Superman/Steven Universe:
The Shield of Hope
(Note: So close to the finish Line people, you cannot begin to understand how exciting this is. Also sorry for this one taking so long been caught up with some personal work. But I promise from this chapter forward there will be weekly updates till the end. For now Enjoy ;)
Chapter 26
Fortress of Solitude
Superman and the gems walked down a hallway following a Lola copy, entering what looked like a laboratory. Dozens of Lola copies were hard at work at various things, the main Lola stood in the center looking through multiple notes.
"Kal-El! We found them." Lola said happily looking at the group
"Tell us where?" Superman says
"They haven't gone too far. It appears whatever craft they are using is currently on the dark side of Earth's Moon." Lola said
"Yeah, that's not too far." Amethyst said sarcastically
"And how do we get there?" Garnet asked
"With this." Lola said pointing to the ceiling. And from it Kal-El's rocket ship descended
"My ship?" Superman said pleasantly surprised
"It's still functional Kal-El. And with my modifications you can fit,. This ship carried you across the cosmos its purpose is to protect you. It took meteors, Earth's reentry, and the crash without the smallest scratch. It can take whatever is out there." Lola said reassuringly, Superman nodded examining the ship
"Yeah that's great and all, but this is a ship for one. How are we supposed to fit?" Pearl asked
"Oh that's easy you three just shapeshift to fit." Lola said
"You guys can shapeshift?" Superman asked surprised
"Heck yeah we can." Amethyst said proudly as he body was engulfed in purple light
Superman watched in awe as the light shrunk and morphed from a human shape to an animal. The light died down revealing a purple kitten, she meowed and rubbed herself along Superman's leg. The kitten then jumped onto Superman's shoulder.
"What do you think dude?" Amethyst said through the kitten's mouth surprising Superman
"You all continue to impress." Superman says
As Superman looked at the kitten Amethyst, there was another bright light behind him. He turned to see Garnet engulfed in light and morphing just like Amethyst. As she shrunk down and the light dimmed she took the form of an owl quickly swooping onto Superman's free shoulder making him laugh in amazement.
"Ready for take-off." Garnet spoke
"Ha-This is great!... Pearl what about you?" Superman asked looking at Pearl who had an embarrassed look on her face
"I-um-I don't really do…. Shapeshifting." Pearl said nervously
"… Do you mean you can't or…..?" Superman asked cautiously
"Personal reasons, makes me feel uncomfortable." Pearl said
"Oh say no more, I understand." Superman said waving his hands
"So if P's gonna stay that size how are we gonna do this ship thing?" Amethyst asked
Within 5 minutes Superman and Pearl were crammed into the ship shoulder to shoulder. Amethyst laid on Superman's lap, while Garnet stood on Pearl's.
"Superman could you move your shoulder a smidge?" Pearl asked with a grunt
"S-sure, sorry." Superman apologized moving a bit
"Master El put your hand on the console." Lola said standing beside the ship
Superman nodded and did so, the console lighting up. He then recoiled his hand when there was a small shock on his palm.
"You are now connected to the ship. It will fly on your mental commands." Lola said
"Do you know how to fly this thing?" Pearl asked nervously
"Not….. Really, but I'm sure I'll learn once we get up there." Superman said nervously making Pearl nervous
"Oh this is gonna be one heck of a ride." Amethyst said with a laugh
"The ship will be on auto to get you out of the planet's atmosphere, but once you're up there you're on your own. Don't worry the controls are straightforward." Lola said with a reassuring smile
"Lola, thank you for everything you've done." Garnet said making Lola nod
"Alright, let's go save everyone." Superman said getting ready, but quickly noticed Lola seemed distressed
"Good luck Master El." Lola said
"Lola…. Don't call me master. And don't worry I'll be fine, I'm not going alone." Superman said trying to reassure her
"Don't worry Lola, we won't leave his side." Garnet said
"I-I know your good people, you and Steven. I wish you all the best of luck." Lola said
"You better have a nice hot meal ready for us when we come back." Amethyst said
"It'll be ready when you return." Lola said as the hatch closed for the ship getting a yelp from Superman and Pearl as it closed
A hatch opened in front of them revealing the icy Tundra, followed by a Ramp that was angled upward. Superman took a breath as the ship rumbled to life a mental countdown going on in his head. Lola then placed her hand on the glass looking at Superman with proud eyes filled with tears. Noticing this Superman put his hand on the same place and smiled at Lola who smiled back. Before she stepped away she mouthed the words
"I love you Kal-El."
The ship then came to life as fire spewed out the back and it flew forward going up the ramp and out the fortress into the sky. Lola stood at the hatch and looked to the ascending ship.
"I swear Master El, I will protect you." Lola said
Suddenly her eyes went clear and the empty body fell lifelessly to the ground. Then all the Lola copies stopped whatever they were currently doing as their eyes went black and the fell like dolls onto the ground. Across the entire fortress the copies fell, not only that but the Fortress was going dark losing it's light blue glow. As the ship sailed higher into the sky, the fortress got darker and darker. Until once the Ship broke through the atmosphere, the fortress was complete dead, as silent and cold as the ice that surrounded it.
