From Tartarus to Gotham

The metal doors groaned violently as they buckled inward, their tortured creaks echoing through the cavernous hall as Percy's heart pounded in his chest with a frantic, almost primordial rhythm. "Stay with me!" Nightwing bellowed over the relentless clamor, his voice a steadfast beacon amid the dissonance of blaring sirens and crashing metal. In that suspended moment, all rational thought evaporated, replaced by raw, instinctual response. Commands were hurled, merging with the deafening alarms, while Nightwing and Artemis flanked him with unwavering resolve. "We've got your back, Percy!" Artemis called out between gasps, her tone as charged as the energy crackling in the air.

The enemy surged forward like a crushing battering ram, their advance relentless. Percy moved as if in a dream; torrents of water exploded from his scarred arms, crashing into surging energy blasts and igniting vast, billowing clouds of steam that swirled through the chaos. Bodies flew aside like shards of shattered glass, their forms dissolving into the fury of battle. Amidst the swirling mayhem, Nightwing roared, "Focus now, everyone! Keep moving!" as Kid Flash weaved elegantly through the melee, his voice light and defiant, "Catch me if you can, slowpokes!" His lightning-quick movements deflected enemy fire with pinpoint accuracy, turning each burst of energy into a masterful dance of survival.

Neon lights flickered to life over the wreckage of broken armor, bruised bodies, and splintered doors, casting harsh, shifting shadows. Over this surreal canvas, Percy's raw, echoing cry sliced through the tumult: "Don't let up now!" Even as the battlefield blurred into a haze of frantic instincts and disjointed chaos, he could almost taste the searing heat of slicing energy and feel the frigid surge of his own power coursing through him. Nightwing's commanding voice sliced through the noise once again: "Hold the line! We will not be overwhelmed!" Artemis, with steely precision, launched her arrows one after another, each one piercing enemy armor with calculated force, adding, "Keep your guard up and hit hard!"

Through the clamor came the taunts of their foes—"You can't stop us!"—to which Percy roared back, his voice a mix of anger and determination, "I'm just getting started!" Water surged with the powerful push of his arms, shoving adversaries away and transforming rigid metal into twisted, crumpled heaps. Kid Flash darted by, his voice ringing out in a mocking challenge, "Everything's moving too slow for me!" Each resounding impact reverberated along the cold metal floor and deep within Percy's chest, stoking a flicker of doubt—could he truly sustain this unyielding pace? In a low, determined murmur, he confessed to himself, "I have to keep going."

"Focus!" Nightwing bellowed once more, now so near that his urgency was a palpable force. Percy felt the intricate, synchronized chaos of his team around him; every movement resonated with purpose and defiance, while his own actions, born of panic, seemed clumsy in comparison. Water lashed ferociously across the room, slamming into walls and yanking panels from the ceiling. Amid the collision of freezing sprays and volcanic heat, Kid Flash darted past once again, his voice a rapid warning, "Watch your back, Percy!"

The intensity of the charge only increased, the very air vibrating with each heartbeat. Percy's breaths came in raw, ragged bursts as he deflected one aggressive attack after another. "We're not giving in!" he roared into the chaos, power surging through him like a violent storm. Yet his enemies pressed on relentlessly. "They're surrounding us!" he cried, the uncertainty in his voice betraying his hope for another leader to take over the mantle. A blast roared overhead, sending sharp shards of debris hurtling through the air, compelling him to dive aside as danger whistled past. "Artemis, cover me!" he shouted, his voice tight with urgency. Without missing a beat, Artemis replied with a determined focus, "I've got your flank—just keep pushing!"

Under Nightwing's crisp, calculated signals, the team morphed into a whirlwind of coordinated, almost balletic movement. "Now!" he commanded, and in response Kid Flash streaked forward through the chaos, his triumphant cry ringing out, "Let's show them what we're made of!" This perfectly timed distraction allowed Percy a brief, precious moment to recalibrate—to channel another surge of his untamed power into a torrent blast. His body trembled from the strain, and his mind shuddered with the force of the impact, yet undeterred, he pressed forward, locked in a raw, desperate unity with his comrades. In that cacophony of thundering sound, dazzling flash, and burning fury, Percy found himself propelled forward by an unstoppable force. With one final, searing cry—a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once—everything stilled, plunging the room into a haunting silence.

