Chaos erupted across the site as Citadel guards rushed to intercept the attackers. One of the mysterious fighters raised a hand, deploying energy shields while several others rushed through the chaos and took strategic positions throughout the site. They blended in without attracting attention as their leader and main group drew all eyes away from them, enabling their plan to unfold. Their leader—a tall man with a commanding presence—unleashed a telekinetic blast that sent a line of guards flying backward. Then, with visible effort, he skillfully lifted two giant floats and hurled them at soldiers approaching from other directions.
"Open fire! Take down the rebels!" commanded a Citadel officer as she strategically positioned her troops against the unexpected attackers.
The soldiers charged forward, weapons raised. "For the glory of the Empress!" they shouted in unison, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts toward the intruders.
Amid the erupting chaos, civilians scattered in panic. Citadel elite guards swiftly formed a protective perimeter around Komand'r and the dignitaries. Meanwhile, the Titans dispersed, taking cover behind columns and debris as the battle raged around them.
"Hold your position, Titans," Barbara commanded, her voice calm through their comms. "We need to assess the situation before we act."
"Holy shit!" Gar ducked as an energy beam shot over him. In an instant, he transformed into a fly and zipped away.
Jaime's voice crackled through the comms. "Guys, this is getting out of hand fast!" He'd just pulled a child to safety as panicked crowds surged through the site and now crouched behind cover, assessing the chaotic scene.
Donna pressed herself against a column as energy blasts streaked by. "Where did these guys even come from?"
"Doesn't matter who they are or where they came from," Dick replied from the Javelin. "This works in our favor. We can grab Ryand'r while everyone's distracted."
"Nightwing's right," Kara added, monitoring the scene. "Batgirl, let's use this chaos to our advantage. Raven, open a ripple—I'll join you all on the ground."
"Wait." Rachel narrowed her eyes, studying the attackers. "I think I recognize some of these fighters from Karnaak's intel. They're likely the Omega Men."
Just then, the group's leader effortlessly deflected another barrage of incoming fire. Beside him, one of his fighters let out a fierce war cry and charged forward, smashing through the ranks of soldiers who had been funneled into position by another rebel's strategic energy field constructs.
Barbara studied the leading figure in the air briefly before quickly tapping her terminal to access their intel database. "If you're right, that's Primus of Euphorix. He's united resistance fighters across the system—pretty impressive work considering how feared the Citadel is in this region."
"That would also explain why their attacks are so well-coordinated," Rachel said, extending her Ki sense to read the battlefield. "And how they've managed to slip past planetary defenses and orbital patrols. They've been fighting the Citadel for years. They know exactly where the weak points are."
Gar frowned. "But attacking a parade head-on with this many troops present? That's suicide. If he's such a great figure, why make such a risky move?"
"It's probably a diversion," Rachel explained thoughtfully. "I met one of them—Kalista—in the dungeons while searching for Ryand'r. They're likely creating chaos to pull guards from other key sectors like the palace or the dungeon away so another team can break her out without much resistance."
"Guys, Omega Men or not, our mission hasn't changed," Jaime cut in. "I agree with Nightwing. We should use this distraction to rescue the prince. Speaking of which, who has eyes on him?"
"Exactly," Gar agreed. "We couldn't ask for a better distraction. I agree with Nightwing's plan. I caught a glimpse of the prince taking cover under one of the floats, but getting to him is going to be tough. He's right in the middle of the chaos."
"Agreed." Barbara nodded decisively. "Titans, we extract Ryand'r while Komand'r's forces are busy with—"
"Wait." Just then Rachel's tone stopped everyone cold.
"Raven," Dick interrupted, "this is our chance to—"
"Something feels off," Rachel said, her eyes glowing faintly. "This leader isn't just creating a diversion. For him, this is personal."
Her voice grew quiet as she observed the commander deflecting energy blasts with telekinesis while directing his massive grey ally into enemy lines. The grey warrior crashed through defenses, demolishing weapon emplacements and vehicles with raw power.
"They're skilled fighters causing significant damage, but look at their position," she continued. "They're completely surrounded with no clear escape route. Without someone like Wonder Girl, Supergirl, myself, or Wonder Woman to punch through those defenses, they're effectively trapped."
She paused, observing Primus as he deflected another barrage from the fighter above, then continued. "And their leader knows it. I can sense it… his resolve... he doesn't expect to survive this."
"I think you're reading too much into this, Raven," Karen said through the comms. "They could easily have an escape plan we haven't spotted yet."
Rachel shook her head firmly. "Trust me, I'm certain about this. I can sense his emotions—he's prepared to die today." She turned to Barbara with urgency in her voice. "And we need to think bigger. Rescuing Ryand'r is just step one. We still have to liberate Tamaran and stabilize this entire sector. We'd be wasting valuable time trying to figure everything out alone when these rebels already know the territory. Strategically, partnering with them makes way more sense than stumbling around as outsiders."
Just then, a commanding voice rose above the din of battle. "PEOPLE OF TAMARAN!"
The Titans looked up to see the rebel leader hovering in midair, his presence capturing everyone's attention despite the battlefield chaos erupting around him.
"Look around you!" he shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "Your Empress claims to bring peace but she stands before you with blood-stained hands! She offers freedom with one breath and tightens your chains with the next! The proud Tamaran—once a beacon of hope throughout the sector—has fallen. Now you're just another conquered world, forced to serve the Citadel while your true heritage fades away. Like every planet beyond the Psions' reach, you've been reduced to pawns in her endless game of power. This Tamaran—your Tamaran—now exists for one purpose alone, to feed her ambition!"
Komand'r stood unflinching, surrounded by guards. Behind her stood Ryand'r, bound in energy restraints and gagged. Her forces had dragged him from the chaos moments earlier. His eyes darted frantically between his sister and the rebel leader as the confrontation intensified.
