Mr. Brown’s voice cut through the stunned silence.

“Miss Schiller!”

Every head turned toward her.

Of course.

Thena slowly turned in her seat, pretending to look surprised. Alicia was still on the floor, holding her forehead dramatically like she’d just been shot.

“Would you like to explain what just happened?” Mr. Brown asked, his tone sharp but controlled.

Thena straightened in her chair, crossing her arms. “She started it.”

The class snickered.

“Excuse me?”

“She did!” Thena said, pointing at Alicia. “She’s been throwing things at me all class, and calling me names. I was just defending myself!”

Alicia, still clutching her forehead, sniffled. “She’s lying, Mr. Brown! I didn’t do anything! She just attacked me!”

Thena’s jaw dropped. “You—! That’s not—!”

Terra quickly stepped in, raising her hand. “Mr. Brown, with all due respect, I saw what happened. Alicia threw the paper first. Thena just reacted.”

Mr. Brown exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Even if that’s true, Miss Schiller, throwing something at another student is not an acceptable response.”

“But she—!”

“No buts.”

Thena slumped back in her chair, glaring daggers at Alicia, who was milking her fake injury for all it was worth.

“She’s literally fine!” Thena muttered under her breath. “The paper wasn’t even that hard.”

“She fell out of her chair,” Mr. Brown said flatly.

“She’s dramatic!”

A few students snorted quietly.

“That’s enough,” Mr. Brown said, his patience clearly thinning. “Detention, Miss Schiller. After class.”

Thena groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Come on, that’s so unfair! She started it!”

“Would you like to make it two days?”

“No, sir,” she mumbled, sinking into her seat.

Terra shot her a sympathetic look.

Then, just when Thena thought the universe was unfair as always, Mr. Brown spoke again.

“And Miss Myers?”

Alicia froze.

“Y-Yes, sir?”

“You’ll be joining Miss Schiller in detention after class.”

The smug expression instantly vanished from her face.

“What?! But I didn’t—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Mr. Brown interrupted sharply. “You threw that paper too,I may have not seen it but iam sure that miss Schiller wouldn’t have reacted that way if you hadn’t “.

The entire class went “ooooh,” the kind that cut right through Alicia’s pride.

Thena couldn’t help it, a slow, victorious smile crept onto her face.

Alicia glared at her, cheeks red. “This is all your fault!”

“you are lucky that we are in class or I would have slapped that cap you call a forehead to next week,” Thena muttered, loud enough for only Terra to hear.

Mr. Brown turned back to the board. “If either of you disrupt my class again, it’ll be a week’s detention. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” they both mumbled in unison

Metropolis Harbour — Rooftop

Max and Nina stood on the edge of a skyscraper, wind tugging at their coats as they looked down over the docks.

“Doesn’t look like a war zone to me,” Max said, scanning the horizon. His Sharingan flickered to life for a heartbeat and then faded.

“I could’ve sworn it happened around this time in my world,” Nina replied, eyes narrowing as she studied the water.

“Maybe things are unfolding differently here,” Max said. “We should head south.”

“Why there?” Nina asked.

“Something interesting may or may not be happening at Mercy Reef right now,” he answered.

“I guess we can check it out,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Race you there?”

“Oh,aren’t you twenty-three now?” Max teased.

“It’s just a friendly competition. Not childish at all, so don’t overcomplicate it,” Nina said, already shifting into a ready stance.

“Are you going to race me using Susanoo?” Max asked with mock seriousness.

“I can fly on my own, Dad,” she shot back.

“Oh right—I almost forgot. That does make it fair. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’ll leave you in the dust!” Max shouted, grinning, as he launched himself off the rooftop.

“Hey! No fair!” Nina called, pushing off and streaking after him.

They vanished into the sky, silhouettes against the sun, racing toward whatever awaited them at Mercy Reef.

League of Shadows , Underground Laboratory, Gotham

The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting cold reflections across the metallic floor. The air reeked of disinfectant.

Twenty subjects lay strapped to metal tables, their limbs and necks secured by steel clamps. Mechanical arms fitted with syringes hovered above them, ready to be used.

Dr. Kirk Langstrom adjusted his glasses, eyes glinting with feverish anticipation. “Initiate the sequence,” he said.

The Mad Hatter his grin wide and twitching pressed a button on the console. The mechanical arms descended in perfect unison, plunging their needles into flesh.

Screams erupted.

Some subjects convulsed violently as grotesque branches tore through their skin, blood mixing with splinters to paint the floor. One by one, their cries faltered,bodies turning rigid as flesh and bone transformed into bark. They froze mid-scream, becoming trees rooted in agony.

Others survived,barely. Their veins bulged black, their muscles swelling slightly until the metal clamps strained and groaned under their new found strength.

“Incredible,” Langstrom whispered, eyes wide with awe.

When the last scream faded, only six subjects remained alive. The clamps released with a hiss, and the survivors slowly rose, flexing their muscles in awe.

Langstrom approached one, slicing a shallow incision across its chest. The wound sealed instantly. He smiled.

