It was a day, just like any other. Good versus evil, the good guys triumph. Rinse, repeat. But on this one day, the villains of Earth had other plans. On this day, not everything would end as it should. Thus begins... the Doom of the Multiverse, a Symbol Of Hope shall rise in it's ashes.
:: ::
Metropolis, a bustling city lit by the ever growing populace. Above them stands a beacon, the Daily Planet, a hub of information, and for one reporter, the perfect cover. The reporter stands at his office window overlooking the traffic down below, tuning in to every noise, every baby crying, every car horn, every police siren in the distance. His super hearing tuned into any and all cries for help in the city he calls his own.
"Staring out again, hon?" A voice spoke behind him, breaking him from his trance. It was Lois Lane, his wife. One of very few people he trusts with his secret.
"Danger never sleeps, Lois." The reporter says, resting a hand on the window of the Daily Planet. "Neither do the ones who cause the danger."
"Yeah, yeah. You always say that, Clark." Lois says walking up, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I just wish for one day, you could be Clark Kent, husband to Lois Lane, and not Superman, Man Of Steel. It's our anniversary, isn't it? Jon is with Damian and his Titans, we got the whole house to ourselves."
Clark looks down to the city one last time, before turning to Lois Lane with a smile on his face, fixing his glasses into place, "The city can survive-"
Clark Kent cut off, as he heard something coming from the east, carried on the wind. A machine firing up, as he turns he sees a green-blue laser firing into the sky, cutting the clouds in half, as a swirl of mist enveloped the city.
"That laser... it's coming from.." Lois whispers, covering her mouth.
"Lexcorp. What is Luthor doing?" Clark asks, as he pulls his glasses off, dropping them, as he sped away, changing into his costume and taking flight.
:: ::
In another city, in another part of the country, a man awaits atop a Police Building, smoking a cigar, a hot mug of coffee clutched in his hand, it was raining lightly, as he heard someone land behind him.
"You are getting rusty, Batman." The man turns taking a drag of his cigar.
"Smoking is going to kill you, Commissioner." Batman says, standing tall.
The man smoking was Commission James Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department. He was a strong-willed man, who feared very little, oftentimes staring death right in the face and begging it to come for him. He's faced some of Gothams worst criminals without breaking a sweat. From the Joker, and The Penguin, to The Riddler and Scarecrow. Safe to say, there is very little this man fears.
The one called Batman on the other hand, he's normally the one infecting fear into those who face him. He's known as the Dark Knight of Gotham, for a reason. Ever since he put on the cowl all those years ago, he has been Gothams, at times, the entire world's savior. He's had his fair share of partners, so the one man army has at times had backup. Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman, and more have at times aided the Dark Knight in his war on crime.
"Batman, where are your wards, alone today?" Gordon asked, taking a sip of the coffee in his hand.
"Enough niceties, Gordon. You put the signal on, why?" Batman asks, looking to the batsignal shining off the GCPD building. Gordon would put it on to signal for the Dark Knight to come.
"Just thought we were past formalities, that we are friends." Gordon says, "Perhaps I've even earned your name?"
Upon Batman's death glare Gordon sighs, pulling out an envelope and handing it to him, "The DA, Gregory Ross was kidnapped a few hours ago. We went there to inspect and Montoya found that under his bed."
Batman opens the envelope, reading the note to himself...
Good evening, Batman! Have I got a good one for you today! You wish to rescue the dear District Attorney of our fair city? Then simply answer one riddle. But whether or not he's still alive... here we go, Batman. I created one of the Batman's greatest foes, after me, of course, I also stand as one of Gotham's greatest failures. I created the man who killed your ward. Who, or what am I?
Batman looks back to Gordon, "Riddler? He's getting rusty."
"I don't know, I read it a dozen times, what could he mean?" Gordon asks.
"My greatest enemy? Most would call that The Joker." Batman says, dropping the note. " There is a rumor that the Joker was birthed at Ace Chemicals. That's who created Joker, Ace Chemicals."
"I see, and you plan on going in with no backup I take it?" Gordon asks, putting his cigar out on the floor of the roof, stomping it out.
"You could have sent a dozen officers there by now. You waited for me." Batman says.
"Let's face it, you are better than twenty of my best officers." Gordon says, turning to face the city.
