33. A Joke

'A second surprise?'

Alex's ears perked up. He caught the undertone in Bruce Wayne's words, and at the same time, he found his own answer. However, on the surface, Alex didn't say anything or show any reaction.

The two followed Bruce Wayne into the castle. The decoration here was even more exquisite than that of President X's castle, but Alex had no mood to appreciate it. His gaze remained fixed on Bruce Wayne.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Alex, and this is Pietro. We are from another universe. Originally, we just planned to rest here for a while, but it seems this universe is on the brink of a catastrophic disaster."

"If you're talking about the multiverse and timeline alteration stuff, then you've got the wrong guy. I'm just an old man enjoying his retirement. But I'm happy to introduce you to the 'culprit' behind this disaster." Bruce Wayne grinned.

"I came here to find you, Bruce. I need your help," Alex said seriously.

"Is that so?" Bruce Wayne kept walking without turning his head. "So, you're one of my friends, a close comrade in another universe?"

"You might be misunderstanding. I don't know you. None of the universes I've been to had you. You're the first Bruce Wayne I've seen in person."

"Then how do you know about me?" Bruce Wayne casually picked up a bottle of wine, sipping as he walked. There was no emotional reaction in his tone.

"The interconnectedness of universes. I know most people and events in various universes, naturally including you, Batman. Each universe is interconnected, yet unable to be fully observed. However, this doesn't mean they don't influence each other. Many universes have your presence, and you are the one and only Batman."

"Do you know that I am retired, and in this world, there are no other superheroes you know of? So, you've got the wrong person."

"No, my purpose is very simple, not as complicated as you think. Other superheroes mean nothing to me. My goal here is you." Alex paused and then added, "And also to try saving this world from its impending doom."

Bruce Wayne laughed deeply at this, then he swayed and stopped at the door of a room. Judging by the scent coming from inside, it should be the kitchen.

"If you're here to save this world, then I think you should be looking for the people responsible for this mess, not me. Look, they're right in here—"

Following Bruce Wayne's direction, Alex saw two identical men sitting at the table in the kitchen. One of them was shoveling noodles into his mouth.

At first glance, Alex recognized the two men as Barry Allen from the future and Barry Allen from this timeline.

It seemed that they had followed the storyline where the older Barry Allen tried helping younger Barry Allen to gain superpowers. However, they were both struck by a lightning bolt, causing the Speed Force from the older Barry Allen to transfer to the younger Barry Allen.

This resulted in the older Barry Allen losing his Speed Force, no longer being a speedster, while the younger Barry Allen became a super speedster.

This likely explained why skills that took the older Barry Allen a long time to master, like vibrating his body to phase through objects, were learned effortlessly by the younger Barry Allen.

"It seems this is the first surprise you mentioned," Alex smiled, not surprised.

"Yes, since you're from another universe, I assume you know each other. So, you all should have a good chat. As for me, I'll stay out of it," Bruce Wayne said, picking up another bottle of wine and slumping on the stairs to drink.

"No, no, no, no, I don't know them at all. I've never seen these two people. Wait, you said they're also from another universe?!" The older Barry Allen's eyes widened as he jumped up, staring intently at Alex and Pietro, his hands trembling as he raised them and stammered, "That's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible, Barry Allen," Alex stepped forward with a serious tone. "You don't know me, but I know you. You originally lived in a world full of hope, even though it was suffering, but heroes still emerged to save it. However, you destroyed it with your own hands."

"I did not," the older Barry Allen retorted.

"Did not? Then tell me, where is Aquaman in this world? Where is Wonder Woman? Can you confidently say that Atlantis and Themyscira still exist in this world?" Alex pressed on.

"I—" the older Barry Allen was stunned, finally realizing the gravity of his actions. He grabbed his head with both hands, his face contorted in agony. "What have I done?"

"Don't tell me Bruce Wayne didn't warn you about the consequences of your actions spiraling out of control. You're playing with everyone's lives and the safety of the timeline!" Alex said sternly.

"Without Atlantis and Themyscira, how will you fight Steppenwolf? Let alone deal with Zod now."

"Did I warn him?" Bruce Wayne asked.

"Not you, the Bruce Wayne from his universe," Alex glanced at the slightly drunken Bruce and then continued to Barry Allen.

"Do you know how selfish you are? You have no idea what happened that day, yet you recklessly altered the timeline according to your own ideas. This is incredibly irresponsible. Look at this world; this is the world you created, and it is about to be destroyed by Zod."

"I, I can stop all this," the older Barry Allen argued.

"Stop it? That's easy to say. But have you thought about it? From the moment you altered the timeline, two or more universes were created. For the people living in those universes, they are living beings with their own stories and experiences. Are you planning to erase their value and existence?"

At this point, Alex glanced at the older Bruce. Yes, perhaps this world's Batman was different from most other Batmen, but he had his own story, and those stories inspired and influenced others. However, with the older Barry Allen's alterations, they were all erased.

Everyone in this world, no matter what achievements they had, no matter what sacrifices they made. In the end, they all became nothing more than a joke told by Barry Allen to Aquaman.

....

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34. Batman's Old Friend's Relics.

35. The Villain's Relics (Part 1).

36. The Villain's Relics (Part 2).

37. Misunderstanding.

38. Teaming Up with Batman.