The Watchtower briefing room was silent except for the soft hum of monitors and the faint clink of steel tumblers.
Amina Begum sat at the table—ajrak shawl folded neatly, rolling pin beside her like a scepter. The Justice League surrounded her—Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Cyborg—all listening.
A rift had opened in Metropolis—small but vicious. Riftborn shadow-Lex Luthor constructs draining hope from civilians, turning joy into despair.
Superman looked at Amina.
"We fight with strength. You fight with heart. We need both."
Amina nodded.
"Then let us go. But first—chai."
She opened the tiffin—poured seven cups.
They drank—heroes sitting on the floor of the Watchtower, capes pooling, armor clanking, masks set aside.
Flash grinned—mouth full.
"This is the best thing I've ever tasted."
Wonder Woman sipped slowly.
"It tastes of home. Of family."
Batman drank in silence—then spoke.
"You healed Luke Cage with a story. Can you heal a city?"
Amina smiled.
"I can remind a city who it is."
They flew to Metropolis—Superman carrying Amina gently.
The rift pulsed—shadow constructs draining life from crowds.
Amina stepped forward—small, unbreakable.
She began to sing—Pathanay Khan's "Merra ishq vi tu…"—soft at first, then stronger.
Recipe of Resolve Activated
Summoned: Nani's Sheer Khurma
Effect: Restores hope + removes despair debuff in 100-meter radius
Civilians blinked—eyes clearing. Smiles returned. Children laughed.
The shadow constructs faltered—hope was poison to them.
Superman flew—punching through one.
Wonder Woman lassoed another—truth forcing it to dissolve.
Batman threw batarangs—precise, silent.
Flash ran circles—creating vortexes of light.
Green Lantern boxed them in emerald cages.
Aquaman summoned water—washing shadows away.
Cyborg hacked their energy signatures—disrupting them.
Amina sang louder—Recipe of Shared Burden + Lullaby of Comfort—tears fell from civilians' eyes, not of sorrow, but release.
The rift core pulsed—despair incarnate.
Amina walked forward—alone.
She placed her hand on the core—sang Farid's longing:
"Mera ishq vi tu, mera imaan vi tu…"
The core cracked—light pouring in.
Superman struck—final blow.
Rift sealed.
Metropolis breathed again.
Superman landed beside her.
"You didn't fight. You healed."
Amina smiled.
"Fighting is easy. Healing takes longer. But it lasts."
The League gathered—silent, moved.
Wonder Woman:
"You are our mother now. And we will protect you as fiercely as you protect us."
Batman—quietly:
"Thank you… Ammi."
Amina's eyes filled.
"Anytime, beta."
The chapter closed on the Watchtower—heroes resting, a small Punjabi mother humming as she cleaned the bowls.
The bridge had crossed the stars.
And love—quiet, warm, eternal—kept it strong.