Title: Fated King

Author: DarienSummers

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Smallville, though one day I will!

A/N: I have made the choice to go with an Alternate Universe for everything after Clark confronts the followers of Zod in the season five episode "Arrival". There are slight changes that have dramatic consequences but revealing them here would spoil the story. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

November 12, 2005 The Past

Early one Friday night, in a small and quiet room, Clark Kent lay on a bed resting. His visage was one of serene peace, though just below the surface many emotions raced through his mind.

He had been, for the better part of the last hour, trying to work on an assignment for his Philosophy class. It was quite simply getting no where. Other thoughts had plagued him, causing such distraction that he gave up and resigned himself to completing the task later. He knew that if the need arose, he could easily request a short extension on the assignment from Professor Fine, and in his mind he had no doubt that the professor would grant the request.

However even those thoughts had eventually led him back to certain unpleasant memories, memories he had tried countless times to push out of his head. It was a task that he found harder than it originally seemed. After all, those events were what had caused him to make certain decisions that changed the course of his life, as well as the lives of those around him; Decisions that included attending Metropolis University.

That was of course one of the minor things, when compared to his other choices. But it was not that alone that clawed at his consciousness. Soon he would have to get up and leave his humble dorm room, if he wanted to make it back to Smallville in time for his monthly ritual; a ritual filled with both joy and sorrow.

He, Chloe, and Lois would be driving back to Smallville to visit and family for the weekend, though really that just meant they were going to see the Kents. It was strange but in the time after the "Incident", even now none of them exactly felt comfortable talking about it, Martha and Jonathon Kent had become anchors for the three friends. They had for the most part become family to all, and so every month, for at least one weekend, the three made the journey back home to visit. At first it had been what seemed like an obligation, but it quickly grew beyond that and became something much more. It had become a bonding ritual filled with many happy moments, though there would always be that sorrow underneath it all.

Clark thought back to those fateful days when everything had seemed to finally settle into place, only to explode into pieces with one catastrophe after another. All of which lead to everything changing. It had been hard coping with the enormity of it all and at first he hadn't. He had done everything he could to isolate himself from the rest of the world, going so far as to leave shortly after matters had finally calmed; another one of those decisions he had made.

Smallville, Kent Farm Summer 2005

When his parents had learned of what he planned to do, they had reacted in a variety of different manners, trying to console him at first, softly explaining that what had occurred was not his fault and that they knew he was hurting but that he didn't have to go. When he had remained adamant about his journey, they had been slightly angered, his father going so far as to yell slightly, but still it had not deterred him. In his mind there was no choice in the matter. Finally they had resigned themselves to the fact that Clark would be leaving and they had no idea when he would be coming back. Seeing the sadness in their eyes had been more than he could bear. He had said his goodbyes and promised to return as soon as he could before speeding off northwards into the long and dark night.

Jor-El had been pleased with his return and so Clark's learning had begun once again. The full knowledge of Krypton at his disposal within the crystals, he had at first been hesitant to embark down that path for fear it would turn him back into Kal-El, but over the long days of summer he had begun to become more and more curious, and soon each drop of knowledge was obtained readily.

It was around the close of the summer months when Jor-El had finally informed him that he was to return to the Kents, and that he would summon him for further training in time. Clark had been ecstatic at the thought of being able to see his family again, jumping at the chance to be able to return home, and so he had.

It had been awkward at first, showing up out of no where, but his parents had been so pleased to see him. Martha actually wept and Jonathon had been close to tears himself. Months of guilt had hit Clark then, and he let it out in the arms of his parents, sobbing with them a mixture of happiness and heartache.

It was then that he had seen the others behind his parents. Lois and Chloe looked on in shock at the scene before them. In moments however they had been swept up into the group hug as well.

Eventually things had settled down and at the Kents warm kitchen table they spoke in length about what had be going on since the meteor shower. Many things had changed in the short time he had been away for one, he was entirely surprised to find that both Chloe and Lois had been living with his parents for the summer.

Chloe had explained that with her home destroyed, and her father off in Gotham, Martha and Jonathon had taken her in as one of their own, giving her a place to stay and a purpose in helping to rebuild.

Lois on the other hand had seemed content to remain quiet until Clark had prompted her to speak. For a second he had thought she would snap at him with one of her witty barbs but surprisingly instead she had revealed to him, that after the attack at the hospital, she had stayed to help his parents get back on their feet. When Clark mentioned her trip to Switzerland to find Lucy, she had dismissed it with a wave of her hand, explaining that shockingly Lucy had appeared in Smallville shortly after the meteor shower, with the intention of all things making sure Lois was alive and well. Of course that had ended up with The General being informed of Lucy's whereabouts and quickly coming to pick her up. After a small and quick conversation with Sam Lane, Clark's parents had somehow managed to convince the general to allow Lois to remain in their care until it was time for her to return to Metropolis for school. She had been astounded and grateful for the shelter the Kents so selflessly provided.

It was not until she had finished that her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she turned to Clark, and in a matter of seconds had turned the tables on him by asking him where he had run off to for so long, and also why he had not felt the need to write, call, or even contact his parents when it was clear they were going to be worried about him. The last time that she knew anyone had seen him was just after the funeral, and that in her opinion was far too long ago to not ask questions about.

Immediately though she regretted the harsh way in which she had asked the questions, wincing ever so slightly after receiving a kick under the table from Chloe. When everyone began to speak with their eyes though, she could only look on in confusion. Much to her surprise Chloe had seemed to join in on the nonverbal conversations that were so famous in the Kent household. Something was being kept from her and Lois did not like that fact one bit, she was about to try and dig further when Jonathon had finally broken the silence with "I'm sorry Lois, it's a family matter." Nothing else was said about it as the topic then moved onwards to something else.

For a moment Lois had felt a small twinge of jealousy and hurt, was she not close enough as family now too after having stayed with them for so long? But instantly "Mad Dog" Lane slipped into place and the thoughts were easily swept away for later.

Clark had found that the farmhouse had actually gotten a bit larger, after the conversation with everyone Chloe had taken him by the hand to show him all the changes that had been made in his absence. She quickly informed him of the add-on that had been built while repairs were being completed on the house. Clark nodded as he was given a tour of the new three rooms. Each seemed to serve a different purpose, for instance one was clearly where Lois was staying, he could tell by the mess on the floor as well as the fuzzy bunny slippers thrown half-hazard on the bed. The other was more orderly with the exception of one wall, a wall that was covered in news articles of numerous different things. He concluded it had to be Chloe's room with her new "Wall of Weird"; this incited a chuckle from Chloe.

The last room brought a smile to his face, a smile that seemed to go on forever. Even though it was devoid of any kind of life, Clark knew this was meant to be his room. It was above the other two and instead of a window, the barn's loft window doors had been used to create a small balcony exit. His telescope sat peering out of the portal before himself.

Chloe choose that moment to excuse her-self, leaving Clark to settle in. Looking outwards at the setting sun, Clark couldn't help but think that the day was getting brighter with each passing moment.

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