In loving memory of Julian Sands, whose remains were found yesterday. May he find peace in the afterlife.

TW: Thank you.

Metropolis

Afternoon

The streets of Metropolis were raining with Parademons as people ran in terror. On the street, Oliver was shooting arrow after arrow as Kara flew up into air, taking out as many Parademons as she could with her strength and heat vision.

As Oliver continued firing arrows, he paused, noticing a cop was firing at the Parademons, although it wasn't helping. Seeing a Parademon coming up on the cop from behind, Oliver whirled around, aimed and fired. The arrow sailed through the arrow, over the cop's head and went through the Parademon's left eye and into its brain. It wailed in pain and the cop whirled around, seeing the Parademon fall to the ground dead.

As the cop turned around to face him, Oliver recognized him. It was Dan Turbin, Clark's partner while he had been undercover within the Metropolis PD.

"Get out of here, try and set up a perimeter a few blocks back. Keep this contained," Oliver told him.

"Aint gonna do much good, the way these guys are coming," Dan argued.

"We're working on that. Best thing we can right now is try to keep it contained for now. You do your part, we'll do ours," Oliver told him.

After a moment, Dan nodded and ran, hopefully off to follow Oliver's orders.

"Tell me I didn't just lie," Oliver said as he activated the Comms unit.

"Tess has a lead on where Goodness and the other Prophets are, but until then, we need you guys to hold this back as much as possible," Chloe told him.

"Was afraid of that," Oliver said as he notched an arrow. "Tell Tess to hurry up, we can't do this forever."

Watchtower

Same time

"Tell me you have something," Chloe pleaded as she turned around, watching with the sisters as Tess typed away at one of the Monitors.

"I have something," Tess said without turning around. "The orphanage where Goodness collected girls to be made into her soldiers was called St. Louise. And when she paid me a visit earlier, she made a lot of references to Christianity, especially the Rapture."

"And this is important?" Piper asked and Tess nodded.

"Metropolis was the first place attacked, so they have to be somewhere in the city. So I ran facial recognition near every Christian church in Metropolis, and I got a hit," Tess said, bringing up an image of Goodness entering a church. "It's a few miles from here; chances are that's where Goodness and the Prophets are."

"Okay, so we just go there, take out the Prophets, get the Book back, and send Darkseid's army back home," Phoebe muttered.

"Sounds simple enough," Paige said sarcastically.

"Would certainly stall Darkseid, but I don't think it'll stop him," Tess said and four pairs of eyes turned towards her.

"Why do I have the feeling that you know more than you're letting on?" Chloe asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You know how we couldn't figure out why Darkseid was marking people with his Omega Symbol? I have," Tess said before bringing up the image of Apakolips. "Something is pulling Apakolips towards Earth; I couldn't figure it out until I remembered the marks."

"Wait, you're saying that the people Darkseid turned into his flying monkeys are pulling Apakolips towards Earth?" Piper asked as they all looked at the screen in disbelief.

"It's the only thing that makes sense. Since Slade was put in the Phantom Zone, Darkseid hasn't used anymore of his followers to spread hero hate. Now we know why, because that was never his main objective," Tess pointed out.

"But to pull something that size, it would have to take…" Paige trailed off as the realization washed over her.

"Hundreds, maybe thousands," Tess said grimly.

"So how do we stop it then?" Phoebe asked.

"We have to find a way to cast the darkness out of all these people. I'm hoping that the Book of Shadows may have a way," Tess said and Piper let a breath.

"So either way, we need to get the Book back," Piper muttered.

"Which we can only do by convincing it we believe in ourselves again," Paige added.

"No pressure or anything," Phoebe said sarcastically.

"We know we're asking a lot, but there really is no other way," Chloe said and the sisters exchanged a look.

"So, who's ready to save the world?" Paige quipped.

