Kryptonian #5

Krypton, Secret Base near Kandor

Two days ago, Zod saved my mother, myself, and the other survivors from the ruins. It was also the last time anyone has seen my father, Jor-El, alive.. Zod made me and my mother an offer, that we could not refuse. He wants us to help them locate a secret weapons vault hidden somewhere in the Palace. Only My father, mother and I know it's location. Although getting into the palace may be a problem, the Amazons have claimed it as their own and it is filled with more guards than I can count. I can gaurantee that Diana is inside. We need to get in there as fast as possible. We cannot afford any casualties, as we have few soldiers. Then we must free the prisoners, get the weapons, and use them to defeat the Amazons.

Reluctantly, we told Zod the location of the vault. A rescue group will go in stealth to get the prisoners out of the cells, while three separate strike teams will go in and get the weapons. Zod will lead Strike Team One. Mother and I have been left behind for protection. To “save the royal bloodline” as Zod put it. I don't like it; I don't like it at all...

--

Jor-El's Palace, the same moment.

Wonder Woman brooded on the throne she had stolen, but felt she had earned through revenge. Most of my guards will travel to Kandor and make their assault there, it will most likely draw the Kryptonian armies out of their base. They will be accompanied by Bruce to take care of Zod, if he dare shows his face. The others will stay behind with me, and they shall bring word to me of any news from the coming battle. I look forward to spitting on the body of Zod, in your name, Mother. I shall not let you down. And Bruce shall be an excellent addition to the Amazon army.

Wonder Woman's servants strapped her into her mother's armor. She sheathed her mother's sword, and accepted her own lasso from one of her trusted followers. With the lasso and sword on her belt, she waited on 'her' throne for the final battle to begin.

--

Two hours later, the Secret base

Kal-El was worried over the tactical decisions that had had been made. The soldiers have left, I considered leaving with them, but the security here is extreme. I can't leave with out getting caught. I'm going to have to wait it out here.
"Your father shall return Kal-El, I just know it." Lara leaned on her son's shoulder.
"I know mother, I believe you."


--

Jor-El's Palace

My soldiers shall begin their assault in any moment now. The Superman will not be a problem. He has gone into hiding, like a coward; unworthy of a warrior. Even that butcher Zod is better. And if he does decide to face us, then Batman shall defeat him.

Her thoughts were interuppted by an Amazon soldier. "Princess, Batman is making contact with us."

She stalked into the communications room. She picked up the microphone. "Batman? Have you begun your attack?"

"Not yet, soon though. I just needed to....” He paused. “Diana, this feels wrong. These aren't soldiers, we can't just destroy these peoples lives just to get the Kryptonians out of their base. They don't deserve this."

"The Kandorians have slaughtered our people too, Batman. They deserve it as much as Zod does."

“Princess...” she could hear his intake of breath. “I avenge the innocent, I attack the guilty. These people are not responsible. I've seen war, Diana; I've fought the Thanagarians many times. This isn't the same, and it isn't right.”

Wonder Woman closed her eyes and fought to keep her own anger under control. “If you have been in war, then you know that casualties are inevitable. The attack will proceed.”

"But Diana--!"

"Goodbye, Batman."

"DIANA!"

Wonder Woman closed the channel.

--

Kandor, 25 minutes later

The attack is starting and Wonder Woman hasn't called me back. The Amazons are charging now, I can see the fire in the distance. What am I doing??!?

Batman charged down the hill and flew towards a building, he crashed through the wall. Civilians started and cringed back from the terrible bat-shape before them.

"Ladies, Gentlemen. Leave now...if you want to live."

The people screamed and ran for the doors. The lights flickered, and then finally shut off. Batman continued om slinking through the darkness as though he was made of it.

But then the doors slammed open, and Kryptonian soldiers charged in.

--

The Secret Base, 7 minutes ago

Lara and Kal-El waited in the room for the rescue team to return. They didn't talk; each was alone with their own thoughts. Lana hoped for Jor-El's return; Kal-El was not so certain.

Outside, alarms went off; explosions shook the base. The door to the room slid open. A soldier stood there, panting, his face a mask of blood.
"What is going on?!" Lara demanded.

"Kandor is under attack! The Amazons have made their way here! Just stay in the room!" The soldier stumbled away, and the door slid shut once more.

Kal-El could endure the waiting no longer. "Mother, I--"
"Just go Kal-El. I can take care of myself," She smiled.

Kal-El left the room, and used the ring to create his Green Lantern uniform. He flew through the halls and out of a window.

