Chapter 3: Rose-Tinted Rage

Approximately 22,300 miles above the Earth, the Justice League Satellite, the proverbial headquarters of Earth's heroes, maintained its usual geosynchronous orbit. Among the few currently aboard the station, Batman, the League's leader, was scanning several monitors with a frown.

A sudden ping from the computer system interrupted the tense silence in the room.

Preliminary scan of target complete. Data upload commencing… Complete.

"Computer, display scan data alongside the surveillance footage of the target."

In response to his request, a series of graphs and data points materialized on many of the monitors, with one continuing to play a series of different videos, all focused on the same person.

This doesn't make any sense… I've calibrated this equipment with data from nearly every extraterrestrial the League has encountered, and the scan is… inconclusive?

Among the many satellites in orbit that belonged to the Justice League, several had the specific purpose of detecting anomalous surges of energy across the planet. The reason for the slow response of other heroes was due to the complete failure to detect this new enemy.

These were cutting-edge machines that could detect every type of radiation, every wavelength of light, every known subatomic particle. Despite his great vigilance, the Batman had come up short.

Looking away from the useless telemetry, Batman gazed in confusion at the video feed of Goku Black overpowering Superman in a head on fight.

The way he fights, it doesn't look like any form I've seen, yet it possesses a level of fluidity I could only imagine… As if it's a style designed specifically around himself…

He didn't have any misgivings about trying to fight this new enemy regardless of his level of martial arts prowess. The most he could do for everyone was try and figure out the mystery behind this new threat to the Earth.

It's obvious that there's some kind of energy emanating from this man, and it has a verifiable effect on the environment… Is it magic?

"Sorry Bats, but it ain't magic this time around."

Instantly turning himself around to face the intruder, Batman let out a sigh as he realized who had come to visit him.

"Constantine… You couldn't even bother teleporting to be here in person."

The blonde English detective's ghostly apparition floated at the other end of the room, his usual sly grin on full display.

"Apologies, I've been a bit busy. There was also the chance that you'd try and hit me at some point during this conversation, so I'm only looking out for my own safety."

Batman frowned at the ongoing invasion of his privacy, but this encounter was actually what Bruce Wayne currently needed most.

"Spit it out, do you know who this guy is? You said his power isn't based on the occult, but surely someone in the magic world has information?"

Constantine put his hand to his head and shook it slowly. This newcomer was a complete unknown, even to the ones who prided themselves on being immersed in it.

"As far as everyone I've spoken to is concerned, he might as well have appeared out of thin air. And, I know I said his power wasn't magic based, but I can tell you what it actually is."

Before Batman could tell him to get on with it, John gave his answer.

"It's Chi. I've never seen anyone possess such an unfathomable quantity, but it's Chi nonetheless."

During his lifetime of training to become the Batman, Bruce had studied every martial art on the planet, and amongst many of them, stood the concept of Chi. In most cases it was merely a spiritual aspect, but among the greatest martial artists on the planet, it was a very real phenomenon. He had seen some incredible feats achieved through its usage, but nothing in the realm of a kryptonian's power, let alone Superman's.

"That should be impossible, but I've already exhausted every other option. Does he have any weaknesses? Would you or someone else be able to take him out with magic?"

"As things currently stand, absolutely not. The terrifying thing is that what we've seen so far may be only a glimpse of his full power. It's currently just speculation, but given how long Superman lasted, it's a possibility we must consider. Oh, and as for weaknesses, he probably has none. That's the problem with Chi, it's an incredibly simple power, but there's strength in that simplicity. There is no 'counter-spell', or way to negate his abilities. Our only option is to overpower him, or find something that can help us bridge the gap…"

The onslaught of information left Bruce silent for some time. While he now had a better understanding of his enemy, it only served to reveal how dire the situation actually was.

For the time being, he's no longer a threat to Metropolis, but I can't count on Barry and Hal to buy us much time… We need a plan, and fast…

"Thanks for filling me in. I hope it's not too much to ask. John, but could you deliver this information to Superman? He's currently in the sun, and his communicator is fried. I know I can count on him to come back, but he needs an idea of how long he can stay up there."

The astral projection of Constantine gave a slight chuckle as he floated over to Batman to pat him on the shoulder.

