Superman/Steven Universe:
The Shield of Hope
(Note: And here is the epic conclusion to Panic in the Sky. Get ready everybody, because this is gonna be a wild one. :D
Chapter 23
Smallville
"It appears that the invaders are being fought off by the individuals involved with the Lexcorp incident a few days." The reporter said as they showed an overhead image of the fight
Steven and the Kent's sat on the couch watching with held breath, Lola's body was still standing in the kitchen.
"I never thought that our baby would be forced into such violence," Martha said worriedly
"He needs to do what he needs to do, those people need help. At least he's not alone." John said reassuringly
"Yeah you don't need to worry the gems will have Mr. Kent's back and they'll kick… I'm sorry what?" Steven asked
"Excuse me, Steven?" Martha asked
"Did you two say something?" Steven asked as he scratched his ear
"Not a word from us son. You alright you going deep in that ear?" John asked noticing Steven's scratching
"Uh, yeah, my ear just feels….. Funny." Steven said unsurely as he continued to scratch
"I can get you some ointment from upstairs," John said as he got up and walked to the stairs
"How about I get us something to drink?' Martha said getting a nod from Steven, and she walked towards the kitchen
Steven sat on the couch watching the TV still scratching his ear. It felt like his ear was vibrating it was annoying. Steven grit his teeth and held both his ears and closed his eyes hoping it would stop. And after a few seconds, it did much to Steven's relief.
"Everything alright in there Steven?" Martha asked from the kitchen
"Yep… Everything's alright." Steven said leaning on the couch
And then with a CRASH Metallo came through the ceiling landing on the TV destroying it his green eyes glaring at Steven. Steven let out a yelp as he jumped the couch dodging Metallo's swipe at him. Steven scurried across the ground as Metallo threw the sofa away to get at him.
"STEVEN GO OUT THE BACK!" Martha yelled from the kitchen seeing what happened
Steven heard her and bolted for the kitchen
"STAY OUT OF THE WAY MS. KENT, HE'S AFTER ME!" Steven yelled running past Martha and out the door
Martha screamed as the metal beast ran past her and smashed open the door destroying the frame. Steven ran across the yard tripping on some loose soil as Metallo loomed over him
"You're attendance has been requested!" Metallo said coldly his voice sounding like he was speaking through a voice changer on the robot setting.
Steven recoiled as Metallo reached for him, only for something to jump onto his back and force him back.
"LOLA!" Steven yelled seeing Lola on her back
"Hostile detected, submit or extreme methods of restraint will be used," Lola said her eyes robotically still clear as she wrestled with Metallo
"This body must be on auto-pilot or something, Lola's still be helping the others." Steven thought as he moved back slowly and watched the two fight
Metallo grabbed Lola off his back and threw her to the ground. Lola then kicked up kicking Metallo in the face before getting back to her face and charging at him. She fired a punch to his midsection and then an uppercut to his chin. She then ignited a flurry of punches to his face bating him to the ground and onto his knees.
"Surrender, the need of further force would like to be avoided," Lola said robotically looking down at Metallo
Metallo glared at Lola rearing his fist back green energy crackling through his arm and unleashed a devastating punch that sent Lola crashing through the roof of the barn. Metallo then stood up and looked for Steven, seeing that he was behind him trying to sneak away from the fight. Steven yelped as he started to run away Metallo stomping towards only for Lola once again to come and burst from the barn and tackle Metallo to the ground.
"STEVEN OVER HERE!" Martha yelled as she stood in front of the truck holding the keys
Steven ran to the truck seeing it as a way to escape, while Martha fiddled with the keys getting the door open and getting in the driver seat. Steven ran to the truck only to once again trip on some loose soil though this was to his advantage as Lola came flying overhead and slammed into the side of the Truck sending it skidding to the side.
"MS. KENT!" Steven yelled panicked as he ran to the truck
Martha opened the driver seat door and fell to the ground a small cut on her head as she groaned. Steven ran to her worried, then in an impressive feat of strength managed to drag her away from the truck a good few yards away. He checked the cut seeing that she was dazed. Metallo then crackled with green energy once more and unleashed a sonic blast at the Truck and Lola. Instinctively Steven brought up his arm and with a Pink flash summoned his shield covering him and Martha as the Truck exploded into a ball of fire. The shield protected them from the fire, burning metal and glass. Once it seemed like it was over the Shield disappeared just as it appeared, Steven examining his arm surprised that he was able to summon his shield again. After hearing a groan Steven looked to Martha once again looking at the cut and the blood coming from it Steven made up his mind as he licked his hand.
"Please work, please just work this time," Steven said as he gently touched Martha's head with his Saliva covered hand. Happily, it worked as the cut closed itself not leaving anything behind not even a scab
"St-Steven?" Martha murmured confused waking up
"Oh, Ms. Kent you're okay!" Steven said relieved
Just then Lola's smoldering hand fell next to them, it looked like shattered glass. After the two hugged with a frightened scream Metallo threw the burning wreck out of his way, and marched towards them.
"Steven Universe, you will come with me, so says-!" Metallo ordered only to be stopped by the sound of a car horn.
They all turned to see a red pickup speeding towards Metallo. Unprepared the truck slammed into Metallo and pushed him away. Just then Lana Lang rolled out of the car and onto the grass letting the car slam into a tree. Metallo let out a pained scream as he was pinned against the tree. Lana groaned as she picked herself up.
