NA: Hello once again! Hope you all are doing okay, especially those in the Pacific area with the earthquakes. Stay safe everyone and be sure to stock up on supplies should it happen again!

~oOo~

"Hey, Mike!"

The police officer turned to see a masked soldier. He wouldn't have recognized the soldier were it not for the voice. "Adrian!? What… where…"

"Kara's back there waiting in the truck." Adrian spoke as he approached Kara's uncle by marriage, lifting his mask up. "What do we got?"

Not wanting to question Kara's date since he was armed to the teeth, he looked at the place. "Couple of cyborg kind of guys came in. We tried reaching out to them but we got nothing but gunfire."

"I know what they're after." Adrian told the officers. "There's an exhibit going on and one of the items up for show is this massive gold nugget that flew in from Vegas. I'm talking huge… big as Kara."

Mike whistled. "Well that explains it. How much do you think it's worth?"

"Billions, probably tens of billions, maybe more. Don't have an estimate though." He took a peek and caught sight of one of the cyborgs. The criminal was holding a minigun. "Heavy-class military cyborg. Shit, they're from Desperado. Yeah, don't even bother trying to negotiate. They want the nugget."

A police sergeant raised an eyebrow. "Desperado?"

"Rogue PMC." Adrian explained. "Blacklisted by the upcoming treaty that's gonna be making an announcement this month. Long story short, these guys are bad news. They got military-grade weapons and enhancements, and have been known to work for terrorists and criminal organizations. Rumor has it they've been supplying weapons to ISIS cells in Europe."

"You gotta be kidding me." an officer bemoaned.

"I got my own enhancements." Adrian told them, showing off his arms. "How many are in there?"

"A small three-man crew inside plus that big guy guarding the front, so four total." Mike answered. "They're good. We got SWAT snipers up on the roofs and a team preparing to breach. We already have six officers critically injured thanks to the big guy over there."

"Hostages?"

"Already dead when the shooting started."

"Shit." he cursed and let out a sigh. "I know what I'm gonna say may sound crazy, but keep your guys back. That SWAT team is going to be torn to pieces if they try and go in. Cyborg soldiers are no joke."

Mike nodded. "I believe you. Sarge, I think we better do as he says. This is way above what we usually do."

The sarge was a little reluctant but nodded. "Alright. I hope you know what you're doing, kid."

Adrian grinned and lowered his mask back to his face. "Ain't my first rodeo, sergeant. You should see me work, been to the Middle East several times."

"That right?" the sergeant. "I was in the sandbox with the Rangers back in '07. Good luck, kid."

And then the officers and bystanders saw the spectacle. Adrian was covered by some purplish energy as she ran straight for the large cyborg at the building's entrance. What happened next completely shocked the world.

Adrian leaped into the air, above the large juggernaut of a cyborg whom was firing a hail of bullets at him. Brandishing his AK-203, he fired burst after burst, hitting the vital sections of the cyborgs limbs. Large cyborgs are generally heavily armored so he had to go for the weakpoints before going for the kill. While still in the air, he aimed for the heavy weapon's ammo link and fired, damaging it and preventing it from firing again.

He landed back onto the ground with grace, behind the cyborg.

The cyborg growled and glared at him. "What's a Hunter doing here?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

The cyborg gritted his teeth and raised his right arm, opening it up and deploying a large blade. The juggernaut swung wide heavy strikes, trying to hit the more agile Adrian, dodging with flips and rolls.

"Fine then." he told the cyborg, putting his assault rifle away and deploying blades out of his own cybernetic arms. "Let's dance."

Shadow Hunter

Chapter 3

The Team had been alerted. Happy Harbor came under attack by cybernetic soldiers intent on stealing some large gold nugget. The outright execution of the hostages was unprecedented. No one expected people to die so quickly as criminals usually hold them for ransom. But no, these people just went ahead and killed them in cold blood.

They all came but what they saw shocked them. It was another cybernetic soldier, but this one was fighting the criminal.

"Is that Adrian?" Conner asked.

"It is." M'gann muttered.

Adrian just kept on going until he got the upper hand, using his martial prowess to wrap his legs and arms around the massive cyborg's arms, twisting them and bringing the juggernaut down before impaling the head with one of his blades. The cyborg died in an instant with his bladed arm dropping down with a loud clang.

"Gods!" Wonder Girl gasped. "He killed him!"

"Man." Static whispered. "This guy doesn't play around."

