward him, determined to end the fight. Black Spider retaliated by shooting webs in all directions, but Robin's agility allowed him to dodge them. The fight was intense, and Robin knew he needed to end it soon before he became too exhausted.

The boy retrieved his former weapon with a few flips out of danger. He swung his Eskrima sticks with all his might, and one of the strikes caught Black Spider in the shoulder, causing him pain. Using the opportunity, Robin spun around and delivered a powerful kick to Black Spider's chest, sending him flying across the room.

When Black Spider got up, he heard a beep. He checked a notification on his phone, and he smirked. "You haven't seen the last of me today." Like someone else, he jumped out the nearest window, web line at the ready.

Robin looked for the man outside and found no trace. "Dammit."

East

Spidermonkey and Doctor Gonzalez swung to the ground floor and swiftly turned a corner. The alien hero's eyes darted around before landing on a particular object. He put down the woman and looked at her with concern. "I know this is gonna sound gross, but you gotta hide in the dumpster for now."

The woman cringed a bit at the smell but swallowed her pride. "Sitting in a dumpster for a while instead of getting stabbed? I'll take it."

Spidermonkey quietly closed the lid over her before darting to the opposite edge of the building. Making a big show of himself somewhere else should be enough distraction. When the alien was about to shoot another line, the microscopic hairs on his left limbs tingled. In reaction, he contorted and dodged a pair of sais embedded in a nearby wall.

From above, Cheshire landed with a pseudo zipline. Raising a dagger to the hero, the woman looked around for her target. "Where is she?"

"Safe." Spidermonkey lowered his center of gravity.

Cheshire took a combat stance. "I'll see about that."

Spidermonkey darted across the rooftop with spider-like precision. Cheshire flicked her wrist, sending a pair of shurikens whistling.

Spidermonkey dodged easily, flipping backward and latching onto the side of a nearby wall.

Cheshire lunged, her twin blades gleaming.

Spidermonkey met her head-on. Two limbs stopped the blades while the other two grappled her. They stopped inches from his face. Spidermonkey swung his tail, aiming to knock Cheshire off balance, but she dodged.

Spidermonkey scurried up a wall, launching webbing at Cheshire's feet. She leaped, narrowly avoiding the sticky trap, and retaliated with a flurry of kicks. Spidermonkey caught her leg with one hand, twisting her mid-air and crashing her to the ground. Cheshire rolled with the fall, springing back up instantly.

Cheshire's eyes narrowed as she unleashed a smoke bomb. Spidermonkey may have been blinded, but that wouldn't stop his natural instincts. A shift in the air was a split-second warning. He twisted just as Cheshire's blade sliced through the haze, grazing his side. Ignoring the pain, he countered with a web shot, pinning her arm to the wall.

Cheshire yanked her arm free with a growl, the wall cracking under her strength. She charged again, her strikes becoming a blur. Spidermonkey parried and weaved, using his limbs to deflect and counter. A sharp kick to Cheshire's midsection sent her stumbling back. Seizing the moment, Spidermonkey spun a web, capturing her legs.

Cheshire sliced through the webbing with a swift motion. She threw another smoke bomb at Spidermonkey's feet and disappeared into the shadows.

Spidermonkey scanned the rooftop, his multiple eyes darting around. The hairs on his body stood to detect another shift. A sudden blur of motion from behind—a trap!

Cheshire's blade nicked his shoulder, but Spidermonkey whipped around, catching her off guard with a powerful punch. She staggered, but before she could recover, Spidermonkey bound her arms with his webbing and yanked her off her feet, slamming her into the rooftop.

Cheshire struggled, hampered by the sticky webs.

Spidermonkey raised his four arms triumphantly. He did a little dance as if to rub it in her face a bit. "Monke! Monke! Monke! Ooh! Ooh Aah! Aah!"

Cheshire attempted to reach for a blade to try and cut herself loose, only for it to be two inches away from her restrained fingertips. "Oh, shut up!"

Later

Following the detainment of one of the assassins, Ben contacted the others. No longer held up, Robin and Aqualad reached Spidermonkey's location. Robin raised a brow at the assassin wrapped in a cocoon. "Huh. You got one."

"Yup. A feisty one."

"Is the doctor safe?" asked Kaldur.

Spidermonkey turned to Chesire and felt her glare. "Safe. However, it seems we're missing someone."

The boy wonder face-palmed. "So… Kid Flash was kidnapped."

Ark crossed his arms at the teen. "And who's fault was that?"

Robin shrugged. "Frankly, it's all on him. He didn't follow the plan."

"And that plan was?" asked Kaldur. The Atlanteans didn't appreciate how their encounter started.

Robin gave both of them an exasperated look. "Follow my lead. It was obvious. Now we gotta save his butt."

Ark gave him a dry look. "Sure…"

Suddenly, they heard a ringing coming from their prisoner. Spidermonkey reached inside, followed the vibration, and moved some of the webs aside.

"Hey, watch where you're grabbing," complained the woman.

Spidermonkey rolled his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself." Soon, his fingers latched onto the object and pulled it out. "A burner phone?"

Robin nodded. "Pretty standard in this line of business."

The hero answered the call. "Hello?"

A grunting voice spoke. "Listen very carefully. We've kidnapped your friend. Do not bother calling the rest of the Justice League. By the time they do anything, it'll be too late. If you want to see him alive, you'll do exactly as I say. Is that understood?"

Spidermonkey frowned in confusion. "I'm sorry. Who is this?"

"God dammit." The person on the other line grew agitated. "Seriously. I practiced that line between improv sessions for just sort of occasion. I was flowing, and you go and kick the dramatic tension."

"Sorry?"

"No, you're not. Don't give me that."

Someone else on the other line yelled out. "Guys, you gotta help me!"

Robin clenched a fist. "KF!"

"Give me that!" The phone rustled. "This is Black Spider. We have Kid Flash, and I'm ninety-two percent sure you got our catgirl and Gonzalez.

The imprisoned Chesire groaned at the nickname.

"They can't be serious." Robin glared at the phone. "This is not a negotiation."

Kid Flash audibly gulped. "Please negotiate." A metallic hook was pressed against his neck. "Please... let me go."

"It would appear so," Kaldur added.

A higher pitch voice spoke up. "Yeah, what were you thinking? This is Hook and Black Spider you got here! We're good at what we do. We're professionals."

"Yeah, professional hitmen for the League of Shadows sent to kill an innocent woman," sassed Robin.

"I wouldn't go throwing around names of deadly groups like that if you know what's good for you, Kid," voiced hook.

"Oh, please. They have been harassing Batman for a long time."

Ark scratched his chin. "What are your demands?"

"Simple. You give us Gonzalez, or your friend dies."

The heroes glanced back at Chesire, who looked insulted. "Is that all?"

"Yup."

Cheshire glared from her cocoon. "Seriously?"

"Sorry. Cheshire." Hook shrugged. "You know how it is. You got caught. If we complete the mission, we get your cut."

"Let's hurry this up and get our Million," cheered Ziggy.

Black Spider turned his head to them. "Wait. What? The Calculator's ad said three million."

Hook raised a brow. "Did you read the fine print?"

Black Spider went silent for a moment. "...Maybe."

"If you did, you would know about the penalties. One of which includes getting interrupted, let alone by heroes."

"Man, that's some bullshit."

"What's done is done. Gonna cry?"

Chesire closed her eyes to calm the aneurism growing. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

Robin took the phone and spoke. "Why is Selena Gonzalez targeted?"

Black Spider laughed. "You're not in any position to ask questions, but we are. How did you know we'd be here? "

"If that's how you're gonna be, then we do not have to answer any questions either."

"Yeah, but you're going to 'cause you screwed up and got caught! Face it, you guys never even had a chance against us."

"What? We came here to stop you from hurting her," countered Ark.

Ziggy spoke up with some dramatic flare. "In any case, here are our demands. You're going to get us a helicopter."

Robin frowned. "We can't get you a helicopter."

Hook shook his head. "You're watching too many movies."

"Wait. What? I thought that was standard."

"It's not, and do you even know how to fly one?" asked Black Spider.

"No. Do any of you?" No one raised a hand in the room.

On the other side, Cheshire deadpanned. "Yeah... me."

Ziggy just sighed for a moment. "Like, my whole worldview is just shattered right now. I'm gonna need to process this for a second. Why is it never like this in the movies?"

"Give me that! Anytime a Hollywood writer has a kidnapping that goes smoothly, you know that guy is totally full of shit." Black Spider took a breath. "Listen. We meet at the northwest courtyard. No funny business. You give us Gonzalez, and you get the Speedster." In the back of his head, he needed this to go through. He wouldn't want to paint a target on his head and get punched at lightspeed by the older hero if they mutilated Kid Flash.

Ark was silent for a moment before answering. "Okay. Seems simple enough."

"Oh, and if you don't show up in the next ten minutes, I'll blow up the building," continued Ziggy.

Black Spider blinked. "We are?"

The Alien hero paused at the escalation. "Well, shit."

"Yeah," answered the improv demolition villain. "It's only hearsay if all the physical evidence is destroyed.

"True."

"By the way, Your phone will self-destruct in five seconds..."

Robin's eyes widened at the burner phone in his hands. "Wait, what?!"

Kaldur quickly slapped the device to the ground as it fizzled and smoked like a small firework.

"So, what now?" sighed Robin. "We're not actually going to trade her, right?

Ark smirked. "We will. Sorta."

Chapter Text

Northwest Courtyard

The sun had long ago set on the city. A tense silence filled the air as the heroes and villains approached the agreed location, which was filled with shadow and minimal light. Both sides faced each other, apprehensive of the other breaking their verbal deal.

"We have your hero," the lead villain growled, holding a bound and gagged figure in front of him. "You hand over the doctor, and we'll release him unharmed."

The good doctor grimaced at the people in front of her.

Black Spider nudged a bound and gagged speedster forward.

KF hopped forward. 'What the hell, Rob? You can't be okay with this!'

"That's it. Just a quick trade, and we can all go our separate ways."

"Not gonna lie, I didn't expect you to agree with us as soon as you did," commented Ziggy.

"Goes to show that these 'sidekicks' break easily," snarked Hook.

Kid Flash struggled through his restraints to no avail, glaring at his so-called team. 'What the hell are you guys thinking?! Where the hell is Ark?!'

Aqualad grit his teeth. "We care for our own."

"Unlike some of us here," glowered Robin at Black Spider. He turned back to KF. "We know what we're doing."

The villains shrugged. "Survival of the fittest. Seems like Chesire isn't cut out for the business if she's gonna get caught that easily."

Robin growled. "Let's just get this over with!"

Black Spider crossed his arms. "Fine by me."

Slowly, Kid Flash hopped toward his friends as Doctor Selena Gonzales took slow steps to her would-be killers, her eyes down to the ground. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Kid. I won't have you dead because of me."

After hearing that, it was more and more laborious with each hop.

"That's it nice and easy," gestured Ziggy.

They were grabbed and moved to the back when they reached their respective destinations.

Aqualad quickly ripped the gag off of Kid Flash. "Are you okay?"

Kid Flash fumed at the Atlantean. "Am I okay?! Am I okay?! Do you have any idea what you've done?!" He looked at Robin. "You signed her death warrant!"

Robin looked away. "This was for you. We did what we had to do."

"Listen to your friend," called out Hook. "You were lucky we had nothing to gain by killing you."

The doctor took a step into the darkness and closed her eyes. "Please. Just make it quick…"

Black Spider raised his gauntlet to her head. A single gunshot echoed through the facility. Red liquid splattered into the shadows and spilled from the wound as the woman fell face-forward to the ground.

"No!" Kid Flash struggled to charge at the killers, but Robin and Aqualad held him back. They cried out in horror. Both of them grit their teeth away from the scene. "How could you! All of you!" Tears escaped from his mask.

Black Spider dusted his hands. "Well, that concludes our contract." The trio started walking away. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Minutes passed before Kid Flash stopped struggling. When Robin and Aqualad let him go, he hobbled to the doctor's body and fell to his knees. "Why?!... Why?!"

"Are they gone yet?" whispered the corpse.

"Holy shit!" Kid Flash's instincts kicked in, and he ran away from the possible zombie.

Both Aqualand and Robin let out deep breaths that they held in for a while. Tension finally released from their muscles.

The body of the fallen doctor began to bubble and squirm. Within moments, it formed into a pile of mud before reforming into a round blob with green eyes and a mouth.

Kid Flash stared at the familiar hourglass symbol. "Ark!"

The blob smiled. "Yup!"

KF fell to his knees, somewhat numb. "What the hell just happened!"

Ark smirked. "To put it simply, we faked the doctor's death."

KF stared at everyone. "Wait. So, Doctor Gonzales is alive."

"Alive and stinky. We had to hide her in a dumpster several blocks over," answered Robin.

"What the fuck!" Kid Flash started mock-punching the other teens. "You guys knew all along?!"

"Honestly, I wanted to sneak in and extract you, but Ark put up his suggestion."

"We had to sell it as if it was the real doctor, or else the ruse would be exposed."

Ark reverted to his human form. "For what it's worth, the Doctor offered to exchange. She couldn't handle knowing you gave your life for her. Still mad?"

Kid Flash lay on the ground and groaned. "No… Not anymore."

Robin nudged his friend back up. "Come on, let's check up on Cheshire."

With Kid Flash in tow, the four heroes returned to their bound capture. However, when they turned the corner, they found a pile of burt webbing.

Ark picked up a piece. "Looks like Cheshire found an alternative way out. They may be like steel cables at a certain thickness, but they are still webs at the end of the day."

Aqualad dug through the pile and found the remnants of a match. "She must have been relieved to remember having this."

Wally paled. "Is it possible she went to find the doctor?"

"Nah." Robin had pulled up his wrist computer, displaying an EKG reading. "I gave her a heart rate tracker to monitor if anyone else makes a surprise visit."

"Besides, I doubt she would waste time searching. She wouldn't have anywhere to start looking," argued Ark.

Suddenly, a low rumble shakes the ground beneath their feet. Thick plumes of smoke begin to billow from the lower floors. The building's structure groans under the intense heat and pressure.

Kid Flash started backing away. "We forgot about Ziggy's bombs..."

"Yup!" Robin shot a grapple to an adjacent building. "Run! Run! Run!"

"Get the Doctor!" yelled Kaldur.

A green flash and a blue blur ran ahead of them to a secluded dumpster.

With a deafening roar, the building's supports give way, and the entire structure begins to collapse. Glass shatters, steel bends, and concrete cracks as the once proud skyscraper crumbles into a chaotic heap of rubble—chunks of debris rain down onto the streets below. Dust and smoke fill the air.

Star Labs, Reception Room

July 10, 06:45 CDT

The mood is tense yet relieved after a successful mission. Flash shook his head in amusement. "That is the most reckless plan I've heard."

Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad sat around, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and nervousness. "But it worked."

Flash crossed his arms. "For what it's worth, great work out there, everyone. Plan A failed, and you were put through some tough odds. Your priority was to save Doctor, and you did just that."

Robin chuckled. "Yeah, but it wasn't easy. We were expecting two, maybe three assassins, but four came. It was no joke."

Barry glared at his nephew again. "Still can't believe you fell for the human glue trap."

The redhead threw his hands up in exasperation. "He was a demolitions expert. How was I supposed to know he went to improv classes."

"Fair. But still, you should have known how to get out of those after seeing all the times I had to deal with them."

Wally still couldn't phase through objects yet. "I'm working on it!"

"We'll also be working on your hostage negotiation skills."

Ark chimed in. "If I ever get an afternoon with you guys, we can talk training and stuff."

Barry nodded. "Thank you. Perhaps a different perspective will help."

"It's still fucked up that you made me think we got the doctor shot dead," grumbled Wally.

"We had to make it look convincing," argued Robin. "You already know about the acting training Bats gives. This is just me using it in action."

"It is unfortunate that we had to resort to faking Doctor Gonzales' death to throw off the assassins. It was a risky move, but it still had the least risk thanks to Ark volunteering." Aqualad rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't have the same experience. I was trying my best to hide my rather novice expressions."

Robin sweatdropped. "The lab building was destroyed, but at least we're all alive."

Barr rolled his eyes. Maybe he should start taking improv classes with James as a civilian. It might give him hints on possible relapse. "On another note, I'm surprised you were willing to play out the fake death. Last year, I proposed the same idea to Martian Manhunter before Batman shot it down. Come on. The man is bulletproof. he would have been fine."

Robin raised a brow. "Batman has used that tactic before."

"In fairness, the one taking the killing blow is proposing the idea in the first place," answered Aqualad.

Ark waved a hand in the air. "Sometimes, a hero's gotta trick a villain in the long term."

Robin raised a brow. "How many times have you faked someone's death?"

Ark sighed. "More than I would like there to be. Thankfully, they're all under witness protection."

"Which I'll be accepting gladly," interrupted Doctor Gonzales. "Considering my building is gone, it's possible that not even the backup servers survived." She shuddered. "I don't want to imagine more assassins in my home, trying to find my records."

Flash walked over and patted her gently on the shoulder. "Don't worry. The League is officially on the case. We'll send people to secure your belongings and start processing your new residence." He turned back to the teens. "In the meantime, you guys should head home. You're lucky today isn't a school day."

Ark said goodbye to the heroes and Doctor Gonzales as the teens chuckled. 'Now, what am I gonna tell Harley to explain why I was gone all night?'

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Slopshifter

Species: Lenopan

Home World: Unknown

Powers and Abilities:

Lenopans can take on different shapes and features, such as skin and hair. Current records describe Lenopans as some of the galaxy's toughest, nastiest, meanest beings. Lenopans can stretch, morph, and shapeshift their bodies in any way, shape, or form at will. By changing their color and texture, they can mimic flesh and fabric. Lenopans can detach their body parts and stick them back on, reattaching them. If they are disembodied, their pieces will instinctively come together again and reconstitute them. Lenopans can shapeshift their body parts and sometimes themselves into other objects, including melee weapons. Using their sludge, they can look like another shape made of purple sludge while they can still move in liquid form. Lenopans can shapeshift into non-existent or imaginary species, complete with unique abilities. Lenopans' liquid bodies can be gelatinous, akin to a large muscle mass, which allows tangibility and the ability to be mobile. Lenopans can generate slime and shoot masses of it like adhesive projectiles. A Lenopan's normal slimy form is dense and adhesive enough to trap other creatures in themselves. This form also gives them the capability to go underground infinitely.

Chapter Text

Star City

July 17, 23:16 PDT

Two people were unloading a truck under the cover of the night. As they removed the first crate, an arrow landed between them. The red arrow blinked bright red before releasing smoke, causing the two to stumble and drop the load. The container smashed open, revealing a high-tech gun and sliding to the feet of a large African-American male with a muscular frame and red skin, Brick. He had a short white goatee and wore his hair in cornrows.

With an aimed kick, the gun shot up and landed in the large man's hand. Brick aimed, the barrel illuminating three red streaks. Following the arrow's trajectory, he aimed at the crane above, zeroing in on the interloper.

It was revealed to be a familiar redheaded teen in yellow and red, Speedy.

"You again!" Brick yelled. "I'm starting to get insulted that Green Arrow's not messing up my operation personally." With a smirk, he pulled the trigger.

The red archer dove to the right, grabbing the crane's support beams, barely staying ahead of the shots. As Speedy dropped down to the next level, the shots followed.

As Speedy sprinted along a walkway, he flipped as he nocked an arrow and released it. The arrow shot it right down the gun's barrel, causing it to explode in Brick's hand. While the blast left him physically unharmed, it tore through his suit.

"Do you know what I pay for a suit in my size?!" he yelled, angrier than before. "Scorch the Earth, boys," he ordered.

Four henchmen raised their guns on the side, but a yellow blur came through, leaving two of them disarmed. The other two turned toward the blur, only for their guns to be knocked out of their hands by Birderangs. With a happy cackle, Robin swung over them and out of sight.

In his place, Aqualad dropped down with his Water-Bearers, turning them into whips. Both hit the smugglers in full force, knocking them into a truck and to the ground unconscious.

Brick gripped the ground and lifted a chunk of concrete, throwing it at Speedy.

The running archer ducked under the attack with an already-nocked arrow. He stopped, bracing his foot on one of the shipping containers, and launched an arrow that exploded as it hit Brick's massive shoulder.

However, it didn't stop the metahuman from throwing another piece of concrete at Speedy.

As Speedy jumped out of the way, Aqualad intercepted it with a mace and sword, chopping the concrete in two.

This gave Speedy the opening shot Brick with a smoke arrow.

Speedy walked to the slightly out-of-breath Aqualad, who retracted his water-bearers. "The cave is perfect. It has everything the team will need," the Atlantean told the older hero.

Robin dropped down behind Speedy. "For covert missions. You know, spy stuff."

Kid Flash ran up the crates and landed just shy of the edge. "And wait till you see Superboy and Miss Martian," he said excitedly. "But I saw her first."

Brick emerged from the smoke below and threw another piece of concrete at the four conversing teenagers.

Speedy, Robin, and Kid Flash all dove out of the way while Aqualad stood in place and smashed it with twin maces.

Speedy shot two arrows that stuck to Brick's chest and released three spurts of flame, knocking him back.

On one knee, the villain just chuckled. "Tell Arrow he shouldn't send boys to do a man's job."

Speedy aimed another arrow.

Brick stood tall, his arms out wide. "Go ahead."

Speedy ground his teeth as he shot another arrow. It landed on the man's chest, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then red foam spread from the capsule and hardened, trapping Brick.

Kid Flash stopped and crouched next to Speedy. "High-density polyurethane foam. Nice."

Ignoring him, Speedy turned to walk away.

Robin and Aqualad stook ahead of him. "So, Speedy, you in?"

The archer stopped to give them the answer, "Pass. I'm done letting Arrow and the League tell me what to do."

Wally frowned. "Seriously, dude, I was willing to tolerate it back at the hall since you needed to cool down. Now, what's with the attitude?"

Robin deadpanned. "You're 18." He gestured to KF and Aqualad. "Barely two years older than them. You're not even allowed to drink."

Speedy narrowed his eyes. "That's beside the point. I don't need a babysitter or a clubhouse to hang out with the other kids. Your Junior Justice League is a joke."

Robin gaped at that. "Wow... Just. Wow..."

Wally crossed his arms with a scowl. "Dude..."

Robin walked a few steps away and glared at Speedy. "All four of us agreed to enter the hero's life. We get shot at and face death daily. You started when you were 15. Kid Flash debuted at 14."

Aqualad frowned at Speedy. "I started my mandatory military service at age 12."

Robin's expression went slack. "You think you're so mature to distance yourself from the League, but I know you haven't graduated college yet. I was younger than ten years old when I started. You think I don't notice the looks people give me: heroes, villains, and civilians."

Speedy seemed to regret his words for a moment. "No. I didn't mean-"

"Then what did you mean?" asked Aqualad.

Robin continued. "They disapprove of me. They think I'm weaker than everyone else. Heroes like Wonder Woman look at me with pity at times. She might think Batman is pushing me into this life, but he's not."

"Then you should know how I'm feeling," argued the archer. "They are treating us like we're kids. It's something to keep you busy and in your place."

"We've only been in the hero business for a few years compared to them," added Kid Flash. "Superboy and Miss M are getting started, too."

Aqualad stopped leaning against the crate. "I may have given my life for my king, but working with others on the surface world is still new." Aqualad sighed. "Considering what happened on our previous rescue mission, perhaps they were right."

Both Robin and Wally went downcast at their assisted victory. Doctor Gonzalez may not have made it out alive had they only gone with the three of them. They were lucky that Ark overheard them and joined.

Speedy raised a brow at the change but didn't push.

"Did it hurt that they hid a base in space from us? Yeah, a bit." Wally sighed. "But I can at least understand what they were trying to do. Do I like it? No, but they are giving us a chance to prove ourselves now."

Speedy growled. "Maybe, but I don't want any part of it."

Robin scoffed. "I thought we were friends. But, you know what?" The Boy Wonder turned around and started walking off. "You do you, Speedy. I'm going home. Join us or don't. I don't care at this point."

Kaldur and Kid Flash looked back at Speedy and saw him walking away. The two sighed. So much for getting the gang back together.

Smallville, Kansas

July 18, 10:3 PDT

Clark Kent stepped out of his car, inhaling the Smallville air. The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden hue over the fields. He smiled as he saw the old house.

As he approached the porch, the screen door swung open, and Martha Kent stepped out. Her face lit up with a radiant smile.

"Clark! You're home!" She wrapped her arms around him warmly. "I wasn't expecting you today."

"I know, Mom." Clark returned the hug. "I wanted to surprise you and Dad."

"Well, you certainly did. Come inside. Dinner's almost ready," She led him into the cozy kitchen where the aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air.

Jonathan Kent looked up from his newspaper as Clark entered. "Clark, it's good to see you, son," He stood up to give his son a hearty handshake and a pat on the back.

"It's good to be home, Dad." Clark sat at the kitchen table.

Martha set another place at the table. "So, what's the occasion? It's not every day we get a surprise visit from our big city reporter."

Clark knew the conversation that was about to unfold would be anything but ordinary. "I have some news."

Martha and Jonathan exchanged glances.

"I have a new family member," Clark paused to gauge their reactions.

Martha's eyes widened, and she clasped her hands together. "Clark, you mean... you had a child?" Her voice trembled with surprise and joy.

Jonathan's face broke into a wide grin. "Well, why didn't you tell us sooner? This is wonderful news!"

Clark held up his hands to calm their excitement. "Not exactly," he said. "It's a bit more complicated than that. I didn't have a child... I was cloned."

The room fell silent. Martha and Jonathan looked at each other, then back at Clark, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.

"Cloned?" Jonathan repeated, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean, son?"

Clark tried to find the right words. "Earlier this month, I discovered that a group had somehow managed to create a clone of me. He actually hasn't been named yet. He's always been referred to as Superboy, to be my replacement, and he's sixteen years old."

Martha put a hand to her mouth. "Oh my... sixteen? Clark, this is... I don't even know what to say."

Jonathan tried to wrap his mind around the concept. "So, this Superboy... he's like your twin brother, but younger?"

"Exactly," Clark said. "I've been struggling with how to think of him. He's technically me, but he's also his own person. He needs guidance, and... he needs a family. Should I consider him a younger twin brother? Or... should I think of him more like a son?"

Martha walked over to Clark and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Clark, whatever you decide, treating him with love and care is the most important thing. Whether you see him as a brother or a son, he's a part of you. He'll need your support to find his place in the world."

Jonathan nodded in agreement. "Your mom's right. It doesn't matter what title you give him. What matters is that you're there for him, helping him grow and understand who he is. And, of course, he's welcome here anytime."

Clark felt a sense of relief and clarity wash over him. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. I knew coming home would help. "

Martha pulled him into another hug. "Always, Clark. No matter what happens, this will always be your home."

Jonathan clapped him on the back. "Now, let's eat. We've got a lot to discuss, and it sounds like we've got a new family member to welcome soon."

Clark felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he joined his parents at the table, grateful for their unwavering support and wisdom. At that moment, he knew that no matter how complicated life got, he would never face it alone. Clark rubbed the back of his neck. "The League and I talked about it, and they suggested to have the Superboy settle into his new life before we start introducing him into our personal lives. He's been psychically learning and possibly programmed since he was born. It'll probably be a year or so."

Oa

On the vibrant emerald world of Oa, the heart of the Green Lantern Corps, Salaak stood in the Central Command, his four arms working over various holographic screens. The glow of the data streams illuminated his face.

Kilowog, the massive Bolovaxian drill instructor, lumbered into the command center. "Salaak, You seen Ch'p lately? The little guy's been AWOL for a week."

Salaak paused. "I've noticed his absence as well. I was just about try another contact attempt."

Salaak manipulated one of the holographic screens. "Green Lantern Ch'p, respond." The screen flickered. They caught a brief glimpse of Ch'p's worried face before the connection abruptly dropped.

Kilowog clenched his fists. "That ain't good. What's going on with him?"

Salaak's continued typing. "The signal is weak."

Kilowog nodded. "Alright, who's the nearest Lantern we can send?"

Salaak brought up a list of nearby Lanterns. "Hal Jordan just completed his latest assignment and is currently on standby."

"Good ol' poozer Jordan. He can handle it."

Hal's image appeared. "Salaak, Kilowog, what's up?"

"Hal, we've lost contact with Ch'p. He's been unresponsive for a week, and his last known location was Sector 1014."

Hal's smile faded. "I'll head there immediately."

"Be careful, Jordan."

Hal nodded. "I'll keep you updated. Jordan out."

Salaak turned to Kilowog. "I have faith in Jordan, but these new planets had to come from somewhere."

Kilowog grunted. "We'll be ready."

Later

Sector 1014

Hal Jordan soared through space. His ring had picked up an anomalous energy signal from a newly appeared planet in Sector 1014, and it just so happened to coincide with a distress signal from fellow Green Lantern, Ch'p.

"Ring, a status report on Ch'p's location."

"Green Lantern Ch'p's signal is on the planet's surface."

Hal descended to the surface, revealing a vibrant world covered in dense forests and rivers. The air was serene.

Following the signal, Hal finally spotted Ch'p caught in a bizarre predicament. Ch'p was stuck in a large tree. Below him, a group of uniformed dogs were barking orders up at him.

Why couldn't Ch'p just fly away? Unfortunately, the ring cannot be used without sufficient willpower. If the user is overcome by fear, they cannot use the ring. In this case, a primal fear was overtaking Ch'p.

"Hang tight, Ch'p!" Hal landed near the base of the tree. The barking dog shifted their attention to him.

A large mastiff with a scar across his snout stepped forward. "Who goes there?"

"I'm Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Sector 2814," Hal raised his ring-bearing fist non-threateningly. "I'm here to help my friend."

The mastiff growled lowly but did not advance. "This squirrel is a spy!" he barked. "He was caught snooping around our territory."

Ch'p struggled to stay in the tree. "I told you, I'm not a spy! I'm a Green Lantern, just like Hal!"

"We don't even know what that is!"

Hal glanced up at Ch'p and then back at the mastiff. "Look, there's been a misunderstanding. Ch'p is a member of the Green Lantern Corps. We protect the universe. We don't spy on it."

The mastiff's eyes narrowed. "How do we know you're telling the truth?"

Hal let his ring project a holographic image of the Green Lantern symbol and a few of the Guardians in the air. "I work for these guys. I'm not sure what else to show without actually taking you off the planet.

The dogs murmured amongst themselves.

"Let me get my friend down from there, and then we can talk."

The mastiff hesitated, then gave a curt nod. "Very well. But if this is a trick, there will be consequences."

Hal didn't wait for a second invitation. He flew up the tree Ch'p and brought him back to the ground.

"Thanks, Hal. I thought I'd be stuck there forever."

"No problem, buddy," Hal turned to the mastiff. "Now, can someone explain what's going on here?"

The mastiff lowered his head slightly. "This planet is our home, and we found your friend wandering around. We assumed the worst."

Hal nodded. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. A planet appearing out of nowhere, talking dogs. Something strange was afoot.

#

Hal Jordan and Ch'p walked alongside uniformed dogs who had grudgingly accepted Hal's presence. The dogs led them into a meadow. The sight that greeted them was unlike anything Hal had ever seen.

"Welcome to Corginia," the mastiff announced.

The meadow was filled with dogs of various breed. Near the meadow's center were food and water dispensers stood. "Are those dispensers... automatic?" Hal raised an eyebrow. Theyrefilled themselves automatically.

"Yes. They've been here since the beginning of our history. We don't know how they work."

Hal noticed more peculiarities. Sunbeams scattered across the area were perfectly positioned for sunbathing dogs. Several dogs lay sprawled out in the warm rays.

"Those sunbeams don't look natural." Ch'p observed their placement.

"They're not," the mastiff confirmed. "They move throughout the day. We didn't question it. We just enjoy it."

Hal and Ch'p realized the strangeness of the situation. They passed a line of machines. Each one had a mechanical arm. A happy golden retriever lay under one and received a thorough belly rub.

"Belly-rub machines?" Hal couldn't help but chuckle. "This place is something else."

The mastiff's stern expression softened. "It's a paradise for us, but it's also why we were so suspicious of your friend. We didn't want anything to disrupt our home."

They finally reached the heart of Corginia, a large pavilion. The pavilion was made of intricately woven branches and leaves.

"Here is where our council meets," the mastiff explained. "We can discuss what brought you here and how we can assist each other."

The comforts and peculiarities of Corginia were too perfect. Hal knew that whatever had brought this planet here and provided these amenities had to be investigated.

In the grand pavilion of Corginia, Hal Jordan and Ch'p were ushered into the presence of the esteemed leader, King Atticus. At the far end, atop a raised platform, sat King Atticus, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

Beside him stood his trusted advisor, Irwin, a golden retriever. Around them, a group of corgis sat attentively.

King Atticus rose to greet them. "Welcome, Green Lanterns. I am King Atticus, the one who united the Cardigans and Pembrokes into the kingdom of Corginia."

Hal inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, King Atticus. I'm Hal Jordan, and this is Ch'p. We come on behalf of the Green Lantern Corps."

Hal glanced at Ch'p who nodded in agreement. "We need to understand more about your kingdom."

King Atticus gestured for them to sit. "Our kingdom consists of 399 corgis, both Cardigans and Pembrokes, and Irwin, our loyal advisor."

After giving the two a brief history of their people, King Atticus led Hal Jordan and Ch'p through the winding paths of Corginia toward a secluded grove at the kingdom's edge. In the center stood an ancient, weathered temple. "This is our temple. It is a sacred place for all corgis, where we seek guidance and solace."

The entrance to the temple was framed by ornate carvings depicting scenes of unity and harmony. The walls were adorned with murals of corgis in various states of worship.

At the far end of the temple stood a grand statue carved from a single piece of dark stone. The statue depicted three mask-like entities. The first mask had soft, delicate features, radiating an aura of warmth and kindness. The second was fierce, with sharp lines and an expression of intense emotion. The third mask was neutral, its features calm and balanced, exuding an air of wisdom.

King Atticus approached the statue, with Hal and Ch'p following closely behind. "This statue represents our trinity of deities. They are the guiding forces in our lives." He pointed to the first mask. "This is Serena, the goddess of love and compassion."

Hal turned to the second mask.

"That is Bellicus, the god of rage and aggression."

Atticus's expression grew thoughtful. "The last is the god of reason. This deity remains unnamed, representing the balance and wisdom that guides us. It is through reason that we find harmony between love and rage. We seek to embody their qualities daily. We are peaceful yet strong."

Hal raised a brow. Could these gods have anything to do with the sudden appearance of the planet, among others?

Chapter Text

Central City

Mr. Smoothy

July 12, 08:45 EDT

Ben was busy behind the counter, wearing a green apron. Alongside him, Harley sported a red-and-black themed apron that matched her usual color scheme. The store was bustling, with customers eagerly waiting for their drinks.

Ben was mixing a smoothie when he called out, "Okay, Harley, the next order is a Tropical Tornado with an extra shot of protein. Can you grab the protein powder?"

Harley, more cheerful after a well-deserved vacation, nodded. "Sure thing, Benji-boy!" She opened a nearby cabinet and playfully tossed the protein powder.

As Ben added the protein, an impatient customer said, "Excuse me, I ordered a Strawberry Slam 10 minutes ago!"

Ben smiled apologetically and said, "Sorry about the wait, ma'am. Coming right up!" After completing another order, he started blending the Strawberry Slam.

Harley sighed. "Relax, hun. It's the morning rush. You aren't the only one." The customer rolled their eyes and asked them to hurry.

The next customer approached nervously and ordered a Green Machine with a double shot of wheatgrass.

Harley enthusiastically started tossing ingredients into the blender, saying, "One Green Machine comin' right up!"

Turning to Ben, she continued their earlier conversation. "As I suggested, I have some new flavors on the menu. Have you given any thought to Hot Sauce Havoc? It's got a kick like a hyena on caffeine."

Ben chuckled and replied, "It can work, but I'll probably reserve that for a morning-after hangover drink. My grandpa had something like that for himself."

Harley grinned and handed the Green Machine to the nervous customer, who quickly walked away after thanking her.

Ben finished the Strawberry Slam and handed it to the impatient customer, who finally softened after taking a sip and said, "This is good."

Ben smiled, "Glad you like it!"

Harley leaned on the counter. "Let me whip up something wild for us. We could use the energy boost."

Ben grinned. "Maybe later, since we still have the breakfast line to get through."

Harley pouted playfully, then turned to the next customer with a big smile, "Hey there, whatcha havin'?"

The excited customer ordered a Banana Blast with extra peanut butter.

Harley smiled, "Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Extra peanut butter, comin' right up!" She started picking up bananas by juggling them toward the blender. "Hey, you think this banana's ripe enough to become a boomerang?"

Ben rolled his eyes in amusement. "Careful, the last time you threw fruit around, you had to clean the ceiling."

As Ben and Harley continued working, their contrasting personalities created a lively and entertaining atmosphere, much to the delight of the casual customers.

Central City

July 13, 13:12 EDT

Wildvine swung from one building to another, his vine-like limbs propelling him through the air. Below, the Flash zipped through Central City at lightning speed. Heat Wave and Captain Boomerang were robbing an armored treasury convoy downtown.

"Looks like they're up ahead, Ark!" Flash shouted.

Wildvine extended a vine to catch a streetlamp, flipping to the ground. "It's Wildvine. Let's cut these guys down a peg," Wildvine quipped.

Brandishing his flamethrower, Heat Wave turned to face the heroes, duffle bags over his shoulders. "Flash and some kind of plant? This should be easy."

Wildvine grinned at the handicap. "That's the challenge."

Captain Boomerang tossed his duffles into a car trunk, twirling a deadly boomerang in his hand. He sneered. "Let's see how fast you can dodge, Flash."

The Flash sprinted toward Heat Wave. Barry dodged a stream of fire, then circled back to land a punch. But Heat Wave unleashed a wall of flame that forced Barry to retreat.

Wildvine's eyes narrowed. "I'll take care of the firebug."

Heat Wave aimed his flamethrower at the green hero. "Come here, you walking weed." He sent a jet of fire toward Wildvine.

Wildvine's vine-like limbs wrapped around a nearby lamppost. He swung himself out of the path of the flames, landing gracefully a few meters away. "You'll have to do better than that."

With a flick of his wrist, Wildvine sent several vines snaking toward Heat Wave. They twisted and writhed through the air, aiming to disarm the villain. Heat Wave turned the flamethrower towards the approaching vines and incinerating them.

Undeterred, Wildvine sprouted thicker vines. He charged forward, using the momentum to launch himself at Heat Wave. He dodged another blast of fire, rolling to the side and coming up in a crouch.

"You're persistent. I'll give you that," Heat Wave growled. He adjusted the setting on his flamethrower, and the flames intensified.

He launched his vines towards Heat Wave, wrapping them around the flamethrower. With a powerful yank, he disarmed the villain.

Wildvine seized the moment. He shot a cluster of seeds from his palm at Heat Wave's feet and instantly sprouting into thick roots.

Heat Wave cursed as he found himself suddenly immobilized. The roots tightened around his legs. Heat Wave managed to free one arm. He reached for a hidden weapon.

Wildvine closed the distance between them with a powerful leap and sent a vine-encased punch to Heat Wave's jaw.

The villain staggered.

"You're finished." Wildvine tightened the roots around Heat Wave's body until he could barely move. The fire-wielding villain slumped in defeat. His resistance snuffed out like a candle.

Ben lifted Heat Wave off the ground using his vines and slammed him into a nearby wall. "Stay put, hothead."

Meanwhile

Captain Boomerang grinned as he twirled a deadly boomerang between his fingers. "You're too slow, Flash!" Captain Boomerang launched the weapon with a flick of his wrist. The boomerang arced through the air, slicing towards the scarlet speedster with lethal precision.

Barry Allen watched the trajectory of the boomerang. In a split second, he dashed to the side, the projectile missing him by mere inches. But he knew Captain Boomerang too well to think it was over. The boomerang doubled back and aimed for his back.

Anticipating the move, Flash ran in a tight circle, generating a vortex of wind. The swirling air caught the boomerang, sending it spiraling off course.

Captain Boomerang gritted his teeth, pulling out another weapon. "Nice trick, Flash. Try dodging this!" He threw a boomerang that split into multiple smaller ones in mid-air.

Barry dodged and weaved through the swarm, but one nicked his arm, drawing blood. "You're starting to annoy me," he said, gritting his teeth.

"You never learn, do you, Digger?" Flash called out.

Captain Boomerang hurled a trio of boomerangs in rapid succession. Flash zigzagged through the air and dodged each one. He quickly closed the distance between them and aimed a punch at Captain Boomerang's jaw.

But Boomerang was ready. He sidestepped at the last second and swung his leg in a sweeping kick that caught Flash off guard. Barry recovered his balance just in time to dodge another attack.

"You think you're so fast." Boomerang pulled out a specialized boomerang with a glowing, electrified edge. "Let's see you dodge this!" He flung it with all his strength. The electrified boomerang crackling through the air.

Flash felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as the weapon approached. He moved, but the boomerang adjusted its course. It tracking his movements. Realizing he couldn't outrun it, Barry changed tactics. He sped towards a nearby car and grabbed a metal hubcap in one fluid motion.

In the blink of an eye, he threw the hubcap like a frisbee, intercepting the boomerang mid-flight. The two projectiles collided. Sparks flew as the electrified boomerang short-circuited.

Captain Boomerang's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible…"

Barry charged forward and delivering a rapid series of punches, each landing with pinpoint accuracy. Captain Boomerang reeled, his defenses crumbling under the onslaught. With a final, powerful uppercut, Flash sent him sprawling to the ground, unconscious.

Barry tied Captain Boomerang with a heavy-duty cable.

"Looks like we make a good team," smirked Wildvine.

"Being fast doesn't mean I can do everything all at once." Barry smiled, his breathing steadying as he looked at their handiwork. "Not bad for a plant. Let's get these guys to Iron Heights before they cause more trouble."

Suddenly, Flash's communicator beeped, so he answered. "Yeah? I'm sorry. They fought a what? We'll be there." After hanging up, he turned to Wildvine. "Seems like the kids stumbled onto something troubling."

The alien raised a non-existent brow. "It couldn't be that bad. right?"

Central City

Harley's Room

July 13, 14:24 EDT

Pamela Isley reclined in her seat. The room had many exotic plants. Ivy's fingers gently caressed the leaves of a nearby fern as she listened to the evening news.

"...and in Central City today, the Flash, along with an unknown ally, successfully thwarted a robbery by Heat Wave and Captain Boomerang." The screen displayed footage of the battle: a green, vine-covered figure swinging through the air.

Ivy's interest piqued. "What?" She leaned closer to the screen. The camera zoomed in on Wildvine.

"Amazing, we have a new hero that can control over plants."

Pamela's eyes widened in shock. "A living plant?" She heard rumors of one living in the swamplands near the city, but she never took the time to confirm them. Was this Wildvine the rumored creature?

She watched Wildvine subdue the Heat Wave and help the Flash secure Captain Boomerang. This unknown hero's control over plant life was intriguing.

She felt an unexpected kinship. The appearance of another with similar powers was thrilling. Perhaps they could learn from each other or join her environmental crusade.

Mount Justice

July 18, 18:16 EDT

After Mister Twister had been defeated, Flash and Red Tornado arrived to assess the situation, the former bringing Ark along. The teens gathered the android's remains and shipped them to the cave in the bioship.

It was then brought to a table, where Tornado dissected the Mister Twister armor and the android.

Wally blinked at the scene. "Well, this is disturbing."

Barry nodded with his nephew.

"It would seem that this armor was not only based on my design but also contained several methods of overriding another android's programming. Fortunately, you were able to stop my would-be saboteur; the damage that I could have done would have been considerable," remarked Tornado.

"It was clearly created to sabotage or destroy you." Kaldur told the Leaguer.

"Agreed." Red Tornado said, looking over the Android pieces and computer readouts.

After several moments of silence, M'gaan said, "Is that why you wouldn't help us?" she asked.

"No," He stated firmly and without remorse, "This was your battle. I do not believe it is my role to solve your problems for you. Nor should you solve mine for me." Red Tornado's tone was of cold logic.

In any case, having the level of trust to stop Twister alone was refreshing.

Barry held up a hand. "That's great and all, but why are you saying as if we won't help you with your evil cousin?"

Robin, Wally, and Superboy all paused.

"You'll be in danger…" M'gann objected.

"Consider this matter closed." Red Tornado turned to leave, dismissing them all with a stoic stare.

Flash facepalmed at his fellow league member.

Ark deadpanned. "Kinda defeats the purpose of being a League of Heroes, no?"

"Yup..."

"I consider this a private matter," answered the android.

"I'm guessing this was made by the same guy who made you, no?" Ark asked.

"I guess if we're gonna have a babysitter, a heartless machine is exactly what we need?" Dick pointed out.

"Dude! Harsh." Wally hissed but didn't object to it in any other way.

"And inaccurate," cut in Tornado

Both boys stopped dead. The others raised brows.

Red Tornado turned around again and tapped his right metallic pectoral. "I have a heart; it is composed of a carbon-steel alloy," he said, turning his head for just a second. I also have excellent hearing."

Kid Flash's eyes clenched closed, and he frowned, just opening one eye to look at the Boy Wonder. A silent "Help me!" gesture that he doesn't want Tornado to see.

Robin forced out a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck. "Right. I'll strive to be... more accurate."

Kaldur grabs Robin's shoulder and brings the Boy Wonder's attention to him. "And more respectful."

Going back to the console, Tornado ran a diagnostic. "I doubt I can retrieve any remaining information from its systems. The custom hardware needs to be replaced, and it is very damaged.

Megan laughed nervously. "Sorry..."

Tornado waved it off. "It is fine."

"Better broken than a danger," offered Flash.

Ark glanced at the disassembled armor, already calculating his next move. "Let me try something. I have just the guy for the job." Ark transformed into a diminutive, red-skinned alien with boundless energy in a flash of green light. "Jurryrig!" Jurryrig bounced on his heels, rubbing his hands with glee at seeing the mechanical carnage before him.

"Alright, let's see what we have here," Jurryrig said, high-pitched and rapid. He darted towards the largest piece of Mister Twister, eyes scanning the intricate machinery with laser focus.

Superboy, still skeptical, crossed his arms. "Can he fix this?"

Jurryrig shot him a quick look, grinning widely. "Just watch!"

He moved with lightning speed, his hands a blur as he reconnected wires, welded broken metal, and realigned circuits precisely. His fingers seemed to know exactly where everything belonged, driven by an instinctual understanding of technology.

As he worked, he muttered, " The Circuit board's fried. We need to bypass the auxiliary power and adjust the gyroscopic stabilizers. There we go!"

"FIX, FIX, FIX, FIX, FIX!" The rest of the team watched in amazement as, piece by piece, Mister Twister began to take shape once more. Sparks flew, and the hum of reactivating systems filled the air. Jurryrig reassembled the mainframe within minutes, leaving the android looking brand new and with interesting modifications.

Jurryrig stepped back, wiping his brow with exaggerated relief. "And... done! That should do it."

Red Tornado stepped forward, tapping a few commands into the console to interface with Mister Twister. The armor's eyes flickered to life, the systems booting up smoothly. "Almost everything is operational."

Jurryrig looked at everyone with a satisfied smile. "I know. Sadly, the external transmitter and receiver were fried. We won't be able to triangulate anything." He changed back to normal. "By the way, I call dibs on the first test run."

Barry grinned. "Woah!"

Aqualad placed a hand on Ark's shoulder. "Thank you, Ark. This will greatly help us find the creator."

Ark nodded, glancing at the now-functional Mister Twister. "Anytime. Let me know when you need a helping hand, claw, or whatever."

Kid Flash zipped over to Ark. "Dude, that was awesome! You fixed that bucket of bolts like it was nothing!"

Ark chuckled and nodded. "Jurryrig's pretty handy with tech. I'm glad I could help out." He crossed his arms. "For what it's worth, you guys did great out there."

Flash chuckled. "Yup, you guys handled Mister Twister pretty well," he said, his voice filled with pride and a hint of teasing. "Not bad at all."

Aqualad, standing with his teammates, smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, Flash. It was a team effort."

Robin stepped forward. "As much as I hate to admit it, we couldn't have done it without everyone."

Superboy, ever stoic, gave a rare nod of agreement. "Yeah."

Miss Martian floated down beside them, her eyes reflecting her admiration for her teammates. "There were some hurdles, but we managed to make it work."

Flash looked over the group. "No kidding. Mister Twister should have been as strong as Tornado, and you guys handled him."

Robin chuckled, "Nice to have the recognition."

Aqualad nodded in agreement. "Indeed."

"Alright, heroes," Flash said. "I've got to review the debriefing with the rest of the league. You guys go on and celebrate. You've earned it."

The teens shared a grin, but Superboy shook his head. "We only fought Twister," the clone said.

M'gann beamed at the praise.

Flash nodded at Superboy's words. "Maybe, but I'm sure Bats will send you on an official mission soon."

"Sweet!"

"Our team's first mission!"

"Speedy was so wrong," Wally said happily. "This Team thing…"

"Might just work out." Kaldur agreed.

The teens headed to the teleporters to head home, save for Superboy, who was staying at the cave for the conceivable future. Superboy stopped as he caught M'gann looking at him. He looked down before he looked back at her. "About before…" he said, not looking her in the eye, "I'm sorry." He turned and left.

M'gann ended the day with a huge smile on her face.

Mount Justice

July 21, 10:05 EDT

Superboy stood in the main hall of Mount Justice, gazing at the holographic globe that displayed the world he was created to protect. He looked down at his hands. He was supposed to replace Superman if he ever turned. He had dreams of destroying Superman. Both didn't sit right. It didn't feel like himself. The soft hum of the base's equipment was a constant background noise.

Superboy then heard footsteps approaching. He turned his head, and his stomach sank. It was Superman.

"Superboy," Superman began, his voice gentle. I see that you're still awake. Is everything okay?"

Superboy decided it was best not to mention the dreams. "It's different from what I'm used to."

Superman rubbed the back of his neck. "The others told me you felt more comfortable resting in the tub."

"Yeah..."

"..."

"Did you need something?"

Clark's heart was heavy with the words he needed to say. "Yes. That's the real reason I came tonight. There's something I've meant to talk to you about."

Superboy, arms crossed defensively, nodded. "Yeah? What's that?"

Superman took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "When we first met, I didn't handle it well. I was... shocked. Finding out I had a clone, someone created without my knowledge or consent, was overwhelming."

Superboy's eyes softened, but he remained silent, allowing Superman to continue.

"I didn't take the time to understand what you were going through," Superman said, his tone full of regret. "From what the other kids said, you looked up to me."

Superboy looked away. "You could say that."

"I came off the wrong foot." Superman pinched the bridge of his nose. He was kind of an ass, brushing the boy off at the time. "It must have been incredibly confusing for you. I should have been more understanding."

Superboy's posture relaxed slightly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "It was confusing," he admitted quietly. "I didn't know who I was supposed to be or where I fit in. And I wanted your approval so badly."

This time, Superman's stomach dropped. He was so used to cheering up other kids around the globe, but he failed in this regard. Superman stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Superboy's shoulder. "It's normal to feel that way. It took a few days to process, but you're like my younger brother. I've never had siblings before, so the feeling was new. What I do know is that I let you down. You needed help. Family shouldn't ignore you like that." Clark looked down in a bit of shame. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

Superboy felt the swirl of emotions in his gut. He was elated, of course, but there was still the lingering resentment from their first meeting. 'Still, he came... He's trying.' Superboy looked up, meeting Superman's earnest gaze. "You mean that?"

"I do," Superman affirmed, a small smile breaking through. "We're family, Superboy. And family looks out for each other. I want to be there for you, help you find your path, and understand who you are. Not just as Superboy, but as yourself."

Superboy composed himself as best he could and gestured to the mountain. "I appreciate you saying that, but I need time to think about all this."

Superman smiled softly. He slowly reached out and pulled him into a brief, heartfelt embrace. "Take all the time you need."

For the first time in a while, Superboy thought, 'Maybe things would turn out okay.'

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Wildvine

Species: Florauna

Home World: Flors Verdance

Powers and Abilities:

Florauna possess chlorokinesis, which allows them to telepathically interface with plant life. Florauna can alter parts of their bodies, growing and extending their arms, legs, and fingers into prehensile vine-like tendrils to grab and restrain others. They can also enlarge their flytraps to a size that can fit an entire person. Florauna can swing around with great agility and quickly tunnel underground. Florauna can grow black spore pods on their backs that contain a whole host of substances, allowing them to use the spore pods as explosives or smoke bombs. Their pods can also grow vines. Florauna also can tame Gracklflints using their spore. Florauna can regenerate their bodies if any part of it gets damaged. Florauna can grow sharp thorns on their bodies and launch them at their foes. Florauna are immune to the effects of a flame retardant. If they exert enough willpower, Florauna may be immune to a Vladat's Corrupturas. Florauna can trap people by closing their flytraps. Florauna can communicate with sentient plants, make whips by extruding tendrils out of the palms of their hands, and fuse themselves to any terrestrial plant, such as Earth trees.

