But even though Kid Flash wasn't the most reliable, he was still Bruce's last ray of hope.
Sure, the kid was a chatterbox, but you couldn't just write him off as useless!
So Bruce looked at the dejected little Flash, whose head hung low in frustration, and said softly, "Stay quiet and come with me to see the Queen of the Amazons. We need to hurry and look up any records on Paradise Island concerning Darkseid."
"Okay, I'll do what you say!"
The Flash lifted his head in an instant, his eyes shining once again with the light of being needed. He glanced left and right, then pointed toward Heisenberg at the edge of the distant arena. "If I'm not mistaken, isn't that the Queen of Paradise Island over there?"
"Hm?"
Bruce blinked and followed Kid Flash's pointing finger. There, half of Hippolyta's head was just now emerging from the steps in front of and below Heisenberg. Bruce pressed his lips together. The senses of these metahumans were simply too sharp!
...
Nearby, Diana stood beside Heisenberg and turned to greet her arriving mother. She then drew Heisenberg closer and quietly introduced him to Hippolyta. "Mother, this is the Sun God who graces Paradise Island—His Eminence Heisenberg!"
"I know, Diana."
Hippolyta nodded solemnly, then decisively half-knelt before Heisenberg. Her left hand rested on her chest while her right hand naturally gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist. "Paradise Island is honored to welcome His Eminence's steps. Your arrival is a grace we shall forever remember."
"Rise, Your Majesty."
Heisenberg smiled, and with a casual wave of his hand, the kneeling Hippolyta was instantly lifted into a standing posture. Feeling the divine power that enveloped her completely, Hippolyta murmured in shock, "Your divine power is even more overwhelming than that of Her Eminence Athena, who once came to Paradise Island!"
"Heh, I won't compare myself to her, and I don't like being compared to a goddess," Heisenberg said with a laugh.
Just as he finished speaking, Bruce arrived with Kid Flash from a distance. Sensing the footsteps behind him, Heisenberg thought for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "As for the matter of Darkseid, I imagine Diana has already spoken to you. So, I need to look through every record related to Darkseid."
With that, he pointed at Bruce, who was approaching from behind, and continued, "That is Bruce Wayne. He is probably even more eager to see those records than I am. Please have someone suitable escort him to look through them."
"No problem, Your Eminence. The Amazons have always been a place that serves the gods and fights for them. Of course, we do not bend the knee to all gods. Gods who represent death, filth, unjust warfare, and shameless deceit will never receive the Amazons' straight gaze. But you are the sun—a purer light and heat than even His Eminence Apollo. I am gratified that we have the chance to assist you, Your Eminence!"
"Haha, please, no more pleasantries. From now on, as long as we fight side by side, that's enough!"
"Naturally!"
Hippolyta gave Heisenberg a deep look, then took two guards with her and walked over to Bruce.
Seeing the Queen approach, Bruce furrowed his brow and placed his right hand on his chest, intending to bow. After all, she was a queen, and Bruce always respected the etiquette of other races and nations. But what Bruce didn't expect was that the Queen flatly refused his courtesy.
"No need for formalities. His Eminence has told me about you. I will personally lead you through the Amazon archives and share every scrap of information about Darkseid with you!"
"That would be wonderful, thank you!"
Bruce nodded, visibly heartened, and together with Kid Flash, he followed behind Hippolyta, moving farther and farther away. As he walked, Bruce couldn't help but marvel. It seemed that every other race he'd encountered—whether Atlanteans or Amazons—held Heisenberg, this god, in the highest esteem! It looked like Heisenberg's threat level would have to be raised even higher. If he ever suddenly decided to do something, it seemed these two ancient races might stand behind him! He had to prepare for that. Prevention wasn't for the man he was now, but for the version who might fall to the dark side. Bruce never saw anything wrong with that.
...
Watching Bruce and Kid Flash disappear into the distance, Heisenberg smiled and said to the two women beside him, "Bruce is more than capable of handling those records, so..."
"So let's fight, Heisenberg!"
Diana immediately cut in, lifting her left hand eagerly. She smacked her left hand into the air, and the Aegis Shield instantly appeared in her grip! "I don't like using schemes—that's never been my style. So, my only preparation for Darkseid is to hone my skills with real steel and sharp blades! Having a god like you as a sparring partner is absolutely perfect! Let me feel what it's like to face a powerhouse like you as an enemy!"
With a roar, Diana raised her shield and, right before the shocked eyes of Mera standing nearby, slammed the shield into Heisenberg's outstretched palm!
BOOM!!!
A massive shockwave instantly spread outward. The thunderous sound made countless Amazons turn their heads toward them. Bruce, who was walking away, also looked back in surprise. When he saw clearly that Diana was launching an attack on Heisenberg, he frowned in alarm. Beside him, Hippolyta also glanced back, then chuckled in understanding.
"Haha, she's always loved a challenge, and she always improves from a fight!"
With that, Hippolyta looked at the stunned Bruce and gently reminded him, "Relax, they're just sparring. Let's keep heading to the great library."
"Mm."
