Chapter 36: Kryptonian Crisis
In the Arctic, Superman carried Hamilton and Kari under his arms as he flew across the icy wasteland.
"We should be almost there," Superman informed.
"I can't wait," Kari said with a giddy expression.
As they cleared the next glacier, the Fortress of Solitude came into view. Upon seeing the crystalline structure, both scientists were awestruck.
"Incredible..." Hamilton gasped.
"Wait until you see the inside."
Superman flew down towards the entrance. He set them down and pushed open a piece of the ice wall, serving as the door. He then led them both inside, closing the door behind them. As he gathered Kari in his arms to carry her, she and Hamilton marvelled at everything they saw. Their jaws truly hit the floor when they came to his zoo.
"My word!" Hamilton exclaimed. "Look at all these lifeforms!"
"And… all of them are the last of their kind?" Kari questioned.
"Yes," Superman confirmed. "I rescued them from an alien called the Preserver. I couldn't find a way to bring them back to their home planets, so I'm keeping them here. I come up here every so often to feed them, and steal a few moments to myself."
"Well, if anyone deserves a Fortress of Solitude, it's you," Kari told him.
"Thanks," Superman replied. "Come on, the database is over here."
He began walking out of the zoo, Hamilton quickly moving to catch up.
"As humbled as we are to be allowed in your most private of sanctums, I must question the purpose of our presence," he voiced.
"As long as Mala has the Phantom Zone projector, we need to make one of our own."
"Yeah, but how can we build one?" Kari asked. "I mean, the technology is far beyond anything we understand."
"We talk to an expert about it."
They then approached the interior of the scout ship, seeing the orb inside. Superman touched the crystal beneath it, and a beam of light shot out to the orb and filled the room, transforming it into a holographic display of Krypton.
"Remarkable," Hamilton marveled.
"This is Krypton..." Kari looked around at the landscape, her eyes gleaming. "We're looking at an actual alien planet. I could spend the rest of my life researching this..."
"Maybe some other time," Superman suggested.
"Welcome back, Kal-El," a new voice greeted.
Both Hamilton and Kari jumped, turning to see the holographic image of Jor-El appear.
"My word!" Hamilton exclaimed. "A functioning artificial intelligence!"
"It… It looks like you, Superman," Kari realized. "An older you at least."
"This is Jor-El," Superman explained. "My father."
The two scientists were left speechless as Jor-El gave them a small nod.
"I am surprised you brought guests here, my son. Who are they?"
"Scientists that need your expertise in creating a new Phantom Zone projector."
Jor-El's face fell.
"Mala… what has she done?"
"Made off with the original, killing many DEO agents in the process," Kari answered. "Professor Hamilton and I were lucky to get away with the injuries we got."
"Then we haven't much time," Jor-El realized. "One moment please."
He held up a hand, summoning up schematics and data reports on the Phantom Zone and the projector. The two scientists wasted no time writing down what they saw.
…
Out in the city, Mala and Zod were walking down the street, the latter taking in the sights of the city.
"Rather primitive," he remarked. "Still, so was Krypton many centuries ago. I see great potential in this world, under my guiding hand."
"I would expect nothing less from you, my General," Mala commended, smashing the hood of an oncoming car.
"We'll begin our conquest of this planet once my power level reaches yours."
"I warn you, gaining the power will be somewhat painful. It will overwhelm you at first, but the payoff is well worth it."
"You forget, I was bred from birth to be a soldier. Trained to hone my senses. I will be fine. Our real problem is the son of Jor-El and his allies."
"Yes. This world's 'Justice League'. I have only met a small contingent of them, but they were quite formidable. For humans at least."
"Disposing of them will be the perfect example to show this world I am not to be trifled with. Once their protectors fall, this world will kneel before Zod."
"I wouldn't bet on that!"
Mala and Zod turned to see Aquaman standing in the middle of the street, staring them down. When they saw it was only him, they both scoffed.
"Is this one of those protectors you mentioned?" Zod asked.
"He calls himself 'Aquaman'. I have seen him do little more than sit around and make snide remarks."
"That's because you've only seen me in a good mood," Aquaman remarked, spinning his trident. "And right now, I'm damn near pissed."
"Enough of this," Zod decided. "Mala, break his neck."
"Gladly," Mala replied, flying towards him.
Aquaman then grasped his trident and blasted at her, sending her flying back. She rebounded hard off the wall, shocked to see a large burn on her chest.
"That… That hurt."
