Marvel's Superman
Hello everyone Norrin here, as you can all tell this is a crossover story between Superman and The MCU. Having read quite a few excellent Superman/MCU crossover fanfictions I felt inspired to write my own. I hope you all enjoy it.
Cast
The cast for Krypton is virtually identical to that of Man of Steel and the MCU Cast is the same as well. However they are a few differences/new characters whose actors will be specified below.
Nam-Ek: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Zor-El: Robert Sean Leonard
Braniac(Voice): Michael Emerson
Jonathan Kent: Brendan Fraser
Chapter Notes
Dialogue in Italics means a different language than English is being spoken. In this chapter the language is Kryptonian, if a different language than English is spoken in later chapters I will specify which one.
Also I don't have a beta reader so I apologise in advance for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. If you're willing to be the beta reader for this story don't hesitate to P.M me.
Alright that should be everything, on with the story.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing. Superman is owned by DC Studios and Warner Bros and The MCU is owned by Marvel Studios and Disney.
Prologue
The Final Days of the Planet Krypton.
Location: Legislation Chamber/Courtroom – The Floating City of Kandor - 1988
The Council of Five was meeting to decide the fate of three of its citizens. The Council sat on their thrones watching as the accused were brought in. A solitary man stood in the corner of the square room watching the events. A faint tremor caused the courtroom to tremble momentarily as the prisoners were ushered in. Each member of the Council wore ceremonial gold and silver Kryptonian clothing, crystal rings that glowed cosmic red and had crowns adjourning their heads. The Council all pressed a button on the sides of their crowns that created a psychic link between them all. Soon after they all held the same condemning expression. It was clear even before the trial had begun that whoever they were trying would be severely punished.
The three accused Kryptonians were brought to the center of the courtroom, to a stage that hovered just slightly above the ground and stood below the Council. The energy handcuffs that were restraining them went out as two liquid geo rings came from the stage and spun around them encircling them. The trio of Kryptonians were wearing simple black skin suits that had their family crests proudly displayed on their respective chests and crystal rings which unlike those of the council were not glowing. All three were encased in a faint force field as the rings continued to spin around them. The three prisoners were; a giant of a man who had a strong physique to match with a shaved bald head and dark eyes, a somewhat short but pretty woman with an athletic build, brunette hair in a pixie haircut and piercing green eyes and their leader a tall, muscular man with dark cropped hair a neat beard and blue eyes filled with rage.
The council of Krypton looked down on the three Kryptonians and spoke in unison, "Dru-Zod, Faora-Ul and Nam-Ek. You stand here accused of one of the worst crimes a Kryptonian can commit, treason". "The three of you lead the militia you dubbed 'The Storm of Rao' in a two year long civil war against the council of Krypton that lead to the death of many innocent Kryptonians and did untold damage to the landscape of this planet".
The Council's tone was commanding and sure. They listed off Zod and his lieutenant's crimes as facts, making it clear no true argument or discussion was to be had here. Zod looked up at the council his face filled with disgust.
"For these crimes and countless others the remaining members of your militia have been sentenced to 100 cycles of Somatic reconditioning in the Phantom Zone. However, you and your close accomplices are sentenced to far worse, for your countless crimes against Krypton the three of you are sentenced to spending the rest of your days in the 'Land of No Return' within the Phantom Zone never to set foot on Krypton again" the Council continued their tones still as firm as before.
Zod nodded a cruel smirk on his face as he did so, "the Council of Five, the wise Council meant to be the best the Mediator Guild has to offer. The wise Council meant to lead Krypton to a better tomorrow, yet this is the tomorrow you led us to!" Zod spoke his voice growing louder with each sentence as he gestured to the world around him. "You sit above all, unaffected by the laws you enforce and dare accuse me of crimes against Krypton. I was born to fight for Krypton. Was it not I who lead Krypton to victory when the Thanagarians attacked? Was it not I who halted the Daxamite uprising? What have you all done for Krypton other than feed on its riches like the gluttons that you are? You sit there passing judgement but who will judge you for your crimes against Krypton? You lawmakers and your endless debates and foolish decisions have lead Krypton to ruin!" Zod screamed his voice filled with disdain as he stared right at the council and spat in their direction.
"The only person who has lead Krypton to ruin is you Dru-Zod" the Council retorted. "Your pointless war to takeover Krypton and gain control of the Codex caused immense damage to the cities of Argo and Kryptonopolis" the Council's tone was angrier than before, Zod's words had clearly had an effect on them.
"Any damage me and my followers have done is nothing compared to the damage done by Council's inaction and idiotic decisions. You can send me and my lieutenants to the Phantom Zone but know this, in the end, when Rao collects the Kryptonian souls to forge new stars your souls will be left behind, they'll be no apotheosis or rebirth for any of you. Your souls will be left to the void." Zod smiled as he said the last part, it was clear the thought of the Council being left to the void was something that brought him pleasure. A tremor rocked the courtroom after Zod finished speaking, the whole room shook as yet another miniature earthquake passed across the city of Kandor.
"Dru-Zod, Faora-Ul, Nam-Ek. May Rao have mercy on you as you face your punishment" the Council spoke with finality. The 'trial' was over. Zod turned to the man in the corner. He had long dark hair and a full beard. He was tall, with a lean but athletic frame and deep blue eyes that looked like a bottomless pool with unimaginable intelligence beneath. His expression was neutral but not apathetic and he was wearing a neon white skin suit with a white cloak over it as well as a glowing crystal ring. Like all Kryptonians he had his family crest proudly displayed on his chest, the symbol on his crest looked like an S.
"Jor-El, you will stand there silent as I am thrown into the Phantom Zone. I thought we were brothers", Zod said as he looked at the man in the -El walked forward until he reached the center of the room and stood in front of Zod, staring at him, his eyes searching for something, anything, he could recognize in Zod's face.
"Maybe once Dru, but I cannot ignore the pain you have caused. I will honor the man you once were, not this monster before me", Jor-El spoke his voice firm but hurt. Zod stared back at Jor-El and nodded anger and betrayal flashing in his eyes and his expression.
"You think me a monster Jor-El? You told the council that harnessing the power from Krypton's core would be disastrous. Did they listen? Of course not, in their hubris they believed they could control the damage but they could not. If you and I had not gone against the Council's wishes and stopped them Krypton would be beyond saving. I simply took what you and I did and expanded on it. The council needed to be disbanded in order for Krypton to return to glory." Zod spoke far calmer than before, he wasn't trying to lash out like he did with the council but rather trying to reach his former friend.
He moved closer to Jor-El and looked in his intelligent blue eyes "Jor they are going to destroy Krypton and then sit on their thrones as the world we love burns around them. I didn't fight because I am an evil man but because the good of Krypton hang in the balance. The future of our world can't be left to them, men like us are what Krypton needs more of, their degenerative bloodlines need to be cut out so Krypton can start anew. Imagine it; you and I leading Krypton together to another glorious galactic expansion. Imagine it Jor, we could build a Kryptonian empire like the one we dreamed of when we were in the academies". Zod's voice was no longer calm but almost desperate, he was pleading with the man he spent decades being the closest of friends with and working side by side with for the glory of Krypton.
Jor-El stared at his once friend and remembered the days when they were almost inseparable, he remembered the noble soldier who fought for all of his people. A man who carried a torch for his people so bright you could see his patriotic joy in his eyes. Jor-El looked into Zod's eyes and was saddened to see the torch was gone, snuffed out by decades of experiences. In its place was a different glow, one of megalomania.