"I should thank you, Primus," she said coldly. "You've saved me the trouble of hunting you down. You'll make a fitting companion for the traitor prince at his execution."
"Traitors?" Primus scoffed, his bitter laugh slicing through the tension. "Look who's talking! You betrayed Tamaran twice—first to the Citadel, then to the Psions! You sold your own homeworld just for that crown!" His voice rose with controlled fury. "And when you finally had power—when you seized control of the Citadel and could have freed your people and countless others—what did you do? You tightened the chains! You embraced tyranny!" He swept his arm toward the shocked crowd. "Why don't you tell your loyal subjects exactly how many Tamaranian women you handed over to the Psionic Hegemony for your precious ceasefire? TELL THEM, OH EMPRESS OF TAMARAN!"
A wave of gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd. Tamaranians everywhere—whether in hiding or engaged in combat—froze as the accusation landed. Their expressions shifted from confusion to stunned horror as the implications sank in.
From her position, Rachel reached for her terminal to broadcast the accusations, wanting to make use of this verbal spat, only to discover someone had already beaten her to it. The scene was streaming across Tamaran. A moment of surprise quickly gave way to understanding as she realized what was happening.
She felt a new respect for the Omega Men leader. She had sensed his resolve to die for his cause, but she'd underestimated his strategy. This wasn't just a desperate attack or rescue mission—it was a calculated sacrifice. Primus came not only to free Kalista but to ensure his message reached every corner of Tamaran, even if it cost him his life.
Through Mother Empress, Rachel watched his words spreading across the planet like wildfire, igniting rebellion in the hearts of all who heard them.
The dignitaries shifted uncomfortably, disturbed by the public accusations. Meanwhile, the Psion representatives remained calm, eerily calm, watching with detached interest as if merely enjoying the show. Across from them, Komand'r's eyes narrowed dangerously as her generals exchanged uneasy glances, stunned that such classified information had leaked.
"Enough! Your lies end here today," Komand'r snarled, maintaining her composure despite the damning accusations.
Primus smiled grimly. "I don't think so." With deliberate calm, he snapped his fingers and in the next moment, several explosions thundered across the city in rapid succession, sending plumes of smoke billowing from military installations throughout the capital. The Citadel forces faltered, suddenly torn between multiple emergencies.
"What have you done, PRIMUS?" Komand'r hissed through clenched teeth, her expression finally changing as she watched smoke billowing across her capital city.
"You know something, Empress?" Primus said, his voice calm yet heavy with the weight of years of resistance. "After fighting you for so long, I finally get it. You're not like those who came before you. You're far too clever and far too ruthless—that's why normal tactics fail against you. But everyone has a weakness." He paused, taking a deep breath. "And yours, Empress? I finally found it, sadly by becoming what I despised most—by becoming more like you and thinking like you."
His eyes locked with hers as he swept his arm toward the crowd. "Tamaran is your weakness, Komand'r. You've conquered and subjugated worlds across the sector, yet you're obsessed with this one planet—your homeworld that rejected you. This desperate need to rule where you were cast aside—it's the only flaw in your defenses, your one weakness." His voice softened as he continued. "For all your military might, achievements, and false promises of peace, you've never won what truly matters—the hearts of these people, YOUR people! Nor has your cruel reign broken Tamaran's spirit." He paused, letting his words hang in the air before continuing. "Did you honestly think Tamaranians would forget? That they'd ever truly follow the woman who sold their freedom for a crown? That they'd see you as anything but the usurper you are?"
Drawing a deep breath, Primus raised his voice in one final, powerful call: "People of Tamaran! Proud warriors! Heirs to the proud legacy of Vega! Rise up now and show this false Empress what true Tamaranian spirit looks like! Commander Taryia, NOW!"
At his signal, the ground beneath them erupted. A massive explosion tore open the center of the site, obliterating dozens of armored vehicles and weapon placements. Two smaller blasts followed immediately from the east and west, simultaneously.
In that same instant, Tamaranians who had been posing as loyal civilians threw off their disguises. Soldiers within Komand'r's own ranks turned their weapons against former comrades. From the newly created breaches, rebel forces poured onto the field. In the skies above, fighter pilots abandoned their formations, spinning their craft to open fire on the squadrons they'd flown with moments before.
The Citadel forces, caught in this perfectly executed betrayal from within, fell into chaos.
Through the smoke and confusion emerged a battle-scarred Tamaranian woman, her eyes blazing as she led her warriors forward. "FOR TAMARAN!" she roared. "FOR THE PRINCE!"
"FOR TAMARAN!" The thunderous response echoed across the battlefield as her followers surged forward, weapons raised.
Komand'r's eyes narrowed as she recognized her former officer. "Commander Taryia..." She turned to Primus with cold disdain. "This is your master plan? Teaming up with the last scraps of Tamaran's failed resistance? These traitors?"
"Traitors?" Taryia's voice rang out clear and strong, her expression contorting with anger. "You're the one who turned your back on Tamaran when you sold us to our enemies. Prince Ryand'r stood with us even when we lost faith in him for believing in you, for believing you could change. The only traitor here is you, Komand'r."
A dangerous smile played at the corner of Komand'r's lips as she assessed the battlefield. "How predictable. Did you honestly believe I wouldn't be ready for something like this today? There's a reason your little rebellions always end the same way."
With a casual flick of her wrist, concealed Citadel forces emerged from hidden positions throughout the site. Above them, eight sleek warships descended from the clouds, their weapons systems humming to life as they targeted the rebels below. "You should feel honored—you'll be the first to experience our new assault ships firsthand. Today marks the end of your pathetic resistance once and for all."
