A/N: I'm finally posting this at almost 1am. I'm exhausted but I had t get this postedl so help me. A slight case of writer's block, school, work, hw, and other things kept me away. I did write a chapter yesterday but I realized it was too early in the fic for it so I shelved it and posted this one instead. It's short because the next chapter is going to contain both Courts and possibly an extra tidbit from the Greeks. Also, I'll have more time to write it. ^^; In the meantime, enjoy.

Chapter summary: In which the Dark Triad returns to base and the Balance and the Light call their Courts into session, with an extra observer or two

Readying for Court

"He's a dragon!"

"What's a dragon?" Hawkgirl exclaimed, staring at the new arrivals in surprise.

Flash bolted over to the winged woman, grabbed her arms, and shook her in his exuberant excitement. "He's a dragon, Shayera. A dragon!"

Hawkgirl threw the flailing superhero off of her and attempted to hold him still. "Barry! Calm down," she commanded. When the speed demon finally stopped vibrating, she relaxed her hold on his arms. "Now, what is a dragon?"

"He is."

"Who?"

"Osiris!"

Kaiba jolted up from leaning on the exercise equipment and whirled to stare at Flash in in barely concealed shock. "You summoned him?" he demanded.

The Pharaoh shrugged. "He was adamant I do so. Luthor succeeded in trespassing on the souls of everyone in my Triad which indirectly resulted in the trespass on Osiris. It's highly probable he would have summoned himself to the Game had I not summoned him."

"But in front of them-"

"He's a fucking dragon!"

"Oh do shut up," Marik said, stepping up from behind his Pharaoh. "You are vastly annoying."

"Marik," Mai chirped. "You're back."

"Whoopie," Jounouchi groaned.

Marik smirked, strolled over to the Knight of the Light Triad currently sprawled comfortably on the couch, and plopped down to join him. "Well, well," he said. "If it isn't the Knight in shining armour. And where were you during my rescue? Didn't you miss me?"

A tan hand reached out and tapped the glaring blonde's nose and unleashed his Shadows. Jounouchi shrieked and all but flew off the couch, darting away to duck behind a surprised Yuugi. "His Shadows are back! The crazy lunatic's back."

"Oh good," Shaadi said calmly. "Your Penalty has been lifted."

Marik snickered. "Well, I think I can say without a shadow of a doubt I feel much better now." He waved back to the Justice League who were eyeing him with open distrust. "Oi, spandex boy."

"Which one?" Kaiba muttered to which Marik and Bakura chortled.

"Point. Green Lantern," Marik clarified. "No hard feelings for the temporary possession, hm?"

"I'll get back to you on that," Lantern said, leveling a glowing green glare at the Dark Priest who shrugged it off like water off a duck's back.

Wonder Woman shook her head and said to Jounouchi, "It's cowardly to hide behind a leader."

The blonde Shadow user sighed in exasperation. "Dude, it hurts, ok?" He stood warily, still leaning heavily on Yuugi who was giggling at his best friend's antics. "Ya wouldn' un'erstand. That guy's friggin' crazy."

"That guy can hear you," Marik said, crossing his arms in annoyance. "And he is not amused."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"Alright, both of you," Kaiba all but yelled over the ruckus. "Act your age. Marik shut up. Mut-"

"I'M NOT A DOG DAMNIT!"

"-go with the King," Kaiba commanded. "We're holding Court."

Marik immediately backed off to join Yami and Ryou. Court was something no one save those directly involved interfered with. Jounouchi popped up from behind the King with a brilliant smile on his face.

"You mean we can see Handa and Anzu?" he asked, literally bouncing with eagerness.

"Yes, Jounouchi-kun," Yuugi said returning his Knight's smile. "But we have to hurry if we want to catch some sleep tonight."

"And that would be my queue," Diggle said, taking Walter's arm. "Come on. I think Oliver can manage on his own for a few minutes. Besides, he's got to open this place in an hour or so, right?"

Oliver shrugged. "Thereabouts. I'll call you later."

"And Moira?" Walter asked watching his future stepson tense. "What should I tell her?,

"Nothing," Oliver said firmly, forest green eyes hard. "She doesn't get to know anything."

Walter nodded with a heavy heart. "I'll honor that."

Oliver watched his soon-to-be stepfather leave with his best friend thoughtfully. He felt eyes on him and sighed. "It's the right decision," he said.

"I know, kohai."

The vigilante shook his head. "This has been a long couple days."

Kaiba snorted. "You're telling me."

"Don't get all sentimental on me."

"Never."

Batman stopped listening to the conversation between the Regent and Green Arrow in favor of studying Superman who had yet to speak a word since their return. "Are you alright?" he asked, already suspecting the answer.

