Disclaimer:
I do not own any characters from DC Comics. Characters such as Jor-El, Zor-El, Alura In-Ze, Lara Lor-Van, and General Dru-Zod belong to DC Comics. Original characters such as Von-Ra and story elements created in this novel belong to the author.
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Chapter 26 — Chance of Survival
The laboratory was quiet, but the silence was deceptive. Every console, every tube of glowing energy, and every filament of circuitry hummed with tension. Ruby hovered near the Core Stabilization Engine, her sensors flickering, scanning every molecular fluctuation. The body of Von-Ra lay on the central platform, motionless, eyes closed, black hair scattered across the floor like a dark river. Only the inner circle—Dru-Zod, Zor-El, Jor-El, Alura, Lara, Koryn, Kara—stood near the edges, their faces pale, hearts hammering, hands trembling.
"Life signs… critically absent," Ruby reported, her synthesized voice steady, yet carrying the weight of urgency. "However, the consciousness remains within subspace. Temporal stasis intact."
Alura's hands flew to her mouth. "Subspace? You mean… he's still alive?"
Ruby's holographic projection rippled with light. "Not in the body. But his soul, or consciousness, persists. The cellular collapse has prevented physical life, but molecular cohesion within the ambient energy field is stable enough for reconstruction—if proper calibration is applied."
Aluara jaw tightened. "Explain. How can we… revive him without killing him again?"
Ruby's lights blinked rapidly. "Core Stabilization Device will maintain planetary energy fields, providing ambient energy to support cellular reconstruction. I will bridge molecular cohesion to reconstruct Master Von-Ra's body from residual energy patterns, guided by his consciousness in subspace."
Kara "if you can do that, why didn't Von-Ra do it in the fist place?"
"core stabilizing device is for core stability purposes and not for rebuilding body blocks. what we are going to to is doing the impossible thing and hoping miracle would happened" ruby replied
Koryn exhaled sharply. "So… his body and soul will return… but you`re saying we should expect for the worst case?"
"Exactly," Ruby confirmed. "Subspace preserves consciousness. Only the inner circle will witness the revival. The council will continue to believe that nothing has change."
Zor-El's hands clenched. "If this fails… if any energy is misaligned…"
Ruby's sensors buzzed. "Probability of failure is 12.7%. Risk of permanent consciousness loss is minimal if executed precisely."
Alura's voice was barely a whisper, trembling. "Do it. I… I can't lose him again."
Alura placed a comforting hand on her daughter Kara, who was already moving toward the platform. "Kara… wait!"
But Kara ignored her, running to the side of Von-Ra. "Brother… wake up! Please… I'm here… I won't leave you!"
Ruby interjected with authority. "Maintain distance. Biological feedback could destabilize process."
Zor-El eyes softened, unusual for the general. "We don't have a choice. Begin."
Dru-Zod looked fiercely, and shout "ARE YOU ALL INSANE? WE ARE LUCKY THE LAST TIME YOU EXPERIMENTED THE CHILD YOU DIDNT CREATE AN ABOMINATION! NOW YOU'RE GOING TO REPEATE WHATS OUR ANCESTORS WARNING US ABOUT REVIVING A DESCEASED KRYPTONIAN!"
"and remember that he's not just a normal Kryptonian, he has the blood of RA and savage bloodline of those Viltrumite if something goes wrong, we will not perish by planetary explosion. we will die from him and not just us maybe this whole reality!!" Dru-Zod added agitatedly
Jor-el " but we need him, we don't have a choice. ruby, let the revival begin"
The Core Stabilization Device powered up, sending a soft hum through the laboratory. The floor vibrated as energy waves rippled outward, harmonizing with the latent molecular structures in Von-Ra's body. Ruby projected a network of light over him, scanning every particle, every atom, and every thread of his DNA.
"Initiating reconstruction protocol," Ruby announced. "Linking subspace consciousness to molecular scaffold… now."
A faint glow emerged from Von-Ra's body, golden at first, then expanding into a cascade of red, violet, and gold threads—each representing the three bloodlines struggling within him. His Viltrumite DNA, the divine essence of Rao, and his Kryptonian heritage intertwined in an intricate dance of energy and form.
Koryn's jaw dropped. "He's… alive… but it looks like he's… fighting himself."
Zor-El's eyes narrowed. "That is the bloodline clash. It's normal. Let it stabilize. Do not intervene manually unless Ruby instructs."
For minutes, the laboratory vibrated with energy. Ruby's voice was constant, precise, and unwavering. "Stabilizing Viltrumite cellular structures… reinforcing Rao's essence… regulating Kryptonian cellular integrity… 86% stabilization… 91%… 97%…"
Then, the golden glow dimmed, and Von-Ra's chest moved slightly. A soft breath.
Kara's hands flew to her mouth, tears streaking her face. "He… he's alive!"
