The situation had improved in Metropolis somewhat. The heroes managed to cut down the parademons despite the continued onslaught. But more of them kept coming through the Boomtubes.
Batman spoke as he threw a batarang at another parademon, " Everyone, conserve your strength. I think the invaders are trying to wear us down and strike hard when we are weakened. This is about to get worse."
Diana slashed down a parademon and shouted, " How can you tell?"
Batman spoke calmly, " well, for one thing, the river is on fire."
Hal chuckled. " Can't believe that I agree with you on that Bats."
Flash asked while running, " What's the other thing?"
Clark looked above grimly and spoke, "Look above you and you'll know."
Batman spoke on his communicator, " Alfred, initiate protocol Point Break."
Alfred's voice came through, " Are you sure Master Bruce? That is still not tested."
Batman looked above and replied solemnly. " There's no time, Alfred. And... In the off chance this doesn't work out.... Activate the Knightfall protocol and Leave Gotham with Dick."
Alfred remained silent for a while. " I'll follow your wish. Goodluck Master Bruce."
Diana spoke out, "Something is coming from above. It's way stronger than anything I have sensed."
The skies over Earth tore open.
A soundless rupture spread across the atmosphere like shattered glass in reverse, a hole ripping through the fabric of reality.
From that crack in space came fire, light, and shadows , the outline of a shape so massive it blocked out the sun for an instant.
Darkseid had arrived.
The armada descended first , burning warships shaped like jagged blades, releasing swarms of parademons like hornets pouring from a nest.
And then, stepping through the rift as if the vacuum of space itself bent to his will, came the god of Apokolips.
Grey Skin and a hulking muscular form, wearing dark blue full body armor with an Omega symbol on chest. His eyes burning Red with power. He wore a dark utility belt that had a glowing, red New God symbol on it. His sheer presence was enough make lesser beings submit
Flash gulped, " I guess that's the big boss?"
Diana's eyes narrowed,"Yes, that's Darkseid. I have seen the murals. He looks just like that."
Darkseid's boots crushed pavement as he landed in the ruins of Metropolis, his sheer weight cracking concrete, sending shockwaves through the street. He stood like a mountain in humanoid form. His red eyes scanned the battlefield as if daring the world to resist.
The League gathered on the streets, scattered among shattered cars and debris.
Superman hovered just above ground, his cape whipping violently in the gale of the incoming armada. Beside him, Faora floated silently, armored and poised like a spear, her expression steel but her hand instinctively close to Clark's arm.
Wonder Woman stood tall with sword and shield in hand, her stance wide, chin high—her very presence daring the god before her.
Batman was crouched half a step back, cape drawn tight, eyes sharp behind his cowl, every muscle tensed though he knew brute force wasn't his weapon here.
Green Lantern floated in emerald light, ring already humming with constructs swirling around him—swords, cannons, shields, everything he could imagine.
Beside him, Flash jittered on the balls of his feet, a lightning storm of restless energy waiting to explode.
Cyborg's weaponized arm clicked, shifting from cannon to blaster as his systems synced with satellite uplinks overhead. And Shazame floated just above the cracked asphalt, lightning flickering along his arms, his face a mix of awe and determination.
Darkseid spoke with a voice that made them shiver.
"I am entropy," his voice thundered, deep and cold. "I am death… I... Am Darkseid." His eyes flared up with Omega energy.
Behind him, a strong and graceful figure in shadow stepped forward, her presence sharp and dangerous. It was Grail. She moved like a phantom, her dark cloak swirling. Her crimson gaze flicked across the city, not at the heroes but at the landscape itself.
"Father," she said softly, "the Mother Boxes call to me. I will go find them."
Darkseid gave a single nod. "Go. Let none stand in your way. Once the unity is complete, I will raze this planet for its defiance."
Grail bowed vanished into the shadows, leaving only her father to confront Earth's last defense. But only Bruce saw she had a cunning smile on her face.
"Alfred, monitor that woman's activity. Someone needs to keep an eye on her."
An unknown voice entered Bruce's mind , making him widen his eyes. " You guys focus on the battle, I'll check on her."
Bruce asked warily, " Who are you? You must be a telepath."
