Back to Reality
The moonlight shone brightly among the stars in the night sky as Clark, Jonathan, and Martha sat together on the porch, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Krypto lay at Clark's feet, occasionally glancing up with attentive eyes, as if fully understanding the seriousness of the discussion.
Clark knew this conversation was necessary. His parents had just learned about his incredible abilities, and now it was time to establish some ground rules—guidelines that would help him navigate his extraordinary life while maintaining the normalcy they all cherished.
"So," Clark began, his tone careful and thoughtful, "I know you're worried about me and my powers, but I want to assure you that I can control them. I've been practicing a lot, and I'm really careful. But I was hoping we could make some agreements about what I can and can't do, especially when it comes to school and… well, life in general."
Jonathan nodded, his expression serious but supportive. "That sounds fair, Clark. We're just concerned because, well, you're still young, and these powers are… well, they're something else."
Martha leaned forward, her eyes filled with concern and love. "What did you have in mind, sweetheart?"
Clark took a deep breath, feeling reassured by their willingness to listen. "First off, I still want to be part of the football team when I'm old enough. I know it sounds risky, but I promise I can control my strength. I've been practicing, and I won't hurt anyone by accident. It's really important to me to have that experience, just like any other kid."
Clark's desire to join the high school football team stemmed from his need to integrate his extraordinary abilities with the experiences of a normal teenager. For him, football represented a way to connect with his peers, to be part of a team, and to navigate the challenges of adolescence while carefully controlling his powers. It was an opportunity to bridge the gap between his otherworldly gifts and the everyday life he longed to experience.
Beyond the game itself, football was a proving ground for Clark—a place where he could test his ability to regulate his strength and speed in a real-world setting. The lessons he would learn on the field, such as balance, restraint, and teamwork, were essential skills that he knew he would need as he prepared for the larger responsibilities that awaited him as Superman. Succeeding in football would give him the confidence and control necessary to face the more significant challenges that lay ahead.
Ultimately, joining the football team was about more than just playing a sport; it was about grounding himself in the world he had come to love and preparing for his future as a hero. Football allowed Clark to experience the joys and struggles of a typical teenage life while simultaneously training for the monumental role he would one day play as Superman. It was a crucial step in his journey to becoming both a part of the world and its protector.
Jonathan exchanged a glance with Martha before responding. "Football's a tough sport, Clark. There's a lot of physical contact, and even the best players can get hurt. But I can see how much this means to you."
He paused, placing a reassuring hand on Clark's shoulder. "If you can show us that you can control your strength without hurting anyone between now and when you reach high school, then I'll agree to let you join the football team. It's not that we don't believe in you, son—we just need to be sure, for your safety and everyone else's."
Clark nodded, feeling a mix of relief and determination. "I will, Dad. I'll prove it to you. I won't let you down."
Martha smiled warmly. "We trust you, Clark. Just remember to always be careful, okay? And if you ever feel like you're losing control, come to us right away."
"I will, Mom," Clark promised. "I'll always be careful."
Krypto, sensing the lighter mood, gave a happy bark, wagging his tail in support. The dog's enthusiasm brought a smile to everyone's faces, easing the tension.
Jonathan cleared his throat, moving on to the next topic. "There's something else, Clark. We need to agree that you won't use your powers publicly unless it's absolutely necessary. I know there might be situations where you have no choice, like if someone's life is in danger, but keeping your abilities a secret is important. It's to protect you—and us—from unwanted attention."
Clark nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll only use my powers in public if there's no other choice. I'll be careful."
Jonathan smiled, satisfied with Clark's response. "Good. We trust your judgment, Clark, but just remember—keeping a low profile is important, especially until you're older and better equipped to handle the consequences."
Martha chimed in, her voice gentle. "I also think it would be helpful if we had regular check-ins about how things are going. If you notice any changes in your powers or if something feels off, come to us right away, okay?"
Clark smiled at the suggestion. "That sounds like a good idea, Mom. I'll let you know if anything changes."
Jonathan's expression grew more serious. "And Clark, I need you to promise that you won't engage in fights or confrontations unless absolutely necessary, especially if it's against someone else with powers. Talk to us first if you can. You're strong, but the world is a dangerous place, and we need to make sure you're safe."
"I promise, Dad," Clark agreed, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I won't jump into anything without thinking it through."
Martha added another point, her tone firm but caring. "And remember, Clark, your education is still important. Just because you have these incredible powers doesn't mean you can slack off on your schoolwork. Your education is crucial, and we want you to stay focused on your studies."
Clark grinned, appreciating his mother's concern. "I'll keep my grades up, Mom. I know how important it is."
