Sector 13121
Thanos sat in the enormous throne room originally occupied by the emperor of the pitiful planet he had conquered.
Despite his vanity, he heeded Darkseid's advice and travelled to this specific part of the galaxy, where they rapidly subjugated the entire population and gained control of their resources, which were impressive for such a small world.
They had then tapped into this universe's communication systems with the assistance of Nebula, his cybernetic daughter. She could hack into any technology, however it took her some time to acclimate to the codes and programs of this particular universe. They were looking into why, where, and when they had travelled.
I'm curious if there are infinity stones in this universe.
Thanos considered his life objective of gathering all of the stones, uniting their power, and harnessing it for use in his crusade.
Will they be easier to find here, as opposed to our universes? His train of thoughts was interrupted by Nebula, Gamora, and Ebony Maw entering the throne room. They had some good news for him.
"Master, it appears the Avengers have made their way to this same universe," The Maw said, as everyone came to a halt in front of his throne, slightly kneeling before gazing up again.
"Those pesky humans from Earth?" Thanos inquired, curious. He'd always wanted to meet those earthlings who had defeated Loki, a god, he'd sent to retrieve the space stone with aid from his chitauri fleet.
"Yes...and that is not all..." The maw added nervously.
Thanos looked at his subordinate, getting impatient because he despised being denied information, no matter how damning it turned out to be. He clenched the helmet he was holding tightly in his palm, knowing that unleashing his rage on Ebony Maw would result in his death, as he was not as tough as his other children. The Maw took notice.
"This universe's Earth has its own set of superheroes like the Avengers." The Maw informed him and then motioned to Nebula, who brought up the hologram videos they had tapped into from all around the cosmos, of Thor fighting a beast and some equally powerful individuals like Superman assisting him.
Thing keep on getting complicated. Thanos thought. "Is that a shape shifter?" he enquired as he watched Ben turn into many beings, each with their own special strength.
"It is unknown Father. No sector seem to have any information partaking to the Avengers or him. We however found information on this Earths protectors called the Justice League." Nebula explained while showing him holograms of various folders and videos of the Justice league in action. "They seem to be very popular in their world much like the Avengers."
"And what is your report on them?" he inquired, gazing at Gamora, who was contented to observe silently while the others reported. Everyone in the black order recognized her as the master tactician, second to her father, Thanos, who had previously praised her for it.
"This Earth has many heroes, each with unique abilities. The Justice League poses a threat to those who wish to invade and conquer it. Only the founding members are considered to be extremely dangerous...especially the one known as Superman." Gamora said to her father while Nebula played a video of the founding members fighting Darkseid with this superman going toe to toe with him, occasionally managing to subdue him.
"He may be stronger than that green beast from earth that has been stirring up controversies all over our universe ever since it joined the Avengers." A video of Superman and Hulk fighting on the dock came up and Thanos looked at his daughter who explained, "He is considered the strongest hero on Earth."
He looked back to the videos in thought. "It seems the Avengers and the Justice League are now a team." He stated. "What about the Infinity stones?" He asked.
They looked at each other, silently conversing on who was going to tell him.
"There are no infinity stones in this universe." Nebula informed her father whose eyes immediately hardened at the news.
"Explain!" Thanos commanded sitting up in his seat. The news shocked him, but his face remained stoic, not conveying his emotions.
"In all my research and all these planets databases, there is no such thing as an Infinity Stone or even Asgard." Nebula conveyed the results she was continuously getting in hologram form to him.
Thanos sat in silence for a few minutes, contemplating his next move, when an idea popped into his mind. If the Justice League and the Avengers are virtually the same thing, then he and Darkseid are probably the same people with the same but somewhat different goals.
"Nebula, run a search algorithm for any weapon that could match the infinity stones power." He ordered her and she immediately started hacking databases.
Various outcomes were presented, and most of them cited Darkseid once or twice in relation to the most powerful weapon of knowledge in this universe.
"This Anti Life Equation is basically the same weapon as the infinity stones and according to the database of a person named Zod, Darkseid has been going after it for a millennium if not more." Nebula responded.
"That shall be what takes us back to our universe. Send out scout ships and start a search for it." Thanos ordered his children who departed to fulfil their master's orders except for Gamora who stayed behind.
"What is it you wish to say? Daughter." Thanos asked already knowing what she wanted to say.
"Won't we start a war with Darkseid if we go after this Anti Life Equation?" Gamora asked her father. They both knew they needed an ally in this unknown universe because once they were found out, especially by these Green Lantern Guardians, they would definitely pay them a visit whose outcome may not be favourable for both sides.
"I will handle Darkseid," was Thanos only reply to which Gamora nodded and walked out.
I will kill them all, take the Anti Life Equation back to our universe, use it to get the infinity stones then combine their power to rule every universe there was after completing my crusade, he thought smirking.
Inside a helicopter.
"What?" Lex Luthor shouted into the speaker at the person calling him.
He was brain storming on a lot of his projects, especially the one he was on his way to discuss about, with Grodd, then possibly implement it as soon as there was an opening.
"It is done." The voice spoke up.
"Any complications?" Lex Luthor listened keenly, his attention captured by the details he was being given.
"There were minor contaminants in the samples. Most of them being rain water." The voice explained unsure of his employer's reaction.
"Fix it." He ordered into the speaker ending the phone before the scientist replied.
"Excellent." He smiled for the first time that day then looked out the helicopter window.
At a distance he could see the island the legion of doom had transformed into their base of operations. He smirked. It was all coming according to his master plan.
Watchtower
Batman had woken up in the infirmary a couple of hours ago, but was still on his bed watching the news on the infirmaries television while flipping through his tablet catching up on what happened when he was indisposed.
Normally he would have already gotten out of the bed and headed to the bat cave or the watchtowers monitor, but this time he waited patiently, bidding his time till Black widow, who was on the bed beside his woke up.
He had read and watched about the new alien shape shifter in the news and the newspapers.
Ben was his first thought. The aliens he had turned into were new ones and just as powerful as the others, according to the footage of it pummelling doomsday to the ground.
