The Party Begins

Superman floats in space, his red cape fluttering gently in the weightless environment.

His eyes glowed red, his super vision scanning every corner of the earth—from bustling cities to remote mountain villages, from towering mountains to deep ocean trenches.

His super hearing captures sounds from every corner of the globe—whispers, arguments, laughter, tears... but there is no trace of the Arbitrators.

"Impossible..." Superman muttered to himself, "They couldn't have just vanished into thin air."

His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. Anger surged within him like magma, and his Heat Vision erupted uncontrollably, instantly vaporizing the nearby floating space debris.

In the end, Superman gave up the Search and turned to fly back to Earth. His figure, like a red meteor, streaked through the atmosphere and landed on the helipad of the Justice League Tower, leaving a scorching shockwave.

The atmosphere inside the Justice League's meeting room was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Diana stood by the window, the Lasso of Truth wrapped around her waist, her gaze fixed on the distant city skyline through the glass.

Barry shifted uneasily in his seat, his fingers tapping rapidly on the table, almost creating afterimages.

Victor's electronic eyes flashed Steel, and a holographic projection unfolded in front of him, displaying surveillance footage from around the world.

"Nothing was found." Diana turned around, her voice low. "I searched every possible hiding place in Europe, not even ancient ruins."

Barry scratched his head. "I've traveled all over North and South America, even to Antarctica..." He shrugged. "And haven't found a single trace."

The holographic projection of the Steel switched to a global map, densely covered with red dots. "I hacked into the global surveillance system, including satellite and drone networks, but Tony and Chen Tian seem to have completely disappeared from the face of the earth."

The conference room door suddenly opened, and Superman walked in slowly. His expression was cold, and the red light in his eyes had not yet faded.

"Clark ..." Diana hesitated, then stopped herself.

Superman Teuchi her. "I know you didn't get anything either."

He walked to the conference table, placed his hands on it, and scanned everyone present with his gaze. "They couldn't have vanished into thin air. There must be something we've overlooked."

Steel suddenly looked up. "Wait..." His electronic eyes flashed rapidly, "I just received an urgent news alert."

At the center of the justice roundtable, a holographic projection is playing a live news broadcast.

In Times Square, the Big Apple City, a giant electronic screen suddenly flickered, and the image turned into a static, snowy mess.

News anchor Jessica stood in front of the camera, her voice urgent. "Viewers, we are bringing you breaking news live from Times Square. Just two minutes ago, the signal on the main screen in Times Square was compromised..."

In the center of the snow-like screen, a blood-red bat symbol slowly emerged, as glaring as if soaked in blood. Below the symbol, in dark red lettering, were the words: "The truth will eventually come to light."

"As you can see," Jessica's voice was visibly shocked, "This is the symbol of Batman, the Justice League's most wanted criminal. This former member of the Alliance, now..."

The scene abruptly shifts, and a blurry surveillance video begins to play: Superman's eyes shoot out Heat Vision, the Bel-Air Hotel collapses in flames, and screams erupt. Next, there's footage of a school bus being sliced in two, with heartbreaking cries of children.

"These images..." Jessica's voice trembled, "... seem to be the destruction caused by Superman ..."

At Justice League headquarters, alarms blared. Superman hovered in mid-air, his eyes flashing red. "Bruce?!" Steel's electronic eyes blinked rapidly. "Signal source untraceable! This is impossible!"

Diana gripped the Lasso of Truth tightly. "Clark, these images..."

"Those were all unintentional actions during the arrest of criminals! If those criminals hadn't existed, none of this would have happened!!" Superman roared, and the conference room glass shattered.

The snowflakes on the screen twisted and distorted again, and the blood-red text tore through the image like wounds.

"This farce of using the name of justice to commit tyranny must end, Carl El. In 12 hours, in Washington District —at the Trident Ruins, I will prove to the world that the god among men is nothing but a tyrannical ruler, not a god, but a man who sheds blood."

The conference room fell into a deathly silence. Superman's eyes flashed red intensely, and his cape billowed without wind. Diana's hand unconsciously tightened around the Lasso of Truth, Steel's electronic eyes blinked wildly, trying to trace the source of the signal.

"Bruce ..." Superman's deep voice suppressed his rage, "You've finally shown yourself."

The Flash wrung his hands nervously. "Uh... shouldn't we evacuate the civilians first? The Trident Ruins are in Washington District..."

"No." Superman interrupted decisively, "Let them witness the fate of traitors." His gaze swept over everyone present. "Diana, you're in charge of sealing off the surrounding area; Steel, take over the global communications system; Barry, make sure no one escapes. I'll go get the Yellow Lantern Corps."

Diana stepped forward. "Clark, this is too risky! What if it's a trap..."

"Let them try." Superman sneered, his Heat Vision sweeping across his eyes. "In 12 hours, the world will know—who the true protectors are."

Meanwhile, 300 meters underground in Washington District.

