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"There's something moving" the rough voice of a man in a hazmat suit called out, the audio rough, clearly old. "They haven't even been touched" he added in a panicked state. 

Currently, the class of Smallville High were watching a movie from 1953, the famous War of the Worlds. Almost the entire class were enamoured with it, old movie with scary aliens, and watching it during school? What could be better. The entire class watched with wide eyes and love, watching as the floating war machines fired off heat rays, fighting the army. 

But one student watched with fear in his eyes. Left eye twitching and hands shaking as he kept them away from the desk as fears he'd crush it. Y/N watched, watched with fear, this was how humanity viewed aliens. No semblance of hope, or a sense that humanity and aliens could potentially live in harmony. No. The only thing society understood, was that aliens were always the aggressors, the invaders.

And that terrified him. 

The bell rang, cutting through the tension in his chest like a knife. The students began to chatter excitedly as they gathered their things, something disappointed moans complaining that they didn't get to finish the movie. Some chatting about the plans that were to come. 

"Remember I want that report on your future on my desk by the one of the week" the teacher tried to call out over the abundance of noise and chatter. 

"Y/N, you good?" Lana's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She stood beside his desk, her red hair catching the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows. "You've been... quiet."

Y/N blinked, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah. I'm fine," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.

"No, you're not," Clark chimed in, adjusting the glasses perched on his nose. "I know that look. It's the same one you had during the hurricane."

Y/N glanced at them both, his lips pressing into a thin line. "It's nothing," he said finally. "I just... I've been thinking a lot lately. That's all."

Lana frowned, crossing her arms. "Thinking about what?"

Y/N hesitated, glancing around the classroom as if the walls themselves were listening. "Nothing important," he lied. "You guys should get going. Don't you have the pep rally or something?"

Clark exchanged a glance with Lana, both clearly unconvinced. But after a moment, Lana sighed. "Alright. But if you want to talk... you know where to find us."

"Yeah," Clark added with a small, encouraging smile. "We've got your back, Y/N."

With that, they gathered their bags and made their way toward the door. Lana paused briefly, casting one last look over her shoulder before following Clark into the hallway.

Y/N sat alone for a few moments. slowly gathering his thoughts and belongings with a few other students, he looked to the screen. Those big metallic aliens with death rays, and big war machines wanting to exterminate the entire human race. They were all in the movies, right?

He placed a note book in his bag, insides a few pages adorned with that strange S symbol on those people who claimed to be his birth parents. He wanted to help people, he wanted to put these powers to use, and he had an idea. He didn't know what that S meant, but it must have been important. But as he stepped outside, he heard something. Like a little twinkle in the air, the collapsing of rocks, the swerving of a car, someone was in trouble.....or about to be in trouble. And Y/N help them, he could be the good alien. 

"He can't be tellin' me what to do" a grown, rough looking man burped out. Throwing a beer bottle out of his truck, Lionel Luthor blinked, barely keeping his eyes on the road. "He's my damned kid" he cussed, looking to the floor of the passenger seat, reaching for another beer. 

"Damn kid thinks he's so smart, well I-"as Lionel went and tried reaching the beer, his eyes left the road. Unable to see the mass amount of fallen rocks and rubble that fallen onto the road in front of him. Just as he grabbed the alcohol and pulled it up, finally he saw the rocks in front of him, yelling in fear as his foot slammed down on the breaks. 

Even as Lionel put all of his weight down on the pedal, the truck didn't even screech to a halt. He kept speeding forwards towards his doom. "C'mon, where are the breaks?" he asked in a panic, the beer bottle spilling backwards as he swerved to the right almost crashing into the side of the hill. And then in a panic he swerved to the left, speeding towards the edge of the cliff as the font wheels rocketed off. Lionel's eyes went wide in fear, as his whole gravity shifted. 

He and the truck sped downwards, but as he flew down, he saw something whizz past his eyesight. Something buzzed straight past him, faster than a speeding bullet. Next thing he knew, Lionels face was squished against the glass, with it almost smashing as he made contact. Lionel barely opened his eyes, afraid that he'd still see himself falling down. But, with a blur, he saw something, a boy. A boy holding up the entire truck with both of his hands, flying in the air, defying gravity as if the laws of physics did not apply to him. 

