Into the Pantheon: Of Gods and Angels
::Chapter Six::
Clark stared at Catherine, demanding answers.
"I didn't lie to you yesterday. I haven't told my father what I saw." -Catherine.
"But you plan to, right?! Why did you hesitate? It sounds like Lionel Luthor banked on my parents being caring people with that whole 'you're in danger' story - just so you could come here and spy on me???" -Clark was furious.
"No that 'story' is true." She sighed. "But yes, he did want me to find out about you."
"How much does he know?" -Clark
"He knows about an alien. He knows there are a lot of things that don't add up with you. He knows you have a secret. What he doesn't know is if you're the alien from Krypton. …I was supposed to find out." -Catherine.
Clark was taken aback at the alien mention and krypton reference. "How does he know about all that?"
Avoiding the question, she said, "So, it is you?"
"Answer the question!" Clark demanded.
"No - you answer this!" Catherine grabbed his arm. Clark started to jerk away when she stunned him by what she said next, "You're Kal-El aren't you."
Clark looked at her, stunned. He knew she knew. He didn't answer, couldn't answer.
"You are." Catherine said, seeing the truth in his eyes. She looked at him almost in amazement and her hand dropped. She turned away.
He was going to deny it, he was going to say that he'd never heard of that name before. There was a lot of things perhaps he could have said, but he knew it wouldn't fool her, because she had made that a statement - more than a question. Finally, he said, "How did you know?"
When Catherine looked at him again, he saw lingering amazement, but also a calm knowledge. She nodded, "Aside from witnessing you rescue your friend - I think I knew right after I met you. I had this conceit that when I met 'him', I would just know. A part of me did know."
Clark stepped forward and gripped her shoulders. "What are you talking about? Do you realize what you're saying is dangerous?! Does Lionel know about 'Krypton' and 'Kal'-El' - is that where you heard this?" -Clark.
Catherine looked up at him. "My father knows about the existence of an alien that crashed to Earth all those years ago, but I don't think he knows it's you."
"You don't think?!" Clark said, stepping back. He turned away from her and thought.
Catherine shrugged. "I'm 98% certain."
Clark was thinking, barely registering what she said. And then he remembered some strange comments earlier. He spun back around to face her, "What made you think that you would 'just know' when you met Kal-El?"
"Oh Clark I have debated telling you this since the fire when I was almost sure you were Kal-El." -Catherine.
"Tell me what?!" Clark demanded. He was tired of her dancing around circles and giving him half answers, which only led to other questions anyway.
And then she said, "That everything is not always as it seems. Not everyone… not always."
He could hear her voice, but he was looking right at her and her lips hadn't moved.
Catherine noticed by the look on his face, that he had received her message.
She said, communicating again the same way, "There have been only a few in my entire life who have been able to hear my voice. For some reason - even telepaths couldn't receive my mental communication. Can you speak back to me like this?"
Surprised again, Clark only said aloud, "No." And then, "How did you learn to do that?"
She spoke again, normally. "It's an ability."
"The meteor rocks." Clark said.
"No. I've studied people affected by it, and that is not the case with me. Also, I don't just have that singular ability." -Catherine.
"How is that possible?" Clark asked, though more a question to himself as he thought aloud.
"How's it possible with you." Catherine's latest statement said matter-of-factly, brought him out of his thoughts.
Clark looked rather appalled. "You're not suggesting you're … you're like me?!"
She didn't speak immediately so he said, "What else can you do?!"
"I'm sure nothing as grand as yourself. The mental communication is pretty worthless for me since very few can hear my voice let alone communicate back. Everything's mental power for me. There's the ability to manipulate elements to an extent. Earth - crush rocks or some other objects without touching them, or Air - increase wind speed or Fire- start fires, though not huge ones and water - it seems I can make it rain, though usually not consciously. It's pretty unpredictable, because it usually happens when I am experiencing intense emotions especially sadness or great anxiety, which doesn't happen often." -Catherine explained.
Clark was trying to absorb all this and then he remembered, "Yesterday - the freak rain, was that you?"
She nodded. "I think so. As I said, I couldn't control it. But, seeing you save Pete was a stunning experience for me, because I realized who you very well might be. Anyway, those abilities are generally useless as well. I can't read minds or anything, but the most useful ability I have is being able to 'read' emotions and motives of others - seeing their true natures. This hasn't failed me."
Clark swallowed. "How did you get these abilities?"
"I was born with them." -Catherine.
"Lionel knows doesn't he." -Clark.
She smiles, though it turns more into a smirk. "Of course he knows. He created me."
