A/N: Shady's back. Sorry for the delay. Let's dive in it!

-DMC-

(North Atlantic. 25,000 feet below the ocean surface…)

A submarine in the shape of a manta ray delved into the pitch black trenches of the deep sea. A light shined from the nautical vehicle, scanning the oceanic floor for something of interest. The pilot flipped numerous switches, changing the various scanners to different frequencies. A white dot appeared on the radar, grabbing the man's attention. He shined a light on the spot, a gulper eel being all that skit across the floor, "I'm not getting anything sir, I'm sorry."

An african american man decked in a helmet-less armor stalked forth, standing behind and over the sitting pilot of the vessel. The pilot, like most of those working the submarine, feared their employer. He was a man with a hair-trigger murderous temper and a hellish determination to utterly destroy all who have wronged him. The man looked out the window of the ship, studying the ocean floor carefully.

His brow furrowed, "There!" he had the pilot steer the submarine down to an odd spot on the ocean floor.

The leader of this group approached a counter that held a large, round helmet with two large red eyes. "Keep us steady. Open the transfer trunk." the man said as he put the helmet on. As the helmet locked in place, a light 'beep' could be heard as it activated. The eyes shined brightly, "I'm going out." His voice was modulated by the helmet augmenting his voice.

"Yes Black Manta." one of the crewmembers said.

The villain swam through the crushing depths of the ocean. His suit was specially designed to endure these depths, depths that even the residents of this sea couldn't survive. He headed towards an odd patch on the sandy floor, an anomaly that the scanners in his helmet spotted. He brushed the sand away to reveal an odd, cryptic symbol etched into the dirt. His large eyes glow before he fired his heat ray over the symbol. The markings lit up brightly, the red lights spreading to other connected symbols.

Before the eyes of all present, an amorphous wave of black shot from the symbols, clumping up into a mass before Manta. The mass developed shining yellow eyes that could burn holes through all it gazed.

"Why have you summoned me?" the mass demanded to know; it had no mouth, but had a voice that was deep, haunting, and could be heard for miles under the sea.

"I seek power." Black Manta said, not a hint of fear in the presence of the monstrosity, "The power to destroy Aquaman and the city of Atlantis."

If the amorphous mass had a mouth, it would be grinning, "This is worth my allegiance."

The crew of the submarine watched the discussion between the two fiends in morbid fascination. They gasped in shock as the mass engulfed Black Manta.

"What's happening?" A crewmember whispered.

The mass shrunk. Two bright red dots appeared from within.

"What is that?!"

The sonar's were picking up on several signatures closing in. What started as just a few, turned into a dozen. Then dozens. Then hundreds. Then enough to fill the screen completely with white dots.

The darkness of the surrounding ocean floor kept the crew from seeing what was coming… until it was too late.

-DMC-

Arthur Curry walked through his kingdom with his wife by his side; a beautiful redhead woman with emerald eyes and a skin tight outfit that matched her eyes. The Aquaman was a mountain of a man with long blonde hair and a thick beard. While he was ruler of this kingdom, one wouldn't tell by his demeanor. He wore an orange scaled top and green leggings. His forearms were outfitted with green gauntlets.

Mera smiled at her husband, her golden crown keeping her hair out of her face, "You know, the surface dwellers won't take too kindly to you sinking their submarine."

The king of Atlantis gave his woman a charming smile, "I saved the people on board, didn't I?" his voice was deep, and had an accent that sounded strangely like a californian surfer, "I warned the world's governments about testing nuclear energy over my ocean. The Russian government tried me so I corrected it. The League knows to put in a good word with them. The Russians knows they're severely out muscled so they'll back off and tackle things another way." he put his hand to Mera's side, the woman eagerly moving in close, "Its sunset time. Care to watch?"

Mera looked away and shook her head. "I can't. I couldn't look at such a thing without thinking of him."

"Junior." Aquaman said, nodding sympathetically, "It's been over a year but the feeling's still raw." He stopped and held his wife by her waist so she'd look at him. His eyes burned with righteous fury, "He'll die for what he's done, Mera. I promise you."

"My liege!"

The king and queen quickly turned to a trio of Atlantean soldiers approaching on the backs of massive sea horses. They were distressed.

"What is it?!" Aquaman asked.

"Explain yourselves!" Queen Mera ordered.

"The kingdom is under attack!" the guard said, face not visible through his helmet.

"The Trench, my liege!" another guardsman said, "They've come for us!"

This brought the ruler's to action. They hurried in the direction the guards came from.

"The reach has never attacked Atlantis." Mera said.

"Well someone or something is sending them here." Aquaman said. The sounds of chaos were drawing near; screams, shouts, blasters firing. His fists balled. He needed his trident, but in the meantime-

He stopped at a four way hall and grabbed the trident of a guard following. He firmly grabbed the man's shoulder, "Grab mine." He ordered. The soldier nodded, and rounded a corner opposite theirs. Arthur and Mera ran to a balcony that overlooked the kingdom courtyard.

It was chaos. Trained soldiers did battle with the nightmarish creatures of the Trench; monsters that were a horrid cross between man and deep sea predator. Some Atlantean soldiers put focus on defending civilians while others focused purely on battle.

Some soldiers with laser rifles shot down the creatures from vantage points and medium range, while others with tridents and swords did battle up close. Skilled soldiers were able to cut down the creatures, while those with less experience were ripped into by the creatures sharp teeth and claws. A few soldiers who were more than unlucky got mobbed by several of the trench creatures, and were brought down screaming as the monsters eagerly and messily filled their stomachs.

For every one monster that was killed at least four more took its place.

"Damn!" Aquaman grunted as he leaped the balcony and dove into the frey.

"Arthur!" Mera called after him.

Aquaman hit the ground and rushed in, a sonic boom erupting behind him. He swung his weapon at every trench creature he set eyes on, stabbing and batting them down where they stood. He stabbed one of the creatures in the neck before it could get to an unarmed Atlantean family, whipping it around into others that rushed him.

"My liege!"

Aquaman looked up to the soldier on the balcony holding his signature weapon, a massive three pronged golden trident. The soldier threw the weapon at Aquaman for him to catch. Arthur chucked his previous weapon at a trench monster, nailing the screeching creature in the eyes before catching the Trident of Neptune. The weapon sparkled as Aquaman expertly twirled it.

He held the weapon up high, "Creatures of the Trench!" He roared out. "As your king, I demand you to stop! Kneel!" The creatures didn't so much as regard his demands. "Damn!" Aquaman snarled. He swam to the side to dodge toxic spit from a massive trench monster. He rammed his Trident through the creature's heart. There was definitely something else at work here. These creatures didn't regard him as their master anymore.

