Shadowflame

At the southern gates of Nanda Parbat, Green Arrow nocked an arrow, his eyes locked on the patrol ahead. Beside him, Robin shifted on his feet, looking like a kid who had too much candy and not enough patience.

"You know, I could take out half these guys before you let that arrow fly," Robin whispered, tossing a Birdarang from hand to hand like he was born to be annoying.

Green Arrow smirked. "Yeah, but I'm aiming for 'coolest hero in the room.' You might want to sit this one out."

Robin snorted but didn't argue. Which, honestly, was a win for everyone. Green Arrow fired, and with a satisfying thunk, his arrow pinned a guard's cloak to the wall. The guy barely had time to think What the heck? before Robin's Birdarang caught him right in the noggin.

"Two points," Robin whispered. "And I'm calling this one: precision plus flair."

With the outer perimeter guards slowly realizing they were having a very bad night, the two heroes worked in sync—silent takedowns, quick jabs, and a few well-placed gadgets. Green Arrow zipped up to a nearby rooftop with his grappling arrow, just in time to hear Robin below mutter, "Man, I hope this mission comes with snacks."

Green Arrow tapped his comm. "Outer perimeter's clear."

From the northern gates, Batman's voice came through, as grumpy as ever. "Copy that."

At that moment, a streak of red zipped past them, and the Flash was inside the southern gate, moving faster than anyone could process. Guards who were definitely not expecting a speedster suddenly found themselves slumped against walls or lying face-first on the ground, neatly piled like laundry.

"All inner guards are down," Flash said cheerfully over the comms. "That's gotta be a record, right?"

Robin sighed. "We get it, Flash. You're fast."

Meanwhile, at the northern gate, Batman, Black Canary, and Speedy were running a well-oiled machine of stealth and muscle. A Batarang silently shattered a surveillance camera. Black Canary took out two guards without breaking a sweat—just a couple of swift jabs and boom, nap time.

Speedy nocked an arrow and whispered into his comm, "Remind me why Batman won't let me banter on comms?"

"Because you're already doing it," Canary muttered, though Speedy swore she was trying not to laugh.

Not to be outdone, Kid Flash zipped past the remaining northern guards and tapped his comm. "Inner perimeter clear. Boom. Nailed it."

"Quiet," Batman said without missing a beat.

Kid Flash let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "You know, Bats, one day you're gonna laugh, and it'll probably break the universe."

With both gates secure, Batman gave the go-ahead. "All teams, move forward."

At the southern gate, Wonder Woman adjusted the lasso on her hip, her expression calm but determined. Beside her, Shadowflame's hood shifted slightly, the hum of magic around him growing stronger. He cracked his knuckles, a grin tugging at his lips.

"So," Shadowflame whispered into the comms, "is this a stealth mission, or are we allowed some dramatic flair?"

"Stealth," Wonder Woman replied, giving him a Don't even think about it look.

"But dramatic stealth, right?" he asked hopefully. "Because I was thinking we could—"

"Shadowflame," Supergirl cut in, hovering a few inches off the ground, "flair can wait. Let's not make this harder than it needs to be."

Shadowflame muttered something about how no one appreciated true artistry, but he followed without complaint.

Meanwhile, at the northern gate, Superman and Starfire moved with silent efficiency—well, as silent as two walking tanks could be. Superman's X-ray vision swept over the area.

"All clear on our end," Superman confirmed.

Starfire's eyes glowed faintly, her energy simmering just under the surface. "This is what you call stealth?" she whispered. "Earth missions are much more fun than I expected."

"Focus," Batman said, somehow managing to sound even more Batman-y over the comms.

Both teams advanced, slipping through the gates with the precision of an Olympic relay team—if Olympic relay teams had superpowers and weapons. Not a single alarm had been raised, and the guards were either unconscious, tied up, or seriously reconsidering their life choices.

"This is way too smooth," Shadowflame whispered, glancing around like he expected an explosion any second.

"Don't jinx it," Robin hissed.

Just then, Wonder Woman's voice came over the comms, firm and reassuring. "Stay sharp, everyone. This isn't over yet."

Shadowflame couldn't help but grin beneath his hood. "Oh, it's definitely not over. It's just getting started."