"Well he did say he was PMC." Conner spoke. "From where I'm standing, he's some kind of special forces. No point in trying to scold him, it's what he was trained to do."

"He's going inside!" Wonder Girl announced.

M'gann nodded. "Then time for us to go in too."

~oOo~

Adrian rolled to cover and returned fire, the sound echoing throughout the building because of being fired in an enclosed space. But he was used to it.

"Where's your boss, Desperado shit!?"

"GO FUCK YOURSELF!"

He chuckled and laid down a spherical device onto the floor. It lit up before starting to roll towards one of the enemy cyborgs, launching itself up into the air and releasing an explosive burst. The blast shredded the Desperado soldier to bits, killing him in an instant.

'Something's not right.' Adrian thought as he kept on firing. 'It's not like Desperado to do something like this.'

They weren't even making an effort in going after the nugget. They were just fortifying themselves and…

Adrian cursed as he leaped forward and materialized dark energy from his hand, slamming it onto the second cyborg. He didn't waste time and got to work with the final one, unsheathing his long-bladed machete and slicing his final opponent in half from top to bottom.

"Alright, where's the final one?"

"Right here, boy." came the voice of an older man with a southern accent.

He turned to where the voice came but felt a heavy blow to his chest. Before he knew it, he was sent flying out of the building.

~oOo~

They were about to go in but not even a minute later, Adrian was thrown out of the building, landing gracefully on the ground with a blade in hand. It was like a cross between a machete due to its broadness and a katana due to the way it is shape.

"Been a while, boy!" barked a man with a southern accent. "Didn't think you'd be here of all places."

"Sundowner." Adrian drawled. "Didn't I kill you already?"

Sundowner chuckled and tapped his body. "I got an upgrade. Got it right after our last encounter. You gonna pay for what you did to me, boy."

"So this little gig just you being bored?" he asked. "I mean really… coming here of all places?"

"That nugget is worth a lot." Sundowner said. "Think of all the weapons and tech I can get with it. And then start some real shit with them. Think of all the fun we can have! All the war!"

Having heard enough, Adrian charged forward with impressive speed, clashing with Sundowner's blades and what looked like shields attached to his back through the use of six metallic arms.

"Gotta love the advanced of cybernetic prosthesis!" Sundowner cackled, swinging his blades wide but with precision, causing Adrian to parry them quickly. "You should have went for my head instead of just blowing me up!"

"Oh, do you ever shut up!?"

"How about I bring more for you to play with?"

Dozens of Desperado soldiers came out of nowhere, all armed with guns, blades, and other tools of war. They were going to attack but Conner came in and intervened, slamming a few Desperado soldiers and knocking them out.

Sunderowner chuckled. "Well shit, looks like the baby League is here."

"The hell are you all doing here!?" Adrian spat.

"Helping you!" Superboy barked as he the others joined in.

"Fine!" he growled. "Take care of these guys, I got Sundowner!"

He ran up once more, his body covered in the dark energy once again. He ducked, rolled, and leaped, dodging and parrying the powerful attacks of the large machete-wielding cyborg.

"Just as I expected!" cackled Sundowner. "You're good. Then again, you've always been good! I'm not surprised you were the one who did Queen Bee in. Executed her while she was on her knees and then plunging the entire country into civil war! Damn impressive if I say so myself!"

That came in as a shock to the Team, especially Superboy and Miss Martian. Queen Bee's killer has been living close by this entire time.

"And then I heard that you did for free. Something about you and Bialya's rebel leaders being old buddies of yours. I'm guessing it was personal."

"You really talk too much, Sundowner."

This was definitely a surprise to Adrian. He had never expected for Sundowner to come back from the dead after their little skirmish in Iraq a year back. Desperado at the time was supporting ISIS militants in trying to take a city but numerous PMCs like his men came in and intercepted them. Sundowner was trying to escape by flying out of there in a plane but he got there in time, activating a SAM launcher and blowing it out of the sky. He thought that was the end of Desperado… he thought wrong.

That damn stupid psychopathic grin is just pissing him off!

"Hehehe." Sundowner chuckled as their blades clashed. "Having fun yet, boy?"

"A little."

"How about this for a change?"

"What!?"

Adrian's eyes widened when he saw something that should not be possible. Sundowner manifested a dark energy around his left hand, the same kind of energy he has. He tried to react to it but the large cyborg slammed his palm onto the ground, creating a shockwave that lifted Adrian up into the air and knocking the Team away. At this time, Sundowner drew another machete and combined it with the first, creating a large pair of pseudo-scissors.

