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[Superman] Chapter 244: The Mobius Chair
🕑 Added 2024-10-05 05:43:15 +0000 UTC“It doesn’t matter whether you accept all of this or not.”
“Because falsehood can never become truth, and truth will never turn into falsehood.”
“Time will prove everything, proving that I’m not lying.”
“But by then, you might not have the chance…”
Clark hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of pity as he stopped speaking. This universe would inevitably be consumed by the antimatter energy, and its reality would ultimately be destroyed. Even they couldn’t stop it.
Even though he had revealed everything to them, there was still no hope of preventing the impending doomsday. The life in this universe would still be utterly obliterated in just a few minutes.
“If everything you’ve just said is true,” Batman’s voice broke the silence, “then this universe will undoubtedly become a place no one wants to step into.”
“And you, who came from another universe, why did you come to ours, which is about to be destroyed, and build that strange tower here? What exactly is your purpose?”
From his place inside the jet, Batman had been listening to the entire conversation. He couldn’t hold back his questions any longer. After all, if it were him, he wouldn’t set foot in a universe doomed for destruction unless there was a compelling reason.
“You’re right, Bruce Wayne of this universe. Your observations are sharp, and your thinking is clear,” Clark said, his tone filled with respect. “This universe, destined to be destroyed, doesn’t hold much appeal to anyone.”
“But we didn’t come here with any secretive or malicious intent. We came to build this detector because we seek an opportunity in this dying universe—a chance to save many others.”
Clark shared everything with the people who would soon perish. At the very least, they deserved to know the truth before their end.
“A chance to save other universes?”
The group fell silent, pondering Clark’s words. They couldn’t fully accept the reality of their universe’s imminent destruction, even if it wasn’t entirely meaningless.
“No, I refuse to believe this! I can’t accept the destruction of our universe!” Superman of this universe was filled with anger. He had saved the world countless times and protected Earth from numerous catastrophic threats. Yet now, someone was telling him that everything he had done might be pointless. It was something he simply couldn’t accept.
“Whether you believe it or not, I’ve told you everything I know,” Clark said. “You can try to face the coming crisis in your own way. I truly hope you make some progress.”
Clark understood that they wouldn’t easily accept their universe’s inevitable end. After all, like him, they were heroes who bravely defended their universe. They would undoubtedly try to save it, no matter how slim the chances.
Clark sincerely hoped they would succeed, even if the hope was almost nonexistent.
“Bruce, do you believe everything he said?” Superman of this universe stared at Clark, then turned to ask Batman, who was still in the jet.
“As unbelievable as it sounds, I don’t think he has any reason to lie to us,” Batman replied. “And in his expression, I see emotions similar to ours—sympathy and sorrow at the thought of watching a universe perish before his eyes.”
Batman could sense a complex feeling in Clark, a sentiment that suggested he was telling the truth.
“How much time do we have left?” Superman asked, nodding gravely. Ultimately, he decided to trust this alternate version of himself.
“Less than… ten minutes,” Clark responded after checking the time until the antimatter energy wall was expected to reach this universe.
“Thank you. I hope we can meet again someday,” Superman said, expressing his gratitude to Clark for warning them. Without him, they might not have realized the impending danger until it was too late.
In the next instant, Superman sped off into the distance. The others who had accompanied him wasted no time, quickly following him as they prepared to face the coming crisis. With less than ten minutes remaining until their universe’s destruction, they had to act fast.
“I wish we could meet again someday, but…,” Clark sighed as he watched them leave, their determination unwavering.
For the next ten minutes, Clark remained to guard the detector. Finally, from the distant horizon of the universe, he saw a massive blue energy wall approaching, slowly but steadily. It was the antimatter wall.
Looking around with a sense of reluctance, Clark took one last glance at the reality that was about to be consumed by the antimatter energy, reduced to nothingness. Then, he turned and stepped into the portal that led back to his own universe.
...
At the same time, across several other universes, figures managed to complete the construction of their final detectors in the last moments as time slipped away. Once finished, they returned to their own universes.
“Let’s hope that the detectors we built provide us with more accurate information...”
Back in their lab, they looked solemnly at the still-open portal, which connected multiple realities of different universes, silently praying for success.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the portal, the massive antimatter energy had already begun to consume the first universe it encountered—Clark’s universe.
In that universe, the Justice League, having been warned in advance, had prepared themselves for the coming destruction.
"It looks like everything he said was true," Superman muttered, his face heavy with concern as he gazed at the distant horizon, now covered by a colossal wave of antimatter energy.
“What should we do now?”
Though they were heroes of the Justice League, defenders of Earth, and shouldn’t feel fear, a trace of uncertainty crossed their faces. This time, their enemy wasn’t a mere invader or a threat confined to Earth—it was the vast antimatter wall threatening to engulf the entire universe.
Even with their preparations, standing before such a massive force, slowly advancing toward them, they felt helpless. It seemed like nothing could stop the antimatter energy.
“What should we do?” Superman’s voice became resolute. “We fight, of course! We defend our universe’s reality with action!”
“With unshakable willpower, we protect the honor of the Justice League!”
“Now is the time, heroes of the Justice League, to uphold the justice we defend and face this apocalyptic threat!”
