Updated THE JUSTICE LEAGUE movie script

by The Guard

My take on a JUSTICE LEAGUE movie. I was going for a classic feel with a more modern, established version of the JLA. The story features the big seven and the invasion of Darkseid. The idea was to build this into series. Let me know what you think.

1. Chapter 1

CARR (V.O)
There are Gods among us. Beings with incredible power.

INT. MONITOR ROOM

A television screen, featuring SNAPPER CARR, talkshow host. We pull back to see more MONITORS and COMPUTER BANKS.

CARR (CONT▓D)
Who are they? What causes them to help mankind? Despite their presence here, we may never know for certain. We know only what they▓ve done for us in the past.

PAN around the room, circling a massive steel ROUNDTABLE, and several high-backed leather chairs.

A man is standing before the monitors, watching, obscuring the epic superhero footage onscreen.

CARR (CONT▓D)
America▓s Justice League has become a force unlike any the world has ever known. The league now boasts a roster that consists of the world▓s greatest heroes. Superman, the last survivor of the planet Krypton. Princess Diana of the island nation of Themyscira, descendant of an ancient Amazonian tribe. The Green Lantern, who claims to be the last of an interstellar police corps. The Manhunter, sole survivor of an extinct Martian race, and The Flash, who patrols the Midwest.

DR. RAY PALMER, mid-thirties, thin and dark-haired, presses an intercom button on the MONITOR CONSOLE.

PALMER Mr. O▓Brian, could you take over the monitors, please?

CARR If nothing else, it▓s a comfort to know that if there are alien realms, and other worlds beyond our own, that not all of them are hostile.

EXT. DEEP SPACE

A beautiful blue and white PLANET hangs in space, resplendent, breathtaking. This is NEW GENESIS.

SOARING around it, we find a dark, industrial world. Massive FIREPITS can be seen raging, even from space.

EXT. ALIEN WORLD -- NIGHT

A MOUNTAIN RANGE of strange obsidian rock. Beyond it, an ALIEN CIVILIZATION rises from smokefilled canyons, the outlines of crude, organic superstructures. This world could be Hell. For now, we will call it APOKOLIPS.

EXT. PALATIAL GROUNDS -- NIGHT

An imposing PALACE of black stone. Armored sentries guard the gated entrance with spearlike weapons: PARADEMONS.

INT. DARKSEID'S PALACE, THRONE ROOM

Members of a ROYAL COURT. Massive metal doors YAWN OPEN, and a tall being in shimmering hooded robes enters, trailed by Parademons. The being moves toward the DAIS. He wears a silver HELM that obscures much of his face, which appears to be humanoid underneath. This is ORION.

From the base of the dais, KALIBAK, a squat, grayskinned, shaggy-haired creature of strange proportions, regards the ambassador with veiled disgust. An Apokoliptan/New Genesian alien language will be invented for the film for all alien correspondence.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
The ambassador from New Genesis.

Orion gazes up at the stone THRONE, and the massive being seated there, shrouded in shadow. The chamber is tense.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
Lord Uxas. As the emissary of New Genesis, I bear tidings from The Highfather and the council of peace.

Orion pauses, waiting. The alien ruler is silent.

ORION (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
Your massing armadas have not gone unnoticed. Do not think to overstep your bounds, tyrant. You must understand; if you breach The Treaty, you will only destroy yourself in the process, and endanger your people.

The ruler shifts, taking notice of this last part.

ORION (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
Do not underestimate our convictions.

DARKSEID rises. Even in sparse light, he is an awesome sight. Nine feet tall, grayskinned, with rough features that might as well be chisled from stone. Dark amber eyes burn into Orion from beneath a pronounced brow.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
The Highfather should have learned long ago not to make idle threats. He knows full well what I am capable of.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
We have not forgotten your last aggressions against our world. But we are a peaceloving, and wish to remain so.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Do you? Or is that solely the wish of your surrogate father?

ORION (Alien subtitles)
It is the desire of New Genesis and her people. Shall I deliver a message to Highfather and the council?

Darkseid considers. Orion glares up at him, expectant.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
I have maintained the terms of The Treaty. I owe nothing more. You are no longer welcome here, Dog of War.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
I will not be spoken to in such a manner!

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Then crawl back to your father, and inform him that he meddles in affairs he can no longer hope to control.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
If that is your wish...

Orion turns on his heel and strides from the chamber. Darkseid watches him go. Kalibak notes his ruler▓s contemplative look as the great throne room doors swing closed with the resounding clang of metal on stone.

INT. DARKSEID'S PERSONAL CHAMBERS

Sparse, rock-hewn. Littered with various TROPHIES and ARTIFACTS from other worlds. Kalibak enters, hesitant.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
Father?

DARKSEID (O.S)
(Alien subtitles)
I have asked you not to address me in such a manner. Familiarity breeds weakness.

EXT. DARKSEID▓S PALACE BALCONY -- NIGHT

Kalibak moves out onto a wide, curving overhang. Darkseid stands, looking down over his industrial kingdom. SMOKE from massive FACTORIES. PRISON COMPLEXES and BARRACKS litter our view, along with a sprawling GHETTO.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
Can you believe The Highfather▓s nerve, sending that brat in his stead?

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Hold your tongue, whelp, or I shall cut it out.

Kalibak falls silent.

DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
It is unwise to underestimate the Gods. They are a proud race, and not entirely ignorant of our affairs. Nor of our current strategic weaknesses. We are yet vulnerable should they decide to invade.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
What do you intend to do?

Darkseid gazes up at the stars.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
There are yet dozens of worlds that will bear fruit. The occupation of the next will have to be hastened.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
Any departure we make will be seen as a violation of The Treaty. As a declaration of war against New Genesis itself.

Darkseid gazes out at distant firepits. Huge, manmade CRATERS in the earth, belching columns of FIRE and SMOKE.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
So be it. We've tarried too long as it is. My people are suffering needlessly, and we have grown weaker and complacent.

KALIBAK (Alien subtitles)
Your will be done, then.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Yes. It shall be.

