Sins, Sirens & Strife

By Michael Weyer

Sorry about long delay but hoping to make up for it here.

And yes, fully aware how "Crisis on Infinite Earths" makes a few of the tie-in Earths different but a bit late in the game to fix it.

The buzz at the Pentagon was larger than usual as retired General and former Secretary of Defense Calvin Swanwick marched down the hallways. He could see officers moving about along with aides, a few pausing to give him salutes before moving on. The impressive-looking black-skinned man would return them as he continued to march toward one of the main briefing rooms. An attractive, dark-haired female officer came up, saluting him. "General."

"Former general, Major Lane," Swanwick intoned in his deep voice. "I retired, remember? From that and my Secretary post."

"Old habits, sir," Major Lucy Lane stated as she fell in behind him. "As you can tell, the situation is pretty extreme." She led him into the main operations center that showed several monitors while people bustled around the desks of computers. One had Superman and Shazam attacking Black Adam in the heart of Metropolis. Another was a satellite view of some sort of conflict of costumed figures and what appeared to be living skeletons in Norway. The third showed a huge cloud somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. "The latter we cannot fathom, sir," Lane was telling him. "It's some sort of weather mess combined with forces we cannot detect."

Swanwick nodded as he took it all in. "Any word from the Justice League?"

"Something about them handling the situation but a few folks here are getting antsy. Such as my father." Lucy scowled, clearly still having issues with her dad.

"I talked to my successor and the President," Swanwick informed her. "They can let the League handle this for now but maybe some forces in reserve are smart." A buzzing came from his belt as he moved back. "Excuse me." He drew out his cell phone to answer it. "Yes?"

"We need your help."

At the raspy voice, Swanwick brought himself up straight. "How did you get this number?"

"I have every number," the voice continued. "Like I said, we need you."

"I resigned from my position…."

"I don't time to waste on the banter, Calvin," the voice said, emphasizing the last name. "We need you here now. Not you, the real you.

Swanwick stiffened at that. "This...may be too public a line to discuss this..."

"We're secure," the voice stated as a fact. "Just hurry up. From what I can tell, the problem in Norway fits you. That person with Amora is under mental control and that you can help with."

Swanwick let out a slow sigh. "I do this…and it changes everything."

"I know it does," the voice replied with a small touch of sympathy. "But you knew this was coming. Oh and lose the tie."

Swanwick started as he looked around. "Did you…break in here?'

"Watching on my bugs."

"You bugged the Pentagon?"

"It's just a building. A few more doors, a few more locks. I'll contact you en route." The line went dead as Swanawick slowly hung up. The expression on his face was that of a man who was faced with a decision that he knew would change his entire life. He took a deep breath before heading out. Lucy was turning and frowning to find him gone but shrugged to focus once more on the events occurring around the world.

Paradise Island was currently a misnomer.

The clash of swords echoed as the Amazons faced off against the winged demons attacking. Several fired arrows at the flying figures while others were busy on the ground. Artemis leaped off her horse to tackle a creature, wrapping her legs around it. She already had her bow in hand to fire off a trio of arrows that each downed another demon. Artemis stabbed the arrow into the demon's head to send it crashing to the earth, leaping off as she did.

Atlanna was spinning around, her trident flashing as she easily cut down a pair of the winged demons. Beside her on the deck of the sub, the Atlantean soldiers were unleashing blasts from their rifles to strike at other demons. The subs themselves were unleashing blasts of cannon fire to knock back further creatures as the battle raged on.

It was into this chaos that Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern and Mera entered the fray. Mera was already summoning water to blast at some demons while Aquaman tossed his own trident out to stab another down. He looked over to his mother and smiled. "Not quite the overdue bonding I had in mind."

Diana flew outward to kick a demon back. Nearby, Hippolyta was spinning about, easily cutting down a trio of demons with a single slash of her blade. She looked at her daughter and smiled. "Daughter."

"Mother," Diana replied. "I regret this is not the homecoming I had wanted."

Hippolyta slashed another demon back. "We can always do with some sport here." Above her, Green Lantern was using his ring to form a battering ram to send several demons flying back.

Circe was floating overhead, looking amused at the conflict below her. "I'd forgotten just how damnably stubborn your Amazon bitches are. I'd almost regret wiping you out if it wasn't for the fact I despise you all so much."

Diana glared at her. "When I get my hands on you…"

"Oh, why wait?" Circe charged downward to tackle Diana. She gasped at the blast of magic Circe fired at her but did her best to defend herself. She growled as she tried to fight back with Circe continuing to attack with her slashing at Diana with her nails, which were as sharp as claws. "I heard you came from clay," Circe intoned. "Let's see if you can still bleed."

Diana grimaced as she fought back. Hippolyta wanted to reach her but was busy battling back to back with Atlanna against the creatures that showed no signs of stopping.

With the chaos of the battle on the beaches, the main temples of Themyscira were empty. Every Amazon had grabbed a weapon to join in the battle and so no one was around to see Sivana and Ibac enter one of the larger chambers. It was filled with various artifacts from weapons to some unique artwork but their attention was focused on a large device that looked to have a set of purple gems attached to a series of lenses, all mounted in an apparatus that appeared to be a cross between a rifle and a medical examination device. "The Purple Ray, I assume," Sivana stated.

"Indeed, Doctor," Mister Mind replied from the small case Ibac held. "However, I believe what we require is elsewhere in this chamber."

Ibac smirked. "Ah, so this is where we pull the double-cross? If so, I'm in. I ain't trusting those witches to keep their word on things."

"Technically, they never gave any word to keep," Sivana noted. "They were always merely a means to an end for us, Ibac. Honestly, whatever plans Amora had for us all were pitiful compared to what Mind and I are after."

