Smallville Elementary School
The yellow school bus came to a gentle stop in front of Smallville Elementary, its door creaking open as a group of eager children tumbled out. Clark Kent was among them, stepping down from the bus with an air of quiet confidence that set him apart from his peers. Despite his small frame and innocent appearance, Clark's mind was that of a mature adult who had transmigrated from another world. This secret weighed on him, but he hid it well behind the facade of a typical Eight-year-old.
As he stepped onto the sidewalk, Clark was flanked by his friends, Lana Lang and Pete Ross, with two new friends he had made recently—Greg Arkin and Abigail Fine—following close behind. Lana skipped along cheerfully, her braided hair bouncing with every step, while Pete adjusted the straps of his backpack, his face scrunched up in thought.
"Clark, did you finish the math homework?" Lana asked, her tone light and carefree.
Clark nodded, offering her a small smile. "Yeah, it was easy. Just some adding and subtracting," he replied, his voice carrying the simplicity of a child but with an underlying hint of the maturity that lay beneath.
Pete groaned, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Ugh, math is the worst! I'd rather be outside catching bugs with Greg!"
Greg grinned, his glasses sliding down his nose as he pushed them back up. "Catching bugs is fun, but sometimes they bite!" he said, his tone half-serious, half-joking.
Abigail giggled, clutching her lunchbox a little tighter. "I like math. It's like solving puzzles!"
Clark couldn't help but chuckle at their conversation. Despite the complexities of his inner world, moments like these reminded him of the simple joys of childhood—something he had missed out on in his previous life. "You know, Pete, maybe if you think of math as a puzzle, it won't seem so bad," he suggested gently.
Pete made a face but didn't argue, instead nodding slightly as they continued walking. "I guess I can try that… but no promises!"
As they approached the school's entrance, Clark noticed a group of older kids—fourth graders—standing by the door, their expressions a mix of boredom and mischief. Clark's senses tingled, and he instinctively knew trouble was brewing. He cast a quick glance at Lana, Pete, Greg, and Abigail, silently vowing to keep them safe.
"Come on, let's get to class," Clark said, urging his friends forward with a determined smile. "We don't want to be late!"
---
The 2nd grade classroom was buzzing with energy as the students settled into their seats, their backpacks spilling out books, pencils, and snacks. Mrs. Taylor, their teacher, stood at the front of the room, her warm smile welcoming them as she prepared the morning lesson.
Clark took his usual seat next to Pete, who was already doodling on the corner of his notebook. Lana was a few rows ahead, chatting animatedly with Abigail, while Greg was meticulously organizing his pencils by color.
"Good morning, class!" Mrs. Taylor called out, her voice gentle yet firm. "Today, we're going to start with some math problems. Can everyone take out their workbooks, please?"
There was a collective groan from the class, but they obeyed, flipping open their workbooks to the assigned page. Clark, already well ahead in his studies, finished the problems in record time. He glanced around the room, noting that Pete was struggling with a particularly tricky subtraction problem.
"Hey, Pete," Clark whispered, leaning over slightly. "Remember what we talked about? Think of it like a puzzle."
Pete frowned, his pencil hovering over the paper. "A puzzle? But… puzzles have pictures."
Clark smiled patiently. "Math has numbers instead of pictures. Just try to see how the numbers fit together, like pieces of a puzzle. You can do it!"
Pete bit his lip, concentrating hard as he worked through the problem. After a few moments, his face lit up with a smile of triumph. "I got it, Clark! I did it!"
Clark grinned, giving Pete a thumbs-up. "See? You're smarter than you think."
The morning passed quickly, and soon it was time for lunch. The cafeteria was a lively place, filled with the clatter of trays and the excited chatter of children. Clark, Pete, Lana, Greg, and Abigail found a table near the window, where they could watch the birds outside as they ate.
Lana unwrapped her sandwich, taking a big bite before turning to Clark. "What do you think the birds are talking about, Clark?"
Clark chuckled, his mind briefly drifting back to the complexities of his previous life. "Maybe they're talking about where to find the best worms," he replied with a grin.
Greg leaned in, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Do you think they have bird schools too?"
Abigail giggled, shaking her head. "That's silly, Greg! Birds don't go to school!"
Pete, ever the practical one, shrugged. "Maybe they do, but we just can't see it. Like a secret bird school!"
Clark smiled, enjoying the light-hearted conversation. It was these moments that made him feel connected to this new life, even if he had to constantly remind himself to act like the child he appeared to be.
