Beyond the bounds of the universe, time and space have long since lost any tangible form.
Outside of one particular universe, an antimatter energy wall, even larger than the universe itself, is rapidly approaching after obliterating the first reality. It is now closing in on more universes.
In the universe closest to the oncoming threat, no one is aware of the looming crisis that will soon annihilate their universe.
Until this very moment, they remain completely oblivious to the fact that their universe's doomsday is just around the corner.
An endless number of universes will be entirely devoured.
Their fate will soon come to a total end.
Their universe has already lost any hope of survival.
Buzz!
Just as the antimatter energy was about to sweep through this universe, a massive blue portal suddenly appeared in a desolate wilderness within the cosmos.
A lone figure stepped out from the portal first. After surveying the surroundings, the figure muttered quietly, as if talking to themselves.
"Everyone, the initial inspection is complete. This location is perfect for our construction plans!"
After reporting the situation, more figures swiftly emerged from the portal, each carrying enormous and unusual devices that appeared far too heavy for any single person to lift.
"Great, we can now proceed according to plan," said one of them. "However, during the construction of the detection device, we must remain discreet. It's critical to avoid attracting the attention of anyone in this universe."
Batman was among the group. As soon as he arrived in this doomed universe, he sternly addressed everyone, issuing a clear warning.
He was, of course, referring to certain individuals in this universe—heroes like themselves who might be protecting it.
However, after their experiences in the previous universe, they couldn't be sure if this universe's protectors were indeed heroes defending Earth or tyrants ruling over it with cruelty.
But at the moment, they didn't have the time to investigate such matters.
This universe was destined for total destruction. Even they were powerless to stop it.
All they could do was watch as the universe met its inevitable end.
As for the versions of themselves that existed in this universe, whether they were heroes or villains, it didn't concern them much.
It wasn't that they didn't want to save the people of this universe.
They just knew all too well that, given their current power, they couldn't possibly rescue many before the crisis struck.
Moreover, they had a greater burden on their shoulders—the hope of countless other universes.
So, even though they felt great sorrow and reluctance, they knew what they had to do.
They had to complete their mission successfully and discreetly, without alerting anyone.
…
Soon, several figures began to swiftly move and work near the time-space portal.
Numerous heroes, each possessing extraordinary powers, had transported specialized devices from another universe and were now quickly assembling them.
The Flash, with his super-speed, dashed like lightning. He connected the countless devices through special energy transmission tubes, binding them all together in no time.
In less than ten minutes, a massive steel structure emerged from the barren wilderness. It rose rapidly, from nothing to completion in such a short time, forming a towering device.
The structure stood over ten meters tall, appearing as though it couldn't possibly have been built with current human technology.
And indeed, it wasn't. The advanced detector, designed to monitor antimatter energy, was a collaborative effort between Cyborg, who specialized in Apokoliptian technology, and the second Superman, who was an expert in Kryptonian tech. The level of technology used far surpassed anything humanity on this Earth could comprehend.
"Alright, everyone, great job!"
"I'll stay here and guard the device now."
Once the detector was fully constructed, Superman from the Justice League volunteered to stay behind, ensuring the newly built structure wouldn't be sabotaged.
After all, time was of the essence. Unlike last time, the vast antimatter energy wouldn't only consume one universe's reality.
Soon, the antimatter would simultaneously spread across multiple universes, consuming them all.
At this point, they had only managed to build a detector in one of the universes set to encounter the antimatter energy first. Several more universes were still waiting for them to install additional detection devices.
"Since that's the case, we'll leave it to you to protect this one. We won't waste any more time and will head to the next universe to build another detector!"
With that, the others said their goodbyes to Superman and, without hesitation, returned through the still-open time-space portal to begin their work in the second universe as planned.
Superman was now left alone to guard the device.
Seconds turned into minutes.
There were less than 30 minutes remaining before the antimatter energy wall would strike.
Though Superman stayed to guard the detector, he couldn't help but worry about the others who had gone to build more devices in other universes.
Could they complete their mission in time?
However, whether his concern was justified or not remained uncertain.
Meanwhile, something unexpected was unfolding in this universe.
Far out in space, inside a massive space station, several figures gathered in a conference room. They stared in silence at the holographic projection floating above the table.
"Did this thing really just appear on Earth within the last few hours?"
Superman, dressed in a light blue suit, asked gravely as he eyed the strange structure. It looked like a towering metal spire with a device at the top that split into three prongs.
"Yes, a few hours ago, it was just an empty wasteland. But our sensors detected this strange metal tower appearing there out of nowhere," Cyborg said, his expression just as serious as he pointed at the projection of the tower.
