Kent Farm, Smallville

Megan: Back in Smallville, huh?

For a guy who's bulletproof and nearly invincible, he felt really vulnerable in that moment. More so now, seeing Megan after nearly 7 years apart. His heart races, and he swallows hard, trying to steady his emotions

A few yards away, his brothers observed the scene.

Jonathan: Five bucks he starts stuttering.

Jordan: I'll raise it to ten.

Jonathan: Whenever Megan's around, he stutters like crazy. You remember, right?

Jordan: Oh, I remember...

They watched as Y/N tried to keep his composure.

Y/N: Yeah...back in Smallville. How've you been, Megan?

Megan: I've been good. Busy, but good. How about you? Still dreaming with the NFL?

Y/N: Something like that. It's... it's really good to see you.

Jonathan and Jordan exchanged amused glances, waiting for the inevitable.

Megan: It's really good to see you too, Y/N. I've missed you.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath, determined not to let his nerves get the best of him.

Y/N: I... I... I missed you too.

Jonathan: There it is.

Jordan: Ten bucks, pay up.

Jonathan handed over the money, both of them still watching their brother with amusement and a bit of admiration. Despite the teasing, they were glad to see Y/N reconnect with someone who had clearly meant a lot to him.

Megan steps closer and, without warning, wraps her arms around Y/N in a warm hug.

Megan: So sorry about your grandma...

Y/N feels a rush of emotions. He hesitates for a moment before hugging her back, taking comfort in her presence.

Y/N: Thanks, Megan. It means a lot

Y/N pulls back slightly, looking into Megan's eyes, finding solace in her familiar gaze.

Y/N: It's been tough. She was the heart of our family.

Megan: She was an incredible woman. I remember how she used to bake those amazing pies and always had time to listen to us, no matter what.

Y/N smiles at the memory, the ache in his chest easing a bit.

Y/N: Yeah, she had a way of making everyone feel special.

Megan nods, her eyes filled with empathy.

Megan: Just like you, Y/N. She'd be proud of the man you've become.

For a moment, they stand there in comfortable silence, the sun setting behind them, casting a golden glow over the farm. The weight of the past few days seems to lift slightly, replaced by the warmth of an old, cherished connection.

Y/N: It's really good to see you, Megan. I've missed you.

Megan: I've missed you too, Y/N. Maybe we can catch up while you're here?

Y/N nods, feeling a sense of hope and comfort. Amidst the sorrow of his grandmother's passing, reconnecting with Megan feels like a small beacon of light.

Y/N: I'd like that. A lot.

As they walk back towards the gathering, Y/N feels a renewed sense of strength. Seeing Megan again reminds him that even in times of loss, there are moments of joy and reconnection. And maybe, just maybe, some bonds are unbreakable, no matter how much time passes

The adults retreat into the house, leaving the kids outside to socialize. Sarah, Jonathan, and Jordan stand together, a lingering awkwardness in the air.

Sarah: So... I wasn't sure you guys would even remember me from that summer. It was like... forever ago.

Jordan: Of course we do. You changed your... everything.

Jonathan shoots him a look, trying to salvage the comment.

Jonathan: What my brother's trying to say is, whatever you're doing... it's totally working for you.

Sarah smirks, amused by their awkwardness.

Sarah: Thanks. We still get puberty in Smallville. Go figure. But the internet? Not so much. I've been trying to get online since we got here, and as a teen girl, if I don't TikTok within an hour, I burst into flames.

She flashes them a mischievous smile, leaning into the joke.

Sarah: Kidding. Mostly. The Meteors are playing, and I was trying to check the score.

Jordan: I've been trying to get on all morning. There's a problem with the router.

Jonathan: Which can be resolved. My brother's great at fixing anything that helps him avoid talking to real humans.

Jordan glares at Jonathan, who just smirks.

Jordan: Jon... it's in the barn

Sarah: So the internet's in... the barn?

Jordan: Uh... yeah, but our dad doesn't like us going in there. He says it's full of stuff that can kill you.

Jonathan: He said that when we were, like... eight.

Sarah: As a card-carrying member of the FFA, with two merit badges to my name, I think I can keep you boys safe. C'mon.

She starts heading toward the barn, a teasing glint in her eye. The twins exchange a look before reluctantly following.

Jonathan: What's the FFA?