With the mission humming along perfectly—for now—the heroes pressed deeper into Nanda Parbat. Because, let's be honest, this was Nanda Parbat. Things were bound to get messy any minute now.

—

As the two teams crept through the maze-like corridors of Nanda Parbat, using the schematics Talia al Ghul had stashed in the mini-computers on Batman and Robin's gauntlets, things started to feel a little too easy. And when things feel too easy? It's probably because someone's waiting to punch you in the face.

Up at the northern gate, Batman signaled for the team to halt with one of those silent hand gestures that basically screamed, "trouble incoming." Superman glanced ahead with his X-ray vision, then frowned. "We've got company."

Out of the shadows sauntered Sportsmaster, twirling his staff like he was auditioning for the Olympics—and absolutely nailing "Most Punchable Smirk."

"Oh look," Sportsmaster said, leaning lazily on his weapon. "It's the Justice League. Or half of it. Y'all lost or just sightseeing?"

"Nice of you to greet us," Speedy muttered, already pulling an arrow from his quiver. "We didn't even bring souvenirs."

Before anyone could respond, a holographic screen crackled to life on Sportsmaster's gear, because obviously the League of Assassins likes to flex. Onscreen was none other than Ra's al Ghul, looking as regal and scary as ever.

"You disappoint me, Detective," Ra's said, all cool menace. "Did you really think anything could happen in Nanda Parbat without my knowing?"

Batman gave the kind of blank stare only Batman can pull off—half annoyance, half "I hate everything."

Speedy leaned toward Black Canary and whispered, "This dude seriously needs a hobby."

Ra's, unfazed by the sass, continued. "My daughter believes she can escape with Grimm and enlist the Justice League to help her. A clever plan... but no scheme unfolds in my domain without my permission."

Superman crossed his arms. "He always talk this much?"

"Only when he's losing," Batman muttered.

With a nod, Ra's turned his gaze toward the assassins. "Engage the intruders. I'll deal with my daughter and her so-called beloved soon enough."

The hologram blinked off, and Sportsmaster gave them a wolfish grin. "You heard the man. Let's see what you're made of."

Meanwhile, at the southern gate, the second team found their path blocked by Cheshire, twirling a dagger like it was an extension of her hand. Her catlike eyes gleamed beneath her mask, and somehow, despite standing still, she looked ready to pounce.

"Well, if it isn't the dream team," she purred. "You folks are cute, but you're in way over your heads."

"Ugh, not her again," Green Arrow muttered. "It's like we've got punch cards for recurring villains."

Cheshire tilted her head. "Careful, Arrow. That almost sounded like a compliment."

Before anyone could exchange more banter, another hologram flickered to life, this time from Cheshire's belt. And surprise, surprise—Ra's al Ghul again. He looked far too pleased with himself.

"Ah," Ra's said smoothly. "More guests. My daughter's taste is... eclectic."

Robin rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure 'eclectic' is villain-speak for 'weird.'"

Ra's gave a small, cold smile. "This is where your journey ends. Engage the intruders," he ordered, addressing the shadowy assassins emerging from the temple walls like smoke. "I'll be with my daughter—and Grimm—shortly."

With that, the hologram fizzled out, leaving Cheshire and a bunch of metahuman assassins grinning like they'd won the lottery.

Flash let out a slow breath. "Well. This is fine. Everything's fine."

"Robin," Wonder Woman said, uncoiling her lasso. "Stay behind me."

Robin flashed her a grin. "Come on, I'm not staying behind anybody. I'm VIP at this party."

Back at the northern gate, Batman gave Kid Flash and Speedy a glance that basically translated to "Don't make me regret this."

"No killing," he said flatly.

Kid Flash grinned. "What about, like, extreme napping?"

Superman stepped forward, his cape billowing like it always does at exactly the right moment, and cracked his knuckles. "Let's make this quick."

Shadowflame, practically vibrating with excitement, added, "Finally. I've got so many spells I've been dying to try."

"You're always dying to try your spells," Supergirl pointed out. "Maybe let the rest of us have a turn?"

Before anyone could argue further, Sportsmaster flipped his staff into a fighting stance. "All right, Justice League. Show me what you got."