Adrian was going to land on his feet but his neck was caught by the scissors. He would have lost his head but his cybernetic arms prevented that. But the blades were hot, feeling the skin of his neck burn at their touch.

"Impressive, right?" Sundowner grinned, his entire body now covered in the dark energy. "Gotta thank my new friends for this."

"How is this possible?" Adian muttered, struggling to keep his head from not getting sliced off. Feeling his strength getting sapped away. It was these blades… they have something in them.

"Now that would be telling. But I'm glad to say that I can finally kill you."

Sundowner drew his pistol and pointed it at Adrian. When he pulled the trigger, Adrian tried to maneuver. He managed to not get killed but at a cost.

"AAAAAH!" he screamed, feeling the bullet graze through his left eye.

~oOo~

"AAAAH!"

Kara heard his scream of agony. So on instinct, she got out of the truck and did what she could only do.

She flew.

~oOo~

"Gotta give you credit, boy!" Sundowner cackled. "You're tenacious! Shame I have to kill you though. You would have made a good little minion."

"Go to hell!" Adrian spat and growled, keeping his left eye close while blood fell out of it.

"You first. Hold those kids off while I deal with this one!"

The Desperado soldiers did as told, holding the Team of superhero proteges, even ganging up on Superboy and Miss Martian so as they don't get through. These were not the kind of enemies they were used to fighting. And in that time span, Sundowner pulled the trigger again.

BANG

But the bullet did not reach Adrian. Instead, it impacted the forehead a certain beautiful blonde girl, flattening and falling to the ground.

Sundowner raised an eyebrow. "Well now."

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HIM YOU CREEP!"

The blonde raised her fist and hit the Desperado cyborg's stomach, flinging him back but not before landing on his two feet. Her eyes then glowed red before blasting a pair of lasers out of them. They were erratic so Sundowner was able to easily dodge them.

"Now this is interesting!"

"Boss!" a group of Desperado soldiers carrying a rather large gold nugget called out as an aircraft came in. "We got what we came for and our ride is here!"

"Well that's just a shame." Sundowner pouted, then grinned as he boarded the aircraft with his remaining men. "I'll see you later, boy. Try and put up a better fight next time."

Adrian, on the floor and leaning on a car, just gave his foe the middle finger and mouthed a 'fuck you'.

The large cyborg just laughed as the aircraft flew away.

Kara wanted to pursue. But she had even bigger worries.

"ADI!" she cried out, going to his side and saw that his left eye was no longer there. "Oh God. Oh God… your eye."

"I'll be fine." he groaned, still exhausted from whatever those blades did to him. "Just gotta make a call. I just… I'm tired. Thanks for the save, Angel."

Tears fell out of her eyes and leaned on him, crying on his chest.

"Look!" one of the bystanders pointed their finger at the sky. "It's the Justice League!"

Adrian looked up and saw Wonder Woman as well as others like the new Aquaman, Zatanna, Red Tornado, one of the Green Lanterns, and others. It was there that Wonder Woman gasped when she saw him.

"Adrianos?" Wonder Woman stammered. "Is that you?"

He let out a weak chuckle while having Kara gently holding him. "Hey mom. Been a while, huh? You haven't aged a day."

Everyone, as well as the Team and Kara, looked on with utter shock at the words spoken.

"My boy." Wonder Woman whispered, horror stricken on her face as she saw that her son no longer had a left eye.

"I uh..." Adrian tried to smile as she looekd at Kara. "This is Angel… I mean..."

"Kara Danvers." the blonde hiccuped, still trying to stop herself from crying while also being nervous as her idol was right in front of her. "His girlfriend."

Wonder Woman had tears out of her eyes at the word and smiled at the girl. She then gently took hold of her son and kissed his forehead. "Thank you for saving my son, Kara. But it seems that we have a lot to talk about."

"Yeah." Conner spoke, approaching them after rounding up the downed Desperado troopers, the ones that weren't killed by Adrian. "Flight, super strength, speed, laser eyes… There's only one other person I know who has abilities like yours. Come on, we can discuss this elsewhere."

"Kara!"

The girl turned to see a police officer, smiling and running up to give him a hug. "Uncle Mike!"

"That was incredible, kiddo."

"Yeah well… it's not over yet. Just tell everyone I'm alright. There's still some things I need to do, especially with them."

The man nodded. "I will."

