Chapter 65: 65

The next evening, Nova soared back to Gotham from Chicago. He could have used the Zeta Tube, but teleportation still unsettled him ever since the Gordanians had trapped him in their teleportation apparatus, throwing him into that brutal arena. Flying felt more natural. Safer. Chicago wasn't too far from Gotham, and at Mach 2, it was only 30 minutes away. As he neared Gotham, something caught his eye—fire. Not just one. Several. Nova narrowed his gaze. Buildings were burning, the glow of the flames licking at the night sky. His heart clenched as memories surfaced—the last time Firefly escaped, a child had nearly died. Joseph had saved them but at a steep cost: third-degree burns across his body. The pain had been excruciating. He had promised himself that if he ever saw Firefly loose again, he wouldn't give him a second chance. Tonight, that promise would be kept. First, the civilians. He pushed his senses outward, noting the mix of chemical and thermal, that meant a living being. Even through the crackling infernos, he could feel the faint pulses of life. There. A family trapped beneath a collapsing ceiling. Nova shifted gravity around them, lifting the debris and pulling them to safety. One by one, he evacuated those still inside, their terrified faces reflecting the orange glow of destruction. Next, the fires. Oxygen fueled flames, and gravity could suffocate them. Nova shaped invisible air pockets, forcing the flames to starve. They flickered, curled inward, then died. Only after ensuring no embers remained did he move to the real threat. ** Firefly was running. The pyromaniac raced through an alley, his jetpack sputtering, trying to take flight. Nova didn't give him the chance. He extended his hand, twisting gravity around Firefly's body. The man's momentum reversed instantly, hurling him backward toward Nova's outstretched fist. The punch landed with a sickening crunch. Firefly crumpled like a rag doll, his helmet sparking from the impact. Unconscious. Joseph lifted Firefly's body up using anti-gravity and was about to fire at the man's equipment. If it blew up, then he'd get a taste of what his victims went through. And that's when Batman made his presence known. From the rooftop above, the Dark Knight emerged from the shadows, his cape billowing as he stepped forward. "Nova," Batman's voice was controlled, but there was an edge to it. "Gotham is mine to protect. I can't have you continue to appear here." Nova clenched his jaw. "I saved people," he said, his voice sharper than intended. "I put out the fires. I caught the pyromaniac. This is my home too so what's the issue here?" "The issue is Gotham exists in a delicate balance," Batman said, stepping closer, his gaze unreadable beneath the cowl. "I know this city better than anyone. If metahumans make a habit of intervening, the criminals will escalate—start hiring metahuman muscle of their own. The city will suffer." Nova exhaled slowly, reigning in his frustration. He had to remind himself—this was Batman. The man who had been protecting Gotham for years. If he believed this was the right call, there had to be a reason. Maybe this was why Superman didn't step in Gotham too. But Nova wasn't Superman. The moment one of these freaks appeared in front of him again, he'd make them disappear for good. Discretely of course. "Okay," Nova said at last. "I'll defer to you. I just hope this freak doesn't escape Arkham again." Because if he did... well. There were other ways to ensure Firefly never hurt anyone again. Dizzy was always available. Batman gave a slight nod. "While you're here, there's something you should know." Nova raised an eyebrow. Was today the day he'd be joining the Justice League? "The League is assembling a covert team," Batman continued. "Young heroes. Members will include Robin, Aqualad, and Kid Flash—" Nova stiffened. He felt his anger rising. So that was it? After everything he'd done—protecting Chicago, proving himself again and again—the League still didn't think he was ready to join? Hawkman and Hawkwoman, two aliens, had been operating on Earth for a matter of months and got into the League. He'd been in the game for longer than that. And still, they held him back. Just as he was about to protest— "And Starfire will be joining as well." Nova's anger vanished. "I accept." Batman smirked ever so slightly. "Martian Manhunter's niece will be joining as well. Come tomorrow at 5 PM. Mount Justice. Use the Zeta Tube." Then, as if slipping into the void itself, he vanished into the night. Nova watched him go, his enhanced senses tracking the faint heat signature masked beneath the suit. He could still sense Batman's exit—but that didn't change the fact that it looked incredibly cool. Almost an art form. Nova would have to take notes. Maybe even add a cape. ...Nah. No capes.