Chapter IX
In the depth of space, the orb of a planet spun slowly through the never-ending darkness. Once, this had been Wonderworld, home to many of the most valiant heroes throughout space. Now, this former Utopia was a charred cinder. Waiting for the return of the billion-eyed beast of the abyss, they had instead been laid waste by a force of destiny that was sweeping reality. Ganthet felt a shiver run down his spine has he turned from the grim spectacle towards his companions. They were the Quintessence; five beings of such great power that oversight over much of the universe had been granted them. This, however, made even their combined strength almost pale in comparison. "We cannot halt the course of destiny," Highfather intoned, "If we interfere now, all of reality may pay the price!" "And if we do not interfere?" Shazam countered, "What then? Shall we just watch as the universe is torn to shreds before our eyes?" Zeus spoke up then, and said, "It will not come to that." "But you can't be sure, can you?" put in the Phantom Stranger, "For once the future is closed to us and everything we know is falling apart." Ganthet cleared his throat and the discussion halted to hear what the last of the Guardians of the Universe had to say. "I think we may be overlooking a bigger problem," he said simply, pointing out over the abyss. There was a hard glow there, and it was getting brighter. "By the Presence!" Shazam breathed as Ganthet turned, focusing their attention on another presence approaching their galaxy. "Imperiex," the Phantom Stranger said, shaking his head in dismay. Ganthet nodded, and said, "Whoever destroyed Wonderworld has freed Mageddon sooner than we expected and brought Imperiex into play earlier than he should come. Someone is trying to upset the universal balance, and if those two destroy one another..." He didn't have to finish the sentence. Each of the two entities was powerful enough to destroy a universe on their own. One who could set them on a course of mutual annihilation would have to have access to even greater power. "Everything will cease to exist." Ganthet stiffened. None of the Quintessence had spoken. He turned to face the approaching figure, oddly remembering the debate that they had been engaged in a short time before. If he is here, then we no longer have the power to intervene, Ganthet thought. The armored tyrant nodded and said, "You are quite correct Ganthet. You no longer have any power to oppose me." "You cannot win!" Ganthet shot back, "There are things of which even you are not aware!" Zod considered the statement for a moment, then replied, "Perhaps. That does not concern me, however. Prepare to face extinction!" His hand glowed with energy, and before any of them could react; Zod struck. As reality crumbled around them and he felt himself slipping into nothingness, Ganthet wondered if he would ever discover how everything turned out...
Else While...
The room was silent as Batman knelt over the fallen body of Zod. Twice Superman has died and returned, he thought, and if Zod had already survived one attack with Kryptonite; he might yet live. "J'onn," he said quietly, "Is he still alive?" The Martian stepped forward, using his skills to peer beneath the surface of the armor Zod wore. "I cannot sense his thoughts," the alien answered, "However, that does not mean..." The Martian paused, his eyes widening as he looked beneath the helmet that Zod wore. Then he was thrown back by red-hot energy that poured from the dictator. Batman went to his friend as Mitchell Shelley, Metallo and John Henry went for Zod. If only we knew what happened to Superman, Bruce thought,
or who that Oblivion character really was and what he was doing here. Even if Hourman had accompanied them to the surface, the situation would be better. Metallo opened his chest, releasing the lethal energy of the Kryptonite contained within, but Zod seemed unaffected by it or the assault of the others. J'onn awoke then, obviously in pain. "It is all right my friend," Batman assured him, "Everything is under control." J'onn shook his head in a frightened negative, attempting to speak. "Remove... the mask," the Martian said, "Uncover... the truth." Batman rose, noting that the wound inflicted by Oblivion had healed. Mitchell Shelley lay recovering from a powerful blow by Zod, while Metallo was little more than a crumpled mess. Grabbing the hammer from John Henry's hand, he threw it at Zod. The hammer cracked against the catch of the helmet, throwing it loose. Zod cried out in anger, his eyes glowing with rage. Eyes that were far too familiar to them all. "This can't be," Batman whispered. "Oh," the other replied, "But it can. My master has long awaited this day of destiny. I gladly assumed his armor to allow this series of events to transpire. You are more foolish than I thought. Even now, your Superman is running down a blind alley I have sent him to; attempting to change history so that reality will be shaped as he desires! I have learned a great deal from Zod; soon we shall be completely triumphant. But here, now, you, for your knowledge, must now be destroyed." he laughed, fire streaming from his eyes. Mitchell Shelley leapt into the path of the destructive energy, keeping the rest of them from being incinerated. "I can't hold him for long!" Resurrection Man called, "Get out of here! Find Zod and eliminate the threat he still represents to us all!" Grabbing up J'onn, Batman quickly herded the others outside. Behind them came a cry of pain, and Bruce knew he would not see Shelley again. "Now what?" Lois asked. "Backup plan," Batman answered, gesturing to O'Brien. In response, Plastic Man whipped out a small device, pressing the single button inlaid upon it. The rush of air and light signaled the opening of a boom