Healing, And Planning.

Maria piloted The Bug to one of her father's old safehouses, a secluded and heavily fortified location on the outskirts of the city. It was a place few people knew existed, equipped with advanced medical facilities and technology.

Upon arrival, she carefully placed Jaime on a medical bed and summoned a doctor who had long been a trusted ally of her family. The doctor arrived within minutes, quickly tending to Jaime's wounds. Maria stood nearby, her arms crossed, anxiety etched on her face as she watched the doctor work.

"Is he going to be okay?" she asked.

The doctor nodded. "He's badly injured, but he'll recover. It'll take time, though."

Maria exhaled deeply, relief washing over her.

Determined to ensure Jaime's safety, Maria used The Bug's autopilot feature to retrieve his family. She contacted Jaime's mother, Bianca, explaining what had happened as delicately as she could.

When The Bug returned with the Reyes family, Maria led them into the safehouse. Bianca rushed to Jaime's side, tears streaming down her face. "Mi hijo," she whispered, gently brushing his hair back.

Jaime's younger sister, Milagro, clung to her mother, while his father, Alberto, stood silent but visibly shaken.

Maria gave them space, stepping outside to give them privacy. She leaned against the wall, her mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation.

Maria knew they couldn't handle this alone. She needed reinforcements—someone who could stand against the scarab warriors and the Reach. Pulling out her phone, she dialed Ethan's number.

Meanwhile, Ethan was in Metropolis, nursing a rare hangover. He leaned against the window of his penthouse, sipping a glass of water and wincing at the sunlight.

"Never again," he muttered, recalling the previous night's gala. It had seemed like a good idea to match Diana's drinking pace, especially with her offering a 2,000-year-old divine brew infused with ambrosia. In hindsight, it was a mistake. Even Barry Allen, with his superhuman metabolism, had barely managed a single shot before collapsing.

Ethan's phone buzzed on the counter, its vibration cutting through the haze of his headache. He groaned, reaching for it.

"Hello?" Ethan answered, his voice hoarse.

"Ethan, it's Maria," she said, her tone urgent.

Ethan immediately straightened, sensing the gravity of her voice. "What's wrong?"

"It's Jaime," Maria explained. "He was attacked by scarab warriors—ten of them. They almost killed him."

Ethan's expression darkened. "Where is he now?"

"I've got him at one of my father's safehouses. He's stable, but El Paso is in ruins. The warriors are still out there, and they're laying waste to the city."

Ethan clenched his jaw. The hangover was the least of his concerns now. "I'm on my way," he said, already heading to retrieve his gear.

"Thank you," Maria said softly.

As Maria ended the call, she returned to Jaime's side. He was still unconscious, his family huddled around him. The devastation in El Paso weighed heavily on her mind, but she knew one thing for certain: they couldn't let the Scarabs claim Earth.

Ethan would arrive soon, and with his help—and hopefully the Justice League's—the fight against the Scarabs would continue. But for now, all Maria could do was prepare for the battle ahead.

Outside the safehouse, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the land. In the distance, the fires of El Paso still burned, a grim reminder of the chaos the Scarabs had brought. But Maria Kord was determined to see that chaos end, no matter the cost.

________________________________________

Ethan arrived at the safehouse like a comet streaking across the sky, his speed generating shockwaves as he slowed to land. The sonic boom of his arrival startled everyone inside, but it brought with it a sense of hope.

Maria Kord stood at the doorway with Jaime's family. Bianca Reyes, Jaime's mother, was in tears, clutching her husband Alberto tightly. Their younger daughter, Milagro, sat quietly, her face pale with worry. Maria gave Ethan a nod as he approached, her eyes betraying a mix of relief and desperation.

"Ethan," Maria began, her voice shaking, "he's barely holding on. The doctor says he might not make it."

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on Bianca's shoulder. "He'll be fine," he said softly, his voice steady and calm. "I'll make sure of it."

With that, Maria led Ethan down a hallway to where Jaime lay.

