Nightwing sits on the couch beside Starfire, the sound of the TV beach scene still playing softly in the background. He glances down at his phone as it buzzes with an alert. His expression sharpens, and he straightens up.
"Great. That's just what we need right now."
Starfire looks over, her curiosity piqued.
"Friend Nightwing, is something wrong?"
Nightwing turns his phone to show her the alert:
Train Hijacked. Alien Weaponry on board.
The attached CCTV footage shows Black Mask's goons unloading crates of alien weapons in the train while armed guards hold passengers hostage.
"Train robbery…" Nightwing said grumbling "Black Mask's crew. Alien weapons and hostages. We've got to move." He sighed "Bart's busy with Flash on something urgent, Aqualad's responding to a crisis in Atlantis, and Miss Martian and Superboy are… out for lunch. In Japan...But we can deal with it." He said speaking more to himself than anyone else.
He looked at Starfire his face more serious "come on let's go."
Starfire tilts her head, puzzled but accepts the explanation. "Very well I shall be of alert the rest!"
"We need to move. Now."
Beast Boy and Thomas sat on the couch, their gaming consoles in hand. On the coffee table, Thomas has a smaller, less destructive construct of Pokémon battling his Absol squaring off against Beast Boy's Gigantamax Charizard.
"Come on, Tommy!" Beast Boy cried sounding more like a child "Just one Gigantamax! You can make it so big! Gigantamax my Charizard! It'd be so cool!"
Thomas sighed and rolled his eyes "Yeah, and then we'll just accidentally blow a hole in the roof. No thanks, BB."
Before Beast Boy can retort, Nightwing strides into the room, phone in hand.
"Game's over, guys. We've got a situation. Black Mask's goons hijacked a train carrying alien weaponry, and they've got hostages."
Thomas immediately powers down his game, the Silver Lantern ring on his hand glowing faintly. As Beast Boy tossed his console aside.
"Alien weapons eh? Sounds like a blast." Thomas said with a laugh
"Finally, some action! Let's go save the day!" Beast Boy cried
"Grab your gear. Meet me in the hangar in two minutes."
Raven is meditating in a dark room quietly, her dark energy swirling faintly around her. When Nightwing calls out to her, her eyes snap open.
"Raven, we need you. Train hijacking, hostages, alien weaponry. You in?" Nightwing said bluntly
Raven rises smoothly, her cloak billowing behind her as she gives him a curt nod.
"When do we leave?"
"Now."
"On it"
The team assembles quickly and soon they were all in the bioship flying over a desert. Starfire, Artemis, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Thomas, and Raven stand ready as Nightwing briefs them.
"The train's heading toward a heavily populated area, but knowing Black mask he probably has guys in the signal box to take it to wherever he wants." Nightwing said "Black Mask's men have control of the cargo and the passenger cars. Their priority is the weapons, but they've taken hostages as leverage. We need to stop that train and neutralize the threat without anyone getting hurt."
"I could hack into their comms and security systems, but I'll need to get close enough first." Cyborg said fiddling with his arm cannon "The train itself not likely but we will cross that bridge when we get there."
Starfire did a mini summersault in the air "Then let us not delay. We must stop them before they cause harm to the innocent!"
"Bet I can take down more goons than you." Beast Boy said leaning into Thomas' ear
"Dream on, BB." Thomas said with a small grin "But let's not destroy the train while we're at it, alright?"
"Focus, guys. Lives are at stake." Artimus said coldly
"500 meters guys" Wonder Girl said at the controls
"Alright, let's move." Nightwing said as the door opened as most of the team leapt into action
The team flies toward the train, the sun glinting off their gear. Starfire and Raven fly side by side, their powers shimmering faintly. Cyborg uses his rocket boosters to keep pace, while Thomas constructs a glowing silver plane to fly himself through the air. Beast Boy takes the form of a hawk, flying just ahead. Wonder Girl, Artemis and Nightwing flew in the bioship overhead.
The train comes into view, a long line of sleek cars speeding down the tracks, with a couple of Black Mask's men perched on top, heavily armed.
"Alright, team. This is our first real test for our new members and something we have dealt with before for the rest." Nightwing said "Let's make it count. This is a coordinated strike. Starfire, Artemis, and I will focus on the hostages. Beast Boy, Raven, Wonder Girl, Silver Lantern, and Cyborg secure the cargo and take out their weapons. Let's move."
"Yes Freind Nightwing" Starfire said energetically "I shall not let you down!"
Winston Smith loved his job. Working on the Golden Rails Express, one of the finest train lines in the entire American continent, had always been his pride for the past 26 years. The train carried everything: cargo, logs, mail, fuel, and passengers from all walks of life from penniless fishermen in Northern Alaska to multi billionaire business men in the very southern tip of Argentina to even a tribesman who's only article of clothing being a loincloth, and possessions being a spear and sheild from a tribe in the rainforest in Brazil. The train accompidated them all.
Winston took his duties seriously, treating everyone with the same level of care and respect, whether it was a billionaire CEO luxuriating in their private gold plated carriage or a single parent struggling in third class. Every passenger deserved to feel valued, whether it be a nice warm meal to a full blown mini orchestra performing a song for them. If they are happy, so is he.
But today was different.
Today, Winston found himself on his knees, trembling, as a man in a black suit with a hideous, grinning mask stared down at him. The man's revolver gleamed ominously in his gloved hand and the sunlight that beamed through the windows, its barrel far too close to Winston's head.
"Now, Mr... Winston." Black Mask spoke with a mocking tone, his head tilting slightly as he read the name tag pinned to Winston's uniform. His voice was icy, condescending, as though Winston was a disobedient child. "I believe you know where…or who…has the key to a certain carriage. You know the one. The very front, behind the engine. You do know what I'm talking about, don't you?"
Winston swallowed hard, his voice shaky but polite, his years of service reflexively taking over. There were protocols to such a thing, and he had practiced them well. "S-Sir, I don't have access to that carriage. Only the head conductor has the key."
Black Mask's grip on the revolver tightened slightly, the weapon moving closer to Winston's temple. He let out a cartoonishly long sigh. "Oh, I know you don't have the key, Winston. But you seem like the kind of man who pays attention. So, I would like to know…where is this head conductor of yours?"
Winston's breath hitched as his eyes darted around the car. The passengers, now huddled at the far end of the carriage, stared at him with terrified, pleading eyes. Several of Black Mask's goons patrolled the aisle, their alien weapons glinting menacingly under the overhead lights.
"H-he's... in the front car..." Winston said gulping "...But please, sir, don't hurt anyone. I'll... I'll take you there myself."
Black Mask laughed, a harsh, grating sound that sent an iceberg down Winston's spine.
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it? Lead the way, Mr. Winston. And remember..."
He crouched slightly, his masked face level with Winston's.
"If you do anything stupid…If I see any strange or any sudden moves, and you'll have a brand-new ventilation system in that pretty little face of yours."
