EXT. KENT FARM – NIGHT
Clark sits out on the front porch steps, staring out at nothing in particular. Inside the house, Jonathan kisses Martha good night.
JONATHAN I'll be up in a minute.
Martha kisses him a second time and then heads upstairs. Jonathan turns and steps through the storm door. Clark looks up at him as his father sits down next to him.
JONATHAN I'd say penny for your thoughts, but I imagine I'd probably need a lot more than that.
Clark humors his father with a smile.
CLARK
A lot's happened in the past few weeks. I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to get a good night's sleep again.
JONATHAN You and me both.
They each take a deep breath and exhale at the same exact time, each sitting the exact same way with their elbows resting on their knees. They may not be related in their DNA, but they are definitely father and son.
CLARK I just don't get it. Why'd they let you go?
JONATHAN I don't know. I do know that Lana is a troubled girl, though, son. I think that Scream did more to her than any of us realized.
CLARK
But he won. He beat me. I went back to the hill and the portal was gone. I didn't know where else to look. You were gone... and then they just up and let you go. Why?
JONATHAN I'm not sure. I don't have all the answers. God help the man who thinks he does. All I know is that I'm home now, with my family, and that's what's important.
He puts his arm around Clark.
JONATHAN
This, right here, you and me, that's what's important. This is what counts.
Clark diverts his eyes to the ground. His father is home, but he still seems sad.
CLARK I gave up, Dad.
A pause...
CLARK I promised myself that I would never give up, that I would never lose hope. I promised Mom. I wanted to be strong. I was determined. In the maze, in Fate's Labyrinth, I was even an inspiration... but when I went back to that hill, and that portal was gone... I gave up.
Clark looks up at his Dad.
CLARK I didn't think I'd ever see you again... and I gave up.
JONATHAN Hey, son, it's all right. It's all right. We all have moments of weakness.
CLARK But not me... I mean, I shouldn't. I can't afford too anymore. You were depending on me, and I gave up. What does that say about me?
JONATHAN It tells me that you're not perfect... and you don't have to be, son, not even you.
CLARK But...
JONATHAN
No, no "buts". Now, you listen to me, Clark Kent. I'm your father and I'm proud of you. I am proud of who you are. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them, just like you're learning now. That's part of being human, it's part of growing up, and it's part of learning to be a man... and whether your mother or I like it or not, that's what you're becoming. And you're growing into a man that a father can be proud of.
Clark nods a silent appreciation for the vote of confidence.
JONATHAN
Now, I don't know what to make of all this "savior of the world" talk. I don't know that I believe in that. I certainly don't understand it. I don't think you're a god, but I do believe, son, that you are here for a reason. Now, I don't know what reason, maybe... I don't know. Listen to me, Clark, sometimes all a man can do in this world is to try and be the best man that he can be. Sometimes that man will fail, or give up, but he'll fight back. He'll rise up, he'll learn from his mistakes, and he'll come back stronger than ever. That's your job now. That's what you have to do.
Clark nods.
JONATHAN
Okay? You listening to me?
Jonathan squeezes Clark a little and smiles, coaxing a smile out of Clark.
CLARK
::smiles:: Okay.
JONATHAN
Good. Now, I'm gonna go to bed. I'm tired... and so are you.
CLARK Okay, Dad.
Jonathan looks up at the loft window and notices the light still on. He motions to it.
JONATHAN
Turn off the loft light, will ya?
CLARK Yeah.
Jonathan and Clark stand up. Jonathan heads for the door and Clark for the barn.
JONATHAN
Oh, and Clark...
Clark stops and turns around.
JONATHAN
I love you, son. Don't ever forget that.
CLARK
I love you too, Dad.
They exchange smiles and Jonathan turns and heads inside. Clark heads for the barn.
A snap of a twig... Clark's super hearing senses someone moving in the field by the fence. He uses his vision to look out. It's Lana.
CLARK Lana?
