Chapter 4962: Prelude (Part 1)

"Oh my god." Nightwing was still a bit out of it; he surveyed the furnishings in the hall, wondering if he was still in the game. That's what happens when a game is too realistic — after logging out, you don't know where you are for a moment.

Red Robin took a deep breath; he realized something, but didn't say it. Recalling Batman's instructions to him before he came, he called out softly in his mind: "Brainiac?"

Only after calling out did he remember he should be in the real world now; calling mentally was useless. So he picked up his phone again and typed a message in the SMS thread: "Brainiac, are you okay?"

The screen flashed, and Brainiac replied with a message. Red Robin schooled his expression, revealing a pensive look. Nightwing also took out his phone, then he froze for a second, and began operating the Doujie communication panel.

"What's wrong?" Red Hood looked at Nightwing and asked.

"Nothing. Before we set out, Kory asked when I'd be back; I have to tell her the game's over, I'll be back soon." Nightwing shook his head. "There's still a lot of stuff waiting for us to handle."

"Venue decided?" Red Hood asked. "You're not really going to the West Coast, are you? October is peak wedding month."

"Our opinions aren't quite aligned." Nightwing sighed, clearly not wanting to bring this up; he looked at Red Robin and said, "How's it going on Brainiac's end? Can we enter the game now?"

"Gotta wait a bit more." Red Robin typed on his phone, not lifting his head. "If you want somewhere near Victoria Harbor, you'd better book six months in advance."

"I don't want a bunch of randomly spawning Hollywood stars at my wedding venue." Nightwing waved a hand. "You have to admit it's genuinely warm there, climate's a lot like Kory's home; no wonder she likes it."

"You could also wait another half year and hold it in a Gotham summer; that'd definitely be hot enough." Damian said.

"I'm considering it. But what we have to prepare right now isn't just that — Kory actually told me she wants a Catholic wedding……"

"Good lord." The lot of them exclaimed in turn.

Red Hood couldn't help but quip: "Then Batman can walk you down the aisle and hand you over to her."

"That's not actually impossible." Nightwing laughed. "Only problem is, there might not be a priest willing to officiate for an alien. But if Batman does it, he can't both walk down the aisle and stand at the pulpit……"

"Who says he can't?" Red Robin said while typing. "Just get two Batmans — the multiverse has no shortage of Batmans…… oh, wait, the game's back online."

The moment they logged in, they were greeted by kill announcements and rewards. And once all four bosses were killed, the game would enter "Mist Mode." In Mist Mode there are no spontaneous ambushes, but players can actively trigger raids, split into 10 difficulties, and all previous bosses appear in those raids.

This is essentially the mode you unlock in a base-building game's late game to test your power ceiling, and also the equivalent of a dungeon in a loot game. It means no more running across the map — just pure grind.

Of course, Brainiac also published their map exploration progress: approximately zero. Most side quests were completely undone; aside from the Court of Owls, the story wasn't explored at all — they didn't even fight the Court of Owls, skipping every skippable stage.

Once in the game, Red Robin could finally talk smoothly with Brainiac. He said in his mind: "You set a trap for Doctor Manhattan? How is he now?"

He'd also seen that blue figure's descent; though extremely brief, as a Robin who knew some inside details, he naturally thought Brainiac had set a trap for Doctor Manhattan in the game. But Red Robin didn't know the specific method; he needed more intel to judge the current balance between the two.

This actually matters a lot, because Red Robin knows Batman wants to use Doctor Manhattan to save the Dark Multiverse — unless you back him into a corner, he absolutely won't cooperate. If Brainiac pulls it off, that's good news for Batman.

"He's in big trouble." Brainiac said. "I expect Batman will be contacting you soon."

"……So I'm still wondering who to send invitations to." Nightwing was still researching the wedding; he and Koriand'r, aka Starfire, had been together a while, now in the prelude to marriage talks.

"Counting the multiverse, your guest list is way too long." Damian counted on his fingers. "At least a dozen universes' worth of Robins — invite all the Robins, can't not invite Batman, but if Batman's invited, the Justice League has to be invited too……"

"Ah." Red Hood said. "I think you should just hold the wedding on a warm beach in space; Earth can't fit this many people."

"I've actually got an idea." Nightwing said with some interest. "Fact is I don't want that many people from other universes coming — the security risk is too huge. I know Batman would definitely agree, but I'm really afraid something will happen to them here……"

"Then what's your plan?" Red Robin said while communicating with Brainiac. "Other universes aren't that safe either; if something happens because of your wedding, isn't that just as troublesome?"

