#0: Justice Falls (IXE FINALE)

Once upon a time, there was a lovely blue and green world called Earth… For billions of years it existed peacefully within the universe, untouched and mostly unnoticed by the fearsome entities that lurk in the vast darkness of the cosmic ocean. It was such an insignificant speck; who would ever imagine the fate of the Multiverse would be decided there…?

Aquaman led the new arrivals down the gently curving corridor, talking as he went.

“This place, which they call Supertown, stretches almost the entire length of the Marianas Trench, and is constructed of the most amazing alien tech. They’re light years beyond anything we have in Atlantis, even…”

Trailing behind with the Martian Manhunter and gawking at the transparent bubble that separated them from the black waters of the primordial ocean depths, the Flash gave out a low impressed whistle. “Unbelievable. The pressure down here is enough to crush most metal!”

Green Lantern shook his head. “And I was going to go skinny-dipping later...”

“That would be inadvisable.” Aquaman shot back over his shoulder. “There are more dangers in the Deep Places than water pressure.” He warned, then turned back to Superman, who was walking at his side now.

“So this is what the New Gods have been working on so secretly all these years…” The Man of Steel noted. “A new home. A new Genesis, to replace the one destroyed in their war with Apokolips…”

“Yes. You should see the rest of this place. It’s a paradise.” Enthused the King of the Seven Seas.

“It rivals the beauty and elegance of Olympus itself.” Wonder Woman agreed, walking behind Superman and Aquaman.

At her side, Batman said: “But it all means nothing, now. Darkseid knows it’s here, and he won’t rest until he destroys it.”

Aquaman nodded, but replied: “True. But the New Gods don’t intend to stay here.”

Before he could explain that cryptic remark, they came upon a wide, open area. It was a garden, filled with weird and wondrous foliage and design, stretching majestically in all directions. The heroes of Earth stood in amazement at the serenity and beauty all around them, and for a moment were unable to speak.

An ache for the lost grandeur of Mars rose in the breast of J’onn J’onzz, and he savored it for a moment, then regretfully stuffed it aside.

A crowd of people gathered in the garden, seated in a natural amphitheatre ranged around a tinkling crystalline fountain. The Highfather stood by the fountain, solemnly bearing the staff of his office.

The New Gods were gathered in council.

“Friends and allies of Earth.” Spoke Izaya as they joined him by the fountain. “Be welcomed to the Gardens of Avia, in this, the most desperate of hours. And fear not! This place is shielded from the theta-waves the Tyrant of Apokolips rains down upon the world.” He raised his crook-staff, and it flared with a golden light. “As long as we are True, the Source is with us. But time is short! Darkseid’s power grows with each passing moment. If we are to end his threat, we must act swiftly. Our ultimate crisis is upon us!”

The Council of the New Gods had begun.

When the excited and nervous murmurs had died down, it was Superman again who spoke.

“Where’s the Source Wall? For that matter, what’s the Source? What are we---.”

Metron interrupted him. “The Source is the cosmic force that binds all of reality together. It is the very essence of life and anti-life. The Source is what dictates that you should gain the powers of a god under a yellow sun, but loose them altogether under a red. The Source is inescapable, undeniable and ineluctable. Highfather Izaya wields a small measure of it, but Darkseid would consume it. He would weave himself into every facet of existence, carve his name into the very molecular structure of all realities. In short, he seeks to become Omnipotent. The God of gods.”

Wonder Woman gasped. “Can he do such a thing?”

Metron shrugged. “Who’s to say? That it has never been done does not mean that it cannot be accomplished. Many have tried, including Darkseid’s own father, Yuga Khan. These failures now, and for all eternity, lay embedded in the Source Wall, as a warning to those seeking the Power Infinite. But then, no one before has possessed the Anti-Life Equation…”

“What is this Source Wall?” Martian Manhunter spoke for them all.