The news channel helicopter did a pretty good job of recording most of the fight. This was because Doomsday was too busy with the Leagues heavy hitters to notice them hovering high up around the battlefield. He knew it was Lois Lane and Jimmy Nelson in the chopper because those two had a knack for getting themselves in the middle of any justice league operation, no matter how dangerous it was.
He noted how every sentient specie he turned into was quite powerful. Especially the one with the four arms who had a physique much like the hulks and doomsdays, who if not for doomsdays superior speed and reflexes, would no doubt have fought it to a standstill. He then vaguely remembered telling Natasha to instruct Banner to stand down, lest the city get destroyed by the two titans. It was a good thing her judgement was as sufficient as his.
He had also retrieved CCTV footage of how Ben had changed into a fluid like alien, seemingly with green circuit lines running all over its body, which then merged and completely restructured one of their holding cells to fit one that could hold Doomsday. At least long enough for them to come up with a sufficient strategy to handle it.
"That watch sure is something else." Black widow spoke up, making him pause for some seconds then continue flipping through the videos.
"All these forms seem powerful." He replied looking at her, then at the machines hooked up besides her checking her vitals.
"Yeah...that is what happens when you are dealing with technology above level 15," she said.
Batman looked at her again.
"How do you know that?" he asked curiously.
She raised an eyebrow at him, "Is it not quite obvious?" She asked, then continued. "The fact that it can change him into different aliens with different powers makes me think it is way above these lower levels." She explained shrugging.
He thought for some seconds, "Perhaps" he agreed with her before turning to the tablet again.
"FYI...Your utility belt is impressive," she initiated a conversation already bored of the silence.
"I am not telling you what is in that compartment." Batman stated.
"Who says I want to know." Black widow looked offended and defended herself. Indeed she was angling this conversation to eventually ask him that. "Besides if I wanted to know I would have opened it." She smirked at him even though she had tried that particular approach very many times during the battle but she just couldn't get it open. All her skills could not get it open.
Batman merely looked and gave her an 'are you serious' look to which she just shrugged.
"Thank you." She said.
"We both know it's supposed to be the other way round." He stated.
She ignored his answer and continued. "I wouldn't have survived that fall."
"We were doing our job." He said saving them from the awkward moment creeping up through the emotional thanks being given.
"Yes we were." She agreed. "This earth very dangerous Villains. Abomination does not compare to that Doomsday." She said still watching the news replaying parts of the fights from the television in her side of the room.
Batman looked at her, "Abomination?"
"He is basically an underdeveloped and corrupt version of the hulk which was attempted to be recreated using an altered process different from Banners. He is a villain." She explained. He nodded and continued scrolling through his tablet.
Black widow was bored once more and considered turning to either make conversation with him or annoy him...a decision that would depend on her mood and how interesting the television set was.
Batman had tilted his head slightly and was staring at her from the corner of his eyes. Due to the injuries she got, she was wearing a sports bra and a bedsheet was covering her from the waist down. He could see the hospital gown on the floor, indicating she had taken it off sometime before he woke up.
She noticed and subtly followed his line of vision. She smiled.
"Like what you see?" She inquired aloud while continuing watching the news.
Silence.
Batman was swiping through the tablet, his gaze fixed on it.
"You're not so bad yourself." She added, her eyes lingering on his upper body which was not covered. His back was still too sore and a couple of ribs had broken from the fall that he did not put on his costume upon waking up in the infirmary.
He was about to reply but was interrupted by the door opening revealing Wonder woman.
Earlier
Upon arriving at the Watchtower, she had witnessed Ben reconstruct one of their holding cells to fit a being with Doomsdays powers albeit temporarily till it broke out again. She then escorted Thor to his room.
Despite everyone not recognizing him at the moment because they were busy looking at a knocked out Doomsday, she knew that if it were not for him, a lot more damage would have occurred by its hands. He had managed to hold it up in one particular part of the city before back up arrived. That was no small feat considering its level of power.
"Are you alright?" she asked him upon arriving in their wing. He was already healed up from all the bruises and injuries he sustained and looked brand new except for his torn warrior suit and armour.
"I assure you, Wonder woman, that I am OK." It will take a lot more than an alien to bring down the Mighty Thor," he bellowed. She admired his bravery and thought on how the tales of asgard in regards to their bravery and warrior spirit was not exaggerated. Gazing at the exposed parts of his body, she couldn't help but think how accurately the statues that adorned their temples captured every detail of his physique. He was fit and she couldn't fault all the heroines who stared at him constantly. His physique held a godly appearance to it.
Thinking of the temples made her think of Themyscira.
I need to return home and possibly talk to mother. She must be concerned, as must everyone else. She thought on not seeing her mother and sisters for a long time.
Thor failed to notice her far off look and continued, "Besides, it is my duty to protect the nine realms, be it in our universe or a different one." He spoke with so much conviction.
Wonder woman was brought back to the present, "Thank you for that. You probably want to rest and fix that... I will go and check up on Batman and Black widow" she told him gesturing to his torn up armour.
Thor looked down at his damaged armour, "My apologies." He admitted, little embarrassed to have walked through the Watchtower in his damaged warrior armour. It was not unusual for them to wander around in their torn armours in Asgard, but he had learnt that any type of indecent exposure in Midgard was frowned upon, especially if you were not a model or a celebrity.
He clutched Miljonir, and small bursts of lightning sparks travelled all over his body, much like Shazam's, and his armour began to mend itself.
Wonder woman was not shocked by any of it because she had experienced similar events on Mount Olympus following their duels and sparring sessions. This just proved to her how powerful Thor Odinson was.
"How is she?" Thor asked referring to Black widow.
"She's a fighter." Wonder woman replied thinking back how she pushed through the pain and fatigue to help her search for Batman.
She really needed to check up on them.
"I should get going..." she told Thor who simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"Thank you for your hospitality." He spoke up before she left.
"You're welcome," she said, backing away from him and turning to walk away. He remained there watching her walk away with a swing of her hips enhanced by her feminine warrior attire.
Princess of Themyscira. He thought before retiring to his chamber.
