[color=Khaki]“Hard to say, but best to be prepared regardless,”[/color] Batman replied to Ray’s question. He then turned to address the others as they inquired as well. [color=Khaki]“The security personnel here will keep a close eye on the cameras and alert you on your ear pieces if they see anything suspicious. I’ll leave it up to you to decide who to patrol with, but…”[/color]

[color=DodgerBlue]“Batman?”[/color] Nightwing asked, puzzled that his mentor suddenly stopped talking, seemingly listening to something on his earpiece. 

[color=Khaki]“The situation has just changed,”[/color] he finally spoke. [color=Khaki]“There is a massive prison break at Belle Reve that requires the response of the full Justice League. It is no coincidence that this is happening right now.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrange]“Wait, [i]what?”[/i][/color] Kid Flash’s eyes went wide as he blurted out. 

[color=DodgerBlue]“So you think their intent is to draw the League away from the Hall?”[/color] Dick inquired, following his mentor’s line of thinking. 

[color=Khaki]“Yes,”[/color] the caped crusader confirmed. [color=Khaki]“This is either a trap or a distraction, but we must respond regardless. Which means the safety of everyone in the Hall will fall to you all. There very well may be a separate attack here while we’re dealing with the prison break there, so do not let your guard down until we have returned. Nightwing, you will be the leader of Junior Squad while we’re gone.”[/color]

[color=DodgerBlue]“I understand,”[/color] the teen nodded. 

[color=Khaki]“We will try to resolve this as quickly as possible,”[/color] Batman insisted. 

Superman made a statement from the stage explaining the situation, and they brought some of the musical talent out to keep the crowd entertained while the League was gone. Soon the older heroes were assembled, gave reassurances to their respective sidekicks, and then departed via their various high-speed transportation methods for the swamps of Louisiana, where Belle Reve was located. 

[color=DodgerBlue]“Well, I suppose this is our first real test as an independent team,”[/color] Nightwing said to the other young heroes as they stood in the lobby of the Hall, watching their mentors leave. [color=DodgerBlue]“I have faith that we will all rise to the task.”[/color]

For about thirty minutes, nothing extraordinary happened, and Junior Squad just casually walked back and forth between the lobby, the ballroom, and the security room. But then, they heard a guard on their earpieces. 

[color=Khaki]“Attention Junior Squad, suspicious vehicle entering the parking lot. A black van with tinted windows.”[/color]

[color=DodgerBlue]“Roger that,”[/color] Nightwing immediately responded. [color=DodgerBlue]“Investigating now.”[/color]

He motioned for the other team members to assemble and they walked up to the glass doors leading out of the lobby as the van came to a stop just outside. [color=DodgerBlue]“Be on your guard.”[/color]

Suddenly, the door on the side of the van slid open and a tall Metallo-Bot stepped out, a large chunk of Kryptonite in his chest, glowing green. He extended an arm, which was mounted with two barrels, and began unleashing rapid-fire green energy bolts that shattered the glass and hit Scarlet Beacon in the chest, sending him flying back and sliding along the floor. The others threw arms up to shield themselves from the glass shards.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xzHOgKz.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=Firebrick]“Ah!”[/color] Conner yelped out at the attack, several scorch marks on his suit. The robot then began firing at the other Kryptionians. 

[color=DarkOrange]“I got him!”[/color] Kid Flash sped off in a flash of yellow lightning towards the metal enemy, but then slid to a stop as he was confronted by Reverse-Flash. [color=DarkOrange]“Thawne! I’m surprised you’re here instead of facing the Flash!”[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/m7fHHOW.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=Khaki]“We flipped a coin. Zoom won,”[/color] he replied, shrugging. He then grinned, eyes glowing red, and charged at Wally. 

A third figure exited the van, holding a grimoire of some kind. Nightwing didn’t recognize him, but gasped as the man began chanting in Latin and called upon a magical blue light. The book floated up from his grasp and at least a dozen scorpion monsters began materializing in little flashes. They roared and charged into the Hall of Justice. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HfTmXtF.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KDyUQrN.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=DodgerBlue]“Don’t let them get to the crowd!”[/color] Nightwing called out, slipping out his batons and gripping them tightly. [color=DodgerBlue]“We must halt their advance [i]here[/i] in the lobby!”[/color]