Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

Arrival

Gotham city 

February 6 2008

11:23 Pm

Third Person Point of View:

We see the back of a tall figure with distinctive snow-white hair, dressed entirely in black. Standing in front of a large wooden door, he lets out a sigh and mutters:
— “ Ah, here I go .”

He begins ringing the doorbell impatiently — RING RING RING — until an elderly, nearly bald man with a mustache, dressed as a butler, opens the door.

The man is greeted by a young boy with a sharp, Japanese-featured face, deep blue eyes, and a well-defined jawline.

— “ And who might you be, young sir ?” the butler asks in flawless British English.

Now that the door is open, the boy exhales in relief.

— “ I need to speak with Bruce Wayne  or Batman, if you prefer .”

The butler begins to respond, but the boy cuts him off:

— “ I don’t kn—”
— “Don’t try to deceive me, Alfred. I know all about his little... night hobby. But this isn’t the time. I need his help — now.”

Alfred watched my serious face and said:
— “Master Bruce is doing his… hobby right now. Come in while I call for him.”

First Person Point of View:

As I started following Alfred through Wayne Manor, I couldn’t help but notice — everything looked expensive as hell.

After, like, two minutes of walking through the hall, we stopped in front of what I guessed was the entrance to the living room. I mean, I assumed so based on the look of it, but honestly? I couldn’t be sure.

Can you blame me? This place looks big enough to have, what — three? Four living rooms?

Anyway, Alfred turned to me and said:
— “Wait here, young…?”
— “Gojo. Satoru Gojo.”
— “Well, young Satoru, wait here while I contact Master Bruce.”

He turned to leave, but I stopped him.

— “Wait... Could you get me some water? I’m thirsty as hell.”

He looked at me with a plain poker face and said,
— “Yes, young Satoru.”

— “Appreciated, Alfred,” I replied.

I sat at one of the small sofa to wait

Now, you're probably wondering how I ended up here — with this name, and this awesome look — standing at the front door of Bruce Wayne’s mansion.

Well, let me tell you... it’s not some tragic backstory or anything.

Awesome Flashback coming in

I was just about to fall asleep in my real bed, eyes barely closing, and then — boom — I opened them again, and suddenly I was in this pure white, empty room.

Except for three things: two chairs and a desk. That’s it.

At first, I panicked. My first thought was, "This is a dream."

But then I felt kinda stupid — I mean, who actually thinks inside a dream that he is in a dream?

Most people don’t even realize they’re dreaming when they’re dreaming. Like, at all. 

After I’d finished that thought, a deep voice behind me said,
— “And there you are, boy.”

I turned to see who had spoken — and saw a man who looked just like Morgan Freeman.

I was about to say something, but he beat me to it.

— “I look like that to you because it’s how you — and most people — imagine me. You know… because of that movie with Jim Carrey,” he said in a gentle, deep voice.

— “How di—” I started, but he cut me off.

— “How did I know what you were thinking? Kinda obvious right now, isn’t it?” he said, smirking.

That’s when it hit me. That smirk, the calm voice, the pressure in the air — it made me realize who he really was.

And let me tell you… I felt it .

I could barely get the words out.

— “H-H-How? Let me rephrase… Why ? I mean, do you just do this with everyone for fun or something?” I blurted out, almost too fast to understand myself. He kept that smug little smile and said,
— “Well, it’s not something I do often… but yeah, I do it for fun.”

So I replied,
— “What could the Almighty possibly want from someone as small-time as me?”

My mind was racing with a million thoughts — trying to guess what this bearded guy might want...

Hoping — really hoping — it was what I thought .

— “In that, you’re certainly right,” he said. “I want you to reincarnate — or isekai , like in those anime you watch and those fanfics you read.”

My face must’ve been easy to read.

My eyes were wide enough to shame any anime protagonist, and my jaw?

On. The. Floor.

Even if that was exactly what I’d always dreamed of… I still couldn’t believe what he just said. Then he said,
— “All I want from you is to entertain me. That’s all.”

So I asked,
— “Really? Then how’s this going to work?”

He looked at me and said,
— “Standard deal: you choose a world, powers, and one perk. But you won’t retain your knowledge of what’s going to happen in that world.”

I looked at him, processing what he’d just said.

— “Let me think for a bit.”

He nodded.
— “It’s up to you. Take your time.”

Aw man , I always dreamed of something like this — but how the hell was I supposed to choose just one thing? I mean, come on. There’s an infinite number of possibilities.

And just as that thought crossed my mind, I snapped my fingers and shouted:

— “ That’s it! I want the powers of the strongest sorcerer of the modern era — Satoru Gojo ! And for the perk, I want his looks too.”

He looked at me and said with a smirk,
— “Nice one, kid.”

I continued,
— “As for the world… I really don’t know what to choose…”

Then he snapped his fingers and a giant roulette wheel appeared out of nowhere.

— “How about you let destiny choose?”

I muttered, still undecided,
— “That… could work.”

But he heard me, loud and clear.

— “Don’t sweat it, kid. Just flow with it.”

I nodded firmly.
— “Alright, let’s do it! Roll it, old man.”

He laughed.
— “Hahaha, that’s the spirit!”

And then he rolled it.

The wheel started spinning like crazy — a blur of colors and names — until it finally slowed down… and stopped.

— “Young Justice?”

I stared at it, dumbfounded. That really was destiny. I had literally just finished rewatching season one yesterday.

Kinda awesome, if you ask me.

He nodded and said,
— “Well kid, that’s your stop. I’ll drop you into that world two years before the canon starts — at any location and age you prefer. So, tell me… where do you want to begin?”

I thought for a second.

— “I want to be 14 when I arrive. And drop me off in front of Wayne Manor.”

He smirked again.
— “Smart decision. Farewell, my friend — don’t bore me to death.”

And then, a blinding light made me close my eyes.

Gotham City
February 6, 2008
11:15 PM

When I opened them again, I was standing in front of a big wooden door. But since I had never experienced something like the Six Eyes before — kinda obvious, right? — I felt dizzy and collapsed.

I shut my eyes for a few seconds to stabilize my brain and senses. What felt like hours later, I finally managed to regain my composure.

Gotham City
February 6, 2008
11:23 PM

I walked over to the wooden door and rang the bell.

Awesome flashback finished.

Third Person Point of View – With Alfred

While I was lost in memory lane, Alfred had already called Bruce Wayne. Batman answered instantly.

— “ What happened, Alfred? ”

— “We have a situation, Master Bruce.”

Batman raised an eyebrow behind his mask.

— “What kind of situation ?”

— “A boy, sir. A young boy calling himself Satoru Gojo , is here at the house asking for your immediate help. And, surprisingly, he knows who you are… during your night activities , sir.”

Batman’s expression didn’t change.

— “ We’re on our way.”

— “Very well. I shall entertain our unexpected guest in the meantime.”

Third Person Point of View – With Batman

— “What did Alfred want, B?” asked a masked boy in a sleek suit.
His outfit was red on the upper part, with a black circle over the chest that held a yellow "R". He wore black tech-enhanced gauntlets, a yellow utility belt at his waist, and black pants with swift shoes. A black cloak—yellow on the inside—flowed behind him.
This was the Boy Wonder: Robin. Dick Grayson in this timeline.

— “There’s something we need to deal with at home,” Batman replied, his face unreadable, though inside his mind was spinning with questions.
How could a kid know who I am?

Without saying another word, both Batman and Robin jumped off the rooftop straight into the Batmobile.

First Person Point of View

I was starting to get bored waiting.
Thankfully, Alfred came in with water—and news.

— “Here is your water, young Satoru. Master Bruce is on his way. He’ll be here shortly.”
I smirked at that.

— “Finally. Thanks for the water, Alfred. I was dying.”
He looked at me with his usual blank expression and replied,
— “Hopefully not, young boy.”

Ten minutes later, Bruce Wayne arrived—with a boy I presumed to be Dick Grayson.

Weirdly enough, I could see them changing clothes down in the Batcave through my Six Eyes. It was a bit overwhelming… the amount of detail, the sheer clarity of what I could perceive now with these eyes. It was like watching the world in HD while also getting subtitles for every hidden thing.

Then, I saw them stepping out of an elevator hidden behind a clock. I stood up from the sofa and walked toward the corridor of this giant-ass house. And there they were.

I was finally face-to-face with one of the most iconic figures in the DC universe.
The Dark Knight.
Bruce Wayne.
The Batman.
The God of Preparation.
The King of Paranoia.
Well, you get the idea.

Next to him stood a small figure—yup, Dick Grayson.

First Person Point of View

When they saw me standing at my full height—177 cm—they paused. I wasn't even at my full potential yet, not as Satoru Gojo .
Bruce Wayne, now fully in his civilian persona, stepped forward with a serious face and said,

— “Hello. Alfred told me you needed my help. What do you need? And how do you know who I am?”

I was just about to answer when the kid beside him jumped in.

— “What do you mean he knows who we are? And who the hell are you , anyway?”

Before I could say anything, Alfred quickly cut in.

— “Language, Master Dick.”
Grayson immediately looked down, slightly embarrassed.

— “Sorry, Alfred…” he muttered.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

— “Hahaha! Alright, let me explain. I'm Satoru Gojo—and I know who you are because I come from another universe where you're part of a comic book franchise.”

Dick stared at me like I was insane.

— “That's ridiculous. You expect us to beli—”

Bruce cut him off.

— “Makes sense.”

Dick blinked, confused.

— “Wait… is it really?”

Bruce nodded slightly, still calm and collected.

— “It's not the most logical explanation, no—but a random kid shows up at my front door, knows both my identities, and asks for help? That’s enough to consider the possibility. Still, I want to hear more. I need to verify your story .”  I looked at him with a smug face and said.

— “Well, if that's the case, I’m going to need something sweet to eat. My brain’s melting right now.”

Everyone looked at me with blank expressions.

— “I’ll find something for you then, young Satoru,” Alfred said politely.

— “Bring it to the cave, Alfred. And you—follow me,” Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, ordered.

I nodded and followed him. Dick started running after us, giggling like a kid on a field trip.

Moments later, in the Batcave...

As I walked deeper into the cave, I couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed at everything around me. I mean, come on—it’s the Batcave. Just like in the movies. You know, Christian Bale, Michael Keaton… the dream come true.

When we reached the Batcomputer, Bruce gestured for me to sit in a chair. Then he began, straight to the point (as expected):

— “Start talking. How is it that you come from another universe where we’re comic book characters?”

Direct. Cold. Batman-like.

— “Well,” I began casually, “I was just trying to sleep in my room when I was suddenly teleported into this weird white space. There, an entity of immense power told me that another universe needed help. He offered me two wishes. So, I asked for the powers of a character from a manga—Satoru Gojo. And for the second wish, I asked to be teleported in front of your door in this universe.”

I finished with a shrug, like this was just another Tuesday. Of course, I was lying. I mean, I couldn’t exactly tell them that the all-mighty was just bored and wanted to have fun.

Batman was about to say something when the boy wonder interrupted him:

— “But why did you ask to be teleported here and not somewhere else, like to Superman or something?”

Batman gave Dick a glare that sent chills down his spine.

— “Well, for starters, I probably don’t exist in this universe, so the only person with the money and resources to make me exist is Bruce Wayne. I mean, do you really think the guy in blue with red panties on the outside could help me create a new identity out of thin air?” I replied, completely calm.

Bruce was about to speak again when the elevator opened, and Alfred stepped out carrying a tray full of desserts—and a coffee maker.

— “Master Bruce, Master Richard, young Satoru… Here is your late dessert.”

Dick and I looked at Alfred with sparkles in our eyes, desperately craving something sweet.

— “ Thanks, Alfred ,” Dick and I said in unison.

— “Glad to help, and happy to bring you joy with something so small… Would you like some coffee, young man?” Alfred asked.

— “Could it be coffee with milk, please?” I asked with hope

— “Of course, young Satoru.” He replied

— “Aw man, you’re awesome, Alfred,” I said with genuine relief.

Bruce Wayne was about to speak again when suddenly a Zeta Tube activated—I think that’s what it’s called in the DC Universe. The Zeta Tube is a teleportation system they invented to travel quickly between cities and the Watchtower.

Someone was arriving.

Imagine my surprise when the bot that announces teleportation spoke:

“Recognized: Wonder Woman, 03.”

Bruce turned to look at the Zeta Tube just as Wonder Woman appeared, flying in fast.

— “Hey boys, how are you doing?” she said as she landed. She was about to kiss Bruce, but then she saw Dick and me casually eating brownies and cookies, me holding a cup of coffee in my hand. I looked amazing, by the way.

She blinked, looked at Bruce, and asked:

— “Who is he? And why are you without your mask... or the Boy Wonder?”

Batman sighed and started explaining to the demigoddess the same thing I had just told them.

— “How do you expect us to believe what you're saying is true?” she asked, clearly skeptical.

Oh, I knew exactly how I was going to answer that.

— “Let me play something funny to demonstrate,” I said as I stood up. I cleared my throat and pitched my voice high, trying to sound girly:

— “Don’t you ever wish to be down there?”

Then I dropped my voice and, using two fingers like bat ears on my head, said:

— “I’m down there all I need to be.”

Then girly again:

— “Yes, but it’s just a job to you. I’m talking about going down and having some fun ... maybe… maybe…” I tucked my imaginary hair behind my ear, pretending to be shy, and said: “Someone special…”

Then I dropped the voice again, more serious:

— “No. No dating for the Batman.”

I kept going, deepening my voice and putting on the little bat ears again:

— “One: Dating within the team always leads to disaster. Two: You are a princess of a society of immortal warriors… and I’m a kid with issues. Lots of issues.”

I finished my little performance and looked at them.

Wonder Woman and Batman were frozen, stunned. And I mean, can you blame them? That had to be a real conversation that happened in this universe. So how would I know that if I wasn’t from here?

Either it already happened in their timeline, or this universe isn’t exactly the one I know.

Either way… I got the reaction I wanted.

Dick looked amused and confused.
Alfred, as always, had a blank expression.
Wonder Woman looked embarrassed.
And Bruce Wayne... was frowning directly at me.

I started again saying — “ I can sing too if that was not enough” I cleared my throat again and started — “ I am blue, I am B-” I was abruptly interrupted by Bruce Wayne, — “ Enough”. He said seriously, so I continued — “ Okay okay, don't get mad at me, you asked me to prove that I was telling the truth, Believe now?” I asked, trying to lighten up the mood a little bit. 

— “ Ahgg. Look Batman". I said with a sigh to continue — “ I just want you to adopt me and train me to help control my powers. I want to fight the good fight” I said with determination looking into his eyes. He looked at me matching my gaze with his frown.

Wonder woman and dick were in the middle of this confrontation, they shared a look of concern between each other.

— “What are your powers?” Bruce asked with a serious expression and concern trying to discover if my possible abilities were a problem. I looked at him and the rest of the people dead serious and spoke.

— “ I have the power of the blessed sorcerer of the modern age with the Six Eyes and the limitless technique. I can turn the space into reality and bend it to my will.”  Cool line right? — “ But right now I don´t even know how to use my curse energy,” I finished sticking my tongue jokingly. Dick looked at me with a dead pan face and said — “ Just when you were being cool you ruined it”. — “ What can you do with your eyes exactly and what is this… curse energy you're talking about?”. Bruce continued

— “ MMMM Well for starter my Six eyes grant me the ability to see 360° and to see everything in high quality and feed me with extreme detail of how everything works and I can't turn them off that's why I asked Alfred for something sweet, the sugar helps my brain, and curse energy is the negativity that is in the air produced by humans in that world, here there is no curse energy out in the world but I can access to it because of how my physic works.”. I said with a thoughtful demeanor.

— “ Well I cannot help you with your powers but I can help train your body so you can fight properly with your fist”. Bruce said seriously.

— “ Thank you Bruce… Is it okay for me to call you Bruce right?”. I asked with intrigued — “ Of course you can, after all you are my new ward”. he said with a side smile. — “ Nice, welcome to the family.” Dick said while lifting his fist to bump it. I look at it and then smile and with full teeth. — “ Thank you”  and bump it too.

— "Tell me, do you know the future thanks to this being a comic book to you?" Bruce asked, always wanting backup plans for his backup plans.

— "The entity erased everything that was going to happen in this universe, but yeah, before coming here, I knew it for sure," I told him.

— "But don’t be sad, Bruce. Since I’m here, I’ll be your backup plan for your backup plan… once I get my powers and abilities figured out," I finished with a smirk.

— “Wait, before we continue… How are you going to hide the fact that he’s your new ward when you’re out there fighting crime? I mean, a white-haired boy isn’t exactly common in Gotham,” said Dick, thinking aloud.

— “Well, that’s true. So… do you know someone named Zatanna?” I asked, looking at Bruce.

— “Why?” he replied, raising an eyebrow.

— “Because maybe she could make me some kind of necklace that hides my white hair from normal people. You know, like an illusion charm or something. That way I can have a public identity different from your new ward’s real name too.”

— “Zatanna is eleven years old. I doubt she knows how to cast that kind of spell,” Bruce said flatly.

— “Well… that’s not always the case…” I muttered, clearly disappointed.

— “But her father, Zatara, is part of the League. I could ask him instead,” he added with a small smirk.

— “Awesome!” I replied, perking up immediately.

Just then, Alfred interrupted everything with his calm but commanding presence.

— “Since everything seems settled for now, how about Master Richard and Master Satoru go to sleep? It’s quite late, and Master Richard has school tomorrow.”

— “Aw, Alfred. What a killjoy,” Dick said with a sigh.

— “Yeah, you’re right, Alfred. I’m yawn pretty tired,” I said, yawning softly.

— “Follow me, Master Satoru. I’ll show you to your new room,” Alfred said gently.

— “Thank you, Alfred,” I replied, as I started following him and Dick toward the elevator.

Third Person Point of View – With Batman and Wonder Woman

Wonder woman looked at Bruce and kissed him softly and said. — “ I'll go to our bedroom, kid with issues”. And started walking to the elevator while moving her hips sensually. Bruce watched it with a dumb look in his face and followed her.

Gotham city 

February 7 2008

8:10 AM

First Person Point of View

I woke up in a strange bedroom, wondering where I was, when suddenly everything from yesterday came rushing back. I smiled and said,
— “Awesome.”

I reached the huge door of the biggest room I’d ever been in and opened it.

I walked down the hallways, following the most delicious breakfast smell I had ever smelled. When I finally arrived at the dining room, I saw a large table. Bruce was sitting at the head, Diana to his right, Dick to his left, and the table was full of amazing-smelling food.

Bruce saw me coming in and said,
— “Good morning, Satoru.”

The rest followed.
— “Hey man, what’s up?” Dick said with a grin.
— “Hope you slept well, boy,” Diana said politely.

— “Good morning, everyone,” I replied cheerfully.

— “Have a seat,” Bruce said, pointing to the chair next to Grayson.

I sat down, waiting for Bruce to start talking.

— “I talked to Zatara,” he began. “He said he’ll make that necklace for you, so you can start living outside.”

— “Nice! That was fast though,” I said, surprised.

— “Indeed. Zatara is a good friend and a very skilled sorcerer. If everything goes as planned, he’ll have it ready by the end of the week. That means you can start school at Gotham Academy next week.”

— “Have you finished creating my new identity as your ward?” I asked curiously.

— “I’ve called in a few favors. Your new identity is in progress. I’ve already picked your new name and built a background story for you.”

Wow. That was fast—even for his standards. I thought

— “How did you do it so quickly, I mean… you know?” I asked, genuinely curious.
— “I have my methods,” he replied with a smirk.
— “I only ask because I was pretty sure you were… having fun all night, you know.” I added, smirking even wider.

Diana turned redder than a tomato, and Dick made a face like he was about to puke.
— “Ewwww…” Dick groaned.

Bruce’s smirk instantly turned into a frown.
— “How?” he asked, suspicious.

— “Good eyes, remember?” I said, pointing at my face.

— “Relax, Bruce. I didn’t actually see anything. I put one foot on the bed and passed out instantly. I just guessed… but I guess I was right?”

Before anyone could say anything, I quickly changed the subject.
— “So, what’s my new name?”

— “Glad you asked,” Bruce said. “Your name will be Haruto. Son Haruto.”

Pretty standard, but it’ll work perfectly.
— “Good one. Thank you.”

Now things were about to get interesting.
— “What about training?” I asked, leaning in slightly.

Bruce answered immediately.
— “I was hoping you’d ask. We’ll start as soon as we finish eating.”

Dick jumped in.
— “Aw man, I wish I could watch him kick your face in… but I have to go to school.”

— “Thanks, Dick. Appreciate the encouragement,” I said with mock sincerity.

 Dick giggled at this. So we kept eating, and honestly, I was dying to know what was coming next.

Half an hour later, in the Batcave…

I was in a training outfit, standing in front of Bruce and listening to the new routine he had prepared for me.

— “You’re in good shape, but I’m putting you through a set of exercises to make you stronger and more agile. You look stiff,” he said firmly. “After all the physical workouts, we’ll focus on your katas and fighting form. Then, you’ll train your energy through meditation.”

And just like that, I began my journey to become the strongest.

2 hours later…

I was completely fried—melted onto the floor, breathing heavily while Bruce stood over me, arms crossed.

— “Aghh… I’m roasted,” I panted.

— “You did well for your first day,” Bruce said calmly. “You’re in good shape, like I thought. But if you really want to be the strongest, you’ve gotta work harder than anyone else.”

— “Yeah… I know,” I muttered, still catching my breath.

— “Now refresh yourself, then start meditating—and tell me what you see.” He ordered, and I nodded.

I sat down, crossed my legs, and focused. I slowed my breathing… felt my heartbeat… focused on my eyes, on my core.

And then—everything became clear .

I could sense everything. Bruce to my right. Alfred in the kitchen back at the manor, cooking. The birds outside.

And at the center of it all… was me.
A flame of energy pulsing from within.

“ That must be my curse energy, ” I thought, almost trembling with excitement.

I snapped my eyes open, now glowing surrounded by blue energy.

— “So, you unlocked it?” Bruce asked, though he already knew the answer.

— “Yeah, looks like I awakened my cursed energy,” I said while staring at my hand, admiring the new energy flowing around it.

When the anime/manga said that Satoru was a prodigy who could pull things off on the first try, I thought it was just exaggeration. But now, having his mind and power as my own… I realized it wasn’t. It really was that easy.
I just hoped I could learn reverse cursed energy without having to be near death.

I stopped rambling and looked directly at Bruce.

— “Wait, you can see the cursed energy?” I asked, surprised.

— “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be able to?” Bruce replied, raising an eyebrow.

— “Well, in its original universe, people couldn’t actually see cursed energy. Even top-tier sorcerers could only sense it. The only one who could really see it… was the one with my eyes. I guess that logic doesn’t apply here,” I said, deep in thought.

— “How about we test out that energy of yours? Can you still fight, kid?” Bruce asked with a smirk.

— “Can you keep up, old man?” I shot back, flashing a smug grin.

So, we kept training—this time with my cursed energy unlocked.

One week later…

Gotham city 

February 14 2008

6:10 PM

I had spent the whole week learning how to fight and control my energy.
Let me tell you—it was hella fun , and honestly? Pretty easy.

This body is awesome .

This week, I officially started at Gotham Academy, so my training routine got adjusted to take place after school.
School was pretty standard... except for the part where I was in the spotlight, thanks to being Bruce Wayne’s new ward.

As for my cover, the necklace Zatara gave me worked perfectly—it makes me look, to normal people, like a regular Japanese guy: black hair, brown eyes. Super standard. The only thing is that I had to request Bruce for a special pair of SUPER dark sun glasses to lessen the burden in my eyes with the excuse to the institution that I had fotosensitivity.

And so days passed… then weeks… and eventually, months.
Within two months of training, I finally learned to control my Jujutsu technique—enough to use the neutral aspect of Limitless and a weaker version of Blue .
It was both easy and tough, but I managed.

After four more months, I had nearly mastered Blue and refined the neutral aspect of limitless enough to have solid defense and attack power in combat.

Six month later…

Gotham city 

August 15 2008

10:35 PM

Dick and I were in the Batcave, waiting for Bruce.
Today was the day I would finally make my debut as a hero— Limitless , my hero name. We were both excited. This was going to be awesome.

We heard the elevator open, so we turned our heads toward the sound—and there he was: Bruce Wayne, suited up in full Batman gear, carrying a briefcase with glowing blue eyes on the side.

Batman placed the briefcase on the desk by the Batcomputer and opened it.
Inside, I saw my hero suit. Well, it wasn’t anything too fancy—I didn’t want something flashy or weird.

There were five items inside:

• For the lower part, there were black martial arts shoes with white soles, and loose-fitting black pants.
  
  
• For the upper part, the classic Satoru Gojo-style jacket, a fitted black training T-shirt, and a black elastic bandage to cover my eyes.
  
  

Throughout the month, I had trained to fight with my eyes fully covered.

So now I was ready to begin.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 1:
This where the fun begins

Gotham city
July 4 2010
12:00 PM

Third Person Point of View
It was a sunny July day in Gotham. Families were celebrating Independence Day with joy. In Gotham Park, everything was going well—until people suddenly started screaming and running for their lives.
Why?
Well, Mr. Freeze had arrived to attack. And, not to be too obvious about it... he tried to freeze everyone.
A woman was trying to escape but tripped over a rock and fell. Behind her stood Mr. Freeze in all his towering height, casting a shadow over her. She turned to face him and panicked.
Mr. Freeze, being the creepy guy he is, finally spoke:
— “It seems today is not your lucky day, is it? Nothing personal, my dear, but you’re in my way.”
He began to aim his ice cannon at her.
The woman screamed for help, but no one seemed to come. Mr. Freeze fired his cannon, a blast of freezing mist filling the air. But as the smoke cleared, all he saw was an empty block of ice.
He looked around, confused, searching for the woman who had somehow escaped his attack.
Until he heard a voice behind him:
— “Did you lose something?”
Mr. Freeze turned and saw a snow-white-haired boy dressed in black, with a black elastic cloth covering his eyes.
— “YOU!” he shouted in rage.
— “ME!” I shouted back, enjoying myself.
Then I looked to my right and saw the same frightened woman, now safe but still disoriented.
— “You okay, ma’am?” I asked gently. She looked at me and nodded, thankful.
Just then, something hit the glass on Mr. Freeze’s suit—and I heard a laugh.
— “Stop playing around, man. Today’s the day,” I said.
— “I know, I know,” Robin replied, jumping onto Mr. Freeze’s head and knocking him down. He followed up with a few Birdarangs aimed at the helmet.
— “Hurry, hurry, today’s the big day!” Robin said with excitement.
Mr. Freeze groaned, — “Boy Wonder… young heroes are getting more impatient these days.”
— “Not talking to you, Ice Head,” I replied with a grin.
Just then, Batman appeared, landing with a heavy thud and knocking Mr. Freeze out with a single blow.
— “Nice,” Robin said, bumping fists with me.

Washington D.C.
July 4 2010
2:00 PM
We were in Washington D.C.—more precisely, in the Hall of Justice—alongside the other superheroes from the Justice League and their protégés.
Batman stood with Dick and me, Green Arrow with Speedy, and Aquaman with Aqualad.
We were all waiting for Flash and Kid Flash, who—unsurprisingly—were late.
— “Today is the day,” Batman said with a rare smile, placing a hand on Robin’s and my shoulders.
Green Arrow followed with, “Welcome to the Hall of Justice.”
— “The headquarters of the Justice League,” Aquaman finished proudly.
— “Aw man…” we heard from behind us.
We turned around and saw Flash and Kid Flash arriving. I had sensed them just moments before.
— “I knew we’d be the last ones here,” Kid Flash said with a frown.
Once we were all gathered, we began walking toward the entrance to the Hall of Justice.
As we got closer, paparazzi and fans started murmuring, pointing cameras and phones our way, snapping pictures.
I was in my own world, admiring everything like one of those fans—taking it all in.
I mean, can you blame me?
I was in the freaking Hall of Justice.
Green Arrow nudged Speedy.
— “Ready to see the inner sanctum?”
— “Born ready,” Speedy replied.
Aqualad said,
— “Glad we’re all here.”
Kid Flash added,
— “Have all five of us ever been in the same place at the same time before?”
Speedy, clearly annoyed, cut in with a scowl:
— “Don’t call us sidekicks… not after today.”
That attitude of his... I found it very disturbing, I thought. Not just that—his aura or something... it gives me the creeps.
Kid Flash looked apologetic.
— “Sorry… first time at the Hall. I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
— “You’re overwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why is everyone just... whelmed?” Robin quipped.
— “In that, you’re definitely right my guy,” I added, hands behind my head in full chill-mode.
— “You guys just need to chillax.”
As we finally entered the Hall, I lifted the edge of my blindfold a bit, just to take in the breathtaking architecture inside—the statues of the founding members towering above us.
Awesome was the only word that came to mind.
We reached a large set of doors, where we were greeted by Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado.
— “Robin, Limitless, Speedy, Aqualad, and Kid Flash… welcome,” said Manhunter in his signature calm, slow voice.
While we were being guided through what seemed like a library by Manhunter, I completely zoned out, lost in random thoughts...
Suddenly, I snapped back to reality just in time to hear Speedy raise his voice:
— “That’s it?” he asked angrily.
— “You promised us a real look inside—not just a glorified backstage pass.”
Aquaman stepped in, trying to calm things down:
— “It’s a first step. You’ve been granted access to something very few people ever have.”
But Speedy wasn’t having it:
— “What’s the difference which side of the glass we’re on?”
Green Arrow tried to soothe him:
— “Roy, you just need to be patient.”
— “What I need is respect,” Speedy cut him off sharply.
— “They’re treating us like kids. Worse—like sidekicks. We deserve more than this.”
The rest of us looked at each other like what the hell is he talking about?
Then Speedy kept going:
— “You’re kidding, right? You’re all just playing their game?”
I sighed, shaking my head.
— “Agh. You should really stop whining, man.”
He turned to me sharply, but I kept going:
— “No offense, but… do you really think you deserve to stand up there with them—the strongest heroes on the planet?”
I chuckled.
— “Please. You’re too weak to be there—with that stick up your a—”
— “Limitless,” Batman interrupted me sternly.
I raised my hands innocently and corrected myself:
— “What I meant to say is… with that kind of attitude, you don’t deserve to be anywhere near them. Maybe when you grow up and stop acting like a baby, you’ll be ready to play with the big shots.”
I finished with a smug grin.
Roy stared at me, furious.
— “You’re being a fool. This isn’t even their real HQ. This is just a tourist trap. Their real headquarters is a satellite orbiting Earth. You can only get there by Zeta-Tube.”
He revealed it like it was some big secret.
I raised an eyebrow.
— “So… you’re throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get what you wanted immediately? Seriously?”
I stepped forward until I was right in front of him—eye level, or mask level. I was taller than him, so I had to look down slightly to match his gaze.
The rest of the protégés were stunned—trying to process the part about the League’s real headquarters… and watching our confrontation with growing tension.
Meanwhile, Batman was glaring at Green Arrow, who scratched the back of his head.
— “I know, I know. But I thought we could make an exception…”
Batman’s glare intensified.
Green Arrow sighed, defeated:
— “Or… not.”
Aquaman stepped forward and said,
— “You’re not helping your case here, son.”
— “Oh really? What, you're gonna send me to my room?” Roy snapped back. “I’m not your son. I’m not even his,” he finished, pointing at Green Arrow.
— “I don’t even think I’m his partner anymore,” he added angrily, throwing his hat to the floor in frustration before storming off without looking back.
The other protégés watched in surprise, a hint of sadness on their faces.
As Roy walked away, he muttered something under his breath that none of us could quite catch.
Suddenly, the computer console began beeping loudly.
Superman appeared on screen, contacting the Hall of Justice to report an incident at Project Cadmus. Batman was about to share some of his suspicions about the lab when Zatara, the Justice League's sorcerer, cut in over the comms. He was requesting urgent backup—something about Wotan trying to mess with the sun.
Honestly, I didn’t catch all the details. I kinda tuned it out.
Then, the Justice League members who were present at the Hall stepped into the Zeta Tubes and disappeared, heading off to assist Zatara.
The protégés stood up from the sofas, ready to teleport too—but Batman stayed behind and spoke firmly:
— “Stay put.” he ordered.
— “But—” Robin began, but Batman cut him off:
— “You're not ready to fight with this team yet. So for now... stay put.”
His tone left no room for argument.
Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Robin exchanged disappointed looks.
— “When we're ready…” Kid Flash muttered with a snort.
— “How are we supposed to be ready if they only treat us… like sidekicks?”
— “My mentor, my king… I thought he trusted me,” Aqualad said, his voice heavy with sadness.
— “Trust us? They don’t even trust us with the basics,” Kid Flash added bitterly.
Before anyone else could speak, I stepped forward and placed a hand on Aqualad’s shoulder.
— “Look, guys… I don’t think Speedy was right.”
Robin was about to interrupt, but I raised a hand to stop him.
— “Wait, Rob. I’m not saying the League is ready. But we need to understand something: it’s not about trust in our individual skills. We all could be on the team if it was just about that. But what we don’t have is team experience. They probably want us to train in a controlled environment, to learn how to cooperate—not just as pairs like we do with our mentors, but as a larger team… maybe ten, fifteen people. That’s not easy when you’re used to flying solo or with just one person.”
They all listened silently, processing my words.
Kid Flash finally spoke,
— “I get that, Satoru… I do. I just wish they’d—”
His words trailed off, the frustration too much to finish.
I looked around at them with a small grin,
— “Okay, so... we can either keep whining about being left behind or... we can let Rob hack the Hall of Justice computer and find out what’s going on with that fire at Cadmus.”
Robin smirked instantly and pulled up the system, fingers already flying across the keyboard.
— “If you guys are going, I’m going! I mean—we’re gonna crush it!” Kid Flash shouted, bouncing with excitement.
Aqualad, ever the disciplined soldier, hesitated.
— “But… they told us to stay put.”
— “They meant for the sun problem, not Cadmus,” Robin replied, not missing a beat.
— “It’s poetic justice. Come on, let’s go.”
— “Wait… just like that? We’re a team on a mission?” Aqualad asked.
— “Well, of course! How do you think the Justice League was founded?” I said with a grin as we headed toward Cadmus.
When we arrived at Cadmus, a few firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire. In one of the building’s windows, two scientists were shouting for help, clearly panicking.
First Person Point of View:
—“This is going to be awesome,” I thought as we pulled up to Cadmus.
Kid Flash, of course, ran ahead at full speed to help the scientists, who were about to fall—just as the building exploded.
Thankfully, he got to them in time, but he couldn’t stop properly because of his momentum. He tossed the scientists safely onto the rooftop, but lost his footing and ended up hanging from the edge of a window.
Right behind the corner, Aqualad, Robin, and I arrived at the scene just in time to see Kid Flash dangling.
—“Does he always have to run ahead?” Aqualad asked, clearly annoyed.
—“Classic Kid Flash. Runs in without thinking, then needs to be rescued,” I said with a smirk.
—“We have to formulate a plan,” Aqualad started—but when he turned to his right, he noticed Robin had already vanished.
—“Don’t bother, Aqualad. He always does that,” I said casually. “I’ll grab the scientists on the roof and catch up with Kid and Rob.”
—“See you there,” Aqualad replied, running toward the firefighters and borrowing some water to help him scale the building.
While we were talking, Robin had already saved Kid Flash with his usual acrobatics.
—“Well, let’s get started,” I said, putting my hands together in a serpent hand sign, just like in Naruto.
I reappeared on the rooftop, grabbed the two scientists, and floated down to the ground with them. Then, I teleported inside the building to join the others.
I appeared out of nowhere with my teleportation right behind Kid Flash, scaring the shit out of him. He jumped and threw a punch at my face, but I stopped it with my Infinity.
— "Duuude, don’t scare me like that," Kid Flash complained.
— "Or be more aware of your surroundings next time," I replied with a smug grin.
Aqualad, who was outside the room, came in to tell us that something — or someone — weird was on the elevator.
— "The elevator should be locked down," Kid said.
— "Robin hacked the elevator," I added, as Robin sprinted off to do just that.
Robin lifted his left arm and said:
— "Thought so. This is a high-speed elevator, which doesn't make sense. High-speed elevators are made for tall buildings, not two-story ones."
— "Neither does what I saw," Aqualad added while reaching for the elevator doors to open them.
When we looked inside, we were surprised to see a deep hole.
— "Guess we now know why they'd do something like that," I said with a whistle.
Robin pulled out his grapple gun, hooked it to the roof, and started going down. Aqualad and then Kid Flash followed using their own grapples, while I floated down beside them.
Robin kept descending until he reached the end of his rope at floor level 26, where we stopped to wait for him to hack the force-block door so Aqualad could open it.
When we climbed out of the elevator shaft, we were faced with the real Cadmus.
— "Welcome to Project Cadmus," Robin said with sarcasm.
Kid Flash started running ahead again, so we followed him.
When we caught up, he was on the floor, nearly getting splattered by… some gorillas on steroids?
One of the gorillas had a tiny monkey with horns that started glowing, numbing our senses.
— "Nothing is going on here," Aqualad said with an off-tone and a blank expression.
Later on...
The four of us reached a big door.
— "What the...," I started to say, lifting my blindfold slightly to reveal my left eye, but I couldn’t finish.
— "What?" Kid Flash asked with concern.
— "There are a lot of things in there... living things," I finished, a hint of surprise in my voice.
— "How do you know?" Aqualad asked, intrigued.
— "My eyes... they feed me a lot of information. I can see in a wide radius — not just what’s in front of me. I have perfect 360° vision," I said in a teaching tone, then continued.
— "But that’s not the important part. What’s behind this door... are creatures. Nothing I’ve ever seen or felt before."
— "Got it," Robin said, as he hacked the door open.
— "Officially overwhelmed," Robin said when he saw what was inside the room.
We entered and started looking at what seemed like flying mosquito batteries. While the others were discussing what they were, I was spacing out, trying to figure out what those things were made of.
— "These are living weapons!" Robin exclaimed, surprising me and interrupting my thoughts.
I moved closer to Robin’s holo-arm computer to see what had caught his attention. Telepathy, strength... Indeed, living weapons.
— "Wait, there’s something else," he said, starting to search again.
— "Project Kr... Argh, the file is triple-encrypted. I ca—" Robin was saying, but got interrupted.
— "Don't move!" a voice shouted from our left.
We turned to see who it was and saw what looked like demon monkeys... with Guardian?
— "Wait... Robin, Limitless, Aqualad, Kid Flash?" he asked incredulously.
— "Guess he got the names right," Robin said, mocking Kid Flash.
— "What is a hero doing here? Better question: what is this Guardian?" I asked him.
— "I do my best. I’m the chief of security here," Guardian replied, convinced he was doing the right thing.
— "We could call the League to sort this out," Guardian tried to say, but Kid Flash cut him off.
— "You think the Justice League is going to approve of this?" he started.
— "That you're breeding living weapons?" he asked with a frown.
— "Weapons...? What are—" Guardian began, but the little monkey’s horn started glowing, numbing him.
Guardian grabbed his head and shouted:
— "Take them down hard!" He commanded the other G-gnomes.
And then the fight exploded. Robin threw a smoke bomb and grappled away. Kid Flash was being attacked by the G-gnome monkeys alongside Aqualad.
Me? …Well, I was surrounded by Guardian and a small group of those monkeys. I smirked and taunted them with a wave of my hand.
They jumped at me from all directions, but it wasn’t much of a problem. I spun in place and started kicking them away. I ducked under one monkey and came up with a weak uppercut that sent Guardian flying.
I paused for a second to sense my surroundings.
— "Shit," I thought before shouting.
— "Aqualad, Kid, I’ll clear a path to Robin—more of these things are coming!"

