The sun hung low on the horizon over Padre Island, casting long shadows across the pristine beach. In the distance, dark clouds began to gather unnaturally, a harbinger of the approaching forces of Apokolips.
"All units, maintain positions," General Hammond's commanding voice echoed through the comms. "Remember the plan - we hold this line at all costs."
The assembled forces created an impressive sight along Padre Island. Superman and Wonder Girl hovered above, scanning the horizon, while Batman coordinated from a mobile command center. Flash and other League members maintained strategic positions along the beachfront, with the Teen Titans forming an agile secondary line of defense.
Aquaman stood at the water's edge, the seas churning with the presence of his Atlantean allied forces beneath the surface, in stealth mode, hiding and waiting to be called to action.
Cyborg positioned himself at the center, where he maintained a specialized containment field around the two Mother Boxes. The alien devices pulsed with an eerie blue glow, their energy signatures growing stronger with each passing moment.
Behind them, an impressive array of military might stretched inland—tanks, artillery units, and armored vehicles arranged in defensive formations. General Hammond's troops stood ready, their advanced weapons systems locked on the darkening skies above.
"Field integrity at maximum," Cyborg added, his cybernetic components humming as they interfaced with the containment unit. "If those bastards want these Mother Boxes, they'll have to go through all of us first."
Superman descended beside Batman, his cape billowing in the strengthening wind. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the sky with his enhanced vision. "That mothership... it's massive... they're mobilizing."
"Multiple hostile contacts detected in upper atmosphere," the tactical analyst reported, his voice steady despite the tension visible on his face. He turned to General Swanwick at the mobile command center. "Sir, confirming massive parademon signatures. They're beginning their descent."
General Swanwick's voice carried authority as it broadcast across all communication channels. "Listen up, everyone. You've trained for this. We are the line between these demons and our loved ones. Remember Steppenwolf's invasion - today, we make them regret ever returning to Earth."
A thunderous boom shattered the tense silence, reverberating across the sky. The clouds above split apart, revealing countless parademons pouring through as the massive Apokolips mothership and its escort ships descended. Their inhuman shrieks filled the air as they descended toward Earth's defenders.
Earth's defenders stood their ground, weapons raised and powers ready. They gripped their weapons tightly and steeled themselves as they faced the parademon horde, each warrior feeling a potent mix of dread and determination to protect what they held dear.
"Steady your hearts!" Superman's commanding voice carried across the battlefield. "Hold formation!"
As the parademons entered firing range, General Hammond's voice cut through the comms with crystal clarity, relaying General Swanwick's command: "All units, weapons free! Light them up!"
From USS Lexington, stationed at Corpus Christi as a World War II monument, came an unexpected response. The ship's main turret had been quietly modified months ago, retrofitted with an advanced plasma cannon that incorporated salvaged Thanagarian technology. Since forces had gathered on Padre Island, the weapon had been steadily charging.
On the command deck, upon receiving the command of General Hammond, the captain, snapped his fingers, giving the signal for the plasma cannon to release it's charge.
The plasma cannon hummed to life, its barrel glowing with crimson energy before releasing a devastating beam that carved through the parademon ranks. The experimental weapon proved devastatingly effective, cutting a wide swath through the horde and continuing toward Darkseid's mothership.
Aboard the Apokoliptian vessel, Darkseid observed the incoming beam with cold eyes. His massive form cast a shadow across the bridge as he raised his hand.
"Primitive weapons," Granny Goodness smirked. "By Darkseid's will, show them true power."
The mothership's plasma cannons responded instantly, launching a retaliatory beam that met the cannon's attack mid-air. The collision created a massive shockwave, scattering nearby parademons. For a brief moment, the two energy beams stood deadlocked, but the alien technology's superior power soon became evident. Slowly but surely, the mothership's beam began pushing back against USS Lexington's attack.
While the energy beams clashed overhead, squadrons of F-35s and F/A-18s launched from nearby bases and carriers, executing a coordinated strike against the scattered parademon formations. The aircraft unleashed salvos of specially modified armor-piercing rounds and experimental missiles, their payloads recent developed from studying alien invasions of the past.
