CHAPTER 8: DISCUSSION

WATCHTOWER MEETING ROOM, EARTH'S ORBIT

After revealing the existence of aliens that are living on Earth for years thanks to the Forever Knights' assault earlier, especially without the notice of the Justice League nor the humans, the founding members are in a serious discussion about what to do with the aliens that are living on Earth.

"They can't stay here," said Batman, getting straight to the point as usual.

"Now that's one way to solve a problem." said Hal sarcastically.

"People will be afraid about something that they don't understand."

"We aliens are people too." Martian Manhunter is offended by Batman's rejections.

"Believe me J'onn, I understand your point." said Superman, speaking up for the first time. "But it's not safe for these aliens to be here on Earth."

"I'm with J'onn," said Wonder Woman. "They have already lived among us for a very long time and we have no right to force them to leave their homes."

Flash spoke up then, "So what's their story? How didn't we know that these aliens lived among us when the alien-dinosaurs were invading Earth?" What Flash meant was the Triceratons, who had invaded Earth months ago, but defeated by the Galactic Guardians and the Justice League.

"Maybe they hide themselves very well," suggested Hal. But it was clear from his tone that he wasn't even convincing himself. "For a hidden city, they kept themselves invisible from us and the Triceratons."

"True," agreed Batman. "But that still doesn't change the fact that some of them may be planning to take over the Earth in the future."

"Why don't you ask Hawkgirl and the other 'alien members' in our club that?" asked Aquaman sarcastically.

Batman didn't bother to reply, but glaring at Aquaman.

"But we can't keep on protecting them," Cyborg reminded them. "We didn't form this club to be 'the world's police force'."

"I agree with you on that one, Victor," Flash told the youngest founder. "I'm sure that Iris would say the same thing. Besides, I work for the CCPD, I know what it's like to be one of the cops. No matter how fast I run, I can't possibly protect the whole world."

Flash, as known as Barry Allen, was working at CCPD (Central City Police Department) as a forensic scientist.

"So you're saying you wouldn't try?" asked the Amazon princess skeptically, clearly not happy with Flash's statement.

"Whoa, whoa, easy there, Princess," said Flash, then as if trying to reassure her and defend himself he added. "That's not what I meant."

WATCHTOWER CAFETERIA

Ben, dressed as Omni Knight, was sitting with Supergirl eating a bowl of pasta. As Ben was chewing, he realised that she was depressed about something. "What's wrong? You're not touching your food?"

"My cousin and the other founders are having an argument about what to do about those aliens," Kara told him. "I'm not surprised that Batman wants them to go, but I can't believe Kal agrees with him."

"Hold up." says Omni Knight. "Aren't you and your cousin aliens?"

Supergirl nodded. "Several of our members are aliens too, and the Titans have some too."

"You mean Superboy, Starfire, and Miss Martian right?" asked Omni Knight.

She nodded. "Kal's usually the one preaching tolerance, not giving into Batman's paranoia."

Ben nodded. He hadn't worked with them for long, but that certainly seemed to be the case.

However, before he could reply, a speaker boomed out over the room.

WATCHTOWER MEETING ROOM

"We have a situation in New York," announced a voice for the speakers.

Immediately, the founding members disbanded the meeting and hurried for the monitor deck.

WATCHTOWER MONITOR DECK

Flash, Superman, Cyborg, and Martian Manhunter arrive on the monitor deck first.

"What's wrong?" Superman asked the Justice League staff members working on the computers.

"We've got protests in New York City," one of them explained. "Something about an underground 'hidden city' below New York. I'm putting up a live feed."

On the screen, protestors surrounded a large hole that exposed Undertown to the world.

"You humies really need to work on your 'welcoming gestures'," said a voice behind the group.

When they turned to look, they saw Titano standing behind him, eating chips while watching the news feed. *CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH*.

"That's because they're afraid of these aliens." explained Superman.

NEW YORK CITY ALLEY

A man in a hoodie was in the alley talking on his watch-comm. "Everything is according to plan, my lord. We've planted the bomb just as you ordered "

It reveals that the Forever Knights are the ones who planted the bomb to create a large hole, to reveal the existence of aliens beneath New York City.

"Excellent, keep me updated." says the man from the watch-comm speaker

"As you command." the man in the hoodie replied.

FOREVER KNIGHTS' SECRET HIDEOUT

The Forever King was wearing a white high-tech suit, with a black cape, and three horns on, as he switched off the radio, he sensed someone coming up behind him and turned to face them.

