Disclaimer: Based on DC comics' characters and the mythology created in Smallville (i.e. property of the CW network), and created by Jerry Siegel and Joel Schuster but the words are mine.

Miniseries Part I

Episode 1.0 – Foundations

AU/SML – It has been a year since the Kryptonians went into seclusion. Their new leader, Cor-El however resurfaced to secure an alliance with the Oceania, the domain of the Ocean Lords. Needless to say he got into trouble when he trusted Cymo, daughter of the King of the Ocean.

Part 1

"Cymo, if we ever get out of here, I will enjoy beating the crap out of you!" – Cor exclaimed struggling against the bars.

"It is not my fault." – Cymo retorted. "All I said was…"

"I don't really think this is the time for revelations." – Cor snapped. "And make yourself useful and help me with the damned bars."

"I'm the princess. I have servants in a nice cozy palace."

"I should think you should have thought of that before you dragged me into this madness."

"Well, you wanted the crystal."

"I trusted you a mistake I'm not soon going to repeat." – Cor flared up. "But then who the hell could have guessed that you've managed to offend every damn clan in the ocean?"

"Look now you!" – Cymo flared on her turn. "I was perfectly fine without you."

"Oh really?" – Cor exclaimed sarcastically. "Was that before or after they were to shish kebab you?"

"You could have helped with your overrated skills, now couldn't you?"

"I would have before some idiot managed to spill the beans all over the ocean floor!"

"All I said is how nice they'd look on you! How was I supposed to know they take away your precious powers?"

"You didn't see my signals, hum?"

"In the ocean fog, you're kidding, right?"

"And whose fault is that?"

"It was part of my ch…"

"CHORES? By Rao…Help me with the damn bars or I will leave you here. See how you'd enjoy that!"

"There is no need to get snappy." – She answered back and moved to the bars as much as she could. Her restraints were impeding her free movement. "Can't you use your other skills? Or are they as overrated as you are?"

"They are not overrated! And no I can't or they will know and then you can kiss your father goodbye!"

"I'll hardly have the time."

"Well in that case, put some effort in helping me. The only chance we've got is to get out undetected then I can my use overrated skills!"

"Alright, shish!"

"Don't you shish me and get on with it!"

A week earlier….

Somewhere deep in Antarctica, a majestic city of glowing crystals was hidden inside a huge glacier. The perpetual dancing lights covered the rainbow spectrum in such beauty that it was rivaled by no one. Lucid and pallid gems adorned the frontal gates made of pure transparent crystal and above them a large crest – a verdant blue ball of light and behind it a dragon with outspread wings. It was a new city and it bore the name of its great predecessor – Te Kandor.

It was the city of the remaining Kryptonians on planet Earth. They stayed behind with their new leader – Cor of the House of El, son of the great Kryptonian inventor Van and the Yllyan Princess Sarah Tassir. Her spirit became the heart of the city and its power was a dual core Collarium and the rarest of all Kryptonites the Yellow Kryptonite.

Building Te Kandor took them a year of hard work but it was a satisfying experience. All battles forgotten, all worries set aside, only the focus of work. But it was still a young city with many empty halls, empty rooms, and empty labs. There were only two dozens of them the rest went to another plane of existence to restart the Kryptonian society, rebuild their civilization.

The world beyond the gates of Te Kandor had moved on too. Kal-El, son of Jor and Lara El had finally defeated Darksied and become Earth's greatest hero thus fulfilling his destiny as Jor-El had desired it. His archenemy Alexander Luthor was there too plotting and scheming as usual to bring him down. He had resurfaced after dispatching the lovely and loyal sister Tess. But as irony would serve it no one could explain where her body had gone.

Cor, the Dragon Herald of Rao had kept an eye on his cousin from time to time but never interfered. He was busy building Te Kandor to its earlier glory and beyond. Being the leader he faced many challenges and many obstacles but he was in his element. He also visited from time to time his other kin the Yllyans. They had abided by his wishes to spread the Collarium core. There were now two more settlements in the lakes around the world.