Primus stood tall despite the sudden development, his resolve unshaken even against these overwhelming odds. He let out a light chuckle while observing the new ships, before muttering, "As expected of you, Komand'r." He then turned to meet her gaze.
"You may destroy us today," he called out, his voice carrying across the broadcast to all of Tamaran, "but you can't erase what your people now know about you. Kill us if you must—ten more will rise for each one that falls. This isn't the end, Komand'r. It's just the beginning of your downfall!"
Without a word, Komand'r brought her hand down. The Citadel forces unleashed a devastating barrage on the rebels below. But, just as the weapons fire seemed certain to obliterate them, a swirling mist appeared around the rebels—rapidly expanding into a protective dome that absorbed the incoming blasts.
"What is that?" a Citadel General beside Komand'r gasped, watching their attack dissipate harmlessly against the shimmering barrier.
Above the battlefield, rebel fighters along with Primus scattered in different directions before the initial assault, then regrouped around Primus, positioning themselves for a counterattack.
"It's the energy being from Kuraq, Nimbus," Komand'r recognized coldly. "An impressive ally, but the shield won't last." Her eyes narrowed. "Intensify the barrage. No defense holds forever. Wear them down!"
High above, Primus darted through the chaos, leading his elite squadron of allies. They moved as one—breaking formation and reforming with precision to evade the assault ships' deadly weapons. Despite their remarkable skill and effort, the harsh reality was undeniable, they faced impossible odds. Primus watched his allies being shot down one by one.
Gritting his teeth, Primus manifested a telekinetic shield just in time to deflect an energy beam, creating a precious moment for two Tamaranian fighters to disable a Citadel vessel. Sweat beaded on his brow as he glanced down at the Nimbus's weakening protection.
"Commander Zeya," he called into his comm, voice tight with urgency, "take your wing and hit that eastern assault ship! We need to knock out their big guns!"
"On it, commander!" Three fighters immediately broke formation, banking sharply toward their target.
Primus twisted to avoid another blast, his eyes sweeping across the chaos below. The gaseous shield protecting his forces was thinning, its protective energy veil growing weaker by the second.
"We're not going to last," he muttered, raising his hand to deflect an incoming barrage. "Nothing from the others on the comms yet." His voice caught as he whispered, "Kalista... was all this in vain?"
A fighter craft pulled alongside him, its hull scorched and smoking. The pilot inside had a blood-soaked shoulder but determination burned in her eyes. "General! The eastern flank is breaking—three more fighters down!"
"Keep your position," Primus ordered through gritted teeth. "Don't let them—"
His words vanished in the roar of an explosion. A nearby fighter erupted into flames, the shockwave rippling across the battlefield. The wounded pilot beside him lost control, her craft spiraling wildly before slamming into an enemy vessel. Both disappeared in a fireball. The blast caught Primus, sending him tumbling through the air before he could steady himself.
Below him, the protective dome flickered dangerously. Mustering his remaining strength, Primus prepared for one last desperate attack. In his focus, he nearly missed the energy blast coming from his blind spot. He managed to twist away—just enough to avoid a killing blow—but searing pain tore through his hand as the blast grazed him.
Looking up, he saw assault ships converging on him from all directions, weapons powering up for the final strike. The reality of his situation washed over him. "So this is it," he whispered, closing his eyes as faces of those he loved flashed through his mind. "Kalista... everyone... I'm sorry."
Despite his regret, a strange peace washed over him in the next moment. Perhaps it was knowing that whatever happened next, he had accomplished his mission—the truth was finally out.
However, the death blow he expected never came. Instead, the sky cracked with sonic booms, forcing his eyes open as a blur of blue and red streaked across his vision. In the next moment, explosions bloomed against the darkening sky. Primus blinked in disbelief, catching glimpses of a caped figure tearing through the assault ships. Metal shrieked and warped under her fists as power cores detonated in brilliant cascades of light. Where moments before an unstoppable squadron had surrounded him, now only burning wreckage tumbled toward the ground.
"What... who is that?" he breathed, watching the impossible unfold before his eyes.
Moments earlier
Donna's face grew grave as she watched the battle unfold. "The rebels are getting crushed out there," she said, voice tight with urgency. "Guys, it's now or never."
"She's right," Rachel added, her expression darkening. "We're out of time."
Barbara studied the battlefield, her eyes flicking between tactical displays on her terminal. After a beat, she nodded decisively. "You're right. Let's move." Her fingers danced across her terminal, closing her displays as she spoke into the comms, "Titans, we're going in. Nightwing, deploy Supergirl, Static, and Starfire now. Raven, get that spatial ripple ready."
"Going with shock and awe?" Dick's voice crackled through the comm.
"Exactly," Barbara replied. "Remember—this is Star's homeworld. And right now, the whole planet is watching this battle unfold through someone's broadcast. It's the perfect moment to show Tamaran their princess has returned."
"Understood." Dick rose from the captain's chair aboard the Javelin. "Bumblebee, prepare the ship for emergency extraction. I'll handle navigation." His voice carried clearly through the ship's systems. "Static, Supergirl, Starfire—you're up!"
"Ready," came their collective response.
Rachel opened a spatial ripple connecting directly to the Javelin on the moon. Kara shot through first, her battle suit materializing around her body as she flew, seamlessly integrating with her uniform. Virgil followed immediately behind, surfing through the rift on his crackling electric disc, his face concealed behind his mask. Finally, Kori stepped through, her eyes filling with emotion at the sight of turmoil on her homeworld before Rachel pulled her inside a dimensional fold.
