Divine Domain of Celestial Bureaucracy - Celestial Court
Heated debate filled the grand hall of the Celestial Palace.
Dozens of officials from various ministries clustered throughout the vast space, their voices rising. At the hall's far end, the Jade Emperor sat upon the Dragon Throne, observing with patient serenity. His imperial robes shimmered with ethereal light, his ceremonial crown obscuring his features.
Lei Gong, the Thunder God, slammed his fist on the armrest. "The energy signatures were unmistakable! It was Sun Wukong's golden aura clashing with Susanoo's storm essence—shockwaves from that clash reached across the entire eastern mortal realm! This is precisely how divine wars begin!"
"And what would you have us do?" Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller, shot back. "Punish the Great Sage for seeking justice? His mountain was attacked. His people slaughtered. Would you stand idle if someone burned your domain to ashes?"
"Justice requires proof, not blind vengeance!" Lightning crackled in Lei Gong's eyes. "He stormed into another pantheon's territory without investigation, without sanction, without consulting this court!"
Yue Lao, the Old Man of the Moon, stroked his long white beard. "Perhaps the Great Sage has proof. He may be impulsive, but he's not foolish. If he discovered evidence linking the Shinto pantheon to the attacks—shouldn't we at least hear what he's learned?"
Cao Guojiu adjusted his pristine robes with disapproval. "Protocol exists for a reason. If every deity attacked whenever they suspected wrongdoing, the Sphere of the Gods would collapse into chaos."
"The covenants protect us from external threats too," Li Jing interrupted firmly. "If the Shinto pantheon is harboring those responsible for Huaguo Shan's destruction, then they've violated those same covenants. The Great Sage left our court to live as a mortal, but he remains one of us."
The debate intensified, voices overlapping. Through it all, the Jade Emperor remained perfectly still.
Then a clear voice cut through the chaos. "Marshal Erlang Shen returns from the mortal realm and requests an audience with His Imperial Majesty!"
Silence fell instantly.
The massive doors swung open. Erlang Shen entered with measured steps, his three-pointed double-edged spear held upright. His third eye remained closed, but his features were grim. Behind him, his celestial hound Xiaotian Quan padded silently. The assembled deities parted—his reputation commanded respect without words.
At the proper distance from the throne, he knelt smoothly, planting his spear beside him and bringing his fist to his palm in formal salute.
"Your Imperial Majesty," he said steadily. "This humble marshal returns."
The Jade Emperor studied him in silence. When he finally spoke, his voice was gentle—yet carried a weight that made several nearby deities flinch.
"You failed, my Marshal."
Erlang Shen's head bowed lower. "Yes, Your Majesty. This one has no excuse."
The Emperor raised one hand slightly. "The Great Scroll shows corruption still spreading from the Jade Emperor Pavilion. I watched your initial engagement—saw you push the darkness back. For a moment, I believed you had succeeded." He paused, his tone darkening. "Then the corruption rebounded with renewed ferocity, spreading through the ley lines like poison through blood. Tell me, Marshal—what did you discover?"
Erlang Shen lifted his head, meeting the Emperor's gaze directly. His third eye opened slightly, glowing with divine sight.
"Your Majesty, the corruption is unlike anything this marshal has encountered. The energy signature is extraordinarily complex—multiple magical sources woven together in layers, each masking the one beneath."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"I pushed deeper with my full power and pierced through the outer layers. What I found beneath..." His expression darkened. "Traces of primordial essence. Ancient. Powerful. Something that predates even our divine order."
Troubled murmurs rippled through the assembled deities.
"The true danger revealed itself when I engaged directly." His voice hardened. "It didn't simply resist—it adapted. Like a living entity learning in real-time, countering each technique as I deployed it. My divine energy didn't purge the corruption—it fed it."
His third eye pulsed with frustration. "I expended nearly everything to temporarily cleanse one small section. The instant I withdrew to recover, the corruption surged back stronger than before."
His tone carried the weight of a difficult admission. "Your Majesty, I believe this force was engineered. Specifically designed to counter divine purification. Whoever created it possesses intimate knowledge of celestial techniques."
Erlang Shen lowered himself until his forehead touched the floor. "This unworthy marshal has failed his duty and awaits Your Majesty's judgment."
The hall remained utterly silent. If Erlang Shen had been pushed back, the threat was far greater than most realized.
The Jade Emperor regarded his nephew for a long moment.
"Your punishment shall be light, Marshal. You faced a force beyond your ability to overcome alone—yet you engaged fully, gathered valuable intelligence, and returned to report rather than persisting recklessly. This demonstrates wisdom, not weakness."
He gestured slightly. "You will be confined to the palace grounds for one celestial month. During this time, assist Li Jing in strengthening our defensive formations. Do you accept?"
"This marshal humbly thanks Your Majesty for his infinite mercy." Erlang Shen pressed his forehead to the floor once more.
"Rise, nephew." The Jade Emperor's tone shifted, gravity settling into his words. "Your report confirms what the Great Scroll has been revealing. We face an adversary of extraordinary power—one who commands primordial forces and weaves impossibly complex energies together to conceal their true nature."
The Emperor's gaze swept across the assembled deities before settling on one particular figure.
"Third Lotus Prince. Nezha."
The young-appearing deity stepped forward, his expression carefully neutral despite the flicker of annoyance in his eyes. His ornate armor gleamed with divine power.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?"