“It exists beyond space and time, at the end of the multiverse, and stretches across creation. None know what lies beyond it. None have pierced it. But it is said, in the Prophecies of the Old Gods, that the Wall guards the font of the Source. If Darkseid breaks through, he will have done what is not meant to do…”

Orion stepped forward, his every muscle straining for combat. “The old prophecies say much else, Seeker.”

Metron eyed the Dog of War, his brow arching.

“Ah. ‘The son shall meet the father in the red glow of the fire pits and there decide the fate of worlds.’ By all means, Orion, bring the vaunted Astro-force against the Tyrant of Apokolips. It should provide at least a moment’s amusement.”

A low growl began deep in Orion’s chest, and his teeth clenched.

“Wait. What? Son? This guy is Darkseid’s son?!?” The Flash sputtered, half rising. Green Lantern grabbed his arm before he could get any further, but also looked up, a question in his eyes.

“Orion is the scion of Darkseid.” The Highfather admitted to the heroes of Earth. “But unlike Kalibak and Gravyn, Orion was raised on Genesis and taught to revere life. He is as implacable a foe to his father as we all are. More so, for only he truly knows the darkness that lurks in the soulless heart of the Tyrant of Apokolips.”

“Metron,” Lightray asked in his calm, bright voice. “If it is as you suggest, than what hope do we have?”

“I do not bring hope.” Metron answered. “Merely information. It is but a matter of hours before Darkseid launches his assault on the Wall and makes his bid for ultimate power.”

“And yet you wouldn’t be here if the end of this was a foregone conclusion.” Batman interjected. “If Darkseid is triumphant, how long would he suffer your meddling?” He held up his Mother Box and waved it suggestively.

Metron turned his whole chair toward the heroes of Earth, as if taking their measure for the first time. He considered them for a moment, his lips tightening.

“Yes.” He conceded. “I no more want to see Darkseid succeed than you do. He must be stopped.”

“Then there is a way!” Superman pursued. “Just tell us---.”

“I have indicated no such thing!” Metron snapped, his first flash of anger. “I only assert that he cannot be allowed to succeed. But while he wields the Anti-Life Equation, Darkseid is invincible…” He trailed off, suddenly thoughtful. “And yet, the Equation is a double-edged sword. Even one such as he cannot possess it long without succumbing to madness…”

“Oh great,” Green Lantern rolled his eyes and whispered to the Flash. “That’s just what we need: an insane Darkseid.”

If Metron heard the hero, he gave no indication, continuing his musings. “Of course, he will make his move against the Source long before that moment…”

“But what if there was a way to alter the Equation… change the rules.” Batman pressed. Metron glanced at him sharply, but indicated that he should elaborate. “Wonder Woman’s lasso negates the effect of it, so it isn’t all-powerful…” He frowned, struggling to work out a cosmic calculus so far removed from anything in his realm of experience. “If we could find a way to use it against him… Make him vulnerable… Then we stand a chance…!”

A silence more profound and deep than before fell over the Gardens of Avia. Metron fixed Batman with a look that sought to peel away the layers of the Dark Knight’s very substance, to reveal the depths hidden there. Everyone, even the Highfather seemed to be holding their breath.

Superman looked from Metron to Batman, hope in his eyes.

Then the Seeker spoke. “There just may be a way…”

A spontaneous cheer rose up from the assembled gods and heroes, and Metron told them his plan…

Barbara Gordon lowered the binoculars, and frowned. From the top of the bombed out building that had once been Granny Goodness’ orphanage, but was now the captured headquarters of the Hunger Dog rebellion, she was able to see Darkseid just standing on the mountain outside the city.

“What’s he doing?” Said the woman at her side. Huntress, like Babs and Adrian both, had long since discarded her mask and was rubbing the exhaustion out of her eyes. The battle for the orphanage had been brutal and long, but under Batgirl’s hitherto unknown tactical leadership, unexpectedly successful.

“Nothing.” Babs frowned and checked again. “Actually, it is extremely unnerving.” She lowered the glasses and the two friends hopped down from the ledge and joined the other leaders of the revolt, gathered around a bound but still fierce-looking young woman.

