Hi guys. Long time no see. Truth be told, I procrastinate far more than I would like to admit, but I'm back now.

I just read the news that Sandman is coming to Netflix and Tom Elis might cameo as Lucifer in it. Well, that gives me some new ideas.

Maybe a relationship between our fallen angel and the endless might not need to be just friends with benefit after all. Whether it would happen in this story or not, I didn't decide yet.

…

Chapter 10: Fireworks

The darkness of the void over was peaceful. Nothingness was the only place that one could finally felt serene.

Well, if you ignored a fleet of warships warping out from the hyperspace.

The Situation on planet Thanagar was a mess. Their fleet was engaging in the skirmish at the border of their empire. And somehow the Gordanians, their hated foe, discovered a secret galactic highway that allowed them to jump right close to their homeworld. Whatever their force that was stationed there would not be enough to protect the planet from class-9 Gordanian's fleet.

Yes. Thanagar was not left unprotected. But two warships without a full capacity would not be enough to contest with the enemy fleet. There was no winning move. The only thing they could do was to minimize the loss.

In a word, a clusterfuck.

…

In Thanagar's emergency war room

"General. What's the status on the Gornadian's fleet?" Asked the leader of the war council.

"10 class-9 bloodstars, Sir. With a force that size, we could recall our all forces from the nearby sector to keep them occupied until the help arrive from the main fleet at our border."

"But that will weaken our border for their main bulk of the invasion. They would be expecting us to call our forces back and attack our frontier colony." Argued the other councilmen.

"Yes, councilman. Sacrifice needs to be made. Either way, we will suffer a heavy loss. Our fleet could outmaneuver them to reduce the damage and we need to surrender a few frontiers, but that would be better than losing Thanagar."

"How many do we expected to lose?"

"Fifty billion at least, excluding infrastructures and warships. An acceptable loss. Our people at the frontier know what they sign up for. They will gladly forfeit their life for our empire." Replied the general.

"My. My. My. If those suckers at the Justice League could see the greater good like you, there would be so much less trouble on Earth." Uttered an intruder who appeared out of nowhere. He was a Thanagarian, or at least look like one to them. Well, that's how they perceive him anyway.

That's because celestial beings like him appeared to mortal in a form dictated by their belief. Without a glamor, celestial beings would appear as what others perceive as gods. Fallen or not Apollyon was still one. The same rules also applied to those like the Endless. Quite convenient, really. No awkwardness from the difference in perceived appearance.

To Thanagarians, he was a mixture between one of them and one of their old gods. An eldritch abomination resembles a long-abandoned deity since the day their race evolved from superstitious fools. An appearance that had not appeared since their race decided to be slave no longer and broke their chains from the great old ones.

"Let me give you another option. Do nothing and let me handle it. Just enjoy the show." Said the Fallen Angel. "I offer Thanagar my protection."

A loud crack interrupted Apollyon's monologue. The leader of the war council violently smashed the table.

"Under your protection? Do you think us a fool? We are free from your kind. Now and forever. Guards, kill the abomination, Now!"

That were bold words, but no real power to back it up. The moment the guards touch their weapon was the moment their wings were crushed and their body flung across the room.

"Oh. You think that I'm Ixthultu ilk. And here I thought your kind are more enlightened, at least less superstitious than human. Shame. Such a shame.

Don't be mistaken. Your entire species are not that important, just the closest planet that could provide an acceptable wings care service in this side of the galaxy."

Apollyon spread his signature amethyst wings as he unleashed a sliver of his power. It seemed these mortals were yet to move on from the shadows of what they perceived as of gods. Fools, all of them. Not that he cared though, Apollyon always did what he wants, when he wants.

…

Deep in the void of the outer space, the Gordanian fleet sailed toward their destination. Their strike would decide the outcome of their long war against the Thanagarians. How blessed are their creator that they discovered a secret galactic highway that allowed them to attack the Hawkworld itself? Oh, how they would level these curs homeworld to ruin. They would burn the very sky itself and slaughter the winged bastards to the last.

Today, Thanagar would fell. Tomorrow, the rest of their wretched empire would follow.

Ironic. Really. The Gordanians didn't expect a warp-riff to be opened right above their fleet. Nor did they expected giant tendrils to emerge from it. Two ships were destroyed right away as the portal opened. Their energy shield provided no defense against the attack. The tendrils cut through their ship with no effort.

