Shiller is in a state of war now and can't travel across worlds back to DC, but Diana has already returned since she can go home. Shiller directly sent a message to Diana, asking her to make a trip to Apollo's Bright Domain to move the cannon and then send it to him via item mail.
In Battleworld, item mail can be used to send items, but it requires a fee in Points, and the bigger the item's mass, the higher the Points cost. Most people are reluctant to use this function, but Shiller doesn't lack money, and now isn't the time to be economical. He gave Diana some Points to have her send the cannon over.
Diana acted quickly and soon moved the cannon Anatoli had set up in the Bright Domain back and sent it to Shiller via mail. This thing was originally built in Marvel, so there were no errors, and it quickly ended up in Reed's lab.
The moment he saw this thing, Reed's eyes almost bulged out. It's no exaggeration to say that if his eyes could shoot X-rays, they might have burned through Earth by now.
"My God, a perfect work of art!" Reed quickly turned his gaze to Shiller and said, "Quick, quick tell me, who made this? He must be my kindred spirit! I can't wait to discuss..."
"He's not in this world," Shiller shook his head and said, "Besides, I presume he currently doesn't have time to discuss how to destroy the world with you. You should first think of a way to build the Antimatter Cannon."
Reed kept circling the cannon, practically jumping up and down, pounding his chest, alternately shouting and scribbling. Soon he said, "I have inspiration! My previous energy storage method was actually off-track. We can completely add a boost to the shells..."
Then he started muttering some professional jargon. Shiller didn't quite understand, but he still said, "About how long will it take to build?"
"I need some specialized materials," Reed stopped and looked at Shiller with eyes shining, "I need to add a boost system to the antimatter energy, requiring an energy distinctly different from it. I think Magic Power is good, but to isolate the two types of energy, I need a completely magic-immune material..."
"I'll get it for you," Shiller said, "You start on other parts, I'll be back soon."
After leaving Reed's lab, Shiller went to S.H.I.E.L.D., originally intending to find Stark, but found out that Batman has arrived—it's a pleasant coincidence.
About an hour ago, Ant-Man from the Primary Universe finally cracked the Pym particles left on the Crystal by Pym from the Central Universe. Pym from the Primary Universe had anticipated the nature of the Crystal, so he specially chose an open Universe Space. When the Crystal reverted to its original form, everyone was stunned—it turned out to be a planet.
"Incredible," Dr. Pym also marveled. However, he wasn't referring to the Crystal but rather the Central Universe's technology to compress a planet into invisible particles. If applied to Earth, who could find it?
However, soon Dr. Pym and the Batmen began a series of studies on the Crystal. They soon realized this thing could be used to open teleportation channels, basically targeting anywhere, quite similar to Asgard's Rainbow Bridge.
However, Batman also discovered the Crystal contained a very peculiar energy, unlike any energy they had seen before. Every teleportation caused energy fluctuations. Since they didn't know whether this energy was harmful, they dared not act rashly or use it to teleport randomly.
True to Batman's nature, they quickly cracked the mysterious planet's usage log, finding that each teleportation left a record. They found the device had been frequently used during a period, with the peculiar energy accumulating to a peak and finally being purged all at once.
Through their research, Batman realized that this power couldn't be dispelled, only transferred, and only to humans. Because the energy accumulated on the planet wasn't much, Batman tried transferring it, only to discover it was actually a Curse, with a simple effect: it brings bad luck to whoever holds it.
Since the accumulated energy wasn't much, Primary Universe Batman transferred all of it to Injustice Superman—even though he didn't agree, there were no ill effects. He soon discovered that in the following hours, Injustice Superman was unlucky enough to choke on water.
This unlucky Curse seemed to be at Rule Level; otherwise, it's hard to explain how a Superman with a Super Body could be tripped by a doorstep and nearly break a tooth.
Primary Universe Batman couldn't imagine how unlucky the person receiving the previously purged massive energy must have been.
It was a pity that the current accumulated energy wasn't much, and all of it had been transferred to Injustice Superman. If they could have accumulated more energy and transferred it to Darkseid, he might actually trip and then stumble multiple times across the Multiverse, eventually crashing into the Court of Life and being judged on the spot.
A pity indeed, but understanding the basic operation, Primary Universe Batman knew how to use it. The accumulated Curses undergo qualitative change through accumulation. As long as the Curse is transferred before that qualitative change, the Crystals can open a channel without too much cost.
