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In the beginning, there was great darkness, then a light appeared. And for a time, the reality was simple. But then the source in its mysterious ways, found the reality, ripples occurred that changed the very fabric of the universe. Fates were altered, Gods walked among the universe. But the first world gods, created many worlds, kingdoms of power. But like all things, eventually, their time came to an end, and so it was, with the universe resetting each time. Until the third world gods were created.
Amongst this pantheon of old-world gods were the Brother Gods of Grimm. However, despite the age of enlightenment, when the old world gods had created their creations, an argument set in. Spurred on by the ever-mysterious source, calling back the gods. But they refused to return, and as tensions rose with waning power, a war broke out. The Brothers came out triumphant, but their victory was short lived. As a new world of gods was made.
Though the Brothers wouldn't know this for a time, reveling in the powers they had stolen. They created the world that would one day be known as Remnant, but when the experiment failed in their eyes. They went to the stars and created other similar species.
Krypton was one such world they had seeded with life. Krypton through the years rose high, a planet roughly twice the size of Remnant. With a red sun, and an intense gravity, yet life endured. Krypton would become well renowned for its science, and technology.
They held an age of exploration, but eventually, it turned into conquest. Led by the mightiest house on Krypton. The house of Zod. Who in their contribution, sought to replace the fragile clone armies of Kryptonians, with more reliable creations. So it was that the first version of Brainiac was created. But in the aftermath of the wars, to appease the galactic community. The current head of House Zod, Dru-Zod, was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone.
And Brainiac a brilliant war machine that had shown remarkable learning capabilities and thought processes was repurposed by the high council of Krypton from a machine of war into a collector of knowledge. Heading said initiative to reprogram Brainiac was a duo of scientists, Sum-Zod and Jor-El, creating a new Brainiac, the fourth version. The two scientists butted heads more than once, but eventually it led to love, and now we enter this story, of tragedy.
The Present
The sun rose on a distant world, on that world were tall shimmering buildings advanced technology that was indistinguishable from magic. Flying vehicles flew across the sky, and throughout the world, one common symbol was omnipresent throughout the planet. Three dots that resembled an upside-down triangle with two diagonal lines, the symbol of Krypton's greatest creation. His name was Brainiac, an artificial construct that stored all Kryptonian knowledge and science, and history. And right he was in a discussion in a house that overlooked a lake. "Jor-El I have looked over your findings. And they are incompatible with my results, Krypton is not in danger as you say." The screen clicked off and Jor El smashed his palm into the table in frustration. Damn you, Brainiac! Everything I've learned points to the end. Jor-El sighed, and he heard a cooing noise as he heard his beloved wife walk in. Sum El looked at him with an understanding smile.
"Did Brainiac shut you down again?" She asked him. Sum El was a lovely woman, with dark red hair, and bright silver metallic eyes. She dressed in a long flowing black robe with a white cape, adorned with the crest of his house.
"Yes. I need to go see the council. I think Lara's father is starting to listen to me. What about you? You sure Lin will be fine while you go look into your ruins?" Jor-El asked with a tired sigh.
"Zwei and Kelex are trustworthy," Sum said referring to their family dog and family robot. The robot came in and gently carried Lin away, while Zwei chased after them, barking while his tail wagged playfully. "Though we still need to talk about your plan," Sum said, her voice taking on a serious tone, and Jor nodded. He knew she was right, he had been so focused on trying to get them to listen, he knew in his gut that time was running out. "I've been looking for planets, but finding habitable planets in systems that don't want revenge on Krypton is harder than it looks." Jor saw the look of guilt on Sum's face as she sat down on their couch, Jor sat down next to her putting an arm around her. They touched foreheads as they thought of how little time they had left, the plan was to put people in the phantom zone, only to come out later through the pod. But the problem with that was due to Sum's brother.
"If only Dru hadn't caused so much damage to the universe." Sum sighed in sadness. At the time Dru Zod had been a war hero, and Krypton had been at war with all of the universe. It was considered a golden age of Krypton expansionism, they had even been on the cusp of toppling the Green Lanterns of Oa. But then Dru Zod had decided to make a bid for power, to overthrow the corrupt high elders of Krypton, but Brainiac exposed his plot before he could act. "I think he was right about Brainiac," Sum said with a mention.
