Before departing, Shiller and the Unscrupulous Quartet gathered for a meeting. Due to time constraints, they didn't have the chance to soak in the hot springs under the World Tree and instead met directly at Arkham Sanatorium.
"What the hell?!" Nick said, "The people from the Prime Universe have sent a message saying they've already gone over, and other universes better not follow. Who do they think they are?"
"This kind of behavior isn't new," Strange moved his gaze from the medical records page and sighed, "Sometimes I really envy the neighboring world. At least Batman doesn't act like the lord of the Multiverse."
"The fact is, the harmonious Multiverse we envisioned simply doesn't exist," Loki said, "More people, more problems. People can argue over anything. Moreover, none of our superheroes are absolute leaders like Batman. The consequence of being unable to control the scene is chaos."
"Don't mention the other side," Shiller said, "Things aren't great over there either. Not only did a cosmic chain collision occur, but the Origin Wall was also blown with a hole. The Batmen are still figuring out how to patch the wall."
Everyone sighed collectively. Everyone has their own hard-to-read scripture. On the Marvel side, hearts are not united, everyone is vying for Multiverse leadership, and signs of internal strife are already emerging. On the DC side, although the system is clear, troublemakers are many. Multiverse Darkseid hasn't left, and now the Black Death Emperor has arrived. Even Bruce, who caused such a disaster, failed to kill the competition, and the Creator Goddess is still a strong contender for the largest threat in the Multiverse.
"Alright, let's talk about the situation over there," Nick said, "If we all head out, we'll definitely clash with the Prime Universe. Even if we're destined to fight, we can't take someone else's universe as a battlefield, or we'll certainly get criticized. We have to consider universal perceptions."
"However, if it's just Shiller and Tony going, they might find it hard to fend off many foes. The people from the Prime Universe are already treating the universe needing help as their own platter, and we'll surely be targeted if we go. So I plan to not only help the disaster-affected universe but also find a way to deal with the Prime Universe."
"What are you planning to do?" Loki asked.
"We'll split into two groups," Nick said, "Shiller and Tony go to assist. The three of us will find a way to stir things up in the Prime Universe. Once their home catches fire, the Prime Universe people will be too busy to handle it."
"This is indeed a method," Loki's eyes turned slightly, "But we must be extremely careful not to be discovered. Because the Prime Universe is special, harming it could likely be seen as an invasion of the Multiverse. We can't let our universe become the target of everyone's ire."
"Where do we start?" Strange touched his chin, "Do they have any vulnerabilities over there?"
"Their biggest vulnerability is The Avengers, but unfortunately, The Avengers have been assembled for a strike." Shiller sighed, "We can only go over there and see."
Nick nodded and said, "Indeed, even if there was a flaw before, the situation might have changed now, so we can only take it one step at a time."
"But are you really planning to go with just the two of you?" Nick asked again, "You handle politics, he handles technology. But if each aspect only has one person, you certainly can't out-debate others. Especially Tony. What if the Main Universe Iron Man says 'No one knows Red Orchid better than I do'?"
"Don't say, that could really happen," Loki laughed, "Though I haven't dealt with him much, he does have that…"
At this stage, Iron Man does have an overbearing nature, Shiller knows. The Iron Man in comics exhibits more assertiveness compared to movies, has a stronger business vibe, less sensitivity, and more cunning.
With the Multiverse curtain lifted, he has an enormous stage. He dances effortlessly between universes, and despite an unimpressive performance in the Multiverse war in the Prime Universe, he can still win support and gather allies, showing he's hard to deal with.
The others are similar. The Avengers in comics are all more assertive and smarter, with stronger control desires. American comics have shaped leaders like Batman and Captain America with similar traits. Essentially, it's the image of "ideal leaders" in Western culture: assertive, eloquent, shrewd, upholding universal values, and interventionism.
"Don't worry," Shiller said, "I already have some ideas regarding that universe. You don't need to worry about it much. You just handle the Prime Universe."
They discussed further. Besides planning aid and causing trouble for the Prime Universe, they also had to arrange affairs for their own universe. Because if mishandled, the Prime Universe might be aiming for this motive too.
Previously, Multiversal opinion had a tendency to push the Central Universe against the Prime Universe for a showdown. The Prime Universe was eager too, but the Central Universe's cold response and strategic resolution kept things from escalating. But many universes believe the two will inevitably battle.
Of course, it's not about invading one another but about the struggle for leadership, which naturally leads to a confrontation. Many universes are already considering which side to join.
It's just that the underlying logic of Marvel is "big showdown at the airport," everyone's mind turns towards the decisive battle at the top.
The statement issued by the Prime Universe prohibiting interference was clearly aimed at the Central Universe. So they're likely considering stirring up trouble on the Central Universe's rear too, keeping them too occupied to offer aid. Now it depends on who defends better and attacks faster.
Shiller weighed it and felt their side still had the advantage. He said he caused so many major events not for nothing, the Central Universe is battle-hardened. Unless it's Shiller himself, no chaos can make them panic.
