2 Months Later
"I don't understand Clark, where are you going, and why?"
"I have to go help people Lana, surely you understand that?"
"Like when you tried to help Lex?"
"Lana! What happened with Lex was an accident, and you know it! I mean help people who are in danger, like you, Chloe, and Pete have been in so many times. You can't deny that if I weren't there you may have died."
"If you weren't there, the troubles may not have existed in the first place."
"You don't mean that Lana…"
Lana looked down with shame, "No, no I don't…"
9 HOURS AGO
Clark had met his friend Chloe just a minute ago in the Smallville High School's "The Torch" office (of which Chloe was the editor) and told her about his leaving Smallville.
"What!? When are you leaving?"
"Right after graduation."
"Which is tonight…"
"Yes. I know Chloe. Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want you to try to change my mind."
"I know when you found out about your alien heritage that you freaked out Clark, but isn't there an easier way, I mean can't you leave before freshman year starts and we're all leaving?"
"That would just make it harder Chloe."
"Did you tell Lana? You know she's staying in Smallville?"
"I know, and no, I didn't. Not yet. I needed to tell you first Chloe. You've been my best friend since 8th grade and if you hadn't been there for me when things went down, I don't know where I would be today."
"Thanks Clark, but I think you're parents had a helping hand in that too."
"True, but they're not my age anymore. They don't understand everything."
Chloe and Clark stop talking and embrace. Like a brother would hold his sister and vice-versa, Clark and Chloe were wrapped around each other.
Letting go of Clark, Chloe points out the obvious, "You need to tell Lana."
"I will."
Chloe turned from Clark as she walked toward the light switch, going to turn off the lights of the Torch for the final time.
"You're going to bring a computer with you though, right Clark? So you can communicate with all of your hick friends from Kansas?"
Clark walked to meet Chloe by the light switch.
"Of course Chloe. Besides, if I get into any trouble along the way, I know that you'll be there to help me get out of it, Ms. Computer-Hacker."
"I prefer "Cybernetic Brainiac" thank you very much. Say, how are you going to have money? You going to just get small jobs, or what?"
"I think I'll try some things yeah, but since I didn't go to college and my parents insist on me using the money they saved up for me, they're giving me all of my savings."
"Wow, well congratulations billionaire rich-boy."
"Not so much, I gave them half of it to make up for the loss of work on the farm since I won't be there."
"Well, you could always take up journalism? You were quite the junior-reporter for me here at the Torch!"
"I somehow doubt that Chloe."
"I don't know Clark, something about you just screams wanting to tell the truth. I think you could do it, who knows, you may become a big shot like my cousin!"
Chloe switches off the lights to the Torch, for the final time, and her and Clark walk down the ghostly hall and out of their last 4 years together.
7 HOURS AGO
Clark is sitting in his loft in his graduation gown, just waiting. He's been ready for about an hour, but the graduation doesn't start for another 5. Smallville High has been holding the graduation ceremony earlier in the day so that the kids can go back to their farms, parent's stores, and jobs and get some work done out of the day. Total buzz-kill for them, but hey, they're still getting paid. Clark, however, doesn't care at this point. He's meeting a friend. One of his best friends in fact.
"Hey Clark! I got your message man! What's up?"
Clark looks at Pete Ross, his other best friend since the 4th grade. Their father's played football for Smallville High together way back when. Clark and Pete do the same thing now, well, up until today.
"Pete, I'm leaving Smallville."
"I know man, everyone is, don't look so down about it! Lana and I'll be fine! I'm working at my dad's cream corn factory and Lana has the job running that coffee shop in town."
"It's not like that Pete, I'm leaving tonight. Right after graduation. I'm leaving Smallville for a while."
"Why Clark? I thought we were gonna tear it up this summer CK?"
"I'm sorry Pete. I was looking forward to it, but it just isn't going to happen."
"Is it because you found out your Kryptonian?"
Clark pauses. He knows the answer is "yes", but it's much more complicated than just that.
"In a way Pete, but it's also because I've realized just how much good I can do in the world. Not just Smallville, or Kansas, or America, but in the whole world, maybe even the universe. I want to help those who can't do it by themselves."
Pete looks up at Clark, almost ashamed. He knew that if it were him with the powers, that he wouldn't have the courage or bravery to do anything like that. He'd probably use them to get girls. Pete was ashamed, but he was also very proud of his best friend. He knew Clark would make a difference in the world, so he was very proud to have been able to call him a friend.
"Pete, are you crying?"
Pete looked down, wiped the tears from his eyes, and looked back at Clark.
"Clark, I've been wrestling with a decision of mine for a long time. Remember when Whitney went to join the Marines? Well, I've been thinking about the Army. Clark, I think I'm going to do it."
"Pete, you're not bullet proof like me, you could be hurt, or worse." Clark warned with a sense of compassion for his friend.