Gotham was a cesspool of crime, poverty, and death. It was a haven for those wanting to make quick money harming innocent people. Some would say the day Martha and Thomas Wayne were killed in a botched mugging in Crime Alley all those years ago is what birthed the Gotham people know now. They were two of Gotham's wealthiest folks, up there with the Elliott's and Cobblepots. Then, with the emergence of the Batman, Gotham gave birth to a new breed of evil. The costumed variety. And now Gotham stands as the pinnacle of what a one mans war can do to a city. The deaths left by his villains wake is felt by all, not just in Gotham, but in other cities as well.
:: ::
In a much brighter part of America, a man sits at his desk, working his 9 to 5 job. He was a crime scene analyst, the best there was. The man is Barry Allen, or as he is known in certain circles.. The Flash, the Fastest Man Alive.
He stands as he hears a noise downstairs in the Central City Precinct. Barry turns to the door to his office, as he begins to head down to the lobby. The normally very active and bustling precinct... was in disarray. It was destroyed, the desks overturned, officers lying injured, unconscious. He looks over to a desk and heard groaning underneath. Barry Allen runs to the desk, using his strength to push it off the person.
"Singh? What happened? I heard the commotion, not a minute ago." Barry says, helping the man to his feet. David Singh, the head of the CCPD.
David Singh looks at Barry, as he said words that cut the Scarlet Speedster to his core, "This is all your fault, Barry. If you would have hung up your costume... He wouldn't have come."
"Who? Singh, who came?" Barry asks Singh as his heart broke. "What costume, what do you mean?"
"You're The Flash, Barry. And it's time... someone slowed you down." Singh says, as he reached for a gun off the floor, Barry hits his arm, causing the gun to skid to a stop against a wall.
"You're talking crazy, sir. What happened?" Barry asks, looking the man who was like a father to him, in the eye.
"Your greatest enemy, Barry. The only one who could orchestrate all this..." Singh says, looking at Barry. "Gorilla Grodd."
"No... He's controlling you, Singh. Snap out of it." Barry begs, shaking the man.
"It's too late for him, Allen." A voice growled behind him, as Barry turns to see a Gorilla mocking him. The gorilla turned tail and ran.
Gorilla Grodd... One of the Flash's oldest foes. A telepathic ape with the ability to control the minds of those he wishes. The Flash had fought him a hundred times, the last of which, Grodd was imprisoned in Gorilla City for his crimes. Solovar promised to keep an eye on him, what happened? Whereas the Flash is faster than any man could be on their best days, Grodd is a gorilla. He is immensely powerful, each arm hitting like a truck. He is also insanely intelligent, thanks to his metagene.
Barry faces the doorway, as he ran out, using his Flash Ring to spawn his costume around him, as he gave chase. The gorilla began climbing a nearby building. The Flash ran up the side of the building, landing a punch on the gorilla, launching him sky high as The Flash leaps off the roof, spiking the gorilla down like a volleyball, creating a dent in the roof where he impacted. The Flash lands gently beside the gorilla, picking him up by the scruff of his chest fur. He had a lightning in his eyes. The Flash was angry, hurt, and wanting to hurt someone. Why would Grodd come and hurt those he loved?
"Where... Is Grodd?" The Flash demanded, pulling his free arm back, ready to strike the gorilla.
"He was right... Set the bait, you come running, like every... human." The gorilla said the last word with more than a little bit disdain.
The Flash swung the fist but it stopped inches from the gorillas face. The Flash looks to his arm as something invisible lifted him sky high and slammed him onto the roof, over and over.
"Looking for me?" A voice growled in The Flash's head, as his brain felt like a hammer smashing against it. He almost screamed in pain, he has never gotten used to Grodd's telepathy.
"Grodd..." The Flash growled as The Gorilla appeared before him, having scaled the building after the first two did.
"Been a while, Flash. Bet you never thought you'd see me again." Grodd growled in his head.
Grodd was over seven feet tall, dark fur covering almost his whole body, the roof quaked as he stepped toward The Flash, he was over six-hundred pounds.
"Gained weight, big guy?" The Flash joked. "I think you need to lay off the bananas."
"Very funny, Flash." Grodd snarled, grabbing him by his skull. "Will be even funnier when it is etched on your tombstone."
