[ The Hall Of Justice ]

  Along with a new life comes new hurdles to overcome. Fighting Doomsday is one thing, but what’s the answer for being literally homeless? Well, that’s what brings Kon-EL to the awe-inspiring premise known worldwide as The Hall Of Justice – the former main base of operations for the founding members of the Justice League. A structure that now serves as an alternative gathering place for heroes in Metropolis City to use, which nowadays just seems to be a means of reaching the Justice League Watchtower in space via the transportation tech inside the building. Well, today Kon-EL is on a mission to find out if it can play the role of a home for a wandering and capable individual like him this evening.

  After spending some time flying, Kon-EL finally descends near ground-level once he spots the fanciful grounds of the location of interest. From its surrounding well kept lawn, to its center ground of smooth concrete where a 15-feet-tall art piece of what looks to be a bronze crystal sits atop of a square onyx platform at the center, and finally the building itself that bears a dome-like design with two pillars at its face. A place an officer of the law told him about after the crazy ordeal of butting heads with the kryptonian hunter known as Doomsday.

  He remains at least three feet above solid ground as he looks around to take in the exterior of the premise completely.

  “...I guess this is it…” He murmurs under his breath with a lost none-the-wiser look on his face, eventually proceeding onward to approach the entrance of the establishment. Upon reaching those tall double doors, he finally allows the soles of his boots to touch down, and extends his hands outward to give a gentle push to pry inside. However, those doors do not budge an inch. Something that makes him arch a questioning brow, because there’s definitely no handles or knobs for him to pull at.

  “Are they closed for the d–”

  “SCANNING…” A robotic AI voice cuts him off before a sudden light source projects from a hidden camera above the entrance and scans the young man from head to toe, then vice versa.

  “Unauthorized individual detected. What is your reason for visiting the premises?” The robotic voice inquires, taking Kon-EL by surprise.

  “Oh. Uhm… “ , struggling to form an answer on the spot, the kryptonian falls silent while sheepishly averting his eyes and rubbing at the back of his head. He thinks on it for a moment. Admitting he’s just looking for a place to - for a lack of a better phrasing: “bum it out” - it just seems awfully distasteful. Though, Kon-EL does eventually realize an alternative answer without resorting to full-on lying.

  “... I’m here to… join… the.. Ahem. I’m here to join the Justice League.” He finally responds and as clearly as he can. Uncomfortable immediately resurfaces for what feels like half a minute, lingering up until another voice comes through to address him.

  “May I ask who you are?” The voice prods.

  “Kon-EL.” The kryptonian answers.

  “Kon…. L?”

  “Yup! That’s the name.”

  “Have you no alias?”

  “Huh? Like, a nickname? Nah, can’t say that I do. I’m just… Kon-EL.” The young man answers with a shrug of his shoulders.

  “...Very well. You may enter the Hall of Justice. Push to enter.” The voice directs and a set of affirming beeps follows. Obliging, Kon-EL pushes again and does indeed discover the doors no longer resist, parting open to allow him to step inside where a fresh smell of cleanliness brushes his sense of smell. It’s quite spacious inside. Roomier than it looks on the outside.

  Without waiting long, someone finally comes walking along the marble floor out from another corridor. A tall figure of sheer red with a cape hanging around his neck.

  “Yo.” Kon-EL takes the initiative of greeting the stranger with an air salute.

  “How fascinating… he’s never mentioned your name before. Not even in passing.” The other responds, his voice masculine, but robotic-like in a sense.

  “He?” The kryptonian questions, utterly clueless.

  “Why, Superman, of course. You take after him considerably. Any relative of his is welcomed to register with the J.L., but it’ll take some time before you earn clearance to the Watchtower. Come this way, please, and I’ll help you integrate into the system.” The man of crimson red requests before turning and walking onward. The young man tails behind.

  “Uhh… I appreciate the help, uhh… sir–”

  “Red Tornado.”

  “Red Tornado. I appreciate the help and all, but about the whoooole… relative thing…” Kon-EL nervously begins, hesitant to touch on a subject that might get him sent away packing.

  “You needn’t say a word. Just by examining you, I could tell you’re the rebellious sort who seeks to differentiate himself. I see it all the time. I will give you the due diligence of judging you only by your own merits and not Superman’s. Here, you can be your own man, Kon-EL. No need to worry.” Red Tornado assures, but all he manages to do is utterly confuse the kryptonian.

  “I think there’s a… uhmm. A mis–”

  “If you’d be so kind as to take a seat for me, we can get started with your interview immediately. My schedule is a bit full today, so time is of the essence.” The android chimes in upon leading the young man into a room, where a chair sitting in front of an office-like desk is waiting. With little hesitation, Kon-EL moves to settle onto it. On the other hand, Red Tornado moves to stand behind the desk and run the computer that serves as the console for recording, filming, and registering information.

