Adrian and Clark returned to the Secret Fortress in the Arctic.
Clark wanted answers about the looming threat of General Zod.
"Welcome, my sons!"
As soon as they stepped inside, Jor-El's voice echoed throughout the fortress.
"We came to ask you, with Zod's attack imminent, what should we do? His spaceship is approaching—can we stop it before it reaches Earth?" Clark asked urgently.
"No, you cannot," the voice replied. "It is a brain-interactive construct. Such advanced technology cannot be halted by any force, unless its master—General Zod—chooses to destroy it himself."
Clark looked around, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll find a way to stop him."
"General Zod committed unforgivable crimes and was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone. His current strength is not at its peak. You are not without a chance."
"Unforgivable? Did he kill you?" Clark asked, disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, your mother, and the entire Kryptonian race. He will do to Earth what he did to Krypton."
Jor-El's voice resonated through the empty halls. "I know you are not ready, but time is short. Kal-El, Adrian Kent, you must rise to your mission."
As the final words faded, two uniforms rose from the fortress floor, hovering in front of the sons of Kent.
The one before Clark was a blue and black bodysuit with the iconic S-shaped symbol across the chest.
Adrian's uniform was a dark, ancient black, devoid of symbols or patterns, yet the shape mirrored Clark's suit.
Clark reached out to touch the uniform, a thrill surging through him. Could this symbol mean he was stepping onto the path to becoming Superman?
Adrian stared at his suit, deep in thought. He had seen himself in this uniform before, in visions at Ms. Cassandra's sanatorium. Perhaps this moment was the beginning of that destiny.
Adrian reached for the uniform suspended before him, then turned toward the exit. "I'm leaving first."
He felt no fear of Zod. After defeating Trigon, his confidence in facing formidable enemies was absolute.
"Good luck, my son!" Jor-El's voice called.
Adrian frowned at being addressed as "son" once more, resisting the urge to dismantle the entire room, and walked out.
---
Seven days later, night had fallen over the Kent farm. Adrian stood outside, speaking into a phone.
Only after he promised Rachel, who loved to cry and act spoiled, that he would visit her soon did she stop sobbing.
"Rachel, give the phone to Baron Winters, I have something to say to him," Adrian instructed.
At Baron Winters' house, Rachel handed the phone over reluctantly. The Baron, listening intently, perked his ears.
Adrian's conversation ended just as Clark approached, pointing toward the sky. "Adrian, look!"
Adrian followed his gaze and saw an octopus-shaped spaceship approaching Earth at an unusual pace. Its speed was deliberate, almost as if it wanted to be noticed.
"Click!"
Suddenly, the lights in the room went out.
Adrian stepped forward, Clark close behind, frowning deeply. Darkness enveloped the room, and thick clouds obscured the moonlight.
Adrian moved a few steps, and the television flickered to life. Static gave way to letters: "LONELY."
In the darkened room, the flickering words and shifting light created a chilling atmosphere. Clark stared blankly at the screen.
The letters multiplied, forming the phrase, "YOU ARE NEVER ALONE." It cycled through English, French, Italian, Spanish, and even Kryptonian symbols.
A harsh static hiss followed the message. Then a hoarse electronic voice emerged from the television.
"My name is Zod," it said. "I have crossed the stars. Your world has sheltered two of my people. I demand their return. They have hidden their identities from you, integrated into your society. They look like you, but they do not belong to you. Those who know their whereabouts, the fate of your planet rests in your hands. Kal-El, Kyle Miser, surrender within 24 hours, or watch your world be destroyed."
The static vanished, and the lights returned abruptly. In the kitchen, a light bulb exploded under the surge, shards scattering across the floor.
Adrian shook his head at the screen. "Kyle Miser?"
He understood the insult. In Kryptonian, "Messiah" could imply exile or desolation, while "Keir" referenced descendants of criminals shunned by Kryptonian society. Calling him Kyle Miser was a declaration that Zod considered him tainted, a Kryptonian of bad lineage.
Adrian smirked. "Too bad. I am an Earthling."
Clark asked, concerned, "Adrian, what now? What if the U.S. government caves under alien pressure and hands us over?"
"No one controls me," Adrian replied coldly, eyes on the screen. "No one dictates my actions. Since Zod has passed the ball to the government, we wait. Pray they have a line they won't cross."
Outside, storm clouds swallowed the sky. Clark exhaled, tense.
---
The following day, the United States was in turmoil. News broadcasts, social media, newspapers—every medium buzzed with discussion about the first confirmed alien-human contact.
Everyone asked: Who are these two individuals? Why had they hidden among humans? And why did they now face Zod's demands?
In Blue Valley, Courtney and her family watched the chaos unfold on television.
Mike chewed pancakes while glancing at Courtney, glued to the screen. Experts debated whether the government should comply with the alien ultimatum.
"We know nothing about these two aliens, Kal-El and Kyle Miser. If they are allies, they should resolve the problem themselves. It's not humanity's responsibility," a pundit declared.
"Shit!" Courtney exclaimed.
Barbara glared at her daughter.
Courtney apologized. "Sorry, Mom. I just… how can they hand over Adrian and Clark? They're Earthlings and have secretly protected this planet. The Injustice Society and Devourer of Heaven—they've saved us countless times!"
"Are they… aliens?" Courtney added, excitement coloring her voice.
Mike, focused on the news, muttered, "That's actually… kind of awesome."
Courtney shot him a look. "Exactly. They're amazing!"
Pat sighed, trying to temper her enthusiasm. "This isn't something we decide."
Courtney, whispering to herself, vowed, "I must help them."
---
Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, General Lane received a mysterious call. The voice warned him that the government knew he held knowledge of the two aliens.
His face went stern immediately. Agents from the FBI and CIA would likely come for him soon.
Lane needed to escape the Pentagon to survive. He moved swiftly, dialing his daughter's number as he ran.
"Lois, listen! I don't have time! Remember these words carefully!"
Confused at her father's urgent tone, Lois tried to absorb his instructions as Lane pushed open a fire door, entering the stairwell.
Plainclothes agents pursued him relentlessly.
"General Lane! Stop running!" a voice shouted.
===
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