"The opponent is a Martian," Batman concluded decisively.
When Big Beard counterattacked Superman, Shiller had already considered this possibility, and his subsequent behavior confirmed it.
The Martians are an alien race with a vast range of power levels. The stronger ones can even suppress Kryptonians enhanced by the sun, while the weaker ones are practically useless, incapable of defeating modern weapon-armed humans.
The most famous Martian is, of course, the Martian Manhunter. The reason he's called the "Hunter" is not that he hunts on Mars, but because the profession of police on Mars translates to "Hunter".
So, the "Martian Manhunter" should actually be called the "Martian Police". He worked on Mars to maintain order and combat crime.
"Martians should already be extinct," said Batman. "The only survivor is the Martian Manhunter. But Ron would never do such a thing. He's a hero who despises evil, and invading Earth wouldn't benefit him."
"Extinct? Not necessarily," Shiller thought to himself. Though the Martian Manhunter appears to be the last Martian, there is actually another Martian survivor, the culprit behind the Martian extinction, none other than the Martian Manhunter's brother — Malafax.
Unlike Ron, his brother Malafax is a born sociopath who caused trouble daily as a child and attempted to rape his sister-in-law when he grew up. After being arrested, he pleaded with his brother to spare him. Ron refused, and in a fit of rage, Malafax used a virus to wipe out the entire Martian race.
From a human perspective, the more aliens like him, the better; but from a Martian perspective, you'd want to rise from the grave just to ask "Why?".
To understand how he survived, we need to discuss the Martians' greatest weakness: they fear fire, to the point of a mental disorder.
So, Malafax created a virus that spread through the Martians' natural telepathy abilities. Using telepathy would make them feel like they were on fire, leading to death by fear.
The Martian civilization was built upon their telepathy abilities, as humans use their hands. If humans started seeing their greatest fears whenever they used their hands, they wouldn't last long either.
However, during Malafax's trial, his abilities and memories were sealed. The sealing process might have had issues, causing him to forget his fear of fire, rendering the virus ineffective on him, allowing him to survive.
At the time, the Martian Manhunter also ended up on Earth for various reasons, avoiding the Martian telepathic network, barely escaping the calamity.
Shiller believed it was highly likely that the Big Beard was Malafax, but there were doubts. Malafax's telepathic abilities were supposed to be sealed, yet this guy still seems to have psychic abilities.
"And Ron is certainly not this weak," Batman added. "Ron can instantly read the memories of all humans on Earth. If he attacked Superman with full force, Superman might lose the ability to act immediately."
"I see," Shiller thought. He hadn't considered the Martians before because the Martian Manhunter in the comics was extremely powerful, comparable to Marvel's Professor X, and physically stronger than Charles, capable of close combat with Superman.
However, this psychic user's psychic abilities were clearly lacking; controlling an ordinary person required great effort, brainwashing Superman was full of flaws, and he couldn't even extract secrets from Jonathan. It indeed seemed like the result of being sealed.
But wasn't it supposed to be Zod coming? Why did it change to Malafax?
And given Malafax's current strength, could his invasion really be considered a plot point? A single Superman could handle him, which hardly posed a challenge for the current Justice League.
Shiller figured things weren't that simple, but since he was playing the role of an ordinary victim, he couldn't voice his theories. He exchanged a glance with Aisha.
"Since you're sure he's a Martian, maybe he's just another Martian," Aisha shrugged. "From our perspective, Martians are extinct, but maybe one hid in some remote corner, undetectable by human instruments, and suddenly decided to invade Earth."
Batman remained silent for a while but eventually nodded. Aisha continued, "But where's that powerful Martian you mentioned? Perhaps we can find him and enlist his help."
Batman shook his head again. "If Ron wants to hide, no one can find him. But if we spread the news about the Martian invasion, he might seek us out."
"I'll call Clark," Victor said. "Even if he doesn't report it, such a rare alien fight scene will inevitably be covered by major networks. If the just Martian watches TV, he'll find out eventually."
"But I doubt it's that simple," Aisha said. "This guy isn't very strong, a single Superman can hold him off. If a whole army came, it might be a problem, but one guy can't cause much trouble."
