4/18/05 - 12:15PM - Kent Farm - Smallville, KS
Clark returned home to a quiet house until he saw Shelby run right for him. Clark couldn't have been happier to be back. He was surprised at how easy it was to return until Diana showed him her computer as he noticed how discretely she activated the program. Everything was slowly returning back to normal with the whole town with the exception of the people with him that very moment.
The Kents alongside Chloe, Lois and Lana were still able to remember everything. But Diana made it clear come the end of the day they will forget everything to keep Clark and his family safe. Lana seemed to be the first to disagree with this when one look from Diana all but silenced her. Chloe and Lois were more obliging but the Kents especially Jonathan wanted to disagree. She made it clear there was to be no change to what would happen. Though Diana did mention that she did allow for one other person in the town to remember. She didn't say who but she talked to her briefly to know she wouldn't reveal anything.
Everyone of Clark's friends started working on making some lunch. Though Martha almost as commanding as Diana made it clear for Clark to stay out of the kitchen and relax. For once Clark understood how his father felt being told to rest up because of his heart condition. Both guys sat down on the couch as Jonathan spoke what was already on Clark's mind.
"Its like they think we are helpless. Right son?"
"Pretty much."
"Still, you did get shot in the heart, something like that you just don't begin working right away. The doctor did notice how your body was similar to that of a patient with heart disease. At least you can eat whatever you want. From what I'm smelling it seems as if your mother is cooking beef bourguignon."
"Your favorite meal if I'm not mistaken." said Diana.
"Really? I know today is becoming really special Diana but something like that is saved usually for my birthday and its still several weeks away."
"Really?" said Diana. "Well in many ways today is your birthday. Your heart reborn in the fires of the sun like a phoenix. Oh I also need to tell your mother something."
"What?"
"Its a surprise Kal-El."
"Okay." said Clark.
So Clark and his father relaxed as they heard the sound of the girls helping Martha cook a good meal for him. Clark wanted to ask his mother what the surprise was exactly. He then walked into the kitchen wondering where Diana had gone. Apparently she sped out but not before telling Martha not to prepare any pie. Which seemed disappointing to Clark given how he would really appreciate a delicious slice of pie. Martha also said Diana left to get some strawberry ice cream. To which Martha found interesting, but Clark actually grinned happily as he recalled her deep love of ice cream.
"Of all the things she discovered when she arrived in the world it was ice cream that was her first real love on this planet."
"Hmm." said Lois. "Sounds pretty understandable to me Clark, hope she brings enough for all of us."
"Lois she is an Amazon. I don't think she's interested in sharing her favorite meal. Unless you want to throw down with her again. Judging by the black eye I think you want to avoid that."
Clark then noticed a mean stare from Lois as she shooed Clark away from the kitchen.
Clark and Jonathan then spent some time talking about what had happened in the past couple of days. The soldiers on the farm, being escorted off to the base. How Shelby was willing to bite one of the soldiers hands. Though Jonathan wished it would have been one of the officers especially the Colonel who showed up.
"Oh and I think we need a new pivot pin for the tractor. But after today it will be a miracle if we remember our need for it."
Clark then mentioned the interrogations and the how Jonathan had hit General Lane.
"You can't imagine how jealous I am of you Mr. Kent." said Lois.
"Lois. The man is your father." said Martha.
"Who was willing to have you tortured if Diana and Clark didn't save you. Thank goodness his memory is erased and I don't have to apologize. Oh well at least I got to kneecap him. Shame I have to forget that."
"Come on Lois lets get back." said Martha
Clark and Jonathan then talked about what happened after he got shot and how Diana howled in agony when she thought he was dead. How they flew up into the sky and he came back unconscious. That the whole town was more than eager to defend them, Chloe and Diana, with Lois once again mentioning the bullet she fired into her father's kneecap. Clark got a rundown from his father as the doctor examined him but this time with some more detail given how they wanted to avoid freaking out the doctor.
