Multiverse: Deathstroke-Chapter 500: Chain of Schemes

Deathstroke didn’t need to explain his actions, nor did he need understanding—like Batman.

Hera thought a few words could sway him? Heh, that was just Su Ming’s performance for her!

First, he glanced up and right, mimicking the subconscious human gesture of recalling memories.

Then, he gently closed his eyes, feigning regret for past mistakes, things missed.

Finally, he opened them, acting enlightened, as if saying, "You’re right!"

If only there’d been background music. Wade was right—music sets the mood.

A heart-wrenching tune like "The Rain We Missed, The Love We Lost" would’ve sold it even better.

It was all for Hera. No matter his disdain, he played thoughtful—a counterplot to uncover her next move.

Hera’s pitch? Slow down, wait for others, enjoy the scenery?

In the DC universe, that’s a death sentence.

After all the godly messes, Su Ming trusting any deity would be a miracle.

Stronger allies are better? Not quite. Everyone wants allies with exploitable weaknesses, leverage for balance or silent agreements.

Hera wanted Deathstroke reliant on Olympus when his power waned, forming a symbiotic bond. It was a layered scheme.

But she underestimated humanity’s greatest tactician. Su Ming’s ancestors invented grand strategies—though Su Qin might not claim him.

Besides, Su Ming already had a symbiote.

"Right, Stranglehold?"

The black liquid entity sensed his thoughts, flashing a feral grin on his shoulder. It knew its endless potential—his true trump card.

Steal its host? It’d kill any god who tried!

Su Ming didn’t want to become a DC concept, true. What good was binding himself to this world?

Beyond the Source Wall lay infinite realms. Becoming the Upside-Down Man or an Endless might make him strong in DC, but he’d be trapped.

Dr. Manhattan was powerful, a quantum concept in DC.

But against Marvel’s Mask? Or Peppa Pig from another dimension?

No comparison—he was stuck in DC, unable to leave.

Village king in an interstellar age? Pathetic.

Su Ming’s strongest concept was "Traveler," free to roam worlds for gain.

Trading that for any single-world concept was a loss.

How to grow stronger while staying true? Avoid "losing control," as the saying goes?

Su Ming was confident. A warrior’s path was forward-only, but grounded. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

As for Diana’s protection mission, only a deposit paid? Trading the reward to save three naive women from political sacrifice?

Worth it. The deal was fair.

They’d misunderstand, hate Deathstroke, and steer clear—mission accomplished.

He’d handle Hera.

The cost? A tarnished reputation—"imprisoning powerless girls," "perverse captor."

But Deathstroke was no hero. What reputation to ruin?

Material losses, though, needed recouping—maybe by upping Black Manta’s price to Batman.

Su Ming, arm around Barry and Arthur, strolled the island, hunting edible fish.

Post-purple seawater mutation, most fish looked ferocious, still abnormal.

Not just sharp teeth—bumpy, toad-like mucus membranes killed the appetite.

They found a sealed aquarium in the palace gardens, housing unmutated fish—gold dragon-like, larger, shimmering.

"Pretty. Edible?" Su Ming asked Arthur.

Arthur laughed. A League buddy wanted fish? No problem.

Pretty? Even better on a plate!

"Of course!"

He smashed the tank with his trident. The palace needed rebuilding anyway—what’s one aquarium?

Shouldering the fish, he headed to the kitchen, bold as the sea’s son.

Mera’s glare screamed murder. That fish was hers, a rare Zeberi import.

Zeberi was hunting her, nearly in open revolt. This fish was her last memento.

Seeing the trio sing shanties joyfully, she took deep breaths, deciding to settle with Arthur later.

Those ex-goddesses—Arthur’s eyes had lit up at them.

No way. Mera planned to drive them off.

Grilling fish was simple. Barry brought chili powder and cumin salt, Su Ming "infused soul," and the fish hit the table.

