The Storm Herald Series {#Wattys2018}

2.0

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"Kal-El," a voice greets us. "You have no idea how long we've been searching for you."

"I take it you're Zod?" Clark asks, with an eyebrow raised.

"General Zod," Faora hisses. "Our commander. Show some respect, dog."

"It is alright, Faora," Zod dismisses, with a wave of his hand. "We have to forgive Kal for any lapses in decorum. He is a stranger to our ways." He glances at me, his face placid,"as is the godling with him." I flinch, looking away from Zod.

"But this should be a time of celebration, not conflict," he says, and then stands up. I look back at him, placing no emotion in my face. All of a sudden, Clark collapses next to me. I kneel by him,"what's wrong!?"

"Feel. . . funny," he groans out.

"What's happening?" I ask Zod, feeling panic course through me. But I squash it down. I have to stay calm for Clark.

"He's rejecting our ship's atmospherics," Zod explains, his face emotionless.

"Clark," I whisper, rubbing his back. "Focus on my voice. Focus." He starts to cough, blood coming up with it.

"You've spent a lifetime adapting to Earth's ecology, but never adapted to ours," Zod said, and I can hear a hint of humor in his voice.

"Focus on my voice," I say to Clark. "Focus. Breath."

"Mackenzie," he whispers, then coughs again. I keep rubbing his back, trying to get him to breath normally,"c'mon. You're stronger than this. You can do it."

"Mackenzie," he whispers again, before collapsing to the ground. I feel helpless, as Kryptonians grab Clark and drag him away.

"Where are you taking him?" I ask, standing back up.

"None of your concern," Zod says, coming over to me. "Such a pretty girl. Pity you have the blood of the old Gods." I back away from him, straight into the chest of another Kryptonian, one who even towers over Clark.

"Grab her," Zod orders him, and I feel the Kryptonian grab my wrists.

"You're not going to get away with this!" I yell, as the Kryptonian drags me away. Zod shakes his head, chuckling,"oh, Stormy, don't you see?"

"I've already won."

***

I scream, I kick, I fight, anything to get out of this cell and get help. I notice a port in the wall I'm abusing, and it looks to be about the same size of the object Clark gave me. I take a deep breath, then put the object in the port, like a key would go in.

"Hello," a voice says from behind me.

"Where the hell did you come from!?" I ask, my eyes widening.

"The command key, Ms Wright," he explains. "Thanks to you, I'm uploading into the main frame of the ship."

"Just call me Mackenzie," I snap, looking at him. "You look familiar." The bright blue eyes, the way he holds himself. He reminds me of someone.

"Who are you?" I ask, after a few moments.

"I am Kal's father," the man explains. "Jor-El." He moves his robes, to reveal an 'S' emblazoned on his chest, just like Clark's.

"Can you help us?" I ask, but my real question is can I trust you. That's what I want to ask, in all realities.

"I designed this ship," Jor-El explains. "Of course I can." I nod,"thank you." Jor-El purses his lips, a look of concern on his face.

"You're terrified," he comments. "I can hear your heartbeat." I press my hand against my chest, and feel my heart racing at what seems a million miles an hour.

"I am," I admit. "I'm worried for Clark." Jor-El nods, his face placid.

"Let me take that worry from you," he says, waving his hand.

Instantly, I'm standing on the porch of the Kent's farmhouse.

"Why'd you bring me here?" I ask Jor-El.

"I reached into your memories," he explains. "Searched for the place you felt most calm. This place seemed to resonate." I look around, my breath hitching in my throat.

"Jor-El?" I ask, not looking back at him. "I think I'm ready to take on the Kryptonians." He nods,"very good, Ms. Wright."

The Kansas landscape disappears, being replaced with the Kryptonian cell.

"Now let me teach you how to send them to the Phantom Zone," Jor-El says. I nod, my hands forming into fists, as I open my mouth to speak.

"And in turn I'll teach Clark."