Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

[The big 5-0, its been fun writing this book glad I actually reached this far in such a short time. READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END. VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!]

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Darius stood in the center of his lush garden, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. The heroes who had been gathered around the world now appeared around him, slightly disoriented by the sudden teleportation.

The garden was vast, almost otherworldly in its beauty, with vibrant plants that seemed to pulse with life and streams that shimmered with an ethereal glow.

The tranquil setting was a stark contrast to the tension in the air as the heroes exchanged wary glances.

Darius took a moment to observe the group—these were some of the most powerful beings from across the Marvel and DC universe, each with their own unique abilities and histories.

Some, like Superman and Wonder Woman, stood tall and confident, while others, like Batman and Doctor Strange, observed their surroundings with a mix of curiosity and caution.

Harmony, always one for grand entrances, was already flitting around the garden, greeting each hero with her dazzling charm. She had dressed in an elegant gown that shimmered like stardust, her presence both enchanting and slightly overwhelming.

"Welcome," Darius said, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "I'm sure you all have questions, but let me first explain why you're here."

The heroes turned their attention to him, some folding their arms, others simply waiting with stoic expressions.

"As you've probably gathered from the announcement, a tournament is coming—one that will decide the fate of your universe," Darius began, pacing slowly around the group.

"This isn't just a simple contest of strength or skill. It's a test—a test of your will, your resolve, and your unity."

"Unity?" Batman spoke up, his voice gruff. "You're saying we have to work together?"

Darius stopped and looked directly at him. "Yes, Batman. And not just with those you're familiar with. You'll need to form alliances that might seem impossible, even unthinkable."

"Why should we trust you?" Wonder Woman asked, her tone firm but not unkind. "We know nothing about you or your motives."

"Because I have no interest in lying," Darius replied smoothly. "I'm not here to deceive you. My role is to oversee, to judge. What's at stake is more than just your world—entire universes could be erased from existence. My father, Eternus, has grown tired of the endless cycle of conflict and imbalance(Mostly your sister's fault).

This tournament is his way of restoring order(Not really). And trust me, you want to be on his good side."

Superman narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what's your stake in all this?"

Darius smiled faintly. "Let's just say, I've been around long enough to know when things need to be set right. I've seen civilizations rise and fall, and I've learned that sometimes, a little push is needed to ensure the survival of what's worth saving."

The Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, took a step forward, his mystical aura palpable. "You mentioned alliances. Does that mean we'll be pitted against our own allies, our own friends?"

"In some cases, yes," Darius nodded. "This tournament isn't about good versus evil. It's about strength, strategy, and, most importantly, understanding. Understanding that sometimes, the greatest challenges come from within."

The group fell silent, processing the weight of his words. Harmony, sensing the mood, decided to lighten it slightly.

"Enough with the gloom and doom, Darius. Why don't you show them what they're up against?"

Darius chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You're right, sister. I think a demonstration is in order." He turned back to the heroes, his posture relaxed but his presence commanding.

"How about this—we'll have a little match right here. All of you… against me."

The heroes exchanged surprised looks. "You want all of us to fight you?" Aquaman asked, his tone incredulous.

"Yes," Darius replied simply. "Consider it a warm-up. A chance to see where you all stand."

"Are you sure about this?" Jean Grey asked, her voice tinged with concern. "We don't even know the extent of your abilities."

"That's the point," Darius said, his smile widening. "You'll learn. And so will I."

Harmony clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, this is going to be fun! But don't go too hard on them, Darius. They're not like us."

"I'll try to be gentle," Darius replied, though his tone suggested otherwise.

The heroes began to spread out, each preparing for what was sure to be an intense battle. Batman adjusted his gauntlets, Wonder Woman drew her sword, and Superman floated slightly off the ground, his eyes glowing with anticipation. 

"Ready?" Darius asked, his voice carrying a playful edge.

"Bring it on," Wolverine growled, his claws extending with a metallic *snikt*.