Several trench monsters lunged at the king of Atlantis, only to get blasted away as Aquaman slammed the hilt of the trident into the ground. A sphere formed from the shockwave that cleared water briefly. He twirled Neptune's trident again as more hulking fiends rushed in.

Powerful blasts of water suddenly smashed through the beasts, breaking their bodies apart and sending them and others barreling dead into the castle walls.

Aquaman turned to his wife in the courtyard. The queen shot another blast of highly pressurized water at a trench that was biting into the armored arm of a guard, killing the monster. She lowered her hands and went to the soldier that shakily held his mangled arm.

The chaos died down.

The king of Atlantis surveyed the immediate damage to his kingdom and people. He could hear panicked chatter from some soldiers in the distance. He and Mera looked at each other, before they both shot up into the higher levels of the ocean.

Aquaman's eyes squinted. He could see a wave of something approaching from the horizon.

His eyes widened in horror. It was a wave of thousands, possibly tens of thousands of trench monsters.

"God help us." Aquaman said. Mera covered her mouth in horror.

-DMC-

Dante's eyes eased open. The bedroom was dark. The sheets were half covering his body. He glanced over to Karen, the kryptonian asleep on her side, back to him. A satisfied look rested on his face as he folded his arms behind his head.

"Hm."

The light grunt woke Karen. She rolled over, glaring at Dante. She mumbled, "My legs are still sore, asshole."

Dante passed her a glance and chuckled, "Still kinda feels like I got humped by a rhino, toots. We're even."

Karen grinned at him, "I outlasted you. We're less than even.'' She got off the bed. Dante watched her disappear into the bathroom.

He looked up at the ceiling and sank back on the pillow. Things got loud last night. More than one person had to have heard the little rumble they were having. He almost chuckled at the reaction the Queen Bee would have. She was sure to have some interesting words with him.

Oh well. What else was new?

It was past noon and the two walked down the halls of the Watchtower.

"Come on, I wasn't that bad was I?" Dante asked.

"You backed up your talk." Power Girl said, before wrapping an arm around Dante's neck and bringing him in close. She whispered dangerously, "And if you go around telling everyone, I'm gonna rip that hammer out from between your legs and beat you over the head with it."

"Ooh, that's kinky." Dante said with a chuckle, "Tell me more."

The two walked in on Wonder Woman approaching. The Amazon had a knowing look in her eye as she glanced between the two. She took her time before she spoke, "I don't care. Power Girl, you'll need to report to Manhunter. You never did give your briefing over the Humanite incident."

"Ah, crap." Power Girl said, before she added under her breath, "And I thought no one noticed. Fine." she walked off, stopping a moment, before turning back to Dante, eyes glowing briefly, "Remember what I said pretty boy."

"Loose lips sink ships." Dante said, "A gentleman never tells."

As Power Girl walked off, Wonder Woman passed Dante a look of disgust, before walking past him.

Dante smiled, "That went better than I thought."

He received a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Doctor Light standing behind him, "I've been looking for you."

"And you found me. Sorry, I was… occupied for the night." Dante said.

Doctor Light gave him a blank stare, "So I hear. Come." she said as she turned, Dante following behind her.

She led him to the tech wing of the Watchtower where Atom and several other scientists were waiting for him.

"Dante! Good to see you." Atom said.

"We have some questions for you Dante." Doctor Light said.

"Lay'em on me." Dante said.

"Are you familiar with other worlds in your cosmology?" Atom said.

Dante shrugged, "Where I come from you had the human world and the demon world. I've done my share of dimension hopping, and I've taken more than one fall into some demon operated pocket world, but other than that…" he swiped his hand over his head.

"Are you aware of any alternate Earths where you come from?" Doctor Light asked.

"In your own cosmology." Atom clarified, pacing back and forth as he spoke, "Power Girl, for example, is from an alternative Earth in our cosmology."

"Only Earth I've seen is my own." Dante said, folding his arms, "They didn't pay me enough back home to delve into that sort of thing."

Atom and Light glanced to one another.

"Then that might just open up another can of worms." Atom said.

"Ah, come on, how many Earths could I have?" Dante asked.

"Just the one." Doctor Light said, "Or, you could have 5. Or 20. Or like us, 52."

"52 Earths?" Dante said.

"That we know of." Atom said, "Take a look." He pulled up a small round device that, when he pressed a button on the side, showed a hologram of the Earth.

"This is our Earth," Doctor Light tapped the hologram, the Earth phasing, "This is Earth 10, a world where Superman was raised by Adolf Hitler. Don't worry, we'll deal with that soon enough." She tapped it again, "Earth 16 is an Earth where the Justice League successfully defeated evil for good."

"Sounds boring." Dante said.

"Boring means the Earth isn't constantly in danger of being destroyed." Atom said.

"That's exactly what I mean." Dante said, "Show me more, I'm interested."

Dr Light continued, "Earth 21, JFK was never assassinated so things are much more… hopeful. Earth 30, Superman was raised in the Soviet Union." she tapped it a final time, "Earth 31, climate change created a water world where the Earth undergoes a second age of piracy."

"You get the idea." Atom said, "If your world is associated with more than one Earth, then that could just further complicate getting you back home."

Dante stared at the hologram of the planet, "That's a buzzkill."

"Don't let it put you down… yet." Doctorr Light said, "We know nothing about the structure of your cosmology so for all we know, we'd only have your Earth to deal with."

"But the last thing we'd want is to strand you on some Earth that's not yours. You wouldn't want to be stuck on an Earth where you have a duplicate, would you?" Atom said.

"You're right, I can barely stand my own big mouth." Dante said, "If I met another me reality might just fall apart.

Atom chuckled, "And no amount of science will fix that."

"We're still a long way off." Doctorr Light said, "Don't dwell on it."

-DMC-

Dante walked into the dining hall, a few supers eating there. He sat down at the table next to Green Arrow and Black Canary.

The two heroes slowly turned to Dante, giving him teasing grins.

"So." Black Canary started.

"You and Power Girl, huh." Green Arrow said.

Dante's eyes squinted as Power Girl walked up, "You tell me not to tell anyone… and then you do it?"

"You don't write my rule book." Power Girl said as she sat down at the table.

Dante looked to the blonde couple, "Yeah. We did some things. Almost killed me but we got through it."

Dinah smirked and looked to Power Girl, "So do his curtains match his drapes?"