Superman’s words were firm, and without hesitation, he shot off toward the looming antimatter sky. The other members exchanged a glance before following him, just as determined.
In that moment, they were truly the heroes who defended the world. Brave enough to face a crisis they knew they could hardly resist, yet they pressed on without fear, regardless of the outcome.
However, their valiant resistance wouldn’t bring about any miracles.
The vast antimatter energy showed no signs of slowing down, swallowing realities one after another, indifferent to their fight.
Countless realities crumbled. In an instant, innumerable humans and creatures were annihilated by the antimatter, reduced to nothingness.
As the universe neared total collapse, in a space station above Earth, Batman made his way to a special vault. Slowly, he opened the door to a long-sealed chamber, revealing a powerful and awe-inspiring suit of armor that floated before him.
This battle suit had been personally designed by Batman himself and crafted by nearly every member of the Justice League.
Superman had flown to the sun to forge its outer shell under the extreme heat of the star.
Wonder Woman had sought the blessings of the Olympian gods to enchant it. Cyborg used the advanced technology of Apokolips to code its control systems.
The Flash had linked it to the Speed Force, granting it lightning-fast speed. Aquaman tempered it in the icy depths of the ocean.
And Green Lantern had woven the cape, representing the spirit of justice.
This armor represented the collective effort of the entire Justice League. Each member contributed something essential, and Batman knew why—they trusted him, they respected him.
"Now, I will turn your trust and respect into this universe’s final glimmer of hope," Batman said quietly, gazing at the armor, imbued with the power and dedication of his comrades.
His face, filled with unwavering determination, reflected in the armor’s surface.
...
Not long after, a figure clad in armor shot through the void at incredible speed. The velocity was so fast that it was impossible to track with the naked eye. Like a brilliant meteor, the figure gathered immense power, glowing with radiant energy, leaving a long trail in its wake.
It seemed as if this blazing figure represented the final hope of the universe, fearlessly charging toward the antimatter wall sweeping across the cosmos.
Boom!
The moment the two forces collided, an enormous shockwave erupted, shaking the entire universe. For the first time, the antimatter energy did not instantly obliterate what opposed it. There was even a brief pause in its advance.
However, the outcome was still unchanged.
The armored figure eventually disappeared within the tremor of the universe, consumed by the relentless antimatter.
Even with the combined power of the entire Justice League, it wasn’t enough to stop the annihilation brought by the antimatter energy.
In that instant, all hope in the universe was lost. Everyone could only watch helplessly as the antimatter energy obliterated everything—including themselves.
“Alright, Barry, it’s time to close the portal to this universe,” said Clark in another universe. Though he had known from the start that nothing could change, he still waited until the last possible moment, his face filled with resignation as he addressed the Flash.
Buzz!
As the antimatter wall swept over the detectors they had placed in this universe, Barry immediately entered his speed state. In a blur of motion, he closed the portal just as the antimatter was about to spill through into their own universe’s reality.
The closing of the portal marked the end of an entire universe. But at the same time, it represented a glimmer of hope—a hope to save other universes.
Unfortunately, as everyone turned their hopeful gazes toward Cyborg, they were met with disappointment. He slowly shook his head, regret clear on his face.
It was evident that in the destruction of that universe, they hadn’t been able to obtain the precise vibrational frequency of the antimatter energy. The sacrifice of one universe hadn’t given them the information they needed.
Of course, this universe’s destruction was not the end—it was merely the beginning of the annihilation of many more universes.
...
Countless realities were devoured by the antimatter energy, vanishing into nothingness. Meanwhile, in the antimatter universe, the Anti-Monitor was bursting with excitement.
He could feel his power growing steadily, his strength multiplying several times over in just a few minutes. The consumption of vast universes meant an infusion of greater power for him.
This sensation of immense power was intoxicating, and he didn’t want it to stop.
“Your power seems to have grown significantly,” Zombie Superman remarked with a sinister grin, sensing the Anti-Monitor’s increasing strength. “I take it you’ve just consumed many more realities.”
“Heh, this is nothing. It’s only the beginning!” the Anti-Monitor replied, his spirits lifted by his rapidly expanding power.
“In that case, don’t forget the agreement we made,” Zombie Superman’s tone shifted, reminding the Anti-Monitor of their deal.
“Do as you please...” the Anti-Monitor said dismissively, but his mind was already set on his own plans.
Hmph, now’s not the time to turn on them yet, he thought to himself. Once I’ve devoured more universes, they, too, will become part of my power!
The Anti-Monitor had ambitions far greater than what he had promised his allies. Sharing his power was never part of his true plan. Still, he knew it wasn’t time to make his move. Without the support of Zombie Flash, his mighty antimatter wall would lose its driving force.
“Very well…” Zombie Superman smiled as he slowly raised his right hand once more. Just like before, a wisp of black energy flowed from his hand, gathering in front of him. However, this time, instead of quickly forming a dark humanoid figure, the energy coalesced into a massive chair.
As the chair began to take shape from the smoke, the Anti-Monitor felt an unprecedented shock—a surge of antimatter energy, seemingly beyond his control, flowed toward the dark energy. Finally, the chair solidified, a mixture of black and blue energy swirling around it, creating an eerie, unsettling aura.
The massive, ominous chair had been born.
...
(End of Chapter)