Darius grinned, then, in a flash, his demeanor shifted from playful to deadly serious. "Let's see what you've got."

With a simple wave of his hand, the serene garden morphed into a colossal arena. The ground beneath the heroes' feet shifted to polished stone, the trees and flowers replaced by towering columns and vast, open spaces.

The sky above darkened, stars twinkling in a cosmic dance as the atmosphere became charged with energy.

Harmony, ever the enthusiastic sibling, floated to the sidelines, now donning a shimmering cheerleader outfit. She twirled a cosmic pom-pom in each hand, her voice filled with glee. "Go Darius! Show them what you've got, but don't break them too much!"

Darius chuckled at her antics, then turned his attention to the gathered heroes, who were preparing themselves for the battle to come. "You all have power, skill, and experience," he said, his voice echoing through the arena.

"But remember, I'm not just an opponent—I am the challenge you must overcome."

With that, the battle began.

Superman was the first to charge, moving at a speed that blurred his form. He aimed a powerful punch straight at Darius' jaw, his fist crackling with the force of his Kryptonian strength. But Darius, with reflexes far beyond mortal comprehension, sidestepped the attack effortlessly.

Superman's fist struck the air where Darius had been a millisecond before, creating a shockwave that cracked the stone floor.

Before Superman could recover, Darius grabbed him by the arm and, with a flick of his wrist, hurled him across the arena like a ragdoll. Superman crashed into a column, the impact shattering the stone and sending debris flying.

He groaned, shaking his head to clear the daze, realizing just how outmatched he was.

But there was no time to dwell on it, as Wonder Woman and Aquaman charged in unison. Diana's sword gleamed with the light of truth as she swung it at Darius, while Aquaman followed with a thrust of his trident, aiming for Darius' midsection.

Darius raised his hand, and the air around him seemed to warp. Wonder Woman's sword met an invisible barrier, the force of her swing reverberating back through her arm.

Aquaman's trident struck the same barrier, sending sparks flying as the two weapons clashed against Darius' unseen defense.

With a wave of his hand, Darius dispelled the barrier, causing Wonder Woman and Aquaman to stumble forward. He stepped in, catching Diana's wrist and twisting it, disarming her with a deft motion.

At the same time, he kicked Aquaman's trident out of his grip, sending it spinning across the arena.

"Not bad," Darius remarked, his tone almost casual as he delivered a powerful kick to Aquaman's chest, sending him skidding across the ground. Wonder Woman tried to retaliate, but Darius caught her punch with one hand, holding her in place as he leaned in. "But you'll need to do better."

With a burst of speed, he spun and flung Wonder Woman into the air, sending her hurtling toward the far end of the arena.

She managed to catch herself mid-air, using her lasso to swing back toward the fight, but by then, Darius had already shifted his attention to the next wave of attackers.

Thor came crashing down with Mjolnir, the enchanted hammer crackling with the power of lightning. Darius didn't move, allowing the hammer to strike his outstretched hand. The impact was thunderous, the ground beneath them buckling from the force. But to Thor's shock, Darius remained unmoved, his hand holding Mjolnir in place.

"Impressive weapon," Darius mused, feeling the energy surging through the hammer. "But it's not enough."

With a flick of his wrist, he sent Thor flying backward, Mjolnir slipping from his grasp. The God of Thunder crashed into the arena's wall, the impact causing it to tremble.

Darius casually tossed Mjolnir to the side, the hammer landing with a heavy thud as he turned to face the next hero.

Doctor Strange unleashed a torrent of mystical energy, conjuring intricate sigils and barriers in rapid succession. The Sorcerer Supreme aimed to trap Darius in a web of arcane power, binding him with chains forged from pure magic.

But Darius simply smiled, raising an eyebrow at the display.

"You're talented, Strange," Darius acknowledged as he stepped through the magical chains, shattering them with ease. "But I've seen spells that could unmake realities. This is child's play."

Strange's eyes widened as Darius closed the distance in an instant, his hand glowing with raw, primordial energy. Before Strange could react, Darius placed a hand on his chest, sending a pulse of energy through his body.

