Superman's Finest Moments

Think Man of Steel version of both General Zod and Superman but Superman has a family.

Batman stood over Superman, his foot on the alien's throat. Superman looked, soft...weak. Then again, that's what kryptonite did to him, made him vulnerable. “You were never a god. You were never even a man.“

“Don't let her die.“ Superman gasped.

“What are you talking about?“ Batman demanded angrily.

“Please, save her.“ Superman begged. It was plain this woman meant the world to him.

For a moment, Batman hesitated. “Your own death a heartbeat away and you plead for her life?“ He took his foot off Superman's throat but kept the spear at his face. “Why?“

“You're afraid of me. You hate me for what I am__or what you think I did. So be it. I'd fight you to the death for her freedom and I will surrender to you for the same reason.“

“You are strange, for a Kryptonian.“

“I told you before Bruce – we are not all like him.“

“How did you...?“

“Superman may be a strange visitor from another planet. But at least he's trying to help. And he's not terrorizing people to send a message.“

“Criminals.“ Bruce Wayne said definitively.

“Not just criminals Mr. Wayne. I've been to Gotham. Ordinary citizens live terrified of the bat vigilante. He thinks he's above the law.“

“And you're star-spangled alien friend doesn't?“

“I'm sorry?“ Clark replied, trying to contain his surprise.

“Just that every time Metroplois...the Daily Planet's hero saves a cat out of a tree you write a fluffy editorial about him...an alien who, if he wanted to could burn the entrie place to the ground. There wouldn't be a damn thing we could do to stop it.“

“Superman--we don't know anything about him. But we have no reason to assume he's evil incarnate.“ Bruce stared at him, silently as if expecting him to realize the fallacy of what he'd said. “So in your view all humans are like Hitler? All Americans are Richard Nixon?“

“I'm saying he's not human. And if there is even a chance he's like that psychopath (Zod) in any way, we have to be able to defend ourselves.“

Batman stumbled backward. “...Clark. Clark Kent?“ Superman nodded miserably. Batman stumbled backward his head spinning. With one heave he threw the spear away.

Superman stood up slowly, getting his balance. “I take it this means you no longer want to cut me open and play with my insides?“ He said, rubbing his throat gently. Batman stared, his mouth frozen open. “Look, all I care about right now is that you and Lex have a friend of mine hostage. You help me rescue her, we'll call it even.“

“You are as wrong about me as I was about you. I would never take hostages.“

“She's the prize and price. Lex arranged this for you. A chance for you to end my life and for me to save Nikita's. I meant it when I said I would fight you to the death –my death at least– for her. I wouldn't BE here otherwise.“

“Clark, I honestly have no idea who you're talking about.“

Superman looked searchingly into Bruce's eyes. For a tenth of a second. Realization dawned on his face. "Lex you son of a bitch.“

Batman did not feel particularly inclined to argue with him.

“Would it be cliché to say 'let's end this.'?“ Batman asked glibly.

“Cliché, but appropriate.“ Superman answered.

Kal-El moved to stand 20 paces away from the general. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head over them. “I implore you General, do not make her suffer for my mistakes. Enforce your will upon me alone.” Struck by a sudden thought, he slowly raised his head. “What is it you want from me anyway?”

“Your submission and complete surrender.”

Kal-El placed his hands on the floor in front of him, his palms flat, fingers spread wide apart. He lowered his head until he could almost touch to floor with his face. “I submit. I'll do whatever you ask Zod. I swear it on my heat. But I beg of you, let her go.”

“GENERAL Zod, you worm.” A female solider barked at him.

“Yes, General Zod, of course.” Kal-El corrected himself, not looking up.

“Why do you humiliate yourself for her?” The General questioned firmly. “Look up and answer me. What is so special about her that you humiliate yourself so completely on the mere hope that I will show her mercy?”

“General, let me save her. Let me bring her home. Then you can do what you wish to me.”

“ 'Bring her home.'“ The general echoed. “She's your daughter.”

“Please.” Superman cried, unconsciously jumping to his feet. “I'll do whatever you ask, just leave my wife and daughter alone.”

“Agreed Kal.” At Zod's consent, Kal-El glided toward his daughter and lifted her from the pit. As he laid her on the shore, he looked up to see the general gazing down. Zod's face betrayed no emotion as he placed his hand on the woman's left rib-cage, feeling her pulse.

“She'll be alright, in a few hours.”

“Will you let me take her home?”

“Of course Kal. But I'm coming with you.”

“I expected nothing else.” The hero remarked, his easy tone disguising the unease in his heart. Jor-El's living memory had indicated General Zod was a man of honor, if heartless by human standards. His own experience proved the man was only concerned with the future of his species, not his own ego.

Lois was out in the driveway when they landed. “What is going on? Who is this?”

Clark laid his daughter gently in the grass. “This is General Zod. I have to leave with him.”

“I don't understand.”

“That's not surprising.” The general quipped with through sarcasm.

Clark swallowed the urge to throw Zod a dirty look. Instead he threw his arms around Lois. “You and Aisha are safe. That's all that matters. Take care of each-other.. I love you both.”

“It's time to go Kal-El.” Superman pulled himself away from his wife and walked toward the general with the mien of someone going to a funeral. “I'm ready.” They took to the skies together. In a few minutes they arrived in the Atari mountains. The General said nothing, apparently expecting Kal to make the first overture. Kal-El dropped to one knee and spread his hands, palms up. Looking not unlike a highland Scotsman begging for forgiveness. “I am yours. For the rest of my life.”

“Good. Now get up off the floor and talk to me like a Kryptonian.”

It was only then Kal-El realized making him a slave had never been part of Zod's plans. Complete surrender had been exactly that 'I will fight no more' not 'I place my head under your foot'. 

Which, when he thought about it, he should have known that. For one, it was unworthy of a solider to so humiliate a defeated opponent and General Zod had proven himself not just a military leader but a true soldier. He was also Krypton's military leader and did everything for the survival and well-being of his species. Kal-El was in his eyes a fellow Kryptonian that he did not want to have to fight on the battlefield. His inaction had been assured and that was that. Zod had nothing against him personally.

"I will fight no more, forever."

"I'm sorry?" Zod replied, turning to him.

"You wanted me out of your way, not...on my face before you."

"Of course Kal. There is no reason for you to bend your back to me. Your father was my greatest friend. I will not dishonor his memory by demoralizing you."

"I apologize for my assumption."