"Yes, the Justice League blew up the wall that protects our universe. Why is there a wall at the edge of our universe? Why don't the science programs on TV mention this? Why do people always say the universe is boundless? Friends, this is the lie perpetuated by the Justice Association, a lie from the same lineage as the Justice League."
Luthor raised his arms and shouted to the camera, the Star-Spangled Banner fluttering in the wind behind him, while the members of the Destruction Legion each put on grim warrior expressions, as if ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment.
"The scientific principles involved cannot be explained in a short time, and I'm running out of time, remember? The Justice League is hunting me down, trying to silence me. You can go online to learn more; my comrades have already uploaded the truth to the internet."
"Now, everyone please remember what I say. The Origin Wall is broken, and a substance known as the Void outside the wall is devouring our universe. Many life-bearing planets in the cosmos have been swallowed because the Justice League blew up the Origin Wall. Trillions of alien lives have been murdered by them!"
"Our universe is dying, and it's almost unavoidable. Yet these so-called heroes will still try to make you believe in them! They'll numb us, give us little favors, or perform rescue acts again to win our hearts, but we can't be deceived again. We can't just sit and wait for death."
"Yes, it sounds like something Superman would do. Maybe some people will think, ah, yes, superheroes will save us, but are you sure about that? Look here, look at our battlefield, where is the Justice League you know?"
"These lies won't help us when Earth is destroyed. We humans should rely on ourselves. Don't pin all your hopes on others! When others fight for you, are you hiding under the covers shaking with a bottle of wine? Humans need to grow up, mature enough to take responsibility for themselves!"
"The Justice League will label those with courage who don't listen to them as villains. Let them be! But I say, before the end of the world comes, everyone should strive to keep themselves and their families alive!"
"If wanting to live is considered evil, then I invite all humanity to become villains! We must do whatever it takes to save ourselves!"
Luthor spoke a long string of words proudly, feeling weary at the moment, gently tapping his armor: "Soon you'll see what I've done for humanity... Now I announce that the Lex Group is immediately dissolved, and all my inventions and creations, my trillion-dollar fortune, are donated from this moment on!"
"They will be given to those with the courage to fight for themselves, more suitable to save the world than the current Justice League, given to those who can struggle for a glimmer of hope for humanity!"
"This is the crisis of the entire cosmos. No one can stay out of it. We all face choices, and the only way to save ourselves is for all humanity to become villains, making this year the Year of Villains!"
"You know which side to choose, the Justice League of the Fascist regime, or the Destruction Legion of equality and freedom... Goodbye, friends. You'll probably hear from me again soon."
Luthor finished his last sentence and instantly took everyone away from the battlefield with the Door Handle of Destruction.
The first step of the plan has been implemented, and there's still a lot to do, and time is of the essence.
The people left, only the Star-Spangled Banner still planted there, casting a black shadow under the sunlight.
Meanwhile, the information Luthor left behind, or rather all sorts of messages, spread at a terrifying speed. In the internet age, besides the half of the Earth still in night, at least a quarter of humanity knew about these events.
As Luthor expected, almost all citizens fell into panic upon learning the reality.
Brainiac presented all the evidence Luthor had prepared long ago, ensuring that the Justice League could not refute it, and he also anticipated that the Justice League wouldn't lie and engage in a media battle with them.
This round was won by the Destruction Legion.
Some may still make another choice, or argue for the Justice League, but the 'truth' will close in day by day until it hits them in the face!
..........
In front of the Gotham City Council, several members of the Justice League stood outside the sewer. They argued from underground to the surface, and at that moment, the construction team sent by Alfred had arrived.
"Batman, how could you let the Martian Hunter take such a risk?" Barry looked unhappy. As a user of Divine Speed, he had to be cautious in one plane, let alone the Void.
What does that even mean? No one knows.
"He's made up his mind. Do you think I can stop him?" Batman responded expressionlessly, calling the Bat Plane: "Badgering me won't change what has already happened."
Diana was also somewhat uncertain. She felt it was dangerous, but it wasn't like no one had done similar things before, like Kael Renner or the current Otherworldly Deathstroke.
The Justice League didn't just have Ron doubting Deathstroke's origins; almost everyone had questions in their hearts.
But as someone basically trusted, if Deathstroke was unwilling to speak, they wouldn't resort to methods to get to the bottom of it.
Every superhero, to some extent, is a goody-two-shoes. They have many self-imposed constraints that prevent them from acting without concerns.
