"Has everyone arrived?"
Batman's gaze swept over everyone assembled.
He lingered on the faces of the Suicide Squad members a bit longer than he intended.
To be honest, Batman didn't want anything to do with them.
But the current situation, the collision of worlds, required every living force to be gathered.
"Report! Aquaman hasn't arrived!"
Harley Quinn, the clown girl who had stepped into the Batcave for the first time, excitedly raised her hand as if she were in school.
"…"
Batman frowned.
He didn't have time to say anything before a huge crash echoed outside the cave.
Boom!
The sound of the explosion shook the entire complex.
Everyone immediately turned to the surveillance monitors, and what they saw shocked them.
In the center of the devastated Gotham, a flaming demon tens of meters tall was rampaging through the city's ruins.
If Aron had been there, he would have recognized him instantly.
That's right.
It was Mephisto.
The former Lord of the Burning Hell, now a wanderer without a home.
Ever since the Ancient One had overpowered him and destroyed his dimension, Mephisto had lost almost everything.
Fearing to anger her again, he abandoned his fiery realm and wandered the cosmos until, for some unknown reason, he appeared here.
"Raaaaaah!"
"What tricks are you playing!?"
"Who dares imprison Satan!?"
His roar echoed like thunder.
Mephisto was furious and afraid, thinking Aron and the Ancient One had come for him.
In his rage, he destroyed half of Gotham.
The city, which had barely survived Thanos's war, was once again reduced to ruins.
But... surprises often come with opportunities.
On the outskirts of Gotham stood Arkham Asylum.
Fortunately, it had remained untouched during Thanos's war.
But this time... it wasn't so lucky.
Boom!
Under Mephisto's random strike, the walls collapsed.
The gates exploded.
The inmates rushed out, screaming with joy.
"Yippee!!"
"Freedom at last!!"
"Hahahaha, what a great joke!"
Among them stood out one man.
On his face was a painted clown smile in red and blue.
His maniacal laughter echoed through the night.
The Joker.
---
Meanwhile, the Marvel Universe.
In the endless depths of the sea, Atlantis too received an unexpected guest.
"Is this the Marvel Universe?"
Through the dark waves walked Aquaman — Arthur Curry.
His eyes were cold as he observed the strange yet magnificent underwater world.
He had accidentally passed through a cosmic rift and ended up here.
Before him lay a sea just as grand, yet different.
Still, bitterness grew in his chest.
During the battle with Thanos, he had lost his left arm.
Though later replaced with one forged from Promethean metal, the sense of loss had never faded.
"I've heard... this world has its own King of the Sea," he murmured coldly.
"Then let's see... if he's worthy of that title."
Arthur gripped his trident and dove into the depths.
As soon as he touched the water, his body transformed into a force like a storm dragon.
At torpedo speed, he cut through the ocean, leaving behind a white trail of light.
His target, the kingdom of the sea in this world.
Atlantis.
---
"My subjects!"
Namor, King of Atlantis in the Marvel Universe, stood on his throne surrounded by loyal attendants.
"Thanks to my efforts," he said excitedly, "the people of the surface have agreed to a bilateral trade treaty with our kingdom!"
"After we provided them with thermoelectric technology, the alliance of surface nations decided to gradually halt offshore oil drilling!"
"The pollution that has tormented us for decades, will soon be completely eliminated!"
"So! My Atlanteans!"
"Are you happy?!"
A wave of enthusiasm erupted through the hall.
The subjects shouted his name.
Namor smiled proudly.
As a king, he truly believed he was doing what was best for his people.
His love for his nation was deep and genuine.
He raised his hand, calming the noise.
"And now," he said, "let us thank our great ally, Lord Aron, who helped us achieve all this."
"I propose that, in his honor, we hold the first Atlantis Beauty Pageant!"
"We will choose the most beautiful Atlantean maiden, who shall become the bride of Lord Aron!"
The audience burst into excitement.
His words caused a true eruption of cheers and laughter.
Because everyone knew who Aron was
, the Lord of Hell, the mightiest of the mighty, a man whose name was spoken in whispers.
"Pick me!"
"No, me! Me!"
The Atlantean women crowded forward, each vying for the king's attention.
One massive woman, from the whale family, pushed ahead and accidentally knocked over dozens of other contestants.
Namor raised his eyebrows and coughed nervously.
"Hm, the competition is limited to Atlanteans of normal size," he said diplomatically.
"So, Jane, perhaps you should withdraw."
"But! Your enthusiasm and spirit of participation are admirable!" he quickly added, clapping his hands to ease the awkwardness.
Jane, still proud, waved her massive hand and stepped back, leaving behind a sea of laughter.
Namor looked proudly at the gathered women.
"Look at them! My kingdom is full of beauty and pride!"
For a moment, he felt like a true ruler of peace and prosperity.
But then…
Boom!
A sound that shook the ocean depths.
The gigantic statue of Poseidon standing at the entrance to Atlantis was struck by a thunderous energy beam.
The trident in its hands snapped, crashing down among the gathered crowd.
Panic spread.
"Attack! Enemy attack!" Namor shouted.
And then he saw something approaching—a figure moving through the sea at incredible speed.
Its body turned into a streak of light, cutting through the waves effortlessly.
For a moment, Namor had the impression he was looking at himself.
But he wasn't.
It was Aquaman — Arthur Curry.
"You!" Namor shouted, recognizing him from the Illuminati meetings.
"It began as a war between the two of us... and now you dare attack my Atlantis!?"
He leaped from the throne in fury.
"Send a message to New York!" he commanded.
"Call Lord Aron immediately!"