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Chapter Text

The low hum of the bus filled the air, broken only by the occasional chatter of excited passengers. The streets of Washington, D.C., bustled with activity as the city prepared for its biggest superhero celebration of the year—Justice Day. Banners adorned the streets, showcasing the emblems of the world’s greatest heroes: Superman’s crest, Wonder Woman’s insignia, Batman’s iconic bat symbol, Flash’s lightning bolt, the symbol of the Green Lantern Corps and countless others. Vendors lined the sidewalks, selling Justice League-themed merchandise, from capes to action figures.

Seated near the middle of the bus, Marcy Wu tapped her fingers eagerly against her fanfiction journal, her mind racing with thoughts. She had spent weeks perfecting her story, dreaming of the moment she would present it at the fanfic contest hosted by the Justice League. Today, she had the chance to share her imagination with the world—and maybe, just maybe, even meet some of her heroes in person.

Beside her, her father, Mr. Wu, let out a soft snore, his head bobbing slightly with the movement of the bus. Marcy grinned and nudged him.

“Dad, wake up! We’re almost there!”

Mr. Wu stirred, stretching his arms with a groggy groan. “About time. These bus seats don’t recline like the ones on planes do.” He rolled his shoulders and sat up straight, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Marcy turned her attention back to the other kids and their parents around her. There were at least a dozen others, all chatting about their fanfics, excitement buzzing in the air like static electricity. Some kids held folders filled with printed pages, while others scrolled through stories on tablets.

She clutched her journal close. “There are so many other kids… I bet their stories are all amazing.”

Mr. Wu smiled knowingly. “Competition is what makes us strong.”

Marcy flipped through her journal, scanning the pages she had worked so hard on. Her story was about the Justice League being turned into frogs and they have to fight a swamp monster to break the curse. But doubt crept in.

“Hmm… What if they don’t like my story? What if it doesn’t fit in? It’s got to be perfect, you know?”

Her father chuckled softly. “You know, when you were born, your grandmother said you had googly eyes.”

Marcy blinked. “What?”

Mr. Wu smirked. “But me and your mother thought that your eyes were the most beautiful things we’d ever seen. We are all unique, Marcy. You should be proud of who you are.”

Marcy felt warmth spread in her chest. She leaned against her father for a moment, hugging her journal close. “I love you, Dad. And… thank you for taking the whole week off to bring me here for Justice Day.”

Mr. Wu wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I love you more. And I’m pretty sure you’re going to win this thing.”

Marcy gasped dramatically, throwing her hands into the air. “Oh, can you imagine? Ah! And the winner for best fanfiction ever is…” She put on a dramatic announcer voice, clearing her throat. “Justice League: Froggy adventures by Marcy Wu!” She clapped her hands together and made fake cheering noises.

Mr. Wu laughed. “That’s the spirit!”

Marcy giggled, her earlier doubts pushed aside.

Her father looked at her more seriously now. “Promise me something, though—win or lose.”

Marcy tilted her head. “Oh, I’ll always be good.”

Mr. Wu shook his head with a smirk. “Good isn’t a thing you are.”

Marcy grinned, finishing the phrase with him. “It’s a thing you do.”

Mr. Wu ruffled her hair. “That’s my girl.”

Just then, the bus driver’s voice crackled over the speakers. “Folks, we are approaching the Hall of Justice on the right. We will be parking soon to let people off.”

Marcy turned her head toward the window—and her breath hitched.

There it was.

The Hall of Justice.

The massive white structure stood proudly against the blue sky, its golden archway gleaming in the sunlight. Giant banners of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman hung from the entrance, and just outside, a sea of people gathered for the celebration.

Above, a squadron of jets soared in formation, leaving streaks of red, white, and blue across the sky. Fireworks popped in the distance, showering the air with dazzling golden sparks. The streets surrounding the Hall of Justice were lined with cosplayers, vendors, and giant digital billboards showcasing highlights from the Justice League’s past battles and accomplishments.

Marcy’s eyes sparkled with awe. “Wow…”

As the bus came to a stop, passengers began filing out in an orderly line. Marcy practically bounced in place, waiting for her turn to step off.

“Hurry, Dad! Let’s go!” she urged.

Mr. Wu chuckled. “Alright, alright. Hold your horses I don’t want you tripping and falling like you usually do when you get this excited.”

