Saiyan of Gotham

The morning had just begun to settle into its rhythm when Alfred informed the household of a visitor — one with clearance and quiet significance.

Lucius Fox, the sharp mind behind much of Wayne Enterprises' bleeding-edge technology division, stepped into the marble foyer of Wayne Manor with his usual grace. Not yet the legend the world would one day know, Lucius was in his prime — a genius with tact, a father, and an old friend of Thomas Wayne.

He was greeted by Thomas in the study with a firm handshake and a tired smile. They spoke in hushed tones about data, overlapping research systems, and something called Adaptive Neural Flow Modeling.

Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, Bruce and Ojaga had taken their studies outdoors again. With a picnic mat laid on the grass, Bruce was solving shape puzzles while Ojaga copied alphabets at incredible speed, though he still lacked finesse.

"Ojaga," Bruce said thoughtfully, chewing on his pencil, "do you think I'll ever fly? Like in the Ancient Warrior videos?"

Ojaga didn't answer immediately. His eyes were watching a bird across the garden wall. He tilted his head and murmured, "If... you train. You fly."

Bruce smiled. It wasn't certainty — it was promise. He believed his brother would make it happen.

But just as Bruce started a new question, they heard footsteps. Alfred arrived with two cups of freshly blended nutrient milk and a third figure not often seen around the Manor.

"Ojaga, Master Bruce," Alfred said with a polite nod. "This is Mr. Lucius Fox."

Bruce stood immediately and bowed — an old habit Thomas had drilled into him. Ojaga just stared. Lucius bent to the boys' level, smiling gently.

"I've heard you two are better test subjects than half my lab assistants."

Bruce laughed and Ojaga offered a blink in return.

Lucius set down a small briefcase and unlocked it. Inside were strange orbs — one glowing softly, the other inert.

"Your father wanted me to test something. You two up for it?"

He didn't wait for approval. With the swipe of his ID badge, the active orb floated upward, projecting a holographic boxing dummy. Bruce squealed with delight.

"Target is AI-synced," Lucius explained. "Responds to movement patterns. Even adjusts difficulty."

Bruce stepped up to punch it, but it dodged him.

"Whoa!"

Ojaga narrowed his eyes and sprang forward with more precision. A left jab. The dummy shifted. A second strike — and suddenly, in a burst of instinct, Ojaga flipped midair and knocked the orb with a sweeping kick.

The orb tumbled and deactivated. But in the movement, his training sash loosened… and his tail slipped free.

There was a beat of silence.

Bruce blinked. Alfred remained still. But Lucius… stared.

He wasn't shocked — not fully. More intrigued. He crouched down, meeting Ojaga's golden gaze.

"That's… fascinating," he whispered.

Ojaga instinctively moved his tail behind him, wary.

Lucius looked to Thomas, who had appeared silently in the doorway, arms folded. "You told me you found something unique, but this — this isn't just alien. This is engineered biology."

Thomas gave a slight nod. "You're one of the few who can know."

Lucius closed the case slowly. "I'll keep your secret. But he's not going to stay hidden forever."

Thomas's eyes flicked toward the boys. "I know. That's why we're preparing them both."

---

Meanwhile, in Smallville…

Clark Kent sat quietly on the rooftop of the Kent barn. His small hands were curled around his knees, his eyes fixed on the sky.

His father, Jonathan Kent, stood below, pretending not to notice that the boy had jumped thirty feet up.

Martha Kent called from the porch, "Clark! Come down before you scare the chickens again!"

Clark smiled. "Okay, Ma!"

With a soft thud, he landed — no injury, no pain. But something inside him buzzed. A quiet hum beneath his skin.

Back in Gotham, the same hum echoed through Ojaga's tail, curling slowly around his leg like a living thread of instinct.

The world was moving. Its protectors — old and new — were beginning to stir.