"Jamming their communications now," Barbara said, her fingers dancing across her terminal. Without missing a beat, she issued orders through the comms. "Supergirl, Beetle—take the skies. Kara, focus on those assault ships; Jaime, handle the fighters. Wonder Girl, Static—break their eastern line. Beast Boy and I will hit them from the west. Rachel, make sure Kori makes one hell of an entrance, one they'll remember forever."
"On it," they responded in unison.
Kara bent her knees and then shot upward, soon breaking the sound barrier with a thunderous crack as she headed straight for the Citadel assault squadron.
Meanwhile, Jaime's scarab activated. Wings materialized from his back as his arm transformed into a pulsing energy cannon. "Scarab, got any targeting solutions for me?" he asked as the weapon hummed to life.
"Standby... Target information obtained... displaying now."
Multiple target locks appeared on his vision display as Jaime took to the sky and, in the next moment, began his assault.
On the ground, Donna launched herself skyward with a powerful leap, her bracers gleaming as she twisted mid-air to deflect a barrage of energy blasts.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
She slammed into the enemy formation with thunderous force, her war cry echoing across the battlefield as soldiers scattered in every direction.
"Show me what you've got, Citadel," she taunted with a fierce grin. Sensing movement behind her, Donna pivoted sharply as a soldier lunged forward. Her fist shot out in one fluid motion, colliding with his chest plate. The impact sent him hurtling backward, his armor buckling with a satisfying crunch. "Ouch," she smirked. "That's going to leave a mark."
Above her, Virgil surfed through the chaos, electricity crackling between his fingertips as he called out, "Wonder Girl, duck!"
As she dropped, he unleashed a crackling web of lightning that arced between a dozen Citadel troops. Their armor systems sparked and failed, leaving them convulsing on the ground.
"Command! We've got unidentified hostiles with—AAAAAARRRRRRGGHHHH!" The soldier's transmission ended in an agonized scream as electricity surged through his communications system. His desperate warning dissolved into static, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway—Barbara's interference had already jammed all Citadel communications channels presently being used.
"Save some for the rest of us, Static!" Donna called out with a laugh, watching the soldiers drop all around them.
"Are you serious right now?" Virgil replied, gathering crackling electricity between his palms before hurling a lightning ball at the incoming reinforcements. "We're completely surrounded!"
"Come on, lighten up!" Donna called out with a wild grin as she spotted the incoming forces. She pulled her fist back, muscles tensing with power. "This is what I call a target-rich environment!" In one fluid motion, she slammed her fist into the ground, creating a devastating shockwave that sent soldiers flying and vehicles flipping through the air. "Perfect chance to test out those new moves we've been practicing!"
Virgil's eyes widened as he watched the destruction unfold. "Note to self, never get on Wonder Girl's bad side," he muttered, ducking beneath enemy fire. "No wonder she's the only one who can keep Raven and Supergirl in check." Shaking his head, he summoned electricity that danced between his fingertips. "Can't let her show me up!" In the next moment, his expression turned serious as he launched himself back into the fray.
Meanwhile, on the western flank, Gar launched himself into battle with a primal roar. His body twisted and stretched as bones cracked and muscles bulged, transforming him into a massive Tyrannosaurus rex. The ground shook with each thunderous step as he charged across the battlefield, eyes locked on the enemy troops who froze in terror at the sight.
"What manner of beast is that?" a soldier gasped, his weapon trembling in his grip.
"Retreat! RETREAT!" his commander screamed, but the order came too late.
Perched atop the dinosaur's back, Barbara maintained her balance, her knees subtly guiding Gar's movements as they flowed as one through the chaos. She reached into her utility belt, hurling batarangs that spiraled through the air before detonating in brilliant flashes of blue energy. Each explosion sent electromagnetic pulses rippling outward, disabling vehicles and rendering weapons useless in their devastating wake.
The tide of battle turned instantly. Kara streaked through the sky, her fists punching through assault ships effortlessly. The air itself trembled with each impact as explosions sent shockwaves knocking nearby ships and fighters off course.
Primus watched the tide turning with wide eyes, disbelief quickly giving way to a surge of new hope. With a slight smile, he activated his communicator, his voice strong despite his injuries. "Nimbus, Broot, Taryia—we have unexpected allies! Switch to offensive formation! This is our moment! GO!"
The response was immediate. Nimbus channeled his powers, transforming the protective gaseous dome surrounding the rebels into toxic clouds that rolled across the battlefield. The burning mist enveloped Citadel troops, searing through their armor and blinding their targeting sensors, causing them to fall back in disarray. Seizing their opportunity, rebels and Omega Men unleashed a thunderous battle cry as they charged forward to join their mysterious allies.
On her elevated platform, Komand'r's face transformed from shock to cold fury as she watched her forces crumble. "Who dares?" she hissed, her eyes darting between the green beast tearing through her western flank and the strangers decimating her eastern forces.
"They are clearly not from this sector. How did they get past our defenses?" she demanded, rounding on the general with blazing eyes. Her voice dropped dangerously low. "Our orbital grid was supposed to be impenetrable. And now we have intruders? And today of all days, with Psions observers watching our every move?"
The general's face paled, sweat breaking across his brow. "We... detected nothing, Empress. They appeared without warning."
Komand'r's gaze swept back to the battlefield before she stepped closer to the general.
"Find out how they breached our security," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. "Or don't bother returning at all."
"Yes, Empress," he replied, hastily retreating.
As the general retreated, Komand'r studied the battlefield with calculating eyes. The attackers' movements revealed they weren't random fighters—they moved as one cohesive unit, each member covering the others' weaknesses. "Who are these people?" she thought, watching their coordinated assault with cold eyes. "How has such a team escaped my intelligence network?"
Just then, from the corner of her eye, something caught her attention—the Psion delegation. The Psions, who had remained completely detached throughout the chaos and only observed with indifference, were suddenly agitated, pointing and conferring urgently among themselves. Following their gaze, she spotted what had captured their interest: the red-caped woman tearing through her ships in the sky.
