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 room 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.
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Salo Guzman, and Traiton Moses!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, please follow or review/comment. See you guys in the next chapter.
Discord Server: discord.com/invite/2uP8ka2
Like my work? Please consider supporting me, so I can keep writing as often as possible. Even a little means a lot and helps me dedicate more time and resources to my work.
Get access to early previews of upcoming chapters.
Patreon.com/Firestorm808
ko-fi.com/firestorm808
buymeacoffee.com/Firestorm808