The new beginning of prject KR

Chapter 1

Stars twinkled brightly in the sky above Metropolis and a gentle wind blew through the empty parking lot of the Cadmus building.

Cadmus was an organization devoted to protecting the world from outside threats.

The Cadmus building was a tall three story building with large glass windows that reflected the moonlight.

Suddenly the quiet of the night was broken when soldiers in black tactical gear rush towards the Cadmus building, the clink, clink, of their weapons and their excited chatter filling the night air.

"Hey did you hear?" One soldier asked another at the back of the horde.

"No, what?" The soldier asked.

"Project KR is supposed to fight Project Rio tonight," the first soldier replied with excitement in his voice.

The second soldier's eyes widened. Cadmus devoted most of their time to creating weapons to protect the world from alien invasion and Meta humans. Those weapons consisted of Advanced Technology and genetically engineered weapons, created by using alien DNA to make a clone of the original or genetic manipulation.

Project Rio was created by combining the DNA of Superman and Lex Luther.

I don't know much about Project KR, thought the second soldier, since the scientist heading up the project keeps it under wraps, but I hope it can at least put up a good fight against something with the powers of Superman and the mind of Lex Luther.

Cadmus routinely had their genetically engineered soldiers fight each other to weed out the weak. It wasn't like they were human, plus it was such a great show to watch.

The second soldier shook his head and quickened his pace, "Come on. We have to hurry if we don't want all the good seats to be taken."

PKR

Dr. Samuel Sturgis stood before a bank of computer monitors, watching as the program captured every one of Wonder Woman's movements. A wide smile spread across his flabby face when he glanced at another computer screen and saw every kick, punch, and head –butt measured mathematically.

Shaking his head, Dr. Sturgis moved over to a tank in the middle of the room that was filled with glowing yellow liquid and surrounded by more computers. He squinted past the glowing yellow liquid at the small body inside.

A three-year-old boy floated in the pure liquid sunlight that filled the tank. The lower half of his face was covered by a small breathing mask.

Metal tubes decorated his small body, hooked in to his arms legs and stomach. The tubes pumped Nano bots and nutrients into the boy's body. The Nano bots allowed Samuel to make the proper modifications to the boy's body.

Small wires were plugged into the boy's temples, measuring his brain activity.

Reaching into his pocket with his large hand, Dr. Sturgis wrapped his stubby fingers around a remote. The good doctor pulled the remote from his pocket and pressed a button.

The images on the computer screens changed as an audio file opened.

This is Dr. Samuel Sturgis. The year is two thousand eleven. After eleven years of working, I have finally managed to combine the DNA of wonder woman and Superman acquired by Cadmus. The project is still in its embryonic stage. I will wait approximately six weeks before I start my genetic manipulation.

The doctor pressed another button on the remote and the recording shut off. He gazed upon his creation with his back straight and his chest puffed out, causing his large belly to press against the glass of the tank.

The good Dr. ran a hand through his thinning red hair and pressed another button on his remote.

"This is Dr. Samuel Sturgis the year is two thousand fourteen. Project KR has grown nicely over the past three years. I have filled his tank with synthetic sunlight, thanks to my genetic manipulation he absorbs and metabolizes sunlight faster than his genetic father Superman."

"I have also used Cadmus's satellites to record wonder woman's battles over the past eleven years. I have implanted every one of her moves into the boy's mind and muscles. I hope by using Nano bots to program the moves into his muscles that he will use them on instinct, but that will have to wait until he actually fights an opponent to be seen. Now that the genetic enhancements are done, I will spend the next ten years making sure the boy is loyal to me and Cadmus."

Samuel stopped recording and placed his hand on the tank, "You will be the Earth's greatest weapon against all those that would threaten it."

A hissing sound drew the doctor's gaze away from the tank. He watched as the large metal doors to his lab opened and a soldier wearing black tactical gear stepped inside.

Weaving his way through the advanced technology that filled the room the soldier stopped before Samuel with his back straight and his arms pressed firmly to his sides.

Samuel's beady black eyes narrowed, "What do you want?"

"The board of directors has decided Project KR will fight Project Rio tonight."

Samuel's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened, the board of directors promised me that they would wait until project KR was at least thirteen before having him fight any other projects, he thought. I've worked too hard for him to be destroyed.

His eyes narrowed, veins began to throb above his eyebrows, and red splotches began to appear on his face, "The board promised me that I would have ten more years, before project KR fought any other projects," he shouted with spittle flying from his mouth.

The soldier didn't move as Samuel shouted into his face. His face remained emotionless throughout the doctor's entire rant, "The board has decided that they want to see the results of this project, before they give you any more money for it."

"But project KR is only three years old. He will be at a distinct disadvantage against project Rio."

