THE BLESS-ED UNIVERSE
In an uninhabited planet, outside the solar system that housed Earth, warfare was currently underway. Explosions rippled across the barren planet. Red, yellow, and green colors floated in the space above it.
This empty world was constantly receiving injuries, scars constantly appearing on its surface. If one zoomed in…they would see a battle that could be written as legend. Several beams of energy — merging into one — shot down from space toward a single person.
Superboy Prime. He stared up at the tri-colored mega beam that entered the atmosphere. Changing the color of the sky. His bloody cape flapped wildly, the floating crown rotating with speed. Solar energy flooded his body. Ignoring the splatters of alien blood all around him, he raised his fist.
His expression was one of malice. His eyes glowed dangerously, plasmic reactions pooling around his frame. His entire life as a kryptonian…it had never been like this. He'd never been able to manifest his solar energy outside of his body so freely. Such a thing was unheard of for his race.
This crown…it had changed him. Made him even better than he was. He could see each and every aspect of the tricolored mega beam falling down onto him. The emotions of the people behind it, their thoughts, their desires. Channeling the ocean of golden solar energy, the atmosphere imploded around his hand.
Like the force of a deity, his fist finally met the world destroying beam. It was as if time had frozen. Reality paused upon this clash. Every aspect could be seen. The dust particles in the air, the bloodthirsty expression on every Lantern's face, the Oans with their extreme calm, the Power Batteries. Finally…time resumed.
KABOOOOM
The multicolored beam scattered down to the smallest atom, dispersed like a gust of wind. An eruption of force that affected both space and the planet was the reaction. It resembled the detonation of a planetary bomb.
Hundreds of Lanterns were immediately turned into meat paste. The Oans were blown into tiny molecules…but they regenerated just as fast. Almost as if they'd never taken damage. Cracks appeared on the Yellow and Red Power Batteries.
Everything behind Prime's body was uprooted like leaves in the wind. Like dandelion flowers moving onto the next environment. Like loose papers in front of a fan. All that remained was the small piece of ground he stood on.
The planet was gone. Just compressed debris and crunched minerals. Prime licked his lips. The ease at which he'd broken a joint attack from all three power batteries and every Lantern on the battlefield…euphoric.
'Has he gotten stronger…or is he just trying harder?' One of the Oans asked his brethren.
'It seems to be both. Do you remember him wearing that crown from the ancient messages?'
'No.'
'At the very least, we could move him from his position before. Now…even making him move an inch seems impossible.'
'Attention all Lanterns! In addition to capturing or killing this kryptonian, seize the crown!' An order reached the minds of all remaining Lanterns.
"Fuck the crown." Starkad's intent reached everyone in the battlefield.
The orange alien whose size matched a planet…he glared down at the tiny kryptonian. His jaw had been temporarily replaced by hard light. His left arm was missing. Also replaced by hard light…and it was all because of that damn boy.
Between these two figures, their animosity couldn't be salvaged. One could not exist in the same space as the other. The hatred Starkad felt for this bastard…it was personal. Guy Gardner was the only one who shared the same hatred.
The planetary titan made his move. Flanking him were another hundred Lanterns. The green squadron was led by Sojourner. Red was led by Skallox and Atrocitus. Yellow was led by Arkillo and Amon Sur.
Prime floated into space like a demon general. His golden and red pupils shined with energy, immediately launching powerful pillars of heat. The color resembled lava of cosmic origin. Supercharging every bit of microscopic particles floating between the two forces.
Sojourner immediately raised a barrier alongside Amon Sur and Skallox. They shielded Starkad, allowing the titan to advance freely. While the majority of the beam was halted, the scattered rays lashed anyone that happened to be floating nearby.
It was like a kaleidoscope of gold and red, slicing across space. Another few hundred Lanterns were turned into steaming corpses. Their deaths weren't in vain. Starkad had reached the demon.
The titan's planet-sized fist came down like a boot to an ant. This time, the strength of three Lantern Power Batteries covered his body. Tri-colored aura danced across his fist.
Prime rolled his eyes. This brute just couldn't take a hint. Constantly gunning for him like a rabid dog. Would Clark back down from a test of strength? Never. Once again, he raised his fist.
Their fists met in the middle. Another detonation of energy lit up the darkness of space. Every color in the spectrum shined with cosmic light. All eyes were on this fight. Higher dimensional beings who'd been eyeing this newborn universe were now thinking twice. Their gaze rippled through space cracks.
The power level of this universe was too absurd! What in the hell was going on here? Mr. Mxyzptlk gracefully bowed out. Klarion and his cat familiar, Teekl, gracefully bowed out. Trigon had always known that this place was off limits.
This wasn't even The Father! The worst one! He'd long since given up the thought of conquering this place. No way. Other universes were much easier. The effort it would take for this newborn…not worth it. Even Nekron started to think differently.