A soft chuckle came through, " My name is Hank Henshaw, but you can also call me Martian Manhunter. I am not of Earth, but I have lived here for a long time , which means this is also my home. It's about time I fought for it."
Bruce nodded. " Although I don't know you, I will be counting on you, Hank."
The voice chuckled. " I will pray for your good fortune, Bruce."
Bruce shook his head. He turned towards Darkseid and prepared himself for what was about to come.
****
Superman landed hard in front of Darkseid, his cape billowing in the heat rising from burning cars. Faora touched down beside him, her eyes narrowed, standing tall like a soldier even in this alien world.
Behind them, Wonder Woman emerged from the smoke, sword gleaming, shield raised.
Green Lantern descended next, ring glowing bright, a cocky smirk barely hiding the sweat running down his brow. Flash zipped into view, vibrating with restless energy, red lightning crackling around his boots.
Shazame floated down, electricity sparking across his fists. Cyborg's systems whirred as his arm shifted into a sonic cannon.
And then Batman, walking calmly from the shadows. No powers, no glowing armor — only a man in a cape, his eyes sharp, mind even sharper.
They stood together for the first time. Not as friends. Not yet as a team. But united by necessity. For the survival of their planet.
Darkseid's shadow fell over them.
"Eight against one," he said, almost bored. "It will not matter. Your world will perish."
Superman clenched his fists. "We'll see about that."
Darkseid moved first.
His Omega Beams ignited, twin lances of burning crimson that split into jagged branches mid-flight, chasing Superman and Faora like predators.
Clark shoved Faora out of the way and blasted upward, the beams following him with impossible precision. He twisted, dove, tried to lose them — but they curved after him, never relenting.
Superman shot forward, fist cocked, the sonic boom of his flight tearing glass from nearby buildings. He wanted to hit Darkseid with hisown attack.
His punch collided with Darkseid's jaw—only for the new god to turn his head slightly, taking the blow like a breeze. Before Clark could register it, Darkseid's massive hand clamped around his throat, slamming him into the pavement so hard the shockwave flipped cars like toys.
Faora screamed and charged, driving a knee into Darkseid's side. The impact cracked the street, but Darkseid barely shifted. He caught her by the throat mid-swing and hurled her into a skyscraper. Glass and steel raining down as she vanished into rubble.
"Faora!" Superman shouted — and that moment of distraction cost him. The Omega Beams struck his side, tearing through buildings before detonating in a fireball that lit up the city. Clark hit the ground hard, smoke rising off his suit.
"Too slow," Darkseid rumbled.
Batman's voice cut sharp across comms: "Omega Beams. Don't let them lock on—move unpredictably!"
"Noted!" Hal barked, whipping a massive emerald battering ram down on Darkseid. The construct smashed into his shoulders, but Darkseid merely raised one hand, crushed the construct with his fingers, and yanked Lantern forward by the throat. Hal choked, his aura flickering. He created a big green spring to launch him away from Darkseid.
But Darkseid smirked and threw him into a build. Hal smashed into the building with a groan and fell into the street. A bunch of parademons converged into his fallen form, not letting him get up.
"Die Monster!" Diana shouted, already sprinting. She leapt, shield first, smashing into Darkseid's chest. The impact reverberated like a cannon blast.
For the first time, Darkseid moved back half a step. His eyes glowed.
Twin beams of burning red Omega Energy shot from his gaze, curving unnaturally mid-air to chase Diana even as she rolled aside. The beams gouged through three buildings, detonating them into plumes of fire.
Darkseid backhanded her with casual brutality. Diana slammed into the hood of a burning car, crumpling metal like paper. She rose, blood on her lip, and snarled. "My mother hits harder than this."
Darkseid had an amused grin on his face. " Ah, a hybrid. Amazon who holds power of Zeus.Your father was killed by the Godslayer right? Join me , and I will grant you veangence against him."
Diana was stunned for a second, then burst out laughing. " Ahahaha, I never heard such a ridiculous thing in my life. You want me to join you? And to even suggest about killing the man who raised me with love... You will die without leaving a trace."
Her voice turned cold and her body started Crackling with lightning. She clenched her fist and punched. Darkseid met her fist with his own.