Sarah: Future Farmers of America. City boys...

Inside the house...

The kitchen has the warm, lived-in feel of a home that's seen generations pass through it. The group sits around a modest coffee table, a few nearly empty beer bottles scattered among the table. Clark, Lois, Lana, and Kyle sit together, the faint hum of conversation from outside filtering in through the windows

Lana: God, look at you. You look the same as you did in high school. You never age.

Lois gives Clark a quick look, her eyebrow arching slightly. Clark shifts in his seat, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

Clark: Good genes, I guess.

Lana: And Lois, I read all your stories. You're incredible. I always tell my girls I hope they grow up to be just like Lois Lane

Lois: Thanks, Lana. That's sweet of you.

Clark: You still at the bank?

Lana: Still there. And Kyle's still at the firehouse. Made fire chief after his dad retired. Everyone else we knew... well, they've moved away.

Kyle: She means bailed.

Clark: Lueck?

Kyle: Twin Cities.

Clark: Sippy?

Kyle: Saint Louis.

Lois: Guess you'll see them at the next reunion, then.

Kyle: You didn't come to the last one.

Lana gives Kyle a sharp look, her voice firm.

Lana: Kyle...

Kyle shrugs, brushing off her unspoken warning. He shifts in his seat, his tone turning serious as he looks at Lois and Clark

Kyle: Used to be, when people left to get a degree, they'd bring their skills back to where they grew up. Pay back the community that nurtured them. That doesn't happen anymore. At least we're getting a lifeline if this Edge proposal goes through.

Lois straightens, her expression sharpening.

Lois: Morgan Edge?

Clark sighs quietly, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Clark: Oh boy...

Lois: What does he want with Smallville?

Lana: Edge Industries has been buying up old coal mines, like they did in New Carthage and Fawcett City. They're retrofitting them to mine for alternative energies.

Kyle: It's gonna put a lot of folks back to work around here.

Lois: Until it doesn't.

Clark: Lois—

Lois: Morgan Edge ruins everything he touches

Kyle: He's a billionaire. What's he ruined?

Clark: Bit of a sore subject, here—

Lois: He's single-handedly destroying the Daily Planet.

Kyle: Oh, come on. People stopped reading that paper because none of you reporters can keep your politics to yourselves.

Lois: Edge Industries barely pays its workers a living wage. You think he's going to treat the people of Smallville any differently? I don't understand how he keeps fooling people over and over again—

Kyle: You mean fool us dumb, backward small-town folk?

Lois: That's not what I meant.

Kyle: I know what you meant, Miss Lane. People like you look at Smallville and see the past. Feel bad for us. People like Morgan Edge look at Smallville and see the future.

Lois: Well, it's not a future I'd want to live in.

Kyle sets his beer down with a deliberate motion, leaning back in his chair with a scowl.

Kyle: Guess we don't have to worry about that. There won't be any Kents in Smallville much longer anyway.

Clark straightens, his expression hardening as he turns to Kyle.

Clark: We haven't made any decisions about the farm, Kyle.

Kyle: No, but your mother did...

Lana's voice cuts through, sharp and commanding.

Lana: Kyle, that's enough. Now go get the girls. We're going home.

Kyle hesitates, the tension lingering in the air, before rising with a frustrated sigh. He exits the room without another word.

Clark: Lana... what's he talking about?

Lana: It's not for today, Clark. Come by the bank tomorrow. Your mom had some business with us we need to discuss, that's all.

She pauses, her eyes softening.

Lana: It'll be fine, I promise. Martha was a great lady. The heart of Smallville, really. I'm sorry she's gone.

Her words hang in the air, a quiet ache settling over the room as Lana gives them both a sad smile before leaving to follow Kyle

Y/N and Megan stand a bit apart from the gathering, the golden hues of the setting sun framing them. A gentle breeze rustles the nearby trees. Y/N, still feeling the weight of vulnerability, shifts on his feet, trying to find the right words.

Y/N: So... how are your parents?

Megan's smile wavers, turning a little awkward. She tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

Megan: Divorced. About two years ago.

Y/N's brow furrows slightly, his voice softening.

Y/N: I'm sorry to hear that.

Megan: It's okay. Me and my mom came back because of this... you know, after it happened. Smallville's always been home, even when I didn't want it to be.

