Mount Justice — Briefing Room
The Zeta-Tube hummed with that familiar electrical whine as the team materialized in Mount Justice, still in full costume with faint wisps of steam trailing from their suits like ghosts of their recent adventure.
Koriand'r stood close to Hadrian as they emerged, her green eyes glowing faintly as she took in the sleek alien architecture of the cavernous base. She looked equal parts wary and fascinated, her head tilting slightly as she absorbed every detail with the focused intensity of someone cataloging potential threats and allies.
Red Tornado stood at the console already, his mechanical face impassive but his monotone voice betraying an undercurrent of urgency that made everyone straighten slightly.
"Team. Debrief immediately," he said, his words crisp and efficient. "I am notifying Batman of this development. He will wish to speak to… her."
His glowing red eyes focused on Koriand'r with clinical interest, as if she were a particularly complex equation he needed to solve.
Koriand'r's brow furrowed slightly, her glowing eyes narrowing. "Is this… 'Batman' your leader?"
Wally leaned in toward Dick and stage-whispered with barely contained glee, "Oh boy. She doesn't know Batman yet. She's in for a treat. Should we warn her about the whole 'brooding darkness' thing?"
"Nah," Dick replied with a smirk. "It's funnier this way. Let her figure it out herself."
Hadrian cut them both a glance that could have frozen lava, his emerald eyes carrying that particular brand of older-brother authority that shut them up — mostly — then turned to Koriand'r with considerably more warmth.
"You'll meet him soon. Don't worry. He's…" Hadrian hesitated, clearly searching for the right words, then finished dryly, "…intense. But fair."
In the far corner, Conner sat at a table in his black T-shirt and jeans, pencil tapping against a math workbook with the rhythmic persistence of someone slowly losing their mind. His brow was furrowed in deep frustration as he muttered under his breath, his super-hearing unfortunately not extending to algebraic comprehension.
"I can bench press a tank and leap over a building in a single bound, but these stupid equations are gonna kill me," he grumbled, erasing something with enough force to nearly tear through the paper. "Who decided letters belonged in math anyway?"
He glanced up and noticed everyone staring, his expression shifting to mild irritation.
"What?" he asked defensively.
Wally grinned with the particular delight of someone who'd found a new source of entertainment. "Nothing, Supes. Carry on. You're doing… great. Really inspiring work there."
Conner grumbled something about variables and went back to his page with renewed determination to defeat the evil forces of algebra.
---
The Zeta-Tube chimed again, and a series of voices and footsteps filled the cavern as the girls arrived, fresh from their patrol and clearly in good spirits.
First came Kara — Supergirl — her blond hair tied in a loose ponytail that had seen better days, her cape fluttering faintly as she adjusted the gloves of her suit. She looked around with bright blue eyes, immediately sensing the tension in the room.
Right behind her was Roslyn — Solstice — with her fiery red hair in a practical braid, her golden energy faintly glowing at her fingertips like captured sunlight. She gave her older brothers (Hadrian and Neville) a cheeky wave as she stepped in, clearly ready to cause trouble.
Then Zatanna — Enchantress — all in black and white, played with her her cloak idly with that trademark mischief dancing in her dark eyes. She had the look of someone who'd been hoping for drama and was pleased to find it.
Donna — Troia — entered next, perfectly poised in her red-and-gold armor, her raven-black hair cascading over one shoulder in a way that suggested she'd never had a bad hair day in her life. Her sharp grey eyes swept the room quickly, narrowing faintly when she spotted Koriand'r standing closer than strictly necessary to Hadrian.
M'gann — Miss Martian — and Jessica Cruz — Green Lantern — came in together, chatting quietly about their patrol before stopping mid-sentence to take in the room's strange tension.
"Okay," Kara said, planting her hands on her hips in a gesture that was pure Kryptonian authority, "what did we miss? And why does everyone look like they just witnessed either a miracle or a disaster?"
