Trinity and the Smallville Battlefield

Inside the Batcave, the atmosphere was solemn. In the cold air, there was only the low hum of the Batcomputer's mainframe and the occasional drip of water falling from the cave ceiling. On the massive screen, footage of Superman floating above Metropolis was crystal clear. His expression was grave, his eyes filled with concern for the city below. Before the screen stood Wonder Woman, who had just changed into her divine armor; The Flash, clad in a brand-new suit; and Batman, shrouded in darkness. Earth's three greatest superhuman forces stood silently, awaiting the final orders from their commander.

Bruce did not waste words. He turned toward the enormous tactical sandbox, where a holographic projection had already simulated the terrain of the entire North American continent.

"Zod's objective is to obtain the Kryptonian Codex and use the World Engine to transform Earth into a new Krypton. Neither can be done without the other." Bruce's voice was like a war drum pounding in everyone's heart, low and forceful. "So our tactical objectives are clear. First, protect the Codex. Second, destroy the World Engine."

He extended a finger and marked two conspicuous red zones across the holographic map. One was the massive Kryptonian ship Black Zero, hovering over the Indian Ocean. The other was the World Engine, which was about to be deployed on the other side of the planet.

"Zod himself, along with most of his forces, will be concentrated aboard Black Zero to protect the deployment and operation of the World Engine. And to activate the Codex, he must capture you, Clark, as well as the ship you arrived in as a baby." Bruce's gaze passed through the screen and met Superman's directly.

"That ship is on my family farm in Smallville." Clark immediately understood what Bruce meant.

"Exactly." Bruce tapped a marker onto Kansas on the map. "Zod will definitely send his most elite subordinate, leading a squad to Smallville, to seize the ship. And that is our opportunity."

"You mean we should deliberately set the battlefield in Smallville?" Diana spoke up, her clear voice strong and sharp with a warrior's instinct. She had seen through the core of the plan at once.

"Choose the battlefield ourselves rather than passively fight in a densely populated area like Metropolis." Bruce confirmed her judgment. "Smallville is vast and sparsely populated, mostly farmland and open ground. Civilian casualties can be minimized. At the same time, it is your home ground, Clark. Familiar surroundings will allow you to use your greatest advantage."

Clark fell silent for a moment on the other side of the screen. He thought of his neighbors in Smallville, of his friends in town. But he knew Bruce was right. Compared to exposing the millions of lives in all of Metropolis to the flames of war, confining the battlefield to a controllable area was undoubtedly the best choice.

"I understand," Clark replied in a low voice. "But... my parents..."

"They are safe." Bruce cut off his worries. "Before I came to Washington, I had already arranged for Alfred to take them somewhere absolutely secure. Zod will not find them."

At that, the last trace of hesitation in Clark's heart vanished. Looking at the Dark Knight on the screen, he felt a flicker of gratitude toward this mysterious ally for the first time.

"So, the specific battle plan is..." Barry rubbed his hands together impatiently.

Bruce raised a hand, and the holographic projection instantly shifted into three separate combat units.

"First unit: Superman." Bruce pointed at Clark. "Your task is to confront the force Zod sends to Smallville head-on, hold them off, protect the ship, and buy us time to destroy the World Engine. Remember, your main opponent will be General Zod himself. Like you, he possesses every Kryptonian ability, and he is a battle-hardened warrior with far more combat experience than you. Do not underestimate him."

"I won't." Clark clenched his fists, his gaze unwavering.

"Second unit: Wonder Woman." Bruce turned to Diana. "Among Zod's forces, aside from himself, the strongest warrior is his adjutant, Faora-Ul. She is also a genetically engineered pure warrior. Her fighting skills and will to battle may even surpass Zod's. Your task is to deal with Faora-Ul and the Kryptonian soldiers under her command while Superman is occupied by Zod. Use your strength and combat skill to clear the way for Superman."

A battle-hungry smile curved Diana's lips. She stroked the God Killer Sword at her waist, and fire blazed in her eyes. "I like this mission."

"Third unit: The Flash." Bruce looked at Barry. "Your role is crucial. You will be the variable on this battlefield. Using the Speed Force, you must accomplish three things. First, before the battle begins, evacuate the residents in central Smallville to safety as quickly as possible. Second, once the battle starts, provide battlefield support—use your speed to create chaos, disrupt the Kryptonian soldiers' formations, and create openings for Superman and Wonder Woman. Third, and most importantly, find an opportunity to infiltrate their landing ship, destroy its energy system, and sever its connection to Black Zero."

"Awesome! Like a lightning storm!" Barry snapped his fingers excitedly. "Leave it to me!"

Having assigned the three their missions, Bruce paused.

Diana and Barry both looked at him, waiting for his assignment.

"What about you, Bruce?" Clark voiced the question on everyone's mind. "What is your mission?"

"Me?" Bruce turned and walked toward a massive elevator platform deep within the Batcave, covered in thick alloy armor. "I am the hunter. My mission is to stalk the most dangerous prey from the shadows."

The moment his words fell, space above the Batcave's dome began to distort without warning.

It was not any known technology, nor was it a portal or a spatial rift. That patch of dark void resembled a pool of water struck by a stone, sending out rings of invisible ripples. An indescribable pressure, unimaginably heavy, seeped through from behind the distorted space, as if the temperature throughout the Batcave had suddenly dropped several degrees.

The smile on Barry's face froze. Instinctively, he sensed a dangerous aura that made every hair on his body stand on end. Diana tightened her grip on her sword hilt, her eyes becoming razor-sharp in an instant. She stared fixedly at that abnormal void as the divine power within her began to surge on its own. Even Clark, on the other side of the screen, felt the heart-pounding oppression, as though some ancient beast was about to awaken.