Disclaimer: I don't own them; I just want to screw with their world for a while. ;) Dirty :D, just for you, Bear
Back from the Dead
Smallville, KS
"That should do it," Devlin said.
"That should do what?" Martha asked.
"Her Guardians are now back with her," Devlin said. "She is going to be able to start training."
"What training?" Clark asked.
"She will be trained in each of her Guardians specialties until she is the best she can possibly be. Eventually she will take over the leadership of the Guardians."
"Anyway, the head of the Overseers wants her to start her training now instead of at ten like the rest of them. Apparently something big is going to happen when she is fourteen and they feel that she should have seven years of training under her belt instead of just four," Elvind said.
"What will she be going up against?" Jonathan asked.
"The only one who knows that is Idan. Sometimes if someone knows too much about their own future, they try and change it. Changing one's future can throw off an entire timeline. It's extremely hard to fix," Elvind explained.
Carin finally came out of her stupor. "My head hurts," she announced.
"Ok, I want you to close your eyes. Picture a young woman wearing a white dress with a white cape. She has blonde almost white hair and blue eyes. In her right hand she is holding a metal cup called a chalice and in her left is a staff with a glass ball on top. Can you see that?" She nodded. "Good now open your eyes."
There in front of her was young woman with white blonde hair and ice blue eyes. She was wearing an ankle length white dress with wide bell sleeves and a white hooded cape. In her left hand she held a chalice and in her right was a staff that had a glass ball on top. She took the staff and dipped it in to the chalice which held a clear liquid. She flicked the liquid over Khyrran.
"That's enough," Devlin said. He turned to Khyrran. "How's the headache?"
"It's gone," she said, surprise evident on her face.
"That is Inahlia. She is the Guardian of Life. She has the ability to heal you on command."
"Neat!" she exclaimed.
"So she will be able to heal herself on command?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes, it was one of the original gifts from the Overseers."
"So how did you and the other Overseers become this powerful?" Clark asked Elvind.
"We were made immortal by a universal being. Some would call him God. We just know it as an energy force," Elvind explained. "It was basically our reward for saving both planets before the conflict spread."
"Oh. So basically your job is to watch the Guardians and make sure they do their job?" Clark continued.
"Yes, in a sense. We are also advisors to them and teachers. She will be one very well-rounded and well-educated when she completes her training." Elvind was patiently answering all of their questions. "But this is all to be kept between us. The rest of the world is still trying to accept the theory that there are other species in this universe other than themselves."
"How do we explain where our daughter went? One day we have her, the next we don't," Jonathan inquired.
"You told everyone that she was a cousin's child, correct?" They nodded. "The cousin came back and claimed her child. That should pacify them."
"Hey, can Ma and Pa meet your Guardian guy? That might make them a little more at ease with this," Clark said, changing the tone of the subject.
Devlin nodded and called Alistair. He appeared in his green tunic and brown tights. Clark was still amused about the tights thing even after all this time.
"Wait until you try them before you get all 'ha-ha' about it," Alistair shot at Clark.
"What the …?" Clark said.
"Alistair can read minds. In fact all the Guardians can when they're active," Devlin explained.
"That must be fun," Clark commented, sarcastically.
"Actually it is a very useful tip in battle. We can change formation without the enemy ever knowing what's in store for them."
"We really don't have a say in this do we?" Martha asked.
"I'm sorry, but, no you don't. She has a job to do. One she was born to do. Even if we were to leave her here, normal like you and Jonathan, she would feel the pull of Mann'ahoia all her life. It would be like ignoring your son's special abilities," Alistair said. "Besides not rebonding them would leave an imbalance of power in good and evil."
Martha sighed. Jonathan got up to hug her. "We have to let her go, Martha."
"You guys act like you are never going to see her again," Devlin said.
"Aren't we? You are taking her somewhere else," Jonathan pointed out.
