Hi. I'm here once again. Thank you for your reviews on Chapter 7, I really appreciate it. Here's the new chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it. R&R, please :)


Chapter 8 - Birthday

„Dr. Hamilton," said Lex Luthor as he entered the secret underground lab in Smallville, Kansas.

The lab was, as said before, underground. It had the best security system and a state of the art technology. The technology itself wasn't even on the market yet. The lab itself had white, sterile walls with a white floor. It was quite big.

Doctor Hamilton suddenly appeared. He looked in his early to mid forties, already with some gray hair. He wasn't fat by any means, but he wasn't thin either. He had blue-gray eyes and a little wrinkled face, though he was wearing a smile.

He was, of course, wearing a lab coat.

„Mr. Luthor, it is really nice to see you again," said Dr. Hamilton as he shook hands with Lex.

„Thank you, Dr. Hamilton. How are the experiments proceeding?" asked Lex.

Dr. Hamilton smiled. „We were able to discover that the Meta-Gene itself is quite random. There doesn't seem to be any pattern as to who gets the Meta-Gene and who doesn't. So far, it seems, it's very coincidental, though there were cases where the Meta-Gene was passed from parent to child.

„We were also able to find out that the Meta-Gene affects almost every person differently. For example, Subject #022 – Moira Sullivan. She is able to control action of other people with the Meta-Gene. Then there is Subject #031 – Patrick O'Brian, who is able to control his molecular structure, therefore he can stretch his limbs and even shapeshift, though he is not able to change his skin color, eye color, hair color and so on. We have other subjects, but we didn't perform any tests on them. Yet," said Dr. Hamilton. You could see he was excited, but also a little uneasy.

Luthor apparently saw his unease and decided to act on it.

„These are very good news, Dr. Hamilton. I'm glad we are finally getting to something. But you seem a little uneasy, why is that?" asked Luthor.

Dr. Hamilton looked ever more uneasy.

„It's just that... maybe it's not right to experiment on them. Are you sure they gave their permission?" asked Dr. Hamilton.

Luthor thought about what should he say. Dr. Emil Hamilton was an expert in genetics, as well as cytology and biochemistry. He couldn't afford to lose him. If he was doubting, he had to set him on the right track, so that he won't try to leave.

Because if he did try to leave, well.. he would disappear. And not willingly.

„Don't worry, Dr. Hamilton. All of the subjects signed the permission. You can't forget, doctor, that we are helping humanity. You see these supervillains, superheroes, and so on. The world's gone crazy and we have to adapt. There are very powerful metahumans, some are even able to lift cars like it's nothing. Some are invulnerable. We have to prepare. We have to know, that if things got tough, how to take them down. Do you understand?" asked Luthor.

Dr. Hamilton considered his words. Luthor was right – the world has indeed gone crazy. So, for now, he would lock his doubts away and focus on his work.

„Yes, Mr. Luthor."

Lex smiled. „Very well, doctor. Please, feel free to continue with your work, I must go to take care of some business. Goodbye."

They shook hands once again.


„Goodbye, Mr. Luthor."

„Happy birthday, Clark," said Martha with a beaming smile as she gave Clark a piece of cake. Chocolate. Clark loves cholocate.

Though, it is a bit weird. A cake. At 7 AM?

Well, there are weirder things. Aliens, for example,' thought Clark bitterly.

„Thank you, mom," smiled Clark.. Well, sweet seventeen. Actually, he doesn't know how old he really is, because this is the aniversary his parents found him, February 28th. Well, actually, it was February 29th, but this year isn't a leap year, so his parents decided that they would celebrate his birthday today.

He quickly ate his cake and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.

„Gotta go to school. See ya later. Love you!" said Clark, who then sped away from the door.

„Love you, too, honey. Enjoy your day!" yelled Martha back. Of course, she knew Clark heard her. She has this super-hearing after all.

When Clark came to school, he was immidiately assaulted by the likes of one Pete Ross, Chloe Sullivan and Lana Lang, all who wanted to wish him a happy birthday.

„So, Clark, how does it feel to be the second oldest one in our group?" asked Lana with a teasing grin. Of course, Lana was the older of them, though only by a few months. Of course, there was a chance Clark was physically older, but that didn't mean anything to him.