Name: Juryrigg

Species: Planchaküle

Home World: Aul-Turrhen

Powers and Abilities:

Planchaküle have the ability to completely disassemble any kind of machinery in mere seconds, fitting to their Gremlin appearance. In contrast, they can also construct complex machinery from scratch at a similar rate. Despite their small size, they have enhanced strength and durability compared to humans. As in accordance with his break it/fix it attributes, Juryrigg boasts an impressive intellect, describing himself as "smart and stubborn." The Planchaküle's small size makes him unsuitable for hand-to-hand combat against larger opponents, unless they happen to be machines, in which case, he can dismantle them in seconds. Planchaküles tend to have a habit of breaking and assembling machinery. Most of the devices Planchaküle creates are basically on-the-fly or 'jury-rigged.' They are not normally meant to last and will eventually fail. A Planchaküle's creations can also be unstable and hard to control.

Chapter Text

Santa Prisca

June 19, 00:43 ECT

The alarms blared in a warehouse, with red bubbling fluid in every tank. The source of the alarm was a group of intruders, Bane, and two other men. They were surrounded by guards on the ground and guards on the catwalks cocking their rifles.

"Nuestro Maestro sublime proclama que él saldrá de esta instalación... si... uno de ustedes derrota a su campeón en combate singular. [Our sublime Master proclaims he will depart this facility… if… one of you defeats his champion in single combat.]" A Kobra agent told the trapped trespassers

Bane pushes aside the foot soldiers that came with him, walking to the gated door with pride. A buzzer goes off, and Bane holds the door. "Solo que sea interesante. [Just make it interesting.]" Then he shoves the door open and walks in.

The soldier smirks as the door shuts behind Bane.

Inside, Bane sees that there are many more soldiers on the interlocking catwalks, all of them armed with rifles. A buzzer goes off, drawing the bodybuilder's attention to the door on the other side of the arena, where two people stand. Both are blonde brunettes with black pants, boots, and blue tank tops cut off to expose their stomachs. Only the male walks through, but he's thin, which gets Bane's attention, albeit with confusion.

Behind Bane, a black gauntlet with red tubes attached to a long clear tube falls to the floor. He picks it up, confused. "¿Me devuelto mi mayor arma? [You give me back my greatest weapon?] "Bane asks, confused. "¿Cuál es el truco? [What's the catch?]"

"Ningún truco. No sería una prueba de la destreza de su campeón si no estuviera en su mejor. [No catch. It would hardly be a test of his champion's prowess if you were not at your best.]" the soldier said.

Bane attached the gauntlet. "¿Quieres mi mejor? [You want my best?]" He activated the venom feed and connected it to the back of his head. His pupils dilated as he grunts the Venom flowing through his body. As it finished, he was panting and turning towards his opponent. "Lo conseguiste. [You got it.]" He cracked his neck.

His opponent hasn't moved, though the girl behind him steps up with a needle gun filled with a purple serum, which she injects into his shoulder. The effect was immediate; his eyes shrunk to pinpricks, and his hair stood nearly on end. He stumbled forward, his head held in his hands as he fell to his knees. His shoulder grew massively, ripping his shirt. Bane watches closer. The choker around his neck rips off as he grows fangs, and his body grows to match his arm's size. His skin turns green-grey with red slashes. The girl closes the door.

Panting, he got off his knees and roared at Bane. The downward punch is caught, and Bane slides a foot back but doesn't fall. Returning the feat with a solid uppercut to his opponent's jaw. The cross Bane throws to his chest does nothing, and he smirks at Bane.

Grabbing the back of his neck in his hand before uppercutting him in the stomach hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Then, following up with another uppercut and a cross to Bane's face, Bane is grabbed by his wrist and thrown into the wall before he can fully fall back. Landing on all fours and his head on his arm.

Leaving no room to react, Bane was hit again as he stood, denting the pipe behind him shut and increasing the pressure in the pipe exponentially. Steam enveloped the two as Bane was grabbed by the back of his neck again and thrown out of the steam. His opponent jumped after him, nailing Bane in the face hard enough to create a Bane-sized crater under him.

The strike's power caused some people to stop, even if they looked away.

Bane groaned, then fell unconscious.

"Hail Kobra." the soldier said. "Hail Kobra," he says louder.

All began to chant, "Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra. Hail Kobra." Above them, Kobra stood, arms crossed and pleased.

Outside the facility were even more Kobra followers guarding the entire island.

Gotham City

July 20, 01:15 EST

The Gotham City docks were eerily dark. Shadows moved. At the far end of the docks, a group of Russian Mafia members stood guard around a warehouse. Inside the building, crates were stacked high.

The Triads had been watching for weeks and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

A signal was given, and Triad operatives emerged. An enforcer, Wei Shen, led the charge.

The team split into two groups. The first group advanced toward the guards at the warehouse entrance, while the second moved to the rear. The Triads disabled the security cameras to go unseen.

The Russian guards remained oblivious. The Triads completed the takedown of the first set of sentries. The second group moved in, setting small charges on the warehouse's back door. A controlled explosion opened the way, and the Triads poured inside.

The Russians inside drew their weapons and took cover behind the crates of Venom. Gunfire erupted.

The Triads responded with bursts of automatic fire. Their numbers and surprise attack gave them an edge.

Wei Shen's silenced pistol picking off targets. He ducked behind a crate, reloading before giving orders through a discreet earpiece. "Consolidate at the center. Secure the Venom. Leave no witnesses."

The battle intensified. A Russian enforcer lobbed a grenade toward the Triads' position. Wei shouted a warning as he dove for cover. The explosion rocked the warehouse. Wei rallied his men. "Push forward! Now!"

The Triads' combined firepower overwhelmed the remaining Russians. In minutes, the warehouse fell silent. Wei scanned the area for any sign of resistance. Satisfied, he motioned to his men to begin loading the crates of Venom onto waiting trucks.

A soft sound reached Wei's ears as they worked, a faint click from the shadows. He turned just in time to see a figure step into the light: Boris "The Bear" Ivanov. Boris pulled a vial of Venom from his jacket and injected it into his neck. His muscles bulged popped as the drug took effect.

Boris' eyes glowed green. He swatted Triad members aside like rag dolls. Bullets had little effect. Boris grabbed a Triad soldier and threw him across the warehouse into a stack of crates.

Wei knew they had to stop Boris before he tore them all apart. "Focus fire on him!"

Boris barreled through the hail of bullets. He swung a massive fist and forced Wei to dive out of the way. The punch dented a steel crate. Wei drew his knife. He needed a plan and fast.

Li Mei, his trusted lieutenant, appeared beside him. "We need to take him down together."

Wei signalled for the remaining Triads to distract Boris. As his men fired from multiple directions, Wei and Li Mei aimed for the tendons. Boris roared and swung wildly but unable to land a hit.

Li Mei managed to stab her blade deep into the back of Boris's knee.

He stumbled and dropped to one leg.

Wei leaped onto Boris's back and driving his knife into the base of his skull. Boris's roar became a gurgle as he collapsed, Venom's effects wearing off rapidly as his lifeblood pooled around him.

Panting, Wei wiped his blade. "Is everyone okay?" He looked around at his men.

Li Mei nodded. "We've lost a few, but we have the Venom. We need to move."

With the last Venom crates secured, the Triads quickly exited. The warehouse was left in ruin.

The Triads had what they came for, but victories were always temporary in Gotham.

July 20, 09:20 EST

Broken crates and scattered debris lay strewn about, evidence of the altercation that had raged only hours before.

It was unfortunate, but Batman and Robin were unavailable. They were occupied with another gang-related incident on the other side of the city, which could be deduced to be a distraction from the crime scene in front of them.

Batman moved through the wreckage. His cowl's lenses scanned the scene. Names from the bodies are all registered under known Russian mob affiliates.

Bullet casings match weapons commonly associated with the Triads. While it could have been a false flag operation, he had doubts.

He paused near a shattered crate, its contents spilled across the floor. He knelt, examining the residue with a gloved finger. 'Venom.' Several broken crates showed the same issue of having stored vials of Venom.

His confidential informants around Gotham have mentioned rumors regarding the drug. Diluted doses of the performance enhancer were getting harder to come by. This was escalating.

Behind him, the flashing lights of Gotham PD illuminated the scene. Officers moved methodically, cordoning off the area and documenting evidence. Commissioner Jim Gordon, trench coat flapping in the breeze, stood with Detective Harvey Bullock, both men casting weary eyes over the scene.

As Batman moved deeper into the warehouse, following the trail, Gordon noticed him and approached.

"Batman," Gordon greeted, his voice gravelly but steady. "I figured you'd show up." Jim bent down and prodded at a body with a gloved hand. "Russian." He turned to Batman. "You found out what was stored here? Weapons? Drugs?"

Batman stood, his eyes narrowing behind the cowl. "Both." He gestured to a few broken vials in the room. "The perpetrators, I presume the Triads, were targeting the Venom stored here."

Bullock, who had been listening, grunted. "So what, another gang war? Just what we need. Why now?"

Batman's eyes hardened. "That's what I need to find out. There's more to this than a simple turf war."

"Chances are we will find a body with traces of the drug." As he spoke, Batman's lenses picked another profile of one of the bodies, Boris "The Bear" Ivanov. A hulking figure with telltale signs of Venom use. Batman examined Boris's body, noting the injection site on his neck.

"Must have been a final stand," guessed Jim.

Batman nodded. "My intel spoke of a supply chain break leading to this."

"Ain't that supposed to be good?" asked Bullock.

Batman shook his head. "It's more complicated than that. Supply and demand. Supply was limited, but the demand never changed. More and more metahumans criminals are appearing, and organized crime groups are trying to catch up. They are willing to fight over the remaining scraps to get the edge. This wasn't just a hit. It was a takeover."

Gordon and Bullock exchanged glances. "We need to step up our game," Gordon said. "If the Triads are moving in on the Russians' territory, we're looking at a potential escalation."

"So we must keep watch on further infighting until the supply completely dries out?" surmised Bullocks.

"Assuming a replacement doesn't appear, yes. However, this may not be the case. Government authorities haven't moved against Bane or Santa Prisca, the main source of Venom production. Someone is behind this."

Jim raised a brow. "Gonna have your friends in the League investigate?"

"Officially, we can't."

"And Unofficially?"

"I have an idea in mind." Perhaps his ward and their team would have their opportunity soon.

Gordon approached, a questioning look on his face. "What's our next move?"

"I'll follow the leads. You need to keep the pressure on the streets. If the Triads are consolidating power, they'll make mistakes. We need to be ready to capitalize on them."

Gordon nodded. "We'll do what we can. Just be careful out there. This city needs you."

"We'll do what we can. But be careful out there."

Bullock and Jim turned away to assist a CSI guy in removing a fallen crate on a body.

Batman gave a curt nod. "I'll be in touch."

Gordon opened his mouth to say something more, but as he turned to address Batman, he found only empty air. The Dark Knight had vanished, leaving nothing but a whisper of wind and the faint rustle of his cape in the distance.

Bullock shook his head, a bemused expression on his face. "How does he do that?"

Gordon chuckled softly. "That's Batman for you."

Bullock sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, let's get to work."

Mount Justice

July 22, 10:12 EDT

"Isla Santa Prisca," Batman said, showing the team the island map. They all stood watching, but Kid Flash was also eating chips. This island nation is the primary source of a dangerous and illegal neuro-steroid, a strength-enhancing drug sold under the street name Venom." The display changed to show shots of the warehouse. Infrared heat signatures indicate that their factory is operating at full capacity, but all shipments of Venom have inexplicably cut off. The League and I are working with local authorities to stamp down on control organized crime fighting over the scraps remaining in circulation."

"And since Santa Prisca isn't under the League's prevue," started Robin.

"That's where this team comes in. This is a covert recon mission only. Observe and report. If the Justice League needs to intervene, it will." Once again, the profile changed back to the island map. "The plan requires two drop zones." Said drop zones appeared on the map.

"So, who's in charge?" Robin asked, getting Batman and Red Tornado to whip around and face the Boy Wonder before exchanging glances.

"Work that out between you," Batman commanded. Robin nodded, a smile forming on his face.

The Watchtower

The Justice League sat around the circular table in their meeting room, each hero in their designated seat.

Superman, at the head of the table, opened the meeting with a serious tone. "The first order of business is the Mister Twister incident. Thanks to the efforts of our wards, the immediate threat has been neutralized. Ark's assistance repairing Mister Twister's armored suit has given us new leads."

"Star Labs is already analyzing the suit," Batman added, his voice a low growl.

Wonder Woman nodded. "They did well in stopping Mister Twister."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table. Flash grinned, his eyes sparkling with pride. "Kid and the others stepped up. It's good to see them holding their own."

Green Arrow, leaning back in his chair, crossed his arms. "What else do we know about the robot?"

"Their preliminary findings are promising. We might be able to trace the origin of Mister Twister's control signals," answered Batman.

Red Tornado, sitting stoically, finally spoke. "I insist on pursuing this investigation myself."

Black Canary frowned. "And why is that?"

"Mister Twister's attack was personal. I already have my suspicions of the culprit."

"You believe your former creator sent it against you, correct?" argued Batman.

Red Tornado looked away. "I do not deny that is a reasonable hypothesis."

Green Arrow rubbed his temples. "Daddy issues..."

Captain Atom leaned forward, his metallic skin glinting under the lights. "We understand your position, Tornado, but going after this alone is risky and inefficient."

Martian Manhunter added a note of caution. "While you may be the primary target, who knows who else may be roped into the conflict? They have already shown a willingness to harm the public to draw you out."

Superman turned to Red Tornado with compassion. "Based on the current leads, I can see how your expertise and experience can be invaluable. However, we're a League for a reason. Star Labs will keep us updated, and we'll act on their findings as a team."

Red Tornado's tone didn't change, but a subtle shift in his posture conveyed his internal conflict. "I understand your concerns. However, I must be directly involved in this investigation."

Wonder Woman reached out, placing a hand on Red Tornado's shoulder. "That can be arranged."

Black Canary brainstormed a possible session with Red Tornado to discuss his parental issues.

Captain Marvel, ever the optimist, chimed in with a smile. "This shouldn't be too hard."

There was a moment of silence as Red Tornado looked around the table, taking in the resolve and support of his teammates. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. We proceed together."

Superman smiled, relieved. "Good."

After a brief review of the data Star Labs has sent so far later, the Justice League meeting progressed smoothly, transitioning to the next agenda item.

Superman turned to the second point of discussion. "Our next order of business is to evaluate impressions of the newest addition to our reserve members: Ark."

At this, a holographic image of the hero Ark, in his various forms, appeared in the center of the table. Each transformation, distinct in appearance, rotated slowly for all to see.

Wonder Woman leaned forward, studying the images. "In my limited interactions with him, he seems sincere about his motivations. Regarding his combat effectiveness, we've observed him utilizing more than five different alien transformations. His versatility is impressive."

Batman added, "Each of his forms possesses unique abilities. Any limitations to the maximum number of transformations have not been determined." He refrained from voicing his concerns on the possible dangers of such an individual. Who knows if Ark could turn into a Kryptonian or a Martian? Batman turned to John Stewart. "Are you familiar with any of his alien transformations?"

The lantern shrugged. "I haven't met any of them personally in our sector of the universe. My ring wasn't any help either."

Captain Marvel raised a brow. "They aren't in your ring's system or whatever?"

John shook his head. "I found some species very similar to Ark's but nothing one-to-one. Granted, the universe is a big place. Not even the Guardians are omniscient." His thoughts drifted to the current Corps dilemma of new start systems appearing. If initial reports are to be believed, one was entirely made of metal covered with towering cities, metallic plains, spiraling metal mountains, and neon-lit chasms.

Wonder Woman turned to Flash. "What are your thoughts on Ark, considering you share the same city?"

Flash shrugged with a smile. "He's pretty cool. No issues so far. He's got a pretty casual attitude. He's cool to hang out with when you guys are busy."

Martian Manhunter raised a hand. "Have any of you looked into his claims during his interview?"

Green Arrow chimed in. "It's a mixed bag. Any records of Lake Monsters and... Santa Claus have hit a dead end. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been surprised."

Captain Marvel clapped. "The Santa at the Fawcett Mall last year was very convincing."

Suffice it to say, soul-stealing clowns and space mummies were also hard to confirm. They were also hesitant to ask the government about time travel experiments.

Arthur shook his head. "I would advise against venturing into the Bermuda Triangle to find some extraterrestrial craft. Even in Atlantean tradition, we refrain from those deep waters. They reek of dark magic from ancient times."

They would have to put a pin on Ark's profile. Superman turned to Red Tornado. "What's your assessment?"

Red Tornado hummed. "Ark has demonstrated sincerity in assisting other heroes. He was not asked to assist me in the Mister Twister matter, yet he did."

Captain Marvel, always optimistic, added, "I like him. He even offered to come by Fawcett sometime."

Superman concluded, "It seems he's left a generally positive impression." Reading the docket, Superman sighed. "Next, a review of the Cadmus investigation." The atmosphere in the room grew more somber." Superman began, "As you're all aware, Cadmus kidnapped our young wards and attempted to clone them, likely to swap them with the originals. I was also a victim of their plans. In addition, they created a genetically engineered workforce called Genomorphs."

Batman had his share of suspicions. "What concerns me is their confidence in cloning the teens upon their capture. Cloning individuals, let alone ones with superhuman abilities, is a huge advancement in genetic engineering. How many failed and successful trials occurred before they proceeded with cloning Superman."

Wonder Woman's eyes flashed with righteous anger. "You believe there may be other clones we may not even know about?"

Captain Adam hummed in contemplation. "The escalation makes sense. Clone regular humans, then superpowered humans. If those are successful, clone an alien, then a superpowered alien. Those successful trials have to exist somewhere. Due to the fact they are clones, a DNA test wouldn't help prove who is a clone."

Martian Manhunter's expression was grave. He added, "This does not bode well. Their procedure of flash memory learning may work on a level that can't be detected with a typical telepathic evaluation. Cadmus is well aware of my existence and may have planned with me in mind." He turned to Superman. Superboy's observation period is imperative to further clues on the matter."

Superman took a breath. "I'll be working with him more going forward. He's family that I didn't ask for." He chuckled. "Then again, that's the same for all siblings."

Flash grimaced. "I don't know how to feel if Kid Flash was replaced, and I didn't notice."

Green Arrow's voice was edged with determination. "It's an Invasion of the Body Snatchers scenario."

Batman sighed. "All Cadmus research files will be analyzed. We already visually inspected the facility, but we all know it can't be this simple."

Captain Marvel frowned. "They hid for this long under our noses. Who knows what else they had under their sleeves."

Central City

July 22, 23:45 EDT

Inside a dim warehouse, gang members, armed to the teeth, exchanged hushed words as they waited for their clients. Crates of product lined the walls.

A ghostly blue moth-like alien with bright green eyes landed silently on the rooftop. His breath fogged in the cool night air. Peering down through a skylight, his sharp eyes scanned the activity below. "Flash, they're here," he whispered, "I count at least twenty, heavily armed."

A blur of red and gold materialized beside Big Chill. Flash's eyes narrowed as he observed the scene. "Bats was right about Venom. You freeze them, I'll disarm and round them up. We need to make this quick and clean," he whispered back.

Big Chill nodded.

#

The gang members heard a faint, eerie whisper inside, and then the temperature dropped sharply. They looked around in confusion as their breath began to fog. "What the hell is going on?" the gang leader demanded just before Big Chill phased through the ceiling, descending upon them like a spectre. He spread his wings wide, releasing a burst of icy breath that encased several gang members and their crates of Venom in thick layers of frost. "It's a ghost!" one gang member panicked.

In the same heartbeat, The Flash zipped through the warehouse, a red streak disarming the gang members at lightning speed. Guns, knives, and bats were pulled from hands and discarded in a blur of motion. "Sorry, but this shop is closed," Flash quipped as he moved.

A few gang members found cover behind a stack of crates, aiming their guns at Flash and Big Chill. "Open fire!" one shouted. Bullets ricocheted off the frosty floor as Big Chill became intangible, the bullets passing harmlessly through him and into the wall.

The Flash vibrated his molecules, dodging the barrage effortlessly.

Big Chill swooped down, phasing in and out, using his freezing touch to immobilize the remaining gang members. Ice crawled up their legs and arms, pinning them to the ground.

"This must be what it feels like to have Captain Cold on my side," joked Flash. He finished securing the last gang members with a few quick punches and a twist of zip ties. He dusted off his hands as Big Chill landed beside him, the warehouse now eerily quiet and cold. "Nice work, Ark. Real cool," Flash said with a grin.

Big Chill internally rolled his eyes and chucked. "Thanks."

"So, I was meaning to ask,

Flash winced as his League communicator rang. The two heroes thought about what had happened the last time he answered.

"What did you say the teens were doing?"

Flash cringed. "They are not... on a mission in a foreign country."

"Right..." Big Chill stared at him. "Please tell me we aren't disavowing them."

Flash rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid. It couldn't have been that bad." He paused as he listened to his nephew's voice. "Some of you guys were exposed to what?! We are not telling your parents that! Wait. What do you mean the island blew up!"

Big Chill gawked. "This is the second time the mission area exploded. Is this gonna be a common occurrence?"

Flash hung up. "God, I hope not."

Omnitrix DNA Entry:

Name: Big Chill

Species: Necrofriggian

Home World: Kylmyys

Powers and Abilities:

Necrofriggians have the power of cryokinesis, meaning they can influence the direction of the ice that grows from their breath and palms with extreme precision. This allows them to create simultaneous ice constructs that bend and weave through the air before solidifying. Necrofriggians can breathe a wind or beam that can reduce the temperature surrounding it to just this side of absolute zero, turn to ice constructs either mid-air or upon touching a target, or encase a target completely in ice. Their breath can also be used as a strong gust of wind without freezing anything. Necrofriggians can freeze strong adhesives using their ice breath and make them brittle. Necrofriggians are capable of firing freeze rays from their hands. They can also freeze objects and surfaces just by touching them. Necrofriggians can become intangible and pass through solid matter. They can even cause opponents and objects to freeze by phasing through them if they choose to. They can also turn themselves partially invisible by becoming intangible. Necrofriggians can fly at high speeds with their wings.

Chapter Text

Siberia

XX Days Earlier

Deep beneath northern Siberia, miles of stone and ice vanished in an instant. In their place was a hidden world in the twilight of underground caverns. The temperature, warmed by geothermal heat, created a prehistoric landscape illuminated by a soft glow.

Lush jungles stretched beneath an eternal twilight sky. Towering ferns and colossal trees formed a dense forest where dinosaurs roamed.

A lone Neanderthal, Gnarrk, moved cautiously through the ancient woods. He wore a patchwork of furs and skins and scanned his surroundings for both prey and predators.

Gnarrk pushed aside a thick frond and entered a clearing with a crystal-clear lake. At the water's edge, Hadrosaurs drank and watched for danger. Gnarrk crouched nearby.

A thunderous roar broke the calm. A Tyrannosaurus rex burst from the trees, its jaws wide. The Hadrosaurs fled, their cries echoing. Gnarrk's heart raced as he climbed the nearest tree, gripping the bark tightly.

From his perch, he watched the T-rex chase its prey. One Hadrosaur stumbled, and the predator struck, ending the hunt quickly.

Hours later, the dim light above cast shadows across the jungle. Gnarrk climbed down and returned to his hidden cave. The entrance, concealed by vines, led to a spacious chamber inside.

He sat by his fire pit and kindled a flame, its warmth a small comfort.

A rustling at the cave entrance interrupted his thoughts. He grabbed his spear and prepared for danger. Instead, a juvenile Triceratops appeared. The dinosaur sniffed the air and cautiously approached. Gnarrk stayed still. The Triceratops nuzzled his hand, seeking safety. Gnarrk stroked its rough hide, feeling a bond with the creature.

This ancient world, untouched by time, would one day meet the modern world. Its origins, known only to celestial creators, remained a mystery.

Planet Kwyzz

XX Days Ago

Green Lantern Bulletin:

Anomaly Detected in Sector 1136

The planet Kwyzz glowed softly as it orbited its Static Sun. Unlike any other, this sun did not emit light in the conventional sense. Instead, it pulsated with a steady, unchanging frequency throughout the cosmos, bathing Kwyzz in a constant, soothing hum.

Kwyzz was known as the most beautiful world in all transmission. Its landscapes shifted colors and patterns, a living tapestry woven from the very essence of electromagnetic waves. The White Noise Rapids, Kwyzz's oceans, churned and roared randomly. Even its inhabitants were composed entirely of electromagnetic waves. There was no defined shape to them, their bodies shifting and changing in rhythm with the world around them.

#

Krakkl streaked across the surface of Kwyzz at light speed. He suddenly stopped near the outskirts of Frequentalis, the heart of Kwyzz. There, lying in the radiant fields of shifting electromagnetic patterns, was a being unlike any Krakkl had ever seen. The stranger was an unconscious waveform, his structure foreign to the native inhabitants of Kwyzz. His appearance resembled a bronze scale, his limbs composed entirely of shimmering energy, each arm holding a scale, supporting his head.

Krakkl approached cautiously, his frequencies vibrating with curiosity and concern. He extended a waveform, gently shaking the stranger to wake him. The being stirred, his energy fluctuating erratically before settling into a more coherent pattern.

"Are you alright?" Krakkl asked, his frequencies soothing and steady.

The stranger's form brightened slightly as he awakened, his glowing eyes opening slowly. He looked around, clearly disoriented and confused. "Where... where am I?"

"You're on Kwyzz," Krakkl replied. "My name is Krakkl. Who are you?"

The stranger blinked, his form flickering as he processed the question. "I... I am Libra." Despite his initial confusion, there was a gentleness to his presence, a passion that flickered within his energy.

"Libra," Krakkl repeated, his waveform resonating with a calming frequency. "You seem lost. How did you end up here?"

Libra took a moment to gather his thoughts, his scales shifting slightly as he stabilized his energy. "I was looking for my king..."

Suddenly, a new shadow had cast itself over the planet. All the planet's inhabitants stared up in shock and confusion. How did they get a new moon?

Brazil

In the dense heart of the rainforest, an ancient temple was hidden beneath a canopy of verdant foliage. Inside, the air was thick with the pungent scent of smoke and the heady aroma of pure, uncut cocaine.

At the head of the main chamber was a single white-haired man. He stood before an altar adorned with gleaming white powder, chanting fervent prayers to his cocaine god. His red eyes stared intently at the mountain of cocaine as if waiting for the answers to spring forth.

He fixated on the swirling patterns in the powder. His devotion was absolute; every inhale filled him with divine power, and every exhale was a prayer of allegiance. But suddenly, he froze. The air shifted, carrying with it a whisper of unease. The man felt a sharp pang in his chest, a disturbance rippling through the metaphysical drug force.

He had learned long ago that there were gods for every concept: Good, Evil, Love, and War. The man who had given up his real name was a believer of the Stoned Ape Theory, that the transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens and the cognitive revolution was caused by the consumption of mushrooms around 100,000 years ago.

Drugs transformed Apes into man, which would once more transform man into something greater.

"No," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Something... something is wrong."

His eyes narrowed, and he reached out with his mind, seeking the source of the disruption.

"WHAT DARES INTERRUPT MY PRAYERS TO THE WILL OF THE COCAINE GOD?!" The voice echoed through the temple, filled with righteous fury.

In his mind eye, he could sense them all: ketamine, MDMA, Adderall, Bromo-Dragonfly, heroin, coke, crack, codeine, oxys, percs, vikes, PCP, LSD, Dilaudid, mescaline, mushrooms, bath salts, cortisone, Toradol, molly, her sister Sandra, big Frank, steroids, birth control, Plan B, morphine, viagra, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Venom, and Flintstone Gummies.

In an instant, he knew: Venom was slowed.

He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power course through him. He would not allow this insult to stand. He would find the source of the disturbance and crush it beneath his heel.

The man slammed his face into the cocaine mountain. Like a human vacuum cleaner, he snorted at least double his body weight in cocaine. An infidel would argue that he was more cocaine than man.

As soon as the last bit of cocaine disappeared up his nose, the man shuddered a few times, and then he exploded into white and blue flames.

He walked outside the temple, cocaine powder dropping from his body with every step. With a single, powerful leap, he soared into the sky, leaving a trail of shimmering white powder in his wake. Like a shooting star, he rocketed North East, straight toward Santa Prisca. "YOU NOW FACE THE WRATH OF HIS LORDS MOST LOYAL ACOLYTE, SNOWFLAME!"

Caribbean Sea

July 22, 20:08 ECT

In the Bioship, Kid Flash turned toward Superboy, who wore... a rather tight uniform. "Uh... Are you comfortable there, SB?"

Instead of his usual black t-shirt with the Superman S on it, black pants, and boots, Superboy wore a black and navy blue version of his solar suit. "Yes. I've worn this type of clothing almost my entire life. Doctor Desmond personally designed my solar suit."

Wally pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course he did. It's... fitting." Was it him, or did it seem tighter from the back.?

"Thanks. Superman helped make it from the scraps of my old one."

Robin raised a brow. "He did?"

"Yeah. He offered to loosen up the design, but I told him it was designed to be aerodynamic.

"Right..."

"It's totally fly," chimed Miss Martian, who was clearly staring at the suit contours around his butt.

Superboy glanced over at her, and she stood up straighter and stopped leaning her head on her hand.

"In that, it will totally help you learn to fly," she covered badly.

Superboy smiled at the compliment, "Wanna hold my ankles while I stretch out my hamstrings?"

"Sure." Miss Martian squeaked.

#

She, Kid Flash, and Robin hit the ground with small thuds. Realizing Superboy was not beside them, they glanced up and yelped before diving to the side. They narrowly avoided Superboy as he hit the ground hard enough to create a boom and a two-foot-deep crater. "Nailed it, just like the simulations," he said confidently.

"And yet, creating a seismic event may not have helped us much with the covert," Robin grumbled as he stood up from the base of the tree he threw himself into.

Kid Flash came out of the forest from the other direction, and Miss Martian returned to the ground.

"Aqualad, Drop B is a go." Miss Martian says.

#

It was supposed to be a covert recon mission only. The teens were only meant to observe and report the activity on the island. Unfortunately, disagreements over overleadership had led to a failure on their part.

Kid Flash activated his infrared goggles down over his eyes, immediately picking up on heat signatures further down the trail. "Got a squad of armed bozos incoming."

The three ran forward, ducking behind a rock and fallen tree to avoid being seen.

Superboy looked in the opposite direction of Kid Flash. "Two squads," he corrected. Then, he expanded his focus. "But they'll meet each other before they find us."

Gunfire started. They weren't on the same side.

Miss Martian cringed.

"No Super-Hearing required now." Kid commented.

Superboy's eyes narrowed. "They're spraying each other full of holes!"

"Not how I would put it..." replied KF.

"Swing wide, steer clear," Aqualad commanded as Kid stepped forward to be next to Superboy.

"Yeah- yeah, just as soon as I find Rob." Instead, Kid Flash vaulted over the tree, running down the trail. Sadly, the trail was wet, causing him to lose his footing, falling down the hill and right into the middle of the firefight.

Kid Flash took off his goggles and looked up, facing down the barrel of a gun wielded by Bane himself. "So much for the stealthy."

Suffice it to say that both criminal groups trained their guns on the hero.

Bane started firing rapidly at Kid Flash, and it was only thanks to his super speed that he didn't get hit. Now, he was running away from both groups of gunfire.

One by one, the teens appeared for support.

Superboy charged ahead, taking Bane's blind spot and tackling him to the ground, or at least attempting to. Bane got himself over the teen and slammed him into the soft ground. He went for a wrist-lock on his captive right arm but found Superboy overpowering him, grabbing his shirt and throwing him into a tree.

Robin dropped over a pair, uppercutting the other and following up with a sidekick.

Kid Flash hit another assailant, backing him up into the clearing. He then hit him with a front kick to the chin and completed a full flip before landing on the ground again.

Miss Martian threw another two assailants into the tree behind him telekinetically.

A Kobra soldier was stopped short by Aqualad dropping right before him. The Atlantean placed his hand on his chest, and his tattoos glowed before he zapped him right in the chest. He crushed the communicator that fell out of his hand under his barefoot.

It was clear that this new team still had kinks to iron out.

#

With the assailants tied to trees, Robin recognized the uniforms. They belonged to the Cult of The Kobra.

Kid Flash groaned. "At least we know who's causing the normal supply lines to be cut off."

Considering the earlier gunfight, it was clear that Kobra came here uninvited.

"So, Kobra wants super cultists," Kid Flash said confidently. Now, we can Radio Bats and complete the recon mission."

"These cultists aren't on Venom." Robin cut him off. "Kobra's hoarding the stuff." The boy was adamant about staying and wanted to know why.

Once more, things dissolved into bickering due to a lack of someone taking charge.

#

To the side, Miss Martian and Superboy could only look on in silence. Until Miss M spoke up. "Don't you want to lead?"

The Kryptonian shook his head and scoffed, then turned to look at Miss M out of the corner of his eye. "You?"

Miss M nearly leaned back and raised her hand as if to shove the idea away from her physically. "After the Mister Twister fiasco?"

Superboy smiled, looking at her directly. "You did alright."

Miss M's cheeks turned bright red as she looked away and tucked her hair behind her ear. However, Superboy doesn't notice as he hears someone come to behind him.

His super-hearing picked up on the Spanish with ease. "Míralos, argumenten. Liberarte y asumirlos mientras están distraídos." [Look at them argue. Free yourselves and take them while they're distracted.] It's one of Bane's lackeys.

"Callade! [Quiet!]" Bane hissed at the other man tied to the tree. "Por el momento lo llamaré. Y entonces me darán lo que necesito. [For now, I'll play along. And then, they'll give me what I need.]"

Superboy smirked, understanding every word and knowing just how to play Bane at his own game. However, he was mildly distracted when Kid Flash shouted again.

"Yeah? You don't even have SuperPowers!" he said. Kid Flash went to walk away from the conversation, but the Boy Wonder followed close behind.

"Neither does Batman!" is the thirteen-year-old's retort.

Kid Flash stopped. "Duh," he snapped, then rounds the Boy Wonder again. "You're not Batman."

"Chuh. I'm the closest thing we've got," Robin retorted, jabbing his thumb at himself to prove his point.

As Bane finally gave his consciousness away to the two teens, both boys snapped their heads in his direction. Kid Flash was still annoyed, but Robin's eyes went wide. "Such clever niños. But you only know half the story." Bane baited them. The whole team now stepped in so they could see Bane. "Let me show you the rest; get you into the factory via my secret entrance."

Miss Martian stepped up. "There is a secret entrance," she said, kneeling and placing her hand on her temple to concentrate. "But he's also hiding something," she said, her tone going sour and her eyes glowing white.

"Ah, ah, ah, chica. Bane is not that easy," he said smugly.

Miss Martian's eyes still glowed, but she lost her intensity. "Oh," she groaned, pulling out of his mind. He's mentally reciting fútbol scores en Español." She looked over her shoulder at the boys. This could take a while."

Superboy nudged her aside. "Let me try. Doctor Desmond taught me how to perform advanced interrogation."

"Wait a minute, Superboy. He taught you what?" exclaimed Robin.

Bane raised a brow at the challenge. "Do your worst!"

He got down. "When you look into my eyes, you won't be able to deny what I want."

Bane blinked. 'Uh... what.'

Superboy got uncomfortably close. "Come on, Bane. We both know how this is gonna end. Try all you like."

"Woah! Woah! Woah!" The restrained Bane leaned away from the alien with each word, sweat dripping from his brow.

"Submit to my deep..." Closer.

Even the henchmen leaned away, believing they might be next.

"Hard..." Closer.

On the side, the others were apprehensive. "Should we stop him?" asked Kid Flash. "I think it's working."

A red-faced Megan covered Robin's mouth. "Hold on. Let him finish."

"Penetrating..." Even Closer. Superboy gazed down at the drug dealer with a sinister stare, the next word on the tip of his tongue.

Bane was the first to look away. "Alright! Alright! I'll tell you guys. Just keep that monster in front and my field of view at all times."

Superboy jumped to his feet with a grin. "Hah! Consider yourself penetrated!"

Bane shivered at that statement.

"Uh... Superboy." Robin pulled the Kryptonian away from the group as they prepared their next move. "What exactly were you about to say to Bane at the end there?"

"My Gaze." Superboy tilted his head. "Why? What did you think I was going to say?"

Robin opened his mouth only for nothing to come out. He sighed. "Nevermind..."

#

Unfortunately, it would all come to a head when they had to make a temporary truce with Bane to secretly enter his facility under Kobra's nose.

Bane needed to start his shipments. If he didn't, one of his major... sponsors might retaliate.

#

They were still creating Venom in the factory. "Sublime Master, he approaches," one of the soldiers said as Kobra stopped beside him.

"Activate the radio-jamming net. Nothing must interfere." Kobra instructs.

The soldier nods, bows, and leaves.

#

On top of a cliff, the Team and Bane could see the factory. Bane stopped about three feet from the edge, pointing. Both Robin and Kid Flash stepped up to get a closer look, Kid with his goggles, Robin with a pair of binoculars. What he saw was a forklift and containers by a helipad.

"Look at all that product," Robin muttered, shocked. "A buy is going down." Bane walked away, but the team remained. "But if Kobra's not selling to the usual suspects, then-"

"We need to identify that buyer," Aqualad stated with conviction.

All three were observing Bane as he lifted a giant rock away from the entrance to an old mine. The only point of his efforts was a few grunts while Miss M and Superboy exchanged a slight look of confusion.

"Answers are this way," Bane said simply, gesturing down the mine tunnel. All five teens joined him to look down the tunnel. Bane said nothing as he headed towards the tunnel.

#

The Team and Bane walked down the mine until they came to a metal door. Bane used his fingerprint to unlock it, leading them to a door on the factory floor. Bane propped the door slightly, giving Robin enough room to look around the now-confirmed, empty floor.

"All clear," he vocalized before running out of the doorway. The others followed, but Robin was nowhere in sight once they got to another hidden location.

"Has that little fool already been captured?" Bane questioned, annoyance at the possibility of their infiltration being compromised rising.

"No," Aqualad assures, but his voice is giving away his annoyance. "He just does that."

Kid Flash slid his goggles over his eyes with ease. "Stay put. I'll get our intel and be back before Boy Wonder." By the time he finished the sentence, he was already running.

Aqualad reached out when he saw Kid Flash move but couldn't stop him. "Wait, Kid!"

Bane watched as the grey and red streak disappeared, looking at Aqualad with a smug smile. "Great chain of command."

#

Inside the command center, a Kobra agent was working on the computers. A Batarang hit the computer console beside him, sparking it. As he turned to look, green gas was released from the Batarang. The agent coughed and then passed out.

Robin held no qualms as he grabbed the back of his cloak and dropped his upper body to the ground with a thud. Then he took the chair and sat down at the computer.

#

Aqualad, Miss Martian, and Superboy were all crouched behind an unused assembly line while Bane hid in the shadows of a crate stack.

"It's a massive shipment," stated Aqualad.

"Yeah, but they're only taking new products off the line." Superboy observed." They're not touching this Venom."

Superboy's focus changed as he looked in the opposite direction they just were. "Helicopter's coming."

Bane's eyes narrowed as all four looked out at the small skylight.

It took a few moments, but then they started to be able to hear the helicopter's blades as it approached.

#

The computer beeped away as Robin ran over the chemical formula for the agent. Listing off HB2Ca4, Cs2Ho4, PH4Mo8, and Ca1Hg6.

Kid Flash zooms in, skidding to a stop, taking a bite out of something, then talking with food in his mouth.

Robin hunched closer to the keyboard as if that would help him work faster.

Ever the science nerd, Kid Flash joins him at the computer. Kid Flash took another loud bite out of the bar in his hand. "This one's Venom," Kid Flash said as if he were talking to a three-year-old and using his bar to point at the screen. As the screen showed another compound, he continued. "this one's-" he cut himself off. "Whoa. The Blockbuster formula from Cadmus." They watched as the two merged on screen. "Mixed correctly, Kobra's new juice is three times stronger than Venom… and permanent." he realizes, horrified. He turns to Robin. "But how did Kobra get access to Project Blockbuster?"

"Our mystery buyer must also be Kobra's supplier!" Robin realized. "Using the cult to create the Blockbuster-Venom superformula," Robin stood up, his hand going to his ear. "Robin to Aqualad, we got, " Kid Flash turns away from the computer as he hears Robin stop. "... static," he mutters angrily.

#

The shadows cleared from the helicopter's opening doors, revealing a buff white man with blonde hair. He wore a black-on-black outfit, and a grey hockey mask covered his facial features. As he walked between two lines of the cult, his matching forearm and shoulder-upper arm guards showed.

"Lord Kobra." he greets.

"Sportsmaster." Kobra returned as the girl from before stepped up. "The shipment is ready." she opens the box to reveal the blue vials.

Sportsmaster took one, holding it up to examine it. "The new Kobra-Venom?" he asked.

Kobra gestures to Blockbuster. "A complete success. Our friends will not be disappointed."

"This is a game-changer." Sportsmaster proudly states, flipping the vial to catch it in his fist. "Finally, we can go mano-a-mano with the Justice League."

Above them, Miss Martian used her camouflage. "Aqualad, sending you a telepathic image of the buyer now." even though she was invisible, her eyes began to glow.

#

In the factory, on a catwalk. Bane and Superboy watched while Aqualad closed his eyes to see Miss M's telepathic image.

"Sportsmaster," he said, opening his eyes. "He is the buyer?" he questioned, looking at Superboy shocked. Then, he brought his hand up to his ear. "Aqualad to Red Tornado. Do you read?" He got the same results as Robin. He huffed in annoyance. "I can't reach the League, Robin, or Kid. Comm's jammed. We need a plan now."

Bane was all too pleased with his opening. "I have a suggestion," he said, then jumped over the rail with a battle cry.

Two Kobra agents looked to the source, shocked to see Bane. He landed just before them, shoving one to the side easily and pushing the other's arm to ensure his aim was only to the ceiling.

#

From outside, they hear the gunshots.

"What is he-" Aqualad began, only to be cut off by Blockbuster's battle cry, and he charged at the window behind them. Shattering it and taking down the catwalk. Both boys landed away from the rubble, but so did Blockbuster, who roared to catch everyone's attention.

"Destroy them," Kobra commanded. In an instant, Blockbuster charges at the three infiltrators.

Superboy met him halfway. Unlike Blockbuster, he's plenty small enough to get under his arms and catch his torso. However, Blockbuster efficiently grabbed Superboy's waist from behind due to the size difference.

Aqualad's tattoos began to glow as he reached behind his shoulders to take out his WaterBearers. The Kobra agents started firing on him but couldn't land a hit as he crouched behind a shield and used his other Water Bearer to fire non-lethal projectiles at their chests and knock them out.

Suddenly, as the two sides clashed, a new presence suddenly tore through the sky, drawing all eyes upward. The stranger descended like a comet, landing amid the fray with a resounding impact. A cloud of white powder erupted around him, and he rose from the ground, his eyes gleaming with vigorous intensity.

The fighting paused, both sides momentarily stunned by the dramatic entrance. The newcomer surveyed the scene, his gaze sweeping across the combatants.

"Oh, fuck, it's Snowflame," Bane growled, his eyes narrowing as he took in the new arrival.

The teen heroes stayed behind cover, each having the same confused look. "Who?"

Snowflame's lips curled into a wicked smile. "I am Snowflame, servant of the cocaine god." He turned to Bane. "My brother in substance, I felt your shipments in Venom stop across the globe. I take it that these snake-headed fools are the reason."

"Doesn't he know crack is whack?" Megan muttered to Superboy.

A smile grew on Bane. Maybe this could work out. Right? "Yes. They took over my factory and stopped all exports."

"That simply won't do."

Kobra stepped forward, his serpentine eyes narrowing. "You dare challenge the Kobra? We bow to no one!"

Snowflame reached into his pocket and snorted a handful of coke. His smile widened, his eyes flashing with manic energy. "THROUGH THE POWER OF COCAINE, I WILL GIVE YOU ONLY DEATH!"

From that point onward, this mission had officially gone FUBAR.

Chapter Text

The warehouse echoed with gunfire. Bane, Aqualad, Superboy, and Megan huddled behind a pile of crates, bullets from Kobra soldiers zipping overhead. In the center of the chaos, Snowflame fought both Mammoth and a contingent of Kobra soldiers, his body blazing with a strange blue fire.

Mammoth charged at Snowflame, fists raised. As soon as he made physical contact, his movements faltered, a look of confusion crossing his face. Snowflame grinned wickedly, taking advantage of the momentary lapse to deliver a bone-crushing punch that sent Mammoth reeling.

The teens and Bane remained hidden, watching the spectacle unfold. Bane leaned against a crate, chuckling softly to himself.

Aqualad glanced at him, brow furrowed. "You are familiar with this... individual, Bane?"

Bane shrugged nonchalantly. "He's a sponsor. He actually gave me money to keep distributing Venom. Who am I to reject it?"

The teens exchanged uneasy looks. Megan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Did... did that man snort cocaine? Doesn't he know crack is whack?"

Bane laughed at the phrase. "Yeah, he does that a lot. Gives him crazy blue flame powers and shit. If you touch him in that state, you'll be tripping hard. I should know."

As if to punctuate Bane's words, a Kobra soldier was blasted by a wave of blue flames, his body slamming into a wall and crumpling to the ground.

Superboy peered over the edge of the crate. "Should... should we help him? Enemy of my enemy and all that?"

Bane's expression turned serious. "All I want is my island back. How we do that doesn't matter. Besides, we agreed you would take down my enemies or die trying."

Megan frowned, her eyes narrowing. "We did not agree to that last part."

Bane waved a hand dismissively. "Semantics."

Aqualad sighed, his gaze fixed on Snowflame. "What could we expect with Snowflame once Kobra is defeated?"

Bane shrugged again. "All he cares about is that drugs are circulating across the globe. Turns out he liked the way the Venom felt as it traveled the world."

Superboy blinked in confusion. "Feels?"

Bane chuckled darkly. "Don't look at me. That's all his drug god religion mumbo jumbo."

Aqualad's expression grew thoughtful. "If I did not know any better, I would have assumed he was an acolyte of Dionysus."

Superboy tilted his head. "Who's Dionysus?"

Aqualad explained, "He is the god of wine-making, insanity, madness, ecstasy, and theatre."

Superboy crossed his arms. "Well, if I can't beat off a room full of dudes, then what have I been training for this whole time?"

Bane's gaze lingered on the boy. "I... What?!"

Before anyone could respond, Snowflame let out a triumphant roar, sending another wave of blue flames that scattered the remaining Kobra soldiers. The battlefield fell into a tense silence, the crackling of Snowflame's flames the only sound.

Aqualad tightened his grip on his water bearers. "We need to decide our next move. If Snowflame is this powerful, he could become an even greater threat once Kobra is out of the picture."

Bane's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Then let's make sure he stays useful to us. For now."

Superboy narrowed his eyes at the fight. "Okay. Let's try this. Megan and Aqualand can cover us at range. Bane, the two of us can sneak around their backsides and slip on in."

"... I hate this plan, but it's not like I have anything better."

#

Kobra's minions attempted to fend off the cocaine-fueled terror that was Snowflame. Bullets ricocheted off his body, harmlessly flattening against his cocaine-enhanced durability. Each step left a powder trail in his wake, a testament to his unending supply of his god's divine substance.

"YOUR PITIFUL ATTACKS CAN DO NOTHING TO ME!" Snowflame roared, his voice reverberating through the space. "MY BODY BURNS WITH A FAR GREATER POWER! SNOWFLAME COMMANDS YOU TO DIE!"

With a wave of his hand, Snowflame sent blasts of blue fire in multiple directions. Kobra soldiers were engulfed in the azure flames, their screams filling the air as they fell, one after another. The air thickened with the acrid scent of burning flesh and the unmistakable tang of cocaine.

Suddenly, the ground shook as the enhanced Mammoth charged toward Snowflame. The giant brute collided with Snowflame, and the moment their skin made contact, Mammoth's movements became sluggish, his strength waning. Snowflame grinned manically, recognizing the effect his touch had.

"IT IS THROUGH MY BODY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY MY GOD," Snowflame declared, his eyes blazing with fervor. "BY MY OATH, I SHALL SHOW YOU THE TRUTH!"

Mammoth's eyes glazed over as the powerful contact high took hold, his mind fogging as if submerged in a narcotic haze. Desperately, he tried to grapple Snowflame, hoping to use his massive strength to overpower him. But Snowflame was too quick, his cocaine-fueled agility making him a blur.

The two titans clashed, Mammoth managing to tackle Snowflame to the ground. A plume of white powder erupted from Snowflame's body, the cloud enveloping them both. Snowflame inhaled deeply, the cocaine surging through his system, amplifying his power. Blue flames burst forth, consuming them in a fiery explosion.

"I'M ON FIIIIIIIIIIRE!" Snowflame bellowed, his body a living torch. The intense heat seared Mammoth, the blue flames licking at his skin, burning him with an otherworldly intensity. Mammoth let out a roar of pain, his grip weakening as the flames overwhelmed him.

Snowflame pushed Mammoth off. Standing amidst the inferno, his body radiating a terrifying, divine power, his eyes glowed with a blue flame, and his face twisted into a mask of ecstatic madness.

Snowflame raised his hands, the blue flames dancing along his fingertips. "This is the power of the cocaine god! None can stand against me! NONE!"

Miss Martian flew invisibly overhead, her telekinetic powers tossing Kobra agents aside like ragdolls. Below, Aqualad stood firm, his water bearers transforming into powerful projectiles that he hurled precisely, knocking out soldiers left and right.

Amid the fray, Snowflame and Mammoth clashed violently. With a mighty shove, Mammoth launched Snowflame into a large metal container, the impact reverberating through the structure. Mammoth closed the distance instantly, delivering a massive uppercut that pinned Snowflame against the container. Despite the force, Snowflame grinned manically, his body radiating with blue flames.

"YOUR PITIFUL STRENGTH IS NOTHING COMPARED TO MINE!" Snowflame roared, swinging a powerful punch that connected with Mammoth's face, sending him staggering back. With newfound space, Snowflame landed on his feet, eyes blazing with fervor. He charged at Mammoth, his speed and ferocity leaving his opponent little time to react.

On the outer edge of the fight, Sportsmaster stood apart from the chaos, his keen eyes spotting the slight shimmer that betrayed Miss Martian's camouflage. His expression hardened as he pulled out a rod, extending it into a sharp spear. He wound up for the throw, muscles coiling with deadly intent.

Just as he was about to release the spear, a sudden impact from behind sent him sprawling. "No, you don't!" Superboy tackled Sportsmaster, throwing off his aim. The spear flew wildly, striking a Kobra soldier in the lower leg. The soldier screamed in pain, collapsing to the ground, clutching his injury. "Ah! My leg!"

Superboy looked down at Sportsmaster, a bemused smile on his face. "Huh. Wow! You have some broad shoulders!" he commented, his grip unyielding.

"Get off me, you freak!"

#

The chaos in the warehouse was a dizzying storm of violence and strategy. Robin sprinted along the catwalk above, his eyes scanning the battlefield below. Kid Flash followed closely, skidding to a stop beside him. They paused, taking in the scene. Aqualad struggled to hold his ground, Snowflame was wreaking havoc, and the Kobra agents were relentless in their assault.

Robin cringed. Snowflame was one of the few people who could give the Joker a run for his money in the insanity department.

"I'll go give Aqualad a hand," Kid Flash said, and in a blink, he was gone, a red and yellow blur darting into the fray. Robin stayed for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across his face before he turned and ran back the way he came, his mind already formulating a plan.

Aqualad was now upright but steadily pushed back despite his shield and water-based projectiles. He ducked behind some piping, catching his breath and momentarily putting down his Water Bearers. Suddenly, two more Kobra agents appeared on his other side, their guns trained on him.

Before they could fire, Kid Flash barreled into them, his feet slamming into their chests and sending them sprawling unconscious on the ground. But the victory was short-lived as three more agents arrived on the catwalk above, their weapons aimed and ready. Kid Flash barely managed to duck behind a pillar as bullets rained down.

Aqualad reached for his comm, only to remember it was jammed. Frustration etched on his face, he called out to Miss Martian telepathically. "Miss Martian, the radio is jammed. Link us up!"

Miss Martian's eyes widened as she processed Aqualad's message. Bringing her hand to her head, she reached out with her telepathy. "Everyone online?"

