Chapter 5: The Fortress of Solitude
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Fortress of Solitude
September 24, 10:01 UTC
The boom tube brought them directly to the Fortress of Solitude. Conner wasn't entirely familiar with the place, so he was in awe seeing it. The place was huge, and made of ice as well. This was amazing.
"How are you doing so far Kon?" Superman inquired.
"It's incredible." He was marveled by the vast structure.
"It most certainly is.", a thought popped into Kal's mind, "You know… I guess we could start training as soon as possible. If you'd like?"
He couldn't wait. "Where do we start?"
"Before the end of September… be right back," he flew away and came back with ice boulders smiling brightly, "We'll be working on your punches!"
"Let's get to it then!" He acted like a child and cracked his knuckles. Can you blame him though?
5 Hour Interval
"Can I… (pant) take… (pant) a break?" Conner was panting. Hard. All around him was rubble.
"Actually, I thought that's enough for today." Superman chuckled, starstruck. His son put so much effort into his training, and he was proud to see that Superboy was taking it seriously. "But… I didn't expect you to get tired." He picked up the pieces of rubble and through them out of the Citadel.
Conner laughed, "Yeah? Well I'm not like you," he said it like it was an insult. Clark tilted his head, raising an eyebrow, so Conner immediately corrected himself, "Yet!"
He snorted amusingly. "Come on Kon. I want to walk around the Fortress with you. Talk about… you."
"About me? What's there to talk about?"
"First of all, your facial hair,", he took notice of the light stubble on Conner's chin.
"Right. I was gonna tell you earlier, but… I figured the timing wasn't good enough then. I'll tell you."
Two Minutes Later…
"So let me get this straight. Lex Luthor. A member of the Light. Who, in fact, is your 'other dad'. Injected a serum that will both boost your age to 22 onwards yearly. And upgrade you with Kryptonian abilities. But said only I can help you that?" Superman evaluated as the two walked the hallways of the Fortress.
"Yup."
"Look. I don't know what Luthor is playing at… but he did a good thing in a way."
"He did it for a reason. What do you think that is?"
"One," Clark counted, "he's trying to be a 'good father', well that's too bad. Two; Probably wants to impress me, which is completely stupid. Or three; … bring you closer to the Light."
Conner felt disturbed. Bring me close to the Light? Hell no! He walked over to one of the Fortresses pillars, touching it softly and then punching it with all his strength, sending it flying to a far distance in the arctic. He screamed in pure anger.
"Kon! Calm down!"
"NO! I won't turn to the Light! Not even in a million years!"
"And I'll make sure you won't go to them! Just relax. Breath."
Conner inhaled. And exhaled. Inhale. Exhale. After two full minutes, he was calm.
"Are you okay?" his father asked.
"I'm fine now," that was the reply, "Sorry about the pillar."
"It's okay son. At your age, you have the potential of becoming more powerful than me."
"You think so?"
Superman smiled, "I believe in that."
"That's good to know." he then yawned, "I'm tired. I think I'll head off to bed."
"Don't you think it's a bit too early to sleep? It's only 3 o'clock."
"I think it would be better if we train early as possible. Then we can do other stuff later in the day."
"Alright then. Good night Kon."
"G'night dad." He turned around, into the hallways.
Clark was looking on. "I believe it is time you show him to me, Kal." A voice rang in Superman's head. Jor-El. His father.
"Are you sure father?"
"I am. Your son has proved himself worthy to the family. Even if he is not naturally born."
"I don't think now is the time. Perhaps on his last month." He proposed.
"Don't you think that is a bit too long?
"Trust me. I can keep him busy for the next five months." He had a wide smile.
"Very well. On March."
The Next Day
September 25, 08:26 UTC
Training commenced an hour earlier, and Conner did not result to tiredness. He was always aware of his surroundings, punching every boulder that his father had thrown at him.
"You're doing great Kon! Keep it up!" he encouraged as he threw another one.
Conner focuses on the boulder. He grinned and jumped high. Instead of punching it, he kicked it with his left foot and it exploded in mid-air. "He has definitely improved in a matter of one day and a half Kal."