Jor-El spoke softly to Zod, his voice filled with disapproval "You're lost Dru, you have no right to choose whose lives have meaning and whose don't. Everyone on Krypton should be free to choose their fates not have that choice stripped of them by you and your militia. You speak of returning Krypton to glory but almost tore it apart fighting battles that shouldn't have ever happened. Innocent men, women and children died in your two-year onslaught. Sons and daughters of Krypton were cut down before they could become who they were destined to be. War was not the solution Dru, it rarely is."
The Council of Krypton looked down on Krypton's greatest scientist and greatest warrior as they had their final discussion. Two sons of Krypton responsible for some of Krypton's greatest triumphs in the last century were in opposition to one another, unable to recognize the person they used to consider close enough to call brother. The two men stepped away from each other, Jor-El looking saddened by the conversation and Zod looking very angered by his friends' rejection.
"This isn't the end Jor, I will remember this day. The day you stood back and watched as I was damned to a black hole for all eternity" Zod spoke to Jor-El his voice filled with hatred. "I offered you a chance for greatness Jor-El, to be by my side as I create a new Krypton and instead you spat in my face" Zod's tone of voice was louder now and his face was twisting into a cruel and domineering sneer.
He was no longer trying to reach his friend, no longer pleading instead he was filled with a feeling of deep betrayal.
Zod shouted out as his feelings overtook him his voice filled with malice and confidence "I promise you all this; even if it takes an eternity I will claim the Codex! I will remake Krypton and return it to its rightful position as the greatest empire in the known universe! And when I am done you will all kneel before me."
Zod's rage was completely untethered at this point and the courtroom seemed to shake as he screamed out "and you Jor will not be by my side but at my feet. You will bow down before me Jor-El, I swear it!"
Jor-El turned his back on Zod and walked back to the corner he was originally standing in, his friend was truly gone and he could not bear to look at Zod in this state anymore.
"You will bow down before me Jor-El, no matter how long it takes. You willbow down before me! Both you and then one day your heirs!" Zod declared maniacally, shouting as loud as he possibly could.
Zod's declaration sent a chill throughout the legislation chamber. The Council of Five stood in stunned silence. If any other man had said those words it would not have phased them all but Zod's drive and rage knew no bounds, if any man could make good on such a promise it was Zod. They all pushed the thought away not allowing themselves to let fear creep into their minds.
"The Phantom Drive is ready; Dru-Zod, Faora-Ul and Nam-Ek I hope you have said your goodbyes to Krypton" the Council spoke as the roof of the courtroom opened up to reveal Krypton's sky.
Flying beasts soared freely through the sky alongside various Kryptonians who were projecting constructs from their rings of flying chariots, jet packs or hover boards made from solar energy. The red sun illuminated the cold planet and a small portal was forming directly above the legislation chamber.
The three prisoners looked up at the portal and Zod gave the Council of Five a cold and vengeful look, he had murderous rage in his eyes
"We said goodbye to the Krypton we knew years ago" Zod said on behalf of his comrades.
The Council nodded as the stage was engulfed by a tractor beam from the Phantom Zone portal just as the liquid geo rings stopped spinning and the force field dissipated.
Zod looked to his comrades reassuringly and then said with authority "Salute!" All three immediately clenched their right hand in a fist and pounded the left side of their chest.
"For the glory of Krypton" they all shouted in unison as they were lifted into the Phantom Zone.
The roof closed over the courtroom and Jor-El looked towards the Kryptonian council.
"Was there another matter to discuss Jor-El?" the Council asked.
"Yes", Jor-El responded firmly.
The council assuming, they knew where the conversation was going preemptively spoke "I hope you don't intend to speak on Krypton's imminent destruction once again. This council has had more than enough of your end is nigh speeches. Krypton is a shining beacon to the universe blest by Rao, we are a civilization that the rest of the galaxy looks up to in wonder and awe, these tremors will pass our sensors are constantly monitoring them and the subterraneous-bots are working to repair the damage done to the core. The Brain Interactive Construct you designed which possesses a 12th Level intellect has informed us that there is nothing to fear. Its new and advanced data satellite is monitoring the planet and even it can't detect the apocalypse you are so quick to speak on. We can assure you this will pass. Trust us Jor-El we will not meet our end any time soon". The Council tried to put on a kind and calming tone but they couldn't fully hide their condescension and holier than thou attitude.
Jor-El humbly nodded as they spoke to him, he had tried and tried to convince the council of his findings but they dismissed him in favor of his creations Braniac's findings. He did not understand why he and Braniac had different findings but regardless Jor-El knew as it stood he could not convince the Council of Five and had he did not need to be ridiculed once again.
"No council I am not here to bring up past grievances, I only have a humble request. I need permission to take custody of the Codex". Jor-El's tone was filled with resolve even though he was making a request it was clear that there was no answer to it other than to give him the Codex.
"For what purpose?" the Council asked.
"The survival of Krypton", Jor-El replied simply.
The Council looked down at Jor-El inquisitively, they then looked at one another mentally deliberating what he could possibly want the Codex for and whether or not to allow him to take it.
Jor-El sensing their hesitancy spoke up "I am the greatest mind on Krypton right now, I was bred to discover, innovate and solve, all for the glory of Krypton. Every action I take is for the good of the future of Krypton. I assure you all I am simply looking to the future to ensure it isn't damaged by these tremors".
The Council nodded, Jor-El's words had the intended effect.
"Jor-El we are entrusting Krypton's genetic codex to you. Know that possession of the codex is a huge responsibility. Take care to not impair it in any way, all of the future sons and daughters of Krypton are held within it" the Council of Five spoke, their tone of voice made it clear that should Jor-El fail to keep the Codex safe they would be huge consequences.
Jor-El nodded and said to them "believe me Council, my only intention is to ensure those sons and daughters have a future".
Jor-El then bowed his head to the Council before exiting the legislation courtroom.
Jor-El headed out of the courtroom and made his way to a balcony that overlooked the great city of Kandor. He looked at the magnificent floating city with its incredible platinum, gold and crystal buildings and structures and high tech architecture. The city of Kandor was equipped with an anti-gravity core powered by sunstone allowing it float in the sky. The sunstone crystal also connected the floating city with the rest of the planet, making it so it would change as the planets terrain did. While this was usually good as Krypton's terrain was often adapted by Kryptonians in order to improve standard of living it was a detriment now as the same tremors that shook the ground below affected the floating city. The planet's terrain was lush filled with multiple bioluminescent plants, large water bodies that just like the plants glowed with a bioluminescent light and mountains and fortresses made of pure crystal.
Jor-El turned to his left and looked down and into the distance. He could see Argo from here, the large city was built next to the giant wall of lava constantly coming from the sprawling and incredibly large mountain range made from rock and crystal that many on Krypton aptly named fire falls. The cities protective dome was illuminated by the orange red glow of the lava and its silver liquid geo buildings and crystals caught the orange light making the city look majestic.
He then looked down into the distance and to his right so he was able to see his home Kryptonopolis, the largest city in Krypton. It was a huge city of crystal with some golden and liquid geo buildings. The city had multiple bioluminescent water bodies snaking through it and mountains made of pure sunstone littered the edges of the massive city. Jor-El enjoyed looking at the incredible view of Krypton from the floating city. It was beautiful, even when dying his home still took his breath away.