"You will seek out Sun Wukong. Learn what he discovered that led him to confront the Shinto pantheon. We must know what evidence he possesses—what connections he's drawn between the attack on his mountain and these incidents plaguing the mortal realm."
Nezha's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Around the hall, several older deities exchanged knowing glances—the legendary rivalry between Nezha and Sun Wukong was famous throughout Heaven.
"Of course, Your Majesty. But..." Nezha hesitated. "Wouldn't one of the Eight Immortals or perhaps Erlang be better suited—"
"I trust you will conduct yourself with appropriate restraint," the Emperor continued smoothly, a hint of amusement entering his tone. "The Great Sage is understandably volatile at present. We need information and cooperation, not another battle that shakes multiple realms."
"Your Majesty's wisdom is boundless," Nezha replied through what appeared to be slightly gritted teeth. "This humble prince will exercise all appropriate restraint."
As Nezha turned to leave, several older deities exchanged knowing smiles. Everyone in Heaven understood the truth—what appeared as friendly rivalry was, from Nezha's perspective, a deeply serious competition. Since time immemorial, the two had spent half their time competing to see who could destroy demons faster, and the other half bickering about who actually won.
Sun Wukong genuinely liked Nezha precisely because the boy-god was one of the few beings fast enough to keep pace with the Monkey King. And Nezha... well, he would rather face a thousand demons than admit it, but he secretly relished every challenge.
Now he was being sent to essentially ask for help from his greatest rival. The irony was not lost on anyone present.
As Nezha's footsteps faded, the Jade Emperor returned his attention to the assembled deities. His demeanor shifted, gravity settling over him like a shroud.
"We stand at a precipice." Though his voice remained quiet, it carried to every corner of the hall with crystalline clarity. "Unknown forces move against us with calculated precision and unprecedented power. Power that suppresses even our greatest warriors. Corruption that devours our most potent techniques." He paused. "We have faced tribulations before, but this feels different. Coordinated. Deliberate."
The Emperor's eyes swept the assembly. "The question that troubles me most—does the mortal we've identified act alone, or is he merely a pawn in a far more dangerous game? Until we know, we proceed with extreme caution. We will notrepeat the mistakes of the last divine war."
The Jade Emperor rose from the Dragon Throne. Every deity in the hall dropped into a deep bow.
"Hear my decree." His voice resonated with imperial authority. "We will not rush blindly into war based on suspicion alone. But neither will we stand idle while our people are slaughtered and threats gather in the shadows."
His gaze moved across the assembled court with deliberate precision.
"Return to your duties with renewed vigilance. Report any anomaly, no matter how insignificant. Furthermore—identify worthy mortals who can serve as our eyes and hands in the mortal realm. Bestow your blessings upon them. Let them become our champions, defending humanity while serving as our instruments until we have irrefutable proof of who orchestrates these attacks."
The assembled deities exchanged understanding glances. The Emperor's strategy was clear—gather intelligence through mortal agents while Heaven's forces prepared for the possibility of war.
"And let us hope," the Jade Emperor continued, his tone sharpening like steel drawn from its sheath, "that Prince Nezha succeeds in his mission. Because if the Great Sage has truly discovered concrete evidence linking another pantheon to the massacre at Huaguo Shan..."
The pause stretched. The silence itself became oppressive.
"...then we will act decisively." Each word fell like a hammer blow. "We will descend and strike on our terms, with irrefutable proof in hand, at a moment of our choosing, with our full strength marshaled and ready. And when we do, there will be no doubt about the righteousness of our cause or the totality of our response."
The temperature in the hall seemed to plummet. Every deity present understood the promise beneath those words. The Jade Emperor wasn't threatening preemptive war—he was guaranteeing overwhelming retaliation if their suspicions proved true.
Without another word, the Jade Emperor turned and departed through the rear entrance.
The assembly remained frozen for several heartbeats. Then, slowly, deities began exchanging grave looks. No words were needed—they all understood a storm was gathering on the horizon.
Evening - Gotham - Rooftop Near Wayne Tech HQ
"Of all the places in the mortal realm, you chose here?"
Nezha landed behind a figure seated at the rooftop's edge, gazing pensively toward Wayne Tech. He crossed his arms. "You know this entire city is forbidden ground. If that being perceives you as a threat, I won't shed tears over your death—but you'll drag the entire Celestial Court down with you."
The figure sighed and stood without turning. "What are you doing here, brat? Did the old man send you to fetch me?"
"Tch. Stupid monkey, stop disrespecting the Emperor." Nezha's expression shifted from annoyance to concern. "But seriously, Wukong—why are you here? Don't tell me you're planning to cause trouble."
Sun Wukong glanced back briefly before returning his gaze to Wayne Tech. "And what if I am?"
Nezha's head lowered. A fiery aura erupted around him, divine energy crackling through the air. When he lifted his gaze, battle intent blazed in his eyes. "Then I'll stop you by any means necessary."
Wukong vanished.
"What—"
Before Nezha could finish, he felt a hand patting his head. Wukong now stood beside him, grinning.
"Relax. I may enjoy mischief, but even I'm not suicidal."
Nezha swatted the hand away and leaped back, creating distance. His eyes narrowed. "Mingling with mortals for years hasn't dulled your edge."
"Brat, you know my true realm and divine authority. Even if I spent centuries among them, I would still be—" He turned fully, his eyes blazing with golden light. "—Sun Wukong!"