Roslyn grinned as she stopped in front of her brothers, bouncing slightly on her toes. "You guys never call us when something fun happens. This is, like, the third time this month. Spill everything."
Zatanna leaned against the console casually, her dark eyes gleaming with anticipation. "So. Who's the girl? And why does she look like she could bench press a car?"
That was all Robin and Wally needed to spring into action, like reporters who'd just stumbled onto the story of the century.
"Ohhh boy," Wally said, rubbing his hands together gleefully, "you girls are in for a story. Like, epic story. Movie-worthy story."
Robin smirked, twirling his staff as he added theatrical flair. "Yep. You'll never guess how this one started. Or how it's going to end, for that matter."
"Wally," Donna said flatly, crossing her arms, "just say it. Some of us have other things to do tonight."
Wally beamed like he'd just won the lottery. "Okay, picture this: flaming alien pod crashes down in Jump City. Boom, big glow, crater, smoke, drama — the whole sci-fi movie starter pack."
Robin jumped in, clearly unable to resist adding his own dramatic touches. "And out walks her. Alien princess, fiery hair, model legs, orange skin, whole otherworldly package. I mean, she literally looked like she stepped out of a fantasy novel."
Zatanna's eyebrows shot up. "Princess? Seriously? Like, actual royalty?"
"Does she have a tiara?" Roslyn asked brightly, clearly fascinated. "Because if she doesn't have a tiara, I'm calling false advertising."
"I don't see one," Wally replied, glancing at Koriand'r, "but she definitely made an entrance. Very 'I own this planet' energy. Then — get this — she starts speaking this language none of us know. All sing-songy and… alien-y."
"Alien-y isn't a word," Jessica pointed out.
"It is now," Wally shot back. "I'm expanding the English language."
"So how does she speak English now?" Kara asked skeptically, her blue eyes narrowing. "Because I'm assuming she didn't just pick up a dictionary somewhere."
That's when Wally's grin turned truly devious, like he was about to reveal the punchline to the world's best joke.
"Ohhh," he said dramatically, pointing toward Hadrian with theatrical flair, "because she kissed him."
The room went dead silent for exactly three seconds.
Then Donna blinked. Then her arms tightened just a little more over her chest.
"She… what?"
"Full on!" Wally said, almost bouncing with excitement. "Like, hands-on-his-collar, can't-breathe, movie-kiss kind of kiss. Right in front of all of us. I'm telling you, it was like watching an alien soap opera come to life."
Robin smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos. "She learned English mid-kiss. Impressive and efficient. I gave it a solid eight out of ten for technique."
"You scored her kissing?" M'gann asked, sounding both appalled and amused.
"Someone had to," Dick replied with a shrug. "Points for style, minus points for consent issues."
Roslyn gasped and turned on Hadrian with a teasing grin that promised endless future embarrassment. "You didn't even tell me you had a girlfriend, big bro! I am so offended right now."
Hadrian, for his part, just exhaled through his nose, his emerald eyes lifting briefly from the console where he stood next to Red Tornado. "She's not my girlfriend."
"Could've fooled me," Wally stage-whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I mean, you didn't exactly push her away."
"I was surprised," Hadrian said dryly.
"Surprised enough to let her stick her tongue down your throat," Neville added helpfully from his spot against the wall, earning a glare from his brother.
Donna finally stepped forward, her expression carefully neutral but her tone carrying a faint edge that could have cut glass. "And you… let her do this?"
Hadrian glanced at her, unfazed by the barely contained storm brewing in her grey eyes. "It's not like she gave me much of a choice. She moved faster than I could react."
"She just grabbed him," Neville added dryly. "Pretty sure it surprised him more than us. Though he didn't seem to mind too much."
"I minded," Hadrian said flatly.
"Did you though?" Wally asked with a grin. "Because your face was doing this thing where—"
"Wally."
"Shutting up."
Zatanna smirked, clearly enjoying the drama. "Well, at least you're… popular with interdimensional royalty. That's got to look good on a resume."
