Light years away from Earth...
Superman and Wonder Woman had their steering spacecraft drive faster. The two had, to a far point, came to acknowledge that the weak signal they got from outer space, resolved around Bruce Wayne, it was all false, a diversion.
Inside the bridge, Superman and Wonder Woman try to pump up the spaceship's thrust. It was determined in settlement for the course of landing in Earth. Though it will take a month, despite the ship's propelling boosters reachable to a point of going very fast at an unprecedented scale, compared to the fastest man alive.
"Can't this ship drive any higher?", Wonder Woman asked, with a tone nearly reaching to a demand aura.
"That's as fast as it can go, Diana", Superman revealed, almost getting Wonder Woman to punch a nearby wall.
"Fouled in falling to that talking machine's diversion. How would the gods fall for that?", Wonder Woman expressed.
Kal spun round to perceive Wonder Woman. He moves a hand, placing it onto Diana's hand. "We didn't know. That's all. We were both driven pressing our focus on finding Bruce, because he was an important friend to us, the closest friend we held. And because that's how Braniac used what we cared the most, to avert us into a bigger diversion", Superman explained.
"May the gods provide the last of them to survive", Diana expressed, almost feeling herself a bit normal.
Diana and Kal's eyes remained at each other's lines until the Amazon turned her gaze at the cockpit, which would phase on seeing brilliantly whatever is caught outside. As Diana's eyes establish in looking on through the cockpit, her eyes discerned at an unknown source, which widened her eyes as she noughted into realising it was a portal.
"Kal?!", Diana finger at where she expressed her full concern. The prompted Superman rolled to where Diana appointed her in direction, showing the same looks as Wonder Woman.
The Kryptonian stirs on the steering wheels, trying to drag the ship in an abrupt force of attempt to avoid touching on the portal. The ship's momentum is being overtaken by the overwhelming force of the portal, of whom tugs with the ship's thrusting velocity, breaking the latter slowly. The tugging clash between the portal's hauls and the ship's drawing itself out in a different direction, causes the spaceship to shake, in which Superman and Diana felt but ignored.
Vibrations fixated on Superman's hands, that are attached on the steering wheel, are trying to evade him from prolonging his hold much longer. Superman's tempo increased, trying to maintain his latches as greater time as he can.
Wonder Woman dashed to the seat, next to Kal's, affixing on the other steering wheel. Diana holds onto those wheels, rounding it to a certain point to in circle, to where Kal has reached his point. The combined draws leashed out from the two individual's combined strengths increased a bit of draw out for the ship, though still couldn't phase out from the portal that's still persisting in dragging it.
Superman and Wonder Woman's perspective hands remained paired on the wheels, regardless of the growing vibrational pressures they are forced under.
Superman's ship slightly went ahead of its. The portal's swallowing force pulls it back to where it stood, with it being slightly backed.
Alarms began invading the two heroes' ears, warning them of the continue force placed down on their ship.
Parts of the ship start to unloose its fixation on the ship, slowly plummeting onto the portal. The more parts joined inside the portal, enlarging the it bigger, its absorbing force, its strength driving to increase their absorption to increasing folds of its climax. Due to the portal's pulling strength expanding the more it swells its thirst of energy, the aircraft begins to slowly succumb to the force, slowly compelled to heads its way inside the portal.
Superman, seeing no way in escaping from the portal, knew one way that he could provide some help for Earth. Looking on one of the buttons seen on the console, the Kryptonian tickles a few slaps on it, coursing a transmission.
"This is Kal-El of Krypton: son of Jor-El. I am here to alert the news that Braniac has started an invasion on Earth. I repeat: Braniac is starting an invasion on Earth. The supercomputer menace has averted us into diversion, and has now forced us into stumbling upon a portal that seems to be of a black hole. If you're hearing this, I need Supergirl and Green Arrow to-". Kal failed to utterly address the whole thing as the outburst, coming from the consoles, shoved Superman metres back. As well as the bridge room shaking itself.
