Chapter 1 - Realization

A/N - this is the first time I'm actually writing a fanfic, so it probably sucks big time. Please r/r and let me know what you think of it. And how I can write better. Thanks.. So here goes!

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"Your actions have consequences.. Your actions have consequences.." His father's words had been replaying over and over in his mind. What had he done? He never meant to hurt anyone. But it didn't matter. The fact was that he did. His mother lost the baby. He had caused it. All he seemed to do was to complicate the lives of his loved ones. Never before had he felt so tormented. He had to leave; he didn't want to hurt Lana too. He would never be able to forgive himself if he did.

But after he slipped on the ring, all the pain and misery went away. He felt refreshed.

Now, as he sped towards his destiny awaiting him, Kal-El couldn't help but laugh mockingly at the Clark Kent inside of him. How foolish he had been, slipping on the ring. Now there was no turning back. Kal-El was on his way to fulfilling his destiny, and nobody would be able to stop him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lana watched the dust settle, stunned. Clark had deserted her, saying he had to leave as he didn't want to hurt anybody else. But he just did. Her heart was shattered into a million pieces. Yet another person she loved had left her. Everything just seemed all too familiar for her liking. Her knees sank onto the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks.

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There was not much time left. He had to think on his feet. Fortunately, he excelled in that particular aspect. Lex searched around and grabbed a life jacket, knowing that this time Clark would not be here to save the day. The day at the bridge seemed like a walk in the park compared to what he was about to face. Any sane person would have agreed that Lex could just kiss his life goodbye. But the Luthors were known as survivors. He was brought up a Luthor for a reason. Giving up wasn't in his vocabulary.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

The skyscrapers of Metropolis loomed ahead.

"Finally." Kal-El was sick of Jor-El's voice constantly in his head. He needed to get some rest.

"Now I'm gonna show the world what I'm made of." Kal-El smiled victoriously.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Martha instantly felt something wrong when they pulled up in front of the house. "Jonathan, this place suddenly feels so empty." During the course of the night, Jonathan had told Martha what had happened, and how he had treated Clark. She had instantly demanded that he apologize to Clark, he was their son after all.

"Clark? Son.." Jonathan's voice trailed off. The house was empty. Clark was nowhere in sight.

"Jonathan? What's wrong? There's nobody at home. Clark.. Where is he?" Martha inquired.

"I.." Jonathan was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Lana! Come in. Erm.. Have you seen Clark?" Lana's eyes were bloodshot, having cried herself to sleep the night before, and Jonathan could sense that all was not right.

"Yeah, uh. That's what I came here to talk about. Clark, he uh," Lana could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "He left."

Jonathan glared at Lana. Martha leaned against the cupboard in shock. "What do you mean?"

"He, uh.. He said something about not wanting to uh, hurt anyone else and that no one could - I'm so sorry Mr. Kent! I tried to stop him.. But he, he.." Lana collapsed in tears. By this time Martha was already dazed. Jonathan pulled both of them into his arms.

"It's ok sweetheart. We'll find him. We'll sort this out, just like we have all the other times." However, his words din't even seem to convince himself. Deep in his heart, he just wished he had never looked at his son the way he had at the hospital.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"It's done. The plan worked. He's probably on the ocean floor now."

"That was quick. And I thought he would have been smarter. Seems like love does blind people. You have done an admirable job Dr. Bryce. It's been a pleasure working with you."

"Whatever." Helen turned and walked out of the office.

"Lex, Lex.." Lionel Luthor smiled a wicked smile. "Seems like you've failed this test.."

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A/N - please review so I know how you think of it! I know it's kinda sad and there's not much love and stuff, but don't worry. There'll be other chapters! I hope..