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SM/DC Chapter 146 : Justice League Invitation
🕑 Added 2025-06-12 22:43:26 +0000 UTCBlackwynd Estate doors swung open with a soft groan, the light from the afternoon sun cutting across the polished marble like a blade. Kara stepped out first, adjusting her jacket over her shoulders with casual ease, then turned when she noticed Arthur lagging a few steps behind.
“Come on,” she called over her shoulder, glancing back with a playful smirk. “Hurry up now.”
Arthur stretched his arms briefly as he followed her down the grand stone steps, boots thudding softly against the stone. “How exactly do you plan to get to the Watchtower?” he asked, arching a brow, his tone almost skeptical.
Kara shrugged, her golden hair catching the sunlight. “Usually I fly there. But we can take the...”
“You don’t need to finish that,” Arthur cut in, a small grin playing on his lips as he rolled his shoulders. “I have a way.”
She turned to face him fully, brow raised. “Huh?”
Arthur’s expression grew mildly amused, blue eyes flashing faintly. “Remember when I freed you from that containment cell and had to throw hands with Martian Manhunter?”
Kara blinked at him, then nodded slowly. “Yeah…”
“I left a shadow behind. One of my soldiers. Deep in the halls of the Watchtower,” Arthur said calmly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kara’s eyes went wide. “You’ve been spying on the Justice League this whole time?!”
Arthur shook his head with a snort. “Not really. At the time, I just needed someone inside, an anchor point for teleportation if I ever needed to return. Besides,” he added, waving a dismissive hand, “they don’t have anything I need. I’ve got what matters already in my shadow soldiers.”
Kara tilted her head slightly, crossing her arms. “Okay… We’ll do it your way then,” she said slowly, still a little unsure. “I just hope they don’t freak out when we show up like this.”
Arthur smirked, stepping closer. “If they do, then what kind of heroes are they?”
Without another word, his gloved hand reached out and lightly grabbed her by the waist.
“Exchange.”
The moment the word left his lips, the world twisted.
Space around them darkened, warping with a rush of rushing shadows and frost-choked silence. In an instant, the estate vanished behind them, or rather they did.
WATCHTOWER – MAIN HALL
The hall glowed with sterile white light, polished floors reflecting the gleam of Justice League insignias hanging high above the assembly. Titans and League members stood side by side in quiet clusters, conversations hushed under the weight of recent events. The battle with Trigon had shaken the world to its core and today was a moment of acknowledgment.
Superman stood at the center, the towering Man of Steel in his red and blue, hands behind his back, his cape trailing. His expression was solemn, yet full of pride.
“Thank you all for being here,” he began, voice steady and resonant, echoing across the room with natural command. “The world doesn’t always see what happens behind the curtain. The quiet wars. The impossible choices some of us must take. But we do. And we remember.”
He glanced toward the gathered Titans Robin at the front, Starfire beside him with her arms gently folded, Cyborg solemn, Blue Beetle shifting awkwardly, Beast Boy with his usual grin half-muted by the weight of the occasion. Raven stood near the edge, a dark hood shadowing her face. She hadn’t looked up once.
Superman continued.
“When Trigon crossed into our world, it wasn’t just Earth that was in danger. It was everything. Reality. Time. Our very souls. We’ve all fought gods and monsters, but this was... different. And if it weren’t for all of you ” he gestured to the Titans, “...we wouldn’t be standing here today. So on behalf of the Justice League... thank you.”
Soft murmurs of agreement passed through the League.
“Especially you,” he added, his gaze landing on Raven. His tone gentled. “You faced your father. Your past. You helped lead us through the fire. My only regret... is that we didn’t do more to help you in this.”
Raven’s shoulders tensed. “I don’t…” her voice trembled, emotions tangled between guilt and gratitude. Her lips parted as if to say something, but no other words came. She only nodded, staring down at her boots.
From the shadows near the Watchtower’s command console, Batman glanced at the small screen projected from the bracer at his forearm. A small notification flickered. Intrusion detected.
