Superman: Birth of a Hero

by robert32514

Supergirl AU. In another timeline, Zor-El and Alura had a son and a daughter. When Kara is lost to the Phantom Zone, Val-El is sent spiraling elsewhere. Now in the Marvel MCU, Val will experience a life much like his cousin Kal. But when forces outside of the world he calls home threatens all that he holds most dear, he must take up the mantle and become a Superman.

4. Chapter 4 A Meeting of Power

Superman: Birth of a Hero

Ch. 4 A Meeting of Power

I do not own Supergirl, Superman, and or The Avengers

Marvel and DC Comics do.

Positive reviews are welcome

Ch. 4 A Meeting of Power

Washington D.C.

White House

Oval Office

A soft rustle of a half folded roll of an newspaper article landing on an Oak desk sounded as the person behind the desk sat down with a tired 'sigh'. He took off his glasses, with two fingers, tiredly rubbing the bridge of his nose and both eyes. Placing the glasses on the desk before him, he looked to those within his office whom practically surrounded his desk, of whom consisted of those within both the U.S. Military's highest Branches and of those within the U.S.'s Intelligence Agency's from the FBI, the CIA, the DHS, and even S.H.I.E.L.D.. Leaning forward, elbows on the desk with his fingers clasped as he looked at each of the men and women within this room.

"Anyone want to tell me how an alien from another world, scratch that, another dimension and another world, just so happened to have slip by the notice of myself and my predecessors radar without any of us or the world knowing about it?" the man demanded vehemently with a touch of sarcasm, the Southern accent coming out in an annoyed tone, "Hmm? Anyone, anyone at all got anything to say about it?".

"Actually Mr. President, that's not entirely accurate." a voice among the group of individuals within the various Intelligence Agencies side spoke up as a dark skinned man in a black trench coat being worn over a dark outfit, with little to almost no hair on his head, stepped forward. A black patch covered his left eye that from an outside point of view around the edges of the patch, was badly scarred.

No one really knew how, and some even speculated how the eye was damaged, followed by many theory's shortly thereafter. His name, was Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D..

"Fury?" Alexander Pierce, an aging man and currently the Undersecretary of the World Security Council, within his fashionable choice of clothes consisting of gray slacks, suit jacket and vest over a white shirt and black, yet shined shoes, turned to and with a bewildered expression, looked to his longtime friend.

"The last couple of Presidents before you were...'informed', and thought it a good idea to take a wait and see approach as he was just a minor when he arrived on our Earth. He was a newly orphaned minor mind you, but still a minor none the less."

"I myself swore that I would keep a close 'eye' on the boy as he was at the time, and report should he ever step out of line, he'd be handled with utmost expediency. We'd even begun working on contingency plans in which should he ever force our hand, and if we needed to, we'd put him down." "We've worked on several promising projects, while making head way with anything that may aid us in taking him out, or at least subdue him until we'd have the tools and or weapons that could hurt him, even if they were a minor annoyance to him, until he could be properly handled. And as you can see, he hasn't done or caused an incident thanks in no small part to the adoptive human parents who took him in the day he fell from our Earths skies and raised him as their own. In fact, I've become somewhat of an 'un-official' Godfather to him since I learned of him and his reason for being here, Mr. President."

"And we're all just learning of this just now?" George W. Bush, the current President of the United States and leading official of an entire nation, growled out as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes sweeping the room and seeing the entirety of the rooms occupants were nodding as if they were of the same mind on the subject.

The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to reason with their humanity, "The boy had just lost everything he ever knew and had. His biological parents, his twin sister, his baby cousin, both of whom he was charged with both protecting and watching over. Hell, his entire planet was destroyed due to the incompetence of its world leaders. He was this close to losing his mind," he raised his left hand and used his thumb and pointy finger as a demonstration, "when he found himself here in our dimension, when the intelligence he inherited from both of his parents, and seemingly a family trait, kicked in and he decided to adapt to his situation as best as he could at the time and overcame many obstacles that set him apart from the rest of the world."

"Go on." President Bush said when Fury took a moment to let that sink in to the minds of everyone within the Oval Office.

"Having escaped the destruction of his home planet of Krypton, Val-El lost everything he knew and loved. He was a scared kid who was faced with odds that no child should have to face and had to act fast without a chance to mourn for all that he had lost. His ships Emergency Systems kicked and placed him in a state of hibernation upon Kryptons destruction once it left orbit, but in moments of said planets destruction, his ship was knocked off course due to the planets massive explosion and the powerful forces its chaotic destruction had unleashed."

"And by some fluke or another, a tear in the very fabric of space pulled him in and sealed itself just moments after. Now I'm not a very religious man but that just screams divine intervention." Fury said in a soft and caring tone that was somewhat out of character for him when he spoke of someone else. "When I had learned of him, several months had already gone by since his arrival when a former Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and my 'trusting' acquaintance came to me and told me everything. She had learned enough about the boy that the first moment she could just after she was brought into the fold of his existence, and given enough trust to aid his human guardians in securing his adoption, she came to me."

