Chapter 431 – Allen Finally Becomes a Mount, Just Like He Wanted
Boom!
Just as everyone was getting acquainted—
A crimson beam shot through the atmosphere, blasting straight into Stark Tower.
Moments later, Steppenwolf descended.
"Uxas, your death is nigh."
…Hmm.
Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Steppenwolf.
Another alien?
"Hey! You smashed the glass, you better pay for it," Allen shouted angrily.
Having already defeated Steppenwolf once before, Allen didn't take him seriously. Even if the guy had Omega Beams, Allen still saw him as small fry.
But while Steppenwolf had shown up with full force, he quickly realized something was off—the people here weren't weak.
In particular, Thanos gave off a faint but distinct sense of danger. Steppenwolf instantly swallowed back the rest of his threatening speech.
Originally, Steppenwolf had planned to locate the Mother Box via its signal.
Unfortunately, even with Apokolips' equipment turned to max output, it detected nothing—like the signal didn't exist in this world.
Well, that's not surprising. After all, Mimi's stomach was practically another dimension—no way a signal would leak into this one.
So, Steppenwolf began to suspect Uxas wasn't dead after all.
He must've used the Omega Beams to track him across space—and that's how Steppenwolf found this place.
"I only want Uxas. He's a criminal of Apokolips," Steppenwolf declared with regal composure.
He was a monarch now—he had to maintain his royal bearing.
"Shark knight! I won't let you bully Grandpa Uxas!"
Morgan stepped forward, hands on hips, exuding an exaggerated authority. "Saipan… wuwuwu—"
But before she could transform, her mom stepped in.
Pepper quickly covered her mouth and scooped her back, retreating behind the others.
Uxas lowered his head sadly. "I'll go with you. Just don't hurt innocent people."
He was about to stand when Thanos pressed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll handle it," Thanos said confidently.
"Hey, Purple Yam, want my help?" Allen sidled up with a mischievous grin.
"Stand aside."
"Got it."
Allen flopped onto the couch, head resting in Natasha's lap, watching the drama unfold like he was enjoying a theater show.
Meanwhile, Thanos raised his hand—and a beam of light projected from a starship in orbit, teleporting down a massive weapon.
A twin-bladed sword.
"Forged from Uru metal—same as Thor's hammer."
Allen proudly pulled out his flyswatter and back scratcher. "But all that's nothing compared to my secondary weapons. I don't even need to bust out my Green Lantern ring or Supreme Toddler Cloak."
Natasha gave him a weird look. "You seriously fight with a back scratcher?"
"Wrong," Allen corrected dramatically. "You think I'd make it that obvious?"
He beamed. "I use it to distract enemies—then slap 'em in the face with the flyswatter."
...Pointless, but sure.
Meanwhile, Thanos and Steppenwolf had already begun fighting.
A crimson Omega Beam shot toward Uxas.
But Thanos dodged and spun his twin-blade like a fan, forming a huge energy shield.
"Evacuate the area! Clear the civilians!"
Tony shouted, having already scanned the enemy with AI.
Even the Hulk—normally their toughest guy—would probably get beat into depression. Anyone else? One hit, one death.
Emergency protocols were immediately activated.
Bruce, caught in the chaos, was already calling the Justice League for backup.
Earth was really catching hell lately.
Normally, it was rare for an alien to visit. Today? They were showing up in hordes.
Uxas was guarded by the Five Star Generals, all following Thanos' orders to protect him at all costs.
The Eternal Ajak had already been captured; the other three Eternals were on full-time guard duty.
Seeing two galactic powerhouses duking it out, the Avengers quickly scattered.
"Guys, the aliens are going at it! We're livestreaming from ground zero! Support us—we're risking our lives for this content!"
The comic relief trio escaped Stark Tower, found a good vantage point, and began secretly filming.
Only Allen remained in the sky, circling on Faora's back.
"Feifei, wanna bet on who wins?"
"How do we bet?"
Faora shot him a sideways glance, already suspicious this lunatic was up to something again.
"I bet Thanos wins. If I lose, I'll become your mount," Allen said, blushing shyly.
"You're on."
Faora's eyes sparkled—finally, a chance for revenge.
She'd wanted payback for a long time but had been too afraid of his insane magic.