"Echo Squadron, engage at will!" Colonel Monroe's voice crackled through the comm channels as he personally led a squadron into the fray. "Remember your training - hit and fade, don't let them swarm you!"
"Roger that, Bad Wolf," responded Lieutenant Hank. "Let's show them hell!" His squadron split smoothly to engage the enemy in the east.
"Fox Three!" Lieutenant Sarah called out as her F-35 released a modified missile, watching it streak through a cluster of parademons. "Confirmed multiple kills, sir!"
"Good hunting, Fox Three," Colonel Monroe responded. "All wings, maintain spread formation. Track those stragglers breaking west!"
The sky lit up with trails of gunfire as the squadron executed their hit-and-run tactics.
Though caught off guard by Earth's advanced weaponry, the parademons screeched and surged forward in massive waves, pressing on despite heavy losses—their loyalty to their master unwavering.
"Echo-7, bank hard right!" Lieutenant Sarah's voice cut through the radio chatter. "Pattern Delta-Three!"
Three F-35s executed a perfect split formation, forcing pursuing parademons to break their attack pattern. The maneuver created a perfect killzone for Echo Squadron's trailing fighters.
"Targets lined up," Colonel Monroe confirmed. "Echo-4 through 6, weapons free!"
A barrage of modified missiles streaked through the sky, detonating in synchronized bursts that caught multiple parademons in their blast radius.
Suddenly, Colonel Monroe caught movement in his peripheral vision. "Echo-7, watch your six!" his warning crackled through the comms. A parademon had latched onto Echo-7's fighter tail, its claws reaching for the stabilizers.
However, before it could strike, a beam of heat vision cut through the air, vaporizing the creature. Superman hovered briefly alongside the aircraft, giving a quick nod before rocketing back into the fray.
The champions of Earth—both Justice League and Teen Titans—who had been waiting patiently according to General Swanwick and Batman's strategic plan, finally sprang into action behind Superman's lead.
"Thanks for the assist, Big Blue," Echo-7's pilot breathed. "Colonel, multiple bogies diving toward the containment field!"
"Wonder Girl, Starfire—intercept those targets and provide air cover for our forces!" Batman's commanding voice sliced through the radio chatter. "Bad Wolf, reposition to vector two-seven-zero immediately!"
The two heroines shot across the battlefield—Starfire trailing green energy as she unleashed blasts at the parademons descending towards Cyborg's location and threatening the squadrons, while Wonder Girl's lasso whipped through the air, snaring enemies and smashing them together before she unsheathed her sword to cleave through the advancing horde.
"Damn, Bat's right—they're after the artifacts," Monroe muttered grimly, tracking the wave of parademons diving toward the ground forces. His gaze shifted upward, catching more parademons and the ominous rotation of of weapon systems on two escort ships looming above. "Echo Squadron, this is Bad wolf. Regroup at vector two-seven-zero immediately. Those turrets aren't just for show."
"Echo-3 reporting, sir," Lieutenant Tony's voice crackled through the comms. "Multiple hostile squadrons deploying from enemy hangars. I count at least six waves, each containing roughly fifty units."
"Copy that, Echo-3," Monroe acknowledged, his voice steady despite the escalating threat. He announced on his squadron-wide channel. "All units, form up on my wing. Go for tight formation, maximum efficiency. These demons think they own Earth's skies—let's prove them wrong."
Meanwhile, the carrier groups offshore unleashed devastating support fire. The USS Ford and USS Enterprise coordinated their strikes, their advanced AEGIS systems and electromagnetic railguns unleashing precise, devastating volleys that lit up the sky.
Back on Padre island's mobile command center, the tactical analyst raced across his console display, sweat glistening on his brow. "General, multiple hostile signatures breaking through sector seven! They're moving fast—trajectory suggests they're targeting the artifact containment zone!"
"Ground forces, this is General Lane," the commander's voice rang with authority. "All units in sectors six through eight, prepare for immediate contact. Authorization granted for enhanced munitions."