He sighed as he then continued, "When she learned of him and how he had found a set of people reminiscent to the same profile as the humans whom were originally hand picked by his Uncle Jor-El to watch over his baby cousin Kal-El, alongside he and his twin sister Kara Zor-El, she revealed to me everything he had told his newly adopted parents and long time friends of hers."

"Despite choosing to become his Godmother, when I heard his story through her, I knew that I had to make a choice. So, I and one of my Agents spent some time watching him from afar, and helped a couples dream of having a family become a reality while remaining relatively hidden in the shadows, unbeknownst to both the boy and his adoptive human parents. As for Val-El, he took great pains in mastering himself and his abilities over time while trying to live as normal a life as humanly possible without sticking out like a sore thumb. Hell, for all practical reasons, he's as human as all of us as far as I'm concerned."

"Apparently not." someone within the room muttered. Fury with his one good eye, glared at the person in whom spoke.

"How many abilities does he have?" a voice popped in from among the listeners.

"How many would you consider too much seeing as he gets his powers from the sun. His cells drinks in the ultra violet rays of a yellow sun, making him virtually indestructible."

"And yet, you're just telling us this now, Fury?" the disappointed tone of voice of Undersecretary Pierce spoke up.

"It was necessary at the time, Undersecretary. Look, he's a good kid, having upheld the same laws and virtues as his biological ancestors and the morals of a decent human family. He even allowed himself to be entered into and graduated both middle and highschool with the highest of honors and even attended one of our most esteemed colleges before taking the time to journey out to and learn more about Earth's many peoples and cultures."

"What does this 'El' thing mean?" a General in an Air Force uniform spoke up with a look of curiosity after reading his own paper and holding it up and showing the given name of his family lineage.

"The House of El from what I have learned was one of the founding Houses of Krypton. It was an Ancient family cast, used to be very influential. They adhered to a strict moral code of Honor. According to what I've been able to gleam from Val's many talks with his human parents, legend has it that the House of 'El', that's with a capital 'E' and a lowercase 'l', hail from a specific bloodline, believed to be derived from their Sun God 'Rao'." a scoff was heard at the mere mention of a possible God on another world, "The 'S' on Val's chest, is the crest or what we would refer to as a 'Coat of Arms' belonging to the House of El. On Krypton, that crest stood for the very definition of 'Hope'."

"According to this mornings papers, Hope didn't help the planet, now did it?" The voice of a less than tolerable, three star Army General Thadius 'Thunder-Bolt' Ross said as he picked up the paper and skimmed its many paragraphs. "And let's not forget our other problem we may now face,...Parallel Earths, Alternate Realities. Need I say more?"

With a scathing look that Ross returned with a look of indifference, Fury replied, "Your point?"

"My point is Director, is that we have no idea in the long run," here he looked at Fury once again before returning his attention to the rooms other occupants, "just if or even how long it will be until he decides to turn on us 'lowly' humans. Let's also look at the possibility of there actually being survivors of his kind like his sister, or cousin one day finding him here in this reality. Bottom line, we have to look at all possibilities from every angle when it comes to our flying friend. Am I the only one who thinks that he could one day turn on us 'Normal Humans' when somebody he cares about is harmed or worse,...killed?"

"That won't happen." Fury quickly defended.

"And how sure are you of that?" Ross said as he walked around and up to Fury, staring the man in the face. " How sure are you that one day, whether it be tomorrow, a month, a year, or somewhere down the line in the near or distant future, that he won't suddenly turn on us at the drop of a dime, and decide to kill or enslave us all for what he construes as an attack against him and his?"

Here, some if not most of the body within the Oval Office looked unsure as that particular thought entered their minds.

"The problem Director," Ross said as he now stood before Fury with a calm facade that made Fury suspicious of the Generals motives into Val's livelihood, "is that you're not looking at the long term ramifications of allowing an alien with near God-like abilities to live free on our world, to live either among and or above us." he said as he turned to look at everyone within the Office. "What's to say that one day, something could happen, something so terrible, it could send him over the edge? To cause him to one day cross the line and start a war against the Human race or the world as a whole? I reiterate, the bottom line..." he said as he looked all around the room, " is that we don't know the long term ramifications of having him here without the possibility of attracting the attention of others just like him or even worse, an armada of aliens with an ax to grind."

"What the General's trying to say Fury," Undersecretary Pierce spoke, "is that we need to be a hundred percent sure that Val-El is indeed the last of his people, aside from his cousin and sister and that he be brought in. But we also need to be sure that your contingencies will work should your boy fall from grace."

Nodding in understanding and yet not liking this current train of thought as the subject was beginning to take a turn in a direction that he was very uncomfortable with, the Directors only eye leveled upon everyone gathered as murmurs of agreement was spreading all around, but then levied an righteous glare as he stood his ground and looked General Ross dead in the eyes. He made to speak his reply to those who agreed with both individuals assessment and idea, but before he could speak further about the Kryptonian and how contingencies were already in place for such an event, the door of the northwest corridor within the Oval Office suddenly opened with a slam, Secret Service Agents quickly gathering to and around the President.

