7 days

7 Days till engagement with the Flood.

Batman was sitting at his supercomputer in the Batcave. He was creating designs of armor for J'onn, the Flash, Hawkgirl and even Green Lantern, as well as Wonder Woman. Batman also made some spares for the League members as well as those who would be joining the League just in case they decided to join them on this excursion. Due to the danger this Flood possessed he was pulling out all the stops for preventive measures. If what he understood was right then electrical emissions within biological beings would disrupt the Floods hold on the host. It would not revert what was already done but it would prevent further changes done by the Flood. The problem was that it needed to be constantly applied. If not then they would fall to the virus.

The armor he was creating was split into two layers. The first layer would be a electric conductive material with extra strength to with stand bullets and energy weapons. With motion the suit would produce electrical energy to prevent Flood integration with said person. The second layer would be the outside made from heavy metals that would sluice off when broken down to certain points. With the ship he was planning on bringing he would have a station to fix the armors again and again as needed. So now he was having multiple of his subsidiaries build these materials 24/7 the next week. By the end of the week he should have enough for a prolonged battle on the alien planet.

Now that he had everything set up he needed a containment device that could withstand almost anything to hold the Flood pathogen so he can examine it for the future. He would not allow any kind of threat to get near the planet it as it could spell doom to the world if released anywhere. So he would have to use one of his deep space, space stations to examine the specimen. Only robots would be on this station no biological being would be present.

Sighing Bruce stood and went up the elevator to get some sleep. After a day like today he needed the rest. To survive the week he would have to put his all into getting the Justice League squared away. Who knew how long the battle would last. He only hoped they weren't too late. Bruce was hoping everything he was preparing was enough for them to survive first contact.

…

7 Days till the engagement with the Flood.

The Flash was on the run. He had been since Batman had given out the orders earlier. He had visited the sights where the potential new members were located. After some searching he had found each one and gave them an invitation to the Justice League as well as a card for them to keep. This card would act like a locater when Batman was ready to bring them in to ask them to join. This locater was connected to the teleportation pad on the watchtower. Once he was ready Batman would send a signal and the members would be given a few minutes to prepare before they were brought up.

Now the Flash was running errands for J'onn who had been searching for potential new members that the League had not confirmed as of yet. Once he found their locations he would place a tracker on them to find them at a later time. As much as he disliked this part the Flash could not help but feel responsible as this would not have been needed if he did not cross the boundary that he shouldn't have.

So to keep his mind off of these detrimental thoughts the Flash was running and placing the trackers. It was for the future of the League as well as humanity as a whole. Repeating this as a mantra the Flash went all over the world finding the people J'onn told him about. He had to make up for his blunder that has put humanity as well as the universe in danger. No matter what he would fix what he had broken in some way if it was as a runner then he would do it gladly.

…

7 Days till engagement with the Flood.

John Stewart had made it to the Green Lantern Corps headquarters and was waiting to hear back if he would be given an audience with the elders. He hadn't really spoken to anyone this time due to the importance of his task. If he could not convince the elders then many worlds would be in danger and the Green Lantern Corps would not know how to deal with the threat, thereby making it worse. He needed to be concise and to the point if they dallied then the galaxy would fall as surely as the sun rose.

"They will see you now." A Green Lantern attendant said to John.

Standing from the bench he had been sitting on John followed the attendants arm and enter the core of the Lantern. Here the Council of elders sat in leveled seating. All of them had a clear view of the circular dais where John now stood.

"Council of Elders I come bearing grave news." John started giving the most important speech of his life.

Half and hour later John stood in place and waited for the council to deliberate. "If what you are telling us is true then this is a threat that the Green Lantern Corps has never faced. If the infection speed of the threat is as you were told then the likelihood of worlds falling to this plague is not in question. The spread from the fallen worlds to others would have a cascade effect unlike anything we have seen. I as well as the better half of the council agree to send out Green Lanterns to face this new threat. We will have to be careful on the planet in question. If not enough security is put into place they will fail leaving the planet to be completely destroyed."

"We can not allow a planet to be destroyed on our watch. It will set a bad precedent for the rest of the galaxy to view us."

"If the Flood escapes then don't even think about a precedent we will be persecuted by the galaxy as a whole."

"We shall send all of the human Green Lanterns as a token force leading a grouping of 250 fellow Green Lanterns. John Stewart you will lead this task force. You will lead them to the planet in question and give them the knowledge they will need to destroy this Flood. We will send other Green Lanterns to speak to the larger empires and world governments that owe us favors. They will send a force that you will lead in the defense of the people of the galaxy. Do not fail us in this task." The speaker for the council of elders ordered John.

"Thank you. I will not fail the people of the galaxy." John said as he bowed slightly before he turned to leave.

Outside of the Elder Council room John met his fellow human Green Lanterns; Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner.

"John it is good to see you, I only wish it was under better circumstances." Hal Jordan said.

"Yeah its good to see you big man. You got us stuck in some deep problems didn't you?" Guy said to John.

