Batcave
A ripple in space materialized inside the Batcave, and Orach stepped through to find Bruce hunched over his computer, analyzing reports of a mysterious global phenomenon. While Bruce, like a select few others, remained unaffected, something unusual was happening to those closest to him.
Alfred's behavior had been particularly concerning. The normally composed butler had embraced Bruce with tears in his eyes that morning, something completely out of character. When questioned, Alfred could only mention having a strange dream, though he couldn't recall the details. Bruce had noticed him spending unusually long periods staring at Thomas and Martha Wayne's portraits, lost in thought.
Even Lucius Fox seemed different during their project update call, though Bruce couldn't quite pin down what felt off. But it was Barbara's string of urgent calls that truly alarmed him.
Their relationship had weathered a difficult period in the last few months, after Bruce had been drugged and taken advantage of by another woman. Though Barbara's anger had been directed at the assault rather than at Bruce, he still carried guilt over the incident. Her unwavering support and unchanging love made her more endearing to him.
Now, Barbara's voice had trembled with panic as she described fragments of a dream where Bruce didn't exist. "I can't explain it," she had said, "but in that dream-world, everything felt wrong, empty. The thought of a life without you..." Her voice had broken then.
"I'm here," Bruce had reassured her, "I'm not going anywhere." It had taken nearly an hour to calm her fears.
Back in the Batcave, Bruce's expression grew grave as he pulled up more reports. Similar incidents were being reported worldwide - people waking from dreams they could barely remember, yet left them deeply shaken. Something was affecting humanity's collective consciousness, and he needed to understand what.
"Busy?," Orach's voice came from behind Bruce. Though startled by the sudden presence, Bruce maintained his composure - few could enter the Batcave undetected, but Orach had always been an exception.
"Welcome back," Bruce replied without turning, his fingers still dancing across the keyboard. "I take it you've seen Diana and Rachel?"
"Yes," Orach confirmed, stepping closer to observe the multiple windows displaying global data. "Something has you concerned. What are you investigating?"
"A worldwide phenomenon that started recently," Bruce explained, pulling up various reports and news feeds. "People across the globe are reporting strange dreams followed by intense emotional responses. Most can't remember the details, but the effects are profound. Even Alfred..." He paused, his voice carrying a hint of worry. "I initially suspected alien interference, but the pattern doesn't match any known hostile species."
"It's not an alien attack, Bruce," Orach stated firmly.
Bruce swiveled his chair to face his business partner, first stunned at his changed appearance but, focused on the topic at hand his eyes narrowing. "You know something about this. Explain."
"What you're witnessing," Orach began, "is the aftermath of a reality-altering event. These 'dreams' aren't mere nightmares - they're echoes bleeding through from another timeline. One where Barry Allen, in his desperate grief, altered the past to save his mother. I had to intervene to restore our timeline, but the process left... ripples in people's consciousness."
Bruce leaned back in his chair, his mind working through the implications. "So Barry actually did it - he changed the past." He paused, remembering Barbara's panicked words about a world without him. "And these dreams... they're memories from that other reality. Those experiencing them existed in that timeline, while those who aren't affected..." His voice trailed off as the full weight of understanding hit him. "We never existed at all."
"Precisely," Orach confirmed, his expression grave. "When Barry changed the past, he created what we call a branch or a divergent timeline with catastrophic consequences. The ripples you're seeing now are the aftereffects of reality reasserting itself. People are experiencing phantom memories because their souls remember both existences, even if their conscious minds can't process it. But, don't worry they'll fade as all dreams do. However, Bruce... there's something else you need to know. While you didn't exist in that timeline... your parents did."
Bruce's hands clenched the armrests of his chair, his knuckles turning white. A slight tremor ran through his normally composed frame. "What are you trying to tell me, Orach?"
"Let me show you," Orach said quietly, meeting Bruce's intense gaze. He stepped forward and gently placed his hands on Bruce's temples. Though his heart raced at the prospect of seeing his parents again, Bruce didn't resist. The memories flooded in with crystal clarity: Thomas Wayne as Batman, a darker, more brutal version of the mantle he took on. Martha Wayne, driven to madness by grief, transformed into that timeline's Joker. Orach's interactions with them both - helping them, guiding them, even warning them about potential future conflicts with their son after he returns once the timeline was fixed. Bruce witnessed his parents standing with Orach as they confronted Barry about the consequences of his actions. In the devastating meeting in Gotham that followed, he saw a cold, ruthless Diana, a tyrannical Arthur, and a Clark who was merely a shadow of his former self. He watched Orach's battles unfold, heard his mother's final words, and saw how Orach not only restored the timeline but also granted his parents a peaceful end in their final moments.