"This is likely just the vanguard," Batman nodded. "I've surmised they might send stealthy individuals to scout Earth, create some chaos to distract the Justice League, then launch a full-scale assault."
"This sudden Martian should be their scout. With psychic abilities, if the Justice League slips up, he could exploit that weakness."
"Not anymore," Victor shook his head. "Psychics are the best infiltrators before they're exposed. Once exposed, everyone will be on guard."
"It's not that simple," Batman emphasized. "Exposure incites panic, and everyone suspects each other, leading to endless paranoia and infighting."
Batman was getting increasingly anxious and finally turned and walked away, saying, "This universe's Justice League is well-prepared but too young. If they fall into such a cycle, it will be hard to escape."
"Once conflicts arise, they will only escalate, possibly leading to a complete split. I must go help them."
Watching Batman leave, Victor shook his head and thought, "You're overthinking it."
"With Bruce around, the Justice League won't wait until enemies set traps to break up."
The Justice League members sat watching Gotham news. Bruce leaned back, hands behind his head, saying, "Could this guy have influenced Evil Superman? Just how weak is that Superman to go crazy over him?"
"His mind is inherently unstable. The opponent knows he's not strong, so he targets weak spots," Diana said.
"Never thought there'd be a day when Superman becomes a weak spot," Bruce couldn't help but glance at Clark, who turned his head back with a hand.
"Could any of us have been brainwashed?" Hal asked. "After all, his goal is the Justice League of this universe. Outsiders would be secondary. They must be trying to get close to us by now."
"Definitely not me," Clark said. "I have multiple systems, and if one fails, another will notice. Plus, my mental state is stable. I'm no pushover."
"And not me. Normal psychic attacks can't breach the Green Lantern's energy defense. Even if forced, I'd notice. Right, Professor Xavier?"
Charles nodded. To him, the Green Lantern energy was something unique, previously unencountered, that could block brainwave detection, similar to a magnified version of Magneto's helmet. Even forcing through wouldn't be subtle.
"Not me either," Diana said. "I have divine protection. This guy's level? Thousands of years too early to control me."
"Not me," Arthur said bluntly. "What's the use of controlling me, to talk to fish?"
Bruce nearly spit out his water, looking at Arthur, "Do you have to be that blunt?"
"Just stating facts," Arthur didn't mind, relaxing on the sofa. "I'm useless. Don't come to me."
Everyone turned their eyes to Bruce.
"I think Bruce is the traitor," Clark said first. "He's been too quiet for too long. Absolutely him."
"Right, I agree. Let's lock him up somewhere," Diana even stood up, cracking her knuckles.
"It's most likely him. I can provide a secure prison," Lex said.
Pamela's vines had already reached Bruce's side. Bruce grabbed the vine trying to wrap around him and yelled, "You bastards! How can you suspect the soul of the Justice League!"
"Talking nonsense, must be you," Hal waved, trapping Bruce in green energy and lifting him. Bruce flailed in mid-air.
At that moment, something fell from him. Diana, nearest, was about to pick it up when a shadow revealed a full set of steel teeth, biting her finger.
"Ahhh!!!" Diana screamed in pain.
"Enemy attack!! Enemy attack!!" Clark shouted.
Those with multi-systems, divine power, Green Lantern energy, and aquatic communication were instantly thrown into chaos by the biting.
Lex, quick to jump on the table, saw the steel-toothed dog was actually a phone! A phone half the size of a normal tablet, folded in the middle, with shark-like teeth biting everyone.
Biting others was one thing, but it could even bite Clark, as the teeth were made of Kryptonite.
"Bruce!!!!" Clark shouted angrily and desperately from a corner of the ceiling, "We were supposed to be lifelong friends! How could you use Kryptonite against me?!"
"Say your lines!" Diana, also in a corner, said, "Say your lines!"
"What lines?!"
"The lines from when Batman fights Superman!"
"'I really loved you'? No, that's not it..."
Just then, Batman returning to Metropolis heard Clark's indignant roar echoing through the estate:
"Batman!! Can you bleed?!!!"