Rainy Storm Day, Smallville
The storm clouds hung low over Smallville, casting a dark, ominous shadow over the town as rain poured down in relentless sheets. Inside the hidden bunker beneath the Kent farm, Clark Kent was deep in practice, focusing intently on the lesson SS was teaching him.
[Remember, Clark,] SS instructed, its voice calm and steady in his mind.
[To control your strength to the level of a normal human, you must focus on manipulating the magnetic fields around you. By aligning your bioelectric field with the Earth's natural magnetic pull, you can temper your physical power. It's all about balance and precision.]
Clark concentrated, feeling the subtle shifts in the magnetic fields as he moved. It was like tuning into a hidden frequency, one that allowed him to fine-tune his strength with incredible accuracy. He practiced punching at different intensities, each blow carefully controlled, ensuring that it wouldn't break anything in his surroundings.
"Got it," Clark said, nodding as he began to understand the concept more fully. "It's like adjusting the volume on a radio. I can dial it up or down depending on what I need."
SS hummed in approval.
[Exactly. With enough practice, this will become second nature to you.]
Just as they continued with the practice, Clark's super hearing suddenly picked up the faint sound of someone screaming for help, cutting through the sound of the pounding rain. A sudden jolt surged through him, instantly sharpening his awareness.
"Krypto, did you hear that?" Clark asked, his voice tense.
Krypto, who had been lounging nearby, perked up immediately, his ears twitching as he, too, caught the sound. The loyal dog leaped to his feet, ready for action.
Without wasting another second, Clark and Krypto dashed out of the bunker at super speed, their forms blurring as they cut through the storm. The rain lashed at their faces, but they pushed forward, driven by the desperate cries for help.
As they reached the river, the scene before them made Clark's heart drop. The river, swollen and raging from the heavy rain, was a torrent of dangerous currents. Lana Lang was struggling to stay afloat, her terrified screams barely audible above the roaring water. Nearby, Emily Dinsmore had jumped in to save her but was now caught in the same deadly currents, her small form being pulled under. On the bridge above, Abigail Fine stood paralyzed with fear, crying and shouting for help as she watched her friends struggle.
"Emily! Lana!" Abigail screamed, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the railing.
Clark took in the situation in a split second, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to waste any time.
"Krypto, get Emily!" Clark ordered, his voice firm. "I'll get Lana!"
Krypto didn't hesitate. The dog leaped into the water with powerful strokes, his sleek form cutting through the currents with ease. Meanwhile, Clark jumped off the bridge, diving into the raging river without a second thought. The cold water hit him like a wall, but he powered through, his enhanced senses guiding him straight to Lana.
As he reached her, Lana's eyes were wide with fear, her grip slipping on the slick rocks. Clark wrapped his arms around her securely, pulling her close to him as he kicked against the current, using his controlled strength to keep them both above water.
"It's okay, Lana! I've got you!" Clark reassured her, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Lana clung to him desperately, her sobs choked by the water. Clark could feel her fear, her body trembling against his as she held on for dear life.
Meanwhile, Krypto reached Emily just as she was about to go under. With a gentle but firm jaws grip, Krypto grabbed her by the back of her jacket and started swimming toward the shore, his powerful legs propelling them through the water.
Within moments, Clark and Krypto had both girls safely on the riverbank. Lana and Emily were drenched, shivering from the cold, their faces pale with shock. Clark set Lana down gently, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, she collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Oh, Clark!" Lana cried, clutching his shirt tightly as if afraid to let go. "I was so scared… I thought I was going to…"
"It's okay, Lana," Clark whispered, hugging her close as he rubbed her back soothingly. "You're safe now. I'm here."
At the same time, Emily had thrown her arms around Krypto's neck, burying her face in his fur as she sobbed. Krypto licked her cheek gently, his warm presence offering comfort. Abigail, who had been standing on the bridge, ran over to join them, tears streaming down her face as she flung her arms around both Lana and Emily.
The three girls clung to each other, their tears mingling with the rain that still poured down around them. They were safe, but the fear and shock of the ordeal had left them shaken. Clark, relieved that everyone was okay, found himself in a bit of a dilemma. How was he supposed to console three crying girls all at once?
Clark blinked, unsure of what to do next. "Uh… guys? Maybe we should… get out of the rain first?"
The girls didn't seem to hear him at first, too caught up in their emotions. But after a moment, Lana nodded, still holding one hand onto him tightly.
