Omnitrix: DC's New Dawn

The clinking of utensils slowed to a halt as an eerie tension filled the atmosphere.

Rachel and Cass didn't know what was going on, but knew enough to not interact nor draw attention. Kara, Barda, and Scott understood the situation and remained silent. Even Barry, who had been wolfing down his third plate of food, paused mid-bite.

Zion raised an eyebrow, sipping his soda. "What about them?"

Bruce frowned, leaning forward with his hands clasped in front of him. The facade of Bruce Wayne washed away as Batman took his place. "You turned every major city on Earth in into crystal fortress overnight. Without warning. Without discussion.

Care to explain?"

"The cities need an upgrade. They were flawed, inefficient, fragile and unsafe," Zion answered flatly, twirling the bone. "New empire and all."

Batman's eyes narrowed, "An unapproved decision. You didn't ask. You just acted."

"I did because I can. Because I should, Why do I need permission?" Zion questioned, his tone sharp.

"Why should you not?" Batman questioned.

"Because I am your ruler," Zion frowned, placing the clamper down with force. "I don't need permission to improve my empire."

The subtle tension thickened in an instant. The adults tensed under Zion's sharper tone. Jumpy for a confrontation that might be inevitable. Sparks flew in the air as Zion level his gaze with Batman's.

*Clank*

A sharp metallic clank cut the tense atmosphere like a hot knife through butter. The heads that were focused on Zion and Batman snapped in the direction of the sound. Rachel whose fork had slipped looked nervous a she tried to sink into the chair.

Due to her empathy, she was affected most when the atmosphere tensed. Her body froze as the tension spiked, causing her spoon to slip.

Zion saw her curling figure and took a deep breath. This was not acceptable, to lose control of his emotions. Not closely after he removed the psychological suppression. He took a step towards her, his left placing firmly on her shoulder while he picked the fork back.

"Sorry," He said softly, both to Rachel and Cass. He at least looked guilty for placing them in this situation.

He looked to the others as he made a mess out of Rachel's hair. "I didn't have time. The cities need to be prepared before I bring the kids to earth." Zion reveal one of his reason. "How could I bring them to a city, a country, or a planet where I could not completely assure someone's safety. That included everyone, every child, every woman or man."

"Nonetheless an unapproved change. One that plunged the world in Chaos. one that looked like a power moved," Batman stated with a chilling grim. "It's a breach of trust. How do you expect to be trusted when you do whatever you wish? You could have waited, explained, and prepared the public instead of all of this."

"I acted because this change was necessary, lives were at stake," Zion answered calmly. "People were dying across the world every hour, someone is suffering because of our inadequacies.

Would you have me wait?"

Clark finally spoke up, his tone softer. "It's not about waiting. It's about understanding. We are grateful for the changes. But these cities—You've change the foundation of our world in a day. People will need time to adjust. To feel safe in their homes."

Barry nodded. "Yeah, Dude. It's like... If i decided to replace every streetlight in Central City with neon speed trails. Cool idea, but I'd probably get yelled at."

"That would be funny," Zion let out a light chuckle. "But I can't wait for the progress to catch up, not when I have the ability to accelerate it. It it were to progress at normal phase, it will take a century before there is a significant change, not will all the freaking idiots who calls themselves the world's smartest men hording all their advance tech.

Convincing themselves that the world was not ready, waiting for the world to catch up to them. From Luthor to Star labs, no one wants to share what could help millions. The world needed progress, not it the future but now."

Batman's voice cut cold, "And what happens when someone exploits this progress? When this 'gift' become a weapon?"

"Then I'll handle it, at least more effectively then you," Zion said firmly.

"That's not an assurance," Diana's voice broke the conversation. "We're not here to argue. But we need transparency. Trust goes both ways, Zion. How can we trust when you keep us in the dark?"

Zion sighed, his gaze drifting to the shimmering Skyline. "My intentions are to protect and improve. Nothing More. Nothing less."

"Protection?" Batman's cut in again, interrogating. "What kind of protection justifies taking over the infrastructure of an entire planet?"

"One that has a Superman," Zion gave him a hard stare, "The kind that ensures people survive the battle we bring to their doorstep. Every time you fight, it's the little guys who suffer. Civilians caught in crossfire, homes destroyed, lived upended.

How many people have died due Fear toxin and Joker Venom. How many aliens have swashed human. How many meta have killed others without a care. Its not enough to just stop a villain, Batman. Its not enough!

These shelter—these cites—are designed to withstand anything. Even if we fail, they won't."

Clark frowned, his brows knitting together. "Why not tell us? Why keep it a secret until the last moment? We could have help you in assuring the people."

"You shouldn't side with me, not publicly." Zion hesitated for a moment before answering. "It was a split second decision." Zion could not look more embarrassed. "I was not going to do it until new year, but Atlantis was getting active. The kids also wanted to come to Earth.

The crystals were already prepared, so I took the chance. Its all good now that whole planet is safe."

Zion finally reveal his embarrassing reason.

"What?" Clark and Barry could not look more flabbergasted.

"You just went on and on about protecting but you just made a split second decision?" Batman could not get more angry, his blood pressure was rising. To learn that the whole world was flipped upside down by child's impulse was infuriating.

"That's your reason," Barry asked, so baffled that a smile formed on his lips.

Alfred smiled and John were smiling like a parent looking at their mischievous child. Diana was smiling purely amused, Scott and Dick were chuckling hard. Barda and Kara could not look more disappointed.

