The London Bank stood as a symbol of prestige and opulence in the heart of the city. Its grand marble facade gleamed in the afternoon sun, a stark contrast to the narrow alleys that wound around it. Inside, the bank's polished floors and crystal chandeliers created an air of elegance that masked the tension brewing just beneath the surface.

In a dimly lit van, parked far from the bank, tucked away from the prying eyes of the bank's clientele, a group of imposing, malicious looking figures huddled together. Their faces were obscured by masks, their identities concealed by shadows. Among them was the tall and imposing leader, a man known as Bruno 'Ugly' Mannheim, distinguishable as he refused to wear mask like all of his underlings. He wanted people to know who he was.

Portrayed by Benicio del Toro

Mannheim's voice dripped with malice as he addressed his accomplices. "Gentlemen, the time has come to put our plan into action. The London Bank's security has been our focus for months, and today, we'll reap the rewards of our efforts."

The others exchanged glances, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety in their eyes. One, a wiry man with shifty eyes, fidgeted nervously with a small device in his hand.

"Is the alarm system disabled?" Mannheim inquired, his gaze sharp and demanding.

The wiry man nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, boss. I hacked into their system. The alarms won't trigger until we're long gone."

Mannheim's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Excellent. Remember, we want to make this swift and efficient. We take what we came for, and we leave no witnesses. Understood?"

The others nodded, their resolve solidifying in the face of their impending crime. They donned ski masks and gloves, concealing any trace of their identities. Mannheim led the way out of the van, their footsteps echoing down the cold corridor.

As they entered the main banking hall, the robbers fanned out, their eyes scanning the room for any signs of trouble. Patrons bustled about, unaware of the impending danger. A sense of unease settled over the bank, as if the air itself held its breath.

Mannheim approached the bank manager's desk, his presence commanding attention. The manager, a portly man with thinning hair, looked up from his paperwork, surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Good afternoon," Mannheim greeted with a forced smile. "We're here to conduct some business of our own."

The bank manager's confusion deepened, his unease growing palpable. "I'm sorry, but the bank is closing soon. You'll have to come back tomorrow."

Mannheim's smile never wavered, but his tone turned chilling. "I don't think you understand. We're not here for your banking services. We're here for something a bit more valuable."

With a swift motion, Mannheim produced a gun from his coat pocket, aiming it directly at the bank manager. Panic flashed in the manager's eyes as he realized the severity of the situation. He raised his hands in surrender, his voice trembling.

"Please, you can take whatever you want. Just don't hurt anyone."

The other robbers, armed and ready, spread out through the banking hall. The patrons' voices rose in a collective gasp, a wave of terror sweeping through the room. Some huddled together, while others fumbled to take out their phones, their fingers trembling too much to dial.

Mannheim's gaze swept over the room, his voice cold and commanding. "Everyone, listen up! Stay calm, and you won't get hurt. Just do as we say, and this will all be over soon."

Tense silence settled over the room, broken only by the occasional whimper or the sound of a suppressed sob. The robbers moved with calculated efficiency, emptying the teller drawers and stuffing the money into bags. Time seemed to stretch as the minutes ticked by, each one laden with the weight of fear and uncertainty.

Just as it seemed that the robbers were about to make their escape, a distant rumble echoed through the building. The patrons exchanged bewildered glances, the sound growing steadily louder. Then, as if from nowhere, a figure burst through the bank's entrance in a blur of red and blue.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the unmasked leader sneered. "Superman himself. Seems we've hit the jackpot, boys."

Y/N's gaze was unwavering, his blue eyes radiating a mix of determination and compassion. "It's time to put an end to this."

The leader's laughter echoed off the marble walls. "You think you can stop us all, flying man?"

Y/N's lips curved into a half-smile. "I don't think. I know."

With a blur of motion, Y/N was in front of the criminals, his cape billowing dramatically. He moved faster than their eyes could track, to the to the top floor of the bank. Two gunmen stood their, bags half-full of cash and their eyes darting towards the Kryptonian who appeared in front of them. The citizens watched in amazement, their fear replaced by a glimmer of hope. The bank manager's eyes filled with tears of gratitude as he realised that help had come.

