In the vacuum of space, an object slowly moved past the gas giant known as Jupiter.
It was slightly smaller than Earth's moon, the artificial satellite heavily armed with an innumerable amount of armaments on its surface.
Deeper at the centre of the satellite was a singular room, a window running spanning the circular room to display a view of space from everywhere.
At the centre of the room was a single throne that was currently occupied, streaks of orange lights spreading out from it and lighting up the dark room.
"Hmm, almost," The massive figure murmured, the monstrous humanoid with yellow skin and red eyes focused on the zoomed in image of Mars in the distance.
With a thought, the contraption around his head lit up and he mentally commanded the ship to adjust its course.
At his side was a woman with reddish-brown skin, her eyes a vibrant green with no pupils or irises while fiery red hair hung to her feet. Dressed in a skimpy purple bodysuit that barely covered her chest and groin along with thigh-high boots and braces around her forearms, she flinched as the man let out another hum.
"Soon, I shall finally be able to accomplish my goal."
"I am excited to see your success, master."
"Of course you are, worm. It is only thanks to me that those bastards of the Citadel are now extinguished."
"Indeed. I suffered under them, but your benevolence saved me from further torture," Even as she spoke, Koriand'r didn't dare to look her master in his eyes. She then flinched as he stood up before relaxing when the man scoffed.
"You can relax, worm. I do not for one moment wish to copulate with used trash like you."
"And I understand completely, master," she replied and the monster stepped off the throne.
"I would hope so. The mere thought of lowering myself to touch a thing that Citadellians have already defiled is insulting."
"Your standards are absolute, master," she replied and he ignored her, approaching the panoramic glass with his hands clasped behind his back.
"There it is, the one world that I've been wanting to visit since activating this world."
"If this servant may so bold as to ask of you, master Mongul, what will you find on this planet?"
"Something that will make this Warworld live up to its name," he replied, his fingers flexing and holographic images appeared around them. "Along with that, I have also received word that I may find a Kryptonian or two there to fight my advances."
"K-Kryptonians?"
"You speak out of turn, worm," Mongul spoke in a low tone and Koriand'r's eyes widened before she fell to her knees and bowed so low her forehead touched the floor.
"I meant no disrespect, master. I was simply surprised," Mongul kept his gaze on her shaking form before a cruel smirk tugged at his lips.
"You believe that one of them would be strong enough to rescue you from my clutches, don't you?"
"I-I would never dare to think such t-"
"Truth, worm. Speak the truth," Koriand'r's breath shook, her shoulders trembling as she didn't dare lift her head.
"...I had a momentary hope, master. Nothing more," she finally whispered, Mongul's smirk widening at that.
"Good. Honesty becomes you far more than delusion," he replied, turning back to the projection of Mars. "But cast aside any thoughts of rescue. If a Kryptonian stands before me, they will fall and you will be there to witness it."
"I will bear witness to your glory, master," Koriand'r replied, but she glanced up to see the tyrant still looking out the window.
'Please, someone, anyone. Be strong enough to defeat him.'
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"Have you heard the name Mongul?" S'turnn J'axx asked and I raised an eyebrow while my mind raced.
'Mongul? The owner of the Warworld before Vandal stole it? Of course, it's a guy that can go toe to toe with Kryptonians.'
"The name is familiar, but I cannot say I know him, no," I replied and Mars' King nodded with a hum.
"Understandable. Most don't know his name unless they have come into contact with him," The king explained before clearing his throat and continuing. "Mongul is a tyrant that thrives on oppression and rules through conquest.
He originated from an unknown planet in the Vega system that was wiped out by another tyrant who possessed the artificial satellite before him. After he defeated said tyrant, he took control of the Warworld and drifts aimlessly in the vast void that is our cosmos."
"Wait. If that's the case, why is he coming to Mars?" I asked and I watched as S'turnn looked hesitant before letting out a soft sigh.
"Because, the tyrant that was defeated by Mongul survived their battle," he revealed and I crossed my arms with a frown as the man continued. "He did not survive for long, but it was long enough for said tyrant to get to Mars and hand over a special crystal key to us.
When used at the central core of the Warworld, it will activate the grand laser emitter, a gigantic energy weapon hidden inside of the Warworld that has enough power to destroy any planet within seconds."
'Well, that's no fun,' If I'm remembering correctly, that was the weapon with the powerful blast that Dr. Fate reflect back onto itself.
Well, at least we can rest easy knowing that Mars cannot be hit with a Death-Star level attack.
"So, would it be safe to say that he is coming here for the key that is most likely in your possession?" M'gann asked and I glanced at some of the B'lahdenn looking insulted at the fact that she spoke to the king directly.
They soon noticed me staring back at them and immediately looked away, turning my gaze back to the king as S'turnn nodded.
"That is correct, yes. However, there is a silver lining as you Earthlings like to say."
"And what is this silver lining?"
"Mongul would not take it for free. Instead, he has an absurd sense of pride in himself and would want to take it after he earned it by crushing our strongest challenger."
"And Match and I are on this planet," I spoke in realization, raising an eyebrow as the king nodded before the prince J'emm chimed in.
"That is correct and as you have asked, my father will listen to one of your requests should you emerge victorious."
"Three," I replied immediately, J'emm blinking at my words while S'turnn's eyes narrowed at me.