She glances toward the house, where neighbors and friends continue to mingle, their voices faint in the background.

Y/N: Still, it can't be easy.

Megan: It wasn't at first. But... Smallville has this way of making you face things, you know? Whether you're ready or not.

Her eyes meet his, and for a moment, the years between them seem to disappear.

Megan: What about you? 

Y/N chuckles lightly, running a hand through his hair.

Y/N: I've been... all over, I guess. Trying to figure things out. But right now, just trying to be here for my family.

Megan tilts her head, studying him with a warm smile.

Megan: You've changed, Y/N. But not in a bad way.

Y/N: You too.

The words hang in the air for a moment, the unspoken emotions lingering between them. Then, Megan takes a step closer, breaking the tension with a small laugh

Megan: You still get that little stutter when you're nervous?

Y/N grins, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Y/N: Maybe.

They both laugh, the sound soft and familiar, like a memory brought back to life

Sarah moves through the dimly lit barn, stepping carefully over tools and equipment. Jonathan and Jordan follow, their footsteps echoing faintly. The barn is filled with old, dangerous farming equipment: harrows, rakes, sickles, and a towering, rusty baler

Sarah: All that sharp, scary stuff is for tilling, and that sharp, scary stuff is for sowing. Pretty much the baler is the only thing in here that can't kill you... and it hasn't been used in years

Jordan looks up at the rafters where long wooden poles line the barn's upper two-thirds, suspended precariously

Jordan: What about those?

Sarah: For drying crops. After your grandma closed operations here, she used the barn to store crops for other farms. It's how most of the places around here got by... for a while.

Jonathan, impressed, picks up on her knowledge

Jonathan: Wow. You really do know your farm equipment.

Sarah: You learn a lot of useless stuff growing up in Smallville.

Jordan: Our dad told us a bunch of stories about growing up here.

Sarah: Did he tell you how boring it is?

Jonathan: He liked it. Anyway, it can't be that bad. It's really the people that make up a place, isn't it?

Jordan cringes slightly at Jonathan's blatant charm, but Sarah raises an eyebrow, unimpressed

Sarah: Wow. Metropolis boys are really starting to lose their game.

Jonathan: Please, I'm very taken. But we're gonna be here at least a few days. I thought maybe someone could show my brother and me around.

Sarah: Okay, City Mouse. Your phone

Jonathan instinctively pulls his phone out, grinning.

Sarah: Not you. I meant Jordan.

Jonathan's grin fades as both brothers exchange confused looks. Jordan, flustered, fumbles for his phone and hands it over to Sarah.

Sarah: Here's my math. There's an end-of-summer bonfire tomorrow at the old Shuster Mines. Hit me up if you want to go. Can't promise I won't get you into a little bit of trouble, though

Jordan, smiling nervously, tries to play it cool.

Jordan: I'm all about trouble.

The connection between Jordan and Sarah is palpable, leaving Jonathan momentarily stunned. He looks around and spots something.

Jonathan: Found it. The router.

He points toward the top of the barn where the router is precariously mounted, connected to a pole high up in the rafters.

Jonathan: It's pretty high up there. You want me to—

Jordan: I got it.

Before Jonathan can protest, Jordan is already halfway up the handmade ladder. He climbs higher, clearly showing off for Sarah.

Jordan: Okay! Try it now!

Sarah checks her phone, her face lighting up.

Sarah: You did it! Great job, City Mouse.

Jordan grins in triumph but looks down nervously as he begins his descent. His foot wavers, trying to find the ladder rung.

Jonathan: Careful, man.

Jordan's foot lands on the rung...

SNAP! 

The rung breaks under his weight. Jordan loses his footing and falls, hitting the side of the barn. The impact sends the wooden poles above crashing down like an avalanche.

Jonathan: Jordan!

Jonathan reacts instinctively, shoving Sarah out of harm's way as the poles crash down, burying both brothers in the process

Megan and Y/N, not far from the barn, hear the commotion. Y/N's senses sharpen as his superhearing picks up Sarah's frantic screams.

Sarah: Help! Help! Help!

Y/N's expression turns grim as he looks toward the barn.

Megan: What's going on?

Y/N doesn't answer. He takes off running toward the barn, leaving Megan behind, worry etched on her face

Clark and Lois burst out of the house, exchanging a quick, concerned glance with Lana and Kyle.

