DOMINION
Summary: Set in a modern day monarchy where tension has separated the two provinces causing war to break out. But when the King's nephew embarks on a courageous mission to bring peace, he finds himself torn between loyalty to his country and love for the enemy. Which one will he choose?
Rating: PG-13 (possibly)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything; the rights belong to those who own them.
A/N: I had some technical issues and had to delete the story. I'm sorry for the confusion.
Chapter One "A Kingdom"
Bombs exploded all around the war ravaged battlefield with dirt raining down upon the soldiers in the pits, which echoed with the sound of gunfire in the distance.
The gunners loaded their guns under the watchful eyes of the superior officers who were ensuring that this decade old war would be won by using any means necessary and in their eyes; the Kingdom of Krypton would prevail.
Amongst the chaos, was a young solider by the name of Ryan Kent, a young cadet that had joined the war a year when he became of age.
Never before had his youthful eyes seen a war such as this, but what he lacked in experience was made up for with help of his special talents which had aided Krypton in reclaiming pieces of land from the hands of the enemy.
"Kent!" A superior officer calls out towards the small group of soldiers conversing as the young man rushes to him with a quick salute and stonewall expression, "Direct orders from the captain, he wants you and Eldridge to head towards the northern camps and interrogate a prisoner."
The young solider saluted upon receiving his orders and rushed off towards the barracks, the excitement that flowed through him was fueled with the knowledge that only on brief occasions did a young recruit such as himself ever received orders from the captain himself, they often received the orders from lower officials who never divulged information about the mission but often delivered a red envelop bearing the monarch's crest that detailed information concerning the mission assigned to them.
While Ryan prepared himself for light travel, a slightly taller and older officer entered the barracks with a small smirk on his face as he took off his helmet and placed it on his bunk, "Words spread around the pits that we've got another assignment."
Ryan smirked while zipping up his bag, "Direct orders from the captain…" he turns to face the solider, "looks like your gonna be my back up again, Kal."
The solider known as Caleb Eldridge or Kal just smirked and patted his friend on the back before turning his attention towards his bunk to rid himself of his bulletproof vest and sidearm, "Who else is gonna save your ass." he jokes with his attention now focused on the tattered old black and white photo in his hands, a man bearing an odd resemblance to Kal smiled with his arms wrapped around a young woman looking happy as can be.
"Do you ever wonder why we keep fighting?" Kal asks never wavering from the picture in front of him, "This war has been going on longer then any of us."
Ryan shrugs, "We all fight our wars, this one is just a little longer then most." the young man slings his bag over his shoulder and prepared to leave the barracks before turning back towards his friend, "I'll give you a couple minutes to pack before we head out."
The tents flapped when the young solider left, leaving Kal to finish unloading his gear and packing for light legwork, no one except for Ryan knew who the young couple were in the photograph.
It was young Jerome and Lara Eldridge years before their marriage and the birth of Caleb, but what people didn't know was that Caleb Eldridge had a secret…
…He was the king's nephew.
A royal messenger raced through the council halls towards the main chamber, which was reserved when the council of Krypton formed to hear the pleas of its people.
The doors swung open causing almost every eye to turn towards the messenger who bowed to his king prior to speaking, "We have a situation on the warfront, your highness." his hands trembled nervously as he handed over the small envelope to the king.
Seconds ticked by until the king finally rose to his feet and addressed the council members, "We'll have to reschedule this meeting until this situation is absolved."
Chatter soon erupted when the chamber doors opened and the king departed, they were oblivious to the anger resonating from their fearless monarch.
"I want a chopper ready for my departure." he hands the envelope to Augo, his assistant. "Luthor's gone to great lengths to get my crown and he's using my nephew to do it." he buttons up his suit jacket before leaving his people at the steps of Kandor's capital oblivious to the concerned looks being thrown his way.
How they were ambushed by the enemy troops puzzled Kal, who was currently pinned against an old oak tree with gunfire echoing from the northeast.
"Ryan!" he calls out quick to dodge oncoming fire as he rushed to a nearby ditch, his chest heaves in fast paces while his grip on his firearm begins to tighten.
From his point of view from the small mud hole, he could see Ryan emerging from the wooded area with a limp in his step.
Relief washed over Kal as he began signaling the young solider to his position, until a loud pop could be heard and Ryan slumped to the ground.
