LazySageDao
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566. Tension
🕑 Added 2024-01-29 02:19:17 +0000 UTCEdward tapped his finger on the table and instantly hacked the Justice League’s system. Cyborg — who was the one who instilled it with Batman’s help — looked at him in shock. The technology in their system was years ahead of its time, but it was hacked so easily.
“I have only met variants of Darkseid from different parallel dimensions, but all of them were the same: ruler of Apokolips, conqueror, uses a powerful and inescapable Omega Beam, and searching for the Anti-Life Equation,” explained Edward, who showed them his primary data on Darkseid.
“And what exactly is this equation?” asked Diana.
“An equation capable of breaking any sentient life’s will and controlling them,” replied Edward casually. “With it, he should have no issue ruling the Multiverse.”
“Mind-controlling? How powerful are we talking about?” asked Superman, who had experienced this issue before.
[AN: Previously, I mentioned I was using the Justice League: War trilogy as my main source of inspiration for Wonder Woman and the eventual Justice League. Now, I have changed my mind and decided to take from many different sources, including Justice League: Unlimited and the comics.]
“How do I explain this?” uttered Edward. “The bat furry over there is the person with the highest Willpower amongst you, but even he could not resist it if a ten-year-old child used the formula.”
Hal Jordan almost laughed out loud; he had to use his famous Willpower to stop himself. Batman was as stoic as ever, while Diana kicked Edward slightly to reprimand him, but he only shrugged. Superman, who felt the tension and awkwardness of the room, spoke, “If it’s so powerful, we must prevent Darkseid from getting his hand on it. So, what is the plan? Do we preemptively attack Apokolips or wait until he comes to us?”
“It says the beam is as fast as any Speedster. That could be a major issue,” added Cyborg.
“That is yet to be corroborated,” countered Flash.
“The man has literally studied the Speed Force. Don’t you think that’s something he would know of?” Cyborg argued. “All I’m saying is we must watch out and prepare for all eventual possibilities.”
“...You have a point.”
“...”
The discussion about the next course of action continued, and everyone chimed in with their opinion, except Edward, who was looking in the distance, still thinking about that formula.
“Something is not right,” suddenly said Diana, looking at Edward.
“Excuse me?”
“From what I know about you, this equation is the kind of thing you would jump at to research, Yet here you are without a single thread of interest.”
“That’s because I already have the equation and, thus, not interested.”
Diana almost let out a groan as she massaged her temple. ‘Oh, Hera, couldn’t you just keep that information to yourself?’ she thought, feeling the tense silence in the room.
“So, you know where it is?” she swiftly asked.
“Yes, in the mind of a rich man called Billion-Dollar Bates. You guys should probably protect him or something. However, be prepared since he knows how to use the formula: gag his mouth to prevent him from speaking.
“We’ll keep that in mind,” said Superman, trying to change the subject.
“What are you going to do with it?” asked Batman.
“What does it have to do with you?”
“You’re an unknown individual, possibly a criminal, possessing knowledge with worldwide ramifications. So, I think we all deserve to know what you will do with it.”
Edward looked at him and the others, “I’m only a passenger in this dimension. Once I say my proper goodbye to Diana, I will leave, and you won’t see me again.”
“And we’re supposed to trust your words?” continued Batman.
“You want to talk about trust? Why don’t you tell the people here about the Contingencies Plan you created for each other in case they’ve gone [rogue].”
“What? Batman, is that true?” asked Superman.
“Bruce, tell me this is not true,” added Diana.
“The Justice League is a formidable force of good, but it can also be used for evil.”
“Do you think so little of us?” asked the Flash.
“Not cool, man,” stated Green Lantern.
“I do not doubt your character. But as you saw with this equation, sometimes, the choice is not yours.”
“So eloquently spoken,” sneered Edward. “Why didn’t you create a plan for yourself? I know what you’ve convinced yourself: The Justice League is my Contingency Plan. But you and I know you’re simply too arrogant and believe you’re incorruptible.”
“You don’t know me.”
“On the contrary, I do. You and I are more alike than you know: losing parents at a young age, fiercely intelligent, paranoid, and like to be prepared for the worst. The difference between us is I don’t let my trauma define me; I’ve learned to grow, to mature, but you’re still that little boy who watched his parents die in that alley.”
“Enough, Edward; you’ve gone too far.”
“Maybe,” he replied before standing up. “Like I said, I’m just a passerby. Once you deal with Darkseid, we can say our goodbye, and I can leave.”
He disappeared from the room, leaving the meeting. The room was quiet for a moment before Superman continued:
“We will discuss Batman’s inappropriate behavior later; let’s focus on this upcoming discussion.” After a small discussion, the team decided to capture Billion-Dollar Bates first before preparing for the upcoming battle; it helped that he was a criminal and had just cause for their actions.
A few days later:
Edward held a Mother Box in his hand, analyzing and disassembling it. He sensed a visitor and opened the door to his apartment in New York.
“What happened in that meeting?” Diana asked. “You’re usually so calm and composed.”
“As you can see, I’m not a big fan of the Bat,” shrugged Edward. Back in Primordial Earth, he used to be a superfan of Batman. However, as he grew up, he wanted to read characters that grew emotionally, but the writers never allowed Batman to do so. He had a similar issue with Spider-Man, as the writers never allowed him to evolve as a character.
Later, he developed a great disdain for Batman because of his fans; he was sick of their constant arguments about how the man could do anything with prep time.
“That is very obvious,” sighed Diana.
“Don’t mention him. You looked lovely,” commented Edward. Although she was dressed casually in jeans, heels, and a shirt, the clothes could not hide her divine beauty.
“Thanks for the compliment, but I’m here on official league business.”
“What now?”
“They wanted me to ask if you knew when the invasion was.”
“In three days,” he replied.
“And how do you know?”
“I’ve already reverse-engineered some of their technology. The Parademons who escaped have already set up a portal to Apokolios, and it will open in three days.”
“If that’s true, we must stop them beforehand.”
“That should buy you a few more hours.”
Diana frowned, “Has Darkseid prepared to open the portal from his side?”
“Based on the reconnaissance probes I’ve sent into Apokolips, that’s correct.”
“In that case, we need to hurry,” said Diana, preparing to leave. “We will catch up later.”
“Wait up,” said Edward, stopping her. He opened a small portal to summon a small cube.
“What’s this?” asked Diana as she received this thing.
“Once the battle starts, press the button, and it will drag Darkseid and his army into the Mirror Dimension. In there, you can fight with all your strength without affecting the planet; you can even blow it if you please.”
“Really?” said Diana with shining eyes. One disadvantage of a hero is the restraint he or she must exercise to protect the surrounding people, houses, and even the planet. People like him and Clark cannot use all their strength.
“Thank you for this.”
“Consider it an apology for how I acted towards your friends.”
