DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

Night.

The metropolis at night was always alive with brilliance. From above, the streams of car lights merged into a glowing river, while massive billboards flashed their vibrant colors, illuminating the dazzling cityscape.

Even after dark, the city never truly slept. The hum of life continued, neon reflections shimmering on the streets, and the air buzzing with the ever-present energy of the night.

A Rolls-Royce Phantom glided through the bustling avenue, its sleek form cutting through the urban glow, heading toward the Galaxy International Hotel.

Inside the car sat Bardi.

He reclined against the leather seat, his posture composed yet at ease. His neck was straight, his eyes closed, but his mind was far from calm.

For two days now, ever since he learned that Jor-El's son had landed on Earth, his thoughts had been in turmoil.

Did he carry the Codex of Life?

Bardi was still alive, Jor-El would have realized that by now. How would he respond?

"Jor-El..."

Bardi's eyes opened slowly. His right hand instinctively supported his left, his thumb tracing idly against his palm, an old habit.

He turned his gaze toward the window, watching the endless stream of cars and pedestrians passing by.

He and Hael had once been close. Since their academy days, they had walked different paths—Bardi, despite being labeled as genetically inferior, had risen to the top of the military academy through sheer force of will, excelling in combat, strategy, and tactics. Hael, meanwhile, had been a prodigy in the Science Academy, widely regarded as the future leader of Krypton's scientific elite.

Under different circumstances, they might have worked together, built something great. But Hael had always admired Jor-El.

Jor-El.

That man possessed a mind unlike any other. He had seen through Bardi's infiltration of the Military, dismantling his careful maneuvers just as he was on the verge of seizing control.

Bardi knew why he had failed.

He had moved too quickly. He had foreseen Krypton's impending destruction, and in his urgency, he had pushed too hard, attempting to take control through military force before the planet met its doom.

At one point, he had even maneuvered General Zod into disgrace, temporarily claiming the title of General for himself, the youngest in Krypton's history. For a time, he had stood at the pinnacle of power.

But his true downfall came when Hael was officially given the El family crest.

Hael, adopted by Jor-El.

From that moment, Jor-El had access to everything, Bardi's ambitions, his strategies, his desires.

Hael hadn't known the full extent of Bardi's plans, but he had seen enough. From their conversations, their shared moments of intellectual sparring, Hael had pieced together who Bardi was, a man of vision, of relentless ambition. A man who acted.

At first, Bardi had sought to save Krypton from destruction. Then, he had set his sights on ruling it.

And after that?

Earth. The yellow sun. A world where Kryptonians could become gods.

He had envisioned an empire, an army of Kryptonians thriving under the golden light, their power growing beyond comprehension. With such a force at his command, the entire universe would fall before them.

But from the moment Hael became Jor-El's son, every step Bardi took had been hindered.

Jor-El had worked tirelessly to exonerate General Zod, forging an alliance that ultimately led to Bardi's downfall. Stripped of his rank, his followers executed or imprisoned, his name branded as a traitor.

He had barely escaped the Phantom Zone, accused of delving too deeply into the affairs of Krypton's ruling guilds, the Military, Meditation, and Science Union.

Of course, the charges had been fabricated. Jor-El had orchestrated everything to remove him from the equation.

And so, Bardi became Krypton's enemy.

But his greatest crime, the one that had sealed his fate had been his pursuit of the Codex of Life.

He had almost obtained it. Almost seized Krypton's genetic legacy.

But he had failed.

Hunted by General Zod's forces, his ship sabotaged, he had barely managed to escape into the void of space.

Had he not taken precautions, personally inspecting his vessel before departure, using Hera to delay the explosive set to destroy him, he would never have made it to Earth.

As it was, he had barely survived the journey.

His ship had nearly detonated upon atmospheric entry, leaving him battered and half-dead. He could have ended up nothing more than a science experiment, much like those collected by General Vic, a broken body studied and discarded. In the end, it had all led back to Jor-El.

Those were the facts. But reality had been far more dangerous than words could convey.

Most of those who had supported him were dead. Krypton's society had always been ruthless, order maintained through strict hierarchy and absolute control.

A General was nothing more than a pawn of the guilds. The true power on Krypton ran deeper than most imagined.

Outside the car window, the cityscape blurred, pedestrians, vehicles, towering green trees, and the brilliant glow of streetlights.

Yet, in that moment, it felt as though only his car was moving, pressing forward while the world stood still.

His gaze flickered slightly, his thoughts shifting.

Had the Codex of Life he once sought been nothing more than a deception?

Had Jor-El tricked him?

The real Codex, the true genetic legacy of Krypton had likely been infused into his son's body long before birth. From the moment Kal-El had begun to form in Lara's womb, Jor-El must have merged it into his very cells.

Integrating an entire Codex wasn't instantaneous. It wasn't like the stories, where Superman simply absorbed it in a moment. Such a crude method would have led to genetic collapse. The only way to ensure stability was through gradual integration, beginning at the earliest stages of life.

Bardi refused to believe Jor-El had waited until the last moment.

After everything that had happened, the moment that had first put Jor-El on guard had been Bardi's pursuit of the Codex. From the very beginning, Jor-El had known.

Bardi's fingers traced against his palm as he pondered.

Looking back, it was obvious Jor-El had foreseen Krypton's destruction long before anyone else. He had anticipated the collapse of their world, the reaction of Krypton's rulers. So he had stolen the Codex, securing it for himself.

Jor-El was not the impartial, selfless scientist he had pretended to be.

He had ensured his son's survival, prepared for his escape, and let the rest of Krypton burn.

And perhaps Bardi's eyes darkened with suspicion, perhaps Jor-El had even preserved his own consciousness. Uploaded it into an artificial intelligence, ensuring he could continue guiding and protecting his son from beyond the grave.

"Then… your son carries the Codex of Life."

"How far will you go to protect him?"

Bardi's gaze sharpened.

The car came to a stop.

Lowering his hands, he watched as the driver stepped forward, pulling the door open. Warm light spilled inside, casting its glow upon him.

Outside stood the grand entrance of the Galaxy International Hotel, its luxurious facade gleaming under the night sky.

***

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