Disclaimer: Fall is coming. Or is it already here? It doesn't matter, 'cause I have the next chapter to my crossover which picked more hits and reviews than I expected. Seriously, I expected the reviews to number around the 20's or 30's. So, I must be doing something right.

Anyway, I don't own the rights to Marvel Comics or DC Comics or any of the characters from either brand.

Chapter X

Thor started to open his eyes slowly and he instantly felt the searing heat of the environment around him. It didn't take long for him to realize that he wasn't in Asgard and less to determine that he wasn't in the Asgardian dungeons as part of one of Loki's sick games. Then the memories began flooding back, not the least of which was his beating at the hands of, not Doctor Doom and not even of the Hulk, but of a hulking demigod that was perhaps more powerful than any villain Thor had faced. As he contemplated his situation, Thor looked up and he could see the visage of Doctor Doom standing in front of him with no small amount of arrogance.

Thor made a move toward Doctor Doom and that was when he realized that his hands were shackled against a wall. He tried to pull on the chains but they were somehow stronger than he thought. The Hulk would've broken out of the shackles easily, but Thor seemed to be having difficultly even budging them. Thor didn't surrender and pulled with all his might to break the shackles. Doctor Doom simply stood by and watched the Asgardian struggle and it was all to no avail.

"You waste your energies struggling, Asgardian. From what our host tells me, no one breaks those shackles unless he wills it." Doctor Doom implied.

"So this is how you've been spared, Doom? You've taken to being our 'host's' new lap dog? I expected better of you." Thor mocked Doom with a sly grin.

"So says the supposed heir to the throne of Asgard who has taken to playing second fiddle to Tony Stark. Quite the contrary in my case, for Darkseid and I have come to an agreement; he would allow me to roam free within his citadel as I see fit and in return, I would provide every piece of information on you and the rest of your allies. Which, I already have." Doctor Doom stated.

Thor merely chuckled at Doom's claim and replied, "You believe telling this Darkseid about my fellow Avengers will make a difference? I cannot wait to see how badly he underestimates them when they arrive to free me and capture you, Doom."

Doctor Doom turned his back to Thor and started walking out of the cell. He replied, "Just as you underestimated the might of Darkseid, you also overestimate your allies chances of merely surviving the inevitable encounter to come."

"My allies WILL come, Doom. Be certain of that." Thor snapped.

Doctor Doom ignored the Prince of Asgard and exited the cell. One of Darkseid's Parademons shut the door behind hard as if attempting to gain the despot's attention. This happened in a blink; Doom turned his masked face to the Parademon and narrowed his eyes at the monster. The Parademon made a garbling noise that Doom surmised was a laugh, but he wasn't amused in the least. Rather than flaying the Parademon where it stood, which was a tempting thought in itself, Doctor Doom walked away. He still heard the Parademon laughing at grumbling at him, but he wasn't about to give it the time of day. He had business with Darkseid.

In a separate area that was akin to a scientific facility, Darkseid watched his scientists AKA slaves experiment with Mjolnir. The hammer was still embedded in the stone floor and since none were worthy to move it, improvisation became a necessity. The area of stone was carved out of the floor and encased in a glass jar with the hammer still there. Darkseid stood stoically as his chief researchers worked diligently if only to stave off their master's eventual wrath should they have failed. Which, they did… frequently.

By the commands of Darkseid, they were to harness Mjolnir's power so that Darkseid's armies could use it to invade Earth. So far, the results were far, far less than satisfactory. Darkseid didn't show it, but his overall patience was wearing very thin. Coming into the chamber with his ever-familiar swagger and arrogance, Doctor Doom instantly sensed Darkseid's ire for his slaves growing. Any lesser being would've immediately turned tail and run. Maybe they'd avoid Darkseid's Omega Beam, but most likely wouldn't survive. Doctor Doom was no lesser being and he stood beside Darkseid as if the mere fear of him meant nothing.

"It is an exurbanite waste of time attempting to harness Mjolnir's power. Despite my own natural worthiness, not even I have managed to lift it. So what hope do you have to make any use of Mjolnir besides that of a paperweight?" Doctor Doom asked, clearly trying to mock Darkseid.

