| Watchtower - October 5
The fallout from exposing the Light was still rippling across the world—especially for the Justice League. Media and public discussion hadn't slowed for a moment.
The revelation that a shadowy cabal had been influencing global events ignited worldwide uproar. Conspiracy theorists felt vindicated, and their theories only grew wilder—claims like the pyramids being built by aliens, gods, or both. And the real sting was that none of those theories could be dismissed as absolute impossibility anymore. Hashtags like #LightIsReal and #WhoControlsTheWorld dominated every platform.
Debate also raged about the League's role in confronting the Light. Many news outlets and governments accused the League of violating the sovereignty of Infinity Island over what they called "unverified rumors." People like GGG and Kaizen Gamorra of the newly united Rhelasia argued the League's actions blurred the line between heroism and vigilantism.
Because much of the evidence came from the Brain's memories and secret LexCorp dealings—rather than a clean, publicly digestible trail—numerous governments downplayed the exposé. Admitting a global conspiracy had operated freely under their noses would make them look incompetent. Some governments were almost certainly connected to the Light themselves.
But behind closed doors, panic was spreading.
Different nations began using the exposé to push their own agendas. The U.S. and the Western Bloc called for stricter oversight of metahumans, with the U.S. considering expanding A.R.G.U.S. The lingering anxiety from the Thanagarian invasion attempt—and previous threats like the Appellaxians—added fuel to the fire.
At the U.N., discussions intensified around creating a World Army, a global military force meant to support the Justice League and respond to extraterrestrial or superhuman threats. The idea gained traction after reports surfaced of the Light's dealings with Apokolips and attempted alliances with the Reach and Kroloteans.
The movement also gained momentum after the Joker's laughing-gas attack on the U.N. Batman had yet to capture the clown, and the media was skewering him for it.
China and Russia accused the League of fabricating evidence or acting unilaterally and immediately began bolstering their own metahuman programs. Russia announced the Rocket Red Brigade; China unveiled the Great Ten.
Meanwhile, Ra's al Ghul assumed the role of victim, portraying Infinity Island as a peaceful, neutral nation unfairly assaulted by a "superpowered paramilitary force." He filed a formal complaint at the U.N., demanded sanctions, and insisted League members involved be extradited for trial.
Batman's only video evidence—showing Ra's escaping with Light operatives like Zoom—had been destroyed by Zoom himself.
The world was now split. Some trusted the League for its long track record of heroism. Others feared the League could become the very thing it claimed to fight: an unaccountable global power. Many feared metahuman war, government collapse, or assassinations in the shadows.
For the League and the U.N., the situation was a diplomatic nightmare. The League wouldn't be disbanded, but oversight and restrictions were certain to increase.
Worst of all, while the League struggled with political backlash, the Light was quietly growing stronger as more villains sought alliances with them.
It was only one of Batman's headaches as he surveyed the assembled heroes.
"I've been alerted to an incoming disaster," Batman began. "Since Klarion's familiar was killed and he vanished, a new Lord of Chaos is arriving—one far stronger than Klarion. If we're not prepared, chaos will engulf the world."
The door opened, and Phantom Stranger walked in with Kent Nelson, who glanced around in confusion.
"I'm happy to see you again, Diana," Kent said. "Where's my old friend Red Tornado?"
Awkward silence followed.
"He… appears to have betrayed us," Wonder Woman said gently. "We're still searching for him."
"Oh." Kent sighed. "Didn't expect the tin man to go the way of the wicked witch."
"Speaking of witches let us return to the matter at hand," Batman said, "We need to prepare for the arrival of the Lord of Chaos known as Child. To do this, we're forming a new branch dedicated to mystical and supernatural threats: Justice League Dark."
"Are you joining too? You know, not everyone's convinced you're fully human. My money's on vampire," Plastic Man quipped, earning a mix of smirks and eye-rolls from the room.
Batman didn't even acknowledge him.
Kent took over. "So far, we have Etrigan, Phantom Stranger, and John Constantine—"
"John Constantine!?" Zatara exclaimed. "He's a corrupting influence and attracts doom to everyone around him."
Given what Batman knew of Constantine, he couldn't disagree.
"You know how dangerous Child will be, Giovanni," Kent replied. "We'll need all the help we can get."
Zatara stayed silent at that.
"Who wants to join?" Kent asked.
Wonder Woman raised her hand. "I have experience with the mystical. I will join."
Captain Marvel lifted his. "My powers come from magic, so I can help—even if I don't fully understand it yet."
The entire room then turned toward Zatara.
"…Fine," he said. "But keep that man away from me and my daughter."
"Good," Batman said. "Now, onto the next issue. The Brain was broken out by Zoom. Despite heavy security, no countermeasure could stop him. We must assume the Light is preparing something significant and prepare to stop them. But only a speedster can handle a speedster."
All eyes shifted to Flash—serious, focused, no humor in sight.
"Zoom has been terrorizing Central and Keystone City," Barry said quietly. "Killing civilians just to provoke me and Kid Flash. We're always a second too late. No more. The next time he shows himself, I'll stop him."
Batman believed him. A serious Flash was one of the most dangerous beings alive.
**
| Teton County - October 5
T.O. Morrow worked over the disassembled form of Red Tornado.
He was genuinely pleased with the return of his prodigal creation and with the chance to reunite the "family" now that Tornado had finally chosen to abandon the League and follow his siblings. But he was tired—tired of sudden complications ruining his plans. Just earlier in the year, Brom Stikk had rushed ahead with Mister Twister's armor and gotten himself captured, the armor destroyed despite Morrow's warnings. That thing wasn't cheap, and money didn't grow on trees.
So the moment Red Tornado returned, Morrow immediately began repairs on the damaged androids—damage caused by Starfire—and while he worked, he extracted Tornado's memories, wiping them clean to restore the android to its default programming just as he had done with the others.
Surprisingly, Red Tornado had felt the extraction and tried to resist, managing only a weak tornado before it was over. Futile.
That was the difference between real people like T.O. Morrow and clankers like the red android siblings. They would never possess true humanity, and their data logs could be erased with ease.
Yet, their flawed infiltration protocols—designed to help them mimic human behavior—kept pushing them toward unwanted independence. Red Inferno, formerly the heroine Firebrand, had once sacrificed herself by blocking a shot from the Dragon King meant for the first Flash, effectively "killing" her Firebrand persona. Red Tornado had refused to betray the Justice League. And so the cycle continued.
To break it once and for all, Morrow had built a new android—Red Volcano. Unlike the previous models, this one had no longing for humanity. It was programmed purely to destroy the Justice League and all mankind, free of any Pinocchio complex.
Morrow would download his own memories into the new android, along with the Reds' collective data on the Justice Society of America and the Justice League, and grant him geokinesis.
And soon, it would all finally be set in motion.