CHAPTER 111 — THE WORLD WATCHES
Diana stood near the couch, arms crossed, her attention fixed on the screen. The house around her was modest and calm. Wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with books collected over many years. The furniture was simple, chosen for comfort rather than style. It was a home she had bought long ago in Metropolis, a place where she could live quietly, unnoticed.
For now, she stayed here, cleaning the house after attending Lex Luthor's gala. She had gone there to gather information, sensing that he might be the source of the chaos unfolding around them.
On the television, the world was not quiet at all.
The broadcast showed a large chamber inside the United States Capitol. Every seat was filled. Senators sat in long rows, their faces serious. Aides stood behind them, whispering into ears or passing documents. Military officers in uniform stood along the walls, stiff and alert. Journalists filled the upper gallery, cameras raised, fingers ready on shutter buttons. Security personnel were everywhere.
Television cameras pointed in every direction, sending the image across the world.
Outside the Capitol, the view shifted briefly. Crowds filled the streets. Some people held banners with Superman's symbol, waving them high. Others carried signs with angry words painted in bold colors, warning about aliens and power beyond control. Police lines separated groups, but the tension was clear even through the screen.
Diana watched without moving.
She understood what this was. When people faced something stronger than themselves, something they could not fully understand, they tried to place rules around it. If rules failed, they reached for chains.
"This is not my place," Diana said quietly to herself, and it was for this very reason that she had lived in secrecy for so long.
At least, it wasn't supposed to be.
She had no plans to interfere. This was a human decision, made by human leaders, about one of their own defenders. Superman had chosen to come here. He had chosen to stand before them peacefully.
The camera returned to the chamber.
The large doors opened.
Superman entered.
He walked slowly, calmly, without guards or restraints. His posture was straight. His hands were relaxed at his sides. He did not look angry or afraid. He looked composed, as if he were stepping into a formal meeting rather than a trial broadcast to the entire world.
The room fell silent.
Even through the television, Diana could feel the weight of that moment. One being, standing alone, surrounded by power that was uncertain of itself.
A senator leaned toward the microphone.
"Let me say at the outset," the woman began, "that I am grateful—"
Diana's attention shifted.
A ping echoed softly. Someone had messaged her in the multiversal chat.
Her vision shifted as a system message appeared, unseen by anyone else.
The Multiversal Chat activated.
Tony's message appeared first.
Tony:
"@Diana, we are about to go there."
Diana did not reply right away.
For a moment, she stood still, weighing the situation. Once this began, there would be no turning back. The mission meant action. It meant exposure. It meant standing openly, not just as Diana Prince, but as Wonder Woman.
She exhaled slowly.
She was Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus, Princess of the Amazons. Whatever challenges awaited, she would face them head-on.
Then she stood up and walked through the house, moving with calm purpose. She opened the back door and stepped into the yard.
The sky above Metropolis was clear and blue.
The first distortion in the air appeared a few steps away.
Naruto Uzumaki appeared in a flash, landing lightly on the grass. He looked around for a second, then spotted Diana. His face lit up immediately.
"Sister Diana!" he said, grinning wide. "This time I'll really be helping you!"
Diana smiled, warm and genuine.
"Indeed, Naruto," she replied. "I'm glad you're here."
Another ripple appeared.
Mindy materialized next, adjusting her stance as she arrived. She gave Diana a friendly smile, relaxed but attentive, since it was her first time traveling to another world and meeting someone from it.
Right after her came Saeko. She looked around calmly, her eyes taking in the space, the sky, the city beyond the fence. She met Diana's gaze and nodded politely.
It felt natural. Familiar.
They had spoken so often through the chat that being together in one place did not feel strange.
Then came a louder arrival.
Metal plates folded and locked into place as Tony Stark appeared in his Mark VII armor. The faceplate slid open, revealing his face and an easy smile.
"Looks like I wasn't the last one," Tony said.
Before anyone could answer, the air shifted again.
This time, the presence was heavy.
Gaius appeared last.
