-M'arzz-
Zion appeared through the glitch, dry and human.
He snapped his fingers, transforming his fighting gear to more comfortable hoodie and sweat pants. He then unceremoniously fell on the couch and buried his head into the pillow. He would like a good nap before he got up to deal with the backlash for all the BS he just pulled.
He has to explain to Mark, then Justice League. Deal with all the uproar from the presidents and countries. He also need to keep an eyes on all the villainous organization. Too much things to deal with.
Even Kim Jung Un was chill with him helping his country than America.
*Meow*
Eon made his presence known with a meow as he strode into the room through the open door. Zion lifted his head from his pillow and turned to the cat that jumped onto his back, curling up on it. He lifted the lazy cat off his back and brought it before his face.
"Eon," Zion asked.
The guy hadn't come to him since Rachel and Cassandra arrived. If he was here, there should be a reason. However, the can answered him with a meow and looked towards the door. Zion followed its gaze and found a small head poking through. Rachel flinched at their gaze and hid herself.
Zion and Eon exchanged a gaze and called Rachel in. "Come in." Meow!
Zion sat up and placed Eon in his lap. Rachel peaked her head in, her expression one of reluctance. She looked at Eon for a moment and gathered herself, the walked in.
"You here for Eon?" Zion asked, stroking the lazy cat.
She nodded as answer and stood before him.
"You want to go with Rachel, Buddy?" Zion asked, stroking the cat.
The cat gave a satisfied purr and curled into a ball. He didn't seem to want to get out of his bed. Zion turned his eyes to Rachel. "Why have you come, Rachel?" Zion asked softy as to not deter Rachel.
The girls acted with enough reservation with him.
Rachel looked at him with her big purple eyes, still reluctant to speak up. Zion just waited for her to articulate her request. Rachel took a moment, but she finally spoke up.
"Can I... Can I see meet my Mother?" She asked, her eyes focused on his expectantly while bracing for rejection.
"I will arrange it," Zion agreed.
He was fine with Rachel meeting her mother and her relatives. He was already planning to anyway. He wanted make the Girl experience all those that they missed as children. It was his wish, even though they would be his blades when he needed them.
A great general treats his troop like his children - tun Shu.
Rachel looked a bit shocked at his immediate answer, hope filling her eyes. She quickly opened her mouth to ask another request. "Can we go to Gotham with Aunt Harley and Ivy?"
Zion eyes narrowed immediately while his neuron shots faster than a human's could. He immediate chocked instinctive response and said. "Nope," leaving enough to allow for conversation.
"...Okay," Rachel accepted, clearly dejected by his refusal.
Zion held his sight and inquired. "Why do you want to go to Gotham?"
Rachel lifted her head but struggled to answer. She thought about the reasons she wanted to go to Gotham, but she couldn't come with any. She wanted to go because Harley said she will show her all of Gotham. She wanted to see the Earth where she came from.
Zion waited for her to answer but the silence only stretched. "I do not mind you and Cass from going to Gotham with Barda, Nora or Even Fries. But not with Harley and Ivy."
Rachel seem to understand his words and looked at him, rearranging her question. "Can we go with Aunt Nora?"
"Yes," Zion agreed. "Be safe while you are out there. I am talking about you too, Cass." Zion looked to the door. Cassandra peeked in and gave him a nod of affirmation.
Zion could only sigh, this girl still wouldn't talk.
"Borrow the teleporter from Barda," He instructed before falling back into the couch and shooed the raven haired girl away.
Rachel quickly ran out with a light in her steps. Cass quickly joined and the two girls were off to their exploration. Zion kept a gaze on their retreating figure before pulling his lazy cat to his chest.
"Should I put a bullet through Harley's skull and turn Ivy into a experimental subject for the green?" he asked the cat, who answered with a purr and closed his eyes. "Hmm. Mark made promise to not kill anyone, so I shouldn't. That doesn't mean I can't cube them."
Zai appeared on the couch next to him as he thought to himself. Zion gave him a familiar gaze, one that had one intent.
["I will give her a warning."]
"Keep an eye on Rachel, her magic might have lost its intensity, but she can still a better mage."
["Whose fault is that?"] Zai questioned.
Zion closed his eyes. "She need something to hold on to."
["But Magic, it demands."] Zai showed a bit of concern.
Rachel only had half her soul, her demon side was swallowed by Zion. She was only half of her self. Using magic would only strain her soul.
"I will see that it demands not."
["Whatever you wish, Boss."]
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in Love. (1 John 4: 18)"
Zai vanished with his words. Zion drifted to sleep while petting the pristine fur of the lazy cat.
...
On Earth, everyone was tweaking out.
Their cities had gone from concrete structures to a crystalline marvel. The boring cities now glowed with power under the moonlight. The holographic displays mesmerizing the watchers.
This was like a fantasy, more of a vivid dream. Thrown into a world they never known without a warning.
From the street to the their homes were changed, their walls changed. A new interface appeared on their door with added security, allowing them to change the internal structure of their house with a click.
Pedestrians walked around the city in amazement, examining it. Many new Nion shelters appeared around the city. Hospital now had more rooms and upgraded equipment. Not as advanced as the Shelters but advanced enough to keep people alive. The corporate building now stood taller and more domineering and above all stood the daily planets floating globe.
Through out the city, in all its glory, only the vehicle stood unchanged, misplaced in time.
Superman floated above it all, his expression troubled and his through conflicting. This city, this crystalline metropolis was a shadow of Krypton. Its structure too familiar and alien. To close to home.
But worried him more the the technology laid beneath it all.