"How do I know you won't back out?" she asked.
"You wound me."
Allen solemnly held up his weapons. "These are my signature arms. I'll leave them with you as collateral. If I back out, they're yours—no complaints from me."
Faora accepted the oddly shaped gear, feeling more and more like she was becoming insane by proximity.
Boom!
Suddenly, Thanos was sent flying.
Steppenwolf's Omega Beams bore down on him relentlessly.
Thanos, clearly on the back foot, struggled to hold back the beams with his gauntlet. His twin blade had already been knocked far away.
Steppenwolf raised his axe high for the finishing blow—
BOOM!
At that critical moment, a new figure streaked onto the battlefield and body-checked Steppenwolf away.
Allen, who had been watching closely, quietly dimmed his Green Lantern ring.
No need to get involved—someone else had stepped in.
"Superman!"
Faora recognized the newcomer immediately.
It was Clark—one of the Justice League's heavy hitters.
He had arrived the moment Bruce called.
Down below, golden lightning flashed back and forth, whisking civilians out of harm's way and clearing the battlefield.
"Who are you?" Steppenwolf growled, eyes glowing, Omega Beams charging up again.
"You're not welcome here, outsider," Clark hovered above him, eyes blazing.
Omega Beams fired, but Clark countered instantly with his own heat vision.
The two beams collided mid-air and canceled out.
Clearly, Steppenwolf hadn't fully mastered the Omega Beams yet. Otherwise, they'd have overwhelmed Clark's heat vision easily.
"Die."
Now catching his breath, Thanos retrieved his weapon and jumped back into the fray to support Superman.
With his Titan god power, he still wasn't a match for Apokolips' strength.
But together, he and Superman might just stand a chance.
"All right, the result's clear."
Faora grinned. "You're my mount now."
"Yay!"
Instead of sulking, Allen looked thrilled. "Finally! I've unlocked the 'Cool Lady's Happy Horse' role. Lucky you!"
Faora was speechless as Allen flopped forward, limbs dangling, head tilted up. "Don't hesitate! Get on—it's fun!"
"Uh…"
After a long pause, Faora carefully suggested, "How about this—we call it even? I don't want you as a mount."
"What!?"
Allen was outraged. "You think I'm some flake? Allen always keeps his word! I said I'd be your mount—and I meant it!"
"No—I don't want to ride you."
Faora recoiled, arms crossed like a frightened girl.
This guy's insane.
Honestly, being his mount would be less humiliating than this.
"Mount system activated."
Allen's expression turned serious as green light transformed into binding tendrils.
Faora tried to dodge—but too late.
She was forcibly bound.
"This mount comes with safety harnesses and automatic stabilization," Allen boasted.
His Green Lantern energy formed complex ribbons, tying Faora tightly with no intention of letting her go.
"Let me go! I don't want a mount! I'll never come to Earth again! Please, just let me go!"
"Dream on."
Faora was nearly in tears. Allen refused to budge.
Yeehaw!
He galloped forward with Faora on his back like some deranged creature crawling across the ground.
The whole scene was livestreamed around the globe.
"Bat of Comedy! Do you even know shame?"
"Shame? Hell, I'd be his mount any day."
"Agreed. Kryptonian warrior babe? Total win."
"Damn it! Why can't I be that guy?"
"Jealous of that man's core strength."
"Facts."
Male viewers across the planet fumed with envy.
Forget that she was technically an alien invader—just judging by looks and figure, Faora was top-tier celebrity material.
Sure, back when she was an enemy, everyone had ignored that.
Now? She looked better with each passing second.
"Master, initiating charge skill!"
Allen manifested an armor set over Faora, making her look like a puppet as she raised a Green Lantern spear.
"Stop! Don't do anything crazy!"
Faora was on the verge of tears. She really should've known better than to bet with a lunatic.
She had no control now—he did everything for her.
"Don't panic, master."
Allen accelerated, voice reassuring. "I'm a mature, responsible mount. I'll keep you safe."
"I'll make you shine on the world stage!"
"Noooo…"
Faora squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't watch anymore.
She'd never live this down.
If she had another chance—she'd just accept being the rider.
At least that wouldn't be as humiliating.
What the hell is that!?
