American comics: Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who worry about their fathers!.

Chapter 1040 Xiao Mo: A Little Shock to the Returning Raven Quartet
The next day.

Smallwell.

Raven, having returned from the world of Hogwarts, suddenly opened her signature amber eyes and looked around.

Although Voldemort has not been completely defeated, the group has destroyed almost all of his Horcruxes, leaving only one Horcrux unfinished. Raven is confident that Voldemort has no chance of turning the tables.

After several days of intense work at Hogwarts, Raven, feeling somewhat exhausted, decided to return to the farm with the other three to rest.

She hadn't seen her father in a long time and missed Peter.

After all, the father and daughter had never been separated for such a long time before.

Raven also brought Peter a gift from the world of Hogwarts.

She was imagining her father's expression when he saw the gift she had given him, but the next second, the outside world that came into her view made her freeze in shock.

The sky was filled with leaden-gray clouds, the air was murky and cold, and there was a choking smell of smoke and burnt plants. Every breath was a grainy, irritating sensation in the throat.

"Merlin's beard..."

Mark rubbed his eyes, looked up at the dome above him, his face filled with disbelief. "We...we've only been gone a few days, right? Has a nuclear world war broken out in our world? Has nuclear winter arrived?"

"Or perhaps there is a difference in the flow of time."

Loki narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat grave.

Tom didn't speak, but simply watched this world deprived of its light.

A strong sense of unease instantly gripped Raven's heart.

She felt as if something bad had happened.

"No, Dad, let's go back to the farm!"

Raven spoke urgently, transforming into a dark purple light that broke through the oppressive air and sped toward Patrick Farm.

Mark followed closely behind, creating a sonic boom.

Loki and Tom quickly followed.

Smallville, a small town.

The peaceful and tranquil scene of the past has vanished.

The streets were eerily empty, and the roadside lawns were withered and covered with a thick layer of gray ash.

Many houses had their doors and windows tightly closed, with curtains drawn, but many more had their doors and windows wide open, and you could even see signs of rough handling and damage inside.

The smell of burning and smoke in the air became even stronger.

Back at Padrick Farm, seeing the scene before her, Raven's heart sank to the bottom.

The familiar barn was half collapsed, its charred wooden beams jutting out towards the gray sky.

The living room door had been completely removed, revealing a mess inside with broken furniture and walls covered in suspicious dark stains and scratches.

Father was gone, Mo was gone, and Azukra and the others were nowhere to be found.

"father!"

Raven called out to Peter in a trembling voice.

But no one answered her calls; only the cold wind howled through the hall.

Mark, standing next to her, slammed his fist into the charred wall, leaving a clear fist mark, and gravel fell down in a flurry.

"Damn it! What on earth happened?!"

Loki, on the other hand, remained calm. He crouched down, picked up a pinch of ashes from the ground, and brought it to his nose to smell. "The living room wasn't just burned... there are remnants of dark magic, or evil things."

"Dark magic?"

Raven glanced at the ashes in Loki's hand, her expression turning unusually serious. "Go check other places, Kent Farm, or Chloe and Lana's place. Someone there must know what happened."

With heavy hearts, the four returned to Smallville.

The streets remained empty and desolate.

The group went from house to house, banging on the tightly closed doors and windows, calling out familiar names.

Their only response was a deathly silence, or a fleeting glimpse of fearful eyes through a gap in the curtains, which were then quickly pulled back.

Just as unease began to spread, Raven's keen senses detected an extremely faint scent coming from behind an inconspicuous hardware store on the street corner.

"This way!"

Raven gave a low shout and led the group around the back alley of the shop, which was filled with discarded tires and rusty iron pipes.

Behind a seemingly chaotic pile of old wooden planks and tarpaulins, she discovered an extremely well-hidden metal door, covered in a thick layer of dust, almost blending into the ground.

Just as Raven was about to step forward to investigate, the hidden door was suddenly pushed open a crack from the inside.

Suddenly, a hand shot out like lightning, grabbed Raven's wrist, and yanked her inside.

"Raven!"