“I think it was a success, Doctor,” came the Mad Hatter’s sing-song voice from behind him. “Pain should be very pleased with this.”

“And that, I am,” came another voice.

The room froze as Pain stepped forward, flanked by Lady Shiva. The six subjects bowed instinctively.

“Ensure they remain in good condition,” Pain ordered Langstrom. “Once he’s done with them, you’ll take over, Shiva. I want them combat-ready within a week.”

He turned to the Mad Hatter. “Gather intelligence on the White House’s layout, defenses, security details.”

The Hatter’s grin widened. “Oh, this sounds delightfully interesting.”

——————-

A few miles out from Mercy Reef, on a small piece of land jutting from the ocean—

Arthur Curry, Aquaman, drove his sword through the chest of a snarling Trencher. The creature let out a gurgled screech before collapsing, dead, as more rose from the waves.

He ducked just in time as a sword slash cut through the air where his head had been. He retaliated with a quick jab, driving his blade into the attacker’s gut, then kicked the body aside. Another Trencher lunged from behind, locking its arms around his neck. Arthur grunted, prying the creature off and hurling it into a cluster of others.

More emerged, swords glinting in the dim light.

“Damn it—they just keep coming!” Aquaman cursed.

“Then just keep killing them!” Mera shouted back.

She moved like a hurricane, slicing through dozens with conjured water blades before condensing several spears from the sea itself and hurling them forward. The weapons struck true, impaling a dozen more.

Above them, two figures hovered—Max and Nina—watching the chaos unfold.

“So… do we help them?” Nina asked casually.

“I don’t know,” Max replied, his tone flat. “It’s really up to you. I don’t feel like helping.”

“I thought you came here for some fun,” Nina teased.

“No, I came to observe. Maybe catch a glimpse of Atlantis,” Max said, his eyes glowing faintly as he activated his Observation Haki. “But I guess that’s not happening now. The League’s on their way, and I don’t feel like explaining myself again.”

“Well, suit yourself,” Nina said as she dropped from the sky. She landed with a thunderous boom, scattering the Trenchers closest to her.

“Get down!” she yelled. Her hand sparked violently with lightning before the energy extended into a crackling spear.

“Chidori Sharp Spear!”

She swung her arm in a wide arc, slicing through a wave of Trenchers in one motion. When another slashed at her from behind, she twisted away, exhaling sharply. Without forming a single hand seal, she spat out a massive column of flame.

“Fire Style: Searing Migraine!”

A roaring inferno surged forward, forcing the surviving Trenchers to retreat, diving into the sea before the flames reached them. Nina lowered her arm and straightened her posture, the fire fading behind her.

“Thanks for the help,” Aquaman said, breathing heavily.

“Consider it a favor repaid,” Nina replied with a smirk.

“Have we met before?” he asked, squinting.

“Nope,” she said, popping the ‘p.’

Max landed beside her with his usual grin. “Alright, stop confusing the man.”

Arthur’s eyes widened. “You’re… Tobi.”

“Pleasure to meet the soon-to-be King of Atlantis,” Max said with a mock bow.

Mera stepped forward. “My name is Mera. We appreciate your assistance—but we must go. Arthur, your mother awaits.”

Before anyone could move, a red blur zipped to a halt in front of them.

“Arthur Curry—I’m the Flash. We’re here to help,” Barry said, before noticing Max and Nina. His expression immediately soured. “Max…”

“Yo, what’s up,” Max greeted with a lazy grin.

The rest of the League arrived soon after, landing around Barry, their stances tense.

“Nina? Max?” Wonder Woman asked. “What are you doing here?”

“I was here for the action,” Max said simply.

“I find that hard to believe,” Green Lantern muttered.

“Believe what you must,” Max shrugged.

“We don’t have time for this,” Batman cut in, stepping forward. He turned to Aquaman. “We have reason to believe Atlantis may be preparing for war with the surface. We need your help to stop it.”

“That would be Orm,” Mera replied. “He has a personal vendetta against the surface world. He believes it’s responsible for his father’s death.” She turned to Arthur. “We must go. Your mother awaits.”

Arthur sighed. “We’re coming with you,” Batman said firmly.

“I have no objection,” Mera answered. “Our queen requested your presence.”

“I’m coming too,” Nina said.

“This is League business,” Batman replied coldly.

“Who’s going to stop me?” Nina asked, her tone dropping an octave.

Batman stared at her, then at Max, who met his gaze in silence. Finally, Batman exhaled. “Fine.”

“Yes! This is going to be fun, sister-in-law!” Nina cheered, walking toward Wonder Woman.

“…Sister in what now?” Diana asked, blinking in confusion.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Max said as he took off into the air.

Shazam leaned toward Cyborg and whispered, “Dude, did you hear that? They’re getting married? Did you know about this?”

“I’m just as surprised as you,” Cyborg replied.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Wonder Woman asked, frowning.

“Oh, still keeping it a secret then? Fine—my lips are sealed,” Nina teased.

Diana turned sharply as the rest of the League gave her odd looks. “You honestly believe her?” she asked, exasperated.

No one answered.

End of Chapter

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