Winston nodded shakily, rising to his feet as Black Mask gestured for him to start walking. The passengers watched in silence, their fear palpable.
Further down the train, inside one of the cargo carriages, Black Mask's goons were hard at work. Alien weaponry sleek, advanced, and glowing faintly with eerie lights was being offloaded from large crates
"Boss is gonna love this haul. You think we're selling this to Intergang, or are we keeping it for ourselves?" One goon said
"Doesn't matter." The other goon said, shaking her head "As long as we get paid, who cares? Just make sure it's secure before the Feds get wind of this." She hefted a massive plasma rifle, testing its weight with a sinister grin. "These things'll blow through anything. If the Justice League shows up riding magic ponies, we'll be ready."
The first goon laughed "Yeah, right. League's too busy saving the world to care about one train. We've got this in the bag."
The head conductor, a middle-aged man with a sharp uniform, was tied to a chair, his face bruised. A particularly burly goon who looked to have jumped out of a steroid commercial from an illegal website stood watch over him, a menacing alien shotgun slung over his shoulder. The room he was in was near the front of the train and the sound of the engine can still be heard in the well insulated carriage.
"Boss'll be here soon, old man. You better hope he's in a good mood." He said, his voice oily and filled with malice. "Which can only be solved if you hand us the key. Now I am going to say this again. Where. Is. The. Key?"
The conductor spat blood onto the floor, glaring up at the goon.
"You think you're getting away with this? Someone will stop you."
The goon smirked, looming closer. "Yeah? And who's that gonna be?"
The interior of the caboose gleamed with extravagance. Gold-plated walls, velvet curtains, and ornate chandeliers gave the space an air of opulence. Plush seats lined the sides, sofas and a bed fit for a king oozed softness and comfort, and in the center of the room, a very wealthy hostage, some high ranking businessman of some tech company, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit was tied to a fancy chair, his face pale but composed.
Nearby, a goon in a cheap suit and ski mask lay slumped against the wall next to the door, snoring softly, his weapon, a club of pure gold resting by his side.
With a soft hum, Thomas floated silently into the room, the glow of his ring casting faint silver light across the polished surfaces. He looked around the room with a strange look in his face then his eyes landed on the hostage and the fast asleep goon as he placed a finger on his lips.
"Alright, buddy. Let's get you out of here." Thomas whispered.
The hostage's eyes widened in relief as Thomas landed beside him. He crouched down, creating a construct of a large pair of scissors to break the man's bindings. "Don't worry. I'll have you out in…"
But before Thomas could finish his sentence, a loud THUD cracked against his back. The force sent him sprawling to the floor, his constructs dissipating.
"What the…?!"
He turned to see the goon standing over him, mock yawning and rubbing his eyes with one hand while holding the golden club in the other.
"Thought you could sneak in here, huh? Pretty sure the boss said no uninvited guests." He said as he swung again.
Thomas scrambled to his feet, his head still ringing from the hit. He instinctively tried to summon a protective shield with his ring, but the glow flickered and faded when the sheild construct touched the club that came inches from his face.
"Wait…" Thomas said stunned "...What? Why isn't this working?"
The goon chuckled, hefting the club casually. "Well well well Silver…it looks like your shiny toy doesn't like gold. Too bad for you, huh?"
Thomas's eyes narrowed, as he grumbled to himself "Great. My ring just decided to take a coffee break when gold's involved. Thanks a lot, ring. You could do anything from make anyone fly faster than light, make anything I imagine and heal almost anything, but I can't touch gold."
The goon swung the club again, and Thomas barely dodged, the heavy weapon smashing into a nearby golden display case. The glass shattered, scattering shards across the plush carpet.
"Alright, you want to play? Let's play." Thomas grimaced
The goon lunged, swinging wildly. Thomas ducked under the strike and rolled to the side, grabbing a decorative vase from a table.
"Hey! You dropped this!" Thomas cried
He hurled the vase at the goon, but it bounced harmlessly off his chest. The goon laughed hysterically "Really? That's the best you've got?"
As the goon advanced, Thomas's eyes darted around the room, searching for an advantage. His gaze landed on a massive display case filled with trophies and ornate collectibles bolted to the wall behind the goon.
"Perfect." He muttered under his breath.
As the goon raised the club for another swing, Thomas grabbed a nearby chair and shoved it into the goon's stomach, knocking him off balance.
"Hope you're ready to be benched." Thomas said
With a swift kick, Thomas toppled the massive display case, sending it crashing down onto the goon's head. The golden club clattered to the floor as the goon slumped unconscious beneath the pile of collectibles and broken glass.
"Note to self…" Thomas said, gasping for breath, "Gold is not my best friend."
He turned back to the hostage, who stared at him, wide-eyed.
"Now, where were we?"
This time, Thomas used his hands to untie the man, glancing nervously at the golden items around him as if it was about to blow up.
"Thank you. That was... impressive." The hostage said stammering
Thomas smirked "Yeah, I'll add it to my highlight reel. Now let's get you out of here before his buddies show up."
With the hostage freed and the goon out cold, Thomas led the man out of the caboose, already dreading the inevitable teasing from the rest of the team when they heard about his new weakness.
"Please let there not be some crazy gold villain or I am super dead."
The dining carriage is lavish, with neatly arranged tables, fine china, and luxurious velvet curtains. But the atmosphere is far from elegant. Three Black Mask goons sat at one of the tables, casually toying with alien weapons. A plasma rifle hums ominously in one goon's hands as he points it toward a cluster of terrified passengers huddled against the far wall, The second toyed with a laser sword like a lightsaber.
"Relax, folks. No one's getting fried—yet. Unless you give us a reason to, of course."
One goon laughs as the third goon fiddles with an alien grenade-like device, making it glow and pulse.
"Man, this stuff is wild. Wonder what this one does if I push this button."
The hostages flinch, a mother shielding her child as the devices light up brighter.
"Careful, idiot. Last thing we need is you blowing up the whole train. The Boss would rip our heads off."
Before they can continue their intimidation, a faint tapping sound draws their attention to one of the windows. A small green bird flutters against the glass, its wings beating rapidly.
"What the…?"
With a sudden burst of speed, the bird flies straight through the open ventilation window above them, shifting mid-flight into a green hawk.
"Squawk! Surprise, losers!" Beast Boy cried
The hawk dives at one of the goons, clawing at his face before flipping into a green gorilla and slamming into the dining table, knocking alien weapons and food platters everywhere.
"What the hell is that?!" One goon cried as he scrabbled for the lightsaber like weapon.
"Just your friendly neighborhood shape-shifter. I heard you guys like playing with fancy toys—mind if I join?" Beast Boy said smugly as he smashed the laser sword with his foot "And I am in no mood for star wars right now."
One of the goons raises the grenade-like device, but before he can press the button, Beast Boy shifts into a green cheetah and darts across the carriage, swiping the device with his paw. He skids to a stop, shifting back into human form with the grenade now in his hand.
