Disclaimer:
This is a fan-created work inspired by elements from DC Comics, including Krypton and Kryptonian lore. All characters, alternate interpretations, and narrative developments in this story are fictional and created for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Chapter 35 — Chains and Opportunity
Weeks passed after the civil war.
Krypton was no longer the same.
The capital of Kandor still stood, but the scars of the battle remained everywhere. Craters marked the streets. Destroyed aircraft littered the outskirts of the city. Entire districts were still under reconstruction.
But the greatest change was political.
The war had ended.
Yet peace had not returned.
The Council remained in power—but their victory had come at a cost.
The House of Zod, House of El, and their allies had not been completely crushed.
In fact, the Council could not afford to destroy them.
Too much of Krypton depended on them.
Because without them…
Krypton would collapse.
The heads of House El, House Ze, and House Zod had not been imprisoned.
Instead, they were placed under strict house arrest.
It was a compromise forced by reality.
The Kryptonian military could not function properly without General Dru-Zod.
Too many strategic systems required his authority and knowledge.
The Council had no replacement capable of commanding the military at his level.
The same was true in the scientific world.
The Krypton Science Institute relied heavily on two of the greatest minds Krypton had produced in centuries:
Jor-El and Zor-El.
Without the two brothers, research programs and planetary stabilization projects began to slow dramatically.
Even the Council had been forced to admit the truth.
Krypton still needed them.
So a compromise was reached.
The houses would continue their roles…
But under constant surveillance.
Except for one person.
Von-Ra.
He remained imprisoned.
Deep beneath Kandor.
Inside a heavily guarded prison complex designed specifically to contain him.
Dozens of guards.
Automated security systems.
Energy barriers.
The Council had made one thing clear.
Von-Ra would never be released.
Inside the estate of the House of El, the atmosphere had become heavy with grief.
In one of the grand halls, a young girl collapsed into her mother's arms.
"Mooooom…!"
Kara sobbed uncontrollably.
"It's my fault!"
Her shoulders trembled as tears streamed down her face.
"Brother lost because of me!"
She buried her face against her mother.
"Why did we lose to those… those one-foot-in-the-grave elders?!"
Her voice broke completely.
"I should have hidden in the basement… uwaaaaaah!"
Her mother gently held her.
"It's not your fault, Kara."
Kara shook her head violently.
"Yes it is!"
Her voice trembled with guilt.
"If I didn't get captured… brother wouldn't have surrendered!"
Her mother slowly stroked her hair.
"We didn't expect them to stoop that low."
Her voice became quieter.
"We underestimated them."
Kara wiped her tears slightly.
Her voice trembled.
"Will they… set brother free?"
Her mother hesitated.
Then she answered honestly.
"No."
Kara froze.
"But…"
Her mother's eyes hardened slightly.
"We will get him out."
Months passed.
Krypton slowly returned to its routines.
But tension still lingered beneath the surface.
Then something unexpected happened.
Another war began.
This time…
It came from beyond Krypton.
A fleet appeared at the edge of the solar system.
Ships bearing the symbol of Daxam.
The Daxamites.
The distant cousins of the Kryptonian race.
A race born from the same ancient genetic lineage—but who had long ago separated from Krypton.
Relations between the two civilizations had always been strained.
And now…
The Daxamites had received a message.
Krypton had just gone through a civil war.
The perfect moment to strike.
They did not hesitate.
Daxamite fleets launched a full-scale invasion.
Battles erupted across Krypton's orbital defenses.
Military fleets rushed into space to intercept them.
The entire planet mobilized for war.
Amidst the chaos…
A familiar figure arrived once again at the House of El.
Dru-Zod.
He stood in the central strategy chamber alongside Jor-El and Zor-El.
A holographic map displayed the ongoing war across the system.
Daxamite ships continued pouring into Kryptonian territory.
Zod crossed his arms.
"The Council is too busy fighting the Daxamites."
His voice was calm—but his eyes burned with purpose.
"This war has created the opportunity we needed."
Jor-El looked at him.
"You intend to move now?"
Zod nodded.
"Yes."
Zor-El stepped forward.
"You want to break Von-Ra out of prison."
Zod smirked slightly.
"Exactly."
The room fell silent.
Jor-El slowly exhaled.
"How?"
Zod pointed toward the holographic map.
"Tonight."
He highlighted the prison complex beneath Kandor.
"With the war spreading across the planet, security forces are being redirected to planetary defense."
His eyes sharpened.
"Tonight will be the moment when security is at its lowest."
He looked at both brothers.
"We move then."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then Jor-El nodded.
"Very well."
Zor-El folded his arms.
"For Von-Ra."
Zod's expression hardened.
"Yes."
"For the future of Krypton."
And that night…
The prison break would begin.