Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

Chapter 106: 104: Soldiers! Move in...



[A/N: I get confused by what I'm writing sometimes. Just winging it at this point.

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The air was heavy with the aftermath of destruction. Thanos's massive armada lay in ruins, the remnants of his mighty fleet scattered across the cosmos.

Corvus Glaive and Cull Obsidian lay lifeless amid the wreckage, their formidable presence reduced to cold, motionless forms.

Mr. Nobody, however, stood in the middle of it all, snapping his fingers theatrically as if conducting an invisible orchestra.

"Alright, alright, let's clean this mess up," he muttered. "No point in a big, epic invasion without a proper fleet, right? Plot structure and all that."

With another snap, time and space around the wreckage seemed to warp and twist. The shattered remains of ships reassembled themselves, hulls knitting together, engines sparking back to life. Corvus and Cull were suddenly enveloped in a golden light, their bodies lifting off the ground as life surged back into them.

Cull groaned as he sat up, blinking in confusion. "What... happened?"

Corvus stood, clutching his glaive tightly as he assessed the surroundings. "I... I was dead."

"Dead? Pfft!" Mr. Nobody waved a dismissive hand. "You were merely temporarily unavailable. Now, hop to it! Daddy Thanos and Uncle Darkseid are gonna need you in tip-top shape for the next act!"

Somewhere beyond the narrative, a voice cut through the scene.

"Wait a minute. No. No reviving characters! That's cheating!"

Mr. Nobody looked up, rolling his eyes with exaggerated annoyance. "Oh, come on! You, of all people, should appreciate a good twist. Dead minions are boring. Plus, it's not like I'm breaking any major rules. It's for the plot!"

"That's exactly the problem!" the voice protested. "You're undermining the stakes!"

"Oh, please," Nobody shot back, smirking. "What are stakes without a little chaos? Trust me, this is going to be chef's kiss storytelling."

Satisfied with his work, Nobody gave a grand bow as if finishing a stage performance. Meanwhile, Darkseid had seen enough. He turned without another word and boarded his smaller warship with Steppenwolf, ready to return to his armada.

Once aboard his flagship, Darkseid's presence was as commanding as ever. The silence that followed his entrance was palpable, his generals and lieutenants standing at attention, awaiting his orders.

"Prepare the armies," Darkseid commanded, his voice like molten iron. "We move on Earth without delay. This conflict ends with the annihilation of all resistance."

Steppenwolf stepped forward, bowing his head. "Shall I lead the vanguard, my lord?"

Darkseid turned to his loyal servant, his glowing eyes narrowing. "You will lead the assault. Ensure there are no survivors."

"Yes, my lord," Steppenwolf said, his tone reverent.

The generals dispersed quickly, the halls of the warship buzzing with activity as soldiers armed themselves and ships prepared for departure. Apokolips, a world of fire and shadow, began to stir like a slumbering beast, its armies marching toward inevitable destruction.

On the other side of the galaxy, in the vibrant and bustling capital of Xandar, Nova Prime paced back and forth in her chamber, her face etched with exhaustion.

The endless responsibilities of maintaining the Nova Corps and defending against countless threats had worn her down.

A young officer burst into the room, saluting sharply. "Nova Prime, urgent news from our deep-space scouts. The fleets of Darkseid and Thanos are mobilizing."

Nova Prime froze, the weight of the words sinking in. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, ma'am. The scouts confirmed it moments ago. Their combined forces are heading toward Earth."

Nova Prime sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. "As if dealing with the remnants of the Kree wasn't enough..."

The officer hesitated before speaking again. "Should we inform Captain Marvel?"

Nova Prime nodded. "Yes, immediately. If anyone can rally Earth's defenses, it's her. And tell her to warn the Avengers. We'll need every resource we have to face this threat."

The officer saluted again and rushed out, leaving Nova Prime alone with her thoughts.

As she sat at her desk, Nova Prime allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability. The destruction of Hala and the fall of the Kree Empire had sent shockwaves through the galaxy.

While many celebrated the end of a long-standing aggressor, others—particularly the scattered Kree remnants—blamed Xandar for their downfall.

For weeks, she had been bombarded with attacks, protests, and political maneuvering. Every corner of the galaxy seemed to demand something from her, and now this.

Darkseid and Thanos—the two most dangerous beings alive—joining forces to conquer Earth?

"This is madness," she muttered, leaning back in her chair.

But madness or not, she had a duty to fulfill. Nova Prime stood, her resolve hardening. If the galaxy was on the brink of collapse, she would face it head-on, just as she always had.

"Send a fleet to monitor their movements," she instructed her communications officer through the intercom. "We'll need every scrap of intelligence we can gather."

Far away, on Earth, Carol Danvers—Captain Marvel—was in the midst of coordinating with the Avengers when her communicator buzzed. She picked it up, her expression immediately serious as Nova Prime's hologram appeared.

"Nova," Carol said, her tone brisk. "What's going on?"

"We've confirmed it," Nova Prime said without preamble. "Darkseid and Thanos are mobilizing. Their fleets are heading for Earth as we speak."

Carol's eyes widened. "Both of them? Together?"

"I wouldn't have believed it either," Nova Prime said grimly. "But it's happening. You need to prepare."

Carol nodded, her jaw tightening. "Thanks for the heads-up. We'll handle it."

-

-

The atmosphere in the Agency's grand conference hall was tense. Heroes from across the multiverse had gathered to plan for the impending invasion.