The Army's response was swift and decisive. Modified Abrams tanks pivoted their turrets in perfect synchronization, while mobile artillery units adjusted their targeting solutions. The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon systems hummed to life, their sophisticated targeting arrays tracking the incoming threats while rotating into firing positions.
The first salvo proved devastating—enhanced ordnance streaked through the air and detonated on impact, obliterating a massive section of the enemy horde. The irony was clear: technology salvaged from the Thanagarian invasion had become Earth's shield against this new cosmic threat.
"These demons are relentless," General Swanwick's voice cut through the command center as he studied the tactical display. His jaw tightened as he watched the battle unfold across multiple sites. When his gaze landed on the USS Lexington's display, he quickly connected with the vessel.
"USS Lexington, disengage main cannon immediately!" he ordered sharply. "Activate defensive shields!"
The order came just in time. As the ship's energy beam powered down, its shield matrix hummed to life, creating a protective barrier mere seconds before the Apokoliptian mothership's overwhelming blast would have struck. The impact still rattled the vessel, but the shields held.
"Shield integrity at seventy percent and holding, sir," reported Lieutenant Anders from the Lexington. "That was too close."
"All units, maintain defensive positions," Swanwick commanded, his voice determined. "We're not done yet—we still have to draw the real enemy out."
"General!" A tactical analyst reported with urgency. "Echo Squadron has taken heavy losses—Echo-5, 6, and 9 are down. We've confirmed visual contact. It's...it's a woman, sir. She landed on Echo-5, drove her sword through the fuselage to anchor herself, then destroyed Echo-6 with a single strike. When Echo-5 tried evasive maneuvers, she simply leaped to Echo-9, slicing Echo-5 apart in the process. This… this is insane."
"Egret Squadron is reporting multiple hits as well, sir," another officer interjected, his fingers flying across the tactical display. "Sir, it's the same woman—she's leaping between squadrons, systematically destroying our air support."
"Sir, ground forces in Sectors 2 and 3 are being overwhelmed," a third officer reported grimly. "Two unidentified hostiles have descended from the mothership in Sector 2, with another lone hostile in Sector 3. Together with the parademons under their command, they're gaining the upper hand. They're moving faster and hitting harder than we expected, sir—possibly matching Amazon-level strength. Our troops can't hold the line."
Swanwick's expression turned solemn as the reports flooded in. Though he had anticipated formidable adversaries to join in, their sheer effectiveness caught him off guard. He reached for his Justice League communicator, typing out a brief message to Batman: 'They took the bait. Phase two is go.'
It had been a calculated risk. Swanwick and Batman knew they couldn't match the invaders' superior technology or numbers head-on. So, drawing from past encounters, they crafted a simple yet effective strategy. They would first use Earth's advanced weapons to thin the enemy ranks and provoke their overconfident commanders. This would lure the leaders out of their fortified ships, allowing Earth's heroes to engage them on more even terms instead of exhausting themselves trying to breach the vessels.
On Justice League and Teen Titan's Side
The League and Titans maintained a defensive strategy, executing precise hit-and-run tactics while protecting Cyborg's position. Even Superman, known for his direct approach, adhered to Batman's conservative battle plan. Starfire, Wonder Girl, and Blue Beetle provided calculated support to military forces before strategically withdrawing.
Nightwing observed the battlefield from his position with a solemn expression and clenched fist. Though recently estranged from his mentor over philosophical differences, Dick knew Batman's tactical genius was unmatched in situations like these. Having shed the Robin mantle for his new identity as Nightwing, he still found himself following Batman's lead when Earth's fate hung in the balance.
Batman's eyes narrowed behind his cowl as he received Swanwick's signal. After analyzing the tactical data from Sectors 2 and 3, he activated his comm link. "All units, execute Phase Two. Engage primary targets."