---
School Playground
Recess was always a time for fun and games, and the playground was alive with the sounds of laughter and the scuff of sneakers against the asphalt. Clark and his friends headed toward the swings, excited to spend their break in the warm sunshine.
As they approached, Clark saw Pete's eyes light up at the sight of the swings, but before they could reach them, the group of fourth graders appeared, blocking their way. The leader of the group, a tall boy with a smirk that stretched across his face, stepped forward.
"Hey, little guys," the boy sneered, his tone mocking. "These swings are ours. You better go play somewhere else."
Pete's face fell, and he instinctively took a step back, his confidence wavering. Lana and Abigail looked at each other nervously, while Greg's hand tightened around the bug jar he carried everywhere.
Clark, however, remained calm. He understood what it was like to feel powerless, but he also knew that acting with maturity and confidence could diffuse even the most difficult situations.
"We're all just trying to have fun," Clark said, his voice steady but gentle. "There are plenty of swings for everyone. We can take turns."
The older boy's smirk faltered slightly as he sized Clark up, sensing something different about him. But he quickly recovered, his pride pushing him to assert dominance. "I said, these swings are ours. You and your little friends should go play on the slide or something."
Clark glanced back at his friends, then looked the older boy in the eye, his gaze steady and unflinching. "We're not trying to start any trouble," Clark said, his tone as calm as ever. "But it's not fair to take all the swings. How about we play a game together instead? Winner gets the swings."
The older boy hesitated, thrown off by Clark's mature approach. The other kids in his group shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to react. No one had ever stood up to them like this—especially not a second grader.
"What kind of game?" the boy finally asked, his tone less confident than before.
Clark smiled, sensing that he had the upper hand. "How about a race? Around the playground. If you win, we'll leave the swings to you. But if we win, we all get to share."
The older boy seemed to consider it, his friends murmuring behind him. Finally, he nodded, trying to regain his cool. "Alright, fine. But don't cry when you lose."
Clark nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He knew he could easily win the race, but he didn't want to humiliate the older boy. He just wanted to teach him a lesson in fairness.
The kids gathered around, excited to see the race. Clark stood at the starting line with the older boy, his heart calm and his mind focused. When the signal was given, they both took off, running as fast as their legs could carry them.
Clark, with his advanced abilities, could have left the boy in the dust, but he held back just enough to make it a close race. As they neared the finish line, Clark let the older boy pull slightly ahead, allowing him to win by a hair.
The older boy panted, a mix of surprise and relief on his face as he crossed the finish line. He looked back at Clark, who was smiling at him with genuine warmth.
"Good race," Clark said, extending his hand.
The older boy stared at him for a moment, then slowly reached out and shook Clark's hand. "Yeah… good race," he mumbled, his bravado fading as he realized that Clark had let him win.
Clark nodded toward the swings. "You won, so they're yours today. But maybe tomorrow, we can all play together?"
The older boy glanced back at his friends, who were watching with wide eyes, then at Clark. Finally, he shrugged, trying to act casual. "Yeah… maybe," he said, before turning to his group. "Come on, guys."
As the older boys walked away, Pete, Lana, Greg, and Abigail ran up to Clark, their faces filled with admiration.
"Wow, Clark! That was awesome!" Pete exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "You totally could've beaten him, but you let him win!"
Lana nodded, her smile wide. "You're so cool, Clark! How did you know what to say?"
Clark shrugged, his mature mind making it easy to mask his true thoughts. "Sometimes, it's better to make friends than enemies," he said simply. "And it's more fun when everyone gets to play."
Abigail giggled, hugging her lunchbox to her chest. "You're the smartest, Clark!"
Greg adjusted his glasses, a thoughtful look on his face. "Yeah, you're like a superhero or something!"
Clark chuckled, though his heart warmed at their words. He wasn't a superhero—at least, not yet. But he knew that by using his wisdom and abilities to help others, he was taking the first steps toward becoming one.
---
A Few Months Later - In the Classroom
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the 2nd-grade classroom, casting a warm glow over the rows of desks where the students sat, diligently working on their reading assignments. Clark Kent, seated near the back of the room, was focusing on his book, trying to concentrate on the words in front of him. But today, something felt… off.
As Clark squinted at the page, the letters started to blur and shift, as if the book was moving further away from him. He blinked rapidly, shaking his head slightly, but the feeling didn't go away. Instead, it got worse. Suddenly, the words disappeared altogether, replaced by the faint outline of the desk behind the book.