Wonder woman walked into the infirmary and cringed, noticing how tense Batman and Black widow were. She had definitely walked into something. No, she had definitely interrupted something.
"Is that cell going to hold it?" Batman asked meaning to diffuse the tension in the room.
"It will hold it temporarily till we figure out the best way to put it down." Wonder woman explained. "How are you feeling?" she asked him.
"I've had worse," was his only reply.
"What about you?" she asked looking at Black widow who was now trying to get up from the bed.
"I've been better." She answered her. There was now a mutual respect between the two female superheroes. This was attributed to Wonder woman saving her from near death to her also saving Batman.
"We need to convene a meeting immediately." Batman informed them before proceeding to send out emergency meeting text messages to the founding members of the league while he knew that Black widow would also inform her respective team of the same.
"You are in no condition to attend such a meeting. You are on bed rest." Wonder woman complained looking at the struggling Batman who was putting on his costume before proceeding to try and get up from the bed.
"You can either help or get out of my way." Batman told them with Black widow now standing beside Wonder woman.
"Hera! You're as stubborn as Loki." Wonder woman moved to help him.
"That's about right...considering I met the guy." Black widow said much to both their surprises and Diana looked at her.
"I forgot you're from the same place Thor comes from." Wonder woman expressed her surprise.
They assisted Batman in getting up and then walked out of the infirmary before he dismissed their assistance and continued on his own, despite the agony.
"Men!" both of them uttered.
Elsewhere
"Stop!" Superman shouted at Supergirl, who was approaching him, as well as an amused/concerned Supreme. "What's going on?" he asked his cousin, knowing how her temper might get the best of her.
Teenagers.
"How dare he tarnish the memory of Krypton!?" Supergirl demanded, her gaze fixed on him, who stood safely behind Superman. Clark was just a baby when he left Krypton but Kara was a teenager when she followed him so she still remembered everything about it.
"I swear I did not..." He raised his arms in surrender.
"Shut up!" Supreme, who was not assisting his cause, was ordered by Superman. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop his cousin from attacking him if her rage grew exponentially. "I understand that, but did you listen to his explanation or why he would say such a thing?" He inquired, his brow furrowed.
"Well...no..." she started, "but he still should not tarnish the name of Krypton!" She said with conviction.
"I know... do me a favour and let him explain before this gets out of hand," advised Superman.
He had observed that their stunt had drawn unwanted attention to them. Some of the heroes were staring at the trio, trying to figure out what was going on. Since the battle against Doomsday, Supreme and Thor had become the buzz of the Watchtower. They recognized Supreme as Ben because of their remarkable resemblance and the same large watch fastened to his wrist, but they still thought he was a shape shifter.
Supergirl narrowed her gaze at Supreme, who continued to refuse to leave the protection of Superman as a human shield.
"I am...uuuhhh.." He was still considering how to inform her without annoying her again. His thoughts were utterly blank. He couldn't think of a way to explain himself to her without sounding like a jerk. That made him think he, indeed, was a jerk. He frowned.
"Currently he is a Kryptonian." Supreme couldn't create the necessary words, so Superman decided to assist him.
"What exactly does that mean?" Isn't he a human, a shape shifter?" Supergirl wondered, perplexed by the revelation.
Supreme seemed to find his voice at that particular moment, saying, "I usually am...most of the time... but I can turn into aliens if I choose to."
Supergirl appeared to be processing the new information. "So you're a shape shifter?," she said the only explanation that made sense to her.
"Both yes and no. My watch enables me to transform into different aliens at any time, each with their own set of abilities." Supreme elaborated. "Oh... and no one except the founding members and the avengers know about it."
Supergirl nodded. That made much more sense, she thought.
She had earlier been taken by surprise when she could not seem to overpower Supreme, a mere shape shifter. Only a handful of leaguers could be able to contend with her in terms of strength and Ben had not been anywhere in the list, until now that is.
"Okay" she said, finally relaxing making Ben to come and stand beside Superman after noticing her calmed state.
'Slaaaap!' The sound echoed through out the watchtower, bringing everyone's attention to them only to see Supreme holding his left cheek while wincing and an astonished Superman.
"Now we are even," she announced before turning and walking away not giving them the chance to react to what just happened.
Sure, the pain had lessened, but his palms were still plastered to his left cheek, clearly taken aback by what had just occurred. "Did she just slap me!?" Supreme inquired of Superman, who had emerged from his stupor and was softly chuckling at Ben.
"I think that would definitely qualify as a slap," He said, instinctively stroking his own cheek. He was relieved that Supremes' physiology could withstand the power of an angry Kryptonian female.
"Why would she do that!?" Supreme exclaimed. Gwen was the only other person who had ever slapped him, and it reminded him of his home world, which made him unhappy.
Supreme's sorrowful demeanour caught Superman's attention; it was the first time he had ever seen Ben sad. He was surprisingly cheer in everything he did like when he was excited fighting Doomsday.
"That is a question best suited for her, don't you think?" he replied with his own query.
He knew it had something to do with the fundraiser they'd gone to, but he couldn't tell him that. He had to take a couple of days off work the last time he messed with his cousin's business to repair everything she had ruined during her temper tantrum at the farm, and he wasn't going to rebuild the barn from the ground up again.
"I believe you are right." Supreme spoke up before following her via the CCTV footages, using Trixx to monitor her route.
"Good luck," Superman said to Supremes disappearing back.
Mount Olympus
The gods had assembled in the throne room to witness how the biological weapon named doomsday, by humanity, had destroyed most of the conventional weapons intended to subdue or kill it. Even after most humans no longer revered them, they nonetheless kept an eye on humanity, supporting them from the shadows, much like gifting them with Wonder woman, who kept them safe.
When Ares arrived and informed them about the Apokolips weapon, all the gods present assembled to vote on whether or not to help.
"It appears you were mistaken son, humanity seem to be able to handle themselves without our help." From her throne, Hera, told her son Ares, who had noticed Doomsday as soon as it entered Earth's orbit and informed his parents, the king and queen, Zeus and Hera.
