The growls grew louder, but William's mind was focused elsewhere. His encounter with John Stewart was an opportunity—a rare chance to plant himself deeper into the fabric of this chaotic, fused reality. And if he could manipulate someone as principled as a Green Lantern? All the better.
John's ring flared as he prepared for the incoming threat, projecting a barrier of emerald energy around the survivors. William took a step back, arms folded, his calculating gaze never leaving the Lantern.
"You're good at this," William said, his tone casual. "Helping people. Saving lives. Must be exhausting."
John didn't look back. "It's what I signed up for. What about you? What's your role in all of this?"
William chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm just a guy trying to survive. But I've noticed something, Lantern. You're acting like this is just another disaster. Like this can be fixed with enough willpower and heroics."
John shot him a sharp glance. "And what's your point?"
William smirked, pulling the phone out again. "My point is, you're missing the bigger picture. These monsters aren't just local. They're a symptom of something much worse. And unless you start seeing the forest instead of the trees, you're gonna end up blindsided."
John frowned, his ring glowing brighter. "Show me."
William tapped the screen, bringing up the files he'd carefully curated during his time in the digital realm. First, he showed an image of the *Plumbers*. A sleek base of operations with high-tech gadgets and alien schematics filled the screen.
"This is an organization called the Plumbers," William said, handing the phone to John. "They're like an intergalactic police force, handling threats from beyond Earth. They've got tech, intel, and experience with things that make your ring look quaint."
John studied the images, his brows furrowing. "Never heard of them. If they're real, why haven't the Lantern Corps crossed paths with them?"
"Good question," William replied, his voice calm. "Maybe they've been operating under your radar. Or maybe they're from a world where the Corps doesn't exist."
John's jaw tightened, but William didn't give him time to respond. He swiped to another set of files, showing Tony Stark's Iron Man announcement.
"This guy? He's called Iron Man. Genius billionaire, built a suit of armor that turns him into a one-man army. He's got resources, influence, and the arrogance to think he can fix the world by himself."
John's eyes narrowed as he watched a clip of Stark's press conference. "Another hero," he muttered.
William's smirk deepened. "Another variable."
He switched to a folder labeled S.H.I.E.L.D., revealing dossiers on agents like Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Phil Coulson. Alongside them were schematics of their helicarriers and files on their various covert missions.
"And then there's this group: S.H.I.E.L.D. Think of them as a global surveillance and defense organization. They've got their fingers in every pie, keeping tabs on threats both human and alien. They're effective, but paranoid. The kind of people who'll see you as a potential threat just for existing."
John handed the phone back, his expression grim. "You're saying these... people are all from different worlds?"
"Exactly," William said, pocketing the phone. "Worlds that shouldn't exist together, but now they do. And they're not the only ones. I've seen fragments of others—places and people I don't even recognize yet."
John exhaled sharply, his hand clenching into a fist. "If this is true, it changes everything. But why show me this? Why not keep it to yourself?"
William's smirk faded, replaced by a look of feigned seriousness. "Because, Lantern, I know how this plays out. I've seen what happens when heroes like you try to handle things alone. You'll fight bravely, make sacrifices, maybe even win a few battles. But in the end? You'll lose."
John's eyes narrowed. "You think we're doomed?"
"No," William said softly. "I think you're not ready. You're treating this like a normal crisis, but this isn't normal. This is something bigger. And unless you start thinking differently, you're going to get yourself—and everyone else—killed."
John studied him for a long moment, his ring glowing faintly. "You seem pretty well-informed for someone who claims to be just 'trying to survive.'"
William shrugged. "Let's just say I've got a knack for finding information. Call it a gift."
"And what's your angle? Why help me?"
William's smirk returned. "Because I'm not stupid. I know I can't survive this alone, and neither can you. Whether you like it or not, Lantern, we're on the same side. For now."
John hesitated, his instincts warning him not to trust this stranger. But the evidence William had shown him was too compelling to ignore.
"Fine," John said finally. "But if I find out you're hiding something—"
"You'll do what Lanterns do," William interrupted smoothly. "Save the day. I get it. Now, can we move on? We've got a world to figure out."
John gave him one last wary glance before turning back to the survivors. As the Green Lantern guided them toward safety, William hung back, his mind racing.
He'd sown the seeds of doubt in John Stewart's mind, nudging him toward seeing the bigger picture—and toward relying on William as a source of information.
Step one: Establish trust,* William thought, his smirk widening. *Step two: Control the narrative.
For now, he'd play the helpful ally. But in time, John—and the rest of this chaotic new world—would learn that William Pods was no one's pawn.