Clark felt proud over what those military officers had done for him and Diana. "Looks like Hardcastle didn't have a chance with what whom we had as friends. I just wish there was a way she didn't have to kill him. There is always another way."
"Sometimes there isn't Kal-El," said Diana as she super-sped in the middle of the living room with a bucket of ice cream in her hand. "To kill is only justified when you have to save a life. In this case it was to save your parents, Chloe and you. I almost failed too and the only reason I barely slept last night was because you were in a coma, with the general's life the furtherest thing from my mind. Still, it doesn't mean you shouldn't find a way to preserve life. That is always the first thing you do. Killing without any regard makes it murder especially if you really want to. Though I have to admit I really wanted to and as much as I enjoyed it. It meant nothing afterwards when I held your body and believed for that moment that I failed you."
Clark realized how much it pained her to remember what happened and didn't want to seem ungrateful.
"It doesn't mean I'm angry at what you did Diana. I thank you for saving our lives."
"We all thank you." said Jonathan.
"Indeed we do." said Lois. "Now lets get that ice cream in the freezer now shall we?"
Diana and Lois then went inside the kitchen where they put the ice cream in the fridge. The food was finally ready as everybody sat down eating a very good lunch. Everyone looked happily at Clark as he dug in deeply into his favorite meal. After some time after they finished eating and talking about their experiences in the past days everyone managed to return to the living room and continued to talk.
"I still don't understand why you never told us the truth Clark. You could have trusted me." said Lana.
"Oh no, he couldn't Lana." said Diana.
"When you care for someone you..."
"Enough!" screamed Diana. As everyone else in the room grew shocked at Diana's fury. "Enough. I've heard harpies sound sweeter than your pathetic words. Everything you have ever done has been to cause Clark pain. You are nothing but a sad little girl who has never stopped crying for mommy and daddy. I was weak like that once too Lana and you know what helped me?"
Lana was angry as she saw Diana pull something from her pocket, a long golden lasso. "The truth." As she threw a hoop around Lana and tied it around her as Lana shut her eyes almost gasping for air.
"Diana what are you doing to her?!" screamed Clark as he got up only to be gently pushed back by Diana.
"Giving her what she's always wanted. The truth."
Lana then calmed down as her breath became regular and her eyes became almost vacant.
"What is your name?" said Diana.
"Lana Louise Lang."
"Where are you from?"
"Smallville, Kansas."
"Who are your parents?"
Lana then spoke with a tear in her eyes as she continued still calm and compliant.
"My birth parents are Henry Small and Laura Lang. My step-father was Lewis Lang but he loved me as if I were his own. Laura and Lewis raised me, but then they died because of a meteor shower that killed them. I've been angry all my life. It was not fair. I believe everyone connected to that meteor shower ruined my life."
"Really Lana? Even Clark? The very boy who loved you and feared telling your secret because of that very reason."
Lana then shed a tear again as Clark hung his head in despair.
"No. I... I'm so sorry Clark. I didn't deserve to know."
"You are weak Lana. I know how painful it was for me too when I lost my mother." Diana then told the same story she told the President as everyone in the room looked saddened at the tragedy Diana was sharing with them. Diana then continued speaking to Lana. "But it was Clark who woke me from my grief and I realized how destructive it was. I sat back and did nothing while the world I once rescued sunk into despair. My best friend and his wife died because while they were attending a summit I was invited to it was destroyed. It was a terrorist raid that I could have stopped but I didn't because I refused to go because I was at home crying for my mother. You Lana take the opposite route and do anything to escape how lost you have felt all these years. Eventually you find out about his secret and attempt to be just like Clark. In your envy you ensure you would never see him again by taking part of a procedure that allowed you to become strong. Only the procedure allowed you to absorb Kryptonite. You absorb so much of it you could never see him again without causing him the same agony he, Chloe and the Kents felt in front of the Talon.
You thought it made you strong. It made you weak and you've regretted it for years until you finally managed to undo the procedure. By that time it was too late and Kal-El had moved on. Though you would find someone else, you will always love Clark even though you regret ever forcing him to admit his secret. Because you were selfish and shallow."
