in DC with a summoning system

Marceline sat cross-legged on her apartment floor, the glowing system interface spread out in front of her like some futuristic shopping app. Sonic lounged on the couch, tossing a tennis ball in the air with one hand while finishing the last bite of a chili dog with the other.

"You've been staring at that thing for an hour," Sonic said between bites. "What are you buying? A personality?"

Marceline shot him a look. "I'm trying to figure out how to keep you from getting caught by some Gotham scientist who'd love to study what makes you tick. You're not exactly low-profile."

Sonic smirked, leaning back. "Hey, I've been doing just fine. No one's caught me yet."

"Yet," she emphasized, scrolling through the shop. "If you want to keep running around at the speed of sound, you need a disguise. Something that'll fool the cops, scientists, and, I don't know, Batman."

"Batman?" Sonic's ears perked up. "You think I'll get to meet him? Maybe race the Batmobile? Oh, I'd totally smoke him."

Marceline sighed and highlighted an item in the shop. "Focus, Speedy. I've got just the thing."

---

Item: DNA-Integrated ID Mask

Description: This high-tech mask not only changes your appearance and voice but temporarily alters your DNA to match the disguise. Your powers remain intact, but your appearance and even genetic scans will show you as a human.

Price: 500 Points

---

Sonic squinted at the description. "Wait, it changes my DNA? You're sure this thing's safe? I don't want to end up looking like Dr. Robotnik."

"Relax," Marceline said, buying the mask. A sleek, futuristic device materialized in her hands, glowing faintly blue. "This won't change who you are—it'll just make you look human. You'll still have all your powers."

"Powers included, huh?" Sonic said, sitting up. "Alright, let's see it."

Marceline tossed the mask to him. He caught it and held it up, inspecting it like it might bite.

"You're sure this won't make me... I don't know, bald?"

"Just put it on, Sonic."

With a dramatic sigh, he placed the mask over his face. The device hummed softly, sending a faint glow over his entire body. His blue fur faded into tan skin, his spiky quills transformed into messy black hair, and his iconic red sneakers turned into sleek black trainers. When the transformation was complete, Sonic blinked at his reflection in the window.

Marceline burst into laughter. "Oh my god, you look like every high school jock who calls himself a 'legend.'"

Sonic grinned, admiring himself. "And you're welcome, world. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jason Sparks. Star athlete, heartbreaker, and part-time superhero."

"Heartbreaker?" Marceline raised an eyebrow. "More like headache-giver."

Sonic struck a pose. "Admit it. I pull off human pretty well."

"Don't let it go to your head," she said, scanning him with a small handheld device. The system chimed:

---

Analysis: Human DNA confirmed. Identity registered as Jason Sparks.

---

Sonic grinned. "So I can still run, still fight, still be awesome?"

"Yup," Marceline said, smirking. "But now you won't cause mass hysteria every time you step outside."

---

Shopping Rundown:

1. DNA-Integrated ID Mask – 500 Points

2. First Aid Kit – 200 Points

3. Stealth Boots – 300 Points

---

First Day Out

Disguised as Jason Sparks, Sonic and Marceline hit the bustling streets of Gotham. Sonic was buzzing with excitement, though walking at a normal pace seemed to be killing him.

"This is torture," he muttered. "Do humans really move this slow all the time?"

"Yes, and we also don't zip across cities like we're late to a race," Marceline said. "Try to act normal, okay? You're supposed to blend in."

They passed a food cart, and Sonic's eyes lit up. "Chili dogs!"

Marceline grabbed his arm before he could dash off. "No running, remember? Normal."

"Fine," he grumbled, walking like a snail toward the cart.

Just as they were about to order, a commotion erupted across the street. A group of thugs was shaking down a small shop owner, smashing windows and grabbing merchandise.

Marceline tensed. "Looks like trouble."

Sonic smirked. "Oh, I've been waiting for this."

She held up a hand. "Wait. We do this smart. No flashy blue hedgehog moves. Stick to the plan."

