Chapter 12: Entries and Accidents
It is now a race for South America. Superman's Regime, Atlantis, Batman's Justice League and Teen Titans and Doctor Polaris' Legion are all heading for the exact same location. On their way, Supergirl explains to Batman and the League about the discovery.
"That thing isn't just a symbol. It's called the Anti-Life Equation. It is considered one of, if not, the most dangerous weapon in the entire universe. Anyone that can figure it out can control the free will of all life in the universe, no matter how pure their soul is." Supergirl explained.
"And how do you know this?" Hal asked her.
"We've learned it on Krypton. Our families and those part of its high council have many different histories stored within their records. But its location has been unknown until now." Supergirl answered.
"Do you think Clark knows about it?" Batman asked.
"No. Only I know about its existence. There have been legends that an evil being and his followers that have been trying to find it for centuries. But I'm trying to remember who it is. Do you remember the last alien that came to Earth besides me, Kal and Brainiac?" Supergirl asked.
"Just one as far as I know. But Clark murdered him in cold blood during the rise of the Regime. I have an image of him stored in my database. Perhaps you could recognize him." Batman said. Before he could, they get a signal. Several life signals. "Clark and his friends are almost there. So is the Legion. We better hurry."
The Justice League flies faster to the source, in hopes of beating them there. But there is a bigger threat coming to them.
In space, three very large ships approach Earth. Darkseid stands and stares at the globe motionlessly. His crimson red eyes glow as they approached the blue planet.
"They found it. The Anti Life Equation. For primitive lifeforms, they have done well in finding it for me. But their feeble minds cannot control what they do not understand." Darkseid said.
"My lord." Steppenwolf bends the knee before him. "Four different groups are racing for it. Most of them are human. But as you said, two Kryptonians, a clone, an Amazon, an Atlantian and a Green Lantern."
"There are plenty of trophies for you, general. But no one lays a hand on the kryptonians except me. Not even they can figure out the Anti-Life Equation. Earth will be the first test subject for me once I have the equation." Darkseid said with confidence in his tone.
The Regime were the first to arrive at the equation's location. None of them appear to recognize it. Not even Superman.
"What is this thing?" Superman said as they approached the Anti-Life Equation. He can't seem to make it out.
"Neither can I. I've never seen anything like it while growing up in Themyscira." Diana said.
"Whatever this thing is, it is not part of this world. It must be from beyond the Earth. I cannot understand what this is." Black Adam commented.
"Regardless, we should study this thing. But let's do it after we complete our primary objective. Find a world with Brainiac, kill him and take his tech for ourselves and then Bruce will regret not killing us when he had the chance." Superman reminds them. They toss down Professor Stein and Mister Terrific. "Now, you two. It's time for you both to get to work. Rebuild the Interdimensional gateway. I know you haven't completely destroyed it."
"And should I refuse?" Mister Terrific asked. Then Diana puts her blade in front of Stein's throat.
"Not one trick out of one of you. Otherwise, this one will choke on his own blood." Diana threatened.
"Alright, stop! I'll help! Just let him go! Don't hurt Martin!" Mister Terrific held his hands up in defeat.
"Good. Diana. Damian. Watch them closely." Superman ordered them and they nod.
Mister Terrific and Professor Stein are forced to work together. All they can do is wait for the Justice League and Teen Titans to arrive. They begin to stack these big metal blocks together and making sure they're all connected together. The Regime watches them closely to make sure that they don't do anything funny. Mister Terrific can't do anything without causing trouble, such as using his drones.
Cyborg immediately gets a warning through his systems. "Heads up, y'all. Got dozens of contacts coming right for us. Bruce and Arthur included."
"Arthur? What could bring him here?" Damian asked.
"We're about to find out." Kal-El said.
The Batjet shows up as quickly as possible as it lands with Hal, Flash and Kara waiting for them. The Justice League heads to confront Superman and his team. Batman is once again wearing his Kryptonite enhanced armor. Not only that, but Aquaman and over dozens of his best warriors to combat whatever the possible threat is.
