346. Ruthless Actions.

After overcoming various traps, Clark and the others finally reached the central console.

Although Apokolips currently lacked its usual high-level defenses—aside from the Apokolips War Furies—this didn't mean the planet was unprotected. The short thousand-meter corridor was packed with automated laser weapons, giving the group a tough time. Thankfully, Clark had regained his superpowers.

With his all-out assault, Clark destroyed most of the weaponry, allowing Dick and Damian to safely pass through the ambush. As for Jason, these weapons were child's play for him.

With his remarkable physical prowess and Batman's teachings, Jason felt capable of taking on the entire DC Universe.

"The Bat Network detected something ahead… Wait, my signal seems to be malfunctioning…" Dick, barely catching his breath, quickly checked the Bat Computer.

Clark landed on the ground, brushing the ash from his shoulder. He frowned and looked forward, noticing a massive wall glowing red.

"All hail Darkseid."

On the wall, Cyborg—disassembled into countless parts—slowly lifted his head. He was now completely merged with this eerie wall, looking like a head growing out of it.

"Victor!?" Dick's eyes widened in shock.

Having started as a hero early on, Dick had known Cyborg the longest. They were well-acquainted and had gone on numerous missions together.

Seeing his old friend mounted on the wall like this was an agonizing sight for Dick.

"I am the Wall of Origins," Cyborg said slowly, his vacant eyes staring at the group. "By order of the great Darkseid, I am to capture you intruders alive… for His personal judgment."

"So, this is the 'central console' everyone's been talking about. Great. Darkseid made sure every member of the Justice League is put to use," Jason remarked sarcastically, then added, "Oh right, except for Green Lantern and Aquaman."

"You think you're funny, Jason?" Dick said angrily, glaring at him. "What right do you have to mock them? At least they're heroes!"

"Sorry, I don't see any 'heroes' here. I only see prisoners," Jason sneered, casting a glance at Clark. "Besides, if I were making the plan, I guarantee things would be different."

"Alright, alright, do you two really have to argue now?" Damian stepped in to mediate.

Hearing this, Dick and Jason looked away from each other, both falling silent.

"The most important thing now is to rescue Cyborg. If we can break his control, then maybe we can also free Hawkman, Wonder Woman, and the others," Damian said as he approached Cyborg.

"Darkseid is invincible…" Cyborg continued to repeat in a robotic tone.

"Yes, yes, we know, now shut up," Damian said, ignoring him. He took a specially designed data cable from his belt and plugged it into a gap in the wall, linking it to his Bat Computer.

"What are you doing?" Clark asked curiously.

"I'm trying to hack into the program. It's a long shot, but it's worth a try," Damian replied without looking back.

"It's pointless. The Mother Box contains the most advanced technology imaginable, far beyond anything Earth has. Our computers can't handle the massive data load. This is like an egg smashing against a rock," Dick said, shaking his head.

Even though Dick desperately wanted to save his close friend, he understood how advanced Apokolips' technology was and knew the gap between them was immense.

"But we have to try, don't we? If we don't free Cyborg from their control, how can we save the other brainwashed heroes?" Damian said, drenched in sweat, his hands moving quickly.

"There is another way," Jason suddenly said.

Hearing Jason's words, Damian froze, but he quickly understood what Jason meant.

"No!"

"No, absolutely not! Don't even think about it!" Damian shouted.

"In fact…" Clark, who had remained silent until now, suddenly seemed to have realized something. He spoke slowly.

"Jason makes sense."

"Are you kidding me!?" Damian couldn't believe what he was hearing from Clark—the kindest member of the Justice League—of all people.

What Damian didn't know was that Clark was also in deep torment, haunted by Alex's parting words: "Save whoever you can. For those you can't..."

Alex had left the rest unsaid, but Clark understood. He had mentally prepared himself when he set foot on Apokolips again, but facing it now still tore at his heart.

"No, no way! Just give me five more minutes," Damian pleaded. "Just five minutes—please, just five minutes."

Dick closed his eyes, unable to watch. Jason stepped forward and pulled Damian back. He knew how close the Teen Titans members were to Cyborg, but he also knew how crucial their mission was.

Seeing that the others had made their decision, Damian finally stopped resisting. He turned away, unable to watch what was about to happen.

"It's on you, Clark," Jason said flatly.

Clark pressed his lips together, saying nothing in reply.

He stared at Cyborg in front of him, memories flashing through his mind.

While he couldn't destroy the Mother Box or the Wall of Origins, he could at least destroy Cyborg himself. When Darkseid fused Cyborg with the wall, he had created a fatal vulnerability.

"I'm so sorry, my friend," Clark whispered, his eyes growing redder as destructive energy gathered in them. Finally, he unleashed the energy, obliterating the central control 'core.'

The deafening explosion felt like a stab in the heart for the three of them, leaving them in shock for a long time.

The war on Apokolips had changed them profoundly.

Clark, Superman himself, had broken his no-kill rule, even against his fellow Earthlings. And now, he had personally ended his friend's life—something unimaginable in the past.

Clark closed his eyes in sorrow, tears sliding down his face as he tasted the bitterness of unbearable grief.

"I can't believe it,"

A voice suddenly came from behind them.

"You really did it."

Hearing that voice, the four of them jolted, and Clark even trembled slightly. They knew that voice all too well. The rough, cold, and weary tone was unmistakable. They turned slowly toward the sound.

In the darkness, Batman sat high on the Mobius Chair, watching them with a cold smile.

.....

📢30 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢

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347. Batman's Fury Against Everyone.

348. Darkseid's Arrives!!!

349. Battle with Darkseid!!

350. Bollocks!!!

351. I'm Laying Down the Law.