Mind himself was looking about the chamber before nodding as he focused on what appeared to be a large golden egg covered in ridges. "That's it." Ibac moved ahead to pluck the egg from its place on the pedestal. He winced at the heat coming off it but it didn't bother him as it would a normal human. "What, we cooking an omelet?"

"Something like that," Sivana stated. "It'll take a few minutes but…"

A sound cut through the air as a Batarang wrapped around the egg. The cable yanked it out of Ibac's hands and into Batman's own as he leaped down from the upper levels of the domed chamber. Both feet slammed into Ibac to drive him back. Batman was moving to knock Sivana back, the scientist gasping as he was knocked into a wall. Mind was moving inside his jar when Catwoman arrived to pluck it in her hands. Giggling, Selina shook the jar hard, causing Mind to yelp as he was sent bouncing back and forth on the glass surface.

Batman moved into a fighting stance as Ibac charged at him and prepared for a fight. He dodged the first blow but was surprised how faster Ibac was with the follow-up. Batman grunted as he felt the pain of the punch driving him back. Ibac was pulling his fist back to strike again when he felt Catwoman's whip wrap around it. She pulled but her strength wasn't enough to stop him. With a snarl, Ibac yanked his arm out to send Selina flying through the air. She managed to plant her feet against the wall as she hit it and bounce back to roll with the attack.

Batman was moving to nail Ibac with a pair of punches, wincing at the impact of the blows on what felt like solid rock. Ibac just laughed as he grabbed at Batman's cape to pull him back. He reached forward to wrap his hand around Batman's throat and hoist him in the air. The Dark Knight gasped as he punched futilely at Ibac's solid arm.

"You think you can beat me?" Ibac snarled as he lifted Batman up in the air. "You think you can top someone with my power? You know who I am, pal? I'm Ibac and-"

A blast of smoke erupted around him. It faded to show the mortal form of Stanley Printwhistle who could no longer hold the much larger Batman in one hand. He blinked, looking down at himself in confusion. He looked up to see Batman slowly moving toward him. "Oh, shi-" was all he got out before a gloved fist punched him in the jaw and knocked him out cold.

Catwoman looked to Batman. "Did you know that would happen?'

"Took a shot it worked like Thunder's powers," Batman grunted. He was moving to bind Printwhistle's hands, then placed a gag tightly under his mouth. "You carry a gag in your belt?" Catwoman smirked. "Now that would make a great date night."

Batman just ignored her as they moved to grab the limp forms of Printwhistle and Sivana while Catwoman plucked up the jar with Mind, not resisting giving the worm another hard shake and enjoying the squeals from within.

Jane hurled her hammer outward, watching as it smashed through several of the skeletal warriors before returning to her. Sif was slashing through several others while Thor found Stormbreaker clashing with Balder's sword. Amora was watching from a platform, smiling as she watched the conflict before her. "So amusing, Thor. To watch you and Balder battle, it's a delight."

Thor punched Balder in the face before grabbing him by his tunic. He pulled him back to toss him several feet away before whirling on Amora. "What is this, Amora?" he demanded. "What is your game?"

"Power, Thor," Amora said. "What it has always been. Right now, Circe and the rest of those fools are doing battle on that Amazon island. Black Adam is tangling with that hero who somehow escaped my thrall. They think I intend to use the Purple Ray merely to rule one part of this globe. Why do that…when I can rule so much more? Mix the Ray with my own abilities and I can create an energy across this entire planet that will make all worship me as their Queen." She shrugged. "It was to be used upon Asgard but I suppose this Earth shall do, to become its undisputed and beloved ruler."

She let out a sharp laugh of victory before seeing Thor just stare at her with what amounted to pure and utter amusement. "That…is your plan? To…make a world fall in love with you?" Thor let out a long laugh. "Unbelievable…all these centuries and you're even more pathetic than you always were."

Amora smirked. "When I get my throne, Thor..."

"There is no throne, Amora!" Thor snapped. "Not for you!"

"I will be a Queen! You think I have plotted and schemed all this time for nothing?"

"Plotted?" Thor openly laughed out loud. "Amora, you couldn't plot or scheme your way out through a child's board game! You always thought you were so much smarter than you truly were, that you were working your evil plots and wiling away while manipulating us all." He grinned. "Do you know what we were doing whenever you tried? We were laughing at you, Amora. All of us. Loki, most of all. He never looked more amused than when telling us of your weak attempts at games."

Thor cocked his head. "What was it he said once? 'She thinks she's pulling the wool over our eyes but it's like she's standing naked in front of clear glass.' He couldn't believe you truly thought you were hiding your intentions when you might as well have been holding a sign around your neck saying 'I am a power-hungry bitch.'" Thor chuckled. "You were never a power player, Amora, just a pretender and not even a good one."

Sif had been listening herself and was just as bemused as Thor. "I ran into your sister, Lorelei, not long ago, Amora. At least she's up front on how petty and selfish she is and never cloaked herself in some delusion of grandeur. I can't believe she was actually the humble one in the family."

"This world will worship me!"

"My father was many things, Amora, not all of them good. But even he knew forcing people into worship was the wrong thing to do. It does not make us gods, it just makes us weaker." He shook his head. "Honestly, Hela would have made a better ruler than you."

Amora scowled deeply before curling her lips upward. "So that's what you all thought, Thor? I was a fool? I was short-sighted?" Her grin widened. "Then imagine how it was this...fool...who figured out what no one else on Asgard could know. The truth of your birthright."

Thor frowned deeply. "What are you saying?"

Amora laughed. "Your father…oh, your great, grand Odin, the All-Father, was not the saint you thought he was, Thor."

"Thor scowled. "If you're telling me my father lied about who he was, I already know that."

"But not the depths of it," Amora smiled. "Not how far he'd go to protect his precious line. Oh, yes, Thor, you already know of your sister….but not how she wasn't the only sibling hidden. How he and dear, sweet Frigga thought it best to hide the lineage of another, just in case something happened to either fair-haired prince and a secret successor was needed."