Superboy ducked under Sportsmaster's punch only to be hit by a baseball bat. "Yeah," he grunted, clearly annoyed.

"You know it, beautiful," Kid Flash replied with a grin, even as bullets pinged around him.

Aqualad focused on the task at hand, ignoring Kid Flash's flirtation. "Good. We need to regroup."

"Busy now," Robin's voice cut in, a hint of tension but also determination.

#

The Boy Wonder landed gracefully on the helicopter pad, his eyes quickly scanning the area. Kobra stepped forward, his expression twisted into a sneer, the girl Shimmer at his side. Robin turned to face them, instantly aware of their movement.

"Batman must be desperate if he sends his whelp to apprehend me," Kobra taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Robin shrugged off the insult, a smirk playing on his lips. "What's wrong, Koby? You look disconcerted."

Kobra's eyes narrowed. "This is beneath me. Shimmer, take him."

Shimmer charged at Robin, her movements swift and precise. Robin's only response was a confident smile. He flipped over her as she closed the distance, landing behind her and immediately dropping into a fighting stance.

"Robin, now," Aqualad's voice crackled through his earpiece.

Robin gritted his teeth, momentarily distracted. Shimmer's punch was already on its way. Thinking quickly, he dropped a flash grenade. The explosion of light and sound disoriented his opponents, allowing Robin to disappear into the shadows, leaving Kobra and Shimmer alone.

Just as they regained their bearings and thought they were clear, a massive figure emerged from the darkness. Bane stepped forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Uh. Uh. Uh. No one invades my island and gets away with it." He gestured to the distance where Snowflame and Mammoth were locked in combat. "And your little guard dog is preoccupied."

Kobra handed Shimmer a case before disrobing, revealing his shaved head and pale, muscular body. "I loathe interacting with the peasantry, but I suppose even a god must deliver divine judgment personally."

Bane smirked and charged at Kobra, bringing his knee to Kobra's gut. Kobra blocked it effortlessly with one hand. Bane's eyes widened in surprise but quickly narrowed in determination. He dropped back down, sweeping his leg out to knock Kobra off his feet. Kobra simply lifted one leg, avoiding the sweep with ease.

Undeterred, Bane attempted a roundhouse kick aimed directly at Kobra's face. Kobra caught it with a single hand, then delivered a powerful front kick to Bane's chest, sending him sliding back a few feet. Bane's teeth clenched, but he did not attack again immediately.

"What's wrong, merchant? You look disconcerted," Kobra taunted, a cruel smile on his lips.

Bane's smirk returned as he assessed his opponent. "You may be strong, Kobra, but I've faced worse than you."

#

Sportsmaster shifted his focus from Superboy to Kid Flash. Sportsmaster, ever the strategist, saw an opportunity and shoulder-checked Kid Flash with surprising force, sending the young hero tumbling toward the epicenter of the battlefield where Snowflame and Mammoth were locked in combat.

Kid Flash collided with Snowflame, his hand brushing against the cocaine-fueled villain. Immediately, a surge of stimulation shot through Kid Flash's body. His eyes dilated, his thoughts accelerated to a blinding speed, and his body seemed to vibrate with an intensity that surpassed anything he had ever experienced.

Sportsmaster immediately regretted his choice.

At first, Kid Flash found himself jogging in place, his mind racing through formulas and theorems in a drug-fueled manic episode. His voice became a rapid-fire stream of consciousness, reciting complex mathematical equations and scientific principles at a breakneck pace.

"Pi to the hundredth decimal, mass-energy equivalence, E=mc^2, quantum entanglement, the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second, Planck's constant—"

His body, unable to contain the influx of energy, launched into action. He sped across the warehouse, moving so fast that he was a blur of red and yellow. In the blink of an eye, he inspected every corner, crevice, and hidden nook. He was everywhere and nowhere, a whirlwind of motion that defied comprehension.

Kobra soldiers, caught off guard by the sudden shift in pace, tried to take aim and shoot him. But Kid Flash was faster than their bullets, appearing behind them before they could pull the trigger. He easily dispatched them, his movements precise and effortless, each strike a blur of fists and feet.

Despite the drug-induced frenzy, Kid Flash's actions were innocent. He moved through the warehouse, disarming and incapacitating the soldiers without causing serious harm. His ADHD-like hyperactivity was now his greatest asset, allowing him to outmaneuver and outthink his opponents at every turn.

#

While her master and Bane were locked in combat, Shimmer slipped away, clutching the case tightly. She moved swiftly, her goal clear: keep the package secure until the chaos ended. Unfortunately for her, she unknowingly strayed into the path of a certain coked-out cleric.

For years, Snowflame had scoured the earth, seeking the elusive substance that would elevate him to the next stage of human evolution. His devotion to the god of drugs had purified him, purging his body of the transient effects of lesser substances. Only the one true drug, the ultimate offering, could raise him higher.

Nearby, Mammoth, veins bulging with the effects of the serum coursing through his system, swung a massive fist at Snowflame. But Snowflame sidestepped easily, delivering a sharp counterpunch that sent Mammoth staggering. A drop of blood flew through the air before landing on Snowflame's skin.

Suddenly, Snowflame's drug senses tingled a sharp, almost electric sensation that cut through the haze of battle. He sensed something new, something potent, in Mammoth's blood. His eyes narrowed, scanning the room. More of this drug was nearby, and it called to him with an irresistible allure.

Disengaging from Mammoth with a powerful kick that sent his opponent crashing into a stack of crates, Snowflame turned his attention toward the source of the new drug. A figure moved swiftly in the corner of the room, attempting to blend into the shadows. It was Shimmer, carrying a metal case tightly in her grasp.

Snowflame's eyes locked onto Shimmer, a predatory grin spreading. He launched himself toward her, moving with blinding speed. Shimmer's eyes widened in panic as she tried to evade his approach, her movements quick and agile, but Snowflame was relentless.

She ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding his swipes, but Snowflame's speed was too much. His hand struck the case with a sudden, forceful swipe, sending it flying from her grip. The metal case hit the ground with a clang, popping open and spilling several vials of a glowing green liquid across the floor.

Shimmer scrambled to retrieve the vials, but Snowflame was quicker. He snatched one from the ground, holding it up with a look of reverence. The vial glowed eerily in his hand, the contents shimmering with an unnatural light.

"Kobra-Venom?" Snowflame breathed. He stared at the vial, entranced, feeling the power contained within. "Is this," he whispered, "the key? Is this what I have been searching for?"

Before Shimmer could react, Snowflame uncorked the vial and drank its contents in one swift motion. The green liquid coursed through his body, merging with the cocaine already in his system. His eyes widened, and his body convulsed as the new drug took hold. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and snorted a mound of cocaine, feeling its familiar rush flood his senses.

The Kobra forces around him are backed up and tense.

"The coke is in my..." He could feel his heart pump to the edges of his chest. BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP The being arguably more drugs than man spasmed. "CONTROL THE DRUGS, CONTROL THE UNIVERSE! CONTROL THE DRUGS, CONTROL THE UNIVERSE! THE DRUGS MUS FLOW!"

BADUMP BADUMP BADUMP The man froze.

Shimmer was hastily gathering the remaining vials of Kobra-Venom. She moved with frantic urgency, knowing their only chance was escaping. She secured the vials in the case and sprinted away.

A surge of fire erupted within him, his blue flames intensifying to a blinding brightness. Orbs of unholy cocaine fire pooled in Snowflame's own hands. Meteors of fire shot into the sky, igniting distant brush.

Snowflame roared, the sound echoing through the warehouse. Soldiers could only watch in shock as Snowflame's transformation unfolded.

But as the initial euphoria faded, a nagging doubt crept into his consciousness. Despite the overwhelming power he felt, something was missing. It was an imperfect solution, a temporary surge that lacked the permanence he sought.

"No," Snowflame muttered, shaking his head. "This is not it. This is not the true substance."

He clenched his fists, frustration gnawing at him. Though potent, the Venom and Blockbuster Formula was not the ultimate drug. They would be purged from his system, just like all the others, their effects fleeting and transient. His devotion to the god of drugs ensured that only the one true substance could grant him the elevation he sought.

Snowflame closed his eyes, taking deep, measured breaths. He could feel the power already beginning to wane, the divine force within him rejecting the lesser drugs. He knew in his heart that his quest was not over, that the true substance was still out there.

Still, he was here to deliver judgment on the heretics who dared stop the flow. "WITNESS TRUE POWER! IT BURNS WITHIN MY VEINS, AND SOON SHALL IT BURN IN YOURS!"

#

Things were getting out of hand. Aqualad used his Water Bearers to create long whips and remove many still-shooting Kobra agents. "Strategic retreat. Kid, clear a path."

As expected, Kid Flash wasn't listening in his current head space.

In any case, Kid Flash continued to take out several Kobra agents. It wasn't until Superboy tackled the redhead that he showed some semblance of calming down. Getting back up, he hefted the speedster over his shoulder before punching an approaching baddie in the cheek.

"Superboy, come on!" Robin called impatiently as he ran ahead.

"Coming!" The clone answered, running toward their exit, "Just had to pop one in that guy's face!"

"..." Robin glanced at Superboy briefly. "Just move!"

Aqualad ran first with Robin grappling above. Miss Martian flew in behind the Boy Wonder. She returned to the ground, and he dropped from his line. Superboy and Kid Flash made it through the metal door and then slammed it shut.

#

Meanwhile, Snowflame continued to hold off Mammoth. Getting a proper hold, he throws Mammoth into amassing Kobra agents. "YOU HAVE ONLY TASTED THE SWEET MORSEL OF MY DIVINE GRACE! I HAVE BATHED IN IT, LIVED IN IT! I HAVE TAKEN IT ALL WITHIN. I SHALL BE THE FIRST TO ASCEND TO MY SNOW GODDESS! YOU WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST OF THE ACOLYTES!

#

Aqualad snapped a glow stick to create a light source. Robin stood with his back to Aqualad, looking at the locked door.

On the side, Superboy set Kid Flash down, leaning heavily on the wall.

Miss Martian kneeled next to him. "Kid Flash made contact with Snowflame. According to Bane, he experienced some sort of contact high."

Robin frowned at his friend. "He'll be fine. Thankfully, it's mostly a psychic effect. He won't suffer any permanent damage."

The non-lucid team member giggled. "This is the best mission ever!"

Megan raised a brow. "If it's psychic, should I try to clear it from his head?"

He shook his head. "I don't want the lingering effects to spread through mental contact. Just give him some water," gestured Robin. "He should be back to fighting condition in a few minutes."

Megan patted the speedster on the back. "Let this be a reminder to say no to drugs. That's what the Cartoon All-Stars told me."

Wally giggled. "But it made me feel all tingly inside..."

Superboy pulled out a bottle of water from a pack. He tried to pour it into Wally's mouth, but Kid Flash pushed away the bottle with noodle arms like a child. "No! I don't wanna!"

Superboy grumbled. "Will you quit it! Just let me put the tip to your lips."

Robin turned away from the scene and banged his head against the wall. "How can my first mission as Leader go so wrong?"

Aqualad set down the two pieces of the glow stick before looking at the youngest member. "You do have the most experience. But perhaps that is exactly what has left you unprepared."

Kid Flash finally relented and started downing water. The rest of the group focused solely on Boy Wonder's body language.

"Fighting alongside Batman, your roles are clearly defined. You two do not need to talk. But this team is new. And a leader needs to be clear, explicit. He cannot vanish and expect others to play a part in an unknown plan."

Robin turned and physically swiped the idea away. "Oh, so I'm supposed to hold everyone's hands?" he looked down with a pained groan.

Aqualad did not back down. "Did Batman not hold your hand when you first started working together?"

"I... I mean, he did, but... Ah, who am I kidding?" he questioned, entirely to himself and with a note of pain in his words. "You should lead us, Kaldur. You're the only one who can."

"What?! I didn't vote for him." Kid Flash whined. "This is treason! I thought this was a democracy!"

Superboy stuck the bottle back to his mouth. "Drink."

"Okay..." Wally grabbed the bottle once more.

Ignoring that little outburst, Superboy and Megan agreed with the change wholeheartedly. "Hello, Megan!" Miss M said, placing her hands on her hips. "It's so obvious."

"He's the one we need right now."

"Coulda told ya." Superboy concured with his arms crossed and smiling.

Everyone turned to the slightly high Kid Flash with a frown.

Wally gave a playful pout. "Fine. But I expect a re-election next year."

They all chuckled. "Sure, Kid."

"Then I accept the burden," Aqualad said as he walked towards Robin, pausing to place his hand on the smaller boy's shoulder. "Until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders. You were born to lead this team. Maybe not now, but soon."

Robin smiled the whole way through the speech and confirmed the terms with a small nod.

Aqualad turned away and looked at the entire team. "Alright, our first priority is preventing that shipment from leaving the island." They all gathered around.

Robin laughed, crossed his arms, and took on a Wally-like smirk. "Funny. I had the same thought."

Suddenly, the ground seemed to shake. A large boom echoed in the distance.

"What was that?" asked Megan.

Superboy took the initiative and ran toward their locked door. Opening it took more effort than before, and he found out why. The entire warehouse had been leveled to smithereens. In the distance, they could see blue flames spreading. "I think it's time we called the League for assistance."

Robin stared at the result of their upturned mission. "Right... After we secure the shipments."

Aqualad nodded. "Yes. After."

Chapter Text

MOUNT JUSTICE

July 23, 10:01 EDT

Bane continued to fight Kobra . The fight had drawn closer to Snowflame's rampage. "You'll regret coming to my island," Bane growled.

Kobra smirked. "Your island is but a stepping stone to greater things. You will bow to me, just like the others."

Bane roared and charged, throwing a powerful punch at Kobra's head. Kobra moved unnaturally, dodging the attack and countering with a precise strike to Bane's ribs. Bane grunted, feeling the impact but barely slowing down. He swung again, catching Kobra in the side, sending the cult leader stumbling back.

"You're strong, but strength alone won't save you," Kobra sneered. He straightened up and launched a series of rapid strikes that Bane struggled to block. Each hit was like a sledgehammer, and Bane was driven back, his confidence waning.

Bane retaliated with a powerful uppercut that connected with Kobra's jaw, but Kobra absorbed the blow, his eyes burning with determination. He grabbed Bane's arm, twisting it and bringing Bane to his knees swiftly and brutally.

Bane gritted his teeth, trying to break free, but Kobra's grip was like iron. "You think you can break me?" Bane spat, his voice filled with defiance.

Kobra leaned in, his voice a chilling whisper. "I will not only break you, I will make you beg for mercy."

Bane broke free with a sudden burst of strength, delivering a powerful headbutt that sent Kobra reeling. He sprang to his feet, adrenaline surging through his veins. But Kobra was relentless, recovering quickly and attacking with renewed fury.

Bane was strong, but Kobra was faster and more agile. Despite his best efforts, Bane was overwhelmed, his strength waning as the fight dragged on.

In a final, desperate move, Bane lunged at Kobra, aiming to crush him with his sheer weight. But Kobra sidestepped gracefully, delivering a devastating blow to Bane's spine. Bane cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground, his vision blurring.

"You are finished," Kobra declared, standing over Bane with a look of triumph.

Bane knew he was beaten. His vision swam, and every muscle in his body screamed in agony. But he wasn't ready to give up yet. With a last, desperate effort, he rolled away from Kobra, using the brief moment of surprise to scramble to his feet.

"This isn't over," Bane growled, retreating into the forest's shadows. "I will reclaim my island."

Kobra watched him go, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Run while you can, Bane. The next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."

As Bane disappeared into the darkness, Kobra decided it was time to leave.

#

Sportsmaster, Shimmer, and Kobra jogged through the dense undergrowth, Bane's warehouse fading into the distance. Snowflame's rampage echoed through the forest, punctuated by the screams of scattering soldiers and the roar of blue flames consuming everything in their path.

The surrounding forest was ablaze. Trees ignited like matchsticks, sending plumes of smoke spiraling into the sky.

The loss of their helicopter in the fight had forced them to rely on their backup transport: a submarine hidden along the coast. It was their secondary means of escape.

As they neared the coastline, the sounds grew fainter, replaced by the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore.

Shimmer glanced at Kobra, her expression a mix of fear and determination. "Do you think the enemies will follow us?" she asked.

Kobra's eyes narrowed. "Snowflame is a wild card. But if his reputation precedes him, he only cares about us being off the island."

Sportsmaster grunted. "As for those kids, I do not doubt that they'll be on our asses if they have the chance."

"Crude but accurate," muttered Kobra.

Sportsmaster held out his hand. "We need to split the package."

Kobra grumbled. "Fine. We have to keep moving." With that, Shimmer handed the man two secure vials.

#

The teen heroes gathered in a secluded spot, huddled together as they discussed their next move. Wally, now more lucid but visibly embarrassed by his earlier behavior, sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Okay, so let's recap," Robin said, his voice steady and analytical. "Sportsmaster's the supplier-slash-buyer, but it still doesn't track. He doesn't have the juice to acquire the Blockbuster formula or to get Kobra to do his dirty work."

Wally nodded, still a bit flushed. "And neither of them has the chops to bond Blockbuster with Venom. That took some major nerdage."

Aqualad crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "It's likely that Sportsmaster is just the middleman for the real mastermind. I believe the expression is 'tip of the iceberg.'"

"Regardless," he continued, "here are our current objectives: the remaining Kobra-Blockbuster crates, Kobra's group, and Bane's group."

As they began to move toward the battlefield, Kid Flash used his thermal vision to scan the area. His eyes widened as he spotted three figures running away from the chaos.

"We've got three bogeys heading out," he reported.

Robin's mind raced as he pieced it together. "That's Kobra, Shimmer, and Sportsmaster. If they're leaving the crates behind, they must have some samples on them." Robin volunteered immediately, determined. "I'll pursue them."

Aqualad shook his head. "It would take too long for you to engage them alone. Kid Flash and Miss Martian, you two will go with Robin."

Kid Flash pumped his fist excitedly. "Yes! We get to go after the big bad of the cult with Megan!"

Miss Martian nodded, her expression serious. "We'll get them."

Aqualad turned to Superboy. "In the meantime, you and I will run interference on the soldiers while also destroying the remaining drug supply."

Superboy cracked his knuckles, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Sounds like a plan."

Meanwhile

Snowflame unleashed blue flames that incinerated everything in his path. Kobra soldiers and Mammoth were caught in the inferno, struggling to hold their ground.

Bane observed from a distance. Despite the destruction of his factory, Bane held his tongue. Snowflame was his benefactor for a reason, and Bane knew better than to question his eccentric ally. Rumors whispered that Snowflame had a finger in every pie of the pharmaceutical world, his wealth surpassing most expectations. It was said that Snowflame contributed to every drug crisis across the globe, from Mexico and Brazil to China and Europe. Bane didn't care about the specifics; he knew that Snowflame would fund the rise of a new factory from the ashes of his old factory.

His mind briefly wondered where the teen heroes had gone, but he dismissed the thought. They were not his concern right now. His focus remained on the immediate threat , the small army of Kobra soldiers that continued to press their attack.

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted from the tree line. Bane turned, his eyes narrowing as he saw a new wave of soldiers pouring in. But these were not Kobra soldiers. They were his men, the loyal warriors of Santa Prisca, who had managed to escape their restraints and re-equip themselves.

"For Santa Prisca!" they shouted, their voices filled with determination and fury. Bane's men charged into the fray, their gunfire cutting down the Kobra soldiers in a hail of bullets.

The masked man grinned. Time for a revolution!

#

The group split up, Robin, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian moving swiftly toward the fleeing figures while Aqualad and Superboy returned to the battlefield's heart.

Kid Flash ran ahead, using his speed to scout the area. Miss Martian floated just above the ground, her telepathy providing a mental link to coordinate their movements.

Robin motioned for them to stop as they closed in on the fleeing villains. "They're just up ahead."

Kid Flash nodded, his excitement barely contained. "Got it."

Miss Martian's eyes glowed briefly as she scanned the area. "They have some sort of escape in mind. We need to move fast."

#

The sound of gunfire and explosions grew louder as Aqulad and Superboy approached. They pushed toward the stockpile of Kobra-Blockbuster drugs. Peeking from cover, they could see the trade of gunfire and fists continue from last time.

Aqualad glared. "Seems Bane's men escaped."

Superboy hummed. "Don't worry. I'm no stranger to taking shots to the face."

Aqualad knew that destroying the remaining supply was crucial to crippling Kobra's operation. "Very well. Superboy, cover me."

While Aqualad took to the shadows to circle to reach the cargo, Superboy acted as the distraction. Any stray shots his way easily crumpled against his body.

Soon, Aqualad reached the objective. He quickly retrieved a set of explosives from his pack, set them to work, and planted them around the stockpile. He attached the detonators to the crates, ensuring the blast would be strong enough to destroy the entire supply.

"Almost there," he muttered, securing the last explosive.

Superboy's voice cut through the noise. "Aqualad, we've got more soldiers incoming!"

Aqualad glanced up, seeing a fresh wave of Kobra soldiers advancing on their position. He activated his communicator and spoke quickly : "Explosives are set. We need to clear the area."

Superboy nodded, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to hold off the attackers. "Go! I'll cover you."

Aqualad gave a brief nod of thanks before sprinting away from the crates.

Once he was safe, Aqualad turned back and raised the detonator. He pressed the button.

The explosion was instantaneous, a massive fireball erupting from the crates as the explosives detonated. The shockwave rippled through the battlefield, sending soldiers and debris flying. Aqualad shielded his eyes from the blast, feeling the heat wash over him.

When the smoke cleared, the stockpile of drugs was nothing more than a smoldering ruin. The remaining Kobra soldiers looked on in shock and dismay.

Superboy rejoined Aqualad. "Nice work."

Suddenly, the ground shook. Snowflame seemed more furious than before.

"YOU DESTROYED THE BAPTISMAL PRODUCT!" The Percocet Paladin seethed as he dropped an unconscious Mammoth at his feet. Bane, his soldiers, and Kobra knew it was time to get out of dodge while they had the chance.

Aqualand and Superboy stared back at the charging crackhead with wide eyes. "Well, shit."

#

Soldiers who were stationed at the second extraction point saluted to their prophet. "The sub is operational, exalted one."

Sportsmaster walked back down towards the entrance. Only to be stopped as Kid Flash ran in and took out the two furthest agents in the rows on both sides, then over to one of the agents now shooting at him . Kicking him in the chest and knocking him away from the gun.

"Move!" Kobra commanded. Two more agents came up behind him, and as Sportmaster went to leave.

Kid Flash took out one other Kobra agent before dragging Sportsmaster away.

In his distraction, Miss Martian goes unseen. With a wave of her hand, she pulls Shimmer away from her master.

Kobra took a step back.

A bola flies through the air, but Kobra easily dodges.

Looking to the source, Kobra glared at Robin, his cold eyes narrowing. "I know you hate getting your hands dirty," the Boy Wonder snarled as if he had done the cult leader a favor.

"True," Kobra replied. "And they shall bathe in your blood."

#

Kid Flash skidded to a halt and threw the armored man into a tree, his eyes narrowing. "Hasn't your mother ever told you not to work with snake people?"

Sportsmaster dusted himself off, his expression calm and collected. "They may be freaks, but business is business." With a swift motion, he reached for his waist, and a collapsible polearm extended into a full-length staff.

Kid Flash crouched lower, his eyes locked onto Sportsmaster. He started hurling stones at sonic speeds, each projectile aimed with precision. Sportsmaster twirled his staff with practiced ease, blocking many incoming rocks. The few that slipped through either glanced off his armor or failed to make a dent.

When the barrage of stones slowed, Sportsmaster seized the opportunity and launched into a flurry of attacks. His staff blurred in the air, a whirlwind of strikes aimed at Kid Flash. The young speedster dodged and weaved, his reflexes keeping him ahead of the relentless assault.

Kid Flash countered with rapid punches and kicks, his movements a blur. Despite his speed, Sportsmaster's seasoned experience showed. The villain anticipated Kid Flash's straightforward fighting style, parrying each blow. His eyes gleamed with amusement, a predatory smile tugging at his lips.

"Not bad, kid, but you're gonna have to do better than that!" Sportsmaster taunted, swinging his staff in a wide arc.

Kid Flash ducked under the swing, his mind racing as he searched for an opening. "You talk too much."

With a burst of speed, Kid Flash darted behind Sportsmaster, aiming a kick at his back. But Sportsmaster was ready. "Pot calling the kettle black, kid." He twisted at the last second, catching Kid Flash's leg and using his momentum to throw him to the ground.

Kid Flash rolled with the impact, springing back to his feet. His heart pounded, adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew he had to be smarter , faster.

"You're fast, but you're sloppy," Sportsmaster sneered. He lunged forward, his staff whistling towards Kid Flash's head. But Kid Flash was prepared. He sidestepped the attack, delivering a swift punch to Sportsmaster's gut. The older man doubled over, gasping for breath.

Sensing an opening, Kid Flash unleashed a flurry of blows, each strike faster than the last. Sportsmaster staggered under the onslaught but wasn't out of tricks yet. As Kid Flash moved in for the knockout punch, Sportsmaster faked a stumble, dropping a flashbang at their feet.

The explosion of light and sound was blinding, disorienting Kid Flash and making him stagger back. His hands flew to his eyes, trying to block the overwhelming brightness. In that moment of vulnerability, Sportsmaster struck. He swept Kid Flash's legs out from under him and slammed his staff down onto the young hero's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Kid Flash struggled, but Sportsmaster's weight and leverage were too much. The villain grinned down at him, triumphant. "Too easy."

Sportsmaster reached into his pocket, ensuring that the sample was still intact. Seeing that the others would be busy, he dropped a smoke bomb and dashed for the sub, leaving the redhead in a coughing fit. He tried getting back up, only to fall from a slight sprain in his leg.

Without anyone else the wiser, Sportsmaster made his escape from the island.

#

Hidden among the dense canopy of the forest, Miss Martian watched the scene with a keen eye. Cloaked in her camouflage, she observed Shimmer, Kobra, and Sportsmaster moving cautiously through the underbrush. They were alert, wary of any ambush, but not wary enough .

Megan focused her telekinetic powers, her mind honing in on Shimmer. With a subtle gesture, she separated the villainess from her companions. The ground shifted under Shimmer's feet, pulling her away from Kobra and Sportsmaster. Surprised, Shimmer staggered and glanced around, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings.

"Who's there?" Shimmer shouted into the darkness, her voice tinged with anger and frustration. She tried to taunt her unseen attacker, hoping to draw them into the open. "Too scared to face me head-on, huh? Coward!"

Miss Martian suppressed a smile. She knew better than to fall for such a simple trick. Remembering Robin's strategic advice, she decided to play with her opponent's expectations. With a flicker of thought, she levitated a rock and sent it hurtling through the shadows. It struck Shimmer squarely in the chest, eliciting a grunt of pain.

Shimmer glared into the darkness, her eyes wild. "Where are you? Show yourself!"

Instead of a reply, more rocks began pelting Shimmer from all directions. Megan targeted specific joints, forcing the villainess to her knees. Shimmer screamed in fury, trying to shield herself from the onslaught but failing to pinpoint the source of the attacks.

'Something's wrong with Wally.' Amid Shimmer's ranting and flailing, Miss Martian dropped her camouflage and appeared silently behind her, a shadow among shadows. Leaning close to Shimmer's ear, she whispered with a smirk, "Boo."

Shimmer's scream was cut short as her eyes widened in shock. Before she could react, Megan's fist grew enormous, swinging down with unerring precision. The last thing Shimmer saw was the giant fist descending. Then, there was only darkness.

#

Robin smirked and charged at Kobra, launching himself into a high jump with a knee aimed at Kobra's face. Kobra moved with a speed that belied his size, blocking the knee with one hand. Robin's eyes widened, but he quickly adjusted, dropping down to sweep Kobra's feet.

Kobra effortlessly lifted one leg, avoiding the sweep. Robin pushed off the ground again, pivoting into a roundhouse kick aimed at Kobra's face. The cult leader caught Robin's leg with a singular hand, then delivered a powerful front kick to the teen's chest, sending him flipping backward. Robin landed on his feet, sliding back a few feet, teeth clenched in determination.

"What is a child to a god?" Kobra taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Robin's eyes flashed with resolve. "Not mine." He darted forward, feinting a punch before spinning into a low kick aimed at Kobra's knee. Kobra shifted his weight, narrowly avoiding the kick, and countered with a backhand that Robin barely dodged.

Robin gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He reached into his utility belt, pulling out a smoke pellet and tossing it to the ground. The area filled with thick, obscuring smoke, and Robin used the cover to reposition himself.

Kobra stood still, his senses heightened. "You cannot hide from me, boy."

Robin's voice echoed from the smoke. "Who said I was hiding?"

A batarang flew from the smoke, aiming for Kobra's head. He swatted it away, but Robin was already moving, striking from the side with a pair of rapid kicks that connected with Kobra's ribs. Kobra growled, swinging wildly, but Robin slipped under his guard, landing a punch to Kobra's gut.

Kobra staggered back, momentarily winded, but his eyes burned with fury. "You will pay for that."

Robin flipped over Kobra's head, landing behind him and launching a series of rapid punches aimed at Kobra's back. Kobra spun around, blocking and deflecting each blow with practiced ease. With a sudden, powerful strike, Kobra landed a punch to Robin's side, causing him to stagger. With a sweep of the leg, the young man was sent to the floor.

Robin gasped as the air was forced out of his lungs. Kobra's massive foot pressed down on his chest, pinning him to the ground. Despite all his training and strength, the Boy Wonder found himself unable to budge under the cult leader's weight.

Kobra glared down at Robin with disdain. "Mosquitoes plague me!"

Despite the pain, Robin managed a smirk. "Good," he retorted, voice strained but defiant, "because this mosquito is mighty concerned with your pain!" With a sudden burst of strength, he executed a dual helicopter kick, twisting his body to knock Kobra's leg off his chest. Using the momentum, Robin rolled into a handstand and sprang back to his feet, landing with a flourish.

The moment of triumph was interrupted by an explosion of blue embers from the treeline beside them. Out charged a slightly smaller Snowflame than before, blue flames licking at his form. Incidentally, Superboy was latched onto the supervillain's back, a dopey, bubbly expression plastered across his face. Snowflame tried to shake the teen off, but Superboy clung on tightly, laughing all the while.

At the same time, Aqualad arrived, having followed the trail of destruction. He took in the scene quickly, assessing the situation. Kobra looked at the new arrivals and smirked. With an air of dismissive arrogance, he stepped back. "He's your problem now. Another time, then." With a fluid motion, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving nothing behind but the whisper of leaves and the encroaching darkness.

Robin immediately darted after him, but as he searched the area, he found only shrubbery and the stillness of the forest. His frustration mounted, but there was no time to dwell on it. Megan soon arrived, supporting a battered Kid Flash.

Meanwhile, Snowflame was struggling to deal with Superboy's grip. In a fit of desperation, he slammed the teen into a nearby tree, trying to dislodge him. Superboy let out a surprised yelp but still held on. Snowflame's body mass seemed to reduce with each passing moment, his strength waning.

Robin noticed this and said, "I think his drugs are wearing off."

Realizing the situation, Snowflame desperately reached into his pockets, fumbling for another stash of cocaine. But before he could snort it, Robin quickly threw an explosive birdarang, which detonated the powder into the air.

Snowflame's eyes widened in horror. "THOU SHALL NOT SPILL THE POWDERS OF LIFE!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the trees. He swung wildly at the heroes.

Still riding the high of Snowflame's contact, Superboy clung to the villain's back with an almost childlike glee. He swung his arms around, laughing as Snowflame struggled to shake him off. Despite the chaotic situation, Superboy's strength kept Snowflame in check, allowing the team to act.

Seeing the opening, Aqualad moved quickly. With a fluid motion, he summoned a water mace, the liquid forming a solid, translucent weapon in his hands. He charged forward and swung with all his might, landing a heavy blow on Snowflame's side. The impact sent a shockwave through the villain's body, causing him to stumble.

Taking advantage of Snowflame's momentary daze, Miss Martian focused her telekinetic powers. Her eyes glowed green as she lifted a large log from the forest floor. With a sharp gesture, she directed the log to crash onto Snowflame, pinning him to the ground. The villain let out a pained grunt, his energy visibly waning.

A few steps away, a tired and winded Kid Flash took quick stock of the situation. Spotting some thick vines nearby, he zipped over to them. He quickly fashioned a makeshift restraint with nimble hands, using the vines to tie Snowflame's arms and legs. The speedster's movements were efficient, if a bit slower than usual, but he managed to secure the bindings tightly.

Meanwhile, Robin kept his distance, his eyes never leaving the scene. He reached into his utility belt and pulled out a handful of projectiles. With precise aim, he peppered Snowflame with a flurry of explosive disks and smoke pellets. Each impact further weakened the villain, causing him to shrink as his drug-induced strength ebbed away.

As Snowflame continued to shrink, his struggles became weaker. Seizing the moment, Robin pulled out a pair of bolas from his belt. With a practiced throw, he sent them spinning through the air. The weighted cords wrapped around Snowflame's ankles, tangling his legs and sending him crashing to the ground. Snowflame lay there, panting and defeated, his once-mighty form now reduced to its normal state.

Snowflame struggled, but it was clear his powers were fading. The blue flames around him flickered and dimmed, and his form started to revert to its normal state. As the sacred flames died down, an unseen, supernatural force purged the drugs within him.

Soon, Superboy had Snowflame pinned to the ground, his strong arms holding the struggling villain in place. Snowflame writhed and thrashed, but even in his drug-induced frenzy, he couldn't break free from Superboy's iron grip. The teen hero, still under the lingering effects of Snowflame's contact high, wore a strangely serene expression, oblivious to the full extent of the danger.

Snowflame's eyes darted wildly, panic setting in as he realized his powers were fading. Desperation filled his voice as he screamed, "Great God of Cocaine, hear my plea! Take me from this wretched place and return me to my temple! I beseech you!"

As if in response to his desperate invocation, Snowflame's body began to shimmer. Superboy blinked in confusion as he felt the man beneath him start to change. Snowflame's skin took on a crystalline, powdery texture, and within moments, his entire form solidified into pure cocaine.

The transformation was sudden and complete. Superboy's grip loosened, and he instinctively recoiled, staring in disbelief at the statue-like figure beneath him. Snowflame's features were frozen in a final, crazed expression, a twisted grin on his face.

Before anyone could react, a strong gust of wind swept through the forest. The air swirled around the clearing, lifting leaves and debris. The powdered form of Snowflame began to disintegrate, the cocaine particles lifted into the air and carried away by the wind.

The heroes watched in stunned silence as Snowflame's body dissolved into a cloud of fine powder, swirling up into the sky. The cloud drifted higher and higher until barely visible, scattered to the winds. The eerie quiet that followed was broken only by the rustling of the leaves, the final remnants of Snowflame disappearing into the distance.

The heroes stood in stunned silence, watching the bizarre and surreal sight unfold. Kid Flash finally broke the silence. "What the hell just happened?!"

The inebriated Superboy, still kneeling on the ground, looked up at the others, confusion and shock clear on his face. "He became a snowman? No fair!"

Robin nodded slowly, still processing the surreal turn of events. "Yeah. He did." The Boy Wonder shook his head, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The group remained silent momentarily, each trying to understand what they'd just witnessed.

Robin walked over to Aqualad and patted him on the back. "Well, as our leader, it is your responsibility to explain this mess in your mission report to Batman!" A wry smile tugged at his lips. With that, he chuckled and walked away, leaving Aqualad looking down at where Snowflame disappeared. "This is my life now..."

MOUNT JUSTICE

July 23, 10:01 EDT

The air shimmered as Flash and Big Chill teleported into Mount Justice. Just as they arrived, the teens landed and exited the Bioship. Barry Allen, the Flash, wasted no time, running up to his nephew with a look of concern.

"Are you okay, Kid? Your mom's gonna kill me if she hears you were on cocaine," Barry said, giving Wally a quick once-over.

Kid Flash scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh... Three?"

Big Chill raised a non-existent eyebrow. "Do you feel the urge to snort Bolivian marching powder? Devil's dandruff?"

Miss Martian recalled her time watching Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Home Alone 2. "Disco dust? Forest Bump?"

Superboy, still under the influence of Snowflame's contact high, grinned dopily. "I wanna go snowboarding!"

Flash and Big Chill exchanged bewildered looks regarding the clone.

Aqualad stepped in, trying to appease the Flash. "Don't worry. Snowflame's contact high is only psychic."

Big Chill deadpanned. "Contact high?"

"The villain Snowflame is powered by drugs and how high he is."

Flash blinked in disbelief. "Okay, that's new..."

Robin, ever the responsible one, added, "They didn't snort anything on the mission..."

Kid Flash rolled his eyes. "Allegedly, the god of drugs and cocaine gave him superpowers."

Robin raised his arms in exasperation. "Allegedly? Did you not see the man turn into cocaine and disappear into the sky?"

"That doesn't mean a god did it! It was probably some sort of illusion or matter manipulation," Wally argued, his voice rising in frustration. "I mean, come on! Just because something weird happens doesn't mean you slap the label 'god' on it."

Big Chill crossed his arms, unfazed by his skepticism. "Well, that depends on what you define as a god. If I read the museum exhibit correctly, Wonder Woman was created with help from the Greek gods." For the alien hero, god is a loose term.

At that moment, a familiar voice chimed in through Ben's earpiece, the tiny but wise Azmuth adding his two cents. "It is possible they are manifestations of primordial and extradimensional energies," the Galvan stated, his voice tinged with intellectual curiosity. "In some cultures, such entities are revered as gods, but that is a matter of perspective."

Kid Flash felt on the spot for a moment. "A god is... A god should be..." He trailed off, struggling to articulate his thoughts.

Big Chill watched him, silent and patient, waiting for him to continue. Wally finally spoke, his voice softer, more thoughtful. "A god should be more than just someone with powers. It should be about... I don't know, something bigger."

"Something?..." Robin sighed and turned to Kid Flash, raising an eyebrow. "You didn't accidentally breathe in any while I wasn't looking, right?"

Kid Flash shook his head vehemently. "No!"

Superboy, still riding the high, laughed. "Haha! The strange man touched me, and now I feel great!"

Robin sighed, glancing at Superboy, who was swaying slightly. "He's been like that the entire flight."

Aqualad shook his head. "Unfortunately, his exposure was drastically longer than Kid Flash's."

Superboy nodded enthusiastically. "No matter how hard he bucked, I held on to him tight."

Robin facepalmed, groaning. "We should probably get him to the infirmary to sleep it off.

Along with Megan, Aqualad didn't understand why Robin and Kid Flash admonished Superboy's speaking style. He nodded. "The effects might take a few hours to wear off."

Flash nodded slowly, still processing the situation. "Uh-huh... So, I take it you guys finally picked a leader."

Superboy, still in his haze, grinned broadly. "Yes! I'll get behind Aqualad any day!"

Unaware of any other meaning, Aqualad simply patted the teen on the shoulder. "Your support means much."

Robin groaned louder, clearly exasperated. "I'm both glad and upset that I don't have to deal with our ragtag group."

Flash chuckled, a smirk forming on his face. "Now, you're thinking like Batman. How do you think he feels having to help manage all of us in the League?"

#

Suffice it to say that by the time the mission debriefing came, even Batman had to rub the bridge of his nose in irritation at the bizarre circumstances. The Dark Knight stood before the team in the main hall of Mount Justice, his expression as stern as ever. The young heroes lined up before him, each standing at full attention, their faces a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.

"A simple recon mission," Batman began, his voice cold and precise. He stepped closer to Aqualad, getting within inches of his face. "Observe and report!" His voice carried a low growl, the words a clear reprimand for the mission's unplanned escalation. Batman held Aqualad's gaze for a moment longer, then backed off, turning his attention to the rest of the team. "You'll each receive written evaluations detailing your many mistakes."

He walked past the line of young heroes, each one standing rigidly. As he came to a pause beside Superboy, who was at the end of the line, Batman's expression softened ever so slightly. He placed a firm hand on the clone's shoulder, turning his gaze back to the group. "Until then," Batman continued, his tone shifting, "good job."

All their heads snapped up in shock, and their eyes widened as they looked at Batman out of the corner of their eyes. The unexpected praise left them momentarily stunned.

"No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy," Batman stated, his voice steady and calm. The team relaxed slightly, standing more comfortably as they absorbed the rare compliment.

"How you adjust to the unforeseen determines success," Batman continued, his gaze sweeping the young heroes. He began to walk away, but not before casting a final glance over his shoulder. "And how you choose who leads determines character."

Robin's lips curved into a small, proud smile, and Aqualad glanced down at him, sharing the sentiment.

Elsewhere

Sportsmaster entered the dimly lit chamber, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. The room was sparsely decorated, dominated by a large screen that projected the shadowy silhouettes of his employers. He approached the screen, holding a single vial filled with a glowing green liquid.

"All I managed to recover is a single vial of Kobra-Venom," Sportsmaster announced, his voice hinting at annoyance. He lifted the vial to emphasize his point, the liquid inside shimmering under the low light.

A figure on the screen leaned forward, the voice slightly distorted but carrying a distinctive accent. "Peut-être… the formula can be reverse-engineered," the projected voice mused, the accent betraying a hint of French. The figure, obscured by shadows, seemed to contemplate the vial's potential. "Mias, what of these heroes? First Cadmus, then Mister Twister. Now, Santa Prisca."

Another voice chimed in, laced with irritation. "Don't even get me started on the appearance of Snowflame, of all people," the figure complained, their tone exasperated.

A third voice, deeper and more ominous, added to the conversation. "Once is happenstance," the voice stated, each word dripping with foreboding. "Twice is coincidence. But three times is enemy action, and enemies of the Light must not stand." The room grew colder as the words settled in, a palpable tension filling the space.

A younger, almost playful voice interjected, a soft cackle echoing through the chamber. A barely visible figure stroked a pet cat, the silhouette of the feline clear against the screen. "It may not just be these children. For some time now, the universe has felt off." The voice carried a note of amusement as if relishing the chaos.

The other voices paused, considering the statement. Finally, the accented voice spoke up, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What do you mean?"

The younger voice continued with a hint of excitement in its tone. "There are subtle shifts, anomalies that don't align. It's as if something—or someone—is reaching out to the very fabric of existence." The voice trailed off, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Chapter Text

Unknown Location

Professor Ivo's Laboratory

August 3rd, 3:38 EDT

Machinery hummed within the lab. Flickering lights illuminated robotic limbs and half-assembled machines. Professor Anthony Ivo gleamed with mania as he moved from one workstation to another. He was in the process of building the ultimate weapon capable of destroying the Justice League.

He saw how his former rival, TO Morrow, had his work for everyone to see in the Justice League: Red Tornado. Ivo was well aware of how old Morrow was, and he would be damned if Morrow died before he could prove himself the better.

Several small, green, monkey-like robots swung throughout the room, moving items and gathering tools and parts for their creator.

He had faked his death long ago, fooling the Justice League. All the years in recluse were leading to this moment. The genesis of his magnum opus. If everything went to plan, there would be no more Tornado… no more League… only AMAZO.

He focused on the central platform and the nearly completed android.

AMAZO's creation had been slow. The flesh was weak, and he knew robotics were the future. One of the few benefits of organic beings was the ability to evolve and adapt. If he could do the same for his creation, it would be the perfect being in his eyes.

How ironic would it be for an enemy to defeat the Justice League with their powers?

Ivo's early experiments with adaptive technology had been frustrating. He needed a way to replicate the abilities of the League, ranging from aliens, other robots, mutations, and science experiments.

The experiments would prove to be successful, and AMAZO began to take shape. If there was one thing Ivo was reluctant to admit, it would be that Morrow was better at making artificial intelligence comparable to an actual human. At this time, his AMAZO could not think on his own. Yes, it could learn and copy abilities rudimentarily, but it was far from becoming something sentient. Yet, perhaps this was a good thing. Without a will of its own, AMAZO would always answer to him.

A nearby screen displayed a software update 100% completed. Ivo stood over the android. AMAZO was ready. Ivo reached out and inserted the final component: a power core. The core clicked into place. Ivo stepped back and approached his control console. This was the moment he had been working toward for so long. He entered the final sequence of commands. The activation sequence began. The lab started feeding energy into the android.

"Wake up, AMAZO," Ivo whispered. "It's time to fulfill your purpose."

The power core jumpstarted. The android's eyes snapped open as it sat on the platform.

There was silence. Amazo's head turned to Ivo.

"AMAZO, what is your primary directive?"

"Whatever my creator demands."

Ivo smirked. "Correct. Now, let's get down to business."

AMAZO slowly rose to its feet.

Ivo opened up several computer windows, displaying images and CCTV footage. "Let's start with something simple. Your first targets will be Green Arrow and Black Canary. They'll be on patrol in Star City. One Meta and one Human shouldn't be too difficult."

"I shall destroy them," AMAZO finished.

Ivo stepped back with pride. "Yes, you will."

Without another word, the android turned and began to walk toward the laboratory exit.

Star City

August 3rd, 6:38 EDT

So far today, the streets have been quiet. The typical morning commute has gone on around them. Green Arrow and Black Canary went on their first joint patrol in a while.

"Is the new girl settling in fine?" asked Canary.

GA shrugged. "We had some things to iron out with her mom, but it seems to be going well. She's supposed to meet up with us soon."

"That's good... Does Speedy know?"

He sighed. "No..."

"Have you talked to him lately like Ark and I suggested?"

"I just think he needs more time to cool off."

"Olly, it's been weeks. Just reach out to him. Show that you care and respect him."

"I'll try later tonight." There was a moment of silence between them. "So, how's Central treating you?"

Dinah shrugged. "It's fine. Getting my apartment in order and making some new friends while I was at it."

"Happy to hear."

"You wanna stop by that Bagel place?" asked Dinah.

Oliver shook his head. "Nah, I'm gonna wait. Felicity and I are going for Brunch where they had that Honey Toast Tower."

An explosion shattered the mundanity.

Both heroes quickly took cover.

"What was that?" Dinah whispered.

Before Oliver could respond, a figure crashed onto the rooftop across from them.

It was over seven feet tall and clearly made of some sort of metal. Strangely enough, it was bare-chested with a pale gray color scheme. Its eyes glowed red. A band of dark green metal encircled its wrists and legs, resembling clothing, while the crown of its head was colored orange as if to imitate hair. The figure's face was stern and unsettlingly human, with chiseled cheeks, a square jaw, and a narrow, aquiline nose. Pointed ears made it look like an elf.

"A robot?" Oliver muttered, already drawing an arrow.

The android's head turned toward the two heroes' location. It scanned them with a flicker of light.

"Target Located: Green Arrow and Black Canary."

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Well, it looks like someone wants to assassinate us."

Dinah groaned. "And while we're on an empty stomach, too. Any idea who sent it?"

"Well, not many people can build robots like that, and none of them know me personally."

Oliver loosed an arrow at the android, aiming for its chest. The arrow struck, but instead of piercing through, it merely glanced off the android's metallic skin, leaving no mark. "Yeah, I expected that to happen." Thankfully, he had several custom arrows ready.

The android began moving toward them. Its gaze remained on Dinah.

"Target acquired: Black Canary." The android raised a hand toward her. Energy crackled around its fingertips.

"Get down!" Oliver shouted.

Dinah darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast of energy that seared the air.

The rooftop shook with the force of the blast.

She quickly regained her footing. "Alright, let's see how it handles this!"

She took a deep breath and unleashed her iconic Canary Cry. The focused sound wave erupted from her, aimed directly at the android. The force sent the surrounding debris flying.

The android staggered, but to Dinah's frustration, it didn't fall. Instead, its eyes glowed brighter. "Power detected: Sonic screams. Replicating."

Their eyes widened upon hearing that last word. The duo quickly split up to get out of the line of sight.

Deciding who the bigger threat was, the android opened its mouth and released a scream identical to hers.

While it wasn't a direct hit, the ambient sound still knocked her off her feet, sending her crashing into the rooftop behind her.

"Dinah!" Oliver released another arrow—this time an explosive one—at the android. The arrow struck its shoulder, detonating in a burst of fire and smoke, but when the smoke cleared, the android stood unharmed, its gaze now fixed on him. Oliver needed to give his partner time to recover, so he kept running.

The android opened its mouth again with a scream aimed directly at Oliver.

Oliver dove off the building without missing a beat as the sonic blast reverberated above him. A quick grappling arrow slowed his descent back to street level.

The android advanced. "Resistance is futile."

Dinah shook off the ringing in her ears. This wasn't the first time the echoes of her screams went back at her. Thankfully, sonic screams came with more durable eardrums. She pushed herself to her feet. "Dammit..." Still, she wasn't expecting that. She looked up at the robot chasing after Oliver. She activated her communicator. "Arrow, thanks for the save. Copycat is on your tail."

"I know."

"What direction are you running? I'll intercept."

Metropolis

August 3rd, 7:38 EDT

A school bus filled with children on their way to school drove across a suspension bridge. The morning sun glinted off the water below. Everything was business as usual.

Without warning, the concrete support underneath cracked and crumbled into the waters below. The increased tension caused two support cables to snap, falling across multiple lanes of traffic. Several cars, including the school bus, slammed the brakes to avoid them.

The bus veered right, hit the concrete guardrail, and came to a full stop. Unfortunately, a Lex-Corp semi-truck behind them couldn't stop fast enough.

The semi-truck collided with the rear of the school bus and a white sedan. While the latter crashed into the sidewalk and safety barrier without falling over, the school bus was rammed through the sidewalk barrier. Luck was not on their side as a red sports car also crashed into the bus, forcing it through the final safety barrier. The school bus was left balancing over the edge of the bridge.

#

Bruce Wayne saw the situation across the water in an office above the streets. His expression hardened. He moved to his desk, where an ornate bust of Alfred Pennyworth sat. He tipped back the bust's head, revealing a hidden red button beneath.

Pressing it, Bruce slid a drawer open, revealing his Batman costume. But just as he reached for it, a loud sonic boom sounded. He turned toward the windows.

In the distance, a familiar blue and red figure streaked through the sky at incredible speed. Bruce recognized Superman flying directly toward the bridge.

#

Superman flew past the bus and shot under the bridge to assess the structural damage. He had to stabilize the bridge before it collapsed completely. Holding up the crumbling section, Superman carefully mended the cracked horizontal supports with his heat vision.

Meanwhile, Superboy easily jumped from support tower to support tower on the bridge, getting himself closer to the accident before landing on the bridge roadway.

Unfortunately, the impact force undid some of the patchwork Superman was mending. With a raised voice, he tried to advise his newfound sibling. "Careful up there! I'm trying to keep the bridge together! Tend to the civilians!"

Superboy hesitated, a little self-conscious that he might have endangered some of the people if Superman hadn't been holding the road up. His eyes scanned the bridge, spotting the white sedan perched dangerously close to the edge. With renewed determination, he sprinted toward the car, gripping its rear end with a grunt and hoisting it back to safety. The car's tires screeched as he carefully set it down in the center of the lanes, far from the crumbling edge.

High above, Bruce Wayne observed the scene through high-powered binoculars from his office. He watched as Superboy handled the situation with raw strength but little finesse. Clearly, the young hero was still learning—still finding his footing amid a crisis.

#

On the other side, the school bus slipped further over the edge, causing the kids inside to scream in fear.

Superboy sprinted toward the rear of the bus, grasping the bumper. His combat boots tried to grip the pavement. With another pull, he could keep the bus from sliding any further.

"I'm almost finished down here!" Superman called out.

"I'm busy with a bus!" Superboy shouted back.

Superman's tone shifted. "I'm coming!"

"Wait! I think I've got it!" Superboy adjusted his grip and pulled the bus back by a few inches.

Suddenly, the strain on the bus lessened. Superboy could pull it back several feet until both wheels were back on the roadway. The cries of relief and cheers from the children inside filled the air, and Superboy let out a sigh of relief.

As he walked to the front of the bus, he saw Superman standing at road level, his hands supporting the front bumper. The elder hero looked up and gave him an encouraging nod. That explains it.

Superboy rubbed his arms as he walked toward Superman. He glanced at the bus and then back at his pseudo-brother. "I could have handled that..." he muttered.

Superman smiled and patted the teen on the shoulder. "Yes, you could have," he agreed gently, "but we're all part of the same team. With lives on the line, we can't be prideful. Accept any help if it means making the job easier for everyone."

Superboy hummed, his eyes on the ground. "I guess that makes sense..." He sighed, his shoulders sinking. "Thanks."

"We don't want to take any unnecessary chances. I should know..." Superman's gaze shifted to the imprint Superboy left on the asphalt. He gestured to it. "Moving forward, a gentler push is sometimes all you need. If I wasn't supporting the bridge, you might have had even less time to save those people."