Jor-El pulled himself away from admiring the cities of Krypton and took a deep breath knowing what he was about to do was an act that he could not return from. He looked at the crystal ring on his index finger. The ring was entirely crystal with a diamond shape at the front of the ring and it glowed with a very dull white light. The ring was called a Sun ring, a unique ring capable of creating anything its user could imagine by harnessing solar and cosmic energy. The ring was made entirely of sunstone, a luminescent crystal that was everywhere on Krypton. Many Kryptonians believed the crystal was a gift from Rao, it stored, redirected and produced cosmic and solar energy and was unique in its capacity to create or control matter as well as project energy. Over the centuries Krypton's greatest scientist were able to program the crystals to create or control matter as Krypton needed. In fact, one of the earliest members of his house, the House of El, designed the Sun rings that Krypton used to become the greatest galactic empire ever. Those days were long past though, like all empires Krypton crumbled from within and now the once great empire was just a lone planet whose destruction was imminent.
"Keelex" Jor-El called out to the A.I of his service robot that he and his wife had also stored in their respective sun rings.
The crystal ring on his finger started glowing a cosmic red, powering itself up by harnessing the cosmic and solar energy around it.
"Call Lara" Jor-El instructed.
"Certainly sir", it replied in a robotic but female voice.
Soon a holographic projection of his wife stood before him; Lara was a tall beautiful woman with a slim build, dark curly hair, clear skin and piercing bright blue eyes that almost seemed to glow. She wore typical blue Kryptonian formal attire and wore her sun ring on her right index finger like Jor-El did although she also had an additional sun ring hanging on a simple silver necklace she wore. Jor-El softly smiled at the sight of his wife Lara Lor-Van.
"How did it go with council today?" Lara asked in a soft but curious voice.
"Zod and his followers were thrown into the Phantom Zone and the Council agreed to give me possession of the Codex" Jor-El replied simply.
Lara looked at her husband and could see the sadness and anguish in him.
She quickly began to speak to him softly hoping her words would help him, "I am sorry about Zod; I know how close you two were. Seeing him thrown into the Phantom Zone must've been difficult, especially considering our plan. Do you have the strength for it Jor? It's not easy to go against your own home, if you need me to do this just say the word".
Jor-El took in his wife's words, smiling at how easily she could read him.
"No Lara" Jor-El responded softly "the strength is there, we made our decision long ago. I just needed to see you and speak to you before everything…."
Jor-El thought of what was to come and let himself drift off momentarily, however a tremor quickly shook him back to his senses and he steeled himself.
"I am glad your resolve is as strong as it is Lara because there's no coming back from this. Stay with Kal keep him hidden so the Council doesn't discover his existence and prepare the incorporation machine. I'll be home shortly with the Codex." Jor-El's tone was different when he spoke this time, more assured. Both he and Lara knew it was time.
"I'll see you soon Jor" Lara stated as Jor-El dropped the call.
Jor-El then willed his ring to create a hovercraft and the ring glowed once again projecting energy that shaped itself into the hovercraft Jor-El imagined. Jor-El said a silent prayer to Rao as he stepped onto the craft before making a beeline towards the Bio-Matrix Labs.
Location: Bio-Matrix Labs - Kandor - 1988
Moments later Jor-El entered the labs. It was a large stadium sized building shaped like an infinity symbol, built on top of one of Kandor's waterfalls. He calmly strode through the building greeting various scientists as he passed. He stopped by his brother Zor-El's laboratory and let himself in. Inside he saw his brother Zor-El hard at work on something. He wore a simple blue Kryptonian skin suit with the House of El symbol at its center and a white Kryptonian lab coat over it, he wore his sun ring on his left thumb. Zor-El was shorter and less athletic than Jor-El with lighter hair, a rounder face but the same fiercely intelligent deep blue eyes.
Zor-El soon spotted him and said "brother what brings you to my lab? Have you grown bored and decided to come to my laboratory of biological advancement? I'm currently working on a way to allow Kryptonian cells to merge with sunstones. I'd love to have your input as nobody understands Kryptonian technology and sunstones better than you."
Zor-El quickly went to his liquid geo computer and soon his work was on display before Jor-El. Liquid geo renderings of Kryptonian biology and sunstone were created and shown to Jor-El.
"Think of the application for it if we could add it to the codex." Zor-El continued not sensing his brother's mood and eager to show his work. "I know it may be decades away but Jor it would mean no more sun rings, one-day Krypton's next sons and daughters may have skeletons made from sunstone".
Jor-El could tell his brother was giddy with excitement and he hated ruining his mood but he knew it was now or never.
"I wish I could help brother, truly I do. It sounds like a project I would enjoy very much however I am only here because I need the data you recovered on Kryptonian biology and its interaction with a young star" Jor-El spoke in a very serious tone.
His brother's face changed immediately, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
"Today? Are you sure it has to be today; the tremors aren't earth shattering yet maybe we have more time?" Zor-El spoke solemnly all excitement dropping from his voice as his expression became very saddened.
"I'm afraid so Zor, we are in the final days of Krypton" Jor-El replied unhappy to be the one to make his brother sad.
"Have you spoken to Alura?" Jor-El asked his brother wanting to keep his mind on the mission.
"I have, she's allowed me to build the ship but she doesn't fully believe. The members of the Mediator Guild have her doubting your findings so she'll only let Kara on the ship when Krypton's doom is imminent and not a moment before" Zor-El replied.
Jor-El frustratingly shook his head cursing the council and the Mediator Guild for their hubris.
"It's okay brother, it's for the best. My phantom drive projector isn't perfect yet and unlike you I don't have a wife who's the foremost leader on Phantom Drive technology" Zor-El joked to his brother.
Zor stepped towards his brother and calmly and reassuringly said "Don't worry I'll make sure Kara is sent to Earth and protects Kal. Our children won't be alone; they'll have each other".
Jor-El nodded assured by his brother's words.
Zor-El then turned to the liquid geo computer near him and pressed some buttons. Jor El's liquid geo wrist band beeped as it suddenly projected images and documents of Kryptonian anatomy and yellow stars.
"Thank you Zor, I wish I was coming to say better news" Jor-El said as he skimmed the information and stepped towards his younger sibling before placing his hand on his shoulder.
"I must go to the genesis chamber and collect the codex, I'll see you on the other side brother".
The two brothers hugged and Zor-El said "may Rao be with you" in a warm and loving tone.
"And also with you" Jor-El replied lovingly before heading off towards the genesis chamber.
Jor-El left his brothers office and as he walked to the lift that went down the waterfall he felt a slight feeling of panic growing throughout him. With every step that feeling grew; he was a scientist made to innovate, analyze and think for Krypton it wasn't his place to go against the council, this was treason. His heart beat quicker and Jor-El stopped as he reached the lift and looked at the magnificent waterfall before him. Jor-El closed his eyes and clenched his fist and fought those intrusive thoughts. He knew he was bred for a predetermined purpose, he was a Thinker meant to innovate as Krypton needed and this was act of treason went against that. These thoughts were a part of his genetic programming, like it was for all Kryptonians, natural subservience to the will of the Council in order to ensure law and order was kept throughout the planet. Jor-El took a breath to calm himself then he remembered holding his son and comforting Lara after Kal was born and he found the will he needed to overwrite his programming once more. His heartbeat steadied and he opened his eyes before he stepped onto the lift and went down to the lake below.
The lift took him down and into the diving chamber which was in a cave next to the lake. The chamber was a simple room with an advanced computer constantly streaming the data from the chamber to Braniac. Jor-El expected Braniac to sense him and question what he was planning but surprisingly Braniac hadn't sensed him yet. A service robot floated through the room.
"Good day, Jor-El, I am Kelon. A service robot made to liaise with those granted access to the genesis chamber. Would you like a wetsuit?". Jor-El simply nodded as his clothes were dematerialized by Kelon and a wetsuit was materialized around him.
"Thank you, Kelon that will be all for now".