~oOo~

"Easy!" Adrian called. "He's one of my guys!"

"You look like shit, sir." the other BEAR operative spoke.

"I feel like shit. I lost an eye."

"Who are you?" Diana asked, still suspicious as the newcomer was holding a strange case of unknown origin.

"I'm Cutter." the newcomer replied. "Team's combat medic and one who's gonna clone this guy here a new eye. Should take about a few hours."

"You got the word out to the rest of the guys and the Old Man like I told you to?" Adrian asked.

The medic nodded as he immediately got to work. "I did. Still can't believe that bastard's alive. I thought you fried him?"

"He got an upgrade." growled Wonder Woman's son. "Full military-grade combat prosthesis from top to bottom. And those blades of his... drained my strength the moment it made contact to my skin. Not just him. The rest of his guys had enhancements."

"No way they could afford that." Cutter whispered. "They must have a benefactor."

"I think we know who."

"Who were those men!?" Diana exclaimed. "And what has happened to you these past seven years!? Tell me right now, Adrianos Steven Prince!"

"Oooh." Cutter winced as he got the DNA sample he needed. "Full name used. Not good. I'm gonna uh… get to work right away."

Once Cutter left the room, Diana sat down and looked at her son. There was hurt in her eyes.

Adrian let out a heavy sigh. "Where do I begin?"

"The very start."

"Alright."

~oOo~

"Well." M'gann eyed the computer. "The tests don't lie. You and Superman are related to her. She's a full-blooded Kryptonian."

Kara's jaw was down. "I'm an alien!?"

"Well." Conner tried his best to… "Yes. Yes you are. Guess that means I'm your cousin and… Superman is also your cousin. We're family."

"I..."

"I know this is a lot to take in." M'gann spoke. "But it's not bad at all. I'm a Martian. Borne and raised in Mars before coming here and becoming engage to Conner here."

"I'm only half-Kryptonian." Conner clarrified. "I was… well… it's complicated."

"At least it explains why my parents told me I was a 'gift from God'." Kara muttered.

"In a way, you are." Conner said. "But… we're the last of the Kryptonians, Kara. Our homeworld… Krypton… is gone. I'm guessing you were sent here the same way Superman's parents did."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"I guess not."

Kara eyed the Superman logo on Conner's shirt. "That symbol. It's the same on my pod. My parents found me wrapped in a blanket with that symbol too."

Conner nodded. "Pretty much confirms it. You're a member of the house of El."

"El." she muttered. "Like the name I keep seeing my dreams. Every night I kept hearing my name but with… uh… I think it was… Kara Zor-El?"

Conner smiled. "Your Kryptonian name. Mine is Kon-El. Superman is Kal-El. Well at least I'm glad that we're not the only Kryptonians anymore. Unfortunately, we still don't know if any more of our people survived. Your parents, birth parents, must have sacrificed themselves by sending you out in that pod, just like Kal."

Kara looked down and hugged herself. "Wow… I just..."

"The people who raised you are still your parents." Conner told her. "That family that you mentioned. They're your family. Just like the people who raised Kal are his family. Doesn't change who you are. All you got is just more information about your past."

"And Adrian still likes you." M'gann added. "I mean he did say you shooting lasers out of your eyes was cool."

The blonde blushed and giggled. "He uh… he's a really smooth talker. We met yesterday and then next thing you know, he just straight up asked me out."

M'gann giggled. "Just like that?"

"Just like that. After the movie, it all happened. I kissed him for good luck but then..."

"Hey." the Martian smiled at her, taking her hand. "He's fine. Just talking with his mother since they haven't seen each other in a while."

"Excuse me."

They looked to see Cutter at the door.

"Can I have some water? Kinda thirsty."

Conner pointed towards the sink. "Tap water is good here."

"Thanks."

"How is he?" Kara asked.

"Just talking with his mom." Cutter replied. "Cloning an eye will take a couple of hours. Gonna be like he never lost… aside from the obvious scarring. I'm no super surgeon but I got things down to where I can attach it. Not that hard thanks to the tech we got. I've lost count on how many times I had to use that machine to clone new body parts for patients. Kids in Africa and Middle East don't have it easy."

M'gann looked worried. "Is it really that bad there?"

Cutter nodded gravely. "Very. Diamond wars are still alive and kicking. Tribes and militias just going at it like rabid dogs. I still remember the day we deployed to Qurac during the invasion. That was a shit show. Bialya didn't care who they attacked. Hell, even the Red Cross was a target for them. Personally, I'm glad that the commander got his revenge and took down Queen Bee. That was a long time coming."

