DC: Chapter 216/218

Chapter 216: Green Ring
Emperor Building.

Underground Research Institute.

Fourteenth floor below ground.

Inside a massive glass-sealed chamber, Jenny's bionic body was nearly complete.

The solution within the glass jar was no longer the usual green nutrient liquid, but a cloudy yellow nuclear energy solution.

The embryo floated and sank in the murky yellow fluid. Its curled body was grotesque and hideous, with white bony barbs protruding from its surface. The cuticle was thick, like the texture of frosted skin. The curled form was already more than four meters tall, and once fully extended, it would become a monstrous figure over thirteen meters high.

Bardi narrowed his eyes slightly. Standing tall and unmoving like a pine tree, his strong physique beneath the white trench coat resembled a towering mountain.

Beside him, one of Lex's researchers continued adjusting Jenny's bionic body, working nervously under Bardi's silent pressure.

Bardi rested his right hand against his left, his thumb lightly rubbing his palm. Surrounded by the tense movements of white-coated researchers, he remained still, staring at the bionic body of Jenny, lost in thought.

To be honest.

He could not be entirely certain that his actions would not affect the future at all.

In this world, even the slightest disturbance—like a single speck of dust—could shift the air, triggering a chain reaction.

This was especially true for himself. His arrival in this world had already caused too many changes. People, events—everything was different.

Krypton. Jor-El. Superman, killed by his hand. Faora. Zod. Deathstroke. Atom. Firestorm. Constantine. Captain Cold. Raven. Poison Ivy. Flash. Batman. Cyborg. Killer Croc… and more.

There were also the various heroes and villains who had met their end by his hands. For example, Billy Batson, whom Bardi had immediately identified as a threat and crushed to death. Afterward, he created a bionic body using Billy's genes, installed a control program, and imprisoned it within the Emperor Building, awaiting rescue, awaiting the moment he would transform into Shazam.

Green Arrow's companies were also destroyed by Bardi. Unlike Batman, Green Arrow was not so fortunate. After several rounds of pursuit, he disappeared from the world. Star City fell completely under Bardi's control.

There were many others, lesser-known heroes and villains alike, either subdued or killed by Bardi.

This was a path soaked in blood and cruelty. The well-known heroes and villains of the comics were destined to become his enemies, one by one. Very few were worthy of his trust. This was a painful, twisted, and lonely road of conquest, a road filled with adversaries.

Therefore, even knowing the risk of altering the situation, and despite little personal gain, Bardi still wanted to save Jenny's life.

He wanted to do the best he could. To give everything within his power.

The scene of that moment remained vivid in his mind. Jenny had detonated herself before his eyes, destroying her own body. The silver ring had flown through the flames, and even now, the burning sensation remained in his palm where he had caught it.

Now, by using the bionic body to replace Jenny's self-destructed form, Bardi was trying to recreate that exact moment, restoring the scene as precisely as possible, while avoiding further disruptions.

Bardi's thumb pressed harder into his palm, and with a soft exhale, the haze in his eyes gradually cleared.

"Master, the alien spacecraft approaching Earth from the direction of the Andromeda Galaxy is expected to land at Mogoro Beach, a coastal city, in forty-seven minutes and fifty seconds," Hera's voice reported suddenly through the communicator.

Over the past few days, Bardi had been entirely focused on dealing with the Flash and Jenny's bionic body. He had not paid much attention to the incoming spacecraft.

In truth, over the past ten years, it was not uncommon for alien ships to crash on Earth. However, most of them held little value, and Bardi generally ignored them.

But this time.

When he heard that the landing would be at a seaside city, Bardi's eyes narrowed, and the image of the Green Lantern ring involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

...

Night.

The night was deep, like a curtain drawn across the sky. The stars above shone like tiny holes pierced through the darkness.

California.

In the seaside town of Mogoro Beach.

A lighthouse stood at the edge of the rocky shore, its light sweeping through the dark, guiding lost ships back toward land.

Waves continuously crashed against the rounded stones, spraying white foam into the air.

In the stillness of the night, there was only the scent of the sea and the sound of waves colliding.

The wind howled.

From the darkness, three figures emerged.

Hal Jordan walked at the front, wearing a brown jacket—a keepsake from his father, who had died in a plane crash before Hal's very eyes. This jacket symbolized his father's spirit, giving him strength and faith whenever he faced important moments.

Stepping onto the rounded stones at the water's edge, Hal lifted his head, his determined face illuminated by hopeful eyes. The night was dark, but the stars remained bright.

Behind him, Victor Stone wore the last remaining set of exoskeleton armor. His iron boots clinked against the stones as he scanned the surroundings like a rabbit on alert for wolves.

