[Integrated/Crossover DC/Marvel] Why Did the World End Again? - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Beneath the Mask — Succession

You are a plain, ordinary young girl, a fresh recruit to the workforce’s “ox and horse” labor pool. One day, a grand mission descends from the heavens: “Beautiful girl, please transform and save the world!” What is your opinion?

Alice felt a sudden urge to just pass away.

Hearing Aurora’s words, Alice was silent and a bit moved, but… she could understand if her world had some profitable interest, but making her a savior? Was the Universe out of its mind?

Alice’s self-perception was crystal clear: she was just a common, “salted fish” girl. Her daily joy was eating something delicious, walking around, or waking up naturally and happily. Ever since this game appeared, a massive burden had been placed on her shoulders. She could try to comfort herself with other thoughts, but deep down, she harbored immense worry.

The future was too uncertain. Batman had left her at the Justice League, and Alice understood why because Batman needed to investigate. Even with superheroes by her side, Alice still felt fear in the dead of night. She had never died in the game, so she didn’t know what would happen if she did. A game is a game, but if it happens for real, can you truly be resurrected? No one knew.

Seeing Alice lost in thought after her words, Aurora said frankly:

“Since it’s already happened, you just have to accept it. What else can you do? No matter what you think or how you handle it, you can’t get rid of this game for now. So, try your best to treat it as a trial, or just a game.”

Aurora was an optimist. She believed that as long as you weren’t dead, no misfortune was too great. Alice could only nod in agreement. Aurora was right she wasn’t dead, so what else was there to complain about?

Alice sighed and began organizing the current clues. With four of them together, finding leads would be faster. Aurora and Thea had originally intended to go on a vacation; since they came to the wrong place, but were already here and encountered such a situation, they didn’t mind helping out or joining the adventure. For Aurora, participating in different explorations and battles was the richest form of trial.

“So you’re saying this once-great superhero killed his best friend and rules the world? Is our goal just to find him?”

Alice nodded.

After hearing the analysis, Aurora patted Thea Weeks on the shoulder.

“Now it’s your time to shine. Go scout around. Find cities like the ones I described covered in domes. Then tell me the coordinates, and we’ll use teleportation magic to sneak in.”

The silent Thea nodded and vanished into mid-air. Alice stared at his receding figure, lost in thought. In her previous dream-plot, the person was emaciated and had lost all power. But here, Alice could see that even a young, not-yet-fully-grown Thea possessed incredible strength and agile speed.

Watching him zip away, the Flash couldn’t help but remark:

“He’s really fast.”

Alice turned to the Flash and asked just how fast. The Flash thought for a moment before replying:

“I don’t know how Kryptonian growth cycles work, but right now, he’s already running faster than our Superman. Honestly, if he wanted to, I feel like he could cross parallel worlds just by running.”

Hearing this, Alice’s heart sank. If that was the case if he possessed such agile speed that he could even flee this world then why was he imprisoned by Superman and eventually stripped of all his superpowers?

Thea soon returned. Once he provided the coordinates, Aurora transported them into a city. Upon entering, the group couldn’t help but marvel. The Flash noted that the city looked technologically advanced and the standard of living didn’t seem too bad, yet the entire city was filled with an inexplicable, deathly silence.

Everyone walked with their heads down, silent, busy with their own lives. Seeing this, Aurora shrugged.

“This world is truly cold.”

They walked through the streets. Alice tried to find newspapers to understand what had happened to this world, but a mage always has her own ways. While Alice was still searching, Aurora had already successfully charmed a resident and brought them into a small alley for interrogation.

“Come here, Alice. I’ve charmed him. You can ask him questions now.”

Alice was moved to tears. Finally, she could experience the feeling of being “carried” again. No scares, just high-level experts handling everything. This is great, please continue!

The charmed resident began to calmly recount the tragic history of this world.

First came the descent of Darkseid. Earth fell quickly. No one knew what kind of deal was struck, but in the end, Superman ruled the world and Darkseid vanished. From that day on, everything changed.

Perhaps power is that intoxicating, or perhaps authority causes rot. After Superman took charge, everything shifted. Most of the Justice League died in the war against Darkseid.

