Lex Luthor's underground laboratory,
Hidden beneath Metropolis, buzzed with tense activity. Robin stepped forward, unstrapping a pouch from his belt and scattering several chipsets and memory modules onto the cluttered workbench.
"Oh, the dumb one is here too. How delightful." Lex said teasingly at Jericho, who only frowned in annoyance, the scene itself was rather cute to behold.
"These contain all the intel and schematics we pulled from the Russian bunkers," Robin stated coldly, his eyes sharp. "Had circumstances been different, I'd be shoving them straight up your ass, Lex."
Lex glanced upward from his screens, meeting Robin's gaze calmly, almost amused. "Keep that adolescent edginess at the door, boy. If I wanted any lip, I would've called your mother."
Instantly, Robin blurred into motion, fists clenched, ready to strike. But just as abruptly, he halted, controlling himself with obvious effort. Breathing heavily, he retreated angrily to a corner, drawing a low chuckle from Ra's al Ghul, who watched quietly from the shadows.
"And… what would you have me do, now that you have my attention?" Talia, from nowhere, set a knife to Lex's throat from behind as she whispered softly behind his ear.
Lex turned toward Ra's with a questioning look, silently demanding clarity about this tense alliance. Ra's simply glanced at his daughter, who smiled with her hands up and stepped forward silently, handing her father a small leather pouch and a chalk.
"This is me holding the end of my bargain with… 'her'. Make room." Ra's spoke as if addressing another woman who was not in the room as he moved to a secluded corner in the workshop.
Carefully, deliberately, Ra's drew an intricate circle on the floor, then dropped a handful of shimmering blue powder at its center. A brilliant flash of blue-white light filled the room briefly, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
When the glow faded, two figures stood within the circle—one, a lavishly ornate wooden box, and beside it, Tala. Tala was taller than most women with a purple hair that reached her butt, a dark fitting gown and transparent blue eyes. She stepped out smoothly, immediately focusing on Lex with a sultry smile.
"Ah, Lex. It's veen zo long since we've seen," Tala purred, her accent rich and enticing. She approached him gracefully, kissing him firmly despite the soot and grease staining his features.
Lex withdrew slightly, bemused. "You've only been gone a week."
"A week too long, my sweet," Tala replied teasingly, sliding her hand along his shoulder as she circled him slowly. Her dark blue dress accentuated every graceful curve. "It vas just as you said. The Lazarus Pit holds significant impurities, which were challenging but not impossible to remove, thanks largely to your bottomless pockets, I was able to purchase some items to help me."
Lex nodded absently, attention shifting momentarily to his monitors. "I'd have preferred Zatanna handle it, but we're down a mage. Enchantress has gone mad, and Constantine's been missing for weeks."
Suddenly, Tala's soft demeanour vanished. With startling strength, she shoved Lex protectively behind her.
"Everyone, take cover!" she commanded urgently. Without question, everyone obeyed, scattering swiftly behind crates, machines, and terminals. In these desperate times, nobody questioned their only mage.
A strange crack appeared mid-air, like reality itself fracturing before their eyes. Talas' mystical barriers shimmered briefly before shattering spectacularly. Blinding golden light burst forth, flames flickering violently until two figures tumbled through, hitting the concrete hard.
"My barriers!" Tala cried out.
Robin and the others upon hearing that their magical defense was down and new guests were about to greet them readied themselves.
"Blimey, fucking hell, mate," groaned a familiar voice in a thick British accent, instantly recognizable.
Lex rose cautiously, smirking faintly as he steadied Tala gently. "Speak of the devil..."
Aqualad, still taking cover, smiled faintly, eyes shut knowingly as if speaking of an old rascal. "It's the devil himself."
"Indeed," Ra's murmured, voice laced with dry amusement. "And it appears he's brought another by the name of Etrigan."
The first figure stood shakily, brushing soot from his coat. Fishing a cigarette from his pocket, he lit it calmly, surveying the stunned faces around him. "The name's John. John Constantine."
Etrigan rose dramatically, stepping forward boldly and booming in his rhythmic, poetic style:
"From realms afar where demons dwell,
I come now summoned, back from hell.
Etrigan, the Demon here,
I sense despair and lurking fear."
Jericho looked amused and clapped his hands at the beautiful words Etrigan just shared. He was a weird one, but he appreciated poetry even though this one spelt doom and gloom.