Sarah: They're hurt! The boys...

She points toward the barn, terror in her eyes.

Lois: Call 911. Use the phone in the kitchen.

Kyle nods and rushes toward the house. Lois runs after Clark, who is already heading for the barn. Lana pulls Sarah close, holding her trembling daughter as they watch

Y/N and Clark rush into the barn, their eyes scanning the chaotic scene. A massive pile of poles covers the floor, the debris burying Jonathan and Jordan beneath it.

Clark: I'll get the left side.

Y/N: I got the right

Both spring into action. Using their strength, they toss the heavy poles aside like twigs, revealing the outline of the boys beneath

Lois enters the barn, her heart pounding as she spots the twins.

Lois: Jordan! Jonathan!

As the last poles are removed, Jonathan and Jordan come into view, huddled together. Their arms are intertwined, and they're miraculously unharmed, though unconscious. Slowly, they start to stir.

Lois drops to her knees beside them, relief washing over her.

Lois: You're okay... you're okay...

She looks back at Clark and Y/N, realization dawning in her eyes. Both men stand silently, knowing exactly why the boys escaped unscathed. The unspoken truth hangs heavy in the air

Later that night...

The stars above the farm glimmer faintly, and the rhythmic chirp of crickets fills the air. An EMT, Benny, steps out of the house, closing the door quietly behind him. Clark and Lois wait on the porch, tension etched across their faces

Clark: How are they, Benny?

Benny: Mild concussions, that's it, Clark. Contrary to popular belief, rest is good for them. You notice anything else, let me know right away.

Clark: Thanks again, Benny. Best to the family.

Benny: You too. Try to get some sleep, alright?

Clark nods, watching Benny make his way toward the ambulance. Its red and blue lights flash softly in the distance, painting the yard in brief bursts of color.

As Benny climbs into the vehicle and it pulls away, Lois and Clark remain silent for a moment, staring into the dark horizon.

Lois: You thinking what I'm thinking?

Clark: Jonathan must have somehow caught Jordan. Shielded them both from the poles.

Lois: We have to tell them. We can't wait any longer. They deserve to know the truth.

Clark exhales deeply, his gaze dropping to the weathered wood of the porch

Clark: And what's the truth going to do to Jordan? It's hard enough on him that both his brothers are all-star athletes. Wait until he finds out Jonathan can bend steel with his hands or fly into the stratosphere. Better yet... wait until he finds out Y/N is the famous Superboy.

Lois crosses her arms, her voice soft but firm

Lois: We don't know what Jonathan can do yet. And sure, it'll be hard. But Jordan will have his family to help him figure things out. Just like he does now.

Clark shakes his head slowly, the weight of the world... his world bearing down on him. For a moment, he looks lost, a rare sight for a god amongst men.

Clark: When I dreamed of having a family with you, it wasn't supposed to be like this.

Lois moves closer, her hand finding his. She speaks with quiet determination.

Lois: I know. It wasn't supposed to have lost jobs, teens suffering with anxiety, or parents gone too soon. No one ever dreams of the problems. But every life has them. Even the extraordinary ones.

Clark looks into her eyes, finding solace in her unshakable strength. He nods slightly, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Clark: You're right. As usual.

Clark and Lois exchange a quiet glance when they hear footsteps approach. General Sam Lane emerges from the shadows, his posture rigid, his presence commanding. He gestures toward the departing ambulance, his voice clipped

Sam: What the hell happened here?

He doesn't wait for an answer, shaking his head.

Sam: Forget it. I don't want to know.

He straightens his jacket, softening slightly.

Sam: Came to pay my respects, Clark. Sorry about your mother.

His attention shifts to Lois.

Sam: Hello, pumpkin.

Lois: Hey, Dad. I'm only "pumpkin" when you want something... usually from him.

General Lane chuckles, his hand lifting a briefcase PC.

Sam: Can we talk? Someplace private? Also... bring Y/N 

Inside, the small study feels both cozy and worn, filled with books and traces of Martha Kent's touch. The door is closed. General Lane sits at the desk, the briefcase PC's monitor glowing softly. Clark, Lois, and Y/N gather around. Lane's tone is low and serious as he flips through grainy images from the Kansas Nuclear Power Plant.

Sam: The cameras at the nuclear plants were updated per S.T.A.R. Labs specifications to a trillion frames per second. We cross-analyzed footage from both facilities where the ruptures occurred. This is the only commonality...

