Watchtower

Jade found herself on the ropes as she battled the villainous Brainiac. With the abilities of the Eradicator at his disposal, he was far more dangerous than ever, definitely dangerous enough to keep her at bay.

Still, Jade understood her role. She was simply a distraction for the construct until help could arrive. Using her powers, she encased herself in a translucent green suit of armor equipped with a large shoulder cannon. The cannon fired at Brainiac, bathing him in a massive dose of emerald energy.

Brainiac staggered, but flew towards her, his fist connecting with her jaw. Jade flew back, she felt the force of his blow even through her shield. Had the shield not been up, Brainiac may have taken her head clean off.

"Your resistance is futile," he said. "You haven’t the slightest chance of defeating me in battle. You had best surrender now, and I promise I will end your life painlessly."

"Not a chance," she said.

"As you wish," said Brainaic. He extended his hand and it began to crackle with energy. The blast flew from his palm, but instead of striking Jade, it struck a green barrier.

"What?" asked Jade.

"I think the term is, ‘game over.’"

Brainiac looked behind him and John Stewart, Earth’s Green Lantern, stood with his arm outstretched, the barrier the product of his power ring. Behind him stood three other members of the Justice League—the Flash, Aquaman and Wonder Woman.

"Impossible…" said Brainiac. "How did you—?"

The form of the Martian Manhunter suddenly appeared behind Brainiac and grabbed him tightly. "You can thank Jade and Oracle for that," he said. "With Jade distracting you, Oracle was able to override your control of the Watchtower and free us."

"We also got word from Oracle that Superman is back as well," said Wonder Woman. "Your plans have failed, Brainiac."

"Or to put it another way, prepare to get hit," said Aquaman. "A lot."

Metropolis

Jimmy Olsen ran inside the Daily Planet when he saw that was the direction Zod headed towards. Once Jimmy arrived in the newsroom, he witnessed Zod’s exchange with Perry. But then, Jimmy saw something else—the arrival of Superman.

The Man of Steel hovered outside the giant hole created in Perry’s office. He spoke simply and defiantly when he said, "General… would you care to step outside?"

Superman then flew from the scene and Zod’s anger was obvious.

"Son of Jor-El!" he shouted. "You will kneel!"

The General flew from the office, giving chase to Superman. Jimmy ran up to the whole, snapping pictures as fast as his camera could take them. Once the two were out of sight, he looked at Perry.

"You okay, Chief?" he asked.

Perry plopped down in his chair and lit a fresh cigar. "Just how the hell am I gonna explain this to the insurance company?"

The Batplane landed at the scene of Zod’s battle with Superboy and the Batman examined the fallen Titan. He had taken Ra’s al Ghul’s sword as a trophy after he defeated the man, but he left it in the Batplane to avoid causing Superboy more harm.

"He’s alive," he said to Luthor.

"Good," said Luthor. Superboy was a product of Superman’s DNA mixed with Luthor’s. So in some ways, Lex viewed the young hero as his own son.

The Batman tapped his finger against the side of his cowl. "Go ahead, Robin."

[There’s something I noticed about Zod,] said Robin, speaking through the communicator.

"Go on."

[It took years for Superman and Kon to develop their Kryptonian powers, didn’t it?]

The Batman contemplated this for a moment. "I think I see where you’re going with this. Continue."

[Zod was at full power as soon as he came here, probably equal to Superman’s. But that wouldn’t be possible, he didn’t have the time to soak up as much solar energy. So there has to be some other reason for his power level to be so high.]

The Batman looked to Luthor. "Zod’s armor… was he wearing it when he emerged from the Phantom Zone?"

Luthor shook his head. "No. When Brainiac brought him out, he actually seemed pretty weak."

"It’s the armor," said the Batman. "It’s Kryptonian technology, probably stolen from the Fortress. It must be some sort of amplifier."

"Enhancing the effects of Earth’s sun on Kryptonian physiology," said Luthor.

"And unless that armor is disposed of, Superman’s going to have his hands full," said the Batman.

Lying at Batman’s feet, Superboy’s telekinetic field suddenly expanded, forcing the Dark Knight to keep his distance.

"Leave it to me," said Superboy. He took to the air immediately, firing off like a bullet.

"Dumb kid," said the Batman. "Never listens to reason."

"He takes after his father," said Luthor with a proud smile.