Conner narrowed his eyes. "About that."

"Adrian was once a part of Bialya's Youth Correctional Program." Cutter said. "Of course, that was just a cover for a child soldier unit. Adrian was one of them after being sold by some a couple of child traffickers. One of the other members is Adegoke Owusu, the current leader of the Bialyan People's Revolution. No money involved on that op. It was all personal. They've been planning it for a few years ever since they reestablished communications." he looked at his arm, revealing a laceration scar. "We all have our reasons for going into this kind of life."

~oOo~

"And so here we are. I'm one of the commanders of Hunter Group LLC. Small but elite."

Diana looked at her son's hands, touched them and felt how cold they were as they were metal. "BEAR from what I heard has ties to the Kremlin."

He nodded. "They're one of our benefactors. You know how it is. Things have been tense between the West and Russia. And with Lex Luthor as Secretary General… yeah. It's not just Russia though. Various other countries, PMCs, conglomerates… you name it. A lot of them are not exactly at the fact that the UN is being… incompetent under Lex Luthor. Of course, we all know what kind of man he really is and where his loyalties truly lie."

Diana's grip on her son's hand tightened. "How do you know all of this? About the-"

"We have our sources and ways. My comrades are actively engaging the League of Shadows all across Eastern Europe and me and my team will soon deploy to Bialya. A birth a new Bialya and Qurac is at hand."

"You killing Queen Bee."

"Bitch had it coming. Besides, she's a member of the Light."

The woman let out a heavy sigh. "I'm not comfortable with all of this."

"I never expected you to." he nervously muttered. "I just didn't how exactly I'd break it to you. I was born for this kind of life, mom. Military… the special forces… covert operations… it's in my blood."

"I know." she breathed, caressing her son's face. "You're so much like your father. He'd be so proud of you."

"I hope so."

"I know. I'm just scared that I will really lose you just like I lost your father."

"You know." he rubbed his arms. "What hurts the most is that I don't remember dad much. All I see are images, that's it. I didn't understand at the time because I was only six years old. But as I got older, I became… detached. Don't get me wrong, raising me in Agartha because of the dangers was the right call, I understood that right away. I liked it there until..."

"I know."

"I never saw that coming, did I? My own best friend and-" he let out a shaky sigh. "Well at least I found my own Angel now."

Diana giggled and ran her hands on her son's hair. "Just like your father did. I talked to her for a moment. She's a nice girl."

He smiled at her. "Met her yesterday and… I dunno… we just automatically clicked, just like that. It's weird but a good kind of weird. I'm just worried she's going to be more insecure now after what happened to day and what she can do."

She nodded. "Another Kryptonian. This was quite a shock."

"She had no idea." she muttered. "Just like Clark did at his age. How is he by the way?"

"Offworld helping our friends out there. Metahuman trafficking is spilling across the galaxy."

"Yeah we have teams deployed as well. Did my fair share a few months back."

Diana looked at Adrian with a look that made her surprised. "That explains the 'support' we have been getting."

"We are not against the Justice League, mom." he told his mother. "We're here to help. But it's also clear that they are going to need all the support, especially with the UN hamstringing you guys. That's why we're working behind the scenes. Gives you guys plausible deniability."

"Have you ever given the chance to-"

"I can't do that." he said. "Being in the limelight is not for me. And the things I do is not for the Team as well. The League is a symbol of hope, mom. The moment you guys cross that line… fear will take its place. That's why people like me are necessary."

"Adi..."

"You've protected me all those years, mom. Now it's my turn."

"I just don't want to lose you." she muttered, pulling the young man into a motherly embrace. "I just got my baby boy back."

"You won't." he tapped his mother's back. "I got an Angel to live for now."

"So much like your father."

"So you've told me many times." he chuckled. "So how are things? Not really up to date due to my op in Bialya. Heard the Team got new members."

That was Diana blanched. "About that. The new members are…"

~oOo~

"WHAT!?"

Cutter turned to the sound of the angry voice and paled. "Ah shit. That's not good."

"What do you mean Gareth and Lenara are in the Team!?"

M'gann and Conner widened their eyes.

"Adrian knows Mage Knight and Sorceress?" Conner asked.

"Know them?" Cutter retorted as he watched the machine do the cloning process. "Gareth was his former best friend. And Lenara… his ex."