It was his secret supplier and financier, Lena Luthor. "I told you this plan would work," she told him with a smirk.

"Don't push your luck, woman." warned the Forever King.

"With all due respect, let's not forget that the L-Corp are the ones who have been supplying you all the resources you need." Lena reminds the Forever King why the king needs her.

"I don't think I appreciate your tone."

"And I don't appreciate that my weapons are randomly used for your personal propaganda, while I'm here running cleaning up the mess that you and your knights have made."

Finally, Lena puts Forever King in his place. "I don't have to remind you that you're nothing without my backing." reminds Lena as she walks away from the Forever King.

WATCHTOWER

Back at the Watchtower monitor deck, Martian Manhunter immediately looks towards Superman, Flash, and Cyborg. "Superman, Flash, and I will go down there and talk to the press." Then, he changed his attention towards Cyborg. " Cyborg, you will be on monitor duty."

"Again?" asked Cyborg. He'd been on monitor duty yesterday and for hours today as well, but the other founders left before he could say anymore. "Fine…"

A minute or so later, Omni Knight - who had stopped to stash his pasta in one of the fridges - and Supergirl rushed onto the deck. "Whoa, what happened there?" asked Omni Knight.

"We're not sure," said Cyborg. "All we do know is that the humans now know about Undertown as you and Question called it."

NEW YORK CITY

The three heroes stood at the podium urging calm, but people were still protesting, despite their best efforts, and now reporters were beginning to gather.

"Superman, G. Gordon Godfrey, GBS… are there any more secrets that you are not telling us?"

"It's not about 'keeping secrets'," replied Superman. "These aliens mean no harm, they're people like us who just want a home."

"So, is there any chance these aliens are trying to secretly take over?" asked Godfrey, sceptically. "Just like those dinosaur-like aliens a few months ago?"

"We have no reason to believe that these aliens pose any threat to humanity," explained Superman. "They have been living among us far longer than you think… they're not our enemies." Then, remembering some advice that Pa had given him… that you can never win by using hate against hate, he added. "I understand that you're scared… but instead of building walls, we need to reach beyond our differences and come to an understanding amongst each other."

Far from the crowd around Superman, the hooded-man was contacting his superior, the Forever King, from his watch-comm. "It seems that Superman is calming things down, my lord. What's your next order?"

"Let's put these aliens in their place."

The hooded-man contacted the remaining knights, who were in position. "Prepare to strike."

Seconds later, several knights approached the crowd around Superman, drew grenade launchers from bags and fired them into the crowd, enveloping them in tear gas, causing them to panic or try and take cover in the surrounding buildings.

Flash tried to clear the gas away by spinning his arms to create a tornado, but the Forever Knights fired some more grenades at him.

*KABOOM*

Knocking Flash off his feet and into unconsciousness.

Superman and Martian Manhunter moved to help him, but before they could they were by more Forever Knights. J'onn, can you read their minds?

J'onn didn't reply, but when reached for them, he found the way blocked. He glanced at his team-mate. Their helmets are blocking my telepathy.

Then we'll just have to do things the hard way!, thought Superman. Then he raised his foot and stomped the ground.

*BOOM*

The street cracked and windows shattered, as the ground shook knocking several knights off their feet.

WATCHTOWER

But the two heroes' reprieve didn't last long, and they were soon surrounded by several more Knights.

"I'm going down there!" declared Supergirl and took off, heading for the teleporter.

"Kara, wait!" yelled Ben and hurried down to try and catch up with her before she reached the teleporters.

But he was too slow, as Hawkman and Hawkgirl were already at the teleporter. "Coming, Supergirl?" asked Hawkgirl with a grin, ready to give the knights a major ass-whooping.

"Definitely!" declared the young Kryptonian and the trio disappeared, bound for New York.

NEW YORK CITY

The three heroes appeared in a flash, with Hawkman leading the charge towards their fallen comrades as soon as it faded.

But a moment later, two mounted knights approached on their mechanical walkers. "Fire the cannons!" ordered the first.

Both knights opened fire, raining green beams down on Superman and Supergirl, causing them to scream in pain and collapse.

"NOO!" Hawkgirl yelled, and flew towards the walkers, swinging her Nth-Metal mace.

*K-TOONG*

*K-TOONG*

The furious attack took the Knights by surprise for a moment, but they quickly rallied, and drew out metal bolas and threw them at both Thanagarians, binding them and releasing electrical charges.

