Poor Joseph Martin. He was once a fighter. Trained in boxing and several forms of mixed martial arts. That was until doctors founds some irregularities in his lungs. He went to STAR Labs to get special treatment. But while he was there, a leak occurred that infected him. This chemical he took in altered his body. Increasing his strength but affecting his sanity. It also melted his skin and gave him a green fiery glow around his face. Now he was wreaking havoc inside the halls of STAR as the Atomic Skull.
"Stone, STONE! Look what you've done to me!" Atomic Skull screams out.
Silas Stone, the head of STAR Labs Metropolis runs through the halls, locking himself in the lab. It is the most fortified room in the building.
"You can't hide in there forever Stone!" Atomic Skull yells out.
Skull begins punching at the door. The door is a foot thick of steel. Skull's punches make minor dents, but they'll add up over time.
"I only tried to help you Joe, I'm sorry that leak occurred." Silas yells out.
Atomic Skull continues to punch at the door. Eventually, Skull's fist knocks a hole through the door.
"Here I come." Atomic Skull says.
Just as the Atomic Skull is about to make his way through the door, he is pulled back and thrown down the hallway. He looks up and sees the flowing red cape of Superman.
"Grr, Superman, get out of here, this doesn't concern you." Atomic Skull says.
"You need help." Superman says.
"No, I need revenge." Atomic Skull says as he lunges at Superman.
Superman is able to punch him back down to the ground.
"Grr." Atomic Skull growls.
Skull raises his arm and aims it at Superman. He releases a blast of green fire from his hand. The blast knocks Superman off his feet. Atomic Skull gets up and jumps on top of Superman. He begins punching at Superman's face. Superman is finally able to block and throw Atomic Skull off. Atomic Skull quickly rises back to his feet and charges again.
Skull is a trained fighter he knows how to handle himself. And his enhanced strength makes him a match for Superman. But Superman knows how to fight too. Superman keeps his guard up and blocks Atomic Skull's punches. He waits for his moment to strike, then he finds his opening. Superman rocks Atomic Skull with an uppercut, knocking him to the ground. Silas Stone rushes over and sprays Atomic Skull with some sort of foam. Whatever it is, it's able to incapacitate Skull until the Metropolis PD arrive on the scene.
Dan Turpin and Maggie Sawyer take Atomic Skull into custody. Superman stays back to talk with Silas Stone.
"You okay?" Superman asks.
"I'm fine." Silas says curtly.
Silas never had been too warm to Superman.
"Do you need help rebuilding?" Superman asks.
"We'll take care of it." Silas says.
"How did this happen Stone?" Superman asks, giving a more curt response himself now.
"I'll have to look into it." Stone says.
Superman turns to leave, but then he turns back.
"You know, today is a big day for your son." Superman says.
"Victor doesn't want to see me." Silas says.
Superman turns and flies off.
Superman wasn't lying when he said it was a big day for Silas's son. Silas's son, Victor, aka Cyborg was to be inducted into the Justice League today. The ceremony was taking place in Washington DC. It was occurring at the Hall of Justice. The Justice League's new headquarters following the destruction of the watchtower at the hands of Brainiac a few months earlier. This is what Superman always envisioned for the league, a headquarters on Earth where the league could be in touch with the people they've sworn to protect.
While Batman agreed about the Halls use, he also argued a space station was still needed for cosmic threats and had commissioned a new watch tower to be constructed.
But today was about the Hall of Justice. Superman arrives in Washington DC in time for the opening ceremonies. Tons of press is there for such an event. Lois is there for the Planet, Iris West-Allen is there for her Central City Citizen paper, even Cat Grant is there for her recently launched CatCo blog.
Superman is greeted behind the stage by fellow leaguers: Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern. Batman was unable to make it today.
A thin woman with dark hair and green eyes takes the stage.
"Good day, my name is Catherine Cobert and I am the new liaison to the Justice League. Five months ago, the Earth was rocked by a devastating attack brought on by the alien menace known as Brainiac. This cyber-attack was thwarted by the brave actions brought on by the heroes of Earth collectively known as the Justice League. In the battle to save the planet, the Justice Leagues space watch tower was destroyed. But from destruction often comes creation. And that is why it is my honor to introduce all of you to the new public headquarters of the Justice League, the Hall of Justice."
"We're on." Wonder Woman says.
The crowd erupts in applause as the League takes the stage. Superman approaches Miss Cobert and shakes her hand. He makes sure to pose for an extra second to ensure that Jimmy can get a picture. Clark may have his issues with the Daily Planet recently, but he still wanted his friends to succeed in their careers. Superman then approaches the podium.
"Thank you all for coming out today. This hall standing behind me has been a dream of mine for some time. I have always tried to use my powers to help others and have been lucky enough to meet other like-minded individuals. When Doomsday occurred and I was presumed dead, the heroes of Earth band together to form this, Justice League. In the time since the league's inception, our goal has been to protect this planet. I hope that we have lived up to that. And I hope we continue to live up to that goal. Today, it is my honor to introduce the newest members of the league, first is Cyborg." Superman says.
Cyborg walks onto the stage. The crowd is unsure of what to make of him at first. There is a slow clap, that eventually becomes a polite applause. Cyborg makes his way to the podium.
"Th-thank you." He begins.
He was nervous, this was the most public Victor Stone had been since his accident.
"Some of you may know me from my time with the Titans. It is my- my honor to be here today with the league of justice- er I mean Justice League." Cyborg says.
Cyborg doesn't know what else to say. Superman can tell how nervous he is. Superman then cuts in.
"Cyborg was instrumental in stopping Brainiac's invasion a few months ago, we could not have won without him." Superman says.
The crowd erupts in applause. Superman steps forward to shake Cyborg's hand, and the two pose for a picture. Cyborg steps aside in a huge sigh of relief that that is over.
"Our next new member is Aquaman. I know what some of you are thinking, isn't Aquaman already part of the league. Well, the answer is yes. Authur Curry, the king of Atlantis was part of the league. However, he has elected to step away from the league to tend to his duties as king. In his place he has bestowed the title of Aquaman to his apprentice, Kaldur'ahm." Superman explains.
The crowd applauses again as Kaldur takes the stage. This applause was a little more genuine than for Cyborg. Kaldur'ahm takes the podium.
"Thank you, Superman. The title of Aquaman is not one I take lightly. I hope to uphold the ideals that my king has instilled in me. I am also greatly honored by my induction into the Justice League. I hope to live up to their ideals of upholding justice and security for the citizens of this planet. And I hope to continue in my king's mission for peace between the sea and surface world." Kaldur says.
The crowd applauses as Kaldur leaves the podium.
"So, there you have it, that is the new Justice League." Catherine Cobert says.
The crowd cheers.
Next comes the ceremonial cutting of the red ribbon to open the Hall of Justice. The Flash got the honor of cutting the rope. The Flash takes the scissors and cuts the ribbon officially opening the Justice Leagues new headquarters.