"I'm outta here." Dante said as he got up from the table.

-DMC-

Dante walked back to his room. Upon turning down his hallway, he saw Question digging through the trash can outside his door,

"Question," Dante held his hands up, "What did I tell you about going through my trash?"

The faceless man looked to Dante and then turned left and right nervously, "Oh, uh, I'll have you know that-"

"Just take the can and go, dude." Dante said dismissively.

Wasting no time, Question did exactly that.

Shaking his head, Dante walked back into his room, "I gotta get outta here."

He opened his barren closet, "And I need more outfits." He looked to the clock on his room dresser, "Barely passed 2. Time to hit the town before the flying rodent shows up and stinks up my air."

-DMC-

A battalion of Atlantean soldiers stood at the ready, just miles from the kingdom's walls. Sharks, Killer Whales, Giant Squids, and swordfish were arranged along the battle lines, summoned to the upcoming battle by Aquaman's trident. The king of the sea's kept the trident held up as he continued his silent call for aid.

"King Arthur," one of his generals approached, "we still received no word from our messengers."

Aquaman's eyes closed, frustrations building that he had to temper, "Whatever is bringing the trench to our doorstep must have known to have them killed. We're not getting help from the surface. Not now." He lowered his trident. The screeches and snarls of the trench creatures were loud at this point.

He looked to Mera. He didn't want his wife here. She may have been a diplomat but her blood ran just as hot as his. He knew there was no keeping her out of the battlefield.

Aquaman twirled his trident, before snapping into a battle ready stance, the thousands of soldiers behind him doing the same.

"Hold your line, fight till you die! Do not let them take Atlantis!" He ordered. He launched himself at the coming enemy, his soldiers following behind for a clash for the kingdom.

-DMC-

(Gotham City)

Dante angrily sulked down the street, "Who the hell would pay that much for a damn jacket?! Highway robbery." He shook his head, "If it's not morons in a back alley it's morons at a cash register trying to run your pockets."

His foot crushed a littered can on the pavement, "That's gotta be bad business. I mean how do you slap a price on something most people aren't gonna-"

"Hey! You!"

Dante turned to see a random person calling out to him from an apartment window.

"Yeah! You! You're that guy! The guy with the hair and the sword!"

Dante shook his head, "Nah, I'm not that guy buddy. You're thinking of the other guy with the hair."

"Nuh uh! I never forget a face!" The random called out to the apartment across the street, "Yo Frank!"

Dante's eye twitched as a window opened. A man called out, "What Rick?! What is it?!"

"Say, it's that dude! The one who rolls with the League!"

The other man peered down at Dante, "Oh yeah! It's him! The wackadoo!"

"Wacky woo hoo!" The men laughed.

Another few windows opened, much to Dante's chagrin, "Gotta be kidding me." he grimaced.

An older woman wearing a bonnet and smoking a cigarette peered out, "Will you guys keep it-" she looked down at Dante, "Oh!" she called out, "You! Come here!"

"Ah hell." Dante continued walking down the street.

The woman continued calling out, "Wait! My husbands not home! I swear!"

Quickly leaving that part of town, Dante looked up at the sky, "Demons are less of a headache." he said. He walked past a fellow leaning up against the wall of a corner store building, the man whistling to himself and minding his own business. The man had short cut brown hair and a thin goatee. He wore a long red shirt with blue jeans. Dante didn't pay him much attention but he spotted the man rolling a bullet in between his knuckles. The man passed Dante a head nod, one which Dante returned.

Dante sat in Noonan's bar in Gotham. He sat there for hours. Six whiskey shots later and he was starting to feel a bit tipsy. If there was one thing he both loved and hated about his demon blood, it was that it didn't keep him from getting lit.

A hickup escaped Dante's throat.

"I am Baytor." the impish demon sauntered up, grabbing the seventh shot of whiskey before Dante could drink it, "I am Baytor!"

"Hey what are you doing? I was drinking that." Dante said, words just a tad slurred.

"I am Baytor!"

"I can so handle my liquor!"

"I am Baytor!"

"No I'm not." Dante said, "If I did that you'd know I'd clean it up."

"I am Baytor." The demon took the glass anyways, Dante waved the imp off,

"Yeah well, who needs it." He rested his chin on his knuckles as he watched the mounted tv.

The place was quiet, with only two other patrons sitting in the bar, they themselves nearly passed out drunk at the tables. The only sounds came from the low volume tv, and rushing water from Baytor doing the dishes. The news was broadcast, the reporters discussing a breaking event out of Metropolis. Apparently there had been several mysterious murders, reports of people being drained to lifeless husks. While drunk Dante didn't pay it much mind.

The jukebox in the bar began playing a familiar rock song,

"Hit me with your best shot~ fire awayyyy~"

Dante's head nodded to the riff.

*click*

He knew that sound. It was faint. No one with human ears would catch it, but Dante heard it.

He glanced at the little demon washing mugs, "Yo, you got insurance on this place?" he asked.

"I am Baytor…"

"Lucky you." Dante said. He suddenly swung his chair around, firing off shots to cancel out a storm of bullets that ripped through the door. The patrons shrieked and got down low, Baytor scurrying back behind the bar counter. Dante shot the bullets out of the air, deflecting them into the walls and other bits of furniture. All of the booze bottles were shattered, leaving a drizzling mess on the floor.

One of the deflected bullets hit a bullseye on the nearby dartboard.

The shooting came to a stop.

"Heh." Dante scoffed, "Can't have a nice quiet evening without some damn thing." He got up and walked out of the bar.

The street was empty. No civilians. No passing cars. But the assassin was somewhere.

*Bang*

A bullet ricocheted off a street light, aiming for Dante's head. Being fast on the draw despite being drunk, Dante shot the bullet out of the air.

"I can do that too." Dante said before he shot a bullet that ricocheted off the building wall across from him and to the roof of the building behind him.

The assassin shot the bullet out of the air himself. Dante turned to the assassin that looked down on him. The assassin was a man wearing a white mask with an attachment included over the right eye, certainly to assist his aiming. His right hand held a wrist mounted gun that he aimed at Dante. He held in his free hand an M4 Carbine.

"You're a good shot." the assassin said, his voice modulated by his mask.

"I'm the best shot." Dante said, voice slightly slurred.

"And I'm the Deadshot." Floyd said, "Learn the name cause I never miss." He fired a bullet that Dante casually leaned to dodge.

"Popped that cherry." Dante said with a shrug.