"We don't know who built it…"
Batman, calm as always, speculated, "Could this be another alien structure, like the last time?"
"It's very likely," Cyborg nodded. "This device's technology is highly advanced, far beyond what Earth's current level of development could achieve."
"Could this be another alien invasion?" Superman's eyes flashed with cold determination.
Not long ago, Brainiac had invaded Earth, intending to turn it into a collectible specimen to add to his vast collection.
It was only through their combined efforts and fierce resistance that they were able to defeat Brainiac and protect the Earth.
Yet now, it seemed another group of aliens might be targeting their planet so soon after that crisis.
"Hmph, no matter who they are, we won't let them succeed."
"If they dared to set up a device on our Earth without permission, we'll just go there and destroy it ourselves!" Superman declared, his tone cold and resolute.
The others didn't argue and nodded in agreement with Superman's decision.
Moments later, they gathered their team and flew toward the strange tower.
Before long, they hovered over it, ready to act.
...
"Damn it, how could they have noticed us here?"
The arrival of Superman and the others couldn't go unnoticed by the Superman guarding the detector, thanks to his powerful perception. Cursing under his breath, he had no choice but to prepare to reveal himself and explain everything to the newcomers.
"I hope this version of myself is easier to deal with than the one from the last universe."
Before stepping forward, he couldn't help but remember his previous experience in another universe. That version of Superman had been incredibly arrogant, causing a lot of unnecessary trouble for their plan.
"Everyone, we've got a close-up view of that sudden tower, and we can confirm with certainty: it's not human-made. It's definitely the work of aliens from outside our universe!" Cyborg, flying outside the aircraft, had already scanned the structure on the ground, determining that it wasn't of human origin.
"In that case, what are we waiting for? Let's destroy it immediately!" Floating in the air, Superman's eyes began to glow with an intense red light. After the last alien invasion, he harbored a deep hatred for extraterrestrials and wouldn't allow anyone to threaten Earth again.
Zzz!
"Wait—"
Before anyone could react, Superman unleashed a brilliant red beam from his eyes, aiming straight at the tower on the ground. At the same moment, a voice rang out, startling everyone.
Before they could process what was happening, a figure appeared right in front of Superman's heat vision, just as it was about to strike the tower. Using their body, the figure blocked the powerful beam entirely, saving the tower from any damage.
"Thank goodness, I made it in time!" The Superman standing in front of the detector sighed in relief. He hadn't expected the people of this universe to attack the tower without giving him a chance to explain.
Swoosh!
Just as he was catching his breath, the Superman who had launched the attack suddenly appeared in front of him, his eyes filled with shock as he stared at someone dressed almost exactly like him.
"You… who are you?" The Superman of this universe asked in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, but as you can probably tell, we share the same identity—we are both Kryptonians," Clark said calmly. By now, he was used to encountering alternate versions of himself and didn't find it surprising.
"What? That's impossible!" The Superman of this universe looked astonished.
"However, I'm not from your universe. I come from another one," Clark explained, choosing not to hide the truth from his counterpart in this doomed universe.
"Another universe? You mean the multiverse is real?" The Superman of this universe gazed at Clark in disbelief.
"Of course. The multiverse has always existed. Beyond this universe, there are countless others with realities similar to yours," Clark continued.
"And you… why have you come to our universe? Did you build that tower? What is its purpose?" Though the concept of the multiverse was shocking, they quickly accepted it and pressed Clark for answers to their real questions.
"Since you've already discovered it, I won't hide anything. You deserve to know the truth." Clark thought for a moment, realizing that this version of himself wasn't like the supervillain from another universe. At least, they could still talk rather than immediately fight.
"Not far from your universe, a massive antimatter energy wall is approaching, one that will consume the entire multiverse," Clark revealed.
"Antimatter energy wall? What's that?"
"It's a force powerful enough to destroy universes," Clark said gravely, his face serious as he mentioned the antimatter.
"A force that can destroy universes? How is that possible?" The Superman of this universe and the others were clearly shocked and skeptical.
"I understand this is hard to believe, but it's the truth."
"At this very moment, your universe is on the brink of being swallowed by antimatter energy, heading towards total destruction," Clark stated with grim honesty.
"No! That can't be true! How could our universe possibly be destroyed?"
"Exactly! We just defeated an alien invasion not long ago—how could we now be facing a crisis that could end our entire universe?"
It was no wonder they found it hard to accept. After all, who could believe that after narrowly defeating one enemy, the next challenge would be the complete annihilation of their universe?
...
(End of Chapter)
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