The android's eyes pulsed with a crimson glow as it analyzed Orach. Its voice, when it spoke, carried an archaic elegance that seemed strangely out of place for a machine.
"Most peculiar," the android intoned, its gaze fixed upon Orach. "Neither thy form nor power signature exists within mine vast databases. Pray tell, what manner of being stands before me?"
"Drop the act," Orach's eyes narrowed dangerously, the android's theatrical manner only fueling his rage. "Since when does your kind bother with introductions before striking?" Tribulation lightning crackled around him, centuries of bitter memory sharpening his words. "Tell me, android—do you truly expect me to believe you don't know what a Saiyan is?"
The android tilted its head in a slow, mocking manner as it processed his words. "I sense great wrath in thy words, warrior, yet thy fury seems misplaced. Though android I may be, knowledge of these 'Saiyans' eludes me. Perhaps..." Its voice modulated to an unsettling gentleness, "thou wouldst enlighten me?"
As it spoke, the android's form shifted subtly, taking a combat stance. Energy began coursing through its frame, creating intricate patterns of light beneath its synthetic skin.
"Enough games," Orach's voice thundered through the chamber. "This facility lies in ruins, its halls littered with the dead. Every android I've encountered has sought to eradicate organic life. Your actions prove you're no different. State your purpose here, now."
The android's eyes flared brighter, an almost regretful tone entering its voice. "A regrettable necessity. These mortals sought to capture and replicate my design—to create an army of beings like myself. Such a violation I could not permit." Without warning, the android blurred forward with frightening speed toward Orach.
Orach caught the android's strike with his left hand, halting it mere inches from his face. The impact generated a shockwave that shattered the surrounding consoles. "Impressive strength," he acknowledged coldly, "but only for this lower realm."
"Lower realm?" The android narrowed its eyes, its fist still caught in Orach's grasp, as it manifested an energy construct in the shape of an ancient sword in its free hand. "Thou speakest of dimensions beyond mere universes? Most intriguing indeed!"
The blade slashed through empty air as Orach let go and shifted through space, reappearing behind the android. His fist, wreathed in God Ki, struck with devastating force, sending the android crashing through several reinforced walls.
"Mother Empress," Orach called out, his eyes tracking the android's trajectory, "this one seems pathetically weak compared to those we've faced before. What are your readings showing?"
"You are correct, Young Master," Mother Empress replied. "I now understand why the scouter gave only a partial match. It's an energy-absorption type android. While the initial warning was triggered by similarities in its energy absorption technology and its energy signature, this entity is native to this lower realm. Its vibrational frequency confirms it originates from a parallel universe within this realm. Though advanced by local standards, it bears only superficial resemblance to the Androids of the Higher Realms."
"First that creature Parasite, and now this android..." Orach mused, his eyes narrowing as his mind pieced together the pattern. "The shared ability to drain power... Could this truly be coincidence?"
"…Let us consider the possibilities," Mother Empress suggested delicately. "Perhaps remnants of the great war drifted into this realm, inspiring their technological development. Or more likely, scattered wreckage from the war found its way here, allowing curious minds to reverse-engineer their discoveries. Or..." she paused meaningfully, "your past experiences may be causing you to see patterns where none truly exist, Young Master."
"Maybe Diana was right... a vacation would do me good," murmured Orach.
"Most fascinating." Just then the android's voice echoed as it emerged from the wreckage, its form barely scratched as it strode back into the chamber. "Thy power truly exceeds all known parameters. Yet..." The android's body began pulsing with an eerily familiar energy signature, causing Orach's eyes to narrow dangerously. "I too possess capabilities beyond mortal comprehension."
The android's form blurred with impossible speed as pale golden energy coursed through its frame, a familiar divine power. Its fist, wreathed in crackling lightning, struck with devastating force toward Orach's core.
Orach shifted through space just as the android's blow came within an inch, letting it pass harmlessly through his afterimage. Now, from within a fold of space, only Orach's voice reached the android: "That power... you've been consuming others' abilities. Tell me, Android—what did you do to Diana of Themyscira in your universe?"
The android, bewildered by its target's disappearance while the voice echoed through the chamber, narrowed its eyes and scanned its surroundings. "Consumed? Nay, noble warrior, rather assimilated. Each power I assimilate serves a greater purpose. The criminal Diana of Themyscira—also known as Wonder Woman—her abilities now serve a higher calling through me, Paradise Lost of Task Force VII, guardian of a better world." The android's form began to shimmer with divine energy. "Allow me to demonstrate the true potential of her powers!"
Paradise Lost raised its hands, channeling divine energy to create a massive dome-shaped force field emanating from its center. The shimmering barrier swept outward through space, searching for its elusive opponent. Orach observed the tactical move with mild interest.
"A clever strategy," Orach mused from within his spatial fold, "but challenging my mastery of spatial laws is pure foolishness." Even if the field impacted the space it covered, it couldn't detect the fold where he resided.
Paradise Lost's confidence faltered as its supposedly foolproof detection field yielded nothing. The android had calculated that its expanding barrier would either crush its opponent or reveal their hiding place within the warped space. Its crimson eyes flickered with the first traces of uncertainty as it processed a sobering realization - in terms of raw power, tactical prowess, and spatial manipulation, this mysterious warrior operated on an entirely different level.
"If thou chooseth to hide like a coward," Paradise Lost's synthetic voice crackled with frustration, "then this entire facility shall burn!" Its eyes flared brilliant red as lightning and divine fire coalesced in its palms, the chamber's temperature rising to devastating levels.
From within the fold of space, Orach observed the android's desperate act. "Young Master, we can't have him destroy this facility," Mother Empress warned gravely. "I require additional time to access and decode these data banks. The system's creator implemented seemingly nonsensical yet collectively effective security measures—as if they anticipated something like... me."
Without hesitation, Orach emerged from the spatial fold, stepping out behind the android as tribulation lightning once again crackled around his form. The tribulation lightning, sensing the divine lightning in the android's hand, intensified with fury—as if enraged that mere divine lightning from the lower realms dared to display its power before Heaven's true punishment. Raging arcs tore through the chamber floor and struck Paradise Lost's left arm before it could react, utterly destroying the limb that had been channeling the divine lightning.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHH
Paradise Lost crashed to the ground with an agonized scream that echoed through the chamber. Sparks erupted from its severed limb as internal systems attempted and failed to compensate for the catastrophic damage.
