Inside the dilapidated storage hall, shadows flicker across battered walls as the four heroes gather, tension thick in the air. Hal Jordan, harnessing his Lantern powers, holds the ominous device aloft as everyone inspects it, searching for any clue to its purpose.
Superman's expression is grave as he leans closer. "So you believe these disappearances and the bombs are connected?"
"They're undeniably linked," Batman replies, his voice clipped and resolute. The weight of his conviction settles over the group.
Hal's features twist in concern. "So, these monsters... what are they?"
Batman doesn't hesitate. "Parademons — expendable soldiers." He meets Lucian's eyes, emphasizing the threat.
Lucian, perched on a rusted crate, one leg dangling as if poised to spring into action, speaks with somber gravity. "Of whatever this Darkseid is, apparently." Sorrow flickers briefly across his face, the grim realization settling in.
Batman's gaze hardens. "Expendable troops, ruthlessly planting devices. This is military strategy on an epic scale. We may be facing a full-blown invasion."
Hal scoffs, forcing a bravado-laden grin. "You're being paranoid," he teases, raising his hand over the bomb. "Let's just crack it open and see what we're dealing with!"
As Hal prepares to dismantle the bomb, Batman's gloved hand shoots out, stopping him. "Without any idea what's inside? That's idiotic !"
A challenging smirk lights Hal's face. "Heh... I'll show you idiotic!" But before he can act, the bomb starts to emit an impatient beep.
"It wasn't me—I didn't touch it!" Hal blurts.
In a blur, Lucian kicks the bomb toward the far corner. The device shatters, not with an explosion, but as a swelling orb of light that blooms into a portal. The heroes realize, in dawning horror, it's not a bomb—it's an interdimensional gateway.
Parademons begin spilling forth in a nightmarish wave. Hal conjures a gigantic, glowing baseball bat, which he wields with gusto, striking them aside. Superman's heat vision slices through the horde, while Lucian draws his sword, darting through the chaos at almost invisible speed.
Batman finds himself beset, but true to form, he hurls a compact explosive. The blast launches him across the floor—where Superman catches him with effortless grace. "You're welcome!" Superman calls, then hurls himself back into the melee.
Lucian carves through the demonic tide like a force of nature, his every motion a dance of steel and light. When Superman finds himself beset, Lucian clears a path with a sweeping strike, impressing even the lighthearted Hal.
"Whoa, the kid's got style," Hal marvels, watching Lucian cut down a whole wave in a single strike to shield Superman.
But soon Hal is surrounded, struggling against the monstrous tide. Batman's batarang flashes through the fray, giving Batman just enough of an opening to seize Hal's hand and haul him clear. Galvanized, Hal constructs a towering mecha suit, blazing with Lantern energy, and unleashes a salvo of firepower.
When the dust settles, Batman perches atop the mecha's shoulder. "Still think I'm paranoid?" he intones, his gruff voice lightly teasing.
Hal shrugs, "Uhh, maybe just a little bit less now."
### Diana's Encounter Outside the White House
Outside, Diana stands before the imposing gates of the White House, her presence both regal and unassuming. Suddenly, a small girl enjoying her ice cream approaches, gazing up at Diana with wide, uninhibited wonder.
"Are you afraid of me?" Diana asks, her voice gentle.
"No! I want to be just like you when I grow up!" the girl exclaims.
A heartfelt smile blooms on Diana's face. "You're most welcome into the sisterhood. What's your name?"
"Hannah Grace." The girl beams, still absorbed in her ice cream.
Curiosity glints in Diana's eyes. "What are you eating?"
"Ice cream."
"Is it good?"
A high-spirited giggle from Hannah. "It's the best food in the world!"
Drawn by fascination, Diana lets the girl lead her to an ice cream stand. At the first taste, Diana's eyes widen in delight. "By the gods, this is the greatest food ever made!" She nearly brandishes her sword at the vendor in her excitement, prompting a nervous nod.
Steve Trevor arrives in haste, teasing Diana for leaving her post. "Grew tired of waiting for your president," she replies breezily. "Came out for a walk and found my very special new friend and companion, Hannah Grace." Hannah waves cheerfully.
They discuss Diana's role as an envoy, but she interrupts mischievously, "I'm a warrior, not a messenger." Steve promises to show her DC's best homemade ice cream, and Diana's voice grows softer, flirtatious: "I could just compel you..." Steve laughs, "Or I could just tell you."
Suddenly, chaos erupts as parademons smash through the White House doors. Diana straightens, her demeanor sharpening with purpose. "This is my true responsibility," she declares, charging forward with sword drawn.
She slices through the demons, her movements fluid and fierce, using their bodies as launch pads to vault higher with a masterful backflip.
### Rescue of the President and Emergent Romance
Meanwhile, inside an aircraft, President Trump and the First Lady brace for the worst. Parademons tear through defenses, tossing the president toward the open sky.
In a dazzling streak, Diana dives, her lasso whipping through the air as she snags the president mid-flight. With a powerful cry, she soars back into the cabin. A parademon launches itself at her from behind, and, with effortless precision, she flips it through the breach. But in its last thrash, it jams the plane's engine, sending the craft spinning out of control.
Suddenly, the shuddering plane levels, as if cradled by immense strength. Diana races to the cockpit—and finds Superman outside, holding the plane aloft, his red cape billowing in the wind. Beside him, Lucian, hair glinting silver, slashes parademons from the sky with beams of light, their masterful coordination saving hundreds of lives.
"By the gods," Diana murmurs, awe and admiration alive in her gaze.
She joins the fray, making acrobatic strikes, even fighting inverted—her skill drawing a rare compliment from Superman. "You're strong," he says, close enough to touch.
Diana flashes a confident smile, upside down beside him. "I am."
Lucian can't resist a sardonic aside. "Last time I rescue your outside-underweared behind, Supes."
Superman grins, unoffended. But Diana's eyes narrow now, her curiosity sharpening on Lucian. The air between them is charged—a sense of kindred spirit and challenge.
"You... You're young," she marvels, her words a blend of interest and admiration. "But you radiate the spirit of a warrior. It's rare ever since I left Themyscira. Fascinating. Whenever we're not defending the world—let's spar."
Their eyes meet, lingering, current unmistakable.
Lucian's deadpan look betrays a flicker of intrigue. He shakes his head, trying to mask the moment. "Woman, less talking. More saving. Schedule getting your ass-kicking for later; right now, the world needs us."
He drops towards the ground, but not before Diana smiles—a look balancing challenge and invitation. Superman frowns with playful annoyance, realizing there might be more brewing than mere heroics.
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