The Planet of Apocalypse

In the distant starry seas, within the boundless cosmos, among billions of planets, lies the Planet of Apocalypse.

Desaad, cloaked in his long robe, strides through the endless hordes of Parademons, making his way to the War Temple.

As soon as he steps into the grand hall, a voice carried by a chilling wind reaches his ears.

"Get out! My domain doesn't welcome you, Desaad!"

"Heh, Kanto, Darkseid needs your power!"

"Darkseid, Darkseid—you're just like that damned Mortalla, all you talk about is Darkseid!"

The words barely leave his mouth when Kanto suddenly lunges forward, gripping Desaad's throat.

"You only need to call him My Liege! No one is worthy to utter His great name—no one!!!"

Kanto's voice is shrill and icy, but Desaad remains unfazed. With a wave of his right hand, Kanto abruptly releases his grip, panic-stricken.

In Kanto's eyes, the figure he just seized wasn't Desaad, but the terrifying Darkseid himself!!!

"My Liege!"

Kanto first kneels, trembling uncontrollably, then steadies himself, rising from the ground to face the real Desaad beside him.

"Don't use My Liege's illusion to test my nerves again, Desaad! Speak your purpose!!!"

"Of course, Kanto. You're the greatest tracker across billions of planets and countless universes. My Liege needs you to find someone for Him!"

"Oh?"

Intrigued, Kanto smiles at Desaad's words.

"Someone for me to track personally? That's truly exciting. Give me the clues!"

"Of course!"

Desaad nods, his right hand waving gently.

In the next instant, Heisenberg's image materializes before them.

Moments later, Kanto commits every word and detail about Heisenberg to memory.

Then, he bares his vicious maw, his tongue curling.

"Ah, this one truly piques my interest—a fusion of the Ancient Gods and Kryptonians.

Let me savor the flavor of his destiny!"

As his words land, he inhales sharply.

Whoosh!

Heisenberg's image vanishes into his mouth.

Moments later, Kanto's eyes rapidly turn white, then hollow.

Uncontrollably, he mutters to himself.

"Once an Elder of Krypton, his footprints span countless universes, but not every universe allows him to become a Sun God.

Wait, something's off. If he had the potential for godhood, the taste of that destiny shouldn't be so faint.

He shouldn't exist—perhaps he should've died twenty millennia ago, yet he's appeared in My Liege's sight!

This means the universe he inhabits is extraordinary!"

He twitches the nasal ridge covering his cheeks, chuckling.

"It's a newborn universe, young and thriving, and… and…"

Here, Kanto pauses slightly.

"I smell the Mother Box in this universe, and My Liege's scent too.

My Liege has been to that universe!!!"

His words fall, and Kanto slams his claw emphatically.

"Kalibak will surely relish this news. That child, forever unloved by My Liege, will seize this chance to prove himself!

I've found the path to that universe. Has My Liege decided who to send?

If not, I don't mind sharing this news with Kalibak?"

"Silence, Kanto! Keep this secret—you have no right to make even the smallest decision for My Liege!

Think of Steppenwolf. I'd hate for a valuable asset like you to share his fate of exile!"

With that, Desaad takes the information Kanto offers and leaves his domain.

Outside, Desaad clutches the flickering, ash-like data, bypassing the Parademons to return to Darkseid's palace.

Midway, his path is blocked by another.

"Look, look—it's Desaad, always so cold-faced. I'd love to visit you with my sister.

We'd love to see you smile, just like us. We believe we'd love that smile!"

"Get lost, Glorious Godfrey. Go greet your sister in the starry seas.

This is the 76,000th universe conquered by Wonderful Grace. Doesn't your sister's achievements shame you?

Think—you've barely claimed 20,000 universes. Even I feel ashamed for you!"

"Heh, yes, you're always so ashamed, but I'm not.

My sister and I never act together—you know why.

Her triumphs are mine, and mine are hers. Heh, hahaha!!!"

"Hmph, better hope Wonderful Grace feels the same. After all, she shares her triumphs with you, but you give her only humiliation.

Don't die by her hand, you fool!"

Desaad snaps, then strides past the indifferent Glorious Godfrey into Darkseid's exclusive throne room.

Before him, Granny Goodness stands respectfully behind Darkseid, who watches the Female Furies' conquest of a universe.

As she watches, Granny Goodness explains to Darkseid.

