[THE KRYPTONIAN'S LITTLE BROTHER]

by McLanche

DISCLAIMER!

I do NOT own Smallville, Superman, or any of the canon characters, nor am I profiting from this story in any way. This piece is for entertainment only. I do own the mysterious boy and the plot.

WARNINGS AND REMINDERS!

First of all, I forgot to add in the previous chapter, but this fiction takes place in the Fifth Season, and from here it will follow its own storyline. Second, as I said already, I'm not American and all I know about its culture and lifestyle I saw in movies, series and such, and as the story progresses I'll need some details that can't be provided by them. I could really use some help with this, and want to know if anyone is interested in helping me with it. I'd really appreciate it. So, if you can or is interested in helping me write this story, please contact me.


[EPISODE 02 - HERITAGE (WHO AM I?)]

"Hello..." - started Chloe, her voice trailing off, herself being a little unsure of what to say. - "Are you feeling better?" - she asked while staring into those curious blue eyes that seemed to analyze her from the half opened door. She could see he was scared. - "It's ok to come out. I'm not gonna hurt you or anything..."

But he didn't reply, only looking at her from where he stood. He heard her but couldn't understand what she was saying. He remembered her from before, and could tell she was again trying to communicate with him, but her language was strange and confusing. Her voice on the other hand was almost like music. Something that could reach inside his soul and make his fear sway. It was enough to calm him down a little and put him at ease, to some extent. He wouldn't dare walk out of the room yet, though. He rather stay protected, with the door between them, even if he felt better now. No pain, no dizziness. His head was clear and he could think straight. But he still couldn't remember who he was, where he were or where he had been until then. His life was a complete blank until woken up in that field.

"Can you tell me your name?" - she continued, looking at him, but noticed his confusion soon afterwards. - "You're not understanding a word I'm saying, are you?" - she asked, with a little smile. He kept staring confusedly at her.

He wasn't understanding her at all. She was as big a mystery to him as himself. But every time she spoke she made him calmer. He wasn't aware of the reason, but he could feel the peaceful and gentle tone in her voice slowly blowing his fear away.

"You can come closer, if want. I won't bite you." - she smiled. Talking seemed pointless if he didn't understood her, but people are so used to talk that they did even if realizing its pointless. - "Come here. It's ok." - continued the blonde, beckoning him gently. Her voice was warm and gentle. He couldn't understand the meaning of her words, but the gesture of her hand seemed clear. Deciding to trust her, he slowly opened the door a little more, so he could walk through it. He approached slowly, carefully and cautious. She didn't move. She didn't want to scare him. Looking at his chest, Chloe saw that the bruise had disappeared completely. No trace of the wound he bore when she removed the remains of his shirt.

"That's right, come closer. See? Nothing to be worried about." - she said, still smiling.

He didn't replied, walking until he was close to her. His hair had dried while he slept, and was even messier than when she first saw him. The towel she used to dry him before had cleaned him up a little bit, but he still needed a shower, and badly. But she paid no mind to that. He would have time for that later. Now she was determined to get to know a little more of her mysterious guest. He stopped in front of her, in the reach of her arms, still staring at her, curiously. Like he was analyzing every detail, every small peculiarity of her appearance. Chloe felt strange being under that stare, but it wasn't unnerving as being stared at normally felt like. Even if staring, his look was somewhat harmless and innocent. Like a baby looking at the world for the first time.

Slowly, he raised his hand stretching it in her direction. She didn't felt threatened by it. Still smiling, she tilted her head sideways, curiously of what he would do. Her movement had been soft and smooth, completely harmless, but instantly made his hand retreat back to his chest as if protecting himself. She grinned, amused by his innocent reactions.

"I'm sorry. I didn't meant to startle you. It's alright." - even if he looked like fifteen, it was like talking with a two years old.

He looked at her for a few moments, and then felt reassured enough to try again. His hand traced its way to her face, slowly. This time, she didn't move, not wanting to scare him again. His fingertips touched her face, slowly caressing her cheek, discovering her skin, and feeling its softness. Her smile widened, which made his hand back off a little again. But seeing she didn't looked bothered by it, he slowly moved it back to her face. Sliding his fingertips delicately, his index finger made its way to her lips, and he traced them with his fingers. For Chloe, the gesture seemed like he never had seen another human before. Almost like the shape of a person was completely unknown to him.