“Who do we have here?” Babs asked as grey-haired Himon finished securing the squirming prisoner.

“Her name is Gilotina.” Answered Himon’s daughter, Bekka. She carried a plasma gun, slung over her shoulder, and a variety of smaller arms on her hip. “She’s one of Granny’s little pets. A Female Fury-in-training.”

“When Granny finds out what you’ve done, there won’t even be enough left of you for the hellhounds!” Spat Gilotina, struggling to break her bonds.

Unceremoniously, the young woman was bashed atop her head with the butt of a rifle, instantly loosing consciousness. Adrian Chase, his forehead wrapped in a bloody bandage stared at them unapologetically.

Zatanna shook her head disapprovingly. “I could have just---.” She wiggled her fingers suggestively.

She was interrupted by the loud crack of a boom tube, and the sudden arrival of Big Barda and Mister Miracle!

“Here?” Scott asked with some amusement, recognizing at once where they were. “Of all places, you brought us here?”

The Hunger Dogs reacted as one, drawing their weapons on them.

“You’d prefer we go back to the Infinity Pit?” Barda snapped, with one eye on the hostile expressions of the Hunger Dogs.

“No, no.” Scott smiled ruefully, rubbing his chin, then sighed. “Home, sweet home, it is!”

Batgirl cleared her throat loudly, getting the attention of the new arrivals.

They stared at her.

“By the Source, Scott!” Himon exclaimed, and with tears in his eyes, rushed to embrace Mister Miracle. “And Barda…? But how…?”

“No time to explain, old friend. I’m afraid we have some bad, and some worse news.”

“What is it?” Bekka bit her lip. “Is it Orion…?”

Mister Miracle shook his head. “No, Bekka, but Orion is alive and safe. I was with him not long ago, on Earth.”

“Earth!” Zatanna exclaimed. “It feels like forever since we’ve been home… What’s happening there?”

Scott’s face fell. “The war goes badly. Apokolips is on the verge of unconditional victory, but there is much resistance. Your superheroes dealt Darkseid a temporary setback, but temporary was all it was. He has the Anti-Life Equation! And even now, he makes ready to seize the Power Infinite!”

Despair stabbed into all of them. All of them but one.

“Then now’s our chance.” Barbara hissed, and they looked at her as if she were mad. “We gather our forces, and hit them now, hard and fast.”

“Barbara…” Huntress shook her head. “Did you hear what he just said? The big bad got his ruby slippers. It’s over…”

“Nothing’s over!” Tears welled in Batgirl’s eyes, and she angrily dashed them away. “Don’t you see? They’ll never expect this from us, on the eve of their total victory. While they’re distracted, we hit them with everything we have! I refuse to leave Dinah and Ollie to rot in that Citadel!”

Huntress was stunned, and the rest of them were speechless by Batgirl’s impassioned plea.

“We can’t beat Darkseid.” Adrian said softly into the pregnant silence. “Not by ourselves.”

“We won’t be by ourselves.” Batgirl shot back. “Others will flock to our banner, rise up against the tyranny of Apokolips. Many already have. You’re here, and you were the captain of his Elite Guard!” She pointed to Barda.

“Nor, I think,” Scott Free interjected. “Have we heard the last from the other heroes of Earth…”

“We can do this!” Babs pressed. “Who’s with me!”

They glanced at each other, as if they were seriously contemplating it. As if the end of the world as they knew it wasn’t hours away.

Huntress could not keep a smile from curling her lips.

“Oh, hell, I’m in.” She said. “Oliver Queen still owes me five bucks and he isn’t getting off this easy…”

“Attention! Final sequence has been engaged. Prepare for imminent launch!”

The words were broadcast across the length and breadth of Supertown, and the New Gods hastened to make any last minute preparations.

