The scene shifts.
The streets of **Metropolis** are a warzone. Smoke fills the air, and the sound of collapsing steel echoes like a funeral bell. Amid the chaos, **Batman** and **Hal Jordan** — the Green Lantern — battle furiously against an incoming horde of **Parademons** raining from the crimson-streaked sky.
Hal's ring glows with emerald light as he conjures a massive **green roller**, slamming through waves of the winged monstrosities. Explosions of green energy reflect against the shattered windows of skyscrapers. Batman, grounded and tactical, moves like a ghost among shadows — precise, unrelenting. His strikes are surgical, his movements a brutal dance of strategy and instinct.
A Parademon lunges, screeching. Without hesitation, Batman fires his **grappling hook** directly into the creature's open maw. The hook tears through the back of its skull with a metallic shriek. Batman pulls hard, bringing the creature crashing down before delivering a devastating knee strike, standing tall and silent as the demon crumples lifelessly at his feet.
***
Hal lands beside Batman, smirking as a **colossal fly swatter** of green energy materializes and crushes a cluster of Parademons.
"See?" Hal boasts, casually dusting off his suit. "That wasn't so hard."
Before Batman can respond, a **nearby skyscraper explodes**, raining debris and fire. The sky floods with another swarm of Parademons. Hal stares in disbelief. "...I had to open my mouth, didn't I?"
A red streak cuts across the battlefield, disintegrating Parademons with lightning precision. **The Flash** materializes, grinning. "Thought you could use a hand."
Hal grins back. "Flash, my man!" He raises his hand for a shake, only for Flash to reluctantly return a half-hearted tap, looking mildly exasperated.
Hal gestures toward the Dark Knight. "Oh yeah, I came with Batman."
Flash's eyes widen with awe. "Wait… Batman's real?"
Hal points over his shoulder. "Yeah. That's him right there — though fair warning, he's kind of a tool."
Ignoring the jab, Flash approaches with apparent reverence. "It's an honor to meet you, sir—uh—Batman. Sir Batman."
Batman turns, extending a gloved hand. "I've followed your work in Central City. Efficient. Clean."
Flash's jaw nearly drops as he shakes the Dark Knight's hand, grinning ear to ear. Hal rolls his eyes.
"Barry, buddy... you've got a little something on your nose," he says with a smirk.
***
### The Arrival of Wonder Woman
From above comes a **piercing war cry**, echoing through the city. The heroes look up to see **Diana of Themyscira** cutting through the air — a blur of gold and crimson. Her sword flashes as she slices Parademons mid-flight, their bodies raining down like ash and shadow.
With a final devastating spin, she lands gracefully before the trio. "Greetings, warriors," she says, smiling as she wipes blood from her blade.
Hal and Flash stand frozen. Hal nudges Barry with a grin. "Dibs." He steps forward confidently and opens his mouth.
"Hey, uh—"
Before he can finish, **Superman** crashes down between them, the concrete groaning beneath him. He gives Hal one pointed glance — enough to silence the Lantern completely.
Then, emerging from the smoke, comes **Lucian**, arms crossed. "And here I thought *I* was the hormonal teenager."
The quip earns smirks from everyone but Flash. Diana grins. "It is good to be back in the heat of war."
***
### The Sky Turns Red
The Parademons abruptly retreat. Hal raises his ring. "Yeah, that's right! You better run!"
Batman doesn't relax. His voice is grim. "No. They're regrouping. Preparing for whoever commands them."
Superman's eyes blaze faintly. "Then what's our move?"
Batman looks to the burning skyline. "I don't know."
Lucian clenches his fists. "Then we prepare. Because whatever's coming... it's war."
The tension thickens like tar — even Superman's confidence wavers. The ground trembles, the air itself seems to darken.
***
### Cyborg and Shazam Enter
A **blue streak** cuts through the clouds. Hal shouts, "Incoming!" Diana leaps forward," He's mine " she says running upto him, but before she can act, the figure — **Cyborg** — crashes violently to the ground.
His system auto-targets Diana, firing a plasma beam. She's hit with a blast that sends her tumbling into Lucian, both slamming into a wrecked car.
Superman steps forward, fury in his eyes. "You're done."
Cyborg raises his hand. "I'm not with them!"
Flash dashes between them. "Wait! He's telling the truth! He was at S.T.A.R. Labs!"
Lucian groans beneath Diana's armor. "Mind getting up? Not that I'm complaining about the view."
She smirks, breath heavy. "Perhaps another time."
He arches an eyebrow. "When?" She chuckles as he helps her to her feet.
From above, a lightning bolt strikes down. A young man in red with a white cape stands confidently. "What's up? Name's **Shazam**! And I'm with him." He points to Cyborg.
Cyborg grumbles, "He's... not with me."
Hal sighs. "And who the hell are you supposed to be, Mr. Roboto?"
Cyborg steps forward, voice steady. "Who I am doesn't matter. What I know does."
Batman narrows his eyes. "And that is?"
Cyborg glances to the horizon where the sea burns with unnatural fire. "They're transforming the planet. Preparing it to match their world. They're *terraforming* Earth."
Batman. " Fits "
Hal frowns. "How ?"
"Because," Batman says quietly, pointing toward the coast, "the water... is on fire."
***
### The Coming of Darkseid
The ocean roars as a **colossal dark fortress** rises from the sea, trailing flame and storm. Its central tower glows a malign crimson. One by one, similar towers erupt across the planet, forming a global network of destruction.
Flash scans incoming data, voice shaking. "It's not just Metropolis. It's everywhere — London, Tokyo, New York—everywhere!"
Batman's tone turns grave. "They're not annihilating humanity. They're *harvesting* it."
The fortress releases a beam of blinding light. The heroes shield their eyes as **Cyborg's systems spike**.
"It's too late..." he whispers. "He's here."
From the light steps a towering figure, regal and terrifying. **Darkseid** — his blue armor gleaming like obsidian flame, the Omega symbol pulsing at his belt.
Hal mutters, "I'm guessing that's the bad guy?"
Batman: "Lucky guess."
Superman narrows his gaze. "He doesn't look that tough."
Lucian's eyes flicker with energy. "His power... it's five times stronger than yours."
A hush falls. The air feels colder. Darkseid floats down from the light, hands clasped behind his back — calm, omnipotent, disdainful.
Fighter jets roar past, launching missiles. Each explosion leaves not even a scratch.
Darkseid looks down upon the assembled heroes. His voice is deep and final.
"I am entropy. I am death... I am **Darkseid**."
The ground splits. The sky bleeds red. Thunder rolls.
A new war has begun.
******