Crisis on Infinite Earths (Event)


 * For the crossover event, see Crisis on Infinite Earths.

"Worlds will live. Worlds will die. And the universe will never be the same."

- Psycho Pirate's prophecy

Crisis on Infinite Earths, also known as the World Wide Crisis and Crisis on Infinite Worlds, often shortened as the Crisis, is a multiversal apocalyptic event that destroyed every single universe in the Original Multiverse and killing countless people, leaving only the seven Paragons to survive.

Oliver Queen eventually became the Spectre, recreating Multiverse with multiple changes on Earth-Prime, the main universe in the New Multiverse with elements of Earth-1, Earth-38 and an undesignated universe combined together.

In the original timeline, the Crisis took place on April 25, 2024 and was erased when Nora West-Allen's presence in 2019, combined with Eobard Thawne's alterations, destroyed Cicada's lightning dagger.

In an erased timeline, the Crisis did not result in the destruction of the Multiverse, with Oliver Queen being one of the casualties and buried outside of the Queen Mansion. Felicity Smoak from 2040 of that timeline later left to the Arfterlife, greeting her husband's prime timeline version and staying with him forever.

The Monitor's Origins
"I'm sorry, my love. My towering ambition has doomed us all."

- Mar Novu to Xneen

10,000 years ago on Maltus, Mar Novu and Xneen started their experiments on time travel. Novu then travelled to the Big Bang, witnessing the birth of the universe. However, he travelled to the Antimatter Universe, creating his Antimatter counterpart and realizing his mistake. Over the course of thousands of years, Novu learnt about the Crisis and started preparing individuals for the upcoming cataclysmic event. Later, Novu acquired the Book of Destiny, bestowing the power of reality warping to certain individuals in order to test the heroes of respective universes with Elseworlds.

Elseworlds
"I'm testing universes to find one. I hope stand strong enough against him."

- The Monitor

In 2018, Novu completed his unsuccessful test on Earth-90 and nearly annihilated the entire universe, leaving The Flash as its only survivor and allowed his escape. Novu then travelled to Earth-1, bestowing the Book of Destiny to Dr. John Deegan. However, the heroes were able to steal the Book of Destiny, which impressed Novu. Novu then returned the book to Deegan, ordering him to think bigger. Despite Deegan's effort, the heroes were able to defeat him and revert the reality, with Oliver Queen entering Novu's realm and confronting him. Novu was impressed and respected the heroes, making a deal with Queen and altered the destinies of both Barry Allen and Kara Zor-El. As a part of the bargain, Queen promised to assist Novu in time of the Crisis.

Prophecy of The Flash
In May 2019, Barry Allen, with the help of his future daughter and the manipulation of Eobard Thawne, destroyed Cicada's dagger. This action caused multiple changes to the timeline and moved the Crisis from 2024 to 2019. As a result, Novu was required to speed up his preparation process, recruiting Oliver Queen to his mission mere months after they bargained. Novu also looked into the future, revealing to Oliver that his death is imminent. He then destroyed the Time Vault's plinth, preventing Team Flash to discover the timeline changing the date of the Crisis.

Four months later, Novu returned and informed Barry Allen about his prophecy to die during the Crisis, confirming the news article headline he has been seeing for 6 years. Barry then proceed to tell the news to his team, preparing them for his death and how they should move on while fighting Bloodwork.

Oliver Queen's Missions
With Oliver Queen under his orders, Novu sent him to Earth-2 in order to retrieve the Dwarf Star particles. However, they faced setbacks by Tommy Merlyn as he attempted to destroy the Glades with the particles. Despite the successful retrieval, the tampering of Earth-2's fate led to its total annihilation, killing billions in the process.

Disappointed by Oliver's judgement, Novu still sent the trio to Hong Kong and tasked them to search for Dr. Robert Wong. However, Oliver did not trust Novu and sent Wong to A.R.G.U.S., who was led by Lyla Michaels, a long-term ally of Novu.

Novu was not worried about Oliver's possible of defying him and rewarded his determination by sending his kids and Connor Hawke to the present. Novu then continued his tests and offered to restore Earth-2 in exchange for Laure Lance's betrayal of Oliver Queen. However, she refused the offer, passing her test. In reward, Novu created a dreamworld for her to say goodbye to Quentin Lance and to teach Oliver that he could not alter his fate.

Once they broke out of the dream, Novu sent them to Lian Yu where they built a device which can only be activated by Lyla Michaels. With her touching the device, she teleported away and returned as Harbinger while the skies turned crimson red.

Martian Manhunter's Test
Concurrent to Oliver's tasks, Novu released Malefic J'onzz from the Phantom Zone and resurrected Lex Luthor. With Luthor by his side, they monitored J'onn J'onzz's reaction to Malefic and how he overcame his test. With J'onn now forgave from his past, he befriended his long-lost brother and was approached by Novu, who informed him that he was ready for the Crisis.