"New York, to be specific. But it would be cruel to take her away from the only parents she's ever known. We need her to be stable, emotionally and mentally. We'll be keeping in touch when we eventually leave. Which brings up my next question; would you mind if we stayed here for a few days?" Devlin asked. "I want to make this as easy as possible on her."
"I think that can be arranged," Jonathan said.
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Devlin, Khyrran/Carin, and Clark spent the next few days pretty much inseparable. The little girl finally, after much coaxing, agreed to be called Khyrran. She felt that changing her name would be like saying she was never a Kent, so Devlin came up with a compromise. He full name would be Khyrran Anastasia Carin Elizabeth Kent Marquis. She was ok with that. Devlin began teaching her the basics of martial arts and Clark joined in. Mike went back to Kansas City after making sure that everything was moving smoothly.
Martha and Jonathan found out just why Devlin was willing to leave Khyrran with them. They were appalled that one man would have that much power, and use it against his own son. The Kents also got to know Devlin better and his Guardian. All of Khyrran's Guardians were brought out in an exercise on day and they were introduced to them as well. After four days in Smallville, Devlin made the announcement they had all been dreading.
"Khyrran, we are leaving this afternoon. I need you to get anything you really want to take with you and put it on your bed," Devlin said at breakfast.
She blinked at him a few times and nodded. He could hear her quiet sobs begin as she left the kitchen. Devlin shook his head. Martha began crying as well. Clark handed her a dish towel.
"You have no idea how much I don't want to do this. She belongs here," Devlin said. "She will keep in touch. Probably through letters at first, then maybe phone calls. It depends on how well she adjusts and how my parents react to her 'return'. That should be interesting. I just hope that we can get settled before George finds out that Frank failed. The fireworks are really going to fly then."
Khyrran came down the stairs. Martha opened her arms and the men left the room to give them a minute.
"You will always be my little girl," Martha said rocking Khyrran.
"I know. And you will always be my momma," she replied holding on to Martha.
Devlin looked up from the trunk as they descended the porch stairs. He noticed Khyrran trying to be brave and failing. She was essentially leaving with a stranger, blood brother or not. She hugged Jonathan and Clark, and then got into the front seat of the car. Devlin shook Jonathan's hand and hugged Martha. He shook Clark's hand and pulled him into a bear hug.
"Anytime you want to 'pop' into Elysian Fields and check on her, feel free to do so. Hopefully we can come back around Christmastime. In fact why don't you count on it," Devlin said.
The Kents agreed. They said their final farewells and Devlin climbed into the driver's seat. They waved good-bye one more time and they were off.
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Khyrran slept most of the way to the airport. She was a little terrified of getting on a plane, so Devlin bought her some coloring books, a sketch pad and crayons. They boarded the plane and five hours later they were standing in front of Lilac House.
"Why did they name it that? It isn't purple," Khyrran asked.
"Because in the language of flowers lilac means 'First Love'. Our mother thought that it was perfect for them because they were each others first love," Devlin explained, getting the bags out of the trunk.
"Oh. That's kind of neat," she said.
"Glad you like it," he laughed. He grabbed one of the bags and headed for the front door. He walked in and was greeted by a man in his early to mid thirties.
"I see your trip was successful, Master Devlin," he said.
"Damn it, George is here isn't he?" The man nodded. Devlin sighed. "Yes my trip was successful. Khyrran, this is Jethro. I call him Jet for short. He knows all my secrets, okay? So if you feel uncomfortable and you can't find me, go see him. He'll protect you," Devlin said.
Jet bent down and shook Khyrran's hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Khyrran." He stood, grabbed the bag that Devlin had brought in and took it toward the stairs. "I would be careful going in there, Master Devlin. Mr. Sheridan is not going to be happy to see her."
"I know. Wish me luck." The butler nodded. "Come on kiddo; let's see what the old man has in store."
