Two months had gone by since Clark revealed his secret to Lois. It was August now. Superman was getting ready for his next challenge. But this one did not have world ending implications. Superman was preparing for a race. Earlier this year, a new hero emerged in Central City. He calls himself the Flash, and claims to be the fastest man alive. Today he was going to put that claim to the test. Today the Flash and Superman were going to race.

"This is Iris West reporting for GBS. We have a fun one for you folks today. We are going to witness a race for the title of fastest man alive. It will be Central City's scarlet speedster, the Flash, against Metropolis' own, Superman."

Lois was there as well. Ready to report on the spectacle for the Daily Planet. She approaches Superman.

"How are you feeling?" Lois asks.

"I'll be fine Lois. It should be fun." Superman says.

Just then, something zooms up next to them. Standing there in a red suit with a yellow lightening bolt on his chest is the Flash.

"Superman, pleasure to meet you." The Flash says, extending his hand.

Superman reaches out to shake the Flash's hand, when he quickly pulls it away.

"Too slow." Flash says with a smirk.

Superman scowls.

"Sorry, I'm just kidding." The Flash says.

The Flash extends his hand again, and this time actually does shake Superman's hand.

"Let's just try to have some fun today, plus this is all for a good cause." The Flash says.

"A good cause." Superman echoes.

The proceeds raised by todays race will be donated to research in the fight against heart disease. Superman looks at the banner advertising the American Heart Association. Then Superman looks up towards the sky as his mind begins to wander.

Smallville 17 years ago

Clark Kent sits in the bleachers of Smallville High. The football team is practicing. He's really there to watch Lana practice with the cheer leading squad. Clark heads down towards the field. As he watches on, a football rolls up to his feet.

"Hey Kent, pass it here." One of the boys on the team called out.

Clark picks up the ball and tosses it. Not as hard as he could, but he still puts a lot of force on his throw. The boy is actually taken back by his throw and has to shake out his hands.

"Kent!" Coach Arnold yelled out.

Clark stands up straight.

"That was one hell of a throw. Why aren't you out there?" The coach continued.

"Aw gee coach, I don't know, I've got a lot of responsibilities on the farm." Clark said.

"Hmph, well I think it's a sin to waste god given talent like that. Talk to your father, I want you to consider joining the Crows." Coach Arnold said.

"I'll think about it sir." Clark said, feeling a bit ashamed that he almost revealed his secret.

That night Clark is sitting in the barn waiting for his father to get home. He tosses a football around just to himself. He hears Johnathan's old truck squeaking its way up to the house. The truck was old and rather beat up. It's not that they couldn't afford a new one, but Johnathan was against replacing it. He was always sentimental for older items and didn't want to upgrade whenever something new became available.

"Hey Pa." Clark said as he approached him.

"Hey son, how was school today?" Johnathan asked.

"Oh, it was fine, I talked to coach Arnold today." Clark said.

"About what?" Johnathan asked.

"About… maybe… joining the football team." Clark said, sheepishly.

Johnathan sighed

"Son, I just don't think it's a good idea." He said.

"I know dad, but I was just standing there watching them, then a ball rolled up to me, and I threw it back, and the coach saw, and-

"Clark." Johnathan said, cutting him off as he was beginning to ramble.

"It's just not fair. There are other talented people that don't have to hide who they are. Do singers have to hide their talents, do professional athletes?" Clark questioned.

"No, they don't." Johnathan said.

"Now son listen to me. We both know you were sent here from far away. But I truly believe you were sent here for a reason, and I don't think that reason was just to play football." Johnathan said.

"Then what is it?" Clark asked.

"I don't know, but you owe it to yourself to find out." Johnathan said.

Clark looked down. He was feeling rather lost and confused.

"But son, you can toss the football around with me anytime." Johnathan said.

Clark smiled as Johnathan threw the football, and Clark ran out in the field to catch it.

Just then, Johnathan felt a pain in his chest.

"Oh no." Johnathan said as he clutched his left arm.

Then Johnathan fell to the ground.

"Johnathan!" Martha yelled watching on from inside the house.

"Pa!" Clark called out as he saw his father lying on the ground.

That Saturday a funeral for Johnathan Kent was held. The thing about growing up in a small town like Smallville is that everyone comes together in a time like this. Lana was there, as well as Clark's best friend Pete Ross. Even Coach Arnold came by. He lightened up on pressuring Clark to join the team after that day.

Martha was beside herself in grief, and she needed Clark to help her get through this. Of course, Clark needed her just as much.

Clark stood at Johnathan's tombstone for a long time.

"Everything I have, and everything I am, it's all because of you." Clark said.

Martha approached him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"All these powers I have, everything I can do, and I couldn't even save him." Clark said.

Clark looks up to the sky.

Superman looks back down as he refocuses on the race.

"You ready?" The Flash asks.

"Ready." Superman says.

The runners take their spot at the starting line. Bibbo Bibowski is there to officially start the race.

"On your marks." Bibbo says.

The Flash and Superman get into running poses.

"Get set." Bibbo continues.

"Go!"