"Yeah, I don't think you're qualified to use this. Probably says so on the box." Beast Boy said, juggling the grenade.
"Take him down!"
The goons raise their weapons, but Beast Boy tosses the grenade into the air, turning into a green monkey to leap and grab onto a chandelier, swinging just as the grenade releases a harmless but blinding flash of light.
"Oops! My bad! Did I ruin your little game?"
The goons, temporarily blinded, stumble and shout in confusion. Beast Boy drops down from the chandelier, shifting into a green bear mid-fall and landing with a thundering roar.
"Rawr! Who's next?"
The passengers cheer quietly as Beast Boy charges at the goons, swatting a goon into a stack of chairs with a single paw swipe. The remaining goons fire and swung their weapons wildly, missing as Beast Boy shifts back into a human and dives behind an overturned table.
"You guys really need to work on your aim. You make stormtroopers embarrassed."
He shifts again into a green python, slithering across the floor and wrapping around another goons legs. The goon screams as Beast Boy tightens his grip, yanking the man to the floor.
"This guy's insane!"
"Insane? Nah, I just like keeping things wild." Beast Boy said
With a swift roundhouse kick, Beast Boy knocks them out cold. The remaining goon, seeing their comrades defeated, scramble to escape, but Beast Boy shifts into a green tiger and blocks their path, growling low and menacingly.
"Okay, okay! We give up!" The final goon said with their arms up in surrender
Beast Boy shifts back into human form, grabbing one of the confiscated alien weapons and tossing it into a nearby cardboard box.
"Good call. Now sit tight while I call the others. Oh, and don't touch the alien tech. Pretty sure you're already on enough lists as it is."
The passengers cheer louder now, their relief evident. Beast Boy turns to them with a wide grin.
"Don't worry, folks. Beast Boy's got your backs. Help's on the way."
As he radios the rest of the team, the passengers smile, and the dining carriage feels a little less tense. Beast Boy leans against the table, looking at the subdued goons.
"Bet you didn't see that coming, huh?"
The sleeper carriage is dimly lit, the narrow corridor lined with small cabins. The muffled sounds of the speeding train fill the space. Several Black Mask goons were rummaging through the cabins, yanking out suitcases and valuables, while two more patrol the corridor, armed with alien weapons.
"Hurry it up! The boss wants us outta here before the Feds show up."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going as fast as I can."
Suddenly, a dark, shadowy figure steps into the corridor. It's Raven, her hood casting her face in shadow, her hands glowing faintly with dark energy.
"You should really reconsider your life choices." She said calmly
The goons whip around, startled.
"Who the hell…?!"
Before he can finish, Raven raises a hand, and a swirling tendril of black magic shoots forward, wrapping around his weapon and yanking it out of his hands. The weapon clatters to the floor, sliding into the shadows.
"Take her down!"
The goons fire their alien weapons, bright plasma bolts lighting up the dim corridor. Raven teleports in a burst of black energy, reappearing a few feet away. The plasma bolts hit the walls, leaving scorch marks but missing their target.
"Missed." She said dryly
She waves her hand, and the lights in the corridor flicker and dim further, shrouding the carriage in near-darkness. The goons stumble, disoriented.
"Where'd she go?"
"I'm right here."
Her voice seems to come from everywhere at once. A tendril of black energy snakes out of the shadows, wrapping around a goons legs and pulling him to the floor. Another tendril wraps around another goon, lifting her into the air before slamming her gently but firmly into a nearby wall, disarming her.
"Enough of this freaky magic stuff!" The final goon screamed
He charges at Raven with a crowbar, but she sidesteps gracefully, her movements fluid and precise. With a wave of her hand, she conjures a glowing black rune in the air, and a pulse of magic ripples outward.
The goons, now gathered in a heap in the corridor, begin to sway on their feet, their eyelids drooping.
"What… what's happening…?"
One by one, the goons collapse to the floor, fast asleep. Raven steps forward, her expression calm as she inspects her work.
"Sweet dreams."
From one of the nearby cabins, a hostage, a young man in his mid twenties peeks out, wide-eyed but unharmed.
"Are… are they going to wake up?"
Raven turns to the hostage, her tone reassuring but matter-of-fact.
"Not for a while. And when they do, they'll find themselves in the back of a police cruiser on their way to jail."
The hostage breathes a sigh of relief, stepping out of the cabin.
"Thank you. You… you saved us..."
Raven gives a small nod, her face softening slightly.
"Stay here. The rest of the team is clearing the train. You'll be safe soon."
As she turns to leave, her comm crackles to life.
"Raven, how's it looking in the sleeper car?" Nightwing said
"Clear. All goons accounted for—sleeping peacefully. Heading to the next car now." Raven said calmly
She strides toward the next carriage, her cloak billowing behind her, leaving the subdued goons snoring loudly on the floor.
The hostage sighed "I should have brought earplugs and my AirPods are out of power." He said grumbling as he grabbed several pillows to cover his ears.
The cargo carriage is dimly lit, the hum of the train's engine providing a low, steady rhythm. Stacked luggage, crates, and alien tech crates are scattered everywhere. Three Black Mask goons are rifling through passengers' belongings, tossing clothes, jewelry, electronics and other valuables into duffel bags. One goon fiddles with a sleek, glowing alien weapon that looks like a cross between a rifle, a crossbow and a cannon.
"Man, rich folks always pack the good stuff. Look at this—designer watches, some kinda rare coins. We're making bank today."
Another goon shook their heads "Yeah, but the boss says this tech's worth more than all that junk combined. Look at this baby."
He gestures to the weapon in his hands, its core glowing with an ominous red light.
"Think it's some kinda plasma cannon. Bet I could take out half the train with one shot."
The other toon laughed nervously "Yeah, maybe don't play with it. That thing looks like it could blow us all to hell."
Before they can continue arguing, the carriage door at the end of the car bursts open with a bang. A heavy, metal-clad figure steps inside, illuminated by the flickering overhead light. Cyborg stood looking down at the goons like a father catching their kids who had their hands in the cookie jar at 2:00 in the morning.
"Alright, boys. Playtime's over."
The goons whirl around, momentarily frozen in shock.
"It's Cyborg! Take him down!" One goon screamed
"Oh, you wanna dance? Let's go!"
One of the goons fires the alien plasma cannon. A glowing bolt of energy shoots toward Cyborg, but his arm cannon snaps into place just in time, emitting a blue energy shield that absorbs the blast.
"Nice toy. Too bad you don't know how to use it."
He charges forward, using his enhanced strength to plow through a stack of crates. The collision sends shards of wood and stolen goods flying as he reaches for the main goon, grabbing the plasma cannon and wrenching it out of the goon's hands.
"Wait! Don't—"
Cyborg tosses the weapon across the room, where it lands safely behind a reinforced luggage rack.