"Yeah, something Supes failed to mention. Kryptonians and magic don't mix."
"The warning is appreciated," Zod replied, still unphased. "Still, there are two of us, and only one of you.
"Don't be too sure," Aquaman replied as a Boom Tube opened up.
Out of it, J'onn, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg emerged, landing next to Aquaman, all three of them staring down the malicious Kryptonians."
"Well now," Zod noted. "This does make things more interesting.
"Surrender now, before things get ugly," Cyborg warned. "And trust me, you don't want things to get ugly."
"Bold words," Zod commented. "Pity they will be your last."
Cyborg ran forward and tried punching Zod, sending Zod skidding down the street. While it didn't hurt as much as it should have, the fact that Zod moved at all showed how weak he still was. Zod held his jaw and slowly got back up as he walked towards Cyborg.
"You dare strike me, abomination?!"
"Yeah, I do. Wanna see me do it again."
Cyborg ran back at him, but this time, Zod managed to smack him across the face, sending him skidding into a nearby car. Zod looked at his own hand, chuckling maliciously.
"Well now, it seems the power Mala promised me is finally manifesting."
"Lucky you," Cyborg remarked, forming his arm into a cannon. "Let's see you manifest from this!"
Cyborg aimed his cannon at Zod, but Mala quickly landed in front of him and took the cannon's blast, barely moving an inch. She then grabbed Cyborg's arm and threw him aside, sending him hurtling into a building. Before Mala could move towards him, Wonder Woman's lasso shot around her and pulled her aside. Wonder Woman whipped her to the ground before dragging her along it, trying to subdue her.
"Submit!" Wonder Woman demanded.
"Never!" Mala swore, grabbing the lasso and pulling it hard.
This brought Wonder Woman down to the ground where Mala could bring her fists together and smack her across the face. As Wonder Woman tumbled across the street, Mala pulled herself free of the rope and dove towards her, impacting her so hard, it formed a crater in the street. As Mala raised her fists in an attempt to crush her, J'onn appeared behind her and grabbed her arms.
"That is quite enough out of you."
"Hardly."
Mala snapped her head backwards, colliding it with J'onns and disorienting him long enough for her to turn around and punch him. As he fell to the ground, she prepared to use his heat vision on him when Wonder Woman snapped back up and got in front of the blast, using her bracelets to block it.
…
At the Daily Planet, the newsroom was in an uproar. People were running around left and right as Clark entered the room. He barely managed to dodge Lois as she ran past him.
"Lois, what's going on?" he asked.
"Clark!" she realized, coming to a stop and turning towards him. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Working to build a new projector after Mala stole the last one."
"She's done more than that. She used it to let a new friend out of the Phantom Zone and they're tearing the city apart."
Clark's expression suddenly became more serious.
"Where were they last seen?"
"Downtown."
"I'm on my way."
Clark then took off, shedding his glasses before ducking down a stairwell.
…
Back in the city, Mala continued duking it out with Wonder Woman, trading continuous blows with each other. Mala tried kicking Wonder Woman, but she easily grabbed the leg and spun her around, sending her flying towards Zod. At the moment, Zod was in the middle of a bout with Aquaman, dodging around the swings from his trident. On one swing, Zod grabbed the trident and swung Aquaman in the way of Mala, knocking them both aside. As Aquaman pulled himself up, Mala quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, choking him. Zod smugly walked over towards Aquaman, picking up his trident and aiming it at his throat.
"Such imperdenance has no place in my world order," Zod declared.
"Then I doubt you'll like me!"
Zod looked up to see Superman flying right at him, ramming right into him and knocking him aside. Aquaman took the chance to grab Mala and flip her over onto the ground. Zod meanwhile skidded to a stop as Superman flew in front of him.
"The son of Jor-El," Zod recognized.
"General Zod I presume," Superman replied.
"Indeed. I owe your father much after he sentenced me to the Phantom Zone. I suppose it would be fruitless to offer you the chance to join us."
"Guess you're smarter than you look."
Zod just scowled at that remark.
"You'll find I have such little patience for impertinence.
Zod focused his eyes, sending some heat vision at Superman. Superman held up a hand to block it, feeling how weak it was.
"You're still not up to full strength," Superman recognized. "Guess you haven't had enough sun yet."
"Not yet. In time though, my power will rival even yours."
"Don't bet on it!"