Diana pulled up her hood as more people gathered around: "Why don't we ask Deathstroke's opinion?"
Batman had no objections, looking at the aircraft flying in the sky: "Do what you want, as long as you can contact him."
Diana: "...."
Who knows where he's gone, but from the feeling, it's definitely not the Sixth Dimension, probably need to ask the Warlock.
"Young Master Bruce, perhaps you should take a look at this."
As the group was arguing, Alfred sent a video link from the internet. Batman opened it on his terminal, watched it at 32x speed, and his mouth slanted down to his chin.
"Barry, Luthor, and the Destruction Legion have arrived in Metropolis. Take us there!"
Batman immediately issued orders, but by the time everyone rushed there, it was already too late. Batman only picked up a Star-Spangled Banner left by Luthor, with 'To the Justice League' written on the flagpole.
"What on earth is going on?"
Barry asked in confusion, while Batman took out his phone and quickly sent a copy of the video to everyone.
After everyone watched it, they all looked grim.
"That bastard who distorts the truth! I'm going to kill him!"
Diana said through gritted teeth, she hated that bald guy to death.
These events merely omitted a few details, but generally, it was just as Luthor described—about ninety percent true and ten percent false.
Unfortunately, the true parts were irrefutable.
She simply couldn't imagine what kind of trouble they'd face once these messages spread.
Losing public trust, losing human support, any actions by the Justice League would become extremely difficult. The things Deathstroke and Batman worried about are finally happening.
Batman, however, remained calm: "As expected. Let's return to the Hall of Justice, then seal off the venue. We need to have a meeting."
"So, you have a contingency plan for this?" John immediately relaxed a lot, almost materializing a green chair to sit down.
However, Batman just nodded, then shook his head: "I do have plans, but you all won't agree with them."
"Like what?" Barry pursed his lips and asked tentatively.
"For example, we can act first, controlling all governments using force and nuclear weapons as a threat to implement global militarized rule," Batman suggested a plan.
As expected, everyone shook their heads repeatedly; this plan was too dark to be used.
Their conscience and moral values couldn't accept it.
Everyone expressed opposition, which wasn't surprising to Batman: "That's why I said to go back to the Hall of Justice, close the doors and have a meeting first to ensure our safety. I always feel Luthor still has moves to make, but they're too well-hidden, and we're just sitting ducks."
"I hope Xiaozha and the others come back soon. Maybe with magical assistance, it would be easier."
Diana, with her head down, followed everyone quickly to the Hall of Justice.
The power of Luthor's rumors was already starting to show; a little way off in the sky were some journalists' helicopters, heavily photographing the Justice League.
The problem is, if it were under normal circumstances, reporters would come to interview them.
At least ask the League how they view Luthor's statements? Is what he says true? These matters of public concern are valuable news.
But now, they don't dare, or rather, they don't trust the League anymore.
The helicopters are simply filming from afar like they're capturing footage of some wild beast, then returning to their respective stations to let the editors create a 'photo-based narrative.'
It's the kind that starts with a picture, and then everything is made up of speculation.
This discrimination in treatment, along with those cold stares hidden behind lenses and glass, made Diana want to hide her head in the sand.
She originally didn't mind the media making up stories; she and the Justice League both behaved properly and had nothing to fear. But now that these people want to use the material provided by Luthor to fabricate, the situation is going to get uglier.
"Let's move quickly, if we don't want to be blocked outside the Hall by the arriving protesters," Batman reminded, seeing Diana a bit dazed.
"But the media...." Diana pointed at the departing helicopters.
"Don't worry, I recognized which TV station they belong to. I've already had Alfred make an offer to buy it," Batman immediately provided a solution.
Barry rolled his eyes: "What about the internet? Now everyone has a phone, and those fabricated stories might have been copied countless times, becoming bedtime stories parents tell their children."
"The internet is free, but the internet service providers are not. 98% of internet users in the United States use the networks of the seven major providers, and I will buy them all."
Stopping the spread is impossible, so just suppress the speed of spread. Doubt and madness are like infectious diseases, and Batman has spent his life dealing with these two things.
Batman's calm and composed tone, combined with his bold and wealthy demeanor, made Barry feel reassured. This was Batman.
With Batman around, there's nothing to be afraid of.
His steps even became lighter, and with a flash of electric light, he ran towards the Hall of Justice to set up the meeting room, forgetting about the unpleasantness he and Batman had had over Ron.