That made Kara tense.

"He walked in on them sucking face."

M'gann winced. "Oh dear."

That of course made Kara even more tense. She had always been insecure about things and an old flame of her boyfriend. 'Oh God, am I already becoming possessive? Am I going to turn into that creepy girlfriend meme!?'

M'gann didn't know how to react at Kara's uncontrolled thoughts. She wanted to laugh but also console her. So she just turned to her fiance. "Conner, was I like that?"

Conner heard her voice through his connection and smirked. "A bit."

"Very funny, Conner."

"Unbelievable." came in a very livid Adrian, bandage over his left eye. "Cutter, where is it?"

Cutter didn't even bat an eye as he pointed his finger to the door. "In the truck, boss."

Not even half a minute came in, and Adrian went back into the house with a bottle of Vodka that was already half gone. He immediately went to the couch Kara was sitting on and sat down beside her before placing the bottle on the table.

"Fuckadoodledo." Adrian cursed.

"Adrianos!" Diana chastised, not exactly liking that her son has become quite a vulgar man.

"I already have Desperado and Sundowner to deal with. Now I have two… ugh!"

"Adi." Kara placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder.

In an instant, Adrian calmed down. Cutter's eyes were wide with disbelief. "How did you do that!?"

Kara looked at the medic. "Do what?"

"You just calmed him down like it was nothing!" Cutter exclaimed. "No one was ever able to do that!"

Adrian deadpanned. "I'm not that bad."

Cutter countered. "Boss, last month, you sent three recruits through the Killbox as a 'training exercise' for spilling your coffee."

"Those idiots were fighting the mess hall!" Adrian argued. "At least I didn't take it out on the coffee maker like you did!"

"Hey, that was one time!"

Diana smiled. It seems her son has found a brotherhood among these people. He found his place in the world.

Adrian let out a sigh as he looked at the half-Kryptonian and Martian couple. "Anyways. I have no doubt in my mind that Sundowner and his Desperados are being supported by… them. My guess is that this was their little debut."

Conner frowned. "Who were those guys exactly?"

"In short?" Adrian answered. "Terrorists for hire. Terrorist groups and criminal organizations would line up their pockets to hire them for whatever schemes. I was so sure that I killed the bastard in Iraq a few months ago when I scorched his escape plane. He's a lot more dangerous now as you all saw. Could have killed me if Angel hadn't stepped in."

Kara blushed. "W-Well… couldn't exactly let my boyfriend die on me. Not after our first date."

"Speaking of dates. I owe you another."

The blonde Kryptonian just started giggling.

"By the way." Cutter… cut in. "The Old Man ensured a media edit here. So you have nothing to worry about Angel's face over here being known to the world."

M'gann went for her remote and turned on the television. It was already all over every news network. People are already talking about what happened today.

"Who are these people? Are heroes going lethal now?"

"Can't be. These guys are screaming military. Like some kind of black ops unit."

"Maybe PMCs are just sick and tired of what the UN is doing… or not doing at all."

"What about this… Supergirl? She's practically a female superman. Her face is all blurred though."

"Only a matter of time until we are revealed." Adrian muttered. "I can already tell that Batman is going to be hunting us down. Besides, the broadcast that's happening in a few days will probably throw him off."

"Broadcast?" Diana asked. "What broadcast?"

"The signing of a special treaty between PMCs, conglomerates, and a few nations." he informed them. "It's a treaty like no other. Think of it as a Geneva Convention and joint alliance for private military corporations. The Common Defense Pact. Together, we will not only have healthy competition, but also aid in combating metahuman trafficking in Earth and outside. It's been a long time coming."

Diana's eyes went wide. "How is this possible?"

He grinned. "Let's just say we have our ways."

It became clear to Diana. Her son was born to become a military officer. The amount of confidence was the same way Steve did when he led his forces on various missions. Adrian may have her hair and eyes but the rest is all Steve, down to even his smile.

"Should be done in a few hours." Cutter informed them.

Adrian stood up. "Well we might as well head home. I promised that I'd bring Kara in one piece. Thank God I live right across. Thanks for the hospitality again, you two."

Conner and M'gann smiled at him. "It was our pleasure."

"I'm coming with you." Diana said. "No arguments, young man."

He snickered. "Alright."

~oOo~

"OH MY GOD!" Maria Portokalos gasped as she saw the state Kara's new boyfriend was in.

"Don't worry, Maria. I'm getting a new eye."