Kalibak exits in supplication. Darkseid continues to peer out over his planet. As he contemplates the future, we move through his world, over manmade CANALS of molten metal. Ancient alien BARGES cruise through the air. Long lines of chained, emaciated SLAVES of various alien species are being driven through cramped ghetto streets.

EXT. APOKOLIPTAN SPACESCAPE

The bronze curve of the industrial planet. A gargantuan, ancient spacecraft breaks the surface of the atmosphere. An APOKOLIPTAN DESTROYER. With a burst of PHOTON DRIVE, the massive ship vanishes into the starswept cosmos.

Near the dissipating ION TRAIL, a figure in an armored ALIEN SPACESUIT hovers on an ancient COSMIC SLED.

Orion peers through the helm of his suit, thumbs a glowing control on the "handlebars" of the cosmic sled. A small box begins to GLOW, ALIEN HYEROGLYPHICS scrolling across its facing, which seems to be composed of LIQUID METAL. This is MOTHER BOX.

A PROJECTION appears before Orion. A shimmering, irridescent bearded man, clad in silver robes.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
You were correct, Highfather. His forces have entered deep space.

HIGHFATHER (Alien subtitles)
It was but a matter of time. It will be some time before we can marshall our own forces, and we cannot risk breaching The Treaty, regardless of his current action. However, the target world must be warned of his ambitions.

ORION (Alien subtitles)
If that is what you desire, Father.

HIGHFATHER (Alien subtitles)
I desire an end to this bloodshed. As Ambassador, you are uniquely suited to this task. The Source protect you, my son, and bring you safely home.

The Mother Box emits an escalating series of eerie PINGING NOISES. Before the cosmic sled, SPACE COLLAPSES ON ITSELF and then EXPLODES OUTWARD, revealing a SPIRALING ENERGY VORTEX. A WORMHOLE. Orion GUNS the propulsion system of the sled and ROCKETS into the vortex. We follow as long as we can, and then he is gone.

EXT. EARTH'S SPACESCAPE

We come out of a wormhole near Earth. It hangs before us in space, along with The Moon. Beautiful. Tranquil.

EXT. METROPOLIS -- DAY

The pinnacle of human achievement. Magnificent towers catch and reflect the brilliance of the sun. Ships dot the harbor, airplanes soar through the afternoon skies.

INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM

A hanging row of monitors displays footage from newsreels around the world. We're moving past cubicles now. Busied, harried REPORTERS work the phones and computers. In one cubicle, a nameplate reads LOIS LANE, WORLD BEAT. We keep moving past desks, until we stop at the back of a tall, dark-haired man in a simple suit. The man▓s phone rings.

CLARK (O.S)
Clark Kent.

CLARK KENT is almost ageless, handsome and intelligent, with a quiet, stoic wisdom well beyond his 30-odd years.

PALMER (Filtered)
It▓s Palmer. Pesadilla is set to erupt.

CLARK You're sure?

PALMER Positive. There's been a major increase in seismic activities over the last few hours. Crater avalanches, even a few small tremors. O'Brian picked up the newsfeed just minutes ago. NATO is evacuating the Maltesian coastline as we speak. They simply weren't prepared.

CLARK They never are. I'm on my way.

PALMER (Filtered)
I'll contact the others.

CLARK Thank you, Ray.

Clark hangs up his phone and rises, looking to the monitors above. Sure enough, on one of the monitors, the words: FIRST CORTO MALTESE ERUPTION IN A CENTURY are shown onscreen before Red Cross and NATO workers.

Clark begins moving through the bullpen, past coworkers, toward the exit. A group of REPORTERS approaches.

FIRST COWORKER Kent! What did you think of-

CLARK Not now. Excuse me, please.

Clark breaks into a jog as he exits. His coworkers watch him leave, confused and a little irritated.

INT. DAILY PLANET ROOF ACCESS STAIRWELL

The door opens and Clark jogs up the stairwell, removing his glasses. Another few steps, and he steps OFF the stairs. He's FLOATING up them. No...FLYING. Clark SOARS up the stairs, RIPPING open his shirt, revealing a familiar RED AND GOLD S-SHIELD on a field of bright blue.

EXT. DAILY PLANET ROOFTOP -- DAY

An iconic revolving gilded GLOBE. A blue and red BLUR BULLETS INTO THE SKIES, SUCKING CLOUDS INTO ITS WAKE. A tremendous SONIC BOOM echoes above Metropolis Harbor.

INT. STUDIO APARTMENT

A man▓s hand puts a small touch on an easel-mounted comic panel. KYLE RAYNER, mid-twenties, intelligent, handsome features, consults a bound comic book script.

KYLE Oh, this is witty dialogue...

PALMER (O.S)
(Filtered)
Rayner?

Unphased, Kyle keeps right on sketching the comic scene.

KYLE Talk to me.

The small GREEN SIGNET RING on his right hand is PULSING with EERIE GREEN LIGHT in time to the caller▓s words.

PALMER (Via the ring)
Pesadilla is about to blow.

Pencil down. The ring has Kyle▓s full attention now. He speaks into it as if it were a miniature microphone.

KYLE Come again?

PALMER (Via the ring)
Mount Pesadilla in the Corto Maltese.

KYLE Just give me a minute to change.

PALMER (Via the ring)
Can you contact West? He▓s not answering his communicator.

KYLE And we all know what that means...

Rising, Kyle looks down at his ring hand, concentrating. The ring begins to GLOW. And then, brilliant GREEN ENERGY WASHES OVER him. When the wave of power subsides, Kyle looks down at his hand. The ring CRACKLES with POWER.

EXT. KYLE'S APARTMENT COMPLEX -- DAY

Rows of apartment buildings. A brilliant green blur ROCKETS into the skies, BANKS and ACCELERATES out of the city, leaving a verdant POWER TRAIL behind it.

EXT. SUBURBS -- DAY

A middle-class Midwest suburb. The American Dream.

INT. WEST HOME

A YOUNG BOY bounces up and down on a man▓s knee, faster than usual, laughing wildly. WALLY WEST, mid-twenties, red-haired and trim, stops bouncing his son, winded.

