Next Morning
Clark sat in the cockpit of his spaceship, the gentle hum of its systems surrounding him. Far below, Themyscira lay bathed in the soft light of morning—a paradise hidden in secrecy and magic. He gazed out at the island as the ship hovered, reflecting on the time he had spent with the Amazons. It had left a deep impression on him, but now it was time to return to Smallville.
With a flick of his wrist, Clark engaged the ship's engines, and the vessel ascended higher, breaking free of Themyscira's mystical borders.
The navigation systems activated, and the calm, methodical voice of Homelander echoed in Clark's ears.
[Clark, you are now outside Themyscira's territory. Current location: hovering above the Pacific Ocean, near the coast of Japan.]
Clark frowned, glancing at the coordinates. "The Pacific?" he muttered. "But I entered Themyscira through the Atlantic. Why am I on the other side of the world?"
Homelander paused, an unusual uncertainty in the AI's tone.
[I do not have an explanation for this anomaly. The data suggests that your point of entry and exit from Themyscira do not align with standard geographic rules.]
A growing sense of curiosity gnawed at Clark. Something was off. He had left Themyscira, but his location didn't match where he had entered. The drone he had sent to deliver a message to his parents still hovered over the Atlantic, where he had expected to re-emerge.
Homelander didn't have the answers, so Clark closed his eyes, focusing on the familiar presence of SS, the system integrated into his mind. SS had guided him through many mysteries, especially when it came to magic.
"SS," Clark thought, "can you explain why I exited Themyscira in the Pacific instead of the Atlantic?"
A brief pause followed before SS responded, its voice analytical.
[Based on the information retrieved from the DC Database and the magical properties surrounding Themyscira, the island operates on different physical laws. Its location is not fixed. It shifts, hidden by powerful magic, making it impossible to locate consistently.]
Clark processed the information, a mix of awe and understanding settling in. "So, I entered through the Atlantic, but the island moved—or it exists in multiple places?"
[Correct,] SS confirmed.
[Themyscira likely exists in a fluid state, connected to the world through magic rather than geography. Its location is hidden from those who are not granted entry, controlled by the island's magical barriers.]
Clark nodded, understanding more now. His gaze shifted to the shimmering waters of the Pacific.
Then, something caught his attention. Using his enhanced vision, he scanned the horizon and noticed a faint shimmer in the air. Activating his X-ray vision, he saw it—a massive, intricate web of magic forming an invisible barrier around Themyscira. It was like a living energy field, shifting and pulsing, hiding the island from the rest of the world.
Clark blinked in surprise. "SS, I can see the magical barrier. It feels like I could control it—open it, if I wanted to."
[Your new title, Great Companion of Themyscira, has likely granted you certain privileges. You may now see the island's magical defenses and pass through them at will. This connection was likely forged when you earned the trust of Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons,] SS explained.
Clark smiled faintly, realizing the significance of his title. It wasn't just an honor—it gave him power over Themyscira's ancient magic. The island's most powerful defense, invisible to most of the world, would now yield to him.
With newfound clarity, Clark turned his gaze westward—toward home. Smallville. After the wonders of Themyscira and Atlantis, he longed for the simple life on the farm, ready for a brief taste of peace.
"Homelander—set a course for Smallville," Clark instructed, leaning back in his seat.
[Course set,] Homelander responded promptly.
Clark took one last look at the island below. He was leaving, but he knew he would be back. He had a home on Themyscira now, just as he had in Smallville.
The spaceship hummed to life and shot through the sky, leaving the Pacific Ocean behind.
---
Meanwhile
Themyscira basked in the golden light of the early morning sun, casting long shadows across the island's lush cliffs and emerald waters. Diana stood at the edge of a high cliff, her gaze fixed on the spot in the sky where Clark's ship had vanished moments ago. The sun's warmth caressed her skin, but the usual peace of the island felt distant, replaced by a quiet loneliness. Clark was gone. Though she knew he would return, the emptiness lingered, a weight in the air.
In her hands, she held a sleek, silver device—something Clark had given her before his departure. It wasn't just a tool; it was a key to the world beyond Themyscira, a world she had only dreamed of. The device contained an encyclopedic archive of information about Earth—its history, science, cultures, and languages. Through it, she could learn about anything she desired, unlocking the secrets of the outside world one by one. And more than that, it was connected to Homelander, Clark's AI, capable of retrieving data and projecting it in holographic form.
Diana ran her fingers over the device's smooth surface, marveling at its simplicity and elegance. Themyscira, for all its wisdom and beauty, had always remained disconnected from the world. She had spent her life learning the ways of her people, but now, she held the key to a much larger universe.
"Homelander," she whispered, her voice steady but filled with curiosity.
A soft chime echoed from the device, followed by a calm, steady voice. "Yes, Diana?"
The voice was warm but mechanical. Diana couldn't help but smile. Clark had spoken about Homelander, the AI that helped him navigate his life, and now it would guide her too. It was a way of staying connected to him, even while he was far away.
"Show me the history of Earth," she requested, excitement rising within her.
The device flickered to life, projecting a shimmering holographic display in front of her. The morning light reflected off the projection, which began to unfold, showing scenes from Earth's past—ancient civilizations rising and falling, wars fought, discoveries made, empires built and lost. Diana's eyes widened as she took in the vastness of it all. There was so much to learn, so much to see.
Her heart quickened. Themyscira had been her home, her sanctuary, but this… this was a whole new reality. The knowledge of Earth—its ingenuity, its triumphs and struggles—unfolded before her. She marveled at humanity's perseverance, the way they shaped the world through innovation and determination.