She grinned brightly as she waved to Balder. "You two always went on talking about being closer than brothers. How little you knew….There was nothing 'close' about it. Meet the true second-born Prince of Asgard."

Thor looked down at Balder in wonder as if seeing him for the first time. By this point, Sif and Jane had managed to crush the rest of the skeletal warriors as they joined with him. "So, Thor," Amora gloated in a mocking tone. "The only way to free him from my power is to kill him. Your own kin. There's no other way."

"No. There is."

At the deep voice, everyone turned to see a tall and strong black man in a suit striding across the field. Swanwick's face was calm as he strode forward, not seeming to care at the skeletal remains he was marching over. Balder was rising up to charge at him with his sword raised. Before Thor could do anything, Swanawick seemed to move in a blur to avoid the attack. He grabbed Balder's head, his palms at the man's temples. Swanwick's eyes narrowed with a dark glow inside them. Balder let out a yell of agony as he shook in Swanawick's grasp.

Amora was waving a hand to create a ball of energy only for Mjolnir to fly out and smash into her face. She gasped in agony as she fell back as the hammer landed on her chest. Amora gasped for breath as she tried in vain to push the enchanted mallet off of her. Jane was moving to glare down at her. "Before you even try it, you're not my type," she barked.

"You…mortal…bitch…" Amora gasped.

Jane looked to Sif and shook her head. "You were right. All that power and she's not much different than some of the cheerleaders from my high school."

Balder was on his knees as Swanawick kept up his mental barrage, his eyes glowing more. Thor wanted to step in but felt that keeping back was the safer course of action. With a final cry, Balder fell forward onto his hands and knees as he heaved for breath. He slowly looked up at Thor with his eyes now much clearer. "Thor?" he whispered. "I…what have I…."

Thor was moving quickly to help him up as Balder continued to shake in place. "It's all right, Balder." He moved to embrace the other man. "You're back." He had to fight back the tears wanting to well in his eyes.

Amora was craning her head to stare in disbelief at Swanwick. "You…broke…my hold on him…."

"Magic or science, a mind is a mind," Swanwick stated. "And I have a…talent for undoing such holds."

"What…are you?"

Swanwick's eyes took on a reddish glow as his voice deepened. "I am a man who watched my world die and won't let it happen to another." His form began to shift, becoming more muscular as his clothing transformed into a long blue cape over a mostly solid blue uniform with red bands crossing over his chest. "I am the Last Son of Mars. The Manhunter for justice." His skin was now a solid green with a hairless dome as he brought himself up fully. "I…am J'onn J'onzz."

Sif raised an eyebrow. "The Martians in this universe look different."

Jane stared at her. "You two really need to start writing down all the things you know that Earth doesn't."

Balder slowly craned his head to stare at the fallen Amora. He moved forward, his sword held tight in his hands. His face was twisted in rage as he marched toward the woman who was vainly trying to get away. "So many centuries as your puppet," he snarled. "Doing your bidding. Killing for you, ruining others for you and used…in so many ways…" He stood over her and Amora felt a chill wash over her body as she looked at the lack of pity in Balder's eyes. "Cutting off your head would be doing the universe a favor."

Amora swallowed. "Thor…please, you're not….you're not really going to let him…"

Thor cocked his head. "You tried to murder my mother once, Amora. What do you think?"

She took in the hard eyes of Thor, the blazing fire in Balder's gaze and the utterly unsympathetic smirks on the faces of Jane and Sif. Swallowing, Amora placed her hands flat upon the ground. They glowed brightly with energy before erupting in blasts of power. The cliffside under Amora exploded to send her plummeting down toward the sea. She had gathered her hands together, chanting under her breath as she sailed down the ground. Before she hit the water, a glowing portal opened and Amora dived into it.

Mjolnir's fall was halted as it flew upward to land in Jane's hand. Balder looked at it in confusion, then to Thor. "What…How can she…"

"A rather long story," Thor intoned.

"I get the feeling I'm going to be hearing that phrase quite a bit..."

Jane shook her head. "That was it? I mean…this entire thing was all to make a planet fall in love with her? I have to admit, I'm really disappointed, I was expecting something a bit more…grandiose."

"That's Amora," Sif replied. "She loved to talk a big game but in the end, it was always so petty."

Jane looked to Balder. "Were you really going to kill her?"

Balder paused. "Perhaps…At the least, I would have cut her hair off. See if she looked so attractive then."

"It's likely she's going after the Ray herself," Thor said. "Right now, we have to aid the others." He looked to J'onn. "Thor of Asgard."

"Call me the Martian Manhunter," the green-skinned man replied. "And I agree, we must stop Circe now." Jane helped them gather together before slamming her hammer to the ground and in a blast of light, they had vanished.

It wasn't the first time Metropolis had undergone a huge battle but it was no less easier. Black Adam was flying forward to smash Superman against a nearby column before backhanding Shazam away. The younger man took the blow before moving to try and punch Adam in the jaw. A red blur was seen as the Flash was moving to try and remove any onlookers in the path of the fight. He then charged at Adam only to be met by a hard blow to the ribs that made him gasp in pain.

Shazam moved to catch him which led to him taking a nasty punch from Black Adam that sent him sailing backward to smash into a nearby storefront. It caused rubble from above to sail down with Flash just managing to get a pair of kids out of the way before they were crushed. The Flash barely ducked some of the debris as he raced to Shazam's side. "No offense, Thunder-Kid," he said. "But I think we need some help here."

"You're right," Shazam said, gazing at Adam and the power he had. He looked to the Flash. "How quick can you get to Philadelphia?"

