Hello people of the internet. I am Knight, now I have never done a marvel or DC based story... like ever. But I wanted to try, and I thought what was one of the best superhero movies to use? Man of Steel of course, a fantastic movie indeed. I had always wondered what a Man of steel animated series would be like, set between MoS and Batman v Superman. It would indeed be a challenging time for Clark and the people of earth, so once I thought about it, I decided to write it here.
This will explore how the world reacts to Superman in the months toward BvS, what Clark is going through, the trials, the enemies, the feats of strength, crisis's of conscience and ultimately the shaping of Clark to recover from his inner demons... like killing Zod for instance. I will also introduce enemies of superman from the comics, the most realistic ones for this world, or I will try to alter them to suit the tone/world of the DCEU. I also want to explore what Lex is doing and going through, but of course he will have to be hidden as it looks like in BvS, that Clark doesn't know if Lex is conspiring against him or not, so Alexander shall work in secret.
So that's that then, lets try not to spoil stuff just yet =) Read away my friends.

Disclaimer: Superman and all its characters belong to Jerry Siegal/Joe Shuster and DC comics. Man of steel belongs to Warner bros and DC. I own none of these properties obviously, I'm just a fan trying to defend this masterpiece of a Superman movie.

Man of Steel: Trials of a God

Prologue: The difficult choice

Location: Metropolis, minutes after the Black Zero
was drawn into the Phantom zone

...Clark had just saved Lois from certain death, barely getting his own phantom irradiated body away from the singularity. Having embraced in a kiss of the moment, it seemed like the nightmare was over for Kal, Lois and the people of metropolis. Then Kal's super hearing reminded him that Krypton was not through with him yet. Turning his intention to the scout ship, still largely intact, he caught sight of Zod knelt metres away from it. Knowing that they had to talk, Kal-El, last son of the house of El warily flew towards Zod. Before stopping at a reasonable safe distance. Seeing Zod lying their in grief reminded him of the hard decision he had to make. Save Zod's version of Krypton, however outdated or perhaps self destructive, even if it is an ends justify the means cause. Or save his adopted home, and be the last member of his race. He chose the latter, was he about to suffer for it. He sure as hell didn't enjoy making the decision, but if he didn't Humanity would be destroyed.

With his own pained eyes he looked into Zod's own, he knew what he was going through. The pain, the loss, the feeling of powerlessness. He felt it when Jonathan Kent, his dad died. But he also knew that Zod had little empathy for humans as he was genetically bred for his purpose. Jor-El was also like this, that was why Kal was born. To be the first Kryptonian to finally make his own choices. Thus where he was right now. Zod scooped up the ash like, debris of the two square miles of metropolis that was destroyed. Though it was not the full city... it did not lessen the impact on peoples lives. Opening his fingers, the particulate strained from his palm. When Zod spoke, it was his soul speaking to Kal, his true feelings.

'Look at this... we could have built a new Krypton in this squalor... But you chose the humans over us' he spoke softly, his pain hitting Clark like a bullet. But he just looked at him, he wouldn't be able to offer Zod comfort for what he had done.
'I exist, to serve Krypton. That is the sole purpose for which I was born'. His face began to turn to one of anger. 'And every action I take, no matter how violent or how cruel Is for the greater good, of my People' he snarled. 'And NOW... I have no people' his pain and rage blurred into one. Tears swelled his eyes but his anger, was of no question. Kal didn't speak, but he was certainly full of remorse, he was also fearfull for what Zod might do.

'my SOUL... that IS WHAT YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM ME!' he shouted in pure violent anger. Clenching his fist tight he covered the distance between them in less than a second, delivering a shoulder barge that, hit like a train of pure rage. The attack sent Superman rebounding of the ground a few times at high speed, before landing dazed for several seconds, being forced to almost the full length of the wasteland. Zod began to march towards him, with a rage fueled intent on his face. And yet also satisfaction. 'I'M going to take them ALL from you Kal. These human's you've adopted, I'm going take them ALL FROM YOU, ONE BY ONE!' he declared menacingly, his words used like he was declaring war. Which he was.

