It didn't take long for the alarms to scream across the base. Red lights flashed, sirens wailed, and soldiers swarmed, every one of them focused on Jack. He was tearing through them like a one-man apocalypse, exactly as planned.
"With all eyes on him, we can move freely," I muttered. "Time to go."
Grace and I dove toward the base, slipping through the chaos. I whispered a locator spell, golden threads of magic guiding me like a compass. We cut through corridors without resistance, and soon the spell led us to a reinforced door.
"This is it," I said, bracing myself to rip it open.
"Let me," Grace said with a smirk.
I stepped back, and she sank her fingers into the metal like it was paper. With a grunt, she tore the door off its hinges and hurled it down the hall, the crash echoing like thunder.
"God, it feels good to actually use my strength again."
I chuckled. "Show-off."
We stepped inside, and the sight stopped me cold.
She was there, the Kryptonian. Short black hair, pale skin, and a frame so thin it looked like she hadn't seen food in weeks. A ragged medical gown clung to her, streaked with dirt and blood. Her body was littered with surgical scars, proof of endless experiments.
Her eyes snapped up to us, wide and terrified. "W-who are you?"
I raised a hand, keeping my voice gentle. "Friends. We're here to get you out of this hell."
Grace moved closer, scanning her with sharp eyes. "She's malnourished. And… Jesus, look at all these incisions. They've been cutting her apart, testing her." She clenched her jaw. "But she's stable. Weak, but not critical. Once she gets sunlight, she'll recover fast."
"Good," I said, my voice tight with anger. "Then let's move before Jack actually brings this whole place down."
Grace slipped her arms under the Kryptonian, lifting her effortlessly into a bridal carry. The woman didn't resist, just sagged against Grace, too drained to fight or flee.
We shot back through the corridors, blasting upward until cold night air hit our faces. The base shrank beneath us as we cleared the roof.
"Go to the others," I told Grace. "Get her to safety."
Grace nodded and streaked toward the ridge where the rest of our group waited. I, on the other hand, turned toward the chaos.
Black smoke coiled into the sky. Screams echoed from below, punctuated by gunfire, and over it all, Jack's war cry boomed like thunder.
I sighed. "Of course he's having the time of his life."
With a flash of lightning around me, I dove straight into the storm.
I landed beside Jack. He was drenched in blood, not his own, of course. His sword gleamed crimson, and the ground around him was littered with bodies. More soldiers poured from the base, unloading everything they had at us, but the bullets flattened harmlessly against our skin.
I raised my hand, and a storm cracked overhead. Lightning rained down in brilliant arcs, scattering the soldiers in an instant, leaving nothing but smoke and scorched earth.
Jack pouted, lowering his blade. "Dude, I was just starting to have fun."
"Well, sorry to ruin the party, but we've got what we came for. We rescued the Kryptonian woman."
He blinked, then shrugged. "Right. That's why we're here."
"Exactly. And now it's time to head home. We've had a long day, and we finally have ten members for the team. That's enough for a starter roster."
Jack nodded, and we both took to the air. But before I joined the others, I stopped mid-flight. The base still burned below us, and anger tightened my chest. All the years of torture they'd put her through, no one else was going to inherit that knowledge.
I focused, calling a storm darker than before. A massive black cloud swelled across the sky, and in an instant, dozens of bolts struck at once. The entire base vanished in a single flash of thunder. Nothing left but fire and ruin.
I turned and caught up with the others, landing at Grace's side. She still carried the woman carefully in her arms.
"Alright," I said, catching my breath, "is everyone ready?"
Sam frowned at me. "Why did you blow up the whole base?"
I met her eyes, voice low and firm. "Because whatever those monsters learned from experimenting on her didn't deserve to survive. If it spread to the wrong hands, more Kryptonians, or anyone like her, would suffer. Ending it was the only choice."
Sam studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Fair enough."
I pulled out the Multiverse gun and activated it. In a flash, we were gone.
We reappeared in Hope's lab. She spun in her chair at the sound, her eyes widening at the sight of Grace carrying the woman.
"What the hell happened to her?" Hope shot up from her seat and hurried over.