M'gann tilted her head, watching Koriand'r with quiet curiosity. "Her aura is… strange. Not hostile, but definitely powerful. And complicated."
Red Tornado's calm, mechanical voice cut through the chatter like a blade through silk.
"Batman will arrive shortly. Until then… keep your guest calm. And civilized."
Jessica folded her arms and shot Wally a look. "Civilized, huh? So, maybe keep him away from her? Just a thought."
"Hey!" Wally protested. "I'm the epitome of civilized! I haven't made a single inappropriate joke in the last five minutes!"
"The night is young," Kara muttered.
But Donna was still watching Hadrian, her grey eyes stormy though her expression remained smooth as marble. There was something in her posture — too straight, too controlled — that suggested she was holding back more than casual interest.
Hadrian, sensing her stare like a physical weight, finally turned his gaze fully to her.
"If you have something to say, Donna," he said evenly, his emerald eyes meeting hers with quiet challenge, "say it."
She blinked — just once — then shook her head and looked away with the kind of practiced indifference that fooled absolutely no one.
"Nothing to say," she muttered. "Not my business who you let… kiss you."
Hadrian arched a brow but didn't push further, though his expression suggested he wasn't buying her act for a second.
Behind him, Wally elbowed Robin with the subtlety of a freight train. "Ooooh. She's mad."
Robin smirked knowingly. "Oh, she's definitely mad. This is her 'I'm fine' face, which means she's absolutely not fine."
"Should we do something?" M'gann asked quietly.
"Like what?" Jessica whispered back. "Get involved in whatever weird love triangle thing this is turning into?"
Roslyn giggled, clearly delighted by the interpersonal drama. "This is better than a soap opera. I should be taking notes."
Neville just muttered, "I hate all of you. Every single one of you."
Zatanna twiddled her thumbs thoughtfully. "You know, I could cast a truth spell. Really clear the air."
"Don't even think about it," Hadrian said without looking at her.
"Spoilsport," Zatanna replied with a grin.
Koriand'r, who had been watching this entire exchange with growing fascination, finally spoke up.
"I do not understand," she said, her melodic voice cutting through the chatter. "Have I caused offense? Your friend seems… distressed."
All eyes turned to Donna, who straightened even more if that were possible.
"I'm not distressed," she said coolly. "I'm perfectly fine."
"You're gripping your bracers hard enough to leave dents," Kara observed.
Donna glanced down at her hands, which were indeed clenched tight enough to leave marks on the metal. She forced herself to relax.
"I said I'm fine."
Koriand'r tilted her head, studying Donna with those unnerving green eyes. "On Tamaran, when someone claims to be 'fine' in that tone, it usually means they wish to challenge someone to combat."
"Combat?" Wally perked up. "Are we talking like, formal combat? Because I have opinions about fair fighting rules."
"No one is fighting anyone," Hadrian said firmly.
"That's disappointing," Roslyn muttered.
Red Tornado's voice cut through the chaos again. "Batman's ETA is fifteen minutes. I suggest you use that time to… establish understanding."
"Understanding," Conner repeated from his corner, finally looking up from his math homework. "Yeah, good luck with that. I've been trying to understand algebra for three hours, and I'm pretty sure it's actively trying to kill me."
"Maybe we should focus on the alien princess first," Jessica suggested. "Then we can tackle your math crisis."
"Thanks for the priority ranking," Conner said dryly.
Hadrian stepped forward, his emerald eyes finding Koriand'r's glowing green ones. "Before Batman gets here, maybe you should tell us more about why you're here. What kind of assistance do you need?"
Koriand'r's expression grew more serious, the playful curiosity fading into something harder. "My people… my planet… we are in danger. I have traveled far to find those who might help us."
"And you chose us because…?" Neville asked.
She looked at Hadrian again, and for a moment, something almost vulnerable flickered in her expression. "Because I have heard tales of Earth's heroes. Of their courage. Their strength." Her eyes swept the room. "And because I had little choice."