The soldier narrowed his eyes, then you should have used the hyper cloning process that every other scientist in Cadmus uses when creating genetic weapons.

Samuels's nostrils flared and his lips formed into a snarl, there is a reason I did not use the hyper cloning process you fool, he thought. The hyper cloning process ages cells to help them reach a proper age so they can be thrown into combat sooner. With all the genetic manipulation I did to project KR, I didn't want to risk damaging his cells.

Samuel shook his head. There was no use in telling this meathead any of this. It wasn't like he would understand any of it anyway. He pulled his lab coat tighter around him and glared up at the soldier, "Alright, I will wake up project KR, and bring him to the arena, he pointed a stubby finger at the soldier, but you tell the board if project KR dies I want my budget to triple."

The soldier bristled at being ordered around like a servant, but nodded and left the room. Once he was gone, Samuel turned to the tank, "You better not fail me boy."

He pressed a button on the remote and the synthetic sunlight drained from the tank to reveal the boys features.

His small round face rested against his lean muscular body as his breathing mask was removed. His body jerked as the metal tubes were removed.

His body fell to the bottom of the tank and his blue eyes fluttered open.

He swept his dark hair out of his eyes and gazed around the room, where am I? He thought.He spotted a large man glaring down at him with an angry sneer on his face, is that my father? He asked himself.

Samuel grabbed the boy by the arms and yanked him out of the tank, "Get a move on boy. We have to get you to the arena," he snapped.

What's the arena? Project KR asked himself. He was brought out of his thoughts when the large man before him shoved a black spandex suit with metal plates trailing down the arms and legs into his hands.

"Put this on and follow me."

Project KR hurriedly slipped on the tightfitting suit and quickly followed the large man out of the room, gazing at all the technology he passed as he did.

They walk down a large hallway. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling reflecting off the white tile floor.

What's going on? Project KR wondered.

They stopped before a set of large metal doors.

Samuel walked over to a keypad set in the wall beside the doors. He typed in a code and the doors slid open to reveal a clear blue sky and a dirt circle a hundred feet across and a hundred feet wide. He grabbed project KR and threw him inside.

KR hit the ground with a thump. He rose to his feet and glanced back at the double doors just in time to see them swing shut.

KR began to tremble. He looked around and saw people in black clothes sitting around the dirt circle. They look to be waiting for something to happen.

I'm scared, KR thought. His bottom lip began to tremble and his big blue eyes began to fill with tears, why won't anyone tell me what's going on?

The soldiers began to laugh as KR cried. Their actions just caused Rio to cry harder and hug himself, why won't anyone help me? He wondered.

Suddenly, a set of double doors on the other side of the arena opened. A teenage boy walked into the arena. He was five foot tall with startling blue eyes and dark hair. A white skintight suit with a stylized red S on it covered his well-muscled frame.

KR's eyes widened and a smile blossomed on his face, he looks like me, KR thought, maybe he can tell me what's going on.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, KR rose to his feet and jogged towards the boy with a spring in his step.

The moment KR came within arm's reach of the teenager that looked like him. The boy lashed out striking KR across the face, sending his small body flying into the far wall.

KR cried out as he hit the wall. He could feel the stone crack beneath him. He slid to the ground with tears streaming down his face. Why is this happening to me? He wondered.

He looked up through tear filled eyes as the strange teenage boy loomed over him his eyes glowing crimson, "I will be the only one," he snarled. He reached for KR.

Suddenly, KR's pupils dilated. The world seemed to slow down around him. In a blur of movement he rolled out of the way of the reaching arm and climbed to his feet.

He wiped the tears from his eyes wincing as his arm brushed against his bruised cheek. He sniffed and looked at the boy with eyes of innocent curiosity, "Why are you doing this to me, what did I do wrong?"

The boy snarled, "I am project Rio, and you are project KR. We were created to defend the Earth against inhumane dangers, but only the strongest creations can survive. Now shut up and fight!" Project Rio charged forward throwing punch after punch.

KR ducked, whirled, and leaned, dodging each blow with the skill of a seasoned warrior, but I don't want to fight, he thought as he dodged a particularly vicious punch. He noticed that project Rio had overextended his arm throwing him off balance.

Without conscious thought, he grabbed project Rio's arm twirled him around and tossed him across the arena.

Project Rio slammed into the arena wall hard enough to bust a hole in the thick stone.

KR stared at his hands with wide eyes, his mouth hanging slightly open, what was that, he wondered. Before he knew what he was doing, he sprinted forward.

In the tick of a second he had covered the distance between himself and project Rio. He began raining blow after blow down on his opponent. Each punch was more powerful than the last, and they drove project Rio deeper and deeper into the wall.