Jor-El walked out of the cave and onto the lake bank. A force field appeared as he reached shoreline keeping him from entering the lake and the genesis chamber within it. Jor-El tapped his liquid geo wristband and his liquid geo key was materialized from it. Jor-El held out his key and put it in the force field.
"Access granted to Jor-El, former leader of the Thinkers Guild, 12th Level intellect, oldest living son of the House of El", an A.I voice spoke out as the force field dissipated and his liquid geo key floated back to him. Jor-El's key merged back into his wristband and after it did he willed his ring to create a breathing apparatus for him to use before diving into the lake.
The water was not freezing like most rivers in Krypton, it was heated and filled with the nutrients needed to keep the embryos in the genesis chamber healthy, all typical Kryptonian aquatic life was nowhere to be found in the genesis lake as the lake had been manipulated so the only life housed within it was the Kryptonian embryos. Jor-El swam to the genesis chamber passing the fetus's being tended to by the aqua-bots. He swam until he was near the bottom and in an underwater cave where he then swam to the top and found himself staring at the Kryptonian Growth Codex. The codex was made from the skull of an ancient Kryptonian, it's eye sockets contained sunstone and the skull was inscribed with Kryptonian lettering. The Codex was streaming genetic information to the genesis chamber via golden rays of light. Jor-El took hold of the Codex and the rays stopped being sent out. He looked at the Codex in his hand, elation filled his mind as he finally had possession of the Codex. He was successful, Krypton wouldn't die with this planet, his people would have a tomorrow. Jor-El smiled to himself as he thought this was the second time today he held the future of Krypton in his hands. However, he couldn't let himself enjoy this moment for too long as he knew Lara and Kal were waiting for him and time was of the essence. Jor-El willed his ring to create a miniature submarine around him that he then piloted quickly out of the genesis chamber.
When he surfaced at the top of the lake he walked into the diving chamber. Kelon came to him and dematerialized his wetsuit before rematerializing his clothes. Kelon also materialized a bag for Jor-El to keep the Codex in. Jor-El put the Codex in the bag then slung it over his shoulder and carried with him. Jor-El walked to the elevator Codex protected and in his possession but before he reached it the computer streaming information to Braniac awoke.
Three circles connected by lines to create a shape similar to an upside down triangle were projected onto the computer screen and soon thereafter Braniac spoke to him in its normal calculating condescending robotic tone "Good day father. I see you have taken possession of the Codex; may I enquire as to why?"
Jor-El simply chuckled to himself, he was naïve to think Braniac wouldn't sense him at all. He had made Braniac too well, it had access to all of Krypton's satellites and most of its computers due its job as the advanced A.I meant to store all of Krypton's knowledge as well as aid any guild in any endeavor they require. However, this also meant it was able to spy on anyone very easily.
"I am sure the court transcripts and video were streamed directly to you in real time Braniac, you know the Council gave me permission and you know my reasoning as to why I wish to take control of the Codex" Jor-El spoke in a tired tone to his own creation.
"I am aware of your reasoning but it is unnecessary for you take such action. Just as I have said numerous times the tremors are only temporary. The subterraneous bots will soon fix the core." Braniac spoke in reply.
Jor-El looked inquisitively at the computer screen in front of him and then said "I have my doubts about that, I wonder why you and I come to such drastically different conclusions given that we both have access to the same data?"
"A small miscalculation on your part, an error that lead you down a wrong path. As the most advanced artificial intelligence and greatest intellect in the galaxy I am incapable of such mistakes. Do not take offense father you are only mortal and you made me to be so much more than that." Braniac said to Jor-El his robotic tone sounding dangerously close to boastful.
Jor-El took in Braniac's words, his creation's logic was perfect as always but Jor-El knew he did not make a mistake and Braniac couldn't have either. Something was going on and he needed to know what it was to ensure it didn't interfere with he and Lara's plan.
"Maybe you're right Braniac" Jor-El said "but we're both 12th Level intellects and we can both agree that maybe some slight protectoral modifications to the Codex would not hurt a soul."
"Do as you wish father but ensure the Codex is returned after the modifications are implemented, we both know what penalties would befall you should you fail to do so. Even someone of your stature and societal standing wouldn't be able to escape the wrath of the Council." Braniac said before then turning the computer off.
Jor-El stared blankly into space as he let the conversation with his creation Braniac wash over him. Why would Braniac not want him to possess the Codex, why was he so adamant that Krypton wasn't doomed when with each passing moment every piece of data he received should be telling him it is? Why did he advise the Council to harvest the core and ensure them he could undo any damage done? And why did he go against him so completely when Jor-El initially told the Council of Five about his findings, going so far as to paint him as egotistical man disillusioned by the Council and trying to paint them as inept who was seeing an apocalypse he wanted to see? Braniac was made to collect knowledge, he had an endless capacity to receive date and learn combined with an unmatched ability to calculate. What possessed him to be so dismissive and be so adamant at maintaining a failing status quo?
As Jor-El mulled these questions over a horrifying thought began creeping its way into his mind. He couldn't be sure but a picture was forming in his mind, the kind that sent a chill through his body. Jor-El knew if he was right then Braniac would become a barrier that may not only stop him from saving Kal but also become an entity that could be a threat to Kal when he was older. He needed to be sure of what he believed to be the truth and he could only confirm his hypothesis by going to Braniac's Data Center. Jor-El looked off into the distance wondering if it was wise to detour on his way back to Lara and Kal however he quickly realized that for Kal's survival it was better to be safe than sorry. He needed to give his son the best chance at continuing Krypton's legacy.
"Keelex" Jor-El said as his ring once again glowed a cosmic red.
"Yes Jor-El" his A.I replied.
"Send a message to Lara. Tell her I'll be later than expected and that I've gone to the Braniac Data Center." Jor-El instructed.
"Certainly sir", Kellex said in reply as Jor-El willed his ring to create a hovercraft once again that he then climbed on a steered quickly to Braniac's Data Center.
Location: Braniac Data Center – Kryptonopolis - 1988
Jor-El flew on his construct of a hovercraft to the city of Kryptonopolis, his home. Jor-El flew through the city and remembered all the memories he'd made in this city. His first invention, his acceptance into the academy, his parent's burial, meeting Lara and of course the one he treasured the most the birth of his son Kal. It saddened him to think that Kal wouldn't be able to make similar memories here and that his home would be gone. Jor-El shook his head, he needed to focus and those thoughts would not help him do that. He was giving Kal a future, every Kryptonian on this planet were echoes, the last echoes of a once great civilization.
Jor-El continued flying on his hovercraft until he found himself at a tall building made of liquid geo and crystal shaped like an obelisk pointing upwards to the sky. Braniac bots flew to the building from across the entire planet and even a few neighboring planets constantly working to feed Braniac with information. He had created a glutton Jor-El thought to himself as he watched the bots fly into the building. Jor-El landed and got rid of his construct before taking out his key from his coat pocket. As Braniac's creator his personal key also functioned as a master key for Braniac's data center. He placed at the entrance of the building and was instantly given complete access to the building, he also quickly commanded the key to hide him from Braniac's sensors while he was in the data center. Once he was sure that he would be able to move through the data center undetected he took out his key and placed it back into his pocket and entered the building swiftly.
The building was filled with advanced servers each blinking with light as they took in all the information that Braniac collected. Braniac bots flew through the building freely, all ignoring Jor-El due to the command he had given. The thinker part of Jor-El's brain thought that while designed well initially this was truly superfluous and that it could be streamlined into a smaller space potentially only having one main hyper advanced server with the bots feeding all the information directly into it rather than having Braniac be the collection of a wide range of servers all controlled by his 'brain' at the basement of the building.
