Samuel stirred in his bed, eyes blinking open to the dim glow of the cave's ceiling panels. The metallic, sterile surroundings reminded him once again—this wasn't home. It never would be.
For a brief moment, he considered closing his eyes again, retreating into whatever fleeting dream had momentarily dulled his reality. But the illusion didn't last.
BZZZZT!
A sharp alarm cut through the silence, its grating buzz shattering any chance of rest. Samuel exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to his temple before pushing himself up. The small console near his bed flashed with a message.
"Report to the briefing room.
—Red Tornado and Batman."
Without hesitation, Samuel got up and made his way down the sleek corridors of the cave. The faint hum of machinery and the rhythmic sound of his own footsteps were his only company as he walked.
By the time he arrived, the rest of the team was already gathered: Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, M'gann, and Superboy. They stood in a loose semi-circle near Batman and Red Tornado, both mentors waiting at the head of the room.
Batman wasted no time. "You're all being assigned a mission."
A ripple of excitement passed through the team—except for Samuel, who simply remained still, a familiar ache pressing behind his eyes.
Then Batman's gaze landed on him. "But before we proceed, you need a codename. Like Aqualad, Robin, and Kid Flash."
Samuel's face remained blank, though his silence made it clear he had no interest.
Robin leaned in, grinning. "Come on, man. You gotta have something. Codename's part of the gig!"
Kid Flash smirked. "Yeah, something cool! What were your powers again? Making people sleep? Oh, how about Morpheus? Or Sandman? Sandman's pretty cool."
Samuel's unimpressed stare flicked to Kid Flash. Without a word, he crossed his arms and shook his head.
Batman, unfazed, continued. "Then I'll assign you one. From this point forward, you'll be referred to as Spectator."
Samuel glanced at Batman, then gave a single nod. "Fine."
"Good," Batman continued. "Now, before we assess the risks of your involvement in missions, I need you to compile a full list of your abilities. You'll report this information to Red Tornado."
Samuel's gaze shifted to the android, who stood silently at Batman's side.
"This is necessary," Batman explained. "We need to understand the scope of your powers and any potential dangers. To both you and those around you."
Samuel didn't argue, nor did he acknowledge it beyond another small nod.
"Once that's done," Batman said, turning to the rest of the team, "we'll discuss the mission in detail."
The room buzzed as the young heroes began talking amongst themselves.
Kid Flash nudged Robin. "Spectator, huh? Could be worse."
Robin smirked. "Better than Kid Flash."
"Hey!"
Samuel ignored them, pressing his fingers against his temple. The dull throb in his skull had worsened—whether from exhaustion or the endless teenage chatter surrounding him, he wasn't sure.
Batman raised a hand, instantly silencing the room. He activated a holographic display, projecting an image of a jungle-covered island surrounded by ocean.
"Isla Santa Prisca," he began. "This island nation is the primary source of a dangerous and illegal neo-steroid—a strength-enhancing drug known as Venom."
The display shifted to a factory, smoke rising from its stacks, workers moving like ants on the ground.
"Infrared heat signatures indicate the factory is still running at full capacity. However, all shipments of Venom have inexplicably stopped." Batman's sharp gaze swept across the team. "That's where you come in. This is a covert recon mission. Observe and report. If the Justice League needs to intervene, it will."
Samuel exhaled quietly. The reassurance of League backup was logical, but he could already predict what would happen. This team lacked leadership, discipline, and control. He gave it ten minutes before the mission turned into anything but covert.
"The plan requires two drop zones," Batman continued, switching the hologram to display the divided landing areas.
Robin straightened, his voice cutting in smoothly. "So, who's in charge?"
Batman and Red Tornado exchanged a glance before Batman simply said, "Work that out between you."
Robin's lips curled into a smirk, the kind Samuel had seen countless times back at Gotham Academy. He knew Dick Grayson well enough to recognize that self-assured look—the one that said he saw himself as the clear leader. Always striving to be the best. Always looking for acknowledgment.
However, to Samuel, Robin wasn't the obvious leader of this group.
The low hum of the bio-ship filled the cabin as it soared over the ocean. The atmosphere was tense, a mix of anticipation and quiet determination settling over the young heroes.
From the pilot's seat, M'gann's voice rang out. "Drop Zone A in thirty seconds."
Aqualad, seated near the hatch, rose smoothly, adjusting the straps on his gear. His movements were calm, controlled. There was no nervous energy, no hesitation—just quiet confidence.
Samuel, sitting near the back, observed him carefully.
Aqualad was different. He didn't carry the same arrogant certainty as Robin or the restless energy of Kid Flash. He wasn't seeking approval or validation—he moved with leadership. Everything was measured, deliberate.
