Here we go with chapter fifteen and I hope everyone is ready for more. Also, yeah for those who saw how things ended last time then you know what is coming up. Will I include that fight? Well, I guess you'll have to wait and see.
Also, yeah didn't bring in the other heroes from the other dimension mostly cause I wanted to focus on these heroes. Will they eventually appear? Will they join in the fight? Or will it just be this team against the Regime?
Well, check out the chapter to find out and thanks to my friend to his help. TheXman99 who I went to talk to for my chapter and how it would go. Go check out his work. They are a lot of fun to read.
Also thanks guys for the reviews. I appreciate and glad for the support the story is getting. Now then, I don't own anything from Guardians of the Galaxy or the DC Universe. Just my OCs and enjoy the chapter everyone.
Chapter XV
Unknown location (Three hours earlier)
Luthor is seen in his lab getting things ready for his fight against Superman. Deahtstroke brought him the prototype he needed to attach it to his mech-suit. He has been working on it for a long time to help him combat against Superman. Secretly of course since he didn't want to risk Superman or his Regime members finding out about this.
If they did he could lie claiming he made it to fight against Batman or his Insurgency soldiers. Something he is sure Superman would believe. Since he doesn't want to lose any more people he cares about. Thinking about that almost made Luthor regret doing this.
Almost at least. He didn't blame Superman for what happened to the city or the lives that were lost. However, he didn't approve of how he abused his powers, thought himself as a God, and enslaved the planet. He wouldn't stand by it and would do everything in his power to stop him.
He also knew he couldn't have Batman fight Superman. Not if he ends up being killed by him. He needed to do this. To keep Batman alive and keep hope alive if he fails.
"Details on Stryker's Island is still sketchy. Insurgent Forces attacked there nearly ninety minutes ago," said a female reporter through the radio transmission Luthor is listening to find out what is going on.
"What? Andre's there now? Let's go live to Andre Garcia. Andre?" said another reporter.
"Thanks, Rob. It's chaos out here. High Councilor Superman and his One Earth forces are battling the Insurgence forces who appear to be using large spaceships. The metahumans are holding their own. But the regular army is in disarray," said the third reporter Andre keeping those listening an update on what is going on.
"Has the Insurgency forces breached the prison's defenses?" the female reporter asked as Luthor took one of the pills that he kept around to help him be ready for his fight.
"Doesn't look like it. So far the fighting is focused on the prison's perimeter," said Andre as Luthor turned off the transmission.
"Seal appendage armor," Luthor ordered as he got into the machine while wearing his protective suit.
"Activate reactor core. Begin pre-flight check," Luthor ordered wanting to check the suit to see if everything is operational.
"All systems nominal," the computer reported. "All inputs tethered. Neural command schema now online."
As he is about to leave Aya began contacting Luthor. "Lex, Gamora said they got Jason. They are now making their way out of the facility."
"Good to know. I'll be there as soon as possible to fight Superman," said Luthor as he checks the weapon to see if it's ready.
"Lex, I highly recommend you contact the others to let them know. They can help you fight against Superman," said Aya who was concerned about Luthor's chances of succeeding.
"I appreciate it, but I need to do this," said Luthor as his weapon appeared operational. "For too long I stood by watching Superman enslaved this planet and harm so many innocent people. I can no longer stand by and let that happen. I need to do this and end this war."
"Lex, I understand but…" Aya was interrupted when Luthor turned off his communicator.
"Sorry, but it's time for me to go," said Luthor as he begins flying out of his lab and heads towards the city.
So far everything seems to be working and he noticed Harleen's gang is indeed causing the trouble they needed to cause. He sees the fighting on the island going on and joins in as Arisia is seen holding her own against Hal. Even managed to use an old favorite of his against him.
Using her powers to create a jet that charged at Hal and knocks him into the prison. Arthur meanwhile is doing his best to hold off against Black Adam while Rachel blocks her attacks against Hawkgirl. Rachel is blasted by Hawgirl's staff sending her near Arthur. Megan moves up in front of them and uses her powers to create a barrier as both foes fire at her.