WALLY All right...no more...Daddy's tired.

SON One more time! One more time!

LINDA PARK, dark-haired and slender, enters with a glass of something alchoholic. A wedding band on her finger.

LINDA Something to help you relax.

WALLY You're an angel, Linda.

Their hands touch, Wally wearing an identical band. He takes the drink, just as the phone beside him RINGS.

LINDA And...speak of the devil.

Still holding his son, Wally picks up the phone.

WALLY Hello?

KYLE (Filtered)
Suit up, Wally! I'm on my way over!

WALLY You're breaking up-you on a cell phone?

KYLE (Filtered)
No, it▓s the ring! Isn't that great?

WALLY Sure. You were saying-

KYLE (Filtered)
The Corto Maltese is gonna pop! I'm coming to pick you up right now!

WALLY How about I just meet you there?

KYLE What?

WALLY Race you.

Wally hangs up the phone and gazes at Linda and his son.

LINDA Wally?

WALLY I▓ll be back as soon as I can.

Wally hands Linda their son. Takes a long look at both.

LINDA Be careful.

Wally kisses her gently. Looks into her eyes and smiles.

WALLY Back in a flash.

And then he▓s gone. Linda turns on the television, FLIPS through channels. The volcano disaster is on several.

INT. APARMENT BUILDING

A COP watches an ambulance roll off outside the window.

COP How can people do something like that to each other?

Beside him, DETECTIVE JOHN JONES, hardboiled, clad in a trenchcoat, studies the room, thinking. His pocket BUZZES, and Jones removes a small cell phone.

JONES I need to get some air.

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY

Jones moves down the hall, looking around to make sure the coast is clear, and then steps RIGHT THROUGH A WALL.

INT. ADJACENT APARTMENT

In the dark, Jones grimaces as his skin begins to PULSE, STRETCH and DARKEN. We move down off his TRANSFORMATION, his coat beginning to FLOW. He▓s not human...so what is he?

EXT. CORTO MALTESE -- DAY

A beautiful ISLAND COASTLINE. Fishing ships line the coast. A small VILLAGE is perched inland, and behind, a STEAMING VOLCANIC CONE, SMOKE and ASH streaming from it.

INT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

VILLAGERS run from their homes, shouting and screaming. A LITTLE GIRL of three DARTS through the confusion, terrified. Villagers STAMPEDE around her. But despite her fear, the girl stops and stares in absolute awe...

...at a beautiful, statuesque, raven-haired woman, silhouetted in the brilliant afternoon sun, DESCENDING Earthward. This is PRINCESS DIANA, regal in crimson and gold. Diana kneels until she is eye level with the child, a source of quiet calm amidst the chaos around them.

DIANA (Maltesian subtitles)
Don't be afraid. It's going to be all right.

Diana looks to the smoking volcano. Then she gathers the girl in her arms and SOARS up and over the stampede.

EXT. OCEAN -- DAY

A red and gold BLUR streaks across the ocean, kicking up huge WAVES as it tears across the water's surface. The blur SKIDS to a stop on a hill overlooking the village amidst a cloud of dust, which clears to reveal THE FLASH, clad in formfitting, hooded crimson bodysuit with gold lightning bolt insignia. He peers up at the volcano.

EXT. SKYSCAPE -- DAY

Three figures SOAR through the skies. GREEN LANTERN, clad in a strange black suit with a luminous metallic green insignia and RADIATING AURA, J'ONN J'ONNZ, a darkly cloaked and armored semitransparent humanoid with dark green skin, pronounced brow and penetrating red embers for eyes, and SUPERMAN.

Superman pulls ahead of the others with a BURST OF SPEED and peers toward the island, his eyes GLAZING OVER with a strange film. He touches a small COMMLINK in his ear.

SUPERMAN The gas pressure▓s building, and the magma▓s rising. We don▓t have much time.

GREEN LANTERN We can handle this little campfire.

J'onn Jonn'z FLIES after them. The volcano ERUPTS, and J'onn STOPS in his tracks in midair, HOVERING there, staring in horror at clouds of glowing, falling MAGMA.
Superman and Green Lantern SOAR in tandemn toward the volcano's peak, which has begun to ERUPT in earnest, shooting tons of MOLTEN ROCK into the skies.

INT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

Diana hands the little girl to a NATO WORKER. Behind her, the volcano ERUPTS, and Diana turns and SOARS OFF.

EXT. CHURCH ROOFTOP -- DAY

J'onn DESCENDS, landing on the steeple. Perched, he peers down into the chaos on the village streets. Villagers are TRAMPLING each other in an effort to escape the impending lava flow. J'onn puts a hand to his brow, pained.

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
Diana...

INT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

Diana FLIES over a mass of stampeding villagers.

J▓ONN (Telepathic link)
They are going to harm each other.

Diana SLAMS to the street before the stampede, glaring at approaching villagers. Most of them stop in their tracks.

J▓ONN (CONT▓D)
(Telepathic link)
Flash, how is your search proceeding?

INT. MALTESIAN HOMES -- CONTINUOUS

The Flash STREAKS from home to home, searching for stragglers. He puts a hand to a golden earpiece and taps a stud at the base, activating his communicator.

THE FLASH Found a few stragglers and dropped them off. About a third of the village to go.

INT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE STREET -- DAY

Diana helps a YOUNG GIRL, who has fallen, to her feet.

DIANA J▓onn, can you calm this crowd?

EXT. CHURCH ROOFTOP -- DAY

J▓onn perches, concentrating, almost transfixed.

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
It is...difficult to maintain focus with so much emotional turmoil down there.

A CHAOS OF GARBLED THOUGHTS reaches him TELEPATHICALLY. The volcano ERUPTS again, and the VOICES in his head grow LOUDER. The sound blends to a loud WALL OF PSYCHIC NOISE. J▓onn grimaces, fighting to maintain his concentration.

J'ONN (CONT▓D)
(Telepathic link)
Lantern. Can you divert some of the lava?

GREEN LANTERN (O.S)
(Telepathic link)
You read my mind.