"Uh-oh," Clark thought, his heart skipping a beat. "SS, what's going on?"
[Clark, it appears you're experiencing the onset of a new ability: X-ray vision. It's a natural development at this stage of your growth. Try to remain calm.]
Clark's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. He could see through the book! Not just the book—he could see the pencils inside his desk, the gum stuck to the bottom of Pete's shoe, and the metal springs in the chair Mrs. Taylor was sitting on at the front of the room.
"This is bad," Clark muttered under his breath, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to stop the vision. "Make it stop!"
[Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Focus on the idea of layers, like peeling back the pages of a book one by one. This will help you control what you see.]
Clark followed the SS system's advice, inhaling deeply and imagining himself flipping through the pages of a book slowly, one at a time. As he did, the overwhelming flood of images began to fade, and the normal view of the classroom returned.
"Clark, are you okay?" Lana whispered from the desk next to his, her brow furrowed with concern. "You're squinting a lot."
Clark forced a smile, though his heart was still racing. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just, uh… thinking really hard about the story," he said, hoping she wouldn't ask any more questions.
Lana gave him a skeptical look but nodded. "Okay, if you say so. But maybe don't think so hard you hurt your brain!"
Clark chuckled nervously, relieved that she didn't push the issue further. He needed to get through the rest of the school day without any more surprises. "Thanks, Lana. I'll try not to."
As he turned his attention back to his book, Clark felt the SS system's calming presence in his mind, offering reassurance.
[Good job, Clark. The initial manifestation of a new ability can be overwhelming, but you handled it well. We'll need to practice this more when you get home.]
"Yeah, definitely," Clark thought, still shaken by the experience. "But maybe not in the middle of class next time."
[Agreed. Though, to be fair, this was an unexpected development. At least we now know you can see through things.]
"Great," Clark replied sarcastically. "Just what I needed—more things to hide from everyone."
[Look at it this way: You'll never lose your pencil sharpener again.]
Clark snorted softly, unable to help the laugh that bubbled up. Even in the most stressful situations, the SS system had a way of making things seem just a little bit lighter.
---
The Kent Farm
The sun was starting to set as Clark arrived back at the Kent farm, the sky painted with shades of orange and pink. He had spent the rest of the school day on edge, worried that his new X-ray vision would kick in again at the worst possible moment. Now, finally home, he was ready to figure out how to control this new ability.
Clark stood in the barn, the familiar smell of hay and earth filling the air. He felt a little more at ease being here, away from prying eyes, but the nervous energy from earlier still buzzed inside him.
"Okay, SS, let's do this," Clark thought, taking a deep breath. "How do I control the X-ray vision?"
[The key is focus and intent. Your eyes will respond to what you want to see. We'll start with something simple. Look at that wooden crate over there.]
Clark turned his gaze to the old wooden crate in the corner of the barn, his brow furrowing in concentration. "What do I do?"
[Imagine peeling back the layers again, but this time, stop at the one you want to see. Think of it like adjusting the focus on a camera. Start with seeing through the crate, and then try to focus only on the inside.]
Clark nodded and focused on the crate, picturing the layers peeling back in his mind. At first, the entire crate seemed to dissolve, revealing the straw and tools inside. Clark's heart skipped a beat, but he held his concentration, narrowing his focus until the crate's outer layer reappeared, leaving only the interior visible.
"I did it!" Clark exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
[Excellent work, Clark. Now try switching between normal vision and X-ray vision. This will help you practice control.]
Clark followed the SS system's instructions, switching back and forth between seeing the crate as it was and seeing through it. Each time, he felt more confident, more in control. Finally, after several successful attempts, he let out a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"Okay, that wasn't so bad," Clark thought, a smile tugging at his lips. "I think I'm getting the hang of it."
[You're doing great, Clark. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility.]
Clark chuckled, recognizing the quote. "Nice one, SS. But seriously, thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you."
[You'd probably still be seeing through your classroom walls, and that could get awkward.]
Clark laughed again, the tension from earlier melting away. It was moments like these that made him feel like he could handle whatever life threw at him—even if it involved superpowers.
