Disclaimer: Characters property of Disney and DC Universe. Non-profit, strictly recreational.

Chapter Two

Cody Martin couldn't recall the last time he slept so well. The whole night, his vision was graced by images of London Tipton and her passionate fire. When he awoke, he was certain it had to be a dream. He felt solemn at first, but when he felt that ethereal warmth clinging to his side, he looked to see his dreamed goddess was in fact reality.

After the fact, he noticed a certain discomfort in his groin area, a result of all the blood rushing to that particular spot.

"Mmm, someone's happy to see me," London chippered with her eyes closed.

The scholar nudged his precious heiress. "Not funny, wake up."

"I am awake, Little Cody," London assured him, opening her eyes and regarding the man before her.

"Little Cody? Really?"

The rich lady giggled. "Big Cody didn't complain about his pet name..."

"Big Cody?"

The spoiled princess gave a condescending facial expression. "Your penis, duh!"

"Wait, how is it that I'm Little Cody, and my genitalia is referred to as Big Cody?"

"Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

Cody thought, I best not question her logic. He then lied, "Nope, it makes perfect sense now."

"Ah, yay you," the lady hotel errant exclaimed.

"So what now?" Cody inquired.

"I'm hungry!"

After they finished getting dressed so they could go dine out, Cody received a phone call.

"Hey Zack..."

On the other end of the phone, the first born twin sounded serious. "Dude, turn on the news. It's been a shit storm for the past few hours."

Zack flipped on to CNN, which was replaying a video sent to them.

"Greetings again, people of Earth. I am Darkseid, ruler of Apocalypse. I have returned once again to enslave your world. You have until tomorrow, 9 AM Eastern Time, to decide whether to submit to my rule or forever be vaporized from the cosmos. I am now in possession of the Anti-Life Equation, thus the Justice League will not be able to save you this time. May God have mercy on your souls," Darkseid mocked, "Oh wait, I am God!"

London and Cody said in unison, "Oh shit."

!#$%

In the Justice League's orbital station, a plan to foil Darkseid's plans was being formulated. While Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Flash were confident of victory, Kal-El knew that Darkseid wouldn't be their sole contender. He knew Lex Luthor probably was able to use the Anti-Life Equation to restore his fusion with Braniac, and likely saw fit to side with the New God Dreadlord. However, despite the threat that a upgraded Luther posed, Darkseid was still the most powerful, and by far the most evil, being in the entire universe. However, now with a competent apprentice and a weapon that can bend reality to his will, the one and only Superman knew the odds were stacked heavily against them.

Kal-El stood up at the conference table. "That won't work. Luther is likely with him, and probably used the Anti-Life Equation to restore the power he had when merged with Braniac."

Bruce Wayne argued, "I can't see that happening. The chance of mutiny would be high..."

However, Supes had a better understanding of the situation. "Maybe, but even with Braniac's power, he is no match for Darkseid."

The others could not speak from experience. Kal-El is the only one amongst them capable of holding his own against either the genocidal A.I. or the New God formerly known as Uxas, however only the latter actually exceeded him. They have had countless battles and while some were won in Superman's favor, it was Darkseid that usually did the owning, and did so with relative ease.

Supes knew that even without the Anti-Life Equation, he was lucky that Darkseid didn't kill him in their previous encounters. However, now that he does have the ultimate weapon, there was no hope.

"I am quitting the Justice League," Kal-El told his peers, much to their shock, "Try as we might, this time there will be no victory for us."

With the exception of Batman, their jaws dropped as Supes calmly made his way out of the meeting room.

Bruce Wayne's classic wit cut in, "I think he's lost his mojo, what about you guys?"

The others glared maliciously at him for his carefree nature.

!#$%

9:00 AM Eastern Time had at last come, and just as before, the world governments decided they would fight against the otherworldly invaders. The flagship of Apocalypse hovered no more than five miles above Washington DC.

In the ship hanger, the evil overlords stood in front of a massive army of little men, likely in the tens of millions, with emerald and gold plated armor with odd goggles of the same color.

"Looks the Earth has decided to fight," Luthor stated with sarcasm, "who would have figured?"

Darkseid grinned malevolently. "Very well, I was hoping for nothing less." He then addressed his foot soldiers, "Go forth my Parademons, kill as many of the homo sapient filth as you see fit!"

The wiry Parademons hissed in glee as they anticipated the glorious battle ahead.

(End chapter two)