Year 1997 : The Rise of the Kents (Chapter 14)(End of Volume 1)

December 1997, Kent's Farm

The sun hung high over the Kent family farm, casting golden rays across the wide-open fields of Smallville. The warmth of the day was matched only by the warmth inside the Kent house, where friends and family gathered for a special occasion—a party to celebrate the birth of the Kent twins, George and Mary Kent. The farmhouse was alive with laughter, conversation, and the soft cooing of the newborns as they were passed gently from one guest to another.

Inside, the scene was nothing short of joyful. The living room, usually a cozy space, was now filled with the buzz of conversation and the comforting sounds of family. Neighbors had stopped by, bringing gifts and home-baked dishes, filling the house with the scent of food and fresh flowers. Jonathan Kent stood near the fireplace, laughing with old friends, while Martha, cradling one of the twins, accepted congratulations from every visitor.

George and Mary, the newborn twins, were already the stars of the show. George, with his bright, curious eyes and strong grip, looked so much like Jonathan, while Mary had inherited Martha's warm smile and soft features. They were healthy, happy, and full of energy—a perfect reflection of the love that had brought them into the world.

Clark, standing by the door, took in the scene with a smile. As the proud big brother, he had grown incredibly fond of his siblings in just a few weeks since they had been born. The protective instincts he had for his parents now extended to George and Mary, and he found himself going above and beyond to ensure they were safe and comfortable.

With his parents' consent, Clark had quietly employed Kryptonian technology to monitor the twins' health. Small sensors, invisible to the naked eye, had been discreetly placed in their cribs, tracking their vitals and development. Homelander, the AI integrated into their home systems, ran algorithms to ensure that George and Mary were growing perfectly. 

The house was filled with cheerful chatter as the Kents' closest friends gathered around, laughing and exchanging stories. Lana Lang, Pete Ross, Emily Dinsmore, Greg Arkin, and Abigail Fine were all there, as close to the Kent family as ever. Clark couldn't help but smile as he saw Lana, who had become more and more attached to him as of late, her wide, innocent eyes following him wherever he went. She was growing clingier in an endearing way, always finding excuses to be around him, her soft giggle catching his attention at every turn.

Lana had always been sweet, but there was something different about her now—a quiet affection that had blossomed over since last year's drowning incident. She was still the same girl Clark had known for years, but now, she seemed to cling to him a little more, her hand brushing his more often, her smiles a little softer. Although Clark wasn't entirely sure how to navigate this new development, he found her presence comforting.

As the party carried on, Clark helped his mother pass around food and drinks, chatting with the guests.

Pete and Greg were joking loudly about the latest movie they had all seen, Hercules, the Disney animated film that had just come out.

"Remember when Hercules fought the Hydra? That was epic!" Pete exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with childish enthusiasm. "That was way cooler than anything superheroes do!"

Greg chuckled and added. "Yeah, I'll give you that one, Pete. Hercules was pretty awesome."

Emily and Abigail were sitting by Martha, cooing over the twins, while Lana had sneaked up beside Clark, nudging him with a shy smile. "Hey, Clark," she said quietly, "they're so cute. I saw you took care of them. You're such a good big brother."

Clark grinned, glancing down at Lana. "Thanks, Lana. I'm just trying to do my best."

As the conversation carried on, Clark's thoughts drifted to the many other places he had been in the past few weeks.

---

In Smallville, his time was split between helping his parents run the farm and keeping up with his schoolwork.

Even though the family business was booming, with the Smallville Agriculture Co. Ltd. expanding at an incredible rate, there was always work to be done. Clark took pride in helping Jonathan with the crops, his Kryptonian strength allowing him to accomplish tasks faster than anyone else could, though he was careful never to overdo it in front of others.

The school was easy, but his close-knit group of friends—Lana, Pete, Emily, Greg, and Abigail—was what he needed to make himself grounded.

Mars had become another point of focus for Clark. He was running a secret terraforming project on the red planet, one that he hoped would one day make it habitable for life.

Every few days, he'd take a quick trip out of Earth's atmosphere, flying through the vast emptiness of space to land on the barren Martian landscape. There, he would check on the progress of the first phase of the project—adjusting the atmosphere, testing the soil, and collecting materials for a future endeavor involving alien technology.

