1 Reborn

So, I just want to apologise for those of you who enjoyed my Legend of the Achilles story. The reason I got rid of that story is because I just didn't enjoy writing it. I loved the story idea and really enjoyed planning out the story, but writing it was another thing entirely. However, I had another story (this one) that followed a similar premise of a mass-crossover, wish fulfillment and in the case of this story, a semi-self-insert which I started writing over the weekend. So I've decided to start writing this story instead, so I hope you enjoy this and I apologise once more.

-X- Line Break -X-

I was young, no older than ten when it happened. Fire burst into life in my home and unfortunately, I was caught in the middle of it. Now I know what you were wondering if I'm dead why can I think? And what twelve your old thinks like this? Well to my story I think I need to let you know a little more about who I used to be.

You see, I came from a relatively rich family. I was never left wanting anything, but it wasn't easy. My parents were always away, working which left me alone of the time with babysitters and whatnot. I'd spend my days much like most children, just messing around. I loved comic books, I loved video games, I loved anime and manga. And I just spent my time like that, enjoying doing what I liked.

Of course, the fire put an end to that very quickly and I was terrified. I remember being there with my grandparents, trying to escape from the fire only to be engulfed by burning heat. I had never felt so powerless and in my final moments, as I burned to death, I realised I never wanted to feel that way again, powerless.

And that's when I saw it.

Light.

That was the first thing I was aware of, a blinding light that forced me to scrunch up my eyes in an attempt to escape the light. But I never could and suddenly I was lurched off my feet and collapsed to the ground.

"…" I could hear voices, yet no matter how much I tried to, I couldn't figure out what they were saying. My ears were ringing, smothering all the sound in its high-pitched tone making it indiscernible. And as the fog disappeared from my mind, I began to come aware of one very simple fact.

I wasn't dead.

As impossible as it sounded, I was alive. I could feel the heat of the room, feel the cold touch of the floor. Could hear voices and was gradually becoming aware of everything around him. Despite the impossibility of the act, he was not only alive, but he was reborn.

"Get up." A cold voice broke through the cloud of my mind and I was dragged to my feet by two pairs of hands. Then as my eyes became used to the blinding light, they flickered up, getting rid of the blur allowing me to focus upon my surroundings. I was in a completely white sterile room besides the murky liquid decorating the floor. In front of me, three men stood, two clad in heavy armour and armed with some futuristic gun of some kind. As for the third man, he was clad in robes with an unusual hat upon his head.

"Mmmm," I mumbled out in an attempt to speak, but none of the words I wanted to say came out.

"Vital signs are good, he's healthy." A fourth voice spoke up from behind me.

"Prepare him for his assignment." The fancy dressed man spoke and the two guards flanking him marched forwards, both grabbing hold of my arms and dragging me out of the room.

-X- Line Break -X-

Hunkering down behind the barricade, I clutched my gun rifle in both hands as gunfire and explosions sounded around me. Peeking around the corner, I turned to see energy rounds being fired across the battlefields from both sides. Up above, ships fired upon another, debris raining down up the ground below.

Raising one hand, I tapped on the screen attached to my battle suit and from it, a holographic image appeared. Red dots popped up all over the screen and I studied it closely. Then I turned it off and rose my rifle up to my shoulder and began to make my way back. I was cautious and careful, making sure to not to draw any attention but the allied forces were focused upon the enemy to notice me. And I used this to my advantage, all for the sake of the mission.

I climbed down further towards the frontlines and once I was far enough away, I rose one hand to my ear. My eyes never once turned away from the command site overlooking the battlefield. "Commence the operation." And at that moment, numerous fighter pilots rushed down and smashed into the command post.

And with the commanders dead, and panic filling the radio as reports came in of dozens of officers being killed, I knew that now was my time to take command. Just as the mission had dictated. Under his command, the Kryptonian army would score a major victory here and all the credit would go to him and begin the climb up the Military Guild ranks.

-X- Line Break -X-

"Sub-Commander Tah. The Vrangs are retreating." One of the Kryptonian officers on the bridge of the Gunship oversaw the space battle between the Kryptonian Fleet and Vrang Fleet. It had gone on for nearly three hours, but it had finally ended in their victory.

"Send a signal to all ships, pursue to the edge of Krypton Space and send out Scout Ships to ensure we are not walking into a trap." With my command given, I turned away back to the main console. And after pressing a few buttons, a holographic image of an older, dark-haired man appeared on the screen. "General Zod, I would like to report that the Vrang fleet has been defeated. We are pursuing them now."

"Good, with this victory the Vrangs will be quiet for a little while. Leave your Sub-Commander in charge and return to Krypton." Zod commanded and I bowed my head, quickly turning off the communication device.

-X- Line Break -X-

As I looked upon the hole down on the ground below, I couldn't stop myself from clenching my fists in anger. This hole represented everything that was wrong with their society and it infuriated me that no one on the council recognised this fact.

