[Integrated/Crossover DC/Marvel] Why Did the World End Again? - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Son of Sun—Fallen

Does the Bat feel fear?

Does he fear being completely surrounded by the boundless darkness?

Does he question the path ahead that seems to have no end?

Does he fear the people who seem to be walking toward an extinct future?

“Never be afraid of the Gotham night.”

As night falls, this city of sin shrouds itself in a light that belongs only to it. A figure familiar to everyone leaps between buildings it is Batman.

“Hi, B.”

A flash of vibrant red lands atop the skyscraper.

“Superman, you should return to Metropolis. You aren’t needed here right now.”

Batman speaks while raising his binoculars to observe the building on the opposite side.

“Alright, but I think you need me. The situation with Green Lantern isn’t great, Flash is busy, and things on your end have run into some trouble…”

Superman pauses, then continues.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I feel like something bad is about to happen… Diana hasn’t returned from Themyscira in a long time.”

Batman watches intently through his binoculars. A familiar figure appears in his field of vision: Lex Luthor. He is weaving through a crowd, saying something, and occasionally flashing a meaningful smile.

His inexplicable appearance in Gotham already serves as indirect proof of the gravity of the situation. And yet, Superman, this big guy, has run straight into it.

“Superman, leave Gotham immediately. Go back to Metropol.”

Batman’s words are cut short by what unfolds before his eyes. A massive explosion rings out. Everything happens so fast that even Superman, present on the scene, fails to react in time to stop it. Raging fires are ignited, and people struggle within the flames.

As the glass shatters, flames pour out. Superman hears the cries for help from within; he quickly flies over and exhales, attempting to use his freeze breath to extinguish the fire.

However, hidden beneath the light of the fire is a dazzling green.

“Please fall, God.”

Desire is the most brilliant constellation in this world; it supports most of the energy and aspiration, and thus, it has constructed the world as it appears now.

“Is he dead?”

An assistant in the laboratory looks curiously at the person soaked in the vat.

“No, he is dreaming…”

Luthor’s hand touches the glass. He gazes at Superman submerged in the green liquid. Has he succeeded? He doesn’t know, but he feels he has preserved the spark. He is coming.

He is no longer young, so he no longer pursues fame or other trivialities. There are more urgent matters at hand.

Various political figures surround the area, looking at the man before them—this legendary savior. It is said that he ended the era of superheroes, raised the spark of humanity, completely defeated that unsetting sun, and ultimately achieved this new era.

“Lex Luthor, what is your opinion?”

He lowers his head, unsure of what to say. He doesn’t know where his words will lead this world, but perhaps he has no other choice.

“I suggest establishing a Human Genetics Research Institute… and let the location be in Metropolis.”

“I don’t agree!”

Hearing the news from above, Annabelle angrily smashes the culture dish in her hand.

The man beside her merely stands with his arms crossed, his expression calm.

“This isn’t something we can decide. The new instructions from above are to establish a mental asylum within the Metropolis General Hospital.”

“You know exactly what that really is! That’s just a prevalent virus; what does it have to do with mental illness?”

The man shakes his head and pats Anna on the shoulder.

“Don’t be so stubborn. I’ve already received the transfer order. Once it’s built, I will become the Director. Of course, I hope you can assist me in managing it.”

“That’s impossible. I don’t care what the purpose of building these things is; it’s irrational and a waste of resources. Right now, primary resources and manpower should be focused on cracking the virus or restoring the natural environment. These are the things for long-term development that are actually useful for humanity’s future.”

“You know, Annabelle, you could have… Sigh.”

It starts raining in Metropolis, followed by the sound of an explosion in the distance.

Passing pedestrians stop to look. Across the distant bridge, they gaze at the end of that city the city that once forever symbolized sin, now turned into a wasteland.

Since Superman vanished, Batman has also been missing. Subsequently, for the sake of human unification and Great Peace, the total dissolution of Gotham was demanded.

For an extremely xenophobic Gotham, this was naturally a difficult policy. Thus, the government military marched in. In just one short month, the interior was completely cleared. Now, the final mopping-up operation is underway.

A somewhat decadent middle-aged man gazes at the wasteland before him, falling into silence.

“You see? As long as they want to, it’s actually quite simple. But they just wouldn’t do it before.”

A young child tightly grips his mother’s hand, looking nervously at the ruins.

“Mama, is our home going to be blown up in the future too?”

“I don’t know. If he were here…”

The woman’s words are cut short as her husband beside her quickly covers her mouth.