"What's happening?" the President demanded.

"Sorry Mr. President, we have a situation." the Head of the Secret Service stated as his back was to the President and facing the South doors in which the leader of the free people sat behind, his service weapon drawn in the same manner as the other Agents. Before the President could inquire further, he noticed as he looked over some of the Agents shoulders. His eyes widened in stunned disbelief as a noticeable pair of red boots over blue leotard covered legs and a red cape slowly lowered to the point where the President and those within the Oval Office had a good vantage point in which to see him.

For the first time in his life, George W. Bush could honestly say that he was flabbergasted and somewhat in wariness at seeing the 'alien' in person and in the flesh, hovering just outside the White House glass doors. The sun at his back as if he was descending from the Heavens themselves. Flashes of light behind the Kryptonian as he came down a bit lower, let the President know that the media and civilians alike were already taking pictures and reporting this new phenomenon, all the while letting the world know that a very important meeting was about to take place.

Everyone minus Fury gathered around the glass doors mostly to cover the President, including the Vice President Dick Cheney himself, as the man stood in shock at seeing that despite his human appearance, here before the world and everyone within the Oval Office, a man was literally flying without the need of any form of tech.

As he hovered just outside the glass doors of the Oval Office, he let his hands be displayed open at his sides to show he meant no harm and that he was unarmed. Despite the many guns pointing at him, he knew that the bullets in the guns could not hurt him, hence why he put up a scene of a man only seeking a 'parley'.

Many armed security and police surrounded the Kryptonian from on the grounds to just above the roofs and platform just outside the Oval Offices glass doors.

"I come in peace." the Superman had spoke as he hovered just over several feet in the air of even the tallest Security and Law Enforcement personnel. "I only seek an audience with the President and Director Fury."

His voice was loud enough for those within the White House, beyond the glass doors to hear him. Overcoming his shock and if he must say 'awe', the President looked at those whom stood before him per protocol in order to protect him and slowly placed his hands on the shoulders of two of the Secret Service Agents before him.

Both turned to their Commander in Chief who wore a look of caution only to then nod. The Agents then turned back and slowly lowered their Service Weapons without holstering them. George Bush slightly turned and stepped forward as his men made a small path for the President to walk through.

He looked at the handles of the glass doors and then back at the possibly last Son of an extinct species from another Dimension. The said alien gently touched down with his hands still held out before him, as a sign of submission, ropes having already dropped behind him with heavily armored and armed men and women quickly and efficiently dropping down behind him, weapons pointing at his back.

The Kryptonian did not move nor falter as sounds of weapons of all different makes and models were drawn at him, chambers round and safeties off.

"Mr. President, I'd like to formally surrender myself into your custody, so long as I'm to be allowed a parley with both you and Mr. Fury."

The President was in shock as the 'Superman' surrendered himself over to him, only to then present and hold out his wrists without being commanded or asked. Without a word, he accepted the young mans offer of surrender and looked to one of the armed Agents behind the caped figure who nodded in return.

Cautiously, the Agent stepped forward and lowered his weapon, pushing it behind him as he reached into one of his belts side pouches and produced a set of Government issued handcuffs. He then turned to the young and odd suited alien who looked as human as he and the rest of the human race, took a moment to look into his eyes. He saw neither judgment nor malice, but plain acceptance and compliance. With an intake of air, he calmly placed the metal bracelets on and around both wrists. He was sure that they were secured as they clicked into place around the caped individuals bare wrists.

He then turned and nodded at his Commander and Chief who nodded in return, stepped back as the President turned after taking a moment to look into the young aliens eyes and not seeing judgment being leveled against him. Both men did not speak for what seemed like hours, but was only mere moments when the President decided to speak first.

"For whatever reason you are doing this, thank you for at least trusting me-er...us" he corrected himself, "enough by not attacking."

"It was never my attention, Mr. President. I only wanted to assure the people that I'm not here to cause trouble. Whatever happens next, is up to you."

George W. Bush could only smile followed by a soft chuckle as he turned and let his men lead Val-El inside.

Being led into and out of the Oval Offices doors after all in attendance moved to either side of the outside patio banister, he was escorted through the White House with Agents from all areas of Law Enforcement, both civilian and Government as well as those protecting the President, up to and including the President himself whom was at the forefront with the Vice President and Chiefs of Staff and the heads of all four Military Branches. As he was escorted by the Agents and White House Security personnel, he thought back to what it was that brought him to this point.

Flashback A Day Earlier

"You did WHAT?" Chris Kleyton, still in his Kryptonian suit, now standing upright and to the left side of his adopted Aunt/ Godmother, facing her completely as he was in total shock at this newest development of events and revelations. To now know that his livelihood may have been compromised, his human family life possibly placed in jeopardy. The realization that the head of a Spy Agency knew of his human identity and has been in the know since shortly after his arrival on this world was in a word, frightening.

