Metropolis 2017
Prologue
This is it. It had to be. He was so drained…so bruised…his body had never ached like this.
He could hear them, millions of people, some were terrified, some were angry, and others…were hopeful.
Hopeful…that was good. The people of his city would need that hope to see them through this tragedy.
But…
Despite all those millions of people, there was two people he was at this very moment thinking about…it was for them, that he was pushing himself this far…for them that he knew he would cross the line…killing…it was repugnant to who he was and what he stood for. He was raised to believe in people, to find the good in them, it was not always easy… one of his best friends was proof of that. But human kind had a capacity for goodness that at times even surprised him.
To think he would throw it all always to protect those two, who meant the world to him. He would sacrifice his moral code; he would lay down his life if need be.
Nothing would harm them today, not this destroyer…this Doomsday.
No, he would see to it, that Chloe Ann Sullivan-Kent would continue to live and report the wrongs of the world and shed light on corruption as she always aspired to. Chloe…his Chloe.
And then…then there was her.
Lara Mara Kent. At age seven, she was his little miracle.
For them…he would kill Doomsday…even if it killed him too.
He was sure it would kill him too, he could feel it, sunlight which fueled his strength and healed his body, was no longer restoring him at the rate is was earlier, possibly as a result of his…gamble...or was it due to the amount of damage he had already taken…
There…he could hear the creature moving, preparing to charge back into fray and continue its mindless killing.
It was enough.
He prepared himself for what he knew was coming, still he wanted to see them again…just in case.
Superman, kneeled in what once was a heavily trafficked street in downtown Metropolis. He turned his head, as he locked in on two heartbeats, which always brought him comfort and strength.
There…on a rooftop, miles from where he kneeled…safe, his cousin, Kara, as well as Bart, otherwise known as Impulse guarding them.
His wife and daughter, both looking terrified. Chloe he could see had tears streaming down her face, and despite the running mascara, she had never looked so beautiful to him. Lara, held her mother’s hand, her long dark hair blowing in the wind. Tears in her face, undoubtedly due to her mothers’ own tears.
His cape fluttered upwards with the breeze, tattered, torn and bloodied. His suit ins similar shape, but his crest, still shown, intact. Hope.
He reached back and pulled his communication device, lodging in his ear.
“Status Report.”
“Civilians are clear in a 50 miles’ radius. There was…a lot of casualties, I’m afraid, we weren’t able to save everyone.” Came the voice of J’onn J’onzz.
“Superman, what’s the creature status?” came Batman’s gruff voice.
A roar was heard for miles around, so fierce, and visceral it forced the dust that was clouding the main street clear. Exposing both Hero and Villain.
**
Still, his eyes were locked on his wife and daughter. It was almost over.
“Watchtower?” he said softly…
**
“Kara, what can you see? How is he, is he okay? Tell me he is okay!” Chloe pleaded with her cousin.
“He is hurt, Chloe. He…its not good. Even he can survive much more.”
Tears, flowed freely down her face.
“Mommy, why are you crying? Are you scared? Don’t cry, Superman is here!” Came Lara’s reply.
This only caused Chloe’s tears to increase, and a sob broke free. A startling sight, for the little seven-year old. Who had never seen her mother cry, not like this…something was terribly wrong…
Her Daddy! He could fix it! He could fix anything! Where was he? Why were they here with Auntie Kara and Uncle Bart…
Daddy…
“Watchtower?”
Lara’s head snapped to her mother, she heard a voice…her Daddy’s voice…
“Superman…” came a trembling reply.
“I love you…both of you, so much…I’m sorry.”
“Clark…?” came her mother’s voice. But this time…there was no reply.
**
Thump… …Thump…Thump..Thump. Thump.
He could see Doomsday run towards him in mindless rage. This was it.
He stood tall, as Doomsdays steps crash along the destroyed street…or what was left of it.
He centered himself, and with that sensation that came with flying, he launched himself right at Doomsday.
As he flew, he saw in his mind all his friends and loved ones, but brightest of all, were his wife and daughter. Mustering his final drops of strength; he swung his right fist, right into Doomsdays head.
Just as Doomsday’s fist connected with his head.