"Superman, take Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, and Green Arrow to Sector 3," Batman commanded. "Focus on the warrior in armor - she's decimating our ground forces with enhanced strength. Wonder Girl, Starfire, Blue Beetle - intercept the hostile targeting our air support. Flash, Aquaman, Black Canary - handle the pair in Sector 2. The one displaying feral combat patterns is priority - her partner with the morningstar appears to be coordinating their attacks."
"Understood," Superman responded, his voice resolute. "Team 1, on me."
"Roger that. Guess that makes us Team 2. Finally," Aquaman's deep voice carried a mix of determination and controlled anger. "Time to make these bastards pay."
Flash exchanged a quick glance with Black Canary, both nodding in silent agreement. Without another word, the three heroes launched into action, their movements perfectly synchronized as they headed toward their designated sector.
"Batman," Cheetah's eyes narrowed as she addressed her partner and commander from her station in the mobile command deck. "Why am I being held in reserve?"
"Because we haven't seen their full hand yet," Batman replied, meeting her gaze directly. "If Darkseid is aboard that ship as we suspect, we'll need you at full strength to face him alongside Superman and Wonder Girl while we provide tactical support."
A stunned silence fell over the command deck. Even Batgirl, who had been coordinating communications between the League, Titans, and military forces, looked up with surprise at Batman's assessment.
"Bru… Batman," Cheetah lowered her voice, concern evident in her tone. "You're overestimating my abilities. I'm not—"
"No," Batman raised his hand, cutting her off. "I'm not. You're neither just a metahuman nor simply a demigoddess—you're a cultivator. Your power has grown exponentially since your transformation and it continues to grow. Our sparring sessions and your regular evaluations prove it. I know you deliberately hold back during our patrols of Gotham out of respect for my principles, but this is war." His voice softened slightly. "We need you—I need you—to unleash your full potential. Call upon the 'Green' if necessary. We're facing a mad god, and we need every advantage we can get."
Cheetah's eyes widened at Batman's words, a mix of emotions crossing her face. After a moment, she straightened her shoulders and nodded solemnly. "I should have known you'd notice," she said softly. "You're right about me holding back. Even though Orach told me I'm in full control now, the last time I unleashed my feral side... I lost all control. Only Diana has ever been able to match me in that state and bring me back. While I have no qualms in killing my enemies, the thought of hurting innocents—or worse, those I care about—that's what's always held me back."
Batman remained silent, studying his partner and lover. Though the cowl masked his expression, Barbara could read the conflict in his stance. He hated pushing her toward something she feared, but against a threat like Darkseid, they needed every advantage.
"Bruce," she said, rising from her chair to approach him. She gently tilted his chin up, her claws careful against his skin as she leaned in to kiss him. Her hair fell forward, creating a private moment between them despite the command center's bustle. At her station, Batgirl watched the tender exchange with a mixture of respect and subtle envy, yet genuine happiness for them both. The Bat family had always hoped someone would eventually breach Bruce's walls, helping heal the wounds he carried.
Breaking the kiss, Cheetah tucked her hair back and met his gaze with fierce determination. "Don't worry about me. You need my help—that's all that matters. If Superman falls against this 'Mad God,' I'll step in. But Bruce," her tone grew deadly serious, "promise me something. If I lose control, don't try to stop me. Just track my location and wait for Diana and Orach to return. They're the only ones who can help me recover my sanity. Promise you'll wait for me to find my way back to you."
"I promise," Batman replied, his voice carrying the weight of both commander and lover.
With a softer expression, Cheetah returned to her station beside Batgirl, while Batman turned his attention back to the tactical displays. The tension in the command center only grew as they tracked the unfolding battles.
Sector 2 of the battlefield
"Such weak prey!" Mad Harriet's maniacal laughter echoed across the battlefield as her energy claws tore through the defensive lines. Warm blood sprayed across her face, making her feel euphoric, fueling her battle frenzy even further. "More! Give me more!"
Like a force of nature, she carved through the soldiers with horrifying efficiency. Each kill seemed to drive her further into a berserker rage, her movements becoming increasingly erratic and unpredictable. Yet this savage fighting style left dangerous openings in her defense - openings that would have proved fatal if not for her partner.
