DC : The Template System

"Well, what is the worst-case scenario?" Superman asked.

"Just know that it's not good at all," Max replied.

"How do you know so much about him? What even are you?" Wonder Woman pressed.

"I just know a lot. But don't worry—Darkseid isn't unbeatable. As you've seen, you just need to be prepared," Max said.

"You haven't answered the other question," Batman reminded him.

"Am I being interrogated now?" Max asked, turning to Batman.

"Oh, come on, dude—you've gotta tell us. I mean, you know all about our powers, but we don't know much about yours," Shazam whined. Everyone turned to look at him. "What? Am I the only one who's curious?"

"I want to know too, especially about that transformation," Flash added.

Max looked around the room. The others hadn't voiced it, but he could see their expectant gazes. He knew very well that one day their ideals might clash, and information was a powerful tool—especially in the hands of someone like Batman. He wouldn't be surprised if Batman had already come to his own conclusions about his arsenal of abilities, conclusions that were bound to be mostly correct, if not entirely accurate.

"I'm one hundred percent human," Max finally said. "And that transformation was temporary. I don't even know if I can access it again as for my abilities I cannot tell you"

"Come on, dude, just tell us," Flash pressed.

"No," Max said flatly.

Cyborg leaned forward. "Then can you at least tell us what we need to do to be prepared for Darkseid's next invasion?"

"You just need to prevent a boom tube from being opened on our side," Max replied. "That's how he gets to Earth. And if he does manage to get through… just be ready to give it your all to send him back."

Silence fell for a moment. Then Max turned to Batman. "Well, if there isn't anything else, I'd like to speak with you in private."

Batman stood, giving a silent nod, and motioned for Max to follow him as they left the room.

"I wonder what they're going to discuss," Green Lantern muttered.

"It seems to be a sensitive matter," Cyborg said as he rose from his seat.

"Well, I have somewhere else to be, if you don't mind," Shazam said, stretching.

"Yeah, I'm leaving too," Green Lantern added. One by one, the others started to disperse.

---

Max walked alongside Batman until they were a safe distance away from S.T.A.R. Labs. Batman finally spoke.

"What did you want to discuss?"

"A serious matter," Max replied.

"I'm listening."

"You know about the incident that resulted in Cyborg's creation, right?"

"Yes. I'm aware," Batman said.

"Then you should also know—Cyborg was created from Darkseid's Mother Box. That means Darkseid still has access to him."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "How much access are we talking about?"

"Enough to see and hear whatever Cyborg sees and hears," Max said grimly. "So you need to be careful what you say or do in his presence. And—need I say—don't alert him to this fact. It might be the only edge we have."

"Darkseid's next invasion is inevitable," Max said. "This will let us lull him into a false sense of security—give us the chance to lure him into a trap. Which is where you fit in. I need you to do what you do best."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"

"Make countermeasures," Max replied.

Batman was silent for a long moment, then gave a single nod. "I'll see what I can do."

"Good. And if you need my help, you know where to find me," Max added. Then his lips curved slightly. "Though I'd appreciate it if you don't call me just to save someone falling off a bridge. I've got better uses of my time."

Before Batman could respond, Max's body sank into the ground,vanishing without a trace—leaving the Dark Knight standing alone in the shadows

Batman stared at the spot where Max had vanished, deep in thought. Tobi had deliberately withheld information—both about his origin and the true extent of his abilities. From what he had shared, it was clear Darkseid could spy through Cyborg, which might explain his secrecy. But Batman couldn't ignore the other possibilities.

Perhaps Tobi didn't trust them, knowing that knowledge of his abilities could one day be used against him. Or perhaps he had plans of his own—plans the League might oppose—and withholding information gave him the upper hand. Endless possibilities swirled in Batman's mind. Yet the most likely scenario was also the simplest: Tobi didn't want Darkseid knowing anything that could compromise him.

Only time would tell .

Meanwhile

Max walked casually through the quiet streets of Starling City, the moonlight painting everything in silver. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the peace. Ever since he arrived in this world, life had been nothing but fighting and surviving. Recently, training had to the list as well.

He hadn't given himself a chance to breathe, let alone consider… living. Maybe even having a relationship. But honestly, in the DC world, something like that was almost impossible—especially for someone like him. The only reason he wasn't being targeted constantly was because he had no visible weaknesses. No family , close friends,lover. Nothing his enemies could exploit.

And yet, lately… he felt the loneliness gnawing at him. When he first woke up here, he had told himself that relationships in the DC Universe were chains that dragged people down into despair. He had seen it too many times in the comics, the shows, the movies.

For once, in all his time in this world, he truly missed home. Back there, he had it all—friends, family… his parents. A warmth he hadn't realized he'd taken for granted.

A tear slipped down his left cheek before he even noticed. He quickly wiped it away, muttering under his breath,

"Mother… Father… I hope you're doing great..

even without me."

Planet Apokolips

Darkseid sat upon his throne, his crimson eyes locked on the feed streaming directly from Cyborg. The so-called heroes had no idea he was watching their every move through their mechanical ally. Their ignorance would be their downfall.

Yet, something gnawed at his thoughts—the one they called Tobi. The upstart who had humiliated him. Darkseid had faced countless foes across the cosmos, even the Guardians of Oa, yet this mortal intrigued him more than most. Tobi was unlike the others. He was no Kryptonian, Amazon or a Lantern… and yet, he was all-rounded, adaptable, a being without a clear weakness. That, above all else, made him dangerous.

He tapped a button on the armrest of his throne. A holographic projection of Desaad shimmered to life, bowing deeply.

"Yes, sire?" Desaad rasped.

"How far is the progress on the creation of the super-weapons?" Darkseid's voice rumbled .

"It proceeds well, my lord. In a few years, they shall be ready—sufficient to kill both Superman and… Tobi," Desaad replied carefully.

"Unacceptable," Darkseid snarled. His eyes glowed faintly with the threat of Omega energy. "Accelerate the process. And prepare the Genesis Chamber."

Desaad's head snapped up, eyes widening. "The Genesis Chamber, my lord? It is still untested—"

"Do as I command," Darkseid cut him off.

"As you wish," Desaad muttered, bowing lower before the transmission cut.

Darkseid leaned back, the shadows of Apokolips flickering across his face. The Genesis Chamber—a new device forged by Desaad, designed to harness and refine the Omega Effect, strengthening Darkseid's own body beyond its current limits.

The next time he set foot on Earth, he vowed, it would not be as an invader. It would be as a conqueror, and he would leave nothing behind but ash and ruin.

Three Years Later

Max opened his eyes to find himself in a blindingly white room. Sterile and empty, save for a single bed. He tried to turn his head, to move his arms—yet his body refused to obey, moving instead on its own, as though on autopilot.

His body rose from the bed without his consent, feet carrying him across the spotless floor. Four cameras, one in each corner, silently tracked him. He could feel their gaze burning into his skin.

Then—hiss.

The door slid open.

Four figures stepped inside, dressed in pristine white lab coats. Each carried cold, metallic medical instruments that gleamed under the fluorescent lights. They did not speak. They simply advanced.

Max's body began backing away, trembling, pressing itself against the far wall. He wanted to fight, to lash out—but he was nothing more than a prisoner inside his own flesh.

The figures grew larger with every step, towering shadows swallowing the room. At first, Max thought they had changed—become giants. But then a dreadful realization seeped into him.

They weren't bigger… he was smaller.

His hands—tiny. His legs—frail. His reflection in the wall's polished surface revealed a child's face staring back at him.

He had been reduced to nothing but a child.

End of chapter