Kal now knew Zod's intentions. Once again his world was threatened. He didn't really have an idea of how to stop him, but if he and Faora can be knocked out, so could Zod...hopefully. Now spurred by the general's words, Jor-El's martyr had to defend his adoptive home, even if he had to die for it. 'you're a MONSTER ZOD, and I'm gonna stop you' he promised Zod and the world. Superman shot up from the ground like a torpedo, straight for Zod. Seeing Kal coming for him Zod had a look of satisfaction, now he would have his revenge... or a warriors death. He charged towards Superman, reaching speeds of 80 mph, they both collided, creating a powerful shockwave that scattered the debris around them. The force sent Superman flying, where he smashed into one of the upper floors of the Wayne Enterprises building. He crashed through multiple desks before stopping. A couple of seconds later Zod jumped through the window after him. Superman was recovering when, he saw Zod's eyes the were glowing like his sockets were home to a violent supernovae.

Clark recognised it immediately, Zod in his immense rage had for the first time accessed his heat vision. But he had little idea of how to use it, compared to Clark who had decades. Zod unleashed crimson beams from his eyes, unlike Superman who could fire a narrow, focused beam, Zod's was a intense wide arc beam covering his field of vision. It set fire to all around it, cutting through stories like a knife through butter. Clark hovered in the air to avoid the beams of pure hate, as they burned through the upper and lower floors. By the time Zod had gained control, the building had begun collapsing, Zod instinctively leapt from the building. Kal flew after him but the burning building was faster, Superman managed to avoid some falling debris, then he smashed through the tiny gap as it closed only just escaping.

He did not escape unscathed, the collapsing sky scraper sent him tumbling out of the sky and smashing into the street. He smacked into multiple cars, the civilians quickly evaded his path. They had just evacuated from the nearby skyscrapers, and thought they were safe after the ship vanished. Now they had what looked to them like gods fighting in the streets. He continued on, rebounding of the street till he smashed through the bottom of a parking deck. He had zero control over this, he had been Zod's punching bag since the fight started. Half the bottom storey was torn apart in the hit. Weakening the structure. Kal crawled out of the rubble ready to face Zod with determination. His scan of the area noted that civilians were in the area trying to avoid debris and them, 'Good, maybe i can contain Zod before our fight spreads' he hoped. Zod then landed hard, cracking the road. In his sights stood an oil tanker, with Zod's limitations in using his powers, the tanker was an ample weapon. Zod kicked the tanker at Kal, it fell on it's side and skidded towards him.

Kal knew the last time he was in a gasoline explosion or hit by a heavy vehicle, he was down for at least half a minute. If this tanker hit him and blew up he would be dazed. In Smallville he had the advantage of Zod's filter being damaged, letting in all off the radiation it denied. But here if he goes down, Zod will kill him. If he goes down the earth dies. He quickly flew into the air to dodge it, he landed then skidded forward as the tanker smashed into the hole left in the parking deck, blowing up is seconds. The explosion destroyed the cladding (cosmetics) of the parking deck, not collapsing the structure but Zod had damaged it. The decks were weakened so the cars could fall, but Kal knew that it wouldn't contain civilians. Distracted by the blast, Zod burst straight at him, delivering a punch that knocked him to his knees. Recovering quickly he then moved to the side, dodging Zod's wild punch, he moved back again dodging another frenzied attack. Now facing Zod head on he was prepared. Zod swung a punch which Kal blocked, another savage punch came which Kal quickly blocked again. Kal tried a surprise punch, but he was a novice against a trained warrior. Zod swiftly blocked it, then he retaliated with a punch to Kal's left arm distracting him. Zod didn't stop with that, he grabbed Kal's shoulder then delivered a powerful punch to his stomach, knocking Kal back across the road. Superman slammed his fingers into the tarmac, tearing up the road creating enough friction to stop himself, protecting the people behind him and readying himself for Zod's next attack.

