Superboy woke up in the cheap motel he had booked in Hob's Bay. The Metropolis neighborhood, unofficially referred to as "The Suicide Slums," had certainly seen better days. The accommodations weren't ideal, but the Kid was looking to save some money, and hotels in downtown Metropolis were little pricier than he had the budget for at the moment. Sales from his merchandise deal with Rex had kept some money coming in, but Superboy hadn't made any public appearances in months, especially since Tana had died. The night before was an emotional roller-coaster; he spent several hours with a young boy named Keith who was attempting to take his own life. Superboy couldn't help but feel the pain in the younger boy's voice, the desperation and hopelessness he felt. Although he had never actually experienced what it must like to be a pre-teen and dealing with the changes those years brought, the Kid certainly had experienced a lot in his young life. Being a clone and making an identity for yourself was difficult enough; finding out that you were not only cloned from Superman and Lex Luthor would be enough to make anyone confused!
Still, Superboy was glad that he was able to help Keith in his time of need. Sometimes people don't necessarily need someone faster than a speeding bullet, they just need someone to talk to, someone who will listen when they think nobody else will. Knowing that his cousin, Supergirl, was listening made a big difference; they had unexpectedly reconnected after Keith had gone back home. Kara Zor-El was somewhat of a mystery to the public at large, including Superboy himself. He knew that she was Superman's cousin from Krypton and they often worked together in situations where one Kryptonian might not be enough. Superboy suspected from the beginning that Supergirl didn't care for him very much; he was loud, cocky, and arrogant, the complete opposite of what Superman was. Superboy often grew defensive at her constructive criticisms and wrote her off as somewhat of an uptight snob. Deep down though, the Kid knew that she was protective of the legacy that Superman had built with the people of Earth, and seemed to be a genuinely a sweet girl who wanted what was best for everyone. Their conversation following Superboy's intervention with Keith was what they both needed. Kara recognized that underneath all his wisecracks and bravado, Superboy had a good heart and genuinely wanted to help people. They both agreed that maybe it was time that Superboy give this new Super-family of his a shot; Kara told the Kid to go to the Daily Planet offices in Metropolis and ask for Clark Kent, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and columnist who was known for his expose on Superman during his early years. Kent's fiancée, Lois Lane, was also known for her world-famous interviews with the Man of Steel, and was infamously accused by tabloids of being romantically linked with Superman, but had always denied any personal involvement. Superboy was curious, as Tim Drake had recommended Lane and Kent as having a connection to Superman, but didn't elaborate on it any further.
Man, that's got to be a tough break, Superboy thought to himself as he rode the Subway, incognito and unrecognizable to the average pedestrian, This Kent guy constantly having to have people asking about his girl hooking up with Superman. You know the press is shady when they start snooping on other reporters! Superboy had been using a fake ID and passport which his old pal from Hawaii, Agent Sam Makoa, had made for him as part of a sting operation the Kid had assisted with earlier that year. I still can't believe the name Makoa came up with, "Karl Grummett," Superboy thought to himself, Dumbest name ever! I have got to think of a better alias than that when I get the chance.
Finally, Superboy walked into the lobby of the Daily Planet building, and checked in with Security before taking the elevator up to the newsroom. Once he had checked in with the receptionist, Superboy waited in the lobby, only to be greeted by a red-haired, twenty-something man with an expensive-looking camera strapped to his neck.
"Hi, you must be Karl?" the young photographer asked, shaking Superboy's hand and introducing himself, "Jimmy Olsen. Clark's in the middle of finishing an article since he's on a deadline, but he asked me to come get you." "Hey, nice to meet you," the Kid said, returning the handshake. Jimmy looked around before getting closer and whispering. "Look, 'Karl,' you don't have to be nervous about meeting Clark. He's totally down-to-Earth; and I'm not saying that just because we happen to be best friends out of work. Plus…I know who you are too; I was there taking photos when you helped the Big Guy take out all those creatures from Cadmus that got loose 2 years ago. It's cool though, you're secret's safe with me; besides, a certain gorgeous blonde mutual friend of ours told me we'd be expecting you." Okay, what is this guy's deal, Superboy wondered to himself, Whatever Clark Kent's has to do with Superman, this guy Jimmy must be in on it. Maybe some sort of exclusive photo rights deal? Whatever though, I'll play along.