"Excuse me?"
"Since my brother and I would each be staking our lives on this, that's one request for each of us," I replied, continuing when I saw the queen's stare focusing on me. "Along with that, we're also putting ourselves between Mars and a tyrant commanding a moon-sized superweapon. That should count for at least one extra."
The B'lahdenn nobles in the room were stunned and even J'emm looked taken aback. J'arlia looked as if she was one second away from insults, but S'turnn held up a hand to stop them all.
"You presume much, Chris Kent."
"Only what's fair, your Majesty. If Mongul wins, Mars is a goner. If Match and I win, Mars lives and you keep the key out of his hands. Sounds like a win-win to me."
"...Two requests, one of each Kryptonian."
"Three. One for each Kryptonian and the third for the lives of all Martians being defended by us," I insisted, pushing him into a corner as now the third request would be on behalf of all of them.
If he agreed, then good, I get a third favour. If he doesn't he shows Mars that he doesn't value their lives as much as they think.
The silence stretched and I was waiting for the rejection as I saw S'turnn's jaw tighten before the man gave a small yet impressed smile.
"Very well, three favours."
"My love, I must object."
"There is none on Mars that can go blow for blow with Mongul, my sweet," S'turnn replied and I hid my smirk as J'arlia grimaced before nodding.
"Very well, we shall follow your command."
"Thank you, my love. At the moment, Mongul is approximately 48 hours away from Mars. Therefore, Chris Kent, should you have need of anything, feel free to ask."
"Oh, so could I cash in my part of the favours now?" I asked, S'turnn looking confused at my words as he nodded. "Great, I assume that J'onn has told you of the mental problem I am dealing with, right? Do you perhaps have anyone capable of handling that?"
For a moment, the knig was silent, looking to be in thought before the Martian replied with a slow nod, "I believe I know just the person, yes."
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"You could have just given us directions," I spoke up and 'Jemm chuckled as the two of us along with M'gann, Match, Raven, Connor and Dubbilex following closely behind.
In response to my words, J'emm let out a low chuckle before shaking his head, "I insist. Besides, it's not every day I get to talk with otherworlders that are my age."
"In that case, you're going to regret tagging along," Match spoke up and I rolled my eyes when everyone nodded. "Chris attracts trouble like a magnet."
"He does. An unhealthy amount of it."
"I do not attract that much. Trouble simpy has a way of finding me," I replied, but none of them were impressed by my answer. J'emm on the other hand just let out a chortling laughter, our little group walking towards the sea of iridescent plants in the distance.
"Prince J'emm, where exactly are we heading?"
"The Sacred River."
"T-The Sacred River? Aren't couples the only ones allowed there?" M'gann asked in an embarrassed tone and I raised an eyebrow at that to J'emm.
"Normally, yes, but given that the Y'ellonns had moved their base there, that is the only place you could find them," he replied with a wave of his hand and I raised an eyebrow at that before looking forward.
I could make out a small building right in front of the river that led into the iridescent forest, its structure similar to that of the royal palace with the added addition of numerous plants that glowed golden placed around the building.
My eyes widened though as I saw two figures standing in front of the entrance, one being a Yellow Martian in their Martian form while dressed in a hooded violet cloak. The other was J'ann and she was just as surprised as we were when she caught sight of us."
"Mom?" M'gann asked, J'ann giving a soft smile as she hugged her daughter while my gaze flickered to the Y'ellonn staring back at me.
"Hello, sweetheart. I'm guessing you heard from your father that I came to ask of Priest St'ferr here to help Chris."
"No, we followed the prince here 'cause he said that this is where Chris could get help," M'gann replied and I watched as J'ann's eyes widened when she noticed the prince.
"Prince J'emm, apologies for my late introduction."
"No need, I would not ask of you to greet me while talking to your daughter. However, I did not know that Priest St'ferr knew other Martians that are not Y'ellonn."
"You never asked, my prince," the old Y'ellonn replied, his gaze still focused on me as he walked closer. "Am I correct in assuming that J'ann asked for my help in regards to your mental state?"
"If possible, sir," I nodded, the Yellow Martian placing his right index and middle fingers against my forehead. The next moment, it felt as if someone had dipped my brain into static.
It wasn't a painful sensation nor was it pleasure. Everything just felt dull as I gave a slow blink.
"Hmm..."
"Is that a good 'Hmm' or a bad 'Hmm'?" I faintly heard Match ask, flashes of red dancing in my vision before everything came back into focus when St'ferr removed his hand with a furrowed brow.
"Well, I can say for certain that your mind is fractured into two, one being yourself as the central point and a storm of madness dancing behind it.
The second thing is that the construct inside of you is slowly awaking from its slumber once more. Who did you say did this to you?"
"Klarion, the Lord of Chaos," I replied and St'ferr frowned at that.
"A Lord of Chaos? I have never helped someone with symptoms as chaotic as your own. Are you certain you wish to have me as your helper?"
"If J'ann and J'emm are the ones who recommend you, then I'll trust you," I replied, the Y'ellonn smiling at my words before nodding.
"Come. Let us finish this within the day."
A/N: And we end it off here~! A bit of a shorter one than usual, but with the added addition of a new character.
Next chapter: Battle of the Gods.
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Ba-Bye~!