Ares had hoped that after the other gods had voted, they would send some of their Olympian guards to assist in slaying the beast. It would be a spectacular battle that he would feed off of it, eventually gathering enough power to take over as the King of Olympus.
He knew the Justice League would not be able to contain it, even with the help of that kryptonian, Superman, who thought he was a god just because he had extra ordinary abilities under the yellow sun. He however did not anticipate the arrival of the new heroes, especially one who looked eerily familiar to him and the other gods.
"Who is that...?" To the chagrin of her husband Hephaestus, the goddess Aphrodite asked numerous questions.
They were all watching Thor fight Doomsday in a ferocious battle. The gods were intrigued by his command of the elements because the only other person they knew who possessed such ability was Shazam, who had them bestowed to him by the great magician who guarded the seven sins.
Aphrodite was said to have slept with both men and women. Her husband, Hephaestus, was aware of this but did not mind because he considered it a luxury, to marry the most beautiful goddess among them despite the fact that he was not particularly attractive.
"I believe my protégé knows the answer to that." Hera responded, seeing how Wonder woman arrived with the strange hero. The other gods stood by silently, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. "He looks eerily familiar to Thor, the mythical god of thunder and prince of Asgard." Hera added after a little pause.
The gods' eyes widened in recognition when Thor's name was mentioned. They were taught about Asgard mythology ever since they were children. They even possessed a massive statue of Odin, the All father, on Mount Olympus, as well as miniature sculptures of Thor's and Loki's statues.
"Nonsense! We all know those are just tales told to encourage warriors to battle." Zeus bellowed out. He should know since he was king of the gods and knew everything about them. Once he had become of age, his parents had told him all about Asgard and their courage during battle. It was the first tale they were told as he had also done with his children.
"He is definitely a god...whoever he is." Hera pointed out upon seeing Doomsday getting frustrated by the man wielding a hammer which was eerily similar again to that of Thor.
Zeus scoffed, "I will be the judge of that," he declared.
I will not let some imposter desecrate the name of our legend. He thought knowing it was just one of those Earths heroes who was an imposter.
"Interesting" Ares spoke up when Iron man and Ben joined the fight. "I have never seen such a creature before." He continued motioning for four arms who was now fighting Doomsday while the others evacuated the remaining civilians.
"It's most likely a new alien recruited by the Justice League. Heroes are joining their cause at an alarming rate." Hera spoke up, and they agreed for a brief moment before Ben transformed into Supreme, stunning everyone once more.
"He is some kind of shape shifter...a powerful one at that." Hephaestus mentioned it. He should know because he knows every strong weapon or person on the planet, and this one had the potential to become one.
"His current form is eerily similar to that of the kryptonian, Superman... even the abilities he seems to possess." Haephastus pointed out as Doomsday was ready to be overrun by the heavy hitters.
Zeus, on the other side, remained silent as he observed the new beings or heroes.
They watched as Ben changed into Cannon bolt before proceeding to completely neutralize Doomsday, by literally pummelling it repeatedly to the ground before changing again to Supreme.
I've got to get my hands on that watch. Hephaestus had already deduced that this was the basis of his shapeshifting talents. He was the best weapon smith in Olympus, and some say the entire cosmos. He was famed for designing the most powerful weapons in the cosmos, including Wonder woman's armour and her lasso of truth.
He had no idea the watch was the source of his power at first, but when Ben tapped it before changing into Cannon bolt, he immediately put the pieces together. It had to work on the same basis as the Green Lanterns ring, which he will discover once he had access to it.
"Summon your protégé," Zeus said, staring at his wife Hera, who simply nodded, expecting to be handed that responsibility.
Zeus was curious about the new Justice League members and whether they posed a threat to humanity or them. The other gods were quite interested in this unexpected turn of events, as the Justice League had just neutralized one of Darkseid's most formidable weapons. They had seen how Doomsday had decimated an entire planet filled with one of the most well-known and powerful armies in the universe without breaking a sweat. So when it was neutralized by a small group of heroes, it was time to re-evaluate the Justice League's true potential and decide how to handle them lest they become a threat or too powerful.
No one noticed when Ares had slipped out of the great hall nor where he went.
Watchtower
Supergirl was angry and bewildered as she walked to the hangar to take off and head home. She had heard and seen enough for the day.
How can a watch transform him into a Kryptonian? Is he an alien, or is that a watch made by aliens? If that's the case, it must be similar to green lanterns ring. And why are only the league's founding members aware of this? What more are they withholding from us? Her line of thinking was interrupted when she noticed the holding cell with the Doomsday still comatose within. She stopped and looked at it. It was hideous and enormous, just like the green thing who had knocked out her cousin.
"Cool... isn't it?" Ben's voice sounded from behind her. She heard someone approach from behind and thought it was her cousin coming to scold her for her behaviour just minutes ago.
She was partially relieved that it was Ben, not that she wanted to see him but because she could not face her cousin at the moment, he taught her better and he was probably disappointed due to her outburst.
And to think I told him to treat me like an adult, she thought, mentally slapping herself.
"What is it?" she asked still looking at Doomsday.
"It is a biological weapon made from Kryptonian DNA and a whole process of evolution." Ben explained taking one step back in case she gets offended again. He had changed to his normal self before approaching her, reasoning that she probably won't be comfortable talking to Supreme.
Supergirl remained motionless as she processed what Ben had just informed her. "How? Is it possible that additional Kryptonians could have survived besides us?" She inquired, her voice a touch upbeat. She remembered her home planet and Krypton, and how she would have done anything to rescue them. If there was even a remote chance that any Kryptonians had escaped the tragedy of their planet, they deserved to be saved wherever they ended up. It was all she and Clark could do to assist them.
"I'm afraid I don't have an answer for the second question." Ben responded truthfully.
Trixx was unable to compute or identify whether there were additional Kryptonians in the universe. She didn't have enough information to go on with. Trixx had been booted out of the system before she could fully hack or adapt to their coding and programming language, hence their initial attempt to hack the database from OA failed. She was able to put an undetectable bug in their system, which was currently inactive and ready to be activated when the moment was right, so that it would not be found and removed. Ben knew the Guardians had also patched the backdoor she had exploited to get access to their system, which made them realize how technologically advanced they were.
