Previously: Batman and Martian Manhunter save Superman from mind control on Apokolips and reunite with the other four heroes.


The East End Bowery was close to decimated; most buildings were nothing but rubble, coupled with car wrecks courtesy of the fight which has lasted for hours without end. Deafening sonic booms rocked the area's landscape and random bouts of green light flared, the sound of lightning sliced the landscape which was preceded by a red and yellow blur which zoomed through the battle-ravaged streets and zigzagging past the fire pits created by the terraforming courtesy of the Mother Box unification, while simultaneously being chased by numerous swarms of Parademons. On one side of the Bowery, an alien wearing green and blue armour with a red-coloured cross across his torso and a man with a blue and red costume with an S on his chest was locked in battle with a god wearing black armour on his torso and grey skin with a rocky texture. Known as Martian Manhunter and Superman, their punches slammed into the grey-skinned god known as Darkseid with reckless abandon, with the New God fighting back.

Meanwhile, Green Lantern flew over the heroes fighting on the ground, creating missile constructs which collided into swarms of Parademons and exploding on impact. Wonder Woman and Aquaman were united in their advance, creating a beeline towards the Mother Box which terraformed the Bowery landscape, slicing into Parademons along the way. The Flash was rounding up Parademons chasing the Scarlet Speedster, while Batman in his Batmobile, an armoured car which was packed with weapons, was firing missiles and machine gun rounds into the pursuing Parademons from behind, taking many of them out. The Flash then sped past Wonder Woman and Aquaman who turned their attention to the pursuing Parademons.

"You've got incoming!" The Flash shouted as he zoomed past. Wonder Woman, within five seconds, sheathed her sword and put her shield on her back and unwound her lasso, throwing it and caught it around three Parademons. She then pulled tightly, squeezing them together, making the Parademons screech in pain. The Amazonian Princess then swung the makeshift weapon around like a hammer, slamming them into oncoming Parademons that were surrounding them, screaming out a war cry in the process. Aquaman, holding his trident with his right hand, charged at the incoming Parademons, throwing the trident like a javelin with lethal intent. The trident jammed into the leading Parademon's chest, and the resulting momentum sent the Parademon flying into the swarm behind.

"Lantern!" Aquaman boomed. "Take them out from the air!" The King of Atlantis jumped after the dead Parademon with the trident still jammed on its chest, grabbing the trident and taking it out of the Parademon's chest. He landed on the ground, with Parademons in a circle flying at him. Suddenly, green coloured machine gun bullets rained down from the sky, hitting the Parademons and felling them. Aquaman looked up at the sky and saw Green Lantern saluted at him, flying back up and creating a helicopter construct which fired missiles and machine guns at the Parademons; Aquaman merely smiled and lunged forward at another swarm of Parademons, holding his trident.

Superman flew at a high speed towards Darkseid with fists pointed straight towards the New God, slamming into him and carrying him; with Martian Manhunter pursuing them from behind.

"You've caused enough damage to this world, Darkseid!" Superman shouted, throwing punches as he flew, the two slamming into buildings as if they were cardboard. Darkseid recovered and grabbed both of Superman's fists as he threw them, planting his feet on the ground, digging into the asphalt road to support himself. He then headbutted the Kryptonian, disorienting him and knocking him back slightly. Darkseid immediately counterattacked, throwing an uppercut which connected with Superman's chin, and then followed with a fist to the stomach, making the Man of Steel double over in pain. The Apokoliptan tyrant then clasped his hands together, and swung them downward, slamming Superman onto the ground. Martian Manhunter finally caught up with the two godlike beings, throwing a punch with his right fist that connected with Darkseid's left cheek. Darkseid stumbled to the right and Martian Manhunter immediately followed with an uppercut that connected with the New God's chin. Superman followed suit, slamming his shoulder into Darkseid's chest, knocking Darkseid back. Darkseid immediately recovered, hovering above the ground facing Superman and Martian Manhunter.

"Impressive," Darkseid commented. "Your strength has increased since we last met, Kryptonian. I seem to have also underestimated your strength, Martian."

"Scared, Darkseid?" Superman said, smiling. Darkseid merely chuckled at Superman's remark.

"I am a god, and you are nothing," Darkseid replied. "Afraid? Not even close." Suddenly, Darkseid landed on the ground and jumped towards Superman. Superman and Martian Manhunter flew at the New God at the same time, throwing punches which Darkseid caught in midair.

"My true strength; let me enlighten you," Darkseid declared. With overwhelming speed for his size, Darkseid threw Martian Manhunter like a small rock, resulting in the Martian colliding into a building. As soon as Martian Manhunter left his hand, he threw a fist which slammed into Superman's face, sending the Kryptonian flying into the ground. Superman tried to stand up, however Darkseid's foot then slammed into his stomach, making him fall on his back. His costume was torn from all the punishment he took, and there was a bruise on his right cheek. Darkseid put his foot on the Kryptonian's chest, his eyes glowing crimson red. Martian Manhunter flew at the New God, and Darkseid immediately turned and fired his Omega Beams; however, Martian Manhunter immediately phased through the beams, still flying towards Darkseid. However, as Martian Manhunter finally materialized to throw a punch, Darkseid grabbed him by the head, and the Apokoliptan ruler slammed his fist into the Martian's stomach and then threw him onto the ground with enough force to create a crater with the Martian's body.

"J'onn!" Superman cried. He felt the force on his chest loosen and flew out of the New God's grip, and immediately threw a punch that connected with Darkseid's right cheek. Darkseid retaliated within seconds, throwing three consecutive punches which connected with Superman's stomach, chin and right cheek, the force sending the Kryptonian flying into the outer wall of a building. Darkseid hovered towards Superman, looking at the Kryptonian's body which was stuck on the outer wall. Superman looked back at Darkseid defiantly, his body too weak from all the punishment he took from the mental torture and later the beat down.

"Disappointing, Kryptonian…" Darkseid grabbed Superman by the neck, picking him up from the wall and staring at him with a stoic look on his face. "You would've been a valuable addition to my army; your valor and bravery would've served Apokolips well."

"I'll fight while I can still draw breath, Darkseid…" Superman remarked, however struggling to get the words out as Darkseid's grip on Superman's neck became tighter. His cape was ripped to shreds and his costume was torn due to the punishment he took. Darkseid slammed him back into the wall, and then raised him above his head.

"First, the oceans will boil," Darkseid said. He threw Superman down, and his back connected with Darkseid's knee, making the Kryptonian shout in complete pain, falling to the ground on his stomach. Darkseid looked at Superman, struggling to stand again.

"Then, the skies will rain fire." Darkseid kicked Superman in the stomach, forcing him on his back, coughing out blood. The New God then planted his foot on Superman's chest, attempting to crush it.

"The streets will run red with the blood of millions, and when I annihilate your beloved city; when I obliterate resistance, when I turn your planet into another Apokolips, I will carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room."


TO BE CONTINUED...