Superman gasped out as he felt the punches explode against his jaw. He hadn' t been hit this hard since Zod and even then, it didn't seem as painful. He realized the magic of Adam was adding more power to the blows to make them even more painful. He tried to clear his head, firing off a burst of heat vision. Adam grunted but kept coming at him, once more smashing Superman back.

Shazam was tackling him, wrapping his arms around Adam to try and pull him away. "I didn' t know the Wizard too long," he snapped. "But I'm pretty sure that he'd be disgusted at what kind of person you turned out to be."

"He was a fool," Adam snapped. "A weakling who wasted his power. And who dared judge me for using mine to save my people." He punched Shazam back. "I will save them still!"

"Your people have been dead for nearly four thousand years!" Superman stated as he punched Adam in the back. The immortal rolled with it to blast Superman with another blow. "Your time is passed, Adam!"

"Then I will begin a new one!" he stated. "I am the hero my nation needs! Not one your supposed champions!" He smashed his elbow to drive Superman back and prepared to punch Shazam again when something struck him.

Turning, Adam saw a quintet of children standing before him. The oldest was a girl of about 18 with dark brown hair framing her attractive face. Next to her was a younger teenage boy, leaning on a cane. A young Asian boy with glasses was still holding up a makeshift slingshot he had used to toss a rock at Adam. Next to him was an older boy who was, to put it fairly, very heavyset. The final member was a cute young black-skinned girl with a nice smile.

"Hey!" the boy with the cane said. "Get away from our brother!"

"Who are you?" Superman asked.

"Oh, Freddy Freeman and this is…."

"It does not matter what your names are!" Adam cut him off. "Leave now."

Mary Bromfield brought herself up. "We're not leaving."

There was a blur around as the Flash was whipping around, kicking up a massive cloud of dust. It grew larger and thicker to cut the group off from sight, including any cameras trying to focus on the action. Adam looked at the cloud and sniffed. "Is this supposed to distract me?"

"Nope," Eugene Choi said with a smirk.

Pedro Pena also smiled. "It's just to keep others from peeking in." Next to him, Darla Dudley eagerly nodded.

"Sorry but Billy's our brother," Mary announced. "And we don't leave family behind."

Adam glared. "I do not kill children but you are testing my patience…."

"Just let him go."

Adam snorted. "Really? You think you can threaten me?"

Freddy smirked. "Yeah…I think we can." He looked to Mary, who smiled back as the others all joined. They looked to Adam and all spoke at the same time.

"SHAZAM!"

The blast of lightning was greater than ever before, driving Adam back with his hands raised to block the glare of light. He lowered them to stare in utter disbelief at the sight before him. Instead of children, he was faced with five grown young adults, all clad in outfits much like Billy's. Pedro's was green as his fat was now replaced by muscle and his face with a beard. Eugene's was gray with his features handsome. Freddy's suit was blue and his stance showed he no longer felt any pain from his leg. Mary's outfit matched Billy's except for a skirt to show off her shapely legs and her features more beautiful. Darla's costume was sleeveless and purple as he now appeared to be in her early 20s.

Adam's jaw dropped as he stared in absolute shock. "This…is impossible!"

"Yeah, we get that a lot," Shazam stated as he joined his siblings. He smirked at Adam. "So, let me introduce you to this great thing that's been invented in the last few millennia. It's called a dogpile."

Adam barely had time to move before the group was on top of him.

The Flash stared at the multi-colored costumes colliding before looking to Superman. "If we start recruiting the grade school kids, I'm quitting."

As the light of the teleportation faded, Thor was already slashing a demon down with Stormbreaker. Balder had his sword out to cut another demon down. Aquaman blinked as he saw them. "Wait, he's on our side now?" He then did a double-take at the Manhunter. "And who the hell is that?!"

"J'onn J'onzz," the man answered as he floated into the air. A pair of red beams burst from his eyes to burn a demon down. Green Lantern seemed surprised but went with it as the two were soon flying in patterns to cut other demons down with bursts of red and green.

Valkyrie took in the stunningly beautiful women fighting in armor and grinned. "Now this is my kind of place!" Atlanna struck another demon down as Hippolyta continued to slice another, moving like a woman centuries younger.

More were coming outward from the portal in the sky as Circe floated above them. "You might want to know," Jane called out. "Your partner bailed on you."

"Amora?" Circe sniffed. "I had thought as much. Honestly, she thought I wouldn't have figure out her plans for the Purple Ray? All those millennia free and that was the best idea she had?" Circe shook her head. "When I use it, it won't be for worship. It will be for razing half of this pathetic planet to rubble and building my new rule upon what's left."

"Keep dreaming," Batman grunted as he showed up, dragging Printwhistle and Sivana behind him. "We have your followers. Amora is gone, there's nothing left to fight for."

"Nothing but revenge," Circe smirked. She unleashed more waves of energy that everyone had to dodge. Artemis was in the way of one blast when Valkyrie tackled her out of the way. Artemis nodded in appreciation. "Thank you." She saw the way Valkyrie was straddling over her and coughed. "While I am flattered, we have other issues."

"Fine. Later on." Valkyrie grinned as she moved up to get back into the fight. Circe was about to target Diana when she looked off as if listening to something. "That conniving…" she hissed before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Atlanna frowned from her place on a sub. "Where did she go?"

Wonder Woman's gaze headed up to the main temple above. "I think I know."

Circe appeared in her smoke to see Amora about to lift the Purple Ray from its place within the temple. "All this…for a pathetic attempt at power…" She shook her head. "I knew your scheme would be terrible, Amora. I just never dreamed it would be so petty." She paced around the chamber. "What have you been wasting your time on all these centuries? Just bouncing around realities, having the occasional fun, set yourself up as some priestess, then just move on when you get bored? All that power and potential yet nothing better than that came to your mind. That Ray can ravage a planet and your reasons for it as so selfish. It all came to this?"

"I was born to be a queen."