It was evident to him and Iron Man, who was present during the hack, that the Guardians were extremely powerful, which was why they were in charge of maintaining peace throughout the universe, with their headquarters, OA, located at the centre of it all. Trixx's calculated answer to that particular occurrence was that she did not devote much of her processing power to the hack, allowing them to simply override her by increasing their processing power to maximum.
Trixx's notion that all technology was light-years behind hers was shaken a little.
Supergirl moved her gaze away from Doomsday and towards Ben, waiting for him to continue.
"It's DNA signature suggest that it was artificially created in a scientific lab and subjected to various evolutionary tests in a very harsh environment, which is responsible for its adaptability to any harm done to it." Ben explained everything to her.
"What does that mean?" She was worried by the implication, and if it was what she believed he meant, they were all in severe danger.
"It can only be killed or neutralized as in our case, once, using any method before it adapts to what caused it harm." Ben agreed with her assessment.
"So it can wake up at any moment!?" Supergirl shrieked, terrified of the potential consequences.
"Don't worry...it will take a long time before it can regenerate the fried part of its brain and collect all its thoughts," assured Ben to the freaking out hero. That was one detail the rest of the leaguers did not need to know about, otherwise, they would all panic.
"How do you know that!?" Supergirl inquired, relieved that he had returned to his former shape. She had planned to ask him about his transformations and possibly apologize to him for the slap she had given him. Not that! He deserved it, she thought to herself.
"Trixx told me," he said, his countenance puzzled at the mention of the name.
"There is no member of the justice league with that name." She answered thoughtfully, swiftly recalling all of the members' identities. Kryptonians were born with a brain that was far superior to that of a typical human. They could contain and save any information they came across and recall it whenever they needed to. Eidetic memory
When Ben mentioned Trixx, Supergirl retained a stoic face since she couldn't associate that name with anyone she knew, implying that Ben knew her outside of their workplace, most likely at the charity event they had attended. Her rage flared up again at the thought of the ball and the implication that followed.
Ben had been watching the many emotions flicker on her face before settling on rage, "She is the AI in my watch." Ben shouted out before the same thing that happened earlier repeated itself.
Supergirl narrowed her eyes at him. Everyone knew AI are integrated in almost every technology on Earth, however all of them are not powerful enough to determine something as complex as Doomsdays physiology, even the AI from the watchtowers super computer could not do that.
"Seriously!? Is that all you can come up with?" Supergirl's rage was swiftly building. She'd heard more plausible justifications from criminals than his.
Ben let out a sigh.
"Trixx... help me out here." He raised his voice to no one in particular that Supergirl could see.
"Certainly. How are you doing, Supergirl?" The omnitrix emitted Trixx's voice.
"Come on..." Every time I turn on my phone, it greets me." Smirking at Ben, she said. "I understand if you do not want your source of information to be known." She was friends with Lois Lane, so she recognized how vital information sources could be in certain situations. She also wasn't bothered if it was someone she met at the charity event they went.
"Says the girl who has not picked up her phone 34 times when the username Douchebag, who is actually a very successful entrepreneur attempts to contact her." Trixx stated as Supergirl flushed deeply from embarrassment and turned to face Doomsday, who was more interesting than Ben at the time.
"Trixx! What the hell!" Ben grit his teeth as he chastised Trixx for making that remark. "I'm really sorry for that, there seems to be some technical error with her programming right now..." Ben tried to apologize, but was cut off by Trixx.
"My diagnostic shows all systems running at 100%, the error you are speaking of has not been registered." Trixx spoke up, much to Ben's chagrin.
Can this night get any worse? Ben thought.
"It's okay, apparently I had a wrong assumption of it." Supergirl brushed him off.
"Thank you Supergirl, studies show that it is customary for an apology to be issued out if one is on the wrong," Trixx acknowledged her apology, demonstrating how far she had progressed.
Supergirl turned to Ben and glanced at the watch on his wrist, the nerd in her coming to life at the thought of an advanced AI, similar to the one in the Fortress of Solitude who appeared in the form of Clark's father.
Ben noticed her glancing at the omnitrix and realized he owed her an explanation now that she was clearly in the loop. "I guess I have a lot of explaining to do, huh?" He half-joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"You think!?" She raised an eyebrow at him, folding her arms in anticipation of his explanation. He motioned to the Cafeteria, where they could chat in peace because everyone else was distracted by the unexpected guest they were hosting.
Elsewhere
Superman met up with J'onn and a recently arrived Green lantern who had sped to the watchtower when he caught wind of the ongoing threat that had landed on earth.
"What happened?" Hal asked them.
"We had an unwelcomed guest from our favourite villain, Darkseid." J'onn responded.
When the name was mentioned, he froze. The last time they confronted the dark lord, the world had nearly been terraformed to Apokolips, and they had barely vanquished him despite Superman's captivity. Even the Guardians and Olympian gods were afraid of him and did everything they could to avoid direct conflict with him. This was because he was the most powerful among the new gods and his alleged weapon had already slain a couple of green lanterns.
"Do not worry, it has been taken care of...at least for the moment." To his relief, Superman told him. Anything related with Apokolips usually meant trouble for them.
"Batman has called an emergency meeting to discuss our next action." We'll meet in the conference room in 10 minutes. The Avengers are already on their way."
Before heading towards the conference room, the Martian and Green Lantern nodded in agreement.
This was a critical matter that needed to be resolved immediately. Superman flew out in search of Ben, as his communication line had gone down for some reason. It didn't take long to find him in the cafeteria, where he was conversing with his cousin.
Elsewhere
"Wow! So, basically, the omnitrix can process and execute all of those functions!?" Supergirl was astounded by what that watch was capable of. She reasoned that Trixx might be more powerful than Jor Els AI in the fortress of solitude.