Suddenly some rockets are fired from behind her and hit both Regime followers. Megan looks behind her and sees it's Luthor in his suit.
"Mr. Luthor, what are you doing here?" Megan asked surprised to see him.
"I came to help. You three okay?" Luthor asked.
Rachel recovered from the attack and nods. "What are you doing here? And what are you wearing?"
"Something to help me fight. Mind one of you two helping fight Adam?" Luthor asked.
Arthur steps forward. "Would be my pleasure."
Luthor and Arthur fly past both foes luring them away from the fighting. Arthur is motioned by Luthor to break apart, which he does. Luring Adam away from Hawkgirl who follows Luthor.
Luthor used this chance to fire some rockets at Hawkgirl. She tried dodging them, but he fired one directly at her. She took the hit and soon the others made contact. Knocking her towards the ground as she crashed on the concrete outside the Hall of Justice.
Luthor begins descending as he sees Arthur fighting Adam away from the city and back to the prison. Most likely to make sure the others are okay. Hawkgirl tries to get out of the crater and sees her weapon near her. She goes to grab it, but Luthor uses his suit to move the weapon away from her.
"Your Nth-metal belt. Give it to me," Luthor ordered.
"The source of my power? Like hell," Hawkgirl refused.
"I'm giving you a chance. End this without further bloodshed," said Luthor wanting to do this without fighting her.
"Too late," Hawkgirl flies up and dodges Luthor's weapon as she grabs her mace.
She swings it at him hitting his arm and then goes for another hit, but a shield appeared around Luthor knocking her back.
"You're done, Hawkgirl. Overmatched," said Luthor as Hawkgirl charges at him again, but this time Luthor fires an electric blast that send volts of electricity through her body.
Causing her to fall on the ground screaming before passing out from the pain. Luthor goes to get the belt, when he is hit from behind by Shazam. He goes to attack Luthor again, but a shield appeared to deflect the attack and send him back. Shazam lands on his feet and gets up.
"Since when are you with them?" Shazam asked upset to see Luthor fighting with the enemy.
"Since the day Superman decided to herd us like sheep," Luthor replied.
"He only wants what's best for us," said Shazam defending Superman.
"We aren't his playthings…and he's no God!" said Luthor as he prepares to fight Shazam when Megan appeared from behind and used her powers to put the hero to sleep. "Megan, you should be back with the others."
"I know, but I wanted to be sure you were okay, especially when I read your mind and found you are going to fight Superman," said Megan who didn't like that she read someone she considers a friend's mind.
Luthor should have kept his guard up when he was around her. "I understand you want to help, but I need to do this."
"Please let me help. I don't want to risk losing more people I care about, especially when I couldn't do anything to save my uncle," said Megan who wanted to fight by Luthor's side.
Luthor approached the young girl and placed his hand on her shoulder, gently. "I know you wish you could have done more, but I think we both knew if you did try to fight him you would have been killed. Even your uncle knew this and that's why he kept you out of the fighting. Not only to keep you safe, but make sure you live."
Megan was surprised to hear her uncle worried about her so much and wanted to keep her safe. Despite the fact the two didn't spend so much time together. It made happy to know he cared about her. All of this though made her feel guilty for not telling the truth and tell him what she is.
"Mr. Luthor…there's something I need to tell you. Something important."
"I know," Luthor replied indicating he knows what she is going to say. "We always knew what you were."
Megan looks up at Luthor shocked that he knew, but then he mentioned they always knew. "W-wait, does that mean, my uncle and Batman knew?"
Luthor nods in response. "We didn't care though. What mattered to us is the good you did and how hard you worked to prove yourself. We are proud of you."
This made Megan feel like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. They all knew, but didn't care. Even after all the things that happened they still accepted her. She smiled happily and gave Luthor a hug, which he returned before noticing the explosion occurring over them.