Darkseid ignored Doctor Doom's claims and continued to examine the attempts by his scientists on Mjolnir. One test resulted in a surge of lightning bursting out of the hammer and sparking through the chamber. The scientists scattered, but Darkseid and Doom stood their ground. A lone scientist emerged from his cover and approached Darkseid, doing so with a cautious step. He quickly dropped to the floor and bowed to his master as if he tried to pray for some form of forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, master. We tried all we could but we simply cannot harness or even syphon the immense power within the hammer." he said, and Darkseid responded by vaporizing the hapless slave with his Omega Beam.

The rest of the scientist/slaves scurried away as Darkseid approach Mjolnir, and Doom stated, "Told you."

"Every attempt to use the hammer's mystical properties to strengthen my armies has ended in failure. This is a rare moment in which I was actually mistaken." Darkseid stated, and it was a rare moment.

"For one who prides himself to being the absolute ruler of this living embodiment of Hell itself, you seem to known little of Norse Mythology." Doom stated, clearly trying to push every one of Darkseid's buttons.

But the Ruler of Apokolips saw through Doom's attempts and remained stoically calm. "To the contrary, Doom. In my own countless attempts to conquer Earth, I've amassed a great deal of insights of humanity's ancient histories. But I suspect the mythology of Thor and Mjolnir and Asgard takes on a far more… literal sense."

"Figured that out all by yourself," Doctor Doom taunted Darkseid again, and Darkseid grabbed Doom by his tunic and hoisted him up. Doom was nonplussed. "I do not threaten easily, Darkseid, nor do I feel fear toward your own insurmountable might. But the Avengers, the so-called heroes of my Earth who pester me to no end, they would fall at your feet like toy soldiers."

Darkseid drew Doctor Doom closer so they were eye to eye and said, "You would think to manipulate me into eradicating your enemies."

"Sooner or later, the Avengers will arrive here to recover their ally, and considering the presence of this universe's group of heroes, they will more than likely succeed… and perhaps overthrow you."

"I've faced the Justice League more than my fair share of times and in each of those times, I've bested them. And, while I suspect that another conflict is inevitable, the results will always prove unchanged." Darkseid claimed.

"I don't doubt it, but should your universe's Justice League join forces with the Avengers, I doubt even you or your armies wouldn't stand a chance." Doom stated, and Darkseid set him down and released him.

Darkseid turned back to gazing at the hammer that remained completely inert. "I believe the humans have a saying; 'Where there is a will, there is a way.'"

Doctor Doom glanced at Mjolnir and laughed under his mask. "You actually think you can manipulate the Asgardian to do you bidding. You're only fooling yourself, Darkseid. Thor's god-like power is matched only by his incorruptibility. His own brother couldn't sway him so what hope would you have."

Darkseid looked at Doctor Doom, fire bursting from his eyes. "I've swayed Superman to my cause, Doctor Doom. Trust me, I have my ways."

"As long as your methods do not interfere with mine, you may do as you please." Doctor Doom said and walked away, leaving Darkseid to continue studying Mjolnir.

Iron Man and Captain America had finished their tour of the Justice Leagues' Watchtower and made it back to the control area where most of the other Avengers were waiting for them. Black Widow and the Hulk were the only ones not to be present. Widow had been taken to a medical area, while the Hulk was elsewhere. Captain America looked at his fellow Avengers and sensed the still lingering hostilities between some of them, but it was his natural leadership that kept them in line.

Conversely, Superman and Wonder Woman kept the other League members from picking a fight. Batman was at the console with Cyborg and Vision; the Dark Knight in particular worked diligently while ignoring the two synthetically made heroes. Green Lantern and the Flash were conversing to themselves while Captain Marvel rejoined Iron Man and Captain America, and Hawkeye was seated in a corner beside Aquaman and Raven was meditating nearby. The tenseness of situation was palpable given that the two groups of heroes were, only some time ago, literally at war. Removing his helmet, it was Iron Man who finally broke the awkward silence.

