บท 4: Chapter 4: Recognized As Jon-El
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(Jon's P.O.V)
I jumped away from the console, clearing ten meters before slowly levitating downwards.
'Was that flight? That's not important right now. First...'
I thought, refocusing on something more immediate,
'who's this guy?'
Curiously and warily, I studied the man in a white and blue outfit floating above the crystal pedestal.
He looked similar to Dad, only with a beard and much older, though he shared the same muscular build. The El symbol on his chest clued me in on his identity.
"You're Jor-El. My Dad's dad. Making you my... grandpa? Right?"
I awkwardly guessed.
The man smiled though it didn't reach his eyes.
"I sense more confidence in you than when your father was your age. He's raised you well, son of Kal-El."
He spoke, his voice deep with a very slight electronic buzz.
"You're not denying we're related." I pointed out, my wariness easing up but still cautious.
The man blinked from his position and appeared right before me, putting me on guard.
But all he did was study me curiously "What is your name, son of my son?"
That confirms it. He's Jor-el.
"I'm Jon. Jonathan Kent... or Jon-El, I guess."
Came my hesitant reply, still processing the surreal situation. Did the crystal key activate or awaken him?
Jor-El repeated the name "Jon-El" a few times before sighing and taking a knee in front of me, putting us at eye level.
"He chose a good name. I'm happy that he decided to give you a Kryptonian name."
He stated.
The look on his face changed, however, into something resembling distaste.
"That said, you're far too weak to be a Kryptonian. I barely sense any strength in you. Have you been getting enough sun, boy?"
A surge of anger rose up at his words, but I calmed down with a deep breath.
"You can hide your anger.That's good."
Jor-El noted,
"To ensure it's survival, a species needs smarts and power. As the son of Kal-El and one of the last remaining Kryptonians, you have a duty to your people. The part of you that is human is holding you back. Under Earth's yellow sun, you should be stronger than you are right now."
"You know nothing about me."
As much as I tried to let it go, he knew what to say to push my buttons.
"And you're wrong. My human side is not holding me back."
Technically...it kinda was. The only defense I have for that is one name, Batman.
Jor-El ignored my admittedly weak argument, turned around and started floating toward the crystal pedestal "We shall begin your education and training as soon as—"
"Let me stop you there."
I interrupted, having had enough.
He looked back, taken aback.
Unflinching from his gaze, I continued,
"We're related, but that doesn't mean you can dictate my life. Even Dad lets me make my own choices. I wouldn't mind learning about Krypton, and training to be strong is something I'm interested in. But only if you don't treat me like a kid."
Jor-El blinked in amusement,
"You are a child by this planet's standards, are you not, Jon?"
'He's your Grandpa Jon. Don't punch him.'
I reminded myself.
"In age, yes. But I catch on quick and would prefer to be treated based on my actions and capability."
I answered firmly.
Jor-El was silent for a while. Then, slowly, he asked with skepticism, "And if I do that, would you be willing to follow my instructions?"
I shook my head in refusal
"Only after I consider the benefits. If the losses outweigh the gains, then no. However, if it's something that will help me get as strong as Dad, then I will take any risks. I'll listen to you, even if it breaks my body."
Like him or not, he was one of Krypton's greatest scientists. I could benefit from him. That was a fact.
Jor-El seemed surprised by my conviction,
"We only just met, Jon, but I can tell, you are nothing like your father. If anything, you're more similar to..."
He stopped, shaking his head with regret.
"Back to the matter at hand."
Jor-El floated down.
"Do you know what this means?"
Initially disappointed to hear I was nothing like my father, I focused on Jor-El's question.
"It means we have to convince Dad and Mom to let me learn about Krypton from you. That naturally includes mastering my powers."
I responded, my expression falling as it became clear the enormity of the task.
Recent events had shown I couldn't count on Dad to show me the ropes. Not when the world needed him at any time. And Mom had work on top of being a normal human.
In a soft voice, Jor-El asked,
"Do you think it's possible they will agree?"
I shook my head.
"There's no chance they will."
I sighed, continuing in a disheartened tone,
"Which makes things hard for me. I have to master these abilities, or I'll lose control again. And I can't ask Dad for training either. That would be selfish."
The look of horror on Mom's face when I almost killed her flashed through my mind, and my fear came back, making me breathe faster.
"Then I have an idea."
Jor-El, who had fallen quiet, broke the silence.
I looked up from the stairs below the crystal pedestal, hope reigniting in my eyes.
"You do?"
Jor-El nodded, diving down to the control hub.
"While I contain all of Jor-El's memories and essence, I am, in actuality, an artificial construct created by the original Jor-El, to aid his son in adapting and adjusting to life on a foreign planet. Especially one under a yellow sun."
A hologram of the solar system appeared above the pedestal, zooming in on Earth and only stopping at a blinking dot in Antarctica.
"This citadel,"
Jor-El explained,
"is the main hub. The control console you see before us is made up of special crystals capable of storing thousands of civilizations' worth of information. Everything Krypton has ever recorded through millions of years is contained in these very walls."
I was rapt with attention but managed to make an impressed grunt.
A blueprint of the Fortress appeared above the console, showing different sections, some of them even underground, I noted.
