Superman
Ultimate Battles
Origins: The Banishment
The night was cold and icy, as it had always been, or at least as long as Jor-El could remember. His breathing became light as he saw short clouds of air releasing from his mouth. At this very moment he was heading to the council room, but what was soon to occur was only the second thing on his mind. Right now the desert like fields had his mind on past events. He had heard all sorts of rumors on how the nuclear war was but most was unbelievable tales that only gods could perform. The war had left it an icy waste-land; the scares and low population proved there once was a war. Not many were allowed to leave the planet, only those granted permission. Those who granted permission were usually those of scientists who already had some knowledge of the outside world first hand. Small sections of scientists gathered their families and left Krypton to find another suitable place to live.
Jor-EL just had a kid and couldn't wait to get home to his child and wife. Kal-EL was the child's name, and the mother was a beautiful young lady named Lara. Jor-El and Lara married years ago and fell in love; she hadn't planned to marry him though it was just the Krypton way to be promised to someone. Lucky for her, she had someone she could love and trust. Like her husband she was also a scientist but wasn't really as attached to it as Jor-EL was.
Jor-EL had been a scientist as long as anyone could remember, but he was also apart of the council of twelve and tonight he had a heavy decision on his shoulders. Jor-El had to banish 3 members of his society into the Phantom Zone, a Zone Jor-El discovered himself. The Zone was another dimension they decided to use as a prison, a wasteland too most and cause of its affects you didn't age. So being banished meant spending an eternity there.
Jor-EL didn't want to do this. Why should he have to live with the decision of 3 other people's fate? Even if they did tried to take over the city and kill thousands, it wasn't his place to judgement. He could tell that his decision would come back later to hunt him. This wasn't the only thing on his mind either. Some weeks ago he discovered the planet was going to explode! Krypton couldn't hold itself any longer; the war that happened centuries ago took a large toll and put the planet on death row.
Jor-EL sighed as he walked towards the middle of the room and looked at the three, then back at the council. He took a deep breath and began to speak.
"This is no fantasy. No careless product of wild imagination. No my good friends...these indictments..."
Jor-EL's left hand slipped into his right pocket and pulled a small see threw long crystal rod. Then holding it up, the end lit up as he turned back towards the three.
"...I've brought you today...specific charges listed herein against the individuals..."
Jor-EL then raised his hands and the crystal rod grew longer so that he could hold it with both hands across his chest. The S shield on his chest could slightly be seen though it, which represented his family. All men on the krypton planet had a symbol, a certain symbol on his chest. The symbol represented their family heritage. Jor-EL's was an S!
Taking a few steps forward Jor-EL begins to speak again.
"...Their acts of treason. Their ultimate aim of sedition...These...are matters of undeniable fact. I ask you now to pronounce judgment on those accused."
Jor-EL began to walk around the room focusing his attention on the other council men and back at the three.
"These are matters of undeniable fact. I ask you now to pronounce judgment on those accused."
Everyone knew what they had tried to do; it was the gossip of the month to most. General Zod and his two common officers had tried to take over the last city of Krypton. They were once known as the greatest officers on Krypton. They started off as guards and no more then a month had to pass by before they were appointed the positions they once had. General Zod talked his other two men into taking over the city and ruling it however they wanted to. They didn't believe in being ruled by 12 old men. General Zod wanted it all for himself and would give the other two what ever he didn't want. One of his henchmen was actually a female who struck terror into anyone who crossed her path; the other was male about 6 inches taller then Zod, but not too smart.
As Jor-EL continued to talk he walked over to the three and looked them in the eyes. At this moment Zod knew who would have the last decision on their banishment, and if he got the chance to escape he would kill Jor-EL with everything he had.
"You have heard the evidence. The decision of the council will now be heard!" Jor-EL said.
Zod and the others looked around at the other 11 men with hatred in their eyes.
"Guilty! Guilty!"
The word guilty flared around the room quickly as all 11 men agreed. Jor-EL looked back over at Zod and the other two to be banished with him.
"The vote must be unanimous, Jor-EL. It is there for become your decision; you alone will condemn us if you wish." Zod spoke.
Jor-EL stared at them, trying to show no signs of emotion.
"And you alone will be held responsible by me!" Zod continued.
It was easy to tell that Zod was trying to put fear into Jor-EL. Jor-EL saw through Zod's attempt and frowned as he waved the crystal rod to give them his decision. The three looked up and around with frighten looks on their faces, for they have never seen the zone. Zod turned quickly towards Jor-EL as the dome roof began to open up. Jor-EL began to walk away from the three. He had no interest in seeing what was going to happen next, he already felt bad for banishing them.
"Join Us! You have been known to disagree with the council before; you could become an important voice in the new order, second only to my own! I offer you a chance for greatness, Jor-EL! Take it...Join us! Zod screamed out at the slowly vanishing Jor-EL.
"You will bow down before me, Jor-EL! I swear it! Even if it takes an eternity! YOU WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!" the anger in Zods words we're now recognizable even as he continued to yell at Jor-EL. "Both you and then one day your heirs!"
Jor-EL completely vanished from the scene leaving the three by themselves. Zod and the others begin to tremble as they realized it was only seconds before they we're engulfed into the zone. From there the screen slowly darkens with only their screams left in the background. Jor-EL was glade to have that off his shoulders but he feared that Zod's words might one day come true. This wasn't an issue to deal with right now, he quickly headed home, and he needed to check his instruments for new results.
Jor-El was beginning to feel tired; so much had been on his mind, especially the safety of his family and people. He hadn't had sleep for almost 2 weeks straight. Quickly walking down the halls, he remembers he had requested a meeting with the council that would be held shortly after the banishment. The council all lived in the main building, so it wasn't too far of a walk. Jor-El came to the door of his living quarters; with the giant S symbol nicely painted across it and places his hand on the scanner. The Door instantly opened and Jor-El went on.
"Lara, where is Kal-El?
Lara came out her room and looked at Jor-EL then walked into little Kal-EL's room.
"I have to check the system readings, do you know if any changes have occurred?
Lara ran in with the sleeping Kal-EL tucked in her arms.
"You don't have long before the meeting starts you need to hurry Jor-El, and no there hasn't"
Jor-EL gave Lara a long passionate kiss and then smiled at Kal-El.
"Lets hope this works!" Jor-El spoke again, then kissed Lara one more time and headed out.
The Room was dark and hazy, and the councilmen could tell that something was going on with the planet, but wouldn't accept it. They heard about Jor-EL's discovered about the planet's core sometime ago, but shook it off. Brainic had been telling everyone that the case of the planet's constant earthquakes and temperature changes were all normal results. Because of the War, the planet had started drifting towards their red sun, which was also causing problems.
"Jor-EL needs to hurry up...he's wasting my time..." One of the councilmen spoke.