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[Superman] Chapter 189: The Multiverse Crisis Erupts Early
🕑 Added 2024-08-10 17:51:39 +0000 UTC“I apologize, Master. Of course, I’ve heard of the Kryptonian race, renowned across the universe. They possessed immense power and supreme technology that was revered throughout the cosmos,” DeSaad said, bowing respectfully.
“However, despite their strength, they couldn’t escape their inevitable demise.”
“As for the technology you mentioned that created Doomsday, I’m afraid I’ve never heard of it. It might have vanished along with Krypton’s destruction.”
DeSaad was well aware of the now-destroyed Krypton. The sudden destruction of Krypton had caused a stir among the advanced civilizations of the universe, even prompting many to reflect on their own vulnerabilities, fearing they might face a similar fate as Krypton.
However, he was not familiar with the many lost technologies of Krypton. But that didn’t matter—Apokolips had supreme technology that was in no way inferior to what Krypton had before its destruction.
Especially on Apokolips, the more destructive the technology, the more it was valued. Otherwise, they would never have created a demon army that feeds on fear.
“Not knowing isn’t important. First, complete the task I just gave you. Organize all the technological data on Apokolips. When the time comes, I’ll naturally provide you with the detailed information on Doomsday,” Peter said, smiling slightly.
“Yes, Master. Your most loyal servant will not fail your expectations!” DeSaad knew that this was the moment to prove his loyalty and assured Peter without hesitation.
“Alright, you may go now. It’s time for the sky of Apokolips to change,” Peter said, gazing through the large hole that Steppenwolf had just smashed into the ceiling of the hall.
He looked out at the darkened sky, shrouded in endless flames and ash, seemingly lost in thought.
...
Organizing all the technology on Apokolips might sound easy, but in reality, it’s quite challenging.
After all, Apokolips is one of the most powerful civilizations in the entire DC Universe, even stronger than the recently destroyed Krypton by countless times.
In the DC Universe, perhaps only New Genesis and civilizations like Brainiac can rival it.
The vast array of technologies they possess is far beyond what humanity's brief civilization can comprehend.
Even without relying on his own immense power, Darkseid's ability to conquer countless galaxies using only the technology of Apokolips highlights the strength of its civilization. Moreover, Apokolips’ cosmic fleet can cross entire galaxies to reach Earth.
As for how Earth managed to survive the invasion of Darkseid and the advanced civilization of Apokolips in the comics, besides Superman being an overpowered character, it can only be explained by Earth being the origin of the entire universe.
After Peter assigned DeSaad the task of organizing the technological data, he found himself with little else to do in the meantime.
He took the opportunity to use the power of the Mother Box to open a portal back to Earth.
Shortly thereafter, the Atlanteans, deep under the ocean, were suddenly attacked by a mysterious figure. During the attack, the Mother Box, which had been safeguarded by Atlantis for thousands of years, was lost.
Following that, one of Batman’s secret Batcaves was also attacked, and the human Mother Box, which was securely kept there, was lost as well.
Soon after, all three of the Apokolips Mother Boxes that had been hidden on Earth mysteriously vanished. Even the Kryptonian ship at S.T.A.R. Labs, originally belonging to Superman, completely disappeared.
In less than an hour, several significant events occurred, causing hidden powers and civilizations on Earth to stir.
However, none of this affected Peter, the mastermind behind these events. With the three Apokolips Mother Boxes now in his possession, along with the Kryptonian ship containing nearly all of Krypton’s technological knowledge accumulated over millions of years, Peter had gained a tremendous bounty.
Boom!
Using the Mother Box, Peter once again opened a portal to Apokolips, instantly vanishing from Earth along with the three Mother Boxes and the enormous Kryptonian ship.
Upon returning to Apokolips, Peter’s absence had gone unnoticed. After all, the planet had just witnessed the rise of a new ruler, and the entire world was in the midst of a power reshuffle.
Though DeSaad had accepted the task of organizing the technological data, he hadn’t forgotten his own ambition to seize more power.
Previously, as one of Darkseid’s subordinates, he wasn’t the highest-ranking figure. But now, with enough effort and ruthlessness, he had a chance to become the second most powerful figure on Apokolips, just beneath the new king.
Driven by his thirst for supreme power, DeSaad ruthlessly eliminated anyone on Apokolips who refused to submit to Peter’s rule. Within a few short days, the sky of Apokolips had grown even darker, with endless flames consuming thousands of bodies.
The initial chaos and rebellion sparked by the arrival of the new ruler gradually died down.
Peter paid no attention to these events until several days later, when DeSaad approached him with all the organized technological data of Apokolips.
...
"My Great King, your most humble servant has followed your orders and compiled all the technological data of Apokolips from the reign of the New Gods up until now."
Even though it had been over ten days since Peter appeared and took control of Apokolips, Desaad still couldn't forget the terrifying scene from a few days ago—when this figure suddenly appeared and, with just a single punch, obliterated the once supreme ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid.
So, even though Desaad was now the de facto ruler of Apokolips, he didn’t dare show any resistance or neglect toward Peter. He knelt on one knee, his head bowed, eyes avoiding the figure seated on the golden throne.
"Oh, that's quite fast," Peter remarked, somewhat surprised. He had expected organizing Apokolips' technological data to take a long time, at least several months, but the speed exceeded his expectations.
Without hesitation, Peter gestured with his hand, and the small silver-white cube, which Desaad had been holding reverently in both hands, floated out of Desaad’s grip and into Peter's hand.
As soon as he touched the small cube, Peter immediately understood the principles behind it. It wasn’t much different from the Mother Box technology he already controlled.