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
I assure you, it was unintentional.

GREEN LANTERN (Telepathic link)
It was a joke.

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
I see. And levity is appropriate now?

EXT. VOLCANO PEAK -- DAY

Hovering over the volcano, Green Lantern aims his ring. RADIANT GREEN LIGHT STREAMS FORTH, SLAMMING into the base of the mountain, throwing up chunks of DIRT and ROCK, COALESCING LIGHT from the ring forming into a massive BURROWING MECHANISM, which begins CARVING a huge TRENCH.

Superman SLAMS to the ground in front of the village side of the trench as lava CASCADES down, filling the trench rapidly. He scans the area, draws a deep breath, and BLOWS. Chilling SUPERBREATH envelops lava, SUPERCOOLING the molten rock, forming a crude RETAINING WALL at the base of the volcano. The volcano ERUPTS again. Superman looks up and sees more lava cascading down the slope. He rises into the air near Green Lantern and watches lava begin to inch toward the top of the retaining wall.

GREEN LANTERN Can't you just throw the whole thing into space or something?

SUPERMAN That's not nearly as easy as it sounds. And it happens to be surrounded by a few thousand tons of water.

Something occurs to him. SCREAMS ECHO from the village. Superman looks back toward the village, concerned.

GREEN LANTERN I'm sure the others can handle it. Look, I'll take care of the lava. You just knock this sucker out.

Superman looks at Lantern for a moment, then SOARS OFF.

EXT. VOLCANO PEAK -- DAY

Through rising SMOKE, Green Lantern points his ring at the volcano. GREEN LIGHT STREAMS FORTH in WAVES, COALESCING around the volcano's peak, TAKING SHAPE, sealing the crumbling cap beneath a massive green CORK.

THE FLASH (Commlink)
Oh, nice touch.

GREEN LANTERN It seemed appropriate.

INT. VILLAGE HUT -- DAY

The Flash VIBRATES through a wall and looks around.

THE FLASH All clear here. What else can I do?

Silence.

THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
There has to be something I can do...

INT. UNDERWATER, VOLCANIC BASE

Superman hover before an underground section of the volcano, holding his breath. As he peers at the wall before him, LAYERS of rock PEEL BACK, one after the other, and he can see PRESSURIZED MAGMA RUSHING UPWARD.

Superman▓s eyes BLAZE, and the water turns to furrows of STEAM as HEAT VISION strikes the rock before him. Several chunks BREAK OFF and PLUMMET into the dark waters below.

EXT. VOLCANO -- DAY

Green Lantern struggles to maintain the cork construct, which is taking a lot of concentration. Lava begins to leak around the edges of the volcanic dome and cork. Green Lantern begins to sweat with exertion. But he steadies his ring arm and keeps POURING ON POWER. The volcano CHURNS, gases expanding, lava RISING, BUBBLING, BOILING OVER. Lantern begins to strain to hold out.

GREEN LANTERN Oh, man...

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
Hold on, Kyle...

GREEN LANTERN I'm...trying...

The volcano SHUDDERS, as does the ground. An EARTHQUAKE. The capstone begins to CRUMBLE inward. Green Lantern struggles to maintain it. Power FLOWS from his ring, but both he and his construct are weakening under the strain.

INT. UNDERWATER, VOLCANIC BASE

Superman, realizing his Heat Vision assault is futile, thinks for a moment, then hauls back and PUNCHES the rock facing, sending several large chunks TUMBLING to the ocean floor. Superman HITS the rock again. The facing begins to CRACK. Superman SMASHES his fist into it again. Again. Again.

EXT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE STREET -- DAY

Diana reels as the ground SHAKES VIOLENTLY. Nearby buildings SHUDDER. General chaos ensues on the streets around her.

DIANA J'onn! Where's Superman?

J'ONN (Telepathic link)
He is...below.

DIANA Alone?

Diana LEAPS skyward, BANKS and DIVES into the ocean.

INT. UNDERWATER

Diana SLICES downward with powerful swimming strokes.

EXT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

The EARTHQUAKE continues. Panicking villagers RUN through the streets as buildings CRACK and SHUDDER around them. An old woman FALLS amidst the stampede. The building beside her begins to CRUMBLE as she looks on in terror.

The Flash STREAKS into view, GRABS the woman, LIFTS her into his arms, and RACES OFF as the building COLLAPSES.

INT. UNDERWATER, VOLCANIC BASE

Superman POUNDS at the volcano▓s base with both fists, giving his all. The rock is CRACKING, but its not enough. Desperate, Superman HAMMERS at the rock with both hands over his head. He stops for a moment, weak and in need of air, but unwilling to give up.

And then Diana is at his side. She regards Superman for a moment, then hauls back and SLAMS her own fist into the rock. The rock SHUDDERS and the CRACK enlarges.

Superman and Diana begin to SLUG the rock wall together.

EXT. CORTO MALTESE -- DAY

THE WHOLE ISLAND SHAKES. HOMES and BUILDINGS COLLAPSE.

EXT. EVACUATION CHECKPOINT -- DAY

The Flash, having deposited the older woman with rescue workers, watches Green Lantern battle the lava flow.

THE FLASH Come on, Kyle...

EXT. VOLCANO PEAK -- DAY

Green Lantern is running on fumes and getting worried. His construct begins to DISSIPATE, lava flowing over the cone and down the sides of the mountain. He looks to the village below, streets still full of villagers, stricken.

GREEN LANTERN Oh, no. No, damn it, no!

INT. UNDERWATER, VOLCANIC BASE

Superman and Wonder Woman deliver BLOW after powerful BLOW. And then, the rock facing SHIFTS. It begins to CRUMBLE, just as Superman goes limp. Diana throws an arm around him and KICKS for the surface as a TORRENT OF GAS AND MOLTEN ROCK EXPLODES into the ocean, turning the water near the volcano to BOILING, ROLLING STEAM.

EXT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

The Flash watches Lantern STRUGGLE to maintain control.

THE FLASH Just a few more seconds...

EXT. VOLCANO -- DAY

Green Lantern's will falters. The power flow from his ring FLICKERS, and the construct begins to WAVER.

