Kal'el Son of DARKSIDE by NostalgicSUPERFAN on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

The cosmic tapestry of the DC Universe is woven with threads of heroism, villainy, and the unending struggle between forces of good and evil. In an alternate reality, a divergent path unfolded, giving rise to a tale where Kal-El, the mighty Kryptonian destined to become Superman, found himself entangled in the sinister web of Darkseid.

The narrative begins on the doomed planet Krypton, much like the classic origin of Superman. However, in this reality, the infant Kal-El's spacecraft veered off course, caught in the gravitational pull of a mysterious and foreboding black hole. Instead of reaching Earth, the vessel hurtled through the cosmos, traversing the shadows between dimensions.

The vessel crash-landed on Apokolips, the nightmarish domain ruled by the tyrant Darkseid. Sensing the immense potential within the child, Darkseid, a master manipulator, decided to raise Kal-El as his own. With the Omega Beams at his command, Darkseid effortlessly subdued any resistance from the denizens of Apokolips who dared to challenge this unconventional adoption.

Under Darkseid's rule, young Kal-El grew up in the harsh and unforgiving environment of Apokolips. The parademons, the brutal soldiers of Darkseid, became his peers, and Granny Goodness, the twisted trainer of warriors, became a mentor of sorts. Despite the inherent darkness of his surroundings, Kal-El's Kryptonian physiology and Earthly heritage rendered him unique among the subjects of Apokolips.

As Kal-El matured, Darkseid saw in him the potential for an ultimate weapon—a Kryptonian, fueled by the fires of Apokolips, could become an unstoppable force. Darkseid sought to harness Kal-El's innate goodness and twist it into a weapon of destruction, a puppet serving his dark will.

However, the inherent goodness within Kal-El, the legacy of his Earthly upbringing, proved resilient. The memories of a sunlit farm, a loving family, and the ideals of truth and justice began to stir within him. The struggle for his identity became a battleground between the values of Earth and the malevolent influence of Apokolips.

As the story unfolded, Kal-El, torn between his dual heritage, faced a pivotal choice that would determine the fate of not just Apokolips but the entire multiverse. Would he succumb to the darkness of his adoptive father, or would he rise above it, embracing the legacy of hope that Earth instilled in him?

This alternate tale explores the power of nature versus nurture, the clash between good and evil, and the profound impact of upbringing on an individual's character. It paints a vivid picture of a Superman who emerges from the crucible of Apokolips, shaped by conflicting influences, yet yearning to soar toward the light.