"Not surprised you'd show up, Bruce. I have big plans, and this time, you can't stop me." Superman declared.
"I know you do. And I can't let you do that. You're going to head to another world with Brainiac. Has your experience with facing him and his fleet taught you nothing at all?" Batman asked.
"This time, I'm prepared. And this time, he will die. His tech will belong to me once I bond with it. And when I come back, don't expect your special armor to protect you." Superman said.
"You're insane, Kal-El!" Supergirl called out to him. "I've already lost you once. I thought you died. The last thing I want to see you do is become a tyrant with an iron fist."
"Kara. I'd wish you'd come around and see it our way." Superman tells his cousin.
"Your ego has once again blinded you, Superman!" Aquaman approached with his men.
"Why are you here? I thought you preferred to remain neutral." Diana said.
"Indeed, Diana. But I felt a strong tremor in Atlantis. And I have a feeling it has something to do with that." Aquaman points his trident to the Anti-Life Equation. "What have you done this time?" He accused him.
"I haven't done anything. We found it this way. Scorched into the ground. I thought it was Bruce." Superman defended himself as the Teen Titans arrived.
"No. It was me!" Doctor Polaris shouted, gaining everyone's attention.
"And who might you be?" Superman asked.
"Doctor Polaris. Leader of the Legion. Formed after the fall of the Society and Regime. I have brought us together because we have common interests and goals we like to combine together. That right there is rightfully ours." He introduced himself.
All the Legion members come together. They all recognize most of the members of the Society. Cheetah growls and smiles upon seeing Diana's face again. Wonder Woman brings out her sword, ready to kill her this time, hopefully without interruptions. Flash and Zoom stare at each other. Red Hood steps up and glares at Damian Wayne.
"You don't know what you're getting into, Polaris." Batman said. "What you're seeing right there is very dangerous. Someone beyond Earth is bound to find this thing."
"I'll take my chances, Batman." Polaris shrugs him off.
"Whoever you are, I suggest you leave before things get dirty." Superman said. His eyes are glowing red, ready to fight. "Cyborg. Bring him down."
"With pleasure." Cyborg equipped his arm cannon.
"Cyborg! No!" Hal tries to warn him.
The Justice League run in to stop Cyborg, but Superman, Diana, Adam and Damian attack them.
He aims it at Doctor Polaris. He just hovers off the ground and smirks. But then, Cyborg couldn't move his arm at all. He couldn't even fire. And his head started hurting like crazy.
Doctor Polaris raises a hand slowly and twists it. At the same time, Cyborg's arm slowly turns itself against him, aiming right at his face. With his other hand, Polaris swings it and his other three limbs are pulled off instantly, and Cyborg screams in pain before Polaris taps his thumb and index fingers together. This causes the arm cannon to go off and fire right through his face. He is yanked backward as his face is vaporized, melting off his entire head until there was no head left.
Cyborg hits the ground, all of his limbs pulled apart, motionless and lifeless. The Justice League and Regime stop fighting each other and turn to see what has happened. They were horrified.
Polaris laughs evilly as he demonstrated his powers to everyone with Cyborg becoming his first victim. This leaves everyone angry, particularly Damian and Superman.
"We are prepared to face you all. Legion! Attack!" Doctor Polaris shouted.
All sides began to fight each other, for control over the gateway and the Anti-Life Equation. It was the Justice League and Teen Titans versus the Regime versus the Legion versus Atlantis. They all fight each other fiercely. Jason fuses with Professor Stein and transforms into Firestorm while Mister Terrific , after having finished building the gateway, uses his drones to help fight them off.
As they all battle, Aquaman fights Black Manta. "I am the predator. And you are my prey."
"My trident says otherwise. You always preferred to work alone and yet you stand with these fools?" Aquaman questions his motives.