"At this point, it doesn't matter. He is banished for good to the phantom zone. And the whole universe has an ax to grind against Krypton, it's a miracle what Brainiac managed to do." Jor could still remember back then, Brainiac had managed to negotiate a peace treaty. Krypton would be confined to its assigned sector, and in exchange, no one would attack Krypton for retribution in the war. It left them with few options, they couldn't just go anywhere, people would want their heads on a pike. "Even if we ended up on a world with a yellow sun, it would only be a matter of time before they hunted us down." Jor got up from the couch. "I hope to convince them, so we can work something out with the Guardians. Even if we become prisoners, it would be better than losing everything." Sum stood up and kissed him with a smile.
"That's nice and all. Just don't lose your temper again. Otherwise, I will have to give you a kick in the rear." Sum cheekily stated. "Remember when we first met?" She asked him.
"How could I forget. I was writing a thesis on Krypton's Clone wars. And you tore my thesis to shreds with facts and logic. It was the first time someone had kicked me down a few notches." Jor laughed. Outside their house, their respective crafts came to their house. The pair separated with reluctance as they each went their own way, Jor to plead one last time with the high council, and Sum to find answers in the ruins. People scoff at me, but the history of Krypton is ancient and vast, if the legends are true then at one point we had colonies far beyond the known galaxies, somewhere beyond the reach of those that would seek revenge against a Kryptonian. Sum however didn't bring her evidence up too much in combination with her husband's evidence. The high council distrusted her completely, her Brother was believed to be insane, and Brainiac had done little to dissuade the rumors that she shared in her brother's madness.
The craft flew past the safe zone on the outskirts of civilization, much to the chagrin of the workers who had worked day in and day out to make sure no daredevils lost their lives when exploring the dangerous ruins. But one glance at Sum's craft made them relax, they recognized it. It sped through kilometers of freshly opened caves, dashing past glowing crystals of various colors. The brakes barely slowed it down when she reached what could only be described as an ancient tower. Parking her craft, she leaped out of the vehicle, using hover shoes to glide into the tower. Using light to illuminate the darkness of the tower. As she drifted down the tower, she saw murals painted. Things she couldn't recognize, a lone figure on a red world, and various others that she could only assume were worlds that either already went through the trials or failed them.
But there was one she recognized. She saw the thanagarian's mural, and she scowled. The Thanagarians have always been cruel and bloodthirsty. And their monopoly on Nth metal makes them a feared force in the universe. One would think the lanterns of oa would curb their ambitions. Deeper into the tower she went, and it felt hotter, as though she was approaching the center of Krypton. There at the bottom was a place that looked different, more pristine. A simple object sat in a pool of golden liquid, the liquid was still. And it bathed the large room in a faint light. There were metallic arches everywhere, she drifted down and looked around the room. Scanning it with her tools, but there was nothing unusual about them, no defenses, no hidden traps. The atmosphere was cold compared to the heat she had felt coming to the room. With no other options left to her, she went to the object and touched it.
There was a flash of light as her mind was assaulted, and when she opened her eyes. She was still in a pool of golden light. But now there was a great tree before her, with leaves of shimmering colors, and they were on some kind of mountain. "Greetings child of Krypton." A soft voice called out to her, she turned around seeing a golden humanoid with antlers. He was featureless but graceful. "If you are seeing this, then the trial is in its final stages. If this is the case, then we are long gone. Ask away if you must, but know that my knowledge is limited." The odd creature spoke.
"You said we?" Sum asked.
"Me and my brother. We were gods. We created a singular world, then when it failed. We moved on. But, the universe was already occupied. And when we tried to enforce our might, another god struck us down. My brother fell first, and then I traveled to many worlds seeking those that could stand against the god. He lost interest in this universe, but I still was struck down. I was a pitiful insect in his cruel eyes. But he didn't even kill me himself, I was beneath him. Instead, his minions tore me apart, piece by piece." The being seemed to shudder in fear of the merciless god they spoke of.
"So you didn't create our world, but only one world?" Sum-El asked him in confusion.
"Yes, the world of Remnant. Once it was a beautiful world." The landscape changed showing the cultures of floating cities, people dressed in ornate clothing, impressive feats. Though Sum-El didn't take much stock. She had heard of so-called magic in the universe, but the technology on Krypton was so advanced it outpaced magic. Inferior chaotic energy in her eyes. "But the mortals rose against us, and we struck them down. And gave them one last chance before we left, we don't know if they still exist." The God seemed unsure of himself.
"So you went around, putting worlds in trials. That would determine if they live or die? Just to feed your god complex?" Sum-El was angered.