Mark exclaimed in surprise and reacted swiftly, rushing into the hidden door.

Loki and Tom followed closely behind.

The hidden door closed quickly behind them with a dull thud.

The sudden darkness blinded everyone instantly. Then, a dim emergency light was turned on, its flickering light illuminating the small underground shelter.

The air was murky, a mixture of engine oil and dust.

Several simple cots were placed against the wall, and a few shivering children were curled up on them.

Canned goods, bottled water, and some medical supplies were piled up in the corner.

Standing in front of the four was Lana.

She was wearing somewhat worn-out clothes, her hair was messily pulled back, and her face showed signs of fatigue, but her eyes were unusually bright.

Standing next to Lana were Martha Kent and Jonathan Kent. Chloe leaned against a wooden crate full of odds and ends, her face pale and her arm wrapped in a blood-soaked bandage.

Not far away, Pat "Stars and Stripes"—Stargirl's stepfather, Barbara, and Mike (Stargirl's brother) and his family sat on a bench, watching Raven and her friends in surprise.

"Lana, Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent, Chloe, Mr. Pat?"

When Raven saw the familiar faces, her tense nerves relaxed slightly, but she was immediately gripped by the oppressive scene before her.

"I'm so glad you're all alright. What... what happened? What happened at the farm? Where's Dad?"

Raven excitedly asked the group.

Upon seeing Raven and the others, Lana stepped forward, took a deep breath, and grasped Raven's hand. "It's great that you're finally back."

"So...did a nuclear war really happen? Just like what happened in the Watchers world while we were away?"

Loki paused for a moment, then asked Lana.

"No, it's not nuclear war, it's vampires."

Lana, still shaken, told Raven and the others, "It's not like the ones in the movies, it's something much more terrifying. They... they broke out like a plague, they're incredibly fast, they're strong enough to overturn a car, and people who are bitten or scratched by them... they'll turn into them."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "After you left, first the farm had an incident. I heard that Mr. Peter, Persephone, Jane, Ciri, and Diana went fishing and went missing. Then there was a conflict on the farm, and we don't know what happened... Then, the disaster spread like wildfire... They came out in groups, even during the day, although they didn't seem to like bright light..."

She pointed overhead, "Where's the sunlight now?"

“The town’s sheriff… Officer Chandler, he organized resistance, with silverware, with fire… but it was no use, there were too many of them, and they were getting stronger.”

Lana seemed to remember something, and said in a trembling voice, "I...I was almost dragged away by one, but Aunt Niel saved me with a blowtorch..."

Lana thought of her aunt, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"To save me, two monsters pounced on her like shadows. She struggled, calling my name... and then..."

Lana paused for a moment, then, after composing herself, continued, "I watched as her eyes turned red, her skin turned deathly pale, and then she stopped struggling and became one of them!"

Pat, who was standing nearby, also came over and said to the group with a heavy expression, "Courtney was also arrested while trying to save us."

After hearing Lana and Pat's story, Raven and the others all fell silent.

After a moment, Raven looked up at Lana and asked, "Where's Azu? Where's Clark? Where are they?!"

She didn't quite believe that top fighters like Azu and Clark could be ambushed by vampires.

After all, the two of them had no problem dealing with the Parademons' army, let alone these filthy dark creatures.

Lana shook her head painfully, “I don’t know… I have absolutely no idea. Before the disaster, Azu and Clark seemed to have disappeared from the farm.”

She paused, as if recalling the bits and pieces of information she had heard, "However, I heard from those who were arrested and desperately escaped that many of those arrested were taken to Gotham."

Gotham?

Hearing Lana's words, Raven's feelings became complicated.

Is it Gotham again?
Could this incident have originated in Gotham?
"We have to get to Gotham immediately."

Mark said to Raven, "Rescue the people who have been captured and find Father."

"I'll go with you!"

Just as Raven was about to speak, a slightly hoarse voice came from the corner.

Raven and the others looked in the direction of the sound and saw a girl wearing a dark jacket, with messy hair and a mask on her face, standing up while leaning against the wall.