Beach City
Citizen's screamed in fear as the scattered trying to evade the massive spider-like creatures. The soldiers fired everything they had at the massive monsters only for it all to bounce off their metal shells. These Metallic Spiders then began snatching up all the soldiers by their hands holding them up for a second and then tossing them aside like toys. All the citizens ran for cover going into whatever building they could to hide from these monster. The Fryman family was one such family was trying to do the same going for the Boardwalk and the safety of their home. Only for the older Fryman to have his arm caught by a metallic wire and pull him away from his two sons.
"DAD!" Peedee yelled grabbing his dad's free arm
"Peedee!" Ronaldo yelled grabbing onto his brother's arm
The family was forced into the air by the robot spider. The Spider then released two more cables wrapping around Ronaldo's and Peedee's arms separating them from their father. The family was held up their palms open, when from the wires a small needle-like device emerged and pricked their arm taking a bit of blood and skin making them all scream in surprise and pain before being dropped to the ground.
Behind one of the building the Maheswaran's, Lois, Jimmy, and Greg hid from the robots watching the chaos unfold.
"The Fryman's!" Greg yelled in worry
"They're alive, so calm down." Lois said
"What are they doing?" Jimmy asked
"I saw some weird needle come out and prick their hands." Lois said
"Brainiac said she need samples. I think she's collecting them." Priyanka said
"Using giant spider-bots. She couldn't set up a tent or have us all lineup or something?!" Jimmy yelled panicked
"Would that actually make you want to do it?" Lois asked getting an unsure look from Jimmy
"What are we supposed to do now?" Doug asked
"We find cover and wait it out, Steven said Superman and the gems were coming for us." Lois said
"Do you really believe they'll come?" Priyanka asked
"Right now all we can do is hope they will, and I've been a lot more open to leaps of faith recently. We just gotta hold out and hope they figure out a way to fix this." Lois said
"The gems I can understand, but you're putting a lot of Trust in this Superman. Is there something you know about him that we don't know?" Priyanka asked
"No, I just trust him. Something that is not easily gained from me, and he better not make me regret giving him that." Lois said
"Alright so we just need to wait it out. Where can we go that they won't find us?" Jimmy asked
"Well I think the best choice would be-." Lois started but was stopped by a horrified scream
"DOUG!" Priyanka yelled
They all turned around with wide eyes in fear, a robot-spider had silently snuck behind them and was about to wrap it's cables around Doug's neck to pull him away. Doug had a fearful look on his face seeing the cable circle around his neck.
"DADDY!" Connie yelled as the cable was about to tighten
That was until an explosion overtook the robot-spiders face making it stumble and the cable stop. Noticing this Doug quickly ducked out of the way and ran to his family.
"EVERYONE GET CLEAR!" Sam yelled holding a grenade launcher and firing at the robot once more but this time getting no reaction from it as it moved forward
"DAD, AIM FOR THE NECK!" Lois yelled as she and the others ran past him
Sam Lane looked at the neck of the machine seeing that the metal around it was different from what covered the face and body and he would see giant wires exposed there as well. Taking a chance he aimed the launcher at its neck and fired. The grenade sunk into the wire mesh of its neck and went off blowing the robot-spiders head its massive body falling to the ground motionless.
"Attention all soldier direct all fire to these things necks or whatever looks different from the main head and body!" Sam yelled into the radio before running into the city
Outside the city's bottle Brainiac was calmly going through the oncoming data from Earth, her eye wandering to the bottle with a groan.
"Don't these humans know we have things to do? Them all running around and attempting to fight back is gonna make this process longer than it has to be. We have a schedule to keep." Brainiac groaned as she brought up a screen
"Computer give us an update on everything." Brainiac said
"Gathering of Earth data is at 85%, Sun destroyer is ready to launch at your command." The computer said, Brainiac nodded
"And what of the creatures who invaded our ship?" Brainiac asked
"Detained and ready for examination at your pleasure." The computer said
"Excellent and how is Steven's decontamination?" Brainiac asked pleased
"Decontamination is 95% done, would you like us to prep the consciousness transfer?" the computer asked as the screen showed Steven being forcefully scrubbed by many machines
"Ah yes, things are finally going smoothly. Nothing to do but sit back relax and-." Brainiac sighed in peace
"Something seems to be leaving the Earth atmosphere and is on a trajectory with our craft." The computer said making Brainiac's face fall
"Completely annihilate whatever's coming, stars above." Brainiac groaned pinching the bridge of her nose
"I will activate the ships defenses." The computer voice said
The ship soared through the void Superman marveling at the darkness and stars that littered it.