The world’s greatest heroes were gathered in the Command Womb of Supertown, along with a crowd of New Gods. Highfather Izaya stood before them all. He spoke and the whole city heard his voice.

“Our last, desperate stand against Darkseid begins now. Our path is clear, our cause is just, and our arms are mighty. We fight now not just for Earth or a new Genesis, but for every living thing in this universe, and a multitude of others--- for those who have gone before us, and for those yet to come. The Tyrant of Apokolips must fall. To this, we pledge our very lives!”

Many voices rose in joint acclaim.

Highfather raised his staff, bathing the entire gathering in its golden radiance.

“May the Source be with us!”

And with that, the offensive began.

Powerful engines of extraterrestrial design suddenly flared to life beneath Supertown with the force of many atomic bombs. Water boiled and churned outside the protective bubble--- and the City of the New Gods began to rise up out of the Marianas Trench!

*Go, my friends, and spread the word,* Aquaman telepathically sent to all undersea life within range. *Rise up in the rivers and lakes. Rise up in the shallow harbors and deep oceans! It is time to strike a blow against the invaders of our home!*

Above the waves, the waters tossed wildly, creating a maelstrom. Then slowly, majestically, shedding water off its dome, Supertown broke the surface. It rose into the air, hovering like a beacon of hope over the Earth--- then shot off across the horizon to meet its destiny.

Gotham.

Aboard the damaged flagship Annihilator, General Steppenwolf, Supreme Commander of the Hordes of Apokolips, stared at the bank of monitor screens, exulting in the imminent victory of his armies across the planet. His nephew, Darkseid, was on the cusp of total mastery, and who better to sit at his right hand than his dear uncle, who had put him on the throne to begin with… And was about to hand him Earth now, as well!

A frantic alarm sounded.

“What is it?” He growled to the junior officer monitoring the scanning arrays.

The officer swallowed heavily and frowned, obviously not liking what he saw. He looked up at Steppenwolf, a puddle growing at his feet.

“I’ll put it on the main screen.” He muttered.

Steppenwolf sucked in a breath at the sight that awaited him. A colossus of Genesian technology was lumbering through the air, fiercely engaged in a pitched battle with a fleet of Apokoliptian battleships. And it was winning. The weapons batteries of Supertown blazed at full strength, cutting through the squadron like a hot knife through butter. Deflector screens saved Supertown from any damage, but all around it, Apokoliptian ships were on-fire or exploding, falling out of the sky.

And Supertown kept rising, slowly, but unimpeded. Headed straight for Apokolips.

“Prepare for lift-off!” Steppenwolf screamed, causing a sudden flurry of activity all around him. “Get me the commander of every battleship on the line right now! We have to intercept that--- whatever that is!”

On some plane, Darkseid was aware of what was going on in the space between the two worlds. But he could hardly be bothered with it. He was suffused with the intricacies of the Anti-Life Equation, supersaturated with the secrets and lore of the Old Gods. He was becoming so much more than he was…!

“Yessss….”

Let them have Earth. Let them have Apokolips! What need he of either of them now? His ascension was imminent. In his mind’s eye, he saw the Source Wall, saw it for what it was: a conundrum, a complexity of unrealities… He could beak it now! He was sure of it. He would part the way and reach beyond to the Source itself, to pluck the overripe fruit of the Multiverse…

He barely registered the boom tube that opened before him on the peak of Mount Megeddon, or the gods and heroes that leapt forth to give him battle…

“Darkseid!” Cried Red Orion, the Dog of War. “The hour of reckoning is at hand! Face me now! Let us at last make an end to our eternal struggle!”

The Lord of Apokolips gazed upon his foes: Orion, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman faced him with grim determination in their eyes.

Somewhere close by, a fire-pit flared, and Darkseid began to laugh.

Batgirl ducked a plasma blast and hurled a makeshift batarang, watching in satisfaction as it slammed into the helmet of the dog soldier taking a bead on one of her men.