One second. All it took was one second for one-fifth of their fleet to be lost. All the boarding crews were dead soon after. Yet, the crews of the remaining ships had much worst fate installed for them. The tendrils didn't stop at destroying two ships. They continued on, not to destroy but to drag everything else through the portal.

Where's the portal led to? Hell, of course. Where else would they go?

…

The stunt that he pulled last only ten seconds. TEN SECONDS. Gordanian's fleet that could level an entire advance planet, GONE. TEN SECONDS. The world-ending crisis, STOPPED. TEN SECONDS. That was not enough time for the war council to process things.

"Oh, Ye of the little faith. Can't even comprehend the greatness of the divine." His mere presence was more than enough to suffocate them, forcing them to kneel and their wings to go flaccid. "Well. Gentlemen. If there's nothing else, I'm going to a wing-spar."

The angel assumed his human form, a black suit and all.

"By the way, don't fuck with Earth. It's mine. Only I can do it."

…

Justice League's Watch Tower, Earth

Things got Awkward for the Justice League. The world-ending threat that assembled all of them was gone in seconds. Now they had nothing to do. Apart from questioning Batman and Wonder Woman about the newcomer, there was one thing left to do. Proof the validity of Apollyon's absurd claim.

"Katar, Shayera, we're just about to contact two of you." Said the Thanagarian commanding officer, Fell Andar. "How the study of Earth police method going? After what happen, I expect we're going to need a proper police force to keep the worried citizens in line ASAP."

"Sir. Is it true that Thanagar is under attack?" Hawkwoman asked. It was the question that was met with an awkward silence.

"We were." The officer uneasily replied.

"Were?"

"One of the old gods showed up, claimed that we are under its protection, and proceed to annihilate the entire Gordanian's fleet in ten seconds."

"WHAT!" The hawks screamed.

"Is it true that that thing came from Earth?" Asked the commanding officer as he put up the photo of Apollyon in human form on the screen. "Have you seen this … thing?"

"Yes, sir. It revealed itself to the League today. Some of the League members have a connection to it, I will send you the full report after I interviewed everyone from the Earth's Justice League that are involved.

In brief, one of the Earth's villain tried to use the magical artifact to gain power. Both of us were notified that it will be required a full justice League response. Suddenly a light engulfed us and all of us were transport to the ritual site. Before we could react, it defeated the villain without any effort. Then, it introduces itself as Apollyon Morningstar, claiming it to be an angel, a mystical entity according to Earth's belief. It appeared to look like us the last time we saw it. I will try to gather more information from other members of the Leagues, sir."

The officer nodded in agreement. The information was promising, it would be enough for him to answer to the council.

"Did it say anything? What does it want?"

"Not much. We were notified that Thanagar was going to be under attack before it left. That would be about an hour ago."

Their answer made the commanding officer's eyes widened. He uttered a single word. "Impossible."

Why impossible? Because this means that it could transverse across galaxy in a blink of an eye, without any helps from any technology. Not even the New gods could do that. Not that the Thanagarian knew.

"Sir. This might be above my paygrade, but might I asked, what does it want in return for saving Thanagar?" Asked Hawkman.

"That is a good question, Katar. We are still not sure about the answer. It seems to hold no interest in forcing us to worship it. From what it said, and I quote, it only keeps us around for our wing-spar. We are not sure about the validity of that statement, but I was reported that it indeed uses our wing-spar service, the left without paying. We found no trace of that thing ever since.

It also stated that, and I quote, don't fuck with Earth. It's mine. Only I can do it. The high council wants two of you to keep a close eye on it and report everything you found. And for the love of all Thanagar, whatever happens, do not intimidate that thing. If you have more time, please find out why anything wants to impregnate a planet for us too, so we can prepare for the worst

I need to report all this to the high council. I expect you to send me the full details as well as recorded footage of all its interaction in three days. Valor guide you, Andar Out." The commanding officer cut the transmission as he saluted the two heroes, both also did the same.

Silent fell in the transmission room at the watchtower as the communication was terminated.

"WHAT THE…!"

…

Project Kr, Sublevel 52, Cadmus Advance Laboratory Research

"Set him free." Said Aqualad, the de facto leader of the makeshift team. Or at least the most assertive of the four.

With a quick input in the console, the subject was released.

