| Washington D.C. - September 23
Starfire stood amid the devastation deep inside Cadmus, her sharp emerald eyes fixed on the destruction caused by the other Superman clone.
At first glance, he was indistinguishable from Superboy—same build, same face, same dark hair—but there were unsettling differences. His eyes bore black sclera, icy blue irises, and dark pupils that gave him an unearthly, feral look. Branded into his chest, carved by his own hand, was a failed imitation of Superman's S-shield, mirrored and crude.
Ironically, it was that symbol that had triggered him. The moment the clone—Match—laid eyes on Superboy's insignia, he flew into a berserk rage. He attacked without hesitation, unleashing all the terrifying gifts of Kryptonian power: super-strength, invulnerability, flight, and searing beams of heat vision.
The battle had been brutal. Match fought like a wounded animal, more force of nature than soldier. Yet between Koriand'r's strength and Superboy's resilience, they managed to restrain him long enough for Raven to act. With shadows coiling like talons, she pierced through the maelstrom of Match's mind and smothered him into unconsciousness. Only then did his thrashing cease, leaving the room wrecked and smoking.
Superboy now carried his brother's limp form over one shoulder. Despite Match's savagery, he bore him with care—no different than if he were carrying a wounded ally. His expression was unreadable, caught between grim duty and something softer.
They regrouped with Miss Martian, who hovered protectively over another figure. Red Arrow—no, not Red Arrow, but Speedy, the original—lay unconscious on a stretcher, missing one arm. M'gann's face was pale with concentration as she reached delicately into his mind. She had only recently learned this technique from her uncle and hadn't mastered it yet. She was almost finished stripping away the insidious command phrases the Light had embedded there.
With Roy rescued and Match subdued, their mission was nearly complete.
Starfire touched her comm. "Aqualad, did you manage to complete your mission?"
There was a pause, then Kaldur's voice, heavy and measured. "Yes." In the background came the faint sound of sobbing. Red Arrow—no, the clone—was awake now, and the truth had shattered him. To learn that you were not real, that your dreams and goals were fabrications engineered by enemies you thought you opposed… it was enough to break anyone.
Starfire's lips tightened. She had little fondness for Red Arrow's abrasiveness, but she felt sympathy all the same. He was still a young man, betrayed at the deepest level.
"Our mission was accomplished," Aqualad added, solemn.
"Understood," Starfire replied. "Rendezvous at the Cave. Miss Martian will finish cleansing his mind."
And with that, the Team's part was done. But greater matters awaited.
**
| Watchtower - September 24
The next day, the Justice League convened in the Watchtower. Around the table sat Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Zatara, Plastic Man, Captain Atom, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Captain Marvel.
Several bore injuries from their recent campaigns. Batman's ribs were bound; Black Canary's arm rested in a sling; Green Arrow moved stiffly with a fractured wrist. Flash, of course, had already healed thanks to the Speed Force.
Not all were present. Green Lantern and Icon were still traveling to New Genesis to propose an alliance with the New Gods. John Stewart and Atom worked alongside A.R.G.U.S. to dismantle domestic terrorist cells, while Nova coordinated with Interpol to disrupt networks abroad.
Despite the absences, the League pressed on. Reports needed to be shared, strategies recalibrated.
Batman began with the Team's success. Roy Harper—the true Roy—was finally recovered. Project Match had been secured. And Red Arrow, though broken by the revelation of his nature, was under supervision at the Cave. Someone watched him at all times to ensure despair did not drive him to rash action. Black Canary would counsel him once the meeting concluded.
Aquaman then spoke, his voice edged with sorrow. "The rumors proved true. My own brother was Ocean Master, his actions driven by jealousy. Martian Manhunter's telepathic probe confirmed it." His jaw clenched. "We dismantled his purist cult and captured his agents. I sentenced him to a prison at the ocean's deepest trench, where he will remain for life."
Batman silently noted the restraint. Treason of that magnitude often ended with execution. That Arthur had chosen exile instead spoke of lingering brotherly mercy.
Superman reported next. "LexCorp Robotics was compromised. We uncovered definitive proof of their illegal nanite experiments and destroyed all serums. With my… connection to the Daily Planet, an article will soon expose Lex's ties to the Light. His influence will be crippled."
Wonder Woman followed. "Our infiltration revealed Vandal Savage in talks with a figure called Turtle. Their allies included the Trickster and Heatwave—though not as we knew them."
She glanced at Flash, whose eyes widened at the names.
"Trickster wielded enhanced strength and geothermic powers," Diana continued. "Heatwave could transmute into living flame and summon skeletal constructs of fire. There was also a gorilla infused with Kobra-Venom and energy-negation abilities. Turtle, too, wielded a negation field. Together, they overwhelmed us. Savage escaped through a Boom Tube."
Batman added grimly, "We encountered a similar anomaly on Infinity Island. A speedster called Zoom appeared, saving Ra's al Ghul. His costume resembled the Flash's, but his powers blended speed with the Trickster's anomalies. He subdued us all in moments and escaped before we woke up minutes later and escaped."
Flash exhaled sharply. "He called himself Reverse-Flash. Said something about a Flashpoint… about being from the 25th century. When I saw his suit, the name spilled out of my mouth like a memory I never had. Somehow… I think I ran too fast, altered the timeline, and brought these people here. Trickster and Heatwave might have gained new powers—the Strength, Sage, and Still Forces—because of me. And now they're gone from Central City." His voice cracked with guilt.
Martian Manhunter's brow furrowed. "If these anomalies are connected, then the Light has allied with forces beyond our understanding."
Captain Atom leaned forward. "Which makes them more dangerous than ever. They've shown they can counter the League's heaviest hitters. With Savage coordinating them, we're vulnerable."
"Perhaps," Batman said, his tone flat. "But we have also exposed them. Their nanite projects are in ruins, their secrecy compromised. For now, their network is crippled." He allowed a pause, then concluded, "They will adapt, but so will we. Next time, we will be ready. For now, we prepare to take down the Injustice League and the control center of their plant monster in advance."
Around the table, silence settled. Each hero absorbed the weight of recent revelations: clones and betrayals, gods and monsters, timelines unraveling.
In the shadows, Batman's mind turned over the same name again and again: Vandal Savage.
Savage… what are you planning?