NA: Yes, there will be elements from various modern/scifi types of series. Metal Gear is one of course considering Sundowner here is a major villain. There will be others but not where it will completely overload the universe.

Fun fact: the voice actor of Drebin is Khary Payton, the same guy who currently voices Kaldur'ahm.

~oOo~

Istanbul, Turkey

The city that is both Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosporus Strait. It is a city that now stands as the very meaning of multiculturalism, where East and West meet, living in harmony.

And it is the place where something truly incredible is happening.

"Oh man."

"Easy there." Alessandra 'Outrider' Castillo, Adrian's second-in-command, spoke. "You'll do fine, big brother. It's just words."

"Being broadcasted to the whole fucking world." Adrian retorted, fixing his outfit. While it is no coat and tie, it is of black like the rest of the Hunters but for more formal affairs while still being functional. "I hate this."

Alessandra let out a laugh. "You were never one for the limelight."

This has been a long time coming. Various and well-respected PMCs, politicians, entrepreneurs, and even oligarchs have been planning for this for a long time. What accelerated it was when Lex Luthor had become Secretary General, hamstringing the Justice League to the point where they were not even allowed to go on humanitarian missions when disasters struck nations. It was even worse when metahuman children were being abducted. It got the point where a couple of PMCs and other corporations could not simply ignore it and took an active roll, supporting where they can.

"You going to be okay, big brother?" Alessandra softly asked.

"Yeah." he exhaled. "This is just… I've never done something like this before."

"There is always a first time for everything."

Alessandra was one of the children who was in that Cadmus facility five years ago. He tracked her down and offered her a place to fight alongside her. She did not even hesitate. She was originally from a town in Brazil until it was destroyed by one of the various South American cartels. Her mother and sister were taken, subjected to a fate worse than death. Her father and brother were executed on the spot. She alone escaped until taken forcefully by a Cadmus team. From there, she met the one she would ultimately call big brother. Aside from being second-in-command, she is an unparalleled sniper and archer thanks to her metahuman eyes, allowing her to see her target from great distances. Some say she could even rival Green Arrow.

"Cutter, what are you doing?"

"Just checking… you know… medical stuff."

"Right..."

Cutter was another. He no longer had a name by the time Cadmus started their experimentation on him. All he was good at other than fighting was fixing people up with his healing abilities. But the reason why he was named cutter was his penchant for dissecting corpses. So Cutter was what everyone started calling him. Nobody really knows who or where he came from.

"Firebreak, is that a Snickers bar?"

"I'm hungry. Heat burns fat."

Last on the team was the resident pyro. Krystof Hejek, whom everyone knows as Firebreak. He is also a victim of the Cadmus child abductions and experimentations. He had the stereotypical ability to create and control fire. Of course, that meant high metabolism like that of the Flash. He was no speedster but he can burn an entire building down if he wanted to. He was a runaway, taking his sister when he burned his abusive father alive. Of course, child services took them but he did not want any of that. That was only until Cadmus found him. So here he is.

"And now, a speech from the commander of Hunter Group!"

"Alright." Adrian spoke. "Here I go."

"Break a leg!" Cutter cheered. "Not literally of course."

"I think he knows that, Cutter." Firebreak muttered, munching on his chocolate bar.

He walked in, welcomed by a round of applause by the delegates of this event. He approached the podium, followed by the cameras of the media.

"You know." he spoke. "I really did not want to do this speech."

That earned laughter as they understood the humor.

"Welcome one and all." he began. "My fellow brothers and sisters in this momentous and historic event. Thank you all for coming. My name is Adrianos Steven Prince… son of the late Captain Steven Trevor and Princess Diana of Themyscira, the woman you all know as Wonder Woman, founding member of the Justice League."

That was when all hell broke loose as gasps and mutterings went all around.

Shadow Hunter

Chapter 4

Orbit of Earth

Watchtower

"Oh my God." Dinah Lance, AKA Black Canary, gasped with her hands over her mouth. "It's..."

Everyone in the room, from the Justice League to the Team led by M'gann, especially the two new members, gasped as they watched the broadcast that was live from Istanbul.

"Oh man." Barry Allen, the Flash, ran his hand on his head. "Where has he been all this time?"

J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter, looked on with eyes wide. "I still remember the day when he was just an infant. Diana..."

She smiled. "I found him just recently. He's been busy these past few years. Following the path of the warrior just like his father did before him. Only difference is that he chose to follow his ideals, not a flag. He has endured much."

