A Future Sooner than Tomorrow

The Past Speaks

The morning is somber. The Justice League wake up, none feeling ready for the talk to come. They gather in the Zeta room and are surprised to see that in front of the Zeta Tubes, their old suits have been placed down.

"Looks like Nightwing didn't burn them, huh?" Flash elbows Martian Manhunter slightly, smiling.

"Looks like I was wrong. You had all better get changed out of the borrowed uniforms now, I am sure that this universe's Justice League would not appreciate them being missing when they come back."

Eager to get back into their regular uniforms, they all go to their respective rooms to change except for J'ohn (who shapeshifts his clothes) and Green Lantern (whose outfit is created by the ring).

"Hey, Manhunter. How are you holding up?" Lantern asks, walking closer.

"Well enough, I suppose. You do know that you can call me J'ohn, right?" J'ohn has three names in total, two of which are known by the Justice League: Martian Manhunter and J'ohn J'onzz. Usually when off the field, his teammates opt for the more intimate choice of calling him J'ohn.

"I could but I'd rather not. It'd feel strange," Lantern scratches at the back of his neck, sheepish almost.

"And why is that?"

"It's just- just that I know a guy called John and it'd feel weird calling you both by the same name," anxiety flares up around Lantern like a smoke cloud. J'ohn decides not to read into it.

"It is said J'ohn, actually. I understand but being called 'Manhunter' feels a little... impersonal."

"I get that," Lantern sighs and then his face lights up. "What associations do um... Martians have with last names?"

"It is slightly formal to be referred by it but other than that and the fact your family share it, it's not much different from a first name," J'ohn replies.

"How about I just call you J'onzz then?"

"Yes, I would like that."

They stand in comfortable silence and J'ohn basks in the camaradery of it all.

Soon, the rest of the Justice League file into the room, comfortable in their usual armour. Green Lantern goes over to pat Batman on the shoulder and asks, "does it feel better to be in a suit that actually fits?"

"Yes, actually, it does," Batman gives his arm a shake, seemingly satisfied with how the material doesn't move around his arm.

"Now, that everyone's comfortable," Kal starts. "Let's go to the Hall of Justice and speak with everyone over there."

"Wait, shouldn't we have breakfast first?" Flash asks.

"We'll be having that at the hall. That way we have more time to discuss before the boys head out for patrol," Batman goes over to one of the panels to input their destination.

"Kon would be there to answer questions as well though," Kal says, confused.

"He also has patrol," Martian Manhunter interjects. He walks over to stand beside Batman, closer to the Zeta Tubes.

"But Kon hasn't patrolled since we got here?"

"He's right, Kon's been at the Hall all around the clock from what I've seen. So that's two days without patrol," Flash says.

"But we've been here for three days?" Green Lantern waves a hand about vaguely.

"Kon had been out in Metropolis the first day, remember? The crimes that seemed to abruptly stop before we could get to them?" Batman finishes inputting the coordinates.

"Oh, I see. That's... odd," Flash looks at Kal, who seems rather overwhelmed.

"The kid's what? Seventeen? Of course he's not going to be out patrolling everyday. I don't think even Bats sends his little guy out every night," Green Lantern points at Batman.