A huge crisis that could destroy the world ended like that.
At the moment when the clock approached zero, it seemed to be held down by a big hand, and it just stopped turning.
The nuclear bombs that were ready for launch disappeared and didn't detonate, which caused the U.S. and Russian authorities to fall into panic.
Like a sudden paranormal event, it was particularly odd.
'Where are our nuclear bombs? It's all launched. Why are they gone?'
The intelligence departments of various countries slowed down the video images captured by satellites, looking for clues frame by frame, and finally found a vague figure.
Could it be Dr Manhattan?
When the two Presidents got the news, they couldn't help but make the same connection.
The 'God' who left Earth and disappeared for a long time!
Was he back?
Heads of state, blinded by war, interests and greed, looked as if a pot of cold water were poured on their heads and instantly calmed down.
'Humanity has stopped. They are standing on the edge of the cliff and wouldn't take the last step for the time being. '
Luke returned to the secret base. All the launched nuclear bombs were placed in his underworld for the time being.
He got nearly a third of the U.S. and Russia's nuclear stockpiles for nothing; it was a great harvest.
If there was an opportunity in the future, he could use them to clean everything up.
Throwing out thousands of nuclear warheads all at once should be very effective.
"You really did it?"
Ozymandias couldn't believe it, but he had to accept this fact because of the information transmitted from the screens.
"Stopping a nuclear war is no big deal."
Luke looked calm as if he had just done something trivial.
If he intended to show off his achievements... he once helped The Avengers defeat Thanos, change the future with a snap of his fingers, suppressed Mephisto, won first place in the Sorcerer Supreme Battle, and saved the Nine Realms by killing the Serpent...
Compared with what he had done before, a world war between the East camp and the West camp was nothing.
"This isn't permanent, Mr Veidt."
Luke smiled and whispered, "For complex creatures like human beings, don't try to eliminate their bad habits. That's something even God can't do."
"He sent down the flood to purge the unjust, but in the end? Greed, ambition, selfish desires ... are still growing unchecked in this land."
Adrian's eyes flashed. He didn't speak.
He was a combination of Lex Luthor + Batman, with excessive narcissism and arrogance, and matching brains and executive power.
In addition to the deep-rooted saviour complex, it was impossible for anyone to shake his inner beliefs.
"Back to the topic, the Nite Owl airship, and the data for tracking Dr Manhattan's coordinates. I'll take those."
Luke spread his hands to show that it was time for him to ask for compensation.
Dr Manhattan underestimated Ozymandias's wisdom and actions, thinking that everything would be fine if he exiled himself from the Watchmen universe.
"If I'm not mistaken, Mr Anonymous, you didn't come here voluntarily, did you?"
Ozymandias didn't move. As a wise man, he was keenly aware of some useful information through previous conversations.
"That's right."
Luke freely admitted that. He was fooled by Dr Manhattan, which wasn't a humiliating thing.
Even though Metron, one of the New Gods, was sitting in the Mobius Chair made by the Anti-Monitor, he was still obliterated by the blue man.
If it weren't for Superman's body and the Tenth Metal in it, possessing a trace of the power of the origin of the universe....
Perhaps, Dr Manhattan would take a more brutal and direct solution to the biggest variable.
"Then, even if you go back to Jon's universe, you might be able to fight him."
Adrian pointed out the key point. That is, how Superman should defeat Dr Manhattan at this stage.
Unless he got the top card of Cosmic Armor Superman or Golden Superman...
Otherwise, he wouldn't be a threat to the blue man.
"I have my own plan."
Luke's lips turned up. He could understand the meaning of Ozymandias's words.
Clever people were always relentless. When he learned that there was a wider space beyond the Watchmen universe...
The world was bigger than he thought. Adrian naturally wanted to see it too.
Unfortunately, he couldn't satisfy the other's idea for the time being.
"If you participate in this game, you may be disappointed."
Luke looked at the huge array of monitors behind Ozymandias. In the news, every country revealed a turbulent and chaotic situation.
Although the war has been temporarily stopped, a growing fire of violence was burning and destroying everything.
The world needed a leader to show them the right path.
"First of all, I have no intention of confronting Dr Manhattan outright."
Luke held out a finger and spoke with a smile.
The blue man was observing the fully restarted New 52. No matter whether he appeared in any parallel universe or any timeline, he would instantly be noticed by him.
Dr Manhattan was based in the upper reaches of time and space and could easily delete his existence by rewriting the timeline if he wished.
Even if Luke had a way to escape, he would always be in a passive position.
It was unwise to carry his own shortcomings and compete with his opponent's strengths.
So, Luke's plan was to determine the coordinates of the main universe by tracking Dr Manhattan's traces and land in the rebooted space-time before the Flashpoint occurred.
Because of his appearance, a new branch would be generated in the original fixed timeline.
'It's like two forks on the same road, which all point to the same destination in the end. '
Luke, with a relaxed smile, calmly said, "I'm at the downstream of time and space, and he's standing in the upstream. After a long journey, sooner or later, we will meet."
"Frankly speaking, I'm looking forward to Dr Manhattan's expression when he finds out that everything he has observed has become an illusory bubble."
Ozymandias's heart fluttered, and he withdrew his intention to continue the negotiation.
Intuition told him that pushing his luck might end badly.
This anonymous gentleman, like Dr Manhattan, didn't tolerate his various actions out of reason and calm reflection.
"However, Mr Veidt, would you like to consider joining me?"
Luke turned around and threw the second chip on the table.
He opened his palm, and a shining Power Ring of Will appeared.
That bright green light illuminated the interior of the secret base like a beautiful emerald.
"The world will need a second 'go', but I'm not interested in playing such a role."
At this time, Luke, like a compelling devil, sounded persuasive.
"Who else could be more suitable than you? A natural villain who can sacrifice 'a small part' and save 'a large part' without any psychological burden, a cold King who has no compassion and no weakness in his heart."
"This ring can turn you from a mortal to a 'god'."
"It doesn't cost you much, Mr Veidt."
Adrian's eyes were firmly locked on the Power Ring of Will.
Like a top-class gem, he couldn't move his eyes away.
Luke smiled. 'Even the smartest person in the world, I'm afraid, couldn't resist the strong temptation brought by more power.'
Like Lex Luthor, doing all kinds of research on Superman, trying to steal the other party's power.
One couldn't have both wisdom and strength.
The wiser one was, the more they wanted to be strong.
Placing his hand down, the Power Ring that originally belonged to Sinestro floated gently in the air.
Then, the dazzling light burst out, illuminating Ozymandias's handsome face.
"Intelligent life form is determined."
"Adrian Veidt from ... this universe."
"You have a strong will to overcome fear."
"Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps!"