I blew away some of the smoke with my technique and ran toward the elevator Robin had opened.
— "Way to be a team player, Rob," Kid Flash said with sarcasm as we entered the elevator.
— "Weren’t you right behind me?" Robin replied.
Aqualad looked at the numbers on the elevator screen, realizing something.
— "We’re going down…" he said, confused.
— "Dude, up is the other way," Kid interrupted before Robin could respond.
— "We’re going to find out what Project Kr is," I said lightly.
— "We are so screwed…" Kid sighed with a frown.
— "Ma, ma," I started. — "Don’t be so pessimistic. After all, I’m here, you know?" I added with a grin and a light tone.
— "We should contact the League," Aqualad began, but before anything else could be said, we had already reached Sub-Level 52.
This place is…
— "What a creepy place," Kid Flash said, stealing the words right out of my brain.
We kept moving forward, scanning for any information we could gather.
I stopped again and said:
— "Guys, follow me."
— "What have you felt?" Robin asked, knowing about my abilities.
— "Something that feels like those things from before... and the big blue boy scout is down that corridor," I finished, already running toward where I was pointing.
— "Stop!" another G-gnome we hadn’t seen before tried to block us, but I threw him away using my Limitless.
The G-gnome got back up, just in time to see the elevator open again—Guardian was there, with more G-gnomes behind him.
— "They’re heading to Project Kr," the blue G-gnome said.
We finally reached the door to Project Kr, just as a doctor was coming out. Kid Flash accidentally tackled her and jammed a barrel into the closing door to keep it open.
We slipped in, with Aqualad kicking the barrel to let the door close. Robin quickly hacked the system to block it—now we were kinda trapped inside.
— "We're trapped," Aqualad said, being the Captain Obvious that he is.
— "Uh… guys… you’ll want to see this," Kid Flash said before we could keep complaining.
We turned around to see a pod with a boy inside.
— "Robin, hack," I said firmly.
— "On it," Robin replied, immediately working to find out what this was.
While the others discussed everything, I stepped closer to the pod to analyze Project Kr with my eyes.
I caught part of what Robin was saying about it.
— "Weapon designation: Superboy. He’s a clone of Superman, forced to grow in…" Robin trailed off, his eyes widening.
— "Sixteen weeks?"
— "I don’t think the big guy knows about this," Kid Flash said.
— "What are those things doing?" Aqualad asked, eyeing the small creatures.
Robin was about to explain, but I beat him to it.
— "Telepathic G-gnomes. I think they’re feeding him information." Robin nodded at that.
— "I hate your eyes sometimes," he muttered.
— "What can I say? I’m awesome," I replied with a grin.
Something piqued my attention from inside the pod—the G-gnomes' horns were glowing.
— "That's a bad sign," I thought. Then I looked at Robin, dead serious, and said:
— "Wake him up."
— "On it," Robin replied, already working on it.
The pod opened with a hiss as smoke spread out—the pressure inside had been lower.
And finally, we saw him: Superboy. He looked like a teenage Superman… kinda obvious, though.
His first movement was curling his fingers into a fist. Then, he snapped his eyes open—filled with anger—and launched himself at Aqualad. But I was faster.
Superboy was stopped by an invisible force—my infinity. He glared at me, trying to punch, but couldn’t reach me.
— "What a way to say thank you," Kid Flash said with his usual sarcasm.
Superboy snorted in frustration.
— "Superboy, calm down. We’re here to help you," Aqualad intervened.
But Superboy didn’t listen. He pulled back, jumped again… and again, was stopped by my infinity.
I put a finger to my chin, thinking about how to calm him down.
— "That’s it," I thought, snapping my fingers and turning to the G-gnomes floating inside their crystal eggs.
— "Robin, throw some explosives into the pod," I ordered.
Robin looked at me for a second, then nodded.
— "On it," he said, tossing a few explosive birdarangs.
The pod exploded. Superboy immediately dropped to his knees, drained of strength.
— "How did you know that?" Kid Flash asked, staring at me with wide eyes.
— "Beautiful eyes, remember?" I said, tapping my blindfold.
— "Those G-gnomes’ horns were glowing when Superboy woke up. I figured maybe they were the reason for his rage.".
I came closer to Superboy, placing a hand on his shoulder.
— "Are you calm now?"
— "Yeah… just disoriented," Superboy replied, his voice weak.
I grinned at that.
— "He can talk?" Kid Flash asked, unsure.
— "Yes, I can," Superboy replied, a bit annoyed.
— "Don’t antagonize the guy who can fry us with his eyes," Robin advised.
— "In my defense, I didn’t say it," Kid finished quickly.
I snorted and laughed.
— "Hahaha, even though this is funny, there are some assholes outside trying to grab our butts. So how about we break free and kick some ass to the surface?" I said with a wide smile.
Aqualad, Kid, and Robin looked at me with matching smug grins.
— "Yeah," they said in unison.
Aqualad turned to the still-kneeling Superboy and offered a hand.
— "You helping? We can show you Superman… and the outside world."
Superboy smirked, took the hand, stood up, cracked his knuckles, and said:
— "Let’s go."
I walked up to the door and gave some advice.
— "Stay behind me."
Then, I showed them a display of my raw power.
I extended my hand until my palm was flat against the door and released a surge of my technique, carving a hole through the thick steel.

Meanwhile, outside...
A scientist—clearly the mad one in charge—was pacing nervously.
— "How long do I have to wait for you to open this thing?" he complained to the massive gorilla G-gnomes in front of the door.
But before anyone could answer, the door suddenly exploded—blasted open by my technique. The shockwave sent the gorillas and the scientist flying.
— "Hardcore," Kid Flash said with a smile.
— "This isn’t the time to admire me—it’s time to run!" I shouted as we charged out.

We started running toward the elevator, dodging monkeys at relatively high speed.
When we reached it, Superboy punched the door open, grabbed Aqualad, and jumped—trying to fly.
To his dismay, and our confusion, he started falling.
— "I can't… fly…” he muttered, sadness in his voice and clear confusion on his face.
Aqualad and Superboy began to plummet, but Robin, looking panicked, threw a birdarang toward the wall near them. Aqualad managed to grab it, still holding the dazed Superboy at his side.
— "Well, you can't fly, but you can leap tall buildings. Cool enough," Kid Flash said, trying to comfort him.
I reached them, already floating with my limitless.
— "It’s okay, Supie. We’ll help you figure out why you can’t fly," I said gently.
I glanced at the floor number.
— "Fifteenth floor," I read aloud.
Apparently Robin saw it too and started — "Perfect, let's g—”
— "Move!" I shouted, cutting him off.
I grabbed everyone and yanked them through the elevator shaft door onto the fifteenth floor.
They looked back, confused—until they saw the elevator plummeting at full speed.
They all exhaled in relief.
— "Thank you, man," Kid Flash said.
— "No problem, guys. That’s what I do," I replied with a grin, giving them a thumbs up.
We got back up only to see a horde of G-gnomes coming at us. So we started running, without a specific direction.
— "Go left, left!” shouted Superboy, so we complied.
— "Right!” Supes continued.
But we had to stop. We’d reached a dead-end corridor with a ventilation grill.
— "Great, Supes, you want us to get caught or something?” Kid Flash said with sarcasm.
— "This is perfect,” said Robin, just as he arrived and jumped into the vent.
We kept crawling through the ventilation shafts for a while until we reached another corridor. There, Robin hacked into a motion sensor to fool the mad doctor.
We made it to a door that led us to the auxiliary stairs. Kid Flash ran ahead, knocking out a few G-gnomes to clear a path for us.
While running, Robin shouted — "More behind us!”
Hearing that, Superboy stomped his foot into the stairs, causing them to collapse and making it impossible for the G-gnomes to follow.
We kept running with Kid Flash ahead, leading us toward Sub-level 1. When we caught up to him, he was lying on the floor with a thick door in front of him.
Superboy and Aqualad tried to bust it open, but it was impossible.
Behind us, more large G-gnomes began closing in.
— "Here,” said Robin, opening a single door to his left.
We followed him but ended up in another dead-end, surrounded by a dozen G-gnomes—and Guardian.
— "So this is it,” I thought, preparing to go all out or teleport everyone out.
The others got ready to fight. Aqualad drew his water-bearer into two blades. Robin, Supes, and Kid Flash raised their fists.
Suddenly, something began happening with the G-gnomes. We were deprived of our strength. From among the crowd, the blue telepathic G-gnome stepped forward. He seemed to be talking telepathically with Superboy.
Superboy stood back up and said:
— "I choose… freedom…”
We all got back on our feet and looked at him, then turned to Guardian.
— "Guardian?” Aqualad asked, intrigued.
— "Go. I’ll deal with Desmond,” he replied.
— "I think not.”
Behind everyone, Desmond appeared, holding a small flask filled with a glowing blue liquid.
— "Project Blockbuster will give me the power,” he said, and poured the liquid into his mouth.
What followed was grotesque. The mad doctor transformed into a massive, blue, muscled creature right before our eyes.
— "Everyone… back,” Guardian said, running toward Desmond—only to be bitch-slapped away.
— "That was definitely lame,” I said with a deadpan expression and a bead of sweat rolling down my temple.
Right after that, Superboy launched himself at Blockbuster, landing a left hook to the face—only to be met with a devastating right hook in return.
Looking angrier than before, Supey went for a combo—left, right, left. But again, he was slapped to the ground.
Still not giving up, he jumped at Desmond. But Desmond intercepted him mid-air, crashing through the ceiling and bursting up into the first floor.
I looked at Aqualad, Robin, and Kid Flash and said:
— "Put your hands on my shoulder.”
They complied, and I coated us with my curse energy and infinity. Then, forming a serpent hand sign, I teleported us right behind the battle between Superboy and Blockbuster.
When we reappeared, the first thing we saw was Blockbuster throwing Supey straight at us.
We helped Superboy get up and saw Blockbuster roar in front of us.
Kid Flash ran forward, slipping under Blockbuster's legs and distracting him, allowing Aqualad and Superboy to land hard hits on his face. Thanks to Kid, Blockbuster tripped and fell.
— "I learned that in kindergarten" Kid mocked him.
Robin jumped in, throwing some birdarangs that didn’t do any damage.
I stepped in front of Blockbuster to taunt him into attacking me. I succeeded, as Desmond charged at me with fury. I ducked under his blows and started hitting him repeatedly in the ribs. He tried to crush me with both hands, but I had Infinity active, so no big deal.
Since he was resisting punches, I stopped holding back and began imbuing them with Blue, reinforcing my arms with curse energy and forcing him to stagger back.
Then I charged my left arm, assuming a pose like Yuuji when casting a Black Flash.
I released the punch with all my strength, shouting — "Black… Flash…" just as my fist struck his stomach. Black lightning exploded from the impact, sending Blockbuster flying through the front door, unconscious.
— "Gotta admit, the Black Flash after-effect is intoxicating… I feel like… being high. I could get used to this" I finished my train of thought while running after him, with the others behind me.
Once outside, we saw that it was nearly midnight.
— "Dude… you could have left something for us, you know” said Kid Flash.
I looked at him to apologize. — "Sorry guys, I got pretty excited to finally fight something that could resist my full-strength punches. But I guess I overdid it” I finished, scratching the back of my head.
— "See, that's the moon” said Kid Flash, pointing at it. — "Aaannndd Superman. How’s that? Don’t we keep our promises?”
We looked up to see Superman landing first, with the rest of the flying members of the Justice League behind him. The non-flying members arrived thanks to John, one of the Green Lanterns. The last one to arrive was Flash, since he came running.
The whole Justice League surrounded us, with Superman looking straight at us, Batman on his left and Wonder Woman on his right.
— "Gotta say, this aura gives me the chills.”
Superboy walked toward Superman and lifted his torn solar suit to show the Kal-El family logo.
Superman looked surprised, giving Superboy hope that things might go well — until he saw Superman frown.
— "Is that what I think it is?” asked Batman.
— "He doesn't like to be called an 'it’” said Kid Flash nervously.
— "I am Superman's clone” Supey finally said, surprising even Superman and the entire League.
— "Start talking,” ordered Batman, seriously.
While the protégés started explaining what had happened at Cadmus, I was lost in my thoughts.
Then, after a few minutes, Batman, Flash, Aquaman and Wonder Woman approached us — probably to lecture us.
— "Cadmus will be investigated,” Batman started. — "All 52 levels. But let's make one thing clear…”
He was interrupted by Flash, which made Batman frown at him.
— "You should have called,” Flash said.
— "End result aside, we are not happy. You hacked the League’s systems and endangered lives…” Batman continued. — "You will not do this again” he ended firmly.
— "Sorry, but we will,” Aqualad said.
— "Damn, didn’t think Aqualad had it in him” I thought to myself.
— "Aqualad, stand down,” Aquaman ordered.
Aqualad placed a hand on his chest and replied — "Sorry, my king, but we did good today. Why should we not do this again?”
— "We made a good team, Batman. Why train us if we can't act when needed?” Robin added.
Aqualad then continued — "Together we forged something powerful.”
— "If this is about what happened at the Hall…” Flash began.
— "No, it’s not that” Kid Flash interrupted.
— "Why let them tell us what to do?” Supey said with anger.
— "Ma, ma” I interrupted Superboy, trying to de-escalate things a bit.
— "Listen, maybe we’re not ready to fight the big threats. But the small ones? We’re totally ready. I mean, like Aqualad said — we’re ready to fight with each other. Just let us demonstrate.”
— "Satoru…” Diana said softly.
— "Listen, Diana, Batman — we’re definitely ready. Trust me. We’re more than ready.”
They looked at us seriously.
Happy Harbor
July 8 2010
8:04 AM

A few days later…

Third Person Point of View:

A few members of the Justice League were present — among them Batman, the Lanterns, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, and Flash.
And of course, Superboy, the three protégés, and me.
The five young heroes were dressed in civilian clothes.
First-Person Point of View (Satoru):
I wore a dark, baggy T-shirt and white joggers, along with a pair of extremely dark rectangular glasses. Robin, even in civies, had nearly the same dark sunglasses that I had to hide his identity.
I didn’t need to hide mine, since my civilian name and appearance were completely different — thanks to Zatara.
— "This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. We're putting it back into service, since the five of you want to stick together and fight the good fight” Batman spoke to us. — "But under League terms. Red Tornado volunteered to be your supervisor, Black Canary will handle training, and I’ll be assigning the missions” finished the Dark Knight.
— "Real missions?” asked Robin with skepticism.
— "Yes, but covert,” Batman answered. — "We’ll handle the big stuff… that’s why we wear these target symbols on our chests.”
— "But since Cadmus showed us the bad guys are being more… clever” Aquaman added.
— "Batman needs a team that can operate in secret, to uncover their plans,” added Wonder Woman.
— "The six of you are that team,” clarified Batman.
— "Cool… Wait. Six?…” Robin asked, confused.
I turned around, sensing Manhunter approaching — and someone with a similar presence. The rest followed after me.
Sure enough, we saw Martian Manhunter with a green teenage girl.
— "This is Martian Manhunter’s niece, Miss Martian” finished Batman, introducing her.
— "Hi” she greeted shyly.
— "I’m liking this gig more and more,” said Kid Flash with a smug grin.
Kid Flash ran closer to Miss Martian to introduce everyone.
— "He’s Aqualad” he said, pointing at the Atlantean boy. — "He’s Robin,” he continued, doing the same. — "And he’s Limitless,” he added, motioning toward me. I just waved my hand casually.
— "And the serious guy behind us is Superboy. Hey, Supey, come say hi to Miss Martian” he called, gesturing him over.
— "I’m honored to be included” Miss Martian said with her hand held in front of her chest in a prayer-like gesture.
When Superboy approached, Miss Martian changed the white part of her suit to black.
— "I like your T-shirt,” she said, making Supey smile.
-And Cut-
_____________________________________________________________________

Chapter Text

Chapter 2:

A twisting start

Buenos Aires

July 18 2010

11:33 AM Happy Harbor Time.

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Hey guys, sorry for not talking to you earlier, but with everything that happened on Independence Day, I couldn't reach out.
So, well... These two years were easy rolling. I mean, yeah, it was tough to adapt to my new lifestyle as Satoru Gojo and Bruce Wayne’s new ward — galas and all that shit — but overall? Easy clap.
In these two years, I not only learned to use my Techniques and Cursed Energy, I also took advantage of my Eyes to learn new things I couldn’t in my past life — like playing the piano and other instruments.
One thing I noticed — not to be narcissistic — but I had a beautiful voice. So, probably, my civilian alter ego will be a singer or something. Gotta figure that out in the future.
Another hobby I picked up after learning to teleport was traveling the world to try new foods and see new landscapes. Something I could never do before because of money.

That brings us to what I was doing now — or more precisely, where I was.
I was walking down a street, dressed in casual clothes with my dark glasses on and Headphones hearing some music, in South America — more specifically, in Argentina.
Oh, I forgot to mention: I already knew a bunch of languages from my past life. Spanish was one of them.

So here I was, remembering things, since I was indeed Argentinian in my past life. And let me tell you, Argentina in 2010 was cracked.
I was walking down the main street, eating some empanadas, buying souvenirs and food for my comrades back at the mountain.
Now that I think about it, our team didn’t even have a name... maybe we should decide on one.

— "This is starting to be boring..." I thought, while finishing my last empanada. Guess this is farewell, Argentina.
Now that I had everything I came for — and my stomach was full — I decided it was time to return.
So I put my hands into the Serpent Hand Sign and teleported to the nearest Zeta Tube.

Happy Harbor

July 18 2010

11:16 AM

Third Person Point of View:

Meanwhile, at the mountain.
Robin and Kid Flash arrived at the same time through the Zeta Tube. Inside, in the middle of a mission briefing, were Aqualad, Superboy, and Miss Martian.
They were standing in front of a holographic computer, tracking Red Tornado, who was currently approaching the mountain.

Robin and Kid Flash quickly ran toward the group.
— "Did you ask him?"
— "What did he say?"
Both Robin and Kid Flash asked simultaneously.

— "He's arriving now," Aqualad responded.
— "Then what are we waiting for?" Kid said, taking off in excitement. Robin and Aqualad followed close behind, and a moment later, Miss Martian and Superboy joined as well.

They made their way to the front entrance to greet Red Tornado.
— "Red Tornado!" greeted Kid Flash, waving enthusiastically.
— "Greetings," Red Tornado replied in his usual robotic tone.
— "Is there a reason you intercepted me outside the cave?" he asked, with... curiosity in his voice?

— "We were hoping you had a mission for us," Aqualad said, hopeful.
— "Mission assignments are Batman’s responsibility," Red Tornado replied.
— "But it’s been a wee—" Robin began, but was cut off.
— "For the time being, why don’t you enjoy each other’s company?" Red Tornado finished as he entered the cave.

Later, after a brief tour of the cave...
Everyone was in the kitchen, where Miss Martian had forgotten to take out a batch of cookies she was baking. She had been trying a recipe she saw on a TV show.
The cookies were burned, but Wally ate them all anyway, claiming he had a fast metabolism.

— "It was sweet of you to make any," Aqualad said softly to Miss M, referring to the cookies.
— "Thank you, Aqualad," Miss M replied.
— "We’re off duty," Aqualad began, "Call me Kaldur’ahm. But my friends just call me Kaldur."

Wally jumped in, trying to be charming:
— "I’m Wally… see? I already trust you with my secret I.D."
— "Unlike mister Dark Glasses over here," he added, pointing at Robin.
— "Batman’s forbidden Boy Wonder and Blindfold Boy from revealing their civilian names," he finished, mocking both Robin and Satoru.

— "Mine’s no secret," Miss M began.
— "It’s M’gann M’orzz. But you can call me Megan—it’s an Earth name, and I’m on Earth now," she finished with a smile.

— "Don’t worry, Superboy… we’ll find you an Earth name too," she said telepathically to Superboy.

Superboy groaned and clutched his head, shouting:
— "Get out of my head!"

Megan turned to the others and said telepathically:
— "What’s wrong? I don’t understand… On Mars, everyone communicates telepathically."

Her mental message gave everyone a slight headache.
— "Megan, stop," Kaldur ordered gently. — "Things are different on Earth," he added with comfort in his voice.
— "Oh… sorry," Megan said sadly.

Then she lightly tapped her head and said:
— "Hello, Megan!"

— "I know what we can do! We could fly in my Martian bioship—follow me!" she said, flying toward the hangar.

Meanwhile, with Satoru
Happy Harbor
July 18, 2010
11:37 AM

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Recognized: Limitless B01

I zeta-tubed straight into the cave to bring souvenirs for the rest of the team. I was still wearing the same outfit, with my headphones now resting around my neck.
The first thing I noticed was that the place was empty.
I frowned and muttered:
— "Where is everyone?"

Red Tornado, who happened to be passing by, heard me and answered:
— "Greetings, Limitless. They are attending to something at one of the factories near the coast."

I turned to face him.
— "Yo! Red," I said, lifting my hand in greeting.
— "Thanks, I’ll go help them out," I added before clapping my hands together and teleporting above the cave to search from the sky.

I scanned the area, turning my head left to right until I spotted something small in the distance.
— "A tornado?" I thought incredulously, lowering my shades a bit.
— "Wait for me!" I shouted, starting to fly toward the whirlwind.

A few seconds later, I was just a few meters behind the tornado, and that’s when I saw it: a red robot with a scarf… and inside it, another robot?
— "Interesting," I muttered.

On the ground, I saw my teammates in casual clothes, yelling something at the robot—something that clearly made him angry.
The robot began generating an electric storm, a small whirlwind spinning between his hands.

— "That’s my cue to join the fun," I thought, clapping my hands again and teleporting behind the robot. I kicked the back of its head hard enough to send it crashing to the ground at high speed.

Back with the others…
Third-Person Point of View:

They had just gotten their asses handed to them by the robot inside the factory.
Now, outside, Robin asked Megan to read the robot’s mind and figure out who he was—but she couldn’t.

— "Hello, Megan. He’s Red Tornado in disguise," she said, tapping her head lightly again.
— "I can't read his mind... because he’s a robot!"

The others, feeling betrayed, yelled at the robot, accusing him of being Red Tornado.
The robot didn’t take this well. He growled:

— "You think I’m that weakling? You’re wrong! I AM... Mister Twister !"

He raised his arms and began manipulating the weather again, electricity crackling above him.

— "Guys… I don’t think Red Tornado can make lightning," Wally said nervously.
The others nodded silently in agreement.

— "FEEL… MY WRA— "
Mr. Twister's dramatic monologue was abruptly cut off as Satoru’s flying kick smashed into the back of his head.

The team’s eyes followed Mr. Twister’s ragdoll-like flight through the air, all of them completely disoriented by the sudden turn of events.

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

— " Yo! " I shouted from above as I descended.
— " Limitless! " Everyone called out in relief, rushing toward me as I landed.

— "Where were you, Limitless?" Robin asked.

I looked at him, lifting the bags with a grin.
— "I went shopping... in Argentina."

— "So you were being lazy while we were getting our asses handed to us in a test from Batman?" Kid Flash said.

I looked at him, confused.
— "Test? What test?"

— "This one!" Kid Flash snapped, pointing both hands toward where Mister Twister had been.

— "Mmm… what do you mean?" I asked, still unsure what he was talking about.

Aqualad stepped in to explain:
— "Red Tornado told us we’d be tested soon, so he disguised himself as this ‘Mister Twister’ guy."

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
— "He’s not Tornado."

Kid Flash was about to interrupt, but I stopped him and pointed to my glasses.
— "Good eyes, remember? Besides, Tornado's at the Cave—I literally just talked to him before coming here."

They stared at me in disbelief.
Then their expressions shifted to frowns as they realized Miss M had misled them by accident.

— "Glad you showed up. I don't know what would’ve happened without you," Aqualad admitted.
Kid Flash added:
— "We shouldn’t have listened to a rookie like you."
Robin finished with:
— "Newbie mistake."

Miss M lowered her head, looking ashamed and saddened. I frowned when I noticed.

— "Guys, come on, don’t be rude to Miss M. You’re the ones with experience, and you didn’t notice either, right?" I said, teasing them slightly.
— "You all know the Justice League wouldn’t risk innocent lives just for a training test."
I crossed my arms.
— "You were just as rookie as she was."

They looked down, embarrassed by what they had said.

Miss M murmured, still hurt:
— "You don’t have to defend me, Limitless..."

I scoffed.
— "Bullshit. You’re an important part of this team—just like everyone else. Mistakes? Who doesn’t make them? We’re here to learn how to be proper heroes. Never forget that."

My little speech worked better than I expected—everyone seemed reinvigorated.

— "And don’t call me Limitless," I added with a grin.
— "My real name is Satoru Gojo."

Then I turned toward the battlefield.
— "So… how about we go kick that junk bot’s ass?"

I looked ahead—only to realize Mister Twister had already vanished.

— "Curses," I muttered.

Suddenly, we heard a loud explosion, followed by two small tornadoes. Miss M had already telepathically called her bioship.

— "Come aboard," she said.

I shook my head.
— "I'll go ahead to evacuate civilians. Think of a plan while you're flying," I added, then said:
— "See you there."

With a clap of my hands, I disappeared.

When I reappeared on the coast, debris was flying everywhere, and civilians were screaming and running for their lives.

I spotted a boy about to be crushed by a flying boat. I jumped in and reached him just in time.
— "Go—run!" I yelled. He nodded quickly and bolted.

I turned to face Mister Twister.
— "How about you fight someone your own size, junk-bucket?"

Now that I was watching closely, I noticed my earlier kick had done serious damage.

I smirked.
— "Looks like your sorry ass can’t handle a little strength," I mocked.

He looked down at me and hissed with venom in his voice:
— "You..."

— " ME! " I shouted back with a goofy grin.

Mister Twister started throwing debris using his wind powers. I dodged and ducked, stalling him so the remaining civilians could escape.

Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head:
— " Satoru, we’ve got a plan. "

I grabbed my head, muttering:
— "What the—?"

— " Miss Martian? " I asked telepathically.

— " Yes, it's me. And don't call me Miss Martian, " she said.
— " Call me Megan—that's my Earth name ."

— "Right... So, what’s the plan, Megan ?" I asked.
— " Can you have a telepathic conversation with more than one person ?"

— " Follow my lead—and yes, I can, " she answered.

— " Then link everyone up ," I told her.
— " On it ," she replied.

— " Everyone ready? " Megan asked, now linked with all of us.

— " Yeah, " we all answered in unison.

Megan arrived, shapeshifted as Red Tornado.

— "Limitless, stand down. This is my fight," “Red” said in a robotic voice.
— "I can still fight," I replied, pretending to be angry.
— "This is not negotiable," “Red” ordered. So I obeyed and flew back.

Third-person point of view:

With Kid Flash’s speed, the team recreated small tornadoes to confuse Twister.

— "We are evenly matched, Twister," said “Red,” moving both arms behind his back and opening his hands to generate a new whirlwind.

— "No, Tornado. We are not," Twister replied angrily, punching the ground and releasing a burst of high-pressure wind to counter a set of pellets thrown at him.

Then he fired streams of lightning. Tornado dodged most of them, but one bolt hit a boat, causing an explosion that sent debris crashing into him.

When the smoke cleared, “Tornado” was lying on the ground.

— "Remain still, android," Twister commanded, his fingers transforming into wires. He moved them toward Tornado’s head, attempting to hack him.

— "Reprogramming won’t take long," he muttered.

But as the wires touched Tornado’s head, Megan revealed herself—she had been shapeshifted as Tornado all along. She grabbed the wires and smirked:
— "Longer than you think."

Then she threw Twister toward Kid Flash, who was still spinning and created a tornado that launched Twister into the air, right toward Superboy.

Superboy caught him from the left and started punching relentlessly. He smashed two holes into Twister’s chest, then delivered a final blow that sent him flying—straight toward Satoru.

As Twister reached satoru´s height, he kicked him down to the ground, where Robin was waiting. Robin tossed a few explosive Birdarangs that redirected Twister’s body toward the sea.

Underwater, Aqualad was ready. With a spike in hand, he pierced Twister’s body and electrocuted him, launching the robot back to land.

On the surface, Twister’s exosuit opened, revealing another humanoid-looking robot inside. It collapsed to its knees, pleading for mercy.

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

I floated down to join the others, standing before the pathetic machine.

— "Foul. I—I—I call foul," the robot stuttered.

— "What did you want with Red Tornado?" I demanded, walking closer.

He looked at me nervously.
— "I don’t—I don’t know what you're talking about."

But I wasn’t buying it. I grabbed him by the collar of his one-piece suit and pulled him up.

— "Don’t try me, robot junk. What did you want with Red Tornado?" I repeated, surprising the team—except Megan.

— "Wait, what do you mean robot ? He’s not a robot, right?" asked Kid Flash.
Megan stepped forward.
— "Satoru’s right. That one’s a robot too. That’s why I couldn’t read his mind before."

