Toph frowned. "Hold up, I thought you were Superman."
"I am. But this is also Superman. The Superman of Earth-Prime I believe…" he stopped, looking at the emblem and then the man's face again, frowning a little. "No, not that Earth."
The other Superman regarded Calvin in what seemed to Percy as a cold manner. He didn't know why, but this guy was giving him bad vibes. He remembered his training from Lupa many years ago. Every muscle of this guy's body was tensed up, ready for a fight. He wasn't relaxed or calm like Calvin. It was like…he wanted a fight.
"What Earth are you from?" Calvin asked, a little more cautious now.
"That is not your concern," the other Superman replied. "What I wish to know is where I am now. And how I arrived here."
"Don't we all?" Toph asked sarcastically. "Look, other Superman (gag) we don't know where we are or how we got here. All we know is that a bunch of monsters invaded this world because of their apparent 'sins' and killed all the people here."
The other superman looked at her and then at the bodies scattered across the room. He shook his head sadly. "Another world fallen. What a waste." He turned back to Calvin. "So, you are also Superman then?"
"Yes," Calvin nodded, taking the other Superman's hand. "President Superman."
"President?" the other Superman's eyebrows went up. "How…intriguing. And reassuring, to know that there is another Superman out there willing to do more for their world then just clean up the messes. One willing to lead it to a better world."
Calvin frowned at that and Percy did as well. He didn't like the way the other Superman said that. Something was definitely off here. And he could tell Ahsoka felt the same. It didn't seem like Toph and Jon had caught on just yet, but both seemed apprehensive anyway.
"I agree," Calvin said. "I became president of the United States as I believed I could do more from that position and as Superman, helping lead it to a better tomorrow for all."
"Yes, but you think too small. Why just one country? On my world, I rule them all under my Regime. A better world for everyone." He smiled at that last line that sent chills down Percy's spine.
"Regime?" Calvin asked and Percy saw him tensing up. "How exactly do you rule your world?"
"With an iron fist, as is my will," the other Superman replied. "The people of Earth need to know that war and violence can no longer be tolerated. Under my rule, they know peace at last."
"And what is the cost of your peace?" Ahsoka stepped forward now. "Freedom?"
"If people were free to do as they wish, crime would continue," the other Superman replied. "Because of me, there is peace. An everlasting peace that will endure for years." He crouched down by the skeleton of the holy man. "But now I believe I know why I was brought here. I am being shown what I have only given small thought to. Earth is not enough. There is war raging across the universe and only I can stop it." He smiled again, a cold-blooded smile. "And I will. I must return home and bring peace to every world, stop every criminal and villain from ever hurting anyone again."
Percy saw Jon take a step back now, his expression now turning fearful. "I've heard those words before," he said. "Perhaps in a different way but with the same meaning. You won't bring peace, only fear and death. I've seen it. I saw a woman I loved burn a city and its people down to ash in the name of peace."
"I would never harm innocents!" the other Superman snarled.
"Why do you get to decide who's innocent?" Ahsoka asked calmly, but her gaze was hard.
"Yeah!" Toph chimed in. "What gives you that right?"
"Because I'm the only one who can see," he replied. And now Percy could see it, the look in his eyes and the sound in his voice that had put him on edge. There was madness there, a madness born of grief and despair. He had seen it on others before. He had seen it on Luke most of all. And he knew the damage that madness could cause.
"Well, guess what Superlame?" Toph challenged. "I've helped take down evil tyrants before and this won't be any different. I'm gonna smash your super-face into the ground so hard that not even your own mother will recognize you!"
"I recognize you now," Calvin said, steel in his voice. "You are spoken of across the multiverse. The Superman who lost his way. The one hailing from a world of…injustice."
"Injustice?" the other Superman questioned, whirling towards Calvin. "I brought justice! Me! My world was dying, the world I loved was dying and no one was willing to do what was needed. Only me! It took the loss of my wife and child to see that. And I will not back down."
"I am afraid you do not have a choice," Calvin said, floating up in the air now. "I cannot let you continue your so-called Regime."
The other superman snorted. "I'd like to see you try." Then, without warning, he shot up into the air and hurled Calvin into the wall. "I will return to my world and carve out a new empire across the stars. And I will rule them all, their emperor who finally brought order and peace to all people."
"Emperor Superman?" Calvin asked. "I must admit, it has a certain ring to it. But I've seen what emperors do. They were made for conquest. And I know your type. The universe won't be enough for you. Nothing ever will. So I have to stop you." He then flew up to Emperor Superman and punched him hard across the face. Percy ducked as the man went flying over his head. He grimaced, knowing that once again there was nothing he could do. This Superman was just as invincible as Calvin and Homelander. His attacks would be worthless. He needed water. But there wasn't any around. The area was covered in sand and dirt.