"D-did I just do the right thing? I-I saw the burning truck, you two, and this guy in a metal suit and I just assumed. Please tell me I didn't just kill a guy for no reason?" Lana said panting as she stood up
"Ms. Lang?" Steven asked
"Lana?" Martha asked
"I saw what was happening in Metropolis on the news and came to check on ya'll, get a little insight into what's going on and….. Is that a hand?" Lana said looking at Lola's smoldering hand
Before they could answer Metallo woke up and roared pushing the truck off him and glaring the group. Lana got in front of the two taking a defensive stance.
"GET OUT OF HERE, GO!" Lana yelled to the two as she faced down Metallo as he got closer
"NOOO!" Steven screamed just as Lana charged going to punch Metallo in his exposed face.
Metallo caught her wrist in his hand. Lana struggled trying to pull free, only for Metallo to backhand her sending her flying back. She let out a groan as she laid on the ground, Steven and Martha screamed out worried.
"Steven, dear you need to run, RUN NOW!" Martha yelled
"But….?" Steven stammered nervously
"GO!" Martha yelled
With a moment of hesitation, Steven finally took off, not sure where he was running all he knew is that he had to get away from here. He didn't get far as Metallo grabbed him by the shirt collar lifting him off the ground.
"You are coming with me!" Metallo growled
"No, he's not," John said followed by the cocking of a gun
Metallo turned to see the elderly man holding a shotgun aimed at his chest
"Sorry son," John said apologetically as he blasted him point blank in the chest making him let go of Steven and sending him back a few feet
"Get outta here son!" John yelled as he cocked the gun again and took aim at Metallo
Steven scurried over to the downed Lana who had a nasty bruise on her cheek, worried Steven used his healing spit once again on her, and it once again worked.
"I don't wanna hurt soldier! You know this ain't right!" John said taking aim at Metallo
Metallo roared and charged at him, John took a shot once again this time aiming for the head. Only for Metallo to throw out its arm and hold the barrel of the gun. The bullet went off in his hand but had zero effect. He then crushed the gun barrel in his palm and tore the weapon from John's hand. He then grabbed John by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
"You don't scare me ya big bully!" John grunted as he tried to free himself
"JOHNATHAN!" Martha yelled worried as he watched the monster strangle her husband
"STOP!" Steven yelled getting everyone's attention
"P-please, just let him go. I-I'm the one you right, me? If I do as you say, y-you'll leave them alone right?" Steven asked nervously raising his hands over his head and walking towards Metallo
"S-Steven-No-Don't-gag!" John gagged as Metallo tightened his grip
"If the safety of this human will allow me to complete my mission easier, then it shall be done," Metallo said dropping John to the ground gasping for air
"Steven dear No!" Martha cried as Metallo walked towards him
Steven tried to keep a strong face, but he was terrified as Metallo stood over him. He yelped when Metallo picked him up by his collar. Metallo then took out a small needle-like device and stuck it in Steven's neck. He let out a surprised scream before passing out. Lana came to just in time to see Metallo carrying Steven. Only then a vast shadow covered Metallo, she looked up to see there was something in the clouds. A light broke through the clouds and enveloped Steven and Metallo. Lana got up and ran to them trying to stop whatever was happening but they vanished almost instantly, and Lana fell to the ground. They all looked up in horror as whatever was in clouds slowly disappeared.
Metropolis
"Finally we can get this finished up," Robo said annoyed looking at a screen on her wrist she then began to type on the holographic screen the upside down Triangle appearing once more.
"Okay, let's see how you fight this?" Robo said with a sneer as the screen began to beep and glow
The robot drones were blocking the bridges making sure nobody got in or out, the military backup was starting to roll into the city. Dozens of more soldiers, vehicles, and even helicopters were making their way down the bridge. The open fire on the robots destroying many of them, though they didn't really seem to care. That was because they knew that victory was in hand.
As the gems and Superman defended the civilians from the faux gems with the aid of the military. Just then Superman stopped he just caught on to something
"Superman, what's…?" Pearl asked
"UP THERE!" Superman said looking up
The others followed, and their collective jaws dropped. A shadow began to cover the city catching everyone's attention in and out of the limits. Robo looked up in the sky with a small grin on her face as the shadow encompassed the city. Over the town was a massive structure, it was triangular, sleek, metallic, and had glowing purple lights. This alien structure loomed over the city menacingly as everyone looked up in terror. Just then the light on the ship began to flash rapidly and let out a high pitched whirring sound as if it were charging up. Then with a high pitch screech, the vessel started to emit a light blue energy from its ends and slowly began to form from the ship and move downwards. Two Helicopter pilots so caught up in the moment they started to fly right towards the strange field. One tried to warn the other but it was too late, the field was solid and his helicopter collided with it. The craft crashed into it bursting into flames, the wreckage and the body falling into the water. The other pilot reacted quickly maneuvering the Helicopter downwards as to dodge the field. He did, but the field was still growing to the ground, and it sliced off the tail of his Helicopter. It completely lost control and began to plummet into the city, the pilot braced as he was headed for a building. Only for Superman to swoop in and catch the copter bringing it safely to the ground. The pilot exited and thanked Superman before running away.