And it was there that the young two new members of the Team noticed the small sneer given to them by the Themysciran princess, causing them to flinch.

"Let's just keep watching!" Conner spoke.

~oOo~

Midvale, State of New York

Few days have already passed and she was back home, preparing for her High School grad. But it was only until her mom screamed excitedly, calling her down as her boyfriend Adrian was on TV.

Kara sat there on the couch, hands together as Adrian stood on a podium, addressing the world.

~oOo~

Istanbul

Adrian raised his hands and chuckled.

"I am not here to represent Themyscira or the Justice League. I'm here as the commander Hunter Group. I am here as a fellow soldier and contractor just many of you here. I have fought and bled just as you have. I do not follow a flag, I follow my ideals, just like many of you. Whether that's money, the desire to simply fight on, the need to feed your families, or to simply feel like you have a purpose… doesn't matter. Me? I fight because I am one of those where the battlefield is the one place that makes me feel like I've got a purpose. I mean sure, it pays well. That's just a perk. But when you got all that money and don't know what to spend it on, it becomes… dull. So I go back out there to make myself feel alive… feel like I matter… that I got a place in this world. I am just like any one of you."

He then rolled up his sleeves and showed them all his cybernetic arms.

"I too, have my scars."

~oOo~

Watchtower

"Okay… woah." Bart Allen, Kid Flash, looked in awe. "That is so crash."

"He has the eyes of a hardened and seasoned warrior." Hawkwoman said. "He has seen many deaths, both at taking down his enemies and those under his command. The burden of leadership is not something he takes likely. My godson has grown to become a fine man."

Diana smiled sadly. "Just like Steve. I had a feeling he was born for it. He's no longer naive. The world and its hardships have hardened him. I am proud but sad."

"His methods are a little questionable." Zatanna spoke, disapproval in her tone. "He kills."

"That isn't surprising considering he is a soldier." Hawkwoman shrugged. "Thanagarian Special Forces are very similar, even among those that take the path of a mercenary. We may not agree with it, but it is there. This is not an easy path he is taking and I have a feeling that he knows that. My family is steeped with military history, the life of special forces is not easy."

"He's good." Kaldur added. "From what I saw at what happened in Happy Harbor. He is very precise, making sure that unnecessary damage did not occur. But that cyborg he clashed with… and those troops."

"Adrian told me they're called Desperado Enforcement." Diana told them. "Mercenary terrorists for hire and I believe he will mention them right now."

~oOo~

Istanbul

"I'm not going to go into detail about my 'origin story'." he air-quoted, earning a few chuckles. "I just wanted to make clear that I am just like any of you here. My accomplishments, my life… they're my own. Just as yours are yours. We got here through hard work, determination, blood, sweat, tears… sacrifice. Especially sacrifice. I've lost count how many comrades, brothers and sisters, I've lost. Some of them were even under my direct command. I know all their names and faces, even now. But I also remember the good they've done. The world may look at them as nothing but warmongers and soldiers of fortune. But to each of us, to each and every single one of you, they are unsung heroes. Each and every one of you, are unsung heroes."

He saw nods, some even having tears in their eyes, remembering their fallen brethren.

"The world will always see us as opportunists, enablers of war. I will not lie. We need conflict to thrive. We don't start it but we sure as hell don't shy away from it. But we all know that the world will always judge us, question our motives. Those people aren't any different though. We're all living in the same world. They judge us because we're different. We don't fit in their 'ideal world'. They would rather live in that bubble, live their 'normal' lives, looking at their phones, their TVs, their computers, seeing which celebrity is sleeping with who."

Another round of chuckles were heard for that last part.

"They don't want to see what the world is truly like. If they do, they lose control."

He leaned forward, his hands on the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We are here today because we all know what's going on out there. What is TRULY going on out there. There are forces lurking in the shadows, threatening our society, our way of life. Eastern Europe for example. How about Africa, the Middle East, Asia? We are also tired of how complacent and divided the UN has become. When that tsunami hit the Java regions… the Justice League was prevented from going in for a humanitarian mission. HCLI's Asian Branch, thank you by the way for stepping up and spearheading relief efforts. That was very gracious of you."

A white-haired man in his twenties smiled and bowed his head.

"And then there is a major issue. The abduction and trafficking of metahuman children."