The room fell quiet at that, the weight of her words settling over them like a blanket.
Finally, Wally broke the silence. "Well," he said, his usual humor tempered with something more serious, "you came to the right place. We're pretty good at the whole 'saving people' thing."
"Speak for yourself," Donna muttered. "Some of us are still figuring out what we're good at."
And still, the alien princess stood near Hadrian, silent but watchful — her glowing green eyes studying everyone in the room, cataloging their reactions, their relationships, their weaknesses.
Whatever she wanted, whatever danger was coming…
It was only just beginning.
—
The low hum of the Zeta-Tube filled the air again, and the atmosphere in the cavernous briefing room instantly shifted from teenage chaos to military precision.
Everyone — even the ever-chattering Wally — straightened a little as five familiar silhouettes shimmered into being, their presence immediately commanding attention like gravity wells drawing everything toward them.
First to step out was Batman. His black cape swept around him like a living shadow, each movement deliberate and predatory. His presence alone dropped the temperature of the room by a few degrees, creating that particular tension that made everyone acutely aware of their own breathing. His white lenses scanned the room once, cataloging every detail, every expression, every defensive posture before pausing fractionally longer on Hadrian — a moment of assessment that spoke volumes.
Behind him, Superman strode forward with that effortless confidence that only he could carry — red cape flowing behind him like liquid silk, the stylized S of the House of El bright on his chest catching the overhead lights. His piercing blue eyes, kind but impossibly sharp, went first to Koriand'r with polite curiosity… then to his kids with that particular blend of pride and concern that only parents understood.
Neville first, standing at attention like the soldier he was becoming. Then Hadrian, floating just slightly off the ground, emerald eyes steady and unreadable. And finally Roslyn, who gave him a sheepish smile and a little wave that was equal parts guilty and affectionate.
Trailing just a step behind him was Scarlett — Lilly Kent — in her shimmering red-and-gold armor, the El crest blazing on her breastplate like a beacon. Her long red hair was tied in a practical braid over one shoulder, her bright eyes sharp and calculating as they swept the room, taking in every detail with the efficiency of someone who'd learned to read battlefields in seconds.
Her presence drew an immediate, unspoken reaction from the younger heroes — Zatanna in particular straightened at the sight of her aunt, her expression flickering from pride to just a hint of nervousness, like a student suddenly realizing the teacher had been watching all along.
Martian Manhunter followed silently, his towering, green-skinned form radiating the kind of calm that came from centuries of experience and wisdom. His crimson eyes surveyed the room with serene intensity, reading not just expressions but thoughts, emotions, the very fabric of the group's dynamics.
Last came Hal Jordan, adjusting his Green Lantern ring absently as he stepped in with his usual mix of charm and bravado, that cocky pilot's swagger that somehow managed to be both irritating and endearing. "So," Hal said with a faint smirk, his voice carrying just the right amount of amused authority, "which one of you kids broke the alien princess out of her royal palace?"
No one answered.
Yet.
The silence stretched for exactly three seconds before Wally, unable to contain himself, stage-whispered to Dick, "Is it just me, or does everyone look scarier when they're in parent mode?"
"It's not just you," Dick whispered back. "Batman's doing that thing where he's calculating how to ground all of us simultaneously."
"Can he do that?" Wally asked, genuinely concerned.
"He's Batman," Kara muttered. "He can do whatever he wants."
---
Batman's gravel-deep voice cut through the whispered commentary like a blade through silk.
"Report."
Red Tornado gave a precise nod and gestured toward the console, his mechanical movements somehow managing to convey both efficiency and subtle deference.
"Alien vessel crash-landed in Jump City during Team patrol. Occupant: one female, species Tamaranian, claims to be Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran. Initial encounter hostile due to language barrier. Hostilities ceased upon establishing translation… through unorthodox means."
Hal arched a brow, his expression shifting from casual interest to genuine curiosity. "Unorthodox? Define unorthodox. Are we talking interpretive dance, or something more creative?"
