Welcome back to Age of Miracles! Last time, Luthor Jr's team was taken out by Belial Aether and the Titans, with a bit of aid from Dragnarok, the Crystal Gems, and surprisingly Jasper. And just as everything seemed to be going fine, an explosion rang out from the Crystal Temple. So what exactly happened? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes at the same cliff Eternal started his observation from, and where he currently has returned to, and is currently seeing Adonis with Purple Diamond and his crew back at the Crystal Temple.)
Eternal: (Slightly angered) The Master gave you everything that made you who you are, and this is how you repay him? Fine then. You will get what you deserve. THAWNE! LI! KILGRAVE! INFINITY!
(With that, Reverse Flash, Mr. Negative, Kilgrave, and Android Infinity appear behind him)
Android Infinity: What is it?
Eternal: It looks like Adonis has betrayed us. You're going to have to go in and recover the remaining artifacts in this world.
Reverse Flash: Gladly.
Kilgrave: Four of us against all of them? And you're expecting us not to die?
Eternal: (Pulling out a strange scepter) You needn't worry about that. I've been saving this one for just such a situation. You four get started. I'll get him in the game. Now go!
Android Infinity: Let's do this then.
(As the four dark soldiers head off towards the Crystal Temple, Eternal looks into the amber orb at the top of the scepter)
Eternal: You had better not fail me, ghoul.
(As Eternal prepares his plan, we transition to back inside the Crystal Temple, where Purple Diamond, Purple Pearl, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Adonis, continuing to observe the scene, watching as the story previous unfolds)
Purple Diamond: Looks like Dragnarok's team already got one of the devices down.
Leonardo: (Scouting the horizon) And so far, no sign of anything coming our way. Looks like Eternal needed a backup plan after Adonis defected.
Donatello: (To Adonis) Speaking of Adonis, there's a question I've had about you since the war.
Adonis Donnaiolo: Ask it.
Donatello: You said the first time we fought that you were a resident of the City of Dis, in the Sixth Circle of Hell. Yet you're an incubus, wouldn't you more be at home in the Second Circle?
Adonis Donnaiolo: In the circle of lust I was born and raised, but my lack of skill in seduction upon me weighed. I rejected it, thinking there was a better way than this. So for my "heresy" I was sent to the City of Dis.
Michelangelo: Wait, so you're literally a demon heretic? How's that work?
Adonis Donnaiolo: Simply put, I firmly believed in consent. Though among my peers this caused great dissent.
Michelangelo: Huh. You learn something new every day.
Donatello: Thanks for that, Adonis. Sorry if that got uncomfortable.
Adonis Donnaiolo: No need to worry, shelled friend. Telling my tale is part of my process to for my past amend.
(As this conversation goes on, we see out one of the windows that Reverse Flash and company are preparing for entry)
Reverse Flash: (Pulling up the hood of his suit, then in the classic static-y voice of Reverse Flash) On my mark, we breach
Android Infinity: Screw this.
(With that, Android Infinity takes a grenade from his belt and throws it at the door, causing the explosion Dragnarok and company saw at the end of last chapter, throwing everyone about the room in the meanwhile as Android Infinity, Reverse Flash, Mr. Negative, and Kilgrave swarm in)
Reverse Flash: That was not the plan!
Android Infinity: It got us in, didn't it?!
(But just as their argument starts, Purple Diamond and company recover, Purple Pearl summoning her rapier as everyone else draws their weapons)
Purple Diamond: It got you in alright. Into a lot of trouble.
Android Infinity: Finally some action!
Mr. Negative: Is he trying to get us all killed?
Kilgrave: Oh, shut up Martin.
Mr. Negative: You do realize I'm immune to your powers, right?
Kilgrave: Energy neutralizes virus. Noted.
(With that the battle begins. Purple Diamond and Purple Pearl are focused on Android Infinity, Reverse Flash faces Donatello and Michelangelo, Mr. Negative swordfights Leonardo, and Raphael and Adonis battle Kilgrave. And right away everything seems easy. Kilgrave may have some combat prowess, but his reliance on his powers leads Adonis and Raphael to kick his tail, as apparently their non-human biology renders them immune to his powers, while Leonardo and Mr. Negative are on the same level of swordplay. However, Donatello and Michelangelo appear to be having some trouble, but after a few minutes of analyzing the speedster, Donatello manages to trip him up with his bo staff. But then there's Android Infinity, who is causing more trouble than you would expect. Purple Diamond and Purple Pearl are fighting desperately, but this guy seems to feel no pain. Seeing they're getting nowhere, Purple Diamond and Purple Pearl begin a Fusion Dance and form Trystine. The huge Fusion is having a better time against Android Infinity, but it doesn't seem to work out. It's almost like Android Infinity can predict their movements before they make them. After a few more minutes, Trystine is taken down and defused into Purple Diamond and Purple Pearl as Android Infinity rushes into the TMNT and Adonis, as well as nearly taking out Reverse Flash, Mr. Negative, and Kilgrave)
Kilgrave: What the bloody hell?! You almost killed us!
