Members of the World Security Council, in their private inquiries through their own alien contacts, shared information and arrived at the same conclusion.
—Thanos is a tyrant who destroys planets for no reason, acting solely on his whims.
Hearing this news, the representatives from various countries felt a chill.
With this intelligence, they understood that the battle was inevitable. Thus, they unified their opinion and, after communicating with Anton, joined the initiative to construct a base on the Moon and develop a lunar battle zone.
Though the Moon is visible to the naked eye for humans, it is not out of reach.
With the current rapidly advancing technology, along with the foundation laid by the super Skrulls on the Moon, constructing a lunar base and developing a lunar battle zone within a few months using the collective effort of the entire world was not an impossible idea.
Otherwise, the World Security Council would not have agreed with Anton, or rather Batman proposal.
Wayne Enterprises, OsCorp, and major global arms companies all received large orders for weapons.
Among these diverse weapon orders, Wayne Enterprises was particularly prominent.
However, once it became known through various channels that Earth was preparing for an alien invasion, no one considered these orders good news.
Of course, the news of Thanos impending invasion hadn't reached the ears of the general populace.
Although this involved the survival of humanity, most people had no choice but to passively accept the situation.
On one hand, rather than living in fear, it was better to let ordinary people continue their lives peacefully.
On the other hand, it also served to prevent riots on a global scale.
Thus, the world continued as usual, noisy and bustling, but the undercurrents and machinations at the higher levels were unprecedentedly active.
Though this battle was perilous, it was not without the possibility of victory without direct conflict.
Under Anton tacit approval, and the promotion by Men in Black Deputy Director, Agent Z, most national leaders became aware of the great fame Superman had made for himself in the universe.
In addition to Superman, personal information about Captain Marvel, Carol, was also intentionally released by Anton.
The two heroes were soon to return to Earth.
Together with the Justice League and various superpowered individuals worldwide, the majority of those on Earth who were informed realized that although Earth was located in a remote part of the universe, it was not a planet that could be easily exploited.
Earth definitely possessed the power to resist.
As preparations on the Moon progressed vigorously, the World Security Council received an email.
From Wakanda.
This was rather astonishing.
Especially for the permanent members of the Security Council, who looked at each other in disbelief as they read the contents of the email.
When did it become the turn for a third-world country like Wakanda to bargain with them?
Wakanda, located in Eastern Africa, had been isolated from the world for centuries.
Truthfully, most of the world didn't even know that there was a country called Wakanda in Africa.
But upon further contact by the permanent members, they were shocked to discover that Wakanda, while outwardly a poor agricultural nation, was actually the most technologically advanced country on Earth, possessing a unique and rare resource called Vibranium.
Wakanda was good at hiding with technology far exceeding the global average, it had remained undiscovered by the outside world for countless years.
Moreover, what stunned the American representative was that the representative sent by Wakanda was none other than Captain America, Steve Rogers.
It turned out that after his fallout with Iron Man, Tony Stark, it was the Wakandans who had taken Captain America.
With the level of technology Wakanda had shown, quietly taking a person away was not an issue.
The problem was, the current Captain America had become the Captain of Wakanda, joined Wakandan nationality, and became a Wakandan.
American morale was shattered.
A white man forcibly joining a predominantly black country—didn't that seem off?
Upon receiving the news, Anton was quite surprised.
Of course, he didn't find it strange that Wakanda chose this moment to step forward.
The dark undercurrents of the world could avoid most people, but certainly not Wakanda scrutiny.
So, with Earth facing a threat and Thanos about to invade, it made perfect sense for Wakanda to step forward, drop its disguise, and communicate with the permanent members.
If Earth were to be destroyed, Wakanda would not escape Thanos massacre either.
Mobilizing all forces to face Thanos was inherently the responsibility of all Earthlings.
During this time, many aliens who had immigrated to Earth received the news and began leaving the planet aboard spaceships.
"They are not optimistic about Earth," they said with regret.