**
The impact shook the ground, windows were broken, and the world stood still, as both combatants were frozen in place, one fist planted firmly in the others face.
The camera mounted on helicopter which had braved entering the destruction filled epicenter, broadcasted the the creature toppling over…the hero had won.
Around the world, people cheered, Superman had defeated the monster. He did it! He protected everyone!
Everyone watched in rapt attention as Supergirl, flew in carrying a woman and a child towards Superman…
The feed suddenly went out…
The people would have to wonder what was going on…
**
He could see it, fade from its eyes, that spark that signaled there was life behind those eyes.
Doomsday toppled backwards and didn’t move. He did it…but…he could feel it leaving him too.
“Kara.” He whispered.
**
“He did it…” came the awed words of Impulse.
Kara’s head jerked as she heard his call. “Kara.”
“He is calling… I can barely hear him.”
“Take us…quickly Kara…I need to see him, make sure he is okay.” Came Chloe words.
Kara grabbed Chloe and Lara and flew them down, spotting the helicopter hovering with a camera aimed at her cousin.
“Batman. There’s a camera aimed at Superman…I’m taking Chloe and Lara to him.”
“On it.” Came a gruff reply.
**
Impulse ran to Superman. He couldn’t wait, he didn’t like to. Only one thing kept him with Chloe and Lara, and that was Clark making him promise to watch them.
Impulse took stock of the now dead Doomsday laying on the destroyed Metropolis Boulevard. He turned his eyes to his friend, mentor and surrogate big brother, and his heart broke.
It was devastating to see him in this condition, and he knew…things would get worse…much worse.
Kara landed with her charges and Chloe immediately broke free and ran to Superman. Lara made to follow her mother, but her aunt held her back.
Lara looked to her aunt and uncle, both shaking their heads. She turned her eyes back to her mother and Superman, The Hero of Heroes.
Why were they so sad? He won!
**
Chloe rushed to her husband, who she could barely see behind the blood covering his face.
“Clark…”
His eyes which seemed so distant, zeroed in on her…and softened.
“Ch.. Chloe.”
“Baby, don’t talk. Keep your strength. The league is coming, we will get you some sunlight and you’ll be okay, and then we can take Lara to the zoo, you know she’s been wanting to go for a while now, and maybe we will take some time off from work and go on a family vacation, we could…”
Clark brought his fingers up to her lips to silence her rambling…Rao, he loved this woman…his Chloe.
“You stopped Doomsday, I mean. I’m sure anyone in the league wouldn’t mind covering for you while we travel.” She kept talking from behind his fingers.
He couldn’t help but smile, and like that it seemed like his strength was gone and he tumbled forward into her arms.
Chloe was unprepared, he was smiling and then 220 pounds of hero fell into her and she fell backwards cradling him. As he fell, his cape or what remained flew into the air carried by a small breeze.
Clark reached up with one hand, and cupped her cheek, as he loved to do since they began dating all those years ago…
“I love you…both of you...I…I’m sorry.” He wanted to say so much more, shower her with all his love, but what light her presence had shed into the closing darkness was fading and so too was his life…
All the members of the league arrived at that moment, and they bore witness to the most tragic event to happen to them as a whole. They watched as Superman’s…no as Clark Kent’s hand went limp as he stroked his beloved wife’s cheek. And just like that…Superman was gone and so too was Clark Kent.
**
She knew something was terribly wrong, but she couldn’t understand what it was. Her grandma, was crying…so much. Her mommy, auntie Kara, uncle Bart…all of them were crying.
“Lara…”
“Yes, mommy.”
“Baby…we have to go.”
“But, Daddy isn’t here yet…” she complained, she wanted her daddy.
“Honey…just please…come…we…have to go…”
“But. I want Daddy!” she cried. Why can’t mommy, understand!
“Chloe…she doesn’t know…she doesn’t understand…” said her grandma Martha.
Martha Kent turned to her granddaughter, took her into her arms.
“Honey, I have something for you, something your daddy wanted you to have…” Martha spoke.
Chloe looked at Martha confused, wondering what she meant. Her eyes went wide, as Martha pulled out a small crystal shaped in the crest of the House of El. The small crystal, turned crimson and gold as it was placed in Lara’s tiny hands.