The discussion had been long and grueling, with every possible angle analyzed and every conceivable strategy debated. When it finally ended, there was an unspoken weight on everyone's shoulders.

Darius, standing at the head of the room with his imposing yet relaxed demeanor, clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention.

"All right, folks," he said, his deep voice carrying a rare softness. "You've all been working hard. I know the weight of what's coming isn't easy to bear. So, I've decided to give you the next two days off."

The room erupted in murmurs of surprise.

"Yes, you heard me right," Darius continued with a smirk. "Two days. Use them to rest, recharge, or do whatever you need to be in top form. No one can fight their best when they're burnt out. That's an order."

Steve Rogers, ever the disciplined leader, raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that's wise, Darius? We're running out of time."

"I'm sure," Darius replied confidently. "This war will test us all, not just physically, but mentally. You need to be ready, not just prepared. Trust me on this."

There was a brief silence before Tony Stark chimed in, "Well, if the boss says so, who am I to argue? Two days, people. Don't waste them."

The tension in the room eased slightly, and the heroes began to disperse, some visibly relieved to have a moment to breathe.

As the heroes left, Darius exited the conference hall, his long white robes flowing behind him. He smiled as he saw Diana and Ororo waiting for him outside, both of them radiant as ever.

Diana, the Amazonian princess, stood tall and proud, her piercing blue eyes full of strength. Ororo, with her silver hair and calming presence, exuded an air of quiet confidence.

Next to them, Verity and Aurama were chatting excitedly. Verity's bright demeanor was infectious, while Aurama's wild energy was tempered by her curiosity. Nearby, Zuri, Darius's enormous panther, lounged gracefully, his fur gleaming like polished obsidian.

Whimsy, Verity's mischievous Cheshire Cat companion, floated lazily above them, his wide grin never fading.

"Ladies," Darius greeted with a warm smile. "And my two favorite little stars."

"Papa!" Verity cheered, running to him and hugging his leg. Aurama hesitated for a moment but soon followed, hugging his other leg.

Diana chuckled. "It seems you've won her heart completely, Darius."

"I do try," Darius replied. "Now, how about we all take a little break? I know just the place."

The Entertainment Sector of the Agency was a marvel of creation. Designed to provide respite to even the most battle-hardened warriors, it featured sprawling landscapes of vibrant gardens, grandiose theaters, arcades filled with games from across dimensions, and tranquil pools that shimmered under an artificial sun.

Darius led his family to an area resembling a fantastical carnival, complete with bright lights, enchanting music, and endless attractions.

Verity's eyes sparkled as she spotted a giant ferris wheel, and Aurama gasped at the sight of a roller coaster that looped through floating islands.

"Where do we start?" Ororo asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Everywhere," Darius said.

The family first tried their hand at a game booth, where Verity and Aurama eagerly competed to knock down targets with energy blasters. Verity giggled as Whimsy gave her subtle hints, floating beside her and pointing out the weak points of the targets.

Aurama, determined not to be outdone, summoned small orbs of chaotic energy to guide her shots, earning her a stern yet amused look from Diana.

Zuri and Whimsy were not left out of the fun. Zuri, despite his massive size, joined a race through an obstacle course, his agility surprising everyone as he leapt gracefully over hurdles and through hoops.

Whimsy, on the other hand, caused chaos by rearranging the course mid-race, earning both laughter and groans from onlookers.

After a few rounds of games, the group moved to the floating roller coaster. Darius insisted on sitting between Verity and Aurama, both of whom screamed in delight as the ride twisted and turned through the air.

Diana and Ororo sat behind them, holding hands as they enjoyed the ride.

As the day wound down, the group found themselves in a tranquil garden within the sector. They sat on a large blanket spread out under a canopy of glowing flowers.

Zuri lounged nearby, her massive head resting on her paws, while Whimsy floated above, softly humming a tune.

Darius leaned back, his arms wrapped around Diana and Ororo, who rested on either side of him. Verity and Aurama were sprawled out in front of them, munching on snacks and chatting about their favorite parts of the day.

"This," Darius said, his voice full of contentment, "is what it's all about. Moments like these."

Diana smiled softly. "It's rare to see you so at peace, Darius. You carry so much on your shoulders."

"I have all of you," he replied. "That's enough to keep me grounded."

As the stars began to twinkle above them, the conversation turned serious. Diana and Ororo exchanged glances before Diana spoke.

"Darius," she began, "we've been thinking about the coming battle."

"And?" he prompted, though he already knew what was coming.

"We're fighting," Ororo said firmly. "We won't stand by while others risk everything. Not when we have the power to make a difference."

Darius sighed, his gaze heavy with emotion. "I was afraid you'd say that."

"We're warriors," Diana added. "It's who we are."

For a long moment, Darius said nothing. Then he nodded. "I can't stop you. But if you're going to fight, I'll make sure you're ready."

He raised his hands, and a golden light enveloped both women. Their powers surged, amplified to a level they had never experienced before. Diana's strength and agility became unmatched, while Ororo's control over the weather became near-absolute, her eyes glowing with crackling energy.

"This goes against everything I stand for as Judgment (giving free power)," Darius admitted. "But for the two of you, I'll make an exception."

Diana and Ororo both smiled, their gratitude evident.

The mood lightened again as Verity and Aurama jumped into Darius's lap, demanding to hear a story before bedtime. Diana and Ororo joined in, teasing him until he relented.

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