In Marvel, at the end of the livestream all the media outlets were filled with Allen Walker.
This time, Allen's peak viewership reached fifty million, which might seem little considering how well-known he is in the world, but despite culture advancing in giant strides, it's still 2014. It's an era where streaming is just beginning.
(I had already explained that the development of video games, anime, comics, movies, music, technology development, and other entertainment is coordinated with our era, but most things like fashion and culture are closer to 2014.)
Most people preferred TV, and even radio and newspapers were more popular than social media.
So most people found out about Allen Walker's actions through news and different programs.
In Marvel, Allen had committed one madness after another, and it all was just yesterday. It's correct to say that the world hadn't yet fully assimilated it.
However, not everyone received Allen's antics with humor. While they were controlled pranks and no one died, there's no doubt the message was received: "You can't stop me."
Allen had enormous power, but thanks to Shield covering his back, Allen didn't have to worry about a paranoid politician starting a hunt against him, like with mutants. But yesterday it was shown that no one was capable of putting a stop to Allen, and this alarmed the governments of the world.
...
Returning to the topic of the media where Allen became the main topic, one of them was on Murray Franklin's late-night show, the king of comedy and one of the most influential personalities of the time.
Murray walked to his desk amid applause, as usual.
"Today we have several guests..." Murray said with a big smile; people loved him, and he knew it; the guests arrived one by one.
In the end, the biggest surprise of the night was the presence of Christian Bale, the Batman from the incredible "The Dark Knight" trilogy.
Murray warmly greeted Christian, and then they both sat down.
"Everything happened too fast, and nobody has had time to ask you, Chris," said Murray, preparing coffee for Christian in the middle of the interview. "What do you think about Batman being real?"
While the DC universe known in Marvel was incomplete and many things were unknown, it was incredible to discover that everything was real.
People thought it was a lie, and even now, some still do, but Allen is real, and tons of people witnessed what he's capable of. Consequently, people began to accept that DC was real.
"I didn't know how to feel when I found out; like everyone else, I was skeptical, but when someone as... special as young Walker testifies, you can only accept it." Christian laughed. "Although I would have liked it if Batman were an alternate version of me, hahaha."
Allen had met two Batmans, but neither was Christian Bale's, yet there might be a Batman of him in the multiverse.
"However, I'm not shocked; I'm just an actor who was lucky enough to play one of the most iconic fictional superheroes in history, and now that I know it's real, I consider it an honor."
"I see, it's true, Batman is an incredibly misunderstood hero in his world; is it okay to keep calling Batman fictional?" Murray looked at the audience. "What do you think?"
"No!"
"Well, there you have it, Batman is as real as my hemorrhoids!" Murray laughed, and the audience did too. Then he looked at Christian once again. "The Dark Knight was simply high-quality cinema; do you plan to make more movies?"
"There have been talks of a reboot of the DCEU universe, but I don't know."
"Haha well, that's how things are in Hollywood, only the producers know what will happen next," Murray's smile disappeared as his gaze became serious. "Tell me, Christian, what do you think of Walker?"
Christian was surprised by the sudden change of topic and stared at Murray with a question mark on his head; however, the show must go on, and he must answer.
"He's someone incredible and at the same time mysterious..."
"Dangerous, didn't you mean that?"
"..." Christian Bale didn't know what to say in the face of Murray's sudden change of attitude.
"My beloved audience," Murray stood up. "It's embarrassing how little we talk about a topic that we should take very seriously!"
The production became nervous seeing that Murray wasn't following the script. While it's customary for Murray to go off-script from time to time, it's the first time he did it so abruptly.
"Today, I witnessed collective hysteria, millions of people laughing and cheering for a possible sociopath!"
"Murray?!" The production didn't know what to do and just kept recording.
"What's wrong with us?!" Murray frowned. "Since when did the world become the playground of a young man with testosterone and elevated hormones?!"
"Look, the truth! Allen Walker, a monster capable of ending the world, a young man with drinking problems, a young man willing to act like a villain to make his audience laugh! And who spends his time flirting with women!"