"Clark, there have been many times where you've taken a bullet for me when you're powers weren't at their fullest yet. Remember when bullets would hit you and you'd bruise? Remember when you saved Lana from that Knight guy last year when you're powers were fading because of the solar flares? Clark, there have been many times where you've risked your life to save ours when you could have been killed. I just want to be a hero, like my best friend." Pete put his hand on Clark's shoulder.
Clark looked down at the closest thing he had to a brother, if you don't count the one-time-friendship that was Lex Luthor, and had a hint of pride and even envy in his eyes. If he wasn't bulletproof, you he still jump in front of a bullet (or several) to save his friends? Would he have that courage and strength in character that people like Chloe, Pete, and his fathers did?
Clark embraced Pete like he did with Chloe earlier and Pete hugged him back.
"You be safe out there Ross. Remember, I won't always be there to save you."
"But you'll try anyway Kent."
Pete turned and started to walk down the loft and out of the barn saying, "I'll see you at the grounds in a few hours Clark, I still have to get ready, not all of us have super speed you know!"
5 HOURS AGO
Clark was in his room packing his bag. He was only taking one backpack. It was a good sized backpack though, so that way he could take everything he needed. His Sunstone Crystal from Jor-El, check. His laptop to keep in touch his family and friends, check. His toothbrush, check. His extra clothes in case his others were burned, frozen, or shot at, check. His journal, check. His phone, wallet, and journal, all present and accounted for. Clark had everything prepared. Since he didn't really get warm or cold, he would wear his red jacket all the time, and since his body doesn't absorb dirt, dust, or other Earthly uncleanliness, he could get away with wearing the same clothes all the time (he did so every day anyway).
Just then, there was a knock on Clark's bedroom door.
"Come in." Clark said.
His Ma walks into the room.
"My my Clark, you really did clear this place out didn't you?"
Clark turned to face his mother.
"I just wanted you to be able to have the room in case you needed a spare, you know, if anyone came to visit."
"Thank you Clark. Have you told Lana that you're leaving yet?"
Clark looked down, "No. Not yet. I told Chloe, and Pete, and even Mr. Hubbard, but I haven't told Lana."
"Clark, you need to be honest with her."
"I thought telling her my secret would be enough for me to be honest with her, but I don't think that helped very much."
"I think it just gave her a lot to think about Clark. Don't worry son, you'll be okay, and Lana Lang will be too."
"How do you know Ma? How could you possibly know?"
"Because Clark, you're destined for so much more than Smallville and Lana Lang that even if you really wanted to be here and with her, you wouldn't allow it. Your father and I raised you in a way to put others before yourself and to love everyone like you would love yourself. Because of this Clark, I know that you'll go great things, even if it means letting go of all that you knew before."
Clark looked at his mother, and amazing woman. He wished his birthmother, Lara, could have met Martha Kent. He wished they would have known each other, because somehow he knew that they would have been best friends.
"I love you Ma."
"I love you too Clark."
3 HOURS AGO
The graduation ceremony had just been completed as all the new young adults and former Smallville High Senior's threw their graduation caps in the air. Martha Kent grabbed Clark, Lana, Chloe, and Pete and forced them into a series of good to worse to just silly pictures that they will cherish forever.
"Ma!"
"You'll appreciate this someday Clark, you're mother knows best." Said Jonathan Kent with a hint of wisdom in his voice.
"He's right Clark, these are the last of the good old days!" said Pete.
Chloe seconded that comment and then got out her Windows Phone and Tweeted Pete's last quote adding a #YOLO.
"Chloe, did you seriously just Tweet that?" asked Lana.
"Absolutely! I mean, you don't know when we'll all be seen together again with this much, I don't know, happiness."
"You can say that again!" seconded Pete.
Clark turned to his friends and started to speak.
"Guys, I just wanted to thank you all for being there for me and being my friend over the course of the last 4 years. They had become the greatest years of my life, and I could never think of any way to repay you all."
Lana walked over to Clark and kissed him and said, "You just did farmboy."
Chloe and Pete looked in astonishment as Clark was about to explode with happiness. Lana saw how happy she had made Clark and he saw how happy she had made him.
"Lana, meet me in my loft later tonight."
Lana did not argue, she simply smiled and then went to see some of her other friends.
Chloe walked up to Clark and attacked, "Clark! You do realize that you're leaving right? You can't do that to her!"
"I know Chloe, guys, I know. I'm going to break the news to her slowly, but this hasn't made me change my mind. Lana and I have been on and off for the past 4 years, but we've always been close no matter what situation we're in. I think she'll understand."
"I hope so man, or else it'll be the death of you." Said Pete.
"Not helping Sherlock." Said Chloe.
"Sorry…"
Clark hugged his to best friend with a tight squeeze and let go after almost cracking a rib. "I'm going to miss you guys."