When the memories faded, Bruce remained motionless in his chair, his expression unreadable. The weight of what he'd witnessed - seeing his parents alive in another timeline, their different paths, their final moments - pressed heavily upon him. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"They... they knew about me? In those final moments?"
"Yes," Orach replied softly. "Your parents wanted you to know that they were proud of the man you became, even if they only knew you through my memories."
Bruce's jaw clenched, fighting back emotions he rarely allowed himself to show. "Thank you," he said finally, "for giving them peace. And for showing me this."
"You don't need to thank me, Bruce. Your parents earned my respect, just as you have," Orach said solemnly. He turned and gestured, creating a ripple in space that led to his Wayne Tech office. "I should head to the office now. There's work to be finished. The Medpod project—I assume you've kept it running?"
"Actually," Bruce replied, straightening in his chair, "we've already begun deployment. The prototype testing exceeded expectations with a 100% success rate. All participants showed remarkable recovery, and the follow-up studies over several months revealed no complications."
Orach's eyes narrowed slightly. "Lucius launched the project without me?" He paused, then added with careful emphasis, "I trust my conditions regarding military applications remain in place?"
"Absolutely," Bruce assured him. "Distribution has been strictly limited to select hospitals for now but, when we expand we won't offer them directly to the military, exactly as you specified. And while it may sound callous, the recent Parasite attack provided an unfortunate but effective demonstration of their value. Every victim treated in the pods has shown exceptional recovery rates."
"While there have been some ethical debates around accessibility and distribution, the medical community's response has been overwhelmingly positive. We expect significant orders in the coming Quarter," Bruce explained.
Orach paused thoughtfully. "I'll need to play catch up in my office until the team arrives. I've been rather preoccupied lately." He turned to Bruce, his tone carrying a subtle mix of warmth and authority. "There's something else - I've been studying Earth customs. I understand a groom traditionally chooses groomsmen for his wedding. I want you and Dick to stand with me when the time comes." Before Bruce could respond, Orach stepped through the ripple, which vanished instantly.
"… Am I the CEO or him?," Bruce murmured, leaning back in his chair. "And he actually did it, he proposed to Diana..." His thoughts soon drifted to the memories Orach had shared - particularly his parents' final moments. All these years, he'd believed those last smiles were merely meant to comfort him. Now, understanding their true meaning brought unexpected tears to his eyes.
His computer screen lit up with Barbara's incoming call. Seeing her face brought an immediate smile, and he quickly composed himself before answering.
"Bruce!" Barbara's excited voice filled the cave. "Did you hear? Orach and Diana are engaged! She just asked me to be her maid of honor! And knowing Orach, he'll definitely want you as one of his groomsmen, he doesn't exactly have many close human friends. Though I bet Rachel ends up as his best man. They're planning a long engagement, but isn't this wonderful?"
"Yes," Bruce replied with a slight smile. "He actually just left after 'informing' me and Dick that we're his groomsmen. Wasn't exactly a request."
Barbara chuckled at his response, but quickly sobered when she caught the subtle strain in his voice. "Bruce... what's wrong?"
"Orach shared something with me," Bruce replied softly. "A gift of sorts, though it took an emotional toll."
"…He showed you the other timeline, didn't he?" Barbara's voice was quiet, tinged with protective anger.
"Yes," Bruce confirmed, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it. "I'm grateful he did, Barbara. I saw them again - my parents. More than that, I learned what they felt in their final moments... that they knew I would be alright. They found peace at the end."
"I'm coming over first thing tomorrow," Barbara declared after a moment's pause. "And Bruce? We're taking a vacation - just us. With Orach back in Gotham, the criminals will scatter like roaches. It's the perfect time to get away and process everything. Don't even think about saying no - you know I have ways of convincing you," she added, her tone softening with playful menace.
"Alright," Bruce replied simply.
"Huh? Wait... did you just agree? Without arguing?" Barbara sounded genuinely shocked.
A rare, genuine smile crossed Bruce's face. "Is it that surprising? You're right about the timing, and besides..." his voice took on a warmer note, "like you said, I won't be able to resist you if you got serious."