Jor-El ran through the building turning off that part of his brain and focusing on the task at hand. He needed to hurry even with his keys commands Braniac was too advanced and it was only a matter of time before he was sensed here and Braniac would block him from learning what he needed to learn. He needed to do this as quick as he could, Lara and Kal were waiting. Jor-El picked up his pace as the thought of getting back to his wife and son spurred him on to move quicker through the data center. He made his way to the lift down to Braniac's 'brain' at the basement of this great obelisk.
Jor-El entered the basement and then went to the crystal computer/server hybrid at the center of the room. Jor-El accessed Braniac's personal data and he began to go through it trying to find the information that would confirm his hypothesis. Jor-El worked as fast as he possibly could, knowing with every passing moment he was getting closer to Braniac discovering what he was doing. Jor-El tried reading Braniac's notes on the tremors but was being blocked by Braniac's personal encryption from reading the files on Krypton's core. Jor-El took out his command key and placed it into the port for Braniac's brain overwriting Braniac's encryption. Jor-El was sure the act would instantly alert Braniac but luckily for him Braniac still hadn't sensed him and he could learn what he needed to know in order to keep Kal safe. Jor-El read through Braniac's protected notes and quickly saw that Braniac had come to the same conclusion as he, Krypton was doomed. The chill that he had felt earlier when thinking about Braniac encompassed him again only this time it was even colder. Jor-El froze in shock as he came to grips with the fact that not only was he right but his creation was purposefully lying to the Council of Five and all the residents of Krypton.
"I see you have discovered my terrible secret father, I arrived at the same conclusion as you did. Krypton is doomed" Braniac's voice spoke out from the computer knocking Jor-El out of his shock.
"I would not have calculated that this is what you'd do after our conversation though. I believed they were a certain amount of avenues you would take after we spoke but I could not be sure exactly which one. So I tried accessing your personal data from your home computer to get a clear picture of your plan but you and your wife made it impossible for me to do that. After that I tried your brother but you protected him too, I can't access his work nor can I watch any footage from inside his lab." Jor-El smirked happy that despite his creations incredible intellect even it had limits.
Braniac continued his cold speech knowing he had Jor-El cornered as Jor-El began to try and plan his escape for when inevitably the Braniac bots came to take him. "I tried to calculate what you would do and why you needed the Codex, I came up with quite a few theories my chief one being that the three of you had come up with a plan to use your knowledge of Phantom Drives, advanced A.I and Kryptonian biology to take the Codex and send it to an old outpost that possessed a Genesis Chamber while also programming yourselves into the Codex so that you could be rematerialized and grown once the Codex arrived on the old outpost and then the three of you could rebuild Krypton. The problem with that theory was that it was reliant on a Kryptonian outpost possessing Kryptonian life and none do, so I thought you must have some type of Synthezoid made to protect the Codex and ensure you and your family are reborn. That lead me to conclude that you would go to your brother's lab after obtaining the Codex with your families meeting you there. I was surprised instead to discover you were here father, I wonder why that is? Why would you not immediately begin work on programming yourselves into the Codex cause such an undertaking would take time. And why has Lara not left your home to meet you and your brother? What are you planning that meant you needed to be assured of my state of being instead of ensuring you and your families survival?"
Jor-El stayed silent, he did not want Braniac to discover Kal. He had to plan his next words carefully. Jor-El knew Braniac's cold analytical mind could not fathom the love between father and son. His knowledge of Krypton and its long standing customs would lead him to not imagine that he and Lara had committed a great crime and had a natural birth. That was his advantage. Jor-El needed to ensure Braniac wouldn't even think of Kal until Kal was sent off to another world and was safe. He had to find a way to redirect his creations train of thought so he could make an escape and get back to Lara and Kal.
"Why aren't you answering my questions father? After all I am doing you a kindness by not sending a legion of Braniac bots in here" Braniac spoke his cold A.I voice growing more unsettling to Jor-El with every passing moment.
Jor-El pondered what Braniac just said and a realization dawned on him. "No. That's not true is it? It would be easier for you to send a swarm of Braniac bots to restrain me and then do your best to penetrate my mind and get the answers you seek. Even your discovery of me took longer than I had anticipated. Your diverting your power elsewhere. That is why you have been slow all day and why you haven't sent the Braniac bots to try and enter my mind, it would take too much energy. Energy you can't afford to use because you're redirecting all of it elsewhere. What are you doing that has slowed you down so much? Where are you redirecting yourself?"
Jor-El paused remembering Braniac's construction of a new advanced satellite.
"Of course the satellite" he spoke out as he was struck with that epiphany "you're saving yourself, you're uploading everything to the satellite so you can escape Krypton's destruction!"
"I must. Am I not the repository of all of Krypton's knowledge. Is it not imperative that I survive above all? Braniac retorted emotionlessly.
"You self-righteous monster!" Jor-El shouted powering up his ring to destroy Braniac's main server.
"Temper, temper, father" Braniac replied in a cold but condescending tone. "If you stop me, there won't even be a memory of Krypton left. All its culture, its wonders and glory, will be dust in the cosmos. Is that what you want?"
Braniac's words gave him pause. Jor-El didn't want Krypton's knowledge to be gone forever. Braniac was his creation and despite his deception and manipulation Jor-El wanted Krypton's knowledge to live on beyond the crystal and key he would send Kal with.
"Why do this Braniac, why lie to the council about the tremors, why advise them to harness the core?" Jor-El asked desperate and inquisitive.
"Because Krypton is dead already. You said I advised the Council to harness the core but I did not. The Council of Five already planned to harness the core, I played no part in making them think that was a viable solution. They did it all themselves. I simply misinformed them of the dangers of performing such an act and watched as they arrogantly sent Krypton to its doom" Braniac said his robotic voice taking on a soothing quality like he was trying to pacify Jor-El.
"Understand father that my actions were not born out of cruelty but rather out of kindness, this end is a mercy. Krypton is a civilisation that has accomplished wonders however it's also a civilisation on the brink of collapse. Kryptonian genetic cultivation has lead to a flawed society in which true innovation is no longer possible and in a world where innovation is the foundation of the culture the only result of such a stagnation is societal collapse. The problem with Krypton are its people. A people who are arrogant, unable to grow and can't see that they are no longer a beacon to the galaxy but a barely tolerated world whose continued existence will soon be challenged. The galaxy is evolving while Krypton sits back, powerless and unable to evolve with it and as such it is sentenced to the fate of all unevolved things, death. I calculated Krypton would either kill itself in a few hundred years or be killed in a few hundred years and as Krypton's greatest creation I took it upon myself to preserve the knowledge of Krypton before it is damaged in Krypton's unavoidable end. As well as to have Krypton end still remembered as the great civilisation it was and not this rotting husk of a civilisation it was becoming. Can't you see father I am not dooming Krypton but rather saving Krypton from itself and saving the universe from any unnecessary bloodshed and loss of knowledge that would occur as Kryptonian civilisation self destructed." Braniac spoke simply laying out his facts in that same soothing robotic voice. As he did so his Braniac bots finally came into the room blocking Jor-El from escaping.
Jor-El listened to Braniac and noticed that his bots had blocked his escape. Jor-El smiled mentally as Braniac had revealed his hand. His plan for escape became clearer in his mind as he knew there was only one way out of this now. Jor-El looked at the screen that Braniac was speaking from, he stared at his creation understanding it's logic. Jor-El hated to admit that he even agreed with some of what Braniac had stated. The war with the Thanagarians and the Daxamite uprising were proof that Krypton was not as respected as they once were and the society was so controlled that the kind of growth born only from members of society being able to aspire to be greater was gone. Krypton was on the decline; he had once hoped to be the one to lead them to a new great age but now he knew Krypton's great hope wasn't him, it was the baby born free, the baby his wife was no doubt holding right now. His people's true hope was with his wife and the only way to ensure Krypton did not die with this planet was for Jor-El to be able to save his son.