Lex strode forward quickly, recovering his authoritative composure. "Constantine, Batman needs you immediately. Zatanna created a portal for you in the back, but first, follow me."
"Zatanna? I thought she…" Constantine asked with worry in his voice.
"Astral projection." Lex answered briefly.
"Then she's still alive." Constantine said with a small smile.
Constantine nodded grimly, glancing at Etrigan. "Come on, big guy. Duty calls."
Etrigan chuckled deeply, looking around skeptically. "So, is this the mismatched band we now rely upon, to fight a goddess whose strength comes from drawn-out futility? Hahahaha, please tell me you are joking because I can't believe this stupidity."
In a blur of motion, Robin surged from the shadows, driving his knees into Etrigan's jaw from above. The impact echoed, cracking the floor beneath them slightly. Robin yanked on Etrigan's cape fiercely, drawing close, his voice a dangerous whisper:
"We don't need your demoralizing comments, Etrigan. Anyone dropping morale in these times," Robin's gaze swept around, "…is considered a traitor."
Talia and Ra's had approving looks on their face while the rest of the Teen Titans and Shazam had the look of determination on their face after Robin's action.
Robin stepped back, releasing Etrigan, who remained prone for a moment. Suddenly, with a roar of laughter, the demon leapt up, hurling Robin effortlessly across the room. Robin skidded to a halt, immediately aided by Aqualad and Red Star.
"That kid's got guts," Etrigan laughed deeply, genuinely impressed. "Perhaps there's hope yet."
"C'mon you big oaf. Please pay him no heed." Constantine dryly commented, scratching his beard.
Robin glared sharply but held his tongue, accepting Aqualad's support silently. Constantine shook his head, amused despite himself.
Lex turned sharply. "Enough theatrics. Constantine, come." Constantine sighed heavily, flicking his cigarette aside and stepping reluctantly forward.
Constantine nodded, following Lex swiftly toward the laboratory's back chamber, Etrigan trailing behind. Lex indicated a large, glowing mystical portal shimmering faintly.
"You're needed immediately. What was the delay?" Lex said firmly.
"Never ends, does it, Lex?" Constantine murmured wryly.
Lex's lips twitched faintly. "Only if we lose."
The three went through a solid titanium door that opened at their presence with compressed air leaking at the sides and closed behind them as they walked through.
"I am sure you are no stranger to the ongoings of what's happening and what's to happen now." Lex began with his hands behind his back.
"Hell's being rather quiet for a while as if anticipating something. I'd say whatever it is Raven is doing, she is doing it well." Constantine said after releasing a puff of smoke.
"That's not reassuring." Lex frowned.
"Look at this…" Etrigan began as he looked in awe at the 'projects' Lex had been working on.
"Bloody hell! I'd say you are a monster… but you are the monster we need now if we are going to win." Constantine said as he spat out his cigarette and crushed it below his heel.
"I think you know what I called you here to do now." Lex said as he walked in front of the two without looking at them.
"What are you waiting for? Get on with it." Lex turned as Constantine sighed and began moving his hands in the air as magic circles floated on his hands on the the projects he was shown.
An hour later, Constantine and Etrigan left Lex alone and left for the main workshop room. The two of them were rather silent as they walked around, feeling for a teleportation magic array till they found it.
Constantine nodded gravely, vanishing through the portal with Etrigan. Lex turned, addressing the remaining assembled group with cold precision. Lex soon came out to join the others in the workshop.
"Time's running short. Raven grows stronger by the moment. If we're to have any chance, we must move swiftly."
Robin stepped forward again, composure regained, determination shining fiercely in his eyes. "Then we move now. No more delays."
Lex nodded approvingly. "And with a plan I hope."
Ra's smiled faintly, eyes gleaming with interest. "So, it begins."
Tala stood close to Lex, gently wiping soot from his cheek, smiling softly. "We'll make sure it ends in our favor."
The rest of the team looked at Lex and Tala after Tala made that remark but Lex simply hmphed, feeling n need to defend himself or Tala and called for Shazam to help him continue his work. They all knew each other and understood that under different circumstances, they would never work together under the same roof.
The gathered heroes stood resolutely, determination uniting their diverse ranks. Despite their differences, past rivalries, and hidden animosities, one fact remained clear:
Failure was not an option. Victory—or annihilation—awaited them.
Let me know how the writing was. I'll ask again in a few chapters since I have written ahead. I am trying to get better at this.
Twists and unexpected shit are about to happen soon enough, read ahead on patreon.com/futamommy