Boom!
The shockwave destroyed the nearby buildings instantly. Batman used his grappling hook to move away beforehand. Green Lantern hastily conjured a shield to protect Cyborg who was trying to hack into the Boomtubes technology.
Darkseid grinned as their fists remained locked, and shot Diana with his Omega beams, blasting her far away. She broke through multiple buildings laid inside the rubble, bleeding.
Diana coughed up blood and shakily stood up leaning on her sword. She charged forward again with a warcry. Darkseid reeled his arm and punched with the full strength of his Avatar. Diana was buried deep into the ground. Hal charged in to rescue her , but Darkseid caught him easily.
Darkseid smirked. " Tenacious. That was nearly my full strength, yet you survived. Maybe I should kill you right here..."
Suddenly he felt a chilling gaze locked onto him. Darkseid immediately floated high above and looked around, but didn't find anything. But his instincts were screaming danger.
"Interesting... I can't locate the source, but whoever it is, he can defeat my current Avatar which has nearly half my strength. That being would have unleashed his wrath if I killed her it seems." Darkseid spoke with a grin.
"Is that the Godslayer? So this woman is truly related to him somehow. I should take her hostage..."
Then—CRACK!
Lightning split the air. Shazam flew in like a meteor, shoulder-tackling Darkseid and ripping Hal free. "Hands off the glowstick!" he shouted, fists already sparking with raw divine energy.
He pummeled Darkseid's torso with a flurry of lightning-infused punches, each strike like thunder cracking the sky.
Darkseid simply caught one fist mid-swing, twisted, and hurled Shazam through three blocks of cityscape, his trail burning like a comet.
"Okay, that's bad," Flash muttered, then blurred forward in a storm of speed. He circled Darkseid at lightning pace, striking with rapid-fire blows to knees, elbows, ribs—anything to topple the giant. Dust whipped into cyclones from the sheer velocity.
But Darkseid's eyes flickered. Omega Beams lanced out, splitting, curving, chasing Barry through the chaos.
"Aw come on! That's cheating!" Flash yelped, zigzagging through the collapsing city blocks, beams scorching at his heels.
Cyborg locked in, shoulder cannon charging with a high-pitched whine. "I got you, Flash! Move!"
Barry veered right, the beams following—only to be intercepted by Cyborg's blast. A torrent of white-hot energy struck Darkseid's chest full force, shoving him back across the ruined avenue. The new god barely raised an arm to block, the force sizzling against his skin but failing to pierce it.
"Not enough," Cyborg muttered, recalibrating.
Superman was back up, dirt and blood smeared across his face. He flew in tandem with Faora, who had torn free of rubble.
Together, they rammed Darkseid at full force, fists colliding with his chest in a double impact that echoed like thunderclaps. The shockwave shattered the street, sending Parademons tumbling like leaves.
Darkseid grunted—low, guttural, but still far from fatally wounded. With a single stomp, he released a shockwave of his own, a seismic wave that blasted Clark and Faora apart, tumbling them into the sides of skyscrapers like meteors.
He blasted them with couple more Omega beams. " I should take away these Kryptonians. They would make fine soldiers in my army."
From the rubble, Superman surged again, lips curled in a snarl. "You're not destroying my world!" His fists hammered Darkseid's jaw in a flurry, each strike cracking the sky with sound.
Faora was beside him, moving with deadly precision, slamming knees, elbow strikes with the precision of soldier.
Darkseid had enough. He roared, " Enough! "
His arms lit up with glowing red energy and emitting a dangerous feeling. He smashed both of them into the ground at the same time.
Crack!
The ground broke like glass. Superman coughed up blood as he felt his ribs shattered. Faora had her arm and spine nearly broken as she tried to shove Clark away. She passed out on top of her lover's body.
Clark was also hurt badly. "We need to recover, that previous fight consumed a lot." he thought.
He dragged his battered body along with Faora above the sky, trying to use the solar energy to recover.
Darkness scoffed. " My generals , take care of them. This is your chance for redemption."
Kalibak, Granny, Virman,Mantis, Kanto all rushed towards their location, eager to regain Darkseid's favor.
The others saw their strongest hitters getting knocked out and felt desperate. Batman communicated with them.