Circe managed to make her snort a thing of beauty. "You were born a lowly pawn and think you invented the game of chess. That you don't even realize that makes you even sadder. Naming you a goddess is an insult."

Amora glared at her. "You want this island, go ahead, Circe. I have what I need."

"Oh and I suppose I'm going to just sit back and let you rule this world?" Circe shook her head as her hands glowed with power. "I think it's time we finally settled this, Amora."

The Asgardian pushed the Ray aside as her own hands gleamed with power. "I so agree." The two charged at one another with howls of rage.

The group of heroes was just coming to the temple when Circe and Amora smashed through its roof. The two flew around in the air, clawing and scratching at one another with vicious attacks, their beauty overwhelmed by snarls. Neither of them cared for those below, they were too intent on tearing the other apart.

Jane shook her head. "Two almighty powerful sorceresses and they're going at it like high schoolers. I take back what I said earlier, they're even worse than some of the cheerleaders I knew."

"They're going to kill each other," Aquaman noted.

Hippolyta smirked. "Maybe we should speed it along."

Thor and Jane looked at each other and both smiled. They raised their weapons up as the skies above the island darkened. Lightning began to flash around as Diana spun her lasso. She took a leap upward as she threw the lasso out. It encircled one bolt, tightening as if to a cable to allow her to be pulled upward. Diana released it to encircle another bolt to bring herself closer to Circe. The dark-haired witch was turning her head as Diana spun around, managing to encircle the lasso around both her and Amora.

Both women gasped in pain as they felt the lasso, charged with the power of the lightning bolt wrap around them. Thor and Thunderstrike both summoned more bolts to strike the lasso as Diana pulled on it hard. She felt it burn at her hands but still held on to tighten it around the two women.

On the beach, the Amazons and Atlanteans were still battling the demons with one falling form shattering the jar holding Mind. The worm moved to inch himself over toward Sivana as the battle raged on with the prone Pinrtwhisle lying between them. "Hang tight, Doctor," he intoned. "I believe our opportunity is still coming..."

Diana landed on the ground, tightening the lasso around the pair of sorceresses. She handed one end to Thor, who wrapped it on the handle of Stormbreaker. He planted it onto the ground, dragging the two struggling women downward. Jane lifted Mjolnir up to summon a huge blast of lightning. She let it charge up, the bolts crashing onto one another. She finally brought the hammer down onto the top of the ax, creating a massive blast of energy.

The lightning ripped through the lasso like an electrical wire and flowed over Amora and Circe. Both screamed in agony as the lightning closed in around them. Each instinctively reacted by building up their magical powers and both realized together that was very much the wrong thing to do. Between the magic of the lasso and the powerful lightning flowing into them, their magics were turned inward to rip at them both. Their screams echoed as a huge blast of light erupted that seemed to turn them both inside out and pulled into a tear in space.

On the beach, the breach in the air seemed to swiftly turn inward as the demons were abruptly pulled back and into the breach. The Amazons and Atlanteans were doing their best to stay upright as the demons were sucked away as if into a vacuum cleaner. Amid the chaos, Sivana had succeeded in grabbing onto the egg and whispering under his breath. Sensing something was happening, Printwhistle managed to grasp one of Sivana's legs despite his bound hands. The two men, with Mind attached to Sivana's shoulder, were carried off into the portal which soon shut behind them all. The Amazons and Atlanteans both seemed confused but nonetheless cheering together in victory.

Atlanna and Hippolyta exchanged satisfied looks. "Your daughter isn't too bad a warrior," the Atlantean said.

"Nor your son. For a man," the Amazon returned as they smirked with mutual pride and respect.

Thor and Thunderstrike took up their weapons as Diana returned her lasso to her side. "So...where'd they go?" Valkyrie asked for everyone.

"If we're lucky, they were ripped to shreds," Sif stated. She sighed deeply. "Sadly, we're never that lucky when it comes to Amora."

Batman looked to the Martian Manhunter. "Glad you got my call."

The green-skinned man raised an eyebrow. "I am curious about how you knew."

"We can talk about that later," Batman said. "We still have to see how Superman did in Metropolis. And Selina?" He called out without looking at her slowly backing up. "Don't even think about trying to steal anything here."

"Oh, now, really..."

Diana fixed her with a cool gaze. "The last person who attempted to steal from us was subjected to eight sleepless nights standing naked in a field."

"I wouldn't mind seeing that..."

"Be quiet, Valkyrie."

Black Adam gasped out as he felt a pair of punches smash into his sharp nose. Eugene was flying around him, Adam trying to grab him but the youth was too fast. Darla flew out to kick him in the face, followed by Mary kicking him in the back. "I get it, it may not be fair," Shazam allowed as he flew out to tackle Adam back. "But hey, you're not a nice guy."

The others of his family joined him, all pushing Adam down as they laid in on him with punches. Adam grunted under their blows, finding it hard to know who to hit first. As much as killing children didn't appeal to him, he had his pride. With a howl of rage, he threw his arms outward, sending several of them flying back. "Urchins!" he snapped. "I am Teth-Adam, rightful ruler of Kahnduq! I saw over all of Egypt once! You believe you can defeat me?"

"You're a really mean guy, you know that?" Darla asked as she kicked at him. "Also, I hate people who talk about themselves in the third person!"

Shazam punched Adam again as Superman was moving ahead as well. Pedro and Eugene each grabbed Adam by the arms as Freddy lashed a pair of punches into his face. "Okay, this guy has a very solid jaw," he moaned, clutching his aching fingers. He looked over at Superman. "Wow, hi, not sure if you remember, you came to my lunch table that one time..."

"I remember," Superman assured him. "Although you did seem...different."

"Ah, growth spurts, you know how it is."

"You are ants to me!" Black Adam snapped as he tried to punch at Darla only for her to speed away from the blow with Pedro grabbing Adam's arm, pulling him off balance and leaving him open to a shot from Eugene.

