(3rd Person POV)
- A bit earlier -
While Hal, Flash, Wonder Woman and the others were fighting Darkseid, Batman was not there, and neither was Superman. The reason for this was simple. Earlier on, when the Flash and Superman broke out of the rubble, they were targeted by Darkseid's Omega beams, which chased them through the city. Flash was a friend of Hal's and therefore accepted his help gratefully, so when cyan armour appeared over his suit, he was thankful and even gained a boost through it. With this, the Flash managed to zoom through the city, without putting civilians in harm's way, because they were being evacuated, and phased through several Parademons, causing the Omega beam to explode.
However, Superman didn't trust Hal or the others and while he was impressed with Wonder Woman, who wouldn't be? She is Wonder Woman. Superman tried to flee from the Omega beam, but was caught and hit. This knocked him out cold, which resulted in Parademons catching him and flying him to the large fortress of Darkseid, which had appeared in the sea. But how did Superman get knocked out?
The Omega beams come from an energy called the Omega Effect. Through this, Darkseid can emit Omega beams, powerful bio-electric energy beams that can lock onto a target. They never miss and usually disintegrate a selected target. Anything that Darkseid destroys with this can be recreated in the Omega Sanction, and he uses this to torture those too powerful to kill outright. Superman managed to resist this somewhat, but was still knocked unconscious.
Batman was moving around the area and throwing his Batarangs at the denizens from Apokolips, and while his tools were good, they weren't doing as much damage as he wanted them to. He ducked underneath a powerful swing from one of them and shot his grappling hook at it. Then he turns around and aims the other end at a building, pulling the Parademon towards it. But that is a lot of work for dealing with just one, and the next one is already attacking him, spewing a stream of fire through the air.
*BOOOM*
A projectile impacts the creature, causing it to explode. Batman looks around and sees the large green human constructs Hal created arrive and attack the Parademons. Batman narrows his eyes as he sees that they aren't just green constructs, they are soldiers with armour, and they are very real. Their armour and weapons aren't simply constructs, that replicate the same effect, they are... real. Batman watches the soldiers who are all at least 10 feet tall, march forward, with their enormous weaponry. Suddenly, he feels another one approach him from behind. He isn't wearing a helmet like the others and walks forward, holding his massive hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
Batman looks and sees true concern and honesty. Over the years, he has become a very skilled reader of people and their faces. He is convinced that this large man is honest right now and is worried for his safety.
"Hm." Batman nods his head.
"Good. My name is Vulkan, what is yours?"
"Batman."
"Well met, Batman. You are a skilled warrior. But you should try out a better weapon." Vulkan says and hands Batman a bolter.
"I don't use guns."
"Gun? This is a bolter. And you only use it on these creatures and not humans. So it should be fine, yes?" Vulkan asks.
"No. I don't use such weapons." Batman says.
"I see. Then why don't you create your own?" Vulkan asks.
"Create my own? What do you mean?" Batman asks.
"You are wearing Lantern armour, so if you imagine a weapon, you can create it out of the energy powering the armour. Give it a try."
Batman narrows his eyes, and after a moment, two batarangs appear in his hand. He throws them through the air, hitting a Parademon and then blowing up.
*BOOM*
"Impressive. You have a strong mind. Come, join us in our quest." Vulkan says and lifts his massive warhammer, storming forward.
But Batman has another idea. He wants to find Superman and get him back. The easiest way to get him back is to have a Parademon take him there, but with the Salamanders around, who are cutting through the monsters, that won't be possible. He rushes forward, throwing his batarangs around, and following the Salamanders in killing all Apokolipian denizens they see.
"We need to get through those portals. Superman was taken captive and will most likely be turned into one of them." Batman says.
"Hmm, that would be concerning. Very well, follow us, we shall make our way towards the portal and take the fight to them. T'kell, you're with me. The others take care of the fighting here."
"As you command, Vulkan." T'kell answers and motions for his men to get to work.
Batman, who is interested in how they mean to get into the air, observes as a large Strike Cruiser appears in the air. The Salamanders follow Vulkan, who motions for Batman to follow as well and make their way into the Strike Cruiser. Typically, a Strike Cruiser can carry up to one full company of Astartes and their equipment and is used for rapid deployment. The vessel rises into the air and then shoots forward, destroying flying Parademons on its way to the portal. They don't stop, but accelerate, ramming into the portal full force and arriving in another dimension.
*BOOOOOOM*
Batman holds on to something and is just about to fly through the room when Vulkan's powerful grip holds him in place.
"We're here."
"Primarch, enemy approaching," one says.
"Deploy!"
The Salamanders get out of the Strike Cruiser and get into position. They start firing at the approaching Parademons and fire their various weaponry into the air. Vulkan meanwhile rushes forward, into the action and swings his mighty Warhammer around, smashing through the hordes of monsters as they appear. This allows Batman to use this as a means to slip under the radar and go unnoticed. The Salanaders aren't done, however; they might appear as though they only use handheld weapons, but Hal can create more weapons for them to use at a moment's notice. And since he always knows where his constructs are, he also knows what they might need. And right now, the Strike Cruiser changes its shape into the Iron Dragon, a unique MkIV Ironclad Dreadnought of the Salamanders. But not just one, several of them appear.