The air trembled. The overwhelming aura of a High Ascendant radiated from him in crushing waves. Across the city, the atmosphere grew heavy. People and creatures felt immense pressure descend, filling them with instinctive dread. Though different from what they'd experienced before, their minds—conditioned by the Higher Realm being's presence—couldn't distinguish the difference. Fear surged as everyone assumed someone had angered the being at Wayne Tech.
"YOU! Are you insane?" Nezha shouted, his expression grim as he raised his own aura to resist the oppressive force. "Reel it in now before—"
The aura vanished as suddenly as it appeared.
Throughout the city, people sighed in relief and glanced nervously toward Wayne Tech. Some bowed respectfully before returning to their routines. Though they feared the being's wrath, they also respected him. Many were grateful. The being inspired fear, yes, but he wasn't tyrannical. His presence had transformed Gotham from what it once was into a city on the path to prosperity, where people finally felt safe. The Bat Family and Cheetah gave them hope, but the Higher Realm being had brought tangible, lasting change.
After withdrawing his aura, Sun Wukong met Nezha's gaze calmly. "Relax, kid. Like I said, I'm not suicidal. And don't treat him like an evil god. I've been observing him from a distance. He's not a monster—unless you cross his bottom line."
Nezha gritted his teeth. "You haven't changed one bit. I know he's not a monster, but he's unpredictable. What if your display just now offended him and he decides to annihilate the entire pantheon? Are we all supposed to die because you felt like flexing?"
Sun Wukong sighed. "What happened to you, kid? Since when did you become so cautious?"
"Cautious?" Nezha's voice rose. "Didn't you feel his power? His mother's avatar that appeared on that island protected by the Olympians? I may love battle, but I'm not stupid. I felt that power and know there's no defeating beings like that. So why provoke them?"
Sun Wukong smiled wryly and shook his head. "Don't worry, kid. He's not here anymore. Spread your divine sense and check for yourself."
Nezha looked skeptical but closed his eyes, extending his divine sense across the entire city. His eyes snapped open in surprise. "You're... right."
"Told you." Wukong shrugged. "In fact, I can't sense his presence anywhere on the planet. He's not on Earth."
Nezha straightened, taking a deep breath. "Alright. But why visit this place at all?"
Sun Wukong's eyes traveled back to Wayne Tech HQ, his expression turning serious. "Because I wanted to confirm the truth—or rather, to feel it for myself."
"Truth?" Nezha raised an eyebrow. "What truth?"
"You know that after reaching the Ascendant realm, I transcended most gods long ago. But I always wondered—is that it? Is that the peak?" Sun Wukong paused. "Afterward, I traveled this world searching for answers. I fought many beings, but none could force me to use my full strength—not those haughty God Kings like Amun Ra, not that old fossil Odin, not even the late pompous Zeus. But then I found something in the Indian subcontinent when I encountered one of the hidden ones."
Nezha's eyes widened. "You mean your mischief back then was actually a search for enlightenment? And don't tell me you faced the mad one?"
Wukong chuckled. "No, I didn't meet the one you're thinking of. But I wouldn't insult him so casually if I were you. There's something most gods don't understand about divinity."
"What are you talking about?"
Wukong was silent for a long moment. "Boy, this creation is vast beyond imagination. The truly powerful remain hidden. We gods aren't simple creatures. Whether old gods like us or new gods somewhere in this universe, our power isn't just about our realms—it's also about divine authority. Those hidden ones possess incredibly powerful divine authorities. The one I faced is called the Preserver. With his mastery over time, he defeated me in moments."
"What?" Nezha exclaimed. "You're a High Ascendant! If they're that powerful, why do they hide?"
"Because they're not interested in displays of power—only in fulfilling their ordained functions."
Nezha's mouth opened, then closed. "So what truth brought you here?"
"His very existence is a truth unto itself." Wukong stared at Wayne Tech. "Think about it. Since Orach arrived, every time he releases his energy, it enriches this world in ways these mortals don't yet understand. Especially now, after his banishment by Perpetua, he's returned changed—even more powerful. His energy feels more potent and... primordial. The mortals fear him because they only see what's visible, what he deliberately shows. But they don't realize he's making this world and them stronger. The mortal body is just a shell, but as their souls grow stronger, they become more attuned to the energies around them. They evolve, breaking through illusions and seeing the world's true nature." He looked at Nezha meaningfully. "And boy, the same applies to us."
"What?" Nezha's expression turned strange. "What are you implying?"
"You've noticed it, haven't you? Don't tell me that since landing in the mortal realm—especially in this city—you haven't felt lighter?" Wukong asked with a sly smile.
Nezha's mouth opened to refute, then shut. He took a moment to feel his own power. His eyes widened. "It... affects even us?"
Sun Wukong nodded gravely. "Yes. You gods remain cloistered in your divine domains, so you haven't noticed the shifts occurring in the mortal realm." He paused. "Think carefully, Nezha. Zeus, the God King and primary pillar of the Olympians, is dead. Each God King serves a fundamental function in the cosmic order. When Zeus fell, it created a massive power vacuum that must be filled by natural law."
He continued, his tone measured. "But here's what's remarkable: when the Olympians violated the divine accord and descended during the Thanagarian invasion, they were exposed to Orach's energy firsthand. Whether they realize it or not, they've grown stronger because of it. Combined with Diana—or as the mortals call her, Wonder Woman—ascending to true godhood through her bond with Orach, the Olympians have managed to remain stable. Their divine domain, rather than collapsing into chaos after losing Zeus, remains relatively secure."