"It's happening! Just like Kandor its happening!" Superman said slightly panicked
"We ain't gonna let that happen!" Amethyst said running up to him followed by the others
"That ship there's something off with it," Garnet said looking at the ship
"What's off with it is that it's gonna blow up the city!" Amethyst yelled
"If what we saw at the fortress was accurate, then we only have until this field encompasses the whole city. And it's nearly halfway there!" Pearl said looking at the descending field
"Then I'll just have to smash it before it can!" Superman said narrowing his eyes at the craft before taking off into the sky towards it
"Wait Superman, we need a plan!" Garnet yelled
"He is the plan! GO GET BLUE!" Amethyst cheered
From her rooftop, Robo saw Superman fly towards the ship
"His success is improbable….. But, let's not take any chances. Stop them by any means necessary." Robo spoke into a wrist
Just then a large group of faux gems stopped their attack taking in Robo's orders. They then ran from the people and towards each other. The gems watched Superman ascend into the sky, only Garnet noticing the fax gems converging. Her face going pale as she saw massive glow down the street.
"No-Way," Garnet said as her eyes slowly trailed up the other noticing and going slack-jawed
Superman was solely focused on reaching the ship, so much so he didn't see what was happening on the ground and slowly growing. Though he did learn when a massive multi-colored hand blocked his view. He gasped stopping in midair the hand was as wide as a Metropolis bus. It then swung down at him, unprepared Superman took the full force of the blow getting knocked to the ground making a crater in the street. As tall as the Daily Planet the people looked in horror of the Giant Faux Gem that roared to the heavens. It looked just like the smaller versions only its eyes were white, had a wild multi-colored mane haircut, and was covered with many patches of color red, blue, green, yellow. They didn't blend, but more so looked like pieces of cloth sewed together into this strange monstrous quilt.
"That'll keep them occupied," Robo said with a sneer
"COME ON THESE THINGS CAN FUSE!" Amethyst cried
"It's massive, I've never seen anything that big ever since…." Pearl said looking up
Just then the ship let loose another whirring sound, this time a small compartment on the bottom of it opening up. A white light coming out of it, and then with a massive BWAH a beam of white light shot out of it and flew towards the ground landing in Metropolis park where the beam began to burrow into the Earth.
"The Strange craft now appears to be shooting some kind of beam into the center of the city, and it now looks like the monster that suddenly appeared is walking towards it. It almost like it's guarding the beam. In all my years of reporting, I have never seen anything like this, god knows what is going to happen." The reporter said
Beach City
Everyone in town looked at their many screens with held breath, unable to guess what was going to happen to the city of tomorrow. General Lane was yelling into a radio about air support as Greg, Jimmy, and Lois looked on worried.
"Come on Superman, get up!" Lois prayed
Connie looked at her phone screen worried but still holding out hope
"You're the Crystal Gems, you always save the day. So do it." Connie fretted her fingers digging into the screen
Not too Far From Metropolis
In a small suburban home, an African American man was running around his house grabbing various documents while speaking on the phone.
"Yes I see what's going on everyone can, I'm heading to the lab now… No not that lab it's in the city the back up one the coast, we needed to figure out what was going on before this happened… My son is fine he's still at school, he's safe, and he can handle himself. I'll see you at the lab." The man said as he ran past a table with a picture of a family a man, a woman, and a young man. Also on the table was a football and a football helmet.
Central City
In a messy apartment building the floors littered with papers and empty pizza boxes, a man was asleep on the couch. His face buried in the cushions as he snored his short blonde hair sticking out and from dangling from his hands a folder that said Central City Police, its contents also on the floor. The TV was on but mute as it showed the footage of Metropolis.
Star City
In a shady bar, a man in a green hood watched the TV with interest as he played with three darts between his fingers.
"Man is that crazy or what?" the bartender bringing him a glass
"Yeah pretty crazy." The man said in disbelief taking the glass and drinking from it, his eyes not leaving the screen
And then with one swift motion, he threw all three darts to a dark board each hitting the center perfectly.
Boston
It was raining upon a lone lighthouse, a man in a wet raincoat enter the small house attached to it dropping his bag on the floor. He let out a relieved groan as he walked through his house grabbing the remote and turning on the TV. He then went to a fish tank and began feeding the fish inside.
"…..In all my years of reporting, I have never seen anything like this, god knows what is going to happen." The reporter said on the TV
The man turned around with interest, from under the hood his eyes could be seen almost glowing under the shadow the hood made.
Coast City
Just outside the city was an air base that was on high alert. Within the locker room, men and women were getting dressed to fly as a woman entered the room.
"Come on everyone, were being deployed. I want that thing over Metropolis to be scrap metal, let go, go, GO!" the woman yelled as they all ran past her
The woman turned to leave but stopped when she looked at a locker
"Dammit… where are you?' She said as she left the locker to join the other
H. JORDAN
The Middle of the Atlantic
A lone wooden sailboat slowly rocked itself on the waves a man with short blonde hair and a growing beard sat on the bow of the ship looking out towards the waves. He looked behind him to see a blue bundle on the back of the boat, it steadily raised and lowered someone clearly sleeping underneath it. The man sighed and then looked up towards the blue sky.
Gotham City
On the outskirts of the dark city on a lone hill was a massive mansion. Within the halls of the darkened manor, a child sat in front of a television. Wearing a red sweater vest over a white dress shirt, the boy with short black spiked hair looked on with interested his black eyes wide as he watched the screen. Though behind him a lone figure stood in the shadows, his entire body enveloped by them. His black eyes narrowed at the screen as he looked on curiously.