He clicks, revealing a black, blurry streak cutting through a single frame like a ghost.

Sam: Whatever did this is moving fast.

Y/N: Another speedster? I'll call Wally. This seems like Flash's territory.

Sam: That's not all. During repairs, engineers noticed a submicroscopic etching at both sites. At first, they thought it was a fingerprint. It wasn't.

He flips to another image: alien writing. The characters are sharp and angular. Clark's eyes widen.

Sam: It's a message. In a language only two beings on Earth can read or write. And I don't think it's a Post-it note from Supergirl.

Clark: It's Kryptonian...

He leans in, reading the words aloud.

Clark: "I will not be erased. Kal-El."

There's a heavy pause

Clark: Whoever wrote this speaks Kryptonian. And they know who I am.

Sam: There's a phone booth somewhere in this podunk town because we're going to need you both to suit up.

Clark nods solemnly, but Lois is already shaking her head.

Lois: Now? No.

Sam: Lois...

Lois: I get it. There's a powerful... something out there that doesn't like Superman or nuclear power plants. And that's a bad combination. But this is not a moment Clark can just take off on patrol. His mom just died. There's stuff going on with the farm. The kids...

Y/N opens his mouth to speak, but Lois cuts him off with a sharp look.

Lois: Don't. You might be bulletproof, but I'm still your mother.

Clark: Lois...

Lois: I mean it, Clark. The world is always going to need Superman. And when something really bad happens, you'll fly off and be there for them. But right now, this family needs you more. You owe it to us... and to yourself, to stay here and figure things out.

Clark takes a long moment to consider, looking between Lois and Sam. Finally, he nods.

Clark: I'm sorry, Sam. She's right.

Lane's jaw tightens. He shuts the briefcase with a snap.

Sam: I tried to warn you, Lois. When you two fell in love. Wanted to get married. I tried to warn you...

Lois: Oh, c'mon, Dad. Not this again. I told you: Clark deserves to have the same things he protects for everyone else... life, love, family.

Sam: You may have fallen in love with Clark Kent, but you married Superman. And Superman doesn't get to have a normal life. No matter how much you want one for him. Or yourself

Before Lois can respond, there's a knock at the door.

Jordan: Grandpa?

Lane's demeanor shifts instantly. The door opens, and Jonathan and Jordan step in, their faces lighting up at the sight of their grandfather.

Sam: Boys!

He spreads his arms wide, and they both rush in for hugs.

Jonathan: We saw your truck.

Jordan: What were you all hiding in here for?

Clark: Just going over a few things...

Jordan gives Clark a curious look, one that lingers a moment longer than usual. Clark notices but says nothing. Lane, however, catches the exchange.

Sam: I'm sorry about your Grandma, fellas. Now c'mon, follow me outside. I got us some new lures for our next fishing trip.

Y/N: Oh God...

Lane laughs, leading the boys toward the kitchen. Lois sighs deeply, running a hand through her hair.

Lois: This is going to get a lot more complicated, isn't it?

Clark places a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but the weight of her words hangs in the air

...

The Next Day...

Fortress of Solitude, The Arctic

The icy cavernous expanse of the Fortress of Solitude is eerily quiet except for the sound of steel creaking and shifting under unimaginable pressure. Y/N, shirtless and glistening with sweat, presses a massive weight above him with steady rhythm. Beneath the bench press, an automated system tracks the load... 2000 tons

Y/N: Ninety-nine... one hundred... Break!

He lowers the weight gently onto reinforced supports. The Fortress AI deactivates the training program, the room returning to its usual stillness. Y/N exhales deeply, sitting up and wiping sweat from his brow

Suddenly, a hologram materializes. It's Jor-El, Y/N's grandfather from Krypton 

Jor-El: Impressive, Y/N. Your strength and endurance have increased significantly since your last session.

Y/N: What can I say? Gotta keep up with Dad somehow.

Jor-El: Perhaps you're surpassing him already, at least in certain aspects. You're evolving quite fast, Y/N.

Y/N smirks, but there's a flicker of unease in his eyes.

Y/N: Fast is good, right? Well...not always. But it's better to be ready for whatever's out there.

