The ground was torn up everywhere—big cracks snaked through the sand, and huge chunks of rock lay scattered like broken toys. The air still hummed with leftover energy, making it feel hot and electric. Superman leaned on Wonder Woman, his body aching all over. His suit was more torn now, with fresh burns from the blast's heat. He wiped blood from his lip and looked around at his friends. They had come for him, and that gave him a spark of hope.
"Thanks, guys," Superman said, his voice rough but grateful. He straightened up a little, feeling the sun's rays start to heal him again. The yellow light filtered through the dust, making his muscles feel stronger bit by bit.
Wonder Woman nodded, her grip firm on his arm. Her golden lasso hung at her side, ready for use. "We're in this together, Clark. No one fights alone." She glanced up at the sky where Goku still floated, his golden hair shining like a beacon. He didn't look hurt at all—just curious, like this was all a fun game.
Green Lantern floated nearby, his green ring pulsing with light. Sweat dripped down his face under his mask. "That shield took everything I had," he panted. "My ring's power is dropping fast. We need a plan, or we're toast." He looked at Martian Manhunter, who stood tall with his green skin and red eyes. The trees he had grown from the sand were now charred and smoking, but they had done their job.
Martian Manhunter nodded calmly. "I can shape-shift if needed. Maybe turn into something that can distract him." He flexed his hands, and for a second, his body shimmered like water, showing he could change form in an instant.
Flash zipped around them in a blur, checking everyone. "Whoa, that was close! My legs are still shaking from that kick. Superman, you okay? That guy hits like a freight train on steroids." Barry's red suit had sand stuck all over it, and he rubbed his side where Goku had booted him.
"I'm healing," Superman replied. "But he's too strong. We have to work as a team. Hit him from all sides, don't let him focus on one of us."
Up above, Goku lowered his hand, the energy fading away. He scratched his head, looking puzzled but excited. "Hey, more friends? That's awesome! I love a good team fight." His voice echoed down, full of cheer. He didn't seem mad—just ready for more action.
Goku grinned wide. He powered up more, his golden aura flaring brighter. The air around him crackled with sparks, and the ground below trembled just from his energy.
Back on the ground, the heroes spread out. Wonder Woman drew her sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. "I'll take the front. Lantern, cover us with constructs. Manhunter, go invisible and strike from behind. Flash, run interference—keep him off balance. Superman, when you see an opening, hit him hard."
"Got it," they all said together, like a well-oiled machine.
Flash started first. He zoomed forward in a red streak, circling Goku at super speed. "Let's see how you handle this!" Barry created wind tunnels with his runs, whipping up sandstorms to blind Goku. The sand flew everywhere, stinging like tiny needles.
Goku laughed. "Whoa, that's tickly!" He swung his arms in wide arcs, but Flash was too quick, dodging every time. Then Flash punched Goku's side a hundred times in a second—bam, bam, bam—like rapid-fire bullets.
Goku felt the hits but barely moved. "Not bad, speedy! But try this!" He stomped the air, sending a shockwave out. It rippled like a wave in water, knocking Flash off his feet. Barry tumbled across the sand, rolling end over end until he stopped in a heap.
"Barry!" Superman yelled. He flew up fast, eyes glowing red. He shot heat vision beams straight at Goku—two hot lasers slicing through the air.
Goku crossed his arms and took the beams head-on. They sizzled against his skin, but he just smirked. "Warm! Like a hot bath." Then he dashed forward, punching Superman in the gut. The blow folded Superman in half, sending him flying back down to the desert floor with a crash that made another crater.
Wonder Woman leaped into the air, her boots kicking off the sand. She swung her sword in a mighty arc, aiming for Goku's shoulder. "For the gods!" she shouted. The blade whistled through the wind.
Goku blocked it with his forearm—clang! Like metal on metal. Sparks flew, and Wonder Woman felt the shock up her arms. "Strong lady! I like it!" Goku said. He kicked her away, but she flipped in mid-air and landed on her feet, sliding back through the sand.
Green Lantern raised his ring. "Time for some backup!" He imagined a giant green fist, bigger than a truck, and it formed in the air. The fist rocketed toward Goku, smashing into him with a boom. Goku staggered back a step—finally, a hit that moved him.
"Yes!" Lantern cheered. But Goku recovered quick. He grabbed the green fist with both hands and crushed it like paper. The construct shattered into green sparks. "Cool toy! But breakable." Goku fired a small energy ball at Lantern.
Lantern made a shield just in time—bam! The ball exploded against it, pushing him back through the air. His ring beeped a warning: power low.
Martian Manhunter had gone invisible during the chaos. He sneaked up behind Goku, turning his arm into a long tentacle. He wrapped it around Goku's neck, squeezing tight. "Got you," he whispered.