"Rookie you have no idea what we are in for. If it wasn't for the need, I would have requested for another Green Lantern to take your place. But everyone I would choose is already on a mission somewhere else. So don't get over confident. Otherwise your actions will lead to more deaths than you can imagine. Got it?!" John Stewart commanded in his instructor's voice.

Guy who had looked overly excited became more serious at John Stewarts words. "Yeah. I got it. I wont mess this up."

"It is good to see you Hal, I feel the same way but needs must and all that. I have a lot to figure out why don't we go home and I will introduce you all to the rest of the Justice League?" John asks the two human Green Lanterns.

"What is the Justice League?" The two asked.

John only then realized that these two had not been home since before the invasion of the Kryptonian military faction following Zod. He smiled at that and only responded, "You will know who they are when you meet them." Adding these two to the Justice League wouldn't be an bad idea. I will have to ask Batman about it. I doubt he will say no at this point.

With that said John led the fellow Green Lanterns home to help prepare with the rest of the Justice League.

…

7 Days till engagement with the Flood

Arthur Curry was sitting on his throne in Atlantas his hand on the Trident of Poseidon. He had felt a premonition sometime in the past day. His worry had eaten at him until he had requested his information corps to search for any changes on the surface. The results had worried him as he had heard back from the corps about teleportation into a desert on the surface. With his hands on his throne's arms Arthur tried to keep calm after watching the information and the detailed video in front of him. He watched as the newly created Justice League was fighting with a giant ape in the desert.

Arthur winced as he saw Superman fly off after being shot by a green energy bolt. If that had hit him Arthur was sure he would have been sent deep into the Earth from the force of the beam. "Do we have any knowledge of where this giant ape came from?"

"No my King. We have not found any information about the ape. It seems the Justice League appeared with the ape. So it seems they must have come across..." Everyone watched as the ape now incapacitated began to shrink until it was in the form of a a naked baby. No one spoke within the throne hall, "before this." The general of the intelligence corps said trailing off.

"Well that is something else. So the Justice League knows more than we do at this moment. And they are in control of the...child at this moment. It seems I need to speak with them soon. Gather all the information you can and I will speak with everyone again tomorrow." Arthur said as he floated up from his throne and swam to his chambers.

The council of generals all floated up from their seats and bowed with their hands on their hearts. Orm Marius watched the back of his half brother with avarice in his expression that was quickly covered before it was seen by the other generals. If he could control this beast he could use it as a weapon against Arthur. Then he could use it to aid him in destroying the surface. For now Orm had to prepare something to control the beast and find where it was.

Once it was in his hands he could begin his coup against his half brother. Orm smiled sinisterly as he swam away from the grand hall. He had many plans to get ready. Soon the throne would be his.

***

7 Days till engagement with the Flood

Lex Luthor was in his office reading and writing out orders for his business. As he was beginning to write on the last page he heard his phone go off. Looking at the offender he slowly reached out and said, "Yes?"

"Sir we have new information on the Justice League. They seem to have been a battle with a giant ape. Sir we are not 100% sure but it seems that the ape was a changeling." The head of the information department said as they waited for the questions he expected.

"Go on." Lex said as he pressed a button and the painting behind him slowly disappeared into a notch made for it. Behind was a large computer screen that had the information he was speaking of on it.

"Well sir. We found an energy pulse in the Sahara desert. We sent a satellite to find the source of the energy pulse. We found the location of the battle. Here is the video." The head of the information department said as sent the video to Lex Luthor's terminal.

Lex sat silently as he watched the battle. As everything was winding down Lex watched as the giant ape slowly shrunk until it became a naked child. Lex frowned at the repeating video as his mind raced. Finally he spoke up after a few minutes of silence.

"Use everything we have. Find where this child came from. I want to know everything about him. Once that is done give me estimations of where he could likely be. Then make preparations for an operation to kidnap the child. No ties to us. Only mercenaries through shell companies not connected to us. Other than that keep an eye out for any other sightings." Luthor ordered.

"Understood sir. We will keep an eye out. Preparations are already in the works. Do you wish to ask for a super to aid the mercenaries?" The department head asked.

Lex thought for a few second before he said, "If the child is found with the Justice League then yes. Hire some supers to aid in the kidnapping. Keep up the good work." Lex hung up as he looked out the wide window of his office. A small smile appeared on his face as he thought of all the possibilities this child held.

"Will this child be your downfall Superman?" Lex asked as he prepared for the future.

***

7 Days till engagement with the Flood

Kent Nelson, currently Doctor Fate, was looking out of the window of his tower. He had replaced the helmet to deal with Wotan who had appeared not far away. Nelso tried to keep the pain from his aging body from affecting him. He was losing.

Nabu continued to try his healing magic on Nelson only to be rebuffed by Kent. "Why do you resist my healing? Your body needs to heal for you to continue to use the Helmet of Fate. What makes you want to keep the pains of your battle?"

