Hello, again!

This is a multi-parter on account of something I had planned before Wonder Woman 1984 showed up, and will be sticking to, so Cheetah at least won't be around for quite a while (if at all). The 'Apokoliptic' part of the chapter title is the indicator.

Don't own Harry Potter or anything from DC Comics/Studios. Or anywhere else for that matter.

Apokoliptic Arrival

XXPreviously, on 'Dark Side of Justice'XX

Crimson sky, factory-like buildings (and spikes) everywhere, and towering infernos dotted the otherwise barren landscape.

Barda was sarcastic when she said "No place like home."

Lily was a bit more neutral. "Smells like death."

Morgana, on the other hand, was chewing at the bit, which they all noticed from the way her tense stance twitched.

Batman refocused their attention. "You think Darkseid knows we're here?"

"He knows." Morgana declared as they turned their attention to a clear tower some distance away.

XXXXX

The group quickly noticed an incoming machine with a draconic-like head on the front coming towards them, followed by another coming from behind.

They prepared for battle, knowing it was only a matter of what moment it starts.

Said moment came when the one from behind spouted fire, which Morgana snuffed out, allowing Superman and Wonder Woman a clear path to rip the head off and toss the rest on it's side.

Batman, Lily, and Barda focused on the other, Batman dealing the first strike by disabling it's left treadmill.

Lily and Barda charged through its fire, not taking any damage, and rammed into it's base, the pair pushing it into a ravine with ease.

"Well, I guess that warmed us up." Barda said when the group gathered again.

"We've gone over the layout of Darkseid's fortress." Morgana said, serious. "We all know our jobs."

"Stay sharp." Batman concluded as he suited up in a jet pack of sorts, before flying off.

"Good luck." Lily said before Superman and Morgana moved in a different direction, leaving the three remaining ladies to do their job.

XXWonder Woman, Barda, and LilyXX

The three ladies eventually found themselves walking through a sewer, which Lily had a little trouble not reacting in anger and disgust when she saw skeletons in the mix. And people thought Voldemort was messed up, including me.

Barda, however, had something to help, unknowingly. "This might not be the right time, but you've always been an inspiration to me."

This was directed at Wonder Woman, who tried to respond until Barda said "Seriously, Diana, when someone brings hope to another person, it's a gift. Don't get me wrong, Morgana, Lily, and the rest of the Menagerie helped, but it was you that truly made me realize that my life here was hollow. Without honor."

Lily couldn't help but quip at that. "Do I detect a hint of a crush, Barda? Wanting to upgrade to 'friends with benefits' with Diana?"

She laughed when Barda responded in a similar tone, getting Diana to blush in embarrassment. "Maybe. I mean, she is beautiful and strong."

The trio eventually jumped out into an arena, where they found four women ready for battle against them.

"Well, well, the gang's all here." Barda said, eyes narrow.

The woman with swords responded "You should never have come back, Barda. Although, personally, I look forward to watching you die."

"I'd tell you to go to hell, Gillotina," Barda shot back, "but given the situation, that'll be redundant."

"She'd probably in much worse condition than she is now if she actually was in hell, Barda." Lily said, preparing for battle, "If you know what I mean."

The four opposing ones certainly did, if their expressions darkening were any indication.

Barda was a little softer when she spoke next. "They'll go for position, try to separate us."

Wonder Woman, however, refuted with "Let them try."

A moment later, battle was on.

XXBatmanXX

Batman flew over the fiery mechanical landscape, targeting a particular item Tracey had told them in rumor, not having actually seen one herself.

However, eventually he noticed something to his right that he just barely dodged, that being a giant dog-like creature in armor with a rider.

He had to stop when another appeared in his path. "Damn."

The rider in his way declared "Bring the intruder's head to Darkseid."

But Batman wasn't going to go down so easily.

XXSuperman and MorganaXX

Morgana was having trouble keeping herself calm as she and Superman walked towards Kara's energy signature, something which Superman had to comment on. "Just how close were you and Bakura, anyways? I mean, he was..."

That actually worked a little bit, as Morgana managed to sigh. "Ever since I...mistook Arthur's connections to what happened to me, I've never truly had anyone to call family, let alone a brother. Bakura just...filled that gap unconsciously."

Superman looked at her sadly, having an idea of how she's feeling. "I'm sorry."

Anything further was stopped when they heard objects flying towards them from behind, which turned out to be robots. One of them then spoke. "Glory to the ones who take the life of the Kryptonian and Earthling. Hail Dark-"

Morgana snapped her fingers and blew them up.

"That was pathetic." She said, hair starting to billow.

"Well, only one door is in the way for you to tell him that." Superman responded, nodding towards the door in their path.

Morgana growled as her anger returned in full force, resulting in a bolt of lightning destroying the door.

"DARKSEID!"

Didn't quite expect a three-path for this, but it'll certainly help set up what I have planned. Though I will say this: both 'items of interest' are connected to Wonder Woman.

Until next time. Please let me know what you think.