Alura's knees buckled, hands trembling as she whispered, "Thank Rao… thank… him…"
But even as relief swept through the group, Ruby's voice interjected. "Memory integration required. Consciousness is now merging with physical form."
Von-Ra stirred, blinking as the first full awareness of his body returned. His golden eyes glimmered faintly tri color surrounding him, violet, gold and red with the light of his bloodlines harmonizing.
Inside his mind, a torrent of memories surged—Earthly memories long suppressed by the compromise of his Viltrumite, Kryptonian, and Rao essences. He recalled the days of struggle, the misfortune from earth, the moments when every effort seemed defeated, the desperate drive to survive and better himself but still died trying… only to fail again and again.
A small smile, almost imperceptible, tugged at his lips.
"So… all that misfortune… it gave me this chance. Thank you, Rao… and Viltrum… and every part of me. Now… we are one. We are perfect… or at least, complete. at last, the heavens gave me luck and misfortune turns into a blessing " Von-Ra said internally.
as Von-Ra is in deep thought, a noticeable change is happening to his body in real time, he became taller, and his shoulder is broader and most of all, his change turns into crimson.
Ruby scanned rapidly, projecting a new analysis. "Memory reintegration successful. Brain chemistry stabilized. Physical systems functioning at 97.4% efficiency. Bloodline sequences now harmonized."
Koryn's voice was low, filled with awe. "You- your hair color changed and you've come back stronger… somehow."
Dru-Zod also noticed the changes on Von-Ra's appearance specially his hair. "so all this time my suspicion is right"
"What do mean father?" ask Koryn
"golden eyes, crimson hair, gold and red light intertwining around him a sign of Rao's divine presence"
"base on Ancient scriptures on our library. Rao was one of the 1st of the100 Kryptonian race that have ever lived since the beginning of time."
"[Eldirao] it means Rao the elder of house of El—"
"what?! House of El?" Dru Zod is not offended by Jor-el's sudden interruption. he understand the shock of the other party. 'house of El, elder of El, Rao' the 1st emperor of krypton and its fist and sadly last the god king.
Jor-El cut " why is our family don't have that ancient text if he is from our lineage? and our family comes from the ancient imperial line?" Zod didn't answer Jor-el and continue his tale.
"We are a slave in the ancient times, we are just a slave meant to be slaughter and experimented by the all-powerful being but mishap happened" Dru-Zod elaborated
"and that is?" Koryn asked again
" we evolved by their repeated experimentation and somehow got stronger then we killed the master who experimented us that time" Zod said "that's why we have the motto 'give me 100 Kryptonians and we will conquer the World' in the end we Conquered galaxy upon galaxy until we met our greatest foe, got defeat and ended this state, cowering in this planet"
(AN: i borrowed the line of General Douglas MacArthur, who reportedly said, "Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world". in the battle of Yultong in the Korean War, where approximately 900 Filipino soldiers from the 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) held their ground and defeated an overwhelming force of up to 40,000 Chinese troops, preventing a major breakthrough. This historic stand is one of the most celebrated moments of Filipino military history.)
Von-ra Still eyes closed while listening to Zod's narration
"this is not even our main planet, just a satellite one. Our planet is bigger and has more resources than this barren planet. We are forced to abandon the galaxies we conquered, resources we gather and technology we muster for the sake of survival"
"who's our enemy father?" Koryn asks. "Enemies son, enemies. We provoked a lot of powerful races and powerful faction while we are doing our conquest. We became arrogant and Crushed who blocked our path of dominion and we pay the price. And we all learned a painful lesson; we are not invincible in this universe. "
Von-Ra opened his eyes fully, gazing at those around him. Golden light shimmered faintly, a subtle reminder of his awakened bloodline. His gaze fell on Kara, who was still clutching his hand.
"I… I am here," he whispered, voice hoarse but steady. "No one else can know… not yet. Not until the council is unaware of the full power we hold."
Von-Ra nodded. "Good. But I have more to recover… and more to learn."
Alura's voice trembled, soft and emotional. "You are… my son… alive again… and stronger than any of us could have imagined."
Ruby interjected. "Master, we must begin consolidation protocols to ensure the planetary core is fully stable."
Von-Ra's gaze hardened, golden eyes glinting. "Do it. But remember… the other inventions—the Subspace project, the Quantity Ray—remain hidden. It's too powerful to be gone in public how much more those greedy bastards in the council."
Dru-Zod stepped forward, silent for a long moment, then nodded subtly. "You are alive… and now, Krypton has a weapon the council cannot touch. Use it wisely, Von-Ra."
Koryn's jaw tightened. "We'll follow your lead… for now. But don't think I'll let you surpass me completely."
Von-Ra smirked faintly, a rare flash of levity. "Then you'll need to try harder, Koryn. I hope you're ready."
And for the first time, he fully understood the delicate balance of his bloodlines, the strength of his Earthly soul, and the magnitude of what it meant to survive—not just for himself, but for Krypton.