Wally, not missing his cue and clearly unable to resist the opportunity for maximum dramatic effect, piped up with a grin that could have powered a small city. "Oh yeah. Big unorthodox. She laid one on Hadrian like it was prom night and he was the last guy on Earth."
Kara actually facepalmed, her blonde hair falling forward as she muttered, "Why are you like this?"
"I'm a natural storyteller," Wally replied proudly. "It's a gift."
Roslyn giggled, then quickly covered her mouth when her father's attention shifted to her. "Sorry," she whispered. "But it was pretty epic."
Hadrian, for his part, didn't flinch under the scrutiny of five League members and half the team. He simply met Batman's unreadable gaze head-on, his emerald eyes steady and unflinching.
"She said it was how her people learn languages," he said calmly. "I didn't exactly get a vote in the matter."
"Did you try to stop her?" Donna asked, her voice carefully neutral but with an edge that could have cut glass.
"She moved faster than I could react," Hadrian replied, his tone remaining even. "And it was over before I could process what was happening."
"That's what they all say," Zatanna muttered, earning a sharp look from Scarlett.
Scarlett stepped forward, her gold-trimmed cape catching the light as she examined Koriand'r with a cool, calculating gaze that missed nothing. "A Tamaranian?" she repeated softly, her voice carrying the weight of experience. "I can't say that your kind have been seen by one of our kind."
Koriand'r bowed slightly, her long orange hair falling over her shoulders in a gesture that was both graceful and genuinely respectful. "My lady," she said with quiet dignity.
That drew a faint smirk from Scarlett, who caught Hadrian's eye and arched a brow at his completely neutral expression, recognizing her own poker face reflected in his features.
That boy has my poker face, she thought with no small amount of maternal pride, though she'd never admit it out loud.
Superman crossed his arms, his voice calm but carrying that particular authority that made people listen whether they wanted to or not. "We understand you've traveled a long way to reach Earth. But this is an extraordinary breach of protocol. We need to know why you're here… and what kind of danger you've brought with you."
"Danger?" Wally perked up, his eyes widening. "Nobody mentioned danger. I thought this was just a weird meet-cute situation."
"Everything's dangerous when you're involved," Neville said dryly.
"That's hurtful but probably accurate," Wally admitted.
Koriand'r straightened, her glowing green eyes flitting briefly between the League members, cataloging their expressions, their postures, their potential as allies or threats, before settling back on Hadrian — the one person in the room who hadn't looked at her like a problem to be solved.
"I… did not wish to involve your world," she began, her melodic voice carrying more weight now, tinged with something that might have been regret. "But I was given no choice. My planet… my people…"
She paused, visibly steeling herself, her fingers curling into fists at her sides as if she were physically holding herself together.
"They are falling. To an empire that consumes everything in its path."
The room temperature seemed to drop another few degrees as the weight of her words settled over them.
Martian Manhunter's expression darkened ever so slightly, his ancient eyes reflecting knowledge of horrors most minds couldn't comprehend. His deep, measured voice rumbled into the silence like distant thunder.
"The Citadel."
Koriand'r's head jerked toward him in surprise, her glowing eyes wide. "You know of them."
J'onn nodded gravely, his expression carrying the weight of centuries. "I know enough. They are… thorough in their conquests."
"Thorough?" Jessica asked, her voice smaller than usual. "That doesn't sound good."
"It's not," J'onn replied simply.
Batman's cape shifted faintly as he stepped closer to Koriand'r, his presence towering even without saying a word, creating that particular zone of intimidation that made even seasoned criminals confess their deepest secrets.
"You will explain," he ordered, his voice like distant thunder rolling across a darkened sky. "All of it. Every detail."
Koriand'r met his gaze — and didn't flinch. Her chin lifted slightly, showing the steel that had made her a princess of a warrior race.
"Very well," she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
Her next words sent a chill through the room that had nothing to do with the cave's natural temperature.
"Tamaran is gone. Every city, every settlement, every living soul. And soon… Earth will be next."