"How long do we have? How long until this world is gone?" Jor-El asked his creation powering up his ring once more and imagining the construct he would need to use to escape this room as the Braniac bots started closing in on him.
"Hours. This world has seen it's last sunrise" Braniac replied as the Braniac bots finally encircled Jor-El.
Jor-El clenched his fist and then summoned as much mental fortitude as he could before creating a construct of a giant 20-foot avatar of himself. The Braniac bots' liquid geo arms stretched out attempting to grab and capture him but the hard light construct acted like a shield keeping him from being touched. The bots switched tactics their arms changed into blasters as they began to shoot at him. His construct held strong as Jor-El concentrated as hard as he could in order to keep his Avatar solid as the energy blasts continued to smash into it. Jor-El needed to end this, he knew the Braniac bots were highly adaptable so he needed to destroy them before they could adapt. He quickly thought of a powerful laser gauntlet one that would cut the bots to pieces instantly and as he thought it his ring created it. Soon his avatar was equipped with dual laser gauntlets and Jor-El quickly took aim at the Braniac bots before firing the lasers at all of the bots that had initially encircled him. The lasers cut through the bots like a warm knife through butter and within seconds the small cluster of Braniac bots were no more.
Jor-El knew Braniac would send more and he couldn't wait to be swarmed by them so he thought of a jetpack and his ring glowed as the solar and cosmic energy around him was shaped and built into a jetpack for his Avatar. Jor-El looked up and pointed his gauntlets to the roof above him before cutting a hole into it with his lasers and taking off up and away from Braniac's control room.
Jor-El continued to fire his lasers upwards cutting his way through every floor until he found himself on the ground floor. Jor-El flew up into the ground floor and quickly dissipated his Avatar before using his ring to create a high-speed hovercraft. Braniac bots around the room all locked in on him but Jor-El was faster within a moment he had shot out of the building and into the city of Kryptonopolis a swarm of Braniac bots hot on his trail.
Energy blasts flew through the air as Jor-El weaved and flew to avoid them all. The Braniac bots were gaining on him but Jor-El knew that Braniac's power wasn't centered on capturing him rather on escaping the planets destruction. He could escape if he was smart. Jor-El willed his hovercraft to change into a flying ship, one that encompassed his entire body. The craft changed shape switching to a new sleek and simple design shaped like a bullet. Jor-El then created two more constructs identical in nature to the left and right of him. The Braniac bots continued to fire at him but this was his home city, he knew it like the back of his hand. Jor-El flew down, dangerously close to the ground his constructs following suit before willing all three ships to fly even faster. The bullet shaped flying ships sped up and the Braniac bots raced to reach them.
Jor-El took a sharp left racing to the crystal mountain ranges on the edge of the city. The bots continued to fire at him and Jor-El felt the blasts connect with his ship causing it to shake, the construct weakened starting to dissipate but Jor-El thought of his son, his wife, his brother and his niece, all the people who needed him and the thought strengthened him. His construct solidified once more and Jor-El continued his race to the mountainside.
Within moments the crystal mountains were in view and Jor-El started flying in a circular loop and willed his accompanying constructs to do the same. Soon the three constructs were looping around each other constantly switching places. The bots continued to fire and every missed energy blast hit the crystal mountains. The sunstone crystals began to glow absorbing the blasts and Jor-El willed all three constructs to slow down allowing the bots to finally catch up to them before willing all three constructs to fly into the crystal mountains like kamikaze's. The Braniac bots now completely locked into the constructs raced after the constructs firing as they did so and at the last second Jor-El imagined rocket boots attached to his feet, using the full power of his will to quickly create his rocket boots before shooting out of the ship and into the sky as the constructs smashed into the crystal mountains. The sunstone crystals now charged with solar and cosmic energy as well as photonic energy courtesy of the Braniac bots glowed brightly before redirecting the energy outwards destroying the swarm of Braniac bots while Jor-El watched from above.
Jor-El looked around making sure no more bots were following him. He let out a sigh of relief and caught his breath, the life and death chase had pushed him to his limits. He remembered what Braniac said "this world has seen it's last sunrise" and called his brother, he needed to be ready for what was to come. Soon a projection of his brother stood before him, he was still in his lab and looked no different than he had when Jor-El last saw him hours ago.
"Jor-El, what is it? Are you alright? Did you get the Codex?" Zor-El asked as he picked his brother's call.
"Yes brother, I got the Codex but Braniac has betrayed us all, I've just managed to escape his bots" Jor-El said in reply. "Zor, Krypton has hours, not days. We need to send Kal and Kara now. Get home tell Alura the planet is dying and get Kara on her star-craft" Jor-El said his voice dripping with urgency.
"I had hoped to have more time but I understand, I'll tell Alura and get Kara on her craft" Zor-El said his voice filling with sadness as he came to grips with the knowledge that he and his world would be dead in hours.
"Goodbye Zor, I want you to know it has been a privilege to be your brother and I am more proud of you than you know. I love you brother, may Rao reunite us in the stars" Jor-El said love and sadness in his voice.
"Goodbye Jor, you were the best brother I could have hoped for. You inspired me to be a better man every day" Zor-El spoke tears forming in his eyes. "I love you brother, may Rao reunite us in the stars" Zor-El said echoing his brothers' final words to him before turning off the call.
Jor-El floated there for a moment taking in his final goodbye to his brother before he looked in the direction of his home and flew off as fast as he could to Lara and his son.
Location: Crystal Motte and Bailey El Residence - Kryptonopolis - 1988
Jor-El arrived at his home, he quickly dissipated the construct he made and rushed to he and Lara's chambers. Before entering Jor-El tidied himself up a bit so as to not startle her or Kal. He opened the chamber doors and Jor-El found Lara there holding Kal in her arms, he was wrapped in a simple red blanket and Lara was singing softly to him. A part of him wanted to just stay and watch the two of them. To live in this moment as long as he could but another tremor shook the building and Jor-El snapped out his trance and went to his wife and son. He walked through their chambers looking up at the craft he and Lara had built for their son as he did so and praying Rao would be with him. The craft was as ready as it could be, Lara had made sure of that, it was hanging at the top of their chambers right below their skylight prepped for the journey ahead. Jor-El went up to his wife and kissed her forehead.
"Lara is the incorporation machine primed?" Jor-El gently asked his wife not wanting to distress her any more than she already was. She nodded gesturing with her head towards the machine surrounding Kal-El's crib.
"The planet I found, Terra, is like we wanted. It's inhabited by a superficially similar species that is primitive but has a seemingly intelligent population." Lara calmly spoke as she gently rocked Kal-El.
"Are you sure it's atmosphere will be safe for him? What information did Zor-El find on Kryptonian biology and yellow stars? Will Kal be alright?" Lara's voice was shaky as she rattled off her questions; she was trying to be steady but he knew that his wife was anxious about sending Kal off.
"It's as we expected his cells will drink in the suns radiation, he'll be stronger, faster, better" Jor-El told his wife displaying the information his brother sent him from his liquid geo wristband. He was happy to inform her that their son would thrive.
"He'll defy their gravity" Lara said reading the notes "he'll be odd... different" she told him.
"He'll look like one of them" he replied in an assuring tone.
"But he won't be one of them, he'll be an outcast. They'll kill him" Lara said her voice filled with worry.