The fake man stared at me, then shouted:
— "You’ll never take me!"

He began to self-destruct.

I reacted instantly, tossing the robot into the air before it could hurt anyone. It exploded midair, leaving behind only a mechanical eye, which rolled to a stop near Wally’s feet.

— "Nice... souvenir," Wally said, grinning as he picked it up and slipped it into his pocket.

I turned around smiling.
— "Good job, team. Nailed it."

Everyone smiled back.

— "How about we head back to the cave and I cook something to commemorate our first souvenir of many?" I offered.

Wally’s eyes lit up with stars.
— "Awesome!" he shouted as we all walked toward the bioship.

— "Wait," I said, stopping everyone.

— "We should take that suit so Red Tornado can scan it. After all, the robot was after him."

Superboy moved to grab it.

— "Robin, could you please analyze its components? See if it had a GPS tracker or something."

Robin walked toward Mister Twister's remains and scanned them.

— "Yeah... you were right. There's a tracker. I'll remove it," he said while searching.

— "Well, now we’re good. Good job, team. Let’s go back and eat some homemade food," I said, lifting my arm into a fist.

— "Let’s go! " Wally shouted.

Few days later…

 Caribbean sea
July 22, 2010
8:08 PM

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Finally, Batman gave us our first mission as a team. The mission consisted of investigating the island of Santa Prisca — an island owned by Bane, where he produces his Venom serum — because suddenly, he had stopped his shipments. Batman also asked us to choose our own leader.

The next day, after the Mister Twister incident, while eating the splendid lasagna I had cooked for the team to celebrate, we exchanged our stories and names — except Robin, obviously.

In my case, I used the fake backstory I had created with Batman: I was a Japanese boy who, due to my powers, had a bounty placed on his head. Batman saved me, but couldn’t save my parents. That tragedy drove me to learn how to fight so that no one else would suffer what I did.

Pretty cheesy and dramatic, if you ask me. But it works for my cover. I mean, I don’t think it would be very smart to say, “Hey, I’m a multiversal traveler from a world where you guys are just drawings in a comic book.” So, it works perfectly.

I learned everyone’s name and told them mi—

— "Drop zone A in thirty."

My train of thought was cut short by Megan, who was calling Kaldur — it was his turn to act.

Kaldur stood up and touched the emblem on his belt to activate camouflage mode. His entire suit turned black.

Megan called out — "Putting bioship into camouflage mode."
Then she started flying the ship low over the ocean.

The bioship opened a hatch as Aqualad dove into the water to plant a moving sensor looper.

We arrived at our destination: Drop Zone B.
Megan called it in to Kaldur through the intercommunicator.

Inside the bioship, everyone stood up, ready for the mission, all suited up. Wally had the same stealth tech as Kaldur. Superboy kept using his black shirt with the House of El symbol. Robin wore his classic uniform. Megan had her standard suit, now in black. I wore my usual attire — black blindfold, baggy pants, and jacket.

Wally tried to flirt with Megan, who in turn tried to flirt with Superboy — who clearly didn’t understand flirting.
— " What a complicated love triangle !" I thought to myself.

Then we dropped into Zone B. Superboy caused a minor seismic event by jumping without a rope, just to test his body.

Once everyone was on the ground, I thought to myself — "Let’s rock this ."

— "Aqualad, Drop Zone B is a go." Megan reported to Kaldur.

Kaldur responded, telling us to head to the factory while he tracked us via GPS.

We walked for a while through the dense jungle of Santa Prisca, until Superboy suddenly heard something.

— "Is this a super-hearing thing?" Kid Flash asked rhetorically.
Megan, again trying to flirt with Superboy, said — "You do have great ears."

— "Okay, Rob, now what?" Wally asked, turning his head — only to discover Robin had already vanished.
Wally grumbled — "I hate when he does that."

— "Stay whelmed, Kid." I said.
— "I’ll try to see what Superboy heard." I added, lifting my blindfold slightly to use my eye and scout ahead.

I saw two squads with guns that were about to meet each other.
— "There are two squads ahead. Armed. They’ll meet up before finding us though,” I said.

— "Aqualad, we’ll surround them to make sure they don’t escape. Capture them and get answers. When you arrive, try to check if someone else is in the vicinity.” I ordered Kaldur.
— "Roger that,” he replied.

— "You heard me le—" I couldn’t finish, since gunfire erupted ahead.

— "No super-hearing required for that,” Wally said with sarcasm.

— "Surround them in case they’re hiding. Then we’ll intervene and get the information we need,” I instructed. But Kid Flash was already putting on his glasses, getting ready to run.
— "Yeah, yeah. Just let me get Rob,” he said.

While Wally tried to rush off, I moved faster and lifted him up with my Limitless, catching him off guard.
— "Wha— Ho—" he stuttered. I didn’t let him finish.
— "Robin’s on the tree to our right. Six meters away,” I told him while looking him in the eye.
— "If you run in like that, you’ll get yourself killed.”

— "I’ll put you down, but don’t start running. You hear me?”
— "Sorry,” Wally apologized.

— "Alright, let’s move. Megan, link us up. We can’t risk being heard or having our comms hacked.” I asked Miss M.
— "Okay,” she said, linking us telepathically.

— " Everyone connected ?” Megan asked to be sure.

— " Nice save, Sato ,” Robin replied.
— " Don’t disappear again without telling us, Rob, or I’ll paint your suit pink, ” I warned him.
— "Come on, don’t be like that ,” Robin replied with a guilty tone.
— " Don’t try me, ” I said, ending the exchange.

— " Now let’s move, ” I ordered, and everyone began taking their positions.

When we arrived at the source of the gunfire, we spotted Bane with his luchadores and another group dressed in red robes.

— " That’s… Cult of Kobra ,” Robin said, surprised.

— " Okay. Enough watching. Engage with caution, and try not to let anyone die ,” I ordered, then jumped between the two groups to create an opening for the team.

— " Yo. Why are you guys fighting over this? I thought villains were supposed to work together ,” I taunted them.

Bane recognized me and immediately ordered his luchadores to open fire. The Kobra leader, even without recognizing me, also commanded his men to shoot.

The team slipped behind both squads and took them down efficiently. After that, we tied them up and started discussing our next move.

Once all the goons were tied up, Aqualad arrived. So I started scheming our next move. Suddenly, my ear caught something interesting.
— "Jefe porque no te desatas y los golpeas (Boss why don't you untie yourself and punched them),” one of Bane 's followers whispered.
— "Shh callate, tengo un plan, (Shh quiet, I got a plan)” Bane whispered back.

— "Interesting," I muttered to myself.

— " Now what ?" Kid Flash asked through the mental link.

— " Now you and Robin start fighting to bait Bane. He has something in mind, ” I told them.

— "Now we should move towards the factory to see what’s going on with Kobra being here,” Robin said out loud.

— "And who made you the leader, Rob?” Wally asked with fake annoyance.

— "Well, for starters, I’m the most capable and most experienced member here,” Rob stated.

— "Yeah, sure. A 13-year-old baby without powers is going to be the leader. Nice call, Rob,” Kid Flash teased.

— "And you’re a mature 15? Besides, Batman doesn’t have powers either,” Robin replied bluntly.

— "Well. But you ar—” Kid started, but Bane cut him off.

— "Niños, why don’t you untie me and I’ll show you my secret entrance,” Bane said with confidence.

Ha. Baitead, I thought to myself.

— " Megan, when he shows us the way to his secret entrance, catch him with your powers so we can tie him up again, ” I ordered Megan through the link.

— "Show us the way then," I said out loud to Bane while Robin untied him.
We started walking toward the edge of the mountain. There, we looked down and saw the factory. Robin grabbed some binoculars and confirmed the team’s suspicion: Kobra was preparing a big shipment. But one thing was clear—since we didn’t know who the buyer was, we had to go in and get the information.
— "We should go down there to identify the buyer," Kaldur said out loud.
— "Indeed," I replied.

Then Bane grabbed a big boulder to reveal a tunnel and said:
— "Answers are this way."

— " Megan, now, " I told her telepathically.
Megan immediately lifted Bane with her powers and brought him back to us.

— "Thank you for revealing the tunnel, luchador, but our unity ends here," I said ironically as I walked closer. When I was close enough, I pressed two fingers to his forehead, making him fall asleep.

— "Dude, that was cool. How did you do it?" asked Wally. I turned to him and replied with a smile:
— "Magic."
— "Ha ha. Very funny," Kid replied with heavy sarcasm.
— "Stop playing around and let’s go," Aqualad said, walking toward the tunnel.

We walked for a few minutes until we reached an electronic metallic door. Thanks to Robin’s hacking, we entered without much trouble.

Once inside the factory, we moved to a high rafter where we began planning through the mental link.
— " Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash. The three of you go to the computer room and find out what Kobra is distributing ," I began, and the three of them nodded.
— " Superboy and I will wait here until the buyer arrives ," I continued.
— " Miss Martian, you go outside and try to see how many enemies are out there, " I finished, and everyone split up to complete their tasks.

With Superboy, we didn’t have to wait long until we heard a cargo helicopter arrive.
— " The buyer is here. I’ll send you a mental image ," Megan said to me while doing so. In the image, I recognized the mystery buyer.
— " It’s Sportsmaster ," I told everyone.
— " We discovered what Kobra is making ," Robin added.
— " Yeah, Kobra is mixing Venom with Blockbuster formulas—amplifying the original material tenfold. "
— " Damn, that’s a lot ," I said, surprised.
— " In that case, we can’t let them get it out of here, " I said.
— " Superboy and I will engage to bait the enemy. Kid, grab their weapons. Robin, plant some explosive birdarangs in the factory and the helicopter just in case we can’t win the fight. Aqualad, Megan—we fight ," I finished, commanding everyone before jumping off the rafter with Superboy, drawing the goons’ attention.

While Superboy started punching everything in his path, I calmly walked toward Sportsmaster, Kobra, and their monster.

— "So who’s gonna eat dirt? Sportsmaster or that thing? Not meant to offend you, but I know you don’t like getting your ass kicked," I said mockingly, taunting them.
— "What an insolent boy," Kobra said with a poker face.
— "Attack," Kobra ordered the big thing.

The beast ran at high speed, which honestly surprised me a bit—I mean, a 2.5-meter-tall monster with muscles bigger than car tires isn’t exactly common. But still, it wasn’t fast enough to hit me. I dodged a right hook by jumping onto his arm and using it like a trampoline to launch an axe kick at Sportsmaster.

Sportsmaster dodged it with a sidestep and drew a javelin, throwing it at me. I grabbed it mid-air while spinning to gain momentum, then hurled it straight at the beast using curse energy at its maximum.

The javelin exploded on contact, sending the creature flying unconscious into the factory.

— "I turned to see where the beast had gone and whistled. — "Quite an explosion right there, gym guy,” I mocked Sportmaster, who clicked his tongue in annoyance.
I smiled at that and added — "Well, one down, two to go.”
I ran fast enough to vanish from their sight, reappearing behind Sportmaster and whispering in his ear with a serious tone — "Right behind you.”
He opened his eyes wide with surprise and turned to strike me, falling right into my bait.
I took advantage of the opening and hit him hard in the stomach, making his eyes roll back.

I turned to face Kobra. — "Two down, one to go,” I said, walking slowly to close the distance between us.
— "I'm surrounded by weaklings. I’ll have to do the job myself,” Kobra muttered, taking off his robe.
— "Maybe you're surrounded by weaklings because you are one,” I mocked, making Kobra frown.
— "How about this—I'll only use my right arm, just so you have a chance against me,” I taunted even more. Kobra clenched his fists in anger.
— "Who do you think you are, peasant?” Kobra spat with venom.
— "Me? Just the strongest,” I replied, before dashing at him at high speed.

Kobra couldn't react in time and took a solid hit to his left side. He tried to counterattack from my left, hoping to use my “right arm only” rule, but he wasn’t fast enough.
I blocked him easily with my right arm, then landed a backhand slap that spun him like a top.
To finish it off, I punched him in the gut, sending him flying toward the edge of the jungle. Unconscious.

— "What a weakling,” I muttered to myself, walking toward the unconscious Kobra to tie him up.

Third-Person Point of View:

While Satoru was dealing with the big three outside, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian, and Aqualad were taking care of Shimmer and the rest of the goons.
Once Robin finished planting the explosives, he jumped into the fray and kicked some ass.

After a few minutes, everyone was tied up—including the beast, Kobra, and Sportmaster. All of Kobra's Venom-formula stock was secured.
The team gathered outside the factory.

— "Nice, nice. Good job, everyone,” Satoru said with a grin, clapping.
— "Up top, guys!” Wally said, raising his hand in the air... but everyone ignored him.
— "Well, I’ll call Batman,” Robin said, already pulling out his comm.

— "Nice real first mission, right?” Satoru asked with a smile, turning to Superboy.
— "Yeah,” Supey replied with a small grin.

— "This was awesome! I’m so glad to be here on Earth, fighting bad guys with you all,” Megan said with clear happiness.
— "Indeed, I am too. You were the perfect leader, Satoru. I’m glad to work under your command,” Kaldur added.

Satoru tilted his head slightly, a bit confused. Then he scratched his cheek and asked — "You think I should be the leader?”
— "Hello, Megan! It’s obvious you have to be our leader for every mission,” Megan said, lightly tapping his forehead.
— "It’s obvious,” Superboy echoed calmly.
— "Everyone in favor of having Satoru as our leader?” Wally added, raising his hand.

The rest followed, officially making Satoru their leader.

— "Batman is on his way, and since you're the leader, you’re going to explain everything,” Robin said as he returned, teasing me.
 

— "Ha. Funny. You are, boy wonder,” I replied with a fake laugh.

Batman arrived shortly after, accompanied by a few Justice League members to arrest the villains, officially wrapping up the mission.

The next day…

 First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Batman stood in front of us, walking side to side with his hands behind his back, like a military officer during a debrief.
— "All your mistakes will be reviewed. But for a first mission… you did well. Very well,” he said with a rare, almost imperceptible grin. Then he added,
— "Who you choose to lead says a lot about your character."

We all exchanged proud smiles.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 3:

Undisciplinary action

 Mount justice
August 3, 2010
7:58 AM

 First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Yo. Hello. How are you?
Me? Doing good.

A few days ago, the team and I stopped Psycho-Pirate—yeah, weird name for a villain, right?—and Atomic Skull from stealing plutonium. Pretty easy stuff.

But that wasn’t the only interesting thing that happened. A few nights later, I was patrolling Gotham when I spotted a new vigilante using a bow and arrow. At first, I thought it was Roy doing his thing… but something felt off. His energy wasn’t Roy’s.

So I followed him.
And when I finally caught up… surprise—it wasn’t a he .

It was a she .

Flashback — A few nights earlier…

— "So, who are you, princess?” I asked, standing behind her.

She jumped, spun around, and aimed an arrow at me.

— "You know that’s not going to do anything, right?” I said with a blank expression, pointing at the arrowhead.

That move… I thought. It looked familiar — and her energy felt similar to Gym Guy’s too…

— "How about this—you tell me who you are, I call the Bat, and we sort this out like civilized people?” I added, raising my hands in mock surrender.

She slowly lowered her bow.
— "Thank yo—”

But before I could finish, a kick came flying at my face from the right. Not fast enough, though. I caught it with my left hand.

— "Good kick, but not good enough, princess,” I said, mocking her. — "Listen, I’m not in the mood for dancing, even if you are that attractive."

I mean, I have my bandage on so I only could “see” her amazing curves, so...

— "So don’t make this harder than it has to be. Tell me—who are you?" I finished, more serious now.

She pulled a flashbang and dropped it to the ground. It went off with a blinding light.
Didn’t really affect me—but I let her go anyway.

Maybe for the best.
…I hope.

 End of flashback…

 Mount justice
August 3, 2010
1:06 PM

Now here I am, in Mount Justice —dressed with my hero suit— passing the time with the team while waiting for a mission. Superboy wasn’t here since he went to Metropolis to see if he could catch Superman and have a talk —clone to Kryptonian.

A few hours ago, Batman called me frantically asking if I knew of an android capable of studying and duplicating abilities…

Flashback starts…

My phone started ringing. Bruce Wayne was displayed on the screen, so I answered.

— “Yo, B. What do you need?” I asked calmly.

— “What do you know about an android capable of duplicating abilities?” he asked in a frantic tone. From Bruce’s mic, I could hear the sound of battle in the background, so I answered without wasting time.

— “I guess you’re talking about A.M.A.Z.O. If that’s the case, tell me—how does Amazo look?”

— “Is that important?” Bruce asked.

— “Of course it’s important. Depending on how he looks, I can give you one solution or another,” I replied in a slightly scolding tone.

— “It has red hair and pointy ears” he described briefly.

— “Okay, in that case, the robot can be dealt with in one of two ways. First, you could use the League’s weaknesses against him. He has the League’s powers—so, for example, if he has Superman’s, you use Kryptonite, and so on,” I explained calmly.
— “Second, you can bait him into using Manhunter’s intangibility. Have Superman leave his arm inside the android’s body, and when Amazo switches powers again, he’ll explode. Easy,” I finished casually.

— “Thank you,” Bruce said before hanging up.

— “ What a cool fight, ” I thought to myself.

End of flashback…

Recognized: Superboy B-0-4.

The Zeta-Tube computer announced Superboy’s arrival.

That was fast. I hoped he got to talk… Superboy walked past us with anger. Guess he didn’t.

— “Hi, Superboy. How was Metropolis?” Megan asked him, but got the silent treatment.

Black Canary cleared her throat as she approached.

— “Ready for training, everyone?”

Martian Manhunter walked beside her.

— “Black Canary! Uncle J’onn!” Megan said excitedly, walking toward Manhunter to hug him.

— “M’gann, I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d see how you were adjusting,” Manhunter said gently.

— “A few bumps… but I’m learning,” Megan replied shyly.

— “That’s all I’m asking,” he finished warmly.

Superboy saw this and started walking away.

— “I guess it reminds him of what he could not have,” I thought to myself, feeling bad for him.

Black Canary noticed it too and said:

— “Stick around. Class is in session.”

So Superboy stayed, though with a frown.

Black Canary walked to the center of the training floor. I just looked on, curious, thinking about what our first training class would be like.

The floor lit up.

— “I consider it an honor to be your teacher. I’ll throw a lot at you—everything I’ve learned from my mentor… uh… and from my own bruises,” Canary said, taking off her torn jacket and wincing in pain.

— “What happened?” Megan asked, concerned.

— “The job,” Canary replied simply.

— “Now, combat is about controlling conflict, putting the battle on your terms. Always acting, never reacting,” Canary explained —something very true and basic, but for a first lesson, even the obvious works. The obvious always works.

— “I'll be needing a sparring partner,” she added, looking around. Wally, being the flirtatious, high-hormone boy he is, finished his banana, tossed the peel with a comic sound effect, and stepped forward.

— “Right here, yeah. After this, fiush, I’ll show you my moves,” he said with a mock-gallant voice.

Black Canary grinned at that and started the match, throwing a right hook. Wally blocked it—surprisingly—but then she swept his legs and made him fall pathetically.

— “Ooh… hurts so good,” Wally muttered from the floor.

— “Good block. But did anyone see what he did wrong?” Canary asked the others.

— “Ooh, ooh! He hit on the teacher and got served,” Robin said, teasing Wally.

Wally got up, clearly embarrassed.

— “Dude…”

— “He allowed me to dictate the terms of—” Canary began to explain, but was cut off by Superboy, who scoffed.

— “Oh, please. With my power, battles are always on my terms,” he said, pointing at himself with his thumb.
— “I’m a living weapon. This is a waste of my time.”

Black Canary was about to respond, but I beat her to it.

— “Superboy, even though you’re powerful, what’ll you do when you face someone stronger? Or when you’re weakened? Besides, learning to fight properly will make you even deadlier than you are now,” I said, calling him out for being reckless.

— “Who could be stronger than me?” he asked with sarcasm.

— “Well… I can think of one or two,” I said with a grin, making him glare at me.

— “You talk big for someone who’d be nothing without magic,” Superboy fired back, trying to provoke me.

— “I could beat you without any technique, any day of the week,” I replied smugly.

— “Prove it,” Superboy said, lifting his fists in a boxing stance.

— “Well, you asked for it,” I answered, not even taking a stance—just to annoy him.

Superboy snorted and rushed at me, throwing a punch at my face. I simply caught his fist like it was nothing, surprising everyone… except Robin.

Then I grabbed him by the T-shirt and tossed him aside, making him slide on the floor.

— “If you’re angry because the guy with red panties over his pants didn’t want to speak to you, I don’t blame you. But you should focus your anger on the right person—not your friends,” I told him, trying to calm him down. But it didn’t work.

He got back up, more furious, and leapt at me. I just sidestepped and swept his legs, making him fall like Wally. Behind us Robin chuckled, making superboy even more angry if that is even possible.

I offered him a hand while saying:

— “See? Not everything is about being stronger. You have to be smarter too.”

Superboy slapped my hand away and got up on his own.

— "That's it, I'm done,” Superboy said, frustrated. 

— “Training is mandatory”. Canary said stepping in

Superboy started walking when suddenly the computer turned on with Batman on screen.

— “Batman to the Cave,” the Dark Knight said.

— “Five hours ago, a new menace attacked Green Arrow and Black Canary. The attacker was capable of studying and duplicating the powers and abilities of its opponents,” Batman explained.  They took them too long to guess I was the one to help finish the fight, guess Ivo make it real good.

— “This will be fun,” I muttered.

— “Green Arrow called for reinforcements, which nearly proved disastrous, as our foe gained more and more power with each new combatant,” Batman continued.

— “Whoa. One guy with the power of the entire League?” Wally asked in disbelief.

— “In the end, it took eight Leaguers four hours to defeat and dismantle the android,” Batman concluded the briefing.

— “An android? Wh—who made it? T.O. Morrow?” Robin asked, curious.

— “Good guess, but Red Tornado doesn't think so,” Batman replied.

— “It's Ivo's,” I said, making everyone look at me—especially Robin and Batman.

— “It’s a theory we had,” Manhunter added calmly.

— “How would you know?” Canary asked, raising an eyebrow.

— “Call it a hunch,” I replied, looking directly at Batman.

— “But Ivo is dead,” Aqualad said with confusion.

— “So we thought—or hoped,” Canary added, glancing at Kaldur.

— “To make certain this threat is permanently neutralized, we’re sending two trucks carrying the android’s parts to separate STAR Labs facilities in Boston and New York for immediate evaluation,” Batman explained.

— “Every precaution is being taken. We’ll have four additional decoy trucks to create confusion in case Ivo—or anyone—tries to recover the remains. You will split into undercover teams to safeguard the two real trucks,” Batman concluded.

— “Yes! Road trip!” Wally exclaimed with excitement.

— “So now we take out your trash?” Superboy asked rhetorically.

— “You have something better to do?” Batman replied in the same tone.

— “Can I ask something?” I said, raising my hand.

Batman gave me a look that meant go ahead .

— “Have you checked if the android has GPS or something? Because even if you use decoys, they could still find the real ones,” I asked.

— “We’ve checked. It doesn’t look like the android has one… but we don’t know for sure. It could be hidden very well—or maybe it really doesn’t have any,” Batman answered with a serious tone.

— “Coordinates received. On our way,” I said, checking the GPS in my hand.

Everyone began running toward the Bio-Ship, but Superboy was stopped by Canary, who told him something we couldn’t hear.

 Litchfield county
August 3, 2010
8:08 PM

Third-Person Point of View:

From afar, we could see the six trucks ready to start their engines, with a few Justice League members guarding the area.
Among the Leaguers stood Superman. He turned and used his enhanced vision to scan the nearby trees and bushes, spotting the team on motorcycles, ready to follow the real trucks.

The call was made, and the mission began.
The team was divided into two squads of three: one with Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian; the other with Limitless, Superboy, and Robin.

Once everyone had left—including the Leaguers—the only ones remaining were Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
Batman placed a hand on Superman’s shoulder and said:
— “I told you we needed to talk,” he said in a calm but serious tone, leaving Superman with no choice.

Minutes later, in a coffee shop…

Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and Diana sat at a table.
Bruce had brought Clark there to talk about Superboy—something that clearly made Clark uncomfortable.
When Clark was about to get up and leave, Diana stopped him and tried to reason with him.
She suggested that maybe Superboy didn’t have to be his son—but rather something like a brother, or even a cousin.

Superman paused for a moment, reflecting… but in the end, he left anyway.

Meanwhile, with the team…

First-Person Point of View(Satoru):

Superboy, Robin, and I were riding behind the truck. Robin and Superboy had red motorcycles, while mine was a beautiful white one with blue accents—gotta say, Batman really knows my style.

— “If dislike is the opposite of like, is disaster the opposite of aster?” Robin asked, starting one of his usual wordplay questions that—surprisingly—always kinda made sense.

— “See? Instead of things going wrong, they go right.” he added, glancing at both Superboy and me.

I looked over at him and replied:
— “Even if that logic doesn't fully work, you're definitely onto something. Like, take discomfort: without the ‘dis’, it’s just comfort. So… why isn’t ‘aster’ a thing?”

Superboy, riding between us, had the biggest frown ever.

— “Uh-oh. Clearly you’re not feeling the aster. What’s wrong?” Robin asked him.

— “Yeah, dude, what’s irritating you? I mean, I’m sorry for kicking your ass earlier—but you were kinda being a jerk,” I added with a soft smirk.

— “Look, I was being a jerk. Sorry. But why does Canary have to be our training instructor—for guys with super strength?” Superboy asked, clearly annoyed.

So that’s what this is about. He wants Superman to train him… or at least mentor him.

— “Look, I get that you’d prefer Superman, but the guy’s being a jerk. Until he changes that, Canary’s legit. She's a great martial artist. You could actually learn a lot from her,” I told him gently.

— “Yeah,” Robin added, serious but with a light tone. “Taking down stronger guys is part of the gig. Canary learned that the hard way. Same with Batman. And, well… me.”

Superboy just revved up his bike and sped ahead.

Robin and I looked at each other and sighed.

Meanwhile, with the others…

Third-Person Point of View:

Wally on the left on a  yellow sport motorbike, Megan in the middle on a purple scooter motorbike and Kaldur on the right on a dark blue sport motorbike.

 — “Do you think Superboy´s okay?” Megan asks with concern.

Then added fastly — “I-I wasn't reading his mind, I swear but anger flow off him in waves.” Megan finished preoccupied.

— “Surf that wave, just give him some space,” Wally said with a snort.

— “Me? stick as close as you want” Wally add flirting with Megan

Megan looks at him with the most “are you serious” look ever.

— “Superboy just needs time to cool off,” Kaldur started with a soft tone.

— “A quiet mission will clear his head” Finished Kaldur trying to comfort Megan.

Suddenly flying monkeys appeared out of nowhere giggling and attaching themes to the truck.

— “Limitless,Robin,Superboy, our truck is under attack” Aqualad shout touching his ear plug.

 
Going back to Satoru…

First-Person Point of View(Satoru):

Something felt off...

Since I was in civvies, I had my dark glasses on so I could spot the small robots up ahead.

— “Be careful, there are small robots ahead!” I shouted to my squad. They nodded in agreement.

— “Put your bikes in battle mode,” I ordered, doing it myself.

Robin complied, but Superboy just jumped onto the truck, ready to wait for the ambush. His motorcycle dropped carelessly, landing on top of Robin’s.

Luckily, I caught Robin before he hit the ground. I frowned, pissed at Superboy’s attitude.

I looked at Robin and said — “Drive. I’ll handle Superboy.” My tone was sharp.

I jumped onto the truck, leaving Robin behind.

— “What the hell are you doing?!” I yelled at Superboy, grabbing him by the collar. He looked at me, surprised.

— “You could’ve hurt Robin with that stunt!” I continued angrily, but before I could say more, a wave of flying monkeys interrupted us. Definitely Ivo’s work.

— “We’ll talk later. Now we fight,” I finished quickly.

I was about to call Aqualad, but he beat me to it.

— “Same situation here,” I replied.

As I deflected a monkey drone, my brain was already working on a plan.

— “So Batman was wrong— the android does have GPS!” Robin shouted, handling a few of the flying robots.

— “That’s it!” I shouted back, an idea forming.

— “Let them take it!” I said to Robin and Superboy, who both looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

— “Uh, dude… You know we’re supposed to protect the tech, right?” Robin asked, unsure.

— “Yeah, I know. But if the parts are being tracked, that means the robots have GPS. We can hack it and trace where they’re taking them—most likely to Ivo,” I explained, making Robin’s eyes light up in realization.

— “Okay, I’m on it,” Robin replied.

— “Aqualad, let the monkeys grab the parts. Just protect the guards,” I radioed over.

— “Before you ask, we’re using the monkeys to lead us to Ivo’s lab—or whatever cave he’s hiding in. That’s the plan,” I added.

— “On it,” Aqualad replied shortly.

We got the truck guards to safety and let the monkeys fly off with the parts.

Robin grabbed a nearly destroyed monkey and started tracking it.

— “They’re headed to... Gotham City?” Robin said over the radio, genuinely surprised.

— “That’s too far south. I’ll send Wally ahead,” Aqualad replied.

— “The three of us will follow them,” I added, turning around—only to realize Superboy had already fled the scene without saying a word.

— “Ugh... Superman really needs to talk to him,” I sighed.

A few minutes later...

Robin and I were riding toward Gotham when Kid Flash finally caught up, already suited up in his yellow gear. Robin had also changed into his costume. I, on the other hand, stayed in my civvies.

In the distance, we saw something fly off a speeding train—launched toward Gotham Academy.

— “Was that... Superboy?” Kid Flash asked, not quite believing it.

— “Seems like it. The GPS shows the android is still on the train,” Robin said, checking his wrist holocomputer.

— “Yep, confirmed. The android’s heading straight to our school,” he added bluntly.

— “Well, in that case, we better move if we want the school to still be there when we arrive,” I said with a deadpan expression.

We accelerated.

By the time we got there, Superboy was about to be crushed by the android. Kid Flash dashed in and saved him just in time, letting out a classic — “Yoink!”

Robin threw some birdarangs, but the robot switched to Martian Manhunter’s powers and let them phase right through. Then it accessed Red Tornado’s abilities and launched an attack on Superboy, Robin, and Wally—until I stopped it with a punch that sent its junk-metal body flying across the basketball court.

The android got back up, transformed into Superman, and grabbed Wally with both arms, squeezing him hard.

Suddenly, an arrow shot from the roof forced it to phase again with Martian powers.

I followed the shot with my eyes—and smirked. A new vigilante. Not bad.

— “Guys, get closer! I have a plan!” I shouted.

They all rushed to me, and I explained.

— “Wally and I will bait it into using Superman’s powers. Robin, once that happens, throw some birdarangs. When it phases, Superboy—shove your arm into its head. When it phases back, boom. Instant shutdown.”

Everyone nodded.

And let me tell you—of course it worked. Huge success.

— “Help me disassemble him—now!” Robin said frantically.
— “Dude, the guy has no head,” replied Wally with a chill expression.
— “Don’t take any chances,” Aqualad said, finally arriving at the scene with M'gann right behind him.
— “Superboy, are you alright?” asked M'gann, noticing the smile on his face.

I looked toward the corner of the gym and said:
— “Gotta take care of something real quick,” before clapping my hands and vanishing.

Outside Gotham Academy…
I appeared in front of the new vigilante, catching her off guard.

— “Gotta say, that was a nice shot,” I praised her.

She immediately took a fighting stance.

— “Woah, woah, chillax, princess. I didn’t come here to fight,” I said, raising my hands in a surrender gesture.

This time, I got a better look at her silhouette and costume—thanks to my glasses instead of my blindfold—and I had to admit, she looked even more impressive. She wore a full dark suit, with golden hair flowing down her back, and a mask that covered the upper half of her face, leaving her mouth and cheeks exposed.

She seemed to be getting a better look at me too—because I swear, there was a slight blush on her face. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t blush? My white hair was flowing, and I was in my civvies, looking even more awesome than usual.

— “Gotta admit, with my glasses on, I can see you better—and yeah, you're totally a princess,” I said bluntly.

Her blush deepened. She didn’t say a word. Instead, she threw another flash pellet to the ground and vanished.

Well, not really. I could still track her if I wanted to—but she was doing good work, so I let her go.

I clapped my hands again and reappeared in front of the team. They looked at me, clearly curious, and asked why I left.

I simply said I was trying to catch the archer, but missed him.
Total lie—but they didn’t need to know that.

— “Everyone ready to go back?” I asked, finally getting smiles from the whole team.
— “Then let’s go, everybody. I’m buying pizza,” I said, making everyone smile even bigger—especially Wally.

— “Superboy, since you ignored me and acted so recklessly, you’re going to walk to the zeta-tube… using only your hands.” I said with a dead-serious tone.

— “You gotta be kidding,” said Superboy in disbelief.

— “Pretty serious. So chop chop,” I added with a light smile, clapping my hands.

Superboy stared at me—then sighed and started doing a handstand, beginning the walk.

 Mount justice
August 4, 2010
1:08 AM

We finally arrived at the Cave, exhausted, just as Batman began the debriefing.

— “The Amazo android is in pieces and is being analyzed by both S.T.A.R. Labs,” I said.

— “But Ivo escaped. And since he originated the tech, he’s arguably more dangerous than the android,” Aqualad added.

— “Capturing Ivo will be the League's priority,” said Black Canary, her hands on her waist.

— “But we understand your mission encountered other complications,” added Martian Manhunter with his arms crossed.

We glanced at each other, a bit ashamed.

— “Complications come with the job,” Batman said, stepping forward.
— “Your ability to handle them has impressed the League,” he finished.

— “The whole League?” Superboy asked with hope in his voice.

— “Given time… yes. Kryptonians, as you know, have very hard heads,” Batman replied, casting a brief glance at Superboy.

Superboy smiled at that. I need to talk with Superman… try to make him understand, I thought to myself.

— “Of course, there’s no shame in asking for help,” Batman added.
— “That’s why the League exists—because there are problems that even we can’t handle alone.”

— “Please. If we needed help, we’d never get the chance to ask,” Robin jumped in. — “Look familiar?” he asked, holding up an arrow.

I looked at it carefully and spoke before Green Arrow could.