"I know."
"But how will you, as you say, 'keep him busy' for the next five months, if you don't mind my saying?"
"I think it would take five months for him to tailor a suit."
Jor-El chuckled in Clark's head, "Didn't Kon-El tell you; no capes and no tights?"
Superman also laughed, "I know what he said. Although, I can change his mind. I'm his father after all."
Conner panted, but not as heavy as before. He was more prepared, so he barely broke a sweat as expected. "How did I do?"
"You did well. Exceptionally well! I'm proud of you." He praised.
"Thanks dad."
"You're welcome, kid." he looked at Conner. He wasn't tired at all, "Round two?"
"Let's go." he simply agreed.
4 Hour Interval
"You done for today?" Superman was amused seeing his son train nonstop.
"As a matter of fact… I am." Conner dropped to the ground. Tired. Even more rubble everywhere.
"Tomorrow, we'll be doing this outside permanently. That okay with you?"
Conner thought about it and immediately shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt. It's kinda warm in here anyway." He joked.
Clark smiled, "Come on Kon. Let's talk outside." The man of steel began to walk towards the main entrance.
"Oooookaay?" He followed suit.
Once they were outside, none of them started a conversation.
Conner spoke up, he felt it was too quiet. "Soooo… what do you wanna talk about?"
He looked back at his son, "The truth is… you don't really need that much training."
Superboy stared at him with a blank smile attached to his face. "...what?"
"By the way you're going… you're basically done after 5 days."
"Really?"
Clark nodded amusingly.
"So… what are the next 5 months for?"
Superman snapped his fingers. "That's what I wanted to discuss with you. I know you don't like wearing capes and tights…"
"You're asking me to tailor a suit aren't you?" Conner seemed unenthusiastic.
Smart. "Yes I am." Kal replied faster than a speeding bullet. But his thunder had been stolen.
"Dad. I told you, no offence, that I don't want to wear tights… or a cape."
"Because you think they're monkey suits?"
"Exactly."
Clark sighed, "Kon. Do you have any idea who made this for me?" He used his hands to gesture his suit.
"Didn't you make it?"
Another chuckle came out, "No Kon. I didn't."
"...Then… who?"
The father smiled at his son, "Your grandmother."
My grandmother? "Really?"
"Yeah."
Conner then started to walk back and forth, finally (yet so quickly) deciding now whether to keep wearing what he wears all the time or, wear a cape, and tights. "You know what? …I don't think wearing tights and a cape wouldn't hurt, right?"
"Just like that?" Clark looked so puzzled.
Kon bobbled his head, "Pretty much."
"Then… that's great!"
"Alrighty… when do we start?"
"I already got the fabrics ready, but we'll start in five days."
"Why five days?"
"Because… you still need to finish your training."
"But you told me that I didn't need training."
"I said 'not that much training'."
Conner jolted his head, "Oh right… but won't I still need to fly?"
"Of course," Clark kept his smile, "That's the last thing you'll be doing after you finish making your suit… in the next five months."
Blank. Then shock. A bit of anger as well. "IT WILL TAKE ME FIVE FREAKING MONTHS TO MAKE A SUIT!?"
The man of steel cringed and spoke almost like a whisper, "Yeah. Wanna go back inside? Get some rest?"
Conner gave a long and loud sigh. "Okay. But can I ask just one question?" He asked while they began to walk back to the Fortress.
His father nodded, "Alright. What is it?"
Superboy had a thoughtful look on his face, then evolved it into a smile, "Can the suit come in black?"
Clark laughed and added some humour, "Has the Bat family been poisoning you with the colour their wear during their 'night shifts'?"
Conner joined in with him, "No. I'm just used to the colour black. With the Symbol being red."
"I can't argue with my son about what his suit should look like. Right now, we just get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll make your training extra hard."
Superboy smirked and chuckled, "Bring it on dad. Bring. It. On."
Chapter 5 DONE!
It's just a short chapter. Just how I wanted it to look like. My school is having a half-term break (one week), so stay tuned for faster uploads!
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