"ARE WE CRAZY?!" Murray exploded in fury. "MONSTERS ARE COMING OUT OF NIGHTMARES!, AND THEY WANT ME TO SIT HERE AND MAKE JOKES ABOUT ADELE'S WEIGHT?!"
It's a fact that monsters capable of destroying the world appeared, and thanks to or because of Allen, people found out. Due to Allen's livestreams, the government couldn't do what it always did, hide the truth.
"Why are so many people ignoring such a delicate issue?! Don't they realize that our lives are as fragile to them as paper?"
Allen's fame had consequences, but even more so, his power and behavior raised alarms for governments and many people.
They witnessed three beings capable of ending the world, and two of them were defeated by the same person. They're afraid, and they have reasons to be; Allen can wipe a city off the map if he wants to.
The only reason there hasn't been total panic yet is that everything Allen does is broadcast. Thanks to that, people feel they have a certain connection with him. Being so openly displayed humanizes Allen. Everyone can see the kind of person Allen is, and how he acts and thinks; while he does a lot of silly things and sometimes seems irresponsible, he's not a monster.
"Excuse me..." Christian stood up, interrupting Murray's speech. "I'm sorry, but I disagree."
Christian Bale is one of those who support Allen, perhaps he doesn't approve of everything Allen does, unlike Allen's fans, but Christian respects him and understands the burden Allen carries and how difficult his life is.
"What?!" Murray turned as he watched his guest speak. "Christian?"
Christian looked at the audience. "While the power of young Walker is terrifying, he uses it to protect the earth, to protect all of us."
"Sure, the kid saved the earth, so we should forgive him for everything?!" Murray slammed the table next to him. "What if out of nowhere he turned bad?! What if he stopped playing a villain and became a real one?!"
"He won't!" the man who once was Batman replied with a deep and steady gaze at Murray. "Allen is... peculiar, but I can assure you he won't turn into a psychopath!"
"Nonsense!"
"I'm a humble actor and can't decide what happens in our world," Christian placed a hand on Murray's shoulder. "But I know we wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."
"..."
Christian began walking towards the exit. "Don't get too worked up, Murray," Christian said with a sigh. "And give the kid a break; he lives with a weight on his shoulders that neither you nor I could bear for a second."
"..."
Murray clenched his teeth but didn't argue further. They're different and valid points of view. Who's right and who's wrong?
Murray was right; people are ignoring Allen's power because he saved the earth. They think if someone like Allen can exist, there might be more, and it's better to just accept Allen's existence as an ally because, in the end, he's on their side, unlike a renegade god and an uncontrollable monster.
...
*Barbara's POV*
'Am I going to die?'
I watched as the golden axe headed towards my neck in slow motion; I had heard that when you're about to die, your brain gets overloaded with information that your body can't keep up with, and that's why everything seems very slow.
Haa... Barbara, you messed up...
A hero's life is brilliant, but their death isn't necessarily so; the truth is when you put on a suit and a mask to go out into the streets and face all kinds of mentally ill, psychopaths, and generally bad people who wouldn't hesitate to shoot you if they had the chance... You can't expect to have a pleasant death.
I know...
It's most likely that you'll end up dismembered alive, you can never let your guard down, that applies whether you have powers or not.
An alien invasion? I never expected it, although Bruce might have, in the end, I'm disappointing the Batfamily hehe... I don't feel like laughing.
Yesterday, I was stopping a guy who stole a purse from an old lady, and I couldn't foresee what would happen in such a short time, no, I'm just making excuses, I have the best teacher, it's just my fault, I made the most basic mistake of a hero without powers, letting myself be carried away by anger.
Maybe Supergirl can get angry and just jump at her opponent, but I'm human, doing that assures me a painful death; I should have been more careful.
Fear? I don't have it, but that's because I don't have time to feel fear.
The blade of the axe almost reached me...
I'm sorry... what I regret the most is that this will happen in front of my father and teacher...
"You're pathetic, Barbara..."
"What?!"
That voice! I recognize it no matter how much I want to forget that voice, I recognize...
"Haha... Batman wouldn't give up so easily..."
"Shut up! Can't you leave me alone even in my death?"