Metropolis
"What the heck are we going to do now?!" Amethyst said as she watched the giant guard the beam
"Gem I finally found you!" Emil said rolling up to them in a car
"Dr. Hamilton, why didn't you leave the city as we told you?" Garnet said
"I was talking with the woman Lola, we've been working on something. But then we saw this happening, and she wanted me to pass on a message. Where's Superman?" Emil asked
"Here, that thing has one heck of a swing," Superman said descending from the sky
"It appears to be guarding the beam, it must be connected to the field that's surrounding the city. It's almost at the bridge." Pearl said
"That's what Ms. Lola sent me to talk to you about. That beam from the ship is a gravity beam." Emil said
"A Gravity Beam, why would they be using a Gravity Beam?" Garnet asked
"How do we stop it, all of this?" Superman asked
"Well, it appears that firing that beam is exposing some kind of core. Which is why they're having that….. Thing guard the beam to make sure nothing tries to go at it. The obvious choice would be to destroy it, but there's no telling how many G's that thing is firing. It may be more than you can handle." Emil said
"Well, I have to try," Superman said starring down the beam
"But you still need to get past that thing," Amethyst said
"We'll back you up," Pearl said raising her spear
"Ms. Lola made another unique observation. While no current Earth weapons aside from a Nuke would be able to put a dent on this thing, the denser material seems to be on the bottom with the beam." Emil said
"So the things got a soft head. Pearl, Amethyst stay with Superman and make sure he gets to the beam. I'm gonna see if I can cause a little havoc inside that thing." Garnet said looking up
The two nodded to their leader and went to Superman who carried them both
"Be careful," Superman said as he took off with them
"The field is getting closer, how are you going to get outside it?" Emil asked
Garnet looked around until she locked eyes with a motorcycle. Old style, all black, red highlights, the words Vigilante on the sides. Garnet smirked as she walked towards it.
"Do you even know how to drive that?" Emil asked
"It's been a few decades, but you never really forget something like this," Garnet said running her hand along the base of it.
The monster stood in front of the beam doing as it was told and scanning the area for any hostiles that would try to halt the progress of the mission. Suddenly a purple midget appeared before it.
"Sup Raggedy Anne," Amethyst said waving hanging from the monster hair
Before it could react, Amethyst punched the creature in the eye making it yelp and cover it as Amethyst jumped onto its arm. While it was distracted by the pain in its eye, it didn't feel what was crawling in its ear.
"Oh, this is disgusting!" Pearl whispered looking deep into a canal
She then took a breath summoning her spear and pointing it to the darkness. Her spear then began to glow along with her gem as energy gathered around the tip. Pearl strained a bit as the Spear shook, she then unleashed a mighty blast into the darkness before running out of the ear. The monster screamed in pain as smoke came out of its ear along with Pearl who grabbed onto one of the strands of hair swing away. As it was reeling holding its ear in pain, Superman came flying in from below and punched it in the cheek with a massive POW.
"GO FOR IT!" Pearl and Amethyst yelled to Superman who took off towards the ship and the source of the beam. And he got really close until
"Yeah, No!" Robo said appearing before Superman in a blur
Before He could react, she kicked him in the face sending him back to the ground. Pearl and Amethyst looked on worried for their friend while Robo descended towards them. Pointing her arm at Amethyst, it suddenly shot out at the wrist attached to a thick metallic wire. Her hand reached Amethyst, and her fingers dug into Amethyst's side. Amethyst let out pained scream trying to pull off the hook only for the wire to retract and pull her along off the ground. Robo did a quick spin with Amethyst before throwing her at Pearl colliding with her chest and sending them both to the grassy park field.
"You think I don't know what you're trying to do? Your three-eyed friend is going to find some resistance on the top of the ship if she gets there, our creation can deal with the Kryptonian, and you two…. Well, try to make it interesting." Robo said with a smirk as pearl and Amethyst got into battle stances
Superman groaned as he picked himself up from the small crater in the ground shaking the dizziness from his head. Suddenly a shadow covered him, he looked up to see a massive foot stomping down on him.
Metropolis Bridge
The soldiers were fighting off any of the drones that were on the bridge, but they were hesitant to enter the city with the field descending down to close it off. Mixed with the gunfire was the roar of an engine when Garnet on the motorcycle came roaring down the bridge at high speeds. She summoned one of her gauntlets and destroyed and drones in her path reaching the military. She hit the brakes and spun the bike around to face the growing field stopping next to some soldiers.
"Howdy boys, don't mind me just gonna see if there's anything I can do about that force field. Keep up the good work." Garnet said with a smile as she revved the engine and took off down the bridge leaving the dumbfounded soldiers
She pushed this bike to its limit as she sped down the bridge aiming for an abandoned car. Raising her gauntlet she performed a wheelie, and as she got closer to the car and her back wheel began to roll off it, she punched the car with all her might. The force of her punch destroyed the vehicle and sent her and the motorcycle flying upward shocking the soldiers who watched. Her wheels met the field, and she began to drive up the field towards the ship. As she drove, she suddenly saw something, drones on the field charging her. Garnet narrowed her eyes at the pack of drones coming at her increasing her speed.
"Sorry about the bike, whoever owned this?" Garnet said disappointedly as she leaped off the seat of the motorcycle still gripping the throttle
As soon as her feet were planted still holding onto the bike, she threw the thing over her head at the drones destroying a good number of them. Then using the momentum of the previous driving, she took off towards the remaining drones summoning her gauntlets ready for battle.
