Chapter 165: Magic, Order, Science / The Titan Wakes up
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Da Vinci's floating laboratory groaned under the relentless assault of Doctor Bedlam's mind-controlled drones. Inside, Zatanna and Dr. Fate stood shoulder to shoulder, their magic the last line of defense for Earth's survival. The Gaia Core, the pulsating center of Earth's war drones, was the only thing keeping humanity's forces operational. Above them, Da Vinci worked tirelessly, her consciousness directly linked to the planet's defenses.
"Shields are holding," Da Vinci's voice crackled over the comms, "but Bedlam's adapting faster than I can compensate. If he breaches the Gaia Core, Earth is finished. I can't disengage—the drones, the countermeasures, everything depends on me staying connected."
Dr. Fate's golden helm glinted as he surveyed the battlefield, his voice calm yet resonant. "This battle is not merely a clash of science and magic. It is Darkseid's will made manifest. Bedlam is but a pawn, but his objective is clear: disrupt Earth's defenses and leave your world vulnerable to annihilation."
Zatanna adjusted her gloves, her jaw tightening as she nodded. "We won't let that happen. Not again."
A pang of grief pierced her heart, the memory of her father's sacrifice months ago still raw. She had vowed to honor Zatara's legacy, to fight as fiercely as he had. But now, standing against Bedlam's relentless swarm, the weight of that promise felt heavier than ever.
Outside, Doctor Bedlam's mechanical form floated above the battlefield, his body pulsing with unnatural energy. His voice, distorted and cruel, boomed through the air. "Ah, Zatanna Zatara. You and your little sorcerer friend think you can hold back the inevitable tide of science? How quaint. Magic is a relic, a primitive crutch for the weak-minded. But science—science is the truth! The only truth!"
"Truth?" Zatanna shot back, her voice steady despite the storm raging around them. "The only truth here is that you're just another pawn in Darkseid's game."
Bedlam's laughter echoed, metallic and hollow. "A pawn? No, my dear. I am a prophet of the future—a future where magic is eradicated, and logic reigns supreme. Darkseid has shown me the way, and with his blessing, I will lead this universe into an era of perfect order."
Dr. Fate raised his hands, a golden ankh materializing in the air. "Darkseid's order is destruction masquerading as control. You are blind, Bedlam, and your hubris will be your undoing."
Bedlam sneered, his mechanical body transforming as an array of energy cannons emerged from his shoulders. "We'll see who breaks first, sorcerer. Let the clash of chaos and logic begin!"
With a deafening roar, Bedlam unleashed a barrage of energy blasts. Zatanna reacted instantly, her voice ringing out.
"!edit eht nurt dna mrah mofr su dleihs!"
(Shield us from harm and turn the tide!)
A dome of shimmering energy surrounded her and Dr. Fate, deflecting the blasts. Sparks flew as the reflected energy struck Bedlam's drones, causing several to explode midair.
"Impressive," Bedlam taunted, "but your little parlor tricks won't save you for long."
Dr. Fate stepped forward, his voice resonating with divine authority. "I will deal with him directly. Zatanna, protect the Gaia Core. Do not let his forces breach the inner sanctum."
"Fate, wait!" Zatanna called after him, her heart sinking.
He turned briefly, his golden helm obscuring his expression. "This battle may demand more than we are willing to give"
Before she could respond, Dr. Fate soared into the air, golden light trailing behind him as he engaged Bedlam directly. The battlefield erupted into chaos.
Zatanna gritted her teeth and turned her attention to the drones swarming the lab's barriers. "seroc rieht hsurc dna ecalp ni meht dnib" (Bind them in place and crush their cores!)
Chains of brilliant light erupted from the ground, wrapping around the drones and squeezing until their mechanical shells shattered. But for every drone she destroyed, more replaced them.
Above, Dr. Fate clashed with Bedlam in a dazzling display of power. The air crackled with energy as Bedlam's cannons fired relentlessly, only to be countered by Fate's golden shields.
"You cannot withstand my brilliance!" Bedlam roared. "Every move you make, I adapt. Every spell you cast, I dissect. Your magic is finite, while my science evolves!"
Fate's voice was calm, unwavering. "You mistake innovation for invincibility. Your science may adapt, but it lacks the soul that gives magic its strength."
Bedlam's mechanical form twisted, revealing a new weapon: a massive energy disruptor designed to counter magic directly. He fired it at Fate, the beam tearing through the air like a spear.
Fate conjured a massive ankh to block it, but the strain was immense. The disruptor tore at his defenses, cracks forming in the golden construct.
"Fate!" Zatanna screamed as she destroyed another wave of drones.
"I'm holding," he called back, his voice strained. "But not for long."
Bedlam laughed maniacally. "Behold the power of progress! Darkseid's gift has made me unstoppable!"
The disruptor beam surged, shattering Fate's shield. The blast struck him directly, sending him hurtling to the ground.
"No!" Zatanna ran to his side, her heart pounding.
Fate struggled to rise, his golden armor scorched and cracked. "Zatanna... it's not over. You must finish this."
Tears blurred her vision as she knelt beside him. "Don't say that. We can do this together."
He reached up, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You have the strength to end this. The power of Order is yours now."