Superman then dashed forwards, grabbing Zod and flying him up to a flagpole. He then bent the pole around Zod, restraining him. Mala saw this and punched Aquaman away in fury, flying towards Superman and tackling him. She pinned him against a wall and began wailing on him, delivering several blows to his stomach and meanwhile, managed to pull himself out of the building just in time to see what was happening. Thinking fast, he opened a boom tube and leapt through it, depositing him right above Mala as he tackled her to the ground.
"And dad said football would never be useful in the real world."
He then started wailing on Mala, who was forced to block the blows with her arms. Almost immediately, Cyborg realized that his fingers were starting to dent from impact, something that made him curse.
"Kryptonian endurance. Great."
Cyborg then activated his arm cannon, only for Mala to grab it and aim it upwards, causing the beam to shoot out wildly. The blast then hit the side of a building, causing debris to begin raining down. The heroes all saw this and rushed to catch the debris, getting civilians out of the way before anyone was crushed.
"Everyone alright?" Superman asked.
Everyone gave nods and small murmurs to confirm they were okay.
"Everyone seems alright," Cyborg noted. "Unfortunately, Mala and Zod got away."
Superman looked up, seeing the flagpole he'd trapped Zod on was snapped in half, its prisoner nowhere to be seen.
"Damn…"
…
At the DEO, Kari and Hammilton were hard at work, putting the finishing touches on their Phantom Zone projector.
"You know, these mechanical projects are pretty fun," Kari admitted. "Maybe I should add Xeno-mechanics to my resume."
"I'd welcome your company in that regard," Hamilton shared. "Alright, let's see if it works."
Just then, Superman and J'onn entered the lab, with everyone else searching for Mala and Zod.
"How's it coming?" Superman asked.
"We're just about to test it out," Hamilton replied.
"You might want to stand back," Kari warned.
The two did so as Hamilton activated the device, firing it at a small plant on a nearby table. The energy didn't seem to be doing anything to the plant, until it caught fire.
"Kill the projector!" Kari warned, already grabbing an extinguisher.
Hamilton turned it off as Kari doused the flames, leaving only a charred plant half buried in foam.
"What happened?" Superman asked.
"It appears we're missing a crystal that vibrates at the Phantom Zone's frequency," Hamilton explained. "It serves as a homing signal to the zone. Without it, we can't send anything in or out."
"And unfortunately, the only crystal is currently housed inside Mala and Zod's Projector," Kari reported. "We're out of luck, Superman."
"You're doing all you can," Superman told her. "That's all I can ask. Still, Zod's getting stronger every minute. We've got to find some way to level the field.
"Perhaps, we should consider using other methods," J'onn proposed.
"What did you have in mind?" Superman asked.
…
At the Daily Planet, Perry was furious about a lack of progress.
"I'm paying an entire room of crack reporters, and not one of you can find Zod and Mala?! Come on people, those guys don't exactly blend in!"
"These guys are smart," Lois reasoned. "They know how to stay hidden. Something tells me they're not gonna be found unless they want to be."
"Yeah, and that's what worries me," Perry admitted.
Just then, the wall behind them started cracking before finally crumbling to pieces. As the dust cleared, Zod and Mala entered into the Planet, Mala's eyes instantly locking onto Lois.
"That one," she declared. "She's the life form Kal-El cares for."
"You will come with us," Zod demanded.
"Like hell I will," Lois snorted. "You think you're the first being to try and use me against Superman?"
"Mala?"
Mala just walked forward and grabbed Lois by the arm, lifting her up.
"Leave her alone!" Perry demanded.
Zod just shoved Perry aside, knocking him into a desk.
"Perry!" Lois cried out.
"Tell Superman to come to Mala's cabin if he wishes her alive," Zod instructed as they flew off.
…
At the cabin, Mala held Lois in front of her, her hand with a vise grip on her hostage's neck.
"It must hurt your fingers," Lois jeered. "Keeping them clamped down on my throat like that."
"I'll live," Mala replied coldly.
Just then, Superman came flying in, wearing one of his lead suits and carrying a small, lead box in his arm.
"Let her go, Mala," He demanded.
"Do you honestly believe your suit will protect you from me?"
"It's not to protect me from you." He opened up the lead box, revealing a chunk of Kryptonite. "It's to protect me from this."
Immediately upon exposure, Mala gasped, releasing Lois as she stumbled backwards, feeling her strength leave her as her body began heavy and weak.
"Are you ok?" Superman asked.
"I am now," Lois replied. "Zod snuck off when they saw you coming. He may not be at full strength yet."