What am I doing? KR asked himself as he continued to rain down punches on project Rio.He paused in his attack. I don't want to hurt anyone.

In his moment of hesitation, project Rio lashed out with his foot, catching KR in the ribs and sending him stumbling backwards.

Project Rio climbed out of the hole. His face was bruised, one I was swelled shut, and he was missing a couple of teeth. He grinned at KR, "I honestly thought you were going to kill me there for a second," his grin turned into a sneer, "but obviously you're too weak to get the job done."

KR regained his balance and looked at project Rio pleadingly, "I don't want to fight you. I don't want to fight anyone. Please can't we just get out of here and find somewhere to live normal lives."

Project Rio's shoulder's slumped and his head drooped, concealing his face in shadow, "I'm afraid not kid, this is our destiny. You might as well accept it."

Project Rio's head snapped up and crimson beams flew from his eyes.

They slammed into KR's face, causing him to cry out and stagger backwards, clutching at his burned flesh.

Project Rio appeared in front of Kr in the blink of an eye and slammed his fist into the boy's stomach with enough force to pick him up off the ground. Spittle and blood flew from KR's mouth as the air was forced out of his lungs.

Project Rio tossed KR into the air and smashed a roundhouse kick into his face, sending him flying.

KR slammed into the arena floor digging a deep trench in the dirt. He lay there blood leaking from his mouth and tears streaming from his eyes. Steam rose from his face as his blackened flesh fell away to reveal new pink skin. Is this what my life was meant to be like, KR asked himself, full of pain with no one to love me.

KR's eyes hardened, No I was meant to be more than a weapon. I will leave this place and find my true purpose in this world. He rose to his feet swaying slightly from his wounds, but he squared his shoulders ready to fight for his freedom.

Project Rio strode confidently forward, "You might as well give up KR. There's no way you can beat me."

KR's tiny fist clenched and he glared at project Rio, "I will not give up, and I will not let you kill me."

Project Rio shook his head, "Fine."

He released a roar and charged forward.

What am I going to do? KR asked himself as he watched project Rio approach, how am I going to beat someone older and stronger than me?

Suddenly, his pupils dilated and the world seemed to slow down again. Lightning crackled along his body and dark storm clouds filled the arena. Wind began to howl picking up dirt, and causing KR to rise into the air.

PKR

The scientist in charge of both projects watched the battle behind a glass wall made to look like it was part of the arena.

"What's going on?" Prof. Diamond, the scientist in charge of project Rio asked.

He was a tall thin man with rust colored red hair and malevolent green eyes. He wore a lab coat that was a size too big and carried himself with his shoulders always hunched, so that people would think he was weak.

Samuel grinned, "This is Project KR's berserker mode."

"Berserker mode?" Diamond questioned.

The grin on Samuels face widened and his eyes shined triumphantly, "Yes, when project KR is in danger he subconsciously accesses the skills of his parents stored in his muscle memory."

Diamond's eyes widened, "How is that possible?"

Samuels grin turned into a smug sneer, "There are advantages to letting your creation grow naturally."

Diamond scowled at the barb and turned away, "There's no way that child can beat project Rio," he thought as thunder shook the arena.

PKR

Project Rio cried out as the wind that filled the stadium lifted him into the air. What in the world is going on? He wondered as he struggled to remain upright in the howling winds.

He screamed as lightning slammed into his chest and arced off his limbs to tear deep holes in the ground. When it stopped, he was panting lightly and the solar suit that fed him solar energy had ragged holes in it showing off his muscular body to those watching.

He glared at project KR. The small boy was surrounded by a hurricane and tiny bolts of electricity arced off his body.

KR looked at project Rio with glowing red eyes, I don't want to hurt him, he thought, but if I don't then he will come after me when I escape. With that thought in mind, he shot two red-hot beams from his eyes.

They slammed into projectRio's head and continued on into his brain.

Project Rio screamed as he was lobotomized.

The whole arena fell silent no one expected project Kr to beat project Rio.

The wind and lightning faded away, but KR stayed suspended in midair.

Seeing that everyone was distracted by his actions, KR cast a glance at project Rio as he lay on the arena floor, I'm sorry, he said mentally. He shot up into the air and blasted through the dome roof, large chunks of concrete and steel rain down following his departure.

PKR

Samuels's eyes widened as he saw project KR disappear out of the roof of the Stadium, where does that brat think he's going, he thought. He turned to a soldier standing in the door, "What are you doing just standing there? Sound the alarm we can't afford to lose him."

The soldier snapped out of his stupor and fumbled for his radio dangling from his belt, "This is James at the arena. Project KR has escaped sound the alarm."

Sirens and lights began to blare throughout Cadmus.