The entire room fell silent at that, her declaration echoing in the stillness like the toll of a funeral bell.
Conner looked up from his math homework, pencil frozen halfway to the paper. "Gone? As in… gone gone?"
"As in dead," Koriand'r said simply. "All of them."
Hadrian's emerald eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening just slightly as he took a step closer to her, his voice low but steady, carrying that particular quality that made people trust him even in the worst circumstances.
"Start from the beginning," he said gently. "Tell us everything."
Roslyn moved closer to her brothers, her usual brightness dimmed by the weight of what they were hearing. "This is bad, isn't it?" she whispered.
"Really bad," Neville confirmed, his pale green eyes fixed on Koriand'r with the intensity of someone calculating battle strategies.
Zatanna twirled her wand nervously, her dark eyes reflecting the fear she was trying to hide. "So, hypothetically, how long do we have before this Citadel thing shows up here?"
"That," Koriand'r said softly, "depends on how quickly they can track me."
"Track you?" Wally's voice cracked slightly. "You mean they followed you here?"
"They follow everyone who escapes," she replied. "It is their way."
The camera would pan slowly across every face — Wally's sudden unease as the reality of the situation hit him, Donna's growing anger at the threat to her adopted world, Zatanna's furrowed brow as she calculated magical defenses, Roslyn's worried glance at her brothers, Neville's clenched fists as he prepared for war, Scarlett's sharp, protective glare at her children, Superman's quiet steel as he processed the threat to his planet, Batman's calculating stare as he ran through tactical scenarios, M'gann's growing distress as she sensed the emotional weight of the room, Jessica's hands unconsciously moving to her ring, Kaldur's water blades beginning to form unconsciously, Dick's usual humor replaced by grim determination, and Conner finally abandoning his homework completely.
And finally back to Koriand'r… her glowing eyes haunted by memories of a world that no longer existed, her voice barely above a whisper as she opened her mouth to speak.
"It began three months ago," she said, her words carrying the weight of entire civilizations. "When the first of their ships appeared in our skies."
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the distant hum of the cave's systems and the sound of everyone's carefully controlled breathing.
Whatever came next, they all knew their lives were about to change forever.
—
The silence stretched taut, a fragile wire of tension strung between every hero in the room as all eyes locked on Koriand'r. She stood straighter now, as though the memory itself hardened her spine, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles gleamed white against her orange skin. Her long amber hair fell forward, the tips glowing faintly in the harsh fluorescent lighting.
"It began three months ago," she said, her voice carrying a weight none of them could fully fathom. Her accent was thick, musical despite the pain threading through every word. "When the first of their ships appeared in our skies. We had heard whispers before — of systems falling to the Citadel Empire, of planets enslaved, stripped, shattered. But we... we thought Tamaran was safe."
Wally shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his usual restless energy subdued. "Safe how? I mean, no offense, but if these guys are conquering whole star systems..."
"We were a warrior people," Koriand'r interrupted, her glowing eyes flashing with a mix of pride and pain. "For millennia, we defended ourselves. Our warriors could fly, could channel the power of our twin suns. We had weapons that could crack moons, shields that could withstand the fury of dying stars."
Her voice cracked slightly on the last word, and she paused, jaw working as she fought for composure.
"We were wrong."
Scarlett leaned forward slightly, her emerald eyes sharp with concern. Her red hair caught the light as she tilted her head. "What changed? What made them different?"
Koriand'r's laugh was bitter, hollow. "Numbers. Technology we had never seen. And..." She hesitated, her hands trembling slightly. "Betrayal from within."
Tim crossed his arms, his analytical mind already working. "Inside help. Someone gave them intelligence."
"They came in waves," Koriand'r continued, her voice growing stronger but colder. "Hundreds of ships. Each one carrying enough soldiers and weapons to level a city. And we fought. Tamaran is — was — a proud, warrior people. We fought them in the skies above our golden cities. We fought them on the crystal plains. We fought them in the star-fields beyond our moons. And every time... we lost more."