"Earth is actually not bad, a suitable place for seclusion."
"Too bad, Thanos loves destroying such places..."
"It said that Superman has already clashed with Thanos, and with only one of the Dark Order left, the entire Thanos legion is now after Superman... Earth stands no chance."
"Let go, let find another place to live!"
Watching spaceships departing Earth, Z had a serious expression inside the Men in Black headquarters.
Although there was hope for Earth to overcome its foes, the power of the adversary was evident from the behavior of these aliens.
"Is Superman really being hunted and can't return?" he suddenly panicked.
But after telling Anton this news, Anton remained calm.
In this world, and perhaps in the entire universe, no one knew Superman whereabouts better than he did.
Reassured by Anton, he convened all members of the Justice League.
Everyone was ready for action.
Spider-Man, taking advantage of an internship with Wayne Enterprises, left school and underwent the most rigorous training day and night.
Meanwhile.
During this period, Tony finally dealt with the last remnant of Ultron.
Due to the special circumstances, Anton filed a request for Tony Stark pardon by the United States, on the condition that Tony must become one of the commanders of the lunar war zone, preparing for battle on the moon and developing more powerful weapons to face the impending threat from Thanos.
Naturally, Tony had no reason to refuse.
Before heading to the lunar base, Tony sought out Anton, the head of the moon base.
"Everything is going according to plan, right?"
After spending time together and reflecting on past experiences, Tony view of the internal arrangements and communications within the Justice League had changed.
He was shocked to discover that Batman usually didn't handle matters.
Anton was the one in charge.
Even if Batman gave an order, it was through Anton mouth.
This revelation led Tony to reconsider an idea he once had but deemed impossible.
Moreover.
Tony was well aware of the Justice League style of operation.
Even with an alien invasion at hand, Tony still believed the Justice League must have been prepared well in advance.
"Yes," Anton nodded emphatically. "It all in the plan."
"Although I have no doubts about you, I'm still curious why Thanos would target Earth?" Tony asked. "I know there must be another reason."
"Because of the Tesseract," Anton explained.
"The Tesseract is actually called the Space Stone, one of the Infinity Stones. The Infinity Stones are the most precious objects in this universe, and legend has it that collecting all six Infinity Stones and crafting the Infinity Gauntlet can fulfill any wish... Thanos has such a wish."
"Can't we send the Tesseract away?" Tony wondered.
"Coincidentally, Earth doesn't just have one Infinity Stone."
Anton continued, "And the other Infinity Stone is not in the hands of the Justice League, nor do we have the power or the persuasive ability to convince the other party to leave Earth. In a way, this person is more of a guardian of Earth and has been protecting it for hundreds of years."
"Her?" Tony frowned.
"Correct."
At this point, Anton didn't mind clearing up Tony confusion and nodded, saying,
"You should know about the battle with Ultron, there a sorcerer in New York named Daniel Drumm, he is from Kamar-Taj, the guardian of the New York Sanctum.
Although now the New York Sanctum is guarded by Shazam, his background in Kamar-Taj is the other face of Earth, and a holy place in the hearts of all sorcerers."
"In this sanctuary of the sorcerers, the most powerful magician is called the Sorcerer Supreme.
Within Kamar-Taj, there is an artifact from ancient times known as the Eye of Agamotto.
The Eye of Agamotto possesses the ability to control time."
Anton said, "The current Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, is the master of the Eye of Agamotto."
"Will these sorcerers take part in the battle?" Tony asked.
He knew that if these powerful magicians were present in the battle against Thanos, Earth situation would be much simpler.
"Maybe they will, maybe they won't." Anton shook his head. "I don't know."
Pausing, seeing Tony puzzled face, he volunteered, "The duty of a sorcerer is to protect Earth from invasion by the multiverse or beings from other dimensions.
Whether they choose to protect Earth within the same timeline, the same universe, it hard to say."