It's a pity Night Owl left too soon; otherwise, he would have been a good candidate for transferring the Curse. Primary Universe Batman felt a bit regretful, thinking that if he hadn't let Clown Hero send Night Owl away, it would have been better.
But it's okay, isn't there Injustice Superman? This guy is capable enough to mind-control Batman, so a bit of bad luck shouldn't be a problem.
This divine artifact came just in time, as Primary Universe Batman had been considering how to escape Nightmare Darkseid's pursuit and successfully return to Earth. After all, if that guy kept chasing him, flying back to Earth with a spacecraft would certainly expose Earth's location. Although Earth moves quickly, being stalked by Nightmare Darkseid would be quite troublesome, and the superheroes of this world wouldn't be pleased. Primary Universe Batman always avoids giving others something to talk about. He was originally planning to borrow the Rainbow Bridge, but now things have become easier.
During the experiment, the base was already pretty much packed up, with people and machines ready to be moved. Of course, Primary Universe Batman didn't forget about Thanos; after being allies for a while, it didn't matter to bring him along.
However, Thanos didn't dare to go with him—firstly, heading to Earth would be courting disaster, especially after seeing Primary Universe Batman's last ally, who lost an entire planet thanks to him; besides, it's Batman who's at odds with Darkseid. If Batman left, Darkseid wouldn't pursue him. At worst, he'd just hide in the Star Area, as his official duties were still in place, so no one could really do anything to him.
Thanos didn't go, and Primary Universe Batman didn't force him to stay. The dozen or so people left packed their things and directly activated the crystal teleportation passage, flashing to the Solar System, where Earth was already waiting for them.
Passing through the Magical Defense Network, Primary Universe Batman instinctively felt something different, as if he was being watched the moment he went through. Perhaps, the planetary consciousness was beginning to awaken.
Primary Universe Batman quickly met the smiling Nick at S.H.I.E.L.D. Without any nonsense, he pulled out a hard drive, placed it on the table, and said, "This contains all the research data on the Apocalypse Star Shield. I've included my insights on the Solar System Shield; do with it as you see fit."
Nick's smile grew even broader, almost eager to give Batman a hug. He promptly picked up the hard drive, put it in his drawer, and said, "Ah, you're too kind. You shouldn't have brought a gift. Come on, follow me, the welcome banquet is ready..."
Primary Universe Batman didn't decline the invitation. He knew that the surviving superheroes were exhausted. Forcing them into a conference room for a dry meeting wouldn't work; it would be better to talk while eating.
Although the S.H.I.E.L.D. cafeteria wasn't like a high-end restaurant, it offered large quantities and a variety of options. The superheroes, who had been gulping down nutrient liquids for who knows how long, were all eyes aglow with hunger, immediately digging into their meals.
These were the lucky ones, at least able to have a meal in the cafeteria. Many others were patients, coming to Earth just to change hospital locations. Arkham Knight and Polaris were two such unlucky ones.
Arkham Knight was severely injured and had to undergo surgery. Although his armor saved him in that massive explosion, many shattered pieces of his armor were lodged in his body. The healing potion could only close wounds, not remove the shrapnel. Yet he managed to stay active for a dozen hours, showcasing his astounding willpower.
Having to reopen wounds to extract shrapnel wasn't a pleasant experience. Yet Arkham Knight didn't even flinch, only frowning after returning to his room, taking off his mask and upper clothing, and checking the scars on his body.
Just then, Polaris walked in.
"Ah!" She first screamed, then gasped, followed by a whistle of appreciation, finally circling Arkham Knight in awe. Arkham Knight rolled his eyes so hard they almost hit the ceiling.
"Not bad," Polaris remarked, staring intently, "didn't see you as the tough type. Are you free tonight?"
"I thought you had a boyfriend?"
"I do, currently two. If you don't mind, three isn't out of the question."
Arkham Knight turned his head to glare at her.
"Don't look at me like that. I want to break up with Quicksilver, but he's not willing, whereas Iceman really likes me. So I discussed it with both of them, and they didn't mind."
Arkham Knight, eyes closed, pointed at the door.
"Alright, if you're not interested," Polaris shrugged, leaving the room, and bumped into Erik.
"How are you?" Erik asked.
"Pretty good, thanks to Little Franklin; otherwise, I couldn't have restored my body so quickly."
The two walked out together and ran into Arkham Batman, who was there to see Arkham Knight. Polaris was about to whistle but met Erik's death stare. She reluctantly pursed her lips and went downstairs.