Jessica swallowed hard, her hand unconsciously moving to her power ring. "How long did you hold out?"
"Six weeks," Koriand'r said quietly. "Six weeks of constant battle. Our warriors falling like leaves in a storm. Our cities burning. Our people..."
She stopped, her breathing heavy.
Neville stepped forward, his imposing frame casting a shadow across the briefing table. His pale green eyes were gentle despite his intimidating appearance. "You don't have to—"
"No," Koriand'r said firmly, straightening her shoulders. "You need to know. All of you. Because they are coming, and you must understand what we face."
Hadrian watched her carefully, his emerald eyes reflecting the same intensity that had made him a natural leader. "Tell us."
"And then..." Koriand'r's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "They offered us a chance to surrender. To become part of their Empire as slaves rather than corpses. My father refused."
The room was dead silent now. Even Wally had stopped fidgeting.
"King Myand'r was... he was a good man," she continued, her voice thick with emotion. "He believed in our people's strength. Our independence. He would rather die free than live in chains."
J'onn's red eyes flickered with something that might have been understanding. "And the Citadel?"
"They gave us three days to reconsider." Koriand'r's hands clenched into fists. "Three days to watch our cities burn. Three days to count our dead. Three days to..."
Her voice broke completely.
Donna moved closer, her storm-grey eyes filled with a rare show of sympathy. "What happened on the third day?"
Koriand'r looked up, and for a moment, her composed mask slipped entirely. The pain in her glowing eyes was raw, devastating.
"It was my sister... who accepted."
The words dropped like a stone into still water, sending ripples of shock through the room.
Wally blinked rapidly, his young face scrunching in confusion. "Wait, what? Your sister?"
Koriand'r nodded once, sharp and stiff. "Komand'r. She..." Her jaw tightened visibly. "She always believed she should have been the one to inherit the throne. That she deserved to rule Tamaran — not me. When she saw the Citadel's power... she struck a bargain."
"Oh, hell no," Roslyn breathed, her brown eyes wide with horror behind her glasses. "She didn't."
"She gave them our defense codes," Koriand'r continued, her voice growing steadier but colder with each word. "Sabotaged our planetary shields. Led them into our cities through secret passages only the royal family knew. And in return..." She laughed bitterly. "They made her their governor. Over my people."
Conner's jaw tightened, his blue eyes flashing with anger. "She sold out her whole planet?"
"Not just the planet," Koriand'r said, her glowing eyes flaring brighter now, like green fire barely contained. "Me."
That startled even Batman — though if he felt it, the only sign was the slight narrowing of his white lenses.
Superman stepped forward, his cape settling around his impressive frame. "Explain."
Koriand'r's next words carried the brittle edge of betrayal carved deep. "Komand'r offered me to the Citadel as tribute. Proof of her loyalty. A living trophy to parade through their empire." Her voice turned savage. "The lost princess of Tamaran, broken and chained for their amusement."
"Jesus," Kaldur whispered, his usually composed demeanor cracking. "Your own sister."
"I... fought," Koriand'r continued, her voice shaking with barely contained rage. "I killed more than I can count just to escape their ship. Guards, soldiers, anyone who tried to stop me. But they are hunting me now. They will not stop. And..."
Her voice broke just slightly there, her jaw flexing as she forced it steady again.
"...And they will come here next. To finish what they started. To take me. And this world with me."
The weight of her confession settled over them like a stormcloud. The briefing room felt smaller suddenly, claustrophobic.
M'gann floated slightly off the ground, her green skin pale with shock. "How... how many people died?"
"Billions," Koriand'r whispered. "Billions of my people. Dead because of her ambition. Because she could not accept that father chose me as his heir."
"That's..." Zatanna started, then stopped, her usually confident demeanor shaken. "That's beyond evil. That's..."
"Monstrous," Donna finished, her voice flat with disgust.
