Smallville

The Unexpected Journeys

Chapter One

Beginning

Author note: This is set almost immediately after Jonathan Kent passes away. (Season 5 Episode 12) Things will be very strange. So please bare with me. I hope you enjoy. Also, one more thing. Celia is pronounced Sell-ee-uh. Thank you.

Clark stood before his fathers grave. The snow had increased but Clark didn't even notice. For several hours now after all had left, he simply stood there. Unmoving, silent. The same recurring thought rushing through his mind. ~ This is my fault...I wasn't strong enough to save you...~ Clark fell to his knees. Tears pouring down his face as the wind intensified. Clark stared at the grave, hoping his father would simply sit up. He knew better though, Jonathan Kent was gone. Rising to his feet he bowed his head slightly, giving a final moment of silence for him. As Clark turned to leave he thought he heard something in the wind. A sort of high pitched chime of sorts. Ignoring it Clark started to proceed when all of a sudden a powerful gust of wind sent Clark flying through the air and through a number of tombstones. Slamming into the ground Clark quickly forced himself up,scanning the area with his x-ray vision he found nothing. Then as if it had been there the entire time, a black mist began to envelope Clark. Who soon found that he was unable to move. As Clark watched everything turned black and he began to feel as if he were falling. Moments later he felt the wind and a few birds, quickly realizing he had just fallen out of the sky. The thought ~What's happening?!~ rushed through his mind as he soon fell unconscious. As he lay there on the ground a man approached him with what appeared to be a platoon of men with him. They wore black spiked armor each wielding what appeared to be a battle axe of sorts. Quickly one of the men called out.

"Take him alive! Queen Hera has demanded it." Quickly making motions to the others who immediately swooped down upon Clark and hoisted him up. Carrying him off to the Queen of the "
Gods.

Clark awoke to find him lying on a bed. Sitting up he quickly felt lightheaded and had to lie back down. As he did the door opened and a young lady entered. She was dressed in what appeared to be old rags with jewels embroidered onto them. Revealing much skin. She knelt beside Clark and held a cold cloth to his forehead. Clark found himself shivering at the touch of the cold rag quickly grabbing the young ladies wrist.

"Where am I? Who are you?" Clark let go of her wrist and she responded.

"I am Celia. I live to serve the Queen of the gods. Mistress Hera. You are in one of Mistress Heras shrine atop the mountain of Jeffat." Celia dipped the cloth back into the water bucket and wrung the excess out of it before dabbing it against Clarks forehead once more. As she did this Clark went on to say.

"Hera? Queen of the gods? What's going on here?" Clark attempted to sit upright but Celia planted a hand on his chest and forced him back down. Staring at him a moment she said.

"You have not fully recovered. Rest here and Mistress Hera will come. She will have the answers you seek." Celia placed the cloth back in the bucket and gripping it she rose and exited the room without saying another word. Clark laid there staring at the ceiling. Wondering just what in the world was going on. When suddenly the door opened again and another woman entered. This one appeared dark and mysterious. She was dressed in a jewel embroidered dress with a solid black cape draped over her shoulders. To top it off she also wore a black crown that had a similar bead pattern as the dress. Her eyes appeared pale and lifeless as she stood over Clark. Staring at him a moment before smiling.

"Hello Clark Kent. I am the Goddess Hera. I presume you want to know why you are here, correct? Well, to make a long and incredibly boring story short. I need your help." Hera brushed her left hand over Clarks right cheek. "You see Clark, I need to you to do something for me." Clark quickly spoke up.

"How did I get here? Why do I feel so tired?" Clark felt his vision fading as Hera proceeded.

"There is a beast that has run rampant throughout my lands. Destroying my temples and slandering my name. It's name is Hercules." No sooner did she finish that sentence then Clark opened up.

"The Demi god Hercules?"

"This is no Demi god. It is a stain on the very essence of being a god. I assure you this beast is very much unlike your fairy tale. Behold." Hera placed her hand on Clarks forehead and suddenly his mind filled with incredibly vivid visions of a man smashing through houses. Throwing people high into the sky. There was screaming, crying, shouting, then Clark saw him. Hercules. Step forwards from the flames and grab a young woman. She was terrified, begging him not to. Clark forced the vision away and sat up in bed. Feeling light headed again Clark rubbed his forehead. "Now do you understand? I have seen your future, what you become. You are the only one who can do this." Hera stood up and stepped over by the window. Clark rubbed his forehead for a minute, it was all still hazy. Clark then replied.

"How do you know I can do this?"

"Because I will help you, Clark."