Lana's eyes then stared at the ground with tears streaming down her face. Lana then looked back up with a violent pink color in her eyes as she looked at Diana with malice.
"Yes. She is weak, shallow and selfish. That's why she was the perfect person to continue my legacy."
Lois and Chloe jumped out of their seats as they recognized the voice belonging to Isobel.
"Liberate me!" Isobel yelled in Latin. Only she was still bound struggling against the lasso.
"The lasso is made of magic, witch!" Diana said as she gripped the end of the rope causing it to tighten as until the pink color left her eyes. Lana's breath and voice returned to normal as she realized what had happened.
"She possessed my body again." It wasn't a question, it was the truth.
"I'm so sorry you have to feel this. But you wanted the truth. If its any consolation, once the day is over. You won't remember a thing." Diana then unloosened the lasso and removed it completely.
Lana started gasping for air as she ran from the room weeping bitterly.
Chloe and Martha left to where Lana had run to as Clark, Jonathan, Lois and Diana stayed inside.
It took some time before everyone managed to calm down again as Lana reentered the house apologizing to Clark and the Kents. Clark held her tightly knowing how much he felt happy to know she cared for him. But was angry hearing what he never wanted to hear. That he should have never doubted keeping his secret from her. That the girl he cared about was someone that never really existed.
Eventually everyone sat down until Diana having left for a while had returned with the surprise. "Before I bring in the surprise there is an expression we have on Themiscyra for a day like this. Does anyone here know any Greek?"
Chloe then spoke up. "I know a little."
"Okay. I want you to keep it to yourself then." Diana then in a loud happy voice spoke. "Χρόνια πολλά Καλ-Ελ!"
Chloe looked surprised for a second but before she could say anything else Diana brought in her surprise. A large birthday cake with eighteen candles as she started to sing and gesturing everyone else to sing.
"Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Kal-El
Happy Birthday to You."
Clark was confused even as his parents and friends had followed Diana's lead and finished singing.
"Diana my birthday isn't for another couple weeks. Even then it wouldn't be my actual birthday, it's just a date my parents picked for the adoption record. Does this have anything to do with that whole phoenix comparison you told me about?"
"Sort of." said Diana. "It was merely a way to make sure I didn't blow the surprise. It actually is your birthday today, Kal-El. April 18th, 1987 was when you where born. Making you officially an adult."
Martha and Jonathan looked at Clark who looked shocked and yet happy at the same time. In fact they had never seen him happier.
"Congrats, Clark. You finally caught up with everyone in this room." said Lois. "Well go ahead make a wish."
Clark was so happy he really didn't want anything else. He then looked at Diana's face then closed his eyes as he concentrated on his wish. 'Smile.'
Clark blew out every one of the candles on the cake and then opened his eyes. His wish came true as Diana smiled so warm and lovingly. He then remembered his time in that place. 'My love.' Does she love me? Do I love her? Clark already knew the answer to the last question.'Yes I do.'
Everybody ate up some cake as well as some ice cream which Diana apparently was more than willing to share with everyone. Lois and several others felt short changed when they realized they had no gift to give Clark. But Clark made it clear to everyone.
"The fact that you know who I am and can still treat me better than I ever thought possible is more than anything I could ask for."
"Unfortunately Kal-El, I'm afraid that is going to have to come to an end."
Clark didn't want to accept the fact this was going to end. In many ways it was like Cinderella and her midnight return to a pauper's life.
"But don't worry I'll make sure we all have a good time together and when the time comes I'll delay the Legion ring from having all of you forget this. But when the time comes, please accept it and don't try to fight it."
"I promise." said Clark.
"All of us promise." said Martha.
"Only for you Kal-El its going to be very different. Something about the DNA in advanced beings memories being slightly more difficult to erase. No offense to any of you."
"None taken." said Lois.