"Yeah, you're not qualified for that."
Another goon tries to flank him with a glowing alien blade, but Cyborg's sensors beep a warning. Without even looking, Cyborg activates a sonic blast from his arm cannon, sending the goon flying into a pile of luggage.
"Get him!"
The remaining two goons open fire with smaller alien blasters. Cyborg ducks behind a stack of crates, the blasts splintering wood, metal, plastic and scattering valuables.
"You guys really need to learn how to aim."
He activates his targeting system, scanning the goons' positions through the crates. His arm cannon shifts into energy mode, and with pinpoint precision, he fires two non-lethal energy blasts.
The first shot hits one goon's weapon, melting it into useless scrap. The second shot knocks the weapon out of the other goon's hands, leaving him defenseless.
"Okay! Okay! I'm done!" One goon cried defeated as they laid down on the ground.
"Smart move."
The last goon, still dazed from the sonic blast, groans as Cyborg strides over and hoists him up by the collar.
"Alright, buddy. Who's your supplier? Where'd you get the alien tech?"
The goon mutters something unintelligible, and Cyborg sighs, dropping him onto a pile of suitcases.
"Figures. You're not the brains of the operation."
He activates his comm link as his sensors scan the remaining crates.
"Cargo car's clear." Cyborg said through his comms "Alien tech is secure. Just a bunch of amateurs messing with stuff they don't understand."
"Good work. Meet us in the passenger cars. Things are heating up here." Nightwing said as he made a grunting sound "Kind of dealing with a big guy and I almost got him…"
Cyborg turns back to the subdued goons, his mechanical eye glowing faintly.
"Sit tight. You'll be explaining all this to the authorities soon enough." Cyborg said coldly
He secures the alien tech behind a reinforced crate, then steps over the wreckage to head toward the next car, his heavy footsteps echoing in the now-silent cargo carriage.
"Let's just hope no goon does anything stupid."
The train rattles loudly as it roared down the tracks. Wonder Girl charges through the narrow corridor of the a passenger sitting carriage that was close to the front, dispatching Black Mask's goons left and right. One goon lunges at her with a glowing alien baton, but she effortlessly deflects it with her bracelets, the clang echoing through the car.
"Seriously? You guys never learn, do you?" Wonder Girl said through gritted teeth
She spins, delivering a powerful kick that sends the goon flying into a stack of seats.
"Thank you! Please, help us!" One passenger cried.
Wonder Girl turns to reassure the terrified passengers. Her face was unreadable.
"Stay low and stay quiet. We'll get you out of here."
Suddenly, her super-hearing picks up the faint sound of metal clinking and bolts being undone. Her eyes narrow, and she rushes to the vestibule, the narrow space between train cars, where a goon is crouched near the coupling mechanism, working frantically with a high-tech alien tool.
"Just a few more seconds and the boss'll have his getaway…"
"Hey! Hands off the train!" Wonder Girl screamed
The goon startles and looks up, eyes wide as Wonder Girl storms into the vestibule. He scrambles to his feet, grabbing a nearby crowbar to defend himself.
"Back off, lady! I don't get paid enough to deal with you!"
Wonder Girl smirked "Then maybe you should've picked a safer career."
The goon swings the crowbar, but Wonder Girl easily dodges, grabbing the weapon mid-swing and snapping it in half with her bare hands.
The goon laughed nervously "Uh… we can talk about this, right?"
Wonder Girl shook her head unimpressed "Not when you're about to derail a train full of people."
She grabs the goon by the front of his shirt and hurls him back into the passenger car, where he crashes into a row of chairs and collapses, groaning.
"And stay down."
She turns back to the coupling mechanism just as the alien tool finishes its work. A loud deafening clank reverberates through the train as the front engine car begins to separate from the rest of the train.
"Oh no you don't!"
The gap between the cars widens as the engine car pulls forward, dragging the rest of the train further apart. Passengers scream as the sudden jolt shakes the train.
With no time to waste, Wonder Girl leaps into the gap. Planting one foot on the front car and the other on the rear, she grabs the metal couplings with both hands.
"Not… today!" Wonder Girl grunted through her teeth
Her super strength kicks in as she pulls with all her might, the muscles in her arms and legs taut with effort. Sparks fly from the couplings as she forces the two cars back together, the screech of grinding metal filling the air.
"She's pulling the train back! She's actually pulling it back!" A passenger cried amazed on what they were watching
With a final, massive effort, Wonder Girl slams the couplings back into place. The alien tool sparks and fizzles out, its damage undone. The train lurches forward as a single unit again, the crisis averted.
Wonder Girl exhales, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she steps back into the passenger car. The small crowd bursts into applause, but she waves them off.
"Save it for later. We've still got a train to save."
She radios into her comm as she heads toward the front engine car.
"Coupling's secure." She said through the comma "Train's back together. Moving to assist Nightwing at the engine."
"Nice work, Wonder Girl. We're almost there—let's finish this." Nightwing said
Wonder Girl smirks, her confidence renewed as she moves toward the next challenge.
The engine room of the train is a chaotic mess. A goon sits at the control console, driving the train, while another operates a turret mounted near the front window, its alien energy core glowing ominously. The train roars down the tracks at an already unsafe speed.
The turret operator suddenly hears a loud CRASH from the side door. The door flies off its hinges, and Starfire enters, her starbolts glowing fiercely.
"Who the hell is that?!" The goon on the turret screamed
The other goon shook his head "Doesn't matter—just take her out!"
The turret hums as it charges a blast, but before it can fire, Starfire soars into the room, dodging the first shot and blasting the turret operator with a well-aimed starbolt. He's flung out of his seat, landing unconscious against the wall.
"Your weaponry is most noisy! You should consider quieter options." Starfire said in a confused and amused voice
The driver panics, grabbing a crowbar from beside his seat. He swings it wildly as Starfire approaches.
"Stay back, alien freak!"
Starfire effortlessly catches the crowbar mid-swing and crushes it with her bare hands, letting the pieces fall to the floor.
"That was unwise." She said calmly as if disappointed with what the goon did.
The goon stumbles back, pulling a small alien pistol from his belt, but Starfire fires another starbolt, knocking the weapon out of his hand. She grabs him by the collar, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"Do you surrender?" Starfire said calmly
"Y-yeah! I surrender! Just don't blast me!" The goon screamed terrified for his life
Starfire sets him down, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Good! I have most appreciate your cooperation."
She ties him up with a cable she finds nearby and turns her attention to the tied-up train driver, who is gagged and frantically trying to say something. Starfire quickly flies over and removes his gag.
"The brakes! You have to pull the brake lever! We're going too fast!" The train driver hollered
Starfire looks at the console, her eyes scanning the numerous levers and controls. She spots a large, red lever labeled "EMERGENCY", though it's surrounded by several others.
"This one? Or… that one?" Starfire said confused
The train driver, still tied up, shouts.