That idea was even more tangible, when the boy raised his left hand, touching his own lips, as if comparing with hers. Touching them, he could say it felt similar. So he quickly came to the conclusion that in fact, he was the same as her, or at least, something very close to what she was. Forgetting about his left hand, his right hand slid back from her lips to her cheek, and then lower, caressing softly her neck, where he found her hair. He touched it, playing with it in his fingers, discovering.

Chloe was amused by his curiosity and apparently complete lack of knowledge. It was just as strange as it was intriguing. And cute, for some reason. Just like a little child, only bigger. His hand withdrew from her hair, and he touched his own, seemingly comparing it with hers. She couldn't help but smile.

"You see? You're like me." - she said her bright characteristic grin.

Looking at her, her beautiful smile, the boy couldn't help a smile of his own. And slowly the corner of his lips bent upwards, taking shape in a sweet and innocent smile. It was like he was discovering his own ability to do it. Chloe chuckled.

"Yeah, you can smile too." - stated the blond, her usual smile playing in her lips.

The boy's smile was short lived though, as it instantly disappeared as soon as they both heard the knock in the front door. He suddenly retreated back to the room, taking cover behind the wall, only his head poking out of the entrance to the room, his eyes glued at the front door. Chloe smiled at him and walked to the door, opening it. Clark was standing in the other side, dressed in his blue jeans, blue shirt, red jacket combination. He was holding a yellow plastic bag which clearly had some clothes inside.

"Hey Chloe."

"Clark, come in." - she said with a smile. - "He just woke up."

"Oh. Did he said something?" - the Kryptonian entered the living room, looking around. He easily spotted the boy.

"Nothing so far. He's very... Unusual." - she answered, with her playful smile. - "I don't think he understand what we say. He seems pretty lost."

"Lost?"

"Yeah. Just before you got here, he was analyzing me, like if I was the first girl he ever saw." - Chloe looked at the boy, crossing her arms above her chest. The boy was staring at them, curiosity filling his eyes. - "He didn't answered to any of my questions. Every time I talk to him, the only reply is a quizzical look."

The mysterious youngling limited himself to observe the stranger. His blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. He could tell both of the creatures in front of him were similar but also different from each other. The one that just arrived was certainly more alike himself.

"And his injure?" - the son of Krypton was looking at the boy as well. His chest was covered by the wall he was hiding behind.

"Gone. Completely healed. It wasn't instantly as you said it happens to you, but it was surprisingly fast." - replied Chloe, looking at Clark. He nodded. She then beckoned the boy again.

Divided by his curiosity and his distrust for the newcomer, the boy hesitated but once again he slowly gave in to her call and approached them. The taller one smiled at him, and his smile emitted as much trust as hers. Maybe even more. Looking at him, the boy felt he wasn't a threat. It was all that was needed to his distrust to fade away. Shyly, the boy smiled back at them, looking from one to another, quiet. As it normally happened, Chloe saw that it didn't took much for Clark to earn his trust. Then again, it was Clark. He exhaled kindness and that air of being the most righteous person in the world.

"He seems like a nice boy." - Clark said, looking at him.

"He is. At least, so far, he's been really sweet. In a clueless kind of way." - she answered, and then suddenly she snapped. - "Oh, I've gotta check my soup. Hey Clark, do you think you can help him take a bath?"

"What? Me?"

"It would be really awkward for me to help a teenage boy to use the shower, don't you think?" - asked Chloe.

"Most definitely. But what makes you think will be less awkward to me?" - replied the farmer.

"You're a man too. It will be easy. He is smart and I'm sure you'll just have to explain things to him once and he'll do it by himself."

"If you're sure of that, then the same goes for you." - he said, in a simplistic tone.

"Geez, Clark. Alright, alright. I'll do it." - Chloe walked to the boy and with the hand in his shoulder, turned him around and leaded the way to the bathroom. The boy, clueless, was happy to follow. - "Just make sure the soup don't burn."

Clark gave a little smile and made his way to the kitchen as Chloe and the boy disappeared inside the bathroom.


It was the middle of the night in Metropolis, and the movement at the LuthorCorp main building was diminishing considerably. The building was always busy and people were always running around in one or another floor, but generally at this hour, things would begin to calm down, at least a little. After a busy day at his office, taking personal care of some of his most important projects, all that Lex Luthor wanted was a nice glass of scotch, preferably one of his precious high class collection, and relax by the fireplace at the penthouse in which he used to stay when spending his time in Metropolis. He was preparing to leave the office, putting his laptop on its suitcase, when someone entered the room.