  “Alright, we can begin your interview. Just as a disclosure, this will all be recorded and used to evaluate the information you provide.” Red Tornado admits upfront.

  “Oh. Well, hey, go for it. I got nothing to hide.” Kon-EL confidently assures while adjusting his jacket.

  “Very well.” With consent given, the crimson android presses a button to start the recording.

  “First, what is your on-duty alias?”

  “I simply go by Kon-EL. Nothing less, nothing more.” The kryptonian answers.

  “And what is your motive for joining the league?” Red Tornado tosses out the next question.

  “Well… I like helping people and you guys have a base. And uhh… heh… I got nowhere better to hangout.” Kon-EL answers with a sheepish smile.

  “Perhaps this is a little redundant to ask, but what are your powers or talents?”

  “Got a lot! I can fly, lift buildings, move at the speed of light, and– Oh! I also have telekinesis and telepathy!” Kon-EL enthusiastically informs.

  “Your hometown?”

  “Hometown? I mean… here, I guess. It’s the first place I woke up in.”

  “My apologies, but can you elaborate further on that for me? What do you mean by ’The first place you woke up in’?” Red Tornado prods.

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  “Exactly just that. I kind of just opened my eyes and found out I was in Metropolis City. Don’t know how I got here, but here I am.” Kon-EL explains.

  “Where were you before?”

  “Before? I–...” It’s then Kon-EL has to truly think on that question. The earliest he remembers is literally waking up in a dark room, and nothing prior to it.

  “I don’t know…”, is all he can say.

  “I see. And what of your age?” Red Tornado proceeds with the next question.

  “My age?”, the kryptonian repeats as he rubs a hand along his fuzzy jawline.

  “I have no clue. Everything is just dark in my mind. How old do I look?”

  “I’m going to need you to take this seriously, Kon-EL…” Red Tornado reminds the young man.

  “Hey, I definitely know that. I’m not trying to be elusive or weird about it, I just genuinely have no idea how old I am. I don’t even recall having a day of birth, man.”

  [Some Time Later…]

  After what feels like hours long of getting through a painfully awkward interview, the two depart from the room and venture through the many sections of the building’s interior at Red Tornado’s whim. The android, as they walk side-by-side through the honey tint armory on display behind bullet-proof glass, shares his conclusion with Kon-EL.

  “You are a peculiar individual, Kon-EL. However, I do believe there’s much to gain from allowing you access to the Hall of Justice, even if…” Red Tornado trails off as they enter the main hall where this all began, causing the kryptonian to arch a curious brow at the catch coming his way.

  “On a limited level.” The android finishes, suddenly turning toward the young man while extending his right hand, offering a plastic card of some sort that he’s holding between his point and middle fingers.

  “So, I’m IN?”, Kon-EL asks as his lips curve into a soft toothy grin and he gently takes possession of that card. Studying it, he discovers it’s rather generic in appearance - but the pleasing detail upon it is the phrase ‘Justice League Associate’.

  “Yes. To a certain degree. Due to your circumstance, I cannot grant you full access, nor give you actual membership into the League. But… you are certainly welcome to come here any time.” Red Tornado informs the other.

  “Slammin’! That’s good enough for me.” Kon-EL enthusiastically responds before tucking the card away into the pocket of his leather jacket.

  “Good to know. Though it won’t be much of one, I can give you a tour of all the rooms you’ll be able to access on your own. Which are the Mess hall, Recreational Room, and the Members lounge room. We can start with the nearest of three.”

  “Lead the way, man. I’m here for it.” With that exchange wrapping up, Red Tornado proceeds to deliver on his offer while Kon-EL follows behind.

  [ Five Days Later... ]

  { "These last five days have been more than a little interesting for me. Fun mostly, honestly. And hey! I even have a place I can stay at and sleep comfortably, and get some grub. Alongside that stuff, I also met some new faces. Vicky Vale - who did an interview with me two days ago - some mysterious girl named Raven, Red Tornado, and this guy named Shazam." }

  The whirring sound of mechanical doors prying open to grant access to visitors with authorization starts our story off. Standing on the outside and looking in are both the Mighty Shazam & Kon-EL.

  “And here we are! The Justice League’s storage room of all things cool and beyond anyone’s imagination!” Shazam announces with a big grin, gesturing toward the entirety of the large room with spreading arms as he and Kon-EL both enter.

  “No fooling?”, the Kryptonian questions while drinking in all that resides before his very eyes, scanning from left to right and vice versa. Treading along beside his new companion as they ease further in. What Kon-EL discovers inside is a massive room with no real categorizing order to it, but one just barely tidy enough to give the impression that all of the items and such inside are merely an impromptu collection, not things intentionally meant for storing. Armors, exo-suites, trinkets, books, drones, wands, weapons, and even various eyewear surrounds them.

