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[Superman] Chapter 217: The Uncontrollable Darkness
🕑 Added 2024-09-04 03:03:38 +0000 UTC“Did it really open?”
At this moment, everyone present was shocked beyond measure, staring at the energy that was slowly converging into a massive space portal.
“Phew! It’s finally done. That was exhausting!”
Meanwhile, the young Barry returned from the track to the laboratory, joining the others in watching the energy gradually form into a portal.
“Everyone, be ready for any danger that might come…”
As the energy slowly gathered, and the portal was about to open, Superman spoke solemnly, urging everyone to prepare to enter the portal.
Of course, it was equally important to be aware of any threats that might emerge once the portal opened.
Without hesitation, everyone took up their defensive positions. Aquaman and Wonder Woman had their weapons ready.
Batman, like everyone else, held a black batarang, ready for action at any moment.
Under the watchful eyes of all, the energy continued to coalesce into a portal.
“What’s happening? It seems like there’s no unusual activity?”
Seeing the others so cautious, the young Barry felt a bit puzzled. He looked at the seemingly harmless portal and then turned to the others.
“Cyborg…”
Not seeing them drop their guard, Batman called out to Cyborg.
“The portal is stable. No anomalies detected…”
Cyborg responded directly, reporting the situation he had assessed.
“Even so, for the sake of caution, it’s best if someone goes in to check it out…”
Batman, as always, had devised a very cautious plan. After all, they were opening a portal to another universe, so extra vigilance was warranted.
“Heh, let me do it!”
Before Batman could continue and assign someone to verify the safety of the portal, the curious and excited Barry couldn’t contain himself.
He volunteered immediately, transforming into a streak of lightning and rushing toward the portal.
“Wait… Barry…”
Even Bruce wanted to stop him but was too late!
“Damn it, this reckless guy!”
Others cursed Barry’s recklessness in their minds, though they didn’t blame him too harshly, instead feeling worried.
...
“So this is the portal to another universe?”
Barry arrived at the portal’s entrance in an instant. Facing the blue portal up close, his face was filled with curiosity and anticipation.
However, he wasn’t truly reckless; he didn’t rush in but instead extended his right hand slowly toward the center of the portal.
“Barry, be careful!”
The others didn’t stop Barry but continued to stand by, closely monitoring his actions to prevent any accidents.
“Huh? It seems to have worked. There’s nothing obstructing…”
Soon, Barry’s right hand made contact with the center of the blue portal.
Without any unexpected results, his hand easily passed through the blue portal, creating a faint ripple of energy at its center.
“Everyone, it’s safe to come through. There’s no abnormality at all!”
Barry swirled his hand around a bit inside the portal. Aside from the slight ripples caused by his motion, the portal remained stable.
He then turned to the others and signaled them to proceed.
“It looks like we’ve really succeeded!”
Batman’s anxious expression gradually relaxed, and he prepared to move closer to the portal.
The others, too, moved towards the portal, ready to enter and rescue Barry, who had been kidnapped to another universe.
However, just as they were nearing the portal, Cyborg, who was intently monitoring the machines, suddenly saw something incredible. His face turned pale.
“Get away from there quickly…”
Before Cyborg could finish his warning, a powerful dark energy suddenly erupted from the blue portal.
The dark energy quickly transformed into several tentacle-like appendages that wrapped around Barry’s body.
“Ah! Damn it, what is this thing!”
Even though Barry had the Speed Force, he couldn’t react quickly enough in this urgent moment. The dark tentacles wrapped around his body and began to pull him into the portal.
“No!”
Barry’s body was being dragged through the air by the dark energy. Despite his attempts to move his feet, he was unable to resist effectively.
He was being pulled directly into the portal.
“Barry, hold on!”
Suddenly, an imposing figure appeared before Barry, grabbing his clothes firmly.
Superman had arrived just in time, pulling Barry away from the portal and shouting at him in alarm.
“Mr. Superman, thank God!”
“It’s so good to have you…”
Seeing that the one who had grabbed him was his long-admired Superman, Barry’s face showed a hint of relief.
But soon, Barry realized that even though Superman was holding on to him, he was still being slowly dragged backward.
“Damn it, this thing’s power is even stronger than Clark’s. Everyone, come help!”
Batman, initially relieved to see Superman grab Barry, soon became alarmed as he realized that even Superman’s immense strength couldn’t completely prevent Barry from being dragged in. He shouted to the others in shock.
Actually, the others had already recognized the crisis without Batman’s prompting. They rushed over at high speed, joining Superman to pull Barry out of the portal.
“Ah, ah, ah… It hurts so much. What the hell is this thing!”
Several powerful forces acted on Barry simultaneously, causing him immense pain and making him question the dark energy constricting him.
“You must hold on to Barry. Don’t let go!”
With the help of the others, they managed to temporarily restrain the powerful force pulling Barry.
Superman, after speaking to the others, quickly moved behind Barry. Without hesitation, he covered his hand with a bio-force field and grabbed the dark tentacles wrapping around Barry.