*BZZZZTTT*

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Moments later, Martian Manhunter was down too, felled by the electric gloves of another Knight.

"Let's finish them off!" declared one of the knights, and the others murmured agreement. But before they could act, a message echoed over their comms.

"Wait! We will have our opportunities to kill them, but I need them alive."

"Yes, my lord!" said the knight.

Then, the knight's aircraft landed on the ground, and they carried the unconscious heroes onboard. THey were just about to leave when Omni Knight, Rook, Lucky Girl, and Hal Jordan teleported in in a beam of light.

"Let them go!" Omni Knight yelled, then activated the Ultimatrix to transform into Armodrillo.

Armodrillo is a yellow ten-feet-tall alien with an armored, partially translucent robot body with a head like a two-eared Corinthian helmet, a gray tail and jackhammer parts on his elbows, wrists and hands.

Several Knights charged back out of the aircraft, heading towards Armodrillo. But before they could reach him, he placed his hands on the ground and pumped the jackhammer pistons.

*RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE*

The Knights were knocked off balance, allowing Rook - armed with his Proto-Tool in Staff Mode - to press the advantage.

More Knights appeared but by this time Lucky Girl had joined them and using her powers to form pink tentacles of mana to throw them around.

NEW YORK AIRSPACE.

The Forever Knight's aircraft had taken off while some of their team engaged the heroes, but Hal was on their tail. They fired missiles towards him and tried to bring up a shield, but a second volley destroyed it.

Before he could counterattack, several Knights on hover-cycles flew out of the craft, firing energy-lances. He dodges the lance attacks, and when they were turning around for another pass, he used the opening to form an "energy fist" that he used to knock them from their saddles.

They were out of the game, but by the time he had secured them, the aircraft had got away.

NEW YORK CITY STREET

When Hal rejoined the group, Omni Knight immediately noticed that Hal only carried his captured Knights and there was no sign of their team-mates. "Please tell me you didn't just let them get away…" he snarled as he marched towards the Green Lantern.

Hal nodded, "I did everything I could, but..."

"Perhaps we should make one of the Knights talk," suggested Rook, clearly trying to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand.

"You fools! We would rather die than betray our cause!"

But Lucky Girl - who'd been binding the Knights in mana - replied, eyes glowing pink. "We're not asking."

Seconds later, she'd scanned the armors, and had her answer. "I've found them."

DUNGEON, FOREVER KNIGHTS' MANSION, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

Then, the Forever King came down towards the dungeon to visit his prisoners.

"Hey, why don't you come down here and fight the woman to scrap heap huh!?"

"Kara, keep calm, losing your temper isn't going to help." Superman told his cousin, like her and the other three heroes, he wore specifically programmed power-dampening cuffs and inhibitor collars.

"Yes, child… Losing your temper will not make things better."

"What do you want?" Hawkman goes straight to the point.

"I'll make things simple." Explained the Forever King. "The Knights are here to protect the world from the abomination of aliens that have been infecting this world." Then he continues as he looks closer towards Superman. "I still can't believe that we humans kept relying on an alien to be our guardian angel. Your death will come soon, in public execution. To prove that the world no longer needs aliens to infest this planet for its 'protection'."

At that moment, two Knights entered, dragging another captive. The Tamarean hero and Titan Starfire was unconscious and wearing an inhibitor collar.

"No…" muttered Supergirl, as the two Knights restrained the other teen.

MID AIR, ATLANTIC OCEAN, JAVELIN

Omni Knight, Rook, Lucky Girl, Flash, Hal Jordan, Captain Atom and Miss Martian of the Teen Titans are on board the Javelin. Omni Knight was in the pilot seat with Hal on the right.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" asked Omni Knight skeptically.

"Positive." replied Lucky Girl

He didn't want to show his feelings, but he's worried about his girlfriend and what the knights were doing to her.

Lucky Girl got up from her seat and touched her cousin's shoulder to comfort him. "Don't worry, Ben. Kara's a tough girl, she'll be fine and we'll rescue her and the others. It's what we do."

"Just take your seat, Gwen. We're almost there." said Omni Knight evenly, not wanting to show weakness.

FOREVER KNIGHTS' MANSION, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

The Javelin landed out of sight of the mansion, then Omni Knight and Rook approached and used their binoculars to scout the mansion's security, then returned to the group.

"Okay, we can't just barge into the mansion," said Omni Knight. "If we get spotted... and we probably will if we do that... the more likely they'll kill our friends."

