Spider-Man adhered to the shuttle with spider silk, swung through the air in a gorgeous arc, kicked open the approaching guard. Damian drove the shuttle in a zigzag path, slamming the accelerator, the tail flame rapidly ignited, all the pursuers were thrown behind, turning into a stream of light and disappearing on the horizon.
After arriving at the lab, Harley played the role of a camera. There was no need to carry any data, as long as she glanced at it, an entire Earth's pool of genius scientists would help her record and analyze.
The remaining few people went all out, presenting all the materials they could find from various research projects to Harley. Both Spider-Man and Damian had superb hacking skills. Even though the software and the devices were different from those on Earth, after all the scientists from Earth quickly deciphered them in this alternate universe, they successfully hacked into the lab's data storage system, acquiring a massive amount of experiment reports and files.
Unlike the ones in the deep surface, the labs in the core were mainly responsible for collecting and analyzing data. Experimental projects arranged in the core were more high-end, mostly involved high-end theoretical research and conjecture. This was exactly what Harley and the scientists in the Marvel Universe needed.
Loki, who originally came to check the situation, arrived at the perfect time. The New gods of the DC Universe had a lot in common with the Asgard God Clan. They to mastered potent divine powers, possessed robust bodies and advanced technology. Yet, the path they chose for technology development was starkly different from Asgard's.
As we mentioned before, the armor that people like Kant wore was all creations of Apocalypse Star's technology. However, because Kant himself was not of high rank, or rather, he was overly confident in his abilities, his armor did not show many extraordinary characteristics. Some research materials obtained from the lab prove that the New gods chose to use technology to enhance their already powerful bodies.
Touching her chin, Loki said, "Asgard once wanted to take this path. The powerful weapons that the Father of All Gods created for himself are proofs. But you also saw the consequences, even Thor once overvalued one of his divine artifacts and forgot that the Aesir themselves were the strongest weapons."
"Later, Asgard only used its developed technology as logistical support and transportation tools. This forced the Aesir warriors to look inward, training their bodies to adapt to all environments in the cosmos, because they knew tools would not protect them."
"A development path completely opposite to that of the human race," Stark shook his head and said, "But you can't say that humans are weak because they depend on tools, and your strength is not simply because you didn't take this path of using tools."
"That's true." Loki rolled her eyes slightly at him but still said, "But if they rely mentally on external protection, they will not be able to fully unleash their will to fight. I don't know how this guy called Darkseid manages to forge powerful armor for his minions, yet make them not fear death at the same time."
"It's simple to understand. There's no armor in this world that is completely indestructible. Once their perceived invincible armor is broken in battle, they will surely harbor thoughts of fleeing."
"I think it's mental control," Reed interjected. His minions were all brainwashed, not the type of faith-related brainwashing, but genuinely affecting their perceptions and concepts at a mental level, making them sincerely believe that to die for their gods and emperor was an honor.
"A stronger version of Asgard's Hall of Valor.", Loki said blankly.
As Harley and the others were raiding the unguarded core of Apocalypse Star, the situation on Apocalypse Star subtly shifted again.
Desaad, anxious about being accused of wrongdoing by Darkseid, couldn't stand the preceding expedition losing contact for so long. He decided to personally inspect the battlefield and brought along the most powerful Apokoliptan. Another son of Darkseid also accompanied him.
Kindly Granny made the same decision. She could not miss this golden opportunity to overshadow Desaad, with the Revenge Goddess Team being out of touch for so long. So she brought her Hounds Team and some trainee members to the place from which the signal was last traced.
That was in the deep surface of Apocalypse Star, where both parties last sent signals before going silent.
But moving faster than them was Darkseid.
The Apocalypse Star was truly his house, and he didn't actually care how his pets that he kept in his house behaved. But now, someone was brazenly pounding his walls, eighty big hits and forty small ones. As a tyrant, how could he possibly tolerate such provocation?
Darkseid, the eternal Emperor and God of the Apocalypse Star, the first tyrant of the cosmos, and an incomparably powerful New God, descended onto the battlefield. When he did, the rain stopped.
As Batman and Joker, who had transformed into Doomsday, stared each other down, they looked up in unison. An overwhelming sense of oppression washed over them instantly. Undoubtedly, Darkseid was the most formidable opponent they had ever faced, so powerful that he could single-handedly break up Batman and Joker's duel.
Floating mid-air, Darkseid looked at the bodies scattered on the ground and the familiar power fluctuation emanating from Doomsday. He was truly furious.
All the power of the Apocalypse Star converged at one point and ruthlessly crushed the entire space into pieces. Little Bruce and Helen, who had turned into Doomsday, retreated together, their eyes dead fixed on the threatening figure in the air.
By the time Harley and her group arrived, this was the scene they saw. As Spider Man and Damian both looked on in horror, Harley's gaze, however, fell on Damian's cloak.
A small, inconspicuous black dot at the collar was blinking faintly. A smile spread across Harley's face, and she whispered, her hand resting on the Necronomicon, "Our preset safety measures are about to kick in."
Inside the spaceship, Constantine stood in the center of the magic array etched with runes of holy power. He gently tossed the ignited lighter from his hand, murmuring, "The deal is done."
The dark storm still raged on, its new God's anger tearing the space apart. Darkseid was liberating his power recklessly, for he knew none could match him.
The fully activated Apocalypse Star force field completely wiped out Gotham's influence. Batman and Joker, their duel interrupted and without a stage, the foundation of this world had been reduced to its lowest.
Then, within the storm, a pair of blood-red eyes lit up.
When that dark figure appeared again, his dark cloak fluttered violently in the storm. Amidst the tumultuous tides of power, he forged a dark path step by step. His deep, raspy voice echoed in the air once more.
"Darkseid, give me back my child."
Darkseid looked carefully, and all he saw was a set of black-red armor and a pair of eyes brimming with the intent to kill.
Simultaneously, another dazzling light appeared behind Darkseid. When he turned around to look, all he saw was the boundless holy light and a pair of clear yet ice-cold blue eyes, as tranquil and harsh as an arctic storm.
When He descended, people heard only one sentence.
"Don't be afraid, child."