Jonathan leaned forward, his expression more serious now. "One last thing, Clark. We need to agree that you won't reveal your true identity or the full extent of your powers to anyone outside the family, at least not until you're older and can fully understand the consequences. The more people who know, the more danger it could bring."
Clark nodded, understanding the importance of secrecy. "I won't tell anyone, Dad. I understand."
Jonathan's face softened, and he added with a small smile, "That said, I wouldn't mind some help with the heavy lifting around the farm. But we need to make sure it's done when no one's watching."
Clark grinned, relieved that his parents were beginning to accept his powers as part of their everyday life. "I can do that, Dad. Just say the word."
Martha's expression turned playful as she looked at her son, her tone teasing. "Now, about your love life, Clark. You're a little different from the other boys, and that might make things… complicated. We'll have to think about how to handle that. Maybe we'll need to find more than one girl to make sure you have children!"
Clark's eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks flushing a deep red at his mother's joke. "Mom!" he protested, but the good-natured humor in her eyes made it clear she was only teasing.
Krypto barked in agreement, his tail wagging even faster, as if he approved of Martha's playful suggestion. The sound of his enthusiastic approval sent them all into laughter, the tension fully melting away into the warmth of shared humor.
Jonathan chuckled, shaking his head at the scene. "I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let's just focus on helping Clark navigate the next few years without too much trouble."
Clark smiled, feeling the love and support of his parents surrounding him. They might not have all the answers, but they were in this together, and that was what mattered most.
---
Storm Cellar, Kent's Farm
With the next morning sun beginning to fly up the horizon, lighting up the Kent farm, Clark followed his parents towards the storm cellar. His heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. Before he became Clark Kent, he had been a fan of DC comics, well-versed in the lore of Superman. He knew about the existence of Kal-El's spaceship, the vessel that had brought him to Earth. But seeing it in person, here in the real world, was something he hadn't fully processed until now.
Jonathan led the way, his expression thoughtful as he reached for the handle of the storm cellar door. "There's something we've kept from you, Clark. We didn't know how to tell you before, but now… now seems like the right time."
Clark nodded, understanding the gravity of the moment. "I think I know what it is, Dad," he said quietly. "I've read about it… in stories."
Jonathan glanced at Clark, a bit surprised but not entirely thrown. He knew by now that Clark was different—more knowledgeable than any ten-year-old should be. "Then you might have an idea of what we're about to show you."
As the heavy door creaked open, the familiar scent of earth and metal filled the air. They descended the wooden steps into the cool, dimly lit space beneath the farmhouse. Clark's eyes adjusted quickly, his enhanced vision picking out details that might have been lost in the shadows for others. But his focus was singular—he knew what lay at the end of this journey.
They reached the center of the cellar, and there, hidden beneath a tarp, was the object Clark had longed to see since the moment he arrived in this world. Jonathan pulled back the covering to reveal a sleek, alien vessel—Kal-El's spaceship. The craftsmanship was otherworldly, its smooth metallic surface catching the dim light in a way that seemed almost alive.
"This is where you came from, Clark," Jonathan said softly, his voice filled with a mixture of reverence and sadness. "We found you in this ship the night of the meteor shower."
Martha stepped closer, her hand resting gently on Clark's shoulder. "We didn't know what it meant back then, but we knew you were special. We just… didn't know how special."
Clark's gaze was fixed on the ship, memories of his past life and the stories he had read flooding his mind. He knew the significance of this vessel, the technology it contained, and the secrets it held. But now, seeing it up close, it felt different—more personal, more real.
Jonathan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, metallic object—an intricate, card-shaped device, which had unrecognizable alphabets carved on it. "I removed this from the ship before it closed," he explained. "I didn't know what it was, but I figured it was important. The ship can't operate without it."
Clark recognized the object immediately. It was the Heart of the ship, essential for activating the craft's memory banks where pre-recorded messages are stored. Before Krypton's explosion, Jor-El inserted the Heart at the front of the ship's interior; to convey Kryptonian message to his son Kal-El. But before he could see the messages, he needed to activate the ship first.
"The key… it fell out," Clark murmured. Looking at the blank socket on the ship, his mind worked quickly.
Then, he searched the DC Database and soon found the answer.
"It was lost in Miller's Field. That's where it's been all this time."
Jonathan frowned slightly. "Miller's Field? That's not far from here."
Clark nodded, his expression focused. "I can find it."
Without another word, Clark activated his X-ray vision, scanning the area around them. He knew exactly what he was looking for—the dense, alien metal of the key, something that wouldn't blend with the natural surroundings. He swept his gaze across the cellar, then outwards, through the ground and into the fields beyond.
