Disclaimer: Well, at least the Writer's Block didn't hit this time. Plus, now I have an app I can use to write down whatever creeps into my head.
As usual, I don't own the rights to Marvel or DC.
Chapter XX
The Flash sped through a large number of troops while landing punch after punch to each one as he passed. From his point of view, the troops didn't flinch expect for their faces where the Flash's fist connected. As soon as the Flash stopped in his tracks and time returned to normal, every soldier that he struck dropped to the ground unconscious. The Flash smirked at his handy work before a Parademon dropped to the ground behind him and caused the speedster to spin around.
Before the Parademon could attack, Aquaman leapt into the air behind it and came back down with his trident outstretched. He stabbed the Parademon in the back and brought it down, twisting the trident in the wound for insurance. A horde of Parademon dropped from the sky and charged, and Aquaman met them head on. The nearest of the monster was instantly taken down and stabbed through the heart, assuming it had one, with Aquaman's trident. The next two were instantly tripped and sent flying, allowing the Flash to punch out of the air.
Aquaman battled three more Parademons singlehandedly, blocking a series of errant blows and striking back with pinpoint hits from his trident or his free limbs. At least one Parademon tried to get the upper hand. It managed to land a glancing blow to Aquaman's chin, pushing the King of Atlantis back a few steps. Aquaman recovered and thrust his trident into the creature's chest before charging forward. He skewered the other two Parademons and pushed forward.
The three hapless Parademons were then instantly vaporized from above by Captain Marvel, who landed beside Aquaman and blasted a few more Parademons out of the sky. The Parademons recovered enough to stand, and Captain Marvel charged forward. She landed a series of strikes that knocked the beasts down to the ground or into the air. Captain Marvel then blasted the airborne targets like skeet one at a time while blasting more of the ground forces. She even blasted a soldier that was rushing toward Aquaman with him realizing it.
Aquaman gave Captain Marvel a nod before he tossed his trident toward a charging Parademon. Captain Marvel said, "Thanks!"
"Don't mention it!" Aquaman replied.
Their brief interaction was interrupted by the approach of a hover tank. The Hulk suddenly jumped out the tank and started ripping it apart, even pulling one of the turrets off and plunging it into the hull. The tank dropped to the ground and slammed into the dirt, flinging the Hulk off with his own momentum. The Hulk recovered as another tank approached him, and he grabbed the damaged turret of the destroyed tank and tossed it at the tank. The turret slammed into the tank and sent the tank listing to the left and that side slammed into the ground.
Superman swooped in from above and cut through the fallen tank with his heat vision, causing the tank to explode. A horde of Parademons tried to ambush him, but Superman managed to fight them all off and send some them to the ground. Other Parademons recovered in midair and continued their attack on Superman, but the Man of Steel instantly froze them with his freeze breath. The frozen Parademons fell to the ground where The Hulk bashed them to pieces.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Wonder Woman was engaging a trio of soldiers that had her surrounded. The soldiers tried attacking one at a time, and Wonder Woman slashed at them with her sword or bashed them with her shield. It didn't take to long before the three soldiers attacked the Amazon at the same time. Still, Wonder Woman managed to outfight them at every avenue with combinations of strikes, slashes and defenses. One of the soldiers managed to move passed her defenses and land a solid punch to her face, snapping Wonder Woman's head to one side.
Wonder Woman straightened out her head and looked at the soldier and smiled at him before head-butting him to the ground. One of the other two soldiers tried to ambush her before behind, but Wonder Woman bashed her shield into his face. The last remaining soldier tried the same thing and Wonder Woman was ready to react, but Captain Marvel came out of nowhere and blasted the hapless soldier away. Captain Marvel landed beside Wonder Woman as she displayed a somewhat annoyed look.
"I had that under control." Wonder Woman claimed.
"Sure you did. Whatever helps you cope, princess." Captain Marvel replied a wry smirk.
Then the Flash sped up to them while taking out a few more enemies. "Are you girls seriously trying to have a competition in the middle of a massive battle on Apokolips?"
"No!" – "Yes!" They replied at the exact same time.
The Flash looked wide eyed at the two women and said, "Carry on." Then he sped away.
Meanwhile, Superman flew directly into a ground tank and punched a hole through before coming out on the other side. He came back and lifted the tank off the ground before rotating it upside down. The two pilots fell from inside the wreckage while Superman threw the destroyed tank aside. Superman casually walked up to the two soldiers, both of them having energy weapons. They fired a series of shot at Superman, but the shots merely bounced off of the Man of Steel. Superman simply smiled at the soldier before he burned their weapons out of their hands. The tried to run in the opposite direction but Aquaman was standing in their way. In one motion, Aquaman slammed the staff of his trident into their faces.