Taking a deep breath, Y/N continued to fly upwards, gently placing the truck down back on the road safely. Y/N looked into the panicked scared eyes of Lionel Luthor, and saw nothing but fear, which initially terrified the boy. But as he was about to shoot off, he saw it, that glint in the corner of the eyes. That light that kick through the darkness, that small basic emotion that everyone held dear in their hearts; Hope.

And that was enough for Y/N. 

-------------------------

"It was a boy, I tell ya! A flying boy!" Lionel called out to the police department as he pushed inside. Annoying the officers and victims who had to listen to the alleged ramblings of an intoxicated man. 

"Yeah, yeah, everyone thinks they got their own personal guardian angel" the officer pushing Lionel chatted back, giving the drunk ginger a push to the back causing him to stumble forward. "And if anyone got a guardian angel, why would they be looking after you?".

"I saw 'im! He picked up the truck!" he replied, throwing his hands up as he tried to protest his own arrest. "Picked it right up and WHOOSH, put it down, and he took the keys" he yelled with a panic. 

"I took the keys when you called us Lionel" the officer sighed back. "You sure this guardian angel wasn't just Bigfoot?" he laughed. 

"Does Bigfoot wear glasses and a backpack?"

"Right I've had enough" Chief Cain called out, waving his right hand around and shouting orders. "Put him in the tank and let him sober up, and if you lose the key for a few extra hours I won't be complaining" he shouted, as the officer gave the protesting Lionel a whack to the back of the head. "What the hell is in the water in this town?" Chief asked, looking at a handful of reports in front of him, all with similar reports of a guardian angel saving them in a time of need. 

Immediately, Chief Cain decided to give the Luthor household a call, just to inform them of the current situation. 

Alexander was currently in the garage, conducting one of his many, many scientific experiments he could conduct with his limited resources. He raised his goggles as he looked to the ringing phone which irritated and disrupted his previous moments of silence. 

"Yes?" he asked, answering the phone and bringing it to his ear and listening to the Chief of the Police Department explain the current situation over the other end of the phone. "Yes.....I see" he replied as his eye twitched at hearing of what happened. "I appreciate the offer Chief Cain, but they can tow the truck here. I can fix it myself" he replied. ".....Yes, indeed, it is a miracle" he sneered, his father survived and hung up the phone, violently slamming it down. 

"A miracle?" he sneered again, throwing the goggles off his face and looking towards his equipment. "Miracles don't exist!" and Lex Luthor was left with a single thought. 'How the hell did that man survive with no breaks?'. 

-------------------------

Y/N walked into the house, doing his best to act as if nothing had happened. The familiar creak of the floorboards greeted him as he stepped through the door. "Hey, Ma. Hey, Pa," he called out, his voice deliberately casual.

Joanne's voice floated in from the kitchen. "Hey, sweetie. How was school?"

"Fine," Y/N replied, kicking off his shoes and heading toward the stairs. The forced a smile onto his face.

Just as he placed his foot on the first step, Jerry's deep voice stopped him. "Y/N, come into the kitchen for a minute."

Y/N froze mid-step, his heart sinking. He turned slowly, his mind racing. Did they know? Were they angry? He shuffled into the kitchen, where his parents were seated at the table. His father gestured for him to sit.

"We need to talk," his mother began, her tone kind but serious. "We got a call from Jonathan Kent the other day."

Y/N's stomach twisted into knots. He looked down, his hands clenching into fists on his lap. "What about?" he asked. 

His father leaned forward, resting hands on the table and scanned his sons face. "He said he was out by the grain silo. A strong gust of wind nearly knocked him in. Said he would've drowned if someone hadn't pulled him out."

Y/N's shoulders sagged. He couldn't look them in the eye. "It was me," he admitted quietly, shame seeping into his voice. "I couldn't just let him fall. I... I didn't mean to...I just heard him yell and-"

Joanne reached out, placing a gentle hand on his. "Y/N, look at me."

Reluctantly, he lifted his gaze, expecting anger or disappointment. Instead, he saw pride shining in her eyes.

"We're proud of you," she said, her voice steady and full of warmth. "You did the right thing."

"But what if someone saw me?" Y/N asked, his voice cracking. "What if they figure out what I am?"

His father smiled faintly. "Then we'll deal with it together. You're our son, Y/N. And nothing not even this will ever change that, not those weird lights, not if someone finds out, you are, our son" he finished. "If you wanna help people, in whatever way you want, we'll be there for you". 

