Rainbow Dash had decided to follow Superman, flying higher than she ever had before. She had never flown this high into the atmosphere before and was fairly certain that she was going to run out of oxygen, until she saw him floating above the planet, looking down on it with sad eyes. She saw him look down at the horn of Sombra in his hand, closing his eyes and whispering something to it before throwing it into space. He looked back and noticed her, waving his hand for her to join him. She did so tentatively, not sure what he'd do.
"Any particular reason you followed me up here?" he asked her as he scanned the planet for trouble. For a moment, Rainbow Dash wondered what it would be like to be that powerful, to be able to see and hear everything in the world. What would she do if she had that power?
"I want you to explain why you attacked Cadence like that?" she asked him. "And how about that threat you gave us? Why would you threaten us? Aren't we your friends?" Superman sighed and looked at her with those eyes that could shoot fire. She never thought of it before, but she had never really seen him angry.
"I threatened her because she took the life of another," he said with a small shake of his head. "If she had done it in self defense, I wouldn't be as upset, but it was in cold blood. He had been beaten."
"But Sombra was a threat to us," Dash protested. "Maybe it was for the best that he's gone."
"Maybe, but that isn't for us to decide," he said sternly. "If we start to take vengeance and kill those who try to hurt us, how long will it be before we become like them? To truly defeat our opponents, we must be better than them."
"Still, saying that stuff to friends doesn't seem like it's very loyal," she muttered.
"I was being loyal," he replied, causing RD to look at him in confusion. "I was being loyal to my beliefs...what makes me who I am. Did you agree with what Cadence did?"
"Um...well, she's a princess and I can't--"
"Did you agree?" he asked again.
"No, I didn't," she whispered as she hung her head. "But she's my friend! Sure, I may not always agree with my friends, but I'll stay by their side no matter what!"
"Even if they go against everything you believe in?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You just said that you didn't agree with what Cadence did, yet you said nothing to her. I take it you wanted to be a loyal friend?" She nodded in response and Superman shook his head. "Following someone blindly, no matter what they do, is a terrible idea--even if they are your friends. Standing by, while they do something that you know is wrong, is just as bad if you were the one to do it...even if you want to be loyal to them."
"But they're my friends. How can I-?"
"Back in my world, I have a friend who is loyal to me and what we stand for," Superman told her. "We have been comrades in arms for years and risked our lives together so many times, that we are essentially brothers. We would sacrifice anything to save the other. And do you know what he would do if I tried to take a life in cold blood?"
"What?"
"He would not rest until I had been brought down...until he had brought me to justice," Superman replied, confusing Rainbow Dash. "The reason is, despite him being so loyal to me, he stays true to his beliefs and what is right--before anything else. He will never be the one to follow what's wrong and always be the first to oppose it."
"I'm not sure what you're saying," she said.
"If you sacrifice what you believe in for others, then you are betraying yourself," Superman said. "If you don't remain loyal to your beliefs, how can you possibly know when those to whom you are loyal have gone too far? Sometimes the ultimate sign of being loyal to a friend, is to tell them when they are wrong. Stay loyal to who you are, never forget that." RD thought about what he was saying. She didn't believe that Sombra should have been killed, but he was right in saying that she had gone along with it anyway. But Superman had stood up to them, even though they were his friends, because he knew that killing others in cold blood was wrong.
"I betrayed myself," she whispered, finally getting what Superman was telling her. By not listening to what was right and instead going along with her friends, she had betrayed what she had believed in. She hadn't been loyal to herself. "I messed up, didn't I?"
"You fell into a trap that so many have fallen into over the years," Superman said gently. "And I know your friends are not bad ponies, but that does not make what she did any less wrong."
"So why did you step in even after it was too late?" she asked.
"Because I swore to protect all life and save everyone, no matter who they are," he replied with determintation in his voice. "Because I believe in justice, not vengeance. And also...once you cross that line, it becomes easier and easier each time to kill. I hope that I stopped Cadence now before she might try to kill another foe...the snowball effect."
"So you think that Cadence will be evil?"
"No. I think that she'll start killing her foes in order to keep her family safe, which is fine until the day one of her friends might try to stand up to her. And if she then see's you as an enemy..."
"But you stopped her early and I'm certain she won't try again," she said with a thin smile. "...I wanted to ask you this for a while, but never knew how to word it. Why do you fight for others? With all your power and wisdom, you could be one of the greatest rulers in all of the universe. Why help others?"
"Because they need help," he replied. "My father taught me the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. My mother showed me the power of love and compassion. And ever since I was young, the two of them told me I was going to change the world, for better or worse."
"What does that mean?"
"I was confused at first as well, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to realize who I needed to be," he said quietly. "One day, as I sat there thinking about who I wanted to be, I heard a cry for help, far off in the distance. The voice kept calling, but no one helped them. After that, I started to listen more and realized that so many cried out for help, needed someone to help, but people rarely did."
