Ben 10: Justice Incarnate

Power Struggle

Star City

August 3rd, 6:38 EDT

So far today, the streets have been quiet. The typical morning commute has gone on around them. Green Arrow and Black Canary went on their first joint patrol in a while.

"Is the new girl settling in fine?" asked Canary.

GA shrugged. "We had some things to iron out with her mom, but it seems to be going well. She's supposed to meet up with us soon."

"That's good... Does Speedy know?"

He sighed. "No..."

"Have you talked to him lately like Ark and I suggested?"

"I just think he needs more time to cool off."

"Olly, it's been weeks. Just reach out to him. Show that you care and respect him."

"I'll try later tonight." There was a moment of silence between them. "So, how's Central treating you?"

Dinah shrugged. "It's fine. Getting my apartment in order and making some new friends while I was at it."

"Happy to hear."

"You wanna stop by that Bagel place?" asked Dinah.

Oliver shook his head. "Nah, I'm gonna wait. Felicity and I are going for Brunch where they had that Honey Toast Tower."

An explosion shattered the mundanity.

Both heroes quickly took cover.

"What was that?" Dinah whispered.

Before Oliver could respond, a figure crashed onto the rooftop across from them.

It was over seven feet tall and clearly made of some sort of metal. Strangely enough, it was bare-chested with a pale gray color scheme. Its eyes glowed red. A band of dark green metal encircled its wrists and legs, resembling clothing, while the crown of its head was colored orange as if to imitate hair. The figure's face was stern and unsettlingly human, with chiseled cheeks, a square jaw, and a narrow, aquiline nose. Pointed ears made it look like an elf.

"A robot?" Oliver muttered, already drawing an arrow.

The android's head turned toward the two heroes' location. It scanned them with a flicker of light.

"Target Located: Green Arrow and Black Canary."

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Well, it looks like someone wants to assassinate us."

Dinah groaned. "And while we're on an empty stomach, too. Any idea who sent it?"

"Well, not many people can build robots like that, and none of them know me personally."

Oliver loosed an arrow at the android, aiming for its chest. The arrow struck, but instead of piercing through, it merely glanced off the android's metallic skin, leaving no mark. "Yeah, I expected that to happen." Thankfully, he had several custom arrows ready.

The android began moving toward them. Its gaze remained on Dinah.

"Target acquired: Black Canary." The android raised a hand toward her. Energy crackled around its fingertips.

"Get down!" Oliver shouted.

Dinah darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast of energy that seared the air.

The rooftop shook with the force of the blast.

She quickly regained her footing. "Alright, let's see how it handles this!"