“Are you crazy? You dare mention his name? As long as we are obedient, nothing will happen. Let’s go home.”

The family of three hurries away. Several lonely figures in the crowd follow them.

The remaining people continue to watch the destruction of the city across the way.

Will shells descend upon this city one day as well?

This desperate thought wells up in everyone’s heart. Simultaneously, another thought appears: if that person were here, would he stop all of this from happening? But these are just unrealistic fantasies.

Because they all know: the Bat-Signal once shone in this city for three whole months, and in return, they received cold bullets and new regulations. “Bat” became a forbidden word.

The weathered middle-aged man watches the family being followed and silently trails behind them.

His leg seems abnormal; he walks with a slight limp.

Bruce Wayne is the richest man in Gotham, a playboy. He is also Batman.

To achieve his goals and temper his will, he once traveled to towering snow-capped mountains, enduring the howling winds to painstakingly scale that land of ice and snow.

He never imagined he would face an unprecedented challenge in this world. Because he had sworn that he would stand firm; no matter what he encountered, he would strive to keep going. But fate has played a massive joke on him.

Superman is dead.

Luthor killed him.

Rage truly can drive one mad, but he cannot allow himself to succumb to it. Being too clever can be one’s downfall. He knows someone is targeting them or rather, targeting heroes.

Starting from some unknown point in time, a different voice emerged in this world. People became fanatically obsessed with heroes. This glorification even transcended everything. Batman quickly discovered the anomaly in all of this.

Their existence was meant to make the world better, not to turn it into a massive, self-isolating cage.

He once thought that perhaps they should retire and step aside for the people; they couldn’t let everyone rely on superheroes for everything, thereby losing themselves.

The first disaster struck: Green Lantern was injured. This wasn’t anything to be shocked about; as superheroes, they always encountered various crises and inevitably experienced different things.

But the bizarre part was that Hal Jordan never woke up after falling into a coma from his heavy injuries. Barry Allen, as his good friend, unhesitatingly took up his responsibilities, running back and forth between Coast City and Central City at the speed of the Flash.

Everyone contributed their own strength, yet they still failed to wake the Green Lantern. Diana said she needed to return to Themyscira; she suspected some hidden divine power was involved. Thus, she left and never returned.

Next, Luthor announced the Superhero Clearance Program. Bruce once thought he was mad or brainwashed. He knew Luthor very well frivolous, paranoid, and arrogant. Luthor’s act of killing Superman was something Bruce still hadn’t figured out.

He understood the man well. Lex Luthor loathed Superman, but he would never choose to kill him, especially when the other was not out of control. Because he knew better than anyone what Superman indirectly symbolized for the entire Earth. So, what exactly did he want to do?

There was no time for him to do anything more. Soon, a warrant for Batman’s arrest was issued. He found himself in a desperate situation. Superheroes all over the world were being hunted.

They couldn’t become an army to revolt against the people, nor did they know what to say. In the end, everyone blended into the vast world, disappearing and never to be seen again.

Batman wanted to investigate what had happened. Then, Wayne Manor was seized, which meant the identity beneath the mask was already known.

Everything has gone mad, heading toward a strange extinction. Until today, they blew up Gotham. What was the purpose to force him out? What do they want to obtain?

Bruce isn’t sure. He has walked this journey with a limp. As an ordinary person, evading a global manhunt is a monumental problem. Superman’s home is completely blockaded; he cannot go to the Fortress of Solitude. The secondary Batcaves have also been marked and are under heavy guard.

The person who did this must know him very well. They not only know his every move but even understand his every backup base.

More terrifying is that the opponent seems to understand his limits. Every time Bruce feels he is reaching his limit, the opponent inexplicably relaxes, allowing him a period to recoup his energy, before starting the next hunt.

“Like a cat catching a mouse.”

The figures of the family of three disappear into a building not far ahead. Looking at the words marked on it Metropolis Asylum Bruce falls silent.

“So, after going through so much hardship, was it just to bring him here?”

A figure appears, somewhat blurred and faceless.

“Welcome home, Batman.”

“The Bat’s home isn’t in Metropolis.”

“It doesn’t matter. A story always needs a little thrill. Superman dying in Gotham and Batman dying in Metropolis isn’t that a form of romance?”

After the person speaks, Batman feels his head grow dizzy. Just before losing consciousness, he finally sees the other’s face.

He only remembers those eyes, the blonde hair, and the final sentence.

“I love you, Bruce…”

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