Diana kept smiling, but her voice firm. "While the result is acceptable, Zion, it doesn't excuse acting unilaterally. You should have talked with us. We stand for unity and safeguarding humanity. We're a team."

"I understand," Zion replied. "I am sorry that I didn't tell y'all, But the cities are safe, they can't be controlled by anyone but me. They're self-sustaining, adaptive, and designed to protect the people in them. That's all."

Clark sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We just want to make sure this doesn't go too far, Zion. You've done good things, but we can't afford to be blindsided."

"Okay, Okay," Zion looked at him, guilt flickering across his face. "I should have told you guys. But trust me when I say this: I am not going anywhere. I'll be staying here until Rachel and Cass grow up. You'll fine me in Keystone if you need me."

Bruce's eyes narrowed slightly. "And when they're grown?"

Zion shrugged. "Then you'll probably have to deal with me as a grumpy old neighbor."

The tension eased slightly, a few chuckles rippling around the table.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Clark said finally.

Zion nodded, his tone earnest. "I'll keep you in the loop from now on." He looked around the table. "Deal?"

A reluctant nod from Bruce. A thumbs-up from Barry. Diana's approving smile.

"Deal," Clark finally said.

"Now lets focus on having a good evening," Zion suggested. "How has it been for the Justice League?"

Other began to share stories about their adventure. The tension calmed down to a cheerful atmosphere. Steve arrived later and got a bong from Zion, and was handed a file for him to deliver personally.

Kara and Barda took the girls inside because they were tried and full. Scott talked with Barry, both sharing how they met the love of their lives. Scott kept Apokolips out of his story.

The evening slowly wore on and the guests began to leave. Barry zipped off, promising to bring better snacks next time. Steve and Diana followed, each offering Zion a firm handshake and words of caution.

Bruce lingered, his gaze heavy until he departed with Dick and Alfred. Clark remained, standing beside Zion as they looked out over the transformed skyline.

"It's a lot to take in," Clark admitted.

Zion nodded. "I know."

"You're not alone," Clark added, placing a hand on Zion's shoulder.

Zion gave a faint smile. "Thanks, Superman."

He gave a final nod before he flew away into the night sky. Zion stood alone in the backward, taking in the air.

"You convinced them," Kara spoke, the door closing behind her. "What happened?"

"?" Zion turned to her, his brows raised.

"Your emotions," Kara stated. "You got snapped."

Zion gave her a cheeky smile instead of answering. Kara stared at him for a moment but didn't ask. She just floated away, following Kal-El.

"Catch you later, Kara," Zion waved before muttering silently.

"Prrrr*

Eon leapt onto his shoulder, purring softly. Zion stroked the cat's fur, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He whistled to call Ship and walked into the house. He found Barda seated next to sleeping Rachel and Cassandra, Scott standing as he talked with her.

"Its funny how a guy who is fast is always late," Scott joked and turned to him.

"They should have been tired," Barda stated, standing up from the couch. "I will help."

"No its, fine," Zion stopped her. "Its already getting late, both of you should go home. I will handle things here."

Barda didn't object, "Take care, Zion. Call us if you need us."

"See you later, kid," Scott tapped on his shoulders as the two took off. Zion saw them off before he returned to take the kids to the bedroom.

The two were cuddle together. Rachel slept in Cass's tight embrace while Rachel held her hand tight. They looked peaceful in each others warmth, one of shared burden. Zion stood before them, looking at how peaceful they looked compared to their lives.

He could not help but feel anger raising to a boiling point.

"Should I just kill all the criminals?" Zion muttered to himself. "God, why have you given these animals free will? To know good and evil, they yet behave worse than animals. Why do you want to forgive them? Why do you love them so?"

Zion gathered himself and walked forward, ready to lift them both up.

"Urg," Rachel groaned, her furrowed her brows. Cass let out a small noise as her hands tightened around Rachel. Both of their expression was that of fear.

A nightmare.

Zion could feel the psychic energy leaking out of Rachel, dark and depressing. He immediately moved to grasp their hand. Rachel was having one of her nightmares, one that affected all those around her.

Cassandra's presence soothed her heart but trauma cannot be erased easily.

Omnitrix flash a soft light, changing Zion's DNA. He eyes turned pitch black as his skin turned white. His five fingers turned into four, and massive. Zion morphed his Martian form into humans and began to emit a calming psychic wave. The wave slowly brought calm to the children's mind, calm enough for her mind to fight it on its own.

He could not enter and defeat their demons, it will make them weak. But that doesn't mean that he would give them a helping hand. He waited for a moment for their mind to fully tranquil before lifting them in a bubble of TK.

He carried them to Rachel's room and laid them down, not separating them. He covered them with a thick blanket. Place a hand on their head and prayed for them.

"May they grow in wisdom and stature, finding favor with God, as Jesus did (Luke 2:52). Guard their hearts and minds with Your peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). Guide their steps and make their paths straight, as they trust in You with all their hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Surround them with Your angels, keeping them safe from harm (Psalm 91:11). Fill them with the knowledge of Your truth and love, and may they shine as lights in the world, bringing glory to Your name (Matthew 5:16).

Amen."

Instead of returning to his room, he walked straight to the basement.

"Flick*

The light switch on bright, illuminating the crystalline underground. The basement was set to be his workshop and it was filled with parts need for his next project. Especially the old black police box he had gotten from a second hand shop.

["You sure you wanna build this by hand?"]

"I sure do," Zion smiled, "She needs a human touch."