"I'm not a big fan of the center of the sun this time of year, but I'll make an exception for you. It's not like the fate of the entire planet is at stake or something…"

Just as quickly as he had appeared, John Constantine vanished into the air.

"Computer, remind me to come up with security countermeasures for astral projections."

Noted.

Back on Earth, somewhere in upstate New York…

"Hal, I'm gonna try and get him stuck in a vortex. I trust that you'll deliver a good followup!

"No promises, and don't get yourself killed!"

As their enemy finished powering up, and the torrent of pressure finally started dying down, the Flash made his move.

To everyone else, he moved faster than the eye could see, but in his perspective, time was moving almost in slow motion.

I can't afford to make any mistakes here, I've gotta use speed-thinking throughout the whole process just to be safe…

The speedforce offered him a long enough respite in order to get a proper look of his opponent.

He looks human, except for his weird hairstyle… It doesn't look like he has mousse or something holding it up, how odd…

Normally it would be irresponsible to allow his mind to wander in a situation like this, but since the speed of his thinking matched his physical speed, such a thought happened in less than an instant. Glancing down from the strange man's hair, Barry saw the peculiar silver ring on his right hand.

Based on the little info that Batman gave me, that ring allowed him to chase Booster Gold into the past… If I could snatch it off his finger, that'd probably be a lot of future trouble off our plate…

Barry knew that it wouldn't be an easy task, but that's why he was making a vortex. Hopefully, that, combined with the power of a Green Lantern, would be enough of a distraction.

*VROOM*

Channeling as much of his speed as he could with some regard for the environment, a massive vortex of air had formed with Goku Black at its center. There was a brief glimpse of panic on the invader's face as he realized what had occurred, along with the lack of life-giving oxygen that his body began crying out for.

On cue, Hal Jordan materialized a massive turbine at the crest of the vortex, amplifying its effects even further.

Now with something to maintain the vortex briefly without his efforts, the Flash cut abruptly inwards from his previously circular movement. They were banking on their enemy's oxygen deprivation being enough of a hindrance for the speedster to make his play. Time slowed to a near standstill as he approached the grimacing man at the center of a natural disaster, yet before he could even get within reach, their plan fell apart.

"ENOUGH!"

Cutting through the silence of the vacuum within the vortex, a bone chilling shout released a wave of energy that sent both heroes flying backwards, as well as the instant dissipation of the maelstrom of air.

The torrent of energy was so potent that it had cleared the overcast clouds above them for miles. It was an ironic sight for the now battered heroes, their demise was brought about with a clearing of the skies.

Dusting themselves off, the unfortunate duo stared on with awe at the ever-increasing power of their enemy.

"Got any more foolproof plans, Barry?"

"Still thinking of one, gimme a few seconds!"

For the Flash to be required to think for even a mere second was a testament to their level of crisis, let alone several. In the heat of battle, every spare moment was priceless. Before he could even spitball an idea, Black was on the move.

"That was a dirty trick I could expect only from the likes of mortals! To think you would so readily exploit a hidden weakness of this body, you've abused the gods' gift of intelligence to the highest extent! The fact that I even had to consider showing my true divine power in the face of such weaklings, this farce will go on no longer!"

At a speed that the Flash was barely able to follow with his eyes, Goku Black flew forward with his fist extended, straight into the face of Hal Jordan.

He shattered through countless constructs of green light that were materialized in a vain defense. As his fist connected with the Lantern's face, a sickening crunch rang out in every direction, as he was sent tumbling miles into the distance, landing far out of view of the Flash.

"Hal… There's no way!"

In the same instance that the Flash tried to take off in the direction of his best friend, he was unexpectedly grabbed by the leg and thrown from his feet.

"In such a hurry to see your fallen comrade? Why don't I hasten the journey!"

Swinging him in a full arc back and forth countless times, Black released the Flash as he flew helplessly through the air, smacking across the landscape several times like a stone skipping on a pond.

Basking in the satisfaction of crushing the hopes of two especially petulant mortals, Black's attention was drawn to an approaching ki signature. He put two fingers to his head and laughed, as he used instant transmission to get the jump on his would-be assassin.

Just as I suspected, this mortal has managed to make themselves invisible…

Such a feat was useless in the face of a god, especially one who could sense the ki of living beings with an accuracy in league with the real Goku. Before his unfortunate victim could realize his presence, Black generated an obsidian-colored blade of ki extending from his hand, and slashed horizontally through their body.

