Chapter 7 - Chapter 6: Heros Unite

"Get those civilians to the evac point now!" a sergeant barked into his radio as the helicopter's rotors thundered overhead. "We don't have time for second guesses!"

Soldiers scrambled through the war-torn streets, their rifles aimed at the sky as parademons swooped low, claws reaching for anything they could snatch.

A squadron took position behind a crumbling bus stop, unloading a barrage of bullets into the swarm.

"Sergeant, targets inbound from the east!" a young private called out, his voice tight with fear.

"Copy that. Alpha team, lay down suppressive fire! Bravo, stay on evac!" the sergeant ordered, signaling with quick, precise hand movements.

A family of four huddled near a collapsed building, the father shielding his children as debris rained down around them.

One of the soldiers broke formation, rushing toward them.

"Ma'am, sir, move now!" he shouted, grabbing the mother's arm to pull her to safety.

"But the kids-"

The ground shook as a chunk of the building began to crumble, tilting ominously toward them.

"Move!" the soldier yelled again, his voice drowned by the deafening roar of collapsing concrete.

Suddenly, a streak of blue and black zipped through the chaos.

In the blink of an eye, the family was gone-reappearing in the safety zone across the street.

"What the hell just happened?" the sergeant muttered, his eyes scanning the area.

"Sir, civilians are secure!" one of his men reported tinged with confusion, pointing to the distant evac point.

The sergeant stared for a moment, bewildered, before snapping back to reality. "Good. Keep your heads on straight, people! We've got vigilante's fighting up there, but this is still our city. Let's clean it up!"

"Lantern, you seeing this?" Flash said, dodging a parademon's claws before tripping it with a well-placed kick.

Green Lantern hovered above him, creating a glowing barrier to block another incoming wave. "Oh, I see it. And I don't like it. What's the count now, Flash?"

"I stopped counting after, like, a thousand," Flash replied, skidding to a halt beside him. "Not exactly a record-breaker for me, but still. Hey, remind me to tell you about this bakery I went to a while back. Best cinnamon rolls I've ever had."

"Now?" Lantern snapped, forming a massive fist with his ring and smashing through a cluster of parademons.

"Just saying! You should check it out after this"

"Focus, Barry."

"Fine. But seriously, I'll text you the address later."

On the battlefield, Superman was a blur of red and blue, each strike a calculated blow that sent parademons flying.

Heat vision lanced through the sky, clipping wings and grounding the invaders.

"You fight with honor," Wonder Woman called, her voice cutting through the chaos as she cleaved another parademon in two with her sword. "But do not overreach. These creatures lack mercy."

"Good thing I don't need it," Superman replied, catching a parademon by the throat and hurling it into a nearby building.

Wonder Woman raised her shield, deflecting an incoming attack before spinning her lasso.

It snared three parademons in one sweep, yanking them to the ground where her sword finished the job.

"You're as strong as they say, alien," she said, her tone both commanding and curious.

"Thanks.... I think," Superman said, eyeing her warily as they fought back to back.

Further away, Batman skulked in the shadows, launching batarangs to disable the wings of any parademons straying too far from the main fight.

His tactics were precise and brutal, but his frustration was clear.

"What the hell are these.."

He grappled to a higher perch, assessing the battlefield.

Spotting a downed soldier fending off a lone parademon, Batman launched into action.

He landed behind the creature, planting an explosive charge on its back before yanking the soldier to safety.

"Stay out of their range," he ordered coldly. "Your guns won't do much."

"Who are you-"

"Doesn't matter. Keep moving."

Back in the air, Wonder Woman joined Flash and Green Lantern, her gaze sharp and calculating.

"Warriors, your efforts are commendable, but scattered. This will not do," she said, pointing her sword toward the densest cluster of parademons.

"Great, another strategist," Hal muttered, reinforcing his shield as another wave attacked.

Flash zipped to her side, grinning. "She's got a point, though. So what's the plan, lady?"

"Follow my lead," Wonder Woman said, her tone brooking no argument.

She soared toward the center of the chaos, her movements graceful yet deadly as she cleared a path with her shield and sword.

"Guess we're following her lead," Flash said, dashing after her.

"Terrific," Hal muttered, shaking his head as he conjured a giant green hammer to cover their advance.

As the battle raged on, the heroes worked in reluctant tandem, their combined efforts slowly but surely thinning the parademon swarm.

Superman and Wonder Woman held the front line, their raw power carving through the horde.

Flash darted between enemy ranks, creating distractions and openings for his allies, while Green Lantern's constructs provided much-needed support.

Batman, ever the lone wolf, continued to operate from the shadows, ensuring that no stragglers escaped the battlefield.

Despite their lack of coordination, their individual strengths began to turn the tide.

"Perhaps we are not so different after all," Wonder Woman said, glancing at Superman as she sliced through another parademon.

Superman didn't reply, his focus on the fight. But for the first time since the battle began, he allowed himself a small smile.