ตอน 75: 75 - Contemplation
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3 : 12)
*****
Kara was suddenly teleported back home, finding herself in the familiar open field. She had been lounging in her room when Zai urgently contacted her. Responding quickly to the emergency, she was then teleported to wake up that idiot. She couldn't fathom why Zai would ask for her help instead of handling it himself.
Shaking off the puzzling thoughts, Kara made her way back toward the house.
*Click.*
The door clicked open, breaking the serene atmosphere of the warm home.
"Kara," a voice greeted her as she stepped inside.
Looking up, she met the gaze of her cousin. Clark was seated on the couch, a white envelope in his hand. Kara approached, her eyes attempting to scan the contents, but the envelope's cover was impenetrable to her vision. She turned her questioning gaze to Clark.
"I came to talk about this and something else with Mom," Clark explained.
He had come to seek Martha's counsel about the two things Zion had given him. His mind had been a whirlwind of confusion in recent days. Unable to decide on his own, he visited Martha for her motherly wisdom. She hadn't given him a definitive answer but had instead provided clarity and direction.
"What's in the envelope?" Kara asked as she took a seat beside him.
Clark handed the envelope to Kara. He had already read the letter multiple times. She took the letter and began to read:
---
[Hello there,
It's Nion, the King of Earth, Emperor of Sol, but that's not the point.
I'm reaching out to you about an initiative called the Justice League. I'm assembling a team of extraordinary individuals, and you're at the top of the list. Your commitment to justice and the hope you bring to the world are exactly what we need.
As you've seen, the threats we face, and will face, are too vast for any single hero to handle alone. By joining forces, we can make a greater impact and protect more lives. You've already achieved so much as Superman, and I believe you can do even more as part of this league.
So, what do you say? If you're interested, keep this letter with you. I will call. Looking forward to the day.
Yours truly, Nion.]
---
Below the letter was the time and date when Nion would call, set for two days later.
Kara looked up, understanding the gravity of the responsibility that Clark was contemplating. She could empathize with him. Clark had always been a lone warrior, bearing the burden of protecting countless lives by himself.
The prospect of joining a team introduced new dynamics. As a solo hero, he didn't have to worry about others (heroes) during fights, taking the brunt of deadly attacks while safeguarding civilians. But working as part of a team was uncharted territory, fraught with its own challenges—the need for trust, the potential for conflicting ideals and methods among teammates.
Yet, within this uncertainty, there was a glimmer of hope. Clark could see a future where he could help more people, extending his fight beyond Metropolis to the entire world. However, his skepticism towards Zion persisted. Despite the positive changes, Clark struggled with Zion's methods, even if they ultimately succeeded.
"What are you planning to do?" Kara asked, handing the letter back to Clark.
"I don't know. The idea of being part of a team and helping more people is appealing. But I'm not sure I can trust Zion, not after everything that's happened."
Kara nodded, sharing a complicated relationship with Zion herself. She still harbored a desire to punch Zion occasionally, but she had come to understand him, even if a little.
"I think you should at least hear him out," Kara suggested.
Clark looked at her, puzzled. He knew Kara's disdain for Zion was stronger than anyone else's. Sensing his confusion, Kara elaborated.
"I still don't like the guy. But his actions speak for themselves. He's making changes on a scale you haven't achieved in years of hero work. Yes, his methods are questionable, but they're effective. So, I think you should at least listen."
Clark sighed, acknowledging her reasoning. He folded the letter and tucked it into his jacket pocket. He knew that whatever decision he made could shape not only his future but also the future of countless lives around the globe.
...
[Yello,
It's Nion,
King of Earth,
Emperor of Sol.
I'm reaching out about the Justice League initiative. I'm putting together a team of exceptional individuals, and you're invited. You've shown incredible commitment to justice and intellectual prowess.
As you've seen, the threats we face and will face are too immense for any single hero to tackle alone. By uniting, we can make a significant impact and protect more people. You've done so much as Batman, and I believe you can contribute even more as part of this league.
Keep this letter with you. I will call. Looking forward to the day.
Yours truly, Nion.]
---
In the dimly lit Batcave, Batman stared at the letter. The soft glow from the Batcomputer illuminated the words as he read them with a simmering anger.
Without his iconic cowl, his bare torso bore no scars of countless battles. In his other hand, he held a glowing cube. His recent confrontation with the Sentinel had ended disastrously. The relentless machine had neutralized his arsenal within moments, completing its mission with precision.
It had eliminated Catwoman—Selina Kyle, a professional thief and a well-known criminal—before his eyes. He had been powerless to stop it as she looked at him with fear. Now, all that remained of her was the cube. He couldn't comprehend why the Sentinel had chosen to turn her into a cube rather than vaporizing her with its disintegration ray. He surmised that there must be a way to restore her.
"Master Bruce," Alfred's voice cut through his brooding thoughts. "Would you like some water?"
"No, thank you," Batman replied, refocusing on the analytics data.
"I think you should," Alfred insisted, pouring water into a glass, the sound resonating in the quiet cave.
Batman turned, eyebrow raised. "What is it, Alfred?"
Unperturbed, Alfred continued, "I understand your anger, Master Bruce. But you must realize that it was inevitable. Zion's move to clean up Gotham required the elimination of all criminals."