At the same time, Cheshire's dagger gleamed under the temple's dim lights. The League's metahumans stepped forward, energy crackling and fists ready.

And just like that, Nanda Parbat went from "sneaky infiltration" to "oh great, we're doing this the hard way."

—

So here's the thing: Fighting assassins in a mystical death temple buried inside a mountain? Not how I imagined spending my day. But, hey, I've learned not to ask too many questions when I hang out with the Justice League. And right now, my biggest problem isn't the whole "don't cause a cave-in or everyone dies" situation.

It's Cheshire.

Yeah, that Cheshire. The assassin with more knives than common sense and the grin of someone who knows exactly how much trouble she is—and enjoys every second of it.

I flick a quick binding spell from my gauntlets—just a neat little trick to wrap her up in glowing magical ropes. Should be easy, right? But no. She dodges with the kind of precision that makes ballerinas cry into their pointe shoes.

"Really?" I groan, swiping at her with a quick punch that she ducks under like she's playing hopscotch. "You could at least pretend to struggle."

"Oh, sweetie," she purrs, circling me with all the grace of a cat toying with its prey. "Where's the fun in that?"

I shoot a look over my shoulder at the cave walls. Can't exactly throw fireballs in here unless I want to bury all of us under a few tons of rock. So, hand-to-hand it is.

As I step in to engage, she slides closer, eyes glittering with something that's definitely not combat focus. "You know," she says, voice low and dangerous, "for a kid in tights, you're kind of cute."

My brain does that thing where it just... shuts down. What—? Did she just—?

I stumble half a step, catching myself before I faceplant right into her. My gauntlets flicker uselessly, and the spells I had lined up in my head? Gone. Poof. Like they never existed.

Cheshire grins. She knows exactly what she's doing, and she's loving every second of it. "Relax, hero," she says, brushing past me like we're old friends meeting at a coffee shop, not opponents in a high-stakes cave fight. "You and me... We could have a lot of fun. Just saying."

Oh, come on. Is this real life?

Before I can come up with something—anything—resembling a smart response, Supergirl's voice crackles over my comm.

"What did she just say?!"

I swear, if I survive this, I'm chucking these comms into the nearest volcano. "It's not what it sounds like!" I blurt, blocking a swipe from Cheshire's dagger and trying desperately not to trip over my own feet.

"Oh, it sounds exactly like what it sounds like," Starfire's voice chimes in from the northern gate, the tone far too sweet to be anything but passive-aggressive. "Flirting."

"Flirting?" Supergirl repeats, her voice rising to levels that could probably shatter glass. "We tell him how we feel hours ago, and now an assassin is making moves on him?!"

I duck under another swing from Cheshire, heat rising to my face. "Look, she's not— I mean, she is, but not in a— It's just—"

Cheshire's grin widens, because of course it does. "Oh, poor boy," she coos, her voice silky as she throws a roundhouse kick my way, which I barely dodge. "Your girlfriends sound angry."

"Not. Helping," I mutter through gritted teeth, firing off a harmless pulse of magic toward her feet. Naturally, she cartwheels out of the way without breaking a sweat.

"Just saying," Cheshire adds with a wink. "If the whole hero thing doesn't work out, my offer's still on the table."

I am never living this down.

Supergirl groans over the comms, probably grinding her teeth into powder. "Stop flirting with the assassin, Shadowflame."

"I'M NOT FLIRTING!" I shout, which is absolutely the kind of thing someone who's totally not flirting would say.

"She's doing it on purpose," I grumble, narrowly dodging another knife aimed way too close to my face.

"You don't sound very focused," Starfire teases. "Perhaps we should have flirted with him first, to establish dominance."

Supergirl's frustration is practically radiating through the comms. "Kori, that is not— Ugh, just focus, okay? We can't have him getting distracted by... by... her."

Cheshire gives me a slow, knowing grin, then leans in like she's about to tell me a secret. "For the record," she whispers, her breath warm on my cheek, "I don't always stab."

I clear my throat, trying desperately not to combust on the spot. "Yeah, well, I have a strict no partnering with people who try to kill me policy."

She smirks. "Shame."

Supergirl's voice cuts in, all business now. "Shadowflame, finish this. Before she kisses you or something."

I swear, I feel my soul leave my body. "Not. Happening."