"You heard of Krakoa?" Damian said. "Heard it's lively there now; Batman even brought back a drug, said it's a local specialty……"

"Of course I've considered it." Nightwing said. "It's a beautiful island, with many powerful mutants; generally nothing can threaten the place. But it's still that problem — the place is too small, their reception capacity is limited; too many people and it'll be a mess."

Red Robin paused, then said: "Have you been to 'New York City'?"

"What?"

"That fused universe." Red Hood also remembered. "Our world fused with a neighboring Earth; New York and Gotham merged into New York City — Spider-Man, Captain America, Batman, all in the same city."

"How is it there?" Nightwing asked.

"They released a tourism promo video." Damian looked like he could barely hold back a laugh. "Basically inviting superheroes to visit and settle; honestly a bit weird."

"You watched it? I haven't." Red Hood instinctively reached for his phone, then remembered they were in the game.

"I saw it; Batman posted it in the big group chat — check the big group." Damian said. "Not the Teen Titans big group, the one with Batman in it."

"Batman barely talks in there; I've had it on Do Not Disturb." Red Hood said. "But where'd he get it from?"

"Obviously the Batman from that fused universe shared it in the Multiverse Batman group." Damian said. "Funniest part is, that universe's Batman isn't Batman — it's Spider-Man."

So aside from Red Robin, the other three logged off again to go watch the promo video.

This promo video is a bit like a WWII recruitment ad — or rather, deliberately shot in that retro style. Opening with a huge "New York City" sign, then Wayne Tower, Stark Tower, Luthor Tower, Roxxon Tower appear in sequence on the skyline, dizzying to behold.

A figure streaks in from the skyline; Spider-Man flips in mid-air, lands on Wayne Tower's roof, stands up, crosses his arms, gazing at the distant skyline.

"That's clearly not Peter Parker." Red Hood said. "If it were Peter, he'd have 20 lines of dialogue by now."

"This is Bruce Wayne." Damian said.

The other two looked at him in shock; Damian continued: "You didn't know — this universe's Bruce got Spider-Man's powers, so he's Spider-Man now, not Batman. But there really is a Batman in this city."

"Who?"

"Thomas Wayne." Damian said. "He's permanently stationed in the fused universe now, running Wayne Enterprises here, helping build the city; you'll see him in a moment."

Before he finished speaking, the video perspective shifted; gold-and-red armor appeared on the skyline, another pitch-black figure leapt between buildings — the two silhouettes reflecting each other, forming a unique vista.

"Iron Man and Batman?" Red Hood raised a brow. "Actually has a vibe."

Immediately after, a figure blazing like fire descended from the sky — that's Wonder Woman Diana; behind her, Black Widow Natasha stuck a superhero landing; right after, Captain America's shield flew over, and a powerfully built figure in a star-spangled uniform caught it.

"You don't see a scene like this often, do you?" Captain America said. "But don't rush — there's more."

The Brotherhood of Mutants made their customary stylish entrance; Magneto lightly raised his hands, and everything around floated up. Robins dropped from the sky, Teen Titans rushed the streets, followed by the Fantastic Four.

Doctor Strange sat cross-legged floating in mid-air, took a cup of tea Superman handed over, gazing at the coastline. Aquaman and Namor churned up huge waves at sea; Flash's figure blurred past the docks, Quicksilver close behind. Captain America's voice rang out again:

"The fusion and collision of two worlds brought this New Earth far more than contradictions and conflict. This time, we join hands to create a better tomorrow for humanity."

"You're bound to want to know more about this place." Iron Man floated above the massive city, voice carrying a faint static. "Want to know how we made this city better in just a few years through cooperation."

"You're bound to be curious." Spider-Man Bruce's voice leaned cold, carrying a quiet power. "We'll show the multiverse what face we present, and how we change tragedy, save the world."

"We don't believe in interventionism." Diana, in uniform, stood before a floor-to-ceiling window and pushed up her glasses. "So now we invite you — come here, see this entirely different new world."

"Come." Superman's cape snapped in the blue sky; he spread his arms wide. "Cast off old grudges, come together to this broader new heaven and earth, witness our path, welcome a better tomorrow."

The video ended. Nightwing sighed: "Seeing all these people in the same world is really weird, but I'm genuinely curious."

"This Earth is huge." Damian said. "I mean volume — really huge, roughly twice a normal Earth, space far more spacious; you don't have to worry about fitting everyone."

"Moreover, the number of superheroes here has doubled." Damian continued, "The superheroes from both worlds combined are enough to handle security work. Moreover, they've just started promoting, so if you go, they'll definitely welcome you enthusiastically and guarantee to fix things for you, which is how you can gain a good reputation in the multiverse."

"Makes sense." Nightwing nodded, "I'll ask Kori for her opinion—she said the electronic invitation template is already ready, only needing the content filled in. Once the location is confirmed, we can send it out immediately."