Lara looked at the crystal, as it changed colors and it felt warm in her hand, and she felt…safe, like when daddy carried her, but at the same time, she felt butterflies like when daddy would swing her making her fly.
“Grab her coat, she will need it.” Martha spoke to Chloe. Chloe nodded and they left the farm house. Everyone else, was already waiting at the Kawachi Caves.
**
Kara watched over his body as the others waited outside the caves. It wasn’t fair she thought. Lara, Chloe, Martha…they needed him. He was their rock…and now he was gone. She felt so alone.
In that moment, Kara understood how Kal-El, felt growing up and learning and believing himself to be the last of their people. She was the last…no, that wasn’t true. Lara-El. The House of El would be continued through her. But she was not aware of her heritage, and today she would learn, and her heart would be broken.
A heavy thing to be told Superman, or the Hero of Heroes as Lara liked to call him, would be revealed to be her father.
The league could be heard coming in…that meant Aunt Martha, Chloe and Lara were here.
Soon enough the entire league was surrounding her, and Martha walked up to her holding Lara, and Chloe came up to Kal-El’s body.
Without speaking a word, Kara activated the key, and a bright flash of light engulfed everyone, leaving only darkness in its wake.
**
“Welcome, home. Chloe-El. Martha Kent…Kara-El, and you especially, little Lara-El. I can only presume what has happened as Kal-El’s signature has faded.”
“Jor-El, we have come to lay Kal-El to rest here…we can’t risk burying him anywhere else…too high a risk of someone desecrating his slumber.”
A large rumble was heard as two towering crystal columns shifted and revealed a sarcophagus.
The league members, who held Superman’s body on a stretcher moved to place his body there, the voice rang out.
“Only the House of El, is permitted. Martha Kent, is also allowed.” Jor-El intoned.
Kara lifted the stretcher, as both Chloe and Martha looked on. She laid the body to rest, and they all watched as his torn suit, lost its blue, crimson and yellow, replaced in shades of black, and the damaged portions were made whole. Another bright light and the sarcophagus was sealed, and made entirely transparent, and inside perfectly preserved lay Kal-El.
Chloe walked up to the glass like structure.
“You promised…you said you would never leave…I can’t do this…not without you…Lara…she needs you so much…I’m don’t know what to do!” Chloe sobbed.
Lara watched as her mother broke down crying next to Superman.
Why is she crying? Why?
She heard it then…a faint buzzing…and the crystal in her hand began to warm up. She wiggled in her grandmothers’ grasp, an indication to be set down. She was a big girl after all.
She turned her head sides ways as the buzzing only increased. She shook her head, trying to clear the noise with no success. As she turned her head, she noticed it.
It was a small hole in the wall, but it seemed to call to her. Not entirely understand why, it was important, she walked to it and reached inside placing her glowing crystal inside.
It was instantaneous.
The entire fortress went dark. And then they heard it.
“Welcome, my little Miracle.”
Lara looked around, her eyes wide! That was Daddy! Daddy was here. Chloe’s head whipped around looking for the voice.
“If you are hearing this, then I am no longer with you. Approach the center console Lara. Lay your hand and pronounce your name.” called her Daddy’s voice.
Lara, was confused. Why was her daddy talking like that…and why did he ask her to say her name, Daddy knew her name!
“Mommy…” she whispered.
“Baby, you have to be a big girl now…this is very important…” Chloe took her daughter’s hand and led her to a podium. She hefted Lara on her right hip, “touch the crystals and say Lara-El.”
“but mommy, I’m a Kent!”
“Lara…please, trust me.”
Not quite sure of herself, Lara did as her mother asked, “Lara-El.”
There in front of the podium, an image took form, a hologram. Superman, was hovering in front of her.
“Superman!” Lara yelled.
“Hello Lara, welcome. I am updating this crystal for you, every couple of months, as you grow, the most recent update was a month ago. Based on the fortress AI, I can infer you are seven years old at present time. Thus, what I will reveal to you will be difficult to understand, but I have faith in your mother, and she will guide you through this difficult time.”
Lara looked to her mother…who was crying starring at the image in front of her.