  “No foolin’ at all, my good man. Pretty cool, right!?” Shazam enthuses, casually slinging an arm of his around the shoulders of one the armor suits on display while his opposite hand gestures toward it with a palm-facing-upward hand.

  “Just check out all of this stuff we brought back with us from a lot of our adventures. Oh! Like that MotherBox from the time we crossed paths with Granny Goodness. Or the proton dispensing battle-axe from when we were on War World, and the atomic energy manipulation tank!” The inheritor of Olympus’ mystic gifts referrals to several objects from the piles, and continues to do so mindlessly as if finding fascination with all that he sees. Kon-EL follows along for several objects, but he eventually realizes his associate is more so going down a sentimental memory lane than actually showing him things that stand out.

  The kryptonian’s nonchalant eyes eventually drift as Shazam’s voice reduces to a mere background noise within his senses, which lead to him spotting something eye-catching of his own.

  “Huh…?” Approaching what he’s laying eyes upon, Kon-EL soon finds himself bending down to pick up what looks to be a simple black sports watch upon a closer inspection.

  “Hey, what’s this?” Kon-EL attempts to ask the other. A vain attempt, for Shazam is still gleefully going through the treasure trove of memorable and interesting objects.

  “Uuhh… Shazam?” He calls out again. Yet, still he goes unheard. Shaking his head, the Kryptonian decides to place the watch into the pocket of his jacket and just observe until the Mighty Hero with child-like wonder carries on.

  {"Man, this guy is a bit off… he’s cool and all, but he kind of seems like a kid at times." }

  The two companions spend another 15 minutes in that storage room, then several hours more hanging out elsewhere within the Hall of Justice. Half a dozen games of table hockey, getting lunch together, watching an episode of Power Rangers in the lobby room, and even discussing some of Shazam’s adventures in the past. Their time together for the day comes to an end when the Mighty Shazam oddly informs Kon-EL of needing to return home before dark. Though he finds it peculiar, the Kryptonian makes nothing of it and simply just bids his companion ’goodbye’ with a handshake & a suggestion to hang out again soon.

  Now sitting by his lonesome on the couch he’s been sleeping on everyday thus far, he finally recalls the watch from earlier. Retrieving it from his pocket, he proceeds to place and fasten it properly around his right-handed wrist.

  “Now let’s see here… What could these buttons possibly do?”, he murmurs to himself upon noticing the watch has quite a selection of buttons and dials on it.

  The Kryptonian messes around with the device until he thinks he’s come to understand how to operate it, though in truth he’s still none the wiser of its true purpose. An in-your-face-hint reveals itself when he hits the ’set’ button to save his adjustments.

  “There. That should–” Krrrrsssssshhhh!!! A flash of white consumes the outline of Kon-EL’s body and promptly sends him away without a trace.

  “H-huh!? What!? Where!?” Upon the light fading and a clear view returning to him, the Kryptonian finds him still within that same, sitting as he was before, but some furniture has been swapped around. In addition, it’s dark. The lights inside the building are not only off, but there’s no daylight shining in through any of the windows. From where he is now, Kon-EL simply assumes the power is out. Standing up, he treads his way out of the room to investigate the mysterious darkness.

  “Hello!? Yo, Red Tornado? Everything good?” He calls out while walking. Eventually, the young man begins to notice that more things are off as he passes through fairly familiar rooms. The biggest glaring changes greet him when he enters the center hall of the building - the intersection of the three wings. Out there, he sees statues. Smooth steel structures of what he initially thinks are the founding Justice League members, but upon more observant examination, he sees that those aren’t Justice League members. There’s a statue in particular that grabs his attention. One of a vaguely familiar figure with a cape… and a large U sitting at the center of the shield adorning the figure’s chest.

  “Huuuuh… Hey, who brought in these statues!? I think whatever company you guys ordered these from, ripped you off good.” He comments out loud, still unaware that he’s the only person in the building. Though this time around of receiving no answer, that fact does become very apparent to him. As if lost, he begins looking around the area. When he turns toward the front entrance, he finally realizes that the night is in the place of the fresh afternoon within his day.

  “Jeeze! Did I fall asleep without realizing it? What in the backalleyville is going on here?” Kon-EL questions as anxiety begins creeping into his skin. With a thirst for answers, he makes the decision to exit the building and hustle down the stone steps outside. As he takes in the new, yet not-so-new environment and air around him, a haunting bad feeling tells him that he’s an odd man around these parts. There’s life and humans around in the city like usual, but the vibe is a contrast. The foreign Kryptonian suddenly gets the impression that this ’new Metropolis’ might be a cutthroat town.

