After Batman lost his cowl, his messy hair fluttered in the wind like wild grass, but he didn't care. His focus was locked entirely on the Siberian Husky before him.
"Is that really the Speed Force?" His deep, steady voice wavered for the first time.
"That's right," Malrick replied calmly. "My Lil' Krypto is a bit special. He possesses the same Speed Force as the Flash—capable of doing things like traveling through time and altering the past."
The roaring wind over the dunes filled the silence, yet everyone's heavy breathing was still audible.
Batman, Deathstroke, Cyborg, Mera… their eyes all turned toward Malrick's clone—the Black Light projection—and the dog beside him. It was as though they were staring at the greatest treasure in the universe.
Their gazes gleamed with awe and desperate hope.
Even Tony Stark couldn't hide his excitement. "Wait… your clone, this Lil' Krypto—he can actually use Flash's abilities?"
Malrick only nodded, amused. Tony rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind racing faster than his armor's processors. "If the Speed Force can really change the past, then everything's different."
In the DC universe, the Speed Force symbolized hope born in despair. And now, that hope had appeared right before them.
"No need to rebuild Earth anymore." Batman straightened, his once-weary eyes burning with renewed determination. The pain that had weighed down his voice was replaced by fire. "We're going to Apokolips—to find Darkseid!"
He tore off his cape, revealing the battle-hardened armor beneath.
"Malrick," Batman said, tightening his wrist guards. "You and your allies will remain on Earth. Don't wait long—we'll bring back every piece of intelligence from Apokolips."
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Just you? And what if you don't come back?"
Batman gave a rare, grim smile. "Then it means we got what we came for."
It was the first smile he'd managed in a long time. His face—so strikingly similar to Ben Affleck's—was hardened but resolute.
"No matter what," he continued, "the intelligence will reach you. When the time comes to restart the world, tell the past me this—Lois is the key."
No one objected to his plan. They all knew this was a one-way mission.
But if the world could truly be restarted, they'd die content—so long as they took a few of Darkseid's monsters down first.
The seven-person team began checking their gear.
The Joker tucked a stolen laser weapon into his belt, grinning like a lunatic as he hummed a twisted tune.
Listen closely, and you'd hear the words: "Kill that Batman."
He was never happier than when Batman's name was on his lips.
Deathstroke and Mera cleaned their weapons methodically, while Doctor Fate hovered in the air, silent and ready. Atom and Cyborg exchanged glances, their eyes hardened.
They weren't the Justice League anymore—they were outlaws preparing for their final stand.
The billions who'd vanished from Earth fueled their fury.
They wouldn't rest until Apokolips burned.
"Good plan," Malrick said finally. "But going after Darkseid on Apokolips—that was my idea first."
Batman stopped, his expression unreadable. "No. You can't go to Apokolips."
He looked at Malrick with grave seriousness. "You and Lil' Krypto are our last hope. Your task is to wait here, receive the data, then restart the world and lead the fight against Darkseid with what we learn."
Malrick shook his head slowly. "Bruce, you're not the only one who has a score to settle with him."
Behind him, two figures stepped forward—Diana, her dark-gold armor gleaming beneath the dying sunlight, and Kara, her Shazam energy crackling with raw power.
Diana's eyes burned with fury over the loss of Themyscira. Kara clenched her fists, anger rising from seeing her cousin enslaved.
Even Tony stepped forward, his voice low and steady. "Darkseid turned your world into hell, Bruce. You think we'd sit this one out?"
The old wizard beside them grumbled impatiently. "Quit the speeches and finish this, boy. Shazam's duty is to strike down tyrants."
Batman studied their faces—the resolve, the rage, the unity. "The Diana of our world isn't yours," he said softly. "And Clark might not be the same cousin this Kryptonian once knew. You don't need to fight for what happened here."
Tony stepped closer, activating his armor. "You're wrong. We Avengers don't ignore attacks on Earth—no matter which Earth it is."
"Avengers…" Batman repeated the word, almost thoughtfully. "That's right. We're all Avengers now."
Tony smiled and extended his hand. "Then you need us, Batman. Leave Krypto here. Let's go to Apokolips together—and step on Darkseid's throne while we're at it."
His tone turned darkly humorous. "If a lack of parental love made him a butcher, I've got some experience dealing with fatherless egomaniacs."
Malrick sighed quietly but couldn't help smirking. Batman knew there was no changing their minds now.
He looked around one final time. "Then let's move together."
Tony clapped his hands. "Excellent! In that case, we're forming a new organization."
He turned, his armor reflecting the burning horizon. "A new team needs a name. How about… the Avengers?"
Mera spun her spear with a flash of silver and smiled. "A fitting name."
Atom and Cyborg exchanged knowing glances. They'd read the Marvel comics before—so the name made them chuckle—but they said nothing.
And just like that, a new alliance was born.
Malrick left his Black Light clone—the Siberian Husky Krypto—behind on Earth as the others prepared for battle.
Tony, clad in his Anti-Superman armor, took the lead. A sleek, circular shield emerged from his arm as he raised it high.
"Avengers!" he shouted. "Assemble!"
For a moment, he looked impossibly heroic—until the silence hit.
No lightning. No dramatic cue. Just awkward quiet.
Batman broke it with a low murmur. "We can hijack one of Darkseid's ships, force him to open a Boom Tube, then grab a Mother Box to reach Apokolips."
Apokolips was an unknowable distance away. Without interstellar travel, it was nearly impossible.
But Malrick lifted his hand. "No need for all that."
Everyone turned as golden sparks ignited around him. "While you were suiting up, I was working. Darkseid's fleet has been transmitting energy from Earth back to Apokolips. I've traced the signal."
The sparks grew into a swirling golden ring, expanding into a full circle.
Through the glowing portal lay a barren wasteland—and in the distance, countless black structures shimmered like scales.
At the center stood a colossal fortress shaped like Darkseid's head.
"We're here already?" Atom whispered, stunned. "What's the plan?"
Malrick stepped forward without hesitation. "Simple. Use your powers, hit hard, and don't hold back."
Tony's shield folded away as he launched into the air, his armor's thrusters roaring. "Avengers, attack!"
Batman looked back at Earth one last time, memorizing every detail before following through the portal.
And just like that, Earth's last heroes disappeared into the light—marching straight into the jaws of Apocalypse.