"Not in those clothes though" Joanne cut through,  as she went into another room. "I don't know how many shirts and jeans I've found ripped, shredded, stained, frozen and burnt, but if this becoming a habit, I want to be extra careful, and I want you wearing something that doesn't cost much to replace" she added, as she opened a drawer, atop of it was her sowing machine with the blankets that Y/N arrived in, although it was an outfit that wasn;t quite ready yet, so she went to her back up. 

"Your mother went to a lot of trouble for this Y/N, if help her, and you try it on" Jerry beckoned, pushing Y/N forward as he took the box. "

"But Pa, I don't know if-" 

"You don't want to disappoint your mother do you" Jerry shot back, hugging Y/Ns shoulders playfully. 

"You know that gets me every time" Y/N, closing his eyes in defeat. 

"I know" was all Jerry replied with, shaking up his son's hair. 

"I think he's coming down" Joanne said, holding her ear up as the wooden steps began to creak. 

"Eh, it's a bit......dark don't you think Joanne?" Jerry asked, seeing exactly what his son was now wearing. 

"I just don't want people around town recognising him is all" she replied, feeling her husband's hand on her shoulder. 

"You both better take a nice long look" Y/N began, looking down at his outfit. Adorned with that strange S symbol on his chest. "...Because today is the last time I wear anything that's this ridiculous" he complained. 

For Reference 

"You look adorable sweetie" Joanne encouraged, seeing her son wave his hands through the cloth black cape. 

"This thing makes me look like a Bat" he sighed. 

"An adorable Bat" she countered with a smile. 

-------------------------

Few days later the Smallville High library, Y/N sat down and straightened his glasses. The suit his mom made was tucked away in his bag, he told himself he would only go out and help if you heard anything. And it's not like much happens in humble old Smallville. No violent crime, only accidents, nice and peaceful, just as Y/N liked it. He pulled out the book he planned to read, but right before he could open it;

"Are we alone?" someone asked, reading out the title of said book. "Let me save you an hour and half of slogging through the simplistic words of an overrated scientist well past his prime and of questionable sanity" Y/N looked up the over confident, cocky, smug voice. To see it was the teenager he had met at the fair, Lex. He was holding a massive almost golden glowing book.

"The answer's no" Lex added. "We are not alone" he finished, walking past without even paying Y/N a sense of mind. 

"Lex?" the younger man called out, with a smile on his face. Causing the Luthor to actually turn and faced the four eyed student with glowed with happiness, repulsive to the Luthor. 

"Do I know you?" was alll he asked. 

"Yes, I mean kind of, we met at the fair, I was-" before Y/N could finish was cut off. 

"Oh, oh, of course" it finally dawned on the intellectually gifted student. "You were the clumsy boy who liked to read yes?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"Ummm yes, I guess I-" Y/N cut himself off, then offered his hand to the ginger haired teenager. "Y/N, my name's Y/N L/N" he offered with a smile. 

"Tch" the Luthor scoffed not bothering to take Y/Ns hand. Lex simply slammed the massive book down on the table, causing Y/N to flinch slightly but how big of an impact it made as papers were flown in all different directions. 

"Uhhh what are you reading?" Y/N asked nervously, his eyes briefly looking to the golden covered book. 

Lex answered without even looking at Y/N, with a malicious smile he said. "A book on the greatest city in the world" and that's when Y/N saw the page Lex opened the book to, it was the map of a city, a big city. With a river running through it, and suburbs, apartments, industrial district. And Y/N read the city out loud;

"Metropolis?" 

"Yes, I'm trying to find the perfect spot for my building" Lex explained, his fingers drifting over the map, his eyes scanning each district, imagining the faces on the owners when he decided to buy their property, the sadness, the tears. It was all for the greater good of bettering humanity. 

"You're building a building?" Y/N asked confused. 

"Not yet.......but I will" he whispered, looking and sounding like a mad man. 

"What are you doing to do in Metropolis?" 

"Society. has been led by a handful of those brave, strong and smart enough to shape its history Y/N" Lex explained, finally looking back to Y/N showing his teeth in a wild smile that hid deeper thoughts of prospect, of bettering humanity through his will. "Issac Newton, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Ts'ai Lun" he finished, listing all of the historical figures Lex looked up to, his heroes. 