Once they stepped off, Marcy spun around, taking in the sight of thousands of fans, reporters, and cosplayers, all celebrating the legacy of Earth’s greatest heroes. Giant holographic displays showcased past battles of the Justice League.

Her heart pounded with excitement.

This was going to be the best day ever.

Chapter Text

The doors of the Hall of Justice loomed before them, gleaming under the bright afternoon sun. The enormous building was a modern marvel, standing as a testament to Earth’s mightiest protectors. Marcy’s heart raced with excitement as she and her father stepped toward the entrance, passing through the bustling crowd of fans, cosplayers, and reporters capturing the energy of Justice Day.

As they neared the entrance, they found themselves in front of the registration desk, a special booth set up for fanfiction finalists, VIP guests, and their family members. The desk was draped with the Justice League emblem, and behind it stood a cheerful volunteer in a red event T-shirt with a lanyard of ID badges swinging from their neck.

The volunteer greeted them with an enthusiastic smile. “Welcome to Justice Day! Hey there, finalist! Can I get your name?”

Marcy beamed. “Marcy Wu! And this is my dad.”

Her father offered a polite nod. “Joe Wu.”

The volunteer scanned their list, then grinned. “The Wus—great! You’re all checked in. Here are your event wristbands.” They handed over two sleek black wristbands featuring the iconic golden Justice League logo embossed on the surface. “With these, you have access to the finalists’ area and the storytelling panel. But hey, don’t forget to check out our comic scavenger hunt while you’re here!”

Marcy’s ears perked up. “Scavenger hunt?”

The volunteer nodded eagerly. “Yep! There are five exclusive Justice League comics hidden around the Hall of Justice exhibits. If you find all five, you’ll get access to the VIP balcony—best view in the house for today’s live event. Just scan your phone at the elevator when you’ve collected them all, and you’re golden! Have fun!”

Marcy practically vibrated in place. “VIP balcony?” Her mind immediately filled with possibilities. That meant an unobstructed view of the Justice League panel, maybe even a close-up of her favorite heroes. She had to do this.

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t you have enough comic books already?”

Marcy turned to him, eyes pleading. “But… Dad. The VIP Balcony. I HAVE to.”

Joe Wu sighed in defeat but smiled. “Alright, alright. Just don’t get so caught up in it that you forget to check in for your contest.”

Marcy nodded rapidly, her mind already racing with potential routes.

They stepped inside, and the moment they did, Marcy’s breath hitched.

The Hall of Justice interior was magnificent—the grand entry hall stretched several stories high, illuminated by natural light pouring through massive arched windows. The floor was polished marble, reflecting the glow of the golden chandeliers hanging above. But the first thing Marcy noticed were the statues.

Towering over the entrance were the founding seven of the Justice League, immortalized in monumental stone figures—Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter. Each hero stood in a powerful pose, as if forever guarding the sanctum of justice behind them.

Marcy turned in a slow circle, taking in every detail, from Superman’s cape billowing behind him to Batman’s intimidating scowl.

Below the statues, a massive doorway with a golden frame led to the inner sanctum—restricted to the public but undoubtedly where the League conducted their top-secret operations. Security guards stood at attention nearby, ensuring that no eager fan attempted to sneak inside.

To the sides of the hall, interactive exhibits dedicated to different heroes stretched out, each section meticulously designed to showcase their history, battles, and artifacts.

Marcy’s fingers curled into fists of excitement. “I don’t know where to go first! The Flash exhibit? Batman’s exhibit? Or the Wonder Woman exhibit?”

Joe Wu, however, had other priorities. He casually pointed across the hall to a small food stand, where a large sign advertised different flavors of ice cream. “Well, I know exactly where I’m going. The ice cream stand. Mint chocolate chip for me. You want some as well?”

Marcy smirked. “Please and thank you.”

Her father held up his phone. “I’ll text you when I get the food. Don’t get lost, okay?”

She barely heard him—her focus was entirely on the exhibits ahead.

As her dad walked off toward the ice cream stand, Marcy took one deep breath, steadied herself, and darted into the exhibits, ready to start her adventure.

Chapter Text

Marcy wandered through the grand halls of the Hall of Justice, weaving through exhibits dedicated to the world’s greatest heroes. She clutched her journal close, but her mind was equally occupied with another mission—the comic scavenger hunt.

Her eyes darted around, scanning for any signs of the hidden comic books. The place was massive, and with all the different superhero displays, she knew finding them wouldn’t be easy. But that only made it more fun.