"But you decided to," she whispered.
"I was granted the power to change the world. I chose to change it for the better," he replied before looking at her with a smile. "Just as you have. You're faster and stronger than others, but you are always willing to help. You might be a little arrogant, but deep down you truly care about others."
"So you're saying I'm like you?"
"Not in all ways. But you have the heart and the willpower. And sometimes that's all you need."
"But I can't be like you," she replied. "You're...perfect. You're always there for others, always being the hero who saves the day. And you always fight, even if you don't have your powers or everything looks hopeless. I can't be like you, I'm...I'm not strong like you." Superman looked at her as she hung her head, and she started wiping her eyes, before he floated over and gently hugged her.
"You're stronger than you think. Trust me," he told her with a smile. RD didn't know what to say, so she just closed her eyes and allowed herself to be caught in the moment. She eventually let go and smiled up at him.
"You know what? I think I'm going to try and be a bit more like you," she said with a smile. "So to start, I promise that I will fight against evil, just like you Kal-El."
"Call me Clark," Superman said with a smile.
"Whose Clark?" RD asked him.
"That's who I am," Clark said with a smile. "My Earth name. Superman may be who I am best known as, but I'll always be Clark."
"Fine, but I'm still calling you Superman."
"I'm fine with that," Superman said as he turned to RD. "So, are you sure you want to be a super hero? It's a dangerous job."
"Yeah, but like you said, I'm strong," she replied while flexing. "And besides...If Superman...Clark believes in me, I'm certain I can do it."
"Well, if it's what you want," Superman replied. "How about we head back? I'm sure the CMC are in trouble." RD laughed and flew off towards Ponyville, Superman staying behind for a second. He couldn't figure her out. One moment she felt weak and insecure...and the next she was willing to fight the forces of evil. Maybe she was more like him than he thought. Superman then shook his head with a smile and flew after her.
(S)
Celestia was infuriated. How DARE Superman threaten her, HER of all ponies. She had immediately headed back to her laboratory where Superman's ship was being kept and opened a communication portal to Earth. Luthor would want to hear about this and she wanted to know if Superman had done this is the past. She tore the dimensions open and established communications.
"Luthor, it's Celestia. Are you there?" she said into the portal. She heard a voice swear and what sounded like something being thrown before Lex's voice came through the portal.
'Sorry about that. Some of my employees are still learning how things work around here,' his voice said. 'I assume that Superman has done something different? It would be the only logical reason for you to call me.'
"Yes, Superman has done something different," she growled, barely able to control her rage. "He threatened my niece after she had defeated one of our greatest threats! He threatened to come after her if she went against his will!"
'That's not good,' Luthor muttered. 'That means that he's preparing to take control of you world. He did the same thing to me not that long ago. There's not much time left.'
"What can we do?" Celestia asked in fear. "Your friends have lost and Superman destroyed the red sun generator. What else is there left?" Luthor went quiet for a few minutes and Celestia wasn't sure if even he had an answer.
'I will come.'
"What?" Celestia asked him in terror. "You can't come over! If you do he'll most certainly come for you!"
'I am aware of that risk, but you and your ponies need me,' he replied, his voice small. 'However, I do have a plan. But you must open the portal and allow for me to come over. Now you said that your laboratory is lead-lined and sound proof, correct?'
"Yes, he will not be able to see or hear you in here," she assured him.
'Very good. Now open the portal.' Celestia closed her eyes and began to concentrate, unleashing power so great that all (save one) would be terrified of it. She latched onto the small tear in space she had used to reach Luthor, slowly beginning to rend it open. She watched as a hole began to form in the center of the room, showing her a whole other world. It was a room surrounded by glass that overlooked a majestic city in the background. A creature that looked very similar to Superman stood there in a grey suit, waiting to be let over. She finally reached a point where the portal was stable and she motioned for him to come over. He stepped through the portal and wobbled, clutching his head.
"Ugh, I hate traveling across space like that," he muttered so she couldn't hear. He looked up at the princess with a raised eyebrow. "You are much taller than I thought you would be."
"And you are surprisingly small," she muttered. "Does most your species have no mane or are you an exception?" Luthor frowned at that but maintained his composure.
"I did not travel across space to make small talk," he said with a frown, noticing that her eyes were now a darker green than he remembered. "We must get started before he knows I'm here."
"Right. I have set up a place for you to work like you asked," she said, pointing towards a table in the corner of the room. "I have also brought you tools. What is your plan?"
"It has many parts, but this is all I can tell you for now," he said, motioning her over to the table. He put a briefcase up on it and clicked the locks, placing his thumb against the scanner. Once the scanner confirmed that it was Luthor, it clicked the case open and allowed him inside. He opened the lid to reveal--
"Is that blood?" she asked him. A small vial with red blood in it was sitting comfortably in the center of the case. Luthor nodded and gently closed the case.