"Yeah..." Superboy sighed at his inadequacy.

Superman nodded. "Don't get me wrong. You're doing about as well as I did when I was your age. Jumping over tall buildings in a single bound wasn't as easy as it sounds."

Superboy considered Superman's words. He then looked up, his voice hesitant. "I don't suppose we can make time to help me figure that out...?"

Superman hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I'm free between 5 PM and—" He was interrupted by a beep from his communicator. Superman reached up to activate it. "Superman," he responded, listening intently. "Wait, Arrow. Slow down. What's attacking?" His face tightened as he listened to Green Arrow's hurried explanation. "No, Superboy and I got things handled here. If you're in trouble, I can help. Coordinates? ... Acknowledged. On my way."

He turned back to Superboy, his expression apologetic. "Sorry about that. I'll try to meet you at the mountain later today. Is that okay?"

Superboy's eyes lit up at the offer. "Uh... Yeah. Sure."

Superman smiled and nodded. "Duty calls." With that, he took off into the sky, a blur of red and blue streaking toward the horizon.

Just then, Superman's communicator beeped once more. He opened the text from Bruce. "Good job."

Star City

August 3rd, 7:48 EDT

Civilians ran from the explosions, and Green Arrow sprinted and swung to a less populated area of the city, where Green Arrow ducked behind the cover of a nearby building. A recovered Dinah took over, distracting the murder machine. Green Arrow closed his communicator. Now, it was a waiting game, hoping the League would get there in time.

Black Canary avoided physically striking the robot. It would be a fool's errand if this thing was designed to take hits from Superman. At that moment, both she and the attacker were shooting sonic cries at each other from a distance. He and Dinah already called the League for backup. This robot was clearly designed to hunt down superheroes.

Sadly, Dinah was too slow to dodge a grapple from the android. The thing grabbed her by the left arm and started applying pressure.

Not a second sooner, Green Arrow loosed an explosive arrow aimed directly at Amazo's back. The arrow struck its mark, detonating with a powerful blast that allowed Dinah to slip from his grip but not unscathed.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Green Arrow pulled her along another path.

The two were running through alleyways, thinking they might have lost the android, when it crashed into the ground about twenty feet ahead of them.

"Shit!"

"Access: Black Canary." AMAZO's jaw opened.

Needing to protect them both, Dinah released her own Canary Cry at the same time. The two sonic waves collided in the air, creating a shockwave that shattered windows and sent ripples through the surrounding buildings.

Eventually, both stopped screaming. Dinah dropped to one knee, panting heavily.

Before either of them could recover, they heard the heavy footsteps.

Oliver and Dinah's hearts raced as they tried to think of another distraction as AMAZO moved closer.

Suddenly, a blue blur shot through the air and slammed into AMAZO with the force of a speeding train. The android was sent hurtling through several walls.

"You guys okay?" Superman asked as he floated down.

Dinah and Oliver breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah. Thanks, Supes."

One by one, more heroes arrived on the scene: Captain Atom, Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, Flash, and finally, Batman in the Batwing.

The brief reunion was cut short by a chilling, robotic voice that sliced through the air. "Target Detected: Superman. Replicating."

Stomachs dropped as the full realization of what was happening literally sped forward and hit Superman with a punch to the gut.

"Oh, fuck..." Oliver muttered under his breath. He had forgotten to tell the others it could copy powers.

One Hour Later

Things have not been going well so far. The streets of Star City were a warzone, the battle between AMAZO and the Justice League leaving destruction in its wake. Smoke and debris filled the air.

"Access: Flash." With a blinding speed, Amazo zipped around the League members.

"Access: Captain Atom." Amazo's hand crackled with atomic energy as it fired a concentrated blast directly at him. Captain Atom barely managed to throw up a defensive shield, but the force of the attack sent him flying backward, crashing into a nearby building.

"Damn it!" Captain Atom grunted as he struggled to his feet.

Superman flew in, trying to catch Amazo off guard.

"Access: Superman." The two collided with a shockwave that rippled through the streets, the force of their clash shattering windows and sending debris flying. Amazo's eyes glowed red as it unleashed a blast of heat vision identical to Superman's. The beams cut through the air, forcing Superman to dodge and retaliate with his own heat vision. The two beams clashed in mid-air, creating a blinding explosion of energy.

Meanwhile, Flash was circling Amazo at lightning speed, hoping to disorient it. But Amazo matched his speed effortlessly, and before Flash could react, the android struck with a punch that sent the Scarlet Speedster sprawling.

"Flash!" Batman shouted, throwing a Batarang at Amazo, hoping to create an opening. The Batarang flew towards Amazo's chest.

"Access: Martian Manhunter." The android density shifted, allowing it to phase through the attack harmlessly.

Similar to Mister Twister, there was no mind for Martian Manhunter to attack psychically.

Red Tornado tried to intervene, whipping up a powerful cyclone to trap Amazo.

"Access: Red Tornado." The android countered with an even stronger gust of wind, dispersing the cyclone and sending Red Tornado tumbling through the air.

Superman gritted his teeth and flew at Amazo with everything he had. But the android met him blow for blow. The ground trembled, each punch sending shockwaves through the surrounding buildings.

As Amazo and Superman clashed, Batman activated his communicator, sending a message to Green Arrow and Black Canary, who had retreated to a safe distance. "We need to divide its attention. Hit it from all sides—now!"

Green Arrow and Black Canary didn't need to be told twice. Green Arrow fired a barrage of specialized arrows at Amazo, each one designed to exploit a different vulnerability. Explosives, EMPs, freezing agents—all struck Amazo simultaneously.

At the same time, Black Canary unleashed a powerful Canary Cry, directing it at Amazo's head. The combined assault forced Amazo to momentarily divide its attention.

Superman seized the momentary distraction, landing a devastating punch that sent Amazo crashing into the ground. But before the League could capitalize on the opening, Amazo's body began to glow with an ominous light. Amazo released a massive blast of atomic energy, forcing everyone to scatter. The blast tore through the city street, leaving a smoldering crater in its wake.

#

The Flash ran across a battered city block before catching his breath outside the combat zone. Flash sighed as he activated his communicator. "Watchtower, get me in contact with Ark." Flash vaguely remembered his friend telling him a story with a similar enemy. "Ark, do you copy?"

The other line picked up, "Yeah. What's up, man?"

Flash glanced up just in time to see Captain Atom being hurled into another building. "I don't suppose you've seen the news in Star City?"

"What's wrong?" Ark was now concerned.

Flash grimaced as AMAZO blasted Superman with his heat vision. "Is this another Wotan incident?" Ben prepared for the worst.

"Might as well be."

We've been fighting this thing for over an hour, and it's not letting up." Flash's voice was tense. This was turning into a battle of attrition, and he didn't want to see how much longer they could last before something—or someone—broke.

Ben's voice came through again, more focused now. "Thing? Is this another robot? Like the one you and I dealt with before?"

Flash let out a hollow laugh devoid of humor. "I wish we were dealing with that one. So, random hypothetical. If the League were ever to fight a robot that can copy powers like that one you told a story about, what should I do?"

"Flash, this isn't a hypothetical, is it?"

"Okay, the robot we're fighting can copy superpowers."

Ben narrowed his eyes. "Well, the first thing you want to avoid is ganging up on it with Superpowers willy-nilly. That'll only make it harder."

"Right..."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "... Flash, how many heroes are fighting there?"

Flash hesitated. "Black Canary, Green Arrow, Captain Atom, Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, Superman, and Batman."

A sigh came through the line. "I take it that all their powers, including yours, were copied."

Flash winced. "Maybe..."

"Flash..."

"Alright. Yes... We're running out of options."

Ben groaned audibly. "Unless a mother from a higher dimension is about to come down and pick up their child's toy, we're gonna have to do things ourselves. You're lucky I've dealt with similar enemies after that."

Flash blinked. "The what comes down? Never mind. So, you're gonna help out?"

"I'm gonna have to observe it before I do anything."

Flash's heart skipped a beat, his hope rising. "Is that a yes?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm on my way."

With that, the line hung up. Another car thrown at the android was cut in half by heat vision. This was gonna be a long day.

Chapter Text

Star City

Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Batman pulled back to get a breather. Hopefully, their heavy hitters could wear down the android more.

Superman barely dodged a series of sonic blasts from AMAZO, each one tearing through the air. His cape fluttered violently as he moved. Narrowly evading another scream, Superman clenched his fist and surged forward, landing a powerful punch on the android's chest. The force of the blow echoed, but AMAZO barely flinched.

Its eyes locked onto the hero. "Access: Superman." In an instant, AMAZO retaliated, launching itself at Superman.

Superman ducked and weaved, dodging a flurry of punches that blurred the air around them. Superman ascended, trying to gain distance, but AMAZO grabbed his cape, yanking him out of the sky and slamming him into the ground with a sickening thud. The pavement cracked beneath the force, and AMAZO swung him again, smashing him into the ground several more times before throwing him aside like a ragdoll.

Superman skidded across the street, creating a trench as he finally came to a halt.

Red Tornado attempted to assist, summoning a powerful windstorm to disorient the android, but AMAZO was faster. It closed the gap in a blink, delivering a crushing blow that sent Red Tornado flying through a nearby building, the structure collapsing.

Captain Atom descended from above, striking fists glowing with nuclear energy.

AMAZO leaped high into the air, avoiding the attack, and came crashing down, its heavy frame shaking the ground.

Captain Atom narrowly dodged the impact, the force creating a small crater where AMAZO landed.

Bruised, Superman, took to the sky again to get some breathing distance. The android's eyes followed. The chase was short-lived. AMAZO accelerated, cutting off Superman's escape route and meeting him head-on. With a powerful uppercut at the last millisecond, Superman staggered the android, sending it reeling backward.

As AMAZO recovered, Captain Atom soared into view, his hands glowing with a concentrated blast of nuclear energy.

"Access: Captain Atom." AMAZO did the same; its own hands were now glowing with the same power.

Both released their energy simultaneously, the beams of nuclear force clashing midair. The explosion that followed was a fiery burst that lit up the sky and sent shockwaves rippling through the streets. Smoke engulfed the area, obscuring everything in a thick, choking cloud.

Superman's enhanced vision pierced through the smoke, spotting an opening. Without hesitation, he rocketed through the air and delivered a devastating uppercut to AMAZO, sending it soaring above the smoke. Not letting up, Superman followed with a barrage of blows, each one driving the android higher and higher. He finished with a powerful kick to AMAZO's head, sending it tumbling through the air.

"Access: Superman." AMAZO recovered in midair quickly. It lunged at Superman, trying to grab him.

Superman was quicker. He dodged, circling around to grab AMAZO by the leg. With a mighty swing, he hurled the android back toward the ground, where it crashed with a thunderous impact.

The dust settled, revealing AMAZO, unscathed in the center of a smoking crater. It was as if their efforts had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

AMAZO then set its sights on Red Tornado. With a burst of speed, the android charged at the robotic hero, colliding with Red Tornado and knocking him off balance. Before Red Tornado could recover, AMAZO unleashed a barrage of energy blasts.

Red Tornado was quick, summoning a wind wall to deflect the incoming attacks. The blasts veered off course, dissipating harmlessly into the air. Not wasting a second, Red Tornado shot off in a whirlwind, propelling him forward as AMAZO pursued.

AMAZO's eyes glowed as it unleashed more energy blasts, trying to catch the elusive hero. Red Tornado maneuvers kept him just out of reach, the blasts missing their mark as the two androids sped through the city. AMAZO altered its strategy. It lunged forward with terrifying speed, catching Red Tornado off guard and slamming into him with enough force to send him hurtling into the sky.

Red Tornado spun wildly as he was knocked into the air, but before he could stabilize, AMAZO was on him again. The powerful android struck, knocking Red Tornado higher and higher. Red Tornado was sent careening upward, only to be spiked back down toward the ground with a final blow.

Red Tornado crashed into the earth, the impact forming a deep crater. AMAZO twisted its body, preparing for another strike, but something was wrong. The android froze, seeing a transparent arm intersecting with its chest.

The Martian Manhunter had phased through AMAZO, attempting to disrupt the android's internal systems.

In response, AMAZO shifted into its own density-altered state, mirroring the Martian's powers. With a sickening crunch, AMAZO headbutted J'onn. J'onn was knocked back, but before he could recover, AMAZO followed with a brutal kick that sent the Martian flying.

The wind began to howl as Red Tornado reappeared from the smoke. AMAZO dug its feet into the ground, switching to Superman's strength to brace against the incoming storm.

Red Tornado summoned dual vortexes twisting toward AMAZO.

AMAZO launched itself into the air, flying above the swirling winds.

The winds had quickly stopped, and AMAZO was met with a punch from Martian Manhunter, who returned while invisible.

As AMAZO fell to the ground, he grabbed Red Tornado, and both crashed into a nearby building.

Just as Martian Manhunter was about to follow, he appeared to get a message from his communicator. He was hesitant to leave but willing to take the risk to get more assistance.

As Red Tornado struggled to regain his footing, AMAZO pressed the attack. With a powerful kick, it sent Red Tornado flying through the wall. AMAZO fired another barrage of energy blasts, not letting up, driving Red Tornado further away. The hero skidded along the ground, unable to regain his momentum as AMAZO bore down on him.

Superman swooped down, got behind AMAZO, and put him in a headlock, restraining him momentarily.

Red Tornado then conjured a massive tornado. Seeing the vortex, Superman released AMAZO to be engulfed in the swirling winds. The sheer force of the storm was enough to unbalance even the android. Red Tornado strained to keep the storm contained.

For a moment, it seemed to work. But then, a hand appeared from within the tornado, clawing its way out of the suction with terrifying ease. Red Tornado increased the power of the winds, trying desperately to hold AMAZO back, but the android's eyes glowed red.

Superman raced to stop it, but AMAZO blasted through the tornado, the beams cutting through the winds and slamming into Red Tornado. The robotic hero was tossed back.

Avoiding Superman, AMAZO leaped into the air, suplexing Red Tornado before hurling him across the battlefield. Red Tornado quickly crashed through three walls, shattering the structures like glass.

AMAZO seemed to look into the distance before flying off.

Superman had stayed behind to get Red Tornado back up.

#

Moments after the call for help ended, a blue blur zipped through the streets of Star City. The blur came to a sudden halt, revealing XLR8. From the sidelines, he could see the Justice League struggling against the android that had already replicated the powers of several League members.

Ark didn't rush in. Experience had taught him the dangers of charging blindly into a fight, especially against enemies like this. He'd faced Osmosians who could absorb powers and extradimensional baby toys that could copy them. The worst thing he could do now was to add more powers to the robot's arsenal. If the android had already copied Superman's abilities, transforming into heavy hitters like Humungousaur or other powerful aliens would only worsen things.

Instead, Ark activated his communicator. "J'onn, I need you to meet me at my location."

There was a brief pause before Martian Manhunter's voice came through. "I'm on my way."

Within moments, Martian Manhunter descended beside Ark. The other Leaguers kept fighting, but Ark had a plan in mind.

"You called for me, Ark," J'onn said. What's your plan?"

Ark smirked at him. "Can you telepathically connect all of us so we can coordinate by thought alone?"

Martian Manhunter hummed. "I can, but why? What do you have in mind?"

Without another word, Ark activated the Omnitrix. A flash of green light enveloped him. When the light faded, he had transformed into a large, light orange crab-like appearance with pincers for hands. The plates of his skull plates moved to reveal his huge, corrugated brain.

"I'm about to beat that bothersome bot at 17-dimensional chess," Brainstorm said in a haughty tone.

For situations like this, one had to play smarter, not harder. To the alien hero, time seemed to slow to a standstill. Every object in sight was broken down into mathematical variables and formulas. Equations and trajectories filled his mind's eye. He instantly processed the entire battlefield, each League member, the capabilities of the robot, and the environment around them. In mere nanoseconds, Brainstorm calculated millions of possible outcomes.

Preliminary Analysis: Superman

Strengths: Public records indicate alien physiology grants enhanced strength, durability, speed, and senses, flight, and heatvision. Other possible abilities are unknown at this time.

Physiological Weaknesses: According to past public encounters with Lex Luthor, an extraplanetary mineral known as Kryptonite weakens his abilities and exhibits a poison-like effect.

Preliminary Analysis: Martian Manhunter

Strengths: Public records indicate alien physiology grants shape-shifting, body control, possible camouflage, enhanced strength and durability, density shifting, telepathy, telekinesis, and flight. Other possible abilities are unknown at this time.

Physiological Weaknesses: Unknown at this time.

Note: Seemed uncomfortable around Miss Beatriz Da Costa.

Preliminary Analysis: Red Tornado

Strengths: Robotic design grants Aerokinesis, enhanced strength and durability, and flight. Data from Mister Twister suggests possible lightning generation with proper application.

Physiological Weaknesses: The robotic body may be succeptible to hacking from intelligent enough foreign entities.

Preliminary Analysis: Captain Atom

Strengths: Association with the military suggest prior service. Presummed military training. Atomic based energy blasts, flight, and enhanced strength and durability. Other possible abilities are unknown at this time.

Physiological Weaknesses: Unknown at this time.

Civilian Identity: Irrelevant information.

#

Elsewhere

Batman, Black Canary, and Green Arrow huddled inside the crumbling remains of a building. They took a moment to catch their bearings.

They had been at this for over an hour, and it was starting to wear on them.

Black Canary clenched her fists. "Seriously. I would wring the neck of whoever sent that thing after us. This is really starting to tick me off!"

Green Arrow wiped the sweat from his brow. "Same. This is crazy. I'm pretty sure we've lost a few city blocks because of this thing."

Batman was already taking stock of his remaining gadgets. He huffed as he counted the dwindling supplies in his utility belt. "We could have avoided some of this had you reported it had replication capabilities."

Green Arrow shot him a glare. "Well, sorry. Canary and I were a bit busy trying not to lose our hearing or, you know, die."

Batman sighed. "Regardless, we need to make do with the current situation. Based on the fight so far, it's clear that the android is learning. We can't let this keep going."

Black Canary nodded. "I know. This situation will require brains, not brawn. We need a plan."

Green Arrow chimed in. "But we can't afford to waste any more time. Not while AMAZO is on the loose."

Batman was already moving, leading them toward the resupply point. "We're almost there. It should be around the corner."

They followed Batman through the building, keeping low to avoid detection. The Dark Knight had been careful to keep the Batwing grounded; he couldn't risk it being shot down.

As they neared the alley where the Batwing was hidden, a faint thud echoed, barely perceptible but enough to make Batman's instincts flare.

Black Canary paused. "Did you hear that?"

Green Arrow shrugged, his eyes darting around. "Hmm? Hear what? I didn't hear anything."

The ceiling above them shook again, more noticeably this time.

"There it is again," Black Canary muttered. "Is it just more of the building coming down?"

Green Arrow gripped his bow. "I highly doubt it, but we gotta keep moving."

"Yeah, we're not taking any chances. Let's get out of here before something does happen," Black Canary agreed.

As they began moving toward the exit, Batman lingered, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Another quake, more intense this time, sent dust raining down on them. Batman noticed a crack forming, spreading like a spiderweb across the structure.

"Move!" Batman barked.

In a blur, Batman pushed Black Canary and Green Arrow out of the way just as the ceiling caved in. With a loud crash, AMAZO landed in the room right where they had been standing moments before.

AMAZO lunged at them without hesitation, its fist connecting with Black Canary before she could react. The force of the punch sent her flying backward, crashing into a nearby wall with a pained cry.

Before Green Arrow could even raise his bow, AMAZO spun around, its arm extending and firing a rapid volley of energy shots. Green Arrow dove for cover, rolling to avoid the deadly blasts. Just as AMAZO prepared to unleash another barrage, a blur of red and gold streaked through the room, slamming into the android.

Flash skidded to a stop. "Sorry for the late arrival. I called for backup."

"About time," shouted GA.

AMAZO turned its attention to the speedster. Flash zipped around the room, avoiding the android's heat vision. AMAZO escalated its assault, launching nuclear blasts directly at Flash.

Flash kicked off the wall, attempting to run back toward AMAZO, but the beams exploded behind him, the shockwave sending him tumbling across the ground.

Batman launched himself at AMAZO, delivering a series of fierce kicks and punches. Unfortunately, AMAZO's reflexes with Flash's speed were too fast, and it blocked each blow.

In a blur of motion, AMAZO caught Flash mid-stride and slammed him against the ground with a resounding thud. The android then hurled Flash down a nearby hallway, the speedster crashing painfully into the debris.

Behind AMAZO, Black Canary unleashed a powerful scream, but the android dodged, evading her sonic attack. Canary followed up with a flurry of kicks and punches, forcing AMAZO to stay on the defensive. The android didn't notice that this gave Flash enough time to recover.

Flash charged back into the fray with a burst of speed, intercepting AMAZO's next attack just in time to save Green Arrow, who took advantage of the moment to fire an electrified arrow into the android. The arrow sent a jolt of electricity through AMAZO's body. The android staggered, but it flung Green Arrow aside.

Flash then knocked AMAZO against the wall, moving at such speed that the android had no time to react. Seeing an opening, Batman deployed several fast-drying foam grenades, hoping to trap AMAZO against the wall.

The foam expanded rapidly, hardening around AMAZO, but the android simply density-shifted through it, mimicking Martian Manhunter. AMAZO followed up with a vicious counterattack, colliding with Flash in a blur of movement. The two exchanged blows at incredible speeds.

Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Batman barely managed to stay out of the way, dodging the debris and shockwaves from the battle. Despite Flash's best efforts, AMAZO eventually caught him, slamming him through the wall.

AMAZO then held Flash up by the throat, pinning him against the wall. The android's grip tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like the speedster's fate was sealed.

But before AMAZO could finish him off, a blur of blue and red streaked through the ceiling, smashing into the android with the force of a freight train. Superman had arrived, and with one swift motion, he tore Flash from AMAZO's grip, grabbed all four heroes, and flew them outside to safety.

AMAZO got back up, but he was in no rush to pursuit.

#

Preliminary Analysis: Flash

Strengths: Enhanced speed and durability. Previous encounters suggest at least Supersonic. Past conversations with Flash mentioned Molecular vibration.

Physiological Weaknesses: None notable.

Civilian Identity: Irrelevant information.

Preliminary Analysis: Batman

Strengths: Public records tell of excelling in numerous skills, such as stealth, acrobatics, and martial arts. Court records suggest high intellect, supporting the internet's title of "World's Greatest Detective." Peak human physique. Exact parameters are unknown. He possesses an unknown number of specialized equipment from his utility belt and support vehicles.

Physiological Weaknesses: None notable.

Civilian Identity: Irrelevant information.

Note: He doesn't seem to like me very much.

Preliminary Analysis: Green Arrow

Strengths: Expert marksman and acrobat. Peak human physique. Exact parameters are unknown. Similar to Batman, he possesses an unknown number of specialized equipment and trick arrows.

Physiological Weaknesses: None notable.

Civilian Identity: Irrelevant information.

Preliminary Analysis: Black Canary

Strengths: Public records show high-pitched sonic screams. Possible enhanced strength and durability are needed to survive using said screams. Displayed skills in martial arts.

Physiological Weaknesses: None notable.

Civilian Identity: Irrelevant information.

Note: Combat style is... familiar... Recollecting memories. 99% body match found... Replacing blonde hair and eye color...

Civilian Identity: Dinah?!...

... I'm an idiot.

#

When they were let back down with the other heroes, they took a sitrep. Well, they were alive yet battered. J'onn was still missing. They knew that the android would return to them soon.

Batman had already cycled through numerous gadgets and strategies. One trump card was in his belt, but he was still unsure if it would work. Still, he would have about a one-in-five shot for the opening to happen. Clearly, AMAZO's ability to replicate their powers had made it nearly invincible. "We can't keep fighting it head-on like this."

"He's right," Superman cut in. "If we keep fighting haphazardly, we'll just wear ourselves out. We need a new plan."

As the heroes prepared to say something, a sudden, unexpected voice echoed in their minds. "Justice League. Don't worry. This is Ark. I'm with Martian Manhunter."

"Oh, thank god," muttered Flash.

The League members paused, exchanging glances.

Batman's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing with J'onn, Ark? He should be here with us."

"Trust me, he'll be more beneficial as a support role for now. I have a plan," replied Ark.

"I am well and am willing to hear him out," Martian Manhunter responded calmly. "If his appearance is anything to go by, he's... thought about this plan thoroughly."

"Right..." Batman retorted, his suspicion evident.

Ark continued. "You've all fought this thing long enough to know that brute force alone won't work. AMAZO has already copied your powers and abilities. It can counter every attack you throw at it. By my calculation, you guys can probably adapt and win the fight in about three more hours."

A few league members cringed. They had already damaged a good portion of downtown. What more could three hours do?

"That's an oddly specific guess," commented Green Arrow.

"Not a guess. Calculation," retorted Brainstorm.

Superman put a hand up against Batman. "What's your plan, Ark? We're open to any ideas at this point."

Batman frowned. "I have my reservations to trust the reserve member under observation."

"Let's just hear it..." groaned Captain Atom.

Ark hummed. "Here's the thing: I'm going to have to guide you through the fight with a psychic connection every step of the way."

Many eyebrows went up at that.

"What?!"

"How?"

"Through Manhunter's help, I'll be tapping into all of your senses. I'll be able to assist in mitigating any variable that comes our way."

Flash blinked. That was some serious mind melding. "Seriously? You're not gonna read our minds or whatever, right?"

Several brows raised at that.

"Worry not, my fellow heroes," eased Manhunter. "I will be acting as the proverbial conduit and filter. Nothing that I don't want will go through."

Flash clicked his tongue. "I guess that works out..."

Superman hummed. "I can hardly believe you can handle the thoughts of several people all at once."

"Do you know how fast a speedster's brain can go?" asked Flash.

"Trust me. I can handle the mental capacity." Brainstorm sighed. "Flash knows I've dealt with entities like AMAZO before. "

The group was silent before hands went up one by one to give the plan a try.

The last one not up was Batman. He huffed before relenting. "Fine. I trust Manhunter to keep necessary thoughts and memories private."

J'onn nodded. "It will be a secure connection."

"Let's get this over with. I'd rather not keep this up for another three hours."

#

It was often said that Chess was a simulation of war. This scenario would be no exception. In this case, Brainstorm had pawns, rooks, knights, and bishops going up against a Queen Piece with moves of all the other pieces combined. If both opponents had access to the same abilities, it came down to strategy, outthinking an opponent move for move. All variables have been determined. He found the solution. Brainstorm grinned. Check.

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: Brainstorm

Species: Cerebrocrustacean

Home World: Encephalonus IV

Powers and Abilities:

A Cerebrocrustacean's cranium holds an immense brain, giving them super-massive intelligence that is too high to be measured on a human scale. From a human interpretation of information processing and retention, a Cerebrocrustacean's IQ equivalent reached 10^30, or one nonillion. Cerebrocrustaceans can solve very difficult calculations mentally in seconds and can visualize equations and trajectories of objects as if they're actually there. They can even determine things' mechanical values and physical properties by simply looking at them. In combat, Cerebrocrustaceans are able to perfectly intuit and predict the mindsets, mannerisms, weaknesses, and attacks of their enemies, as well as being able to use their environment and any ordinary objects within it to win the fight with the minimal amount of moves. Additionally, they have powerful electrokinesis, allowing them to generate and control electricity for various offensive and defensive purposes, including telekinesis, technokinesis, and force fields. Cerebrocrustaceans are also physically strong, durable, and capable of levitation, with an exoskeleton that provides protection against extreme conditions and attacks.

Chapter Text

Star City

"Access: Superman." AMAZO floated above the ruined city block, its eyes scanned for any trace of the League. At that moment, AMAZO began searching for traces of heat signatures. Since the last encounter, the Justice League had retreated, likely regrouping. Turning a corner, he found leftover heat imprints on the sidewalk matching the same cadence of footsteps. AMAZO began to follow the trail, but something peculiar happened. The ground ahead of AMAZO began to radiate heat, a subtle shift at first, then rapidly intensifying. The heat was rising from and spreading outward in an expanding circle. Any chance of following footsteps was lost. AMAZO looked up and stared at a strange red object.

"Temperature anomaly detected." According to his readings, it was something akin to a miniature sun. Within moments, the heat spread across several blocks. Sensors reported the ambient temperature around AMAZO had climbed to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. The android tried to use thermal vision again, only to find the area had transformed into one massive, indistinct blob of heat. His vision was a uniform wash of infrared red and orange, no discernable targets, no outlines. Nothing to track reliably.

"Thermal signatures compromised. Target identification lost. Returning to visual spectrum."AMAZO moved on to sound and vibration-based detection methods. Audio receptors in his ears and micro receptors in his feet should alert him to any nearby movement. He bent down and went still. Assuming a weight of at least 170 lbs, average footsteps made a sound of about 30 - 40 dBA. A moment passed, and he picked up something. Unless it was an animal, someone should be approximately 100 meters South of his location.

Suddenly, numerous sounds broke through the relative quiet. It was an oddly pitched noise alternating from low to high tones, seeming to come from every building simultaneously. Sound waves bounced off the walls inside and outside buildings.

"Auditory anomaly detected." AMAZO rotated his head, pinpointing the direction of one noise source. His sensors quickly locked onto the source, and he advanced cautiously.

The android followed the sound to a small alley. Sitting atop a pile of rubble was a tiny wireless speaker, its vibrations creating the distorted sound that had drawn him in.

AMAZO paused. His artificial mind processed the situation, assessing the trap. Scanning the area, he quickly concluded that he was still alone. More speakers would be scattered throughout the city, likely set by the Flash.

The Justice League would compensate the local Best Buy when this was over.

AMAZO picked up the speaker and began to analyze and isolate the frequency.

The android calculated the inefficiency of tracking down every speaker, even if he could move at Flash's speed. The effort would waste valuable time and energy, and his systems were optimized for direct combat, not scavenger hunts.

AMAZO shifted his audio receptors, adjusting to filter out the background noise. The speakers' pitch gradually faded, becoming white noise in the periphery of his detection.

AMAZO continued his mission. Even the smallest disturbances in the debris, a shift in gravel, the faint drag of fabric, were enough for him to follow. He quickly locked onto a series of minute disturbances, forming a trail.

The trail led him toward a half-collapsed building, the roof sagging and windows shattered. The android stepped over broken beams and shattered glass.

According to AMAZO's estimates, this was likely Batman. As he approached the building, AMAZO analyzed every piece of the trail, the scrape of a boot on stone, the displacement of dust in the air. AMAZO pushed his way through the half-open doorway, scanning for any sign of movement inside. The building was dark. The crumbling infrastructure cast long and deep shadows. A set of partially collapsed stairs led to an upper level, and the debris inside indicated recent movement.

Thin metal cables were strewn across the floor and hanging from the ceiling. They snaked across the space, forming a tangled web that immediately caught AMAZO's attention. It was clearly a trap. He activated Superman's Heat Vision without hesitation, slicing through several strands of the cables in a clean arc.

Batman had definitely come this way. AMAZO advanced, his metal feet echoing slightly against the cracked floor.

A flicker of movement caught his eye. A shadow detached itself from the far wall, a shape that hadn't been there moments ago.

Batman.

AMAZO's mechanical eyes locked onto Batman's retreating form as the Dark Knight darted deeper into the structure. There was no hesitation. "Access: Captain Atom." AMAZO raised his arm, nuclear energy gathering at its fingertips, and fired.

The energy bolt shot through the narrow hallway, hitting Batman in the chest and into the wall right behind him. The area exploded in dust and debris before revealing the Dark Knight on the ground.

AMAZO stopped and prepared to notify his creator that one of the targets was terminated.

But then, something strange happened.

Batman... moved?

The Dark Knight's chest continued to move as if he was still breathing. AMAZO's confusion deepened. He was sure that he had hit vital organs. Batman should not be alive.

Then, something caught AMAZO's attention. The image of Batman flickered. In that instant, AMAZO understood. He hadn't hit Batman. He had struck a hologram.

A sudden hiss broke the silence as a small rocket launched from the windowsill. Attached to its tail was a familiar metal wire. AMAZO tracked the wire's rapid ascent as it pulled taut.

For the first time in the battle, AMAZO simulated confusion. But he had cut those wires. How were they still whole?

"2500 years ago, Sun Tzu's Art of War said, "Victory is decided before the battle is fought.""

The wire snapped into place, creating a loop stretching across the room. The tungsten wire sliced through weaker metals and wooden structures like a hot knife through butter. Debris crumbled as the wire coiled tighter, binding itself around AMAZO's form. The tension increased, constricting his limbs and torso.

To AMAZO, the realization came too late. The wires in the room, the ones AMAZO had cut, had been decoys. Why did the cut wires turn back into a single wire? The trap was laid so that it would still function even if the visible wires were cut. A simple trick.

Brainstorm had anticipated that AMAZO would disable any obvious trap he saw.

There was no leverage to break out quickly. Before he could switch to Martian Manhunter and phase out, an electrical current went through the wire. Momentarily stunning him. Then-.

CRACK!

A heavy blow slammed into the back of AMAZO's head, sending sparks flying. The android stumbled forward as a surge of more electricity coursed through his systems, disrupting his balance. He whirled around, only to see the real Batman standing behind him, armed with a bulky, electrified gauntlet.

When the android previously filtered its hearing, quieter sounds, such as deliberate quiet footsteps, were ignored. Consequently, with only visual tracking, Batman was a ghost to the machine.

Batman followed up with another strike, the electric shock disrupting AMAZO's robotic physiology.

His sensors flickered, and his visual feed glitched, distorting the surroundings. When it was restored, Batman was gone once more.

AMAZO managed to free an arm. In a brief moment, he found movement. AMAZO's arm lunged forward. But as he grasped at the darkness, his hands came up with just a cape. Batman had seemingly broken away from it to slip past him once again.

Before AMAZO could try and untangle himself, there was pressure against his back. A soft beep caught his attention. His sensors immediately zeroed in on the source of the sound, right on his own body.

Several blocks of C4 were carefully attached to his back.

More beeps sounded. The floor beneath him shifted, explosives, concealed in the debris.

"The robot thought he could outsmart us, but we outsmarted his outsmarting."

BOOM.

The explosion rocked the block. The sheer force of the explosion was enough to collapse the building and launch AMAZO back into the street in a fiery inferno.

#

As Batman retreated from the building, a certain alien voiced his comments.

"I told you it would work. We just had to adjust the color palettes to compensate for the low lighting. I do have to ask why you keep pounds of C4 on hand?"

The Dark Knight groaned at the assistance. "If you hadn't noticed, for situations like this."

#

In that moment of vulnerability, a red blur struck. A blur of motion surged past AMAZO, too fast to see, but its sensors barely caught a brief disturbance. A powerful right hook slammed into the side of its head with a shockwave of force. The blow sent the android reeling in a different direction than the explosion. Its body lurched sideways from the impact.

Flash had already vanished, retreating before AMAZO could locate him as he got back up. "Target unable to engage."

AMAZO seemed to spasm as it tried to locate the hero visually but to no avail.

Then, another strike. A gust of wind brushed by as Flash hit again, this time from the opposite side. A sharp blow to AMAZO's torso knocked the android backward. But again, Flash vanished before AMAZO could launch a counterattack.

"Keep up the hit and run. Don't let him try to switch powers just yet. He needs to be able to take the hits right now."

The android staggered. He could withstand the blows while using Superman's powers, but AMAZO couldn't react fast enough. Flash darted through again, leaving only the aftermath of his attacks. Each punch knocked the android off balance.

"Access: Flash." AMAZO sped toward Flash, but even as the android bore down on him, Flash was ready.

"Now!"

In an instant, Flash circled AMAZO. AMAZO's sensors tracked him, but what should have been one target became a dozen. Dozens of identical versions of the Scarlet Speedster circled him.

AMAZO's systems simulated confusion, and Flash should not be fast enough to be in two places simultaneously.

Unknown to AMAZO, Brainstorm had shared some advice from his experience as a speedy alien with Flash. It was an assassination art developed by Citrakayah hunters dubbed the Echo. Flash had limited time to learn it, but all speedsters were fast learners.

"Remember, Keep a varying cadence of steps."

"Inconsistent visuals. Multiple targets detected. Error in processing..." Attempts to replicate this alleged new power were ineffective. AMAZO concluded that it was some strange application of super speed. Unfortunately for AMAZO, he was unable to properly observe the skill.

Flash's voice echoed around AMAZO. "What's the matter? Having trouble keeping up?"

"Three feet to go."

AMAZO surged forward again, this time faster, intending to outmaneuver Flash. But instead of running, Flash ducked low and kicked off the ground to propel himself upward. AMAZO hesitated, and a volley of titanium-tipped arrows buried themselves into its back in that split second.

A sharp series of beeps followed.

BOOM!

The explosion sent a shockwave rippling through the area, briefly staggering AMAZO. As the smoke cleared, it turned toward the source, only to find Flash grinning before it.

"Didn't see that coming, did you?" Flash quipped.

Hidden in the distance, Green Arrow had set up several crossbows. Flash had lured AMAZO into just the right spot. It was quite nostalgic.

Flash chuckled to himself. "Told GA I'd use that prank on someone else eventually."

"Well, I hope you liked that one 'cause there's more where that came from." With a flash of yellow, Flash sped off to the side.

AMAZO charged forward. His sensors locked onto Flash as the speedster darted around him in blurs of red and yellow. Every time AMAZO extended a limb, something unexpected happened, a gust of wind would overextend his strikes just enough to miss its target. The sudden variable was throwing off his internal calculations.

Suddenly, another gust of wind hit, this time stronger, forcing AMAZO to stagger back. The source became clear as a figure descended from above. Red Tornado.

The android hero's arms were extended, generating miniature vortexes around AMAZO's limbs. The winds were small enough to create a continuous, annoying resistance that made every movement a struggle. AMAZO found himself having to compensate for the sudden shifts in momentum, even as he tried to land a hit on the Flash.

The alien hero hummed through a communicator to Red Tornado. "Lower the air resistance in front of Flash and increase it on the android. Those air currents have to be sporadic. We don't want the enemy compensating for constant wind vectors. We want those attacks overextended or straight up slowed."

The android had the option of switching target priority to Red Tornado while still inhibited and targeted by Flash. The chance of success was below 33%.

Off to the side, a volley of energy blasts lit up the battlefield. The energy beams struck AMAZO's armored frame. Normally, a speed-powered AMAZO could dodge them, but the surrounding vortexes and a leg sweep from Flash left the Android faceplanting on the ground, prone to the attack and taking damage. Captain Atom had joined the fray.

Flash acted as the skirmisher, dealing fast damage and kiting AMAZO. He continued to dart in close, delivering a rapid series of punches that AMAZO could barely register when switched out of Flash's power set. If AMAZO tried to chase with Flash's abilities, Flash ran away at the same, if not faster, speed, leaving the Android open to attacks from others.

The android tried to compensate for the winds. He raised his arm to fire a concentrated energy blast at Red Tornado, but the shot went wide as another gust caught his arm, forcing it upward at the last second.

In contrast, switching to Superman's powers gave him some degree of overpowering the constant winds over him at the cost of needing to tank more attacks from Flash and Captain Atom.

Captain Atom floated at a distance and continually fired potshots at the android.

"I don't need to tell you of all people why having the high ground is important."

Since AMAZO's movement and limbs were hindered, he used his head literally. The power set shifted, and he released a canary cry toward Red Tornado. While Red Tornado dropped the vortexes targeting AMAZO's arms, AMAZO did not expect the Aerokinetic to create a wide vortex in front of him. The Canary Cry made contact with the Wind Wall and was essentially nullified.

"Sounds don't travel in a vacuum," grinned Brainstorm.

Indeed. As the eye of the tornado was turned into a large vacuumed area, it was physically impossible for the sound waves to follow a straight path and dissipate around Red Tornado.

AMAZO was, in turn, blasted with a Canary Cry from behind. He turned to see Flash Carrying Black Canary on his back. When AMAZO tried firing back, Flash sped to the side and out of the line of attack, allowing Black Canary to counter with one of her own again.

Flash blurring past AMAZO's field of vision. "Access: Flash." AMAZO raced after the scarlet blur, but Flash had already disappeared just as it started to strike. Flash kept abusing the wind resistance placed on AMAZO and the pseudo wind boost given to the speedster.

A sonic attack struck it in the chest. The shockwave pushed AMAZO back, disorienting for a fraction of a second.

Several arrows whistled through the air. Green Arrow had planted trick crossbows hidden across the blocks, and somehow, Brainstorm knew exactly where to angle them. Their arrows were rigged with explosives. One arrow landed on AMAZO's shoulder and exploded, forcing it to the ground.

AMAZO tried to adjust, but the moment it took flight to counterattack, the newly caped Dark Knight glided onto AMAZO's back and jammed a Batarang in each of its ears.

By the time AMAZO reached out to the mortal man, the Explosive Batarangs had detonated.

Its gyros malfunctioned. AMAZO's flight sputtered, causing it to hover unevenly.

The Batwing swooped in from above, launching a barrage of missiles that detonated around the android. AMAZOs struggled to compensate as the assault continued.

Before AMAZO could rise, Flash zipped through, disarming the android of its defenses with rapid strikes to vulnerable joints. Black Canary's sonic scream followed.

Flash skidded to a stop next to Green Arrow, who was already preparing the next volley of explosive arrows. "You ready for round two?" Flash asked, grinning.

AMAZO's strained to keep up. The Justice League was everywhere at once, and no matter how fast it adapted, there was always another unpredictable attack waiting just around the corner.

Another volley of arrows detonated against his back.

As this continued, he was still dodging and getting singed by Captain Atom. Flash sped away a moment later, presumably dropping off Black Canary to let her catch her breath. Any attempt to follow and eliminate the tired leaguer was denied, thanks to a certain Man of Steel tackling him from the sky.

"Access. Superman." AMAZO managed to escape the man's grip before lunging at Superman, its fist flying toward the Man of Steel with the force of a freight train. But before the blow could land, Superman's hand shot up, intercepting the punch with a resounding clap. The shockwave from the impact rattled the surrounding buildings.

Without missing a beat, AMAZO unleashed a flurry of punches. Superman, however, seemed to predict every move. His movements were a blur, blocking with open palms, deflecting punches with forearms, and twisting his body at the right angle to avoid serious damage.

AMAZO moved a hand to smash an oncoming arrow, but Superman grabbed AMAZO by the torso and used him as a makeshift shield against an energy blast. Did Captain Atom fire, knowing that Superman would do that?

AMAZO twisted, driving its knee toward Superman's midsection. Once again, Superman shifted, catching the knee with his own, stopping the momentum cold. The android quickly brought down an elbow aimed at Superman's head, only for Superman to sidestep, redirecting the elbow strike downward into the ground with a sharp, deflecting motion.

Superman's eyes narrowed as he dodged another blow, then countered with a quick jab to AMAZO's chest. The impact dented the android's metallic frame, sending it skidding back a few feet. But AMAZO didn't relent. The android surged forward, sweeping its leg at Superman's ankles, trying to take him off-balance. Superman, however, anticipated the attack, jumping lightly over the sweep and coming down hard with a hammer fist aimed at AMAZO's head.

AMAZO blocked, but the force of Superman's punch cracked the ground beneath them. Superman followed up with a rapid series of punches. The android tried to match his speed, but every time it attempted to counter, Superman would either parry the attack or sidestep out of range, launching another strike in return.

This… was not anticipated. There wasn't even any martial arts style to copy. Superman's moves were rather uniform, but the timing was unnatural.

Superman ducked under a haymaker and responded with a powerful uppercut, launching AMAZO into the air. As the android regained its balance, it fired a burst of heat vision at Superman, only for him to block it with his arms.

"What's the matter?" Superman asked. "Is that all you've got?"

The android charged again, swinging wide with a powerful punch aimed at Superman's torso, but he stepped into the blow, raising his arm at the right angle to deflect the strike.

AMAZO couldn't detect the influence of Brainstorm, which was linked psychically to Superman and fed him real-time analysis of the battle at a nanosecond-level pace. Every action AMAZO took was dissected and countered with ruthless efficiency.

Brainstorm's voice echoed in Superman's mind. "Angle the next block at 12 degrees to deflect the kinetic energy back into his joints. He'll try to follow up with a feint to your left, don't fall for it, pivot right and strike his midsection."

Superman obeyed the instructions without question. When the android attempted a feint, Superman didn't react, instead spinning to the right and delivering a crushing blow to AMAZO's midsection. The impact sent the android skidding back.

AMAZO's processors worked overtime, trying to adapt to Superman's newfound precision, but each attempt was met with an immediate and flawless counter. When AMAZO tried to sweep Superman's legs, the Man of Steel simply lifted off the ground, hovering just out of reach before launching a heat vision blast that forced AMAZO to shield itself.

"He's going to try an overhead strike," Brainstorm continued. "Intercept it mid-swing and drive his arm back into his core. That will destabilize his balance."

Superman caught AMAZO's arm mid-swing. He forced the android's arm back into its torso with a powerful twist.

Brainstorm's guidance allowed Superman to fight at a level of efficiency that even AMAZO couldn't match.

The android feigned vulnerability to draw Superman in.

"He's trying to lure you in," Brainstorm warned. "Force him to commit. He can't maintain this ruse for long."

Superman punched, but AMAZO countered. Captain Atom joined as he punched the android.

AMAZO switched between Captain Atom's nuclear energy manipulation and Superman's raw power. However, the Justice League had coordinated with Brainstorm, and Batman was already one step ahead.

"Now's our chance," Batman said, tossing a small, specially-designed grenade to Green Arrow. "Aim for its eyes."

Green Arrow caught the grenade, nodding as he quickly nocked the arrow. He waited, watching for the perfect opening as Superman and Captain Atom distracted AMAZO, hammering the android from opposite sides. As Captain Atom unleashed another nuclear blast, sparks flew, and Superman drove his fists into AMAZO's metallic frame.

With a clear shot, Green Arrow drew his bow. The moment AMAZO turned toward Captain Atom, Green Arrow loosed the arrow. It whistled through the air and struck AMAZO directly in the eyes. The grenade detonated on impact, releasing fast-hardening putty that spread across AMAZO's face.

AMAZO staggered, blinded.

Superman and Captain Atom moved in unison, exploiting the android's weakness. Superman's fists pummeled into AMAZO's chest with superhuman force while Captain Atom unleashed a torrent of energy blasts, each one powerful enough to destabilize AMAZO's systems.

Unable to see or react in time, AMAZO took the full brunt of their assault. It attempted to swing back, but its punches missed wildly. Superman dodged, landing another heavy blow to AMAZO's midsection, sending it crashing into the ground. Captain Atom followed up with a massive nuclear punch.

AMAZO finally began switching to Superman's powers, intending to use heat vision to burn away the obstruction in its eyes. As it focused its heat vision, the putty ignited. The result was an explosion right in AMAZO's face, sending the android reeling back.

Sparks flew from AMAZO's faceplate, cracks forming across its metallic head. Superman seized the opportunity, delivering a devastating uppercut that sent AMAZO flying into the sky, while Captain Atom followed up with another massive energy blast, pushing the android higher into the air.

Superman unleashed a devastating combo of heat vision and kicks.

Brainstorm mentally hummed. "The robot may be able to copy abilities, but it's still limited to its mechanical build." The alien hero noted the slight hitch in the android's arm whenever it prepared for a punch or kick. "It's got a tell."

Each strike was blocked or deflected as AMAZO struggled. Superman's next punch connected with its chest, sending the android flying through a nearby building, the structure crumbling under the impact.

Superman breathed. "Okay, Flash. You have a window. Get it set up."

The cityscape blurred around Flash as he sped through the streets, Brainstorm's voice guiding him telepathically in real time.

"Just a few more mirrors to set up," Brainstorm echoed in Flash's mind. "Angles need to be precise. This only works if the reflections hit the right spots."

"I'm on it!" Flash zipped through a narrow alley, screeching to a stop before a shattered window. With a careful twist of the mirror, he adjusted it to the exact degree Brainstorm had calculated. He double-checked the angle, then grinned.

"Done. What's next?" he asked, already darting off again.

"Last one. Two blocks ahead, rooftop level."

Flash was gone before Brainstorm finished his sentence. Leaping over a car, Flash scaled the side of a building, landing on the rooftop. He positioned it perfectly, catching the faint shimmer of light already bouncing from the others he'd set up around the city.

"That's it! All mirrors in place!" Flash called to Brainstorm before racing back toward the battlefield where AMAZO and Superman locked back into combat.

Superman's heat vision seemingly missed its target as it disappeared into the distance.

AMAZO, oblivious to the trap, lunged at Superman, tackling him with enough force to send both of them crashing through a parked car and into a fire hydrant. Water sprayed everywhere, soaking them both as AMAZO stood over Superman, preparing for another strike.

Flash ran onto the scene, arms vibrating with yellow electricity sparking across his body. Red Tornado sent a quick vortex to lift Superman out of the water. With a quick flick, Flash hurled a bolt of lightning at the pool of water around the android. The lightning struck AMAZO dead-on, sending a surge of electricity through its circuits, temporarily shorting out its systems.

A sharp whistle cut through the air. A titanium-tipped arrow, launched by Green Arrow, buried itself into AMAZO's chest and exploded. Cold, freezing vapor erupted from the arrow, instantly encasing AMAZO's body in a thick ice sheet.

For the first time in the battle, AMAZO paused, momentarily immobilized.

Flash ran by, already knowing what AMAZO would do next.

Sure enough, AMAZO's mouth opened a split second later to unleash a devastating Canary Cry to shatter the ice. But before the android could scream, something happened that even AMAZO's adaptive systems couldn't counter in time.

Out of nowhere, a concentrated blast of heat vision struck AMAZO directly in the back of the head, bypassing the usual durability defenses he'd just switched away from. The heat was intense, a beam far more potent than Superman's typical attack.

AMAZO's systems overloaded, and he stumbled forward, steam rising from the melted circuitry in his neck.

Having ricocheted across the city through the web of mirrors Flash had arranged, the heat vision beam had found its mark, perfectly timed with the moment AMAZO had been frozen in place.

Superman smirked as the blast hit its target. He stood up, dry from the wind and brushing the debris from his cape.

AMAZO's stance wavered, its once-perfect form now trembling under the strain of accumulated internal damage. Its advanced systems struggled to compensate for the relentless onslaught it had endured.

Brainstorm continued talking then through the plan at the speed of thought. "GO!"

In the blink of an eye, Superman and Flash moved to opposite city ends.

Superman's eyes narrowed and focused on his hand. Across the city, Flash vibrated at an intensity that made his fist hum with a low, ominous frequency, the air around him crackling with electricity. Both heroes' fists began to vibrate at such an incredible speed.

"STOP! Enough mass! MOVE!"

Superman and Flash rocketed toward AMAZO, closing the distance between them in less than a heartbeat. The sheer speed of their approach caused shockwaves to ripple through the city, shattering windows in their wake and trembling the ground beneath their feet.

AMAZO barely had time to react. Its systems registered the incoming threats, but it was too late.

Within everyone's minds, Brainstorm cackled. "CHECKMATE!"

Superman's fist collided with AMAZO's upper torso, the impact creating a resounding boom. At the same instant, Flash struck AMAZO's lower back with equal force.

The combined impact of their blows was cataclysmic. The force traveled through AMAZO's body like a seismic wave, rupturing circuits, shattering internal components, and disrupting its central processors. The android's frame buckled, crumpling as the sheer force.

Then, with a deafening crack, AMAZO's body split apart, sending its pieces flying in all directions.

As the dust settled, Superman and Flash stood among the wreckage. AMAZO's remaining head flickered weakly before going out.

Superman and Flash started at their fists as the vibration slowed to a stillness. "That was amazing! I didn't even know we could do that without breaking something!"

Chapter Text

Unknown Location

Professor Ivo's Laboratory

August 3rd, 10:15 EDT

Professor Anthony Ivo sat hunched over a monitor in frustration as he stared at the last moments of AMAZO's feed. The screen flickered, replaying the battle from the android's perspective. His creation, his masterpiece, was defeated. Ivo gritted his teeth as the footage looped again. Things seemed to be going well at first. The Justice League was completely thrown off by the attack. His initial projections suggested that any long-term combat would have lasted at least 3 hours.

"How…?" he muttered to himself. "How did this happen?"

He fast-forwarded through the earlier parts of the footage, where AMAZO had been beating down the Justice League. The powers of the arrived superhumans were copied, just as Ivo had intended. It had all been going perfectly.

Yet somehow, everything had fallen apart in the blink of an eye. One moment, AMAZO chased Batman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary in an abandoned building. Flash and Superman managed to retreat with them. The next thing he saw was that the tracking methods were becoming ineffective one by one. Thermal imaging, audio tracking, and motion sensors were no longer viable.