"Excuse me, Mr. Luthor." - the head of security, a tall and professional man in his later fifties, walked to his desk, stopping in front of it. - "I'm afraid we have a problem with the shipment security this evening, sir." - reported the man.

"Aren't you paid to deal with these kind of things?" - Lex professional and cold tone, sent shivers down the employee's spine. It was like if the man wasn't human.

"Yes sir. Sector Two is already investigating the information leak, but its safe to assume that tonight's convoy have been compromised." - spoke the security officer, trying not to appear apologetic, but efficient in his explanation. - "We've run through all the procedures for the situation, but it would be safer to postpone the shipment so the proper arrangements could be made in order to sustain the integrity of the operation, sir."

"Postponing isn't an option at LuthorCorp. You should know that by now." - replied Lex, coldly. - "Can't you guarantee the success of the operation?"

"We already made use of all the available resources we could, without the risk of causing too much commotion, to ensure the safety of the package. But given the present circumstances, the safety of the package can't be guaranteed. At least, not with the resources at hand. And adding in manpower would considerably diminish the discretion of the operation."

Lex thought for a minute, leaning back in his comfortable black leathered chair.

"In short, we need to add security, without add too much in numbers." - spoke again the head of LuthorCorp. - "How many men we have in the back of the armored car?"

"Four, sir."

"And what's the status of the GES-X5 series?." - asked Lex.

"The X5 series? It's still on trials. The results are astounding so far, but they haven't been tested on the field, sir." - replied the security officer.

"Well, the present situation seems like a good field test. Deploy one X5 unit in the back of the armored truck." - Lex got up, considering the problem solved, and took his suitcase as he walked towards the exit.

"But sir, its not guaranteed that..." - started the head of security, but he was brutally interrupted by his boss.

"It's an order." - he finished, leaving the room. - "Call me if anything happens."

"Yes sir." - replied the man while grabbing his cell phone in the pocked inside his suit.


The bath was easier then Chloe had imagined before. Luckily the boy grasped the concept of it pretty quickly, avoiding an awkward situation for the blond. She put him under the shower still with his ragged gray pants on, and after he understood what he was supposed to do, Chloe could leave the bathroom before he striped. In the end, it went pretty well, after she made clear he shouldn't eat the soap.

After she left, he put her explanations into practice. Even if he couldn't understand her words, she made great effort into express herself with gesture and examples, and somehow he felt they could interact with relative easiness. It could get confused sometimes, but he could understand her. Aside that, the cleaning ritual she had put him through was really pleasant. It made him feel renovated, and even lighter. Not to say, smelling a lot better. And it seemed to relax him too. Washing his body and soul. He took his time, enjoying the pleasure sensation of the hot water pouring over him.

Outside the bathroom, Chloe entered the kitchen, walking to the stove where Clark watched the soup.

"How's the soup?" - she asked, standing by his side.

"So far so good." - he stepped aside, letting her take over the cooking. - "How did the bath went?"

"Easier then I thought it would be. He's doing it by himself." - she said brightly, almost proud. As if her baby brother was taking his first steps. - "I needed to explain it a couple of times, but he caught on really fast."

"That's good." - stated the farmer, nodding.

"And how did it go with Jor-El?" - Chloe's curiosity finally leaked out. She had been holding it until now, and she needed to get some answers.

Clark looked at her, thinking for a minute, suddenly remembering of the lead box containing the small Kryptonite his parents had home, now hanging in his pocket. He sighed and then finally spoke.

"He didn't said much. Apparently, he know as much as we do about him." - he said, as the woman looked attentively at him. - "He said that is very unlikely that the boy is a Kryptonian. So he told me to test him."

"How?"

"Exposing him to Kryptonite. If he is like me, then it will affect him."

"What?! But that's too cruel. You will suffer. And he will as well, if he's like you." - replied the girl, disliking the idea.

"It's ok, Chloe. It won't be dangerous. If he feel uncomfortable with it, we'll know it, and close the box."

"I don't like this method Clark." - se said as she shook her head and frowned, crossing her arms above her chest, in a defensive response.

"I don't like it either, but its the fastest and safest way to verify it. And we're gonna be ok, even if we suffer for some seconds."