He knew that eventually, someone would find out sooner or later, but to know that just shortly after his arrival on this world, he'd been ousted by someone his parents had considered a true friend and confidant.

"It was the only way I could help your parents give you a life. If I had lied to him about what I knew, he'd become suspicious and would have investigated you himself."

"You had no right."

"Maybe not," she said, "But I didn't see any other option."

"There are always options. Other choices and venues to use. Rao..." he cried out, his head raised with either hand on each side of his face. It was a few moments later when he took a few deep breaths before he then placed his hand on his waist and looked at her, "What were you thinking?" Walking away a few feet after turning away from her, he then began searching his apartment for bugs in case his apartment was compromised as well. Not finding very many as they mostly were placed in strategic ares of his living room, in his electrical appliances and even within his furniture and drapery that hung before his windows and glass doors. He swore to gather and disable them as soon as possible as he had in fact felt both violated and vulnerable.

Without looking back, he asked, "So what now? Am I to turn myself in?"

Rising from the sofa in which she sat, Alice Schofield quickly came to his side. Placing a hand on his shoulder, trying and failing to have him look at her, she tried to assuage his fears while answering his question to the best of her abilities, "No, God no Chris. If anything, I wanted more than anything to make sure that you existed. I had to create a paper trail in which no one would think twice about looking over."

Chris thought about her words as her heart didn't reveal any deceit. "Nick Fury has had dealings with threats of extraterrestrial before and was the only person I could go to that would ensure that you could be given that which you and your parents wanted most. A fresh start and in the case of your parents, a family." She then took a moment to sit back down as she held her head within her hands, "Fury would have seen right through me and would have figured me out and in turn, you. He's not a bad man, but he's damn good at what he does."

Turning to see the anguish in her revealing and confessing the actions she took to allow him a life, a life he admitted he no doubt would have had a hard time putting together without her and her contacts, he sighed as he knelt before her, taking a knee, he gently grasped both of her hands as he made her raise her head and look at him, "I may not understand everything that you did, but I can see now that you did what you felt was right. And in the long run, it paid off. I have a human family, Ma, Pa, you. But that still doesn't make right what you did without consulting Ma and Pa, and I, let alone us just forgiving you right away."

Her eye's widened as she made to speak when he cut her off, "Unless,..." he continued with a raised open palm, "you can do for another what you did for me and my parents. Only then will I consider forgiving you for your actions instead of not being forth coming about your idea first before revealing my existence to this...Nick Fury and his Agency." he said as he smiled knowingly as he intended to have her rectify her actions by having his Aunt Astra be given a human identity as well.

"Deal!" she said as she held out a hand. His eyes looked down at said hand and with a sigh, he took it and shook. He then relaxed a bit as both let their hands drop and took a step back.

In turn for his part of the deal, he promised to head to Washington D.C. as soon as he took care of some matters of importance. He would be more than able to speak with the President afterword, all the while guessing that this 'Nick Fury' and other top Brass would be there after his encounter with the News Reporter Sally Floyd and the things he revealed about himself while taking her flying. He could still remember the feel of her in his arms and how right it felt. His face turned a slight red hue as he thought of her and the smell of her perfume.

Even with the revelations of his Godmothers betrayal, she left his apartment on shaky terms with him as she knew that despite her good intentions, it was still an act of betrayal as she should have spoke to her friends about Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. itself first, with the Kleytons then being introduced to and speaking with the man himself in order to get a feel for the man.

Once Alice had departed, His eyes once more searched out the entirety of his apartment. He was a blur as he sped all over the apartment, picking and gathering all of the S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance devices or 'bugs' until he had a whole two handfuls of them. Bringing his hands together, he crushed them until they were a fine plastic and metal pile of dust that he then dumped in his garbage bin within the kitchen area of his apartment, dusting his hands of the now powdered metal and plastic material.

To say the Kleytons were not happy was an understatement, but Chris managed to talk them down. Even Astra was not happy as thoughts of the past regarding Hank Henshaw whom was actually a Martian from Mars named J'onn J'onzz flashed in her mind from when she had spent time in a Kryptonite irradiated cell within the D.E.O. Headquarters back on Karas Earth. It was not an experience that she wanted to repeat ever again as she shivered at the powerlessness she felt from her time spent under the power dampening effects of the Kryptonite powered green lights, even on a low setting as the Martian thankfully kept it on.

His parents let him know that they had planned to speak to Alice the first chance they got, promising their son that they would act civil with her and hear her out before judging her.

Of course, before ending their online communique, Chris apologized to his parents about how he handled the situation earlier in the day and even surprised Astra as he then said that he forgave her for Krypton and how she had wronged Kara and in turn Kal as his original mission was to protect them both. Despite what Fate had forced upon them all, he forgave her none the less, promising to return home first chance he got in order to spend time with both her and his parents when time permitted.

Astra, being emotionally relieved at how her nephews strength of character allowed him to forgive her, she swore to him to be better than before and would make amends for her past transgressions.