"Who's T'sai Lun?" Y/N, trying to process everything Lex was saying. 

That one question was enough for the grin on Lex's face to fall, standing up straight, he looked at Y/N with a sense of disgust. "HHF" he puffed out, looking down at the boy. "Ts'ai Lun invented pape. Paper! The simplest of inventions. And yet paper was what opened the doors to communication and the recording of knowledge, paper changed the course of history" he bellowed, slamming the book shit cause a puff of wind to blow in Y/Ns face. 

"Metropolis is called the city of tomorrow Y/N" Lex explained getting close to Y/Ns face. "It is the city where those who to turn their greatest postulations and infinite imaginations into reality venture. If you want to change the world, there's no other place on the Earth to be than Metropolis!" Lex almost shouted, starting to sound like a man possessed by the spirit of his  own arrogance and confidence. "And then......there's Smallville" he growled, looking all around him in disgust. "Do you why it's called Smallville Y/N?" his face darkening in anger as his eyebrows narrowed. 

"Because it's uhhhhhhh Small?"

"Yes, the people here, all of them" Lex continued, his hand violently tapping against the side of the book in pure frustration of being confined to this small town. "They think small Y/N, and they want you to think small, so you won't ever leave" he snarled, picking the book up and now making his leave towards the library exit. 

"Lex!" Y/N called out, raising his hand catching the attention of the ginger causing him to turn and look at the younger boy. "We should uhhhh, we should hang out sometime" he suggested with a warm smile. 

Lex Luthor looked back at Y/N with a face of confusion, then a face of disgust. "Why would we do that?" he scoffed, then turning away leaving Y/N alone in the library. 

"He stopped asking me to play" Y/N sighed as he, Clark and Lana walked outside of the school. 

"Who did?" Clark asked.

"Pete, every day he asked me to play football, or basketball, or something I wish I could do" he replied, looking down in disappointment. "But he hasn't asked me since last Tuesday" he added, continuing to sigh and look down. 

"He's still your friend Y/N" Lana tried to say.

"How good a friend is Pete if I can't tell him the truth about what I can do?" he said to Lana, looking up from the floor to his red headed friend. 

"Maybe you can tell him once you find how you got your powers?" Clark suggested, raising his finger. 

"Yeah, that's the real mystery here, isn't it?" Lana added in. 

"Yeah" Y/N sighed once again, couldn't even look Lana or Clark in the eyes. "It's a mystery all right" he said disappointment. 

"Well maybe we can help you find out of you want. I'll help you in any way I can" Lana said with sincerity and care. She blinked, and gently leant into Y/Ns cheek, causing Clark to look away in embarrassment. But right before Lana could reach Y/N. 

"Lana I-" he stuttered. 

"What?" she asked, startled with even Clark looking back confused. 

"I like you, but I'm not like you..." he tried to word, he didn't want to hurt Lana. If his eyes flared up from a kiss, a hug, could crush her bones. He was dangerous. "I'm not..." before Y/N could finish Lana stepped back folding her arms. 

"Not what?"

"I'm not uhhhh" he struggled to find the right words. "I'm not looking for anything more than a fiend you know. Me, you and Clark got a good thing going, I don't want to ruin what we have and-"

"Okay I get it" Lana scoffed, turning away and dragging Clark along with her forcefully. 

"Just give me space, c'mon Clark" she said frustrated, dragging her other four eyed friend with her. 

"Wait Lana I don't think-" before Clark could answer he looked back to Y/N, who only gave him a small nod. Giving the go ahead, look after Lana. 

Y/N stood there alone for a brief moment, some of the other students starring at him as to what would break up the little trio of friends. The boy stood alone, until he heard the screams of panic once again, the fear and panic of someone in trouble. But this time, he had the suit for the job. 

-------------------------

Just as Y/N circled past the Shuster Mines, a loud explosion shattered the calm. A huge puff of smoke erupted from them as screams and yell of panic could be heard for miles. 

Below the super powered boy, chaos was erupting. A handful of miners scrambled out of the mine entrance, coughing and covered in soot. 

One of them waved his arms, yelling frantically, on the phone to emergency services who tried desperately to calm him down. "They're trapped! Send everyone you can, as quickly as you can"

Y/N descended swiftly, his boots crunching on the gravel shooting dust into the air. His sudden appearance startled the miners. They turned to him, faces a mix of confusion and disbelief. 

