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Tragedies of the Past, chapter 7

Conner noticed that Max was in a pensive mood after he assisted the Titans. The Kents didn't notice it, but Max seemed preoccupied and quieter than normal.

Finally, he could take it no longer. "Max, is there anything you want to talk about?"

"What makes you think there's something to talk about?" Max asked.

"You're giving that non-denial again," Conner noted. "You've also been thinking about something. Maybe it's one of those things where one twin picks up on the mood or thoughts of the other."

"We're not twins."

"We're close enough. Stop avoiding the question."

"I've been thinking about Inertia."

"You've been thinking about Inertia? Why would you be thinking about, oh, I get it."

"His background is very similar to mine. If things had gone a little differently, would I have been fighting the Titans alongside him?"

"You weren't fighting with them, though. You were fighting against them. What might have beens aren't as important as what you are and have done."

"It's difficult for me to ignore what might have happened. I see you and wonder what would have happened if I..."

"If you were successful when we first met? Well, you'd be the one who had a lot of younger brothers."

Max looked at Conner. "I'm not sure I get the joke."

"The Agenda would have made more of you, right? You'd be their older brother."

"If the Agenda made more of me, I'd be dead."

"How can you be sure of that?"

"The Agenda cloned me from you, and you started melting. The Agenda wouldn't have bothered trying to keep me alive; they'd just let me die when it became apparent that their cloning technique was flawed."

"I...I never thought about that."

"It was something they threatened me with. If I ever failed them, they'd just make another Match and let me melt away."

"That's horrible!"

"I'm not supposed to be here," Max continued. "Not here as in this form, but alive. I should be dead."

"Did seeing Inertia make you think this?"

"I already knew it. Seeing him just made me think about it in a little more prolonged manner. It crops up every now and again."

"How frequently?"

"Every three or four days."

"You call that every now and again? Have you told someone else? What am I thinking? Of course you haven't."

"I didn't see any purpose in doing so."

"Did you think that maybe we could help you work through your problems and it wouldn't bother you any more?"

"It doesn't bother me. You didn't notice until now."

"Any other unwelcome thoughts or memories that crop up regularly?"

"Just...you know."

"What?"

"What was done to me."

Conner was silent for a moment before saying, "Do you want to see a psychologist or something? Someone who can help you?"

"It wouldn't work. I'd have to explain who I am."

"I think Clark saw one in his other identity. You wouldn't have to see one as Max."

"I don't think I could discuss this with a stranger. I'd just say that everything was fine."

Conner hugged Max. "You can talk to me about anything. I'll help however I can."

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