"Gentlemen, I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully" Y/N tried to reason as the man when to either side of him with their weapons still trained. The two men proceeded to unload their assault rifles into Y/N. But the bullets did not faze the new Man of Steel, as they simply bounced off his well built body. Some bullets deflected and ricochet off and flew towards the walls, while some simply fell to the ground. 

The leader's fists clenched, his mask contorting with rage. "You'll regret this, Superman!" he cursed. Looking at his men taking the cash, while the named hero took out his other men with ease. 

As one masked goon emptied his magazine into Superman, he threw his gun aside and pulled out a knife that was attached around his ankle. He ran towards Y/N yelling quite loudly, Y/N didn't even react as the metal collided with his chest. The blade simply snapped in half, the henchman shook as half of his blade fell to the floor. Superman simply gave a small smile and put a hand on the henchman's shoulder. He was then immediately thrown aside by Y/N into a wall, he didn't use much strength behind it. But it was enough to cause the thug to be knocked out. 

The second thug, was slightly smarter. As he pulled out a handgun that was strapped to his waste, however the bullets fired here did as much good as he previously fired bullets. Y/N didn't flinch, and simply sucked in his breath. Exhaling hard with a mighty blow, the henchman was thrown back. Crashing through some glass next to bank tellers who looked at the thug, and then back to Superman. 

"Look after him for me will you?" Y/N asked with a warm smile, turning his attention towards the remaining thugs. 


"Let's see how you handle this, Supes!" Mannheim's voice dripped with mockery as he called up to the Kryptonian hero. His men evacuated the bank, they hadn't managed to get a big hall, but still got away with a couple million. Mannheim reached into his inner pocket, and pulled out a grenade that was tucked away for just a situation. Un-clicking the grenade, Mannheim grit his teeth and looked in the direction of hostages that were gathered and rounded up into a corner. Mannheim threw the explosive in an underarm technique. 

Time seemed to slow as the grenade arced through the air, a malevolent orb of destruction. Y/N's eyes, a brilliant shade of E/C, focused on the airborne threat. Y/N flew over to the grande, thinking of every outcome that could possibly come from this. He knew there was really one outcome, he couldn't simply contain the grenade. So he thought of a more simpler way to ensure no one was armed, and no major structural damaged was caused to the bank itself. 

Without missing a beat, Y/N's powerful legs coiled like springs, and with a mighty thrust, he rocketed into the sky, leaving a gust of wind in their wake. The bank's marble floor cracked beneath the force of his takeoff. Higher and higher they ascended, the world below shrinking to miniature proportions. Mannheim looked through the destroyed skyline, smiling as Superman faded from sight as he got further and further away. 

Mannheim turned his attention back to his men, hurrying them into the van they arrived in as the distant sound of sirens could be heard. One thug was sweating like a pig, as he couldn't believe Superman was here. 

"This is insane, why did I agree to do this?" he asked himself rocking in his seat trying to calm him down. 

Mannheim slammed the passenger side door. "Somebody shut him up" the boss complained. 

Bang

One of the thugs shot the panicking one, and tossed the body out. Mannheim looked back with wide eyes, and then grinned. "That's the kind of initiative I expect to see in Intergang" he cheered, thinking of the possible futures that this new venture could take him. 

The van's engine roared to life, the sound a defiant challenge to the city's protector. Y/N had just recovered from the grenade exploding in his hands, making sure it detonated safely away. But as he flew down, he saw the corpse of the thug laying there. A scowl appeared on his face, Mannheim was going to pay. Y/N made sure not to break the sound barrier as he flew after the van, he didn't want to injure any civilians ear lobes as he tried too halt the robbers. 

The van's tires screeched against the asphalt as it sped away, leaving behind the echoes of its engine's growl. Y/N's eyes tracked the vehicle's every move, the ray of the sun casting shadows across his determined features. Y/N surged forward with unmatched speed, a streak of blue and red against the morning sky.