„Great, you fairy squad mother," Clark teased. Lana started laughing, as well as Pete and Chloe.

He missed this. He hadn't seen them in so long, in fact. Well, of course he's seen them, but they didn't talk a lot these past few weeks. Between his new developed powers, school [even if you are an alien with a hyperindexed IQ, it doesn't mean school is not time consuming], Sarah [oh, God, they hadn't really talked since their first date more than a week ago, if you don't count her asking about his glasses], chores and learning about his Kryptonian heritage.

Yes, he started learning about Kryptonian culture, customs, as well as language, science, technology and physiology. Now he knows what exactly is going on with his body, after all these years. The ‚lessons' are at least once a day and he liked it very much. He was also learning about other galaxies and everything else about the known universe.

„Clark Kent, the king of teasing," said Chloe sarcastically, though with an amused smile on her lips. Clark couldn't help but notice that she kept glancing at Pete when he wasn't looking. Well, Pete was doing the same. How did they not notice? And most importantly, how didn't Lana notice? Of course, he always knew Pete had a little crush on Chloe, that's best friends for you, but he never even thought that she could have a crush on him. Wow. What else is new?

„Yeah, yeah, I'm the king of teasing, sarcasm and sass. Bow before me, God almighty," said Clark with a mock sigh. They all started laughing again.

„Alright, guys, sorry, but I gotta go, I've got Chemistry right now. See you," said Clark with a smile while waving.

They all said goodbye to him and made their way, because they all had classes now, as well.


He went to his locker to pick up his Chemistry book and notebook, where he will write down his notes. Not that he needed them. That's eidetic memory for you. As he closed his locker, he heard a heartbeat not far behind him. The heart beat fast, probably because the person was late for class – the bell rung a few minutes ago.

He looked behind him and was surprised who he found. Sarah Wilson herself. When she saw him, she beamed at him and stopped next to him.

„Well, well, well. Ms. Wilson herself, late for class. Now, since I saw this, when can I expect Hell to freeze over?" teased Clark. Sarah punched in mock anger on the shoulder. She winced.

„Damn, Clark. What the hell are your muscles made out of? They are like steel..." said Sarah, still wincing. Clark just laughed.

„Well, you could say that I am a.. man of steel," said Clark with an amused expression. Sarah laughed.

„Of course, Mr. Kent. My man of steel. Now, what are you doing here?" asked Sarah. Clark, of course, didn't miss she said he was HER man of steel. He liked the sound of that.

„School? Oh, yeah. I'm educating, so that I can graduate," said Clark, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Sarah glared at him mockingly, with a ghost of smile on her lips, as punched him on the shoulder again, but much lighter.. this time.

„I am going to Chemistry now, just picked up my book and notebook, what about you?" said Clark, unsarcastically, for once.

„I overslept. Who would've thought that, right? I got History now, so I have to go. And, by the way, we never planned our second date," smiled Sarah.

Sarah really liked Clark. I mean.. how could she not? Yeah, he was sarcastic and he liked to tease, which, of course, Sarah liked, but Clark was also a total sweetheart with the body of Adonis and a chiseled face. And don't forget his manners, either. Mama raised him right.

Clark just smiled, a bit of red coming to his cheeks.

„Yeah, I know, sorry, haven't had much time these past few days. Well, how about you come over and we can watch a movie. Let's say.. Friday?" asked Clark hopefully. Sarah smiled.

„That would be nice. Looking forward to it, already. Alright, gotta go, see ya around, handsome," said Sarah as she made her way. Yeah, weird, but she was not a normal girl. She was indeed something special.

Clark smiled at her.

„I am always around."

Sarah turned around and smiled. She liked that phrase.


After he came back home and did his chores, it was time to another lesson about his home planet. He came to the storm cellar, uncovered the ship and touched the symbol. He really liked this symbol, when he thought about it. His parents said it is a Kryptonian symbol for HOPE, and also the crest of his family.

The whole ship lit up, as always, and before him appeared the two holograms of his parents.

Hello, Kal. I see it is probably a time for another lesson," said Jor-El with a smile. Even as an A.I., Jor-El was proud of who his son became – a good person. A good person trying to understand the culture of the world he is hailing from, even if the world is long gone.

