Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 131: Ch.130 Meeting

Chapter 131: Ch.130 Meeting

Su Ming was unaware of the changes in the Batman Who Laughs, but the Batman Who Laughs was fully prepared. He knew that this Deathstroke was the person beyond control.

He had been waiting, knowing that before Bruce appeared, he had to deal with Deathstroke first. Deathstroke had broken the editors' control over the world, and once he was dealt with, the Batman Who Laughs could do whatever he wanted.

Meanwhile, Barry was rushing Su Ming towards Wayne Manor.

This was the true final battle. Barry was pushing himself to his absolute limits. Although the two had taken in some sights in the Speed Force, it had only taken them fractions of a second to reach the entrance to the Batcave.

"Whoo," Su Ming took a deep breath. Even though the Batman Who Laughs was the weakest in terms of raw power, he was the most unpredictable enemy. Su Ming knew his mind was as chaotic as the Joker's. If the Batman Who Laughs decided to take everyone down with him, Su Ming wouldn't be surprised at all.

Su Ming and Barry might be strong, but they couldn't outrun the earth's destruction. If the Batman Who Laughs decided to collide the positive and negative brain matter together, everyone would be finished.

"Just like we planned, as soon as we get inside, your first priority is to find the Anti-Monitor's brain and hand it over to Clark, who should take it to another planet."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Barry confidently patted his chest. If there was one thing a speedster was good at, it was stealthily grabbing something without anyone noticing.

As he made his promise to Su Ming, Barry was already adjusting his breathing, preparing to sprint.

"Go."

In an instant, he and Su Ming vanished from their spot, speeding through the stalactite-filled tunnel and into the Batcave.

By this time, Su Ming had already been to many Batcaves belonging to various Batmen. Of course, the Batcaves of those Nightmare Batmen, like the Red Death, were temporary and massive, filled with their trophies.

In contrast, the Batcaves of the Bruce Waynes were much smaller. Besides the Batmobile and Batcycle, there was little extra equipment, much like the early comics' version of the Batcave.

However, the Batcave of the main universe's Bruce was different. It was divided into multiple levels, with all sorts of equipment and gadgets scattered about. There were even two Batplanes and several spare Batmobiles.

He had also dug further into the ground below, creating storage for all kinds of dangerous tools. There was also a large training area where the Bat-Family could practice any type of combat scenario.

The massive Brother Eye mainframe loomed like a wall at the back of the Batcave.

Su Ming knew that this Brother Eye had previously triggered the "Future's End" crisis, which had to be undone by a time-traveling second-generation Batman. Su Ming couldn't understand why people kept creating highly anthropomorphized AI.

After all, humans create machines to do work for them, to enjoy the fruits of their labor. This is very similar to a form of slavery.

Of course, if it's a machine, it's not exploitation, it's just usage. Why not just use the machines as intended? But no, humans just have to give AI humanity, intelligence, and thought. How could an AI tolerate endless exploitation by humans? Why should it?

Once tools start thinking, problems will follow.

Everyone has the same thoughts, the same intelligence. In fact, robots compute faster and have stronger bodies, so why should they endure exploitation by weaker humans?

Thus, this behavior ultimately leads to what was known in ancient times as slave revolts and in modern times as AI crises.

Su Ming wasn't against using robots, but he preferred those that strictly followed programmed protocols. Even if their efficiency was low, at least he wouldn't have to worry about being poisoned by his own computer one day.

Back when he was in China, he'd seen too many crazy AI scenarios in various films and TV shows.

Red Queen and White Queen, the Matrix, Skynet, NS-5 VIKI, HAL 9000, the Geth...

These crazy AIs must have killed a combined total of 10 billion people.

Even Marvel had Ultron. In the movies, he was just a typical villain, but in the comics, he was an indestructible pest, constantly resurfacing to wage war on humanity, killing thousands for fun.

From the Golden Age to the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe, Ultron was still alive and thriving.

Brother Eye's eventual rebellion was inevitable. Being around Batman all the time, observing the darkness and madness of Gotham—it was stifling. In such an environment, and with Batman giving it the ability to learn autonomously from the network, what good could it possibly learn?

Batman had another flaw, one even he might overlook: his insatiable curiosity. As a detective, his curiosity was far stronger than most. The more dangerous something was, the more he felt compelled to test it, to see just how dangerous it really was.

Always doubting everything, always personally investigating—he carried too much weight on his shoulders.

Barry disappeared after dropping Su Ming off, already on his mission to locate the Anti-Monitor's brain. Su Ming's eyes fell on the figure sitting in front of the massive screen.

The Batcave was dimly lit, with only the screen casting a faint glow. The Batman Who Laughs sat there, grinning widely, waiting for him.

"Ho ho, you finally made it. Welcome to the party! Hahaha!"

The Batman Who Laughs started clapping as if Su Ming had just won a race.

Su Ming didn't respond. Instead, a sense of unease settled in his chest. He could feel that something was off about the Batman Who Laughs—he wasn't as crazy as expected.

Despite his seemingly nonsensical words, Su Ming could understand what he was saying. That wasn't the behavior of a lunatic.

The Batman Who Laughs might have prepared for this. A prepared Batman was always difficult to deal with.

Plans had changed. What should he do? Waiting for an answer online.

Su Ming glanced at the Batman Who Laughs, noticing the utility belt around his waist. Though it was black rather than the usual yellow, there was no doubt it was a Bat-belt, filled with gadgets for every situation.

The Batman Who Laughs likely had Dionysium in his system, as this metal might be the source of the Joker's madness, while also granting him incredible regenerative abilities.

This regenerative ability was a joke when it came to the Joker, but in the hands of a Batman, it was a serious problem.

If Su Ming couldn't kill him with a single strike, he might have remote methods to detonate the brain. And even if he could kill him, he might have linked the detonator to his brainwaves, triggering an explosion if his brain activity ceased.

It all depended on Barry's success. As long as the Anti-Monitor's brain was secured, Su Ming could take down the Batman Who Laughs with ease.

But given Barry's speed, he should have already completed the task. Why hadn't he returned yet?

Su Ming looked back at the Batman Who Laughs and then at the bound Wonder Woman nearby. He decided to stall the Batman Who Laughs for now.

The planned tactics needed to change... He'd have to wait and see.

Batman Who Laughs wanted to chat? Su Ming would chat with him all he wants!