Yet, Shiller still thought carefully about how the Prime Universe might approach it. Invading Earth seems unlikely; for one, the villains here have mostly been cleared out; for another, The Avengers have moral boundaries, and they wouldn't aim to destroy Earth. Just as the Central Universe wouldn't destroy the Prime Universe's Earth either.
They're more likely to stir up trouble and then shift the blame to local superheroes, letting them struggle with public opinion and find ways to prove themselves, naturally leaving them unable to attend to Multiverse matters.
Who will they target? As Shiller contemplated this, he suddenly received a call from the administrative office of Elders Council Hospital.
"Hello? It's me. Okay, I'll head over right away…"
Shiller didn't have time to take public flying shuttles, so he hired an extremely expensive single-person flying shuttle to go to Elders Council Hospital, as he had a bad premonition. Sure enough, when he arrived, Strange was already there.
"We've received a patient's complaint." The doctor in charge of administration adjusted his glasses and said, "Someone claims Stephen Strange, the chief neurosurgeon, has been leaking large amounts of medical records from Elders Council Hospital to private sanatoriums, receiving kickbacks through private recommendations of sanatorium facilities…"
"Hiss..." Shiller took a deep breath. Good old Prime Universe, you don't mess with cosmic engineering, don't incite alien races against humans, and now you're here to purify the medical system?
"Absolutely not," Shiller flatly denied.
"But in our investigation, you seem to have a close relationship with Dr. Strange, and indeed, some patients have gone to your sanatorium for convalescence..."
"That's not evidence," Shiller said, "We get along because we were classmates, and we've both worked at S.H.I.E.L.D. As for patients visiting my sanatorium, it's just a coincidence and doesn't imply that someone made private introductions."
"Then what about the leaked medical records?"
"No such thing," Shiller again denied, "Strange did complain to me about being unable to finish his medical records and asked if I knew of a faster way. I did suggest he get someone to write them for him, but he probably got one of his interns to do it, which has nothing to do with me."
As Shiller spoke, he wanted to send a message to JARVIS to sneak into his computer and delete those unfinished records. But JARVIS happened to not be in this universe.
"I warn you," Shiller could only threaten, "Without a search warrant, you can't investigate the sanatorium. If I find out you're conducting an illegal investigation, get ready for a lawsuit."
"Don't worry, doctor. In fact, our hospital also leans towards believing you're innocent. I invited you here today to confirm this matter with you in person. If you have evidence that proves otherwise, you should prepare it early."
Shiller understood the implicit meaning. The accuser couldn't have only reported it to the hospital; the media likely received it even earlier. The press release was probably already written.
Great. The Prime Universe really chose a tricky angle, targeting Strange's only flaw. Shiller was already gritting his teeth in his mind. If only he had written the records properly, this wouldn't have happened. But he insisted on ghostwriting, and now there's a problem!
But the issue is, how did the Prime Universe know he ghostwrote medical records? At this thought, Shiller suddenly felt guilty because he had taken handwritten records to Battleworld to complete. The Main Universe Iron Man could access the design department. Could he have seen it?!
Shiller sighed and asked the doctor, "Where's Steven now?"
"He's in surgery. You know, he's always in surgery."
Shiller had to wait for him outside the operating room. It wasn't long before Strange came out. Shiller followed him and said, "We've been exposed!"
Still in his scrubs, Strange paused, "Which thing are you talking about? You poking a ballpoint pen at my forehead or our double duo triple kneeling?"
"What's the big deal about that," Shiller said helplessly, "It's been discovered that I ghostwrote your medical records!"
"That's nothing to worry about. No surgeon on this floor writes their own records. What are you afraid of?"
"But they're accusing you of leaking medical records and giving me patient kickbacks," Shiller emphasized, "Such ethical issues could get you blacklisted from the profession; you wouldn't be a doctor anymore."
"Then I'll just wear the Supreme Magician's uniform and fly in for surgery," Strange rolled his eyes.
Strange then stopped and turned to Shiller, "Although you all joke about the 'Hand of God' title every day, you clearly don't understand the standing of someone who earns that title in the industry. Blacklist me? Ha."
"This might be a conspiracy from the Prime Universe," Shiller said, "They're trying to give us a hard time so we can't help other universes."
"Oh, I see," Strange spread his arms and looked up, "This is clearly a dumb idea from the Prime Universe's 'God Without Hands'."
"Are you really not afraid at all?"
"How many years have we known each other?" Strange asked, "I mean, since you poked a ballpoint pen at my forehead..."
"Can you stop bringing that up?" Shiller said with exasperation, "Over ten years, why?"
"Yeah, I've been the Hand of God for more than ten years already." Strange looked at him, "Did you think I've done nothing in these ten-plus years?"
"What have you done?"
Strange turned, gesturing from right to left in a circle, "Every one there is my student."
"All the operating rooms?"
"All of New York."
He turned back to look at Shiller, giving him a proud smile, "Now, answer me, who do you expect to judge me?"