It was a late hour in Te Kandor but the Kryptonians still up continued adding more elements to their great new city. They could never rest. Cor was on his routine tour around the city. Having super powers within the city walls was not an option. Cor had decided it was for the best. It avoided troubles and besides on Krypton they never had them anyway.

"Dragon Herald," Rak'nor greeted and bowed as per the tradition.

Cor sighed deeply. It would take them some time to grow out of it. "Rak'nor, please get up."

"As you wish," Rak'nor said standing up. "It is our way."

"Yeah, some of the Old ways have to go." Cor said and smiled. "It is a brave new world, Rak'nor."

"Yes, I suppose it is."

"How is the East gate coming?"

"It takes more time than anticipated." Rak'nor replied. "We still have trouble with the glacier's stability. And the humans keep making it difficult. They keep crawling all over it."

Cor chuckled. "It is their world after all and that's what they do anyway. They simply have no idea we are down here and we have to keep it that way."

"Let's hope they don't start drilling." Mila added entering the grand corridor. It was the main corridor of the top tower of Te Kandor.

"Yes, this would be a buzz killer." Cor smiled. "But they won't, don't worry."

"Let's hope so."

"I had Loki enchant the area."

"If you say so, Dragon Herald,"

Cor sighed and shook slightly head. Some of his brethren still had great misgivings when it came to Loki and Earth's mystical arts. "Mila, I know you still have difficult time with her but her skills had proven very valuable to us. And yes it is not easy to believe but if we were to expose our technology to the humans they would say the same – blah, blah, demon's work."

"Wasn't it Devil's work?"

"Whatever," Cor said. "In many ways, it is the same – technology just a bit more mysterious."

"Of course, I did not mean to be off…"

"Mila, we have talked about this."

"It is difficult to let go off the past." Mila shared.

"If it were easy, we would still be stuck in it." Rak'nor stated.

"Dwelling in the past is not wrong, Rak'nor." Cor said. "It reminds where we came from and who we are. But we can't dwell too much on it. We have to move on and build the future. It is not going to be the same. There are too few of us left."

"It is a brave new world." Rak'nor said smiling.

"Which gives me an idea," Cor said suddenly lighting up. "Mila,"

"Yes, Dragon Herald," Mila looked suspiciously at her leader.

Cor looked devilish. He had a superb idea. "I think it is time we solve this issue with you and Earth's mystical arts."

"It is?" Mila exclaimed involuntarily stepping backwards.

"Yes," Cor confirmed. "Therefore, I will send you on diplomatic mission to Blackshire."

"Me?" She exclaimed stunned.

"Yes, I meant to schedule a visit there. We need to forge alliances with all of Earth's resident mysteries. And it is time we learnt more of them as they learnt more of us. We share the same world. It is time we got to know each other. I can't think of no one better to represent Krypton on the annual festival of Fires in Blackshire."

"But…but…Dragon Herald, I…I…I am…not the…the…best choice." Mila stuttered.

"On the contrary, Mila, you are the perfect choice. You are the most skeptical about their ways. What perfect way to appraise a potential ally, wouldn't you agree?"

"Not particularly,"

"It is decided then you will go." Cor said with a big smile.

Mila opened and closed her mouth. She should have known better than to criticize the Dragon Herald's friendship with the witch Loki. She should have anticipated something devilish from her leader. He was prone to it when challenged.

"Fires and witches," Rak'nor noted dreamily.

"Oh, for the love of Rao," Cor exclaimed rolling his eyes. "You can go with her."

"I can?" Rak'nor snapped out of his daydream.

"Yes, someone has to keep an eye on things."

"Oh, thank you, Dragon Herald," Rak'nor bowed lighting up like a Christmas tree and strolled down the corridor.

Cor turned to Mila. "Keep an eye on him. He hasn't seen action since he arrived."

"Dragon Herald, I…"

"Mila, I know." Cor smiled. "Don't think of it as punishment. As I said not all the ways would stay the same. I want someone impartial to represent our interests and you are it. Yes, you are skeptical but that's alright. It will keep you on track and besides you will have your powers to rely on but you don't have to tell them that."

"Oh," Mila's eyes lit up. Cor-El was full of surprises and devilish ideas. "But I merely thought you'd go."

"No," Cor sighed deeply. "I'm not. I have to visit Oceania."