Finding Batman turned out to be a ruse. AMAZO couldn't get a hit on Flash as the others attacked in tandem. It seemed that T.O. Morrow was getting revenge on him through Red Tornado. Dealing with him as an irritating support role was not what he expected. Also, since when could Superman fight like he did just then?! It's like he knew exactly how AMAZO was going to strike. The last few minutes of the video went in and out before ending with a brief flash of Superman and Flash.

Ivo's fingers gripped the edge of his desk. "Damn it!" He replayed the footage, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His mind raced, trying to piece together the battle. The League couldn't have been acting blindly. But who? Wait…

He looked through the footage one last time. At some point in the fight, Martian Manhunter left and never came back to fight. Was it related to how they won? Perhaps. That's something to look into.

He clenched his fists, seething as he imagined the heroes celebrating their victory. This wasn't over. He wouldn't let them have the final word. The League wouldn't be able to hide from him for long. And next time, they wouldn't be so lucky.

Star City

August 3rd, 10:25 EDT

Now that the battle was over, the heroes felt relief and exhaustion. The fight tore up the streets. Thankfully, Star City was insured for these types of incidents since it housed Green Arrow. The Justice League members were spread out, taking a much-needed breather.

Flash and Superman moved at superspeed, collecting dismembered pieces of the robot's body. Their task was made infinitely easier thanks to Brainstorm, who helped calculate the exact trajectories of where each piece had landed.

"I think that's all of 'em," Flash said, dropping the last few bits of AMAZO's arm into a growing pile. He glanced at Superman, who was hovering just above the wreckage. As they finished gathering the last of the pieces, the rest of the Justice League began to regroup. Batman stood with Green Arrow and Black Canary, observing the pile.

Captain Atom was still on the phone with his military liaison, updating them on the situation.

Just as the League members got back to their feet, Martian Manhunter descended toward the group. Along with him was… a large crab-like creature.

The Justice League stared momentarily, uncertain of what they were seeing. The creature was massive, with a hard, shell-like body. But it wasn't the alien's strange form that caught their attention. It was the familiar green hourglass symbol.

"Ark?" Flash blurted out. He pointed to the creature, glancing around at the others to confirm he wasn't imagining things. "That's... you, right?"

The crab-like creature hovered closer. "Yes. It is I. You may also refer to me as Brainstorm if you so wish."

The Justice League exchanged glances. While they knew Ark was reserved about what kind of aliens he could transform, this was the first one that wasn't bipedal.

Martian Manhunter gave a small nod to the team.

Green Arrow raised an eyebrow. "Brainstorm, huh? I guess you have the head size to match."

Brainstorm chuckled. "Indeed." The alien lifted his carapace to show the massive brain inside, much to the shock of the others. "Quite wrinkly, too."

Black Canary and Clark put a hand to their mouths. "Please don't show that without a warning first…"

"Heh, heh. Apologies."

Green Arrow shook his head. "Well, I'll say you've earned the title."

"That explains how you were able to communicate with all of us at once," remarked Flash.

Martian Manhunter hummed. "Not many species can handle multiple mental conversations, let alone at those speeds. Luckily, I only needed to filter out connections of senses and long-term memory."

Superman floated down from the sky, dusting himself off as he landed lightly beside Batman. "Today was... a lot." Superman offered a hand to Brainstorm. "Thanks for the assist, Ark. Couldn't have done it without your guidance."

Brainstorm regarded Superman for a moment before extending a claw. "You are strong, Superman, but some problems require a more delicate touch. I'm glad my assistance proved useful."

Batman stepped forward. "You seemed to anticipate everything. Every move. This form of yours… It's like a living supercomputer, no?"

Brainstorm shrugged. "That's one way of putting it. The synaptic connections are quite complex."

Batman's lips thinned. "That's… convenient."

"I suppose."

Batman crossed his arms. "Your input was… valuable."

Brainstorm nodded. "And your execution was flawless, as expected." There was a pause before he added, "Thank you for trusting me. I know such a proposition was difficult."

Batman gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

"That's the most you'll get out of him. Trust me. I've tried." Green Arrow grinned and waved a hand. "For a reserve member, it sure worked like a charm. Remind me to get you on speed dial the next time we're in a tight spot."

Black Canary smirked. "My throat is still killing me, but at least it's over."

"By the way, that finishing move we pulled off," Superman began, glancing at Flash. "What exactly happened there? It felt... different."

Flash rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I think I know what happened, but I never considered doing it to just an arm."

Brainstorm nodded. "Ah, yes. You two performed a technique that increased your strike force exponentially by vibrating your limbs at sublight speeds."

Superman frowned, thinking back. "Sublight? So, relativistic effects?"

"Exactly," Brainstorm said with a nod. "At those speeds, your limb's relativistic mass increases, which increases the force of the punch. The faster you vibrate, the more your mass increases, thus multiplying the impact force. When vibrating at about 15% the speed of light, those punches back there were like nukes."

Eyes went wide, and Green Arrow whistled. That was one strong punch.

Flash's quirked a brow. "So, wait... if we vibrated at exactly light speed, we could theoretically achieve infinite mass, right?"

Brainstorm chuckled. "Theoretically, yes. But there's a catch. The laws of physics get... tricky at anything besides photons being the speed of light. If you reached that speed, you wouldn't just gain infinite mass. You'd create a singularity."

Superman raised an eyebrow. "A singularity? Like a black hole?"

"Precisely," Brainstorm said. "The moment you hit exactly light speed, the mass increase would cause space to warp. You'd rip open our dimension, literally, tear a hole in space. It's not something you'd want to happen."

Overhearing the conversation, the rest of the League began to gather around, expressions shifting from confusion to concern.

"You're saying moving at light speed could destroy the very fabric of space?"

Brainstorm nodded solemnly. "Yes, it could. Under normal conditions, the laws of physics make it nearly impossible for anything with mass to move at light speed. Granted, there are exceptions. But if you were to break that barrier without them... well, it's not a fun experience."

Flash blinked. "Wait, wait, you've seen this happen before?"

Brainstorm hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Kind of. It almost happened, but I stopped it. It's a long story, but suffice it to say, it's a scenario best avoided. And trust me, it's as bad as it sounds."

The League stood in stunned silence for a moment. Flash shook his head slowly, letting out a low whistle. "Let's put a pin on that for later."

Superman nodded. "We'll save it for emergencies."

The alien walked over to the pile of the robot's remains. "My strategy to ensure your survival and minimize damage to the city was successful. There was a 0.000000000001% percent chance of failure. As the rogue android could adapt to any one of us physically, the only way to prevail was to outthink it."

Superman folded his arms across his chest. "That four-hour estimate you gave is starting to sound very real.."

Flash grinned as he glanced at the strange alien. "Anyways, thanks again for coming, Ark... I mean, Brainstorm... you know what I mean."

Brainstorm chuckled. "It is no worry. We heroes help where we can." The crab alien reached down and picked up the robot's head. "Red Tornado, I don't suppose you know who may be responsible for this thing's creation?"

Red Tornado shook his head. "I have my suspicions. The design is much different than that of my own and Mister Twister. The only other one I could imagine having a grudge against the league is deceased.

"I see." Brainstorm used his electrokinesis to peel off the armored layers to see the inner workings.

Black Canary crossed her arms. "Think you can make sense of this junk pile?"

"We need to bring these parts to STAR Labs for analysis," Batman proposed. "They'll have the equipment and expertise to fully dissect its systems and determine who sent him."

As the League murmured in agreement, Brainstorm huffed. "I can provide a preliminary analysis myself to save us some time. There are some things that even STAR Labs may overlook, and I believe I am better equipped to detect any subtleties in the robot's design."

Superman looked down at the heap of metal. "There's no harm in a second opinion, right? I'd like to know why it came after us."

Batman considered for a moment, his gaze meeting Brainstorm. The alien intelligence had proven invaluable, and setting up a protected transit to the laboratories would take time. "Fine," Batman relented, "Proceed with caution."

Brainstorm nodded. Electromagnetic energy wrapped around the severed head. He began to interface with the machine. "Accessing…" Within moments, he was mentally analyzing the remaining programming. The data streamed directly into his mind. He sifted through complex algorithms and mountains of raw code. The name came to him first.

"AMAZO," Brainstorm said aloud.

Flash blinked. "AMAZO? That's what it's called? Weird name for a killer copycat robot."

Captain Atom glared at the remains. "For a weapon, one could say that it's amazing."

Brainstorm continued to dig deeper. "Yes. The android was designated 'AMAZO' by its creator. Initials: A.I… Ironic."

Batman seemed to have already guessed who was responsible.

Superman leaned in closer. "Anything else?"

Brainstorm straightened. "It had a single prime directive: to kill the Justice League."

Most of the members groaned. Could they go one week without some stranger trying to kill them for some reason or another?

Flash frowned. "Another one to add to the list…"

Superman's shoulders sagged. "So, this thing was designed solely to hunt us down?"

Brainstorm paused. "The android software contained no direct mention of its creator. Someone must have studied the League extensively, familiar enough to build a machine capable of copying your exact abilities."

Green Arrow grimaced. "That sounds bad. Like, really bad."

"Wait… There," Brainstorm said, his voice echoing in the minds of the League members. "There is a tracking transponder embedded within AMAZO's head."

The group fell silent.

Batman's expression darkened. "A transponder? Then whoever built AMAZO is likely tracking him."

Brainstorm studying it closer. "Indeed. This particular transponder is far more complex than one would think. I doubt you would have found it before taking it to STAR labs."

Superman frowned. "Any way we can trace the signal?"

"Unfortunately, no. It's only transmitting, not receiving." Brainstorm hummed. "What kind of time frame do we have to get this to STAR labs?"

"Ideally, we would split the pieces and ship to different locations later tonight," replied Batman.

Flash looked at Brainstorm with curiosity. "Why? What kind of plan?"

Brainstorm turned to face the group. "I suggest we use this transponder to our advantage. We'll allow it to keep transmitting. I have little doubt that the creator will attempt to retrieve his creation. From there, it'll be a trap. However, we'll need a different team to execute this plan."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "You mean our wards."

"Exactly," Brainstorm replied. "

The group exchanged glances, and while there was some hesitation, Batman sighed. "Let's hear it…"

Brainstorm chuckled. "Okay, here's what I had in mind…"

Later

Batman was on his communicator, making preparations.

Superman smiled. "Okay, we'll try to get everything else set for tonight. In any case, it looks like we've earned a break for a few hours."

Green Arrow laughed. "Don't jinx it, Clark. The last time you said that, we had a doomsday incident the very next day."

Everyone shared a light chuckle at that.

"Until next time." Brainstorm glanced over the gathered heroes. "If you require assistance, you know how to reach me."

Superman nodded, extending a hand once more. "We'll keep that in mind."

Mount Justice

August 3, 13:06 EDT

Kid Flash and Aqualad were playing virtual air hockey. Kid Flash got one right past Kaldur, into his goal. Kaldur looked stunned for a moment, then glared competitively at Kid Flash, who was eating a banana.

Recognized: Superboy; B-0-4.

From the Zeta Tube, Superboy walked uneasily into the room.

"Hi, Superboy," M'gann greeted.

Superboy went straight to the couch and faceplanted himself into the cushions.

Robin looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"How was Metropolis?" M'gann continued.

Superboy lifted his head from the pillow. "Not great… but not bad either." He hoped that Superman would keep his promise.

Black Canary cleared her throat behind them, catching their attention as she and Martian Manhunter stepped out of the shadows. "Ready for training, everyone?" she questioned.

M'gann was as peppy as ever. "Black Canary! Uncle J'onn!" She went up and hugged her uncle.

"M'gann, I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd see how you were adjusting," J'onn said, placing a hand on his niece's shoulder.

"A few bumps, but I'm learning," she assured.

Superboy sat up on the couch, resting his head on the back.

J'onn replied, "That's all I can ask."

Black Canary spotted the clone, seemingly hiding. "Care to join us?"

Superboy looked down with a sigh. He was waiting on training with Superman. Then again, he considered the hero's words from earlier. "Are you… familiar with how Superman fights?"

Black Canary hummed, getting an idea of what Superboy had in mind. "You wish to learn the same?"

"It'd be a starting point…"

"Well, in that case, I have some ideas," Canary called out. "Class is in session."

Canary walked to the center of the training ring, turning the tiles pure white with a blue barrier. "I consider it an honor to be your teacher," she prefaced, turning towards the larger group of teens as she pulled on her jacket slightly. "I'll throw a lot at you, everything I've learned from my own mentors," she continued as she pulled off her jacket, getting it just beyond the tear that was showing wrapping around her arm. She grunted through the pain but finished taking it off. "And my own bruises," she confessed, holding the wrapping.

"What happened?" M'gann asked worriedly.

"The job," Canary replied simply, throwing her jacket aside. Thoughts went back to how Brainstorm coordinated them. "Now, combat is about controlling conflict. Putting the battle on your terms." Even before the battle was over, he did everything to increase the chance of success. "Ideally, you should always be acting, never reacting," she told them before lightening her tone slightly. "I'll need a sparring partner."

"Right here. Yeah!" Kid Flash called out, raising his hand, food still in his mouth.

Aqualad frowned, and Robin had a sly smirk.

Wally met her in the middle, finishing the banana in one bite and swallowing before he continued. "After this…" he started, aiming his banana peel for the garbage. "Swish…" he commented as it made it in. "I'll show you my moves."

Black Canary smiled knowingly, her eyes narrowing. She threw a quick right jab, which he blocked, but found his feet being taken out from under him before he could even react. He hit the ground with a thud.

M'gann to look on worriedly, Aqualad leaned back in surprise, and Robin frowned.

The hologram read in big letters on the floor:Kid Flash - Status: Fail.

"Oh. Hurts so good," he managed to joke, even while in pain.

"Good block," Canary admitted. "But did anyone see what he did wrong?" she asked as she helped him back to his feet.

Robin was all too excited to answer this one. "Ooh, ooh. He hit on the teacher and got served?"

Kid Flash held the injured shoulder as he looked back, annoyed and horrified that Robin said that. "Dude!"

"He allowed me to dictate the terms of the fight," answered Black Canary.

Superboy looked down at his hands. "How do you maintain control if you can't go all out?"

Black Canary nodded, hearing a few words from the interaction with Superman earlier that morning. Her expression softened slightly. "Power can only take you so far in a fight. Raw strength is important, but control and focus can make all the difference."

Superboy furrowed his brow, still looking down at his hands, flexing them open and closed. "But holding back... it feels unnatural… Sometimes, it feels like everything is made of glass."

Black Canary took a step closer. "You need to understand your strengths and weaknesses and use them when necessary. It's about precision."

Robin chimed in, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Yeah, like if I threw every batarang I had at once, it wouldn't be effective. But one well-aimed batarang? Game over."

"Exactly," Canary affirmed, turning back to the group. "Control allows you to dictate the flow of battle. If you go all out from the start, you'll burn out quickly, or worse, you'll be easy to predict."

M'gann stepped forward hesitantly. "But what about someone like Superboy and Superman? Their strength is... well, their strength."

"If strength were all it takes to win a fight, then humanity would have evolved way differently than we are now." She turned to Superboy. "Were you ever taught the tale of David and Goliath?"

Superboy blinked. "No?"

Black Canary gave him a small smile. "Well, being powerful isn't the be-all end-all. And it doesn't mean being reckless. Watch." She turned toward Superboy and gestured for him to step forward. "Hit me."

Superboy hesitated. "You sure?" He didn't want a repeat of this morning.

"I've fought tougher than you," Canary teased with a smirk. "Go ahead."

Superboy squared his shoulders, his fists clenching. He threw a punch, slower than usual but still powerful. Canary, light on her feet, sidestepped the blow effortlessly, grabbing his wrist and flipping him to the ground in one fluid motion. He landed with a loud thud, but Canary didn't release him immediately.

"See?" she said, locking his arm in place, "I'm well aware that I'm not as physically strong as you or Superman. So, I don't even try to block. Instead, I use your strength to my advantage."

Canary released him, and he returned to his feet, dusting himself off. "Again?"

Superboy charged at her with another punch. She jumped up and used his shoulders to flip over him, landing closely behind him but still able to see him out of the corner of her eye. As he turned to hit her with a back fist, she dropped low, taking his feet out from under him.

Once again, the floor read Superboy Status: Fail.

From the sidelines, M'gann flinched back, Robin muffled his laughter, Aqualad looked worried, and Kid Flash frowned.

Black Canary got down to one knee to Superboy and offered him her hand. "Do you get what I'm trying to say?"

Superboy looked up at her. "I think… Is this what Superman does?"

She sighed. "Unfortunately, no. I'm trying to get it through his skull like you. You'll get it," she assured him. "It takes time. But you have the right mindset, and that's the first step."

Kid Flash, now standing with his arms crossed, grinned. "Yeah, and the second step is not getting flipped on your butt by Black Canary."

"Kid," Canary shot back, her smile widening, "I'd be happy to flip you again if you'd like another round."

The rest of the team chuckled, and even Superboy allowed himself a small smile.

"All right," Canary clapped her hands together, stepping back to address the entire group. "Let's run some drills. We'll work on countering attacks, controlling the fight, and using your environment to your advantage. Who's up first?"

The team exchanged glances on the turn for the lion's den.

Suddenly, the whole room beeped, and a holo screen opened up. "Batman to the Cave," the Dark Knight's voice called, and everyone rushed to join Superboy and Canary. As they gathered, Batman continued, "A new menace attacked Green Arrow and Black Canary. The attacker was capable of studying and duplicating the powers and abilities of its opponents."

On a smaller screen, an image of the attacker turned into a video feed, showing Superman going for a massive punch, only for it to be caught by the attacker. The assailant then used Superman to take out Red Tornado and Flash before throwing the alien hero aside. It turned and used newly acquired laser vision to destroy two Batarangs.

"Arrow called in reinforcements," Batman continued as the video paused, "which nearly proved disastrous as our foe gained more and more power with each new combatant."

"Whoa," Kid Flash was the first to vocalize, while Kaldur looked worried, and Superboy clenched his jaw. "One guy with the powers of the entire League?"

"Had we kept calling for physical backup, potentially, yes," answered Batman.

It seemed unbelievable. Even Robin looked as worried as Kaldur, his mouth slightly open, while M'gann nervously watched.

Black Canary shook her head. "Again, Arrow and I apologize for not mentioning it earlier."

Batman sighed. "It's been noted in the report. Ultimately, it took eight Leaguers and one reserve member two hours to defeat and dismantle the android.

The last part caught Robin's attention. "An android?" Robin questioned. "Who made it, T.O. Morrow?"

"Good guess, Robin, but Red Tornado doesn't think so."

"Upon physical inspection, the technology bears the signature of Professor Ivo," Martian Manhunter added.

"Ivo?" Aqualad asked, shocked. "But Ivo's dead."

Canary looked over her shoulder. "So we all thought, or hoped."

"Wait. You said one reserve member." Kid Flash's eyes widened. "Was Ark there too?"

The Dark Knight kept neutral. "Yes. Reserve Member Ark participated in the battle…"

"He's actually the reason why we were able to defeat it as fast as we did," chimed Black Canary. "I did not want to keep fighting that thing for an extra two hours."

"Ooh! What did he turn into?" beamed Robin. "Was it some giant that stomped the robot to pieces?"

Martian Manhunter chuckled. "He was a crab with a very large head."

The teens blinked in confusion as Batman pinched the bridge of his nose.

Kid Flash raised a hand. "Did he shoot psychic energy bolts or something?"

Black Canary and Martian Manhunter shook their heads in amusement. "Actually, Ark didn't participate in any of the fighting at all. Well, not directly? It's in part to what I was talking about before about strength."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Superboy.

Batman cleared his throat. "Not the time. Now, to make certain this threat is permanently neutralized," Batman said as another small screen showed a map. "We're sending two trucks carrying the android's parts to two separate STAR Labs facilities, one in Boston and the other in New York for immediate evaluation. Every precaution is being taken." The two paths diverged, beginning from a glowing red dot on the map. "We'll have four additional trucks to create confusion, in case Ivo or anyone else tries to recover the remains. You will split into undercover teams to safeguard the two real trucks."

"Yes!" Kid Flash said excitedly. "Road trip!"

Canary turned to Kid Flash with an annoyed look while Aqualad and M'gann gave him confused glances. Robin joined them, glaring from behind his mask.

Superboy frowned. "How long is… this mission going to take?" Superman said after 5 PM, but…

"I've been assured that your appointment is still on for today." Batman's expression softened a bit.

Superboy looked away, a bit surprised. "Oh… Um… Thanks." A smile formed. Superman hadn't forgotten.

Aqualad's transmitter went off. "Coordinates received. On our way," Aqualad confirmed, and everyone ran off.

Chapter Text

Fawcett City

August 3, 18:45 CDT

The warm afternoon sun filtered through the tall buildings of Fawcett City. Ark and Captain Marvel sat at a small outdoor diner, each holding a frosty milkshake. After the busy morning with AMAZO and noon chores, Ark met up with Captain Marvel as promised. The milkshake stop was Captain Marvel's idea, and Ark couldn't help but agree that it was good.

Ark opened the mouth of his mask and took a long sip from his strawberry shake. "You know, for a city that looks straight out of the 50s, this place has some pretty good milkshakes."

Captain Marvel grinned, his childlike excitement shining through his older superhero persona. "You've got that right! The milkshakes here are legendary. They don't make 'em like this in Metropolis."

Ark chuckled, watching Captain Marvel devour his chocolate shake with enthusiasm. "You remind me of when I was younger?"

Captain Marvel raised an eyebrow and wiped some whipped cream from the corner of his mouth. "Heh. Sorry. I try limiting my sweets, so I enjoy them when possible." The truth was that his uncle only allowed him one milkshake a week. "Plus, who's gonna judge Captain Marvel for loving milkshakes?"

"So, Ark," Captain Marvel began, his voice casual but curious, "I heard there was a pretty big fight with a robot earlier today. What was its name, again?"

"AMAZO."

"Yeah, Sorry. I, uh… wasn't around. You know, busy with… stuff." Captain Marvel waved a hand dismissively, but there was something off about how he said it.

Ark raised an eyebrow but let it go. "It's no biggie."

"Are you sure? You guys were fighting a robot that could copy the powers of the entire Justice League?"

"All the better that you stayed away from it. Although, I'm not sure if it would have worked on you."

Captain Marvel tilted his head. "Why's that?"

"Your powers come from magic, right?"

"Yup.

"Well, in any case, to my understanding, your magic source is external. You don't actually produce it."

"They are basically blessings from the Greek and Roman Gods."

"Similar to Wonder Woman, yeah."

"Uhuh."

Ben thought about when the alien toy tried replicating Gwen's mana but couldn't. It made a substitute. "Well, unless those gods decided to bless AMAZO, he shouldn't have been able to do anything."

"Still, I heard you turned into a different alien and majorly helped out the League. What'd you do?"

Ark grinned. "Brainstorm. Basically, an alien crab with the brain of a supercomputer."

He smiled. "Cool…"

"I have this other form that might have worked, but I would have risked it getting in range of AMAZO's scanners and getting copied before it could make physical contact."

"What would be bad about that?"

"Nanomachines, son. Trust me. If that got copied, the worst case scenario is another Malware and a robot apocalypse."

"That's bad. I… Who?"

"Sorry. An old enemy of mine."

"So, how did you guys even beat AMAZO?"

Ark's expression shifted. "Since that thing copied everything, I used Brainstorm to ."

Captain Marvel raised an eyebrow. "?"

"Yeah. I used Brainstorm to analyze the fight in real-time, coordinating the League. I figured out AMAZO's limitation, it can only use one set of powers at a time. We exploited that." Ark paused, remembering the intense battle. "Once we got it into a pattern and trapped it, Flash and Superman punched it at near-nuclear force. Took it down for good."

Captain Marvel let out a low whistle. "Sounds like quite the show. Wish I could've been there." He gave Ark a friendly nudge. "Next time you guys fight a crazy robot, call me. I'll make sure to finish my homework first."

Ark grinned. "Deal."

Earlier That Day

Litchfield County

August 3, 19:08 EDT

In a field off the main highway, six trucks were sitting ready while parts of the dismantled android were being loaded. Red Tornado, Atom, Green Arrow, Flash, and Superman were overseeing this.

Turning away and using his enhanced vision, Superman saw the Team waiting on their motorcycles: Aqualad and M'gann on blue, Kid Flash on yellow, and Superboy and Robin on red. He zeroed in on Superboy, who returned his gaze. Superboy looked down before sliding on his helmet as the trucks' engines revved. They revved their cycles and came to the edge of the clearing, putting on their helmets.

"STAR Boston is a go," was heard over the comms as three trucks closed their back gates.

"STAR Manhattan is a go," Green Arrow nodded, then looked to Batman, who gave the signal.

The trucks pulled out in two opposite directions. Robin and Superboy followed the ones going right, while Kid Flash, Aqualad, and M'gann followed the three going left.

Later

#

Miss Martian, Aqualad, and Kid Flash raced past a cornfield when robotic monkeys, MONQIs, emerged and latched onto their truck. Aqualad activated his comm channel to alert Robin and Superboy, who were facing the same problem.

#

"I hate monkeys," Superboy growled as the robots attacked both the truck's cargo and driver's cabin, causing it to swerve.

"These are definitely Ivo's style," Robin noted, activating a drone from his bike. Spotting Superboy leaning forward, Robin warned, "Switch to Battle Mode!" But Superboy ignored him, leaping onto the truck mid-ride.

As Robin's bike crashed without a rider, he used his grapple to swing onto the truck, kicking off a MONQI. Superboy removed his helmet on the roof and smashed two MONQIs before ripping off a third's arms, only to be jumped by three more.

Robin handled the attackers below, using Batarangs to disable a MONQI shooting lasers and clearing the area for his drone to fire. Meanwhile, Superboy crushed another MONQI, but as he did, it shot lasers into his eyes, temporarily blinding him.

Taking advantage, the MONQIs lifted and dropped him onto the ground. Wavering and unable to see, Superboy steadied himself, closed his eyes, and relied on his hearing to pinpoint the attackers before leaping toward them.

#

Aqualad used his water-bearers, forming whips to take down two MONQIs, but the remaining MONQIs shifted their focus to Miss Martian and Kid Flash. Miss Martian used her telekinesis to find an opening and flew to the truck, while Kid Flash abandoned his bike, running to catch up.

The driver, struggling to maintain control, panicked and shouted for help. On the truck's roof, two MONQIs used their laser vision to cut through the metal and expose two guards, who managed to shoot down only one MONQI. Miss Martian knocked the others off the roof with her telekinesis.

Kid Flash ran alongside the truck, kicking off several MONQIs rapidly before reaching the cabin. Meanwhile, Aqualad took out more MONQIs using dual whips from his motorcycle.

One MONQI cracked the driver's window, obscuring his view, while others piled onto Miss Martian. She grew extra arms to swat them away, including one sprouting from her head, but her unsettling appearance frightened the driver even more. Realizing the distraction, Miss Martian flew away from the window.

Kid Flash climbed onto the truck's roof using a MONQI's tail just as Miss Martian landed beside him with her extra arms. Startled, Kid Flash fell back in fear, prompting Miss Martian to drop her additional limbs and stand defensively.

Before they could talk, a swarm of MONQIs erupted from the truck's hole, overwhelming them. Another group tore open the back gate and escaped with the Android parts. Aqualad, unable to stop them in time, could only watch as the MONQIs flew off with the stolen cargo.

#

Robin used a Batarang to remove the last MONQI from the back gate, giving him time to climb onto the truck's roof. Just as a MONQI pulled a guard through a hole in the roof, Robin landed, armed with escrima sticks. He swiftly knocked out two MONQIs and flipped across the roof, only to see more approaching from behind.

Before the MONQIs could reach Robin, Superboy landed in the middle of them, sending the MONQIs, and Robin, flying. As four MONQIs latched onto Superboy, he ripped them off. Meanwhile, two other MONQIs destroyed the truck's rear tires with laser vision, causing the vehicle to swerve.

Robin managed to steady himself and yelled for the driver to jump out. He quickly grabbed the man and threw both of them into a nearby cornfield.

With no driver and damaged wheels, the truck tipped and rolled, crushing many of the MONQIs. The back gate burst open when it finally stopped upside down, and five MONQIs escaped with the Android parts.

Robin helped the coughing driver back to the side of the road, where they watched the MONQIs fly away. Behind them, Superboy pushed the truck off himself, his vision slowly returning. Spotting the fleeing MONQIs, Superboy grunted and leaped after them.

"Superboy!" Robin called after him, but Superboy didn't stop.

#

After Aqualad reported that his team lost their cargo, Robin confirmed that both the android parts and Superboy were gone. Superboy, leaping across massive distances, ignored Aqualad's attempts to help, yelling that he didn't need or want any assistance before discarding his communicator.

Frustrated, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian assessed their situation, realizing they couldn't track Superboy or Ivo. Miss Martian tried using telepathy, but he was out of range. Despite Wally's sarcastic frustration about their lack of leads, Robin began decoding one of the destroyed MONQIs. He discovered the android parts contained GPS signals, which the MONQIs had used to target the correct trucks.

Robin triangulated the signal, revealing the cargo was headed toward Gotham City. Realizing his team wouldn't arrive in time, Aqualad sent Kid Flash ahead to intercept.

With a grin, Wally pulled down his goggles and sped off. Meanwhile, Robin activated his motorcycle remotely and prepared to follow. Staring at the rising crescent moon, he muttered, "Definitely a disaster. Heavy on the 'dis.'"

Bibbo's Diner

Metropolis

August 3, 19:18 EDT

The smell of coffee and fresh pie wafted through the air. Clark Kent sat across from Bruce Wayne, glancing out the window at the fading light. Inside, the world felt peaceful, a rare occurrence in their lives.

"Apple pie," Clark said to the waiter, giving a friendly nod as the order was scribbled down. Across from him, Bruce's face was obscured by the menu, held unusually high, perhaps to discourage any wandering eyes.

"The Devil's Food," Bruce ordered, lowering the menu with a small, disarming smile as he returned it. The smile faded as his sharp eyes met Clark's, signaling the beginning of a more serious conversation.

Clark leaned back slightly, adjusting his glasses out of habit. "You know, things are working out better than I thought with Superboy. Lois and my folks… they've all been really open toward him. Treating him like a part of the family." He paused, a warm smile forming as he reflected. "It's easier to think of him as a younger brother than a son. Less pressure, you know? I'm still in my mid-twenties, and he's biologically sixteen."

Bruce raised an eyebrow slightly, leaning forward. "A brother, huh?" His voice had a hint of amusement. "That's good, Clark. It shows you've found a dynamic that works for you, but…" He trailed off, measuring his words.

Clark's smile faltered slightly. "But?"

Bruce sighed softly, resting his elbows on the table. "While I agree that it's great to view him as a brother, it's important to remember that he's still a child, Clark." His tone was calm but firm. "You know as well as I do that kids, especially ones like Superboy, need more than just acceptance. They need guidance. They need a figure in their lives who can help them navigate who they're becoming."

Clark's expression shifted, becoming more thoughtful.

Bruce continued. "I've seen it firsthand. After my parents died, I had Alfred. He wasn't my biological father, but in every way that matters, he was there. He taught, raised, and gave me a moral foundation to stand on." Bruce's gaze softened, an unspoken affection for Alfred passing through his normally guarded demeanor. "Alfred became my father, too."

Clark let out a quiet breath, his eyes softening as he took in Bruce's words. "I see what you're saying. It's just... With Superboy, I didn't ask for this, you know? I didn't even know he existed until recently." He rubbed the back of his neck, the weight of responsibility evident in his posture. "I don't want to make him feel like he has to be anything more than what he already is. He's not me. He shouldn't have to be."

"And he won't," Bruce replied, his voice steady. "But that doesn't mean he doesn't need you to help him figure out who he is. He will look to you whether you like it or not, Clark. Even if he sees you as a brother, you're still Superman to him. That comes with responsibility, whether as a brother or a father."

The words hung between them, heavy yet familiar. Clark nodded slowly, the weight of Bruce's advice settling in.

"I guess you're right," Clark admitted. "I'll need to be more mindful of that." He glanced out the window again, lost in thought. "Lois has already been talking about setting up some things for him. Maybe I should take a more active role, too."

Bruce leaned back in his seat, satisfied with Clark's response. "It's not about being perfect, Clark. It's about being there when he needs you." He paused, his voice softening as the waiter returned with their orders. "That's what family is."

Clark smiled, picking up his fork as the plate of apple pie was set in front of him. "Yeah. Family."

Bruce glanced down at his slice of Devil's Food cake and gave his small, rare smile.

Clark took a slow bite of his pie, his thoughts heavy. "I actually talked to Superboy about... taking a more active role in his learning. But, Bruce, I'm not confident in being that kind of figure. The idea of it, it feels like I'm this teenage father, like I'm not ready." He shook his head slightly. "I'm still learning so much myself. I don't even know where to start when it comes to teaching as a parent."

Bruce listened silently attentively. It wasn't hard to see its weight.

"I talked with Ma and Pa about it, too," Clark continued. "They understood my apprehension. I think, in a way, it's nostalgic for them. Helping raise another kid like me, even if it's different this time around. I think they're excited about it in their way. They told me I could ease into that big brother role... and I trust them."

Bruce leaned forward, sensing the hesitation. "They raised you well, Clark. You turned out pretty decent," he said with a small smirk. "If anyone can help you with Superboy, it's your parents."

Clark nodded. "I trust them with this. They did a good job. But still…" He set his fork down. "It's just... there's this part of me that wonders if I'm really cut out for it. Like, what if I mess up? What if I don't know how to be the person he needs me to be?"

Bruce studied him for a moment. "You will. You're already thinking about it, which is more than most would. Superboy's got the potential to be great, Clark. Mistakes will happen. But that's part of learning for both of you."

Clark exhaled, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Yeah, I guess that's true." He chuckled softly, a little self-deprecating. "It's strange. I can face down aliens, monsters, the end of the world, but this? Being there for Superboy in that way? It scares me more than any villain ever could."

Bruce gave him a knowing look. "That's because this is real life, Clark. And real life? It's always the hardest battle."

Clark smiled. "Yeah. You're right." He picked up his fork again, a small laugh escaping. "Leave it to you to make fatherhood sound like a warzone."

Bruce smirked, sipping his coffee. "In a way, it is."

The MONQIs with the parts flew towards a moving train, the car's side doors opening. More MONQIs allowed them to fly in, with the second group right behind them. Then the doors slid shut.

Professor Ivo sat hunched over in the dimly lit compartment of the train, the rhythmic clacking of the wheels on the tracks almost drowned out by his obsessive muttering. Before him lay the two halves of AMAZO, split down the center like a butchered beast. His hands moved with precision, reconnecting severed wires and aligning fractured circuits.

"This time, they won't stop you," Ivo muttered.

Ivo finished attaching the two internal and external halves. All that remained was to activate the power core.

"Once I get you back to the lab, they won't know what hit them when you rise again," Ivo said, his voice filled with an almost giddy anticipation. He leaned back for a moment, surveying his work with satisfaction. The Justice League had humiliated him, but AMAZO would rise stronger. Nothing would stop his creation from fulfilling its prime directive.

He reached into his bag and pulled out a small control device. "Wake up, AMAZO," he said, pressing a button.

The android's eyes flickered to life, a low hum emitting from its newly restored body as it rebooted. Ivo grinned. AMAZO rose before him.

"AMAZO," Ivo commanded. "Status report."

The android's eyes glowed red. "All systems operational, Professor Ivo."

Ivo smiled, momentarily relieved. "Good."

#

Superboy bounded across amazing distances, landing on the same car the MONQIs had entered. Tightening his hand, he jabbed it into the roof, creating a tear that easily ripped wider with his super-strength. Superboy saw no immediate danger and jumped in. Behind him, just outside the shadows, were the now-open boxes of the Amazo parts.

He heard the MONQIs chattering ahead. Looking up, shrouded in the green glow of his MONQIs, was an aging ginger man with a white button-down, black slacks, and a black vest, typing away on his computer.

Taking his time and entirely calm, the man looked up. "Oh, hello," he greeted.

"You? You're Ivo?" Superboy scoffed. "I'm whelmed."

"You're one to talk," Ivo countered, turning away from his computer, resting his elbow on his fist, and placing his hand on his chin. "Since when does the big blue boy scout have a brat?"

"He doesn't," Superboy snapped, narrowing his eyes.

"Eh, well, if you say so," Ivo shrugged dismissively. "Have you met my Mobile Optimal Neural Quotient Infiltrators?" he gestured to the dozen-plus MONQIs around him, who launched themselves at Superboy.

He responded with a cross, taking out one, followed by a back fist to take out a second, then jabbing another in the same spot to destroy it. To his right, he turned with a back fist to destroy yet another, managing a full 180-degree rotation, finishing it off by destroying the final MONQI with another back fist, knocking the head back toward Ivo.

"Ah, and after all the trouble I went through finding an acronym for MONQI," Ivo grumbled as Superboy continued to destroy the small robots, turning back to his computer.

Grabbing two, Superboy smashed them together in front of him, completely obliterating them, though he was panting.

Something moved in the background. Superboy's eyes widened at the rebuilt android, and he went on his guard.

Ivo hummed. He had expected AMAZO to defend him, granted the boy did not strike. "Since Professor Ivo's magnificent MONQIs don't float your boat, maybe my amazing Amazo will better suit you or slay you."

The massive android walked between them as the train approached tight corners, staying close to the mountains.

Superboy stood with his hands clenched. "Give me your best shot."

The MONQIs laughed behind Ivo, but the laughter soon died out as AMAZO continued to stand there.

Ivo raised a brow. "AMAZO? Finish him. Priority Alpha."

Fawcett City

August 3, 19:45 CDT

Ark and Captain Marvel sat in one of the booths, munching on burgers. "Dude, you can never go wrong with a good smash burger with bacon and Thousand Island sauce.

"You know it." Captain Marvel was halfway through his when Ark's phone buzzed on the table.

Glancing down, Ark's eyes lit up with a mischievous grin.

"What's that?" Captain Marvel asked.

Ark chuckled and pulled out a sleek laptop and a game controller from his bag. "Oh, you'll love this." He set the laptop on the table. "Want to see something cool?"

Captain Marvel leaned forward. "Sure."

After several keystrokes, the screen revealed a camera feed focused directly on Superboy. Superboy stood, fists clenched, staring them down.

Captain Marvel blinked. "Wait… Is that...?"

Ark grinned wider. "Yup. That's Superboy. And we're watching through AMAZO."

"If AMAZO's online, that means…"

They could hear Ivo's voice through the speakers. "AMAZO, attack Superboy! Destroy him!"

Superboy stood his ground, but AMAZO didn't move.

Ivo's voice grew more frantic. "What are you doing?! I shall have my vengeance!"

Captain Marvel glanced at Ark, a little unsure. "Uh, shouldn't we be doing something?"

Ark shook his head with a smirk, casually picking up the controller. "Oh, don't worry. This is all part of the fun." He tilted one of the thumbsticks, and the camera angle shifted, showing Professor Ivo's irritated face. "Watch this."

Ark pressed a button, and the microphone connected to AMAZO's system activated. His voice, now masked by the android's mechanical tone, echoed from the speakers. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Professor."

Captain Marvel burst out laughing, nearly choking on his shake. "No way!? You control him?"

Ivo's expression on the screen shifted from irritation to shock. His eyes widened as he stumbled backward. "W-What?!"

Ark casually bit a fry, his grin never fading. "Yep. Took care of that backdoor earlier today."

Captain Marvel leaned in. "Man, you're literally playing Ivo right now."

On-screen, Ivo scrambled, frantically hitting buttons on a nearby control panel. "This… This isn't possible! I built you! You obey me!"

Ark tilted the thumbstick again, making AMAZO step toward Ivo. "Apologies, but not anymore."

Captain Marvel shook his head in disbelief, laughing. "It's like a video game!"

"Pretty much," Ark said with a satisfied grin.

On the screen, Ivo's panic grew. "I demand that you obey me! AMAZO, attack!"

Ark leaned back in the booth, flicking the controller idly. "Nope. Not today."

A soft mechanical whir filled the air as AMAZO's red eyes shifted to a glowing green. The android raised its head, and from its chest, a glowing projection flickered to life.

It was a live feed of Ark and Captain Marvel. Ark grinned at the screen. "Hey there, Professor," Ark greeted cheerfully. Captain Marvel gave a small wave.

Ivo's jaw dropped. "W-What is this?!"

Ark chuckled. "You didn't really think you'd get your toy back that easily? We knew you would try to steal it. It was all part of the game."

Captain Marvel leaned in. "And we won. Big time."

Ivo's face twisted. "No! This is impossible! He obeys me!"

Ark shook his head. "Correction. AMAZO's under new management. I added a few subroutines earlier today when I last got my… claws on him. I suggest you relax," Ark said with a grin, "because your ride's about to come to a stop."

Superboy raised a brow. "Wait. Ark? Is that you?"

AMAZO turned to him. "Hey, Superboy. You doing alright?"

Superboy's jaw tightened. "Irritated," he growled, staring daggers at the professor and his robot MONQIs. "Very, very irritated."

"Yeah, I figured."

Superboy's scowl deepened as he stomped toward AMAZO, his muscles tensed. "You could've given me a heads up before making me think this thing was about to kill me."

Ark laughed. "I had to keep it authentic."

Superboy let out a deep sigh, relaxing his stance. "If there's a next time, I'm smashing the robot first, asking questions later."

Ark chuckled from his booth at the diner, keeping the conversation light. "Fair enough."

"I've come too far to lose now!" Ivo snarled, turning his attention to the array of mechanical monkeys, his MONQIs, lined up along the walls of the train car. He jabbed at a button on his control panel. "MONQIs, attack! Destroy AMAZO!"

The MONQIs, small, agile robots with glowing red eyes, activated with a whirring sound. Their claws extended, and their eyes locked onto AMAZO. They leaped from their perches in perfect unison, screeching mechanically as they launched themselves at the android.

AMAZO raised both hands, deploying small, sleek cameras to the room's corners. The lenses glinted as they snapped into position, providing multiple angles of the enclosed space. From Ark's laptop, the interface looked just like a video game, complete with a wide view of the entire train car.

Ark cracked his knuckles, gripping the game controller with a grin.

"Time to show them what a sumo can do," Ark muttered.

"Wait... are you really about to...?" Captain Marvel leaned in, laughing.

Ark's fingers danced over the controller. On the screen, AMAZO suddenly adopted the movements from Sumo Slammers 6: Tournament Edition!

"Hundred Hand Slap!"

The android's arms blurred, unleashing rapid-fire slaps that sent MONQIs flying across the train car, smashing into walls and crates. Sparks erupted as the relentless flurry battered them before they could defend themselves.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Captain Marvel cheered, pumping a fist.

Ark grinned, pressing a combination on the controller. "And now for some head trauma."

"Sumo Headbutt!"

AMAZO crouched low, then shot forward like a cannonball, slamming into a cluster of MONQIs. They scattered like bowling pins, sparks flying as their circuits shorted out. A pair of MONQIs lunged for AMAZO, but Ark was already on the next move.

"Oicho Throw!"

AMAZO snatched a MONQI mid-air using one arm, spinning it around like a ragdoll before slamming it into the floor. Another MONQI tried to pounce from behind, but Ark was too quick.

"Sumo Dash!"

The android burst into a short-range sprint, catching the enemy off guard. While still moving, Ark chained into a follow-up attack.

"Teppo Triple Slap!"

AMAZO's palms delivered a precise three-hit combo that crushed another MONQI mid-air, clattering its mangled parts to the ground.

"Okay, that was awesome!" Captain Marvel exclaimed between sips of his milkshake.

Ark chuckled, lining up another combination. "We're not done yet."

"Sumo Smash!"

The android leaped into the air, hitting both fists hard, shattering the floor beneath a group of incoming MONQIs. Metal limbs flew as the enemies were crushed under the sheer force of the landing.

Ark's fingers moved like lightning, his grin widening. "Time to wrap this up."

"Taiho Cannon Lift!"

During another Sumo Dash, AMAZO scooped up three MONQIs, effortlessly tossing them into the far wall like trash. Their circuits sputtered as they hit the ground, limp and sparking.

"One more for style points," Ark announced with a gleam in his eye.

"Neko Damashi!"

On-screen, AMAZO clapped his hands together with a resounding SLAP, disorienting the remaining MONQIs. They staggered, spinning wildly, leaving themselves wide open for the final blow.

Superboy cracked his knuckles with a smile. "With pleasure." Superboy's fist collided with the closest robot, shattering it like brittle glass. Bits of metal and wires flew as he pivoted, grabbing two more MONQIs by the necks.

Superboy hurled them into the wall, their frames crumpling. Another group of MONQIs attempted to regroup, but Superboy leaped into the air, bringing both fists down in a hammer strike, cratering the metal floor beneath them.

The remaining MONQIs staggered, only for Superboy to barrel through them with a feral roar. There was only one left behind, Ivo.

Ark leaned back. "And that's how you sumo."

Captain Marvel burst out laughing. "I can't believe you just used arcade moves in real life. That was incredible! Man, I think you've missed your calling. Ever thought about going pro in gaming?"

Ark smirked, setting the controller down. "Nah, saving the world is way more fun. Eh, maybe I'll game as a side hobby."

Professor Ivo scrambled across the train car. The situation was slipping out of his control. In a last-ditch effort, he reached for his last MONQI. Its metal wings unfurled. "Time to go." Ivo climbed onto it. The little robot lifted off the ground, rising toward a hole in the ceiling. "Fools!" Ivo shouted over his shoulder as the MONQI carried him higher. "You think you can stop me? I'll be back!"

Superboy moved to stop him, but AMAZO held out a hand. "Wait for it."

As Ivo started to soar through the gap in the roof, a red blur shot through the air and slammed into him. Ivo yelped as he was knocked off the MONQI, tumbling through the air before crashing back onto the train car floor with a heavy thud.

"Woohoo!" Kid Flash shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "How's that for a takedown!?"

Ivo groaned, clutching his side. "W-What…?"

Kid Flash leaned down with a smirk. "Villain getaway? Not on my watch, buddy."

Ivo slumped in defeat. His only hope of getting away sparked out of existence.

Kid Flash reached down, grabbing Ivo by the collar and yanking him to his feet. "Hmm. Should probably wait for Robin with the cuffs."

Kid Flash glanced up and froze. His grin faded slightly as his eyes landed on the fully reassembled AMAZO standing tall next to Superboy in the middle of the train car.

"Uh..." Kid Flash's voice trailed off, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Did I miss something?"

Gotham City

August 3, 20:21 EDT

As the police led Professor Ivo away in handcuffs, Ark and Captain Marvel, watched the scene unfold with satisfaction. The two turned toward each other.

"High five, man!"

Captain Marvel enthusiastically returned it. "You nailed it!" The hero glanced at his watch, and his smile faltered. "Uh, it's getting kind of close to my… curfew."

Ark raised an eyebrow, confused. "Curfew?"

Captain Marvel quickly backpedaled. "Self-imposed. I have to wake up early tomorrow for… uh, school."

Ark nodded. "Ah, I get it. Morning college classes can be a pain. I should know. Early classes mess up your whole day."

Captain Marvel let out a small, awkward laugh. "Yeah... something like that."

Ark, unaware Captain Marvel meant elementary school, offered a supportive nod. "It's never wrong to focus on education, though. Even with all the hero stuff, it's good to have something to fall back on, or at least something to do during the day when you're not out saving the world."

Captain Marvel shifted a little. He appreciated Ark's sentiment. "Yeah, totally. It's all about balance, right? Superhero life, school, just keeping it together."

Ark smiled. "Exactly. You never know when the skills or knowledge you pick up outside hero work will be useful."

Captain Marvel gave a slight chuckle, his thoughts lingering on his very different life as Billy Batson, the elementary school kid. "Yeah... you never know." His mind briefly wandered to his math homework. "Anyway, I should probably get going before it gets too late. Don't want to miss… school stuff."

Ark gave him a friendly slap on the back. "Go get 'em, Captain. Stay sharp, and we'll catch up soon."

Captain Marvel nodded, offering a final grin before taking off. "You bet!"

As Ark watched him leave, he chuckled to himself. "Good guy."

Captain Marvel, meanwhile, soared through the sky, chuckling under his breath. "If only you knew..."

Mount Justice

August 4, 23:06 EDT

The Team stood before Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, Batman, and Green Arrow, recounting the mission's status.

Batman stepped forward. "The AMAZO android is being analyzed at STAR Labs. Thanks to Ark's foresight, Professor Ivo is also in custody."

Robin frowned. "And nobody thought to tell us that Ark had a backup plan?"

Kid Flash threw his arms in the air. "It's like babysitting! They still don't trust us!"

Batman's expression didn't change. "The League made the decision to keep it under wraps. There's nothing wrong with having a safety net."

Robin narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, but, "

"Robin," Batman interrupted, "you are well aware of my system of plans."

Robin knew exactly what Batman meant. "Yeah, yeah. You basically have plans B to Z for most occasions. I shouldn't be surprised at this point."

Batman folded his hands behind his back. "The League is here for a reason. If things had escalated, we would have intervened if possible. There is no shame in asking for help. That's why we exist, because there are some problems we can't even handle alone."

Slowly, the conversation wound down. Black Canary gave a reassuring nod. "You all did well. Go get some rest."

The team members dispersed, still tense, heading toward their rooms or the exit.

Superboy, however, stayed behind, quietly sinking onto the couch in the common room. His arms rested on his knees as he stared at the floor, waiting.

Everyone else trickled out of the cave. The lights dimmed, but Superboy stayed put, unmoving.

He didn't say anything or complain, just sat there patiently.

Because Superman had promised.

Suddenly, a faint whoosh broke the silence, and a familiar voice called. "Sorry, I'm late. Are you up for a late-night session?"

Superboy looked up, surprised to see Superman standing there in the doorway. "Superman?"

"I promised, didn't I? Though, it's been a while since I did one-on-one training."

Superboy felt a wave of excitement. "Yeah, I'm definitely up for it." Superboy stood quickly. "So, what kind of training are we talking about?"

Superman motioned for him to follow. "I've got a few ideas in mind."

The two Kryptonians made their way down to the ring.

"What do you know about boxing?"

"Uh... nothing?" Superboy asked, raising a brow. "Is that what you're teaching me?"

Superman smiled. "Yeah, American boxing. Growing up, boxing helped me with form and control. It's about more than just throwing punches." They refrained from wearing gloves. They would only get torn easily.

Superboy tilted his head. "Really?"

Superman chuckled. "Don't say that in front of Wildcat. He'd drag you to the ring, kicking and screaming to change your mind. I'm surprised your flash training didn't include fighting styles."

Superboy rolled his shoulders and looked away. "Maybe I left too early..."

Superman shook his head. "Don't think like that. You're here and now. The plus side is that you're pliable. You don't have any muscle memory to overcome.

"Alright. Show me."

"First things first: get in your stance."

Superboy stepped forward, lifting his hands awkwardly. Superman immediately saw that the boy's elbows were too wide and his shoulders too tense.

"Okay, let's fix that." Superman gently pushed his hands down on Superboy's shoulders. "Relax. If you're tense, you'll wear yourself out faster."

Superboy followed the adjustment. "Like this?"

"Better. Keep your fists tight, right by your cheekbones." Superman stepped back. "Now, hands up, protect your chin. Your left hand is for jabs. Your right stays back for power punches."

Superboy mirrored the stance. Superman smiled, it was rough but not bad for a beginner.

Superboy raised his hands a little higher. "Alright. So, what's next?"

Superman slipped into his stance. "Start with this, jab, jab, cross." He demonstrated a quick left jab, another jab, followed by a powerful right cross.

Superboy mimicked the movement, though his punches were a little off-rhythm.

Superman reached out to adjust again. "Snap it, don't push it. You're throwing a punch, not shoving a door open."

Superboy gave it another try, this time sharper. Superman grinned. "There you go. That's better."

They circled each other now, Superman nodding as Superboy shifted his weight more naturally. "Footwork is just as important. Stay light, don't plant your feet unless you deliver a big punch."

Superboy shuffled awkwardly but got comfortable.

Superman gave a small, encouraging smile. "It takes time, but once you get it, it'll feel natural."

Superboy kept moving, trying another jab. "So... who taught you all this?"

"The same person who raised me on Earth." Superman smiled.

Hearing that left a strange positive feeling in his gut.

"Boxing was his way of teaching me control. Not just in fights but in life. It kept me grounded."

Superboy paused for a second. "Control, huh?"

"Exactly," Superman reset his stance. "Now, let's try a combo. Jab, jab, cross, and stay on your toes."

Superboy threw the punches, and Superman lightly sidestepped each one, tapping his fists playfully against Superboy's. "Not bad. But remember, keep your guard up even when you punch. Always protect yourself."