"I was promised that I would live in a world without you and your disgusting kind. I never forget or forgive what you and Superman did during the Regime's shining time." Black Manta said as he swung his built in blades at Aquaman, who defends himself with his trident.
"Atlantis is off limits to you!" Aquaman replied.
"So was my father! You left him to die instead of saving him!" Black Manta shouted.
"I remember differently." Arthur claimed.
"The last thing you'll remember will be my blades covered in your blood." Black Manta said before they resume fighting.
Aquaman and Black Manta swing their weapons at each other. He swings his trident at his ankles, but Black Manta jumps and this allows him to fire a heat laser at him, sending him back. He then uppercuts Aquaman, sending him into the air before he flies, slams his fists into the king and throws him down. He fires another laser, but Arthur rolls out of the way, slams his trident down, summons a tentacle from the ground, and it wraps itself around one of the Manta's legs and throws him down, back first. He gets up and their weapons lock onto each other. Neither one is backing down.
Wonder Woman engages Wonder Girl. Diana is surprised that someone like her has similar powers and abilities compared to her. Not to mention the similar weapons they have. But there is something else about Cassandra.
"You fight like me, Cassandra. But you're reckless, you don't have as much discipline as I do. You're skilled, but you never trained among us Amazons." Wonder Woman tells her.
"Well, I'm glad I left an impression without even trying." Wonder Girl said before she overpowers her sword and kicks her away. "You still fight like a badass, aunt Diana. I'll give you that."
"You're a demigod alright. It's been a long time since we've seen each other." Wonder Woman realized.
"No thanks to you! Now I get to kick your ass" Cassandra smirks before they continued. They fight evenly until Diana begins to overpower her.
Batman fights evenly against Superman. The latter is learning from his past mistakes the last time they fought each other.
"Your armor may have worked last time, but don't think I'm so blind when I fight." Superman said.
"You've always dived in head first without thinking, Clark. Even before all of this. With Doomsday, with Joker, with me, and then Brainiac." Batman replied.
"Action speaks louder than words, Bruce." Superman said. He fires his heat vision, which Batman blocks with his bladed gauntlets shielded in Kryptonite. Then Kal-El charges in and delivers a strong kick to Bruce's chest, sending him backwards. Batman kicks back up and throws down a smoke bomb and disappears.
Superman sees that he suddenly vanished. Batman attempts to surprise him from above, but Superman uses his super hearing and grabs Batman by the throat. He slams him into the ground, back first.
"You're running out of tricks, Bruce. Unlike you, I don't get tired." Superman declared. Before he could do anything, he was suddenly electrocuted by a Kryptonite taser to the stomach, allowing Batman to kick him off.
"I'm still fighting, Clark. I have been fighting before I met you. And I'm willing to put my life down to stop you." Batman said.
"Is that right? Well then, let's see if you're willing to go that far to give up your own life." Superman said.
The two friends turned enemies and charged at each other. Batman goes for a kick while Superman goes for an uppercut. Before they could make contact with each other, two lasers fires in a straight line between the two, causing an explosion and knocking them back. The two turn to see who was responsible for doing this. This also causes everyone to stop what they're doing and turn their attention.
The person who fired the lasers was none other than Darkseid himself. He is hovering in the air, in front of his own ship with his arms behind his back. And behind him is his general Steppenwolf, wielding his giant sword.
No one seems to recognize him or anyone behind him. Supergirl steps closer and tries to see if she knows him. Something about him feels all too familiar to her.
"Civilians of Earth. Cease all hostilities. Pay attention to the new god. You have uncovered what rightfully belongs to me. The Anti-Life Equation." Darkseid said to everyone.
"I don't think so!" Doctor Polaris lifts his hands up in the air and throws more sharp metal, but his general Steppenwolf comes up and swings his weapon at all of the objects within the air.
"None shall harm the lord!" Steppenwolf said.