"Oh, Cymo," It was Mila's turn for a devilish smile. They all knew of the Dragon Herald's relation with the daughter of the Ocean Lord. The bickering and the banter simply knew no equal.

"Don't remind me!"

"I'll try very hard not to, Dragon Herald." Mila smirked then added seriously. "We do need their support though. They have managed to hide from the humans a lot longer."

"Yes, yes they have." Cor acknowledged. "And yes we do need them. They are closest to us than any of the rest."

"Dragon Herald, Dragon Herald," A panicking voice filled the air. It was Ventor.

"Ventor, what is it?"

Ventor stopped to catch his breath. "The east gates fell again. Four are…stuck in the rubble."

"What?" Cor exclaimed going pale. "Let's go!"

They reached the East gates. For some reason these gates would simply not stand. This was their twelfth attempt. The rubble was everywhere.

"Dragon Herald," Vash approached them. "Somewhere on the lower level trapped Mal'ir, Daxil, Vorash and Al'Rei are. It would take days to reach them and by that time it might be too late."

"Is it worse on the lower levels than here?" Cor asked assessing the situation.

"Much,"

"Then we simply have to make the way to them," Cor said firmly. "Scan the immediate structural integrity and tell me of the weak points."

"What will you do?"

"Probe my way through,"

"Dragon Herald, that's a lot of rubble, heavy one."

"You forget something, Commander, I'm a telekinetic. I can lift it."

"Even so,"

"Hence the reason to tell me the weak spots,"

"Get on with it, Commander," Mila said. "We will help from here."

The work started. Cor lifted the first few blocks and set them aside. It was not easy though for a telekinetic as it was delicate work. Cor became very tired very quickly but he pushed beyond his tiredness. He had trapped people down there and some physical exhaustion was not going to deter him.

After many hours of hard work on his part and that of his people they managed to reach the stranded ones. They had suffered oxygen deprivation and had numerous bruises but were essentially fine. The healers were optimistic they would make full recovery in no time. When the stranded felt better, Cor went to them to find out what went wrong.

"Dragon Herald," They all greeted and started to get on their knees.

"Stay in your beds," Cor quickly interrupted their intended moves. "You have to rest though it would be nice to know what went wrong this time."

Vorash took the word. "We had just installed the last batch of nanites probes when everything started to shake and all hell…well…"

"Hum?" Cor was pensive. "Wasn't the vibration pillar circle online?"

The four got thinking and Cor saw it on their faces.

"It is my fault." Daxil exclaimed. "We can't install the nanites probes with them active."

"And a low-level quake would trigger destabilization." Al'Rei reasoned.

"We had more of those as of late." Mal'ir shared.

"The aquatic volcano activities in this region have increased steadily over the past year." Commander Vash informed as he entered the healing center.

"Hence the reason for me to say hi to Oceania," Cor said. "With their help we can manage better these instabilities."

"Dragon Herald, we can't control the growth of this world." Vash shared.

"No, but we can stabilize it without interfering into Earth's growth and for that we need…."

"The help of Oceania," Vorash completed Cor's thought.

"Yes," Cor confirmed. "Well then no harm done,"

"Um, Dragon Herald," Mal'ir stood up.

"Yes?"

"I have a thought about the gates."

"Sure, share!"

"Instead of making them the traditional way, we could borrow a few pages from the humans."

"Meaning?" Vash asked raising suspiciously an eyebrow. He wasn't fond of the humans' ways of doing things.

"Well, back on Krypton, we used to build them to cover all levels thus preventing unnecessary violation of…well…you know, but I think we should make them only on the low levels."

"And up front?"

"A force field,"

"Hum, this is not a bad thought. Mingled with animanic energy signature it would give us more protection than necessary." Cor concluded. "Change it to Mal'ir's idea."

"Yes, Dragon Herald," Vash said and bowed before leaving the healing center.

The next day, Cor left Te Kandor and headed to the isle port of Bridgeport. There he hired a boat and sailed to the Sanctum waters. Ever since he made contact with the Oceania, the Ocean Lord kept a sentry close by. He was there if Cor showed up. He was the only earth dweller who knew of the entrance to Oceania.