:: ::
Superman flew through the skies of Metropolis, toward Lexcorp. Lexcorp was a colossal building standing near Metropolis' heart. It's CEO, Lex Luthor was an egomaniac, but also one of the brightest and most cunning minds in the world, matched only by Batman himself.
Superman flew toward the top, landing gently on the roof. Lex Luthor was standing, facing his creation. A machine stood before him, almost 6 feet taller than the Man Of Steel, an opening on the top firing out the laser, as the rest of the top swirled, and rotated.
The woman at Lex Luthor's side turned and pulled the CEO behind her, protectively, "Behind me, boss."
"Mercy, it is only Superman, he will not attack unprovoked will he?" Lex Luthor asks, turning to face Superman.
Lex Luthor is, as previously stated one of the smartest men on Earth, that is the only reason he has eluded the law so far. That ends today. He is also one of Superman's greatest and earliest foes, having a vendetta against the savior from another world. Today, Superman finally makes Luthor pay for his crimes.
"What are you planning, Lex?" Superman asks, eyes glowing red in rage.
"Tell me, Superman. That S on your chest, what does it stand for?" Lex asks, gently pushing Mercy aside so he can face Superman on his own.
"It's the Kryptonian symbol for hope." Superman says, head held high, brushing the symbol with his hand. It was also the insignia for the House of El, his families house, but he would not inform Luthor of that. "Do not dodge my questions, Lex."
"Ah, yes, straight to the point as always." Lex says. "You remember your duplicate from another world that came last year? Ultraman, I believe he was called. Such a silly and ludicrous name."
"We beat them." Superman says. "The League, and... you."
"Yes, Superman, I helped. But that is not the reason I brought him up. Afterwards, I went to research if there were other universes. Finally, I got in contact with a man of science from another Earth, one very similar to this but with certain differences. Different heroes, different villains. We are opening one portal on my side, and one on his, so the two of us can finally acquire what we were born to get." Lex says, turning back to the portal. "Total control of the two worlds, together. As partners."
"You really think a man like that can be trusted, Lex? He is using you!" Superman spat.
"Correction, Superman, I am using him." Lex says, "As soon as we succeed, I am killing him."
"Lex... You can't do this. You're a man of science! You care about the Earth!" Superman pleaded. "We have fought, but I've always respected you for what you try to do!"
"You keep saying that, Superman, but look where we are! You are hailed as a hero to all, a shining beacon! And I am the bogeyman! The villain to your heroic journey. I've had enough living in your shadow, Superman." Lex says.
Superman lifts up, charging up heat vision to destroy the machine, but he stops as a bullet lodges itself between his shoulder blades and he collapses to his knees, shaking, and breathing weakly.
"Kryptonite bullet. Thank Lex for that one, Superman." A voice spoke as a man walks up.
"Deadshot..." Superman growls weakly, "Only you... could make that shot."
"This has been a longtime coming, since you handed me over to Belle Reve, and Waller." Deadshot places the barrel of his gun to superman's forehead.
"The Suicide Squad... I am sorry, Lawton, you should not have experienced that, no matter your crimes." Superman looks up to him weakly.
"No no no no! You do not get to do that, Superman. You do not get to be remorseful, and everything be made right as rain." Deadshot says, cocking back the hammer of the gun.
"Floyd, we talked. No killing him. That's my honors." Lex says, watching the exchange.
Deadshot, the deadliest hitman on Earth. He never misses a shot, or so they say. Batman always liked to put that to the test. Floyd Lawton was imprisoned in Belle Reve, run by the Wall... Amanda Waller. And had a bomb surgically implanted in his skull, cursed to do Amanda's bidding... or risk detonation. As part of her Suicide Squad, Floyd Lawton became a leader, protecting his fellow inmates from Waller.
"Lex bought you from Waller? I'm surprised, she cut the leash..." Superman struggles to look at him, growing weaker by the moment.
"Me, too, but Lex bought Belle Reve, she did not have a choice." Floyd says, with a smirk under his helmet.
"So Lex now has your bomb controls?" Superman asks. "What would your daughter think, Floyd? What would Zoe say?"
"You do not get to say her name! It is your fault I am away!" Floyd snaps, pressing the gun harder against Supermans head.
"Then do it, kill me, Floyd. And prove Waller was right to call you irredeemable." Superman says, looking up at him.