Metropolis Park
Amethyst screamed as her back hit a tree and she fell to the ground, Robo having punched her away. She then side-stepped a swipe from Pearl, who spun around to face Robo taking a stance with her spear and staring her down. Robo smirked as Pearl went at her with an overhead swipe blocking it with her armored forearm. Pearl then tried a horizontal slice which Robo ducked under and went for a leg sweep which Pearl jumped over. Pearl swung down, and Robo caught the spear in her hand, she then brought her arm back only of Amethyst's whip to wrap around her wrist. Distracted Pearl was able to get in a kick to her face that sent her back, Amethyst then used her spin dash to try and tie Robo up going around her. Pearl jumped over the whip as it came to her, to deliver a backhand to Robo's face keeping her reeling. After going around twice, Amethyst stopped next to Pearl the two then grabbed onto the whip and pulled Robo forward delivering a double punch to her face. Robo was sent flying back but landed on her feet glaring at the two as she snapped the whip and grabbed the whole bit pulling Amethyst forward with Pearl Following.
Superman was flying around the faux gem monster as it tried to knock him out of the sky. He maneuvered himself masterfully narrowly dodging its fingers and legs. He was unable to reach the ship because everytime he tried to make a go for it, the monster would stop him. He dodged a punched and zoomed towards it face going for another punch. It landed with a great POW, knocking the monsters head to the side. It however recovered quickly and grabbed Superman in its palm. It grinned as it tried to crush Superman feeling the resistance in its palm, then it felt something burning. And a beam of heat vision shot through one of its fingers, it screamed as it released Superman. It roared as it tried to slap Superman out of the sky, only for Superman to stay where he was. He then unleashed his freeze breath upon the descending hand encasing it entirely in ice. Once it was utterly Frozen, Superman shot forward towards the hand going through it and shattering it into chunks of ice the size of mini-vans. Below Amethyst, Pearl, and Robo dodged the falling ice, while Superman took a moment to take off towards the ship.
"STOP HIM YOU FOOL!" Robo yelled at the monster
The monster roared as it looked up at the ascending Superman. It then looked like it was about to swipe at Superman but he was too high for it to reach. But as its arm tore across the sky something flew out of it towards Superman. As Superman flew higher he noticed something fly past him, Superman looked back his eyes widening in surprise. Soaring through the sky right at Superman was seven faux gems.
"It can throw out parts of itself?!" Superman thought as he took evasive action
Superman began dodging three of the flying gem letting them fly past him as they tried grabbing him missing by inches. Though the third did manage to grab onto Superman's cape halting his movement as it was pulled back. This was the moment they needed as one faux gem slammed into Superman's abdomen wrapping its arm around his waist. Superman grunted as a second one slammed into his midsection, followed by one to his right arm, and another to his left. He tried to stay in the air and shake off the gems only for them to begin raining down punches to his face and body. Superman grunted and yelped as he slowly started to lower unable to do anything to do anything to fight back, then the three from before and the one from Earlier landed on his back and with that Superman began to fall. The faux gems continued to beat on Superman as he fell, right into the giant hands. Once again Superman was in the grasp the faux gems that were on him seemingly being absorbed back into the beast. The beast roared as it raised its arm and swung it around swinging Superman in every direction making him dizzy.
The beast gave one last roar as it threw Superman into the beam, unable to catch himself in the air he tumbled into the beam. As soon as he entered the beam, he plummeted towards the ground like someone strapped rocks to his legs.
"Th-this-gravity!" Superman thought as he felt the force drag him to the ground and he fell into the hole made vanishing into the darkness
"SUPERMAN!" Amethyst yelled running to the hole
"AMETHYST NO!" Pearl yelled
"Fool," Robo said appearing before Amethyst and kicking her in the face sending back
Amethyst screamed as she flew back, gritting her teeth as she planted her feet skidding across the ground. Amethyst roared as she sent her whip toward Robo's face only for her to catch it, and pull Amethyst forward. Robo then fired a powerful kick to Amethysts mid-section a shockwave seen going through Amethyst's body. Amethysts eyes went broad and unfocused as she expelled all the air in her body her mouth agape. She flew back embedding into a tree, Pearl let out a battle cry as she charged Robo Spear raised. Robo parried the swipe at her head and with one movement smacked the spear out of Pearl's hand. Pearl went for an uppercut missing and then a kick, Robo ducked and went around Pearl delivering a punch to Pearl's side. Pearl screamed holding her side but tried a backhand only for Robo to catch her wrist and provide a blow to Pearl's face. She then threw pearl's arm to the side making her stumble back and delivered four quick punches to her abdomen and two hooks to her head. As she was dazed, Robo grabbed Pearl by the collar and then threw her over her shoulder right at Amethyst. The Tree was split in half, and the two gems rolled across the ground in a daze while Robo had a wicked smirk.
Garnet was pounding any drone that got in her way sending them flying with a flurry of furious blows, at the moment she was a train that couldn't be stopped. Finally, she reached the top of the ship taking a moment to catch her breath. Once she had her breath, Garnet closed her eyes and focused, using her future vision to find the point of weakness on this ship. Garnet walked along the ship till she stopped at a spot near the center.
"There," Garnet said as she raised her fist
Suddenly something wrapped around her wrist, she looked to see a metallic cable. She turned around to see another drone with the wire coming out of it palm. Garnet went to remove the cable only to have another cable wrap around her other arm. Garnet strained as the two drones tried to pull her apart. She began to pull back just for three more drones to surround her and shoot out more cables, this time going through her body. Garnet let out a pained scream as she fell to her knees, three more drones floated over her and began firing lasers at her. Each blast was receiving more cries.