Strange was thrown back, his mystical defenses shattering like glass as he crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Batman had been observing from the shadows, analyzing every move, every weakness. He knew brute force wouldn't work, so he relied on strategy.

Using his gadgets, he deployed smoke bombs and EMPs, aiming to disorient Darius and create an opening.

The arena was suddenly engulfed in darkness, the smoke swirling around as the EMPs disrupted the air. For a moment, the heroes thought they had gained the upper hand. But then, from within the smoke, Darius' voice echoed, calm and amused.

"Clever, but futile."

With a snap of his fingers, the smoke dissipated, the EMPs rendered useless. Batman, still hidden in the shadows, felt a sudden, overwhelming presence behind him.

He turned, but it was too late—Darius was already there, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground.

"You can't hide from me, Batman," Darius said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "No amount of gadgets or strategy will save you from raw power."

With that, he tossed Batman across the arena, the Dark Knight's form skidding to a halt next to the other heroes who were struggling to rise.

The Flash zipped around the arena at near-light speed, hoping to catch Darius off guard with his incredible velocity. But every time he attempted a strike, Darius would simply sidestep, almost as if he could predict every move before it happened.

Frustrated, Barry Allen pushed himself to his limits, but it was no use. Darius finally caught him mid-run, holding him by the arm as time seemed to slow down around them.

"Speed is impressive," Darius commented, his voice calm in the slowed-down world. "But even speed has its limits."

He released the Flash, sending him careening into the ground at the edge of the arena, his momentum causing him to tumble violently before coming to a stop.

Hulk charged in next, his roar echoing across the arena as he unleashed his unbridled fury. He swung his massive fists at Darius, each blow capable of leveling mountains. But Darius stood his ground, catching each punch with ease. The force of the blows sent shockwaves through the arena, but Darius didn't flinch.

"Is this your best, Banner?" Darius asked, almost sounding bored. "You'll have to do better than that."

With a single, mighty push, Darius sent the Hulk flying backward, the green giant smashing through several columns before crashing into the ground, dazed but not defeated.

Jean Grey and Scarlet Witch combined their powers, launching a devastating mental and magical assault on Darius. Jean tried to enter his mind, while Wanda unleashed chaotic energy that twisted reality itself. The air crackled with power as they poured everything they had into the attack.

Darius closed his eyes, feeling the mental pressure from Jean's telepathy. For a moment, there was silence, then Darius opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the mental fog Jean had created.

"You have no idea what you're dealing with," he said, his voice resonating within her mind.

With a simple thought, he pushed Jean out of his mind, the psychic backlash sending her reeling. Wanda's magic collided with Darius' own, but instead of overpowering him, it was absorbed, the chaotic energy dissolving into nothing as it reached him.

"Chaos magic is powerful, but it's still bound by rules," Darius said, stepping forward as Wanda tried to regain control of her spell. "And I am beyond those rules."

He flicked his wrist, and the combined energy of their assault was reflected back at them, sending Jean and Wanda tumbling backward, their strength sapped by the overwhelming force.

The arena fell silent as the heroes, bruised and battered, struggled to rise. Darius stood in the center, barely winded, his expression one of calm authority.

Harmony, ever the cheerleader, couldn't help but giggle as she waved her pom-poms. "You all did great! But Darius, you might've gone a bit too hard on them."

Darius looked at his sister and shrugged. "They needed to see what they're up against. This is only the beginning. The real challenge is yet to come."

The heroes, realizing just how outmatched they were, began to understand the gravity of the situation. But in their eyes, there was also a spark—a determination to rise to the occasion, to become stronger, and to prove themselves in the face of the overwhelming power that Darius represented.

"Well," Darius said, offering a hand to Superman who was still recovering from the earlier throw. "You've all got potential. But remember, this was just a warm-up."

"This is where the battle begins"

...