GREEN LANTERN Can't...can't...

Spent, Green Lantern gives out. So does his ring. The construct DISSIPATES. LAVA begins to FLOW over the edge.

GREEN LANTERN (CONT▓D)
No...

Green Lantern goes limp even as he begins to PLUMMET. He FALLS, then stops abruptly, cradled by an invisible force. J'onn J'onnz SHIMMERS into view, and descends with the unconscious Rayner in his arms.

EXT. OCEAN -- DAY

Diana breaks the surface, Superman in tow. The two of them touch down on the coastline, breathing hard. Superman looks up at the volcano, which is still streaming smoke and ash into the skies.

SUPERMAN Do you...think it was enough?

Diana looks out at the STEAMING, FROTHING ocean.

DIANA I think so. Are you all right? You look exhausted.

SUPERMAN See to the village.

Diana scrutinizes him, concerned.

SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
I'm fine, Diana. Really. I just hope we did enough.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING -- DAY

J'onn lands with Kyle, lays him on the grass. He kneels over him, places a hand on Kyle's forehead, and begins to concentrate. Kyle WAKES with a start, seeing J'onn there, looking down at him. He tries to sit up, dazed.

KYLE J-J▓onn? What the hell happened?

J'ONN You fell.

KYLE Oh, God. The volcano-

J'ONN Has been dealt with.

Kyle watches as J▓onn rises.

J▓ONN (Telepathic link)
Is everyone all right?

EXT. MALTESIAN VILLAGE -- DAY

Rescue workers and soldiers corral confused villagers. The Flash watches them, exhausted and breathing hard.

THE FLASH Good here. Superman? Wonder Woman?

SUPERMAN (Telepathic link)
We▓re all right. It looks like the disaster is averted for now.

DIANA (Telepathic link)
The rescue crews can handle the rest.

The Flash looks at the rescue teams. They▓re overwhelmed.

EXT. ISLAND COASTLINE -- DAY

Superman and Diana peer up at the fizzling volcano.

SUPERMAN We▓ll meet back at the Watchtower for the debriefing. Good work, everyone.

EXT. VILLAGE -- DAY

The Flash is still attempting to recover his bearings.

KYLE (Commlink)
Guess Linda won▓t have to wait so long after all, huh?

Wally smiles at the thought, then looks at the masses, torn. He puts a hand to his earpiece, resolute.

THE FLASH You all go ahead. I▓ll catch up.

The Flash moves off toward besieged rescue workers.

THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
How can I help?

EXT. VILLAGE -- DAY

Superman and Diana RISE into the skies over the village. The natives and rescue workers watch in silent awe.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING -- DAY

J'onn and Green Lantern RISE into the air with Superman and Diana. Below, villagers watch with mixed emotions.

The Leaguers look down over them for a moment, then SOAR off across the ocean, disappearing over the horizon.

EXT. METROPOLIS -- DAY

Afternoon sunlight reflects off buildings, one in particular. THE WATCHTOWER: Three sided, mirrored. SATELLITE DISHES and receiving equipment adorns the rooftop. A beautiful, tree-lined COURTYARD below it.

INT. WATCHTOWER CONFERENCE ROOM

The Leaguers are seated, surrounding the roundtable. Ray Palmer stands before the roundtable addressing them.

PALMER According to the National Meteorological Service, the volcano▓s gone dormant. For the time being, island authorities have taken over rescue procedures. You can all be proud of yourselves. This could have been a lot worse.

DIANA We were almost too late.

THE FLASH Yeah, but considering the timing...

PALMER We▓ll do some thinking on our assembly process. Right now, I▓m afraid there▓s a more pressing issue we'll have to address.

Palmer turns the monitor on, keys up a NEWS RECORDING.

FEMALE REPORTER -thquakes have wrought havoc in this small South American community. Recklessly displaced lava has destroyed much of the island▓s fishing stock...

Palmer changes the channel with a remote control.

ANALYST wanton destruction cannot simply be ignored this time. And while we cannot condone what American metahumans do on foreign soil, we must-

Palmer mutes the newsfeed and looks at the League.

DIANA You would think they▓d be more grateful.

SUPERMAN Perhaps we were a bit impulsive.

DIANA You can't honestly believe that.

SUPERMAN It▓s entirely possible that our actions led to further destruction.

PALMER I▓ve offered our assistance in the rebuilding efforts. Still waiting to hear back from the Maltesian government.

GREEN LANTERN It'll blow over.

THE FLASH Let's hope so.

PALMER In the meantime, we're going to have to figure out how to respond to this situation as a team. Diana, your contacts in Washington could prove useful.

DIANA I▓ll see what I can do.

PALMER I▓ll draft up the usual press release. Until then, I think-Diana?

Diana is squirming in her seat.

DIANA When did these chairs become so uncomfortable?

MALE VOICE (O.S)
I'm comfortable enough.

Diana looks down, sees TWO HUMAN EYES peering up from between her legs. She stares in amazement, recognizing...

DIANA ...O'Brian?

Diana's seat, which is flesh colored, not black leather, begins to FLOW, RUNNING like liquid onto the floor, where it METAMORPHOSES into a NAKED MAN. Handsome, with thin features and dark-hair, in his late twenties. Meet EEL O'BRIAN. The rest of the Leaguers stare as Diana attempts to control her rising anger. O▓Brian slides on a pair of wraparound sunglasses and grins at the fuming Amazon.

O'BRIAN I'm sorry, Princess. I couldn't resist.

Diana restrains herself, glaring at him, but otherwise keeping her cool. The other leaguers give Eel disapproving looks.

O'BRIAN What? I thought she'd be flattered.

The Leaguers are solemn. O▓Brian gets the message.

O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
Right...back to the kids table.

O'Brian leaves the room, morose. Palmer and the others watch him go.

SUPERMAN We▓ll do our best to smooth things over with the public. For now, I think we've all earned some well-deserved rest.

PALMER I'll be in the lab if any of you need anything. I imagine this afternoon had to take something out of you.

