บท 631: Cooperation Invitation
Wanda, Batman, and the others made a sudden appearance, startling everyone present.
A few young and inexperienced FBI agents, overly nervous, nearly drew their guns and fired, muttering about an alien invasion of Earth under their breath.
The bearded agent leading the group managed to remain composed. While suppressing his jumpy subordinates, he kept a vigilant eye on Bruce and the others, questioning their identities and purpose in a stern voice.
Bruce simply responded in a low voice, "We're not here to cause trouble," and then signaled at Spider-Man No. 3 with a glance.
Spider-Man No. 3, who had been on edge, gradually relaxed. He had already reached an agreement with Wanda in the Eternal Space. While surprised by Bruce and the others' dramatic entrance, he knew they were here to help him out of a tight spot.
He first expressed his gratitude courteously, then turned to say a few words to his aunt and uncle before leading them straight into the teleportation portal.
The FBI agents stood there, wide-eyed. They wanted to step forward to stop them, but Wanda simply cast a glance in their direction, instantly confusing and disorienting them.
And with Batman, Iron Man, Superman, and the more experienced Spider-Man No. 1 present, what could a few low-level agents possibly do?
"All right, I'll go have a word with No. 3. No. 1, I'm guessing you'd like to come along," Wanda said with a wave of her hand. Her task was done, and now she needed to help Spider-Man No. 3 get familiar with the situation.
Spider-Man No. 1 smiled and nodded. "Of course. As the host, I'd like to chat with them too."
With that, the two stepped into the portal. Before leaving, Wanda lifted the mind control she had placed on the FBI agents.
The bearded agent, however, wasn't one to give up so easily. Seeing that his targets had escaped, he immediately pulled the trigger without hesitation, and his subordinates followed suit, unloading their firearms in a deafening barrage.
But Superman stepped forward, spreading his arms wide and effortlessly shielding everyone from the hail of bullets.
Clark's steel-like body gave the people of this world their first real sense of how powerless modern firearms were against him. The bullets, which struck him head-on, clattered harmlessly to the ground as though they had hit reinforced steel plating.
Superman smiled faintly, brushing his chest in a casual gesture, which only heightened the FBI agents' unease and fear.
Bruce spoke again, his tone steady and commanding. "I told you, we're not here to cause trouble. We're here to propose cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
The bearded agent scowled. Despite facing these bulletproof "freaks," he maintained a surprising level of composure. Unlike his jittery subordinates, some of whom were trembling so much they could barely stand, he wasn't backing down.
His wary gaze swept over Batman, Superman, and the others before he scoffed. "We're not traitors like Peter Parker! I don't care where you monsters come from—don't think for a second that we'll submit to you!"
Bruce shook his head and replied firmly, "You're not in a position to decide. Listen, all you need to do is relay my request up the chain—preferably to your president. If you don't, I guarantee you'll lose your job by the end of the day. Understand?"
The bearded agent hesitated, then raised a hand to signal his team to lower their weapons. He continued to stare at Bruce without saying much, though his earpiece buzzed with orders from his superiors. Moments later, he turned to them and said, "The president is willing to meet."
After all, the uproar caused by the events of this quiz game had caught the attention of elites and politicians across the globe.
The FBI's visit to Peter wasn't just an investigation—it was a test, a chance to explore the possibility of forging alliances with superpowered individuals like Spider-Man.
From the perspective of politicians, manipulating a "naïve" and "foolish" superhero wasn't difficult. There were countless ways to make them fall in line.
If Bruce and his team hadn't shown up, Spider-Man No. 3 would have soon been subjected to a classic "carrot and stick" approach. The FBI agents would've started by asserting dominance, dampening Peter's spirit. Then, someone else would've come in as the "good cop," promising benefits and appealing to his sense of justice and morality. Before long, the young hero would have been unwittingly roped into their control.
But Bruce's intervention derailed those plans. Recognizing this shift, the government's think tanks quickly pivoted to establish contact with Bruce's group instead.
Not long after, Bruce and his team were brought before the president. Of course, it wasn't just the president—other key figures who truly held power in the nation and the world were also involved. However, they remained hidden in a secure location.
The one negotiating with Bruce was merely a stand-in, a precaution in case Bruce and his superpowered team decided to cause trouble. Ordinary security forces would've been powerless to stop them otherwise.
The negotiations ended on a relatively positive note. Bruce, representing the Multiverse Defenders, extended an invitation for cooperation. This wasn't limited to just America—it was a preliminary step, with plans to discuss deeper collaborations with other governments in the future.
For most superheroes, working with official institutions was something they avoided. Vigilantes operated in the shadows for a reason. However, with the establishment of the multiverse defenders and their mission to traverse various universes, they often found themselves in unfamiliar worlds, facing countless challenges.
Even Batman, who typically disliked dealing with officials, had changed his perspective after several multiversal missions. With official cooperation, their work could become much more efficient. Without it—or worse, with active interference—their efforts would be significantly hindered.
Still, this cooperation came with its own set of complications. Multiverse Defenders's core mission was to promote justice across the multiverse, helping other worlds overcome crises and resolve conflicts to the best of their abilities.
Yet to the average person, and especially to shrewd politicians, such ideals seemed laughably naïve.
In a world increasingly dominated by greed and declining morality, it was hard to imagine anyone going out of their way to fight for justice in a world completely unrelated to their own—let alone doing so without expecting anything in return.
To these elites, the Multiverse Defenders Alliance seemed more like an organization of ambitious alien conquerors, seeking to dominate various worlds under the guise of altruism.
Perhaps this is why stories of superheroes resonate so deeply and inspire admiration.
Because humanity lacks these extraordinary individuals who, despite their abilities, selflessly dedicate themselves to justice, willing to pay any price to do what's right.
And when such heroes truly stand before them, people often find themselves doubting, questioning, and even fearing them. It's a case of wanting the idea of the dragon but dreading the real thing when it appears.
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