"She crash-landed on Earth," I said. "The Russians captured her and kept her locked in a secret facility. They've been experimenting on her for years."
Hope's gaze hardened. "I'm guessing Kryptonian, because no human could've survived that."
"Yes. But she needs sunlight. Without it, she's weak." I glanced at Grace. "I'll take her to my pocket dimension, where I've already prepared something for Kryptonians."
"I'm coming with you," Grace insisted. "We don't know what those bastards did to her. If something goes wrong, you'll need backup."
I nodded. "Alright. Hope, hold down the fort until we're back."
I handed her the Multiverse gun. She gave a small nod and returned to her computers. I then laid a hand on Grace's shoulder and teleported us away.
The world shimmered and we stepped into my personal dimension. With a snap of my fingers, day broke across the sky. Grace followed me into a crystal-lined chamber, its centerpiece a wide window that let pure sunlight pour through.
"Lay her here," I said, motioning to a crystalline table angled toward the light.
Grace lowered her gently, but the woman flinched, her voice a faint whisper: "No… please… no more…"
I leaned down, speaking softly. "You're safe now. No more pain. This will heal you."
With another snap, I adjusted the sun itself. A blazing beam cut directly through the window, bathing her in golden light. Her chest rose more easily with each breath, the tension leaving her face as she slipped into sleep.
"Now we wait," I murmured.
20 Minutes Later
Grace and I sat in chairs nearby, watching the Kryptonian's color slowly return as her body drank in the sunlight.
Grace finally broke the silence. "I've gotta ask… why'd you build a room like this? You're not Kryptonian, so what's the point?"
I smiled faintly. "It's for Jack. He's half Kryptonian. One day, if he ever gets hurt bad enough, I wanted a place where he could heal fast."
Grace's expression softened. "You're a good brother, Kai. Most wouldn't think that far ahead, most believe nothing can hurt a Kryptonian." Her smile faltered. "But I know better."
Her voice carried something heavy, and I turned toward her. "Grace… why exactly did your family disown you? After the trial, after I made it clear you weren't in control, why?"
She let out a bitter laugh. "Because it didn't matter. People saw Pestilence when they looked at me. They didn't care that I was cured. They didn't care that I wasn't her anymore. My family, my friends… even the barista at my coffee shop, they all looked at me with the same thing: fear and hatred."
I frowned. "I'm sorry. I wish I could've done more."
She shook her head. "You already did more than anyone else ever would've. You defended us in court. You saved us from prison. You even convinced the Legion to let us live free. And you helped Ruby control her powers… which still blows my mind."
I chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm still working on a theory for that one. My best guess? Dark magic was suppressing her Kryptonian side until it broke."
Grace hesitated, then met my eyes. "And thank you… for not telling the Legion about our mental link."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because it keeps us sane. That link… it's not just telepathy. It's connection. Sam might've had Ruby, but she was still alone. Julia and I were too. With the link, we had each other. We talked every day. We grew close. We're sisters now—real sisters, not just Worldkillers." She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "We've even strengthened it. We can see through each other's eyes if we want."
That surprised me. "That's… unexpected. But powerful."
She leaned closer, her voice soft but steady. "So thank you. For everything you've done for us. For giving us this chance. I want you to know… I'll follow you anywhere. And I don't just mean me. Sam and Julia feel the same."
I felt my chest tighten, not with burden, but with pride. "Then I'm glad to have you three by my side."
Jack POV
I sat in the front room, no TV on, no music, just silence. The shower steam hadn't even fully left my skin, and yet here I was, stuck in thought.
Hope's voice cut through the quiet."You've been sitting here for almost six minutes straight. That's a new record."
I looked up, and there she was, arms folded, eyebrow raised.
"I'm just thinking," I muttered.
"About what? You've got that serious face on."
I sighed, leaning forward, elbows on my knees. "You know how I'm still getting the hang of my Saiyan side?"
She smirked. "Yeah. Progress is good though. You haven't tried to fight me or Kai in at least a week."
I gave her a flat look. "Not funny. Today was a mess. And I think… I think I need help controlling it better."