Clark starts walking down the road toward her. She sees him, turns, and runs.
CLARK Lana!
He chases after her, using a quick burst of super speed to catch her. He grabs her by the arm and she struggles to break free.
LANA
Let me go, Clark! Please, let me go. I don't want to be here.
CLARK
Lana, please, you need help.
LANA
Just let me go, you don't understand.
CLARK
What? What don't I understand?
LANA
I don't want to be here. I don't want to see this.
CLARK
See what? What are you talking about?
She stops struggling and turns to face him. She's been crying.
LANA
Please, Clark. Forgive me. I didn't want too. I didn't have any choice.
CLARK Lana, just come inside. We'll talk...
LANA
No, I can't.
CLARK
Why not?
LANA
I can't... Clark, just please tell me you forgive me. I had to let him go.
CLARK
Lana, just calm down. What's going on? You can tell me.
She shakes her head through her tears.
LANA
I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to let him go, but I had no choice. If I didn't, the prophecy wouldn't be fulfilled. That's why I went to Fate in the first place. I didn't want it to happen.
Meanwhile, back at the porch, Jonathan steps outside and looks up at the loft impatiently. The light is still on.
JONATHAN
Hey, Clark...
He waits for an answer, but gets none. He starts down the porch steps.
JONATHAN
Clark, come on. Just turn out the light. It's late.
Jonathan heads for the barn.
Back in the field, Lana is still in hysterics. Clark keeps his grasp on her arm.
CLARK
What are you talking about? What's going to happen?
She calms herself. Reluctantly, she begins to recite...
LANA Fearing the God's wrath, the Evil One sought out to destroy the deliverer before his time of ascension. Knowing he could never hope to defeat the savior himself, the Evil One waited to strike against El's heart.
INT. KENT FARM – CLARK'S LOFT
Jonathan calls up to the loft from the bottom of the barn stairs.
JONATHAN Clark... Just turn of the light and come inside.
No answer.
He climbs to the top of the steps.
JONATHAN
Clark?
The clear crystal sits on the window sill.
EXT. KENT FARM – NIGHT
Lana continues to recite to Clark.
LANA Blackening the heavens, blinding the Gods' sight, the Evil One would wait for the hero El to save the one who fell from the sky for the moment to strike. The burden of a hero is a heart for all, and the Evil One knew this.
CUT TO: Jonathan in the loft...
Jonathan walks over to the light and goes to turn it off when something catches his eye. A glimmer from the moonshine hits the clear crystal on the window sill and garners Jonathan's attention.
CUT TO: Lana reciting to Clark...
LANA
So, the Evil One struck at where El's heart was most weak, where the pain would be at its greatest. The deliverer was entrusted to slaves and would set forth to free them. The Evil One would make each of them pay a price for that freedom. He would not be able to destroy the savior, but he could hurt him...
CUT TO: Jonathan in the loft...
Jonathan picks up the clear crystal from the window sill and it immediately begins to glow a bright white that fills the entire loft with light.
CUT TO: Lana reciting to Clark...
LANA ... by destroying the slave.
A bright white light explodes out of the loft window which immediately grabs Clark's and Lana's attention. Clark is no fool. He knows what Lana was talking about.
CLARK
Dad...
Lana cries and turns away as Clark super speeds back to the barn.
INT. KENT FARM – CLARK'S LOFT
Clark speeds into the barn, racing to the top of the stairs. A large man with broad shoulders stands in front of a pulsing white portal. He has his arms behind his back, one hand locked around the opposite wrist. It is General Drake, an intense orange fire emanating from his eyes which are staring squarely at Jonathan.
CLARK No!
Clark reaches out, half a second too late, as two beams of concentrated fire erupt from the man's eyes and slam into Jonathan's chest, knocking him backwards and to the ground. Clark quickly races to his father's side.
CLARK
Dad! Dad!
Clark lifts his father's head up slightly, Jonathan's chest burnt to a crisp.
