Under the Phantom King's control, the wall of mental power that had easily suppressed half of Shane's strength shifted overhead and slowly pressed down.
The tough Kryptonian Uniform in Shane's grasp, supposedly far stronger than any material on Earth, was torn apart.
Forced to let go, Shane himself sank toward the ground.
Inside the great hall, the foundation stones paving the floor, as hard as steel, began disintegrating under the savage mental pressure. Shane had barely recovered his senses when the ground beneath his feet collapsed.
The mental hammer crushed Shane all the way down. More than forty explosions thundered in rapid succession, reaching straight to the core.
The Phantom King snorted softly, turned, and waved a hand at Mon-El, sending him flying as well.
The relatively fragile disguise glasses were destroyed outright. Mon-El's disguise faded, revealing his true form.
"Is this the help you brought?"
The Phantom King apparently had no intention of killing Mon-El outright. Possessing the greatest power in the Phantom Zone, he still had considerable tolerance for this rare scientific talent.
But his contempt for Shane was plain in his words.
"When will you understand, Mon-El? I became the Phantom King because I possess absolute power, power above every living being in this place."
At last, he descended the towering stone steps, walking toward Mon-El, who was likewise immobilized by mental power. "Granting the phantoms physical bodies would, at most, make me their leader. But I am a king! I am the king of the Phantom Zone! Don't you understand?!"
The Phantom King extended a hand toward Mon-El. His voice remained as calm as stagnant water, but the condescending sense of charity was laid bare by his gesture.
"I can give you another chance, Mon..."
"I beg to differ."
Shane had yet to appear, but his