"Still a virgin." Deadshot said, nodding for Dante to turn around. The son of Sparda had ignored the smell of gasoline and heard the spark of a fuse. Dante turned to see a car right behind him and just a few feet back that had its gas tank shot. Smoke rapidly poured from the hole and a stream of flame laced gasoline leaked to the ground.

Dante nodded, "Okay."

The car violently exploded next to him, consuming him in flames.

Lawton held a triumphant look under his mask that was quickly wiped off by the devil hunter shrugging off the blast wave. He turned back to Deadshot, smoothly blowing the soot off his shoulder. He walked up to the building Deadshot stood on,

"Oh shit!" Deadshot fell back. He gripped his M4 with both hands.

Dante found three coins on the ground that he picked up and pocketed. Deadshot ran across the roof to put more distance between him and his target. His heart stopped for a moment when he looked back to see Dante leaping up to the six story rooftop. The man then leisurely strolled after Deadshot, hands casually in his pockets.

Deadshot fired off a burst of rounds at Dante, aiming for all 5 vital organs. The son of Sparda's inhuman speed and agility allowed him to perform a one handed cartwheel while at the same time using his free hand to fire a shot from Ivory. The bullet managed to purposefully graze the side of Floyds head, nicking the strap of the eye patch and allowing it to fall freely from his head. Out of shock, Floyd grabbed the side of his head,

"Damn Cobblepot, what did you get me into?" Deadshot fired off several shots from his wrist gun as he ran back further. Dante phased in and out of the path of each bullet. The man in red moved so fast he seemingly teleported from Deadshots point of view. Deadshot hopped across a close rooftop and then hopped onto a ladder that he kicked to descend down to ground level.

Dante tossed the coins in his pocket up in the air and shot each one, the bullets bouncing off the flat of each coin and going for Deadshot. The assassin grunted in pain when a bullet grazed his left shoulder, right thigh, and then left palm, making him drop his assault rifle. He kept running.

Blue eyes glanced all around. He pointed at a water tower that was 120 yards to his left, then to a cable dish that was 240 yards to his right, and then in front of himself. The tip of a metal rod at the top of a building was 360 yards away. A building that Deadshot just so happened to be running towards.

Dante fired a bullet that hit the water, which hit the cable box, which hit the tip of the building. The bullet finished its trajectory by coming for Deadshot and shooting through his mask, taking the lobe of his right ear off. Deadshot stumbled and shouted.

Dante dropped down right in front of him. Deadshots eyes screamed Fight or Flight.

A knife slipped from a holster in Deadshot's wrist. He swung it at Dante, the devil hunter weaving and dodging before swinging the edge of his wrist at the blade, breaking it. Deadshot followed up with a swing of his fist to Dante's face. Dante caught Deadshot's wrist before the punch could land.

"Gotchu sucker!" Deadshot said as he pulled the trigger on his wrist gun, shooting Dante through the forehead at point blank. He watched with satisfaction as the bullet popped out the back of Dante's forehead, only to be horrified when the hunter's grip on Deadshot's wrist didn't loosen in the slightest. The wound healed instantly, leaving rivulets of blood behind.

"Spooky I know. To your credit, that actually sobered me back up." Dante said before getting Deadshot in a tight headlock, "Alright Deadhead." Dante said, "Who sent ya?"

"Classified information." Deadshot said, "Squealing on contacts is bad for business."

*SMACK!*

Deadshot cried out when Dante slapped him hard in the face.

"Who sent ya?"

Deadshot grunted defiantly-

*SMACK!*

Before Dante slapped him again, earning another shout and a curse from Deadshot. A couple walked out of a nearby apartment building, before looking over at the two. The man and woman had confusion written across their faces.

Dante nodded to the couple, "Don't mind us. Disciplinary actions." he said happily. The couple hurried along.

Dante patted Deadshot's cheek, "I can do this all night, Derpshot."

"Penguin, damnit!" Deadshot relented.

"Popper?" Dante was surprised but he shook his head in disappointment, "How much?"

"Fourteen million to put a bullet in your head."

"Fourteen mill?!" Dante almost shouted, "Can I shoot myself?" He walked, keeping Deadshot in a headlock and thus dragged the man with him, "You got a family, Deadass?"

Deadshot's teeth grit behind his mask, "What's it to-" Dante gave an uncomfortable squeeze to the man's neck, making Deadshot relent again, "Yeah. A kid."

"Going for father of the year?" Dante asked.

"Fuck you." Deadshot said, "Everything I do is for her."

Dante stopped for a moment. He grabbed Deadshot and forced him to stand upright, "You caught me in a mighty good mood, Dipshit, so here's what I'll let you do. Go. Be a father. Hug your daughter. Pull this again, and I'm breaking my foot off in your ass. It grows back, so I can follow through. Comprende."

"Yeah." Deadshot said as he took a step back. He rolled his neck, "Don't worry. I know my limits. Cobblepot gave me my seven million so we're square."

"Sure Penguin ain't gonna feel some kinda way?" Dante asked.

"Better not." Deadshot said as he stepped away, "I got clauses about getting sent after guys that can't die with a bullet in the brain. I keep the deposit."

"Heh." Dante huffed as Deadshot walked off, a limp to his step. It was then Dante mentally slapped himself, "Ugh. Should've asked him to split that deposit!" he began walking the street in the opposite direction, "It's gotta be standard practice that targets get paid if the hitman fails. I gotta find the assassin rulebook."

Dante didn't show it much thought, but Catwoman lounged on top of a roof edge, overlooking the scene. She smirked with amusement, "Interesting."

As she got up, she patted the pouch stuffed with three pink diamonds. She took a quick glance to the little jewelry store she lifted them from. The owner apparently managed to find out; having returned to the store after closing. The man shouted all of the details he could to the police, the officers trying their best to calm the angered and confused man.

Catwoman turned and began walking away. The burglar gasped when a gust of wind blew by her, whipping her hair. In an instance Dante was standing in front of her, the man holding her pouch of diamonds. He was holding one of the diamonds up to catch the light, "Whoa, what are these?"

"Hey, those are mine!" Catwoman said loudly, nearly popping her claws.

Dante held up the pouch for Catwoman to see, "If you want'em, take'em." he continued on, looking back "And please don't use that whip on me unless you give me a safeword."

"I earned those fair and square." she pouted. Her eyes widened in shock when Dante took the diamonds and began juggling them in one hand, "Careful, those are priceless!"

Dante grinned at her slyly, "If they're priceless why do you even want them?" He walked up to the edge and tossed them off, making Catwoman gasp. Enjoying the look on her face, Dante grinned as he phased out and reappeared on the ground, catching the stones well before they hit the pavement.