Metropolis

Same time

Andrea was trying to fight off as many Parademons as she could but for each one she knocked down, two more seemed to swarm her. Five of them were swarming towards when, out of the blue, a car was hurtled through the air, coming down on three of the Parademons and crushing them. Andrea quickly slugged the remaining two, sending them flying back. Andrea then turned, seeing a dark haired teenage boy standing a few feet away.

"You alright?" he asked as Andrea stared at him for a long moment.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Andrea said after a moment.

"Good. I'm Connor," Connor introduced himself.

"Listen Connor, either run or stand and fight. Because it's not over yet," Andrea said as she looked up, seeing more Parademons about to come down.

"Why do you think I came here?" Connor asked, standing firm and planting his feet as the Parademons neared him.

In the top of the church, Desaad looked out the window, smiling as he saw Apakolips nearing the earth before looking back at Goodness and Godfrey.

"The day of Judgement is upon us," he said smugly.

"We've saved the willingly souls from the coming Apakolips to serve the dark lord," Goodness said gleefully, clutching the Book of Shadows to her chest.

"Our work is done," Godfrey said smugly.

"Wouldn't count your evil chickens before they hatch."

The trio whirled around, seeing Paige, Piper and Phoebe walk in.

"The Charmed Ones. Such a shame we weren't able to mark you as well," Goodness said with a smirk.

"But you are too late. Lord Darkseid has already won," Desaad declared.

"Not yet he hasn't," Paige said firmly and Godfrey laughed.

"You were nearly overcome by him when we last met Whitelighter. Do you really think you can beat us?" Godfrey asked mockingly.

"Guess there's only one way to find out. Paige?" Piper asked and her sister held her hand out.

"Book!"

At the sound of Paige's voice, the Book of Shadows disappeared in a whirl of orbs, which started to come to Paige but Goodness held out her hands and a dark energy rope wrapped itself around the orbs. There seemed to be a tug of war between Paige and Goodness, each trying to pull it towards them with their own power.

"You cannot cast the darkness out of humanity!" Goodness declared.

"No, I can't. But I know someone who can," Paige said with certainty.

"You can't work your mind games on us. We believe in ourselves, and in our friends," Phoebe said with confidence.

"So it's time for you evil prophets to get last," Piper said, making her throwing gesture.

Goodness cried out before she was blown to pieces. The book soared into Paige's hands as Piper did it twice more and Desaad and Godfrey also disintegrated, followed by dark smoke being blown away. But Paige paid no attention to this, quickly going through the book until she found what she was looking for.

"Okay, here it is. You ready?" Paige asked as her sisters came up behind her.

"As we'll ever be," Phoebe muttered.

The sisters joined hands, saying 'Power of Three' before they began to read from the book.

"Where once our world met, now barriers must be set. Where divine power lies, worlds once again divide."

As the words left the lips of the sisters, a portal, as wide as three doors, opened up, winds blowing out of it. The Halliwells took a few steps back, trying not to get sucked in.

In Miami, AC and Mera paused in their fight against Parademons as they began being pulled by an invisible force.

In Central City, Bart stared, stupefied, as the Parademons were being pulled away.

In Star City, Dinah and Mia watched from a distance as the Parademons began to be sucked away, crying the whole way.

Elsewhere, John Jones watched as the Parademons he'd been fighting were pulled away by some invisible force.

Across Metropolis, Oliver, Kara, Andrea, Connor and everyone else watched as the Parademons began to be pulled away, crying in protest.

And in the church, the sisters watched as all the Parademons were sucked into the portal, roaring in anger. Then, once the last one was through, the portal closed.

"So then we won? It's over?" Phoebe asked hopefully.

"Not yet," Paige said softly, looking over at the window, still able to see Apakolips coming down on them. "Not until Darkseid is gone."

Halliwell Manor

Same time

Clark was walking about the Manor, knowing Zankou would show up there sooner or later. Hearing someone behind him, Clark turned around, seeing Zankou behind him. But he quickly realized it wasn't Zankou.

"Darkseid," Clark realized and he smirked

"The last son of Jor-El. Tell me, how did you figure it out?" Darkseid inquired.