"Ants bite in big numbers," Mary pointed out as she kicked at his face.

Shazam was looking over Adam, seeing him reeling. "Guys? Think Thunder Time is called for here!"

The others nodded as they flew outward. Each one followed the other in perfect formation, with Freddy in the lead. He flew out to punch Adam in the face with Eugene following, then Pedro, Mary and Darla. Each blow rattled Adam as the foster siblings moved close together. "Shazam!" they yelled in unison and the combined lightning smashed down upon them. It also struck Adam, leaving him groggier than ever. Before he could recover, the word was uttered again to transform the children and once more leave Adam rattled hard.

Superman had been holding back from the lightning but was moving forward to face Adam. "I think it's best if you just surrender now. I just got word from our teammates. Your little pack of friends have all vanished to who knows where. It's just you now."

Adam was kneeling on the ground, heaving for breath. He looked up, his face grim, his uniform showing burns and tears. But his face was resolute and the defiant look in his eyes showed he was not going to give up. "I...need no...allies...I...will never...surrender."

Superman shrugged. "That's fine by..."

"Superman!" The voice of Alfred Pennyworth cut in through the Man of Steel's earpiece. "We just received a call from the Pentagon and another from the State Department."

"Tell them we're almost finished..."

"Ah, hate to interrupt, Big Blue," Darcy's voice broke in. "But you are finished. Just not in the way you think."

Superman was already frowning but the dark smile coming to Adam's eyes made him uneasy. Next to him, Shazam was also concerned. "Wait, what's going on?"

"You think I held my rule...just by power?" Adam's grin grew as he slowly stood up. "This world may have changed, young one...but politics...will always be politics..." He let out the laugh of a man who, while beaten, was most assuredly unbowed.

"They're letting him stay in power?!"

The Flash's words echoed the stunned reactions of the rest of the Justice League as they all stared at the Martian Manhunter in the Justice League meeting room. The man had once more transformed into the form of Swanwick and sighed as he spoke. "It seems that in between his executing Asim and arriving in Metropolis, Adam somehow found time to organize elections in Kahnduq."

"Amora and Circe no doubt aided," Diana mused.

J'onn nodded. "Perhaps. But they also arranged for some United Nations officials who just happened to be in the area to oversee it. It's all clear cut and legal, Adam was overwhelmingly elected."

"Taking out the guy who'd been oppressing them for years made a hell of a campaign platform," Aquaman inserted.

"The point is," J'onn said. "Right now, the U.N. recognizes Teth-Adam as the duly appointed ruler of his nation."

"The guy invaded Metropolis!" Shazam blurted out. "He nearly beat me and Supes to death!" His siblings were nodding with him.

"Actions made before his rise to power are still covered by the diplomatic immunity agreement his ambassador created," J'onn clarified. "Things are tense enough in that region, the White House and the Pentagon agree that trying to take on someone of his power is not in their best interests."

"Unbelievable," Jane muttered.

"Note to self," Mary announced. "Enroll in political sciences classes in college. Someone needs to bring some reason there."

"Screw reason!" Freddy exclaimed. "Let's just go there, kick his ass and drag him out!"

"And in doing so, you'll be seen as a United States powerhouse attacking another nation," J'onn stated.

Green Lantern was reluctantly nodding. "I hate it too but he's right. The last thing we need to be seen doing is toppling other nations to get the world turned on us."

"I still say..."

"We're not doing it," Batman said.

"Oh, and you're going to stop me?"

Batman just gave him a very long cold stare as Freddy slowly backed up. "Wow, you are incredibly terrifying way up close, the news doesn't do you justice."

Thor sighed. "As much as I hate to say it, it does appear that Adam has…some honor and reason within him."

"Easy for you to say, you didn't get beat by him," Shazam muttered.

"The point is, given what the last rulers of that land have been like, he can't be that much worse." Thor shrugged. "But that's for you all to figure out. Frankly, we've had enough messes in politics in our universe to handle another's problems."

"Which seems to include having a freaking Martian as part of the government," Darcy had to throw in.

The formerly green-skinned man saw them all looking at them and sighed. "I am the last survivor of my people. The rest were wiped out in a plague caused by our White Martian enemies just before they succumbed to it." J'onn looked to Superman. "You knew all along."

Superman smiled softly. "I can guess it must be hard maintaining that form constantly and so it's easier to slack off when you're not by a scanner. But I tend to notice when someone's heartbeat is coming from the wrong side of their chest so did a quick scan with my X-ray vision when we first met."

"X-Ray vision?" Darcy's eyes widened. "Dude, you can see through my clothes this entire time?" She instinctively covered her chest as best she could as Jane rolled her eyes.

"Now, wait," the Flash began. "I mean…was there ever a real Swanwick?"

"There was not," J'onn confirmed. "I was brought to Earth by accident by a scientist's teleportation ray. The backlash caused an explosion as he died in my arms. I hid for years, using my abilities to craft an identity and joined the army in attempts to find a new life and understand humanity better."

Green Lantern raised an eyebrow. "You can change your shape and look like anyone you want…and you chose to live as a black man? You really are from Mars."

"The scientist had been black," J'onn explained with a small smile. "I will not deny it was difficult at times and showed me how terrible some humans could be. But I also saw the goodness in this race and how they deserved a chance to rise up more. I came to truly enjoy them to the point that I would sometimes forget what I truly was." He looked to Kal. "Your arrival changed a lot of things and I knew I had to be at the forefront to do more."

"What now?" Superman asked. "I can imagine your bosses would not be happy about finding out what you are."

J'onn nodded. "It may be difficult but I hope my past service can balance out any issues they have over my deception. In a way, I knew it was inevitable which was why I resigned by Secretary post. Of course, I can imagine certain news services might be a tad upset…"

"We can help there," Wonder Woman offered. "We're used to smoothing things over with upset governments."

