Max's system HUD flickered into existence in front of him.
[Activate one-time Eighth Gate transformation?]
Max's eyes narrowed slightly as he read the prompt.
His hand slowly drew back, thumb aimed toward his chest. If he punctured his heart and forced it open and let his chakraf flood in, he could jump-start the final gate and unleash the Crimson Beast.
He was just about to confirm when the sand beneath Trigon suddenly shifted.
A violet puddle of energy seeped out of the desert floor, spreading across the sand like liquid shadow. In the next instant, dozens of tendrils shot upward and wrapped tightly around Trigon's body.
The effect was immediate.
The crimson aura surrounding him flickered and vanished. The glowing red tattoos across his body dimmed, returning to their normal black color as his power was violently suppressed.
Trigon roared in rage and desperation as he tore several of the tendrils apart.But more emerged.
They wrapped around his arms, legs, torso, and neck, coiling around him like living chains until his entire body was bound.
With one final violent tug they dragged him beneath the desert sand.
The violet energy vanished instantly, leaving the ground looking as if nothing had happened at all.
Max relaxed his posture and slowly lowered his hand.
A whoosh sounded beside him as Nina appeared, accompanied by Zetsu.
"Well," Zetsu said casually while glancing at the empty desert. "That was entertaining for a while. Wish I'd seen the whole thing."
Nina, however, was staring directly at Max.
"What were you planning?" she asked suspiciously.
Max shrugged, his expression completely blank.
"Oh, I don't know. You tell me."
Nina narrowed her eyes and stepped closer before poking a finger into his chest.
"I know exactly what you were planning to do," she said flatly. "And I do not like it."
Max swatted her finger away.
"He was really pushing me," Max replied calmly. "So I was considering it. Besides, it's not as bad as you think."
Zetsu suddenly snorted.
"No shit, right?" he said with a crooked grin. "I haven't seen you like that since your fight with her."
He pointed directly at Nina.
Then his grin widened into a sly smile.
"But let's be honest," he continued. "You were holding back a lot that day too, just so you wouldn't bruise her fragile ego-"
THUD.
A heavy punch crashed down onto the top of Zetsu's head.
The impact sent him sliding face-first across the desert sand like a ragdoll before he finally came to a stop several meters away, his head buried in the sand while his legs stuck awkwardly up into the air.
Nina stood there with her right fist still shaking, her teeth grinding together as she struggled to contain her irritation. The desert wind swept past them, carrying heat from the scorched sand, but she barely noticed it.
A soft hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
"At ease, Nina," Max said calmly. "That day I was struggling because I wasn't fighting to seriously injure or kill you. Zetsu doesn't know the first thing about fighting, so you should understand that by now."
Nina slowly turned her head and studied him.
She had known her father for a very long time. Long enough to read most of his expressions without effort. But right now… she couldn't tell if he was genuinely comforting her or quietly teasing her.
Her eyes narrowed.
She stared deeply into Max's face, searching for the slightest crack in his calm expression.
Max, meanwhile, suddenly found the distant horizon extremely interesting.
His face remained perfectly straight as he looked away toward the endless stretch of desert.
The silent stare-down continued for a few seconds before it was broken by the sound of grunting.
Zetsu finally pulled his head out of the sand and staggered to his feet, brushing grains off his face and clothes while muttering under his breath. Once he regained his balance, he stomped toward Nina.
"Oh yes I do know what I'm talking about," he said defensively.
He stopped in front of her and stared her down.
"Oh yes, I do."
"Oh yeah?" Nina asked flatly.
"Of course," Zetsu replied with complete confidence.
Nina slowly raised her fists and cracked her knuckles, the sharp pops echoing in the quiet desert.
"Well these fists disagree," she said. "So how about we test it and see if he was holding back or not?"
Zetsu didn't move.
Instead, he folded his arms and smirked.
"I dare you to hit me again," he said smugly. "Because doing so will only prove my point."
Nina's eye twitched slightly.
Before she could respond.
"I think that's enough."
Max's voice cut cleanly through the tension.
"You're both acting like children right now."