— “That’s not GA’s arrow,” I said.

Green Arrow confirmed it by pulling out one of his own and comparing them.

Everyone turned to me.

I sighed.
— “A few days ago in Gotham, a jewelry store was being robbed—but a new archer vigilante stopped it.”
Seeing Batman’s and Robin’s looks, I raised my hands.

— “Yeah, yeah—I should’ve told you. But in my defense… I thought it was a random event,” I said, shrugging it off like it was no big deal.

— “We will talk at the cave” Batman said with a serious tone glaring daggers.

— “Yeah sorry” I apologize.

— “Well how about we eat now? I'm starving, “  Wally said. 

Making everyone smile.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 4:

Infiltratator outfiltrated

First-Person Point of View(Satoru):

Metropolis
August 8, 2010
10:37 AM

Yo. Why was I in Metropolis, you ask? Well, I wanted to speak with Superman. What kind of leader am I if I can’t help my team members properly?

So here I was, at the top of the Daily Planet, waiting for the Man of Steel to arrive. While waiting, I was admiring the view of the City of Tomorrow and eating some hamburgers—and gotta say, they were meh .

Suddenly, I heard some explosions far off in the east part of the city. Guess I had to move.

When I arrived, I saw Superman being held by a robot with a glowing green rock. Metallo.

Metallo hit Superman in the chest, sending him flying into a clothing shop.

I floated down and stood between Metallo and the beaten-up Superman.

— “ Yo ,” I said to Metallo, waving one hand while keeping the other in my pocket.

— “You… who the hell are you?” Metallo asked with an interrogating tone.

— “No one a weakling like you should remember. I just came to speak with the red-panties over there,” I added, mocking both Metallo and Superman as I pointed behind me.

— “You think you can defeat me? You’re wrong,” Metallo growled, angry.

Honestly, I was starting to get bored kicking robots all day long.

— “How about this? If you surrender, I’ll go easy on you,” I teased him even more.

— “What are you doing here, Limitless?” Superman finally asked, stepping out of the clothing shop.

— “I came to pay you a visit and have a little chit-chat. I’ll handle this quickly, then we talk,” I said before leaping forward to kick Metallo’s ass.

— “Ho—” Metallo was about to say, but I cut him off with a punch to the gut.

Then I hit him with a rapid combo to the face—left and right—and finished with a Spartan kick to the chest, sending him flying into a car.

Metallo got back up, only to see me playing with his kryptonite.

— “How did yo—” he tried to ask, but collapsed from energy loss.

When did I grab the kryptonite? Easy. I took it when I kicked him. Pretty easy.

— “So, what do you want to do with the kryptonite?” I asked Superman, turning my head to look at him.

— “Thank you for handling this. I’ll put the kryptonite in here,” Superman said, showing me a chest made of a material that could suppress its harmful effects.

— “Let me talk with the authorities, then we can talk,” he added.

— “Okay, I’ll wait for you at the Daily Planet,” I replied, making Superman nod at me.

I clapped my hands and appeared again at the top of the Daily Planet.

A few minutes later…

Superman finally arrived, so I waved at him.

— “So, what are you doing here? You’re pretty far from Gotham,” he asked calmly.

— “I’ll be blunt. I’m here to talk about Superboy.” When I mentioned him, Superman’s expression shifted into a frown.

— “I already spoke with Batman and Wonder Woman,” he replied, a hint of frustration in his tone.

— “I know. But Superboy is my friend, and I’m his leader. It’s my duty to take care of my comrades,” I said. Superman opened his mouth to speak, but I raised a hand.

— “Before you say anything, just listen.”

— “I know you’re afraid. You don’t know how to act around him. But imagine being Superboy—made in a lab, brought into a world he didn’t choose. He never asked to be here. Neither did you ask for him. But he wants—really badly—to connect with you. He wants you in his life. And it frustrates him so much, it makes him angry. Because he doesn’t understand why the greatest man in the world doesn’t want anything to do with him.”

I softened my voice.

— “I’m not asking you to be his father or his brother. Just be his teacher. His mentor. Help him learn. Help him grow.”

Superman’s face softened.

— “Just try. I don’t want my friend to feel alone. Didn’t you wish someone had helped you deal with your heritage when you were younger?” I added.

Superman sighed and floated down beside me.

— “I don’t know where to start… but I’m really trying,” he finally said in a quiet, sorry tone.

— “Just act naturally. Ask him to patrol Metropolis with you. Give him a name. Tell him your story. You’re the greatest man on Earth—at least that’s what they say. I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” I said, standing up and preparing to teleport away.

— “Thank you “ I heard from behind before disappearing.

Mount justice
August 8, 2010
8:13 PM

Third-Person Point of View:

After the day at the beach, Kaldur, Megan, Superboy, and Robin were in their hero suits, greeting the new team member Artemis, when Wally finally arrived.

Recognized – Kid Flash – B-04

— “The Wall-man is here!” Wally said, dressed like he was heading to a pool party. He started walking forward but tripped over the things he was carrying. — “Now let's get this party start—”

Batman, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, and the rest of the team—without Satoru—stared at him with blank expressions.

Artemis mocked him.
— “Wall-man, huh? I love the uniform. What exactly are your powers?”

— “Who is this?” Wally asked, clearly confused.

— “Artemis. Your new teammate,” she replied.

— “Kid Flash. Never heard of you,” Wally said, trying to mock her.

Artemis frowned slightly. Before things escalated, Green Arrow stepped forward.

— “Um… she’s my new protégé,” Green Arrow clarified.

— “What happened to your old one? And where’s our leader?” Wally asked, visibly concerned.

Recognized – Speedy – B-07

— “Well, for starters, he doesn’t go by Speedy anymore,” Roy said as he entered. — “Call me Red Arrow.”

— “Roy… you look—” Green Arrow started, but Roy cut him off.

— “Replaceable.”

— “It’s not like you told me you were going solo,” Green Arrow tried to defend himself.

— “So why waste time finding a sub?” Roy replied angrily.

But before the tension could rise any more, Satoru appeared in the middle of everything, making everyone—except Batman and Red Tornado—jump.

— “Eh? What’s going on?” Satoru asked, confused.

It had to be him, Artemis thought. But I guess it was obvious—if one of Batman’s protégés was on the team, the blindfolded sexy guy had to be in it too.
She bit her lip lightly. Hope he doesn’t know who I really am…

Before with Satoru…

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

I was in France, having a snack at a popular coffee shop, when I suddenly looked at my watch and realized I was late for the team meeting with our new teammate.

— “Dang it,” I muttered before paying for the food and clapping my hands to suit up.

Once I was finally dressed, I clapped my hands again and teleported to Mount Justice—just before everyone.

— “Eh? What’s going on?” I asked, confused.

The first thing I noticed was Roy… and our new teammate.

I looked around and greeted the new ones, waving my hand.
— “Yo. When you said we were getting a new teammate, I didn’t know it was two. Welcome aboard.” I said to Batman.

Then I focused on the strange girl in the green suit—and saw that Batman had found the Princess and brought her to the team under Green Arrow.

— “Well, well… How are you, Princess? Long time no see,” I said, watching her face twitch at my nickname.

— “Limitless—but you can call me Satoru,” I added, stretching out my hand to shake hers.

She took it and replied,
— “Artemis. Pleasure to meet you.”

Everyone watched our exchange with curiosity.

— “I'm not joining your junior league,” Roy said with a frown.

— “Mmmmh, so you still have that stick up your butt,” I teased, putting extra emphasis on butt .

Artemis giggled at that, making Roy frown even harder.

Roy walked forward and started explaining about our mission I guess, Dr Roquette Sterling, Robin then explained who she was and how she vanished two weeks ago.

— “Abducted two weeks ago” Roy corrected Robin. — “By the league of shadows” Red Arrow added.

— “Whoa! you want us to rescue her from the shadows?” Ask Robin with excitement, not gonna lie that makes me excited too.

— “Hard-core” adds wally while bumping fist with Rob.

— “I already rescued her,” Roy replied, That made me frown a little and think , How could someone like Roy get in the shadows and leave without a scratch even Batman had problems with that.

— “On your own? “ I ask Roy, who glares at me.

— “You don't think that I'm capable?” Roy replied. 

— “Ey don't look at me like that, just curious” I lift my hands in surrender to calm him down.

Roy walked forward and began explaining our mission—at least I think he did.
“Dr. Serling Roquette,” he said.
Robin jumped in to explain who she was and how she vanished two weeks ago.
— “Abducted two weeks ago,” Roy corrected him.
— “By the League of Shadows,” he added.

— “Whoa! You want us to rescue her from the Shadows ?” Robin asked, clearly excited.
Not gonna lie—that got me excited too.
— “Hard-core,” Wally added, bumping fists with Robin.

— “I already rescued her,” Roy said flatly.
That made me frown. I mean… how the hell did Roy get into the Shadows' turf and come out without a scratch? Even Batman struggles with that.
— “On your own?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Roy glared at me.
— “You don’t think I’m capable?”
— “Hey, don’t look at me like that. Just curious,” I said, lifting my hands in surrender to calm him down.

Roy kept explaining: the Shadows had already forced Roquette to create a piece of tech called “The Fog”—basically, nanobots designed to steal intel and destroy the place afterward.
— “Perfect for extortion, manipulation, power-brokering… yeah,” Artemis said, clearly thinking it through. — “Sounds like the Shadows.”

— “Like you know anything about the Shadows,” Wally shot back.
Artemis just smirked.
— “Who are you?” Wally asked, raising his voice.

I gave him a light karate chop to the back of the neck.
— “Behave, Wall-man.”
— “Dude!” Wally complained, rubbing his neck.
Artemis giggled at that.

— “Roquette is working on a virus to neutralize the Fog,” Roy concluded.

I stretched lazily.
— “Yeah, yeah. So you need us to protect her, right? Just send me the coordinates and we’ll get going.”

— “Maybe I should do this with Roy alone,” Green Arrow said, his voice calm but unsure.

— "That’s not how it works, old man. You had your shot—go do something else, like have a date with Canary or something. This is for us. Right, Robin Hood?" I finished mocking Green Arrow to mess with Roy.

— “Already did,” Roy replied as he walked toward the Zeta Tube.
Recognized: Speedy B-07
— “That’s Red Arrow, B-06. Update,” Roy corrected the system as he disappeared.

I looked at the others.
— “Well, I’ve got the coordinates. You heard the man—chop chop, everyone. And change clothes, Wall-man, unless your super speed now lets you control sand .” I grinned.

— “Duuuude!” Wally groaned.
Artemis giggled again.

Happy Harbor
August 8, 2010
9:59 PM

We had made a perimeter around Happy Harbor High. Once everything was set and we had already spoken with Dr. Roquette,
Megan, Superboy, and Kaldur were outside protecting the perimeter. Robin, Kid Flash, Artemis, and I were inside protecting Roquette.

— “Megan, link us up,” I ordered her through the radio earplug.
— “ Everyone connected ?” Megan asked telepathically.
— “ This is weird ,” Artemis said, touching her head.
— “ And distracting. Coding a distributed algorithm virus on a kiddie computer with less RAM than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen think in my mind. Skull ,” Dr. Roquette added with a little anger.
— “Lady, do you always complain when someone tries to help you? ” Kid Flash asked. He had a point.
— “ Gotta say, Kid has a point, ” I added.
— “ Pot. Kettle. Have you met? ” Artemis teased Kid Flash.
— “ Hey, hey, I do not need an attitude from the newbie that drove Red Arrow off from the team, ” Kid replied.
— “ Artemis, Kid Flash, enough, ” I scolded them. — “ Besides, it is not Artemis' fault that Red Arrow rejected this team, saying that we are pawns and everything. And I don’t want someone so stiff to participate,” I finished.
— “ Fate of the world. At. Stake, ” Dr. Roquette said.
— “ She started it, ” Kid Flash said, pouting.
— “ How about you go help the others control the perimeter, princess? ” I asked her softly.
— “ For you, everything ,” she replied with a flirtatious voice.
— “You know that we can hear you, right?” Megan asked.
— “Dang it,” Artemis said, clicking her tongue.

 — “Y ou might cut her some slack ,” Robin started. — “ It was her arrow that saved your butt against Amazo ,” he teased.

— “ Humph. Still not giving her the satisfaction, ” Wally replied with a light frown.

— “ You know I can still hear you ,” Artemis confirmed.

Wally just grabbed his head and growled.

— “ I couldn't get the Justice League ,” Dr. Roquette said while pinching the bridge of her nose.

— “ The virus won't be of much use if we can't find the weapon, ” Aqualad added.

— “ Yeah, could you track it ?” I followed up.

— “ First of all, the fog isn’t a weapon, it’s a piece of technology. And yes, I can track it, but doing so would light me up like a Christmas tree. The Shadows would see me instantly,” Dr. Roquette explained.

— “ Don’t worry, Doctor. We’re here to protect you. Just send it, ” I assured her.

— “ Tracking fog now ,” Roquette replied simply.

— “ You may not be the blind sexy guy inside, but you're definitely an exquisite piece of a man, ” I heard Artemis say, clearly talking about Superboy.

— “ He can hear you ,” Megan said with a hint of jealousy. — “ We all can.”

— “I know ,” Artemis replied.

— “ And I thought Kid Flash's teenage hormones were bad ,” I thought bluntly.

— “ Miss Martian, reconfigure the bioship so that Robin and Superboy can pursue the fog, ” I instructed Megan.

Megan raised her hand, summoned the bioship, and said — “ Ready .”

Superboy and Robin rushed aboard and flew off to intercept the fog. Meanwhile, Megan and Artemis started bickering, which gave an assassin the chance to slip in.

I noticed it and excused myself to look for him.

I was walking down the hallway when I sensed a presence behind me and turned just in time to catch a sai headed for my back.

— “And who might you be?” I asked aloud, facing a woman in green with an Anbu-style mask.

— “I'm the Cheshire Cat from Wonderland,” she replied.

— “Woah. Gotta admit, the Shadows have guts—sending one weak assassin to do the job alone,” I said.

She launched herself at me with a flying kick aimed at my head. I ducked under her leg and threw her into the lockers.

— “I'm not into hurting women, so how about you surrender, go back to Ra's al Ghul, tell him you failed, and I don't have to humiliate you.”

— “You're pretty confident for someone who thinks he can beat me,” Cheshire replied.

— “We have an intruder,” I said to everyone through the mental link.

— “Where?” Aqualad asked.

— “Second-floor hallway,” I responded.

Cheshire suddenly rushed at me again, this time with her sai in hand. I blocked her wrist. Getting tired of the fight, I grabbed her by the collar and slammed her against the lockers, pinning her tightly.

— “Gotta say, handsome, you know how to handle a woman like me,” Cheshire said in a sultry voice.

— “I’m more into blondes,” I replied before throwing her down the hall.

— “Well, you had your chance,” I said with a serious tone before dashing forward at a vertiginous speed that caught Cheshire completely off guard.
— “Wha—” Cheshire was cut off by a punch to the gut that made her eyes roll back into her head.
— “ Got her ,” I said bluntly.
— “ You took down a Shadow assassin by yourself? ” Artemis asked, surprised.
— “ Of course. These guys are weaklings, ” I replied, like it was no big deal.
— “ Aqualad, can you call the authorities to take her into custody ?” I asked.
— “ On it ,” came his simple reply.
— “ Should we relocate ?” Megan asked.
— “ No. We’ve got the advantage here, ” I said firmly.

Nothing else really happened after that. Dr. Roquette finished coding the virus and sent it to Robin, who stopped Dr. Ivo and saved WayneTech from total annihilation—protecting Robin’s, Batman’s, and my identity in the process.

Just another walk in the park.
We returned to the Cave, where I finally introduced myself to Artemis properly.

Gotham City
August 9, 2010
1:17 AM

Third-Person Point of View:

We see Artemis stepping out of an out-of-order phone booth. She senses someone to her left and quickly draws her bow, aiming at the shadow.

— “Step into the light. Now!” Artemis said fiercely, pointing her arrow at the figure hidden in the shadows.
— “Nice move,” Roy said, stepping forward.
— “Almost made me believe you're Green Arrow's niece,” he added teasingly.
— “But we both know you're not,” he finished, his tone turning venomous.
— “Didn't know you were into harassing beautiful women,” Satoru teased, speaking from above.

Both Artemis and Roy jumped in surprise, looking up to see Satoru sitting casually on an emergency ladder.

— “Since when have you been there?” Roy asked.
— “Since forever,” Satoru replied with a grin.
— “You know she's not Green Arrow’s niece?” Roy asked curiously.

Artemis looked down, a bit shy.

— “If Batman trusts her, then I do too. Besides, it doesn’t matter whose niece she is. What matters is that she wants to do the right thing,” Satoru said, making Artemis look at him—surprised and slightly hopeful.

— “I’ll be watching you,” Roy warned, pointing at Artemis before turning and leaving.

— “I didn’t need you to defend me,” Artemis stated.

Satoru dropped down from the ladder, landing in front of her.

— “Don’t be like that, Princess,” Satoru said.
— “Gotta admit, green looks better on you than black,” he flirted, making her blush.

— “Well, now that you’re okay, I’ll head out,” Satoru added as he began walking away.
— “Remember—don’t let anyone tell you who you are,” he finished, waving his hand as he left.

— “Idiot,” Artemis muttered to herself before heading home.

Ten days later…

Mount Justice
August 19, 2010
7:41 PM

Third-Person Point of View:

The team—except for Robin and Satoru—were hanging out in the cave in their civvies. Superboy, shirtless, and Aqualad, wearing his training gear, were having a sparring match. Off to the side, Megan and Artemis were gossiping about the boys on the team.

— “Kaldur’s, uh, nice. Don’t you think so?” Artemis asked Megan.
— “Handsome. Commanding. You should totally ask him out,” Artemis added, crossing her arms.
— “He’s like a big brother to me... but you know who would make a good couple? You and Wally,” Megan replied, glancing toward Wally, who was on the opposite side eating a burrito.
— “You’re so full of passion, and he’s so full of, uh… oh,” Megan continued, struggling to find the right word.
— “It?” Artemis added, playing along.

Both laughed.

— “My type is more…” Artemis trailed off, looking up at the ceiling, clearly thinking of Satoru.

Megan noticed and smirked.

— “What about you and Satoru? The tension between you two could be cut with a knife.”
— “I—I don’t think he could ever look at—” Artemis began nervously, her voice catching.

Suddenly, the group was interrupted by Red Tornado descending from his alcove.
Wally spotted him and immediately rushed over, eager.
— “Got a mission for us?” he asked.
— “Mission assignments are Batman’s responsibility,” Red Tornado stated plainly.
— “Well, yeah, but Batman’s with Robin and Satoru doing the dynamic trio thing in Gotham. But you’re headed somewhere, right?” Wally pressed, trying to get something out of him.
— “If we can be of help…” Kaldur added.

Red Tornado didn’t answer at first. He turned around and began typing on the holographic console. Moments later, an image appeared—a projection of an elderly man with a cane.

Red Tornado began explaining: the man was Kent Nelson, former bearer of the Helmet of Fate. He had been missing for twenty-three days.

— “Before you go, I must contact Batman,” Red Tornado said before opening a secure communication channel.

After a brief moment, he turned back to the team.

— “Batman has agreed to send someone to assist you—someone with advanced sorcery knowledge,” Red Tornado informed them.

— “Who?” Wally asked, visibly curious.

Recognized- Limitless- B04-

A few minutes before…

Gotham City
August 19, 2010
7:31 PM

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Batman, Robin, and I were standing above one of the Shadows' bases, gathering intel on some strange activity they had been conducting in Gotham.
— “Sooo… do we go down and take them out or what?” I asked Batman, waiting for his signal.
— “There’s a cargo shipment expected. When it arrives, we move,” Batman replied calmly.

We waited about five minutes until Robin spoke through the comms.
— “They’re here,” he confirmed.
— “On it,” I replied, clapping my hands to teleport above the entrance, ready to block anyone trying to flee.

To my left, I saw Batman silently taking down some goons. To my right, Robin was doing the same.

It’s showtime, I thought to myself before dropping down right in front of the thugs.
— “You know it’s illegal to carry weapons like that,” I said flatly, drawing their attention.

Panic spread among them.
— “Shoot him!” one shouted.

I stood still as their bullets bounced harmlessly off my Infinity. Once their magazines were empty, I just grinned.
— “That’s bad, isn’t it?” I said before dashing forward and kicking their asses.

Once everyone was down and tied up, we regrouped on a nearby rooftop to plan our next move.

Suddenly, Batman received a call from the League.
— “Limitless, you’re needed at Mount Justice. Kent Nelson—former Doctor Fate—is missing,” he informed me.

I looked at him with curiosity.
— “What about Ra’s al Ghul?”

— “We’ll handle it. The Helmet takes priority,” Batman answered.

— “Alright, but if things go sideways, call me,” I said before clapping my hands and teleporting in front of the phone booth to access the Zeta Tube.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mount Justice
August 19, 2010
7:48PM

Recognized- Limitless- B04-

— “Hey guys, how’s it going?” I asked casually as I walked in. Inside, I saw Artemis, Kaldur, Superboy, M'gann, and Wally.
— “ Satoru is the advanced sorcerer? No offense,” Wally asked incredulously.
— “Love you too, Wall-man,” I replied with a smirk.
— “Batman recommended him. He must have his reasons,” Red Tornado said simply as he handed me a strange-looking key.
— “This is the key to the Tower of Fate,” he explained.
— “Got it,” I said, taking the key.

Then I turned to the rest of the team.
— “Alright, let’s go,” I said while walking toward the hangar.

Everyone just stared at me, dumbfounded.

Few minutes later on the bioship…

— “So, how are you , the advanced and all-knowing sorcerer, Satoru?” Wally asked.
— “Well, for starters, I am a sorcerer. The strongest, in fact,” I said with arrogant confidence.
— “Sometimes your arrogance leaves me speechless,” Artemis said sarcastically.
— “I know,” I replied with a grin, making Artemis frown slightly.
— “Are you really a true sorcerer?” M'gann jumped in, her voice full of excitement.
— “Yes, little Megan, I am,” I said, snapping my fingers to summon my glasses after lowering my blindfold.
— “Cool!” M'gann said, her eyes sparkling.
— “So, you do magic the same way Zatara does?” Kaldur asked, curious.
— “That weak magic where he says words backwards? Yeah, I can do that. But I specialize in a different kind of sorcery,” I replied teasingly.
— “I don't like to brag, but, uh… before becoming Kid Flash, I actually thought about being a magician,” Wally said, trying to sound cool.

I just looked at him with a blank expression.
— “Is that so?” I asked, using the most sarcastic tone I could muster.

— “We’ve reached Tornado’s coordinates, but…” Megan started, only for Kaldur to finish the sentence:

— “Nothing’s there.”

I looked out the window with my glasses on. The tower was right there. Guess it’s hidden from everyone else—either by knowledge, or by my eyes.

— “There’s a tower in the middle,” I said bluntly.

Everyone turned to look at me like I was hallucinating.

— “Beautiful ey—” I began, but Wally cut me off with a scoff.

— “Beautiful eyes, yeah yeah, what can’t your eyes see?”

We exited the ship. In front of me stood a towering spire radiating magic—so much it was like standing under a waterfall of raw power.

— “So what do you think? Adaptive micro-opto-electronics combined with shape-shifting?” Artemis asked, clearly baiting Wally.

— “Absolutely—” he started, then caught sight of Megan approaching and switched tracks completely, “—Not! Obviously... mystical forces are at work here.”

— “There’s a tower here with immense magical energy. Let me show you.”
I stepped forward, sliding the key into the air where nothing could be seen.

The moment it clicked, the Tower of Fate shimmered into view, revealing itself to the entire team.

Everyone stared. Even Wally looked impressed.

— “What do you think now, young magician?” I teased, glancing over my shoulder at him.

But behind me, my eyes caught something else: Kent Nelson… and with him, Klarion—and Abracadabra.

As we crossed the threshold, a ghostly image of Kent appeared to greet us.

— “Greetings. You have entered with a key, but the Tower does not recognize you. Please state your purpose and intent,” the ghost spoke.

I was about to answer, but Wally—wanting to show off in front of M'gann—spoke first.

— “We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate.”

The ghost looked at us, unimpressed.

Then I heard something crack—a sharp sound that snapped my attention into focus. The floor began to tremble... and crumble. Beneath us, a pit of molten lava revealed itself.

I immediately moved. Placing my right palm on Artemis’s back and my left on Kaldur’s shoulder, I held them up midair—surprising them both as they realized they were floating.

Artemis looked up at me.
— “Gotcha,” I said with a grin.

The rest of the team wasn’t as lucky. M’gann grabbed Wally mid-fall but was quickly losing altitude—the heat was weakening her Martian physiology. Superboy tried to cling to the walls, slowing his descent, but his feet barely grazed the lava, melting his boots instantly.

— “Those were... my favorite boots,” Superboy growled.

— “Having trouble maintaining altitude. I’m so hot,” M’gann said, wiping sweat from her forehead, clearly struggling.

— “You certainly are,” Wally said, ever the flirt.

— “Wally!” Artemis shouted from above.

— “Artemis is right. Stop talking before you get everyone killed,” I added dryly.

Still hovering above the chaos, I turned calmly to the ghost.

— “We were sent by Red Tornado. He’s concerned about the helmet... and Mr. Kent.”

The ghost paused. Then, it smiled.

Suddenly, the lava pit vanished, the stone floor reforming beneath us. Everyone landed—or floated—back down, breathing sighs of relief.

Once everyone was back on solid ground, Wally tried to flirt with M'gann—earning him Artemis’s immediate fury.

— “Don’t worry, Megalicious, I got you,” Wally said with a grin.

— “Enough,” Artemis snapped, shoving him back. — “Your little ‘Impress M'gann at all costs’ game nearly got us all barbecued.”

— “When did this become my fault?” Wally protested.

— “When you lied to that... whatever it was,” Artemis shot back.

— “Artemis is right, Wally. If you don’t believe in magic, don’t lie about it,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

— “Wally... you don’t believe?” M'gann asked softly, genuinely curious.

Wally glanced at everyone, clearly frustrated, before finally exploding.

— “Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic. But magic is the real lie! It’s a major load!” he finished, arms crossed defiantly.

— “Wally, I studied for a year at the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis,” Kaldur said, eyes on the ground. — “The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my water-bearers.”

— “Dude, have you ever heard of bioelectricity?” Wally shot back. — “In primitive cultures, fire was once considered magic too. Today, it’s just a bunch of tricks.”

— “You’re pretty close-minded for someone who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers,” Artemis mocked.

— “That’s science. I replicated Flash’s lab experiment—and here I am. Everything can be explained through science,” Wally said bluntly.

— “Wanna bet I can prove you wrong?” I asked, smirking.

— “Show me,” he said simply.

For everyone to see, I lowered my glasses, slowed my breathing, and started channeling my Cursed Energy. Dark blue and black waves of energy wrapped around me like a living cloak, flowing outward with silent power. My eyes began to glow with a piercing electric blue.

The team—including Wally—stared at me, stunned. They held their breath, sweating cold despite the heat, overwhelmed by the presence I radiated.

Then, calmly, I drew the energy back into myself and adjusted my glasses.

— “Wh–wh–what was that?” Kaldur asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

— “That’s my Cursed Energy. The fuel for my sorcery,” I explained.

— “Cursed... energy?” Wally repeated, dumbfounded.

— “Yeah, but relax—it’s not like I’m going to go full evil or anything. Cursed Energy isn’t dangerous unless I use it that way. My clan learned to control the negative energy in the air a thousand years ago. Nowadays, it's pretty much forgotten. I’m probably the last user alive,” I said, trying to ease the tension.

— “Do you believe now?” I teased Wally, who jumped at the sudden comment. He didn’t reply—he just stood there in silence.

— “How about this?” Kaldur said, lifting a trap door on the floor.
— “Wait—no!” Wally shouted, trying to stop Kaldur, but it was too late. Kaldur had already opened it.
But under there wasn’t hot lava… it was snow.

We all jumped, the last one being Wally. The team stared at him.

I spoke first, teasing — “Don’t you get tired of being wrong?”
— “Well?” Artemis added.
— “Ever heard of string theory? We’re in a pocket dimension,” Wally replied. Everyone sighed at this.

— “What’s that?” M’gann asked, pointing at a cane levitating in the middle of the air.

— “Don’t tou—” I started, but before I could finish, Wally and Artemis had already reached out and touched it.

The cane vanished—taking both of them with it.

I sighed. — “Why do they always have to touch things?”

We looked at each other. Then I said — “Let’s get out of here.”

We walked for a while, talking about how Wally can’t believe in magic and how he always denies anything he can’t explain.

In the distance, we saw a door open, so we ran toward it, hoping to escape this snowy place.

Meanwhile, with Artemis and Wally…

Third-Person Point of View:

Both of them appeared in front of Abrakadabra and Klarion, who were holding Kent prisoner.

Sensing his cane nearby, Kent raised his head. The cane floated toward him, breaking the magical restraints the moment it touched his hand.

Now free, Kent turned to a nearby wall and opened a glowing gap, transforming it into an elevator.

Without a word, he stepped in. Artemis and Wally followed close behind.

Inside the elevator, Kent spoke first.
— “I'm Kent Nelson, by the way.”
— “No duh—ouch,” Wally started, but Artemis elbowed him.
— “I’m Artemis, and Mister Manners here is Wally,” she added.
— “Well, Artemis, we’re up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power,” Kent replied seriously.
— “Abrakadabra?” Wally asked. — “Flash proved he just uses futuristic tech to simulate sorcery,” he finished with a scoff.
— “Right you are,” Kent said with a smile.
— “He is?” Artemis asked, surprised.
— “Yes. But the real problem is Klarion, the Witch Boy. He’s a Lord of Chaos—natural enemy to someone like Doctor Fate,” Kent explained.
— “The good news is, your friend has a lot of mystic power too. I hope he can defeat him,” Kent added.
— “Who, Satoru?” Artemis asked curiously.
— “Yes. He has a magical affinity I haven’t seen in ages,” Kent replied.
— “Don’t let Satoru hear you. His ego’s big enough already,” Artemis said.
— “Haha, probably,” Kent chuckled.

A few seconds later, the elevator came to a stop. The trio stepped out in front of a giant glowing bell.

Suddenly, a white door appeared nearby. From it, Kaldur, M’gann, Superboy, and Satoru stepped through.

Artemis spotted them and immediately ran toward the group.
— “Friends of yours?” Kent asked, glancing at Wally.

A stream of lightning suddenly struck the ground from above—its source: Abrakadabra, standing nearby with Klarion and his cat Teekl.

— “Friends of yours,” Wally muttered back.

Without hesitation, Kent struck the bell with his cane, making it glow with ancient power. A golden door opened in front of them. Kent and Wally stepped inside. Klarion, narrowing his eyes, followed close behind.

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Mmm... Guess I’ll have to teach this charlatan some real sorcery.
— “Everyone ready?” I asked, turning my head slightly.
The team nodded, so I simply blinked in front of the fake magician, grabbed him by the collar, and threw him toward Kaldur—who landed a clean punch to his face, knocking him out cold.
— “Well… that was pathetic,” Superboy said.
— “Indeed, my friend,” Kaldur replied.
— “Now what?” Artemis asked.
— “Where’s Wally?” M’gann asked softly.
— “I’ll get him,” I replied.
— “Do you even know where they are?” Artemis asked with a frown.
— “Of course. See ya,” I said before clapping my hands and disappearing.

Third-Person Point of View:

 The rest were there without believing that Satoru just disappeared again.

— “Hate when he does that,” Artemis said with small anger.

— “Look, there” Superboy said, pointing at the ceiling where a wooden trap door could be seen very far away..

— "Let's go” Kaldur said running towards it.

_____________________________________________________________________

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

I arrived outside to see Kent Nelson on the floor. I couldn’t sense his heartbeat.
“ Dammit, ” I thought to myself.

Wally was floating in the air with the helmet on, fighting Klarion. Well… more like losing than fighting.
— “Need some help?” I asked Fate.
He looked at me without saying anything. Klarion, on the other side, looked annoyed.
— “Don’t interfere, pretty eyes,” he said, launching chaos bolts at me.

At first, I felt confident with my Infinity on—but time seemed to slow.
Something felt… off.
My eyes caught something at the last second, but it was too late to dodge it completely. I got hit on my right side.
I hadn’t been damaged by anything outside of training since then —and let me tell you, it burned like hell.

Even though I reinforced my skin with cursed energy just in time, it still hit me hard.
I looked at my right side. Half my jacket was torn, and my skin was burnt.

That looked bad.
“Who would've thought someone could bypass my Infinity... Guess my natural enemy really is this chaos lord,” I thought, taking off the rest of the jacket, revealing a workout body.
I was ripped.

— “That hurt, you piece of shit. Time to get serious,” I said, locking eyes with Klarion.
— “Don’t fall behind, Fate,” I added before jumping straight toward him to land a kick to his face.

Klarion dodged at the last second, so I spun above him and sent a punch. He dodged again.
My fist hit the rooftop, creating a small crater.

While Klarion landed, Dr. Fate launched some beams of order magic. Klarion deflected them.
— “I hate this 2 v 1!” Klarion shouted before exploding into chaos energy in all directions.

I dodged some of it but got cut in a few places.
I jumped next to Fate.

— “Got a plan, Doc?” I asked him.
— “The cat,” he replied simply.
That made me grin.

I blinked in front of the cat and hit it with a pulse of cursed energy.
— “¡ Noooooooo !” Klarion screamed as his physical form started blinking.

— “I’ll get that helmet back. And YOU... next time, I’ll kill you!” Klarion shouted before disappearing.

Behind me, I heard the crack of a door. I turned around to see Artemis, Kaldur, Superboy, and M’gann running toward me.
They took one look at my condition and instantly looked worried—Artemis, especially.

— “Wha—What happened?” Artemis asked, staring at the cuts and the burn on my side.
— “Satoru, what happened to you?” Kaldur added, clearly concerned.

— “Guys, guys, chill,” I said, raising my hands to calm them down.

— “Don’t say chill,” Artemis snapped. — “I’ve never—we’ve never seen you get hurt on a mission.”

— “Relax. Just a Lord of Chaos,” I said calmly, brushing it off.