Zod came swinging at Kal attempting to deliver a slower, more powerful punch. Superman was prepared for this however, he ducked under Zod's frustrated punch, then counter attacked with a left handed haymaker, tapping into his strength. The punch sent Zod flying across the road, through a few cars and into the wall of the parking deck. Zod fell to his knees dazed, Clark knew he couldn't give Zod breathing room. He flew right at the downed general, then threw a powerful punch at him forcing Zod to the ground, Kal had the upper hand in the fight so tried the same attack. Unfortunately a car from the car park fell on top of him distracting him, Zod recovered threw the car of Kal and snap kicked him into the ground creating a small crater. Zod then burst forward punching him towards a skyscraper, then immediately followed up with a devastating uppercut, launching Kal into the air. The punch sent Kal up the skyscraper, he smashed through the skyscrapers side before managing to stop himself. He saw that the civilians were clear of any debris, 'Now if Zod comes up i can cut loose a bit' he realised. Zod called to him, 'THEIR'S ONLY ONE WAY THIS ENDS KAL...EITHER YOU DIE, OR I DO!' he shouted, delivering his ultimatum.

Kal had regained some strength from the setting sun, but he was more focused on Zod's words. Zod was willing to die , but Kal had never killed before, he was a pacifist till today, he still hoped to restrain Zod he hadn't thought of the outcome of the fight, other than he needed to save all 7 billion people from Zod. Zod sprang at the skyscraper digging his fingers into the cladding, as he scaled the building at high speed. Superman flew down to meet him, his intense speed shattering the windows as he did so, they collided at huge force, Kal's flight giving him the edge. A huge amount of cladding was destroyed and Zod was sent flying into a construction site, Kal recovered midair and landed at the site. In a second Zod surprised him by attempting to attack him with a steel beam, Zod jumped at him but Clark reduced Zod's attack range by melting half the beam with his heat vision. Not to be beaten Zod used the rest of the beam to, uppercut him into a metal sign post. Kal was down on his knees at Zod's mercy.

Zod stared down Kal with murderous eyes 'I was bred to be a warrior Kal. Trained my entire life to master my senses...WHERE did you TRAIN... ON A FARM?' he sneered contemptly. Dropping to a crouch, he placed his hand against the ground, his veins bulged as he attempted to bend gravity to his will. His armour disconnected as he finally made gravity his slave. He shook of his repelled armor as objects floated around him, he then flew into the air and hovered above Kal, cementing his boast. 'No, he's just leveled the playing field' Kal realized, his main advantage was gone. Kal acted fast he used his best attack, he flew right at Zod grabbing and smashing him through the beams as he took them both higher. Superman had him by the throat, he then punched Zod away, Zod recovered then flew around Kal punching him through the air. Zod tried to follow up but Kal outmaneuvered him. Now Kal pressed on, he flew at Zod at high speed delivering a punch so powerfull it sounded like a thunderclap to those below. Zod went flying, Kal continued with two more of those punches.

Once Zod realized Kal had the upper hand he flew down further to the ground and flew in amongst the buildings. Kal flew after him trying to prevent Zod from killing anyone. Weaving in and out he tried to catch up, when he reached where Zod should be, Zod was gone. Clark frantically scanned for Zod to no avail. It was a trap, Zod smashed through the skyscraper behind him and tackled him into a sky scraper opposite, Zod tried to punch Kal but Kal quickly grabbed Zod and smashed him, into another building continuing his flight so that he raked Zod across a line of windows. Once they reached the end Kal tried to punch Zod, while he was in his grasp. Zod grabbed Kal's fist as he punched, he then pushed Kal back and uppercutted him into the air. Before Clark could recover Zod quickly flew up and grabbed Kal's cape, he then swung Kal around by his cape multiple times at huge speed, releasing him like a throwing hammer. Kal's uncontrolled traverse sent him barreling through several buildings, tumbling through stone metal and glass. He managed to stop himself as he forcibly exited a window. He hovered for a bit trying to recover, hopefully get some sunlight as well.

Zod's last rage fueled attack caused a lot of damage to him and Metropolis, Clark was almost on his last legs, Zod needed to be restrained soon. Superman only had seconds before Zod's lightning fast tackle took them to the stratosphere and beyond. Their momentum carried them on at least 44,448 miles above the earth, to satellite orbit. With both of them spinning around in a deadlock, Superman broke free of Zod's grip and hurled Zod into space, hoping to end the fight here. Unfortunately for Superman a Wayne enterprises satelite was in the way of human survival. Zod raked his fingers across the satelite as he traveled, creating the friction needed to slow down in time. Having stopped himself the seemingly unstoppable Zod decided, to use the satellite as a battering ram. Using his legs to push the satelite , he and it dropped like a stone, the surprised and frustrated Kal-El quickly flew towards the satellite, hoping to keep the fight in space... to no avail. The Zod's rage fueled satelite smashed into Superman, taking them further to the earth. Zod then smashed through the satellite and tackled Kal back to earth, the satelite now in multiple chunks followed them. They both fell through the atmosphere, burning up with the satellite.

