It had been over a month since the trial, since the moment Ashborn delivered a beating to one of Earth's greatest heroes in front of the world. Since then, no heroes came to his door. No villains either. The streets grew quieter wherever he walked, yet his reputation had only grown in the silence. People whispered about him. Some admired him, some thought he was a lunatic. But the Justice League? They hated him. Not loudly. Not openly. But in their private talks, however, unbeknownst to them Ashborn heard and watched them from the shadows.
And yet, life went on.
Shadow Corp thrived. The aftermath of the trial only seemed to elevate the company's standing. Investors grew more confident, contracts came more frequently, and the board of directors, most of whom didn't care about capes and crusades, praised the "firm hand" Ashborn showed against "unwarranted actions." Inside the sleek walls of Shadow Corp, everything was operating smoothly, professionally, and very, very profitably.
Ashborn, however, sat alone in his office, watching the news.
The broadcast switched between awe-struck reporters and looping footage of the massive, alien spaceship that had entered Earth's orbit hours ago. The vessel was shaped like a jagged crescent moon, dark and pulsating with green energy. Around it, the Justice League floated in diplomatic formation—Superman, Wonder Woman, Hal Jordan, and others, acting as intermediaries.
The broadcast continued: "The Thanagarian delegation claims to bring warning of an interstellar war threatening to reach Earth. They have requested a public address to Earth's governments and people, an emergency summit scheduled to air tonight, with Justice League support."
Ashborn leaned forward in his chair, eyes narrowing.
So, it begins…
He turned the volume down, already deep in thought. He remembered this scenario—this wasn't a gesture of peace. The Thanagarians had no intention of protecting Earth. They had come to use it. They said they are going to build a shield generator to protect Earth but in reality it is some sort of a teleportation device. One that, when activated, would obliterate Earth while giving Thanagarian access to their enemies homeworld.
In another world, he remembered, Hawkgirl fell in love with John Stewart—the Green Lantern of that timeline. Her divided heart saved the Earth. Her betrayal of Thanagar was a pivotal, emotional choice. But in this world, John Stewart wasn't here, not yet atleast. Instead, it was Hal Jordan.
That single change pulled the rug from under the script.
Ashborn couldn't rely on fate. Couldn't wait for a dramatic redemption arc to save them.
He sighed heavily, standing from his chair.
"…Looks like I'll have to step in to help again."
The shadows in the room stirred unnaturally, curling at his feet like smoke. Then, as if breaking from the laws of light itself, his own shadow detached—pulling away from his feet and morphing into a black knight. The knight knelt respectfully before Ashborn.
Ashborn looked at the kneeling then back at the news, the knight dissolved into a shadow and left the office.
He didn't want to get involved. But now, it was his planet too.
He muttered to himself.
"No one's turning my Earth into a stepping stone."
___________
The great conference hall was filled with tension and expectation. Delegates and ambassadors from all over Earth had gathered, their expressions ranging from awe to anxiety. The dome of the hall was open to the stars, a symbolic gesture of unity and peace, but the presence of the towering Thanagarian vessel looming above Earth cast a long shadow, both literal and figurative.
Hro Talak, commander of the Thanagarian fleet, stood center stage, flanked by his soldiers and the Justice League. The camera drones hovered overhead, broadcasting his speech across the globe. With a regal bearing and firm voice, he addressed the room.
"We came in peace," he began, "but also in urgency. I will not speak in riddles or half-truths. One of our agents, Shayera Hol—known to you as Hawkgirl—was stationed here as a scout. She was sent to observe your planet's defenses."
Murmurs broke out instantly. Hawkgirl, a spy?
"She found them… lacking," Hro Talak continued, unfazed. "And that is not an insult, but a fact. Your world is vulnerable. It will be the next to fall if we do not act now."
He gestured, and the screens lit up behind him with holographic images—armies of towering, reptilian creatures swarming cities, tearing apart civilizations. The videos shifted to scorched planets, oceans of fire, and skies blackened with Gordanian warships.
"This… is the Gordanian threat," Hro Talak declared. "The most ruthless force in the known universe. Destroyers. Enslavers. They will not negotiate. They do not reason. And Earth is in their path."
A still silence fell as the visuals ended. The ambassadors sat frozen, expressions grave.
"To protect this planet," Hro Talak said, "we will construct a shield generator—a device powerful enough to stall the Gordanian onslaught until our fleet can arrive in full force. But time is limited. We require Earth's help to complete the project before it is too late."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the assembly. Some representatives reached for their phones, whispering frantically into encrypted lines. Others leaned in to confer with their aides. This was no longer a diplomatic event—it was the edge of war.
The Justice League members present stood in uneasy formation behind the alien leader. Wonder Woman's gaze was unreadable. Flash's jaw was tight. Martian Manhunter simply watched, silently.
From the back of the room, Superman stepped forward. The room stilled as he approached Hro Talak. His tone was calm, but filled with earnestness.
"Thank you… for warning us," Kal-El said sincerely. "Whatever past misunderstandings existed, we can't ignore what you've shown. The Justice League will do everything we can to aid in the fight against the Gordanians."
