"I feel like I'm stifling the Team's growth," Joseph explained. "Too many overlapping abilities. And I have personal matters to handle. But I'll still be around. We can hang out in my free time, and if you really need me… I'll come."

His words stunned them all. Even Kori looked blindsided. He regretted springing it on her.

[Sorry, Kori,] he whispered telepathically.

[Don't be,] she replied gently. [I know you partly joined because of me. And I appreciate it. But it's not like you're gone forever—we see each other almost every day.] Her faint smile eased the weight in his chest.

Joseph rose into the air, his anti-gravity field humming softly. Raven's dark aura released the unconscious Brain, and Joseph caught him with his own telekinesis. Captain Marvel joined him, floating beside him in the night sky.

"See you guys!" Marvel called down cheerfully. "The Team's way more fun than the League. Your covert ops missions rock!"

Joseph raised a hand in silent farewell.

Together, they blasted off with a sonic boom, leaving the Team staring after them.

Silence stretched until M'gann tried to lighten the mood. "…So, what are you going to call him?" she asked, nodding at the wolf.

Conner shrugged. "What's wrong with Wolf?"

"Generic," Wally muttered, cracking a faint smile though his thoughts still lingered on the truth about Speedy. "But acceptable."

**

Joseph briefly slipped into the Speed State.

What he hadn't mentioned—and wouldn't—was that the Brain had been entrusted with a Fatherbox.

The Sphere had recently been shipped to Bialya for Psimon to dissect. The Team had disrupted that mission, but the Light still counted it as a success. They now understood what Fatherboxes could do.

A Fatherbox could open boom tubes anywhere in the universe with just a thought—an energy signature, a DNA sample, or even a memory of a place. Instant travel, unlimited reach.

Several agents of the Light carried them. The Brain was one of those chosen few. His mission to India hadn't been routine fieldwork; he was testing a reverse-engineered Kobra-Venom formula. He'd arrived by boom tube and planned to leave the same way if cornered.

Too bad he had crossed Joseph.

Joseph pressed his hand against the Brain's dome. Black nanites seeped across the armor as his Speed Force aura accelerated their work. Mechanical arms and weapons shut down as he forced his way deeper until he found it—a black-and-red device, chunky, rectangular. The Fatherbox.

Convenient didn't begin to cover it. With this, the galaxy was as accessible as his own backyard. He had no desire to go off-world, but after being abducted twice, the guarantee of always having a way home was priceless.

He held the device overhead. The nanites peeled apart, absorbing the Fatherbox into his helmet until it vanished beneath golden plating. With a thought, Nova resealed the armor and restored the Brain's dome, leaving only its life-support online.

Rejoining Captain Marvel, Joseph withdrew from the Speed State. The Captain hadn't noticed—he was too focused on leading the way to the Hall of Justice.

They flew at Mach 5. At that speed, talking required yelling. Joseph didn't bother with a gravity bubble for conversation. As much as he liked Marvel, the man's boundless energy wasn't what he needed right now. Better to plan what he would say to the League.

**

| Hall of Justice - September 23

Joseph entered the conference room alongside Captain Marvel, the Brain floating at his side under telekinetic restraint. Even with its trackers disabled, hauling the Brain into the Hall of Justice felt like tempting fate. The place was practically a tourist attraction—Joseph was half-surprised some lunatic hadn't tried blowing it up yet.

While it was nearly midnight back in India, the heroes' flight brought them to Washington D.C. just after 3 p.m., so many heroes were already active.

Batman sat at the far end of the long table, the League's black-cloaked anchor. To his right and left were Superman and Wonder Woman, the core of the Trinity. Already seated or filing in were Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Captain Atom, Zatara, Atom, Icon, and Plastic Man.

Hawkman and Hawkwoman were gone, having chosen their obligations to Thanagar over Earth—a decision Joseph couldn't fault. The Thanagarians were still tangled in U.N. negotiations over the fate of Paran Dul and the stragglers left behind.

The Green Lanterns had resumed their patrols of Sector 2814 now that intergalactic tensions had cooled, with John Stewart holding Watchtower duty. Aquaman was busy in Atlantis, and Red Tornado—once their ally—had betrayed them.

Joseph stayed standing at the far end of the table, opposite Batman, while Captain Marvel slid into his seat.

When the room finally settled, Batman's voice cut the silence. "Captain Marvel requested a meeting at your behest."

"Yes," Joseph answered. His voice carried calm authority now, not the hesitation of the boy who once would've been terrified to stand here. "This concerns the Light. As you've likely guessed from my guest." He gestured to the Brain. "Weeks ago, I uncovered hints of their existence through Queen Bee's mind. Today, I have confirmed their leadership, their methods, and their goals."

A year ago—even a few months ago—he would've faltered under the collective weight of the League's eyes. But he wasn't the same. He'd carried out missions, survived battles, and literally saved the Earth from annihilation. Some of the icons staring back at him couldn't claim that. He belonged here.

He laid everything bare, recounting the Brain's knowledge of the Light—their reach into governments, corporations, and shadow networks, their manipulation of events the League had thought isolated. Only one secret he kept back: the Fatherbox in his possession.

When he finished, silence hung heavy. Shock registered even on the veterans' faces. The idea that such a cabal had been operating in their blind spot for years was staggering.

"You can verify it yourselves," Joseph said, gesturing toward the Brain. "His mind is open. We know their names. We know their locations. Let's stop wasting time and take them all down in one strike."

The League exchanged glances, weighing the enormity of it.

"Hell yeah! The Light's gonna be the Dark once we're done with 'em—am I right, people?" Plastic Man crowed, throwing his stretchy arms wide like he was waiting for applause.

Flash snorted. Green Arrow's mouth twitched into a grin. Captain Marvel actually chuckled. Even Joseph smirked despite himself.

Batman, of course, didn't. "Thank you for bringing this intelligence to us, Nova. The League will—"

"No, Batman." Joseph cut him off, his tone firm but respectful. "I discovered this. I've proven I can follow orders. I've proven I'm an asset. My mentor vouched for me. I'm ready."

The room held its breath as the white eyes of Joseph's mask locked with Batman's. A silent contest of wills.

Something shifted in Batman's expression—just enough for the keen-eyed to notice. Finally, he gave a single nod. "You are ready."

Flash couldn't resist. "Hold up. Did the patented Bat-glare just bounce off? Somebody write this down—that's history." His grin widened as Batman's actual glare cut across the table toward him.

Superman smoothly redirected. "From the way you've spoken, it sounds like you already have thoughts on how we should strike. Since you'll be part of this operation, anything else you'd like to share?"

"Yes," Joseph said, his confidence unwavering. "I do have a plan."