After passing the Aquaman exhibit, which showcased his trident and a tank filled with bioluminescent deep-sea creatures, she spotted something bright green glowing in the distance.

The Green Lantern Exhibit

Marcy gasped as she stepped inside. The exhibit was designed to resemble space, with holographic projections of distant planets, Green Lantern fighting off foes like Sinestro and replicas of different colored lantern rings and more. The floor even had a subtle glow, giving the illusion that visitors were floating among the stars.

And in the center?

Four life-sized statues of the greatest Green Lanterns stood in heroic poses.

• John Stewart, standing firm with his arms crossed, the Green Lantern ring glowing on his finger.
• Guy Gardner, smirking confidently with his fist extended, ready for a fight.
• Hal Jordan, one foot forward in a classic hero stance, his ring hand raised high.
• Kyle Rayner, slightly angled with a creative, artistic energy, as if ready to summon a construct.

She admired the detail of the statues. The precision in their uniforms, the confident expressions, and the way the emerald energy shimmered around them made the display feel alive. However she always wondered who were the names of the other two lanterns next to John and Guy especially the OG lantern who is a founding member of the Justice League.

Her gaze then landed on a large replica of a Green Lantern Power Battery, placed on a podium just ahead.

And right under it?

A comic book slot!

Marcy hurried over but stopped when she noticed a small plaque with instructions.

Want to claim this comic? Prove your willpower!

Place your fist against the Power Battery and recite the Green Lantern Oath!

Marcy’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, this is awesome.”

She took a deep breath, balled her fist, and pressed it against the glowing green battery.

“In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight!
Let those who worship evil’s might,
Beware my power—Green Lantern’s light!”

As soon as she finished, a small green flash emitted from the battery, and the slot beneath it popped open.

“Yes! Score!” Marcy fist-pumped as she pulled out the exclusive Green Lantern Justice Day comic. She flipped through the pages quickly—a limited-edition issue featuring an adventure with John Stewart and Guy Gardner.

Marcy immediately did a victory dance, spinning in excitement.

Unfortunately, in her enthusiasm, she accidentally spun right into someone, knocking them slightly off balance.

Marcy’s eyes widened in panic as she quickly reached out to help the woman steady herself.

“Oh! I am so sorry! I can be super clumsy at times!”

The woman, a kind-faced Latina in her late 30s or early 40s with her hair tied up and wearing glasses, let out a small laugh. “That’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve had worse.”

Marcy let out a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was to get kicked out of the Hall of Justice for knocking over a guest.

Then, she noticed the woman glancing at the fanfic finalist badge pinned to her jacket.

“Oh, you’re in the fanfiction contest?” the woman asked, tilting her head with interest.

Marcy nodded enthusiastically. “Yup! Spent forever working on my entry. Are you a judge?”

The woman shook her head. “Oh no, I’m just here as a parent. My daughter’s competing.”

Marcy’s curiosity piqued. “Oh! What kind of fanfic did she write?”

The woman smiled proudly. “A Justice League/Good Witch Azura crossover.”

Marcy’s expression instantly shifted to playful skepticism. “Oh. Good Witch Azura, huh? That series is… okay.”

The woman chuckled. “‘Okay?’ You better hope you don’t bump into my daughter and say that to her. She’s obsessed.”

Marcy snorted. “Oh, I get it. I go pretty hard with my hobbies too. But personally? I like the Cynthia Coven better.”

The woman hummed in amusement. “Well, let’s just say my daughter might have some strong opinions about that.”

Marcy grinned. This lady was cool.

Still, she didn’t want to bother her too much, and she had a scavenger hunt to finish. She tucked her Green Lantern comic under her arm and gave the woman a small wave.

“Anyway, I should get going! It was nice talking to you, Mrs.—?”

“Camila,” she said warmly. “Camila Noceda.”

Marcy gave her a thumbs-up. “Nice meeting you, Mrs. Noceda! Maybe I’ll run into your daughter later.”

Camila smiled. “Maybe you will.”

With that, Marcy spun back around and darted toward the next exhibit, eager to continue her quest.

As she left the Green Lantern exhibit, she couldn’t help but wonder about Camila’s daughter.

Someone that obsessed with Good Witch Azura? Sounded like the kind of person she herself would totally debate with over fantasy series.

But for now?

The scavenger hunt continued.