He raised his hand and clenched it into a fist, golden light flickering across his knuckles. "And because of this, after countless millennia of stagnation, I finally feel my bottlenecks loosening. The barriers keeping me confined are beginning to crack. I sense I'll break through to the next stage soon." His gaze grew distant. "His very presence has fundamentally altered this world's foundation—enriched it in ways that transcend our understanding. It's as if he himself embodies the truth I've been seeking."
His expression darkened. "That's why I came here tonight. After this recent tragedy... I needed to understand something troubling me—why would a being who represents truth itself remain so silent? Would he truly stand aside and allow this world to descend into chaos and war? Or is his silence itself a test, a lesson in the nature of truth?"
Nezha took an involuntary step back. His expression shifted rapidly—from disbelief to dawning understanding, from concern to barely contained excitement—before settling on cautious hope. "I hate to admit it, but this is extraordinary news. If you're truly on the verge of ascending further, we won't need to fear anything should divine war erupt. Your new realm would serve as a deterrent to any who would threaten our pantheon." His eyes lit up. "In fact, I should propose to the Jade Emperor that we discreetly send more of our pantheon to descend and cultivate here in the mortal realm—"
"Stop." Sun Wukong's hand shot up, cutting through Nezha's words. His expression turned deadly serious, all traces of mischief vanishing.
"But why—"
"Think about it, boy. How do you think those stuck-up beings in the Celestial Court would behave if they descended to the mortal world? Hidden or not, those pompous, prideful fools would stick out like sore thumbs. And if their arrogance ever manifests before anyone remotely connected to the Higher Realm being..." Sun Wukong's voice dropped to a grave tone. "I don't need to tell you what fate would befall the entire Celestial Bureaucracy."
Nezha absorbed his words and mentally reviewed various deities of the pantheon. His frown deepened as he realized Sun Wukong was right. After a moment, he closed his eyes, then opened them with renewed clarity. "Wukong, I'm here on the Emperor's orders."
"Ha." Wukong sighed. "I know. I guessed as much when you landed." His eyes briefly clouded with troubled thoughts. "The moment I attacked the Shinto borders, I knew someone would come."
"So why did you attack them? Does it have anything to do with the giant wave from the Pacific?"
Sun Wukong met his gaze. "Perhaps. I'm still not certain. The corruption spreading throughout our lands is strange—the energy signature is an extremely complex mixture. I peeled back some outer layers and sensed a faint trace of energy similar to Shinto magic. It gave me an uneasy feeling, and my instincts are rarely wrong. That's why I went to their border to test them—to see if they'd flinch."
Nezha's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So they were behind the attack." Killing intent flashed across his features.
"I'm not certain," Sun Wukong said, shaking his head. "Remember, it's only a vague feeling—I have no proof. That's why I'll be searching for concrete evidence." He met Nezha's gaze, his expression solemn. "Return to the old man, boy. Tell him and the high ministers not to interfere with me or get in my way. Tell him he doesn't need to send anymore gods—this is the age of champions, and soon new champions will arise due to the enrichment." As he turned to leave, he glanced back one final time. "And be wary of the Shinto. They may present themselves as allies or neutral observers, but there's rot in the storm that doesn't belong to the ocean."
Nezha watched the Great Sage depart, feeling the weight of the warning settle upon his shoulders. "Someday," he whispered to himself, "I'll catch up to you."
A moment later, he rose into the air and vanished.
continue from here-02162026
Late Evening — Amanda Waller's Home
Amanda Waller stood in her living room at 10:47 PM, exhausted from another grueling Pentagon session that had followed a full day of reaching out to her old CADMUS team. She set down her briefcase with a heavy thud, loosened her collar, and headed for the bathroom. A hot shower—that's what she needed to wash away the frustration of dealing with bureaucrats who still believed they knew best in a world populated by gods, monsters, and metahumans.
Minutes later, steam filled the bathroom as Amanda stepped under the cascading water. She tilted her head back, eyes closed, letting the warmth wash over her face and soothe her tired muscles. But her mind refused to quiet.
The Pacific attack... the evidence pointing to Orm, the missing King of Atlantis... Queen Atlanna's swift assumption of the regency and Atlantis's immediate disavowal... their diplomatic isolation after that damning UN Security Council report leaked.
That leak gnawed at her. Either their security had catastrophic holes, or someone inside NATO was actively working against them. Neither possibility was acceptable. For a moment she'd wondered if Orach's AI, Mother Empress, was responsible, but quickly dismissed it—he had no motive for those kinds of games.
Then there was the weapon. Stone monoliths generating sound waves with enough force to cause that level of devastation? What made them work? Magic? Every rational bone in her body rejected that answer, but the alternative—some branch of science completely unknown to them—wasn't much better.
Even with her partnership with Lex Luthor giving her privileged access to the Planet Watch satellite's intelligence feeds—deeper than what other governments or the UN could access—she couldn't assemble the full picture. Nothing about Orm's psychological profile suggested he had the sophistication to orchestrate something like this. Where did he get the technology? How long had he been planning? Was he working alone, or were there others pulling strings? What was the endgame? And why break cover now after all this time in the shadows?