Emperor Superman growled as he got back up but before he could move, part of the wall next to him cracked and then slammed into him, moving on its own. Percy glanced to the side and saw Ahsoka's arm raised. Apparently, she had a few surprises tucked away. But Emperor Superman simply smashed it to pieces and continued his attack, grabbing hold of Calvin and flying them right into the ceiling and through it, creating a large hole.
"Toph!" Percy yelled.
"On it!" she replied, moving her hands and feet to craft an earthen platform around them before sending them shooting upwards, the ceiling opening up to let them through.
"Whoa!" Jon exclaimed. "What in…"
"I know, it takes some getting used to," Percy agreed, the ground now flying past them. He had to brace himself a little, Toph sending them up fast. It was weird to watch the ceiling constantly slide away.
"You two must stay back," Ahsoka told him and Jon. "Your attacks will be meaningless to him."
"Ugh!" Percy growled under his breath. He hated that she was right, and that he had told himself the exact same thing mere seconds ago. He was tempted to try and create a hurricane but that would only tire him out more and he doubted it would have any effect considering this guy's strength.
There is something else you can do, a little voice inside him said. He quickly pushed it down. He knew what it meant, what else he could do. But he refused. The last time he had done it, he had nearly lost himself, becoming something else entirely. He didn't want to ever feel that way again.
The ceiling opened up above them and a dim sunlight streamed in. Percy prepared to step off when there was a loud smacking sound and he saw Calvin plummet to the Earth above him, landing several yards away with large BOOM!
"It is adorable that you think you can stand against me," Emperor Superman said, hovering over them now. "I will say this one last time. Stand dow-"
A large rock flew up into the air and smashed into him.
"Your blathering mouth makes it easy to fill it with rocks," Toph taunted. She then raised her hands high and the sand around them followed, rising up like waves. As Emperor Superman shook his head from the rock fragments, he didn't realize the new danger too late until the sand waves washed over him, engulfing him completely. "I'd expect a superman to have seen that coming."
"Yaahh!" he roared, practically exploding out of the sand, his eyes burning with red light.
"Oh shi-" Toph muttered just as the laser beams shot out right for her. Percy rushed for her but he was just an instant too slow.
Ahsoka wasn't.
She stepped in front of Toph and held up the sword handles and then they ignited. Brilliant, gleaming white blades burst out just as the laser beams hit, striking the blades dead-on and stopping fast. Percy had to look away as sparks burst and light erupted. Ahsoka grunted, being pushed back by the force of the beams, but she still held firm. Percy could see Emperor Superman gritting his teeth, trying to force them down, but before he could do anything else, Calvin soared right into him, sending him flying away.
"Holy crap!" Toph exclaimed, breathing deep. "How do we stop that guy?"
Ahsoka watched as Calvin and Emperor Superman duked it out across the sky. "I believe it will be up to Calvin to end this. He is the only one strong enough."
"Well, he took out that homeland guy so this one shouldn't be a problem? Right?"
Percy shook his head. "I don't know Toph. The way Homelander fought it was like he had never fought anyone like that before. It was new for him. And Calvin still had some trouble beating him. With this guy…" Percy watched as both adversaries shot laser beams at each other, trying to push the other ones' back. "He said he conquered his planet. Ruled it even. He's a fighter, a warrior. And he fights to kill. Calvin…I don't think he does. It's going to take a lot more to defeat Emperor Superman. And if we can help in any way, we have to."
"How?" Jon asked. "I've never fought people like this before. Gods, I didn't think people like this existed. I don't know what I can even do. All I have is a sword. And no offense, none of your attacks seem to have done more than distract him for a few seconds."
Percy grimaced. He was right. Everything they did to the man, he just shrugged off. They needed to do something better. Something with more impact. For the hundredth time, he wished he had access to some water, any water. It would at least give him an edge. But there wasn't any. Even if he managed to draw it out of the air somehow, there wasn't much in desert air anyway.
Come on, Percy! he thought to himself. Think! He had been in way worse scrapes than this and found ways out of them. And he didn't always have his powers.
You know what you can do came that voice again. He winced. He was so tempted to do it. To do what he had done to Akhlys down in Tartarus. Control liquids beyond water. Control his very blood, even. But it had changed him. Was he willing to do that again? He looked up as Emperor Superman grabbed Calvin's head and began to squeeze it, Calvin doing his best to throw him off.