"Still does not change things!"

"You should be proud of Kara though." he told them. "She saved my life today. And uh… I'd like you all to meet my mother."

"Oh..." there were collective gasps as they saw Wonder Woman at their door. Now this was a big turn of events.

~oOo~

Things were going well, aside from his mother sharing all of his embarrassing moments to Kara's family. So he decided to slip away into the garden with Kara in tow.

"The look on my Pappous's face." she giggled. "I hope he really lays off me for a while."

"I think he'll go after your cousin though." he retorted. "Paris I think her name is?"

"Oh no." she fake moaned. "I'm gonna feel sorry for her. She's the one who's gonna have it tough. She told me she wants to go to NYU. I don't think she broke it to everyone yet."

"Oooh." he winced. "Toula is going to be heartbroken."

"So was my mom when Alex told us she was going somewhere else for Uni."

"But not upset that you're going to Happy Harbor for post-secondary?"

She shrugged. "It's just a couple hours drive. And well… I can just fly if I want to visit."

"True."

"And um."

"Hm?"

She blushed. "I'll be graduating at the end of the month. And that means prom. So..."

"Of course I'll go."

Her eyes shot up and saw him smiling at her.

"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I don't take my Angel to her prom?" he cheekily asked, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. "Besides, I think you'll enjoy showing off your 'awesome boyfriend'."

"I think I will."

"Just so you know, I am not coming with you in a pirate costume."

She snorted and laughed before being joined by her boyfriend. They laughed for a while until it died down but never letting go of each other's hands.

"I never thought I'd do something like this."

She looked at him and tilted her head. "This?"

"Us." he clarified, eyeing their intertwined hands. "I'm sure Cutter already filled you in."

She nodded.

"I was hurt." he told her. "I was hurt bad. I told myself I'd never get into romance again and then… meeting you… something just clicked. I just wanted to… wanted to try it again. I really like this. I like us."

Her cheeks reddened but she smiled. "I like us too."

"So… Conner and M'gann gave you an offer."

"They did." she confirmed. "A team or something. Like a young Justice League. What should I do?"

"No one can make that decision. Only you can."

Their eyes were on each other for a moment until Kara leaned her head on his. Adrian smiled before turning his eyes and seeing something that made him smirk.

"They're taking pictures."

"Why am I not surprised?"

~oOo~

The women in the house squealed at the sight, especially Aunt Nikki, Paris, and Kara's two best friends. They pulled out their phones and started taking pictures.

Diana took a deep breath, watching the scene. "My baby is all grown up."

"It is something that all mothers face." Eliza, Kara's mother, told her. "But I'm glad that through them, you are also family now."

Diana smiled sadly. "It feels like it was only yesterday I was holding him in my arms."

Maria gave the Themysciran princess her own smile. "It is always like that. You have a wonderful son, Diana."

"And he's Greek!" Gus cheered.

Maria rolled her eyes. "Yes Gus! He is!"

"They should get married already!"

~oOo~

A bark was heard at the opening of the door. Adrian smiled as the dog hopped on his two back legs and licked his face.

"Hey buddy, sorry I'm late."

The dog Riley saw Diana and went up to her, tail wagging.

"Hello there."

"Riley likes you." he told his mother, smiling all the while. "Then again, we are of the same blood so… Right, Riley's dinner. Come boy!"

The dog barked and followed his master.

"You've been living here for how long?" she asked.

"About a year and a half." he said, preparing Riley's dinner as he put the dog food in a tray and heated it in the microwave. When it was done, he pulled it out and placed the food into Riley's bowl and gave the dog the signal that he can eat. "It was surprisingly cheaper. Make yourself at home."

"At least you keep it clean." she teased.

He scoffed. "Oh come on, mom! You practically drilled that into my head! Always keep your home clean! The one that's a little cluttered is the basement… which I turned into an armory and ops center. Cutter's down there right now getting everything prepped for the procedure. I really don't like looking like a pirate."

"How is it that you are able to even get such technology?" she asked him, curious about it all.

"Powerful benefactors that don't exactly like how Luthor is running things. I don't think that man is even aware of the enemies he's made within the UN. Ever heard of the name Blackjack?"

Diana's eyes widened. "Him?"

"He's been funneling weapons to factions that are actively fighting the Shadows, and other forces that are with the Light. We just call him the Old Man. It's how we got the Justice League's zeta-tube technology. Through him, we made some connections with the New Gods of New Genesis, giving us access to boom tubes as well. It's how we were able to do offworld operations as well as assist in relief missions on worlds hit by Apokolips."