"Plan?" he said, already jogging in place. "You've seen me, right? I am the plan."

Marceline groaned. "Fine. Just try not to blow your cover."

They crossed the street, and Marceline stepped forward, her light blade flickering to life in her hand.

"Hey!" she called out. "Why don't you pick on someone who fights back?"

The thugs turned, their sneers quickly replaced by uncertainty at the glowing blade. "What's this? Jedi wannabe?"

Sonic strolled up beside her, hands in his pockets. "Careful, guys. She's got a thing for slicing and dicing. Me? I'm more of a... 'knock you out before you blink' kind of guy."

The thugs weren't impressed, and the fight broke out in seconds.

Marceline ducked and weaved, her gymnast reflexes making her a blur as she took down one thug after another with her light blade. Sonic, meanwhile, stuck to his human disguise but couldn't resist showing off. He zipped behind a thug, tapping him on the shoulder before delivering a knockout punch.

"Too slow!" he quipped, dodging a swing with ease.

Marceline sliced through a metal pipe aimed at her head, sending sparks flying. "Sonic! Focus!"

"I am focused!" he called back, tripping another thug with a swift kick. "Focused on winning!"

When the dust settled, the thugs were either unconscious or running for their lives.

The shop owner peeked out from behind the counter. "Thank you. Thank you both!"

Marceline deactivated her blade. "Stay safe. Gotham doesn't forgive mistakes."

As they walked away, Sonic adjusted his jacket, grinning. "Admit it—I was awesome back there."

"You were... tolerable," Marceline teased.

"Tolerable?" he said, mock-offended. "I'm the reason those guys didn't stand a chance!"

She rolled her eyes. "Let's just get you that chili dog before you decide to narrate your own life story."

Sonic laughed, sprinting ahead—just a blur to everyone else, but a reminder to Marceline that even in a city like Gotham, she wasn't alone. As they walk towards the next destination opening another dungeon.

Chapter 5, Part 2: Into the Crypt of Forgotten Kings

The dungeon loomed before Marceline and Sonic like an ancient predator, its gaping maw radiating an unnatural chill. The runes around the entrance pulsed faintly, casting eerie shadows against the cracked stone walls. Marceline took a deep breath, gripping her light blade as her fingers twitched with anticipation.

"You ready for this?" she asked, glancing at Sonic, who was uncharacteristically quiet.

Sonic, with his new ID mask active, appeared like an average human teenager with wild, dark blue hair and a leather jacket. He gave her a smirk, but his eyes betrayed a hint of unease. "Ready as I'll ever be. But if this place has giant spiders, I'm out."

Marceline raised an eyebrow. "Giant skeletons are fine, but spiders are where you draw the line?"

"Have you seen spiders in dungeons? They're the worst," he said, shuddering.

Shaking her head, Marceline stepped forward. As they crossed the threshold, a system prompt appeared.

---

Dungeon Activated: Crypt of Forgotten Kings

Objective: Retrieve the Crown of Echoes.

Failure: Death or worse.

---

"That 'or worse' part isn't exactly reassuring," Sonic muttered, his tone half-joking.

"Nothing about this place is reassuring," Marceline replied. "Stay sharp."

---

Room 1: Bone Brigade

The first chamber was cavernous, with rows of crumbling pillars lining the walls. The air smelled of decay and old earth. As the two moved deeper into the room, the floor trembled, and skeletal warriors began clawing their way out of the ground.

"Of course," Marceline muttered, raising her light blade as five skeletons armed with rusted weapons advanced on them.

The skeletons moved with unnatural speed, their joints creaking but their strikes precise. One lunged at Marceline, its sword aimed at her chest. She parried, the clash of steel against her blade ringing through the chamber.

Sonic zipped past her, slamming into another skeleton with a spinning kick that sent its skull flying. "Heads up!" he quipped as the skull bounced off a pillar.

"Focus!" Marceline shouted, ducking under a wide swing and countering with an upward slash that bisected her attacker.

