The instant our fists met, the city exploded.
Windows shattered. Car alarms wailed. Ground fissured under us, sending shockwaves cascading through the streets.
I could sense the alien's power flowing against mine an enormous, searing energy, like a star on its deathbed that sought to consume all in its path.
And I faced it head-on.
Because I had to.
Because I couldn't restrain myself anymore.
---
The League didn't waste any time.
Superman was already in motion, a red and blue blur rushing back into battle, his eyes burning with heat vision. Green Lantern covered the area, huge emerald shields bursting into place to protect civilians. Wonder Woman charged forward, her sword cutting through enemy grunts with ease.
They fought like a unit, tempered by years of experience.
But for the first time, I wasn't standing on the sidelines.
I was fighting alongside them.
And they were observing me.
---
The alien smiled, blood-red energy sparking around him. "You keep your power well hidden, Hidden One."
I clenched my teeth. "Not nearly well enough, apparently."
I didn't wait for him to strike. I moved.
One step then I was nowhere, quicker than the human eye could follow.
I reappeared behind him, punched him with my fist in his spine. A sonic boom radiated outward.
The alien was sent flying, crashed through a skyscraper as if it were paper.
I tightened my fist, felt the shockwave of my own power.
Too much.
I needed to be careful.
Superman landed next to me, his expression unreadable. "That sort of power… Who are you?"
I let out a breath. "Long story."
"Then give me the short version."
The alien stepped out from under the wreckage, hardly flustered. He laughed. "You're holding back. I feel it."
I ignored him. My attention was on Superman.
I could see it in his eyes the calculation. The fear.
Not of me.
But of what I could become.
I didn't have time to explain.
The alien moved again, too fast for anyone but me and Superman to follow.
I saw the attack before it happened. The way energy collected in his hands, the instant his body stiffened
A blast of red destruction burst from his hands, directed at Wonder Woman.
I didn't think.
I acted.
Space folded around me. I stood before her, bringing up my hand.
The energy hit my palm then stopped.
The force of it should have obliterated a city block. Instead, it dissipated harmlessly, being absorbed by the air between us.
Wonder Woman's eyes went wide.
Superman took a step closer.
The alien stared. "Impossible."
I flexed my fingers. "Your turn."
I moved faster than sound one strike to the chest, another to the skull, then I grabbed him by the throat and hurled him into the sky.
His body became a star in the distance.
Then he was gone.
Silence fell.
The League stared at me.
Superman spoke first. "That was… beyond Kryptonian."
Batman's voice crackled through the comms. "We need to talk."
I looked at them.
They weren't afraid. Not yet.
But they would be.
Because this was just the beginning.
And I had so much more to hide.
---
**End of Chapter 10**