"Set him free? What if he turned on us!" Proclaimed the only girl in the group. "Who knows what those genomorphs are feeding him? He could be a rabid beast for all we know."

A rabid beast. Her mind ran wild. With those muscles and a sharp face. A brute like him would make a fine pet. It would be so much fun dominating him. Having a personal Kryptonian manservant, among other things, would be wonderful. She knew at least auntie Rann would approve.

"Oh, come on. I'm sure he would …" That was all Kid Flash could mutter as he was punched in the jaw by none other than the Kryptonian clone. The hit was so hard it launched him flying and crashed the barred door.

Kid Flash was out. COLD.

"I told you so!" Said Artemis as she drew her blade and readied her stance.

The monstrous Kryptonian clone lunged at her with blistering speed and she barely dodges it by the strand of her hair. Her adoptive father was right. Her footwork could use more practice. She didn't stand idle after the dodge; however, she knew an opening when she saw one.

The Kryptonian clone's back was exposed after he missed his target. That's where her blade would go. Aim for the kill, she trusted the sword through his heart. Well. She tried, anyway. Hesitated at the last moment, she shifted her aim a bit lower and punched through his left lung.

It was a moment of horror for everyone except Artemis. When the blade pierced through Superboy's back and came out his front, it screamed with joy. Its fine edge sucked up all the blood that seeped out from the wound.

Superboy screamed in pain as he fell. He was supposed to be invulnerable. He supposed to be a living weapon. Then why did it hurt so bad? Why did he suddenly felt all his power was drained? He didn't get to think for long, however, for he felt a solid boot slammed on the back of his head as his attacker dismounted the sword from his body.

"Don't get to excite, Handsome. Don't make me hurt you more than I already did. Unless you want to play rough, I could take away one of your arms." She teased the wounded clone further. "What? They could clone the entire body. I'm sure they can do just an arm." She turned to the boys, who stare at her with unbelievable eyes.

"This is not a game, Tigress. Let him go!" Shouted Aqualad.

"Let him go~" She mocked. "Are you serious! He could kill us! I mean, he could kill you. I think I can handle him."

"LET. HIM. GO." The Atlantean repeated. He summoned his water-formed weapon.

"Fine." She stomped hard on the clone head, keeping him down. "If this somehow biting us in the ass, I'm blaming you."

The fight died down as fast as it started. With that little outburst, the tension resumed. It was not long before a juvenile hero wannabe started pointing fingers.

"You are way out of the line! We do not kill, Tigress."

"He knocked out Kid Flash and jumped me! What do you expect me to do? Spank him for being a naughty boy?"

"Enough!" shouted the Atlantean.

"Hmph!" She crossed her arm in annoyance. 'Atlantean prick. Pretend to know it all and look down on me from the moral high ground.' She internally cursed.

As the tension at its zenith, Robin decided to step in. Ironic. The youngest sidekick, barely a teen, was the one to climb two young adults in their stupid argument. "Guys. Guys. Chilled. We need a plan. Especially, what to do with that." He pointed at unconscious Superboy. "And that." He pointed at unconscious Kid Flash. "Moreover, we need to find the way to get out of here."

…

5 minutes later

It didn't take long for the two unconscious boys to wake up after Aqualad splashed them with seawater over and over. Kid Flash still had a minor concussion. It was a minor problem compare to what Superboy suffered. A blade size hole through your lung would knock the wind out of anyone, alien or not. Lucky for him, it made him not combat-ready after wakeup.

Because if he fought her again, it would not end with a single hole through his body. It's not that she was so skilled or so powerful that he couldn't keep up with. It's only that she had a clearer mind, more trained, and not behave like an angry child throwing a tantrum like he was. More importantly, his Kryptonian overpowered heritage did jack shit against that sword.

Not that he currently had the brain capacity to realize that.

"OOOOOOOCH!" cried the speedster, oblivious to the entire thing. "What happened?"

"What happened? What happened is that I'm kicking 's ass over here." Smugly said Artemis as she still holding the clone's head down with her heel.

"What happened was that you were out of control. You are irrational, didn't listen to order, disregard of all life, and didn't take this seriously. You don't belong here!" yelled Aqualad.

That's it. That's was the last straw. 'Well fuck that' Thought Artemis. 'These sidekicks had their heads up their asses. I'm fucking out of here.'

