He had been very careful when giving her a tour of his planet.

If she were anything like Superman, her earthly ideas might conflict with his own ambitions.

That meant skipping the slave quarters, and showing her the more comforting aspects of his realm.

Watching her carefully, he dictated to her his achievements in technology and his personal attention to every aspect of running his empire.

They headed down to the bowls of his planet and the magna core that fueled it.

Looking around at the molten rivers, he noticed her apprehensive gaze over them.

"This world is much different from yours," he said to her. "I don't expect you to understand it."

"No," she began. "We're from two different worlds. I do understand."

"When I first saw your world," he started, "I thought what a haven it would be to my people."

She watched as he turned from her, hiding his face.

"But your leaders would not accept me. There is no room for the both of us."

Wonder Woman leapt forward, and put a hand on his arm.

"It is a difficult situation, but there's hope. There are other kingdoms who might welcome your people."

He turned back towards her placing his hand on hers.

"When I first saw you on their�media broadcasts�I knew you weren't like the others. Only a queen can understand a king."

***

Green Lantern was happy he was still in one piece when he materialized on the other side of the portal.

Looking back at the dimensional construct, he tentatively leaned back into it, hearing the cracking of the�ozone�Batman had said. He dropped his field and pushed a hand through it.

Batman exchanged a satisfied glance with Manhunter as a single green-gloved hand appeared on their side.

"It's safe," he said, as his head appeared in the gateway.

"Let's go," Hawkgirl said. She looked to the others and then leapt into the portal after Green Lantern.

"She's got guts," Batman said to Superman and Manhunter. "I like her."

He jumped in after her.

Manhunter and the Flash followed.

Superman stood at the gate, and then turned back to Hamilton.

"If anything but us comes through this," he said morosely, "shut it down."

Hamilton stared back at him with shock.

"But you'll be trapped."

"Promise me."

Hamilton bowed his head.

"I promise."

***

She stood with Darkseid in his throne room.

"You will be my emissary?" he asked her.

"I will do whatever I can to ensure peace between our two worlds. But I would like to learn more of your people�"

"Whatever you want shall be yours," he said.

"It's just�that I've only been here a few hours."

"My Lady," he said, bowing low, "I am my people."

Wonder Woman walked away from him, looking at the cold walls. Who was the architect of this place? Was it Darkseid or someone before him?

"Did you construct this place?" she asked, running her hand along the smooth surface. She was surprised at the heat that emanated from the walls.

"Yes," he said. "It was my creation."

"But it's so�harsh. You saw my world, and this is what you choose to surround your subjects with?"

He moved to her and touched the wall along side her.

"I have a secret to confess," he said with a weighty pause. "My world is�dying."

"But how?"

"Our resources have dried up. We have nowhere left to go."

"Surely you have known about this for some time. Have you tried to find another homeworld?"

"We have searched, but like your world, others are skeptical. We present a�harsh appearance."

She looked towards him as he tried to hide his face from her.

"I have been alone for so long."

***

Superman led the charge as they navigated their way through Apokolips.

So far, so good. They had managed to avoid tripping any alarms, but he was worried about Flash, Hawkgirl, Batman, and especially Manhunter. It was hot, and there was fire everywhere. It was obvious the martian was having a difficult time with it.

He landed on one of the bridges and stood in front of his team.

"Batman, I want you to take Manhunter back to the portal."

Manhunter shook his head, but Batman looked at Superman and nodded.

"J'onn," Batman said to Manhunter. "You can't take the environment."

Manhunter looked over at Superman sadly then followed after Batman.

"We all have our weaknesses," Superman whispered as they departed.

***

Darkseid was doing his best to be persuasive.

He'd seen enough of the earthlings to know where the weaknesses of the human heart lay.

Right now, he was a wounded bird, looking for someone to fix his broken wing.

No matter that after some time he would shed this fallacy. By then, they would be bound, and her human nobility would tie them together in an everlasting bond.

"So much time has passed since I've met another who understands me. Like you do."

Wonder Woman couldn't think of anything to say. She'd know him less than twenty-four hours, and she really hoped he wasn't trying to propose.

"I am a king," he spoke, "but what is that without a queen?"

Wonder Woman gulped.

"I can only believe that a bridge would be gapped by uniting our two worlds."

"I�"

"My only wish is that you consider it," he said softly as he could manage.

The old woman that had tried to subdue her earlier burst into the room.

"They're here!" Granny cried.

Darkseid's eyes flared up in anger.

"Keep them out of this!" he said.

Granny turned on her heels and fled in terror.

Wonder Woman watched Granny retreat, taking note of her fear.

***

Superman peered through the coming wall with his x-ray vision. The coast was clear.

"Let's go," he said.

As he flew through the archway, a field caught him, trapping him in its energy like a fly in a spider's web.

The other three stood back, unsure of what to do.

Green Lantern turned to Flash and Hawkgirl, and then produced a giant gauntlet with his ring.

"I'm going to yank him out," he said.

"Just be careful," Hawkgirl started.

"The ring protected me once from their weapons," he said, "It might workagain."

"Too bad you'll never reach him!"