Now that got the fires stoked, many are angry as many of them have children who possess the meta-gene. Some of their children were indeed abducted.

"And from the faces here, I can tell that some of you were indeed hurt because of this… atrocity. And what is the UN Security Council doing about it!?"

He slammed his hand onto the glass podium, cracking it but not destroying it.

"NOT A DAMN THING!"

He then raised his hand, pointing it to the screen as images of mutated metahuman children were shown, causing gasps and sparks of outrage.

"Children experimented on, turned into monsters, and then shipped off like merchandise to not only around the world but beyond that. That's right. Aliens are buying them up to be used as weapons of mass destruction. And who is selling them you ask? Who do you think!? The top exporters in metahuman trafficking are crime syndicates in North to South America, the EU, and various other countries like Bialya, which at the time was under Queen Bee's benevolent rule."

He looked at the people in the room and saw fire.

"I'm not saying that we ourselves are benevolent. Far from it. We live in a gray area of the world What I'm trying to say is that there are lines that we should never cross. Metahuman trafficking is still human trafficking. Myself and my unit, who are indeed metahumans, have a personal vendetta against it, it's why we've taken an active role in combating it and we use whatever means necessary. And now I urge you all to do the same. If not us then who? Governments can't be trusted anymore. They've become fat and bloated, growing complacent. The UN? They're also a part of the problem. Why do you think and several others left the Justice League? They knew that all that matters is the mission. That is why we are here."

A symbol then appeared on the screen, one that of a gold and red winged badge with two swords crossed in an X behind it.

"Today is the birth of some thing truly grand, promoting cooperation between various private military corporations, conglomerates, a few politicians, entrepreneurs, and even NGOs, thank your for coming by the way. We all understand what is happening, we are not blind to the truths of the world. Let the world know that we will not sit idly by and become complacent like they have. Let us give a hand as well as coordinate with those in the Justice League as well other superheroes not among them. Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters… as I put the first signature down on that stone, let us welcome the birth of the Common Defense Pact! Thank you."

The entire conference room erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. Several delegates came up to him and shook his hand as he put his signature on the pad, causing a laser to etch his signature on the stone that showed the agreement as well as the terms of the cooperation. And then it was followed by the signatures of the other delegates. And then pictures followed.

~oOo~

Watchtower

Pride and joy swelled in Diana's heart as her son concluded the speech and put his signature down onto the stone document. She watched as he shook hands with the other delegates and posed for pictures.

Something big just occurred.

"He knows to rouse the people."

"I thought that was his father Steve for a moment." Diana said, wiping a few tears. "Gods, this feels like a dream."

"Mr. Prince!" a reporter came to view with Diana's son. "Why has Wonder Woman kept your existence secret all this time?"

"Mainly for my protection. Superheroes like her have enemies. Even after I left due to unforeseen circumstances, I kept my identity secret for the same reasons."

"How long have you been in the private sector?"

"Roughly five years now. Can't see myself doing anything else."

"Will you be able to tell us how the Common Defense Pact will function."

He chuckled. "Unfortunately, I can't. There will be a Press Conference held by Boris Popov of Maverick Security Consulting. You will get your answers there. I was just here to give an opening speech."

"That was a magnificent speech you did there, Mr. Prince."

"Thank you. I actually had to wing that one."

Captain Marvel whistled. "Now that's skill."

Hawkwoman nodded. "Indeed."

Diana could only smile.

"So what can you tell us though?"

"We will be assisting in stabilizing Bialya and Qurac." Adrian said. "A lot of wrong has been done by Queen Bee and there are still forces loyal to her. NGOs will be there to help send relief while private forces like mine will be aiding in bringing stability."

"What about the rogue PMCs?"

"They will be discussed and dealt. As you already know, Desperado made a surprise attack in Happy Harbor back in America. Their target was one of the largest gold nuggets in the world."

"And this new… Supergirl? Her face wasn't show due to censorship but it was clear that she possesses the nearly the same abilities as Superman."

He chuckled. "Well… all I can say she is quite an Angel."

~oOo~

Midvale

Kara blushed, earning a grin from her mother and a grunt from her father.

"He's definitely a keeper, sweetie."

"Mom, please."

"Oh I better get your gown for prom. Oh this will knock him out!"

"MOM!"

~oOo~

Istanbul

"I knew you could do it, big brother!" Alessandra exclaimed, hugging her commander. "I told you."

"You were right, I'll admit it."

