SHATTERED WORLDS | DC (2022)

Year 2: Don't Hold Your Breath

Hal Jordan/Superman

An earth-shattering explosion had reduced everything within a 100-foot radius to mere dust and debris. The Hall of Justice lay in ruins, half-destroyed, and both Superman and Hal struggled to come to grips with the shocking turn of events.

Superman's cape bore the stains of blood, though there was no trace of John's body. Hal managed to stand up, his gaze transfixed on the spot where his comrade had stood just moments before. All that remained now was a grisly pool of blood.

"My God," Hal muttered, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight. "He really went through with it. He detonated himself. I never thought he would take such a drastic step."

"It seems he was desperate and preferred death over surrender," Superman replied, his voice strained as he tried to make sense of the catastrophic aftermath.

"What's our next move?" Hal inquired, the weight of the situation evident in his tone.

"We need to alert the team about the impending threat. It's clear we'll require a different strategy to face them all," Superman asserted.

"They'll likely deploy all the guardians simultaneously. We won't stand a chance against that kind of force," Hal admitted, his voice tinged with despair.

"We can't afford to give up. We must devise a plan," Superman urged with determination. "For now, you should get some rest and clean up. I'll handle the media inquiries. The last thing you need right now is to face the press."

Hal nodded in agreement and departed the scene, his mind reeling from the horror he had just witnessed. For years, he had fought alongside the Green Lantern Corps, and now they had turned against him. Many of the soldiers he had known personally were good people, merely following orders. Tragically, those orders had led to their demise. He tried to suppress thoughts of the heart-wrenching implications and instead headed home to seek solace in his wife's embrace.

Superman watched Hal leave, then focused on the formidable task ahead. He needed to inform the rest of the team about the cataclysmic events that had unfolded and begin strategizing for the imminent attack. Time was quickly slipping away, and the fate of the entire world hung in the balance.

Batman

As the team materialized within the Tower of Fate, the tension in the air was palpable. Dinah's frustration had reached its boiling point, and she was furious with Batman for not seizing the opportunity to defeat Superman.

"What was that all about, Bruce?" she demanded, her voice echoing through the chamber.

Batman replied in his usual stoic manner, "Attacking would have been a grave mistake. Did you not witness how effortlessly the Lanterns were vanquished once Raven and Shazam arrived?"

Dinah's anger remained unabated. "We could have avoided that if we had intervened. Instead, you made us hold back, and now we've lost all of the villains who sided with us, along with the super pills."

With a sharp edge to his voice, Batman retorted, "And who was it that thought giving those super pills to criminals was a good idea?"

"Don't put this on me," Dinah shot back, her voice trembling with emotion. "If you had just listened and attacked when I told you to, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Sensing the need to mediate, Zatanna and Selina interjected, attempting to defuse the escalating confrontation. "Enough, both of you," Selina implored. "We've all made mistakes. We're on the same team, and our common goal is to bring down Superman."