Catwoman looked down at him in shock, before her expression flipped to that of annoyance when Dante waved the pouch tauntingly at her, "See ya kitty." He walked in the direction of the store.

The store owner's angry tirade ceased when a heavy pouch hit his head and landed in his hands. He and the officers were surprised when it held the missing diamonds.

Dante leaped across the roofs, "Alright, one more stop and I'm turning in for the night."

-DMC-

(Blackgate Prison)

Penguin sat in his cell, eating a nice tilapia dinner. He patted his mouth clean and dry with a towel. Somehow he still managed to litter his prison jumpsuit with food bits and grease.

A guard approached his cell, "Cobblepot, you have a visitor."

"What? I didn't schedule anyone."

"You have a visitor." the guard repeated. His tone of voice indicated he wasn't up to dealing with Cobblepots endless array of nonsense.

The kingpin tossed his napkin and got up. This had better be good. Or someone else would have a price on their head.

He followed the guard.

When Penguin was brought to the visitation area; the area being a walled off section between inmates and civilians who visited them, he was in for a shock when he saw who was on the other side of the glass window.

Dante was sitting down, waving happily at the mob boss. Cobblepot didn't have the frame of mind to ponder how Dante got a sword through security.

Penguin nervously approached and took a seat, eyeing Dante suspiciously through the window that, lucky for Penguin, kept them separated despite being just a foot away from each other. Dante picked up the phone that was to be used to communicate between the two of them. He pointed at Cobblepots phone. Penguin hesitantly picked up the phone, and spoke into it,

"What is-" his eyes widened as Dante put his finger up to the glass, and drew a large circle with his finger nail. With a simple poke, Dante knocked a perfect hole through the glass.

The swordsman simply stared at Cobblepot to let the situation soak.

Dante suddenly reached through, grabbed Cobblepots collar, and slammed the man's forehead into the barrier with a loud *BONK!*. Cobblepot was knocked out cold in his chair, the phone right next to his ear.

Dante spoke into the mic, "Don't send bozo's to whack me. It's not christian." before hanging up the phone, getting up, and walking out. The guards overlooking the scene looked the other way.

-DMC-

The forces of Atlantis did battle with the forces of the trench. Atlantean soldiers and predators of the sea fought valiantly against the fiends that pushed against them.

"Hold the line!" Aquaman called out, fighting against the monsters that aimed to invade his kingdom. The army of Atlantis intercepted the trench just miles from the kingdom. They were getting pushed back, and they'd lost a third of their numbers, but they still fought strong. He batted away a monster that tried to leap on him.

A larger than normal monster slashed at Aquaman from behind. The king of Atlantis was saved by a great white and Orca biting the creature by both arms and dragging it up to rip it apart up above.

Mera's arms moved fluidly, almost like she were performing a dance. She wielded the water around her into multiple whips that sliced into creatures and kept others at bay. Arthur ordered a trio of swordfish to aid his wife.

Aquaman stuck his trident into the back of a creature that moved on one of the Atlanteans. He sent a mighty kick into one that tried to intercept him.

Several soldiers were able to hold off the evil army with their blasters, but too many others were falling at these monsters' hands with no sign that this fearsome army's assault was going to wane.

Atlantis wasn't going to win this.

Mera cried out when Aquaman was knocked away from her and his army by a massive force of black. The ruler of Atlantis ripped through the water for several hundred yards, twisting and turning to break his momentum. He barely managed to slam his trident into the ground to break himself, the hilt ripping a furrow into the ocean floor.

His right shoulder where he was hit shuddered from the blunt pain. Adrenaline helped dull the feeling but whatever hit him was abnormal. He was to the ocean what Superman was to the surface world. Few things under the sea could actually hurt him.

So what hit him?

A massive black figure touched down heavily in front of him, hitting him with a wave of pressure. Aquaman stood tall, staring down his enemy. It was massive, hulking in build, and black as the deepest of abysses with winglike fins at its back and talons for fingers. It was supernatural, with two devilish horns on its head and shadows practically flowing off of its body. Its eyes were glowing blood red.

There was something odd about this creature's build. It was like… a massive humanoid manta ray.

"Your day of reckoning has come, Aquaman." the creature said, voice legion like.

"M-Manta?!" Aquaman instantly recognized the voice. He suspected it, but now he knew for certain. Somehow his sworn enemy had turned himself into this monster, "This is your doing?!"

"With help from the Abyssal Dark." Manta said, taking steps after the king. The earth beneath Aquaman's feet shook, "You'll pay for what you've done to my father."

Aquaman stood his ground, trident in hand pointed to his archenemy, "This cycle of vengeance between us ends. For my son, Arthur, and the kingdom of Atlantis, you will die, Black Manta!"

"No." Manta said coldly, "I am no longer Black Manta," the abomination's eyes glowed red as it growled, "call me Devil Ray!" Lasers fired from his eyes.

-DMC-

Dante's communicator beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket, "Yeah." He sat upon a gargoyle with a cup of ice cream in his lap, overlooking the cloudy Gotham skyline.

"Dante." It was Superman, the boy scout's voice stern, "Have you been behaving?"

Dante grinned, "I'm off Santa's naughty list."

"I need you to head into Metropolis." Superman said, "There's a woman at the police station that's asking for someone that fits your description."

"I didn't do it…" Dante looked around, "whatever it is she's referring to."

"Sure." Superman said, "Don't drag your feet." he cut the line.

Dante drove through Metropolis, pulling up to the city's police station.

Stepping inside, he saw a nervous looking woman sitting down in a chair with three cops and Superman surrounding her. She was shaking and holding a cup of coffee.

"Ya rang?" Dante asked as he approached.

The police chief looked from Superman to Dante, "You're the one he asked about? You aren't what I was expecting." The man was short and had a thick beard that nearly covered his mouth completely.

"I'd wear tights for you but they make me chafe." Dante asked, "What's going on?"

"This woman here came into our office all shaken up. Said she needed help. Said something about monsters. You know anything about that?"

Superman looked to Dante, "She won't talk to the police. She won't talk to me. She said you were the only one that could help her."

"Don't I feel special." Dante said. He approached the woman. She had a punk-ish appearance; short blonde hair with pink dyed tips, a black t-shirt, and white shorts. "Something you need me to know, lady?"

The woman looked at him, eyes red and puffy with smeared makeup like she'd been crying. She looked at the cops and Superman.

The Chief of police looked to Dante, "Look normally we wouldn't leave a third party to deal with this, but Superman trusts you, and we trust Superman."

