บท 29: Lunar Event
(Katsuo POV)
The battle with the Lunatic Cultist was grueling. His teleportations and powerful spells kept us on our toes, and every time we thought we had him cornered, he'd slip away, casting more illusions and summoning new threats. The room felt like it was closing in on us, every corner hiding a new danger.
I found myself more on the sidelines than usual, conserving my strength for the solo mission ahead. Every now and then, I'd jump in to assist—using my Threaded Cane to pull phantasms into the range of Green Lantern's constructs or deflecting spells with lightning-quick reflexes. It was a strange feeling, watching my teammates fight while I held back, but I knew it was necessary.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Wonder Woman's lasso wrapped around the Lunatic Cultist, and Superman landed a crushing blow. The Cultist fell to the ground, his body lifeless, and the dungeon grew eerily silent.
Before we could catch our breath, Batman's communicator buzzed. Alfred's voice came through, urgent and precise. "Sir, four high energy signatures detected. Solar Pillar located in Madagascar, Vortex Pillar on Jeju Island, Nebula Pillar in Central City, and Stardust Pillar in the Pacific Ocean."
Batman nodded. "Thanks, Alfred." He turned to us, assessing the situation quickly. "Flash, Martian Manhunter, you handle Jeju Island. Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, head to Central City. Katsuo," he fixed me with a stern look, "you rest."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off. "After we deal with these two pillars, you'll have your turn with the Solar Pillar. Rest now. That's an order."
I relented, the adrenaline fading as exhaustion set in. "Alright, Batman. I'll rest. But don't have too much fun without me."
As my teammates moved out, I found a quiet corner in the dungeon and sat down, my mind already racing ahead to the upcoming battle. The Solar Pillar awaited, and I'd need every ounce of strength for what was to come.
But for now, I had to recharge and trust my team to handle the rest.
"Take care of yourselves out there," I muttered, leaning back and closing my eyes. "I'll be ready when my turn comes."
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As I zipped back to the watchtower, I slumped onto a nearby couch, the adrenaline slipping away. I let out a tired sigh. Noticing my sigh was my ever-loving-somewhat-psychic cat, Best Boi Tom the Maine Coon. He then laid on my lap and purred. I chuckled and said, "Thanks, bud."
I turned on the TV, needing a distraction, but instead, I was greeted with chaos. Central City was a disaster zone, a massive Nebula Pillar practically spawning in the center of the city.
Superman was flying around, dealing with alien horrors like Brain Sucklers and Evolution Beasts, while Green Lantern created barriers to protect civilians from the Cosmic Carriages and Brain Sucklers.
Even villains like Lex Luthor had joined the fray, blasting Nebula Floaters with his advanced weaponry. I never thought I'd see the day when Lex would be fighting on our side, even if it was just to save his own skin.
Switching channels, I saw the battle at Jeju Island. The Vortex Pillar stood ominously, with swarms of Alien Hornets and Storm Divers attacking relentlessly. The Flash zipped around, disarming Vortexians and dodging deadly projectiles. Hawkman and Hawkwoman were there too, using their Nth metal weapons to cut down Alien Larvae and protect the local population.
It was a total shitstorm. Both battles were fierce, with no sign of letting up. And the Solar Pillar? That would be my fight soon enough. I could only imagine the fiery chaos waiting for me in Madagascar.
Tom nudged my hand, reminding me to take it easy. "Yeah, yeah, I know," I muttered, giving him a scratch behind the ears. "Just a little longer. Then it's my turn."
I leaned back, taking a moment to center myself. The battles raged on the screen, and I knew it wouldn't be long before I was back in the thick of it. "Can't wait for the Solar Pillar," I said with a mix of anticipation and dread. "It's gonna be one hell of a fight."
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A day later, we were gathered in the briefing room, joined by the original seven Justice League members: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter. Also present were notable members like Green Arrow, Black Canary, Zatanna, Cyborg, Hawkman, and Hawkwoman. Even the Young Justice team, including Nightwing, Superboy, Miss Martian, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Artemis, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle, and Wonder Girl, was there.
I waved hello to the young heroes, and they waved back enthusiastically. I wriggled my eyebrows towards Black Canary, reminding her of our steamy nights together. She gave back a mischievous smirk, and I couldn't help but laugh.
Seconds later, Batman took his place at the front, giving a rundown of the aftermath. "The Nebula Pillar in Central City has been neutralized," he began, his voice steady and authoritative. "Superman, Green Lantern, and others managed to contain the damage and minimize casualties. Lex Luthor was... helpful, for once."
Superman nodded, adding, "We managed to keep most of the city intact, but it was close. The coordination was crucial, and everyone played their part."
Batman continued, "Jeju Island's Vortex Pillar was a similar story. Flash, Hawkman, and Hawkwoman led the charge with support from several other heroes. The pillar was taken down, but the battle was intense. The alien forces were relentless."
Flash chimed in, "It was a real mess. Those Vortexians didn't know when to quit. But we got it done."
Batman then turned his gaze towards me. "Katsuo, your task is the Solar Pillar in Madagascar. This will be a solo mission, but you'll have backup on standby if things go sideways."
I couldn't help but grin. "I've got this, Bats. Don't worry."
Batman nodded, then addressed the room. "We still have the Stardust Pillar in the Pacific Ocean. Aquaman, you'll take the lead on this with support from Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and Cyborg. Coordinate with the Atlantean forces and minimize the impact on marine life."
Aquaman acknowledged with a firm nod. "We'll handle it."
The room fell silent for a moment as the gravity of our tasks sank in. Batman then concluded, "Stay sharp, everyone. These pillars are just the beginning. We need to be ready for whatever comes next."
As the meeting adjourned, I felt a mix of anticipation and determination. The Solar Pillar awaited, and I was ready to face it head-on.
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