The Doctor Stranges hurled imaging magic randomly, but still found nothing, as if the Dark Quadrant had never existed.
Strange's expression became grim, he said, "They might have gone to another dimension."
"Another dimension? Where is there another dimension here?" the other Doctor Stranges asked.
"There might not have been one before, but there is now."
"Are you kidding, they created a dimension themselves? Doesn't that make them the Lord of Dimensions?"
Strange remained silent. He knew the worst-case scenario had occurred: a true god had arrived.
According to their definition of gods, beings like Mephisto didn't count as gods, merely Cosmic Sorcerers. The reason being that the dimensions they possess were not created by them. They just occupied them and bound themselves to that dimension. These dimensions were still made by the creator.
As for the true gods like Eternity, they possess the ability to create, to open dimensions, and to create the cosmos.
Thus, Darkseid isn't really a god since he didn't create Apocalypse Star. He merely possesses the Apocalypse Domain without having creative capabilities. Even the Scarlet Witch, who masters the cosmos's Chaotic Power, isn't considered a god as long as she lacks the ability to create her own universe.
"Don't worry, I've isolated the Dark Quadrant into a separate dimension. They can't enter," the blue figure said to Primary Universe Batman. "Not only can't they enter, they can't even observe this place unless I allow it. It's very safe here."
"Thanks," Primary Universe Batman turned to look at the figure and said, "I asked you to come only to have the Life Equation embedded into the soul of the Super Body. You don't need to get involved in this war. You can leave now, or you could go and greet them as well."
"After all, I'm Batman too, helping you out is what I should do. Oh, about what you asked me before, about Night Owl and the other Doctor Manhattans, I've also found out, do you want to hear it?"
As they walked out together, Primary Universe Batman said, "Go ahead, I'm quite curious how he connected with Doctor Manhattan."
"He actually isn't acquainted with Doctor Manhattan, but with the Joker from the Watchmen Team. During an erroneous time travel, the Joker arrived in the universe where Night Owl was. Night Owl saved him, and that's how they knew each other."
"Would Night Owl be so kind as to save someone?"
"Rather than them being kindred spirits, it's more like they have a similar bad vibe," the other said, "Neither of them are good people, so they became friends. This time, it was probably Night Owl who contacted the Joker, who then asked Doctor Manhattan to rescue Night Owl."
Primary Universe Batman nodded in acknowledgment. By then, they had reached the entrance of the conference room. As they walked in, it was noisy and bustling inside.
"You say Primary Universe Batman's abilities aren't good, but are you really that good yourself? You're right, you haven't made any mistakes because you didn't even show up. It's really unfortunate that Primary Universe Batman's ability is even worse than air!"
"I told you, I was late because I was injured, but I still came, didn't I? Are you going to deny me even a chance for action because of your prejudice against me? Are all Batmen so stubborn?"
"You do realize you're not Batman, right?"
"Is not being Batman a reason one cannot lead the Multiverse team? This is blatant hegemony! All superheroes should really see your hideous faces!"
"Enough." Primary Universe Batman stood at the forefront of the crowd.
"You actually showed up," Night Owl said exaggeratedly, "I thought you would be avoiding for a while longer."
"I never intended to avoid anything," Primary Universe Batman remained calm, saying, "If you must frame everything that happened since the start of the war as my failure, using it as the basis of your alleged wisdom, I won't stop you from exposing your own shortfalls, nor will I prevent you from making a fool of yourself across the Multiverse."
Night Owl was stunned again. Why was Primary Universe Batman so sharp? Moreover, why was he so righteously confident? Shouldn't he be humbly reflecting, admitting mistakes, then appeasing everyone?
Big Adventure Superman nudged Big Adventure Batman with his elbow and said, "You're right, without Superman, he's not pretending anymore."
"I see him seething with nowhere to vent," Big Adventure Batman said in a low voice, "He can't take it out on us, Night Owl just happened to barge in."
"Though I don't get what he is angry about either. Okay, granted his universe's Superman was the first to sacrifice, but he should have been mentally prepared before, right? Yet he now acts like a vindictive widow."
"Keep your voice down," Big Adventure Batman quickly advised, "You should play less with the young Bruce, you're becoming vicious too."
"I'm being serious, I don't understand where his huge resentment comes from. I tried consoling him, but he ignored me," Big Adventure Superman pouted, "Perhaps he's thinking, 'If only the one who died were me, and not his universe's Superman.'"
"Don't say that, he isn't that malicious," Big Adventure Batman shook his head, "He's probably mad about something else."
"What else could it be?"
"Everyone here is a bit ignorant, they truly see what happened before as a loss. It's normal to get frustrated after a while trying to reason with them."
Big Adventure Superman was perplexed, asking, "If it isn't a defeat, what is it? Can it be celebrated as a victory?"
"It may not be victory for us, but for him, it absolutely counts as a big victory. If I were able to topple Darkseid's house from our universe, I would definitely throw a global celebration party."
No sooner had he finished speaking when Primary Universe Batman spoke: "I wasn't inclined to use such words to describe any colleague, because they possess a notably personal attacking nature. Those who understand my character should know that I'm not a malicious person. But you, Night Owl, your stupidity has somewhat surpassed my expectations. Tell me, where have I failed?"
"You've never won a battle! And have lost so many troops," Night Owl said with a hint of gloom, "Do you expect me to cheer for your success?"
"That's unnecessary. But I assume Darkseid from your universe would be quite pleased with your current achievements."
"Achievements? What achievements?"
"Of course, the lack of achievements. Standing by as he turns Apocalypse Star into the most fortified fortress in the cosmos, plundering unapologetically across the universe, recruiting countless Type Demons into an army, until one day invading Earth. Oh, I forgot, you belong to a universe where justice and evil are reversed, which means someday hosting a truly just trial on Earth, and then sending you to the guillotine of justice."
"Ugh…" Night Owl was like a choking sound. Because he suddenly realized that, from current appearances, the greatest loss was merely the destruction of their base on Apocalypse Star, which was indeed cause for celebration for Primary Universe Batman.
Primary Universe Batman continued: "…or when some mysterious entities descend upon the universe, claiming to return the universe to an era of lifeless silence, you can't think of any solutions, resort only to bowing down, exploited until casually discarded like trash, making them think humans in the universe are all like you."
After speaking, Primary Universe Batman no longer looked at him, but turned his head towards the door. At that moment, a graceful figure walked in.
"Introducing, this is the Super Body—the New God of the Multiverse."
As she approached, everyone felt a surge of vitality, as if all negativity was swept away. When the faint light dissipated, people saw a familiar yet strange face—her features somewhat resembled Natasha, but the frame between her eyebrows was like Batman. More importantly, she had an indescribable pair of compassionate and affectionate blue eyes.
"And this..." Primary Universe Batman looked at the blue figure beside him and said, "He is also a member of Batman, only having undergone a transformation of form by chance. You can call him... Manhattan Batman."