tube, and they quickly made their way thru to the Watchtower. "I thought you said this thing was on its way into the atmosphere," Lois remarked. "It is," Bruce replied, tripping a manual override that sent the building away from the surface, "Given the circumstances; there's no better place to hide." Lois nodded, her eyes probing the surface of the ground. "Who was that really?" she asked, "If it wasn't the Zod Superman faced in the alternate universe, then who?" "You... do not understand," J'onn said rising stiffly. They faced him, expectant. "At the time Superman went to the other universe, he had no reason to suspect the existence of one such as Zod was anything but a curious anomaly. After all, Zod had lived on his world, why not in another universe parallel to ours? How could he realize that much more might be transpiring," J'onn said. "So, Zod has been working behind the scenes all along. Even now, he has succeeded in turning one of our former allies to his side." Batman stated, "Considering the fact that in the universe where they first met, no Superman came to the Earth, it easily leads to the conclusion that the circumstances of the destruction of Krypton were different. When Superman tried to use Kryptonite to execute the invaders, he believed himself successful. We have no real proof that he succeeded. In addition, he himself has survived many traumatic events, including the conflict with Doomsday and the attempt by Zod himself to poison him with Kryptonite." "All right," Batman said, "Let's assume you're right, that the Zod Superman first met survived. One thing still bothers me. Why? How could he of all people turn to following the path Zod has laid out for him?" "Perhaps," J'onn replied, "We should ask Kon-El ourselves."
Else While...
"I haven't come to save you Superman." The words hung in the air of the world where he and Zod had first met. Where his past self had just come in a futile attempt to prevent Zod from continuing in his rampage across time and space. Where after following the advice of his future self at the Source Wall and becoming Oblivion, he had at last ended up. He turned to face himself. His doppelganger was older, with a harder edge than he had shown that timeless moment in history when he had been given a glimpse of the greater things to come. "I have come to show you what you have really accomplished," his double went on, "And then, to destroy you." Clark attempted to rise, but his wound made him far too weak. Too bad the Eradicator isn't here this time, he thought. "Who do you think arranged the accident to send Batman and the messages into your timeline instead of his own?" Clark's eyes narrowed. "That's right," his twin continued, "In the past where you were killed, Zod destroyed Engine City and your counterpart gained the worlogog. I did not yet realize my destiny, or that the very thing that I had witnessed that day would lead to my transfiguration. To my becoming a true Kryptonian. It's all so clear to me now, Kal-El, or whatever you wish to call yourself. Everything must transpire in order for my existence to be possible, and yours to cease." "I don't understand," the fallen Man of Steel said, "Who are you?" "Haven't you figured that out yet?" the other said, "I am your replacement; the true heir to reality. Your pitiful attempt to poison me with Kryptonite was laughable at best. If only you had known I was immune to such things..." Clark's eyes widened, realization dawning on him. "Kon-El!" he cried. "Yes," his clone answered, "I was once given that name. I even participated in the attempt to revive you. Superman, your life is at an end, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me. Or for that matter, anyone who can stop the ultimate victory of General Zod!" He smiled thinly, and went on, "But now, it is time to see what your efforts have brought about. Come, Kal-El, my master wishes to see you one last time before you die."
Interlude
Swooping down in front of the approaching dictator, Kon-El raised one hand in warning. "That's far enough," he said firmly, "We are ready to deal with you, Zod." In response, Zod raised a hand as well. Their palms touched, and the sudden release of energy that followed tossed Kon-El to the ground. "I fear you least of all," Zod stated, "Don't deny your destiny, my young clone. Soon, you too will begin the path to ultimate vengeance." Zod then turned to J'onn. "My forces are not so easily vanquished, Martian," Zod declared, "But that does not matter. Although you are unaware of it, the hour of reckoning is at hand. Soon, Solaris will come and extinguish your sun. Nothing you can do will stop that. My allies and I, however, will depart. The penultimate moment is at hand, when I shall transcend time and rule eternity! This timeline will be no more, and I shall always be Zod, Supreme Ruler of Existence!" The sky grew dark, and Kon-El looked up. "Solaris!" he cried, "No!" "You are too late!" Zod cackled, "Because of Superman and his opposition, you stand no chance of victory. I leave you now, to meet the focal point of all time and assume control of reality." The air howled, and Ignition and Faora crossed into nothingness, followed by the armies of Zod. The eyes of the tyrant swept the assembled heroes, then he said, "Soon the very fact of your existence will be forgotten. Remember, always, who is truly to blame for that and curse the name of the one whom you tried to revive. In the end, it all is his fault." Kon-El rose, his eyes narrowed. "You're wrong!" he cried, "I'll prove that you are! And I will stop you at any cost!" Zod nodded and said, "You can try, but in the attempt you may lose everything you value." Then he too was gone and Kon-El cried out, pounding the ground in rage because there was nothing else that could be done.