Warehouse Twelve, Central City Industrial District
September 27, 2010 - 22:15 Local Time
Warehouse Twelve stood like a forgotten sentinel at the edge of Central City's industrial district. Dust gathered on empty crates and shadows claimed corners untouched by fading emergency lights.
Nexus arrived thirty minutes early, perched in the rafters under his Invisibility power. His mind unfolded like a well-worn library with stars hovering like old companions. His central crystalline pedestal stood ready, ten slots gleaming with calculated precision.
A deep blue Truth Resinance star seated in one of the slots & clicked into place with organic finality—like pieces of himself finding perfect configuration.
He watched as the warehouse came alive. Harleen Quinzel entered first, sweeping the perimeter with military precision. Unlike his dimension's playful therapist, this Harleen had documented psychological weaknesses for torture sessions.
Behind her came Alexander Luthor II, leader of Earth-3's Legion of Justice. His bald head bore a long scar running from temple to nape - courtesy of Ultraman during their first confrontation.
A hooded figure in ragged civilian clothes shuffled in next, hunched and appearing frail. Nothing suggested power or authority, yet something in their movement pattern triggered Nexus's enhanced perception.
The final arrival was Solomon Grundy, his massive gray form a striking contrast to the mindless zombie Nexus knew from his home dimension. On Earth-3, Grundy had been a brilliant scientist before an accident transformed him.
"Is everyone present?" the hooded figure asked.
"Almost," Harleen replied. "Our inside contact couldn't make it—she's being moved to the execution complex tomorrow."
"Katana?" Luthor asked, brow furrowing.
Harleen nodded grimly. "The operation's already in motion."
"She's been crucial to our intelligence," Grundy rumbled. "Without her, we wouldn't know about the new drones."
"The ones with phase-detection?" Nexus finished, deactivating his Invisibility and materializing in their midst.
Four weapons instantly trained on him - Luthor's energy pistol, Harleen's custom sidearm, the hooded figure's concealed weapon, and Grundy's massive fists.
"Dramatic entrance," Luthor noted coldly.
Nexus raised empty hands. "My apologies. Old habits."
The warehouse lights flickered as a weapon hummed with power from beneath the hooded figure's cloak. Nexus turned to address them directly.
"You can drop the disguise, Arthur Curry. The Syndicate isn't watching here."
The hooded figure stiffened, then slowly straightened to full height. The disguise fell away, revealing Arthur Curry in full Atlantean battle regalia, massive trident pulsing with arcane energy.
"How did you know?" he demanded.
Nexus's form shimmered as his Truth Resonance power activated. "Your gait. Atlantean fighting technique modifies your center of balance."
Harleen holstered her weapon first. "Let's talk terms."
Nexus activated added Comfort Food Generation & Molecular Reconstruction stars glimmering with potential to his arsenal, transforming an equipment crate into a table with five chairs. A tea set materialized. "I find discussions flow better with refreshments."
Arthur Curry snorted. "We're planning to overthrow the Syndicate, not host a social club."
Grundy surprisingly was the first to accept a cup. "Smells like... home," he murmured.
Luthor studied Nexus carefully. "These powers of yours - what's their source?"
"It's not the source that concerns you," Nexus replied, sipping his tea. "It's whether I can deliver what I promise."
Nexus extended his hand, activating his Electronic Interface power by filling an empty slot. A three-dimensional map of Earth-3 materialized, highlighting Syndicate strongholds in red.
"The Syndicate rules through fear," Nexus began. "Their true power is the belief they're invincible."
With another gesture, the map shifted to show global Legion of Justice cells - far more than even Luthor knew existed.
"How did you get this information?" Luthor demanded.
"I have ways of seeing what others miss," Nexus replied.
"What exactly are you proposing?" Arthur Curry asked.
"A coordinated campaign against every member of the Syndicate. Not just attacks - transformations. We don't defeat them - we remake them in the public consciousness."
The hologram shifted to show Johnny Quick - once feared - now an object of mockery.
"Fear can be broken by laughter," Nexus explained. "And once people stop fearing the Syndicate, resistance becomes inevitable."
"It's not that simple," Luthor argued. "Deathstorm alone could incinerate half the continent."
"Which is why we need Arthur Curry," Nexus countered. "Your oceanic magic could contain his nuclear reactions temporarily, yes?"
Arthur Curry looked surprised. "Temporarily. But he's nearly solar in output now."
"Temporarily is all we need," Nexus assured him.
Luthor's communicator vibrated. His expression darkened. "We have a problem. The Katana extraction—it's compromised. The execution is happening tonight."
Harleen's face paled. "Our team won't be in position for another hour."
"Then she's lost," Grundy rumbled.
"Not necessarily," Nexus interjected. "Where is she being held?"
"Blackgate Island," Luthor replied. "Maximum security wing. But it's impossible to breach on such short notice."
"Continue your planning. I'll return shortly." Before anyone could object, Nexus activated his Teleportation power and vanished.
Blackgate Island Detention Facility
September 27, 2037 - 22:47 Local Time
Tatsu Yamashiro sat cross-legged on her cell floor. Her cell was constructed of transparent polymers, allowing guards to observe her from all angles.
Four guards approached with Dr. Lincoln March, the Crime Syndicate's chief torturer.
"Time for your final contribution to science, Katana," March announced. "Owlman was quite specific about extracting your brain tissue while still conscious."
The cell door hissed open. As the guards entered, Nexus activated the Temporal Snapshot ability. The world around him slowed to a crawl as he created a localized field of altered time.
He walked between the frozen guards, repositioning their limbs and weapons. Moving to Dr. March, he carefully removed his security card before releasing the stasis.