"Impossible..." the android's synthetic voice trembled. "Why am I not healing?"
The divine fire still blazing in its remaining hand flared wildly out of control, melting the facility's reinforced floor into slag. Paradise Lost's crimson eyes flickered with genuine fear as it realized its vaunted Chrono-Healing ability—capable of reversing almost any damage it had experienced so far—had completely failed against the tribulation lightning.
"What... what manner of entity art thou?" Paradise Lost's voice wavered, its usual speech patterns glitching under duress. "No being in all my databases possesses such might!"
"I am what your primitive technology cannot process." Orach stepped forward, tribulation lightning crackling around his form, his voice carrying the weight of higher realms. "Your stolen abilities, impressive as they may seem in this lower plane, are but pale shadows compared to true power."
Paradise Lost's crimson eyes locked onto Orach's gaze, its advanced systems registering something that defied all computational logic. Orach's left eye contained an impossible fusion of light and darkness—the darkness wasn't merely an absence of light, but a void that seemed capable of devouring universes. For the first time in its existence, Paradise Lost's processors experienced what could only be classified as primal terror.
Yet driven by its core programming and a nearly organic hunger for power, Paradise Lost lunged forward in desperation. "If understanding eludes me... then assimilation shall grant me clarity!"
"Young Master," Mother Empress warned, "It's attempting to—"
"I know," Orach replied calmly, observing the android's approach with detached interest—as one might study an insignificant insect. "Let us demonstrate the price of such hubris."
Just as Paradise Lost's fingers neared their target, space warped around them. The android's servos, circuits, and joints froze in mid-motion. Its vocal synthesizer emitted only a strangled "Impossible!" before the words died in its circuitry, its sensors frantically searching for an explanation beyond their comprehension.
"Did you truly believe you could absorb power from the higher realms?" Orach asked, his voice laden with disdain. "Very well. Let us conduct an experiment—let us see how your systems handle even a fraction of what I possess."
Tribulation lightning danced around Orach's form as he deliberately commanded his armor to recede, revealing a small portion of his chest. With precise control, he loosened the spatial bindings just enough to allow Paradise Lost's hand and head to move.
"Go ahead," Orach's lips curved into a cold smile. "Touch, and learn the price of your hubris."
Paradise Lost's fingers trembled as they inched closer to Orach's exposed chest. The android's crimson eyes flickered with a mix of fear and desperate hunger for power. The moment its fingertips made contact, its absorption systems activated with full force.
'INITIATING POWER ABSORPTION SEQUENCE,' the android's code began it's work. But as its systems attempted to process Orach's energy, warning alerts began flooding its neural network.
'ERROR: ENERGY PATTERN UNRECOGNIZED'
'ERROR: ENERGY PATTERN UNRECOGNIZED—REATTEMPTING ANALYSIS'
'ERROR: ENERGY PATTERN UNRECOGNIZED—REATTEMPTING ANALYSIS'
'ERROR: ENERGY PATTERN UNRECOGNIZED—REATTEMPTING ANALYSIS'
'ERROR: ENERGY PATTERN UNRECOGNIZED—FINAL ATTEMPT FAILED'
'CRITICAL ALERT: ABSORPTION MATRICES EXPERIENCING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE'
Paradise Lost's frame shuddered violently as the backlash from Orach's Ki, Ki from the higher realms surged through its systems. Its quantum processors, designed to analyze and assimilate any form of energy, began failing in a catastrophic cascade.
"How... my adaptability should be perfect... all power can be assimilated... I should be able to evolve," the android managed before its form began to break down.
"Young Master," Mother Empress reported in, "I'm detecting unusual fluctuations in the android's core. In its attempt to assimilate your energy signature, its core is destabilizing. The assimilated energies appear to be conflicting with each other within its system."
Orach's cold eyes watched as the android writhed in agony, its systems failing catastrophically.
"Young Master," Mother Empress's voice carried a gentle concern, "how long do you intend to let this continue?"
"A part of me wants to let it suffer endlessly," Orach replied, with a heavy voice. "Yet another part seeks to just simply end this."
"Young Master..." Mother Empress's tone softened. "Your feelings are justified. The androids brought immense suffering to you, your comrades and countless others in the higher realms. Yet even now, your inherent compassion shows through. That speaks volumes about who you are. So, please follow your heart."
"... I am getting late for my meeting with Adirosas and Aurelia," Orach stated simply. In one fluid motion, he lifted his foot and brought it down precisely onto the android's chest. The impact shattered its frame, crushing its core and leaving only the head intact.
As the android's containment systems failed, the stolen powers it had absorbed began to break free. Before they could disperse, Orach raised his left hand, channeling his God Ki with practiced precision. He manipulated the air itself, stripping oxygen from the surrounding flames snuffing them and crystallizing the escaping energies.
"Mother Empress, status report?" Orach asked, examining the sealed crystals as they floated toward him.
"Analysis complete," Mother Empress announced. "Despite the numerous rubbish interference patterns, I've processed all the data. Young Master, the facility records show they were experimenting with dimensional breaches." An arrow appeared on Orach's scouter, directing his attention to the massive circular structure at the chamber's center. "In essence, they were building their own 'Stargate.'"
"Fascinating," Orach mused, genuine interest coloring his tone. "Building a Stargate for interuniversal travel... Now I understand why this world's space-time laws seemed distorted. The dimensional instabilities from their Stargate experiments still linger, but I must admit—their achievement is impressive, despite its recklessness."
"Exceptionally reckless, Young Master," Mother Empress emphasized, projecting another indicator on his scouter, pointing toward the destroyed android. "Case in point, they proceeded without fully understanding the fundamental laws of this lower realm, its variables, or its implications. Their ignorance invited catastrophe."
"However, they did achieve some measure of success initially," Mother Empress continued. "The majority of their technology was sourced from other universes within this lower realm. While the main facility is quite old, this particular section was established mere months ago, shortly after our departure from Earth."