The girl looked at her soup, that was boiling in the stove, thinking. She knew the probability of him being really a Kriptonian was low, but if really was, she didn't want him to suffer from the green stone's radiation. But like Clark himself said, it was the fastest and safest way to make sure. And certainly the Kent's son thought it through carefully. She then nodded.

"Ok. I'll do it." - she agreed.

"There's no need for you to do it. I can manage it." - replied the Kryptonian.

"No, you don't need to suffer through it. Unlike you, I can do it without side effects." - she insisted, looking at him.

"Chloe, I would feel really bad in letting he face the Kryptonite, in case he is really like me, and watch it from a safe distance. I'll be by his side during the exposure."

She smiled. That was so Clark like. How could she not be in love with him when he was such an amazing guy? How could she not be in love with him when he was so kind, so heroic, so unbelievable selfless? So perfect. She rolled her eyes, grinning and shook her head.

"That's right, you wouldn't be Clark Kent if you didn't." - she sounded proud. He just smiled.

Both of them turned to the living room, as they heard the bathroom door open. The boy walked towards them. His hair was wet and messy, but he looked a lot better. He looked clean. He was dressed in a plain white t-shirt and blue jeans, that Clark bought for him. It was his size, but they seemed to large to him due to his malnourishment, that made him incredibly thin. He approached them, with an smile. He was feeling a lot better than before.

"It looks like you've accomplished you mission" - said Chloe, with a smile. He didn't understood the words but felt really good about her tone. He did something right. She was happy with his actions. - "Or have gotten pretty close to it, anyway. That hair can be dried further though. Clark, can you fix the table, and take the soup out of the stove, please?"

"I'm on it."

This said, Clark fixed the table so the three of them could eat. Meanwhile, Chloe guided him to the bathroom, drying his hair a little more, and then fixing it. Now, clean and dressed better, with his hair fixed, she could tell he was pretty. Of course, he was too thin, but not ugly at all. And eating properly would change that in no time. His face was delicate and smooth, and his blue eyes fit perfectly in it. His hair was darker then hers but after cleaned, it showed to be even a lighter brown than she had imagined, and after cut, it would frame his face pretty well.

Soon after, the two walked back to the table, were Clark was waiting. The boy heard his stomach rumble as soon as the smell of the soup hit his nose. Chloe and Clark heard it as well.

"We better fix you some soup, huh?" - said the girl with a smile, sitting.

The boy watched the two of them quizzically as he unraveled the mysteries of the chair. Both the woman and the man looked in amusement as he followed her example, obviously mimicking her actions, pulling the chair away from the table and tumbled back, sitting awkwardly in it. Chloe smiled and filled his bowl with soup. He smiled back at her, and proceed to grab the food with his bare hands. No one need to explain him what to do. The need to eat is an instinct that comes naturally to anyone. Even when you're not familiar with the food. But before he could reach it, Clark held his hand.

"Wait there, buddy. You have to use a spoon for that." - he said, with a smile. The boy frowned, trying to grasp signs of what the other was saying, because the words were useless. The other let his hand go, and took and small shiny object from the table, showing it to him. Then he used it to eat.

"See? Use the spoon." - added his blond new friend.

He understood. Not the words, but their actions. Grabbing the spoon that rested by the side of his bowl, he started to eat. Or to try. Using the spoon was trickier than it seemed at first. He only managed after a few tries.

"He's a quick learner." - said Chloe, watching him eat.

"Well, its not like we're teaching him advanced physics." - replied the Kryptonian, jokingly.

Chloe smiled after faking an annoying sigh.

"That's not what I meant. It's just, he seems completely clueless about everything, don't seem to understand what we speak, but he's managing to understand what we try to teach him." - retorted the girl.

"He's basically mimicking us." - stated Clark. - "He can copy our gestures and examples, even if he can't understand our words."

She nodded. The boy was too entertained in his food to pay attention to them and his hunger fitted his body's thinness perfectly. Dinner was pleasant, Chloe and Clark talking and coming up with theories for his appearance, while the boy tried to satisfy his rumbling stomach which happened after six bowls of soup. After they all finished eating, Chloe and Clark cleaned the kitchen, the boy looking at them curiously.

"I guess we should test him now." - Started Clark after drying the last bowl.

Chloe just nodded. The three of them proceed to the living room, the boy only after the blond beckoned him. Clark sat in the couch after handing the lead box to Chloe, and the boy, after a moment mimicked him.