"The Watchtower…Megan, go now," said Luthor knowing he has to do this now. "Get back to the others and stay there."
Megan didn't want to leave. Not when she can still try to help, but she has to trust in Luthor. More than ever that he knows what he is doing. She breaks the hug and begins taking off. Thank you, Mr. Luthor and good luck.
Luthor smiled as he sees the girl off. Your welcome, Megan. He replied back before looking up into the sky.
"Casualties? Were there any personal in the tower?" Luthor asked.
"All personal safely evacuated. Superman was in the blast radius, but is unharmed," his suit replied.
"Well, then. May fortune favor the foolish…" he soon calls out Superman as he checks the Kryptonite weapon and used the belt from Hawkgirl to get it ready for his fight.
He is informed he will be here in 20 seconds. "I see him," said Superman as he charges the weapon and aims it. Knowing he only has one shot at this otherwise the fight will turn badly for him.
However, before he can get the shot in he is hit from behind by Shazam causing his suit to get damaged. Superman tackles Luthor down creating a large crater with news reporters all around to see this. Superman appears from the rubble as Luthor began coughing. Trying to catch his breath after what happened.
Superman sees Luthor with the weapon and soon a wave of pain and anger flowed through him. "I trusted you. You betrayed me."
"Who…betrayed…whom?" Luthor asked knowing his suit is too damaged to do anything.
Superman grabs Luthor through the suit and lifted him out. "I gave you peace!"
"Your peace…Your peace is a joke...' said Luthor who struggled to breath.
Superman angrily grips his hand around Luthor's neck and begins choking him. Now using both hands as he strangles him to death before snapping his neck. Once he was dead he dropped him on the ground and began panting heavily. Soon through voices of people can be heard shocked of what Superman did.
He killed Luthor they said. They couldn't believe it. They even began calling him a murder. The voice growing more and more as reporters had shown live what Superman just did.
Soon this grew too much for him to bear as Superman screams before flying away. Shazam saw everything that happened and couldn't believe it. The man he looked up to just murdered Luthor. He knew Luthor turned on them, but he was defenseless.
He couldn't defend himself, he couldn't fight, and was injured. He then saw the look on Superman's face when he strangled him. Strangled him with his own two hands and murdered him. He looks down at Luthor's body and soon a wave of regret began washing over him knowing the path they have taken has gone too far.
Insurgency HQ
The team returned to their base after rescuing Jason and teleporting away from the fighting. Once they arrived they expected to go over their next move to stop Superman, until they watched the news. They saw Luthor was killed by Superman. Luthor tried to fight Superman on his own and how he ended up being strangled to death by Superman.
The death of Luthor shocked the world as people began protesting what Superman did. Calling him a murder, a killer, and a criminal. Demanding that he pays for his crime. His crime against murdering an unarmed injured man who the people looked up to and loved.
After Superman took off Aya arrived to retrieve Luthor's body. Shazam saw her, but out respect let her take Luthor's body. Megan was devastated that she didn't do more to help Luthor and make sure his plan succeeded. Aya blamed herself for teleporting him away just before the tower exploded or being there when he fought Superman.
Batman though took the blame the most since he should have known what Luthor was going to do. How much trust he put on him to keep the Insurgency alive. How he talked about how he was the face of the Insurgency and how they needed him. He should have known what Luthor was planning, but didn't expect him to actually go through with him.
While the team discusses what they are going to do, Kara took Jason to their ship to get healed up. Luckily his healing factor was kicking in as he recovered from his injuries. Once he woke up she told him everything. From their fight to break him out, her confronting her cousin, and what happened to Luthor.
Jason sighed as he looks down feeling what happened to Luthor was his fault. "If I hadn't been captured he would still be here."