— “Where’s Wally?” M’gann asked, worry clear in her voice.
— “There,” I replied, pointing at Dr. Fate.

— “He put on the helmet before I could reach him,” I added.

— “Why doesn’t he just take it off?” Superboy asked, raising an eyebrow.
— “Because Nabu—the entity of order that lives in the helmet—doesn’t want to,” I explained, voice flat.

Then I stepped forward, locking eyes with Dr. Fate.

— “Fate, remove the helmet from Kid Flash,” I demanded.

— “You dare make demands of me?” he asked, incredulous.
— “Do it… or I’ll make you,” I replied, my voice low, my gaze serious.

For a moment, nothing happened. I was ready to fight.

But then, Dr. Fate slowly floated down… and removed the helmet, revealing Wally West underneath.

I smiled, holding out a fist.
— “Welcome back.”

Wally looked at me and grinned, bumping his fist to mine.
— “Glad to be back,” he replied.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mount Justice
August 20, 2010
1:23 AM

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

We already have come back to the cave once there Batman and Robin were waiting to see how everything had gone.

When Batman and the boy wonder saw me they looked a little shocked and approached me.

Batman’s gaze locked onto me. — “You’re wounded.”

I nodded. — “Klarion’s chaos magic... it broke through my Infinity.”

That got everyone's attention.

— “I thought your ability created an absolute barrier,” Batman pressed.

— “It does,” I said. — “But chaos magic doesn’t follow the rules. I learned that the hard way.”

I felt Artemis’s eyes on me, lingering just a second too long.

Third-Person Point of View :

Kaldur finally asked the question they had all been holding back.

— “Satoru… what exactly are your powers? That… energy you used. And what was that thing you called ‘Infinity’?”

Satoru Gojo crossed his arms and stepped forward slightly, noticing everyone was waiting for an answer. Artemis had asked—again—how his “can’t-touch-me trick” actually worked.

— “You want me to explain it like you’re scientists... or kindergartners?” he said with a smug smile.

— “Just say it,” Superboy grunted.

Gojo snapped his fingers and began:

— “What surrounds me is called Infinity . It’s not a shield or a force field... it’s a technique based on real physics. Basically, I manipulate the space between you and me.”

Everyone looked at each other, confused.

— “How does that work?” M’gann asked.

Gojo continued calmly, lowering his voice a bit:

— “Imagine trying to touch me. You think your hand is getting closer, but it never actually reaches me. Why? Because I divide the distance between us into an infinite number of smaller and smaller steps.”

He paused for a second, glancing at his fingers as he explained:

— “So, technically, you are touching me—but you’re making contact with Infinity itself. At a speed so slow, so infinitely reduced... that you never actually reach me.”

Wally blinked.

— “So you’re telling me you’re cheating... with math?”

Gojo smirked.

— “Exactly. I manipulate space using cursed energy to control perception and real distance. That’s why physical attacks, projectiles, even energy beams... they all slow down and stop before they hit me.”

— “Then... that’s why Klarion’s blasts hit you?” Artemis asked, glancing at the burnt side of his torso.

Gojo looked down, his expression turning serious for the first time.

— “Yeah. Because what he uses doesn’t follow normal rules of space or physics. Chaos magic can’t be calculated. It’s unpredictable, lawless. That’s why it slipped through Infinity.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal, though the team kept staring at him in awe.

— “So yeah… I’m untouchable. Mostly.”

Everyone stared at him with blank expressions.

Suddenly, Artemis smacked his injured side, making him jump.

— “ How untouchable?” she said with playful sarcasm.

— “Let’s get you patched up,” Batman said, stepping forward and guiding him toward the infirmary.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Mount Justice
August 27, 2010
6:17 AM

Third-Person Point of view:

We could see the entire team—except Artemis—fighting a mud creature. Clayface.
This new threat had appeared out of nowhere inside Wayne Tower. It escaped through the sewer system, and Batman ordered the team to track it.
They did, and found it in an abandoned shed. There, the team tried to stall it until Batman could come up with a solution.

— “Aqualad, dodge!” Satoru shouted.
Aqualad seemed to snap to attention, but it was too late—he took a hit to the chest and was sent flying.

— “Robin, I think I have a small solution,” Satoru said, joining Robin at the back while the others kept Clayface busy.
— “Can you amp your taser to make it stronger?” he asked.

Suddenly, Superboy was also sent flying.

— “I could try,” Robin replied, uncertain.
— “Do it,” Satoru said seriously.

He jumped into the fight, bending space to try and contain the creature—but there was too much mud. Some of it slipped past and struck Kid Flash, who was moving behind.

— “I’ve got it!” Robin said behind him.

Robin then tased Clayface, and the creature immediately collapsed into a pile of inert mud.

Satoru sighed in relief, then looked around. The place was a mess.

He turned to Aqualad, grabbed him by the collar and shouted:
— “Where are you, Aqualad?”
Aqualad flinched in surprise.

— “I’m here,” he answered, confused.
— “Your body is here. But your mind—and your heart—aren’t.”

— “No, You're wro- “ Aqualad started only to sigh and continue — “You are right” Finished lowering his head with a low soft voice.

Batman suddenly arrived, looking at the scene — “Good job”.

_____________________________________________________________________

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Gotham City
August 27, 2010
8:04 PM

Once I gave Batman the report, he requested to speak with Aqualad alone. That made Dick frown in mild anger.

From what I heard later, Kaldur went back to Atlantis to make up for something. Good for him.

I was training with Robin. I was meditating while he was balancing on the rings.
I could feel his anger—flowing in waves.

— “You know he didn’t mean it like that, right?” I asked, opening my eyes just in time to see him mutter something before doing a backflip, trying to land on one of the pallets—but he fell.

He spun toward the wall, got back up, and hit it with his fist.

I stood up and walked over to him.
— “If what’s bothering you is that Bruce spoke with Kaldur, then you’re wrong,” I said bluntly.

He looked at me, about to say something, but Alfred opened the door and spoke.

— “Master Bruce wishes to see both of you,” Alfred said politely, clearing his throat.

We looked at each other before walking to where Bruce was.

When we arrived, we found him in workout clothes. He threw us each a basketball and said:
— “Training. Hand-eye coordination.”

Dick and I looked at each other with a smile.
— “You think you can beat us two versus one, old man?” I asked.
Bruce just smiled at that.

We played for a while, all the way until dinner. Diana showed up too.

— “So, how’s everything going with the team?” Diana asked while eating.
— “Awesome,” I replied.
Dick glanced at me with a mischievous grin.

— “Satoru’s been having a lot of fun,” he said.
I frowned slightly.
— “What are you implying?” I asked him.

— “I don’t know… You should know. I mean, it’s your new girlfriend,” Dick teased.
— “Artemis and I are not a thing,” I replied flatly.

Dick smiled even wider.
— “I didn’t say Artemis... but you wish I had.”
— “Dude. Stop it.”
— “You shouldn’t be ashamed of your feelings. Besides, you’re at that age,” Diana added with a teasing smile.

— “Not you too, Diana…” I groaned.
— “Maybe I should tell you the story about the birds and the bees,” Bruce added with a perfectly straight face.
— “Not you too, please ,” I said, pretending to cry.

Third-Person Point of view:

Later that night — Gotham, after the rain

Dinner at the manor had ended hours ago.
Satoru was jumping from rooftop to rooftop, trying to find something interesting.

—“I can’t believe I fell for the oldest trick in the book,” he muttered to himself, remembering the conversation.

—“Do I really think about Artemis that way…?” he added, his words fading as he looked up in thought.

The sky above Gotham still rumbled with distant thunder, though the rain had stopped. Most people were inside, trying to ignore the city’s natural rhythm—the one that included sirens, muffled screams, and the occasional sound of someone running for their life.

Satoru Gojo stood atop a building near the Narrows, scanning the streets with mild curiosity.

He wasn’t tired. He didn’t need to be out. But tonight felt... electric. Like something was waiting to happen. Something interesting.

He adjusted the collar of his black coat and slowly made his way down, hopping across balconies until he landed softly on the emergency stairs of an old brick building. He didn’t know why he stopped there. Maybe it was the quiet. Maybe it was the rhythm of the city beneath him. Or maybe it was just intuition.

He sat on the metal steps, elbows resting on his knees, his blindfold lifted just slightly above the bridge of his nose so he could enjoy the flickering streetlights below. His Six Eyes scanned the blocks like a bored god surveying ants.

And then—

—“Satoru?” a voice called softly behind him, a slight tremor in it.

He turned his head, surprised.

Artemis was leaning out from a window two floors above, arms crossed. Clearly, she had stepped out for air. She was barefoot, wearing a worn t-shirt and shorts, her hair loosely tied back.

He blinked, then smirked.

—“Well, hey. Funny seeing you here.”

—“What the hell are you doing on my fire escape?” she asked, a trace of panic in her voice, confused.

He tilted his head.

—“Your fire escape?” He glanced around. “Huh. Didn’t know that. Guess I just sat where the vibes felt right.”

—“Were you stalking me?”

—“If I were, you wouldn’t have noticed.”

She rolled her eyes.

—“Creep,” she muttered, more relaxed now that she realized he hadn’t known where she lived.

Before he could reply, a distant voice came from inside her apartment.

—“Artemis? Who are you talking to, sweetie?”

She leaned back and called—
—“It’s nothing, Mom! Just some... weirdo sitting outside.”

—“Don’t be rude,” Satoru whispered upward with a grin.

Artemis looked like she was about to throw something at him when—

Pop-pop-pop — gunfire cracked through the night.

Both of them snapped their heads toward the sound. Satoru was already on his feet.

—“South end. Two blocks away,” he said calmly.

She leaned further out the window, tense.
—“Are you going to—”

But he was already fading, his silhouette shimmering like heat against the metal stairs.

—“See ya, Artemis,” he called without turning back.

Then he was gone.

—“Tch. Show-off,” Artemis muttered, clicking her tongue before closing the window.

Gotham — Two Blocks South

The gunfire wasn’t random—it was precise, controlled. Bursts of three, followed by silence. Someone was making a statement.

Satoru landed soundlessly on the rooftop across from an alley filled with chaos. A dark SUV was parked diagonally across the mouth of the street, its windows shattered. A man in body armor lay beside it, unmoving. Inside the alley, three figures moved with military coordination—high-grade weapons, thermal scopes, no wasted motion.

They were cleaning up.

—“Mercs,” Satoru muttered. “Fancy ones.”

One of them raised his rifle toward a shadow trying to crawl behind a dumpster. Civilians.

With a casual flick of his fingers, Satoru dropped straight into the middle of the alley.

He didn’t bother to announce himself. He didn’t need to.

The mercs noticed him half a second too late.

The closest one aimed his rifle and fired—three bursts of crimson tracers flew toward Satoru's chest.

They stopped.

Mid-air.

The bullets hung inches away from his body, caught in an invisible field.

—“Guns in Gotham,” he sighed, stepping forward. “How original.”

The second merc took a shot at his head. Satoru vanished.

A heartbeat later, he reappeared behind them, standing atop the SUV. His coat fluttered as if caught in a breeze that no one else could feel.

—“Alright,” he called. “You have ten seconds to drop the weapons before I stop holding back.”

One of them yelled, “Limitless!”

Another pulled a flashbang and threw it upward.

Light exploded—then silence.

When the smoke cleared, Satoru was gone again.

Except he wasn’t.

He was in front of the third man, a hand gripping the barrel of his rifle.

—“That was your flashbang? Adorable,” he said, before crushing the weapon like it was made of cardboard.

The merc tried to pull away, but Satoru tapped him lightly on the chest.

The man flew across the alley and hit a wall with a dull crack , slumping unconscious.

The others didn’t get the chance to run. They were surrounded now—by floating debris held in mid-air by an invisible force.

One merc raised a hand to surrender. The other dropped to his knees, shaking.

Satoru let the debris fall harmlessly around them, then walked toward the civilians huddled behind the dumpster.

—“You’re safe now,” he said gently, crouching beside them.

One of them—a young woman—nodded, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Satoru looked toward the cloudy Gotham sky.

Then he stood, turning his back on the groaning mercs.

He didn’t wait for thanks.

He never did.

Artemis — Sitting in her apartment, just minutes after Satoru disappeared

She sank down on the edge of her bed, fingers lightly tracing the wood grain of the old bow resting nearby.
Her mind wasn’t calm—it was swirling with thoughts she wasn’t ready to admit out loud.

Why does he make me feel like this…?

She shook her head gently, as if trying to clear the thoughts away.

No. We couldn’t. He would never accept…

She stood slowly, her eyes lingering on the bow for a moment longer before turning away.

He’s probably already forgotten about me.

She hated how much that thought sat wrong in her chest.

With a frustrated sigh, Artemis threw herself back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Satoru — A couple hours later, after stopping several crimes — standing in the rain

The city was soaked, rain falling hard and relentless.
Yet not a single drop touched him.

His Infinity technique formed an invisible barrier around his body, parting the water before it could reach him.

He stood alone on a dimly lit rooftop, neon signs flickering through the misty night.

It’s strange, he thought, watching the raindrops vanish before his eyes.
I’ve been trying to forget it… but she’s still on my mind.

He let out a soft chuckle, the storm roaring around him. 

His eyes glowed faintly beneath the storm clouds as he melted back into the shadows, the rain never quite reaching him.

Rain poured relentlessly over Gotham, drenching the streets and turning every light into a smear of color through the fog.
Limitless moved without urgency, sensing the city's pulse shifting beneath the storm.

Though the world around him was soaked, not a single drop touched his skin or clothes.

He had stopped a handful of crimes that night—quick, clean, efficient.
Yet his thoughts kept circling back to her.

Artemis.

There was something about her that set her apart from the others.
Something carefully hidden—like she didn’t even realize it herself.

Satoru let out another quiet laugh beneath the rain that never touched him.

Somehow, this silent game between them was starting to grow on him.

But Gotham wouldn’t wait. A scream cut through the night, sharp and immediate—followed by the harsh crack of gunfire.

Without hesitation, Limitless vanished into the shadows, the rain parting soundlessly around him as he moved like a ghost through the drenched city.

Time to keep moving.

_____________________________________________________________________

Few days later…

Bialya
September 4, 2010
12:16 AM

Third-Person Point of View:

Miss Martian

Miss Martian lay on cold sand under the night sky, blinking up in confusion. Her thoughts swirled in Martian, unfamiliar and disoriented.

— “Hello, Megan… I’m on Earth,” she said aloud, lightly tapping her forehead.

But something was off.

— “How did I get here? Why am I wearing this costume? And why does my head hurt so much?” she asked herself, rubbing her temple in pain before collapsing back into the sand with a groan.

— “Is this a… dream?” she thought groggily.

Before she could gather her bearings, something crashed from the sky nearby with tremendous force.

She turned toward the impact and saw a boy with glowing blue eyes, wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the House of El symbol.

— “I know that symbol… Are you Superman?” she asked with cautious hope.

The boy didn't answer—he just roared in frustration, tearing his shirt apart and leaping straight at her.

M’gann dodged a flurry of powerful punches and managed to send him flying with a telekinetic blast. The boy landed, snarled, then disappeared into the shadows with a powerful leap.

— “This must be a nightmare,” she muttered, curling into herself as a cold wind swept over the sand.

A few hours later with Robin…

Robin woke up with a pounding headache, the kind that made even opening his eyes feel like a chore. He groaned softly as he sat up, squinting at the dry, moonlit terrain around him. Sand. Rocks. Heat still clinging to the ground. Wherever he was, it wasn’t Gotham.

He stood slowly, wobbling a bit before finding his balance. After a few cautious steps, the distant rumble of engines made him freeze. He dropped low behind a cluster of rocks just in time to spot military jeeps rolling across the nearby ridge.

— “Those are Bialyan Republican Army uniforms…” he whispered, frowning. “But what are Bialyans doing in… Bialya?”

He tapped the holocomputer on his wrist. The screen flickered for a moment before confirming it—he was, without a doubt, in Bialya.

— “Better question—what am I doing in Bialya? In September?” His brows furrowed as the timeline in his head refused to line up. “What happened to March? And where’s Satoru?”

His first instinct was to call Batman. If anyone could piece this together, it was him. But just as his fingers hovered over the comms, something clicked in the back of his mind. A briefing. Strict orders.

Maintain radio silence at all times.

He hesitated.

— “Or… not?” he muttered with a weak smirk, lowering his arm.

Something was very wrong—and Satoru’s absence made it worse.

Meanwhile with Satoru…

In the distance, a small hut made of decaying wood stood barely upright, ready to collapse at any moment. Inside, Satoru stirred awake, already dressed in his hero attire—though his blindfold was nowhere to be seen.

—“What the hell…” he muttered, groggy.

—“Where am I…” The words died in his mouth as his vision cleared. To his right, he spotted a blonde girl in a green hero suit, bow at her side.

— Guess Green Arrow’s into genderbending now, he thought to himself.

He pushed himself up, stretching a little as he assessed the situation.

—“Where’s my blindfold?” he murmured, patting his pockets, scanning the hut—but it was gone.

—“Guess I’ll need a new one,” he sighed, relaxing his shoulders.

His gaze shifted back to the girl. His Six Eyes scanned her thoroughly, feeding him information, signaling that she was important—that he knew her. But his mind couldn't connect the dots.

He walked closer and gently shook her awake.

—“Hey, Princess… time to wake up,” Satoru said softly.

She stirred, groaning.

—“Mmm… agh, my head,” she muttered, clutching her forehead.

When her eyes opened, she found herself face to face with a white-haired boy staring at her with a small, amused grin.

Startled, she jolted upright and scrambled backward.

—“Easy there, Princess. I’m not gonna hurt you,” Satoru said, his tone calm and non-threatening.

—“How do I know that?” she snapped.

—“I’m Limitless. I work with the Bat guy,” he replied, flashing a smug smile.

—“Aren’t you supposed to be blindfolded? And blind?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

—“Lost the blindfold. Never been blind,” he replied casually. “But who are you supposed to be? A Green Arrow cosplayer or something?” he added with a teasing smirk.

She looked down to see her outfit.

—“Who put me in this?” she exclaimed, angry.

Satoru raised both hands in surrender, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

—“Definitely not me. But... it suits you,” he replied casually.

—“So… an archer, right?” he asked, glancing at the bow beside her, testing her memory.

—“Not exactly. But my dad taught me.” The words escaped her lips, and something clicked.

Her eyes darkened.

—“Dad…” she muttered, jaw clenched. —“He must have done this. Another one of his twisted tests.”

Satoru, intrigued, raised an eyebrow.

—“What kind of test?”

—“He probably wants me to kill you,” she said bluntly.

Satoru blinked. Then laughed—hard.

—“HahaHAHA—ah, man. That’s a good one.”

—“What’s so funny? You think I couldn’t do it?” she snapped, glaring.

—“No, I’m saying even at your best… you couldn’t,” he said, his tone still teasing, but edged with truth.

She scowled.

Satoru tilted his head, playful again.

—“So what do I call you? I can’t keep thinking of you as the beautiful blonde princess forever.”

She was about to reply—when the sky screamed.

A missile, streaking down.

Without thinking, Satoru moved. He grabbed her and wrapped her in Infinity .

The explosion hit. Fire, dust, and shattered wood—what remained of the hut gone in an instant. The blast carved a crater into the sand.

In the center, untouched, stood Satoru—arms around the girl, eyes calm.

Artemis opened her eyes slowly. She looked up and met his gaze.

Something in his blue eyes held her there for a beat too long. She blinked, looked away, face warming.

—“…Okay. Maybe you were right… that arrow was bigger than mine.”

She cleared her throat, then added:

—“Artemis. My name’s Artemis.”

Satoru smiled.

—“Nice to meet you, Artemis. I’m Satoru Gojo. Strongest sorcerer alive.”

But the moment didn’t last. Engines rumbled. Sand shifted. A convoy appeared over the hill—tanks and soldiers.

—“Guess we found the locals,” Artemis whispered.

Satoru narrowed his eyes.

—“Or they found us.”

The lead tank slowed, turret aimed straight at them. Soldiers barked orders in Bialyan. Guns raised.

—“Do we run or fight?” Artemis asked.

Satoru cracked his neck. His smile faded.

—“You stay behind. I’ll handle this.”

—“Wait, you’re seriou—?”

He stepped forward, bathed in golden sunlight, hands in his pockets.

The convoy halted.

—“DROP YOUR WEAPONS!” a soldier screamed.

Satoru shrugged.

—“Didn’t bring any.”

The tank fired.

The shell never reached him. It froze, suspended in front of his face, caught in an invisible field— Infinity humming softly.

He sighed.

—“That’s rude.”

A single finger raised. The shell crushed into itself and vanished.

Panic. Soldiers screamed.

The second tank began to rotate—but Satoru blurred forward.

No flash. No teleport. Just speed so sharp it bent reality.

He stood at the front lines. A pulse radiated from him.

Boom.

Sand erupted outward in a perfect ring. Soldiers flew. A tank crumpled like paper, its frame folding in on itself.

The rest turned to flee.

Artemis could only watch.

—“What… the hell was that?” she whispered.

But she got no answer.

A low growl rose behind the wreckage.

Something moved.

Someone.

A shirtless boy emerged—hair wild, face snarling. Rage and confusion in his eyes. Dust covered his skin, his muscles coiled like a wild animal.

Superboy.

But no recognition in him. No control.

Just instinct.

—“WATCH OUT!” Artemis yelled as he lunged at her.

Satoru moved.

One moment Artemis stood frozen, the next Satoru was there, between her and the beast.

Superboy landed like a missile. The ground shattered. Artemis lost her balance.

But Satoru didn’t even flinch.

Superboy blinked. Confused.

Satoru was gone again.

Then—

Crack.

A heel slammed down on the back of his skull. The clone’s face met the sand.

—“No technique,” Satoru muttered, landing beside him.

Superboy roared, leaping again. Wild. Animal.

His fist came down.

Stopped.

A centimeter from Satoru’s cheek.

Held in place by something unseen.

—“You’re strong,” Satoru admitted. —“But strength without control? You’re just a boulder rolling downhill.”

He flicked a finger.

Superboy flew backward—launched like a rocket. He tumbled across the sand and slammed into a dune far off in the distance.

Silence.

Artemis stared, stunned.

Satoru dusted his sleeves.

—“He’ll live.”

She didn’t answer right away. Just watched him.

Finally, she spoke—softly.

—“Who are you?”

He looked down at his hand. Flexed it once. Then tucked it back into his pocket.

He smiled.

—“The strongest.”

First-Person Point of view(Satoru):

She sighed. I grinned wider and scooped her up princess-style, catching her off guard.

—“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice tinged with irritation.

—“Getting us out of here before something worse shows up,” I replied, lifting off the ground effortlessly.

—“You can fly too?” she asked, clearly surprised.
—“What can’t you do?” she added, this time with a bit more concern.

—“Get you out of my head,” I shot back with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes at the flirt, but didn’t fight me. We flew for a short while before two massive drones soared into view, firing high-caliber rounds straight at us. Artemis tensed and instinctively hugged me tighter, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for impact. But the bullets froze mid-air, stopped by a shimmering force field.

She peeked up at me, stunned. I was about to obliterate the drones when a girl's voice suddenly echoed inside our heads—right before both drones exploded in a flash.

—“Don’t worry. I’m almost there,” the voice said, cheerful and calm.

—“Did you just hear a girl talking in your head?” Artemis asked, alarmed.

—“Eh… kind of,” I muttered, tapping the side of my skull, trying to shake the eerie sensation.

We both looked up as a green-skinned girl floated down toward us. Something about her felt… off. I could tell Artemis was thinking the same thing.

—“First Green Arrow genderbend, now a Manhunter genderbend. This day can’t get any weirder,” I mumbled.

Artemis frowned at the comment.

—“You know my uncle J’onn?” the green girl asked, clearly surprised and excited.

—“Hello Megan. Of course you’re Limitless—Satoru. And you’re Artemis,” she said, pointing at each of us with certainty.

We exchanged confused glances.

—“You know her?” Artemis asked, raising an eyebrow like I’d just betrayed a secret.

—“Not even a little. So don’t get jealous,” I answered without missing a beat. She looked ready to respond, but I kept going.

—“My eyes tell me I know her. But… the feeling I get from her isn’t like the one I feel for you,” I added bluntly.

Artemis blinked and blushed but said nothing.

—“So… how do we know each other?” I asked the green girl.

—“We’re teammates. We’re in a team,” she explained.

I scanned her face. No signs of lying.

—“Okay, I believe you. Makes sense. We’re probably with Robin, that beast guy, and the other sidekicks,” I shrugged.

—“Why do you believe her so easily?” Artemis asked.

—“No signs of deception. Plus, the pieces fit. The three of us are here, and look at how you’re dressed,” I answered, motioning toward her green outfit.

—“Are you saying I’m Green Arrow’s sidekick?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I stretched lazily, then said, —“Now that I know what to look for, I got this.” I closed my eyes and extended my senses…

There. I sensed Wally and Dick about 76 meters to the west, talking. I grinned.

—“Found them. Grab my shoulder,” I said flatly.

—“What now? You’re gonna teleport us?” Artemis asked, expression unreadable.

I just grinned.

—“What can’t you do?” she muttered, half annoyed, just before I teleported us directly to where Robin and Kid Flash were.

We reappeared in a small, sandy clearing—Robin and Kid Flash stood mid-conversation, startled by our sudden arrival.

—“Whoa! Where did you come from?” Wally blurted out, instinctively raising his fists.

—“Dude, glad to see you. Six months—let’s compare notes,” Robin said, lifting his fist toward me for a bump.

—“Yeah,” I replied casually, smiling as I met the gesture.

—“Glad to see you, dude,” Wally added with a small smile, lowering his arms.

—“Good to see you too,” I grinned.

Megan floated down behind us, her feet barely brushing the ground. She looked at all of us with an expression caught between concern and determination.

—“Our memories were erased by psimon. But I think I can help,” she said gently.

Artemis crossed her arms.

—“You’re gonna read our minds?”

Megan hesitated.

—“Not read—just... unlock what’s already there. If you let me.”
—“You have to hack our minds to discover what happened to us. Okay, go on,” Robin said with a small smile.
—“My mind is all yours, beautiful,” Wally added, ever the flirt.
—“Do it,” I said simply.

I noticed the concern flicker across Artemis’s face. I reached out, gently taking her hand—not tightly, just enough for her to feel the reassurance in the gesture. She glanced at me, uncertain at first, then relaxed slightly at the silent promise in my expression.

—“Okay… Just don’t dig too much,” she sighed, muttering with clear skepticism.

I felt M'gann’s powers brushing against the edges of my mind—like fingers gliding over glass, delicate but steady.
I gave a slight nod.

Then suddenly—I opened my eyes.

The flood hit all at once.  I blinked, heart racing—not from fear, but from the shock of remembering all of it. Artemis’s hand was still in mine.

She hadn’t let go.

She looked at me with wide eyes, her breath caught in her chest.
—“You remember?” she asked, voice quiet, unsure.

I nodded once.
—“Everything.”

We both turned slightly, the rest of the team recovering similarly—Wally muttering something about food memories, Robin stretching like he’d been asleep for days.

Now we remembered—we were sent here to investigate a strange energy pulse that surged in the Bialyan desert. We’d been deployed near the border between Qurac and Bialya.

Then the sudden realization broke the moment between Artemis and me, hitting Robin and the others like a jolt.

—“ Aqualad! ” we all said in unison.

—“Where is he? What happened next?” Robin asked urgently.

—“I don’t know... it’s the last thing I—we remembered,” M’gann said, still shaken.

—“We landed 24 hours ago. Probably not ideal for someone with gills,” Wally muttered.

—“Can you track him, Robin?” I asked, still holding Artemis’s hand, not really wanting to let go.

Robin shot us a look.

—“Yeah... Also, you two can let go now, y’know?” he added with a smirk.

We looked down at our hands—and immediately pulled away, both a little embarrassed.

Robin had already located him, so we moved quickly to assist. He wasn't far—when we arrived, we found him completely dehydrated.

—“He needs immediate rehydration. Call the Bio-Ship,” Robin said, clearly concerned for his friend.

—“It’s out of range,” M’gann replied. “But you can get him there fast.”

I frowned. I didn’t like where this was going.

—“Why not just levitate him back?” Artemis asked.

—“I can’t… I have to find Superboy,” M’gann said.

—“What do you mean?” I asked, my tone turning sharp.

—“Six months ago he didn’t exist, he ne—”

—“Yes, but Superboy is nearly indestructible. Kaldur isn’t,” I cut her off, voice cold but steady.

She looked down, the guilt showing on her face.

—“Fine. I’ll carry Kaldur,” I sighed. “But don’t go alone—take someone for backup. And don’t link your minds. That’s probably how this whole thing started.”

—“I’ll always help you, gorgeous,” Wally said instantly, no surprise there.

—“I’ll come too,” Robin added. “I can track him—he’s likely with the source of the energy pulse.”

Everyone turned to Artemis, silently waiting for her decision.

—“I’ll help Satoru,” she said firmly, though her voice carried the weight of judgment.

—“Then it’s settled,” I said, hoisting Kaldur over my shoulder.

—“I’ll wait for you for two hours,” I added. “If you’re not back by then, I’m coming to find you. Got it?”.

So we split up. The trio ran off toward Superboy’s signal, while Artemis and I turned the other way, Kaldur slung over my shoulder.

Luckily, the Bio-Ship wasn’t far.

—“So… a test, huh?” I asked, walking slightly ahead of her but turning my head just enough to catch her expression.

—“Just forget I said that,” Artemis replied flatly.

—“Which part? The part where you said you had to kill me, or the part where you hugged me?” I said, tapping a finger against my chin in mock thought.

She gave me a side glance, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

—“It was from a movie I watched last night. Some ninja girl whose dad told her to kill her ninja boyfriend.”

—“Hmm… So I’m your ninja boyfriend now?” I teased, keeping my voice light.

—“Just shut up,” she muttered, but there was no real heat in it.

We didn’t have to walk any further—thankfully, the Bio-Ship was right where we left it. I laid Kaldur down and hooked him into the hydration system.

We sat across from each other, Kaldur unconscious between us. The soft hum of the bioship filled the silence. Artemis shifted in her seat, arms resting on her legs, her shoulders tense like she wanted to be anywhere else.

I didn’t say anything at first. Just watched the steady rhythm of Kaldur’s vitals. One beat. Then another.

—“We’ve been here before,” I said eventually.

She looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. Not with distrust—just hesitation.

—“You mean... the bioship?” she asked, cautious.

—“No. This. Us. You, me, something tense in the air while the world falls apart outside.”

She exhaled. Dry. Almost a laugh.

—“Yeah… sounds familiar.”

Silence again.

But this time, it wasn’t heavy. It pressed in, subtle. Growing.

I leaned forward a little, elbows on my knees, eyes on her.

—“When we were in the desert... my eyes seemed to recognize you, but I couldn’t connect the feeling. I didn’t know why.”

She looked away.

—“I don’t have your eyes,” she muttered, “but something inside me felt the same.”
A pause. Then, quieter:
—“What did you mean when you told M'gann your feelings for me were different?”

—“I… just meant that they...”
My voice trailed off.

She turned to look at me again. I met her gaze—steady, uncertain. Her eyes flicked down to my hand, still faintly glowing with residual light. I looked at her too.

I leaned in.

She didn’t pull back. Didn’t blink. For one breath, we just stayed there—too close for it to mean nothing.

I leaned a little more. She tilted her head upward, ever so slightly.

And then—

—“We got Superboy,” M'gann’s voice echoed in our heads.

The tension snapped like a pulled wire. Artemis jolted back into her seat. I looked away, smirking just enough to cover whatever almost happened.

Kaldur stirred, eyes fluttering open, muttering something, confused.

—“Hello, M'gann. I knew we were forgetting something,” she added.

—“And we brought a souvenir!” Wally said proudly.

—“Yeah, dude, you should’ve seen it—everything went flying!” Robin chimed in, laughing.

Artemis and I exchanged a glance. A smile.

Whatever had almost happened—we weren’t going to talk about it.

Not yet.

But it happened.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 6:

Chaotic Welcome

Belle Reve
September 16, 2010
9: 55 PM

First-Person Point of View(Satoru):

So, here we are—after the whole Bialyan desert fiasco, a few interesting things have happened.
Why am I at Belle Reve? Well...

I’m here protecting M’gann and Superboy.

Superboy—who, by the way, just picked a civilian name for school. Conner Kent.
The “Kent” part came with a little help from Superman, who finally decided to acknowledge Conner—not as a son, but as a brother.
Superman's human parents even learned about Conner and agreed to give him their surname. It was… surprisingly emotional.

Back to why we’re at Belle Reve: M’gann and Conner are deep undercover, posing as the infamous Terror Twins in a mission to infiltrate the prison.

The job is simple—figure out why four ice-themed villains attacked on the same day: the 4th of July.
If something’s going on, stop it. And while they're playing pretend behind bars, I’m the escape plan—waiting in the camouflaged Bio-Ship just outside the facility.

—“Soooooo boring,” I said out loud, melting on the chair.

Suddenly a call from the cave came into the bioship, I accepted the call to see Artemis.

—“Moshi Moshi” I said sarcastically and with a goofy tone.

—“How is everything going?” She asked with a soft tone and a small smile.

—“Sooo boring” my simple reply with acting came in, making her smile and giggle a bit.

We just locked eyes, before I spoke bluntly soft —“If you were here this would have been more interesting” 

She looked back —“But I'm not so deal with it” 

We looked for a bit more before she said she had to go patrol with Green Arrow.

I was just sitting there looking at where the holographic call happen, thinking about Artemis, Bialya and what happened after

Flashback after Bialya…

Mount justice
September 6, 2010
11: 55 PM

Third-Person Point of View:

The mission report had been written. The debrief was over. Aqualad was stable, and M’gann was resting after the strain of unlocking everyone’s memories.

The mountain was quiet.
Too quiet.

Artemis stood in the kitchen of Mount Justice, the fridge door open. She wasn’t really hungry—just… restless.

She grabbed a bottle of orange juice, closed the fridge, and turned around.

Satoru was already there, leaning lazily against the counter with that usual unreadable smirk.

—“You always move this silently?” she muttered, raising an eyebrow.

—“Only when I’m bored. Or curious,” he replied.

