Superman waits on the roof as the Sun begins to sink.
The elevator doors open, and The Flash emerges onto the roof. Behind him is Green Lantern, green aura GLOWING. Diana emerges, clad in gold and silver gilded AMAZONIAN BATTLE ARMOR, complete with SWORD, SHIELD and HELMET. Superman stares at his teammate with mixed emotions.
J▓onn J▓onnz PHASES IN, but remains silent. Superman looks at his teammates. All look up into the skies.
SUPERMAN It won▓t be long now.
EXT. MOONSCAPE
DARKSEID▓S ARMADA moves outward from the moon complex. HUNDREDS OF WARSHIPS and a masssive SUPERCARRIER. Wave after wave of ancient warships drifting toward The Earth.
INT. WATCHTOWER MONITOR ROOM
Palmer is seated, watching a series of RADAR SCREENS. Tracking blips begin to appear onscreen: The warships.
PALMER We have incoming vessels.
O▓Brian watches as blips begin to overtake the screen.
O▓BRIAN We should get out of here.
Palmer is silent.
EXT. METROPOLIS -- NIGHT
Darkseid's ARMADA appears in the skies over Metropolis.
EXT. METROPOLIS APARTMENTS/BUILDINGS -- CONTINUOUS
Citizens watch in horror as the massive armada DESCENDS.
EXT. METROPOLIS -- NIGHT
Dozens of BLACKHAWK JETS soar toward descending warships.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
The leaguers watch as the fighter jets CLIMB higher.
GREEN LANTERN Shouldn▓t we be helping them?
DIANA No. Let▓s see what they can do.
Superman looks at Diana, surprised at her words.
INT. METROPOLIS SKIES -- NIGHT
The jets approach the first wave of warships. Dozens of missiles LAUNCH, IMPACTING and EXPLODING on the warships▓ hulls. But more warships are coming in behind the first wave, a sheer onslaught. PULSOR RAYS from the second wave SHATTER the jets to shrapnel. FLAMING DEBRIS FALLS over Metropolis, SLAMMING into buildings and streets. FIRES begin to ERUPT on the rooftops of several buildings.
The warships DESCEND, spreading throughout Metropolis, FIRING at random, pulsor beams SMASHING into buildings and streets, sending panicking citizens FLEEING.
Apartment complexes ERUPT IN FLAMES after being BOMBED. Electrical poles TOPPLE and SPARK. Parked and moving cars EXPLODE, PROPELLED THROUGH THE AIR. Streets CRACK under pulsor onslaught. Citizens RUN for their lives before being enveloped in CLOUDS of EXPLODING CLUSTERBOMBS.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
The leaguers stare in silent, stunned horror as the Apokoliptan warships lay waste to Metropolis.
SUPERMAN Diana. You▓re with me. The rest of you...protect the people.
Superman and Diana LAUNCH themselves toward the armada. The other leaguers watch them SOAR into PULSOR-LIT SKIES.
Diana SMASHES through a descending warship, causing it to EXPLODE. Superman DODGES several PULSOR BEAMS, then disables a warship▓s cannon with precise HEAT VISION.
Above, Diana PLOWS THROUGH THREE WARSHIPS AT ONCE. She turns and watches the destroyed ships PLUMMET, SMASHING and EXPLODING against the rooftops, producing an INFERNO.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
There are people in those buildings!
DIANA This is a warzone. There are bound to be casualties.
SUPERMAN Yes...but we can minimize them.
Superman FLIES over the rooftops, extinguishing flames with a continuous burst of powerful SUPERBREATH. He looks up, sees Diana throwing up her shield and being STRUCK with a PULSOR BLAST, which FLINGS her onto a rooftop.
Superman ASCENDS, SLAMS into the ship that attacked Diana, grips it in strong hands, SPINS like a tornado, and HURLS the ship upward, and out of Earth▓s atmosphere.
Above, a MASSIVE SHADOWY OBJECT DESCENDS through clouds. The Supercarrier. For a moment, Superman, dwarfed by the ship, can▓t even move. Then, PULSORFIRE brings him back. Below, more warships are TOUCHING DOWN and CONVERTING into ALIEN TANKS, attacking National Guard forces.
A DARK CLOUD streams forth from the bowels of the giant Supercarrier: HUNDREDS of armored, winged PARADEMONS. Superman hesitates, looking down at the battle below. Then he DIVES toward the streets below, and the battle.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
LANDING before a warship, Superman TEARS OFF its gunning mechanism. Enraged, he surges forward, LIFTS the ship and manages to THROW it down the long street into a second.
EXT. METROPOLIS -- CONTINUOUS
Parademons fan out through Metropolis, FIRING at random. Buildings SHATTER under PULSORFIRE and Parademon ASSAULT, chunks of DEBRIS FALLING to the streets. Building after building SHUDDERS under PULSOR and CLUSTERBOMB attack.
EXT. METROPOLIS HARBOR -- NIGHT
Warships DESCEND, skim across the water, CONVERTING to waterwartanks, and begin to ATTACK U.S. naval vessels with PULSOR RAYS and wicked-looking BURROWER TORPEDOES. The battle is one-sided, thanks to the armada▓s superior firepower and compact size. Naval ships begin to BURN and SINK. EXPLOSIONS and PULSORFIRE illuminate the harbor.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- NIGHT
Parademons DESCEND, attacking a MILITARY CONVOY. GUNFIRE richochets back and forth. Parademons FIRE arm-cannons, BLOWING GUARD TANKS TO PIECES in a matter of seconds.
EXT. METROPOLIS ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
Diana lies on the roof, dazed, Parademons SOARING over her. She rises, winded. A Parademon LANDS before her, leveling its arm-cannon. Diana draws her spear, stoic.
J'onn J'onnz SHIMMERS into view behind the Parademon and puts both hands to its helmet. The Parademon CONVULSES and GOES LIMP, COLLAPSING to the roof, unconscious.
J▓ONN Are you all right?
Behind J▓onn, a second Parademon is GLIDING toward him.
DIANA
(Telepathic link)
Behind you!
J▓onn SHIMMERS as Diana FLINGS HER SPEAR RIGHT THROUGH his INTANGIBLE FORM, IMPALING the attacking Parademon. Diana crosses the roof and YANKS her spear free.
J▓ONN I▓ll take that as a yes.
EXPLOSIONS echo behind them. Diana and J▓onn turn, looking toward the harbor, and the NAVAL BATTLE there.
DIANA The harbor.
Diana FLIES toward the harbor. J▓onn RISES into the night, toward a group of Parademons, meeting them in midair. The Parademons FIRE their cannons at him.
J▓onn FLIES forward, becoming INTANGIBLE. PULSOR RAYS SLAM INTO HIM despite his ethreal form, buffeting him in midair. Parademons drift toward him. Both of J▓onn▓s arms begin to MORPH into LONG, BLADED FINS, and he SURGES forward, CHOPPING and SLICING at his armored foes.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- NIGHT
Two warships FIRE at an apartment building, SHATTERING glass and brick. Green Lantern DESCENDS, placing himself between the warships and the building. He thinks for a moment, and FUTURISTIC BATTLE ARMOR forms around his torso, arms and legs. Lantern extends his ring hand and a giant SWORD forms there, a SHIELD around his other arm.
The warships BLAST him, FLINGING him through the air to SLAM into the building behind him. Lantern recovers.
GREEN LANTERN Ok, so that isn▓t going to work...
The armor DISSIPATES, and his sword TRANSFORMS into a MASSIVE LASER CANNON. Lantern OPENS FIRE, blowing the tanks from the air in a series of grand EXPLOSIONS.
EXT. METROPOLIS SIDE STREET -- NIGHT
Three Parademons SMASH the windows of a FAMILY VAN. Inside, frightened children SCREAM. From down the block comes the unmistakeable ROAR of a MOTORCYCLE▓S ENGINE.
The Parademons turn to see a diminuitive young BLONDE in black leather skidding the cycle to a stop before them. The Parademons raise their arm-cannons, but the woman draws a deep breath, opens her mouth, and SHRIEKS, emitting a VIOLENT SHOCKWAVE that makes the air RIPPLE. The glass in the van SHATTERS. A half-second later, so does the Parademons▓ ARMOR. One of the Parademons is BLOWN INTO A WALL. The others COLLAPSE, systems fried.
EXT. DOWNTOWN METROPOLIS -- NIGHT
A group of armored cops is under aerial Parademon ATTACK. A tall African American man in a leather jacket stops in the middle of the street, near some downed power lines.
As confused cops watch, and Parademons descend through the air, the man extends his arms, fingertips extended. ELECTRICITY FLOWS from the downed power lines toward him, then SURGES into his body, ARCING right through him. The man▓s eyes, teeth and skin CRACKLE with ENERGY. He points one arm at the oncoming Parademons, and eerie DARK LIGHTNING EXPLODES FROM HIS FINGERTIPS, RIPPING into them, FRYING them inside their armor. The man POURS ON THE POWER, his hair now standing on end.