"Here's hoping." he handed her the Kryptonite. "Keep this on her, I'll deal with Zod."
"Gladly."
Superman then made his way into the woods, hoping to find Zod.
"Show yourself, mad man!"
As Superman searched around, he was unaware of Zod flying behind him, holding the Phantom Zone projector in his hands. Before Superman could react, Zod fired the projector at him, engulfing him in its energy. Lois turned just in time to see Superman disappear in a flash of light.
"Superman!" She cried out.
Mala took this chance to ram into Lois, causing her to drop the Kryptonite. Zod shot it with the projector as well, making it disappear along with Superman.
"Now, what have I to fear," Zod remarked, crushing the projector in his hands.
"No!" Lois let out in shock. "You're gonna pay for that!"
"Unlikely. Tell your world that Superman is gone, and that we are the true power in this world now."
With that, Mala and Zod flew off, leaving a grief stricken Lois alone in the woods.
…
Back at the DEO, Lois was informing the League of what had happened, tears in her eyes as she explained.
"He destroyed the projector… we can't get him back. He's trapped in that horrible place..."
"What about Mala and Zod?" Wonder Woman asked.
"They got away… to do God knows what."
"Of all the times for Batman to be pulling his 'I'm Busy' schtick," GL muttered. "Alright, Diana, you have the most experience dealing with God-like threats. What's your strategy?"
"We will find these two and subdue them," Wonder Woman replied, drawing her sword. "If Superman is lost, we can at least protect his home."
"He may not be lost forever," J'onn informed. "Kari and Professor Hamilton have been working on a second projector. If we can get it to work, we can pull him out."
"Then go help them. Take Victor with you. The rest of us will find Zod and Mala."
"Be careful," Cyborg warned. "Those guys don't play nice."
"Don't worry," Flash reassured. "We can handle it."
With that, Wonder Woman, GL, Aquaman, and Flash took off to find the rogue Kryptonians.
…
In Washington D.C, Zod and Mala flew across the city towards the White House.
"So the planet's leader lives here?" Zod surmised.
"One of them at least. This one rules the entire continent known as "North America"."
"Then he shall be the first to submit to the rule of Zod."
The two then flew straight towards the White House, crashing right through the roof. White House security immediately opened fire on them, but their bullets simply bounced off them.
"How quaint," Zod remarked, using his heat vision to blast the guns.
As the guards tried to rush them, Mala picked one up and threw it into the others, knocking them down. The two proceeded to walk down the hall, running into more guards now armed with machine guns. They opened fire on the duo, doing little more than annoying them as Zod snatched one of the machine guns and snapped it in half. Mala grabbed the other and opened fire on the guards, mowing them down.
Finally, the two kicked down the door to the Oval Office, where the President was surrounded by several Secret Service agents in front of him, ready to open fire.
"Tell your men those won't do any good," Zod instructed. "If they use them, we will strike in kind. Much harder."
The President sighed in response, raising his hand and signaling the agents to lower their weapons.
"You are the one they call President, yes?"
"I am. And I'll have you know that this country does not take threats like these lightly."
"I did not come here to threaten. I came here to rule."
Zod was about to fire a heat vision blast, but a green energy bubble suddenly surrounded the two of them, blocking the attack.
"Sorry to disappoint," Green Lantern remarked as he and the other Leaguers arrived. "But we got rules about would-be rulers around here."
You fools!" Mala proclaimed, punching at the energy bubble.
It shattered on impact, making GL recoil and shake out his ring hand.
"Well, that was unpleasant."
"I will show you unpleasant!"
Mala charged at him, prompting GL to form an energy fist and punch her out of the building. GL followed after, with Aquaman leaping after. Wonder Woman meanwhile, leapt towards Zod, swinging her sword at him. Zod easily dodged it and tried blasting her with heat vision, which she dodged with her bracelet. Flash tried zooming around to flank him, but Zod managed to notice him and back handed him aside, knocking him aside. Wonder Woman took the chance to dive in, tackling Zod through a wall and pinning him to the ground. Zod quickly kicked Wonder Woman off of him, then grabbing her by the arm and tossing her outside. He darted towards her, but Flash quickly ran in front of him and socked him across the face. Zod flew into the outside wall of the White House, denting it as Flash sped forward. Zod flew upwards and shot out to Flash, planning to mow him down. Thinking fast, Flash ducked under Zod as he approached, allowing Wonder Woman to throw her lasso around him to try and subdue him.
"Submit, General!" She demanded.
