Steppenwolf, Invading Themyscira, The Team.

Location: Fourth world, Apokalips

Time : 3 months later.

In the vast halls of Apokolips, Steppenwolf stood before the immense throne of Darkseid. The shadowed figure of the tyrant loomed, his fiery eyes glowing like molten lava. His deep, resonant voice reverberated through the chamber.

"Superman has abandoned Earth," Darkseid declared. "The planet lies vulnerable. It is time to retrieve the Mother Boxes and prepare the world for my arrival."

Steppenwolf knelt, his massive axe resting on the ground. "As you command, my lord. Earth shall fall."

Darkseid's gaze burned brighter. "Do not fail me again, Steppenwolf. Bring me the unity."

With a curt nod, Steppenwolf rose and marched to the portal chamber, where the Boom Tube awaited. Behind him, an army of Parademons screeched and howled, eager for conquest.

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On the hidden island of Themyscira, all was tranquil. The Amazons trained under the morning sun, their movements a symphony of discipline and strength. Yet deep beneath the temple housing the Mother Box, a low hum began to resonate, growing louder with each passing moment.

Queen Hippolyta was in the palace when the alert reached her. One of her guards, panting and pale, burst into the chamber.

"My Queen! The Mother Box—it stirs!"

Hippolyta's expression darkened. She summoned her guards and rushed to the vault where the box was kept.

The ancient artifact, dormant for centuries, now pulsed with an eerie light. Its metallic surface shifted and writhed as if alive. Hippolyta's heart sank. She knew this could mean only one thing: someone had found it

A deafening BOOM shattered the serenity of Themyscira. From the sky, a massive Boom Tube opened, disgorging Steppenwolf and his legion of Parademons. Their grotesque forms blotted out the sun as they descended upon the island, screeching with bloodlust.

"Defend the Mother Box!" Hippolyta commanded, drawing her sword.

The Amazons sprang into action, their battle cries echoing across the island. Spears clashed with alien blades, and arrows rained down upon the Parademons. The Amazons fought valiantly, their skill and bravery unmatched, but the sheer number of enemies began to overwhelm them.

Steppenwolf strode through the chaos, his axe cleaving through Amazonian shields like paper. His eyes locked onto the glowing box.

"The Mother Box is mine!" he roared.

Hippolyta herself grabbed the artifact, retreating on horseback with her guards. She raced through the forest, determined to keep the box from falling into enemy hands.

Steppenwolf pursued her relentlessly, his towering form crushing trees and scattering her guards. Hippolyta's horse stumbled as a Parademon struck it with an energy blast, sending her tumbling to the ground.

She rolled to her feet, clutching the box, but Steppenwolf was already upon her. With a savage swing of his axe, he disarmed her and snatched the Mother Box.

"You have fought well, Queen," he sneered. "But this is the end for you and your people."

Before she could respond, Steppenwolf unleashed a shockwave, sending her flying. The Parademons rallied around him as he opened another Boom Tube and disappeared with the box.

That night, Themyscira lay in ruins. Fires smoldered where once stood proud temples, and the beaches were littered with the bodies of fallen Amazons. Hippolyta stood atop a cliff, her heart heavy with sorrow and rage.

She knew what had to be done. Calling upon the ancient magic of her people, she lit a ceremonial fire and began to chant. The flames danced and twisted, forming into a glowing hawk that soared into the night sky.

"Find Diana," she whispered. "Tell her the world needs her once more."

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The magical hawk streaked across the ocean, its light a beacon in the darkness, heading for the one Amazon who could answer the call.

In Paris, Diana Prince stood on the balcony of her apartment, gazing at the moonlit city. Her tranquil evening was shattered when the glowing hawk appeared before her, its fiery eyes locking onto hers.

The hawk spoke in her mother's voice: "Daughter, Themyscira has fallen. The Mother Box has been taken by Steppenwolf. The world is in grave danger. Return to us."

Diana's fists clenched as she listened to the message. She donned her armor and retrieved her sword and shield.

"The fight isn't over," she said to herself.

The cold night air of Gotham City was pierced by the screech of Parademons soaring over the rooftops. Their grotesque forms moved with terrifying speed, their glowing eyes scanning for their prey. Below, a trembling man—Marcus, a mid-level criminal with ties to Gotham's underworld—ran for his life through the maze of alleys.