Batman stands in front of the holographic projection, with Tony, Chen Tian Wade behind him. The projection displays a live feed of the Justice League headquarters.

"He's taken the bait." Tony sipped his coffee. "But are you really sure you want to do this? Go head-to-head with Superman?"

Batman didn't reply, but looked at Chen Tian.

Chen Tian smiled. "Mr. Wayne, don't worry, as long as he comes, he'll be the one who dies in the end."

Batman didn't say anything, but simply took out a rice-grain-sized green stone from his pouch— Kryptonite.

Wade whistled. "Wow~ Master's serious! Are you going to shove that rock into Superman's brain?"

Batman handed the rice-grain-sized Kryptonite to Chen Tian, his deep voice echoing in the dim underground space. "It's yours now."

Chen Tian caught the Kryptonite, weighed it lightly in his palm, and then casually tossed it— the Kryptonite drew an arc in the air and instantly disappeared into the vortex of the Summoning Space.

"Don't worry," Chen Tian sneered, "You might not need it."

He looked at the holographic projection of the Justice League headquarters. "As for you, Clark and Diana, I'll make sure you fall into the trap. But Steel is wary and might not take it. And the Flash— " He paused, "He's too fast; he could be gone in an instant."

Tony put down his coffee cup. "Give Steel to me. I'm also curious to know whether his alien-technology-created robot is more powerful, or my armor."

Wade suddenly jumped up from the sofa, hands clasped. "And what about me? What am I responsible for? Seducing the Flash?" He blew a kiss, "Although I'm not interested in men, for justice, I'm willing to sacrifice my—"

"Wade," Batman interrupted coldly, "Your mission is to ensure the evacuation of civilians."

Wade pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "Another errand-running job..."

Chen Tian stroked his chin. "No, they wouldn't send so few people. Bruce, where's Hal Jordan? And who else is there?"

Batman shook his head slightly. "As long as you can take Clark and Diana away, the others are nothing to fear."

Chen Tian chuckled, "You're quite confident, Bruce." He put his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over the live feed of the Justice League headquarters on the holographic projection. "Then let's wait 12 hours."

Tony thumped his chest, nanotechnology coursing through him. "In 12 hours, the world will witness an epic showdown." He looked at Batman. "Are you sure you don't want to notify our other allies? Like—"

"No need." Batman's voice was deep and firm. "The more people involved, the greater the variables."

Tony sighed and turned to Chen Tian: "Are you sure your plan can trap Superman? That guy's a monster who can move planets."

Chen Tian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised his right hand and tilted his chin up. "Tony, who do you think I am?"

Batman's lips tightened almost imperceptibly. "Remember, Clark isn't the only threat. Diana's Lasso of Truth and Bracelets of Submission are equally dangerous."

"Don't worry," Chen Tian said with a cold smile, "I've found her a good opponent."

12 hours later, Washington District.

Dark clouds hung over the entire city, as if even the sky was holding its breath for the impending battle. The streets were unusually deserted, with only a few audacious internet celebrities holding selfie sticks and excitedly commenting to their cameras:

"Brothers! See this? This is the Trident Ruins! Justice League VS Batman! Let's start the battle! Send in the gifts!"

"Family! I'm here right now! When Superman comes, I'm going to rush up and ask for his autograph!"

"Brothers, give this a like and follow! If a fight breaks out later, I'll rush into the battlefield and stream it live!"

Unbeknownst to them, they were flirting madly with death.

In the center of the Trident ruins, Batman stood alone. His black cape fluttered in the wind, and his eyes beneath the mask were as calm as ice.

Batman looked up at the sky. Above the dark clouds, a red figure was approaching at an alarming speed.

"He's here," Batman said in a low voice.

The next second, Superman crashed into the center of the ruins like a meteorite, the shockwave shattering the surrounding ground. When the dust settled, Superman hovered in mid-air, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous red light.

"Bruce ..." Superman's voice was filled with suppressed rage, "You finally stopped hiding."

Batman slowly raised his hands. "Clark, stop now. Look at what you've done! Have you forgotten the look on Oliver's face when you killed him? Or have you forgotten John, whom you burned to death with your own hands?!" (John Jones, Martian Manhunter's human name, real name Ron J. Onn J. Onzz.)

Superman sneered, "They followed you, hindering my path to justice, so they deserved to die! And you—" His eyes grew increasingly red, "Are the culprit who killed them!"

"You have no idea what you've done!" Batman shook his head. "Clark, if you're still willing to surrender, I promise—"

"Enough!" Superman roared, his Heat Vision instantly flashing!

Batman dodged to the side, his Heat Vision grazing his cape and slicing a building in two. Debris flew everywhere, and the internet celebrities realized the gravity of the situation, screaming and scattering in all directions.

"Run! A real fight has broken out!"

"Holy crap! My phone!"

Superman ignored the civilians, his gaze fixed on Batman: "You think you can defeat me by using those online words?"

Batman didn't answer; instead, he pressed a button on his belt.