"Never!"
He grabbed the lasso, using it to pull Wonder Woman towards him. When she got close enough, he gave her an uppercut to the jaw.
Meanwhile, GL continued duking it out with Mala, the former firing continuous energy shots at the rogue Kryptonian.
"I don't suppose you'd consider a surrender?" GL guessed.
"Not a chance, Lantern," Mala proclaimed.
"Thought as much. Now!"
Just then, a blast from Aquaman's trident struck her in the back, giving Lantern an opening to form a tennis racket and smack her across the face, knocking her to the ground. As the two went over to her, she sprang up, grabbing GL by the throat and tossing him at Aquaman. Aquaman quickly leapt over GL as Mala flew at him, grasping his trident with her hands.
"Lady, you're making a serious mistake!" Aquaman promised.
"I was about to tell you the same thing."
Mala then headbutted Aquaman, prying the trident out of his hands so she could strike him with it, knocking him to the ground. She then attempted to stab him with it, but he quickly grabbed the prongs just in time.
…
Hamilton and Kari were both trying to get their projector to work, but neither of them seemed to be having much luck. Kari pinched the bridge of her nose, fighting back a headache.
"We can't make this thing work without the crystal…" she muttered. "All my other samples aren't doing squat."
"We've got to think of something," Hamilton insisted. "Superman is counting on us."
"I know, I know..." she took off her glasses, rubbing her face. "We need another strategy."
"Is there any other way to get Superman out of the Phantom Zone?" J'onn asked. "Another means of finding him?"
"Yeah, even without the crystal, there's gotta be something unique on Superman you can find in that place," Cyborg commented.
"Wait…" Hamilton realized. "That's it! Miss Lane, you said Superman was wearing the Anti-Kryptonite suit when they sent him into the Zone, right?"
"Yeah…" Lois answered in a confused tone.
"Was the suit damaged at all?"
"Maybe a little wrinkled, but now. Why does it matter?"
Kari brightened, realizing what Hamilton was getting at.
"Because, when we designed the suit, we treated it with a specialized radioactive compound. One we can track!"
"We may not be able to send objects into the zone yet," Hamilton continued. "But we can retrieve our own signals once they were sent in."
"Meaning we can get Supes out of there!" Cyborg cheered.
Kari rolled herself over to the projector, making some small adjustments. Hamilton walked in behind her, making a correction here and there.
"Just a little more…" Hamilton muttered. "There!"
Everyone leaned in, seeing Superman floating in the red hue of the Phantom Zone.
"It's him," Lois realized. "Superman! Can you hear us?!"
"Lois… Are you there? Are you okay?"
"I'm alright! Don't worry, we're gonna get you out of there!"
"Everyone stand back!" Kari warned. "Cyborg, get that fire extinguisher ready just in case!"
"Roger," Cyborg agreed.
Everyone took a step back, Hamilton taking the projector and aiming it at a circle on the ground. Hamilton activated the projector, the silhouette of Superman flickering into view. Superman cried out in pain as he fluctuate in and out of existence.
"What's happening?" Lois asked.
"The signals' weak," Hamilton replied. "I don't know if I can maintain hold on it."
"Boost the power!" Kari told him. "It may be our only shot!"
"I'm trying!"
Kari started racking her brain, then perked, turning to Cyborg.
"Forget the extinguisher! Get over here!"
"On it!"
Cyborg ran over and immediately produced cables from his hand that plugged into the projector, hoping to increase its power. Cyborg grunted a little as more energy went pouring into the projector, hoping to pull Superman back from the Phantom Zone. After a grueling few more minutes, Superman finally came through. Cyborg unplugged himself and the projector shut off. Cyborg let out a breath of relief as Lois slowly approached.
"Superman…"
"Don't come any closer Lois," Superman cautioned. "There may be some residual radiation."
"We're just glad you're ok," Kari told him.
"Thanks," Superman replied, pulling off his helmet. "What did they do with the other projector?"
"Destroyed it right after getting rid of the Kryptonite," Lois explained.
"Is there any of it left?"
"Maybe… but it was essentially scrap."
"What are you thinking?" Cyborg asked.
"I'm thinking there might be a piece left we can use," Superman replied.
…
Back at the cabin, the group looked around where Zod had smashed the projector. They scanned the ground, J'onn noticing the glint of a small crystal in the grass.
"I believe I have found what we're looking for," He announced, picking up the crystal.
The others came over, Hamilton beyond happy at the sight.
"This is just what we need."