Without a word, Aqualad dropped into the dark ocean below. He vanished beneath the surface with barely a ripple. A few seconds later, his voice crackled over the comms.
"Heat and motion sensors are patched. Data's now on a continuous loop. Move in."
M'gann nodded. "Drop Zone B."
Samuel watched as the others stood, their costumes shifting into stealth mode. Only Superboy remained unchanged, visibly irritated by the whole concept of costumes. They secured their rappel lines, preparing to jump.
As they moved toward the exit, M'gann hesitated. She turned to Samuel, her expression uncertain. "Are you really okay staying here on your own?"
Samuel nodded once. His mission was simple. He wasn't here to act, to fight—just to watch. And, if necessary, step in if things went horribly wrong.
Satisfied, M'gann activated the hatch. One by one, the team dropped into the dense jungle below.
Samuel remained behind, as he turned back toward the ship's controls. The bio-ship shifted course, moving to a secure, hidden location where he would observe from above.
As the bio-ship hovered silently above the jungle, Samuel leaned back in the pilot's seat, exhaling slowly. He wasn't interested in watching the team bumble their way through a "covert" mission just yet. Instead, his gaze shifted to the familiar status screen that materialized in front of him.
His list of abilities had updated. A new skill had been added.
[New Move Acquired]
Fire Will-O-Wisp (15/15): The user shoots a sinister flame at the target to inflict a burn.
A fire-type move. That was new. And "inflict a burn"—did that mean actual damage? Up until now, his abilities had never done direct harm. He frowned slightly but dismissed the thought. He doubted he'd need it anytime soon.
Closing the screen, he turned his attention to the bioship, deciding to relocate. With the team on the ground, there was no need to stay in this exposed position. Scanning the landscape below, he found a section of untouched mountain, far from patrol routes or settlements. He guided the ship there, letting it settle against the rocky terrain.
It still struck him how absurdly intuitive the ship's controls were. M'gann had mentioned it was a living organism, yet it functioned like advanced technology that responded to his very thoughts. Even with no training, flying it felt effortless.
That raised a question.
Why wasn't this kind of technology being used elsewhere?
If the League had ships like this, why weren't they being mass-produced? Why weren't they evacuating civilians from war zones, delivering aid, changing the world in ways that didn't involve throwing fists?
The bioship trembled beneath him.
Samuel blinked. It wasn't turbulence. The ship itself had reacted. To his thoughts?
For a moment, he considered pressing the idea further, but instead, he simply forced the ship to steady itself. Whatever it was, it wasn't important right now.
With nothing else to do, he activated the ship's telescopic feed, adjusting it to track the team's movements. The enhanced view flickered to life, revealing exactly what he expected.
They were already out of covert.
Samuel's earpiece crackled, feeding him the inevitable conclusion to a mission gone off the rails.
Robin had rushed ahead without coordinating. Kid Flash had followed, only to stumble into the middle of a gang dispute. And from there, everything collapsed into a full-blown brawl, the team now caught between multiple warring factions.
Samuel rested his chin in his hand, watching the mess unfold. Called it.
At the very least, the team wasn't weak. Disorganized? Yes. Terrible at communication? Absolutely. But each of them was dangerous in their own right. Guns and knives weren't real threats to people like them.
As expected, the fight was over in less than ninety seconds. Aqualad stepped in, finished off the stragglers, and they cleaned up the mess. No major injuries, no disasters—just another example of how incapable they were of following basic instructions.
Still, he had to check in. Not because he cared, but because Batman expected a mission report.
"…Spectator to team. Is it over?"
Aqualad's voice came through first. [It's over. Opponents are subdued. All tied up. It seems the covert has not yet failed.]
[Could've fooled me] Samuel muttered.
[Serioulsy, why didn't you all just vanish into the rainforest like I did?]
[As I told you, I'm not a mind reader!] Kid Flash snapped.
[Kid, Robin] Aqualad warned, [now is not the time to argue.]
Robin exhaled. [Fine. Anyway, I recognize these uniforms. They belong to the Cult of Kobra.]
Aqualad's tone darkened. [If Batman knew a dangerous extremist was running Santa Prisca's Venom operation, I'm certain he would've mentioned it.]
[Agreed. And since there's clearly no love lost between the cultists and the gangsters, I'm betting Kobra came in and took over. That's why the normal supply lines have been cut off] Robin reasoned.
Samuel closed his eyes briefly. A gang war between drug lords and a supervillain cult. Of course. The more he saw of this world, the less sense it made.
But that wasn't his problem. They had the information. The mission was complete.
"So, we're done," he stated flatly. "We have what Batman needs. Let's head back."
[No] Robin cut in. [These cultists aren't on Venom. That means Kobra's hoarding the stuff. We don't leave.]