"There you are!"

Adrian turned to see an African man but with short blond hair. In tow was a hairless monkey with a diaper.

"Drebin!" Adrian laughed and gave the man a hug. "You made it!"

"And signed." Drebin added. "The Pact is practically allowing us freelance arms dealers a license to deal on a more legal basis. And with how things are, it's a hell of a lot more lucrative. I already got small-arms contracts for our African business."

"How's Eastern Europe?" Adrian asked.

"Still ongoing. The Shadows are a stubborn bunch."

"Any idea where their main base of operations could be?"

The arms dealer shook his head. "No idea yet."

"I've asked my mother if I can have a meeting with the Justice League. We're going to have a lot to talk about."

Drebin chuckled. "No shit. So… Sundowner."

"Yeah. The Light's involved, it's the only real explanation. That man is a monster now. And a whole lot of conflicts are going to be popping up. Various factions in the Middle East alone have been itching to go at it like rabid dogs. Not that I have a right to complain."

The arms dealer shrugged. "There will always be a war being fought somewhere. And people like us will always be there. War is a flame, and we are the moths."

Yes they are.

~oOo~

Midvale

She was on her bed, laying there and looking at her phone while also listening to music. It was all over the news, even on search engines like Google. 'The creation of a Mercenary Justice League' as some media like G. Gordon Godfrey mocked spoke. This was then responded with a couple of contractors from Valor Company posting a video of them burning an effigy of Godfrey while getting drunk. Some were even urinating on the charred remains.

And then her phone started ringing.

She beamed and immediately answered, clicking the button and speaking through her earbuds. "Adi!"

"Hey, Angel!"

"I watched your speech. You were amazing!"

"Was I? I hope so. I had to wing most of it."

She giggled, rolling to her back and raising her legs up so that they were leaning on the wall. "You were! All my friends in Facebook and Instagram are going crazy. Some of them can't believe that you're my boyfriend."

"Heh, I bet. So how are things over there? You getting ready for your diploma exams?"

"I think I got most of it down. And mom already has my prom dress picked out. A beautiful white gown!"

"I can't wait to see you in that."

She blushed and giggled.

"You got a cute giggle, you know that?"

"Oh shut up. Why do you always to make blush."

"Because you're pretty when you blush. Duh. So have you made your decision about the other thing?"

She let out a sigh. "I think I will join the Team after I graduate. I mean Conner and Megan will help me a whole lot with my powers."

"I think it would be good for you, Angel. They're a lot more qualified than I am in that department."

"So where are you right now?"

"Still in Istanbul. Gonna be bringing in some Turkish delight for you. The city is amazing. I'm gonna take you here some time."

Her eyebrows rose. "Seriously. Isn't a trip like that little… expensive?"

"Don't worry about it, Angel."

"So you're really going to Qurac?"

"Have to. But don't worry, I won't be going until I take you to prom."

"What are you gonna wear?"

"Same one like today. Gonna give 'em a little shock and awe."

She barked out a laugh. "I can already imagine their faces. They're gonna be jealous."

"Of me. I have no doubt you'll be the most beautiful girl there."

She stammered, her face burning up. "How do you do that!?"

"Do what?"

"That!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Angel."

Okay, now he was definitely teasing her. "I'm starting to question why I like you."

"Probably the charm and my handsome looks. I was told that women love men with scars."

"Hmmm."

She heard him laugh.

"Alright, alright, I think that's enough teasing."

She deadpanned. "Honestly, Adi."

"Just showing you that even talking to you is fun. I really lucked out when I met you."

She bit her lip and decided to ask the one that had been bothering her. "About… about the previous one."

"You don't have to worry about that, Kara. I've been over that for a while now. I'm just not looking forward to seeing them. They were- used to be my best friends. I think what hurt most was that they never tried to even defend me during my trial and exile."

"But you will have to see them regardless. And I have to as well since I'm going to be part of the Team."

"Last thing you want is conflict so don't be hostile towards them. Be cordial. Believe me, conflict in a team could prove very problematic."

She sighed. "Alright. If you say so."

"You're going to be fine."

"It's you I'm worried about." she stated, rolling over so that she was lying on her stomach. "First those two from your past, and then going to Africa knowing you could encounter that freak cyborg again. He nearly killed you the first time."

"And this time I will be prepared. This is the kind of thing that I was trained to do. And besides, you're my guardian Angel."

