Multiverse: Deathstroke-Chapter 475: Aggregate Changes Hands

"The power to change everything, within the Justice League's grasp—and their best idea? Lock it in a cage. Hmph."

Lex edged closer to Aggregate, peering down at the small orb on the pedestal, captivated by its radiant blue glow and all it promised.

The Justice League—so disappointing.

He tugged the corner of his mouth into a smirk—scorn or something else—waving Cheetah over.

"They're always scared, terrified of untapped potential. That's why they lose—clinging to fairy-tale hero fantasies. Did we bring our stuff?"

Cheetah hefted a long archaeological tool pack—relics from her old life. Beastified or not, she was still a top-tier Earth archaeologist.

She pulled out a lengthy metal staff from the bag, nabbed from those underwater ruins alongside that Tear of Extinction drop.

The staff was incomplete. One end boasted intricate carvings and patterns, forged from divine metal; the other was a blunt, circular stump, like it'd been snapped off.

According to the alien dimwits, Wonder Woman had the other half.

What Lex held? The key's handle.

He'd fed the aliens lies—they needed the key to free their pals. Truth was, his half was the linchpin.

Not for rescue, though—for total annihilation.

The Tomb of Gods was just a spatial-dimension concept. Its key? Same deal—conceptual. Did it really need to be whole to unlock, like some mundane door?

Nah. Split into a dozen pieces or down to a scrap, as long as the concept clicked, it'd open the Tomb.

No need to clue in the aliens—they were pawns.

Minerva cradled her half, watching Lex toy with the handle.

"If we destroy it, the Tomb collapses—gone for good. Sure, we're trashing an ancient relic, but if, like you say, Wonder Woman and Aquaman bolted from the aliens and are hunting Poseidon for answers... I can bend a few archaeology rules."

Cheetah licked her lips with a cold grin.

Killing Wonder Woman was her goal—nothing else mattered.

Plus, offing the other jailed sea gods and pinning it on the League? Bonus.

Wonder Woman and Aquaman head there, Tomb goes boom—obviously their fault.

Multi-win.

"Of course they will. What, let the key rot in their hands? It's a breadcrumb I left them—they don't think, they'll follow it," Lex said, certain.

In his grip, the handle—etched with seven patterns—now glowed with four lit.

His focus stayed glued to it, brushing off Minerva with half-answers.

Eclipse's invisible light, Turtle Man's stasis force, Aquaman's life energy, the Tear's oblivion power—all secured.

Three more to go, and the door-opening prep was done.

God's Genesis was the playbook—like a "destroy the world" manual baked into the Bible.

Reverse-engineer it, and every goal falls into place.

Once the handle's patterns fully lit, paired with Aggregate, Lex's dream of wrecking and remaking the world would click.

"When the Tomb's gone, its unique spot triggers a chain reaction—cosmic quake. Heaven to Hell, countless lower realms, all hit. Our universe's shackles on rules and concepts snap, and we snag 'infinite' power."

Minerva parroted Lex, inching the staff toward him.

"Right. It's about amplifying resonance via the Blood Domain, tweaking history with stasis force. The knowledge? Hard to dumb down for you lot..."

Lex had it rough—no scientists in the Legion. His plans? All him—no subs.

He loved it, sure, but it wore him down.

That human grind—fatigue, emotions—Lex savored it.

Then Sinestro buzzed in, still in his Invisible Legion getup, Eclipse's power cloaking him.

Weaker than before, though.

"Trail's cold. We tracked Batman to the exhibit hall—my ring can't lock him now."

Lex palmed his face. Sinestro half-assing again—no Green Lantern on the enemy side, and he's checked out. "I don't care! He's in a wheelchair—find him, kill him!"

"Hahaha! My favorite part—Batman squirming in a death trap. You never guess his next move—never underestimate him," Joker chimed in, giggling.

He poked around the displays—trophies from cosmic foes—nibbling his fingers like a curious kid, hopping on the comms.

"Did I ever tell you? Once, I rigged a bus of nuns and sisters with bombs..."