"Damn right," Barbara replied, her voice full of affection and triumph. "Pack your bags, Mr. Wayne. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you then, Barb," Bruce said softly as he ended the call. He sat quietly for a moment, then stood with purpose. "I need to talk to Alfred about Mother and Father."
Making his way from the Batcave, Bruce found Alfred in the dining room, seated at the table with an untouched cup of tea before him. The elderly butler seemed lost in thought, as if trying to grasp at memories just beyond his reach. Bruce quietly took the chair beside him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Alfred," he began softly, then shared everything Orach had shown him about Thomas and Martha Wayne in the other timeline. As Bruce spoke, he watched his butler's composure slowly crumble. Alfred slumped in his chair, years of carefully maintained composure giving way to raw emotion as tears began to fall. All the guilt he had carried, all the doubts about whether he had honored the Waynes' wishes in raising their son - it all poured out in those moments. The knowledge that Thomas and Martha had found peace, that they had known their son would become a good man, brought him a profound relief.
Bruce had never seen Alfred, his pillar of strength since childhood, in such a vulnerable state. Without hesitation, he stood and embraced the man who had been more than just a butler - who had been a father figure, mentor, and family. They stayed that way for several long moments, sharing in both grief and healing.
When they finally separated, Alfred wiped his eyes and looked at Bruce with newfound clarity. "Master Bruce," he said carefully, "despite what he said, what Master Orach has given us—this gift and his intervention with Miss Barbara—creates a debt we cannot easily repay. Your parents, in their final moments, entrusted him with guiding you. While I understand you are different men with your own principles..." Alfred paused, choosing his next words carefully. "But you share many similarities. Your mother's last request concerned maintaining a path to reconciliation. If you and Master Orach ever find yourselves at odds, please promise me you'll remember this, Master Bruce—for I know Master Orach will not hesitate to end your life if you cross his bottom line."
Bruce absorbed Alfred's words carefully. Though reluctant to make promises, he nodded in acknowledgment - he did owe Orach a debt. After informing Alfred about his upcoming vacation with Barbara, he watched as his butler's face lit up with barely contained joy, immediately bustling about to make preparations. The sight brought a small, guilty smile to Bruce's face; he knew Alfred's enthusiasm stemmed from relief at seeing him finally take time for himself.
Back in the Batcave, Bruce contacted Lucius to coordinate returning Orach's reassigned personnel. He then reached out to the Bat Family in Jump City, requesting occasional patrols in Gotham in his absence. Even with Orach's presence deterring criminal activity, Bruce wanted to maintain the Bat Family's visible presence on the streets. Before sending out a gist of the reason behind the global phenomenon to the Justice League.
Kingdom of Xebel
Arthur groaned as consciousness returned, his head pounding with a splitting headache. The recent event had left him with an overwhelming, inexplicable urge to see Mera. Without fully understanding why, he found himself diving into the ocean, swimming at breakneck speed toward Xebel.
The underwater kingdom was in chaos, clearly affected by the same mysterious phenomenon. Yet Arthur, driven by an instinct he couldn't explain, easily slipped past the distracted guards and made his way to the royal palace. There, he found Mera deep in discussion with her advisors, her presence somehow calming the storm in his mind.
The sight of her stirred something profound within him - an almost overwhelming desire to rush forward and hold her. Fighting against the impulse, Arthur literally punched himself in the face to maintain control, immediately regretting the action when it echoed through the quiet hall. Embarrassed, he decided seeing her safe was enough and turned to leave.
"Going somewhere?" Mera's voice froze him in place. He turned to find her standing behind him, arms crossed and eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Uh... hey Mera," Arthur managed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're looking well."
"For all your many qualities, you make a terrible spy," Mera said dryly. "Everyone knows who you are, Arthur. And that self-inflicted punch wasn't exactly stealthy." Her expression softened slightly. "Why are you really here?"
Just as Arthur struggled to find words, his communicator lit up with Batman's explanation of the global phenomenon. He quickly pulled it out, hoping the distraction would buy him time to compose himself. Mera, having silently moved behind him, read the message over his shoulder. Both of them stood there, stunned by the implications of what they were reading.
"No wonder," Arthur said softly, meeting Mera's gaze. "I felt this overwhelming need to see you. In another timeline, I... I lost you."