Kara placed her hand on Jason's shoulder and shook her head. "Aya and Megan told us he has planned to confront Superman for some time. That he planned to use the Kryptonite weapon himself. To keep Superman alive and make sure he lives should he fail. It wasn't your fault."
Jason wanted to believe that, but a part of him couldn't agree with her. "If all of our focus wasn't on saving me then we could have helped him. Make sure the weapon was used and no one gets involve to stop him."
"I know you feel that if we had done all of these things then it might have turned out different. Just like if I had been here I could have stopped Kal from turning," said Kara as she rubs her neck where her cousin choked her.
Jason noticed this and placed his hand on her neck to rub it. Kara smiled when she felt Jason's hand against her. She rubs her face against it and smiled at him. All while trying to help him feel better.
"Now though I realize nothing I say or do could have change his path. He made this choice and there is no coming back from it. For Luthor, it was the same thing. He wanted to make up for doing nothing while Superman harmed so many innocent people and wanted to take him down."
Kara grabs Jason's hand and held it close to her. "He risked it all to make sure everyone would be free and not be afraid anymore. To make sure the people he cares about live and continue fighting should he fail."
Jason looks down at the bed and then sighed softly. "Kind of like with me. I would have done the same thing for all of you to make sure you all live."
"But you did," said Kara as she gets on the bed and wraps her arms around him. "You told the others to leave so you could save us from being captured. You risked it all to make sure we live to fight another day. That's what Luthor did. He wanted to do the same thing and in the end showed the world Superman is no hero."
Jason turns to Kara and smiled at her before kissing her softly on the lips. Kara soon returned the kiss and the two soon embraced the other after breaking the kiss.
"Thank you, Kara," said Jason as he held her close.
Kara smiled softly as a few tears flowed down her eyes. "I'm just glad you're safe."
They pull apart and smiled at each other just as they see Gamora standing by the door. "Sorry, but came by to check on you."
Jason smiled softly when he saw his mom as he slowly got out of bed with Kara helping him. He walks over to his mother and looked up at her.
"I'm sorry for disobeying you. I just wanted to get Kara home and keep my promise. I was an idiot, I should have listened to you, and I'm sorry. You can go ahead and punish me if you want, I deserve it."
Gamora stared at her son, who lowered his head waiting for her to scold at him. Lecture him, tell him what he did was stupid, and how he will be grounded.
However, instead she leans in and embraced her son for a hug. This surprised Jason a little since he didn't expect her to do this…at least not until she lectured him.
"I was never mad at you. I was just worried about you," Gamora replied as she continued holding her son close. "Ever since I lost your father I was worried about you. I was worried about losing you like I lost him. When Laura told me what happened I came over to rescue you. I didn't care if I had to go through an army to do it I wasn't going to lose you."
Jason soon returned the hug and held his mom close. "I know and I'm sorry. I should have been smarter and not get caught."
Gamora breaks the hug and smiles at her son. "But you did because you wanted to save your friends," she lets out a small chuckle. "Something your father would have done. You really are his son. Wanting to help save other worlds, help people you don't know, and help free them. I am proud of you, all of you."
Kara smiled softly when Gamora turned to her and said that last part. It was the first time she actually said it, at least in person, and to her. Jason was just happy his mom wasn't mad and was just glad they are all safe. "So, what do you want to do?" Gamora asked.
"What do you mean? Isn't up to you?" Jason asked confused by what his mom said.
Gamora shook her head. "This is your mission. You started it and it is up to you to decide what you want to do."
Jason turns to Kara who held his hand and smiled at him. Jason turns to his mother and began thinking about what they need to do.
Once he came to his decision he begins smiling. "Let's go talk to the others."
Meanwhile
Megan stood in front of a window where she sees Luthor's body being cared for so he can be buried. After bringing his body back Aya gave him to Batman to help care for the body. So once the fighting is over he can be properly buried or be cared for in accordance to what Luthor wanted. Once his body was taken Megan began feeling guilt for what happened to Luthor and wish she was there to help him so that he could have completed his mission.