A persistent buzzing, reminiscent of the delicate flutter of a thousand tiny wings, filled the corridor as Percy's labored breaths punctuated the still, heavy air. "We made it...for now," Nightwing murmured, his tone soft yet reflective, as they stood amid the scattered remnants of the recent battle: shattered weapons, broken barriers, and the heavy, ghostly silence that followed in the wake of violence. Artemis quickly assumed a vigilant position by the fallen adversaries, her voice both steady and commanding as she ordered, "Check the rest—stay alert!" Meanwhile, Kid Flash playfully kicked aside scattered pieces of armor, his grin lighting up his face as he joked, "Don't worry, these things won't bite!"

Percy felt the cool, unforgiving metal under his feet as he trailed his hand along the slick, wet marks left by his furious burst of power. Despite the overwhelming solitude of the scene, there was a comforting sense of camaraderie; he was not truly alone. A firm, reassuring hand rested on his shoulder. "We're still here with you," Nightwing assured him, his calm eyes meeting Percy's wary gaze and infusing him with a fragile sense of steadiness. Tense and alert for another ambush, Percy tensed—but then gradually relaxed as Nightwing's soft, even tone soothed his frayed nerves. "We've got a breather, but stay on guard," he added, his voice imbued with cautious hope.

Dust motes danced in the ambient neon reflections, and small droplets of condensation trickled lazily from the walls. In the quiet aftermath, Artemis gently nudged an enemy weapon with her foot, her tone low and deliberate as she said, "Check for any more threats." Soon after, Kid Flash reappeared with an exuberant thumbs-up and a playful chuckle, "All clear out here! Anyone else feel like they came from another world?" His light-hearted banter managed to break the oppressive silence that had settled over the space.

Nightwing's hand found Percy's shoulder once more, this time with an extra measure of assurance. "You did good out there, man. We all pulled through," he said with sincere gratitude. Kid Flash chimed in, "Seriously, that was epic—real good!" Though Percy still felt the lingering ache of battle and the distance from his usual self, he managed a tentative smile. "Thanks... I still can't believe it," he admitted softly, his voice tinged with both disbelief and relief.

Water pooled at his feet as a silent testament to the unleashed power he had wielded. Each bruise and cut upon his skin told a vivid story of the cost of their hard-fought victory. Even as his heart thundered in his chest and his breathing remained uneven, Percy sensed a subtle, almost imperceptible movement in the shadowed corridors—a reminder that danger might yet lurk nearby. "I'm not done yet," he murmured, his voice low and resolute, as he prepared himself mentally for what might come next.

Then Artemis stepped forward, her tone resolute and unmistakably final, "Percy, listen—it's over." As the team gradually encircled him, Nightwing's steady hand continued to offer silent comfort on his shoulder. "You're one of us now," Artemis affirmed firmly, her words acting as both comfort and a solemn pledge. Kid Flash, unable to contain his enthusiasm, added with infectious energy, "Welcome to the team—trust me, the ride only gets crazier from here!"

Nightwing's calm, measured voice followed, "Welcome to the team." Though these words were meant to provide relief and reassurance, Percy's guarded heart felt every bruise and tremor left by the battle. With a final decisive gesture, Nightwing pointed toward the labyrinthine corridors, "Let's move out. Stay sharp, everyone!" as he rallied the group into motion. Kid Flash clapped Percy gently on the back, whispering warmly with a teasing lilt, "Told you it wasn't just a practice run—stick with us, and you'll be as cocky as I am." Even though Percy's smile was tentative—a barely-there echo of the others' vibrant confidence—his racing heart gradually began to slow, and a sense of connection started to bridge the distance in his mind.

Surrounded by scattered debris and drying streaks of water, Percy stood silently in contemplation. He listened intently for that familiar charge—the clamor of shouts, the groaning of metal—a promise of yet another relentless fight. "We've come this far," he whispered to himself, even though the silence offered no reply. Only his own shadow moved along beside him, stretching slowly across the empty space, a quiet testament to the promise of what was yet to come.