Clark's Charge

When people talk about Gotham, they inevitably recall the sound of gunshots in the dark, the bodies in the sewers, and the eyes watching from the corners. Mention Metropolis, however, and smiles appear on their faces. But these people are usually not permanent residents of Metropolis. They are unaware that this city, guarded by the Earth's most powerful force, often faces the most lethal threats.

Doomsday was originally a humanoid weapon created by an ancient Kryptonian scientist. Not only is it immensely powerful in combat, but it can also continuously adapt to its opponent's attack methods, evolving accordingly. Even if killed, it can resurrect, becoming even more deadly. Essentially, it is nearly immortal. Doomsday had previously been sent out of the solar system, but somehow, it has now returned to Earth. Hearing this from Tim, Baia couldn't manage a smile.

Fortunately, thanks to Tim's notification, the Metropolis Police Department was already evacuating citizens, fearing Doomsday would choose Metropolis as its battlefield.

As the last embers of the sunset disappeared over the horizon, Superman's billowing red cape reflected in Doomsday's blood-red eyes. Clark's fists were clenched; one moment he was in mid-air, the next, he was face-to-face with Doomsday. Even though Doomsday's bone spikes could inflict significant damage on him, he couldn't retreat a single step.

This time, more Justice League members arrived than during the battle against Amazo. That situation was unique; fewer superpowered individuals were better, so Batman had stopped Green Lantern Hal and Flash Barry from joining. Besides the major figures of the Justice League, Baia's phone screen also lit up with the Justice League's emblem.

Baia felt a mix of heaviness and excitement; this meant that the Justice League, albeit reluctantly, had acknowledged her. With this acknowledgment came a mountain of responsibility, not just any mountain but the lives of tens of millions and the future of the world. Though her lips were dry with tension, the Justice League's burden wasn't just a mountain—it was the weight of countless lives.

In the blink of an eye, Superman, who was just in Baia's sight, had vanished. Baia sighed and pouted.

"Need some help, battlefield doctor?"

A cheerful voice reached her ears.

"Old Bat said you're particularly fragile and might need some help, so he assigned... uh, practically everyone to babysit you."

Before the voice even finished, Baia felt a lift beneath her feet. A translucent, emerald-green protective shield lifted her, causing her to stumble forward and tumble inside the green hamster ball-like construct.

"Hey!" Baia protested.

In response, she heard a series of unrestrained laughs. "Stay in there. Who knew Gotham could produce such an amusing bird?"

From Green Lantern's tone, Baia detected some discontent. She wasn't privy to the Justice League's internal meetings, but she could guess that Batman had emphasized her need for protection. After the last battle, Bruce hadn't wanted Baia involved in such high-level conflicts, but Tim's information about Superman's future had made him wary.

Bruce had instructed Baia to look after Superman.

How was she supposed to look after him when she couldn't even catch a glimpse of him?

"They're here."

As the sounds of battle grew closer, Hal's expression turned serious, dropping his earlier playfulness. Baia knew Green Lantern was well-meaning; after all, the other League members had charged directly into the fray, leaving him to handle support.

The sky, which had darkened, was once again lit up by the heat vision, rendering it a blinding red. The golden glow of the Lasso of Truth intertwined with it. In the center of the battlefield, Doomsday roared, exposing its full set of sharp teeth as the spikes on its body grew even longer. The lasso binding it groaned under the strain.

Wonder Woman gritted her teeth, holding onto the lasso tightly to create an opportunity for Superman.

Trees blazed, and shattered rocks rained down. Superman moved as agilely as a falcon, leaving only a blur for the eye to catch. But his opponent was Doomsday.

He had defeated it time and time again, only for it to return each time, and ultimately...

It would become an unbeatable force.

Doomsday's massive claws, each several meters long, hooked onto Superman's cape. The material, which could withstand a nuclear blast, ripped apart with a tearing sound, leaving the golden El family crest split in half. One part fluttered in the swirling dust, eventually landing on a broken tree branch, resembling a battle-torn flag.

All surrounding life, except for the members of the Justice League, had been obliterated. Only Baia remained to witness the epic battle.

Air Force jets arrived late, their missiles futilely exploding against Doomsday's rock-like, cracked skin, causing no harm. Doomsday's knuckles were covered in bone spurs, which inflicted unforgettable wounds on Superman. Though a mindless and emotionless creature, Doomsday's mouth twisted into a savage grin.

"We need to move faster!" Baia shouted.

"Got it, little princess!"

As Doomsday's bone spurs came within inches of Superman's face, a seemingly delicate golden membrane miraculously unfolded in front of him. Beneath Superman's suit, his bloody wounds began to heal.

Hal turned around exaggeratedly, looking at Baia inside the green hamster ball he was controlling. "No way! Is that a yellow power ring?"