EXT. COLLAPSED BUILDING -- NIGHT
A RED-HAIRED TEENAGER in a tattered jacket extends a hand, DISSOLVING a large pile of SHATTERED WALL DEBRIS into STEAM, freeing people who were trapped underneath.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
Superman HURTLES INTO a line of tanks, DEMOLISHING them.
EXT. METROPOLIS SKIES -- NIGHT
Diana FLIES toward a GAUNTLET of Parademons, brandishing her SWORD, SLICING through them as she nears the harbor.
EXT. METROPOLIS HARBOR -- NIGHT
The BATTLE continues, naval ships exchanging FIRE with water-borne Apokoliptan warships in a losing effort.
And then, RISING from the ocean at the edge of the conflict, dozens of...sea monsters? No, ANCIENT WATERCRAFT. Sloughing off thousands of gallons of water, ATLANTEAN WATERTANKS rise to the surface. Before them, a massive shadow RISES from beneath the waves. A SPERM WHALE, with a distinctive, heroic figure astride it.
Clad in ATLANTEAN ARMOR and clutching a distinctive TRIDENT, THE AQUAMAN gazes out at the chaos around him.
Almost as one, the watertanks begin to OPEN FIRE on the Apokoliptan warships. Many of which EXPLODE INTO FLAMES.
The whale SURGES toward the shore, through the heart of the ongoing naval battle. Arthur watches as his forces engage those on either side of him.
EXT. METROPOLIS HARBOR DOCK -- NIGHT
The whale reaches the harbor and Arthur LEAPS onto a dock there. Diana LANDS before him, exhausted, battle-wearied.
DIANA Your Majesty...
ARTHUR Surprised to see me?
DIANA Pleased.
ARTHUR In my hour of need, the league did not abandon me. I could do no less in return.
The enormous naval BATTLE continues to rage behind them.
ARTHUR (CONT▓D)
Where is the architect of this insanity?
Diana and Arthur look up, see the Supercarrier DESCENDING over Metropolis, dwarfing and approaching The Watchtower.
DIANA He wouldn▓t dare...
ARTHUR Go. The forces of Atlantis will stem the tide of this destruction, and rescue as many as we can.
Diana gathers herself, LAUNCHES herself into the night.
INT. WATCHTOWER LABORATORY
The building SHUDDERS. O'Brian enters the room, shaken.
O'BRIAN Dr. Palmer? Ray?
PALMER (O.S)
Over here.
Palmer is strapping on a PROTECTIVE SUIT, complete with gloves, boots, TOOL BELT, OXYGEN TANK and REBREATHER.
O'BRIAN We have to get out of here!
Palmer picks up his helmet. Looks at the atomic symbol.
PALMER I▓m almost ready.
Palmer places the helmet on his head, fastens it and moves toward the strange machine in the corner. He enters it and peers back at O'Brian through opaque goggles.
O'BRIAN What are you doing?
PALMER I don▓t suppose you▓re familiar with the white dwarf phenomenon.
O▓BRIAN Like in Snow White?
PALMER A white dwarf is a star that burns brightest right before it burns out. Communication will be difficult at the atomic level, so I've left detailed instructions.
O▓BRIAN Wait...Ray, what are you doing?
PALMER Remember what I told you about having power, and knowing when to use it?
O▓BRIEN Yeah.
PALMER Good. Don▓t forget it.
Palmer ACTIVATES a BELT CONSOLE. The machine around him begins to ROTATE. O'Brian watches, confused, as the machine starts HUMMING. ELECTRICICAL CHARGES CRACKLE along POWER OUTLETS, producing a series of DISCHARGES.
O▓BRIAN Do you know what you▓re doing?
PALMER I certainly hope so.
WHITE DWARF ENERGY ENVELOPS PALMER, but he remains calm. And then, in a BURST OF CONCENTRIC LIGHT RAYS, Palmer is GONE. The strange machine begins to wind itself down.
Outside, the sounds of BATTLE. The Watchtower SHUDDERS. ALARMS begin BLARING. O'Brian looks around, spies a small RECORDING DEVICE on Palmer▓s workbench and turns it on.
PALMER (CONT▓D)
(Recording)
Eel, this is Ray Palmer. Listen carefully, because time is of the essence. I need you to locate the magnifying lens on the machine...
O▓Brian sees the TELESCOPIC LENS. Curious, he approaches, peering down through the lens. His eyes widen in shock. His jaw DROPS, and keeps DROPPING, almost impossibly low.
EXT. METROPOLIS BATTLEGROUND -- CONTINUOUS
The Justice League is in heated battle. Superman SMASHES into Parademon after Parademon in midair. At the harbor, Diana and Arthur battle Parademons with sword, shield and trident. Green Lantern STOMPS through the streets in a massive green ROBOMECH, BLASTING warships from the air, STEPPING on many of the remaining Apokoliptan tanks.
INT. APOKOLIPTAN WARSHIP
J▓onn PHASES INTO the pit, puts a hand each THROUGH two PARADEMON PILOT▓s helmets. Both COLLAPSE, out cold.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
The Flash SKIDS to a stop, both arms WHIRLING, creating miniature WHIRLWINDS. Parademons are caught and BUFFETED in the wind vortexes before being SLAMMED into a wall.
EXT. METROPOLIS SIDEWALK -- NIGHT
O▓Brian HURRIES down the sidewalk, BATTLE around him. Panicking civilians FLEE from ATTACKING Parademons.
O▓Brian stops as he nears an apartment complex, looks up. The complex on the other side of the street is in FLAMES. Trapped OCCUPANTS scream for help from the rooftop.
O▓Brian looks at the FLEEING CROWDS. The sounds of battle echo all around him. He pauses for a long moment, torn.
And then, O▓Brian begins to STRETCH HIS TORSO out OVER the street and UP, his CLOTHES RIPPING as he ASCENDS past apartment floors, his torso and legs THINNING. O▓Brian watches floor after floor SHOOT PAST, engulfed in FLAMES.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
O▓Brian▓s head and shoulders RISE over the roof▓s edge, until he▓s level with the frightened occupants. O▓Brian puts his hands on the ledge. The occupants stare at him.
O'BRIAN Evening.
O▓Brian looks at the terrified occupants, then lowers his head between his outstretched arms. The occupants stare down at the street below. O▓Brian▓s elongated, stretched torso has formed into a makeshift ESCAPE CHUTE.
O▓BRIAN Look, don't ask questions, ok? Just go.
The occupants stare in disbelief, but have little choice. One after another, they CLIMB or LEAP onto O▓Brian▓s neck, SLIDING down his morphed torso to the street below.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
The Flash looks up, sees an apartment complex IN FLAMES.
EXT. APARTMENT STREETS -- NIGHT
O▓Brian UNSTRETCHES and looks at the group. SPARKING TELEPHONE WIRES litter the street around them.
O▓BRIAN (CONT▓D)
It▓s ok...I▓m not a conductor...I think.
O▓Brian reaches down, his hands THICKENING, and LIFTS the wires. The people move under him to safety as he holds the wires over his head, the ends SPARKING DANGEROUSLY.
A Parademon battalion DESCENDS, FIRING at the citizens.
O▓Brian▓s occupants panic. O▓Brian steps forward, GROWING TO IMMENSE SIZE as he does so, shielding the people from Parademon BLASTS, which are ABSORBED INTO HIS FLESH. Several Parademons SOAR FORWARD, SLAMMING into him, disappearing into O▓Brian▓s folds. COMPRESSING his torso, O▓Brian FLINGS them back out LIKE A GIANT SLINGSHOT. The Parademons are flung down the street and high into the night. O▓Brian shrinks down to his normal form.
O▓BRIAN (CONT▓D)
All right...that was just weird. Let▓s get the hell out of here.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY
The Flash RACES through roaring FLAMES and SMOKE.
INT. APARTMENT
A MOTHER and her SON huddle together near a window. Behind them, the front door begins VIBRATING, rapidly accelerating molecules EXPLODING it into splinters. The Flash enters the apartment, winded and coughing.
The mother and son stare up at him, stunned, hopeful. For a moment, The Flash stares back, reminded of his family.
THE FLASH We have to get you out of here.
MOTHER We tried! The stairs are-
THE FLASH I know. There has to be another way out.
The Flash moves across the room, opens the window and looks down. It▓s a long, long, long way down.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
I can get us out of here. But you're really going to have to trust me.
The Flash sees the doubtful look on the Mother▓s face.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
Look, I have a son of my own. I wouldn▓t do anything that would endanger yours.
EXT. APARTMENT -- NIGHT
Flash, one of them under each arm, steps to the window ledge and looks down, surveying the scene below them.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
It▓s going to be all right. I promise.
MOTHER You▓ve done this before, right?
THE FLASH Sure. I mean...this is what I do.
And The Flash RACES STRAIGHT DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING, floor after floor WHIPPING PAST beneath them. EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- NIGHT
J'onn FLIES through the streets, observing soldiers, firemen, cops, and even regular citizens.
VOICE
(Telepathic link)
Help! Someone...(coughing)...help!
