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Chapter 556: Not Going
In just over a day, the situation on Earth had rapidly deteriorated. No one could stand against Steppenwolf.
A distress call, sent via A.R.G.U.S., quickly reached the distant planet of Cybertron.
The high command of the War Staff Department quickly convened. After some discussion, they initiated a direct military mobilization, and large numbers of troops were assembled.
The Kryptonian Legion, the Mutant Legion, the Transformer Legion, and others—all types of forces gathered, ready to depart for Earth at a moment's notice, but the high command delayed in giving the order.
Conflict arose among them. Earth was, at best, Primus's former home. But should they pay a terrible price to go there and fight Apokolips? Was it worth it? Was it the right thing to do? Many were hesitant.
Moreover, during these twenty-odd hours, Tony happened to be in an Alternate Universe conducting his 'Cosmic Proving Ground' project. It was uncertain if he could even return in time.
By the time Tony returned, Earth might have already fallen, or the invaders from Apokolips might have been defeated.
While they hesitated and waited, Tony returned.
"Apokolips? Steppenwolf? A Parademon Army? The superheroes suffered a crushing defeat, with countless casualties?"
Tony stared at the display on Soundwave's body. It was playing a recording from Crane, along with transmitted footage of the Parademon invasion of Earth and the superheroes' bloody battle against Steppenwolf.
Wanda, looking worried, gazed up at Tony, her large eyes blinking constantly. "What should we do?"
Magneto stated flatly, "I refuse to help Earth. How did they treat us back then? Ostracism, slaughter, human experimentation... We left, and we finally found some stability. Now we're supposed to go back and help them? On what grounds? Who helped us when we were on Earth?!"
"Erik... sigh..." Professor X, looking a bit older, hesitated for a moment before remaining silent.
No one else spoke.
The silence was the most telling statement of all.
Tony sat on the Mobius Chair, his expression unreadable. He reached out and tapped continuously on Soundwave's display, sometimes zooming in on an image, other times zooming out to a bird's-eye view. He watched the tragic state of Earth without saying a word.
Honestly, he didn't really want to go back and help. He had already done what needed to be done, going above and beyond his duties as the Sorcerer Supreme and eliminating far too many enemies.
The entire war room fell into silence. Everyone looked up at him, awaiting his decision. Tony's will was the will of everyone present; it was the will of all of Cybertron.
At a time like this, no fool would bring up democracy or talk about taking a vote. There were no such brainless individuals here. Earth's inefficient games were completely unworkable in the ruthless expanse of the universe.
Even Magneto closed his mouth and watched Tony, quietly waiting for his decision.
"The number of Parademons on Earth has already surpassed three hundred thousand?" Tony's eyelids drooped as he spoke lightly.
"That depends on the situation. Steppenwolf could mobilize more troops from Apokolips at any moment," Shockwave said.
In other words, the current numbers were meaningless.
Once reinforcements were sent to Earth, the battle would inevitably become a brutal war of attrition. Both sides would be forced to use Earth, and even the entire Solar System, as their battlefield, frantically churning out troops. Whoever had the larger army and greater war potential would eke out a pyrrhic victory. But... who would dare compete with Apokolips in terms of war potential? Cybertron, at least in its current state, certainly couldn't. It would be a slow suicide.
Competing with Apokolips in military strength was the same as competing with top-tier realms like Hell, Heaven, or the Netherworld. As a planet, Apokolips was in no way inferior to worlds like Hell.
Unless Tony could quickly eliminate Steppenwolf, neutralizing their high-end combat power and cutting off the Boom Tube.
Tony looked at the dozens of high-ranking leaders seated before him and mumbled in a low voice, "I... don't really want to go... I am the master of Cybertron. I must do everything in my power to be responsible for my own planet. I've done so much for Earth, but all I've gotten in return is widespread rejection and abuse."
Professor X pushed his wheelchair forward. "Tony, there are also many people on Earth who love you."
"Yes, I know that..." Tony nodded silently.
"Then let's not save them. Earth has plenty of powerhouses; they can hold out," Illyana said nonchalantly.
Of the dozens of people present, the most ruthless were Dormammu and Illyana.
It goes without saying for Dormammu. As for Illyana, she ruled Limbo and had been at war with Dormammu's Dark Dimension for years, killing countless beings.
Mere Earth meant nothing in Illyana's eyes. In any case, her family and people were all on Cybertron, right by her side. She would be content just protecting her brothers, sisters, family, and friends around her.