"The fact you helped us today proves what kind of person you are," Superman added.

"And dude, trust me, anyone gives you grief, we've got your back," Shazam threw in.

"Again, thank you," J'onn stated. He looked to Batman. "I am curious as to how you knew."

Batman shrugged. "It's my business to know."

J'onn cocked his head. "You weren't concerned?"

Batman just looked at him. "To face Clark, I had to break into a LexCorp facility to steal a rare piece of rock which I then spent a few million dollars specially crafting into a variety of weapons. To beat you, I would only need to spend fifty cents for a book of matches."

Darcy was just staring at him. "There is something very deeply wrong with you, you realize that?" Batman's cold gaze did little to quell her attraction to him.

Shazam extended a hand to Thor. "Listen, I know you have to get going but can I ask you for a few tips on the lightning? I'm still getting used to using mine."

"Ah, now that is a good idea!" Thor stated. "Sif, we can train these children!"

The good mood of the family ended when they saw the wicked smile on Sif's face with Jane giving them a sympathetic look from behind the Asgardian. "That is the scariest woman I've ever been hot for," Freddy whispered to Billy.

"Dude, we're hanging out with gods now!" Pedro whispered to Eugene, who nodded in excitement.

Thor smiled at the others as he extended a hand to Diana. "I suppose it's ironic. You called us for aid and instead, you helped us more than I could have asked."

"It was an honor," Diana replied, shaking his hand, then Jane's. Valkyrie was smirking at her. "Tell Artemis I'm always eager to pick up on that drink."

"I'm sure she'll be thrilled."

Balder moved to shake J'onn's hand. "Thank you. I mean it. I haven't been myself in so long..."

"What happened was her, not you," J'onn stated. "Do not blame yourself. I know about carrying on too much guilt."

"Still, if ever you need aid, just call and I shall be there," Balder stated.

"As will I," Thor added. "I owe you that much."

Darcy shook her own head. "I still wanted to come to that island of Amazons..."

"It wasn't as fun as it sounds," Jane stated.

"Amazons! It's like I binged on Xena for absolutely nothing!"

"I am a bit disappointed they didn't live up to the facts about them," Valkyrie said.

Jane stared at her. "You...get that's not a historical documentary, right?"

Valkyrie gave a cool look to Darcy who offered a sheepish smile in return.

Alfred watched Selina pack her bag in the guest room of Wayne Manor. She has switched to civilian attire which still fit her body nicely in its black coloring. "It would be nicer for you to stay. A little levity in this place does wonders."

"You know me, Alfred, I can't be held down."

"A shame. Master Bruce is…better with you around." He watched her pack and sighed. "You know he can't keep it up much longer. It's a miracle he's lasted this long."

"What, he's going to quit? Train someone to take over so he retires?" Selina shook her head. "He's like me, Alfred. He can't give up what he does." She finished packing to sling the bag over her shoulder. "Like it or not, me and him? The Cat and the Bat? We're birds of a feather in that retiring just isn't in us."

"A pity," Alfred stated. "It would be good to see him smile more." He looked down. "I don't want to bury him, Selina. I've buried enough Waynes as it is."

Selina gave him a small smile. "Something tells me Bruce has plenty of years left in him. So do I. I've got a few more lives left to play with." She leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Take care, Alfred."

"Indeed." Alfred extended a hand and Selina shook it. Alfred just stared at her as he kept the hand extended. With a tired sigh, Selina reached into her bag to remove a set of diamonds to put into his hand. Alfred nodded as Selina brushed by him.

Black Adam gazed out at the city before him. It was quiet although there were still signs of the celebrations of his new rule. The people seemed happier than they had in a long time and a new energy filled the nation. His arms were crossed as he took it all in. He knew that there was a lot of work to do. The economy of the nation was still a mess and required a lot of work to handle. He also had to ensure this nation wasn't seen as weak as it had once been. It would require hard work and patience but Adam had plenty of both.

There was a whoosh of air and Adam turned his head. Floating before him was the Shazam Family with Billy in the lead. Adam was mildly curious as to why a few of them had bruises and black eyes but brushed it off. He was amused by the youth's attempts to look more imposing, mimicking Adam's own stance with arms crossed. Adam merely smiled at him. "You realize you are in violation of our airspace."

"We won't be staying long," Billy replied. "We just want to let you know we have our eye on you, Adam. Not just us or the Justice League but also other world leaders. You step out of line and it won't be just you that suffers." He nodded to the city below. "It's them too."

Adam glanced at the city, then back to Billy. "Any who cross me or my people shall pay for it. Do not take me for the likes or Amrora or Circe. I do not wish conquest over this entire planet. Merely to bring my homeland to greatness once more."

Shazam kept his gaze on him. "A long time ago, the Wizard trusted you, Adam. He saw something in you worthy of granting the power. Now, granted I don't know you that well aside from the whole trying to beat my brains out thing but…Maybe…deep down…there's still part of that man inside you." He backed up. "It's the reason we're giving you a chance. You say you want to help your people? Prove it. Lead your people and don't become the guy you took out." His eyes narrowed. "Just know that if you step out of line…If we think you're becoming that kind of monster…We don't care what it takes, we will bring you down."

Adam chuckled. "The fire and foolishness of youth. Do not waste idle threats on me, child."

"And don't you forget how close we all came to beating you." Billy leaned in. "Like we said, giving you one shot. Don't waste it." He floated back as he and the others flew off into the air.

Adam watched him go, his smile fading. As much as he hated to admit it, the boy had great courage and his family shared his power and heart. To have him as an enemy would be…challenging. Adam shrugged it off as he turned back to the view of the city and began his plans for the future ahead.

