Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 316: Ch.315 Only Wait

Chapter 316: Ch.315 Only Wait

In the conference room, distant stars illuminated the space, keeping it from being entirely dark. However, as everyone awaited Martian Manhunter's next words, a heavy atmosphere lingered.

"Yes, Savage's original plan wasn't what we thought. He intended to reduce Earth's mass, shifting it from its original orbit in the solar system."

"For what purpose?" Barry furrowed his brow.

"To avoid something headed toward Earth," Martian Manhunter replied.

"What is it?" Clark asked, doubting that Savage would do anything beneficial.

J'onn held nothing back, using his telepathy to project various images, which floated above everyone's heads.

"After the war with the Dark Multiverse, the Source Wall was broken, and the Multiverse has been leaking energy. Our universe is bleeding."

"But recently, something gained sentience. It contains all the energy and power of the Source Wall, as if it were its core or battery, carrying all its knowledge. I call it the 'Unifier.' And it is three minutes away from colliding with Earth."

Batman narrowed his eyes. "Three minutes? Victor, can you scan its parameters?"

Cyborg, always prompt in executing Batman's orders, emitted a bright red light from his eyes, using the power of the Mother Box to assess the situation.

A massive golden comet was hurtling toward Earth.

"Oh my God, it contains energy older than the Multiverse itself. It's heading straight for us, adjusting its phase as it comes," Cyborg turned to Batman, looking for a quick decision.

A comet colliding with Earth sounded bad enough, but one that held the power of the entire Source Wall was far worse.

However, Clark had a different perspective. "Wait, it's not entirely physical. You said it contains information and energy. You also mentioned our world is bleeding—maybe this thing could help solve that, like how to repair the Source Wall."

Kendra lowered her head slightly, speaking softly. "Yeah, just like those Omega Titans who 'liberated' us by descending upon Earth."

Batman's voice cut through, grave and measured as always. "There's a prophecy on New Genesis that says the Source Wall is our 'incubator.' When our universe is ready, a 'Messenger' will arrive, bearing the information to evolve the Multiverse."

"Wait, hold on," Barry raised a hand, gesturing for a pause. "We just blew up the Moon like it was nothing."

Everyone turned their gaze to him, and a hint of awkwardness flashed in Barry's blue eyes as he looked back to Martian Manhunter.

"And now you're saying that the thing resembling the Source Wall's core is on a collision course with Earth. It carries some message, and whoever deciphers it could gain immense power, or it could kill us all?"

J'onn nodded calmly. "You're right. But now, we have only two minutes left."

"Uh, okay, so what's our plan?" Barry's lips twisted into a frown as he turned his gaze back to Batman, hoping the mind of the Justice League had an answer.

Batman, as always, was prepared.

"I've already contacted Green Lantern John Stewart. He's stationed in the object's path, ready with a super-cannon formed from his ring. And he has a payload—an X-metal-encased space wormhole that can transport the Unifier outside the Source Wall and then destroy it."

Hal Jordan had returned to Oa to lead the Green Lantern Corps, leaving John Stewart as Earth's Green Lantern and the Justice League's acting representative.

"Wait, where did you get X-metal? And how are you holding a mental conference while also acting outside?" Barry stared at Batman in amazement.

Batman gave him a silent glance, offering no explanation. This was not the time for a Q&A session.

"I say we blow it up. I've seen dark gods, and this thing gives me a bad feeling," Aquaman watched the golden comet's projection hover above them, urging Batman to give the order.

But Wonder Woman disagreed, offering a different perspective. "Arthur, our universe is dying. We need the information from the Source Wall."

Barry rubbed his face, weighing in. "It is dying. If Hal's ring readings aren't wrong, we have only a year before the world ends. Our universe is like an egg, with the white leaking out, and soon the yolk will follow."

Cyborg added, "It's not just our universe—it's the entire Multiverse, including the Dark Multiverse."

"Yes, yes," Barry nodded, sighing as he rubbed his temples. "We need whatever information that thing has. It might be the key to fixing the egg. Damn it, it's all a shot in the dark, just like the Speed Force."

"One minute left," J'onn reminded everyone of the time until the comet's impact on Earth.

"Is it a map? A treasure map from the dinosaur age?" Hawkgirl seemed doubtful of these mystical things, the time-traveling comet reminding her of the night before her first reincarnation.

"Or it could be an extinction-level threat. We have a responsibility to this planet," Aquaman immediately followed up on Hawkgirl's concerns, leaning toward destroying the comet.

J'onn nodded understandingly, recognizing their worries. "I'd like to say a few words."

"I've been away from the League for a long time. During that time, I've been searching for the truth—the truth of my home planet's destruction." Time was running short, so he accelerated the pace of his mental transmission. "I never found what ignited my people's flames, but I did learn why they burned. They isolated themselves from any possible help in their final moments."

"They cut off their connections with others, so they all died alone—my wife, my daughter, and a part of myself."

"When I met you all, you accepted me, and now you've done it again. So I've made it my mission to maintain our connections."

"There was no word for 'justice' on my world. The closest we had is the symbol on this table, representing ideals and transcendence. When I first sensed the Unifier, my instinct was to destroy it, to buy our universe another year. But this symbol reminded me that as the Justice League, we're not just heroes. We must strive to be better than we were. This is a chance for the universe, and we should seize it."

J'onn fell silent, knowing they understood his message. Now, they had just a few seconds left to make their decision about what to do with the comet.

"Let's vote," Diana said decisively, suggesting the League's usual method. "Those in favor of letting it land on Earth, raise your hands."

Everyone except Aquaman, Hawkgirl, and Batman raised their hands. The majority vote decided that they would allow the object carrying vital information to reveal itself to them.

"For justice." Everyone, except for Batman, spoke in unison. The decision was made, and now, all that was left was to wait.