Atlantis had moved with calculated speed to distance itself from the attack, issuing statements that painted Orm as a rogue actor—carefully avoiding his name while making the target obvious through timing alone. The problem was that governments worldwide, especially those who'd lost millions of citizens, weren't interested in Atlantis's carefully worded denials. They wanted blood. They wanted someone to pay.
But Atlantis wasn't some helpless target. Their military was formidable, their technology superior to surface equivalents in critical areas. Any war would be devastatingly costly. Too many variables remained unknown, and the whole situation felt so... orchestrated. Like watching pieces move across a board where she could only see half the squares.
At least one thing had gone right—her proposal to establish ARGUS had finally cleared. The Advanced Research Group Uniting Superhumans would be her agency, under her direction, handling metahuman terrestrial threats while coordinating with General Swanwick's DOD division on anything extraterrestrial. Real resources. Real authority. No more groveling before committees who couldn't comprehend the threats staring them in the face.
Ten minutes later, Amanda shut off the water. She dried off, wrapped herself in a comfortable robe, and padded barefoot to her living room. At the bar cart, she poured two fingers of whiskey.
The glass was halfway to her lips when a voice spoke from behind her.
"Working late again, Amanda? You really should learn to relax."
Training and instinct took over. Amanda grabbed a heavy crystal decanter within arm's reach, spun around, and swung it in a vicious arc toward the intruder's head.
The figure caught her wrist effortlessly mid-swing, stopping the bottle inches from its target. In one smooth motion, he pulled her forward, his other arm circling her waist to steady her.
As her face came within inches of his, the dim light revealed his features—sharp jawline, knowing smirk, calculating eyes.
"Lex," Amanda growled, fury and exasperation mixing in her voice.
"The one and only," Lex Luthor replied, his smirk widening. "Though I must say, that's quite a bottle you were about to waste. Don't you usually keep a gun on you?"
"Zip it. Most people don't have to deal with egotistical billionaires breaking into their homes." Amanda shoved against his chest. Lex released her immediately, raising his hands in mock surrender.
She stepped back, clutching her robe tighter and fixing him with a withering glare. "This is the second time someone has bypassed my security like it doesn't exist. First Batman, now you. I'm starting to think I need better contractors."
"Or perhaps you simply associate with individuals who operate beyond what standard security can handle," Lex suggested smoothly, adjusting his suit jacket. "Though I'm flattered to be mentioned alongside the Dark Knight." He paused, then added under his breath, "Means I'm improving."
"What do you want, Lex?" Amanda demanded, setting the bottle down before retrieving her glass of whiskey. "I've had a long day, so get to the point."
"Would you believe I was in the neighborhood?" At her flat stare, Lex chuckled. "No, I suppose not. I'm here on business, Amanda. Though I confess, watching you threaten me in a bathrobe with a premium bottle of cognac is an image I'll treasure."
"Spare me the charm," Amanda said coldly, taking a sip. "We both know where we stand. Neither of us has any romantic interest in the other, and we both know that's not why you're here."
"You're right." Lex's expression shifted to something more serious. "Besides, I'm in a committed relationship now. Surprising, I know." He shrugged, smirking.
Amanda's eyebrows rose. "Mercy finally wore you down? I'm impressed. You aren't exactly relationship material."
"Interesting that your mind went to Mercy first. But yes, she's exceptional," Lex acknowledged, and for a moment something almost human flickered in his eyes. "She understands what I am and what I'm building. Not many people can handle every side of me."
"Lucky her," Amanda said dryly, moving to sit on her couch and gesturing for Lex to take the opposite chair. "Now tell me what's so urgent it couldn't wait until morning or be handled through secure channels."
Lex settled into the chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "Because secure channels aren't secure anymore. Not when that monster's AI could be monitoring every electronic communication on this planet. Face-to-face meetings—that's the protocol we established, remember?"
"I remember," Amanda acknowledged. "So what's on your mind?"
Lex leaned forward slightly. "The Pacific incident. A complete tragedy—millions dead, international tensions escalating, war with Atlantis looming on the horizon. The world is heading in a very dangerous direction, Amanda." He paused, leaning back with a calculated smile. "But crises like this also create opportunities. The perfect moment for one of our projects to make its debut is approaching."
Amanda's eyes narrowed. "Only you would talk about exploiting a tragedy. Which project?"
"Our team of clones," Lex said. "The timing is optimal for their reveal. I relocated them from their original facility months ago, and they've undergone additional enhancements at our secondary base. The process had casualties—some subjects didn't survive the upgrades. But those who did are significantly stronger than before."
Amanda set down her glass carefully. "You want to bring them back to our Earth?" Her expression became thoughtful as she swirled her drink. "How much stronger? What do the projections show?"
"We've broken through our previous ceiling," Lex said. "The survivors can handle Superman with relative ease now. Theoretical projections suggest they could match Wonder Woman and Cheetah in direct combat—based on the data you provided from the Thanagarian and Darkseid invasions, plus the Parasite incident. I'd prefer more recent battle data to confirm that, but their records remain frustratingly limited. The League only deploys Wonder Woman for major threats, and Cheetah only reveals her true form when absolutely necessary. Neither has appeared recently."
Amanda studied him. "That's a bold claim." Seeing Lex's confident expression, she leaned back slowly. "But the fundamental problems haven't changed. The Justice League won't tolerate a Kryptonian clone super squad appearing out of nowhere, especially under our control."
