The Road to Happiness, The Long One

A/N: I have no clue about business things so that idea with that business situation might be complete BS and I'm sorry. Comment an actual solution if you have a better and more logical one and I will change it and give you credit for it.

SSF (Summary So Far): (Just re-read the last few chapters, they're not that long and worth re-reading)

Characters: Cal (Your "average" mysterious male), Mason (Cal's best and most trustworthy buddy), Kara Danvers (Kara Zor-El, AKA Supergirl), Jason (Kara's Ex), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Dick Grayson (Nightwing), Clark Kent (Superman), Lois Lane (Superman's wife), Batman, Bartholomew, and more that aren't quite ready to be presented yet. (Lots of characters are Out of Character (OOC).)

Chapter 10

Mason looked over the gift he received from Bartholomew. A brand new limited edition set of throwing knives along with a sturdy wooden painted target. Mason grinned in delight.

"I still can't believe Bartholomew didn't want to say hi. He gave you this pep talk, which you told me about anyway, and left me a gift to make up for it?" Mason said. "At least this gift is worth it…" Cal smiled. "So Batman probably knows who you are by now… Any thoughts on his next move?" Cal shrugged.

"He might back off, might bring reinforcements next time, who knows?" Cal said. Mason shook his head.

"At least we'll be able to beat him next time," Mason laughed.

-Break-

They arrived at school with 25 minutes till class. Kara met Cal at the entrance with a beam on her face. The school was alive with chatter. Multiple articles in both paper and electronic form were being sent left and right. Kara handed him a copy.

"Did you hear?! There's a new super hero and he has an epic costume! It's like some sort of medieval armor!" Kara exclaimed. Cal looked at the paper. 'The Protector crashes into our fair city!' the headline read. Underneath was a poor photo of 'The Protector' in his white and black armor with a small crater in the ground around him. The gold trim was barely visible with the resolution and lighting of the photo. Cal handed it to Mason, who looked over it and started reading the article.

"That's pretty darn cool," Cal said smiling. Kara smiled and took Cal's hand.

"Dang, this new hero sounds badass," Mason commented. Cal took the article and began reading it. He noticed the article was full of primarily compliments, sometimes vaguely insulting his armor. It told the story of how he saved multiple people from a burning apartment complex and jumped off the 8th story to save a young child who was perfectly ok, but the hero had sustained some injury. The hero's blood was on the ground, but the fire department had 'accidentally' washed it away while fighting the fire. 'Overall, pretty good reception,' Cal thought.

"So I was thinking," Kara said. "You still haven't met my parents, and you saved my life about a week ago. Today sound good? I'm sorry this is last minute, I forgot to tell you this weekend…"

"Today is fine for me," Cal said. Kara jumped with joy.

"Yay! And don't worry about Clark, he's just over protective," Kara said. Cal tensed at the thought of a scary father figure holding a shotgun at point blank range, aimed at his head. Kara rubbed his arm reassuringly. "Don't worry, he won't do anything rash."

"I sure hope not!" Mason said. "He's my best buddy and there is absolutely no way to replace him." Kara laughed. The bell rang and the trio made their way to their first class. Barbara rushed to catch up with them.

"Sorry Kara! I overslept and it wasn't pretty!" Barbara sputtered. Kara shrugged and hugged her. Cal nodded curtly and Mason waved.

-Break-

"Good morning class, today we will be having a special guest with us today. Our school won a visit from someone, and our class earned the honor of being one of the few classes to meet them. And without further ado, Mr. Bruce Wayne!" Miss Beady said. Bruce Wayne walked into the classroom and waved. Cal's eyes widened in shock at the guest. He knew, deep down he knew, Batman had found him. He looked over at Mason and they looked at each other in shock.

