Earth (DC Comics)
The planet had certainly seen better days. Oh, it wasn't perfect, but it had a vast array of heroes and heroines to fend off the worst of the threats. Then the Dark King of the Multiverse decided to make an example of it in an attempt to overawe his prospective vassals. Sues, Stus, and Author - Wraiths were sent to distract the world's defenders with romantic attatchments, while diabolical emmisaries gathered the most implacable enemies of humanity.
At the same time, the Plague division of the nascent Legion of the Multiverse Lords began putting together a concoction made of equal parts Magic and Science. A composite sickness made of several dozen viruses, it was not made to kill, but rather to incapacitate. It affected the populace gradually, causing them to grow more lax and unwary. To the Metahumans, it also made them more careless with their powers, leading to several "incidents".
But that wasn't the end of it. Knowing the DC Universe's vulnerability to reality warping, the Dark King of the Multiverse sponsored several attempts by fanfic authors to change what aspects of the Canon they did not like, especially for Shipping purposes. This caused additional Chaos, not helped by the sudden "Ukefication" of heroes like Superman and Batman.
Finally, the invasion was launched. The armies sent against Earth were well-armed, well-trained, and well-supplied, with the Dark King himself leading them. Darksied, the Anti-Monitor, Nekron, Krona, and the Manhunters all converged on the planet, making quick work of the remaining heroes and heroines, as well as villains that did not side with them.
Humanity was reduced to almost a shadow of its former glory, kept alive only to serve as an object lesson for those who would defy the Multiverse Lords. However, the Dark King's decision to leave would prove to be a boon for the planet, as it allowed agents of the New Multiverse Freedom League to infilitrate the populace, bringing hope and making new recruits.
Now, King Durran Illian made his forward base on the Justice League's Watchtower, now rebuilt and staffed with a new generation of heroes. The Guardians of the Universe accompanied him, along with recruits from what enemies of the Dark King remained.
And not just that, but on the training grounds of New Sirion, a new elite force had been amassed, one that could prove to be the NMFL's trump card: The Paladins. These men and women were the top students of the OFUs, able to write both goodfic and badfic. They were also well trained in the arts of war, able to mix them with the powers of plot-manipulation. The King spared no expense in outfitting them the best weapons and armour, hoping that they would one day prove themselves.
"The Apokolips Armada is made up of three classes of ships: The hoplessly corrupted, which have to be destroyed right away, the advanced, but untouched by malefic AI or Magic, and the ones in between, which can be cleansed at comaparatively little cost."
"Thank you, Agent Isaiah," said the King. "This information can make or break the chances of us profiting from this victory."
"I would have to warn against pressing our avantages too much," spoke General Mara. "Our forces are a ragtag bunch of desperate factions, except for the Elite Core. At present, our strategy lies on hitting fast, hitting hard, and using our smaller ships to outmaneuver their bulky hulks."
"And stealing what vessels and war materials won't corrupt us," said the King. "However, I have one last card to play, something more important than the Paladins."
"What would that be?" said the General curiously.
Suddenly, a portal opened. From there, a blue-skinned man with red eyes calmly walked out, before giving a short bow to the King and her. He then said: "My name is Mitth'raw'nuruodo, better known to your associates as Grand Admiral Thrawn. As part of the double game the Emperor is playing, I have been asked to command this fleet on its assault on Apokolips."