'What do they see in her?' Komand'r wondered, watching the woman punch through solid metal. Then it clicked. 'Her strength is abnormal but… no, it can't be that simple. They must have noticed something... valuable. Something I can't tell. But, something they want to study is...' Her eyes narrowed as she observed the display of raw power. 'Anyone who interests the Psions that much is too dangerous to keep breathing.'
She turned to another one of her generals, her voice cold and dropping to a whisper. "Deploy two orbital dreadnoughts. Now." Her eyes never left the battlefield as she delivered her command. "Target everything that moves. The rebels, these intruders—I want nothing left breathing when the smoke clears."
Javelin
"Nightwing, we've got a problem," M'gann said urgently from her communications station. "I'm intercepting enemy transmissions. They're mobilizing two dreadnought-class vessels from their orbital perimeter."
Roy's hands flew across the tactical display. "Confirmed. Sensors are tracking massive energy signatures moving into low orbit. Those are military-grade dreadnoughts positioning for a full-scale bombardment."
"Assessment?" Dick asked, turning to Roy.
"Unless Raven goes all out..." Roy's expression darkened. "Total casualties. They're going to wipe everyone out down there."
"Both sides," Dick muttered, his face grim. "How long do we have?"
"Less than five minutes," Roy replied.
Dick quickly accessed the command console, opening the comms channel. "Ground team, we have a situation."
"What is it?" Barbara responded, the sound of Gar's roar echoing behind her.
"Two dreadnought-class warships are descending from orbit toward your position. You have about five minutes before they arrive. We've intercepted their communications—they're planning to target everything on the battlefield."
"Are you kidding me?" Kara's voice cut in as she ripped apart a fighter with her bare hands. She looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Crap. I see them."
"Yeah, I've got visual too," Jaime added, returning fire against the aerial fighters. "Starfire, no offense, but your sister is completely insane!"
"I second that! I very much second that!" Virgil shouted, narrowly avoiding another barrage of enemy fire. "Your sister's completely lost it!"
"And just when I was starting to enjoy myself," Donna grumbled, her expression turning serious. "Kori, when you meet, you'd better teach her a lesson she won't forget."
"I am... sorry for putting you all through this," Kori replied softly from within the dimensional fold where she waited with Raven.
"Not your fault," Barbara cut in before Kori could continue. "Raven, those dreadnoughts might actually work in our favor. Bigger than what we planned, but definitely an opening."
"I agree," Raven replied, her eyes fixed on the massive warships descending from orbit. "This will make a much stronger statement when we take them down."
"Good. Titans, time to get serious," Barbara commanded. "Nightwing, once we complete the operation, we'll need a clear escape route. Have the Javelin ready for immediate extraction."
"Copy that. Bumblebee's already—"
"Don't you worry about a thing, girl!" Karen interrupted, her confident voice cutting through the comms. "You all just focus on kicking some Citadel butt. I'll have everything ready when you need it!"
"Alright team," Barbara said firmly, her voice resolute, "let's end this!"
Meanwhile, Diana reclined on her bed in her quarters, monitoring the unfolding battle from her terminal as Mother Empress provided real-time updates.
"What's your assessment of those dreadnoughts?" Diana asked, studying the tactical display.
"They possess similar firepower and defensive capabilities to Thanagarian warships, Mistress," Mother Empress replied through the terminal.
"I thought as much," Diana murmured, leaning back against her pillows. "Seems I won't be needed for this one after all." A faint smile touched her lips. "Good. This will provide proper field experience for the team."
Tamaran
From her position, Komand'r watched with growing fury as her forces scattered across the battlefield. What should have been a display of absolute power—a calculated execution to cement her rule—had descended into chaos.
Her eyes grew colder as the intruders tore through her eastern flank. These strangers had appeared from nowhere, transforming her moment of triumph into a humiliating spectacle.
"Empress, the dreadnoughts will soon reach the optimal position," the tactical officer reported, his voice tight with tension. "Awaiting your final authorization for bombardment."
"Good," she replied coldly as she folded her arms across her chest. "Begin the countdown as soon as they're in range."
The officer hesitated, sweat beading on his brow. "But Empress... our own troops are still engaged down there."
Komand'r's eyes flashed dangerously. "Did I stutter? Those who failed to contain this rebellion have proven themselves unworthy of the Citadel." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Begin. The. Countdown."
The officer paled visibly, then nodded. "Yes, Empress. Bombardment will commence in four minutes."
"Good. Go," said Komand'r as she watched the officer retreat, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Empress Komand'r." A calm voice cut through her thoughts. "A word, if you please."
Komand'r turned from her contemplation to see Representative Gorius approaching, flanked by two masked figures. His thin lips curved into what passed for a Psion smile. "Representative. How may I assist you?"
"Quite the spectacle this has become," he remarked, gesturing toward the battlefield with a talon. "In the spirit of our ceasefire treaty, perhaps the Psionic Hegemony might offer its... assistance?"
"How generous," Komand'r replied with a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But I assure you, we have matters well in hand."
"We insist," Gorius said, his tone making it clear this wasn't a request. He gestured to the masked figures beside him. "As co-rulers of this sector, we would be remiss not to contribute. These are the latest specimens from our latest experiments."
Komand'r studied the masked figures with thinly veiled suspicion, feeling the same uneasiness as before. "And what exactly are these... specimens capable of?"
Gorius met her gaze and replied, "They are our new Omega-class combat units. Enhanced reflexes, augmented strength, and most importantly..." he paused, tapping the side of his head, "complete mental conditioning. They follow orders without question or hesitation."
