Chapter 1: Childhood Friends
DC universe (Earth-2609th)
1993, Smallville, Kansas
The morning sun bathed the Kent farmhouse in a warm, golden light, signaling the start of another day in the quiet town of Smallville. Inside, Clark Kent was already awake, his mind buzzing with thoughts about the day ahead. Today was special—it was his first day of school.
At seven years old, Clark was about to step into a world where he would meet new people, make friends, and begin the long journey of learning that would eventually shape him into the hero he was destined to become.
But even as he prepared for this new chapter in his life, Clark's thoughts were also occupied with another, more pressing concern—his ongoing efforts to eliminate the weaknesses that came with his Kryptonian heritage.
Over the past year, the SS system had been working tirelessly to help him understand and mitigate these vulnerabilities, and this morning, it had some updates.
[Good morning, Clark. Today marks the beginning of your formal education. In addition, I have compiled a progress report on your efforts to eliminate your weaknesses. Would you like to review it now?]
Clark smiled as he got dressed, the familiar voice of the SS system a comforting presence in his mind. "Sure, SS. Let's see how we're doing."
[Report Summary: Significant progress has been made in mitigating your vulnerabilities. Kryptonite exposure remains the primary concern, but countermeasures are in development. Magic resistance has also improved through ongoing research into anti-magic materials. Here are the detailed updates:]
[1. Kryptonite Resistance: Your exposure to kryptonite remains a significant threat. However, with the discovery of lead's shielding properties, a prototype lead-lined suit has been designed. Testing is ongoing to determine its effectiveness in reducing the harmful effects of kryptonite radiation.]
[2. Magic Resistance: Research into Nth Metal and Orichalcum has been fruitful. While these materials remain difficult to obtain, plans are in place to acquire them. In the meantime, your focus on mental discipline and awareness of magical threats has reduced the risk of sudden magical attacks.]
[3. Red Sun Radiation: No progress has been made in this area due to the lack of available resources. Further research is required to develop countermeasures.]
[4. High-Pitched Frequencies and Toxins: Sensitivity to specific sound frequencies and alien toxins is being monitored. Adjustments to your training regimen are helping to build tolerance.]
Clark nodded as he absorbed the information. "It's good to see we're making progress, but there's still a lot to do. Especially with kryptonite. That lead-lined suit—do you think it'll be ready soon?"
[Testing is still required to ensure the suit's effectiveness and safety. However, preliminary results are promising. The suit may provide significant protection against low to moderate levels of kryptonite exposure.]
Clark sighed in relief, feeling a bit more confident about facing his future challenges. "Good. We'll need every bit of protection we can get. And what about the magic research? I've been thinking—what if I used the spaceship to help with that?"
[The spacecraft you arrived in possesses advanced Kryptonian technology, which could be useful in your research into Quantum Field (Q-Metal) and other anti-magic materials. However, accessing and utilizing the ship's full capabilities would require careful consideration of the risks involved, particularly regarding the secrecy of its existence.]
Clark's mind raced with possibilities. "So, it's possible to use the ship's technology? But it's risky, right?"
[Correct.]
Clark considered the SS system's advice. The idea of using the ship was tempting—it could give him the edge he needed in his fight against magic and other threats. But he also knew that one misstep could reveal his secrets to the world far too soon.
"Alright," Clark said, determination settling in his young voice. "We'll keep it in mind as a backup plan. For now, let's focus on what we can do with the resources we have."
[Understood.]
With that, Clark finished getting ready and headed downstairs, where his parents were already bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
As he made his way downstairs, the aroma of pancakes and fresh coffee filled the air, bringing a smile to his face. The familiar warmth of the Kent farmhouse was always comforting, and today was no different.
Martha Kent, her short auburn hair neatly tucked behind her ears, was at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced hand. She turned when she heard Clark's footsteps, her face lighting up with a loving smile.
"Good morning, sweetheart!" Martha greeted, setting a plate of pancakes on the table. "Ready for your big day?"
Clark nodded, trying to suppress the butterflies in his stomach. "Yeah, Mom. I'm ready."
Jonathan Kent, tall and broad-shouldered, was already seated at the table, sipping his coffee. His weathered face, marked by years of hard work on the farm, softened as he looked at his son. "You're going to do great, Clark," he said with a reassuring smile. "School is a place where you'll learn a lot—about the world and about yourself."
Clark sat down at the table, glancing between his parents. They had always been his pillars of strength, guiding him with wisdom and love. As he took a bite of his pancake, he couldn't help but feel grateful for everything they had done for him.
Martha joined them at the table, pouring syrup over her own stack of pancakes. "Just remember, Clark," she said gently, "you don't have to rush into anything. Take your time, make friends, and enjoy being a kid. We'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Clark looked up at his mother, her words sinking in. She didn't know about the SS system or the plans he had been making to protect himself and others, but she always seemed to know exactly what to say to ease his worries.
"I know, Mom," Clark replied softly. "I'll try to enjoy it. But, you know, I want to help people too. Even at school."
Jonathan chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Clark's hair. "That's our boy," he said proudly. "Always thinking about others. But remember, you don't have to do it all on your own. You've got us, and soon enough, you'll have friends who'll be there for you too."
Clark nodded, feeling a little more at ease. "Thanks, Dad. I guess I just want to do the right thing."
"And you will," Martha said with a smile. "Just be yourself, Clark. That's all you need to do."
They finished breakfast in comfortable silence, the kind that only comes from being with the people who know you best. As Clark got up to grab his backpack, Jonathan stood and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You're going to have a great day, son," Jonathan said, his voice filled with confidence. "And remember, it's okay to ask for help if you need it."