Chapter Text

Marcy wandered deeper into the Hall of Justice, the Green Lantern comic clutched protectively in her hand. The emerald glow from the exhibit behind her faded as she stepped into a darker, more atmospheric corridor, where the lighting dimmed and the ambient music changed to something more dramatic—tense, heroic, and stirring.

This section of the Hall was dedicated not to any one hero, but to the League’s greatest challenges—the villains and threats that had nearly torn the world apart… and the triumphs that had defined the Justice League as Earth’s first line of defense.

Along the walls were massive digital displays, holographic projections of battles in motion, set in looping vignettes. Marcy’s jaw slackened as she walked past each one, taking in the sheer epic scale of everything.

To her left, a Starro tentacle wrapped around a model skyscraper, flailing in mid-air as tiny figures of Justice League members—Wonder Woman slicing through the appendages, Batman hurling explosives, Superman flying in to punch the starfish’s central eye—fought to stop its mind-controlling spores. Text beneath the display explained how this alien invader had once enslaved entire cities, turning civilians into blank-eyed extensions of its will.

Next, she came to a shattered stretch of wall that showcased a detailed replica of Darkseid’s armor, its jagged design etched with glowing red lines. A recording nearby played part of a report from that day, with Superman’s voice in the background, rallying the League to push back the invasion from Apokolips. Marcy stared at it, remembering how scared she had been when she first read about that war—how close Earth came to being conquered by a god.

Further down, another massive scene lit up. The Legion of Doom’s swamp fortress rose from digital water, flanked by statues of its most infamous members—Lex Luthor, Cheetah, Black Manta, and Grodd. The villains stared down at her with stoic menace, their roles in the League’s history laid out in holographic text, detailing betrayal, near-victories, and how unity among heroes always turned the tide.

Then came something truly eerie.

In a sealed glass chamber, surrounded by caution tape and warning signs, stood a life-sized replica of Amazo, the android who once copied every power the League possessed. Its body gleamed coldly in the light, eyes dark, arms at its side. Next to it was a slow-rotating hologram of the Appellaxians—seven alien creatures who had each tried to dominate Earth with their elemental bodies: fire, stone, mercury, crystal, and more.

Marcy stood in the middle of it all, wide-eyed, her inner fan completely overwhelmed. This was more than just a museum—it was a history of how the impossible was overcome. Every villain, every crisis, and every win… it made her want to write more, dream bigger, and maybe one day, live stories worth telling.

But just as she was about to move on, something caught her eye.

Set in the center of the next exhibit, beneath a set of curved, glowing panels depicting Martian ships burning through Earth’s atmosphere, was a small pedestal. There sat another comic slot, half-concealed under a holographic display of an old newscast—grainy footage of the White Martian invasion.

The display read:

“When the world didn’t know it needed saving… seven stood together.”

Marcy stepped closer, watching the reenactment play out.

Ships of fire and green energy soared over cities. The White Martians—twisted, pale cousins of the Martian Manhunter—unleashed chaos upon the world, using telepathy, shape-shifting, and brute force to tear through armies. Earth had no chance. Governments faltered. Cities burned. The threat was overwhelming.

Until it wasn’t.

Suddenly, Superman flew in, catching a collapsing tower. Batman rallied civilians. Wonder Woman led the charge on the battlefield, shield raised, deflecting blasts. Green Lantern conjured barriers to protect the helpless. Aquaman summoned waves to drown Martian war machines. The Flash became a blur of red light, rescuing hundreds in seconds. And the Martian Manhunter—fighting his own kind—brought down the leaders of the invasion with unmatched precision.

It was the battle that forged the Justice League.

Marcy slowly lowered herself to one knee at the pedestal and gently slid her hand into the comic slot. The mechanism hissed softly, and another comic slipped into her palm—this one featuring the Justice League’s original formation, a beautiful retro-style cover showing the seven heroes standing back-to-back, facing impossible odds.

She held the comic to her chest, whispering under her breath, “This… this is the story. The one that started it all.”

Marcy stood there for a while longer, heart pounding not from excitement, but from something deeper—a sense of legacy, of standing in the footprints of legends. This wasn’t just about winning a contest anymore. This was about being part of something bigger than yourself.

She took a step back, gave one last look to the towering, blazing image of the first great invasion, and whispered to herself,
“Three comics down. Two to go.”

And then she turned, heart ablaze with purpose, and continued her journey through the Hall of Justice.