"Tah!" Turning, I saw Dru-Zod and members of his personal unit, Sword of Rao marched behind him. More than a few stopping to look at various robots being gathered up in piles nearby by my own soldiers. "What is this?!"

"I do not know," I murmured, turning back to look at the crater where the city of Kandor had once resided. "I am gathering information, but all we are aware of is that a single ship infiltrated Kryptonian space, broke through our planetary defences and stole Kandor." That sounded just as unbelievable as it was, and it was why there was such attention being focused upon this incident.

"Have you spoken to the council?" Zod asked and I hesitantly nodded my head. "What did they say?"

"They intend to do nothing. They say that too much of our resources are focused on stopping the Vrangs that opening a new theatre will be too much strain upon them. Completely ignoring the fact that if we took the fight to them and annihilated their home planet, we would ensure that war with the Vrangs would end and we wouldn't have a shortage of resources." My words rang true and Zod nodded his head, moving down to pick up one of the robots.

It was incredibly advanced technology, a sign that their enemy was a dangerous threat. This is exactly why and I and Zod wanted to pursue the chase and stop this threat before he became even more powerful. That was their duty as soldiers of Krypton.

"The fools won't be able to make decisions for much longer." Zod snarled lowly and I paused, looking to the man questioningly, who in turn looked to me. "Do you have a problem with that, Commander Tah?"

I paused, looking down at the crater and then to the robot in Zod's hand. "No. I don't."

-X- Line Break -X-

As the Gunship landed down on the landing pad, the ramp lowered down and Zod marched down. I and the soldiers of the Sword of Rao followed behind, energy rifles firing upon the guards stood outside, killing them all.

"Secure the perimeter," Zod ordered, many soldiers branching off with some remaining guard outside while others rushed off down the corridors they passed. Zod and I, plus his elites continued down till we reached the council room. Pushing open the door we rushed inside to find the various council members all sat upon their chairs, looking out as we circled. Guns were raised ensuring that none would move, and it was all finished as quickly as it started.

"This council has been disbanded." Zod proclaimed boldly.

Ro-Zar, the High Eminence of the Council of Five seemed outraged by his proclamation. "On whose authority?"

"Mine," Zod responded before firing his gun. The energy round carried across the distance between them, striking Ro-Zar in the chest leaving a big gaping hole there as she slumped over, dead. "The rest of you will be tried and punished accordingly." With those words, Zod marched forwards, intent on putting an end to the council and in doing so, completing his coup d'état of Krypton.

But at that moment, the noise of fighting rang out from the outside and many turned to see what the origination of that sound was. For many moments they remained silent, listening to the firing and explosions before everything went silent.

It was in that moment that I moved, gun turning from Lor-Em and training upon Zod. "General Dru-Zod, you are now under arrest by the authority of the Council of Five. Surrender now and there need not be any further loss of life." I ordered just as the doors burst open and council guards flooded into the room.

Zod and his Sword of Rao remained silent and tense, guns tracing from soldier to soldier but no gunfire being exchanged just yet. "So you betray me then? After everything I've done for you?" Zod questioned as he looked upon me with anger in his eyes. "After I named promoted you to Commander and gave you command of your own force, even naming it the Spear of Rao? Even after I gave you the name, Tah-Zod, you still betray me?"

"My name is not Tah-Zod," I replied simply. "My name is Tah-Em."

Zod's gaze flickered to Lor-Em who I could hear walking down the steps and standing beside me, then he chuckled. "I suppose I should have expected this. I thought I could change you, but it seems your 'father' has trained you too well. I wonder though, how long before he betrays you, Tah?"

"Arrest him!" Lor-Em exclaimed, guards, rushing forwards and Zod simply went to his knees. He put up no fight, just continuing to look upon me with disappointment in his gaze. All around us, the Sword of Rao were gathered up and put in chains.

"He will betray you, Tah. Mark my words on that, your existence has been outlawed long ago by the Council of Five and they will not tolerate your continued existence. Once you've served your purpose, you will be killed." Zod was dragged to his feet and out of the hall, but not before giving his last words. "Remember those words carefully when you die!"

I remained standing where I was, watching Zod get dragged out of the room and that was when Lor-Em placed a hand upon my shoulder. "Do not pay attention to his words, you are my son and you have done me proud this day. You were created to be the smartest and strongest of all Kryptonians, to protect us from all threats. You have succeeded in that mission this day and you will be rewarded richly for it. Our family will be rewarded for your actions."

And as Lor-Em moved away, I turned. "Father." There was a pause, a tensing of the shoulders upon Lor-Em that did not go unnoticed by myself and I questioned as to why he tensed up at that simple word. "You say that my existence was to defend Krypton from external and internal threats, Please let me continue that task and take the war to the Vrangs. Give me command of a singular fleet and I give you my word that the Vrangs will never raise arms against us again."

"We, the council shall think upon that proposition. In the meantime, return to your ship." Lor-Em told me and I frowned.