Lashina moved with lethal grace behind her frenzied companion, her steel whip singing through the air. "Control yourself, Harriet," she commanded sharply, her morningstar attachment crushing anyone who tried to exploit Mad Harriet's blind spots. "Lord Darkseid demands efficiency, not just bloodshed."
"But sister, their screams are so lovely!" Mad Harriet protested between savage swipes, though she did adjust her positioning slightly to better coordinate with Lashina's movements.
"They are nothing but stepping stones for our god's glory," Lashina replied coldly, her whip forming complex patterns of death around them both. Working in tandem, the Female Furies created an expanding zone of carnage that even the most hardened Earth soldiers could not penetrate.
Just then a piercing sonic wave suddenly hit both Furies, making them stagger as their enhanced senses worked against them. Lashina, fighting through the disorientation, whipped her weapon toward the source of the attack. But before her morningstar could find its target, the sonic assault ceased – only to resume from the opposite direction with even greater intensity, sending both warriors crashing to the ground.
"What manner of—" Lashina's snarl was cut short as a red blur streaked past, and Mad Harriet went flying from a supersonic punch, her body carving a trench through the sand.
"Harriet!" Lashina screamed, reaching for her whip. But a golden trident slammed down, pinning the weapon to the ground.
"You are done, invader," Aquaman declared, his voice carrying the authority of two worlds. "This planet Earth is under the protection of the Justice League"
The coordinated attack of the three had been precise. Flash carried and delivered Black Canary to strategic positions, allowing her sonic cry to first disorient and then disable not just the Furies, but scores of parademons as well. As the creatures fell from the sky, three Atlantean vessels burst from the waves, their armored troops emerging to lay down devastating plasma fire against the stunned forces of Apokolips while the Atlantean fleet's energy cannons provided supporting fire against the remaining parademons above.
With ease, Aquaman moved behind the struggling Lashina. As she tried to wrench her whip free, he drove his boot into her back, forcing her face-first into the sand. Her scream of pain and rage was muffled by the earth.
"That pain you're feeling?" Aquaman's voice was cold as the ocean depths. "It's nothing compared to what Steppenwolf and your forces have inflicted on our world. But unlike you," his tone shifted, controlled and measured, "we don't revel in suffering. Surrender now."
Despite her position, Lashina managed a blood-stained laugh. "Fool... you think this is victory?" She raised her head, eyes blazing with fanatical devotion. "My lord Darkseid himself has come to claim your world. This is only the beginning... All. Hail. Darkseid."
Her words echoed through the comm channels, putting both the Generals and the League on high alert. This confirmed their worst fear—the enemy leader himself had arrived.
As if in response to her words, the sky began to churn ominously. The massive lead ship of Apokolips descended through the clouds, its hull blocking out the sun. A massive hatch groaned open, extending a landing platform that cast long shadows across sector 3 of the battlefield.
The air itself seemed to grow heavy as a sense of dread washed over the sector as a towering figure emerged onto the platform. Even from a distance, his presence commanded attention - grey-skinned and adorned in dark blue armor, with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce through the very souls of those who dared look upon him. Darkseid, the Lord of Apokolips, had arrived.
"Behold," Lashina's voice was filled with zealous pride despite her prone position. "The god of Apokolips comes to claim what is rightfully his."
Aquaman's grip on his trident tightened as he watched the dark god's arrival. Through the comms, Batman's voice cut through with unwavering calm: "Starfire, Nightwing, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle and Bumblebee—join team 2 and relieve Cyborg and defend the Mother Boxes. Cyborg, Wonder Girl, Cheetah—converge on sector 3 and reinforce team 1 now!"
Hour earlier, just as Lashina and Mad Harriet descended - Sector 3 of the battlefield
About the time Lashina and Mad Harriet were rampaging, in sector 3, the ground trembled as Stompa, another of Darkseid's elite Female Furies, led a charge against Earth's defenders. Her superhuman strength let her plow through military ranks like a unstoppable force while parademons provided aerial cover, shielding her from counter-attacks.