At the rear stood Diana. Her flowing black curls danced in the wind. Even in the darkness, her goddess-like beauty was undeniable.

She was as beautiful as Aphrodite, as wise as Athena, faster than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules. She stood as the most prominent female superhero in the world.

Her figure was radiant, the Amazonian armor tightly outlining her perfect form. At her slender right waist hung the Lasso of Truth and the Vulcan-forged sword capable of splitting atoms. A round divine shield rested on her back, and silver bracers on her wrists restrained her overwhelming divine power.

Her steel boots pressed into the small stones by the sea. The ocean breeze blew her curls across her face. Her eyes were firm and resolute, her expression serious and unwavering. Under the glow of the moon and stars, she gazed into the night sky.

"As soon as he appears, I will bind him with the Lasso of Truth and make him confess his crimes," Diana declared firmly. Her eyes flashed with unyielding will. The sea wind howled, but she remained fearless.

At that moment.

The waves surged higher, crashing forcefully against the coast.

In the shimmering darkness of the sea, a figure clad in a golden-scaled suit leapt from the water.

Aquaman held his trident tightly as he stood upon the raging waves. Under the moonlight and starlight, his eyes gleamed with anger and determination.

Clutching his trident, he stepped firmly upon the water, the wind carrying his fury like a chilling blast.

"The wrath of Atlantis is not something he can bear!" Aquaman declared.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 217: You Have a Strong Will
California.

Seaside town, Mogoro Beach.

In the dark night, stars twinkled, and meteors streaked across the sky, flashing through the darkness.

Many children and lovers, upon seeing the night sky, clasped their hands to their chests, closed their eyes, and prayed, wishing upon the passing meteors to grant their desires.

However.

What they did not know was that this shooting star marked the end of one of the greatest heroes, the greatest Green Lantern of all time—Abin Sur.

Inside a small spacecraft.

Abin Sur's body no longer breathed. His eyes were closed, his red skin pale, lips already white, with no trace of blood. His red face was still creased with worry. Even in death, his brow remained furrowed, filled with concern and unease.

It was Parallax who had broken free from control, spreading fear throughout the universe. That anxiety had not vanished, even in death.

The last remnants of Abin Sur's willpower kept the Green Lantern uniform barely clinging to his body. At his chest, the granulation of the wound was exposed, flickering faintly with yellow fear energy, disturbed by the surrounding green light energy.

Once the next successor was found and the ring passed on to the next Green Lantern, his weak will would finally fade away. Everything would be entrusted to the next hero.

Heroes fall, becoming meteors.

But this would not be the end. The will of the fallen would be inherited by those who follow. The hearts of heroes do not waver. In time, new champions will rise to fight against evil.

The spacecraft pierced through the atmosphere, the surface of its thick glass glowing red from the intense friction. The blue flame spewing from the rear thrusters weakened, sputtering at its limit. The propulsion system locked, unable to continue.

After a journey across three light years, seeking the next successor, the ship had finally reached this blue planet. Its energy was almost depleted.

The ship creaked, the propulsion fully exhausted. Without power, it succumbed to Earth's gravitational pull, plunging into the atmosphere, the friction igniting the hull like a meteor, trailing a long flame as it hurtled toward Mogoro Beach.

Hal Jordan stood tall, the waves crashing at his feet, sending foam into the air. The sea breeze blew through his hair, his brown jacket flapping against his chest. His face was solemn in the darkness, filled with silent respect and grief.

In the dark night, he quietly watched the falling spacecraft.

He knew Abin Sur's story. Witnessing this moment, he felt deep admiration and reverence for the greatest Green Lantern of the previous generation.

In Hal's eyes, there was both hope and sadness. His hands clenched into trembling fists.

This was the end of a hero. But the will remained.

"The green light shines bright, its light everlasting."

Hal stared into the night, muttering softly to himself, eyes locked on the burning spacecraft as it fell.

The sea breeze howled around him as he recalled the Green Lantern oath.

The will's light endures. The flame never dies.

Because the will is inherited.

In his memory, he saw himself as the one chosen to succeed the greatest Green Lantern, becoming the protector of Sector 2814, including Earth, a member of the Justice League, standing guard over this sector, the universe, and the world.

"Is this… the hero who guards the universe?"

Diana looked into the distance, her vision sharper than Hal's. She could faintly make out the red figure within the falling craft.

Though she did not feel as deeply as Hal, the death of a hero still commanded a moment of silence and respect.

The wind howled over the black waves. The crashing surf grew louder, sending cool mist onto their faces like icy breath.

Hal Jordan, Victor Stone, Diana Prince, Arthur Curry.