"Kid, what are you doing here?" one of the men shouted. His voice carried an edge of anger, confusion, his voice desperate. "This ain't no place for you get back!"

"Yeah, this is dangerous! The place is coming down any second!" another yelled, pointing toward the collapsing entrance.

Y/N didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward, his head tilting as his eyes scanned the crumbling mine. He could hear them muffled cries for help buried deep beneath tons of rock and through his eyes he could make out their general area as they picked and clawed their themselves against the rocks. 

"Hey! Did you hear me? It's not safe!" one of the miners barked, grabbing Y/N's arm.

Y/N turned his head slightly, offering the man a calm, steady look. "I'll get them out," he said simply, his voice almost blank. 

Before anyone could argue, Y/N bent his knees and leapt into the air. Gasps erupted from the crowd as he soared straight into the gaping maw of the mine, disappearing into the dust and darkness.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke and the metallic scent of burning machinery. Wooden beams groaned under the pressure of falling rocks, some snapping like twigs. Y/N landed softly, his boots sinking into the gravel. His eyes adjusted quickly, scanning the labyrinth of collapsed tunnels.

"HELP! We're down here!" a faint voice called out, desperation clear as day in their voice.

Y/N followed the sound, his pace quick but steady, making sure not to damage the supports. A massive boulder blocked the path ahead, jagged edges gleaming under the flickering light of a shattered lantern. Without hesitation, he crouched, his hands gripping the cold rock.

The ground trembled slightly as Y/N lifted the boulder, his muscles tightening beneath the suit. With a grunt, he hoisted it over his head and tossed it aside like it was nothing more than a pebble. The crash reverberated through the tunnel causing shakes. 

"Is someone there?" another voice cried, louder this time.

"I'm coming S-s-s-s-stay calm!" Y/N shouted back, his voice cracking with an undertone of no confidence. 

 A few smaller rocks tumbled down from above, bouncing harmlessly off his shoulders.

Finally, he found them a group of five miners huddled together in a pocket of the collapsed tunnel, their faces streaked with dirt and fear. Relief washed over them as they saw Y/N approach unable to see that it was just a kid. 

"Who... Who are you?" one of the miners stammered, his eyes wide.

"No time for that," Y/N said, crouching down. "Follow me. Stay close". 

The group hesitated for only a moment before scrambling to their feet. Y/N led the way. 

Suddenly, a deep rumble shook the ground. Dust and pebbles rained down from above as the ceiling began to give way.

"LOOK OUT!" one of the miners screamed.

Y/N turned just in time to see a massive slab of rock breaking off, plummeting toward them. Without thinking, he lunged forward, placing himself between the miners and the falling debris.

"GO! RUN!" he shouted, raising his hands.

The rock slammed into his palms with a deafening crash, the impact sending a shockwave through his arms. Y/N gritted his teeth, his legs braced firmly against the ground. The weight was immense. 

"Move! Now!" he urged again, his voice strained.

The miners didn't need to be told twice. They sprinted toward the exit, their footsteps fading into the distance.

As the last of them disappeared from sight, Y/N shifted his grip on the rock, bending his knees. With a powerful push, he sent the slab flying backward, smashing it into the wall of the tunnel.

The mine groaned in protest, more rocks tumbling around him. He had to get out ....now!.

Y/N turned on his heel, his feet leaving the ground as he launched himself upward. He shot through the collapsing tunnel, dodging falling beams, charging through rocks as Y/N felt fear envelope him, breath getting tighter in his throat. 

Bursting out of the mine's entrance, Y/N rocketed into the open air, the rush of wind clearing the dust from his suit. He hovered for a moment, scanning the scene below.

The rescued miners were gathered outside, their faces turned upward, watching him in awe. No one spoke. No one moved.

Y/N didn't linger. Without a word, he turned and soared and disappeared into the sky. Back on the ground, one of the miners finally broke the silence.

"Did you see that?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

Another nodded slowly. "Yeah... Yeah, I saw."

A few miles away, Y/N skimmed across trees. His body crashing against a tip sending him tumbling into the green below, dirt being thrown into the air as the boy collided with the ground. Breath quickly entering and leaving Y/Ns body, panic overtaking him. 