Before Percy could decide anything, Ahsoka rushed forward, leaping impossibly high into the air and bringing her light blades down on Emperor Superman. Percy could hear his roar of pain echo as he dropped Calvin, clutching at his face. Ahsoka dropped as well, landing nimbly on the sandy ground below. When Emperor Superman looked up again, Percy could see two red gashes down the side of his face.
"We need to do something!" Toph muttered. "I hate being stuck out of the fight. I have no idea what's going on! If they were on the ground, I could help."
"What are you talking about?" Jon asked.
Before anyone could explain, Percy felt the air shift around him and heard a soft booming sound behind him. Almost like a sonic boom. "Uh oh," he muttered, recognizing the sound. He barely had time to get his sword up before the familiar figure in blue grabbed hold of him and Toph by their throats, holding them up in the air.
"Hello again," Homelander smirked at them.
"Oh great, this guy!" Toph grumbled, kicking out at him. "We whooped your butt already, hero boy. We're happy to do it again."
"Wrong!" Homelander glared. "The other guy beat me. Took me by surprise. But right now, seems he's busy. Which means I'll take care of you like the scum you are."
Jon, taken by surprise at first, launched an attack but Homelander knocked him aside after he'd only made a few steps, laying him out flat. Percy struggled but once was helpless. These people were far too powerful for him. There was nothing he could do. Toph kept trying to throw rocks at Homelander but they just bounced off now. He started squeezing and Percy started seeing black spots, the air getting choked out of him.
He was out of time. If he was going to do something, it had to be now. Focusing his energy, he reached out, finding the water inside of Homelander and grabbing hold of it. All water, all liquid, was of his father's domain, his to command. Which meant it was Percy's to command as well.
"Wha-what are you doing?' Homelander said but Percy didn't answer. He just doubled down, forcing the liquid to do what he wanted. A second later, Homelander's fists opened and him and Toph dropped back down, gasping for breath. Homelander stared at them in shock. "How are you doing that?" he demanded.
Percy could feel it, the feeling inside of him. Like something was cracking. Like he was doing something he wasn't supposed to. There was a burning sensation in his gut, small now but getting stronger. But he kept going, forcing Homelander to stay still.
"Toph, go!" he said.
"What?" she asked. "Why? I'm not-"
"Ah!" Percy cried, losing his grip for a moment and Homelander lunged forward before Percy stopped him. He still had control of the man's blood, holding him in place through sheer will, but it was hard. There was something about him, something…off. He was stronger than Akhlys, which in itself was scary. Percy didn't know if he could hold him for long. And the burning feeling was still getting stronger. "You need to go!" he muttered. "Get Jon out of here."
"I am not leaving you behind," she told him firmly. "Come on, we can take this living statue here. I just-"
"Toph, I can't hold this for long," Percy gasped. He was really struggling now. This power really wasn't his to command. He knew if he kept pushing, he would break something in him that shouldn't be broken. But if he didn't keep pushing, Homelander would break free. So he had to do something else. Something he had also sworn never to do again. Right now it was his only option but he couldn't do it with his allies around. "Get Jon and Ahsoka out of here. I can hold it for a few more seconds."
"I don't know how you're doing this, but I can promise you I will rip your head from your body when I'm free," Homelander told him.
"Toph, go!" Percy practically roared.
Toph stared at him a few seconds in shock before nodding. "Don't die, dunderhead," she said to him before rushing over to Jon and helping him to his feet. He looked at Percy and Homelander and seemed to understand. Then the two were off, Toph practically gliding across the sand away from them.
"You know you can't stop me," Homelander said to him. "I am the world's greatest superhero. The most powerful man alive. And I will grind your bones to dust."
"You know what, asshole?" Percy said, glaring at him fiercely. "You talk too much."
Then he reached inside of himself, past the burning sensation for his true power. As he did, he remembered the words of that naiad by Geryon's stables years ago. The water is within me. He knew what had happened the last time he did this. And he prayed to whatever gods that were listening that it wouldn't be as bad. He called on his power. The endless power of the oceans. He felt it rush out of him, like it had just been waiting for his permission. And he let it loose, screaming as his true power was unleashed.
The ground cracked and exploded and then Percy didn't know what happened as the sea itself seemed to crash into the desert. The world erupted around him and then it all went black as he felt himself falling, falling so hard, and then he felt nothing.
Well, I hope that was as dramatic as I wanted.
To be clear, yes that is the Superman from Injustice. I read the comics and seen the first game. I would say this guy comes in at some point from the comics when his regime is still strong.
Also, if you're thinking that some characters are coming across a little weak so far, don't worry. They'll get their moments in later chapters.
Please leave a review if you can and thanks for reading.