"You think Darkseid has noticed this conflict by now?" Aquaman asked.
I'd be surprised if he didn't. We just have to keep these forces busy until Batman and Iron Man complete their mission." Superman reiterated.
Their brief discussion was interrupted by the arrival of a ground tank that had its guns trained on the two heroes. The Hulk suddenly dropped out of the sky and crashed down onto the tank. Pieces of tank went flying as the Hulk tore the vehicle apart and the drivers ran for their lives. Superman and Aquaman watched with stunned astonishment as the Hulk ripped the tank into metal fragments, one of which landed beyond them. The Hulk glared at the two of them before bounding off for his next target.
"You said we have to keep them busy, right?" Aquaman asked.
Superman nodded and replied, "Yeah."
Aquaman gripped his trident and said, "Fair enough."
Hawkeye shot out a series of arrows at the approaching group of soldiers, some of the arrows striking them and others being deflected. Some of the soldiers had energy weapons and returned fire, forcing Hawkeye to take cover behind a protrusion. He readied another arrow and waited for the soldiers to close in on him. The second they stop firing the energy weapon, Hawkeye emerged from hiding let the arrow loose. The arrow was literally inches away from the soldier before the head slip open and a net flew out of it, entrapping the soldier. The net came with an electrical charge that incapacitate the soldiers and drop them to the floor. Hawkeye merely smirked.
Another group of soldiers targeted Black Widow by way of hand-to-hand combat. The soldiers had melee weapons as they took turns against Black Widow. Widow responded with a full on assault against the soldiers one after the other, landing varying strikes with her fists to their jaws and her feet to their guts. She even landed strikes to the more… sensitive of body parts. One of the soldiers managed to get behind her and drape the staff of his weapon over her upper body, but Widow instantly flipped him over her head and into another of his allies.
She held onto the weapon and used it against another soldier with a similar weapon. They fought with their respective weapons clanging against each other before Widow landed a solid strike to the soldier's face. Black Widow smirked before she heard a screech, and she look up to spot a Parademon approaching. Dropping the weapon, Black Widow shot out a series of her stingers to slow the beast down. The Parademon did indeed slow its charge but not by much, and Black Widow was suddenly back into a wall.
Just as the Parademon was inches away from her, Vision suddenly phased out of the wall and directly through a shocked Black Widow and planted himself. The Parademon never slowed its charge and paid for it when it ran right into Vision, who had altered his density at the last moment and knocked the creature out. Vision looked back at an utterly bewildered Black Widow as she was feeling her abdomen from where Vision appeared.
"Are you alright, Agent Romanoff?" Vision casually asked.
"Am I alright? You literally just passed right through me, Vision." Widow snapped.
"My apologies for startling you, Agent Romanoff." Vision said before he floated away from Widow.
Hawkeye saw the whole thing and asked, "Did I just see him…"
Widow snapped, "Shut up, Clint!" Then she quickly zapped an incoming soldier with her stinger.
While Hawkeye, Black Widow and Vision focused on the lesser soldiers, Captain America squared off against Kalibak. Kalibak relentlessly attacked with his battle club, cracking it against Cap's shield deafening clangs ringing out from each impact. Captain America continually played defense until he found any openings that he exploit to the absolute best of his abilities. Anytime he found an opening, he managed to land a solid strike to Kalibak's face. Regardless of it was with his fists or his feet or his shield, Captain America landed the strike.
Each successful strike pushed Kalibak back several steps but he still managed to recover and take a few swings at Cap with his club. Most of those attacks missed Captain America by meters at any given time. Then Kalibak managed to land a solid blow that Captain America didn't see coming, and the Avenger was thrown to the floor with considerable force. Captain America was immediately upright and returned to a defensive stance with his shield held out front.
Kalibak halted his advance and boisterously claimed, "You think that puny little shield can stand up to the sheer fury of Kalibak?"
"This shield is more than just a defensive weapon." Captain America replied before tossing his shield directly at Kalibak.
Kalibak ducked down and let the shield fly over his head. He stood up and snarled, "You missed and now you're defenseless."
But Cap smirked and replied, "Wait for it."
The shield ricocheted off one wall and into another wall that was directly behind Kalibak. He spun right around with a stunned look on his face and muttered, "Oh shi…!"
The shield smashed into Kalibak's face, knocking him down and out. Captain America caught his shield before looking down at unconscious foe and said, "Language!"
Then without warning, Iron Man's voice chimed into the receiver in Cap's mask. "You're still going on about the language thing, Cap?" he asked.
"Tony, is that you? What's your location?" Cap asked while he smacked a Parademon in the face with his shield.
Iron Man blasted a Parademon that was almost right on top of him, and then he landed a solid right cross on another creature. He replied to Captain America, "We're directly one level below your current position and we're trying to get to you."
