Ian tapped his fingers on the table and instantly hacked into Justice League's system. Steel Bone - the person who built the system with the help of Batman - looked at him in shock. The technology in their system was several years ahead of its time, but it was so easily broken.
"I have only seen Darkseid variants from different parallel dimensions, but they are all the same: the ruler and conqueror of Apokolips, using a powerful and inescapable Omega Beams, and always looking for Anti-Life Equation," Ian explained, showing everyone his basic data on Darkseid.
"So, what exactly is this equation?" Diana asked.
"An equation that can destroy any sentient life will and control them," Ian replied casually. "With it, he will rule Multiverse without any pressure."
"Mind Control? How strong is this power we are talking about?" asked Superman, who has experienced similar problems.
"How should I explain it?" Ian muttered. "Even with that bat Fury over there, with his proud willpower, if a ten-year-old child uses this formula, he can't resist."
Hal Lee Jordan almost burst out laughing; he had to use his famous willpower to suppress his laughter. Batman was as stoic as ever, and Diana lightly kicked Ian in reproach, but he just shrugged nonchalantly.
Superman, aware of the tense and awkward atmosphere in the room, said, "If it is really that powerful, we must prevent Darkseid from getting it. So, what is the plan? Do we attack Apokolips preemptively, or wait for him to come to us?"
"The data says Omega Beams is as fast as any speedster. That could be a big problem," Steel Bone added.
"This has yet to be confirmed," Flash retorted. "This man has actually studied Speed Force. Don't you think he should know about this kind of thing?" Steel Bone argued. "I'm just saying that we must remain vigilant and be prepared for all eventualities."
"... You have a point."
The discussion about the next step continued, and everyone expressed their opinions, except Ian. He was looking into the distance, still thinking about the formula in his mind.
"Something's wrong," Diana looked at Ian and said suddenly.
"What did you say?"
"From what I know about you, this equation is exactly the kind of thing you can't wait to study. But now, you actually show no interest at all?"
"That's because I've already got the equation, so I'm not interested anymore."
Diana was rubbing her temples and almost moaned in despair. 'Oh, Hera, can't you keep this in your heart?' She thought to herself, feeling the suffocating silence in the room.
"So, you know where it is?" she asked quickly.
"Yes, in the mind of a rich man named Bates, a billionaire. You should probably protect him or do something. However, you must be prepared, because he knows how to use this formula: you must block his mouth and don't let him speak."
"We will remember it," Superman said, trying to change the subject.
"What are you going to do with it?" Batman asked.
"Does this have anything to do with you?"
"You are an unknown person, possibly a criminal, who possesses knowledge that could have global ramifications. So, I think we all have a right to know what you intend to do with it."
Ian looked at him and the others present, "I am just a passerby in this dimension. After I formally say goodbye to Diana, I will leave, and you will never see me again."
"Are we going to believe your one-sided story?" Batman continued to ask.
"You want to talk about trust? Why don't you tell everyone present the 'countermeasures plan' you have developed for each of them to prevent them from 'rebellion'?"
"Bruce, tell me this isn't true," Diana added in shock.
"Justice League is a formidable force for good, but it can also be used for evil."
"Do you just look down on us so much?" Flash asked.
"That's not good, man," Green Lantern said.
"I don't doubt your character. But as you saw in that equation, sometimes the choice is not yours."
"That's really nice to say," Ian sneered. "Then why don't you make a plan for yourself? I know how you convinced yourself: 'Justice League is my counter plan.' But you and I both know that you are just too arrogant, and you firmly believe that you will never fall."
"You don't know me at all."
"On the contrary, I know it very well. You and I are more similar than you think: we lost our parents as children, are extremely smart, paranoid, and like to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The difference between us is that I did not let trauma define me; I learned to grow and mature, while you are still the helpless boy who watched your parents die in the alley."
"That's enough, Edward; you've gone too far."
"Maybe," Ian replied, and then stood up. "Like I said, I'm just a passerby. When you finish Darkseid, we can say goodbye, and I can leave."
He disappeared from the room and exited the meeting. The room fell into dead silence.
"We will discuss the inappropriate behavior of Batman later; now let us focus on dealing with the upcoming invasion." After a brief discussion, the team decided to capture the billionaire Bates before preparing to fight; fortunately, he was a criminal, which gave their actions a legitimate reason.
A few days later:
Ian was holding a Mother Box and was analyzing and disassembling it. He sensed a visitor and opened the door to his apartment in New York.
"What happened in that meeting?" Diana asked. "You are always so calm and calm."
"As you can see, I'm not a fan of that bat," Ian shrugged. Back when he was Primordial Earth, he had been a huge fan of Batman. However, as he grew up, he would have preferred to see characters who could achieve emotional growth, but the writers never allowed Batman to do that.
He had a similar dissatisfaction with Spider-Man because the writers never allowed him to truly evolve as a character. Later, he developed a strong dislike for the character because of Batman's fans; he was fed up with those fans constantly arguing that "Batman can do anything if he only has preparation time."
"That's obvious," Diana sighed.
"Forget about him. You look stunning today," Ian commented. Although she was wearing casual jeans, high heels and a shirt, the outfit still couldn't hide her divine beauty.
"Thank you for the compliment, but I'm here for official business of the alliance."
"They want me to ask you if you know when the invasion will occur."
"In three days," he replied.
"How did you know?"
"I have reverse engineered some of their technology. The escaped Parademons has established a portal leading to Apokolips, which will open in three days."
"If this is true, we must stop them in advance."
"That should buy you a few more hours."
Diana frowned, "Darkseid are you ready to open the portal from him?"
"According to the intelligence sent back by the reconnaissance probe I launched to Apokolips, this is indeed the case."
"In this case, we have to hurry up," Diana said, preparing to leave. "We will talk about it later."
"Wait," Ian called her. He opened a small portal and summoned a small square.
"What is this?" Diana asked as he took the thing.
"Once the battle begins, press the button and it will drag Darkseid and his army into Mirror Dimension. There, you can fight with all your strength without causing any impact on the planet; you can even blow it up if you want."
"Really?" Diana said with shining eyes. As a hero, one of the shortcomings is that he must restrain his power to protect the surrounding civilians, houses and even the entire planet. People like her and Clark cannot usually use their full power.
"Thank you so much."
"Just think of it as my apology for my rude behavior towards your friend before."