Samuel blinked. "We do leave. Now. Get on the ship. No more action is necessary."
[Not until I know why,] Robin insisted.
Samuel sighed. Here we go.
Samuel pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling through his nose. He should've seen this coming.
The mission was technically complete. They had confirmed the involvement of the Kobra cult, identified the reason for the supply chain disruption, and secured intel for the League. That was all they were asked to do.
And yet—
Robin wasn't satisfied.
The earpiece crackled again.
[We don't leave until I know why they're hoarding Venom.]
Samuel closed his eyes. "You're seriously going to make this harder for no reason?"
[It's not no reason] Robin shot back. [We came here to investigate, and this? This is the lead.]
"This is greed," Samuel countered. "We got what we came for. You're risking the team for your curiosity."
A pause.
Then Kid Flash chimed in. [He has a point, dude. We're not actually supposed to pick a fight here.]
[We're not picking a fight] Robin insisted. [We're gathering more intel.]
Samuel scoffed. "By doing what? Breaking into their factory? Because that's what's coming next, isn't it?"
Silence.
Exactly what he thought.
Aqualad's voice finally came through, more measured than the others. [Robin, this is not what we were assigned to do. If we go further, it will be against Batman's orders.]
[Fine, then let's not tell Batman. We go in, we find out what Kobra's planning, and we leave. No one gets caught. No one gets hurt.]
Samuel sighed. He knew exactly how this was going to play out.
"Do whatever you want," he muttered. "But don't expect me to save you when it inevitably goes wrong."
Samuel shut off his mic, leaning back in his seat as the voices of Robin and Kid Flash faded into the background. He could still hear them arguing—probably about who should be in charge—but at least now he didn't have to listen.
He exhaled, pressing his fingers against his temple. They're kids. Robin was thirteen, Kid Flash barely older. Sure, they were strong, but mentally? They were impulsive, reckless, and convinced they had everything figured out.
Samuel wasn't much older himself, but he'd long since stopped thinking like a child.
His thoughts drifted back—his mother's death, the way Joker had laughed, the weight of that moment pressing down on him even now. Then, years later, standing before Joker again. He could've attacked. He could've let himself feel something—rage, vengeance, anything.
But he hadn't.
Not because he was afraid. Not because he was numb.
Because he refused to be even a little like that thing.
And yet… letting these hero-wannabes run around unsupervised wasn't right either.
If they got hurt—if they got someone else hurt—then it was on him for doing nothing. Minimize the damage. That's all.
"Kids nowadays…" Samuel muttered, shaking his head.
With a sigh, he adjusted the bioship's course, lifting it higher for a better vantage point. He'd step in when he had to. No sooner, no later.
Meanwhile, the team was already digging themselves deeper into trouble.
Samuel tuned back in, just in time to hear their latest brilliant idea.
[It's not complicated] a deep, accented voice rumbled through the comms. [The enemy of my enemy is my friend.]
Samuel couldn't recognize the voice, but it seemed he was the original owner of the venom factory.
Of course.
The infamous drug lord was offering to help them infiltrate the factory. Which was so obviously a trap that Samuel almost wanted to let them walk into it to teach them a lesson.
Samuel listened as Robin spoke over the comms.
[We're going to find out who Kobra is selling Venom to] Robin said confidently. [Bane's usual buyers haven't been getting shipments, which means Kobra has another client. We need to know who.]
Samuel sighed. "And you're trusting that...Bane guyto help you?"
[We can handle him] Robin shot back. [Besides, Miss Martian already confirmed he's telling the truth about the secret entrance.]
"That doesn't mean he's trustworthy—"
Before he could finish, the comm line cut out.
Samuel frowned, tapping the console to reconnect. Nothing. He checked the settings, but his knowledge of technology wasn't great. He understood enough to use what he needed, but he wasn't a hacker or engineer. His strengths had always been in humanities and natural sciences—not this.
The machine wasn't responding. The connection was gone.
Samuel leaned back, exhaling through his nose. Of course.
Meanwhile, the team— unaware that their link to him had failed—was already following Bane into the factory's secret entrance.
After thinking for a few minutes, Samuel ordered the bioship to stay in position, hovering just above the treeline. He placed a hand on the organic console, forming a mental connection with the ship.
"Anything that approaches me, neutralize with non-lethal force. Keep the perimeter clear."
The bioship pulsed in response, acknowledging the command. Satisfied, Samuel exhaled through his nose and stepped onto the island.
The air was thick—damp and heavy, clinging to his skin like an unwelcome presence. It was the kind of heat that felt unnatural, like the whole jungle was alive and watching. He didn't like it.