Within his mind Nelson remembered his wife from so long ago. "Inza what would you say to this? What do I do? I still haven't found the next person to wield Doctor Fate. There are too many threats to leave Doctor Fate on the sidelines. What do I do Inza?"

"Do you wish to speak with her?" Nabu asked Nelson with an inordinate amount of concern.

"Why would you ask this now?" Nelson asked with trepidation. He couldn't immediately say no to the request as his stalwart resolve was shaking after fighting Wotan, Klarion, and Abra Kadabra in successive fights over the last week.

From his whispered words Nabu seems to think there was a new threat that has appeared within the universe. One that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. One that breaks the balance between Chaos and Order. From his observations and conclusions from the last week of battles and Nabu's whispering words Nelson knew that there was something new that had changed in the universe. Something his old body was not ready to deal with.

Nelson had not found a successor to the helmet yet so he could only agree to the suggestion from Nabu. "Yes I will speak with her."

Nabu nodded their head and began to cast. A few seconds later and the appearance of a massive ank. From behind the interior of the ank was a shadow world filled with endless souls. Another flash of golden light and a silhouette appeared. Nelson nearly broke down into tears as he saw his wife from so long ago.

"Inza." Nelson spoke attracting the soul's attention.

A woman of the forties turned and looked at Nelson. A second later her happy face turned into a frown as she planted her hands on her hips. "Kent Nelson! What did I tell you about putting on that tin-can again?! What in all of God's green Earth led you to think putting it back on was a good idea? Shame on you!"

Nelson stood ramrod straight at the commanding tone. Even Nabu within the helmet payed more attention even if he felt some aggravation at the Tin can comment.

"Ah there is my pistol. Oh how I have missed you." Kent said as he smiled.

"Hey don't you try to flatter me. Answer me. Why did you put it back on?" Inza asked.

Nelson sighed as he began to explain the problems he had faced within the last week. Inza's face released from it's frown before a sadness came over her after hearing all of the troubles Nelson had gone through. "I see. I am sorry Kent."

"Wait, what?" Nelson asked.

"Oh don't you act all surprised. Hind sight is 20/20 right? Well...it is obvious what my request has cost you and those around you. Even if I don't like Nabu he is still a warrior for good. Someone that should still be present. Now listen to me. You will allow Nabu to use you until a new person has been found. After which you will join me. Is this understood?" Inza asked.

Nelson smiled as he felt relief at Inza answering his questions. "Yes of course firecracker."

Inza blushed at her nickname, "Well you just be careful. Keep up the good work. I have everything prepared for you here when your time is up. So don't rush, but, don't keep me waiting too long either."

"Of course fire cracker. I will be with you soon. I love you." Kent Nelson said to his wife even as Nabu began to take him over to use his body.

"And you Nabu." Inza said.

Nabu froze as he looked at the soul. "Yes?"

"You keep him safe. And do not take the next one's life like you did with Kent or I will find a way to come back there and pull you to the afterlife where you belong. Do I make myself clear?" Inza asked with all the force of a star.

Nabu, for the first time in a very long time, shivered at the certainty within this soul's words. After a moment collecting himself Nabu agreed. From within the helmet Nelson laughed at the lord of order.

***

7 Days till engagement with the Flood

Billy Batson was sitting on his bed playing a video game, "Die aliens! Eat suck!" Billy wasn't paying attention so he didn't notice how old man Shazam was yelling from within Billy's mind until in a flash of lightning Billy disappeared from his bed.

Billy fell to the ground. "Ouch!" Billy sat up and rubbed his butt. He looked around. He was in the place of Shazam. Turning he noticed the old man seated on one of the thrones. "Hey old man what is the big idea? I was just about to beat the boss." Billy said in a complaining voice.

"Be quiet you little rascal. If you had been listening I wouldn't have had to pull you here." Shazam said in a resigned tone.

"Oh. So what's up old man?" Billy asked as he walked forward.

"There is something new that has appeared within the universe. Something not seen before. I need you to keep your eye out for this child. I have questioned the Historama but have not been able to pinpoint his location but I can show you what he is capable of." Shazam waved his hand before the Historama and the scenes of Broly fighting the Justice League appeared.

"Woah! That is so cool! He looks like...like...he reminds me of something but I can't quite remember." Billy said as he put a finger to his temple.

Shazam looked up sharply. After a few seconds he placed down a magic circle and realized something. "There is high order magic placing a gesh upon your mind. I don't know where it is from but it is powerful. Go back to your home while I examine this magic. Keep trying to remember the thing the child reminds you of."

Billy nodded as he was sent away by Shazam. Shazam continued to look over the magic. He watched as the magic swelled. He was worried before he realized that he was being shown an extensive dump of information. A woman who looked like a Valkyrie stood and looked at Shazam with a small smile, as she smiled the knowledge of the threat and the true gods answer appeared before him.

"Oh dear gods. I hope you are ready for this Billy." Shazam said as he prepared an extensive training program for Billy in preparation for the incoming threat.