Goku gagged for a second, surprised. "Invisible guy? Sneaky!" He powered up, his aura exploding outward. The force broke Manhunter's hold and sent him visible again, crashing into a dune.
Zeno watched it all, bouncing in place. "Goku's winning! But they're trying hard. More energy, Goku!"
Goku nodded. "Right! Let's amp it up." He cupped his hands to his side, blue light gathering between them. "Ka... me... ha... me..." The energy built, swirling like a storm.
The heroes regrouped below. Superman stood up, shaking off the pain. "He's charging something big. We can't let him fire it!"
Flash got to his feet, dizzy but determined. "I'll disrupt him!" He ran in circles again, creating a vortex to suck in the energy.
Wonder Woman threw her lasso, looping it around Goku's leg. She pulled hard, trying to yank him down. "Pull together!"
Superman grabbed the lasso too, adding his strength. They tugged, and Goku wobbled in the air.
Green Lantern made chains with his ring, wrapping them around Goku's arms. "Hold him!"
Martian Manhunter grew huge, like a giant, and pushed down on Goku from above.
For a moment, it worked. Goku strained against them all. "Whoa, team effort! This is getting fun!" His muscles bulged, veins popping out.
But then—snap! He broke free with a yell. The lasso snapped, chains shattered, and he knocked Manhunter away. "Ha!" The Kamehameha was ready. "Wave!"
A massive blue beam shot out, wide as a house, roaring toward the heroes.
"Scatter!" Superman shouted. They dove in different directions.
The beam hit the ground—BOOM! A huge explosion lit up the desert, sand turning to glass from the heat. The shockwave knocked everyone flat, ears ringing.
Superman slid across the ground, coughing. "We... we need more help."
Up in the Watchtower, Constantine watched the screen, shaking his head. "Bloody hell. They're getting hammered." He puffed his cigarette. "Time to call in the big guns."
He pulled out a old, glowing amulet from his coat. "Alright, mates. Portal time." He chanted words in a strange language, and a swirling purple portal opened in the room.
Out stepped Zeus, his long white gown gleaming under the harsh light, eyes glowing pure white, crackling lightning dancing around his form. Beside him emerged Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, his scarred skin taut with barely contained rage.
"After we aid you, sorcerer," Zeus said, striding toward Constantine, "Kratos and I will settle our ancient dispute."
Kratos's gaze fixed on the screen, a feral grin splitting his face. "This Goku… let me face him alone."
Zeus regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Do as you wish." He lowered himself onto the couch facing the viewing screen, folding his arms.
Kratos unstrapped the Blades of Chaos and handed them to Zeus. "Hold these. This will be hand-to-hand."
Constantine exhaled sharply. "I strongly suggest you both take him together. Alone, this ends in defeat."
Kratos's eyes narrowed. "Do you mock me, sorcerer? I am Kratos. I am a god. Watch me tear this Goku apart."
He stepped onto the glowing teleportation circle. With a sharp swoosh, he vanished.
Green Lantern stumbled toward a boulder, his ring flickering as its charge died. "We are toast. Seriously toast. If anything happens now, I'm dead."
Diana's battle cry echoed across the ruined battlefield as she charged Goku the moment his feet touched the ground. She brought her sword down in a devastating arc—only for Goku to casually flick his palm upward. Clang. The blade shattered like glass.
"Impossible…" Diana whispered, staring at the broken hilt in her hand.
"You're annoying," Goku said flatly. "Zeno, lock her up. I'll deal with her later."
"As you command." Zeno snapped his fingers. Dark energy coiled around Diana like living chains.
"What is this? I can't move—release me!" She strained against the bindings, muscles bulging in vain.
"Let her go, you bastard!" Superman roared, rocketing forward, hand outstretched toward Diana—just as she vanished into nothingness.
"Diana…" Superman breathed. Then his eyes blazed with fury. "You monster!"
BAM.
Goku's fist met Superman's jaw with cataclysmic force. Bone shattered, neck twisted unnaturally, and the ground split beneath the impact. Superman hurtled miles through the air before slamming into the earth, carving a vast crater on impact.
"Supes!" Martian Manhunter shouted, phasing into pursuit.
"Fuck this—we're out!" Flash scooped up the powerless Green Lantern and vanished in a red blur.
"You're not escaping," Goku murmured. He extended one hand toward the fleeing streak. Yellow energy gathered in his palm. "Die."
A blinding beam lanced forward at impossible speed.
CLANG.
The blast ricocheted harmlessly into the sky and detonated far above.
Goku turned.
Kratos stood there, arms crossed, that same menacing smile carved across his face.
"You're facing me now, Goku."