Chris's last bit of words to his family was in that he would speak with this 'Director Fury' and see about he and Alice establishing a new identity for Astra and if willing, aid her in acquiring employment in whatever field she chose as she was still somewhat of a Military General, despite Krypton no longer existing. She of course decided that her time as a Military figure was over and thought about trying her hand at teaching as she just wanted to take things slow and try being someone whom could be looked upon as a positive role model for the current generation of this new world.

To her, it was time to put the past behind her and start over.

With final well wishes and loves shared between the four family members. Chris decided to put a new, much fresher suit on as he retrieved one from a hidden alcove within his bedroom closet. Exiting through his rooms window, he flew into the night.

He flew until he managed to find the apartment of his partner. It wasn't hard as he allowed his enhanced hearing to guide him.

When he arrived just outside of her apartment some twenty stories high, he hovered just outside of a half circular banister with double glass doors. His cape fluttering in the light breeze caught as he watched her as she sat at her desk, her computer active as she was working. He could see that she was typing furiously, searching through other sites for information linking and connecting him to other past incidents and events from throughout the world. Incidents of which an anomaly had been responsible for saving the lives of countless people and animals when catastrophes occurred, from collapsing and burning buildings to houses on fire.

From flooding incidents to natural disasters. People gave off similar tales of an unknown guardian angel, as if it or 'he' was sent to aid them in their time of need. Despite not seeing his face as it always was hidden in shadows via a dark and hooded jacket, they knew when in his arms, that they were going to be alright.

She paused her typing suddenly, fingers hovering over the laptops keys, as if by some unknown instinct, turned her head towards the ledge, only to see the man in whom she was attempting to learn more about from the odd reports around the world.

Sally Floyd's POV

The odd stories written by her new partner Chris Kleyton she began to feel was of no coincidence. Of course, there were reports by other investigative reporters, but the most notable ones were all Kleytons. 'How odd.' she thought to herself. His writing was perfect and impeccable. A style in which she should have been jealous about. Many a people depicted their savior as a gift from God. Civilian, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, he had the love and adoration from many throughout the world.

It was too coincidental that Kleyton just happened to have been there for most of the miraculous saves. She took off her glasses as she paused in her reading the various stories from the other countries stories, rubbing her eyes, she realized how tired she was.

But for some reason she couldn't place a finger on, as her fingers began to hover over the keys of the Laptop again in order to resume her work, her instincts kicked in as she paused and made to turn her head towards her double patio doors.

There, in the air hovering just over a foot away from her banister, was the man himself in the flesh for a second time in less than 48 hours, one leg slightly raised as he kept himself in the air, his red cape gently billowing about in the soft, breezy air. His arms hung loosely at his sides.

Her mouth open in shock as she then slowly made to rise from her desk chair and then walked towards the patio doors. Opening the said patio doors, she slowly trudged forward as he too made to lower himself downward from the air until his boots silently touched down upon the marble patio.

"I-..." she began when she saw a look of worry upon his face. "Are you...alright?" she asked.

Taking in a lungful of air, he looked at her as he slowly deflated and replied, "I...I'm not sure."

"Why? What happened."

"I'm going to D.C. in a day or two."

"D.C.?" she queried. "As in Washington D.C.?"

He nodded solemnly.

"Why? Why would you do that as you know that there are people there that would like nothing more than to capture you and turn you into a lab experiment."

With a shrug, he answered, "It's not like they can. But it's because someone I trusted has come forward and revealed that a Government Agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. has known of me for some time. And with my powers, I need and want the world to know that I'm not here looking for trouble. I just want to help."

"I know of S.H.I.E.L.D.." she spat as she crossed her arms and growled in annoyance. "I've dealt with them before."

"You have?" he asked as he leaned into the railing of the patio, his hands holding him up on either side all the while, being careful to not lean too much lest he break the metal railing due to his dense molecular physique.

"Let's just say, we departed on somewhat less than friendly terms as they forced me to drop a story I was working on a while back. They even confiscated most of my electronics, but not before giving one of their Agents a black eye when he went for my phone." Leaning forward while also holding onto the railing with both of her hands, she stared out into the night sky, "I think his name was Co...Cosin...no, Coulson," she said with a snap of her fingers, "Agent Phil Coulson."

The coughing fit followed by a hearty bit of laughter as he looked at her made her bow her head in embarrassment, "You actually sucker punched a Government Agent?"

"Trust me, not my best moment." she smiled in fondness. "But it wasn't like he didn't have it coming. Nobody messes with this Journalist without something to show for it." She made to gawk at him as his low chuckles turned into full out laughter. She acted as it to push him with a playful fist shove in which he rolled with and acted as she actually moved him before he he resumed his physical stance.

Raising his hands in surrender, he then replied, "I believe you. Note to self, don't get on Sally Floyd's, that would be you, bad side."

"And don't you forget it, Mister." she said all in good humor. It took a few moments for them to relax after that bit of good humor when she returned to the matter at hand, "What will you do?"

"I don't know. But the world deserves to know that I only want to help, nothing more."