Chaos swirled all around her. More and more of the lowlies of Armagetto poured into the courtyard of the Citadel from the hole Big Barda had blasted in the wall--- in fact, in seemed that the entire city had flocked to their cause! But while they were numerous and fighting for their freedom, they were outgunned, under-strength and nearly uncontrollable. The disciplined ranks of dog soldiers and parademons mowed them down with devastating waves of plasma-fire and coordinated maneuvers.

Mister Miracle swooped by on his aero-discs, tossing concussion bombs and whooping in excitement. Barda had waded directly into the thick of the enemy forces, her mega-rod blazing, and was sending bodies flying in all directions. Barbara could only shake her head. She didn’t understand them. Even the Vigilante, her own teammate, seemed to take some relish in the slaughter of the enemy, placing himself constantly at the forefront of every attack. And while Barbara fought for her life, and the lives of those who consented to be led by her, she refused to kill. She always stopped just short of lethal force. She would not let the war do that to her…

Something bumped her from behind, and she was relieved to see it was Helena, covering her back, laying down a wide burst of fire from her scavenged Apokoliptian bowcaster.

From the wall above them, a turret-mounted cannon was firing a fierce barrage at her forces, taking out dozens of her men with each shot. The parademons that manned it chortled and fired indiscriminately.

“I hope you have a plan, Babs, because this is about to get real ugly very fast!”

Batgirl could see her friend was right. They may have broken into the courtyard, but they were also effectively boxed in and surrounded by superior forces. It wouldn’t be long before the battle became a massacre.

She needed her secret weapon.

“Zatanna! Where’s Zee?”

She spotted the sorceress just inside the wall, huddled behind Bekka, Benj and Inda who covered her while she worked spell after spell, growing visibly weaker by the moment.

“The tower! Take out the tower!” Barbara yelled to her over the din of battle.

But her frantic gesticulations had only captured the attention of the tower gunners, and they swung the fearsome weapon around, aiming it at her.

“Oh, hell.” Huntress had noticed it too, swinging her own weapon around, for what it was worth.

The cannon blazed and Babs had just enough time to wonder why her life wasn’t flashing before her eyes--- before she realized someone had interposed himself between her and certain death! All she could see for a moment was the yellow ‘S’ symbol on the flowing red cape in front of her…

“Superman!” Huntress gasped.

The Man of Steel, his chest absorbing the cannon-fire, aimed his heat vision back at the weapon, causing it to explode.

Barbara watched as other reinforcements arrived as well. A red blur streaked through the courtyard, disarming enemy soldiers and sending them sprawling with well-placed--- though unseen--- blows. The Flash skidded to a halt, just long enough for his momentum to send the weapons in his hands hurtling high over the citadel wall. From out of the sky dropped the Martian Manhunter, into the midst of a parademon position, their lasers passing harmlessly through his intangible form. But his fists were solid as he tore into them, laying them out.

Making sure she and Helena were alright, Superman left their side and leaped into the battle. He flew into a knot of dog soldiers, scattering them. He grabbed one of their fallen number by the leg, and swung about with him, using the flailing Apokoliptian as a club.

The tide of battle had almost instantly turned. Finding themselves all but safe for the moment, Batgirl and Huntress just watched as the new arrivals mopped up the enemy resistance.

“Alright, Babs, Gotta admit,” Helena told her. “Bringing in Superman, Martian Manhunter and the Flash… That was a great plan!”

“Yeah.” Barbara sent her friend a bemused smile. “I just wish I had thought of it sooner…”

“You are a greater fool than I thought, Orion, to rouse me.” Darkseid rumbled as the god and the heroes approached him on the slopes of Mount Megeddon. “When I possess the Power Infinite I might have simply thought you out of existence, but now I think I shall squash you like a bug. And I shall take great pleasure from that…”

If his foes trembled at his words, they did not show it. Orion snarled and crouched in a battle stance. Wonder Woman, clad in the ceremonial eagle armor of the Amazon Queen raised her battle ax and glared. Aquaman held aloft the Trident of Neptune and prepared to strike.