"Which is why we time their debut carefully," Lex agreed. "Think about it. With a possible war looming and global instability spreading, we can leverage this crisis to secure public support. When our team appears as saviors while the established heroes are stretched too thin, people will welcome them. Once we have public backing, the League's hands are tied. Any aggressive action against our 'heroes' would make them look tyrannical."
Amanda considered this, turning her whiskey glass in her hands. "It could work. If we time it right... With the world heading toward war, people will be afraid. They'll want protection. A new team of powerful heroes working with the government, with my newly formed ARGUS..." She looked up at Lex. "But we'd need a cover story that doesn't expose our CADMUS experiments."
"Leave the narrative to me," Lex said smoothly. "I'll present them as refugees from another universe."
Amanda's eyes widened. "Are you insane?" She stood abruptly. "That risks exposing our operations at the other base! Why not just claim they're survivors from Krypton?"
"Relax and think it through, Amanda," Lex said calmly, gesturing for her to sit. "There are infinite universes in the multiverse—the Justice League confirmed it exists. Who's to say our 'guests' didn't arrive from a dying universe, seeking refuge while offering to help protect their new home? The sympathy angle works perfectly."
"But here's the key," he continued. "I'll mask the clones' DNA with a quantum signature matching a collapsing universe. Even if the League has the capability to trace dimensional origins—which I doubt—all they'll find is a dead universe. No base. No evidence. Just a tragic backstory that checks out."
"Consider the optics," Lex pressed. "The world is heading toward war. People are afraid. The Justice League is stretched thin—haven't you noticed Wonder Woman and the Titans have been absent? They're clearly handling some crisis elsewhere, possibly off-world. My satellite hasn't detected them anywhere on this planet since going live. So wouldn't people welcome powerful champions—nearly as strong as Superman—especially under capable government oversight?" He paused meaningfully. "Under your oversight."
Amanda took a steadying breath and sat back down. "I have questions. First, how did you know ARGUS was approved? Authorization was only finalized today. Do you have people inside the government?"
Lex smiled. "Amanda, please. Politicians are predictable, especially when desperate. Look at what happened—the Pacific attack, the situation in Japan. They're drowning in unknowns. Of course they'd approve any initiative promising answers and solutions."
Amanda stared at him for a long moment before moving on. "Fine. Now explain this. You want to introduce Kryptonian 'refugees' from another universe as a strike team under ARGUS. But you're forgetting something critical—they're clones. What happens if someone obtains their blood and discovers the truth?"
She leaned forward. "Don't forget there's a high probability the Higher Realm being despises Kryptonians. Remember what he did to Zod's followers? The invasion logs make it clear he only tolerates Superman and Supergirl, probably because of Wonder Woman. So why risk it? He has no qualms about eliminating threats. I'm certain our cloning experiments drew his attention, which led to his ultimatum. That's why the higher-ups shut CADMUS down—to avoid his wrath. What prevents that from happening again?"
"Excellent question," Lex said, his fingers drumming the armrest thoughtfully. "Honestly? There's no guarantee he won't act. It's definitely a gamble. But I believe there's a reasonable probability he'll ignore them, and here's why."
Amanda raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
"Think carefully, Amanda. Simple cloning wasn't the only thing CADMUS was doing, was it?" Lex said, his gaze steady.
"No," Amanda replied slowly. Her eyes widened as realization struck. "You think it was the other experiments that drew his attention? The ones involving the younger clones?"
"Almost certainly," Lex nodded. "He's unpredictable, but there's a pattern to his interventions. He only acts when something directly impacts his interests or crosses specific lines. Every incident has had a clear trigger. The Kryptonian invasion? He intervened to protect Wonder Woman. The Parasite incident? Same motivation."
"Now consider CADMUS," Lex continued. "He didn't destroy our facilities the moment he discovered them. He didn't kill us. He issued a warning—and that warning came specifically when we began experimenting on the younger clones. That timing reveals where his boundaries lie. If he had a fundamental problem with cloning itself, we'd already be dead."
"The fact that he issued a warning instead—and only when we crossed into that territory—suggests mature clones simply existing won't trigger a response. They're fully grown, fully functional adults with their own agency. That's different from what we were doing with the younger subjects."
"Honestly," Lex leaned forward slightly, "if Wonder Woman was still what she used to be, we might have leverage to test his limits. But now she's as untouchable as he is, which makes gauging those boundaries difficult. On the other hand, that's actually advantageous for us. As long as we leave Wonder Woman alone and operate carefully in the shadows, he stays occupied with his collaboration with Wayne Tech in Gotham. According to my sources, he's supposedly always there, working on various projects."
"That's still a massive gamble, Lex," Amanda said, her frown deepening.
Lex shrugged. "We work with the hand we're dealt. The only reason we're still breathing and able to make any moves at all is that his principles seem to prevent indiscriminate interference. It's the one saving grace we have when dealing with someone that powerful. He could have killed us already. He didn't. That tells us something."
"True enough," Amanda said slowly, her expression thoughtful. "So walk me through your plan."
Lex's expression shifted to something more measured, as if organizing his thoughts. "As you know, LexCorp has been making strategic acquisitions lately. Given the state of our world, we couldn't stand by and leave people defenseless against threats from the ocean—which covers 71% of our planet. So we've been developing defensive systems to protect our coastlines."