Clark looked up at his father and smiled. "I will, Dad. Thanks."
Martha came over and gave Clark a warm hug, her arms enveloping him in the familiar scent of home. "We're so proud of you, Clark," she whispered. "No matter what happens today, just know that we love you."
Clark hugged her back, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. "I love you too, Mom. I'll make you proud."
As he stepped out of the house, the morning sun bright on his face, Clark felt ready to face whatever the day had in store for him.
---
Smallville Elementary School
Clark arrived at school early, eager to make a good impression but also anxious about how he would fit in. He had always been careful to hide his powers, and he knew that school would be a new kind of challenge—one that required him to be as normal as possible, despite the extraordinary abilities he possessed.
As he walked through the school's front doors, he noticed a group of children playing near the entrance. One girl, with long, auburn hair and a bright smile, caught his attention. She was laughing and talking with another boy, who had a friendly, easygoing demeanor.
Clark approached them cautiously, unsure of how to introduce himself. But before he could say anything, the girl noticed him and waved.
"Hi! I'm Lana," she said cheerfully. "Are you new here too?"
Clark nodded, feeling a bit shy. "Yeah, I'm Clark. It's my first day."
The boy next to Lana grinned and extended his hand. "I'm Pete. Nice to meet you, Clark."
Clark shook Pete's hand, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Lana and Pete seemed friendly and welcoming, and he was grateful to have made his first friends so quickly.
As they chatted, Clark noticed something unusual. Lana was wearing a small necklace with a green stone set in the center. The moment he saw it, the SS system alerted him to the presence of kryptonite.
His heart skipped a beat. 'Kryptonite—so close.' Clark knew he needed to act quickly, but he couldn't reveal his powers or his knowledge of the stone's true nature.
"Nice necklace," Clark said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Where did you get it?"
Lana smiled, touching the necklace gently. "It was a gift from my parents. They found it in the meteor shower that hit Smallville a few years ago. Isn't it pretty?"
Clark forced a smile, but inside, he was worried. The kryptonite in Lana's necklace was dangerous—not just to him, but potentially to anyone who came into prolonged contact with it. He needed to find a way to neutralize its effects without alarming Lana or drawing attention to himself.
---
The rest of the school day passed by in a blur of excitement and new experiences for Clark. He quickly found out that school wasn't just about playing with friends—there was a lot to learn too! His teacher, Mrs. Taylor, was nice and friendly, and she made learning fun. Clark enjoyed listening to her talk about the alphabet, numbers, and all sorts of other interesting things.
But as the day went on, Clark couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He knew that at some point, he'd have to put the lead-lined suit he was wearing under his clothes to the test. Lana's necklace, with its small fragment of kryptonite, was close enough to cause him discomfort, and he had to see if the suit really worked.
During lunch, Clark sat with Lana and Pete in the cafeteria. The room was filled with the chatter of excited kids, all talking and laughing as they ate their sandwiches and snacks. Clark smiled as he unwrapped his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but his mind was focused on the lead-lined suit he wore beneath his shirt.
"SS," Clark thought, his tone a little anxious, "how's the suit holding up so far?"
[Current kryptonite radiation levels are within safe limits. The lead-lined suit is effectively shielding you from the majority of the radiation. However, it's advisable to monitor your proximity to the source for extended periods.]
Clark felt a wave of relief wash over him.
As they ate, Lana chatted happily about her favorite TV shows and the new puppy her parents had promised her. Pete was busy trying to convince them that he could eat an entire apple in one bite, which made Clark laugh out loud. Despite his earlier worries, he was having a great time.
But then, as they were finishing up lunch, Lana leaned closer to Clark, showing him a cool drawing she had made. The movement brought the necklace closer to him, and Clark immediately felt a slight tingling sensation in his chest.
"SS, how's it going?" Clark asked, trying to keep his voice steady in his mind.
[The kryptonite is emitting low levels of radiation, which you are beginning to feel despite the suit's protection. However, the suit is still preventing significant exposure. Slight discomfort may occur.]
Clark smiled at Lana, trying to hide the nervousness he felt. "That's a really nice drawing, Lana!" he said, leaning back just a little to put some more distance between himself and the necklace.
Lana beamed at the compliment. "Thanks, Clark! I like drawing flowers and animals the most."
Pete, who had finished his apple in three bites instead of one, leaned in to see the drawing too. "That's awesome, Lana! You're really good at drawing!"
Clark nodded in agreement, grateful for the distraction. He knew that he had to be careful, but he also didn't want to make Lana feel bad about something she had no idea was even a problem.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, with more lessons and some time for arts and crafts. Clark was relieved that the suit continued to protect him, even when he was close to Lana. But as the day wore on, he realized just how important it was to have this protection. The kryptonite might be weak now, but if he ever came across a stronger source, he'd need to be ready.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Clark felt both excited and exhausted. He had made new friends, learned a lot, and tested out the lead-lined suit—all in one day! As they packed up their things and headed to the bus, Lana turned to Clark with a big smile.
"Clark, do you want to come over to my house tomorrow after school? We could play with my puppy!"
Clark grinned, nodding eagerly. "That sounds like fun, Lana! I'd love to!"
Pete, not wanting to be left out, chimed in, "Can I come too? I want to see the puppy!"
"Of course!" Lana said happily. "It'll be so much fun!"
As they all boarded the bus, Clark couldn't help but feel a warm glow in his heart. He had friends, he was learning new things, and even though he had to deal with the kryptonite, he felt like he was getting stronger every day.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!