Location - Mount Justice
Third Person
Robin and Kid Flash sat calmly within the dimly lit base. The silence between them was comfortable, though tension lingered in the air as both had questions and thoughts plaguing their minds. They had been transported here without explanation, with vague answers and replies, and neither was particularly fond of being left in the dark.
Kid Flash, ever restless, leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the table with an exaggerated sigh. "Man, this is weird. One second, we're wrapping up for the day, next thing we know, we're being zeta-beamed to some secret hideout without so much as a 'Hey, nice work, guys.'" He turned his gaze to Robin, one eyebrow raised. "And let's not forget the biggest mystery here—Cinderblock. Or, you know, what's left of him."
Robin frowned but kept his arms crossed, his demeanor unreadable. "Yeah. Still trying to process how that guy didn't just stopped him—he obliterated him."
Kid Flash whistled low, shaking his head. "And we still don't know who did it. Only that some guy—whoever he is—turned a rampaging concrete monster into gravel." He let his feet drop to the floor, leaning forward slightly. "What do you think the League's gonna do with him?"
Robin exhaled sharply through his nose, waving a hand dismissively. "I know Batman. I know the League. They'll do what's best—either throw the guy in jail or question him. But whoever he is, if he's powerful enough to take out Cinderblock like that, they're going to want answers."
Kid Flash scoffed. "Answers? Or leverage? A guy that strong could be useful." His voice was lighthearted, but Robin caught the underlying concern beneath it.
Before Robin could reply, a thought struck him mid-sentence. he asked instead, "Any clue who we're even waiting for?"
Kid Flash shook his head. "Nope. But I'm guessing if they had to transport us here for the meeting, it's big. Like, 'world-ending-threat' big." He leaned back again, arms behind his head. "Or, you know, maybe it's just Batman being Batman."
Robin allowed a small smirk. "Classic."
A sudden voice cut through their conversation, smooth and confident.
"Well, at least you two aren't bickering like an old married couple."
Both sidekicks turned toward the source of the voice as the doors slid open with a mechanical hiss. Standing in the doorway, dressed in his iconic red and gold suit, was Shazam, a broad grin on his face as he strode in with an air of casual authority.
Robin and Kid Flash exchanged confused glances before Kid Flash blurted out, "Uh… not to sound ungrateful, but what are you doing here?"
Shazam chuckled. "Relax, speedster. I'm just your escort. Someone higher up the food chain will debrief you soon."
Robin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who?"
Shazam's smile faltered, just for a second, before he shrugged. "Let's just say it's someone even I have to take seriously."
Robin and Kid Flash exchanged another look, their previous banter now replaced with genuine curiosity—and just a hint of apprehension.
Somewhere else, Invincible sat calmly across from Batman, his brow furrowed as he continued to answer the Dark Knight's questions about how he had ended up in his current situation. Mark recounted his battle with Angstrom Levy, explaining how the villain's ability to open interdimensional portals had him on the ropes, but a sudden tsunami of metallic orbs had caused him some trouble.
"He was getting desperate," Mark said, rubbing his temples. "One moment, I had him on the ropes, and the next—boom! A portal, then a massive explosion threw me wherever I ended up. All I can remember is the heat burning my skin and everything turning red as I tried to defend myself and whatever was in my way."
Batman exhaled sharply through his nose, arms crossed over his chest. "We've had League members investigate the scene where you appeared. We were hoping to find any residual energy signature, any trace of this portal... but so far, nothing."
Mark's shoulders slumped, his lips pressing into a tight line. His vision blurred for a moment as the weight of his predicament settled deeper in his chest. He swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in his throat, but the tears threatening to form at the corners of his eyes betrayed him.
"So what do I do now?" he asked, his voice quieter than before, laced with exhaustion.
Batman studied him for a moment before reaching beside his chair, retrieving a reinforced metal case, and placing it on the table between them. He slid it toward Mark, his piercing gaze unyielding.
"From what we've gathered, you're a hero," Batman stated. "A powerful one, though your methods and morality have raised a few concerns. Regardless, as long as you're here, I need to keep an eye on you. Until we find a way to return you to your dimension, I want you working with us."
Mark frowned, straightening slightly. "Working with you? You mean with the League that you told me about?"
Batman nodded. "Yes. But understand this—there are rules. Certain principles everyone associated with the League must abide by. That includes you."
Mark scoffed lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, sure, I get it."
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly, detecting the half-hearted response. "Do you? Because if you don't, there will be consequences. This isn't just about keeping you in line. It's about ensuring the safety of this world. You might be powerful, but that doesn't make you invincible."