Before she could protest, the golden helm of Nabu dissolved into light, its energy flowing into her. A surge of power unlike anything she'd ever felt coursed through her body.
Fate's voice echoed in her mind one last time. "Fight, Zatanna. Protect this world as I have."
With a final breath, Dr. Fate's body disintegrated into golden dust, leaving only his robes behind.
Zatanna rose, the newfound power of Order radiating from her. She turned to Bedlam, her grief transforming into unyielding determination.
"You wanted to see the strength of magic? Let me show you its fury!" she roared.
With a wave of her hand, she summoned a colossal ankh, its golden light blinding. "Erase his chaos and end his tyranny!"
The ankh surged forward, enveloping Bedlam in pure light. His mechanical form convulsed as the power of Order dismantled him piece by piece.
"No! This isn't possible!" Bedlam screamed as his body crumbled. "Darkseid's will cannot be undone! You may win today, but the war is eternal!"
As his form disintegrated, silence fell over the battlefield.
Zatanna stood alone, the weight of her loss pressing down on her. But as she looked toward the Gaia Core, still intact, she knew Fate's sacrifice—and her father's—had not been in vain.
Da Vinci's voice broke through the comms. "The Gaia Core is stable. Earth is safe. I'm... I'm sorry, Zatanna."
She closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "He's gone... but his power, his legacy—it lives on. And I'll make sure it counts."
In the quiet aftermath, Zatanna clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. "Darkseid won't stop. But neither will we."
And with that, she turned to face the future, the Helm of Fate and the power of Order now hers to wield.
.....
The earth groaned beneath the colossal weight of Titan, Darkseid's monstrous enforcer. Towering above cities, his massive form was an unrelenting force of destruction. Yet, his movements were almost... sluggish. Each lumbering step sent tremors through the ground, toppling buildings and creating deep fissures in the earth. Despite the chaos, his expression remained blank, almost lifeless, as though he were a puppet moving on unseen strings.
Superman, Supergirl, and Superboy hovered nearby, their faces grim as they took in the devastation. The air was thick with smoke and the distant cries of civilians, yet all their focus was on the giant before them.
"We can't let him advance any further!" Superman commanded, his voice firm. "If he reaches the heart of the city, it's over."
Supergirl, her heat vision already sparking in her eyes, clenched her fists. "What's the plan, Clark? Every time we hit him, it's like punching a mountain. He doesn't even notice!"
Superboy landed heavily beside them, his fists crackling with kinetic energy as he braced himself for another charge. "We need to take him down. Now. What if we force him into the river? That'll slow him down, at least."
Superman frowned, his mind racing. "We'll need something big. Kara, Connor—there's a bridge nearby. If we can use it as a battering ram, we might be able to push him off balance."
"Then let's move," Supergirl said, already flying toward the structure. "We don't have time to waste!"
Superboy followed with a mighty leap, landing on the bridge with a crack that shook the steel. Together, the three worked in tandem, tearing apart the massive suspension cables and repositioning sections of the bridge. The sound of twisting metal filled the air as they prepared their makeshift weapon.
Meanwhile, Titan continued his relentless march, his blank gaze fixed on the horizon. Buildings crumbled under his steps, yet his movements remained strangely deliberate, almost mechanical.
"Connor, help me with this!" Supergirl shouted as she struggled to lift a massive section of steel.
"I'm on it!" Superboy replied, gripping the other end and straining against the weight. With a coordinated effort, they hefted the structure into the air and flew toward Titan, Superman leading the charge.
The bridge-turned-battering ram collided with Titan's chest in an earth-shaking crash. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, shattering windows and shaking the ground. Titan staggered, his massive form teetering dangerously as his legs dragged through the dirt, carving deep trenches.
"Keep pushing!" Superman yelled, his voice straining with effort.
Supergirl and Superboy added their strength, driving the bridge further into Titan's chest. Heat vision beams lanced out from Kara, striking at Titan's knees in an effort to force him to collapse.
With a low groan, Titan finally lost his balance. His massive form tipped forward, arms flailing as he fell. The ground shook violently as he crashed into the river, sending a tidal wave surging outward.
The trio hovered in the air, breathing heavily as they surveyed the scene. "Is it over?" Superboy asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
Supergirl gave a shaky laugh. "It better be. I don't think I've got another round in me."
But Superman's expression remained tense. His eyes scanned the water, watching as it churned ominously. "Don't let your guard down. Something's not right—"
A deafening roar erupted from the river, cutting him off. The water split apart as Titan's massive form rose from the depths, his once-blank expression now twisted in fury. Water streamed off his colossal body as he sat upright, his glowing eyes burning with rage.
"I AM AWAKE!" Titan bellowed, his voice shaking the heavens. "TIME TO DESTROY THIS PATHETIC EARTH!"
Supergirl's face paled as she stared up at the towering giant. "He was asleep?! Are you kidding me?!"
The Titan they spent all their power to bring down, was merely sleep walking, and now they get a taste of his power when he's truly awake and fighting!
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If you Like this story! Check out my other story! One Piece: Elden Lord!
and
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at
"https://www.patréon.com/Riadooo"
Don't forget to change "é" to "e"