Jimmy led the Kid to a conference room. "You should probably have a seat, Clark should be with you in a minute," Jimmy said, before pausing and adding with a grin, "Nice to meet you officially, S.B. I'm a big fan; also…say hi to Kara for me." I gotta say, I appreciate this guy's moxy, although my cousin is way out of his league, Superboy laughed to himself as Jimmy left the room.
Within a few minutes, Superboy looked up and saw an unassuming, average looking thirty-something guy with glasses open the door and enter the room. Superboy noticed his ID badge and credentials and figured this must be the reporter he was looking for. "I'm sorry for the wait, but I appreciate you stopping by. I'm Clark Kent…Karl, is it?" the reporter asked with a very familiar voice. Superboy didn't notice the resemblance at first until he heard the voice. He looked up at Clark Kent and did a double-take, looking closer at his face, and briefly using his X-ray vision to find a very familiar outfit underneath Kent's dress shirt. Clark Kent's connection to Superman became all-too apparent to the young clone.
"What….you're kidding, right?" Superboy said, with nervous laughter, trying to hold back his bemusement and keep his voice down. "Seriously?! You work here?!" Clark blushed a bit as he sat down, tickled by the reaction he was getting. "Wow…I mean, this is some next-level hiding in plain sight," Superboy laughed, "So let me get this straight…you've been Clark Kent this whole time?! You actually won awards by writing about yourself?! And NOBODY knows about it?! Man…that is genius, actually being your own press! I wish I thought of it…sure, super-villains are one thing, but the paparazzi? That's something else!" "Lower your voice, please," Clark said, trying not to draw any attention from outside of the walls, "I wouldn't exactly say that…obviously there are a few people who know who I really am, but it's still mostly a secret, and I'd like to keep it that way if you don't mind." "No no, yeah, I totally get it," Superboy said, quieting himself down, "But really, dude? Glasses are your big disguise?! I mean, I figured you wanted to keep a low profile, but you're kind of a big name in the press. And all it takes was a pair of glasses for you to blend in? How has nobody found you out?! I'm assuming Lois and Camera Guy know, but nobody else recognizes you like that?! Come on!"
Clark laughed at his brother's unfiltered observations. "You'd be surprised," he explained, "Most people don't really assume that Superman might be the random, quiet guy in the office or have a regular day job, let alone walking down the street, hanging out in a coffee shop, at the grocery store, etc. Even with facial recognition software being what it is, I've become pretty good at avoiding it over the years. At the worst, people might notice a resemblance, but I think people would be too embarrassed to ask someone 'Hey, aren't you Superman?' or they just assume it's a coincidence. Most people assume I'm Superman 24/7 since I don't wear a mask. No offense, but they probably assume I live the way you do, out in the open." Superboy nodded, impressed with Clark's story. "Wow. I'm just…I'm kinda blown away," Superboy said, chuckling, "I never would have guessed that all this time, my world-famous big brother has just been a regular dude who made a living with a laptop. But…I guess what I want to say is thank you! Thank you for trusting me with this information. I assume John Henry knows who you really are too?" "He actually figured it out before I told him," Clark chuckled, "John actually kept it a secret that he knew my secret until I finally came clean to him. We had a good laugh about it!" "My most recent big case I worked with was with the newest Robin," Superboy admitted, "I have to admit, finding out that you're a news reporter still isn't quite as mind-blowing as finding out that the blueblood party-boy Bruce Wayne is really the Batman, and that there have been multiple Robins, but it's up there." "Yeah, Tim's a good kid," Clark nodded before growing a bit more serious.