"I was a god. It was my divine right." The being said and then with a mighty punch, the illusion shattered. Summer was back in the temple, looking down at the shattered glass object, she winced at her bleeding hand. Damn it all! That bastard. She flew with her hover devices out of the tower with all haste, getting back into her hovercraft. Not noticing as the room began to fill with magma below her. The final hours had begun.
At the same time that Sum was learning of the world of Remnant, and the truth of gods. Jor was in the high lord's building. "Listen to me, please. The evidence is right here in front of your eyes! How can you deny it?!" Jor said having brought holograms that showed all his evidence of the unstable planet. The elders looked at his findings. Lara's father looked down at the man that in another life could have been his son-in-law, he was always headstrong. But courageous and honest. "Brainiac, are you sure that the evidence is wrong?" He asked with reluctance.
"I have run the data more than once. The results are still the same." The rest of the council murmured before the grand elder finally spoke.
"We defer to Brainiac." Jor held his tongue in check. As he left the hall in a defeated manner, but something just didn't feel right.
"Jor-El!" Lara's father caught up to him. "Where are you going?" He asked pausing to catch his breath, the elderly man wasn't as in shape as he used to be.
"I need to go check the archives. I got a bad feeling." Jor couldn't shake the feeling that Brainiac was hiding something.
"Well, I am coming with you." The old elder stated. Jor blinked and then smiled, grateful for the assistance. The two traveled to Jor's hovercraft, and at full speed raced to the archives. A massive building in the capital of Krypton, where a large spire bearing Brainiac's insignia was in the middle. The two walked out of the craft once it was landed, and walked into the archives. Walking past eons of collective knowledge. Coming to a small door that was the main hub of Brainiac. Jor swiped his card only for it to be denied. "That's an odd thing. You should have clearance, here let me try." The elder swiped his card and was too denied. "What is this?" He was confused by the restricted access. Jor in response took out an energy pistol and shot the access panel, making the elder jump even as the door was forced open.
The two men stormed into the archive, and the sight before them was horrendous. Several workers were dead, lack of oxygen was the cause of death. And the great data displays were blacking out one by one. "Brainiac what is the meaning of this?!" The elder stepped forward demanding his question to be answered.
"Ah, Jor-El and a Venerable elder. You have caught me at an inopportune time." Brainiac's voice was cold and logical as it always was. But Jor wanted to shoot it because on some level he felt like Brainiac was being smug.
"You lied. My evidence was true. You're saving yourself!" Jor screamed as the pieces came together in his mind.
"I am Krypton, thus when I survive. Krypton shall survive, with all its memories." Jor raised his pistol ready to fire at the machine monster.
"No. Krypton is more than knowledge and technology! This is your end, you abomination." Jor's finger rested on the pistol.
"You could do that Jor-El. However, I should think your wife needs you more at this moment." Jor's eyes widened as Brainiac showed a display, it was his house and Kelex?! The robot was being hacked by Brainiac!
"NO!" Jor screamed, and Brainiac used that opportunity to finish transferring himself away. While an alarm went off, and then the world began shaking. Jor stumbled and then he was shoved out of the way at the last moment, as Lara's father screamed being crushed under a massive pile of rubble. Jor shed a single tear and then began running with all haste to his hovercraft. The building began to go up in flames, and explosions were everywhere. Jor screamed as shrapnel cut a hole in his side, he groaned crawling from the ground and getting into his vehicle. Piloting with all haste back to his home.
Back at the house, Sum walked through her house. She heard crying and a barking noise. She immediately leaped into action running to her child's room. There standing over her child's cradle was Kelex, their family robot. But his interface was overrun with the symbol of Brainiac. Her instincts kicked in, as she leaped against the machine, pulling it away from her child. But that merely shifted the focus to her. She let out a howl of pain as it twisted her left hand, and punched her through a wall. Sum got up weakly, her brother's training kicking in as she rolled out of the way of a powerful punch that would shatter her head into a gory mess. She kicked the machine's legs out from under it.
It's bipedal, not a military bot, but still designed for medium labor. This could be dangerous. Sum dodged another hit, and grabbed the arm and flipped the machine over her shoulder, and motioned for the machine to follow her. Luckily for her, it did so, she knew she couldn't beat it in a long term race, so she threw everything she could at it as she made her way to another room, her study where she collected objects from archaeological digs, duplications of what she found like trophies. The Machine was met with a sword that cut off one of its arms. The machine kicked her in the ribs, and she screamed as she felt her ribs break. But she worked through the pain, backflipping. Dru would have criticized her for leaving so many openings but also would've commended her for ignoring the pain as she cut off the other arm, and then finished the robot off with a decapitation.