"Zankou would have been boasting by now," Clark said and Darkseid laughed a sound that made Clark's blood run cold.

"He is the type to bask, isn't he? No matter. He is gone now, I remain," Darkseid declared.

"My father sent me here to protect this planet. And I will fight you until my last breathe," Clark declared.

"There must be a part of you that's disgusted by how easily your people fell to me," Darkseid said with a smirk.

"They may not be perfect, but I believe even in the darkest soul, there's always hope," Clark said and the smirk left Darkseid's face. "People once believed in something greater. And it may be easier to hate, but it's stronger to love."

"Is it? Eons have passed since I came face to face with a force that could possible tip the balance towards the light," Darkseid said.

Darkseid then held out his hands and Clark's hands went to his throat, feeling like Zod had suddenly wrapped his hands around there.

"You are the light! You have made your friends immune to my darkness! And you will eliminate my darkness from the rest of the world if you are not stopped!" Darkseid said as Clark found himself pulled closer to Darkseid until Darkseid had wrapped his hand around Clark's throat. "You will surrender to me. You will lose your soul. I will annihilate you!"

Darkseid then tossed Clark through a wall. As he was thrown through the debris, Clark remembered his father's words.

"Clark, you're gonna have to let Jor-El guide you here on out."

Clark then inexplicably found himself standing in a dark room, metal rings whirling around him.

"You have always had the power within you, my son," Jor-El's voice suddenly said.

Clark looked around, startled as the rings faded. He then saw Crystal pillars light up around him. Looking into one, Clark was stunned as he saw Lex accidentally hitting him with his car as they both fell into the water. He then swam and rescued Lex.

He turned to see himself standing in front of a bus, letting it crash into him to protect a man sleeping at the bus stop.

He saw himself saving Eric Summers while being struck by a lightning bolt.

He then saw Lana's car trapped in a tornado as he actually flew inside the tornado to save her.

Then he turned to see him use Heat Vision to destroy a bullet his mind-controlled father shot at Lex, followed by using his own body to save Kyla from a falling rock.

He saw Virgil Swann talking to him about his origins before he saw himself saving Paige upon their first meeting.

He then saw him step behind Lana to take a bullet from Adam Knight meant for her.

Then he saw himself running from the football field during the game off to a corner to disarm Mikail of his knife, saving Chloe in the process.

He then saw himself battling Zod in Lex's body as both flew in the air.

He turned as he then noticed himself jumping down a building to save Lana, and then speed a boy out of a meteor's way, shielding him from the flames before seeing himself shielding Shelby from the truck exploding.

He then saw him destroying Brainiac after he'd revealed Kara was in the Phantom Zone, followed by him using heat vision to evaporate a tsunami after the dam had broken following his fight with Bizarro.

Then he saw himself saving Chloe from falling at the Daily Planet and disarming a launched nuke, before seeing himself catch a falling car.

He then saw himself saving Tess upon their first meeting followed by catching a bullet that almost hit Oliver.

He then saw his first defeat of Bizarro, saving Lois from Zod followed by his fight with Zod on the rooftop and flying in the virtual world with Kara.

"These were my trials," Clark said after a moment.

"Your final trial is upon you, my son. You are ready. Seize your destiny," Jor-El told him.

Clark then found himself in the air, floating. No, not floating, flying.

Clark looked down at himself in amazement before raising his head, looking down at Darkseid, who was staring at him in shock before a scowl crossed his face.

"It doesn't matter if you can fly or not! I have Zankou's powers! I can defeat you now!" Darkseid roared, conjuring an energy ball in his hand.

Darkseid threw it at Clark but Clark quickly flew out of the way at super speed. Then before Darkseid could retaliate, Clark flew in quickly, knocking Darkseid off his feet and into a wall, which he went through and crashed into the kitchen. Darkseid crumbled to the floor before Clark flew in, grabbing him by the shirt and slamming him against the wall.

