Darkseid is pondering.
Although Shiller spoke with conviction, this matter is too bizarre, and sounds like a scam no matter how you look at it. But precisely because it's so bizarre, it almost lacks the possibility of persuasion, making Darkseid think there might be some truth to it.
"I know you might doubt whether this can really be done, but it's not difficult at all, I can even tell you the method. However, it requires the help of an outsider, and I would be the best choice."
Darkseid squinted at him and slowly spoke: "Tell me the method."
"In every individual universe, every character has a different origin. I mean how they ended up as they are today, which determines their current state. Different processes lead to different outcomes."
"For example, the Night Owl in the Batman group shows us what Batman would be like today if Bruce Wayne's brother had survived. Batwoman shows us what Batman would be like if Mr. and Mrs. Wayne had a daughter instead."
"Every individual in the cosmos is like this. A difference in potential can completely change the outcome in the future. Instead of striving later to gain a higher level, it's better to modify the innate conditions."
"Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, you weren't highly ranked on your home planet, were you? If there were a higher starting point, or if you were the unique presence in the Multiverse from the beginning, then why rely on Batman to participate in the Multiverse struggle?"
"I understand what you're saying," Darkseid said, "but how does one modify their starting point?"
"Forgive me, but this part can't really be verbalized, as it involves knowledge of Cosmic Construction Science. Our races are different, our perspectives are different, but to the Lord of Dimensions, this is not a difficult matter."
"What reward do you want?"
"What could Devils want? I need more followers, and the Earth of this world can no longer satisfy me. Once Your Majesty ascends to the unique status in the Multiverse, you are destined to deal with Earth, I only hope for a place on Your Majesty's New Earth, how about that?"
"You know how important Earth is."
"Yes, but a method to ascend in the Multiverse is more important," Shiller looked up at Darkseid and said, "If not Your Majesty, then it could be someone else. I think there might be quite a few evil Batmans interested in this, right?"
Darkseid paced before the throne, his heavy footsteps echoed in the hall. Suddenly, he stopped, and the red Omega Ray swept towards Shiller, but when it cut through Shiller's body, it only left a pile of drifting ashes.
"I'll be waiting for your response in Hell, Your Majesty."
Once Shiller's voice dissipated, Darkseid sat back on the throne. He was quietly pondering, as if he were an ancient statue, unmoved by time.
After marking the location of the Apocalypse Star, Shiller left the Apocalypse Domain. He recalled Darkseid's attitude just now, thinking that convincing this New God might take some effort.
However, what Shiller said was all true, he just put it in a way that Darkseid could accept. It's basically about changing the origin story.
As is well known, in the New 52, Darkseid was greatly weakened, becoming a stepping stone for various fierce characters, and even his origin story was altered to be quite ordinary. But Darkseid wasn't always like this.
In a certain version of the story, Darkseid is the unique entity in the Multiverse, each individual universe's Darkseid is a clone of the main body. The detailed origin story need not be elaborated, just know that it is certainly much stronger than the version Shiller suggested just now.
As for how Shiller might change the origin story, actually, he doesn't need to change anything, because the origin story of the farmer version of Darkseid in the Prime Universe lasted only a short time, after which it will be changed back, which will make Darkseid's strength soar.
In other words, Shiller doesn't have to do anything; Darkseid will naturally become stronger, and what he must do is to claim credit for it.
As for being the unique entity in the Multiverse, it's obviously not necessary yet. Darkseid becoming a bit stronger would apply pressure to Batman, but becoming too strong might flatten the entire Justice League, which would be counterproductive.
However, if it absolutely must be changed, it's not impossible. After all, characters who can directly break the fourth wall and jump out of the comics to alter their content are numerous, it's just a matter of whether it's worth doing.
Meanwhile, Strange, dressed as Constantine, smoothly escaped from the Apocalypse Star, setting the spaceship Batman gave him to automatic cruise mode towards Centaurus. He left an illusion and detached from the ship, heading towards the Asgard Base.
"Professor X, Professor X!" he shouted in his mind, "Quickly notify the command center, a Guardian of the Galaxy has been captured, Batman might use them to his advantage. Main Universe Doctor Strange has left the Solar System, Batman might target him as well!"
"What?" Charles was a little caught off guard, but he still immediately sent out messages to everyone. Soon, Marvel heroes gathered in the Asgard conference hall.
"What's going on?" Stark quietly asked Steve, "Who's been captured? And what's up with Doctor Strange?"
"Remember the two Guardians of the Galaxy who went missing before? One of them was seized by Batman. As for Doctor Strange, I don't know what's going on, wasn't he supposed to stay on Earth?"
"I knew he couldn't possibly stay on Earth," Natasha sighed and said, "Originally, we wanted to ask The Ancient One to come back and watch over them, but she's dealing with some business in other universes and they managed to escape."
