Tony's guilty expression only made Malrick's story sound more believable.
Diana looked at him in disbelief. "Your brother — Mr. Stark — is really such a terrible person?"
Kara didn't say anything, but her gaze toward Tony had already turned sharp with judgment.
Tony couldn't hide anymore. He kept denying it, insisting this was a misunderstanding, before jumping to his feet in pure embarrassment.
Then, halfway to the door, he froze. Wait a second — he wasn't that man anymore!
He hadn't been chasing women in years. He was faithful now, devoted to Pepper. Didn't that make him a good example?
And Malrick? The kid was raised under strict rules! Even his high school flings had ended quickly — a few tears, a little money, and a clean break. That was responsible parenting, right?
As Tony thought this, half of his guilt melted away. Straightening his shoulders, he turned to Malrick with mock outrage.
"Malrick! I only have Pepper! Don't twist things to justify your own messy love life!"
"Twist things?" Diana's brows furrowed, and Kara's lips parted slightly.
With their limited experience in human relationships, they couldn't tell Tony was bluffing. Both turned to Malrick, eyes full of curiosity and doubt — like hosts of a reality show waiting for the next scandalous revelation.
Diana, however, had a unique advantage. Her hand brushed the golden Lasso of Truth coiled at her hip. The thought of using it to settle this crossed her mind.
Malrick caught that subtle motion instantly.
He took the initiative. "Tony, how can you say that?" His voice carried a mix of hurt and righteous anger. Having dealt with tricksters like Odin and the Ancient One, Malrick had learned how to play the audience.
"You really don't feel guilty? Do you know what it was like for me as a kid, watching you… every night, with a different woman?"
That part wasn't entirely false. Even if he hadn't literally seen it, the trauma was real enough.
"Diana, take off your Lasso of Truth," Malrick said suddenly.
"Huh?" She blinked in surprise.
Before she could react further, Malrick lunged forward, pressing Tony — who was yelping in protest — to the floor.
"Quick! Tie him up! Let's see if this so-called 'big brother' feels even a shred of remorse!"
"Oh—uh—okay!" Diana nodded, caught off guard but moving on instinct.
Ignoring Tony's protests — "Hey! We're adults! Talk things out, not tie each other up!" — she looped the glowing lasso around him.
Within seconds, Tony Stark, billionaire genius, was bound and glowing like a divine prisoner.
"What is this, an interrogation?!" Tony barked.
"Exactly," Malrick said coolly. "Now tell me — how many models did you date when I was growing up? And after that, write me a thousand-word apology!"
Tony smirked, ready to fire back about Malrick's own romantic track record — but the moment he opened his mouth, the Lasso activated.
He couldn't stop talking.
One by one, the names spilled out — models, actresses, journalists, heiresses. His words flowed faster, more detailed, more humiliating.
He described how each relationship started, how it ended, even specific features — who had the longest legs, the brightest eyes, the most hypnotic smile.
It was… horrifying.
Tony's expression shifted from smug to horrified as the truth forced its way out. He wanted to stop, but the lasso wouldn't allow it. His face turned pale, eyes empty — the portrait of a man confessing sins against his will.
Diana and Kara listened in stunned silence, disbelief written all over their faces.
When Tony finally started expressing genuine guilt — admitting that after his parents died, he'd lost himself in women and neglected Malrick — the tension softened.
Diana's expression eased. "At least he knows he was wrong," she whispered.
Kara nodded reluctantly. "He may have been reckless, but… he did take responsibility."
When Tony finally fell silent, drained and humiliated, Diana removed the Lasso.
The two women turned back to Malrick, full of sympathy.
"None of this is your fault, Malrick," Diana said gently. "You grew up in a toxic environment. Yet you still turned into someone strong and kind — that's what makes a real hero."
Malrick nodded quietly, though he almost laughed. The real hero, huh? This feels oddly familiar. Like a certain cape-wearing narcissist…
Still, he held Diana's hand solemnly. "Seeing the darkness of life and choosing to love it anyway — that's true bravery. And Diana, I believe you'll understand that better than anyone."
Her eyes softened, admiration shining through.
Kara watched silently from the side, her gaze dropping to their joined hands. A flicker of emotion crossed her face — quickly hidden behind a small smile.
Then Malrick reached out and took her hand too. "Alright, story time's over. It's late — we should all get some rest."
He gently pushed Kara, who blushed slightly, toward her room. Then he guided Diana to his, sealing the area with his bio-field.
Only Tony was left in the darkened living room, sprawled on the couch like a broken man.
Moonlight spilled through the window, glinting across his pale, exhausted face.
"Jarvis," he muttered weakly, "what… exactly did I say?"
"Sir," Jarvis replied in his polite British tone, "you confessed, in vivid detail, your decade-long list of romantic encounters, followed by a sincere expression of guilt. If you wish, I can assume the role of a temporary priest and assure you that God forgives you."
Tony groaned. "No… just book me a grave near Gotham. Cremate me while you're at it."
"Of course, sir," Jarvis replied cheerfully. "Would you prefer a luxury private plot or a modest city cemetery?"
Tony didn't answer. He stared at the ceiling blankly. "I should've known better than to think I could outsmart that kid. Every time I try, he makes me look like a fool."
---
The next morning dawned calm and bright.
Malrick took Kara and Diana out for a walk through Gotham, calling it "cultural immersion."
Diana was endlessly curious about the world around her. Seeing a baby in a stroller, she'd exclaim, "It's a baby!" and rush over to coo at it like she'd just discovered fire.
In clothing stores, she would raise her leg high while trying on dresses to check if it allowed freedom of movement.
After several embarrassing explanations from Malrick about public decency, she finally started learning basic social etiquette.
Kara, on the other hand, carried herself with quiet grace. She observed, smiled, and asked few questions. When she tried on a new outfit, she would turn to Malrick and ask softly, "What do you think?"
If he said it looked good, she'd buy it without hesitation.
Their shopping spree was funded by Tony — or rather, Tony's repentance.
In his humbled state, he'd simply handed his credit card to Malrick, muttering something about "out of sight, out of mind."
Everything in the world seemed calm now.
The Kryptonian crisis had ended. The Third World War was over.
Batman had returned to Wayne Manor to resume his reclusive life.
Flash had restored his identity and reunited with his family.
For once, there were no looming disasters.
Malrick's super hearing confirmed it — the planet was finally quiet.
All that was left was to take the Mother Box and leave this world behind.
Next time he returned, it would be because Diana missed home.
He smiled at the thought, watching her buy a slice of cake at a nearby stand. But then, suddenly, he froze.
Something shifted — the air, the space, the flow of time itself.
In his vision, cosmic chains of law began to shimmer and twist.
"The time of this world… it's collapsing," Malrick whispered. "The future and the past — they're both being erased."
The chains shattered one by one, only to reform immediately after.
His eyes widened in realization. "No… this isn't destruction. It's a reset."
There was only one explanation for that.
His expression hardened.
"Barry… you're rewriting the world again."
_____
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