The wind whistled past Y/N's ears as he closed the distance between themselves and the escaping van. A flicker of determination ignited within his E/C eyes as he raised his gaze to the van's tires. With a focused intensity, Y/N activated his heat vision, twin beams of searing energy emanating from his eyes. 

The van's tires started to smoke, the rubber heating up rapidly. The acrid scent of burning rubber filled the air as the tires began to disintegrate under the onslaught of Y/N's heat vision. Smoke billowed around the van as it struggled to maintain its speed, the scent of victory tantalizingly close.

As the van's movements became increasingly erratic, Y/N seized the opportunity. With a burst of acceleration, he streaked ahead of the van and landed gracefully in its path, a towering figure blocking its way. The van screeched to a halt, the smell of burnt rubber and the hiss of steam filling the air.

Inside the van, Mannheim's eyes widened in disbelief as he realized he was trapped, his escape route thwarted by the very being he had sought to elude. The remaining henchmen exchanged nervous glances, their bravado now replaced by fear. Mannheim snarled, and immediately got out of the van and pulled out his shining, silver revolver. Taking a stance, Mannheim unloaded each bullet into the Man of Steel. Every step Y/N took was met with a bullet that had not effect what so ever. Mannheim pulled the trigger again, only to be met with the click signalling he was out of bullets. 

Throwing his revolve aside, Mannheim rushed forward with a raised fist. Much like the bullets however, this did nothing. In fact it cause Mannheim to reel back in pain, as he felt as if he had just punched a steel door.

"Now, see if the bullets don't work" Y/N began, picking Mannheim up by his collar and looking him dead in the eyes. "Why the punching?" he asked, throwing Mannheim in the window screen of the van, cracking it. "I never got that" he finished, looking at the sight of the defeated Mannheim, with the addition of his thugs standing down. The sound of approaching police sirens cut through the tension, the cavalry arriving to apprehend the criminals once and for all. Mannheim and his henchmen were swiftly surrounded, their escape route permanently closed off. 

"Thanks for the assistance Superman" a member of the London Metropolitan Police smiled, patting Y/N on the shoulder as they and other officers moved in. The goons went easy, with their hands raised and throwing out all their hidden weapons on the cold metal floor of the van. Occurrences such as these were increasing drastically since Kal gave his life to save Earth two years. 

First it was simple, a few small robberies, maybe a major terrorist incident here and there. But when Metallo showed his ugly face, he served as a catalyst that showed other villains wanting to make a name for themselves that they could if they tried hard enough. Part of Metallo's rampage had been broadcast worldwide, so everyone saw the destruction one man could cause. And as Y/N prepared to take off, he could hear another incident just a few miles away, in the Old Bailey Courthouse. Y/N had done his best to hone his skills of super hearing to not over hear any conversations he shouldn't. To pick up on any loud screams of terror or metal colliding, took him a few tries to distinguish between screams of terror, and the other types of screams. 

Y/N looked down, focusing on the sound of gunshots at the Old Bailey. The sounds of children fearing for their lives, and he could make up the sound of a golden lasso zipping up someone, Diana was there, and she got some information out of the terrorists. 

"You're too late, the countdown's already begun. In a moment, four city blocks, boom. While the world watches" 

Y/N looked up, towards the direction of the Old Bailey that was miles away, the Police officer was still next to him, looking slightly awkward. 

"Superman, everything ok-" before the Officer could finish Y/N floated off the ground. 

"Get what men you can spare down to the Old Bailey, as soon as you can" he urged, flying off towards the historic courthouse. The Officer dug his feet into the ground, as he almost blown away due to Superman flying away. 

As Superman neared the Old Bailey, he used his X-Ray vision to peer into the courthouse to see the situation. Diana was dealing with most of the terrorists, but she was currently saving many of the innocents from oncoming gunshots, using her enhanced Amazonian speed and stamina in combination with her bracelets to block all the bullets heading for the men, women and children. Even moving one little girl out of the way of a bullet just in the knick of time.