She narrowed her eyes.
—“Curious about what?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took the bottle from her hand, popped the cap, and took a long sip.

—“Hey,” she protested, reaching for it, but he held it just out of reach.

—“It’s good,” he said with a small shrug. “You’ve got decent taste. I’m impressed.”

—“You’re impossible,” she muttered, crossing her arms.

—“So I’ve been told,” he said, that damned grin creeping back. “By you. Multiple times.”

She didn’t smile—but the corner of her mouth twitched. Just enough for him to notice.

—“How’s your head?” he asked, softer now. Genuine.

She blinked.
—“Still fuzzy,” she admitted. “But better.”

Silence stretched between them. Not awkward, just… quiet.

They stood like that a moment longer, the only sound the low hum of the base’s electronics.

He stepped forward, just slightly.
Close enough to see the pink flush on her cheeks.
Close enough that her breath hitched when she looked up.

Their foreheads nearly touched.
She didn’t move away.
And neither did he.

Her hand rested on the kitchen counter beside his. Their fingers didn’t quite touch—but the space between them felt charged.

—“You know,” she whispered, “this is the part where people usually do something stupid.”

—“Yeah,” he said.

She huffed a breath—part scoff, part laugh.

His hand inched closer.
And then—

THUD.

A loud crash echoed from somewhere in the mountain, followed by Wally’s unmistakable voice:

—“Okay, who put that in the way?!”

Artemis jerked back a half step, blinking.
Satoru sighed.

—“Of course.”

Wally’s head popped through the door, eyes narrowing.

—“What are you two doing out here?”

—“Avoiding you,” Artemis muttered, brushing her hair back quickly.

—“Drinking orange juice” Satoru added

—“You’re failing,” Wally said, then disappeared again.

Satoru turned back to Artemis.
The moment was broken—but not lost.

Her hand brushed against his—brief, deliberate.
Fingers touched. Just for a second.

They stood there a moment longer, Whatever just happened… was real.

End of flashback…

I sighed—quietly, just for myself.
We never talked about what happened afterward. Not because I didn’t want to…
but because I had no idea where to even start.

Not even in my previous life had I felt something like this. It blindsided me, knocked the wind right out of me.
I just… wanted it to be simple. But when I see her—really see her—I can’t bring myself to be brave.
I freeze. I go silent.

How ridiculous is that? The strongest sorcerer, brought to a standstill by a girl. A gorgeous girl…
I need to stop thinking about this. Otherwise, I’m going to die of a broken heart before I even have the chance to break it myself.

Anyway—
The other day, Kaldur came to me with some troubling news.
Apparently, Sportsmaster told him there’s a mole on the team.
Not exactly a source I’d stake my life on.

I shrugged it off. I don’t think anyone here would do it.
Sure, the obvious suspects would be Conner and Artemis.

Conner, because he’s a clone—maybe Cadmus baked in some kind of sleeper protocol.
But honestly? He and M’gann are practically glued together. They live together, train together, and barely take their eyes off each other.
They’re basically a married couple who haven’t realized they’re married yet.
So, yeah, not a lot of time in that schedule for treason.

And Artemis…
Sure, she’s got a questionable family tree.
But nothing in her body language, nothing in her expressions, screams “liar.”
Either she’s the best actress alive—good enough to fool even my Six Eyes—or she’s innocent.

That’s why I told Kaldur not to take Sportsmaster’s warning too seriously.
Maybe he was talking about the League. Maybe not.
But if there is a mole in the League or the Team?…

Before I could dwell on it, M’gann reached out to me from Belle Reve.
I tensed immediately, ready to go kick some villain ass, but instead—

—“We’ve got everything under control. We stopped the escape,” she said, sounding happy . Happier than I’d ever heard her. Something must’ve happened with Superboy.

—“Aw man, I really wanted to fight. I’m so boooored,” I groaned, sinking back into my chair.

_____________________________________________________________________

A few days later…

Gotham City
September 22, 2010
6:00 AM

Third-Person Point of View:

We could hear an alarm clock ringing in a bedroom with two beds. One bed was empty — the other was not. On one of the walls, an old Alice in Wonderland poster hung, faded and slightly peeling.

The clock kept ringing for a while until a hand reached out and shut it off. That hand belonged to a beautiful blonde girl — Artemis. Today was her first day at Gotham Academy.

She hadn’t wanted to change schools at first, but her mother had insisted. It was, apparently, an exceptional opportunity — a chance to change her future, to be better than the rest of her family. So she wouldn’t end up like her.

In the end, Artemis had agreed.

Still lying in bed, she stared at the poster on the wall. It reminded her of her sister, and the time she ran away — never to return.

Her thoughts were cut short by her mother calling her name, reminding her she couldn’t be late on her first day.

Artemis groaned and pulled the sheets back over her head.

_____________________________________________________________________

Gotham Academy — a school for the privileged.
Artemis, now dressed in the academy uniform, walked in.

She was adjusting her skirt when another blonde, blue-eyed girl approached her with a friendly smile.

—“Artemis, I’m Bette — your new student liaison. Welcome to Gotham Academy,” the girl introduced herself.

—“Thanks. Ahm... I'm Artemis… but you knew that,” Artemis replied with a rhetorical tone.

Suddenly, a black-haired, blue-eyed boy came up from behind, grabbed her shoulder, and snapped a picture of the two of them.
The camera flash blinded Artemis for a second, catching her completely off guard.

—“We’ll laugh about this someday,” the boy said before walking off.

—“Who’s that?” Artemis asked Bette, still blinking.

—“A freshman. Just ignore him,” Bette replied, then turned to lead Artemis into the school.

Behind them, a red-haired girl stood watching the exchange with a frown.

—“Dick, what was that about?” she asked.

The now-identified Dick Grayson shrugged.

—“Nothing, Barbara,” he replied aloud. Then, under his breath, he added, —“Gotta show it to Satoru.”

A few hours later on launch break…

Artemis wandered through the campus, lunch tray in hand, feeling oddly out of place. Everything about Gotham Academy screamed elite , and despite the uniform, she still felt like she didn’t belong.

She kept walking, searching for somewhere quiet—somewhere she could disappear for a moment.

Eventually, she found it: a secluded spot behind the school grounds, hidden by overgrown hedges and half-forgotten stone walls. A lone tree stood there, casting shade over the yellowing grass. Perfect.

She sat down beneath it, exhaled, and unwrapped her lunch.

Silence.

Then—

—“To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

The voice came from behind the tree, casual and lazy, yet smooth enough to sound practiced. She jumped, nearly dropping her tray.

Artemis scrambled to her feet and spun around, her heart pounding.

A black-haired boy was reclining in the grass, leaning against the far side of the tree like he’d been there for hours. His eyes were closed, but a slight smirk tugged at his lips. A guitar rested beside him, untouched.

She hadn’t noticed him at all.

First-Person Point of View( Satoru ):

Here I was, sitting under a tree at Gotham Academy, wearing the enchanted necklace Zatara made for me. In this identity, I was Haruto Son—my civilian cover. It was lunchtime, and I was doing what I usually did: playing guitar, relaxing, maybe napping a little. That was until I felt her energy nearby.

Artemis was here.

Dick had already sent me the picture—nice timing, as always—and I had to admit, she looked really cute in the Gotham Academy uniform.

I was just about to drift off again when someone sat down behind me.

—“To whom do I owe the pleasure?” I asked casually, my voice just loud enough to startle her.

She jumped slightly and turned to look at me, frowning.

—“Who are you?” she asked, instantly on guard.

—“Haruto Son,” I answered simply, eyes still half-closed.

Her eyes widened. —“Wait, you're—”

I cut her off before she could finish. —“Bruce Wayne’s ward.”

She blinked. —“Oh.”

—“So who are you , princess?” I added with a smirk.

She visibly flinched at the nickname. —“Artemis. And don’t call me that,” she replied, spitting out the last part with a hint of venom.

I finally opened my eyes to meet her glare. —“Hey, chill out. Just messing with you. So… what are you doing back here?”

—“Trying to eat lunch alone . What about you?” she shot back.

—“The usual. Play some chords, write a song, catch some z’s. You know—living the dream.”

She tilted her head, suspicious. —“You… compose ?”

—“Yep. Wanna hear the latest?”

She narrowed her eyes. —“Fine. But if it sucks, I’m stopping you.”

—“Fair enough,” I said with a grin.

I adjusted the guitar in my lap and started strumming. The song didn’t exist in this world—it was from mine . Hero (Sterling Knight - acoustic version) . Yeah, it was cheesy. It was from a Disney Channel movie from my old life, for crying out loud. Childish? Totally. But... it worked.

I strummed the last chord and let it linger in the air.

Artemis had been quiet the whole time, listening with a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she finally spoke.

—“Gotta admit… that was good.”

—“Thanks,” I said with a small smile. “Wrote it thinking about someone special.”

I glanced at her, then quickly looked away. —“You got someone like that?”

She paused. —“You could say that… But it’s complicated.”

—“Yeah. I get it,” I replied, lowering my gaze to the guitar. “Sometimes it’s easier to just… keep it to yourself.”

I had to stop there. I was dangerously close to slipping. Batman Rules , remember?

—“Yeah…” she echoed softly, almost like she understood what I wasn’t saying.

The school bell rang, shattering the moment.

—“Well, I’ve got a class to catch. See you around,” I said, standing up and slinging the guitar over my shoulder.

And just like that, I walked off—before I gave myself away.

First-Person Point of View( Artemis ):

Gotta say I didn't expect that. Haruto son, Bruce Wayne 's ward…

That song reminds me of Satoru… And I can't really get enough of him.

His smile, His eyes, his charming attitude…

—“ Ugh I hate it” I thought to myself before going to my next class.

_____________________________________________________________________

A few hours later after school…

First-Person Point of View( Satoru ):

I had just stepped out of Gotham Academy—tie loose, blazer slung over my shoulder—when my comm pinged with a secure call. The Bat symbol flickered onto the screen. Great.

—“Hey B, What's up” I ask him

—“Change of plans,” Batman’s voice cut in, stern as always. “Since we don’t have a Doctor Fate, you’re the only capable sorcerer on call. Zatara’s already in Tokyo. Klarion has opened a chaos rift—he’s summoning specters and creatures through it. Civilians are at risk.”

I raised a brow, not stopping my stride.
—“And you’re calling me. I’m flattered.”

—“This isn’t a compliment,” he replied. “Proceed with extreme caution.”

I didn’t expect to fight chaos again. Not after what happened at the Tower. Even thinking about the pain made me shiver.

I sighed, tapping my watch.
—“Got it. I’ll bring the mop.”

He didn’t reply—just cut the line. Typical Batman.

I rerouted to the nearest Zeta Tube, ducked into an alley, and keyed in the override code. The world blurred for a second.

Third-Person Point of View:

In the shattered cityscape of Tokyo, darkness wasn’t merely the absence of light—it breathed, writhed, clawing at the edges of reality itself. It was chaos incarnate.
A jagged rift tore the sky open like a fresh wound. Raw, unstable energy bled out, distorting the air into a shimmering haze. From within, twisted creatures spilled forth—spines jutting at impossible angles, eyes glowing with a piercing light that seared the soul, their bodies pulsating like living tumors.

Satoru moved through the shadows with the fluid grace of a predator. A faint breeze tugged at the edges of his blindfold. Beside him, Zatara’s voice rose and fell in a steady, rhythmic chant, weaving a fragile seal around the rift that screamed and writhed beneath the strain, strands of magic sparking and fraying under pressure.

— “Sorry for being late, birthday magician,” Satoru murmured, voice light but edged with tension.
— “No time for jokes,” Zatara hissed, sweat tracing lines down his temple. His focus was ironclad. — “Klarion has torn the fabric of the universe. He wants to drown this world in pure chaos.”

Above them, Klarion hovered with eerie calm, legs crossed midair like a deranged monarch. His grin stretched unnaturally wide, eyes wild and mismatched, reflecting the swirling void behind him.

— “Like the view, Infinity boy?” Klarion taunted, voice dripping with madness. — “My rift’s pure chaos. Care to play?”

Satoru’s jaw clenched. Chaos magic wasn’t just alien—it was corrosive, seeping through his Limitless like acid through stone. Infinity was powerless here. The weight of that truth settled deep, but hesitation was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

With a swift motion, he peeled off his blindfold. His blue eyes flared to life—twin galaxies burning fiercely in the darkness. Cursed energy surged violently through him, the Limitless shimmering faintly, not as a shield, but as a lens bending space itself to his will.

— “Zatara, can you close the breach?” His voice cut sharp, stripped of its usual teasing edge.
— “Yes, but I need time.”
— “Then take it. I’ll hold them off.”

He stepped forward, boots crunching over shattered glass and debris.

The horde burst from the rift—limbs twisting unnaturally, claws raking the ground. Satoru vanished before the first strike landed, reappearing at the swarm’s edge in a streak of cobalt light. His movements blurred: vanish, strike, vanish again.

Each blow detonated with raw force, shredding flesh and metal alike. Blue arcs of cursed energy traced his fists and feet, sending grotesque beasts crashing into broken walls.

Behind him, Zatara’s chant was the steady heartbeat in the chaos, holding the portal just long enough. But for every monster Satoru felled, two more poured from the rift’s bleeding edge.

A barbed tail whipped toward him from the left. He ducked low, fingers grazing cracked pavement as he twisted upward into a devastating palm strike that shattered ribs. Another lunged from above. Satoru snapped his fingers, folding space. The creature’s claws sliced empty air, missing by inches before he slammed a Blue-charged heel into its skull with bone-crushing impact.

Chaos energy hissed and licked at him with every near miss, slipping past his warped space and forcing him to burn through cursed energy just to keep moving.

His smile thinned.
— “Looks like I’ll have to get serious... just a bit.”

Suddenly, the ground trembled. A skeletal giant burst from the breach, eyes burning white-hot with chaotic fury. Satoru’s hand rose, fingers splayed wide.

— “Cursed Technique Lapse — Maximum Output: Blue.”

A sphere of dense blue erupted around him. The blast swallowed the giant and a dozen others—a controlled storm of raw energy that halted just short of Zatara’s protective circle.

— “Is that all you got, bitch boy?” Satoru taunted Klarion mockingly.

Klarion’s laughter twisted sharp and cold. He flicked his fingers, unleashing jagged tendrils of raw chaos that shredded buildings like paper. Then Klarion directed all the tendrils toward Satoru at vertiginous speed.

Satoru bent backward just in time to dodge the first strike; the second grazed his cheek, burning hot and raw. The sting flared sharply—a brutal reminder that here, even his power had limits. His skin tingled, seared where chaotic energy kissed it.

He didn’t flinch, but the heat sank deep into his bones.

Then one of the tendrils slammed into Satoru’s right side. This time, he felt it, grunting under the raw force of chaos energy. Satoru was sent skidding backwards, smoke hissing from the wound.

He launched himself forward, dodging tendrils like a gazelle—agile and unstoppable.

More beasts charged at him with ferocious growls, trying to overwhelm him.

Satoru struck and dodged, pouring maximum effort into every move. His body trembled from the force he exerted, his technique faltering as his mind began to melt under the pressure.

With fierce momentum, he spun into a hook kick that crushed a beast’s skull. Harnessing the gravitational pull of his Blue technique, he slingshotted upward, twisting through the air toward Klarion.

But Klarion was relentless. A sudden crack split the air as a whip of crimson lightning slashed through the distortion, grazing Satoru’s cheek and searing his skin anew.

Pain flared, but Satoru’s eyes hardened with unyielding resolve.

He stepped forward, each footfall warping space beneath him. The distortion focused, pulling debris and shattered fragments into his grasp—shards of metal, splintered concrete, even stray chaos energy—all swirling like a deadly whirlpool.

Klarion teleported in flickers, trying to evade the relentless barrage, but every reappearance was met with a new wall of attacks: compressed air blasts, steel spikes, collapsing rubble.

The deadly dance stretched on, neither yielding ground.

Then Klarion’s eyes glowed brighter. The ground beneath Satoru erupted violently. A massive chaos bolt screamed toward him. The neutral Limitless absorbed most, but enough slipped through to scorch his jacket and sear his flesh.

The air itself rippled and warped as Klarion’s chaotic power tore through the battlefield. The sky fractured, colors bleeding and swirling violently. His grin was madness incarnate.

Klarion prepared a massive orb of chaos energy, channeling one last full-force attack.
— “You can’t block this, Infinity boy!” Klarion declared, maniacal.

Satoru clenched his teeth, the sting driving him onward.

With a final surge of power, Satoru gathered all his cursed energy into one point—his fist, wrapped in dense Blue energy.

— “Eat this!” Klarion shouted, launching the orb toward Satoru.

With smooth precision, Satoru slipped past the orb’s side, burning his torso, his jacket obliterated in the process.

With a final dash, Satoru’s fist slammed into Klarion’s face. The imp’s grin faltered as he was hurled backward, tumbling into his own rift with a strangled, manic laugh.

Zatara’s chant surged louder, each syllable slicing through the thick tension. The rift shrieked and collapsed, threads of unstable magic snapping like fragile glass.

With a final thunderclap, the breach sealed shut.

Satoru landed crouched beside Zatara, chest heaving, sweat soaking his collar. His Limitless faded, the world settling back into uneasy calm.

He panted heavily, his brain burning from overuse of his technique. Cuts and blood marked his skin—he was tired.

Silence fell—brief, but heavy.

Then Zatara’s voice cut through.
— “Red Tornado has lost all communication with Mount Justice.”

Satoru’s eyes sharpened, catching a final breath.
— “That’s not good.”

Without hesitation, a flash of cursed blue light enveloped him, and he vanished—already racing toward the one place his mind refused to leave.

Toward the team.
Toward Artemis.

Whatever waited at Mount Justice—he would face it head-on.

_________________________________________________________

Mount justice…

Mount Justice
September 22, 2010
7:08 PM

Third-Person Point of View:

When Satoru reappeared in the cave after the Tokyo mess—still bruised, still bleeding—he found the place in ruins. His chest tightened. He immediately focused, trying to sense his team’s energy signatures.
They were all in the hangar—alive.
He exhaled, tension easing just a little.

Clapping his hands together again, Satoru prepared another teleportation spell. His body was screaming. The fight had drained him, and bouncing around the globe wasn’t doing him any favors.

He blinked into the hangar—just in time to see Red Tornado attacking the team, cutting off their air.

No hesitation.

Satoru launched a kick straight to the back of Tornado’s head, slamming him into the cave wall.

The team spotted him—relief washing across their faces—but it didn’t last. Two more red-colored robots were rising beside them, preparing for another strike.

Satoru blinked again, reappearing beside them. He grabbed both by the arms and hurled them across the hangar.

Then he saw them—really saw them.

Wally and Conner were restrained in metal bindings. M’gann slumped in Kaldur’s arms, both barely conscious. Robin was soaked, missing his cloak, cuts across his chest. Artemis, wet and bruised, looked steadier than the others—but only just.

His bandage wasn’t on, so he saw them all clearly.

 — “I leave you guys alone for a few hours and you nearly get yourselves killed,” Satoru said, forcing a weak grin.

 — “What the hell happened? Who are these red bots?” he asked, still scanning for more.

 — “Apparently, Red Tornado’s siblings,” Wally muttered, always the smartass.

Artemis stepped toward him, eyes narrowing as she took in his condition—panting, bloodied, cuts lining his arms and ribs, no jacket, no blindfold, just a burned chest.

 — “What the hell happened to you?” she asked, voice low and tight.

 — “Better question: where were you?” Conner snapped.  — “M’gann almost died.”

 — “Now’s not the time,” Satoru said firmly.  — “I’ll explain later. The League probably knows something’s wrong—they’re likely sending backup already.”

 — “And until then?” Robin asked, voice hoarse.

Satoru took a step forward, shoving the pain to the back of his mind.

 — “You did good. Rest now. I’ll hold them off.”

They all gave him the same look.

You’re insane.

He smirked—blood dripping down his chin.

 — “Don’t worry,” Satoru said, glancing across their faces—his eyes lingering just a bit longer on Artemis.  — “I’m the strongest.”

No one laughed.

Artemis stepped forward, boots scraping against broken tile.

 — “You have to be insane if you think we’re letting you fight alone.”

Satoru turned fully to face her. And just for a moment, everything around them—chaos, destruction, fire—blurred out.

She looked wrecked. Wet, battered, breathing hard. But her eyes… they were clear. Defiant. And terrified.

 — “Right now… I have to,” he said quietly.

 — “I’d love your help, honestly. But you all look more dead than alive—no offense.”

 — “Because you are in a different state,” Artemis said, trying to sound tough, but inside she felt fear—for herself, for her teammates, for Satoru.

Satoru gave Artemis a reassuring look before, in a soft tone meant only for her to hear, said:
  — “How about this—after I kick this junk’s ass, I’ll take you on a date.”

Artemis heard this, surprised, but couldn’t reply.

The silence that followed hurt more than his injuries. Their faces twisted with anger and helplessness.

Artemis’s jaw tightened. Her fists trembled.

 — “You better not die, idiot.”

Satoru chuckled, even though it hurt to breathe.

 — “Told you before,” he muttered, stepping toward the center of the hangar, cursed energy sparking at his fingertips. “It’s not that easy to kill me.”

Behind him, the whine of turbines picked up—Red Tornado rising again, eyes glowing like twin suns. His siblings flanked him, already rebooting.

Satoru didn’t look back.

He gave the team one last glance—and whispered, just loud enough to be heard:

 — “Just watch.”

And he charged into the storm.

Red Tornado reached him first—jets screaming as he spun into a cyclone. The wind slammed into Satoru like a freight train, too fast for him to even raise Infinity. This wasn't just air—it was pressure, speed, raw force. Pure kinetic devastation.

Satoru skidded backward, boots grinding against the floor until he slammed into the reinforced wall. His ribs lit up with pain.

— "Stay down, Limitless," Tornado intoned. — "I will not hold back."

— "Then dream on," Satoru spat, coughing. — "There's no way I'm letting you kill my team."

Before he could steady himself, Red Torpedo rushed in. A streak of silver and blue. A jet of high-pressure water screamed toward him—like a blade more than a hose.

Infinity triggered—barely stopping the blast mid-air.

His vision pulsed.

Blood dripped from his nose.

And then, the heat hit.

Red Inferno descended like a comet, flames roaring out in a wide arc. The fire kissed the edges of his barrier, evaporating oxygen, scorching the walls.

He grit his teeth. The flames didn't touch him—but he could feel them. His barrier was thinning. His lungs burned.

With the Team
—"We have to help him," M'gann said, her voice tight with tension.
—"That's not a good idea," Kaldur replied quietly.—""Wally and Conner can't move, I'm as dehydrated as you are, Artemis has no arrows, and Robin has no utility. If we jump in now, we'll be a burden."

They could only watch the battle unfold in helpless silence. Their leader—their friend—was being pushed beyond his limits.

Blood trailed from his nose in a steady drip; he couldn't keep this up much longer.

—"He's pushing himself too far..." M'gann whispered.
—"That's... a lot of blood," Robin murmured, awe and concern mixing in his tone.
—"How is he even standing?" Wally asked, stunned.

Conner said nothing, but his clenched jaw and narrowed eyes spoke volumes—anger flickering beneath a layer of worry.

Artemis's gaze stayed locked on Satoru, her fists trembling, lips pressed into a thin line.

Back with Satoru
Every breath felt heavier than the last.

He blinked—vanishing in an instant—and reappeared behind Red Torpedo. An elbow slammed into the neck, a heel into the chestplate, fingers hooking under a shoulder joint—then twist.

Crack.

Pain burst down his right side, sharp and unforgiving.

Before he could reset, Red Inferno's flames roared toward him.

Another blink—down to the ground—landing hard enough to jar his bones.

He dropped to one knee, vision blurring at the edges.

—"I can't keep this up forever..." Still, he forced himself upright, arms spreading wide as his voice rang out.
—"Curse Technique Lapse: Blue!"

The air warped—a sphere of crushing gravitational force pulling Torpedo and Inferno together.

They collided mid-air with a deafening boom, fire and metal scattering across the hangar.

He sank to one knee again, blood gushing freely now.

—"Holy crap..." Wally breathed from the sidelines.

Breathing grew ragged.

Muscles screamed.

Red Tornado surged in low and fast.

Satoru vaulted up, flipped over, and drove his heel into the back of the android's head.

The impact sent Tornado crashing to the ground, the entire hangar trembling from the force.

Satoru hit the floor a second later, gasping for air.
—"Take that... junk," he muttered under his breath.

Tornado stirred—sparking, battered—but still functional.

His gaze swept the wreckage, pausing on his fallen siblings. Without a word, he gathered their remains and shot up into the sky.

Only then did Satoru exhale fully.

He turned back toward the team—still alive, but barely—and allowed himself the faintest smile.

The smile faded as the world tilted.

Vision doubled. Darkness crept in at the corners.

—"Satoru!" Artemis's voice cut through, distant and echoing.

He grinned weakly.
And then, everything went dark.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 7:

Uncharted Territory

Mount Justice
September 23, 2010
6:34 AM

Third-Person point of view:

The cave was under repair by the Justice League after the chaos caused by the Red siblings the previous day.
Most of the team—everyone except Artemis and Satoru—waited near the main entrance, gathered around the Zeta Tubes.

Wally, Robin, M’gann, and Conner sat at a table beside Green Arrow and Black Canary, while Kaldur spoke privately with Batman a short distance away. Green Arrow returned with a bowl of snacks for the younger heroes.

—“Thanks, but no thanks,” Wally said with uncharacteristic gloom.

—“Yeah,” Robin added, his voice edged with frustration.—“What we want is an answer—about Red Tornado and his siblings. And now Satoru… he’s unconscious, in a coma. Who knows for how long?”

—“Exactly,” Wally muttered.

Green Arrow wordlessly moved to take the snacks back, but Wally stopped him with a hand on the bowl.

The med bay doors slid open, and Artemis stepped into the room. Her expression was heavy with worry.

—“How is he?” M’gann asked, her eyes fixed on Artemis.

—“He… he’s stable,” Artemis replied softly, clutching her left arm.—“But still in a coma.”

Without warning, Conner’s patience snapped. He charged at Kaldur, grabbing the front of his uniform in both fists.

—“You knew!” Conner growled, his voice raw with anger. —“That android and his maniac family nearly killed M’gann!” His grip tightened, muscles straining.

—“Conner, what are you doing?” M’gann asked, alarmed, flying closer to try to intervene.

—“Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us—and said nothing!” Conner shouted.

—“You knew?” Robin demanded, eyes narrowing.

—“And didn’t tell us?” Wally added.

—“We sought to protect the team from-” Kaldur began, but Artemis cut him off, her voice sharp with fury.

—“Protect us from what? From knowledge that might have saved our lives? Satoru nearly died protecting us— he’s in a coma! ”

—“You almost died,” Conner added, his gaze flicking back to M’gann.

—“Enough,” Batman commanded, his voice like steel.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward the Dark Knight, his gaze cold and unyielding.

—“With Red Tornado missing,” Batman continued, —“the team will now be overseen by rotating supervisors. Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift.”

Captain Marvel stepped forward with a bright grin. “I’m really looking forward to hanging with you guys.” His cheerful tone was met with confused stares.

Conner’s glare shifted back to Kaldur. “After I disassemble Tornado, you and I are gonna-”

—“Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League,” Batman interrupted, stepping between them. “That makes him a League responsibility. You will leave him to us.”

He turned to the holo-computer. “I have another assignment for this team.”

A newspaper headline appeared on the screen: Gorilla Trades Bananas for Bullets.

Wally flipped to the next page. “Gotham mayor attacked by… guerrilla gorilla?” he read, his brow furrowing.

—“ Was this the only thing he could find to distract us?” Conner thought through the mental link.

—““Batman, please,” Robin said, his tone rising. “Tell me you’re not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase.”

—““I never joke about the mission,” Batman replied, narrowing his eyes at his protégé.

Robin’s shoulders slumped, his head lowering in quiet frustration.

Batman then continue —“I´ve checked the sources, I've studied the patterns, Mayor hill's encounter is only the latest, in a series of incidents” Batman finished before turning to Aqualad

—““With Limitless in a coma,” Batman said, “Aqualad, you will take the lead until he wakes again.” The announcement drew a chorus of frowns from the team.

—“You are to depart for India and check this out, Captain Marvel will accompany you” Batman finished, Aqualad just nodded.

The team started walking towards the hangar giving Kaldur side looks of anger and disrespect.

_____________________________________________________________________

Northern India
September 23, 2010
9:36 PM

The team and Captain Marvel touched down in northern India.
The bioship’s hatch opened, and Robin and Artemis dropped first, scanning for enemies. The rest followed—and so did the tension.

—“Switch to stealth,” Aqualad ordered, activating his own mode. —“We’ll review mission parameters.”

—“Parameters? We don’t need no stinking parameters,” Wally muttered, switching to stealth.

—“It’s recon. We know the drill,” Robin added.

Both turned to leave, but Aqualad called after them. —“Kid. Robin—”

—“The four of us started this team because the Justice League kept secrets from us,” Robin snapped.

—“Or did you forget that? Like you forgot to tell us about the mole?” Wally shot back, adjusting his goggles.

The two bolted into the jungle, vanishing from sight. Captain Marvel watched from behind, eyebrow raised.

Conner stepped up, taking M’gann’s arm. —“Come on. I’ll keep you safe.”

M’gann’s eyes narrowed.—“ You’re my boyfriend, not my keeper, she scolded through their mental link.—“ Stop acting like some character from a seventies sitcom.

—“I just want to protect you,” Conner said quietly.

—“Like Aqualad protected us?” Artemis cut in, raising her bow toward him. —“I’m not sure your protection—or your patronizing—is good for our health.”

She and M’gann turned and walked away.

Conner stood there, jaw tight, before rounding on Kaldur. —“Why didn’t you stop them? You’re supposed to be in charge.”

Kaldur started to answer, but Conner leapt away before he could finish.

Captain Marvel stepped up beside him. —“Uh… did I miss the part where you actually said what the plan was?”

Kaldur only sighed, then turned to scout the area with him.

A few minutes later…

The Team and Captain Marvel were under attack by enhanced animals, their bodies coursing with Kobra-Venom and controlled by inhibitor collars—just as Batman had suspected about this place. The solution Kaldur found was simple in theory but dangerous in practice: remove the collars.

Captain Marvel stepped up behind Aqualad, his tone light. —“Pretty sweet, the way you figured out the problem was the collars.”

—“But the collars indicate an intelligence behind this attack. The rest of the Team may also be at risk,” Kaldur replied, his voice tight with concern.

Kaldur touched his earplug. —“Team, report status.”
A piercing high-pitched noise was the only response. —“Ugh… comms are jammed. And Miss Martian failed to establish a telepathic link before we split up,” he added, frustration creeping in.

Captain Marvel crossed his arms. —“Actually, you let everyone split up before communications were set.”

—“They would not listen,” Kaldur said, visibly annoyed.

—“I guess…” Captain began.

—“Listen, I don’t know how the Team works with Limitless, but Batman could stop everyone from arguing with a single word,” Captain Marvel stated, his tone sharpening.

—“Agh, I know. Satoru would not have let this happen. He learned everything about being a leader from the Batman… and Batman is, well… Batman.” Kaldur sighed, the sound almost defeated.

—“You don’t have to tell me,” Marvel said, smirking faintly. “When I first joined the League, all he did was boss me around. It’s hard not to take it personally, but… I never disobeyed orders. Maybe that’s what kept me alive.”

Something in those words seemed to click for Kaldur. He realized he’d been approaching this mission from the wrong angle.

Without another word, Captain Marvel vanished into the dense jungle, pursuing a tiger—only to be captured moments later.

Kaldur then reached out to M’gann, instructing her to establish a telepathic link.

 What followed was nothing short of disastrous: a mental channel filled with complaints, accusations, and voices clashing over Kaldur’s performance as leader.

This made Kaldur snapped angrily.

This finally made Kaldur snap. His voice cut through the telepathic noise like a whip.

—“ Everyone, listen! Captain Marvel has been captured, and we must act as a team to save him ,” Kaldur said, his tone edged with anger.

—“ Under your leadership ?” Wally asked, his sarcasm sharp enough to draw blood.

—“ I am in charge until Satoru wakes up. But if you’re so eager to ignore me, then fine—after this mission, you can choose another leader. For now, I am in charge .”

The weight in Kaldur’s voice silenced the telepathic chatter instantly. It was as if someone had slammed a door on the chaos in their heads. One by one, the grumbling died out, replaced by a reluctant but undeniable focus. Without another word, the Team began to move.

They regrouped outside what could only be the enemy’s base of operations—a low, fortified structure hidden beneath a canopy of twisted jungle vines. Surrounding it, jagged pylons of crackling energy arched upward, feeding into a shimmering dome that wrapped the base like an impenetrable shell. The air around it vibrated with a deep, electric hum.

Kaldur’s eyes narrowed. —“That shield will not break under brute force,” he said, scanning the perimeter. “But… perhaps it can be persuaded.”

After a quick assessment, the plan came together: Kaldur would channel his water-borne sorcery into a surge of electricity, shorting out a single pylon for just a moment—long enough to create a narrow opening. Artemis, poised like a coiled spring, would take the shot.

Kaldur’s tattoos lit up with an ocean-blue glow, water forming around his palms before erupting into a spear of lightning that struck the pylon. Sparks screamed into the air as the shield flickered.

—“Now!”

Artemis loosed an arrow with surgical precision. It sailed through the gap and struck the control panel at the far end, detonating in a burst of sparks. The dome collapsed with a low, warbling moan, its protective energy dissipating into the air.

They didn’t have long to celebrate. From the underbrush came a shrill screech, then another. A horde of Kobra-venom enhanced monkeys burst from the treeline, inhibitor collars gleaming under the moon. Leading them was a massive gorilla, its eyes glowing with intelligence and hostility.

The jungle exploded into chaos. Wally became a blur, snatching collars mid-run; Robin vaulted between tree branches, using bolas to tangle up attackers; Artemis ducked and rolled under swiping claws, loosing arrows that cut through inhibitor locks. Kaldur summoned waves from a nearby reservoir, knocking entire clusters of monkeys off their feet while shouting orders to keep the formation tight.

