[Western Crossover] Superman’s Guide to Playing the Part

[Next Door: Everyone in the Injustice Universe Is One of My Secret Identities, updating now] Novel blurb: Seven-year-old Clark has a secret. Through a parallel universe, he has found the greatest mentor in the world, and he also knows that in the future he will have an incredibly cool red cape! Once, the only thing he had to think about was how to politely turn down his mentor's offer of a white cape. But soon, he encounters the gray resistance, a red-sun prison, a green kryptonite spear, and blood-red eyes with a strange smile... Clark: ...I'm scared.jpg * Twenty-two-year-old Clark has an even bigger secret. Not only did he fail to escape the shadow that enveloped his entire childhood, but he also became colleagues with the person who cast it, working together to save the world. ...How is he supposed to hide the fact that, despite being the strongest creature on Earth, whenever he sees Batman he reacts like a cat that's spotted a cucumber? But even more troublesome is that it seems like everyone in the world is dropping hints that this guy has some kind of "improper relationship" with his rich boyfriend. And it's a continuing, improper relationship. Clark: ! (Superman is furious.jpg) A few notes for readers: 1. This is an alternate timeline in a parallel universe, with my own take on the setting. The timeline and characterizations are a complete mess, so I bow to the research-minded readers in advance. 2. The blurb is misleading, and I really don't know how to revise it anymore (weeps). I mainly wanted to play around with secret-identity jokes. The logic is for kids, so if there are any plot holes, just enjoy the ride. 3. The pairing is the world's best partners, with no fixed top or bottom (shyly). ---* Check out the novel next door and give it a follow! --- [Western Crossover] Everyone in the Injustice Universe Is One of My Secret Identities To take on the lousy job of forging a world, Luoya has no choice but to play every role alone in this superhero world whose style is obviously all wrong. Those clear blue eyes that once stood for hope are now filled with cruelty. The Dark Knight publicly reveals his identity, then turns and walks into the underground city. The demigod Wonder Woman's blade no longer shows mercy. White steel armor finally becomes the uncrowned king. A twisted octopus is emblazoned on a round shield... At last, the entire world witnesses Batman, the symbol of humanity's last free will, dragged into the highest-security cell, covered in blood and wearing armor in tatters. Behind the tightly sealed cell door, said to have seen the blood of countless rebels flow... "If only this messed-up world were made of Lego." The Supreme Leader lounges peacefully in the rich guy's happy chair, which he secretly rescued with super speed before Wayne Manor was blown up, and does nothing at all. The eyes of Injustice Wonder Woman are as clear as ever, bright as the Aegean Sea. The Resistance Leader starts searching the secret compartment, then wipes the battle-damage makeup off his face. "...For the next plot point, I'd like to borrow an idea from the neighboring universe." Like that Crime Syndicate that made a name for itself with one big explosion... The trio of secret identities perk right up: Great! Does this mean we can retire early before our acting careers end? * This battered world has an incredibly powerful dark core, and its world consciousness is very shrewd. As long as the pillars of the world remain intact, any melodramatic plot can keep running like a stray dog. But as soon as it detects an unreasonable deviation from a character's established personality, it restarts without a word... The superheroes and supervillains are one thing, but who could have guessed that even the tireless soldiers of governments around the globe, the thugs who set the criminal mood in Gotham, the easy marks who bring money to San Francisco, and even the people next door in Atlantis who scrape barnacles off the rocks are all mass-produced shells created to keep the plot going? Luoya: ...What a pain. I have to kill all these people myself!!! (Thanos smile.jpg) He feels absolutely no guilt about killing himself. According to Luoya's retirement plan, all he has to do is create a bad ending where everyone dies and send this messed-up world to the end of the universe. Then he can retire having done his job and finally be free. At first, everything went very smoothly. Until one day... Batman, who should have died in the explosion according to plan, stares in a daze at the bright S symbol and scarlet cape shielding him from the blast and heat. In his happy hideout, Injustice Superman had been watching Lego Batman sing rock music. He straightens up in an instant: ...??! I didn't do this! I didn't plan this plotline! * The entire world is a set of secret identities created by Luoya's split personality. * No secret identities are exposed, and there is no pairing in the main story. Core theme: Learn and grow from the experiences of those who came before.