"How fascinating," Komand'r replied, keeping her calm. "And you're offering their services... out of the goodness of your hearts?"
"Consider it an investment in our mutual interests," Gorius said smoothly. "And who knows, perhaps our ceasefire could evolve into something more beneficial for both sides. After all, the Hegemony values stability throughout this sector, and these intruders threaten that stability." He leaned closer. "Frankly, we'd prefer not to have our research interrupted by such… distractions."
Komand'r studied the masked figures with narrowed eyes. She knew the Psions were after the flying woman, but with the bombardment imminent, she saw an opportunity.
"Very well," she said, her expression becoming calm. "Deploy your specimens. Target the caped woman and her companions."
Gorius nodded. "A wise decision, Empress." He turned to the masked figures and gestured with a single wave of his hand. "Engage and neutralize all targets."
The two figures moved to the platform's edge. With a slight bend of their knees, they launched forward with explosive velocity, generating sonic booms as they streaked toward their targets both in the air and on the battlefield below.
"Impressive, aren't they?" Gorius remarked with a tinge of pride.
Komand'r watched their departing figures, her expression impassive. "How convenient." She turned back to her command staff. "Now if you'll excuse me, Representative, I have a rebellion to crush."
"Of course, Empress." Gorius nodded slightly before retreating, a calculating gleam in his eye.
Once Gorius was out of earshot, Komand'r's generals closed in. "Empress, can we trust them?"
"Not for a moment," she murmured. "They're playing their own game. But let them believe things are going their way." Her gaze drifted to the control panel displaying the dreadnoughts' approach vectors. "Have a team standing by to collect whatever's left of their 'specimens' after the bombardment."
"Understood, Empress," the general replied with a curt nod before turning to his officers to relay her orders in hushed tones.
Back on the battlefield, sonic booms cut through the air, capturing everyone's attention. One of the masked figures slammed into the ground with a devastating impact, creating a small crater that expanded outward, generating a massive shockwave. Dust clouds erupted as the concussive force hurled Citadel soldiers through the air. Even Gar, in his massive Tyrannosaurus Rex form, lost his balance and crashed to the ground, making the earth tremble beneath him.
Barbara narrowly escaped being crushed, firing her grappling hook at a nearby structure and swinging clear of Gar's massive falling form just in time.
"Titans, heads up!" Barbara's urgent voice cut through the comms once she reached safety. "We've got unknown hostiles on the western front! One just created a shockwave powerful enough to take down Gar with a single hit. These guys aren't ordinary fighters—stay alert!"
"Batgirl, are you okay?" Donna called out, concern in her voice as she traded blows with a massive Citadel soldier before knocking him unconscious with a well-placed punch.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Barbara replied, scanning the battlefield. "Just got clear in time. Assessing the situation now."
"Should I intervene?" Rachel asked calmly.
"Negative, Raven," Barbara responded firmly. "Stick to the plan. We can handle this. Just need to buy you enough time."
"I've got company too," Kara called out, breaking away from the fighter jets as she sensed something approaching fast. "Whatever it is, it's moving almost as fast as I can. Definitely not your average Citadel soldier."
As the figure closed in, Kara spun around and pivoted in mid-air, meeting its punch head-on. Their fists collided with a thunderous impact, sending visible shockwaves rippling through the air around them. Kara's eyes widened in surprise.
"What the…!" she muttered. She hadn't used her full strength, but the blow should have been enough to send any opponent on this battlefield flying backward. Instead, they remained locked in perfect stalemate, neither giving an inch.
Recognizing the newcomer from the footage she'd seen, Kara's expression turned serious. In the next moment, they both pulled back in unison before charging at each other again. What followed was a flurry of lightning-fast blows, each impact creating concussive waves that scattered everything nearby. Citadel fighters spiraled out of control, damaged vessels tumbled through the air, and even the Omega Men and Blue Beetle were forced to veer away to avoid being caught in the fallout.
"This feeling… something's not right," Kara thought as they exchanged blows. Her expression turned solemn as she felt herself instinctively ramping up her power. With each clash, the air around them shuddered violently. What disturbed her most wasn't just the raw strength she faced—it was how the masked figure anticipated her every move, countering with uncanny precision, like it had been specifically created to fight her fighting style.
"Watch yourselves—these are Psion bodyguards!" Kara warned through the comms while narrowly deflecting a lightning-fast kick. "They're matching me blow for blow—we're talking Kryptonian-level strength and fighting style here!"
"What the hell?" Barbara hissed through clenched teeth. "The Psions are jumping in now?" She watched in horror as Gar, transformed into a massive gorilla, charged the masked figure after pulling himself up. Their collision produced a thunderous impact, followed by a sickening crack. Before Gar could even register what happened, the figure pivoted with inhuman speed, landing a devastating kick that sent him flying backward with his arm clearly broken. "Great," she muttered darkly. "Looks like those mad scientists figured out how to build their own Supermen."
"Looks that way," Kara replied through gritted teeth, her expression hardening as she narrowly dodged another lightning-fast attack.
"Perfect," Virgil groaned. "As if an incoming bombardment wasn't enough, now we're dealing with Psion super-soldiers. What's next? A God?" He channeled a surge of electricity through his hands, creating a defensive barrier as he fought off incoming threats.
"Oye, Static! Don't jinx us, man!" Richie called out from the Javelin, where he was monitoring the battle alongside the other Titans on the ship.
"Beast Boy's down! Wonder Girl, we need you on the western front now!" Barbara commanded.
"On my way!" Donna called back, pivoting mid-stride and sprinting toward Gar's position. "Static, cover me!"
"I've got you!" Virgil shouted, electricity crackling around his hands as he unleashed a massive surge that spread like lightning webs across their section of the battlefield.