"Everyone, we need to work together and and hold Darkseid here, and wait for Superman and Superwoman to return after recovering."
Shazame winced as he was hit by a punch from Darkseid, " How! All of us got our asses handed to us."
Flash replied while moving, "It doesn't matter. If we don't hold him here, Earth will be gone."
Cyborg nodded. " I need just a little more time. I can send them back. You guys hold him off for a while. "
Batman gave the instructions. "Lantern, put on a light show to distract him. Flash, run around him and keep him from using those Omega beams. Shazame, blast him from above and retreat . Wonder woman and I will engage in close combat till Superman gets back."
Hal spoke with hesitation, " Uh... Batman, I am not putting you down or anything, but a single direct hit from him will kill you . You are just a regular guy."
Bruce turned and smirked. " I have a plan."
As if on cue, a small jet swoop in, and dropped a crate with a loud impact. Darkseid watched them with amusement. To him, they were nothing but insects to be crushed. He only acknowledged the strength of Superman.
The crate hissed open , and inside , a bulkier and metallic armor rested. It opened itself as Bruce walked forward and scanned his biometrics.
Hal raised an eyebrow. " The Armor looks cool, I'll give you that. But I don't think it can take that guys punch."
Flash pointed out. " It looks advanced, cutting edge tech. Feels expensive. What's it called?"
Bruce got into the armor with ease. The armor snapped back in position, lit up, and readjusted.
He just spoke in his usual calm tone. " This is something I developed after watching the destruction Kryptonians brought to Earth. I needed something that can stop powerful threats on par with Superman. I call it the 'Trinity Armor'"
Shazame gulped. " You saying you can beat Superman with it."
Bruce didn't respond , just smirked and walked ahead.
Hal paled. "Holy shit! I think he just might."
Diana jumped in front and spoke as she walked. " There's no time for delay. Onward! Let us defeat this tyrant who thinks he can take our home!"
Hal muttered as he followed her , "If I have the chance after this, I'd so try to charm her somehow!"
Flash chuckled from below as he ran, " you don't have a chance with her ."
Hal quipped back, " Don't underestimate my charms. The greek lady will be smitten."
Cyborg sighed. "Guys, you know she can hear you? She is a literal goddess."
Diana laughed from ahead. "I have been pursued by many suitors . I have set a single rule, get my father's approval first."
Hal lightened up, "See! I can convince her dad! Dad's love me!"
Diana added, " If you don't however, you'll be castrated."
Bruce shook his head but smiled under the mask. This team was dysfunctional, but he felt with time, it could become the protector Earth needs.
He touched the amulet on his neck and whispered, " Watch over me, master. I shall prove your trust wasn't misplaced."
Darkseid grinned as he saw them return. " Have you come to surrender or struggle more for nothing?"
Diana pointed her sword at him and charged. " We have come to take your head!"
Green Lantern shot another massive construct — a fighter jet screaming across the street before colliding with Darkseid. The explosion flared green, hurling debris into the sky. Hal grinned. "That's right, ugly. Welcome to the big leagues."
The smoke cleared. Darkseid stood untouched, unimpressed.
"You humans are weak. All except that one."
He raised his hand, swatting aside another construct as if shattering glass.
Before he could strike back, red lightning darted between his legs.
Flash circled him in a blur, a whirlwind rising around Darkseid's feet. Barry's voice echoed as he zipped around: "So… what's the plan, guys? Just hit him until he falls over? 'Cause I can't do that all day!"
He launched a flurry of punches, each faster than the last, rattling Darkseid's torso like a jackhammer. For a heartbeat, it seemed to work. Darkseid shifted slightly, his massive frame turning to follow the blur.
And then, with one motion too fast for the eye, he caught Flash mid-run by the throat.
Barry gagged. "Oh… crap."
Darkseid slammed him into the pavement, leaving a Flash-shaped crater.
Before the god could finish him, a thunderclap split the sky.
"SHAZAME!"
A bolt of divine lightning struck Darkseid square in the chest. He staggered, smoke curling off his armor. Shazame floated above him, electricity coursing across his body. "Okay, big guy. Let's see how you handle the power of the gods!"
