The meeting room seemed empty, regardless of the five powerful individuals who sat around the large table, an unspoken eagerness mixed with anxiety in their eyes. Barry Allen drummed his fingers against the table, his fast paced fingers a blur of red as he fidgeted in his chair. Usually, Batman would cast him an irritated glare, but this time he refrained. Regardless of the rest of the team's stoic and still manners, they all were internalizing the same emotions as the young Flash.

Five sets of eyes regularly crept towards the empty seat of Superman, their most powerful teammate, who had been missing for seventeen months. Earth had been blessed with a relative calmness during this time, only being hit with chaos the team had managed to deal with on their own. Of course, the quick and intermediate visits of the kryptonian created androids, disguised as the man in blue himself, had also helped disguise their mease head member.

With a slight clearing of his throat to gather everyone's attention, Batman chose his next words carefully, "We believe we have an idea where he is. It's deeper than we've ever traveled before, though, J'ohn has some information on the planet he believes Clark is currently being held on."

All eyes settled upon the green martian, a slight pause coming from his partially opened lips before he continued, "Apokalypsis."

Hal Jordan's eyes grew wide at this, a frightened expression unable to be hidden even by the green mask covering his eyes and nose, "That's...that's not good."

Flash let out a low whistle, his fidgeting fingers finally coming to a stop, "If the Green Lantern is freaked.." HIs voice trailed off, his hands coming to fold in his lap.

"The planet is known throughout multiple galaxies for its brutality and slavery, they've killed of too many planets to even name. The original inhabitants are the near equivalent of gods, individuals who could rival even a nearly invincible kryptonian. Though, the fact that Kal-El has been gone for so long without an attempt at contacting us makes me think he isn't being kept there against his will." Martian continued, a graveness tainting his usually steady and emotion free tone.

"So, what, big blue just decided to take homage up on some war hungry planet? Bullsh-" Barry was cut off before he could continue, Hal Jordan's voice rising.

"They have brainwashing techniques on Apokalypsis like no other beings I've encountered within countless galaxies. The few beings I met that escaped that place were barely functioning, they'd been dissected so many times. They were like puzzles of flesh that had been taken apart until they no longer could properly be put back together." Hal's usual humorous tone was gone, replaced with a reserved seriousness he had showcased on very few occasions.

"He's been there over a year, his brain and body being picked at and cut into like that. I've seen recovered prisoners of war in Atlantis before…" Arthur's voice trailed off, his dark brown eyes looking away. His features were set in their typical stony way, fingertips gripping tightly at his trident. "We have to get him out of there, of course, but he may not be the person we knew. Hell, he might not have the slightest damned idea who we even are."

"Clark's mind is different, much like the rest of him is. Kryptonians were known for their intelligence and the complicity of their minds. While I don't doubt they've accomplished something, I can't imagine it's been easy." Batman added, he was a man who typically always expected the worst outcome, but he refused to give up on his best friend.

"I'll get into contact with the rest of the Lantern Corps, see what I can find out. I\m sure someone has seen something, I'll get back to you as soon as I find something out, Bruce." Hal gave a short nod, already standing from his seat.

...

Lashina grunted as she landed hard into the ground below, the earthling princess hovering above her in all of her silent grace. Each day now she seemed to wear some new garment, dressed in black armor that clung to her with a deliberate tightness; Darkseid was keen on showing off the things he owned.

"Something on your mind, amazon?" She rose from the ground, an eyebrow quirked, tucking her black braid over her shoulder. Wiping away the sweat gathering from her brow, she waited for a response, hand coming to rest upon her hip.

"You hate it here as much as I do." It wasn't a question, but a statement, a typical observation of the all to intelligent princess.

Lashina gave no response, there was no need to when the other woman already knew the answer. Instead, she gathered her whip, carefully bounding it back into her place upon her hip. When she looked back up, Diana was gone, leaving behind nothing but a slight gust of wind.

...

Diana quickly discarded the apparent armor, pulling the skin tight fabric from her flesh and throwing it into a pile in the corner of her room. She had never felt ashamed of her body before or like she needed to hide it. On Themyscira, a body was a body, a vessel for one's soul. Here, it was something else, something lusted upon and treated like a treasured and much wanted object.

After quickly showering, continuously fearful Darkseid would interrupt her at any minute, she redressed quickly in a long sleeved shirt and pants. While the fabric still clung to her in a way she disliked, it hid far more skin than that of any armor she had obtained since her abduction to the planet.

When the doors to her room slid open without a knock, she knew immediately who it was, turning slowly though she longed to run. "My lord." She bowed her head slightly, showing her respect. Looking up through her thick lashes, she felt her stomach flip at the site of his unnatural grin.