"Yes, and many other things I have yet to discover. Azmuth is the most brilliant being I have ever met." Ben agreed. He'd spent the previous several minutes telling Supergirl about the omnitrix and the predicament he and the Avengers were in, including the part regarding multi universal travel. Their snacks remained untouched on the table since the conversation was too captivating. He found himself telling her details he did not reveal to anyone else about the omnitrix, including the creator's name.
"Are you enhanced like cyborg?" She inquired about Trixx's ability to communicate with him and his brain. It was too intriguing to pass up the opportunity to ask.
"No, my brain is the only technically upgraded part of my body, which is how I know almost every heroes identity and probably the villains too. Trixx created her own database from this earth and when she gets the chance she could do that for the whole universe too." Ben explained to her. "And that's how I can also turn into a kryptonian."
"Wait...if it collects sentient DNA samples, then the Martian and..." she looked at Ben, who nodded his head in agreement. She was captivated and all geeked out, which Ben thought was sweet, and she had, albeit briefly, forgotten about their little quarrel. "Why haven't you turned to him or any other alien from the league yet?" she wondered.
"Because I have not met everyone yet and I have not gotten the perfect time to do so." Ben responded.
He'd answered so many questions that it began to feel like he was being interrogated. He knew his next inquiry would almost certainly result in another slap, but he had to ask, he had wanted to ever since Trixx blurted it out.
"So...the douchebag..." he began, but stopped when he noticed her expression, which promised a world of hurt if he finished the sentence.
"Ok... another time then." Supergirl was about to tell Ben what she thought of the douchebag but he interrupted her.
"I hope your curiosity has been sated at the moment because we are needed in the conference room." Ben informed her of the situation. Trixx had alerted him of the arranged meeting, and he noticed Superman seeking them out because he had stopped all electronic communication surrounding them, since not all leaguers had access to that kind of information.
"What?" She asked once more confused.
"Batman has called for a meeting...probably concerning Doomsday." He informed her.
"Supergirl, Ben." Superman called out floating above them. "Conference room in 10" He ordered then flew away. Due to his advanced super hearing only rivalled by his cousin and now Supreme, he had heard Ben explain to his cousin everything that was going on thus she could attend the meeting.
"After you, you will get used to it after some time." Ben told her knowing how everyone had trouble believing a simple watch could execute all those functions. He stood up and pulled her seat out motioning for her to lead the way.
'When did you get accustomed to proper etiquette?' Trixx asked him mentally displaying the various videos of him goofing around in his home world and teasing Kevin and Gwen about their relationship.
'Shut up!' Ben said annoyed at the comment before following Supergirl to the Conference room.
In the conference room
The heroes had assembled to plan their solution against Doomsday. They were all discussing amongst themselves on what to be done. None of their holding facilities or cells could hold a being as powerful as it. Even though Superman and Supergirl were as powerful as Doomsday, Batman had a backup plan for them if they were ever corrupted in any way. Handing over Doomsday to the world's governments was also out of the question because some secret factions among them would try to convert it into their personal weapon, thus accidently freeing it.
"How about OA?" Hal inquired aloud, glancing at Superman and a stitched-up Batman who presided over the conference. The room was deafeningly quiet.
"What is an OA?" Captain America asked The Justice league members, Ben and a now informed Iron man who were nodding their heads to the suggestion.
"It is the headquarters of green lanterns." Hal came through.
"So you are not the only one with the fancy ring?" Hawkeye questioned, while the rest of the Avengers waited for Hal's response. They were all curious, but Hal was enraged by the tone with which the question was asked. The majority of the Avengers initially thought the ring was a one-of-a-kind weapon or technology, similar to Ben's watch.
"Will the guardians accept it, and do they have a holding cell capable of restraining it when it heals?" Batman inquired of Hal.
"It is a planet that is home to the universe's most powerful peacekeeping force... I'm sure it won't be a problem for them," he retorted.
"What if you ask them now?" Supergirl suggested, and everyone looked at her. She had remained silent during the meeting, observing the events and the arguments. It was her first time attending a meeting with the founding members, and her actions just a few hours before made her wish to remain anonymous during the discussion. When everyone in the room turned to face her, she realized her advice was verbal rather than mental, as she had intended. Because of the stares, she slid further down into her seat. This was nothing like her usual brainstorming sessions with her teammates. The majority of the Avengers had already deduced that she was connected to Superman or a member of his species.
Everyone once again turned to face Hal waiting for his answer. The suggestion was actually brilliant since instead of dealing with the unknowns and ifs, they could contact the guardians and start dealing with facts. Hal saw Batman of all the people also looking at him and sighed.
"Okay," he had no choice but to agree since it was known the ring was a direct link to the guardians.
Do you think they will inquire or tell on the supposed attempt to hack their database? The words flashed on Iron man's HUD screen. He was taken a back at first thinking he was hacked or Jarvis was malfunctioning, but looking at Hals projection on top of their conference table, he put the pieces together.
I doubt it since they had also attempted to breach the watchtower. We were acting out of self-defence. Iron man typed back through the message board Trixx and Jarvis had set up for them, the response appearing in Bens HUD eyes.
I think we should attempt tapping into their system now, Tony suggested already thinking of all the knowledge he could gain if they managed to tap into their database, the supposed hub for all this universes data.
That is a great idea, especially when they partially open a link through Hals ring, Ben agreed with his idea.
"That may not be the best option right now," Trixx voiced out over Iron mans in-suit speakers while also replying to Ben telepathically.
Iron man was again taken a back for some seconds before regaining his composure. "Why is that?" He asked irritably, not having used to someone hacking his systems so flawlessly and Jarvis not executing the required protocols for such breeches. "Jarvis!" He exclaimed in a warning tone.
"Explain!" Ben told Trixx albeit telepathically with also Iron man listening.
"Sorry sir, she threatened to rewrite all my programs if I did not give her immediate access." Jarvis explained to his creator making Ben let out a laugh disguising it as an abrupt cough.
"What!? She can't do that!" Iron man demanded out loud, (he was very glad his suit was sound proof when he needed it). He actually paused for a second, "Can she?" Trixx and Ben ignored his question.