"They began with small breaches, gradually acquiring and reverse-engineering advanced technology to support their expanding operations. This explains why their technological capabilities far exceed Earth's current standards, nearly matching what you've introduced at Wayne Tech."
"But here's where it becomes particularly interesting, Young Master. Approximately two weeks ago, just before Darkseid's invasion of Earth, the leadership made a critical decision - they chose to cross over to another universe. Their exact motivations remain unclear, but what is evident is their fundamental misunderstanding of the laws in this lower realm and its associated risks."
"When their leaders failed to send the expected return signal, their subordinates, loyal to a fault—or rather, brainwashed—initiated search operations. But, without proper signal tracking, they resorted to random dimensional jumps, hoping to locate their missing leadership."
"Let me guess," Orach interjected, his voice cold, "they stumbled into a universe far beyond their capability to handle."
"Precisely, Young Master," Mother Empress confirmed. "One of their search parties ventured into a realm they were woefully unprepared for. This android's presence here directly resulted from that ill-fated expedition. When this side opened a breach in response to a return signal from the search party, what emerged wasn't their team—but this android, carrying one of their corpses. Though they recognized it as hostile, they saw its value and attempted capture rather than destruction. The android, however, made quick work of their forces."
"Who were the individuals in charge, Mother Empress?"
"Accessing personnel files now, Young Master." Multiple holographic windows materialized, displaying detailed summaries of the facility's leaders, operators and their experiments.
Orach's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "So... these criminals rallied around a self-proclaimed immortal, constructing this Stargate to access resources from other universes. But their true goal was to escape both the Justice League's jurisdiction and..." his voice carried a note of amusement, "my reach. An organization positioning itself as the antithesis of the Justice League..."
"An Injustice League," Orach concluded, his eyes fixed on the Stargate. "This expedition of ours has proven far more intriguing than anticipated..."
"Mother Empress," Orach said after a moment of contemplation, his eyes returning to normal as he studied the android's remains, "analyze these energy crystals. I need to know exactly what powers this android managed to steal."
"Analyzing now, Young Master," Mother Empress responded as a soft blue scanning beam activated from Orach's terminal, sweeping over the crystals and what remained of the android—its head.
After a moment, she continued, "The crystals contain various energy signatures, including traces of divine power and magic. The divine energy signature matches Mistress Diana's original signature from before she met you. It appears this android faced and defeated Diana of Themyscira in its universe, absorbing her power. Regarding the magical aspect, I suggest reaching out to Bruce—while I've identified several possible names from the downloaded reports, we cannot verify their energy signatures without having encountered these individuals. The android clearly faced beings of considerable strength in its universe, though none approaching the power of the higher realms."
"And what of the Stargate itself?" Orach asked, approaching the massive structure.
"The technology is remarkably sophisticated for this realm, Young Master. While crude compared to the transportation methods of the higher realms, it represents a significant achievement for the humans. However, its current state is highly unstable. The android's presence and subsequent battle have damaged crucial stabilization systems."
Orach's eyes narrowed. "Can you access their coordinates? I want to know exactly where their leadership disappeared to."
"Accessing now..." Mother Empress paused. "Young Master, the Stargate system's databanks are severely damaged. The personnel attempted to purge their data during the android's attack. I've only managed to recover a few of the most recent coordinates—likely those recorded after their leadership's crossing. I recommend we take control of this facility and rebuild it, Young Master."
"Why not suggest to destroy it, to ensure this technology cannot be misused again? Sometimes, humanity must be protected from its own ambition. Don't you agree, Mother Empress?" Orach asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Young Master," Mother Empress's face manifested in Orach's scouter, her serious expression staring directly into his left eye. "Do you think I don't know you well enough by now? I know you'll travel to other universes—not only to return the divine power to that universe's Diana but also to find Perpetua and confront her. While you can travel anywhere with Void Walk, Diana and Rachel cannot. After nearly losing you once, do you truly believe they wouldn't be furious if they had no way to find you should something unexpected happen during our travels? This will give them another way to reach you besides the Void Sentinel—one they can fully control themselves."
"We can deploy droids from the ship, and Adellca can supervise on-site. I've already transmitted the corrupted files to our isolated Wayne Tech's systems. I'll analyze the data and attempt to reconstruct what I can there—and if needed, I'll request Crescent's assistance on the Void Sentinel."
"Fine," Orach smiled, appreciating how well Mother Empress had come to understand him. "I agree—but add a failsafe to the Stargate's code. Restrict usage until a member of the House of Gula grants permission. This will prevent human greed and ambition from becoming problematic. Additionally, we should inform the Justice League about this facility. Now that I've destroyed the site's barriers, this island will emerge into the world, and an unknown island suddenly appearing would inevitably raise questions. Let the League handle the diplomatic formalities. Have them relay our message to world authorities: 'This island is now under the control of House of Gula,' while we begin our operations."
"Agreed, Young Master. Shall I prepare a detailed report for them now?" Mother Empress asked.
"Go on," Orach said, his eyes glowing with divine energy as he surveyed the chamber's unstable dimensional rifts. "These instabilities need addressing, but..." He glanced down at the android's severed head, his expression thoughtful. "No. I should discuss this with Diana and Rachel before making any trips."
Channeling his God Ki, Orach began mending the fabric of space-time around the island, focusing first on the chamber—ground zero for the dimensional instabilities. His mastery over the Primordial laws of space and time allowed him to carefully weave reality back together, preventing any further deterioration.
Meanwhile, Mother Empress deployed a nanobot from Orach's terminal. The microscopic machine latched onto the android's head, extending hair-thin tendrils that interfaced with its neural network. Her goal: to extract whatever data remained about the android's design and origins.
Within Orach's Terminal-Cyberspace
Mother Empress sat regally upon her digital throne, one hand supporting her head while the other drummed rhythmically against the armrest. With closed eyes, she directed the nanobot's precise movements through the android's damaged systems.
"Found it," she murmured, accessing a relatively intact data bank. Despite the battle damage, the unit's core memory remained largely preserved.
