Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern, had once been a proud member of the Justice Society. Now, he had fallen to the Injustice Society, leaving his legacy in the dust.
The Justice Society Headquarters still bore the scars of their assault, a broken Green Lantern left behind as a reminder.
Adrian had not anticipated that Alan's daughter would inherit the ring. Jenny Scott, though possessing the legendary weapon, was far from mastering it. She could not create constructs, only manipulate the ring's energy to attack.
"Sir, this is the Justice Society, right? Who are you? A hero? I've always admired you."
Adrian looked at her fawning expression, unamused. "I am no hero. Perhaps your concern should be your own predicament."
"I… I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Maybe I could… make it up. I just left the children's home. I have nowhere else to go. Maybe I could join you. Help out however I can."
Her eagerness and ingratiating tone betrayed a personality molded by fear of abandonment, a desperate need to be liked—what some called a "lick-the-dog" personality.
"You must be his mentor, then?" Jenny continued, trying to sound affable. "I see how fast you move. You must be amazing. If possible, maybe you could be my mentor too?"
Bart, standing beside Adrian, observed the girl's constant flattery with quiet disbelief, surprised when she addressed him as well.
"And you," Jenny added, "I apologize for attacking indiscriminately just now. You are Flash, right? I've never seen such speed."
Bart felt a flicker of pride. The girl's words had softened his impression of her.
Adrian, however, felt a headache coming on. She was too inexperienced to be dangerous, but too useful to ignore. The ring had value. For now, keeping her alive was acceptable.
He turned to Bart. "Rent a house near Smallville. You and her will live there."
Examining the ring in his hand, Adrian glanced at Jenny, who eyed it eagerly. "Jenny Scott, if you value your ring, do not try to escape."
Without another word, Adrian walked out, leaving Bart and Jenny behind. First a fake Flash, now a half-trained Green Lantern—the Justice Society was becoming a parody of its former self.
---
Gotham Harbor
On a ship cutting through the gray waters toward Gotham Port, Talia al Ghul emerged on deck. Waves crashed against the hull, and clouds overhead threatened rain. Her black attire flowed in the wind, eyes scanning the restless waters.
"Bane."
The sound carried over the wind. A towering figure, imposing even with a respirator covering his face, turned. His muscles were rigid, a living testament to his brute strength.
Bane had been Batman's nemesis, possessing a keen tactical mind, animal-like instincts, and an unyielding will. His continued presence in Gotham, years after breaking Batman's back, proved he was no ordinary man.
"Monitor Batman closely," Talia instructed. "He knows we are here. We've already lost men to him."
"Understood," Bane replied, voice low and mechanical through the respirator.
"Malcolm Merlyn is irrelevant," Talia continued, extending a pale hand to the railing. "Though called 'the Magician,' he is timid and unenterprising. I hear he now works with some young upstart who controls him."
Bane listened as she scornfully evaluated Malcolm.
"This upstart may not understand the full plan to subvert Gotham," she said, "but he knows we possess biochemical toxins capable of turning the city into a wasteland."
"Will you trade with him?" Bane asked.
Talia's smile was faint, dangerous. "I want to meet the man who can control Malcolm. I am always fascinated by those who attempt to profit from chaos."
She cast a last glance at the waves, then returned to the cabin. "And remember—unless necessary, leave Batman alive."
---
Smallville – Kent Farm
Adrian was not surprised by Clark's interest in cooperating with the League of Assassins. Malcolm Merlyn, backed by the League, was familiar territory, and Clark's ambition, sharpened under Jor-El's influence, explained his willingness to embrace morally gray means.
After ending a phone call from Malcolm, Adrian considered his next move: a trip to Gotham, but first, Hamilton's laboratory required a visit.
Night cloaked the Kent farm.
---
Gotham Pier
Pier Five was unusually silent. A satellite hovered above, observing the city, part of the League of Assassins' surveillance network—a luxury for an organization centuries old.
Talia, dressed in a black robe, approached the edge of the pier, her subordinates following in disciplined silence. Batman, perched like a shadow on a warehouse beam, surveyed the scene with his own intelligence channels.
"They're waiting for someone," he murmured, binoculars lowering. "But why are they tense?"
A soft thud interrupted him.
Clark descended from the sky, landing before Talia and her followers. Cold authority radiated from him.
"It's him!"
Batman's eyes narrowed. The boy who had once broken his mask's ear now stood before the League of Assassins.
"C-Clark Kent?" Talia breathed, eyes wide with disbelief.
"No," Clark corrected. "Kal-El. Malcolm Merlyn once told me your story."
He stepped forward, gaze fixed on Talia. "You have the power to destroy a city."
"Not destroy," she countered, cautious, "but rebirth. A diseased city must die, to be cleansed and rebuilt."
Clark's eyes narrowed, cold and resolute. "I agree. I too have been reborn."
Talia's gaze sharpened. "Then your purpose, Kal-El? Trade? What can you offer for the toxins?"
Bane stepped forward, sensing Clark's overwhelming presence.
"No trade," Clark said firmly. "I discovered our ambitions align. I intend to engulf you."
Talia's shock was visible. "What?"
"I aim to lead the League of Assassins," Clark declared. "For my great mission."
The League members stirred.
Bane acted first, charging at Clark with brute force.
Clark barely moved. Heat Vision erupted from his eyes, striking Bane with precision. The impact sent the giant crashing unconscious, a tremor shaking the ground.
Clark's control and power left everyone present stunned.
___
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