Chapter 5

Old Wise Men

Disclaimer: Time for more! And happy to see folks enjoying this fic!

Two Days Later

"I must say, I was not expecting to see you so soon after your last visit, Naman." Joseph Willowbrook said to Clark as they walked the halls of the College the older man taught at.

"But never the less, it is always an honor to be visited by you."

"The real honor is you always being willing enough to see me, Professor." Replied the young man somewhat nervously.

Something Joseph easily noticed and wondered what could have Naman, of all people, nervous about. "You are nervous about something."

Nervous chuckling came from Clark. "That easy to tell, huh?"

Joseph nodded at him and he blew out a breath. "Well… I was wondering… Do the Kawatche have any blessing ceremonies? Anything I've tried looking up myself didn't really say much."

"Well… We do have a few but they aren't much used in this day and age I'm afraid. As mostly, they were for the children of the Chiefs of the Tribe. Why do you ask?"

"I… Well, I, I learned recently that I have a son, Mr. Willowbrook. And because of that, even though I more than likely have no right to ask, I was kinda hoping he could be given blessings from the Kawatche Tribe." Informed the young man.

Greatly surprising Joseph in the process as that had been the last thing he'd been expecting! "This… This is completely unexpected, Naman. Especially for someone of your age." The Professor said without a hint of judgement in his voice but surprise only.

For it wasn't his place to judge Naman. Clark winced. "It, it wasn't planned, believe me. But despite that, he's not a mistake in any form."

"I would most certainly believe not, Naman." Came the reply.

Seconds later a chuckle came from the Professor, confusing Clark in the process and asked what was amusing. "Just found myself thinking what if this had happened between you and Kyla is all." He was told.

A sad smile on the older man's lips as he thought of his beloved grand daughter who had been taken from this life far too soon. Clark, despite himself, couldn't help but wonder about that now as well thanks to the older man having said something about it. Could we have? I know we had to force ourselves to stop that day in the caves after she spoke of giving in…

Clark had to mentally shake himself from those thoughts as now wasn't the time for something like that. "I'm, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"Think nothing of it, Naman. I am honored you would wish for Kawatche Blessings to be bestowed on your son. It will take some time to arrange however but Clark?"

His use of his adopted name surprised Clark as Joseph rarely used it. Letting him know that whatever was about to be said, was very serious. "Yeah, Mr. Willowbrook?"

"I'm afraid this will require the Tribe knowing the full truth or otherwise, they will not allow this to happen. They would most likely assume this to be culture theft and I know you would not wish for that to be thought." He told the younger man dead seriously.

Clark frowned at that and realized the Professor was right but for a whole bunch of people to know his secret that he didn't know? He wasn't sure if he could do that. Hell, his parents, his dad especially, would have a great deal of trouble with it. And probably insist he get a more traditional Christian blessing for RJ. Which, to him, didn't necessarily feel right since the Kawatche were closer to his heritage then what Christianity was. "Can… Can I think about this? I really hadn't thought of that part when I got the idea."

Joseph merely smiled with a nod. "Of course, Naman. You show wisdom for choosing to think it through further. Plus, I can imagine such a thing would need careful consideration as this affair is a most serious one where your origins are concerned."

A distracted nod was Clark's reply as he found himself lost in thought. "I am curious though." Declared Mr. Willowbrook a few minutes later.

Breaking the Last Son from his thoughts as he looked at the older man. "Yeah?"

"I am curious if you have any pictures of your son with you? And what his name is?"

Clark laughed, not having expected that but liking it all the same.

Later That Night In The Caves

Having chosen to wait until it was dark and past midnight, a nervous Clark made his way inside the Kawatche Caves. A place he generally tried to avoid if he could help it after what Jor-El had done to him months ago. But he had questions and he hoped Jor-El would be willing enough to answer them without trying something against his will. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he placed the octagonal key into the hole in the wall and then spoke. "JOR-EL! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!"

"No need to yell, my son, I can in fact, hear you." Declared Jor-El all around him.

"I have questions!"

"You seek knowledge regarding your son. Whom I am most surprised by, Kal-El."

Clark frowned. "Is that judgement I hear from you of all people?" He asked in annoyance.

"Perhaps, but also… A feeling of surprise. For it is a welcome feeling to know that you are not truly alone in the universe anymore. Even if I would have preferred your son's arrival to have happened when you were an adult. Especially when there were no more trials for you to face."

A shrug came from Clark. "Yeah, well… Life has a way of making things happen. Regardless of whether or not we want them too." He remarked and to his surprise, a chuckle came from the bodiless voice of his biological father.

"Yes, this is true. Very well, ask your questions, my son."

Part of Clark wanted to know what the Hell Jor-El meant by the whole 'trials' bit but now wasn't the time for that. "Since my son is half Kryptonian, will he have powers like me? Or could he have entirely different powers? Or no powers at all since RJ is half Human?" He asked curiously and very seriously.