Spotting the long-range weapon installations that had been decimating her parademon forces, Stompa grinned savagely. With a single devastating punch, she demolished the nearest artillery station. "Is this the best this planet can offer?" she taunted, hefting the wreckage. "Let me return your weapons to you!"
She hurled the crushed unit toward the remaining artillery positions with devastating force. But before it could connect, a red and blue blur intercepted its path. Superman caught the makeshift projectile, spun in mid-air, and launched it back at Stompa with even greater velocity.
"What—?" Stompa's eyes widened in surprise at finding an opponent who matched her strength. She braced herself, catching the projectile with a grunt of effort. "So the pest wants to play..."
But her taunt was cut short as a precisely aimed arrow from Green Arrow struck the ammunition still loaded in the crushed weapon system. The resulting explosion engulfed Stompa in flames and shrapnel, sending her tumbling across the battlefield like a rag doll.
"Nice shot," Superman commented over the comms, hovering above the impact zone.
"Just doing my part," Green Arrow replied. "But she won't stay down for long. These ladies are tough."
As if confirming his words, Stompa emerged from the crater, her armor scorched but her eyes burning with rage. "You'll pay for that, insects!" she roared, charging back into battle with renewed fury at Superman, each footstep leaving craters in the earth. Superman braced himself, meeting her charge head-on. The collision sent tremors through the ground, forcing nearby soldiers to steady themselves.
"Green Arrow, target her legs!" Nightwing called out while observing the grappling clash between Superman and the Female Fury. "Slow her mobility!"
"Copy that, Big Blue," came the archer's reply. "Going with two, just to be safe." Two arrows whistled through the air, releasing a rapidly-expanding foam that encased Stompa's lower body.
"You think this will hold me?" Stompa laughed, flexing her muscles. But before she could break free, Martian Manhunter phased through the earth behind her, his incorporeal form solidifying as he placed his hands on her temples.
It was Nightwing's strategy - have J'onn access Stompa's mind to incapacitate her quickly and efficiently. A simple plan that should have worked. But none of them could have anticipated the psychological fortress that was Stompa's mind, built from years of Apokoliptian torture and conditioning. The moment J'onn made contact, the stored trauma hit him like a physical blow.
The Martian's agonized scream pierced the air as he collapsed, overwhelmed by the darkness in Stompa's psyche. The Female Fury, momentarily subdued, snapped back to consciousness with a savagery that exceeded her previous state. Her eyes blazed with uncontrolled fury, seeking targets for the rage that consumed her.
AAAAAARRRRGGHHH! Her primal roar split the air as she shattered her restraints. Before anyone could react, she landed a devastating blow that sent Superman hurtling through the air. But she wasn't finished.
"Nightwing, move!" Green Arrow's warning came with the whistle of a specialized arrow leaving his bow. Seeing the crazed look in Stompa's eyes as she charged, he knew the arrow wouldn't deploy in time. Without hesitation, he tackled Nightwing clear of her path. The arrow's cushioning foam partially deployed, but not before Stompa's strike caught him, sending him tumbling across the battlefield.
"Green Arrow!" Nightwing's cry of alarm echoed across the comms as he scrambled to his feet, eyes fixed on his fallen comrade.
Superman returned in a blur of red and blue, his expression grim as he positioned himself between Stompa and his injured teammates. "That's enough," he warned, but in her crazed state, Stompa charged toward him.
"This ends now." As she lunged forward, Superman's fury-filled punch struck her squarely in the chest, sending her crashing like a ragdoll.
"Bruce was right—I can't hold back against the likes of you," Superman said under his breath, his eyes glowing with barely contained heat vision. "No more restraint. You've left me no choice. Now you'll face the consequences."
Suddenly, Superman's enhanced senses detected a rapidly approaching figure from above. His eyes widened as he recognized Starfire plummeting toward the ground.
"Starfire!" he called out, immediately launching himself upward. With precise timing, he caught her just meters before impact. "Are you alright?"