The four stood silently, facing the sea breeze. Their hair whipped in the wind as they watched, filled with respect, mourning the passing of a hero.

Boom…

The spacecraft slammed into the coast, landing about seven hundred meters from where they stood. A massive shockwave rolled outward, rocks flying high, waves crashing violently, steam and water vapor rising.

The strong wind forced Hal to shield his eyes with his hand against the dust and debris as he squinted at the wreck.

A rock the size of a basketball shot toward Hal.

Boom!

Diana stepped forward, pulling the divine shield from her back. With a swift motion, she deflected the flying rock, its heavy mass easily swatted aside, falling harmlessly to the ground.

At the crash site, a crater more than ten meters wide steamed as seawater flowed down its sides, cooling the craft's surface, sending hissing vapor into the air.

Hal Jordan stepped toward the fallen spacecraft, the cold sea breeze blowing against him, his gaze steady and determined.

The others followed, approaching the small ship. The acrid scent of scorched earth and rising steam filled the air, brushing their skin.

Diana held her shield in one hand, the Sword of Vulcan in the other, alert as she scanned the surroundings.

Aquaman gripped his trident, waves surging behind him.

Victor tensed, sweat forming on his hands as he steadied his breathing, staying vigilant.

Hal stepped closer, eyes locked on the fallen Abin Sur within the damaged ship. The faint flicker of the Green Lantern ring glowed near the lifeless body, the last trace of his will.

The ship's temperature had cooled somewhat, washed by the seawater.

Click.

Hal pushed open the damaged hatch. Seawater poured inside.

Abin Sur lay on his back in the pilot's seat, lifeless. The scene overlapped painfully with Hal's own memories. A deep sadness filled his heart.

Tears welled in his eyes as he looked upon Abin Sur.

At that moment, the Green Lantern ring began to glow, gently separating from Abin Sur's finger, rising toward Hal.

The ring, radiating green energy, hovered before him, casting green reflections across Hal's face.

Hal inhaled softly, his mourning gaze replaced by firm resolve.

"I will inherit your will."

He reached out, ready to grasp the ring.

Suddenly.

The ring trembled. Its light blazed bright, so intense that Hal instinctively squinted and raised his hand to block the glare.

Just as Hal was about to grasp it.

The ring shot away, soaring into the night sky, a streak of green light piercing the darkness.

The unexpected action left everyone momentarily frozen.

Hal stood stunned.

His hand remained outstretched, motionless.

His fingers trembled uncontrollably as a wave of panic surged through him.

"No!"

Turning his head in shock, Hal's eyes widened in horror. His body shook as he stared helplessly at the departing ring, its green glow fading into the distance.

In the depths of the night, as dark as an abyss, a white figure emerged.

The Green Lantern ring, glowing brilliantly, traced a green arc through the sky, stopping above this white figure. The green light illuminated a powerful body and a face sharp as if carved from stone, with unwavering eyes.

The white figure seemed surprised, pausing in place. Naturally, he raised his right hand.

The ring, shining with green willpower, swiftly slid onto the middle finger of his outstretched hand.

In the dark night, the green light shone like the first ray of hope at dawn, instantly piercing the darkness, radiating a powerful aura of will.

"Target lifeform locked. Barmulodi of Krypton. You possess strong willpower capable of overcoming fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 218: Aquaman, Diana

Bardi's right thumb gently rubbed the surface of the ring. The Green Lantern ring had a metallic and plastic texture, incredibly light, almost as if he were not wearing it at all. The ring's ever-bright green glow had already faded on his hand.

Bardi had not spoken the oath and therefore could not wield the power of the ring, but to him, this was an unexpected gain.

It was something he had not anticipated.

He had come here simply to eliminate the Justice League members who were causing him trouble, and then travel through time to save the person who had chosen to self-destruct in despair.

Unexpectedly, he had acquired one of the universe's most famous rings.

Amused, he smiled faintly.

At that moment.

A sharp screech tore through the sky as a cold flash of light cut across the darkness, drawing a blazing streak through the night.

The Trident of Neptune pierced the sky like a javelin hurled from the depths of space, flying directly toward Bardi.

Aquaman stood atop surging waves, his strong body shining under the starlight, the golden scales of his armor glittering as he hovered above the sea. His angry face loomed from above, glaring down with fury.

"You dare to kill Orm!!"

Aquaman's furious eyes burned like those of a hunting orca, cold and raging.

Bardi had destroyed everything he had worked for—the dream of peaceful coexistence between Atlantis and the surface world. His half-brother Orm was dead, murdered by Bardi's hands. It was a wound that fueled his wrath.

