Chapter 36: 36

Words : 964 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 36 of "Beyond the Limit (DC)" opens with suspenseful action: Joseph appeared in the room with Kori in his arms. For a moment, he just stood... Keep going!

Joseph appeared in the room with Kori in his arms. For a moment, he just stood there, trying to process it. They had escaped. He was back. Nova had done it. 'Nova?' Silence. The AI had hidden itself before, fooling both him and the Psions. But this time, it might really be gone. For good. He hoped that wasn't the case. But there was no time to dwell on that. Kori floated from his arms and so did he. She removed the Gordanian helmet on her head. They exchanged a look, both nodding in unspoken agreement. It was time to leave. She reached for the door— A bright green energy construct snapped around them. "Identify yourselves," a deep voice commanded in English. A man stepped into the room, clad in a mostly black uniform accented with green. A familiar emblem—one of the most powerful symbols in the universe—shone on his chest. The Green Lantern Corps. Joseph knew this man. John Stewart. One of the few Justice League members with a public identity. No point in hesitating. "I'm Fl—" Joseph caught himself. Flux was a thief. Flux was weak. Flux had given up and died in the arena. He wasn't that person anymore. "I'm Nova," he said instead, voice steady. "This is Starfire. I was the one who tipped off the authorities about this place. We were captured by the Citadel." John's expression remained unreadable. "From Vega?" "Yes. The Citadel has partnered with Intergang to abduct Earth citizens, experiment on them, and force them to fight in arenas." Joseph exhaled sharply. "I understand this violates a treaty the Green Lantern Corps has with Vega." John studied them for a long moment. "Wait here. I have some calls to make." He turned and stepped out of the room. Joseph clenched his fists. He hated this feeling—waiting, not knowing what was next. He didn't trust fate. Kori reached for his hand. He blinked at her in question—not that he minded. "Sorry, I could not understand your language," she whispered in English. That made sense. They'd only spoken in Tamaranean instead of Interlac, the standard intergalactic alien language, while in captivity to keep the other prisoners and guards from understanding them. "Can this man be trusted?" she murmured. "Yes," Joseph whispered back. John returned before they could say more. "I'm taking you both to meet the League." Joseph sighed. He had wanted to go home, to sleep in his own bed for the first time in what felt like forever. Instead, he was going straight to the League. "Lead the way," Kori said. ** John didn't waste time. He surrounded them in a green energy construct, bending the light around them to render them invisible. Then, they flew under the night sky. The journey ended in an unassuming back alley in Gotham City, at what appeared to be an old phone booth. John called it a Zeta-tube. A teleportation device. Inside, a sleek, cylindrical device took up most of the space, its mechanical iris opening to reveal the glow of Zeta-Beam energy. "Recognized: Green Lantern 15, Starfire A-05, Nova A-06," the system intoned as the teleportation sequence activated. A flash of light— And then they were standing in the Hall of Justice. They followed John through the winding corridors, past the occasional side glance from League personnel, until they reached a large meeting room. John gestured for them to enter. "I've got business to attend to. Go on in." Joseph and Kori stepped inside. And there they were. Batman. Wonder Woman. Flash. Martian Manhunter. Black Canary. Hawkwoman. Not the full League, but enough of them. Joseph had grown up idolizing many of these heroes. Now, their gazes settled on him and Kori, their hands still clasped together. Joseph kept his eyes from drifting to Batman. He felt the Dark Knight's gaze, sharp and calculating even through the cowl. Instead, he found himself looking at the Flash. Did he know about the Speed Force? Did he move through it the way Joseph had, however briefly? Joseph's thoughts were interrupted as the interrogation began. "Identify yourselves and explain everything from the beginning," Wonder Woman said. Kori spoke first, recounting her story—her people, her enslavement, the horrors the Citadel inflicted on her and countless others. Joseph followed, introducing himself as Nova. He explained how he discovered the orphanage that was really a front for Intergang and the Citadel's trafficking operation. How he'd been captured, experimented on, and forced to fight. They omitted the details of their abilities. And—more importantly—they omitted the killing. But Batman, ever the detective, saw through them. "Did you kill in these tournaments?" His voice was low, edged in steel. Kori didn't hesitate. "Yes. It was in self-defense against fierce warriors." Joseph said nothing. Despite everything, despite his newfound power, there was still a small part of him that hesitated under Batman's scrutiny. "I need you to understand," Batman said, "that on Earth, we don't operate that way. We are not judge, jury, or executioner. There is a system. A process. No one is above the law." Kori tilted her head, unconcerned. "I admire such values," she said plainly, "but I cannot guarantee I will hold back if someone is an immediate threat to me or to others I care about." Joseph suppressed a smirk. He liked that about her. She never hid what she believed. Batman opened his mouth again— But Wonder Woman interrupted. "From one warrior princess to another, I understand you," she said. "But please, follow our customs while on Earth." Joseph gave Kori's hand a squeeze. She nodded. "Okay." Black Canary leaned forward. "Now," she said, "let's talk about your living arrangements on Earth."

Chapter 36: 36

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