We join the fight already in progress. Batman, Superman, and Big Barda are battling it out with Apokolipsian Parademons. Barda calls out her body count and asks if the people on earth don't make it a friendly competition.
- Batman: [more sullen than usual] No.
Superman handily wins with a whopping 59 Parademons taken out. The heroes then put their heads together on what the creatures were doing here. They think a single battalion this small is too insignificant to herald Darkseid himself. A shadow moves near the ceiling and Superman zips over to catch it. It turns out to be Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid's minions. He comments about how pleased he is to see Superman looking powerful, then opens a boom tube behind the Man of Steel and leaps in after him.
Batman and Barda, left behind, have no idea where they've gone, so they Boom tube to Apokolips to find out what Steppenwolf was planning. Now on Apokolips, Batman decides to compete with Barda over the body count. He takes out a demon dog and a Parademon.
On another world, Superman is prepared for whatever Steppenwolf has to throw at him... Or so he thinks until the blast hurts. Steppenwolf gloats that they're on a red sun world, and as such, Superman will soon exhaust his body's reserves of yellow sun energy and leave him powerless, so Steppenwolf can kill him and become legend as the one who killed Superman.
The hunt is on but it's not as easy as Steppenwolf thinks. Kal-El is still in excellent physical condition, and is at least somewhat prepared for handling a rugged terrain without his powers. He swings from vines and otherwise handles the environment like a fun challenge.
- Superman: Pa was right. 'Once a scout, always a scout'.
Batman and Barda discover a number of red sun worlds, making clear Steppenwolf's plan, but they still don't know which one Steppenwolf ultimately chose. Before they can discuss it, Vundebar shows up. They can't touch him, though due to his kinetic forcefield. Barda beating on it just redirects her blows back to her. Batman whispers a suggestion to her. Vundebar is offended they would whisper rudely in front of him but he soon finds out what they were talking about. Barda shoves a heavy rock to sit on top of the forcefield. Batman points out that he doubts the field will hold up long under pressure. Vundebar, terrified of being squished, immediately agrees to tell them what they want to know. Batman tries to claim this is 3 for him but Barda refuses and claims Vundebar because she did all the heavy lifting.
Steppenwolf tries to catch Superman but a booby trap triggers and drops a boulder between them. As Superman climbs out of the crevasse to the surface, Steppenwolf sends an explosive drone and sets it off. Superman barely outruns the explosion and dives off the mountain onto his pursuer. His flight equipment isn't built for two, so they crash hard, Superman hitting the ground and Steppenwolf landing in the water.
Superman tries to face Steppenwolf, but injured himself badly in the fall and cannot stand. Steppenwolf looms closer, ready to claim his victory. But Superman tosses a short circuiting piece of electrified tech into the water, shocking Steppenwolf unconscious. After securing his enemy and the two attendant Parademons, Superman has fashioned a crutch and used his cape to wrap his leg.
A Boom tube arrives with Batman and Barda, who explain how they found him. Superman confesses he's glad to see them as he had no idea how to get home and has a broken leg.
- Batman: Hurts, doesn't it?Superman: It really does.
Barda and Batman indicate they got 2 each. Superman says he got 3. Barda laments that he's been half a day without his powers and still managed to beat them.
- Superman: That's why they call me Superman.
This episode contains examples of:
- Brought Down to Badass: Even without his powers, Superman is able to operate effectively using his wits and Boy Scout survival skills.
- Dirty Coward: Vundebar caves immediately when faced with a threat that will soon get through his forcefield.
