Chapter III
"It is our namesake-by god-don't I at least get credit for being poetic?" Professor Doomsday resorted to irritated sarcasm after the ordeal of confrontations that he had to deal with over the past few days. Doomsday I gave an icy stare and even Doomsday II glared daggers at their youngest brother. Outside of the Kent farm was the Justice League, Aquaman and a cohort of Atlanteans, Wonder Woman and a legion of Amazons, and a crowd of various reporters.
After defeating Steppenwolf, he was imprisoned in a specialized container at the bottom of the Atlantic, the Motherboxes were separated (one given to the Justice League, one given to the Amazon/Atlantean alliance, and one given to the Doomsday brothers), and the last of the parademons were hunted down. Doomsday II challenged Aquaman to a battle to the death, but had to make do with a public apology after urgings from the League and his brothers. Everything had settled into a stable peace, until Professor Doomsday made a public announcement over the internet and television.
"Greetings, I am known as Professor Doomsday. Although I am speaking in English, I have transcribed subtitles in every language being broadcast to. You may know me from my online presence, perhaps you simply know me from my appearance, or mayhaps you are wondering why a golem is speaking to you. Firstly, I will state the obvious, I am not human. I was created in an experiment from Kryptonian biology, and I have two brothers. Secondly, I will state my purpose for contacting you, I wish to declare independence from Earth along with my brothers. We live on this planet, but we do not wish to be subject to human laws or borders. I am aware that this will be a hard pill to swallow, especially for those of you in power, which is why I have set up a simple ultimatum for you. I have created a doomsday device that will destroy this planet if you do not comply. Thank you." Doomsday II was the first one to charge towards Professor Doomsday in rage.
"WE?! What we?! You didn't discuss any of this with me or Doomsday I! I didn't want to make enemies of the entire world, why did we believe that you were the smart one?!"
[Be quieter with your conversation. The Kryptonian is always listening.] Professor Doomsday used sign language calmly to speak with his furious brother.
[Why have you done this?]
[The governments of this world will only see us as a weapon, or will claim us simply by where we are located. The only way I could free us from this fate is by threatening assured destruction, much like the other political powers of this planet.]
[Ohhh, so you're bluffing.]
[No.]
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The Doomsdays made their way back to the farm but they were followed by Superman and then everyone else.
[Your idea is dumb.] Doomsday I eloquently rebutted Professor.
[This is the only way that we can be independent and respected.]
[Oh my god, this is attention seeking behavior! Don't tell me that's the reason you've put our safety and wellbeing at risk!] Doomsday II frantically signed in response.
[I am aghast at your implications!]
[I agree with Doomsday II.]
[Well what is done is done! Follow me and I will lead us into the lead covered safe house.]
[I'm so glad you threatened the entire world so that we can rot away underground! Unlike you, Doomsday I and I like to go outside!]
[I do like to go outside.] Professor Doomsday angrily shoved his chair into his brothers to prompt them, but neither of them moved.
[Fine! Betray me if you wish! I shall retire into my lair and you shall not know of my whereabouts!] Professor Doomsday angrily wheeled away and took an automated chute of his own creation under the Earth's surface. The other two walked outside of the farm to confront the angry mob.
"Fellas, I have to say this is not a good look." Superman spoke sternly with his arms crossed.
"They have declared their war on us-they must be destroyed!" Wonder Woman yelled angrily and raised her sword in the air.
"Hey we didn't agree to this! We were just as surprised as you guys!" Doomsday II exasperatedly replied while waving his arms.
"We are not going to kill anyone!" Superman held his arms off and looked to the Doomsday brothers and then to Wonder Woman. "But we do need you to surrender to the authorities, including your other brother."
"Professor doesn't want to surrender, and we haven't declared war on anyone. However, Doomsday I and I are willing to present ourselves in front of...people? A presidential meeting? I actually don't know what authorities you're talking about."
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Doomsday I and Doomsday II were placed in arm and leg restraints (largely for appearances) and were presented before a large assembly of world leaders. Superman stepped forward to present before them.
"Leaders of the world, we find ourselves in a precarious position. The Doomsday Brothers present a large potential threat, but I for one believe that they are deserving of life. In this presentation I will-"
"PARADEMONS!" Superman was interrupted by a screaming security guard. The members of the assembly rushed outside to see the sky covered by millions of the winged villains.
"Did Steppenwolf escape!?" Wonder Woman shouted.
"NOT QUITE" A booming voice echoed from the distance. An imposing grey figure in dark blue armor stepped out from a crowd of parademons.