The bruised and battered heroes began to rise from the ground, a sense of determination washed over them. They exchanged glances, an unspoken agreement forming between them. This time, they would fight together, combining their strengths to bring down Darius, no matter the cost. 

Superman wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes steely with resolve. "We need to work together," he said, his voice firm. "We hit him with everything we've got—no holding back."

The others nodded in agreement. Wonder Woman tightened her grip on her sword, Thor summoned Mjolnir back to his hand, and Hulk pounded his fists together, his green skin rippling with rage.

Even Batman, ever the strategist, prepared to join the fray once more, his mind racing with calculations and tactics.

Darius watched them with a calm, almost amused expression, his arms crossed as he waited for them to make their move. "That's more like it," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Let's see what you've got."

The fight began anew, and this time, it was a maelstrom of violence and power. 

Superman and Thor launched a combined assault, Thor swinging Mjolnir with all his might while Superman unleashed his heat vision in a blazing torrent of energy.

The sheer force of their attack shook the arena, the ground beneath them cracking and splintering under the pressure. 

Darius deflected the hammer with a casual swipe of his hand, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. The heat vision struck his chest, but he absorbed it effortlessly, the energy dispersing harmlessly against his skin.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent Superman crashing into Thor, the two heroes tumbling across the ground in a tangled heap.

"You're relying too much on brute force," Darius said, his voice carrying over the din of battle. "Superman, focus your heat vision on weak points—aim for the joints or eyes, places where armor is thinnest. Thor, use Mjolnir to create distractions, then strike when your opponent is off-balance."

Before they could recover, Aquaman and Wonder Woman charged in. Aquaman thrust his trident at Darius' chest, while Wonder Woman swung her sword in a deadly arc.

Darius caught the trident with one hand, twisting it out of Aquaman's grasp and using it to block Wonder Woman's strike. The impact sent a jolt of energy through the trident, causing Aquaman to wince in pain as he was thrown backward.

"Use your environment, Aquaman," Darius advised, his tone almost fatherly. "Your trident is powerful, but you're too predictable. Wonder Woman, your sword is a fine weapon, but you need to be quicker—strike and move, don't stay in one place."

Batman, ever resourceful, tried a different approach. He fired a series of explosive Batarangs at Darius, hoping to disorient him and create an opening.

The explosions detonated around Darius, shrouding him in smoke and fire. But when the smoke cleared, Darius stood unharmed, a wry smile on his lips.

"You're clever, Bruce," Darius said, "but you need to think bigger. Use your gadgets in combination with your environment—create traps, force your opponent into a disadvantageous position."

Before Batman could react, Darius closed the distance between them in an instant, delivering a brutal punch to Batman's chest. The force of the blow shattered ribs and sent Batman flying backward, blood spraying from his mouth as he crashed to the ground.

"Focus on your armor's weak points," Darius continued, "and don't underestimate the power of improvisation."

Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange unleashed their combined magical might, their spells intertwining in a kaleidoscope of colors and energy. Wanda's chaos magic warped reality itself, while Strange's sorcery created shields and barriers to protect them from Darius' counterattacks. 

But Darius simply walked through their defenses, his body glowing with a faint aura that nullified their magic. With a flick of his fingers, he reversed their spells, sending the chaotic energy spiraling back at them.

Wanda screamed as her own magic tore at her, blood spilling from her eyes and mouth as she struggled to contain the backlash.

"You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment, Wanda," Darius said, his voice cutting through her pain. "Control the chaos, don't let it control you. Strange, your spells are too rigid—magic is fluid, adaptive. Learn to bend it to your will, not the other way around."

The Flash rejoined the fight, his body vibrating with speed as he moved faster than the eye could see. He darted around Darius, delivering rapid punches and kicks in a blur of motion.

But each strike was met with a counter from Darius, who moved with impossible speed, his blows landing with bone-shattering force. 

Finally, Darius caught the Flash by the neck, lifting him off the ground. The speedster gasped for breath, blood trickling from his nose and mouth as Darius squeezed tighter.