"Go ahead." - Clark looked at her, preparing himself to what he knew would come.

Chloe just nodded again, consternation showing in her face. She stood there for some seconds, and then opened the box. For a moment, nothing happened. Suddenly the meteor fragment started to glow, emitting it's radiation. Clark felt the usual symptoms of the exposure to Kryptonite. But to the boy they were new.

First it was a throbbing pain through all his body, and the sensation of all his strength being drained from his body. Then it was getting hard to think, as if he was losing his ability to process information. The only thing in his mind was the suffering. It was far worse than the pain he felt when he first woke up. It was hell. He tried to speak as his body tumbled sideways in the couch, without the strength to keep him straight. He listened to his own voice for the first time, in a language completely different from theirs.

Chloe watched as Clark and the boy started to react to the meteor, showing severe signs of pain and suffering, revealing the boy's lineage. But she was even more surprised by hearing his voice. He was trying to say something, that was obvious, but it was not words that came out of his mouth. It was an strange cadence of "r's", "s", "k's", and "t's", that made no sense to her. A complete alien language.

The box was opened for less then 15 seconds, when Chloe closed it again. Clark felt the symptoms disappear as soon as the lead covered the Kryptonite. He looked at Chloe, that had and worried look on her face.

"Are you alright?" - She asked, dropping the box on the coffee table.

"I'm ok." - He looked at the boy - "Did he?"

"Yeah. He felt it... And he is... Speaking... I think." - She looked at him.

He was still blabbering his strange language. He felt the pain go away and his body return to normal, but he wanted to know what happened and why. But both of his new friends didn't seemed to understand him.

"Can you understand him?" - Asked Chloe, looking at the boy.

"How could I?" - replied a puzzled Clark.

"I don't know. You're an alien too." - His response was a hurt stare that immediately made her regret what she said - "Sorry. That didn't sound right."

The boy quit talking, seeing it was useless. He limited himself to look at them. It didn't seem he could participate in their conversation.

"So... Is he really Kryptonian?" - she wasn't sure.

"Yeah, I guess he is." - answered the son of Jor-El.

"And what are we gonna do with him? He can't exactly blend in, being the way he is."

"I don't now. Plus, if we don't understand what he says, we won't know anything about him." - stated Clark - "I guess I'll take him to the Fortress. Jor-El downloaded the Kryptonian language in my brain once. That's how I learned it. If he can do the same with him, we may be able to talk."

"Instant knowledge. Nice." - it was as impressive to her as it was scary. Download information to the brain? Almost Unreal. - "You're gonna take him there now?"

"Tomorrow morning. I guess... I should let you two rest for now." - he then got up, taking the small box on the coffee table and shoving it in his pocket. - "Can he stay here with you, or do you want me to take him to the farm with me?"

"He can stay. It will be nice to have some company." - she looked at the boy with a smile.

"Alright. So, I'll see you tomorrow morning?" - he said, waving as he walked to the door.

"Yeah. Good night, Clark."

"Good night, Chloe." - and a second later, in a burst of wind, he disappeared.

The boy stared where he was standing a second ago, shocked. How did the other disappear? In a moment he was there, and in the other, he wasn't. The only thing left behind was a gust of wind. He looked to the blond seated at his side, as if waiting for an explanation. She chuckled.

"Don't ask me, you're the one how should know about it." - her smile widened as she looked to his confused face. So innocent and confused. It was the same look of a lost little child. The kind of look that could bring to surface maternal feelings in any woman. - "C'mon, I'll put you to bed." - She said, as she walked him to his room.

Once there, she laid him down, after taking out the plastics she covered the bed with, before, when he was wet and dirty. Then she covered him with a blanket, wishing him a good night, and went to bed. After a little while, thinking about the mysteries that surrounded him, Chloe fell asleep. The boy stayed awake, looking at the ceiling.


The Hummer took a swerve to the right in the crossroad at 65 miles an hour, its tires screaming with the friction, almost getting out of the road and into the corn field. But luckily for the passengers, it managed not to. The powerful motored Suzuki Hayabusa followed right after, it's headlights cutting through the darkness of the late dawn.

"What the hell is that thing?! I shot it twice! Bloody fucking twice!" - yelled Randall, his British accent highlighted by his nervousness. His foot hit the gas, recovering speed after the turn. One look to the rear-view mirror showed him they were still being pursued.