"I AM DARKSEID, RULER OF APOKOLIPS, AND I WILL GATHER THE MOTHERBOXES TO CONTINUE MY GOAL OF FINDING THE ANTI-LIFE EQUATION." Wonder Woman charged at Darkseid with her sword, but a single punch sent her flying. Then chaos erupted. Bat-winged parademons swarmed all over the place and kept on coming despite being cut down by Amazons, Atanteans, and gun fire. Superman and the two Doomsdays who were present approached the ruler of Apokolips.
"Y'know what Darkseid? I don't want you here, but this presents me with a rare opportunity to cut loose. You see, I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard-" Superman began his speech while walking towards Darkseid, but he was blasted away by a powerful omega beam. Doomsday I rushed towards the villain, but they were too slow to reach Darkseid. Doomsday II tackled his older brother out of the way of another omega beam, which struck a parademon.
"We can't touch him!" Doomsday II cried out as Darkseid slowly advanced. He flew towards Darkseid at top speed, dodging any oncoming omega beams, but the ruler didn't even flinch when Doomsday II kicked his knees. Darkseid smirked and reached for Doomsday II, but a shining lasso wrapped itself around his wrist and pinned it back temporarily. The Doomsday brother escaped temporarily, but after a quick motion from Darkseid Wonder Woman was yet again knocked away.
"I need to get you to him, but it'll take a miracle in order to get an opening!" Doomsday II yelled desperately to Doomsday I. Suddenly, a massive laser beam cut through the sky and lit up Darkseid.
"Umm...It'll take a second miracle when I'm ready to take advantage of it!" Doomsday II yelled at the sky. The smoke and debris cleared, but Darkseid was only moderately harmed.
"YOUR PETTY WEAPONS CANNOT HARM ME, OH PEOPLE OF EARTH"
[It was not a miracle.] Doomsday I signed to Doomsday II.
"What?"
[It was not a miracle, it was Professor Doomsday's super weapon.]
"And it didn't even work!?" Doomsday II worriedly shouted. Darkseid confidently chuckled yet kept a wary eye to the sky, just as Superman began to stir from his omega beam injuries.
[The weapon is based on Professor Doomsday's laser vision, so Superman may be able to increase its effectiveness.] Doomsday I grabbed a parademon in each arm and charged at Darkseid as Doomsday II flew to Superman's side. Doomsday I was able to dodge the omega beams by using the bodies of nearby parademons, but he was unable to get into close quarters with the tyrant.
"Superman! Superman!" Doomsday II shook the man of steel. "We think my brother's superweapon utilizes laser vision! You might be able to boost his power and beat Darkseid if you help him!" Superman groaned and began to float into the air.
"Do you know where your brother is?" Doomsday II shook his head.
"He made his base out of lead! Try to find an underground lair that you can't see through!" He began to fly at Darkseid again, but Superman grabbed him by the elbow for a moment.
"Hey kid, don't get hit by one of those beams-I don't think I could survive another one." Superman saluted and began to fly away. Darkseid readied an omega beam to fire at Superman, but he was forced instead to counteract another laser blast that came down through the clouds.
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Superman rocketed upwards, towards the direction of the laser's origin. He traced the source to a type of satellite with a focusing lens, supposedly used to redirect any laser beams. Superman focused his enhanced vision, and followed an uncharacteristic heat trail from the satellite to a location on the Earth's surface. Sure enough, when he peered into the crust, Superman found a geometric structure that he could not look through with his x-ray vision. Finding the most efficient path, Superman quickly drilled through the ground until he reached the entrance of the lead safehouse.
"Listen, I know we're not on the friendliest terms-" Superman began a rousing speech, but a door into the safehouse opened before he could get going.
"I know my brothers are in danger, we do not have the time!" Professor Doomsday roughly motioned towards the center of the room. A large device somewhat resembling a telescope pointed upwards towards the ceiling of the bunker.
"I made an initial focusing lens for myself, but it did not generate enough power to destroy this new threat." He motioned towards a binocular-like headset on the ground. "With the two of us, we'll have to simultaneously find an opening-" He pointed at the wall of screens that showed live footage of the skirmish, "-while aiming at the condenser." He then pointed his finger at a very small glowing target on the nose of the machine.
"Easy enough." Superman's comment prompted a stern glare.
"With both of us working together the energy output should be nearly double, but there will be a time lag. The others on the ground will have to create an opening-without any cover fire from us." Professor Doomsday frowned while focusing intently on the computer screens.
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Doomsday I and Doomsday II were able to keep themselves safe by using the bodies of parademons, but they were unable to be aggressive in their confrontations. Doomsday II could match or even outspeed the invader, but Darkseid had learned by now that he was too weak to do any major damage. While carrying Doomsday I, the group became an easier target to hit, and Doomsday II became too burdened to reach their target.