"You're not dead yet..."
What?!
I opened my eyes to see the golden axe being stopped by a hand.
"Good night..." The whispering voice of a man came from behind me, tickling me. "You!"
I turned to face my savior, but instead, my mouth was sealed by an unexpected kiss. I was too shocked to react, and the bastard took advantage to slip his tongue in.
"Hmm.... you...Mhm..."
I tried to speak, but he didn't let me, my legs grew weak, and my heart began to beat as if it would explode, I felt weak and had no choice but to lean on him to avoid falling.
The bastard wrapped his arm around me and pressed me selfishly against his body, I could feel his possessive instinct.
When I couldn't breathe anymore, he let me go, and I rested my head on his chest, I swear it's not intentional!!
Walker, or whatever his name is, looked angrily at the golden-armored alien.
"How dare you steal my antagonists?!"
"YOU'RE THE HUMAN!!"
The great extraterrestrial shouted with anger as he looked at Allen as if he had killed his parents.
"Do I know you?"
"I am Steppenwolf, faithful servant of the god Darkseid!"
"Dark...seid?" I was out of breath and could barely pronounce words. Damn, I have to get rid of this guy. The pervert is touching my ass while talking to the alien!.... Ugh, his hands are skillful... no, Barbara you can't!!!, but it feels so good his hug, no!. "BASTARD!"
"Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm just taking my payment..."
"What do you mean?"
"Heroes save altruistically, I don't, I saved your life so I deserve something, you know?"
He brought his face close to me to kiss me, damn it I couldn't muster the strength to escape I will have to obey, I closed my eyes and waited for him to kiss me, not that I wanted him to kiss me! I am not an easy woman!
"I didn't ask for it!" I was annoyed by his arrogant attitude.
"Oh okay..."
"Ahhh what?!"
Out of nowhere, a chain wrapped around me and lifted me into the air; I looked in disbelief at Walker, who just smiled slightly at me.
"Don't forget, you're my superheroine," he said, looking at me intently. "I won't allow you to be defeated by anyone else."
*thump-thump*
"..." I felt my heart pounding, he was practically telling me that I belong to him, as his antagonist of course!... Damn, what a humiliation to be saved by a villain I swear I'll catch you, Walker!.
*End of POV*
...
Batman was about to save Barbara, but a dozen Parademons got in his way; Batman had a flashback of his parents, remembering how they died without him being able to do anything.
Commissioner Gordon was worse off; he ran to his daughter when he saw her in danger, but he was stopped by his subordinates; unfortunately, one of them was pierced by a Parademon's claw while covering him.
When it seemed like the end for Batgirl, chains emerged from the ground, and at the same time, a figure appeared behind Barbara, stopping Steppenwolf's axe.
Gordon was relieved, but at the same time, he was annoyed because he saw his daughter kissing her savior. He thought Barbara was already at that age, but they should choose a better place for this.
At least Gordon was happy that his daughter chose a promising young man with the power to protect her when she needed it.
If Batman heard Gordon's thoughts, he would curse; that bastard isn't Barbara's boyfriend; he's a shameless villain.
Barbara was speechless; she was trying to catch Allen, but it was the second time she'd been in an uncomfortable situation and taken advantage of by him.
Barbara was embarrassed and annoyed as she floated, wrapped in a black chain around her waist, but when she saw Allen's back, she was confused. "Why did he come?" It seemed that Allen had appeared just to save her.
Barbara blushed; she couldn't help it; villains are selfish bastards capable of selling their mother for money or power, but Allen had appeared just to save her.
Barbara wanted to bury her face in the ground and didn't want Batman or her father to see her like this; she's a superheroine, so how could she blush because of a villain?!
Barbara had to ask; she had to know if he had come for her. So she gathered her courage and, against all logic, parted her pink lips.
"You..."
"Darkseid!!" Allen was furious. "I warned you, this is my moment, how dare you start an invasion?!" Allen ground his teeth as a vein bulged on his forehead.
"Huh?!" Barbara made a foolish look as she saw Allen completely ignore her and then puffed her cheeks 'Hmph, men!'
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