"To the sorcerers, the universe is arranged, just like the timelines I've mentioned. In each timeline, for example, you, Tony Stark, would become Iron Man due to a kidnapping, face certain enemies, etc. Everything is prearranged."
"Sorcerers do not go against the arrangements of fate."
"If they see Earth destruction as part of fate plan, they won't intervene."
After speaking, Tony fell into thought.
Finally, he asked, "How do these sorcerers know whether Earth is meant to be destroyed or not? How can they predict fate?"
"Don't forget, they have the Eye of Agamotto."
The conversation circled back to the previous discussion, and Anton said, "The Sorcerer Supreme can see through each timeline."
"I understand." Tony nodded, and finally, he gave Anton a deep look.
"If we all survive this battle, I hope you can meet me as someone else."
With that, he summoned his nanotech armor, soared into the sky, and disappeared into the clouds above New York.
Anton watched his departing figure with a smile.
Another identity?
It seems, Tony has already guessed his hidden identity.
Batman!
That said, although Anton has always denied being Batman and has made arrangements to support this, he hasn't deliberately hidden his identity from members of the Justice League or from many close associates.
Since Tony half-joined the Justice League, Anton has followed his usual practice of not hiding but also not revealing actively.
With Tony intelligence, guessing this was not difficult.
"Everything is ready, under the pressure from Thanos, those who need to come forward have done so..."
Anton then returned to his office, contemplating the current situation.
Wakanda emerged, Captain America became Captain of Wakanda, and according to messages from the World Security Council, the prince of Wakanda, T'Challa, has been confirmed to inherit the mantle of the Black Panther, preparing to become the next king.
So, after the upcoming battle, the Black Panther will officially make an appearance.
Of course, to Anton, whether Black Panther appears is not crucial.
Throughout Marvel Universe history, Black Panther isn't considered a particularly strong superhero.
His appearance is purely because Marvel previously aimed to be politically correct, cater to African American audiences, and introduce Wakanda setting, adding a bit more to Earth chances against Thanos, balancing the strengths of both sides.
Like how Marvel officially reduced the strength of Thanoss army in the cinematic universe, removing the superstar from the Black Order, turning them into the four members, or renaming it "Children of Thanos."
Now, with Wakanda emerging, Captain America appearing, Iron Man heading to the moon to prepare for battle as a leader, the Justice League assembled and ready...
Even SHIELD, which was sidelined by the World Security Council, regained trust a few days ago, with Hawkeye, Black Widow, Coulson, and others receiving new assignments to operate around the world, linking the entire plan like a rope, a significant responsibility.
That leaves just what Tony asked about—the Kamar-Taj, the Sorcerer Supreme... still no action.
In the current timeline, Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange, hasn't yet been born.
Although War Machine wasn't paralyzed as in the original story, according to Anton investigation, Strange had a car accident and arrived in Nepal half a year ago, likely joining Kamar-Taj and becoming a disciple of the Ancient One.
So, will Doctor Strange appear in this battle?
Anton pondered.
Honestly, he was not at all worried about Thanoss invasion.
Because he knew that with the current power Earth possessed, as long as humanity could unite and exert their full strength, the Thanos legion would stand no chance of victory—Earth was destined to win.
Superman was that most prominent point.
In the original story, based on individual combat power alone, no one could defeat Thanos in a direct fight.
Thanos could entirely decide the outcome with his personal abilities.
However, now Earth had Superman, Shazam, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, among other powerful figures.
Along with the original Avengers.
Plus the Wakandan army, and the assembled militaries from around the world, the Thanos legion had lost its greatest advantage. What reason then did they have to win?
The reason Earth was now caught in a swirl of undercurrents was partly due to Anton instigations, and partly because Earth, being located in a remote corner of the universe, had only recently come into contact with aliens.
Facing an enemy with little known information but great renown could naturally cause some nervousness.
"Anton."
Suddenly, a voice awakened Anton.
He looked up sharply.
It was a familiar face.
The guardian of the New York Sanctum, or rather, the former guardian, Daniel Drumm.