five days later . . .

Washington D.C.

"We're here at the briefing conducted by Special Agent Victor Sage who is explaining the attempted capture of terrorist Tomas Cook, former employee of the F.B.I. as an analyst." a D.C. news reporter told the camera as Sage prepared his speech from behind the podium in the temporary conference room at the Senate House.

He had a cast on, multiple stitches on his face, and was on painkillers in order to be functional during the meeting. He looked down at the typed words on the podium below and fought against his better instincts to tear up the lies on the pages and reveal the truth to the innocent people who had suffered. But the truth was not as important as preventing war. He watched as the camera operator nodded at him and counted down as the red light blinked and the cameras began to flash.

"Good morning. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and got time to spend with your family. This past week has been the worst in American history. We faced a man with evil intentions and a manipulator unlike we've seen in this modern age. On September 2nd, Tomas Cook, a former member of the F.B.I. got hold of top secret government documents and discovered the existence of Atlantis, an ancient society that lives at the bottom of the ocean in an undisclosed location. Tomas Cook made contact with a rogue group below the surface and formed a small sleeper cell on their warship, the Orca."

He took a small breath, preparing himself for the lies.

"He spent weeks forging documents and video footage in an attempt to dismantle the American government and turn its people against it. He used computer trickery to create images of nuclear sites on American soil and the President being involved with untrue things. His goal was to turn the public against the government, to use Atlantis' weaponry against the human population and start a horrible race war that would entirely destroy the planet. With the help of brilliant undercover agents and a few special individuals, we found Tomas Cook and attempted to arrest him. But in an act of cowardice, he committed suicide via an explosive inside his clothing. Any questions?"

A cute, black-haired reporter in the second row raised her hand and the look on her face gave Sage a suspicious vibe. He pointed to her and nodded, almost regretting his decision.

"Lois Lane. Daily Planet, Mr. Sage. What about the Amazo androids? Where did Cook gain control of them?"

"We believe they were created in an abandoned underground base out in the Rocky Mountains. Our agents have found out that he may have taken the designs from a former project years ago."

"What kind of project would that be?" Lois Lane asked, her scowl focused on him.

"A military soldier alternative that was thrown out decades ago for costs reasons and other moral issues. Next question, please?" Sage said.

"It wasn't a one Project Amazo created, planned, and even manufactured at S.T.A.R. Labs in Arizona?" Lois Lane replied loudly over the buzz of reporters raising their hands.

Sage stopped with his pointing finger in mid-air, drifting back over to Lane and closing his eyes.

"We are still in investigation, Ms. Lane. You will be updated as soon as we present it. Next question?" he said, watching as she sat back down, an angry look on her face.

"What is going to happen to the Orca? And who was on the other ship approaching the coast before the Orca was taken out by Aquaman and the rest of the heroes?" an older, mustachioed reporter asked, holding out his microphone at Sage from the fifth row.

"The Atlantean ship will be sent back to Atlantis under strict supervision from the new leader of the underwater kingdom... Aquaman. The other ship was from the ancient land of Themyscira. We do have an advisor from the land that will be speaking later this week at a peace conference. Aquaman will also be in attendance with the President. At the conference, the history of their hidden world will be discussed at length and more on the Atlantean sabotage conducted by High Council Judge Serin will be explained. But she is expected to face the death penalty for several cover-ups. Next question?"

"The superheroes seen running around Washington besides Superman, Aquaman, and the Flash. Who are they? And is it true that the Batman was present? In daylight? Out of Gotham?" another female reporter asked.

"I can neither confirm nor deny the sightings of the Batman or the so-called Green Lantern. More details will be released as the investigation continues.

Gotham City . . .

Bruce Wayne couldn't help but give a smirk at the screen in front of him, seeing the small tick at the corner of Sage's eye as he lied to the camera.

The Batcave was chilly and a slight winter breeze blew in from the waterfall entrance far behind him and the computer systems. He continued to watch the address and was proud of Sage standing up and speaking to the public, although it was probably done just to give sympathy to the American people. He listened to Sage's replies while opening up another tab on the giant 100 inch flat screen T.V. monitor and looked up details on the damage done in Central City. Half of the skyscrapers that covered the skyline was crumbled, dust clouds still formed whenever a building was taken apart, and hundreds were still missing. He closed his eyes hard, his mind flashing back to Cook clicking the button, ending the reign and any possible justice for his crimes. He blamed himself for not being fast enough. The main man behind all of the destruction and suffering... and he got away with a quick death. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

His phone suddenly blared to life and he quickly snatched it off the desk and answering, turning down the volume on the conference.