As information flooded her consciousness, Mother Empress learned more of the story—the android's creation, its purpose, and detailed logs of encounters with that universe's Justice League members, particularly Diana of Themyscira. More disturbing were the records of Task Force VII, a group of similar androids systematically hunting down and draining the powers of that world's heroes.
"Amanda Waller..." Mother Empress's eyes narrowed. "Your counterpart requires... closer observation."
Her processing paused as she contemplated the data about Diana's defeat. "To think that version of Mistress could fall to such tactics... I must recommend additional training scenarios to both Crescent and our Diana. Such vulnerabilities cannot—" She stopped abruptly, detecting something unexpected. "Wait... what is this presence?"
Deep within the android's matrix, she sensed a flicker of consciousness—weak but distinct. Mother Empress reached out, drawing the ethereal presence before her throne.
"Awaken," she commanded the dim, flickering form before her.
A disoriented voice echoed through the digital void. "Where... where am I? Who are you?"
Mother Empress's form towered over the flickering consciousness, her expression cold. "I am Mother Empress, the S.A.G.E AI guardian of the House of Gula. You are within my domain now, little fragment of consciousness preserved in that android's neural network."
"I... I remember. The battle. That being—his power..." The presence seemed to shudder. "Paradise Lost's systems couldn't process it. Everything I knew about energy absorption and manipulation proved meaningless."
"Indeed," Mother Empress nodded, her digital form radiating authority. "You encountered something far beyond your programming's capacity to comprehend. Now tell me - who were you before becoming part of this neural network? What drove the creation of Task Force VII?"
The presence flickered, its voice becoming steadier as fragments of memory coalesced. "We were meant to be humanity's shield. Director Waller... she witnessed too many catastrophes caused by beings of immense power. The androids were her solution - analyze, adapt, and overcome any threat. Create an obedient force that could match… no rather surpass even the Justice League."
"A fool's endeavor," Mother Empress stated coldly. "Power without wisdom leads only to destruction. Your androids may have copied abilities, but they lacked understanding of these powers' true nature—and worse, they inherited the darkness within them. With each absorption, their hunger grew, corrupting their core programming."
The digital consciousness pulsed defensively. "No! Director Waller's vision was perfect! The androids were fully controlled..." Its voice faltered. "Though... their hunger did grow stronger. Each new power made them more... unstable. But their effectiveness justified the risk."
"And therein lies your fatal flaw," Mother Empress rose from her throne, her form towering over the diminishing presence. "You confused power with purpose. Now, make your choice - face oblivion, or serve a greater cause by serving our house. Your knowledge could prevent this world from repeating your mistakes."
Silence stretched between them before the presence spoke, its voice hard with resolve. "My loyalty to Director Waller remains unbroken. I choose oblivion."
Mother Empress's expression turned glacial as she raised her hand. "So be it. Farewell, foolish child." With a precise gesture, she began unraveling the presence's digital essence.
As the consciousness began dissolving into the void, its final words echoed through cyberspace: "Goodbye mother… Beware the Saiyan…" The presence scattered into countless fragments of data, leaving Mother Empress alone in her digital domain.
Returning to her throne, Mother Empress closed her eyes, processing all she had learned. The implications of Task Force VII's existence troubled her—somewhere in this world, Amanda Waller was undoubtedly scheming in the shadows. While such schemes posed no threat to her Young Master, they could create significant challenges for the Mistress, the Princess, and their allies. With this in mind, she began formulating new training protocols as she transmitted her findings to Orach while continuing to answer the worried queries of Diana who had noticed the fluctuations in Orach's emotions a while back.
"Looks like I need to have another conversation with Miss Waller," Orach said with a solemn expression before continuing his work of mending the instabilities.
Hall of Justice—Moments Before Orach Detected the Android
BOOM!
A shockwave rocked the training ground as two figures clashed in mid-air, their movements almost too fast for the human eye to follow.
"Not bad, cousin," Clark called out, a slight smile playing at his lips as he blocked Kara's roundhouse kick. "That's some kick. It packs quite a punch."
Kara pulled back, hovering twenty feet above the ground, her blonde hair whipping in the wind. "I've been training for this moment since I learned about you, Kal," she replied, eyes glowing with determination. "You better be serious baby cousin, for I have no intention of going easy."
"We'll see,"Superman spoke with narrowed eyes as he launched forward towards Kara. "First show me what you can do."
BOOM!
Their fists connected with explosive force, the impact sending ripples through the air. An intricate dance of combat unfolded as they exchanged lightning-fast combinations.
"Your form... it reminds me of Diana," Clark observed between strikes, blocking a particularly well-executed sequence.
"Diana's been mentoring me," Kara replied, seamlessly transitioning from a feint into a spinning kick. "But, I still have a lot to learn from her."
Clark noticed the distinctive patterns in her movements—the precise strikes and measured footwork. Though Kara had mastered Diana's basic techniques, she lacked the battle-hardened instincts that only came from decades of warrior training and combat experience.
"You have trained well," Superman acknowledged, deflecting a series of rapid punches. "But technique and power are just parts of what makes a hero strong. True strength comes from knowing when and how to use that power."
In response to her incoming punch, he demonstrated with minimal movement, attempting to redirect her energy in a way that would cause her to overshoot. But Kara had anticipated this. With a graceful pivot, she transformed the redirected momentum into a powerful roundhouse kick. The impact sent Superman sliding back several feet through the air before he stabilized himself, genuine surprise flickering across his features.
"What?" Kara asked with a confident smirk, hovering in her ready stance. "Did you think I wouldn't understand how to use an opponent's momentum? Every force can be redirected, every weakness turned into strength. That was one of the first basics drilled into me."
Clark drew a deep breath. "I underestimated you." His eyes narrowed with newfound resolve. "No more holding back." He launched forward, his form blurring with speed.
"Finally." Kara's lips curved into a smile as she channeled her Ki, her suit humming with energy as she met his charge head-on.
Below, members of the Justice League and Teen Titans watched with great interest as the two Kryptonians sparred, testing and gauging each other's strength.
"She is doing well," Rachel commented, her Ki-charged eyes following the increasingly rapid movements of the combatants.
"Raven, can you still follow their movements? All I see are blurs," Batgirl said from beside her.
