Manhattan at night felt like another planet.
Neon lights flickered across glass towers, traffic roaring, people rushing everywhere.
But under all the noise, tension twisted through every street corner.
A dark sedan rolled to a stop near a quiet side road.
Ojaga, Bruce, Clark, Barry, and Diana stepped out, blending into the city's pulse.
Barry checked the address. "This is it. Manhunter's supposed to work as a detective here."
Bruce glanced at the glowing digital map on his phone. "He's hiding in plain sight."
Diana scanned the crowds. "There—second floor, left window. He's watching us."
Clark nodded, "Best behavior, everyone."
They walked to a nondescript stairwell and climbed to an office lined with thick blinds.
The door creaked open before they knocked.
Inside sat a tall man with dark skin, green eyes, and an odd calm around him.
He wore a faded detective's coat, but his presence felt impossibly old.
He stood and looked at each of them in turn.
"You've come a long way. But you are not alone," he said.
Barry stepped forward, "We need you, John. The world is coming apart."
The man's pupils shifted—a faint green glow revealed his real Martian form.
His mind linked gently to Barry first—sharing memories of running, saving people, fighting the sea.
John nodded slowly, voice like thunder muffled in sand.
"You are Flash. You care for others, as I do."
Then, John glanced at Ojaga, his brow furrowing.
He reached—not with his hand, but with his mind—trying to sense this strange fighter's soul.
Suddenly—
Inside the psychic plane, Ojaga's true energy sparked.
Images of an ancient ape with burning red eyes, tail lashing, flooded John's mind.
A primal roar echoed.
The scene twisted, colors fracturing.
John gasped, staggering back, nose bleeding, eyes wide in shock.
Ojaga blinked, "Uh… that's never happened before."
Clark rushed to steady John, "Are you alright?"
John wiped the blood and forced a weak smile, "Your friend is no ordinary earthling. His mind is… beyond human. Powerful. Old."
Bruce asked, "Does this mean you'll help us?"
John nodded, voice gentle again.
"I will join you. Your battle is my battle."
He touched a hand to his temple.
"My name is J'onn J'onzz. Martian Manhunter. My true form is not what you see. On Mars, we all could change shapes. But my people are nearly gone."
Diana asked quietly, "What happened?"
J'onn's expression darkened.
"Long ago, Mars was a peaceful world. My people lived by empathy, sharing thoughts in harmony. But demons from the void—parasites—invaded. They consumed us, feeding on emotion and memory."
Barry frowned, "Parasites? Like monsters?"
J'onn nodded.
"They entered when a spacecraft landed on Mars. Earth astronauts explored ancient ruins, awakening the slumbering demon hosts trapped beneath the surface."
Bruce leaned in, "What happened to the astronauts?"
"Only one returned. But the parasite was inside him," J'onn said.
"I followed, trying to stop him. He escaped to Earth, and the infection spread in secret. I lost track—hiding in your world, watching, searching for any sign of them."
Clark looked shaken, "Are these parasites active now?"
J'onn's eyes burned with warning.
"Yes. They feed on fear and chaos. Your world's reality is weaker than before. With seven bubble worlds merging, their hunger will only grow."
Ojaga rubbed his jaw, "Why didn't you reach out for help?"
"I realized Earth was already in crisis—floods, monsters, energy storms," J'onn said, voice low.
"And the parasite has become impossible to find. It's hiding while your worlds collide. Even I cannot sense it."
A tense silence passed.
Diana broke it. "We have to fight it—together."
J'onn smiled, sad.
"Yes. But prepare yourselves. The enemy does not attack openly. It spreads shadows, turns friends to foes, brings doubt."
Barry clapped a hand on his shoulder, "You're not alone anymore."
Clark nodded, "You're Earth Guardian now."
Ojaga stretched, grinned, "Welcome to the madness."
J'onn stood, taller now, his full Martian form pulsing briefly.
"I am ready. Let's face the darkness side by side."