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[Superman] Chapter 246: The Monitor Appears, Heroes of the Infinite Multiverse
🕑 Added 2024-10-05 06:00:38 +0000 UTC"Heh, I can understand why you have such doubts."
However, the situation everyone feared did not occur.
Even when facing Batman’s harsh questioning, the Monitor did not show the slightest hint of anger.
Instead, he maintained his smile, as if everything was within his expectations and control.
“Because it's not just you. Across the infinite universes, there are countless beings just like you, filled with the same deep confusion.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Monitor suddenly waved his right hand.
In an instant, everyone felt the world around them shift dramatically.
It was as if they had arrived in a completely different, special place.
“Where are we?”
Clark looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and then turned his gaze back to the Monitor, asking the question on everyone's minds.
“This is the Beginning of Time, a place that is not affected by the anti-matter energy,” the Monitor replied softly, giving them no time to react before he once again waved his arm toward the front.
Buzz!
Suddenly, with a burst of dazzling light, countless familiar yet unfamiliar figures appeared in the vast space around them.
“Where is this? Who are you?”
Evidently, those who had appeared were just as confused as Clark and the others. They looked around in astonishment before noticing all the unfamiliar faces and couldn't help but ask where they were.
“Bruce? Is that you?”
As Batman continued to scan the surroundings, taking in the flashing, unfamiliar figures, a young man wearing a green mask suddenly approached him, calling out in surprise.
“Do I know you?”
Batman looked coldly at the newcomer. In his memory, he had no recollection of ever meeting this person.
“I'm Dick, Dick Grayson,” the young man replied excitedly, introducing himself.
“Grayson? The Flying Graysons? They were killed…”
Batman's face turned pensive as the name triggered memories.
“That’s right. But in my universe, after my parents were killed, you adopted me and trained me to be your partner!”
“Funny, isn’t it? We’re about the same age now…”
Dick seemed thrilled to meet a Batman who appeared to be the same age as him.
“Father, is that really you?”
As the two conversed, another figure appeared nearby, this time a stunningly beautiful woman.
“And you are?” Batman asked, taken aback by her presence and puzzled as to why she called him “Father.”
“I’m Helena Wayne. You probably don’t know me…”
“Helena… you're her daughter?”
Batman stared at the woman, shock registering on his face as he seemed to delve into another set of memories.
“Yes, I’m your daughter, and Catwoman’s.”
“You really do look like her…”
Batman didn’t quite know how to process all this but could only marvel. In an infinite multiverse, there truly were infinite possibilities.
…
At this moment, as numerous figures from different universes appeared, many among them began to see familiar faces. They realized that in various alternate universes, there existed different fates and possibilities for themselves.
While they conversed, marveling at the astonishing nature of fate, the Monitor, who had summoned individuals from across the multiverse, slowly spoke to the crowd.
"I imagine you're all very confused about why you were suddenly brought here."
"First, let me introduce myself—I am a Monitor. The history of my people far exceeds anything you can imagine."
"Since before any of your worlds were born, my people have been observing and recording the events of your universes without ever interfering."
"We know everything that happens in every universe."
The Monitor's voice was calm as he explained his role and the history of his people.
"A noble task, I'm sure!" Aquaman scoffed with obvious sarcasm.
"Shh!" Wonder Woman placed a finger to her lips, signaling for him to remain silent.
"But a crisis of terrifying magnitude is about to strike. I had no choice but to break my sacred oath!"
"The reason? This catastrophe could lead to the total destruction of the entire multiverse!"
As the Monitor spoke, his expression grew grim. At some point, a strange device appeared beside him—a floating red eye in the void, observing everyone present.
The Monitor gently raised his right hand. The floating eye dissolved into tiny particles, releasing brilliant beams of light that expanded outward.
"Look..."
Buzz!
In an instant, radiant beams of light enveloped the entire space, projecting scenes from various Earths across the multiverse above them.
"Most of you should know by now that your universe coexists with alternate realities in other universes."
"But recently, I came to a horrifying realization—a catastrophic event is about to sweep across all universes."
As the Monitor spoke, his gaze fixed on the crowd, their faces showing disbelief and shock.
"Display the waveform," he commanded into the void.
"As you wish, Monitor!" a mechanical voice responded.
The multiverse projections around them quickly shifted, finally displaying a vibrant scene of Earth.
"An observable wave of anti-matter energy, vast in scale and destruction, far beyond what any of you could imagine."
A massive blue barrier, like a colossal shield, appeared around the flourishing Earth projection.
"It will advance with unstoppable force, erasing everything in its path."