Mark smirked at the ironic use of his name but quickly sobered as Batman stood, motioning for him to follow. "Come on. I'll show you where you'll be staying and introduce you to some of the others."
Mark hesitated before pushing himself to his feet. "Others? You mean the Justice League?"
Batman didn't answer immediately, instead leading him through the dimly lit halls of Mount Justice. The walls were lined with state-of-the-art security systems and surveillance monitors tracking everything.
It felt cold and calculated.
'Cecil would love this.'
"You'll get acquainted soon enough," Batman finally replied as they approached an elevator. The doors slid open silently, and the two stepped inside. "For now, follow the rules, and don't make me regret this."
Mark crossed his arms as the elevator descended, his mind racing. He was stuck in a world he didn't belong in, under the watchful eye of the most paranoid man alive. And yet, as frustrating as it was, he knew Batman was right. He needed to keep himself in check, at least until he found a way home.
But that didn't mean he was going to make it easy for them.
Within the high-tech walls of Mount Justice's Training Room, the rhythmic clash of combat echoed as Black Canary sparred with Kaldur'ahm, the young Atlantean warrior. Their movements were fluid, a mesmerizing dance of skill and precision. Kaldur'ahm, his toned, dark-skinned physique glistening under the artificial lighting, pressed forward with calculated strikes while Black Canary maintained a defensive posture, gauging his speed and reaction time.
She studied him as they moved—his discipline, his controlled aggression, the way his piercing eyes never wavered from his target. Each of his attacks was deliberate, but she could sense hesitation in his movements. Not from lack of skill, but from something personal.
She decided to probe.
"How do you feel about meeting the others?" she asked, sidestepping his latest strike and countering with a swift jab that he barely blocked in time.
Kaldur'ahm didn't immediately respond, his focus split between their sparring and his thoughts. Finally, as he attempted a low sweep, he spoke. "I am... anxious. It is an honor to be chosen for this initiative. My king has placed great trust in me, and I must prove myself worthy—not just to him, but to the League." His voice was steady, but the weight of responsibility was evident in his tone.
Black Canary took a step back, allowing him a moment to collect himself before launching a sudden feint. She pivoted at the last second, her fist grazing his cheek as she smirked. "You can talk, Kaldur, but don't let it distract you," she advised, her voice carrying an encouraging warmth.
Kaldur'ahm exhaled sharply but returned her smile. "Noted," he said, adjusting his stance before resuming their sparring.
Their movements intensified, the sound of their strikes echoing in the empty training room. Kaldur'ahm lunged forward, his elbow cutting through the air as Black Canary ducked beneath it, rolling away with feline agility. He pressed the attack, sending a flurry of precise punches and kicks, each one barely missing its mark as she weaved between them.
Black Canary retaliated with a rapid spinning kick, forcing Kaldur'ahm to cross his arms in defense. The impact sent him sliding back a few feet, but he recovered quickly, shifting his stance. His eyes narrowed slightly while in thought. He had trained tirelessly under Aquaman, but Black Canary was an entirely different challenge. Her combat style was unpredictable, fluid, and relentless.
"You rely too much on strength," she pointed out, feinting to the left before spinning on her heel and driving a palm strike toward his sternum. He barely deflected it but felt the force ripple through his chest. "Use your opponent's momentum against them."
Nodding in understanding, Kaldur'ahm adjusted his approach. He let her advance, waiting for the perfect moment. As she aimed another strike, he twisted his body, redirecting her momentum and attempting to trap her arm. But Black Canary was faster. She twisted mid-air, using the force to propel herself over his back, landing smoothly behind him. Before he could react, she swept his legs out from under him, but this time, Kaldur'ahm caught himself, flipping backward and landing in a crouch.
Black Canary smirked. "Better."
He inhaled deeply, wiping sweat from his brow. "Who exactly will I be meeting? What are their roles?" he asked again, trying to maintain focus as he slowly circled her.
Black Canary's expression remained neutral as she effortlessly evaded his question, dodging his attacks with grace. Instead of answering, she changed tactics. With a sudden shift, she launched forward with blistering speed, forcing him to react. He blocked the first strike, sidestepped the second, but the third—a deceptive elbow jab—connected against his ribs, knocking the wind from his lungs.
Before he could recover, she swept him off his feet once more. This time, the impact was hard, his back hitting the mat with force. A grunt escaped his lips as he stared up at the ceiling, dazed.
She stood over him, offering her hand with an amused smirk. "Time to get ready. You'll meet them soon enough."
Kaldur'ahm, though slightly winded, chuckled as he took her hand, pulling himself up. He nodded in understanding, his anxiety fading slightly beneath the excitement of what was to come. He had a team to meet and a mission to uphold.