He dove, fists crackling, hammering Darkseid with blow after blow — left hook, uppercut, lightning-charged right hand. The last hit sent the god stumbling back several steps.
Shazame smirked. "Yeah. That felt good."
Darkseid reached out, grabbed him by the face, and hurled him through two skyscrapers.
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon point-blank, the soundwave ripping across Darkseid's side and forcing him to shield his ear. "Systems locked — full output!" Victor shouted, firing again.
Darkseid snarled and turned, hurling a chunk of debris at him. Cyborg shifted his arm into a shield, the impact slamming him against a wall. Sparks showered from his shoulder joint.
"Systems… not optimal," he groaned.
Batman was already moving, throwing smoke pellets, grapnels, and explosives, circling Darkseid like a predator in the dark. He wasn't trying to fight directly — only distract, keep him guessing.
Darkseid's eyes flared. Omega Beams split again, hunting the Bat. Bruce dove, rolled, barely staying ahead of the beams that carved molten trenches into the ground. His cape caught fire at the edge.
The
"Targeting systems locked," Cyborg muttered. "Redirecting!"
For a split second, Victor hacked into Batman's Armor with his tech, firing weapons and shifting their trajectory . The crimson bolts and solar rays clashed, and slammed into Darkseid's own parademons swooping in from above. Dozens incinerated instantly.
Darkseid turned his head toward Cyborg, his expression darkening. "You… are born of the motherbox, yet you don't have it's conscious. Interesting."
Batman landed beside Victor, voice low but steady. "Buy us time. That's all we need."
Diana leapt back into the fray, shield raised. She blocked a backhand strike that would have shattered steel, her knees buckling under the impact. She twisted, using his momentum to slash his thigh, sparks flying from the cut.
Darkseid looked down at the shallow wound, then back at her. "All that for a drop of blood"
Diana smirked, spinning her sword. "And I'll take more before this ends."
She fought him blow for blow, sword ringing against his fists, shield blocking searing beams. The clash shook the earth like thunder, neither yielding. For a moment, the Amazon held the line alone.
Superman shot back into the fight, his fist smashing into Darkseid's jaw with enough force to make the god stagger. Faora followed, unleashing a flurry of precision strikes — elbows, knees, a soldier's relentless rhythm. Together they forced him back several feet, carving a trail of shattered asphalt.
Clark shouted between punches. "We don't care who you are — this planet is our home!"
Darkseid caught his fist mid-swing, eyes glowing. "Then you will die with it."
He blasted Clark point-blank with Omega Beams, hurling him into the stratosphere. Faora lunged, stabbing with a shard of rebar like a spear. The tip glanced off his armor — and Darkseid slammed her into the ground so hard the street caved in.
Shazam flew out of rubble, gritting his teeth. Flash zipped to his feet, brushing dust from his suit. Green Lantern hovered above, constructs glowing anew. Cyborg reset his systems, arm cannon charging. Batman stood, cape torn, eyes calculating.
They gathered around Wonder Woman, who planted her shield firmly in the cracked street.
Darkseid loomed over them, unscathed but slowed. His voice was steady, absolute. "You are strong… for mortals. But your strength is not enough to face me."
Superman stood tall, chest heaving. "Maybe not alone. But together…" He looked around at the others. "Together, we're more than enough."
Batman nodded. " If we fight together and co ordinate, we can beat him. I have prepared a couple strategies . But we must act as one."
The League exchanged glances. For the first time, understanding sparked between them.
Flash cracked a grin. "Okay, I'm in. Let's save the world."
Hal tightened his ring's glow. "About damn time we had a plan."
Shazame wiped blood from his lip. "Plan's simple. Hit him harder."
Batman's voice cut through. "We hit him smart. Together. No hesitation."
Diana raised her sword. "Then let us stand as one."
And as Darkseid advanced, the Justice League charged as one.
*****
We have fallen behind in rankings it seems. Rather weird considering the interesting stuff is starting. Welp, I guess people are busy rooting for translations💀 Can't match those upload rates.
What can a man do now? Hmmmm....
Oh my, would you look at that! My cat dropped my milk carton on the floor. I guess I should go buy some from another continent..... See you in 20 years!