'Welcome to the only place that matters.'
A voice resounded in Prime's mind. Before he could even respond, Val's figure was already beside him. He slightly turned his head…staring at the kryptonian who'd crossed the distance from Earth and its moon without moving.
That's right. Val-Ul had teleported directly beside the destroyer of timelines. Floating right next to him. Their armors resembled their status. It was as if two generals were meeting for the first time.
'What does that mean? Are you telling me this place matters? Who decided that?' Prime responded.
The demon slowly levitated to his feet. Their powerful gazes clashed once again. As if the universe feared the possible collision of two titans, it began to lash out. Reality trembled slightly. Cracks in space undulated around them.
It was a warning. The universe was threatening both of them. If they battled, it wouldn't hesitate to swallow them up before spitting them out somewhere else. Val smiled slightly.
'Calm yourself…it is okay.' He soothed the Bless-ed Universe.
Superboy Prime gave a mocking grin. His bloodthirsty eyes narrowed on the space cracks already forming. They hadn't even crossed fists yet. How intriguing.
'What a feisty little girl. Never seen true power before?' His devilish voice would cause others to shiver.
'She is a newborn. Cut her some slack.' Val casually responded.
'She's right to be scared. Smart.'
'She shouldn't be.'
'And why is that?'
'Because I am here.' The son of Ul proclaimed.
'That's too bad.'
'How so?'
'Because I'm here as well.' Prime raised his arms with a smile.
Not another word was spoken. None were needed. The silence between them was louder than a battlefield. Their very existence bent the laws around them. Time slowed, not out of awe, but out of fear. As if the universe itself prayed for delay.
The silence between them was suffocating. Invisible yet heavy, burdening the cosmos with its weight. No twitch, no sigh, no shift—only the stillness of predators who knew the cost of moving first. Space was normally ice cold…but today it was reaching the temperatures of the sun.
Finally, Val-Ul broke the silence. He smiled gently. All of the tension seemed to pause.
'We can't go on like this. Come on, come on. Bring it in.'
'...?'
'Welcome home.'
Superboy's crimson pupils widened in confusion. Was he being…hugged? They were hugging? Why? Wait…what did he say? Welcome home? Welcome home?!
Prime felt the anger hidden deep inside. Something that had never left. Something that was a permanent part of him. It bubbled up like a raging fire. It was his friend. Rage.
This false king spoke as if they were equals. That needed to be fixed. Education was needed.
'This is NOT my home.'
As the dark voice reached Val's mind, he saw the power in Prime's fist. The demon's arm reared back, muscles tightening like chords. Bulging with friction. A trail of unexplainable colors followed his movements. Space shattered within his hand.
It was only a single fist…but the magnitude of it. It was divine. Superboy wasn't holding back at all. The bloody cape lifted. Part of the moon cracked…and his fist soared.
TAP
It smacked into a waiting palm. Val-Ul had caught the blow. There was no shockwave. No emission of energy. No destruction of the surroundings. Why? Because Val had deemed it so.
The universe was on the son of Ul's side. Space cracks were everywhere. Val had simply redirected the power of the blow into one of them. Some random planet had probably been ripped to shreds.
As its golden child, he could hear the universe screaming. Begging them not to fight. It wanted to live. It wanted to lead kryptonians further. It wanted to see new things. Reach new heights.
Prime's arm was shaking slightly. That was how much effort was put into the blow. He looked at the palm covering his fist with a raised eyebrow…then he sneered.
'You have abnormal abilities…that wasn't very kryptonian of you.'
'I am a kryptonian through and through. You're whining because I'm better.' Val proclaimed as if it was fact.
'Better? Heh. Better?!'
Another fist thrown…this time it vibrated to match the fissures of space. Prime wanted to break it. This was nothing new. He'd broken space before. He could do it again.
Val-Ul expected such a thing. His palm vibrated to match. He caught it once again in his palm. The overbearing power funneled into another space crack, snuffing out the life of two more planets.
'It happened again?' Superboy's expression tilted.
'It did.' Val answered with a lazy smile.
The demon's expression grew darker. His crimson eyes glowed brighter. Solar energy finally moved throughout his body. His mind entered a state of pure focus. Fine. He'd get serious. The power of his next strike would NOT be dispersed.
'Okay. I understand it now.' An eerie statement.
'Stop! Why must it be this way? We are kin. We are the same.'
'We are NOT the same! You aren't real. None of this is real! It's all fake! A fantasy to play around in. A playground!' He roared mentally.
'Is it truly fake?' Val asked softly.
'Yes! Are you mocking me?'
'No. I'm asking. Is THIS universe truly fake? Ask yourself.'
'You are fake. Not even in a single comic strip. You're a nobody.'
'That's because my legend has yet to be shared. Is your family fake then? What about…Laurie?' Val finally asked.
'How do you know that name? How dare you speak of her?!'
'Did you even look for them yet? Blowing up the place without looking, huh? Sad.'
The son of Ul was right. Prime hadn't looked to see if his family existed here. The truth was that he didn't dare to. He wasn't ready to be disappointed. This wasn't the real world after all. Prime's reality was destroyed by the Anti-Monitor…which is why the villain is dead.
Val placed an arm around his shoulder. A calm gaze and an angry gaze turned toward the beautiful planet of Earth. Free of filth. Clean. Structured…Perfect.
'Let's make a bet.' He suggested.
'I don't negotiate with cartoons.' Prime disagreed.
'You'll like it. Just let me finish.'
'........' Superboy Prime waited to hear the rest.
'If your family happens to be on this Earth, you have to join me in this universe.'