Her teasing dropped, replaced with concern. She moved closer and sat beside me."Tell me what happened."
I rubbed my hands together, searching for the words. "First off, I started a fight with Soldier Boy and Stormfront. Out of nowhere. Just because I was thinking about their other versions, the Nazi and the racist. Couldn't get it out of my head. And then… while Kai and Grace were rescuing, that Kryptonian, I killed like fifty-something guards. Fifty-six, I think. And the worst part? I don't feel anything. No guilt. No hesitation. Just… nothing."
Hope didn't flinch. "Jack, Saiyans are a warrior race. Fighting and killing, it's in their blood. You're part of that. It makes sense you don't feel the same guilt a human would."
"That's exactly what's eating me," I snapped. "I don't want to be okay with it. Life's supposed to mean something. But if I keep feeling nothing every time I end one… then what am I? A hero? Or just some sociopath with heat vision?"
Her hand touched my arm, steady, grounding. "Whatever you need, Jack—you know me and Kai will always help. Always."
I nodded slowly. Then the words I'd been holding in finally came out. "I think… I need to leave. Go to the Dragon Ball universe. Train with Goku."
Hope blinked at me like I'd grown a second head. "I'm sorry—what?"
"Look, I know it's sudden. But Goku… he's probably the best example of what a Saiyan should be. Pure-hearted. Strong without being cruel. If I train with him, I'll not only get stronger—maybe even unlock god ki, or Kaioken—but I'll also learn discipline. Balance. How to fight without losing myself."
Hope stayed quiet for a long moment, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Hope?" I asked carefully.
She exhaled, almost shaky. "Sorry. Just… not a fan of splitting up. Especially across universes. Before, when you left with Kai, I knew you'd be back. But this? I don't know when or if you'll come back."
I shifted, turning to face her. "I'm not disappearing forever. I just… need to be better. Stronger. Wiser. And I promise, I'll always come back to you and Kai. You two are the only family I've got."
Her eyes softened, and then she let out a weak laugh. "I'm gonna miss you, fool."
I smirked. "I know. I'm amazing."
She shoved my shoulder lightly. "Shut up and hug me, idiot."
I pulled her in, wrapping her tight in my arms. For the first time all day, the storm in my head quieted. This felt like the right choice.
Kai POV
Grace had gone to the restroom, leaving me alone in the room with the Kryptonian. She looked better, her breathing was steady, her color slowly returning, but she was still unconscious.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my mind wander.
Not gonna lie… I kind of like the team I've put together so far. Soldier Boy, Stormfront, Crimson Countess, Black Noir, a Power Ranger, and now four Kryptonians. That's a stacked lineup. The world has no idea what's coming.
I can already picture Superman's face when he finds out there are more Kryptonians on Earth. He'll be stunned. As for Batman, he'll keep that same stone face as always, but inside? He'll be screaming, "How the hell did four Kryptonians stay hidden under my nose?" The thought almost made me laugh. He'll lose sleep over it, but that's his problem, not mine.
What I do need to focus on is making us stronger.
For the Supes, Hope can refine Compound V, maybe even combine it with the heart-shaped herb I brought back. That could push their physiology into something entirely new.
The Kryptonians don't need raw power boosts; they're already walking gods. But if I can make them resistant, or better yet, immune to kryptonite and magic? That would make them unstoppable. Jack especially would thank me for that.
And me… I've got options. Dangerous ones.
One idea: head to One Piece, steal Enel's devil fruit. Yes, steal. I've got a spell that can strip the fruit from him without killing. I'd rather not rack up unnecessary bodies. Villains? Sure. Monsters? No hesitation. But a guy like Enel? If I can avoid it, I will.
Another option: the Naruto world. Uchiha eyes. Sharingan, Mangekyō, tools that would make me deadlier than ever. Hell, maybe grab some Hyūga Byakugan too. If Hope could fuse them? We'd be looking at a whole new evolution of dojutsu. Dangerous as hell, but tempting.
And then there's devil fruit fusion. If I can pull it off, combining powers that shouldn't exist side by side… it could change everything.