With slow, deliberate steps, he moved toward the factory's hidden entrance. Ensuring the team's safety. That was the goal. He had no intention of joining their mission, but there was one immediate problem he could solve—Bane.
The man was unpredictable. Dangerous. 100% plotting something. If the team was naive enough to trust him, then Samuel would have to handle it another way.
Minutes passed as he neared the factory. Then, suddenly—
Pop-pop-pop!
Muffled gunfire. The sharp clank of metal against concrete. The distant hum of something mechanical.
Samuel stilled, focusing on the direction of the factory.
Then, from the tunnel entrance, a figure emerged. A massive man, muscles taut beneath a black tank top, a luchador mask covering his face. In his hands, he clutched a collection of strange, sci-fi-like injectors, filled with a bright blue liquid.
Samuel didn't need a status screen to know exactly what they were.
Venom.
Bane's boots crunched against the dirt as he stepped out of the tunnel, rolling his shoulders. He had the look of a man who had just finished an inconvenient chore—mildly annoyed, but ultimately unbothered. His fingers tapped idly against one of the Venom injectors in his grasp as he surveyed the area.
Then his eyes landed on Samuel.
The teenager stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching him with an impassive gaze. He wasn't tense, wasn't visibly ready for a fight, but he also wasn't moving out of the way.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Bane's head tilted slightly. "You are with the niños. But...wasn't planning to join, huh?"
Samuel blinked, unimpressed. "Observant."
Bane let out a low chuckle, twirling one of the injectors between his thick fingers. "And yet, you are here."
Samuel didn't answer. He didn't need to. He was busy reading the info of Bane.
Name: Bane
Type: Fighting, Poison
Ability: Poison heal
If poisoned, the user has its HP restored instead of taking damage.
Bane studied him for a moment longer, then took a slow step forward, his sheer size making the distance between them shrink far too quickly. "I do not recognize you, chico. And yet, you do not seem surprised to see me."
Samuel tilted his head. "Should I be?"
Bane's lips curled slightly beneath his mask, amused. "I am Bane."
"I know."
That was when something shifted in Bane's expression. Not because of Samuel's words, but because something about him was oddly familiar. The way he spoke. The complete lack of fear. The kid who faced the Joker.
Then, a memory clicked into place.
"…Wait," Bane murmured, taking a better look. "I do know you." His fingers tapped against the Venom injector, gears turning in his mind. "Yes… Gotham. I sent men to collect you."
Samuel remained still. That explained the Spanish-speaking goons who had tried to drag him out of his own home.
Bane let out another laugh, shaking his head. "Batman got in the way, didn't he?"
Samuel didn't answer.
Bane watched him closely now, eyes narrowing. "And yet, here you stand. Alone." His grip on the injector tightened slightly. "Tell me, chico… what exactly are you?"
Samuel finally spoke, voice as even as ever.
"Not your problem."
Bane chuckled, still rolling the Venom injector in his palm. "You know, chico, I had plans for you." His eyes gleamed with something calculating. "Your power... this ability to enhance. I could've used that. Strengthened myself beyond limits even Venom can reach."
Samuel didn't react. He didn't care. He already understood Bane's plan. The man was not just here to reclaim the factory—he was here to play both sides, letting Kobra and the team tear each other apart while he swooped in for the advantage. Probably was trying to set up a trap before the team could retreat...
Samuel wasn't going to let that happen.
"Fire."
The Bioship, still invisible above them, instantly responded.
A sudden blast of green energy shot down from nowhere, slamming into Bane's chest with enough force to launch him backward into the dirt.
Samuel exhaled. That should keep him down long enough—
But before he could even finish the thought, Bane let out a guttural snarl, his fingers crushing the remaining injector in his hand. The Venom surged into his system instantly.
His body twitched. Muscles bulged grotesquely, expanding three times in size within seconds. Veins pulsed, his skin stretching tight over the unnatural growth.
And then he screamed.
"AAAHHHH!"
It wasn't pain—it was power. His roar echoed through the jungle, and the ground beneath Samuel trembled.
No time to hesitate.
Samuel raised a hand.
[Samuel used Will-O-Wisp!]
Three purple, ethereal flames flickered into existence, twisting and crackling unnaturally in the air. They moved fast, striking Bane's massive form as he lunged forward.
[Bane was Burned!]
Bane staggered mid-charge, the eerie flames searing into his body. His enhanced strength meant nothing against a burn—it wouldn't weaken his size...But immediately, all the enhanced power he had, dropped into half.
"What...did you just...!" Bane screamed in rage.
Samuel adjusted his stance, watching Bane carefully.
This fight wasn't about winning. The moment he predicted this game, the whole fight was already finished.
It was about how quickly he could take him down.