The three looked above to see a man on a mechanical steed hovering over them.

"My name is Steppenwolf�remember it," he said, sending a laser lance down on them as Green Lantern jumped free of the blast.

"I'll take care of him," Hawkgirl said, and shot into the air.

"But who will take care of you?"

Flash turned to see a trio of women standing behind them.

"We can take care of ourselves," he replied, looking over at GL, who nodded and pointed with his ring recreating the giant gauntlet.

Lashina watched as Flash ran circles around Stompa. Her great strength was no match for his powers.

The large woman spun like a top and fell to the ground.

He turned his speed on her, but she let the red whirlwind carry her in circles, and then unleashed one of her stinging lashes into the air.

Flash collapsed to the ground, stunned.

"We've defeated Superman," Mad Harriet said. "You're a waste of time."

She raised a clawed hand to strike.

"Now, now, my Furies," Granny Goodness said, stepping into the light.

"The Master doesn't want them dead�yet."

***

Green Lantern had just breached the power field. Superman looked like he was in agony. He had to hurry.

Wrapping the glove around Superman, he could feel the energies fighting him, but he gritted his teeth and pulled his teammate free.

Superman landed with a thump on the ground and shivered, straining to get to his feet.

"Behind you," he whispered.

***

Hawkgirl was having a time trying to secure Steppenwolf. But his slow-moving steed hindered his maneuverability.

"Be still, child, and make it easy on yourself," he said, leveling his laser lance at her.

She waited, hoping he would draw closer. But he shot at her keeping his distance, and she shot up into the air and then just as quickly headed back towards him so quickly that he didn't have time to react.

He pulled backwards, but not in time as Hawkgirl slammed into him and took him off of his ride to the battle below.

They neared the bridge, and Hawkgirl picked up speed.

"Madwoman! You'll dash us both to pieces!" He tried to fire his lance at her, but she gripped his hand and pulled it away.

"You're not coming with me," she said with a sly smile.

Steppenwolf was slammed, unconscious, into the bridge as Hawkgirl dove past him down into the chasm.

She shot back upwards, seeing GL pinned in his force shield as the Furies attacked him.

Superman was on his hands and knees, minus most of his uniform, struggling to get to his feet.

Hawkgirl rose above them, whistling and flying back towards the tunnel.

"Come and get me girls!"

Granny motioned to Mad Harriet who followed after her with glee.

***

Darkseid smiled as the hovering platform raised, displaying his captives before him.

Superman exchanged glances with him and took to the air, struggling towards him, but was caught short by his shackles.

"I tire of your interference," Darkseid said, leaning over him. "If you will not submit, then you will be destroyed."

"No!" Wonder Woman said, launching herself at Darkseid.

With a single hand, he caught her at the throat, as a look of shock registered on her face. It was soon replaced with anger as she tried to wrangle his hand from her neck. He thrust her whole away from him, holding her aloft.

"Submit to me, or I will destroy them."

"You lied to me," she growled, using her sheer power to pull him forward as she flew away from him.

Darkseid sank his feet into the floor, holding her in place with little effort.

"I will destroy them," he said, looking over her restrained comrades.

"What do you want?" she said, allowing herself to float to the floor.

"You," he said with dark fervor, releasing his grip.

"Don't listen to him, Wonder Woman�he'll never keep his word," Superman yelled.

Darkseid quieted him with a blast from his eyes.

Superman fell to his knees as Wonder Woman looked on in agony.

"Remain silent," he said, looking back to Wonder Woman. "I want you for my bride."

Green Lantern and Flash looked at each other and screwed up their faces.

"Yuk!"

"I'm sure the idea is distasteful to you," he said, turning away from her and walking back up to his throne. "But in time, that will fade. I can offer you�the universe."

He spread his hand out, calling up images before them of hundreds of worlds, all held under his mighty thumb. They flickered over the screen, aliens in subjugation to Darkseid's might.

"You offer me a prison," she said.

***

Batman was playing with the technology, like a kid in a candy factory.

Maybe this wasn't the time or the place, but some of this would come in handy somewhere down the line. He pocketed several strange devices, only a few of which he could guess their use.

After he'd forced Manhunter back through the portal, he'd tracked the others on their journey through Darkseid's citadel, but had veered off the path when he noticed a squadron flying off down another tunnel.

Finding Wonder Woman before the others could turn the tide in a confrontation with Darkseid's evil. He was doubtful that the first round in a battle with Superman's arch-foe would go well.

They were still a new team, and relatively untested. The younger members were coming along, but they had a lot to learn about teamwork.

One object looked very familiar. He was sure it was a device that would activate a dimensional portal. He looked over the controls, seeing that Hamilton had done a fantastic job of recreating it. For the most part, all the buttons were in the same place.

He quickly pocketed it as the sound of exchanging blows came from the corridor beyond.

Peering from the doorway, he saw Hawkgirl battling one of Darkseid's minions. It wasn't going well. The manic creature would capture her before too long, just by wearing her down. He made a note to increase Hawkgirl's training level in the simulators.