“To the world Lara, I am known as Superman…but that is just what I do. I have multiple names by which I am known, but the one that will matter to you is Clark Kent.”
Lara’s mouth dropped open, that was her Daddy’s name! in front of her eyes, she saw as Superman, placed some glasses over his face, and as his suit fades to be replaced with jeans and a t-shirt.
Superman…hero of Heroes…was her Daddy? But…that couldn’t be right…Superman died…her daddy wasn’t…
“Now, my little miracle. There are many things which I am sure are running around that bright sharp mind of yours. But allow me this. When you were born, I saw in you the physical representation of the love your mother and I shared. I laid my eyes on you, and knew my life, and your mother’s life had a deeper meaning. As your mother cradled you in her arms, I recited a blessing for you, a blessing my father laid upon me once.”
The hologram faded, and an image was projected all around the fortress.
There was a tired Chloe, with considerably long hair, cradling a tiny Lara in her arms.
“She is so tiny, Chlo!” came Clark’s voice.
Pfft! “Easy for you to say farm boy, you didn’t push her out.” She snarked and then turned her eyes to her baby, “I’d do it all over again, just for this…” she whispered.
“Chloe, there’s a blessing, my father gave me before sending me here…I want to say that to her…” Clark managed to speak, passed the lump in his throat.
“She just got here, we aren’t taking her to the fortress now.”
“No, we don’t have to do that…it’s just done between the parents and baby. We both give her words, about what she means to us, what we wish for her…things like that.”
“Oh…okay. You first?”
Clark nodded, and took a seat next to Chloe on her bed. He placed his hand over his daughter’s hands.
“You will be different…Sometimes you will feel like an outcast. But you will never be alone. You will make my strength your own, and you will see my life through your eyes. As your life will be seen in mine. A son becomes a father…and father…becomes a daughter…”
**
Chloe let the words fill her soul, as she remembered that beautiful day, the day Lara came into the world, she was the culmination of events that began with spiked kryptonite pom-pom juice and a mostly naked Chloe Sullivan in a football jersey waiting for her love in his loft…
Prologue
This is it. It had to be. He was so drained…so bruised…his body had never ached like this.
He could hear them, millions of people, some were terrified, some were angry, and others…were hopeful.
Hopeful…that was good. The people of his city would need that hope to see them through this tragedy.
But…
Despite all those millions of people, there was two people he was at this very moment thinking about…it was for them, that he was pushing himself this far…for them that he knew he would cross the line…killing…it was repugnant to who he was and what he stood for. He was raised to believe in people, to find the good in them, it was not always easy… one of his best friends was proof of that. But human kind had a capacity for goodness that at times even surprised him.
To think he would throw it all always to protect those two, who meant the world to him. He would sacrifice his moral code; he would lay down his life if need be.
Nothing would harm them today, not this destroyer…this Doomsday.
No, he would see to it, that Chloe Ann Sullivan-Kent would continue to live and report the wrongs of the world and shed light on corruption as she always aspired to. Chloe…his Chloe.
And then…then there was her.
Lara Mara Kent. At age seven, she was his little miracle.
For them…he would kill Doomsday…even if it killed him too.
He was sure it would kill him too, he could feel it, sunlight which fueled his strength and healed his body, was no longer restoring him at the rate is was earlier, possibly as a result of his…gamble...or was it due to the amount of damage he had already taken…
There…he could hear the creature moving, preparing to charge back into fray and continue its mindless killing.
It was enough.
He prepared himself for what he knew was coming, still he wanted to see them again…just in case.
Superman, kneeled in what once was a heavily trafficked street in downtown Metropolis. He turned his head, as he locked in on two heartbeats, which always brought him comfort and strength.
There…on a rooftop, miles from where he kneeled…safe, his cousin, Kara, as well as Bart, otherwise known as Impulse guarding them.
His wife and daughter, both looking terrified. Chloe he could see had tears streaming down her face, and despite the running mascara, she had never looked so beautiful to him. Lara, held her mother’s hand, her long dark hair blowing in the wind. Tears in her face, undoubtedly due to her mothers’ own tears.