No one moved for a long, heavy moment. The weight of genocide, of betrayal so profound it defied comprehension, pressed down on all of them.
Then Batman's cape shifted as he stepped forward, his white lenses gleaming. "How long before they find you?"
Koriand'r hesitated, her glowing eyes distant. "Days. Perhaps hours. Their fleet is... vast. And relentless. They have tracking technology that can follow energy signatures across star systems."
Neville's massive fists tightened at his sides. "Let them come. We'll be ready."
"You don't understand," Koriand'r said urgently. "The Citadel Empire has conquered hundreds of worlds. They have technology that can crack planets. Armies that number in the millions. They—"
"They haven't met us," Hadrian interrupted, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of steel that made everyone in the room look at him. His emerald eyes were bright with determination. "They haven't met Earth."
Wally grinned suddenly, his cocky confidence returning. "Kid's got a point. I mean, we've got Superman, we've got Batman, we've got—"
"We've got each other," Roslyn said quietly, pushing her glasses up her nose. "And that's not nothing."
Zatanna nodded, her dark eyes sparkling with renewed confidence. "Plus, hello? Magic. Bet they don't have much experience with that."
"And Green Lantern rings," Jessica added, her own confidence building. "The Corps has dealt with empires before."
Scarlett stepped forward, resting a gloved hand briefly on Koriand'r's shoulder, a rare gesture of reassurance. "You did what you had to," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of someone who understood survival. Then, more firmly: "You're safe here now. We'll make sure of it."
Koriand'r stared at her for a moment — then nodded faintly, though her glowing eyes still burned with quiet rage.
Batman's head inclined just enough to Hadrian that only he and Scarlett noticed — a silent acknowledgment of leadership quietly earned.
Superman's jaw tightened, but he nodded slightly in agreement. "We'll call the League. Start preparing planetary defenses. Hal, J'onn — begin scans for any signs of a Citadel fleet in the system."
Hal straightened from where he'd been leaning against the wall, his easy confidence intact. "On it, big guy. Though if they're as bad as she says, we might want to call in some favors. Maybe get the Corps involved."
"The Watchtower's sensors will be recalibrated for long-range detection," J'onn said, his deep voice calm and reassuring. "If they enter our solar system, we will know."
"And if they do?" Dick asked, his tactical mind already working through possibilities.
"Then we show them what happens when you mess with Earth," Conner said, cracking his knuckles.
Red Tornado's mechanical voice cut through the building tension. "I will begin calculating defensive strategies based on known Citadel capabilities."
"Good," Batman said curtly. "Everyone else, prepare for the worst. This isn't a drill."
As the League began issuing orders and the team exchanged worried glances, Donna moved closer to Hadrian, her voice pitched low enough that only he could hear.
"You always did know how to pick your moments," she murmured, her tone flat but her eyes sharp with something that might have been approval.
Hadrian met her gaze evenly, unflinching. "I didn't pick this," he said quietly. "But I'll finish it."
Donna stared at him a second longer — then finally looked away, muttering under her breath, "Just like your father."
Roslyn leaned against Zatanna with a whisper. "We're so screwed, aren't we?"
Zatanna smirked faintly, though there was no humor in her eyes. "Oh yeah. But at least it won't be boring."
"Boring?" Wally scoffed quietly. "Speak for yourself. I was hoping for a quiet week."
"Since when do we ever get quiet weeks?" M'gann asked, floating down to land beside him.
"Good point," Wally admitted. "Still, alien invasion seems a bit much, even for us."
"It's not an invasion," Koriand'r said suddenly, her voice carrying across the room. "It's a reclamation. They believe I belong to them. That I am their property."
The room fell silent again, the weight of her words sinking in.
"Well," Hadrian said finally, his voice carrying that same calm authority that had made him a natural leader, "they're about to learn otherwise."
Koriand'r stood slightly apart, her fists still clenched at her sides as she gazed out at the cave wall as though she could see all the way to the stars.
And beyond them... the Citadel, waiting.
---
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