"Kal?!", Wonder Woman exclaimed, running towards in Superman's premise surrounding. Her hands swiftly laid on Superman's slight pained sides. "Are you okay?".
"Not really", Superman expressed.
Their eyes, seconds, turning into watching on a displaying screen, in holographic format, showing the outline image of the ship directing in to the portal. The last sight the two perceived was a shadowy glimmering aura, which soon engulfed Superman and Wonder Woman, pressing them off their consciousness.
Earth
National City
In an abandoned building, people of the Legends, Team Flash, Team Arrow and J'onn rose up, waking upon perceiving the background across them. Legion of them exchanged lines of expressions and bringing up scowling glances on their faces, as they are all hitched on upright stoned stands. All went to the edge until Felicity's eyes focused on them.
"A talking machine has trapped us all in here. Attacked S.T.A.R. Labs, took us in a lair I'm not so sure about", Felicity addressed.
"Braniac", J'onn announced.
"Isn't that one of Superman's adversaries?", Cisco asked, having once noted enemies Superman had encountered over the past 2 decades.
"Why yes I am Cisco Ramon", Braniac answered, stepping into the light of being seen upon the eyes of his enemies.
As everyone had their eyes focused on the incomer, they are clearly shocked that the Braniac they are facing is in the body of a machine that's very powerful.
"Why do the most troubled beings we face fuse into one complete danger to all of us?", Iris asked. Frustrated in deducing on how they can beat this thing. Her team had fought multiple foes that once or twice would merge or absorb an asset of power in one's needs.
"It would always come, Iris. It would always come", Barry addressed, remembering the previous times he was forced to face off against numerous enemies that proved to be nearly unbeatable. People he remembered like Devoe or Gorilla Grodd.
Iris' eyes swirled to Barry's side, whom was next to her. "Barry?", she breathlessly cried. "That's impossible".
"What's impossible?", Barry expressing his confusion in Iris' newly comment.
"That the fastest man alive was jugged a piece of sophisticated tech locked inside you, causing you to lose you conscious and leave you paralysed", Braniac answered, inadvertently for Iris. "Which I took out prior to you being strapped under the strongest, most denser materials of the universe".
"Tell us why you are keeping us at bay instead of taking it upon ourselves in kicking your ass? Has the talking Terminator, a distress to the Man of Steel, became so scared at how far we can combine our powers together to strike on you", Sara taunts.
"Sara Lance. Ex-lover and close friend of Oliver Queen. Former member of Team Arrow. Captain of the Legends, founded by Rip Hunter. Your history and ties with everyone came to be so necessary that you are one of the people that still came to retain the memories of whatever happened in the previous timeline that was erased. And the inclusive one in Oliver's secret squad", Braniac descripted.
"Sara?", Ava displaying a questioning look on her face.
Everyone, except J'onn, rolled their eyes on Sara, whom remained in a casual posture.
"That's the dumbest implication I have ever received", Sara commented.
"My thoughts far surpass those of average human brains, specially aggressive fighters who don't know how to use one in their own cases", Braniac commented.
Sara thrusts her body, showing her aggressive attitude in response to Braniac's comment, which didn't phase through as she was tangled under binds. "You'd be surprised at how ruthless I can be when I'm off these binds", Sara determined.
"I am appalled to hear it from someone who is a weak mortal, able to show much rage she has inside of herself. Though you are merely delaying the inevitable of me divulging to your friends how much you kept from them", said Braniac, casually and amusingly speaking.
"Sara what is he talking about?", Felicity asked, turning her gaze abroad on Sara. The latter remained silent, keeping her eyes focused on the android.
"Your friend is asking you a question. I suggest you pick up the call and whistle it out", Braniac advised. "I have scanned yours, J'onn's, and Lena's memories; I have learnt every secret you've kept from them, everything you cowl. Sufficient enough in ways, I didn't have to learn it from any of you since my casting was born by an acquaintance, though collecting knowledge is a greater aspect of my persona".