His cape fluttered upwards with the breeze, tattered, torn and bloodied. His suit ins similar shape, but his crest, still shown, intact. Hope.
He reached back and pulled his communication device, lodging in his ear.
“Status Report.”
“Civilians are clear in a 50 miles’ radius. There was…a lot of casualties, I’m afraid, we weren’t able to save everyone.” Came the voice of J’onn J’onzz.
“Superman, what’s the creature status?” came Batman’s gruff voice.
A roar was heard for miles around, so fierce, and visceral it forced the dust that was clouding the main street clear. Exposing both Hero and Villain.
**
Still, his eyes were locked on his wife and daughter. It was almost over.
“Watchtower?” he said softly…
**
“Kara, what can you see? How is he, is he okay? Tell me he is okay!” Chloe pleaded with her cousin.
“He is hurt, Chloe. He…its not good. Even he can survive much more.”
Tears, flowed freely down her face.
“Mommy, why are you crying? Are you scared? Don’t cry, Superman is here!” Came Lara’s reply.
This only caused Chloe’s tears to increase, and a sob broke free. A startling sight, for the little seven-year old. Who had never seen her mother cry, not like this…something was terribly wrong…
Her Daddy! He could fix it! He could fix anything! Where was he? Why were they here with Auntie Kara and Uncle Bart…
Daddy…
“Watchtower?”
Lara’s head snapped to her mother, she heard a voice…her Daddy’s voice…
“Superman…” came a trembling reply.
“I love you…both of you, so much…I’m sorry.”
“Clark…?” came her mother’s voice. But this time…there was no reply.
**
Thump… …Thump…Thump..Thump. Thump.
He could see Doomsday run towards him in mindless rage. This was it.
He stood tall, as Doomsdays steps crash along the destroyed street…or what was left of it.
He centered himself, and with that sensation that came with flying, he launched himself right at Doomsday.
As he flew, he saw in his mind all his friends and loved ones, but brightest of all, were his wife and daughter. Mustering his final drops of strength; he swung his right fist, right into Doomsdays head.
Just as Doomsday’s fist connected with his head.
**
The impact shook the ground, windows were broken, and the world stood still, as both combatants were frozen in place, one fist planted firmly in the others face.
The camera mounted on helicopter which had braved entering the destruction filled epicenter, broadcasted the the creature toppling over…the hero had won.
Around the world, people cheered, Superman had defeated the monster. He did it! He protected everyone!
Everyone watched in rapt attention as Supergirl, flew in carrying a woman and a child towards Superman…
The feed suddenly went out…
The people would have to wonder what was going on…
**
He could see it, fade from its eyes, that spark that signaled there was life behind those eyes.
Doomsday toppled backwards and didn’t move. He did it…but…he could feel it leaving him too.
“Kara.” He whispered.
**
“He did it…” came the awed words of Impulse.
Kara’s head jerked as she heard his call. “Kara.”
“He is calling… I can barely hear him.”
“Take us…quickly Kara…I need to see him, make sure he is okay.” Came Chloe words.
Kara grabbed Chloe and Lara and flew them down, spotting the helicopter hovering with a camera aimed at her cousin.
“Batman. There’s a camera aimed at Superman…I’m taking Chloe and Lara to him.”
“On it.” Came a gruff reply.
**
Impulse ran to Superman. He couldn’t wait, he didn’t like to. Only one thing kept him with Chloe and Lara, and that was Clark making him promise to watch them.
Impulse took stock of the now dead Doomsday laying on the destroyed Metropolis Boulevard. He turned his eyes to his friend, mentor and surrogate big brother, and his heart broke.
It was devastating to see him in this condition, and he knew…things would get worse…much worse.
Kara landed with her charges and Chloe immediately broke free and ran to Superman. Lara made to follow her mother, but her aunt held her back.
Lara looked to her aunt and uncle, both shaking their heads. She turned her eyes back to her mother and Superman, The Hero of Heroes.
Why were they so sad? He won!
**
Chloe rushed to her husband, who she could barely see behind the blood covering his face.
“Clark…”
His eyes which seemed so distant, zeroed in on her…and softened.
“Ch.. Chloe.”