"It doesn't matter what the fuck he is. Keep your eyes on the road Randall." - replied Nickels, reloading his silenced H&K MP5 Sub-machinegun. They were almost entirely out of ammunition.

"He killed Keane! I'll pop this motherfucker!" - that said, Eliah put half of his body out of the window in the back seat, aiming his silenced Colt M4 Carbine. His finger squeezed the trigger and a burst of bullets flew at the motorcycle as the flames from the weapon's blast lightened the car. Only a soft whisper could be heard from the assault rifle. His scream in the other hand, loud and clear, roared into the night - "DIE, YOU FUCKER!"

The man in the bike pulled to the right and then to the left trying to get out of the bullets way. He successfully avoided them and then shot back two times with his handgun, a Beretta 92SF. The two shots would be fatal for the young mercenary, if both of them weren't moving. The first shot hit the car's left taillight turning it into shreds. The second pierced Eliah's right shoulder, forcing him to drop the weapon, that rolled on the road while Eliah screamed, getting back inside. Another shoot from the stranger and the rear windshield from the hummer scattered itself inside the car, in a million of tiny pieces.

"Fuck! He hit me. The motherfucker hit me!" - cried Eliah, his hand pressing the wounded shoulder that bled profusely.

"Shit! Shoot him, Nickles!" - yelled Randall as he shifted the gear, gaining speed. He barely saw the sign that said: 'Welcome to Smallville, Meteor Capital of the World'.

Following Eliah's example, Nickels got out of the window with half of his body, and shoot at the biker. Sparks flew from the bike as some of the projectiles scraped the sides of the motorcycle. The biker was ready to shoot back, but the Hummer suddenly slowed down, and took another swerve, entering the main street of Smallville. The other followed behind, still in pursuit.

Both vehicles sped through Smallville's main street, until the pursuer managed an accurate shoot in the right tire of the Hummer. The blast from the exploding tire took the control out of Randall's hands, and the car spun out of control, coming to a halt in the sidewalk some feet's away. The biker pulled over and got out of the bike, aiming his pistol. Two holes could be seen in his army-like green jacket, and they were bleeding, but it didn't seem to bother him.

Dizzy from the spun, the three man in the car regained their awareness of the situation pretty quickly, like they all were trained for. They were sitting ducks in the car. They needed to buy some space between them and the pursuer.

"Fuck, we need to get some cover! Randall, help Eliah and get in the building! I'll cover you!" - that said, he left the car, aiming the MP5 and shooting. The tall man in the green army like clothes was fast enough to take cover behind a mail box. The only sound in the street was the one of the bullets piercing the mail container.

Getting out of the car as fast as he could, Randall helped Eliah to get out and carry the metal suitcase, and while Nickles was covering them, they walked to the nearest building. The nearest building for them to take cover was the Talon.


Knowing as much as he did of the world, the boy wasn't aware of the concept of crime. Or the dangerous of it for that matter. He was a very scared person, of course, not knowing anything about the world, but he was curious about almost anything as well. And the time he spent with the two persons that helped him made him unafraid of humans.

He was waiting for the girl come back, since she left him in the bed, but so far, no sign of her. And all that waiting introduced him to the peculiar feeling of boredom. Finally, when a sound came from out there, his curiosity overcame him, and he left the room. The living room was empty, the lights were off, but he had seen the place before, and could walk through it in the darkness with ease. Suddenly the front door shook, being forced. The boy just looked at it confused.

Chloe woke up with the noise of the door in the living room. Rubbing her eyes, she got out of bed and quickly slipped into a robe, covering her pajamas. She got out of the room, turning the lights on in time to see the door blast open and three man entering into the apartment one of them carrying an suitcase with the LuthorCorp logo in it. Seeing the trespassers made Chloe gasp in surprise and the sound made the three man, that were focused in the door, weapons in hand, turn to them, surprised. One of them, the younger one shoot without thinking. But he shot the first one he saw. The one close to him. The boy.

In a second, the boy felt his chest hurt, an impact throwing him to the ground. He screamed in pain as did Chloe in surprise. The blond girl ran to the boy, panicking, and kneeling at his side and pulling him against her chest. The three man turned their attention away from them. They had their hands full with one stranger. They could take care do the others later. Pulling the boy's hands away from the point the bullet hit him, Chloe saw there was no blood, nor hole, other then the one on his shirt. The bullet didn't pierced his skin. She looked again to the door as a voice shouted:

"Fuck! I'm out of ammo!." - The man dropped a sub-machinegun in the floor. Then he pulled a Knife. - "He's coming! Shoot him!"

