Title: Entity (Sequel to Transfer)
Author: Areon (Kaleb)
Rating: T/M (PG-13/R) - Some strong violence, moderate language, and suggestive adult themes
Disclaimer: Nearly all characters belong to DC Comics, Warner Bros., Al Gough, Miles Millar, etc. etc.; this story is a tribute to those great characters, and no infringement is intended. The lyrics of the song Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls are used in their entirety in one chapter, and the lyrics and music belong to its respective copyright holder. Again, no infringement is intended, and the lyrics will be removed upon request of the copyright holder. All other characters and content belongs to the author, but free right is given to distribute (but not to alter) it in its entirity or in part, as long as a link to the original location is included or permission from the author is obtained.
Spoilers: Season 4, Transfer
Placement: Future, during what would be season 8
Quick Summary: While Clark and Lois are adjusting to their new life together, a dark entity descends upon earth, its sights set on Kal-El. Sequel to Transfer, set 3.5 years later.
Note: This story has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen (i.e. it has been heavily edited and improved - which, unlike a fullscreen cutoff of the original widescreen, is a good thing!).
Author's Note: The previous story in this series, Transfer, took place shortly after the season four episode Spirit (4.18). And while Transfer did follow the Smallville continuity up to that point, for story related reasons I have eliminated Onyx (4.17) from the continuity of this story. Also, Transfer dramatically breaks from the Smallville continuity after the eighteenth episode of season four, so though Entity takes place in the future, it does not follow any of the plotlines introduced in season five or six of Smallville. Thus you will need to have read Transfer to truly understand just what happened to bring the characters to where they are now. As for what has happened in between Transfer and Entity, well you'll just have to read along to find out.
Special Thanks : I want to offer a special thanks to everyone that read and reviewed my previous story: Transfer. Without your constant support, not only would this story not be possible, but Transfer would not have been completed either. For all my fans at , Devoted to Smallville, Forever Devoted to Clois, Divine Intervention, KryptonSite, and LaneKent, thank you! You're what makes writing so much fun. I also want to thank Trixiemcbimbo for her beta work. This story just wouldn't be the same without her. Thank you so much, Trixie!
Prologue
Time was meaningless for a being so ageless. The Entity, as it called itself, did not know a time when it did not exist. Perhaps it had been there from the foundation of the universe. It did not know. The only thing it knew was the hunger. It was always present, always motivating the Entity forward. Time did not matter. Feeding did. It fed on the only thing it knew. Destruction. Degradation. Death. These things pushed it to continue, pushed it to move on. It forever searched for the next source of fulfillment. And soon it would arrive at a new feeding ground, ripe with possibilities. The third planet from the sun of an unremarkable solar system was its destination. How the insignificant solar system had caught its attention was unknown. Knowing would require memory, and for a being that time itself was meaningless, memory held little value. The how or the why was unimportant. All that mattered was the who. Who did this new planet hold, and what potential for destruction could be realized?
The Entity neared the planet, and the voices came. Voices crying out in pain. Voices crying out for help. Voices laughing at the suffering of others. Voices breathing their last. It was music to its ears, satisfying its hunger. The planet was ripe with destruction, ripe with degradation, and ripe with death. This would be a planet to savor. The best meals were those that had already been prepared. And the table had already been set, the first course laid before it. It took its time with the first course. It would savor every moment.
The Entity drew closer and the cries of pain and anguish grew louder. The crescendo had begun. And ah, what a performance. A cry of pain here. A last breath there. An evil laugh mixed in for good measure. What a beautiful, beautiful sound. One of the best pieces of work it had ever heard.
And then a terrible sound interrupted the drama, like a high pitched note played off key. A cry of pain…stopped. This drew its attention immediately. Something was not right. Someone had intervened, stopping the pain. And someone with great power. Great, great power. And something else…something sickening. Love. Purity. Sacrifice. No, it could not be. How could a being with such great power and great love exist in a world as doomed as this one? It should not have been possible. And it must be corrected. If the being could be turned…the possibilities were endless. Suffering such as it had not received in a long time would be made possible. The Entity reveled at the possibilities. This must be done, no matter what the cost.
Its attention shifted completely. The suffering could be neglected for the moment. Time, after all, was meaningless. It would watch, and it would wait. No being was perfect. Eventually, a slip would occur, and it would seize the moment. For now, it would watch and wait. Just watch and wait.