Two skeletons converged on Sonic, their movements faster than he anticipated. He barely dodged a thrust, skidding to a halt before zipping out of their reach. "Okay, these guys are a little more coordinated than I thought."

Marceline dispatched another skeleton, her light blade's glow intensifying with every swing. "H2, any advice?"

[Target their spine segments. Severing the central vertebra will render them inert.]

"Spines it is," she muttered, pivoting and driving her blade through the back of a skeleton that had crept up behind her.

Sonic zipped around the room, using his speed to disorient the remaining skeletons. He delivered a rapid series of blows to one, shattering its spine with a well-placed punch. "Got it!"

The last skeleton lunged at Marceline, its rusted axe aimed for her head. She raised her light shield just in time, the impact reverberating through her arm. With a growl, she pushed forward, driving her blade into its chest. The skeleton crumbled into dust.

The room fell silent, save for their heavy breathing.

"Okay," Sonic said, brushing dust off his jacket, "that was… more intense than I expected."

Marceline nodded, scanning the room. "And that was just the warm-up."

---

Room 2: The Guardian's Puzzle

The next chamber was smaller but no less intimidating. At its center stood a massive stone door, flanked by two towering statues of armored knights. Three glowing orbs—red, blue, and green—hovered in the air before the door.

"Let me guess," Sonic said, stepping closer. "We have to put these in the right order, or bad stuff happens."

[Correct,] the system chimed. [Incorrect attempts will summon hostile creatures.]

"Fantastic," Marceline muttered.

Sonic reached for the blue orb. "Let's just—"

"Wait!" Marceline snapped, grabbing his arm. "We don't know the order yet."

"Come on, how bad could it—"

Before he could finish, one of the statues' eyes flared red. With a grinding sound, it came to life, drawing a massive stone sword.

"—get?" Sonic finished, backing up quickly. "Okay, that's bad."

The statue charged, swinging its blade with shocking speed. Marceline barely raised her shield in time, the impact sending her sprawling.

"H2!" she yelled, rolling to avoid a follow-up strike. "Weaknesses?"

[The crystal in its chest is the power source. Strike it to disable the guardian.]

Marceline nodded, dodging another attack as she assessed the situation. Sonic darted around the room, drawing the statue's attention.

"Over here, Rocky!" he taunted, throwing a chunk of debris at its head.

Marceline seized the opportunity, sprinting forward and leaping onto the statue's back. Using her blade, she pried open a panel on its chest, revealing a glowing blue crystal.

"Hold it steady!" she shouted.

Sonic zipped past, kicking at the statue's leg to unbalance it. With a roar, Marceline drove her blade into the crystal, shattering it. The statue froze, then crumbled to pieces.

"See?" Sonic said, panting. "That's teamwork."

Marceline shot him a look. "Don't touch anything else until we figure out the puzzle."

After some careful observation, they deduced the correct order—green, blue, red—and the door creaked open.

---

Room 3: The King's Wrath

The final chamber was a vast hall, its walls adorned with ancient murals depicting battles and coronations. At the center stood the Crown of Echoes, floating above an ornate pedestal.

"This has trap written all over it," Marceline said, gripping her blade.

Sonic nodded. "Oh yeah. Big, obvious treasure? Always a trap."

As Marceline approached the crown, the air grew heavy. A deep, guttural laugh echoed through the chamber, and a massive figure materialized—a skeletal king clad in ghostly armor, wielding a flaming sword.

"You who seek the crown shall face my wrath!" it bellowed, swinging its sword in a wide arc.

Marceline dove out of the way as the blade crashed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the chamber.

"H2!" she shouted. "Tips?"

[The crown's power is tied to the king. Destroy him to claim it.]

"Easier said than done!" Sonic yelled, dodging a fireball the king hurled his way.

The battle was relentless. Marceline fought to keep up with the king's powerful strikes, her shield barely holding against his onslaught. Sonic darted around, distracting the king and landing quick strikes where he could.

"Marcie!" Sonic called. "That thing's got a weak spot on its back! Saw it when he turned!"

