Red filled the chamber.
All projections and controls turned red. The others quickly turned to Zion as he checked the device. He pressed on the alarm, and the projections of Darkseid shifted to show the feed of the solar system. The seven planets orbiting the Sun, initially without anomaly, suddenly shifted at the presence of a massive gravitational force.
A planet made entirely of metal, its surface covered in mega-structures, appeared at the edge of the solar system, pushing forward at incredible speed. The system quickly calculated its course, pointing directly at Earth.
Zion quickly initiated his defenses. A massive shield formed around Earth, its blue tinge vaporizing the space trash that humanity had left behind. Mars began to morph, resembling a spaceship with a massive cannon. The red and green natural surface sank into the ship, vanishing from sight.
Zion then sent a signal to the incoming planet.
[This is Sol. You are entering international territory. Reveal your purpose.]
An answer was quickly received.
[No man escapes the Manhunters.]
"Seems like we've got a space battle on our hands," Zion grinned like a child, excited.
"Why?" Flash questioned Zion's reasoning.
"Manhunters are sentient androids hellbent on erasing all organic life in the universe," Hal answered. "Green Lanterns have been fighting them for years."
"They are also the mistake of the Oan Guardians," Zion added with glee. He loved trash-talking. Sometimes. "In their high intellect, they decided to create emotionless robots with the sole goal of ending crime.
And the robots decided, 'Hey! The only reason there is crime is that people get emotional, and all emotions come from organic life. We'll just end them to end crime.'
I mean, I can't say it's wrong since the logic is accurate. But ending civilizations never goes easy. Now they are nothing more than killing machines."
That was the end of the history lesson, leaving the others to take it in silence. Zion silently sipped his soda as he watched the Boit, the home planet of the Manhunters, cross Neptune. His scanner showed many hostiles floating out of the planet.
"Since we are entering battle, I think I will give you your early Christmas presents," Zion spoke as he got up and walked to the wall behind him.
The others looked at him with a mix of curiosity and bafflement. Zion turned to give them a smirk as he tapped the wall, making it retract to reveal a hidden chamber. The retracted wall displayed various armors and weapons.
The room had many weapons in variety, from swords to bows. The armors also matched the themes of the Leaguers, from Batman-themed hyper armor to Kryptonian battle armor, even Flash's thin spandex.
Zion turned to the others, "This is your armory. It's present in all places across the base. You just need to tap the wall, and it will open. Change into your new armors, especially you, Flash. You can't run in zero gravity yet."
"Yet?" Flash asked, baffled.
Zion just gave him a mysterious smile.
"I can run in space?" Flash turned to Batman.
Batman just turned and walked away, prompting Flash to turn to Superman.
"We are still learning about our capabilities," Superman shrugged as he moved to check the armor he had only seen in data files from Krypton.
Flash moved to his new suit, which was red with silver lightning. The material was thinner than he expected and shiny. He reached out to touch the lightning. But unexpectedly, at contact, the lightning sparked, activating the suit. The silver lining glowed before it liquefied and jumped onto Flash.
Flash began to panic, trying to remove it without damaging the suit. "Zion, what's happening?"
Zion just shrugged, "Nanites."
Flash stilled, watching the liquid weave into his suit. His old suit dissolved while the new one replaced it. Once he stilled, the new suit instantly replaced his old one, hardening into metallic armor around his torso and arms. The suit looked heavy, yet Barry could hardly tell he was wearing anything.
At his chest was a white glowing lightning bolt, exuding a mysterious aura. A display promptly appeared, revealing the suit's capabilities.
"Wow," Flash looked amazed as he read the list.
Zion turned to Diana, taking something out of his inventory. A sword that attracted everyone's attention the moment it appeared. The sword looked similar to the one Diana normally used, yet this one held power.
"I couldn't get Zeus' power, but it has a little something from me," Zion handed it to Diana.
Diana received the sword with utmost gratitude. Zion had not only saved her gods but had also gone out of his way to give her a gift. She didn't know how to repay the debt she already owed.
"Thank you for this gift," Diana said, grateful.
She drew the sword, lifting it high. The sword was fine silver with an edge so sharp it cut light. Its spine glowed with power and force that was incomprehensible, as if her will was weaving into reality. But the feeling quickly died, leaving a very distinct aftertaste.
Zion smiled and turned to Green Lantern, "Your ring already has more than enough power. After all, I made it."
"Stop bragging," Hal replied.
"I am awesome," Zion praised himself, then turned to Martian Manhunter. "Look into my mind."
Martian gave a nod before he reached out to touch Zion's mind. But the minute he touched, his spirit screamed in fear. Inferno, one raging through the mind and destroying all consciousness. A flame he should not touch and fear.
However, it was too late. The flame spread like it found gasoline and invaded his mind. But the flames didn't burn him. They spread warmth through his psyche. He snapped back to reality, looking at Zion.
"Use it wisely," Zion said before turning to Superman.
Superman felt a bit emotional as he touched the Kryptonian armor. His eyes seemed dazed as he lost himself in memory.