Nash Wells' Mistake
On December 9, 2019, Central City was attacked by the Blood Brothers with Nash Wells trapped in his worksite investigating the carvings of the Paragons. He was then attacked by multiple victims of Bloodwork before Allegra Garcia spread a cure across the city, restoring the minds of countless people and prevented Nash's death.

"I'm simply a man serving his penance. Penance for what? I've freed the Anti-Monitor from his confinement only to become a...Pariah. Sentenced to bear witness to his actions."

- Pariah and Superman

At 11:58 pm, Nash was told by a voice similar to Mar Novu that he would reveal the "truth" in exchange for his help to stop the Crisis. Nash was convinced that he should not kill "The Monitor" as he has longed to discover the truth. He then asked the voice to show him, with it responding that he already has the "knowledge". As he entered a code using the carvings, the rock door opened with a bright ray of light, forcing Nash to enter the realm and slamming shut once more. Unfortunately, the voice was in fact not Mar Novu, but rather the Anti-Monitor. Nash was then transformed into Pariah and forced to witness tragedies all across the Multiverse when the Crisis attacks respective universes.

Death and Destruction
On December 10, 2019, all universes in the Multiverse were starting to be erased by Antimatter one by one, causing crimson red skies to happen on their respective Earths. Harbinger then started recruiting the champions of Earth-1, bringing Oliver Queen and Mia Smoak from Lian Yu, The Flash, who was patrolling Central City and asking Cisco Ramon if the phenomenon was worldwide, Batwoman, who was questioning a member of the Wonderland Gang, with Sara Lance and Ray Palmer from Star City to Earth-38.

"Whatever it is, it is hurtling through space at an impossible speed. I calculate it will reach the edge of the universe in exactly 5.3 hours, at which point, it will boomerang back. Once it intersects again with our solar system, the results will be, in a word, cataclysmic...If this wave isn't stopped by tomorrow night...there will be no more "us". No more future. No more anything."

- Querl Dox

Meanwhile, Earth-38 was experiencing quakes from beyond the planet and animals living were frightened. The Superfriends then worked extensively to calm the people of their home planet. Querl Dox later discovered a wave of Antimatter approaching Argo City and established a communication link to let Supergirl warn them. However, it was too late as the Antimatter wave destroys the final Kryptonian foundation as Superman's son gets sent to Earth-16 through a wormhole. Fortunately, Superman and Lois were rescued by Harbinger, bringing them alongside the champions of Earth-1 to the D.E.O. National City Headquarters.

Evacuation of Earth-38
"We might lose the planet, but we can still save the people!"

- Supergirl

With the required heroes on Earth-38, they discussed their next moves to stop the Antimatter wave. They were then interrupted by the sudden construction of the Quantum Towers, which caused the vanishing of the crimson skies. The Legends and Barry then arrived, stopping the remaining heroes from destroying their only possible way of surviving. However, the towers were only able to slow down the wave instead of stopping it once and for all.

Lyla informed of everyone of the Crisis, coordinating a plan as Ray and Brainy theorizes about the functions of the Quantum Towers. The latter then brought Sara and Lois to Earth-16 in hope of finding baby Jonathan Kent. The heroes on Earth-38 soon coordinated with the President and started recruiting alien spacecrafts for the evacuation, with Alex asking for Lena's assistance to create a Transmatter Portal for travelling to Earth-1.

While everyone else were on their respective tasks, The Flash, Supergirl, Superman, The Atom, Green Arrow and Blackstar went to the Quantum Towers to guard them from being attacked. As they expected, an army of Shadow Demons attacked the heroes and they were able to disintegrate them easily.

"Everything we know, everything there is, and everything there ever was, is doomed."

- Pariah

With a plan prepared, Kelly Olsen, Alex Danvers, Lena Luthor and Dreamer led civilians on spacecrafts for evacuation as J'onn arrived on the Legion Cruiser. The six heroes then fought the army of Shadow Demons in order to buy time for the evacuation. However, The Monitor arrived and teleported the heroes away. Oliver refused to leave and shot Novu with an Antimatter arrow as he fought countless Shadow Demons as hard as he could. Eventually, he ran out arrows and was assaulted by the demons. Recovered from the injury, Novu brought Oliver's dying body back to the Bunker. The heroes then spent his last moments with him, with Novu revealing that Oliver's sacrifice allowed the escape of the survival of a billion people (3 billion of out 7.53 billion in total) and it was not he had foreseen. Nash Wells arrived, now as a man serving his penance, revealing that they are doomed.

Search for the Paragons
Regrouped in S.T.A.R. Labs, the heroes had a drink for Oliver Queen. They were then interrupted when Novu and Ray Palmer argued about hijacking the Waverider. Harbinger then arrived and brought the Waverider of Earth-74, where she recruited Mick Rory and Leonard.

"Across space and time exist 7 heroes, beings of the purest will who can ultimately defeat the Anti-Monitor and help save the multiverse. They are known as Paragons."