"Cover me!" Marceline shouted, circling behind the king.

Sonic zipped in, delivering a flurry of punches to the king's armored legs. The distraction was enough for Marceline to leap onto its back, driving her blade into the glowing weak point.

The king roared, its form cracking and splintering. With one final swing of its sword, it collapsed into a heap of bones, the flames extinguished.

---

Dungeon Complete!

Rewards:

700 Points

Silver Item: Cloak of Shadows (temporary invisibility)

---

As they exited the dungeon, Marceline wiped sweat from her brow. "That was intense."

"Intense?" Sonic said, grinning. "That was awesome! Let's find another one!"

Marceline laughed despite herself. "You're insane."

"Hey," Sonic said, nudging her, "you're the one who signed up for this crazy life."

She smirked. "And you're the one who keeps tagging along."

As they walked back into the city, Marceline felt a sense of accomplishment. It was dangerous, sure, but she was growing stronger—and Gotham was starting to feel a little less overwhelming.

Chapter 5, Part 3: A New Ally Appears

The night had fallen quiet, but the streets of Gotham were anything but calm. Marceline and Sonic walked side by side, the city's ever-present chaos simmering in the background. After the dungeon crawl, they'd gathered a lot of loot, and Marceline was itching to see what else the system had in store for her.

Sonic, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with pent-up energy. "So, what's next, huh? Another dungeon? Another fight? What's the plan?" He gave her a teasing grin, clearly amused by her calm demeanor.

Marceline smirked. "We've been through enough dungeons for one night. I'm thinking of mixing things up." She activated her system interface, the holographic screen flickering to life in front of them.

Sonic leaned over, peering at the glowing interface. "Are you seriously gonna gamble with points again?" he asked, a slight grin on his face. "It's like playing the lottery, only way riskier."

Marceline gave him a deadpan look. "Trust me, Sonic. This is less about luck and more about getting the right kind of help." She navigated through the menus and tapped on the Bronze Summoning Token she had just acquired.

"Here goes nothing," she muttered, her finger hovering over the summon button. The interface blinked with confirmation.

The moment she activated the token, a swirl of energy appeared around her, and the air seemed to crackle. From within the swirling lights, a figure began to materialize. Marceline took a step back, her eyes narrowing as the figure became more solid.

A woman, dressed in the standard Saiyan armor, landed in front of them with a slight thud. Her posture was relaxed but her gaze sharp, scanning the surroundings with the instincts of a seasoned warrior.

"Hmm. Looks like I'm here," she said, her voice laced with confidence. "Not exactly where I expected, but it'll do."

Sonic blinked. "Wait... are you... a Saiyan? Like, from Dragon Ball Z?!"

The woman looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Who are you calling a Saiyan, blue furball?"

Marceline took a moment to process the appearance of the newcomer. "Fasha, right? Bronze-class Saiyan warrior?"

[Fasha (Bronze-Class Ally): A low-class Saiyan from the Dragon Ball Z universe. Fierce in battle, she's not one to back down from a challenge. Known for her fighting prowess in Bardock's squad.]

Fasha smirked. "That's right. Low-class doesn't mean weak, kid. You'll find that out soon enough. So, what's the deal? Got some trouble to punch through?"

Marceline chuckled, feeling an odd sense of relief. "Just trying to get by. Gotham's a little... chaotic, to say the least."

Sonic bounced on his heels, clearly excited. "You hear that, Fasha? We're here to shake things up! No one's gonna know what hit 'em!"

Fasha eyed Sonic, then Marceline, sizing them both up. "I like the sound of that," she said, cracking her knuckles. "Let's get to work."

---

Loot from the Multiverse

Before they could go any further, Marceline turned back to her interface, still excited by the loot she had drawn earlier. "Hold on, Sonic. Let's see what else we got from that Multiverse Gotcha Pack."

She glanced through the loot from the Multiverse Gotcha Pack and couldn't help but grin.