The only one who didn't care…was Darkseid. He watched it all with glee. This was his first time seeing a battle that rivaled gods. The changing colors of space had caught his attention. He'd fought many iterations of Superman, but this one was different.
Glowing lights had changed the colors of deep space. From the Milky Way galaxy, all the way to the other end of the universe, the sky had changed colors for every civilization.
It had become an infinite crisis. One that could affect other universes. An image of the battle taking place could be seen in the clouds! The river of time had broadcasted it to all inhabitants.
…
…
…
Val-Ul stepped through the warp gate. Immediately, he could feel his crown relaying the entire situation. A smile adorned his lips upon seeing the images up in the sky.
Kara Dru-Zod followed right behind him. It was instinctual for her to glance at the skyline. Upon noticing the movie scene playing in the sky above, she raised an eyebrow.
"It's never boring when I'm with you, Val-Ul." She commented.
"I'm glad you feel that way. Unfortunately, I'm not the one making such big waves." He sighed. Kara rolled her eyes.
"We both know that your arrival in such a battle will cause the biggest wave."
"Who said I would help? Clark would definitely hate it if I showed up. It would make him feel inferior."
"...And why is that your problem?" Kara asked with a knowing stare.
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm not a bad guy who ignores other people's problems." He chuckled softly. The lovely beauty slapped his chest.
"Hmph. That isn't the man I gave my heart and soul to. If I remember correctly, back in the day you used to-mmm mmn!"
Val-Ul quickly covered her mouth. Realizing that she was about to reveal his embarrassing secrets, actions must be taken. Kara messed around too much!
"Alright, alright. Let's go." He said.
His lazy expression slowly turned into one of calm and tranquility. The persona of The Father returned. The one who ruled on high. The golden child of the Bless-ed Universe.
Kara knew that he could switch personalities at the drop of a dime. One moment he would be the laziest man who only wanted to cuddle. The next moment he'd be the ruler he was known to be. The Shepherd. The Guide. The Father.
Both of them floated into the air. Val started to glow with golden radiance, engulfing The Messenger in his aura. They instantly disappeared.
…
…
…
Superboy Prime had developed a new way to kill these undying cockroaches. Enveloping the strong ones in his bioelectric aura, each punch would disperse evenly through every cell in the body.
POOF
Bodies exploded into blood mist. Every blow left only particles of red liquid and gas. Starkad was the first victim. Their clash had turned him into particles. Next was Arkillo. The muscular alien brute left nothing behind. Not even his yellow ring.
Amon Sur, Sojourner, and Skallox worked together in perfect sync. Atrocitus would step in at random, throwing hard light covered punches that did next to nothing. Dex-Starr hid in the distance, pelting Superboy with projectiles.
As all of this was taking place, the surviving fodder members of each Lantern Corp tried capturing the kryptonian. Countless times. This was a battle that they'd prepared extensively for…and it still didn't seem to be enough. Were they truly going to fail? Again?! No. They would succeed. This time forsure.
Each Oan placed their hands on the Power Batteries, imbuing themselves and the surviving Lanterns with overloaded rings. Not only that. A message was sent through time…and another message was received. A time ripple opened in space, courtesy of a different Hourman's work. A different timeline.
A muscular figure stepped through the time ripple, his body trembling with anger. Guy Gardner. He hadn't forgotten the destruction of his Earth. The Oans had shielded him from Prime's final attack, the supernova that attempted to kill the Oans. The 'Parting Gift.'
'We have unfinished business, little boy.' Gardner's voice sounded in Clark's mind. It was full of absolute hatred.
'You never fail to show up. I'm almost impressed.' Prime answered with a glare.
'I wanted to give you the same feeling you gave me. How could I not show up?'
Floating beside Guy Gardner was the one and only John Stewart. Guy's best friend. He oozed the same amount of energy as Gardner. Both Lanterns weren't here to play. They were here to kill. Fuck capture.
'Hello there, Superboy. My friend has told me a lot about you. Nothing pleasant, I'm afraid.' Stewart commented.
All three Power Batteries bonded with the two Lanterns. With the guidance of the Oans, their rings were overloaded. Tri-colored energy danced across their bodies like flames.
'Call me that name one more time. See what happens.' Clark growled.
'SuperBOY.' Guy Gardner sneered.
With speed that eclipsed their last fight in the previous universe, they circled each other. Their bodies only showed afterimages before they struck. Green, gold, and red energy went haywire, shockwaves detonating every second.
The war had begun anew. This time it was much more devastating. With all of the strongest members assisting from the back lines, Guy and John were able to fight up close and personal. They soared through space, exchanging blow after blow.
It was at this moment that a new variable appeared. Like an ocean, golden solar energy washed across deep space. Overwhelming. His presence alerted everyone…including Prime.
'Enough.' Val said.