"The citadel is designed for various purposes. There is a living quarters, a recreational space, an interior garage, a library, a training simulation area, and the restricted section underground. The control console acts as the main communication and access node. You can control everything in the citadel from here."
"How is it all powered?"
I questioned
With so many areas, the electricity bill must be horrendous.
Jor-El looked happy at my ask and pointed at the walls.
"The crystals are photochromic in nature and can absorb energy from the surroundings. They are especially adept at taking in solar light."
He revealed.
'It's like I thought. The entire Fortress is like a big solar panel' I mused.
"The architecture lesson is appreciated, old man, but what was your idea?"
I wondered.
"Old man?"
He repeated, looking affronted.
"Have more respect for your elders, brat."
I smiled cheekily.
"You are technically old, you know."
"Kryptonians age slower than humans. Under a yellow sun, they can live for thousands of years. I made sure to do my research before I sent your father here."
Jor-El shot back with a little pride.
"As I was saying,"
He cleared his throat,
"the citadel has a lot of helpful knowledge on how you can become stronger. I cannot guarantee you will reach your father's level. Kal-El, my son, is special even among full-blooded Kryptonians."
He fondly said.
"That we can agree on."
I gave him a thumbs up,
"Dad is the greatest hero the world has ever seen, after all. It makes sense he's different from your run of the mill Kryptonian."
Jor-El nodded, adopting a similar smile.
"You and him might be different in many ways, but you are similar where it matters, Jon."
Hearing such high praise, I got a little emotional.
"Thanks, Grandpa. It might sound weird, but he's my hero."
"Not at all,"
He added,
"Every father hopes to be someone their son can look up to."
I sensed the genuineness in his voice and noticed the slight sadness on Jor-El's face.
'Dad and Grandpa Jor-El's relationship must not be that close,' I thought to myself.
My father held Grandpa Jonathan—who I was named after—in high regard.
It's sad, but while he was grateful and loved his Kryptonian parents, they probably can't hold a candle to the couple that raised him, Martha and Jonathan Kent.
What I don't understand is why Dad wouldn't be eager or at least interested to get closer to Jor-El.
Someone who has never known their original parents would be glad to even have a copy of them, right?
Then again, maybe that was the problem— although I didn't see it.
'I might be missing something.'
"Enough talk. Your father could be back any minute."
Jor-El cut into my thoughts, returning to the control console.
"If you could join me up here, Jon."
He requested.
Curious, I climbed to the Control Console, and stood before the crystal pedestal, facing him.
The crystal key inside the console popped back out, and Jor-El motioned to it.
"Pull it out."
I did, holding it up before my eyes and noticing something.
"It's... glowing?"
I looked at Jor-El in question.
"Naturally, "
He stated.
"When new information is added to the crystal, the light it gives off increases. No longer is it a mere access key; now it is loaded with everything you need to become a full Kryptonian. Press your thumb on the console, Jon-El."
I complied, running the pad of my thumb on the diamond base with the El symbol.
With a surprised intake of breath, I blinked and found myself in a strange digital-like space.
The entire area was made of gridlines that crisscrossed in a 3D digital format.
I blinked again and found myself back in the real world, lying on the floor of the Fortress.
"As you have noticed, you can enter and exit the simulation space at will."
Jor-El informed me.
"I will admit I'm impressed at how fast you managed to exit."
"I just willed myself back."
I breathed out, getting to my feet.
Jor-El nodded.
"As expected of an El. Within the simulation space, you will be able to access all the necessary information. That also includes a detailed lesson plan on how to master your abilities."
I stared at the crystal key on my palm, tightening my hand around it. Determination bloomed inside me. "This is exactly what I need."
"It would be easier, and you would see faster progress if you were to train with me in the Citadel, but this is the alternative."
Jor-El said regretfully.
"No, it's enough."
I replied, wearing the necklace.
"I'll just have to work harder."
Jor-El nodded with a real smile,
"That is comforting to hear. There's no substitute for hard work. Fortunately for you Jon, I have a gift."
"Huh? A gift?"
I asked, tilting my head. What more could there be?
Jor-El puffed out his chest, arms folded behind his back.
"As your grandfather, consider it compensation for missing so many birthdays."
He cleared his throat,
"The base of the crest can rotate. Turn it and see what happens."
Skeptical, I reached for the crystal key, using my thumb and index finger to grasp the base and turn it like I was opening a bottle cap.
The crystal easily rotated with a click.
I stumbled back in shock as my body started absorbing a steady trickle of solar energy.
It wasn't a lot, barely worth the amount I got with five minutes spent naked before my window. However, it's main selling point was how fast it was, compared to absorbing solar light directly from the sun's rays.
"The simulation space is only useful for learning. It won't help in increasing your overall power. The crystal's secondary function addresses that shortcoming. It absorbs solar energy more efficiently than your cells and stores it. Rotating the base releases all that stored energy; being in contact with your body, your cells soak it in. My gift to you, Jon-El, son of Kal-El, son of Jor-El."
He softly said, looking down at me with a mix of love and pride.
He called me Jon-El. He actually recognized a half Kryptonian like me.
I was left speechless.
Before I could say thank you, Jor-el unexpectedly disappeared.
The console lost most of its light and dimmed. A second later I understood why.
With a whoosh, Dad landed behind me.
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