JONATHAN
Clark...
CLARK
I'm here, Dad.
He barely gets it out before Jonathan's eyes roll back in his head and the life slips out of him.
CLARK No... Dad, please... Don't... You can't...
Clark cries, trying to revive Jonathan, but to no avail.
GENERAL DRAKE
How sad, the forlorn child desperately clings to the lifeless heap of his fallen father. If I subscribed to the infantile dreck that is human sentiment, I might be touched. But, I acquiesce. We finally meet, Kal-El.
Clark, still holding his father, looks up at the General, tears and furious rage in his eyes.
CLARK
Why? Why him, you coward? It's me you want. Why kill him?
GENERAL DRAKE
One would think you would know that by now. How small you've become on this simple world. Your father was wrong in sending you here. We, you and I, are merely destiny's pawns. We do what fate demands.
CLARK If that's true, then you're in for a big disappointment. Word has it you're going to lose.
GENERAL DRAKE
Perhaps, but in the end the final outcome is ultimately meaningless. History remembers war for its scale, for its majesty. Life and death are irrelevant, but eternity is an all together different matter. We are rivals of a different quality, titans owned by mystique and veneration. We are idol. We are divine. The elements are in place and the stage is set.
General Drake smiles devilishly.
GENERAL DRAKE
Besides, a victory would mean a victory over fate itself, and a man who has power over destiny has dominion over all. I consider it a challenge.
Clark looks up at him, pure hate behind his eyes.
CLARK
You're insane!
GENERAL DRAKE
No...
The flames from Drake's eyes start up again, growing to envelop his entire body. His pink skin and American military garb burn away and what is left is a stone skinned behemoth with dark navy metal armor and a cold granite face.
GENERAL DRAKE ...I am Darkseid.
Remaining in his stance, Darkseid hovers off the ground and turns, hovering back into the energy portal. It closes around him and he disappears.
Clark looks down at his father, lying dead in his arms, and cries.
---- The End
Clark sits out on the front porch steps, staring out at nothing in particular. Inside the house, Jonathan kisses Martha good night.
JONATHAN I'll be up in a minute.
Martha kisses him a second time and then heads upstairs. Jonathan turns and steps through the storm door. Clark looks up at him as his father sits down next to him.
JONATHAN I'd say penny for your thoughts, but I imagine I'd probably need a lot more than that.
Clark humors his father with a smile.
CLARK
A lot's happened in the past few weeks. I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to get a good night's sleep again.
JONATHAN You and me both.
They each take a deep breath and exhale at the same exact time, each sitting the exact same way with their elbows resting on their knees. They may not be related in their DNA, but they are definitely father and son.
CLARK I just don't get it. Why'd they let you go?
JONATHAN I don't know. I do know that Lana is a troubled girl, though, son. I think that Scream did more to her than any of us realized.
CLARK
But he won. He beat me. I went back to the hill and the portal was gone. I didn't know where else to look. You were gone... and then they just up and let you go. Why?
JONATHAN I'm not sure. I don't have all the answers. God help the man who thinks he does. All I know is that I'm home now, with my family, and that's what's important.
He puts his arm around Clark.
JONATHAN
This, right here, you and me, that's what's important. This is what counts.
Clark diverts his eyes to the ground. His father is home, but he still seems sad.
CLARK I gave up, Dad.
A pause...
CLARK I promised myself that I would never give up, that I would never lose hope. I promised Mom. I wanted to be strong. I was determined. In the maze, in Fate's Labyrinth, I was even an inspiration... but when I went back to that hill, and that portal was gone... I gave up.
Clark looks up at his Dad.
CLARK I didn't think I'd ever see you again... and I gave up.
JONATHAN Hey, son, it's all right. It's all right. We all have moments of weakness.
CLARK But not me... I mean, I shouldn't. I can't afford too anymore. You were depending on me, and I gave up. What does that say about me?
