Deep within the multiverse.
In the Temple of the Star of Heroes.
A blue Quantum Batman, formed from particles and ions, coalesced into human shape and stepped forward, arriving at Golden Superman's side.
Quantum Batman, in his universe, had replaced Doctor Manhattan and become the infinite quantum entity of that world. He possessed the most powerful abilities within a single universe—controlling particles, predicting the future, microscopic vision, creating life, altering reality, nullifying causality, creating inner universes, and more.
Quantum Batman glanced at the assembled figures, his eyes briefly settling on Mandrakk's smooth blue-and-white armored face before turning away and speaking directly.
"You're going in the wrong direction."
"We know, Bruce. I need your wisdom and strategy to help us identify the Barmulodi lurking in our contact group and seal his consciousness," Golden Superman said earnestly.
"He's become a perfect infiltrator. Whether it's his thoughts, behavior, or relationships with others, there's no way to detect him."
"We used the most advanced technology available in the contact group, working together, and still couldn't find any trace of his presence."
Golden Superman's tone revealed their helplessness. Even though they suspected Barmulodi had entered the group, they had no way of determining which identity he had assumed.
The contact group contained over ten million superheroes from various universes. Trying to locate one person in this sea of beings—without a single clue—even with quasi-One God power, was like finding a needle in a cosmic haystack.
"He's in the Flash contact group."
Quantum Batman spoke after a moment's thought.
The Phantom Stranger, the Spectre, Golden Superman, and Mandrakk all perked up at once, turning their attention toward him.
"Are you sure? Do you have evidence?" the Spectre asked, his ethereal presence shifting inside the misty green cloak. Locking onto Barmulodi's consciousness was critical to his divine judgment. The multiverse could not afford to let a tyrant rise and devastate countless worlds.
"Probability: 73.73261 percent."
"You failed to locate him because you don't understand his psychology, character, or behavior well enough."
Quantum Batman waved his hand. Particles in the air immediately formed a projection.
"I've gathered information on every being he has possessed."
"Starting from the first Batman, in just over ten months and seven days, Gotham was completely transformed into a city of light—its atmosphere changed, its crime suppressed with absolute decisiveness and speed."
"Then came Lewis's publication, which exposed the identities of every superhero."
"Captain Cold launched a full-scale offensive against the Flash. A sequence of strategic moves executed flawlessly."
"Green Lantern Mogo, Hal Jordan, Constantine, Green Arrow—all who had been possessed."
"Without exception, he altered each host's personality without restraint. In the shortest time possible, he completed their final wishes and spread his system."
"He doesn't hide. He's arrogant, decisive, overconfident. He believes nothing in the multiverse can threaten him. From that behavior, I began using my Batman contact group to observe all superheroes and compare behavioral anomalies."
"Over 377,230 Batmen are monitoring every contact group through behavioral and psychological profiling. I can confirm there are no abnormalities within the Batman group. I also confirm there are no issues in the other superhero groups—except one."
"If you're using process of elimination to narrow down your search, even if every other group shows no issue, the one remaining must be the problem."
"The Flash contact group, made up of Speed Force users, is the only entity I can't observe or monitor."
"Any Flash, regardless of era or timeline, can instantly share memories through the Speed Force. If you attempt to investigate him, he'll know it right away."
"The contact group's specific locking protocols are meaningless against the Flash."
"The Flash contact group is the most vulnerable to infiltration. If Barmulodi randomly possessed a Flash in any timeline, all he'd need to do is kill the original, match the soul frequency, and enter the group. Then, he could monitor your intentions undetected."
"The Flash contact group is your weakness. But it's also the only weakness that could have attracted him."
Quantum Batman's voice was deep and resonant.
The Spectre nodded in thought. "You're right. Only those acknowledged by the Speed Force can use it—can comprehend and wield its essence. That would indeed make the Flash contact group the most likely place for him to hide."
"Even with tech that simulates Speed Force power, there's no way to actually access it."
"You're saying he's already in the Flash contact group? That he became one of them?" the Phantom Stranger asked.
Mandrakk and Golden Superman's eyes gleamed with insight. After Quantum Batman's deduction, they instantly ran internal calculations. There was no flaw in his logic. Indeed, due to the Speed Force, the Flash group was the easiest to infiltrate and the hardest to monitor.
Once Barmulodi was hidden among the Flash group, he would be nearly impossible to detect.
"There are nearly 457,000 Flashes in the group. If he became a Flash, he must have done so using memory synchronization and Speed Force resonance. We can't identify him. Therefore, I propose that we eliminate all 457,000 Flashes and seal Barmulodi's consciousness," Mandrakk said coldly, his mechanical eyes flickering with cruelty.
Golden Superman's face darkened. Mandrakk always resorted to annihilation.
Quantum Batman cast an indifferent glance at Mandrakk and continued.
"In the past six months, I've collaborated with one of the most powerful Barry Allens and studied the Speed Force. During that time, we've identified three Flashes with extraordinary speed development, surpassing previous thresholds, breaking the normal progression of speed power."
"According to the Batman Corps' psychological research, Barmulodi has an obsessive desire for power. Psychologically, he wouldn't miss any opportunity to gain more."
"Being a Flash, having full access to the Speed Force, with his ambition, he would undoubtedly push that power to its absolute limit—far beyond what any other Flash has achieved."
"Therefore, there is a 90 percent chance that he is among those three Flashes whose speed has risen abnormally."
The Phantom Stranger, Mandrakk, and Golden Superman's eyes lit up with revelation.