Finally, I was completely ready. When I left Caitlin's apartment, I immediately teleported to my base. I changed my clothes, gathered a couple of things I needed, put on my armor, and returned home. At home, I did two important things.
First, I checked Zoom's bone marrow. I knew that the nutritional power of the Lazarus Pit's water would probably be preserved, but if the water affected the marrow, I would certainly be able to notice it. The energy of water and the energy of a living person are completely different things, the same goes for the energy of other beings. So I wanted to see if the water could maintain its preservation. Also, I took enough marrow to feel a slight improvement in my body, but not to adopt Zoom's powers. This was necessary since I didn't want to gain the speedster's abilities, not only because Zoom was a slightly modified speedster, but also because it just wasn't time yet.
I took just a little bit, it wouldn't be enough to absorb, but it didn't matter, I would still be able to feel the slight change. Living with this ability for so long, I had already learned to understand it.
After sipping some of my brain, I nodded contentedly. Of course water had nutritional value, whatever I diluted it with would remain. But this time, even the marrow had left its nutrition, which would have been impossible under simple conditions. Moreover, I felt a slight surge of strength and energy, which only comes from the specific properties of bone marrow. This meant that it had retained its main feature, thanks to which I could adopt the strength of meta-humans. That was certainly gratifying, but not by much. I was planning on giving up the pit water completely. So this kind of water would only be used on rare occasions when I had no choice. Who knows how the water would affect the meta people's abilities. Though, if I had the chance, it would still be worth testing.
My bloodlust has increased, a fact I've noticed for a while now. It's only getting worse by the day. Plus, I'm not very happy with the amount of toxins. Sure my body is cleansing itself of them, but even it seems to be having a hard time. I don't need them, who knows how they'll affect me later on. If it gets any worse, it won't be pleasant. I'll have to go back to my old diet. But, I don't really mind, even though brain tastes disgusting, it's somehow more natural to me. I'm a carnivore, so why should I subsist on water? It's magical and who knows what will come from using it for too long. I knew from the start it was only a temporary measure. So with the ability to open portals to other worlds, water is no longer necessary. And once I build the prison, things will be even easier. I stopped worrying about killing and eating people a long time ago. I've always accepted myself for who I am and had no regrets. It'll be easy to go back to my old ways.
The second important thing I did before I left was to pick up Gideon and Reverb's glasses. I planned to do them in my spare time, so I had to take them. The goggles of course I planned to redesign, as well as my suit. If my plans on Earth-38 were to be fulfilled as they should be, then the suit would have to be radically changed. And it would be necessary anyway, especially after I took the powers of the Atomic Destroyer. The suit can't hold my entire size, which is rather unpleasant. I want to make it perfect, for all occasions so to speak. Humans, mages, aliens, it doesn't matter. The suit has to be able to withstand battles with them.
If I get my own artificial intelligence to take charge of the suit, that would be even better. Then I could get rid of voice commands and stuff.
I looked around and nodded:
«I think I've got everything. If I forgot anything, I'll have to come back. - With that, I stepped outside, held out my hand, and concentrated, gradually interacting with the spatial energy. After about ten seconds, the portal finally stabilized and I went inside without worry. I wasn't too worried, it had worked with Earth-2, so it should work here too....
*♪ Vvj ♪
As soon as I stepped out, the portal closed behind me.
«Aaaaah! Who are you!!! - A frightened voice sounded not far from me.
I turned and looked at the screamers. There were several of them: a woman, a child, and a man who quickly stood up and covered both of them with himself. When I turned around, he only had time to pick up the knives and point it at me with shaking hands, then stammered a loud question:
«W-who, you?! - There was fear in his eyes, but also determination. He was definitely ready to protect his loved ones.
I looked at him, then at the women, and then at the baby. An ordinary-looking family, the woman quite young, about twenty-five, blonde, with a nice figure and a pleasant face. Fear made it even more charming.... The man was about her age, and even a little smaller in height. He looked tolerable too... The child was quite small, probably just starting school. His face was like his father's and his eyes and hair like his mother's. He was scared, but that was probably due to his parents panicking, he only had a slightly frightened look on his face.
Without paying attention to them, I looked around at my surroundings. The apartment was okay, though my house was noticeably larger. If I understood correctly, I'd opened a portal in roughly the same place I'd opened it on Earth. That's kind of how it works. That's why I didn't open the portal in the basement.
Since I was in costume, my voice was altered, so hearing my icy words made the whole family flinch:
«What is this place? - Everyone was silent for a moment, startled by my voice.
I just turned around and waited for an answer, looking around. Even though I was sure it was Earth-38, I wasn't exactly sure. As far as I knew, its frequency was right after Earth-2. Logically, Earth-3 should be next, but there are probably different rules on this world, or Barry wouldn't have gotten here. He was fast enough to get here. If he'd been too fast, it would have been a different world... Hmm, I think I'm just talking nonsense. It was just a series crossover, what's the logic in that? Ehhhhh, damn writers...
Hmm, something in my throat was dry.... I opened the refrigerator and looked around. Yeah, at least they didn't let me down....
***
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