"Who are you?" Raven asked the girl, puzzled.

She didn't remember Smallwell being a person.

“I am the Oracle, from Gotham, and I am Batman’s sidekick.”

Barbara introduces herself.

"An oracle?" Raven exclaimed in surprise. "And it was Batman who stopped him?"

This was the first time she had ever heard of this name.

"And what about Batman now?"

Raven asked her suspiciously.

Barbara gave a wry smile and limped over; her left leg appeared to be injured.

“Batman is also missing now, and I can’t contact him, so I came to Patrick’s Farm. I know Mr. Patrick and I’m sure he can help find Batman. I’ve heard a lot about him. But when I came back, the town was attacked by vampires, and I ended up meeting Lana and the others.”

Her gaze swept over Raven and the others. "I know more than Lana. If you take me to Gotham, I can provide you with some information."

Hearing Barbara say this, Tom, who had been silent all along, asked her, "So what happened in Gotham?"

Barbara took a deep breath and said to everyone, "Gotham is now controlled by a vampire queen who calls herself the 'Rebellious Knight.' She has converted a large number of superhumans and criminals into a 'Vampire Council.'"

Her voice lowered, “Many superheroes have become her henchmen. Centered in Gotham, they are systematically eradicating sunlight and capturing humans as blood animals and conversion sources.”

Rebellious Knight?
Upon hearing a somewhat familiar name, Raven frowned.

Could this be someone I know?
A bad feeling rose in Raven's heart.

"It got even worse after that."

Barbara, unaware that Raven was speculating about the "Rebellious Knight's" identity, grew increasingly somber, "The Vampire King commanded the Firestorm... to burn down the forest, and it's this damned smoke!"

She pointed to the ceiling. "I think they want to bury our world with darkness."

"Then we must stop her!"

Mark's expression turned anxious. "We have to get to Gotham right now!"

"But your legs..."

Raven looked at Barbara.

"It's out of the way!"

Barbara gritted her teeth. "I can keep up, and I know Gotham better than you do."

Hearing Barbara say that, Raven and the others didn't refuse anymore.

"Be careful...make sure you come back safe and sound."

Before leaving, Martha hugged Raven, Mark, Tom, and Loki with tears in her eyes.

She practically watched Raven and the others grow up, and treated them like her own children.

The thought of what they might face in Gotham filled Martha with distress and worry.

After saying goodbye to Martha, the four of them, along with Barbara, quickly left the hidden basement and stepped back into Smallville Street, which was shrouded in thick smoke.

Barbara has difficulty walking, so Mark found a relatively intact pickup truck by the roadside. Although it was covered in dust and dents, the engine could still start.

"boarding!"

Mark got into the driver's seat, Raven sat in the passenger seat, and Loki, Tom, and Barbara squeezed into the back.

The pickup truck roared through the ashes and gravel as it sped out of Smallville and headed toward the interstate highway leading to Gotham.

The highway stretched ahead in the darkness.

During the drive, Barbara told the group what had happened at the farm.

Star-Lord and Hal were infected and became vampire accomplices; Azu's fate was unknown; Horus, Ceressa, Mordred Jr., Bomb, and Vi were teleported away by Batman.

She even recounted her encounter with the vixen in Gotham to Raven and the others.

After listening to Barbara's long narration, a tense atmosphere spread in the car as everyone digested the information they had just received and pondered the enemy they were about to face.

After half an hour.

Just as we entered Gotham, two flickering flames suddenly appeared in the middle of the road amidst the thick smoke ahead, blocking our way.

"Squeak!"

Mark slammed on the brakes, and the pickup truck slid a short distance across the ashes-covered road, screeching as it came to a stop.

Blocking the middle of the road were the wreckage of two cars that had collided.

The car body was severely deformed and burning fiercely, with orange-red flames crackling and popping, and billowing black smoke merging into the sky above.

The heatwave distorted the air, and a stench of gasoline and rubber filled the air, completely blocking the road.

"What happened? Was it a car accident?"

Barbara frowned, warily observing the smoke-filled surroundings.