Superboy grinned, resetting. "Got it."

They exchanged light blows. Superman's adjustments helped. Slowly, Superboy's punches became sharper.

After a few minutes of drilling, Superman offered a playful challenge: " Do you think you can tag me?"

Superboy's grin widened. "You're on."

He lunged with a jab, but Superman slipped to the side, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. Superboy swung again with a cross again, but Superman ducked under it, stepping out of range.

"Timing is everything. Don't rush. Wait for your opening."

Superboy wiped the sweat from his brow. "This is harder than it looks."

Superman chuckled. "Trust me, I know. But the more you practice, the more it'll become second nature."

They circled each other one last time. Superman couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of pride as a teacher.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight," Superman lowered his hands. "You did good, kid."

Superboy smirked. "So... think I could take Batman in a boxing match?"

Superman laughed. "Let's start with getting your jab perfect. Then, maybe."

They both relaxed, and Superman gave Superboy a pat on the back. "Same time tomorrow?"

Superboy nodded. "Yeah. I think I like this boxing thing."

Superman smiled. "Good. We'll keep at it."

Chapter Text

Metropolis

August 5, 11:38 EDT

On top of the Daily Planet, Ark and Superman sat side by side, each holding a bottle of soda pop as they watched the skyline of Metropolis. Superman took a long sip, tired. It had felt like a long month.

After a moment, Ark gestured toward one of the buildings—the unmistakable L-shaped neon sign at the top. "So, what can you tell me about your arch-nemesis?"

Superman rolled his eyes as he looked toward the LexCorp building. "Lex Luthor? Where do I even start? He's brilliant, ambitious, and, unfortunately, obsessed with proving he's better than me in every possible way."

Ark took a swig, nodding. "Sounds like a real pain. What's his beef with you, exactly?"

Superman sighed, leaning back. "It's complicated. Lex sees himself as the rightful hero of Metropolis. He believes he could be the one to 'save' the city if I wasn't in the picture."

"Ah, an "Everyone is the hero of their own story" situation.

"Basically."

"Lex genuinely believes that humanity should stand on its own. He thinks people shouldn't rely on aliens like me or outside forces to save them. To him, my presence is holding Earth back… or at least that's how he frames it."

Ark raised a brow. "So he's pushing this whole' humans first' philosophy?"

Superman nodded. "Exactly. And, in some ways, I get it. It's not that I don't understand the desire for independence or wanting people to find their strength. People like Lex see my being here as a crutch for humanity. They don't see it as a partnership."

"In fairness, it seems like you and other heroes have saved the Earth from extinction a few times. Like, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that doesn't work when you are dead. Plus, I don't see how the average Joe is supposed to grow from these threats."

"I do what I can to share information with the city and the US government on any returning threats. Superheroes like us won't always be around, and Earth needs to learn to protect itself."

Ark nodded. "That's life. We do what we can. I know several civilizations that fell because they couldn't adapt."

"Yeah… But Lex takes it too far. He sees me specifically as the embodiment of an obstacle, not as someone here to help. Earth is my home, too. To him, my existence undermines everything he believes in."

Ark frowned, letting the idea sink in. "That's… intense."

Superman shrugged. "He wants a 'pure' version of humanity without outside intervention. And he's not alone in thinking that way."

Ark gave Superman a look of sympathy and shook his head. "I don't know, man. You're just trying to do the right thing. As you put it, he could make a difference if he'd just give up the whole 'must-be-better-than-Superman' mentality. He could change the world for the better."

Superman sighed, looking down at his drink. "Yeah. He could.

"I'd rather he just try to do good for its own sake. But Lex…"

Ark scrolled through his phone to see the numerous awards and degrees under Lex Luthor's resume. "Could probably cure cancer but spends his days trying to get under your skin?"

"More or less. It's a shame, really. In his mind, he's probably Metropolis's true savior. He's spent years trying to position himself as the hero. Thanks to his lawyers or lack of evidence, they don't see his less than legal activities."

Ark raised an eyebrow. "Have you tried getting him on tax evasion? Worked with Al Capone."

Superman laughed. "I wish. But knowing Lex, he probably has a team of accountants ready to handle that, too."

"Yeah, no kidding, and if he's this bad as a CEO, God forbid he ever tries to get into politics."

Superman winced. "Don't even joke about that."

Ark shrugged, giving Superman a reassuring pat on the back. "Hey, you keep doing what you're doing. Who knows, maybe one day he'll wake up and realize he's been fighting the wrong battle all along."

"Maybe…"

Ark gave him a nudge. "You'd still be here, though. As long as you're around, Luthor can't mess with people however he wants."

"In the meantime, I guess I'll just have to keep watching my back."

Superman's expression softened.

They clinked their soda bottles together and took another sip.

Ark soon stopped scrolling at a headline that caught his attention. "Still, there are other people in the city that aren't your greatest fan. Do you know anything about this Leslie Willis? Seems like she's trying to turn the public against you."

Superman nodded. "Leslie Willis. Yeah, she's a popular podcaster here in Metropolis. She's built her brand on ridiculing me whenever she gets the chance."

"What does she think of you?"

"Well, according to Leslie, I'm never around when I'm really needed. That I don't actually care about anyone but myself."

Ark cringed. "Wow. That sucks. You're seen on the same level as Luthor."

Superman shrugged it off. "I've listened to her show, but I don't let it get to me. At the end of the day, it's her free speech. Podcasters and influences thrive on controversy for views. It's part of the job."

Ark frowned as he scrolled through more of her podcast titles about different heroes. "Even so, doesn't it bother you that people might believe her? A level of trust needs to be maintained for the long term."

"Even if people hate me, I'll still do my best to help them."

"And I'm all for that. Trust me. I've had my fair share of reluctant rescues. But, this kind of misinformation can build up and have real effects, especially if people think there's truth to it."

Superman tilted his head, considering Ark's point. "Are you suggesting I go on her show for an interview?"

Ark shrugged. "It could be worth considering, but the results may vary depending on her angle. She'll probably want the ratings boost, so she might toss a few 'gotcha' questions at you."

Superman huffed. "I'm familiar with the ways of tabloids and paparazzi."

Ark nodded slowly. "Still, it might be something to think about. The media can easily sway people."

He paused back to his own experiences with Will Harangue. Could he have handled that situation better? Probably. But maybe it would have been easier if he'd had a legal team to address the slander head-on. "Who's the Justice League's Public Relations manager anyways?"

Outer Space

Steaming Load Tavern

Lobo let out burp through the tavern. "I'm givin' you geeks ten seconds before I frag everything in sight!" He lifted his gun with a grin. "One..." Then he pulled the trigger. "TEN!"

Without hesitation, Lobo started blasting. Aliens of all shapes and sizes fled in panic, ducking and diving for cover.

A small brown rat-like alien with an extra pair of eyes on his head peeked nervously from behind a jukebox, inching toward the exit. He almost made it when a chain-hook shot out and wrapped around his waist, dragging him back.

"Not you, Sqweek." Lobo yanked the alien close.

Sqweek gulped. "H-Hey, Lobo. Long time, no see."

Lobo tightened his grip. "Emperor Spewge knows it was you who pilfered his treasury, Sqweek. He's payin' me to bring the dough back in a nice little pile."

"What about me?"

Lobo's smirk widened. "Same deal."

Sqweek became desperate. "Framed. I was framed!"

Lobo scoffed, kicking up a spittoon and catching it in his other hand. "Is that so?"

"No, no!"

Lobo shoved him into the spittoon, muffling his protests.

The tavern door swung open at that moment, and several aliens entered.

"Hey, leave my little brother alone."

Lobo smirked. "Well, if it ain't Gnaww Vermin and his roach-motel rejects. Don't tell me you're after this bounty too."

"If anyone's gonna collect on Sqweek, it's gonna be family. Hand him over."

Lobo grinned. "Sure." He tossed the spittoon—Sqweek and all—right at Gnaww's head. Then, with a swift kick, he sent Gnaww and his lackeys tumbling back.

"Was hopin' I'd see some excitement on this job." He cracked his knuckles.

A bar brawl erupted as Lobo bashed two grunts' heads together. Gnaww managed to charge Lobo from behind, lifting him with a double-arm slam and throwing him to the floor. All around them, aliens were brawling, glasses shattering, and tables breaking under the chaos. The spittoon with Sqweek inside rolled away, and the rat-like alien clambered out just in time to see Lobo fighting his way across the room.

"Hold on, Sqweek!" Lobo called, slamming an alien with a wine bottle that ricocheted off his opponent and struck Sqweek in the face, knocking him out cold.

As Lobo drew his gun, he heard a shout from across the room. "Lobo!" Gnaww was back on his feet, blaster in hand, and he aimed right at the bounty hunter.

Lobo grabbed a roach-like alien by the arm and held it up as a shield. The alien squirmed and protested as each shot pinged off its thick exoskeleton. "Hey, wait!"

Lobo shot at a shelf above Gnaww with a smirk, sending barrels toppling down. They burst open, spilling a foul-smelling liquid all over Gnaww.

Lobo tossed the roach alien aside and dipped a finger in the liquid flow. "Old weasel spit. Too bad I can't stick around."

Lobo grabbed the unconscious Sqweek and the spittoon and whistled. His bike crashed through the tavern wall, and he sped off out of the building.

When a tiny spark ignited the liquid-covered Gnaww, a massive explosion erupted. As the smoke cleared, aliens lay sprawled on the ground, singed and covered in soot.

Gnaww staggered to his feet. "Now I'm mad. Now I'm really mad."

#

As Lobo flew through space with Sqweek trapped under one arm, he smirked to himself. "It's always sweeter collectin' a reward knowin' you beat some other geek out of it."

Meanwhile, a nearby vessel monitored his progress closely.

"The bounty hunter has entered range," announced the ship's computer.

"Proceed," replied a deep, ominous voice from the darkness.

Out of nowhere, a red beam struck Lobo, engulfing him, his bike, and Sqweek in a flash of energy. Lobo's grin widened. "Holy fragarolli! F-feels like I'm bein' torn apart! Cool." In an instant, they materialized inside the shadowy hold of the Preserver's ship. Lobo jumped off his bike, holding a crowbar in one hand and Sqweek in the other. He looked around, sneering, "Oh yeah. Somebody's definitely tired of breathin'. Show yourself, ya slimy geekwad!"

The shadows parted as a large, regal-looking alien floated forward, draped in green and orange robes. "I am the Preserver," he intoned.

"And I'm the night manager at the Hotel de Frag. Lookie there, it's checkout time." Lobo swung his crowbar, but the Preserver unleashed a wave of blue energy, sending him sprawling.

"Fraggin' gizzards," Lobo muttered, picking himself up.

The Preserver regarded him with cold detachment. "You are Lobo. Assassin, brigand, sociopath, monster."

Lobo dusted himself off, flashing a crooked grin. "You left out 'scourge of the cosmos.'"

The Preserver continued, "And the most ruthless bounty hunter in the galaxy. I want to hire you."

"Sorry, dude. I'm already on a job." But as he spoke, Sqweek was teleported out of his grip, vanishing into thin air. "Hey!" Lobo protested.

"Your prisoner will be held until you return," the Preserver replied smoothly. "Besides, this job should be no great task for one with your skills." He gestured, leading Lobo down a hallway lined with containment tubes, each holding strange and rare creatures.

"Behold. Gathered here are the rarest creatures in the universe, each the last survivor of its race," he declared.

"So you got a thing for varmints. So what?" Lobo sneered, but the Preserver's tone turned serious.

"Many years ago, the planet Krypton was destroyed," he said, ejecting a data slate from his suit that floated into Lobo's hand. "I had long believed all members of the Kryptonian race were extinct until I found evidence of one living on a distant world called Earth." A hologram of Superman appeared, and Lobo eyed it with disdain.

"Looks like a first-class wimp to me," he scoffed.

"He is more than he appears," the Preserver replied. "Additionally, reports suggest other near-extinct species on the same planet." The hologram shifted to show images of other beings, beginning with Rath, a hulking, tiger-striped creature with massive claws and muscles rippling beneath his fur. Next appeared Heatblast, a humanoid figure wreathed in fiery energy, his body composed of molten rock glowing red-hot. Lastly, Terraspin—a giant, turtle-like alien with a tough shell and limbs that could retract and spin to create whirlwinds.

Rolling his eyes, Lobo tossed the data slate back. "Sluggo, I got better ways to waste my time than rounding up bugs for your flea circus. So if you'll hand over the runt, I'll cancel the homemade colostomy I'm plannin' to inflict on your tiny, wrinkled…" But his rant trailed off as a large chest of glimmering jewels materialized in front of him. His eyes went wide, and he dropped to his knees, running his hands over the treasure. "Oh, mama. That's a lot of mai tais."

The jewels vanished, and the data slate floated back into his hands. "Deliver the aliens, and the jewels are yours. Do we have a bargain?" the Preserver asked.

Lobo squinted as he glanced at the floating alien before him. His fingers drummed impatiently on the handle of his massive gun. "You're askin' me to deliver you several aliens? That may be a bit much even for me," he growled, eyeing the Preserver with suspicion.

The Preserver's eyes glowed with an unnatural calm. "Do not concern yourself. I anticipated your need for support, so I have contacted another bounty hunter to assist you in this endeavor. In fact…" The Preserver's lips curled into a slight smile. "You may already be familiar with him."

The teleporter hummed with energy as if on cue, casting a red glow across the room. Moments later, a figure materialized: tall, lean, and clad in worn, western-style clothes with a sweeping cape and large, folded wings. His face was hidden under the shadow of his wide-brimmed hat, but a crooked smirk crept across his face as he looked up.

"Bedlam?" Lobo barked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Lobo?" Bedlam replied. He took a step forward. "Didn't expect to see you on this end of the cosmos. Last I remember, we were tearing up the Citadel together."

Lobo chuckled. "Yeah, those were some fun times," he said, cracking his knuckles. "So, what brings you to this side of the universe?"

Bedlam flicked his cape back, his wings stretching slightly. "Same as you. Was closing in on another bounty when our friend here decided to pick me up. Seems he has targets for both of us." He shot a glance at the Preserver. "And you're offering a pretty hefty payout."

The Preserver hummed. "You both will be fairly compensated for your work."

Lobo grinned with a hint of excitement. "Alright, let's get this rodeo started. But don't think I'm givin' you a loan like last time. You still owe me a thousand credits"

Bedlam chuckled and crossed his arms. "Was hoping you forgot about that. Whatever. I'll pay you after the mission."

"Sure you will." Lobo tucked the data slate under his arm with a feral grin at the Preserver. "Hose down a cage, boss. You're gettin' a new exhibits."

The Watchtower

Martian Manhunter sat at the console as he performed his daily Earth monitoring routine. Everything seemed peaceful as usual, but a slight unease in his lower stomach started to distract him. He ignored it at first, then winced. The extra-spicy takeout he'd ordered earlier wasn't sitting well.

A pang of discomfort forced him to pause, and after another wave hit, he knew it was time to retreat to the restroom. He left the console, mumbling "never again."

The Watchtower's screens flashed in his absence, and an alert blinked over the radar system: Unidentified extraterrestrial presence detected. Red indicators marked two high-speed objects crossing Earth's atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the room was empty, and the warning went unnoticed. Martian Manhunter was looking a bit paler than usual and muttering about the perils of earthly spice levels

Far below, two rogue bounty hunters made their way toward Metropolis.

Metropolis Police Department

The fluorescent lights flickered slightly in the otherwise quiet Metropolis Police Department lobby as an officer leaned back in his chair, eyes half-glued to the news. The screen displayed grainy footage of an unmistakable spectacle in the sky—a ragged-looking biker barreling into Metropolis on a flying motorcycle.

The newscaster's voice buzzed through the room: "It seems we have yet another alien visitor in Metropolis. The video is as clear as it is confusing, but after careful analysis, experts agree it's a scruffy biker and his cowboy friend... on a flying motorcycle."

The officer shook his head. "It just keeps gettin' weirder."

Just then, a loud bang against the desk jolted him upright. He looked up to see what he assumed to be the alien on tv and a second one. One had an untamed mane of hair, a toothy grin, and a jacket patched with battle scars. The other looked like some kind of masked, angelic cowboy.

"Hey, how's it goin', chief?" Lobo leaned over the desk, far too close for comfort.

The officer raised an eyebrow, meeting their eyes warily. "I'm... good. Somethin' I can do for ya, big guys?"

"We're lookin' for some illegal aliens," Lobo said with a smirk.

The officer stared for a second before blinking in realization. "Oh, you mean actual aliens… like yourselves."

"Yep!" Lobo grinned wider, and Bedlam gave a slight nod, eyes glinting beneath his hat.

The man blinked. "I see. Earth has a few…"

"Maybe you can help me; we're new in town." Lobo dug into his jacket, pulling out a crushed data slate that managed to project flickering holograms of their targets. "And we're lookin' for these geeks here."

The desk cop looked at the projected images of Superman and Ark, then shrugged. "Superman and the new guy from Central? Frank told me they were hanging around the city, but we don't keep tabs on 'em, pal. Really, they only show up if there's trouble."

Lobo's grin stretched even wider as he reached for the oversized blaster slung over his shoulder. "Oh, I can do trouble."

The officer, utterly unfazed, sighed. "Alright, bud. Have fun with that. I'm headin' home." He tipped his hat, grabbing his coat as he strolled out the door, leaving Lobo and Bedlam alone in the lobby, eager to start their hunt.

Elsewhere

Ark and Superman eventually got a bit peckish and went to one of Metropolis'Metropolis's busiest sub shops. After a few handshakes and pictures with civilians walking by, they soon returned to the rooftop savoring their sandwiches. Ark took a big bite and shook his head in satisfaction.

"Dude, you weren't kidding about the sweet onion chicken teriyaki," Ark said through a mouthful.

Superman chuckled. "Told you. I've been meaning to try this place for a while. They've got, like, twenty different kinds of meats and cheeses."

"Yeah," Ark replied with a grin. "Could probably get all my daily nutrients just from this sandwich."

Superman's head tilted slightly, his face tightening in sudden alertness. Faintly, Ark caught the sound of laser fire. Superman's eyes narrowed, his vision focusing past the immediate scenery. With his X-ray vision, he zeroed in on the source—down at the police station, blasts of energy and debris sent officers scattering for cover.

"Trouble?" Ark asked, already wrapping up his sandwich.

Superman nodded. "Police station's under attack."

Ark grinned, tossing his sandwich wrapper aside. "Guess lunch is over. Let's go."

Without another word, they shot off toward the chaos, ready to dive headfirst into the action.

The Daily Planet

Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane sat in their shared office at the Daily Planet, the quiet hum of the newsroom around them. Lois's glare was fixed on the newspaper spread out on her desk. The headline blared: Justice League and Star Labs Form Research Pact - Star City Robot Menace Secrets Revealed?

"I'm confused about Kent," she muttered, tapping the paper with a frustrated finger. "I've lived in Metropolis most of my life, and I can't figure out how some yokel from Smallville is suddenly getting every hot story in town."

Jimmy looked up, shrugging as he offered, "Maybe he's just lucky?"

Lois huffed, leaning back in her chair. "Have you seen him around the office? I've had to keep him from tripping over his own two feet more times than I can count."

"Maybe he's just at the right place at the right time?"

Lois shook her head. "Once is luck. Twice is coincidence. We're already at number four."

Jimmy snorted, a sudden, absurd thought coming to him. "Well, Lois, maybe he's actually Superman in disguise and only pretends to be a journalist in order to hear about disasters as they happen and then squeeze you out of the byline."

Lois shot him an annoyed look. "You're a sick man, Olsen."

Before Jimmy could retort, Lois's phone rang, cutting through the conversation. She grabbed it, answering in her usual brisk manner. "Yeah, Lane. What? I'll be right there."

She hung up with a grim expression, already standing and grabbing her bag. "A pair of lunatics just opened fire on the midtown police station."

Jimmy's eyes widened. "Think Kent's gonna beat you to it?"

Lois gave him a wry smile. "Not if I have anything to say about it." She threw her bag over her shoulder and headed out the door, Jimmy scrambling to follow.

Chapter Text

Metropolis Police Station

Outside, chaos erupted as bystanders scattered. Inside the police station, a nervous policeman stood as still as possible, an apple balanced precariously on his head. Bedlam grinned under his mask and steadied his aim; his gun pointed right at the apple.

Lobo, meanwhile, yawned loudly as he fired shots randomly around the room, barely aiming. "Ah, this is gettin' lame," he muttered, slouching with boredom. "I thought he'd be here by now."

Bedlam, still aiming, shrugged. "Same. If what those coppers said was right, they're the hero type." Suddenly, he jerked, "WHOA! MOSQUITO!" He fired, though it was unclear whether he'd seen anything.

Inside, Lobo got to work. "Time to up the ante, I'm thinking…" Lobo took out a box of scraps and, within a few seconds, constructed a bomb and activated its timer.

On the other side of the room, Bedlam aimed his gun at a trembling cop's face, ready to pull the trigger.

At that moment, Superman and Ark transformed into Astrodactyl, swooped down from the sky, and landed at the police station's entrance. A voice crackled from Astrodactyl's comms. Azmuth's voice spoke up, "Explosive device ahead."

In a flash, Astrodactyl shot through the glass doors. After spotting the bomb, Ark's body glowed, transforming into a new alien: a vaguely humanoid creature with swampy-green skin, a tanned stomach, and black-green spots on his limbs and back.

Superman blurred into motion, too, grabbing the cop and pulling him to safety just as Bedlam fired. He landed next to Upchuck and glanced at the two aliens, assessing the situation.

Lobo and Bedlam watched in surprise as three tongues shot out from Upchuck's mouth, latching onto Lobo's bomb. Upchuck's mouth stretched wide, and in one swift motion, he swallowed the bomb whole. His stomach glowed green, and a moment later, he let out a small burp with a puff of smoke. "Ooh, spicy." He was lucky. That bomb would have blown up half the block.

Lobo's grin returned, now even wider. "Well, well, look at this frager over here. Seems like we got ourselves a shapeshifter."

Bedlam held up the hologram and noticed the familiar green hourglass symbol on Upchuck's body. "I think we found ourselves a three-in-one deal."

Lobo sauntered up to Upchuck and Superman, hands on his hips, amused. "Finally! I've been tryin' to get in touch with you guys all day."

Upon detecting the uncatalogued DNA nearby, infrared scans sampled Lobo's and Bedlam's DNA. "Uncatalogued DNA acquired," replied Azmuth.

Superman's eyes narrowed, focusing on Lobo and Bedlam.

"So, who are you guys?" Upchuck asked.

"Yes," Superman added, eyeing them carefully. "And what do you want?"

With a cocky grin, Lobo nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry. My card." Before Upchuck could react, Lobo delivered a powerful punch, sending Upchuck flying through the front door and tumbling into the street. Lobo bolted after him as he laughed.

At the same moment, Bedlam drew his guns, firing off a shot that struck Superman squarely in the chest. The energy blast threw him backward, and he skidded to a stop just outside. As he straightened, he felt a stinging burn searing through his suit. Superman gritted his teeth... it hurt. That was no regular gun.

Upchuck shook himself off, standing upright with barely a scratch. Both Lobo and Bedlam emerged from the police station, looking confident. Lobo cracked his knuckles with a menacing grin while Bedlam twirled his pistols with a showman's flair. "You got a price on your heads, and we're here to collect.

"The name's Bedlam. Fastest gunman this side of the cosmos."

"And I'm Lobo," The gray alien grinned even wider. "That's L as in 'lacerate,' O as in 'obliterate,' B as in 'disembowel,' and O as in, uh… well, I guess I can use 'obliterate' twice, huh? What do you think?"

Upchuck's mouth hung open before he looked at Superman, baffled. Superman could only shrug.

"I'm pretty sure that makes you LODO," Upchuck smirked.

Lobo's grin faltered, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. "What'd this bastich call me?!"

Suddenly, Bedlam's gun flashed again as he fired a shot directly at Superman's forehead. Superman staggered, rubbing the fresh burn left on his skin. "OW! You're certifiable madmen!" he said, wincing.

Lobo wasn't fazed. "Thanks."

A cape billowed as a jetpack hidden beneath the wings roared to life, propelling Bedlam as he circled his target. After reaching for his holsters, Bedlam's twin pistols fired a rapid barrage of laser blasts.

Superman weaved through the barrage, dodging most of the shots, but a few struck his shoulder. The Kryptonian winced as a searing pain radiated through his body. After recovering, Superman's heat vision blazed toward Bedlam.

The bounty hunter shot upward, narrowly avoiding the beam. He darted around buildings and walls, his pistols still firing, trying to keep Superman on the defense. He had experience some fighting Daxamites who live in similar conditions to Kryptonians.

With a swift motion, Bedlam whipped out a wire lasso crackling with electricity. He grinned and tossed the lasso toward Superman. It wrapped around Superman's torso, sending electric shocks surging through him. Superman gritted his teeth, feeling the burn as the electrified wire dug into his skin, weakening him.

Bedlam dropped back to the ground and yanked hard, dragging Superman down. "Gotcha. Not so tough when you're tied down, are ya, big guy?" Bedlam sneered, tightening his grip on the lasso. "That little jolt packin' a punch?"

Superman glared, focusing on his heat vision and precisely burning through the lasso. Bedlam cursed as the wire snapped, and Superman launched forward, aiming a powerful punch.

Superman sent Bedlam crashing into a nearby car that erupted into a fiery explosion, debris scattering in all directions.

From the smoke, Bedlam emerged, coughing but alive. Before Superman could continue his attack, the jetpack roared to life, shooting him away and out of reach. Bedlam smirked and tossed his hat, the edges glinting with concealed charges. The hat detonated mid-flight, sending Superman reeling as the shockwave disrupted his approach.

Hovering above, he aimed his pistols and fired precise shots, each bolt striking Superman and further draining his strength. Bedlam fired rapidly. More shots struck Superman across the chest, and he staggered, feeling the drain and impact as the energy seared through him. "How do you like that? Got these babies customized just for you," Bedlam taunted, firing relentlessly. "Not so invincible when Red Sun's in the mix, huh?"

Gritting his teeth, Superman deflected some of the shots with his forearms, taking each hit that slipped past. Superman's eyes narrowed as he tracked Bedlam.

Sure enough, Bedlam propelled himself toward Superman. "Gotta love the upgrade from the boss," Bedlam drawled.

Superman didn't reply, holding his ground as Bedlam activated a new lasso. The electrified line crackled as it shot out, arcing toward Superman. Superman dodged, but the lasso lashed around his forearm, sending a jolt through his arm that forced him back a few feet.

Superman clenched his fist as he broke free from the lasso, the surge of electricity dissipating as he yanked it away.

Bedlam retracted the lasso with a wrist snap, then drew his twin laser pistols. His smirk widened as he aimed, firing rapid shots toward Superman. The energy bolts hit Superman square in the chest, the red-sun-infused blasts searing through his suit and forcing him to stagger.

Superman gritted his teeth, feeling the burn of each shot. The red-sun energy weakened him, and the familiar warmth and strength he drew from yellow sunlight faltered under the onslaught. Bedlam took full advantage, strafing through the air with his jetpack and shooting quick bursts of his pistols to keep Superman on the defensive.

He lunged at Bedlam in a flash, using a gust of his super-breath to throw the bounty hunter off balance. Bedlam spun in midair but managed to stabilize with his jetpack. He activated a thermal grenade and tossed it at Superman in one smooth motion. The explosive charge triggered just before it hit Superman.

The explosion threw Superman back, disorienting him. Bedlam took the opportunity to surge forward, slamming into Superman and pinning him against a nearby satellite. He pressed one of his pistols to Superman's forehead, the barrel still glowing.

Meanwhile, With Upchuck

Upchuck gathered the energy from the bomb he'd swallowed earlier, aimed, and spat out a bright green energy ball. The projectile whizzed toward Lobo, but he ducked just in time, and it exploded against a nearby road with a loud BOOM, leaving a large crater.

Lobo's eyes lit up with a strange appreciation. "A lethal loogie?! Sick!"

In one swift move, Upchuck extended his three adhesive tongues, grabbing Lobo by the shirt and flinging him toward a police car. Lobo managed to kick and punch Upchuck away mid-flight before slamming into the car, denting the metal.

Lobo lunged at Upchuck, tackling him to the ground and delivering a brutal kick that sent the small alien crashing back into another police car.

"First rule of hunting, Vomitboy," Lobo cracked his knuckles. "Make the target come to you."

Upchuck glared. "You're not the first bounty hunter I've faced before."

"Clearly. Cuz you're still kickin'."

Upchuck's long tongues lashed out, snatching a discarded car wheel from the ground. With a loud crunch, he swallowed it whole, his belly glowing faintly green as he processed the metal. A second later, he spat out a high-speed green energy projectile straight at Lobo.

Lobo sidestepped with a cocky grin, the glowing glob sizzling into the ground behind him and leaving a smoldering crater. "Is that all you got? My grandma could aim better, and she's been dead for years!"

Upchuck ignored the taunt, his tongue shooting out again. This time, they wrapped around an entire wrecked police car. With a pull, he yanked it into his gaping maw, swallowing it whole in a matter of seconds. His body surged with energy, glowing brighter. "Here we go." He spat again, this time unleashing a massive green energy projectile the size of a small boulder.

Lobo's grin faltered for a moment as he takes the hit. The energy glob slammed into him and detonated. Lobo crashes through a nearby lamppost and wall, obliterating it. "Now that's more like it!" The visibly damaged muscle fibers on Lobo's body were quickly healing.

Lobo grabbed a nearby lamppost, wrenching it free from the ground. With a roar, he swung it like a bat at Upchuck, who ducked just in time. Upchuck's tongues lashed out again, wrapping around the lamppost. With a powerful yank, he ripped it from Lobo's grip and devoured it in one gulp, his stomach glowing even brighter.

"You eatin' everything, or what?" Lobo snarled. Spotting a truck, Lobo grinned. He grabbed it with both hands, compacting it into a ball. "Let's see you chew on this, you oversized spitball!" He hurled the makeshift projectile at Upchuck.

Upchuck's tongues shot out, snagging the compacted truck mid-air. With a single gulp, he swallowed it whole. His stomach bulged and let out a rumbling belch that sent a plume of green smoke into the air. "Got any more?" Upchuck quipped, patting his belly.

"Cute," Lobo growled, his patience wearing thin. He charged with his hook and chain, aiming to snag the little alien. Upchuck, however, lashed out his tongues once more, grabbing the chain. With surprising strength, he yanked Lobo off balance, slamming him into the pavement with a loud crack. Lobo rebounded instantly, lunging forward and delivering a bone-crushing headbutt that sent Upchuck skidding backward across the asphalt.

Lobo charged, his massive fists swinging. Upchuck leaped back, his armor-like hide absorbing the impact of a grazing punch. He responded by firing another glob of energy, forcing Lobo to dive to the side.

"Maybe it's time to show ya I can do that too!" he taunted. With a mighty grunt, Lobo gripped the edges of a nearby semi-truck, his Czarnian strength making the steel groan in protest. He smashed the front and back of the truck together like a soda can, compacting it into a dense ball. Lobo pressed it further into a tight sphere with his bare hands.

"Let's see how you handle this, runt!" Lobo bellowed, lifting the compacted mass over his head like a trophy. Then, with a wild chuckle, he stuffed the truck ball into his mouth, his jaws stretching unnervingly wide to accommodate it.

Upchuck's eyes widened. "Oh, that's just wrong," he muttered.

Lobo chewed noisily, the crunching sound echoing through the battlefield. After a moment, he tilted his head back, swallowed with a theatrical gulp, then opened his mouth wide again. A deep rumble reverberated from his gut as he spat the ball out with incredible force.

The metallic projectile hurtled toward Upchuck like a cannonball, spinning wildly and leaving a trail of heat and sparks.

"Incoming!" Upchuck shouted, his tongues shooting out to grab a nearby lamppost. He yanked himself sideways just as the compacted truck ball slammed into the ground where he'd been standing. The impact sent shards of asphalt flying in all directions, and a massive crater formed beneath the projectile's weight.

Upchuck rolled to his feet, shaking off the debris. "You think that's gonna scare me?" he growled, his stomach glowing bright green. He snatched up an empty bus with his many tongues, swallowed it whole, and quickly spat back a glowing energy glob straight at Lobo.

Lobo took the brunt of the energy and flew into the sky.

Upchuck didn't hesitate. His glowing stomach surged brighter, and with a guttural heave, he hurled a massive, pulsating green energy ball straight at Lobo. The projectile hissed as it cut through the air, radiating an ominous hum.

Lobo's grin widened. He had an idea and stretched his mouth impossibly wide, his Czarnian physiology defying reason. "Dinner time!" he bellowed.

With a thunderous gulp, Lobo swallowed the green energy ball whole. Silence fell over for a moment as even Upchuck blinked in astonishment.

Then it hit.

Lobo's stomach began to glow a sickly green as the energy pulsed within him. His grin faltered. "Uh…that was spicier than I thought," he muttered, his voice distorted by the pressure building inside.

BOOM!

Lobo's belly inflated like a balloon, stretching to cartoonish proportions. Smoke and fire burst from his mouth, nose, and ears in a dramatic explosion of chaos. His body wobbled comically as he swayed, his glowing green gut trembling with residual energy.

Upchuck crossed his arms, smirking. "Looks like someone bit off more than they could chew."

Lobo burped a puff of black smoke, his hair singed and his eyes spinning in their sockets. "Fraggin'... spicy meatball," he groaned, stumbling backward. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground with a loud thud. The Czarnian was still alive, but his regeneration would take longer than usual to undo the internal damage.

Upchuck stepped closer, his glowing stomach dimming as he caught his breath. "Next time, maybe use a plate," he quipped, turning away with a victorious flick of his tail.

Lobo, flat on his back, groaned as another puff of smoke escaped his mouth. "I'll... frag ya... after my nap… Cough I'm losin' it… goin' under..." He swayed dramatically before collapsing to the ground, apparently unconscious.

Upchuck cautiously, keeping a wary distance. Upchuck stretched out one of his long, sticky tongues, flipping Lobo onto his back for a closer look.

Upchuck's eyes narrowed. "I've never seen an alien like this… Azmuth, what did the DNA collection reveal?"

The program hummed. "It's certainly unique. It's regenerative abilities are akin to -"

But before Azmuth could finish, Lobo's eyes snapped open, and he grinned, puckering his lips and making exaggerated smooching noises. "Mwah, mwah! You got that tongue action. I love you too, sweetheart," he taunted.

Upchuck recoiled, his face scrunching up in disgust. "You are one twisted weirdo."

Lobo chuckled, still lying on the ground, clearly enjoying the reaction. He then kicked Upchuck away to stand back up.

Upchuck growled. "You know what? Let's see how tough you are when you're the meal, not the chef!" His long tongues shot out, latching onto Lobo's jacket and yanking him forward with surprising strength.

"Wha... hey!" Lobo barked as he was pulled off his feet and dragged straight toward Upchuck's gaping mouth. "What do you think you're... oh, this ain't happenin'!"

Upchuck tilted his head back, his jaws stretching impossibly wide. Lobo's arms flailed as he was hoisted into the air, his boots kicking wildly as the alien prepared to swallow him whole. 'That's what you get for running your mouth!' Upchuck snapped.

But Lobo's manic grin never faltered. "You're in for a surprise, ya little vacuum cleaner," he sneered.

As Lobo was halfway inside Upchuck's mouth, he reached down and yanked the pins from the grenades strapped to his chest. "Let's see how you like indigestion!" he roared as the grenades began to beep.

Upchuck's eyes went wide as the warning signals reached his ears. "Oh no!" he gagged, rapidly unwinding from Lobo and flinging him back out. The Czarnian flew through the air, arms still flailing, just as the grenades strapped to him detonated.

Upchuck may have a pocket dimension for a stomach, but he still had a gag reflex. Upchuck heaved violently, thick clouds of smoke and sparks billowing out of his mouth. "Ptooey!" he spat, staggering back as the aftertaste of burnt leather and explosives lingered in his throat. "You taste terrible, you maniac!"

Scorched but still standing, Lobo landed in a crouch a few feet away, shaking off the soot and debris. His jacket was shredded, and his skin was charred, but his grin remained firmly in place. "Nice try, puke-boy! But nobody eats the Main Man!"

Upchuck wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glared. "Next time, I'll chew first." His stomach glowed brightly again, signaling that he wasn't done yet.

"I don't think you're quite done yet, little guy," Lobo groaned, sitting up and cracking his knuckles despite the smoke still wafting from his charred body. "C'mon, let's see what you got next!"

Upchuck glanced at the looming Czarnian, his expression unreadable. Then, the Omnitrix symbol on his chest began to flash and beep.

"Time for something a little more hands-on," Upchuck muttered.

With a flash of green light, Upchuck's small, stout body began to morph. His legs lengthened, his torso stretched and thickened, and fur sprouted from his skin. When the transformation was complete, standing in Upchuck's place was a towering bipedal tiger alien clad in black and green shorts. His muscles rippled, and his razor-sharp claws gleamed under the streetlights. Rath bared his teeth in a ferocious grin.

"Lemme tell ya somethin', Lobo!" Rath roared, pointing a clawed finger at the Czarnian. "Nobody, and I mean nobody, tosses me around without getting schooled! You're about to learn why Rath is the king of kickin' butts and takin' names!"

Lobo blinked, then broke into a wide grin. "What a coinkidink. I'm the king of that too. This might get interesting."

Rath crouched and scratched the pavement. "Oh, it's gonna be legendary!" With that, he charged at Lobo.

Lobo leaped to his feet, laughing wildly. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" He braced himself as the unstoppable force that was Rath barreled toward him.

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: Upchuck

Species: Gourmand (Perk/Murk)

Home World: Peptos I - XII

Powers and Abilities:

Gourmands have three very strong, adhesive tongues that can stretch to great lengths, allowing them to latch onto large objects and reel them in with relative ease. The mouth of Gourmands can stretch, allowing them to swallow objects larger than themselves. They are connected with a trans-space bladder dimension where they store the "food" they eat. Through it, Gourmands are connected to the rest of their species and can sense any danger to their species through their stomachs. Gourmand have four physical stomachs. Gourmands can eat most any solid matter; energies, liquids, and even living creatures. Items ingested by Gourmands can be converted into explosive balls of green vomit that can be expelled with great accuracy. The explosive power of these "loogies" depends on the chemical composition and overall size of what a Gourmand ate to create them. Gourmands can also make their loogies curve like frisbees. Gourmands are able to fly by propelling themselves with their explosive vomit and can survive in the vacuum of space. Gourmands have developed jaws, diamond-hard teeth, and a gastrointestinal tract that allows them to eat almost any material. Gourmands are able to take a surprising amount of punishment for creatures of their size.

Chapter Text

Elsewhere

Metropolis Streets

Lobo cracked his knuckles. "You really are full of surprises, kitty-cat. Won't be the first time I had to put down an animal?"

"Lemme tell ya somethin', Lobo! Rath's gonna put you through the wringer for ruining a bro's day out!" Rath's quick jab sent Lobo reeling back into a nearby light pole that crumpled. Rath bared his teeth. "Time to teach you how to hunt, ya muscle head!" He leaned closer, fists clenched.

"Who you callin' a musclehead, musclehead!"

"Then you won't mind if I do this!"

Rath grabbed him by the head and smashed their foreheads together. Despite no one really winning using this move, it was a manner of pride.

On impact, it was as if two cars smashed together. A loud ringing echoed out.

They both backed away from each other to get their bearings.

Growling, Lobo ripped the broken light pole out of the ground and swung it like a bat. It smashed into Rath, sending the tiger alien hurtling through the air. But Rath twisted mid-flight, correcting his position, and dove straight back toward Lobo.

Lobo jumped off a nearby ledge, catapulting himself into the air just as Rath charged back. He whistled, and his flying motorcycle roared to life, swooping in to catch him in midair. Lobo revved the engine and tore through the sky but didn't get far.

Rath leaped up and grabbed onto Lobo from behind, his claws digging into the back of the bike. "Hey, no riders!" Lobo barked, trying to shake him off, but Rath held on with feral determination.

Lobo struggled to maintain control, twisting the handlebars sharply to swerve and throw Rath off-balance. But Rath's grip only tightened as he snarled, "Lemme tell ya somethin', Lobo. Rath's goin' nowhere 'til I'm done with you!"

Rath held on tightly as Lobo swerved his flying motorcycle back and forth through the Metropolis skyline, doing his best to shake the tiger alien off. But Rath swung himself forward, throwing a wild punch at Lobo.

Lobo's head snapped back, blood trickling from his lip. "Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, huh?" Lobo grinned with excitement. He twisted the handlebars, sending the bike into a sharp spin.

Rath's grip slipped briefly, but he held on with his claws digging into the metal frame. "Lemme tell ya somethin', Lobo!" Rath roared. "Nobody tosses me around like a frisbee and gets away with it!" He swung his other fist, catching Lobo in the ribs.

Rath landed another punch, and this time, Lobo lost his grip on the bike, tumbling off midair.

They plummeted, grappling with each other until they crashed below. People scattered in shock.

Lobo wiped the blood from his chin. "You're a real piece of work, kitty cat, but I got nine lives to burn through!"

"Bring it on!" Rath crouched low and bared his claws. "I'm gonna pound you so hard, you'll turn to dust."

"Oh, yeah? I'll grind you into atoms."

"Then I'll stomp you into... whatever is smaller than atoms... Protons?"

Lobo blinked and shrugged. He thinks that's correct.

They both charged at each other and locked arms in a grapple.

Rath suddenly ducked low, wrapping his arms around Lobo's waist. He hoisted the bounty hunter off his feet and slammed him back-first into the ground with a belly-to-belly suplex. Lobo got back up and delivered a brutal clothesline that nearly flipped the alien tiger over backward.

Rath rolled with the impact, bouncing back up. Timing it right, he leaped into the air and slammed his full weight onto Lobo's chest with a flying body press, pinning him to the ground. "Got ya, loser! One, two... " Rath mockingly counted before Lobo kicked him off.

Lobo ripped a mailbox and swung it like a steel chair across Rath's back.

Rath stumbled. He then did the same and ripped a parking meter out of the sidewalk and bashed Lobo with it like a baseball bat. "Your time on earth has expired, and it's time to impound ya!" Rath sent Lobo crashing into a nearby hot dog cart, which exploded into a mess of condiments. Rath licked stray mustard off his claws. "Tastes like victory!"

Crushing the hotdog cart debris, Lobo ran up and hurled Rath into the hood of a nearby taxi. Rath then lifted Lobo onto his shoulders and slammed him into the ground with a thunderous powerbomb.

Not to be outdone, Lobo grabbed Rath in a headlock, hoisting him upside down. "Eat asphalt!" he sneered, driving Rath headfirst into the pavement with a piledriver.

Both combatants staggered to their feet. Rath lunged, grabbing Lobo mid-charge and lifting him high into the air before slamming him down with a devastating spinebuster. Lobo retaliated with his chain, whipping it around Rath's torso and spinning him like a rag doll before slamming him into a parked van.

Getting out, Rath dodged more blows, but when he saw an opening, he struck, driving his knee into Lobo's gut, doubling him over. Rath followed with a powerful uppercut, launching Lobo off his feet and crashing into a parked car. The vehicle crumpled under the impact, and alarms blared.

"Not bad, kitty!" Lobo wheezed, stumbling back to his feet. He cracked his neck, then grinned as he reached behind him to pull out a heavy chain and hook, swinging it.

Rath's eyes narrowed, a wild grin spreading across his face. With a ferocious roar, he charged again, dodging the swinging chain and landing a kick to Lobo's side. Lobo snarled, whipping the chain around to try to entangle Rath, but the tiger alien caught it midair, using it to yank Lobo forward.

Rath's claws dug into the pavement, his tiger-like snarl echoing through the air. Wielding his massive crowbar, Lobo grinned wildly at the Appoplexian, clearly enjoying the fight.

"Nebula Strike!" With a roar, Rath lunged forward, his clawed hand jabbing into Lobo's midsection. Lobo recovered and retaliated by swinging his chain, which Rath ducked under before delivering a swift knee strike to Lobo's ribs. "Meteor Knee!"

Lobo gripped his side. "Not bad, Jungle Cat. Eat this!" He swung his crowbar for the alien's chin.

Rath sidestepped and countered. "Cosmic Headbutt!" His forehead slammed into Lobo's face. The bounty hunter's nose started bleeding.

"You ain't the man. I'm the man. That's what ya get for messin' with me!" "Galactic Spiral Kick!" His legs spun through the air and landed squarely on Lobo's shoulder, forcing him to one knee.

Lobo threw his chain like a whip to snag Rath's leg. He yanked hard, pulling Rath off-balance, but the tiger alien recovered mid-fall. "Comet Dropkick!" This sent Lobo flying into a parked car.

"You're gonna regret that, bastich!"

Rath climbed onto the car, launching himself into the air. "Stellar Slam!" His full weight slammed into Lobo, who barely caught himself on the car's trunk. Without giving him a moment to recover. "Asteroid Dive!" The Headbutt from his jump sent both of them crashing through the windshield.

Lobo groaned, trying to shake off the hits, but Rath wasn't done. "Supernova Slashes!" Rath's claws sliced across Lobo's skin, leaving his jacket in tatters.

"Watch the outfit! You have any idea how hard it is to get new ones in this galaxy?!" Lobo grabbed a lamppost and swung.

"Gravity Crush!" Rath ducked the first swing, then leaped over the second before slamming down with devastating kicks, each shaking the ground and pinning Lobo against the pavement.

Lobo coughed, laughing through the pain. "You hit hard, but the Main Man doesn't go down that easy!" He reached for his bike's remote, summoning it to his side. The engine roared as the bike sped toward him.

Rath growled, flexing his claws. "Come on, Lobo! I can do this all day!"

Nearby, Superman's fight with Bedlam grew closer and closer to them as he dodged another blast from Bedlam's twin laser pistols.

Superman suddenly changed tactics. He swooped to Lobo, grabbing the Czarnian by the shoulder and dragging him directly into Bedlam's line of fire. The laser bolts slammed into Lobo instead of him.

Lobo barked out a laugh despite the burns. "Nice try, blue boy. Gonna take more than that to keep me down!" He whistled sharply, and his bike returned. It swooped down just in time to catch Lobo as he leaped upward.

"Catch ya later, furball," he called as he flew off into the sky.

Rath crouched low, preparing to pounce. "Oh no, you don't, ya talking trashcan. Get back here, and let me put some claws into ya!"

Lobo sat on his bike and blew Rath a mocking kiss. "Sorry, pussycat! This dance is just getting started!" With that, his bike flew skyward.

"Coward!"

As Rath turned, ready to switch forms back to Astrodactyl to give chase, Superman flew past him in pursuit of Lobo. "Ark!" Superman called over his shoulder.

Rath snarled, watching him flee, but turned his attention to Superman, who landed nearby.

"Go after Bedlam! His weapons are tailored to fight me, not you!"

Rath dusted himself off. "Fine. But round two's gonna end with him in the dirt. Mark my words!" Rath turned to his next opponent. "Let me teach cowboy over there a thing or two!"

Bedlam landed as his jetpack sputtered to a stop. The space-cowboy bounty hunter adjusted his wide-brimmed hat. Bedlam kept his laser pistols holstered.

Across from him, Rath locked onto Bedlam. However, instead of charging headfirst as expected, the Appoplexian stood still. With a flash of green light, his form was replaced with an armored one.

Ark was now equipped with a Sotoraggian's green and black power armor. Nanomachines shifted to form twin blaster pistols on his hips. TenTen adjusted his stance, and four extra mechanical arms formed on his shoulder and back.

A grin tugged at Bedlam's lips beneath his mask.

The two faced each other, locked in a tense standoff.

"Well," Bedlam drawled, casually spinning one of his pistols on his finger. "Ain't this a sight. Two gunslingers. Looks like we're at a good ol' fashioned showdown. Only thing missin' is a tumbleweed, and we'd be just like the holovids." Bedlam twirled his pistols before reholstering them. "You sure you're up for this, partner?"

TenTen's mechanical limbs shifted slightly. "You talk a lot for someone who's about to get their tin can shot full of holes."

Bedlam chuckled, tipping his hat slightly. "Big words from a tin can yourself. Let's see who's the quicker draw."

"Fine by me."

The silence stretched thin. A bead of sweat rolled down Bedlam's face. TenTen's armor plates opened up a bit for more flexibility.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

The Next Block Over

A black sedan screeched to a halt just as Lois Lane stared at the ongoing fighting. "Stop here, driver. There they are. I don't believe it."

Lois saw Superman and Lobo locked in midair, grappling as they veered toward the more buildings. Lobo's bike revved, propelling the two straight for LexCorp.

Lex Corp

Inside, Lex Luthor paced around his opulent office, dressed in a fine suit, addressing a video call. "Believe me, Mr. President," he said smoothly, "you have my word that my new weapon system will... "

The high-pitched whine of Lobo's bike and the shattering crash of glass cut Luthor's words short. He spun around just in time to see his window shatter. Superman and Lobo crashed through, punching their way up through the building.

"What the devil?" Luthor muttered.

Lobo finally forced Superman off with a kick, sending him crashing out of the building's rooftop.

Luthor found himself in the middle of his ruined office, fuming angrily. "Superman!"

Outside

Lobo turned, and his bike unleashed a missile aimed directly at Superman. Superman dodged to the side, but his gaze immediately tracked the missile's deadly trajectory... it was heading straight for a packed monorail. In a blur, he took off after it, the force of his flight sending gusts through the nearby streets.

Inside the monorail, passengers caught sight of the fast-approaching projectile and began to scream in terror, bracing for impact. Superman pushed himself harder as he closed the distance in the last moments. With a final burst of speed, Superman intercepted it just before it struck the monorail, angling it upward. The missile detonated high in the sky, and Superman took most of the blast.

He fell through the smoke cloud toward the ground.

"Look out!" a citizen shouted as others scattered below. Superman hit the pavement with a heavy crash, leaving a crater beneath him. Dazed and grimacing in pain, he forced himself to try and stand.

"Superman?" a nearby citizen whispered, watching as he struggled to lift himself.

The rumbling of Lobo's bike grew louder as he descended, parking near the crater. He swung his leg off the bike and strolled over to where Superman lay. Despite the impact, Superman pushed against the ground, trying to stand, but Lobo pressed a heavy boot to his chest, forcing him back down.

"Dang, man," Lobo said with a grin, "I gotta say, I am impressed. When I saw you go after that rocket, I couldn't figure out what you were doin'." Lobo tapped his forehead, pretending to be deep in thought. "Then it hit me. You didn't want no one else gettin' hurt... even if it meant you took the fragging yourself. You actually care about these geeks." He gestured to the nervous, watching citizens.

Superman clenched his teeth, lifting his head despite Lobo's foot pressing down. "They're human beings."

Lobo sneered, pressing down harder, pinning Superman against the concrete. "Yeah, well, they're gonna have to make do without their big blue babysitter from now on." He reached into his bike's storage and pulled out a massive, grimy crowbar, its metal gleaming under the city lights. He grinned, walking back toward Superman.

"See, someone's payin' me a heap of cash for your carcass, and the Main Man always delivers." Lobo raised the crowbar high. "Now, the more you move, the worse it'll hurt. So feel free to go crazy."

Superman took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with renewed resolve, even as he lay pinned beneath Lobo's grip, knowing he'd have to fight through every bit of pain to protect those around him.

Suddenly, Lobo felt something light tap his back. He frowned, turning around to see Lois Lane, her eyes blazing, gripping a metal pipe.

"Excuse me?" he drawled, raising a brow.

"Leave him alone. Go on, get out of here!" Lois demanded, brandishing the pipe defiantly.

Lobo rubbed his chin with a smirk. "Well, well… hello, little lady." He licked his lips, his grin growing wider with interest.

"Lois, stay back!" Superman warned, still struggling to his feet.

Lobo kicked Superman hard in the face, sending him crashing down again. "Pipe down, junior."

Turning back to Lois, he started walking closer, each step making her grip the pipe tighter. "Lois, huh? Guess that means you know this loser, right, honey buns? What are ya, his girlfriend or something?"

Lois's face twisted in disgust, and she swung the pipe again, striking his shoulder with all her strength. "Drop dead!"

Unfazed, Lobo grabbed the pipe, yanked it from her hands, and tossed her back. Before she could scramble away, he casually took a big bite of the pipe, chewing with relish, then tossed the rest into his mouth, licking his fingers as if savoring a snack.

"Of course, any babe with real class would rather be hangin' with the Main Man," he leered, lowering himself to meet her eye level. "Why don't you show ol' Lobo just how classy you are?"

"You pig!" Lois spat, slapping him across the face. She gasped, wincing as pain shot through her hand from the impact.