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Gail Sheridan rose when her son walked in to the sitting room. She walked halfway across the room before she noticed the red-headed little girl half hiding behind him. "Oh Devlin please tell me she isn't yours."
This proclamation caught the attention of everyone else in the room. George, Howard and Edith got up from their places and gathered around Gail and Devlin. George was furious, if the color of his face was any indication.
"Let me guess; you followed in your father's footsteps and knocked some hussy up. Now she expects you to pull your share? I can't believe you were that stupid," George said.
"Actually George, I would like to reintroduce you to my sister, Khyrran. You remember her don't you? The one you hired one of your stable hands to kill?"
Gail gasped and sank to her knees. Howard turned to his father in shock. Edith silently moved out of the way, back towards the sofa.
"Father, is that true? You hired someone to kill my daughter?" Howard asked, clearly hurt and confused.
"That little spawn of the whore isn't your child, Howard. Your little wife had an affair and that… that… thing is the result of it," George spat out, pointing at Khyrran.
Devlin flung his grandfather's hand out of the way and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "Call her that again and you are leaving here in a stretcher," Devlin threatened.
"Do and you lose your entire inheritance," George threatened right back.
"Go ahead. I don't need your blood money," Devlin retorted. He flung George across the room into the nearest wall. "And stay away from my sister. If I find out you are trying to hurt her again and I will make your life a living hell. Just try me. I am more inventive than you ever were, Old Man. Now get out."
"Devlin…" Howard began.
"No, Dad. It's him or us. Make your choice."
"Yes, Howard. Make your choice," George sneered.
"Sorry. I choose my children. And just because Khyrran is not my daughter biologically doesn't mean I am not her father in her eyes. I think you should leave now," Howard concluded.
"You won't see a drop of your inheritance."
"I think I have amassed a fortune large enough to rival yours. My family will not suffer for your arrogance, ignorance, or maliciousness. Get out."
"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" George screamed at them. "Especially you," he said to Khyrran as he stormed out the door with Edith hot on his heels.
Gail knelt before her daughter. "Oh my baby. My baby's home." She reached out to hug Khyrran. She backed up behind Devlin.
"You're not my momma."
Gail sat back on her heels, dumbfounded. 'She doesn't know who I am! This is absurd.' She tried to move closer, but Devlin stopped her progress.
"Mom, she doesn't know any of us. She only went with me because I insisted."
"Where did you find her?" Howard wanted to know.
"No one else needs to know that. I want to protect the people that spent the last six years raising her. We are going upstairs. She needs a nap and quite honestly, so do I." Devlin reached down and grabbed Khyrran's hand. They left the sitting room.
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Gail and Howard just looked at each other. Howard finally broke the silence. "You had an affair?"
"When your mistress shows up at our doorstep with your son and can show me proof, I figured it was my turn to have some fun," Gail shrugged. "I won't apologize for it because Khyrran is one of the best things in my life."
"I'm not asking you to. I would be a hypocrite if I condemned you for yours while acting like mine was my right. I am not my father, Gail. It is all in the past and I want us to move on from that."
Gail nodded. "I agree. What ever happened to that woman anyway?"
"Charlotte? She moved away after she talked to you. She didn't want to break up our family, but she was getting scared that George would find out about the boy. I helped her get a job and send her money every couple of weeks to support my son. But she doesn't want me in his life and it would be disruptive to our children's lives as well."
"Are you really willing to accept Khyrran as your own?"
"If Charlotte's husband can accept my child, I can accept yours."
"This may work out after all."
A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed. Feel free to leave notes, flames, point out mistakes, etc. FYI: The next like 4 chapters focus mainly on Khyrran and her learning how to control her powers. My focus will be what happens between The Last Son of Krypton pts 2 & 3 S:TAS before Clark moves to Metropolis. Don't worry, he'll make an appearance or two. I was confusing people it happens, so explanation. And the Justice League will eventually make an appearance as well.
Later Chapters ;)