Some said it was the death of his friends that made Superman see the world for what it truly was. Others said Superman turned dark and killed the League members himself. No one could say for sure anymore, because this was now the Era of Superman.

Eventually, the only remaining members of the Justice League were Superman and Batman. According to everyone’s expectations, this World’s Finest pair should have worked together to restore the world to its former state, or even better. But no one imagined that the World’s Finest would eventually turn against each other.

A violent argument broke out between them. Subsequently, Superman began his global rule and put a worldwide bounty on Batman. It was a long war of attrition. Finally, Batman fell. But that wasn’t surprising; after all, Batman was just an ordinary human, and he had already done everything he possibly could.

Rumor had it that Batman died, but the identity of “Batman” was never lost. Soon, people began appearing one after another, assuming the mantle to fight Superman. But without exception, they all died. Until finally, rumors spread that Batman hadn’t died at all—that those were just imposters. It was a vicious plan: someone was using the Batman identity to stir up opposition against Superman and incite public discontent. But in the end, who can say for sure?

As the hypnotized passerby spoke, he recalled the scenes from back then. He remembered the person who was paraded through the streets to be executed. He looked so young.

That was over ten years ago. At the time, the witness was just a teenager in his twenties. He was fanatically obsessed with Superman, so he believed him.

But he knew, the moment he saw the person allegedly “impersonating” Batman being led to the execution ground, he realized he was wrong. How could someone with eyes like those be a bad person?

He remembered the person’s green eyes and that strange streak of white in his hair. There was no fear in his gaze, only boundless determination. Then, the boy died.

Later, many copycats appeared. He heard of one named Tim, and another named Damian. Honestly, those are quite strange names. To rule the world?

Sadly, the people with names meant to conquer the world were killed by the one who actually ruled it. In a way, it was a mockery. Later, it was said the real Batman also died, and this so-called “God Among Men” fell into absolute, endless madness. By his side, a figure appeared or rather, a person who had been forgotten.

Some said he was a reserve member of the Justice League. Others said he was Superman’s last family. Regardless, the two were often seen traveling together, though no one knew the person’s name. They only knew he was seemingly Superman’s “personal favorite,” as Superman took him everywhere he went.

After hearing the passerby’s description, Alice fell into silence. She could roughly guess what had happened. Superman wanted to rule, Batman disagreed, so they fought. Batman was likely heavily injured and in a coma, or imprisoned.

So Robin, Red Hood, and the others had to take up the mantle. But she hadn’t expected Superman to have completely abandoned his humanity. It was bad enough that he killed the Robins, but to label them as villains and frame them it made her teeth itch with resentment.

As for the mysterious person by his side, Alice had an idea. It was likely Thea. But there was no record of his identity. Strictly speaking, history is the shallowest thing in this world; it can be biased through word of mouth or written records. The story behind it must be much crazier. For example, how did the Justice League members actually die?

Why did Darkseid inexplicably withdraw from Earth? Alice didn’t believe he was a “good guy.” To put it another way, if she were him and had reached the halfway point of ruling the world, leaving inexplicably would be no different from being an idiot.

And after he left, Superman’s personality changed drastically. Alice knew there must have been some kind of turning point.

Meanwhile, the Flash offered a silent prayer. Sorry, Big Blue. Once I get out, I have to tell the Consultant about this. You’re going to get a beating, but for the sake of world peace and League stability, just endure it…

Suddenly, the controlled citizen’s face contorted in pain. Seeing this, Aurora quickly released the magical control. They watched as the man muttered something about the “ceremony” being here, then stumbled toward the street.

At this, Alice perked up. She had seen something similar before like a king’s parade or a celebrity outing. Like a global tour, Superman would sit in an open-top car while everyone cheered on both sides. Honestly, it looked quite cultish.

The crowd on the street grew thicker. The four of them blended in. People raised their arms and sang their hymns:

“Supreme Deity, you come to the world from the Sun, you bring darkness to the poles, you raise your arms and speak of eternal light, you are reborn from the ashes to bring peace…”

Alice broke into a cold sweat.

“This is getting even creepier…”

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