Disclaimer: The story is based on DC comics' characters and the mythology created in Smallville (i.e. property of the CW network), and originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joel Schuster.


Season 1

Chapter 1

Hope

Planet Earth, the home of the humans, situated in the far outer spiral of the Milky Way Galaxy was subject to a drastic change. Its artificial satellites were reshaping its crust with powerful beams. This day was called Dark Thursday. Suddenly the satellites stopped and the changes prevented. The people of the Earth relaxed and though it would take years to come back from the damages incurred life resumed almost as normal.

Comments of the strange event that took down the entire satellite grid and their subsequent odd behavior took place all around the globe but with no answers. The people of France took it as a serious malfunction and didn't dwell much on its probable cause. Life had to gone on.

Jean Deville, local businessman, CDO of Deville Industries was one of the few trying to find out the real cause. He discovered that the only working satellite at the time of the crisis belonged to Queen Industries. However, he seriously doubted Queen would put the world through such hell. There had to be another explanation.

That day, another billionaire had exhibited strange behavior – Lex Luthor. According to his sources, he had broken into the Pentagon and stolen some equipment. The guards' bullets bounced off his body like mosquitoes, which reminded him of another possibility that was far too scary.

"Jean, you must be wrong!" – Mira, his wife, exclaimed when she heard his theory.

"Look, I'm not saying Luthor is…you know but we both know it could be done. Whoever did it came with the second meteor shower. It is the only logical and viable explanation. Only they have that capability."

"But why?"

"Their world is gone and probably they tried to rebuild it here."

"On the expense of the humans – no Jean, they are not like that."

"Mira, I believe you I have seen some of them too but all people have their good and their bad. It is not that of a stretch. They lost everything and they were trying at all cost to rebuild what they had. A race near extinction will do whatever it takes to survive."

"No, they won't go that far. I know them."

Jean smiled. "This is why I love you. Your unending belief in the good of everyone, you are just like Sarah, both never giving up always striving for more. But sometimes it is simply not enough. I know the humans too and if they were in their position, with their abilities, they will be doing the same thing. Survival is more important than moral and ethics. It is the natural instinct that overrides everything else."

"I agree but try to see my point. You do not start your survival on another planet with the wiping of its aboriginal population. They have been there for what – one year and suddenly they declare war out of the shadows. No, I don't think so."

"Mira, I hope you haven't forgotten that they have godlike powers on Earth and their behavior most of the time is arrogant superiority over the feeble humans. They feel like Gods here – nothing can stop them here and with this kind of an advantage they can easily conquer Earth. And when their survival is at stake don't you think they'll use it?"

"I just hope you are wrong." – Mira said. "Some of them have been here for a while and have not tried to take over the Earth."

"Will you stop with Jor-El's heir? He doesn't know anything about his people. Heck, he can't even fly. He's been…he had lived on Earth since childhood and the humans are all that he knows. He's been raised by them."

"And this is a bad thing been raised by humans like you…" – Mira raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't mean it like that." – Jean sighed.

"Kal-El is surely learning of his past and if he was going to conquer the Earth he would have done so by now."

"Maybe, but he is still a boy."

"He is Ra, the Sun God."

"Very funny,"

"He has the godlike abilities."

"Alright, I give up." – Jean ceded. "But the answer is still no."

"Why?"

"You can't go there, Mira. He probably knows nothing of his cousins. Knowing Jor-El, I seriously doubt he'd have dwelled on past things."

"Yes, but I know Van-El. He never gave up. He held the belief that his son is still alive."

"Mira, nothing was found only a burnt piece of his tunic. Cor-El did not survive the explosion. You have to come to terms with this."

"I can't. I made her a promise."

"I know. And I wish you could hold up to your word but he is gone." – Jean sighed again. "Their relationship was difficult at best. Jor-El has never trusted neither Zor nor Van."

"Zor-El tried to kill him. This is more than enough to not trust your own brother but Van-El was not like that."

"I guess it is easier when you have a rogue cousin. He is not a perfect example either."

"Yes, dear, Van-El is his cousin and yes he was a bit of a loose cannon but he has never betrayed them. He was the only one with common sense and I'm sorry Jor-El couldn't see that."

"Mira, I'm not defending Jor-El but he did what he thought right. Both Zor-El and Van-El were extremists in their own way. Jor-El was more prudent, more cautious of the consequences of an action and…"

"At the time, he had no family and could not possibly understand. That's the part you are not getting. That's why he grew apart from his best friend, his own blood from his family, no, Jean, Jor-El was not right. And now the only survivor of that mess is Kal-El and I can't even go there. It is not fair."

"I understand." – Jean sighed. "But it is possible; Kal-El doesn't know anything about Zor-El or his father's cousin Van-El. And you going there is not a good idea. Maybe in time, we could go. We have to give Jor-El time to educate Kal-El and then eventually go. I know you miss them and I miss them too. Kryptonians are indeed a remarkable race but the boy must learn to fly on his own besides he has an Earth family."