"Look…I wanted to apologize if I seemed a little standoffish when we first met," Clark began, "I wanted to tell you who I was from the beginning, but….knowing that Lex Luthor had a hand in creating you, and why he made you and the others…honestly, I was afraid of getting too close. Lex has hated me for years, and I guess I assumed the worst. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt, and I wanted to tell you I was sorry." "Thank you. Honestly, I was hurt at first when I saw the look on your face when we first met," Superboy said, "But I get it…Lex has done some terrible things, especially with clones. To be honest, I've barely been able to trust myself at times, knowing that some of his blood runs through my veins as well. I guess I felt like I had something to prove when I went out on my own. I wanted to be like you, but I had to figure out who I was. To see if I was more than just some test-tube carbon copy or puppet for Cadmus. I thought I did some good for a while, but I ended up making an ass out of myself in the press. I took my eye off the ball when I should have been listening to you, Kara, and Johnny; and people died because I wasn't the hero I should have been."
"I'm sorry to hear about Tana," Clark said, sensing the remorse in his young clone, "I didn't get to meet her, but she seemed like a very special person." "Tana was the best," Superboy said, holding back tears. "Tim and I tried our best to save her, but I should have been there before she got taken in the first place." "I heard about what happened," Clark said, interrupting the Kid, "You guys did everything you could. Believe it or not, I've been where you are many times. Even with all the things we can do, the truth is we can't be everywhere at once. And unfortunately, that means we can't save everyone."
"But I also know that you have helped a lot of people during your short life," Clark continued, "As corny as this might sound, I know a true hero when I see one. You're not me and you're not Lex. You're your own man, and I respect that more than you know. And the truth is, I always wanted to have a brother, especially growing up as an only child. I don't know if I've earned that place in your life yet, but I'd like to try, if it's not too late." Superboy smiled. "Thanks, Kal….er, Clark, sorry. I'd like that. It's just weird though…you have this whole life that I don't know about, and I have so many questions."
"I understand," Clark said, "I imagine you know the basics: I was born on the planet Krypton and was sent to Earth as a baby when the planet was destroyed. What people don't know is that I grew up in a town called Smallville, Kansas. I was found and raised by two of the best parents any child could ever ask for. As soon as I figured out what I am and what I can do, I knew that I had a responsibility to help out my fellow man whenever and wherever I could. Eventually, the threats got bigger, and…well, the rest is history. The guy you see in front of you is the real me. Kal-El may have been the name I was given at birth, but Clark Kent is who I am. Superman was a name given to me by the press, and it stuck…it's a suit I wear when I can help people out. I'm proud of what I've been able to do these past few years, but underneath it all, I'm still the same farm boy from Kansas."
"You grew up on a farm?" Superboy chuckled, "Like, cows, chickens, that kind of stuff?" "Absolutely," Clark laughed, "Probably not what most people expected, and not always the most exciting way to grow up, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. My parents are the best." "That sounds really nice," Superboy said, "I'd love to meet them some day." "I'm sure you'll get the chance," Clark said, checking his watch, "Hey, I've got to get back to work before my boss starts asking questions. Honestly, I don't even know how I'd explain you being here. I'm not even sure what to call you yet. Is 'Karl' the name you're going by now?" Superboy shook his head. "Yeah, I'm not married to it. Still figuring out the whole secret identity thing," the Kid replied, "Maybe we can catch up after work though?" "I'd like that. Let me get you the keys to my apartment, it's just a few blocks away," Clark said, jotting down directions to his apartment, "There's a lot I have to catch you up on, but if you need a place to crash or to hang out for a bit, I've got a spare bedroom." "Thanks, Clark," Superboy said, "I appreciate everything you and Kara are doing." "Anytime! By the way, have you ever been to the Arctic Circle? Near the North Pole? There's a place I have out there that Kara and I want to show you." Superboy looked at his brother quizzically. "The North Pole? You already told me you're Superman, don't tell me you're also secretly Santa Claus," he joked. Clark laughed. "Trust me, you won't want to miss this. Let's grab a bite to eat after work then I'll take you," Clark offered as they shook hands. "Sounds good to me, bro," Superboy agreed.