"First off, call me Bruce. Mr. Wayne makes me sound old. Second, I'm here to teach and inform you guys a little about business. Third, I'm also looking for a high schooler that is willing to help me with some business problems. Not that I need help, I just don't want to do it and might as well let brilliant young minds show themselves," Bruce smiled his charming smile. "Now, who wants to be my volunteer?" Almost everyone's hand shot up like a bullet. Those whose didn't: Barbara, Mason, and Callum. Bruce looked around. "Well, how about you in the back? The one with the blue long sleeved shirt? I've heard the quiet ones are promising." Mason looked down at his brown shirt. Cal didn't look down, sighing deeply instead. Cal stood up slowly. He made his way to the front of the class and stood next to Bruce. Kara admired Cal proudly. Bruce gestured to Cal, "What is your name?"

"Callum, but you can call me Cal," Cal answered.

"Ok Cal, here's a quick question. Minimum wage has risen, but you keep your prices the same. Are you making, losing, or keeping the same amount of money?" Bruce asked. Cal sighed frustrated.

"Losing money," Cal stated plainly.

"Well done, now, situation. You have enough money to put 5 new items to put onto the market. You need money desperately and your company is almost bankrupt. How do you proceed?" Bruce asked. "This is just a warm up situation, not my personal predicament." Cal thought for a moment.

"I would put out the worst idea we had as soon as I could. From there I would be able to determine what people want and like. From there I put the 2nd best idea out into the open. That should bring attention and keep us floating for the time being. If time allows, we bring out the 4th and 3rd worst ideas to spread around an idea that we lost our touch. Then boom, the best idea comes out, but before that we build suspense to a certain amount, as close as we can to the max we can hype it, but not overdo it, and let the idea loose. This should set my company back on track enough to make new and better ideas," Cal suggested. Bruce thought for a moment.

"It would take a decent amount of timing and luck, but I do believe that would work…" Bruce studied Cal for a second and Cal responded with nervously rubbing his neck. Bruce motioned for Cal to go back to his seat and began clapping. Everyone else clapped in response. Cal sat down in his seat and rubbed his eyes. Mason crossed his arms. Kara glanced back at Cal, shooting him a comforting look. She knew Cal didn't like attention. Cal smiled at her and she smiled back. The hour went on and Bruce took a keen interest in Cal. Finally, the period ended and Cal made a move to leave.

"Wait, Cal!" Bruce called. Cal stopped and walked over to Bruce. "Miss Beady, would you give us a minute?" Miss Beady nodded and left the room quickly. "Now, Callum… I'm going to cut straight to the point. You are reckless and are going to get people killed, assuming you haven't already, and you need to either stop completely or stop and get properly trained." Cal looked confused.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Is this another situation?" Cal asked innocently.

"Don' play games with me Cal. I know who, and more importantly, WHAT you are. You need to choose what side you're on, with me or against me?" Bruce said.

"Umm… Bruce… I have honestly no clue what you're talking about, but I guess I would choose your side for whatever situation you're talking about," Cal stated innocently. Bruce picked up Cal and slammed him against the wall.

"Don't play games with me Cal! I know for a fact you're treading dangerous waters and you shouldn't be against me, ESPECIALLY ME!" Bruce growled. Cal's eyes were wide with fear and confusion.

"Mr. Wayne! Please, let me go!" Cal exclaimed, eyes still full of fear. Bruce studied him for a second and let him go.

"Perhaps you aren't who I think you are, but I know you are. You don't fool me for a second," Bruce said. He left the room, leaving Cal to go catch up with his friends.

"So what did fancy pants McGee want?" Mason asked. Kara giggled. Cal laughed.

"Some sort of... internship offer for this summer I guess," Cal answered. Mason raised an eyebrow. Kara grabbed his hand.

"That's great Cal! Are you going to take the offer?" Kara asked. Cal shrugged.

"Probably not, I'm not quite interested in business. Besides, I'd rather spend the summer with you," Cal answered, leaning over and kissing Kara on the cheek. Mason covered his mouth to hide his impressed look.

"Why are you assuming we'll last till summer? And now we're at the 'kissing on the cheek' stage?" Kara joked. Cal shrugged, smiling.