Grodd, trailing behind, looked done. Su Ming's "hedgehog attack" had left him patched-up and scarred.

"Lex, if I gotta keep hearing Joker's nonsense, I need someone to knock me out cold."

Before Lex could reply, the wall beside them exploded. A massive fist clocked Grodd's head.

The gorilla flew, sprawled out, lights out.

"Happy to help."

Beyond the wall—Batman, decked in a hulking exosuit over his regular armor.

Green, with a glowing LexCorp reactor in the chest.

Lex's early plug-in power armor—codename "Crime Gear," aka Prime Armor.

Unlike the sleek anti-Superman suit he wore like casuals, this beast was sturdier, hit harder. freёwebnoѵel.com

Built for a sun-charged Superman.

Materials?

Don't ask—just know it's alloyed with Kryptonite dust.

Styled like Iron Man's Hulkbuster next door—same bulk, but no helmet. Lex opted for a head-energy shield to show his face.

It debuted once—then the League nabbed it.

Now, Batman's head poked out.

Body massive, head tiny—kinda off.

"Closing time. But I can show you a bit more..." Batman shoved through the wall, stomping forward, metal fists clanking. "...Batman vs. Legion of Doom."

Joker clapped, eyes wide with glee.

"Hehehehe! I love that line!"

That tone, that vibe—yes, yes, THIS was it! Hahahahaha!!!

Sinestro aimed his invisible ring at Batman. "Lex, we've got him."

But Batman charged, fist up. Planned to a T—blinding light bursts, Lex armor thrusters, exhibit hall quirks.

He knew most displays were fakes—but a few were real. Backups he'd kept.

Teammates, UN Security Council—all duped. These exhibits weren't all safe.

Sinestro lasted seconds—pummeled by a barrage of real props. Shouldn't have followed Batman here.

Prepared, Batman was unbeatable.

Joker stood aside, unfazed. When those white eyes locked on him, he hugged himself, twisting green hair.

"Yes, yes, Batman—hit me! Kill me! Hahahahaha!!!"

Batman ignored him—same old song for years.

A giant hand snatched Joker up like a doll.

But Joker wouldn't quit. Wriggling, he yanked a pistol from his chest pocket, aiming at his own head. "Watch me die in your hands—haha!"

He squeezed—Batman, ready for the suicide play, flicked him with the other hand.

Giant armor strength—mountain-splitting flick. But Batman dialed it perfect.

Knocked the gun flying, left Joker bleeding from all seven holes, giggling woozily.

"Hehe..."

Batman hit him—he was happy. Calmed down plenty.

In a technicolor haze, he saw Batman scoop up Grodd and Sinestro, heading for Lex.

Wrong way—Gotham's further south.

Still not the same...

When Batman reached Aggregate's room, he caught Lex using it and the handle to shatter a staff.

No clue what it was, but the world shifted—a weird vibe gripped him.

He hurled Grodd and Sinestro like weapons—Lex's tech shield stopped them, skidding across the floor.

"Drop that damn handle. Step away from Aggregate."

He kept Joker clutched tight—Joker waved at Lex with a goofy grin.

"Whoops, Batman nabbed me again!"

Lex turned. Cheetah ditched her staff dust—mission done. Multiverse chains broke; cosmic dominoes started falling.

Baldy had zero intent to listen, flaunting his power instead.

"Oh, Batman—glad you kept my prototype armor. The neural command system must've helped. But see, I just smashed Justice Hall's shield with this. Thirty seconds—you're a fish. My old suit's your iron tomb."

Batman didn't flinch, closing in slow. Lex needed extra caution—especially with that destruction juice.

"If you die in my gear, I'll brag forever. But if you're smart, you've got time to limp that scrap heap to the Boom Tube room and bail. We're out."

Lex slapped his hand on Aggregate, firing up the handle.

The Legion, Aggregate included, turned to blue phantoms—gone from the room.

Even Joker, gripped tight, waved bye with a laugh, dissolving into light and particles.