As Diana blocked all the bullets from who was presumed to be the leader of this group known as the Black Clad. The leader emptied his magazine, but Diana smiled upon seeing Y/N floating behind the man. The man noticed that Wonder Woman wasn't looking at him, and slowly turned around. Shock and horror appeared on his face as he fist looked at the Symbol of House El, and then to the face of Superman himself. 

"Now sir, if you have any problems with the Court System I believe you should write to your member of Parliament" Y/N suggested with a smirk, grabbing hold of the assault rifle with one hand and easily crushing. "As this, is not the answer" he finished, giving him a light push into Diana. Wonder Woman proceeded to whack the leader with her shield, most likely breaking his nose and knocking him out cold. 

"Superman" Diana smiled, looking at the Kryptonian. 

"Wonder Woman" he nodded back. But the two had to save this moment for later, as they had frightened children to attend to just behind Diana. 

"Is everyone all right" Diana asked, turning around and helping children to their feet. "It's okay, it's over" she assured, as Y/N walked over to the group of kids who seemed hesitant, their eyes fixed on the knocked out leader. 

"He won't be hurting anyone for a long time" Superman eased, giving the leader a small, playful kick that caused some of the kids to laugh. Superman reached out, offering his hand to one of kids, who starred at it for a second. Then took it, helped up to his feet. Y/N looked over to Diana, seeing her give a small, inspirational talk to one of the little girls. Just then, Y/N felt a small tug on his cape, looking down he saw a little boy holding up a pen and paper, asking for an autograph. "Oh, okay then" he let out, really unsure of what to do in this situation. 

Later 

Y/N and Diana had decided to take to a rooftop out of sight, as the Police dealt with the rounded up terrorists. All the children who safe and sound. 

"These attacks, these incidents are becoming more regular it seems" Diana mused, brushing her shield up against her sword sharpening it somewhat. 

"There's always gonna be people who wanna see the world burn. And after seeing a Superman fall from the sky, they see this as their chance" Y/N responded, as  he used his X-Ray vision to survey the Old Bailey. Making sure there no hidden bombs that were planted. "But, they don't expect people like us to hold the line" 

Diana nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Kal-El was a symbol of hope, not just for the city, but for the world. His absence has left a void that others are trying to exploit."

Y/N clenched his fists, his jaw set in determination. "I won't let his legacy be tarnished by fear and chaos. But it's hard, Diana. He was like a brother to me" he said, looking down in sorrow. 

Diana stepped closer, her hand resting gently on his forearm. "I know," she said softly. "And I understand. But remember, you carry his spirit within you. The symbol of Hope, Hope is a lift that can lift any person away from the darkness". 

He looked at her, his eyes searching hers for solace. "I just wish he was here. We faced everything together."

"You're not alone, Y/N," Diana said, her voice unwavering. "I'm here with you. We are all here, united."

Their eyes locked, an unspoken understanding passing between them. The rooftop seemed to hold its breath as time slowed, the world fading away around them. Y/N's heart beat a steady rhythm, the closeness of Diana's presence a comfort he hadn't realized he needed.

"You're right," he said finally, his voice soft but resolute. "We can't let fear dictate our actions. We have to stand strong."

Diana smiled, a mixture of pride and affection in her eyes. "That's the Y/N I know."

A Few Days Later 

Y/N had received a text message from Diana to meet up at Bruce's hidden Bat Workshop located in a Wayne Aerospace Hangar. Alfred was kinda enough to give Y/N authorisation to the hangar, so he didn't need to ring the door bell or force his way in. And judging by the metal door that had been completely ripped off by Diana, it seemed like the security systems didn't do much. Bruce and Diana were already in mid conversation when Y/N walked in. Diana was clad in a leather jacket, while Bruce was on a lift, working on what appeared to be a massive jet of sorts. 

"Looks like you got your hands on a new toy" Y/N mused. 

"Prototype troop carrier, you sure took your time" Bruce answered back, putting down a spanner and leaning over the lift to look at Y/N and Diana. 