"I heard your practice round with Lashina went well, though I'm not surprised. You are a truly gifted warrior." HIs large hand rose, tilting her chin up further and looking into her eyes, HIs rough thumb brushed over her lips and she nearly vomited.

"You have a fitting today for the gown you'll be wearing to our joining. The best of the galaxy, though, you'll soon realize I will provide you with nothing but the very best, no matter how far I have to travel to get it for you."

Diana forced a smile, "Thank you, my lord. I appreciate all the things you provide with immense gratitude." Her heart was nearly ready to explode, beating with such a ferocity in her chest she thought she might die right in front of him.

"You've been incredibly behaved lately, keep it up. I'll have one of the lackey's alert you when it's time for your fitting. Things are not nearly as bad as you once thought, are they? On Earth, you were a princess, but here, you will be Queen of Everything."

His lips brushed her forehead, a startling exchange, and then he was gone, disappearing between the sliding doors and through the hallway. Diana heaved, rushing to the bathroom and throwing up the little food she had managed lately to consume. Her time on Apokalypsis had left her form shrinking, the healthy weight shifting and falling away from her figure. This had not gone unnoticed, and her meals had become larger, with Dessad often watching her until she forced down enough for his liking.

She had learned of weddings on her little island, she had even witnessed ceremonies between women who had found love with one another. These had been grand celebrations, filled with dancing, feasting, and endless merry laughter. This was dark, bleak, and quickly approaching; she could only continuously pray that she and Kal would make their escape soon. Though, she was certain the kryptonian would not allow such a thing to occur, anyhow.

The memory of their kiss still lingered heavily in her mind, an intense comfort when she tossed and turned throughout the long hours of the night. It had been unexpected, unplanned, and full of a warmth she didn't realize she so desperately needed. It was her first real kiss, one not full of taint and unwelcomeness from Darkseid himself.

It had been short but sweet, tender and careful, a gentle exchange she had not expected. Though she could never quite imagine Kal treating her in a violent manner, it had still been very different.

When her doors opened once more, she turned to find the small and slight serving girl waiting before her. Diana gave the girl a gentle smile, before looking further to see a tall feminine humanoid standing behind her. The figure possessed an intensely blue skin, with long willowy limbs and a long main of violet toned hair that whispered around her toned and broad shoulders. "Greetings, Diana of Apokalypsis." With a bow, the obviously female being entered the chambers without a further word. The tone of her voice was unlike nothing she had ever heard before, though she spoke the language of Apokalypsis perfectly. It had taken Diana nearly a week to understand the strange alien dialect when she had first come to the planet and in that time she had relied heavily on the translation device that rested within her left ear.

Diana parted her full lips to correct the being on her origin but quickly stopped herself, giving a slight nod and sitting at the edge of her bed. She observed a small storage bag grasped tightly by blue fingers, just as metallic and color lacking as everything else she had observed since leaving earth.

With a click of a button, the back unraveled, presenting various fabrics though all seemed to keep up the color of a devoid gray. She said nothing, simply standing when told to, and letting her thoughts carry her away into a place far away from this fire and brimstone planet.

...

Kal-El sat warely, force feeding himself an exotic looking slice of meat. While the taste was delectable, that he could not deny, he had little to no appetite. Still, if he didn't finish the plate presented to him, questions would be asked. If questions were asked, the plan he and Diana had crafted so carefully would be done before it could even begin.

Darkseid was an intelligent creature, having far greater knowledge than many of the villains he had dealt with in the past. Still, he had the common trait of arrogance, something that would be his undoing. He had yet to tell Diana of his promise to permanently put down the New God, unsure just what her reaction would be. Not once had he killed before, but after being toyed with for over a year and treated like a puppet, he couldn't help the thought from crossing his mind. If the only person that had been manipulated and hurt in this situation was himself, he wouldn't put down the giant grey being. However, after what the creature had done to Diana, he knew he couldn't leave him living.

"I have a test for you, my son." Darkseid spoke after swallowing, bringing forth a fabric napkin to blot at his mouth. "I'm entrusting you to watch over the planet and ensure not only our low ranking population stays in line, but also that of your brothers and the furies. Do you think this is something you can accomplish?"

Internally, Kal sneered, anger bubbling in his chest but also the knowledge of what this situation could bring for both him and Diana. "Yes, Father. Whatever it is you need me to do, I swear to follow your orders."

"I knew you would not fail me, Kal-El. I leave in three days. Already preparations have begun for the ceremony of Diana and I's joining. I'm also entrusting you to ensure these go forward without an issue." Darkseid was testing him, waiting for him to show an emotional response to this, to see if he gave any implication of needing some one-on-one with Granny.

"Of course, my lord."