J'onn TOUCHES DOWN. Across the street is a building in FLAMES. J'onn shakes his head, as if to clear it, and looks down at his hand. Already the heat is MORPHING his fingers into their long, clawlike Martian counterparts.
VOICE (CONT▓D)
(Telepathic link)
Please...someone...
J'onn glowers at the fire across the street, deciding...
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM
J'onn PHASES THROUGH the FLAMES and SMOKE. In the presence of fire, he is weak. J▓onn peers around, sees nothing but thick black SMOKE. Now he can hear COUGHING.
J▓onn steels himself and strides into a WALL OF SMOKE.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN
J'onn steps THROUGH the wall, past more FLAMES. As he does, he STAGGERS, and his form SHIFTS, REVERTING into MARTIAN FORM. A trapped WOMAN and MAN stare up at him.
J'ONN
(Telepathic link)
I...apologize. I cannot conceal my true form in the presence of-
MAN It▓s ok. We▓re not afraid of you.
J'onn looks at him. At the fire around them. Then, J▓onn reaches down. The man takes his hand and J'onn PULLS him to his feet. Together, the two of them help the woman up.
MAN (CONT▓D)
Where can we go?
Behind them, the fire continues RAGING. J'onn looks up.
EXT. APARTMENT ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
The roof EXPLODES into SPLINTERS and J'onn RISES from the hole with the man and woman in his arms. He sets them down on an adjacent rooftop and COLLAPSES, panting, green SKIN BUBBLING in the presence of the tremendous heat.
MAN (CONT▓D)
You gonna be ok?
J'ONN I...will be fine.
J'onn stands, looking to the skies...the endless ARMADA.
MAN I think it might be over. I don't know what else there is to do against...that.
J'ONN You can still hope.
MAN I'm sure you've all done everything you can. There are just too many of them.
J'ONN I will not accept that. There is more that we can do. More that I can do.
J'onn, cloak still smoldering, RISES into the night.
EXT. METROPOLIS SIDEWALK -- NIGHT
The Flash watches as cops load the kids into their cruiser. He looks up at the warship-strewn skies.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- NIGHT
Soldiers hold out against Parademon onslaught. Pavement EXPLODES around them. The soldiers RETURN FIRE, but to no avail. A wave of Parademons GLIDES toward them, PULSOR RAYS TEARING INTO Guard vehicles, sending soldiers SCATTERING. Parademons BEAR DOWN on them, closing in.
But an intense green WAVE OF ENERGY SLAMS INTO the Parademons, stunning them, driving them back. Green Lantern LANDS on the pavement before the amazed soldiers.
GREEN LANTERN Don't be afraid.
Green Lantern looks at the Parademons, at his Power ring.
SOLDIER What can you do?
GREEN LANTERN Well, for starters...
Lantern▓s aura begins to GLOW and CRACKLE WITH POWER.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT▓D)
Anything I want.
Lantern raises his fist into the air, sending immense amounts of ENERGY into the air, WAVES that spread to form a huge BARRIER DOME between the soldiers and Parademons.
The Parademons ATTACK, but Lantern's dome holds. And then, he focuses his will, and the green ENERGIES SWEEP DOWN THE BLOCK, forcing the Parademons into RETREAT.
EXT. WATCHTOWER -- NIGHT
All around, warships continue to DESCEND and ATTACK.
Darkseid TELEPORTS onto the roof. He can see in all directions, and from here he watches the battle rage.
DARKSEID Tell me, Superman...
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
Superman, in the process of SMASHING A WARSHIP, listens.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Via superhearing)
Is the price yet high enough?
Superman looks up, toward The Watchtower, pissed. He LAUNCHES himself into the night, creating a SONIC BOOM.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
Darkseid watches his approach. Superman ASCENDS over the courtyard, up the Watchtower, and LANDS before Darkseid.
SUPERMAN What are you doing? You have so much power...why use it for this?
DARKSEID I told you. Good and evil are relative. In my own way, I▓m saving the Universe.
SUPERMAN Is power all you want?
DARKSEID Power is everything, Kryptonian. The balance of power alone decides whether a civilization will flourish...or falter.
SUPERMAN There's no balance to what you're planning! Just endless suffering!
DARKSEID Perhaps. Your precious humans live in chaos. I will show them order. They will serve me in its pursuit, as will you and your bretheren.
The BATTLE RAGES below. The sounds of a WARZONE.
SUPERMAN I▓ve seen your world. You▓re nothing but a dictator and a slavedriver.
DARKSEID And what would the hunger dogs of my planet do with freedom? They wouldn▓t know how to survive without my embrace. They live for me. They die for me. And so will your people, soon enough.
SUPERMAN That will never happen.
DARKSEID It won▓t be long until your forces fail. The anti-life drains them of their will. Soon I will replace it with my own.
SUPERMAN Who the hell do you think you are?
DARKSEID I am a God. As you could have been, but you chose the lowly role of Savior. How precisely do you intend to save them now? Are you even capable of taking life?
Superman just glares at him.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
I surmised as much. Your ■morality■ has crippled you...and doomed your people.
EXT. METROPOLIS CITYSCAPE -- NIGHT
J'onn HOVERS over Metropolis, the BATTLE laid out below him. The TELEPATHIC SOUNDS of a million suffering souls call out. He extends his arms...and surrenders to his heightened senses.
There is a VIOLENT RUSHING EFFECT as J▓onn▓s consciousness RACES THROUGH THE MINDS of Parademons. One at a time, all come under J▓onn▓s telepathic control.
His eyes SNAP OPEN with the psychic weight of his task.
J'ONN
H▓ronmeer.
(■God■)
We RACE THROUGH images of HUNDREDS OF PARADEMONS, all bathed in a CHAOTIC BACKDROP of FIRE, WAR, and DEATH.
EXT. ALLEYWAY -- NIGHT
The Flash appears before O▓Brian.
THE FLASH Do you have it?
O▓BRIAN Yeah. Are you sure about this?
THE FLASH Not in the least. But it might end up being the only way to stop the invasion.
O▓Brian hands The Flash something small.
O▓BRIAN What should I do now?
The Flash gestures to the warzone around them.
THE FLASH Whatever you can.
And he is gone in a BURST of RED AND GOLD LIGHTNING.
EXT. METROPOLIS AIRSPACE -- NIGHT
J▓onn looks down over Metropolis. Concentrating hard.
J'ONN
(Telepathic link)
I can feel you. So much anger...and fear.
J▓onn STRUGGLES as he maintains a thousand mindlinks.
J'ONN (CONT▓D)
(Telepathic link)
You have suffered much, but the people of Earth are not the instrument of your pain. They are not your enemies. Continue to threaten this world, and you will be destroyed.
Know this...beyond all shadow of doubt.
EXT. METROPOLIS BATTLE LOCALES -- CONTINUOUS
A PSYCHIC SHOCKWAVE SWEEPS THROUGH METROPOLIS. Parademons legions break off their attacks and FLEE to the skies.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- CONTINUOUS
Soldiers lower their weapons, cautious. Parademons abandon the fighting, disappearing into the night.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
Darkseid watches, emotionless, as his armada deserts.
EXT. ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
J▓onn is recovering from his intense telepathic ordeal.
THE FLASH (O.S)
J▓onn.
J▓onn turns to see The Flash standing there. The Flash looks up, watching as the armada continues its RETREAT.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
I had to canvass Metropolis twice. I assume this is your doing. Thank you. We just need you to do one more thing.
The Flash extends his hand, opens it. An INTRICATE VIAL.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
Ever read War of The Worlds?
J▓onn stares at him. Considers the implications.
THE FLASH (CONT▓D)
Ray said you would know what to do.
J▓ONN Yes.
THE FLASH Be careful, ok?
J▓ONN You as well, Walter.
J▓onn looks at the vial, hard, then RISES into the night.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
Darkseid opens a panel on his armored wristguard. He presses a glowing alien circuit inside, and waits.
EXT. METROPOLIS SKIES -- NIGHT
All over the skies, fleeing Parademons and warships EXPLODE! FLAMING DEBRIS rains down over Metropolis!
EXT. METROPOLIS CITYSCAPE -- NIGHT
Green Lantern looks up, sees the FLAMING DEBRIS FALLING toward Metropolis. He RISES above the rooftops and FIRES a massive green WAVE OF ENERGY upward. A brilliant green FORCEFIELD spreads out over the rooftops of Metropolis, catching flaming shrapnel before it can do any damage.
EXT. WATCHTOWER ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
Bathed in green light, Superman stares down Darkseid.
SUPERMAN You can▓t hope to win. Not alone.
DARKSEID On the contrary. Soldiers come and go. I am all that is and shall be. The Omega fire of the Old Gods is mine to control.
Darkseid's eyes FLASH, and a ROILING, FLAMELIKE TORRENT OF ENERGY sends Superman PLUNGING off the Watchtower, FALLING to the tree-lined courtyard below. Superman LANDS HARD on the lawn and doesn▓t move, racked with pain.
EXT. WATCHTOWER COURTYARD -- NIGHT
Darkseid DESCENDS, controlling the descent with his armor. The warlord STALKS toward the fallen Man of Steel.
