Shadow Monarch in DC

Arthur emerged from a swirl of shadows, his body aching, his power still flickering like a candle. He landed next to the fortress, his eyes immediately drawn to the sight before him.

The Fortress of Solitude had risen from beneath the earth.

It stood like a monolith of crystals, its spires piercing the bruised sky, its surface pulsing as the structure had transformed, no longer a sanctuary, but a weapon. A world engine. the air around it crackled with power.

Arthur’s voice was barely a whisper. "A world engine..." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Except this one is not trying to terraform the planet." His voice hardened. "It will destroy it."

He moved forward, his body protesting every movement. The Fortress’s doors opened for him, he entered the main chamber.

Korin Zor-El stood at the central console, his hands moving across the interface, his eyes were fixed on the displays, he made peace with his fate, and he did not waver.

Arthur’s voice carried across the chamber. "Korin."

Korin turned, his eyes widening as he took in Arthur’s appearance, the cracked armor, the blood, the exhaustion etched into his features. His voice carried a note of genuine concern, the first crack in his composed facade.

"Arthur! You are back!" He paused, his eyes scanning Arthur’s form. "You are in terrible shape.. But you did good out there." His voice hardened, "I’ve seen what appeared after the Gentry. A horrifying being.. another reason why the planet must be destroyed."

Arthur’s voice was flat. "I know."

Korin’s eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his face. "You... are not going to stop me?"

Arthur shook his head slowly, "No. Because I understand that this is the only way."

Korin’s shoulders relaxed, just slightly. His voice carried a note of relief. "Good. Good." He turned back to the console, his hands resuming their work. "The Fortress needs a bit of time. But I will make sure it is ready before the machine itself does whatever it is going to do."

Arthur stepped closer. "You can still come with us."

Korin was silent for a long moment, his hands stilling on the console. His voice was quiet. "No." He paused, his eyes meeting Arthur’s. "I really can’t do that, Arthur. You must understand my position here." His voice cracked, just slightly. "This is my home. This is my world. My mother died to protect it. My uncle died to protect it. Everyone I ever loved died to protect it. And I will not abandon it in its final moments just like I’m sure you wouldn’t abandon yours."

Arthur was silent for a while, his eyes searching Korin’s face. Then he spoke. "Very well, I respect your decision."

Korin hesitated for a second, his eyes dropping to the console. "Can you just..." He paused, shaking his head. "Never mind. It is a stupid request, really. I shouldn’t burden you with.."

Arthur’s smile was small. "You want me to give Kara a message."

Korin’s eyes met his, surprise flickering across his face. Then he nodded slowly. "Not really a message. But I know that every one of her out there in the multiverse share a trait." He paused, his voice dropping to a whisper. "My mother was stubborn. She was fierce and she was the most determined person I have ever known. She never gave up, even when the odds were impossible. Even when the Gentry were at our doorstep, she stood her ground and fought. And she never stopped believing that there was a way to save us." His voice cracked, just slightly. "I assume your Kara is the same."

Arthur’s voice was quiet. "She is."

Korin’s eyes glistened, but he did not look away. "Then tell her to take care of herself." He paused, his voice dropping even lower. "I know it is silly because she is not my mother but do tell her that there is a version of her son out there who thought she was the bravest person he ever knew. Tell her that he understands why she did what she did. That he forgives her. That he always forgave her." His voice hardened with conviction. "Tell her that her sacrifice was not in vain. That her son survived because of her. That he carried her memory with him every single day, even when the darkness threatened to consume him. And that he loved her. That he will always love her."

"I will tell her. Every word." Arthur promised.

Korin’s smile was small, grateful. "Thank you." He paused. "Raven is with your shadows. Waiting for you to join her to leave."

Arthur was silent for a moment, his eyes still fixed on Korin’s face. Then he nodded, turning away. "Goodbye, Korin Zor-El."

"Goodbye, Arthur Blackwynd."Korin said calmly.

Arthur disappeared in a gust of shadows.

Korin turned back to the console, his hands finding the controls.

"Here goes nothing."

He pushed the button.

The Fortress unleashed a beam of pure energy, its power surging through the crystalline structure, its light carving through the darkness and it struck the core of the planet, its power penetrating deeper and deeper.

The planet began to die.

.

.

.

The Empty Hand’s eyes widened.

It could feel the planet’s core rupturing, feel the machine that had been its anchor beginning to crumble.

"No..."

The Dragon Monarch laughed.

"It would be nice killing you here... One less bastard to worry about."

The Empty Hand was furious, its form growing more oppressive. "You are strong. But you still cannot defeat me."

The Dragon Monarch’s smile widened. "From what I can see, you are weakened." He paused, "I wonder why."

The Empty Hand attacked.

Its power surged forward, a wave of absolute darkness that slammed into the Dragon Monarch, sending him hurtling backward through the sky. Before it could press its advantage, Arthur appeared, his form materializing from a swirl of shadows, his hand closing around the Dragon Monarch’s arm.

Arthur pushed him away, "The planet will be shortly destroyed. In the meantime, we just need to make sure this one stays put."

His shadow armor wrapped around him once again, covering him in a suit of darkness that gleamed with violet light. A helmet formed around his face and a violet plume trailing behind it. His eyes blazed with the same color.

"I believe I said I don’t need your help." The Dragon Monarch said.

Arthur’s voice was flat. "Shut up and fight."

The Dragon Monarch’s smirk was sharp, knowing. "Oh, I see... You are protecting the boy. It seems the survivor chose his fate... You are soft. This is why you are weaker than you should be."

Arthur ignored him and he attacked.

The Empty Hand was being pushed back, its form cracking under the combined assault of two beings. Its anger built, its power surging. "Both of you mere fragments of the Great One..." Its eyes burned. "You cannot withstand my hand!"

The Dragon Monarch roared. "Enough with your empty words!" His eyes blazed with fire. "What hand? This one?"

He unleashed a torrent of dragon fire, its power searing through the darkness, the attack consumed the Empty Hand’s right hand, destroying it completely.

"I think I can do more than withstand it." The Dragon Monarch said calmly.

Arthur moved, his death spear materialized in his hand. He pressed forward, his speed incredible, the spear impaled the Empty Hand’s chest, its tip emerging from the other side.

The Empty Hand screamed, a sound of pure agony and absolute fury.

"You shall die, of that I promise you." Arthur said.

The Empty Hand unleashed its power.

Darkness erupted from its body, and The Dragon Monarch responded in kind, his power of destruction surging forward, meeting the darkness in a clash of cosmic forces.

The Empty Hand admitted."You have full control of your concept." Its eyes found Arthur. "Unlike him."

The Dragon Monarch’s eyes glowed, his smile widening.

The Empty Hand’s eyes turned toward the planet,"No..." Its voice dropped to a whisper. "This cannot be.."

.

.

.

.

Raven watched from afar, Galatea and H’El standing beside her, their forms silhouetted against the chaos of the battlefield. Her eyes were fixed on the Dragon Monarch.

"So that is the Dragon Monarch..." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "What a terrifying power.. But why is he helping us?"

Galatea’s voice was flat. "My Queen, you must stay here. The Monarch commands it."

Raven said in acceptance. "I know." She paused, her eyes fixed on the battle. "I don’t think I can help in that fight."

H’El’s eyes glowed with Kryptonian sight, his gaze piercing the planet’s surface, seeing the destruction spreading from its core.

"We need to leave as soon as possible.. This planet is doomed.."

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