"Hey, Bruce? Are you sure you want to do the session today?" one of his friends and current therapist, Hugo 'Harry' Strange asked.

"Yeah. It's been awhile. I'm ready."

"Okay. I'll be here. Waiting." Harry said before hanging up.

Bruce slid his phone into his pocket, standing up from his chair and grabbing the remote to the computer.

"And what do you think is going to happen now, Agent Sage? Regarding the future security of our world and how we keep these heroes in check?"

Bruce waited, his finger over the power button, waiting for his response.

"I honestly don't know the answer to that question, sir." Sage said.

Bruce pressed the button and tosses the remote into the chair, grabbing his coat and beginning to the walk to the elevator. He was faced and surprised that his butler was standing before him. Alfred saw his master flinch for the first time since he was a child and backed up, allowing him to enter the elevator.

"I do believe that was the first time I've ever startled you. You didn't hear me come down, Master Bruce?"

"No. Sorry, Alfred. I'm going to see Harry. Will you drive me to his office?"

"Of course, sir."

The two men entered the elevator and Alfred pressed the button, flying up to the surface and into the study of Wayne Manor, Bruce's family home. Alfred looked over, seeing the faint bruise on his cheek and the small cut on his lip.

"You might need some of that fancy foundation to cover up the battle wound, sir." he pointed to the bruise.

"It'll be fine." Bruce muttered.

Alfred gave him a look and studied his sunken eyes and poor posture. As the elevator dinged and the twins doors slid open, Alfred watched as Bruce limped ever-so-slightly before picking up his foot and walking normal. Alfred cleared his throat, catching his master's attention as Bruce stood still by the giant oak door. He looked over with silence and knew what Alfred was going to ask.

"No. I'm not okay. I heard my father in the sewers of Washington, Alfred. I heard him."

"Well," Alfred said with a brief cough, trying to formulate a logical conclusion.

"I don't think that is much of a stretch, Master Bruce. You were under a lot of stress. And with shock set in most of the morning from all of your injuries, I can easily see how you may have heard a voice blurb that sounded like your father."

"But that wasn't it, Alfred."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw him too. And we talked for a long time. That's what worries me."

"Oh my..." Alfred replied softly.

Metropolis . . .

"Good, then. We'll meet tonight. Okay, Barry." Clark Kent laughed, laying his phone back on his desk and pushing the glasses closer to his head.

He had finished watching Lois' question to Sage and was proud of the love of his life. She was trying to protect Clark in some weird way while also helping her own ego fueled by the occupation of being a reporter. He was also proud of Sage, trying his best to wade through the tragedy and try to give hope to those who had lost it all. He didn't have long to remind himself of personal guilt as his faithful partner at the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olsen came up behind him and slapped him on the back. From hearing the cringe of the skin on his face with his powers, Clark smiled, knowing that Jimmy had felt like he had broken his hand. He turned around, giving a geeky smile at the young redhead reporter and waiting to hear his news.

"So! Good and bad news. Perry's running the bank job story but he wants you off any future Superman projects."

"What? Why?"

"Because he says that Lois is a better reporter and isn't afraid to get dirty. Unlike you."

"Thank you, Jimmy. I really needed that."

"And he also said that he knows she's wearing the pants in your guys' relat-."

"Thanks, Jim! I got it!" Clark said through grit teeth, holding his hand up and making Jimmy power-walk away.

Clark returned to typing his new article, ignoring the response from his editor and continuing to type out powerful words on the screen. He knew there was no turning back now. Not for any of them. It was a new age. And it was quickly approaching. He smiled as he typed the final words and revised the title. He slammed the space bar and sat back, crossing his arms and shaking his head, realizing that Lois wasn't the only one with an ego. The title was finalized and so was the article itself. It read:

A NEW WORLD: THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

He smiled again and sent the document straight to Perry's e-mail. He cracked his knuckles and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and resting for a moment. Almost immediately after setting his head back, a faint ding was blurted out from the speakers. Clark sat up in his seat and looked at the notification in the bottom-right corner, squinting as he almost couldn't believe the response.

I TOLD YOU NO MORE! ONE WEEK SUSPENSION. NO PAY. DO NOT TEST ME, KENT! SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

later that night...

Metropolis

"How is she feeling now? That was an awesome Christmas, all things considering." Green Lantern said to the Flash as they stood on the rooftop of Metropolis' tallest building, the Emperor Building.

"Yep. Wedding's next spring. And Hal... I swear to God if you have to go on a Lantern resort trip, I'm running across space-time just to punch you in the face.