"Well, this certainly is a very impressive instillation. It's not quite as… homey as Avenger's Tower back in our world, but decent overall."

"Way to break the ice, Tony." Captain Marvel joked.

"It's better than breaking our necks," said Captain America. "Vision, have you managed to get a trace on Thor yet?"

"I, along with Victor Stone, have yet to determine the precise location of either Thor or Victor Von Doom anywhere on the Earth of this universe." Vision replied.

"That's because they're not on Earth." Batman said.

"What do you mean?" Captain America asked.

"The portal they arrived in was Boom Tube, generated by a Mother Box; we've seen the kind of technology before. Some, more than others." Superman explained.

It's likely that your friend and your enemy both ended up on a world called Apokolips. We've all been on that world before and it's as close to a clear description of Hell as you can get." Wonder Woman stated.

"It's ruled by Darkseid and in all likelihood, he's either killed your friend… or worse." Superman stated grimly.

"What do you mean?" Marvel wondered.

Superman was almost unwilling to divulge an answer and seemed to wonder to the wall near the console on which Batman, Cyborg and Vision work. "Before the formation of the League, I've had my share of conflicts with Darkseid. He's invaded Earth, our Earth, several times. One of those times, he… used me."

"Used you?" Iron Man said.

"Darkseid has ways of manipulating people regardless of who they are or where they come from. He brainwashed Superman into believing he was his son and heir to the throne of Apokolips. Then he wound him up and turned him loose on Earth." Batman explained without a hint of hesitation, and Superman didn't confront him.

"It took a long time for me to win back their trust." Superman finished.

Captain America and Iron Man exchanged glances of concern before Cap approached Superman and told him, "If you're suggesting that this Darkseid can turn Thor against us, then you don't know Thor as well as we do."

"It's more that just a suggestion. Darkseid has proven time and again that he can get in your head and bend it to his will and I can promise you from my own personal experience, he won't so much as blink an eye or have a second thought. Darkseid is pure evil." Superman explained with utter conviction in his voice.

"Look pal, we've fought demigods, alien shape shifters, dark elves, mutants and robots and, a mad titan, a time traveler and even giant purple guy that eats planets… sort of." Hawkeye claimed.

"And your point?" Superman said.

"The point is the Avengers can handle anything thrown at us and anyone who rises to challenge us. So whatever challenges Darkseid lays out for us, we'll face it as team." Captain America stated with the air of confidence that made him a natural leader.

"Darkseid has an entire planet under his thumb. He has countless armies ready to die at his command and technology well beyond the scope of our Earth or any Earth in any universe. Take our word for it; you wouldn't stand a chance." Batman said, getting right in Captain America's face.

"Darkseid might have all of what you just described, but we have a Hulk." Iron Man retorted.

Superman glared at Iron Man and replied, "Yeah, I've met him."

As if it was clockwork, Bruce Banner stumbled into the control area without a shirt and in turn jeans and rubbing the back of his neck. "Did I miss something? Tony? Steve?"

The Flash bolted right up to Bruce and nearly knocked him over when they came face to face. "Okay, who are you and where'd you come from? And what happened to your clothes?"

"Uh, I'm Bruce Banner and I'm from Manhattan, New York. As for my clothes… it's complicated."

The Flash had to keep himself from laughing when he turned toward Captain America and Iron Man. "Wait a sec… this guy is one of you Avengers. Seriously, what makes him so special?"

"Flash, do you remember that giant green monster that we all risked bringing onto the Watchtower?" Wonder Woman asked.

"Yeah!"

"That's him." Wonder Woman claimed, and the Flash could be heard almost whimpering.

Captain Marvel added, "Word of advice; don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry."

"Carol, take Bruce and go check on Natasha." Captain America requested, to which Captain Marvel gave him a nod and floated over to Bruce.

Meanwhile, Hawkeye was still seated beside Aquaman and looked at his trident. "So, you can talk to fish…"

"What of it?" Aquaman coldly asked.