DIANA (O.S)
Not another step, creature.
Darkseid turns to see Diana flanking him, sword drawn.
DIANA (CONT▓D)
You will not touch him.
DARKSEID So you are his concubine...
Diana screams in anger and LEAPS at Darkseid, SLASHING with her sword, landing two glancing BLOWS on his rocklike exterior. On the third slash, Darkseid reaches out and BACKHANDS Diana across the street. He watches her LAND, turning in time to take an UPPERCUT off his jaw from Superman.
Darkseid BLASTS Superman with his OMEGA BEAMS. Superman FALLS to his knees. Darkseid approaches the Man of Steel.
A BLAST OF GREEN LIGHT knocks Darkseid through the air. An intricate GREEN CAGE forming around the warlord. Green Lantern DESCENDS through the night, Power Ring BLAZING. He lands opposite Darkseid, grim-faced.
GREEN LANTERN I don▓t know who you think you are. But you▓ve done more than enough damage.
Darkseid glares at Green Lantern. Twin Omega Beams BLAZE FORTH from him, EVAPORATING Lantern▓s cage construct.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT▓D)
That's not possible...
DARKSEID All things are possible...for those with enough power.
Darkseid strides toward Lantern, who FIRES at him. Green WAVES OF ENERGY slough around Darkseid as he reaches his opponent. Green Lantern makes a valiant effort, but Darkseid SLAMS him in the face, dropping Green Lantern. Darkseid reaches down and picks him up, curious.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
Accept the truth, child. Your pathethic will is nothing compared to mine.
GREEN LANTERN Oh, God...
Darkseid FLINGS Lantern, sending him SOARING across Metropolis, SMASHING through several sets of buildings. Lantern SOARS out of control toward a high rise tower.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- CONTINUOUS
The Flash watches in horror as Green Lantern TUMBLES through the air and CRASHES into the high rise.
INT. HIGH RISE OFFICE BUILDING
Lantern SMASHES through the wall and rolls to a stop. He lies there, dazed, his suit and aura DISSIPATING.
EXT. WATCHTOWER COURTYARD -- NIGHT
Superman manages to stand, glowering at Darkseid.
SUPERMAN You...you might have killed him!
Superman TEARS INTO Darkseid. He has the upper hand at first, but Darkseid is a true warrior. The tide of the battle begins to turn. Darkseid shrugs off POWERFUL BLOWS, and then...begins to BEAT THE TAR out of Superman.
INT. HIGH RISE OFFICE BUILDING
The Flash enters, hurries through settling debris. Kyle lies on the floor before him, broken and barely moving.
FLASH Kyle? Kyle...come on...
Kyle groans, drawing a tortured breath.
THE FLASH Take it easy...it's ok, just...breathe...
Kyle tries to sit up. Shaken to his very core.
KYLE Oh, God, Wally...oh, God...
THE FLASH It▓s ok, man, it▓s ok!
KYLE No. We▓re dead, we▓re all dead...
THE FLASH That▓s not true. I know you're scared, but we can still-
KYLE We can't...we can▓t, you don▓t understand...he's too powerful.
The Flash looks at his fallen friend and teammate.
THE FLASH Then think about the alternative.
Kyle gazes at The Flash. Then at the streets below, and the destruction. He peers down at his ring, closes his eyes, and...his jaw twitches. The Power Ring SPARKS.
EXT. HIGH RISE TOWER -- NIGHT
BRILLIANT GREEN LIGHT EXPLODES from within the high rise.
INT. HIGH RISE
Green light RADIATES from a refreshed Green Lantern.
GREEN LANTERN How do I look?
THE FLASH Like a Green Lantern.
The THUNDERCLAP of SUPERHUMAN BATTLE echoes outside. Green Lantern and The Flash look at each other.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS -- CONTINUOUS
Darkseid has Superman on the ropes, beaten, bruised and bloodied.
SUPERMAN You can't...stop us all...
DARKSEID I have already beaten you.
SUPERMAN There are others...
DARKSEID Who are powerless to prevent the inevitable.
An almost imperceptible WHINING ROAR from above. The sound begins to grow in volume. Something is coming.
SUPERMAN Power...isn▓t...everything.
Darkseid, holding Superman at arm's length, looks up to see a SHADOW DESCENDING through the night. A sleek black FIGHTER JET going into SCREAMING DESCENT toward them. Darkseid DROPS Superman, PROPELLING himself into the air.
INT. BATPLANE PIT
IMPACT. The jet SPINS in a WILD CORKSCREW and SHUDDERS. Batman wrestles the controls. ALARMS SOUND around him.
EXT. BATPLANE -- NIGHT
Darkseid CLINGS to the Batplane▓s wing, POUNDING at it.
Batman tries to shake him off. The Batplane does a BARREL ROLL, and then, inverted, AFTERBURNERS fire, and The Batplane PEELS AWAY from the Watchtower, ROCKETING through the canyons of Metropolis, Darkseid hanging on. Superman STREAKS after them, exhausted but determined.
EXT. BATPLANE -- NIGHT
Darkseid continues to HAMMER at the wing, TEARING at it.
INT. BATJET
The plane SHUDDERS, SHIFTS. Batman looks over through the windscreen, sees Darkseid RIPPING one of the wings loose. Behind the plane, Superman is catching up to them.
EXT. BATPLANE -- NIGHT
Darkseid WRENCHES the wing free, and tosses it aside. The Batplane goes into an uncontrolled SPIN toward the business district. Superman throws himself into a POWER DIVE and POURS ON SPEED, rocketing after The Batplane.
INT. BATPLANE
Darkseid clings to the wing, glaring through the screen. His eyes BLAZE, his optic cells REARRANGING themselves. Batman SLAMS an EJECT LEVER and Darkseid just watches as The Dark Knight is CATAPAULTED upward into the night.
EXT. METROPOLIS BUSINESS DISTRICT -- NIGHT
Darkseid rides the SPIRALING Batplane into the side of a tall building, resulting in massive MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS.
Batman▓s cloak BILLOWS OPEN and he GLIDES. Superman joins him in midair. The two SOAR side by side for a moment.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET -- NIGHT
Batman and Superman touch down below the crash site, Batman's glider turning back into his regular cloak. The two of them peer up at the building. Columns of thick black SMOKE issue from within, FLAMES flicker inside.
Batman reaches beneath his cloak, removes a GRAPPLING GUN and GRAPPLES up to the destroyed floor. Superman follows.
INT. CRASH SITE BUILDING -- NIGHT
Batman and Superman land on the ruined ledge of the smokefilled building at the same time, backlit in flame. Superman peers into the TWISTED WRECKAGE before them.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
You lined the plane with lead?
BATMAN Can▓t ever be too careful.
Superman listens. Crackling flames and shifting metal.
SUPERMAN I don't hear a pulse.
Superman moves toward the wreckage, BLOWING the fire out. He SHOVES twisted metal aside and scans the area again. Nothing. Batman studies the wreckage site, kneeling.
BATMAN No bone fragments. No fat residue.
Behind them, ROLLING SMOKE continue to fill the level. A pair of GLOWING RED EYES cuts through the smoke, and Darkseid emerges from the shadows, SWINGING a piece of wreckage, sending Superman SPRAWLING with a blow to the head. He looks around, but Batman has VANISHED. Darkseid eyes Superman, lying in pain ten yards in front of him.
Batman EXPLODES from the shadows and smoke, STABBING a BATARANG into Darkseid▓s shoulder. Evading Darkseid▓s attack, he retreats, drawing a small spherical GRENADE from beneath his cloak. Darkseid reaches down, snags a piece of wreckage and HURLS it into Batman, sending him sprawling, the grenade falling, ROLLING across the floor.
Batman, winded, is slow to rise. Darkseid approaches. He LIFTS and studies The Dark Knight, curious.
DARKSEID So, Earth does have its warriors...
As the smoke clears, for the first time, Darkseid sees Batman's EYES behind the cowl. Batman stares him down.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
You are only a man?
The grenade has come to rest. Batman glares at Darkseid.
BATMAN No.
The grenade produces a SHRIEKING SONIC SQUEALING. Superman, still on his knees, covers his ears. Batman, unaffected, compresses his fists, thumbing a PAD in his gloves. His metal gauntlets CRACKLE with ELECTRICITY, and he then SLAMS both gauntlets into the sides of Darkseid's helmet, ELECTROCUTING him. Darkseid roars as ELECTRICITY COURSES THROUGH HIM. He stumbles, releasing Batman.
Batman drives forward, HITTING Darkseid in the face with his gauntlets. And then, with Darkseid off balance for just a split second, Batman KICKS HIM IN THE GROIN. Darkseid RAGES. He HAULS BACK, preparing to smash Batman-but Superman is there. He CATCHES Darkseid▓s fist in one hand and SMASHES him hard in the face with the other.
Darkseid SOARS out of the building and into the night.
BATMAN (CONT▓D)
I softened him up for you.
SUPERMAN I appreciate that. Are you all right?
BATMAN Broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and a bruised trachea. I▓ll live. You?