The first phase of the terraforming project was expected to be completed by the middle of the next year, and standing in the stillness of Mars's atmosphere, the red sands stretched out in every direction, and the vast, empty sky above could make Clark feel small despite his immense power.

The constant back-and-forth trips to Mars were not only advancing the project but also increasing his exposure to solar energy. Every time he flew through space, the radiation of the sun charged his body, pushing his Kryptonian Potential (KP) ever closer to 100%. Clark could feel the changes coming. His powers were growing stronger, his body more resilient. It was as if the closer he got to his full potential, the more in tune he became with the energy of the universe itself.

Then there was Gotham, a place far removed from the serenity of Smallville, a place of shadows and danger, where the streets were filled with crime and corruption. Clark often visited Gotham on weekends, quietly patrolling from the skies, observing the city and its inhabitants.

Clark kept a low profile in Gotham, using Homelander to observe the city from above while making sure to never directly interfere. It was there that he kept a watchful eye on Bruce Wayne, the 16-year-old who had begun his own journey toward becoming the Batman Clark knew he would one day be. Clark had unknowingly saved Bruce's parents from death years ago, and now, with his parents still alive, Bruce's path had shifted. Instead of becoming consumed by the need to avenge his parents, Bruce had focused his efforts on investigating the Court of Owls, a secret organization Clark knew was embedded deep within Gotham's corrupt elite.

Clark never revealed himself to Bruce, content to watch from the shadows. Homelander, through its connection to the KA-01 satellite, fed Clark constant updates on Bruce's activities, as well as the criminal underworld of Gotham. Bruce's growing partnership with Selina Kyle, a girl from Gotham's streets who had her own complex relationship with the city. The two of them had formed a bond—one built on mutual respect and a shared goal to rid Gotham of its hidden rot.

Clark never intervened directly, preferring to let Bruce and Selina navigate their path. But he was always ready to step in if things got too dangerous. Gotham was a city that required its own kind of hero, and Clark knew that Bruce was on the path to becoming exactly that.

But perhaps the place Clark found the most joy was Themyscira. His visits there had become a regular occurrence, sometimes to trade resources, other times simply to see Diana. Clark's connection with her had grown deeper over the past few months, and every time he visited, he found himself in awe of the progress she was making.

Diana was learning faster than Clark had ever expected. She had absorbed vast amounts of knowledge about the outside world, quickly mastering languages, science, and history. Her combat skills, already honed by years of Amazonian training, had become even sharper. Each time Clark returned, he was amazed by how much stronger and more capable she had become. It wouldn't be long before she was ready to leave Themyscira and explore the world with him.

They spent hours together, sharing stories of their respective worlds, exchanging knowledge and ideas. Clark told her about his trips to Mars, his quiet patrols in Gotham, and the rare materials he was collecting for future projects. Diana, in turn, shared the wisdom of the Amazons—their philosophies on life, their history, and their approach to war and peace.

In addition to his time on Themyscira, Clark continued his search for rare materials across the globe. He traveled to the most remote parts of the world and even beyond Earth, seeking out Orichalcum, magic stones, and alien metals. Each material had its own unique properties, and Clark carefully collected and stored them, knowing they would be invaluable for future endeavors.

He had also begun quietly collecting Kryptonite from around the country. While Kryptonite was dangerous to him, Clark had a plan. Using Homelander and the information provided by SS, Clark had started working on a long-term project to create a No.1 serum that would eventually make him immune to Kryptonite. The process would take years—perhaps even decades—but Clark was determined to see it through. He couldn't afford to have a weakness that could be exploited by others.

---

Back at the party, Clark snapped out of his reverie as Martha called his name. She was holding Mary, who had just woken up from a nap and was fussing quietly in her arms. George, her brother, was lying peacefully in Jonathan's arms, his tiny fingers curled around his father's thumb.

"Clark, come here for a moment," Martha said with a warm smile, her eyes bright with love for her children.

Clark walked over, smiling as he gently stroked Mary's soft hair. She gazed up at him with wide eyes, calming in her mother's embrace as soon as she felt her big brother's comforting presence. Clark then looked over to George, still snuggled against Jonathan, his tiny chest rising and falling with soft breaths.