"Well technically, I'm a ki-" Zetsu began.
"Don't even start, Zetsu," Max said without looking at him.
Zetsu immediately shut his mouth
Silence lingered over the desert for a while before several sonic booms echoed across the sky. Everyone turned toward the source and saw the Justice League approaching.
At the front flew Superman, cutting through the air like a missile. Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Cyborg, and Martian Manhunter flanked him while Flash raced across the desert floor below.
They landed one by one.
At the same time, Zetsu silently sank into the desert sand to avoid answering too many questions.
Before anyone could speak, a purple portal opened nearby. Out stepped Terra, Thena, Starfire, and Robin, who was being supported by Blue Beetle and Beast Boy. Finally, Raven stepped through.
Superman spoke first.
"Is he going to be alright?" he asked, looking at the injured Robin.
"I'm fine," Robin replied.
"He will recover after a few weeks of rest," Starfire added.
"Damn, those demons weren't playing around, huh?" Nina said while looking over the heroes. All of them had scuff marks on their suits. Some parts were torn, and even Superman had half his cape missing.
"You didn't come out unscathed either," Cyborg pointed out, gesturing toward Nina's injured hand.
"Ah, this?" Nina said. "That actually came from my attack. Same with her."
She nodded toward Thena.
Thena shrank slightly and quickly hid her right hand behind her back.
"Didn't I tell you not to use that technique?" Nina asked.
"Well, we were in a bit of a pinch, so I had to clutch for the team," Thena said with an awkward scratch of her head before nudging Terra with her elbow for support.
"She had a good reason to use it," Terra confirmed.
Nina sighed. If Terra was backing her up, there must have been a serious reason.
Flash then grinned.
"Looks like even Max didn't come out unscathed. Guess he's the one responsible for the fireworks we saw."
"On the contrary," Max replied calmly. "I was holding back a lot. If I had gone all out, he wouldn't have been able to touch me. This happened voluntarily. Unlike most of you glass cannons who can throw a punch but can't take one."
Silence fell over the group.
Nina immediately jabbed Max in the side and shook her head disapprovingly.
Max simply shrugged.
"I was trying to be funny," he said flatly. "Too bad I'm not a comedian."
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Wonder Woman stepped forward.
"Great work, Titans. Your determination and teamwork saved the world."
"You should be proud, Kori," Martian Manhunter added.
"Yeah, great job kiddos," Flash said with a grin. "Maybe someday you'll replace us and become the new Justice League."
Nina clapped her hands once.
"As nice as this reunion is, we've got to skedaddle now. Say goodbye to your new friends."
Thena and Terra turned toward Starfire and the Titans.
"It was nice fighting alongside you all," Thena said. "But it's time for us to go."
"Yeah," Terra added. "It was nice."
They started walking toward Nina when Beast Boy suddenly called out.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned to him.
"Why not join us and become part of the Titans?" he asked eagerly. "We could celebrate New Year's together tomorrow… well, technically the day after tomorrow, but you get what I mean."
Starfire nodded.
"I agree. We would love to have you as part of the Titans. Of course, if your father allows it."
Max raised his hands immediately.
"It's up to them," he said, refusing to become the villain in this situation.
Thena looked at the Titans, then back at Max before letting out a small sigh.
"I would love to join you guys," she admitted. "I've even dreamed about it a few times. But right now, I want to spend time with my family."
She glanced at Max, then toward Wonder Woman.
"Especially tomorrow's event. It's very special to me. But if you ever need help, you can contact me anytime."
"Same here," Terra added. "Being a hero or part of a team isn't really my thing. But if you need help, don't hesitate."
"Then take this," Beast Boy said, handing Terra his communicator. "I'll get a new one. It's important we stay in touch."
Max's eyes narrowed slightly.
Nina immediately placed a hand on his shoulder.
"At ease, Max," she whispered.
Max exhaled and shook his head before vanishing.
Nina grabbed Terra and Thena's hands.
"See you tomorrow, Mom. Don't be late," Thena said.
"Well… adíòs," Nina added casually.
The three of them vanished in an instant.
End of Chapter.
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