Word spread like wildfire through the Justice League. Utopian was missing.
Merely hours after leaving him, Awkgirl was seized by an icy dread when faced with his unusual radio silence. A quick investigation of his apartment revealed the undeniable signs of a struggle: the shattered window, residual chemical traces in the air, and above all, the complete absence of her partner.
The alarm was raised, and in less than an hour, the planet's greatest heroes assembled in the Watchtower's command center. The atmosphere was heavy, charged with a mix of worry and anger.
"The residual energy signatures match an unknown toxic compound, but the intrusion signature is clear. It was a targeted abduction," Batman declared, his eyes fixed on the holograms displaying the forensic data from the crime scene. His voice was a low growl, promising consequences.
Superman stood near the viewing window, his piercing gaze scouring the Earth as if he could force the planet to reveal its secret. His fist was clenched. "He isn't responding to any of our calls. I can't locate his bio-metric signal. It's as if he's been erased."
Wonder Woman, standing tall and proud, let her lasso tap against her armor. "No one harms one of our own without facing the consequences. We will find him."
Awkgirl, her face twisted by anguish and guilt, clenched her fists, her claws briefly extending. "He was with me just before... They took him from his home. They dared." Her voice trembled with helpless rage.
John Stewart, the Green Lantern, projected a holographic city map. "The reconnaissance team is in position. We're saturating the area. If anything moves, we'll know."
Flash was a bundle of nervous energy, vibrating in place. "Just tell me where to run. I can search every square inch of this city in sixty seconds. He might just be hidden, weakened..."
The Martian Manhunter, J'onn J'onzz, stood in the center of the room, his eyes closed in deep concentration. "I am projecting my telepathic consciousness across the entire metropolitan area. Utopian's mental trace is... faint. Muffled. But I perceive echoes. Deception... and a hive. A collective will."
All eyes turned to him. The "hive." It was a clue. Queen Bee's modus operandi.
Batman turned around, his cape sweeping the air. "This is a declaration of war. They abducted a Leaguer on known ground. They know we're coming."
Superman finally turned from the window, his face etched with absolute determination. "Then let's not disappoint them. The entire League is mobilized. We are moving to maximum alert. No one rests until we bring him back."
A silent, unanimous agreement passed through the room. In that moment, they were no longer just a team of superheroes with varied powers. They were a family, struck at its heart. And the Justice League family, once mobilized, was the most formidable force in the universe.
The hunt had begun.