Catherine just looked at Clark's amazed expression and continued, "It seems once upon a time I was a major science project for him. A break through, really." She stopped speaking and stepped closer to him, lower and quieter, "Do you want to know how?"
His eyes intent on hers, he could only nod - his mind whirling ahead before she even spoke. Dreading and yet eager to hear what she had to say.
"In a project headed by Dr. Hubert Grossman and in a secret division of Luthor Laboratories, I was created -from a specimen that my father had obtained. I guess you could say I was cloned. Though -it's even more complicated than that." -Catherine.
Clark asked quickly, "Where did Lionel get this 'specimen' and what was it?"
"It was a child. She was found after having crashed in a particularly remote northern area of Alaska. She didn't survive the crash. A man that had had some deals with my father was in the area at a small research camp doing research for a scientist. He found the child and suffice to say my father acquired her. I don't think I even have to explain to you that she wasn't in a plane crash. Anyway, I was created from her DNA, an unknown female donor and some of Lionel's blood." -Catherine.
Clark didn't even bother to question what she said was true or not. He would ponder that later. For now, it was incredible and while she was talking - he wanted to learn all he could from her.
"You said you were cloned.. that means you're alien--" -Clark.
"Sort of, but not exactly." Catherine said and at his frown, she explained, "I'm not normal in origin, but I'm human for the most part. I could not be cloned as an exact copy of my former self - because that child was entirely alien. When human DNA was manipulated into the other, I was able to be created. I'm essentially a clone of that alien child, but without being alien - or at least more human than alien. Lionel isn't my father, biologically - but then I don't have one. However, in a bizarro genetically-engineered way - he sort of is. As far as a mother …I don't have one, the closest thing to it would be the anonymous donor by which some of her genetic material was used."
Clark took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as different thoughts and feelings flashed across his mind. "This is crazy…. Deep. Bizarre." And then, "Amazing."
She just looked at him.
Clark thought of something else, "But wait - how did all of this lead Lionel in my direction--- or I mean, of knowing about Krypton and Kal-El and all of that?"
"The guy that my father obtained the original, I guess... 'me' from... was working for a scientist that my father was somewhat acquainted with, though not closely. That guy was supposed to deliver the original 'me' as well as the results of his research efforts to this scientist he was working for, however, as i said - my father intercepted it. My father then tried contacting the main man, but he wouldn't agree to talk with him.... so we did not know many specific details until somewhat recently." -Catherine.
"What changed?" -Clark.
Catherine shrugged. "I suppose you could say we were more forceful with our inquiries... but the topper was when Lionel introduced me to him. You see, this man - this scientist, knows a great deal about your origins. And it seems I factored in with his research all those years ago, but he never got the material because my father did, thus enabling him to create me. I don't know that the other man would have. He told me about a message weeks after Kal-El's ship crashed - a broken message that he had translated - how he couldn't understand the meaning, until months later when he received another. And then he had an idea... but it was too late. My father had the 'research material'."
"Who is this scientist?" -Clark.
"A Dr. Swann." -Catherine.
Clark gasped, shocked. "I can't believe it."
"You know him." -Catherine said, watching his reaction.
"He betrayed me! He ---" -Clark.
Catherine interjected, "Clark, this scientist -- I don't know what connection you have to him, but he never connected you with any of this. He never said your name. He only revealed some information to my father and I, because my father told him about me -- how he had created me. Dr. Swann wanted to meet me. Then, he told me some things about Krypton and Kal-El."
"But *why* would Dr. Swann reveal to you anything about *my* origins?" -Clark looked at her, not understanding. Maybe not wanting to. He had heard so much. What if...
Clark hears footsteps downstairs. He puts a finger to his mouth in a gesture for Catherine to be quiet. He didn't want *any* one at this point, including those that knew about him - to be privy to this conversation -- not until he got it sorted out himself.
Catherine and Clark stood silent and watched to see who the person was.
When Lana Lang walked up and stood at the top of the loft, she looked a bit surpised from Clark to Catherine and then back to Clark, sensing something was up.
"Wow. Why so quiet?" Lana looks at Clark. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important."
"Not at all." -Clark.
"I'm going to go see if your mother needs any help, Clark." Catherine says and passes in front of Lana, obscuring her view of Clark for a few seconds.
Clark looks at Catherine and says, "We'll finish this later," with an emphasis on later and a very serious look on his face.
END of Chapter Six
Any mistakes will be edited when I post next chapter.
Thanks for reviewing Nightwing and Mad Scientist! Next one should be up sometime this week. I haven't been able to update as much/soon as I had originally planned - because of so much going on at college - tying up loose ends for graduation. Take Care!
