Superflash:Collison Course (Volume 2)

Chapter 8: Worldkiller

Zod spent hours telling Clark everything he knew about the Worldkillers. Initially there were five, but one left during the years of peace on Krypton. He knew they had been bred only for war and destruction, not to protect their captors. He had always seen the Kryptonian Science Guild as slavers. He was known as Worldkiller-1. The other four remained biding their time until they knew an enemy would come that was more than they could handle. The four were Reign, Deimax, Perrilus and Flower of Heaven.

"The Worldkillers are a threat far greater than you can handle Kal-El. Reign, Deimax, and Perrilus each possess superhuman strength. In addition with the exception of Deimax, Reign and Perrilus share some of the same powers that we do on Earth. Flight, superhuman speed, stamina and durability. Reign alone is more than a match for you."

"She's not unbeatable."

"Alone...of course not. But with the other three by her side they will do what they were created to do. And that is to destroy Earth as they did Krypton. Perrilus is also capable of Toxikinesis."

"We're invulnerable on Earth."

"She doesn't need to be able to cut you to poison you. Although Deimax is vulnerable to certain toxins. That is the only advantage you will have if this comes down to a war."

"What about the fourth Worldkiller? You have yet to mention the fourth."

"The fourth is the greatest threat of all. Her name is Flower of Heaven. She has the power of flight, energy projection with what she referred to as a thermal-blast. She is also capable of energy absorption. I imagine that she was the true cause of our home's final destruction. If the Worldkillers are here, you must realize you have no hope."

"That's where you're wrong Zod. As long as life exists, there is always hope."

"A foolish sentiment Kal-El. Earth is doomed. Now I have answered your questions. Leave me."

"Fine...but you should know that I know of your history before Faora's death..."

Zod quickly stood and sneered in disgust as Clark mentioned Faora again. He had warned his longtime adversary to refrain from mentioning her, but the hero pressed on, ignoring Zod's anger.

"You were the bravest warrior Krypton had ever known. You were highly respected by the High Council...and you were once a friend of my Father. You even disobeyed a direct order to arrest him and my Uncle."

"And when I did it was your Father who acted on orders from that very same High Council who sentenced me to the Phantom Zone. Your pleas...your blatant attempts at flattery will get you nowhere Kal-El. I will not help you fight the Worldkillers."

"Then I guess I was wrong. You will always think of yourself before others. Go on Zod...be what the Council turned you into. Nothing more than a selfish; self-absorbed villain. Prove that they were right to have my Father banish you and your followers to the Phantom Zone."

Zod fell back to his seat as Clark turned to depart. While he refused to believe that anything the son of Jor-El said could sway him, the General knew that his enemy wasn't wrong and his pride was burning as he remembered the years of loyalty he had to Krypton. Even now, as he thinks back to all those years ago when he tried to conquer Earth, he didn't want to see the planet destroyed. In his mind his intentions were altruistic, even if Kal-El was correct in calling the attempt misguided. In a way, Jor-El's son embodied the best of their friendship before the end.