Multiverse: Deathstroke-Chapter 481: Let There Be Light

Barbara left Black Canary and Green Arrow to talk alone, finding a corner to sit in.

She, too, felt a bit lost about what to do. They were effectively trapped in the submarine. Not only was the surrounding water purple, but surfacing risked detection by alien ships.

With all communications cut off, how could she reach Batman? Barbara was suddenly at a loss.

At Blood Reef, the three sea gods met, each looking worse for wear.

Raging Tide was furious over Arthur's escape and the eerie annihilation of the Tomb of the Gods, tearing at her hair in a rage.

Lone Captain Blackbeard, leading the fleet to attack Earth, had faced resistance from numerous human governments and heroes, leaving him exhausted.

Commander Ocean Master, stabbed and with his foes now wielding the Tears of Extinction, had black water oozing from his wound.

After some discussion, the three sea gods sank into pessimism.

"The Atlanteans escaped, the Tomb of the Gods is gone, and our friends from back then are all dead," Raging Tide said, curling up on her throne in agony.

Blackbeard raised his octopus arm, showing the others its pitted, bitten surface—by what, who knew.

"Earthlings now have the powers of life and annihilation. How do we fight them?"

Ocean Master clutched his stomach, leaning against a coral pile. After brushing with death, he'd calmed down and grown somewhat indifferent to life and death.

"We're sea gods. Even if we fall, it should be glorious."

Black Manta paced anxiously nearby. The retreat had pissed him off—he knew that failing to crush Superman and Barry in one go meant they'd survive.

Things would only get messier later.

And now, with the three sea gods wallowing in self-pity, he was beyond exasperated.

"Cut the self-pitying crap! This is war—kill or be killed. Bring out the big guns already!"

"Big guns?"

"Yeah, you've got your half of the Tears of Extinction. Inject it into the Flood Demon—turn it into the ultimate weapon," Black Manta urged again.

Ocean Master frowned. "By the ocean above, that'd create a Death Siren—the kind of monster that destroyed my planet. I don't know if that's right."

"Tsk tsk, no hesitation! Your enemies won't spare you—they'll kill you. Forget claiming Earth's oceans; focus on surviving first!" Black Manta snapped, his massive helmet hiding his face, but his tone dripping with menace and ice.

"No, it's too dangerous," Raging Tide objected. If the Flood Demon fused with the Tears, even the sea gods couldn't control it.

"But we could wipe out our enemies before they even react," Blackbeard countered, intrigued.

Ocean Master touched the collar on his neck. "Maybe the Bone Ring can give me some control. We're already cornered."

Raging Tide fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Yeah, humans won't let us go. They'd chase us across the multiverse to kill us. We've got nowhere left to run."

This wasn't hyperbole—Kryptonians and Speed Force users could absolutely pull that off.

As for Superman and the Flash not killing? These aliens didn't know that—Luthor sure as hell wouldn't tell them.

"Right, right! You've got this world in your grasp—why hesitate? One last step—take it by any means!"

Black Manta clenched his fist hard, pushing the three sea gods to a decision, just as Luthor's plan intended.

A bloodbath with the Justice League.

"The Unity was taken by Luthor—I only escaped with Starro," Batman said, pulling a small glass jar from his armor. The purple starfish inside peered curiously at everything. freēwēbnovel.com

Diana glanced at Su Ming. This matched his predictions perfectly—Batman had really gone through with this risky plan, letting Luthor snag the Unity.

Su Ming didn't react—totally expected. Life was lonely as snow. He turned the God-Killer into a feathered fan and started fanning himself.

Diana pursed her lips, then grabbed Batman's arm.

"I think the Justice League needs a private chat. Everyone, over here."

With that, she dragged the immobile, expressionless Batman toward the ship's rear storage area.

The armor's soles sparked against the deck, the light fading down the corridor.

Arthur knew what was up, but Barry and Superman were clueless. Still, if Diana said League meeting, then it was a meeting.

Barry gave an awkward smile to the others and followed. The five League members left the bridge, and soon, faint arguing—and maybe some scuffling—echoed back.