“This?” Darkseid surveyed his foes with a sneer. “This is the paltry effort they make against me? A woman, a mortal man, and my own sniveling whelp? It is hardly worth my effort to crush you.” He called upon the Anti-Life Equation and stretched forth his will to seize their own--- but unexpectedly found the way blocked!

“We are under the aegis of Hesta’s lasso, Tyrant. Your foul mind cannot soil ours!” Wonder Woman cried, circling into Darkseid’s blind spot. “May Artemis guide my arm!”

She brought the huge ax down in a massive double handed blow. Darkseid didn’t even attempt to dodge it. It rebounded against the hide of the Tyrant, the force of it sending Diana stumbling backward. But the others did not hesitate. They leaped in after her.

Aquaman aimed the Trident and unleashed a bolt of pure mystic power. It slammed into Darkseid like a fireball, sizzling around him in waves of electricity. But Darkseid shrugged off the blast with barely a step backward. That’s when Orion hit him.

The Dog of War barreled full-tilt into his father, his fists swinging. The strength of the blow caught Darkseid unprepared. The Tyrant staggered under the force of it, but recovered quickly. He lashed out with a punch that sent Orion flying backward into Aquaman, and the two went down, the Trident of Neptune flying out of the Sea King’s hand.

With a fierce war cry, Wonder Woman was back in the fray, leaping on Darkseid from behind. With the haft of her axe under his chin, she wrenched him backward, and nearly off his feet. The dark god actually cried out in surprise, throwing his hands up to grasp the ax. With a mighty heave, he flung her forward over his head, slamming her into the ground. Diana felt the breath leave her body, saw the booted foot descending towards her face.

“NO!”

Aquaman lunged, hitting the dark god and knocking him aside. Taking advantage of Darkseid’s momentary loss of balance, the Sea King landed a punch that would have put a hole in a steel wall--- but barely fazed the Lord of Apokolips. An almost casual backhand sent Aquaman sprawling. The blow would have made paste of a normal man, but Aquaman was only dazed, and not out.

Diana was back on her feet, and not a moment too soon. Darkseid turned back to her, his eyes burning red. The Omega Beams lanced towards her. She threw up her crossed arms, deflecting the attack with her bracelets! The Omega Beams ricocheted back on the dark god, engulfing him with all the violence and pain he had intended for Wonder Woman. He writhed in agony, real agony, the likes of which he had never in all his long life experienced!

The Tyrant fell to his knees, the Omega Effect still dancing around him in sparks. Orion loomed over him, his fists clenched together and poised to strike.

“Now, Father, feel the might of the Astro-force…!” Growled the Dog of War. The blow fell---

And was caught, one handed by Darkseid.

The dark god lifted his head, his already gruesome face twisted in a terrifying rictus of pain and anger. He squeezed his hand, crushing both of Orion’s fists in his. The Dog of War cried out, his knees buckling, and the two switched positions as Darkseid climbed back to his feet, pushing Orion to his knees in front of him.

“You are as pathetic and weak as your vaunted Astro-force.” Darkseid told him, tearing the thick Astro-bands from his son’s forearms. “And I have suffered you long enough.” His arm rose, fist quivering. “Here, in the red glow of the fire-pits of Apokolips, the prophecy is fulfilled. The father slays the son...”

Clark, Jonathan Kent once told his son, it’s good to be good, but it’s better to be lucky.

In that devastated, war-ravaged courtyard on Apokolips, Superman had reason to revel in his luck. Not only had they found the missing Outsiders--- leading a full-scale revolt against Darkseid’s Citadel!--- but here too was just the man they had come to find!

The Flash and the Martian Manhunter wrapped up the final remnants of enemy resistance, as Superman finished explaining their desperate plan to the small gathering.

Mister Miracle floated before the Man of Steel, nodding his head enthusiastically.

“It might just work!” He conceded to Barda.