Earth-19999

Norway

"New Asgard" was less a town than a small hamlet resting by a lovely lake in Norway. Once known as Toensberg, it had become the new home for the survivors of Asgard as well as some of the more unique aliens brought around. The rocky Korg was walking about and giving a wave to Thor as he stood on the patio of his home on the largest hill of the town where it could overlook it all. Balder was with him, staring out below. He was now wearing jeans and a dark shirt, his hair cut a bit shorter but appeared calm with the aura of a man who had been freed from a long prison.

Balder gazed at the small town. "So this is all that's left."

"It is," Thor stated.

Balder sighed. "It's not right that I live while so many are gone. The Warriors Three, Heimdall….your parents."

"Our parents," Thor intoned. He put a hand to Balder's shoulder. "We have a second chance, Balder. Something I never thought I would have. Perhaps it's fate, I lost one brother but gained another."

Balder chuckled. "I can't say I dislike how I never had any of your sibling conflict with Loki." He looked to Thor and sighed. "So much time lost…"

Thor rubbed his hand more. "Then we make up for it now."

"Actually, right now, we do have a slight issue with some trade agreements with Finland," Jane inserted, clad in civilian clothes as she stepped onto the porch with Sif behind her. "Plus, we have to make it back to New York for the next Avengers meeting."

Balder had to laugh at Thor's tired sigh. "It finally happened. You're becoming your father."

"Oh laugh it up, Balder..."

"I intend to." Balder glanced over to Sif. "I am glad to see you haven't changed too much. Watching six incredibly strong youths, each with powers of lightning, gasping for breath and begging you to give them a break brings back such lovely memories."

Sif grinned. "Ah, a dull workout."

"I still say could have gotten to the Amazons..." Valkyrie muttered.

"Be at ease," Thor stated. "There'll be time enough for fun later."

Balder laughed. "Now you really sound like Odin!"

"You should have seen him with just one eye," Valkyrie cracked.

"Oh, this I have to hear."

Sif hooked her arm into his. "Come on, tell it to you over a long drink. You'd be amazed how much better ale on this planet has gotten in the last few centuries." Balder smiled to join her. Valkyrie followed, always eager to join in for some drinking.

Jane looked at Thor and smiled. "I haven't seen you looking this happy in a long time."

"I always did miss him," Thor confessed. "To discover he's my brother is…amazing." He shook his head. "I never expected it."

"That's family for you," Jane said. "But don't think this gets you out of the meetings."

Thor rolled his eyes. "My father finally having his ultimate last laugh…" Nonetheless, he followed Jane to handle the duties of the throne.

Earth-1937

Maine

It was quiet on the evening road as the high heels clicked down the pavement of the street. The gorgeous blonde kept her pace up as she marched with a purpose that would surprise one who had just seen her recent defeat. She lifted the small purple shard in her hand to study it. It may not be as much as she wanted but it would do for now.

Amora brushed at her clothing as she continued her walk. As she marched on, her outfit shifted, transforming into a nice professional green suit not unlike modern-day dress. Her hair also shifted to a shorter cut that still showed her beauty off nicely. She knew this would be tricky, of course. To lose Balder was a shame but one had to make do. She had no idea what happened to Circe and frankly, she could care less. They had been separated in the turmoil of the dimension storm they'd been tossed into and Amora would be happy if that harpy was torn to pieces.

At least she'd landed somewhere she could sense had a great deal of magical power. She whistled softly to herself as she walked down the road to the small town in the distance. Somewhere in that hamlet was a power that could work quite well to her advantage. She smiled, her thoughts whirling on a new scheme as she passed the sign on the road.

Welcome to Storybrooke.

Earth-1933

Somewhere in the South Pacific

As soon as the portal closed behind them, Printwhistle was tearing off his gag. After taking a breath, he blurted "Ibac!" In a flash, he was back to his muscled form. "Gotta watch that…"

Sivana winced as he rose to his feet, rubbing at his back. "Agh…that was…not fun…." He paused to stare at where they landed. They appeared to be in an abandoned village in the middle of what seemed a large jungle. The humidity was thick yet not overbearing while an odd haze seemed to hang in the air. He brushed at his coat as he looked to where Mind was crawling onto a small table. "You're going to claim the egg led us here?"

"It came from this Earth," the worm explained. "We merely needed to use it to return to its native reality. And that is no fanciful description, Doctor. It is an egg. One of many."

Sivana's attention was caught by the large wall of crude paintings nearby. He stepped forward to examine them closely, taking note of the drawings upon it.

"Where the hell are we now?" Ibac demanded.

"Not Hell, Ibac…But close to it in many ways," Mind replied as the muscleman lifted up his jar. "I said the Seven Realms will be ours. We just started with the wrong one. We need to build up a new army to take on those heroes. An army we can find here."

Sivana was staring at the drawings before him. One showed what appeared to be a moth whose wingspan was larger than an airplane. Another was a bird-like creature with its own wings. Another still was a massive winged creature boasting three heads. At the center, amid various other creatures, two dominated as they faced off: A giant lizard with a long tail and spikes on his back that seemed to be breathing fire against what looked like a huge ape.

Sivana stared at the creatures as it sunk in these were no flights of fancy but rather eyewitness images. "Where are we?" he whispered.

Mister Mind had no mouth but it was clear he was smiling as best he could. "Somewhere we can build our own society, Doctor….a society…of monsters."

And somewhere in the distance, a loud and guttural roar shook the entire jungle.

Yes, the Swanwick as Martian Manhunter idea was confirmed by Snyder himself so decided to use it. And I did have to throw in the bit of Diana lassoing the lightning as the Wonder Woman 1984 trailers looked awesome. Had considered bumping Adam off but thought this was better as he's such a compelling character to bring an intriguing wild card into the DCCU.

So obviously some set-up at the end and sure some fun guessing the meaning behind the numbering of those two particular Earths….