- The Monitor

The heroes later boarded the Waverider as Novu explained the Paragons are their last hope to stop the Crisis. Novu then gave them the clues of "Bat of the Future" and "a second Kryptonian, who is said to have suffered a greater loss than most mortal men could endure" while revealing Kara Zor-El and Sara Lance are the Paragons of Hope and Destiny respectively. Novu also revealed that he enlisted the help of Felicity Smoak and she was able to acquire the information from the Tome of the Guardians. Novu soon tasked two teams to search for two unknown Paragons, with Superman, Lois Lane and Iris West-Allen for the Paragon of Truth and Batwoman and Supergirl for the alleged Paragon of Courage.

Later, Novu brought Lex Luthor to the Waverider and revealed that he has a part to play in the Crisis. However, Harbinger found Luthor attempting to steal the Book of Destiny and failed to stop him. Novu saw the incident and told her that everyone has a part to play.

Paragon of Courage - Bat of the Future
"The path to find him will lead you to the Paragon of Courage."

- The Monitor

Using the Inter-Dimensional Extrapolator, Kate and Kara travelled to Earth-99 in search of Bruce Wayne. The two destroyed the door by force and was confronted by Luke. Fortunately, Bruce entered down the stairs in his exoskeleton and was able to recognize Kate.

Bruce brought Kate to his study and questioned her true identity as Kate Kane of Earth-99 died five years ago. Kate revealed the story of him as the Paragon of Courage, which he laughed at as he started a reign of terror in Gotham City years ago as Batman, telling Kate that he had already lost track of his kill count. Kate did not give up and told him that this is the chance to be the hero of the Multiverse.

As Kate about to succeed in convincing Bruce, Kara entered after she discovered that Bruce killed the Superman of Earth-99. Bruce attempted to attack the two and revealed a piece of Kryptonite to weaken Kara. Kate was furious and was attacked by Bruce. Kate accidentally pushed Bruce to the generator and electrocuted him, with him replying that there is no hope.

Paragon of Truth - Man of Steel
"One is of a second Kryptonian, who is said to have suffered a greater loss than most mortal men could endure. Today, he stands as the Paragon of Truth."

- The Monitor

Meanwhile to the search for the "Bat of the Future", Clark and Lois started travelling across the Multiverse in search of the Paragon of Truth. Clark and Lois travelled to Earth-75, where they were contacted by Iris that Lex Luthor had escaped. Having heard the news, the couple saw the news of Superman being killed as Lois Lane cried by his side.

Iris, Clark and Lois then travelled to Earth-167 where they met Clark Kent. They told the truth about Lex Luthor escaping and asking for his help, only to be sent back to the Waverider when Lex Luthor confronted him. Despite his effort, Clark-167 was able to easily defeat Lex without his powers as he already gave them up years ago for his family. Lex left Earth-167 as Clark-167 greeted his wife.

The trio soon tracked Lex Luthor's location where they travelled to Earth-96. They bumped into Clark Kent and talked to him about Lex Luthor's escape. Clark assured them that he could handle Lex and revealed that he lost everything when Joker attacked the Daily Planet. Clark, Lois and Iris realized they had found the Paragon of Truth. The two Clarks suited up and promised to fight Lex Luthor. Unfortunately, he arrived and used the Book of Destiny to turn Clark-96's mind, forcing them to fight each other. After a short duel, Lois and Iris knocked Lex unconscious, using the book to restore Clark-96's mins and saving Clark-38 from danger.

Resurrection of Oliver Queen
"I give you the needle in the celestial haystack."

- John Constantine

While the search for Paragons continued, Sara Lance, Barry Allen and Mia Smoak proposed to use Lazarus Pits to resurrect Oliver. Mia assured Sara that she was told of everything about the pits from Nyssa al Ghul. The trio asked for Constantine's assistance as he casted a spell, creating a Star Map and exclaimed as many universes have been destroyed. Constantine gave them a "needle in a haystack", preparing to travel to Earth-18. Sara held him behind and ordered him to promise her that it would succeed. John promised, leaving and telling her that to the best of his abilities.

The group travelled to North Dakota of Earth-18 and found the functioning Lazarus Pit. Barry and Constantine left and brought Oliver's body to the pit as Sara and Mia fights Hex. They returned and placed Oliver's body in the pit. He leapt out of the pit moments later and attacked Constantine. Barry saved him from danger and Mia confronted his soulless father. Sara tranqualized Oliver and told Mia that that was not his father, not yet. Constantine casted his Soul Restoration Spell, only to fail as the Multiverse is the source of magic, which is slowly dying due to the Crisis.

Regroup
After the compeltetion of their respective tasks, the heroes returned to the Waverider and imprisoned Lex Luthor. Ray Palmer completed his Paragon Detector and located a Paragon on the Waverider. He claimed that it was malfunctioning, with Novu telling him that it was not, and that the Paragon of Courage is Kate Kane, the true Bat of the Future.

While the heroes rested for their next mission, Harbinger started hearing voices in her head and teleported to a location that looks like a dark S.T.A.R. Labs hallway. She was then greeted by the Anti-Monitor, who possessed her body and started his plan to infiltrate the heroes.