It was too advance, too far into the future. In wrong hands it could lead to devastation, used for war.
His communicator buzzed softly in his ear. "Superman," came the gravely voice of Gotham's Dark knight.
"Batman," Superman responded, his voice steady but tinged with unease. "I assume you've seen the changes."
"Yes," Batman replied dryly.
Superman looks at Metropolis new skyline.
"Its beautiful," Superman admitted, though his tone lacked the enthusiasm. "Its unrecognizable. Like I am seeing the shadow of Krypton." his voice wavered slightly, betraying his unease. "I didn't even know you could do something like that."
Batman's voice cut through like a blade. "That's the problem. He's trying to control Earth." Batman continued. "Whether he means to or not, this level of technological integration is dangerous. Its a system design to think for itself, to evolve. You of all people should understand what happens when Kryptonian tech fall into the wrong hands."
Superman closed his eyes for a moment, memories flashing through his mind—Kryptons destruction, his battle with Brainiac and the learning of Krypton's hsitory. All example of how technology meant to help but spiral into something catastrophic.
"He is trying to help," Superman said, his voice softer. "He promised."
"Dictators always do," Batman replied bluntly.
The words hung heavily on Superman's mind. He opened his eyes and gazed into the distance. "Zion's not like them. He doesn't want to conquer or enslave humanity. He has already help so many in Gotham, and now around the world."
"And that's what make him even more dangerous," Batman said. "Nion want perfection. He is shaping this world in his image. That's a goal without limit. A goal that risks everything."
"You don't trust him. You've made that clear," Superman voiced.
Batman was not about to argue. "Its not about trust. Its about preparation. If this goes wrong., if someone hacks into this network or manipulates him, it won't just be metropolis or Gotham at risk. Its the world."
At his worlds, Superman's gaze shifted down, children exploring the changes playground, the high definition hologram showing them the wild life as if they were real. "I know," He answered as his sense scanned the city. For a moment he could not find anyone who need his help.
"But they're safer. Isn't that we fight for? Can't we give him a chance? They will be happy."
There was a pause, both heroes lost in their own thoughts. A voice cut into their silence - Flash , his tone tinged with excitement and nervousness.
"Ug, guys? You seeing what' going on in Central city? Crystalline sidewalk, floating traffic light and...Did this letter box offer me a latter?"
Superman allowed a small smile at Barry's humor, but Batman cut in sharply. "Focus, Flash. How are people reacting?"
"They're... well mixed. Some loved it. Some don't. Mostly all freaking out. And me? I am just trying to figure out how these things work. I mean, its cool, but also kinda creepy, y'know? Sudden and all."
A new voice chimed in, calm and measured. "Metropolis and Gotham aren't the only cities dealing with this." Wonder woman's voice carried regal authority. "The National Mall in D.C had transformed as well. The Washington monument no radiate with Alien light, and people are unsure to marvel or flee. Steve is conversing with the military now."
"And Themyscira?" Batman inquired.
Diana's tone softened. "Themyscira remains untouched, but my sisters are wary. They feel this... presence in the air, as if the technology itself is alive."
There was a pregnant pause in the air. Everyone contemplating the future plans going forward in a changed world. One that was force to change.
"You are your thoughts about Nion, Diana," Batman asked.
"He is confident," Her voice carried both respect and caution. "A visionary. But I could sense a storm, a relentless drive to see his vision realized, no matter the cost. It is as dangerous as it is admirable.
He reminds me of Ares."
Batman did not answer as his mind tried to create a contingency.
Superman spoke up, his tone more subdued. "You are right about one thing, Batman. We need to talk with Nion about his plans. We can't have him turn into a tyrant, or le tanyone else use Krypton's technology to harm people."
He couldn't let the remains of Krypton or its knowledge used to harm people nor oppress them.
"What if it already is?" Batman countered. "You saw what happened when those crystals landed in the cities. That was a demonstration of power, not generosity. He didn't ask for permission: He just acted. That's not how protector behaves. That's how a ruler behaves."
"That is true," Diana agreed. "And Nion was never a hero."
"Then what do we do? Stop him? Tear it all down? Tell these people they can't have what's already saving lives?" Barry questioned.
"We watch. We learn. and prepare. If Nion steps out of line, we need to be ready to contain him." Batman said firmly.
Superman heart sank. The thought of fighting Zion, someone he had met in person, someone who Kara trusted, Someone who trusted him enough to reveal his secret. Someone who had done so much good already, was almost unbearable. "You think it'll come to that?"
"Hope not," Batman admitted. "But if it does, we can't be caught off guard."
"We have face many adversaries alone, but we all now stand together. We can least stand a guide to him, to the right path. He would listen," Diana added with confidence.
Superman shoulder sagged, wight of his heritage pressing down on him. "We'll keep watching."
"Guys," Barry's voice cut in with reluctance. "I don't know if it has any relevance... However, Zion came to me a weak ago, asking me for a favor." Barry remembered the conversation he had with Zion. "He asked me to protect his kids if the situation every demanded.
It might be the reason he is forcing Humanities development."
"Children?" Superman questioned, he had not learned of it.
"Yes," Barry answered. "He planned on settling in Keystone city."
"Are you telling me that he did all this to protect his children?" Diana questioned, her tone more of a confirmation.
Batman kept his thoughts to himself about the subject. "Whatever it is, Keep your eyes open." He said with a tone of finality.
As the line went quiet, Superman turned his gaze back to the transformed city. He felt both a mixture of pride and dread. Krypton's technology was their pride but it was also their downfall.
In the city of Gotham, Robin landed beside Batman, ready to share what he had seen with Nion.
...