"The design is a one-to-one replica," Zion spoke, snapping him out of his daze. "I know you don't like to wear armor, but from now on, you represent hope, both for Krypton and Earth. It will also retreat into your suit, so you don't need to worry about wearing chunky armor."
"Thank you," Superman answered, pressing his hand on the 'S'. The suit began to quickly dissolve and weave into his existing one.
Zion, leaving him, turned to Batman, who was still checking the authenticity of the suit, skeptical of wearing something made by a potentially insane person.
"Just wear the suit," Zion shook his head. "If I wanted to pull a leg, I wouldn't do something as cheap as sabotaging the armor I gave you."
"Can't say you won't," Batman replied.
"Oh, come on. Do you want me to call Alfred to complain about how his son won't wear protection?" Zion used very intentional words. "I'm telling you, protection is very important."
"Hehehe," Flash and Hal chuckled but were quickly stared down by Batman.
"What's his deal?" Hal was a bit annoyed by his reaction.
"Just wear the suit, dude. Your human body will only last so long before it crumbles," Zion advised. "We don't need Batman out of commission when we need him."
Batman grunted before he touched the glowing Bat symbol on the suit, which he shouldn't have as his mind connected with Element X. His vision shifted for a moment as he gazed into the madness of the Multiverse. The many universes, many histories, many choices, and many more outcomes.
But before he could sink further, his mind pulled back.
His gaze immediately locked with Zion's, who smiled knowingly.
This kid before him knew something that should not be known. Possessing powers he could not plan against. Now, looking at those eyes, it was like staring into a being who lived different lives than a mortal. Curious. A deadly curiosity that frightened him.
A game of minds, a game only he was made aware of, a piece to be played for his entertainment.
Why?
"I don't know why, but Zion is letting Batman know of the chessboard. That he is just a piece so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This is also the reason Batman knows of Zion's abnormality. So, how would a paranoid Batman, who makes contingency plans for everything, respond to Zion? Someone who clearly outclasses him."
"Let's leave," Zion snapped, his gaze returning to that of an excited teenager's.
The Leaguers were ready in their new suits, even Batman. His gadgets were untouched as his belt remained on his hip, but his suit was leagues above what he had before.
"Let's roll out. You all have a battle to fight," Zion's suit changed, his helmet covered his face, and his hair waved like flames. His digital visage displayed his happiness as the door opened to a hallway.
"What do you mean, our fight?" Hal questioned, following Zion. "Are you going to ditch the hard fight to us and sit back?"
"Yes," Zion answered. "You guys are the Justice League, and I am not your member. You all are a separate organization and are not under my or any other authority's control."
"Why do things this way?" Superman asked. "Can't we just be a government organization? It will give us more authority."
"We will have more authority and responsibilities this way. Someone who could hold accountability," Batman answered. "If we are under Zion's orders, some will say that the heroes are compromised. We need to be separate from him. We serve people and justice, not just power."
"Understandable," Flash agreed.
"I am in as long as we fight for justice," Diana added.
"And we got approval from the King himself to be
heroes," Hal added with sarcasm.
"So, only six of us?" Superman asked.
"No, there are seven of you. The founders of the Justice League," Zion answered. "There's a fishman still figuring things out. And you guys will also recruit more into the Justice League, but that's your problem."
The door at the end of the hall opened, revealing a stretch of bumpy grey and dark sky with clear stars. The air quickly rushed out, nearly pushing the others out. Zion walked out, his steps leaving prints on the moon's surface.
The Leaguers also felt the gravity shift as they exited the hallway. Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian, and GL managed by floating. But Flash felt a bit jumpy as he freaked out at the sudden loss of gravity. Batman was Batman.
"We were on the moon?" Flash was surprised, seeing the blue planet above his head.
"Yeah, the JL base is on the moon," Zion answered. "There's a teleporter installed for travel. It can take you across the whole galaxy as long as you know the coordinates."
"Impressive," Superman remarked, "But why can I breathe?"
"Oh," Zion remembered. "I flooded the whole solar system with white light, willing life to thrive in space. For this occasion."
"You can do that?" Flash continued.
"GL can will anything into existence. I can do more," Zion looked smug.
"That also means you could destroy the Manhunters with a thought," Hal stared, narrowing his eyes.
Zion shrugged. "I told you, it's your initiation ceremony. Fight this battle together, understand each other. Cover each other's weaknesses. I will get involved if things go south."
Zion turned dramatically, his coat fluttering and a mic appearing in his hand.
"Today, I am just an anchor."
[Welcome, Justice League.]
[To your first battle!]
[Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it. (Isaiah 30 : 21)]
Zion grinned excitedly, the backdrop filled with thousands of Manhunter androids. Their eyes glowed menacingly, their home planet, Biot, charging its cannons to take out Earth's defenses.
Now, a battle between extinction robots versus the newly formed Justice League.
Will they cooperate with each other and win this battle? Or will they lose?
Is this fate or planned?
Will our protagonist interfere?
*****
Good to be back and up!