His auramite armor caught the sunlight, gold and solid. The iron jet pack Tony had given him rested against his back. The power fist on his arm was large, quiet, and intimidating even without being active. He stood taller than everyone else by far, easily reaching ten feet.
The mood shifted slightly.
Naruto stared. Mindy swallowed nervously. Saeko's posture straightened.
Tony whistled softly.
"Wow," Tony said, a hint of pride in his voice. "you look even better with the jet pack I gave you."
Gaius inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the group.
Tony's eyes flicked to Gaius's hands. They had grown, almost like massive armored gauntlets.
"Hey," Tony said, pointing. "No hammer this time?"
Gaius replied calmly, his voice steady.
"It has gone for further enhancement."
Naruto looked like he was about to burst with excitement, seeing Gaius again. Mindy hesitated, then stepped forward slightly.
"You… you look really cool, Mister Gaius," she said, her voice a mix of nerves and awe.
Gaius looked down at her and gave a single, slow nod.
Diana stepped forward then, standing before Gaius.
"Thank you for coming to assist me," she said sincerely.
Gaius met her gaze and nodded, acknowledging her thanks.
Diana glanced around the yard, then toward the house.
"Why don't we go inside first?" she suggested.
Naruto nodded eagerly. Mindy and Saeko followed.
Tony looked at the door, then at Gaius.
"Well," Tony said carefully, "looks like Gaius might be left out here."
Everyone followed his gaze.
The door was normal-sized. Very normal-sized.
Diana paused, then sighed softly.
"I'm sorry, Gaius," she said. "It seems we'll have to stay out here for now."
Gaius did not react negatively. He simply accepted it.
"This is acceptable," he said.
As Diana turned back toward the house to bring things outside, her eyes caught the television through the window.
The image had changed.
Smoke filled the screen.
Flames rose near familiar marble walls.
The Capitol was burning.
Diana froze.
The others noticed her reaction and turned toward the screen.
Naruto tilted his head, noticing a building engulfed in flames, unsure of what it was.
"Is that place important?" he asked.
Tony's tone shifted instantly, hardening with seriousness as he recognized the building engulfed in flames.
"That's the U.S. Capitol," he said. "Looks like this is the start of our mission."
Even Gaius turned his head slightly.
Diana moved quickly.
She brought chairs outside and set them up in a loose circle. She placed a small table in the center and returned with drinks and snacks. Juice for Naruto and Mindy. coffee for Saeko. Coffee for Tony.
For Gaius, she brought a large jug with coffee as well. No cups she owned could fit his hands. Even the jug's handle was too small, so he held it carefully in one hand.
They sat together, watching the screen as emergency broadcasts continued.
Diana spoke first.
"There are two things you should know," she said. "First, I have never heard of anyone named Doomsday. Second, I don't know what Mother Boxes are."
Tony took a sip of coffee, thinking.
"If Mother Boxes are part of the mission," he said, "then they're important. Powerful items usually don't stay unknown. People in high places might know about them."
Naruto, Mindy, and Saeko stayed quiet. They knew this kind of planning wasn't their strength.
Diana nodded.
"There is one thing I do know," she continued. "I know someone capable of causing a doomsday… if he ever truly gave up his humanity."
Tony looked up. "Oh?"
Diana's gaze returned to the burning image on the screen.
"His name is Superman."
There was a moment of silence.
"Superman?" Tony asked.
"Yes," Diana replied. "Very strong. Very fast. He can fly. His body is nearly unbreakable."
Tony leaned back slightly, processing.
"That… explains a lot," he said. "If he lost control, he could be the threat we're looking for."
He paused.
"And that still leaves the Mother Boxes."
Tony considered his options.
"We could investigate quietly," he suggested. "Find records. Follow leads."
Diana was about to agree.
Then Gaius spoke.
"That will take too much time," he said. "Go to those with power. Interrogate them."
Tony frowned slightly.
"That makes us look like the bad guys," he said.
He thought for another moment, then sighed.
"But you're not wrong. Time matters."
subtly nodding in quiet agreement with Gaius.
Diana stood.
"Then we proceed as Gaius suggests," she said.
~~~
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