"There's one more question," Batman said. "At that time, the Fusion Universe shouldn't exist yet. Even if you can influence our cosmos, how could you affect Iron Man who's still in another world?"
"Remember? I said I switched the future Evil Iron Man with the current Justice Iron Man. So, which future do you think the Justice Iron Man went to?"
This left Little Superman bewildered. Actually, Little Superman also has time traveling abilities, but he simply can't figure it out, or rather, he's too lazy to think it through. How to do something in the past to affect the present, then influence the future—it's really difficult.
Batman, though, seemed to grasp it a bit. Pulling in Evil Iron Man wasn't just a pointless role or merely finding a scapegoat. The key is to send the current Iron Man to the future, but which future is that?
The nature of the future depends on what is done in the present, every decision made will affect the shape of the future. And the reason for bringing in the White Can was because the big machine explosion he crafted eventually led the future to a soft reboot in the Great World, where the Prime Universe was sliced, and the two universes finally merged.
In other words, the future that the Justice Iron Man entered, the 616 Main Universe had already arrived at the neighboring Great World and merged with Zero Earth. These people also registered in the DC World, naturally allowing the origin power from here to influence them.
The White Can worried that Justice Iron Man would come back, but the truth is he had already returned long ago. To be precise, when the Fusion Universe just formed, Justice Iron Man and Evil Iron Man coexisted simultaneously, it was just that Justice Iron Man hadn't shown his face yet.
Not long after the Justice Iron Man arrived in the Fusion Universe, Constantine's novel was completed. He transformed into the Cthulhu form, became an Outer God, and reached the depths of the stars of Zero Earth.
Note, at this time Iron Man was still in the DC World, where he originally intended to stay. Although it still resides within the Great World, it's equivalent to a Cthulhu Mythos embassy, possessing diplomatic immunity, enough to evade fate.
But at that moment, an accident occurred.
"The plan isn't entirely smooth," Greed shook his head, "Soon after Iron Man headed to the depths of the stars, the Stars retreated."
"What?"
"Those Outer Gods went back home," Greed seemed rather helpless, "It's all Nya's fault, he's completely paranoid, just because Anatoli returned? Was it necessary to run that fast?"
"It was necessary," Little Superman said, "I always felt you have an unrealistic perception of The First Lantern, there's too much filter."
"Definitely not," Greed denied and complained, "If he ran off alone, I could understand. But he insisted on bringing the whole family, gold, silver, and all along, packing away without even checking, is it really yours that you just take it back?"
Both of them found his words rather unclear. Batman didn't quite understand copyright operations, and Little Superman didn't know the antecedents.
Simply put, Iron Man just wanted to stay in the Cthulhu Embassy within DC to evade the checks of destiny, making things simple should he return. However, Nya got frightened by Anatoli returning, prompting the Outer Gods stationed in the American Comics World to withdraw, dragging Iron Man along with them.
He had barely arrived, barely grasping the situation, no match for Nya. The move was too sudden from Nya, no reasoning could explain it, Iron Man was unprepared and got swept away.
This situation was dire. Nya returned to the headquarters, which is Azathoth's dream realm, a place entirely isolated from the world. Iron Man lost contact with the outside world, disappearing without a trace.
Additionally, Iron Man was still maintaining some sanity, at least capable of basic thinking. But the actual depths of the stars aren't a place for such intelligent lifeforms like him to reside, there he completely lost himself, becoming a true Outer God.
Yet precisely because of this, he gained the potential to be summoned like an Outer God. Supreme Mage Stephen Strange, compelled by the severed link with his friend, had to implement a backup plan, leveraging the Eye Demon to open a passage, but he too got polluted.
However, this also presented an opportunity for Iron Man's rescue. Once his summoning method was confirmed, Reed and Greed summoned him back during the wedding, using God's power to restore his consciousness.
The pity is, what was summoned back wasn't the original, but instead, like other Outer Gods within the American Comics World, it was merely a projection. Iron Man's original self still resides in Azathoth's dream, with no current method found for return.
Greed indeed devised numerous methods, but the issue lies in the Cthulhu Mythos settings, where everything is merely a dream of Azathoth. Should any grand commotion arise, if Azathoth wakes up, everyone feels the consequence.
Fortunately, contact was restored, strategies can be devised gradually. Also, this situation isn't without benefits, it's like an offshore balancing hand, the trick doesn't have to be old, it just has to work.
"This is for you," Iron Man pulls out a book, hands it to Batman. Clearly, this is the main reason Greed wanted Batman to visit here.
Batman takes the book, glances at Greed, Greed nods. Batman gazes at the cover, which is predominantly black with metallic-corner decorations, florid English letters spell "Hampton's Call" on it.
"This is..." Batman sort of guessed, but he still had to ask.
"Don't regard this as some Evil God tome," Greed smiles and says, "It will be highly useful to you."