He tapped the screen, and a faint outline of two figures materializing near the containment chamber came into focus. He sighed, low and tired.
“…it’s him..”
Moments later, the doors to the hall hissed open.
Kara stepped in, brushing her blonde hair back awkwardly, a nervous smile on her lips as dozens of heads turned. Her cheeks flushed under the weight of attention.
“You’re late, Kara,” Superman said, his tone light with affection.
“Hi...” she said, lifting her hand sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
But Superman wasn’t looking at her. His eyes had already drifted to the one stepping in behind her.
Black boots. A long coat fluttering at his heels. Ashen-white hair, still a little tousled. That unmistakable calm and calculated presence like a shadow too aware of itself.
Arthur Blackwynd had arrived.
And the entire room reacted as if the temperature had dropped.
Every Titan turned. Robin blinked in disbelief. “I didn’t think you’d actually come.”
Arthur gave a faint nod toward Superman, then to Robin. “I was just a bit busy.”
From across the room an astonished voice, Shazam spoke up, large grin cracking his face “Oh, so that’s him!”
Hal narrowed his eyes slightly. “Arthur…could it be...”
Barry leaned closer. “You know, I think all of us have already fought him. One way or another.”
Hal didn’t answer.
“Hal?” Barry nudged him with an elbow. “Hello? Earth to Lantern?”
“Yeah… yeah,” Hal murmured, still deep in thoughts.
Barry rolled his eyes. “What did I just say?”
Hal blinked and turned to him. “Wait—what did you just say?”
Barry’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
Hal ran a hand down his face. “Sorry. It’s just… I'm thinking about something right now.”
Superman didn’t hesitate. He strode forward and placed both hands firmly on Arthur’s shoulders, smiling broadly.
“You deserve the biggest praise, Arthur Blackwynd,” he said. “It was you who led them. Who held the line. Who defeated Trigon.” He paused, then chuckled. “Even if your methods were… questionable.”
Arthur smirked. “You mean when I beat you too?”
Superman laughed, not offended in the least. “Yeah. That too.”
The room softened with chuckles except for Batman, who remained by the wall, silently watching.
Arthur's expression dimmed just a bit. “I appreciate all of this but I didn’t do it for praise, earth was at stake,” he said, voice quieter. “My loved ones. And...”
He looked toward Raven.
“For Raven as well.”
Raven flinched, her eyes widening. A flush of crimson touched her pale cheeks as she immediately looked away, hood shielding her face. Kara noticed, Beast Boy raised an eyebrow in amusement. Starfire’s lips curled into a knowing smile. Robin just blinked.
Everyone noticed.
Superman followed Arthur’s gaze and raised an amused brow.
“That.. is something I can respect. And I understand it, it turns out you are not that different from us.” he said, turning his head slowly toward the Bat in the corner, “And it seems some people were wrong about you.”
Batman said nothing. He looked at Arthur, eyes unreadable. Then down at his screen again.
Superman patted Arthur once on the shoulder and stepped away, turning to face the assembled League. His voice rose again, strong and formal now.
“Arthur Blackwynd. Your efforts have been recognized. And after long discussion, we’ve come to a unanimous decision.”
He turned back to face Arthur.
“I formally invite you to join us, the Justice League.”
A silence hung. Some gasps from the Titans especially Beastboy. Others curious stares.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. He looked at Superman, then to Batman whose expression hadn’t changed.
“Are you really fine with that?” Arthur asked flatly.
A beat passed.
Batman finally nodded once. “Yes.”
Arthur glanced sideways at him, brow slightly arched and thought to himself.
‘Your face says otherwise Bruce... No you’re not okay with that. Either you know my answer or you are simply want me close to figure out more about me..’
Comments
Cobalt
Honestly kinda want him to say yes more than no rn, be a lot more interesting to see all the varying interactions with both the publics reaction and also just his general interactions with people in the league
Mecha Destroyer98
If Batman is trying to keep an eye on him than he should definitely leave and shadow with him to spy on him and let’s see how he likes it when it’s him the one being spied upon
