As everyone stood at a loss, Superman announced the existence of the Justice League to the world's leaders. This showed his trust in his teammates and his confidence in the League's strength. It gave everyone hope, lighting a fire in their hearts. The Justice League became a beacon in the darkness, a haven amid chaos, a partner of justice, a protector of humanity.
"We have an organization called the Justice League," Superman declared at the United Nations crisis meeting.
For a moment, every world leader turned to look at him. They had no idea what this Justice League actually was.
"Superman, what kind of organization is that?"
Superman took the microphone. "The Justice League is a team of superheroes, like the Avengers. But the Justice League doesn't take orders from any organization. Each member joins voluntarily, and our mission is to protect Earth."
"How many members do you have?"
"Five," Superman said. "Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Kaitou Kid, and me."
It felt like something odd slipped in there. Some leaders didn't recognize the name Kaitou Kid, but "Kaitou" clearly sounded like a thief. Still, given the crisis, they had no time to quibble. What they wanted to know was whether the Justice League could stand up to these villains.
"Can this Justice League stop twenty-one people with powers like yours?" someone finally asked.
That was the key question on everyone's minds. They were desperate to know if this team could keep them safe.
Superman knew how powerful Kryptonians became after absorbing sunlight. But he believed each member of the Justice League had their own strengths. Together, they could find a way to win. "We'll do everything we can."
Everyone sighed. There was nothing else to do but let the Justice League try. If they failed, it would come down to the world's armies—even if it seemed the military would be useless.
"Superman, please hurry and gather the Justice League," the U.S. President said. "You must protect Earth."
"I understand."
Of course, they couldn't rely solely on the Justice League. The Avengers had already been defeated, and while the League had Superman, that didn't guarantee victory. Thankfully, Superman intended to try negotiations first, fighting only if talks failed.
Still, it was best to bring the League together right away.
Superman's high-profile appearance drew Zod's attention. Jor-El and Zod had once been friends, both disillusioned with the decaying Council of Elders. Jor-El had repeatedly warned them that Krypton's energy was running out, that the planet's lifespan was ending, and that they needed to find new energy sources in space before it was too late. But the Elders refused to listen. Helpless, Jor-El could only secure an escape for his son, sending him to Earth.
Meanwhile, Zod also believed Jor-El's research and knew Krypton was doomed. He started a rebellion to save their species, but ultimately failed and was exiled to the Phantom Zone.
Both Jor-El and Zod wanted to preserve Kryptonian civilization. But they had one irreconcilable difference: the gene-adjustment system.
Jor-El opposed genetic engineering, believing it had killed Kryptonians' drive to advance, dooming their society when resources ran dry—leaving them unable even to launch evacuation ships. Zod, on the other hand, was a staunch supporter of genetic control, convinced that assigning every Kryptonian a predetermined role from birth was the best, most orderly way to keep their people alive.
Superman, as Jor-El's son and Zod's kinsman, had every reason to meet with him. So Zod traveled alone from the Moon to Earth, landing atop the United Nations headquarters to start their conversation.
When Superman saw General Zod, he was clad in fierce, jagged armor, his build powerful, his expression hard as steel. It was clear this general wouldn't be easy to talk to.
Zod studied Superman for a moment before speaking first. "Kal, you look so much like your father."
Kal was Superman's Kryptonian name, full name Kal-El.
"I've heard my father talk about you," Superman replied.
Zod wasn't surprised. He knew Jor-El would leave his memories and knowledge for his son. "Jor and I were friends. We once worked toward the same goal, but he was too weak. His constant compromises with the Council of Elders were his greatest mistake."
Superman knew the whole story, but he said, "My father just went along with the course of history. Krypton's destruction was inevitable."
"Nonsense!" Zod snapped. "The genes of every Kryptonian were stored in the Genesis Chamber. If we'd overthrown the Council, we could have brought Krypton back. And now, with us survivors, Kryptonian civilization will rise again—here, on Earth." He fixed his eyes on Superman. "Kal, don't let your father's stubbornness fool you. We are the last of Krypton. We should focus on rebuilding our civilization."
But Superman shook his head. "Krypton's destruction showed that our civilization had reached its end. The failure of the gene-adjustment system proved it. You want to conquer Earth and repeat a system that's already failed. That's just making the same mistake again."
Zod's eyes flashed coldly. This really was Jor-El's son. He realized he'd have no choice but to kill this boy. It was a shame—Superman was the youngest survivor of Krypton—but if Kryptonian civilization was to rise again, he'd have to die.
"Kal, you disappoint me," Zod growled. "You dare call our civilization, the product of a million years of knowledge and technology, obsolete? That's treasonous."
But Superman said, "A friend once told me a saying from his country: 'Only after breaking can there be rebirth.' A system proven wrong must be abandoned. If you're willing to learn how humans live, I'd gladly help you adapt here and use Kryptonian technology to benefit humanity."
"Never!" Zod spat. "These primitive tribes don't deserve our technology. I see now—it must have been that coward Jor who taught you this nonsense. Only he would give our technology to these parasites. Kal, you're determined to stand in my way, so a fight is inevitable."
"Humans are a young species, but they have unlimited potential," Superman tried to argue.
But Zod retorted, "Humans' destructive impulses aren't bound by their laws or morals. They'll destroy Earth sooner or later. It's better for us Kryptonians to take over—we'll make Earth last longer than humans ever could. Earthlings are savage, chaotic, and ridiculous. They don't deserve our pity."
"But most humans are good. If you give them an example to follow, they won't fall," Superman insisted.
Zod sneered. "Foolish delusion. Humanity's dark side will drag even their heroes down with them. Enough talk. Since you insist on protecting this worthless species, we'll settle this on the battlefield."
As Zod turned to leave, a bright fireball suddenly appeared in the sky. Was it a meteor?
No—both Superman and Zod had super vision. Even from kilometers away, they could see it clearly. That wasn't a meteor at all, but two people falling at incredible speed from outside the atmosphere, their bodies glowing like meteors from the friction.
"Faora?" Zod exclaimed.
Superman's eyes widened. "Kid?!"
How had they ended up falling from outer space?