"We can promise not to be the first to use the Infinity Stone to destroy each other."
"But who can guarantee that the other side won't use it first?"
Batman's question shattered the silence of the room and made even Superman, who had always believed in truth, goodness, and the beauty of the world, pause to think.
Because, truly, there was no guarantee.
Especially knowing that the other side had already captured Arthur and Barry.
"We have to rescue Arthur and Barry as soon as possible!"
"But considering that we've lost our scouts and that the only information we have about the Marvel universe comes from comic books..."
Batman frowned.
What he was best at, making precise plans based on available data, was now nearly impossible. The comic they possessed contained too little information. Many characters from Marvel weren't mentioned at all.
Like the silver-haired speedster Atomman had mentioned, that character didn't exist in Avengers 1.
"Given the potential threat from the Marvel universe," Batman said, "the rescue team must be strong. We can't afford any more losses."
This time there was no room for weakness.
Batman began forming a three-member team in his mind.
"Clark. Diana. Doctor Fate. The rescue mission is yours."
He wasn't joking.
Superman — the Justice League's strongest combat force.
Wonder Woman — the divine warrior, unwavering and powerful.
Doctor Fate — a magical heavyweight, capable of teleporting the entire team in case of emergency.
"We're going after them," Diana said firmly. "But what if…"
"What if Marvel sends someone to take the Infinity Stone while we're on the other side?"
She shivered.
Her concern was logical, someone needed to guard the Power Stone. If they lost it, they'd lose their advantage.
"I've already thought about that, Diana."
Batman's gaze was cold but resolute.
Diana nodded, accepting his plan.
Everyone then dispersed, leaving only Batman and Cyborg in the headquarters.
"What do you think the odds are?" Cyborg asked.
"Ten percent."
Batman's eyes were sharp but calm.
"If I were from the Marvel universe, I'd do everything to retrieve that gem. Which means... all we need to do is set a trap."
"You'll need bait, Bruce," Cyborg said. "I can construct a device that emits a fake frequency similar to that of this stone."
"Perfect," Batman nodded. "Even if it doesn't work, the enemy will at least think they've taken the real stone."
But as the two spoke...
Someone was eavesdropping outside the door.
No one expected that Harley Quinn could roam freely inside the Justice League headquarters.
"A purple gem that can destroy the Earth?"
She laughed as if she'd just heard the sweetest gossip.
"Sounds fun!"
Harley quietly strolled through the corridors, fingers tapping lightly against the floor. She pulled out her phone, typed a message, and sent it:
Dear Puddin'
I'm so happy you escaped from Arkham!
Guess where I am? You'd never guess...
Daddy~, the Batcave! Crazy, right?
They told me to save the world...
But you know you're my world, right?
By the way, I heard a really juicy secret about the Bat...
I know you'll want to hear it.
---
Marvel Universe.
Through teleportation, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Doctor Fate arrived above the Earth.
In an instant, Clark's super senses flooded with the entire planet.
Every sound of the Marvel world, car noise, ocean waves, the whisper of wind, human voices, all surged into his ears like a storm only he could withstand.
Accustomed to it, he closed his eyes and began filtering the information.
"Demons, super AIs, alien fleets, magic, Kamar-Taj, Thanos, Infinity Stones..."
"Wait!"
Suddenly he opened his eyes.
He stopped, then sharply turned his gaze toward the Earth. His vision rapidly zoomed in on an old-fashioned office building in New York.
Using his X-ray vision, he pierced through the walls and saw what was happening inside, a chaotic office, people at computers, posters on the walls.
---
Inside the editorial office.
"This issue of Superman Independent isn't selling, Wayne. You need to work on it."
"Sorry, boss. The problem is everyone's tired of Superman vs. Lex Luthor. They've seen it all before."
"I've got a great idea! What if Batman gets infected with the Joker virus? I'd call it... The Laughing Bats!"
---
Superman watched them silently.
On the wall hung a Justice League poster. People were discussing how to create a new, stronger villain for him. At that moment, a wave of unease ran down his spine.
In this world... he wasn't a god. Not a hero. He was a product, a fictional comic book character.
But he said nothing.
He only whispered softly:
"The place where they're keeping Barry and Arthur isn't on Earth… it's on the Moon."
He looked up.
His super-hearing, though technically disabled in the vacuum, still detected vibrations from the Moon's surface, above the city of Attilan.
"A war awaits us… They know we're coming."
---
Meanwhile, on the other side.
In the Avengers' space base, formerly the S.W.O.R.D. station, now taken over by S.H.I.E.L.D. an alarm blared.
The base now served as the Avengers' headquarters.
"Superman. Wonder Woman. Doctor Fate..."
Tony Stark watched the footage on screen.
"DC is sending heavy artillery."
He shook his head, looking not the least bit afraid.
Beside him, Bruce Banner was visibly nervous.
"Are you sure Superman can't hear us?"
The night before, Banner had read every DC comic he could find. His anxiety was justified.
"Relax," Tony replied.
"Superman's X-ray vision can't penetrate lead."
He lightly tapped the wall of the conference room.
"These are pure lead panels. Jarvis analyzed all of Superman's weaknesses from the comics. We couldn't find Kryptonite, but everything else is covered."
Stark then activated the control interface.
"Also, because of his super-hearing, I've set up multi-layered jammers in the base. Even if he tries to listen to us…"
He paused and pressed a button.
From the speakers came the sound of waves, whispers, and low-frequency tones.
"…he'll only hear this."