(In Kahndaq, the two kings approach a small gateway.)

Black Adam: The Rock of Eternity is hidden in a pocket dimension. I've refrained from opening the gateway to it since Brainiac's invasion.

Aquaman: Because it would draw his eyes.

Black Adam: Precisely. Once the door is opened, it's only a matter of time before Brainiac attacks.

Aquaman: A fight I look FORWARD to!

Black Adam: (approaching the gateway) Ancient ones, unveil the golden path to me. In your names: Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, Mehen!

(Lightning envelops Black Adam, then it shoots out of his chest and into the gateway. The power of the Egyptian Shazam finally opens the dimension to the Rock of Eternity.)

Black Adam: Let's work quickly.

(As they head for the gateway, a half-human, half-mechanized voice is heard. Turning, Black Adam and Aquaman see Black Canary and Green Arrow walking in front of an army of gorillas.)

Black Canary: Don't bother; there's no time left. (Black Adam closes the gateway as the couple approach the kings.) An Extractor Ship is on its way. Kahndaq will be Brainiac's.

Aquaman: (as Black Adam flies to meet the rest) Using pawns, Grodd?

Black Canary: Pawns can achieve great victories... if you're willing to sacrifice them!

(Although Aquaman is not too used to fighting on land, Black Canary is not herself while under Brainiac's control. So the disadvantages are even. It's a tough fight, but Aquaman puts Dinah down and out without permanent damage.)

Aquaman: This king is not easily captured!

(Aquaman sees Green Arrow approaching Black Adam and goes to Adam's side. They both look up at the sky. An Extractor Ship shoots down Betas into Kahndaq, ready to digitize the place. Green Arrow readies his bow.)

Green Arrow: Here comes the cavalry. Fitting that you two die together, the last of mankind's monarchs.

Aquaman: What kind of king sacrifices his own people for Brainiac?!

Green Arrow: My loyalty isn't to Brainiac or Gorilla City. It's to myself. I'll wait until that alien exposes his weakness and kill him. With his ship, I will be unstoppable!

Black Adam: I've had my fill of Grodd's charade! (looks to Aquaman who nods and goes to take care of some of the Betas that landed) Your hubris will be your undoing.

Green Arrow: It isn't hubris when one is TRULY exceptional!

(Again, Green Arrow's good...but nothing compared to the god-like powers of Black Adam, even with Arrow controlled by Grodd. Soon, Adam KOs Ollie and hovers to gloat.)

Black Adam: "Exceptional" is not the word I'd use. (flies to re-join Aquaman at the gateway)

(The two royals approach the gateway again and Black Adam opens the path to the Rock of Eternity. As he does, Aquaman senses someone approaching and turns to see Blue Beetle landing behind them.)

Aquaman: Blue Beetle? We thought you were dead.

Blue Beetle: The Scarab's hard to kill. Batman told me you guys needed a hand. Consider me your sidekick.

Black Adam: Come along.

(The three enter a gateway into what looks almost like a torture chamber. they approach a stone throne with intricate carvings in it.)

Aquaman: How does this work, exactly?

Black Adam: We imbue your Trident with a spark of the Rock's power. When its full might is released, it will seek out your weapon. Your thoughts will guide the wizard's power to its final target. (sits on the throne)

Aquaman: I am ready. (hands Trident to Black Adam)

(Black Adam crackles with energy and starts to charge up the Trident...when Blue Beetle hits him with a bolt of energy and stops the process.)

Aquaman: Beetle. What are you doing?

Grodd: (comes out of hiding) My biding!

Black Adam: A sleeper agent... to lead you here.

Grodd: Despite the power of his Scarab, the boy was easily manipulated. Now, Jaime,... kill them!

(Aquaman advances while Black Adam keeps Grodd from interfering.)

Blue Beetle: This armor is wasted on a child! When we're finished, I'll tear the Scarab from his body and make its powers my own!

(Blue Beetle is more than a match for Aquaman...and they're near no water for Aquaman to use. Still, experience wins out; Aquaman knows how to fight better than Beetle. It's tough, but the young hero is defeated.)

Aquaman: Don't get ahead of yourself! (runs to re-join Black Adam)

(Black Adam fires lightning at Grodd, who uses his pyschic abilities to block. Still, they both fly bakwards from the recoil, Aquaman stopping Adam from flying back into the Rock.)

Grodd: (approaches them) Look at us. Three kings.

Aquaman: A king, Grodd?! You're a brute!

Black Adam: A true leader serves his people. You only serve yourself!

Grodd: Be that as it may, I will be the only one who leaves this cave.

(Black Adam brings a bolt of lightning from up above, but Grodd's powers block it and diverts it to knock out Aquaman.)

Grodd: You'd have been a valuable contributor to my Society.

Black Adam: My knee bends to NO ONE!

(Grodd's abilities can even counter the powers of gods. But Black Adam's persistence and nearly-endless anger prove much too much for the ape monarch. Adam manages to put the massive mammal on his face.)

Black Adam: Now, Grodd, your punishment!

(Aquaman rejoins Black Adam, the look in his eyes in full agreement. Aquaman uses his foot to turn the beaten Grodd on his back. But Grodd still has some words in him...)

Grodd: (weakly) Stupid... humans...

(Aquaman has heard enough and thrusts the Trident into Grodd's side.)

Aquaman: The people of Atlantis demand justice. (withdraws Trident)

Grodd: (smiling) Against Brainiac? Hehe...I've...seen his mind...felt his power. He...can't...be...stopped!

Aquaman: But YOU can!

(Aquaman thrusts the Trident into Grodd's belly and twists it inside him. With a grunt, Grodd dies. Aquaman extracts the Trident, content with the justice he's delivered.)

(Meanwhile, outside the portal, Black Canary and Green Arrow come to, apparently free of Brainiac's control. They help each other to their feet.)

Black Canary: How's your head?

Green Arrow: Empty.

Black Canary: (grinning) So not much has changed.

(Just then, the portal opens and Aquaman runs out of it.)

Aquaman: Canary! Arrow! Out of the way!

(Aquaman runs past the two and out into the open, his Trident crackling with energy from the Rock. He plants it on the ground. Inside the portal, Black Adam is channeling more energy from the Rock. When he fills himself up with the cave crumbling a bit around him, he shouts...)

Black Adam: SHAZAM!!

(The energy shoots out of him, through the portal and smack into Aquaman's Trident. Aquaman then lifts the Trident up and shoots the energy into the air.)

(To be continued)