Chereads / Toneri in DC / Chapter 65 - Chapter 63: Different

Chapter 65 - Chapter 63: Different

Toneri POV

Seven months had passed since I arrived on this new Earth, in this universe one so similar yet distinctly different from the world I left behind. My first task had been the recreation of my moon palace, a perfect replica of the one I left behind in the…Young Justice universe? Hmm, guess I'll call it that. Hidden deep within the moon's core and maintained by a fresh set of automatic puppets. It was as if I hadn't left the other world at all—though the very essence of this place hinted otherwise.

After I departed from the mortal girl's abode, my next goal became clear: I had to explore this world, discover what made it… tick?, and study the heroes who shared faces and names with the ones I once knew. What I found left me both fascinated and perplexed. The similarities between this Earth and my previous one ran deep, but the differences were far more intriguing. This world felt... stronger. The energy that flowed through its lands, waters, and skies was more potent. Even the natural environments felt more alive, as if untouched by the tolls of time. Perhaps this world's resilience came from an inherent strength woven into its very fabric.

My curiosity drove me to explore beyond the planet. As I extended my reach into space. The solar system unfolded before me, familiar yet foreign, its celestial bodies pulsating with energy unlike any I had seen before. My journey led me to the distant galaxy, far from the solar system, where I found myself upon first arriving in this universe. I retraced my steps to the exact point where the portal had unceremoniously dumped me here. The stars shone differently in this part of space, more stable, as though this galaxy had been designed with greater care.

'The space here is more fortified,' I theorized as I floated amidst the stars. 'The atoms themselves seem to be held together by a stronger force. What could cause such reinforcement? The density of cosmic energy, perhaps? The alignment of celestial bodies? Or maybe… a different flow of time and space.' My thoughts spun in numerous directions as I cataloged each new discovery. The laws of physics in this universe felt denser, sturdier. Even the stars burned brighter, their gravitational pull slightly stronger than what I had previously encountered. 'This universe is simply… more.'

Over four months, I scoured every corner of space I could reach in this sector, seeking a way back to my original world. I had even opened a portal near a black hole, a fascinating yet deadly experiment to some . Yet, the risk was worth it. My Tenseigan allowed me to unravel the intricacies of the black hole's gravitational pull. I could see the very fabric of space and time bend and twist under the intense gravity, light warping around the event horizon in mesmerizing arcs. The sheer density of matter compressed beyond reason, time dilating as the black hole devoured everything in its reach.

I studied the familiar phenomenon hoping to see something new from what I already know. The singularity was a point where the rules of reality no longer applied, and yet my eyes could peer into the depths of its chaos. 'perhaps…' My thoughts trailed off.

Despite my relentless efforts, I was in no hurry. My clone, still residing in the other universe, ensured that things were being handled. I would receive feedback if it were dispelled, but until then, I had time.

Upon returning to my moon palace, I shifted my focus back to Earth. I created a clone and sent it to live among mortals, tasked with searching for any trace of chaotic energy that might help me return home. Yet, despite months of searching, the results were disappointingly scarce. The chaos I sought remained elusive.

And now, here I sat, seven months after my arrival, perched on the surface of the moon, gazing down at Earth. From here, I could see everything—every city, every hero. My left arm rested on my bent right leg, while my right hand hovered above the lunar dust, my fingers gently brushing against its cool surface. My Tenseigan pulsed softly, casting a faint glow around me as I observed the world below.

My eyes drifted to Metropolis, where Superman was stopping a bank robbery with incredible speed. He was a blur of red and blue, a whirlwind of power, disarming the criminals before they had time to react.

'This version of him is faster… stronger,' I noted, my eyes narrowing as I watched the Man of Steel. 'But… slightly darker.' His actions were precise, almost brutal. The criminals were incapacitated in an instant, left sprawled on the floor with no mercy. 'His outfit, though... an improvement. No more ridiculous underwear outside his suit.' A small smirk tugged at my lips as I recalled the absurdity of the old look.