Cheshire chuckles, stepping back just far enough to throw another taunt my way. "Shame," she repeats, and I can feel the smirk in her voice. "Could've been fun."

This mission cannot end fast enough.

—

Talia al-Ghul had always known how to make an entrance, but this time, it wasn't the dramatic flair she preferred. Being dragged through the cold, stone hallways of Nanda Parbat by a couple of burly guards—who clearly skipped any kind of etiquette training—wasn't exactly her idea of a grand reveal. Their grip was too tight, and she winced as they shoved her forward, making sure she stumbled just enough to remind her of her current situation.

"Careful, gentlemen," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You wouldn't want to bruise the merchandise."

Grimm—her rebellious companion, Sirius—stumbled alongside her, looking like a scuffed-up prince from a fairy tale who had wandered too far into the wrong forest. His dark hair was tousled, and though he tried to maintain his composure, the slight crease in his brow revealed his frustration. "You'd think they'd treat royalty with a little more respect," he muttered, shooting a glare at their captors.

The guards exchanged glances, clearly unimpressed. "Keep it moving, pretty boy," one of them barked, shoving Grimm just enough to send him a few steps forward. "You're not special around here."

Grimm opened his mouth to retort, but Talia cut him off with a sharp look. "Save your energy. We'll need it." She didn't want him to get himself hurt because of some muscle-bound oaf's ego. They were on a mission, and she wasn't about to let their current predicament derail them.

As they approached the inner sanctum, the guards halted, their expressions shifting from brutish to wary. Ra's al-Ghul's presence had that effect on people. It was the kind of power that made even the most hardened warriors hesitate, and as the massive door creaked open, Talia felt a chill run down her spine.

Inside the sanctum, the air was thick with tension. Shadows danced along the walls, illuminated only by the flickering light of torches. Ra's sat behind a grand obsidian desk, his dark robes flowing like smoke around him. His piercing green eyes locked onto Talia, a mixture of amusement and ire playing across his features.

"Talia," he said, voice low and smooth, as if he were savoring the sound of her name. "My wayward daughter. I see you've brought a guest."

"Grimm is no mere guest," Talia replied, her tone firm. "He's my ally. If you think you can intimidate him, you're mistaken."

Ra's raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair as if he were considering a particularly interesting puzzle. "And what exactly is he to you? A pawn in your little game?"

Sirius stepped forward, jaw clenched. "I'm not a pawn for anyone. I'm here because Talia needs me, and I'm not going to let her face you alone." The fire in his voice surprised even him, but he couldn't back down now.

Ra's chuckled, the sound echoing ominously in the chamber. "Such spirit! I admire that. But I assure you, young man, you're in over your head." He gestured dismissively, and the guards stepped back, allowing Talia and Grimm a moment of reprieve.

"Is that why you've brought me here? To try to intimidate me with your theatrics?" Talia shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. "You've underestimated me before, Father, and I won't let it happen again."

Ra's leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Ah, but this time, my dear daughter, I have a secret weapon." He nodded to one of the guards, who moved to activate a holographic display. The air shimmered, and a three-dimensional image flickered to life—an intricate layout of Nanda Parbat, complete with real-time updates on the battles taking place within its walls.

Talia's heart sank. "You've been watching us?"

"Always." Ra's smiled, the kind of smile that sent shivers down the spines of lesser men. "You and your little friends believe they can invade my sanctuary? How quaint. I've already ordered my forces to deal with them. But first," he continued, gaze settling on Grimm, "I want to have a little chat with you, boy."

"About what?" Sirius challenged, feeling the weight of Ra's attention.

Ra's paused, as if savoring the moment. "About your past. About who you really are."

And just like that, the stakes were raised, the tension coiling tighter around them like a noose. Talia could feel the ground shifting beneath her feet, and she knew—whatever game Ra's was playing, it was about to get a whole lot more dangerous.

—

I was about to lose it. Seriously, Cheshire was ready to be the reason I turned this fight into a one-man superhero meltdown. Here I was, knee-deep in a brawl with the League of Assassins, and she thought it was the perfect moment to toss out cheesy pick-up lines like we were in some low-budget rom-com. I could practically hear a laugh track cueing up every time she flashed that smug smile.