Megatron said in a deep voice, "Optimus Prime sent a message not long ago. He will lead the Green Lantern Corps into battle. It is his duty, and also his obligation as the guardian of Sector 2814."
Everyone looked at each other, murmuring in low voices. The volume gradually increased until arguments began to break out.
Among the dozens present, there were Mutants from Earth who still had some affection for the planet, and there were Transformers and Kryptonians who felt nothing for it.
At the same time, there were also Mutants who detested Earth and feared that aiding the planet would lead to immense casualties among their own brothers.
There were also Transformers who loved Earth. Not to mention, as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, it was Optimus Prime's duty to protect Earth. Optimus Prime would definitely join the fight.
After a long silence, Tony's brow smoothed out, his face expressionless. "We will send reinforcements. Not for Earth, but to save Optimus Prime. If even Clark was seriously injured by Steppenwolf, then Optimus Prime is definitely no match for him either. Every legion is to dispatch soldiers to Earth to join the battle. The specific numbers will be decided by the War Staff Department. I only want one result."
"Remember, your mission is not to protect Earth, but to protect Optimus Prime. Don't let that idiot cop die!"
Professor X asked in surprise, "You're not going?"
"I'm not going. I don't want to." Tony glanced over and casually pointed a finger at Dormammu, who was enjoying the spectacle with schadenfreude. "But this guy is going. As a former Earthling, Dormammu also has a duty to fight for Earth. Consider it paying off his debt for frequently invading it in the past."
Dormammu's face stiffened. He stared at Tony in disbelief, his eyes wide, on the verge of erupting in anger. But when Tony's cold gaze swept over him, Lord Dormammu shut his mouth.
Damned if I speak, damned if I don't. I'm a target standing up and I still get shot lying down. Lord Dormammu felt deeply wronged.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tony stood up and walked out of the war room.
This hemisphere of Cybertron was in its daytime, the lively sun brazenly casting down waves of heat.
"Reinforcements... huh?"
Tony shook his head and sighed deeply. He was once a Guardian, but not anymore. And he certainly wasn't a babysitter.
Even if he were a babysitter, he would be Cybertron's babysitter, not Earth's.
Just then, a peculiar fluctuation reached him. Tony couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Hm?"
(end of chapter)
In just over a day, the situation on Earth had rapidly deteriorated. No one could stand against Steppenwolf.
A distress call, sent via A.R.G.U.S., quickly reached the distant planet of Cybertron.
The high command of the War Staff Department quickly convened. After some discussion, they initiated a direct military mobilization, and large numbers of troops were assembled.
The Kryptonian Legion, the Mutant Legion, the Transformer Legion, and others—all types of forces gathered, ready to depart for Earth at a moment's notice, but the high command delayed in giving the order.
Conflict arose among them. Earth was, at best, Primus's former home. But should they pay a terrible price to go there and fight Apokolips? Was it worth it? Was it the right thing to do? Many were hesitant.
Moreover, during these twenty-odd hours, Tony happened to be in an Alternate Universe conducting his 'Cosmic Proving Ground' project. It was uncertain if he could even return in time.
By the time Tony returned, Earth might have already fallen, or the invaders from Apokolips might have been defeated.
While they hesitated and waited, Tony returned.
"Apokolips? Steppenwolf? A Parademon Army? The superheroes suffered a crushing defeat, with countless casualties?"
Tony stared at the display on Soundwave's body. It was playing a recording from Crane, along with transmitted footage of the Parademon invasion of Earth and the superheroes' bloody battle against Steppenwolf.
Wanda, looking worried, gazed up at Tony, her large eyes blinking constantly. "What should we do?"
Magneto stated flatly, "I refuse to help Earth. How did they treat us back then? Ostracism, slaughter, human experimentation... We left, and we finally found some stability. Now we're supposed to go back and help them? On what grounds? Who helped us when we were on Earth?!"
"Erik... sigh..." Professor X, looking a bit older, hesitated for a moment before remaining silent.
No one else spoke.
The silence was the most telling statement of all.
Tony sat on the Mobius Chair, his expression unreadable. He reached out and tapped continuously on Soundwave's display, sometimes zooming in on an image, other times zooming out to a bird's-eye view. He watched the tragic state of Earth without saying a word.
Honestly, he didn't really want to go back and help. He had already done what needed to be done, going above and beyond his duties as the Sorcerer Supreme and eliminating far too many enemies.