Rene, Curtis and Dinah were exchanging words, contemplating on Braniac's giveaway in his expressions. As did Caitlin, Cisco, Ralph, Iris, Wally and Barry, prospectively on Sara's possible secret.
"J'onn why did he mention you?", a differentiated clone of Supergirl asked.
"I don't have a clue in this matter", said J'onn, though he knew he was lying.
After their short debrief, the two, along with their friends, perceived thudding sounds of an incomer. Everyone remained in their engaging stands, readying themselves to set about with the approached.
Ahead by the darkness, a shadowy woman emerges, slowly lightening herself up. "Yes you do J'onn. After all, the secrets we've kept have been to protect the Kara we loved", said the mysterious figure. As the light, from the ceiling, came into veiling the woman's body, she is shown as displayed in parts verily contrasted from a normal human. Everyone was shocked when they saw her, the way she mood of appearance she displays out of herself is completely disturbing to them. The woman was cobbled with numerous body parts, that came from a robot, spotted on most sides of her face, her forehead, her arms and physical layouts of actual robotic hands. "Because we love her so uttermost that we provided a clone to replace her in active duties".
"Lena?!", Supergirl gasped, horrified by the way she looks to be. Everyone else, specially J'onn had their volumes enfold to tremendous lengths of shock.
Lena rounds her face towards the tangled Supergirl, greeting her casually with a name related to the testing subject of a particular person surfaced from science. "...it's so good to see my creation".
Barry, extremely shocked at Lena's present appearance, spins to Braniac's end. "What did you do the her?!", Barry demanded.
"Same thing I am about to you do most of you; as humans would say it: surgery; lots of surgery", said Braniac, horrifying everyone. They couldn't free themselves as the chains snarled on them, neutralising all metahuman powers they possess, preventing them from attempting to escape, from liberating into routing an escape path.
"My cousin will come for you!", Supergirl shouted.
"Humour me. Three statements. One: you're not Kal-El's cousin, just a clone of Kara Zor-El-Queen", said Braniac.
"Queen?", Kara mutedly exclaimed.
"A clone?", Caitlin exclaimed, display reactions very similar to most of her friends and allies.
"Two: you can't escape from me thanks to those dampeners. Thanks to the knowledge I acquired from Ms. Luthor. And three: I've already dealt with your cousin. In fact, a bonus satisfaction for me to announce you that Superman is completely off my radar", Braniac advanced. With everyone taking note of what Braniac addressed, they are left in pondering on Superman and Wonder Woman's status.
Braniac turns around, walking back into the darkness, followed by Lena Luthor.
Argo City
Zor-El-Queen Residence
Oliver and Kara, sided with their children, arrived their home. Their day came long hours. For them it was the usual joy, even though some like Mia hadn't been so apart of the whole joy, rather train.
Everyone entered inside the building, treading above the foot-way. They were crossing inside. Both Williams left to another room. Mia drifted along with her parents. Kara and Oliver, in their place, are engrossed in cuddling with their first born daughter, whom seems very soothed in pleasure of the company she's given, despite not being at the level of smartness.
Oliver turns his focus to Mia who was paid attention on her fronts. "You seem quite focused in training. Did Diana put you up to this again?", Oliver inquired. He remembered Mia countless times sneaking off out of Argo City to train with Diana in Themyscira.
"It was never my homework. Training helps enhance my senses to further peaks. That's essentially the greatest part of me to keep getting better", Mia explained.
The three made an end point, to which they are compelled to turn right for a new direction of inscribing upon.
"I used to think that many times, Mia. But I've also learnt to keep my head focused in having lots of joy. We're going to need it. Essentially, good mental conditions are healthier. Maybe in time you will...". Oliver paused his saying. Right from there, the three walkers just came out of a corridor, going into a room, where they stumbled into meeting someone they hadn't expected for their advent.