"This is amazing." He said in awe looking at the stars
"Yeah they are." Pearl said looking at them as well
"You've traveled through space before?" Superman asked
"A long time ago yes." Pearl said with a small smile
"Yes." Garnet said
"Nope." Amethyst said bluntly
"It is beautiful." Superman said with a laugh looking into the void
"I'm all for pretty scenery, but we have a rescue mission to do." Amethyst said
"Right, we should be at the signal source in 5 minutes tops, as long as we stay on this course." Superman said looking at the controls. Just then the inside of the ship began to flash red
"I've seen enough movies to know this is not a good thing." Superman said noting the red flashes
"What's going on?" Amethyst asked
"We're under attack!" Garnet said just as a digital hud appeared in front of Superman
"Garnet's right two hostiles incoming." Pearl said as she looked at the hud
And as she said there was two strange missile like devices flying towards them a purple streak left behind them as they flew towards the ship.
"MOVE!" Pearl yelled
As soon as she said that the ship quickly spun to the side letting the missiles fly past as the passengers held onto to the inside of the ship.
"Nice dodge Smallville." Amethyst praised
"Lola was right about my mind controlling the ship." Superman said
"I hope you can keep it up." Garnet said
"I played a lot of Blackhawks: Air Raid in the Arcade back in Smallville… that is no longer there." Superman said nervously
"They're circling around." Pearl said looking at the hud
The missiles as said had circled around and were coming back at them. Superman focused and with his mental commands the ship picked up speed flying towards the moon. The two missiles then picked up speed flying trying to catch up.
"It appears that the object has evaded our attack, we have already begun circling around for another attempt." The computer said
"Then it's obviously not an Earth Missile, they don't possess the technology needed to have such artillery move in such a way. And they surely don't have any spacefaring crafts that are this fast. Computer we want a visual on whatever this is." Brainiac said as a screen appeared before her, eyes widening in surprise as she saw the craft
"Kryptonian. He's trying to reach me and attempt a rescue of Steven and the city… how predictable." Brainiac said with a sinister grin
Superman focused on making the ship fly downwards to dodge another attack from the missiles. Only for them to circle around and come back.
"Doesn't this ship have weapons?" Amethyst asked
"This was made to carry a Baby!" Superman yelled as he focused on flying
"Then how were you supposed to be protected?" Amethyst asked
Suddenly the missiles began to slow as the lights on them turned off, and the purple streak behind them stopped. The gem watched as the harmlessly tumbles past them floating into the void.
"They stopped. Why?" Pearl asked
"I think they want us to come." Superman said looking at something ahead
And the gems looked forward as well their jaws dropping. Covered by the shadows of the dark side of the moon, but slowly coming into view was a massive spacecraft, that made theirs look minuscule in comparison. And if that wasn't intimidating enough the ship was in the shape of a skull. Humanoid, with the upper and lower jaw, and a set of eyes that almost appeared to be staring them down. The whole thing was alien and gave off an air of menace as they got closer.
"Okay, that's actually pretty scary." Amethyst said staring
"This is definitely not Homeworld. What are we getting into to?" Pearl asked
"To save Steven and our friends, we'll face anything in ourway." Garnet said seriously the other two gems nodding
Brainiac stood in front of a window that was one of the eyes of the ship, as looked at the oncoming ship.
"Do you believe you are catching us by surprise? Do you believe you are brave? Are you as overconfident as the rest of your species? Or maybe you are just an ignorant as everyone else before us." Brainiac thought as she watched them come closer
"Not that it matters, this little stunt was still in the realm of our calculations. We will get what we want Kryptonian even if we have to tear it from your very DNA." Brainiac thought
"Oh Superman were getting close, you should probably slow down." Pearl said pointing to the oncoming ship
"…. I have no idea what I'mdoing." Superman said
Brainiac quietly watched as the ship flew full speed at her ship crashing through one of the teeth on the face of the ship. Brainiac gave a deadpanned looked as a siren and multiple red lights went off as the computer blared out
"Hull breach, Hull Breach."
"Ugh, Idiots." Brainiac groaned walking away from the window
"Well at least my parents didn't skimp out on the materials for this thing." Superman said examining the ship not a scratch on it from the crash
"Nice to know they cared." Pearl said stretching herself out after exiting the ship
The heroes stood in a massive metallic hall, skid marks on the ground behind the ship and a massive hole showing the endless void of space. Though it appeared that some kind of force field activated stopping any blowout.
"Well it certainly is an entrance." Garnet said examining the hall
"This looks like an evil lair if I've ever seen one." Amethyst said
"Whatever this thing is made of I can't see through it." Superman said
"We're stepping into uncharted territory here." Garnet said
"Your future vision?" Pearl asked
"Fuzzy, just like Lexcorp." Garnet said as she adjusted her visor
Just then a door opened revealing a hallway
"Look like we're not gonna need it." Amethyst said looking at the door
"This is an obvious trap. And we're gonna walk right into aren't we?" Pearl said
"Not much choice Pearl." Superman said
"Stay on guard." Garnet said moving towards the door the others following behind. As the left the ship in the large hall once they were gone a small hatch opened on the side of the ship, and from it a crystal shard popped out.