"During the development and testing of these systems," he continued, "we'll claim we accidentally weakened the barriers between dimensions. This created a brief window through which a vessel carrying refugees from a collapsing universe managed to phase into our reality. We've been quietly rehabilitating these individuals. Now, inspired by their counterparts in our universe—Superman and Supergirl—they wish to give back to the world that took them in. They want to serve as protectors, operating through a collaboration between LexCorp and ARGUS."
Amanda's expression remained neutral as she processed his words. The narrative had enough plausibility to work, especially with fabricated evidence. But something about Lex himself troubled her. Previously, he had been arrogant and transparent in his power plays. Now he presented himself as a calculating mastermind with layers of contingencies.
"What happened to him during those months out of the spotlight?"
Her mind refocused. "You mentioned defensive systems. What exactly are you proposing?"
"I'll be proposing a coastal shield grid to protect our shores from oceanic threats," Lex said. "Additionally, an advanced tracking system integrated with the Planet Watch satellite to detect cloaked vessels and ensure we're never caught off guard again. I've prepared weapons and more advanced battle gear as well."
"And it's during the testing of these systems that the dimensional breach supposedly occurred?" Amanda asked. "That's the story we'll sell to the public?"
"Precisely." Lex produced a small disc and handed it to her. "See for yourself."
Amanda took the disc, moved to her TV, and inserted it into her player. Footage began showing the defensive systems prototype Lex had described in action. Then came a sequence depicting an apparent accident—energy fluctuations, a dimensional tear, and a damaged vessel emerging with unconscious figures inside. By the end, Amanda's expression had shifted from skepticism to grudging appreciation. The footage was convincing, even though she knew it was fabricated.
She turned to Lex. "That technology... is it real?"
"Very real," Lex nodded. "And operational within hours once the infrastructure is built. But I want to demonstrate it during an actual crisis. People aren't frightened enough yet to appreciate what we're offering. Tomorrow, I'll send Mercy to meet with you. Together you'll present the proposal to the White House and secure approval. We'll deploy the first installation on a U.S. Pacific territory—small enough to be cost-effective, perfect for a public demonstration."
"You really never miss an opportunity for profit, do you?" Amanda observed.
Lex's expression soured. "You don't have an unstoppable Higher Realm AI systematically draining your accounts with no way to trace or prevent it. So yes, I'll capitalize on every opportunity available."
Amanda's face twitched, remembering Lex's ongoing complaints about the theft. "Fair enough. This benefits me too—ARGUS just formed, and bringing advanced technology will strengthen my position with the DOD." She paused. "But even assuming the Higher Realm being doesn't act, what about the Justice League? They'll definitely try to recruit or confront these new Kryptonians."
"That's precisely why timing is critical," Lex said. "They need to debut during a genuine crisis—when the Justice League is overwhelmed and the public is watching. Our 'champions' step in and save lives. By the time anyone thinks to question them, they'll have already rescued enough people that any aggressive move by the League—whether recruitment pressure or confrontation—becomes a public relations nightmare. Public sympathy will be with our heroes."
Amanda stood and moved to pour another drink. "It's risky. If this backfires—"
"Amanda, we're past the point of safe options," Lex interrupted. "Forces are moving beyond our control. War with Atlantis may be inevitable. Other threats are likely emerging that we can't see yet. We need countermeasures. We need our own pieces on the board."
She turned back, nodding slowly. "How soon can they be ready for deployment?"
"Two days," Lex said immediately. "I need to retrieve them from our facility on the alternate Earth. They're at the final stages of adjusting to their enhanced bodies—two are still maturing in accelerated growth chambers since I modified their genetics to ensure team diversity. Their specialized suits are nearly complete. If a crisis emerges when I bring them back, they'll be ready to respond. From there, we build their reputation systematically."
Amanda's eyes narrowed. "You sound certain another attack is coming. Why?"
"Intuition," Lex said.
"Lex, don't play games with me," Amanda said with controlled intensity. "Are you working with Orm?"
Lex met her gaze directly. After a measured pause, he said firmly, "No. I have zero interest in collaborating with fanatics. They're unpredictable and ultimately unprofitable. I'm many things, but I'm a businessman first."
The truth was simpler than that. With the Injustice League disbanded—the others having fled this universe to escape the Higher Realm being—he was done working with unstable extremists entirely.
Amanda studied his expression before nodding slowly. "Good. Coordinate with my ARGUS team. I'm working on bringing our former CADMUS scientists and engineers back, though some may refuse. I'll also need complete dossiers on each clone—capabilities, psychological profiles, everything. If we're deploying them in the field, I need absolute certainty they won't go rogue."
"Of course," Lex said, standing and smoothing his jacket. "You'll have everything you need. Mercy will handle the briefing. Besides, each carries a failsafe should they rebel. Use it as needed."
"Wait," Amanda said. "I know you trust Mercy with your business operations, but you've always kept her separated from our... arrangements. What changed? Why is she suddenly your proxy in everything, including our classified projects?"
Lex met her gaze with unusual directness. "Simple. She's my partner now. In every sense."
Amanda took an involuntary step back. 'Is this really Lex Luthor?' His schemes and ruthlessness remained, but the underlying changes were undeniable. Before she could process further, his voice pulled her back.
"One more thing," Lex said, moving to the window and gazing out at the DC skyline. "Be careful, Amanda. Call it instinct, but I believe someone intelligent has been orchestrating events behind the scenes. It could be Orm, or someone manipulating him—I don't know. But it feels like someone's been moving pieces while we've been focused on obvious threats. We need to position ourselves quickly to identify the real players. I'd rather control the game than discover I'm someone else's pawn."