Superman nodded to Dante.

The woman got up, "Follow me." she said.

Dante followed her out of the police station, "What's your name?" he asked her.

The lady hesitated, "Uh, Sarah."

"Okay, Uh Sarah." He sat on his motorcycle, "Get on. She sat behind him, "Where am I headed?"

"To the docks-" she barely finished before Dante revved the bike and shot down the city street.

"So am I supposed to guess the background here?" Dante asked, the man expertly maneuvering past cars.

"You, you're a super, right?" the woman asked, both she and Dante's hair whipping fiercely from the speeds.

"Something like that." Dante said. When a light turned yellow he sped through it.

"You do… fight monsters, right?" she said.

"That's the trade." Dante said.

"Well, there's something that attacked me in a warehouse." the woman said, "I work there during the night."

"And you had to call little ole me?" Dante said plainly, "You got a big blue boyscout who'd probably handle that just fine."

The woman shook her head, "I… I don't trust the Justice League. I, uh, lost a sister during one of their fights."

"And you trust me?" Dante asked.

"Yes." the woman said. She kept looking forward.

Dante glared at her, but kept following along.

The two happened on the edge of the city near the docks. Sarah and Dante got off the bike, and she led Dante into a warehouse. The son of Sparda looked around; it was dark, save for a few rays of sunlight peering in through a shuddered window; and empty, save for some odd wooden boxes here and there.

"So where is this big scary monster?" Dante asked. The woman's back was turned to him, making him squeeze his fist in anticipation, "Or am I looking at it?"

The woman immediately turned and swung a fist at Dante, the devil hunter stopping the punch cold with his palm.

He grabbed the woman's fist to keep her in place, but to his surprise she grinned before her skin bled pink.

She grabbed his forearm with her free hand as her body muscled up, shapeshifting to a big, pink, animalistic creature. The iris and pupol of her blue eyes vanished, leaving them both a soulless white.

Dante grabbed the creature's hand that grabbed his arm.

'You're no demon.' Dante thought as he looked this man, this creature, in its white eyes, "You know I'm getting sick of people putting hits out on me." Dante said, "Who sent you?"

The monster's voice was now masculine and more of a growl, "Oh, a lot of people are getting tired of your do-gooder attitude. Should've kept your head low." the creature said.

Dante headbutted the creature, but it kept its grip.

It laughed.

"You'll make a good snack." The creature snickered before its hands glowed, its purple veins pronounced under its skin. Dante could feel the creature pulling energy from him, its strength growing on top of its own.

Dante swung a kick into the monster, breaking its grip on him.

The monster grinned sadistically, "You have a little extra in there… don't ya, Devil man?"

"You're an energy absorber, huh?" Dante asked.

"It's why they call me Parasite." The purple fiend said, "And I'll be calling you dinner!"

Parasite lashed out at Dante with tendrils that the son of Sparda caught. The force of the tendrils staggered him. Dante noticed that a punch from the creature just moments ago was stopped cold, but after having siphoned his power, it was now much stronger. The tendrils wrapped around his forearms and glow as Parasite fed on more of his energy.

Dante pulled Rebellion and swung it down into the tendrils, cutting them to free himself. Dante jumped back and Parasite followed up with bringing his tendriled arm up and slamming it down over Dante. Dante phased out and appeared to the side, dodging the impact and rushing to Parasite.

He leaped in and swung Rebellion down on Parasite. The mutant brought his arm up, slightly surprised when the metal sliced through the meat of his arm and through his collar bone.

Parasite's mouth opened wide, allowing Dante a look at his disgusting mouth. When he leaned in to bite, Dante immediately punched the mutant in the jaw to shut him up, knocking two of Parasite's teeth out. He noticed the mutant's pink flesh glow when his knuckles made contact, and another pull on his energy. Parasite took advantage of Dante being right in his face. Tendrils sprouted from Parasites sides in an attempt to ensnare Dante.

"You thought!" Dante grunted as he pulled his shotgun and shoved it right into Parasites face. He pulled the trigger and that threw the mutant back. Dante pulled a backflip before he hit the ground.

Not giving the monster time to recover, Dante rushed in and sliced cleanly through Parasite's torso and arm. He turned back to see the mutant immediately heal from the lethal strike, "That healing is good stuff." Parasite said, chuckling disgustingly.

"Huh." Dante said as he shook his hand, "You steal energy, powers, and memories just from contact. Not bad. Stupid as you look, you're effective."

Parasite grinned savagely, "You picked the wrong universe to get lost in."

Dante grinned and aimed Ebony and Ivory at Parasite, "Oh no, I picked the right universe. It's about time someone gave me a proper workout."

He rapid fired several shots that ripped through the mutant, before Dante felt a pulse in the air. Parasite disappeared. The Devil Hunter groaned out as a massive amount of his energy was sucked out of his body. Parasite was behind him, claws digging into his back. The mutant grew even more massive, his muscles swelling and bulging.

Dante inwardly cursed, 'This bastard managed to pick up Quicksilver?!'

Dante threw a crushing elbow into Parasite's jaw, breaking it and making the mutant release him. Dante's wounds sealed and healed.

A fly buzzed through the warehouse. The insects' flight slowed to a near stop in time as Dante and Parasite both activated Quicksilver and began clashing. Parasite brought his meaty clawed hand down where Dante stood, narrowly missing as Dante flipped over his head, spinning as he let down a storm of bullets on the mutant with his twin pistols.

When Dante landed he and Parasite began phasing all around the room. Dante would slice the creature and move to dodge. Parasite would punch at Dante, and Dante would block the fist with Rebellion, the force of the punch making him skid back several feet. Parasite got lucky and grabbed Dante's ankle, getting a bit more energy out of him. Dante followed up with a demonically charged shot from Ebony that blew off a chunk of the mutant's head. He kicked Parasite in the face to get released, and pulled off a back handspring to put distance between him and his enemy.

Dante kicked a massive multi-ton wooden box filled with scrap metals at Parasite, a distraction that the mutant fell for. Parasite smashed the box aside to see Dante no longer in his field of view.

A look of shock framed Parasite's white eyes as a sword tip plunged out of his mouth, spilling purple blood onto the warehouse floor. Dante stood on the monster's back, pushing the blade further through the back of Parasite's head.

"You can take the energy, you can take the powers, you can take the knowledge to use them, but it doesn't matter if you just suck at fighting!" Dante said, jumping off as Parasite reached for him.

He stared down his enemy, watching as Parasite healed another fatal wound.

