Year 1997 : The Rise of the Kents (Chapter 9)

Themyscira, Guest's Chamber.

The guest chamber that had been newly arranged for Clark was unlike anything he had experienced before. Tall marble pillars lined the room, adorned with ancient Amazonian carvings, and the rich tapestry that hung on the walls depicted scenes from wars fought long before his time. A balcony stretched out beyond the main chamber, offering a view of Themyscira's sprawling, lush landscapes, with the distant silhouette of the Forbidden Island barely visible against the setting sun.

This room, once reserved for only the highest of honored guests, had been arranged specifically for him—a recognition of his feats in the previous trials and the respect he had earned among the Amazons. It was grand, but despite its beauty, Clark could not fully appreciate it. His mind was too focused on what was to come.

He stood near the large window, staring out at the horizon. The stillness of the evening did little to calm the storm in his thoughts. Tomorrow would bring his greatest test yet, and he had no illusions about the dangers that awaited him on the Forbidden Island.

Clark exhaled and shifted his gaze from the window. "SS," he spoke softly, directing his thoughts to the ever-present entity that had guided him through numerous trials, "I need to know what I'm up against."

In an instant, the familiar voice of SS responded.

[Of course, Clark. I've accessed the DC Database for information on the creatures and entities that may reside in the mystical forest of the Forbidden Island. Would you like me to analyze potential threats?]

Clark nodded, settling into a large, ornate chair. His muscles ached from the battle with Philippus, not from excessive use of strength, but from stressful restraint. However, he knew the real challenge had yet to begin. "Let's go through everything. Start with the most dangerous."

A soft hum filled his mind as SS began compiling data, pulling information from every corner of the database.

[The mystical forest, often called the "Enchanted Forest" by Amazons, has long been home to a range of mythical creatures. Based on historical records and Amazonian mythology, I've identified several key threats."

Clark closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the information SS was feeding him. His mind raced as the detailed descriptions unfolded.

[First: The Manticore. Known for its ferocity and unmatched cunning, the Manticore is a beast with the body of a lion, the wings of a dragon, and a tail of venomous spines. It has the ability to paralyze its prey with its venom before delivering a fatal strike. However, its pride often leads it to fight recklessly, leaving openings for a skilled opponent.]

Clark's brow furrowed. He had read about manticores, but the idea of facing one tomorrow, in a battle for his life, made the stakes feel real. "Weakness?"

[The Manticore's wings are fragile. Though it can fly, a few well-placed strikes can render it earthbound, where it is far more vulnerable. Additionally, its aggressive nature makes it prone to misjudging a more patient fighter.]

Clark nodded, absorbing the information. "What's next?"

[Second: The Hydra. A multi-headed serpent-like creature with regenerative abilities. For every head severed, two more grow in its place. Its bite is venomous, and the poison is said to be so potent that it can incapacitate a warrior in seconds.]

Clark had seen references to hydras in various mythologies, but this was something else. The Amazons had documented such creatures existing within their realm. "Is there a way to stop the regeneration?"

[Yes. Fire. The Hydra's regenerative process can be halted by cauterizing the wound as soon as a head is severed. Without fire, however, its regeneration is nearly unstoppable.]

Clark let out a slow breath. "Alright. Keep going."

[Third: The Minotaur. An ancient beast known for its immense strength and endurance. The Minotaur is relentless in close combat, and its labyrinthine knowledge of the forest makes it a master of ambush tactics. Its horns can gore even the most heavily armored opponents, and its skin is nearly impervious to conventional weapons.]

Clark leaned forward, his mind working through possible strategies. "Weakness?"

[The Minotaur's size and strength make it slower than other creatures. Its attacks are powerful, but predictable. Speed and agility are key to overcoming it. Furthermore, it is heavily reliant on its territorial knowledge—removing it from familiar ground can disorient it.]

Clark's mind quickly analyzed the different strategies he could employ against these creatures. Each presented its own difficulty, but none were unbeatable. He had encountered tougher foes in simulations.

"Is there anything else?" Clark asked, his voice steady despite the weight of what was coming.

[Fourth: The Gorgon. A creature capable of turning any living being to stone with a single glance. The Gorgon's ability to petrify is its greatest weapon, but it is also its greatest vulnerability. Blindness or the use of reflective surfaces can be employed to counter this threat.]