'It won't happen. That's impossible. This timeline is already wrong.' The demon quickly retorted. His eyebrows lowered into a frown. Val shrugged.
'Don't sweat the small details…and let me finish!'
'Fine.' Prime crossed his arms.
The son of Ul smiled. His soft manipulations were already affecting Superboy Prime. It was easy to see how quickly the twisted boy was unwinding. Relaxing. The universe was also pressing from the other side, constantly showering the boy with warmth and love. Something he'd lost.
'If your family isn't here-'
'Then this timeline dies.' Prime interrupted.
'Or…I help you personally. I send you throughout the multiverse until you find them. We've already developed multiversal travel. It's much faster than breaking timelines.'
'What? You can travel the multiverse? Where…' Greed could be seen in the demon's eyes. Val shook his head.
'I'll tell you after you agree.'
'I agree! Tell me.'
'Lies. Don't trick me. Look for your family first.' Val's tone was stern.
'Tch...mnn.' A grunt was the only response.
Prime blasted off, accelerating toward the blue planet. His bloody cape flapped behind him. Val-Ul casually followed with a smile. What a momentous day.
…
…
…
In the abundantly green state of Wyoming, birds chirped to announce a new day. A lovely morning. Deers, moose, and other animals awoke with a yawn. A squirrel watched the sun rise above the horizon. Its rays landed on the roof of a cabin in the wilderness. Two figures were inside. A mature blonde haired woman could be found cooking a delicious meal in the kitchen.
The other was an older man. He sat in the living room, watching the football game. His face was covered in wrinkles. Age had finally caught up to him and his wife…but of course she was still beautiful.
"One good 'ole fashion lasagna comin right up!" She announced.
"Lasagna for breakfast...making his favorite food again?" His voice sounded tired.
The woman put on her mitts before pulling the steaming tray out of the oven. A sad smile adorned her face. She continued to prep the table.
"I can't help it, Jerry. What if he comes back?"
"He's not coming back, Naomi. He's gone."
"He's not gone. He's out there somewhere. He'll come back…and his food will be waiting." She was sure of it.
There was no doubt in her mind. Almost as if she'd seen it come true in her dreams. It had to be real. It had to. If not…she didn't want to think about it. Clark was alive. Her baby boy was alive. She was sure of it.
After repeated persuasions, Jerry finally got off the couch and sat down at the dining table. It smelled good. The aroma wafted throughout the house. Still…there was something missing. The old man tried to take a portion of the lasagna but Naomi slapped his hand.
"Nu-uh. Go call down little Lemmon. She needs to get out of Clark's room and eat with us for once." She demanded.
"Siiigh." Jerry got up and approached the stairs. Raising his hands to his mouth, he called out. "Lemmon! Food is ready!"
"........" There was no response.
Jerry and Naomi looked at each other. Looks like she wasn't going to come down. The woman's expression grew dispirited. Jerry immediately kissed her cheek.
"Maybe she's in the shower."
"...Maybe."
They ate without her. A nice portion was left for her…but the majority was still in the tray. That was for Clark. It was always for Clark. Once the couple finished eating, Jerry stepped out to fix the jeep. Something was wrong under the hood.
As he stepped outside with his toolbox…he froze. A man was standing outside the wooden fence. His clothing was weird…armor and a cape. Jerry's first thought was that an Expansionary Forces member had arrived. Then…he saw the man's face.
"Clark?"
Jerry's voice was soft, but it still entered the house. The door was still open. Naomi was making side dishes when she froze.
CLANG
The toolbox fell to the ground. Slipped from the old man's fingers. Before anything could be said, Naomi came bursting out the house.
"Clark! Clark! Oh my…my boy!"
She ran towards him, not caring for anything else. Prime's expression turned soft. His eyes grew watery. He couldn't help but fall to his knees. After countless years…they were here…was this real?
Naomi fell to her knees beside him and hugged him. Her tears were flowing like a stream. Her son had returned.
"...Mom…"
"Oh my god! My boy…you've grown so much. Look at your face!" She spoke through her tears. Her hands traced his face. They hugged again.
Clark's gaze turned to his father. Jerry's eyes were wet too. They locked eyes and smiled. A nod later and the boy focused on his mother. After a good five minutes of hugging, his gaze finally went back to the house.
The door was still open…and a beautiful young woman was watching from the entrance. Light brown hair and pale green eyes. Wearing one of Clark's shirts and booty shorts. Without any shoes, she stepped out onto the grass.
Only now did Prime's tears finally fall. Laurie Lemmon walked up to him and placed her hands on her hips. She looked down at him and smiled. Her eyes were wet. Clark couldn't stop from smiling in return.
Her hands finally grabbed his face with both hands. Pulling him closer. His head rested against her tummy. Only then did she speak.
"You're going to tell me…everything." It wasn't a question. Her delicate voice was slightly shaky.
It was a demand. Clark nodded in a daze, his quick brain thinking of how to spin his story to everyone later. Had to leave some things out. It was for their own good.
This couldn't be real. No way. Wait…maybe it wasn't real at all. Oh no. He'd almost fallen for it.
'Is this another one of your tricks? An illusion?' He finally spoke through the mental link. There was poison in his tone.
'Not at all. Don't you feel it? This place belongs to us. It was made for us. Can't you feel the universe trying to help you?' Val-Ul answered from the clouds.
With those words, the Father flew off. Completely leaving the boy to his own devices. There was no need to celebrate. To gloat. For what? This was inevitable. Natural.
'And then there were three.' Val thought with a serene expression.
His golden eyes shimmered.