"We're going to miss you too Clark."
"Well, most of you anyway…" Pete said before running off to talk with his, now ex, girlfriend.
20 MINUTES AGO
"Ma, Pa, I just want to say how grateful I am to have such loving and understanding parents as I have with you two. Jor-El and Lara could not have picked anyone better to raise their alien son than you."
"Well son, that is why he beamed himself to Earth in the first place. When he met me, he knew that we had a rounded moral compass like he did and he chose us to raise and look after you." Said Pa Kent.
"We know this is a hard decision for you to make at such a young age Clark, but you're father and I think that you've made a wise one. Where are you planning on going?"
"Everywhere. I need to test each area of the planet to find where I can set up my Sunstone Crystal so Jor-El can train me to protect Earth so that it doesn't fall into chaos like Krypton did."
"Well son, you'll always have a home here with us, we want you to know that you can always come home if you need to, you're always welcomed." Said Jonathan.
"I know Pa. I'll come and visit every chance I can."
"We know dear, we know."
"Did you tell Lana yet son? I saw how you two were at the graduation ceremony; does she know you're leaving?"
"Not yet Pa, but I'm going to tell her tonight. She should be coming by soon."
"Good luck son. We're so proud of you."
"We love you Clark."
"I love you too Ma, both of you."
As the Kent family embraces for the final time, at least for a while, Clark walks out of the house and goes to the barn, where Lana is already waiting.
"Lana?"
Lana runs to Clark and jumps in his arms, kissing him gently.
Clark kissed back, but then forces her off of him and gives him room to talk.
"Lana, there's something I need to tell you."
Lana looks at Clark with a hint of concern, but allows him to go on.
"Lana, I'm leaving Smallville. I mean, everyone is, yeah, but I'm leaving, tonight. 2 months ago, when I found out about my Kryptonian heritage, the ship, and everything, I realized that I have a higher calling. I'm not a better person than anyone else, but I've been given this life, and these gifts, to help change and protect the world."
Lana looks down.
"I need to go and find my way before I can help people Lana. I need to leave so that I can grow closer to other people around the world who are crying out for help. The cries that I cannot always block out, that my hearing always picks up."
"I don't understand Clark, where are you going, and why?"
"I have to go help people Lana, surely you understand that?"
"Like when you tried to help Lex?"
"Lana! What happened with Lex was an accident, and you know it! I mean help people who are in danger, like you, Chloe, and Pete have been in so many times. You can't deny that if I weren't there you may have died."
"If you weren't there, the troubles may not have existed in the first place."
"You don't mean that Lana…"
Lana looked down with shame, "No, no I don't…"
Clark puts his hand on Lana's chin and slowly moves it up so that she's looking him in his big blue eyes.
"Lana, I will always love you, but as a friend. I know you feel that same way."
"Telepathy isn't one of your powers Clark." Said Lana.
"No, it's not, but in this case I don't need it. Lana, please understand, I'm not doing this to hurt you. In fact, I want to be with you, right here, right now, but I can't. I know that there's someone out there destined for me the way that there's someone destined for you, and I can't wait to find her. Lana, please understand how I feel right now."
Lana got up and looked down at Clark.
"Clark, I'm not mad at you, I knew that you'd one day have to leave. I'm mad at myself. All the pain I put you through playing my childish games for 4 years, and for what? You're leaving now anyway. Clark, I want you to go, I need you to go, not because I don't want to be with you, but because I know that the world need you more, and I can't get in the way of that. I love you too Clark, as a friend, and I'll always be here for you, but I have to move on with my life too."
With that, Clark also got up and kissed Lana on the cheek. He then grabbed his backpack from earlier and threw it around his shoulders.
"Goodbye Lana."
Lana looked at Clark with tears dripping down her face.
"Goodbye Clark."
And with that, Clark jumped out of the barn and super sped through the corn field as the sun was finally setting. Lana stood there until she could no longer see him, and then stood some more. She knew that Clark had a much greater destiny that her own, and she knew that there was a partner for him out there somewhere. His other half. And with that final though of what Clark could potentially become, Lana could finally answer the question that she had asked Clark herself during freshman year when he helped her with her books, a question that Clark had wrestled with himself. A one-word answer that would change the course of history.
"Superman."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys, thanks for reading! I know this was a long chapter (like Chapter 3 was), but like Chapter 3 I wanted to wrap up this portion of the Origin story. With this chapter I wanted to respect and honor the past mythologies in a way that I hope you all enjoyed. I am not done with Origin yet, next up Clark starts to travel the globe, which will probably be only one or two chapters. After that, Metropolis! So stay tuned for the next chapter of Superman: Origin and please leave me a review telling me what you think or asking any questions that you have. Thanks guys for sticking with me this long, and I promise that this story should conclude around December if not before. Always hold on to Smallville!