"It doesn't seem like an accident."

Loki narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion flashing in them. "The car accident just happened to block the road, and..."

He pointed to the extent of the flames, "The fire is very intense, but the vehicle seems to have been burning for a while, it doesn't look like it was just hit."

Raven's senses spread out like invisible tentacles, trying to penetrate the interference of thick smoke and flames.

She sensed a faint, chilling malice, like a venomous snake lurking in the grass.

"There's an ambush!"

Raven's eyes sharpened instantly, and she hissed, "Everyone, be careful!"

"I'll go clear the road."

Mark unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the door, and got out of the car.

He stretched his neck, making a soft cracking sound.

Even if it were a vampire's ambush, he was confident he could take them down.

Feeling anxious and restless, unable to find his father and with his siblings' fates unknown, he was burning with rage and desperately wanted to fight.

"Mark, be careful."

Raven also got out of the car, and dark purple chaotic magic began to gather in her palm.

She glanced warily around at the billowing smoke and warned Mark.

Nodding, Mark strode toward the burning wreckage of the car.

Mark aimed at the chassis of the car that had been smashed and was now lying across the middle of the road, bent down, and grabbed the metal frame with both hands.

Just as Mark was about to use his arms to lift the heavy steel wreckage and flip it to the side of the road, something unexpected happened!
Beneath the car's chassis, a mass of "things" almost blended into the ashes and shadows suddenly sprang up.

The shadowy figure moved faster than the limits of visual perception, stretching out in mid-air in an instant.

A cobra shot towards Mark.

The deadly fangs, with a sharp whistling sound that seemed to pierce steel, stabbed straight at Mark's unsuspecting nape.

At the critical moment, Raven immediately unleashed the power of the Rubik's Cube, sending the cobra flying.

With a "bang," the cobra, which had been knocked to the ground, instantly twisted and deformed, transforming into human form.

Looking at the disgusting man whose body was as stiff as rubber, Raven frowned and demanded sharply, "Who are you?"

The man who had transformed from a cobra smiled at Raven and the others, "I'm the Plastic Man, guys. I must say, you guys reacted quite quickly. You truly are worthy of being an opponent that even the Vampire King is wary of."

The plastic figure, transformed by the vampire, stretched its wrists and spoke.

Plastic figures?
Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, Raven frowned even more deeply.

Where did this supervillain come from?
(The Plastic Man: Patrick O'Brien, originally a petty thief, was shot by a security guard during a robbery and was also unlucky enough to be hit on the head by a cylinder falling from the sky. An unknown acid from the cylinder flowed into his wound. Fortunately, a mysterious monk saved him and made him repent. However, the acid that entered his body gave him the ability to shapeshift at will, and ordinary weapons could not hurt him.)
"never mind."

Raven didn't have time to worry about where this guy came from; she cast a petrification spell, ready to finish him off.

Since the opponent can still move even after being hit by his magic, it means that his plastic can reduce the damage from the magic.

If ordinary magic is ineffective, then turn him into stone.

As she thought about it, Raven prepared to unleash the spell.

But just as she was about to finish off the disgusting plastic man, from the thick smoke overhead, accompanied by the cry of an eagle, a figure wreathed in eerie blue flames and another wielding enormous metal wings crashed down with a deafening roar.

Firestorm and Hawkgirl charged toward Raven.

At the same time, the ground exploded with a loud bang in the shadows of the charred tree stumps on both sides of the road.

A massive figure, as large as a small mountain, roared and charged out. Its entire body was covered in thick black fur, its muscles were bulging, and its fangs were exposed—Grud the gorilla had appeared!
After being transformed, Grud's power seemed even more terrifying. His enormous fist, carrying the force to crush everything, slammed into Mark, who had just regained his footing.

What made everyone's hearts stop was that a figure wearing a red cloak with an unusually conspicuous "S" on his chest appeared before them as if by teleportation.

Seeing the crimson, evil light in Clark's eyes, Loki couldn't help but curse.

"Fuck, even Superman has become a vampire!"

(End of this chapter)