Goku turned slowly, his golden hair still glowing bright under the hot desert sun. The air around him crackled with power, like static before a storm. He looked at the new guy standing there—big, muscular, with pale skin covered in scars and ash. Kratos had no shirt on, just those red tattoos running down his arms and chest. His eyes burned with anger, like he had a personal grudge against the whole world.
"Who are you?" Goku asked, tilting his head. He didn't look scared or worried. Just curious, like always. "You blocked my attack. That's pretty cool. Want to fight?"
Kratos didn't answer right away. He uncrossed his arms and stepped forward, his boots crunching on the broken sand. The ground was a mess—craters everywhere, rocks smashed to bits, and smoke still rising from where the big beam had hit. In the distance, Superman lay in his crater, groaning as he tried to get up. Martian Manhunter hovered nearby, invisible now, waiting for a chance. Flash and Green Lantern were gone, safe for the moment.
"I'm Kratos," the Spartan growled, his voice deep and rough, like gravel under feet. "I've killed gods. Destroyed worlds. You're next."
Goku grinned wide, his white teeth flashing. "Killed gods? Sounds fun! I've fought strong guys too. Let's see what you've got." He dropped into his fighting stance, feet apart, fists up. His aura flared up again, making the air shake.
Zeno floated high above, watching with big eyes. "Ooh, new fighter! This is getting better and better. Go, Goku! But don't kill him too fast—I want to see more action."
Back in the Watchtower, Constantine leaned against the wall, cigarette smoke curling up. Zeus sat on the couch, holding Kratos's blades like they were toys. The screen showed everything—the desert, the fight starting. "Stubborn git," Constantine muttered. "Told him to team up. But no, has to play hero."
Zeus chuckled, his voice booming like thunder. "Kratos has always been like that. Full of rage. Let him try. If he fails, I'll step in."
Constantine shook his head. "Your family drama can wait. If Goku wins, we're all done for."
Down in the desert, Kratos charged first. He moved fast for a big guy, his legs pumping like pistons. He leaped high, bringing his fist down like a hammer. "Die!"
Goku dodged easy, stepping to the side. The punch hit the ground—boom! A new crack split the earth, sand flying up like a geyser. Kratos didn't stop. He spun around, kicking out with his boot. Goku blocked it with his arm—thud. The impact sent a shockwave out, blowing dust away.
"Not bad," Goku said, still smiling. "You're strong. Like really strong. But let's turn it up!" He punched back, quick as a flash. His fist connected with Kratos's chest—crack. Kratos flew back, skidding through the sand on his back. He left a long trail, like a plow in dirt.
Kratos got up fast, spitting sand. His chest hurt, but he ignored it. Pain was nothing new to him. He'd felt worse—chains, whips, betrayal. This was just another fight. He roared and ran forward again, grabbing Goku by the arm. He twisted, trying to throw him over his shoulder.
Goku flipped in the air, landing on his feet. "Whoa, grappling? Okay!" He countered with a knee to Kratos's gut—oof. Kratos doubled over, but he headbutted Goku hard—bang. Their foreheads smacked together, and both staggered back.
Blood trickled from Kratos's head, but he wiped it away. "Is that all?" he snarled.
Goku rubbed his forehead, laughing. "Ow, that stung! You're tough. Harder head than most." He dashed in, throwing a combo—punch, punch, kick. Each hit landed solid on Kratos—thud, thud, wham. Kratos blocked some, but others got through, bruising his ribs.
Kratos grabbed Goku's leg mid-kick and swung him around like a ragdoll. He slammed Goku into a rock—crash. The rock shattered into pebbles. Goku bounced off, rolling away. "Fun throw!" he yelled, jumping up unhurt.
Superman watched from his crater, pushing himself up. His body was healing slow—the sun helped, but that last punch had cracked bones. "Who... who is that guy?" he muttered. Martian Manhunter appeared next to him, solid again. "A warrior from another world. Constantine sent him."
"We need to help," Superman said, standing shaky.
Martian Manhunter nodded. "Wait for an opening. This new one is holding his own—for now."
Kratos and Goku circled each other, breathing heavy. The sun beat down, making sweat glisten on their skin. Kratos's muscles bulged, veins like ropes. Goku's hair spiked up more, his eyes sharp.
"You fight like a beast," Goku said. "No fancy moves, just raw power. I like it!"
"Shut up and fight," Kratos growled. He lunged, tackling Goku to the ground. They rolled in the sand, punching and elbowing. Fists flew—bam, crack, thud. Sand stuck to their sweat, turning them gritty.
Goku got on top, pinning Kratos down. He raised his fist for a big punch. But Kratos bucked up, throwing Goku off. They both sprang to their feet. Kratos charged again, but this time Goku met him head-on. They clashed in the middle—boom. A shockwave rippled out, flattening dunes around them.
Up above, Zeno clapped his tiny hands. "Yay! Punching! More punching!"
In the Watchtower, Zeus leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "Kratos is tiring. His rage fuels him, but this Goku... he's endless energy."
Constantine flicked his cigarette. "Told you. Need a plan, not just brawn."
Kratos felt it—his breaths came harder, his arms heavier. But he pushed on. He remembered his past—killing Ares, fighting Titans. This was no different. He feinted left, then punched right—wham. Hit Goku's jaw, snapping his head back.