"You mean he had – his father died last year."

"He still has his mother."

"I know I just wanted to…"

"I know. I know." – Jean went to her and put his arms around her. "Maybe someday we will."


Far away, in a place very different, separated from time and reality, a place created for punishment and called the Prison Dimension, on the dunes of sand beyond the Ridge of Pain – there was a small building made of shining crystals. It was a sanctuary for a young man hiding from his thoughts and memories which were too painful to face. His home world was a goner – it was not going to survive – despite the feeble efforts to the contrary. He probably had only one place to go to but for some reason he did not want.

A long time had passed since he remembered who he was. And still the decision to leave this damned place was not coming. When he arrived also a long time ago, he was just but a boy who did not remember nothing of his past as it was erased. With time and patience, he remembered it all. His stay in the Prison Dimension taught him many things though he'd wished he never learnt them.

A few solar days ago, the portal was activated and prisoners escaped. He had heard the rumors that the son of Jor-El was there and it was he who released the prisoners though he did not have the choice. So his father's cousin Jor-El's son survived. For him, it meant he had family now – a cousin but a cousin is still family despite the old feud.

Cor-El had matured in this inhospitable area and he had to create his own family – a hologram of his mother – Sarah of Aerie using a hair follicle, the last he had of her. It was not easy but he managed. Now, he had to decide what to do. Does he stay or does he go to Earth to meet his cousin who probably knows nothing of his existence?

But the decision was not coming easily. Though the Prison Dimension is a horrible and dangerous place it was also home. It was one of the few places where he felt more or less safe. Going to Earth after all these years might not be the right call. Everyone thought of him being dead. He can't exactly go to his aunt.

"What shall I do mother?" – Cor turned to his holographic mother. "Shall I stay here or seek my cousin Kal-El on Earth?"

"Sooner or later, my son, you have to leave. Your destiny never lied in the Prison Dimension."

"I have no destiny. If it was not for damned explosion I would still be on Krypton."

"My son, you have a destiny." – Sarah said. "You were never meant to stay on Krypton. Van-El was going to send you to the humans…"

"The humans – what for?"

"The humans are our distant cousins. They have great potential but they lack the guiding light. Within the House of El, Jor-El and Van-El understood that it was up to either of them to bring this forth. At the time Jor-El had no heir so it was up to Van-El."

"And since I'm gone…"

"It came back to Jor-El. You know he sent Kal-El there for that exact same reason. The humans need someone to guide them."

"Why can't they reach it on their own?"

"They are a younger race. They are still cruel one to another and…"

"Like any other race, Mother. We were no different than them otherwise Krypton will still exist. It doesn't matter who you are or where you live all that matters is what you do and what choices you make. No, the humans are not so different than us. We are the same. The only difference now is the level of technology. The humans can take care of themselves."

"No, my son, they can't. They need the guiding light to carry them through the darkness of their hearts and for that my son they will need both of you – Kal and Cor, light and heart. You will be there to help them, to inspire them, to be for them. They need you like you need them. The Prison Dimension has been your shelter but it is not a place, the place where you can have a family. The humans will be your family. Jor and Van always knew that a day will come when everything on Krypton will fall apart. Despite their best efforts they were but two lonely voices of reason in a world gone mad.

That's why they made the agreement of sending their sons to Earth. At the time, you were that light. But now, when Jor had a son he has sent him there to be that light. They both knew that Krypton will never rise out of the ashes before the fire burns itself out. Sooner or later, it was going to happen. You underwent the training. You did not complete it because of the explosion but now it is time for you to go."

"I can't go alone."

"You won't. Van-El always anticipated everything."

"Just like Jor-El…"

"Yes, you have to find the disk of Dawn. Van-El left it on Earth for you."

"I gather without the knowledge of the High Council?"

"Yes, in that respect he was no different than Jor-El. They were both defiant of the Council's wishes."

"How can I find it? It could be anywhere not to the mention the humans could have found it before me."

"No, Van-El was prudent. He knew the danger in difference to Jor-El. He did not want to place his trust in humanity's honesty. The humans are curious and at times power hungry. The disk of Dawn could give a human unprecedented power so he made sure that only a Kryptonian can retrieve it."

"Did he not consider the possibility I might turn on the humans? Don't I run the risk of doing the opposite and become…"

"Do you really think your father did not take this into account? He knows the danger."

"Alright, how do I locate it?"

"You already know the answer."

"I do?"

"Yes, my son, you do."

'I don't understand."

"You will when the time is right."

"What of Kara – did she survive?"

"I don't know."