"We can't take him on with just the two of us!" Doomsday II yelled while zigzagging around the menace. Darkseid followed the motion of Doomsday II and was able to grab him in a burst of quick movement. However, Wonder Woman's lasso again saved the Doomsday brother. She let go of the lasso as Darkseid yanked it furiously backwards, but he immediately fired an omega beam in her direction. There were no parademons within her reach, but her reflexes allowed her to block the hit with her gauntlets, redirecting it skyward. Doomsday II used Darkseid's momentary surprise to grab the lasso and give it back to Wonder Woman. Without being able to properly communicate, Doomsday II hoped that the other two would understand the gist of his plan. He grabbed Wonder Woman and Doomsday I and rushed headfirst at Darkseid. The ruler shifted slightly into a battle ready stance, suspecting some kind of trick. Doomsday I threw a parademon at him, causing him to dodge and immediately aim an omega beam at the trio. Doomsday I blocked the blast with a second parademon, using up their last meat shield. Doomsday II released Doomsday I and Wonder Woman just as she looped the Lasso of Truth around Darkseid's wrist. Darkseid pulled on the lasso and fired at the other target with an omega beam simultaneously. He gave a look of surprise as Wonder Woman blocked the blast with her gauntlets yet again. Doomsday I resisted Darkseid's pull and then slammed him into the ground using the lasso. Doomsday II used this opportunity to tie Darkseid's legs together with the lasso. Unfortunately, the villainous ruler was not overly deterred and he grabbed Doomsday II by the throat. Darkseid grinned as he readied an omega beam to fire right between Doomsday II's eyes.
"AND THE FIRST ONE FALLS."
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Professor Doomsday and Superman watched intently as Wonder Woman deflected one of Darkseid's blasts.
"There we go! If she can deflect those beams then they can make an opening!" Superman exclaimed excitedly and Professor Doomsday nodded seriously in response.
"Ready your laser vision, our chance is coming soon." Both of their eyes began to glow as Professor Doomsday quickly typed in coordinates. Doomsday II flew at Darkseid carrying the other two, and then dropped them off to either side.
"Doomsday I has the lasso, this way they'll be able to create a diversion." Wonder Woman deflected the blast, Doomsday I pulled Darkseid prone, and Doomsday II rushed to tie him up.
"Blast-he's spending too much time! We've got to fire now so that Doomsday II can escape!"
"Don't! He'll be able to deflect most of the blast if he's not occupied! We have to wait until he's distracted." Professor Doomsday grimaced at Superman's words and solemnly decided to wait.
"You have forced me to bet on a deal with the devil!" Darkseid grabbed Doomsday II, and spoke triumphantly. Superman and Professor Doomsday both fired their laser eyes at the target.
"It might make it in time!" Superman spoke hopefully, but Professor Doomsday stared at the screen in silence.
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"AND THE FIRST ONE FALLS" Darkseid's eyes glowed as he readied an omega beam, but he craned his neck towards the sky. Doomsday II was struggling in vain against the tyrant's crushing grip, and the villain's attention was on the sky-ready to counteract the incoming attack. A smile cracked across his face as he peeked the laser attack that he baited out. "AFTER I SECURE MY VICTORY HAHA-" His laugh was interrupted as Doomsday I slammed his head into the ground. Doomsday I grimaced in pain as Darkseid burned into their hand, but he kept his hand clamped while freeing Doomsday II with the other hand. Doomsday II grabbed at Doomsday I to drag them away, but Doomsday I shook their hand and shoved their younger sibling away.
"No, don't do it!" The laser weapon carved a path of searing light through the sky and obscured the visions of everyone present. Both Doomsday I and Darkseid were left in smoking pieces, but only Doomsday I had a head remaining.
"M-Maybe you can regenerate the rest of your body, like you did with your arm." Doomsday I shook their head slowly and tears welled up in Doomsday II's eyes. Doomsday I weakly grabbed II's arm with their remaining arm and then signed for the final time.
[Be free.]
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After its first use, the Doomsday laser weapon was dismantled with the consent of its creator. A small memorial was done for Doomsday I, but the younger brothers decided that they wouldn't have wanted a statue, and instead dedicated the entire "Darkseid Day" memorial to Doomsday I in a speech. The speech was not written or spoken by either of the Doomsday brothers and will not be appearing in this story. The audiences of both Professor Doomsday and Double-DJ understandably wondered where the two had gone-after a normal internet grieving period of one week-but they would receive no answer. Without any announcements-in person or online-the remaining Doomsday brothers prepared to leave the Earth.
"Are we going to boldly go where no Doomsday has gone before?"
"Has solemn silence before a defining event gone out of fashion?" Professor Doomsday sighed. "I already agreed to let you leave the atmosphere with the method of your choosing."
"Sorry." Doomsday II biked across the yard while Professor Doomsday stared serenely from his place in the bicycle's front basket. The bicycle lifted off the ground and flew through the air, taking the Doomsday brothers into space and away from the planet.
FIN