"Portal is almost complete, Lawton." Lex says. "Do as I instructed."
"Nighty night, Man of steel." Floyd says, hitting Superman across the face with the gun, knocking him out cold.
:: ::
Batman glides to safety outside Ace Chemicals, walking inside, slowly, quietly, creeping. He presses a button on his cowl, as night vision was turned on.
"Any sign of him, sir?" A voice spoke in his earpiece.
"No, Alfred." Batman says, walking deeper into the building.
"Might I suggest, calling in Master Richard for backup?" Alfred asks.
"Nightwing is busy in Bludhaven." Batman says. "I got this, Alfred, I worked for years alone."
"Yes, father. I could not help but overhear." Another voice came through.
Damian Wayne, son of Batman and Talia Al Ghul. Trained since birth to be a lethal assassin, only to have Batman change him, morph him into a force for good as Robin instead.
"I am on my way." Damian says. "I am only 5 minutes out, I left Jon in charge of the Titans."
"No, Damian. Go home, I have this." Batman says.
Batman approached the main lobby to see an office chair with someone tied to it, the back of the chair was to him, Batman slowly approaches spinning the chair as the head falls off. Batman picks up the severed head, to see it was a mannequin.
Batman drops the head, as he saw a wire leading into the mannequins body, and going out the back. When the head fell off, it lit the fuse. He turns, running as the building exploded, engulfing him totally in flames, as the building went up.
"Father?" Damian heard the explosion. "Father!"
"Master Bruce!" Alfred called.
In the distance, a man watches through binoculars, tilting his bowler hat in respect, "Finally, he had his wings clipped."
"Oooh! Let me see, Eddie!" The man at his side says, taking the binoculars and watching the smoke rise in the distance. He grins wickedly as he drops the binoculars, "Perfect! It's finally over, Eddie!" He starts cackling.
"Let's go, Joker. Before Robin shows up." Riddler says, walking away.
Ontop of the GCPD, Gordon watches as the smoke covers the moon, heading back inside, going to his office. He opens the door, going to a broom closet within, pushing it open... to see Gordon lying there bound and gagged. He pulls the tape off, and kneels to eye level.
"Your friend is dead." The first Gordon says.
"You... You will pay, Clayface." Gordon spat. "I will not stop until you are behind bars."
"Good luck." Clayface stood, turning into another officer, before leaving Gordon there.
:: ::
The Flash struggles in Grodd's gasp as he manages to vibrate his molecules and phase through his hand, before spin kicking him toward the edge of the roof.
"Clever." Grodd smirks, as he turns to the city below him. "Lex Luthor gave me some new tech to increase my mind control. Witness, Flash."
As if on cue, everything stopped. The cars stopped driving, people stopped walking, and faced Grodd and Flash.
"What's the plan, Grodd? Stage fright me to death?" Flash smirks.
"Will you be quiet for once, Flash? And bear witness." Grodd says, as the civilians down below begun to brawl. Fighting one another, as if bent on killing each other.
"Stop it, Grodd!" Flash shouted. "Before I stop you."
"You won't be fast enough, Flash. Before a few of them perish." Grodd says. "But you can stop this otherwise. Surrender to me, and be my prisoner. To Gorilla City. I killed Solovar, and am now it's king."
"No... Solovar was a good... gorilla." Flash mutters. "If you spare them all, then yes! I'll go with you! Please, Grodd... Don't drag them into this!"
Grodd smirks to himself, grabbing The Flash by his costume, "Good... then lets go." Grodd says, as he uses the new helmet tech Lex gave him to open a gateway to Gorilla City, throwing The Flash into the portal... and canceling the control he placed over the citizens of Gorilla City.
:: ::
And thus, three of Earth's greatest saviors fell, Superman, Batman, and The Flash. And in their absence, a darkness begun to pollute the Earth. It is up to the rest of Earth's heroes to rise. A new breed of hero to take up arms against Lex Luthor and his troops. And this mysterious new foe he was in contact with. Who was he? What is his role in all this? What could he have to gain from working with Lex Luthor?
In another universe, heroes will face their own trials, and not all shall survive the coming war. A Scarlet Arachnid, A Super Soldier, and a man in an iron suit, they shall face their own demons. Who will come out on top, who will fall?