"Yes, yes! The big red one! Just don't pull too hard—"
Before he can finish, Starfire grabs the lever and yanks it with all her Tamaranean strength. The lever breaks off with a loud CRACK, and sparks shoot out of the console.
Starfire blinked as if taken aback "Oh no! I may have applied too much enthusiasm!"
The train lurches violently, the wheels screeching against the tracks as the speedometer spikes into the red zone. The train accelerates, the hum of the engine turning into an ominous roar.
"What did you do?! That wasn't the brake! That was the throttle!" The train driver hollered at the top of his lungs
Starfire looks at him, her eyes wide with alarm.
"I was trying to assist! Why would you design such confusing controls?!"
The train races down the tracks at ludicrous speeds, shaking violently as it tears through curves and tunnels. Starfire grabs her comm device.
"Friends! I may have… caused the train to move faster instead of slower. Please advise!"
"What?! Starfire, just hold tight—we'll figure it out!" Cyborg cried
Starfire looks back at the tied-up train driver, who is muttering about incomprehensible aliens.
"Do not worry! I am most certain my friends will fix this. Probably." Starfire said sheepishly
She braces herself as the train speeds toward its next destination, the sound of chaos echoing through the engine room.
That's when she looked up and gazed down the corridor "My friends needs help straight away!" She cries as she threw herself down the corridor.
The train driver made a face "you could have untied me first please." He said annoyed
The wind roared as Raven and Artemis stand atop the train, the desert landscape rushing by below them almost blinding them with sand and who knows what else. Three Black Mask goons, each armed with alien weapons, have climbed onto the roof to confront them. The train barrels down the tracks, the thundering wheels shaking the roof beneath their feet.
"Give it up! You two don't stand a chance!"
Artemis shook her head "Funny, I was about to say the same thing to you."
Artemis draws an arrow from her quiver and fires, the projectile striking the weapon in the first goons hands and disarming him.
Raven shook her head "You should really consider surrendering. It'll save you some broken bones."
"Not happening!"
The second goon fires a burst of alien plasma at Raven, but she raises a magical shield, deflecting the shots with ease.
"Suit yourselves." Raven said dryly
She spreads her hands, dark energy swirling around her as she sends a wave of magical tendrils toward the goons, knocking one of them backward. The last goon, seeing an opportunity, charges at Artemis with a blade glowing with alien energy.
Artemis sidesteps gracefully, kicking the goon's legs out from under him. As he stumbles, she delivers a well-placed punch, sending him sprawling across the roof.
"Who even fights like this anymore?!" The goon groaned
Artemis chuckled "Better question: who loses this badly?"
The fight intensifies as the first goon regains his footing and lunges at Raven, managing to grapple her. She struggles momentarily before summoning a burst of energy that flings him away, but the distraction allows the other to fire another shot, narrowly missing her.
Artemis is forced to duck as another goon swung wildly with his recovered weapon, forcing her to backpedal toward the edge of the roof.
"You're outnumbered, ladies!" One of the goons cried
"Not for long." Raven said deadpanned
Suddenly, the train lurches violently forward, the sound of the engine roaring much louder than ever. The goons stumble as the sudden acceleration catches them off guard.
"What the—?" Artemis cried as she tried to study herself
"Let me guess. Starfire." Raven said through gritted teeth.
The train's ludicrous speed sends the goons sprawling across the roof. One slides dangerously close to the edge, clawing at the metal to keep from falling.
"Hold on!" One goon cried
Artemis smirked slightly "Not so fun when you're on the receiving end, huh?"
Taking advantage of the chaos, Artemis fires a trick arrow tipped with a net, which tangles up a goon and sends him sliding down the roof. He lands with a loud THUD in a nearby wagon filled with coal.
"No, no, no—!" The second goon cried as Raven waves her hand, summoning a tendril of dark energy that wraps around their leg and drags them toward the edge of the roof. With a flick of her wrist, she sends them tumbling into the coal wagon alongside their partner.
"Help! I'm slipping!" The final goon cried
Artemis casually walks over, giving the last goon a swift kick that sends him flying.
"Oops." Artemis said sarcastically
He lands with a loud crash in the coal wagon, groaning as the other two glare at him.
The three goons sit in the pile of coal, covered in black dust and coughing.
"I told you we should've stayed in the passenger cars."
"Shut up."
"Good thing none of us have asthma."
"Yet."
Raven brushes her cloak off as Artemis adjusts her quiver.
"Well, that was fun."
Raven shook her head "I suppose, if you enjoy barely controlled chaos."
"Admit it—you loved it." Artimus laughed
Raven's lips twitch into the faintest hint of a smile.
"Let's just get back inside before Starfire turns the entire train into a missile."
The two leap down into the train, leaving the wind and the coal-dusted goons behind.
The corridor was dimly lit, the walls vibrating from the roaring speed of the train. Black Mask stands in the center, his revolver aimed at Winston and the head conductor, both tied up and trembling on the floor.
Black Mask looks furious, his mask gleaming in the flickering light. He shouted into a radio on his belt. "I don't care how many of them there are! Hold them off! This train doesn't stop until I say so!"
Suddenly, the door at the far end bursts open with a loud CRASH. Nightwing enters, his escrima sticks glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Sorry to interrupt your plans, Mask, but I'm pretty sure your stop is right about now." Nightwing said with a small smile.
Black Mask turns, raising his gun at Nightwing, his rage was turning his blood into steam.
"You just can't leave well enough alone, can you?" He shouted venomously "I had this whole thing planned out—perfect execution—and then you and your band of freaks have to show up."
"Yeah, we're funny like that." Nightwing said
The two square off, Nightwing dodging a shot as Black Mask fires his revolver. Nightwing rolls behind a control panel, using it for cover as Black Mask sneers.
"You think you're so clever, don't you? I've heard all about you, Nightwing. Always playing second fiddle to the Bat. Robin number 1. You've got his shadow burned into your back, and you'll never escape it. Even when the bat hangs his cowel." Black mask rasped
Nightwing peeks out from behind the panel, his tone steady but sharp.
"Funny. I don't feel like I'm in anyone's shadow right now." Nightwing said mock cheerfully
He leaps over the panel, engaging Black Mask in hand-to-hand combat. Black Mask swings the butt of his revolver, but Nightwing blocks it with his escrima stick, spinning it to strike Black Mask's wrist and disarming him.
"Impressive. But this train? It's a speeding bullet. You can't save everyone!"
As they fight, the train lurches again, accelerating even more. The roar of the engine is deafening. Nightwing stumbles slightly, and Black Mask takes advantage, landing a solid punch to his side.
Black Mask laughed "You can't win, Nightwing! Not when I have—"
But just as Black Mask begins his dramatic monologue, a strange sound echoes down the corridor.
CLINK-CLINK-CLINK.
Both men pause, glancing toward the sound. It grows louder and faster until…
Starfire comes flying down the hallway, a tea cart in front of her, barreling at full speed.