The Flash looks at Green Lantern, who remains silent.

SUPERMAN Is there anything else that we need to discuss before we table this meeting?

Silence from the roundtable.

SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
All right, then. Meeting adjourned.

The leaguers rise as one. Superman watches them exit the room.

INT. WATCHTOWER CAFETERIA

Rows of tables. A row of futuristic VENDING MACHINES. A crimson-gloved hand slides a dollar bill into one of them and punches a series of buttons. Wally, still wearing his Flash suit with the hood pulled back, watches as the bag of chips he has selected moves forward, and then SNAGS.

WALLY Dang it...

Wally SLAMS the machine with both hands. Nothing happens. Kyle steps to his side, raises his ring hand, grinning.

KYLE Need some help?

WALLY Not neccessary.

Wally reaches out with his arm, which begins VIBRATING, its molecules becoming almost INTANGIBLE. Pushing his vibrating arm THROUGH the glass, he collects his snack.

WALLY (CONT▓D)
Just need some fuel. You holding up ok?

KYLE I think so. I dunno what happened out there. The ring just kind of gave out.

Wally is stuffing his face with chips.

WALLY Did you recharge it?

KYLE Less than twelve hours ago. I still have over half a day. I can't figure it out.

WALLY Maybe it's not the ring, then. Could be nerves or something.

KYLE I don't think so. I wasn't in any real danger out there.

O'BRIAN (O.S)
Hey, guys?

Wally and Kyle turn toward the entrance. O'Brian has entered, now wearing a tank top and jeans.

O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
You think if I looked more like this...

O'Brian raises his arms in a weightlifter▓s pose, and his torso and arms begin INFLATING, MUSCULATURE EMERGING, until he bears an impossibly muscular superheroic frame.

O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
...they'd let me do something other than watch the monitors?

KYLE You don't consider helping to save lives worthwhile?

O'BRIAN I guess, but I joined for some action. And the Amazon isn't putting out, so-

WALLY Eel, if you keep that stuff up, Diana is going to rip you in half.

O'BRIAN Good thing I don't tear easily, then.

Ignoring their stares, O'Brian ELONGATES HIS ARM and worms it up into the machine. He squeezes the candy.

WALLY You know, some people would consider that stealing.

O'BRIAN You're kidding, right? Sorry, I forgot my coin purse.

KYLE I guess it▓s true. Old habits die hard.

O'Brian withdraws his hand. He looks at them, hard.

O'BRIAN What the hell is wrong with you people?

O'Brian heads for the exit. Kyle and Wally watch him go.

WALLY I should be getting back to Linda.

KYLE Say Hi to her and Kid Flash for me.

WALLY Sure. And you take care of yourself. Get some rest. Don▓t go home and dwell.

And then, Wally is gone in a BURST OF SPEED. Kyle looks down at his ring, troubled.

EXT. WATCHTOWER LEDGE -- EVENING

The sounds of Metropolis. Superman stands, looking up at the sky as the sun sets, stars beginning to come out.

DIANA (O.S)
You should take your own advice more often.

Diana stands on the ledge beside him, arms folded.

DIANA (CONT▓D)
You need rest as much as the rest of us. When was the last time you slept?

SUPERMAN I don▓t need much. Not anymore.

DIANA You▓re doing it again, Clark. Driving yourself harder. You may be from another planet, but you▓re still all too human. Wasn▓t the whole point of forming the League so we could share our burdens with each other?

SUPERMAN There▓s so much out there. If I can do more to help people, then I should.

DIANA You take on so much responsibility, without ever stopping to wonder whether you can, or even if you should.

SUPERMAN That▓s because I know what I can do.

DIANA What about what you can▓t? Ever since Lois left, you've been almost obsessive about your work.

SUPERMAN I prefer to call it focused. There are a lot of people that need help.

DIANA But you can't help them all alone. Do yourself a favor and recognize that. Let yourself be human, if only for a little while. Why don't you take the night off?

SUPERMAN You know I can▓t do that.

DIANA I know you won▓t. I also know that if you insist on making all of the world's problems your own, you will quickly find yourself outnumbered. There are others here with amazing abilities, who are more than capable of-what is it?

Superman has heard something Diana hasn▓t.

SUPERMAN You don▓t hear that?

DIANA No...

SUPERMAN Radio signal. Flooding in the Midwest.

DIANA Sounds like a job for Superman...

Superman steps into the air, FLOATS there for a moment, thinking. He turns back toward Diana, studies her face.

SUPERMAN Goodnight, Diana...and thank you.

And then Superman is raising his arms, SOARING into the evening skies. Diana watches him go, frustrated.

DIANA You're welcome...

INT. WATCHTOWER CORRIDOR

Eel O▓Brian moves down the corridor, drawn and distant. SHOUTS echo in the corridors of his mind. GUNFIRE.

INT. CHEMICAL PLANT, FLASHBACK

O▓Brian, clad in leather jacket and sunglasses, RUNS for his life, GUNFIRE landing around him. Behind him, several COPS give chase. O▓Brian finds a vantage point near some large CHEMICAL VATS, turns and RETURNS fire.

The cops▓ bullets PUNCH HOLES in the VAT behind O▓Brian. So lost is he in the firefight that he doesn▓t even notice until the tank behind him EXPLODES and a thick, viscous, BLOOD-RED LIQUID is WASHING OVER HIM.

INT. WATCHTOWER CORRIDOR

O▓Brian comes back to the present, shaking off memories. He looks at his reflection in the glass of the window.

INT. WATCHTOWER LIBRARY

J▓onn stands before the shelves, holding a match. He strikes it, watches it BURN, controlling his emotions, watching his humanoid hand MORPH into an ALIEN FORM.

KYLE J▓onn?

Kyle stands in the door behind him.

KYLE (CONT▓D)
I don▓t mean to intrude. I just wanted to thank you for earlier.

J▓onn strikes another match and watches it, silent.

KYLE (CONT▓D)
The fire thing again?

J▓ONN Yes. It continues to blunt my abilities. To render me effectively useless.

KYLE Nothing to be ashamed of. We▓re all afraid of something. Wanna talk about it?