Trying to rein in my frustration, I channeled all that pent-up energy into something productive. "Glacius!" I shouted, activating the gauntlets of my armor with a flick of my wrist. Ice erupted beneath Cheshire's feet, and she went down faster than a poorly balanced stack of pancakes.

"Oops," I couldn't help but smirk as I watched her flail like a fish out of water. But I wasn't done yet. I followed up with a Body-Bind charm, the magic crackling from my gauntlets as I effectively put her in a magical timeout. "And a little 'Silencio' for good measure," I added, sealing her lips like a pro. Who knew spell-casting could double as a way to shut up a flirt?

"Let's see how charming you are now," I quipped to no one in particular, feeling a swell of satisfaction.

I turned my attention back to the fight, surveying the chaos around me. Wonder Woman and Supergirl were engaged in a serious tussle with some hulking metahuman brutes, throwing punches that could probably wake the dead. They were phenomenal, but they had to tread carefully. One wrong move and the whole cave might cave in like a bad movie sequel.

Meanwhile, Green Arrow was a blur of arrows, taking down henchmen left and right like he was in an archery competition. And then there was Flash, zipping around like a caffeinated hummingbird, binding and gagging the remaining goons faster than I could blink. Seriously, I was half-tempted to pull out my phone and take notes on superhero efficiency.

Just then, I spotted Robin sauntering over, completely unbothered by the chaos around him. "Nice work with Cheshire," he said, arms crossed and that infuriatingly cheeky grin plastered on his face. "Didn't know you were into the whole 'flirty fight' scene. Should I be worried?"

I shot him a glare, but I could feel my mouth twitching at the corners. "I was just trying to keep her distracted so she wouldn't, you know, kill us."

"Sure, sure," Robin replied, winking at me like we were best buds sharing a laugh over pizza. "But if you wanted to give her your number, you might want to wait until after the fight."

"Ha-ha, very funny," I said, rolling my eyes. Was I supposed to be charmed by that? I glanced back at Wonder Woman and Supergirl, who were knocking down opponents left and right, while Green Arrow and Flash finished off the last of Cheshire's goons.

Pride swelled in my chest as I took in the scene. We were a solid team, working together like a well-oiled machine. But just as I started to feel good about things, I caught sight of Cheshire again. Even bound and silenced, her eyes sparkled with that mischievous glint I knew too well.

"Just you wait, Shadowflame," her gaze seemed to say. "This isn't over yet."

Fantastic. Just what I needed: a flirty assassin who wouldn't quit. But for now, I had my friends by my side, and together we could handle anything—even Cheshire's endless teasing.

"Okay, team!" I called out, adrenaline surging through my veins. "Let's wrap this up and get out of here before anyone else decides to come play!"

—

Meanwhile, in the sprawling open area of Nanda Parbat, the other team was putting on a superhero show that could easily rival any blockbuster film. Batman, Speedy, and Black Canary were throwing down with the kind of flair that would make even the toughest bad guys reconsider their career choices—but all without crossing that critical line.

Batman was locked in a fierce duel with Sportsmaster, his every move calculated and precise, like he was auditioning for "Dancing with the Stars: Superhero Edition." He was all punches and counters, gracefully sidestepping attacks and landing strikes that sent Sportsmaster reeling without ever sending him to the ground for good. You could practically hear the dramatic music playing in the background. As usual, Batman was all business, leaving no room for Sportsmaster's trademark snark. But seriously, what was it with villains and their need to chat during a fight?

Speedy was a whirlwind of arrows, darting around the battlefield like a caffeinated squirrel. "Hey, Batman! Is this what you meant by 'shoot for the stars'?" he joked, letting another arrow fly, which found its mark right in a goon's chest—thankfully, it was just a stun arrow. He was like a human pinball machine, bouncing from one henchman to the next, and I could almost see the score tallying up in his head.

"Focus, Speedy!" Black Canary shouted as she unleashed her infamous Canary Cry, sending a wave of sound through the air that knocked several goons off their feet, all while ensuring no one was seriously harmed. "We're not here for a comedy routine!" Her voice was powerful enough to make anyone think twice about their life choices. I wouldn't be surprised if half the bad guys were questioning their career paths right then and there.