Amanda turned her head briefly to set down her glass—and when she looked back, Lex had vanished. Gone, as if he'd never been there.
A chill ran down her spine. The old Lex Luthor couldn't disappear like smoke. She knew he'd undergone enhancements—his physique had changed noticeably—but whatever modifications he'd received had elevated him far beyond normal human capabilities.
"How far has he gone? And what price did he pay for it?"
Amanda finished her whiskey in one long swallow and checked her security system. As expected, no record of anyone entering or leaving. No alarms triggered. No alerts logged.
"This can't continue. I need to evolve too, or I'll be left behind—relegated to watching from the sidelines while people like him reshape the world according to their vision."
With that sobering realization, she secured her apartment—for what little good it did—and headed to bed. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and new moves to execute.
And Amanda Waller had every intention of remaining a major player when the true nature of the game finally revealed itself.
Hawaiian Islands – ARGUS Pacific Command
The morning after Lex's midnight visit, Mercy Graves arrived at temporary ARGUS headquarters carrying a reinforced briefcase. Inside, she brought with her, technical specifications, budget projections, threat assessments, and carefully fabricated footage of the dimensional breach incident.
Amanda reviewed the materials in silence before looking up. "This is thorough."
"Naturally," Mercy replied. "When do we pitch it?"
"The Secretary of Defense has an opening at noon," Amanda said, sliding the documents back across the table.
"Yes," Mercy said. "Testing is complete. Now, we need a controlled field deployment—somewhere strategically significant but isolated enough to contain potential complications even though we don't expect any. We recommend Hawaii."
"Five towers across the major islands," Amanda added. "Full operational capability within one week."
The Secretary exchanged glances with his advisors. "Cost?"
"Two billion for initial installation," Mercy replied. "Equipment is ready. Infrastructure plans are complete. We only need authorization."
The Secretary's eyes narrowed. "LexCorp just happens to have advanced coastal defense systems ready for immediate deployment?"
"We've been developing this technology for eighteen months," Mercy said evenly. "Recent events accelerated our timeline. The system is proven and ready to deploy where it matters most."
He leaned back, silent for a long moment. The soldier in him recognized the value despite his instincts screaming that Luthor and Waller always had ulterior motives. But with war looming and the need for assets that would actually follow orders...
"Authorization granted," he said finally. "I'll brief the President this afternoon."
By evening, Project Aegis had official White House approval. ARGUS began coordinating with Hawaii's governor to manage the civilian population and prepare deployment sites.
At dawn the next day, heavy-lift carriers departed the mainland in tight formation. LexCorp automated freighters followed close behind, loaded with tower components and construction equipment.
Kauai became the first installation site. ARGUS security established perimeters while autonomous construction drones positioned the first Resonance Tower on volcanic bedrock.
Each tower rose four hundred feet—a sleek black obelisk constructed from LexCorp's newly developed promethium-steel alloy. The material absorbed light rather than reflecting it, giving each structure an almost void-like appearance. Deep anchor pylons drilled into bedrock, tapping geothermal vents to power the phase-shift generators.
Construction ran around the clock. Within thirty-six hours, identical towers stood on Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island—a pentagonal network spanning the archipelago.
Meanwhile, underwater crews laid thousands of miles of superconducting cable along the ocean floor. Media reports and curious locals were told these were "advanced sonar detection arrays" for tracking unidentified vessels.
In reality, the cables formed a massive electromagnetic induction coil, transforming the surrounding ocean into a resonance antenna—precisely tuned to frequencies between dimensional membranes.
By the fourth day, Diamond Head on Oahu had become the primary command center. Inside the hollowed volcanic crater, technicians completed final calibrations while Amanda and Mercy supervised from the observation deck.
"All towers synchronized," a technician reported from below. "Geothermal feeds stable. Grid ready for activation."
Amanda studied the status board, watching power levels climb steadily. "Once we activate this, there's no going back. Representatives from every allied nation will be watching."
"Good," Mercy said. "Let them watch. When this grid proves effective, Hawaii becomes the most protected territory on Earth. And LexCorp becomes indispensable to global security."
Amanda met her gaze, expression unreadable. 'They really are perfect for each other.' She turned to the technicians. "Begin activation sequence."
The command center hummed as systems powered up. Outside, the five towers began emitting a low-frequency pulse that resonated through volcanic rock. Beach observers would later report the air around each tower shimmering like heat waves.
"Grid stabilization in progress," the lead technician announced. "Resonance field establishing... thirty percent... fifty percent... seventy percent..."
Mercy watched the main display with unwavering focus. Everything proceeded exactly as Lex had predicted. The defensive capabilities would satisfy government scrutiny, but the grid's true purpose remained hidden—a dimensional anchor point for controlled breaches when the time came. Only she and Lex understood the full scope.
"Field stabilization complete," the technician reported. "The Aegis Resonance Grid is fully operational."
Amanda allowed herself a small smile. "Excellent. Begin continuous monitoring. I want status reports every six hours."
They stepped onto the outer observation platform overlooking the crater. Below, Honolulu stretched across the coastline, its citizens unaware they now sat at the center of something far more significant than a defensive shield.
"Lex will be pleased," Mercy said quietly. "Phase one is complete."
Amanda's expression turned serious. "Now comes the hard part. The wait."