Collar by collar, the animals began to collapse into confusion, no longer under control. Freed from the Brain’s influence, the monkeys scattered into the jungle.

—“Move! Inside!”

The Team rammed through a weakened section of wall, splinters flying as they breached the base. Inside, the air reeked of ozone and sterilized metal. In the center of the room, Captain Marvel lay strapped to a cold, angular table, a surgical drill descending toward his skull. Standing over him, calm and calculating, was the Brain.

—“Ah… the children,” the Brain said, his voice dripping with condescension. “So predictable.”

The gorilla—towering, muscle-bound, and radiating menace—stepped forward, a remote clutched in one massive hand. Before anyone could close the distance, he pressed it.

The pylons outside roared back to life, and in an instant, the Team was trapped inside a new energy cage that surged up from the floor. The Brain’s voice echoed mockingly. —“Do struggle. It amuses me.”

But before the villain could continue, Miss Martian phased through the field, her form flickering. She snatched the remote from the gorilla’s grip, eyes glowing with determination, and slammed the release button. The cage dropped in a crackle of dying energy.

—“Not today,” she said.

Just then, a low growl rolled through the room. Superboy burst through the doorway, flanked by a massive white wolf bristling with energy. The ground seemed to shake as the two charged forward.

For the first time, the Brain hesitated. Surrounded, his glowing dome swiveled slowly toward the gorilla. Without a word, the lights in the base cut out, plunging the room into absolute darkness.

When the emergency lights flared back on, both the Brain and his gorilla enforcer were gone—vanishing into the jungle’s shadows, leaving only the echo of retreating footsteps.

—“That whole show… just to turn off the lights?” Wally asked, still disconcerted.

Moments later, the Team regrouped near the Bioship. Wally and Artemis walked side by side, his grin impossible to hide.

—“What are you grinning about?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

—“One word: souvenir,” Wally replied, slipping the gorilla’s beret onto his head with a smug flourish.

—“Two words: gorilla lice,” Artemis shot back without missing a beat.

Wally froze mid-step, yanking the beret off with a disgusted shudder, muttering something about “gross” under his breath.

Nearby, Kaldur, Robin, and Captain Marvel—still accompanied by the tiger—freed the last monkey from its inhibitor collar. One by one, the remaining animals shook themselves, blinking as if waking from a nightmare, now free from the Brain’s control.

A few meters away, M’gann and Connor worked together to remove the final collar from a pair of wolves Superboy had fought earlier. The larger of the two—a white wolf—didn’t run. Instead, it sat by Connor’s side, calm and unflinching.

—“The rest of the pack’s gone. What are you still doing here?” Connor asked, scratching the wolf behind the ears.

—“I think he wants to stay with you,” M’gann said warmly.

—“Can I keep him?” Superboy asked, a rare spark of excitement in his voice.

Wally, who had wandered over just in time to hear it, scoffed with a laugh. —“First the Sphere, now this beast?” He shook his head. —“Dude, you really have a thing for collecting strays.”

—“Maybe because he’s such a stray himself,” M’gann teased aloud before her tone shifted in the mental link, speaking directly to Connor. —“ Aren’t you?

Connor’s expression softened. —“ M’gann, I’m sorry… I was just worried. ”

—“ And that’s sweet, Connor, ” she replied gently, “ but on a mission, I’m your teammate, not your girlfriend. Agreed ?”

—“ Yeah ,” he said with a faint smile.

On the ramp of the Bioship, Robin stood waiting for Aqualad, the rest of the Team slowly gathering behind him.

—“Look, I need to know—why did you keep the mole intel a secret?” Robin asked, his tone serious.

Kaldur opened his mouth. —“With Satoru, we decided that—”

—“Satoru… knew?” Artemis cut in, her voice laced with disbelief and disappointment.

—“Yes,” Kaldur confirmed evenly. “But before anyone says anything else, Satoru told me it was futile and pointless to share it.”

—“Why?” Wally asked, frowning.

Connor folded his arms off to the side, silent but listening.

—“The source of the tip was Sportmaster,” Kaldur explained.

Artemis’ eyes widened. —“What? You can’t trust him!”

—“I don’t. Neither did Satoru,” Kaldur replied. “We came to the conclusion it was likely a move to divide the Team.”

—“And given how this mission went, he nearly succeeded,” Robin muttered.

—“Still, we had to consider the intel,” Kaldur added. “If we’d said anything, we could have tipped off the mole.”

Robin exhaled through his nose, then smirked faintly. —“Hate to say it, but… makes sense.”

Kaldur straightened his posture. —“I am still prepared to step down to another member until Satoru wakes up.”

—“All in favor of keeping Kaldur as provisional leader until the actual leader comes back?” Wally asked, raising his hand.

One by one, every hand went up.

—“Guess it’s unanimous,” Captain Marvel said with a grin, stepping forward to shake Kaldur’s hand firmly.

With the decision made, Captain Marvel took to the sky, flying off alone toward the horizon, leaving the rest of the Team to board the Bioship in silence.

Later on…

Third-Person point of view:

Med-Bay

After the Team finished debriefing Batman on the mission—every detail, every slip—he gave them the expected scolding. It had been close. Too close.
Fortunately, nothing worse had happened.

When it was over, Artemis didn’t waste a second. She went straight to the Med-Bay.

Satoru lay motionless on the bed, the steady rise and fall of his chest the only sign of life. Artemis sank into the chair beside him, her fingers curling gently around his hand.

—“Satoru…” she whispered, the sorrow in her voice almost too quiet to hear.

She stayed like that for a long moment, thoughts heavy and tangled. —“You have to wake up… I… I—” Her words caught in her throat, the rest swallowed by the hiss of the automatic door sliding open.

Robin stepped in, dressed in civvies, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes. His pace was slow, deliberate, as if the air in the room itself demanded caution.

—“How is he?” he asked, his voice low, the concern for his brother-figure clear beneath the calm façade.

—“Nothing much… he’s just… sleeping,” Artemis replied, her tone weighted with sadness.

—“You know… it’s weird. Having him here, but everything being so—”

—“Calm?” she guessed, glancing at him.

—“I was gonna say silent , but that works,” Robin said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

—“Yeah…” Artemis let out a small, soft laugh, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Robin took a step closer. —“Hey, ’Mis… don’t be like that. He’s going to wake up. Soon.” His hand rested lightly on her shoulder. —“Satoru’s not the kind of guy who stays down for long.”

That drew a genuine grin from her. —“Yeah… he can’t be quiet for a goddamn second.”

Robin gave her shoulder a last pat before leaving. Artemis stayed, eyes fixed on Satoru’s peaceful face.

She didn’t notice the faint shimmer in the air around him.

Change of scene…

The door slid shut behind Robin with a soft hiss, sealing Artemis and Satoru inside. The sterile hallway outside was quiet, the hum of the Watchtower’s systems the only sound.

Robin didn’t walk away immediately. He stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, head tilted slightly down. Behind the dark glasses, his eyes were fixed on the floor, replaying the image of Satoru lying still. Too still.

Footsteps approached—light, measured. It was Kaldur.

—“He is unchanged?” the Atlantean asked, voice low.

Robin gave the smallest shake of his head. —“Nope. Artemis is staying with him.”

Kaldur nodded once, the weight of command still heavy on his shoulders. —“Then we must give her that time.”

Robin didn’t answer right away. He glanced toward the Med-Bay door, his jaw tightening. —“He’d hate this, you know. Lying there. Doing nothing.”

—“Yes,” Kaldur agreed softly. “But sometimes even the strongest must rest.”

From further down the corridor, muffled laughter echoed—Wally and M’gann passing by, trying to shake off the tension of the day. It felt out of place here, in this quiet corner where the air seemed heavier.

Robin finally moved, walking toward the common area with Kaldur at his side. Neither of them spoke again.

Back inside the Med-Bay, Artemis shifted uncomfortably in her chair, still holding Satoru’s hand. The faint rhythm of his breathing was the only sound she focused on. She didn’t notice the barely perceptible twitch of his fingers.

Inside his mind, Satoru drifted through endless blackness. No ground beneath him. No sky above. Only a slow, soundless tide of white motes flowing through the void. A weightless stillness—limitless, unbroken. He felt it—familiar, yet wild.

Infinite Void…

The space pulsed once, and in that instant, he understood something. Not everything—just enough. A whisper of how the threads of the void intertwined with thought and will… how they could be shaped and guided.

But it slipped away before he could fully grasp it—like trying to hold water in his hands.

His eyes fluttered open halfway, still caught between worlds. A faint, almost amused smile touched his lips.

—“ Guess I’m not done yet.”

The steady beeping of the med-bay resumed, his body still as ever. But inside, something had shifted.

Fade to black.

Unknown…
With Satoru…

My eyes snapped open. For a split second, I braced to find Batman looming over me.

But no.

All I saw was the definition of infinity—endless, absolute, unmoving. A horizon without edges. A silence without end.

And then it hit me.

I was standing inside the heart of my own technique. Limitless.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips.
—“So this is it,” I muttered. “Finally… Infinite Void. Guess it took nearly dying to get here.”

I looked around—or whatever passed for “looking” in a place where direction, time, and matter didn’t exist. No up, no down. No distance. Just the constant hum of infinity itself.

I’d always imagined that when I reached this point, I’d already have mastered Reversed Cursed Technique. Guess life had other plans. Still… better late than never.

My hands curled into fists, every particle of me thrumming with possibility.
—“Alright then,” I whispered. “Let’s go even further beyond.”

I moved forward—if you could call it that. Maybe I drifted. Maybe I fell. Hard to tell when gravity was just a rumor.

The silence struck first. Not the tired quiet after a battle, not the breathless pause before the next strike. This was absolute. No wind. No breath. No heartbeat.

Just… existence.

And here, even existence felt optional.

The edges of my perception dissolved, and for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t sensing the world—I was the world. Or at least, this piece of it.

I extended my hand, cursed energy spilling freely. Threads of Limitless coiled around my fingers—not as weapons, not as walls, but like curious spirits. Calm. Patient. Waiting.

—“So this is what it means to hold infinity,” I breathed.
Not as a shield.
Not as a cage.
But as a state of being.

Something shifted inside me—deeper than cursed energy, deeper than Limitless itself.

And then… the Infinite responded.

A ripple shivered through the stillness, like the surface of a bottomless ocean disturbed by conviction alone.

This was my silence. My choice. My moment.

I wasn’t afraid. I was ready.

I wanted to understand—without shortcuts, without someone else’s hand on mine.

The Domain didn’t collapse—it unfolded. Like a mind unclenching. Like it was listening.

It wasn’t pushing me forward.
It was waiting.

And I knew exactly what I wanted.
—“Let’s get to work,” I said quietly.

There was no one else here. Just me, the concept of Limitless, and the pull of the unknown.

I focused—not on entering the Domain, but on shaping it. Not just standing inside infinity… but bending it.

Didn’t matter.

This place was precision.
It was clarity.
It was mine.

And I wasn’t leaving empty-handed.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 8:

Awaken

Mount Justice
October 1, 2010
6:13 PM

Third-Person point of view:

It had been nine days since Satoru defeated the Red Siblings, collapsing afterward from overusing his technique.
During his absence, the Team kept training, determined to improve so Satoru wouldn't have to push himself to the brink next time.
Artemis visited the Med-Bay regularly, always checking on him, always waiting for the day he would wake up—so she could finally say what she'd been holding back.

That morning, the Team was called to gather in the Cave's main hall, near the Zeta Tubes.

Recognize: Batman -0-2

Batman strode in, his pace sharp and urgent.
—"Computer. National news."

The holo-screens lit up, displaying footage of a massive, fast-spreading vine engulfing cities across the globe.

—"Should we get out there?" Robin asked.

Batman turned to face them.
—"No. The League will have the situation under control shortly. That's not why I'm here."

He began pacing, voice steady but firm.
—"According to our intel, Sportmaster supplied Cadmus's Blockbuster formula to Kobra—"

—"—Who combined it with Bane's Venom to create Kobra-Venom," Wally cut in.

—"Which the Brain used to build his animal army," Robin added.

—"And to upgrade Wolf," Conner said, scratching the wolf under the chin.

—"The Brain also used inhibitor collars—like the ones from Belle Reve Penitentiary," M'gann noted.

—"Batman… is it possible that… plant thingy is running on Kobra-Venom too?" Artemis asked, frowning.

—"Green Lantern ran an on-site analysis. The plant contains traces of both the Blockbuster and Venom formulas," Batman replied, pulling up the scan results.

Aqualad crossed his arms.
—"These cannot be coincidences. Unrelated criminals are cooperating on a global scale."

—"Exactly. Our enemies have formed some sort of secret society of super-villains," Batman confirmed. "The attack in Metropolis was just the beginning."

Robin's fingers flew across the console.
—"There are confirmed reports of attacks in Gotham, Paris, Star City, Taipei—"

The feed suddenly cut out, the images vanishing from the screen.

—"Dude" Wally said to Robin,

—"It´s not me," Robin replied, alarmed.

—"Someone is cutting the satellite signal. All Satellites signals" Robin continues while trying to reconnect to the satellite.

The screens flickered and died, plunging the room into uneasy silence. Eyes darted toward each other, tension thickening the air. Robin's fingers flew over the console, working frantically to restore the feed.

Suddenly, the signal snapped back—not to the news, but to Joker's grinning face filling the screen, a gleaming knife catching the dim light as he slowly unsheathed it.

The team froze, every eye locked on the unsettling image.

—"Ladies and gentlemen," Joker began, voice dripping with theatrical mockery, "we interrupt your regularly scheduled mayhem to bring you this important announcement..."

He swiveled the camera to reveal six shadowed figures stepping into the light—Count Vertigo, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Adam, and Wotan.

Count Vertigo's cold, precise voice cut through the silence.
—"We are responsible for the attacks on your cities. If you wish to save them, a ransom of ten billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit. But the longer your governments wait—"

His threat was interrupted as Joker spun the camera back to himself, eyes wild with manic glee.
—"The more we get to have our… jollies!"

His laughter echoed through the room, chilling and unrestrained, before the transmission abruptly ended.

Batman's gaze sharpened, voice low and commanding.
—"Prepare the funds. This is only the beginning."

Robin swiftly pulled up high-definition images of the villains, lining them up on the screens—Count Vertigo, Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Adam, and Wotan.

—"Seven heavy hitters," Robin said, voice grim. "The masterminds behind nearly every threat we've faced."

Wally scoffed, sarcasm dripping.
—"There's your 'secret' society."

Artemis's jaw tightened, unease flickering in her eyes.
—"Not so secret anymore."

Kaldur nodded thoughtfully.
—"After India, they must have realized we'd figure it out. They stopped hiding."

Wally cracked his knuckles, eager.
—"Their mistake. Let's go punch some plant monsters."

Batman cut in, serious and unyielding.
—"The Justice League will handle the plant outbreak. This team has a different mission."

Wally groaned but held back his protest.

Batman's eyes scanned the team, voice steady.
—"There's a central control system behind these attacks. Your mission: destroy it."

Zatara's voice broke the moment, tinged with concern.
—"You realize what you're asking them to do?"

Batman's reply was firm, confident.
—"They're ready."

Wally's brow furrowed.
—"Ready for what?"

Artemis smirked, cutting him off with pointed sarcasm.
—"Hello, Wally. If the big guns are busy with plants, who do you think we're going to face?"

She nodded toward the image of the Injustice League still looming on the screen.

The team geared up swiftly, determination etched on every face. Zatara traced the Injustice League's location without difficulty.

Their destination: the Louisiana Bayou.

Before boarding the bioship, Artemis lingered by the med-bay, her gaze fixed on the still-unconscious Satoru. The soft hum of the machines filled the silence as she slowly approached his bedside.

She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers, feeling the faint warmth beneath his skin. Her thumb traced small, absent movements on his knuckles—almost like a quiet promise.

—"Come back to me. You promised me a date…" she whispered, her voice barely audible but laced with fierce hope. —"We need you. I need you."

Her eyes roamed his face, tracing every line, every shadow, committing them to memory—clinging to the thought of the moment he'd open his eyes and look at her again.

For an instant, his fingers twitched in her grasp. Small. Subtle. But enough to send a jolt through her chest. Her heart leapt, though her voice stayed steady.

—"I'm here," she breathed.

A sigh slipped from her lips, and in it, the vulnerability she usually kept hidden.

Footsteps approached from behind. Kaldur. He lingered in the doorway, silent, giving the moment its space.

Artemis didn't release Satoru's hand. She glanced up at Kaldur, meeting his gaze with a small, brave smile.
—"We have to go."

Kaldur gave a solemn nod.

She turned back one last time, eyes lingering on his still face, her chest heavy with the weight of leaving—but steadied by determination.

—"Please… come back to me."

Her fingers gave his hand one final squeeze before she let go. The bioship's hatch closed with a soft hiss, carrying her and the team toward the shadowed waters of the Louisiana Bayou—leaving behind a silent, fragile hope in the stillness of the med-bay.

Mount Justice
October 1, 2010
7:11 PM

Med-bay

Third-Person Point of view:

A soft voice whispered into the still air—
—"Please… come back to me."

Suddenly, the boy in the bed gasped sharply, inhaling deeply as if he'd been holding his breath for far too long.

Satoru Gojo—the strongest sorcerer alive—had awakened.

He sat up slowly, rubbing his temples with a groan.
—"Ugh, I feel so stiff," he muttered, blinking as he took in his surroundings—the sterile white walls of the med-bay.

"What happ—" he began to murmur to himself, but a flood of memories crashed over him.

—"Right. Red Tornado and his siblings. Mental note: don't overdo it next time. At least until Reverse Cursed Technique, got it," Satoru said with a wry, sarcastic grin.

He glanced to his side, spotting his hero costume folded neatly nearby. Standing, he realized he was nearly naked, wearing only boxers.

—"Oh, look at that," he chuckled, eyes drifting downward before he moved to dress.

Once clothed, he strode into the main room—only to find it empty.

—"Weird. Can't sense M'gann or Connor anywhere."

He tapped the comm device.
—"Computer, status report."

The screen lit up, detailing the team's mission progress.

—"Nine days out? And this Injustice League… the team's going to need me," Satoru mused, stretching his limbs and arching his back. "Guess I've slept enough."

Then, like a whisper from the past, the words returned to him:
—"I need you…"

He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips.
—"I need you too… Artemis," he murmured softly, the thought lingering in his mind.

But before he could dwell on it, his stomach growled loudly.

—"Maybe a quick snack first," he said with a smirk, heading toward the kitchen.

Bayou Bartholomew
October 1, 2010
7:21 PM

Third-Person Point of view:

The team was completely cornered by the Injustice League, each member ensnared by Wotan's crackling, magical lightning—binding them immobile in place. The oppressive energy hummed through the air, sapping their strength and hope.

Kaldur's fingers twitched, ready to call for the backup plan from Miss Martian.

But before he could speak, the jagged bolts of magic abruptly cut out.

Wotan's head snapped backward as a sudden, powerful kick struck him squarely, sending him flying to the ground with a heavy thud—right beside the other members of the Injustice League.

Every head in the battlefield whipped toward the source of the attack.

There, suspended in the air like a god among mere mortals, floated Satoru Gojo—Limitless.

His blindfold was gone. His jacket hung loosely, revealing the piercing clarity of his Six Eyes for all to see.

A hush fell over the battlefield as everyone absorbed the sight—astonished, awestruck by the boy.

—"Limitless!" the team breathed in unison, Artemis' voice tinged with awe and relief.

Artemis herself stood rooted to the spot, tears welling at the corners of her eyes as she gazed at him.
—"Satoru…" she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.

Satoru's lips curled into a confident smile as he waved casually,
—"Yo," he greeted, his tone light but charged with power.

Joker's grin twisted into a snarl.
—"You're here too, Snow White? I was starting to think you were afraid to show up," he sneered, voice dripping with menace.

Satoru floated downward, locking eyes with the Injustice League, a grin spreading wider on his face.
—"Me? Afraid of you?" he asked rhetorically, voice laced with amused contempt.
—"You guys are weak, after all," he declared, a taunt that made the villains scowl in fury at being underestimated by what they saw as a kid.

—"Sat—Limitless, you should be resting. You were in a nin—" Artemis began, a mixture of worry and frustration in her voice, nearly calling his real name in front of the enemy before Satoru cut her off.

—"Now's not the time. We'll talk later. For now, we finish this," he said firmly.

A fresh surge of energy rippled through the team as they looked at him, their spirits reignited by his presence.

Satoru's gaze shifted toward the seven heavy hitters standing before him.

—"Hey, chumps. How about you surrender before I kick your asses?" he shouted, teasing and confident.

Count Vertigo sneered back,
—"Who are you calling chump, peasant?"

Black Adam stepped forward, voice booming with arrogance,
—"You really think you can stand before a god?"

Satoru's expression turned deadly serious.
—"Then… don't blink," he warned.

And in an instant, he vanished.
His speed was blinding—faster than even Kid Flash's eyes could track.

In a blur of motion, Satoru appeared behind Joker and Count Vertigo, gripping the back of their heads before driving them into the ground with brutal precision. The impact echoed through the battlefield, and both villains collapsed instantly, unconscious.

For a heartbeat, the fight froze—every eye locked on him in stunned silence. Then the awe hit.

—"Did you see that?!" Wally shouted, jaw practically hitting the floor.
—"He moved faster than I've ever seen!" Artemis added, her voice a mixture of admiration and disbelief, eyes locked on him like she was seeing him for the first time all over again.

Satoru's grin widened. The remaining five heavy hitters closed in, their expressions darkening. Black Adam cracked his knuckles, muscles rippling with raw power.

—"You've only taken down two," Adam growled. "The rest of us will show you real power."

Ultra-Humanite's grotesque form twisted and flexed.
—"You'll regret underestimating us," he snarled.

Atomic Skull hurled a blast of radioactive energy straight at Satoru—only for it to disperse against the invisible barrier of Infinity.

Satoru's eyes gleamed with lethal focus as he shifted toward Black Adam. In a single, fluid burst, he unleashed a flurry of precise strikes—his fists and feet cutting through the air with supernatural speed, dismantling attacks before they could fully take shape.

The team caught his momentum instantly. Despite the overwhelming odds, they fought with a vigor they hadn't felt in days. Satoru's presence had reignited something in them.

His laugh rang out—light, almost playful, as if the chaos were nothing more than a game.
—"Is that all you've got?" he taunted, slipping past a crushing strike from Black Adam and answering with a palm strike that sent the powerhouse staggering.

The battlefield was a whirlwind—speed, power, and strategy intertwining under Limitless's lead.

Out of the corner of his eye, Satoru spotted Artemis struggling—thick vines from Poison Ivy coiled around her, pinning her arms.

—Ivy's smirk was pure venom. "Hahahaha… what a beautiful flower you are."
—"Fu… you…" Artemis hissed, straining against the living restraints.

Satoru didn't miss a beat. With a smirk, he grabbed Black Adam mid-charge and hurled him straight at Ivy.
—"Catch," was all she heard before the collision knocked the breath from her lungs and sent her crumpling, unconscious. The vines shriveled away, and Artemis staggered free.

Satoru floated down toward her.
—"You good, princess?" he asked, his voice teasing but warm.
—"Yeah… thanks," she said softly, and despite the chaos, she liked the way "princess" sounded coming from him.

Before more could be said, Black Adam rose again, fury burning in his eyes.
—"Go help Rob with the clown," Satoru told Artemis. "I've got Adam."
She nodded without hesitation and sprinted toward Robin.

Adam launched himself at Satoru with all his might—only to be met head-on with a crushing punch. The ground cracked under the force. A brutal exchange followed, blows shaking the air until Satoru launched Adam flying toward Wotan, who was locked in combat with Kaldur and Connor.

Satoru descended, smirking.
—"How's everything going here?"
—"Tough match," Connor scoffed.
—"Then how about we exchange partners?" Satoru's tone was casual, but his eyes burned for payback.

Kaldur and Connor grinned.
—"Love the idea."
—"On it."

Turning to Wotan, Satoru's grin sharpened.
—"Wanna see real sorcery?" he taunted.

—"You underestimate me… teg deniahc," Wotan chanted. From his palm, a golden magic circle flared, spitting out two heavy chains that lashed toward Satoru—only to bounce harmlessly against Infinity.

Seeing this, Wotan, in a surge of anger, cast another spell—"Fulmina venite!"
Orange bolts of searing energy shot toward Satoru, slicing through the air with deadly intent. But just like before, they dispersed harmlessly against the invisible barrier of Limitless's sorcery, fizzing out before even reaching him.

Wotan, eyes widening in shock, couldn't react fast enough to what was coming next. Every instinct told him this new threat was beyond anything he had faced.

Without slowing, Satoru closed the gap, seizing Wotan by the face. In a display of pure martial mastery, he unleashed years of training under one of the greatest martial artists alive.

A jab snapped Wotan's head to the side. An open palm struck across his cheek, followed instantly by a backhand that whipped his head the other way. Then the rhythm began. Left, right, left, right—each strike flowing into the next like a choreographed storm. Open hands, knuckles, and backfists rained down, each hit landing with the sound of stone breaking. Wotan staggered, unable to defend, as Satoru's blows blurred into a relentless torrent.

Forty-eight flawless strikes in less than ten seconds, each one perfectly placed, perfectly timed. The combo ended with a devastating roundhouse to the neck—WHAM!—sending Wotan's body twisting through the air before crashing to the ground.

But Satoru wasn't done. Flickering forward, one hand clamped over Wotan's face like a vice. With a low grunt, he dragged the sorcerer across the battlefield, smashing him through stone, splintering pillars, and plowing through piles of rubble. Debris exploded in every direction, shockwaves rattling the ground.

With a sharp heave, he hurled Wotan skyward. Dust hung in the air, the battlefield eerily silent except for the faint whistling of wind. Satoru appeared above him, suspended for a heartbeat—his silhouette framed by the moon.

—"Stay down."
Both feet slammed into Wotan's chest. The impact hit like a meteor, detonating into a violent plume of dust and shockwaves that shook the horizon.

When the haze cleared, Wotan was still standing, a thin trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
—"So the rumors were true…" he rasped.
—"You're tougher than I thought," Satoru smirked. —"Surrender, or I'll keep humiliating you."

—"Me? Surrender?!" Wotan's voice cracked, eyes flicking down to his trembling hands.
—"At first, I didn't believe the Witch Boy. He claimed a new sorcerer had appeared—a boy who could nullify every technique. Stronger than anyone the world had ever known."

His tone dropped to an almost reverent whisper.
—"The Strongest Sorcerer of the Modern Era."
—"Couldn't let that stand," Wotan snarled. —"Someone stronger than me…"

The ground split with a deafening crack, golden magic surging from his body like a nest of enraged serpents. Dust and stone spiraled upward in a sudden updraft.

Satoru tilted his head, faintly intrigued. Behind him, the rest of the team had already subdued the Injustice League, their captives bound in a neat circle.

—"Good job, everyone," he called over his shoulder without even glancing back.
—"What's happening?" Robin asked, shielding his face from the dust.
—"I think Wotan's throwing a tantrum," Satoru said dryly.

But then… the atmosphere shifted.
The air thickened—heavy as molten iron. Every breath burned. Wotan's golden aura warped into a storm of churning blood-red light. Arcane runes ripped themselves into existence around him, flickering and dissolving like dying stars. The earth groaned. Splinters of stone floated upward in the twisting gravity. His shadow split into a dozen writhing shapes.

—"Stay behind me," Satoru said sharply. —"This isn't good."
The team instinctively clustered together.

—"I did the unthinkable," Wotan growled, his voice deepening into something almost inhuman. —"I begged Klarion for power. Real power."

Chaos around him reached a fever pitch, red lightning snapping through the air. For a moment, even the sun seemed to dim.

—"I should be…" Wotan's voice twisted into a roar.—"I AM THE STRONGEST SORCERER!"

The battlefield erupted—an expanding dome of chaos magic shredding the ground, hurling debris like shrapnel.

—"What is that?!" Wally shouted, staggering.
—"Raw chaos magic," Satoru answered, eyes narrowing.
—"What do we do?" M'gann asked, her telepathy flickering under the oppressive weight.
—"Obvious," Conner said, charging forward. —"We kick his ass."
—"Superboy, wait—!" Satoru barked, but he didn't listen.
—"Why does he always do that?" Artemis muttered.

Satoru stepped forward. —"Stay behind me. I'll pull him out and handle Wotan. You just—"
—"No," Artemis cut in, grabbing his arm. Her eyes burned with defiance. —"You're not leaving us behind again."

He met each of their gazes, finding the same unwavering resolve.
—"We can help, my friend," Kaldur said calmly.
—"Yeah, don't sideline us," Robin added with a grin.
—"We're in this together," M'gann said firmly.
—"Exactly," Wally finished.

Satoru's lips curved into a proud smile.
—"Alright. Kid Flash—circle him. Look for an opening."
—"On it." Wally snapped down his goggles and vanished in a blur.
—"Artemis, Robin—keep your distance. Wait for my signal."
—"Got it," they replied in unison.
—"M'gann—link us up. Try to calm him, but don't risk yourself."
—"Understood."
Satoru turned to Kaldur.
—"Ours is the hard part. We go frontal."
—"Roger that," Kaldur said, readying his weapons.

They sprinted toward the storm. Superboy was already trading blows with a storm of red tendrils, his shirt in tatters.

—"Everyone ready?" Satoru's voice rang through the mental link.
—"Yeah."

They moved as one. Chaos magic whipped through the air—each tendril slicing with the weight of a guillotine. The ground cracked under the pressure waves. M'gann's voice strained.
—"I can't knock him out. His mind is nothing but static and rage."
—"It's fine. We'll do it the old-fashioned way," Satoru replied.
—"His sides are locked tight, but from above? There's a gap," Wally reported.
—"Got it. Kaldur, go high. Superboy—Maneuver Seven."

Superboy crouched, bracing. Kaldur stepped into his palms—and in one explosive motion, was hurled skyward. Wotan's head snapped upward, sensing the attack—too late. Satoru flashed into his path, Six Eyes locking onto him.

—"Eyes on me, weakling!" The challenge hit like a gunshot. Wotan's rage snapped toward Satoru—opening him just enough for Kaldur to descend like a comet, water-bearers fused into a massive maul. The blow cracked the ground beneath their feet.

—"Artemis, Robin—now!" Explosive arrows and birdarangs tore into the chaos storm, the shockwaves staggering Wotan. Superboy and Satoru slammed into him from opposite sides, sending ripples through the air. M'gann's telekinesis yanked him straight back into Aqualad's crushing follow-up. Wally's afterimages blurred around him, striking from every blind spot. Another barrage of explosives detonated point-blank. Wotan staggered—dazed.

M'gann's voice cut through the link.
—"Satoru—NOW!"

In a blink, he was there. Cursed energy coiled around his fist, the air warping under its density. Black lightning sparked at his knuckles.

—"Black Flash."

The punch landed—and the world seemed to tear. Space itself cracked like glass, black arcs ripping outward. Wotan's body was hurled away with bone-shattering force, carving a trench through the earth before smashing unconscious through the side of a building.

Silence. Then—

The team exhaled as one. Wally flopped beside Robin, both grinning despite the exhaustion. Kaldur lowered his weapons, chest heaving. Conner steadied a drained M'gann. Satoru straightened, his smirk returning, as if the fight had only been a warm-up.

—"Well done, guys," Satoru said, a teasing grin on his face. "Almost makes me think you don't need me."

The rest just nodded, too drained to argue.

Then it hit them—Satoru was awake. He'd fought alongside them again.

Every head turned toward him in unison. A beat of stunned silence hung in the air before they practically swarmed him.

—"Duuuuude, I'm so glad you're okay!" —Wally skidded to a stop in front of him, grin stretching ear to ear.

—"Satoru, I was so afraid you wouldn't wake up. I'm just… so glad you're alright," —M'gann said, her voice thick with relief.

—"Glad to have you back," —Connor added, arms folded, a grin breaking the last of his tension.

—"Yeah, Sato, you had us worried back there. How ya feeling?" —Robin asked, one eyebrow raised.

—"It is good to see you on your feet, my friend," —Kaldur said with his usual calm sincerity.

Satoru flexed his right bicep in mock bravado.
—"You guys worry too much. Nothing this guy couldn't handle."

From behind the group, steady footsteps approached. Artemis emerged from the crowd, her eyes locked on him—less relief, more fire.

She didn't stop until she was standing right in front of him, looking up. Her voice was sharp. — "Why are you here? You should still be resting."

— "Come on, Princess. I slept for nine days. I deserved a little stretch, you know?" Satoru rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it off.

Her brows knit tighter. — "You… you insufferable, egotistical, stupid bastard! You had us all worried sick—" She jabbed a finger into his chest with each word, light but rapid.

And then—he cut her off.

Satoru's hand slid to the back of her head and, before she could react, he kissed her.

The team froze. Even Artemis froze.

It wasn't long before the tension in her shoulders melted, and she found herself leaning into him, returning the kiss. The air between them softened instantly, heat replacing anger.

— "Aww," M'gann said, finally breaking the silence.

One by one the others followed.

— "Took 'em long enough," Robin smirked.

— "Absolutely," Connor nodded.

— "I believe I knew before they did," Kaldur mused.

— "I did not see that coming," Wally muttered, genuinely stunned.

When they finally broke apart, Artemis stayed close—cheeks faintly flushed, lips parted, eyes searching his.

— "Sorry," Satoru said with a low chuckle. "I just couldn't resist."

She didn't answer. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears, her mind still reeling.

He scratched his cheek nervously. — "Uh… if that was out of line, we can just forget—"

She grabbed his collar and kissed him again, deeper this time.

It took Robin's voice to pull them apart. — "Sheesh. Get a room, you two."

Both stepped back with a synchronized blush—but their fingers stayed intertwined.

Just in time for the League's arrival, Batman's gaze landed on Satoru. There was the faintest flicker of surprise in his eyes before he stepped forward.

—"Limitless?" was all he said.

—"Glad to see you too, B," Satoru replied, a lazy side-grin curling his lips.

Batman allowed the smallest smile. —"Glad to see you in good shape."

Turning to the rest of the team, he gave a curt nod. —"Everyone, good job."

The team exchanged satisfied smiles, a collective sense of relief in the air.

