A Different Kryptonian [Invincible/Brightburn] SI

Krypton was home to one of the most advanced civilizations in the galaxy. The Kryptonians were masters of science, excelling particularly in genetic manipulation, which granted them the capability to create the perfect warriors and scientists. Under such conditions, they should have thrived and for a time, they did. Their cities gleamed with the light of advanced technology, and their people enjoyed a standard of living unparalleled in the known universe.

But there was a problem… Krypton was dying. Few realized the gravity of the situation, and those who did were quickly silenced by the ruling council of five.
Despite their greatness, the Kryptonians had become arrogant. This arrogance was seen by both General Zod and Jar-El, two of Krypton's most brilliant minds, though they differed in their approach to the impending crisis.

Jar-El believed that with time, he could convince the council of the planet's dire condition. He thought that once the signs of Krypton's deterioration became evident on the surface, the council would have no choice but to act, and the Kryptonians would have a chance to escape. He advocated for a patient, scientific approach, hoping that reason would prevail.

Zod, however, disagreed vehemently. He claimed that waiting would be too late. Convinced that the council would never willingly abandon their hubris, Zod began to prepare for a coup. He started quietly, building alliances and gathering support from various houses by promising them worlds to conquer once they escaped Krypton's fate.

When the time came, Zod's coup was swift and brutal. He took out key points of power for the council, effectively seizing control of Krypton. With the support of ambitious houses, he seemed poised to lead his people to a new era of conquest and survival.

But the situation was far more dire than even Zod had imagined. The planet's core was destabilizing at a rate far faster than their projections. As if that weren't enough, the rebel survivors loyal to the council reemerged, reigniting a civil war that halted Zod's plans. Key ships were destroyed, and the Codex, a vital repository of Kryptonian genetic information, was lost.

Zod watched his dreams slip away as Krypton teetered on the brink of destruction. Yet there remained one last chance. His son. Lor-Zod, a perfect warrior bred for conquest, was his legacy and his hope. During this turbulent period, Jar-El had also prepared for his own son's survival. He created a ship that guaranteed protection, incorporating a rare metal known as Kryptium, which could withstand the harshest conditions.

In those final, desperate moments, both Zod and Jar-El acted to save their sons. They fought hand in hand while their very world fell apart all around them. In the end, the winner was clear, as Zod stood over his old friend's body. With his victory confirmed Zod entered his key adding new programming to the ship so it would teach his son his purpose.

He may have not succeeded in conquering the stars or helping his people reach a new greatness but his son would! At least that's how things were meant to go.

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'What in the world did I just hear… Zod won, Superman died, and the Codex is gone. Just what kind of AU was this world' Brandon couldn't even describe what he was feeling right now.

However, this wasn't the only thing bothering him as this story still didn't make total sense. If the Kryptonians were so advanced then why were they all on Krypton? Surely an advanced race would realize that being concentrated in one location wasn't a good idea.

Then there was that metal Zod mentioned. 'Kryptium was it? I've never heard of such a metal but to be fair I only watched the cartoons. So my knowledge isn't the greatest when it comes to DC.' If it is as strong as he thinks it is then it has quite a bit of potential.

Honestly, anything that can cut or hurt a Kryptonian is top-tier in his mind. Sadly by the looks of it and by Zod's explanation there didn't seem to be much of it.
"Now that you've heard your history, does your decision remain the same? Do you still choose to be a champion for these people rather than helping Krypton?" Zod asked this question much differently from his previous time. Gone was his arrogance or demands; all that remained was a hope that Brandon would choose his heritage.

Humanity or Krypton

It was the same question once again. Though this time Brandon did admit that he felt his heart stir a bit more now that he knew more about his people. However, his goals wouldn't change just because of that but that didn't mean that only humanity had to prosper because of this.

"Father to you, what is Krypton?"

A simple question but one with a deeper meaning. Was Krypton simply a place? Was it their heritage and traditions? All of these could be considered as Krypton from a certain point of view but there was only one real answer.

"Krypton is my people" Zod stated without hesitation. His people were his whole purpose for existing. Without them, there could be no Krypton.

"Agreed Krypton is our people and saving Krypton doesn't necessarily mean I have to destroy these people. Nor do I have to conquer the stars. Those are merely your dreams to help Krypton prosper but such action doesn't need to be taken for Krypton to survive. If anything those ideas would put us in a vulnerable state.

If I went around and started becoming a tyrant then I'd have to face the world alone! And if I the last son of Krypton failed, what would happen then?"

Brandon's words shook Zod as his hologram flickered for a moment. He saw the logic in those words and had heard similar things spoken to him before by Jar-El.
Both claimed that there is risk in taking such actions and Zod couldn't deny that there were but surely those risks meant nothing. His son had grown under a yellow sun! Something unprecedented for any Kryptonian. There should be no match for him here or in any world.

"Those words hold merit but you have strength without equal and are possibly the strongest Kryptonian to have ever lived thus far. What sort of threat could possibly threaten your reign?"

Hearing his father's questions Brandon turned around and fumbled through his bag before pulling out a phone. With a couple of swipes and taps, he found what he was looking for and presented it to his hologram dad.

"What is this… who are these people?" Zod asked curiously as he watched the images of people accomplishing astonishing feats.

A man so fast that he appeared as a blur in the camera, another a woman that had the image of strength as she rained blows on her opponent's… these images continued to show as Brandon showed more and more heroes of earth until they eventually reached a man wearing a tight suit with white and red coloring.

Each of these images showed humans doing feats he didn't think were possible for them and his astonishment continued to grow. But as the screen landed on that last figure Zod finally understood his son's hesitation.

Using a simple scan he saw the difference in strength between the two. His son was still awakening his abilities and was young while this man had already reached full maturity. With time his son would easily surpass such a level of strength but that would be in the future.

However besides this man how many other beings were at such a level? And if there were more what would happen? As a general he was able to make accurate judgments and realized that had his son proceeded without fear then Krypton might have already been lost…

"Who are these people and more specifically who is that man?"

"These are Earth's heroes known as the guardians but they aren't the only ones. They are just the most famous while this man here is known as Omni man a viltrumite from the Viltrum empire" Brandon replied adding emphasis on the empire part to let his father think that their numbers are huge.

"I'll admit… my judgment may have been hasty" Zod confessed, surprising Brandon since he didn't expect such a comment. "Then if this is the world you live in, what are our chances for Krypton? Was all my sacrifice for nothing?"

"It wasn't for nothing Father" Brandon declared while reaching out his hand to his father. He knew it would pass through if he kept moving forward so he stopped it right on his shoulder.

"With me here Krypton will live on through our family's bloodline."

Through family…

Yes, his son was right. As long as the blood of Krypton could be passed on then their people would never end! His only worry was these unknown dangers in this world.

Surely if this planet had such strong guardians then it must have equally powerful foes. Under such threat, it seemed Krypton wasn't completely safe especially when his son was still adapting to his new strength and lacked training. This would need to change. Zod proceeded to share his opinion with Brandon who completely agreed.

'A trainer is exactly what I need!' He couldn't imagine just how strong he'd become with that alone. Imagine a Superman who knows how to fight. Not saying that Superman doesn't know how but in every iteration of the character he's seen Superman always just punches.

However right when Brandon was getting lost in excitement he began to hear a noise off in the distance.

"Brandon, where are you!"

It was his mother… Crap he forgot that he ditched school for a moment there and needs to explain exactly why he did so to her.

Well, this will be fun.