1. Scouter (Dragon Ball Z) – A device that measures the power levels of enemies.

2. Potion of Endless Energy (Marvel Universe) – Boosts stamina and energy for a limited time.

3. Energy Sword (Halo Universe) – A powerful close-combat weapon.

4. Spy Tech Mask (Mission Impossible Universe) – Perfect for disguise and voice mimicry.

5. Shield Bubble (Star Wars Universe) – A defensive energy shield that absorbs projectile attacks.

6. Raven's Cloak (Teen Titans Universe) – A mystical cloak that enhances stealth and reduces detection.

7. Haki Gloves (One Piece Universe) – Provides the ability to strike Logia-type Devil Fruit users.

8. Healing Serum (Resident Evil Universe) – Rapid healing of both minor and major wounds.

9. Teleportation Rune (Elder Scrolls Universe) – Allows for instant travel to a previously visited location.

10. Dragon Ball (Dragon Ball Z) – A mysterious artifact that might summon something powerful.

Sonic whistled, impressed. "Okay, I can see why you're into this stuff. That's some serious gear."

Marceline smirked, inspecting the Haki Gloves and Healing Serum. "You're telling me. These could come in handy."

Fasha, who had been silent until now, picked up the Scouter and gave it a once-over. "Power level reader, huh? Might come in handy for sizing up enemies."

Marceline nodded. "I've been thinking the same. Alright, now we're ready. Let's get moving. Gotham's waiting."

---

The Streets of Gotham

With Fasha in tow, the trio continued their walk through Gotham's crime-ridden streets. The city was even more intimidating now with a seasoned fighter by their side. Marceline felt a little more confident, though she knew the night was still far from over.

Sonic zipped ahead and turned back, eyes wide. "Alright, Fasha, race ya to the next block!"

Fasha smirked, ready for the challenge. "You wanna race, blue? Sure thing."

Before Sonic could take off, Fasha was already standing next to him, having moved faster than he expected.

Marceline laughed. "Looks like Sonic's met his match."

Fasha glanced at her. "Don't expect me to keep up with him, but I can certainly make things interesting."

Just then, a loud crash echoed through the street, followed by a series of chaotic screams. A nearby storefront had been smashed open, and a group of armed thugs were spilling out, clearly looking to cause trouble.

"Well, looks like we have an invitation," Marceline said, stepping forward.

Sonic grinned. "Time to make our debut."

Fasha cracked her knuckles and stretched. "Let's see what these fools can do."

---

Battle Time: Gotham's Thugs Meet Fasha

The thugs were armed, but they were no match for the trio. Marceline's light blade flickered into existence as she charged in, her attacks swift and precise, cutting down enemies who weren't quick enough to dodge. Sonic darted around, his speed making him an unpredictable target as he took down the thugs with ease.

Fasha, however, was in a league of her own. She charged in, effortlessly smashing through thugs with brutal strength. Each punch was like a wrecking ball, and the thugs had little time to react.

One thug tried to swing a bat at her, but she grabbed the weapon mid-swing, snapping it like a twig. "You really thought that would work?" she scoffed.

Marceline grinned. "I think we're gonna get along just fine."

---

By the time the fight was over, the thugs were knocked out cold, sprawled across the street. Marceline wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, impressed by Fasha's raw strength.

Sonic panted beside her. "Yeah, I think Gotham just learned that you don't mess with us."

Fasha smirked, her arms crossed. "That was fun. But if you're serious about making Gotham your playground, we'll need more power."

Marceline nodded. "We'll get there. One step at a time. But for now… mission accomplished."

With their first victory as a team under their belts, the trio continued down the darkened streets of Gotham, ready for whatever came next.

Chapter 5, Part 4: Research and Recharge

Marceline walked through the dark streets of Gotham with Fasha and Sonic, the night air thick with the constant hum of the city. They'd just finished a dungeon crawl, and her mind was buzzing with thoughts about what came next. They needed a strategy, something to make sure they weren't just surviving but thriving in this chaotic, unpredictable world.