Jor-El's expression remains neutral, though there's a subtle shift in his tone

Jor-El: Indeed, but with rapid evolution comes challenges. Your cells are absorbing solar energy at an unprecedented rate for someone your age. Your Kryptonian physiology is adapting faster than Kal-El's did at a comparable time in his life.

Y/N stands, grabbing a towel and slinging it over his shoulder.

Y/N: So, what does that mean? Am I gonna fry my circuits or something?

Jor-El: Not precisely. But your abilities... your speed, strength, vision, and senses may develop inconsistently. You could experience unexpected surges of power. Or lapses in control

Y/N: Sounds fun.

Jor-El: It is imperative that you continue to train... not just physically, but mentally. Balance is essential, my grandson. Strength without discipline can lead to chaos.

Y/N sighs, running a hand through his hair.

Y/N: Look, I get it. But I'm already juggling enough. My brothers have no clue I'm doing all this. Dad's got enough on his plate without worrying about me frying a mountain

Jor-El: Secrets, while sometimes necessary, can create fractures. Your father understands the burden of carrying knowledge alone. You must decide when and how to share your truth with those you care about.

Y/N stares at the hologram, the weight of Jor-El's words settling on him.

Y/N: Yeah, well, one problem at a time, gramps. For now, just tell me... what else can I push?

Jor-El smiles faintly, nodding toward a new set of equipment emerging from the crystalline walls.

Jor-El: Very well. Begin the next set. This will test your heat vision focus and precision.

Y/N smirks, clenching his fists as his eyes ignite with a faint red glow.

Y/N: Now this is what I'm talking about. Let's see what I can really do.

He steps toward the apparatus, ready to push himself further. Above, the Fortress hums faintly, a place of infinite possibility and silent wisdom

Back in Smallville...

The old barn looms under the late afternoon sun, a mix of rustic charm and mystery

A faint metallic sound of metal-on-metal reverberates as Jordan pries at the barn doors with a crowbar, his frustration mounting. Beside him, Jonathan watches with crossed arms, smirking

The rusty hinge gives way, and the barn doors groan open. Dust dances in the faint shafts of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wood

Jonathan: Good luck explaining that to Dad.

Jordan rolls his eyes and steps inside, using his phone flashlight to illuminate the dimly lit barn. The beams cast long, eerie shadows on the weathered wood walls.

Jonathan: Come on, you really think Mom and Dad are hiding something from us?

Jordan: I fell forty feet off a ladder. We had, what, half a ton of poles land on us? And they just... got us out? How?

Jonathan fidgets, trying to rationalize.

Jonathan: I don't know, musta been adrenaline. Like those stories about moms lifting cars off their kids.

Jordan: Yeah, well, Dad can't even put up the Christmas tree without falling off the ladder. And Y/N? He's strong, sure, but lifting all those poles? No way

Jordan moves the light across the barn floor, scanning the ground around the area where they fell.

Jordan: And what's the one thing they always say every time we come to Smallville?

Jonathan: No fighting?

Jordan: "Stay out of the barn," dumbass.

Jonathan looks around, suddenly uneasy as Jordan crouches, shining his flashlight on the dirt.

Jonathan: So what are we looking for?

Jordan: I don't know. Something weird... out of place...

Jonathan smirks, trying to lighten the mood.

Jonathan: Right. Like an invisible forcefield... or maybe something from the Upside Down?

Jordan ignores him, the light catching on something metallic peeking through the dirt.

Jordan: Wait... there.

Jonathan leans in as Jordan brushes away the dirt, revealing a small flush door pull embedded in the floor.

Jordan: Told you.

Jordan tugs at the pull, grunting with effort, but it doesn't budge.

Jonathan: Here, let me.

Jonathan steps in, and together they pull until the hatch door creaks open, revealing wooden stairs leading into a hidden space beneath the barn floor. They exchange a look, a mix of apprehension and excitement.

Jonathan: You first.

Jordan smirks nervously, descending cautiously. Jonathan follows close behind

The air is cool and stale. Jordan's flashlight sweeps the hidden room, revealing a workbench, tools, and machinery parts scattered across the space. Dust clings to every surface, untouched for years.

Jonathan: What is this place?

The flashlight beam lands on a tarp-covered object in the corner.

Jordan: Let's find out.

He strides over, grabs the tarp, and yanks it off, revealing the Kryptonian pod that brought Clark Kent to Earth. Its sleek, alien design gleams faintly under the light.