"Calm now, general." Darkseid places a hand on his shoulder before turning back to everyone. "I am here to claim the equation. And to destroy the ones responsible for the death of my son, Kalibak."
"I don't know who you're talking about, but whoever you are, you won't get in my way of rebuilding what I lost!" Superman tightens his hands as he charges at Darkseid. Darkseid does the same and catches Superman's fist easily and throws him down to the ground hard.
"Kal!" Diana called out to him. Luckily, Superman was able to get back up and angrily stares at Darkseid.
"Parademons!" Darkseid ordered them before he extended his arm out, giving them the go ahead to attack them.
Parademons roar and fly in to attack. Some of them fire their laser guns while some breath fire. Everyone managed to avoid their attacks. But the Parademons attack very violently while fighting up close. Batman jumps off of one's shoulders and fires a net gun and pins it to the ground while Superman uses his super breath and Supergirl uses her ice breath. Wonder Woman cuts them down with her sword. Black Manta fights them off while trying to kill Aquaman, who is just as preoccupied as everyone else is.
In fact, the Legion are also focused on trying to kill the heroes despite being outnumbered by them and the aliens. Darkseid and Steppenwolf land on the ground as they slowly approach them just as the dimension machine is just about completed and activated. It looks like a small barrier, until it grows larger and forms into a cube, and it acts as a mysterious portal.
Steppenwolf sees Wonder Woman being ganged up on by Parademons and shouts at them. "Back away! All of you! This one is mine!"
The Parademons obey his command and step away from Diana.
"Come to finish me yourself? You must have a death wish." Wonder Woman said, taking a stance.
"The scent of your blood is familiar to me. I shall taste it for myself and see why." Steppenwolf points his sword at her. They yell as they fight.
Darkseid slowly walks closer as some of the heroes try to attack him. Damian jumps with his sword, only for Darkseid to grab it effortlessly and toss him aside. Black Adam shoots lightning at him, injuring him a little, but Darkseid suddenly flies up and shoulder bashes him into the sky, sending him far away. Cheetah runs on all fours, leaps off a rock and attempts to go for his face, only for Darkseid to backhand her away, defeating her instantly. Then Flash comes in and lands some blows onto his legs and a few strong kicks to the head and chest. He was running so fast, Darkseid was having a difficult time keeping track of his movements.
"Not bad for a metahuman. But let's see you try to avoid this." Darkseid fires his Omega Beams at Flash. He runs as fast as he could to avoid the Omega Beams, but no matter how hard he tried, they are keeping up with him and they're getting closer.
Flash sees the gateway activated. He suddenly gets an idea. He wants to prevent him or Superman from stepping through the gateway to another world. So he lures the beams over to him. But then, the Omega Beams managed to hit both him and the gateway. Barry's back is slightly burnt from the attack.
When he gets up, he sees static showing up from one of the corners of the machine. He hears beeping and the whole gateway begins glowing.
"Uh-oh. That can't be good." Barry said. "Bruce! We got a problem!"
Batman turns his attention towards the gateway, which is now malfunctioning. "Oh no. Michael! Can you stop this?"
Michael tries to reach the controls, but his hand is shocked upon touching the controls. "No! It's beginning to explode! Everyone run! Take cover!"
Everyone hears Mister Terrific, including Darkseid and Steppenwolf. Superman sees this and tries to get to the portal, but Diana puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Kal-El! Don't! You could be killed!" Diana tries to warn him, but he pulls himself away from her.
"We need to get there! Now! It's the only way! Now!" Superman shouted. Diana was rather reluctant to follow through with this. She knows Kal-El better than anyone, but she'd never thought he'd be this stubborn.
"Too late!" Batman warned him. The blue entrance expands and explodes, engulfing everyone within its presence. A bright light blinds them for a few moments before they all vanished. The technology included. Where did everyone go?
Note: And then enters Darkseid. One of the most powerful DC villains ever. And soon, worlds will collide.