"I'm joining too," Jaime chimed in. "No way I can help against something matching Supergirl. I'll be more effective on the ground."
"Copy that. Thanks, Beetle. Go assist—damn it!" Barbara's transmission cut short as her position came under fire. In one fluid motion, she tossed smoke pellets mixed with small explosives at the approaching soldiers, fired her grappling hook, and swung away just as her former position erupted in a series of controlled detonations.
"Batgirl! You okay?" Jaime called out, alarm evident in his voice.
"All good," Barbara replied calmly as she landed behind new cover. "Just dealing with some unwanted company. Go help Beast Boy."
"On it!" Jaime acknowledged, his armor pulsing with energy as he rocketed toward Gar's position.
Meanwhile, in their dimensional fold, Kori watched the battle with growing anxiety. Every instinct screamed at her to join her friends fighting for her sake, but when she turned to see Rachel—floating in meditation, in her adult form radiating power—she held back. Her friends were doing their best for her; she had to respect it, and Rachel was the linchpin of their entire strategy.
Just then Rachel's eyes suddenly opened, momentarily glowing with ethereal power. "This might explain what I've been sensing," she murmured, before turning her head upward, focusing on Kara's aerial battle. "That strange presence I detected earlier..."
"Raven, are you ready?" Kori asked, concern etched across her features.
"Stay calm, Starfire," Rachel said softly, meeting Kori's gaze with eyes that briefly flashed with power. "Just one more minute until those ships are in range. Then we make our move." She tapped her terminal and looked up again. "Supergirl, control your anger. I can feel it building. If Kryptonian techniques aren't working, use what you learned from your time on the Void Sentinel. Stop holding back."
In the air, Kara was caught off-guard by Rachel's words and took a powerful punch to her left cheek. The impact sent her tumbling backward, though she quickly stabilized herself. She pushed her windswept hair from her face, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes momentarily as she straightened her posture. When she opened them again, her expression was composed but her eyes were ice-cold. She spat a trace of blood to the side and faced her opponent with renewed focus. This time, as she channeled her Ki, she remained perfectly still, watching her opponent's movements become increasingly predictable.
"Thanks, Raven," she murmured. "Needed that reminder. I've been fighting too much like Kal—relying on Kryptonian strength and techniques instead of my own training."
"Good," Rachel responded. "Now defeat that wannabe Kryptonian and bring them in. There's something about them I need to confirm when this is over."
"Understood," Kara replied quietly. As the masked figure's punch came within a hair's breadth of her face, her hand moved with blinding speed. Faint golden energy crackled around her fingers as she caught the fist mid-strike. Meeting the figure's masked gaze, she spoke with calm tone, "That's the only free hit you get. Now it's my turn."
With a single, fluid motion, Kara wrenched the captured arm and twisted her body, sending her opponent spiraling uncontrollably through the air.
"Shame on me for not recognizing it sooner," she stated flatly. "Your movements are stiff, almost mechanical—like you're following a program. You've got power, but you're no warrior, you're just a puppet." A small, almost pitying sigh escaped her lips. "It's sad, really. But what's worse is that I let myself get too worked up to notice earlier simply because you were using Kryptonian techniques. Diana would definitely scold me for this." Her eyes turned cold as she shifted her stance. "Now let me show you what fighting with soul looks like."
In the next moment, she vanished—leaving nothing but faint golden sparks in her wake—and materialized directly in front of her still-tumbling opponent. Before the figure could react, she drove her knee upward, connecting with the figure's mask. The impact shattered part of the mask with a sickening crack, fracturing the protective outer layer and causing the figure's head to snap back violently before its entire body whipped backward through the air.
"Impressive armor," she remarked coldly, watching the mask fracture rather than disintegrate entirely. Her eyes tracked the figure's path with predatory focus. "But engineering has its limits."
Kara bent her knee slightly, drawing a measured breath as she channeled more of her Ki. Faint golden energy surged through her body and in the next moment her eyes flashed golden briefly before she simply... vanished. The masked figure had barely begun to stabilize when she materialized behind it, delivering a devastating strike to its spine. The impact bent its body unnaturally before sending it rocketing in the opposite direction.
Her form blurred again, faint golden sparks trailing behind as she intercepted her opponent's path. With flawless timing, she pivoted and drove her foot into its solar plexus. The impact sent a thunderous shockwave rippling through the air as the figure's body folded around her foot before rocketing backward like a bullet.
"They gave you raw power," she said, voice reverberating across the sky. "Programmed you with every technique they could steal. But they couldn't give you what matters... something no lab can create." Her next words were as calm as they were cold. "A warrior's instinct."
Before the figure could react, Kara appeared at its side and struck. Her fist slammed into its ribs followed by a blur of motion—her hands moving almost too fast to see as she targeted weak points in the armor she identified. With each devastating blow, she flickered in and out of sight, systematically breaking her opponent apart piece by piece.
From the ground, observers witnessed a completely one-sided battle. Throughout her assault, Kara maintained steady breathing and a focused gaze. She wasn't simply fighting; she was methodically dismantling her opponent—it was a complete takedown.
On the eastern flank, the Titans watched Kara's aerial battle with a mixture of awe and disbelief. The comms lit up as team members processed what they were seeing.
"Damn," Virgil whispered, shielding his eyes as he gazed skyward. "She's absolutely dominating that thing."
"I've never seen her move like that," Richie added, his voice crackling through the comms. "It's like watching a completely different person up there."
"Good," Dick cut in, his tone solemn. "We need this wrapped up—those ships are getting closer."
"Agreed," Barbara replied through the comms, trying to hide her amazement.
Her mind raced as she watched the aerial display. She'd always thought she'd witnessed Kara and Rachel at their full capacity before, but this battle made it painfully obvious that her powerful friends had been carefully restraining themselves on Earth all along.
