The long table in Wayne Manor's underground command room glowed from the center hologram.
The air smelled faintly of steel and warm circuits.
Above the table, two images hovered — one of a tall green‑skinned figure in a dark suit, the other of a dark‑haired woman in a magician's outfit.
Bruce's voice broke the quiet.
"Target one — Martian Manhunter."
Ojaga leaned forward.
"He's a shapeshifter. Can mimic any human form... maybe any alien form."
Clark added, "Kind heart, though. Saves people without wanting the spotlight."
Barry grinned. "And he might be a mind‑reader. Which means, no lying around him."
Episteme frowned. "Mind‑reading is dangerous. But useful."
Dalma rested her chin on her hand. "If he's that powerful, why isn't he already famous?"
Bruce tapped the table. A map zoomed in on several hot spots across the globe.
"Because he doesn't want to be found. He hides in plain sight."
—
The hologram shifted to Zatanna.
Diana's eyes narrowed.
"She commands true magic. Not illusions. Not tricks."
Bruce nodded. "Backwards incantations, ancient seals. Dimensional magic."
Mala leaned forward. "Then she's far more dangerous than the Manhunter."
Ojaga smirked. "And a perfect teacher for Bruce. The Amazons have magic knowledge, but Zatanna uses a style this world's never seen."
Clark exhaled.
"She could be the difference between surviving the 7‑bubble merge… and being wiped out."
No one argued.
—
Cut to: Gotham City streets —
For the Amazons, the world was noise and color.
Thomas Wayne walked in front, carrying three shopping bags. "Stay together. And… don't challenge anyone to a duel."
Martha Wayne tried not to laugh. "Episteme, that includes you."
Jonathan Kent and his wife guided Dalma and Mala into a clothing store.
Dalma touched a soft leather jacket. "Strange armor… but comfortable."
Mala looked at a pair of sneakers in her hands. "These… are for running? Not combat?"
Jonathan grinned. "Some people wear them all day."
Outside, Episteme spotted a cinema poster.
"Moving paintings?"
Thomas chuckled. "Movies."
Two hours later, the ladies walked out of the theater with wide eyes.
"That… wasn't real?" Dalma asked.
"No," Martha Kent said gently, "but stories can still teach."
—
Back at the Manor —
The Amazons arrived at a large metal door underground.
Ojaga stood waiting. His tail swayed lazily.
"Welcome," he said. "This is the Gravity Chamber."
The door opened with a hiss.
Inside — massive round walls, glowing with blue seals.
The air inside shimmered like heatwaves.
Clark stepped in first. "Feels heavier."
"Exactly," Ojaga said.
"This chamber multiplies gravity. 2000 to 3000 times Earth level."
Barry whistled. "That'll break bones."
"Only if you fight stupid," Ojaga shot back.
The Amazons stepped forward cautiously.
"It's battle training…" Diana realized.
"To push your body past its natural limit."
Bruce explained, "Fighting creatures from other worlds means fighting opponents faster, stronger, or heavier than us."
Episteme spun her spear once. "Then let's test it."
—
Training Begins —
The gravity kicked up.
Dalma's knees bent under the sudden weight, but she gritted her teeth and adjusted her stance.
Mala swung her shield — slower than normal — the air around it rippling under the force.
Clark threw a slow but powerful punch into the air, the shockwave bouncing off the far wall.
Barry zipped forward, but every step was like running in thick mud.
"Okay… cardio just died."
Ojaga charged a ki blast, golden light tightening between his palms.
He shifted stance, then released it. The projectile bent mid‑air under the gravity pull before slamming into a reinforced target.
Diana moved like someone born for combat, even here.
Each strike was slower but precise, her body adapting every second.
Bruce fumbled a spell mid‑gesture, then tried again — his runes crackled but stayed intact under the pressure.
"Casting magic in this weight makes focus ten times harder."
Episteme attacked Clark with a rapid spear combo. Clark blocked, countered, and laughed.
Dalma sparred against Barry — her shield swings forcing him to time his dodges perfectly.
Mala trained with Ojaga, matching her Amazon strength against his ki bursts.
Sweat pooled on the chamber floor.
—
After an hour, Ojaga cut power to the chamber.
Everyone staggered out.
"This… will make us unbeatable," Barry panted.
"No," Diana said, wiping her forehead. "It will make us survive."
Bruce nodded. "And surviving is how we win."
Ojaga looked around at the team — Amazons, Kryptonian, magic‑users, speedster, tactician.
"We're almost ready… but without Manhunter and Zatanna, we're still incomplete."
Clark glanced at the hologram of the green‑skinned figure.
"Then we find them before the 7‑bubbles find us."
Everyone agreed.
The hunt for the next two Guardians was about to begin.