His strike had rung true, and upon being cut in the half, the invisible man began to reappear. His bright green skin and strange outfit made the god take pause, but ultimately he knew the multiverse was a large place with many different intelligent species.

The hue of my original body was far more pleasing on the eyes than this, but any comparison to a perfect god is going to be unfair…

I suppose I'll go finish off those two insects in the meantime…

Turning his back to the seemingly defeated Martian Manhunter, Black was momentarily surprised to sense the alien attack from his blindspot, seemingly completely healed.

"Quite resilient for a mortal."

However, as he went to grab hold of his attacker's hand, he was baffled to see his own hand phase through it. Thankfully, there was enough of a gap in speed for him to jump back before any attack could land.

"Do you think I cannot see what you're trying to do? The gods of this universe are somehow more irresponsible than the ones from my own, to allow such an abomination to exist!"

His martian attacker continued to hold his tongue, however his face seemed to twist into further discomfort with each passing moment.

" Let me guess, you planned to take me by surprise and put your hand through my heart with that crafty trick of yours? "

Before the grimacing alien could give an answer, Black finally realized the cause of his enemy's pained look.

"I see, you're trying to read my mind! What an insolent violation of my privacy… Don't fret though mortal, as it's clear you're struggling to get past the wall of my divine consciousness. I have never told a lie in my entire existence, so allow me to open the door for you myself!"

The massive resistance that J'onn J'onzz had been pushing relentlessly to get past disappeared in an instant. Hundreds, possibly thousands of years worth of memories came pouring in, showing him a world he had never seen before: the world of the Kais.

So his name… is Zamasu? Yet it also appears that his enemies refer to him as 'Goku Black', how peculiar… I suppose by that logic it's clear what we should call him going forward…

Perhaps strangest of all was the fact that in most of his memories, he had a completely different appearance, until he zeroed in on the memory that revealed the truth behind the mystery of this god.

He stole the body of his universe's most powerful mortal warrior, one called Goku, using something called the super dragon balls?

Whatever universe Goku Black came from, was clearly far removed from his own, yet here he was wreaking havoc regardless.

Speaking of which, let's see how he got here…

There it was. He was engaged in battle with two human looking men, yet one of them looked identical to the man standing before him. J'onn could only assume his counterpart was the original Goku from a different timeline, and Zamasu's memories confirmed it to be so. Out of nowhere, Black's Time ring began rapidly pulsing, after which he was suddenly whisked away in the blink of an eye. He reappeared in a laboratory that J'onn soon realized belonged to Lex Luthor, as he saw Black's memory of confronting the nefarious businessman.

So Batman's info from Clark was correct, except it seems Luthor's involvement is not that of a co-conspirator but an unwilling accomplice… Still, he must be held responsible for his role in unleashing this abominable threat on the Earth…

Digging deeper than just his superficial memories, J'onn reached a deeper part of Black's consciousness, upon which he made a baffling discovery. J'onn J'onzz, the one hailed as the Martian Manhunter, had seen inside countless minds over the years. Most of them average, many of them conflicted, and even a few that were twisted beyond repair. Yet what he saw at the core of the man who threatened all of Metropolis, was the last thing he was expecting.

He's… Pure of heart?!

Despite the recent memories pooling at the top of his consciousness that showed nothing but genocide of countless mortal races, at his core, this being who called himself Zamasu believed he was acting for the good of the cosmos.

"Don't you understand now, mortal? You are not the heroes of this story, but the villainous creations of the gods, who seek to uphold the pestilence that stains all of reality!"

Realizing that this encounter could spell his end, J'onn began transmitting their conversation to anyone who could listen. Not just his fellow League members, but everyone on Earth.

"But why? What would cause a god of creation to turn to such horrific methodology?"

Goku Black had sensed that both their words were being telepathically cast to everyone on the planet, so he took the opportunity to make himself heard.

"I look down on existence from a much higher perspective than you do. I witness this world, this universe, the truth of all things. That yields deeper understanding. Wisdom. The realization that all mortals should be destroyed. The one and only mistake among all divine creations, that is what mortals are. And this mistake is egregious! To shape existence into the beautiful utopia it was always meant to be, the mistake must be corrected. I will purge all mortals from existence in place of the gods who refuse to admit failure!"