"Speed is your greatest asset, Barry," Darius said, his voice cold and unforgiving. "But you're relying on it too much. Use your surroundings, create obstacles, force your opponent to slow down."

With a final, crushing squeeze, Darius hurled the Flash into the ground, his body bouncing off the stone floor before coming to a stop, broken and bleeding.

Hulk roared in fury, his muscles bulging as he charged at Darius with all his might. His fists came down like sledgehammers, the ground cracking and buckling under the force of his blows.

But Darius caught each punch with ease, his strength unmatched even by the green behemoth.

"Hulk smash!" the giant bellowed, spittle flying from his mouth as he tried to overpower Darius.

But Darius only smirked. "You're all rage, Banner. Channel it—don't let it control you."

With that, Darius delivered a brutal knee strike to Hulk's gut, the impact causing the giant to double over in pain. Darius followed up with a vicious uppercut, lifting Hulk off the ground and sending him crashing into the ceiling of the arena.

The force of the blow shattered the stone above, causing chunks of debris to rain down on the battlefield.

Jean , having recovered from the earlier assault, attempted to enter Darius' mind again. Her psychic tendrils reached out, probing at his defenses, but Darius' mind was like an impenetrable fortress.

He swatted her mental presence away with ease, causing her to scream in agony as the backlash ripped through her psyche.

"You have potential, Jean," Darius said, his voice cutting through her pain. "But your power is wild, uncontrolled. You need to focus, to refine it—otherwise, it will destroy you."

Black Panther and Captain America charged in next, their movements perfectly coordinated. T'Challa's vibranium claws slashed at Darius, while Steve's shield struck from the other side.

But Darius caught the shield with one hand and blocked T'Challa's claws with the other, the force of the clash sending a shockwave through the arena.

"Your teamwork is impressive," Darius remarked, "but you need to be unpredictable. Don't just attack—adapt, change your tactics on the fly."

He flung the shield back at Captain America with such force that it knocked the wind out of him, sending him sprawling to the ground. T'Challa tried to recover, but Darius caught him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

"Vibranium is strong," Darius said, "but it's not invincible."

With a single, brutal squeeze, he crushed T'Challa's throat, the vibranium suit cracking under the pressure. Blood spilled from T'Challa's mouth as Darius tossed him aside like a ragdoll, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter attempted to strike from the sky, their combined powers raining down on Darius like a storm. Lantern's constructs and Manhunter's telepathy worked in tandem, each attack aimed at overwhelming Darius with sheer force.

But Darius merely shrugged off their assault, his body glowing with an inner light that repelled their attacks. With a wave of his hand, he shattered Lantern's constructs, the green energy dissipating into nothingness.

Manhunter's telepathy was met with an impenetrable wall of mental fortitude, his psychic powers rendered useless.

"You're thinking too linearly, Lantern," Darius said, his voice calm as he dodged another barrage of energy blasts. "Your constructs should be an extension of your imagination, not just weapons. J'onn, your telepathy is strong, but you're not using it to its full potential—think outside the box."

With a surge of power, Darius sent a wave of energy crashing into the two heroes, the force of it sending them spiraling out of control.

Lantern's ring flickered as he struggled to maintain his constructs, while Manhunter clutched his head in pain, the psychic backlash overwhelming his senses.

As the heroes regrouped, battered and bloodied, they realized the full extent of Darius' power. He was toying with them, using the fight as a teaching moment, but the lessons were delivered with brutal efficiency.

They were outmatched in every way, their strengths exploited, their weaknesses laid bare.

And yet, despite the overwhelming odds, they refused to give up. With renewed determination, they launched one final assault, each hero giving everything they had.

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[A/N Ola, as you have noticed Marvel has significantly less heroes in action than DC. That's because most of em are still not powered yet or become open heroes.

The tournament will give Tony a reason to build the Iron man suit and arc reactor. Peter Parker will also become more active. Other superhumans will come to light like the Inhumans both on the moon and on earth. Some other DC characters will also come.]