::Chapter Six::
Clark stared at Catherine, demanding answers.
"I didn't lie to you yesterday. I haven't told my father what I saw." -Catherine.
"But you plan to, right?! Why did you hesitate? It sounds like Lionel Luthor banked on my parents being caring people with that whole 'you're in danger' story - just so you could come here and spy on me???" -Clark was furious.
"No that 'story' is true." She sighed. "But yes, he did want me to find out about you."
"How much does he know?" -Clark
"He knows about an alien. He knows there are a lot of things that don't add up with you. He knows you have a secret. What he doesn't know is if you're the alien from Krypton. …I was supposed to find out." -Catherine.
Clark was taken aback at the alien mention and krypton reference. "How does he know about all that?"
Avoiding the question, she said, "So, it is you?"
"Answer the question!" Clark demanded.
"No - you answer this!" Catherine grabbed his arm. Clark started to jerk away when she stunned him by what she said next, "You're Kal-El aren't you."
Clark looked at her, stunned. He knew she knew. He didn't answer, couldn't answer.
"You are." Catherine said, seeing the truth in his eyes. She looked at him almost in amazement and her hand dropped. She turned away.
He was going to deny it, he was going to say that he'd never heard of that name before. There was a lot of things perhaps he could have said, but he knew it wouldn't fool her, because she had made that a statement - more than a question. Finally, he said, "How did you know?"
When Catherine looked at him again, he saw lingering amazement, but also a calm knowledge. She nodded, "Aside from witnessing you rescue your friend - I think I knew right after I met you. I had this conceit that when I met 'him', I would just know. A part of me did know."
Clark stepped forward and gripped her shoulders. "What are you talking about? Do you realize what you're saying is dangerous?! Does Lionel know about 'Krypton' and 'Kal'-El' - is that where you heard this?" -Clark.
Catherine looked up at him. "My father knows about the existence of an alien that crashed to Earth all those years ago, but I don't think he knows it's you."
"You don't think?!" Clark said, stepping back. He turned away from her and thought.
Catherine shrugged. "I'm 98% certain."
Clark was thinking, barely registering what she said. And then he remembered some strange comments earlier. He spun back around to face her, "What made you think that you would 'just know' when you met Kal-El?"
"Oh Clark I have debated telling you this since the fire when I was almost sure you were Kal-El." -Catherine.
"Tell me what?!" Clark demanded. He was tired of her dancing around circles and giving him half answers, which only led to other questions anyway.
And then she said, "That everything is not always as it seems. Not everyone… not always."
He could hear her voice, but he was looking right at her and her lips hadn't moved.
Catherine noticed by the look on his face, that he had received her message.
She said, communicating again the same way, "There have been only a few in my entire life who have been able to hear my voice. For some reason - even telepaths couldn't receive my mental communication. Can you speak back to me like this?"
Surprised again, Clark only said aloud, "No." And then, "How did you learn to do that?"
She spoke again, normally. "It's an ability."
"The meteor rocks." Clark said.
"No. I've studied people affected by it, and that is not the case with me. Also, I don't just have that singular ability." -Catherine.
"How is that possible?" Clark asked, though more a question to himself as he thought aloud.
"How's it possible with you." Catherine's latest statement said matter-of-factly, brought him out of his thoughts.
Clark looked rather appalled. "You're not suggesting you're … you're like me?!"
She didn't speak immediately so he said, "What else can you do?!"
"I'm sure nothing as grand as yourself. The mental communication is pretty worthless for me since very few can hear my voice let alone communicate back. Everything's mental power for me. There's the ability to manipulate elements to an extent. Earth - crush rocks or some other objects without touching them, or Air - increase wind speed or Fire- start fires, though not huge ones and water - it seems I can make it rain, though usually not consciously. It's pretty unpredictable, because it usually happens when I am experiencing intense emotions especially sadness or great anxiety, which doesn't happen often." -Catherine explained.
Clark was trying to absorb all this and then he remembered, "Yesterday - the freak rain, was that you?"
She nodded. "I think so. As I said, I couldn't control it. But, seeing you save Pete was a stunning experience for me, because I realized who you very well might be. Anyway, those abilities are generally useless as well. I can't read minds or anything, but the most useful ability I have is being able to 'read' emotions and motives of others - seeing their true natures. This hasn't failed me."
Clark swallowed. "How did you get these abilities?"
"I was born with them." -Catherine.
"Lionel knows doesn't he." -Clark.
She smiles, though it turns more into a smirk. "Of course he knows. He created me."