Superman moves toward the building▓s open wall, STUMBLES.
BATMAN (CONT▓D)
Clark, give yourself a minute.
SUPERMAN I can▓t. If he kills anyone else...
He WAVERS. Batman▓s hand on his shoulder steadies him.
BATMAN There are others.
SUPERMAN I know. But even with all our power, I don't know that we can stop him.
Across Metropolis, SIRENS WAIL. Superman takes a last look at Batman and then SOARS into the darkness. Batman watches him go.
EXT. METROPOLIS BUSINESS DISTRICT -- NIGHT
POLICE CRUISERS and TANKS roll toward a massive pile of glass, stone and metal RUBBLE: a DEMOLISHED BUILDING.
O▓Brian approaches from a distance, watching in awe. The building rubble is SETTLING as cops and soldiers approach, hesitant. A tense silence fills the streets. And then, an intense Omega Beam STREAKS from the rubble, ZIGZAGS, BURNS A SMOKING HOLE THROUGH A COP▓S CHEST, ZIGZAGS THROUGH A SECOND COP▓S FACE, and takes out an entire squadron of National Guardsmen in succession.
Cops and soldiers OPEN FIRE as Darkseid EXPLODES from the debris, HURLING a HUGE CONCRETE SLAB into several cops.
GUNFIRE BOUNCES OFF Darkseid. His EYES GLOW CRUELLY, and he begins to CUT DOWN cops and soldiers with snaking, tendril-like OMEGA BEAMS. Darkseid STALKS toward a petrified soldier, CRUSHING the man▓s head in his hand, then THROWS the man▓s limp form across the pavement.
Down the street, O'Brian stares in horror as soldiers and police officers are MOWED DOWN by the RAMPAGING warlord.
Standing in the middle of the avenue, O▓Brian reaches out in either direction, arms ELONGATING, his hands GROWING, grasping LARGE TREES on opposite sides of the street.
He walks backward, arms STRETCHING between tree trunks, achieving TENSION, and then-O▓Brian LETS GO, CATAPAULTING HIMSELF through the air, taking on the aerodynamic shape of a SPHERE. He BOUNCES once, and then SPREADS OUT like a wide blanket to ENVELOP Darkseid from above.
WRAPPING TIGHTLY around Darkseid, O'Brian SQUEEZES. The warlord STRAINS against O▓Brian▓s plastic form. LUMPS appear in O'Brian's torso as Darkseid STRUGGLES. The remaining cops and soldiers watch in half-disbelief.
O'BRIAN Get out of here!
O▓Brian▓s flesh begins to SMOKE, and a RAGGED HOLE is PUNCHED through his side with Omega Beams. O▓Brian SCREAMS, but hangs on. Two more holes PUNCH THROUGH his flesh. O▓Brian grits his teeth through the pain.
O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
R-RUN!
Cops and soldiers RUN FOR THEIR LIVES. More OMEGA BEAMS RIP THROUGH O▓BRIAN, SHREDDING HIS CLOTHES and SHEARING him to PIECES. BELLOWING, Darkseid RIPS free, TEARING O▓BRIAN IN HALF. O▓Brian PUDDLES onto the pavement. Darkseid glares down at what▓s left of him, enraged.
DARKSEID For that...you shall burn.
A golden CORD draws taut around his wide neck-Diana▓s lasso. Darkseid is YANKED BACKWARD across the street, as Diana pulls the lasso even tighter, drawing him to her.
DIANA The lasso compels you to speak truth. You must know you cannot defeat us all.
Darkseid hesitates for a moment, then starts to LAUGH. OMEGA BEAMS ZIGZAG from his brow, SEARING the lasso, which he then RIPS from his neck. Diana TACKLES him. Darkseid wards off her BLOWS as Superman LANDS nearby.
SUPERMAN What are you doing?
DIANA We have to destroy him!
Darkseid KICKS her in the gut. Diana doubles over in pain, and Darkseid SLAMS her, sending her FLYING into the DEMOLISHED BUILDING. Superman starts toward him, but Darkseid grabs a POLICE CRUISER and HURLS it through the air. Superman LEAPS after the cruiser, which is SOARING toward a building. He▓s never going to make it in time.
The cruiser HURTLES toward the building and certain impact, and LANDS IN A GIANT GREEN BASEBALL GLOVE. Green Lantern hovers behind Superman, maintaining the image.
GREEN LANTERN I▓ve got this. You get him.
INT. DEMOLISHED BUILDING -- NIGHT
Diana STRUGGLES to rise and is PUSHED DOWN, into WATER spilling from a BROKEN MAIN. Darkseid is behind her, both hands around her throat, holding her beneath the rushing water. Diana THRASHES, but she cannot break free of him.
DARKSEID You have fought well, Princess, but your time has come. Slip into oblivion. It's clearly where you and your league belong.
Darkseid bears down. FWASHHH! Water EXPLODES INTO GASEOUS STEAM, causing Darkseid to release his grip on Diana.
Thick CLOUDS of superheated mist rise around them. Diana gasps a choking breath, reaches out...and finds a hand there. Superman pulls her to her feet. A moment together.
SUPERMAN Are you all right?
DIANA We have to end this now. Together.
Superman and Diana FLY toward the injured Darkseid. He uses ONE OMEGA BEAM from each eye to knock them to the ground. Darkseid moves forward, grabs Superman by the neck and crosses to Diana. He stands over her, holding the dazed Superman at arm▓s length.
DARKSEID You could have been a goddess.
Diana looks up at him, injured but defiant. Darkseid glowers down at her, and his eyes begin to glow red.
SUPERMAN No...don▓t...
Darkseid▓s eyes BLAZE forth, his Omega Force LANCING THROUGH Diana▓s form, making her SCREAM in agony. Superman watches in horror as Darkseid torments her.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
Leave her alone!
Superman struggles in Darkseid▓s grip, growing frantic. Darkseid ignores him as he pours on more Omega Force. Superman watches Diana bucking in pain, and cannot bear another moment. He brings his arms down over Darkseid▓s, breaking Darkseid▓s grip, and his arm. Darkseid HOWLS, and the flow of Omega Force stops. Diana lies still.
DARKSEID You DARE...
Darkseid turns toward Superman...whose eyes are BLAZING.
And then, HEAT VISION FLOWS FORTH IN WAVES, taking Darkseid▓s armor TO PIECES. Superman moves toward the injured tyrant, and begins to beat on him. Darkseid returns his blows, and he and Superman face off again. Windows and brick SHATTER as Superman and Darkseid TRADE BLOWS. The force of their battle creates a MASSIVE SHOCKWAVE, BRINGING THE BUILDING DOWN AROUND THEM! Darkseid unleashes his OMEGA BEAMS, punching Superman THROUGH A WALL. Darkseid keeps POURING IT ON, setting the surrounding area on FIRE. Superman lies on the ground, beaten and exhausted.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
You were to be this planet▓s savior?
GREEN LANTERN (O.S)
No.
A GREEN GLOW envelops him amidst a RUSH OF WIND. Darkseid turns to see The Flash and Green Lantern behind him.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT▓D)
He▓s just one of them.
Green Lantern raises his ring and FIRES a BLAST, but Darkseid manages to stand against the green ENERGY. Lantern unleashes WAVE after WAVE of light, until Darkseid can▓t even be seen under the ONSLAUGHT OF POWER.
Green Lantern lets the flow of power slow, and peers into the midst of it. And stares in stunned disbelief.
As the light diminishes, Darkseid is still standing, his armor vaporized, but unharmed. Darkseid FIRES OMEGA BEAMS at Green Lantern, who throws up a SHIELD. The Omega Force PUNCHES THROUGH HIS SHIELD, SLAMS INTO him and sends him TUMBLING across the ground, where he lies still.
Something RUSHES past Darkseid, and a red and gold blur FLASHES past him. Again. And again. The Flash CIRCLES Darkseid at SUPERSPEED, a BLUR OF MOTION that is SUCKING AIR and DEBRIS into its wake, creating a LOCALIZED, debris-scattered TORNADO. In seconds, a violent, crimson tornado obscures Darkseid.
INT. TORNADO
The Flash stops running, but the TORNADO continues to circle he and his opponent with FRIGHTENING INTENSITY.
The Flash begins to VIBRATE HIS ENTIRE BODY. Darkseid struggles to stand. The Flash moves toward him, unafraid. Intense ELECTRICAL IMPULSES begin to course along The Flash▓s form. He reaches out and GRABS HOLD of Darkseid, SHOCKING him, CHANNELING LIGHTNING right into Darkseid. Darkseid screams, but it soon turns into a cruel LAUGH. The Flash stares, looking confused, and then...scared.
EXT. DEMOLISHED BUILDING -- NIGHT
The wind ROARS. An incredible amount of LIGHTNING courses through the tornado. And then, Darkseid WALKS THROUGH THE WALL OF THE WINDSTORM, an unconscious Flash in tow. The tornado begins to EVAPORATE behind them, debris falling.
Darkseid, holding The Flash by one leg, THROWS him to the ground. The Flash lies still and doesn▓t move again.
