Before his three-year retreat, Edward had yet to have a concrete plan for what to do with the Nova Empire. So, he controlled a few people of the Nova Empire, including a struggling, talented scientist, and had the latter rapidly rise through the ranks. Now that he had a plan, he began using these pawns.
During an experiment involving the development of external dimensions and exploring the multiverse, the scientist known as Kirul discovered an unknown green lamp. The thing was soon labeled as the highest secret of the Nova Empire, despite no one knowing that the lamp was. However, the origin of the lamp and the massive energy they detected once they first discovered it was more than enough to pay attention to it.
Then, a few days later, when Kirul repeated the experiment, he recorded a terrifying saw — the destruction of a universe. To be precise, the crashing of two universes/timelines. At first, Kirul and the rulers of the Empire thought this was a rare cosmic phenomenon that they were lucky to encounter. However, the experiments kept showing more timelines crashing together before destroying.
Everyone started panicking, wondering why these timelines were being destroyed and whether theirs would be next. More importantly, they asked how to prevent it or protect themselves in a worst-case scenario. No one had an answer since Doctor Kirul had only recently developed the technology to observe and interact with dimensions.
The upper echelons debated their next step. Some thought they should find ways to escape this timeline, others believed they should continue fighting, and many considered telling other factions so they could prepare. Sadly, no decision could be made as everyone bickered incessantly.
Luckily, before the dispute escalated to a severe level, Doctor Kirul had unrivaled the effect of that lamp. After a meeting with the ruling class, an order was given to gather people from across the Empire. They had to have a clean background, noble or decent character, and a person of high willpower. The Empire accelerated the recruitment of these individuals, almost alerting their enemies or allies.
Kirul was a humanoid alien with slightly purple skin and two small horns as small as three centimeters. He had a stoic demeanor, especially when focusing on the tablet. After a few seconds of tapping on the tablet, he finally raised his head to look at the group of 15 individuals before him.
"This should be Group 2. But why is there only so few?"
"No need. We want quality, not quantity," Kirul replied before focusing on the group. "Welcome to the Green Lantern Corp. Stay quiet and follow me." He led the group through an enormous door, and everyone gasped as they looked at that towering green lamp.
"Hyros, ID: 3A765FE. Step up to the lamp and recite the activation code."
Hyros was a lizard alien with four arms. He hesitated briefly before following orders.
[In brightest day, in darkest night,
[No evil shall escape my sight.
[Let those who worship evil's might,
[Beware my power — Green Lantern's light.]
The giant lantern released a green light immediately after Hyros finished his words. Then, a green ring floated before him, and he put it on with a smile. Basic information about the ring entered his mind, so he only focused before creating a sword projection.
"You'll have plenty of time to use your power after training. So, stand to the side so the others can proceed," Kirul stated, waking Hyros from his excitement. Kirul called someone else, and the ceremony proceeded.
Edward — who was invisible and the mastermind behind everything — calmly watched this ceremony. "This Green Lantern Corp should serve as the middle-level powerhouse for the Convergence."
This timeline needed powerful Tier 10 and above powerhouses to survive, but they also required middle-tier fighters (Tier 4 to Tier 9). He chose the Nova Empire to fill this role, and by using such a method, he managed to select individuals willing to fight for this timeline's survival without the need to force, mind-control, or trick them.
These people knew the objective of the Green Lantern Corps and what they were fighting for. That's why Edward chose people with good morality and a sense of duty. It's also why he used the Green Lantern's oath. Words have powers, and a group's motto or philosophy can significantly influence cohesion. The oath's ideas and philosophies will bind the Green Lantern Corp members.
"What about the other corps?" Edward asked.
"We've built the Yellow (Fear) and Red (Rage) Corp and even recruited demons as members," Morgana replied before showing him an image of the newly established corps. Clones and golems were responsible for everything, including controlling the souls of these demons.
"The Orange Corp (Avarice)? We should have the technology to make it."
"We do, but according to my calculations, these demons become more difficult to control because of the ring and augmented greed. There is a chance of troubles coming our way if we make the Orange Corp. Do you still want to do it?"
"No need. I trust your judgment." Edward was delighted with Morgana's new upgrade as she could finally keep up with him and anticipate his actions.
"The Death Corp?" He asked.
"A prototype is being built," she replied, showing him the current construction. "However, you'll need to add the final touch once you've regained control of your Death Law."
"Excellent. In that case, our work here is done. Let's return home." He opened a portal to return to Earth. "What do you think our next move should be?"
"The Eternals," Morgana responded without hesitation. "However, you should know that your clone is about to meet Tony Stark."
"Oh? What's the current time?"
"A week after the Iron Man event."
"So, the world already knows he's Iron Man? Let's see how things are going over there."
Tony Stark's Malibu Mansion:
Edward was conversing with Pepper Potts, and the TV sound was in the background. Something covered was next to him, but no one cared about that as the two laughed and conversed as if they were old friends. A door slid open, and Tony, wearing pants and an undershirt, walked inside while washing away his sweat with a towel.
Pepper frowned as soon as she saw him. She sighed internally as she had messaged him that they were having an important guest. "Tony, this is Secretary Bones from SHIELD. He's here to meet you." Edward slowly stood up. "Mr Stark." However, he did not offer a handshake.
"Can we do this another time? I'm in the middle of something really important." Tony had come up to get something to eat before returning to his lab.
"It won't take long."
"You say that because you don't know how valuable my time is," Tony responded before walking to the fridge. "Are we changing him hourly?"
"Tony," yelled Pepper.
"I'm just saying," he uttered before taking a sandwich and a drink from the fridge. He took a bit and returned to the living room. "You have five, no, three minutes," he said to Edward with food in his mouth.
"Fine by me," Edward replied calmly before pushing a button on his watch to display a hologram. Tony's eyes immediately squinted.