"Yeah… okay," she sniffed, her voice trembling.
Clark carefully helped Lana to her feet, while Krypto nudged Emily up with his nose, guiding her gently. The group made their way back toward the bridge, with Clark keeping a protective arm around Lana and Abigail holding onto Emily's hand.
---
Kent's House
The Kent farmhouse was a warm refuge from the storm, the comforting scent of hot cocoa filling the air as Martha and Jonathan Kent busied themselves with drying off the three drenched and shivering girls who had just been rescued from the river. Clark sat nearby, his clothes still damp, but his attention remained on ensuring Lana, Emily, and Abigail were comfortable and warm.
"Thank you, Clark," Lana whispered, still holding onto his arm as if afraid to let go.
"You're our hero," Abigail added, her voice trembling with emotion.
Clark offered them a gentle smile, feeling a mix of pride and awkwardness. "I'm just glad you're all okay."
As the girls began to settle down, warmed by the blankets Martha had wrapped around them, Clark suddenly stiffened. His super hearing had picked up another scream, faint but unmistakable, cutting through the sound of the rain still pouring outside.
He glanced at his parents, who had noticed the change in his expression. Martha and Jonathan exchanged a quick look, understanding immediately.
"Uh, I… I need to use the bathroom," Clark said, standing up abruptly. "I'll be right back."
The girls, too caught up in their own relief, barely noticed as Clark slipped away. Jonathan gave him a nod of encouragement, and Martha mouthed, "Be careful," as Clark headed toward the back of the house.
Once out of sight, Clark dashed out the door with Krypto by his side, the two of them disappearing into the storm at super speed.
As they raced through the rain-soaked fields, Clark's thoughts locked onto the scream that had pierced the air. The image that his X-ray vision had shown him was burned into his mind—a car had crashed through the fence at Loeb Bridge and fallen into the Elbow River. Inside, a family of three was trapped, the water rising rapidly around them.
"Krypto, we need to move fast," Clark said, his voice tight with urgency. "There are two adults and a girl inside that car, and it's already filling with water."
Krypto barked in acknowledgment, and they pushed harder, arriving at the scene in mere moments. The car was submerged up to its roof in the rushing river, wedged against a large rock that was preventing it from being swept away completely.
Clark scanned the vehicle with his X-ray vision. The parents were in the front seats, unconscious but still alive, while the young girl—Sarah Conroy, he realized—was in the back, struggling to keep her head above the rising water. The situation was dire.
"We can't drag the car to the shore," Clark muttered, considering the risks. "It'd be too obvious. We'll have to go in."
With that, Clark and Krypto dove into the river, their forms cutting through the water with ease. The cold was biting, but they ignored it, fully committed to the task before them.
Clark reached the car first, positioning himself at the front windshield. With a controlled burst of strength, he punched through the glass, careful not to cause any more harm to the unconscious couple inside. He reached in and gently pulled them out one by one, cradling them in his arms as he swam toward the shore.
Meanwhile, Krypto had swum to the back of the car. With a powerful back leg kick, he shattered the window, reaching in to grab Sarah by the collar of her jacket. The girl, though scared, seemed to instinctively trust the large, white dog, and she clung to him as he pulled her free from the sinking car.
Clark emerged from the river first, laying the parents gently on the shore. He checked their pulses, relieved to find them strong and steady. A few moments later, Krypto surfaced, carrying Sarah with her jacket in his mouth with the utmost care. Clark took the girl from Krypto and laid her beside her parents, making sure they were all breathing.
"Good job, boy," Clark said, patting Krypto's wet fur as he quickly assessed the situation. The family was safe for now, but they were starting to stir, coming back to consciousness.
"We need to go before they wake up," Clark whispered urgently to Krypto. The dog nodded in understanding.
Just as the parents began to open their eyes and Sarah let out a small cough, Clark and Krypto dashed away, moving so fast they were gone in the blink of an eye. The family would never know who had saved them, but that didn't matter to Clark. What mattered was that they were safe.
Clark and Krypto arrived back at the Kent farmhouse just as quietly as they had left, slipping in through the back door. Clark quickly changed into dry clothes, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. By the time he rejoined everyone in the living room, the girls were still huddled together on the couch, comforted by Martha's presence.
Clark's parents met his eyes, silently asking if everything was okay. Clark gave them a small nod, the relief evident in his expression.