J'ONN
(Telepathic link)
Enough.
J'onn J▓onnz PHASES IN, standing before Darkseid.
DARKSEID These aren▓t your people.
J'ONN Yes they are. This is my adopted world, and you have brought suffering here. I can shatter your mind with a thought. You will be destroyed, unless you surrender.
Darkseid▓s EYES FLASH. J'onn reaches out, his hand PASSING INTO Darkseid's head. J▓onn CONVULSES, stricken. He begins to SEIZE UP, overcome with PSYCHIC SHOCK.
DARKSEID I know suffering, Martian. I have dealt much. Tell me...how much can you endure?
J▓onn SCREAMS as MASSIVE PSYCHIC BACKLASH occurs. FLASHES of FIRE, SUFFERING, WAR and DEATH. Darkseid's eyes BLAZE, and OMEGA BEAMS SIZZLE FORTH, searing into J'onn, who sinks to his knees, his skin BURSTING INTO FLAMES, trying to shield himself, spent, drained and SCREAMING.
Under the FLAMES, J▓onn REVERTS to MARTIAN FORM. Darkseid peers at him for a moment, disgusted, then uses the Omega Beams to LIFT AND THROW J▓onn into the FLAMING STRUCTURE.
All is silent, save for the crackling of FLAMES. Darkseid surveys the destruction. Activates a small commlink.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
It is finished.
Kalibak TELEPORTS into place beside his father. The two of them survey the fallen Leaguers, and the chaos.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
Earth▓s Gods have fallen.
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
Father...there appears to be another.
Darkseid looks to the skies, where a twinkling dot of golden light is GROWING nearer. Orion has returned.
Orion LANDS before the two warriors and dismounts.
DARKSEID
(Alien subtitles)
I can only assume that you have come to negotiate Earth a less painful surrender.
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
There will be no surrender. You will not have this world, or it▓s inhabitants.
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
You sound so certain.
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
You still seek his favor.
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
I consider it an honor.
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
I don't.
Orion draws a weapon and faces Kalibak, anger rising.
ORION (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
On New Genesis, you are spoken of in hushed tones. You killed many innocents. And for what? This creature▓s blessing?
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
Father?
DARKSEID
(Alien subtitles)
My favor must be earned.
Kalibak ATTACKS Orion. Their combat is BRUTAL. Brother against brother, with no quarter given. Orion▓s anger EXPLODES, and he gains the upper hand. With Kalibak fallen, Orion prepares to deal him a death blow.
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
My people need fear you no longer.
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
Please...brother...
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
You...were never my brother.
KALIBAK
(Alien subtitles)
Father...help me...
Darkseid▓s eyes BLAZE.
DARKSEID
(Alien subtitles)
As I told you before...
Orion braces for the onslaught of Darkseid▓s Omega Beams.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
I will not tolerate failure.
Darkseid uses his OMEGA BEAMS ON KALIBAK. Orion watches as Kalibak begins to SMOKE and BURN before his eyes. Soon, a pile of charred ash is all that remains.
ORION
(Alien subtitles)
Your own son...
DARKSEID
(Alien subtitles)
You are my son. He was a weakling. But the path to peace has not made you weak after all. I may yet find use for you.
Darkseid turns the Omega Beams on Orion. Orion FALLS.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
(Alien subtitles)
First, I have negotiations to conclude.
Darkseid surveys the fallen Justice League with disgust.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
Surrender, and your demises will be brief. I may even consider sparing your world's weak. Continue to resist, and your people will pay a high price.
The Leaguers look at the ashes that were Kalibak. At the fallen Orion. Darkseid awaits their response.
And then, a battered Superman struggles to rise. So does Diana. Green Lantern rises to his feet as well.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
There didn't have to be this much suffering. But if this is what you desire for yourselves and your world...
Darkseid's eyes BURN, but just for an instant. The crimson glow in his optic cells begins to FADE.
J'ONN
(Telepathic link)
You were warned.
Like a ghost, J'onn, in Martian form, EMERGES from FLAMES and SMOKE. His cloak hangs in tatters, and his skin is blistered and burnt. But he is alive, and he is angry.
Darkseid SCREAMS IN SUDDEN AGONY, CLAWING at his head.
GREEN LANTERN What's happening to him?
J'ONN He ignored the smallest detail.
Darkseid looks at J▓onn, stricken, and realizing...
ENTER FLASHBACK, EXT. COURTYARD -- NIGHT
J▓onn▓s hand PASSING INTO Darkseid▓s head.
EXT. METROPOLIS -- NIGHT
Superman watches Darkseid RAGE, recognition dawning. And now, X-RAY VISION unwraps layers of rock-like SKIN, MUSCLE and BONE, and TELESCOPIC VISION shows us the inner workings of Darkseid's alien brain.
INT. DARKSEID▓S BRAIN
Ray Palmer, the size of an atom, clad in bodysuit, helmet and gasmask, DESTROYS SYNAPSES, which EXPLODE and SPARK.
EXT. DEMOLISHED BUILDING -- NIGHT
Darkseid HOWLS in pain, CLAWING at his helm and brow. The League just watches, stunned at this turn of events.
DIANA We must act now...while he▓s weak...
Superman meets her gaze. He is still hesitant.
J▓ONN
(Telepathic link)
Dr. Palmer...get out of there.
INT. DARKSEID'S BRAIN
Palmer SLICES a synaptic connection, which SPARKS WILDLY. Palmer backs away from it, but the ELECTRICAL FIELD inside Darkseid's brain is INTENSIFYING rapidly.
PALMER There▓s too much synaptic feedback.
EXT. METROPOLS -- NIGHT The Leaguers watch, stunned, as Darkseid grows weaker. The warlord sinks to his knees, still holding his head.
INT. DARKSEID'S BRAIN
Palmer is trapped inside a WHIRLWIND of SYNAPTIC IMPULSES. GIANT BOLTS of SUPER-LIGHTNING streak in all directions. Palmer TEARS OPEN a final lobe.
PALMER (CONT▓D)
I want you all to know...it's been an absolute honor.
A BIO-ELECTRICAL STORM takes over Darkseid's brain. CRISCROSSING SYNAPTIC LIGHTNING WIPES OUT THE SCREEN.
EXT. WATCHTOWER COURTYARD-- NIGHT
Darkseid COLLAPSES. The Leaguers stare in numb disbelief.
SUPERMAN Palmer?
DIANA Did he...
J'ONN He is gone.
GREEN LANTERN How can you be sure?
J▓ONN I felt it.
Each of the leaguers allows this revelation to sink in.
J▓ONN (CONT▓D)
He...did not appear to suffer.
The others remain silent, shocked, and grieving.
DARKSEID (O.S)
Suh...
The Leaguers turn toward the fallen Darkseid, who is attempting to rise, black blood seeping from his nose.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
Suffer...
Darkseid struggles to stand, bleeding even more now.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
You...will all...suffer...
The Leaguers watch as Darkseid rises to his full height.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
The antilife...grants me...power...
Diana looks at Superman. Her gaze is hard, and cold.
DIANA He cannot survive. You know what has to be done.
Superman considers. He lowers his head, saddened. As he raises it again, his eyes are BLAZING with HEAT VISION. The Leaguers react accordingly. Superman glares at the dying warlord. The other Leaguers watch, waiting...
SUPERMAN No...he▓s beaten. It▓s over, Diana.
DIANA We may not get another chance! End him!
ORION (O.S)
No. You are not murderers...
A battle-damaged Orion moves toward them.
ORION (CONT▓D)
You are heroes.
Orion's gaze meets Superman's, then settles on Darkseid.
ORION (CONT▓D)
I have no such illusions.
Orion passes them and moves toward the fallen Darkseid.
SUPERMAN What are you doing?
ORION Far too many worlds have suffered. I will not allow it to happen again.
Orion presses a series of studs on Mother Box. An escalating PINGING noise, a ROLL OF THUNDER, and a WORMHOLE SPIRALS OPEN behind Darkseid. A VIOLENT VORTEX. Swirling WINDS and LIGHTNING. Darkseid regards Orion.
DARKSEID You...are my son...
ORION You have no son. You will have no empire.
Beneath his silver helm, hatred burns in Orion's eyes.
Darkseid just looks at his son, defeated. Orion SNAPS open his blade. Then, grasping the weapon in both hands, Orion PLUNGES it into Darkseid's chest, driving it deep. Darkseid doesn't make a sound. He just LURCHES BACKWARD, the evil light beginning to fade from his amber eyes.
Orion watches his dying father STUMBLE toward the vortex. Darkseid, REELING, reaches up and grasps the spear in his massive hand. He glares out at Orion and the League.
DARKSEID I...will not perish...I...cannot.
With a final feat of strength, Darkseid PULLS the spear from his chest and drops it, one hand covering his wound.
DARKSEID (CONT▓D)
I...am a God.
ORION Not anymore.
As life leaves him, Darkseid STAGGERS. And the force from the vortex CATCHES HIM and SUCKS Darkseid▓s limp form into the cosmos. Orion is silent for a long moment. Then he turns toward the League, the vortex remaining open.