She followed her son down, saying hello to Cutter and watched as Adrian went to a computer and showed her images of a few worlds. Many of them ruined.

"Apokolips hit them bad."

"By the gods." Diana whispered, horrified at the images.

"This is why we feel the League will be needing support."

About two hours later, the operation went without a hitch. Adrian was sitting upright with his right eye closed while his new left eye was being tested.

"Alright, look here… good… then here."

"So far so good?"

"Yeah." Cutter nodded and held out two fingers. "How many?"

Adrian decided to bring out his crude humor and gave his buddy two middle fingers. "How's this?"

"Very funny."

Diana frowned. "I don't appreciate how vulgar you've gotten, Adrianos."

"Comes with the job, mom." he cheekily said. "And if I remember correctly, you told me that dad can be quite..."

Diana groaned and palmed her face. "Don't remind me."

"Well you're good to go, boss." Cutter announced. "It's a good thing your right eye is the dominant one."

"And I'll be ready for Sundowner the next time we meet." Adrian declared. "But things are going to get a lot more complicated. Mom, if you'll allow it, I'd like to meet with the Justice League for a meeting. Let them know what's going on before the CDP goes public."

"Don't forget you have to do a speech." Cutter chirped.

"AAAARGH!" Adrian loudly groaned. "Do I have to?"

"Old Man wants you to. Remember, make it dramatic and inspiring."

"Why was I made commander again?"

"Because you're the only one who knows how to inspire others." Cutter seriously said. "Your old man's a legend, Adi. He was the apex of special forces. You got that in you."

Diana nodded. "He's right, son. You have your father's charisma. I remember the days when I first left Themyscira with him. When he would lead his men into battle, he did so by inspiring them. You have that gift."

Adrian sighed heavily, running his fingers over his hair. "I just don't like being in the spotlight. Cutter, you good?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna head out. I'll see you later, boss."

"Thanks for the help."

"Try not to get your eye blown off again."

"Yeah, yeah."

Cutter was already gone as silence followed. Adrian was happy he got his left eyesight back but that's not the reason why he was a little solemn.

"Mom."

"Yes?"

"Is this right? Me and Kara? I mean I just met her yesterday."

"Some romances take time." she told him. "Others, like yours, simply click. Fate has a funny way of doing that to people. Right now what you want to do is take time to get to truly know each other. Don't rush things and just enjoy each other's company. Don't coddle her though."

"I won't." he chuckled. "She's incredible."

"She is."

"I have a feeling that Conner and M'gann gave her an offer."

"And what do you think about that?"

He shrugged. "We discussed it in the garden. But ultimately she has to make that decision. Personally I think it will be good for her. She can take care of herself and she'll be around others who are pretty much like her. Conner is part of the Team so she won't truly feel like she's left out."

"Something else is on your mind."

He snickered. "Am I that obvious?"

Diana shook her head, smiling. "No. I'm your mother."

He took a deep breath. "Just wondering what Bruce is going to say about all of this. You know how he can be. He's not exactly trusting towards people like me. In his eyes, PMCs are nothing but warmongering money-hungry soldiers. Not that I can blame him for thinking like that since mercenaries have always been like that throughout history. It's only now we're trying to break that trend."

"He will have his reservations, that I won't deny. Although things aren't exactly smooth between us ever since he resigned."

He looked at the computer, showing him several news articles. "I heard. Batman Incorporated and all that."

"I just don't think this was how things should have went."

"Not everything goes the way we want it to, mom. That's just a fact of life. Bruce just did what he thinks is right, as we all do. And with the Light, you have to fight fire with fire."

Diana frowned. "That's exactly what Bruce said. To be the opposite of the Light… Darkness."

"Darkness isn't inherently evil, mom." he argued. "Just gloomy. And besides, my work requires me to work in the dark. Just like dad did during his… glory days."

Diana then just pulled him into a motherly embrace. "I've missed you, Adrianos. I love you so much."

"Me too, mom. Me too. I'll be here if you need me. I got a speech to prepare."

She kissed his forehead. "And call me if you need something. I have seven birthdays to make up for."

"Sure."

Things are going to get a lot tougher here on out.

NA: Yes, that's Sundowner from MGR, because we need cyborg villains and a nemesis for our Adrian. Each hero has their nemesis after all. And this means the Light won't go down easily.