His usual predators—the GCPD or rival gangs—were nothing compared to the winged monstrosities now hunting him.

As he rounded a corner, a Parademon descended, its claws reaching out. Before it could strike, a shadow moved faster than the eye could track. A batarang whizzed through the air, striking the Parademon's wing and sending it crashing into the ground.

"Get behind me," growled a familiar voice.

Marcus turned and saw the Dark Knight himself—Batman, standing like an immovable wall between him and the creature.

The Parademon rose, shrieking in rage, but Batman was already moving. He fired a grapple line, yanking the beast closer before delivering a powerful electric shock from his gauntlet. It convulsed but lunged again, its claws slashing wildly. Batman dodged with precision, then pulled a modified incendiary batarang from his utility belt.

"Let's see if you like fire," he muttered, throwing it directly into the creature's chest.

The Parademon howled as flames engulfed it. Moments later, it collapsed into ash and metal fragments.

Marcus, still shaking, stammered, "W-what was that thing?!"

Batman turned to him, his expression unreadable beneath the cowl. "Something far worse than anything in Gotham. Go home. Stay off the streets."

Without another word, Batman disappeared into the shadows, leaving Marcus alone in the eerie silence of the alley.

Deep within the Batcave, Bruce Wayne studied the remains of the Parademon. The creature's armor and weaponry were unlike anything he'd encountered before, even among Gotham's more exotic villains.

Using his advanced computer systems, he analyzed the metallic fragments and energy residue. The results were unsettling—alien technology.

"Alfred," he said, his voice grim, "we're dealing with something extraterrestrial."

Alfred Pennyworth, standing nearby with a tray of tea, raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly a rare occurrence for you, Master Wayne. Shall I prepare the Kryptonite again?"

"This is different," Batman replied. "It's not just an alien—it's an invasion."

As he spoke, he activated the secure communications line. Moments later, Diana Prince appeared on the monitor, her Amazonian armor gleaming in the dim light of her quarters.

"Bruce," she greeted him, her tone cautious. "I assume this isn't a social call."

Batman's expression didn't waver. "I encountered something tonight. A winged creature—alien, with advanced technology. It was hunting a Gotham criminal. I killed it, but I've never seen anything like it before."

Diana's face darkened. "They're called Parademons. They serve Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips. If they're on Earth, it means he's preparing another invasion."

"Tell me everything," Batman demanded.

Diana explained, her voice steady but urgent.

"Darkseid is a tyrant who seeks to conquer and enslave worlds. He uses the Mother Boxes—living machines of immense power—to terraform planets and connect them to his realm, Apokolips. Thousands of years ago, he came to Earth with his Parademons to claim the planet. The united armies of Amazons, Atlanteans, and humans, along with the old gods, drove him back. Three Mother Boxes were left behind, hidden to prevent his return. If the Parademons are here, it means one of the boxes has awakened."

Batman listened intently, processing every detail. "And you didn't think to tell me about this earlier?"

Diana sighed. "The boxes were dormant for millennia. We thought the danger had passed. But if Darkseid knows Superman is gone…"

"He'll see Earth as vulnerable," Batman finished grimly

Diana leaned closer to the screen. "Bruce, we can't do this alone. Darkseid is a threat unlike any we've faced before. If he succeeds, Earth will fall."

Batman nodded. "I know. That's why I'm forming a team. People with abilities, skills—anything that can help us stand a chance."

He pulled up a file on the monitor, showcasing several profiles.

Barry Allen, a forensic scientist with super-speed, alias The Flash. "He's inexperienced, but his speed could be a game-changer."

Victor Stone, a young man transformed by a Mother Box into the cybernetic hero known as Cyborg. "He's directly linked to the technology Darkseid is after."

Ethan Harper, a technological genius with advanced armor and knowledge of alien and magical technologies. "He's been flying under the radar, but he's more resourceful than anyone I've met."

Diana studied the profiles. "These are strong candidates. Have you contacted them?"

"Not yet," Batman replied. "But I will. Starting with Barry Allen. He's the easiest to find."