The entire war room fell into silence. Everyone looked up at him, awaiting his decision. Tony's will was the will of everyone present; it was the will of all of Cybertron.
At a time like this, no fool would bring up democracy or talk about taking a vote. There were no such brainless individuals here. Earth's inefficient games were completely unworkable in the ruthless expanse of the universe.
Even Magneto closed his mouth and watched Tony, quietly waiting for his decision.
"The number of Parademons on Earth has already surpassed three hundred thousand?" Tony's eyelids drooped as he spoke lightly.
"That depends on the situation. Steppenwolf could mobilize more troops from Apokolips at any moment," Shockwave said.
In other words, the current numbers were meaningless.
Once reinforcements were sent to Earth, the battle would inevitably become a brutal war of attrition. Both sides would be forced to use Earth, and even the entire Solar System, as their battlefield, frantically churning out troops. Whoever had the larger army and greater war potential would eke out a pyrrhic victory. But... who would dare compete with Apokolips in terms of war potential? Cybertron, at least in its current state, certainly couldn't. It would be a slow suicide.
Competing with Apokolips in military strength was the same as competing with top-tier realms like Hell, Heaven, or the Netherworld. As a planet, Apokolips was in no way inferior to worlds like Hell.
Unless Tony could quickly eliminate Steppenwolf, neutralizing their high-end combat power and cutting off the Boom Tube.
Tony looked at the dozens of high-ranking leaders seated before him and mumbled in a low voice, "I... don't really want to go... I am the master of Cybertron. I must do everything in my power to be responsible for my own planet. I've done so much for Earth, but all I've gotten in return is widespread rejection and abuse."
Professor X pushed his wheelchair forward. "Tony, there are also many people on Earth who love you."
"Yes, I know that..." Tony nodded silently.
"Then let's not save them. Earth has plenty of powerhouses; they can hold out," Illyana said nonchalantly.
Of the dozens of people present, the most ruthless were Dormammu and Illyana.
It goes without saying for Dormammu. As for Illyana, she ruled Limbo and had been at war with Dormammu's Dark Dimension for years, killing countless beings.
Mere Earth meant nothing in Illyana's eyes. In any case, her family and people were all on Cybertron, right by her side. She would be content just protecting her brothers, sisters, family, and friends around her.
Megatron said in a deep voice, "Optimus Prime sent a message not long ago. He will lead the Green Lantern Corps into battle. It is his duty, and also his obligation as the guardian of Sector 2814."
Everyone looked at each other, murmuring in low voices. The volume gradually increased until arguments began to break out.
Among the dozens present, there were Mutants from Earth who still had some affection for the planet, and there were Transformers and Kryptonians who felt nothing for it.
At the same time, there were also Mutants who detested Earth and feared that aiding the planet would lead to immense casualties among their own brothers.
There were also Transformers who loved Earth. Not to mention, as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, it was Optimus Prime's duty to protect Earth. Optimus Prime would definitely join the fight.
After a long silence, Tony's brow smoothed out, his face expressionless. "We will send reinforcements. Not for Earth, but to save Optimus Prime. If even Clark was seriously injured by Steppenwolf, then Optimus Prime is definitely no match for him either. Every legion is to dispatch soldiers to Earth to join the battle. The specific numbers will be decided by the War Staff Department. I only want one result."
"Remember, your mission is not to protect Earth, but to protect Optimus Prime. Don't let that idiot cop die!"
Professor X asked in surprise, "You're not going?"
"I'm not going. I don't want to." Tony glanced over and casually pointed a finger at Dormammu, who was enjoying the spectacle with schadenfreude. "But this guy is going. As a former Earthling, Dormammu also has a duty to fight for Earth. Consider it paying off his debt for frequently invading it in the past."
Dormammu's face stiffened. He stared at Tony in disbelief, his eyes wide, on the verge of erupting in anger. But when Tony's cold gaze swept over him, Lord Dormammu shut his mouth.
Damned if I speak, damned if I don't. I'm a target standing up and I still get shot lying down. Lord Dormammu felt deeply wronged.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tony stood up and walked out of the war room.
This hemisphere of Cybertron was in its daytime, the lively sun brazenly casting down waves of heat.
"Reinforcements... huh?"
Tony shook his head and sighed deeply. He was once a Guardian, but not anymore. And he certainly wasn't a babysitter.
Even if he were a babysitter, he would be Cybertron's babysitter, not Earth's.
Just then, a peculiar fluctuation reached him. Tony couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Hm?"
(end of chapter)
