Love in a time of war-

(Disclaimer- I own none of these characters)

In the infinite, dark, vacuum of the universe, a horror known to a select few (mostly known only to those that have precious few moments to live) is aimed on a one-way trajectory to its prized end. The skull shape of the craft is the prefect prelude to the death left in its wake; something that has become the signature of the occupant of this vessel. Inside, panels begin to light up and screens show readouts of positions of planets and stars in the path of the ship. In its deepest, darkest, compartment 2 eyes glow with an ominous quality seen only in funeral pyres. The sudden frenzy of activity signals the arrival of the ship from hyperspace. The power from the extensive engine systems are now being rerouted to the more refined systems that were inactive for the prolonged travel, now ready to assist in the insidious task at hand. The ship's captain moves his mechanized form in slow movements out of his rejuvenating shell, still frozen from light years of inactivity. He turns his gaze up at the main viewing screen, the hellish glare taking in information at a speed of attoseconds and deriving schemes from the factors before him. Extending his tentacle-like appendages into the input jacks on the console, the diodes in his cranium begin pulsing in opposing intervals to his sinisterly illuminated eyes as the screen goes dark at the reception of the final instructions of the pilot. The course now set, the power is again relayed to prepare still more terrible aspects of the ship in its coming task of conquest. Retracting his phalanges from the computer, Brainiac starts moving back into the bowels of the ship with only the utterance of a single phrase, "Kal-El"


Hovering over a tranquil bay near Anchorage, Alaska, The Martian Manhunter is set in a meditative state with the light of the Aurora Borealis enveloping him. His mind is like a net, spread out and catching small moments of contact with all the creatures passing under its influence. This place, this moment is very special to J'onn. Many times has he escaped to this natural sanctuary in an attempt to psychically commune better with his adopted world and the glorious menagerie of life on it. But here and now, he was progressing in that act further than ever before. So much of this world seemed open to him, as he stretched himself out further. His mind was now as a buoy awash in the seas of the cosmos, as this arena gave him a previously unknown clarity of connection to all things around him. The ripples from his concentrated psychic trance were now out, past the atmosphere, into space. This feat was something J'onn had longed to attempt, but was cautious to execute. The strain on his mind, strong as it was, could easily have untold side effects if he did not pace his actions correctly. But now, extrapolated as his mind was, he knew a peace that was only something one could attain when harmonizing in synchronicity with the great cosmic overture.

Suddenly, cold gripped J'onn. The scenes of great star clusters and amazing celestial alignments in his mind began moving unnaturally, falling into one and other. It was as if reality itself was contorting itself around him in some awful new configuration. Trying to regain some semblance of sense, J'onn took account of his new, warped surroundings. He focused in on the brightest part before him; something familiar was taking shape... Something was making his frozen sensation all the more powerful. It was like the lights were taking personified form. It was blinding to J'onn, but he tried to zone in with all his remaining mental facilities. The strain was now becoming unbearable; the Martian was gritting his teeth through what felt like a neurosurgical procedure being performed on his conscious mind. He could feel his mind's eye closing and his physical sight waning, as he finally caught a defined enough image to see the form that was now before him. With an exhausted gasp, J'onn puts a name to this fearful discovery now in his presence: "B-Brainiac..."

The tranquility of this place was now a memory, as J'onn had fully blacked out at the final recognition of his telepathic interloper. Like a warning shot before a battle charge, his body was now in free fall to the forestry below. The first act of malice in the coming conflict was at the cost of the ecosystem of this oasis of the north. The impact, violent as an act of war, left the earth scarred. Nothing remained in the crater but the dust covered form of the incapacitated Martian, holding the secret that was about to bring the world to its knees.


It's a brisk and lively afternoon in Metropolis. Clark is surveying the glory of the city in all its grandeur, his amplified vision making several sweeps of everything within the city from the skeletal and structural level up.

"Nothing's changed in the last five seconds, has it Smallville?" Lois's voice interrupted Clark's scan of the city in her typical cut and dry manner.

"Well I'm sorry, Lois. I can't remember the last time we had a day like this where everything was quiet and stayed quiet. I keep searching for something wrong somewhere, but everything seems...fine. It's nice, rare, but nice."

"You know what would really make today nice?" Lois said in a glibly pleasant tone.

"What's that Mrs. Kent?" the eagerness in him too genuine to hide but only manifest in a subtle smile.

"It would be really nice if my husband could focus on using this rarely perfect opportunity to spend some time with his wife…Also Lunch. Are you game or what, Smallville?" she said through a smirk

"You don't have to ask me twice" Clark responded, smiling again.

And with that he lifted her up, keeping her close to him, the way one guards that which means most in the world to them. And with this, he took flight into the heart of the city.


At the sound of a thunderclap, a scarlet figure seemingly materializes out of nothing in an empty city park. Before him is a young woman, casually attired and happy in demeanor. Standing alone under a gazebo and beside a small mountain of pizza boxes, the sound sends her eagerly out to meet the Speedster as he arrives.

Beaming from ear to ear, she says "How is it you're the fastest man alive yet you're never on time to anything?"

With a grin and a shrug, he replies "...Because I appreciate irony...?"

Turning a happy glare to The Flash, Iris responds "Not nearly as much I appreciate solitude" as she leans in for a kiss. The two meet in a sweet exchange.

The flash opens one eye, and breaks the intimacy as he inquires "Is that...?" as he inhales deeply after catching a whiff of the meal Iris was intent on surprising him with of the "I mean, did you..?"

"Yes, I got you your favorite: pepperoni, black olive, and jalapeno. Direct from Coast City Pizza" She grins at him, victoriously.

He looked at her, semi-astonished "But how did you...?" She reaches out and puts a finger to his lips, as she guided him down into a seat next to her. She leans in and rests her head against his, exhaling contentedly. Barry looks over at Iris, cracking a smile and returning his head to hers.


Laughter is permeating the sky. Two figures are zooming past each other and interweaving their courses.

"Try and keep up" she giggles mid-air.

"Keep up? This is my planet, how do you even know where we are going?" The oft-serious but presently cheerful Marine exclaimed

"J'onn told me about it. Says it's a great place to get away from everything. To really connect with what's important..." She turns her head and gives a knowing look to John as she speeds up in flight

Smiling at this double talk, John follows closely behind, until they both stop dead in the air at the site of smoke emanating from the trees below. Looking over at her, John remarks "Is that part of the local charm?"

Looking dryly back at him she replies "Not that I'm aware of, smart guy. Come on, this doesn't look good" as she again speeds ahead of the Green Lantern.

They both touch down on the edge of the crater, still smoking and chard. John summons a fan from his power ring sending the smoke and dust out into the bay and making clear the view. They edge in closer to analyze the situation, making a terrible revelation.

A look of horror washes over them both as they come to the same realization simultaneously.

Rushing forward, Shayera bursts out "J'onn!" as the Green Lantern is hot on her trail, following her into the hole to retrieve their team mate.