"Good luck Kal-El,” his mother whispered.

--

Back at Jor-El's Palace...


Wonder Woman sat on her throne and waited for updates. She started when gunfire echoed down the hall, and blood splatterrf on the open door. She stood, quickly drawing her sword. A shadow came down the hallway. She knew who it was; the murderer of her mother. She would strike him down in vengeance. True vengeance, not the weakness Batman spoke of.

Zod entered the Throne Room and smiled at Wonder Woman.

"Zod! HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOUR FACE HERE!"

"I do not HAVE to dare Diana. I'm no fool. I must liberate my people from you.”

"That is obviously a lie. You are the killer and enslaver; your people are only suffering the revenge they deserve. You cannot challenge the Amazons and expect to live."

"And only foolish women challenge a MAN to battle, Diana."

Wonder Woman screamed with rage, and charged!

--

Kandor, Five minutes later

Batman surveyed the carnage. The flames, burning high. What has Diana done? Thousands of people will die because of her.

Superman approached Kandor. He saw the bodies of dying soldiers; some were still screaming for help. Though it cost him dearly, Superman had to ignore them. He had to find Wonder Woman and put an end to this evil. He clenched his jaw and flew on.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees a black form enter a building. It's shape is different than any he had ever seen before.

It's the Batman we heard rumors of. He's here. I suspected that if he truly existed, he'd be in the battle.

Superman floated to the door of the building. It slid open as he approached. The building was dark. Even with the ring, Superman could barely see, but he could hear the Batman rushing up the stairs. He followed quickly after. As he reached the fifth floor, Superman's ring could no longer detect Batman. Frowning, Superman walked slowly to the center of the room.

Then he heard a sound from behind. Superman looked around, then turned to face the way he had come. Batman was there, in the darkness. They locked eyes.

"I thought you would come, Superman."

"I knew you were with the Amazons, Batman."

"You were right. And I KNEW you were working for Zod."

"That's what Zod thinks, too. But neither of you understand what is going on here.”

Superman flew at Batman, who stood his ground. Just before Superman would have struck, Batman ducked low. Superman flew over, expecting to be able to come around again. But Batman struck his ribs with a hard blow, and Superman felt a flash of pain as one of them cracked.

"AARGH!" Superman was astonished; how had Batman gotten through his ring's defenses? He lashed out in turn, but Batman was no longer there! A finger tapped Superman on the shoulder. As he whirled to face Batman, the dark shape threw another punch. Superman focused his will and put up a shield, but still Batman's first broek through. Still Superman did not understand; Batman wasn't using yellow energy. Before he could recover from his surprise, Batman grabbed him by the throat and threw him through a wall.

Superman fired a blast of green energy at Batman, and this at least did manage to stagger him. So he's not immune to my ring; at least there's that. He flew at Batman again, and this time the darker man couldn't get out of the way. They smashed through a window, and Superman punched Batman in the jaw. They grappled, punching and kicking adn blocking as they fell towards the ground. Superman tried to kick free of Batman and fly away, but Batman grabbed him by the leg and slammed him into the ground. The whole area shook, and Superman's impact caused a devastating crater. Batman fellon Superman and continued the attack, slamming his knees his into Superman's face. Batman tried to pin the Kryptonian to the ground, but Superman struck back with three hard shots, cracking Batman's helmet. Shocked but not dazed, Batman grabbed Superman's fist before he could strike a fourth blow. To Superman's astonishment, Batman threw him back into the building they had fallen from. With a rumble, the building fell, collapsing on top of Superman.

Batman approached the debris warily, but was unprepared when some of the debris was blasted into him by Superman's green energy.

"Well Batman,” Superman said as he appraoched, “You thought you could bring me down, but--” he stopped in astonishment as Batman pushed the debris away and stood.

“I don't go down easy, Superman.”

“So I see; but neither do I.”

The men nodded grimly, still enemies; but each having gained a measure of respect for the other.

Neither would back down, of course.

They flew at each other once more, fists raised....

TO BE CONTINUED!

Let us know what you think here!


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Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed this issue of KRYPTONIAN! The War of the Trinity event continues and I hope you think it's going well. The introduction of Kandor was very easy to incorporate into the story and I hope to add more ideas from the Superman mythos into this series (maybe some things from Batman and Wonder Woman too) and some more Superman characters. Please give us some feedback about your opinons on the series and what you would like to see in the feed back section.
Thanks for Reading!
Mitchell Underwood