J▓ONN I would prefer to be alone at the moment.

KYLE Oh. Uh...sure. Take care then, I guess.

Kyle exits. J▓onn strikes a third match. The flame is reflected in his red eyes as his hand MORPHS again.

INT. WATCHTOWER LABORATORY

Scientific equipment. A large MACHINE sits in one corner, a strange contraption with multiple rings and electrodes. In another corner, Palmer is perched at his workbench, SOLDERING a circuit panel into a blue HELMET.

The door slides open and O▓Brian enters.

O'BRIAN Hi, Doc.

PALMER Mr. O'Brian. What can I do for you?

O'BRIAN Just here for my metagene tests.

O▓Brian picks up a SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. The cover features a picture of Palmer, reads: RAY PALMER, MAN OF THE ATOM.

PALMER Of course. Just give me a moment.

INT. LABORATORY

A montage. Palmer draws blood from O▓Brian▓s arm; O▓Brian slides into an MRI machine; stands behind an X-RAY SCREEN. Then O▓Brian has electrodes attached to his head, and Palmer monitors his EKG output on a computer screen.

INT. WATCHTOWER SICK BAY

The image of O▓Brian▓s CHANGING CELLULAR STRUCTURE is on a monitor behind them as Palmer reads from a clipboard.

PALMER (CONT▓D)
Your equilibrium appears normal enough. You don't seem to be suffering any adverse effects from the chemical polymerization of your cell physiology.

O'BRIAN I still don't feel so hot.

PALMER Would you care to elaborate?

O'Brian removes his sunglasses and looks right at Palmer.

O'BRIAN None of them want me here. Can't say that I blame ▒em, I mean, what the heck am I still doing here?

PALMER You're trying to do what's right, Eel. Changing yourself takes time. It's not an easy thing to do.

O'BRIAN Don't get me wrong, this is a lot better than doin▓ time, but this behind the scenes stuff, what's that good for?

Palmer looks at him. O'Brian realizes his mistake.

O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
I▓m sorry...I didn't mean...

PALMER It▓s all right. I understand. Sometimes the fruit of our efforts isn't always readily visible. Although, sometimes it's what people don't see that matters most.

O▓BRIAN How do ya figure?

PALMER If you hadn't been on the monitors this afternoon, the others might not have been alerted in time. Someone on that island could have died. Maybe a lot of people.

O'BRIAN Yeah. I hadn't really thought about that.

PALMER Most people don▓t. Sometimes it's easy to forget that you can make a difference in the background. It's not as glamorous, but it▓s often no less important.

O'Brian takes this in. Spots Palmer's workbench project.

O'BRIAN What▓s that you▓re workin▓ on?

PALMER That▓s a pressurization helmet.

O'BRIAN You mean like, for a dive suit?

PALMER Sort of. But on a more...molecular level.

O'BRIAN So what do ya think I should do?

O'Brian looks at the helmet, at the silver ATOMIC SYMBOL.

PALMER Don▓t overlook the small things. There's a big difference between having power, and knowing what to use it for, and when.

EXT. WHITE HOUSE -- NIGHT

PROTESTORS have lined Pennsylvania Avenue, touting signs about The Justice League. COPS are keeping the peace.

THE PRESIDENT (V.O)
The Justice League is not in any way affiliated with the United States of America. The League is a private organization. As such, we cannot condone or condemn their actions, other than to express our condolences to the people of the Corto Maltese for the tragedy they have recently suffered.

INT. WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM

NEWS CORRESPONDENTS fire questions at THE PRESIDENT. The voices blend into a wall of MEDIA NOISE.

FEMALE REPORTER (V.O)
-brand of global justice in the wake of their recent action overseas. Superman, the League▓s chairman and spokesperson, was unavailable for comment.

EXT. MIDWEST TOWN -- NIGHT

RAGING FLOODWATERS. Superman FLIES through the DOWNPOUR.

CARR (V.O)
Ever since their initial appearance, these self-appointed heroes have taken license to do what they feel should be done, often without consulting any government organization, or even the people they claim to protect.

EXT. MIDWEST TOWN -- NIGHT

Superman CARRIES a family in a van to safety.

CARR (V.O.) (CONT▓D)
You have to ask yourself, just who do they think they are? What do they think they▓re doing?

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO

Snapper Carr, playing to a packed STUDIO AUDIENCE.

CARR (CONT▓D)
Cultural genocide continues overseas. White collar crime is rampant. And what has the league done to dissuade racial and gender inequality? These people pick and choose what to handle, and it's often what makes them look the best. They seem to think they're Gods. And it appears they want us to think the same.

EXT. MIDWEST TOWN -- NIGHT

Superman STREAKS upward into dangerous-looking STORMCLOUDS, FLYING in a circle, FASTER and FASTER, creating an INVERTED TORNADO that DISSIPATES them.

INT. TALKSHOW STUDIO Carr gazes out over a packed studio audience.

CARR (CONT▓D)
We all remember the recent conflict with the submarine nation of Atlantis. Forgetting the lessons we learned then about trusting those with great power would be a massive error. That these... beings do some good can't be denied, but at what cost to our personal freedom and our safety? They have so much power, and so little restraint. Do we really want them interfering in world affairs?

CHEERS from the audience. The image EXPLODES into PIECES.

INT. WATCHTOWER MONITOR ROOM

Diana stands before a ruined monitor screen, enraged. The others monitors continue to show various news reports.

O▓BRIAN Well, that was a mature response.

The Leaguers are seated around the roundtable.

SECOND MONITOR (V.O)
Despite public outcry, The United Nations has reportedly called a special summit, and extended an open invitation to the Justice League leadership to...

Palmer shuts off the monitors with a remote control.

DIANA What gives them the right to spout this kind of propaganda?

FLASH In America, we call it freedom of speech.

SUPERMAN They make good points. We may need to re-evaluate our methods.

DIANA I will not be held hostage to ignorance.

SUPERMAN Diana, we have to maintain a certain level of public trust to do our jobs.

DIANA I will never ask for the right to save lives. Nor should any of you.