She slid her hand into her jacket pocket, fingers brushing over the small crystal she had—her personal teleportation token—before pulling out her system interface. The holographic display flickered to life in front of her, casting a soft blue glow on the nearby buildings. She navigated through it, accessing the "Current World Status" tab.

This was what she needed: data on Gotham, its heroes, and the state of things.

Her fingers hovered over the interface, selecting the world details she had yet to uncover. The system buzzed with a slight hum, and then the information began to scroll across the screen.

---

Gotham City - Hero Overview:

Batman (Bruce Wayne): Active for the past two years. Gotham's dark guardian, operating mostly at night, keeping the crime rate from spiraling out of control. Batman's presence is a game changer, but the city's criminals are just as determined, and not everyone in Gotham trusts his methods.

Robin (Dick Grayson): Just appeared this year as Batman's sidekick. A former circus acrobat, he's young but surprisingly skilled. Gotham is still adjusting to the idea of Batman working with a partner, and many wonder if Dick Grayson will live up to the mantle or remain in the shadows of Gotham's protector.

Superman (Clark Kent): Recently appeared in Metropolis, but his actions have stirred a lot of media buzz, and Gotham's eyes are on him. While Superman is still far from a local concern, his god-like abilities have captured the attention of both heroes and villains alike. Some speculate that his presence could bring larger-scale change to the world.

Wonder Woman: No official sightings or reports in Gotham. Rumors of her origin exist, but they haven't become concrete. The city hasn't yet seen a warrior like her.

The Flash: No sign of the Scarlet Speedster yet. Rumors swirl about someone fast moving through Central City, but it hasn't hit Gotham yet.

---

Marceline scrolled down, frowning as she studied the timeline. "Two years of Batman? And Robin just showed up this year? This is still early days for them." Her fingers hovered over the next line. "Superman's fresh to Metropolis, but Gotham seems to be aware of him now. So that's something…"

Sonic zipped over to her side, his eyes wide. "Man, this city sounds like it's in the middle of all kinds of chaos. I mean, Batman, Superman, and no Wonder Woman or Flash? Are they really the heroes we've heard about?"

Marceline thought for a moment, eyes scanning the system's description. "It's still new. Batman's got a handle on Gotham's street level problems, but with Superman in Metropolis… I don't know. This could turn into something bigger."

Fasha, who had been observing the data on the screen over Marceline's shoulder, grunted. "This sounds like a time to act. If Gotham's heroes are still figuring themselves out, maybe we don't need to wait for permission to jump in."

Marceline shot her a grin. "Exactly. I'm not about to play second fiddle to anyone. We're making our own path here."

Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you wanna be a hero now? Or just... cause chaos?"

Marceline chuckled. "Maybe a little bit of both. Gotham's got space for all kinds of people—heroes, antiheroes, even the occasional chaos agent. I'll figure out where I fit."

---

The information she'd just gathered made the city feel a bit more familiar, a little less like an unknown battleground. Batman was still working his way through Gotham's complexities, and Robin was starting his career as the city's first sidekick. It was clear that the heroes were still in their early days, and she was on the outside looking in. But that wasn't going to stop her.

"So," Marceline said, closing her system window, "we've got Batman, a new Robin, and a Superman who might show up in Gotham sooner or later. Not to mention whatever villains are lurking around."

Fasha folded her arms. "Sounds like an opportunity for you to carve your own path. Or join the chaos and fight for your own cause."

"Exactly," Marceline said, her expression determined. "I'll figure out my role here, but I'm not sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone else to take charge."

Sonic grinned mischievously. "Gotham's got a new player, huh? Well, don't go stepping on the Bat's toes. I hear he's touchy about his turf."

Marceline smirked as they continued walking down the street, the city's nightmarish skyline looming in front of them. "Let the Bat worry about his turf. I'm more concerned with finding mine."

As they walked through the dark alleys, Marceline's mind churned with ideas. Gotham was on the verge of something bigger, and she could feel it in her bones. It wasn't just about surviving anymore; it was about making a name for herself, one way or another.

And whether Gotham liked it or not, she was going to be part of whatever came next.