"I thought we were at least 6 levels above that, in the 'sleeping in the same bed overnight'. Also, I'm assuming you'll take at least a full year to get bored or annoyed of me, but that might be wrong…" Cal joked. Kara playfully punched him.

"That was because you were in a coma! That doesn't count, and I would love to spend the summer with you, assuming you aren't bored or annoyed with me by then," Kara said defensively and joking. Cal chuckled lightly and pecked her on the cheek again. Kara blushed.

"I could never get annoyed or bored with you Kara. You make the world go round and that's something I'll never get tired of," Cal said smiling. Kara tucked her hair behind her ear and blushed deeper. Cal kissed her on the cheek again. Mason smiled.

"You, Callum Orson, have your way with words. For that…" Kara leaned in. "I may have to find a way to silence you." She kissed Cal on the lips. She pulled away and smiled. Cal opened his mouth to talk, but no words came. He closed his mouth and smiled. Kara laughed.

"Well played Cal, well played," Mason said. "Couldn't have been better myself, I taught you the ways of women well. Too well, if you ask me." Cal and Kara laughed.

"What did you teach me? Oh yeah, what NOT to do if your date's on fire," Cal joked. Kara laughed. Mason laughed too.

"First off, I never said that although I probably should warn him about that. Second, I guess I never actually taught you how to talk to girls…" Mason admitted. Kara laughed while Cal smiled and shook his head. The bell rang and they made their way to their respective classes. Mason and Cal made it through their Stage Craft class with minor discomforts overall. They made their way to Mr. Worsthaw's classroom and sat down. Kara walked in and quickly made her way to her seat.

"So Cal, ready to meet my parents?" Kara asked. Cal's face was pale.

"I totally forgot…" Cal answered. He rubbed his head. "I'm not ready for this…" Kara smiled and rubbed his arm. Cal smiled back. The final bell rang, and Cal noticed the substitute teacher. He looked familiar. Cal couldn't place his face, so he gave up trying to figure it out. Kara and Cal quietly continued their conversations. Eventually, Kara playfully tossed her pencil at Cal. Cal prepared himself to catch it, but before he could, the pencil stopped in midair. Cal looked around and noticed everything and everyone was frozen… except him and the substitute. Cal looked at the substitute again and noticed his silver eyes. Cal jumped up and backed away from him. The sub walked toward him, grabbing the pencil that was suspended in the air.

"Chronos…" Cal whispered. Chronos smiled and continued walking towards him.

"Hello Callum, you always were the only one that I couldn't freeze. Perhaps that's because you're beyond time?" Chronos' cold voice created a cold burning sensation in Cal's mind, almost like a brain freeze.

"I'm certainly not 'beyond time'. What do you want?" Cal asked, tense. Chronos looked at him confused and began to toy with the pencil in his hands.

"Why Callum… I don't want anything. I simply am going to take what I believe I deserve," Chrono said coldly.

"But… I thought I destroyed you! I thought you were gone... forever…" Cal stuttered out. Chronos smiled and continued playing with the pencil.

"Callum…" Chronos sighed. "You can't and couldn't destroy me. I'm immortal and you have no place even thinking that I would lose so easily. I simply retreated to revise my tactics and prepare my forces. I'm going to take your life, then the lives of those you care about, then, once you're dead, I'm going to conquer all the worlds, as an unstoppable being, until I rule them all. I simply wanted to bide my time," he snickered at his pun, "until I was certain I could crush you."

"You want to go? I took you out once, I can do it again!" Cal growled. Chronos shook his head.

"No, no, the prophecy clearly states when and where we fight, and it certainly isn't here or now. What prophecy you ask? Why don't you go back to where this all began and find out who spoke it, and who they told! I thought that explosion would reveal you, but I see I was wrong. What a waste of a good and loyal bomber." Chronos stated coldly. A creepy smile crossed his face. "I'll see you around Callum!" A bright flash hit and Cal when regained his awareness he noticed he was back in his seat and Kara's pencil had just hit him. He blinked and registered what was around him. Kara tried to contain her laughter.