Next, my gaze shifted to Gotham, where Batman was in pursuit of Black Mask's goons. The Dark Knight moved like a shadow, a figure of relentless vengeance. His strikes were calculated, each blow dismantling his foes with ease.

'He's just as relentless as the Batman I knew, but stronger here,' I observed. My Tenseigan's x-ray vision revealed the toll years of combat had taken on his body. Bent bones and hairline fractures, strained muscles, old injuries that would have crippled a lesser man. Yet, he persisted. 'Stubborn as ever.'

Finally, my eyes fell on Central City, where the Flash blurred through the streets. He was much faster than the one I had known, his connection to the Speed Force more...profound.

'The Speed Force…' I marveled as I watched the web of energy that connected the Flash to everything in motion. 'It governs not just speed, but time and space as well. If manipulated correctly, it could be used to bend the flow of time itself. If I could harness that power… returning home might be possible.' My Tenseigan gleamed with newfound prospect. This Flash was the key.'With this version of the Flash, returning home might actually be possible. This was not an option with the previous world, but here... it might just work.' His eyes gleamed.

Shifting my gaze once more, I turned my attention to a distant island—Themyscira. Even with just a glance, I felt the barrier around it, a mystical veil that kept the island hidden. My Tenseigan cut through the layers of magic, revealing the Amazonian warriors within.

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Third POV

Toneri's eyes narrowed as he tried to peer deeper into the barrier surrounding Themanscyra inner sanctum a space that seemed separated from themanscyra itself,above one of the mountains. His Tenseigan pulsed, focusing on the mystical veil that shielded that particular mountain from sight. Yet, the more he concentrated, the more resistance he felt. It started as a subtle nudge, but soon became a forceful pushback, as if something—or someone—was preventing him from looking further.

'Hmm... it's the same as the last time. Magic, perhaps?' Toneri mused. He knew that this world's Wonder Woman was similar to the one he had known before. The presence of her gods was likely just as strong in this world as it had been in the last.

His thoughts drifted to a conversation he once had with Diana, recalling how she had explained her origins and the history of her people.

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Flashback

"My origins are tied to both the gods and the Amazonians," Diana had said, her voice steady. "I was sculpted from clay by my mother, Queen Hippolyta, and brought to life by the gods themselves."

That had caused a rare flicker of surprise in Toneri. 'Sculpted from clay? The creation of all things?' but the notion of being brought to life from mere clay doesn't seemed beyond even the power of most Otsutsuki's who don't require a medium but only chakra to create life with ease. 'But then again, the gods of her world… perhaps they used something akin to Yin-Yang Release? The ability to create life from nothingness, unsurprising her so proclaimed gods can do it.'

As Diana continued, Toneri asked, "Separated? Why would your people choose isolation?"

Diana's expression darkened. "Long ago, we lived among men, but our trust was betrayed by Herakles. He enslaved us, stealing our strength and causing great suffering. We defeated him, but the bond between us and the world of men was broken."

Toneri had frowned. "And the gods did nothing?"

"The gods allowed us to endure, but they also empowered us to rise above it," Diana had replied, her voice tight with controlled emotion. "They cloaked Themyscira in magic, isolating us from the world of men."

Toneri leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Yet, you chose to leave?"

"I did," Diana had said, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "Because the world of men needed help."

Toneri's mind had raced with questions, but one stood out. "This magic... can it be broken?"

Diana shook her head. "Not easily. Only the will of the gods could tear it down."

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Toneri's thoughts returned to the present as he withdrew slightly from the barrier around the inner sanctum and from the one surrounding Themyscira itself. 'The same magic… the same gods. Perhaps they're just as vigilant in this universe.'

He allowed a small smile to form on his lips. 'It's not worth pushing too hard yet. But given time, I may find a way to bypass this magic. Or perhaps, brute force will suffice.'