Of course, I don't need to risk myself every time. A clone could handle it. I do know a spell for almost everything.
I was still lost in thought when I heard it, soft groans.
My head snapped up.
The Kryptonian was stirring.
Her eyelids fluttered open, confusion and fear written across her face as she looked around.
I stood immediately, moving to her side.
"Easy," I said, keeping my voice calm but steady. "You're safe now."
She looked at me, her voice weak but sharp with confusion.
"Who are you? Where am I?"
"My name's Kai," I said calmly, kneeling so I was level with her. "You're safe now, in my realm. Hidden away from what those people did to you."
Her eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Free… from those humans?"
"Yes," I nodded. "And don't worry, they won't hurt anyone ever again. They're gone."
Relief washed over her face, and she whispered, "Thank you."
"There's no need to thank me," I assured her. "But I would like to know your name… and your story."
She inhaled slowly, as if bracing herself, then began to speak.
"My name is Lyra Zod-Van. I was born on Krypton, though that world is now dust. I carry the blood of the House of Zod, but I abandoned it the moment I learned the truth of what my father had become. General Zod, my father, was a brilliant commander, but also a cruel and twisted man. He claimed he wanted to save Krypton… but all he desired was power. He sought to reshape Krypton in his image, even if it meant tearing the planet apart.
"I discovered his plans far too late. Desperate, I turned to Jor-El, once my father's closest friend and one of the greatest minds of our people. I begged him to help. Jor-El told me the truth, that Krypton was doomed, and nothing could stop either Zod or the planet's destruction. But he gave me hope. He placed the Growth Codex into my DNA, a chance for our people to be born again someday.
"He prepared two ships. One for me… and one for his infant son. We launched just as Krypton's core collapsed. But…" her voice cracked, her eyes glistening, "…Jor-El's son never made it. His ship was struck in the chaos. It shattered as the planet exploded. The baby… Kal-El… was lost. I alone survived. I'm the only Kryptonian left in the universe."
Her grief hung heavy in the room.
At that moment, Grace walked back in, pausing when she saw Lyra awake.
"Oh good, you're conscious," Grace said gently, moving to her side to examine her condition.
I gestured toward her. "Lyra, this is Grace. She's a Kryptonian too… like you."
Lyra's eyes widened in shock. "What!? That's impossible. I thought… I thought I was the last. I thought all Kryptonians died with Krypton."
"In your universe, maybe," I explained carefully. "But across the Multiverse, there are many Kryptonians still alive. Different worlds, different fates."
Grace finished her quick check and gave me a nod. "Her body's weak, but the sunlight is already repairing the years of damage. Honestly… it's incredible how fast she's healing, considering she only just started absorbing proper yellow sunlight."
Lyra's eyes narrowed in confusion."What do you mean… other universes?"
I leaned forward. "I mean you're not in your original universe anymore. You're in my universe now. And here… Kryptonians exist too. Grace is one of them. My brother's a hybrid, half-Kryptonian, half-something else. There are four pure Kryptonians here, plus one half-human girl who's just sixteen."
Her breath caught. "And Krypton? What of it here?"
"Sadly…" I shook my head, "…it still died in this universe too."
Lyra's shoulders slumped, her voice breaking into a whisper. "Then the Codex… it is still needed."
Grace tilted her head. "Codex? What's that?"
Lyra looked almost offended at first. "The Codex is Krypton's last hope. Our species depended on it. We weren't born naturally like humans. Every Kryptonian life, scientists, warriors, and leaders, was designed through the Codex. Our entire race's existence was tied to it. How can you not know that if you're Kryptonian?"
Grace straightened, a hint of pride but also sadness in her tone. "Because I was just a baby when Krypton exploded. All I have are fragments, downloaded memories, pieces of culture, houses, and religion. But I didn't grow up on Krypton. I grew up on my Earth. I had a whole life there before coming here."
Lyra's eyes widened. "On your Earth? You're not from this universe either?"
Grace nodded. "No. Something happened, something that made it impossible for me to stay there. Kai helped me through it. He brought me here, gave me a chance to start over… and to become a hero."