The other two fired a couple more shots, but their handguns ran out of ammo soon after. The three of them retreated into the apartment getting away from the door, from where a tall army looking man entered. He was unarmed, like them, but they were all scared of him. Without hesitation, the man walked to Eliah, and grabbing his collar threw him across the room like it was nothing. The younger of the mercenaries screamed but was silenced by the hard blown against the wall, falling unconscious. Seeing that, Nickels, who had an army combat knife in a reversed grip, sprinted forward and took a swing at the man. The man avoid the blade by leaning back, and then punched Nickles in the jaw. The mercenary's neck snapped by the strength of the man falling down, silent. Dead.

Chloe and Randall watched the stranger in green kill Nickels with a single punch. Randall was terrified. He was a former SAS operative, highly trained, but, a man who could kill someone with a single punch after being shot twice in the chest, was something beyond his understanding. Or his training.

"What in the bloody hell are you?!" - His voice came loud, but shaky.

Without a single word, the man walked in his direction. Reacting by pure instinct, his body already used to it, due training, Randall kicked the man's knee as soon as he got into reach. But the man didn't seemed to feel it. His leg barely moved, as if like Randall was kicking a log. Unnerved, the British mercenary threw two punches at the man, both of them in his torso, both of them ineffective. Still silent, the stranger threw a punch at Randall's neck, breaking it as he slammed him against the wall. The fight between them was over.

Suddenly the man turned around and looked at them. For a second he stood still, as he decided what to do. That was when Chloe's instinct snapped, and she got back from her surprised shock. They were in danger. She needed to call help. Releasing her grip on the boy, that seemed better and was looking scared while the events unfold in front of him, Chloe got up and hurried to the fine. With that, the man made his decision and crossed the room, heading her way. Chloe managed to dial the four first numbers to Clark's phone, but suddenly the man grabbed her wrist and took the phone from her, throwing it against the wall. The device was blown to pieces.

Chloe tried to get away from the attacker, shoving her fist against his face, but the man didn't even flinched. She was terrified when the man grabbed her neck and lifted her from the ground against the wall, choking her. She tried to scream for help, but his hands on her throat rendered her voice useless. Gasping for air, Chloe's body shook and trembled, white lights flashing in her vision field, due to his crushing strength.

And the boy watched in horror. He didn't understand what was happening. So far, nothing made sense to him, but one thing he was able to perceive. His friend was in pain. The stranger was hurting her. But why? She was a good person. She had helped him, and made him feel happy. Why was someone hurting her? He didn't want to see her hurt. He wanna see her smiling, like she did before that night. But the man kept hurting her. He had to do something. He had to help her.

Suddenly, filled with courage, the boy got up. The pain in his chest disappeared as adrenaline kicked in. Chloe was about to pass out, when the boy came between them and shoved the man across the room. The man fell to the ground on the other side of the living room. Chloe gasped and coughed, her lungs trying to resume their functioning.

The man got up, unharmed. Changing his target priorities, the man made his way to the boy, who was looking at Chloe. When the boy realized the man standing in front of him, it was two late. The stranger's fist hit him like a sledgehammer, slamming him against the wall. The boy screamed in pain, coughing soon after and falling to the ground. As soon as his courage came it faded away, replaced by fear and pain. The boy tried then to crawl from the stranger. He was going to hurt him and he needed to go away.

Fortunately, that bought enough time for Chloe to grab her cell phone and call Clark. He picked up after the first three calls, and all she said was "Come here, we need you".

The boy's attempt to get away from the man was futile, and he was stopped by a kick in his ribs, that made him curled up in pain. The man grabbed his shirt and lifted him from the ground then, pulling back his hand for another punch. The boy was too dizzy from the pain to see it. The man then launched his hand in the direction of the youngling's head, but it never made to its destiny. It was stopped by Clark's hand.

Chloe was relieved when a burst of wind blew her hair back, and Clark was suddenly between the stranger and the boy. Again switching his target, the man dropped the boy, turning his attention to the newcomer. It was pointless, though. Clark's hand hit the man on the chest so hard, that the he was out cold even before he hit the wall, the only thing preventing him to fly even further.