"Okay, then we take the stealthy approach," said Hal. Captain Atom, standing at his side, nodded in agreement.

"But the Knights have a satellite dish that can intercept our radios." explained Omni Knight reminded them, then glanced at Miss Martian. "Which is why we're lucky we've got you along."

Miss Martian just nodded, Everyone online?

Copy, replied the rest of the team.

And finally, Omni Knight looks towards Hal and Captain Atom. Hal, Captain, I think you should stay here.

"What?!" demanded Hal, clearly offended.

Ben means no disrespect, said Rook. Neither of you are optimised for stealth.

"Who the hell put him in charge anyway?" protested Hal.

Hal, they're right! said Flash.

"But…" Hal began, but paused, less willing to argue with one of his oldest friends.

And we don't have time for an argument.

They have a point, added Captain Atom. Besides, less people is better for sneaking in.

Great, now we have an understanding. Omni Knight replied sarcastically. He might not be a founding member like Hal or Flash, but he had been taught about how to be a leader by Tetrax.

(FLASHBACK) 7 YEARS AGO, TETRAX'S SPACESHIP, SOMEWHERE IN SPACE

Rook was piloting the spaceship and Tetrax and Ben were in the back, talking privately.

"You know, I'm a little surprised." Tetrax said, thinking back to their battle with the Incurseans. "A young boy who had never seen battle before, but quickly made a fast and wise decision in battle."

"Maybe it was just instinct?"

"Maybe I can teach you how to be a leader."

"I'm not a leader!"

"Then I'll turn you into one." replied Tetrax darkly.

Ben said nothing.

(BACK TO THE PRESENT) FOREVER KNIGHTS' MANSION, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

With Hal and Captain Atom on lookout, Omni Knight, Lucky Girl, Rook, Miss Martian and the Flash approached the mansion.

Ben used the Ultimatrix to transform into Nanomech and then flew into an exhaustion vent.

Rook crept up behind the look-out and took him down silently, allowing him and the others to enter, Flash quickly taking the lead, with Rook following behind him, while Lucky Girl and Miss Martian reached out with their powers.

Hmm, nothing in this room. Flash thought, as he and Rook searched door-to-door.

Nothing in here either. thought Rook.

Nanomech flew out of another exhaust vent and headed for the security control room.

When he reached it, he was easily able to dodge the guard on duty and get into the control panel to do a little rewiring.

"What the hell.." muttered the knight, as his cameras went out one by one.

But before he could figure out what to do, Nanomech had left the panel and transformed into Goop, bound the knight and suffocated him with slime.

That was close. thought Goop, as he eyed the unconscious Knight.

What was that? thought Rook suspiciously

Nevermind replied Goop telepathically.

They're down here! Both girls thought telepathically, as they located the captured heroes.

Flash, Lucky Girl and Miss Martian require assistance.

Right away, Rook. said Flash and rushed towards Lucky Girl and Miss Martian's location, arriving about a second later, and the trio quickly broke in.

It was set out like a studio with the captured heroes, still bound and collared kneeling down on a stage, ready to be executed on live television.

"Welcome," said the Forever King, his voice dripping with casual confidence. "I have been expecting you."

Thanks to the telepathic link, Hal and Captain Atom were able to hear what was going on.

Now do we go in? demanded Hal.

Now we go in, agreed Captain Atom. Prepare for a distraction!

They waited for a few seconds and then opened fire on the mansion, energy blasts streaming from them to crash against the building.

It took a couple of volleys, but eventually Knights began streaming out of the building and moving to counterattack.

However, down in the studio, the Forever King wasn't bothered by the distraction and as Lucky Girl, Miss Martian and Flash burst into the room he pushed a button on his wrist, activating an electric floor, and shocking the trio.

"That was a neurosynaptic discharge." Forever King told the disabled trio. "It blocks sensory motor functions pretty quickly."

As he began to form an energy pulse in his hand and was about to blast the trio when Diamondhead burst into the room, and then leapt at the Forever King and tackled him to the ground with a crash. "Next time if you want to broadcast live television, try to broadcast something that is 'kid-friendly'," quipped Diamondhead.

Seconds later, the Forever Ninja entered and tried to come to their lord's aid. The warrior wore brownish-maroon armor with a utility belt and a shoulder pad on its right shoulder with the Forever Knights' logo on it and it has a yellow v-shaped eyepiece.

However, the arrival of Rook diverted the warrior, the Revonnahgander kicked the Forever Ninja away from Diamondhead, but the villain quickly recovered, drew its dual-energy swords and took a fighting pose. Rook switched his Proto-tool to Energy Sword mode and moved to attack his foe. Finally, both of them clash towards each other.