With a sigh, she then she raised herself up fully as if hit with a stray thought, "You know, I do have a few contacts that might get me an in to be there when you make your grand entrance over the Nations Capitol."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Just leave everything to me. I got an idea. How would you feel about making me your personal Press Agent?" she asked coyly, causing him to raise a brow.

Present

As Chris was being led through the halls of the White House with the President and his staff alongside the Military and various Government Agency Heads, they barely made it to the elevators when a loud ruckus made itself known as several White House staff and Agents were being pushed back while a known Daily Bugle News Journalist and a man in a cheap gray suit standing at just 5'9, with shoulder length light brown hair and blue eyes with an average build, and another man with red darkened glasses and a cane, standing at 5'10 with short dark brown hair, obviously blind if the cane was anything to go by, pushed their way through the massive throng of people when the President and others were forced to come to a stop to address the situation.

" -...Mr. President sir." the smaller man said as both he and the journalist Sally Floyd made themselves present before the leader of the Nation.

"I'm sorry Mr. President," one of the Secret Service Agents said as he and his fellow Agents were forced to let the three individuals through. "but they insisted."

"Mr. President, on behalf of Sally Floyd, personal and Legal Press Agent of one Mr. Val-El, we of Nelson and Murdock, Attorneys at Law," here he handed a three way folded set of papers to the man in charge who excepted them when another agent was forced to take it and hand it over in his stead, as the Commander in Chief began to look over the papers, the man with the darkened glasses and cane continued, "must insist that any and all interrogations used against the said Mr. El, be done so before I and my partner Foggy Nelson who is now acting Pro Bono as his acting Attorneys. Should he wish it, we will also be his council as well so that any secrets he does not wish to divulge, will be kept so under the strictest of confidence."

Turning to the Kryptonian in the blue suit, the man in charge asked with a slight scowl, "You Lawyered up?"

"Actually mr. President, I did." the woman, one sally Floyd said as she spoke up. "It's to ensure that Val-El or Superman as the world has come to call him, be treated fairly and Just." she then pulled out another set of papers from within her tan jacket and passed them over, "Here, you'll see that Val-El has signed a contract leaving me as his personal Agent, meaning any questions asked, have to be done so before myself and my attorneys."

Seeing as there was no room in which to circumnavigate the Legal Documents before him, the President knew there was no room for he and his team of Government Officials to work with except with the presence of the journalist and her Attorneys, he nodded with a tired 'sigh' as he held out a hand for them to follow.

It was Foggy Nelson who saw the metal bracelets, "Ar-Are those necessary?"

"He was the one who willingly surrendered himself, Mr. Nelson, Director Nick Fury stated as he walked behind the trio. "Been awhile, Ms. Floyd."

"Director", she said Stiffly, "How's your Agents eye?"

"He'll live, not that he hasn't forgotten the shiner you left him with."

"She hit one of your Agents, Fury?" the Undersecretary asked, "How is she not in jail?"

"Because, she didn't realize that we were only trying to protect her at the time from a High Profile Target with ties to some shady individuals we were investigating at the time."

"Didn't mean you had a right to my personal belongings or my life. You forget, I have older brothers and come from a Military family."

"Feisty!." Another of the Military Branch leaders said with a chuckle.

Moments later

In a lower level

The room was made of stone. From Val's estimate, the room was at least 10 feet high, from floor to ceiling, the room however seemed to be if he had to guess, 20-25 feet across from front to back, the width 12-13 feet. A set of tables had been hastily placed for which to allow him to sit down at the end, with the President being allowed at the front. On either side of the President were Generals of the four main Military branches of the American Armed Forces.

Behind the President and circling the room were cameras with live feeds for the world to see as they focused on the entirety of the rooms occupants, from the President and his staff, to himself and those who he could claim as his confidants.

On his own right, sat Sally Floyd and on his left, was the Lawyer duo of Matt Murdock and Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson.

The Attorneys were of course adamant that they'd represent the eldest living member of the House of El to which after speaking with his Personal Press Secretary, readily agreed. Papers were signed and copies distributed between the four as well as copies of the same paperwork were passed down to the President as he and the world were witness to Val-El now having his own lawyers representing him, was given no alternative but to sign and pass back while the yellow copies were given back to be placed within the historical records for such a momentous occasion.

Once the Legal business was completed, it was time to talk, "Now, Mr. El was it."

With a nervous gulp, he nodded, "It is."

"I know it's a lot to take in seeing as you've practically made yourself known to the world, and just now, signed your fate somewhat to two up and coming Lawyers, I have to ask, how are you feeling, son?"

Licking his lips, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Well, I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't nervous, Mr. President."

"Understandable. Tell me, what was your home like before coming here?"

"Here, sir?"

"To Earth. Our Earth that is."

Looking down at his wrists, he looked back at the President and raised them.

The room filled with photographers and journalists alike began to whisper somewhat quietly to themselves when the President looked to and nodded towards one of the Agents nearby who hastily followed his bosses play as he walked up to and reached into a pouch at his waist, pulling out a key.