"Kryptonian can you hear me down there?!" Robo yelled into the hole the beam was firing into, Superman could indeed hear her.
"This beam is firing the equivalent of 3 times the gravity of Krypton, and seeing how Earth as a fraction of Krypton's Gravity…. Well, you understand where I'm going with this." Robo said with a smirk as Superman strained to try to push himself up but unable to
"This little thing you all pulled was amusing, but it's time for the game to end. This planet is finished, and rightfully so if I must say. I mean I will give Krypton some respect, but this place…. Just-why? Primitive technology, Primitive people, the only thing they have going is resources, but they'll run through that in a matter of years. Consider this as they say a mercy killing, what's coming will be far better than what can come." Robo said with a laugh
"You'll probably gonna lose consciousness soon, and you are needed for something else so you won't die here. Though there is something, I have to ask personally out of pure interest for your psyche. You lost your home planet Krypton, and now you're about to lose this planet you've adopted, how does that make you feel?" Robo asked with a smirk
pow
"…..Pardon?" Robo said with a raised eyebrow
Pow
Robo stepped back cautiously
POW, POW, POW, POW!
The sound kept getting louder and louder and the ground began to shake. As Robo tried to keep her footing she saw it. Superman was rising from the hole fist flying upwards in a flurry, the sound of multiple gunshots going off as his fists met the Gravity beam. With each punch, the beam was pushed back little by little allowing Superman to rise. He face was straining but determined as his mind went back to the words of his birth father.
"The powers you have been gifted with on this planet have come with a great responsibility. And I hope that you will use them for the betterment of this planet…They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son." Jor-El said his voice echoing in Kal El's mind
Superman roared as he increased the speed of his punches pushing the beam even further back as he floated higher and higher into the sky.
"I-that-no-That is impossible!" Robo said looking at Superman preparing to attack
Suddenly there was a massive flash behind Robo, and she turned around to see Opal standing behind her cracking all twenty of her knuckles.
"Alright, you can handle Amethyst and Pearl. But do you think you can handle Opal?!" Opal said her fist clenched in determination
"Okay, this is just getting stupid!" Robo said annoyed as she charged towards them with a kick
Opal caught the kick in her palm, Robo then strangely twisted her body sending a punch to her face. Opal caught the blow just as quickly making Robo growl as her torso began to spin making Opal release her. Robo landed on her feet and went for a double palm strike to Opal's body only for Opal to catch both with two of her hand's inches from her body. Robo smirked at the action as she jumped up wanting to wrap her legs around Opal's neck. Opal however merely used her second set of arms to catch her legs.
"Not very observant are you?" Opal said with a smirk holding up Robo like a doll
Before Robo could do anything, Opal slammed her forward into Robo's back making her gasp. Opal then threw her head first into the Earth burying her waist deep in the dirt. Opal smirked at her handy work before grabbing her leg and pulling her out and then throwing her into the air. As Robo tumbled across the sky, Opal summoned her bow and fired an energy arrow at Robo. From the arrow four smaller bolts emerged and shot forward, the bolt met Robo exploding on impact sending her farther. Then the final largest Arrow landed creating a giant explosion that engulfed Robo her body seen falling from the smoke cloud. Opal then turned to the ascending Superman and smiled.
"GO FOR IT, WE GOT YA COVERED!" Opal said raising her bow
Back on the roof of the ship the robots continued to fire onto Garnet until a massive red and blue flash came from the smoke. Garnet jumped into the air letting out a battle cry as she did flying past the flying drones and taking the one who attached the cables along for the ride. She soared higher than the drones who were flying and tried to keep firing their lasers at her. Once Garnet was high above the ship she twisted her body around grabbing the cables that shot through her and spun the drones around before throwing them at the airborne ones destroying them.
Superman grunted as he began using stronger punches pushing the beam back farther and allowing him to go even higher. On the ground, Opal was firing arrows at the faux gem giant trying to keep its attention on her and not on Superman. It was working until Robo appeared her armored badly damaged and looking very angry.
"NO YOU IDIOT, THIS THING IS TRYING TO DISTRACT YOU! GET THE KRYPTONIAN, HE'LL RUIN EVERYTHING!" Robo yelled pointing to the ascending Superman. The giant roared as it turned around to face Superman
"Oh no, you don't!" Opal said as she readied another arrow
This time, however, a laser went through her shoulder making her scream and drop her bow, Robo smirking as she opened fire on Opal pushing her back. Superman saw the monster coming but knew if he stopped he would be forced back by the Gravity beam, so he instead just tried to go faster. It appeared that it wasn't going to work as he was still in the monsters range. It reached out to grab him only to stop as if it was on pause suddenly.
"WHAT?!" Robo yelled stopping the firing of her lasers
After a few seconds of silence, the giant suddenly exploded into a massive plume of smoke, various gemstones falling from it like rain onto the park ground. Superman was confused but didn't dwell on it continuing his ascension.
"Wha-what-What-WHAT!" Robo yelled infuriated looking at the falling faux gems
"I don't know what happened, but whoever did that thank you!" Opal said smiling at the falling gems
Florida
Lex Luthor sat on a patio overlooking a beautiful beach, though he wasn't looking at it at the moment he was looking at the tablet in his hands. On the digital screen, there was the words FORCED SHUTDOWN SUCCESSFUL.