As the Monitor continued, the blue barrier began to expand, devouring everything in its wake. The vibrant scenes of countless universes and worlds were annihilated as the wave passed, leaving nothing behind.
The sheer scale of destruction was unimaginable.
"This… this can't be real!"
Most of the people gathered had no prior knowledge of this looming crisis, and hearing it now for the first time, they were utterly shocked.
"Nothing is impossible. This crisis is powerful enough to erase all known universes."
"Isn't there any way to stop this?"
A figure dressed in red and gold armor, with a lightning bolt on his chest, couldn't help but shout the question.
"Yes, there is. The reason I have gathered you all here is that someone has already found a way to save the multiverse."
The Monitor's tone remained steady as he scanned the crowd, then revealed the truth without hesitation.
"What? A way to save the multiverse? That's incredible!"
Many immediately became hopeful upon hearing this, as they deeply cared about their own universes and didn't want to see them, along with their loved ones, destroyed by this sudden disaster.
"Indeed, I gathered you all for one important reason—to work together and stop this catastrophe, to save the realities of your universes!"
The Monitor's voice grew heavier, as if the enormous burden of saving the multiverse now weighed on everyone's shoulders.
Saving the universe was no small task.
"Wait, why should we trust you?"
But not everyone was convinced by the Monitor’s words. After all, they had been brought here against their will, to an unknown place. It wasn’t easy to believe what they were told.
"Who’s to say that this supposed multiverse crisis isn’t part of your own plan to conquer all the universes?"
"Or that this entire catastrophe wasn’t caused by you in the first place!"
The sudden voice of dissent sparked confusion among the crowd. Even those who had started to believe the Monitor began to harbor doubts.
After all, this crisis had appeared far too suddenly.
It was as if one day you woke up, went to work as usual, only to have a coworker tell you that the world was ending. The sheer abruptness made it hard to accept or believe.
"It's normal to have doubts," the Monitor said calmly.
"But the crisis is very real."
Before the Monitor could respond further, another figure stepped forward, speaking to the group in a serious tone.
"And you are?"
Some recognized the man by his costume, but many still found him unfamiliar.
"I am Barry Allen, the Flash, and I’ve traveled across the multiverse."
"I can confirm that everything the Monitor just said is true."
"A powerful wave of anti-matter energy is indeed sweeping through the multiverse’s realities."
"In fact, countless universes have already been consumed by this anti-matter wave, erased into nothingness."
Barry knew all too well that the anti-matter energy continued to spread, devouring everything in its path. And time was running out.
Now was not the moment for suspicion or wasted time.
They needed to unite and fight for the survival of their universes.
"The Flash? I’ve heard of you, but how can we be sure you’re not just doing his bidding, trying to deceive us?"
Although Barry's testimony convinced some, others remained skeptical.
"If Barry’s word isn’t enough, then let me prove it."
Suddenly, Superman floated into the air, his powerful presence backing Barry’s claim.
"Superman? He’s confirming it too?"
If the Flash was merely a name most had heard in passing, then Superman was a legend—an icon among heroes.
With Superman stepping up to validate the crisis, nearly all remaining doubts began to fade.
"As much as I wish this were all just a misunderstanding, I’m afraid I must confirm the Monitor’s warning is true."
As the crowd fell silent, Batman also stepped forward, his expression grave.
"The scenes of Earth's destruction that the Monitor just showed us—those aren’t just some simulation."
"They are real images of a universe destroyed by the anti-matter energy."
"I can say this with certainty because I witnessed it firsthand—the terrifying sight of an entire universe consumed by anti-matter."
"To this day, those horrifying images remain etched in my mind."
"Each and every life lost…I can never forget."
Batman’s voice was solemn, carrying the weight of the destruction he had seen.
"However, in our relentless efforts, we finally discovered a way to stop this crisis and save the remaining universes."
"And that’s why we’ve gathered you all here. Because we need your help!"
"The realities of the multiverse need all of you to help save them!"
Batman’s words were heavy, but they carried a glimmer of hope.
"Have they really found a way to save the universe? But they need our help?"
"Is it true? Can we really stop the destruction and save our universes?"
At this moment, many who had been terrified by the threat of annihilation began to feel a spark of hope after hearing Batman's words.
"Yes, if we work together, and follow the plan to build universal frequency resonators in every remaining universe," Batman continued.
"Then we stand a chance to save the realities and future of every universe before the anti-matter wave destroys everything."
Seeing hope return to their faces, Batman couldn’t help but share in their excitement.
…
(End of Chapter)