"I might not always be there."

"Knowing is more than enough. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay. Bye."

Once the call ended, she let out a heavy sigh. She remembered the discussion she had with Wonder Woman.

"It's nice to see him happy again." Wonder Woman told her. "I remember the time before disappeared, how absolutely miserable he was. I can only imagine what he was like when they betrayed us and exiled him. None of his friends ever defended him or even tried to prove his innocence."

"He's a good person." she told the older woman. "But... I can sense a lot of pain."

Wonder Woman nodded. "That is because he has been in pain for a very long time. And he met you. I will be honest with you. I do not fully trust you for obvious reasons."

Kara bowed her head, knowing full well why. "I understand, ma'am."

"Good. Then let it be known that if you hurt him-"

"I understand."

Wonder Woman honestly scared her. Nothing more frightening than the anger of a mother so Kara had quite the standards she had to meet. She likes Adrian, she likes him a lot. She wants to see how far this relationship will go. But for some reason, she feels like Adrian is the one. Some sort of feeling within her is telling her that he is the one. Is it perhaps a Kryptonian thing? She is an alien after all.

"What a crazy week." she muttered. "I got myself a boyfriend, a hot one, I find out who I am and where I came from… Superman is my cousin! And I have to study for my diploma exams! GAH! WHY IS MY LIFE SO COMPLICATED!"

"I used to ask myself that when I was your age, sweetie." came the voice of her mother from the door.

"Ugh, not now mom."

~oOo~

Istanbul

Adrian was smiling. Kara was just… something else. She wasn't like any other girl, not even his old flame. He was already imagining the dress, probably the same color white as that summer dress but hugging her figure. He had a dopey grin when he thought of it even further.

And then he felt it. A looming and malicious presence within the hotel.

He didn't even need to think twice and got his gear, suiting up with his BDUs, plate carrier, holster, and grabbing his weapons.

He loaded in a magazine into his AK and cocked it. "Shadow Hunter to to team. We have a presence within the hotel."

"This is Outrider, I felt it too. Coming to you."

"Cutter here, ready."

"Firebreak here, ready to burn them."

Adrian grabbed his rucksack and strapped it on. "Time for us to move. Outrider, inform the delegates we are under attack. Also, contact out friends from BEAR. We're going to need to coordinate this. The Kremlin needs to know what's going on as well."

"Understood."

"Sky Eye, this is Shadow Hunter, do you have eyes on the hotel?"

"Sky Eye to Shadow Hunter, drone has eyes. I'm seeing movement. Several dozen, possibly more."

"Desperado?"

"Negative, this is something else. Possible League of Shadows or even unknown mercenaries."

"Mobilize for major evacuation by ground, air evac is a no go." he ordered. "We need to get the CDP delegates out of here."

"Understood."

Opening the door, he used a simple mirror to check if there were any people in the hallway. Seeing that there were none, he quietly made his way out with weapon in hand. The elevator will be an obvious target so the stairwell will have to be the best way.

"Shadow Hunter, this is Skif from BEAR, the delegates are being moved to the lobby as we speak."

"Copy that, Skif. Keep everyone posted. League of Shadows are possibly making a move on us. Do not underestimate them."

"Understood. We'll be ready for them."

The first ever CDP operation and it was right after their creation. Of course the League of Shadows, and the Light by proxy, would try and do something about it. But at the same time this was a formal declaration of war.

"All units, this is Fireteam Dragon of Valor Company." came in a voice with an obvious Texas accent. "We got something big approaching from the south. Possible hostile metahuman. Looks like the fucking Hulk"

"I hear you loud and clear, Dragon." Adrian replied. "Firebreak, intercept immediately."

Firebreak's voice through the radio let out a cackle. "Opa! About time!"

And in an instant, a Shadows assassin burst through the window and made a move to attack but quickly dropped to the floor upon receiving two shots from the Hunter's Kalashnikov.

"All units, be advised, they're making their attack now. Use deadly force but be mindful of civilians and noncombatants. Even if we rented out the whole place, the staff are still present. Get them out."

And again, another tried to sneak up on him but he extended out his arm blade and stuck it right through the assailant's chest, right through the heart.

"Contact, 5 o'clock!" was the chatter through the radio.

"Medic! We need a medic!"

Adrian had no time to speak as he pointed his weapon forward once more and fired, taking out a few more Shadows. They were going straight for the big shots, and that meant him.