Goku tasted blood, but grinned. "Good one! My turn." He vanished—poof. Appeared behind Kratos, kicking his back—crunch. Kratos arched in pain, stumbling forward.
"How...?" Kratos spun, but Goku was gone again. Another kick to the side—thud. Kratos swung wild, missing.
"Too slow!" Goku teased, appearing in front. He uppercut Kratos—bam. Kratos flew up, then crashed down hard.
Kratos lay there a second, stars in his eyes. Get up, he thought. You've fallen before. Get. Up.
He pushed to his knees, glaring at Goku. "You toy with me."
Goku floated down, landing soft. "Nah, just having fun. You're strong, but I can go higher. Want to see Super Saiyan 2?"
Kratos didn't know what that meant, but he sensed more power coming. "Bring it."
Goku yelled, his aura exploding. Lightning crackled around him, his hair standing taller. The ground shook, rocks lifting into the air. "Here we go!"
Kratos felt the pressure—like a storm building. He charged anyway, roaring his battle cry.
They clashed again, faster now. Punches blurred—bam-bam-bam. Kratos landed a few, but Goku's hits came harder, quicker. One punch cracked Kratos's rib—snap. Another split his lip.
Superman couldn't wait anymore. "Now!" He flew in, heat vision blasting—zzzzt.
Goku dodged, but it grazed his arm, burning a line. "Ow! Back again?"
Martian Manhunter shifted into a giant fist, smashing down—boom. Goku blocked, but it pushed him back.
Kratos used the moment. He grabbed Goku from behind, arms around his neck. "Now you're mine!"
Goku struggled, elbows flying back—thud. Hit Kratos's side, but he held on.
Superman punched Goku's chest—wham. Martian Manhunter turned his arm into a spear, stabbing at Goku's leg—slice. Blood dripped, but Goku healed fast.
Zeno frowned. "Hey, no fair! Ganging up on Goku."
Goku powered up more, breaking Kratos's hold. He spun, kicking Superman away—crash. Then elbowed Martian Manhunter—oof.
Kratos punched again, but Goku caught his fist. "You're tough, but enough." He squeezed—crunch. Kratos's hand bones cracked.
Pain shot up Kratos's arm, but he headbutted Goku—bang.
Goku staggered, then fired a quick energy blast—pow. It hit Kratos square, sending him flying into a dune. Smoke rose from his chest.
"Kratos!" Superman yelled.
In the Watchtower, Zeus stood up. "Enough. My turn." He handed the blades to Constantine. "Hold these."
Constantine sighed. "Finally."
Zeus stepped into the portal, vanishing in a flash of lightning.
Down below, Goku wiped his mouth. "That was good. Anyone else?"
Thunder boomed. Lightning struck the ground—zap. Zeus appeared, white robe flowing, eyes glowing. Electricity danced on his fingers.
"Father of Olympus," Superman whispered, eyes wide.
Zeus looked at Kratos, who was getting up slow. "You fought well, son. Now, we end this together."
Kratos glared. "I don't need your help."
Zeus ignored him. "Mortal... or whatever you are," he said to Goku. "You face a god now."
Goku's eyes lit up. "A god? Awesome! Let's fight!"
Zeus hurled a lightning bolt—crack! It streaked toward Goku, bright and hot.
Goku punched it away—boom. It exploded in the sky. "Electric! Cool, but I can do energy too."
He fired a ki blast—whoosh. Zeus raised a hand, summoning a shield of storm clouds. The blast hit and fizzled out.
Kratos joined in, despite the pain. He ran forward, punching Goku's side—thud.
Superman flew in from the other side—bam.
Martian Manhunter phased through the ground, popping up to grab Goku's legs.
It was chaos—punches, blasts, lightning. The desert lit up like fireworks.
Zeno bounced excited. "More gods! This is the best show ever!"
Goku blocked and dodged, but with four against him, he took hits. A lightning bolt singed his hair—zap. Superman's punch bruised his arm—crack.
But Goku laughed. "This is great! Keep coming!"
Zeus summoned a storm—dark clouds rolled in, rain starting to fall. Thunder rumbled, wind howled.
Kratos grabbed Goku in the confusion, slamming him down—boom.
Martian Manhunter turned into fire, burning Goku's skin—hiss.
Superman heat-visioned again—zzzzt.
Goku powered through, his aura pushing them back. "Okay, time for more power!" He yelled, transforming further. His hair turned bright gold, energy surging like a tidal wave.
The heroes felt it—the air got heavy, hard to breathe.
Zeus's eyes widened. "What is this form?"
Goku grinned. "Super Saiyan three! Let's see if you can handle it."
He moved so fast, he blurred. Punched Zeus—wham. Kicked Kratos—thud. Elbowed Superman—oof. Slammed Martian Manhunter—crash.
They all went down, groaning.
But they got up. Kratos first, rage burning. "I won't fall!"
Zeus summoned more lightning, hurling bolts like spears—zap, zap.
Superman and Martian teamed up, one distracting, one attacking.
The fight raged on. Minutes felt like hours. The desert turned to mud from the rain, slippery and wet.
Goku took scratches and burns, but healed quick. The others tired—bruised, bleeding.
In the Watchtower, Constantine watched, tense. "They're holding, but barely. Need something else."
He pulled out another artifact—a glowing stone.