Clark's jaw clenched. The Gorgon was a far deadlier foe than the others. One wrong move, and the fight would be over before it began. "Any other weaknesses?"

[The Gorgon is heavily reliant on its vision. Its physical strength is lesser than that of other creatures, and if blinded, it can be easily overwhelmed.]

Clark opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, his mind spinning with the strategies he'd need to survive. "SS, analyze these creatures in full detail. I want simulations running for each one. I need to train against them."

"Understood, Clark. I'll begin compiling the simulations now."

Clark pushed himself up from the chair and walked toward the center of the room. The next few hours would be critical. The Amazons had given him this chamber as a sign of respect, but he knew better than to rest. If he was going to face these creatures tomorrow, he needed to be ready. He needed to be faster, stronger, and smarter than anything the Forbidden Island could throw at him.

A moment later, the room around him seemed to blur as SS initiated the simulation, the walls of the chamber morphing into the dense, twisted trees of the mystical forest. The air thickened, becoming humid and oppressive. Clark flexed his fingers, feeling the tension already building in his body.

The first creature materialized before him—the Manticore. Its massive form prowled toward him, its venomous tail flicking through the air with deadly intent. The simulation was perfect, every detail accurate to what SS had gathered from the database. Clark could smell the musty scent of the forest floor, hear the low growl rumbling from the beast's throat.

'This is it,' he thought. 'No holding back.'

The Manticore lunged, its wings spreading wide as it aimed its venomous tail toward him. Clark dodged, rolling to the side just in time to avoid the deadly spines. He pushed himself up and delivered a quick, precise strike to its wing—just as SS had advised. The creature roared in pain, stumbling forward as it tried to regain balance.

But Clark was already moving, his body reacting instinctively from years of battle experience. He had faced powerful enemies before, but the Manticore was a different kind of threat—feral, primal, with no concept of honor or restraint.

Hours passed as Clark moved from one simulation to the next. He faced the Hydra, the Minotaur, the Gorgon—all with different strategies, all with different approaches. The forest became his training ground, his mind a blur of calculations and tactics.

By the time dawn began to break, he had fought and defeated each creature a dozen times. He had learned their weaknesses, memorized their attack patterns, and honed his responses to razor-sharp precision.

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Clark hovered silently above the clouds, the sun slowly creeping over the horizon, casting its warm rays onto his skin. This was his moment, the secret ritual he performed every morning—absorbing the sun's energy, letting it fuel him. Up here, far above the surface of Themyscira, Clark could let go. His muscles relaxed, the tension of holding back his strength for fear of hurting those around him fading into the warmth of the dawn. The sun gave him life, made him whole.

But as serene as the moment was, Clark's mind was elsewhere. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was only 11 years old, and despite his abilities, he hadn't yet debuted as Superman. This was an accident—a strange twist of fate that had brought him to Themyscira. One moment, he had been guiding his spaceship back to Smallville after successfully retrieving Orichalcum from Atlantis. The next, an unexpected impact had caused his ship to malfunction, throwing him off course and into the hidden realm of the Amazons.

Clark sighed, glancing down toward the island below. He had been here for days now, engaged in trials that would test any full-grown warrior. He had fought the strongest of Amazons, Philippus herself, and earned their respect. But as much as he appreciated this unexpected detour, he knew that his stay on Themyscira couldn't last forever. He had responsibilities back in Smallville, back on Earth.

"Homelander," Clark called out, summoning the AI that had been with him since the start of his journey.

A soft chime echoed in his mind as the familiar voice of Homelander responded.

[Yes, Clark?]

Clark exhaled softly, turning his attention back to the sunlight as he let the rays soak into his skin. "Status report. How's the suit holding up?"

There was a brief pause as Homelander processed the question.

[The suit's overall integrity is stable. However, adjustments or upgrades are currently impossible. I am still operating offline, disconnected from satellite KA-01. Without a connection to the satellite, I lack the ability to update or communicate with external systems. All previous suit functionalities are intact, but no new modifications can be made.]

Clark nodded, though a part of him couldn't help but feel frustrated. He had grown used to the ease with which Homelander could tweak and adjust his suit on the fly, tailoring it to the specific challenges he faced. But here, stranded in Themyscira with no access to outside technology, those abilities were now out of reach.

"Understood," Clark said, his tone resigned but steady. "What about the ship? What's its status?"