ORION (CONT▓D)
Your world is safe now, as is my own.
Orion regards each of the Leaguers in turn.
ORION (CONT▓D)
I hail from a world of Gods. But never have I met beings with more courage. Bring this Earth the peace it deserves.
Orion STRIDES toward the wormhole. His sled ROARS to his side, and he CLIMBS aboard it, GUNNING the engine. And then, Orion RIDES his sled into the wormhole, which begins to SPIRAL CLOSED with a shattering THUNDERCLAP.
The Leaguers just stand there, silent. Behind them, O'Brian groans as he comes back to consciousness.
O'BRIAN This...does not...feel good at all.
Diana moves toward O▓Brian and kneels at his side.
DIANA O'Brian? Oh, no...
Superman approaches the fallen O▓Brian, as does J'onn.
J'ONN He has...destabilized, but his cellular physiology is self-replacating.
He will, in all liklihood, recover.
Diana cradles O'Brian's head. O'Brian smiles up at her.
O'BRIAN I'm starting to feel better already. Just get me a beer and get me to Dr. Palmer.
O'Brian reacts to the looks on the Leaguers▓ faces.
O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
Where's Ray?
The others just look at him. Unsure how to respond.
O▓BRIAN What happened to Ray?
SUPERMAN He...
Superman can▓t finish. O'Brian lets the news sink it, stunned and hurt. Diana puts a hand on his shoulder.
DIANA He saved us all.
EXT. DEMOLISHED BUILDING -- NIGHT
The Flash tries to sit up, is hit with a SPASM OF PAIN. Green Lantern approaches, kneeling beside his friend.
THE FLASH I think my leg▓s broken.
GREEN LANTERN Don't try to move it.
Green Lantern stands, points his ring at The Flash's leg and a green SPLIT coalesces around the injury. Green Lantern kneels and offers his shoulder to The Flash.
Elsewhere, Superman and Diana watch the others recover.
SUPERMAN There are rescue choppers approaching.
DIANA Then it▓s over. We▓ve won.
Superman is silent. Diana searches for the right words.
DIANA (CONT▓D)
Clark...I▓m...sorry about all this.
SUPERMAN So am I.
Diana looks into Superman▓s eyes. He looks into hers. J▓onn watches them for a moment. Near him, O▓Brian is despondent.
O'BRIAN I just, I can't believe he's...he was...he was...
J'ONN He was a good man.
J▓onn looks at O▓Brian. He puts a hand on his shoulder.
J▓ONN As are you.
Leaning on Green Lantern, The Flash manages to stand. Lantern hands him a pair of glowing green CRUTCHES.
THE FLASH Thank you.
GREEN LANTERN No...Wally...thank you.
Green Lantern extends his hand. The Flash, touched, shakes it. J'onn looks past O▓Brian, SENSING...
J'ONN We are no longer alone.
A wave of PEOPLE is filtering into the battleground. Citizens, cops, soldiers. Hundreds of people approach, staring at the CARNAGE and the exhausted Justice League. The League turns to look at them. The crowd stares in quiet disbelief. The sound of helicopters can be heard.
PAN OUT on the devastation. DOWNED POWERLINES. TOTALED VEHICLES. DAMAGED and COLLAPSED BUILDINGS, several of them in FLAMES. But there are fire trucks, police cars, and many ambulances moving along the streets below.
High above, Blackhawk jets streak into Metropolis. Behind them, a line of RESCUE CHOPPERS is cresting the horizon.
Superman looks at the Leaguers. A moment. And then Superman ASCENDS into the night, each of the Leaguers following in turn, with Green Lantern AIRLIFTING The Flash and O▓Brian out in a BUBBLE. The Justice League disappears into the skies as the crowd watches.
EXT. METROPOLIS APARTMENT COMPLEX -- DAWN
COLLAPSED ROOFTOPS. Small FIRES continue to BURN.
INT. DEMOLISHED APARTMENT
J▓onn and Diana stand before a pile of roof debris.
DIANA J▓onn?
J▓ONN A moment...there.
He points. Diana grabs a chunk of roof, and HEAVES. From behind the debris, A FRIGHTENED CHILD looks up at them. J▓onn retreats into the shadows, and Diana kneels.
DIANA It▓s all right. You▓re safe now.
J▓onn looks at the child, who falls asleep in an instant. Diana picks the child up, cradling them in her arms.
DIANA (CONT▓D)
You have a real gift.
J▓ONN There are countless more.
DIANA I know. We won▓t abandon them.
A familiar blue and red being FLASHES past the window.
EXT. METROPOLIS TENEMENT ROW -- DAWN
Superman SOARS along a row of apartments, putting out FIRES with a continuous burst of controlled SUPERBREATH. As he flies over the streets, Superman looks down, seeing the hundreds of firefighters, cops, soldiers, and rescue workers streaming along the sidewalks and streets below.
INT. WEST HOME
Linda and her son are glued to the TV, watching relief efforts. Linda looks tired, drawn. She hasn▓t slept.
Wally stands in the doorway for a moment, overcome with emotion. Linda turns, sees him at the door and LAUNCHES herself across the room, THROWING herself into his arms. Wally embraces her, kissing her, thrilled to be home.
EXT. METROPOLIS BUILDING RUINS -- DAWN
Green Lantern uses his ring to SCAN for survivors. His beam picks one out and ILLUMINATES a section of debris.
GREEN LANTERN Hey! Hey, there▓s someone over here!
INT. WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE
Arthur, wearing a suit, shakes hands with The President. Diana is there too, clad in ceremonial Amazon garb.
EXT. CEMETERY -- DAY
Palmer▓s FUNERAL. The Justice League, along with world leaders and thousands of citizens. All show reverence as images of Palmer scroll across a giant television screen. The Justice League mourns as Palmer▓s coffin is lowered.
EXT. CEMETERY -- NIGHT
O'Brian stands over Palmer's grave in a trenchcoat, his trademark shades removed. He peers down at the headstone, swallowing his grief. The wind rustles the trees above.
SUPERMAN (O.S)
He was a true hero.
O'Brian turns to see Superman FLOATING behind him.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
For as long as I knew him, Ray did whatever had to be done. He was an inspiration. To all of us.
O▓Brian nods as Superman touches down beside him.
O'BRIAN What happens now?
SUPERMAN With the League?
O'BRIAN With me.
SUPERMAN That depends on you. We have some decisions to make about the future. We▓ve been invited to UN headquarters tomorrow. You're welcome to join us there.
O'BRIAN I appreciate that...but I dunno. I'm still not sure what to make of this.
SUPERMAN You don't have to decide right now. Just know that I▓d consider it an honor to work alongside you in the future.
O'BRIAN You serious?
SUPERMAN Think about it.
Superman looks at O▓Brian, then RISES into the night. O'Brian looks down at Palmer's gravestone, thoughtful.
O'BRIAN You were right, Doc. And I owe you one. We all do.
INT. CAVE
A cloud of BATS flits through the darkness. Batman steps from the cave shadows, tense, listening, searching.
BATMAN I know you're there, Clark.
Superman emerges from the shadows.
BATMAN Why are you here?
SUPERMAN I came to thank you. You were monitoring the situation all along, weren't you?
Batman is silent. Superman hands Batman a small COMMUNICATOR. Batman accepts it and studies it.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
We're going to ask Eel O▓Brian to join the League. We could extend the same offer to you.
BATMAN I appreciate the gesture, but I have other obligations here in Gotham.
SUPERMAN So I gather. But tell me, will Bruce Wayne be at the UN conference tomorrow?
Batman just looks at him.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
I can see right through you.
BATMAN Good luck to you and the league.
Batman turns to go. Superman watches for a moment.
SUPERMAN
You▓re one of us, Bruce. Don't ever forget that.
Batman keeps moving into the shadows of the cavern. There is a rush of wind as Superman exits.
INT. CAVE, SUPERCOMPUTER
Batman sits down in front of the supercomputer. He looks at the communicator. Then he begins tapping at keys. SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS of familiar meta-humans scroll across the main screen, and data STREAMS across the others. Something resembling a smile crosses Batman's lips, then fades, as something occurs to him. He seems troubled.
Batman presses a sequence of keys. The citizen photos disappear, and new images begin to scroll across the screen. Superman. Wonder Woman. J'onn. Green Lantern. The Flash. Aquaman. Batman leans back and stares at the screen, lost in thought as data continues to scroll.
EXT. UNITED NATIONS PLAZA -- DAY
A sizeable crowd of REPORTERS, DIGNITARIES and CITIZENS has gathered for a press conference. The President and his Secret Service detail wait on the podium, along with WORLD LEADERS. And then, a tumultuous CHEER erupts. The crowd looks up at the skies, staring in utter awe.
The Justice League has arrived. Superman and Diana SOAR through the air, side by side. Below them, Green Lantern bears a green bubble that holds The Flash and O'Brian.
