Flying high and fast without any precautions isn't exactly a pleasant experience.
In the dark, deserted outskirts of the city, Su Sheng finally set Alex down.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Alex collapsed, retching, her hair standing on end as if she'd just survived a storm. Su Sheng waited quietly. After a moment, Alex got up, glaring at him with anger. "You almost killed me!"
"You're not that fragile, are you?" Su Sheng chuckled, reaching out to smooth her hair. But Alex took a step back. "There's no one else here. Why don't you step out of that suit?"
"Curious about what I look like?" Su Sheng smiled as he deactivated his armor.
"It's you!" Alex gasped, instantly recognizing him. Wasn't this the guy Kara had been seeing recently? Su Sheng, wasn't it? Given Kara's unique situation and Su Sheng's knowledge of her identity, the ARGUS had been keeping a close eye on both Kara and Su Sheng.
"What's your goal? Did you approach Kara on purpose?" Alex demanded, her mind racing with possible threats to her sister.
"Didn't I tell you before? I'm looking for Indigo. As for Kara, if I meant her any harm, she'd have been dead several times over by now," Su Sheng said lightly.
"You think I'd believe that?"
"You've been researching Kryptonian technology for a while, right? You've also developed ways to utilize Kryptonite, so… you must be familiar with this." Su Sheng produced a Kryptonite dagger, and Alex's eyes widened in recognition.
"You don't know my true identity, but I have a Kryptonite dagger. Do you really think a fledgling hero like Kara can take me down? If I wanted leverage against her, she wouldn't stand a chance. I'm just interested in her, that's all. She's… fun to be around," Su Sheng mused, reflecting on the past few days spent with Kara. "So, don't do anything rash. If you make me angry, I promise you'll regret it."
"Is that a threat?" Alex snapped.
"Ever heard of Doomsday?"
"Doomsday… How do you know about that?" Alex was shocked. She knew all too well what the word 'Doomsday' meant.
"I have nine Kryptonian corpses in my possession, and I happen to have an Origin Chamber. If you really want to push me, I can make the entire world share in my misery." Su Sheng chuckled as he took Alex's hand and slipped a ring onto her finger. "This is for you. Figure it out on your own, and find Indigo for me as soon as possible."
He patted the still-dazed Alex on the shoulder, then donned his battle suit and flew away.
Meanwhile, back in National City, Su Sheng was on his way back to the apartment when he felt someone closing in on him—fast.
He turned and smiled.
Supergirl.
She must be here for Alex. Su Sheng stopped suddenly in midair.
Swish!
Supergirl caught up and slammed a fist into Su Sheng's armored chest, forcing him down toward the ground.
No words, just action?
Su Sheng retaliated with a blast from his palm cannon.
Boom!
Supergirl grunted, releasing her grip as Su Sheng stabilized himself and then launched a counterattack, hitting her with a powerful uppercut that sent her flying upwards.
Boom!
With an energy boost from his suit, Su Sheng rocketed after her, grabbing Supergirl by her red boots and hurling her downward.
Supergirl plummeted like a cannonball, crashing through the roof of an abandoned factory and slamming into the ground, creating a deep dent. She winced in pain as her eyes began to glow a menacing crimson, unleashing blue heat rays at Su Sheng as he descended.
"Blue heat rays?" Su Sheng was momentarily surprised but then remembered—this wasn't Earth One; it was Earth-38. Kryptonians here had blue heat vision. Interesting. Su Sheng copied Supergirl's ability, curious to see if he could alternate between the two colors or even use both simultaneously—one eye red, one eye blue.
As he mused over the possibilities, he suddenly sensed another presence attacking him.
Another Kryptonian!
Dodging quickly, Su Sheng saw a black-clad figure stop in midair.
"No… it can't be. You should be dead… you perished when Krypton exploded…" Supergirl slowly got up, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Astra… Aunt Astra!"
"You've grown so much in what feels like no time at all," Astra said as she descended gracefully, her eyes fixed on Supergirl.
"I remember sitting on your lap when I was little, listening to your stories…" Supergirl murmured, lost in memory.
"Before Krypton exploded, your mother imprisoned me in Rozburg. Kara, come with me. Help me rebuild Krypton. You shouldn't be allying with the Earthlings!" Astra urged.
"Hello? Family reunions are touching and all, but what about the guy standing here feeling left out? Or should I just leave while you two catch up?" Su Sheng interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Where is Alex?!" Supergirl snapped back to the present, her concern for her sister overriding everything else. She charged at Su Sheng again.
Su Sheng, having activated his battle suit's vocal distortion, remained silent, knowing Supergirl wouldn't recognize his voice. As she rushed at him, he blocked her attack easily and countered with a solid punch, sending her flying.
"Hmph!" Astra snorted in anger and flew at Su Sheng.
Her combat skills were impressive—better than Supergirl's, perhaps even on par with Faora-Ul's. But against Su Sheng, who had mastered the fighting techniques of countless combat experts, she was outmatched.
Within moments, Astra was on the defensive, struggling to keep up.
Supergirl, recovering quickly, joined forces with Astra, and together they launched a coordinated attack on Su Sheng.