Eventually they were visible from the metropolis skyline... or at least the multiple fire balls were. The people of metropolis were in awe, they had been seeing two aliens doing impossible feats. For Lois Lane she was experiencing these things and more. She had been watching the fight from the wasteland, or at least what she could see. She was one of the few who was watching these gods fight, she was never one to run from danger. If this was the battle that decided humanity's fate, then she would be the one to give the eyewitness report. But more honestly she was worried about Clark, they had recently become close friends, he had told her his quite emotional story. She even chose to not tell the greatest story on earth for him. She knew he could beat Zod, because like many people that big 'S' on his chest, that award winning smile, had given her hope. Now she was watching her friend and a now soul-less general fighting with the whole city as a had never seen entirely what Kal was capable of till today, sure he flew a couple of times and fired some laser eyes. But she had been watching in awe and in fear of this fight. She had lost sight of them for a few minutes, then she caught sight of the flaming wreckage heading for metropolis. Having the inkling that Clark would need her help, she ran for the location the wreckage was headed. Getting closer to where it would crash, she caught sight of Clark/Zod heading right for the Metropolis central station, the station would also be packed with fleeing refugees. That is where she would go... after all she was Lois Lane

Elsewhere a certain heroic billionaire was watching the fight, he had a clear view as most of the buildings in his area were destroyed. He held a terrified girl in his arms, he himself was no better. No sooner had the existence of alien life been proven, but it now tried to wipe out metropolis. The strange beam wiped out multiple skyscrapers, hundreds were dead from that. But for the past few minutes two aliens, assumedly to him they were this 'Kal-El' and 'Zod', were making metropolis their battleground. He didn't know if either of them were good, if this fight was about saving the earth or something more personal. But he did know this, two aliens with impossible strength, durability, powers and of course the power of flight, had just destroyed his building. Dozens inside were trying to evacuate, but these two titans denied them that. They either were burned alive by that strange beam, which tore through the structure, collapsing the building, ending so may lives. He was the only one running towards the building, he had no fear of death, but those close to him, his workers, friends citisens, they mattered to him. Was this the world suffering like Zod promised? Even if the human race didn't die, they still had these beings to deal with. What would happen if one lives, what would they do to the human race? Let it be? save it on a daily basis? ... destroy it? This billionaire, he had seen aliens throw each other through buildings like footballs, defy gravity like it was a regular activity, fire crimson beams that burn through anything. But right now he was seeing what looked like a hail of flaming meteors, crashing into still standing skyscrapers. Then he caught sight of the two beings in a struggle falling from the sky towards the city, it looked like the red and blue one had the upper hand. If you looked into this mans eyes, you would see nothing but pain and anger. A face of almost stoic rage towards everything that has happened. These aliens brought their war to earth, and people were paying the price.
This mans name was Bruce Wayne, and he felt powerless to stop the horrors unleashed upon metropolis. But this Kal-El and this Zod, have only added to the fire raging in his heart. He would stop this being, not now of course but in time he would bring these men to justice. For he was no ordinary man, he was something else...

Falling towards the skyline, Kal had to turn this around before they made contact with the ground. The flames encasing them had gone, but they certainly were not slowing down as they grappled each other. However with both of them having a weak grip, it was easy for Kal to switch the fight around, he broke Zod off him and tackled him making them travel faster, he then used his hands to hold Zod's head in a lock, immobilizing Zod. Zod cried in frustration before they smashed through the glass roof of the station. Now inside the building Kal smashed Zod into a stone ledge/wall, smashing it to pieces, which rained down on the ground. Refugees barely escaped as stone and columns broke up and tumbled to the ground. Then using his advantage Kal, held on to Zod's head and descended to the ground at high speed, using his strength and his momentum to smash Zod head first into the floor, demolishing the ground beneath him in huge cracks. He pinned Zod to the ground, knowing he would have to do something to restrain him.