"So that explains it," Mera mused, her voice thoughtful. She had experienced the same pull toward Arthur but had forced herself to focus on her duties to her people instead. Now she understood the source of that inexplicable urge.
After a moment of contemplation, Mera's expression shifted to one of determination. She reached out and took Arthur's hand firmly in hers. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?" Arthur asked, caught off guard by her sudden decisiveness.
"To see my father," she replied with a hint of a smile. "I'm tired of waiting for you to make the first move. Sometimes a queen needs to take matters into her own hands."
Arthur felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words and dig the the authority in her voice. She was right - they had danced around their feelings long enough. With everything they now knew, what was the point in waiting? He squeezed her hand and fell into step beside her, ready to face whatever came next together.
Metropolis - Lois Lane and Clark Kent's apartment
Clark Kent stood in his bathroom, staring at his reflection as he tried to wash away the remnants of last night's nightmare. Unlike others who only retained vague impressions of the altered timeline, he found himself burdened with vivid memories of his counterpart's life - memories that felt unnervingly real.
The pain and suffering of that other Kal-El lingered in him. In that timeline, he had known humiliation, confusion, and a deep-seated fear of humanity that felt alien to everything he stood for. Yet these emotions refused to fade, clinging to him like shadows.
"This was deliberate," he whispered, gripping the edge of the sink. He recalled Orach's intervention in that timeline, the words spoken during his rescue. It wasn't hard to deduce that Orach had engineered this experience specifically for him - a calculated experiment to see how witnessing an alternate fate would reshape his perspective of humanity.
For a brief moment, Clark caught a glimpse of his alternate self in the mirror - broken, afraid, yet somehow surviving. The sight made him grit his teeth in frustration, anger rising at both Orach and Barry for their manipulation. But he quickly suppressed these feelings, knowing that his emotional turmoil could affect Lois, who was already shaken from her own strange dreams.
After preparing breakfast and leaving a note for his lover, Clark took to the skies, heading toward his Fortress of Solitude. He needed answers, and more importantly, he needed to understand how to get rid of these feelings. Soon on arrival, he asked the AI, in the image of his birth father to run a full scan and try to suggest a remedy to fix his state. By the time he was done, he saw Bruce's message but, even after reading that the effects would fade out in time, he didn't trust it since he knew Orach had done this on purpose. Even after the scans were performed, no fix could be determined as such he decided to go to home to Kansas, to his parents and spend some quite time there till these memories fade however, he left a request to the Legaue to handle any issues in Metropolis in his absence.
The Justice League assigned Martian Manhunter to watch over Metropolis. With the Saiyan mecha's return, criminals had largely gone into hiding, though Superman's mere presence was still enough to maintain the city's confidence.
Rewinding Time - Central City
After the incident in Metropolis, Barry raced back to Central City, his heart pulling him toward the one person he needed to see most. Without hesitation, he sped to STAR Labs where Caitlin Snow was working late, as usual. In a flash of lightning, he swept her into his arms and phased them through the walls of her apartment, coming to a stop in her living room.
"Barry?" Caitlin steadied herself against him, her eyes wide with surprise. "What's going on?"
"I missed you, Cait," Barry whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Suddenly noticing her clothes beginning to smolder from the speed-force friction, Barry rushed to grab her a fresh set of clothes. Caitlin yelped in embarrassment when she realized what was happening, quickly taking the offered clothes and darting to her bedroom to change. While he waited, Barry pulled back his cowl in the living room, his exposed face revealing eyes that held both pain and hope.
Caitlin's mind quickly pieced together the implications of his return and after changing clothes returned to the living room. "Your attempt to save your mother... it didn't work?"
"Actually, it did," Barry replied, appearing before her in an instant and running a hand through her hair. "I saved her, Cait. I got to live a childhood with both my parents. Everything was perfect until..." He trailed off, his expression darkening.
"Until what?" Caitlin prompted gently, leading him to sit beside her on the nearby couch.
"War," Barry answered grimly taking a seat besides her. "The ripple effects of my actions changed everything - so many lives were affected. In the end, Orach had to intervene. He showed me the mess my selfishness had created and helped me put things right."
"Oh, Barry," Caitlin's hand found his, squeezing gently. "I'm so sorry."