Arthur approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You all right?"
Megan shook her head in response not taking her eyes off of Luthor. "I should have made sure Shazam was knocked out. If I had then the plan would have worked and Superman would have been stopped."
Arthur felt bad for Megan who told him that after losing her uncle she would sneak away from Atlantis to speak with Luthor. To give him the information to pass on to Batman on what she discovered. She enjoyed her talks with him and how he helped her. She had a chance to return the favor and she failed.
"It wasn't your fault, Megan. I should have finished my fight with Black Adam and then return to help him," said Arthur as he turns to Luthor's body. "I wasn't strong enough to beat him fast enough and by the time I did we were teleported away. Maybe if I had been there I could have helped. But we can't dwell on what could have been. Luthor would want us to keep on fighting and continue our mission."
"But how? Without the Kryptonite how can we stop Superman?" Megan asked wondering how they can win.
Arthur moved his hand down to take her hand, which caused her to look up at him. "By sticking together and never giving up. To keep fighting and never lose hope. That's how we can beat him. And together we'll get them back for Luthor."
Megan smiles softly at Arthur and embraced him for a hug. Arthur slowly returned the hug and pets her head.
The door opened and in came Rachel who noticed the two embraced in a hug. "Everything okay in here?"
Arthur noticed Rachel and nods as he breaks the hug. "Yeah, why? What's up?"
"Batman wants to talk to us. He's decided on what he wants to do next," said Rachel.
"What about Jason?" Arthur asked wondering if their friend woke up.
"Kara said he's awake. They'll join us soon," Rachel replied as she turns to Megan. "If you want to stay here you can. It's up to you."
Megan turns to Luthor's body and then back to Rachel as she shook her head. "No. I'm part of this now and I want to hear what he wants to say."
Rachel smiled softly at the girl and nods in response. "All right. Let's get going then."
Fortress of Solitude
Meanwhile the members of the Regime have gathered together to discuss what has happened. Reports of what Superman has done has caused riots to break out and people protesting against the One Earth government. Demanding Superman to turn himself in. To be brought to justice for the murder against Lex Luthor.
Even though who remained silence against Superman were now coming out. Leading these protests and joining the people. The Regime's army has been weakened due to the fighting on Stryker's Island. Their equipment damaged and many of their weapons destroyed.
This has caused their forces to spread thin and they didn't have enough to stop these rioting. They all came together to try figuring out a way to stop this.
"These outsiders. They've incited insurrection," said Wonder Woman as they turned off the broadcasts to have this meeting quietly.
"We must suppress this filth," Sinestro suggested knowing things will only get worse unless they do something.
"Willfulness leads to anarchy. It cannot be allowed to spread," said Black Adam who knew unless they stop this they will lose control and lose their power over the people.
Superman who sat away from the group was alone with his thoughts. Thinking about the voices he heard. The people turning on him, calling him a murder, and a criminal. Despite his best to block them out he could still hear them even from this far away from the cities.
"I made them safe," he began speaking breaking his silence. "Shielded them. But are they grateful? Do they appreciate my protection?"
"No…" he slams his hand on the table where he was at. "They whine. Complain. Side with those criminals," he gets up from his seat and turns to the members of his team. "If they prefer chaos, I'll give it to them."
He walks over to the table where the team is at knowing what he must do. "Metropolis and Gotham. I'll flatten them. Seth an example," said Superman just as Flash, Shazam, and Hal Jordan came into the room. "Then I'll find the universe these outsiders came from. They'll pay for interfering."
Some members of the Regime seem to agree with this idea, but Shazam however disagreed with this. "Wait. We're wiping out whole cities? Invading worlds in other universes?"
"You have a problem, Billy?" Superman asked upset someone was questioning his idea.
"Well, yeah…It's crazy. It's going too far," said Shazam who didn't approve of this idea.
"Man's world is incapable of self-rule. We will preserve order," said Wonder Woman backing up Superman's idea.