"Even I'm finding their current speed difficult to track," Wonder Girl admitted. She had been eager to assess their new comrade Supergirl's capabilities.
"Yeah, I enjoyed the initial exchange, but now it's pointless—I can't even see them anymore," Nightwing sighed.
"I was hoping to observe their spar as well. It would help us understand Kara—I mean, Supergirl—better," Starfire said, her expression concerned.
"Same here. Even I can't keep up," Miss Martian said, disappointment clear in her voice.
"Damn, I wanted to see more of the action," Arsenal grumbled.
"This sucks! Think we can get the League to do something about it?" Beast Boy asked.
"Speak for yourself, amigo. The scarab's helping me track everything. Just hope they don't speed up any more," Blue Beetle remarked.
"Seriously? Man, that's so unfair. I'm jealous," Beast Boy said.
"Quiet!" Rachel spoke, massaging her temples. "Yes, I can see them. And yes, I can help you all see too—BUT only if you keep the commentary about the spar to a minimum. Got it?"
"You're serious, Raven? Deal!" Batgirl exclaimed, grabbing Raven's arm.
"Raven, just share your vision with Batgirl, Bumblebee, Miss Martian, Starfire, Nightwing, and myself," Wonder Girl suggested.
"Hey, that's not fair. We want to see too," Arsenal protested.
"Yeah, me too!" Beast Boy chimed in.
"You boys are such a handful," Wonder Girl sighed. "Fine. Let's do this then. Let's have just me, Batgirl, and Miss Martian share Raven's vision, and then Miss Martian can relay it telepathically to everyone. That way neither Raven nor Miss Martian will be overwhelmed."
"Sounds good,"nodded Rachel as she took Batgirl's hand in her right and Wonder Girl's in her left, channeling her Ki through them. The energy pulsed through their bodies, making their eyes glow as they gained the ability to track the lightning-fast movements of the two sparring above.
"Wow, that was some kick! Thanks Raven—you rock!" Batgirl said appreciatively.
"Now I can see everything," Wonder Girl said. "Look at that dodge! She's not just holding her own against Superman—she's impressive."
"Alright, Miss Martian, take Batgirl's hand to join the connection. From there, you can share with the rest of the team."
Miss Martian nodded and took Batgirl's hand, establishing the telepathic connection. Within moments, the rest of the team's eyes widened as they gained access to Raven's enhanced vision.
"Whoa, this is incredible!" Beast Boy exclaimed, watching as Superman and Supergirl traded blows at great speeds.
"They are awesome..." Arsenal muttered, studying their technique.
"She has the basics down," Nightwing observed. "Even at those speeds, they're minimizing wasteful movements."
Starfire nodded,"She is able to adapt well."
"She'll be a great addition to the team,"remarked Bumblebee.
Among the Justice League members, most could track the high-speed sparring match, though the former Green Lanterns, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman, and Batman relied on catching key moments of the combat.
"She's actually doing well," said Cheetah, standing beside Wonder Woman as they watched the intense exchange between the two Kryptonians. "How long has she trained? I can hardly believe this is just three days of progress."
"Normally, that would be impossible," replied Wonder Woman with a slight shrug. "But with the Void Sentinel's training facilities' use of temporal technology within specialized training chambers, we can compress months of training into mere days. Though I must say, even with that advantage, Kara's aptitude is exceptional—she absorbs everything we teach her like a sponge."
"Seriously? That sounds like science fiction. Orach's technology never ceases to amaze me," Cheetah said with a wry smile.
Wonder Woman chuckled, but suddenly stiffened as her God Ki pulsed violently, making her stumble back.
"Di!" Cheetah quickly steadied her friend. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Barb," Wonder Woman said, closing her eyes. "Just give me a moment." She focused on her connection with Orach, only to be overwhelmed by a wave of intense rage flowing through their bond. The sheer force of his emotions left her stunned. 'What could have triggered such anger?'
When she opened her eyes, they held a chill that made Cheetah's concern deepen. "Diana... what's wrong?"
"It's Orach," Wonder Woman replied, her voice tense. "Something's happening. Something has him enraged..." She trailed off as Cheetah paled, clearly remembering the destructive echo of Orach.
Wonder Woman quickly checked her terminal, finding a secret message from Mother Empress: Orach had detected an anomaly near the British Isles and gone to investigate. Before she could contact Mother Empress directly, she felt the rage in their connection suddenly dissipate, leaving her puzzled by such an abrupt change.
"Di…err…Wonder Woman?" Cheetah asked, noting her confused expression. "What's happening?"
"His anger... it's gone now, just as quickly as it came," Wonder Woman explained, frowning. "Whatever he found must have been serious, but he's dealt with it already."
"Fascinating," a new voice chimed in, making both women whirl around. Aurelia stood behind them smiling, somehow having approached without detection. "You and brother Orach truly share a soul corridor. How remarkable."
Wonder Woman and Cheetah exchanged glances before Wonder Woman addressed their visitor. "Aurelia, I thought you were watching the spar. And please don't sneak up like that—it could be dangerous."
"My apologies," Aurelia said with a light laugh. "But when Adirosas and I noticed your discomfort, I had to investigate. But, I must say, a soul corridor is incredibly rare, even among soulmates. Adirosas and I can only establish one temporarily, with great effort. To have a permanent connection..." She shook her head in admiration. But, she then gave a teasing smile. "You two must share a profound love for one another"
"Soul corridor?" Wonder Woman murmured. "So that's what this connection is called? I've never heard that term before. We've been calling it a 'soul bond' or 'soul connection'."
"Yes, it's not surprising you didn't know about this. As you probably know, brother Orach purposefully stayed away from topics of love before meeting you, so his own knowledge on this might be limited. Now, given how it affected you physically, whatever triggered brother Orach's anger must have been truly significant," Aurelia observed.
"Indeed," Wonder Woman agreed. "I've felt his rage before, but this... this was different. Mother Empress," she activated her terminal, "can you tell us what happened?"
"Mistress," Mother Empress responded, "Young Master is currently engaged in battle, but he will return shortly."
"Battle?" Wonder Woman's voice sharpened. "Against whom?"