He arrived late evening at the greeting spot and started waiting. It was logical as no one can expect anyone's arrival if not calling in advance. The evening turned to midnight when the sentry came. Cor greeted him and requested and audience with the Ocean Lord.

"I'm afraid that's not possible, young Seyt!" The sentry replied.

"Is it too late? I can come back in the morning!"

"You misunderstand. The Ocean Lord isn't home."

"What? Where is he?" Cor exclaimed.

"He is on official business with the clans of Atlantis."

"Oh! When is he due back?"

"I believe in dweller terms – four weeks!"

"Oh, I can't wait this long." Cor replied. He was pensive. "Has Cymo gone with him?"

"No, the princess is here."

"Well in this case, take me to her."

"Very well," The sentry ceded. "Wait here until I tell her."

"Of course,"

Cor tried to imagine what face she would make when she learns of his presence. They did not part very amicably last time when he brought the ice spirit to Oceania. But he hardly had a choice. He could not possibly stay four weeks in the surrounding waiting for the Ocean Lord to return. There had to be another option and he hoped Cymo could give one.

Besides there were other things at stake, the survival of Te Kandor. The continuous volcanic activities near Antarctica were quite disruptive. Cor's thoughts were cut short as the all too known maelström formed and Cymo emerged surrounded by her favorite sharks.

"Oh, well, the great hero," Cymo remarked caustically. "What brings you here? The weather…"

Cor swallowed his usual response. "Your highness," And bowed to her.

"What no offenses, no bite remarks?"

Cor's eyes narrowed but remained calm. "No, your highness, none of the above. I have come on official business to Oceania!"

"Oh!" Cymo exclaimed her voice filled with sarcasm. "It is an occasion."

"Yes, it is!"

"Unfortunately, my father is on official business himself. You will have to come back, later, later."

"Weren't you a princess that can handle official requests as well?" Cor asked.

Cymo blinked. His tone was once again caustic and adversarial. "I'm a Princess."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Cor snickered. "A princess, not the Princess, how sad, did Daddy had another one named in your stead?"

Cymo became red at once. She did not appreciate the insinuation. "I'm the Princess of Oceania and you will show some respect!"

"Oh, or what your highness, you're going to drown me in your babble again?"

"How dare you?" Cymo exclaimed angrily. His disrespectful demeanor had finally gotten to her and she was mad. She turned her head towards the sharks that separated and moved to attack.

Cor did not wait for them. He took a plunge into the water. However this time, the game was very different. This time he had his powers and the poor beasts did not stand a chance to do anything. He used his super speed to circle around them while catching them by the tail and with one swift move they flew very high upwards and then splashed hard on to the ocean's surface. He then appeared on her little isle.

"This time the game is different your slimy ness." Cor said. He sped around her tying her up before she could even blink then turned to the sharks. "Approach any closer and she takes the beach!"

The sharks backed away. Cymo's eyes were out of their orbit. She was still very angry but could hardly do anything about her current predicament. She had her skills but they were no match for the power of the Gods.

"I came on official business and I'm not leaving until my proposal is heard, your choice!"

Cymo swallowed her pride for a moment. "And what could you possibly want?"

"I will tell you once we reach your city, actually once we're in there."

"Ironically, this is the safest place to discuss this." She countered.

"Very well," Cor ceded. "I want to discuss an alliance between Oceania and my people!"

Cymo did not expect he was here for anything else other than annoy the crap out of her. But it seemed he was serious.

"Care to repeat? Your people?"

"Yes, my people,"

"And they are who?"

"The Kryptonian colony on Earth can benefit from the knowledge of Oceania as you can benefit from us."

"Oh, really?" She exclaimed caustically. "Like what such as – how to banter?"

"Oh, there is no need for that you're quite gifted in that area!" Cor retorted.

"Well – wow! I shall convey your message to my father, once he returns." She said. "Now untie me!"

"Well you do have servants for that!" Cor remarked. "Or would be too shameful to find you in this lovely state?"

"Laugh while you can!" She spat. "Untie me! NOW!"

"Or what?"

"Or you'll never get that audience!"

"Wow what a threat! I'm shaking."