"We all don't belong here! What's your problem? You keep dissing me since the moment we met. Did my presence irritate your fish fucking brain so much you can't stand me?"

Her expected outburst silenced the room. "You know what. I'm getting out of here." She sheathed her weapon and rushed down the barred door. Building up speed she summoned her not-so-well-studied power from the armor and unleash it at the barricade.

The obstacle became dust the instant her fist touched it. When the dust cleared, she saw more genomorphs, a horde of small ones and three giant ones, there was a one that looks humanoid and two others human, male and female. Oh, Guardian was with them too. Not that it would make any difference form making her stay here.

"Move!" She demanded. Of course, none of the Cadmus's personnel complied.

"Stop her! Take them dead or alive. I want her as a new specimen." Commanded the scientist. His nametag labeled 'Dr. Desmond'. Clearly, he held the authority here.

Three little genomorphs jumped her as the command was given. In-kind she responded with the edge of her blade, sliced them in twain with one strike. She was done giving a fuck. They are clones, they are controlled, they are not alive. Even if they were, death would be a mercy. That's what she used to justify her actions.

Artemis continued to walk forward as if nothing had happened. More genomorphs rushed her only to be cut down without remorse. Her eyes were as cold as the depth of the abyss itself. Even a few giant genomorphs, those that were labeled 0427, were not strong enough to be a hindrance for her. Their movement was fast for creatures their size but compare to the speed enhance by the demonic armor they were akin to standing still. Even the colossal strength they were bred for was overpowered by the teenage girl on her rampage. A punch that could turn a normal man into a mush did nothing to the armor-wearing girl, not even a dent, not even a staggered. On the other hand, her punch was more than enough to break their bone.

Seeing that the swarming of physical attack might not work, the psychic leader of the genomorphs decided to intervene. I horn flashed read as it attempted to stop her using telepathy. It soon found it effort futile as Artemis's armor unleash a psychic backlash that temporarily fried its brain.

"Fuck. Off." She annoyingly said as she cleaved apart anything that barred her way. She continued walking.

Seeing the unconventional sight in front of them, the other three conscious young heroes looked at each other in shocked and disgusted. Training to be a hero they might be, however handing a raging superpower girl was not in the curriculum or any girls in that matter.

Lucky for them she didn't have that time of the month, or Aqualad would be a fried fish like now.

"Enough!" Artemis heard as she walked past the pathetic angry scientist, shoving him out of her way. "Project Blockbuster will grant me the power to restore ORDER!" He dug into his cloth and grabbed a test tube containing an unidentified liquid. Unplugged the lid, he recklessly drank it all in one go. The result was almost instantaneous as he turned into a horrific monster.

A smart man should know that horrific didn't always mean powerful, as , now called Blockbuster, would learn in a few moments.

"PISS. OFF." She caught the brute's hand as it tried to punch her. In retaliation, she gave it one of her own. And again. And again. And again. Each of her punch packed enough power to shatter a steel wall. With each punch, her eyes burnt brighter and brighter as her consciousness started to slip away.

"REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" She screeched as she stomped on Blockbuster head for the final time, knocking him out cold.

"Humph!" She snorted as she left the boys staring at the destruction that she brought to the Cadmus lab. It was only a moment before she reached the surface and met with the entire Justice League descending from the sky.

"Well. Shit."

…

Outer Space, Location Unknown.

After getting his wings done, the fallen angel decided to take a short break looking at the endless void that was the outer space. He had anticipated the repercussion from the Angelic Host of the Silver City. He didn't care though, as they were not powerful enough to demand anything from him.

Unless Dad sent another of his more powerful sibling to keep him in line, he would fear no one. And his was sure that Dad was not going to do it.

Well. He was going to be surprisingly disappointed.

"Hello. Brother." Greeted the man that stepped out of the void. Originally, he was half-white and half-black, not in the mixed-race kind but his right-half was so dark it devoid of any light while the left-half was so bright it blinded everyone looking at it. The form didn't last long, though, for the man shifted into a more familiar sight. An Italian man wearing a trenchcoat that made him looked like a pedophile sheep.

"Uriel?" He was surprised indeed to see the brother he thought was forever lost. "WHAT THE F…!"

…

Oh Shit. Uriel is back? *Laugh in Crime Fighting Devil*

I also decided to use DCAU canon for Thanagar instead of the comic. I think it would fit more in the narrative that I planned.