The group slowly made their ways through the winding halls of the spacecraft, searching every corner the passed all their senses tuned to the slightest sign of trouble. But no sign came, which only made the tension worse.
"Dang it, aren't they gonna throw something at us?" Amethyst said
"They're examining us. Leading us somewhere." Garnet said as another door opened
And this door leads to the strange display of Animals Steven passed through earlier. Surprised by the sight they all took a moment to marvel at what they were seeing.
"Dude, it's like a cosmic zoo." Amethyst said looking at all the animals
"So many different species, it's amazing." Pearl said
"Any chance Steven is in one of these displays?" Garnet said making Pearl Visibly worried
"Wait….. I'm getting a heartbeat. A human one." Superman said focusing on hearing
"Lead the way!" Garnet said as Superman ran towards the source the others behind him
They ran past many of the things Steven passed, the starfish and the massive box in this display room. They came to another open door and entered a dark room, before they knew it the door behind them closed and they were in complete darkness. It lasted for a few seconds until a single spotlight shined on the other end of the room.
"STEVEN!" they all yelled
Steven was indeed under the light unconscious and on his knees, tied down by various metal wires. The gems reached him first kneeling down to check on him.
"STEVEN ARE YOU OKAY!" Pearl worried holding his face making Steven stir
"G-Guys…." Steven stirred
"Were here Steven, you're gonna be okay." Amethyst said as Garnet began tearing the various wires off
"Stand back." Superman said his eyes glowing
The gems did so and with masterful precision he used a thin beam of heat vision to slice through the wires that held Steven down. They all harmlessly fell to the floor in pieces as Steven slumped to his side, Garnet catching him and picking him up.
"Steven, you're gonna be okay." Garnet said holding him the others crowding around her
"…..E-everyone… GUYS IT'S TRAP!" Steven yelled shooting up
"Take it slow Steven." Superman said trying to keep him calm
"THIS IS A TRAP SETUP BY BRAINIAC! SHE'S TRYING TO BLOW UP THE SUN! WE NEED TO STOP HER!" Steven yelled
"Steven what are you talking about?" Pearl asked
"pppfft- and who's Brainiac?" Amethyst said giggling at the name
"We are Brainiac!" a voice said as the room lit up revealing the Kryptonian displays
"All this stuff….. its-." Superman started but stopped when the floor opened up and Brainiac slowly rose from it to face the heroes
"So you must be Brain-ni-aaaaaaaaaac." Superman said starting confidently but quickly went to unsure he looked up and she quickly towered over all of them, holding a cold indifferent look on her face as the wires came down and attached to her once again
"That is not what I pictured by someone named Brainiac." Amethyst said nervously
"You came early, nice to see someone on this planet is considerate about whos time their wasting." Brainiac said stepping towards them
"You-you're a gem-you're a fusion!" Garnet said looking at the gems on her forehead.
"We have evolved beyond such primitive things, now we believe you have something that belongs to us." Brainiac said looking at Superman
"What do you even want?" Pearl asked
"She's trying to take all Earth Knowledge and then wants to blow up the planet! AND SHE WANTS MY BODY!" Steven yelled
"I'm sorry what?" Superman said turning to look at Steven
"No, she wants to take over my mind and control my body!" Steven said
"…. I'M SORRY WHAT?!" Superman said
"ENOUGH OF YOUR IDIOTIC YAMMERING!" Brainiac yelled annoyed getting everyone's attention
"For years we have had to go through the torture of staring at this empty hole within our Kryptonian archive. A constant reminder of failure, incompletion, IMPERFECTION! We will not stand another day, no ANOTHER SECOND! Of staring at it. Now we are only going to ask kindly once, WHERE IS THE KRYPTONIAN CODEX!" Brainiac yelled
"It was destroyed, along with Krypton." Pearl said
"We will ask for your opinion when we desire it! Now Kryptonian tell me where the codex is or so help me!" Brainiac said reaching for Superman, but Garnet grabbed her wrist before she could touch him
"You will release us at once." Brainiac said coldly
"I think you need to reevaluate the situation here. You're not the one giving orders." Garnet said squeezing her wrist
"Yes we are." Brainiac said simply
Just then a claw grabbed Garnet by the back of the head lifted her up and threw her across the room.
"Even with you all being sprayed down by the disinfectant while you meandered through my ship, just….. ugh!" Brainiac said looking at her wrist
During that Moment Superman had jumped up ready to deliver a punch to Brainiac's face, summoning up the right amount of strength. It soared towards her face like a rocket, only for it to meet her palm with a Loud POW. Superman looked shocked as she gave no reaction from his punch meeting her palm.
"If you going to attack, at least give it your all." Brainiac said offended her hand closing around his
He couldn't even yelp as he was lifted into the air and then slammed onto the metal floor denting it. He let out a gag as pain filled his body and he was lifted to Brainiac's face.