Cymo swallowed again. "Untie me, please?"

"Sorry what?" Cor exclaimed putting a hand to his ear.

Cymo was pensive. Maybe his overrated skills could prove useful to her after all. He wanted so badly to see her father that much was obvious. And in the meantime he could do something for her. "I can get you to see my father before he returns! Untie me, please!"

"I thought you said I have to wait until he returns?" Cor asked eyeing her suspiciously. This sudden change of pace was uncharacteristic for her.

"I know what I said but it seems you want to see him badly otherwise you won't be still here!" She said. "So the question is how badly do you want it?"

"And in exchange of letting you go you will take me to him?"

"Of course not," She replied sharply. "My guards would release me anyway."

"So you want something in return?"

"Well, you started it I simply return the favor!"

"That depends!"

"On what?"

"On what you want!"

"We'll discuss that in the city!"

"Well you did say here is the perfect place to speak up, so speak!"

Cymo sighed deeply in frustration but ceded. "Very well," She did not speak though for some time. "I need to go to the Reef Clans…"

"For?" He interrupted.

"For a meeting," She replied. "And I need escort!"

"Oh, so you can show me around as your great prize possession, no thank you,"

"No," She countered. "I was about to wait for father to return before undertaking this journey but since you are here that will not be necessary. You will do just fine!"

"I don't understand! Why wait for your father?"

"He took with him the guards."

"Oh, poor thing," Cor exclaimed finally understanding where she was aiming. "You feel unsafe! What a shame!"

"Do you want to see him or not?"

Cor moved to her and untied her. "Yes, your highness, I do!"

"Are you sure you can follow without fainting?" She asked with a dark smile.

"Well, I suppose I have to borrow that lovely suit."

"Alright, but you won't faint?"

"Oh, that will give you such a pleasure, wouldn't it? But you will stand disappointed. The suit and we can go wherever you want!"

"Deal!" She exclaimed. "Follow me!"

She dived and Cor followed. They swam for a long time going deeper and deeper. For Cor it got harder for despite all his advantages with his super powers the water pressure exerted its effects on him. Cymo had probably noticed this so two large sharks came to his sides and propelled him faster to the capital city of Oceania.

"Well, you survived longer than I would have expected." Cymo observed as she arrived.

"Gee thanks," Cor exclaimed coughing water.

"I shall have the suit brought to you soon." Cymo said without paying attention to his sarcastic tone and left him to rest.

There wasn't much need for Cor to rest but he took the opportunity nonetheless. He walked around the city only to notice it wasn't as luminescent as before. There was definitely a change since he last visited. There were also fewer of the citizens walking around, well swimming around. There wasn't much joy in the halls as before. The same was with the world lately. It was as though the joy had left it. Something missed in the halls of the great kingdom of Oceania.

"Joyful as a graveyard," Cor said aloud when Cymo returned with the suit.

"Um, what?"

"It was much more alive last time."

"Well," Cymo lowered her gaze. "Times change."

"Rivalry or the simple plain humans?"

"A bit of both,"

"Well, it is as they say everything has an end."

"As everything has a new beginning."

"Perhaps," Cor said. "So what is your business with the Reef Clans?"

"It is my concern."

"Not if I am coming along,"

Cymo sighed frustrated. "I'm to meet my fiancé!"

Cor looked at her trying to decide if she was making it up. She had this bad habit of uncharacteristic humor. "Fiancé?" And he burst into laughter seeing the truth in her eyes. "Oh, man, poor guy, fish,"

"Very funny,"

"Well, if he's a brat like you, you'd fit right in."

"He's a barbarian!"

"Oh, poor Cymo, will he boss you around?"

"How dare you?" She flared up.

"No need to get around the twist, your highness," Cor said. "It is always one over the other. It is just the way life is. It was an innocent enough question."

"Yeah right," Cymo replied. "Nothing is innocent when it comes to you."

"Ouch,"

"We go after it gets dark."

"Gets dark? In the ocean? Are you serious?"

"I'll come to pick you up!"

"Well, a boy doesn't often hear a girl say that." Cor remarked playfully but Cymo ignored his comment.

To be continued…

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