That's right, the Cosmic Tuning Fork is like a Christmas tree, covered in dazzling gifts. If you can choose, why save the Sea King?
In comparison, Mars Hunter is much more useful.
In the long-ago P52 period, Mars Hunter was a core member of the Justice League, known as the jack-of-all-trades among superheroes, the green-skinned Superman. Bruce said he was a combination of Batman and Superman, having not only abilities but also brains.
All of Superman's abilities he possesses, and those Superman doesn't have, he also does.
For instance, Disguise Technique, he can change his own cellular structure to look like anyone; and with the Invisibility Technique, he can use psychic ability to change his own phase to become invisible or immune to all reality-based harm.
His defense, power, and speed are all comparable to Superman's, and he possesses a terrifying self-healing ability, able to regrow his head even if it's cut off.
His psychic strength is also formidable, capable of Illusion Technique, hypnosis, possession, thought scanning, thought erasure, mental shield, and thought control, all of which X Professor next door can't match.
Besides having a wide array of abilities, he can also use his psychic ability to communicate with any animal, easily surpassing Sea King's ability to talk to fish.
Don't mention that in terms of strength, Mars Hunter is far superior, even in dealing with people, he is stronger.
Originally a policeman on Mars, his intelligence is on par with Batman's, and after coming to Earth, he worked for the United States Government for a long time, adept at thinking and handling interpersonal relationships.
Although he may look like a green monster, shriveled and resembling a green skeleton, he is a very nice person, hardworking without complaints, skilled at cleaning, and a good cook, maintaining the daily routines at the Hall of Justice during the P52 period.
So now that there's a choice, who would still want the Sea King? Farewell.
He picked up the limp Mars Hunter and immediately followed Batman back into the cave.
Batman put down Steel Bone, took a breath, as sixty percent of Steel Bone's body had been replaced with Promethium Metal, making him much heavier than steel, approximately two hundred kilograms.
He used his X Metal Bat Gloves to enlarge the cave entrance slightly, allowing two people to walk side by side, and as he turned around, he saw Su Ming returning with Mars Hunter.
" ??? "
Even though he didn't speak, Su Ming guessed what he intended to say.
Weren't we supposed to save the Sea King? Why save Mars Hunter?
However, he couldn't really say it because Mars Hunter is also a familiar of the Justice League, and with his physical qualities he'll wake soon enough. It'd be awkward if he awoke to find them debating whom to save.
Batman poked his head out of the cave entrance, planning to save a few more people like ants moving, but Barbatos seemed to sense something, glancing toward the base of the Tuning Fork while confronting the Silver-White Witch.
Bruce immediately withdrew, fearing that Barbatos's attack could potentially bury everyone alive in the cave.
Su Ming didn't intend to rescue any more people, as soon as Mars Hunter awoke, his new plan would be enacted, leaving the others to be rescued slowly by others later.
Mars Hunter, akin to Kryptonians as aliens, awoke soon after, sitting up abruptly and panting heavily.
" Huff, huff... "
He rubbed his green bald head, as if wiping sweat, although his skin had no ability to secrete sweat—who knows what he experienced in his dreams.
He quickly settled down, then looked at Su Ming with goodwill. He recognized Deathstroke and understood Deathstroke's style, trusting he would stand on Earth's protective side in such critical times.
He intended to use his psychic ability to read some of Deathstroke's memories, given their cave-like location and potentially dire outside circumstances, mind reading would save conversations' time.
But his psychic efforts bizarrely fell into a void, though facing Deathstroke, the brainwaves found emptiness, akin living soul falling into an endless void without echoes.
This Deathstroke was like a stone, frankly a non-thinking non-conscious entity...
In normal circumstances, he wouldn't read Deathstroke's memories because a major flaw of memory reading is its inability to read mad or mentally ill memories, which could drastically burden his brain, even inflict instant harm.
For instance, Joker's mind is like a circus jumping around, with everyone laughing uncontrollably, impossible to decipher useful information, getting dragged into an unconscious frolic.
Apart from Mars Hunter, in the DC world, there is Boston Brand, codenamed 'Dead', who once read a snippet of Zha Kang's memory and immediately regurgitated it.
Even ghosts were made to vomit; had he not been dead already, he might have died once more.
According to him, Zha Kang's brain was full of "obscenity, filth, and impurities, all devoid of demons' filth in the brain" combined with Zha Kang being more.
Given Deathstroke's dark living environment, his thoughts couldn't possibly be pure. Mars Hunter was quite resolved to attempt reading his mind.
However, Su Ming was now an X Metallo, his brain strictly shielded—the psychic attempt would surely fail, obstructed by the DC world's cosmic foundation. Mars Hunter's abilities fell short of breaching this barrier.
Actually, Su Ming worried most that Mars Hunter glimpsing outside the DC world, discovering all are comic characters, fearing reality revelation might shock him to sudden death...
After failing on Deathstroke, Mars Hunter shifted reading to Batman, who clearly knew the intent. Consequently, he remained motionless, emotionlessly, actively pondering crucial information, offering it up.
The reason Mars Hunter is a hero is attributed to possessing immense power coupled with remarkable restraint, adhering to a strict moral framework.
He merely retrieved active memories from Bruce without mindlessly delving, his deduction leading to the answer.
" So, we're now in the final battle? "
" Yes, Ron, Deathstroke saved you. Presumably, he has tactical plans for you. "
Bruce turned Steel Bone around, as he still wasn't waking, hoping to find any reactivation button or power switch on him.
Wouldn't it resemble car theft and wire collision?
Mars Hunter refocused on Deathstroke, realizing the present one differed from the familiar identity he knew. Batman deemed this Deathstroke stronger, privy to copious secrets.
Ron was a touch curious about his psychic failure, yet now wasn't the time to pursue the reasons. He nodded amiably at Su Ming, extending his green palm for a handshake.
" Thank you, stranger, for everything you've done for us. "
Su Ming smiled, reached out and shook his hand—a nod to his governmental background—the remark hit differently. Despite rescuing many, apart from the dead Red Death Demon, who'd thanked him?
This uplifted Su Ming's spirits; after all, who doesn't seek gratitude? Though monetary pursuit prevails, appreciation from Mars Hunter suffices.
Separating Steel Bone payment for another occasion, he used a Great Sword to sever a few mechanical arms and restraints; nonetheless, he acted...
Mars Hunter's rescue fee he'd waive, Su Ming was in good spirits, granting the effortless aid for free—such is the liberty of the top-notch mercenary worldwide.
" Hello, Ron, or do you prefer your Earth name, John? " Su Ming loosened his grip, removing his helmet and facing Mars Hunter, smiling to convey goodwill: " Although I'd enjoy chatting, Barbatos lies roughly a hundred meters above us—your contributions are needed for the forthcoming battle. "