"It's inside you isn't it? Hidden in your very gene's isn't it?!" Brainiac said
Then a whip wrapped around her wrist
"Let him go!" Amethyst yelled as she pulled getting no reaction from Brainiac
Brainiac did even look at Amethyst as a metal tentacle came out of her back and touched the strap. Then a current of energy was sent through the whip towards Amethyst. Amethyst saw this and let the handle go as the energy reached it falling on her back. The whip jerked around before exploding into purple light. Pearl let out a battle cry as she charged forward spear raised and going for Brainiac's ankle. CLANG, the spear bounced off it much to Pearl's shock. Again without looking Brainiac simply moved her foot to the side kicking Pearl away like moving a pebble out of the street.
"Where is the Kryptonian Codex?" Brainiac said as she squeezed his hand a bit getting a scream
Superman then fired a blast of heat vision to her wrist making her let go with a hiss. As Superman landed on his feet, Garnet burst towards Brainiac fist raised. Brainiac simply batted her out of the air like a fly, Garnet rolled to her feet and fired her rockets at Brainiac. Brainiac caught the rocket easily and threw it back at Garnet. Garnet jumped out of the way but was still caught in the explosion being blown back and rolling across the ground. Garnet groaned trying to stand but was pinned to the ground when Brainiac stepped on her chest and began pushing her deeper into the floor.
Superman came in Tackling her ankle and making her stumble forward releasing Garnet. Brainiac growled as she tried to make Superman release her, only for Pearl to jump on her back and use her spear to try and to strangle her.
"Really? We don't need to breathe." Brainiac said annoyed as she grabbed Pearl. She then kicked the back of her leg up forcing Superman to let go and as he was in the air Brainiac spun around and smashed Pearl into him sending them both into a wall.
Amethyst roared charging forward with her spin dash aimed at Brainiac's chest, resulting in her bouncing off it like a rubber ball. Brainiac then smacked her to the ground next to Garnet.
"Rush her, together!" Garnet yelled as she took off Amethyst close behind
Superman and Pearl did the same ready to attack. Brainiac had a look of irritation on her as they came close to her, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Useless." She hissed as multiple metal wires shot out of her back going towards them
The team immediately stopped in their tracks as they were besieged by the wires lashing at them. They went on the defensive blocking and parrying the lasing wires as Brainiac stood in the center unamused. It looked like dozens upon dozens were coming at them as a flurry of punches, spear slashes, and whip cracks kept them at bay.
"ENOUGH!" Brainiac yelled as the cables stopped lashing and went straight out impacting on all the heroes chests and sending them to the wall.
Superman however was lifted into the air and then slammed into the ground. The gems tried to escape, but they were suddenly shocked by a strange purple energy from the cables making them scream out in pain. Their movements started to slow and then stopped when they were dropped onto the floor.
"I-I can't move!" Amethyst yelled
"Whats-going-on!" Pearl yelled
"We simply used a controlled shock to disrupt the energy flow from your gems, to make sure this farce doesn't go longer than it has to." Brainiac said
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but I can keep going." Superman said standing up
"No your done." Brainiac said
Before Superman could say anything, he let out a pained scream as a Green laser hit his back. Behind him Metallo stood firing a laser from his back slowly walking towards Superman as he was forced to his knees screaming in pain.
"STOP!" Steven yelled getting between the two having summoned his shield sending the beam to the ceiling
"Calm yourself Steven." Brainiac said as Metallo stopped firing and more wires came to tie Steven down
"I'm not gonna let you hurt my friends!" Steven yelled as he tried to escape
"We wouldn't have to hurt them if they cooperated. Now Kryptonian, where is the codex?" Brainiac asked as Metallo held Superman
"I-it's just like Pearl said, it's destroyed." Superman groaned
"LIAR! I KNOW IT'S HERE!" Brainiac said
"It's gone, I don't know what kind of setup you have here, but Krypton is gone. I'm all that's left." Superman said
"….. Is that so?" Brainiac said as her gems glowed
From the ground the pedestal and the Bottled city of Kandor rose. Brainiac smirked as one of her back tentacles reached for the city and picked it up bringing it to Superman.
"Then what pray tell is this?" Brainiac asked
"I-you-how is that possible?" Superman said seeing the city and the people inside
"She didn't destroy the city Superman, she shrunk it to keep in some creepy science exhibit!" Steven said
"Wait she literally is shrinking cities?" Amethyst said
"I told you that already!" Steven said
"We thought you were speaking figuratively, you know how excitable you can get and tend to blow things out of proportion." Pearl said
"So that means that bit about blowing up the planet." Garnet said
"I have all the data I need from Earth, I am free to start the erasure at my convenience." Brainiac said
"You! Did you destroy Krypton?" Superman asked with a growl
"Didn't need to. The planet was already on the verge of its own destruction with its unrestrained harvesting of their world's core. Falling into the same trappings as those fools on HW!" Brainiac said just then a cable came in and jabbed Superman's neck getting some blood
A screen popped up next to Brainiac and she began searching through the data.
