2190 Side Story: Fantasy Journey 31
The group returned to the Justice League’s new base. The joy of rescuing S.T.A.R. Labs’ people and escaping unscathed faded, and the atmosphere turned a little gloomy.
When they thought about it, Steppenwolf had lost some small fry, but had snatched mankind’s box; he absolutely gained big in exchange for a small loss.
Although they had rescued people, especially Victor’s father, they hadn’t actually gained anything. They still had to deal with the Mother Boxes transforming Earth.
Thankfully, Luke had casually used Light of Life to treat Barry’s injury, and the kid was already jumping around again.
As soon as they entered the base, Barry went to the table and poured himself a cup of black tea to calm down.
The high-end thermos kept the black tea hot. Even Barry, who had lost more than 100 milliliters of blood, warmed up.
Still, he didn’t forget to call his new teammates over to enjoy it as well.
In the end, Arthur snorted. “Is there wine? I like that.”
Barry was a good kid who never touched alcohol. Nobody had ever drunk alcohol in the base. Hearing that, he could only shake his head. “I’ll look around.”
Swoosh! Swoosh!
A few seconds later, Barry returned with a bottle and gave it to Arthur. “How about whiskey?”
Arthur raised an eyebrow in surprise. He accepted the alcohol and patted the kid on the shoulder. “Hm, you’re not bad.”
Barry chuckled. Looking at Victor, he scratched his head. “You probably don’t drink tea?”
In fact, he wanted to ask if Victor wanted engine oil, but thanks to the corny joke routine which he and Luke had, he thought for a long while before he realized that it wasn’t a polite question to ask.
Victor said calmly, “No.” He then stood to the side with his arms crossed.
He wasn’t in the mood to drink anything.
He had been accidentally transformed by the Mother Box kept by mankind. Once the Mother Boxes were combined together, he might end up under their control.
Furthermore, Steppenwolf was the original owner of the Mother Boxes. At the very least, he was the one who had brought the Mother Boxes to Earth.
The thought of becoming a Parademon and obeying Steppenwolf made Victor uncomfortable.
While the new teammates were chatting, the three veterans walked over.
Master Wayne took off his helmet and threw it to the side. He poured himself a cup of black tea.
He wasn’t one to talk nonsense about the sour sting of being doused in cold water in the middle of Gotham’s winter.
Diana also took off her gear. She placed her sword and shield on the weapons rack on the side, and even tossed the Lasso of Truth onto the couch.
It was bad enough that they had been unable to take down Steppenwolf during the fight.
More importantly, she could sense that Steppenwolf was indeed stronger than she was.
Although it wasn’t a crushing difference, it would be hard for her to get revenge on her own.
This guy had killed one of her sworn sisters and hundreds of her people on Paradise Island. How could she say that she was a princess of the Amazon if she didn’t get revenge?
Luke was the calmest. The nanoarmor shrunk back into a necklace to reveal Mr. Bale in his suit.
He wasn’t too wary of Steppenwolf.
As long as the other party wasn’t the type who didn’t stay dead after being taken down, it wouldn’t be hard to kill him.
So, he coughed to draw everyone’s attention, then said, “Don’t think too much about what’s already happened. The most important thing now is to find Steppenwolf. If he wants to use the Mother Boxes to transform Earth, he won’t go into outer space, right?”
As he spoke, he looked at Victor.
Victor opened his eyes. “I’m looking for the whereabouts of the Mother Boxes.”
Luke nodded. “If you need any equipment or information, you can look for Alfred.”
Then, he looked at Master Wayne. “You make the arrangements.”
After Luke’s opening remarks, Master Wayne quickly got into character. He subconsciously coughed and said, “Everybody, get some rest and be on standby. Once Victor finds Steppenwolf, we’ll set off.”
It was simple, straightforward and efficient.
A speech before battle? At the very least, they had to wait until they found Steppenwolf.
Arthur sat down with the bottle of whiskey and said lazily, “Steppenwolf is very strong. We might die.”
Everybody turned their heads.
Arthur, however, didn’t seem to notice their expressions. He continued, “To be honest, I don’t mind. We have to stop him, but Superman isn’t here. We don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Everybody was silent.
Arthur pointed the bottle at a certain person. “No offense, but you don’t have superpowers…”
Master Wayne was expressionless. I’m sorry I don’t have superpowers.
Arthur pointed at a second person. “…And who knows, you might be a spy.”
Victor’s eye glowed red.
Arthur went around the group. “You’re… too weak. You’re fast, but you’re so small.”
Barry blinked. If I were as big as you, would I be able to run fast?
Arthur pointed at Luke. “You look alright, but why are you imitating that dude with no powers?”
Luke smiled but didn’t say anything. Master Wayne looked at the couch under Arthur.
Finally, Arthur looked at the battle goddess.
Diana had already lowered her head several times to hide the smile on her face.
Arthur sighed and shook his head. “God, you’re so beautiful. You’re also very strong and brave…”
The three men and one robot looked at each other with subtle expressions. In the end, they all looked at the couch under Arthur, and tried to hold in their laughter.
Arthur said, “My ancestors fought the Amazons, but I wasn’t around back then.”
At that point, he looked nervous and forced a wry smile. “I’m still young. I haven’t lived long enough, and I don’t want to die yet. I don’t think I’ve traveled the oceans and the lands of this world yet, but I’ve always been alone. I’m happy to be able to do something big with you…”
Diana lowered her head again and smiled.
Even Master Wayne smiled. This was a very normal mindset for a young man. He wanted to do big things, but he didn’t have the confidence, and he didn’t want to die.
Of course, no normal person wanted to die, let alone someone with mixed blood like Arthur, who could come and go as he pleased in the ocean and on land.
Although this guy talked trash, what youngster didn’t go through that stage?
Even though Arthur had sloppy long hair and a scraggly beard, he was indeed a young man. At most… he looked a little anxious.
Master Wayne had a good attitude toward young people, especially those who could fight.
With a smile on his face, he pointed. “Arthur, you’re sitting on something.”
Arthur finally stopped talking. He turned around and grabbed a rope that was glowing with a hazy golden light… the Lasso of Truth.
Luke had personally tested the lasso part on Doomsday.
But the truth part… was indeed better demonstrated by someone else.
Throwing the lasso aside, Arthur felt the urge to talk abruptly disappear, and the golden light on the lasso faded.
He vaguely guessed what was going on, and was embarrassed, but didn’t know what to say to alleviate the humiliation from his earlier babbling.