If this was any indication, the rest weren't faring well either. It meant that Superman was either preoccupied or had been taken out, and they hadn't found Wonder Woman yet.

Waiting until it was finished, and confident that Hawkgirl wasn't going to be harmed, he watched the Fury drag her along the stone and then slowly followed after.

***

"Maybe I can help you along in your decision," Darkseid said.

"Such a pretty little bird," he said, raising Hawkgirl from the rest.

"What would happen if I clipped her wings?"

Hawkgirl did her best to look brave, but Wonder Woman could feel her fear rushing over her in waves.

Darkseid narrowed his eyes, as they glowed, reading for a concentrated blast.

"Stop!" Wonder Woman said, "Don't harm her."

She bowed her head, and looked over the room, gauging the situation. The Furies stood over the JLA. More of Darkseid's minions hovered over them above.

They were in dire straits. If she gave in, would the others give up?

He turned to Granny Goodness, and gave the order.

"Send the legions to Earth. There's no one to stop us now."

***

Batman watched the scene from above.

No one had detected him stealing up "into the rafters".

They were in dire straits.

Darkseid had managed to overpower them, and all of his cronies appeared to be recovered.

His motives were clear now. He wanted Wonder Woman to be his bride.

Yuk. Talk about a pipe dream�

He pulled the gateway control from his belt. If Wonder Woman could get him in the right position, he could act and even the odds a bit. Darkseid was easily the most powerful among them. With him gone, they would take out the others as a team.

Superman was fully recovered, although, missing most of his uniform. Batman had the feeling that he was thoroughly pissed off by now.

Darkseid had captured his "crush" and now he was flaunting it.

But that was something to deal with another time.

Just now, he had to focus on turning the tide.

***

Hamilton stood eagerly by the gateway, hoping for a sign that the heroes would return.

Instead, one of Darkseid's creatures came through. One of his legions�he'd seen it before.

Manhunter immediately engaged the creature.

"Close the gate!" he screamed.

His associated halted, trying to gauge his sincerity.

"I said CLOSE IT!"

The man pushed the button that would close the gateway as the energy imploded.

They rushed through the doorway as Hamilton sealed the door.

***

"Be my Queen," he said. "We could rule the universe. Our children would be strong."

Green Lantern and Flash looked at each other and screwed up their faces.

"Yuk!"

"Silence!" Darkseid bellowed.

"I have waited long enough. Superman is right, I will destroy them regardless, but it can be either now or later."

"That's just what I was waiting for!"

Batman landed behind them, sheathing his grappling hook.

Darkseid turned towards him and smiled.

"I know about you. You're nothing but a human with toys."

Batman smiled back.

"Then play with this."

He pulled the mechanism from his belt and pressed what he hoped was the right button. At least he knew it wasn't Earth.

"Now!"

Wonder Woman leapt forward and pushed Darkseid into the crackling portal as he lost his balance and fell into its depths.

Batman deactivated the portal and turned briefly to Wonder Woman.

"I'd say the odds are even."

***

Martian Manhunter looked over at Doctor Hamilton.

They both turned back to the space before them watching and waiting.

"I didn't want to close it," Hamilton said with guilt. "Superman said I had to if anything else came through�"

"You did what was right," Manhunter said, looking towards the man and then back up towards where the portal had stood. "They will find a way back."

Just then, a gateway opened.

Hamilton looked towards it hopefully, and then brightened as Batman pushed through it.

As they stood before him, all together, Hamilton felt a sense of destiny. This is how it was meant to be. These noble heroes, protecting the Earth from any menace that dared threaten it.

Batman pressed a button on the device and closed the gateway after them.

Superman was a mess, but the rest of them looked unharmed.

"What happened?" Hamilton asked them, lurching forward.

They all looked to each other.

"Wonder Woman turned down a date," Superman said wryly.

She smirked back at him and rested her hands on her hips.

GL and Flash snickered, as Hawkgirl nudged GL from behind.

"I think you'll appreciate this," Batman said, handing Hamilton the portal activator.

"Although I'm sure Darkseid didn't."

The JLA gathered as Superman shook Hamilton's hand.

Wonder Woman stood next to Batman, and noticed that he pulled a duplicate of the activator from his belt and looked over the buttons.

She frowned as Batman said:

"I think I'll keep this one for myself."

***

Darkseid landed in the middle of a green field that stretched on for miles.

As he stood, around him were two-dozen furry pink creatures with long tails that ended in a powder blue poof.

He smirked and reached for his teleporter that was secured to his belt. At least he'd found another world ripe for the picking.

But it was gone.

Damn that mortal.

He would never underestimate Batman again.

The sickeningly sweet creatures advanced on him, purring and jumping all around him, rubbing against him in delight.

He pushed one away, and then tossed another over his shoulder, annoyed. If Granny and the others took too long to find him, he would punish them. He wasn't sure how much more he could take of this�cuteness.

Their high-pitched squeaks created a painful wringing in his ears. He covered his head with his hands.

The pitch went lower, almost a growl.

He looked up to see the cuddly creatures spread their mouths as large fangs protruded from their jaws.

They covered him in a fluffy pink wave of fur.

***

The end