---
Gotham City
It was a chilly Saturday night in Gotham City, the kind of night where shadows seemed to stretch endlessly and the air was thick with the scent of rain. Clark stood atop one of the city's many rooftops, the city's lights twinkling below him like stars. He had been sneaking away to Gotham on weekends for a while now, using his abilities to explore the city and learn more about the world outside Smallville. But tonight was different. Tonight, he was here to test his new powers.
The wind tugged at his jacket as Clark scanned the city, his senses heightened. The sounds of Gotham were a chaotic symphony—car horns blaring, distant sirens wailing, and the constant murmur of voices that drifted up from the streets below. But Clark wasn't interested in the ordinary. He was looking for something more… hidden.
"Alright, SS," Clark thought, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Let's try this out. I want to see what's happening in that building across the street."
[Focus on the building. Imagine peeling back the layers, but this time, go deeper. See through the walls to what's inside.]
Clark nodded and concentrated on the large, dark building across the street. Slowly, the brick walls seemed to fade away, revealing the structure within. He could see the metal beams, the pipes, and then… the people. Several figures moved about inside, one of them carrying what looked like a large bag.
"Got it," Clark thought, his excitement growing. "There's a guy with a bag. What do you think he's up to?"
[Could be anything. Let's try zooming in and getting a closer look.]
Clark adjusted his focus, narrowing in on the man with the bag. As he did, the details became clearer—the man was wearing a black hoodie, and the bag was stuffed with what looked like cash. Clark's eyes widened.
"Is that… money? Is he robbing the place?"
[It's possible. There's a bank on the lower level of that building. This could be a robbery in progress.]
Clark's heart began to race, not out of fear, but out of the thrill of discovery. He had never encountered a bank robbery like this before. "What do I do? Should I stop him now?"
[Clark, you have the capability to stop this robbery, but there's something you should consider. These criminals are likely armed, and while you can handle them, an open confrontation in such a confined space could lead to unnecessary collateral damage. The building's structure is old and unstable, and a fight could easily cause part of it to collapse, endangering civilians nearby.]
Clark hesitated, realizing the truth in SS's words. The last thing he wanted was to inadvertently cause harm while trying to do good. "So what do you suggest?"
[Let's monitor the situation from a distance. Once the robbers leave the building, you can intervene in a safer location. This way, you can avoid causing unintended damage and ensure the safety of any bystanders.]
Clark nodded, understanding the strategy. Gotham was full of old, dilapidated buildings, and a single misstep could cause serious harm. "Alright, I'll wait until they're outside. But if it looks like anyone's in immediate danger, I'm stepping in."
He continued to watch as the man stuffed more money into the bag and then signaled to someone outside.
Clark shifted his gaze, using his X-ray vision to look through the walls and spot the man's accomplice. He saw another figure, this one standing guard near the entrance. They were clearly working together, but something about their movements seemed nervous, almost panicked.
"They're scared," Clark thought, surprised. "They're not professionals. They're just… desperate."
[Desperation often drives people to crime. Remember, not everyone is evil. Some are just lost.]
Clark's chest tightened with a mix of emotions. He had been prepared to see criminals in Gotham, but he hadn't expected to feel sympathy for them. It was a reminder that the world wasn't black and white, and that his future role as a hero would be more complicated than just stopping bad guys.
As he continued to watch, the robbers suddenly froze, their eyes darting toward the entrance. Clark's super hearing picked up the distant wail of a police siren, growing louder by the second.
"They're about to get caught," Clark thought, his pulse quickening.
[This is your chance to see how the authorities handle it. Pay attention to their tactics, but stay hidden.]
Clark nodded and backed away from the edge of the rooftop, keeping his eyes on the building. The sirens grew louder, and soon, flashing lights illuminated the street below. The robbers panicked, dropping the bag and making a run for it, but they didn't get far. The police swarmed the building, quickly apprehending them.
Clark watched in silence as the scene unfolded, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and sadness. He was glad that the robbery had been stopped, but the sight of the robbers being handcuffed and led away left him with more questions than answers.
"Did they really deserve this? Or was there something else going on?" Clark thought, his mind racing.
[The world is full of difficult choices, Clark. As you grow into your role, you'll need to learn to navigate these complexities. But for now, you did the right thing by observing and learning.]
Clark sighed, his breath visible in the cool night air. "Yeah… I guess there's still a lot I don't understand."
[That's okay. You're still learning, and you're doing a great job. Just remember, with each experience, you're getting stronger and wiser.]
Clark nodded. Tonight had been an important step in his journey, even if it had left him with more questions than answers. But he felt ready to face anything.
---