Coreal
patreon
[RNZO] Ch 338: Grandpa Jor-El
🕑 Added 2025-07-20 17:19:30 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
"They're not just after the Codex in your head—they want to terraform Earth and turn it into the new Krypton."
Renzo's tone turned cold.
That kind of thing? Yeah, not happening. Not on Clark's watch, and definitely not on Renzo's. Earth was his turf.
He'd seen the terraforming scene in the original storyline, and he had no intention of letting anything like that play out here.
In fact, he'd already marked the entire Kryptonian fleet—they were his now, as far as he was concerned. He wasn't about to let Zod and his crew wreck what could be extremely valuable assets.
"What the hell?" Clark frowned, clearly annoyed. "Setting aside the whole 'terraforming Earth' thing—don't you have a copy of the Codex too? Probably even a better version than mine! Mine won't even extract properly. Why aren't they going after you?"
"Heh, well…" Renzo shrugged with a grin. "Because they don't know I exist. They only know about you—thanks to your dad. As far as Zod's concerned, I'm just a random Kryptonian who happened to escape unnoticed."
"..."
"Dammit, you're the one who likes playing Superman, so why should I suffer?" Clark shot Renzo a look, then got stuck on the terraforming part and asked about it.
"And let me tell you," Renzo added seriously, "rebuilding Krypton sounds noble and all, but the environment Kryptonians need to survive is completely incompatible with life on Earth. If they go through with the transformation, every human—and every living creature—on this planet will die."
Clark stiffened, eyes wide.
"What? You're serious?" His voice dropped as the weight of that hit him. "So… they're coming here with bad intentions?"
This wasn't just an abstract crisis anymore. He had a family here now. A wife. A child. Parents who'd raised him on Earth. He was Earth's son, in every way that mattered.
There was no way in hell he'd ever let Zod or anyone else destroy this world—not even if it meant restoring Krypton.
"What's wrong?" Lois and Diana glanced over curiously.
They'd been sitting off to the side playing with little Willa, who had just adorably called Diana "Auntie" for the first time—Diana had nearly melted on the spot.
"It's nothing," Renzo waved it off casually. "Just some rogue Kryptonians planning to stir up trouble on Earth. Clark and I will handle it—no need to worry."
"…Okay?" the two women replied, unconcerned, before heading back inside with Willa in their arms, still giggling.
Once they were out of earshot, Clark turned back with a frown. "Why Earth, though? If they can terraform any planet, why not just pick another one? Why target this one?"
"You're being way too optimistic," Renzo said, shaking his head. "Do you think habitable planets are just lying around waiting to be taken?"
"Besides, Earth has great conditions—stable biosphere, diverse ecosystems... and most importantly, it orbits a young yellow sun."
Clark blinked. "Ah… right."
Renzo raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you forgot what a yellow sun does for us Kryptonians? Super strength. Flight. Heat vision. Near invincibility. We become literal gods."
"That alone is enough of a reason."
Yellow suns were rare in the galaxy. Earth was a goldmine.
"But can't we… you know, try peaceful coexistence?" Clark asked, confused. "Look at us! Isn't that proof it's possible?"
Renzo just threw his hands up. "Try telling that to Zod. The guy's a hardcore warmonger—pure militarist. He's not the type to share a planet with humans. He wants control, dominance, absolute order. There's no negotiating with someone like him."
"Don't take my word for it, though. Let's ask your dad's AI. Nobody knew Zod better than Jor-El."
"…Fair point," Clark nodded immediately. "If this is as serious as it sounds, then yeah—I need to hear it from him."
"I'll let Lois know we're heading out," he added, stepping inside.
He turned and walked inside to quickly explain that he and Renzo were going to the Arctic.
"Go ahead, just don't take too long—and be careful," Lois said with a gentle smile.
Diana, watching them from the porch, chuckled. "I mean, it's not like there's much left on Earth that can actually threaten those two anymore."
"Alright, we're off!"
With that, Renzo and Clark left the house, boarded the aircraft, and flew straight toward the Arctic.
It took them about half an hour to get there. They landed smoothly on the glacial surface near the hidden Kryptonian ship.
Once they stepped out, Renzo waved his hand, and the aircraft vanished into his dimensional storage.
Clark led the way into the icy cave system beneath them.
"Man, I'm so jealous of that gear of yours," Clark said, eyeing the dimensional bracelet on Renzo's wrist with envy. "Any chance you'll gift me one? I'll trade you my Kryptonian combat armor for it!"
He was definitely drooling over it a little.
Renzo grinned. "No need for that kind of deal. Just convince your dad to give me a full copy of the ship's technology and let me scan it properly—and I'll hand over two 100-cubic-meter storage bracelets. One for you, one for Lois. Deal?"
He wasn't interested in wasting time arguing with Jor-El. The old AI could be… difficult.
It'd be way smoother if Clark handled it directly.
"Seriously?"
"Absolutely."
"Then it's a deal! Honestly, I feel like I'm getting the better end of it. It's Kryptonian tech—we both have a right to it."
After all, it wasn't like there were many Kryptonians left. Just the two of them, really.
Well… two and a half, counting his daughter Willa.
Clark had always gotten along well with Renzo. He genuinely hoped they could keep supporting each other moving forward.
"Don't make it sound like I'm giving you charity—it's still your dad's ship, remember?"
Just as Renzo finished saying that, they stepped inside the vessel. And right on cue, a holographic figure appeared—Jor-El.
"It is my ship, brat," Jor-El said, glaring at Renzo like a disapproving teacher. His tone was sharp, but not hostile.
And then he turned that same glare on Clark. "And you, my clueless son. You still haven't grown a brain, huh?"
He let out a sigh. "At least this kid Rez-El has some bite to him… even if he is a schemer."
He honestly couldn't figure out how someone like Rez-El, or as he called himself, Renzo, could even come to exist. What kind of life did he live to end up so cunning?
"Heh… good to see you again, Father," Clark said sheepishly.
"Good to see me? You haven't checked in for years! You just left me here—alone! No updates, no visits. Ungrateful brat."
Jor-El huffed in annoyance.
Clark gave a dumb grin, unsure how to respond. Telling his dad he now had a daughter without ever mentioning it before might not go over well…
Luckily, Renzo—being the helpful wingman he was—jumped in with a teasing smile.
"Don't be too hard on him, Jor-El. He's been busy doing something very important for Krypton's future—repopulating!"
"He and Lois already have a beautiful little girl. You should be thrilled!"
"You're a grandfather now!"
.
.
.