Meanwhile, on the western front, Donna reached Gar's position just as the second masked figure closed in on his wounded form. She intercepted the attack, bracelets crossed, blocking a punch that would have finished Gar off.
"You want him? You go through me first," Donna said coldly, her breath steady as she pushed back with her full strength. The force of their collision sent ripples through the air, cracking the ground between them.
The masked figure tilted its head, studying her for a split second before attacking with renewed ferocity. Donna matched its speed perfectly. Her recent training from Orach, combined with her battle experience, gave her the edge she needed against this Kryptonian-level opponent. When the figure overextended on a punch, Donna seized the opening—grabbing its arm and slamming her fist into its face with enough force to crack the mask.
"Wonder Girl, duck!" Jaime shouted as he swooped in above her, his armor around his right hand transforming into cannon mode.
Donna dropped flat without hesitation. Jaime unleashed a massive energy blast that caught the figure square in the chest, sending it flying backward into a Citadel tank, which exploded on impact.
"Good," said Donna, rising to her feet and adjusting her bracers. "Let's keep up the offensive. We can't have Supergirl be the only one bringing these guys down."
"You got it," Jaime replied as his other arm also transformed into a cannon. He positioned himself hovering above and behind her.
Barbara, meanwhile, landed with a soft thud at Gar's side. "How bad is it?" she asked, quickly assessing his injuries.
"I've had worse," Gar grunted through clenched teeth, his skin pale. He had reverted to his human form and cradled his broken arm. "But I'm not gonna lie—this did some serious damage."
"Just stay down," Barbara ordered, reaching for her utility belt and extracting first aid supplies. She applied a quick-setting splint to stabilize his arm. "We need you alive more than we need another fighter right now."
On the platform, the Psions watched in shock as their prized super soldiers were being thoroughly outmatched.
"Impossible…" Gorius muttered, his reptilian features contorting with rage as he watched Kara dismantle his guard. "What is she? I thought she was just a Kryptonian!" He turned sharply to his colleague.
Raxus's eyes remained fixed on his data pad, taloned fingers scrolling frantically through readings. "The scans are clear—she is a young Kryptonian female."
"Then explain this!" Gorius hissed, fangs bared. "How does a mere Kryptonian possess such power?"
Raxus shook his head in bewilderment. "It defies all logic. Our guards were engineered to the absolute peak of their potential. What she's doing should be impossible. She is just a Kryptonian female at early maturity. But these power readings…" He stared at his data pad in disbelief. "Simply impossible."
"Then… our objective must change," Gorius said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "We initially wanted to capture her for the breeding and cloning program, but now we must capture her at all costs. Send them all."
"Gorius, we'll be exposed if—"
"Our lives matter not!" Gorius cut him off with a snarl. "What matters is the Hegemony's survival! Order every guard to capture this specimen and transport her to the homeworld. The High Council must examine her at any cost."
After a moment's hesitation, Raxus nodded solemnly. "Understood, Gorius. For the plan. For the glory of the Hegemony." His talon tapped a sequence on his control pad, activating commands to all four of their guards. The two who had remained protectively at their side immediately moved to the platform's edge, then launched skyward toward Kara with single-minded purpose.
On the other corner of the platform, Komand'r watched with widening eyes as Kara demonstrated her astonishing power in the skies above.
"What manner of being is she?" Komand'r whispered. Until now, she had been confident in her own abilities, believing her strength and tactical mind would prevail in any confrontation. But witnessing this display had shaken her deeply—such raw power was beyond anything she had encountered before.
"Empress," her general said tensely, studying the battle data, "this woman's power nearly rivals that of a dreadnought-class warship. She must be neutralized immediately."
Komand'r's face hardened. "Yes. Are the dreadnoughts in pos—" She stopped mid-sentence, noticing movement as the Psions' remaining guards launched themselves skyward.
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced toward the Psions. Though their reptilian features were difficult to read, she had dealt with them long enough to recognize their tells. It was clear she wasn't alone in being unsettled by this development.
Turning to her general, she lowered her voice. "What's the status of my dreadnoughts?"
"In position, my Empress," he replied quietly. "Their main cannons are nearly charged to capacity."
Komand'r nodded once, her gaze returning to the battlefield with icy resolve. "Fire when ready. It's time to end this."
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the rebels fought alongside the Titans with renewed determination, their spirits lifted by the unexpected allies' powerful intervention.
"Primus, northern perimeter secured," Broot reported over the comms, his massive frame standing amid fallen Citadel soldiers. Energy weapon burns marked his powerful limbs. "But we're stretched thin. If the Empress deploys more reinforcements, we won't hold."
"Copy that," Primus responded, his mind simultaneously tracking the battlefield while fending off three Citadel elites. He deflected their attacks before sending his opponent flying backward with telekinetic force. "Taryia, status report?"
The Tamaranian commander's voice cut through the chaos of battle. "Eastern front secure, thanks to the warrior woman and lightning-wielder. But the west is falling—heavy casualties, and we need reinforcements immediately." She looked up as Kara shattered the sound barrier overhead, her eyes widening in astonishment. "These allies of yours... they possess extraordinary power, especially that one—" she pointed skyward, genuine awe filling her voice, "who displays strength I've never witnessed before, not even among our royal family."
"They found us," Primus admitted. "And their timing is—" He froze mid-sentence, his eyes fixed on the clouds above. Bright lights pierced through the haze, growing more intense by the second. The blood drained from his face as realization struck. "No... I still underestimated her."
"Primus?" Taryia followed his gaze upward, her expression shifting from confusion to horror as she comprehended his shocked words. "Gods above... she's bringing in the dreadnoughts."