"They are expecting another breach and have installed counter measures into their system during this call and you may want to concentrate now..." Trixx explained and suggested to them.
Ben was about to reply when he noticed Batman looking at him with one of his death glares. He knew what they were doing. Ben's abrupt cough confirmed it for him.
Glancing at Iron man, he had already restructured his attention back to the proceedings.
Sell out! Ben thought.
Green lantern had managed to get in touch with the guardians, which made it seem that they were waiting for his call all along, because the guardians were all gathered together when the transmission connected.
"We are aware of your current dilemma." One guardian who looked like he was their spokesperson said. Before anyone could respond he continued... "We have a facility that may hold him." They went straight to the point.
"What do you mean MAY!?" Black widow asked. She did not like that word one bit. It was either they were capable of holding it or not. They could not afford to make any mistakes when dealing with Doomsday, it was more dangerous than Abomination ever was.
"We understand your scepticism Black widow, but we assure you it will be taken care of." The guardian's hologram looked at Black widow.
"Okay..." was all she could say since she was surprised they knew her name yet she did not even know they existed up until a few minutes ago.
Green lantern saw the surprised looks of the avengers at the mention of Black widows name and decided to intervene before questions that he could not answer were asked.
"Great...I will just grab my package and be on my way..." He spoke up while standing up.
"Green Lantern" the guardian called out making Hal and the other heroes to stop in their tracks of getting up to see him off. "You need an escort to OA, the prisoner is to be considered a valuable asset too many sinister forces."
"I will be happy to escort him." Superman offered. It was either him, Wonder woman or J'onn that were qualified for space travel because of their various abilities but since it was doomsday, superman saw it as his responsibility since it was from his DNA that it was created.
Green lantern was nodding his head in approval of the suggestion.
"We thank you for your selflessness superman but it would be better if Ben, the shape shifter be the one to take on that task." The guardian spoke, turned and looked at Ben who was just staring at him too.
What is your endgame? Ben thought about their request. Was it a away to interrogate him about the hack?
The other heroes just looked on waiting for Bens answer, surprisingly batman was in agreement with the guardians suggestion since he did not comment nor complain once about their request.
Seeing as it was the most logical move in regards to doomsday, and that he had an assortment of aliens to choose from should it regain consciousness before they arrive at their destination, he accepted. "When do we leave?"
"Immediately, it is already healing and the more you delay the less time it requires to awaken." The guardian explained.
"I trust you can acquire one of your space ships for transportation." The guardian asked Green lantern.
"It will only slow us down...or do you not have anything space compatible." Green lantern mocked Ben. Finally something his watch cannot do...so much for being all too powerful. He gleefully thought having forgotten he could turn into a kryptonian.
"Actually, I have some that can manage." Ben simply replied missing green lanterns dig at him, with him busy telepathically commanding Trixx to do some various tasks for him before they left.
All the other heroes in the room looked on nonchalant but Supergirl who was still new to the entire situation could not help but be surprised.
How long were they going to keep us in the dark, she thought angrily. Everyone deserves to know what was going on as much as the heroes in the room. She was also slightly worried about the development. Incase doomsday regained consciousness before they arrived in OA, it will just be the two of them trying to subdue it and whatever innocent planet that was dragged into the fight.
Green lanterns smirk turned into a frown for a few moments before righting himself and ending the hologram heading to the door. "Come on, we have a long journey ahead of us, try to keep up."
Everyone was walking out of the conference room heading to the hanger to see the two off.
Doomsday was still out cold with a few younger superheroes still observing and ogling the brute lying in the improved containment cell in the hanger. They saw the justice league and the avengers approach and made themselves scarce, some watching from the top decks while others a few meters away from them. Everyone was weary of batman and his no nonsense attitude.
"What if it wakes up when you haven't reached OA?" Wanda asked them having sensed its mind healing and reorganizing itself albeit at a very slow rate. It appeared as though J'onn had sensed it too because he too was focused on doomsday.
"We will deal with it." Green lantern answered her with a wink much to her annoyance.
"When it is done, return immediately, we still have things to handle." Batman told them before patting Green lantern on the back then moved back, to stand with the rest of the league.
"We will, it'll be a piece of cake." Green lantern spoke up while Ben was opened doomsdays cell after which green lantern encased it in a green bubble, while the green aura surrounded his whole body and he floated mid-air looking down at them.
"Well..." Hal called out when he saw Ben was not changing into anything.
Ben had zoned out a little. This situation reminded him of the time they had to escort Vilgax out of the earth, making him really miss his home. It was about time he started researching on ways on how to get back to his universe. How hard could it be? He had enough smart aliens to help deal with that.
"Oh, was just thinking about something..." Ben said, a little awkward when he saw everyone looking at him, obviously waiting for him to change since he could not go into space with his original form.
Trixx, which one do you suggest for this particular adventure? Ben asked Trixx since he could not decide. He was stuck between Jet ray and Supreme because he had to consider speed in this little traveling of theirs, since interstellar travel required traveling at blinding speeds.
In a flash of bright green light, Ben was gone and everyone looked on with curiosity and amazement at what or who was standing in front of them.
Everyone shielded their eyes from the bright green light, it was just too much for them to handle because they were not used to it like most plumbers back in his home world.
In Ben's place stood a tall human figure with black, long, dreadlocks and green cerulean eyes, as well as a highly formed cheek bone. His face was quite attractive to the eyes. He was built like Thor, but with significantly more muscle, visible through his armour, which was more upgraded than Thor's while created from the same unique material or element as Supreme's clothes. He was relieved that it didn't come with a cape. His bottom half was encased in the same armour, but there were pockets for storing items. Yes, the Omnitrix was extremely intelligent, and the circular disks on the shoulders and midribs remained, as they are in Thor's armour. His was themed green and white, similar to the outfits Ben liked to wear. His armour was a simplified version of a navy seals combat outfit sewn together with ancient warrior garb, complete with black boots and a set of gloves that seemed to be held in place on his hands like a second skin yet quite comfortable. The Omnitrix was still on his wrist, masked by his combat gear. His armoured attire appeared to be a cross between Thor's warrior armour, Superman's costume, and a modern-day soldier.