"You think I didn't realize what you gave me?" Lex said with a sneer as with a swipe of the tablet he saw a live feed of Metropolis and the giant monster being destroyed
"You could've done that sooner Lex." Mercy said standing next to him
"Ah, Mercy that would draw too much attention. Just think of the news Lexcorp rushes to stop the alien hacker from using their own tools against them. It'll look better for the public trust me." Lex says simply
"Though this will put a bit of a hamper on our U.S. Military deal. An American weapon attacking American citizens does not look good." Mercy says
"That can be repaired with time, besides after this little 'demonstration' I feel like our other buyers will be more than ecstatic to get their hands on project Crystal," Lex says smiling
"Ah, should I call the general now?" Mercy asked
"No, let's wait a bit on that. There's still more to see." Lex said looking at the screen and Superman
Metropolis
Superman continued to ascend finally reaching the ship. Thinking fast he gave one last Super punch pushing the beam back into the ship, he then grabbed the hatch that opened allowing the beam to go through and shut it tight holding it closed with his bare hands. Superman strained and grunted feeling the force of the beam pushing down on him, but he continued to hold on. Robo and Opal looked on in awe.
"AND THIS IS ANOTHER FAILURE TO ADD TO THE LIST!" Robo shrieked
"Is this list only for today or is it like a lifetime thing?" Opal asked bluntly
Robo screamed like a banshee as she charged Opal wanting to attack. Opal smiled as she brought two of her arms back, both of her gems glowing in unison. And as soon as Robo was close enough
WAPOW
The back of two of Opal's hands met Robo's cheek contorting it. And then with a pop Robo was sent flying wind kicking up behind her. She flew out of the park and through a small building and out of the city colliding with the force field that was encasing Metropolis. Opal looked on seeing a small explosion from a distance that put a smile on her face.
"Yeah…. We just did that!" Opal said congratulating herself
Garnet still in the air looked down at the ship. She then tugged on the two cables attached to her wrists and brought the drones to her grabbing both of their heads. Garnet used the first one as a prop putting her legs on it and then kicking off it sending her down and it up into the sky. As Garnet soared like a meteor towards the ship her body began to crackle with electricity she then brought her arm back the one still holding a robot and yelled as she came to the ship. With a mighty Crash, she slammed the drones face into the part of the vessel she wanted to hit tearing through the hull like a bullet through wood. She crashed through Metal, wires, and various other things the ship probably needed to fly before crashing through the bottom seeing Superman before falling to the ground next to Opal making a crater. Opal looked at her leader worried but was relieved upon seeing a thumbs up emerge from the dirt.
The ship couldn't take it anymore. The build-up of the gravity beam being held back, the multiple vital components damaged by Garnet. The inside began to explode in various places the Ship not able to handle the stress. Atop the ship, a massive explosion happened, and with that, the force field disappeared into thin air.
"YES!" Superman said happily
But then he felt it, this thing was falling, and he was coming along with it. The ship began to fall onto the park with Superman underneath it.
"I can escape if I wanted to, but this thing is coming down too fast. If it hits even this area at this speed the damage to the city could be catastrophic… I need to stop it!" Superman thought as he got a good grip on the ship and used all his strength to fly up.
The ship indeed began to slow down, but it still was falling. Superman grunted his muscles were straining in his suit as he pushed with all his might his veins visible on his neck. He drove and pushed until he felt his feet touch the ground. His feet dug into the Earth, and his back began to bend painfully, Superman yelled as he summoned up more strength.
"Need a hand?" Garnett said as suddenly Superman felt his load lighten
Superman looked to his sides and saw Garnet and Opal helping him hold up the ship, both of them giving it their all but still smiling at him. He smiled back.
"Lift with your knees, together!" Superman said as they nodded
They all yelled summoning their power to lift the massive structure on their backs. And slowly it began to raise everyone in the city saw what was happening, and many rushed to the area to see what was happening. Finally, with one final heft, the three lifted the ship stopping it from crashing in the park.
"Thanks for hand guys. I think I can handle it from here." Superman said with a smirk
Slowly the gems felt the weight be lifted as Superman took off to the sky taking the ship out of the city. They watched as Superman carefully placed the craft in the water. Opal smiled as she was engulfed in light and defused becoming Pearl and Amethyst once more.
"If it weren't for the thousands of lives being threatened, this would've actually been fun," Pearl said rolling her arm
"Come on you know it was," Amethyst said nudging Pearl's side making her smile
"Guys we have company," Garnet said making them turn around
Behind them was a crowd of people all of them looking at them strangely. It was utterly silent nobody said anything. Superman landed next to the gems after he was finished with the ship and the silence continued.
"…. Um …. Hi." Superman said nervously
Then the crowd erupted into cheers as they rushed the heroes throwing out thanks, camera flashes, and questions. Though surprised they felt a twinge of joy from this as well, after such a hard though battle they were getting the thanks they deserved and they couldn't help but smile.
"WE WON!" Amethyst yelled laughing
"I happy to help, but I admit… this feels good. Have you guys ever felt like this before?" Superman asked smiling
"A few times, it never stops feeling great," Pearl said with a smile
"Steven…. We did it. It's over." Garnet said looking up into the sky relieved
Sadly it wasn't over, not yet
Unknown Area
Steven awoke suddenly blinded by bright lights. He couldn't breathe from his mouth there was something in it. There was something on his head, something touching his gem. He brought his head up and let out a silent scream, seeing many small needle-like devices pokes at his gem and flesh lightly. Steven panicking swatted at the machines trying to make them go away, and they did. Steven breathed heavily through his nose as he felt his forehead two strange wires on it which he pulled at removing them getting a small shock from their flat end. And finally, Steven saw there was something in his mouth, it was long and attached to some kind of a device. Steven pulled at the thing wanting it out, he gagged as he felt it slowly crawl up his throat there being something prickly at the end. After a minute of pulling and gaging he removed the strange device and threw it to the ground, he bent over the side of the table he was on and threw up onto the ground gasping for air.
