Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 116: Ch.115 Mission Accomplished

Chapter 116: Ch.115 Mission Accomplished

Slade's attack, using the terms of a martial artist, was aimed at the lower body, but to put it more aptly, his current tactic could be described as "trimming the claws."

Yes, Hawkman was now so gigantic that even if Slade jumped, he couldn't reach his ankle. His bird-like transformation was extreme; what was once his feet were now dark and talon-like, resembling those of a hawk.

"Looks like a roasted black chicken claw," Slade quipped internally, but his actions were anything but slow. First, he slashed at the toenail with the Sword of Ares, then followed up with a horizontal sweep, sending a toenail, the size of a table, spinning into the air.

The phrase "ten fingers connected to the heart" isn't just talk. In some ways, toes are even more sensitive than fingers.

If Hawkman had lost a fingernail, he might still be able to twirl his hammer with some flair, but losing a toenail while walking means all toes bear the pain equally.

This kind of pain was unbearable, even for the darkened Hawkman.

Indeed, he was a seasoned warrior, and his reincarnations had fused many past lives' memories. But being a warrior is a profession heavily reliant on experience and training. With no experience in fighting as a giant, he couldn't properly counter Slade's underhanded, torturous tactics.

Like any ordinary person bitten by an insect on their toe, Hawkman's first reaction was to retreat and try to crush the insect.

After a couple of slashes, Slade immediately began dodging. With his knowledge of Hawkman, he had already anticipated his opponent's response.

So, when the enormous hammer came crashing down, Slade smoothly evaded it. Moreover, because he was right next to Hawkman's feet, it was a very awkward position for Hawkman to use his long-handled war hammer effectively.

After a series of rolls and leaps, Slade chopped off two more toenails. This pain made Hawkman lower his head, searching earnestly for Slade.

But Slade was as slippery as an eel, constantly dodging and circling around Hawkman's legs. Every so often, Slade would suddenly strike, chopping off another toenail, leaving Hawkman only able to scream in rage, incapable of effectively countering Slade.

After a few more toenails were cut off, everything went as Slade had planned. Although the dark energy had scrambled Hawkman's brain, making him unable to distinguish friend from foe, his ability to fly using his wings remained intact. After being driven to desperation by Slade's maneuvers, Hawkman decisively took to the air, attempting to crush the "little ant" Slade from above with his hammer.

But this was exactly what Slade's tactical trap aimed for.

As Hawkman soared high, focusing on Slade, Diana was quietly hovering nearby. Slade had tasked her with cutting off Hawkman's wings using the Sword of Ares once he took to the air.

Hawkman's wings weren't natural—they weren't grown from his body but were some kind of alien high-tech bionics. In essence, the wings were attached to his body using an X-shaped harness, which, from the front, made him look like someone with very specific tastes.

With his helmet on, bare-chested, muscles rippling, and wearing that X-shaped harness...

However, those wings were his weakness. Although the dark energy had strengthened the wings and the harness, Diana now wielded Nth Metal.

As soon as Hawkman ascended, Diana swooped in, her sword flashing with cold light as she sliced through the harness from behind, splitting it into two V-shaped pieces.

With the harness severed, the wings could no longer stay attached. The wings kept flapping, but with the harness cut, Hawkman plummeted from the sky, landing face-first, even losing grip of his massive hammer.

The World Forger's tool had already been a challenge for him to wield, and as he fell, the heavy weapon slipped from his grasp.

At that moment, Barry arrived in a flash of lightning, using the Lasso of Truth to bind Hawkman's hands together, passing it to Diana for reinforcement. Meanwhile, Superman appeared before Hawkman, somehow lifting the hammer that was hundreds of times his size, and gently tapped Hawkman on the forehead with it.

"Boom!"

The moment the hammer struck, the ground quaked, and molten liquid erupted from the cracks, splashing high into the air, illuminating everyone's faces. The three on the ground could barely keep their balance, swaying from side to side.

That hammer was made of Nth Metal, and fortunately, Clark had only given a light tap. Otherwise, a full swing might have submerged them in a flood of lava.

Slade walked slowly over as Hawkman had already passed out. Despite having lost all his toenails, with both talons scraped clean, and suffering from a severe concussion, at least he was alive.

Slade jabbed the Sword of Ares into Hawkman's arm, guiding the dark energy out of his body. Hawkman's form rapidly deflated like a balloon, shrinking back to his humanoid form.

Unfortunately, though the talons reverted to human feet, the toenail areas were left a bloody mess.

Batman silently observed from the side, but his attention was focused on Slade. He raised Slade's threat level in his mind.

Deathstroke had always been a lone mercenary, yet it turned out he had a knack for team combat tactics as well. Moreover, he seemed to know the abilities and personalities of every Justice League member very well.

Could this mean that this alternate universe's Deathstroke had been gathering intel on the Justice League all along, planning to target them?

Highly likely. A contingency plan to counter this Deathstroke from another world would be necessary.

Batman kept his poker face, hiding these thoughts while quietly preparing. He glanced up at the sky, where, beyond the cracks, lay his Gotham.

Slade was also looking at Gotham above, but his thoughts were more on Cyborg. Created by a Mother Box, half-human and half-machine, Cyborg should have awakened the Mother Box by now, using a Boom Tube to escape. But there had been no sign of him—what was going on?

If Cyborg was still in the hands of the Dark Knights, the Justice League would be hesitant to strike, especially since Aquaman and Cyborg were both hostages.

But with the two universes so close, there wasn't much time left. They needed to attack immediately, even with the cards they had at hand—it was time to gamble.

Previously, Slade had been deciding on the order in which to rescue the team. Diana was saved first because she was a powerful fighter and had the backing of the gods. She was someone who had to be rescued.

Next, it came down to choosing between Green Lantern and Aquaman. With the limited time, Slade chose to save Hal.

Whether Hal could still fight wasn't the most important factor. Behind him stood the entire Green Lantern Corps—a vast force. The Book of Oa, the Green Lanterns' sacred text, hailed Hal as the greatest Green Lantern. Moreover, the other Lantern Corps were all connected to him in some way.

For instance, Sinestro, once Hal's friend and mentor, was now a Yellow Lantern. Though he sometimes wanted to kill Hal, Slade knew that deep down, Sinestro wished for Hal to embrace his philosophy and become a Yellow Lantern.

So, despite Slade destroying a ring, he had saved Hal, indirectly giving Sinestro a chance to showcase his power before Hal. Sinestro was so pleased that he didn't even blame Slade for the serious crime of damaging a ring, instead warmly inviting him to join the Yellow Lanterns once again.

There were also the Blue Lanterns of Hope, a group of universal do-gooders with strong ties to Hal, who had once saved their leader, Saint Walker.

And then there was the Star Sapphire Corps of Love, where Hal's girlfriend Carol Ferris was a member. These women were so passionate that they were willing to do anything for love. Their rings didn't have as many restrictions as the Green Lanterns', and they could use lethal force at any time. They were cosmic terrorists in the name of love.

These powers could all be of use to Slade—maybe not now, but eventually.

Compared to that, Aquaman's Atlantean army seemed a bit lacking.

"Diana, lead us through that portal back to Gotham for the final battle. The world depends on the Justice League."

Before Bruce could speak, Slade had already requested Diana, using words filled with a sense of honor and responsibility to sway her.

"Shouldn't we plan a little first?" Diana hesitated. Two Justice League members were still missing, and she instinctively turned to look at Batman.

Slade didn't give her the chance. He discreetly positioned himself to block their line of sight and urged her again, appearing very sincere.

"Don't hesitate, Diana. The world is on the brink, civilians are suffering, and you must do what a hero should."