Clark just nodded with a smile.

Very well. Today, we shall teach you about the Green Lantern Corps and the Guardians of the Universe." said Lara.

„That sounds exciting," said Clark.

Because it is," said Lara. Well, talk about sass in the family. „Also, we would like to congratulate you on your birthday, or should we say anniversary since you came to Earth."

Clark looked surprised.

„Th-thank you. By the way.. when is my... real birthday?" asked Clark.

Well, considering Krypton's rotation, circulation around Rao... well, if we convert it to Earth's dating system, your birthday is January 8th, 1999," answered Lara.

Well, he is not older than Lana.

„Th-thank you very much," smiled Clark.

Lara just looked at him and gave him a motherly smile, the one only a mother could give her child. His Ma has a smile like this, too.

Of course, son. Now, shall we begin with the lesson?" asked Lara with a smile.

„Of course, please. You may begin," answered Clark.

The Green Lantern Corps is basically a police/military force guarding and protecting the entire universe. In the universe, there are hundreds of space sectors, and each space sectors has two of its members guarding and protecting it. Krypton was in the sector 2813, protected by the Green Lantern Tomar-Tu and Dalor. Earth is in the secret 2814, currently protected by Hal Jordan and John Stewart, both currently off-world. The Earth is unaware of the existence of the corps," explained Jor-El.

„How would you know this? The identities of the Green Lanterns and that Earth is unaware of the existence of the corps, I mean," asked Clark.

The ship is very advanced, even for Kryptonian standards – we were the best scientist on the world, after all. Also, the ship has access to, what humans call, Internet, as well as the entire Green Lantern database," explained Lara.

Well, cockiness certainly isn't a trait my family has,' thought Clark with a chuckle.

„Very well, please, continue," said Clark.

The Green Lanterns are able to create constructs using only pure will and imagination via a so-called Green Lantern Ring. Every member of the core has one, otherwise they would not be able to travel through space, communicate with other species and so on," continued Jor-El.

The lesson went for about an hour, where he learned a very interesting things. For example, how Tomar-Re, father of the current Green Lantern guarding the sector 2813, Tomar-Tu, believed Jor-El that Krypton was doomed and went to find a very rare compound called Stellarium, which would be able to stabilize Krypton's core.

Unfortunately, he was too late.

Clark was sad because of this, but he didn't dwell on it very much. At least, he tried not to. He was already on Earth by then, as Krypton exploded a few hours after his departure.


„CLARK, DINNER'S READY!" yelled his Ma from downstairs.

„COMING, MA!" yelled Clark back, though he was very careful about it. He found out last week that when he yelled at a very high volume, he would be able to shatter glass. Just how many superpowers had he, damn it?

Clark made his way downstairs.

„Hey, son. How was your lesson today?" asked Jonathan. Of course, both of his parents knew about the lessons his biological parents are teaching him. He even told them about some of the lessons. He explained them the Kryptonian culture, customs and stuff like this, they were thrilled. Of course, they noticed that he was somewhat sad about it all.

Well, who wouldn't be sad, when they are talking about a culture no longer existing? Who wouldn't be sad, when they are talking about their planet, their home, which they've never even seen firsthand? Who wouldn't be sad, when they are the last surviving member of their species?

Well, he didn't suppose anyone knows how he feels. Maybe some martian or something, but he really doubts that. He is the last Kryptonian. And he'll always be that last Kryptonian. Or, as Jor-El and Lara say.. the last son of Krypton.

Of course, that didn't matter. He has a family, he is not alone. He has parents. He has friends. He has.. a crush. Of course he has a crush.

And, of course, he has people that care about him greatly.

At least, now he knows when his real birthday is – though he will probably still celebrate the date he came to Earth as his birthday – because, for him, that's when his life started.

With his family.


Well, thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you liked it. Please, write a review. Tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, so that I can either fix it or try to fix it :D

Also, I didn't know what date to put there, February 29th is a canon date of when Clark arrived on Earth (at least, it was, if I remember correctly), and January 8th... well, that's my birthday. July 4th sounded too cheesy. :D

As Sarah would say... see ya around :)