"This universe isn't enough to prove the Female Furies' strength. It lacks the Ancient Gods and Kryptonians.

Only a universe upheld by the Green Lantern Corps could be their nightmare. Even a single Fury could cleanse them utterly!"

"No, Hound. Never underestimate any foe—only I am worthy of scorning them. You and your Furies are far from that privilege!"

"Yes, My Liege!"

Granny Goodness bows hastily, but Darkseid doesn't look at her.

Slowly turning, Darkseid addresses Desaad behind him.

"You'd better have brought what I need!"

"Of course, My Liege. Kanto, as always, found what we need!"

He raises his right hand, sending the flickering, ash-like data toward Darkseid. As it drifts, Desaad continues.

"My Liege, it's a universe You once visited. Not only does it hold foes to excite You, but the scent of the Mother Box as well!"

"Oh?"

Darkseid pauses slightly, then snatches the data with his right hand.

Moments later, his eyes flash with boundless ambition!

"It's there—heh—a universe they've concealed.

I once halted there, my only failure, gifted by that universe.

I thought I'd lost their trail, and now I care not for past failures, nor seek them out.

But I never imagined he'd appear before me, at my side!"

His words fall, and Darkseid grins, his smile cruel and malevolent.

"Let me think—who's worthy to open the path to that universe, to be my vanguard, bringing my might and majesty to their cosmos?"

Musing, Darkseid turns to Desaad, asking softly.

"My servants Mortalla and Doomsday—are they worthy?

Kalibak, that wretch? No, no, he's unworthy.

The Titans?

I won't let him leave my realm—I won't indulge his ambition and greed.

Then, Desaad, what of Doctor Chaos?"

"My Liege, Your will is all."

"Very well!"

Darkseid smiles, satisfied.

"Send Mantis. He's my strongest warrior, a fusion of Ancient Gods and Kryptonians, worthy of Mantis's glory.

Tell him: not only must he retrieve the Kryptonian God's head, but also bring back the Mother Box I left in that universe."

"My Liege, Mantis is indeed fit to fight for You, but sending him might be overkill."

"Then, Desaad, speak your mind!"

"I have a suggestion, My Liege. Your uncle remains in exile.

As Apocalypse's bloodline, Steppenwolf can redeem his honor. Though weak, as Your kin, he's fit to carry Your banner."

"So you want me to give him a chance, or… do you think I'm wrong?"

Boom!

Darkseid's words barely land when Desaad kneels, head held high.

"My Liege's actions are destiny."

"Yes, destiny. So, Steppenwolf…"

Darkseid ponders, then nods.

"Find Veman Vanderveer. He holds all exiles' records. Have him find Steppenwolf and grant him this chance!"

"Yes, My Liege!"

Desaad nods, then departs.

After he leaves, Darkseid returns to the scene behind him.

Watching the Female Furies' relentless slaughter, Darkseid smiles faintly.

He lifts his foot, and Granny Goodness rushes to his side, cradling it in her hands.

Gazing at Granny Goodness beneath his foot, Darkseid nods.

"Your dog pleases me!"

"Yes, My Liege!!!"

Granny Goodness smiles instantly.

…

Soon after.

Steppenwolf, wandering the cosmos, wields his great axe on a tech-laden planet!

Beside him, countless green lights flash endlessly.

Innumerable shields of green light block his axe, attempting to halt his assault.

Countless green weapons pierce his body!

Facing the loathsome Green Lantern Corps, Steppenwolf's axe shatters shields, slamming into the planet's surface.

Instantly, countless cracks erupt.

The planet beneath him collapses, as he savors his own blood, escaping the Lanterns' pursuit.

This planet, long a Parademon nest, sees eighty billion Parademons swarm against the Lanterns.

To prevent Parademon spread, the Lanterns abandon Steppenwolf, focusing on eradicating the Parademon horde on the shattered planet.

Using the Parademons' deaths as cover, Steppenwolf returns to his ship, only to receive an unexpected transmission.

The message is brief but thrilling.

In it, Desaad's image coldly declares.

"I'll give you a universe's coordinates. Go there, find the planet, kill the fusion of Kryptonian and Ancient God, and retrieve the Mother Box left there.

Succeed, and your crimes will be pardoned. Darkseid will forgive your greed and madness.

Go, Steppenwolf—foolish, self-righteous, former commander.

My Liege doesn't expect your return, nor do I.

So, don't disappoint us!"