His hands were shaking as he neared the humanoid alien who saw this and placed a comforting hand on the one holding the key. He respectfully took the key and removed the metal bracelets, returning both to the man with a nod who gave a nod in return.

Val then waved a hand over his right wrist where a crystal based bracelet shimmered into existence. He removed it from his wrist with slight gasps coming from most of the rooms occupants as he cupped it in his hand wherein it then shifted, realigning its form until it became a shield like gem shaped in the manner much like the shield on his chest.

He slowly placed it before him, laying it out onto the table for all to see.

Suddenly, a holographic projection played above the crystal, revealing the spacial outside view of Krypton and its red sun Rao, "Planet Krypton, as it was. Just before its destruction."

Val went on to explain Kryptons past, the harsh environment from having to evolve because of higher gravity under a red sun, to him speaking of the Caste System, all the while speaking reverently of the House of El, its many great Heads of House up to and including his own several times over grandfather whose name he shared, as well as its many accomplishments.

He spoke of how at one point, the High Council even went so far as to turn on the House of El due to the actions of a few treacherous Houses who nearly caused a war to break out with the House of El having taken the fall and its vindication when the real culprits were revealed and the said war prevented. The parties responsible for the events that took place being placed within the Phantom Zone.

Then came the images of his father Zor-El, his mother Alura and her twin Aunt Astra whom was also a General of Kryptons Military Forces, his sister Kara, his Uncle Jor and Aunt Lara and their son Kal-El, all this and more as well as his backstory up to and including that of his parents and Uncle and Aunts sacrifice to save all three of their lives, at the cost of their own.

His tone shifted a bit as he spoke of Jor-El when he was forced to aid in and apprehend General Zod, despite the friendship Jor, Zor, and Zod once had and how over time, their ideals and careers and ideals had forced them on opposite sides.

The world watched in awe as the projection revealed the many wonders that was Krypton, from crystal based cities, countries, the many species that lived beside the Kryptonians to the people of Krypton itself.

After it showed the betrayal of its last great military leader, General Zod and his Co-Conspirators, their trials and Imprisonment into the Phantom zone, this and so much more, just before Krypton was destroyed.

It revealed the final plea's of three of Kryptons greatest minds and representatives of the House of El, trying and failing to save Krypton when the High Council failed to heed the warning that Krypton was doomed because of how the Council had tampered with its core in the hopes of finding new energy resources and how their fooling around with the planets core had caused it to become unstable.

The image shifted to the final actions of two sets of parents as were forced by the Council to remain silent on the issue lest they too be imprisoned within the Phantom Zone. Zor-El and his brother alongside Val-'s mother Alura were silenced despite plans already being underway in the event that the High Councils refusal to listen.

The world watched as the imaged shifted once more as the two brothers and their wives raced against time to secretly prepare their childrens evacuation from the planet itself. Their race to a secret hanger outside of the High councils control to the parents bidding their children a final farewell. The escape ship containing baby Kal-El was the first to depart, with Val and Kara following close behind moments later in escape ships of their own.

The image changed once more to show the ships final visual logs of Kryptons imminent destruction as cracks appeared and spread throughout the entirety of Kryptons surface until it imploded in on itself. The shock wave was the last visual image anyone saw as Val's last words between he and his sister at the time, all those years ago, was heard for the world to hear, just before the image was disrupted and shutdown.

It was a solemn moment for the President as he took in the last desperate acts of two sets of parents and the assurance of their childrens survival. Several of the women within the room shook and cried at the devastation that could have been avoided but was not.

Not even his personal Press agent and dare he say, his friend was able to stop the torrent of emotions she had since she too had seen what the world was now privy in regards that Billions of lives had been lost despite the obviousness that Krypton could have been spared had those in power not tampered with its core and in the process messed with powers beyond their control, and it was only because the worlds leaders playing with said powers that eventually destroyed their world.

"I-I believe that we should...take a bit of a recess to acclimate to what we have been privy to." the President said as he made to rise, his staff and Government leaders and Military aids rising with him.

As those next to the Kryptonian made to rise as he to made to stand, the President then called to him as he retrieved the Kryptonian object that had played the information that he had parted with, "Mr. El, ma-...may I call you Val?"

"I'd be honored Mr. President."

"On behalf of myself, and I believe I speak for most of my staff and others, that what you have endured is inconceivable. The actions of both the ruling body of the High Council of your world and the actions they took, resulting in the loss of your world and people, you have my condolences." Holding out his hand, Val looked down and took it into his own.

"Thank you Mr. President." he said as he shook the hand of the U.S. Leader.

"Val, I can't imagine the hardship of losing your entire family in the way that you have, but maybe, since you've been here as long as you have and if the things I have learned recently from Director Fury,...well, how would you feel if you were made an honorary American?"

"Wh-..." Val says as he gasps in surprise at such an offer. His eyes were wide as his mind tried to come up with an appropriate response when he took a moment to breathe and then speak, "I...I don't know what to say, sir."