An energy blast from the Forever King blasts Diamondhead away from crashing against a wall, almost breaking through it.

L-CORP JET.

Meanwhile, Lena Luthor was sitting on her seat and holding her touch-pad, watching the Forever King fighting Diamondhead and Rook fighting the Forever Ninja, while her assistant, Mercy Graves, was sitting across from her.

"Who needs Netflix or HBO Max when I can watch these idiots killing each other?" Lena asked Mercy as she watched the battle on her tablet.

Mercy, sitting in a chair across from her boss, didn't comment but took another sip of her champagne, pausing for a moment to savor it.

FOREVER KNIGHTS' MANSION, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

Diamondhead blocked a blast from the Forever King with a crystalline shield but was still knocked backwards. But he quickly got and fired back at the villain, sending a hail of crystal shards in him.

"I shall wipe out every alien being on Earth!" threatened the Forever King, as he easily blocked Diamondhead's counterattack.

"Dude, this is the part where I tell you that is not gonna happen." replied Diamondhead, and then transformed into Feedback. The Conductoid leapt towards the Forever King and easily absorbed the Forever King's energy shield.

On the other side of the room, Rook had finally gotten the upper hand and stabbed the Forever Ninja with his energy sword, taking him down. The Revonnahgander quickly switched the Proto-tool to gun mode and fired at the electrified floor, freeing Lucky Girl, Miss Martian and the Flash.

Feedback used his antennae and his tail to plug into the Forever King's high-tech armour and absorb its energy, disabling it and then releasing it into the ceiling.

"You… think… this is over?" asked the king weakly as he tried slowly to get up on his feet. "The knights will..."

*TONG*

The king was hit in the head by a stick and fell down, unconscious.

"Shut up, dude." Nightwing stood at the entrance to the room, and he was joined moments later by Batman, Hal Jordan, Captain Atom, Zeno, Titano, Ester, Superboy, and Beast Boy.

An hour later, the authorities arrive to arrest the knights on charges of murder and various other crimes.

"I knew you'd come," Supergirl said to Omni Knight.

"Hey, what are friends for?" Omni Knight replied cockily.

"I thought we're more than friends?" Supergirl replies back in a flirty tone.

"Ahem…" Superman interrupted. "We're just about to leave."

But Supergirl was smiling towards Omni Knight, and under his helmet, Omni Knight is also smiling back at Supergirl.

A FEW DAYS LATER, THE UNITED NATION

Superman stands behind a podium with Wonder Woman, Cyborg and Martian Manhunter flanking him.

"I know what it's like to be different," he began. "I may look like a human, but I'm not. I am an alien, and I always will be. As you can see, there's no species like me in this universe that are equal. But even aliens are people too, as they have the rights to live and breathe like us. Instead of building barriers, we should connect and understand each other to have a better chance of being at peace between humans and other races."

TENNYSONS' RESIDENCE, NEW YORK

"Someone should make your cousin into a politician." joked Ben, glancing at Kara who sat beside him on the couch.

"Kal-El's already making changes as a reporter too, you know." replied Kara, as she's leaning next to Ben. "That's why I've always looked up to him."

Ben replied with a smile, then got interrupted by Gwen who used her smart-phone to take a picture of Ben and Kara.

"Gwen, what the hell?!"

"Aww…" Gwen teased. "Don't forget to kiss."

"Why don't you get a boyfriend?!" Ben retorted.

Gwen only replied by sticking her tongue out.

Kara just giggled watching how immature the human cousins could be.

ONE WEEK LATER, LEXCORP, METROPOLIS

Lena was caught by criminal charges for aiding and supplying the Forever Knights after the League was tipped off by an anonymous tipper. It reveals that the anonymous tip was from Lex Luthor, who wanted his sister to be out of the picture, as he took back what it's rightfully his; LexCorp, as he changed back from L-Corp.

"My sister and the Forever Knights are out of the picture, Superman welcomes aliens on Earth, and things are getting better." declared Lex Luthor as he poured liquid into the three glasses. "Thanks to the Justice League, of course. We're going to have a stronger connection to our extraterrestrial allies from the stars... and we were just getting started."

He turned to offer two of the glasses to his guests.

"To us," declared Vandal Savage and lifted his glass for a toast, then Lex and Ra's al Ghul joined him.

THE END OF CHAPTER 8