While Iron Man took out another Parademon, Batman played the defensive game against another Parademon that was advancing on him. He landed a straight punch to the creature's face and it responded by growling. It went to swipe at him with its claws but Batman rolled away from it. Batman pulled out a small device and the Parademon halted its approach. It looked down and saw a filmy substance on its armor. Batman pressed the red trigger and the gel exploded, stunning the Parademon in the process.
Batman ducked out of the way as Green Lantern flew into the fray and formed an iron bed into existence. He forged his fist forward and slammed the construct against the Parademon, completely skewering it. Another Parademon tried to ambush Green Lantern from behind, but Lantern quickly reacted with a mace construct. Green Lantern swung the mace hard and bashed the Parademon down into the floor.
The Parademon was already trying to stand up before it was suddenly blasted in the back by Cyborg. Cyborg reacted to another pair of Parademons storming toward him and blasted them as well. Another Parademon tried to ambush Cyborg but he was able to landed a series of hard punches to the gut before shooting it at pointblank range. Cyborg shot another Parademon before he noticed three more of the creatures stalking toward a seemingly immobile Raven.
Raven barely reacted in anyway to the Parademons as they closed in on her, and her eyes appeared to be closed underneath her hood. Just as the nearest Parademon made its move, Raven's eyes shot open with a white, ethereal glow. A black, bird-like construct formed around the Parademons and morphed into a series of lances. The lances slashed around the Parademons and sliced them apart. Another Parademon tried to tackle Raven but she instantly sank into the floor. She reappeared directly behind the Parademon and hit it with a ball of dark magic.
Iron Man cut loosed with a small onslaught of miniature missiles and managed to take out two more of the Parademons, while Batman launched a trio of Batarangs against another pair of Parademons. The Parademons staggers from the Batarangs but kept coming at Batman. Iron Man flew in between them and blasted both creatures at the same time, knocking them back.
"I didn't need the help, Stark." Batman claimed.
"Keep telling yourself that, Wayne." Iron Man replied.
"Tony…" Captain America called over Iron Man's receiver.
"Hang on, Cap. Jocasta, give me a scan for any structural weaknesses around our immediate area." Iron Man spoke to the onboard AI.
"I've detected a weakened area on the ceiling above and directly below Captain America's location. A significant detonation should be enough to break through." Jocasta stated.
Iron Man looked up at the ceiling and his scan picked up a fracture right below where Cap and the others were fighting. "I see it, Jo. Batman, how much of the gel do you have?"
"Good, 'cause we're going to need it."
Captain America and his team continued to fight even as the hordes of Darkseid's minions steadily began to swarm them. Black Widow and Hawkeye fired out as many arrows and stingers as they had in their supplies. Vision blasted at the horde with the gem in his forehead while Captain America used his shield to beat back the nearest enemies. He could see Kalibak at the head of the pack with a twisted sneer and gripping his battle club. Captain America took the front with his shield in front of him while the other Avengers waited for his next order.
"We got an escape plan, right Cap" Hawkeye asked.
"I wish I had a clear answer for you, Barton." Cap replied just as he heard Iron Man's voice in his mask.
"Rogers, you might want to duck and cover."
Kalibak stomped forward and menacingly asked, "Any last words?"
Cap looked at Kalibak with a grin and shouted, "AVENGERS, SCATTER!"
On Cap's ordered, the Avengers scattered in multiple directions while Kalibak and his horde looked on with confusion. Then the floor suddenly exploded beneath their feet and sent debris flying in all directions. Kalibak and those under his command were unlucky to be standing right at the epicenter of the blast. They fell down through the newly opened hole like rubble atop more rubble, dropping down to the level on which Iron Man, Batman and the rest of the heroes were traversing.
The groups of Parademons that the infiltration team had been fighting were also caught in the blast and had debris rain down on them. Green Lantern was able to shield the group underneath a green canopy construct as the hordes dropped one by one. Of the bunch, Kalibak stirred until he was upright but he was dazed from the explosion. He was knocked out a moment later by Captain America's shield to his head.
The tremor rumbled throughout the entire citadel and it was felt even in the throne room, although it barely registered to either or Darkseid or Doctor Doom. Thor felt the tremor as well and within his mind, he smiled at the thought of his friends coming to the rescue. Doctor Doom examined the throne room, waiting for the shaking to end. Darkseid didn't move a muscle, but he was seething on the inside at the prospect of more intruders in his citadel.
Once the tremor ended, Doctor Doom casually stated, "It would appear your citadel has been breached from the inside."
"How intuitive." Darkseid sneered.
The rubble was cleared out for Captain America and his team to join up with Iron Man and Batman's team. Hawkeye looked at the rubble and quipped, "That's one way to bring down the house."
"Really, Clint?" Black Widow asked.