There—buried deep in the soil of Miller's Field, just as the stories had said. He could see it clearly now, lying where it had fallen all those years ago.
"I found it," Clark said, his voice calm but tinged with excitement.
Jonathan looked at his son, pride evident in his eyes. "Go ahead, Clark. We'll be here."
Clark didn't need to be told twice. He turned and sped out of the cellar, moving faster than the eye could see, racing across the farm towards Miller's Field. The journey took mere seconds—his speed allowing him to cover the distance in the blink of an eye. Once there, he slowed down, pinpointing the exact location of the key with his X-ray vision.
Clark knelt down and began to excavate the ground, carefully digging through the layers of earth until his fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. He grasped the key and pulled it free, holding it up to the fading light. It was exactly as he had imagined, its intricate design reflecting the alien craftsmanship that had brought him to this world.
With the key in hand, Clark returned to the storm cellar, rejoining his parents. He handed the key to Jonathan, who looked at it with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
"You found it," Jonathan said, almost in disbelief. "After all these years."
Clark nodded. "It's time to see what this ship can tell us."
With a nod to his parents, Clark stepped forward and carefully inserted the crystal into the ship's interface. The ship responded instantly, the hum growing louder as the crystal began to interface with the vessel's systems. The holographic display flickered, then stabilized, projecting a clear, three-dimensional image into the center of the room.
The image clarified, revealing two figures—tall, dignified, and unmistakably Kryptonian. Clark froze as he instantly recognized them. Jor-El and Lara, his birth parents, stood before him, their faces serene yet radiating a profound and enduring love.
Jor-El began to speak, his voice resonant and full of emotion, addressing the son he had never been able to raise. "My son, if you are hearing this message, then our worst fears have come to pass. Krypton is no more, and you are the last hope of our people."
Clark's eyes remained fixed on the holographic image, his heart pounding in his chest. He had known this story, but hearing it now, directly, was different. It was real in a way that nothing else had ever been.
Lara stepped forward, her eyes soft with maternal warmth. "Kal-El, our love for you is endless, and it is our hope that you will grow strong and kind on your new home. We chose Earth for you because we believed it would give you the chance to be something more—a beacon of hope, a force for good in a world that desperately needs it."
As they spoke, the hologram shifted, showing images of Krypton—its towering spires, its advanced technology, its rich culture. But those images quickly darkened, showing the planet's final moments, its destruction, the desperate measures Jor-El and Lara took to save their only son. Clark felt a lump rise in his throat as he watched the demise of his homeworld, a place he had never known but still felt a profound connection to.
"We sent you to Earth," Jor-El continued, "not just to survive, but to thrive. To become something more than what we could ever have imagined. You are the culmination of our hopes, our dreams, and our sacrifices. You carry with you the legacy of Krypton, and with it, the power to forge a new destiny—not just for yourself, but for the people of Earth."
The recording was emotional, filled with the love and hope that Jor-El and Lara had for their son. They spoke of their belief in him, their faith that he would grow into a man who would use his powers to protect and uplift those around him. Their words were a testament to their unwavering belief in the goodness of their child, a belief that transcended time and space.
As the holographic recording continued, Clark felt overwhelming. This was more than just a story; it was his life, his origins, and the final, desperate act of parents who wanted nothing more than to give their child a chance at life.
"We know that you will be different," Lara said gently, her eyes filled with tears even in the hologram. "But we believe that you will find love, friendship, and purpose in your new home. You will be a bridge between worlds, our last, best hope."
The hologram slowly faded, the image of Jor-El and Lara lingering for just a moment longer before disappearing entirely, leaving Clark standing there, the cellar filled once again with the quiet hum of the ship. The data crystal remained in its place, now dormant, having delivered its message.
Clark stood motionless, absorbing everything he had just seen and heard. An ache stirred within him—a blend of sorrow for the parents he never knew and thankfulness for the love they had given him, even from across the immense distance of space and time.
Jonathan and Martha moved closer, wrapping their arms around their son in a protective embrace. They could see the emotions swirling within him, the depth of the connection he felt to the parents he had never met.
Martha gently stroked Clark's hair, her voice soft and soothing. "They loved you so much, Clark. Just like we do. And they wanted you to have a future—a bright, hopeful future."
Jonathan nodded, his grip on Clark's shoulder firm and reassuring. "You're not alone, son. You have us, and you have their legacy. We'll help you figure out what comes next."
Clark nodded as he leaned into their embrace. Even though he had known about this moment, even though it had been foretold in the stories he used to love, nothing could have prepared him for the reality of it. But with his parents—both his Earth parents and his Kryptonian parents—guiding him, he felt ready to take on whatever the future might hold.
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