Catherine just looked at Clark's amazed expression and continued, "It seems once upon a time I was a major science project for him. A break through, really." She stopped speaking and stepped closer to him, lower and quieter, "Do you want to know how?"
His eyes intent on hers, he could only nod - his mind whirling ahead before she even spoke. Dreading and yet eager to hear what she had to say.
"In a project headed by Dr. Hubert Grossman and in a secret division of Luthor Laboratories, I was created -from a specimen that my father had obtained. I guess you could say I was cloned. Though -it's even more complicated than that." -Catherine.
Clark asked quickly, "Where did Lionel get this 'specimen' and what was it?"
"It was a child. She was found after having crashed in a particularly remote northern area of Alaska. She didn't survive the crash. A man that had had some deals with my father was in the area at a small research camp doing research for a scientist. He found the child and suffice to say my father acquired her. I don't think I even have to explain to you that she wasn't in a plane crash. Anyway, I was created from her DNA, an unknown female donor and some of Lionel's blood." -Catherine.
Clark didn't even bother to question what she said was true or not. He would ponder that later. For now, it was incredible and while she was talking - he wanted to learn all he could from her.
"You said you were cloned.. that means you're alien--" -Clark.
"Sort of, but not exactly." Catherine said and at his frown, she explained, "I'm not normal in origin, but I'm human for the most part. I could not be cloned as an exact copy of my former self - because that child was entirely alien. When human DNA was manipulated into the other, I was able to be created. I'm essentially a clone of that alien child, but without being alien - or at least more human than alien. Lionel isn't my father, biologically - but then I don't have one. However, in a bizarro genetically-engineered way - he sort of is. As far as a mother …I don't have one, the closest thing to it would be the anonymous donor by which some of her genetic material was used."
Clark took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as different thoughts and feelings flashed across his mind. "This is crazy…. Deep. Bizarre." And then, "Amazing."
She just looked at him.
Clark thought of something else, "But wait - how did all of this lead Lionel in my direction--- or I mean, of knowing about Krypton and Kal-El and all of that?"
"The guy that my father obtained the original, I guess... 'me' from... was working for a scientist that my father was somewhat acquainted with, though not closely. That guy was supposed to deliver the original 'me' as well as the results of his research efforts to this scientist he was working for, however, as i said - my father intercepted it. My father then tried contacting the main man, but he wouldn't agree to talk with him.... so we did not know many specific details until somewhat recently." -Catherine.
"What changed?" -Clark.
Catherine shrugged. "I suppose you could say we were more forceful with our inquiries... but the topper was when Lionel introduced me to him. You see, this man - this scientist, knows a great deal about your origins. And it seems I factored in with his research all those years ago, but he never got the material because my father did, thus enabling him to create me. I don't know that the other man would have. He told me about a message weeks after Kal-El's ship crashed - a broken message that he had translated - how he couldn't understand the meaning, until months later when he received another. And then he had an idea... but it was too late. My father had the 'research material'."
"Who is this scientist?" -Clark.
"A Dr. Swann." -Catherine.
Clark gasped, shocked. "I can't believe it."
"You know him." -Catherine said, watching his reaction.
"He betrayed me! He ---" -Clark.
Catherine interjected, "Clark, this scientist -- I don't know what connection you have to him, but he never connected you with any of this. He never said your name. He only revealed some information to my father and I, because my father told him about me -- how he had created me. Dr. Swann wanted to meet me. Then, he told me some things about Krypton and Kal-El."
"But *why* would Dr. Swann reveal to you anything about *my* origins?" -Clark looked at her, not understanding. Maybe not wanting to. He had heard so much. What if...
Clark hears footsteps downstairs. He puts a finger to his mouth in a gesture for Catherine to be quiet. He didn't want *any* one at this point, including those that knew about him - to be privy to this conversation -- not until he got it sorted out himself.
Catherine and Clark stood silent and watched to see who the person was.
When Lana Lang walked up and stood at the top of the loft, she looked a bit surpised from Clark to Catherine and then back to Clark, sensing something was up.
"Wow. Why so quiet?" Lana looks at Clark. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important."
"Not at all." -Clark.
"I'm going to go see if your mother needs any help, Clark." Catherine says and passes in front of Lana, obscuring her view of Clark for a few seconds.
Clark looks at Catherine and says, "We'll finish this later," with an emphasis on later and a very serious look on his face.
END of Chapter Six
Any mistakes will be edited when I post next chapter.
Thanks for reviewing Nightwing and Mad Scientist! Next one should be up sometime this week. I haven't been able to update as much/soon as I had originally planned - because of so much going on at college - tying up loose ends for graduation. Take Care!