Gales howled across the wasteland.
Sand and gravel swirled through the air, rattling against the armor.
The sky glowed an eerie dark red, like a bleeding wound.
The gravitational field had gone haywire, and enormous rocks slowly floated upward in defiance of reason.
At the horizon, a massive shadow was closing in, its oppressive presence suffocating.
It was another Earth.
Collision was imminent. Annihilation was imminent.
A weathered old man knelt on the ground, his red bodysuit covered in dust, his eyes lifeless.
"It's no use... it's all over."
His lips trembled as he muttered to himself, "The paradox has taken shape. The correction has begun. We're all going to disappear."
Despair engulfed him like a tide.
"You're too loud, Barry."
With a soft sigh, Pero stood with his hands behind his back, his black cape snapping in the wind.
He lowered his head slightly, the old man's dejection reflected in his golden eyes.
"You've outrun light. You've outrun time. Now you can't outrun your inner demon?"
His voice was steady, as unhurried as a leisurely stroll, each word a hammer striking old Barry's heart.
"Enough!!"
The furious roar shattered the air.
Zod's eyes burned red. He could not tolerate being ignored like this.
Engines roared, spewing ghostly blue flames, and the rocks on the ground instantly melted into magma.
A sonic boom erupted.
Zod tore through the air like a black cannonball, terrifying momentum wrapped in fury as he charged straight at Pero's back.
Young Barry covered his eyes. Kara held her breath.
Pero did not turn around. He merely flicked the back of his hand behind him, as casually as swatting a fly.
Bang-!
A deep boom erupted, stopping hearts.
Zod's twisted expression froze in terror and disbelief.
Immense force struck him. His armor shattered, metal fragments