Disclaimer

The characters used in the story are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. I used them in my story which is entirely a product of my own imagination.

Note: Gods in Justice League is definitely not my forte. I am not a reader of comics, I love cartoons though, and I base my story on the limited knowledge I gained from the cartoons. I only watched two episodes which featured Darkseid and High Father, and that is as far as my knowledge goes. So, if you feel I have goofed up somewhere, let me know, so that I can correct in the future works.

And FYI, I am not very good in narrating action sequences. I'd wish that I were an artist or animation wiz to bring forward what the characters play in my mind. But I hope you'll be able to understand them and enjoy.

Chapter 13

"Bring it on!" Superman said, regaining his composure.

Darkseid gave a half smile.
"Come on out, my son!"

Superman took his position. He listened intently, for there was no sign of anyone coming towards him.

"Let the contest begin," Darkseid announced.

Superman stood in a daze for a while, when suddenly a heavy metallic foot came crashing from the thin air and hit him in his chest. Before he realized what had happened, he found himself crushed under it.

"I told you, you wouldn't stand a chance," Darkseid laughed, "This is the best in the Universe!"

Superman managed to get the foot off him and struggled back to his feet. Standing before him was what he described as a tin toy. It was simply a metallic armour in blazing red, with yellow eyes, white streaks at the chin a curious watch like device on the wrist.

"Where did you get this from? A toy store?" Superman mocked.

"Order Father!" the figure spoke, "I'll rip him apart.". The voice sounded metallic too, like a robot.

"Give him a fair chance, son," Darkseid said, "We have all the time in the world to play with him."

Superman tried to take advantage of the little distraction and brought his fist down on his opponenent's gut. But the opponent was too quick to face the impact. Superman found his fist squished between the metallic fingers and after a second, found himself hurtled into the air. He crashed against a wall and fell to his knees.

"Kryptonite,Darkseid?" he muttered amidst his struggle to open his fist again.
"No, Kal El! No Kryptonite," Darkseid said, "It's sheer power," he paused, looked at his tin soldier and smiled, "and technique…"

"My turn," the figure announced and charged towards Superman. Superman, with all due credit to his super fast reflexes could dodge a few punches, but had no room to attack as he was between the figure and the wall. The frustrated figure held gripped his throat and threw to the other side of the arena.

The other Leaguers slowly came into conscious, only to be dismayed by the happenings. Hawk girl tried to pound her maze against the field, but she failed miserably as the field electrocuted her. GL helped her back to her feet. Jonn tried to penetrate through and so did Flash, by speeding up his molecules. But they were thrown back. Rest assured, Diana's pounding with bare fists did not help either.

"Superman, watch out!" Diana cried out as the opponent approached him and grabbed him by his cape. Superman tried to grab his neck and hurtle him away, but the opponent was swift and held his arm against his back, gripping the neck from behind. Superman choked and shot out his laser beam. But his neck and thus his facial muscles were not under his control, and the beams wandered aimlessly into the sky.

"What's the matter, Superman?" Darkseid teased, "Three strikes up on my side, and you couldn't as much as cause a scratch on his body."

Superman was still being choked by the figure. He lifted his free arm and tried to reach for his face, but the arm was ceased immediately.

"Relax, my son!" Darkseid ordered, "Leave him!"

The grip on Superman was released instantaneously, and Superman fell back on his knees.

"Your wish is my command, Father!" the figure said, as it stepped back.

Superman panted heavily and gasped for breath. He felt around his neck and throat. And finally, when he was able to, he lifted his head to look at the thing which had caused him so much trouble.

"What…is this, Darkseid?" he asked.

"I told you, it's my creation! My most precious creation." Darkseid said.

Superman considered that, as he wobbled to his feet. The figure made no attempt to stop him.

"This must be a robot," Superman remarked.

"I don't deal with Robots anymore, Kal EL," Darkseid said, "I have had enough of computers and viruses." He moved to the figure and lay his arm around its shoulder.

"This," he said, "is a living thing. A living thing who knows how to be faithful, how to obey orders. This is not like you!"

Superman coughed while he still struggled to keep balance. He cast a look at Darkseid's soldier, and then narrowed his eyes.

"It's lead, Superman!" Darkseid said, "Your X-rays won't penetrate it."

Superman sighed. A strange feeling swept past him when Darkseid said lead

"Which unfortunate planet did you get this life form from?" Superman said distastefully.

"Why don't you guess it yourself?" Darkseid said.

"I'm not in mood for games," Superman said, almost wearily.

"Fine, then," Darkseid shrugged, "Son, finish this off!"

The metallic body stiffened all of sudden, ready for action.

"But before that," Darkseid added, "Show him your face!"

"But father," the metallic voice clicked, "your instructions were not to…"

"I change my mind," Darkseid said, "Show him your face."

"Your wish is my command, father!" said the metallic figure, as it reached out to a seam in its neck and pressed a button. The metallic face loosened up like a mask. With one more movement of hand, it was off its head and on the ground.