Android Infinity: While taking out your problems in the process.
Mr. Negative: We were handling it!
Android Infinity: And I fixed it. So I believe the correct response is "Thank You".
Reverse Flash: Just get the Heart.
Android Infinity: And here I thought this would be a challenge!
(Just as everything appears to be going in their favor, a familiar purple claw taps Android Infinity on the shoulder. As he turns around to answer it, Dragnarok punches him in the face, just as Belial Aether, the Crystal Gems, Jasper, Connie, the Teen Titans, Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, Lex Luthor, Kotal Kahn, Deathstroke, Two Face, Riddler, Killer Frost, Mister Freeze, Magneto, Vulture, Girder, Harley Quinn, and Kingpin arrive with him)
Dragnarok: You want a challenge? Be careful what you wish for.
Android Infinity: Finally some big game!
(Now that Dragnarok has arrived, the battle really begins. Steven and Connie immediately refuse into Stevonnie just as Mr. Negative is about to strike them with his sword, but is blocked before being thrown back towards his prior opponent, Leonardo, who along with Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael essentially pull their Injustice 2 super move on Mr. Negative. Meanwhile, Adonis has started fighting with Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and the Titans against Kilgrave. Even though Kilgrave would be effective against many of the fighters in this battle as they're human, and thus susceptible to his powers, most of them being trained by Batman adds to their resistance, leading to Kilgrave getting his tail kicked. Just as everything is about to end, Kilgrave gets up and tries to stab Red Hood through the helmet, but not before Adonis can kick him across the head, knocking him out)
Red Hood: (Seeing what Adonis has just done) Nice save.
(As this happens, we transition to the Crystal Gems, Purple Pearl, and Jasper fighting Reverse Flash. While Reverse Flash's speed is unmatched by anyone in the group, it doesn't matter when Jasper alone is able to smack him into near unconsciousness after a few blows from the other Crystal Gems.)
Jasper: Miserable speed freak.
(With the rest busy, Android Infinity has his battle with Dragnarok, Belial Aether, Purple Diamond, and Lex Luthor's crew. While most of the group is unable to handle the android, Dragnarok holds his own, but just barely.)
Android Infinity: Finally the challenge Eternal promised! It's a shame I can't kill you, your head would make a nice chalice!
Dragnarok: Where the hell did you come from?! Who are you?!
(With that, Android Infinity kicks Dragnarok away before cracking his knuckles and chuckling)
Android Infinity: I'm Android Infinity, Doctor Gero's greatest creation! And right now, the guy who's going to kick your tail.
(Just as things look their bleakest, a green hand appears and taps Android Infinity on the shoulder. And apparently proving he's not very smart, Android Infinity turns revealing Piccolo standing behind him, punching him in the face, just in time to see a few other faces arriving, specifically Beerus, Goku, William Carter, Doctor Manhattan, Heather Mason, Gwen Tennyson, Kevin Levin and Rook)
Android Infinity: You've got to be kidding me.
Dragnarok: (Recognizing the worlds these guys are from) I take it a mutual friend sent you.
Doctor Manhattan: Is there anyone else it could have been?
Ddragnarok: He really seems more helpful now than he did in Silent Hill
Android Infinity: (Getting back up from the punch) Because of course you followed me here.
Goku: With all you've done back home, there was no way I could let you escape!
Android Infinity: Thankfully I'm under no orders to keep you alive.
(With the added help, the battle resumes, only now with some aid from Ki users like Beerus and Goku, Android Infinity is a little easier to handle. And handled he is, until a blast of violet energy cuts off the battle, revealing Eternal with the stolen Crystal Heart)
Eternal: Why did I think I could rely on you four for ANYTHING?!
Reverse Flash: You got the Heart?!
Eternal: Because you four were a little too preoccupied getting your tails handed to you I had to take matters into my own hands. (Sees Stevonnie holding Rose Quartz's Sword) Ah, and there's the last thing we need.
(With that, Eternal throws a blast at Stevonnie, defusing them before he leaps down and steals Rose Quartz's Sword)
Eternal: There we go. The last relic of this world.
Dragnarok: Don't think I don't know what you're up to, Eternal. It stops here.
Eternal: (Chuckles to himself as he transports his lackeys out of there) As much as I would love to continue this discussion, I'm afraid I have to get going. (Pulls out the scepter from earlier, which Dragnarok immediately recognizes) And besides, you've got an old friend to greet, straight from the Phantom Zone!
(With that, Eternal throws the scepter onto the floor of the Crystal Temple, shattering it and releasing a dark mist which overtime consolidates into a massive demon kitted out like a mixture of Universal Studios' classic monsters: Neck bolts like Frankenstein's monster, Dracula's fangs, Wolf-Man's claws, the Mummy's wrappings, the Phantom of the Opera's mask, all shoved onto a partially invisible Creature from the Black Lagoon-ghoul hybrid, with the strange addition of High Councilor Superman's cape.)
?: FREE AT LAST!
Steven Universe: What the heck is this monstrosity!?
