After Justinian and Superman had their brief talk, Superman decided to address the Justice League about what had just transpired. The fact that Justinian gave them 22 years to prepare for his conquest of Earth had been rather generous.
However, as those years carried on, the weight of the approaching date began to grind down the hopes of the League members. Most of the members of the League could not count on endless lifespans so two decades was a substantial amount of time.
The sheer scale of The Empire that Justinian had managed to raise in that amount of time was staggering. From Mercury to Pluto and beyond, The Imperium was gigantic. The master of it all, Justinian Arcadius Valoris Valdor had showed up out of nowhere and he had changed everything.
Now, in The Hall Of Justice, the entire League had gathered as Superman gathered them all. Things were tense as many of the League had no intention of fighting Justinian.
Even one of their strongest hitters, Diana had made it clear she was on Justinian's side. Doctor Fate also was in complete favor of Justinian taking over so two of their strongest members would be of no help when Justinian did arrive.
At the moment, things were rather tense as the League had been cut in half. The members who had no intention to battle Justinian and those who would. The former had more members so rather than keep stringing things along, Superman came out with it.
He walked up to the stage where a microphone was waiting. When he reached it, he looked across the Hall Of Justice where every Leaguer had gathered. He looked over to Diana who had come as well since she was still a member of the League.
Doctor Fate stood by himself, but from the look of things had no interest in being here. Batman obviously the leader of the Anti-Justinian Faction was big on not allowing the takeover.
It was now in his hands.
"Welcome, Justice League. I know the past two decades have been stressful with the rise of The Imperium. The looming threat that is Justinian has just grown even more extreme with each passing year.
The Imperium controls every planet, asteroid, and moon in this Solar System aside from Earth. Even the Moon itself has an Imperial colony on it so Earth is by itself. Justinian himself has told us we have until 2025 to prepare for his takeover.
That is in three years, however, just a few hours ago, that deadline has been moved up."
Instantly the members of the League started to mutter as that was a big thing. They all thought they would get three more years to prepare. Before things got hectic, Superman raised his hand.
"The new deadline is in one month. This is my fault, as I had a talk with Justinian to stop toying with us. In one month, I will face Justinian in an honor duel for the control of Earth."
Batman instantly spoke up.
"You can't be serious. You alone can't take Justinian on by yourself. Most of our preparations have involved the entire League. Resting this in the hands of one member is idiotic."
Superman understood that well, but he was just being realistic.
"You must understand that if I do not accept this Honor Duel, it means that Justinian is free to field his endless armies. Justinian's Imperium has mastered the art of cloning. They have millions of Kryptonians all cloned from the Kadmus Clones they acquired.
That is not to bring up the armies of White Martians, Saturnians, or the rest of Justinian's creations. The Imperium has several space fleets that could rip apart Earth with a bombardment.
Each planet in the Imperium has massive planetary defense weapons that can reach Earth. The only reason Justinian has not used them is because he values Earth itself and humanity. His entire purpose is the survival of mankind, by any means.
It's either I accept this Honor Duel and I face just Justinian, or the League faces his armies. Pick one."
That silenced Batman as even the League in its entirety never be able to face off armies of White Martians, Kryptonians, Men of Iron, Predakons, Krorks, Eldar, Tyranids, Justinian's Honor Guard, the Psian Jackels and that wasn't counting Justinian himself.
Before Superman could continue, Diana began to walk toward the stage. Superman turned to her as she was the only one who really knew Justinian personally. When she got onto the stage, she walked next to Superman to use the mic.
"You make good points, however, I will say this. Even if you don't accept the Honor Dual, Justinain will not invade Earth with force. He has made it clear he wants to keep human civilizations intact. He told me himself that he would not fire a shell on Earth.
However, it is your only hope to keep Earth out of his control."
Superman knew this as Justinian has said it before.
"I see. If I don't accept, how would he take over Earth without firing a shot?"
Diana went quiet as she didn't know if she should go out and say this. However, she didn't have to as a gigantic golden purple portal appeared behind her and Superman.
The entire Justice League became alarmed as Justinian and his entire Honor Guard began to emerge from the portal. Superman frowned as he watched the 50 gigantic Martians walk out of the portal with Justinian at the front.
When all 50 of his Burning Martian bodyguards were out, the portal closed behind them. Justinian glanced around the Hall of Justice filled with the entire League. He reached up and removed his helmet revealing his face.
"The way I will take over Terra is simple, Politics. Almost every country around the world is itching at the chance to join The Imperium. It would not take me long to send my diplomats to take the planet over a country at a time.
I already have done that to several countries and I could have taken over all of them if I wanted. I have not just because I was going to keep my word. 22 years, 2025 was the agreed-upon date.