Starfire was up against a particularly brutish metahuman who looked like he skipped leg day and was trying to make up for it with sheer brawn. It was like watching a fireworks show: bright, explosive, and definitely dangerous. She floated in the air, dodging his clumsy punches and firing off energy blasts that merely incapacitated him with precision and care. "This is not fair!" she exclaimed, laughing as she outmaneuvered him. "You cannot even catch me!"

Superman, meanwhile, was handling his own hulking brute with the kind of ease that made it look like he was just out for a casual stroll. He was throwing punches that could probably send a truck flying, but he was careful to pull his punches, ensuring the brute would feel it but not end up in the hospital. "Is that all you've got?" he quipped, shaking his head as if he were a coach disappointed in a player's performance.

Then there was Kid Flash, zipping around faster than I could keep track of. He was practically a blur, taking out goons left and right, his energy levels so high I was pretty sure he was running on pure adrenaline and a few extra candy bars. "Hey, guys, can I get a snack break after this?" he called out with a cheeky grin, tying up another henchman with a flick of his wrist. "I'm running low on sugar!"

The open area was a playground for them, with no ceiling to worry about collapsing on their heads. It was like they had hit the jackpot, and they were determined to make the most of it without resorting to lethal force. Batman barked orders as they pressed forward, his tone serious, but there was an undercurrent of camaraderie that felt almost like a team huddle.

"Keep moving, team!" he commanded, scanning the battlefield like a hawk. "We need to get to Ra's al Ghul before he decides to ruin our day."

With that, they surged ahead, a united front against the chaos surrounding them. It was all about teamwork, strategy, and a healthy dose of superhero swagger. And honestly, it was a blast to watch. If this were a movie, I'd definitely buy a ticket to see how this all played out!

—

Back in Ra's al Ghul's sanctum, the atmosphere was about as lively as a funeral procession. The man himself was mid-monologue—a masterclass in dramatic villainy. If Ra's's voice were a color, it'd be an ominous black swirl, curling smugly through the air, choking the patience out of everyone forced to endure it.

Sirius could swear the League of Assassins could've been just as effective if they replaced half their combat drills with Ra's's lectures. The man could use words as weapons. Or maybe blunt instruments, considering how agonizingly dull they felt.

"You see," Ra's continued, pacing slowly, his dark robes billowing as if in sync with his self-importance, "power must be wielded by those with clarity of vision. By those unburdened by sentimentality—men who see the grand design and embrace the necessary sacrifices."

He stopped and pivoted, his intense green gaze sweeping the room. "Civilizations rise and fall not by chance, but by design. And it is my hand that has tipped the scales, time and again, to maintain the balance. Kings, emperors, and empires have all been pawns upon my board."

Sirius shot Talia a sideways glance. "He always like this?" he whispered.

Talia gave the faintest shrug, her expression suggesting this was just another Tuesday in the life of an al Ghul.

Ra's continued, utterly oblivious to—or more likely, uncaring of—the growing boredom in the room. "You, Grimm," he intoned, pivoting to face Sirius with a look of calculated intensity, "possess something few others do. A force within you. A gift. A burden you've yet to understand."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Here it comes."

"You've wandered through the world like a blind man holding a torch, ignorant of the fire's true potential," Ra's said, voice low and dripping with condescension. "But under my guidance, your gifts will become more than you ever imagined. The League will forge you into a weapon—an instrument to bring about a new world. A perfect world."

He extended a hand, as if expecting Sirius to bow down on the spot. "Join us willingly, Grimm. Embrace your destiny. Or I shall wrench your gifts from you by force, bend your will, and fashion you into a tool of balance myself. Either way, your fate is sealed."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, I'd rather eat Dungbombs for breakfast."

Ra's's lips curled into a patronizing smile, as if humoring a child who didn't understand the inevitable. "Your defiance amuses me. But defiance is just ignorance wearing the mask of courage. In time, you'll understand. All beings submit to the League's vision eventually, willingly or otherwise."

"'Willingly or otherwise.'" Sirius mimicked Ra's's tone with an exaggerated sneer. "Mate, you sound like a Bond villain on a self-help kick."