"Until that time lets enjoy our company. In fact I think I will tell you many things about your future. "
Diana then told them about their lives knowing that her time was short and that she could tell them with the certainty of not effecting the rest of the future. She spoke about how Lana would marry an old friend of Clark's. To which he found interesting that his old friend Pete Ross would be there to take care of her. He also found it great that Pete would not just become the Vice President but eventually President of the United States. Happy that his old friend who after years of being seen as the runt of the family eventually turned out to become the greatest of his family.
Unfortunately Clark learned that Pete's predecessor was his old friend Lex. Who had become the man his father saw. What his father knew he would always become. The villain of the story. But even Jonathan grew surprised at the idea that the very people Clark ended up trusting the most were Luthors. Lionel who turned out to be the man protecting Clark. But not just him, but his daughter as well, a girl named Tess. They both would fight for Clark as well as die for him. Both being killed by Lex himself. The only consolation Clark would find was that Lex using the vial of Clark's blood that he stole from his fiance would create a hybrid clone. Half Kryptonian and half human. But it was only the good of Clark and the good that Clark always knew was within Lex. He was called CNR but the being called himself Conner, Conner Kent. Clark knew in his heart that he going to be proud to meet his brother one day. As for Lex he remained in prison for the rest of his life, defeated by the man he had envied for years.
It was humbling for Clark to hear this, but even more it was saddening to hear from Diana that his family would suffer for his mistakes. How he gave up his powers and died a mortal death which caused Jor-El to resurrect him by exchanging his life-force with the person who was causing his destiny to be impeded the most. That person being Lana. Clark would beg for her life to be restored. Jor-El allowed it but once again Clark's decision would not go without consequences as the life-force that was exchanged for Lana had found another. Jonathan's.
The Kents sat quietly for some time with Clark barely wasting a second to apologize. To which Jonathan shushed immediately. He would not have Clark blame himself and that he would willing lay down his life for his family. Diana made it clear that what Clark felt after his father's death would be used by Clark to remind Diana how destructive it was to avoid his responsibility. Diana then mentioned Jonathan's death was the combination of Jor-El's actions as well as stress from stopping Lex Luthor from taking the position of his old friend Jack Jennings position of State Senator. After Jonathan's death Martha would take up the position and eventually advance to become United States Senator. Martha couldn't believe it as everyone else applauded her for being more than just an ordinary housewife.
But from there she looked upon Lois and Chloe whom she looked upon proudly but with some sadness. Diana would say about how Chloe would become one of Clark's great allies until she made a series of mistakes that would cause her to become distant from Clark. One of them was having her husband die at the hands of a violent Kryptonian. Another was leaving Smallville for good. She would eventually remarry one of Clark's friends. The green clad archer from the video Diana showed them.
Lois would grow up to become one of Clark's great friends and eventually fall in love with Clark. Both Lois and Clark became shocked as Diana told them this with Chloe laughing almost hysterically. It would be years before they would eventually get married but years passed when an enemy of one of Clark's friends had murdered not just her but Chloe as well. The man who murdered them was eventually killed himself by a vigilante who spawned more like him. Causing Clark and the rest of his friends to be forced from the public. Lois and Chloe held each other sadly as they realized how awful their future was going to turn.
Then Diana talked about how Lex Luthor's plan to discredit Clark once and for all failed as world peace was finally restored. From that point on everything had changed for the better. The murderous vigilantes had been rejected and the true heroes returned. The world became united and all of Clark's friends lived happy lives. Martha Kent would be elevated from Senator to President of the United States. The Kent farm which was destroyed by a vigilante was restored, brick for brick. Smallville became not the Creamed Corn Capital of the World or the Meteor Capital of the World, but the Home of Superman.
Everyone looked at each other as they realized how proud they were to have been in Clark's life. In that he would never be alone and that the world would know him as its greatest hero. Diana then told him of many more great things. His cousin Kara and her family. How Conner would marry Diana's sister Cassie and how his friends in the Justice League would live happily ever after. But through it all Clark was just happy hearing it from Diana.