However, Superman has made it clear that I am just toying with you a lot. So, one month, an honor duel me and Superman for Terra. If this is accepted, I will face Superman by myself, without my gear, my magic, or my psychic abillities.
That would be more fair so I would be giving him a handicap. Or, the entire Justice League can face me in an all-or-nothing fight. The entire Justice League with everything it can muster against me. Which do you pick?"
Things were silent for a moment, but they quickly were not. Batman began to walk forward and as he did, the entire League split for him. When he reached the base of the stage he glared up at Justinian.
Justinian looked down and for the first time in a long time, didn't look at Batman with god-like indifference.
"An Honor Duel against Superman where you hold back to give him a chance, or you against the entire League. We must truly be pathetic to you, God Emperor."
Remnosh looked down at Bruce behind the helmet.
"You said it yourself, not us,"
Bruce didn't pay her any attention and focused on Justinian. As for Justinian, he hummed as he looked at Batman.
"Pathetic? No, I don't see you as pathetic. I don't see you at all, Batman. Humanity is magnificent, in the ways it can adapt, change and overcome. I am proud to have been born human even if now, I can barely call myself as such.
I hold a lot of respect for many in the League, You, I have always made it clear I hold little care for you. My reason is as follows. Have you achieved anything for Gotham? Is crime down, are criminals being dealt with permanently, are the citizens safe and happy? Are the corrupts being dealt with? No, they are not.
Gotham is the same as it always was, if not worse. I could fix up Gotham better than it ever was in a day, yet you haven't done that in two decades. Your billions of dollars and your status as a billionaire and yet Gotham is still one of the worst places to be born. You have done nothing, but make Gotham more dangerous.
You are now in your 50s and yet nothing has changed. Terra needs better, and I will give it what it needs. Now, make your choice. Option one, or option two. Who will step up among you? Who will have a Legendary Last Stand of Defiance against me?"
Before any members of the League could agree or disagree, Superman cut it off.
"No. No one other than me will be involved in this. I have made up my mind. Don't give me a handicap, bring your gear, and use your full might. Prepare the place as I will not hold back."
Justinian looked at Superman with respect. If it wasn't awkward because of their size difference he would have patted the man on the shoulder.
"I can respect that."
Justinian put his helmet back on before he turned around and opened another portal.
"I will prepare our arena. I want you at your best to make this more interesting."
One by one, Justinian's guards began to enter the portal. In moments, all of them were gone except Remnosh. Justinian had been the first to step through, so now, it was just her.
She glanced at Superman behind her who was watching.
"My Emperor holds a lot of respect for you, don't disappoint him. He loves to fight, only few can match him."
With that, she stepped through the portal which closed behind them. Once they were gone, Superman clenched his fist.
"I must prepare."
Diana glanced at him.
"How will you do that?"
"I will enter the Sun itself and charge myself up. I need to be as strong as I can to face Justinian in single combat."
Diana nodded.
"I see. I wish you luck."
Superman nodded back.
"Thanks. I will need it."
---
Back in The Imperial Palace, in his Throne, Room once Justinian gave his verdict he had to prepare a proper arena. Fighting in the middle of the Solar System would be foolish so he would create a pocket Dimension and he would show it to every single one of the people of The Imperium and Terra.
He glanced around at his Honor Guard before he spoke.
"In one month, I will finally have what is rightfully mine. Terra in an intact state."
Sigismund just had one question.
"My Emperor, what arena could hold your might?"
"It is very simple, a pocket dimension where we can go all out. To make this fight even more interesting, I will place, ten suns around a planet the size of Jupiter made of Dwarf Star Material.
He must be at his strongest for I will be at my best. I must prepare. Come, let us create the single greatest arena for the fight that."
With smiles on their faces, Justinian's Honor Guard and companions followed him as they began to talk about this. Perturabo had questions.
"Are you sure that even with ten suns, Superman will be able to match you?"
Justinian snorted.
"Perturabo, are you underestimating him? One should always take their opponents seriously, especially Superman."
Perpeturabo raised his hands.
"No, I am not underestimating him. I am just being honest, few can match you in single combat. Yet, one Kryptonian is expected to do so? It almost feels unfair."
Justinian began to smile.
"That is a fair feeling, I have proven to be formidable in a fight. I will show you why Superman should not be underestimated. I dare say he will be a better fight than even Darkseid was."
With that said, Justinian began to create a Pocket Dimension where he would have his Duel with Superman. By flying through a few suns, Superman managed to punch The World Forger and Justinian wanted to fight that.
At the very least it would be a good warm-up.
(P-atreon.com/A_Real_Werewolf234)