"I can't believe how perfect they are," Clark said softly, his voice filled with wonder. "They're amazing."

Martha's eyes shone with warmth as she looked at her son. "You're their incredible big brother, Clark. I can see that now."

He looked at George and Mary, and his heart swelled with love. In that moment, surrounded by his family, Clark felt a deep sense of peace and belonging. 

---

As the afternoon turned into evening and the guests began to leave, Clark found a quiet moment to reflect. He stepped out onto the porch, looking over the golden fields that had been his home for as long as he could remember.

The farmhouse, still buzzing with the joy of celebrating the birth of George and Mary, now stood as a silent witness to the day's events, while the horizon stretched before him. His world had expanded far beyond Smallville's quiet confines, but there was something grounding about this place, this home.

Right now he was still a fifth-grader, but in just a few months, he'd be stepping into middle school. The idea of growing up excited him, but it also added weight to the expectations he placed on himself. He would have to keep pushing forward, constantly striving to become stronger in every aspect.

As Clark stood there, taking in the quiet stillness of the farm, a voice suddenly chimed in his mind.

[Clark, your Kryptonian Potential (KP) has reached its full capacity of 100%.]

Clark's heart leapt in his chest. The words, so calmly delivered by SS, were charged with excitement. He had been waiting for this moment, feeling the gradual build-up of power over the past few months. Now, it had finally arrived. 

[You have achieved Level 11, the maximum potential equivalent of Superman from the Smallville TV series,] SS continued, though Clark could barely contain his enthusiasm.

Smallville's Superman was powerful, no doubt about it—capable of incredible feats, lifting tons of weight, and moving faster than almost anything on Earth. Clark had admired the strength and determination of that version of himself, but he knew there was more.

[However,] SS added, [now that your KP has reached 100%, it will automatically evolve. Your potential will now ascend to the level of Superman from the Animated Series.]

A broad smile spread across Clark's face. Suddenly, He felt a surge of enormous energy in his chest, not unlike the feeling of sunlight soaking into his skin on a bright day. He could feel the shift happening within him—his body absorbing the energy of his evolution, his muscles tightening, his senses sharpening. The Animated Series Superman was legendary, a version of himself that had faced intergalactic threats, battled against cosmic beings, and done so with a level of refinement and control that Smallville's Superman hadn't yet mastered.

As the evolution took place, Clark could feel it all—his strength increasing, his mind becoming clearer, his connection to the energy of the sun deepening. SS continued its neutral explanation, but to Clark, everything felt like a fresh burst of possibility.

[Your overall strength has increased tenfold,] SS informed him.

[You are now able to lift approximately 50,000 tons. Additionally, your speed has increased by tenfold, allowing you to travel at speeds of up to 400 Mach.]

Clark's heart pounded with excitement. He could feel the change in his body, the surge of power making him stronger than he had ever been.

"SS," Clark thought, "run a simulation. I want to test my strength and speed."

[Understood,] SS responded.

[Initializing the Simulation Mode.]

Clark's vision shifted as his surroundings blurred. In an instant, the porch and fields of Smallville faded away, replaced by the familiar virtual construct of SS's Simulation Lab. The sterile white walls stretched into infinity, forming a perfect blank canvas for testing his abilities. It was a space Clark had used before—an advanced construct where he could test his powers without any real-world consequences.

The lab morphed at his mental command, transforming into a mountainous landscape with towering boulders, rivers, and dense forests. In this virtual world, everything felt as real as the physical world outside. The air was crisp, the ground solid beneath his feet, and the sun shone overhead, offering him the familiar warmth of solar radiation.

Clark crouched low, then sprang upward with a force that sent a shockwave rippling through the ground.

VROOM!

He shot into the air like a bullet, higher and faster than he had ever gone before. The wind whipped around him as he soared through the simulated sky, far above the mountains and rivers below.

The speed was intoxicating. Clark pushed himself harder, willing his body to move faster, testing the limits of his flight. Within seconds, he was streaking across the sky at 400 Mach, faster than anything he had ever experienced before. The ground blurred beneath him, a distant memory as he flew at speeds that would make any jet on Earth look like it was standing still.

After a few exhilarating minutes of flight, Clark descended, landing softly in a clearing surrounded by mountains. His next test was strength. He glanced around the landscape and spotted a massive boulder—far larger than anything he had ever attempted to lift before.