This small cube, like a Mother Box, was made from a special material combined with the advanced technology of Apokolips. It could twist, shrink, and change shape like nanotechnology.
However, unlike a Mother Box, it didn’t contain the infinite energy capable of destroying planets. Instead, it held all the supreme technological data of Apokolips.
In other words, whoever possessed this cube controlled all the highest technology of Apokolips.
"You've done well," Peter said, playing with the small Apokoliptian tech cube, which was smaller than his palm, as he addressed the ever-respectful Desaad.
"For the Great King!" Desaad responded, still unaware of Peter's true name, not even knowing how to address him in a rallying cry.
"In that case, this is yours," Peter said, nodding slightly as he pointed to a massive spaceship within the vast hall—the Kryptonian ship he had recently brought back from Earth.
"My Great King, what is this?" Desaad asked, following Peter’s gesture toward the Kryptonian ship. Although he didn’t say anything out loud, a trace of disappointment crossed his face.
For the technologically backward Earth, this ship was a priceless treasure. But to Desaad, it was outdated by who knows how many years. Of course, in the entire universe, only someone from Apokolips would consider a Kryptonian ship to be outdated.
"Don’t be fooled by its seemingly outdated appearance," Peter said, noticing the fleeting disappointment in Desaad's eyes. "The artificial intelligence within this ship contains all of Krypton’s technological knowledge, now lost to the universe."
"My Great King, are you serious?" Desaad’s face lit up with excitement. Even though Apokolips' technology had reached the pinnacle of the universe, the technological data from other advanced civilizations still had significant value to Apokolips.
Desaad himself was a scientist from Apokolips, known for his ruthlessness and his crucial role in advancing technology, which made him one of Darkseid’s most trusted subordinates.
In the comics Peter knew, Desaad had even been killed by Darkseid for repeatedly contradicting him, only to be later resurrected by Darkseid himself, illustrating his importance.
"Of course. This includes the technology I mentioned to you before, the one Krypton developed—biological weapons even more powerful than the Parademons."
"Doomsday... Parademons... perhaps they could be fused into an even more powerful biological weapon!" Peter assigned the task of studying Kryptonian technology to Desaad.
Of course, Peter's true intention was for Desaad to combine Doomsday technology with Parademon technology.
He remembered that in an animated adaptation of an Apokolips war, a powerful biological weapon was created by merging Doomsday with Parademons. It was called "Doom Parademon."
"My Great King, your most loyal servant will spare no effort to complete your task!" Desaad didn’t hesitate. The more challenging the task, the more it demonstrated the new king’s trust in him.
...
Soon, Desaad left the grand hall with the ship containing the vast technological knowledge of Krypton, while Peter held the cube brimming with the infinite technology of Apokolips, his expression calm.
"My mission in this world is now over-completed. Perhaps it’s time to return to the Marvel Universe..."
Peter had already gathered enough Speed Force when the Flash traversed through time and space. Now, with the acquisition of three of Apokolips' supreme Mother Boxes and all of its technological data, his gains far exceeded his original expectations.
At this moment, Peter didn’t hesitate. He used the Speed Force to open a channel back to the Marvel Universe, stepping into it and temporarily leaving the DC Universe.
Crack!
Within the Speed Force channel, endless lightning tore through the void, constructing a pathway detached from the universe’s reality and free from the rules of the Source Wall.
Peter walked through it, not encountering any other speedsters as he had when he arrived. He didn’t know how much time had passed before he returned to the Marvel Universe.
"Mr. Superman, you're finally back!"
As soon as Peter returned to the Marvel Universe, a familiar figure opened the laboratory door, looking at Peter with eager eyes.
"What’s wrong? Did something unusual happen while I was away?"
Peter looked at Reed, noticing that besides the eagerness for his return, there was also a trace of hidden concern in his expression.
"Mr. Superman, the crisis you mentioned that could sweep through the entire multiverse... it has already begun!"
Reed’s expression became extremely serious, the smile he had for Peter’s return disappearing.
…
Shortly after, in the Multiversal Council Chamber.
The dazzling multiversal scenery, like a starry sky, once again unfolded before Peter. The dark red lights of the universe spheres, like stars hanging in the void, appeared incredibly beautiful and brilliant.
However, this beautiful scene lasted only a short while.
Suddenly, the scene before them began to spin rapidly, shifting their perspective past countless dim or bright dark red universes.
Finally, after an unknown number of universes, it gradually slowed and stopped.
What appeared before them was a seemingly ordinary universe, no different from the others.
"Hmm?"
Just as Peter was about to ask what was wrong with this universe, the dim red glow emanating from the universe suddenly grew brighter.
It seemed as if an incredibly terrifying energy was rapidly expanding within the universe. The immense energy couldn’t be contained or stopped by the universe's barriers.
Crack!
Visible cracks began to appear on the surface of the universe sphere. Blinding energy beams shot through the cracks, illuminating the surrounding void.
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, countless cracks spread across the universe. Torrential beams of energy erupted from them.
In an instant, as if the entire universe could no longer withstand the rapidly expanding energy, its barriers completely shattered. Accompanied by a catastrophic cosmic explosion, the entire universe disintegrated into nothingness before everyone’s eyes.
"How long has this been happening? And how many universes have suddenly been destroyed like this?"
Peter’s expression was serious. Seeing a universe annihilated before him didn’t cause him to panic, but according to Reed, this wasn’t the first time such an event had occurred.
"Sir, less than a month after you left, our multiverse detectors suddenly picked up abnormal energy fluctuations from a universe. Shortly after, we witnessed the scene you just saw. And so far, twelve universes have been destroyed like this..."
…
(End of Chapter)