JONATHAN It tells me that you're not perfect... and you don't have to be, son, not even you.
CLARK But...
JONATHAN
No, no "buts". Now, you listen to me, Clark Kent. I'm your father and I'm proud of you. I am proud of who you are. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them, just like you're learning now. That's part of being human, it's part of growing up, and it's part of learning to be a man... and whether your mother or I like it or not, that's what you're becoming. And you're growing into a man that a father can be proud of.
Clark nods a silent appreciation for the vote of confidence.
JONATHAN
Now, I don't know what to make of all this "savior of the world" talk. I don't know that I believe in that. I certainly don't understand it. I don't think you're a god, but I do believe, son, that you are here for a reason. Now, I don't know what reason, maybe... I don't know. Listen to me, Clark, sometimes all a man can do in this world is to try and be the best man that he can be. Sometimes that man will fail, or give up, but he'll fight back. He'll rise up, he'll learn from his mistakes, and he'll come back stronger than ever. That's your job now. That's what you have to do.
Clark nods.
JONATHAN
Okay? You listening to me?
Jonathan squeezes Clark a little and smiles, coaxing a smile out of Clark.
CLARK
::smiles:: Okay.
JONATHAN
Good. Now, I'm gonna go to bed. I'm tired... and so are you.
CLARK Okay, Dad.
Jonathan looks up at the loft window and notices the light still on. He motions to it.
JONATHAN
Turn off the loft light, will ya?
CLARK Yeah.
Jonathan and Clark stand up. Jonathan heads for the door and Clark for the barn.
JONATHAN
Oh, and Clark...
Clark stops and turns around.
JONATHAN
I love you, son. Don't ever forget that.
CLARK
I love you too, Dad.
They exchange smiles and Jonathan turns and heads inside. Clark heads for the barn.
A snap of a twig... Clark's super hearing senses someone moving in the field by the fence. He uses his vision to look out. It's Lana.
CLARK Lana?
Clark starts walking down the road toward her. She sees him, turns, and runs.
CLARK Lana!
He chases after her, using a quick burst of super speed to catch her. He grabs her by the arm and she struggles to break free.
LANA
Let me go, Clark! Please, let me go. I don't want to be here.
CLARK
Lana, please, you need help.
LANA
Just let me go, you don't understand.
CLARK
What? What don't I understand?
LANA
I don't want to be here. I don't want to see this.
CLARK
See what? What are you talking about?
She stops struggling and turns to face him. She's been crying.
LANA
Please, Clark. Forgive me. I didn't want too. I didn't have any choice.
CLARK Lana, just come inside. We'll talk...
LANA
No, I can't.
CLARK
Why not?
LANA
I can't... Clark, just please tell me you forgive me. I had to let him go.
CLARK
Lana, just calm down. What's going on? You can tell me.
She shakes her head through her tears.
LANA
I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to let him go, but I had no choice. If I didn't, the prophecy wouldn't be fulfilled. That's why I went to Fate in the first place. I didn't want it to happen.
Meanwhile, back at the porch, Jonathan steps outside and looks up at the loft impatiently. The light is still on.
JONATHAN
Hey, Clark...
He waits for an answer, but gets none. He starts down the porch steps.
JONATHAN
Clark, come on. Just turn out the light. It's late.
Jonathan heads for the barn.
Back in the field, Lana is still in hysterics. Clark keeps his grasp on her arm.
CLARK
What are you talking about? What's going to happen?
She calms herself. Reluctantly, she begins to recite...
LANA Fearing the God's wrath, the Evil One sought out to destroy the deliverer before his time of ascension. Knowing he could never hope to defeat the savior himself, the Evil One waited to strike against El's heart.
INT. KENT FARM – CLARK'S LOFT
Jonathan calls up to the loft from the bottom of the barn stairs.
JONATHAN Clark... Just turn of the light and come inside.
No answer.
He climbs to the top of the steps.