Hro Talak gave a respectful nod. "It is our greatest desire to see them stopped. All help is welcomed."
Then, one of the Thanagarian guards flinched. His voice cut into the solemnity, sharp and wary. "What is that…?"
The eyes of the room followed his outstretched finger.
A shadow, long and unnaturally fluid, slithered across the floor, defying the light from the overheads and the holograms. It moved like smoke in water, too fast, too alive. Delegates gasped and backed away. Security tensed. Superman's body tensed instinctively as he stepped in front of the Thanagarians, raising an arm defensively.
The shadow flared.
A pillar of blue and black energy erupted in a silent burst, casting a cold, surreal glow over the chamber. From within the swirling mass stepped a figure—tall, imposing, draped in jet-black armor with veins of glowing blue coursing through its design. His eyes—two cold, burning sapphires—scanned the room.
Gasps echoed. Some screamed. Cameras zoomed in.
It was him.
The black knight who took down Doomsday with ease. The mysterious figure who appeared out of nowhere and disappeared as soon as the job was done.
The Justice League straightened, bodies rigid. Wonder Woman's hand slid toward her sword. Flash lowered into a sprint-ready stance. Even Martian Manhunter flinched.
The knight didn't move. He just stood, quietly, looming like a shadow brought to life.
Then, Superman stepped forward again, his voice softer now—curious.
"We didn't get a chance to thank you last time," he said. "I didn't expect to see you here… What should I call you?"
The knight tilted his head ever so slightly.
A moment passed.
Then, he spoke. The voice was low, calm, and edged with a faint, ghostly echo.
"On the orders of my king, you are to leave Earth immediately. Earth won't be part of your war."
The room fell into silence. All eyes, ambassadors, Justice League, Thanagarian soldiers, locked onto the black knight whose voice had just turned the air to ice. Hro Talak's expression twisted into one of disbelief and restrained fury.
"You didn't get the full message," Hro said, his voice sharp with indignation. "Earth has no choice. An army is already on its way, and only we can protect this planet."
The knight remained still. When he spoke, his voice echoed with a cold certainty that silenced even the whispers in the room.
"Your lies are seen through by the wisdom of my king. You want to build a teleportation device to attack the Gordanians' homeworld, sacrificing Earth in the process. By the order of my king, you have only two choices: go back and protect your home… or be exterminated here."
The chamber erupted into gasps and chaos. Even the Justice League members were taken aback. Superman's eyes narrowed, turning toward Hro Talak with suspicion. Wonder Woman stepped forward cautiously, her hand still on her sword.
Hro's expression darkened as their plan was revealed in front of the entire world. He stepped forward and raised his voice. "This king of yours is mistaken or a liar. We are here to help defend Earth!"
But before another word could leave anyone's mouth, the knight drew his sword in a single, fluid motion. The metallic whisper of the blade echoed like a death sentence.
"For my king's honor - your lives are forfeit." the knight said coldly.
As if summoned by his fury, shadows erupted across the ground, flaring like dark flames. Dozens of black knights rose in unison, each one clad in different armor, wielding a terrifying variety of weapons.
From behind the press podium, thunderous explosions erupted, the Thanagarian ships burst into flames, consumed from within.
Hro's eyes widened in horror, but he barely had a second to react. He reached for his weapon, but it was too late.
A blur of black and blue was upon him. Igris moved like lightning, a single slash cleaving through Hro Talak. The Thanagarian leader was severed in half before his soldiers could even process what had happened.
Hawkgirl screamed in anguish and rage, launching herself forward, but she didn't make it more than a few feet. Another knight intercepted her, blade slicing across her chest. She crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The Justice League immediately sprang into action, not to fight, but to save. Superman and Martian Manhunter flew through the chaos, evacuating diplomats and civilians. Flash zipped across the battlefield, pulling people from harm's way. Wonder Woman shielded them with her bracers, deflecting debris and stray blasts.
But the Thanagarians weren't so lucky.
Igris and his knights carved through their ranks with terrifying efficiency, cutting down warriors. The Thanagarians fought valiantly, but it was a one-sided massacre. Within minutes, the air stank of blood and fire. The Thanagarian presence was annihilated, save for a terrified handful who had managed to throw down their weapons.
Within their now-burning mothership, shadows crept like vipers. More soldiers emerged, spreading through the halls, eliminating any last resistance with silent, ruthless efficiency.
The battle was over almost as quickly as it had begun.
Superman returned, eyes scanning the carnage, his face grim. He landed before the black knight, who stood amid bodies and ashes like a statue.
"Who are you?" Superman asked, voice steady. "And who is your king?"
The knight turned to him, glowing blue eyes flaring beneath his helmet.
"Igris," he said. "A knight of the Shadow Monarch."
His gaze shifted to the remaining Thanagarians wounded, broken and terrified.
"Go back to your race," Igris declared. "Tell them Earth is off limits. If this happens again… we shall come to your home world and exterminate all of you."
There was no more warning. No more ceremonies.
One by one, the knights dissolved into ribbons of shadow and vanished, leaving only the echo of their presence and the smoking remains of an invasion that never got the chance to begin.