"Chloe, are you alright?!" - asked the Kryptonian, worried with her and the boy, kneeling beside him.

"Yeah, I'm fine Clark." - She got up, and walked towards them. - "Thanks to you two. How is he?"

Clark looked at him, and then using his X-Ray vision, confirmed that, left alone some bruises, he would be fine.

"He's gonna be ok." - He smiled at her, and them at the boy, who was clearly relieved to see them there. - "Did you called the police?" - He looked back to Chloe again.

"No, I only called you." - answered her with a puzzled look - "Why?"

"Because they're coming. I can hear the sirens. Someone must've called them"

"I don't hear anything Clark."

He just looked at her for a few seconds.

"Oh, right. Super Hearing..." - she sighed - "Well, You better take him out of here. We won't be able to explain him to the police."

"Will you be alright?" - he asked, worried.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll come up with something to tell the cops. Now, you better go." - she tried to reassure him with a smile. He smiled back.

"Alright. I'll be back soon."

She nodded. She could hear the sirens now. Clark looked at her for some seconds, and then grabbed the boy. A moment later, they were gone. Chloe got up and went down to wait for the police, while formulating a story that didn't include two aliens in it.


Things went well after the police got there. Clark was relieved everything went so smooth. Chloe came up with a believable story about the intruders knocking themselves out in the brawl, what judging by the looks of them, as pretty plausible. She never mentioned the aggression one of them committed against her. She didn't want to explain how she managed to survive it.

Soon after, Lex Luthor showed up and took care of everything. With his intervention, everything was "explained", no questions asked. What this time was a good thing. When Clark got back there, everything had been settled. The official story was that four criminals robbed a LuthorCorp convoy in metropolis, and were pursued by a security guard from the LuthorCorp. The criminals entered the Talon, and the security guard went behind. They fought and the group knocked itself out in the quarrel.

Both Clark and Lex knew something was up. Clark, because of the attack of the "security guard" against Chloe. Lex wondering how his guard had being stopped by those three twerps. But both of them couldn't ask too much. After that, Chloe contacted her insurance company, and finally it was over. The boy was never mentioned.

Now, hours later, in the morning, both him and the boy were entering the Fortress of Solitude, which was still as dead as before. The both made their way to the central Crystal, the younger one following him. It didn't took much time before the crystal started to humming and glowing, until the voice finally spoke.

"What do you seek, my son?" - Jor-El's voice startled the boy, that started to look around.

"I've brought the boy. I think he is Kryptonian." - Clark replied, looking at the glowing translucent rock.

"I see. Indeed, I can tell his physiology is Kriptonian." - continued the voice. - "Did he provided you with answers, my son?"

"No. I can't understand his language."

"Is that why you seek my assistance again?" - asked the Fortress consciousness.

"Yes."

"I see. Bring him closer, I'll communicate with him."

Still looking at the glowing crystal, Clark guided the boy closer, with a hand on his shoulder. The boy, who was looking curiously at him, followed. As soon as they were close, the humming from the crystal became louder, and soon the boy saw himself surrounded by darkness. Symbols danced around him, fast and he could fell a tingling sensation on his brain, before he was drowned in knowledge. Some of it was ancient and dead, some of it, alive. His brain was boiling with information being recorded. But it ended, as suddenly as it started.

Astounded the boy looked around. To Clark he seemed surprised and a little scared.

"Can you understand me?" - Clark asked. The boy turned around to him, even more surprised.

Because he did. He understood him. That language, that before was confusing and made no sense, now was clear. Finally he could talk to them. Finally he could have some answers. Slowly he nodded. The man who had saved him before, smiled. The boy looked at him, and then spoke.

"Who are you?" - his voice was shaky and unsure.

"I'm Clark Kent. And you?"

"Me? I... Don't know..." - he said, looking at Clark - "Who am I?"

[CONTINUES...]


[AUTHOR“S NOTES]

(Please, Read)

Wow. That was long. And hard to write. This chapter gave me some trouble. It was hard to write the scenes with the boy, but was even harder to write the fight scene. It ended up a little rushed I guess, but I want to give the impression everything went by very fast. And because it had a lot o characters in the same scene, it was difficult to expose everyone's point of view. But, I did my best.

Hope you all enjoy the new chapter. Please, don't forget to review it. =)