CHAPTER 147

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[David Lance POV]

I flew across space, making my way to Apokolips at a fast pace. Reaching the planet's surface in less than half an hour, a feat not all too difficult when you had access to a Lantern ring. 

Taking a deep breath, I descended into the planet, slowing down as I approached Darkseid's stronghold.

Surprisingly, not one had attacked me yet. And considering Darkseid's reputation, I expected more than a few casualties before I could even talk with the man himself.

He was either expecting me or was simply curious as to why two Red Lanterns would come to Apokolips.

Clearing my head, I focused on the task as my destination came into view. 

At the door of the stronghold, there stood three figures, three females, two of which I didn't recognize, and the last one being Granny Goodness, each one of them armed to the teeth with multiple weapons. Not that it mattered to me; if push came to shove, I would deal with them accordingly.

"Oh dear," Granny Goodness said with a sadistic grin, bringing one of her hands to her heart. "Granny doesn't remember having visits scheduled for today."

"I came seeking Darkseid for a business proposition," I replied, using the ring to communicate my words as I tried to ignore the urge I had to rip her apart, limb from limb.

"Oh my, what do my old ears hear? I can't believe it! Such disrespect!" Granny Goodness gasped in feigned shock. "Addressing the God of Evil, by his name. Tsk tsk tsk, naughty, naughty, it seems you need some discipline, the kind only a granny can provide."

Dex-Starr, who had been quiet until now, yowled at her, taking insult to her words.

"Do your worst then, old bitch," I told her with an evil smile, my ring glowing red in anticipation.

"Barda, be a dear and welcome our guest," Granny Goodness ordered, and without another word, Barda shot forward, sword at hand, aiming for my head.

Seeing this, I stepped back, letting out a smile as Dex jumped on her, scratching the shit out of her, knocking her to the ground before blasting her back with a beam from his ring as he let out a feral hiss. "If you seek death, vermin, I will happily deliver. For DARKSEID!"

With a loud battle cry, Barda got up quickly, firing red beams at Dex, and me from the tip of her melee weapon, while Granny Goodness walked toward me slowly, clapping her hands together softly.

"What a shame," Granny Goodness said, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "To see children be so unruly, it truly breaks Granny's heart. But don't worry, in time, Granny will fix you; Granny always does."

Ok.

I had enough of this bullcrap. 

Moving faster than Granny Goodness could react, I closed the distance between us, hitting her right in the face with a devastatingly powerful punch, causing her to rocket back into the stronghold behind them hard, smashing through the thick walls of Darkseid's home.

"Kneel," I ordered at the two remaining enemies, using my ring to force them into their knees.

From the broken walls of the stronghold, Granny Goodness came out walking, clapping her hands in approval as she came into view.

"Brilliant!" Her face was bleeding heavily, with blood running out of her nose and ears. "Granny is proud, sweety, such power, such cruelty. That has to be rewarded! I have to admit; you caught Granny by surprise! Who would have thought at first glance that you were such a tough cookie?"

She was still alive, impressive. I had meant to kill her with that first and last attack. Perhaps there was more than her annoying personality behind her.

"Out of respect for surviving my attack, I will make the same offer again," I said, my ring glowing as it spoke for me. 

"Where's Darkseid? I come with a business proposition."

"Oh dear, you break Granny's heart," Granny Goodness cried, bringing both hands up to her heart. "But don't you worry. Like I said before, Granny will fix you right away."

Fix me?

Laughable.

Oh well, if the old hag wanted to die, I would oblige her request. 

In fact, I would be doing the universe a big favor by wiping her off the face of creation. My good deed of the week; God knows I'm behind on those.

"Enough," Darkseid ordered from a far-off area of the stronghold, making Granny bow and obey his order without a question or hesitation in her eyes. "What does a Red Lantern seek in Apokolips?"

As Darkseid flew slowly towards me in a standing position, arms behind his back, I took his image into mind, taking note of his massive size, skin as black as night, red eyes as crimson as my ring, and dark blue armor covering him in the most vital points.

"I won't repeat myself," Darkseid said, coming to a stop a few feet away from me.

"I came here with a business proposition," I replied.

Darkseid remained silent for a very brief moment as he looked at me with an unreadable expression as if seeing something inside me I couldn't. 

Eventually, after a moment or two, he responded. "And what could you possibly have that Darkseid can't get otherwise?"

"Perhaps I should rephrase my proposition better. I came here to make an alliance between the two of us, an alliance to kill Superman," I replied.

Darkseid let out a soft laugh, but it wasn't out of amusement at my words. It was a cold, calculated, and dangerous laugh. "I see, so you seek to eliminate the Kryptonian. That is indeed quite ambitious."

"I know you have a score to settle with him, and so do I," I continued, my ring glowing brighter. 

For a moment, Darkseid remained silent before all sense of hostility disappeared from the air. Or at least most of it.

"Barda, prepare a room for our guests," Darkseid ordered without even glancing over at Barda, who nodded while she kept her eyes on me. Then, with his eyes on me, Darkseid smiled ever so slightly. "Come, we have much to discuss."