"Oh nothing. That seems… useful," Hawkeye blurted out, and he earned a glared from Aquaman. "I'm gonna… check on my friend." Hawkeye said and hustled after Carol and Bruce.

Aquaman sighed, "Surface dwellers."

After Carol, Bruce and Hawkeye departed, Captain America said to Batman, "Look, none of what you've told us changes the fact that Thor and Doctor Doom are on enemy territory. And if there's one thing I learned during my time in the Army, it's that you never leave a man behind."

"Then you're damn fools, thinking you can possibly survive a trip to Apokolips, much less survive a fight with Darkseid or his armies." Batman claimed, and Superman knew it was all for show from the Dark Knight. He knew that Batman was already onboard for what Captain America was planning.

"We'll help you get your friend back, but you need to understand that once we get to Apokolips, you might not like what you find there." Superman stated.

Captain America and Iron Man looked at each other and Iron Man said, "Well, it wouldn't be the first time we found something we didn't like. It won't be last time either."

Natasha hated being laid up in an infirmary, especially one that happened to be on a giant platform in orbit above a planet Earth that wasn't her Earth. If nothing else, at least she had a spectacular view of the Earth from the large windows in her room. It still didn't change the fact that this Earth wasn't Natasha's Earth. That fact alone hurt much more than searing pain in her midsection. The struggle to sit upright didn't help the matter when she did but she still managed it.

Natasha was sitting up in her bed, the top half of her jumpsuit removed and a tactical bra the only thing covering her… assets. Her midsection was bandaged and parts of the bruises poked out from underneath. It wasn't the first time that Natasha had endured a brutal fight. It was only the first time she'd been so thoroughly manhandled by an Amazon. The infirmary doors opened and Natasha immediately concluded that it was one of the heroes of this alternate universe. Thankfully, it was Bruce and Carol entering the room… and Clint was right behind them.

Clint quickly pushed passed Bruce and Carol and he immediately embraced Natasha. "I though I'd lost you, Nat."

"I glad I got your hopes up. Can you let go now, Clint, because I can't breathe," Natasha asked and Clint released her. "You know, I just got my ass handed to me by an Amazon and my ribs are literally killing me."

"Just be happy that it's only your ribs that's killing you." Clint stated, as morbid as it sounded.

"Thanks… I think. Where's Thor?" Natasha asked, and the three Avengers fell silent for some time.

Carol eventually replied, "We have some idea about where he is, him and Doom, but our hosts from this universe suggest that going to that place isn't a good idea."

"And where exactly is this place?" Natasha asked.

"According to, um Superman, it's a planet called Apokolips and it's ruled by someone called Darkseid." Carol informed Natasha.

"Apokolips? Darkseid? Superman? Not exactly the most original in terms of monikers, but then again, neither is mine. So, when do we leave?" Natasha asked as she started to get out of bed.

"Oh no you don't. You're still wounded, Nat." Clint said.

"Clint's right, Natasha. You've got a several cracked ribs and stress fractures that'll take some time to recover. You can still move around if you like but I personally recommend that you take it easy. No strenuous activity." Bruce stated.

"Bruce, I've been through a hell of a lot worse than getting tossed around by a taller woman in provocative swimwear. I might not be a Hulk but I am an Avenger." Natasha argued and winced in pain from her ribs.

"You're also human and you can be hurt, maybe even killed." Clint said.

"I'm not dead yet, am I?" Natasha said matter-of-factly.

Clint replied with a sly smirk, "I guess not. But for right now, we've got to follows Cap's lead on this one. We'll get Thor back. We've just got to figure out how to not die beforehand."

"Learning how not to almost maybe die sounds like a good plan. Either way, I really hate that woman." Natasha said, obviously referring to Wonder Woman.

Alone in his dungeon, Thor spent an indeterminate amount of time trying to break his bonds. But it seemed as though the more he struggled, the tighter the chains became. Thor refused to give up and continued his laborious efforts to break free of his chains. He knew that after he would've done so, if he even could, he'd have to retrieve Mjolnir from wherever it was held. Then, he'd have to capture Doctor Doom and find a way out of Apokolips. Redoubling his efforts, Thor pulled and struggled even harder to break free. Then he suddenly stopped.