"Boom--!"

Suddenly, the entire Trident Ruins were illuminated by an eerie green light—countless miniature Kryptonite bombs were detonated, and green smoke instantly enveloped an area of hundreds of meters in radius!

Superman's expression changed drastically, his body swayed, and he knelt on one knee. "You..."

"Kryptonite dust," Batman said calmly, "Enough to weaken you, but not fatal."

Superman struggled to lift his head, the red light in his eyes dimming. "Bruce... you betrayed... justice..."

"No," Batman shook his head, "It is you who betrayed humanity."

Just as Batman took out a batarang covered in Kryptonite dust and threw it at Superman...

"Clark!" Diana descended from the sky, her Lasso of Truth striking Batman like a golden lightning bolt!

Batman dodged the Lasso of Lasso of Truth with a somersault and landed steadily. His gaze swept around— The Flash and Steel had already appeared at the edge of the battlefield, while dozens of yellow lights fell from the sky like meteors, Hal Jordan's Yellow Lantern Corps Descent the battlefield.

Superman slowly stood up, the red light in his eyes rekindling. He said coldly, "You have no chance, Bruce. I'll give you a quick death."

Batman straightened up, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath his mask, "Is everyone here? Then we can begin."

As soon as the words were spoken, the ground suddenly shook, and a huge blue barrier rose from the ruins, like an inverted bowl, enveloping Superman, Diana, the Yellow Lantern Corps, the Flash, and Steel.

Superman frowned and punched the barrier, but the force, powerful enough to shatter mountains, only created a ripple on it. He abruptly turned to Batman: "What is this?"

Batman didn't answer, but instead pressed the communicator. "Chen Tian, it's yours now."

The next second, the space within the barrier suddenly distorted, and Superman and Diana vanished instantly, as if forcibly dragged into another dimension by some force.

Hal's expression changed. "Spatial teleportation?!" He immediately raised the Yellow Lantern Ring, attempting to materialize a weapon, but the energy field within the barrier interfered with the ring's operation, causing the Yellow Lantern Warrior to lose their balance.

Within the blue spatial barrier, the Flash's body suddenly became blurry, with golden Speed Force lightning leaping wildly around him. Every cell in his body was vibrating at faster-than-light speed, desperately resisting the pull of the Space Stone.

"No...no..." Barry gritted his teeth, the Speed Force surging through his body. "I can't...be teleported away..."

Just as his figure was about to be swallowed by the spatial distortion, a blinding golden lightning bolt shot into the sky! Barry broke through the spatial barrier, transforming into a golden streak of light, and rushed out of the teleportation range at the last second.

"Bang!"

He crashed heavily onto the ground outside the barrier, sliding dozens of meters before coming to a stop. Barry struggled to his feet and looked up at the blue barrier—it was completely empty; Superman, Diana, Hal, and his Yellow Lantern Corps had all vanished.

"Victor!" Barry turned to look for his companion and found Steel kneeling on one knee, his electronic eyes flashing wildly. "Are you alright?"

The Steel mechanical body emitted an unstable hum. "I... severed part... of the mechanical link... The Space Stone... cannot lock onto my... organic parts..."

Barry stumbled over to him. "Where are the others? Where were they teleported to?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the blue barrier dissipated, and Batman and Tony appeared in front of The Flash and Steel.

Tony crossed his arms, the visor of his armor popped open, revealing his signature nonchalant grin. "Hey, Barry, want to know where they went?" He pointed to the sky, "Universe, on a planet countless light-years away, where Chen Tian is throwing them a huge party."

Barry's pupils contracted sharply. He jumped to his feet, the Speed Force radiating from his body. "What did you do to Clark and Diana?!"

Batman remained silent, merely watching them coldly. Tony shrugged. "Don't be nervous, it's just taking them away from Earth temporarily. After all—" he snapped his the Snap, "We don't want to make the battlefield here."

Titan, this once glorious planet, is now nothing but endless ruins. Broken rocks float in the low-gravity environment, and the air is filled with dust and the smell of death.

Superman, Diana, Hal Jordan, and dozens of Yellow Warrior suddenly appeared in this Badlands. As soon as they stood firm, they felt a suffocating sense of oppression.

"This is... Titan?" Hal looked around, the Yellow Lantern Ring particularly dazzling in the dim environment.

"Welcome." A cold voice came from above.

Everyone looked up and saw Chen Tian sitting on a huge rock, the place where Thanos had died, with the Red Queen's greatsword deeply embedded in the ground beside him.

And behind Chen Tian--

Dante with the Rebellion on his shoulder; Vergil with icy killing intent in his eyes; Goku warming up with bouncy steps; Saitama squatting on the ground fiddling with stones; Bayonetta sitting on the high wall behind Chen Tian with her legs crossed, smiling charmingly; Kiana with her hands on her hips, clad in her white armor.

Chen Tian looked at Superman and his group and laughed.

Welcome to the new battlefield.