Another life spared, another crisis averted. But for now, his focus returned to the three girls beside him, who needed his comfort just as much.
---
The storm had passed by the next morning, leaving Smallville washed clean and refreshed. The events of the previous day, however, lingered in the minds of those involved, setting off subtle yet profound changes in their lives.
Back at the Kent farmhouse, Martha and Jonathan had taken care of the three girls throughout the night, ensuring they were safe and warm after their terrifying ordeal. By morning, the girls had returned to their homes, but the impact of what had happened was far from over.
Clark sat quietly in his room, listening intently as SS began to provide him with updates on the altered timelines of everyone involved in the two incidents.
[Clark, the actions you took yesterday have significantly altered the futures of those you saved. Allow me to summarize.]
Clark nodded, bracing himself for the news.
[First, Lana Lang,] SS continued.
[Her experience has deepened her admiration for you. She now sees you as her hero, a symbol of the kind of person she wants to be with. This shift in her perspective will influence her future choices when it comes to relationships, seeking someone who embodies the same courage and kindness she saw in you.]
Clark's heart tightened at the thought of Lana. He had always cared for her, but now he wondered what this newfound admiration might mean for their future. He quickly pushed the thought aside as SS moved on to the next person.
[Emily Dinsmore, was meant to die in the river yesterday, but your intervention saved her life. As a result, her parents, who would have been consumed by grief, will now remain together, avoiding the divorce that was originally set to occur. Emily's presence in their lives will bring them closer, giving them a second chance at happiness."
Clark exhaled in relief, grateful he had been able to prevent such a terrible fate for Emily and her family. He had always believed that every life was important, but hearing how her survival had helped her parents stay together reinforced that conviction.
[Abigail Fine,] SS continued, [is struggling with the helplessness she felt during the incident. Seeing her friends in danger and being unable to help has ignited a determination within her. She now desires to become stronger, both physically and mentally, so that she can protect those she cares about in the future. This will lead her to pursue activities that build her confidence and abilities.]
Clark felt a pang of empathy for Abigail. He understood that feeling of wanting to be strong enough to protect the people he loved. He hoped that she would find the strength she sought in a healthy and positive way.
[And finally,] SS said, [Sarah Conroy's parents were saved from the car crash, which would have claimed their lives if not for your intervention. As a result, Sarah's future is no longer defined by the trauma of losing her parents at a young age. Instead, she will grow up in a loving, stable home, with the support and guidance she needs to thrive.]
In the original timeline, Sarah Conroy's life was marked by tragedy at a young age. After the car crash on Loeb Bridge that claimed the lives of her parents, she was left in the care of her uncle, Nicholas Conroy. Though outwardly caring, Nicholas was a manipulative and sinister figure who took advantage of Sarah's vulnerability. Under his guardianship, Sarah's latent abilities began to manifest, particularly her power to enter and manipulate other people's dreams. However, this gift became a source of torment rather than empowerment, as Nicholas sought to exploit it for his own gain. Isolated and fearful, Sarah's life was one of pain and manipulation, with her uncle's influence pushing her down a dark path.
In the altered timeline, however, Sarah's story takes a brighter turn. Thanks to Clark's intervention, her parents survive the crash that would have orphaned her. Growing up in a loving, stable home, Sarah's life is filled with warmth and support, a stark contrast to the original timeline. With her parents alive and well, Sarah's abilities still begin to manifest, but this time under the gentle guidance of her family. Instead of being a source of fear, her dream-manipulation powers are nurtured and understood, allowing Sarah to develop them in a healthy and controlled manner. The stability and love she receives in this timeline prevent her from falling into the despair that once defined her, giving her the chance to lead a life full of potential.
Clark closed his eyes, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It was moments like this that reminded him why he did what he did—why he used his powers to help others, even if they never knew he was there.
[You've done well, Clark,] SS said, its tone conveying a rare note of approval.
[But remember, with every action, there are consequences. You've altered the timeline for the better in these instances, but always be mindful of the ripple effects your decisions can create.]
Clark nodded, absorbing the advice. "I understand, SS. I'll be careful."
As he sat there, reflecting on the day's events, Clark felt that the the world was full of dangers and challenges, but it was also full of hope and potential. By choosing to intervene, he had given those around him the chance to live fuller, happier lives. And that was something he could be proud of.
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