The light source of Apocalypse Star comes from the external shield, carrying a natural cool color that reminds one of the dusk on Earth. The entire world is shrouded in a deep blue. The peaks built with black rocks and steel are vastly different from the hometown scenery, yet they always remind Batman of Gotham.
Standing by the window, Primary Universe Batman lightly tapped the wine glass with his fingers. Main Universe Superman sat in the chair beside him, sighed softly, and then said, "This is not a solution."
"Certainly," Primary Universe Batman nodded and said, "we need a breakthrough."
The review meeting that lasted all night ended half an hour ago. The process was really mundane. Everyone maintained a good attitude, deeply reflected, actively proposed ideas, taking turns to brainstorm. The only problem was that the mistakes from the last battle couldn't be solved by reflection and review.
The majority of Batmans offered the same conclusion—the participants did their best. The defeat was due to hard power differences. What they need to study next is how to turn the tables against stronger opponents.
In Batman's life, overcoming the stronger with the weaker is an eternal theme. Whether it's the madmen of Gotham or the mysterious invaders of Earth, they are all much stronger than a mere human like Batman. But each time, he achieves victory. They believe this time will be no different.
Primary Universe Batman knows very clearly that the more it comes to this point, the less he should be hasty. Instead, he must maintain composure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
The Guardians of the Galaxy seem like a good opportunity presented to them, but Primary Universe Batman feels it is not safe enough. This move must either decisively defeat the enemy, or achieve a grand victory; only then can the morale be restored.
Although the Guardians of the Galaxy trap has been set, the opponent will undoubtedly fall into it, yet how to weaken their counterattack capability is a question that an experienced hunter must consider.
First, we need to understand our strengths and the opponent's weaknesses. The best strategy is to use one's strengths to attack the opponent's weaknesses.
Primary Universe Batman had analyzed long ago that they are fighting on away ground, so any strategy that consumes energy is not the best choice. Only by not consuming energy can they give their all and sustain the battle.
The team formed by Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Shazam failing also has this aspect as a reason. Heroes needing to manage energy have too many considerations, far less effective than relying on high damage, basic attack damages.
Such individuals are indeed not many, but those who stand out are of very high quality. The most useful among them is, of course, The Flash.
The Flash is the creator of Divine Speed itself, he doesn't need to consume energy, but creates energy. Though most of the time lacks attack power, apart from Barry, who is a fierce character, if used well, it must be a decisive strike.
But the biggest issue is, when Divine Speed fuses with the time mechanism of the Central Universe, the Time Management Bureau can threaten The Flash within the Divine Speed by invading the timeline. Even though they can use Hai'er to fight fire with fire, the Time Management Bureau certainly has hidden cards not yet played. Such a head-on clash is really not a good choice.
Primary Universe Batman plans to deal with the Time Management Bureau.
"The Flash," he called.
Just as the words fell, a golden light appeared, and the Main Universe Flash appeared behind him: "What's up?"
"You said Schiller was among those who took you that day?"
"Yes," Main Universe Flash nodded and said, "He claimed to be Detective Rodriguez, now an agent of the Time Management Bureau."
"What did he say to you?"
Main Universe Flash scratched his head, recalling, then said: "I don't quite remember, but it seemed like something about a 'good job.' He said he could always find himself a good job wherever he was."
"He's not someone who chit-chats," Primary Universe Batman said, "Every word, even every word he says to you, is meaningful."
"Isn't he boasting about finding a good job?"
"If so, he wouldn't have needed to say anything to you," Primary Universe Batman slowly shook his head and said, "After all, he's already caught you, which is enough to verify it's a good job, so why say more to a captive?"
"So what does he mean?" Main Universe Superman asked.
"He probably wants to actually find a truly good job for himself," Primary Universe Batman sighed lightly and said, "Flash, could you take a trip to the Time Management Bureau?"
"Me?" Main Universe Flash hesitated, saying, "I can go, but coming back is uncertain."
"You don't need to make a noise, just sneak in quietly. Find the office of Agent Rodriguez and leave him a note."
"Okay." Main Universe Flash took the note from Primary Universe Batman's hand and quickly disappeared.
"You want to recruit him?" Main Universe Superman stood up from his chair, came beside Batman, frowned, and said, "The Time Management Bureau has strong authority in this universe, they have no reason to help us."
"Is he really a person of the Time Management Bureau?"
"You mean..."
"If he's really satisfied with his current job, he wouldn't have said those things to The Flash," Primary Universe Batman shook his head again, saying, "Besides, the Time Management Bureau is local to this universe, but is Schiller?"
Main Universe Superman's frown didn't relax, he said: "I wanted to ask before, why do both sides of the world have Schiller?"
"Both sides of the world also have Spider Man. Discussing these issues now is meaningless, we only need to know that Schiller doesn't completely belong to either world, especially some of them, whose stances are unstable, can completely be won over."
"You see promise in Detective Rodriguez? But he doesn't seem particularly special," Main Universe Superman looked at Primary Universe Batman and said, "And there's only him, can he really turn the tide of battle?"
"Turning the tide of battle never relies on brute force," Primary Universe Batman continued, "Overcoming the stronger with the weaker requires the ability to keenly seize opportunities. If there is no opportunity, then create one, and achieve the most with the least force."