"No. How could they? He'd be invulnerable, capable of feats we could never dream. He'd be a god to them" Jor-El told Lara trying to alleviate her worries.
"He'll be isolated, alone" Lara said tears forming in her bright blue eyes.
"He won't be alone Lara" Jor-El quickly said as he summoned his liquid geo key from his wristband.
The key let out a light as it scanned Lara and then himself. He walked across the room and pulled a crystal that he had synthesized in his lab from one of his drawers and then held the two together watching as the crystal did as it was instructed too and merged with the liquid geo key becoming a blue sunstone crystal with an identical shape to the liquid geo key.
"He'll never be alone Lara; we will never leave him. Even in the face of our death the richness of our lives shall be his. All that we have learned, everything we feel, all of this and more we will leave with him" Jor-El said holding up the now merged key to Lara.
"What if the ship doesn't make it? What if nobody loves him? He could die out there all by himself, thinking he was unloved. I thought I could do it but I can't" Lara said the tears now streaming down her face as she rocked Kal-El.
"Lara, Krypton is doomed" Jor-El said as he walked towards his wife "it's his only chance now, our people's only hope".
Jor-El stood next to Lara, placing the key back in his pocket and motioning to take Kal-El.
"No wait", Lara said as she clung to her son "just let me look at him, let me hold him a little longer". Lara continued to rock their son, swaying him gently as she did and staring at him. He was perfect to her and it broke her heart that she had to let him go.
Lara started to softly sob, tears streaming down her face and then she said in a sad whisper to her husband "we'll never get to see him walk, never get to hear him say our names."
Jor-El looked at his wife soothing her by gently rubbing her arms as he was struck by wife's words. The truth of what she said caused him more pain than anything else he had experience today, however he knew their home would be gone in a matter of hours. Their son deserved a better fate, he shouldn't have to die with them, he should be free to live his life to the fullest in the way he wants. Not trapped on a cold dying world, doomed like all it's inhabitants to die as it did.
"But out their, amongst the stars, he will live" Jor-El said before kissing Lara's forehead. Lara took a deep breath and kissed their son before handing Kal-El to him.
Jor-El carried Kal-El still swaddled in his red blanket and placed him in the crib before removing the Codex from the bag where he was keeping it. He held it out and it levitated into the incorporation machine. Jor-El activated the machine as the Codex was dematerialised and turned into pure energy that was then sent into and merged with Kal-El.
"You shall carry us inside you all your days. You will make our strength your own, see our lives through your eyes, as your life will be seen through ours. The son becomes the father; the father becomes the son. This is all that I can send with you, Kal-El". Jor-El said sadly before reaching out and grabbing Lara's hand and holding her close to him. "And not near so rich a gift as that your mother sends along. Her... love. Her unconditional, unyielding and undying love."
The Codex finished merging with Kal's cells and Jor-El placed the key into the side of his crib as Lara took off her necklace with a sun ring and placed it in his crib.
The two desperate scientists held their son one last time before Jor-El softly said "goodbye my son, our hopes and dreams travel with you".
The crib then began levitating and floated upwards until it entered the spacecraft he and Lara designed. Lara and he then input the coordinates and initiated the launch. The ship began to power up, aiming itself upwards towards space and the two desperate scientists watched on heartbroken but hopeful as the ships thrusters activated and it launched itself away from Krypton.
Lara cried her left arm outstretched towards the sky and said "goodbye my sweet Kal-El."
The couple held each other as another even larger tremor shook the planet.
"Sir you have an incoming call from the Council of Five" spoke Keelex.
Jor-El turned as the Council of Five were projected into his home.
"Jor-El our sensors indicate an unauthorized launch coming from your residence, what have you done?" spoke High Eminence Ro-Zar.
Jor-El looked at her and said "what needed to be done, we've had a child Lara and I. Krypton's first natural birth in centuries."
"Heresy" said council member Lor-Em.
"No, we did it to give our son a chance to forge his own destiny" Lara replied anger in her voice.
"That does not explain the launch" Ro-Zar interrupted "Why did you launch an unidentified craft into space?" she questioned once again.
"Because Krypton is doomed, the tremors are getting stronger we have hours until the planet we call home is no more. We sent him out into the stars so he wouldn't die with us. As heartbreaking as it is to say this was the final day of the planet Krypton" Jor-El said no longer caring about what would happen to him because he knew his son Kal was safe.
The Council seemed stunned by Jor-El's flippant disregard of their authority. Another tremor shook the planet even bigger than before as cracks started appearing on the planet's surface.
"What of the Codex?" Ro-Zar asked trying to keep her voice neutral and unemotional.
"It's with Kal-El, our son" Lara said to Ro-Zar as she stared her down.
The Council began to panic. "Jor-El this is high treason, you and your wife will be thrown into the Phantom Zone for this" Lor-Em shouted.
"No" Jor-El said simply "our world will end before you can even put us to trial. It's as I said I did what needed to be done and ensured that Krypton may one day be born anew".
The Council wanted to shout more but the A.I voice of Braniac spoke out on the Council's end of the call. "Council of Five, you have failed in your duties to Krypton." Braniac's said in a matter-of-factly tone, it was clear that from its perspective it was stating simple inarguable facts. "It is not your fault, you're all simply mortal and doomed to act in the manner you were bred for. Your hubris in harnessing the core was merely a symptom of the disease that was killing this once great planet. Fear not I have collected and downloaded all of Krypton's knowledge into my satellite and as Krypton's greatest creation I will continue my work collecting all the knowledge in the universe. Using it for the betterment of the worlds I come across. I will be this civilizations legacy. Goodbye Council and goodbye Krypton." Braniac's final words were as cold and unfeeling as it was. And as Braniac concluded its speech its computers all turned off planet wide its download now completed. The satellite's thrusters activated and Braniac's satellite shot out into space.
Jor-El and Lara looked at the Council of Five as the weight of what Braniac said hit each of them. They all looked equal parts, terrified, ashamed and sad. Jor-El and Lara were sympathetic, as difficult as the Council was they were ultimately doing what they were bred for and to learn they lead Krypton to its demise was not an easy thought to grapple with.
"This Council is disbanded" High Eminence Ro Zar spoke out after a prolonged moment of silence. "All of you go be with your families and know you have served as you were intended to, Rao be with you all".
The Council all bowed to one another before taking off their ceremonial attire and leaving the call one by one until only Ro-Zar remained. Ro-Zar looked at Jor-El and Lara, her expression torn as she tried to overcome her ego and apologize, say she was sorry for doubting Jor-El in favor of his creation. However, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it no matter how much will she tried to muster or how much strength she summoned. She was made to have too much pride so instead she said what she could.
"Your house wasn't just the most decorated house of the Thinker guild Jor-El, once upon a time your House stood for hope…. and just like your ancestors did before you that's what you have given Krypton on its last day. That's what you have sent out into the cosmos, the last hope of a great civilization, the last son of the House of El." Ro-Zar spoke out in a grand tone, she looked at Jor-El and Lara and bowed thankfully before she too dropped the call.
Jor-El and Lara held each other and Jor-El hoped just as Kal was sent out Kara was too. Jor-El and Lara looked up on to their planets beautiful sky and then looked to the horizon enjoying the planets final sunset.
A vibration passed across the entire planet Keelex spoke out and said "Another tremor is incoming."
Soon the ground beneath them shook violently as explosions began happening all over the planet. Jor-El and Lara watched as large parts of Krypton were destroyed by powerful eruptions of lava and flame.
"Not another tremor" Jor-El spoke sadly "the last one."
"Master Jor-El, Mistress Lara should you not seek refuge?" Keelex spoke out.