Martian Manhunter could only look on in horror as the god bent on divine justice continued powering up as he delivered his raison d'être. He called out to the minds of Barry and Hal, yet it was in vain, as both had been rendered unconscious by Black's brutality.

I can't ascertain whether or not he has the capability to harm me when I'm intangible, yet I'm also not nearly fast enough to make a retreat… My only option is to attack!

Right as he was about to make his last ditch effort, a thundering boom from above caught both of their attention.

Flying into sight were two heavy hitters from the League; it was Supergirl and Wonder Woman.

"Friends of yours, I presume?"

Such a change in the situation should have provided J'onn with a sense of hope, yet all he could feel was despair at the fact that two more of his friends would likely fall to this new menace.

"You think we care whether or not you believe what you're doing is justified? Nobody appointed you as the judge of this world, especially not while we're still here."

Landing softly next to their ally, Kara, otherwise known as Supergirl, laid into Black with the info she had heard from J'onn.

"Appointed? Gods are not appointed to their roles, we rule by divine right!"

Out of anyone in the League, one of the women standing against him had more experience with gods than most, and felt that she had dealt with his kind in the past. A deity drunk on their own power.

"Do you think we haven't fought gods before? That we haven't faced those who would threaten all of humanity? Generations of heroes who have sacrificed themselves for the sake of the world stand to disagree with your egotistical claims."

The fierce verbal defense from Wonder Woman merely served to rile up their enemy even further. He didn't take her words as a challenge, but as a sort of ironic joke.

"You're saying you survived against the gods of this universe in the past? That only serves to prove my point! A god who can't carry out their will could never be considered fit to rule in the first place! When I'm finished cleansing this world and all the others across the stars, I'll have to dispose of these pretenders if they don't get in my way first."

"I think you're getting ahead of yourself. Don't start planning for the future when you still have to get through us!"

Diana Prince readied her Sword of Athena and Aegis Shield, and was about to pounce before her enemy halted her by raising his hand.

"Let's make this interesting shall we? I'll give you one free attack, and I'll only defend myself with this finger. If you're truly a god slayer like you claim, this should be an easy task for you!"

The two female heroes looked each other in the eyes, and nodded. Both already had an understanding of what needed to be done.

"I'll accept your deal on one condition. Grasp the Lasso of Truth and make your promise again, and then I'll have no choice but to trust you."

A weapon that can compel others to tell the truth? What a surprisingly righteous tool to be wielded by a mortal…

"Very well. It's as I claimed to the green one there, I have no reason to lie, for my cause is justice

incarnate."

Goku Black extended one of his arms, allowing Diana to wrap the Lasso around his hand. Normally, one would consider it unwise to let your enemy have you in such a compromising position, but both sides knew the other would play the game for the meantime.

"I will allow you one free attack, from which I will defend myself with only a finger. Satisfied?"

Nobody could deny the words coming from someone who was under the effects of the Lasso of Truth, so Diana decided it was time to take the gamble.

"Very well, I believe you. Are you ready? I hope you keep your current attitude when I sever your arm clean off!"

"Hahahahaha! Now that's the kind of attitude I expected, Miss Godkiller! Take your best shot, but be ready to meet your end when you fail to land the desired decisive blow!"

Goku Black's aura flared up as he let out a resonating kiai shout that shook the surrounding area, after which he assumed the battle stance that he had copied from Goku himself. Knowing that this could be her only opportunity at a killing blow, Diana poured all her might into a single swing of the Sword of Athena, aimed directly at Black's neck.

What child's play… It's an impressive attack for a mere human, but how ignorant of her to assume her rudimentary blade can pierce my divine aura, let alone my flesh!

Moving his right pointer finger with exact precision, he intercepted his attacker's blade before it could strike his neck.

However, defying all his expectations, the Sword of Athena cleaved cleanly through his aura, and had begun cutting into the skin of his finger.

"Impossible!"

The Justice League members present grimaced at the result. Wonder Woman's blade never made it to Black's neck, yet it had managed to carve about a centimeter into his finger.

"You… you're not actually a mortal, are you? I thought your energy was strange; not entirely divine, yet far from that of a mortal's. To think the gods of this universe would do something so profane as copulate with one of their own creations… not only are you a demigod, but that blade was forged by a god, wasn't it!? I don't think you understand what you've done, the divine rage that's now practically overflowing from my every pore! The theatrics are over, I can't wait to watch you die!"

"HAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Everyone present thought they had felt the extent of Goku Black's suffocating power, yet this was in a new league altogether. None of the heroes could remain on their feet, and were forced to retreat up into the air, where they gazed on in fearful awe at the exponentially rising power of their enemy.

The counterfeit saiyan began to rise towards the heavens as well, until he was eye level with the mortals he so despised.

Finally, his transformation reached its climax, as his aura turned from black to pink, and shot peerlessly into the sky above. His previously black hair glowed with the same brilliant pink hue, and his pupils became gray. For the first time in history, this universe was graced with the majesty of Super Saiyan Rosé.

"Perhaps I should thank you, mortals! The fury that you've cultivated within me has brought my power to even greater heights! Such a wrath cannot be abated with just your slaughter, once I'm through with you, this whole world will run red with the vile blood of mankind! Cower in despair as the vast beauty of my being overwhelms you! For I am a breed apart, and divine!"

Sector 2814, somewhere in the milky way galaxy, a skirmish of two lantern corps was coming to an end. It was a bold assault by the Sinestro Corps, attacking so close to the Red Lantern Corps' homeworld of Ysmault. Unfortunately for the purveyors of fear, they had been given faulty information that Atrocitus, the Red Lanterns' leader, was not currently on Ysmault.

They knew they had been duped as soon as the tide of the battle shifted in an instant. The last thing a cohort of Sinestro Corps members saw was a blinding red light soaring out of Ysmault's atmosphere. A tidal wave of corrosive blood swarmed over the helpless yellow lanterns, prompting their commander to initiate a tactical retreat.

One of the vaporized Sinestro Corps members didn't die in vain, however, as he managed to slay a distracted red lantern with a blade of yellow light before succumbing to his wounds.

Atrocitus' rage was at its peak, especially after the conniving Sinestro Corps launched an attack on his own home. As he was about to lead the remaining red lanterns on a charge to rout his enemy's retreat, the sight of two lantern corpses caught his attention.

Anyone belonging to a Lantern Corps knew what happened upon the death of a lantern. The ring would seek out a new suitable host, sometimes traveling enormous distances in order to do so. It was not this commonplace phenomena that surprised Atrocitus, but instead where the newly freed rings were headed.

Ring status report: Red Lantern 47 deceased… Scan of Sector 2814 for replacement complete.

Ring status report: Yellow Lantern 266 deceased… Scan of Sector 2814 for replacement complete.

As both power rings completed their scan, they immediately took off in the opposite direction of Ysmault.

"How confounding… I've slain scores of different lanterns across the universe, yet never have I seen two power rings select a new host so fast, and move completely in tandem!"

Just as Atrocitus described, the yellow and red power rings soared through the expanse of space perfectly side by side, as if they were bound for the same destination.

Has there ever been a being that could properly wield both the powers of fear and rage? If my hunch is correct, we're about to witness the birth of one of the most powerful Red Lanterns in history!

Atrocitus had no worries about the allegiance of his soon to be new minion. Regardless of if they acquired a yellow ring, the corruption of the red ring would render them completely under his control. He may just acquire the weapon he needed to lead his own assault on some of his most despised enemies.

As impossible as it seemed, the incarnation of rage felt a rare glimmer of hope. The disgusting sensation only fueled his anger to new heights, as he took off in the direction of the twin power rings.

"Let the yellow lantern bastards escape for the time being. They can wallow in fear for all I care, as of now, we move to greet the newest Red Lantern recruit!"

His small army of Red Lanterns answered his call, and responded with their own rage-fueled battle cries.

Unbeknownst to those on Earth, they were about to be greeted by the most unwanted of welcoming parties.

Hey everyone, I said I'd be updating this story soon, and here it is. I actually wound up writing more for this chapter than I expected, but I guess that's a good thing for everyone involved. Still not sure if I want to end this story in a few more chapters or make it into something longer, but at the moment I'm leaning towards making this a shorter story with a possible sequel if it warrants one. Part of this is mainly because I still have updates in the work for two of my other stories, and I don't want to leave them in the dust in favor of just focusing on this. Regardless, hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Leave a review if you have the time, it's the only feedback I get on here besides the occasional PM, and of course, follow and favorite if you feel obliged to as well.