In the middle of their fight, Steppenwolf, Thanos, and Clark all noticed an unholy abomination had entered the battlefield.
They looked closer—oh. It was Allen.
But the way he carried a Kryptonian woman on his back? What even was that pose?
No doubt about it, Steppenwolf with his Omega Beams was way more powerful than before.
One-on-one, he could easily overpower either Thanos or Clark.
But in front of Allen? That was another story.
Honestly, Allen had so many trump cards even he couldn't remember them all. He just lacked ambition. Otherwise, he could've unified the universe ages ago.
But ruling worlds? That was boring.
Being a hot girl's mount? Now that was fun.
"Awooo! Awooo!"
Allen skittered along the battlefield's edge, sneak-attacking Steppenwolf in very questionable areas.
Steppenwolf wanted nothing more than to split this maniac in half—but with Thanos and Superman attacking at the same time, even one slip-up could mean disaster.
"Can you not howl?"
Faora's face was burning red. Humans really were primitive. Their genetics didn't weed out this kind of madness.
Unlike Krypton, where eugenics produced elite citizens across the board.
She glanced at Clark, still locked in fierce combat.
The Superman who'd fused with Kryptonian genetic lore… He had limitless potential…
In a brief pause, Clark sensed her gaze. He looked over, saw Faora bound like a hostage, and gave her a look of sympathy.
Poor soul.
Once, the whole Justice League had been tricked into surrendering too…
Better not bring that up.
Noticing the look of pity in Superman's eyes, Faora was so overwhelmed with shame and humiliation that she wanted to die on the spot.
How was she supposed to face her enemies now?
How was she supposed to face her subordinates?
"Please input a voice command to disable mount audio," Allen prompted.
Faora could only ask in response, "What's a voice command?"
"Ah ya yo, ah si de lo tai de lo tai, de lo tai de lo tai de dee dou," Allen sang in a rhythmic, grating tone.
Listening to Allen's melodic gibberish, Faora's face darkened like storm clouds. She wanted nothing more than to shove a chunk of kryptonite down his throat. In exasperation, she muttered, "Forget it. No need to disable the sound."
There was no way she would ever utter such a ridiculous voice command.
But Allen, his eyebrows dancing with excitement, said, "Wanna give it a try? You could unlock a brand-new mounted combat skill—super flashy, you know!"
"I said drop it," Faora replied coldly.
"What a pity."
Allen pouted, clearly disappointed, and turned his gaze toward the slightly dominant Steppenwolf.
"Time to end this farce."
"Mother's Embrace!"
At that moment, a silver flash shot from Allen's fingertips—an attack as dazzling as a strand of shimmering silk.
Damn it…
As the silver silk-like strand wrapped tightly around him, Steppenwolf struggled fiercely, only to feel a strange sense of familiarity.
Nth Metal!
Apokolips had once collected Element X—widely regarded as the most powerful material in existence.
Even after pouring in all resources, they had only gathered enough to forge the Mother Box.
With the Mother Box in hand, Amazo forces had swept across countless distant worlds, nearly unstoppable.
Realizing something was terribly wrong, Steppenwolf's eyes immediately fired Omega Beams, hoping to trace them back and teleport to Apokolips.
But with a resounding clash, Clark's Heat Vision intercepted the Omega Beams mid-air.
"No!"
Splurt…
Unfortunately, the beams never made it offworld, preventing Steppenwolf from initiating a long-distance teleport.
Worse yet, with the silvery strands wrapped around his body, he couldn't raise a proper defense.
Taking advantage of this opening, Thanos brought his blade down in a single, brutal swing.
Steppenwolf was cleaved cleanly in two.
At that very instant, a crimson starburst surged from his body, vanishing in a flash as it shot toward a distant building.
"What was that?" Clark frowned, eyes fixed on where the crimson light had gone.
"That should be the divine power of Apokolips—choosing a worthy heir," Thanos said, speaking from his deep understanding of such forces, thanks to his command over Titan's divine power.
However, ever since Titan's destruction, its divine energy had lost its foundation—like a castle in the sky. It could no longer unleash its true might and had already degraded into a secondary-tier divine force.
That's why Thanos had lost to a Steppenwolf who had only just begun to wield the Omega Beams.