"Sorry" Y/N apologised rubbing the back of his head. "Martha needed help with the crops, we're at risk of loosing the farm so I wanna help out as much as I can" he answered, Bruce giving a smile of understanding back. 

"I once knew a man who would've love to fly this machine" Diana said, crossing her arms. Looking up this flying contraption, this Flying Fox of sorts with its folded up wings and massive twin engines which were smaller, but more powerful than any airliner. 

"The best minds at Wayne Aerospace couldn't make it fly" Bruce responded. 

"But you can?" Diana asked. 

"I have no choice. I need more range and I need more cargo. I think there's an attack coming" Bruce admitted, placing a tool box down. This attack, that Luthor had preached about when Bruce locked him up. 

"We have to be ready then" Y/N said, looking to Diana then up at Bruce. "If what Luthor said is true, we'll need every advantage for when this attack arrives".

"It's not coming boys" Diana said, looking down and then at Y/N. "It's already here".

Knowing this conversation would need his full attention, Y/N began to float up towards Bruce's lift. Bruce began lowering said lift so Diana could hop on, but she shook her head. "No need" she stated, as she too began to float off the ground causing Bruce and Y/N's eyes to go wide. Seems since using her powers once again, Diana had managed to refocus, and reacquire her ability to fly. 

Diana then began to discuss her research, about this proposed attackers. "From what I've learned, there are things from outside our known universe. They serve a dark power. An old power" she stated. 

"What exactly do they want?" Y/N asked, leaning against the wall of the Flying Fox. 

"To invade. To conquer. They came here once before, long ago......

Diana then began to tell her tale, of an invader from outside of the Multiverse itself. The leader of the invaders was a being called "Darkseid", a name cursed and feared in every universe. This Darkseid was joined by his most trusted general, Steppenwolf. But as Darkseid lay waste to Earth, he was met by the planets defenders. Amazons, Atlanteans before they fell into the ocean, the Kingdoms of Men, the Old Gods themselves and a Jade Guardian from the skies. As Darkseid waged war on Earth, he found a secret there. A power, hidden in the infinity of space. He called forth mystics who worshipped and controlled three objects -- the Motherboxes. Machinery so advanced at the time, it seemed like magic. To conquer, three boxes have to synchronise and join together into The Unity. The Unity cleanses a planet with fire, transforming it into a copy of the enemy's world. All who live become servants of Darkseid, alive but drained of life. Parademons. But before The Unity could synchronize, the Defenders of Earth attacked and fought as one. Amazons alongside Atlanteans. Zeus and his son, Ares, alongside the guardians from the sky. A golden age of heroes fighting together to defend life on Earth. Darkseid and his forced were pushed back, retreat, the boxes were left behind on Earth. They grew weak -- dogs without masters, falling asleep, awaiting their return. Fading from the view of the enemy, anonymous among a trillion worlds. According to one of the Jade Guardians, upon their return to their homeward Darkseid was weak. And even Steppenwolf tried to seize the throne for himself. 

Diana ended her tale of accents past, and explained that her people, the Amazons. Had sent a signal fire, indicating that the Darkness had returned, and had taken the first Mother Box from their island home. "Something woke the box my people guarded. It called out to the Dark Place, to one of Darkseid's conquerers. The enemy is here.

"If these invaders are here, where are they?" Y/N asked, was he was in dee thought during this history lesson. Earth was facing it's second alien invasion, and he swore he would everything in his power to ensure as little lives were lost as possible. 

"He'll be searching for the other two boxes, hiding until he has all three -- until it's ready" Diana explained. 

"Then we have to be ready. The three of us, the others..." Bruce said, looking at each member of this Trinity. 

"They said the Age of Heroes would never come again" Diana smiled, seeing that this group was coming together. 

"The other's Bruce, where are they?" 

Author's Note 

Boom, Snyder Cut chapter out. Apologies if this chapter was kinda all over the place, obviously the actual movie jumps around a lot, so I did my best to navigate between all of it. I know it's a small chapter, mainly just serving as an opening for what's to come. 

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