He knew instantly that he wasn't alone in his cell, and he knew it wasn't Doctor Doom. Out from the shadows walked Darkseid, his crimson eyes the only source of light in the dungeon. Thor increased his struggle to get free, now urgently wanting to fight Darkseid there and now. Darkseid stood stoically before the Asgardian with his arms folding behind his back and watched Thor's struggle with marked interest. Admiring the sheer determination that Thor exhibited, Darkseid could hard contain a telling smirk on his stone-like face.

"I see now why Doctor Doom perceives you as a threat. Despite you current situation, you still continue to fight; an admirable quality I've witnessed all too often."

"Release these bonds and I'd be more than happy to show you more of said quality." Thor challenged Darkseid, who merely tilted his head to one side in curiousness.

"A tempting offer, but permit me to counter with one of my own; you possess truly remarkable power, but it is untapped and locked away deep within. Even with you hammer at you disposal, you've only scratched the surface of what you're capable of." Darkseid claimed while taking a step forward toward Thor.

"You've no idea of what the Mighty Thor is capable."

"I can surmise that the same could said be of yourself, Thor. Aside from Superman, you could be the most powerful being in this or any universe." Darkseid countered.

Thor countered back with a smile, "You obviously haven't met the Hulk."

"I've no doubt that I shall eventually, but I offer you the opportunity to become even mightier than you ever believed possible. Countless worlds across countless realities will tremble at you feet. Fear will grip those who hear the mere mention of your very name. All you need to do is swear your undying allegiance to Darkseid."

Thor glared at Darkseid with immense anger in his eyes and he declared, "My allegiance is the Avengers, to Odin Allfather and the people as Asgard and most importantly, to all who reside on Midgard regardless of which universe upon which I find myself."

Darkseid narrowed his eyes and asked, "And this is your final answer?"

"I'll put it to you in a manner befitting Tony Stark, my friend and fellow Avenger; you can go to Hell." Thor defiantly proclaimed.

"So be it," Darkseid replied and fired his Omega Beam at Thor from point blank range. As Thor screamed and struggled against the force of the Omega Beam, Darkseid stated, "I had once presented the same opportunity to Superman and he chose to defy me. I shall now tell you what I told him; if you will not be my knight, then you will be pawn."

"THE AVENGERS…. WILL DEFEAT YOU!" Thor screamed out over the intensity of the Omega Beam as Darkseid continued his assault.

Meanwhile, Doctor Doom stood outside of the dungeon and watched the flashing of fiery red jolting from inside. He listened to Thor's agonizing screaming that was laced also with the inherent defiance he'd come to respect. Doom did indeed respect Thor and the rest of the Avengers regardless of often they'd gotten in his way. Doom considered stepping into the dungeon to stop Darkseid from possibly killed Thor, if only for the pleasure of doing it himself. That was how much Doom respected the Avengers. It was a begrudging, bitter kind of respect but it was respect... and it was the kind of respect that Doom suspected Darkseid possessed very little of, if at all.

Doctor Doom turned from the dungeon and walked away while he still heard Thor's screams. He stopped only once to turn his face back toward the red lights. He was still considering going inside to stop Darkseid, but he thought better of it. He would allow Darkseid to have his twisted style of fun with Thor. Turning away from the sight and sound of Thor's suffering, Doctor Doom slipped away into the shadows.

Author's Note: I finally got this chapter finished, no thanks to all the distractions and the Writer's Block. So, this chapter is lighter on action and focused establishing the interactions of the characters.

You can tell that the Avengers and the Justice League don't really trust each other, nor do Darkseid and Doctor Doom. Thor's predicament is… I guess can say it's a callback to Superman: The Animated Series. Darkseid even speaks an infamous line from that series. Another callback is Superman's very personal animosity towards Darkseid.

So what do you think? Give me a shout out and I'll try to get around to getting another chapter sooner rather than later. And, please don't your Omega Beams on me!