Nia still couldn't believe that so many rich people were actually cheering at this madness as they watched aliens being forced to kill each other in what was essentially a thunderdome.

She was glad the rich people she knew personally—Kara Danvers, Lena Luthor, even Cat Grant—wanted nothing to do with this.

This was barbaric.

And the worst part was that the aliens went along with it, letting themselves be exploited for entertainment like they were nothing more than animals.

The noise of the arena swelled again as one of the fighters was slammed hard against the glowing energy barrier, the impact sending a sharp crack through the air as the cage flared brighter for a split second. The crowd roared in approval, some rising to their feet, others lifting glasses of champagne like they were watching a championship match instead of a slaughter.

Nia forced herself not to react, even though it was making her want to puke. It wasn't that she was averse to violence—she was a superhero, after all.

But this?

This wasn't a battle.

It wasn't even a fair fight.

It was an execution dressed up as entertainment.

The alien that had been slammed into the barrier struggled to get back on his feet, movements sluggish and unsteady as he swayed where he stood.

Across from him, his opponent didn't rush in.

She just watched.

Waiting.

The crowd began to chant, low at first, then building.

"Finish it."
"Finish it."
"Finish it."

Nia's stomach twisted as she watched, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something about the victor was... familiar.

The way she stood.

The way she waited.

Not eager. Not rushed.

Certain.

And the energy—

Red. Distorted.

Wrong.

"Brainy, are you still seeing everything through my HUD?" Nia asked quietly.

"Indeed," Brainy replied through her earpiece. "What can I do for you?"

"Something about the victor feels familiar. Run an analysis—compare her to any villains we've encountered."

"Running analysis now..."

A beat.

"And complete."

Nia blinked. "That was fast."

"You are forgetting I am a twelfth-level intellect currently interfacing with a one-of-a-kind quantum processor," Brainy replied calmly.

"Right. Moving on—what do you have?"

"I have confirmed the individual in the arena is the metahuman known as Nightmare. It appears this location has served as her base of operations since your last encounter."

Nia's eyes snapped back to the arena as red energy coiled tighter around Nightmare's hand.

"I knew it," she muttered. "Screw the plan. I'm moving in. I'm not letting any more aliens die."

"I would expect nothing less," Brainy said. "Especially since your intervention may benefit us strategically."

Nia frowned slightly. "How?"

"A confrontation between one of the city's resident heroes and the arena's champion will draw attention," Brainy explained. "It is highly probable the organizer will reveal themselves to control the situation. If we identify them, we can dismantle the operation permanently."

Nia considered that for half a second—

Then nodded.

"Call it in, but wait for my signal before sending anyone," she said. "I don't want this turning into a full-blown war just yet."

"Understood."

Nia turned, slipping through the crowd until she found a shadowed corner just off the main floor.

She took a breath.

Cut the feed.

And let the power rise.

Blue dream energy flared to life around her, swirling outward in a controlled burst as her disguise unraveled into light. The elegant dress dissolved into glowing strands—

Then reformed.

Sleek.

Dark.

Lined with luminous blue energy.

Dreamer.

Nia opened her eyes, the glow settling into something steady and focused.

"Okay," she murmured.

A faint smirk tugged at her lips.

"I always wondered what it'd be like to be in Fight Club."

She stepped out of the shadows—

Broke into a run—

And leapt.

Below, Nightmare raised her hand, red energy surging for the final blow.

The crowd roared—

Then a streak of blue cut through the air.

The impact cracked like thunder as Dreamer collided with the attack, blue and red energy exploding outward in a violent shockwave.

The alien was thrown clear.

Safe.

For now.

Dreamer landed between them, one hand still raised, blue energy crackling faintly as she held her ground.

The arena fell silent—

For a moment.

Then it erupted.

Dreamer straightened slowly.

"Yeah," she said, voice calm and unyielding.

"That's not happening."

Her eyes locked onto Nightmare.

Up close, that feeling hit again—

Familiar.

Unsettling.

Like something she should recognize... but couldn't.

Dreamer narrowed her eyes.

"Round two."

Nightmare smiled.

And the red energy flared.