…
Back in Washington, Wonder Woman was knocked through the ceiling of the White House, landing in the Oval Office. Flash was dropped down next to her as Zod entered.
"Pathetic."
Just then, Green Lantern and Aquaman were dropped in as well, with Mala landing beside Zod still holding Aquaman's trident.
"I had hoped Earth's defenders would put up more of a fight," Zod admitted.
"We… are not beaten yet," Wonder Woman insisted, pulling herself up.
"You're welcome to continue. In time however, you will learn to kneel before Zod."
"I'll stand thanks."
Zod and the others looked up, seeing Superman flying above the hole in the ceiling. The League smiled instantly.
"Superman!" Wonder Woman cheered.
"Alright!" Aquaman let out.
"You again," Zod snarled.
"Hello general," Superman greeted. "Care to step outside?"
Enraged, Zod immediately shot towards him, tackling him mid air. Mala was about to follow when she felt someone grab the trident, turning to see it was Aquaman.
"I believe this is mine," he told her, socking her across the face.
She went flying back as Aquaman grinned, adjusting his grip on his weapon. Mala quickly picked herself up, but was blindsided by the Flash, running back and forth, punching her across the face repeatedly. Once she was disoriented enough, GL blasted her with his ring, knocking her through a wall.
"Hope this place has a good contractor," GL remarked.
"Well we have a plan now," Flash chimed in. "Keep them disoriented, don't let up and hit them from every side possible."
The League all nodded as they sprung into action.
…
With Superman, he and Zod continued to trade blows, both keeping a constant pace as to not let the other gain an advantage. Finally, Zod managed to uppercut Superman, grabbing his cape and spinning him around before tossing him away. Superman crashed down near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as Zod lowered himself to him.
"A valiant attempt, Kal El, but ultimately it was for naught."
"I'm not done yet."
"You soon will be."
Zod prepared to use his heat vision on him, but was suddenly rammed in the back by J'onn, causing him to crash on the ground. Before Zod could react, GL formed a golf club that shot him into the air.
"Nice of you to join us," GL greeted. "Don't suppose you have a plan."
"Actually, I do," Superman replied. "Keep at them, but make sure they end up in the same place. Cyborg will take it from there."
GL nodded as the three of them flew after Zod. Back with Mala, she clashed her heat vision against a blast from Aquaman's trident, causing the two beams to clash hard with each other. As the two fought, Wonder Woman landed behind her and wrapped her arms around her, trying to break her concentration. It worked and the blast struck Mala in the chest, causing her to cry out. Enraged, she snapped free of Wonder Woman's grip and flipped her over her head, knocking her into Aquaman. Flash meanwhile sped up behind her, just barely dodging her attempt to backhand him as he grabbed her hair and spun her around by it, launching her into the air. Wonder Woman instantly shot her lasso at her and snapped it downwards, causing Mala to crash into the ground.
Meanwhile, GL had formed a gatling gun that fired rapidly at Zod, who was doing his best to fly around and dodge the attacks. As he tried to fly at him, Superman quickly flew up and uppercutted him, delivering one punch after another. Zod managed to block one of the punches and return one in kind, knocking him back as Zod delivered a heat vision blast. Superman crossed his arms in an attempt to block it, but the blast was much stronger than before, causing him to grunt in pain as Zod approached him. He easily punched Superman in the gut before kneeing him in the face. He then grabbed Superman by the throat, holding him up in the air.
"It's over, Kal. the only thing that awaits you now is death. Though I'd imagine it's preferable to the Phantom Zone."
"I'll take your word for it," Superman replied.
Just then, J'onn's hand phased through Zod's chest, causing him to gasp in pain and release Superman. He and J'onn flew away as GL flew up with a massive boxing glove, smacking Zod with it and knocking him to the ground near Mala. He crashed on top of her as the League surrounded them.
"Cyborg, now!" Superman called.
Just then, a boom tube opened up, allowing Cyborg to walk through with the projector in hand.
"Booyah!" He yelled, activating the projector.
The beam engulfed the two Kryptonian criminals, both of them screaming as they were pulled violently back into the Phantom Zone.
"Looks like their parole just got denied," GL remarked.
"Looks like," Superman agreed. "Great work, everybody."
"Still, it seems you are still the only Kryptonian in this universe," Wonder Woman lamented.
"You know, after today's events, I think it might be better that way."
"Besides, you still have us," Flash reminded.
"Couldn't agree more," Superman replied, smiling.