The room was dimly lit, with only the soft hum of the medical machines breaking the silence. Jaime Reyes lay on a hospital bed, his body tethered to IVs and monitors. Bandages covered much of his torso, and his face was bruised and swollen.

Ethan approached the bed, standing silently over Jaime. His usually confident demeanor faltered for a moment as he observed the damage done to the young hero. Jaime's breathing was shallow, each rise and fall of his chest a laborious effort.

"Helios," Ethan murmured, activating his AI, "can the Echobox heal him?"

Helios responded in his calm, measured tone. "Yes, but the process is risky. The Echobox's infusion of life force is immense—far beyond what a mortal body can handle. Even a fraction of a second could overwhelm him."

Ethan frowned, weighing the options. "And the moonlight?"

"Moonlight exposure," Helios explained, "has demonstrated an ability to induce controlled cellular regeneration when properly concentrated. It would be slower but far gentler. You could use it to heal him without adverse effects, provided you maintain control."

Ethan nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then let's do it."

Ethan knelt beside Jaime, placing a hand gently on his chest. Maria, standing by the door, watched with wide eyes, and the doctor hesitated in disbelief.

"What is he doing?" the doctor whispered to Maria.

Maria didn't answer, her attention fixed entirely on Ethan.

Ethan closed his eyes, drawing on his newfound abilities. His body began to emit a faint, silvery-white glow as he summoned the cosmic energy within him. The room seemed to shift, the air growing cooler and calmer.

"Focus," Helios prompted. "Too much, and you could harm him."

Ethan exhaled slowly, channeling the moonlight into his hands. A soft, radiant aura enveloped Jaime's chest, bathing him in the silvery light. The energy pulsed gently, weaving into Jaime's battered body.

The effect was almost immediate. The bruises on Jaime's face began to fade, the shallow cuts across his skin slowly knitting themselves together. His breathing grew steadier, less strained.

Maria gasped, covering her mouth as tears streamed down her face. "It's working," she whispered.

The doctor, who had been skeptical, now stared in awe. "This... this is impossible," he murmured.

Ethan remained focused, carefully controlling the energy flow. "Come on, Jaime," he muttered under his breath. "You've got people who need you."

After several minutes, Jaime stirred slightly. His eyes fluttered open, glassy but alive.

"Jaime!" Bianca cried, rushing into the room with Alberto and Milagro.

Jaime blinked, his voice hoarse but audible. "Mom? Dad?"

Bianca collapsed at his side, sobbing in relief as she clutched his hand. Milagro threw her arms around her brother, and even Alberto, usually stoic, wiped away a tear.

Maria stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Ethan... how did you do that?"

Ethan stood, the glow around him fading. He looked at Jaime, now surrounded by his family, and smiled faintly.

"I just gave him a little push," he said. "The rest was all him."

The doctor shook his head, still stunned. "That wasn't just a 'little push.' What you did... it defies every principle of medicine I know."

Ethan shrugged. "Let's just say I had some... unconventional training."

Maria placed a hand on his arm. "Thank you, Ethan. You saved him."

Ethan nodded, but his gaze hardened. "This isn't over, though. The Reach sent those scarab warriors, and they're not going to stop. We need to be ready."

Maria's expression mirrored his seriousness. "We will be. Jaime might be down for now, but he's not out. And neither am I."

As Jaime rested, Ethan stepped outside with Maria to discuss their next steps. The night air was cool, and the distant glow of the city's fires still lit up the horizon.

"They won't stop with El Paso," Ethan said, his tone grim. "The Scarabs wants Earth, and they're going to keep coming until they get it—or until we stop them."

Ethan agreed. "I will try to locate those Scarabs. In the meantime, we need to get Jaime back on his feet. He's going to be crucial in this fight, whether he likes it or not."

Maria's jaw tightened. "He'll fight. I know he will. He's stronger than he looks."

Ethan glanced back at the safehouse, where Jaime's family remained by his side. "Let's hope you're right," he said quietly.

As they stood together, the weight of what was to come loomed heavy over them. The Reach had made their move, and Earth's heroes would need to rise to meet the challenge.