"I'm beginning to regret ever doing that speech." he muttered to himself as he fought his way to the stairwell. And then his eyes began to glow. "Alright then."

~oOo~

Watchtower

"We are live in Istanbul right now as a massive battle is being waged at a hotel between the Common Defense Pact and what appears to be several belligerents from the League of Shadows. It seems that the Shadows do not like the creation of the CDP, going straight for the hotel where the CDP delegates are currently resided."

In the background, another explosion went off, this time on one of the upper floors of the hotel. It was there that the cameraman caught a glimpse of a figure with glowing eyes, fighting off more Shadows.

"Is that…? It is! There's no doubt about it, that is Adrian Prince in the fight!"

There weren't a lot of people in the Watchtower anymore since most of the heroes had gone home. But some still remained to monitor.

"Trouble seems to like to follow him." Marvel muttered.

"I'm not surprised." M'gann spoke. "They're a threat to the Light and they have a huge amount of resources."

"Just how much do they have?" Conner asked.

"M'gann." Kaldur spoke. "Get your Team down there immediately."

"On it."

"Wonder Woman is not going to be happy."

Conner scoffed. "I doubt Kara would be either."

~oOo~

Midvale

Kara was this close to hyperventilating as her eyes to her laptop's screen, watching the stream of the hotel her boyfriend happens to be in, all on fire with explosions and confetti going about like the Fourth of July.

She wanted to be there. She really did. But her mother told her that relationships are built on trust. So she'll just have to wait while she is close to hyperventilating.

~oOo~

istanbul

"AAAAAAH!"

CRASH

The body of Shadows slamming onto a vehicle was heard to those nearby. To those at a distance, the couldn't tell, fire and ash was everywhere as the various contractors of the newly founded CDP moved to defend the delegates into secure vehicles.

"Would be nice if we had BTRs." Outrider said as she pulled the string of her bow back and loosed it, unleashing an explosive arrow that reduced her target to nothing but scattered flesh.

"We have one Stryker enroute, courtesy of Drebin." a Maverick contractor reported. "It's about five minutes out."

"Well then it better get here?" she grumbled, knocking another arrow. "Status on the delegates?"

"They're safe for now."

"Most of these people are not even Shadows." she told her compatriots. "They're just hired guns."

"Shadow Hunter here." came Adrian's voice through the radio. "Making my way down to the lobby. I've taken down six assassin's already. How's it going outside?"

"None of the ones we're engaging are even League of Shadows." Outrider replied. "Just a bunch of thugs with guns. They're a distraction."

"Make sure the delegates are secure." Adrian growled. "We can't afford to lose them."

The sharpshooter nodded. "Roger that. Cutter, how are the delegates?"

"Secure and being loaded up. We just brought them into the basement parking lot."

"Alright, the boss is his way there. Firebreak, where are you?"

"Fighting a big cyka!" the pyro barked. "It's something like Mammoth with that new venom strain! Don't worry about me, I got this!"

~oOo~

He heard the report and went down to the basement parking lot, linking up with Cutter and other contractors like those from BEAR.

"Status?"

"We're fine. We are the last ones waiting to depart." Boris Popov, owner of Maverick, was the one to speak up. "We cannot thank you all enough for this."

"This alliance is far too important to let it die now." a BEAR contractor spoke. "Not when there is so much at stake. It's about time the world sees that we can also do good."

"And they will." a voice from behind the group of delegates was heard, revealing himself to be Blackjack. "But for tonight, we and the other delegates go to safety so that we can plan our next move. We are now at war."

At the same time, a Stryker APC came in through the entrance.

"Hey!" Drebin called out as he appeared from the hatch. "Get in! Gonna be a bumpy ride!"

"You heard him!" Adrian barked. "Get in!"

"We'll meet you at the Scinfaxi." Blackjack told them. "Do not die, my boy."

Adrian nodded and turned to the BEAR contractors. "Go with them as escort through another vehicle. The rest of us will clean up this mess."

The BEAR commander nodded and shook the Hunter's hand. "Be safe, bratan. We will have drinks after this."

[Count on it, brother.] he answered back in Russian. Once they were gone, he went for his radio. "All units, this is Shadow Hunter. The last of the delegates are safe and on their way to safety. Let's clean up!"

"Very impressive, son of Wonder Woman."

Adrian heard the voice and chuckled turning around to see a woman with short black hair garbed in red and black. "Lady Shiva, the Light's enforcer and the current Sensei of the League of Shadows. I'm absolutely honored."