"Fear not, Friend Nightwing! I am here to assist!"
Nightwing dives out of the way just as the tea cart slams into Black Mask mid-sentence.
"What the—?"
The cart crashes into him, spilling warm tea, sugar cubes, lemon juice, cookies and porcelain cups all over his expensive suit and mask. He stumbles backward, slipping on the tea-soaked floor, before tripping over a loose cable and landing flat on his back.
The impact knocks him unconscious, leaving him covered in a ridiculous mess of tea and sugar.
Starfire hovers above the scene, looking at Nightwing with a bright, innocent smile.
"Did I do it correctly, Friend Nightwing?"
Nightwing stands, brushing himself off as he surveys the scene. He can't help but smirk at the absurdity of it all.
"You, uh… definitely made an impression."
Starfire claps her hands together, pleased.
"Wonderful! I was of most concern the tea cart might not be sufficient."
Nightwing shakes his head in amused disbelief before turning to the tied-up hostages.
"Let's get these two out of here before Mask wakes up and asks for dessert."
As Starfire helps free the hostages, Nightwing kneels down, tapping Black Mask's mask to ensure he's out cold.
"Knocked out by a tea cart. Not your finest moment, Mask."
The train continues to roar forward, but the room feels lighter now. Nightwing radios the team as he gestures for Starfire to follow.
"Black Mask is down. Someone remind me to send Starfire flowers for this one."
Starfire tilts her head, confused.
"Flowers? But I did not request plant life."
Nightwing chuckled at this as he ran down the train.
The train is now a roaring blur of steel and smoke, barrels down an old, disused track. The sound of screeching wheels fills the air as Nightwing, standing near the front of the train, looks out the windshield. His eyes widen in horror as he sees the broken bridge looming ahead.
Nightwing hollered into the radio "The track's a dead end! The bridge is out! Everyone, we need to stop this train—now!"
Flying alongside the speeding train are Raven and Thomas. Both look grim as they see the jagged remnants of the broken bridge in the distance, the ravine below stretching deep and wide.
"This train's moving way too fast! I can try to make a bridge, but that's a lot of weight!" Thomas cried panicking
"I'll slow it down. Just… don't lose focus." Raven said speaking more to herself than anyone else.
"Easier said than done." Thomas said grimly
Raven extends her hands, dark energy swirling around her. Tendrils of magic reach out, wrapping around the train's carriages. With a grunt of effort, she begins to pull against the momentum, the glow of her magic intensifying.
"Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos!"
At the same time, Thomas flies ahead of the train, his Silver Lantern ring glowing fiercely as he conjures a massive, shimmering silver bridge. The construct begins to stretch across the gap, forming an intricate lattice of supports and beams.
"Come on, come on… hold together!"
Inside the train, Starfire frantically pulls at levers and presses buttons on the control panel. The train shakes violently as she tries to slow down the trains momentum.
"This one must send it backwards or perhaps this one!" Starfire said
She yanks a lever in the wrong direction. The train lurches forward, gaining even more speed instead of backwards. Starfire
"Starfire! That's the wrong one! You're sending it the wrong way!" Nightwing cried as the sound of goons fighting him drowned his voice
"I am trying, Friend Nightwing! These controls are most confusing!" Starfire cried as she finally pulled on the brakes.
The train screeches to a halt as Raven and Thomas struggle to keep it from plummeting into the ravine.
Raven's dark energy wraps tighter around the train, but her face is pale, and beads of sweat drip down her temple.
"This train… it's too heavy!" Raven said through her teeth
Thomas grits his teeth, his bridge construct beginning to buckle under the immense weight of the train.
"I can't hold it much longer!"
The strain on both of them becomes too much. Raven's magical grip falters, and Thomas's construct begins to crack and shatter. The train began to move by the force of gravity, its front wheels tipping precariously over the edge of the broken bridge.
The front of the train dips sharply, and Starfire screams as she's thrown forward against the control panel. Her face crashing onto the control panel.
"Oh no! This is very bad!"
Just as the train begins to plummet into the ravine, a streak of red and blue booms through the sky.
"Is that…" Thomas said through his teeth his eyes falling out of their socket.
Superman appears, his cape billowing behind him as he flies toward the train at incredible speed.
"Hang on!" he cried.
Superman positions himself beneath the train, his hands pressing against the engine's undercarriage. With seemingly no effort, he lifts the entire train, stabilizing it mid-air.
"You're safe now." Superman said calmly
Raven and Thomas hover nearby, both panting heavily and looking utterly exhausted.
"Of course Superman shows up at the last second and makes it look easy." Thomas said gasping for breath.
"It's what he does." Raven said with a small flick of a smile
Superman glances up at them, offering a reassuring smile.
"Great work holding it together until I got here. Now let's get this train back on solid ground."
Nightwing steadies himself as the train levels out, looking all around the room with all the unconscious goons. He speaks into his comm.
"Team, Superman's got the train. Is everyone okay?"
Starfire, still at the controls, lets out a huge sigh of relief.
"I am unharmed, Friend Nightwing. But I believe I owe an apology for my… less-than-helpful actions. I have pulled the brake too late."
"Let's just call it a learning experience." Nightwing chuckled
Superman gently sets the train down on a stable section of track. The team regroups outside, passengers cheering from the windows.
Superman lands beside them, giving Nightwing a nod.
"Nice teamwork, everyone. You handled things well under pressure."
Thomas mutters under his breath. "Yeah, 'well' might be a stretch."
Raven mumbled "Speak for yourself. I think we did fine—until the train almost killed us."
Nightwing steps forward, addressing the team. "Everyone pulled their weight. Superman just gave us the assist we needed. Let's focus on getting the hostages out and making sure Black Mask's crew doesn't regroup."
The train sits on stable ground, steam hissing from its engine. The passengers, shaken but unharmed, are being helped off the train by the team. Nightwing, Wonder Girl, Artemis, and Cyborg work efficiently to guide everyone to safety. The crowd murmurs with relief, some cheering softly for their rescuers.
Off to the side, Starfire, Raven, and Thomas stand together, their expressions heavy with guilt. Starfire fiddles with her hands, her usually bright demeanor dimmed. Thomas stares at his glowing Silver Lantern ring, frustration clear on his face. Raven's hood is up, but her eyes remain cast downward.
"I… I should have done better. I made the train go the wrong way…It was I who failed to know what the brake is. It was my fault the train nearly crashed…" Starfire said weakly
Thomas shook his head "Join the club. My 'brilliant' bridge construct? Didn't hold up. And I almost dropped the whole train into the ravine."
"And my magic couldn't stop it either. We failed." Raven said quietly.
"You didn't fail."
They look up to see Superman approaching, his iconic red cape flowing gently behind him. His tone is warm, but there's a firmness in his words that commands attention.
"You saved lives today. Every passenger on that train is alive and safe because of what you did."