Barry managed a small smile, turning to face her fully. "Don't be. It was... cathartic, in a way. I got to see them one last time, to say a proper goodbye." He took a deep breath. "But being there, having lived that other life, made something very clear to me. Cait, I know this might seem selfish again, and you have every right to say no, but... I love you. Last time we confessed our feelings, I wasn't in my right mind after losing my father. Now I'm clear about how I feel and how much you matter to me. Would you consider giving us a chance?"
Caitlin's eyes softened as she reached up to cup his face. "Barry Allen, for someone so brilliant, you can be remarkably dense sometimes," she said with fond exasperation. "I meant every word I said that night. Of course I love you too."
The tension melted from Barry's shoulders as he leaned forward, his forehead resting against hers. "I promise I won't waste any more time," he murmured.
"Good," Caitlin replied with a smile. "Because I think we've both waited long enough."
She leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. After a brief pause, they connected again, the kiss growing more passionate. Caitlin gently pushed Barry back onto the couch, her fingers threading through his hair as his hands traced patterns along her back before settling at her waist, their bodies drawing closer together. The intensity between them built steadily, their bodies drawing closer together.
"Hold on, Flash," Caitlin pulled back slightly, her breath coming in soft pants. Her eyes sparkled with both desire and amusement. "We may be dating now, but don't you think we're moving a little fast? Even for you?" She traced her fingers along his jaw, her voice softening. "I want to do this right, Barry. I have known, Barry the forensic scientist and Barry the friend. Now, I want to get to know Barry Allen the boyfriend - take me on proper dates, court me like you mean it. Then..." she leaned down to whisper in his ear, "...when the time is right, I'll be all yours."
Barry groaned but nodded, understanding her reasoning. "You're right," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You deserve to be properly wooed, Dr. Snow. How about dinner tomorrow night?"
"I'd love that," Caitlin smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling. "But first, I should probably let Cisco know I'm taking the rest of the day off before he sends out a search party." Her gaze drifted downward briefly feeling a poke and a playful smirk crossed her lips. "Though it seems someone's already quite... enthusiastic about our plans."
"Can you blame me?" Barry replied with a sheepish grin. "I have the most brilliant, beautiful woman I've ever known sitting in my lap. And not just any woman - the one I love."
A blush colored Caitlin's cheeks as she gently cupped his face. "Sweet talker. But before we get carried away, I want to hear about everything that happened - about the other timeline, about your parents. I want to understand what you went through." She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before standing. "Let me call Cisco, then we can talk. And maybe..." she gave him a meaningful look, "...we can find other ways to spend the evening after."
As Caitlin reached for her phone, Barry watched her with a mixture of love and gratitude. Even now, she was putting his emotional wellbeing first. It was just one of the countless reasons he had fallen for her.
Afterwards they spent the rest of the evening talking, sharing stories and memories of the altered timeline, until sleep finally claimed them both in Caitlin's bed. When morning came, Caitlin found herself wrestling with vivid dreams of her alternate timeline self. Thanks to Barry's earlier explanation, she was better equipped to process these lingering emotions.
Waking before Barry, she took a moment to study his peaceful sleeping face. Her fingers gently brushed through his hair as she reflected on their journey - from colleagues to friends, and now to something more. The thought brought a warm smile to her face.
After preparing breakfast, she returned to find Barry stirring. They shared a tender morning embrace and kiss before Caitlin told him about her dream. Barry's expression grew serious as realization dawned - this was what Orach had warned him about. If Caitlin had experienced these dreams, surely others had too.
"Barry," Caitlin said softly, taking his hand and intertwining their fingers. "Whatever happens, whatever anyone thinks about what you did, I'm here. We'll face it together - the apologies, the consequences, everything. We're partners now, in every way that matters." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "And remember, Orach chose to let you live. That has to count for something."
Barry wrapped his arms around her, drawing strength from her presence as he accepted the reality of what lay ahead. Whatever consequences he faced, at least he wouldn't face them alone.
Earth - Secret Location
In a dimly lit chamber, the world's most dangerous individuals gathered around an ornate table. Their attention was fixed on holographic displays showing footage of the Scarlet Zeta's recent battle with Parasite, while discussing the mysterious global dream phenomenon that had affected billions.
"That monster has returned," Lex Luthor muttered, his fingers massaging his temples as he struggled to contain his frustration.
"How delightful!" Klarion cackled, his red eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "Such wonderful chaos follows in his wake."