—"Well, how about we head back to the cave and grab something to eat? I feel like I haven't eaten in a week," Satoru said, hands resting behind his head as he strolled toward the bioship with his usual laid-back swagger.

—"That's because you haven't eaten in a week, dumbass," Artemis shot back with a smirk, falling into step just behind him.

—"I call it pizza!" Wally announced, dashing after them.

The rest followed, laughter mixing with the fading tension of the mission.

—"I need to take a shower first, though," Robin said, glancing down and grimacing at his suit.

—"Second," Conner agreed without hesitation.

Mount Justice
October 1, 2010
8:41 PM

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

Mount Justice had this maddening way of making moments feel bigger than they were supposed to. The perfect moonlight, the salty breeze curling up from the ocean—it was like the place conspired to make hearts spill open before they were ready.

I'd already showered, and while the others were still cycling through the bathroom, I ended up outside, perched on the cliff's edge. The waves crawled and retreated below, their endless rhythm doing that weird thing where it calms you but also makes you feel too much.

Artemis showed up without a sound. No words—just sat beside me, legs swinging over the void, arms crossed like she was hugging the night air itself. Since we'd left the kitchen, she'd been quiet. Not angry-quiet. Artemis-quiet. Which is infinitely worse.

Naturally, I had to ruin it.
—"So… about earlier," I said.

She didn't even look at me.
—"You mean the part where we kissed in front of the whole team?" Flat tone, but there was heat under it.

I blinked.
—"Wow. Harsh. I was going for romantic."

Finally, she glanced over—not impressed, but at least I had her attention. I gave her my best innocent smile, the one designed to say, please don't shove me off this cliff.

—"Okay, maybe not the perfect setup, but… it felt right, didn't it?"

She hesitated. Just a beat, but enough to make my chest tighten.
—"…Yeah," she admitted softly. "Kinda annoying how right it felt."

I turned to face her.
—"I annoy you, but you kissed me."
—"You kissed me first."
—"And you interrupted me mid-sentence to do it again, which—if we're keeping score—is basically the international symbol for 'please do that more.'"

She groaned.
—"Can we not keep score like this?"
—"Fine. But if we were… I'd be winning."

She rolled her eyes, bumping my shoulder. A small smile slipped out.

The silence after that wasn't awkward—it was the kind that didn't need filling. My heart was hammering, but I'd bet hers wasn't calm either.

—"I was really worried," she said at last. "Seeing you—always so untouchable—like that… so still, so…" She trailed off, unable to finish. "At one point I thought you'd never wake up. That I'd never talk to you again."

Her eyes met mine, tears slipping free—not from sadness, but something warmer.

Before my brain could chicken out, I just said it.
—"I like you. Like… really like you, Artemis."

For a moment, she froze. Then I saw it—a tiny exhale, her shoulders dropping, like I'd just taken something heavy off her.
—"Wow. You're just going to say it like that?"

—"Would you prefer 'madly enamored with every fiber of my being'?"

She laughed. Real, unguarded. It was unfair how good she looked like that.
—"God, you're such a dork."
—"A dork you kissed."
—"Do you ever stop circling back to that?"
—"Not when it was the highlight of my week. Month. Possibly my life, depending on how bad the next mission goes."

She bit her lip, trying and failing not to smile. Then, staring at the sky, she said it:
—"I like you like that too, dumbass."

It hit harder than expected. And just like that, her head was resting on my shoulder. I leaned into her, letting the night air and the closeness say what words didn't need to.

—"So… are we a thing now, or do we need to fill out a form?" I murmured.

She pinched my arm lightly.
—"Yeah, idiot."

Then she leaned in and kissed me again.
When we finally pulled apart, the memory of what I'd said before my coma slipped back into my head.

—"First date—where do you wanna go?"

She paused, considering, then smiled softly.

—"Anywhere. If I'm with you, it's good."

I couldn't help myself. I kissed her again, deeper this time—and she matched me with the same fire.

We might've stayed like that if M'gann hadn't popped her head out of the zeta-tube entrance.
—"Hey! Food's ready! Before Wally eats everything!"

Artemis smirked like she'd gotten away with something.
—"Come on, dork."

I followed—but not before stealing one last look at the waves. Pretty sure I'd just survived something scarier than any mission yet.

I grinned.

First-Person Point of View (Satoru):

I could hear the team chatting in the kitchen before I even stepped in, letting Artemis walk ahead of me. I scratched the back of my ear, still without my blindfold or glasses—just casual clothes, hair down and a little messy. Exposed. Tired, but upright.

—"Look who finally showed up. The new couple," Robin teased the moment I walked in.
—"Jealous much? You're just mad you're not big enough to get one," I shot back, sticking my tongue out.
—"Hey," he said, and I just grinned. He ended up smiling back.

I slid into a seat—Artemis on my left, Kaldur on my right. The comfort of having them all around me hit harder than I expected.
—"So…" I tilted my head, curiosity winning out. "What the hell happened while I was out?"

The easy atmosphere evaporated.
—"After Red Tornado escaped with his siblings," Robin began, "Conner overheard Kaldur talking to Batman. About possible traitors. About how you, Batman, and Kaldur already knew something."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
—"Listen, I told Kaldur—"
—"We know," Superboy cut in.
—"Yeah, he told us you ordered him to keep quiet. Said it might've been a ploy to split us apart," Robin added.
—"They nearly succeeded, though," Wally muttered.

I raised an eyebrow.
—"The next mission didn't exactly start great," Wally continued, mouth full of pizza.
—"Sheesh, Wall-man. Swallow. Breathe. Speak. Not that complicated," I said, grimacing.
—"And the intel came from Sportsmaster," Artemis added quietly.

I smirked.
—"That wasn't the only reason."

They all turned toward me.
—"I didn't tell Kaldur everything because I didn't think it was necessary, but…" I leaned back in my chair. "You remember how my Six Eyes feed me information, right?"

They nodded.
—"Well… none of you ever looked suspicious. So either you're innocent—or you're the best actors alive."

I shrugged.
—"Either way, I trust you all with my life."

The tension melted away, replaced by quiet smiles. Even Artemis's glare softened.
—"So… what happened in that mission? How did everything nearly go south?" I asked.

Kaldur stepped in.
—"We were sent to India. The mission was reconnaissance, but we ended up in a jungle full of animals enhanced with Kobra Venom. Controlled by the Brain."
—"Yeah, Kaldur was our interim leader until you woke up," Robin said.
—"So, let me guess—you guys just did whatever you wanted because you thought Kaldur was a prick. Right?" I asked.
—"Kinda," Wally admitted.
—"We felt betrayed," Robin added with a small frown.
—"But in the end, we figured it out," M'gann said with a proud smile.

—"Sweet. Then good job," I said bluntly with a smirk.
—"Anything else?"
—"Captain Marvel supervised us," M'gann replied.
—"And we adopted a wolf," Conner added.

I blinked.
—"Seriously?"
—"Seriously," Kaldur confirmed.

We fell into a comfortable silence until Conner spoke again.
—"What happened to you that day? You looked like you'd been steamrolled."

I scratched the back of my head.
—"Zatara called for backup in Japan. Klarion tore a hole in reality—Tokyo was chaos. It drained me. Using my technique that much—first in Tokyo, then here—I almost fried my brain. That's why I passed out."

Artemis frowned, sliding her hand under the table to take mine.
—"You shouldn't be doing reckless crap like that alone. You should've let us help."
—"Yeah, man. We're literally right here," Robin said.
—"And look how well we handled Wotan," Kaldur added.

I looked down, fingers flexing.
—"I know you could've helped. It's just… seeing you all beat up last time because I was late—" I stopped.

Kaldur's hand landed firmly on my shoulder.
—"We get it. But don't carry the weight of the world alone, my friend."
—"Exactly," Wally said with a grin.
—"We're a team," M'gann added softly.
—"Yes," Conner agreed, the weight in his tone saying more than words.

I looked around at them, smiling despite myself.
—"You guys are gonna make me cry," I joked, wiping away an imaginary tear.
—"Aaand you ruined the moment," Robin deadpanned.

We all laughed, and for once, I really let myself feel it.
I'm lucky. More than I ever dared to admit.

-And Cut-

Chapter Text

Chapter 9:

Going back into a new normal

Mount Justice
October 1, 2010
10:12 PM

We’d already finished dinner, and since we were all pretty wiped, Batman gave us the rest of the night off—plus two full days to rest.

Wally had already zipped out through the Zeta Tube back to Central City.
Kaldur did the same, heading to Poseidonis to get some well-earned sleep.

That left just Connor and M’gann—naturally sticking close together—and Robin, Artemis, and me.
Robin and I were near the Zeta Tubes, with Artemis trailing a few steps behind.
He was about to activate the teleport when I stopped him.

—“Wait a sec, Rob.”

I turned toward Artemis.

—“What is it, Satoru? Forget something?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

—“Yeah…” I started softly. “I was thinking… since Batman gave us two days off… maybe you’d want to…” I trailed off, scratching the back of my head.

Luckily, Artemis didn’t make me spell it out. She just leaned in, gave me a quick, soft kiss, and nodded.

—“Yeah, I’d like that. Tomorrow at seven p.m. sound good?”

I smiled.
—“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

We stood there, grinning like idiots, until Robin groaned.
—“Duuude, Sato, let’s go! B will have our heads if we keep dragging our feet.”

—“Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.” I turned back to Artemis. “See you tomorrow, princess.”

I started toward the Zeta Tube—only to feel a hand grab my arm.
She spun me back around and kissed me again, slower this time.

—“See you tomorrow, Sexy blindfolded,” she teased.

I just smiled before stepping into the Zeta Tube, the machine’s calm voice calling out my departure.

Recognized: Robin B-0-1 Limitless B-0-2.

We reappeared in the Batcave.
Bruce was at the Batcomputer, his eyes flicking toward us as soon as we arrived.

—“What took you so long?”

Robin opened his mouth to answer, but I slapped my hand over it before he could.

—“Nothing. Just talking with the team.”

Bruce gave us that classic I know you’re hiding something look.
—“Is that it?”

I nodded a little too quickly.

—“Then go to sleep. You’ve got a lot of schoolwork to catch up on—you’ve missed more than a few days.”

—“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered.
Luckily, tomorrow was Saturday, so no classes… but I did have a mountain of homework waiting for me.
Ugh, curses, I thought as I headed for the elevator.

When I finally made it to my room, I collapsed onto the bed, ready to pass out.
You’d think sleeping for nine days straight would’ve left me full of energy, but no—I felt like I’d been wrung out and left to dry.

Then my phone buzzed.

I reached over and grabbed it. The screen lit up: 1 message — from Princess .
Naturally, I had Artemis saved like that.

She was asking if I was asleep.

I smirked, unlocked my phone, and started typing back.
We kept texting, losing track of time—until a blink later, sunlight was spilling through my window, blinding me.

I blinked a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the light.
—“Stupid sun,” I muttered under my breath.

Reaching for my phone, I checked the time—9 AM.
—“Agh.” I groaned and pushed myself up, stretching until my joints popped.

Sleeping in a proper bed felt great, but somehow I was still stiff. One more groan, a yawn, and I swung my legs out of bed.

Time for the routine: bathroom, splash cold water on my face, brush my teeth, get dressed.

By the time I made it downstairs to the dining room, the smell of fresh coffee and toast hit me. I could hear the faint clink of cutlery against plates, the low murmur of conversation. Bruce, Diana, and Dick were already halfway through breakfast, steam curling from their mugs in the morning light.

—”Morn— yawn —ing —I mumbled, dragging the word out as I slumped into my chair.

—”Good morning, Satoru,” Diana greeted with her usual grace.

—”Morning,” Bruce said with that controlled nod that made even ‘hello’ feel like a Bat-interrogation.

—”Yo, Sato,” Dick said, looking way too awake for someone who probably went to bed at 3 AM.

Bruce glanced at me. “Glad to see you up and moving again.”

—”You had us worried,” Diana added warmly.

—”Yeah… sorry,” I muttered, scratching the back of my neck.

—”No need to apologize,” she said, sipping her tea. —”Just… don’t scare us like that again.”

I nodded and focused on my breakfast. Big mistake. When I looked up, Dick was already staring at me with that smirk. The one that meant my peaceful morning was about to die a horrible death.

—”So…” he started, dragging the word like he was reeling in a fish.

Both Bruce and Diana turned their attention to him.

—”Has Satoru told you about his new girlfriend yet?”

Silence. My fork froze midair. Diana’s brow rose. Bruce’s eyes narrowed a fraction.

—” Grayson… don’t.”

—”When did this happen?” Bruce asked, voice perfectly calm. Which made it worse.

—”Oh, just yesterday ,” Dick answered way too fast.

—”Yesterday?” Diana repeated, her tone light but her smirk dangerous.

—”Who?” Bruce asked.

Dick leaned forward like he was about to drop a bomb. —”Artemis. And—oh boy—you should’ve seen it.”

—“Grayson.” My voice came out low, a warning.
But of course, he didn’t stop.
—“Picture this: Wotan’s down, chaos magic still sizzling in the air, Artemis scolding him for being reckless enough to fight right after waking up—so what does our boy here do? He struts right up to her, grabs her like he’s auditioning for a soap opera, and just goes for it. ”

I groaned. —“That’s not—”

—“Oh, it is. Full-on dramatic head tilt, one hand at the back of her head—don’t even try to deny it.”

Diana covered her mouth, clearly hiding a laugh, while Bruce’s unreadable face somehow made me sweat even more.

—“Really?” Diana asked, her tone teasing.

Dick nodded like he was giving a mission report. —“And when he pulled away, she looked at him like—” He put a hand to his chest, fake swooning. —“‘Oh, Satoru, my hero!’”

I slammed my fork down. —“I’m going to kill you.”

—“Then he asked her out on a date. At the Cave. Before zeta-tubing here yesterday. No shame whatsoever,” Dick added, like it was the most casual thing in the world.

Bruce finally spoke, his voice utterly dry. “Do you even know how to take someone on a date, Satoru?”

Diana smirked.—” “Perhaps he could use some pointers.”

—”Happy to give them,” Bruce said without missing a beat.

—”Please don’t,” I muttered, sinking lower in my chair.

Dick leaned back, arms behind his head, grinning like the devil himself. —”Nah, I think he’s fine. As long as he keeps the dramatic spinning to a minimum.”

—” I swear, Richard Grayson… one day you’re gonna wake up in another dimension and not know how you got there.”

A few hours later…

Wayne Manor
October 2, 2010
6:47 PM

Third-Person Point of view:

After doing some of the load of schoolwork that he missed.

Satoru was finally dressed for his date with Artemis. He wore his dark round glasses, a black jacket over a crisp white shirt, black jeans, and spotless white shoes. Standing before the mirror, he gave himself one last approving look, fussing over the final details.

—“If you keep admiring yourself, you’re going to be late,” Dick said from the doorway, a mocking grin tugging at his lips.

—“Shut it, acrobat boy,” Satoru shot back.

—“Dick’s right, though,” Bruce added calmly as he stepped in.

—“Relax, I still have a few minutes. Besides, I can show up there with just a clap,” Satoru replied smoothly.

Diana appeared next, her expression amused.
—“Come on, Satoru. You look good.”

Still staring at his reflection, Satoru sighed.
—“Is everyone in this house going to mock me tonight?”

Alfred, ever the master of dry humor, entered with a perfectly blank face.
—“It might be wise to stop using the mirror, Master Satoru. You could break it simply by staring too long.”

Satoru finally turned to face them, exasperated.
—“You too, Alfred?”

He spread his arms wide.
—“Well? How do I look?”

—“Like a dumbass,” Dick answered without missing a beat.

—“Language, Master Richard,” Alfred scolded sharply.

Bruce’s rare grin softened the mood.
—“You’re fine, Satoru. Just go—before you really are late.”

Satoru chuckled, raising a hand in farewell.
—“You’re right. See ya.”

With a sharp clap, his hands snapped into a serpent seal—and in the blink of an eye, he vanished, reappearing in the garage where his white-and-blue motorbike awaited.

Dick turned toward Diana and Bruce with a smirk.

—“One of you should’ve given him some advice. He has no idea how to take someone on a date.”

—“Absolutely.”
—“Not a clue.”

Diana and Bruce replied in unison, their deadpan delivery making Dick giggle—then burst out laughing.

_____________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile…

Gotham City
October 2, 2010
6:56 PM

In a modest apartment in northern Gotham, the sound of humming filled the air. Artemis sat at her vanity, brushing her hair with an unusually bright smile.

From the doorway, her mother’s voice cut through.
—“Where are you going, Artemis?” Paula asked, arms crossed.

—“It’s nothing you should worry about, Mom. I’m just going out with some friends,” Artemis replied quickly, hoping to dodge the subject. Telling her mother she had a date—and a boyfriend—would only invite endless embarrassment.

Paula raised a brow, her expression flat but her tone sharp.
—“Friends don’t make you hum like a Disney princess. So… who’s the boy?”

Artemis groaned, spinning in her chair.
—“Mooom, it’s just friends, okay?” she shot back, her face heating up.

Before Paula could respond, Artemis’s phone buzzed. She snatched it up and saw Satoru’s text: I’m outside. A goofy, uncontrollable grin spread across her face.

Paula’s lips curled into the faintest smirk.
—“Uh-huh. Friends. Sure. You don’t beam like that over friends. Don’t forget—I may be paraplegic, but I’m still your mother. And believe it or not, I was a teenager once.”

—“Oh my god, Mom!” Artemis protested, leaping to her feet. “I’m leaving, okay? Bye, love you!”

She darted toward the door, but Paula called after her, voice perfectly deadpan:
—“Remember to use protection.”

—“ MOOOOOOM! ” Artemis screeched from the hallway, her face burning bright red. The door slammed.

Paula chuckled, shaking her head, amused.
—“Some things never change,” she muttered, smiling warmly. “I just hope that boy treats you right.”

Outside…

Satoru leaned casually against his motorcycle, one green helmet in hand and the other resting on the seat, eyes fixed on his phone. The sound of a door opening drew his attention, and he lifted his head.

There she was—Artemis—stepping outside in blue jeans, a white shirt, and a brown leather jacket. The sight of her pulled a warm smile across his face. Straightening up, he waved.

—“Hey, princess,” Satoru greeted, lifting his hand.

Artemis met his gaze with a small smile of her own.
—“Hi, handsome,” she replied as she came closer.

For a moment, they just stood there, grinning like fools at one another, caught somewhere between comfort and awkwardness. The silence hung until Artemis leaned in, brushing her lips lightly against his.

That snapped Satoru back into motion.
—“Well… ah… I know where we could go,” he blurted.

Artemis giggled softly.
—“Oh yeah? Where?”

He held out the green helmet.
—“Here, take this.”

—“Where?” she pressed again, sliding the helmet over her head.

Satoru tugged on his own helmet, swung a leg over the motorcycle, and turned back with a smug grin.
—“Surprise.”

Artemis rolled her eyes, but couldn’t hide her smile as she climbed onto the motorcycle behind him.

_____________________________________________________________________

The neon lights of the amusement park glowed against the dark Gotham sky, casting colors across the crowd. The clock had just hit seven and half, and the night felt alive with laughter, music, and the smell of popcorn.

Satoru parked the motorcycle near the entrance and pulled off his helmet, his hair immediately a mess of white strands sticking in every direction. Artemis hopped off after him, shaking her head with a smirk.
—“You look like you just lost a fight with a hair dryer.”

—“Excuse you,” Satoru replied, running a hand through his hair dramatically. “This is peak fashion. Models in Paris wish they had this look.”

Artemis rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

She sighed, hugging her plush cat closer.
—“You’ve got no remedy.”

Satoru pressed a hand over his heart like she had just wounded him.
—“Excuse me, I am full of remedies. I’m basically a walking pharmacy.”

Artemis raised an eyebrow.
—“Yeah? Too bad none of them work on your ego.”

He gasped dramatically, stumbling back a step as if struck.
—“Cruel. Absolutely cruel. Here I am, risking my life against carnival equipment, and this is the thanks I get.”

The booth operator grumbled, still glaring at the smashed bell. Artemis couldn’t stop laughing, clutching the white cat plush like it was about to fall from her arms.

—“Satoru, seriously, only you could turn a strength game into property damage.”

He scratched the back of his head, sheepish, then glanced around with a grin that was anything but sorry.
—“Hey, at least I set a new record… kind of.”

Artemis rolled her eyes, tugging him away before the operator kicked them out.
—“Unbelievable. Next time, I’m not letting you touch anything with moving parts.”

—“So… popcorn stand?” he asked with a grin, already pointing.

She groaned.
—“Why do I feel like that’s going to end in disaster too?”

Satoru winked.
—“Because it’s me.”

Later, after a some popcorn they lined up for the Ferris wheel. The closer they got to the front, the quieter they became. Inside the small cabin, the silence grew heavier. Satoru looked out at the view, then at her.
—“You nervous?” he asked.
—“No,” Artemis replied a little too quickly, clutching the stuffed cat in her lap.

He smirked and leaned back casually, though his leg bounced with restless energy. Truth was, he was just as nervous. As the Ferris wheel reached the top, the city stretched out beneath them in glittering lights.

For a moment, neither spoke. Then Artemis glanced at him, her lips twitching like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Satoru, surprisingly gentle, broke the silence.
—“You know… I’m glad.”

Artemis blinked, caught off guard.
—“Glad?… why?”
—“That I’m here with you… I never imagined being in a moment like this with anyone,” he said simply, his grin softening, more genuine now.

She bit her lip, cheeks pink, and this time she didn’t hesitate. Leaning forward, she kissed him. Satoru’s surprise melted almost instantly, and he kissed her back, warm and certain.

The Ferris wheel rocked slightly, but neither of them noticed. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, both grinning like idiots.

Satoru chuckled, brushing a strand of her hair back.
—“Well… guess that beats the roller coaster.”
Artemis smirked.
—“Maybe. But we’re still going on it.”

And so the night went on—messy, awkward, full of laughter and teasing, but ending in a kiss that felt like something out of a Disney movie.

By the time the park began to close, they walked back to where Satoru had parked his bike. Artemis held the stuffed cat tight against her chest, smirking every few steps whenever she remembered his failure with the mallet.

He handed her a helmet, slipping his own on with a sigh.
—“Alright, no more jokes about the strength test. I’m putting a ban on that topic.”
Artemis slid onto the bike behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
—“Oh, I don’t need to bring it up,” she teased softly in his ear. “The image of you destroying it, is burned into my brain forever.”

Satoru groaned dramatically, starting the engine.
—“You wound me, Artemis. Here I was thinking I ended the night strong with that kiss, but nooo, all you’ll remember is me getting scolded by a poor worker.”
She squeezed his waist just a little tighter.
—“I’ll remember both.”

For once, he had no comeback. His grin softened beneath the helmet as he revved the bike, the engine’s roar echoing through the night. With Artemis holding him tight, Gotham’s streets blurring past, Satoru couldn’t help but think… since arriving in this universe, he had experienced happy moments and cherished memories, but this moment—right here, right now—felt like the truest taste of happiness.

When the bike finally pulled up in front of Artemis’s apartment, she hopped off, still clutching her stuffed cat like it was a priceless treasure. Satoru removed his helmet and leaned on the bike, his usual smug grin in place.

—“So… how was it?” he asked casually, though the faint flicker of curiosity betrayed him.

Artemis rolled her eyes, fighting the smile tugging at her lips.

—“Awesome.”

—“See you later,” Satoru said, waving with a goofy grin, as if waiting for something more.

Artemis started walking toward her apartment but glanced back to give Satoru a quick goodbye kiss. His grin widened instantly, turning completely goofy.

She stepped inside, trying to maintain her composure—only for her mom’s voice to echo from the living room:

—“Nice cat, Artemis.”

Artemis froze, cheeks flaming. Paula wheeled closer, a knowing smirk on her face.

—“Let me guess… your friend won that for you?”

—“It’s not like that, Mom!” Artemis sputtered, hugging the cat tighter.

Paula raised an eyebrow.

—“Mhm. And that goofy little smile you’re trying to hide? Totally something you do when it’s ‘not like that.’”

Artemis groaned and bolted toward her room, yelling as she slammed the door:

—“Moooooom!”

Paula chuckled warmly, shaking her head.

—“Just don’t let him break your heart, kiddo.”

Outside, Satoru slipped his helmet back on and started the bike. For a moment, he just sat there, the grin tugging at his lips completely unguarded. As the engine roared to life, he muttered under his breath:

—“Yeah… awesome.”

And with that, he sped off into the Gotham night, still smiling like a fool.

Wayne Manor
October 2, 2010
10:19 PM

Satoru’s bike rolled into the Wayne Manor driveway, engine fading as he parked and lifted his helmet. That same goofy grin was plastered across his face. Tonight had gone perfectly… or at least he hoped.

Inside, the usual suspects were waiting. Bruce leaned near the fireplace, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Diana lounged casually, arms crossed, eyes sharp. Alfred polished something quietly, though the way he raised an eyebrow betrayed his curiosity. And Dick—well, Dick was bouncing on the couch like a caffeinated squirrel, eyes locked on Satoru.

—“Sato… my man,” Dick began, pacing. “How did it go? Did you actually talk to her, or were you just staring like some awkward statue?”
—“Really, Dick?” Satoru rolled his eyes, smirking. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
—“Yeah, Mr. Smooth,” Dick teased. “Did you manage a full sentence without tripping over your words? Did she laugh at you yet?”
—“I’ll have you know I’m perfectly eloquent,” Satoru said, grinning, though his leg bounced nervously.
—“Perfectly eloquent, huh?” Alfred’s dry tone cut in. “Do tell, Master Satoru, how many times did you almost fall off the Ferris wheel, or did your charming words knock her unconscious?”
—“Alfred!” Satoru groaned, holding up a hand.
—“I’m just gathering intel,” Dick said, bouncing again. “Come on, Sato—spill it. Did you hold hands? Share cotton candy? Ride the roller coaster without screaming?”
—“You’re relentless,” Satoru muttered, though a laugh slipped out.
—“And?” Dick pressed, leaning forward. “Did she laugh at you? Did you embarrass yourself? Come on, tragic details, please.”
—“Dick, give him a moment,” Diana interjected, as dry as ever, raising an eyebrow. “Or would you like me to list all the ways he could have made a fool of himself tonight?”
—“Hey!” Satoru groaned, face turning slightly pink beneath his calm grin.
—“Don’t worry, Sato,” Dick said, feigning sympathy. “I only want the juicy bits.”
—“Juicy bits?” Satoru chuckled. “Please. We just walked around, rode some rides, grabbed a few snacks… oh, and I may have accidentally obliterated the bell machine. Nothing catastrophic.”
—“…You what?” Bruce asked, raising an eyebrow.
—“Chillax, B. I already paid for it,” Satoru said, smiling wider and throwing up a small surrendering gesture.
—“Ha!” Dick burst into a loud, sarcastic laugh. “Sato, you are officially a disaster in love. This is priceless!”
—“Really, you’re impossible,” Satoru muttered, laughing.
—“It’s our duty as younger siblings and parental figures to make sure you don’t accidentally ruin a perfectly good first date,” Diana said calmly, though her smirk gave her away.
—“Indeed. I am still intrigued how you managed to pull it off,” Bruce added.
—“Well, I’m done here,” Satoru said, stretching. “If we’re patrolling later, wake me up. I’m exhausted.”
—“Spoilsport,” Dick whined. “And here I thought we were getting the full Satoru Disaster Report!”

Satoru waved lazily over his shoulder, heading toward the stairs, still grinning. Diana shook her head, Alfred muttered something under his breath, and Dick collapsed dramatically onto the couch, groaning in theatrical frustration—already plotting to grill Satoru even harder next time.

Gotham Academy
October 4, 2010
7:30 PM

First-Person point of view (Satoru):

Monday, what a curse day, first day of the week and worst day of the week.

After nine long days in a coma, I was finally back at school. Not that I was thrilled about it. Yesterday had been a nightmare of catching up—piles of homework I hadn’t finished on Saturday, all staring at me accusingly.

Once the homework was finally done, the rest of my day vanished into texts with Artemis. She confessed she actually goes to Gotham Academy. Of course, she has no idea where I study, so I told her I study at home.

Then I asked if she wanted me to pick her up after school, but she shrugged it off and said we should meet at the cave with the rest instead.

So here I am, dragging myself down the hall toward literature class, shuffling like a zombie who overslept his own apocalypse. My bag feels heavier than it should—probably full of disappointment and unfinished homework.

—“How booooring,” I whine out loud, the word stretching longer than my patience. My sigh echoes down the hallway like the final breath of a dying man.

I finally make it to the classroom door, staring at it like it’s the gates of hell. Four hours until lunch. Four. Hours.

—“Aghhh,” I groan, stepping inside as if I’ve just accepted my fate.

Four hours later…

Finally—lunch time. Salvation.

I stretched my limbs like I’d just broken free from medieval torture, joints cracking loud enough to make a few heads turn. Then, without a second thought, I made my way to my usual spot: the tree tucked behind the school building, my personal throne away from the chaos.

_____________________________________________________________________

Third-person point of view:

Artemis walked with her lunch in hand toward the tree behind the school—the same spot she had stumbled upon Haruto Son once before. Since he hadn’t shown up again, she had quietly claimed it as her retreat, away from Gotham Academy’s polished smiles and suffocating cliques.

Her thoughts, however, weren’t on school. They were still stuck on last night—with Satoru. The memory made her grin like an idiot.
I want another one, she admitted inwardly. Fingers already moving, she pulled out her phone and typed: Lunch time. How are you?

By the time she hit send, she had arrived at her tree—only to stop short. Someone was already there.

Haruto Son. Leaning back against the trunk, his usual air of indifference intact. But what caught her eye weren’t his posture or the faint smirk—it was the dark round glasses he wore.

Her smile faltered. —“ Those glasses… They are too familiar” . Exactly like the ones Satoru had worn last Saturday. Coincidence? Maybe. But Artemis Crock didn’t really believe in coincidences.

She folded her arms, tilting her head slightly as she approached. —“Well, look who we have here,” she said, voice casual but eyes sharp.

Haruto—Satoru in disguise—cracked one eye open beneath the glasses. His lips curved. —“ Guess it’s time to put on the act.”

—“Mmh? What are you doing here? This is my spot,” he asked, raising a brow as if amused.

Artemis gave a short laugh. —“Your spot? Please. I don’t remember seeing your name anywhere near, ward of Bruce Wayne. And last week, you weren’t even here.”

For a second, Satoru held her gaze. The glamour was flawless—black hair, brown eyes. There was no way she could pierce it. But the way she kept glancing at his glasses made him pause.

—“Damn, girl,” he muttered, stretching out a smirk. —“Fine. I’ll share.”

—“Thought so,” Artemis replied lightly, though her eyes lingered on him a moment longer before she sat down.

And as silence stretched between them, Satoru had only one thought —“ She’s suspicious. Sharp. And… beautiful. ”

Artemis crossed one leg over the other, her tray now balanced on her lap. She gave him a sidelong look, eyes narrowing with casual curiosity.
—“So… last time we talked, you mentioned there was ‘someone.” She tilted her head slightly. “What happened with that ‘someone’?”

Satoru blinked, caught mid-bite of his sandwich. Ah, damn, she remembered that. He chewed slowly, buying time before shrugging with a lazy grin.
—“What happened?” he repeated, feigning thought. “Not much. Life pulled us in different directions, that’s all. Happens, right? People drift.”

His voice was light, but something in the way he avoided her gaze gave Artemis pause. He’s hiding something again. Still, she couldn’t push further without sounding nosy, so she leaned back, arms folded.

—“Guess it does,” she muttered, though her tone made it clear she wasn’t fully convinced.

To change the subject, she tilted her chin at him. —“Anyway… you vanished last week. Where’d you run off to?”

Satoru smirked, this one easier to play off. —“Ah, yeah. Bruce dragged me along to a business trip. Gotham’s golden billionaire can’t seem to breathe without dragging his so-called ‘ward’ into suit-and-tie hell.” He gestured dramatically as if recounting torture. “Endless meetings, fake smiles, boring charity dinners. Believe me, you didn’t miss me having any fun.”

Artemis’s lips twitched, almost breaking into laughter. —“So, Gotham’s Prince had to play the good son, huh?”

Satoru pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. —“I prefer ‘tragic heir’, but yeah, pretty much.”

That finally earned him a laugh, soft but genuine. For a second, the suspicion in her gaze melted into something warmer. Then her eyes flicked back to the glasses again, just briefly. Still… why does it feel like I’ve seen those before?

Satoru caught the look but didn’t flinch, only leaning back with a careless grin. Keep calm. Stay Haruto. Don’t give her the thread to pull.

Artemis had just settled under the tree, unpacking her lunch, when Satoru stretched lazily against the trunk, dark glasses tilted just enough to peek at her.

—“So,” he began casually, “you? You know… your special someone?”

—“I can't complain,” she replied, shrugging lightly.

Satoru nodded, then leaned back, voice casual.
—“Family?”

The question made Artemis stiffen for a moment. Her eyes flicked to the ground before she forced a neutral tone.
—“We… don’t really talk much. Just my mom, it's complicated.”

Satoru raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight behind her words, but didn’t push. He just smiled faintly.
—“Complicated is the universal family language, I think. Mine’s no fairy tale either.”

Artemis glanced at him cautiously.
—“Oh yeah? Wayne’s ward and all… sounds not too bad.”

—“Glossy version,” he smirked. “Lots of trips, lectures, galas where the bow tie almost strangles me. Trust me, not glamorous.”

Artemis chuckled, tension easing slightly.
—“Guess everyone’s family is messy in their own way.” She nibbled at her sandwich. “Anyway, how’s school treating you?”

—“Pure torture. Literature today nearly killed me. One more poem about trees and I’ll collapse,” he groaned dramatically.

—“Not a fan of the classics?”

—“Only if the classics aren’t math or physics. You?”

—“You like math? Ugh, I hate it. Numbers feel like they’re out to get me.”

Satoru tilted his head, pretending to think.
—“Besides numbers… hobbies?”

—“Well, when I’m not crunching equations, I wrote and play music or try bizarre foods. Fried octopus? Five-flavor soup? Total chaos on a plate,” he said with mock reverence.

—“Bizarre foods?” Artemis raised an eyebrow, amused.

—“Trust me, culinary adventure is mandatory,” he said with a grin.