"No more darkness. You won't win Darkseid," Clark said firmly.

"You will not kill me. You will never kill a man Kal-El," Darkseid said confidently.

"You won't die. And Zankou isn't a man, he's a demon," Clark said and Darkseid paled as Clark's eyes flashed with heat vision.

Before Darkseid could even respond, Clark shot him with heat vision and Zankou's body disintegrated, the room filling with dark smoke and the image of a raven before it vanished and Clark sped out of the manor.

Fortress of Solitude

Not long after

Clark sped into the Fortress, appearing into the center when Jor-El's voice spoke up.

"Your journey has come to an end, Kal-El. A father's pride cannot be measured in words, but know that I am proud of you, son," Jor-El said and Clark smiled.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that," Clark said.

"We have been a long road together Kal-El, one paved with difficult trials. But those trials are behind you now. Any father can only hope that he is one day humbled by the feats of his son, but it is your soul of which I am most proud. You and you alone possess the courage, the determination and the compassion that will be required to lift the darkness from the earth," Jor-El explained.

Clark frowned as the fortress was suddenly filled with darkness before there was a tremor followed by a loud crack. Clark whirled around, seeing something breaking through the ice. Clark approached, seeing the suit Martha had made for him, encased in a crystal case, emerge from the ground. Clark approached it, mesmerized.

"I ask you to remember one thing. I ask you to remember your time tin Smallville. Your abilities may be of my blood, but it is your time there with Jonathan and Martha Kent and all the people there that made you a hero, Kal-El," Jor-El told him.

Clark turned around, looking over at the console when he heard a familiar voice speak up behind him.

"Always hold onto Smallville."

Clark whirled around, seeing Jonathan standing there with a proud smile, holding the suit in his arms. Clark and Jonathan exchanged a smile before he approached, taking it from Jonathan. Clark looked down at the suit for a moment before looking up; realizing Jonathan was gone once more.

Clark stood there for a moment, wishing there had been more time before looking back down at the suit. It was time.

Readying himself, Clark crouched down on his legs before taking off into air. As he neared the top of the Fortress, Clark quickly changed into the suit. Feeling the cap behind him, Clark crashed through the top of the Fortress before flying off, knowing what he had to do.

Metropolis

Same time

"Apakolips is about to crash into the planet. I hope there's something in that book that can help," Tess's voice came over the Comms as the sisters quickly combed through the book.

"We're still working on it! We just need a minute!" Piper snapped.

"We don't have a minute!" Tess shouted, she and Chloe watching on the screen from Watchtower as Apakolips was beginning to reach Earth's atmosphere.

On the street, Oliver and Kara watched with some civilians as Apakolips neared the planet.

"Don't suppose you have any ideas?" Oliver inquired.

"Really wish I did," Kara said regretfully, watching Apakolips with dread.

Kara then paused, hearing a sound. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled as she saw Clark flying towards them. Oliver followed her gaze just as Clark flew overhead before flying up towards Apakolips.

"Come on Clark, you can do this," Oliver muttered as the whole world literally watched with baited breath.

Up in the sky, Clark put his hands on Apakolips and pushed.

Down on the streets, everyone watched as Clark pushed and, after a moment, Apakolips began to move. As Apakolips moved away from the sun and it began shinning down on the city again, several people with Omega's on their head had them glow brightly before they vanished, the stain on their soul removed.

The crowd cheered, hugging each other as Clark continued moving Apakolips away from the Earth. Oliver breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as Kara beamed up at the sky.

"Good job Kal-El," Kara said softly.

Up in space, Clark gave one final push and sent Apakolips out of Earth's gravitational pull. Clark watched pleased as the planet was sent veering back, away from Earth.

And now the Earth is saved, Darkseid defeated and Zankou vanquished.

The scene of Clark's trials was mostly taken from Aragorn II Elessar's story 'Thunder and Steel: Masers of evil'. Thank you to him for letting me use it.

Now, there will be one more chapter followed by an epilogue. So until then.