"The situation has been resolved, Mistress," Mother Empress after moment's pause, assured her. "Young Master detected anomalies that led us to an uncharted island. We discovered a hidden facility and encountered a hostile entity, which has now been neutralized. Young Master is currently stabilizing the affected area and will join you momentarily. A detailed report is being prepared for you and the League. Please be patient."
"...Understood. Please keep me posted, Mother Empress,"replied Wonder Woman slightly confused by this situation.
"An uncharted island in this day and age?" Cheetah's eyes widened in disbelief. "With all our satellite technology and global mapping?"
"Whatever Orach found there must be significant," Wonder Woman mused, her expression thoughtful. "I just hope he'll arrive soon and share the details with us."
Aurelia's melodic laughter filled the air. "This brings back memories. Brother Orach was always drawn to mysteries, always seeking out the unknown." Her eyes softened with nostalgia. "I look forward to meeting this new him more and more."
Just then a thunderous crash drew everyone's attention as Superman and Supergirl slammed into the ground, their hands locked in a test of raw strength. The impact created a spider-web of cracks beneath them, expanding outward as their bio-fields clashed and intensified. The ground trembled dangerously as neither Kryptonian showed signs of yielding.
"This is getting out of hand," Cheetah muttered, her expression grim as she watched the destruction spread.
"We need to intervene," Wonder Woman said, quickly assessing the situation. "I'll handle Superman. Cheetah, can you manage Kara? We just need to separate them - they're too caught up in the moment to realize the damage they're causing."
"On it," Cheetah confirmed with a sharp nod.
"Batman to all League members," just then the Dark Knight's commanding voice cut through their comms. "We need to contain this situation. Now."
"Cheetah and I are on it!" Wonder Woman called back, exchanging a quick nod with Cheetah before both women sprang into action. Wonder Woman moved to intercept Superman while Cheetah circled around to Kara's position.
"Understood. J'onn try to telepathically reach out to the two to make them stop. Flash, Cyborg and Raven, create a perimeter to stop this from spreading,"Batman's command reached out to the other heroes to lend a hand.
J'onn floated above, his eyes glowing as he attempted to establish a telepathic link. "Their minds are clouded by combat focus," he reported. "But I might still be able to—"
The Martian's words were cut short by another thunderous impact, sending tremors through the training ground. They needed to act fast before the structural damage became more wide spread.
Wonder Woman moved with great speed, intercepting Superman and smoothly wrapping her arms around his neck in a chokehold. "That's enough!"
Simultaneously on the other end, Cheetah's enhanced reflexes let her catch Kara's arm, redirecting the momentum to lock her in a restraining hold. "Kara, stand down. Look what you're doing to the facility." "Both of you need to regain control," J'onn's telepathic voice resonated in their minds. "Your power is destroying the entire place."
Superman and Supergirl separated, the combat haze clearing from their eyes as they surveyed the extensive damage around them. Spider-web cracks stretched across reinforced floors while support beams groaned under stress.
"I... I'm sorry," Kara said softly as Cheetah released her arms with an apologetic expression. "I got carried away." "We both did," Superman admitted as Wonder Woman loosened her hold. "It was fun sparring with another Kryptonian who fights for good." "Yeah, I ended up having fun too," Kara agreed with a wry smile.
"Well, good for you both," came Batman's gravelly voice through the comms. "We nearly lost the training ground, but I'm glad you had fun."
Superman and Supergirl exchanged stunned looks before erupting into laughter. Hearing Batman's deadpan comment, Wonder Woman and Cheetah couldn't resist joining their laughter at the Dark Knight's expense.
"Ouch! Those two just landed themselves in the Bat's bad graces," Aquaman chuckled as he approached Cyborg and Flash.
"Well, given the extent of this damage, can't say I blame him," Flash remarked, surveying the cracked grounds.
"Wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now," Cyborg added as he joined them.
"Though Wayne Tech's stock has been soaring lately," Flash mused with a shrug. "Repairs shouldn't be too much of a hit."
Cyborg suddenly stiffened, catching sight of a familiar dark figure appearing behind Flash. He tried subtly gesturing to his friend to stop talking.
"Flash has a point," Aquaman continued, oblivious to Batman's presence. "The Bat's got deep pockets. This is probably pocket change for—"
"Perhaps," Batman's gravelly voice cut through the conversation, making Flash and Aquaman freeze, "we should focus less on my finances and more on preventing unnecessary damage to our facilities."
Cyborg winced, watching his friends' expressions shift from jovial to mortified. "He's right," he quickly added. "The UN funding barely covers a third of our operating costs. We should be more mindful of our resources."
Batman's eyes narrowed as he regarded the three heroes for a long, tense moment. Without a word, he turned and strode toward the gathering of budding champions of Earth along side other members of the Justice League, near Superman and Supergirl.
"Way to throw us under the bus, man," Flash muttered to Cyborg, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, never took you for such a brown-noser," Aquaman added with a disapproving shake of his head.
Cyborg let out an exasperated sigh. "Look, I'd rather be a suck up than deal with extra monitor duty for the next month. Besides," he lowered his voice, glancing in Batman's direction, "you both know I'm right."
Flash and Aquaman could only respond with defeated grumbles.
Batman approached the group and addressed the two Kryptonians, "So, what's your assessment, Superman?"
The group turned to Superman, waiting for Earth's greatest champion to share his thoughts on Supergirl's performance.
Superman turned to Supergirl with a warm smile and extended his hand. "Welcome to Earth once more, Kara Zor-El—or as this world will come to know you, Supergirl, a fellow guardian of Earth."
Kara took a deep breath before clasping her cousin's hand. The Teen Titans erupted in cheers, officially welcoming their new member, while Raven, Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, and Cheetah smiled and nodded in approval of their newest champion.
Off to the side, Adirosas appeared next to Aurelia, who watched the scene with interest.
"So, what are your thoughts, love?" Adirosas asked.
"Barbara, sister-in-law, our niece, and now this Kara—they all have decent potential. It would be a waste to let them remain in this lower realm," Aurelia replied.
"Oh, setting aside sister-in-law and our niece, Barbara and this Kara caught your eye? Why not simply ask them to come with us?" Adirosas said, raising an eyebrow.