Superman lifted his eyes and sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure." He lifted his head and stared at the Pharaoh currently deep in conversation with Ryou. "You weren't there, Batman. You didn't see it. The Game, Osiris, the compulsion to bow,-"

"Bow?"

Superman nodded. "Bruce," he said softly. "I've never felt the urge to submit more than I did when Osiris looked at me. He was dark, darker than the Pharaoh by an unfathomable margin." Blue eyes narrowed. "All I can say is I'm sincerely glad he's on our side."

Batman pondered his right hand's words. "So, one down." He glanced at Kaiba and Yuugi. "Two to go."

"If they are anything like Osiris," Superman said, "I can almost say I'm glad I'll be in the Watchtower and not going to the meeting tomorrow."

"About that," Batman said. "We've decided only Kaiba, Shaadi, and Green Arrow will go to the meeting representing the Shadow Court. Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and J'onn will represent the Justice League."

"What about the King and Pharaoh?"

Batman looked at the young King who was settling on the floor with his back against the couch and shuffling a deck of cards. "Kaiba insisted Yuugi and Yami stay back. He said Akhenadin will recognize them on sight and attack them instead of focusing his energy on the Regent."

"He's protecting them," Superman said, some of the tension leaving his form.

The Dark Knight nodded. "Yuugi will be keeping an eye on the area and act as the last line of defense should anything penetrate Pharaoh's Triad's and Diana's defenses. The Pharaoh, myself, Mai, and Jounouchi will be monitoring the actual meeting and act should anything untoward happen."

"I suppose that leaves me in the Watchtower," Superman said, shoulders slumping.

Batman nodded. "I need you to keep our communications flowing smoothly. The last thing we need is for something to happen and we not hear about it until it's too late. And you won't be alone," the Dark Knight added. "Flash will be there with you."

"And Noa."

Batman grimaced. "For once, I'm glad Noa will be there. Chances are we'll be need his expertise soon."

Superman shifted and started walking to the Regent who was also settling on the floor beside Yuugi. "Kaiba," he said, drawing the Regent's attention. "I assume the King informed you of the events at Lex Luthor's."

Kaiba clicked his tongue and muttered something to which Yuugi snickered. "I am and Noa's taking care of it." Electric blue eye flashed up to meet sky blue. "Why?"

Superman would not be intimidated. "Have the authorities been notified?"

"Yes," Yuugi replied. "They arrived about two minutes ago. According to Noa."

"And Luthor's Penalty Game?"

Yuugi shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know what it is or how it has manifested. It was a Penalty enacted by Osiris. The gods are the absolute authority for the Shadows and can do as they wish. I could no more break or ease a Penalty Game started by a god than Kaiba could kiss you."

The Regent squawked, staring at Yuugi in equal parts horror and disgust. "I am not interested in men," he said harshly. "And even if I was, I would kiss that too Light bastard-" Whatever he said after that was in the same language he summoned hsi magic with and did not sound nice. When he stopped talking, Bakura and Marik were clutching their sides in laughter. A distinctly opposite reaction from the Pharaoh and Yuugi who both looked astonished.

"Did Seth teach you that?" Yami demanded in a horrified voice.

Kaiba smirked. "Said he learned it from you."

He held out his arms for Mokuba to crawl into his lap, situating him so the younger boy was comfortable. When Mokuba stilled in his lap, Kaiba reached for his holster and pulled out his Deck. He idly shuffled it waiting for Yami to bring over the rest of the supplies to help ease the way into the trance, deliberately ignoring Superman still standing there.

"Are those Duel Monsters cards?" Green Lantern asked.

Kaiba cast a fleeting look up at the superhero before returning his focus to his Deck. "Yes," he said simply. "You play?"

Green Lantern nodded slowly. "Noa was teaching me before this got serious."

"Implying it wasn't already," Oliver said, coming up to sit cross legged in fron of Kaiba who smirked.

Lantern blushed. "I didn't mean it like that, Oliver."

The vigilante waved a hand back at his friend. "I know you didn't, don't worry." He grinned at Mokuba who shifting, bumping his head gently against his big brother's chin. Anyone who said the Regent had no heart had quite plainly never seen him with his little brother.

"So, what happens now?" Hawkgirl asked, toying absently with her mace hanging from her belt.

"Now," Yuugi said, lifting his head. "My Regent and I will hold Court with our respective Triads to inform them of tomorrow's events. We'll need the entire Court standing by to hold a Full Court and Judgment Game."

"I hardly see how you're going to hold Court when you're missing most your Triad," Wonder Woman said, watching the two Shadow monarchs curiously.

"They will be," Yami said arriving with a bag slung over his shoulder. He set the bag down and pulled out two trays and two incense sticks.