"Not all things yellow are power rings. Watch out!" Baia's voice rose sharply, her green eyes reflecting Doomsday's jagged teeth.

The Lasso of Truth flew through the air, wrapping around the green lantern shield protecting Baia, flinging her into the sky and out of Doomsday's reach.

At the same time, Batman's command came through Martian Manhunter's telepathic link: "Freeze him, Green Lantern, now!"

In an instant, an unbreakable icy heart enveloped Green Lantern, and Doomsday's teeth clashed against the ice, producing a metallic sound. Superman swooped in from the side, delivering a powerful punch to Doomsday's face, causing it to spit out Hal.

Without Green Lantern's support, the green shield around Baia vanished, and she was left free-falling. Her black hair whipped around her as the wind roared in her ears.

"Are you okay?" A red blur zigzagged from the distance, and Baia blinked to see two small golden lightning bolts on the sides of the helmet of her rescuer.

"I'm fine. Go help Wonder Woman and the others!"

"What about you?"

Baia glanced at her watch. "It's okay. Someone should be here soon. He can't resist such a big commotion."

"You know me so well?" came a complaining voice through her earpiece. "Knowing me so well, and you didn't notify me in advance?"

Barry glanced at the approaching armor, matching his own color scheme, and gave Baia an inquisitive look. Baia nodded, and Flash stepped back, rejoining the fight.

Strictly speaking, Tony didn't come alone. He was carrying a silver and blue briefcase.

"Oh, come on," Baia said.

Tony tossed the metal case to Baia, and it transformed mid-air, unfolding into a sleek suit of armor. With the sound of delicate clicks, it wrapped around Baia. The armor didn't cover her completely like Iron Man's Mark series but instead protected vital areas. It included a chest reactor and four thrusters, with Baia's cape still billowing behind her.

It was more of an upgrade to her swallow suit.

"Don't like it?"

"How could I not! But it's too dangerous here; we should keep our distance!"

"Oh, so everyone's a superhero now?"

"Are you sure?" Baia, previously shaky as she flew around placing golden shields on each Justice League member, paused and tapped her watch, sending Doomsday's detailed data to Tony.

Tony quickly scanned the data. "Are you serious about this thing's strength?!"

"I'm serious! We need to keep our distance!"

At least Doomsday had one minor advantage—it wasn't intelligent like Amazo or other villains. It was just a pure combat machine. With the main fighters covered in golden shields, Doomsday focused on these conspicuous targets, making Baia considerably safer.

Tony was silent for so long that Baia began to worry.

Finally, she heard Tony softly say, "Alright."

Despite the improved technology of this world, Tony Stark only had one Mark suit here, unlike in his original world where a vast funding chain supported him, with numerous Stark satellites in the sky and specialized suits lined up from one to a hundred. He had spent a lot of time creating a suitable set of equipment for Baia to prevent her from accidentally getting herself killed.

Whether it was against Amazo or Doomsday, Iron Man was not enough.

Baia knew Tony was a bit arrogant, but she never fully grasped just how proud he was, how legendary a person he was. However, with his face shielded, she couldn't see Tony's expression. In this critical moment, Baia's voice was hoarse from shouting the Angel's Song, leaving her no time to consider Tony's feelings.

The moment had arrived. Clark closed his eyes.

In front of him, dust and smoke rose, obscuring the view of the raging, unkillable monster. Living in a fragile world, he had long since learned to cherish everything, even those who stood against him.

Behind him was the city he had spent his life protecting, a city where his loved ones lived, a city that made up his past, his joy, his sorrow, and gave him peace—a city now on the brink of being torn apart.

He couldn't stop it.

A massive crack in the ground beneath Doomsday's feet snaked rapidly towards the city. With his super hearing, Clark knew how deep and irreversible the crack was, powerful enough to destroy the foundations of skyscrapers, turning a bustling city into ruins in an instant. Even the underground shelters were unlikely to withstand it.

They had put in so much effort just to prevent Doomsday from entering Metropolis. Yet it still managed to cause harm.

Superman rarely had the desire to kill, but when he did, he knew he would succeed. He could barely hear Batman's hoarse commands; he could only hear the lamentations of everything behind him.

"Wait," Baia quickly checked her skill points balance, then shouted across all channels, "If you suddenly receive a help request from me, reject it, except for Superman!"

Skill points deducted successfully, you have activated the special skill [One-on-One].

Sending summoning request to [Wonder Woman], Wonder Woman has rejected.

Sending summoning request to [Robin], Robin has rejected.

Sending summoning request to [Martian Manhunter], Martian Manhunter has rejected.

Sending summoning request to [Superman]—

Accepted.

Triggered positive status [World's Best Partner], Superman's attack power has increased to 200% of his best state.

Baia shouted, "Clark, charge!!"