The Justice League wasn't accustomed to being trained.
Superman was the most powerful being on the planet. Batman was the world's greatest detective. Wonder Woman had centuries of combat experience. Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter each of them had become experts at their own abilities to the point of being almost unbeatable.
So when I informed them that they needed training, the room fell silent.
Then Batman crossed his arms. "Explain."
I looked up at him. "We just discovered a seal that combines magic and science. Whoever made it is way ahead of human understanding right now. If we don't learn from it, we're going to be fighting in the dark."
Superman's eyes narrowed. "And you think you can teach us?"
I leaned forward. "I know I can."
---
Watchtower's training facility was among the most sophisticated in the world. Holographic simulation, gravity control, alien-tech sparring zones.
None of it mattered.
I walked into the room's center. "You're all fighting with restrictions you don't even know. Your moves are efficient but not optimal."
Green Lantern smirked. "And you think you know a better way?"
I rapped the air. A ripple extended, and the whole facility reoriented.
The room became a battlefield one governed by my laws of physics.
Batman's jaw clenched. Flash grumbled an oath.
I went on, "We're facing an opponent who marries technology and magic. That leaves the old rules out. You must learn to fight in ways you can't even conceive."
Superman crossed his arms. "Then show us."
I smiled. "Alright."
---
I started with Superman.
"The problem with invulnerability," I said, circling him, "is that you never had to learn how to take a hit."
His brows furrowed. "I can take any hit."
I snapped my fingers. A burst of energy hit his chest not hard enough to injure, but hard enough to force his body to move.
His balance faltered for half a second.
I indicated. "See that? Half a second where your center of gravity wavers. An opponent skilled enough could take advantage of that."
Superman scowled. "Who could possibly"
I stepped back.
One moment I was in front of him. The next, I was behind, landing a precise strike on his back.
Superman stumbled.
The League fell silent.
I didn't rub it in. "You're strong, Kal. But you depend on your power. You need to know how to fight like someone without godlike resilience."
Superman nodded slowly. "Teach me."
---
Next was Wonder Woman.
She was a warrior one of the finest. But she fought according to a system three thousand years old. I admired that. But admiration wasn't sufficient.
"Your style is designed for divine warfare," I said to her. "But we're fighting foes even beyond Olympus."
She arched an eyebrow. "And you believe you can enhance Amazonian methods?"
I didn't reply. I just moved.
She parried my first strike. The second. The third.
But then my attack phased through her defense.
Her eyes opened wide as my hand halted inches from her throat.
"A god wouldn't expect that," I said. "Neither would you."
Her lips were pressed together. "Show me how."
---
Finally, Batman.
He did not say a word. Only watched. Calculated.
I glared back. "You don't trust me."
"I don't trust anyone," he replied.
I grinned. "Then you'll enjoy this next bit."
I rapped the air once more. The battlefield dimmed into complete darkness. No noise. No illumination. No input whatsoever.
For the first time, Batman's cool broke.
"This," I explained, "is what combat against a cosmic being is like."
Silence.
Then his voice, calm but measured:
"…Teach me."
---
The Justice League was strong.
But by the time I was done with them?
They'd be unstoppable.
---
**End of Chapter 13**