"Fascinating," she whispered, eyes wide as the images shifted from one era to the next. Each scene deepened her understanding, and her thirst for knowledge only grew with every passing moment.
"Clark spoke of this world," she thought, "but seeing it like this... it's so much more than I imagined."
But it wasn't just the knowledge that captivated her. It was the potential—the promise of what lay beyond. Diana had spent years training as a warrior, a protector of Themyscira. She had mastered battle, learned the ways of her people, and gained the wisdom of the gods. But now, with this device, she could prepare for something far greater: the world beyond.
Her thoughts turned to Clark, and a spark of determination ignited within her. He hadn't given her this gift just to learn—he had given it so she could grow, so she could be ready. She wanted to surprise him, to show him how much she could accomplish while he was away. The next time he returned, she wouldn't just be the Amazonian princess he had left behind. She would be his equal, ready to stand beside him.
Her mind shifted to her training. She had always been a fierce warrior, but now she would push herself harder than ever. Her current training regimen would pale in comparison to what she had planned. She would sharpen her combat skills, strengthen her body, and hone her reflexes. But that wasn't enough. She needed to understand the world Clark lived in—the technology, the people, the languages.
Diana's grip tightened on the device as the holographic display shifted to scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and cultural revolutions. Homelander narrated the information, but her thoughts were already on the future. She envisioned the day Clark would return and the strides she would have made.
Hope filled her. She would double her efforts in martial arts, strategy, and Earth's knowledge. When the time came, she would be ready.
As the hologram continued to shift, Diana's gaze drifted toward the horizon. Clark had only been gone for a short time, but she missed him already. Still, she knew he would return. He had promised. Until then, she would work, learn, and grow.
"Homelander," she said softly, her eyes still on the sky, "let's begin."
---
Smallville, Kent's Farm
As Clark descended through the clouds, the familiar sight of Smallville greeted him. The vast expanse of farmland stretched out before him, green and golden fields swaying gently in the breeze. The red barn, the white farmhouse, the trees, and the open skies—they were exactly as he remembered them. Peaceful. Simple. Home.
The spaceship, still in stealth mode, glided silently over the fields, but before Clark could even think about landing, a familiar bark echoed through the air. He smiled as he spotted a streak of white racing across the fields—Krypto.
His loyal companion had sensed him from miles away, already bounding toward the ship in mid-flight, his tail wagging furiously. Clark laughed, his heart swelling with warmth. Krypto's excitement was infectious, and for the first time in days, he felt the full weight of homecoming settle over him.
Without hesitation, Clark opened the cabin door and leaped from the ship, letting the wind rush past him as he descended toward the ground. He met Krypto in midair, the super-dog barking joyfully as he spun around Clark in the sky.
"Hey, boy!" Clark exclaimed, laughing as Krypto nudged his face with his nose. "Miss me?"
Krypto barked again, his tail wagging wildly as Clark hugged him tightly. They hovered for a moment in the air, the connection between them palpable. No matter how far Clark traveled, no matter what worlds or adventures he encountered, Krypto always greeted him with the same unwavering loyalty.
As they floated down to the ground, Clark glanced back at the ship still hovering above the barn. "Homelander, take care of the landing. I'll go down first."
[Landing sequence initiated,] Homelander responded, guiding the ship toward its hidden parking spot inside the underground base.
With the ship safely out of sight, Clark and Krypto touched down on the soft grass of the farm. The familiar scent of fresh soil and the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees filled the air. It was a far cry from the mystical lands of Themyscira and Atlantis, but it was just what Clark needed.
Just ahead, the front door of the farmhouse creaked open, and there stood Jonathan and Martha Kent, their faces lighting up with joy at the sight of their son.
Martha, heavily pregnant, leaned slightly against the doorframe, one hand resting protectively over her belly. Her smile, as radiant as ever, was tinged with the weariness of late pregnancy, but the love in her eyes was unmistakable.
Jonathan stood beside her, his arm draped over her shoulders, a soft smile playing on his lips. Despite the signs of hard work in recent weeks, there was warmth and pride in his gaze.
Clark's heart swelled at the sight of them. He had faced gods, monsters, and the mysteries of the world, but nothing compared to the comfort of his family—of being home. This was where he belonged, even if just for a little while.
"Clark," Martha called softly, her voice filled with love. "Welcome home."
Clark jogged toward them, Krypto racing ahead. "It's good to be back," he said, his voice thick with sincerity.
He reached the porch, carefully wrapping his arms around his mother in a gentle hug. "How are you feeling, Mom?"
Martha smiled, resting her hand on his cheek as she pulled back. "I'm fine, sweetheart. The baby's kicking all the time, though. Won't be long now."
Clark smiled, his hand resting briefly on her belly. "I'm excited. I can't wait to meet my little siblings."
Jonathan clapped Clark on the shoulder, his grip firm but full of affection. "We've missed you around here, son. The farm and the company's been a lot of work, and with your mother needing more rest, well… it's been busy."
Clark looked between his parents, his heart full. "I'll help. Whatever you need, I'm here now."
Jonathan smiled, nodding. "We've got a lot to catch up on. Dinner tonight?"
Clark grinned, knowing the conversation that awaited. He hadn't told them about Themyscira yet or the title he'd earned. He hadn't shared the stories of Atlantis or the things he'd seen and learned. But tonight, after all works and chores are settled, he would let them hear everything.
"For sure," Clark said, his voice warm.
As the sun shoned above the horizon, casting a golden glow over the farm, Clark stood on the porch with his family, feeling relieve to be back home.
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