Author's Note: New chapter, new surprises...I hope.
Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville but I do own the Kristian Shane character and such.
Reviews: Reviews would be greatly appreciated because I want to know what you think and/or if you have any ideas on where the story should go. To everyone who reviewed, thank you!
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End of Previous Chapter
Clark moved closer to them and examined Kristian's hand. The symbols matched the ones on the stones. But when Clark ran his fingers over them, Kristian dropped to his knees and his face distorted with pain. He tore at his shirt and when it came off, a large diamond shaped scar began pulsating with light. Before Chloe knew it, Clark was letting her down on the steps to his house.
"Tell my mom everything that happened," Clark said while turning to speed away.
"Wait, what about Kristian?" Chloe said.
"I know where he has to go and I'm going to take him there," Clark said. He was gone in an instant, so Chloe walked up the steps and opened the door. Martha Kent stood at the counter cutting apples.
"Chloe, honey, what's wrong?"
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"Something happened to Kristian in the caves, Mrs. Kent," Chloe replied.
"Like what? Is he okay?" Martha questioned.
"We're not really sure, but it has to have something to do with Clark," Chloe said.
"Why is that?"
"Because Kristian now has every ability that Clark does."
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When Clark returned, he knelt beside Kristian and asked, "where is it telling you to go?" As soon as Clark asked, Kristian stood straight up and looked at the horizon behind Clark. Kristian sped off and Clark followed him. Within 30 seconds, they were standing in the Fortress of Solitude.
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"Every ability? What happened? How do you know?"
"We found him lying in the caves. When we went to the road, a black truck came out of nowhere and swerved toward Kristian and I. Kristian grabbed me and pulled me into his chest. He stopped the truck with his body and it didn't leave a scratch on him," Chloe explained shakily. "Then he pushed the truck nearly thirty feet and he stared at a rock until short bursts of heat came from his eyes. Kryptonian symbols were burned into his palm and when I touched them, they seared my fingertips. But when Clark touched them, Kristian fell to his knees in pain. He tore off his shirt and there was...a Kryptonian symbol burned into his chest."
"Chloe, slow down. Is Clark with him? If he is, then he probably took him to the Fortress," Martha explained. She pulled Chloe into a hug and Chloe finally released the tears she'd been holding back.
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Lex sat at his desk in the study staring at his laptop's screen. He played the image over and over. The truck's camera showed Kristian grabbing Chloe and turning his back to the truck. The camera then went blank. He'd sent a team out there to examine the scene and what they found was a demolished truck and a torn grey t-shirt. Lex thought back to when he hit Clark with Porshe before going into the river. There was no way Kristian could have stopped that truck. Before Lex had left the caves after speaking to him, Lex hit him and he bled. He wasn't a man of steel then. But the images replaying before his eyes told a different story--he could only assume that Kristian had stopped that truck--and it wasn't adrenaline that helped him do it.
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Clark came to an abrupt halt behind Kristian in the Fortress.
"What is this place?" Kristian asked while looking around.
"This is my Fortress of Solitude," Clark said. "I'm from a planet called Krypton. I have special abilities--super speed, strength, hearing, heat and x-ray vision and last but not least, I'm mostly indestructible. From what I just witnessed, you have them, too. Those symbols burned into your hand and the scar on your chest are Kryptonian symbols. I've even had the one on your chest on mine. My real father, Jor-El, probably did this to you."
Kristian turned to look at him and said, "whoa, whoa, slow down. Somehow I already know this--about you, I mean. You were sent here because Krypton was on the edge of destruction. It caused the first meteor shower. Your parents found you in a field and made an arrangement with Lionel Luthor to adopt you. I know everything from the first meteor shower to the last and that you gave up your powers. Jor-El returned them to you when you died, but the deal was that he would take someone close to you in return. It was Lana at first but then it was your father...why am I like this? How do I know all that?"
"I don't know. I'm guessing that's why we're here," Clark replied.