"Careful... there's a powerful enemy," Starfire managed through gritted teeth, pointing skyward. Following her gesture, Superman looked up to witness an intense aerial duel – two figures engaged in a fierce sword fight among the clouds.
"She's toying with us," Starfire managed, clutching her side as she struggled to stand. "Donna needs help... she's too strong..."
Before Superman could respond, a thunderous crash drew their attention. Wonder Girl plummeted from the clouds, her body slamming into the ground with devastating force. Gilotina landed gracefully atop her, one foot pressed against Donna's chest, her sword hovering mere inches from the young hero's throat.
"Is this the best the champions of Earth can offer?" Gilotina's voice dripped with contempt as Donna struggled beneath her, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "How disappointing…huh?"
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. The crazed Stompa, her mind still reeling from the psychic backlash, charged toward the scene. Her wild eyes locked onto Gilotina first, making her fellow Fury the target of her unbridled rage.
"Stompa, stand down!" Gilotina commanded, leaping away from Donna as her teammate barreled toward her with frightening speed. When Stompa showed no sign of stopping, Gilotina's expression shifted from authority to concern. "What in Darkseid's name happened to you?"
The distraction proved fortunate for the heroes. Superman seized the opportunity, swooping down to carefully lift the injured Donna. "I've got you," he assured her, before gathering Starfire as well. He then flew them to where Nightwing had already moved Green Arrow's unconscious form to safety.
"Her mind," Donna managed through gritted teeth, watching as Stompa continued her relentless pursuit of Gilotina.
Nightwing quickly explained the situation and then shared his thoughts. "J'onn's telepathic attack must have broken through some kind of mental conditioning Apokolips used to control her. Now," He then turned to look at Donna and Kori and asked,"Wonder Girl and Starfire, what happened up there? How did you end up like this? And where is Blue Beetle?"
Donna pushed herself up to a sitting position, wincing slightly. After taking a steadying breath, she began recounting the aerial battle. "We spotted that woman, she called herself as Gilotina, if I remember correctly, targeting Echo Squadron's formation. Her sword techniques were devastating - she was literally jumping from jet to jet, trying to slice through their wings."
She nodded at Starfire before continuing,"Kori and I coordinated our attack. While I drew her attention with a frontal assault, Kori unleashed a concentrated energy blast that caught her off-guard. The impact knocked her clean off the jet she was perched on."
Starfire picked up the narrative, her voice still strained. "But she recovered far too quickly. As she was falling, she grabbed onto another fighter jet's wing. That's when Donna charged in with her sword, hoping to disarm her, but, Gilotina's reflexes were unlike anything I've seen. She used Donna's momentum against her, twisting in mid-air to deflect the sword strike. In that split second, she delivered a devastating counter-attack."
"The blade caught me here," Donna added, gesturing to her side. "But that wasn't the worst of it. She kicked off my chest, using me as a springboard to reach another jet. The force alone..."
"I tried to provide covering fire," Starfire interjected, her hands glowing faintly at the memory. "But she was moving too fast, jumping from aircraft to aircraft. My energy blasts couldn't track her."
"That's when Blue Beetle made his move," Donna continued, with grim expression. "He attempted to destabilize her with targeted sonic waves, but Gilotina..." She shook her head in dismay. "She somehow anticipated it, using her blade to redirect the sonic attack back at me while simultaneously launching herself at Blue Beetle. Even with his scarab's defensive protocols engaging instantly, the force of her strike sent him spiraling into the gulf."
Donna quickly accessed her wrist computer, fingers flying across the holographic interface. "Nightwing, I'm sending you his last known coordinates. Have Batgirl scan for his energy signature – the scarab should be detectable even underwater."
"Transmitting to Batgirl now," Nightwing replied, his expression grim as he watched the ongoing battle between the two Furies. He turned to Superman, who was already getting ready to move out. "Superman, we need to contain this situation fast."
"Agreed. I'll—" Superman's reply was cut short as the sky churned and the enemy mothership began its descent, marking Darkseid's arrival on the battlefield.
Back to the present time