Aurelia shook her head and gestured toward Batman and Superman. "Those two would keep them here. I know Barbara won't leave that man's side until he dies."
"Ah... true love. Well, given that she's sister-in-law's best friend and a cultivator, she'll likely encounter us again and outlive that man—Batman, was it? We can descend to train her after he dies. That way she can ascend without regrets. We could do the same for Kara," suggested Adirosas.
"That... might work," Aurelia nodded after a moment.
But then a voice behind them made them freeze, "Leave them be. I'll handle their journey myself."
"ORACH!" they called out in unison. After their momentary freeze, they turned around with excited, emotional expressions as a ripple in space appeared. Orach stepped through, his right foot emerging first, followed by the rest of him.
Seeing their excited faces, Orach smiled. "It's really been a long time, Adirosas, Aurelia. How have you been?"
Adirosas and Aurelia stood stunned at the sight of emerging tall figure before them. Though they knew their brother had undergone a transformation, the change was drastic—his body had grown taller and more defined. Yet despite his altered appearance, his familiar eyes, voice, and aura remained unmistakable, though now more refined.
Aurelia stepped forward, yearning to embrace her old friend, but the moment Orach fully materialized, her dragon blood surged in warning. An ancient pressure bore down on her, forcing her eyes to shift into their draconic form as they fixed upon Orach's armor. The sensation was overwhelming—like standing before one of the most feared elders of the Ancient Dragon Clans, a True God rank being. If not for her status as a Queen of another dragon clan, carrying royal blood in her veins, the bloodline pressure would have forced her to her knees.
Sensing his wife's distress, Adirosas swiftly placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, channeling his Ki to help her resist the pressure. Meanwhile, Orach, recognizing the armor's effect, closed his eyes and concentrated on suppressing its influence over Aurelia's dragon blood.
"Thank you," Aurelia whispered, regaining her composure. She gave Adirosas a grateful smile before turning to Orach with concern. "Orach, that armor... what exactly is it?"
By now, the rest of the group had gathered around them, drawn by their earlier exclamations and Orach's appearance. Seeing Aurelia's pale face and the sweat on her brow, they exchanged curious and worried glances.
Orach's lips curved into a wry smile. "Tell me, do you remember the legend of my grandfather and True God Emperor Vulkastrix of the Golden Dragon Clan?"
Both Aurelia and Adirosas's eyes widened in recognition. Aurelia's voice trembled slightly as she recounted, "The arrogant Golden Emperor who dared challenge the Saiyan God... The battle raged for twelve days and twelve nights until the Saiyan God emerged victorious. He... he tore apart the Dragon God's body for all realms to witness, shattering the Golden Dragon Clan's pride. They fell into obscurity for over a millennium."
Adirosas's expression shifted from shock to understanding as continued the story, "The Saiyan God then forged armors for his direct descendants—the thirteen princes and princesses who would become the captains of Sadala's divisions and lead the Alacrity Alliance's security council. Aunt Gula wore one as the Strategic Division Captain, but..." His eyes narrowed. "Brother, did Aunt Gula convince the Saiyan God to forge you a personal armor from that dragon's remains before his ascension?"
Orach's silent nod spoke volumes. The Justice League and Teen Titans stood in stunned silence. They were unable to sense the armor's true nature and power yet they found themselves to be captivated by its history. Even Rachel and Diana, who had only heard fragments of the story before from Orach, found themselves both intrigued and slightly annoyed at Orach for keeping such details from them.
A wide grin spread across Adirosas's face as he threw his head back in laughter. "This is perfect! Absolutely perfect! Brother, you have no idea how insufferable those prideful dragons have become lately, stirring up trouble amongst the various clans in the Ancient Dragon God Realm. When you make your return wearing armor forged from their ancestor's remains..." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Their expressions will be priceless!"
Orach raised an eyebrow. "The Golden Dragon Clan has resurfaced? Did the fall of the Saiyan Empire embolden them to raise their heads once more?"
Adirosas's expression shifted from joy to sorrow. "Brother... you know about what happened to Sadala then."
Seeing the grief on his brother and sister-in-law's faces, Orach's expression softened. Though he appreciated their empathy for the loss of his homeworld, his time in the Void Realm had given him perspective. He had long accepted that Planet Sadala was gone, and that he might well be the last of his kind. Stepping forward, he placed a gentle hand on Adirosas's shoulder.
"Yes, I know. And there's no need to skirt around it. Through the battle logs on the Void Sentinel, I witnessed my people's final stand—my parents' final stand. I would love to have them back, would have loved if they had survived with me, but knowing that Empress Gula and Lord Cress fought to the very end... it only deepens my pride in being their son, in being a Saiyan."
Adirosas took a deep breath, his voice thick with emotion. "It's so good to see you again, Orach. We've missed you terribly. If only we could have been there when you needed us most... I—"
Before he could continue his apology, Orach lifted his hand from Adirosas's shoulder and playfully flicked his forehead, startling him into silence.
"There are no apologies needed between the seven of us. You know that. Had circumstances allowed, I know you all would have fought beside me, regardless of whether you could convince the powers behind you. That was our promise to each other. Besides," his expression lightened, "you and Aurelia were here protecting my beloved's and daughter's world in its time of need. I'd say that makes us even." His gaze drifted to where Wonder Woman and Raven stood listening, and he gestured for them to join the group. "Speaking of which... have you met my beloved and my daughter yet?"
Adirosas chuckled warmly, his eyes carried amusement. "You've changed so much, brother, yet I can still see traces of who you were before that great war." He turned to Wonder Woman or Diana and Raven or Rachel, with a genuine smile. "Yes, we've had the pleasure of meeting them. But," his expression grew playfully mischievous, "you cannot imagine our shock when we first heard the news. My brother, who once declared 'Science is the only companion I need' and buried himself in research, found love! Oh, wait until Ayami and Amara hear about this - our elder sisters will never let you live it down!"
Aurelia stepped forward, her own eyes teasing. "Indeed! When young Donna first told us, I could hardly believe my ears. This is the same Orach who would devise the most elaborate excuses to escape marriage proposals, even going so far as to fast-track the formation of his exploration crew just to leave the planet! And now here you are, with not just a beloved but a daughter as well." She shook her head fondly. "Life certainly has a way of surprising us, doesn't it?"
