Two days had passed, and for the first time since William found himself in this fractured reality, the chaos had stilled. The streets were quieter, though the scars of destruction remained—a grim reminder of how close they all were to losing control again.
During those days, William had kept himself useful, carefully weaving his image as a helpful survivor with valuable insights. John Stewart's wariness hadn't faded entirely, but the Lantern had grown to tolerate William's presence, especially after he had saved a few survivors using his cunning and his other forms in calculated, discreet moments.
But now, the calm was broken by something far more complicated: a meeting.
---
William sat in the shadowed corner of an abandoned building turned makeshift meeting point. John Stewart was standing in the middle of the room, flanked by none other than Batman.
The Dark Knight was as imposing as ever, his cape flowing like shadows given form. His eyes, hidden beneath his cowl, were fixed on William with a cold, calculating intensity.
"You've been busy," Batman said, his voice like gravel scraping against stone. "John told us about your... theories. Theories that suggest this isn't just one world's problem."
William leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "They're not theories, Batman. They're facts."
Batman's gaze didn't waver. "And you seem to have an awful lot of those facts for someone who claims to be a civilian caught in the chaos."
"Call it survival instinct," William replied with a smirk. "When the world goes to hell, you start paying attention."
John stepped forward, clearly uncomfortable with the growing tension. "Bruce, he's been helpful. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have realized the scope of this problem so quickly."
"That's exactly why we're here," Batman replied. "William Pods, the Justice League wants to ask you a few questions. And depending on your answers, we may need your help."
William chuckled softly, shaking his head. "The League wants my help? That's flattering, but if we're having this conversation, we need to expand the guest list."
John frowned. "What are you talking about?"
William leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Look, Lantern, Bat. You're both good at what you do, but this problem is bigger than even the Justice League. You're going to need other players at the table—players who already know this isn't just a 'world gone crazy' situation."
"And who are these players?" Batman asked, his tone sharp.
William reached into his pocket, pulling out the phone yet again. He tapped a few times, pulling up files and images he had prepared specifically for this moment.
He handed the phone to John, who reluctantly took it and began scrolling.
"First, S.H.I.E.L.D.," William said, his voice calm but firm. "They're not just some government agency. They've been dealing with aliens, enhanced humans, and global threats long before this chaos started. You'd know that already, Batman, considering how good you are at digging into secrets."
Batman didn't respond, but the faintest flicker of acknowledgment passed through his eyes.
"Second," William continued, "the World Security Council. They're the ones pulling S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strings. You can bet they already know something's wrong with this reality, and they're likely planning their next move. If you're not at that table, you're going to be left in the dark."
John passed the phone back to William, his expression skeptical. "And you think we can trust them?"
"Of course not," William replied with a smirk. "But that's why you need to bring them into the conversation. If they're left to their own devices, they'll act without consulting you, and that's a recipe for disaster."
Batman stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating. "You seem very eager to pull strings, William. Almost as if you want to control the narrative."
William's smirk didn't falter. "Control? No. Influence? Maybe. Let's just say I don't trust anyone to make the right calls in this mess—not you, not S.H.I.E.L.D., and certainly not the Council. But the more people you've got in the room, the harder it'll be for anyone to pull something behind the scenes."
Batman's eyes narrowed. "You've thought this through."
"I have to," William replied, his voice growing colder. "Because unlike you, I don't have a ring, a cape, or an endless supply of resources. I've got my wits and the knowledge I've scraped together. And if you think I'm doing all this because I trust you?You're dead wrong."
The room fell silent for a moment, tension hanging thick in the air.
Finally, John broke the silence. "He's not wrong, Bruce. If these factions are out there—and they already know what we're dealing with—we can't afford to ignore them."
Batman crossed his arms, his gaze still locked on William. "Fine. We'll bring in S.H.I.E.L.D. and the World Security Council. But this conversation isn't over. We'll need to verify everything you've said, and if even one detail doesn't check out—"
William interrupted with a dry laugh. "You'll do what Batman does. Investigate, intimidate, maybe throw me in a cell. I get it. But you won't find anything. I've already told you the truth."
John sighed, clearly tired of the back-and-forth. "Alright. Let's figure out how to make contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Council."
As the Lantern and the Bat began discussing logistics, William leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
Let them think they're in control, he thought. The more they trust me, the more I'll steer this ship. By the time they realize what I've done, it'll be far too late.