Steven panted wiping the bile from his mouth as he fell to the ground and got up on shaky legs. He examined the area seeing it was a clean metallic room, purple lights on the walls, and pretty barren aside from the table, ceiling light, and machine.
"Wha-where am I. Where's that Metallo guy?" Steven thought panicked as he pressed himself against the table
He looked over the table, and his eyes widened. Floating in one corner was his shirt being poked and prodded by the same needle device that was violating his personal space.
"HEY, THAT'S MINE!" Steven yelled running towards his shirt.
Seeing that it worked before Steven shooed the devices away making them retreat to the walls and ceiling. Steven reclaimed his shirt and put it back on. Feeling slightly accomplished by this Steven went to find some kind of exit, only for one to present itself. A door opened as if signaling Steven to enter. Warily he did and entered another hallway, just like the room it was sleek and spotless purple lights littering the walls. Steven slowly walked down the halls unsure of where he was or what was happening to him. Just then another door opened, Steven walked in and was amazed by what he saw. It was filled to the brim with clear cubes, and each of them had some kind of strange animal inside. They took on every shape, size, and color Steven could and couldn't imagine. He walked through the room amazed seeing things that looked like animals from Earth.
"Hello, space kitty," Steven said smiling looking in a box with a red cat with two tails, it hissed at him showing off its snake-like tongue making him back off right into another cube
"Oh….. You look sad." Steven said looking at what appeared to be a starfish with one giant eye in the center. It laid on a rock surrounded by water and didn't move, though Steven could tell by its eye that it was sad and defeated.
Before he could question this further another door opened to a darkened room. Steven seeing no other option walked towards the door but stopping for a moment when he passed a massive box that was all black. Steven examined the box closer only to hear an enormous roar from the box that made him run towards the door scared. Steven peeked his head inside.
"Hello…. Anyone here?" Steven asked seeing the room was totally dark illuminated by purple lights
"How could this happen?"
"We miscalculated their strength."
"We did not miscalculate, Pearl failed us. Now we have to recalculate, this operation can still be completed."
"I-is someone there? Show yourself….. Please?" Steven said trying to sound brave but was scared out of his mind
"We will accomplish so much with this, send them out now."
"We must prepare a new message."
"Hey, it's not polite to talk when someone else is talking. Where are….?"Steven said panicked until he saw something
In the corner of the room, glowing soft blue was a bottle on a pedestal. Steven walked towards the bottle slowly to examine what was inside. As he got closer, he saw there was a model city inside. But it wasn't any city Steven had seen before he could question it.
"Oh, he's awake."
"Oh really, perfect. He must be so confused now."
"An introduction would be necessary at the moment."
"What going on? Who are you?!" Steven yelled into the darkness
Just then there was light, the ceiling was opening up letting light in. Steven looked up to see what was there, and he gasped. He saw the void, he saw stars, and he saw Earth. He was in space, Steven Universe was in space. Steven stumbled back and examined the area around him, it was filled to the brim with what looked like display cases. They were filled with strange clothes, machines, and something that looked like one of Superman's crystals.
"Wh-wha….?" Steven stammered stumbling back
Then there was a rumbling from behind making Steven jump and turn around. He watched a black tube with purple lights emerge from the center of the room. It towered over Steven and let out a burst of steam.
"You ask us who we are."
"Then let us show you."
"Bask in our glory."
The tube opened letting out more steam a figure hidden inside it. The figure was a few inches taller than Opal, it stretched its neck out and began to step out of the tube. Steven watched as the figure revealed itself. A metal heel clacked on the ground, purple glowing nodes easily seen on the metal boots, a pair of black tights tucked into boots. A purple, bright wireframe battle skirt flowed on its waist attached to a metal with more purple nodes under the same black suit. On its chest was a metallic breastplate covering a modest bust, with more purple nodes, one going from the chest to the lower side. It had a strange popped collar, and the black tights only went to its biceps. Its skin was a dark green, and it wore metal gloves that made its fingers look like claws. Its expression was neutral as it opened its eyes revealing them to be pitch black with white pupils. It's had long blonde hair that reached its back, only for a strange metallic worm to crawl up its leg and up its body towards the hair tying it in a ponytail. The figure's eyes narrowed on Steven sending a shiver down his spine as a smile grew on its face. At this moment Steven realized two things, this creature appeared to be female. And the second thing he realized upon looking at its forehead and seeing three smooth circular crystals placed in a way so that they form an upside down triangle.
"You're….. A gem?" Steven asked as he stepped back looking up at the creature
"Gem? No, we are so much more. We are BRAINIAC!" The figure said raising its metallic hands and looking down at Steven grinning with glee as it looked at the boy
(Note: Now that's an ending, and there's still more to come. And as many of you have already guessed Brainiac is the big bad of this story, though this Brainiac is not from the comics or TV. But an amalgamation of my own ideas, the comics, and film. You will learn more about her as the story continues. If you want to see her design head to my DA page Gadgetboy197. And ff you like what you have read please leave a comment, I'll back to you ASAP. Till next time everybody. :D