Dragnarok: He's called Horror-Show, one of Darkblood's generals.
Eternal: Good to see you again, Horror-Show.
Horror-Show: Speak to me no further, construct! Go about your task and I will handle these interlopers!
Eternal: You are aware we need the dragon alive, correct?
Horror-Show: What did I just say?! Of course I know we need the dragon alive! Now get out of here before I skin you, fleshed one!
Eternal: (Sighs) Your funeral.
(And with that Eternal vanishes with the Crystal Heart and Rose Quartz's sword just as Horror-Show starts wrapping everyone up in makeshift mummy wrappings)
Horror-Show: Now then, prepare to meet your doom, fleshed ones!
Dragnarok: I can remember even as Darkblood I honestly only ever put up with you.
Horror-Show: No surprised. You fleshed ones are always prone to irrational hatred.
Dragnarok: I'm thinking it's more how smug you always were.
Horror-Show: SILENCE! Take your death in quiet solidarity!
Jasper: Yeah, not happening!
(With that Jasper breaks free from her wrappings and charges Horror-Show, knocking the ghoul to the ground and undoing his spell wrapping up the rest, prompting a massive battle to begin, but for some reason the ghoul is able to deflect all their blows, even managing to destroy Purple Pearl's physical form, reducing her to her gemstone)
Horror-Show: You fleshed fools! You will never be able to destroy me! It took the death of Superman to seal me away, and in his death I gained his strength!
Purple Diamond: (After being flung into Jasper, and seeing what happened to Purple Pearl) Trystine was our only hope to beat this guy!
Jasper: (Grabbing Purple Diamond's hand) If you can't fuse with your Pearl, fuse with me.
Purple Diamond: I thought you were against Fusion.
Jasper: Let's just say I'm on a new life path.
Purple Diamond: It's worth a shot.
(Now the most unlikely Fusion Dance begins, Purple Diamond and Jasper, and the result is an ultimately beast-resembling fusion, taking on a much more wild dragon form than Trystine, almost like a centaur, but still holding dragon like elements carried over by Purple Diamond. And despite the two component Gems being violet and orange, the resultant fusion takes more after Jasper's still corrupted horns and is thus a strange green color. With the fusion complete, the two gems charge into Horror-Show, and unlike the rest, actually manage to damage him)
Horror-Show: How is that possible! I have Superman's invulnerability!
Lex Luthor: (Pulling up something on his suit's systems) Wait a second, I don't know how this is possible, but they're putting out an energy signature similar to Kryptonite!
Dragnarok: Seriously?!
Jadarite: Now that's impressive! In that case, just call me Jadarite!
(Now able to actually harm Horror-Show, Jadarite summons it's weapon, merging Jasper's helmet with Purple Diamond's elemental abilities, creating a set of claws that Jadarite then uses to slash at Horror-Show's wrappings and ripping through his mask, causing all the dark energy making up Horror-Show to seep out from where the mask used to be, eventually destroying the ghoul as Jadarite defuses into Purple Diamond and Jasper)
Jasper: (Shudders) I will say it, Fusion never feels any less weird.
Purple Diamond: You get used to it eventually.
Belial Aether: Well now that that is over, I do believe we have a lot to figure out. Eternal's still got a now massive collection of items from who knows how many worlds, and we don't know anything about what he's up to!
Dragnarok: I do.
Purple Diamond: Wait, you knew about what he was up to the whole time?
Dragnarok: I only put it together recently.
Belial Aether: Well then what's he up to?
Dragnarok: He's trying to revive Darkblood.
Purple Diamond: Are you serious?
Belial Aether: There's no way.
Dragnarok: It's true. And we need to get back to the Watchtower as soon as possible.
Beerus: What we need to do is get after Android Infinity. He's too dangerous to be let loose on any world.
Dragnarok: We'll get on his trail once we get back to the Watchtower. We need Vision to use his connection if we're going to have any time to stop this from getting to fruition.
Gwen Tennyson: Then we can't waste a minute.
William Carter: Agreed. How do we get to your base of operations?
Pearl: I should be able to sync the Warp Pad to the makeshift one Purple Pearl set up to get you all here. Though we'll have to go in batches, mostly because all of us are going with you.
Dragnarok: We can't leave this world undefended.
Steven Universe: After Homeworld and Earth made peace, there's really been no issues. If in desperate need, Nephrite said she's willing to step up.
Dragnarok: If that works, it's going to need to work. We're going to need to get everyone we can in on this. Let's get moving!
(With that, the large group of characters heads for the Warp Pad, most of them following Dragnarok as they have no idea where to go, as our tale ends for now)
And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for now. If you're wondering why Jadarite as a Fusion gives off Kryptonite radiation, it's because the mineral they're named for has almost the exact same chemical structure as Kryptonite. So it looks like there's more characters entering the fray. But why are they here to start with? More on that next time. And now Eternal's got the Crystal Heart and Rose Quartz's Sword. But now, Dragnarok knows exactly what he's up to, and it's finally time for Vision to connect to the Mind Stone and get a location. So how's that going to go? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!