Captain America grasped Iron Man's hand and said, "You took a little longer than expected, Tony. You're usually more punctual than that."
"I must be losing a step." Iron Man said.
"Where are Hulk and Captain Marvel?" Black Widow asked.
"Your allies are helping Superman and the rest of the League against Darkseid's armies." Batman confirmed.
"Darkseid has Thor. Superman was right to assume Darkseid would have Thor under his influence." Cap said.
"I can confirm Captain America's assessment. Thor is indeed under the influence of Darkseid and can be located at top of this citadel." Vision added.
"If that's the case, then Darkseid will most likely send Thor out against us. With that much power under Darkseid's influence, we won't stand a chance." Batman proclaimed.
"That doesn't mean we're going to give up. But in the meantime, our priority is to get outside to aid the others against Darkseid's armies."
"What about Thor?" Widow asked.
"We'll figure something out, Romanoff. But our priority is reinforcement." Captain America said.
"Lead the way, Cap." Iron Man said.
As Captain America lead the Avengers out and Green Lantern, Cyborg and Raven followed, Batman pressed his fingers to his cowl. "Superman, do you read me?"
Superman fought off a pair of Parademons by bashing their heads against each other while his heat vision cut through a ground tank. He quickly responded to Batman's call, "I'm a little busy right now, Batman. What's up?"
"We've rescued Captain Rogers and his crew and are heading out to you now, but Darkseid still has Thor." Batman replied.
"Copy that," Superman said and turned to Wonder Woman and Aquaman. "We have backup coming, and I want Darkseid. Can you two handle things down here?"
Aquaman stabbed a Parademon in the chest before he looked briefly to see the Hulk destroying another tank. He turned back to Superman and replied, "We've got this, Superman. Go!"
Superman gave Aquaman a nod before he launched into the air, shooting like a red and blue rocket toward the top of top of the citadel. A squadron of Parademons flew toward Superman from the citadel, and Superman easily took them out one by one. He kept going for the citadel while building up as much momentum as he could manage. Then he broke the sound barrier as he climbed to a point well above the citadel before he turned in an arc and went straight down.
He built more momentum until he smashed through the outside wall and crashed through to the inside of Darkseid's throne room. Darkseid was sitting on his throne, alone in the throne room, watching Superman float in the air and descend like a wingless angel. It didn't surprise Darkseid in the slightest since that was how Superman was seen on Earth. Superman slowly came down to the floor and stalked toward Darkseid, who continued to appear nonchalant at the presence of the Man of Steel. Then Thor appeared from behind the throne, gripping the hilt of his hammer.
"I suppose the door would've been far too easy for you." Darkseid casually exclaimed.
Superman eyed Thor for a moment before addressing Darkseid. "How many does this make, Darkseid? It started with Big Barda and then you used me and then Kara. Now you're doing the same thing to Thor, turning him against his allies."
"I am merely awakening Thor to the full reach of his incredible power, just as I once did for you, Kal-El. The legacy you could have created for yourself would've been nothing short of astounding."
"You made me a pawn in your schemes. You tried to make Kara into one of your Furies. You even killed a brave man who was far more of a hero than even I could've ever hoped to be."
"I did tell you once, Kal-El; if you would not serve as a knight in my glorious armies, then you used as a pawn in the ultimate conquest of Earth. Thor will experience the same fate and you will not stop me." Darkseid claimed with a sadistic smirk.
"Want a bet?" Superman asked before he launched straight at Darkseid.
Superman was suddenly blasted by a seemingly unseen force and knocked back to the floor, leaving a crater where he stood moments ago. Doctor Doom appeared from behind one of the pillars with one arm outstretched and crackling with energy. Superman had trouble recovering from the attack, remembering the last time Doom used such a high level of power against him. Doom stalked toward Superman, grabbed him by the throat and landed a solid right cross that sent Superman crashing into the wall behind him.
"It is my understanding that you possess the ability see through solid matter, Superman. It was foolish of you not to use it, lest you would've been far more prepared." Doom claimed as he stalked toward Superman again.
"So, I see Darkseid has you under his thumb too, Doom. Did you ask for his permission to attack me?" Superman said as Doom hoisted him up by the throat and pinned him to the wall.
"Victor Von Doom requires the permission of no one. And, seeing as Darkseid doesn't appear to have the spine to finish you off, I will have to get my hands dirty and do it myself."
Author's Note: I think I'll stop right here and keep it at a little bit of a cliffhanger.
Seems like the Avengers and the Justice League well together… so far. Of course, what's a good battle with a wee bit of witty banter?
Oh, and I know I wrote that Raven could've just teleported everyone in her team, but I thought it was too subtle. That's just me.
So, send me some reviews and I'll be back with another chapter. Peace out, yo!