Lobo laughed, unbothered, and rubbed his cheek. "Ah, I like a babe who plays rough. C'mon, lemme have another. Right here." He tapped his chin with a smirk. "Right... "

Before he could finish, Superman surged up, throwing a punch that sent Lobo flying into the air.

Lobo spun through the air, shouting back, "You dirty friggin', back-fraggin', son of a... "

Lex Corp

Lex Luthor observed the wreckage around him, hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Get maintenance teams on every floor," he ordered to an assistant. "Put them on round-the-clock shifts if you have to, but I want all repairs completed... "

Suddenly, the ceiling exploded as Lobo crashed through the floor above. "KILL, MAIN, FRAG, DESTROY!"

Debris rained around him. "Immediately!"

With Superman

Superman and Lois clung to each other, both checking for any injuries in the other's face, eyes locked with concern.

"Are you all right?" they asked in unison.

Lois managed a small smile. "I'm fine."

Superman gave a reassuring nod, stepping back. "Gotta go."

Lois watched him as he prepared to take off. "Give him one for me."

Superman took flight toward where Lobo landed.

Lois raised her voice one last time. "MAKE IT A DOZEN!"

The Docks

Lobo groaned as he came to, lying face-up on a wooden dock splintered from the impact. He shook his head, still a bit dizzy. "Last call? Already?" he muttered, blinking as his vision cleared.

Then he saw Superman, rocketing down toward him.

"Uh oh," Lobo mumbled, scrambling to his feet.

Superman was faster, tackling him. The force sent them both crashing through the wooden floor boards. Lobo barely had time to react before Superman lifted him high into the air.

"Get up," Superman lifted Lobo higher. "I said, get up."

Lobo chuckled. "You ain't half the boy scout you're cracked up to be. Looks like I'm in for a real fight." He smirked and let out a whistle.

A second later, his bike slammed into Superman, knocking him back and sending him crashing into a wall. Lobo dropped back to the dock, dusting himself off.

"Think I'll take five until I'm ready to resume kicking the collective butts of you and everyone else on this dung heap," Lobo did a mock salute to Superman. "Ciao!" He jumped on his bike and zoomed back to space.

With TenTen and Bedlam

…

…

…

The silence stretched like the moments before a lightning strike. TenTen and Bedlam stood poised, their weapons ready, their gazes locked.

Then, as if by an unspoken signal, both moved.

'DRAW!'

In a flash, their weapons roared to life. Blazing red energy bolts streaked toward TenTen, the first grazing his shoulder armor, leaving a smoking groove. Simultaneously, TenTen's retaliatory blast seared past Bedlam, who ducked and rolled, his cape trailing smoke where it had been singed.

TenTen's extra arms came alive, whirling into action. One launched a barrage of laser blasts while another hurled an electric disc that bounced off the pavement in sparks, forcing Bedlam into the air. His jetpack lifted him as he rained down gunfire. TenTen deployed an energy shield, deflecting the shots while his mounted laser gun returned fire.

Bedlam swooped and spun through the air, his pistols blazing. He threw an explosive charge, detonating near TenTen, who countered by unleashing a salvo of rockets from his jetpack. The rockets forced Bedlam to dodge.

"You're not bad," Bedlam admitted as he twisted to avoid a plasma burst, his voice laced with begrudging respect. "But you're still outta your league."

Behind his helmet, TenTen smirked. "We'll see about that."

As Bedlam darted to the side, his lasso crackled with electrified energy, snapping toward TenTen like a lightning bolt. With a swift motion, TenTen's buzz saw arm intercepted the lasso, cutting it in two with a sharp crackle of energy. Bedlam scowled but didn't falter, his twin pistols firing another volley. TenTen retaliated with his grenade launcher, the explosive payload forcing Bedlam to swerve sharply as a shockwave rattled the ground.

The two combatants circled each other. Bedlam's jetpack allowed him to dive, while TenTen's mechanical arms constantly shifted to deploy new weapons. Energy discs ricocheted around Bedlam, one narrowly grazing his arm, while TenTen took another barrage of laser fire with his reinforced armor.

Bedlam landed hard as he aimed for another shot. "You've got some fancy tricks," he admitted. "But fancy don't win fights."

"Neither does running your mouth," TenTen shot back. With a quick movement, one of his arms launched a sonic wave, briefly disrupting Bedlam's flight path. Another arm fired a rapid burst of energy bolts, forcing Bedlam to dive for cover.

TenTen activated his jetpack and closed the distance. Bedlam fired point-blank at TenTen's chest, but his armor absorbed the brunt of the attack. TenTen's arms shot forward, one grabbing Bedlam's pistol and crushing it while another snatched his cape, yanking him down to the ground with a resounding thud.

Bedlam tried to reach for another weapon, but TenTen's mechanical limbs pinned him down. A metal pike extended from one arm, aiming squarely at Bedlam's face.

"Game over."

Bedlam struggled before sighing. "Alright, you got me. Don't mean you'll keep me."

TenTen's extra arms bound Bedlam with energy restraints, ensuring he couldn't escape. He pressed a button on his wrist, opening a comm channel. "Superman, Bedlam's detained. Sending you my coordinates."

As Bedlam glared at his captor, TenTen smirked. "Fancy enough for you?"

#

TenTen stood over the downed Bedlam. The bounty hunter wasn't dying, but he'd hurt in the morning. With a mental command, metallic arms coiled tightly around Bedlam, who struggled fruitlessly. Sparks flickered from Bedlam's damaged jetpack, and his signature pistols lay discarded on the ground.

"Stay still," TenTen growled. "You've caused enough trouble for one day."

Bedlam sneered. "You think this job is over? You don't know who you're messing with."

TenTen pulled tighter. "Yeah. Yeah. I've got a pretty good idea. You're just a couple of bounty hunters hired to kidnap people. I've been through this song and dance more times than I like to admit. But it looks like you're staying put this time, cowboy."

A shadow fell over them as Superman landed nearby, clearly frustrated. After fighting both bounty hunters, Superman's suit was scorched and torn in places.

Ark turned to Superman. "Please tell me you brought that maniac Lobo down."

Superman sighed and shook his head. "Lobo got away. He took a cheap shot and bolted the moment he got the chance. I couldn't stop him."

Bedlam chuckled through gritted teeth. "Of course, he got away. The Main Man ain't that easy to stop. I should know."

Superman glanced at the restrained bounty hunter and folded his arms. "Well, his partner isn't going anywhere." His gaze shifted to Ark. "Good work holding."

Ark shrugged. "Thanks, but I was hoping we'd have both of them to get answers."

Superman nodded. "So was I, but it'll have to do."

Bedlam huffed. "Lobo won't think twice about coming back to Earth. He and I don't leave jobs unfinished."

"Let's hope so," Ark replied. "Because if he does, I'll make sure he regrets it."

Superman then knelt beside Bedlam. "Let's get straight to the point. Why are you targeting me and Ark?"

Bedlam raised a brow. "That's the shapeshifter's name? Huh… Well, if you haven't noticed. Mr. Superman, you just so happen to be the last Kryptonian. That makes you a rarity in the universe."

Ark and Superman decidedly chose not to mention Superboy and that complicated bag of worms.

"And Ark?"

Bedlam scoffed. "Have you looked at him? He can turn into rare aliens that I've never even seen before. You're both trophy hunts."

"It's obvious that you didn't come here to kill us but to take us to your employer. So, who paid you to come here, Bedlam?"

Bedlam huffed. He rolled his eyes as he leaned back. "Sorry. No can do. That there's private information. It's bounty hunter's code to not reveal the buyer. You really think I'd spill to the likes of you two?" He sneered at Superman and TenTen.

TenTen crossed his arms and decided to bluff. "We can make this easy. Or we can make it very, very uncomfortable." Several arms extended from his back, forming many bladed weapons.

Superman made a face upon seeing the presumably fake threat he's seen Batman do on occasion.

Bedlam's smirk grew wider, unbothered. "Well, I think I'll choose neither since you put it that way." He gave a subtle shift of his wrist, barely noticeable, but Superman caught it too late.

A faint beep sounded from Bedlam's cuff as a flash of red light pulsed through the air. Before TenTen or Superman could react, Bedlam's body began to shimmer, flickering with a teleportation aura.

"No!" Superman lunged forward, reaching to grab Bedlam's wrist to stop him.

But Bedlam's body faded as he vanished into thin air. "Better luck next time, heroes," he taunted as his form dissolved, leaving only empty air where he'd been lying.

Superman's fist hit the ground where Bedlam had been. "A recall device," he muttered, frustrated. "He's probably back with whoever sent him here."

TenTen clenched his extra arms in irritation. "He was our only lead."

Superman stood and looked to the sky. "Not the only one. You know what Bedlam said. Lobo doesn't leave a job unfinished, so he should still be in the system. It's time to go on the offensive."

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: TenTen

Species: Sotoraggian

Home World: Sotoragg

Powers and Abilities:

Sotoraggians often wear Power Armor. Some can be fused with nanomachines to be able to morph their power armor for more weapons. This procedure can risk mutating them in the process. It is common for their armor to have built-in life support systems allowing them to survive in space. Safety protocols have been implemented to preserve the current sample. Sotoraggians are almost always armed with a jetpack and armor that is covered with pouches that hold various weapons and projectiles, such as twin blasters, laser discs, an energized buzz saw, laser blade, whip, a sonic weapon, throwing pikes, grenades, bolas, rockets and several tentacle-mounted lasers coming out of the backpack. Sotoraggians are weak against foul odors such as methane. They are also weak to electricity.

Chapter Text

The Watchtower

The maintenance worker was not going to be happy during his next shift. The Martian Manhunter soon returned from the restroom, looking slightly pale, and was immediately greeted by the beeping of the Watchtower's security console. He sighed, thinking that he needed to adjust his diet. Quickly shaking off his discomfort, he sped to the console and reviewed the alert logs. An unidentified bogey entered Earth's atmosphere. His eyes widened as he examined the trajectory.

"Oh dear…" It was Metropolis. Without wasting a moment, he called Superman. "Superman, this is Manhunter. Do you copy?"

The response was quick. "Yes, Manhunter?"

"I apologize for the late response. I was… indisposed. Our systems detected an unidentified entry into Earth's atmosphere earlier, headed toward Metropolis. Have you noticed anything unusual?"

"Oh, yeah… I'm actually with Ark right now."

In the background, J'onn heard a cheerful voice. "Hey, Manhunter!"

Superman continued, "We had a little… chat with some bounty hunters."

J'onn's eyes widened. "Bounty hunters?! Are you two okay? Has anyone been hurt."

Superman reassured him, "Relax, J'onn. We're fine. There was some property damage, but the civilians are fine."

"Yeah, the only damage is the Police station, a few cars, some light poles, and the street. Oh, wait. Wow. You really did a number on the LexCorp building?" commented Ark.

"Yeah. That was an accident," defended Superman.

"Eh. Are you sure? I remember how you said you and Lex don't get along. This isn't some passive-aggressive way to get back at him, right?"

Superman was aghast "What?! No!"

Ark playfully twirled his pistol. "You sure about that? Maybe it's subconscious."

"I'm not."

"Hmm…" sounded Martian Manhunter.

Superman pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is it, J'onne?"

"Ark might be onto something. The last batch of reports I went over regarding Metropolis has a surprising amount of mentions of damage to the LexCorp building."

"Yeah. Because he tries to kill me every other week!" claimed Superman.

Ark laughed. "A likely story…"

"Ark, I know you're joking, but it's all an accident, no matter how cathartic it might feel."

The alien hero pumped a fist. "Hah! I knew it."

Superman touched his face. "In any case, the bounty hunters weren't here to kill us. Well… not exactly. I do think one of them wouldn't have minded it, though."

Ark shook his head. "Yeah. Tall, pale skin, red eyes, 80s biker jacket, and wild black hair. Does he sound familiar, J'onne?"

The Martian shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

Superman shrugged. "I think they wanted to capture us for… something. "

Ark chimed in. "We managed to detain one of them for a bit, but he used some kind of emergency teleport to escape."

Superman added, "And we're pretty sure the other one is still in the system. Ark and I plan to chase after him before he gets any ideas about coming back."

Martian Manhunter hummed in concern. "Is that wise? According to League protocol, I should notify others about this situation. You two have been attacked."

Superman shook his head. "We're fine. I'm confident that Ark and I can handle the situation."

Ark nodded. "Yeah, we're going to ensure he doesn't return to Earth. Problem solved."

Martian Manhunter sighed. "It is unfortunate that the Lanterns have been called off-world. They have much more experience in matters involving alien species."

"Don't worry about it," Ark said. "I've dealt with loads of aliens in my time. We've got this."

"How often," J'onn asked dryly, "have those meetings devolved into violence?"

Ark hesitated for a moment. "Uh… only like two out of ten times. And to be fair, that's usually their fault for escalating."

Martian Manhunter sighed again. He decided to trust his colleagues for the time being. "Be careful. I'll monitor from here and alert the others if the situation changes."

"Thanks, J'onn," Superman said. "We'll keep you updated."

"Yeah," Ark added. "And don't worry about us!"

Metropolis

"Ark, can you fly in space? We'll need to head after Lobo and Bedlam before they get too far."

Ark smirked. In a flash of green light, his Sotoraggian TenTen form shifted, morphing into Jetray... a sleek, red-and-green manta ray-like alien. Jetray floated off the ground effortlessly. "Yeah, space is no problem."

Superman nodded.. "Alright. I'll use the Zeta Tube to grab one of the League's ships. We'll meet near the International Space Station. From there, we'll follow Lobo and Bedlam's trail."

Jetray hovered higher. "Got it. See you there."

"Be ready. Once we're out there, we'll have to move quickly."

"Always," Jetray replied with a grin before shooting into the sky.

Superman watched him disappear for a moment before flying to the nearest Zeta Tube terminal.

ZETA TUBE ACTIVATION: SUPERMAN. DESTINATION: WATCHTOWER.

Space

Superman had just stepped off the Zeta tube and flew toward the hangar. He commandeered one of the Javelin spacecraft with a flight suit, running through its pre-flight checks. Moments later, he launched the craft, angling toward the rendezvous point next to the International Space Station.

Superman spotted Jetray hovering nearby. Superman activated the comms, ready to brief his partner, when the console blinked with an incoming signal.

"Superman, what do you think you're doing?" Batman asked.

Superman sighed, already anticipating this conversation. "Batman, I can explain."

Martian Manhunter's voice followed. "Sorry, Superman. As you know, Batman designed the Watchtower's monitoring systems. He was alerted as soon as you launched."

Batman continued. "I was busy handling a situation in Gotham when I received a notification about an alien entering Earth's atmosphere... and now I find out you've taken a Javelin without prior clearance."

Superman leaned back. "Ark and I have the situation handled."

"Superman, I strongly object to this pursuit," Batman pressed. "This situation could escalate quickly if not handled with care."

Superman took a breath. "The hunters are specifically after Ark and me, Batman. It's better we lead them away from Earth. If we don't act now, they could return at any time. I can't risk that maniac coming back to Earth, Batman. We've got one chance to drive him away, and we're taking it"

"Wonder Woman could... " Batman began.

"She's dealing with matters on Themyscira," Superman interrupted. "And Green Lantern is off-world. This is our responsibility."

Jetray, who was currently wearing a mouthmask connected to his communicator, chimed in. "Relax, Bats. Supes and I have this covered. Just keep watch for any backup those bounty hunters might send."

Batman weighed the situation. "Understood. But I'll be monitoring closely. At the first sign of trouble, I want an update."

"Noted. Let's move out."

"Lead the way, Supes."

Superman's console beeped as the faint trace of an ion trail appeared on the navigation system. His brow furrowed as he studied it. "As I expected, he's still in our star system. Sensors have picked up his bike's ion trail. He's close. But I can't get a definite fix."

Flying alongside the Javelin, Jetray stretched his wings and smirked. "Alright. This'll be a piece of cake, Supes. We don't even need to go through Hyperspace."

Superman glanced at him, his expression slightly incredulous. "You can do that?"

Jetray tilted his head. "Uh, yeah. Doesn't your fancy ship have a hyperspace drive?"

"Well, yes, I was just surprised that you could do it by just… flying."

"Trust me, I was just as surprised when I tried it the first time. It was purely theoretical until, you know, I actually did it."

Superman chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "I guess you learn something new every day. Maybe I can give that a try in the future. In the meantime, let's see if we can close the gap before Lobo figures out we're onto him."

"Sounds good," Jetray said, folding his wings in preparation for a burst of speed. "Race you there?"

"Let's focus on catching Lobo first," Superman replied, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he pushed the Javelin to its maximum speed. Jetray matched his pace easily.

#

As Jetray and Superman cruised through the silent expanse of space, Ark decided to break the quiet. "So… what's the deal with you and Lois Lane?"

Superman's brow raised in surprise, a faint hint of pink crossing his face before he cleared his throat. "What do you mean?"

"You two seem rather… close," Ark teased.

"Oh, Lois? She's… a great reporter. One of the best. I've had the chance to work with her professionally on a lot of occasions."

Ark raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Just professional, huh?"

Superman hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "Well… she's definitely… dedicated to her work. From what I've seen, she's got a good heart. Passionate about uncovering the truth. Just… maybe takes more risks than she should."

Ark chuckled, shaking his head. "Hey, man. I ain't gonna judge. You seem to like her and aren't afraid to show it sometimes."

"Is it that obvious?"

Ark laughed. "The numerous gossip columns that ship you two are a contributing factor."

"Oh… right," Superman muttered, adjusting the Javelin's trajectory. "Well, as you probably know, being a hero makes relationships… complicated. We haven't started anything official."

"Trust me. I know the classic villain plan of targeting the hero's loved ones," Ark said knowingly.

"So you get what's holding us back."

"It only really works when your loved one can't protect themselves or if there isn't a pre-existing deterrent," Ark said matter-of-factly. "You got options."

Superman glanced at him, intrigued. "So, what did you do?"

"To be fair, my situation was unique. My previous flame had a living alien battlesuit to protect her. That tended to ward off most threats."

"I see," Superman mused, rubbing his chin. "I think I'll have to consider something else."

"You'll figure it out," Ark reassured. "In the meantime, I've seen the rumor mill online. You know, for a bit, people were thinking Superboy was your secret love child with her."

Superman chuckled nervously. "Yeah… Lois had… questions when she saw Superboy in the field. She agreed to keep the clone thing under wraps. At the moment, she's pushing the narrative that he's my long-lost relative."

Ark laughed, shaking his head. "Sounds about right. That tracks."

Superman smiled. "Thanks, Ark. I appreciate the perspective."

"Hey, what're heroes for?"

Later

As Jetray and Superman continued talking, they grew slightly distracted. Superman and Jetray followed Lobo's trail, leading them into a dense asteroid field. Superman's console lit up with warnings as they maneuvered through them.

Unbeknownst to them, Lobo watched their approach. "Gotcha, you suckers." He diverted his bike's trail to lead them astray, then quickly hid behind a massive asteroid, waiting for them to pass by.

As Superman made a turn, he heard metal scraping. Superman glanced up as Lobo's grinning face appeared outside the cockpit with a crowbar.

Lobo then cracked the window with it. "Ding Dong, Lobo calling!"

Jetray and Superman had to shake off the realization that Lobo spoke to them in the vacuum of space while the two heroes were still using their radios.

Instead of panicking, Superman gave Lobo a calm smile. "Hi there." He pressed a button on the console, sending electrical currents surging through the hull.

Lobo howled as the shock flung him back into space.

Quickly recovering, Lobo clambered onto his bike, revved the engine. "Okay, frag-face, let's tango!" Lobo's bike fired a missile streaking toward Superman's ship.

Superman fired a laser from the ship's nose, detonating the missile in a fiery burst.

Lobo's bike then unleashed a barrage of twin machine-gun fire.

Jetray dodged and retaliated with sharp neuroshock blasts, forcing Lobo to swerve wildly.

Superman was dodging fire and returning shots. A well-placed laser struck Lobo's bike, sending him spinning back.

Lobo reoriented himself and revved his bike. The bike's launchers sprang to life, releasing a barrage of targeting missiles. "Catch me if ya can, fraggers!".

In the Javelin, Superman deployed a cascade of thermal decoys that spiraled outward. The missiles veered toward the decoys and detonated in fiery bursts just behind the ship. "That was too close."

Jetray darted through the explosions. He unleashed a series of neuroshock blasts, targeting more incoming missiles. A few were disabled mid-flight, erupting harmlessly. "Is that all you've got?"

"You asked." With a flick of a switch, new guns deployed, and Lobo fired twin energy blasts.

Superman banked the ship hard, avoiding the shots, while Jetray fired a rapid volley of neuroshock blasts in return.

Lobo smirked but was forced to swerve sharply, grazing an asteroid. Using the rocky cover to his advantage, he fired sporadic shots from behind. A fragment of debris clipped Superman's ship, destabilizing its shields.

"Shields down to 70%." Superman reported.

Jetray dodged the debris and fired more neuroshock bolts at Lobo.

Lobo's bike fired back with plasma cannons.

Superman pulled the Javelin into a barrel roll, narrowly dodging them.

Jetray surged forward, closing the gap. Suddenly, the bike released a dense cloud of cosmic particle smoke, enveloping the area. Jetray, momentarily blinded, banked hard to avoid collision. "What the…?! I can't see him!"

Superman's ship switched to thermal vision and locked onto Lobo's signature, firing a laser shot. The beam clipped one of Lobo's bike's thrusters, causing the bounty hunter to wobble.

Thinking quickly, Lobo fired a missile at a nearby asteroid, causing an explosion that scattered debris.

Superman's ship moved to shield Jetray, taking the brunt of the impact. "Ship's integrity holding, but it's taking a beating."

Lobo roared with laughter. "Nice try, blue boy!" From his belt, he grabbed a spiked grenade and hurled it. The device stuck to the Javelin's hull with a menacing clang.

Superman's eyes narrowed. He pressed a button, ejecting the compromised outer panel just as the grenade detonated. The shockwave rocked the Javelin. The panel disintegrated in the explosion, leaving the ship intact.

Jetray accelerated, intending to cut Lobo off. He zipped ahead. But Lobo grinned, pulling his bike into a daring loop. The maneuver carried him over and around Jetray, the bounty hunter taunting him with a mock salute. "Gotta be quicker than that, pal!"

"Oh, you're askin' for it now, Blue Boy!" Lobo snarled, repositioning himself and unleashing another wave of firepower. Jetray avoided the assault, but Superman's instruments flashed red from the damage.

"The ship can't take much more of this," Frustrated, Superman exited the ship, using his heat vision to clear a path through the wreckage,and flew directly for Lobo.

Reaching the bike, Superman grabbed onto one of its machine guns and began tearing it free with brute force. "I guess the only way to reason with you is to take away your toy," he said.

"HEY! Hands off my hog!" Lobo bellowed, swinging his crowbar at Superman. Superman dodged the strike and countered with a powerful punch, snapping Lobo's head back. The bounty hunter grinned through the pain, clearly savoring the challenge. "Now that's more like it!" he growled.

#

A massive, cloaked ship lingered nearby. Inside, the Preserver observed the ongoing skirmish between Superman, Jetray, and Lobo with a satisfied smile.

The Preserver's drone came closer. "Lobo has lured the Kryptonian and the unknown into range."

The Preserver nodded. "Excellent. Fire when ready."

Outside, the battle continued. Superman punched at Lobo, who ducked and swung his chain.

Jetray's neuroshock blasts constantly forcing Lobo to reposition himself.

Suddenly, a massive vessel shimmered into visibility.

"What the... ?" Jetray's attention diverted to the colossal ship.

Before either hero could react, the ship's energy cannons roared to life, firing a beam of concentrated energy. The first struck Superman square in the chest. He let out a pained groan, clutching at his chest as his strength visibly drained.

"Lights out, Clyde," Lobo sneered, taking advantage of Superman's weakened state. His knuckles collided with the Man of Steel's jaw in a devastating punch, sending Superman spiraling backward. The hero fell unconscious.

"Superman!" Jetray was about to pursue when another set of energy beams erupted from the Preserver's ship. This time, they struck both heroes. Jetray struggled as his movements slowed.

In the next instant, a blinding flash consumed both Superman and Jetray. When the light subsided, the heroes were gone.

The Preserver's Ship

Jetray's vision slowly returned, revealing himself encased in a transparent, dome-like containment cell. He quickly scanned the area and noticed Superman in the adjacent cell. The Man of Steel appeared unconscious.

"Superman!" Superman didn't stir, and Jetray's concern deepened.

Looking beyond the cells, Jetray saw strange alien creatures roaming in their own enclosures. Some had bizarre, glowing appendages, while others resembled creatures he recognized from Earth's prehistoric era. "Is that… a triceratops?"

Before he could consider breaking out, a figure floated into view. Draped in green and orange robes, the alien was flanked by hovering mechanical guards. "Ah, the unknown."

Jetray's gaze hardened. "Alright. Who are you, and why did you bring us here?"

The Preserver clasped his hands behind his back, his expression almost smug. "I am the Preserver, curator, and protector of endangered species from across the universe."

Jetray's eyes narrowed. "You're the one who hired Lobo and Bedlam."

Bedlam strode into the room as if on cue, his spurred boots clinking against the metallic floor. "Guilty," he said, tipping his hat. "Nothing personal, just business."

The Preserver waved his hand, and a chest of glittering jewels materialized before the space cowboy. "Your task is complete, and you shall be rewarded."

Grinning, Bedlam scooped up a handful of the treasures. "Lobo's in the hangar fixing his bike. Should I let him know to see you?"

"Yes," the Preserver replied. "I have another… task for the Czarnian."

Bedlam shrugged, pocketing some jewels. "If you say so." He turned and left, leaving the Preserver to focus on Jetray.

The Preserver gestured toward Superman's cell. "I do what I must to preserve species threatened with extinction. For ages, I have gathered the last of many rare creatures, even some from your planet, Earth."

Jetray deadpanned, his tail flicking behind him. "So, it's a zoo?"

"I suppose you could see it that way," the Preserver said, unbothered by the accusation.

The Preserver's gaze lingered on Superman. "Normally, I do not take sentient beings. However, the Kryptonian is the sole survivor of his homeworld. For what it's worth, I was able to collect a specimen from Krypton's sister planet, Argo. However, that one is located at a different site."

Turning his attention back to Jetray, the Preserver's expression shifted to curiosity. "You, however, are an anomaly."

With a wave of his hand, a holographic display appeared, showcasing Ben's various alien transformations, including recent additions like Upchuck and Jetray. "When I first discovered your ability to change today, I believed you to be a shapeshifter akin to the Martians. However, your transformations are far more sophisticated. You assume the forms of entirely distinct alien species with unique abilities. At first, I thought you were simply the last of a rare species, but now… I must ask directly: What are you?"

Jetray tilted his head. "That's a loaded question… You claim to be a preserver of life, right?"

"Of course." The Preserver gestured to the array of creatures in nearby cells. "I initially started my pursuit by collecting the last of various non-sentient species."

"Why?" Jetray asked. "Why do you care? Who really are you?"

The Preserver's posture stiffened. "I am… old. My original name is irrelevant, but I know the pain of being the last." He floated over to a pod.

Jetray's expression softened slightly. "You're the last of your kind?"

"Indeed," the Preserver admitted. "Not unlike Krypton, my homeworld suffered a catastrophic disaster. Still, I tried to move on. But as time passed, I saw the same tragedy befall countless species. Eventually, I made a choice."

"You became the Preserver."

"Yes. I chose to save them in a way I know how."

Jetray glanced around the room, observing the various creatures. "Is this truly the only way you've found to help them? If these species reproduce sexually and they don't have a mate, their survival is already doomed."

The Preserver sighed. "Unfortunately, that is true. On many occasions, I arrived too late to collect a proper pair. I've considered cross-species hybrids, but success has been limited."

Jetray hummed thoughtfully. "You asked me what I was."

"I'd seen nothing like you in the universe."

"I'd like to make a proposal."

The Preserver raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

Jetray straightened. "What if I told you that I'm the last hope for any alien species?"

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: Jetray

Species: Aerophibian

Home World: Aeropela

Powers and Abilities:

Aerophibians can fire neuroshock blasts capable of shutting down an organic being's nervous system from their eyes and tail. Aerophibians can casually fly at speeds several times the speed of sound. They can maneuver through the air with little to no flapping and extreme precision, unmatched by anything on Earth. Aerophibians can safely fly through water, the Earth's atmosphere, and into space, and travel on an interstellar level. Through sheer speed, they are capable of entering a dimension known as hyperspace much like current Jumpgate technology, without converting the subject matter into faster-than-light tachyons. Aerophibians are resistant to electrical energy.

Chapter Text

Planet Spewge

The throne room was filled with the pungent scent. A hulking brown alien sat slouched on a stone throne. The alien oozed green sludge from various orifices. Emperor Spewge was not in a forgiving mood. "I can't believe it!" He pointed finger toward one of the bounty hunters. "Not only has Lobo failed to deliver your thieving brother, Sqweek…" The Emperor's finger jabbed in Gnaww's direction. "But now you tell me that Lobo's taken a bribe to let Sqweek escape."

Gnaww held up his hands defensively. "It's true, Emperor Spewge, on my honor as a bounty hunter."

Spewge's eyes bulged, and a guttural growl escaped his throat. "Ahh! Lobo has broken his word. He'll pay for that!" The Emperor slammed a fist against one of the armrests of his throne. Green sludge erupted from his shoulder.

Gnaww flinched.

"Find him, Gnaww!" he roared. "Drag Lobo and that worthless brother of yours back here...alive or in pieces!"

To emphasize his command, Spewge slammed both fists against his throne. More green sludge spewed forth, splattering across the floor and spraying the group of bounty hunters.

Gnaww winced as a glob of the sludge landed on his head. With a sigh, he peeled and flicked it aside. "Got it."

Beside him, the other two bounty hunters nodded silently.

Spewge leaned back into his throne. "Go now. And bring me results, Gnaww. Or you'll join your brother in being smeared across my floor."

Gnaww nodded to his companions. "You heard him. Let's move."

The Preserver's Ship

Jetray straightened. "What if I told you that I'm the last hope for any alien species?"

The Preserver tilted his head. "I don't follow. How are you able to help them?"

In response, Jetray's form turned into a flash of green light. When it subsided, standing in his place was a human male. Ben crossed his arms with a slight smirk.

The Preserver's eyes widened in astonishment. "Is this your original form? You are… human?"

Ben shrugged. "Kinda. My grandmother's not from Earth, but that's beside the point."

The Preserver leaned forward. "You have my attention. Explain. How can you assist me in my mission?"

"Look, I get what you're trying to do. Preserving near extinct species is noble and all, but the way you're going about it isn't a solution. It's just delaying the enevitable. So, how about a deal? You let me and Superman go, and I'll help you fix the problems you're facing with reproduction."

The Preserver furrowed his brow. "And how, exactly, can you resolve an issue I've been battling for centuries?"

Ben stepped closer to the glass. "Because I can manipulate DNA."

"Manipulate DNA? How does that help?"

Ben gestured toward the various of creatures around them. "Take your non-sentient species, for example. I can alter the genetic material of any being. I could take something simple, like a bird or a mouse, into a genetically compatible member of an endangered species. They could reproduce and repopulate, no problem."

The Preserver's eyes widened with realization. "If what you say is true, that would indeed resolve the reproduction dilemma! Something of that caliber would be revolutionary."

Ben smiled confidently. "See? I knew you'd get it. And all I ask in return is that you let me and Superman head back to Earth."

The Preserver raised an eyebrow. "The Kryptonian's extinction would still be a risk on Earth, no?"

Ben waved it off. "Nah. We've got things covered. Plus, I already have his DNA. Worst-case scenario? I can bring Kryptonians back whenever. I would have to find them a new planet first."

The Preserver hummed in thought. The offer to save every species in his collection had clearly struck a chord. "Your proposal is compelling. I will need time to contemplate your offer and prepare the necessary tests. Before I can agree to anything, I must see such a feat demonstrated. Is that agreeable to you?"

Ben nodded confidently. "Fair enough. We can do it today, right?"

"About an hour from now, yes."

"Got any lab mice and a species in mind?"

The Preserver turned his gaze to the room, his eyes settling on the dinosaur-like alien creature Ben had noticed earlier. "The creature you observed earlier...a Trodaxian. Its species has been extinct in the wild for millennia. If you can recreate a viable mate for it, I will consider your offer."

Ben grinned and cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let's see what I can do."

"For now, I will place you in the lab containment. Remain there, and do not attempt to leave. We will continue shortly." The Preserver gestured, and Ben was enveloped in a beam of light. In an instant, he was teleported to another room on the ship.

#

Ben found himself in another glass tube with a bed and chair in what he presumed to be the Preserver's lab. He let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall. "Well? Do you disagree with my choice?"

From his headset, Azmuth's holographic projection appeared. "You are aware of the possible consequences? Someone like Vilgax wanted to create an army with genetic copies of powerful alien species. Even if this Preserver's intentions seem noble, you cannot be certain they will remain so."

Ben crossed his arms. "I get it, Azmuth. Trust me, I'm not just handing over any of the Omnitrix's secrets. This is a need-to-know basis. Plus, there's no way I would repopulate a species that would endanger an ecosystem or an entire planet."

Azmuth tilted his head. "Do you trust that the Preserver won't attempt to use this knowledge against you or others?"

Ben shrugged. "I'll be keeping him within arms reach. He doesn't seem like a completely bad guy. I mean, sure, he's got some serious control issues, but his heart's in the right place. He's trying to save species that would've been wiped out otherwise. That's more than you can say for most people we deal with."

Azmuth's gaze hardened. "You and I are well aware that good intentions do not always lead to good outcomes, Ben. History has proven that time and time again. If you give him the means to manipulate DNA on his own..."

Ben cut him off. "I'm not giving him the means to do anything. He doesn't even know about the the Omnitrix. All he knows is that I can help with his repopulation problem. That's it. No extra details."

Azmuth considered this. "What will you do if he presses for more information or decides to use you by force?"

Ben smirked. "Let him try. We've been through worse. Besides, I've got backup plans. If things go south, I'm outta here."

Azmuth sighed, though there was a faint hint of approval. "You are reckless, as always. But… I suppose the world needs people willing to take the risk."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Ben quipped, glancing toward the closed door. "Look, I'm not saying I trust the guy completely. But if there's even a chance I can help save a species without putting anyone at risk, I've got to try. That's kind of what this watch is all about, right?"

Azmuth's hologram faded slightly. "Just remember, Ben...power like this must always be wielded with caution. One misstep could have far-reaching consequences."

As soon as Azmuth's hologram disappeared, Ben noticed a faint shimmer of light. Before he could react, a pair of tall, blue-skinned alien women teleported inside.

Ben instinctively took a step back. They looked like aliens, but the Omnitrix didn't react. They seemingly weren't organic. "Uh, hello." Ben glanced between the two. "Who are you?"

The first woman stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "We are android assistants designed by the Preserver to accommodate the needs of sentient species while they reside aboard this vessel."

The second woman chimed in with a wink. "We're here to make sure you're comfortable, cutie."

Ben blinked in surprise. "Comfortable?".

The first android nodded. "We ask that you behave during your stay and feel free to ask for anything within reason."

"And we mean anything." The second android had a playful implication as she gave Ben a flirty wink.

Ben's face flushed, and he blinked rapidly, caught off guard. "Oh… uh, oh!" He quickly held up his hands, shaking his head. "Um, no thank you. I think I'm good on… that. Water would be nice. Just water."

The second android giggled softly. "Sure thing, cutie."

Without another word, the two androids vanished in a flash of light.

He let out a breath of relief, running a hand through his hair. "It seems the Preserver thought of the… several needs for."

Elsewhere

Superman stirred. His eyes fluttering open to an unfamiliar room. He sat up, looking down at himself. The red and black robes he wore immediately struck a chord. 'The architecture...' "This can't be. Krypton?"

The holographic environment disappeared.

A voice echoed from outside a glass wall. "No." The Preserver floated into view. "But an incredible simulation."

Superman rose to his feet. "Let me guess. You're the one who hired Lobo to get me."

The Preserver inclined his head slightly. "I do what I must to preserve species threatened with extinction. You are the last Kryptonian. Therefore, your place is here."

Superman clenched his fists. "I think not."

He stepped forward and delivered a powerful punch to the glass wall. Pain shot through his hand, but the wall didn't so much as tremble. Superman frowned. 'I've lost my strength.'

"Like Krypton's red sun," the Preserver said, his tone almost reverent, "this light cancels the unnatural abilities given to you by the yellow sun of Earth. I always strive for complete accuracy."

Superman scowled. "Swell."

He turned his attention to the room, scanning for any sign of his companion. "Where's my friend? Ark?"

The Preserver clasped his hands behind his back. "I have temporarily moved him to a different part of my vessel. He and I have something to discuss. In the meantime, I suggest that you get comfortable."

Superman narrowed his eyes but said nothing, his mind racing for a way out.

A sharp knock on the glass interrupted Superman's thoughts. Outside, Lobo leaned casually against the enclosure. He had a chest full of jewels and Sqweek on a leash. "Hey, monkey." Lobo rapped his knuckles against the glass. "Want a nana?" He mimicked exaggerated monkey gestures, scratching his armpits and screeching mockingly.

Superman crossed his arms. "When I get out, I'm shoving that arrogant smirk right down your throat."

Lobo enjoyed the reaction. "Oh, yeah? You know, I believe that Lois gal might be gettin' a tad lonely now that you're doin' time in a cosmic petting zoo. Maybe I'll go back and cheer her up."

Superman's glare deepened

Lobo turned back to Sqweek. "Of course." Lobo tugged on the alien's leash, "I do have to collect the bounty on this geek first. Emperor Spewge's got a bad temper on him." Lobo waved casually at the Preserver. "Adios, wrinkles. You want any more rare dorks snagged, you got my number."

The Preserver's voice interrupted Lobo's swagger. "Actually, there is one other being I need for my collection: The last Czarnian."

Lobo barked out a laugh. "That's rich. I'm the last Czarnian!" He glanced smugly at Superman. "I fragged the rest of the planet for my high school science project. Gave myself an A."

Before Lobo could continue, a cylindrical glass tube dropped from the ceiling, enclosing him and Sqweek in an instant.

"What the..." Gas began filling the tube, cutting him off. Cough "HEY! You ugly, two-timin', big-faced fragger!" Cough. Lobo pounded on the glass, his voice growing raspy. "You just carved your own headstone!" cough "Nobody cough double-crosses the Main Man!" Cough. "Nobody!"

Superman turned his glare toward the Preserver. "You're playing a dangerous game."

The Preserver's expression remained calm. "I do what I must, Kryptonian."

Superman's eyes narrowed. "This isn't going to end well for you."

Later

At Superman's request, hero was changed out of the traditional Kryptonian garb for his iconic red and blue suit. He adjusted the cape over his and turned to face the Preserver, who observed him from just outside the containment chamber. "Thanks for returning my uniform. Now, how about my ship and my friend?"

The Preserver shook his head. "At this time, I cannot allow you to leave. As I have told your friend, For ages, I have preserved many rare creatures... even some from your adopted planet Earth."

Superman crossed his arms. "I'm not an animal to be stuck in a cage."

The Preserver nodded. "Indeed you are not. Depending on the outcome of today, I may be moving you to a more open ecosystem. Normally, I don't take sentient beings. However, you and Lobo are all that survive from your respective home worlds. The Czarnian seems to be adjusting to his new surroundings. I suggest you do the same for now."

Superman's jaw tightened. "That's not going to happen."

In the containment cell nearby, Lobo stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find two striking blue-skinned alien women leaning over him.

One spoke in a sultry tone. "Rise and shine, big boy."

Lobo blinked, then grinned as he sat up, flexing his arms. "Pinch me, I'm dreamin'." He gave himself a quick pinch and chuckled. "No, I'm not. It's a party, right? I can deal with that." He swung his legs over the side of his chair and stood, his swagger returning in full force. "You babes sit tight, and I'll grab us some suds. Man, I don't know where I am or how I got here, but I'm glad I..." With a loud thunk, Lobo walked straight into a glass wall. He staggered back, rubbing his nose as he scowled at the invisible barrier.

From the adjacent chamber, Superman smirked. "Morning."

Lobo growled, the memory of his capture flooding back. "Suddenly, it's all comin' back to me. Where's that little creep that locked me in here? When I get my hands on him, I'll..." Lobo slammed his fist into the glass, causing it to crack.

"Take it easy, swookums," said one of the blue-skinned women.

"No need to get rowdy," chimed the other.

Lobo turned to them, ready to snap back, when their jaws unhinged and extended, revealing mechanical interiors. Nozzles emerged from their mouths, spraying a dense gas directly into Lobo's face.

Lobo coughed and staggered, waving his arms. "Gas! Back off, you blasted robo-bims." He collapsed back into his chair.

The androids gently lifted his legs and placed a pillow under his head. "There. Nice and peaceful."

"No one fights here," added the other.

Superman frowned. His gaze shifted to the other exhibits in the room before lingering on an alien resembling a triceratops munching on some plants.

As he looked around his own cell. His eyes fell on crystal decore. An idea formed in his mind. Picking it up, he angled it toward the triceratops-like creature, catching the overhead light and directing it toward the alien's eye.

The creature flinched and walked away from the light.

Superman adjusted the crystal again for the eye. "Sorry, fella, But you're my ticket out of here."

The light caught the alien's attention. It turned toward Superman's cell as it realized the source. The alien backed up and charged, slamming its horned head into Superman's glass wall. The pane cracked but held.

Superman angled the light again to provoke the creature further.

The alien growled louder, backing up and charging again. This time, the force shattered the glass completely, sending shards flying.

#

As the Preserver entered the lab and began preparations for the experiment. His wrist brace chimed.

His robotic assistant spoke. "A disturbance in the south wing, sir."

The Preserver turned sharply, his gaze narrowing. "Details?"

The brace projected a live feed of Superman stepping out of his shattered containment cell, shards of reinforced glass scattered across the floor. Beside him, the triceratops-like alien pawed at the ground, snorting aggressively as if ready to charge again.

Across the room, Ben raised a brow as he drank from his cup. "Everything alright there?"

The Preserver shook his head. "A minor disturbance. Rest assured, containment procedures ensure the safety of the creatures."

"Right…" Ben hummed. "I take it that Superman isn't taking his accommodations too well." He was hoping to settle this issue as diplomatically as possible.

The Preserver sighed. "I suppose I should have expected it." He pressed a button on his bracer. "Send the security probes. Ensure the Kryptonian is returned to his cell unharmed. Do not engage the other exhibits."

"Did you tell Superman about our little bargain if it works?"

The Preserver shook his head. "It would be best to verify such claims before giving them unwarranted expectations."

"Them?"

"Yes. Currently, the Czarnian is in captivity as well."

Ben made a face. "Who and what is a Czarnian?"

"You have already met him. The one called Lobo."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "You mean the guy in the biker jacket with the flying motorcycle?"

The Preserver turned to him. "Yes. The bounty hunter is the last Czarnian."

Ben straightened. "Huh. Considering what I've seen of him, were the Czarnians some kind of warrior race or something?"

To Ben's surprise, the Preserver shook his head. "Actually, the Czarnians were once a peaceful, thriving alien race."

Ben blinked. "Really?"

"Indeed. They were a highly advanced species, well-versed in philosophy, the arts, and the sciences. They cherished peace and above all else."

Ben tilted his head. "And then what happened? Did they get conquered or something? How'd they end up with Lobo as their sole survivor?"

The Preserver sighed. "Lobo happened. Years ago, he eradicated his entire species. For reasons known only to himself, he unleashed a plague upon his homeworld, ensuring no other Czarnian would survive."

Ben's jaw dropped slightly. "A part of me says I shouldn't be surprised, but I still am. That's… wow. Next-level messed up."

The Preserver nodded gravely. "It is a tragedy. Lobo, however, shows no remorse. He revels in his infamy. He is, in every way, the antithesis of what his people once were."

Ben blinked. "You know what, I won't feel bad if you decide to keep him in a museum exhibit."

#

Superman watched as the triceratops-like alien finished its charge and began munching on a patch of plants that had fallen from its own pen into Superman's shattered containment cell. Now out of the artificial red sun chamber, Superman felt his strength returning. He bent down, picking up a large shard of the reinforced glass. Testing his grip, he crushed the shard into fine powder, letting it fall between his fingers. He wasn't at full strength, but it was good enough.

He began jogging toward the corridor. Just as he reached the hall, a voice called out from behind him.

"Yo, Supes."

Superman stopped and turned, his eyes narrowing.

Lobo was on his knees, leaning against the glass of his own cell. "You ain't gonna bail without your old pal Lobo, are ya?" The Czarnian flashed his trademark grin.

Superman folded his arms. "If any creature in the galaxy deserves to be locked up, it's you."

Lobo's grin twisted into a snarl. "Why, you dirty..."

Lobo slammed his fists against the glass, causing faint cracks.

"Lobie," cooed one of the blue-skinned android women. "Are you getting rowdy again?"

Lobo immediately backed off, raising his hands. "Oh, no, no. I'm cool. Just chillin', ya know?"

The androids smiled politely and stepped back.

Once they were out of earshot, Lobo turned back to Superman. "Come on, cut me a break. They keep me so pumped with gas, I can hardly move. I gotta get out of here."

Superman narrowed his eyes. "So you can attack Earth again? I don't think so."

Lobo glared. "All right, fine. I don't need you! I'm the Main Man, ya hear me, you rag-fragging geek-wad!"

One of the android women stepped back into view. "Oh, my. Such language."

The nozzles extended from their mouths again, and Lobo's bravado turned to coughing as the gas began to fill his cell. Lobo stumbled, shaking his fist at Superman. "It might take me a week, it might take me ten years, but I'm gonna bust out and kick that big red 'S' of yours all over the galaxy! Right after I'm done nuking the Earth into GUACAMOLE! And that's a promise!"

Superman frowned, turning back toward Lobo's cell as the Czarnian collapsed to his knees. "Lobo, if I let you out, do you swear to leave me and everyone else on Earth in peace?"

Lobo coughed but looked up. "The Main Man's word is his bond, man."

Superman hesitated for a moment before clenching his fist and slamming it into the glass. A crack appeared, causing Lobo to flinch. Superman delivered another punch, then another, until a final blow shattered the glass.

Lobo stumbled out, gasping for air.

One of the androids gasped. "Oh, jinkies. The Preserver won't like this one bit."

Both androids moved to deploy their nozzles.

Lobo grinned wickedly. "Come here, sweet things."

He lunged forward, grabbing the nozzles of both androids and twisting them together in a tight knot. The gas continued to pour from their mouths, building up until the pressure caused an explosion, sending shards of metal and synthetic parts scattering across the room.

The two androids collapsed in a heap.

"Woohoo! Dang, that felt good," he said, catching the broken android hands as they fell into his palms. He tossed them aside with a chuckle. Lobo turned back to Superman. "Hey, Blue, thanks."

Before Superman could respond, Lobo threw a punch, landing it squarely on Superman's face and sending him stumbling to the floor.

Superman got back to his feet. "What was that for?!"

Lobo grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Didn't want ya thinkin' I'm goin' soft on ya."

Superman sighed, rubbing his jaw. "Why did I expect anything different?"

#

The Preserver returned to the lab, followed by two of his mechanical guards carrying a small containment unit. Inside the unit was a small blue female alien lab rat.

The walls around Ben receded into the floor. "You are free. Any deception will result in immediate confinement."

"Agreed."

"Let us proceed with the experiment."

Ben stepped out, cracking his knuckles. "Relax, big guy. I'm here to help." He turned to the dinosaur-like creature in its containment cell. "Alright, so before we start, I need a little more info."

The Preserver nodded. "The Trodaxian is a male herbivore. Introducing it into a new ecosystem would pose little to no risk of disruption."

"Perfect," Ben stepped closer to the creature. "Let's do this."

He placed a hand on the Trodaxian's hide. It took a moment for the Omnitrix to silently scan and archive the creature's DNA. Ben glanced over his shoulder at the Preserver, making sure his actions went unnoticed.

Applying Non-Sentient DNA to a Sentient being had a number of risks. However, similar to the Nemetrix, using Non-Sentient DNA on a Non-Sentient being was fine.

Ben then turned to the lab rat and placed his hand on the small creature. The Omnitrix began altering the rat's DNA. The creature's form shifted. its fur receding as scales replaced it. Its body elongated, growing larger as its limbs and features morphed. In an instant, the transformation was complete.

Before them stood a smaller, female version of the Trodaxian. In contrast, it had vibrant emerald scales thanks to the genetic recombination sequences to promote genetic diversity. It blinked at its surroundings, letting out a soft huff.

The Preserver froze. His eyes widened. For a moment, he seemed unable to speak. Then, as the female Trodaxian approached the male and nuzzled his side, the Preserver's lips trembled, and his eyes glistened with tears. "There is still hope for us all," he whispered..

Ben smiled. "Told you I could do it. Looks like the Trodaxians have a second chance."

The Preserver blinked rapidly. "This… this is more than I could have ever hoped for. You have given them a future. I am… indebted to you."

Ben shrugged. "Just doing my part. So, Superman and I can go free, right?"

The Preserver nodded solemnly. "Yes. A promise is a promise. We shall meet every 30 Earth rotations to reconvene on the project."

Ben smiled. "For now, let's focus on getting us back to Earth."

With Superman

Four floating security drones descended from the ceiling, locking onto the Superman and Lobo. "Return to your enclosures."

Lobo cracked his knuckles and punched the palm of his left hand, grinning. "Who's gonna make us?"

In response, the drones fired synchronized energy beams, slamming into both Superman and Lobo with enough force to send them flying backward.

The two hit the ground hard as the drones advanced.

In the containment tubes nearby, various alien creatures let out low growls at the commotion.

Superman and Lobo scrambled to their feet, diving behind a large containment tube for cover as another blast struck the ground near them.

"Thanks, bigmouth." Superman brushed the dirt off his suit.

Lobo shrugged. "I didn't know they were armed."

A third beam seared past their heads, causing Superman to duck instinctively. "Neither one of us is back to full strength."

"If they drag us back, they'll probably strap our butts to the floor with razor wire."

Superman shot him an incredulous look.

Lobo raised a brow and grinned wider. "Not that it ain't a pleasurable way to perk up an evening. But I do have me that prisoner to deliver."

Superman ignored the comment, peeking around the corner. "We need a decoy to draw their fire."

Without hesitation, Lobo shoved Superman out into the open. "Elected."

"Hey!" Superman stumbled forward just as the drones turned to him.

They fired again, and Superman narrowly avoided the beams of energy.

Meanwhile, Lobo moved out from behind the containment tube. He crept up from behind and grabbed two of the drones, smashing them together. The drones sputtered and fell to the ground in pieces.

The third drone turned its focus toward Lobo, but before it could fire, he delivered a powerful kick that sent it spinning through the air.

Superman punched, shattering the spinning drone's shell. It exploded in a fiery burst of sparks.

The fourth drone fired a direct blast at Lobo's face.

The burst left his hair sticking out in wild directions, sand covered in soot. Smoke curled out of his mouth as he glared at the drone.

"Fragger." Lobo raised his fist and brought it down hard. He crushed it into a heap of sparking metal.

Superman jogged up beside him. "Come on. Let's move before more show up."

Superman and Lobo sprinted down the corridor as security alarms blared. They burst through a door and into a lush, forest-like biome.

Lobo cracked his knuckles as he ran. "Soon as that gas wears off, I'm grindin' that Preserver into kibble and feedin' him to his varmints."

Superman shot him a sideways glance. "We should just get our ships and leave."

Lobo sneered. "You wanna run? Fine. Your wimpy little toy rocket's in the south hangar, right where I left it. Me, I'm stayin' to feed Wrinkles 31 different flavors of pain."

However, it didn't take long for another group of security bots to follow. They were closing in behind them. They scanned the area and located the duo.

"Great. These fragger bots are persistent!" Lobo leaped over a log.

Superman glanced back. "Maybe if someone didn't yell so much, we'd have had a better chance of sneaking out."

"That's half the fun!" Lobo shot back.

The drones fired another round of stun blasts, forcing the duo to weave through the trees as they came closer and closer.

Superman's eyes widened as he noticed a shot veering straight for Lobo. Acting on instinct, he lunged, tackling the Czarnian to the ground just as the blast singed past them.

"Get off me, Blue!" Lobo shoved at Superman's shoulder.

Before either of them could react, the ground beneath them gave way. With a loud snap, a portion of the forest floor broke apart, revealing a fenced-off hole hidden among the undergrowth.

"Uh-oh," Lobo muttered.

They fell through a gaping hole, landing hard below.

Superman pushed himself up. "You okay?"

Lobo looked down. "Yeah, but I think I stepped in somethin'."