The brothers stand in stunned silence, their minds racing to process what they're seeing.

Jonathan: What the hell is this thing?

Jordan runs his hand over the thin layer of dust covering the pod.

Jordan: Whatever it is... it's not from Kansas.

They exchange a look, their understanding of their family... and their father, beginning to shift in a profound and unsettling way

The family truck pulls up, and Clark and Lois step out, their faces heavy with the weight of unspoken concerns.

Clark pauses, looking at the barn and surrounding land, memories washing over him.

Clark: Look at this place. All my memories of my childhood, of both my parents, are tied to it.

He shakes his head, the pain of loss evident.

Clark: I don't get it, Lois. Why would my mother want me to come home just to sell the farm?

Lois: I don't think she wanted you to sell. I think she wanted you to save it... and maybe Smallville, too. Like she was trying to.

Clark looks at her, confused.

Clark: How? We're not exactly flush with cash. Especially after I just got fired. I'm Superman, Lois, not Lex Luthor.

Lois: I don't know how... yet. But for starters, those reverse mortgages weren't just because the bank was feeling generous. You may have super-strength and super-hearing, but I have super-smell, and those loans don't smell right.

Clark: I have super-smell. I just don't use it a lot. Especially with three teenage boys in the house.

Lois notices something, her expression shifting to concern.

Lois: Speaking of the boys...

Clark follows her gaze and sees Jordan and Jonathan storming out of the barn, their expressions intense. Jordan, angry and Jonathan, confused.

Clark: They found the ship...

Clark and Lois step out of the truck just as the boys approach. Jordan's anger is palpable.

Jordan: So that's why you never want us in the barn?! Because you're hiding a friggin' alien ship in there!

Clark takes a steadying breath, glancing at Lois, who uses her ELT to call Y/N back to Smallville

Clark: I can explain—

Jordan: Can you? Can you explain how we survived yesterday? How I fell forty feet, and nothing happened? How those poles came off us while we were unconscious?

Jonathan: Jordan, give him a chance.

Jordan: Because all you said yesterday was that we were lucky. But that was a lie, wasn't it?

Clark: Yes. It was a lie.

Clark looks to Lois, who gives him a small nod. It's time.

From behind the house, Y/N appears, his expression serious. Clark catches his eye, silently asking if he overheard. Y/N nods, stepping closer

Clark: That ship... brought me to Earth. I was sent here as an infant when my planet, Krypton, was destroyed. I landed in Smallville, actually... right in those cornfields.

The boys stare, stunned.

Clark: Because I wasn't from this planet, I possessed certain... powers, unlike any human. Your grandparents raised me as their own, taught me to control my abilities and to fit in until the day I was ready to leave... and become the hero I was sent to this world to be

The gravity of his words sinks in.

Jordan: You're... Superman?

They study Clark, struggling to reconcile the truth with what they thought they knew.

Jonathan: No way. We've seen Superman. We've seen him!

His gaze shifts to Y/N, who stands quietly.

Jonathan: And you're... you're Superboy? But... you're just a cocky athlete! Superboy is cool and... and confident and... for the people!

Y/N pouts.

Y/N: I'm not cool and confident?

Clark suppresses a smile, but the moment turns serious. He removes his glasses, his demeanor shifting. His posture straightens, his presence radiating authority and power. He glances at the truck, strides over, and lifts it effortlessly

The boys gasp as Clark hovers off the ground, the truck balanced above him, the sunlight framing him like a divine figure. He gently sets it down and returns to the ground

Clark: Your turn.

Y/N nods. In a blur, he vanishes, reappearing moments later with a hot dog and an "I ❤️ NY" shirt

The boys' jaws drop, but the moment doesn't lighten Jordan's anger.

Jordan: All the excuses... all the times you were gone. You lied to us about where you were.

Lois: Your father and brother were saving lives.

Jordan: That doesn't make it less true! You let me think I was crazy... they... they put me on pills!

Lois: Your mental health has nothing to do with who they are.

Jordan: How do you know it doesn't?! I'm half-human, half... whatever the hell he is!

Clark puts himself between Jordan and Lois

Clark: I didn't want you to feel any more different than you already did. I knew what kind of burden it would be if you had my powers... or worse, if one of you did and the other didn't

Jordan shakes off his father touch

Jordan: Don't touch me. You may have been sent here to be a hero, but you definitely weren't sent here to be a father!