Luthor's composure cracked. "You wouldn't be so amused if he had access to your resources! While he was gone, I managed to minimize the damage, but the moment he returns..." He clenched his fist. "$50 million vanished from my secure accounts within hours. Untraceable!"
"Please, Lex," Queen Bee's voice dripped with disdain. "Our organization has made you billions. Surely you can weather such a... minor setback."
Luthor slammed his palms on the table, causing the holographic displays to flicker. "You're missing the point entirely! This isn't about money - it's about security. He has backdoor access to systems I personally designed. Systems that are supposed to be impenetrable." His voice lowered dangerously. "If my best firewalls can't detect his presence, what else might he be accessing? What secrets of ours might he already know?"
A heavy silence fell over the chamber, broken only by the measured voice of their eldest member. "Your concerns are valid, Lex," Vandal Savage spoke, his eyes meeting Lex's. "However, we may be overlooking the true opportunity these developments present."
"Enlighten us," Queen Bee prompted, leaning forward with interest.
"Unlike the rest of you," Vandal Savage began, his voice carrying the weight of millennia, "my immortality grants me certain... advantages. While your minds struggle to retain these dream fragments, my consciousness can process and preserve them perfectly." He leaned forward, commanding the room's attention. "What we experienced today wasn't merely a shared hallucination. It was the aftershock of a temporal disturbance - someone dared to meddle with time itself, only to have that higher power act and correct their interference."
His eyes gleamed with calculated interest as he continued, "But this incident has revealed something far more significant than a simple timeline reset. It has provided empirical evidence of what I've long suspected - the existence of parallel universes." Savage's fingers drummed against the table's surface. "Realities existing alongside our own. Each universe follows its own unique trajectory, developing technologies and societies we can scarcely imagine. And now," a predatory smile crossed his face, "we have proof they're accessible."
The chamber fell into stunned silence as the implications of Savage's words sank in. The other members of their group exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and interest. Even Lex Luthor found himself growing contemplative.
Ra's al Ghul studied him carefully. "You're suggesting we find a way to access these other realities?"
"Precisely," Savage confirmed. "While directly replicating our adversary's capabilities would be futile, we have considerable intellectual resources at our disposal." His gaze swept across Lex Luthor, the Brain, and Ultra-Humanite. "Perhaps our think tank could devise an alternative approach?"
"To what end?" Black Manta demanded.
"Consider it a strategic expansion," Savage explained, his voice carrying the weight of countless successful conquests. "A base of operations in another universe, beyond the reach of our enemies. More importantly, imagine the technologies and resources we could acquire - advances that might take us decades to develop could be ours for the taking. Imagine the improvements we can introduce to our hidden weapons and then to our own abilities."
Ra's al Ghul's expression remained skeptical. "You oversimplify the challenges involved. Beyond the technical expertise required, we would need to contend with alternate versions of the Justice League—and more concerning, alternate versions of ourselves."
Klarion's face split into a wicked grin as he stroked his familiar. "Leave that to me. My chaos magic can shield us from detection. We'll have all the time we need to establish ourselves."
"The security concerns remain," Ra's pressed. "Our current systems are compromised."
"Which makes this proposition even more valuable," Savage countered smoothly. "We can build everything anew, incorporating everything we've learned about our adversary's methods. A fresh start, without the vulnerabilities we've already discovered."
Queen Bee's lips curved into a predatory smile. "The potential benefits would far outweigh the risks."
A maniacal laugh pierced the air, drawing all eyes to perhaps the only person who unnerved everyone except Klarion and Vandal Savage—the Joker. "Parallel universes? Oh, what fun!" His grin stretched impossibly wide. "Think of all the Batmen I could break, all the societies I could reduce to chaos! Now that's a punchline worth dying for!"
Savage nodded and turned to address the assembled geniuses. "Gentlemen, your thoughts on the technical feasibility?"
Luthor's earlier anger had given way to intellectual intrigue. "The quantum mechanics involved would be... fascinating. With the right resources and Klarion's assistance, we might be able to create stable interdimensional bridges."
"The Brain and I could begin developing shielded servers," Ultra-Humanite added. "If we establish them in another universe from the start, they'd be beyond our adversary's reach."
"Then we proceed carefully," Savage declared. "Luthor, begin the technical preparations. Klarion, study the Ley lines and seek guidance with the Chaos lords. The rest of you, gather whatever resources you can spare without drawing attention. After all," he smiled darkly, "We represent humanity's true potential and hope."