Superman was getting beaten up on the moon, broadcasted live to the whole world. Of course, this was all part of the plan.
Liu A'dou knew The Elite had a spaceship, but he couldn't find it. But as with every villain cliché, once they faced the main character, they'd reveal all their trump cards. Sure enough, the ship appeared before the fight with Superman even began.
So the plan was simple: Superman would stall for time by getting beaten up while Liu A'dou and Batman took care of Bunny.
"This ship's teleportation system is extremely advanced. If we could install it on the Justice League's orbital station, it would let us relocate instantly," Batman said, his eyes sharp.
"You already designed our orbital base?"
"Yes. Parts of it are already under construction. It should be ready for installation by the end of the year."
That was some impressive efficiency. Money really could move mountains. Liu A'dou couldn't help asking, "Roughly how much is it costing?"
Batman shot him a sidelong glance and said coolly, "I never like thinking about money."
Damn rich people. Liu A'dou thought he could never pull off that kind of swagger in his life.
They finished their exchange in just a few words and had already reached the back of Bunny. The ship was like a living creature—any section could be an entrance or armor plate.
Both pulled out their laptops. Though it was their first time dealing with a bio-computer, they were both tech experts and started hammering out code at lightning speed, trying to find a way to communicate with Bunny. The faster they got control, the less Superman would have to suffer.
They didn't know how The Elite got this ship, but it was clear Bunny often transported all sorts of strange things aboard. Maybe they could even learn what Bunny's real purpose was.
"I'm in," Liu A'dou said.
Batman immediately followed. "Me too. But I've found the ship's control system is split into many parts. Quite a few have been locked or damaged."
Liu A'dou nodded. "Maybe we can find the ship's AI and talk to it."
"I'm trying now."
Their fingers flew over their keyboards like a storm, keys clacking non-stop. Finally, they made contact with Bunny's AI, a system The Elite had shut down.
They did it. Liu A'dou simply promised to help it find its way home someday, and Bunny immediately agreed to abandon The Elite and follow Kid's orders. "We've got the teleportation system now."
Batman smiled too.
On the moon, Superman looked like a wreck. His nose was bloody, his face swollen. Without help arriving on the moon, he couldn't let himself go and properly teach these guys a lesson.
Boom!
Superman was sent flying again, his suit now torn to shreds. Telekinesis, magic, animals, energy—four types of attacks came at him relentlessly. Viewers watching on TV covered their eyes; Superman looked pitiful.
'Superman isn't a bad guy, so why are The Elite fighting him?' people finally started asking. Wasn't it because they'd gone crazy supporting The Elite that Superman had to do this in the first place?
Of course, some people were also hoping Superman would snap and kill The Elite. Members of The Church of Superman wanted a god to rule over all humanity with absolute power.
"I'm getting tired of this. Coldcast, finish our great 'no-kill warrior' with one final blow," Manchester Black ordered.
At that moment, Superman finally received the message from Earth: "Superman, it's done. Time to start the show. We're ready."
He clenched his fists, eyes blazing as Coldcast's punch grew larger in his vision, ready to smash into him.
Boom! Coldcast unleashed his strongest attack, leaving another massive crater on the moon.
Dust billowed up like a sandstorm, blocking all the cameras. Everyone held their breath in fear—what happened to Superman?
All that was left was a torn scrap of red cape. Manchester Black picked it up and said, "No matter how powerful your enemy is, they always leave something behind."
Coldcast gave a goofy grin. "I gave it my all."
"I can't believe Superman died just like that. He was a bit stubborn, but he was a good guy," Hat said with fake sympathy.
"It's a shame there was only one Superman in the world. Now he's gone. I always wanted a lover with his build," Menagerie added.
It looked like Superman was dead. And for The Elite, it was just another day—killing Superman seemed so easy.
Lex Luthor watched them show off and sneered coldly. If Superman were that easy to kill, he'd have done it hundreds or thousands of times already. Nobody knew Superman better than his enemy. Luthor knew there was no way Superman was really dead.
Sure enough, a deep, hellish growl came from the swirling dust: "I understand now. I get it." Superman was ready to use The Elite's own methods to crush them.
"No morals. No law. Only the justice I believe in." Superman emerged, his eye bloodshot, his body covered in wounds, his face twisted into a cruel grin. His gaze was icy and terrifying. "You're all dead."
Whoosh!
Menagerie suddenly felt a sharp pain in her neck, then her whole body started convulsing as every insect inside her scrambled to escape. It was Superman's special bug repellent, fired by Batman.
Batman and Kid were already hiding in the duststorm, and Liu A'dou was giddy with excitement. They'd actually made it to the moon—he felt light as a feather.
"You should already be dead!" Manchester Black fired psychic blasts over and over, but Superman zipped left and right like he was teleporting, impossible to hit.
"Superman did die, but I've been reborn. Now I finally accept your way—solving everything at the root."
Superman moved, whipping up a violent whirlwind.
Menagerie was sucked into the storm, and Hat, who tried to save her, vanished into the vortex too.
"Superman's killing them??!!" Coldcast shouted in disbelief. He'd wanted to kill Superman, but couldn't accept Superman fighting back—what a ridiculous double standard.
"Bunny, get us back to Metropolis!" Manchester Black yelled. He wanted to hide among civilians, knowing Superman wouldn't dare go all out there. Faced with death, he threw justice aside and planned to use innocents as shields.
Perfect. The Church of Superman members were ecstatic. Their god's wrath was unstoppable, and they believed Superman's power would lead them into a new era. They imagined themselves as high priests or archbishops, lording over the world.
But most people couldn't believe it. Superman killing? Impossible. Everyone knew he didn't kill. But now, his terrifying, demonic appearance made them wonder if he'd really changed.
Social media exploded instantly. Superman's overwhelming power terrified everyone. Then he returned to Metropolis.
Boom—
For the first time ever, Superman flew at supersonic speed through the city, shattering glass everywhere. He'd never been so reckless before, always careful to protect the city. But today was different. Boom!
Coldcast's huge body was smashed into the sky, shooting off like a falling star. Superman was done holding back. The Elite couldn't compete. Sweat dripped down Manchester Black's face.