Mera ate ferociously, like she hated the fish. Su Ming wondered why.

Arthur was 24 or 25; Mera, younger. Hormonal imbalance?

Then it clicked. Arthur was rarely in Poseidonis, always with the League on land.

Mera, at her age, left alone? No woman would be fine. She was simmering.

Post-dinner, to thank Arthur, Su Ming whispered advice.

"Do this, then that, finish with an inverted Eiffel Tower."

He gave a thumbs-up, but Arthur glanced nervously at Mera, cleaning dishes, hesitant.

"Really? Will it work? Won’t I die?"

"Ask Batman about near-death thrills—he knows." Su Ming patted his shoulder. Night was falling; time to go. "Barry, let’s roll. Brooklyn first."

Barry, overhearing the moves, stuck out his tongue. Too wild—he’d have nightmares.

Awkwardly bidding Arthur goodbye, a golden flash whisked Deathstroke away.

Arthur paced, then chugged a bottle, smashing it on the floor.

Bang!

Mera jumped. "What? Drunk?"

Arthur didn’t answer, eyes red, pouncing.

The empty palace echoed with odd sounds and Mera’s shrieks—yet she seemed thrilled.

Brooklyn’s flood had receded, streets empty. Barry and Su Ming stepped off the craft.

"You sure Arthur’s fine?" Barry’s face twisted.

"They’re Atlanteans—tougher than humans. Arthur neglecting his wife isn’t great. The League doesn’t want family drama, right?"

Su Ming scanned the area. Post-flood streets were littered with debris.

No concern—he was just a temporary tenant.

"Fair, but renting from Harley? She’s not bad, but her mind’s... unique."

Barry rubbed his hands, struggling for words.

"Think about it. With countless places to live, why here? It’s no luxury spot for my status."

Su Ming set up bat-shaped alarms around the roof.

"Wait, bat alarms? Where’d you get those?"

"Pop took them off the craft. Probably Batman’s gift." Su Ming answered without looking, hiding alarms in drainpipe corners.

"I thought you stayed here to hit on Harley. She’s pretty," Barry said, stroking his chin.

Su Ming smirked. "Close, but not quite. Someone’s after her—not me."

"Huh?"

"The Laughing Bat’s alive. The Joker took his head, now with the Doom Legion. Knowing Luthor, he’d do anything for his goals, including prying the Laughing Bat from the Joker to unleash him on the League."

Barry winced, dreading the Laughing Bat and Dark Knights. If that maniac returned, he’d rally another dark Multiverse army, giving them a swarm of Batmen to fight.

"Get it? I can handle other Batmen, but the Laughing Bat and Joker—two lunatics? We need Harley. She knows their minds. She’s brilliant but lacks firepower. I’m here to cover that."

"They’d target Harley?" Barry’s face grew serious. Deathstroke planned steps ahead of everyone.

Without explanation, no one would’ve guessed.

Maybe Batman did, but he’d stay silent.

"She knows both Joker and Batman best, understanding their thinking. The Laughing Bat’s a mix of both. His Joker side will want to kill her and the Joker; his Batman side will target another Batman. Brace yourself. He fights to win, nothing else. I broke his other desires last time."

"How long do we have?" Barry asked gravely.

"Multiverse destruction’s six months out. After his last loss, he’ll prep thoroughly—months, maybe striking just before the end. He only wants victory."

Su Ming calculated, imagining himself as the Laughing Bat.

He could mimic Batman’s logic but not a madman’s mind—a blind spot.

He gave a vague answer.

"I’ll hit Earth-11, warn Brucie and Cindy. They’ll alert us if he stirs."

Barry nodded. If the Laughing Bat returned to the dark Multiverse, intel was scarce, but he had allies there.

"It’ll be calm for a bit, like the quiet before a storm," Su Ming said, standing and dusting his hands.

"More crazy Batmen? I’m already cold," Barry said with a bitter smile.