Zod's rage had been his undoing, at least for now. Kal was able to use his flight experience to his advantage, preventing Zod from retaliating. Zod was dominating the fight with his Kryptonian combat training, but he had weakness's to exploit, like his inexperience in fighting Kal. But more importantly he relied heavily on his training, rather than utilizing his powers more. Superman tried less attacks, but they tapped into his power more. Zod tried killing blows, retreats, strategies etc. which of course do less to Clark than mortal beings, Clark had a lack of experience but he used his powers to his benefit. This kept him in the fight, though Kal knew this would not last.

Thinking quickly he dragged the flat out Zod onto his knees, then he used one hand to put Zod in and arm lock, and his head in a choke hold. Now Zod could not move as long as Kal was focused on holding him there. Zod struggled with all his might, but he was in no position to do anything. That didn't mean however that Zod was giving up. The angry and frustrated Zod, spotted a family frozen in fear. He now had a chance to make Kal suffer. With what movement he could make, he looked up at Kal and spoke, 'If you love these people so much...YOU CAN MOURN FOR THEM!' he scolded him, Zod would never give up, his soul , his purpose, the very thing that kept him and his crew going, was gone. The son of Jor-El had betrayed his race, worse, Zod was alive to witness it. To experience the pain of loss once again. Zod was not going down without making Kal feel the same, the pain of being powerless to save his people. Zod would make him suffer.

Zod's only option was to use his heat vision, his eyes burnt like small suns as he fired his powerfull beams of radiation. They hit the marble wall in front vaporising the stone, the terrified family ran to escape the crimson death beams. But they found a fallen column and much debris in their way, so they pressed themselves against the rubble huddling in fear. Zod had them at his mercy, while still firing his beams he with all his strength began turning his head towards the family. His beams left a blackened scar across the wall, as he moved them ever closer. Superman tried desperately to tighten his grip, but still Zod managed to slowly but surely push his gaze towards the humans. Kal was desperate, he tried to appeal to Zod's conscience, 'DON'T DO THIS!' he pleaded, he had to save them, he had too. Zod did not quit he knew nothing now but revenge, he gritted his teeth and grunted under the strain of moving his head.

Superman had seconds left and little option, 'STOP' he demanded. Zod was gaining satisfaction from Clark's growing horror, 'NEVER' he replied, cementing his desire and final decision. The beams were mere meters away from ending innocent lives, Clark saw the father shielding his family, the little girl crying her eyes out. 'DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS' he begged knowing what he would have to do. Now a tortured soul Superman knew he had no choice, it was Zod or the family. He marshaled all his strength and crying in anguish...

Present day: Metropolis

'NYYAAAAAAAAAA' Clark cried suddenly waking up. Looking around the room he realised he was not in central station, but his apartment and it had been a few months since that horrifying event. Rubbing his eyes he checked the clock, itwas still a couple of hours before he had to set off for work. He sighed once again he had that nightmare, the one that haunted him. 'Great now i can't sleep' he thought, trying to push his demons back he thought about what he had to look forward too. His job at the daily planet, seeing Lois, visiting his mom and of course not having to hide his powers any. Wether the world liked it or not, his fathers believed he was what the world needed. And 'Superman would not let them down.

Hey guys if you've been waiting for this, thanks for the patience. Now I know this is a lot of writing but I have spent the past few days using resources to describe the fight as best i could, watching the fight trying to write down every step, while also using my understanding of Zod & Kal are doing and going through, to give you fresh eyes on what is happening during the fight. I hope this helped give you a fresh insight into MoS and I hope I defended Kal well, you may also have noticed a part of the chapter contained a certain billionaire, obviously taken from the BvS trailers, obviously Clark didn't see this but in future flashbacks, new scenes will be added to explain the dealings of Lex etc.

My sources will be revealed next chapter. If you liked this you are always welcome to offer advice, story elements, villains you want to see etc. I realise I might struggle with Clark's daily planet buisness, any advice could help. Till next time I then, i look forward to reviews - Knight.