Seeing that Bruce wasn't convinced, Alfred dropped the pretense. "Selina is just sealed, sir. Zion informed me in case you, well, started plotting. He mentioned he would be annoyed to deal with your multi-layered plans."
"Did he tell you why and how?" Batman asked, his gaze sharp.
Alfred pushed the glass of water towards him. "He explained that leaving any high-profile criminal free, especially those known in the underworld, would undermine his authority. This was his way of giving Madam Selina a way out while maintaining his image. And, the water is for you."
"Water?" Batman echoed, glancing at the glass.
---
[Hello Flash,
I know you're probably skeptical and wary of this letter. How do I know your secret identity? How did this letter magically appear in your home? Don't worry. This isn't a threat—it's an invitation.
I'm reaching out about the Justice League initiative. I'm assembling a team of extraordinary individuals. Your incredible speed, quick thinking, and unwavering sense of justice are exactly what we need.
As The Flash, you've not only protected Central City but have become a symbol of hope and resilience. Your ability to be everywhere at once and your commitment to using your powers for good are invaluable qualities that would greatly benefit the Justice League.
As you've seen, the threats we face and will face are too great for any single hero to handle alone. By working together, we can make a greater impact and protect more people.
So, what do you say? If you're interested, keep this letter with you. I will contact you soon. Looking forward to the day.
Yours truly, Nion.]
---
Barry read the letter at super-speed, skimming it several times to ensure he hadn't misread it. He couldn't believe that someone knew his secret identity and had magically delivered this letter to his home. The name 'Nion' stuck out—the only Nion he knew was the King. It felt odd calling him that.
Nion had appeared one day and taken over the planet, with governments surrendering without resistance to his overwhelming power. Barry hadn't intervened because the other heroes, including Superman, had chosen not to oppose him.
Observing the positive changes in the world, Barry conceded that staying out of the conflict had been the right choice. Nion was effecting transformations, albeit mostly in Gotham.
But now, this powerful figure was extending an invitation to him, a hero from Central City. Moreover, he knew Barry's secret identity. Although the letter claimed it wasn't a threat, the potential risk to his security made Barry hesitant.
Breathing deeply, Barry considered the opportunity. If the letter's promise was true, he could gain allies—something he had longed for. Being able to share his secrets and burdens with fellow heroes brought a sense of relief.
However, doubts lingered. Could they work effectively as a team? Would they understand his approach to problem-solving and his relentless optimism? Barry knew that being The Flash was more than just moving fast; it was about thinking and acting swiftly. He wondered if the others could keep up with his pace.
Calming his racing thoughts, Barry felt
a mix of apprehension and excitement at the prospect of new experiences.
...
"Your Majesty," J'onn J'onzz bowed his head respectfully.
Martian Manhunter held a pristine white letter, written in the elegant script of the Martian language. Unlike the invitations sent to others, this letter had a more commanding tone—it was an order from Zion, though disguised as a choice. Yet, it was an order he couldn't refuse.
"Do not feel burdened," King J'emm reassured him, seated regally on his throne. "This opportunity is not just for you but for all of M'arzz. With the transformations we are undergoing, we can no longer remain isolated. It is time for us to expand and explore."
"I understand, Your Highness," J'onn replied, acknowledging the broader implications of J'emm's words.
Martian Manhunter had stayed on M'arzz to help with the ascension of the new king, just in case of a protest. His help had been crucial in J'emm's ascension to the throne, deterring the voice of other.
However, J'emm's actions had also proven his worth.
Despite his youth, King J'emm had demonstrated remarkable maturity since ascending to the throne. Even though his appointment was controversial and opposed by many, including the former king, Zion's decision to place J'emm in power had proven wise. J'emm's leadership quickly became apparent through his actions.
One of his first decrees was to grant the A'ashenns equal rights, elevating them to the status of full citizens alongside the G'arrunns. Surprisingly, this radical change encountered minimal resistance. The shared scars of war and collective trauma had forged an unprecedented unity between the two races.
J'onn J'onzz now understood why Zion had instigated the conflict. The war had compelled the once-divided Martians to unite and fight together. This newfound camaraderie was dissolving old animosities.
King J'emm's vision extended beyond mere social reforms. He was spearheading environmental advancements, aiming to transition his people from their subterranean existence to the surface of Mars. With Zion's transformative interventions, living on the surface was becoming viable. Under Nion's guidance, new settlements were being established, large enough to accommodate the majority of the Martian population.
These changes, though gradual, were profound.
Amid these transformations, preparations for J'emm's wedding to S'yraa S'mitt were underway—a symbol of both personal and political unity.
As M'arzz began to stabilize and flourish under his leadership, King J'emm set his sights on the cosmos. Despite their formidable powers, the Martians knew they were outnumbered by their galactic neighbors. They needed to grow and prepare for future challenges while the opportunity for peace still existed.
*****
Okay, I am here because of two reviews stating that the title was not attractive.
So, I am planning on changing it, but I only got one name.
"DC : Emperor of Sol' maybe, but I don't get the feel for this.
So if your guys have any Idea, throw it in. Think of this as an opportunity literally change the name of a story you read. (.・∀・)ノ
Thank you for reading.
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