"I hear you, speedster. I'll be there." Lantern laughed.

Suddenly, Superman flew up the side of the building, his body and glorious cape outlined by the giant moon that showered the great city with milky light. He landed softly on the ledge of the building, nodding to the two heroes before shaking their hands.

"How have the two of you been?" he asked.

"Good." they both said, still in awe.

"Is Bats showing up? From what you've said... him and appearances don't really go hand in hand." Flash said.

"I'm hoping tonight's an exception."

Before long, Wonder Woman flew to the roof, flipping onto the small utility building before sliding off and inching upwards, smiling at the men. Lantern tried to look at her backside before Flash smacked him and whispered.

"Do you want to get hung with that lasso, dude?"

Lantern rolled his eyes and gave the Flash the bird before they heard a loud sloshing of water and saw Arthur, the moonlight reflecting off of his newly-polished armor before he landed the wave beside Lantern. He clasped his right hand and the wave evaporated with a quick blast. He shook hands with the rest of the group and stood on the ledge beside Superman.

"How is your mother, Diana? Now that Serin has been put away?" Arthur asked.

"She's still worried about the future, as we all are. But she seems to be more trusting of the new Atlantean leadership, especially since you fought alongside me and I gave you my personal approval." Diana replied.

"Thank you." Arthur said, giving a small bow.

"Are you taking control of Atlantis permanently? I know you have a home and family on the mainland as well."

"I've decided to split up my reign. I still owe my first home my promise of protection. But when I am gone, Orm and two other Council members we trust will take over. It seems that Atlantis is changing with the rest of the world. And the Orca is going to be shut down. It is far too dangerous. For our hands or any others. We are not ready for something with that much power."

"Agreed." Batman's gravelly suddenly spat from behind all of the heroes.

He surprised all of the heroes as they turned around, seeing him standing, enveloped in his cape, standing beside an opposite corner. Superman stood in front of all the rest, giving a smile to the Dark Knight as he walked close and looked at the rest of them.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you're here." Lantern said.

"Well, here I am. What did you have to say, Superman?"

"I just wanted to thank all of you for doing the right thing. For helping us when we couldn't do things alone. You all knew the risks and we lost a lot. But we stood... united." he replied.

"Of course. This is our home too." Arthur said.

Diana nodded.

"And I just want to know... that if and when some threat of this scale comes again... can I count on all of you to stand beside and join me?"

"Yes." the Flash said.

"Always." Diana said.

Arthur and Lantern nodded and turned to Batman, who stood stiff, not moving from his previous stance.

"I have my own city to protect, Clark. You have more than enough manpower. Don't rely on me to follow on your every beck and call." Batman answered, beginning to walk away.

He pulled his grapnel gun from his belt and fired at a building across from the Emperor. Superman came close and the Flash followed while Arthur gave a big scoff.

"Bruce. You have to know that in order to protect Gotham... you may have to join with others. After everything we've been through... I thought you had finally learned that sometimes, you can't do everything by yourself!" Superman snapped.

Batman turned around, holding onto the grapnel gun with one hand. He sighed deeply and looked at all of the other heroes.

"When this happens again... I'll be there. Know that. But don't expect to shake anyone's ha-." he said before the Flash zoomed up to him and shook his hand hard.

Batman's expression became evil and a large frown could be seen through the cowl. The Flash's eyes widened and he swallowed hard, watching as Batman's free hand raised above his head and his index finger came down between his eyes.

"Don't test me, Barry. I don't care how fast you are."

He smiled for a split second, only allowing the Flash to see before jumping off of the room and swinging across the city. The Flash gasped as the capecrusader flew off into the night, the fluttering of his cape fading away into the urban jungle. He backed up, standing beside Green Lantern once again. Lantern gave the Flash a worried look and shook his head.

"What?" he asked.

"You're going to get murdered in your sleep one day. Just mark my words, man. You don't play with the freaking Batman!"

"Yeah. Sure." Flash laughed before exchanged glances with Superman, who flashed him a small smile too.

Superman walked in front of the other four heroes and nodded in satisfaction.

"What's with the happy face?" Diana asked.

"Nothing. Just thinking of a stupid name I was thinking of."

"What name?" she replied with a puzzled face.

"Don't worry about it. It wouldn't catch on anyways." he finished with a laugh.

The heroes chuckled on the rooftop before staring into the moon and at each other before a loud scream was heard from the streets.

"Help!" a voice cried from one of the dark alleys of Metropolis.

And with that plea, the heroes zoomed from the Emperor Building to their domain below.

JUSTICE: Heroes United