Starfire's gaze drops again, her voice soft.
"...But it was you, Friend Superman, who saved the train from falling. We… we could not stop it ourselves."
Superman stops a few feet in front of them, his kind blue eyes meeting each of theirs in turn.
"Let me tell you something. Not every hero does everything perfectly on their first day. Or their second. Or even their hundredth. Or their thousandth. What matters is that you tried. You put yourselves in harm's way to protect others. That's what makes you heroes."
Thomas shifts uncomfortably, gesturing to his ring.
"Yeah, but I lost control. Again…This thing's supposed to make me strong, and I couldn't even keep it together. How am I supposed to be a hero when I can't control my own powers when I need to?"
Superman steps closer, his voice gentle but resolute.
"Control takes time. Strength doesn't come from the ring—it comes from you. I've seen what you're capable of, Thomas…You can't exactly rip apart half of Emerald Hills without someone talking about it…Not to mention John had talked about you a number of times…You just need to believe in yourself as much as your ring does."
Thomas glances at his ring, the faint glow reflecting in his eyes.
"And Raven." Superman said softly
She stiffens slightly, her hands hidden in her cloak.
"You fought to protect these people. You stood your ground, even when it pushed you to your limit. That's not failure…that's courage. You are not a failure. A little bat told me of what you did with a ferry."
Raven hesitates before nodding slightly, her voice quiet. "But it didn't feel like enough."
Superman shook his head "Sometimes it won't. But every effort matters. Every life saved matters. And today, you made a difference."
Finally, Superman turns to Starfire, who looks the most distraught.
"Starfire."
She looks up, her eyes shimmering with emotion.
"Yes…"
"I've heard about you from Nightwing and Superboy. I saw what you did in Coast City when our little silver friend got his ring... You're a force to be reckoned with, and you care deeply about doing the right thing. That's why you're here."
Starfire hesitated "But I… I caused the train to go faster. I almost…"
Superman interrupts her gently.
"You made a mistake. It happens. Even to me."
The three of them blink, surprised.
"Wait, you're saying Superman makes mistakes?" Raven said tilting her head
Superman smiles faintly, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.
"More than I'd like to admit. But I learn from them, and I keep moving forward. And so will you. You've already proven you've got what it takes. You just need time."
He takes a step back, addressing all three of them now.
"You have the potential to be great heroes. Don't let one rough mission make you doubt that. I have high hopes for all of you."
Raven, Starfire, and Thomas exchange glances. Starfire finally manages a small smile, and Raven's lips twitch as if considering one herself. Thomas nods slowly, his confidence flickering back to life.
"Team's ready to head back. Hostages are safe, and Black Mask is secured." Nightwing said
Superman looks back at the train, the passengers waving gratefully at the heroes.
"Good work, everyone. And remember—this is just the beginning." Superman said, he looked up at the sky as he made a face "I have to go now. Some plane over Australia is having an emergency." He looked down at the team with a smile "Don't forget what I told you." He said as he flew off.
As the team prepares to depart, Starfire, Thomas, and Raven stand a little taller, their doubts replaced with a glimmer of hope. Superman's words echo in their minds as they walk away as police sirens fill the air.
The Young Justice team sat in the spacious bioship, the interior quiet except for the soft hum of the engines. Outside, the golden desert stretches endlessly beneath them, the heat shimmering off the dunes. The group looks tired but relieved after the chaotic train mission.
Thomas sat awkwardly on one of the benches, fidgeting with his Silver Lantern ring as if debating whether to speak.
"Uh… so… I guess now's a good time to mention something."
The group turns their attention to him, curious. Beast Boy, leaning back with his feet propped up, raises an eyebrow.
"Oh boy, here we go. This sounds good already."
Thomas exhales sharply, avoiding their gazes.
"Alright, so… apparently, my ring—this all-powerful cosmic thing that's supposed to make me the 'envy-powered savior of the universe'...a ring that can make anything I can think of…it has one really dumb weakness."
Nightwing tilted his head "What kind of weakness?"
Thomas scratches the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
"It doesn't work on pure gold. Like, at all. No constructs, no shields, no nothing. Just… completely useless."
Beast Boy burst into laughter "Wait, wait, wait! Your ring is scared of gold? Like the fancy jewelry kind? Oh, man, that's rich!"
Thomas glares at him, his tone defensive.
"It's not funny! A goon whacked me in the back with a gold club during the train fight, and my constructs just… fizzled. Do you know how humiliating that is?"
Beast Boy wipes a tear from his eye, still grinning. "Dude, this is hilarious. You're basically allergic to bling!"
Cyborg shook his head trying not to laugh "Well, at least you're not weak to kryptonite. You'd be in good company there."
Nightwing sighed "Thomas, every hero has a weakness. Superman's got kryptonite, I've got… well, not much armor against certain bullets at a given point, to be honest. The point is, it doesn't define you. It's just something you work around."
Thomas exhales, nodding slightly, though his embarrassment lingers. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I guess. It's just… not what I expected when I got this ring."
The group seems to relax again, but Raven, who has been silent, suddenly looks alarmed. Her eyes narrow, and she sits up straighter, her tone low and uncertain.
"A man in silver… weak to gold… fueled by envy. Could he be the fourth one?" Raven said under her breath
Her words are quiet, but they catch Starfire's attention. "Friend Raven, what does this mean? Why do you appear so troubled?" She said concerned
Raven realizes she's spoken aloud and quickly turns her head away, her expression guarded. "It's nothing. Just… a thought."
Strarfire looked on with acute interest "But you seemed most alarmed. Is it something we should know?"
Raven shakes her head, her tone curt.
"It's nothing. Forget I said anything."
The group exchanges uneasy glances. Nightwing, sitting closest to Raven, studies her carefully but decides not to push. Thomas, meanwhile, looks puzzled. "Uh, okay… But if it's about me, I'd rather know soon rather than later if possible..."
Raven doesn't respond, staring out the window as the bioship continues its smooth flight over the desert. Her mind races, but she says nothing more.
"Alright, well, if we're keeping secrets now, I'm calling dibs on your gold weakness for our next prank war, Thomas." Beast Boy said laughing
"Great. Can't wait for that." Thomas said though gritted teeth.
The tension lightens slightly as the team settles back into their seats, though the unspoken weight of Raven's reaction lingers in the air. Outside, the afternoon sun casts long shadows across the dunes as the bioship flew toward Mount Justice.
Beast Boy and Thomas step into their room, expecting the usual chaos of their bunk bed, scattered game consoles, books, junk and snacks. Instead, they freeze in the doorway, eyes wide.
"Uh… why does our room look like a palace threw up in here?" Beast Boy said
The walls are gleaming gold, reflecting the light in a nauseatingly bright sheen. Everything even the bunk bed frame has been painted gold, and the carpet is gone, replaced by a shimmering golden floor.
