"Lex Luthor opened the Boom Tube, but that wasn't his original intention."
"I spoke with him before Superman killed him."
"To fight Steppenwolf, Superman and the rest of us formed the Justice League."
"What Luthor truly wanted was to dismantle every organization that protected Superman… and then destroy him completely."
"The Red Alliance and the Justice League—both were his targets."
"Even I find it hard to imagine that one man could go to such lengths just to kill Superman."
Batman's deep voice carried a mix of disbelief and regret as he recounted the web of schemes Luthor had spun.
"Luthor first found a master poison maker who survived World War I—Dr. Poison, one of Ares' former subordinates. She still held a deep grudge against Wonder Woman. Luthor used that hatred to draw her into his plan."
"After that, he broke into Atlantis' desert prison and freed two of Aquaman's greatest enemies: Orm, the exiled Atlantean Prince, and the mercenary Black Manta."
"He ordered Dr. Poison to develop a toxin capable of killing even demigods… and used it to murder Diana. Then, he sent Orm and Black Manta back to Atlantis to seize power from Arthur."
"At the same time, he declared war on the Red League, tying up the world's military forces."
"While the world descended into chaos, Luthor analyzed fragments of the Anti-Life Equation etched into the Earth's surface. His true goal wasn't control of governments—it was control of Superman himself."
Batman exhaled slowly, his eyes shadowed by the weight of memory. "He wanted to dominate, or even kill, the Man of Steel using the Anti-Life Equation."
The others in the room were silent, the gravity of Luthor's insanity leaving them speechless.
"Activating the Anti-Life Equation required enormous energy," Batman continued. "Luthor once used a Mother Box to resurrect a Kryptonian corpse into Doomsday. So he ordered Orm to bring him the Mother Box guarded by Atlantis—one of the three that existed on Earth."
"He tried to activate it, but no one could have predicted what would happen next. Instead of unlocking the equation… it opened a Boom Tube."
"And then, Darkseid himself descended."
The weight of that name silenced everyone. Even the air seemed to freeze. Just thinking of Darkseid filled them with dread—a power so vast it crushed hope itself.
Tony Stark broke the silence first. "And then what? Don't tell me Luthor somehow controlled Darkseid?"
Batman shook his head. "No. Darkseid seized the fragment of the Anti-Life Equation that Luthor had discovered."
"What!?" Tony shot up from his seat. "You mean the Anti-Life Equation—the one that can control the free will of every living being across the Multiverse—is in Darkseid's hands!?"
"Only a portion of it," Batman replied evenly. "You seem to know a lot about that thing."
Tony's neck flushed red as panic rose. He had half a mind to grab Malrick and sprint back to the Marvel Universe that instant. "Even a fragment is enough to enslave entire worlds! That equation defines the logic of existence—it can dominate the thoughts of anyone who comes into contact with it!"
Batman stood. "It can control anyone who comes into contact with it?"
"Not necessarily…" Tony hesitated. He almost gave a direct answer, but then smirked slightly, realizing who he was talking to. "Actually, there is one person it probably couldn't control."
Batman raised an eyebrow. "And who would that be?"
"You," Tony said dryly. "If Darkseid tries to control you, just say 'I'm Batman.' That should be enough."
"..." Batman stared at him in silence, expression unreadable.
Malrick snorted, barely suppressing a laugh.
"Tony," he said, shaking his head, "maybe if you said 'I'm Iron Man,' you'd be immune too."
Tony grinned. "Please. If I had the Soul Stone embedded in my forehead, then maybe."
Malrick chuckled. "Actually, an incomplete Anti-Life Equation can be resisted—if your willpower's strong enough."
Batman nodded slightly. "Clark did show signs of resistance when Darkseid took him. He fought the control, briefly."
"It's just that…" Malrick began.
"It's just that Lois's death shattered his will to resist, right?" Batman finished quietly.
He sank back into his chair, his eyes distant. "After Darkseid seized the equation, Luthor realized the horror of what he'd unleashed. He tried to manipulate the situation—to pit Superman and Darkseid against each other, hoping they'd destroy one another."
"But Darkseid refused. He didn't want Superman dead. He wanted him broken—completely under his rule."
Batman's jaw tightened. "Then came the invasion. Apokolips' armies poured across the skies. The Justice League gathered to fight, but it was already too late. Superman sent Lois—pregnant with his child—to the Batcave for protection… under my care, along with Harley Quinn."
His voice lowered, heavy with grief. "Superman believed he'd face Darkseid on the battlefield. But that tyrant, who had witnessed Superman's battle with Steppenwolf, chose to strike where it hurt most. He came to the Batcave himself."
"Lois died beneath the Omega Beams. Harley Quinn… died in my arms."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Even the hum of the machines felt distant. Then, a jagged, unhinged laugh split the air.
The Joker.
He laughed hysterically—half in madness, half in agony. He doubled over coughing, yet kept laughing, his tears glinting under the moonlight.
Batman looked at him but said nothing.
"When Superman returned," Batman continued at last, his tone empty, "he found only ashes. Lois's body had been completely vaporized."
"He lost his mind. That's when Darkseid took control."
"After that, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and countless other heroes fell to Darkseid's armies."
"The Earth itself was conquered. The three Mother Boxes were fused into one. Most of humanity was transformed into Parademons. Darkseid left Superman behind—to rule over what was left."
"To finish consuming the Anti-Life Equation, Darkseid sent his fleet to drain the planet's core. Even now, they're still operating."
Batman's voice dropped to a near whisper. "Earth is little more than an empty shell."
No one spoke.
Kara and Diana trembled, unable to comprehend the sheer cruelty of it.
Tony clenched his fists, his mind flashing back to Thanos. Compared to Darkseid, Thanos almost seemed… merciful. At least the Mad Titan believed in purpose.
Darkseid was destruction—pure and absolute.
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