"Mom?", Kara exclaimed. "Didn't expect your appearance in our place".
"I'm sorry for the unconventional run into your place after you three have had a wonderful day, I have some urgent matters I'd ask for you two to speak with me in private", Alura expressed, directing her eyes onto Oliver and Kara. She soon changed into a her motherly composure directly towards Kara. "If that's okay?".
"Sure!", Kara approached it in clear respect. She glanced both her sides, before turning back to her mom. "Yes. If it's important then it's a good thing you're asking me for it. The daily period of rest hasn't made me go all rusty".
"It's not a matter related to Argo City", Alura addressed, rolling her eyes on Mia, whom noticed.
"Okay. Um. I'll be in meditation", Mia proclaimed, hoisting a finger directed elsewhere. Seconds on, she walks out but then is latched a hand on her shoulder, which prompted Mia to spin round to who the hand belonged to: Kara.
"Could you...?", Kara feeling determined that Mia would send their baby in a different room, despite the weirdness for an adult Mia meeting her baby self.
Mia accepts the give, taking the baby off with her, leaving the room in the process.
Following Mia's departure with a baby version of herself, Oliver and Kara focus back on business Alura is about to hand them.
Oliver and Kara slowly walks on forward, in slow number of steps nearing Alura's side.
"Issues on Earth?", Oliver guessed.
"Partial. It happened in space; Kal-El", Alura proclaimed. Her eyes came pivoted between the two. Kara's eyes expand, reacting to the mention of Kal-El and 'space'.
"Kal?", Kara exclaimed. "Something happened?".
"That's what I hope I would get both of your attention", Alura said. She went to dive into the topic of Kal-El. "Not too long ago, we received a transmission on a Kryptonian spacecraft, a voice of Kal was heard; warning us about Braniac invading Earth".
"Braniac? That supercomputer menace is really getting on my nerves!", Kara exclaimed, expressing her struggle. Her anger lessened as her thoughts are gone in regards of Superman. "What about Kal and Diana?".
Alura rolled her eyes in a downer point. "I couldn't get a detailed vintage of what Kal was saying as the next few seconds I heard was just slight pulses and cracks until it all completely shut itself out. Thus I couldn't answer on Kal or Diana's status. All I can say is they appear to be in space and Earth's possibility of being invaded by Braniac", said Alura.
Kara, hearing enough of Alura's words, shook herself, disagreeing the everlasting thought of her friends being dead. She spins herself around, making her way to leave the room. "I have to find them", Kara declared.
Oliver slapped on Kara's arm, holding her back, which made Kara pause her steps to turn to face her husband. "We don't know for sure what's out there. Maybe it could be someone who used your cousin's voice as a guise to lure us into a trap. Voices can be disguised. You know that better than me", said Oliver. "A little reminder on what you vowed: you said you didn't want to be out of Argo City".
"Only Earth I won't cross. Space missions, I'll make a great exception. In this case, my concern is Kal and Diana", Kara explained. She drove off, untangling her short bind with Oliver.
"What about the others? Have your forgotten about them?", Oliver reminded.
As Kara was nearer in the exit, she twirled to perceive Oliver. "If anything was proven today Oliver, I'd put my faith that Earth still has defenders watching over them", the Kryptonian woman determined. She went into having a great deal of attention on Oliver's status in his current stand. "Are you coming or not?".
Oliver looked sharply at Kara, prior to entering in terms of choosing to go with her. He advances to walk in direction towards Kara's point.
Alura rotated her gaze to Kara. "Be careful", the mother of Kara requested.
"I will", Kara vowed. "This isn't the first time I've went on space trips across the far reaches beyond lights years out", referring to her previous adventures with her cousin.
As Oliver reached on Kara's side, the two are presiding their way out of the room, entering the corridors. Their next stage was finding their aircraft, so they could leave Argo City.