SUPERMAN Still, we should try to respect their wishes as much as possible.

DIANA Those people are becoming like drones. They act without thought or reason!

SUPERMAN All the more reason to educate them. To work with them instead of imposing our will on them.

DIANA I will not be reigned in by a fickle, self-righteous government!

THE FLASH Look, I don▓t agree with all this, but Superman▓s right. If we▓re not careful, then we do risk losing people's trust.

DIANA I don▓t need their trust to operate. I need trust only in myself. The question is, when did we stop trusting ourselves? And each other?
Diana exits. The other leaguers look at Superman.

GREEN LANTERN She▓s right. At some point we have to make difficult decisions. And we need to stand behind them. We can▓t be constantly questioning our choices. It undermines our credibility.

Superman is silent. The rest of the League studies him.

INT. WALLY▓S SON▓S BEDROOM

Wally▓s son is asleep. Wally looks down on him. His son stirs, opens his eyes and looks up at his father.

SON Daddy?

WALLY Hey, sport.

SON Where were you?

WALLY Some people were in trouble. Daddy had to help them.

SON Why?

WALLY Because...you should always do what you can to help people who need it.

SON I missed you...

WALLY I missed you too. You sleep tight, ok?

EXT. WEST BACKYARD -- NIGHT

Linda is looking up at the Moon. Wally joins her.

LINDA You look tired.

WALLY Try exhausted.

LINDA You can▓t keep doing this to yourself. We miss you, Wally. I miss my husband.

WALLY I know. And I know I▓ve been spending a lot of time with the league. It▓s just that...sometimes, Linda, it▓s all that makes me feel special. Like I matter.

LINDA Wally...you▓re a great husband, a wonderful father, and you▓re a good man. You▓re already very, very special.

The two of them embrace.

LINDA (CONT▓D)
Just relax for a while. It▓s not like the world▓s at stake.

Wally and Linda gaze up at the Moon, lost in the moment.

EXT. MOONSCAPE

There's no sound as a MASSIVE SHADOW blocks out the light from the Sun. An APOKOLIPTAN SUPERCARRIER descends.

INT. SUPERCARRIER BRIDGE

Darkseid looks out the portal at Earth with Kalibak.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Breathtaking, isn▓t it? Abundant with resources that most worlds cannot even begin to dream of, much less posess.

EXT. MOON

Clearing shadows reveal: a sprawling, MULTI-LEVEL COMPLEX, built right into The Moon▓s terrain. The ship continues to descend, DOCKING with the supercomplex.

INT. MOON COMPLEX

Darkseid and Kalibak stride through a long corridor, armored Parademons flanking them. Parademons and Officers in the corridor show reverence for Darkseid as he passes.

INT. MOON COMPLEX MONITOR WOMB

Massive computer banks and Monitors line the walls. Darkseid enters, the door IRISING CLOSED behind him.

A strange red HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE appears. A thin, sickly-looking man. This is DESAAD, Darkseid▓s Grand Inquisitor.

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
A thousand blessings, my Lord.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Have you completed your objectives, Inquisitor?

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
I have indeed. All is in readiness.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
I trust I shall not be disappointed.

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
No, my Lord. I have striven for perfection in every facet of your design.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
We are at a delicate point in our strategem, Desaad. I will have no tolerance for error.

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
I assure you, preparations have been made adhering to your exact specifications. Their forces are spread thin, and even Earth▓s Gods no longer have the full confidence of their people. However, they may yet pose a threat if provoked.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Cease your prattle. Their powers have limitations. They may be vanquished, like any other. You▓ve done well, Inquisitor.

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
I wish only to serve, Lord.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
And so you shall. When Earth has fallen, you shall oversee the conversion process. The humans have squandered their resources. So much the better for us. You will carry out my vision, and be the architect of my grand design.

DESAAD (Alien subtitles)
You are most benevolent, Lord. I am undeserving of such an honor.

DARKSEID (Alien subtitles)
Save your sentimentalities. The time for our reunion is drawing near. Our initial strike will almost certainly cripple them. They will then have no recourse but to surrender, or risk losing all.

Darkseid ends the transmission, and the hologram DISSIPATES. Darkseid studies the monitor feeds on the wall behind him. A newsfeed is covering something happening at the United Nations Building in New York.

EXT. UNITED NATIONS BUILDING -- DAY

The United Nations building stands proud. Press surrounds it, along with a crowd of PROTESTORS assembled outside.

INT. UNITED NATIONS BUILDING, MAIN ASSEMBLY HALL

Superman and Diana face several U.N. REPRESENTATIVES. Around them, United Nations DELEGATES in attendance.

UNITED NATIONS LEADER You▓ve heard our concerns. Do you have anything to say in your league▓s defense?

SUPERMAN I regret that events on Corto Maltese reached a point where I felt the action we took became neccessary. We never intended to escalate the situation.

UNITED NATIONS LEADER Regardless of your intentions, your actions caused a natural disaster.

DIANA Superman did what had to be done to save lives, and you dare to condemn him?

UN LEADER Princess Diana, your conduct is inappropriate. This assembly-

DIANA This assembly is absurd.

SUPERMAN Diana...

UN LEADER I think it best we not pursue this avenue any longer. We▓ll form our own opinions about the incident, and come to our own conclusions about what's to be done.

Diana glares out at the representatives.

EXT. ROOFTOP -- DAY

Superman and Diana stand on a rooftop, looking out at the United Nations building, and the protestors below.

SUPERMAN What was the point of that? They have every right to be upset. A difficult solution was forced on them, and sometimes, Diana, people prefer to solve their own problems.

DIANA I don't think most of them know where to begin. Perhaps we should simply make them understand.

SUPERMAN You can▓t mean that. We don't have their full confidence as it is. The last thing we need is for them to fear us, too.

DIANA The only one afraid here is you.

Superman stares at her, stunned into silence. Diana starts for the edge of the roof.

SUPERMAN Where are you going?

DIANA To find someone who will do what needs to be done now. Maybe you should, too.

Superman watches her SOAR into the afternoon skies.