"Where is it, I know it's here!" Brainiac said as she looked through the screen, until a massive X appeared on the screen
"What? No! There's no genetic manipulation here, you weren't made in a genesis chamber. And if you weren't then that means the codex couldn't be implanted." Brainiac said looking shocked as she ran her hand through her hair
"I wasn't made in a genesis chamber." Superman said
"WHERE IS IT?! I FOLLOWED THE SIGNAL HERE, IT WAS NO DOUBT THE SAME AS THE KRYPTONIAN CODEX! WHERE HAVE YOU HIDDEN IT?!" Brainiac yelled getting in Superman's face
"Wha-what signal? I don't know what you're talking about!" Superman yelled back
"I am going to give you 5 seconds to tell where it is." Brainiac said as she held up the city of Kandor. And from the ground Beach City also rose up which she quickly snatched up.
"Is that?" Pearl said
"Beach city." Garnet growled
"And if you don't, you're going to have to answer a question. Nature or Nurture?" Brainiac said holding the bottles up
"What?" Superman said shocked
"Tell me where the Codex is or tell me which you care about more. Your people or your surrogates. I will get rid of the one you don't care for." Brainiac said holding them up
"YOU DISEASED MANIAC!" Superman
1
"The Codex is destroyed, it's gone!" Superman yelled
2
"STOP DON'T DO IT!" Garnet yelled
3
"PLEASE YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS!" Steven cried
4
"IT'S RIGHT HERE!" a voice said getting everyone's attention
"Lola?" Superman said
"A Kryptonian servant shard?" Brainiac said confused
"I have the Codex, right here. All its knowledge imprinted onto my gem." Lola said walking forward
Krypton, Day of destruction
"Master El, why have you brought me here?" Lola asked as the room shook
"I brought you here because of this." Jor-El said holding out what looked to be a skull
"I-You-That's the Kryptonian codex. How-." Lola asked
"I took it during Zod's Coup." Jor-El said
"Then you lied when he came here demanding it." Lola said
"And I'd be dead if it wasn't for you." Jor-El said with a smile putting a hand on her shoulder
"My son and this are Krypton's future. Kal-El is the future, but he must learn from the past in order not to make the same mistakes. He would need a teacher, and you can be that teacher 707-V. With what he learns from Earth, maybe he can make what he learns from you better." Jor-El said
"Master El." Lola said
"If I can be honest 707-V, I am kind of glad Kal-El wouldn't have to grow up here. We know that Kal-El would never be accepted by this world. To think a moment of passion in the great woods would lead to so much to much trouble." Jor-El said
"No trouble is the wrong word. At first I was scared, when Lara came to me and told me she wanted to keep him. I played with the idea of telling the council, but my love for Lara came through in the end and I am glad it did." Jor-El said
"You helped to keep him hidden for those cycles and helped me bring him to this world." Jor-El said
"It was a truly joyous day Jor-El." Lola said
"It was, when I held him in my arms. Such a feeling of love, more than what I felt for Lara filled me. I-think that must've been the happiest day of my life….. funny seeing how it's going to end soon." Jor-El said taking a moment of silence between the two
"… 707-V please protect my son." Jor-El said
"Master El, I would've done that even if you didn't ask." Lola said with a smile making Jor-El
"Who knows maybe sometime, when the time is right. He'll be the one to bring about a new age of Kryptonians. Ones who are not pre-destined for on path but can choose their own. That will be the one thing he has to surpass all of us." Jor-El said as he put the Codex down and gestured Lola forward
Present Day
"Master El thought that one day you could bring back Krypton, but he wanted you to learn about this world first and live among them." Lola said
"There wasn't that much to learn." Brainiac quipped
"B-But why keep the fact you had the Codex from me?" Superman asked
"Because you weren't ready. You are always so head first with everything, if I told you that there was a chance to bring more Kryptonians into existence you may have asked to start the process. This world is so young, they are barely taking to you, how will they take an entirely new race." Lola said
"True these humans are extremely primitive. So what, you are going to give up yourself so that we release your master. If that was your plan, you are dumber than everyone else here." Brainiac said as she shot out her wires and grabbed Lola
Lola gave no reaction as she was lifted up to Brainiac's face, wires creeping around her body. One of them jabbed into her chest and began to glow.
"We are going to tear the information from your body, and then finally leave this world to be burned to a crisp. And we will finally be able to implant my consciousness within Steven. We admit we were curious about the effects of yellow sun radiation on Kryptonian cells, so dissecting your Master will prove fruitful for our continued accession. He'll have to come after the strange creatures who boarded our ship." Brainiac said
"You leave Lion and Krypto alone!" Steven yelled
"Krypto is here?!" Superman said
"Lions here?!" Pearl said
"So that's where they went." Lola said in realization
"And as for those three we're gonna need new gems drones since you broke our last two. We're not sure about the Amethyst, though we do enjoy fixing broken things." Brainiac said with a smirk
"SCREW YOU!" Amethyst yelled
"Did you honestly not think this was going to happen?" Brainiac said
"No this is exactly as I pictured it." Lola said with a smirk getting a confused looked from Brainiac that quickly turned to shock
"You're in our system?" Brainiac said
"Quite easy, guess you never pictured something like this happening. I didn't have the time to take control of the whole system, just one vital component." Lola said
"The core." Brainiac hissed
"Yes that, and this." Lola said as he eyes flashed
Suddenly Metallo let out a pained scream as he held his head letting Superman go and fall to his knees with a grunt.
