Superflash:Collison Course (Volume 2)

Chapter 32: Not worlds Apart

There was a moment of silence among the gathered heroes after they watched Tomar’s ring fly off into the outer reaches of space.  Clark, Hal, and Barry all bowed their heads in gratitude while Kara, no less distraught, leaned her head on Barry’s shoulder.  Only Zod was absent as he was in Brainiac’s dormant vessel searching for something he knew had to be there.  He had nearly torn the whole ship apart before searching the last place he thought to look.

Since Brainiac had become more machine than Coluan, he no longer required the quarters he himself had set up.  From a cybernetic interface chair he could monitor the entire galaxy and his destinations while his body remained in stasis.  This final location is where Zod found what Brainiac had stolen all those years ago.

“Kandor.  The true and final remnant of Krypton.  With its population of six million.  Krypton shall once again live and thrive.”

Zod was about to depart when he noticed a recessed compartment with a blinking blue light.  Thinking it may be some sort of weapon, he cautiously approached.  When he was within a short distance, the light expanded out and scanned Zod.  He was only slightly surprised when he heard a voice speaking from all around him.

“Kryptonian D.N.A. confirmed.  Releasing the device now.”

Zod could only stare as the compartment opened and a clamp emerged with a device he was all too familiar with.  Brainiac had at some point acquired a Phantom Zone projector.  With the projector he could banish Kal-El, Kara and the Worldkillers to the Zone and be free to rule Earth.

Down on the ground in Pompeii, the heroes were paying their final respects as Hal encased Tomar’s body in a green bubble.  Like all the Lanterns before him, he would be laid to rest on Oa in the sacred tombs.  But they first had to make a trip to Xudar for his family’s last rites.

With the battle ended, it was time for Barry, Clark and Kara to each go their separate ways.  Before they departed, there was still the issue of the remaining Worldkillers and Ultragirl to attend to.  Clark looked around and was the first to notice who was not among them.

“Kara, Barry…did either of you see where Zod disappeared off to?”

“No.  But that’s something we still need to discuss; Clark.  Why did you never tell me you’d kept Zod imprisoned in the Fortress?”

“Time enough for that later.  We can’t let him get away.  He may have helped stop Brainiac and the Worldkillers, but him loose on the world is something we can’t afford.”

Just as Clark finished speaking, Zod dropped down from Brainiac’s vessel, the Bottle City of Kandor under his left arm, and the projector in his right hand.  Barry, Kara and Clark all turned to see him as he stood up, eyes filled with malicious intent.

“The war is over Zod.  Brainiac, the Worldkillers, Ultragirl.  We ended it.”

“You did nothing of the sort Kal-El.  I; General Zod saved this planet from its fate.  Stories will be told about my heroics until the end of time and our people, the people entrapped in Kandor will see me as the hero I always was.”

Recognition flared in Kara’s mind as Zod said the name of the long lost city.  She had been five when Kandor was taken by Brainiac.  It was the end of the first war between Colu and Krypton.  The other item Zod held, both she and Clark immediately recognized it for what it was.

“Put the projector down, Zod.  I don’t know where Brainiac got it…”

“Nor do I Kal-El, but as for putting it down, I shall do so, once I’ve used it for its purpose.”

Zod slowly walked forward, and set Kandor down as operating the projector required both hands.  As he activated the device a red beam of light started to power up before he pointed it at the Worldkillers and Ultragirl.  When the projector reached full power the beam arced out, surrounding the four, transporting them into the darkest recesses of the Phantom Zone.  Kara had been edging closer to Kandor while Zod was making his way forward only to stop as he turned his attention to her and Clark.