Primary Universe Batman waved his cape, turned, and walked out of the office, saying: "I need to rest for a few hours, don't let anyone disturb me."
Main Universe Superman stood by the window watching his back, and after a while, also left the office, and came to the door of Primary Universe Batman's bedroom. He stood at the door for a while, and then left.
However, when he returned to the bedroom, Primary Universe Batman did not lie down to rest but fetched a box from under the bed. Opening it, there was a device inside that looked a bit peculiar, though mechanically constructed, it flickered with magical light.
Primary Universe Batman pressed one of the buttons, and a crackling noise came from the other side, followed by a lazy voice:
"What's up?"
"How's it over there, John?"
"Not bad, there are quite a few beauties here in Centaurus. By the way, my black-haired counterpart should have already returned, right?"
"Yes, he came back yesterday."
"Make sure you make good use of him. Although he's serious and rigid, he does have some real skills."
"What's wrong with his lungs?"
"A minor issue, just lung cancer, cough cough... The first time is bound to be nerve-racking, but after getting it ten or eight times, it'll naturally get better. If you're not assured, I'll send you a bottle of medicine to dissolve his current lung, and you install a mechanical one, guaranteeing he'll be as robust as a bull."
"Let's not talk about that now, besides the Guardians of the Galaxy, are there any other valuable targets?"
"The valuable targets you want aren't foolish; very few dare to act individually. They... Hold on, someone's coming, it's a tough one, I'll talk to you later."
Batman from the Prime Universe hung up, furrowing his brows. He was considering whether to help Constantine solve the lung cancer issue first, as the shadow shown in the films was stunningly severe, and he might collapse anytime soon.
They severely lack magic-related talents; although Constantine is quite knowledgeable, he doesn't like using magic directly. Zatanna's antilanguage magic can hardly be used, and other mages are either lacking in skills or too timid, proving difficult to utilize effectively.
Therefore, the black-haired Constantine is exceptionally crucial. He doesn't reject directly using magic and is quite skilled; unfortunately, he's stricken with lung cancer, with little time left.
The physical pain might affect his performance, and Batman's ethics wouldn't allow him to utilize someone severely ill like that.
But lung cancer isn't easy to solve, particularly when it's severe to such an extent. Even if the lung is removed and replaced with a new one, what about the cancer cells that have spread elsewhere?
While Batman from the Prime Universe was pondering, the box in front of him suddenly shook. Pressing the button again, Constantine's somewhat urgent voice came through:
"Plans have changed."
"What's up?"
"Doctor Strange has come for me."
"What?!"
Batman from the Prime Universe widened his eyes. Constantine's fragmented voice continued from the other side: "Doctor Strange from the Prime Universe came to look for me."
"What does he want?"
"Whatever the Guardians of the Galaxy want, that's what he wants, cough cough cough..."
"Are you hurt?"
"Isn't it obvious? Cough cough... How could I possibly beat him? But don't worry, I'm not held captive; you should trust my ability to make a getaway."
"He doesn't know you're Constantine?" Batman from the Prime Universe asked. He was aware that if Doctor Strange knew Constantine's true identity, he wouldn't have let him escape so easily.
"He doesn't know, just thinks I'm an ordinary black market dealer. Phew... He was really ruthless..."
"He wants to buy information from you?"
"Not entirely, he's looking for the Cosmic Elders."
"Who are the Cosmic Elders?"
"Simply put, they're a group of Immortal Species. They know almost all the secrets since the universe was born and have a vast collection of treasures. I suspect Doctor Strange might be targeting one of them."
Batman from the Prime Universe slightly narrowed his eyes and said, "Do you know which one?"
"I can't be sure, but it should possess very powerful strength. He wants to use this strength against you all."
"Could this be a trap?"
"That's something you need to ask yourself, Batman. Perhaps it's another test from the other side, or maybe Doctor Strange is acting on his own. If it's the latter, your opportunity is coming soon."
Batman from the Prime Universe was definitely aware of this. Doctor Strange carries far more weight than the Guardians of the Galaxy. The mages have already been dealt a heavy blow; if all their active forces could be eliminated this time, the battle would be much easier.
"Can you follow them?" Batman from the Prime Universe asked, but after a brief thought, he said, "Never mind, just stay in the Centaurus constellation and don't move. If someone else contacts you, inform me immediately, and I'll send someone else to track their whereabouts."
After hanging up the phone, Batman from the Prime Universe walked out of the bedroom and headed towards the other side of the lodging area. He then knocked on Constantine's door. A moment later, the door slowly opened a crack, revealing Constantine's pale face behind it:
"What's up?"
"There's an urgent mission that might need your help."
Constantine lowered his eyes, took a laborious breath, and opened the door. Upon entering, Batman from the Prime Universe saw the bright red bloodstain on his white shirt's chest.
"Are you alright?"
"Don't ask the obvious," Constantine said, biting a cigarette and turning around, "Just tell me what you want me to do."
"Doctor Strange is chasing the whereabouts of the Cosmic Elders in the universe, possibly seeking some powerful Divine Artifact from them. I hope you can track him."