"Kal-El take the bottled cities and your friends and retreat back to Earth. I am going to detonate this ship." Lola said
"WHAT NO, YOU CAN'T" Steven yelled
"This is my duty, Steven. I will protect Kal-El no matter the cost, whether it be Krypton's future or my life." Lola said
"I'm not going to let you do this Lola!" Superman said getting to his feet
"I'm afraid, that's an order I can't take." Lola said
"THAT'S NOT AN ORDER! Lola, I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself because of me. I'm not worth it." Superman said
"YOU ARE WORTH IT! Not for Krypton's future, but…. The sentimental value… Kal-El did you know I was the first person to hold you?" Lola said
"I delivered you in the Halls of El, hidden from everyone else. I brought you into the light, I was the first to touch your soft skin, I was the first to see your beautiful blue eyes." Lola said
"It was at that moment, I knew that I would protect this child with my life. Not just because he was an El….. but because I loved him." Lola said looking at Superman with tears in her eyes
"So I am prepared for this, NOW GO!" Lola yelled, Superman was conflicted
"How sweet, but no. None of you are going anywhere." Brainiac said
"If you as much flex a muscle I will set the core to blow, there is nothing you can do!" Lola said
"Hm… we can do this!" Brainiac said as her gems flashed and the ship shuddered
"What did you-?" Lola said
"The sun destroyer, we just launched it." Brainiac said simply
"WHAT?!" All the heroes yelled
"Within 10 minutes it will reach your sun and cause it to go supernova, swallowing the Earth whole. So do feel free to go down there, if you are in a hurry to die with everyone else. Or you can stay nice and snug in my spaceship, which has been modified to resist a supernova. That is if your servant shard doesn't destroy it." Brainiac said looking at Lola with a sly grin who now appeared visibly nervous
"And don't bother trying to stop it from here, now that we're aware of what you are doing it would be quite easy to stop you. Not only that but the sun destroyer is completely cut off from the ship now, it won't stop until it's detonated." Brainiac said as she brought Lola closer
"So little shard how will you protect your master now?" Brainiac asked condescendingly a Pearl begins to sweat visibly
"You're cruel!" Garnet hissed
"No, we are pragmatic. We mean how did you think this was going to end all of you?" Brainiac asked everyone in the room
"Did you all have a plan? No, were you just going to burst in a punch us, saving the day like in those stupid human cartoons." Brainiac asked
"We mean we weren't expecting much from these mindless drones" Brainiac said looking at the crystal gems
"But you Kryptonian, we expected so much more. The Kryptonians were one of the most advanced races in the galaxy, just a few notches below the Coluans. But look at you, your nothing but a brute, the only thing you retained from your people is their arrogance. Calling yourself Superman, ridiculous." Brainiac said looking down at Superman
"You should be grateful, we are taking you away from this place Steven. Look at him Steven, this planet has clearly corrupted his ideals. Though with the revelation of his birth, it's clear he has none to begin with. Perhaps he is suffering from some brain deformity?" Brainiac says to Steven
"No he doesn't, stop!" Steven yells
"With these powers he could've made Earth a New Krypton. But instead he wastes them." Brainiac said
"He's not wasting them, he helps people!" Steven yelled defiantly
"Shame he couldn't help himself. Let this be a lesson Steven, people on the top shouldn't worry themselves about those who are below. Though you won't be worrying about much once we're done with you." Brainiac said
"Don't you dare touch him!" Pearl asked
"Like any of you could've done better with him? With us he will reach his true potential. You were content with letting him be human." Brainiac said
"He is human you dolt!" Amethyst yelled
"Why be human when you could be a god! Look at you all content with being mere pawns in a game. Well we are no Pawns, we are playing the game, and Steven will be the piece that gives us checkmate!" Brainiac grinned
"He-is not-something to be used!" Garnet growled struggling to move
"You all are, that is all your good for. All of you have the pleasure of being steps to our success. You could've been more than step Kal-El, such a shame. It looks like your father sent you to the wrong world or put his faith in the wrong thing." Brainiac said looking at Lola
"You know you talk a lot." Superman says as he stands up
"No divine mandate says you get to step on other people just so you can go higher, that's all you, and your wrong! Having gifts doesn't put you above anyone, it just gives you a responsibility to use those gifts in service of others. To make things better for your fellows, Brainiac you claim to be smart. But it looks like to me your wasting your gifts." Superman says getting an annoyed growl from Brainiac
"I however don't plan on wasting mine, I use my gifts to help those who can't help themselves. To guide people to a better way. You say the Earth is doomed without your intervention, again you're wrong. People can change, the world can change, and I'm going to give it my all to make sure that's gonna happen." Superman said as he readied himself for a fight