Suddenly, Little Superman caught up with everything. He said, "It seems so, the Evil God is rather scientific. Without him, I wouldn't know the relationship between Morgan and the fruit fly."
When Batman returned to the wedding scene, the atmosphere had already warmed up—Aisha dashed over with a bridal bouquet, raised it high, handing it to Starfire, then whispering gently into her ear, "Those that bite are the prettier ones, I specifically picked them for you, but don't worry, I bit each one before bundling the bouquet, ensuring they won't bite you."
Starfire glanced down, seeing the teeth within the iris flower petals, far from being angered, she felt quite thrilled, and she pulled Dick in to look, although the flowers startled Dick quite a bit.
"Oh, heavens, quickly throw it away, this thing bites..."
"It's okay." Starfire smiled and said, "I always thought Earth's plants were a bit too fragile, not as exuberant as those on Tamaran Star, but this one's just right."
Dick was noncommittal; he was quite scared of these moving plants. Just thinking about the Rebirth Alliance arranging many inside the hall made him want to leave quickly.
Fortunately, the part inside the hall concluded smoothly. The newlyweds received the bouquet, thanked the guests, and then announced the banquet's start. Agents led the guests out through two side doors, while the newlyweds went to change outfits for the banquet.
Captain America briskly caught up to Peter and said, "What was that earlier, why do I feel a bit..."
Captain America gestured, unsure how to describe it. Peter turned back and said, "The chains of destiny have been broken; naturally, you'd feel a sense of freedom, wouldn't you?"
"Broken?" Captain America said in shock. When Peter initially told him about destiny, he kept pondering it, but it was broken just like that?
Captain America felt like he missed something, but he also realized this wasn't his area of expertise. He was concerned: "So, if Carter and I weren't together due to destiny, then now..."
"Although destiny truly exists, I still believe attributing everything to destiny is a form of evasion," Peter simply said.
After the banquet started, superheroes gathered in small groups to chat. They didn't let the previous unexpected events dampen their spirits; on the contrary, maybe relieved of certain burdens, everyone was very cheerful, and they talked about the Fusion Universe's anecdotes.
Despite some twists and turns, Forward York City continually surprised them. There were many unique features and strange people to encounter, and importantly, the wedding was quite well organized. This implies that the Fusion Universe is capable of hosting such large events; in the future, similar events will be prioritized here.
Although organizing this wedding kept the Rebirth Alliance busy for a long time, creating chaos, it ultimately concluded smoothly and accumulated valuable experience. Simply put, if they accomplished this, what can't they do in the future?
"Has he returned?" Iron Man approached Greed and asked.
"You care a lot about this?" Greed countered, "You should understand that even if he returns, he probably can't just be Iron Man and pose no threat to you."
"I don't think he can threaten me." Iron Man insisted stubbornly, "I just want to know what you all are up to, am I the only one kept in the dark?"
"I won't tell you ignorance is bliss or anything; the truth is, you really can't handle these things. Focus on your Extremis Virus research."
"I'm not interested in these things." Iron Man snorted, "I just dislike being kept from the truth. I almost fell into a trap earlier; if you'd told me sooner..."
"Then you'd fall into the trap sooner," Greed chuckled.
"Seems like a success?" Selina looked excitedly at Bruce and asked, "We won't be arranged by fate and walk the paths of others?"
"Can't be sure yet," Bruce shook his head and said, "But I think we can at least try, do you still want the ring?"
"I don't want the old one." Selina shook Bruce's arm, "I don't like plain bands; I want one with a big gemstone, a big, big, big, big gemstone..."
"Won't it be heavy, dear?" Bruce said somewhat helplessly, "I custom-made the band specifically to avoid discomfort wearing it..."
"I don't care." Selina somehow produced the gemstone she pried from Loki's crown, "Use this one to make a ring, and cut it nicely..."
"Sharon," Captain America called out.
Carter paused, turned around to face Captain America, her gaze not as cold as before, but she still didn't approach, standing under the porch, saying, "I admit we might have both been impulsive before."
Captain America looked somewhat excited; he stepped closer and said, "Sarah, I..."
"But after some time, I've realized that marriage life might not be what I want. I've applied to be seconded to Europe, which will allow me some peace."
Captain America felt a void as he opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to speak of destiny, but at that moment he realized Peter was right. His missed chance with Peggy might have been destiny's fault, but his marriage with Carter couldn't entirely be blamed on it.
Captain America's identity and Carter's agent work were inherently conflicting, they had generational gaps and differing opinions that couldn't be explained away by destiny's whims.
As Captain America watched Carter leave, Batman and Greed were also observing. Batman turned to look at Greed but didn't see any hint of loss on his face.
Thus, Batman understood that Greed's pursuit of perfection wasn't necessarily a specific goal like marriage. He always left people with no choice, but really, he wanted them to always have choices.