Superman turned in midair and braced himself as Zod barreled into him. The two Kryptonians exchanged blows as they flew further and further towards Earth’s atmosphere. Every punch they landed was like a massive thunderclap, capable of being heard back on the ground.

Superman executed an uppercut, throwing Zod through Earth’s atmosphere into space. As Zod flew back, he struck a floating asteroid. He took hold of it and hurled it with all his momentum. Superman unleashed a dose of heat vision to destroy the asteroid. Zod threw another and Superman barreled through it, reducing it to pebbles.

The blue and red streak nailed another strike against Zod. When Superman swung again, Zod ducked, driving his fist into Superman’s abdomen. When Superman keeled over, Zod balled his fists and slammed them against Superman’s back.

Zod grabbed Superman by the throat and rocketed back towards Earth. During their descent, however, Superman also held to Zod and flew towards the Earth as well. The pair crashed through the planet, going through Earth’s crust and into the magma below.

Deep below Earth’s surface, the two foes continued to trade blows, resulting in tremors across Metropolis. Finally, Zod flew forth from the street and landed flat on his back. Superman flew out of the giant hole after him, hovering above the warlord.

Zod pulled himself to his feet. "I see you are a proud warrior. So unlike your father. Jor-El never had the stomach for battle. Too unwilling to dirty his hands. You, though… you possess a noble spirit. One who commands respect by your mere presence. You and I are so much alike, Kal-El."

"No," said Superman. "We’re nothing alike."

"Truly?" asked Zod.

"I’m not a despot like you."

"What I desire is peace and stability, but I realize these things cannot come without war and sacrifice," said Zod. "I tried to take over Krypton in order to build up our forces, to strike down one of the greatest fiends in the known universe—a true despot named Darkseid."

"I know all about Darkseid," said Superman. "But your way of dealing with him is flawed at best."

"You cannot win the war on evil if you are unprepared to take up the sword yourself," said Zod. "Otherwise, you will simply find yourself fighting a never-ending battle."

"That’s fine by me," said Superman. "Because your way would reduce me to the level of my opponents. When hunting monsters, you have to take care that you don’t become one yourself. The people of this planet have put their trust in me, because they know I won’t violate my principles."

"Those same principles will be your death," said Zod.

"Then at least I’ll die with a clear conscience," said Superman.

In the blink of an eye, Zod was in the air again, slamming his elbow against Superman’s face. "I was wrong about you," he said, kicking Superman in the chest. "You are every bit your father’s son!"

Zod flew back at him, but Superman gripped his arms. "Zod…" he said, unleashing a dose of heat vision. He then hurled Zod into the air, sending him through a billboard. "That’s the nicest thing you’ve said about me."

The General flew back almost as quickly as he was gone, unleashing his own heat vision. Superman dodged the attack, returning fire with his super breath. Zod and Superman connected blows again, once more resorting to brute strength. The General had Superman on the ropes this time, delivering blow after crippling blow.

Another figure appeared on the scene, grabbing Zod’s arm before he could deliver another strike. Zod looked and saw it was Superboy,

"Remember me?" he asked.

"You," said Zod. "I let you live last time. I won’t make that same mistake again."

"Promises, promises," said Superboy. "By the way, do you know what tactile telekinesis can do?"

Superboy expanded the telekinetic field inside Zod’s armor, until the armor exploded, separating all three in the attack. Superman and Superboy recovered, but before Superman could stand once more, Zod grabbed his throat.

The General, without his armor, looked to be a man in his forties. He had dark hair and a beard and was dressed in a military uniform. "You will kneel before me, Kal-El! I will not rest until you lie broken and battered at my feet!"

Superman grabbed Zod’s throat as well. "You’ll be waiting a long time, General." He headbutted Zod, then delivered an uppercut to send him flying. Superman flew after him, firing off a dose of heat vision.

Zod recovered quickly and flew back, striking Superman’s jaw. The Man of Steel crashed in the street and Zod picked up a bus, slamming it over Superman’s head. Zod tore through the remains, pulling the Son of Jor-El from the wreckage and held him up in the air.

"This is the end for you," he said. "You have failed in your role as Earth’s Superman. And now, that failure will cost you not only your life, but the lives of all you hold dear. I wonder… is this a proud moment for you?"

"Maybe not for him…" said a voice. A figure who arrived on the scene, holding a sword in his hand. "But for the rest of humanity? You bet."