Homelander's response came quicker this time, as if it had already anticipated the question.

[The ship was not damaged from the impact when you arrived. Its malfunction was caused by a temporary systems error. Repairs have been completed, and the ship is fully operational. It can take off at any time.]

Clark let out a small breath of relief. At least his ship was functional again. He could leave whenever he wanted, fly back to Smallville, and resume his life. But the idea of leaving just yet didn't sit well with him. There were still things he wanted to accomplish here—things he needed to understand.

For one, Themyscira itself was a treasure trove of rare materials, resources that could prove invaluable in future threats. And more importantly, Clark had begun to form bonds with the Amazons. They were fierce warriors, protectors of Earth in their own right. Gaining them as allies could be crucial for what lay ahead—future battles, enemies he hadn't even encountered yet.

And then there was Diana.

His thoughts briefly turned to the young Amazon princess who had so easily earned his admiration. She was wise beyond her years, strong, brave, and filled with a boundless energy that reminded Clark of what it meant to fight for hope and justice. She had become a friend in this strange world, and a part of him wanted to see where their bond would lead.

No, he wasn't ready to leave Themyscira just yet. There was still more to learn, more to experience. "Homelander, send out one of the drones," Clark ordered, his voice steady. "Let it hover outside the island's barrier and send a message to my parents. I need them to know I'm alright."

[Understood,] Homelander replied.

[I will deploy the drone immediately. What would you like included in the message?]

"Tell them I'm safe. I've run into some... complications, but I'll be back soon," Clark said. "And I need the drone to map Themyscira's position as accurately as possible while it hovers. It's important we know exactly where this place is for future reference."

[Acknowledged. Deploying drone now,] Homelander confirmed.

With that, Clark turned his focus back to the moment. The sun was now fully above the horizon, its rays cascading across the island, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. He sighed and let himself descend back toward the guest chamber, knowing that his morning ritual was complete. He would need all his strength for what was to come.

Just as he landed softly on the balcony and stepped inside, there was a knock on the door.

"Clark?" Diana's voice was bright, filled with excitement. "It's time! The trial starts soon!"

Clark smiled as he walked toward the door. He was already suited up, the sleek armor glinting faintly in the morning light. It was designed to be lightweight yet durable, akin to something Tony Stark might have crafted for himself, though tailored to Clark's specifications with Kryptonian technology. It was his way of paying respect to the Amazons' traditions. He didn't need it for protection, but it symbolized his commitment to fighting alongside them as their equal.

He opened the door to find Diana standing there, her face lit up with enthusiasm. "Morning, Diana," he greeted warmly. "Ready for the big day?"

Diana practically bounced on her heels, her youthful energy contagious. "I've been ready all night! I couldn't sleep thinking about the Forbidden Island. This is going to be amazing!"

Clark chuckled as they began walking together down the hall toward the gathering point. Despite the seriousness of the trial ahead, Diana's excitement lightened the mood. Her innocent enthusiasm reminded him of what it was like to be a child—something he would easily forgot given his extraordinary abilities.

As they walked, Clark's thoughts wandered to Diana herself. She was remarkable—strong, brave, and already wise beyond her years. Yet, despite the burden of being an Amazon princess, there was still a part of her that remained just a child. A child that eager for adventure, curious about the world, and filled with hope. It was this duality that made her so unique. She was destined for greatness, that much was clear, but for now, she still had her moments of childish excitement, and Clark found that endearing.

"You seem pretty eager for what's ahead," Clark remarked, glancing down at her. "Aren't you nervous at all?"

Diana shook her head vigorously. "No way! I've read all about the Forbidden Island. It's full of monsters and mysteries. I've always wanted to see it. Besides, you're the one who has to fight all the dangerous creatures. I'm just there to guide you."

Clark laughed softly. "That's one way to look at it."

As they continued their walk, the conversation flowed easily. Diana talked excitedly about the island's legends and the battles her mother had fought. Clark listened, occasionally offering his thoughts, but mostly enjoying the way Diana's childish side came through in moments like these. She might have been a princess and a warrior, but she was still a kid, and Clark appreciated that she could be both.

The gathering point came into view, and Clark felt the shift in the atmosphere as the senior Amazons, already assembled, turned their attention toward them. The final trial was upon him, but as he looked down at Diana, who smiled up at him with unwavering belief, Clark felt more ready than ever.

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