"Now, you don't have to say yes right away. Take the time to think on it. You've been here long enough to be accepted by a small contingent of humans who see you as one of their own."

"Maybe you should go home and speak to your folks, Val." the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. said as he stepped up beside President Bush, "As for that thing you wanted to speak to me about, let me see what I can do. After all, if what she said and revealed is true, she has a long way to go to earn my trust, but because she's family to you, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, not many people are given second chances."

The fact that he spoke in the manner that he did, shows that Nick Fury knew about his Aunt Astra. Not surprising seeing as how his apartment was bugged and no doubt that his computer was tapped. He'd probably need to see about getting his parents house De-Bugged.

"Director Fury." he said as he held out a hand that was then received and shaken, "Thank you. But, why would you help me?"

"You're a good kid, Val. You got dealt a bad hand in life, and yet, you're trying to help. I'd say you've earned a chance to turn her life around when she has obviously been seen fit to be given a second chance at life here, just as you did all those years ago. But she better heed my warning, I will be keeping my eye on her."

"Thank you Director." Val shook the mans hand once more, only this time in gratitude.

"Fury?" the President queried as he turned and gave a quizzical raised eye.

"I'd like to tell you in Private sir, if that's alright with Val?"

The now relaxed Kryptonian only nodded as he gave his ascent.

"Very well. Val," the man in charge spoke to as he turned back to the man in question, "let me set up a day wherein when you aren't busy, I'd like to welcome you as one of our own, with an official American Citizenship."

"What's the catch?" he asked, a bit skeptical.

"Only one catch, keep doing what you're doing son. Help where you can, but don't tire yourself out. After all, you can't help the world all 24 hours. No doubt that there would be those who'd call out to you endlessly, even in matters that the Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, and or even the Military can handle."

"But most of all, keep being the good man I see before me."

"I'll try not to let you down, sir."

"That's all that I can ask."

Suddenly, Val's Enhanced hearing caused him to pause as it caught onto the sounds of screaming, vehicles crashing, and more. He turned in the direction of the source of the disturbance that his hearing caught on to. His eyes pealed back and zoomed through several miles of both Earth and street until they locked onto the problem in and around the downtown district of D.C..

From the viewpoint of where his eyes could make out the area of the disturbance, it was situated just between Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. High above the area between both Circles, a stabilized portal, glowing in magenta, was open above the city several stories higher than the tallest building within the immediate vicinity. Pouring from it were winged, reptilian creatures bearing strange armor and bladed staff weaponry.

It took him a few seconds to register just what it was he was seeing as he also watched as they were in pursuit of a more than familiar face.

"Koriand'r?!" he whispered, a bit perplexed.

Coming around and holding grasping his arm in worry, Sally asked, "Everything alright?"

"I have to go."

"Go? Go where?"

The room began to bustle as everyone began to quickly bustle about, voices getting louder.

"Mr. President, there's reports..." And agent holding a finger to his ear began when Val cut him off.

"Let me handle it, I know who and what is attacking downtown."

"Well, just don't just stand there son, go."

With a nod, Val was given a wide berth as many a head turned towards him as he made to leave the room. Once out the door, there was a gust of displaced air as he sped off.

The televised screens within the room took on a different image as reports came in over the news as images of a dark pink portal was floating just over the downtown city streets. Winged lizard-like creatures in armor in possession of bizarre bladed weapons capable of firing energy projectiles, flew about the town area of Dupont and Logan Circle, chasing an deep orange skinned young woman with long flaming hair that trailed a tail of flames.

Most of those in the room with ties to the US Military and those secretly with ties to even shadier organizations could only watch and hope as one of the creatures managed a lucky strike that brought the girl down. Her body plowing helplessly into the city streets, creating a crater that was several times bigger than should be necessary.

It revealed that she may just as well be as strong and as dense as their Kryptonian ally as the creatures descended on the girl, one of which grabbed her by the hair and threw her above the crater and once more onto the street above.

Those not wanting to be hit by the incoming body of the alien girl, stepped out of the way as he body made contact with the paved roads.

As the creatures began to advance while the lone lizard-like creature ascended from th broken street, the sound of a 'TTTHHHHOOOOOOMMMMM' sounded when the creatures made to look up and were forced to jump back as Val-El slammed down upon the ground in a crouch.

He then raised himself, making sure that the creatures got a good look at him as he stood between he and the girl who at first appeared to be in pain, but then that feeling disappeared as she turned her head and saw the red cape and boot. She gasped in disbelief as she recognized the uniform of a Kryptonian.

Val on the other hand, knowing what these creatures were and what they were capable of, spoke in a tongue that none on Earth could even begin to understand, but the creatures could as they growled out in 'Hisses' and 'Snarls'.

In the language of the beings before him he knew to be the warrior caste of the beings known as Psions, he growled out, "That's enough!"

Going to call it on this chapter. May have to do some more editing and add-ons later on. The story will be progressing as best as I can get it online. I hope you enjoy. I'll be working on my next project which is going to take up most of my time, Claws: Son of the Wolverine. So read and review, and remember, be cool. Until next time.