Zod looked at the new arrival. "You. Why do you oppose me?"

"Because there’s something you have to understand about me," he said. "I won’t let you kill him."

"And why is that?" asked Zod.

"Because the alien…" said Luthor, growing closer to Zod. "Is mine!"

With those words, Luthor thrust his sword into the General. Zod was shocked to see the blade come through his abdomen and then he noticed the green tint the blade possessed.

"Ra’s al Ghul’s sword, laced with Kryptonite," said Luthor. He twisted the blade and Zod fell to his knees in pain. Luthor grabbed the despot’s hair and pulled Zod’s head so his ear was inches from Luthor’s lips. "Now you will kneel before me, you Kryptonian trash."

A hand rested on Luthor’s shoulder. He looked and saw the Batman standing behind him. "That’s enough," he said.

"Not even close to being enough," said Luthor.

A gust of wind came past and then Luthor felt himself hefted into the air by his throat, courtesy of Superman.

"Lex… thank you for your help," he said. "But we’ll take it from here."

Fortress of Solitude

In the Fortress made from crystal, General Zod stood, encased in a crystal cell, almost like a coffin. Superman stood before him, and the General tested his cell, finding he could not shatter it.

"This cell filters out the yellow rays of Earth’s sun, transferring them to mimic the red sun of Krypton," said Superman. "As long as you’re imprisoned in here, you won’t have access to any of your powers."

"No prison can hold General Zod forever," said Zod. "As long as I draw breath, you will always live in fear. One day, I shall be free once more. And on that day, I will come for you, Kal-El."

"Then I’ll be ready," said Superman. "And I’ll put you right back in here."

"And I will escape. Again and again. Until everything you hold dear is turned to ash," said Zod. "The only way to stop me is to kill me."

"I won’t do that," said Superman. "You’ll never get that satisfaction, Zod. Not from me."

Superman hovered over to the crystal console. The crystals rose to meet his fingers and they glowed at his touch. There was a rumbling noise as Zod’s crystal cell sunk beneath the surface, held far below the Fortress, where he would remain.

Zod saw to it that the Phantom Zone projector was damaged after he came through. So this seemed like the best solution, at least until he could find something better. Even though Superman didn’t like the idea of Zod remaining on Earth, at least this way, Superman knew he was accounted for.

[Incoming message.]

"Put it through," said Superman. A holographic projection appeared of the Batman.

[We’ve scoured the Watchtower’s systems, but there’s no trace of Brainiac. It looks like he escaped again.]

"We’ll find him," said Superman. "He won’t go long before poking his head out. What about Kara?"

[She spoke with Nightwing. Apparently she’s considering joining the Outsiders.]

"It’s a good place for her, they can help her learn more about the world," said Superman.

[There’s something else, though.]

"What?"

[I take it you haven’t seen the news.]

Superman’s fingers hovered to the crystals and behind the image of the Batman came up a holographic display of the world’s news channels. His hearing filtered through each of them quickly, until he found one in particular and paid attention to it.

[After saving Superman’s life from the despot called General Zod, ex-President Lex Luthor has risen in popularity. Today, Luthor made a statement:]

The image shifted to Luthor, standing in front of television cameras. ["Metropolis and the world has just endured a terrible tragedy. I have quite a bit of money in my accounts, money which I am using to start the Lex Foundation, a charity designed to help the victims of metahuman violence."]

[Luthor’s statement has struck a chord worldwide, with many praising his efforts to keep down the superhuman reference. The White House declined to comment, but sources close to the administration have said that the President is considering granting Luthor a full pardon for his cri—]

Superman deactivated the broadcast, and looked back at the Batman.

[From one problem to another.]

"We’ll deal with Luthor if and when he becomes a problem," said Superman. "Right now, we have to work on rebuilding the damage caused by Zod."

Chicago

A woman with long, dark hair walked into Chicago’s Union Station and went right up to the ticket station.

"Destination?" asked the attendant.

"Metropolis," said the woman, handing her the ticket.

The attendant looked over the ticket, then looked up at the woman. "Can I see your I.D., please?"

The woman handed the attendant her driver’s license. Satisfied, he handed the license back. "Looks like everything’s in order. Have a nice trip, Ms. Lane."

"Thank you," said the woman, walking towards the platform. She looked down at her I.D. as she waited for the train. The name on the license read: LOIS LANE.