“It has to,” Superman insisted, and he turned to address the Hunger Dogs that crowded around him. “But we have no time to spare. Even now, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Orion battle Darkseid to---.”

“Orion!” Bekka gasped at the mention of her beloved’s name. “He is here? He has come to at last meet his father in arms?”

“The prophecy!” Himon muttered. “The final battle is upon us then, in truth! The Source help us!”

“Please, there is no time to waste!” The Man of Steel said urgently. He turned back to Scott. “We have to get to Desaad’s lab! Can you find it?”

“Well, I was never what you might call a regular guest at the palace---.”

“I can take you there.” Barda interjected, cutting him off.

“Then it looks like we’re going in the same direction.” Batgirl noted, pointing towards the twisted, burning portcullis leading inside the Citadel. “We were just about to take a tour of the place ourselves.”

Superman went in through the front door--- actually, he took the whole wall with him! The stone and steel façade crumbled under the force of his blow, showering the waiting parademon horde with dust and debris. Nor was he alone. Behind him came the screaming mob of Hunger Dogs, with Batgirl at their head, beckoning them after her into the palace.

The Flash could not wait. He sped past friends and foes alike, the laser blasts of both sides moving as if in slow motion on either side of him. He didn’t bother to navigate the halls of the dank Citadel, but simply vibrated his molecules through walls and living creatures alike.

*Remember what you are looking for.* Came the Martian Manhunter’s voice in his mind. *Metron said the device would be---*

I remember what he said, Manhunter, Flash thought back at him. He had not meant to be curt, but when Barry gave himself over so completely to the Speed Force, which was what he was going to have to do if their plan had any chance of succeeding, he found that even his thoughts were hyper-accelerated.

*Just be careful.* Came J’onn’s soothing voice, hardly betraying the fact that the Martian Manhunter was at that moment pounding together the heads of two parademons. *We can’t do this without you.*

I know, Barry thought as patiently as he could. I will--- Whoa!

A beast of enormous size and ugliness suddenly reared up in front of him, it’s snapping jaws just missing him, but causing him to lose his concentration and crash, headlong, into a wall. He shook his head, dazed, his vision unfocused. The thing lumbered around to face him, its noxious breath making him gag. If it wasn’t the size of a house, he might have called it a bulldog with tusks. Its jaw gaped wide and its shadow covered the Flash…

From his vantage point, Metron watched with some interest now, shielding his face from the massive concussion wave that followed Aquaman’s attack.

Aquaman and Wonder Woman hit the ground, hard, and didn’t get up. But Darkseid stirred immediately, pulling his massive frame from the divot he’d made in the ground.

Perhaps, Metron thought, it is time for me to enter the game…

The dozens of holoscreens showed the invaders progress through the Citadel, and Virman Vundabarr cursed from his over-sized throne. On one of them he saw the Earth woman called Huntress picking off dog soldiers with deadly accuracy, and on another was Granny’s former protégé and the traitress Barda, blasting indiscriminately at ranks of parademons. But by far what caused him the most concern was the image of Superman, pushing relentlessly through the corridors of the Citadel, heading straight for the throne room! In fact, the Earth hero was moments from busting down the door.

But Darkseid had prepared for just such an eventuality. Cackling with delight, the short Prussian-poseur jabbed a button on the throne, then hopped off the seat of power as a nasty-looking cannon rose on hydraulics from the floor below. Vundabarr checked its charge, the shells still glowing a sickly noxious green.

The Kryptonite Cannon should make short work of the so-called Man of Steel!

With one eye on the holo-vid showing Superman’s progress towards the throne room, and the other on the door sure to shatter under the Man of Steel’s imminent blow, Vundabarr was too distracted to see the shadowy figure drop from the ceiling with a cat-like grace, or to hear the figure creeping up behind him.

“Hey, Mr. Wonderful…”

Vundabarr jumped and turned--- just in time to glimpse the snarling face of Oliver Queen before the flying fist turned off all the lights…