Bruce nodded firmly, then swallowed hard. In his line of sight, Diana—who had just shield-bashed Heisenberg—had been smashed straight into the dirt by a single punch from him! Watching the shattered, fissured ground ripple outward like lake water around Diana's landing point, Bruce barely managed to calm his heart. Was this really just sparring? These teammates were too strong—simply too strong!
...
Nearby, Heisenberg slammed his fist into Diana's raised shield, driving her deep into the ground. Taking the chance, he shook out his fist and said with a smile to Mera, "Mera, have everyone else in the Grand Arena move to the spectator stands. I'll train with all the warriors who want to improve for a bit. And while I'm at it, let me teach you all how to survive to the end against an attack from me or Darkseid!"
BOOM!!!
The instant his words fell, Heisenberg tore through the air, charging straight at Diana as she was trying to crawl out of the dirt. Without the slightest mercy, he grabbed her by the wrist and swung her in a giant windmill spin.
WHAM WHAM WHAM!!!
Three violent impacts in a row. Everyone else in the arena abandoned their original sparring in astonishment and rushed to the spectator stands to watch intently. Even Arthur scooped up the female warrior he'd just put to sleep with a cross-arm lock and sprinted to the stands.
At that moment, Diana had no strength to fight back at all. The arena was covered with the imprints of her body. Her miserable plight had the Amazon warriors in the stands roaring with excitement.
"Beautiful!"
"That's the way!"
"This is the bearing of a god! Too thrilling!"
"I want to get slammed around by a god just like Diana!"
"It's been so long since I've seen such a heart-pounding fight!"
"Diana, get up, hurry! Don't be a sandbag!"
"Get some distance from the god! Grapple, dodge his strikes, then go for a sliding tackle!"
"Yeah, sliding tackle!!!"
Countless female warriors were instantly fired up. The shouting and cheering forced the embedded Diana to helplessly climb back to her feet. She looked at Heisenberg across from her, gritted her teeth, and yelled, "Is the gap between us really this huge?"
"No, the gap isn't that big at all!"
Heisenberg answered lazily. "It's just that my strength is a little greater than yours, my speed is a little faster than yours, and my defense is a little better than yours!"
His words made Diana clench her jaw.
Yeah, he really was just better at everything! In a fight, when the enemy is faster than you, stronger than you, has better reflexes, and higher durability—how do you fight an opponent like that? You freaking can't!!!
With that thought, Diana flicked her right wrist, and the Godkiller Sword instantly left its sheath. "I have to use my weapon now. Watch yourself!"
"Haha, swing freely without worry! Even if you chop off my head, don't think you can send me into Death's realm!"
Heisenberg declared grandly while gently clenching his right fist. He suddenly appeared right beside Diana and simply met her hastily swung blade with his shoulder!
CLANG!!
The sound of metal clashing rang out. The sword lodged firmly in Heisenberg's armor, and Heisenberg seized the moment to slam a punch right into Diana's face.
BOOM!!!
After the thunderous impact, Diana vanished into the dirt once again. Heisenberg stood where he was and explained to Victor, who was not far away, "When facing an opponent whose every attribute surpasses yours, don't think about winning the fight perfectly. A targeted trade of blow for blow is absolutely necessary! Why can't you worry about your life in a fight? Because the only chance the weak have to land a hit on the strong is often that single moment right before they sacrifice themselves!"
No sooner had he spoken than a golden lasso shot out from the dirt, winding straight for Heisenberg. Heisenberg nodded and simply reached out with his right hand to actively grab the incoming lasso. "Ropes are extremely effective combat tools, but they're not suited for facing an enemy who outclasses you in every area!"
With that, Heisenberg yanked hard on the Lasso of Truth in his hand, and Diana was instantly pulled alive out of the dirt. "When facing an opponent much stronger than you, a rope that can hamper your movements becomes a tool for your enemy. So unless you're fighting with numbers, try not to use a rope against a powerhouse!"
As soon as he finished, Heisenberg stretched out his left hand and grabbed Diana, who had landed right beside him, by the neck. His right hand wrapped the Lasso of Truth around her throat. A moment later, he yanked on the rope in a brutal tightening motion.
"You're dead."
He told Diana.
Saying that, he released the rope and tossed Diana aside. Then he pointed at Cyborg behind him. "Watching is no substitute for getting a taste yourself. Victor, let me personally teach you how to fight!"
"Yes, teacher!"
Victor nodded gravely. He tore off the cloak he was wearing, revealing his entire body of dazzling steel and iron to the audience. Seeing a new warrior about to join the battlefield, the Amazon women were so excited they practically trembled! Amidst countless war cries, Cyborg tensely assumed a fighting stance. The thrusters on his arms and shoulders rapidly adjusted and built up energy.
But before he could react, Heisenberg was already beside him.
WHAM!!!
First, a knife-hand strike slammed into the left side of Cyborg's head. Then he grabbed Cyborg by the neck and smashed the newcomer—who had never fought like this before—straight into the already battered and ravaged earth.
"You're dead!!!"
/-\
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