Malrick led Tony and the others through the air above the first island chain in East Asia.
Under the shroud of the Bio-field, no one noticed the four extra figures hovering silently above the battlefield.
Tony's sharp eyes scanned the coastline below. "Wait, is that Batman? Don't his suits usually leave his chin exposed? Why is that armor completely sealed? It looks familiar."
Batman was below, directing the troops like a seasoned general. It was clear he was the field commander of this war.
Jarvis's voice chimed through Tony's helmet. "Sir, I've accessed the Justice League database. That's the Hellbat Armor. They forged it not long ago."
As an advanced artificial intelligence, Jarvis had already linked himself into the Earth's new network the moment they returned after the restart. Even combined, Batman and Cyborg couldn't match his infiltration speed.
"Hellbat Armor," Tony murmured. "Why does that sound familiar?"
"In the comics, sir," Jarvis replied, "the Hellbat Armor was forged by the entire Justice League. Superman tempered the outer layer in the heart of the Sun. Cyborg constructed its internal energy systems. Aquaman forged its plates under extreme conditions. Flash accelerated the tempering process, and Wonder Woman enchanted it."
"In that story, Batman used it to storm Apokolips alone to rescue his son, Damian."
Tony blinked in disbelief. "So, in this world, the same heroes helped him build it?"
"Exactly. The League's files record their preparations against Darkseid. Superman entered the Sun to strengthen himself and refine materials. Cyborg upgraded his systems. Aquaman trained beneath crushing ocean pressure. Wonder Woman returned to Themyscira to rally the Amazons. All of them contributed to building the Hellbat Armor."
Tony scoffed. "Then that armor can't be that great. It's a group project. My Anti-Superman Armor was built with my own hands."
"I'm afraid you're mistaken, sir," Jarvis said smoothly. "Based on test data, the Hellbat Armor's performance slightly exceeds your Anti-Superman Armor."
"What!?" Tony's voice cracked in protest. "You're telling me Batman's armor is stronger than mine? Already? I was ahead of him ten minutes ago!"
He glared at Malrick. "You hear that? Even Kal-El helped him forge armor in the Sun!"
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with me, Tony? I'm not your miracle toolkit."
Tony ignored him, muttering under his breath, "Unbelievable. Even Clark's lending him a hand…"
Jarvis added dryly, "Sir, if I may remind you — the Anti-Superman Armor design came from one of the alternate worlds Malrick brought you to."
Malrick gave Jarvis a quick thumbs-up. "Good job, Jarvis."
Tony looked momentarily defeated. "I want to see that data for myself. There's no way his armor outperforms mine. Computers make mistakes."
He turned to Malrick again. "So, when are we heading down?"
"Not yet," Malrick said calmly. "We're not intervening in this battle."
Tony frowned. "Why not? If we help, we could save lives."
Malrick's gaze lingered on the armies below. "Because this isn't our war, Tony. You said it yourself. Batman doesn't want interference. This is their fight — their redemption. The Earth will be reborn through this war."
His expression hardened slightly. "And most importantly, this battle is Batman's personal challenge to Darkseid."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Tell me, Tony, have you ever seen Batman lose a challenge?"
Tony shook his head. "He's never lost, but this isn't a one-on-one. This is a planetary war. The odds are different."
"Then step in only when the time is right," Malrick replied, tapping Tony's chest plate. "The choice is yours."
He turned toward the others. "Diana, Kara — same goes for you. Kal-El and the Amazon army are already down there. Join if you feel you should."
Kara looked down at the man of steel, her voice steady but warm. "Kal doesn't need me watching over him. He's strong — not the helpless baby who left Krypton."
Despite her words, her eyes softened. Through her enhanced vision, she could see Superman and Lois sharing a brief kiss before the battle — whispering their promises to each other. A small, wistful smile curved her lips.
Superman was her last living family in this universe. Seeing him grow into a protector of Earth, finding both strength and love, filled her with quiet pride. The restlessness she'd carried for years began to fade.
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "If they're pushed back, I'll intervene." Her tone grew softer. "I still can't believe Themyscira truly exists again in this restarted world. It's surreal — that woman down there is me, yet not me. We're both Wonder Woman, but not identical."
She sighed lightly. "If we hadn't followed you, Malrick, and left when we did, I'm not sure I could face my other self."
Malrick smirked. "Then you'll have to follow me again when we leave for my universe."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Diana replied with a knowing smile. "I've already seen enough of humanity here. A new world means new lessons."
Below them, the allied armies began to move. Cyborg activated the Mother Box, opening a massive Boom Tube that shimmered like liquid fire.
This time, the gateway was one-way — only allowing travel from Earth to Apokolips. Cyborg had rewritten the code to prevent retreat.
The soldiers marched forward, silent and resolute. Even the heroes of the Justice League only exchanged brief nods before stepping into the portal. This was it — a world-defining war. Humanity's final resistance.
Malrick and his group quietly blended into the mass of troops, stepping through the Boom Tube with them.
Apokolips stretched before them — skies bleeding red, the air thick with ash and despair.
The war had already begun.
The moment the Earth's army arrived, the explosion of the portal drew swarms of Parademons. Waves of steel and fire met the dark tide of monsters in a cataclysmic clash.
Tony whistled low. "Now this is what I call a proper war. Should've been my grand entrance."
Far ahead, in the obsidian temple, Darkseid sat upon his throne, waiting for the mortals bold enough to challenge him.
Batman split the forces into two. He and Cyborg headed for the Apokolips armory. The others advanced toward the throne.
This time, the League wasn't alone. Alongside them fought Black Adam, Shazam, Doctor Fate, and Green Lantern — all recruited by Batman using intelligence from the future.
The battlefield moved according to his plan from the very beginning. Every motion, every strike, was by design.
Tony, hovering above, muttered, "Seriously? Not even a rally cry? Not one dramatic speech?"
Malrick's voice crackled through his comm. "You want Batman to yell, 'Justice League, assemble'? That's Captain America's style, not his."
Tony laughed quietly. "Fair point."