His boots began sinking into the dirt, and suddenly, he was yanked upward as the ground came alive. An enormous, snake-like alien creature surfaced. Its massive tail gripped Lobo and hurled him into the cavern wall.

Superman barely had time to react as the creature's head shot forward, jaws wide, aiming to swallow Lobo whole. In an instant, Superman shoved Lobo out of the way, causing the creature to slam into the wall instead.

Lobo rubbed his head. "Thanks. I owe ya."

The creature's massive tail shot up, aiming directly for them. Lobo jumped clear, but the tail slammed Superman into the ground, coiling around him tightly.

The creature hoisted Superman into the air, preparing to throw him toward its gaping maw. Superman twisted midair and landed on the creature's exposed jaw, struggling to hold it open as it snapped furiously.

From the ground, Lobo watched the battle with a smirk. "Whoa. That's gonna hurt."

Superman, straining to hold the alien's jaws apart. "Lobo, thought you said you owed me!"

Lobo was unimpressed. "What, now?" He got to his feet. "Oh, whoopdie-fragging-do."

Lobo sauntered over to the creature's tail, gripping it with both hands. With a powerful yank, he ripped the outer layer of the tail's skin clean off like a forced molting.

The creature let out a screech of pain, loosening its grip on Superman and retreating underground.

Lobo held up the peeled skin. "Belt?"

Without a word, Superman grabbed Lobo by the jacket, hoisting him off the ground.

"Hey, what gives..." Lobo started, but Superman launched into the air, flying them both up and out of the hole and emerged back into the forest-like enclosure.

"You really gotta work on sayin' thanks, Blue."

Superman rolled his eyes. "Let's just find the hangar."

With Ben

When the Preserver got a notification that a separate exhibit was breached, he brought up the security feed. Ben and the being watched as a Sand Worm attempted to eat Superman and Lobo.

While both were glad that Superman wasn't eaten. The sight of the Czarnian ripping off the skin of the animal unsettled them. Granted, it was like a snake and would grow back, but that's beside the point.

His personal drone hovered nearby. "Preserver, another ship is approaching us."

Ben raised a brow. "Were you expecting visitors?"

"No." The Preserver turned sharply. "Identify the vessel."

The drone's monitors flickered, displaying the image of a jagged, heavily armed ship closing in.

"Hello, there." A transmission crackled to life. Gnaww yelled on the radio. "We've tracked the bounty hunter Lobo to your ship. We have orders for his capture."

"Bring up the video feed." The screen changed to show the owner of the approaching vessel. He looked awfully similar to the one detained named Sqwee. The Preserver frowned. "I'll have you know that Lobo is in my custody and will stay that way until further notice."

"I have direct orders from Emperor Spewge to bring him in."

Ben mouthed out the name again. He could only imagine what an alien like that looked like.

"Lobo is sedated in my ship," the Preserver partially lied. They were still weak from their sedatives. " Now, leave, or I will be forced to take action."

"Isn't that good news for us?" Gnaww laughed. "Force, huh? We'll see about that."

"Again, I ask that you leave. I will not fulfill your request."

"That's the thing. We ain't asking for him."

Before the Preserver could reply, the ship shuddered violently. They all heard and felt a distant crash. A shrill wail of alarms sounded.

The drone approached. "Preserver, the hull in the south wing has been breached. Emergency environmental sealing has been initiated."

The Preserver straightened. "Damage report. Have any creatures been harmed?"

The drone's paused. "Scans indicate no open creatures in containment have been harmed. However, there are intruders on board. They are making their way toward the south hangar."

The Preserver's lips pressed into a thin line. "Prepare the security drones. And activate containment measures for all critical specimens. I will not allow this ship or the creatures to be compromised."

"Understood, Preserver. Advanced security measures are being deployed." The drone zipped off to execute the commands.

Ben, who had been observing the exchange, raised a hand to catch the Preserver's attention. "Listen, the test was a success, and I expect you to hold up your end of the deal. But since we're under siege, I'm down to help you out."

The Preserver turned to him. "I intend to uphold our agreement, but please, save my ship."

Ben smirked, giving a casual salute. "Don't need to ask me twice."

The Preserver moved to a nearby console, bringing up a layout of the ship. He highlighted a path on the screen, then adjusted the ship's internal lighting to direct Ben toward the breach site. "The lights will guide you to the entry point. Proceed with haste," the Preserver instructed as he opened the lab door.

As Ben began jogging down the path, a playful grin tugged at his lips. "Perhaps it's time to use Lobo's DNA."

Chapter Text

With Superman

The jungle shook with a sudden CRASH somewhere deep in the biome.

Superman paused. Was that Ark? Did he have an escape plan? But the thought died quickly. His luck hadn’t been running that hot lately. "Maybe it's another way out," he muttered to himself.

On the other hand, Lobo took it in stride and ran toward the sound. This might have been more interesting. 

As they drew closer, a new voice appeared. “Don’t bet on it.”

Instantly, both heroes froze. Superman took a stance, and Lobo did the same.

"Move in, boys," the voice commanded. "Without their powers, these wimps are dead meat."

Without hesitation, the two took off, but it was too late.

Bright flashes of laser fire nearly hit, forcing them to a halt. Above them were Gnaww and his crew, weapons leveled.

Gnaww gave a sharp nod. "Get 'em." The hunters dropped, landing in a semicircle.

Superman and Lobo instinctively took a step back. Outnumbered. No powers. ‘Not good,’ Superman thought grimly.

With that, Superman and Lobo sprinted in full retreat. Behind them, the bounty hunters were closing in.

Vaulting over a tree trunk, Lobo shot Superman a manic grin. "Nothin' like a little exercise, eh, Supes?"

"They wouldn't be chasing us if someone hadn't antagonized half the galaxy," Superman said.

Lobo snorted. "Don't insult me. I'll have you know I pissed off more than half."

A burst of laser fire instantly fried a nearby tree trunk.

"Move!" Superman grabbed Lobo by the arm and pulled him forward.

Gnaww wasn't letting up. "Flank 'em! I want the Czarnian alive. The Kryptonian's just gravy!"

Two reptilian hunters peeled off while a brute in armor simply bulldozed a path.

Superman and Lobo scrambled behind bulbous plants.

Lobo risked a peek from behind their cover. "Alright, playtime's over. These jokers are startin' to chafe my hide."

Superman didn't spare him a glance. "There's a ravine ahead! We need to move, now!"

Lobo cracked his knuckles. "Or... we could stand our ground, rip 'em a new..."

Superman grabbed his arm, cutting him off. "No time! Move!" Before Lobo could object, another energy blast detonated nearby, and Superman practically dragged him forward, the two sprinting towards the ravine, dodging stun bolts, and leaping over gnarled roots.

Gnaww saw their destination. "They're headin' for the drop! Cut 'em off!" 

Superman and Lobo reached the ravine's edge, looking down below.

Lobo crossed his arms. "You sure about this, Blue?"

Superman clenched his fists. "Do you have a better idea?"

Lobo's grin returned. "Yeah! We turn around and frag 'em all!"

Superman sighed. "We’re jumping."

Lobo rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine! But if I land wrong and bust my spleen, I'm billin' you for it!"

With that, the two leaped off the cliff as bolts hit where they once stood.

As they plummeted into the mist below, Gnaww and his hunters skidded to a stop at the edge.

Gnaww growled. "They’re not gettin’ away that easy. After them!"

With Ark

Alarms screamed through the corridor as Ark ran down the hallway. Red lights flashed. Hull breach. Bounty hunters. Great. With the Preserver's bots tied up keeping life support online, it was up to him. If this ship went down, entire species went with it. Time for some heavy artillery.

"Alright, Lobo. Let's see who the real Main Man is."

He slapped the Omnitrix dial. A blinding flash of green energy consumed him. His muscles expanded, and his skin paled to chalk white. His brown hair darkened and grew wild in a jet-black mane. His eyes ignited, burning crimson.

Ark flexed his new arms, feeling the strength behind them. His memory of his early fight with Lobo as Rath wasn’t wrong. A wicked grin split his face. "Oh yeah. This'll do nicely."

A heavy THUD reverberated from further down the hall. They were close. Ark cracked knuckles. Let them come.

"Alright, you interstellar idiots, get a load'a this." He launched himself forward.

A new name came to mind. ‘Punk Buster. Perfect.’ Muffled shouts ahead. They hadn't spotted him yet. Time for the grand entrance. He exploded through the final patch of plant life.

He landed among them with a ground-shaking WHUMP!, scattering them. A bug-eyed alien barely managed a wide-eyed "What the?" before Punk Buster snatched him by the vest and used him as a battering ram against a second hunter. There was a CRUNCH as they slammed into a tree.

A third raised his blaster, but Punk Buster ripped a branch thicker than a man's thigh from a nearby tree and easily swatted the weapon away. Before the now-unarmed hunter could blink, Punk Buster grabbed his collar, hauled him close, and delivered a headbutt. The hunter dropped out cold.

The rest of the squad froze, clearly rethinking their life choices as they watched their buddies drop.

Punk Buster let his grin stretch wider, showing sharp teeth, crimson eyes gleaming. "C’mon, boys. I’m just getting warmed up."

The bounty hunters opened fire.

Big mistake.

With a laugh, Punk Buster charged forward.

He dodged left, rolling under a volley of blasts, then sidestepped right. "Gonna have to do better than that, chumps!" he taunted.

Their leader shrieked, "Encircle him! Target the cranial unit!" Two hunters broke off, charging from the flanks with crackling electro-batons.

Punk Buster went predatory. "Feelin' brave, huh? Wanna get up close and personal? Fine by me!"

The first one lunged, swinging his baton in am arc. Punk Buster caught it. The hunter's eyes widened as the metal crumpled in Punk Buster's grip. Ark ripped the ruined baton free and slapped the hunter across the face with the back of his hand, sending him tumbling head over heels into the brush.

The second attacker saw an opening, swinging his baton hard against the back of Punk Buster's skull with both hands. It connected with a loud THWACK!

...and achieved absolutely nothing. Punk Buster didn't even rock on his feet.

The hunter froze mid-swing in utter disbelief. "...Uh oh."

Punk Buster turned his head slowly with a CRACK as he popped his neck. He smirked at the terrified hunter. "My turn."

He grabbed the hunter by the chest plate and powerbombed him into the ground.

Three down in spectacular fashion. The few hunters still standing looked ready to bolt. Their trigger fingers twitched, but nobody fired. Punk Buster threw his arms wide, practically inviting them.

"C'MON! I thought you fraggin' mercenaries were supposed to be tough! Is this IT?!"

The insectoid leader let out a furious screech. "FIRE EVERYTHING! BRING HIM DOWN!"

What little discipline remained kicked in, and they unleashed hell from all angles. He just laughed and charged through it. Bolts slammed into his chest, dissipating harmlessly. He barely felt them.

He bulldozed through a rotten log, shoulder-checked another hunter so hard the crack of plastoid armor echoed through the trees, then snatched a third by the ankle. He spun the hapless alien around before launching him headfirst into a massive, moss-covered boulder with a CRUNCH.

Only the leader remained. The insectoid drew a pair of crackling energy blades from his back. "Enough! I shall dissect you myself!"

Punk Buster felt feral joy. "Took ya long enough! Finally, someone with some guts!"

The insectoid lunged, flashing plasma aimed at Punk Buster's neck. 

Punk Buster flowed around the attack, ducking under a decapitating slash, then batting the second blade aside with a forearm, sending sparks flying. Before the leader could recover, Punk Buster drove a massive fist deep into his abdomen, lifting him off his feet with the force of the blow. A brutal uppercut followed, launching the skyward insectoid until he collided with a thick tree limb above. The SNAP of the branch breaking was followed by the heavy thud of the leader hitting the grounp.

Silence fell, broken only by the pained groans of downed bounty hunters scattered amidst the wreckage of smashed foliage. Punk Buster stood in the center of it all. He rolled his massive shoulders, cracked his knuckles one last time, surveying the scene.

A wide, satisfied grin spread across his face. "Heh. Man, I love this form."

With Superman

Superman and Lobo weaved between trees and dodging blaster fire.

The bounty hunters were relentless as they followed.

From behind them, a gruff voice called out. "Hey, Lobo! Remember us?"

Lobo rolled his eyes as he ducked under a branch. "Oh, sure! How could I forget the guys who tried to steal my bounty?"

Superman glanced at him. "You're really not helping!"

A fresh round of laser fire shredded the trees around them.

They broke into a clearing and spotted a building ahead.

"Cover!" Superman shouted.

The two leaped behind a large boulder, blaster fire impacting the rock .

Superman turned to Lobo. "Friends of yours?"

Lobo gave a toothy smirk. "My bridge club."

Before Superman could form a suitably scathing reply, Sqweek suddenly popped up from where he'd been clinging to Lobo's back, tiny voice filled with misplaced hope. "It's Gnaww! My brother! He's here to rescue me!"

Lobo snorted, grabbed the little creature, and unceremoniously dropped him onto the dirt. "Keep dreamin', runt."

Heavy footsteps crunched on the other side of the boulder as Gnaww and his crew fanned out. "Couldn't hide forever, Lobo!" Gnaww's voice sneered, closer now. "That piece-of-junk bike of yours leaves an ion trail wider than your ego! Smelled it halfway across the sector."

Lobo bristled instantly, poking his head recklessly over the rock. "Hey! Nobody talks trash about the Space Hog!"

WHIZZ-CRACK!

An energy bolt slammed directly into his forehead with a flash of blue sparks. Lobo staggered back with a loud grunt, eyes crossing for a dizzy second, before Superman grabbed the front of his jacket and hauled him violently back behind cover.

Superman let out a sharp breath. "Their firepower... we can't match it like this."

Lobo shook his head vigorously, rubbing the rapidly healing scorch mark on his forehead and spitting onto the ground. "No kiddin', genius."

Superman ignored the comment. He activated his X-ray vision, scanning the treeline past the boulder. He could see Gnaww’s troops spreading out, methodically cutting off escape routes. "They're boxing us in," he murmured, calculating angles and odds.

Lobo just cracked his knuckles. "Good. Means I won't have ta chase 'em. At least I'll go down fraggin'!"

Superman tuned him out. His gaze locked onto something unexpected within. His eyes widened. "Wait... there's something else in there. Something... big."

Lobo leaned in. "Big? What kinda big? Payday big?"

Superman spared a glance at the closing hunters. "Never mind. Get Sqweek to the docking bay inside that structure. Now. I'll create a diversion."

Lobo didn't need telling twice. He just scoffed. "Fine by me. Your funeral, Blue Boy."

He snatched Sqweek up by the scruff of his neck and bolted from behind the boulder, sprinting towards the relative safety under the treeline, leaving Superman alone to face the hunters.

With Lobo

While Superman kicked up a racket drawing fire back in the clearing, Lobo tried for something vaguely resembling stealth. Which, for him, mostly meant crashing through slightly less loudly than usual, with Sqweek flailing in his grip.

"Slow down, you oversized maniac!" Sqweek shrieked, bouncing painfully against Lobo's leather vest.

Lobo didn't break stride, didn't even glance down. "Pipe down, furball! Almost at the docking bay. Then it's payday, and I'm gettin' the biggest, baddest mug o' rotgut this side o' the galactic core!"

Sqweek groaned something unintelligible about internal injuries, but whatever complaint he had died in his throat as Lobo dug his heels in, skidding to a halt amidst flying dirt and shredded leaves. Blocking their path, stepping out from behind thick, dripping fronds, was another squad of heavily armed bounty hunters. Great. Just fraggin' great.

At the front of the pack stood a massive reptilian alien, covered in thick scales with a hulking build. 

"Ah, Lobo. I thought Gnaww had you pinned up ahead."

Lobo cocked an eyebrow, utterly unimpressed. "What, Gnaww couldn't handle me himself? Had to call in his B-team?" Lobo snorted. "Heh. You know what I can do, and you still took the contract? You boys got a serious death wish or just plain stupid?"

"Pays well," the leader rumbled, hefting his heavy plasma repeater. Around him, the others raised their weapons. "Last chance, Lobo!" one of the grunts yelled. "Surrender the bounty!"

Lobo glanced down at the terrified Sqweek, then back at the hunters arrayed before him. "Guess it's time to stash the merchandise." He unceremoniously crammed Sqweek headfirst into a deep, reinforced pocket on his leather vest, ignoring the muffled, indignant squeaks of "Hey! Get me outta here! I'm not carry-on luggage, you bastich!"

Lobo cracked his knuckles. "Alright, boys. Let’s dance."

Lobo charged forward.

The reptilian leader raised his blaster, but Lobo was already there.

A massive uppercut connected, launching the big alien backward to slam into a tree with a CRACK of bone and wood.

Plasma bolts erupted from the other hunters. Lobo laughed. "C'mon! Tickle me again! My grandma hits harder!" He grabbed the nearest hunter by the throat and using him as a flailing, armored shield before swinging him bodily into two others. THWACK! They went down in a tangle of limbs and curses.

High in the canopy, a sniper ained, but Lobo spotted the glint of the scope instantly.

"Tsk, tsk. No peepin’ toms."

Lobo grabbed a massive chunk of rock from the ground and hurled it at the sniper’s perch. The hunter tumbled down, landing hard with a grunt.

One of the bounty hunters pulled out a plasma blade, charging. "You’re DEAD, Lobo!"

Lobo simply sidestepped the attack and grabbed the hunter’s wrist mid-swing, twisting it until the blade dropped.

"Cute. Real cute."

With a brutal headbutt, Lobo sent the bounty hunter sprawling.

From the depths of Lobo's vest came a muffled, bouncing, increasingly desperate voice: "Could you PLEASE try not to get jostled so much?! I think I'm gonna hurl in here!"

Lobo chuckled, effortlessly dodging another wild shot. "Relax, fuzzball! Just tenderizin' the competition! Builds character!"

The reptilian leader groaned, staggering painfully upright, optics swimming, trying to bring his weapon back online. Too slow. Lobo lunged, snatching the heavy blaster. He crushed it in his hand. Then, grabbing the dazed leader by his scaly throat, Lobo lifted him clear off the ground, armored boots kicking uselessly a foot above the dirt.

"Tell your pal Gnaww," Lobo snarled, face inches from the terrified reptilian, eyes burning, "if he wants this bounty this bad, he's gonna hafta send someone tougher than you rent-a-thugs. And prettier, too."

He hurled the hunter into a nearby tree.

The clearing was now littered with unconscious bounty hunters.

He reached into his vest and yanked out Sqweek. The little alien was coated in grime, looking distinctly green around the gills, eyes spinning.

"Still kickin', payload?" Lobo asked, tone utterly smug.

Sqweek moaned weakly, clutching his stomach. "I... I think I'm gonna be sick... all over your vest..."

Lobo grinned. "Perfect! Means you're still worth somethin'."

He started moving again, heading for the docking bay entrance, Sqweek dangling limply from his hand. But after maybe a minute of crashing through the plants, the unmistakable sound of more fighting. Desperate blaster fire, heavy impacts, and furious shouts reached him from up ahead. He frowned. He dumped Sqweek unceremoniously behind a bush and ducked behind a massive tree trunk, peering cautiously into another, larger clearing just beyond.

"What the frag...?" His eyes narrowed, focusing.

In the thick of the chaos, laying waste to yet another group of hapless bounty hunters, was... another Czarnian? Looked almost like... him.

This new guy, maybe slightly leaner, hair wilder but just as black, was tearing through the hunters, slamming two armored bodies together before using another hunter as an improvised projectile against a tree.

CRACK!

The surviving hunters were clearly panicked, scrambling back.

"Is that Lobo?! Did he get past the others!"

"How?! I thought there was only ONE of 'em!"

"Frag it, we're all dead meat!"

Lobo’s red eyes twitched in pure rage.

“That... ain’t me.”

The sight of another Czarnian, especially one being mistaken for him, was enough to push Lobo over the edge. They thought this... this poser... this cheap knock-off... was him?

That was it. Seeing some second-rate imitation getting his hard-earned fear and reputation pushed Lobo past simmering anger into pure, incandescent fury.

With a growl, he tossed Sqweek aside and stomped into the clearing.

He didn't bother with any pretense of strategy, simply backhanding a terrified, fleeing bounty hunter clean out of his path. The alien sailed a good twenty feet, crashing hard into the upper canopy with a startled yelp.

The impact made the other Czarnian pause mid-pummel. He casually dropped the hunter he'd been throttling, dusting hands. He froze for just a fraction of a second as he saw the real Lobo standing there. The newcomer's crimson Czarnian eyes widened slightly in surprise before he grew a cocky, challenging smirk.

"Well, well... look what the space cat dragged in. Finally decided to show up, huh? It's you."

Lobo's teeth were bared in a snarl that would make a Kreetassan Death Hound whimper. "Who the frag are YOU supposed to be?!"

The poser crossed his arms, mirroring Lobo's aggressive stance, utterly unfazed. "Name's Punk Buster. Got a problem with it, gramps?"

Lobo scoffed, nostrils flaring. "Yeah. It's a stupid fraggin' name."

The smirk widened. "Says the guy named after a Terran canine."

Lobo's brow twitched dangerously. "Funny. I distinctly remember fraggin' every last member of our species," he growled, stalking closer, every muscle coiled and ready, sizing up this infuriating imposter.

Punk Buster didn't flinch, didn't back down an inch. "Yeah? Well, looks like you missed one. Or maybe, you just didn't do a very good job."

Lobo stopped dead in his tracks, fists trembling at his sides. "What... did you just say... to ME?"

Punk Buster stood his ground, clearly enjoying pushing every single one of Lobo's buttons. "You heard me, Bozo. You tried to wipe us all out 'cause you wanted to be 'unique,' right? Well, surprise! Still here."

Lobo looked him up and down again. "Huh. Gotta admit, you ain't like those other sniveling pansies back on the home world... you actually got some muscle. Almost... like me."

Punk Buster snorted dismissively. "Nah. I'm better. Faster, smarter, better lookin'. Though," he added, looking Lobo up and down with theatrical mock pity, "you don't exactly set a high bar for 'peak Czarnian performance,' do ya, old timer?"

That did it.

Lobo's face contorted into a mask of pure, unadulterated rage, veins bulging thick and purple on his neck as he jabbed a thick, menacing, gloved finger straight at Punk Buster. "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE SCRAP METAL, YA COPYCATTIN', INSULT-SPEWIN' SON OF A BASTICH!"

Punk Buster just dropped into a ready fighting stance, that infuriatingly cocky smirk still plastered firmly on his face. "Heard you the first time. Bring it on, grandpa!"

With Superman

Ignoring the stray blaster bolts still zinging past him, Superman closed the gap with the nearest bounty hunter. A single right hook connected, sending the hunter sailing backward through the air, out cold before he even hit the ground.

Without pausing, Superman spun towards the structure nearby, slamming his palms against the massive, heavy doors. Gritting his teeth, still feeling the dregs of the alien sun's weakening effect, he put his shoulder into it, groaning with the strain as the thick metal panels scraped open just enough for him to slip through.

He barely got one foot inside when he felt a searing pain in his back. A blaster bolt threw him forward off his feet..

Rolling over with a pained grunt, he looked up into the smug, ugly face of Gnaww. His two remaining thugs aimed their guns at him. Gnaww, enjoying the sight. "Tsk, tsk. Tryin' to run away, Kryptonian? What little surprise were you planning for us in here?"

Just then, a loud squawk echoed from deeper within.

Gnaww sneered. "Oho! Now I get it! Planning to lead us into a trap, huh? Sic one of the Preserver's pet monsters on us? Clever little boy scout." He chuckled darkly, glancing back at his nervous-looking crew. "Tell you what. Maybe we'll just feed you to whatever nasty thing lives in here. Save us the trouble."

Superman shook his head. "You don’t want to do that."

Gnaww’s grin widened. "Oh, yes we do. Boys, throw him in."

The two bounty hunters grabbed Superman by the arms and heaved him through the doorway.

Superman grunted as he slammed into a thick tree as he slumped to the ground.

Then came another sound.

There was a series of squawks. From the undergrowth emerged... not a slavering, multi-fanged horror, but a plump, rather bewildered-looking feathered bird with ridiculously tiny wings, waddling forward with comical self-importance. It stopped a few feet away, blinked its large, round, unblinking eyes at the intruders, and let out another inquisitive squawk.

Gnaww frowned, lowering his blaster slightly in confusion. "That’s a bloodthirsty beast?"

Superman slowly sat up. "Not exactly," he managed. "It's a dodo. Extinct, actually. From my adopted home planet, Earth."

The dodo, seeming entirely unafraid by the heavily armed aliens, waddled closer to Superman and nudged his hand inquisitively with its beak. Superman gently stroked its soft head. The bird leaned into the familiar touch with a soft coo.

Gnaww stared in utter bewilderment. "Earth? What in the seven hells of Cygnus X-1 is Earth?"

Superman didn't answer Gnaww. Instead, he tilted his head back, feeling something... unexpected. A gentle, pervasive warmth soaking into his skin, different from the stale, recycled air of the corridor. He looked up. High above, filtered through the canopy of artificial trees, glowed rows of powerful lamps, bathing the entire vast habitat in light carefully calibrated to mimic... yellow sunlight.

He took a deep, deliberate breath, feeling the change instantly. Strength flooded back into his limbs. A genuine, confident smile spread across his face. He felt right again.

Gnaww saw the shift. His smug confusion evaporated instantly, replaced by dawning, gut-wrenching horror. Gnaww's face paled as he took a step back. "Uh-oh."

Before Gnaww could finish his panicked thought or raise his weapon, Superman exploded upwards and forward too fast for the eye to properly track.

With a single strike, he sent one hunter flying across the room.

Superman grabbed a blaster and crushed it in his grip, sending one sprawling.

Gnaww stumbled backward frantically, fumbling with his own weapon. "Now-now hold on! We can talk about this! Maybe make a deal!"

Superman was already there. No words needed, just decisive action. A final, powerful blow connected squarely, lifting Gnaww clean off his feet and sending him flying backward through the very doors they'd entered moments before, landing in an unconscious heap out in the corridor.

Silence fell once more within the habitat, profound after the sudden burst of violence. Breathing easily, feeling the full measure of his power humming comfortably within him again, Superman calmly brushed some dirt and leaf litter from his suit. He glanced back at the dodo. The bird had merely blinked owlishly at the brief chaos before resuming its placid waddle through the artificial grass, utterly oblivious to the galactic conflict that had just transpired around it.

With Punk Buster and Lobo

Any thought of holding back, any hint of restraint, had vaporized the second the first punch landed. The brawl between Lobo and Punk Buster wasn't just brutal anymore; it had crossed headfirst into the realm of pure, unadulterated cartoon violence.

Punk Buster ducked under a wild, telegraphed swing from Lobo and lunged upward, putting every ounce of Czarnian might into a vicious uppercut. The sound cracked as his fist connected squarely with Lobo's grizzled jaw, literally lifting the Main Man off his feet. Lobo shot upwards past the canopy with comical speed.

Punk Buster cracked his knuckles, spat contemptuously on the ground, and dusted off his hands with a smug smirk. "Guess the old timer couldn't handle the, "

WHAM-CRUNCH! Before the self-satisfied smirk could fully settle on his face, Lobo came screaming back down, landing directly on top of Punk Buster with enough force to shake the entire clearing and send small critters scattering for miles. There was a distinct SPLAT sound as Punk Buster was instantaneously flattened in the dirt under Lobo's heavy boots.

“, heat.” Ark’s voice was muffled from beneath Lobo.

Lobo casually stepped off the living puddle, brushing dust and atomized debris from his vest. "Heh. Nice popgun ya got there, kid. Almost tickled."

Punk Buster's flattened form popped back into three dimensions, instantly incandescent with fury. "Oh, you are so fraggin' dead now!"

He stomped over to the nearest colossal alien tree, easily fifty feet tall, wrapped his arms around its thick base, and with a grunt that seemed to vibrate the very air, ripped it clean out of the ground, roots dangling. Swinging the entire tree, leaves rustling violently, he pivoted with surprising speed.

Lobo barely had time to register the incoming continent of foliage before the leafy end connected squarely with his face. The impact sent Lobo flying horizontally across the clearing, smashing clean through five other equally massive trees. 

SNAP! CRACK! THWUMP! CRUNCH! KABOOM! 

Each explosion of splinters bigger than the last, before finally skidding to a halt in a veritable avalanche of wood pulp and bewildered alien insects.

Lobo sat up amidst the personalized deforestation project, nonchalantly grabbed his own head, which was now facing completely backward, offering a lovely view of his spine and twisted it a full 180 degrees back into its proper alignment with a loud CRACK-POP! He spat out a mouthful of wood chips. "Cute trick, copycat! My turn!"

He reached behind him and drew his signature weapon: the heavy, grease-stained, wickedly hooked chain. It whirred menacingly before launching it. The heavy hook snagged Punk Buster's ankle.

With a grunt of malicious glee, Lobo started swinging the younger Czarnian around and around over his head before repeatedly, rhythmically, SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! smashing him into the unyielding ground, each impact leaving a deeper, more permanent, perfectly outlined Punk Buster-shaped crater in the tortured earth.

After about the tenth impromptu excavation, Lobo paused, holding Punk Buster dangling upside down by the ankle, dust raining off him. "Had enough yet, junior? Ready to cry uncle?"

Ark grunted, spitting out a clot of dirt and blood from his split lip. "Barely... feelin' it... ya fraggin' fossil..."

Lobo shrugged, unimpressed. "Shame." He dropped Punk Buster unceremoniously in a heap. He then produced a ridiculously oversized energy blaster, looted from one of the unfortunate bounty hunters who'd failed to collect earlier. It hummed with barely contained power.

KA-FRAGGIN'-BOOM!

He fired point-blank. The massive energy bolt hit Punk Buster square in the chest, engulfing him in crackling blue fire and launching him backward. He flew clear across the clearing and smashed through the sheer rock face of a nearby cliff, leaving a perfect, smoking, Wile E. Coyote-style silhouette hole.

A moment later, smoking slightly and shedding small chunks of superheated rock, Punk Buster staggered out of the newly created hole in the cliff face. He casually patted out the small flames still flickering merrily on his shoulders and ripped vest. "Gotta give ya that one. It tickled."

Lobo hefted the smoking blaster again. With matching yells, the two Czarnians launched themselves at each other again, fists cocked back, ready for round... hell, who was counting anymore?

Their fists met halfway across the clearing with a shockwave that flattened the nearby bushes and sent ripples across the ground.

CRACK-THOOOM! 

They grappled instantly.

Lobo, deciding fists weren't nearly personal enough, leaned in mid-tussle and bit down hard on Punk Buster's bicep, tearing off a sizable chunk of Czarnian muscle with a wet, ripping sound usually reserved for butchering space cows. He spat the bloody piece onto the ground contemptuously. "Tasty!"

Punk Buster roared in sheer fury, grabbed Lobo's head in both his massive hands, and twisted it completely around with a grunt of extreme effort, with another crunch of vertebrae.

Lobo, now technically facing the wrong way but utterly unfazed and probably enjoying the novel viewpoint, simply reached up with both hands, gripped his chin and hair, and snapped his head to face forward again.

"Heh! Now we're talkin'!" Lobo wiped Punk Buster's blue blood from his chin with the back of his glove.

Punk Buster cracked his knuckles again. "Bring it on, you washed-up, geriatric relic!"

For two beings trying to prove they were the toughest bastich in the universe?

Yeah. This was definitely fun. However, recalling this fight later on, Ben had his reservation on using this form again. 

With Superman

Superman finally secured the last struggling bounty hunter and brushed dust and debris from his chest. Taking flight with a silent rush of air, he banked towards the distant hangar bay, praying that his own ship or any ship capable of interstellar travel was still in one piece.

But as he gained altitude, destruction in the clearing below snagged his attention. Lobo. Definitely Lobo. And... another Lobo? Locked in a ridiculously violent brawl that was rapidly leveling the surrounding jungle. Unconscious bounty hunters already littered the area.

Superman sighed. "Seriously? After everything else, this? I don't have time for this."

With a sharp change in trajectory, he shot downwards, angling himself precisely. He landed squarely between the two brawling Czarnians with a THUD that cracked the ground beneath his boots, forcing them back a crucial step.

Both identical figures froze mid-swing, identical snarls instantly redirecting from each other to the unwelcome interruption. The air crackled with residual fury.

Superman planted his hands firmly on their chests. "ENOUGH!" His voice wasn't just loud; it carried an authority that momentarily cut through their rage. "Both of you, stand down!"

His gaze swept between the two nearly identical faces, trying to make sense of the situation. But as he looked hard at the one on his left maybe a fraction leaner, hair slightly wilder? Something clicked. A glint of familiar green against the black leather... the unmistakable hourglass symbol.

Superman blinked. "Ark?" Did he already have a Czarnian form?

The Ark-Lobo smirked. "The one and only. But the name's Punk Buster when I look this good, capeesh?"

Lobo’s eyes widened. "Wait wait wait... You're the shapeshiftin' puke?! Since when can you turn into this?! Into ME?!" His voice cracked with outrage.

Punk Buster just spread his massive hands in a 'what can I say?' gesture, clearly enjoying Lobo's apoplectic reaction far too much. "Trade secret, old man. Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Lobo snarled, veins bulging with rage. "Why I oughta tear that smug grin right off your ugly, copycattin'"

"ENOUGH!" Superman's voice cracked, cutting Lobo off mid-threat. “We need to get out of here.”

Punk Buster stepped back slightly, arms crossed. "Way ahead of ya, Supes. Already handled."

Superman raised an eyebrow. "Handled how, Ark?"

Punk Buster winked one crimson Czarnian eye. "Easy. Cut a little deal with old Wrinkles back there. The Preserver."

Lobo’s head snapped toward Punk Buster. “You did  what ?!” he bellowed.

Superman quickly positioned himself between them again while fixing Ark with a serious look. "Hold on, Ark. What kind of deal are we talking about, exactly?"

Punk Buster's red eyes gleamed with pure, unadulterated mischief. "The best kind, naturally. One where everybody gets what they want... mostly."

Superman let out a long, weary sigh, already anticipating the inevitable complications. Dealing with one Lobo was chaotic enough; dealing with Ark as Lobo, cutting deals...? This kid...

Lobo's fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, knuckles white, but even his incandescent rage seemed momentarily paused by a mixture of curiosity and deep suspicion. "You got five seconds to explain, punk, before I start rearranging your molecules the hard way."

Punk Buster just leaned back slightly against a half-uprooted tree, looking utterly pleased with himself. "Relax, grandpa. It's a good one. Benefits all parties involved. Everyone walks away happy. Trust me."

#

The unlikely trio began the trek towards the distant hangar bay, hauling their collective pile of unconscious bounty hunters. As they walked, crunching over fallen branches and wrecked foliage, Punk Buster quickly outlined the core of his 'deal.' He essentially, leveraged the Preserver's obsession away from kidnapping sentient beings and towards actively repopulating endangered non-sentient species across the galaxy. 

Lobo, still lugging three groaning hunters slung over his shoulder, mostly grumbled threats under his breath about genetic impurity, double-crosses, and the various painful things he'd do to both the Preserver and Punk Buster if this went sideways.

Punk Buster, effortlessly carrying a stack of six knocked-out thugs over one shoulder, kept shooting smug glances back at Lobo.

Superman used his strength to gently float a neatly bundled group of bound hunters, listening intently to Ark's explanation.

As they finally reached the hangar entrance, the Preserver himself stepped forward hands raised in a tentative, almost awkward gesture of peace. He looked smaller, less imposing, stripped of his earlier arrogance.

"I... I believe I owe you three a profound apology," he began. "My methods... they were flawed. Born of obsession. My desire to preserve the unique wonders of the universe led me down a path where I... overstepped my bounds. Imprisoning sentient beings was never the true goal, merely a misguided means to an end. I recognize the error of my ways now."

Superman's expression remained stern. "Recognizing your error doesn't excuse locking us up, Preserver."

Lobo shifted the awkward weight of his bounty hunter burden, spitting onto the clean hangar floor. "Yeah? Well, I'm still about two seconds away from turnin' you into a new permanent exhibit labeled 'Wrinkly Alien Idiot Who Messed With The Wrong Bastich'."

The Preserver nodded towards Punk Buster with genuine gratitude. "Indeed. However, thanks to the... persuasive and insightful intervention of young Ark here." Punk Buster practically beamed at the compliment. "I have conceived of a new, more ethical path forward. One that allows me to deploy my considerable resources towards ensuring the survival and active repopulation of endangered non-sentient species across the galaxies, without resorting to... involuntary collection."

Lobo snorted loudly, incredulous. "Repopulation? So you're gonna use your weirdo science magic to help his space zoo critters get busy? That your big plan?"

Punk Buster rolled his crimson Czarnian eyes dramatically. "That's... one way to put it, yes, Lobo. A significantly cruder way."

Superman turned his skeptical gaze back to Punk Buster. "Ark, are you absolutely sure about this? Trusting him after everything he's done?"

Punk Buster just crossed his massive arms. "Relax, Supes. It's solid. I drove a hard bargain. No more snatching people, full stop. In exchange for my consulting, he focuses on near extinct non-sentient critters repopulating. Plus, most importantly? We all walk outta here free and clear, right now, no strings attached. It's a win-win."

Superman let out another long sigh, rubbing his temples briefly. The pragmatist in him saw the immediate benefit. "I still don't like the sound of it... feels too easy... but if it means this situation is resolved peacefully and gets us all home safely..."

Lobo rolled his eyes dramatically. He hefted the still-bound Sqweek and slung him carelessly over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, sentimental hogwash, whatever. Took ya long enough. I got a payday waitin', and frankly, I'm sick o' this place." He turned abruptly and started unceremoniously dumping his load of unconscious bounty hunters into the open cargo bay of Gnaww's slightly battered, commandeered ship. His own prized Space Hog already securely strapped down inside. Sqweek, meanwhile, ended up trussed crudely in a nearby cargo net, dangling upside down from a ceiling beam.

Lobo finished loading the last unconscious hunter with a final, satisfying thud, wiped his hands clean on his already filthy vest, and surveyed his work with grim satisfaction. "Alright, trash is taken out. Time to collect my credits and find me an establishment that serves drinks bigger'n my fraggin' head, preferably with a side of bar fight."

But before heading up the ramp into the slightly-too-small-for-his-bulk ship, Lobo paused, turning back slowly to where Superman, Punk Buster, and the Preserver stood watching the proceedings. He shot a long, lingering, deeply suspicious look specifically at Punk Buster.

"Alright, I'm outta this dump. But I'm keepin' my eye on you," he jabbed a finger at Ark. "Still gives me the major creeps seein' another Czarnian face runnin' around. Especially one as ugly and annoying as yours."

Punk Buster just chuckled, completely unfazed by the threat. "Get over yourself, Lobo. You're not that unique. Just louder."

Lobo snarled, fists clenching, but seemed to decide against it. Maybe later. Plenty of time later. "Whatever. See ya 'round, Supes. Try not to go soft." He then jabbed that same finger directly at Punk Buster again. "And you... Next time our paths cross? Mark my words. Only one Czarnian walks away. And it's gonna be me."

Punk Buster grinned. "Wouldn't miss it for the entire fraggin' universe, Bozo."

Lobo glared at Punk Buster. "Oh, one last piece o' business... Hey, Wrinkles!"

The Preserver barely had time to react before Lobo delivered a right hook straight to his jaw. The alien collector went sprawling backward onto the cold metal floor with a THUD.

“That’s for the zoo, ya galactic weirdo.” Lobo chuckled, dusted off his hands, and marched up Gnaww’s ship’s ramp.

Superman and Punk Buster exchanged a startled, then mutually resigned glance before rushing over to the downed Preserver. Superman offered a hand, gently helping the dazed alien sit up. "Are you alright?"

The Preserver groaned, gingerly rubbing his bruised jaw. "Yes... yes. Perfectly... predictable, in hindsight. I suppose I earned that."

Outside, Gnaww's ship lifted off the hangar floor and blasted out into the blackness of space. Even from the enclosed hangar, carried on the residual thrum of the departed engines, they could just faintly hear Lobo's triumphant, maniacal whoop.

#

Omnitrix DNA Entry

Name: Punk Buster

Species: Czarnian

Home World: Czarnia

Powers and Abilities:

Czarnians possess superhuman physical characteristics, with strength on par with Kryptonians under a yellow sun. They are capable of lifting massive starships, breaking through advanced armors, and overpowering the most physically formidable opponents. Their bodies are composed of incredibly dense cellular structures and tightly bound molecular cohesion, granting them resistance to conventional weaponry, energy blasts, radiation, and extreme environmental conditions.

Their regenerative abilities are also formidable. Czarnians can recover from severe trauma, even regenerating fully from a pool of their own blood, placing their healing factor in the high range. This regeneration is complemented by biological immortality; Czarnians do not age beyond maturity, and natural death is impossible. Traditional methods of execution, such as decapitation or disintegration, have repeatedly failed to kill them permanently.

Their extrasensory perception allows them to track individuals across solar systems via scent alone. Once a Czarnian locks onto a target's scent, they can follow it anywhere in the universe, a trait encoded into their neural biology.

Czarnians are capable of interacting with intangible beings, giving them an edge against spectral or non-corporeal entities. Additionally, they exhibit strong resistance to telepathy, diseases, magical effects, and a wide range of other physical and metaphysical attacks, making them one of the most resilient species in the known galaxy.

Note:

The current Czarnian DNA sample's aggression can escalate rapidly. Emotional surges, particularly anger, can amplify physical output but reduce restraint. The Omnitrix has now taken measures to suppresses berserker tendencies when in this form. Due to this risk, caution is advised when using this transformation in populated areas. Non-lethal restraint is recommended.

Omnitrix Commentary – Azmuth AI:

"Upon later confirmation, Lobo alone has caused more destruction than some wars. Use this form only if you have no other option. And if you do, don't enjoy it. I hope to find unmutated Czarnian DNA so that the previous society has a second chance."

Chapter Text

Later

Planet Spewge

Lobo reclined in a luxurious yet tacky chair holding a massive frosted mug filled with alien brew. He took a long swig before slamming the mug onto a nearby table. “And  that’s  how come I was so late getting back here, Spewgie.” Lobo leaned back with a smug grin.

Emperor Spewge lounged lazily in an enormous pool of murky water. Sqweek was reluctantly scrubbing Spewge’s slimy body with an oversized brush, clearly miserable.

The Emperor took a big gulp of the bathwater, then spat it out in a violent spray.

“I  knew  you’d never let me down, Lobo, despite rumors to the contrary,” Spewge sneered.

Gnaww, shackled and covered in suds, was mopping bitterly near the pool, while another clumsy bounty hunter accidentally splashed dirty water onto the Emperor’s slime-coated form.

Spewge growled and flicked his hand, sending a splash of slimy water right at Gnaww’s face.

“Buncha  morons ,” Spewge muttered before turning his attention back to Lobo.

He shifted in his slimy pool. “But what about Superman, the shapeshifter, and the Preserver?”

Lobo took another long swig of his drink before answering. “Me? I’d have  offed  that Preserver freak for locking me up. But Supes and the shapeshifter convinced me it wasn’t worth my time.”

Spewge raised a slimy brow. “ Convinced  you?”

Lobo shrugged. “Yeah, Supes is a sucker for all that  ‘non-violence’  crap. Couldn’t stop yammering about second chances and all that. And the shapeshifter, Ark or Punk Buster or whatever, he’s got a soft spot for ‘hard luck cases.’”

He twirled his finger in the air mockingly. “Boo-hoo, last of his kind, yadda yadda. They felt sorry for the guy.”

Spewge snorted, slime bubbles popping at the corners of his mouth. “Hah! Pathetic.”

Lobo chuckled. “Yeah, well, I got my payday. That’s all that matters.”

He lifted his mug, taking another swig before glancing over at Gnaww and the other bounty hunters still scrubbing the filth-covered floor.

“Oh, and thanks for giving me  their  cut of the bounty too. Fraggin’ amateurs didn’t deserve it.”

Spewge cackled, causing a ripple through his slime pool. “You always deliver, Lobo.”

Lobo smirked, kicking back in his chair. “Dang straight. I’m the Main Man.”

Sqweek, still scrubbing Spewge’s back, muttered under his breath. “You’re also a grade-A bastich…”

Lobo raised his mug in toast, ignoring the comment. “To another job well done!”

Spewge laughed heartily, slime splashing everywhere.

Earlier

Superman made the final adjustments to his ship. With the help of the Preserver’s drones, the structural damage had been repaired. His spacecraft was ready for the journey back to Earth.

One of the drones hovered beside him, extending a mechanical limb to assist in reconnecting a circuit.

“Thanks,” Superman said, tightening the last panel into place. 

Through the window of the Preserver’s lab, he saw Ark was still chatting animatedly with the Preserver. 

Just as Superman started walking over to see what they were up to, the lab doors hissed open.

Ark and the Preserver stepped out.

Superman raised a brow but decided not to pry. “I’m ready to head back to Earth.”

Ark nodded. “Cool. I’ll meet you back there soon. I’ve got to iron out some of the details regarding our little agreement.”

Superman crossed his arms. “You’re sure about this deal?”

Ark grinned, giving a confident double thumbs-up. “Trust me, Supes. Everything’s under control.”

Before Superman could respond, the Preserver stepped forward, raising a hand. With a soft wave, one of his drones floated into view, carrying a transparent containment unit.

Inside, Superman immediately recognized the white-feathered dodo he had seen earlier in the Earth habitat, the one that had unknowingly helped him recharge under the artificial yellow sunlight.

But now, there were two dodos.

One male and one female.

Superman blinked in surprise. “I only saw one dodo in the habitat... Did I miss the other?”

The Preserver smiled gently, bowing his head. “No, Superman. There was only one. But thanks to Ark’s assistance, we were able to replicate its genetic material and create a compatible mate.”

Superman glanced at Ark, who shrugged with a mischievous grin.

The Preserver continued, “Please, accept them as a token of my apology for the inconvenience I’ve caused. Ark has assured me that you would do well in acclimating the last of the dodo species to a new environment on Earth.”

Superman narrowed his eyes slightly at Ark. “He did, did he?”

Ark nodded enthusiastically and gave Superman another thumbs-up.

Superman sighed, but couldn’t help the small smile forming. “Right… I think I can whip something up. They’re herbivores, after all. Shouldn’t be too hard.”

The two dodos fluffed their feathers inside the containment unit, one pecking curiously at the glass while the other waddled in circles.

Superman turned back to Ark, giving him a final glance. “Make sure this deal holds up, Ark. I don’t want to be called back here because something went sideways.”

Ark grinned. “Don’t worry, Supes. I’ve got it handled.”

Superman gave a final nod, lifting the containment unit into his ship. “I’ll see you back on Earth. The League is going to want a full debrief on this mess.”

“Yeah… That’ll be interesting.”

Superman boarded his ship, and moments later, the craft lifted off from the hangar, soaring back to Earth.

Later

The Preserver’s deck projected a three-dimensional model of Earth, slowly rotating, highlighting various landmasses and oceanic regions.

Ark and the Preserver, who observed the map. Ark swiped his hand through the air, zooming into the Pacific Ocean. He pointed at a small, uninhabited island.

“Right here. This island will be a safe zone.”

The Preserver stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It could work. But why this specific location?”

Ark leaned in closer. “It’s remote and isolated. Perfect for keeping everything contained.” He paused, then added sternly, “But it’s herbivores only. No predators, nothing aggressive. And nothing that can fly or swim off the island.”

The Preserver raised a brow. “Why such specific limitations?”

Ark sighed. “Because I’m not setting up a Jurassic Park scenario here.”

The Preserver tilted his head. “Jurassic Park? I am unfamiliar with this place.”

Ark chuckled. “Just trust me, it’s bad. Carnivores got loose. You can fit the pieces from there.”

The Preserver nodded slowly. “Very well. No predators. Only herbivores.”

Ark smiled, tapping the rotating island on the hologram. “Good. We’ll start small with some mammals.”

Earth’s Orbit

August 6, 13:21 EDT

Superman’s ship glided into orbit. It docked with the Watchtower, and before the clamps had even locked in place, the Man of Steel was already on the move.

Cradling the gifted bird in one arm, he stepped into the corridor and moved with purpose through the gleaming halls. He passed by teammates and support staff without a word, heading straight for the central communications hub.

With a swift motion, he brought the console to life.

“This is Superman. Emergency League meeting. All available members report to the main conference hall. Immediately.”

#

It didn’t take long for League members to arrive. Some teleporting in, others making their way from different sections of the Watchtower. The main conference room, one level above and enclosed in reinforced glass and polished steel, sealed itself as the final hero stepped through the doors. With a soft hiss, the room activated its privacy protocols.

Most of the founding members of the Justice League, including Batman, Flash, Green Lantern John Stewart, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman, were gathered around the central holographic table.

It had been a day since Superman and Ark left to confront the bounty hunter known as Lobo. Shortly after their departure, John Stewart accessed the Lantern database and ran Lobo’s name through the system. Unsurprisingly, the Czarnian was flagged as one of the most wanted criminals across multiple sectors. Murder, destruction of property, smuggling, you name it.

The moment the others were briefed, concerns arose. John had offered to go after them, but Batman had been reluctant to send another Leaguer out solo. He reasoned that he would've sent a signal if Superman had encountered something he couldn’t handle. If another day passed without contact, then he’d authorize a search.

Thankfully, that search wouldn’t be necessary. Superman was back. But now, there were questions. Lots of them.

Batman teleported to the Watchtower and entered the conference room. Superman was there, and he assumed Superman told Ark to wait for them to contact him for more details on their excursion.

A moment later, Wonder Woman walked in and sat beside him. “You don’t call emergency meetings lightly,” she said, her gaze sharp. “What happened?”

Martian Manhunter phased through the wall rather than using the door from the monitor room. 

Green Lantern John Stewart arrived next, as he landed and folded his arms across his chest. “Got the signal. What's going on?”

The Flash zipped in last, coming to an abrupt stop beside an empty chair, still munching on a protein bar. “If this is about the satellite's coffee machine again, I swear I didn’t break it this time.”

The team’s attention drifted to the strange bird nestled in Superman’s hands.

Flash arched an eyebrow and smirked. “Nice bird. New pet?”

“Not exactly,” Superman replied.

Batman stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the creature. “Is that a…?”

“Yes,” Superman said.

Batman blinked at the sight. Superman returned from a space mission with a Dodo bird. “How?”

“It’s a long story.”

“One we’re all going to hear,” Wonder Woman added.

Superman gave the League a concise recap of the events leading up to now. He and Ark had been on patrol in Metropolis when they responded to a disturbance at the local police station. Upon arrival, they were ambushed by bounty hunters Lobo and Bedlam. Strangely, the attackers hadn’t come to kill them but to capture them. At the time, neither Ark nor Superman knew who had issued the order.

Though they managed to drive the bounty hunters off, Lobo and Bedlam escaped. Superman and Ark pursued Lobo, hoping to get answers, but instead, they were ambushed and taken by an alien entity known as the Preserver.

“Ark and I were captured,” Superman explained, standing near the display screen. “The one called the Preserver specializes in collecting what he considers ‘unique lifeforms.’”

Wonder Woman folded her arms, her expression hardening. “He thought you and Ark were trophies?”

Superman nodded. “He locked us in separate containment cells. Like animals in a zoo. I don’t know what happened to Ark after we were split up.”

He tapped a few commands, pulling up another file. “As it turns out, Lobo was also taken. Being the last of his species earned him a spot in the Preserver’s collection. Though, he didn’t exactly get along with the staff.”

Martian Manhunter gave a slow, thoughtful nod. He had sensed something was wrong when contact with Superman and Ark had gone dark for over a day.

“Bedlam never made it into the collection,” Superman continued. “I managed to escape, even though I was depowered under red sun lamps. As much as I hate to admit it… I couldn’t do it alone. I teamed up with Lobo to get out.”

Flash leaned forward, eyebrows raised. “Hold on. You and Lobo? As in, galaxy’s-most-wanted, space-biker-from-hell Lobo?”

A faint smile tugged at Superman’s lips. “Let’s just say we shared an interest in not being part of a space zoo. Once we got out, he went his own way.”

Green Lantern folded his arms. “And Ark?”

Superman’s expression darkened. “After the escape, I-”

BWAHH-BWAHH-BWAHH.

The Watchtower’s alert klaxons blared, bathing the room in a pulsing red light. Every head snapped toward the ceiling.

Batman raised his gauntlet, tapping into the alert feed. His eyes narrowed.

“Superman…” he said quietly.

Wonder Woman turned. “What is it?”

Rather than answer, Batman keyed in a command. The lights dimmed slightly as the central table flickered, switching from archived footage to a live surveillance feed.

The League leaned in.

The image stabilized, revealing the view from one of the Watchtower’s external stealth cams, pointed at the asteroid's surface to which the station was anchored.