"What about Chloe? Where is she?"
"She's safe. She's at the farm with my mom," Clark answered.
"Okay, but I'm still confused about something," Kristian said.
"What?"
"I just remembered what happened. I walked into the caves and found Lex waiting for me. We argued about what's been happening and he hit me. Lex stormed out but I stayed to cool off. I was examining the drawings on the walls and I found a small symbol burned on one. When I ran my fingers over it, it emitted a bright light and took over my body. I was floating in an endless place and all this knowledge came to me. The next thing I knew was Chloe putting her head on my chest," Kristian explained.
Suddenly, Jor-El announced himself and a crystal floated between Clark and Kristian.
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Lex rapped his knuckles on the screen door of the Kent's home.
"Chloe, why don't you go upstairs and wait," Martha said. Chloe nodded and jogged up the steps. She walked into Clark's room, closed the door and then put her ear to it.
"Hello, Mrs. Kent, you're looking lovely as always," Lex said sweetly.
"Hi, Lex," Martha replied.
"I was wondering if Clark, Chloe, Kristian or Lois were around," Lex said. "We found the Range Rover that Lois has been driving along the side of the road by the caves. But that's not all we found--a totaled black truck and a shredded t-shirt were also there."
Martha thought quickly and said, "they're off to Metropolis. I know that they planned to meet somewhere around nine o'clock, so maybe that's where they met."
"Ah, I see," Lex said with a nod, "well, if you hear from any of them, give me a call."
Martha nodded and smiled as Lex walked through the screen door. When Chloe heard Lex peel out of the driveway, she walked downstairs. "I think he knows," she said to Martha.
"There's no way to be sure right now. Was there anyone else around? Did anybody drive past after it happened?" Martha inquired.
"No, no one," Chloe said while wrapping her arms around herself and sitting on the couch. "But the truck was unmanned. Someone had to be operating it and there obviously had to be a camera on it."
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Clark reached for the crystal but Jor-El interrupted with, "the crystal isn't meant for you, Kal-El. It is meant for Aar-El."
Clark looked above him and yelled, "but why him? I don't understand!"
"Aar-El is a true friend to you. He possesses no corrupt thoughts. He has made it clear that he is willing to give his life for someone he loves. He has been chosen to assist you in your coming opposition," Jor-El said as his voice reverberated throughout the Fortress.
Kristian stared at Clark in disbelief. "I won't let you kill him," Clark yelled.
"He has been chosen, Kal-El. It is his destiny," Jor-El declared.
"No, this is my destiny!" Clark proclaimed. "He doesn't deserve to die! He doesn't deserve this!"
Kristian's heart raced as thoughts ran rampant in his brain. Memories flooded his mind and he saw the future he may never have with Chloe.
"Aar-El, acquire the crystal if you accept your destiny--the destiny to ultimately sacrifice your life for Kal-El," Jor-El commanded. Kristian gave Clark an unsure look and yelled over the noise of the wind. "You'll serve a greater purpose than I ever will, Clark, and you're the only person I know who can keep Chloe safe."
Clark shook his head and replied, "no, Kristian. We can beat this, we can beat him. I'm not letting you give away your future because of me. Don't take the crystal!"
"I think I have to, Clark," Kristian said.
Clark raised his head again and yelled, "what will happen to him if he doesn't take it?"
"He will walk away unharmed but another life will be assumed for yours," Jor-El replied.
Kristian took a step toward the hovering crystal and Clark grabbed his arm. "Clark, what if it's Chloe? I can't let anyone else be an option, especially her."
Clark shook his head and released his grasp on Kristian's arm. He could do nothing but watch as Kristian wrapped his hand around the shining object. As he did so, the wind stopped and everything returned to normal. The crystal shattered and Kristian watched as the pieces fell to the ground. He continued to stare at the ice and asked, "I guess you can't feel cold, huh?"
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AN: I hope you all enjoyed it.