Cor sighed. It was still a difficult decision but his mother was right. This place was not a place where to be with someone. It was a place of punishment, a place to hide but not a place to live. It was finally time to go but he had to be careful. His cousin let some of the prisoners escape. He couldn't make the same mistake.


He readied everything. Only one thing remained – what to do with his sanctuary – he decided to leave it – one never knows when it was going to come in handy.

He ventured out and headed to the mountains of the East. He, himself, placed an exit there a long time ago. He reached it by nightfall. No one had followed him as far as he could tell but he decided not to take any chances. He remained silent, still until morning.

He needed about a minute to make it work but the problem was that once activated it would stay active for a few minutes, and this is time more than enough for someone else to cross.

He took his knife and made a cut. He placed his bleeding hand on the console. It activated at once. An opening the shape of his crest appeared. But Cor waited for he wanted to be sure he will not be taking others with him.

Sadly sometimes the devil does his work well. Near the end of the cycle two prisoners appeared. Seeing the portal they went for it but Cor stood on their way. They abruptly stopped.

"Get out of the way, boy." – One of them said. "It is time we leave this hell hole."

"You were imprisoned for a reason, Kafal." – Cor shook his head.

"Who are you? How do you know who I am?"

A dark smile appeared on Cor's face. "I'm the one who opened the portal."

Kafal stepped backwards. He did not expect this answer. He had sheltered this boy in the past. And now, it turns out he was a member of the House of El.

"I saved your life boy."

"And I have saved yours more times than I care to remember but this change nothing. You are still a prisoner. What you did on Setey can't go unpunished. You are staying here."

"I told you of this."

"No, my father did after he shoved in here."

Kafal's features changed drastically for he knew all too well who placed him here – Van-El. So this boy was his son Cor-El.

"Then Cor, son of Van of the House of El, this will be your last resting place." – Kafal announced and moved to attack.

Cor took defensive stance. Kafal attacked fiercely. Cor blocked his attack and threw him aside. Kafal got to his feet and charged again. He was not going for the portal but for the kill. He was a dangerous opponent. Maybe, more than Cor could handle, but Cor had no intention of letting him pass. This place had taught him to be tough.

The fight lasted just two minutes but they were very exhausting. Cor emerged victorious though Kafal managed to inflict a lethal wound but Cor stood his ground. He looked at the other one who took Kafal and ran away. Cor did not kill Kafal. He only knocked him down because despite everything he was not a killer.

Cor spitted blood. He was dying. With one last effort, he crossed through the threshold of the portal that closed right behind him.


Back on Earth, Jean and Mira were getting home. They had an exhausting day at the corporate headquarters. They reached the mansion and sat on the balcony to enjoy the last moments of light. The sunset was going to be as usual beautiful.

"Do relax, dear, today we did good." – Jean said sipping from his glass of Bordeaux.

"I hope you know what you are doing though," – Mira remarked. "Luthor Corp is not something to be trifled with."

"Don't worry, I can handle Luthor." – Jean smiled. It was not the first dance with the Luthors he's been on. "I can…what is that?" He pointed to the Eastern sky.

A bright, blue light suddenly flashed. A bulb of bluish energy crossed through the sky like a falling meteorite. It crushed behind the far ridges of the horizon.

Mira was on her feet looking very pale. She has recognized the pattern. But it made no sense. A few weeks ago, she did notice a similar effect. She knew only the members of the house of El could escape from that place. Last time, as she learnt, Kal-El was there but who was it this time. Jor and Van have perished with Krypton alongside Zor. She knew nothing of Zor's daughter but she seriously doubted Zor would have left her at the Prison Dimension. But then who could it be?

"Jean," – She called with hope in her voice. "Only a member of the El house can escape the Prison Dimension."

"He's dead, Mira." – Jean shook head.

"But what if he went there?"

"No, Jor, Van and even Zor, they would have known if the boy had the Dimension bracelet. I know it is hard but he is gone."

"Then who was that?" – Mira cried. "I know what I saw. And I know it is coming from there."

"There could many explanations."

"And all of them you have in mind would indicate that all prisoners would be using it."

"Not necessarily, the people in there live alone. They don't trust each other. Why would they now? Maybe, only of them escaped – lucky for him and bad for us."

"Maybe," – Mira said but she has not given up hope. That's why she mumbled under breath. "He's returned. Be safe, Cor son of Sarah and Van-El."

Near the forest border of the Czech Republic, the bluish meteorite had crashed. The ground was burnt and branded with a diamond shaped crest with an S in it. In the middle of that crest lied Cor's body.


Two oddly dressed figures emerged from the forest. They looked in awe the crash site and the body in its middle. One of them made a gesture and the other nodded. They bent down and picked up the body and carried it inside the forest vanishing out of sight.

Later, one of them returned to cover the branded symbol. Turning to the sky, the figure mumbled: "Two shall be the beacons to guide you – Light and Heart."

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Lordheaven