The Salananders get into the Dreadnaughts and start unleashing absolute destruction on anything that moves on Apokolips.
.
Meanwhile, Batman has made it through the thousands of pipes and halls and hears voices from the front.
"The Parademon hives on Earth were ill-equipped to reprocess his flesh. But what pleasure it's been to cut it and cut it again."
"Do not acknowledge pleasure, Desaad. It is forbidden," a second voice says. "The Kryptonian wasn't brought here for you. He was brought here to become a new breed of soldier. One who will prove vital in the search for the daughter of Darkseid."
"Our master will not stop until she is found, Steppenwolf," Desaad says.
"Then neither shall we. All hail Dark-."
*BEEEP BEEEP BEEEP*
"What is this?! What's going on?" Steppenwolf asks.
"The alarm has gone off. It seems... no... that can't be!!" Desaad says after checking the screens.
"What is it?!"
"There are intruders on Apokolips! And they are almost here!"
"Impossible! I shall deal with them myself. If we fail, Master will be displeased." Steppenwolf says and leaves the room.
Steppenwolf grabs his Electro-Axe and makes his way out of the large building. Granny Goodness and her Female Furies are already notified. And they meet up on the battlefield, which looks terrible. Even more so than Apokolips already is. And when they look at it, they can't trust their own eyes. An army of tall soldiers clad in powerful armour stands before them. But not just that. The Salamanders have grown more numerous, and their armoury has increased as well.
Apart from the Dreadnoughts, several Whirlwind Artillery Tanks, Grav Battle Tanks, Land Raiders and Storm Speeders approach them. The Parademons, no matter how numerous they truly are, stand no chance against the growing force of Adeptus Astartes and their leading Primarch, Vulkan.
Steppenwolf looks at the carnage in confusion, which is quickly replaced with anger. Granny Goodness and the founding members of the Female Furies —Aurelie, Big Barda, Lashina, Bernadeth, Stompa, and Mad Harriet — all can't believe the gall of this invading force in appearing on Apokolips like this.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!" Steppenwolf shouts and jumps into the action.
As one of the immortal New Gods, Steppenwolf's capacity for violence is nearly unmatched throughout the galaxy. Steppenwolf is a tactical genius with a reputation for unspeakable cruelty and enjoys his status as a member of Darkseid's Elite. He doesn't see these 'creatures' as a threat, but just a disgrace to his job of protecting Apokolips.
*BOOOM*
Steppenwolf crashes amidst the Salamanders and swings his Electro-Axe, killing several Astartes in one go. But a second later, he is tackled by several other Salamanders who hold him in place for the incoming attack.
*VROOOOM*
*BOOOOM BOOOOM*
"URGH..." Steppenwolf shoots backwards.
The Female Furies appear and start attacking the Salamanders as well. They are all New Gods, so they are more powerful than humans, but nothing compares to the sheer belief and willingness to die for Hal. They unload all they have and manage to damage the New Gods somewhat, but not nearly enough to achieve much. Vulkan clashes with Steppenwolf.
*BOOOOOOOOOOM*
Their respective weapons clash with one another. Steppenwolf should win this right away, but for some unknown reason, he doesn't. He pushes using his full strength, but the Vulkan is aptly named and is full of power, pushing back as much as Steppenwolf can dish out. This is, of course, only possible due to his equally unbreakable mind, which taps into Hal's willpower and makes him and his armoury strong enough to resist the New God. They swing their heavy weapons at one another, trying to find a moment of weakness in the other. And as unlikely as it seems, Steppenwolf has more battle experience than Vulkan, but once again, Hal's willpower covers that front and allows Vulkan to learn as he goes along.
The rest of the Salamanders deal with the Female Furies and are not doing as well as they would like. But it doesn't matter. They are not planning to win alone, not when they can call for backup. And they do just that.
*zzzzbbzzzz*
High in the sky, a green portal appears, and behind the Salamanders, even smaller ones appear as well. From the portal, a multitude of battle barges appear, with a logo different from that of the Salamanders. A sword with wings...
*BOOOM BAM BOOM*
Dozens of drop pods hit the ground, and from those pods, more Astartes emerge. From the centre, another Primarch walks out with green armour, a longsword power weapon, and a red shield in his hands.
The Lion has appeared on the battlefield, together with his legion.
Seeing the new arrivals, the Female Furies and Granny Goodness aren't certain what this is or what's happening, but they do know one thing. The fight has just gone to shit and what stands before them is a beast of the most dangerous degree, ready to rip them apart with the highest efficiency.
The Salamanders, whose numbers have recovered again, walk forward to stand next to their brothers and greet them with thankful nods.
"Prepare for Exterminatus extremis," the Lion says into his comms.
[Understood, my Lord.]
"Commence bombardement."
____________________________________
Hope you like it. Shit just got real on Apokolips.
This chapter takes place during the fight in the earlier chapter.