"Yes, but not just any blood. It is Superman's blood," he said with a smile. "To be more precise, it is a modified version of his blood sample. This is the key to how we'll beat him."
"How will his blood beat him?"
"Simple. This sample of his blood has been made so that a regular human could inject himself with it and gain a small amount of Superman's powers," he said with a smile to the wide-eyed Celestia. "However, a small amount will not be enough. That is where you come in. Superman's powers come from the sun and he absorbs sunlight to become stronger. So as long as someone with his blood is in sunlight, their power were continue to grow. You told me that you could generate power that gives off the same radiation as the sun, can you not?"
"Yes, but it does take a large portion of my power to do so," she replied. "But if it is to defeat him, then I will manage with weaker magic."
"Good. Now there is something else I need you to do," he said as he began to set up his work area. "You can create enchanted armor, right?" She nodded in response. "I need you to make a suit of armor for me that has no openings. I brought along some blueprints to show you what it should look like," he said as he reached into his pockets and unfolded a sheet of paper that he handed to Celestia, who looked it over with raised eyebrows.
"You do realize that this will take a few days to complete? My blacksmiths are skilled, but this will put their skills to the test. It is not easy to forge enchanted armor out of lead."
"Please see that it is done," Luthor said as he pulled out some sort of silver device from the briefcase and placed Superman's blood on the top of it. He placed it to his arm and flinched as the needle started to inject the blood into his veins. "If you would kindly set up the solar radiation, I would greatly appreciate it." Celestia nodded and concentrated again, creating a very small and transparent sun that floated over in front of Luthor. He smiled and flexed his muscles as the solar power began to charge him, his strength already increasing. He walked over to Superman's ship and lifted it up with one hand, causing him to smile.
"Good, my strength is already far beyond what it used to be," he said with a nod of his head, dropping the ship. "But it will still be a while before I can even hope to survive against Superman. He must not know that I'm here, the element of surprise will be the only thing we have that will be able to give us an advantage over him. You should go upstairs, it's getting late." Celestia nodded and headed towards the dungeon door, stopping just before she reached it.
"Thank you for helping us."
"It is my pleasure. I always enjoy putting others who believe themselves to be so great in their place," he replied. Celestia smiled and walked over to the items that Luthor had brought, not noticing when he pulled out a small device from his sleeve.
"I will inform you if anything changes."
"Good, now leave me be, I have some business to attend to." Celestia nodded and left the dungeon, leaving Luthor alone. He smiled and shook his head, amazed at how easy it had been to fool her like that. He found it amusing that he had turned this queen into a pawn, with her never even suspecting it. But that was of no importance now, he had work to do. Luthor walked back over to the briefcase and opened it again, but this time slipped his fingers under where Superman's blood had been resting and opened up a lead lid, wincing as he felt pain rush through his body. He quickly closed the lid, smiling at how easy this was going to be. He had the powers, the magic and also...
"Prepare yourself, Superman. Your reckoning has arrived."
(S)
"What do ya mean that ya won't take us?" Applebloom yelled. Superman had come back to Ponyville to chew them out for trying to build a rocket ship. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had also questioned what he had said, but he held up a hand to silence them.
"You promised that you would not get into any more trouble and then I would take you to Canterlot," he reminded them with a frown. "However, you chose to try and build a rocketship. That makes our agreement void. I'm sorry, but you three are the ones who chose this." Applebloom opened her mouth to argue, but Scootaloo stepped forward with a smile on her face.
"Actually, you said that if we didn't get into any trouble we would get to go to Canterlot with you," she reminded him, winking to the other two."Yeah, we might have been building a rocket, but you stopped us before we could even start. That means that we did as you said and didn't get in trouble for a full day."
"What? No, that's not what-"
"It may not have been what you meant, but it's what you promised," Sweetie Belle said with a smile as she caught on to what Scootaloo was saying. "Would Superman break a promise to three little fillies?"
"No, but-"
"Great! What time are we going tomorrow?" Applebloom asked as all three fillies looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and smiles. Superman tried to say something, but closed his mouth and put a hand on his face. They had tricked him, they had actually managed to trick him. If they weren't getting into danger all the time, he might actually believe that they were geniuses.
"Fine. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning," he said with a sigh. The three cheered and started to talk about all the fun things that they were going to do. Superman sighed, preparing himself mentally for what was to come tomorrow. Tomorrow, Superman would have to babysit the CMC.
-=-=-
"We have found an anomaly in this universe. Should we alert the queen?"
"Yes, you heard what she told us. Any information regarding the pony must be brought to her."
"I'd hate to be that pony right now. When he gets a hold of her...well, it won't be pretty."