Chapter Eighteen: Declaration of War
"Clark, we've got Emmet's trajectory," said Batman over the comms.
"Don't worry, I see him," said Superman as he flew over towards Emmet.
Emmet was flying at incredible speeds, but Superman anticipated where he would go and was waiting there. From the upper stratosphere above Saudi Arabia, Superman flew down towards Emmet, obstructing his path. Emmet made a quick stop and wind rushed and made their capes billow.
Silence. The kind of sinister and expectant silence that seeps into the bones.
"Move, Clark, it is time I fulfilled my purpose."
"So you did let that guy die," Superman sounded angry, but also downcast, he had really hoped that this was not the case.
"It is time you understood a simple fact: evil must be eradicated. Useless people are not to be tolerated. You have let this plant fall into a pitiable state. It is good that I have come to correct this horrendous mistake of yours."
"You're a murderer and a tyrant. But I don't want you gone, I want you-"
"To change," Emmet posture, his crossed arms, did not move but a smirk was eerily present on his face. "You will not change me, Superman, for you cannot change truth and justice. I will teach them to you."
"No, you won't. You will leave Earth and never return."
"Are threatening me, brother?"
"You are not my brother!" Superman was shaking, his clenched fists vibrating.
"You are a but a little child compared to me. You will, one day, see the error of your ways. But until that time I have no choice but to remove you from my path."
"Go, Emmet, this doesn't have to be a fight."
"No, Superman, it always ends in a fight."
Superman flew at Emmet and punched him in the face, but Emmet didn't move. The shockwaves were felt all the way down on the ground, but Emmet's face did not budge. Superman remained there with his fist in Emmet's face, shocked, unable to move.
"Oh, Superman," said Emmet, lowering his arms, "you should know better than to challenge me." Emmet punched Superman and sent him flying up, into space.
"Breaking news! Reports are coming in that the Second Superman, also known as Emmet, has been spotted in Iraq. Reports state that he is attacking ISIS troops that were in the midst of yet another blood-filled conquest. Reporter John Cann is there filming it live, and it should be noted that the following images are not suitable for all ages. It is about time that someone took action against these monsters."
Superman didn't hear that, all he heard was the swishing sound of the wind as he flew towards Syria on Emmet's trail. All he heard was his beating heart, which had accepted the fact that will have to beat his, in a way, twin brother. His much more powerful twin brother.
It was a three second journey. But for Superman it was too quick. A part of him almost didn't want to arrive, didn't want to have to confront this super-powered being. A part of him still wished Emmet had decided to change.
He reached the attacked area, and saw mayhem. Emmet was brutally killing people left and right. Killing all the ISIS soldiers he saw, not caring, it seemed, about the civilians in the crossfire. Superman had to make a choice: stop Emmet and let the battle continue, or help Emmet eradicate ISIS. But he picked a third option.
He flew in as fast as he could and punched Emmet, sending a shockwave that levelled a few empty buildings and sent Emmet flying. He then quickly evacuated all of the civilians. All this took only four seconds. All that was left were the ISIS soldiers, some cowering in fear, some hurt. Some still firing at him. His eyes blazed red and angry. He used his super speed and heat vision to disarm the remaining soldiers. Having the ISIS soldiers tied up and medically treating the civilians, he left hearing the approaching Iraqi army.
"Do you have him?" asked Superman, Batman was on the other side of that line.
"No. I lost him."
"He'll show up again. And soon. Get everybody ready."
"Already done."
Superman flew back to Metropolis and saw a building with a gaping hole in it in the middle of town.
Lexcorp.
It was almost a perfect bet that Emmet was linked to him. It was somehow always the case.
Superman rushed over there and found Lex on the ground. Barely alive. Not even thinking, he took Luthor to the hospital. The doctors received him and the took him into a private room. Instead of going back to the building, Superman stayed. If Emmet was behind this, then Luthor will have an idea of what Emmet is up to and where he can be found.
"Superman, where is Emmet?" asked Batman, but he was not on the comms, he was there in the hospital. Superman barely noticed his heartbeat amidst the great amount of heartbeats around him. Batman emerged as if he were a part of the shadows themselves. Diana was right to compare him to Hades.
"He was gone by the time I got there, but I bet that Luthor knows where he is, or a clue to his location," said Superman.
"Then let's go visit him," said Batman, and a sly grin came across his face.
Lex Luthor was conscious, but badly injured. It was odd that he was even alive, thought Batman, why would Emmet allow a homeless man to be killed, but spare Lex Luthor?
"So, Luthor, where is he?" asked Superman, his arms were folded, slightly obscuring the view of his shield. Batman was standing beside him, head slightly bent, arms hidden inside his cloak, it made him look like a wraith, a shadow of a fiend.
"What are you talking about, Boy Scout?" asked Luthor, sounding like a man in control but his heart skipped. He was lying.
"I don't have time for this," said Batman, and walked over to Luthor, the two staff members that were in the room stood back in panic. They were witnessing a battle of gods. And everyone knew not to interfere with Batman. Especially when Superman wasn't. There was slight shifting in the bed and Batman grabbed Luthor's hand and bent it. "I won't ask again: where is Emmet?"
"You think I won't tell you? He's waiting for you," said Luthor, looking at Superman.
"What were you doing with him?" asked Superman.
"He said that he knew of the shielding device I was developing. Asked where it was."
"And you gave it to him," said Batman, releasing Luthor's hand.
"Maybe, and maybe not. I didn't work with him."
"Of course you did, Luthor," said Batman.
"Prove it. Anyway," said Luthor while looking at Superman, "he wants you to go to the Himalayas. It's why he attacked me. Probably knew I'd be hoping for a chance to send you to your death," said Luther.
"Hmm. This isn't over, Luthor. Not even close," said Batman as he walked out of the room with Superman following close behind.
"Bye bye, Batman. And best of luck to you, Superman. May the best Kal win."
The two heroes left the ward and went over to Batman's Bat-Plane which was parked in a small alley.
"I'll head there now," said Superman. His palms were starting to sweat. He was nervous, and he couldn't hide it. He was dreading this.
"Superman, you have the world's greatest fighters at your back. He will be beaten. Don't worry about that." Somehow, having Batman say that made Superman feel a bit more secure. As much as Batman never seemed to use it, he could inspire hope and belief whenever he felt like it. It was why they were such close friends.
"I'll head there now, I'm sure J'onn will be there soon as well."
"As will the rest of the team," said Batman and jumped into his cockpit. Superman took off and flew over to the Himalayas. He knew exactly where: the place where they'd defeated Helspont. There's was always a deformed sentimental reasoning his villains had for picking the spots they did for fighting him. It was true for most villains, it's why Batman was such a great tactician: he never let sentiment in when it came to tactical decisions.