Due North

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: A look at what could have happened if Jor-El hadn't been so heavy handed with Clark at the end of season 2 and if he'd been able to get through to him because of it.

After a fair amount of traveling towards the North, traveling that he had been greatly reluctant to do considering things were getting so good in his life, young Clark Kent, the Last Son of Krypton had found himself in the Arctic of all places. Thanks in part to the guidance of the remnant of his father's voice. His invulnerability meant he barely even felt the cold much to his happiness. Jor-El had surprisingly chosen to allow him 48 hours instead of 24 to get his affairs in order. Not that this had helped him with Chloe and Clark was certain this had meant things between him and the girl were no longer of a friendly nature thanks to her jealousy and not being more upfront about him and Lana. Lana herself had been in tears when he told her he was feeling such a strong pull to the North that he couldn't ignore it.

Even at times, finding himself taking steps in that direction without his even having realized it. Clark had even finally chosen to tell Lana his secret and that if she needed, she could speak with his parents and Pete about it. She had been in too much shock to really even respond thanks to already feeling that way about his having to leave just as they were finally beginning to begin something between them. Her silence had hurt Clark but the cat was out of the bag and he could do nothing about it. Not knowing that after his departure from the Farm after a tearful goodbye with his parents and as well as Pete that she had shown up to see him before he left and let him know she accepted him. And shortly before Lex had left to be on his Honeymoon, Clark had asked him a favor regarding funds.

And though the other man had been curious about Clark's strong need to go North, Lex had been willing to provide him with funds. Funds he'd end up using to have his motorcycle transported back home once he felt he no longer needed it and traveled by foot and super speed until he finally made it to where Jor-El had been guiding him too in the North. Clark looked around, seeing snow everywhere he looked. "Alright… What now?"

"The crystal from your ship, throw it." His father's disembodied voice told him.

Confused, Clark took the crystal from his back pack, one that had been within a special compartment aboard his tiny ship and looked at it. "Just throw it? Doesn't matter where?"

"So long as it is within this place of cold, my son."

Clark stared at the crystal for a long moment before sighing. "Well… Here goes nothing." He muttered to himself with a small shrug and chucked it in the direction in front of him.

What followed would be a rumble once it landed from his throw, followed by the most awe inspiring thing the young man had ever been borne witness too as a massive crystalline structure arose from the snow covered land thanks to that crystal. "Come, my son, and we shall begin."

"How, how could that crystal do this?" Clark wondered in shock and awe as he found himself making his way to the structure.

"Our race was perhaps the most advanced there was in the 28 known Galaxies. And crystals were a large part of it."

That amazed Clark as he wondered how they were able to accomplish such a thing but figured he would learn about that from here. How though, he didn't know but he felt he would soon find out. Soon, he was inside the structure and it was quite roomy much to his surprise as he found himself in front of a glowing arrangement of crystals. "This Fortress is all that remains of Krypton, my son. It and myself will provide you with the answers you've long sought to your questions. The knowledge within this Fortress will even grant you more mastery of your abilities so that you will never have to fear harming the one you choose to let into your heart." Declared the disembodied voice.

Making Clark instantly think of Lana at that last bit. Kyla came to mind soon afterwards and he wondered what she would have thought of this place if she had been alive. "Would… Would this include knowledge of the Kawatche people? Or of Naman!?"

"Though I am not familiar with the Kawatche people you speak of, I am familiar with Naman. All of Krypton was, my son. For he was unique amongst us in that he visions of a sort. Visions that told him of certain things that must be done."

"That must be what brought him to Earth then. And how he helped to create the Kawatche people..." Mused the young man to himself.

Wishing even more that Kyla was here for this and looked forward to hopefully discussing the matter with her grandfather whenever he next saw him. "Indeed. And perhaps you can tell me more about the… Kawatche, as you learn what you need to know."

He could agree to that and even said as much. "So what now? I don't exactly see any books or computers to help me learn about Krypton."

Chuckling could be heard from the disembodied voice. "As I said, Kal-El, our people were highly advanced and we had ways those of Earth will not learn of for centuries yet. Though I believe you will help pave the way as you guide them in the years to come. Now… Let us begin." Replied Jor-El.

And before Clark knew it, he was enveloped in a bright white light.

Author's Notes: I've got one more chapter in mind for this and I doubt I'll do more unless I decide otherwise.