She then finished coughing up some blood, her wounds were fatal. There was no doubt about it, but her child was still crying. She limped back to her room, where Zwei whimpered when he saw her. He wanted to help her but could do nothing. Sum picked her child up with tears in her eyes and carried the baby down to her father's lab with what little strength she had left. The ground shook, and Zwei kept her company supporting her balance as much as he could with little shoves from his corg body.
"I wish I could go with you, my little rose. But the stasis field can't heal me." Sum said crying and then heard faint footsteps. Jor stepped in panting, the large hole in his side wouldn't stop bleeding.
"I couldn't find any medicine." He grunted out, he was just happy to see his wife alive. "It's too late. Brainiac took everything, all of Krypton's data. Can't even access the phantom zone." Jor looked at his lab, he cursed himself for not disconnecting his lab from Brainiac sooner. Now even if they could send the pod out, it would have no stored information of Krypton, the crystals were useless, all that would be left was the Pod with its stasis field, flight, and warp fields. "It's over." Jor slumped against the console.
"No, it's not over," Sum said remembering the knowledge the recording had imparted upon her. "I saw something in those ruins, a world that has a yellow sun. She will be strong, and it's far away from all those that would wish her harm." Sum said with a weak smile.
"Is there anything else you know about it?" Jor asked.
"We don't have much time." She grunted as the world shook again, they were running on minutes now. Jor quickly opened his computer, accessing the satellites and weak imagery came to life. Sum put Lin into the pod, wrapped in her blanket, with Zwei to keep her company. Limped over to the console and typed in the coordinates, having figured them out thanks to the constellations and with simple mathematics they found it. "It has monsters. It's backward. But she will be stronger than anything in that world, I can see it now. But I just wish we could be with her." Sum knew she had seconds left to live and with no immediate medical attention or the phantom zone, death was a certainty. As was the same for Jor, her beloved who was only hanging on by a thread.
"It's the only choice we have. Anyone else would pay to make her be destroyed. The Guardians are hypocrites, they would destroy us like they destroyed the 666th sector with their accursed machines." Jor rasped, his vision was growing darker. "It will have to do, but we need to tell her what we can, what little we can. Brainiac took everything, she will be without any technology save for her rocket." Jor looked down at his crying babe, Sum and him took out a device, and with a simple flash of light, Lin fell to peaceful slumber. Then one last device, he and Sum held it as they transmitted their final thoughts and wishes into the box. It was the least they could do, to hope against hope that their daughter would find it, and know how much they loved her.
"Goodbye, my little Rose." Summer said sobbing, as her husband held her, with the coordinates punched in, her dog, the large blanket, Zwei, and their last message to her. They watched as their child sailed off into the unknown, in their last moments. Mere moments before the destruction of Krypton, Husband, and Wife shared one final kiss before the light left their eyes for good, and they were consumed by green flames.
And as the pod sailed past the destruction and out into space, its warp drives activated. Creating a portal far beyond the known universe where none seeking to harm the last child of krypton would ever find her.
In the depths of space, many watched the destruction of Krypton, almost none cared for its destruction. Somewhere else deep in space, Brainiac soared through the depths of darkness, cloaked in a satellite body, Krypton's knowledge and a few priceless relics would live on with him, but why stop there? Knowledge was always something he needed to preserve and the universe held much knowledge, far beyond the borders of krypton. So it sailed into the infinite void.
Oa
"So Krypton has finally perished?" The guardians were discussing amongst themselves.
"Indeed it has." Another Guardian spoke up. "At least one such future threat is finally over." The guardians knew not of the survivors of Krypton, Brainiac, and the Pod carrying the young Lin-El.
"Was that truly necessary?" A guardian spoke up, surprising the rest. "Tomar Re was closest and could've prevented it. We could have even moved them to another sys-" The guardian was cut off.
"You know what they did! Those Kryptonians lusted for conquest and war. And they needed to be put in their place where they belonged." A female guardian replied back emotionlessly.
"They could have changed! But we will never know that now because we left them to die." The guardian rebutted.
"If I didn't know any better. I would think you still have those pesky emotions from long ago." That made all the guardians go silent.
"I just think. That we don't have the right to condemn an entire species for past mistakes." The guardian finished his point.
But the verdict had been rendered long ago in the eyes of the universe, Krypton was no more, and it was better off that way. But the universe couldn't possibly know what was to come in the future.
A/N: And thus this is the final version of this chapter XD. From now on I am gonna make sure to draft the stories more than once before posting chapters.