-------------------------

The night set in on the junkyard, dinner has just been eaten with Joanne was finishing doing the washing up with Jerry looking over some financial papers. Y/N had decided he had to-needed answers to where he came from. Sneaking out to the corner of the junkyard, and pushing the metal away. He sucked in a harsh breath, as he stepped closer to the ship that brought him to this planet. 

As he stepped closer, once again the ship glowed with energy. Sensing his presence and bursting to life with the bright lights swirling and joining again. The two humanoid figures of who claimed to be his birth parents, Daron and Lyta Vex came fourth, looking down at the child. 

"Hello our son" the hologram of Lyta said with a warm smile. 

"What do you wish to know?" the hologram of Daron asked. 

Y/N felt his own voice get stuck in his throat, as if his whole being refused to ask the question he so desperately wanted answered. "I-I-I want to know about my family" he managed to stuttered out, the lights waving and reacting to his voice. 

"Of course" the hologram of Daron said with a smile. "You wish to know the story of House Vex" he began, the lights comprising of the couple dispersing, reforming into a city, the city of Kandor. 

"Our ending was written long before out story began" Daron stated as the hologram zoomed in closer and closer to the city. "But this is how we lived our lives, everyday in our beloved planet. Our is a story of sacrifice and triumph. How lowly miners, managed to do what the High Council, and House of Zod could not. We saved our family"

"The story of your family isn't how we died" Lyta's voice said sweetly. "But how we lived...."

On Krypton, the very surface of the planet was dangerous to set foot on. Oxygen levels that increased and decreased in areas, storms that would cause temperatures to drop rapidly. The only real sense of civilisation besides small trading outposts, were the mighty cities encased in protective shields. Argo, Kryptonopolis, Xan the oldest city on the planet, there was Orvai, a city next to an ocean that had been frozen for thousands of years. But the mightiest city of all, was Kandor:

But like all civilisations, Kandor was not perfect. While the great Houses flourished, tinkered with science and looked beyond the stars, the other houses, the ones who did the manual labour, the ones known as Rankless, worked tirelessly to ensure Kandor had the energy needed to stay operational. And this was done, through mining. 

The glow of molten rock bathed the cavern walls in a crimson hue as the massive drill hummed with mechanical precision. Daron Vex stood at the control panel, his gloved hands expertly manoeuvring levers and many coloured buttons. Beside him, Lyta Vex monitored the readouts on a holographic display, her brows furrowed in concentration. The emblem of the Miners Guild the stylised "S" encased in a circular crest was proudly emblazoned on their mining suits, a symbol of their labor and unity, and where they proudly came from. 

"Pressure's holding steady," Lyta called over the rhythmic roar of the drill. "Core density... 87%. We're in the sweet spot."

Daron nodded, his face lit with the faint neon blue glow of the display. "Good. Let's push another five meters, then call it. Shift's almost up."

Lyta glanced at him, her lips curving into a wry smile. "And here I thought you'd never let the machine rest."

"I'm letting you rest, Lyta," he replied, a teasing lilt in his voice. "You've been staring at that screen like it owes you something."

The drill's vibrations intensified as it bore deeper into the planet's core, extracting radiant plasma that surged through transparent conduits. Krypton's energy grid depended on this plasma, mined by hundreds of teams scattered across the planet's lower levels. The network of tunnels was a marvel of engineering, reinforced by crystalline structures and lit by bioluminescent strips embedded in the walls. But these tunnels, and the very mining the couple worked for, would eventually spell doom for their planet.

The drill suddenly emitted a sharp whine, and Lyta's fingers flew over her console. "Pressure spike... compensating now."

Daron's grip tightened on the controls. "Stabilize it. We're too close to rupture depth."

After a tense moment, the readings stabilised, and Lyta let out a relieved sigh. "There. We're good."

"That's our cue," Daron said, powering down the drill. The machine retracted its colossal bit, streams of molten plasma swirling into containment pods. As the noise subsided, the only thing that can be heard was the couple taking in their breath as the machine powered down and stopped spinning. 

Lyta stretched, her movements fluid despite the bulk of her suit. "Let's get this payload up to the surface. I'm starving."

Daron chuckled and tapped the comm unit on his wrist. "Vex Team to Transport Hub. Package is ready for retrieval."

A disembodied voice crackled through the speaker. "Acknowledged, Vex. Hauler on its way."