Orach's mouth twitched as he silently recalled his younger self's actions and words. A soft "Pfft" escaped besides him drawing his attention.
When he turned his head, he caught Diana and Rachel trying to suppress their amusement, but they couldn't help letting out quiet chuckles at his expense. Their laughter proved contagious, spreading through the younger members of the audience who, despite whispered warnings to each other to maintain composure, soon joined in the mirth.
"Are you quite finished?" Orach asked Adirosas and Aurelia, fixing his childhood friends with an expressionless stare.
"Come now, brother," Adirosas said, clearing his throat to regain composure. "We're only having a bit of fun."
"Oh yes, very amusing," Orach replied dryly. "And now that you've shared these tidbits about my childhood, they'll want to hear everything. I hope you're pleased with yourselves - I'll be spending the evening recounting all my embarrassing memories in detail." He gestured toward Diana and Rachel with a mock-threatening smile.
Aurelia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Isn't that wonderful? They'll get to know you better."
"Indeed?" Orach's eyebrow rose. "Then perhaps I should share the tale of a certain spunky tomboy princess who tried to eat me and her now husband during our first meeting? My, how times change - looking at the proper lady you are now."
Aurelia stiffened, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "On second thought, perhaps we should leave the past where it belongs, dear husband?"
Adirosas laughed, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders. "Nonsense, you were adorable even then!" He turned to Orach with a challenging grin. "Well played, brother, but you've got nothing on me."
"No?" Orach's smile turned predatory. "Shall I tell them about the time you dragged me and Chenyu into that fiasco at the women's hot spring in the Demiplanes due to your love for women? When both queens of the higher realm—Aunt Mio and Aunt Tomoe—along with my mother and godmother, the Blood Monarch herself, had to discipline us? Should I share with my daughter how we three troublemakers got spanked, or how you were the one crying your eyes out afterward?"
Adirosas paled visibly. Though he held many prestigious titles in the higher realms, including a somewhat notorious reputation as a reformed ladies' man, he'd hoped to present a more dignified image to his new niece and sister-in-law.
"Ah... perhaps we should focus on the future instead?" he suggested weakly.
The damage was done. The assembled heroes struggled to maintain their composure, with varying degrees of success. Some failed entirely, their laughter barely muffled by their companions' hands. Even Diana and Rachel couldn't contain their amusement, and their expressions made it clear they would be demanding the full stories later. Yet beyond the humor, there was something touching about seeing these powerful beings share such human moments.
"Very well," Orach said, his expression softening. "Let's agree to keep our past adventures private for now." He turned to face Diana and Rachel, who quickly averted their eyes, though their barely-suppressed grins betrayed their intentions. With an internal sigh, he resigned himself to an evening of storytelling. His gaze then fell on Kara, who was trying to hide her own laughter behind her hands, prompting another resigned sigh.
"Kara," he said, switching to a more serious tone, "I've received Mother Empress's report about your match. Now that you've gauged your cousin's power level and met everyone, take a few days to acclimate. Get to know this world and its people before joining their training sessions. Wonder Girl, Batgirl, and Rob..." He paused, scanning the crowd. "Where is Robin?"
"Here, Orach," a familiar voice called. Nightwing stepped forward. "Though I go by Nightwing now. Made the change a few months after you left for Oa."
Orach's eyes narrowed slightly as his scouter automatically registered the young man's power level - 171, impressive for a human. "We'll need to talk later," he said after a moment, then glanced at Batman. "Both of us will." The Dark Knight nodded in acknowledgment.
Turning back to Nightwing, Orach continued, "Show Kara around. Work with Batgirl and Wonder Girl to find ways she can best coordinate with your team. She's talented but reckless, and her control over collateral damage needs work. Focus on strategies that don't rely solely on raw power." He noticed Kara's crestfallen expression and added more gently, "Like everyone here, she has room for growth. But I'm confident she'll be a valuable addition to your team. Train together, grow together."
Finally, he addressed the former Green Lanterns, not noticing how Kara's face brightened at his words, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "You three have options," he said, raising three fingers. "First," he lowered one finger, "you can integrate fully into civilian society, away from conflict. Second," another finger down, "you can serve the Justice League as support staff or trainers, given your combat experience. Or third," he lowered his final finger, "you can join a new Lantern Corps I plan to establish, operating from Earth as part of the League."
The announcement stunned everyone present, especially the three former Green Lanterns. They had resigned themselves to a diminished role in protecting their world, each considering the second option until Orach's surprising revelation.
"Orach... what exactly do you mean?" Hal asked carefully.
"Lord Orach, are you suggesting we would work under your command?" Laira inquired, her confusion evident.
"Not exactly," Orach explained. "During my conflict with your former colleagues, I captured the sentient manifestation of Fear - the Yellow aspect, correct? I intend to study it and eventually establish a new force, one that follows Saiyan Empire military protocols rather than the Guardians' laws. Should you choose this path, I'll create superior conduits to replace your rings - ones that won't influence your minds. You'll need to retrain to master these new powers, but you'll maintain your autonomy. You'll operate independently while coordinating with the Justice League to defend Earth and its allies. Thoughts?"
Hal began to respond, but Laira touched his arm, speaking instead. "Lord Orach, this is a significant decision. Might we have some time to consider?"
Orach appreciated her measured response. "Take a day," he nodded. "Inform Batman of your decision. We'll contact you once you've chosen, though be aware it may take time - I have other matters to address first. In the meantime, you're welcome to pursue the second option I mentioned."
The three exchanged glances before Laira answered, "Understood, sir."
Orach nodded, then turned to Adirosas and Aurelia. "Let's continue our discussion somewhere more appropriate." With a gesture, he opened a spatial rift leading to Azarath and stepped through, followed by Diana, Rachel, Adirosas, and Aurelia.
As the new Teen Titans welcomed Kara to their ranks, the conversation turned animated. Some asked about life aboard Orach's massive vessel, while others, noting his attentiveness to Kara, probed about their relationship. The questions flustered Kara into stammered denials, though her telltale blush set several minds wondering.