Dante's breathing got heavier. This bastard could heal from every attack and dish them back equally. Every touch drained his energy and gave him an edge. There had to be a weakness, something that he could exploit, but what?

He held Rebellion to the side, readying a charge. Parasite set his feet, and the two ran at each other.

The wall of the warehouse caved in, a blue and red blur punching Parasite through the wall on the opposite end of the building.

Dante huffed, and looked to Superman.

"I'm no damsel in distress, Supes." Dante said, "I can save myself."

"Be that as it may," Superman said, walking past Dante, "Parasite is my rogue. I'll deal with him." he walked through the hole in the wall.

Dante followed him out, "Better learn to share cause if he's fighting me he's my rogue."

Parasite chuckled, the monster standing up and shoving aside a forklift, "Don't worry, I have enough to go around!" A shadowed copy of Parasite appeared next to him.

"Ah, well, would you look at that." Dante said to Superman, "Have fun!" He rushed in to fight the Parasite duplicate.

"Dante, wait!" Superman called out but the devil hunter was gone and ignoring him. He grunted in frustration. This could have been a simple fix, but now it was gonna be more complicated.

"Superman," Parasite growled eagerly. The predator approached the kryptonian slowly, "I've been waiting months for this!"

"To see the same result, Rudy?" Superman asked as his eyes glow red.

Parasite switched on Quicksilver, expecting to gain a quick edge on Superman, but Superman's massively superior speed still helped him out pace the mutant. Parasite swung a punch at Superman, only to miss as the Man of Steel casually flew aside to dodge faster than his eyes could catch.

Having fought this rogue more than once, Superman knew better than to attack with his heat vision or his fists.

Superman grabbed hold of a massive metal cargo container, swinging it at Parasite and hitting him hard, damn near knocking the creature off its feet. Superman hit him again and again before ramming the container at Parasite longways, driving the creature into another cargo container and crushing it against it.

Superman took a quick glance at Dante, who seemed to be having a leisurely time fighting the doppelganger. Dante shot several demonically charged bullets at the clone, its form shuddering as it struggled to hold stable. The son of Sparda had to take the clone. Doppelgangers couldn't use styles themselves and their martial skills were only as good as the one that formed it. One likely wouldn't be able to take one of these things out without supernatural weaponry, something Superman was lacking. Dante wouldn't tell the kryptonian, but he was banking on Superman revealing some sort of weakness that he could capitalize on.

The cargo containers rumbled, grabbing Superman's attention. He stood still as they exploded into metal bits, the shards bouncing off of him.

Both Superman and Dante were in awe of what they saw.

Parasite both screamed and laughed in madness, a purple flame aura cloaking his body. His white eyes turned red and a dark fiery aura enveloped his body.

"I'm loving this power!" Parasite cried out.

"Oh bullshit." Dante groaned, "He can use that but I can't?"

Before Superman could even register it, Parasite phased in and hit him with a right hook, knocking him back and further into the city.

Immediately stopping with the games, Dante charged a shot from Ebony and blew away the doppelganger.

Superman's back hit an empty parked car, caving the vehicle in. The nearby civilians saw the scene and turned to run. Superman didn't know what to think, somehow Parasite just managed to double his strength. The fiend was rushing towards him, his heavy feet shattering the cement in his pursuit. Superman looked left and right in worry, but not for his own safety.

"Rudy stop, there's people here!" Superman begged.

Parasite closed the distance in under a second, bringing his hands up over Superman, "You see people, I see pick me ups!" Before he could bring his fists down, Superman grabbed the car behind him and swung it into Parasite, smashing it into scrap that barely made the villain stumble. He followed up with a shoulder charge, making sure to ram Parasite with the clothed area of his body to stumble him. Parasite countered with a kick that sent Clark back next to a minivan.

Superman picked up the minivan and tossed it at Parasite who jumped up high to dodge. The van hit the pavement and exploded.

Parasite was shot out of the air by Dante's charged shotgun. The son of Sparda stepped up next to Superman while flipcocking his gun,

"If you're gonna use the car someone's making payments on as a weapon, could you at least not… miss?" Dante asked him with a deadpan look.

Superman waved him off, "It's a law that everyone in this city needs disaster insurance. It helps to follow the rules sometimes."

"I'd hate to be the guy who just worked a 10 hour shift and has to deal with that."

Parasite got up. Superman turned to Dante, "Look I know you're not a team player, but there's a way to-" Superman was knocked away by a punch from Parasite, who immediately followed up with a swing of his forearm at Dante who blocked but was still knocked into a woman's clothing store.

Parasite followed him there. The fiend stepped inside the store and spotted the terrified owners. He growled predatorily. He could use another snack. Parasite flung his tendril laden arm at the civilians who screamed. Parasite roared as a sword launched through his arm and pinned it to the store wall. Dante casually walked up, shrugging off the bra that snagged his shoulder.

"To think you could get even uglier." Dante said, "You're starting to look like a loogie with teeth." he glanced at the store owners, "Beat it." And they ran out.

Parasite growled furiously. Just before he could grab the sword with his free hand, Dante called it back to his own hand telepathically. The demon hunter stood his ground as Parasite set himself to charge again.

Before he could, Superman phased in and grabbed Parasite, getting him in a chokehold from behind. The mutant thrashed, smashing the store walls out before Superman flung the both of them outside of the store and back into the streets. The skin around Parasite's neck glowed as he absorbed Superman's energy, the monster getting even bigger. Superman's hold was beginning to slip, "Dante hit him, hit him now!"

Dante shot in and stabbed the mutant through the gut. Superman fazed out and away a nanosecond before impact, just barely dodging Dante's blade.

Parasite gasped and sputtered, grabbing at the sword that impaled his stomach. Satisfied with this reaction, Dante pulled the sword and let Parasite fall to his knees.

"That's different." Dante said as he and Superman stood over the monster. Parasite's stab wound struggled to close, seeming to flare open and sow shut repeatedly.

"Parasite may take the strengths of his targets, but he also takes their weaknesses." Superman said. He jerked a thumb to himself, "He gained your ability to heal and he took my weakness to magic. For him it's incongruous."

"Good, means he won't heal from this," Dante pulled Ebony and aimed it at Parasite, only for Superman to grab his wrist.

"Not necessary." Superman said, holding Dante's wrist, "The effects of his energy drain will wear off, he'll get treated, and he'll be back in custody. No need to kill."

Dante jerked his wrist out of Superman's vice-like grip. He eyed the hero, "Whatever man. I'd hate to take your playmate from you."

