A Son of Apokolips

I was celebrating my fourth triumph when my grandfather, Lord Darkseid, Master of Masters and the rightful Emperor of All, offered me a boon.

The parade was fairly typical. First the holo projections of the planet from the reconnaissance footage taken before my arrival were pushed by the newly conquered slaves. Then came the holo displays of my boom tube opening in the middle of a town square. I stood alone surrounded by frightened people who quickly became enthralled under my power. The next display showed people gladly receiving my **** bands as others were hunted down by their own kind and brought before me to be enthralled. I was rather proud of the way the propagandists combined the footage of me fighting their mechas so seamlessly with the artist's imagifyings. They did a good job showing how their prince overcame the metal giants tend times my size and a hundred times my weight. Whether using sword or spell, I am confident in my ability to subdue those rare enemies who do not naturally want to surrender and submit to me. It was only after 2/3rd of the planet had been converted did I call in the parademons and **** knights to corral the last pockets of resistance. I did not want to, but mother insisted that I give uncle Kalibak something to do to keep me on his good side, not that his bad side scares me, but mother insists that he is useful.

The last holo displays showed the humanoids of Skaidon IV collared and fettered marching into boom tubes by the billions to be taken to their new lives in the work camps, breeding farms, pain gardens, and abusement parks of Lord Darkseid's realms.

After the holo displays showing their world came the people of Skaidon IV themselves marching naked but for their chains. The crowd booed and jeered as they threw garbage at the orange skinned humanoids. Between groups of lovely youths and nubiles that represented the creme of my spoils were wagons heaped with artifacts and treasures. Though some of the choicer items would be saved, the bulk of the conquered world's cultural artifacts would be incinerated in the The Fire of Apokolips.

Then and only then did the crowd gaze upon me in full war regalia. Traditionally the truimphitor was expected to ride in a sky chariot pulled by four winged hell hounds, but since I could fly, I decided to forego any kind of vehicle simply float above the crowd with the royal family of the defeated world walking below me on leashes that rose into the sky from their necks to my hand.

Behind my in a royal pavilion rode my mother, brother, sisters, nieces and nephews. The crowd got to watch as the scions of Lord Darkseid indulged themselves with the prettiest playthings to be produced from the eugenics camps.

Then came Uncle Kalibak with his parademons and a company of the Imperial Guard. It was a small ****. A much, much smaller **** than what was usually sent to conquer a planet with the kind of magical and technological defenses as Skaidon IV. But most planets do not require an army to subjugate when someone like me shows up. Between my natural ability for sorcery, my supernal physiology, and my gift for psionics, I have yet to meet a planet I could not subjugate solo. The truth is that most people want to belong to someone. I have a talent for making them feel like that person should be me. There are always some who resist, but I have yet to meet a **** that could stop me.

At the end of the parade route I descended from the skies of Apokolips and knelt before my grandfather. "All glory to you, Lord Darkseid. The rebels of Skaidon IV have been subdued." Since all worlds rightfully belong to Darkseid, worlds are never conquered, simply reminded of who owned them all along. "Its people once again prepare to work for your glory. Its materials to be put to use for your divine will."

"Rise." Darkseid said. I stood and looked him in the burning pits that are his eyes. "Four planets in two years. Not since Kal'El flew in the vanguard of my armies have so many worlds fallen so quickly. You bring honor to your blood and pride to your name." Darkseid and I strolled to where the queen and princesses of Skaidon IV waited for us. The Royal women were attired in Barsoomian fashions. The women looked so small with grandfather towering over them, his stint fingers caressing his evenings entertainments and the mothers of my future aunts and uncles. "You have done well my child. One who has done so much before even turning twenty deserves a reward. What boon would you ask of Darkseid?"

I was totally taken aback. The god of gods does not give out favors like candy. I had cousins who were over a thousand years old who waited centuries for the chance to eat literal scraps from His table, and he was offering to grant me anything within the power of an all powerful being.

I knew that I had to be careful. This was a test. Darkseid wanted to see what I would do with this once in an eon opportunity. I could easily be punished for asking for something wasteful or displeasing. "Lord. You honor me beyond all measure. I wish your leave to find my father."

There was a long pause. The lights of Darkseid's eyes flared as a smile broke across his face. "An excellent idea my boy. Being half Earther, your presence and actions will not violate our treat obligations. Go forth and learn to know your father's people. Find your sire and show him how his blood is an extension of The Will of Darkseid."