"Oh ho, really. We have no responsibility but to ourselves and putting those Homeworld fools in their place. And do tell me how do you plan to see this great tomorrow you speak of? How do you plan to catch the sun destroyer which is already reaching Venus." Brainiac said as she slowly began to raise herself off the ground
"And how do you, by your lonesome, plan to defeat the unparalleled being before? How do you one with so many flaws, plan to stop one who is PERFECT!" Brainiac yells
"YOU'RE NOT PERFECT!" Steven yells getting everyone's attention and causing a moment of silence
"Would you-like-to say that again-STEVEN!" Brainiac hissed looking dead at him
"Y-you're not perfect. And I know that for a fact!" Steven said
"How?" Brainiac said daring him to continue
"Because… I…. Know your weakness!" Steven said taking a moment to think
This again brought out another moment of silence
"You?" Brainiac said not angry but disbelieving
"Yyyyyyyes." Steven said slightly unsure
The silence continued
"AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Brainiac burst out laughing
Brainiac continued to laugh doubling over and shaking Lola around like a rag doll. Everyone looked at her slightly concerned with the sudden outburst, and how long she was laughing for.
"AHHA-AHHA-hahaha-oh my ha! We think that is the first time we outright laughed. In our entire life that is the first funny thing we heard!" Brainiac said taking a breath, Steven feeling really sad about what she was saying
"Okay-okay-Okay, I'm good. Alright, I'm curious. Tell me Steven what is my Fatal flaw?" Brainiac asked condescendingly
"Why don't I just show you. SUPERMAN!" Steven yelled getting Superman's attention
"You meant it right? About helping others, finding a better way, giving it your all!" Steven asked
"Of course I did." Superman says
"Well I wanna give it my all to! So why don't we both give our all and beyond even that!" Steven said determined
Superman looked at Steven surprised, but then a look of realization grew on his face.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Superman asked as Steven nodded
Garnet looked at the two realizing what they were planning
"DO IT!" Garnet yelled
Before Brainiac could figure out what they were talking about, Superman took off towards Steven's arms outstretched. Superman then embraced Steven in a hug, at that moment the only thing on both their minds was the need to save their friends and their world. They were soon both engulfed in bright pink. Brainiac's eyes widened as the two forms meshed into one and slowly grew before her eyes. The light took the form of a man, it was still in the binds that held Steven before but it was clear that they were too small to contain what was forming. Soon the wires snapped and the light around the figure exploded outwards in a beautiful display of pink sparkles raining down around it. The fusion had returned standing proudly before everyone.
But he was different this time, or at least his outfit was. He now wore a one-piece suit the top half of this suit was the color of Steven's shirt with the combination Star/Crest Proudly on his chest, and the length of his sleeves reaching only his biceps. At the waist the diamond shape that was at the center was now replaced with a star. And the Lower half beneath the waist was now blue like a pair of pants, and his shoes were now like red gladiator boots. The fusion opened his eyes and focused on Brainiac who was utterly stunned.
"What-?" Brainiac said
"I am Kal-Ven, the Super-Gem! Champion of the Oppressed! The Physical Marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" the newly named Kal-Ven said raising his fist in a heroic pose
"And for the sake of my world and those I love, I WILL DEFEAT YOU!" Kal-Ven said pointing at Brainiac as she just stared at him
"You were capable of fusing with organics….. That is INCREDIBLE! You are already exceeding my calculations! This is the power that will propel us above our creators. THIS IS THE POWER THAT WILL-!" Brainiac started but was stopped when Kal-Ven was above her fists raised
Kal-Ven brought both his fists down atop of Brainiac's head creating a massive BAM that filled the whole room. Within a second Brainiac was sent through the floor of the room the cables attached to her snapping off and hanging loosely from the ceiling. And the only thing showing that something did happen was the now massive hole in the floor where Brainiac once stood. Brainiac luckily let go of Lola and the two bottled cities. Lola was in the air for a moment eyes wide as she tried to understand what just happened, until gravity finally took effect. But before either could fall a pink blur caught them bringing them away from the hole and towards the downed Crystal Gems. They looked up in awe as Kal-Ven stood before them holding the bottled Beach City in one arm and Lola in the other, while she was holding the bottled city of Kandor though she looked surprised that she had it.
"Hi." Kal-Ven said sheepishly looking at them
(Note: The final Battle is upon us, the next Chapter is when BRAINIAC ATTACKS! Can Kal-Ven take on the evil alien mastermind? What is Steven's plan? Will Beach City Return to Normal size? In one week you will find out. If you like what you've read leave I comment I will reply ASAP. Till next time :D