"I want to go too."
Seeing Diana, Green Lantern, and Shazam preparing to head toward the battle between Atlanteans and humans, Rachel stood up as well, clearly intent on joining them.
"No," Adrian said firmly, stopping her.
"Why not? I'm not a child anymore. I can fight like you all," Rachel protested, stubbornness in her eyes.
"You're not a member of the Justice Society," Adrian reminded her calmly.
"But I am," she countered.
"You need to focus on other things right now, not this battle," Adrian said, shaking his head.
"Studying?" Rachel frowned, unconvinced. "My life can't be confined to a classroom. I want to help you, Brother. Even though I'm young, I think like everyone else. I want to protect you, not just be protected."
Adrian glanced at her, noting her determination. "If I don't agree, are you going to involve Mom again?"
Rachel puffed her cheeks, shaking her head. "That's our problem. I won't tell her because tattling is for children. I just want to prove I can stand beside you."
Adrian sighed. "Rachel, this kind of conflict isn't for someone your age."
She quickly pointed to Shazam. "What about him?"
"He's twelve," Adrian said. "From an age perspective, he's still a child."
Shazam looked embarrassed. He wanted to explain that he had inherited Solomon's wisdom, but seeing Adrian's expression, he held back.
Adrian reluctantly relented with Rachel. "Be careful," he warned, then departed from the Justice Society Hall, followed by Diana, Shazam, and Green Lantern.
The other heroes also left, leaving Bart behind to manage Solomon Grundy and spend some time talking with his old friend, despite the limited vocabulary Solomon could respond with—simple words like "Okay," "Understood," or "Unhappy."
Jenna and Green Lantern Girl walked together. Jenna, with her people-pleasing nature, had always gotten along well with everyone. She often cooked for the younger heroes and had quickly bonded with Shazam.
"Hi, Jenna," Green Lantern Girl greeted warmly.
"Nice outfit! Want to go shopping? I've saved up some money from part-time work," Jenna said, admiring her clothes.
"Not now," Jenna replied with a smile. "I just want to talk."
Jena teased her brother Zan. "Hey! Step aside. This is a girl talk moment!"
"Whatever. I'm not interested," Zan shrugged and walked off, preferring to tinker with his gadgets rather than join them.
"Let's walk and talk," Jena suggested. "Adrian has the adults handling things now, so we don't need to intervene."
Green Lantern Girl nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe Aquaman is difficult to deal with. Wonder Woman has been sent."
"Yes, but I still feel weak," Jenna admitted. "I hope one day I'll be as strong as Wonder Woman."
They then discussed previous missions. "Remember when we imprisoned some superheroes?" Jenna asked.
"Black Canary and Black Lightning," Green Lantern Girl confirmed. "Black Lightning is respected in his city as a teacher helping students. Not all of them are criminals. It's hard to say if imprisoning them was right."
Jena considered this. "Adrian believes they could hinder him. That's why he acted."
Green Lantern Girl's voice carried excitement. "We trust him, but maybe he's wrong. We could tell him."
"I've always trusted him," Jena said firmly. "He saved me when I was homeless and helped me find my brother. He's like family. Even if he goes against the world, I'll follow him. Even if his revenge holds society hostage, I'll follow."
She adjusted her glove against the cold night wind, staring after Adrian's retreating figure. "That's why Brother, Bart, and Wonder Woman follow him too. We all know this isn't entirely just, but we trust him."
Jena and Green Lantern Girl shared a silent moment under the night sky, acknowledging the gap in their perspectives.
---
Over the sea, Wonder Woman, Rachel, Shazam, and Green Lantern arrived at the conflict zone. Aquaman battled fiercely, his Atlanteans dominating the surface fight.
Diana called from above, "Aquaman! Stop this!"
Aquaman looked up, his face hardening. "This isn't an atrocity! This conflict shouldn't have happened!"
"Then stop it!" Diana commanded, her tone unwavering. "This is unnecessary. End this conflict and explain yourself to Adrian."
Her attempt to reason with him, however, only angered the Atlanteans.
"I cannot! I am human, yes, but even more, I am Atlantean. I protect my people!" he declared.
Diana pressed on, patient despite knowing Atlanteans could be ruthless. "I don't want to fight you. You're a wise king; do not decide a life-and-death war on your own. Rescue the crew members in the water. We can negotiate."
Before she could finish, an Atlantean fired a beam from a weapon, striking Diana.
Arthur's eyes widened. "Stop!" he shouted at his soldiers, then turned to Diana, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright?"
The enraged Wonder Woman roared at him. "Shut up!"
She lunged, delivering a crushing punch to his jaw. Arthur screamed in agony, thrown deep into the sea.
"I'm tired of this condescension! I hate your arrogance!" Diana shouted, her frustration unmasked.
She raised her arms defensively, deflecting energy blasts with her bracelets, then advanced on the Atlanteans, sending several flying with a single strike.
"Green Lantern, move the ship out of the battle! Shazam, rescue those in the water!" she commanded.
"Understood!"
"Going now!"
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