Police sirens were fast approaching, a signal for Dante to leave. He walked away from Superman. He could feel the kryptonian's stare as he shook his head.

Dante could hear distant claps and cheers coming from all around. He looked to see the civilians that were kept at bay by the distant police blockades cheering at the actions of the heroes.

-DMC-

Dante stepped out of a boomtube and back into his bedroom. He took out his communicator, "Appreciate it Cy." he said into it.

"Anytime bud." Cyborg's voice responded.

He shed his jacket and dwelled further on his thoughts as he sat at the edge of his bed.

He was bound to see Parasite again sometime down the line. That monster was more trouble than he thought. Him not having an exploitable weakness of his own was just properly used against him. Even in some of his toughest fights, he could rely on wearing down his enemy and winning by attrition, or hammering it where it was vulnerable.

He hated to admit it, but had Superman not shown up, he wasn't confident that he could find a way to put that bastard down before it grew too strong for him to handle.

He didn't like that. If there were enemies he couldn't take down on his own, then that meant there were enemies here that could challenge him in ways his enemies back home couldn't. He didn't mind having allies, but being in a situation where he needed his allies' aid didn't sit well with him.

Dante stepped into the watchtower gym. It was being occupied by Ice and Vigilante; Ice using the treadmill and Vigilante doing pull ups. Strangely, the cowboy was still wearing his bandana and hat. Dante approached one of the machines that caught his attention.

It was like a high tech bench and barbell system, with the weights on the bar being massive metal computerized blocks. The blocks had dials built into the sides, with a screen that read 'Class 1' right above the dials. He turned the dial and watched the screen change to 'Class 50' then turned it some more for it to say, 'Class 100', then turned the dial once more for it to read 'Class K'.

He wasn't versed in how this thing worked, but he kept it at this setting. He shed his shirt, an act that made Ice nearly trip on the treadmill.

He lay back on the bench and picked up the bar, pressing it down to his chest and pushing it away. It was like he was bench pressing a cargo ship, but it was a weight he was much more than comfortable with.

Just as he completed his set, Wonder Woman approached him, standing over him, "Superman told me about Metropolis earlier."

"Yep." Dante said, keeping his hands on the bar before starting a second set, "Hey lady, apparently people actually like you guys doing the whole catch and release thing. I don't get it, but whatever. It's not worth my time arguing about it."

"I want you to get along with us, Dante." Wonder Woman said, "I know you're used to handling issues your way. I'm certain the public of where you're from approves-"

"Hey, what I do is thankless." Dante said, continuing his lift, "Where I'm from folks hire me to take out demons and other monsters that threaten innocent people. 8 times out of 10, I don't get paid for the work I do. 4 times out of those 8, people charge me for the work they hired me for." He set the bar back, "I don't call myself a hero. You guys assume I am. If I clip something it's because I think it's going to come back to harm someone. Simple as that. I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation."

Wonder Woman heard him out, "All I'll ask, Dante, is that you consider the rest of us. Our world is extremely dangerous. The public needs to trust us to do the right thing. If they can't trust us then they have no hope." Before she turned away she told him, "You may not be with the League officially but you're beginning to be looked at as an affiliate. That means that the things you do will reflect on the rest of the organization." Dante watched her walk away, "Please don't disappoint."

-DMC-

(Atlantic Ocean, dozens of miles from land)

A lone fisher boat sat over the Atlantic waters.

Three fisherman worked on the boat, the leader of the trio adjusting his vest as he shook the bucket containing their meager hall.

"Not much activity going on." The fisherman said, "I'm thinking of taking us out another 10 miles."

Another fisherman who sat at the top of the crows nest turned and looked down at the third, a man who sat at the edge of the boat, "What are you doing, Bill? You gonna chum that water or not?!"

"Why don't you take a turn?!" the third called back, pulling his cigar from his mouth and tossing it into the water. He grabbed the chum bucket. He cringed his nose at the smell of bloody fish bits, "I'd love to get paid sitting on my ass." He set the bucket down at the edge of the boat. He took a handful of the chum, and held it over the edge. Before he could drop it, something grabbed his hand, and dragged him into the water.

The other two fisherman turned to the yelp and splash of water. They saw Bill was gone and the chum bucket was at the edge of the boat.

"What, did he fall in?" the leader said as he walked up to the edge. The two fishermen watched horrifically as the water turned red… but not from chum.

The men shrieked in shock as something jumped from the water and landed on the boat. They came face to face with some sort of monster fishman. Another one jumped on the boat, the two monsters immediately jumping the lead fisherman and eating him. The lone fisherman screamed in terror as three more of the monsters jumped out of the water and on to the boat.

The three of them climbed up the ship with the defenseless man in their sights.

-DMC-

A family played at the beach; husband and wife sunbathing while their son and daughter play in the sand and water.

The boy noticed something in the water, "Daddy daddy, there's a shark in the water!"

The father looked into the water, seeing some type of odd fin. The man squinted, "That's not a shark."

Soon several more of the odd fins surfaced, before several Trench monsters stormed the beach and the families there.

Dozens of police and Swat cars pulled into the beach, weapons readied to combat the madness.

"What are these things?!"

Quickly the trench creatures engaged the police officers,

"Just open fire!"

The bullets hit the creatures but hardly slowed them down. They tore into the police officers.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter watched the news reports covering the attacks on numerous cities.

"Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Newport, Miami, Cape May…" Wonder Woman listed.

"They're invading from beaches all over the east coast, right out of the Atlantic Ocean." Superman said. One screen in the surveillance room showed a map of the United States, and another screen centered on the northeast. Red dots marked areas that were being ambushed.

"Something must have happened to Aquaman." Manhunter said grimly, "He would have never allowed this."

This was bad. Superman immediately went to the intercom.

Dante lay on his bed, arms folded behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.

"*Justice League, rally up, we have an emergency!*" Superman's voice rang out.

Dante sat up in the bed. He smirked, "Sounds like a party."

-DMC-

A/N: Sorry guys. For those who care, I had moved up the ladder at work. More responsibility and thus more stress. Wasn't in a good mental place to write. But, I pulled it together.

Could Parasite realistically absorb Dante's energy? I dunno. Made for a fight that was fun for me to write though. He's a villain that gives Superman trouble by way of copying powers and strengths. He just used Dante's strengths against him so there's my justification for the struggle.

The Atlantis conflict is going to set the stage for the next couple of chapters. I'm excited to touch on it.

It's been a minute so I had to get myself back into the swing of things. Lemme know your thoughts and all that. What you liked, hated, think I should have done differently.

Till next time!