"As your son is half Kryptonian, he will have powers much like yours thanks to the effects of the Yellow Sun. This is unavoidable. But considering the Human mother has been affected by the pieces of our home world, it is possible he could have gifts no Kryptonian has ever had in addition to the ones he will have as he grows." Informed Jor-El.

Clark frowned at that, hoping his son wouldn't have any powers but that hope sadly went the way of the DoDo. But he pressed on. "Speaking of the pieces of our home world, could the Kryptonite hurt RJ like it does me since he is half Kryptonian? And how long will it be before my son starts to show his powers?"

"As he is half Human, I am uncertain, my son, if he will be troubled like you have been where the pieces of our home world are concerned. It is entirely possible he will not but experimenting will give you the answers you seek, Kal-El. As for his gifts, as he grows much like you have and is exposed to the Yellow Sun of Earth, he will receive them over time."

That made the Last Son frown even more as he really didn't like the idea of putting his own son through that kind of pain where Kryptonite is concerned! The fact he'll pretty much do like he did was another thing he wasn't too sure about but at least it wouldn't be trial and error in the learning process when the time came. Unless of course he inherited Alicia's gift for Teleportation that is… Here's to hoping he doesn't get that kind of power! I'd have a heart attack for sure if he just teleported somewhere far from me.

He couldn't help but shudder at the imagery that line of thinking gave him! Keeping his son from being exposed to the Sun a great deal could be one way to ensure he wouldn't get powers but it wasn't necessarily a guarantee. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to his little boy in the long run as it is to keep him from being outside. "It is my turn to ask a question now, my son."

Clark looked up, feeling anxious about this. "Okay? What is it?" He asked cautiously.

"Have you considered a Kryptonian name for your son?"

"Umm… No? Should I have?"

Honestly, that had been the last thing he'd been thinking about! "I would say I am surprised by this, but… I am not. Still, I would ask you to consider it despite your misgivings about me and Krypton, Kal-El. Furthermore, with the arrival of your son, it is paramount the final two stones be brought here. There can be no more delays." Spoke the bodiless voice sternly.

Clark shook his head in frustration. "I don't see what's so important about these stones! I don't even know where the last two are!"

"They are important because they contain the knowledge of the 28 known Galaxies that Krypton collected over the centuries, Kal-El. Knowledge that includes our own and such a thing is NOT meant for the Humans. For it would cause grave consequences if they managed to acquire all three stones and learn the knowledge they possess. This knowledge is for you and your son alone."

Still, Clark was skeptical. "And how do I know this won't be used in some bid to have me take over the world!?"

"Because, that is not the purpose of them. Nor do I wish for you to take over Earth, Kal-El. Guide the Humans with the strength of your convictions? Yes. But not rule with an iron will like a Dictator would." Replied Jor-El sternly.

Of course, skepticism and doubt was still high within Clark as he looked at the walls around him. "You truly expect me to believe that? I know what that message in the ship said!"

"A message you mis-read. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, allow your senses to guide you in locating the final stones, my son." Commanded the voice.

Still doubting for the most part, Clark actually chose to listen and closed his eyes, allowing his senses and gifts to do as needed. Moments later, he felt the call of the two final stones and his eyes snapped open and sped off. One, to his surprise, was in a drainage pipe at the Talon and the other, was in a safe at the Luthor Mansion. His task complete, he sped back to the Caves and went into the special chamber but hesitated. Hesitation that lasted for a short time before he moved past it and placed the two stones with the one that his Kal-El side had placed there months before. He watched, transfixed as the three stones merged into one. Forming a light blue colored crystal that briefly floated in the air before returning to its spot on the table.

"When your education with the Human teenagers is finished, return here to this chamber to make use of the Crystal of Knowledge, Kal-El. It will guide you when the time comes." Jor-El told him, surprising his son in the process as he had expected a take over or something!

"Now, I believe it is time for you to return to your son, Kal-El."

Numbly, Clark nodded and left the chamber, the wall sealing up as he left it. Making it appear as if there was nothing of interest there whatsoever. Shaking himself from what he was feeling, Clark looked up at the air. "Thank you, Jor-El."

"You are welcome, my son."

And with that, Clark was gone from the Caves and onwards to his son at home.

Author's Notes: Hopefully I won't have offended anyone with the Clark/Joseph scene as that was not my intention. And with what I did between him and Jor-El, that means there won't be any pesky issues to deal with later where the stones and the second meteor shower is concerned. I know that normally, Clark would try to avoid Jor-El like crazy but considering he has a son who is half Kryptonian… Its definitely new territory for him.

Up Next: Things get a little unpleasant as a certain sandy jackass stirs up trouble. Plus, what do you guys think would be a good Kryptonian name for RJ? I was kinda thinking 'Ry-El' myself. Or perhaps 'Ry'Ja-El'. R and R!