This is the Finale of the New Years Special. Last time, to put it mildly, everything went wrong. Brainiac's collection of the cities escalated, Metropolis was taken, and both Superman and Spyro disappeared after an attempted attack on Brainiac's ship. In the aftermath, Brainiac issues an ultimatum. Surrender Supergirl, or he will destroy the Earth. Cynder takes charge of the group and a plan is formed to use magic to break Brainiac's Skull Ship's defenses, requiring Cynder to accompany Black Adam and Aquaman to Kahndaq. So, what awaits them in Black Adam's kingdom? Read on to discover...

Cynder's Log:

I don't know what happened to Spyro, but if Brainiac's harmed him, he's going to pay. I wouldn't honestly mind if Superman snapped his neck at this point. But, I have to keep my more murderous impulses in check, lest something terrible happen as we go forward. Right now I need to focus on the mission. Hopefully Black Adam's magic plan works.

(Our story resumes in the desert kingdom of Kahndaq, where Black Adam, Aquaman, and Cynder stroll up to the scene.)

Cynder: So this is Kahndaq, eh? It's actually kind of pretty.

Black Adam: Thank you.

Aquaman: As appreciable as the beauty is, we're kind of on a mission.

Cynder: Right. Are we close?

Black Adam: We are here. The Rock of Eternity is hidden in a pocket dimension, accessed by this portal here. I've refrained from opening it since Brainiac's invasion began.

Aquaman: To not attract his attention.

Black Adam: Exactly. But once the door is opened, Brainaic's forces will follow very quickly, so we must work fast.

Aquaman: A fight I look forward to.

Cynder: Let's not get too anxious yet Arthur. (To Black Adam) Do your thing.

(With that, Black Adam steps towards the portal)

Black Adam: (As lightning courses through his hands) Ancient ones, unveil the golden path to me. In your names: Shu. Heru. Amon. Zehuti. Aton. Mehen!

(As the six gods are pronounced, Black Adam channels the divine lightning through himself and into the portal. But as he powers it up, we transition to the Skull Ship, where Brainiac and Gorilla Grodd are observing this exact event)

Brainiac: Black Adam has revealed Kahndaq's power and location. The Society's next mission: Retrieve a fragment of this Rock of Eternity. I wish to study Earth's "magic"

Grodd: Sad to say the Society has disbanded. They all thought Earth would be theirs to conquer, rather than yours to destroy.

Brainiac: And you?

Grodd: To hell with Earth. I serve Brainiac.

Brainiac: A most logical decision. I will provide you with new soldiers. Bring that sample to me before Earth is destroyed, and your loyalty will be rewarded.

(With that ominous message, we transition back to Kahndaq, where Black Adam has finished opening the portal)

Black Adam: We must work quickly.

(But alas, just as the group is getting ready to move, the sounds of troop movements can be heard. Brainaic's forces have already arrived)

?: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) Don't bother, there's no time left.

(Now Cynder and company turn to the enemy approaching, and it's two faces we haven't seen in quite some time: Black Canary and Green Arrow, being mind controlled by Gorilla Grodd's telepathy, and leading a group of his ape soldiers)

Cynder: Dinah? Ollie? What's Grodd done to you?!

Black Canary: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) An extractor ship is on it's way. Kahndaq will soon belong to Brainiac.

Black Adam: Brainiac will not defile Kahndaq!

(Now the battle begins, the mind controlled Green Arrow releases a shot, but Cynder blocks it just as Aquaman charges him and the ape soldiers, leaving Cynder and Black Adam to fight the mind controlled Black Canary.)

Black Canary: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) Such misplaced pride, compared to my achievements. The two of you are nothing.

Cynder: Time to show Grodd a thing or two.

(And with that the two engage in battle against Cynder's former friend, with Cynder taking care not to hurt Black Canary too much, only trying to snap her out of Gorilla Grodd's control, which thankfully, she and Black Adam together manage)

Black Adam: Come out and face us yourself, Grodd!

(Unbeknownst to either party, an ape soldier is charging at them, but Aquaman stops it by putting a trident through it's head)

Black Adam: (Seeing this) I did not require assistance.

Cynder: What Adam means is "thank you".

(But the fight is not over yet, as now Brainaic's extractor ship has arrived and is trying to pick up Kahndaq, with the mind controlled Green Arrow now standing ready to face them down)

Green Arrow: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) Here comes the cavalry. (To Black Adam and Aquaman) Fitting you two die together. Humankind's last monarchs.

Aquaman: What kind of ruler sacrifices his own people for someone like Brainiac?!

Cynder: (Putting it together) That's the trick. His loyalty isn't to Brainiac, nor is it to Gorilla City. The only person Grodd cares about, is himself.

Green Arrow: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) The dragon is the smartest among you. I'm only waiting until that alien exposes his weakness, and then he's as good as dead. With the Skull Ship in my command, I'll be unstoppable!

Aquaman: You're deluded, Grodd!

(With that Black Adam realizes this is Aquaman's fight, and leaves him and Cynder to duke it out while he focuses on the extractor ship)

Green Arrow: (In Gorilla Grodd's voice) How does it feel to lose your people, sea king?

Aquaman: I have lost none of my people, they were taken from me!

(Now the battle really begins, as Green Arrow fires shots against his will. Thankfully Cynder's deft acrobatics, and Aquaman's raw Atlantean force have the mind controlled archer down in moments, Grodd now out of his head)

Aquaman: Atlantis will be avenged.

Cynder: We'll get to the avenging later. You sure these two will be okay?

(Now we see Black Adam return, and assess the wounds left to Black Canary and Green Arrow)

Black Adam: They'll live.

(And without missing a beat, Black Adam fires another bolt of lightning into the gateway, causing it to open. But just as it does, a familiar ally swoops down from the skies, as Blue Beetle returns)

Cynder: Jaime? But... we thought you were dead!

Blue Beetle: Khajit Da is hard to kill. Lex and Batman said you guys could use a hand, so consider me your sidekick.

Black Adam: Very well, come along, there isn't much time.

(And with that, the four enter the portal to the Rock of Eternity, ending our tale for today)

This concludes the New Years Special. And as we bid 2021 farewell, let's just hope 2022 will be better. I'm especially hoping that, I could use some good news these days. Anyways, yes I'm splitting Chapter 10 in pieces. It's just big enough, somehow. I swear I'm not just trying to prolong this story past some arbitrary experation date. I'm just stopping where the story makes sense. So, what awaits the crowd in the Rock of Eternity? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!