  “What the– Luthor-IL?” A female’s voice calls out an unfamiliar name from above, but still manages to draw Kon-EL’s azure pupils to her. He lays eyes on a young lady, likely to be between 16 to 20, land in front of him.

  “Is THIS where ya been hidin’ this whole time, you cheeky lug?” The ravenette asks. Though from there, she quickly transitions into sizing him with keen eyes. What she sees curves a smirk across her lips and draws her in with an admiration-gravitational pull.

  “Uhh… Listen– Woah, woah–!?” Suddenly, he’s taken aback by a pair of seemingly dainty hands palming at his muscular physique - particularly his abdomen region where his skintight suit outlines the bumpy six-pack within his open leather jacket. Intrusive hands that send an uncomfortable sensation throughout his body as she brazenly explores his lean herculean build, pectorals and all.

  “Dang, boy… Did you hit another growth spurt during the week your ass been gone? Mmmmnnn… I REALLY dig tha’ new suit, too. That neon S bouta’ make me act the fuck up, Ultra-Babe.” She purrs while looking up at him with those pools of brilliant blue… The reflection of his House of EL crest reflecting on her eyes as a Cheshire grin takes form. Finally ready to derail this major misunderstanding, Kon-EL reaches to grab at the girl’s forearms and gently peel them away from his body, earning a questioning look from her as he does.

  “Okay, let’s take about 42 steps back here…” He speaks up with a weary expression on his face.

  “Oh, what? Ya decided you’re too good for me now or somethin’?” She asks, shooting him a mild frown with an arching brow and while her arms fold across her chest.

  “No, no! Like… I don’t even know who you are. My name’s not ’Luthor-IL’, either.” He explains to her. It’s then that three more individuals show up to the premise. One on a motorcycle, one by super speed on foot, and one flying down to hover about 10 feet above the ground.

  “Amaxon Thunder… Interesting friend you found there. I take it that’s definitely not Luthor-IL?” The one on the motorbike - a ginger male with an attire that resembles prime Earth’s Robin’s costume - questions with a grin.

  “Sadly no… Ole’ tall n’ fresh over here ain’t him. So that beg the questions…” She responds, pausing as she shifts her attention back to the kryptonian.

  “If you ain’t Luthor-IL, then who tha’ FUCK are ya and WHY do you look like him?” She questions while jabbing a finger against his chest.

  “Easy, easy… Look, I have never heard of this Luthor-IL guy or any of you for that matter. My name’s Kon-EL and I came from… Well… that building back there.” He informs, pointing a thumb behind him.

  “It’s weird. Until I was messing around with this new watch I found, it was only 2 in the afternoon. The sun was out and everything. It wasn’t only after a white flash of light that I found myself in this… sort of parallel state of the world. Either I fell asleep and didn’t realize it, or this watch wasn’t just a normal watch, after all.” Kon-EL adds, lifting his arm to set his eyes on the device in question on his wrist. Meanwhile, Amaxon Thunder and the ginger male turn their sights toward one another.

  “...Sounds an awful like that whole bullshit multiverse theory Luthor-IL was talkin’ about before. Ain’t no fuckin’ way that brawn for brains actually knew what he was talking about, is there…” She expresses her skepticism.

  “I didn’t think anything of it either, but…” The redhead trails off while gesturing a hand toward Kon-EL to make his point.

  “Might wanna report this back to the Crime Syndicate.” He adds.

  “Did you-... Did you just say the… Crime Syndicate?” Kon-EL questions with disbelief.

  “That’s right. The big league right here in Amerika. They’re the ones who run everything in this Goddamn country. Bet cha’ Ultraman is gonna be REAL interested in learnin’ more about cha, pretty boy.” The female speaks up again.

  “...Did that speech bubble just spell your pronunciation of ’America’ with a ’K’ !? Oh nah… Oh NO. I knew there was something off about this place. It’s worse than I thought. You guys are darn right downtrodden… And I don’t want any part of it.” Kon-EL backs away from the group and turns to anxiously press at random buttons on his watch.

  “PLEASE… Get me outta’ here before someone starts giving me a history lecture on the miserable events that followed Abraham Lincoln taking the biggest L of his life.” He pleads under his breath. It’s to no avail, though. The watch doesn’t respond to any of his inputs. But at the very least there’s an active time limit ticking down on it, and it seems he has just under sixteen minutes before the time is up.

  “Hate to break it to ya, Fraud-IL, but–” Amaxon Thunder reaches out to grab him by the shoulder. He turns to face her, and when he does– K R O O O M !

  The female warrior sends him flying with a double-hand uppercut she throws everything behind.

  “Ya don’t get a choice in the matter!”