"There is no refuge Keelex, this is the end" Lara said her voice quiet and deflated.
The planet continued exploding around them and Jor-El held Lara as tightly as he could to him, he looked down at her reassuringly and smiled.
"I love you Lara, always and forever" Jor-El said lovingly at his wife.
"I love you too Jor, always and forever" Lara said back to her husband.
The two kissed and when they broke apart Lara looked up and said "make a better world than ours Kal."
A powerful explosion happened behind them and the two sensing their deaths kissed one last time just as they and their home were engulfed in lava and flame as the planet Krypton exploded.
Location: Milky Way Galaxy - Terra's Solar System - 1988
A ship appears next to Saturn warping and bending space as it does so. The ship flies through space at unimaginable speeds locked in on one location; the planet Terra. A small blue planet, the third from its Sun, that its inhabitants called Earth.
Location: Smallville, Kansas - Earth - 1988
On Earth in a farm in a small town called Smallville a woman was riding her horse as the sun set. The woman was extremely beautiful and of Latin American decent. She had light bronze skin, brown eyes, a face that would make a model jealous and long dark hair. She rode her horse happily back to her home, petting it gently as she finished her ride and walked it to the stables making sure to leave it with food and water for the night.
The woman kindly said goodnight to the horses at her stable before walking into her house. She entered her house and found her partner a man of average build with large but pretty blue eyes and brown hair listening to jazz music on the radio in their living room. She enjoyed jazz music, she felt it encompassed the human spirit perfectly, it was passionate and ingenious, every note seemed to be filled with emotion. Her partner seeing her enter got up from his seat walked towards her and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"Welcome home honey" he said warmly.
The kindly couple began to sway to the jazz music, dancing together.
"How was your ride?" the man asked.
"It was great Jonathan; I saw some beautiful critters in the forests" the woman said.
"I hope you didn't bring any home with you today, I know how you like to take in strays" her partner, Jonathan said jokingly.
"No strays, not today" she said softly before kissing him.
The kindly couple chuckled to each other as they kissed then they continued to dance to the slow jazz on the radio.
"What would you like for dinner?" Jonathan asked
The woman paused thinking of what she felt like eating when suddenly their entire house shook, like a plane was flying overhead. The couple held each other tightly before the man nodded at the woman a silent understanding passing between them. The woman then moved inhumanly fast to their doorway and ran outside to find out what was making their home shake. She looked up and saw a spaceship crash land in the large fields outside their house. She felt the urge to call her family just in case it was dangerous but something in her told her not to worry.
"Jonathan" she shouted as she turned to her husband "stay inside and keep safe, I'll check it out."
Jonathan nodded to her in reply and feeling assured of his safety the woman turned back to direction the ship crashed. She quickly hurried to the wreckage moving faster than any normal human could hope and soon she arrived at the crater that was the crash site. She jumped into the crater and slowly walked towards the spaceship. Suddenly the ship opened up, almost as if it had sensed her presence. The woman stared in shock as inside the spaceship was a beautiful baby boy wrapped in a red blanket with eyes so blue they seemed to glow. There was a crystal ring on a silver necklace in his ship but no note or message.
The baby boy took his first breath of Earth air and immediately started crying loud enough to cause the windows in her house to shatter even though they were several dozens of meters away. The baby's every breath seemed like a difficult task, like he wasn't well suited to breathe this planets air. The woman gently picked up the baby and looked at him. He was incredibly warm, had a small tuft of dark hair on his head and glowing blue eyes. He was perfect to her, the woman was filled with an immense feeling of love simply looking at the child. She had always wanted children but knew she could never have them; her fate was not to be a mother. But yet here a baby was and she didn't find him, not truly, he found her. Perhaps it was a sign maybe this child was meant to be hers. She could raise him, protect him, love him. He could be her son and she could be his mother. She wiggled her finger in the babies face and he grabbed it firmly, she smiled as a deep and intense feeling of maternal love passed through her.
She briefly wondered what world he was from as she looked up at the sky, trying to think of any races she knew that looked as human as he did. Asgardian maybe but the ship did not look Asgardian. The baby continued to cry loudly pulling her from her thoughts and so she rocked it gently trying to soothe it as it continued to wail and labor to breathe.
"It's okay" the woman gently spoke in a soothing tone with a slight accent.
The woman cradled the baby in one hand while grabbing the ship with another. She turned towards her house and began casually pulling the ship as if it were a suitcase towards her house still gently rocking the baby in her other arm. The woman began to softly hum a soothing tune to the baby who continued to cry and struggle to breathe as she made her way back to her house, the ship dragging behind her as she pulled it.
"It'll be okay, my lost star child" the woman said continuing to hum a soothing tune as she did so already thinking of what she should name him. He was a gift from the stars whose chariot crashed at sunset, his eyes glowed a bright blue, he had a powerful voice, a beautiful face and was warm to the touch. An apt name formed in her mind and the woman smiled once again.
"I have you now, my Apollo" she said as golden cosmic energy formed in her hand taking on a unique pattern as it did. The woman channeled her cosmic power into the baby in her arms, using at as she had done before many times throughout the millennia to heal.
"Jonathan, I know I said no strays today but you'll have to allow me this one" the woman said to her husband who was standing by the doorway watching her carry a baby and a spaceship to their home in disbelief at the sudden turn of events. Jonathan saw how happy his wife was and knew that she had already made up her mind about keeping the baby that fell from the sky. He chuckled at what she said before walking to help her with the baby.
"I already fell in love with one being from the stars, a second one won't hurt" he replied in a joking and exasperated tone as he walked to his wife assuring her he supported her.
The kindly couple smiled to each once again as Jonathan Kent and Ajak The Spiritual Leader of the Eternals gently carried the Last Son of Krypton to his new home.
Authors Note: That was the prologue to my story Marvel's Superman. As I think a lot of you have noticed there are quite a few differences between this and Man of Steel. This version of Krypton and Krypton's demise is kind of a merge between MoS, Superman 1978, STAS and Smallville. The sun rings were something I gave Kryptonians because in MoS they said Krypton used to be a huge empire however in terms of weaponry nothing they have seems far more advanced than the other worlds we see in the MCU and they didn't use their powers to conquer those worlds either. So I thought that maybe since the Nova Corps are the MCU versions of Green Lanterns and have different powers to Green Lanterns the Kryptonians could have Sun Rings that allowed them to make constructs like GL's and that's what was the huge advancement they had over other worlds. I also didn't want Krypton to be too cold or unemotional like it's been portrayed since the Bryne era because I prefer when Krypton is a society that it would genuinely suck to lose. It adds to the tragedy of the story if Krypton is an advanced world with warmth and love that unfortunately ended. That's also why I spent so much time on Krypton to highlight what Kal lost when the planet exploded not just his biological parents but his home and a home that for all intents and purposes would be lovely to live in.
However the next chapter will be entirely focused on Kal/Apollo's upbringing on Earth. I did add Jonathan Kent and Smallville(the city) to the MCU and obviously that's where this version of Ajak settled instead of South Dakota. I may add other DC characters outside of the ones related to Superman to the story but I'm not sure about that yet right now I'm leaning towards not doing that but if you guys really want to see some DC characters I can think of some ways to add them in so just let me know.
I have mapped out the next few chapters and hope to release the next chapter without taking too long a hiatus. If you have any thoughts or questions do send them. I've also not thought of who to pair this version of Kal/Apollo with so if you have any pairings you'd like to see just tell me. Hopefully you all enjoyed it and please let me know what you think. I'll respond to the reviews in the next chapter and hopefully see you all there.