In another world...
Earth
Gotham City
A ship was crashed, shredded in many parts. Diana and Kal are laid, almost lost of their sense. Some of the largest parts of the ship are piled over Superman.
Diana slowly lifted herself up, using the remaining energy dwelled in her arms, pushing herself. She stood upright, recomposing herself. Afterwards of the few breathes she took in, Diana turned to find where Superman is until he realised the current issue he is situated in.
"Kal?!", Diana exclaimed.
Superman, hearing Diana's cry, uplifted his face up, his sight encountering rocks toppled on him. He pushes his hands up on the laid rocks. The weight of the rocks proved dominance over Superman's strength, much to the latter and Diana's shock. Superman attempted on pushing it upwards. To no avail did it help him. "I can't get these piles off me", Superman addressed.
Diana bolted in. She placed her hands as layers under the sides of the rocks, slowly hoisting it upwards. Holding the rocks, she swiftly chucked them aside. She offered a hand to Superman, to which he accepted, lifting himself up. Superman soon felt cuts risen on his hands. He moved his hands over to his front side as he takes an examination on his hands. He realises that there are cuts embedded in his palm. He went to check on his other palm, which also happened in similar conditions. Diana also noticed it, as was shocked at Superman's given cuts.
"You're bleeding", Diana expressed in horror.
Superman, having enough examination on his palms, moved his hands downright. He glanced his surroundings, soon coming to the realisation of where he is exactly. "This is Gotham Harbor", Superman depicted.
"Gotham?", Diana was mind-blown, not recalling themselves to be very close to Earth's spherical atmosphere, not even anywhere close to it. "That's impossible. It has to be". Then her mind flashbacked on when she perceived a seemingly appearance of a portal. "Unless-".
"Unless we teleported. Questions is where?", Kal deemed. He carried on with glancing around. His sight came to catch on seeing something that worried him. "Hey. Look over there!", the Kryptonian fingering a direction, gesturing Diana to discern, which she did.
The two perceived a weight of fire massing out from a building. The two went further in exploring the tower's front side, to which they fell upon discerning the buildings next to it. Fires sprouted from buildings, polluting wasted gases, outstretching up the skies.
"Wasn't Gotham City supposed to be protected by Tim, Dick, Barbara, Selina, Cassie and Jason?", Diana asked.
"They should've been able to", said Kal. "Regardless of Bruce's countless absences, they shouldn't have any issue keeping watch over Gotham". His eyesight feathered into pressing on every side of him that's midst of its upward line. During the inspection, Superman came into contact of realising something that shocked him. Prior to his awakening, Superman did discern red lights illuminating over him, at that moment, he thought it was Gotham City's textured skies as it's usual tone is typically dark. "Look up there". Superman gestures Diana to look at where he is looking upon.
As Diana rolled her head up, she was shocked as she perceived the colour of the radiant flares emitted from an infinite source. "Red sun?", Diana exclaimed. She swiftly turned back to gazing at Kal. "Has Braniac really taken over the planet?".
"Red sun seems to be apart of his scheme, though I've never seen him come up with a notion to wear out Kryptonians of their powers", Superman descripted.
Their eyes peeled back, resuming to observe the environment they're on. The destruction of Gotham City, where similar causes of it might've occurred in other cities. What Diana and Kal perceive are citizens going on a rampage, seen up abroad the ceilings by the ledges, and the windows of which are shattered. They even saw the river showing greater signs of blood texture, which disturbed the two. Whatever thought Diana and Kal had, they didn't know what's in option. Because of red sun's veiling presence, it strapped Superman off his powers, which leaves Diana as the only superpowered being. They don't know who they can turn to for help. Since the presence of Braniac is possibly placed around on Earth, the two would assume the Kryptonian menace has killed all of Earth's last defenders of this planet. It was only a matter of comprehending what facts lurk underneath the surface.