Bobo stared at the ceiling, whistling.

Donna and Garth's crew looked uneasy. The League wouldn't fracture at a time like this, right?

"Need to eavesdrop?" Iron Man sidled up to Su Ming, whispering.

"No, Justice League internal stuff's none of our business," Su Ming said, shaking his head. He knew these petty moves wouldn't dent the League's unity—but that was his plan.

No need to hear the meeting—Su Ming could guess Batman would smooth-talk them all. It'd worked before, but now, with Su Ming as the others' backup brain, the more Batman said, the more he'd slip up.

Time to make the League feel despair—push Batman to pull out the "Beyond" doorknob sooner. That's when Su Ming could swoop in.

"So what's next?" Bobo asked, vaguely sensing Deathstroke had a big plan but unsure what.

"We've got a bit of the Tears of Extinction—enough to kill those three sea gods. If I'm right, they're gearing up for a desperate last strike. We need to pick the final battlefield now."

Su Ming answered Bobo's question rapid-fire.

"Atlantis?" Bobo's eyes narrowed.

"Since we don't really hold the initiative, I'd pick Blood Reef for the final stand, but the sea gods will likely trade bases with us. Better to guard Earth and wait."

Su Ming smoked and fanned himself, looking relaxed.

"Given it was ancient Atlanteans who screwed them over, those three will pick Atlantis's waters to settle the score. It's fully submerged now, but its symbolic weight matters to them."

"Need to prep anything there? Like plant some mines?" Bobo asked again.

"Nah, that's your gig. I've got a side move to make. Once the League's done, tell them command's fully handed to Batman."

"Huh?" Bobo froze. What play was this? Totally lost!

Su Ming was dodging the heat. He'd snitched to Diana and Arthur about Batman's plan—guessing it was him. Batman might stay stone-faced, but Su Ming's threat level in his mind had skyrocketed.

Now, a tactical retreat—Batman wouldn't figure out Su Ming's game right away, giving him space to prep in the shadows.

"That's it. Bye. Keep an eye on Diana for me," Su Ming said, the last bit to Donna. "Harley, Ivy, let's roll."

"Hm? We got a job now?" Harley grinned, licking her lips.

"If you wanna hang with Batman, stay," Su Ming said, walking off without looking back.

"...Okay, we're with you."

Harley shivered—thinking of something—hoisted her hammer, and chased after Su Ming. Ivy followed; where Harley went, she went.

Bobo glanced at the Shadowpact crew, then Deathstroke's retreating figure. Did he recruit Shadowpact just to drain Earth's water? Or was there more he couldn't see?

But Deathstroke was gone, and Bobo couldn't guess.

The trio boarded the League's backup ship, stashed in the big ship's cargo hold—ready for use again.

"I call shotgun!" Harley dashed ahead, claiming the co-pilot seat. "Like a cop car—backseat's for crooks!"

Ivy rolled her eyes. Sometimes even she couldn't fathom what went on in Harley's head.

But if Harley wanted shotgun, fine. She gave her a fond look, then turned to Deathstroke.

"What's your plan?"

Su Ming fired up the ship, detaching from the alien sailboat. He stared ahead, not turning. "You know Genesis?"

"You mentioned it—Luthor's plan," Ivy nodded.

"Good. Now I'm going to find my light," Su Ming said firmly.

Ivy frowned—she didn't want things getting messier. "But what can we do? What's the upside for you?"

"Upside? Plenty. Hard to explain, but don't worry—I'll ensure the multiverse survives. Your precious plants will be fine."

"Oh, cool. Since Harley thinks you're fun, we'll stick with you. Got specifics?"

Su Ming pulled the craft up, reaching Earth's quarantine net. He slipped outside, sliced a hole with his sword, and let the ship through.

"I need something from the Light Vault."

"Ooh? Lantern stuff? I like it, hehe," Harley giggled. She loved rings—tons of color options.

Not super fun, though.

And the ring Deathstroke was after? One Harley knew well: the Black Lantern ring on Black Hand's right middle finger.