JONATHAN
Clark?
The clear crystal sits on the window sill.
EXT. KENT FARM – NIGHT
Lana continues to recite to Clark.
LANA Blackening the heavens, blinding the Gods' sight, the Evil One would wait for the hero El to save the one who fell from the sky for the moment to strike. The burden of a hero is a heart for all, and the Evil One knew this.
CUT TO: Jonathan in the loft...
Jonathan walks over to the light and goes to turn it off when something catches his eye. A glimmer from the moonshine hits the clear crystal on the window sill and garners Jonathan's attention.
CUT TO: Lana reciting to Clark...
LANA
So, the Evil One struck at where El's heart was most weak, where the pain would be at its greatest. The deliverer was entrusted to slaves and would set forth to free them. The Evil One would make each of them pay a price for that freedom. He would not be able to destroy the savior, but he could hurt him...
CUT TO: Jonathan in the loft...
Jonathan picks up the clear crystal from the window sill and it immediately begins to glow a bright white that fills the entire loft with light.
CUT TO: Lana reciting to Clark...
LANA ... by destroying the slave.
A bright white light explodes out of the loft window which immediately grabs Clark's and Lana's attention. Clark is no fool. He knows what Lana was talking about.
CLARK
Dad...
Lana cries and turns away as Clark super speeds back to the barn.
INT. KENT FARM – CLARK'S LOFT
Clark speeds into the barn, racing to the top of the stairs. A large man with broad shoulders stands in front of a pulsing white portal. He has his arms behind his back, one hand locked around the opposite wrist. It is General Drake, an intense orange fire emanating from his eyes which are staring squarely at Jonathan.
CLARK No!
Clark reaches out, half a second too late, as two beams of concentrated fire erupt from the man's eyes and slam into Jonathan's chest, knocking him backwards and to the ground. Clark quickly races to his father's side.
CLARK
Dad! Dad!
Clark lifts his father's head up slightly, Jonathan's chest burnt to a crisp.
JONATHAN
Clark...
CLARK
I'm here, Dad.
He barely gets it out before Jonathan's eyes roll back in his head and the life slips out of him.
CLARK No... Dad, please... Don't... You can't...
Clark cries, trying to revive Jonathan, but to no avail.
GENERAL DRAKE
How sad, the forlorn child desperately clings to the lifeless heap of his fallen father. If I subscribed to the infantile dreck that is human sentiment, I might be touched. But, I acquiesce. We finally meet, Kal-El.
Clark, still holding his father, looks up at the General, tears and furious rage in his eyes.
CLARK
Why? Why him, you coward? It's me you want. Why kill him?
GENERAL DRAKE
One would think you would know that by now. How small you've become on this simple world. Your father was wrong in sending you here. We, you and I, are merely destiny's pawns. We do what fate demands.
CLARK If that's true, then you're in for a big disappointment. Word has it you're going to lose.
GENERAL DRAKE
Perhaps, but in the end the final outcome is ultimately meaningless. History remembers war for its scale, for its majesty. Life and death are irrelevant, but eternity is an all together different matter. We are rivals of a different quality, titans owned by mystique and veneration. We are idol. We are divine. The elements are in place and the stage is set.
General Drake smiles devilishly.
GENERAL DRAKE
Besides, a victory would mean a victory over fate itself, and a man who has power over destiny has dominion over all. I consider it a challenge.
Clark looks up at him, pure hate behind his eyes.
CLARK
You're insane!
GENERAL DRAKE
No...
The flames from Drake's eyes start up again, growing to envelop his entire body. His pink skin and American military garb burn away and what is left is a stone skinned behemoth with dark navy metal armor and a cold granite face.
GENERAL DRAKE ...I am Darkseid.
Remaining in his stance, Darkseid hovers off the ground and turns, hovering back into the energy portal. It closes around him and he disappears.
Clark looks down at his father, lying dead in his arms, and cries.
---- The End