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[center][h3][b][i]THE HALL OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FRIDAY (EARLY EVENING)
AUGUST 18TH, 2023[/i][/b][/h3][/center]

Nightwing stood on the roof of the main building, clad in his black combat suit with a blue bird icon on the chest and a stylized domino mask. His green eyes were obscured by all-white nanotech contact lenses, a color setting he used to help conceal his civilian identity. The lenses also erected a heads-up display within his visual field so that he could help Batman monitor various communication channels. He was surveying the influx of vehicles into the parking lot as a gentle Summer breeze rustled his neatly-combed dark brown hair. 

The Justice League’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration was expected to be one of the biggest social gatherings of the Summer, attracting celebrities, media personalities, and even politicians. It was also coinciding with the grand re-opening of the Hall of Justice, which had been remodeled and converted into a museum and event space since the League now used the Watchtower satellite as their new headquarters. 

Dick smiled to himself as he saw a few big names arrive, such as Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Snoop Dogg, and Anthony Mackie to name a few. He frowned as he spotted New Jersey Senator Harvey Dent, a former district attorney from Gotham City who usually said very harsh things about metahumans and vigilantes in general. The man was a favorite guest on G. Gordon Godfrey’s news programs and was likely at the event to gather ammo for his next interview. Most of the heroes didn’t like him very much.

Both costumed heroes and uniformed security personnel were managing the flow of people into the building, which opened into a spacious lobby with polished marble floors and support pillars of white stone and gold trim. Long halls extended to the left and right, with map displays showing how to get to the various museum exhibits, gift shops, restrooms, conference rooms, kitchens, food court, etc. 

Giant stone statues of the founding League members lined the far wall, and between each one was a set of double doors which all opened into the enormous Grand Ballroom. A sea of round tables sat facing a stage, not unlike what one might see at the Golden Globes. Hundreds of people were coming back and forth, finding their chairs or heading out to see other parts of the Hall before the main event started. 

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Dick found his way back inside, smirking as he overheard someone say, [color=khaki]“This place is so beautiful! I’m overwhelmed!”[/color] Just then, Kid Flash came up beside him, wearing his red and yellow supersuit. 

Nightwing turned to his friend. [color=DodgerBlue]“Everyone is always either overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Why isn’t anyone ever just… whelmed?”[/color] 

[color=DarkOrange]“Beats me dude! But you see that fine specimen over there in the red dress? I’m [i]totally[/i] getting her number tonight!”[/color] the speedster replied. 

[color=DodgerBlue]“Either that or a restraining order!”[/color] Dick said with a smirk.

[color=DarkOrange]“Duuuude!”[/color] Wally threw his hands up, then grinned. 

Meanwhile, Scarlet Beacon entered the Hall with his twin brother, Superboy. Both were also dressed in their superhero suits. [color=Firebrick]“I don’t know why Dad is making us come to this thing,”[/color] he complained. [color=Firebrick]“All these people give me anxiety. I’d rather go back home and finish getting caught up on One Punch Man.”[/color]

Soon everyone was getting settled into their seats, mingling, and ordering food and drinks from the menu. It wouldn’t be long before the first presentation started, which was a cinematic retelling of the Justice League’s formation narrated by Superman. Unbeknownst to them, a nefarious plot was underway that would drastically alter the course of events that night…