"A hero?" Lyra echoed, as if testing the word on her tongue.
"Yes," Grace said firmly. "I've got these powers, these gifts. Might as well use them to protect my new home. That's why we saved you. Kai hasn't told you that part yet." She smirked at me.
I lifted a brow. "I was getting to it."
She waved me off. "Well, don't let me hold you back."
I turned my full attention back to Lyra."The reason I rescued you, the reason I freed you from that prison, wasn't just to save your life. It was to ask if you'd join my team. I'm building something… bringing together remarkable people to become something more. People who can stand against the threats this world and other worlds face. I want you to fight alongside me, my sister, my brother… and the others."
Lyra fell silent. Her gaze dropped, her lips tightening as if weighing a thousand thoughts. The silence stretched for long minutes. Finally, she raised her head.
"Tell me… the House of Zod in your universe. Is it any different from mine?"
I hesitated. "Honestly? In most universes, the House of Zod is… evil. I'm sorry."
But Lyra's eyes hardened, determination flashing through them. "Don't be. This is my chance. My father destroyed our honor with his foolish conquest. Kryptonians were meant to strive for greatness, yes, but also for peace, for wisdom, for kindness. He disgraced our name. He disgraced our race. That weight is mine to carry. I am the last heir of the House of Zod… and I will redeem it. I will join you as a hero. I will fight beside you. And when the time comes, I would also ask for your help in restoring the Kryptonian race."
I nodded, meeting her fierce gaze. "I can do that. But it's going to take time, a lot of time."
"I can wait," Lyra said softly, but with steel in her tone. "I have patience."
A smile tugged at my lips. "Glad to hear it. Welcome to the team."
Her expression softened for the first time, almost vulnerable. "Then… can I meet the other Kryptonians?"
"Of course," I said. "But, two of them aren't on the team, and for now I'd rather keep our location hidden. You'll meet them sooner or later, I promise."
"That is fine." Lyra nodded, calm but resolute.
The Next Day
I had just finished introducing Lyra to the other Kryptonians, and she was practically glowing with happiness at finally meeting more of her kind. Meanwhile, I was down in the lab with Jack and Hope. From the look on their faces, I could tell something serious was about to drop.
"So… what's going on?" I asked.
Jack took a breath, his expression steady but heavy. "I need to leave for a while. I don't know when I'll be back, but it won't be anytime soon."
That caught me completely off guard."Leave? Where? Why?"
"I'm going to a Dragon Ball universe." He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I need to get better control of my Saiyan side. And if anyone can help me do that while pushing my strength even further, it's Goku."
I frowned. "Why Goku?"
"Because he's the kind of Saiyan I want to be, kind, disciplined… and insanely strong," Jack answered simply.
For a moment, I couldn't say anything. My chest felt heavy. I had never imagined us splitting up this soon, especially across universes. And if I was being honest with myself, part of me was scared he wouldn't come back. Just like in the game—he'd only returned when the end was near.
"Kai?" Hope's voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry," I muttered, then looked at Jack. "I just… never imagined us separating like this. You're coming back, right?"
Jack gave me a firm nod. "Of course. You two are the only family I've got. I'm not leaving forever."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Good. When are you leaving?"
"Today. The sooner I start, the sooner I can come back."
I managed a weak smile. "You're gonna miss a lot of hero fun, though."
Jack grinned and stepped in to hug me. "Try not to have too much fun without me."
I held him tight. "I'm going to miss you, brother."
He chuckled. "Of course you will. I am amazing."
That earned him a laugh out of me, even if it was small.
Hope stepped up, handing Jack a Multiverse gun, but it wasn't like mine. Sleeker. Modified. "This one's different. It has a communicator built into it, but it only connects to our Multiverse gun. If you ever need us, call. No matter what."
Jack took it carefully, nodding. "Got it. And don't be afraid to call me either, when you miss me. Because I know I'll miss you guys."
He looked at us one last time, then activated the Multiverse gun. A flash of light swallowed him, and in the next second, he was gone.
The lab felt emptier already.
__________________________________________________________
AN: What do you think I should name the team, I have a few ideas but I want to hear from you all.
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