Standing in the middle of the room is Bart Allen, proudly holding a paintbrush in one hand and a can of gold paint in the other. He grins mischievously when he sees them like a child proud of their handywork.
"Ta-da! Thought I'd spruce the place up a bit. You know, give it some bling."
Thomas looked around the room unamused "Bart… seriously?!"
Bart leans casually against the bunk bed, feigning innocence. "What? I just wanted to see if the rumors were true. Guess they are, huh, Silver Lantern?"
"How…" Thomas said but Bart interrupted him
"Starfire's communicator was on, heard the whole thing." He said smugly. "And when BB said 'prank war' I am not going to let him have it first. So here we are."
Beast Boy bursts out laughing, doubling over and clutching his stomach. "Oh, man! This is gold—literally!"
"Don't encourage him!" Thomas said annoyed, he glares at Bart, crossing his arms. "Alright, Bart, joke's over. You had your fun. Paint it back."
Bart shakes his head, pretending to think it over.
"Hmm… nah. Tell you what: I'll paint it back if you beat me in a race. Real world or in a game—your choice."
Thomas' eyes began to twitch "I don't want to race! I want my room back!"
Before Bart can respond, Nightwing walks in, his arms crossed and a raised eyebrow directed at Bart.
"Bart…" Nightwing said calmly. He didn't raise his voice or change his tone but there was venom in his voice "Repaint…the room…Now."
Bart looks at Nightwing's expression and knows better than to argue.
"Alright, alright. Don't get your escrima sticks in a twist." Bart said sheepishly
With a burst of super speed, Bart zips around the room, repainting the walls back to their original blue, the ceiling to green, and the bunk bed frame back to silver. The royal blue carpet is rolled back into place perfectly, and within seconds, the room is back to normal.
"There. Happy now?" Bart said
Nightwing nodded "Good. And Bart?"
"Yeah?" Bart said innocently
"Don't let this happen again." Nightwing said calmly
Bart nods quickly, giving a mock salute.
"Yes, sir!"
Nightwing leaves the room, shaking his head but smirking slightly. As soon as he's gone, Bart turns back to Thomas with a mischievous grin.
"Race is still on, though."
Thomas glares at him but then smirks slightly, his confidence returning.
"Fine. But we're doing this my way." Thomas said rummaging through a pile of games and pulling one out "Sonic Riders. You up for it, or is gold paint all you're good at?"
Bart's eyes light up.
"Are you kidding? I love Sonic! Let's do this!"
"Oh, this is gonna be good." Beast Boy said
The three grab a controller, the tension shifting into friendly competition as Beast Boy, Bart and Thomas prepare to face off in Sonic Riders, the golden fiasco (mostly) forgotten.
"Let's just hope we don't run into any 'golden' villains" Bart said cheekily "or else you would be dead."
"Hey! Don't jinx it!" Thomas cried
"Don't worry, Silvey." Best Boy said "If there is a gold villain we would deal with it."
"I don't know if any villains made of gold and if there is any, I would eat my costume!" Bart said sarcastically
The grandiose mansion, isolated in the middle of nowhere, is a shrine to opulence. Every corner, every surface, and every detail screams excess. The golden chandeliers drip with crystals, their light reflecting off pristine marble floors. Walls were covered with countless portraits, all of the same woman, line the halls.
Statues, paintings, and sculptures were everywhere—from the cavernous great hall to every guest room, the bowling alley, the gallery, the ballroom, and even every single bathroom. The servants' quarters, tucked away in the farthest corner of the estate, still bear carvings of the same radiant face. Every nook and cranny had the woman's face on it.
The garden, sprawling and immaculate, is an endless maze of hedges trimmed into the woman's likeness. Statues of her, each more grandiose than the last, dot the landscape, their stone gazes fixed toward her mansion as if worshipping her.
Then there was the woman herself, Seraphina Lux, stood in the center of her expansive bedroom, staring into a gilded mirror that stretched from floor to ceiling. She is beautiful beyond words—long golden hair cascading like a waterfall, flawless skin glowing in the soft light, and legs that seem to stretch for miles. Her gown shimmers, each thread appearing as if spun from gold itself.
But ask any old man who has dated many women. Looks alone do not make a woman, cause behind that beauty lies a storm.
"I don't care if it was raining, Victor!" Seraphina screamed "When I say my cappuccino should arrive at 7:30, I mean 7:30, not a minute later!"
She glares at her butler, Victor, who stands rigid by the door, holding a silver tray with a now-luke warm cappuccino.
"Do you have any idea what this does to my routine? My photoshoot tomorrow—ruined because my skin won't have the right glow!"
"My deepest apologies, Miss Lux. It won't happen again." Victor said hesitantly.
"It better not. Now get out of my sight." She said venomosuly
Victor bows stiffly and exits, leaving Seraphina alone in her lavish room. She exhales sharply, brushing her golden hair back as she approaches her mirror.
"Idiots. I'm surrounded by incompetence. If only the world had more people like me. Me!"
She smiles at her reflection, admiring every angle of her face. "I am perfection."
The room falls silent, save for the faint rustle of silk as Seraphina turns toward her balcony. Suddenly, a golden glow fills the room. The light is blinding, pouring in from the ceiling like liquid sunlight.
Seraphina shields her eyes, stepping back as the glow coalesces into a shape, a ring, floating in mid-air.
The ring's voice echoes, calm and regal.
"Seraphina Lux. You are chosen. Your boundless pride and belief in your own greatness resonate across the emotional spectrum. Take this ring, and let your light shine eternal."
Seraphina's breath catches, her shock quickly giving way to curiosity, and then to giddy delight. "A lantern ring eh…?" She said giggling like a schoolgirl "Well, of course. Who else would be worthy?"
The ring hovers closer, extending toward her.
"Speak the oath, and become the beacon of pride."
A surge of energy fills the room, and the words seem to flow into her mind. Seraphina instinctively reaches out, taking the ring and sliding it onto her right hand middle finger.
As soon as the ring makes contact with her skin, a torrent of golden light envelops her, reshaping her gown into an armored suit of shimmering gold and illuminating her face like a deity. A logo an eye with a golden star in it was engraved on her chest. She instinctively recites the oath, her voice ringing with power:
"In the glow of eternal pride,
I rise above, no need to hide.
With golden light, I lead the way,
My will supreme, I seize the day."
Seraphina flexes her fingers, testing the ring's power. She raises her hand, and a glowing golden statue of herself materializes in the middle of the room, flawless in every detail.
"Perfect. Just like me." Seraphina said with a slick smile on her face.
She waves her hand, creating another construct, a throne of gold encrusted with diamonds, which she sits on with a regal smirk. The light from the ring bathes her in an almost divine glow.
She turns to the window, looking out over her garden of statues and hedges. A wicked grin spreads across her face.
"The world deserves to see me as I truly am—a goddess among mortals. And with this ring, I'll make sure they never forget it."