The Meeting of Shadows
The meeting chamber was not a place that existed on any map.
It was buried beneath layers of misdirection—false coordinates, dead satellites, and illusionary data loops. A place chosen not for comfort, but for balance. Neutral ground, where betrayal was expected and trust was currency no one spent lightly.
Ra's al Ghul arrived first.
He stood calmly at the center of the circular chamber, hands folded behind his back, posture relaxed yet predatory. The green glow of the Lazarus-lit architecture reflected faintly in his eyes. Behind him stood silence—no guards, no assassins visible. The League never showed its blade until it was needed.
Moments later, the air itself seemed to tense.
One by one, holographic projections activated around the chamber.
Lex Luthor.
Vandal Savage.
Queen Bee.
Ocean Master.
Clarion's proxy shimmered briefly before stabilizing.
Black Manta appeared last, his image sharp and unreadable.
The Light was present.
Ra's al Ghul inclined his head slightly—not in submission, but in acknowledgment.
"You requested this meeting," Ra's said evenly. "Speak."
Lex Luthor wasted no time.
"Your operative, Cheshire," Lex began, fingers steepled, voice smooth but sharp beneath the surface, "demonstrated abilities during the Texas shipment operation that do not align with any known enhancement program, metahuman gene expression, or alien technology currently catalogued by the Light."
Ocean Master's eyes narrowed.
"She moved faster than hydrodynamics allow. Attacks slid off her like water over glass."
Queen Bee smiled faintly.
"And she resisted psychic intrusion completely."
Ra's expression did not change.
Vandal Savage leaned forward slightly, interest ancient and dangerous.
"So we ask directly, Ra's al Ghul. What is the source of Cheshire's power?"
For a long moment, silence ruled the chamber.
Then Ra's al Ghul spoke.
"She is a Devil Fruit user."
The reaction was immediate.
Lex Luthor's eyes sharpened.
Queen Bee's smile froze.
Ocean Master stiffened.
Even Vandal Savage showed the faintest flicker of surprise.
Lex was the first to recover.
"A Devil Fruit," he repeated slowly. "You expect us to believe your assassin simply found one—when every intelligence agency, magical cabal, and cosmic observer has failed to locate even a single confirmed source?"
Ra's turned his gaze toward Lex's projection.
"I do not deal in expectations," he said calmly. "Only results."
He continued, his voice steady, rehearsed—perfectly aligned with the narrative Damian had constructed.
"Cheshire was sent on a long-term, high-risk mission beyond League territory. No support. No extraction. During that mission, she encountered a Devil Fruit."
Black Manta crossed his arms.
"And she didn't eat it immediately?"
"No," Ra's replied. "She returned it to me."
That earned genuine interest.
"For loyalty," Ra's continued, "for restraint, and for placing the League above herself—I granted her permission to consume it. As confirmation of her permanent status within the League of Assassins."
Lex studied him closely.
"And you expect us to accept this… coincidence?"
Ra's met his gaze without flinching.
"You expect me to explain my fortune," he replied. "I do not."
Vandal Savage spoke next, his tone thoughtful.
"The power manifested cleanly," he said. "No instability. No corruption. No loss of control. That suggests compatibility."
"Yes," Ra's agreed. "Not every Devil Fruit is suitable for every warrior. Cheshire's abilities aligned with her existing combat style. That is why it succeeded."
Lex leaned back slightly, gears turning.
"So," he said, "the light now possesses a Devil Fruit user."
Ra's corrected him instantly.
"The League possesses one Devil Fruit user."
A subtle emphasis. A boundary drawn.
Queen Bee tilted her head.
"And are there more?"
Ra's al Ghul smiled faintly—cold, measured.
"If there were," he said, "you would already feel the consequences."
The chamber fell quiet again.
Lex Luthor exhaled slowly.
"For now," he said, "the Light will accept your explanation."
Ocean Master was less pleased but remained silent.
Vandal Savage nodded once.
"See that this power does not disrupt the balance we maintain."
Ra's al Ghul turned away from the circle of projections.
"The League has always understood balance," he said. "We simply refuse to be defenseless within it."
The holograms flickered—one by one disappearing.
When the chamber was empty once more, Ra's stood alone, expression unreadable.
Far away, beyond their reach, beyond their sight—
Damian's plan continued to unfold exactly as intended.