Secreting the warp-box in a cupboard, Ray Palmer adjusts the controls on his size reducing belt to become the Atom. The World's Smallest Super-Hero kept out of sight himself, waiting for the inevitable crash of super-villains bursting through the walls of his lab. This might explain the soul quivering chill that ran through the diminutive defender as he heard a baritone voice in the room, origin invisible, hissing his name. "Where is the key, Ray?"
Adding to the horror was the realization that Ray recognized the voice as belonging to J'Onn J'Onzz, the Manhunter from Mars, a former Justice League of America compatriot with powers rivaling Superman. J'Onn was a friend, long gone from Earth to serve his people on Mars II. Just recently, the Martian Manhunter had made a return visit, joining Ray, Firestorm and Green Lantern in battle against invading alien Appellaxians. Why was he here now, with seemingly sinister motivation? Mind control, obviously, but by whom?
Unable to use his other powers while invisible, the Alien Atlas manifested. His laser vision burned a hole within inches of the Mighty Mite, making it clear the Atom wasn't hiding anything from enhanced Martian Vision powers. The Tiny Titan began hopping around the room like a six inch flea, frantically searching for some sign of the key where there was none.
Tiring of the stalling tactic, mighty Martian lungs simply inhaled, precisely drawing the Atom toward J'Onn J'Onzz's lips. Ray reached for his belt, increasing his density just enough to evade a trip through those very same lungs. Immediately, the Atom wondered if he had made the right decision, seeing as attacking the Martian Manhunter internally seemed like his best avenue of winning this battle. However, that could leave a comrade dead, and his nefarious puppet master still at large.
Dropping to the floor, the Atom grew to twelve inches, opened the cupboard, and activated the warp-box. The Martian Marvel exhaled, sending the lab into disarray and the Atom flying. Chemical reactions caused small explosions in the room, while the warp-box was flung into the Plane of Holes. The Atom went after it, but the device was gone, presumably carried on through a wormhole.
What should the Atom do next?
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