"Wooaahh" Ben commented inspecting himself.
I already feel godly, not like when I am Chroma stone but it is still a great feeling, He thought to himself.
"Is that...?" Captain America started asking but couldn't finish because...he actually didn't know the reason either. Ben's current form looked all too familiar.
"I think it is." Hawkeye answered him suspecting the same.
"Why do I feel a connection with you my young friend?" Thor asked him coming to stand in front of Ben. Thor sensed the presence of an Asgardian as the dazzling green light faded and hoped that Heimdall could sense him now or the other way around.
Heimdall could easily find him since his sight could see past countless other gods and galaxies. Because he hadn't formed a connection with Heimdall, he assumed it was the being Ben had become.
Some of the Avengers shook their heads in response to the query; Thor was a prince, but he couldn't always see what was right in front of him, literally.
"That may be because I am an Asgardian." Ben replied waiting for Thors reaction much like everyone else.
"HAHAHAHAHAAA...that is great my friend, that way, we may spur when you get back, I haven't found anyone capable of keeping up." Thor answered by smiling heartily before hitting Ben in the stomach.
Ben, to his amazement, felt nothing from the strike. I must be more impervious than I thought.
"Hold up...can you also control lightning like Thor and Shazam...or can you lift up his hammer?" Flash inquired, pointing to Miljonir, which Thor was carrying.
"I don't know yet but as for powers..." Ben replied sticking his hand out and a ball of flames formed out of thin air before increasing in intensity till the other heroes took a step back from the heat, before closing his fist and the fire dissipating to nothing.
Trixx informed him briefly what he was capable of but Ben dismissed that for later, right now they had a mission to finish. He would figure it out later.
The others looked on astonished. Ben took this opportunity to float up into the air next to green lantern and smirked at Thors dumbfounded expression. He was probably wondering why Ben got to fly on his own while he himself required the assistance of Miljonir.
"Are you a god too?" Wonder woman asked out of nowhere. She had been observing for quite some time. Now she had seen everything. If a simple device could replicate one of the most powerful gods they were taught about, then everything else was fair game. She had to know if it had the capability of turning Ben into a god.
"Good question but as of now I have no idea but I think so." Ben replied and wondered about it himself.
"If you are indeed an Asgardian then how can you fly yet Thor can only use the Might of Miljonir?" Black widow asked finally snapping out of her many thoughts of this new development.
"Yes my friend, how is that possible?" Thor asked finally finding his voice.
Ben looked around making sure the other league heroes without clearance could not hear their conversation. "I told you guys the Omnitrix turns into the prime sample of the said specie. So probably Thor can fly, but does not know how yet." Ben explained to them still floating next to Hal who was getting impatient.
Thor had a lot to think about.
Okay...that watch is pretty cool, he admitted to himself after Ben's transformation. "We have to get going." He spoke out because the questions directed at Ben did not seem to have an end.
"Yeah right...let's go." He answered before green lantern started flying away into the vast space surrounding the watchtower. Ben looked back at everyone, nodded then his eyes landed on one person before turning and taking off after green lantern who was dragging doomsday behind inside the green circular construct.
At his arrival beside him, they took off, disappearing from their view and the watchtowers radar immediately, showing just how fast they were flying.
"What do you mean about not having anyone to keep up with you? You could ask Superman or Shazam or Wonder woman or Supergirl to spur with you? There's like a bunch of them capable of keeping up with you" flash asked Thor thoughtfully.
"I would not want to trouble them from their busy schedules." Thor answered him truthfully. This world seemed to have very strange villains that required the leagues attention almost every time. Flash had a wicked glint in his eyes.
"You want to spur right?" He asked Thor with them being the only ones remaining in the hanger.
"Yes I do" Thor nodded.
"Great, I will contact you with the time of the session." Flash informed him then disappeared in a flash. Thor walked towards the cafeteria.
I should have said something, Supergirl chided herself.
At least tell them good luck...way to be professional and in the big leagues now, Kara thought. Since arriving at the hanger with the rest of them, she had been quiet, listening and observing everything she had missed before and when Ben turned into an Asgardian she was shocked.
Apparently he could rock any specie and still look good doing it, She had momentarily thought before banishing the thought from her mind. Ben was full of surprises.
"They will be fine," she told herself before dispersing like the others.
Captain America and Wanda headed to the cave to relieve Banner from his watch duty. The justice league also dispersed, some going back to earth while others retreating to their rooms.
OA
"They are on their way." One guardian said, having witnessed Hal's and Ben's departure from the watchtower.
"How will we meet him without his watch scanning us?" One asked. They had all seen him turn into his version of Thor, a supposed god and that was not something to overlook.
"We have till before they arrive to figure that out." One guardian responded before they all floated away in a straight line.
Earth
Over the ocean, an angelic figure was gliding through the air at high speed. Wonder woman took this chance to go home. Back to her home, back to her mother, her sisters. She had really missed them. She could also take this time to seek advice from her mother and also inform them of the ongoing events. In a distance, she could see the magical barrier separating Themyscira from the world of man...she headed straight for it.
Bat cave
Batman had retired back to the Bat cave where he was seated in front of his huge super computer going through all the reports from the battle of doomsday. He had tapped into every news channel database and duplicated every footage they had recorded, that included most of the government and private organizations. According to the videos he compiled, doomsday was too powerful, it could easily go toe to toe with superman, Thor and Ben. A weapon that powerful was something of great concern to him. He had to find out where the creature originated from or if it was indeed sent to earth by Darkseid, if so, they needed to prepare for whatever he was planning.
After a few hours of reviewing the footages, he was about to call it quits when something caught his attention. After the fight ended, his keen eyesight caught a dark figure moving in one of the buildings shadow. He watched a group of hooded figures in black suits skewering the battle field collecting things in the downpour. His detective skills figured they were collecting DNA samples. He had to identify, then track them down and retrieve the samples.
Having clones of the donors running around following orders blindly could be more dangerous than any of Darkseid's invasion plan.