Superman knew that although Barry was much stronger than an ordinary person, he couldn’t withstand such powerful forces for long.
Clearly, it was easier for Superman to pull the dark tentacles away.
As Superman grasped the dark tentacles, his strength naturally increased.
Almost instantly, he unleashed his immense power.
Although Superman wasn’t performing feats beyond normal at this moment, he still possessed extraordinary strength.
Even at full power, he could move continental plates.
Yet, despite Superman’s strongest efforts, it seemed almost impossible to completely overcome the strange dark energy.
It was as if no matter how much power was applied, the energy could not be torn apart or pulled out from the portal.
...
“You must hold on!”
As an ordinary person, Batman knew that even Superman struggled against this force, and his help would be of no use.
“Victor, what’s happening?”
Without hesitation, Batman rushed to the instruments and Cyborg to figure out what was going on with this dark energy.
“I don’t know. At first, the portal-opening device was functioning normally, but after Barry touched it, an enormous amount of energy suddenly integrated into the portal!”
Cyborg was visibly anxious, urgently trying to find a solution.
“What is this black energy?”
Batman realized that the overwhelming energy that even Superman couldn’t tear apart was the black tentacles.
But he had never encountered such a bizarre and resilient energy, seemingly indestructible!
“I don’t know. Even with all the knowledge from New Genesis, I haven’t found the nature of this dark energy… It might be a force from beyond the universe!”
Cyborg was stunned. New Genesis technology was far more advanced than Earth’s, and its understanding of the universe was superior to anyone on Earth.
However, this dark energy was not recorded in the New Genesis technology system.
“Could it be dark matter? Or even antimatter energy?”
In this urgent moment, Batman could only speculate with all the incredible knowledge he had.
“No, it’s neither dark matter nor antimatter… This energy is even more powerful; it shouldn’t exist in the universe at all!”
Cyborg shook his head decisively, denying Batman’s guess.
“Then do you have a way to sever this energy and rescue Barry?”
Batman’s face was grave. He could only hope to rescue Barry from the dark energy’s grasp first.
“It’s difficult. After a brief analysis, this energy is almost impossible to be destroyed by external forces…”
Even though Cyborg had only briefly analyzed the bizarre energy, he felt a sense of despair.
“What if we forcefully shut down the portal device? Will the energy disappear with the portal?”
As the strategist of the Justice League, Batman wasn’t ready to give up hope easily. He quickly thought of a possible solution.
“Unfortunately, once the energy merged with the portal, it won’t disappear just by shutting down the device!”
Cyborg immediately rejected Batman’s suggestion.
“Divine power? Could it disperse this dark energy?”
Seeing the previous plan wouldn’t work, Batman fell into thought again. After a few seconds, he suddenly asked, looking hopeful.
“I… I’m not sure if divine power can resist this energy…”
Cyborg understood what Batman was implying but was also unable to provide an answer immediately.
“Anyway, we have to try!”
Batman didn’t hesitate any longer and turned to the others, who were still struggling against the energy.
“Diana, use your divine power and sword to see if you can sever the energy!”
“Divine power and sword?”
Wonder Woman’s eyes lit up when she heard Batman’s call. She immediately drew her divine sword and moved to Superman’s side.
“Ah!”
With an angry shout, Wonder Woman leaped several meters into the air. The unique divine power gathered in her golden sword, which already glimmered with a golden light, making the blade shine even more brightly.
In some timelines, this divine sword could even sever the head of the Apocalypse Wolf.
Grasping the sword with both hands, Diana brought it down from the sky with tremendous force, aiming to cut through the dark energy Superman was holding!
Clang!
However, as the divine sword struck the dark energy, it produced a sharp, metallic clang.
It was like steel colliding with steel.
The point of contact even sparked a brilliant golden flare.
“No, this is impossible. The divine sword left by my father is indestructible and can cut through anything!”
Diana was shocked to see the dark energy undamaged and the blade of her golden sword chipped, her face full of disbelief.
“What? Even divine power couldn’t inflict any damage on this dark force?”
At that moment, almost everyone was in disbelief. They knew well how sharp Diana’s divine sword was.
Even Superman’s steel body would likely struggle to create a crack.
Yet, now, the unbelievable situation was right before their eyes, leaving them unable to refute it.
“Damn it! Are we just going to watch Barry being dragged in?”
At this moment, everyone seemed out of options, helplessly watching Barry being pulled into the dark energy.
“It’s okay. Let me go. It’s been the greatest honor of my life to fight alongside you heroes!”
Barry seemed to realize the situation was beyond saving. He smiled slightly and spoke gently to the others.
“No! We will never abandon anyone, and besides, you are now our comrade!”
Superman immediately refused to let go of Barry without hesitation.
“No…”
“Wait, I have a special discovery!”
Just as Barry was about to say something else, Cyborg shouted from a distance, filled with excitement.
“Barry, no time to explain. Release your strongest Speed Force energy now!”
Cyborg, looking thrilled, shouted to Barry!
…
(End of Chapter)
