Chapter 290
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It was hoped that this would be the war to end all wars. This final battle did seem to suggest that there would be no future wars. Within hours major cities were completely wiped out. The people defened Earth as best they could, but far too many heroes died in this effort. Some died protecting the skies, some the oceans, some the land. Lenin, John Brown, Lucifer, Kaliback, Worf, all died fairly soon. Billy Russo died protecting Frank Castle, but Frank died shortly after. Medics did what they could to keep their people alive, but often times it just wasn't enough. And the heroes who died stayed dead, the evil ones kept coming back. And whatever mercy the villains had once known was gone now, for all their scheming for power they became nothing but mindless drones. Evil, in the form of Adolf Hitler, came to Earth himself to savor this final carnage. The only downside for him was he might not be able to have war on such a grand scale ever again. It was not long before Superman, the embodiement of Good, Evil's brother/sister, found him.
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Hitler: Ah, my brother. It is fitting that you should see the very end of your world.
Superman: It's not over yet. I seem to remember dragging you and Stalin to the League of Nations for war crimes.
Hitler: That was long ago, I am so much more powerful than I once was.
Superman: As am I.
Hitler: Evil will win, and I will destroy you as your people die.
Superman: Either way, let this be our final battle.
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The battle between Hitler and Stalin was long and brutal, it shook the very foundation of the universe. It seemed that these two were equally matched, but Good had one major advantage. Those that fought for Good had chosen to be heroes, they did not fight for power or glory, they fought for what was right. Although they seemed on the verge of defeat, Evil began to leave the battlefield. But they were not retreating, merely returning to it's master. Hitler had been so focused on finally destroying Superman, he didn't notice as his former minions began surrounding him. Lobo, Ares, Stalin, mr Burns, and many gangsters and warlords had regained their free will, and not happy about being enslaved like this. Hitler realized too late, they attacked and destoryed him.
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The surviving heroes found themselves suddenly found themselves away from the battle and could all see what had happenned. Evil's own minions had destroyed it, such was the very nature of Evil. Supermans beloved, Lois Lane, was holding him in her arms. His mind seemed to be wandering, he fought to remain coherent.
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Superman: Make yourselfcomfortable, I haven't time to attend to it.
Lois: What?
Superman: I love you Lois.
Lois: I love you too, and I always will.
Superman: I wish I could stay with you, I cannot. All I can do is make sure the new world is better than the old one.
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As Superman died the world did indeed seem to change. The old cities were gone, as were all the weapons. The technology was gone, what remained seemed to be farming land, and there seemed to be plenty of food for everyone. The surviving heroes knew, they were what remained of the old world, it was up to them to do better that others had done in the past.