He approached the boulder, crouching down to grasp it firmly. With a deep breath, he flexed his muscles and lifted.

WOOSH!

The boulder came off the ground effortlessly, rising into the air as if it weighed no more than a bag of groceries. Clark laughed in disbelief, holding the boulder above his head as he marveled at his strength. He could feel the raw power coursing through him, his muscles barely straining under the weight.

Setting the boulder down gently, Clark turned his attention to speed once more. He dashed across the mountainous terrain, pushing his limits as he ran. The world around him blurred as he accelerated, moving faster and faster, the wind howling in his ears as the landscape flew past in a blur of colors and shapes.

Every step, every leap, every movement felt effortless. Clark reveled in the feeling of freedom that came with such speed, his body perfectly attuned to the rhythm of the world around him.

Finally, he stopped, standing still, the exhilaration of his newfound power filling him with a sense of awe. He was stronger now—faster, more capable than he had ever been.

[In addition,] SS continued, [your maximum growth ceiling has increased by twentyfold. With further training and exposure to solar energy, you will eventually be able to lift weights in the range of 1 billion tons and move at speeds of 8,000 Mach.]

Clark's heart raced with the sheer possibilities. One billion tons—the weight of Mount Everest—and speeds that were almost beyond comprehension. The growth potential seemed limitless. He had always known he was powerful, but this was on a completely different level.

SS's voice broke through his thoughts again. [You have also gained the title of "Smallville."]

Clark blinked, intrigued. "Smallville? What does that mean?"

[The title represents your current stage of evolution,] SS explained.

[It signifies that you have reached a new level of power, one that reflects your journey from the small town of Smallville to becoming a symbol of strength and hope. This title also comes with additional effects.]

Clark raised an eyebrow, curious. 

[Your charisma has increased by 50%,] SS revealed.

[This enhanced charisma will affect how others perceive and respond to you, especially the opposite sex. People will be more inclined to trust, follow, and admire you. Your presence will naturally command attention, and those around you will feel more comfortable and inspired by your leadership.]

Clark blinked, shaking his head in amazement. He had always been able to connect with people, but this new enhancement would make it even easier. He imagined how it might affect his relationships—with his friends, his family, and even strangers. He could already picture Lana and Diana blushing more than usual, or the way people would naturally gravitate toward him in times of need.

[Once your KP reaches 100% again,] SS continued, [you will reach Level 21 and evolve your potential to the level of Post-Crisis Superman. This version of Superman is capable of withstanding galactic-level threats and will mark a significant increase in all of your abilities. Your KP will reset to 0%, and each time you reach 100%, your potential will evolve again.]

Clark's pulse quickened at the thought. Post-Crisis Superman—one of the strongest versions of himself ever created. The Post-Crisis Superman had faced gods, fought cosmic entities, and held entire worlds in his hands. The idea of one day evolving to that level filled Clark with excitement and determination.

But SS wasn't finished.

[Additionally, I have also upgraded to Level 4. A new function has been unlocked: Chrono Vision.]

Clark blinked, taken aback. "Chrono Vision? What does that do?"

[Chrono Vision allows you to perceive events from the past,] SS explained.

[By focusing on a specific location, object, or individual, you can access a visual and auditory representation of past events associated with them. This will allow you to investigate historical occurrences, solve mysteries, and uncover hidden truths by witnessing them firsthand. However, you will only be able to observe—interaction with the past is not possible.]

Clark's breath caught in his throat. The implications of Chrono Vision were staggering. He could see the past, learn from it, and understand it in ways that no one else could. If he wanted to, he could witness moments of history, understand how certain events had unfolded, or even solve unsolved mysteries. It was a tool of immeasurable power, but one that required a careful mind.

[Use it wisely, Clark,] SS advised.

[The past can hold great knowledge, but it can also be filled with pain. Only unlock what you are prepared to understand.]

As the simulation ended, and the landscape of mountains and rivers faded away, Clark found himself back on the porch in Smallville.

Clark turned from the porch and headed back inside, ready to embrace the next chapter of his life. The evening air was cool against his skin, but the warmth of the moment filled him with joy.

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 End of Volume 1