"You didn't see that pencil come right at you?" Kara laughed. Cal laughed as well, but glanced at the sub. The sub no longer looked familiar and Cal sighed in relief. He turned to Kara with a look of sarcastic outrage.

-Break-

The bell rang for the sign of the end of the school day and Callum got up from his seat. He grabbed his backpack and walked outside. He took a deep breath and prepared himself for the unavoidable 'first meeting of the parents/guardians'. He started walking when he noticed Bartholomew was waiting for him.

"You know, you could always just call," Cal said. Bartholomew laughed and walked toward Cal.

"Well, Cal, for all the good that would do me I might as well write a letter," Bartholomew joked. Cal laughed, but it was quickly cut short by Bartholomew's somber look.

"You ok? What's the matter?" Cal asked. Bartholomew shook his head.

"Chronos approached you… He said something that terrified you..." Bartholomew said. He looked away. "He has the prophecy doesn't he?" Cal face was full of confusion.

"Yeah… He was back and said he was far stronger… and he has a prophecy…" Cal said. "How did you know that?" Bartholomew shrugged.

"You mentor someone for 50 years and you get to know how to read them. Besides, you have that look hidden of personal panic over layers of false tranquility in your face. You are and only have been panicked by Chronos," Bartholomew answered. Cal shook his head.

"I still find it hard to believe you created a dimension, just for yourself and us, that didn't allow people to age… Well, fair enough though, but what is this prophecy?" Cal asked. "Just tell me it so I avoid dimension hopping for who knows how long." Bartholomew laughed.

"You never were good at dimension hopping were you?" Bartholomew shook his head smiling. "Anyway, here it is:

On the 16th day of the hero's 16th year

For one single precious held most dear

By the shade of evil with time in his hands

Choices will be made to determine who stands

The hidden hero will be proclaimed

After a fall leaves him heavily maimed

The day's weather will be fought

By winter, summer, and storms a lot

The land of choice is the original spot

Where she died and now lives reborn

In the world of the original's form" Bartholomew recited. Cal rubbed his eyes.

"How long have you know about this?" Cal said quietly. Bartholomew grabbed Cal's shoulders.

"Look, I didn't want to tell you because—"

"HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN ABOUT THIS?" Cal yelled, causing people nearby to glance at him. Cal's eyes were watering and his knees were weak.

"As soon as you left, the prophecy appeared on a scroll in your place. Someone grabbed it and put it on the internet…" Bartholomew said. He looked down. "I'm sorry Cal… I should have told you sooner…"

"You think? I could have been preparing for this week the last 2 years and you kept this from me? You didn't even stop by until my damned birthday, which meant it was possible this world would end in 16 days? I have 12 damned days left to prepare for this!" Cal growled. He started to walk away, but Bartholomew caught his arm.

"Callum… I'm sorry… I just wanted to protect you," Bartholomew explained.

"I understand that, but unless you're actually going to help, I don't want to see or hear from you till this is all over…" Cal said. Bartholomew nodded in understanding and disappeared. Cal wiped his eyes and found Mason and filled him in.

"…That's one hell of a thing to keep hidden…" Mason said. Cal nodded.

"It's clear that I have to go to where she died in 11 days, fight Chronos for something, and if I lose Chronos takes over who knows how many worlds and dimensions…" Cal said. Mason nodded.

"Seems too easy to understand-" Mason started.

"-for a prophecy, yeah, got that," Cal finished. Mason smiled.

"But what is this 'one single precious held most dear'?" Mason asked. Cal shrugged.

"I have no idea," Cal answered. He glanced at the time. "Shoot, I have to find Kara. I'm going to meet her guardians and hopefully not get my head blown off by a shot gun." Mason nodded, letting Cal rush off to find Kara.

'I wonder what Cal holds most dear…' Mason thought.