EXT. UNITED NATIONS PLAZA -- DAY
Superman and the others touch down on the podium to THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE. The Leaguers move along, shaking hands with politicians and dignitaries. As the cheers grow, Superman moves to the podium and peers out over the crowd, the rest of the Leaguers on either side of him.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
(Amplified)
Thank you for inviting us today. It▓s a great honor to be here.
Superman looks out over the crowd, at expectant faces.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
(Amplified)
Recent events have brought several things to light. I don't think that we realized how you see us. Because we see ourselves quite differently. We have power, yes, but we are not Gods. And we▓re not perfect. We do the best we can with our abilities, and this time it almost wasn't enough. In the future, we▓ll work with you to seek solutions to the world's problems, but we can't solve them for you. To be honest, that was never our intention. Because this world has more than its share of heroes. Courageous people who do immense amounts of good every day, without thought of recognition or personal reward. People who stand for what's right, no matter how difficult it is to do so. I believe I can speak for all of us when I say we are proud to be part of this world. We are proud to be here among you. And we will do our best to work toward a better future for all.
CHEERS and APPLAUSE. Reporters clamor for attention.
FIRST REPORTER Superman! Can you comment on the alien aggressors' planet of origin?
SUPERMAN We▓re still trying to ascertain that. But I▓d like to stress that at this point, there is no reason to believe there is any further threat.
SECOND REPORTER Several philanthropists have made sizeable donations to the invasion relief effort. Theodore Kord and Bruce Wayne, to name a few. Will you be involved in the relief efforts?
DIANA We intend to continue assisting as much as possible with ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.
THIRD REPORTER Who's the gentleman in the shades?
O'Brian, in shades and a jacket, looks surprised.
DIANA This is Plastic Man. And as far as we▓re concerned, he▓s more than proven himself.
O'Brian looks at her. Diana smiles. The reporters continue to fire questions. O▓Brian leans toward Diana.
O'BRIAN "Plastic Man"?
DIANA Would you rather be called something like The Elongated Man?
O'Brian lowers his shades and gives her a devilish smile.
O'BRIAN By you?
Diana shakes her head and ignores him as best she can.
O'BRIAN (CONT▓D)
Ok, then. Plastic Man it is.
The sound of the crowd and reporters blends into HUBBUB.
EXT. UNITED NATIONS BUILDING ROOFTOP -- DAY
A lone figure watches the scene far below. J▓onn J▓onnz.
SUPERMAN (O.S)
J'onn?
J'onn turns and sees Superman walking toward him.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
Thanks for the speech you gave me. I don't know that it could have been said any better. What are you doing up here?
J'ONN Given their feelings toward aliens at this point, I felt it would be prudent if I wasn't seen. But I had to be here. There's so much hope down there. It almost radiates from them.
SUPERMAN Yes. It does.
J'ONN I think I see now, why you defend them. Why you fight so hard to protect them.
SUPERMAN They're worth it.
Superman and J'onn gaze down at the proceedings below.
INT. UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS HALLWAY
Diana and Arthur walk the halls of the UN headquarters.
DIANA You▓ve made a bold move today, Arthur.
ARTHUR Do you think it will change anything?
DIANA It could, if the world wants things to change. We're all very grateful to you and your people for your assistance.
ARTHUR Perhaps it's time to put the conflicts of the past behind us.
The two of them stop and look out the window at the celebration below. Diana turns toward her friend.
DIANA To the future, then.
ARTHUR Yes. To the future.
INT. WATCHTOWER CONFERENCE ROOM
Gleaming like new. Superman, Diana, J▓onn, Green Lantern, The Flash, Arthur and Plastic Man are seated at The Roundtable. Superman enters and sits in his own chair, looking around at each of the assembled heroes.
SUPERMAN Is everyone here?
DIANA Almost.
There is a single empty chair. Superman takes this in. The Leaguers watch, waiting for him to begin the meeting.
SUPERMAN There▓s a price to be paid for our power. We are at a turning point in Earth▓s history, and it▓s going to be up to us to make the most of it.
DIANA We have their trust for now, but we▓ll have to work hard to maintain it.
SUPERMAN With the aid of several benefactors, steps have been taken to ensure that no invasion attempt or act of war goes undetected. There are those who would crush freedom to see their power grow. We have to be prepared for that, and for any future threat to Earth and its people.
J'ONN As the invasion revealed, we are not the sole metahumans on the planet. There were many unlikely heroes during the battle. Others...made their presence known.
DIANA We're considering the possibility of training a reserve task force of sorts.
THE FLASH And just how do we find these others?
SUPERMAN Once we make our intentions known, I▓m confident that many will volunteer.
J▓ONN It won't be impossible to locate others.
BATMAN (O.S)
You're going to need leads.
Batman emerges from the corner, reaching beneath his cloak and producing a DOSSIER. He TOSSES the dossier across the room. The Flash catches it, opens it, and begins SPEED READING.
THE FLASH Names, addresses, even a breakdown of individual metahuman abilities...
BATMAN Several of them show potential.
PLASTIC MAN Yeah, there▓s definite potential here.
Plastic Man is viewing pictures of the blonde screamer, the girl with green hair, and the platinum blonde. Diana shoots him a look. Plastic Man winks at her in response.
GREEN LANTERN So we're going to be recruiting?
THE FLASH We were stretched thin as it was. Do we have the time and resources to locate and train these people?
ARTHUR We▓ll make time. Each of us has our obligations. But we share a common responsibility to the world.
SUPERMAN Then it's agreed. The League remains operational, and we begin the process of seeking out and evaluating reserves.
Superman looks at them each in turn.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
I'm glad. This is what we▓ve worked for. And I have to say, it's been an honor to stand with all of you. It▓s good to know we▓re all in this together.
Superman is looking at Diana as he says this.
DIANA Where did Batman go?
The League looks around. Batman has disappeared.
PLASTIC MAN How the heck does he do that?
THE FLASH Blink and you miss it.
GREEN LANTERN You missed it, didn't you?
THE FLASH Yep.
J▓onn rises, turns toward a viewing portal, alarmed.
J'ONN There is a rather serious situation developing off the coast of Japan.
The Leaguers look up from the dossiers. O▓Brian STRETCHES his arm across the room and presses a button on the monitors, which come on in sequence. Images of the Japanese coastline. Panicking citizens.
DIANA Gaea...a tsunami...
The League rises as one.
GREEN LANTERN I'm on it.
THE FLASH I▓ll go with him. With luck, we can stop it long before it reaches the coast.
ARTHUR I must return as well. This will almost certainly have oceanic significance.
Arthur, Green Lantern and The Flash head for the exit. Diana gazes at Superman. Superman nods, looks toward-
SUPERMAN O▓Brian.
O▓Brian is almost glued to the monitors.
PLASTIC MAN Yes?
SUPERMAN You should go with them.
PLASTIC MAN And do what?
SUPERMAN Whatever you can.
Plastic Man is stunned. The others wait for his reaction.
GREEN LANTERN Coming, Plas?
PLASTIC MAN Yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Plastic Man MORPHS his face into a SNORKEL. His feet become FLIPPERS, and his stomach BALLOONS into a FLOTATION DEVICE. He follows the others out.
DIANA Should we help them?
SUPERMAN They can handle it.
J'onn rises, looking at the two of them.
J'ONN I believe I'll lend a hand as well. Perhaps I can reassure the populace.
J'onn turns and heads for the exit, cloak flowing behind.
SUPERMAN J'onn.
J'onn stops in front of the exit.
SUPERMAN (CONT▓D)
We couldn't have done it without you. Any of this.
J'onn considers this, and struggles with his emotion.
J'ONN Thank you. That...means much to me. I will see you later...my friends.
J▓onn looks at Superman and Diana, his face contorting.
DIANA J▓onn, are you all right?
It looks odd, but J▓onn is trying like hell to smile.
J'ONN I have seldom felt better.
J'onn PHASES OUT. Superman moves to the viewing portal at the edge of the Conference Room and looks out a portal.
DIANA What will you do now?
SUPERMAN The world seems to be in good hands. I▓m thinking about taking a short vacation.
DIANA Really? That sounds nice.
SUPERMAN You▓re welcome to join me.
Diana steps alongside and takes in the view with him.
DIANA
It's beautiful.
SUPERMAN It certainly is.
DIANA Clark...is this what you wanted?
Superman considers for a moment.
SUPERMAN It could be.
Diana smiles. So does Superman.
EXT. TOKYO -- DAY
J▓onn FLOATS over the teeming city, concentrating hard.
At the coastline, Plastic Man begins to STRETCH, FLOWING outward until he has become an enormous RETENTION WALL. He gazes at the oncoming wall of water, steeling himself.
INT. WATCHTOWER CONFERENCE ROOM
Diana puts a hand on Superman▓s shoulder. We soar past them, moving out the portal, and turn back to see...
EXT. WATCHTOWER -- NIGHT
The Watchtower. It seems to have a number of additions. And now we realize: it▓s not the original Watchtower, but Darkseid▓s Moon Complex, with several new additions.
The new Watchtower rests in the terrain of The Moon, a bastion of justice and freedom, looking down on Earth.
FADE TO BLACK