“Baby, don’t talk. Keep your strength. The league is coming, we will get you some sunlight and you’ll be okay, and then we can take Lara to the zoo, you know she’s been wanting to go for a while now, and maybe we will take some time off from work and go on a family vacation, we could…”
Clark brought his fingers up to her lips to silence her rambling…Rao, he loved this woman…his Chloe.
“You stopped Doomsday, I mean. I’m sure anyone in the league wouldn’t mind covering for you while we travel.” She kept talking from behind his fingers.
He couldn’t help but smile, and like that it seemed like his strength was gone and he tumbled forward into her arms.
Chloe was unprepared, he was smiling and then 220 pounds of hero fell into her and she fell backwards cradling him. As he fell, his cape or what remained flew into the air carried by a small breeze.
Clark reached up with one hand, and cupped her cheek, as he loved to do since they began dating all those years ago…
“I love you…both of you...I…I’m sorry.” He wanted to say so much more, shower her with all his love, but what light her presence had shed into the closing darkness was fading and so too was his life…
All the members of the league arrived at that moment, and they bore witness to the most tragic event to happen to them as a whole. They watched as Superman’s…no as Clark Kent’s hand went limp as he stroked his beloved wife’s cheek. And just like that…Superman was gone and so too was Clark Kent.
**
She knew something was terribly wrong, but she couldn’t understand what it was. Her grandma, was crying…so much. Her mommy, auntie Kara, uncle Bart…all of them were crying.
“Lara…”
“Yes, mommy.”
“Baby…we have to go.”
“But, Daddy isn’t here yet…” she complained, she wanted her daddy.
“Honey…just please…come…we…have to go…”
“But. I want Daddy!” she cried. Why can’t mommy, understand!
“Chloe…she doesn’t know…she doesn’t understand…” said her grandma Martha.
Martha Kent turned to her granddaughter, took her into her arms.
“Honey, I have something for you, something your daddy wanted you to have…” Martha spoke.
Chloe looked at Martha confused, wondering what she meant. Her eyes went wide, as Martha pulled out a small crystal shaped in the crest of the House of El. The small crystal, turned crimson and gold as it was placed in Lara’s tiny hands.
Lara looked at the crystal, as it changed colors and it felt warm in her hand, and she felt…safe, like when daddy carried her, but at the same time, she felt butterflies like when daddy would swing her making her fly.
“Grab her coat, she will need it.” Martha spoke to Chloe. Chloe nodded and they left the farm house. Everyone else, was already waiting at the Kawachi Caves.
**
Kara watched over his body as the others waited outside the caves. It wasn’t fair she thought. Lara, Chloe, Martha…they needed him. He was their rock…and now he was gone. She felt so alone.
In that moment, Kara understood how Kal-El, felt growing up and learning and believing himself to be the last of their people. She was the last…no, that wasn’t true. Lara-El. The House of El would be continued through her. But she was not aware of her heritage, and today she would learn, and her heart would be broken.
A heavy thing to be told Superman, or the Hero of Heroes as Lara liked to call him, would be revealed to be her father.
The league could be heard coming in…that meant Aunt Martha, Chloe and Lara were here.
Soon enough the entire league was surrounding her, and Martha walked up to her holding Lara, and Chloe came up to Kal-El’s body.
Without speaking a word, Kara activated the key, and a bright flash of light engulfed everyone, leaving only darkness in its wake.
**
“Welcome, home. Chloe-El. Martha Kent…Kara-El, and you especially, little Lara-El. I can only presume what has happened as Kal-El’s signature has faded.”
“Jor-El, we have come to lay Kal-El to rest here…we can’t risk burying him anywhere else…too high a risk of someone desecrating his slumber.”
A large rumble was heard as two towering crystal columns shifted and revealed a sarcophagus.
The league members, who held Superman’s body on a stretcher moved to place his body there, the voice rang out.
“Only the House of El, is permitted. Martha Kent, is also allowed.” Jor-El intoned.
Kara lifted the stretcher, as both Chloe and Martha looked on. She laid the body to rest, and they all watched as his torn suit, lost its blue, crimson and yellow, replaced in shades of black, and the damaged portions were made whole. Another bright light and the sarcophagus was sealed, and made entirely transparent, and inside perfectly preserved lay Kal-El.
