"Hmph, do you have accomplices? It won't help, today you all must... hmm?"
Just as she sneered and swung her trident attempting to stab through Su Ming, she suddenly found herself unable to move. Forget about stabbing someone with the trident, it was difficult to even wiggle a finger.
Looking down, she saw loops of glittering golden rope tightly wrapped around her body. She could feel her power still within her, yet she couldn't exert it at all.
It was normal to be powerless; the Lasso of Truth could even bind Superman. Diana from the Main World had used it to bind Doomsday and even Darkseid.
Therefore, when dealing with De'an earlier, Su Ming had Barry snatch the lasso right away.
Although Earth -11 and the Main World were slightly different, among the Hero's gear, the most threatening to Su Ming was undoubtedly the Lasso of Truth.
Since it's so useful, it certainly could be used against the Sea Queen. It also had the power to make the bound tell the truth, though that was unnecessary for now.
Barry, with a flash of lightning, handed the lasso to Su Ming, who immediately looped it several times around his elbow, securing it to his arm.
With all his strength, he pulled the lasso taut.
"What is this?!" The Sea Queen was bewildered. There was no Justice League in this world; she had only seen De'an on TV and naturally didn't know about this treasure.
Su Ming naturally had no obligation to answer her question. He raised his chin, and Barry, right away, circled to the back of the Sea Queen and gave her an injection.
This earthy yellow potion was no steroid. It was actually the highest concentration of Fear Venom that Su Ming could buy at the Gotham Black Market. According to the thug-like boss, one shot of this could make someone terrified of air to the point they wouldn't dare breathe.
Of course, the effectiveness of the venom wasn't based on advertisement but on results. Su Ming was now watching the Sea Queen to see her reaction.
It had to be said, the body constitution of Atlanteans was far stronger than humans by more than just a little. He still had to exert all his strength to keep from being escaped from the lasso.
Sweat was already dripping from beneath his helmet. This was the first time he felt his strength was insufficient.
The Lasso of Truth actually amplified his strength and counteracted the opponent's. The Sea Queen couldn't move, and now Su Ming couldn't move either, they were in a state of tug-of-war.
"Barry, a few more shots!"
Barry hesitated for a moment, apologized internally, and injected half of the Fear Venom he had bought from the black market into the Sea Queen's neck.
Her eyes slowly became dazed, and her struggling strength rapidly weakened. Panting heavily, Su Ming gestured to Barry that it was now a bit safer to come to her front and use the bracelet.
With two crisp sounds, the Sea Queen wore the Medusa Bracelet, instantly becoming an ordinary person.
"Are we really doing the right thing?"
Barry looked awkwardly at Su Ming; he didn't think Fear Venom was a good thing.
Su Ming was indifferent. Had it not been for considering his and Briss's feelings, he could've made the scene incredibly bloody.
"For the world, there's nothing wrong."
"Uh... what's next?" Once again pushed back by righteousness, Barry opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, then resolutely gave up.
"Have you studied criminal psychology?"
"Hmm, that's a required course for forensic personnel." Barry revived at the mention of academic issues. "Since 1972, criminal psychology has been formally placed on the agenda as a discipline, initially with FBI training and gradually spreading to all federal law enforcement technical personnel."
"Oh, then you go hypnotize her to fear the ocean. I'll go check if the fish is done."
Su Ming patted his shoulder, turned his head towards the fire, and inspected the two fish, wondering if they might have been affected by the recent battle. If they were dirty, they wouldn't taste good.
"Huh? Why me...?"
............
Briss emerged from the shadows, watching Deathstroke throw the unconscious Sea Queen beside the Hero. Now that both were captured,
keeping them under control naturally could prevent both sides from starting a war and instead concentrate their forces on investigating themselves. But this wasn't the method Su Ming called lasting peace.
"Here, this one's for you."
Barry smiled and handed her a giant skewer of meat. Not only that, Su Ming was holding two skewers, stuck in a golden trident.
"What is this?" Briss took the skewer but still questioned.
Su Ming removed his hood and helmet and wiped the sweat off his head. "Grilled fish... though it looks bigger than a steak, it's just grilled fish, considered a byproduct of capturing the Sea Queen."
"Hmm... it's a bit strange..." Briss took a small bite; it was mostly raw. "Full of... primitive flavor..."
Su Ming also took a bite and indeed the taste was odd. "It's just to replenish some energy. Don't expect too much. Sharks shouldn't be on the dining table in the first place. I've already used the highest level of salt-sprinkling technique."
Barry stood beside them, all three standing under the tree shade, enjoying the sea breeze, looking at the two unconscious people in the little hut, and took a bite of shark meat. The strange taste reminded him of the sweet soup he had once had in the Bat Cave.
"What technique?"
"Infusing the soul." Su Ming shook his head with a smile, as if joking, eating it raw would actually be fine.
"???" Barry flipped over the skewer in his hand, not noticing any difference.
Briss, nonchalant about his remark, seemed to change as soon as she put on the uniform. "What do you plan to do next?"
"You can back off now. Let the bad guys be dealt with by me. No, let the Owl Court do it."
Su Ming finished the meat in a few bites, stuffed his helmet into Barry's arms, and then put on the owl hood himself. Although washed in the previous heavy rain, it still had a strong scent of blood, slightly pleasing him. This familiar scent intertwined with memories in his mind, making it feel like soaking in a warm bath.
Briss watched as his back moved towards the two unconscious people, squinting slightly. She was contemplating but soon swung her cloak and returned to the shadowy darkness.
Barry tried to put Su Ming's helmet on his head. He had long wanted to try other uniform helmets. The Justice League didn't have a fully enclosed helmet, wasn't this a great opportunity?
Following Briss to hide, he clumsily searched for the helmet's catch.
Su Ming walked into the little hut; this place was hard to say how it was. For now, it seemed light shone through every part. If it rained, the inside would probably become a Water Curtain Cave.
He looked down and saw that both were still unconscious, but estimated that it wouldn't take long for the Hero to wake up.
"Let's disarm you completely first."
Crouching down, he detached De'an's battle skirt and chest armor; now, the Hero's set of gear was all gone.
Immediately, he felt much better. A broad-shouldered, long-haired man wearing this? A low-cut chest armor and mini-skirt?
It was simply anti-human.
Now looking at De'an wearing just red underwear, it still felt more fair, so he stripped the Sea Queen down to just her underwear as well.
Whether weapons, armor, or adornments, none could be left with them. Who knew what mystical functions might be hidden in them? Better safe than sorry.
Seeing the pile of props outside the door, he only pondered for a moment before making a decision.
Tridents and shields, such weapons, he had no need to use. Low-cut armor and mini-skirts were impossible to wear. The function of the Divine Power Arm Guard was good but too effeminate. Leave it to Cindy; maybe if painted black and yellow, it could still be used.
The Starlight Flying Crown was an Amazon monarchy symbol; could be used as a trump card, reserved for Briss.
He called Barry over, instructing him to make a quick dash to Antarctica to bury the remaining stuff at the pole.