Ra's's expression didn't change—though, if you squinted, you could almost see a flicker of annoyance crack the thin veneer of calm. "You may jest, but I have stood where gods and kings have fallen. And you, Sirius Black—Grimm—stand at the precipice of a great destiny."

Sirius muttered under his breath, "You know, a man says the word 'destiny' enough times, and it starts sounding like a midlife crisis."

Ra's swept past him, robes trailing in his wake, oblivious—or, more likely, indifferent—to the mockery. "The League has always operated from the shadows, shaping events unseen. Yet our methods are timeless. Civilization has grown fat, decadent, corrupt—"

"Oh Merlin, here comes the 'decadent world' part," Sirius groaned, loud enough for Talia to stifle a chuckle.

Ra's pressed on, unbothered. "The old world must be razed if we are to usher in a new age. The Lazarus Pit has granted me the foresight of centuries—"

"And the personality of a dinner fork," Sirius muttered, shooting another look at Talia.

Talia raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her dark eyes. "You get used to it."

Sirius opened his mouth to offer a snarky comeback, but just then, Ra's paused, his gaze sharpening as if sensing the shift in the room.

And that was when it happened—a brilliant red light flashed, searing through the sanctum with the intensity of a supernova, and hitting Ra's right in the back. Ra's froze mid-sentence, his words cutting off abruptly like a faulty record.

His expression twisted with disbelief as he took an unsteady step forward—just in time to topple face-first onto the stone floor with an unceremonious thud.

The guards snapped to attention, weapons raised, but their confusion was short-lived. The cavalry had arrived.

There, at the entrance, stood Shadowflame—Harry—his black-and-gold armor gleaming, the red hood drawn low over his face, and his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. He looked every inch the hero he'd become, even without the fiery wings Sirius had seen in that video. Standing beside him was an A-list ensemble of justice—Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Green Arrow, Robin, and the Flash.

"Apologies for the interruption," Harry said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge as he stepped into the room. "I hear someone needed rescuing."

The guards moved first, but they didn't stand a chance.

Green Arrow's arrows cut through the air, disabling weapons before they could even fire. Flash and Robin blurred through the room, taking down guards in synchronized chaos. Wonder Woman disarmed a dozen men with the same effort most people used to yawn. Supergirl? She punched through obstacles like they'd personally offended her.

Amid the pandemonium, Shadowflame strode forward with the calm of someone who knew the odds were already in his favor. His red eyes gleamed under the hood, focused directly on Sirius.

As he reached his godfather, Sirius's heart pounded, a tangled mix of disbelief, hope, and relief washing over him. When Harry lowered his hood, the world seemed to stop. There he was—Harry Potter. His Harry. Older, sharper, but unmistakably the same kid Sirius had sworn to protect all those years ago.

Without thinking, Sirius lunged forward, wrapping Harry in a bone-crushing hug. "Merlin, kid, you're really here. I thought—I thought I'd lost you."

Harry stood stiff as a board for a moment, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with all that affection. Then, tentatively, he returned the hug, his arms tightening around Sirius.

"Miss me, old man?" Harry murmured, his voice low but tinged with humor.

Sirius let out a wet laugh, blinking away tears. "Miss you? I've been losing my bloody mind without you!"

Harry pulled back just enough to smirk at him. "Yeah, well, I've been busy saving the world. No big deal."

Sirius barked a laugh, ruffling Harry's messy black hair. "You sound just like James."

"And you still smell like a wet dog," Harry shot back, grinning.

A throat cleared behind them. Wonder Woman gave them both a look—patient, but pointed. "We need to move. Ra's won't stay down for long."

"Yeah," Harry said, glancing around at the still-unconscious Ra's. "We'll catch up later. For now, let's get out of here."

As the group made their way out, Sirius felt a lightness he hadn't known in years. His godson was alive, standing beside him, and this time, no power in the world was going to tear them apart again.

Talia, trailing behind, arched an eyebrow at Sirius. "So. This is the famous Harry Potter?"

"Shadowflame," Harry corrected with a grin. "But yeah. Guilty as charged."

Sirius shook his head with a smile. "Same kid. New name. Same trouble."

And with that, they disappeared into the night, the League of Assassins left behind in the dust, and a reunion long overdue finally in motion.

---

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