"No…No…There have to be limits," said Shazam protesting to this. Flash tried to stop him, but Hal keeps him back. "Even on us. Especially on us!"
"That's enough!" Superman ordered as he was getting upset with this insubordination.
"We can't do this! Have you gone nuts?! Lois would never want…" Superman grabs Shazam by the throat and lifts the boy up. "Sha…"
He tries to use his powers to stop Superman, but the former hero used his powers to ice breath his mouth shut. Shazam tried to break free of Superman's grip, until Superman used his heat vision to kill him. Once he was dead he dropped the young hero onto the ground. As the ice shatters from his mouth and he lays there motionless.
Superman without a shred of remorse turns to the others waiting to see who would protest next. "Anyone else?"
Flash looks down at the boy's body shocked that Superman did this. Hal had the same expression as well, but didn't say a word. No one in the room did. They did nothing but remain quiet to what they just saw.
"Cyborg, Raven. Take control of all media broadcasts. I want everyone to see this," Superman ordered. "Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Adam. You're with me. Sinestro, prepare your ground forces."
Superman then turns to Hal and Flash. "Lantern, Flash. Get Doomsday, ready."
Superman looked down at Shazam's body for a moment before he walked away. The others soon began leaving as if what happened to Shazam never happened.
Once they were gone Flash, Hal, and Grundy stood around Shazam's body. "Take him outside," Hal ordered to Grundy.
"Grundy dig hole," said Grundy as he picked up Shazam's body. "Grundy bury."
Flash gave his respects to Shazam before he was taken away. As he left he thought back about what Iris told him before and the promise he made to her that he broke. Back then he tried to rationalize why he stood by Superman and the things he did. Now though…
"He was right. This isn't what we signed up for," said Flash who knew Shazam…Billy was right.
Hal who was working on getting Doomsday ready though tried justifying this. "We did our job. We eliminated crime.
Flash though knew they couldn't use that old excuse anymore. "Billy wasn't a criminal. He was…"
"A casualty of war. Acceptable losses," said Hal who tried again justifying this.
"Acceptable?!" Flash replied upset about this. "I let myself believe we were making things better. But we're not. I can't do this anymore. I'm done."
As Flash tries to leave, Hal grabs his arm to stop him. "You have a death wish? There is no 'done'."
"Maybe not for you. Goodbye, Hal," Flash begins taking off, but is stopped by Hal's Yellow Lantern powers creating a force field to stop him.
"You can't leave," said Hal refusing to let him go.
Flash though runs back against the force field and begins vibrating his body to break through it. Hall follows him and tries again to stop him. He uses his powers to try grabbing him. Keep him from running, but Flash managed to dodge his attacks.
He uses his speed to dodge his hits and managed to deliver a clothesline knocking him down. He delivers an uppercut and followed it up with a punch to the face knocking him to the ground. He quickly grabs the ring and pulls it out of his ring before tossing it away. He sees Grundy heading his way and sees what happened.
He charges at Flash who moved out of the way as Grundy hits the wall. Flash runs at him and slams him into the wall while delivering fast multiple punches and then multiple uppercuts. Right to the jaw before grabbing him and flipping him over. Grundy lets out a loud groan as he was unable to get up.
Flash looks around and knew he had to get going. He has to fight Batman and the Insurgency. To warn them about what Superman is up to and stop him. He knew it was a risk since they probably won't believe him, but he has to try to stop Superman and make up for his sins.
Yep, the Flash has switched sides and now the team has to figure out what to do. Before Superman tries destroying the cities and killing millions of people. Will they succeed? And will Flash get to them in time?
Check out the next chapter to find out and thanks to my friend for his help on the chapter. Also thanks to all of you guys for the support as well. I appreciate it so much and glad many are enjoying the series. If you all like the chapter then please leave some reviews.
If you didn't like this then don't leave a flame review please. I'll see you guys next time and take care.