To Katana's amazement, the scene transformed instantly. Two guards collapsed as their weapons discharged harmlessly. The third stumbled forward. The fourth discovered his pistol facing backward.
March's lab coat billowed around him as his access card seemingly leapt from his pocket and floated in midair.
Nexus deactivated his Invisibility, catching the card from the air. "Looking for this?" With a casual flick, the card transformed into a playing card—the Joker.
The remaining guards lunged forward only to run through empty air as Nexus activated his Phase Cloak ability. He appeared beside Katana's cell, placing his hand against the transparent wall, which rippled like water.
"Your hand, please," he said, extending his own through the barrier.
Katana took his offered hand without hesitation. He pulled her through the solid wall as though it were mist.
"My sword?" she asked once free.
Nexus gestured, and his Teleportation ability activated. The legendary Soultaker materialized in his hand. "I believe this belongs to you."
Guards opened fire, but Nexus created a Force Field around them. The bullets stopped midair, then dropped harmlessly.
Katana nodded curtly. "Lead the way."
Warehouse Twelve
September 27, 2037 - 23:19 Local Time
"It's been over thirty minutes," Arthur Curry growled, pacing the warehouse floor.
The air rippled with rainbow-hued energy as Nexus's Teleportation power created a dimensional tear. Nexus stepped through with Katana beside him, completely unharmed, her sword already sheathed at her back.
"Mission accomplished," he said simply.
The room erupted in shocked exclamations. Harleen rushed forward. "Tatsu! You're not injured?"
"He made it unnecessarily theatrical," Katana explained with reluctant admiration. "But effective."
Nexus activated his Comfort Food Generation power, manifesting a steaming bowl of miso soup with salmon.
"You prefer this when recovering, yes?" he asked Katana. "Your grandmother's recipe."
Katana's normally stoic expression showed genuine surprise. "How could you possibly know that?"
Luthor stepped forward. "You infiltrated Blackgate—the most fortified prison in the Western Hemisphere—and returned within thirty-two minutes? This changes everything."
Katana finished her soup, then addressed the group. "Owlman knows about Deathstorm's experiment. He's not trying to stop it—he's enhancing it. They're planning to channel the energy into something called the 'Anti-Matter Cannon.'"
"When?" Luthor demanded.
"October 5th. Ten days from now."
Nexus turned to the group. "The question remains: are you with me?"
Katana answered first. "You saved my life when it was tactically unnecessary. My sword is yours."
Harleen nodded. "I'm in."
Grundy rumbled his assent. "Grundy has nothing left to lose."
Arthur Curry remained silent longest. His position was the most precarious—if Ultraman discovered his double loyalty, Atlantis would suffer devastating consequences.
"I'll delay Deathstorm," he finally said. "But understand this: if my cover is compromised, thousands of my people die."
"It won't be," Nexus assured him, creating a shimmering golden emblem. "This will allow us to communicate undetected."
All eyes turned to Luthor, whose word carried final weight.
Luthor set down his teacup. "What you're proposing isn't just dangerous—it's a complete paradigm shift in how we've fought this war.
He extended his hand. "And it might be exactly what we need."
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[Personal Journal
September 28, 2037
Things are different today.
For the first time in years, people on the street aren't looking down. There's a strange feeling in the air - like something is about to change.
I saw a Legion of Justice symbol painted on a wall. Normally, that would mean death. But today, nobody touched it. Nobody seemed scared.
My neighbor Marcus, who lost his daughter to Ultraman years ago, actually smiled this morning. I can't remember the last time I saw someone smile.
Rumors are spreading about someone called "Nexus" - someone who might actually stand up to the Crime Syndicate. People are whispering about hope.
Something is coming. Nobody knows exactly what, but everyone can feel it.
For the first time in my life, I'm not just afraid. I'm... waiting.
Elena]
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The Hollow - Former Robinson Park, Gotham
September 28, 2037 - 01:45 Local Time
In his hidden sanctuary, Nexus reviewed the meeting's outcomes. Screens monitored Syndicate movements and global events.
Harleen entered carrying two mugs of tea. "They'll follow your lead. For now."
"That's all we need," Nexus replied. "Just enough time to set events in motion."
"You're playing a dangerous game," she said.
Nexus sipped his tea thoughtfully. "That's why I have you - to keep me honest."
She raised an eyebrow. "Me? I'm hardly a moral compass."
"You're exactly what I need," Nexus countered. "Someone who's seen both sides and made her choice anyway."
On his main screen, Deathstorm's radiation signature pulsed ominously. The countdown to October 5th had begun.
"Your plan," Harleen said carefully. "It involves more than just disrupting the Anti-Matter Cannon, doesn't it?"
Nexus's expression revealed nothing. "What makes you think that?"
"The way you asked about the psychological profiles. The particular interest in Ultraman's weaknesses."
Nexus turned to the main display, where ten isolated files remained encrypted. "Some plans are better kept compartmentalized. Even from allies."
"Are you ready to become something they fear? A monster?" Harleen asked quietly.
Nexus's expression hardened as colors swirled around him. "Not a monster - a symbol. And symbols can be whatever we need them to be."
Outside, the night deepened over a city accustomed to darkness. But for the first time in years, small points of light appeared in windows and alleyways - Legion of Justice symbols, spreading like stars.
"The Syndicate's greatest weakness isn't their powers," Nexus murmured, activating a simulation showing cascading failure points across the Crime Syndicate's network. "It's their certainty that they've already won."
He closed the simulation, leaving only a single phrase glowing on the screen: [PHASE ONE: NEXUS ZERO]
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[A/N : WORD COUNT- 1800]
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