The woman lost all humor, narrowing her eyes. "It seems that you are indeed well-informed."

"Well I wouldn't have assassinated Queen Bee if I wasn't."

"Such skills would have been invaluable with the League of Shadows."

"I prefer mine."

"A shame."

"For you."

Adrian put his assault rifle away, slung over to his back. His hand then went for the hilt of his sword strapped to his back and unsheathed it, causing Shiva to smirk. His sword was different compared to the one seen back in Happy Harbor. While it was still a single-edged blade, it was much narrower and longer, like a modernized variant of the tang dao saber.

"You do understand."

"More than you know. Cutter, get topside."

"On it, boss." the medic nodded and left.

Now which is better, your Kenjutsu taught by the original Sensei, or that of Hundred Eyes?"

Shiva's eyes widened for a moment before she let out a wide grin. This was indeed a great honor. They stood there, staring at each other before bowing in respect.

~oOo~

The Team had arrived with the battle nearly coming to its close. They saw the Mammoth-like metahuman, defeated by a metahuman with fire abilities. Those that refused to surrender were eliminated, those that did were immediately rounded up and secured, treated humanely under the new code.

"Woah." Kid Flash pointed towards a hooded and masked archer, lobbing explosive arrows at those still fighting. "They got their own Artemis."

"One of Adrian's." Conner said. "I recognize the uniform."

"AAAAAAH!" one of the armed gunmen responsible for the attack tried to fight off the metahuman with fire abilities. Once again, Conner recognized the armor as one of the Hunters.

"Nothing personal." the pyro spoke through his gasmask, speaking in a thick accent. "You should have known who you were dealing with."

"Firebreak!" the archer chastised. "Quit playing around and be done with it."

"Hm." the one called Firebreak grunted and incinerated the assailant, not even caring about the screams he let out.

"By Athena." Wonder Girl gagged, letting out her lunch in the back upon seeing the death.

"Well, well, well!" the archer spotted them. "If it isn't Young Justice. Big brother knew you would come." she then eyed Mage Knight and Sorceress. "And look who it is… surprised you actually brought them along. I heard about what these two did to big brother."

Mage Knight opened his mouth. "We-"

"Save it." she cut Mage Knight off. "If you're here to help then get the civilians to safety. We'll mop up these assholes. I'm Outrider, second-in-command of Hunter Group. The pyro over there who just torched the Mammoth lookalike is Firebreak, you already know our medic Cutter."

The medic gave them a two-finger salute while patching up a wounded CDP contractor, who was giving out a pained groan. "Oh quit whining like a baby. You'll live."

"The enemy is pretty much defeated." Outrider continued. "Like I said, just help with the civilians in getting them to safety."

M'gann and Conner nodded. "We'll do that."

~oOo~

The sound of metal clashing echoed in the underground parking lot as a fierce battle between two swords occurred. With every contact, sparks were made and ever strike was fiercer than the last.

Both combatants parried and swung, twirled and leaped, pushing their martial prowess to the very limits.

"You're good." Shiva chuckled, feeling the adrenaline coursing through her veins as their blades clashed again. "Much better than I expected. To combine the techniques of the dao and jian. The Shifu taught you well."

"And Sensei taught you well." Adrian countered, ducking down and making a sweeping strike with his leg, causing his opponent to jump and leap back. "I expect nothing less of the newest Sensei of the Shadows. You've certainly earned it."

"You honor me with your praise."

"I only speak truth."

Another set of clashes were made, sparks flying with every contact. Adrian dropped down to his knees and slid forward, dodging and parrying the strike made by the Shadows' sensei, then coming back to his feet, countering with a downward strike that Shiva quickly parried.

Both were sweating.

"You held back against Sundowner." she accused. "Didn't you?"

"I underestimated him as I had defeated him before with relative ease." he scoffed, dropping down into a stance before making another strike before having to block his opponent's. "In doing so, I nearly brought dishonor to my mentor. A simple yet potentially lethal mistake that I won't be making again."

Shiva smirked. "Indeed. One learns from their mistakes."

She then made it more interesting and ran for the entrance of the parking lot. And like graceful birds, they leaped into the air and clashed.

~oOo~

CLANG

The loud clashing of metal was heard all around. From those of the Young Justice as some had called them, to the soldiers of the Pact, and the media, they witnessed something so incredible that no word could describe its majesty.

