I became light in American comics.

Chapter 688 Gathering and Preparation

Surveillancer, satellite.

The Watcher's setup is complete; the centers of both multiverses are now under the protection of his Vibration Tower. The Shadow Demons that infiltrated both universes have been dispelled—at least for now.

Now, the heroes who have completed their missions have been summoned back to the Watcher satellite and gathered before the Watcher.

"You've all accomplished your missions. Cough cough, I knew you could do it."

The monitor sat in his chair, still looking like he was on the verge of death.

"We accomplished what you described, and those shadow armies were indeed repelled. But I think it's time to tell us the truth," Captain America said. "Who were we facing? Who were our opponents?"

"Don't worry, Captain, I'll tell you everything."

The monitor took a deep breath.

"It all didn't begin in the world you know. In our multiverse, in that universe that the higher beings call the 'Origin Universe,' there's a place called 'Oa.'"

Hal was taken aback: "Oh?"

After all, Oa is now practically his territory.

"Yes, but long before you took over, Jordan the Lantern. Back then, the Earth was just a cloud of cold gas, showing no signs of becoming what it is today."

Oa back then wasn't the place you're familiar with. Oa was once a place full of hope and endless possibilities. The Oa people were like gods to most civilizations in the cosmos, and they lived in peace for longer than they could remember.

They possess powerful psychic abilities and cutting-edge technology, which they have cultivated to a level that is difficult for people today to reach.

They once lived in paradise, their minds and bodies nearing perfection. Based on my past observations, such a world might have relaxed, and civilization might have stagnated. But that didn't happen in Oa back then.

However, excessive development has fueled even greater curiosity. And this curiosity and desire for exploration have given rise to certain immortals who use the power of technology to satisfy distorted desires.

Hal, familiar with this history, immediately recognized it: "Kalona?"

"Yes. The Oa people discovered warnings in their earlier research. They learned that the origin of the universe is an absolute taboo. 'If anyone discovers the truth about the origin, the existing universe will collapse,' this has been a rumor circulating within the Oa people for many years."

But Carona ignored this and opposed the ban. He saw the origin—or rather, only fragments of it. In the nothingness before the birth of all things, there was only a shadow, like a giant hand cradling a cluster of stars. Then, before he could understand further, disaster struck.

Although it didn't cause the end of the universe as legend has it, it did create something new.

The universe trembled, and the evil antimatter universe took shape. More importantly, the universe split into a multiverse: a multiverse composed entirely of matter, and its antimatter counterpart.

At the center of that antimatter mass, something far older and more terrifying than the universe itself awakened. Its name was the Anti-Monitor.

The group exchanged glances.

"So... that guy's name is 'Anti-Monitor,' and your name is 'Monitor,'" Iron Man said. "I'm guessing you two were originally a loving pair of brothers, and then suddenly became enemies, a love-hate relationship?"

He then glanced at Thor: "No offense intended."

Thor: "."

"We have been each other's opposites from the very beginning. The purpose of our birth is to balance each other. Or rather, at least from the beginning of my memories," the Monitor said. "The forbidden exploration of the Oa people awakened this destructive demon, and as if it were the balancing mechanism of the universe at work, I also sensed his power and was awakened."

The Antimonitor has been accumulating power in the antimatter universe and constantly creating his army. Just like the Shadow Fiend army you've all encountered.

There is another elite force, which I call the "Thunderers," just as the Guardians have their own Green Lantern Legion.

With his army and insatiable ambitions, he began to invade the world of matter. I fought against him with all my might, a war that lasted for millions of years, until one final battle when we were both exhausted and fell into a coma.

This state then continued for tens of billions of years.

"So this thing has always been in our multiverse, just dormant," Superman said. "Then why now? Why did it suddenly wake up?"

The monitor shook his head.

"I don't know. But I can sense that he's different from before," the Watcher said. "We've been fighting for millions of years, and no one should know him better than me."

This time, although I was also awakened by the universe because of his awakening, I could feel myself being weaker than ever before. In contrast, my brother was stronger than ever before. I was almost unable to fight him.

If I'm not mistaken, he must have received some other assistance. Some unknown entity from beyond the multiverse I know of gave him unknown energy.

If we don't do something, he might become even stronger.

That's why I organized you, the heroes who represent the core of two universes, and the strongest forces in both universes."

He reached out and made a gesture, and a virtual projection appeared in mid-air.

In the void of the universe, there is a floating ruin, which seems to be the remains left behind millions of years after the destruction of a group of countless civilizations.

"That's the antimatter universe, a place already dominated by the Anti-Monitor," the Monitor said. "My equipment can only temporarily stop him, but it can't hold out for long."

At that very moment, the anti-monitors must also be trying to break through the cosmic barrier and enter this new universe we inhabit.

I cannot risk another new world being targeted by him. That is why I am about to unleash the full power of both universes to attack that place, the Antimonitor's stronghold, the death zone in the antimatter universe.

The monitor caught his breath. He seemed to try to stand up from the chair, but he didn't even have the strength left, and after the failed attempt, he sat back down in vain.

"As you can see, I am no longer able to fight," he sighed. "And as you know, all the universes are being destroyed, and if we don't stop it, everything will cease to exist."

But I won't force any of you, because the chances of survival in this battle are indeed not optimistic. So, the decision is yours."

The two teams stared at each other, and no one spoke for a long time.

Captain America was the first to break the silence.

"So, before we begin, does anyone want to leave?"

Several more seconds of silence followed.

Hal then crossed his arms and chuckled softly, "Seriously? Do you really need to ask?"

(End of this chapter)