Stark sighed. He also knew that locking up all the Doctor Stranges was unrealistic, as mages simply can't be contained.
Superhero wars are different from ordinary people's wars. In normal wars, even if the soldiers have guns, they can be disarmed and punished if they violate discipline. Even if they resist, most would be shot dead on the spot, and very few dare to resist stubbornly.
Superheroes are different. They come with their own superpowers. Can you disarm their superpowers? Even if you could forcibly tie them up, it would only target some power-type heroes. It would be incredibly difficult to bind mages like them.
Even if it were possible, it would take unimaginable manpower and resources. First, you would have to create a space that completely isolates magic power, then drain all magic power from the Doctor Stranges, and finally lock them all inside.
But this still wouldn't contain everyone, like the Dream Power Doctor Strange, who can directly enter the Dreamworld, first locked in, then quickly escape.
The command center's plan is actually just a delaying tactic, because Doctor Strange is somewhat injured, they plan to let them stay on Earth to recuperate, and then call The Ancient One back. Although The Ancient One may not be able to stop so many people, after all, she's their teacher, and has some deterrent power.
Unexpectedly, the Main Universe Doctor Strange didn't care about being injured or not. As soon as he opened his eyes, he started causing trouble. Suffice it to say, never underestimate the actions of a madman during an episode.
"What did the professor say he was looking for just now?" Peter leaned over and asked.
"Who? The Main Universe Doctor Strange?" Strange walked up the steps behind them and said, "The current speculation is he might be looking for the Infinity Gems, possibly wanting to use the Space or Time Infinity Gem to deal with Apocalypse Star."
"Infinity Gems?" Peter was a bit surprised, he said, "Where are the Infinity Gems in our universe?"
Everyone looked at each other, and finally, all eyes fell on Loki's face.
"Why are you looking at me? I only have one, and it's the Mind Gem," Loki took out his scepter and said, "Besides, I haven't used this thing for a long time, my brother's hammer is much more useful."
Steve slightly rolled his eyes. Loki in their universe is different from other universes. Others are the first wizard of the Nine Worlds, with all sorts of deception magic played to perfection. Meanwhile, their universe's Loki, whenever there's a fight involved, either calls upon his brother or wields a hammer, sometimes it's hard to tell who's actually Thor.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. should have an Infinity Gem, right?" Stark asked Coulson.
Coulson shook his head and said, "No."
"How do you know?"
"Because if there ever was one, Nick would use it to charge an astronomical maintenance fee," Natasha rolled her eyes and said, "And it also proves that these gems are pretty hard to find, otherwise Nick would certainly find them all and charge an astronomical maintenance fee for each."
"Oh—" everyone let out a helpless sigh together.
"God, how much trouble is he going to give us before he stops?!" the Main Universe Captain America couldn't help but say, "Mages have already suffered heavy losses, which is enough to disgrace our universe, and now he's not following orders, running off on his own. If he ends up becoming Batman's breaking point..."
He spoke for a long time, then turned to look at the Main Universe Iron Man, only to find that the Main Universe Iron Man was still intently focused on a pile of blueprints on the table. The Main Universe Captain America couldn't help but call out to him a few times.
"Tony... Tony? Tony!!!"
"Huh?!" The Main Universe Iron Man looked up at him, rolled up the blueprints, and said, "Things have already reached this point, are you still thinking about conquering the Multiverse? Let it be a loss, after all, we are the Prime Universe, no matter what happens, they can't not come to the rescue."
The Main Universe Captain America couldn't help but put his hand on his forehead. He looked at the Main Universe Iron Man and said, "It was you and Steven who insisted on starting this war, claiming to vie for status in the Multiverse, but this is your attitude now?!"
"This war was bound to happen sooner or later, I merely gave them an excuse," The Main Universe Iron Man seemed very calm, he said, "I originally thought you would realize this sooner."
"What?"
"Have you noticed that the strength of the superheroes in a universe doesn't actually depend on how strong the superheroes are."
"What do you mean?"
"It depends on the overall development level of Earth," The Main Universe Iron Man turned, crossing his arms and said, "If Earth is strong enough, it will have enough value to be taken seriously by Asgard, and we'll have a stalwart ally. And if the Nine Major Kingdoms are strong enough, we can seize a piece of meat from the mouths of the Three Great Empires, which will make Earth stronger. Superheroes, who won't need to play babysitter on Earth, will have a wider stage, gain more practice, and naturally, their powers will grow stronger. This is the true virtuous cycle."
"We lost the Multiverse status competition the moment we set off, because in our universe, Earth hasn't even ventured beyond the Solar System, and most superheroes have no experience in cosmic warfare. Meanwhile, ordinary people in the Central Universe are already well-adapted to working in space. Just in terms of responding to cosmic crises, our universe was already doomed."