"Ryan!" Kal cries out and without thinking of the bullets that whizzed while rushing to his friend's side.
The sight of his fallen friend would be forever engraved in his mind, Ryan laid still almost corpse-like in the mud with his finger occasionally twitching on their own accord.
When he turned the boy over on his back, Kal could see that the green of his shirt had now grown darker from the blood that now stained the hands of the prince.
"Ryan?" he says trying to get some sign of consciousness only to receive silence and the echoing warfront in the distance as his answer.
The sudden sound of a twig snapping caused his attention to go from the dying solider to the north side of the forest where a gunshot rang out.
The force of the bullet caused his body to fall and an excruciating pain to rip through his entire body.
All he could do was lay there in the cold mud feeling the life drain from his body and watch the white clouds dance in the bright blue sky.
Hours later help arrived in the form of a helicopter with the medics repelling down from a rope to get to the fallen soldiers, it was clear that the boy hadn't survived but there was still time to save their future king.
Three Years Later
The war between Eldridge and Luthor grew tiresome and began to takes it toll on the people of Krypton.
They had suffered the loss of fathers/mothers, brothers/sisters, friends, and lovers. But somehow through the suffering, the Kingdom managed to thrive.
The people were pleased to welcome back its favorite son with open arms while the royal family awaited his arrival at the capital steps, which stood for all to see with the red and blue banners that bore their family crest flapping in the wind.
King Zorion and his daughter stood alongside each other awaiting the arrival of the prince, "It'll be good to see your cousin again; he's been gone for a long time."
Kara nodded, "Kal needed time to heal." she pauses to look at her father, "He took what happened pretty hard. Losing your friend right in front of you and nearly dying yourself was a lot to take in."
"That's the price of war, we all risk something to gain everything." a sorrowful look crosses his face at the memories that threatened to plague his mind.
Just as he was about to surrender to the memories that he tried so hard to forget, a black Rolls-Royce pulled to a stop and the prince emerged.
The years had not been kind to the young prince, his hair was longer then it once was along with the growing beard he now sported, his clothes looked wrinkled and worn compared to the pressed and clean attire he was accustomed to wearing.
"Kal!" Kara exclaims happily as she rushes towards her cousin and embraces him in a warm hug, "It's so good to have you back home." she smiles up at him, "I have so much to tell you."
The king decides to cut in, "Lets not overload your cousin on his first day back." he places his hand on Caleb's shoulder, "You'll have plenty of time to catch up on old times after the celebration."
Caleb looks at his uncle surprised, "There is no celebration required, uncle. I only wish to spend time with my family."
The king simply laughs at the idea, "When your father and I returned from the war against Black Zero. Your grandfather threw an extravagant party, the same party where your parents first met."
Before the prince could reply, a soft hand slipped upon the king's shoulder followed by a soft voice, "There's no need to drag up the past, if Caleb wishes to be alone with family then it shall be done accordingly to his wishes."
Kal smiled genuinely for the first time in three years at the sight of his mother standing before him dressed in the noble blue gown of an Eldridge woman, "Mom" he whispers happily before embracing her in a tight but warm hug, "I thought you were staying in the countryside, why the sudden change in plans?"
Lara framed her son's face almost as if he was six years old again, "How could I miss the homecoming of my only child…" her eyes soon turn sad, "Your father would've been so proud of you and I know now that Rao has answered my prayers by bringing you safely home." tears threaten to take over but Kal simply wipes them away with a sad and broken smile.
"No more crying, I'm home and that's all that matters." he kisses his mother on the forehead before turning his attention back towards the car to grab his things.
The king turns towards Lara, "Are you sure that canceling the party would be a good idea?"
She doesn't answer right away but her attention remains focused on her son, "Caleb is not the same man he was when he left and I fear that this change will be for the worst."
TBC…
For those of you wondering who the heck is Augo? Well to answer that you need simply look to your Season 7 DVDs which have the Kara and the Krypton Chronicles, Augo worked with Zor-El prior to Krypton's destruction and was a very loyal assistant towards him.
The first chapter sort of deals with Caleb/Kal, the next chapter will deal with Lois's past then jump three years later to the same point as Kal's return home (hope its not too confusing then it sounds lol)
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