Mage Knight saw this and tried to intervene.

"NO!" Outrider stopped him with her arm blocking his way.

"But he needs help!" Sorceress cried out in protest.

"He needs no help from the likes of you." Outrider spat. "This is a duel of honor. You will not interfere."

Adrian dropped back down onto the ground and assumed his combat stance, kneeling down slightly with his blade over his shoulder and both hands on the hilt. Shiva did the same, both hands grasping the hilt of her sword, eyes narrowed but with a smirk adorning her face.

And then in one fell swoop, both charged and struck, passing by with a mighty swing. All was still for a moment, then Adrian's left arm fell right off, electricity and smoke coming off. A cut was scene on Shiva's cheek. Her eyes widened as she felt the wound.

"Well then, you actually managed to draw blood. I will declare this a draw, though you have won the battle."

"This is far from over, Shiva."

"Indeed."

The Shadows' sensei dropped a smoke bomb onto her feet and disappeared into the smoke. When the smoke cleared and all that was left was Adrian, he dropped to one knee with a gasp, using his sword to support him. He was exhausted from that fight. Even with the augmentations he had, Shiva is truly a force to be feared. That pushed him to the limits.

"Boss!" Cutter called out.

"I'm fine!" he barked. "Look after the wounded!"

"Woah." Kid Flash muttered, his eyes like stars. "THAT IS SO CRASH!"

He snickered. "Well I'm glad that I was able to entertain you."

"That was amazing!" Wonder Girl exclaimed. "I mean… you are Wonder Woman's son after all."

"Being her son has nothing to do with it, Wonder Girl." he muttered, then looked at the sparkling stub that used to be his left arm, sighing at the pathetic sight of it. "Well… gotta have to get a new one."

"Few people can even match up to Lady Shiva." M'gann told him.

"She was still the better sword user." he stated. "I got lucky. Outrider, how many dead at our side?"

"A dozen KIA." the archer replied. "Several more wounded."

He sighed once again. "We'll honor them and send them back to their families. Radio for transport, time for us to link up with our leaders."

"Yes sir."

He turned to the Team, eyeing Mage Knight and Sorceress momentarily before turning to the martian and half-Kryptonian. "I suppose you guys will handle the rest?"

They nodded. "We can take it from here, Adrian."

"Thanks." he exhaled, a breath of relief as he felt like a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "It's been a long night. All units, this is Shadow Hunter. Victory is ours."

The CDP forces let out loud cheers, raising their weapons high.

"Outrider, help me up. I can't move so well."

The archer nodded, a smile on her face. "You got it, big brother. Firebreak, get off your ass and help me get him up!"

"Yeah, yeah." the pyro chuckled and quickly helped his commander up. "That was a hell of a fight, brother."

"Just shut up and drag me across the field to that ambulance."

~oOo~

Unknown Location.

"This is disappointing, Lady Shiva." Lex Luthor sneered. "You failed to kill ANY of the targets. You couldn't even kill Wonder Woman's whelp."

"My Shadows were already dead when they tried to get him." Shiva calmly spoke. "He's a lot better than any of us expected."

Luthor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Surely your Shadows are more than a match for a common mercenary?"

"A mercenary with metahuman abilities that manipulates dark matter as well as having extensive training programs and augmentations courtesy of Cadmus's super soldier project." Slade Wilson, known as Deathstroke, mocked the bald man. "Not to mention having gotten even more training as well as a team of equally equipped soldiers. ALL of them are Cadmus projects that were 'liberated'."

Luthor frowned. "I will not be mocked, Deathstroke."

"Order, please." Vandal Savage spoke. "Shiva, explain the skill of Adrian Prince?"

"We were equally matched." Shiva continued. "His skill in the Wushu arts and sword are something I did not expect. He simply underestimated Sundowner and I doubt that will happen again. But what I found out about Adrian Prince is even more shocking."

Vandal narrowed his eyes. "Do tell."

"He is a disciple of Hundred Eyes."

That got the immortal man's eyes to widen in absolute shock. "Impossible."

Shiva shook her head. "I saw no lie in his eyes, Vandal."

Luthor and the other members of the Light, aside from Deathstroke and Shiva, turned to Vandal.

"Who is this Hundred Eyes?" Luthor asked.

"A ghost."

NA: And there we have it for Chapter 4! Hope you all enjoyed it!