Chloe walked up to the glass like structure.
“You promised…you said you would never leave…I can’t do this…not without you…Lara…she needs you so much…I’m don’t know what to do!” Chloe sobbed.
Lara watched as her mother broke down crying next to Superman.
Why is she crying? Why?
She heard it then…a faint buzzing…and the crystal in her hand began to warm up. She wiggled in her grandmothers’ grasp, an indication to be set down. She was a big girl after all.
She turned her head sides ways as the buzzing only increased. She shook her head, trying to clear the noise with no success. As she turned her head, she noticed it.
It was a small hole in the wall, but it seemed to call to her. Not entirely understand why, it was important, she walked to it and reached inside placing her glowing crystal inside.
It was instantaneous.
The entire fortress went dark. And then they heard it.
“Welcome, my little Miracle.”
Lara looked around, her eyes wide! That was Daddy! Daddy was here. Chloe’s head whipped around looking for the voice.
“If you are hearing this, then I am no longer with you. Approach the center console Lara. Lay your hand and pronounce your name.” called her Daddy’s voice.
Lara, was confused. Why was her daddy talking like that…and why did he ask her to say her name, Daddy knew her name!
“Mommy…” she whispered.
“Baby, you have to be a big girl now…this is very important…” Chloe took her daughter’s hand and led her to a podium. She hefted Lara on her right hip, “touch the crystals and say Lara-El.”
“but mommy, I’m a Kent!”
“Lara…please, trust me.”
Not quite sure of herself, Lara did as her mother asked, “Lara-El.”
There in front of the podium, an image took form, a hologram. Superman, was hovering in front of her.
“Superman!” Lara yelled.
“Hello Lara, welcome. I am updating this crystal for you, every couple of months, as you grow, the most recent update was a month ago. Based on the fortress AI, I can infer you are seven years old at present time. Thus, what I will reveal to you will be difficult to understand, but I have faith in your mother, and she will guide you through this difficult time.”
Lara looked to her mother…who was crying starring at the image in front of her.
“To the world Lara, I am known as Superman…but that is just what I do. I have multiple names by which I am known, but the one that will matter to you is Clark Kent.”
Lara’s mouth dropped open, that was her Daddy’s name! in front of her eyes, she saw as Superman, placed some glasses over his face, and as his suit fades to be replaced with jeans and a t-shirt.
Superman…hero of Heroes…was her Daddy? But…that couldn’t be right…Superman died…her daddy wasn’t…
“Now, my little miracle. There are many things which I am sure are running around that bright sharp mind of yours. But allow me this. When you were born, I saw in you the physical representation of the love your mother and I shared. I laid my eyes on you, and knew my life, and your mother’s life had a deeper meaning. As your mother cradled you in her arms, I recited a blessing for you, a blessing my father laid upon me once.”
The hologram faded, and an image was projected all around the fortress.
There was a tired Chloe, with considerably long hair, cradling a tiny Lara in her arms.
“She is so tiny, Chlo!” came Clark’s voice.
Pfft! “Easy for you to say farm boy, you didn’t push her out.” She snarked and then turned her eyes to her baby, “I’d do it all over again, just for this…” she whispered.
“Chloe, there’s a blessing, my father gave me before sending me here…I want to say that to her…” Clark managed to speak, passed the lump in his throat.
“She just got here, we aren’t taking her to the fortress now.”
“No, we don’t have to do that…it’s just done between the parents and baby. We both give her words, about what she means to us, what we wish for her…things like that.”
“Oh…okay. You first?”
Clark nodded, and took a seat next to Chloe on her bed. He placed his hand over his daughter’s hands.
“You will be different…Sometimes you will feel like an outcast. But you will never be alone. You will make my strength your own, and you will see my life through your eyes. As your life will be seen in mine. A son becomes a father…and father…becomes a daughter…”
**
Chloe let the words fill her soul, as she remembered that beautiful day, the day Lara came into the world, she was the culmination of events that began with spiked kryptonite pom-pom juice and a mostly naked Chloe Sullivan in a football jersey waiting for her love in his loft…
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