The test revealed that Nara was not up to the standard he would love, but Edward expected this, and the final outcome was the best he could make in the current situation.
“The next step is to build a Speed Force in this universe,” he talked to himself before immediately starting. He needed to optimize the creation process since he did not have access to all the resources of the main body.
“The best method would be to utilize all six gems,” Edward commented as he looked at a screen before him. “I can also have the dwarves help me.” He had stolen the dwarves’ knowledge from Earth-125, so he knew how capable they were.
With a concrete next step, Edward acted. He first retrieved the soul gem using the same method his original body did by tricking another poor bastard. Then, he headed to Knowhere to get the Reality Stone from the Collector. His information stated that the events of Thor II had just ended, and the stone was in the collector’s hands.
Edward opened a portal to the closest star system to the Solar System before flying to his destination. Midway through his flight, a rainbow descended from the sky, revealing an Asgardian Army.
“You guys must be here because of what happened to the Collector,” Edward stated calmly.
“What you have stolen is the property of Asgard and the Allfather. Hand it over, and do not resist; we will ensure your safety,” a man in armor boldly declared. Edward ignored him and soon focused on a crow trying to hide itself.
“I might have been wary of you in your prime, but you’re old and dying now. Stay out of my business, and Asgard might survive a bit longer,” Edward announced before releasing the power from the Power Stone; a purple beam emanated from his hand, wiping out this small platoon.
He flew into Earth, heading directly to Hydra’s base to get the Mind Stone and to SHIELD for the Space Stone. All five were placed on a gold bracelet on his wrist. ‘Now, for the last one.”
He went to Kamar Taj, and, as expected, the Ancient One awaited his arrival. Edward calmly looked at her and the surroundings. “I see. You know you can’t stop, but you want to sacrifice yourself to die with me or seal me. It won’t work.”
The Ancient One secretly sighed, “Nothing is absolute.”
“True,” Edward replied calmly. “If Odin had loaned you the Destroyer, you would have had a chance. Anyway, let’s not talk about something so pointless. Answer my question, and I promise to spare all your sorcerers.”
The Ancient One thought briefly. She did not know whether this man would keep his word, but she was willing to take the risks if there was a slight chance.
“Ask away.”
“Were there any major events that resulted in the death of some of the most powerful entities of this universe?” The Ancient One frowned. “It doesn’t have to be recent. It could be ancient history.”
“Are you referring to Agomoto’s Corruption?”
“Oh?”
“Agomoto suddenly went crazy and killed countless creatures in the Universe —”
“Including the Demon Gods?”
“Yes, they were the first victims.”
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“Then, how was he stopped?” Edward asked.
“Someone reached the center of the universe and made a wish to Eternity, finally ending his madness.”
“I see.” Edward finally understood why Morgana detected this universe as one of the weak ones. “I will keep my word.” The battle did not last long, and Edward acquired the last stone. A green glow emanated from his bracelet, and he felt a terrifying power coursing through his veins.
“This power — it’s indeed on the level of a Demon God King. More importantly, I can bend all the laws of this universe to my will,” Edward commented. This feeling was intoxicating, sadly, it did not belong to him.
Edward’s final destination on Earth was Wakanda and Talokan to take all their vibranium before opening a portal to Nidavellir to control the dwarves and take them away. He expected Asgard to come again, but no one was in sight. With the stones and the dwarves, Edward quickly built a new Speed Force that could expand throughout the multiverse, not just a regular one.
“Sir, there is a problem,” Nara stated.
“What is it?”
“The Speedster Clones are a failure,”
“What do you mean?” Nara projected a holographic screen of a bunch of clones running on a cosmic treadmill, except no one had super-speed.
“You used Barry’s DNA as a template, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Is it because we combine the Reality, Soul, and Mind stones to make the clone? Try a regularly produced clone.” With these single orders, countless golems and machines build the infrastructure for a pure technology-based clone. In an hour, Edward had created a new batch of clones that should have high affinity with the speed force.
“The results are the same,” Nara stated.
“Explanation?”
“Calculating.”
“The Speed Force was changed after adapting to this world’s rules, preventing clones from acquiring its power,” Edward stated.
“Our analysis concluded that your answer is 83% the likely cause.”
“Fine, we’ll do this the old-fashioned way,” Edward grunted. “Scan the universe for anyone with the slightest affinity with the speed force, and send golems to bring them to…this planet.” Edward pointed to a map before him.
“Build a, hmm, let’s call it a Red Guardian Temple. We are an organization as old as time itself. Our mission is to protect the multiverse from a dark and powerful force called Azeroth, the Dark God of Speed. Azeroth has resurrected, meaning it’s time for our temple to take action.
“Also, refine a Speed Force Affinity Potion with Barry’s DNA to use as an initiation ceremony.”
“Do you want me to add anything else to the potion?” Nara asked.
“No. I’m going to brainwash these people to prevent anyone from “revealing” the truth by canceling whatever I put in their mind.”
“As you wish.” Nara executed his orders, and three days later, more than 20 million people were brought back to Planet Redsun. These people were gathered together on a large platform with no one in sight. Then, a streak of red lightning arrived from the distance before descending on the podium.
Edward, surrounded by the speedster lightning, looked at them.
“I am the Red Temple Priest. I know all of you are scared, being forcefully taken away from your homes and families,” he announced, his voice audible and understandable to everyone. “But we have no choice. A great enemy has woken up, threatening the mystery of this universe and every other world in existence. But you have the power to stop them. I know most of you don’t understand what I’m talking about, so let me show.”
He used the Reality Stone to create a vivid illusion for these people of a power struggle between the Guardian God of Speed and Its Red Temple and the Dark God of Speed and its Dark Temple. The illusion showed the birth of the multiverse to explain to these people in simple terms before introducing how the Dark God wishes to swallow every universe to increase his speed and power, but the Guardian God safeguards all sentient beings. It was a beautiful and vivid experience for everyone present.
“As you can see, time is not on our side,” Edward announced. “This war is coming, and we must prepare. Now, you can choose whether to stay, participate, or leave and return to your regular life. Don’t worry. There will be no penalty for choosing to leave, and the temple will even compensate you for today’s inconvenience.”
The crowd was quiet for a moment before a humanoid lizard alien spoke. “What happens if we stay? Will we have powers like the red warriors in that story?”
“Yes, you will have powers and become speedsters,” Edward answered with a reassuring smile despite being the one who placed that alien in the crowd to ask that question. “However, with great power comes great responsibility. You will have to confront the dark speedsters and put your life in danger for the sake of the multiverse.”
The crowd became rowdy as people discussed what choices to make, and after half an hour, Edward asked them to choose.