With a gaze as scorching as a branding iron, Bardi's eyes narrowed, twin beams of heat vision gathering at his pupils. The intense red glow condensed before erupting, twin rays piercing through the night, distorting the air as they blasted toward the oncoming Trident.

Boom!

The heat vision collided with the divine weapon midair, releasing an explosive impact. A hurricane-force blast swept out in all directions, illuminating the dark sky with bursts of flame.

The Trident spun wildly from the force, flung higher into the night sky like a kite torn loose, whistling as it cut through the air.

Beneath the surging waves, Aquaman soared upward, catching the spinning Trident in his hand. The weapon trembled violently from the impact, and Aquaman's furious gaze shifted back to Bardi below, a flicker of shock in his eyes.

In the night sky, Aquaman stood as though upon the head of a great sea dragon, high above, wielding his Trident like a mythic hero.

At that moment.

Diana, standing firm, raised her divine shield before her. Her powerful, toned thighs, wrapped in her Amazonian armor, crushed the round stones beneath her steel boots.

From her radiated the heroic spirit of a fearless warrior, one woman charging like an unstoppable army.

Alone, she advanced toward Bardi like a stampede of thousands. The air tore in white streaks around her, highlighting her resolute face and unmatched heroic beauty.

Bardi's eyes sharpened, his feet planted firmly like roots in the earth. His fists rose from his sides, breaking the sound barrier, emitting sharp red streaks as he prepared to meet the charging Amazon.

Boom…

In an instant, fist and shield collided. The deafening crash echoed through the night.

A massive wave of air pressure burst outward, blowing fiercely in all directions. The ground sank in a radius of nearly 500 meters. Shattered stones rose weightlessly, suspended by the force of the impact.

The blast rolled across the land, hurricane winds howling away into the distance.

Bardi's trench coat whipped violently in the wind. His expression remained cold, his grin sharp beneath the darkness of the night.

The earth itself held still, vacuumed silent at the center of the clash. Both combatants remained locked in place, adding force against one another, locked in a power struggle.

Diana's determined, heroic face peeked out from behind her shield as she slowly raised her gaze. Her beautiful eyes burned with fury.

"Was it you who trampled fifty million lives beneath your feet?!"

Bardi's cold eyes met hers as their strength continued to press against one another, neither side retreating. The shattered ground beneath their feet cracked and caved, their legs sinking deeper as the immense pressure condensed the very air around them.

"It was me," Bardi replied coldly, his icy gaze staring directly into Diana's enraged eyes.

The answer ignited Diana's fury further, her eyes almost blazing with rage.

"Ahhh!"

A roar burst from deep within her chest. Behind her shield, her silver bracers clashed together, releasing a massive surge of divine energy with the force of the impact.

Hum!

The divine power within her body erupted.

The collision of the bracers unleashed a force even greater than their initial clash, generating massive shockwaves that rippled through the air, rolling outward in powerful waves.

The devastating energy surged through Bardi's body, traveling through his hands, up his arms, and into his bones. The Kryptonian cells within him felt the devastating force. For the first time in more than a decade, Bardi felt injury. Microfractures formed along the bones of his hands.

It was clear. Zeus's daughter possessed the strength to challenge even him.

Forced back by the divine surge, Bardi's body floated into the sky. His gaze swept past Aquaman, still hovering above the waves, before settling once more on Diana.

Divine power, a force more mysterious than magic itself, held the ability to damage even Kryptonian cells. Bardi felt the destructive force clearly. This was not the same as magic. It carried a different nature, but its ability to harm Kryptonians was undeniable.

Bardi, experiencing it for the first time, could not yet fully analyze its composition. But he recognized its power.

Diana's arms trembled as the silver bracers fell away from her wrists. A golden light ignited deep within her eyes, spreading outward until her eyes glowed entirely gold.

The air around her stood still, her aura erupting with unmatched momentum. Stones floated weightlessly around her, shattering as they rose, her dark curls whipping wildly in the silent wind.

Her skin shone with a radiant golden light, reflecting like a Valkyrie bathed in divine brilliance beneath the night sky.

"I am Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons! I will hold you accountable for the lives of fifty million humans!"

With a powerful stomp of her steel boots, the ground beneath her shattered further, the pit deepening as another shockwave erupted.

Her golden eyes blazed with righteous fury. The elegant curve of her neck, her head held high, gleamed like the graceful beauty of a swan in the dark.

In the next instant, she vanished from where she stood, leaping into the sky. Sword raised high, she slashed down toward Bardi.

At the same time.

The waves beneath Aquaman roared like a furious dragon, surging forward. He stepped atop the rolling tide, raising his Trident high, thrusting it directly toward Bardi.

(To be continued.)