He storms off with tears in his eyes

Lois: Honey...

Y/N intervenes 

Y/N: Mom... it's better if you leave him alone for a while... both of them, actually

He gestures to Jonathan, who exits. Lois and Clark share a look, devastated

Lois: They were gonna be upset no matter when you told them...

Clark: What if he's right, Lois? And your father, too? This life we're living now, the one that Crisis gave us, it was the life I always dreamed of... but what if it wasn't the life we were meant to have? What if I was never meant to be a father? Or have a family? And that's why it's all falling apart...

Lois puts her hand on Clark's shoulder

Lois: Your life falling apart doesn't mean you're special, Clark, it means you're human. And it doesn'tmatter how it happened. Or why. This is the life we have now

Suddenly, Clark and Y/N's heads snap to the side as they hear the sharp, ringing sound from General Lane's ELT. Clark focuses on the sound and hears muffled words only he can make out. Lois knows that look... she's seen it a million times

Clark: Another nuclear facility

Meanwhile, Y/N focuses on another sound, and this one was different... screaming, crying, panic. A plane was falling... and fast

Y/N: Hold on... there's something else. A plane

Lois nods

Lois: Go

In a sonic BOOM, Clark and Y/N take off, their figures streaking across the sky in separate directions

Y/N streaks through the clouds at supersonic speed, the wind whipping against his face. His jaw is set in determination as he focuses on the faint, desperate voices coming through his superhearing

Pilot: Mayday! Mayday! Bird strike! Engines 1 and 2 are gone! We are falling fast! May God help us...

The panic in the pilot's voice sharpens Y/N's focus. Below, the skyline of New York City comes into view, its towering buildings dwarfed by the wide expanse of the Mets' stadium

Suddenly, the shadow of the falling plane cuts across the city, its descent rapid and chaotic. Smoke pours from the damaged engines as it falls towards the ground

Y/N zooms in, seeing the jetliner plummeting at an alarming angle. He pushes himself faster, the sonic boom echoing across the city. As he gets closer, the chaos of the situation becomes clear, the passengers' screams echo faintly through the hull, the plane spiraling as its aerodynamic control falters

He positions himself on one of the wings, grabbing hold of it with his superhuman strength

The passengers scream as the plane jerks violently. The wing buckles, unable to withstand the sudden force

With a gut-wrenching CRACK, the wing rips clean off, sending the plane spinning wildly out of control

Y/N is thrown backward by the momentum of the spinning aircraft. Righting himself mid-air, he glares at the tumbling plane

Y/N: Okay... plan B... time to give Mets fans the only joy they'll ever get in life...

The plane now plummets in a vertical dive, heading straight for the packed Mets stadium, its massive shadow casting panic among the spectators below

In the cockpit, the altitude warning system blares repeatedly.

System: Altitude. Altitude.

Y/N rockets toward the plane's nose, a fiery determination in his eyes. He lines himself up with the cockpit and slams into it, pushing against the falling behemoth

The crowd begins pointing to the sky as the plane hurtles closer. Screams ripple through the stadium as the massive aircraft looms overhead

Y/N's hands press against the metal as his muscles strain. The entire plane shudders under the force of his resistance, creating a deafening boom as he slows its descent.

The passengers grip their seats, crying and praying as the jarring movements toss them around. The shockwaves from Y/N's effort ripple through the plane, but the descent slows

The nose of the plane inches closer to the stadium pitch, and Y/N finally brings the massive machine under control. With one last burst of effort, he guides it down slowly, laying it across the baseball field. 

The crowd is silent for a moment, stunned by the spectacle. Then, as realization sinks in, they erupt in cheers and applause, chanting Superboy's name

Y/N lands beside the plane, his expression looks tired but his resolve unshaken. He tears off the emergency door with ease and steps inside

The passengers look up at him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and gratitude.

Y/N: Is everyone okay?

There's a beat of silence before someone starts clapping, and soon, the entire cabin erupts into cheers and applause

The pilot approaches him

Pilot: We're okay, thanks to you...

As emergency vehicles flood the stadium, Y/N steps out, greeted by the roaring crowd. He gives a small wave, his smile faint but genuine, before disappearing into the sky with a sonic boom