"Kohai," Kaiba said abruptly. "I'll be taking you with me."

Oliver cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Where?"

"To Court." Oliver's other eyebrow lifted and Kaiba snorted. "You need to be formally introduced to the Triad you belong to."

"Do you do this with every new trainee you get?" Hawkgirl asked.

"No," Yami said, placing a small wooden incense holder in front of both Kaiba and Yuugi. "Just ones we think require extra attention or have impressed us in some way, or both as I think is your case."

Kaiba nodded but Oliver still looked confused. "Oh-kay. But it still looks more like we're getting comfortable here, not going out somewhere."

"I never said we were going to Court," Kaiba clarified. "I said we were holding Court. We're bringing it to us,"

"Or us to them," Yuugi added, lips quirking up in a smile.

"Or them to us," Yami added with a cheeky wink. "Just relax, get comfortable, get something to lean against, and take a break."

"I hope ya used the bathroom, buddy," Jounouchi said, settling against the couch to Yuugi's left. "These c'n last a while. I remember my first time. I had to go so freakin' bad it hurt."

"TMI, you stupid idiot," Bakura called from the other side of the room.

Mai laughed as she took up her place on Kaiba's left between her Regent and Yuugi. Shaadi settled down on Kaiba's right. "Don't worry," she said winking. "He's only half serious. But you should come over here and lean against the couch or the wall or something. It can be hard holding your balance while doing this."

"Doing what exactly?" Superman asked.

J'onn knelt by Oliver's side. "I will make sure he does not fall," the Martian said calmly.

Kaiba gazed into golden eyes steadily. The Regent could feel Seth rousing in the back of his mind and also watching J'onn with interest. It bothered the Regent how much Seth noticed the Martian; the way the half soul inside him studied the being from a other world in open fascination. It rubbed him the wrong way.

"Fine," he said curtly. "But if I find my kohai fell over during this, I will make you pay for it."

J'onn nodded serenely. "Understood."

The calm reply irked Kaiba but he was distracted by Yami who lit a match and ignited the two sticks of incense, placing them in their respective holders. Kaiba straightened his back and took a deep breath.

"Whatever happens," the Pharaoh said, "no one can disturb them." He turned fierce crimson eyes on the Justice League. "I and my Triad won't allow any interference in this."

Not surprisingly, it was Wonder Woman who nodded first. "I'm familiar with things like this. It is not uncommon for my people to contact our gods in such a way. You won't have any trouble from me."

"I need a coffee," Flash muttered, wandering over to the coffee pot.

"I'll join you," Green Lantern said, following the speedster.

The Pharaoh nodded but felt for the Spell card Swords of Revealing Light. He hoped it would not come to that, but it was always good to be prepared just in case.

Kaiba carefully shuffled his Deck and placed it on the ground in front of the incense holder. He lifted his eyes to Oliver and held out his hand. "You're not ready to try this on your own yet, kohai."

Oliver placed his hand in Kaiba's and nodded, trusting his Regent to lead him straight. Kaiba grinned briefly before closing his eyes and taking another deep breath of the fragrant air.

"Together?" Yuugi whispered.

Kaiba nodded and together the two monarchs placed their hands on the top card of their Deck. A bolt of divine energy Kaiba knew so well blazed through his body like a lightning bolt brining and soothing his eager Shadows and searing his soul. He felt his head fall back, his body clenching at the sheer power of the god the card represented.

Yanking his consciousness back, Kaiba lowered his head, straightened his back, and began chanting with Yuugi in soft hieratic. His prayer of incantation was different from Yuugi's but just as powerful.

"To the god who upholds the balance," he murmured clearly and succinctly, his mind drowning out Yuugi's similar chant, "guide me to my disciples scattered across the Earth. Let them hear my voice. Preside over this, the Court of the Triad of the Balance great Tormentor, God of Obelisk. This I ask in my name, Set, and witnessed by my Shadows."

The familiar burst of power filled him once more, this time to the breaking point. Kaiba tensed, fighting the urge to shudder in ecstasy. Mokuba placed a small hand on top of his brother arm wrapped protectively around his waist and Kaiba calmed. His eyes opened revealing a milky film that covered his eyeballs like contact lenses. Only this film moved like mist and had the faintest tinge of blue. The eyelids dropped somewhat as the process completed itself.

Beside the Regent, Yuugi's head was thrown back as Ra's power flooded him. The young King reigned in his consciousness and opened his eyes as well. The same film that covered Kaiba's eyes covered his, only Yuugi's was tinged gold. Slowly, one by one, the rest of the group in the circle closed their eyes their breathing slowed, including a certain hanger on from another world who was too curious to pass up the opportunity to observe such a unique event.