They watched as a sleek, automated transport vehicle glided into the cavern, its magnetic clamps securing the containment pods. The Vexes boarded the vehicle, settling into seats that adjusted automatically to their physiques. As the transport ascended, the cavern's red glow disappeared, replaced with the neon lights of the upper levels.

The upper levels of Krypton were a stark contrast to the subterranean depths. Towers of crystalline architecture pierced the sky, their surfaces shimmering with holographic displays. The streets buzzed with activity, hovercrafts weaving between pedestrians who strode with purpose. Lyta's eyes were drawn to a massive screen projecting an image of General Dru-Zod, repeating the sam speeches, all day, everyday. Trying to recruit more and more people into the Military Guild and Kryptons Police Force, the Sagitari. 

"Together, we secure Krypton's future," his voice boomed. "Through strength, discipline, and unity, House Zod leads the way."

Daron snorted. "He's always been good at speeches. Shame he doesn't put his might military to good use and help keep the lights on" he spat. 

Lyta elbowed him lightly. "Careful. You never know who's listening."

They passed a group of miners gathered at a food stall, the aroma of grilled protein wafers wafting through the air. One of them, a burly man with a thick mane of silver hair, waved them over.

"Daron! Lyta! How'd the core treat you today?"

"Same as always, Garo," Daron replied, clasping the man's forearm in a friendly gesture. "Tried to give us a scare, but Lyta here's got a magic touch."

Garo chuckled. "She'd have to, putting up with you."

"Don't I know it," Lyta said, her tone dry but her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What's the news topside?"

Garo's expression grew somber. "Rumors are flying about the council approving another round of deep core expansions. Some say it's getting risky, pushing so close to the planet's heart."

Daron's jaw tightened. "If they push too far, it's not just the miners who'll pay the price."

"True enough," Garo said, his voice heavy. Then, brightening, he added, "But that's tomorrow's problem. Come on, grab a wafer and join us."

The friends laughed, ate, and enjoyed themselves. The comforts of the lower class, the ones who kept the lights on and the heart of Krypton beating. Not thought of by the great Houses, and only ever ackodleged by-

"The Voice of Rao invites you all to next rotations Nova Cycle" a hologram beamed over the food court. "Celebrate the birth of Rao, by paying your respects to his prophet, and bask in the light of the sub he gifted us" the hologram continued, now showcasing a hologram of the Voice itself. His robes, and mask costing more than anyone at the table could hope to make in a lifetime. 

"That multi faced freak!" one of the patrons called, throwing his drink at the hologram causing it to buffer slightly. But the thrown drink was enough to make many people cheer with delight. 

"Yeah, yeah, come celebrate and have a look how the great Houses live" Garo said to the small group. 

"It's not so bad, at least we got something to live for instead of it being handed to us" Lyta scoffed, bringing her drink to her lips. 

"Come on Lyta" another one said. "We're Rankless, we have no purpose other than to make sure they have the lights on, there's no hope for people like us". 

This sentiment caused Daron and Lyta to look at one another, if they were to bring life into this world. What type of society would they be bringing it into. But deep beneath the surface, the core continued to shift, its molten heart bearing the weight of a world that demanded ever more from it. And though the Vexes couldn't see it, the faintest crack had begun to form, a harbinger of changes yet to come.

"Wait go back, to the mines I mean" Y/N called out to the holograms which went full reverse, replaying all the events it had shown. Replied to the mines, to his parents talking and then "Stop" he said, seeing the image of the massive driller the two were operating. Y/N glanced to the ship that brought him here, and then back to the drill. "Why do these two look so similar?" 

"Because my son" the voice of Daron Vex called out as he reappeared in front of Y/N. "We created the rocket that ensured your exodus of our doomed world, out of whatever parts we could get our hands on, drilling machines, repulsers from scrapped military vehicles, oxygen bubbles"  he went on, showing many go the comments used to create the rocket. "Everything we could use, everything we could get our hands on, went to ensuring your survival Seg Vex, because we love you, and we will guide you in whatever task you wish to do with your future" it spoke clearly. 

Y/N looked up at the holograms, for the first time looking at his alien parents with a smile. 

He then went about closing the space up for now, sighing as he dragged the car into place to conceal the rocket. Breathing out, Y/N looked up the stars, scanning them with his eyes that could see for miles and more clearly than any telescope on the planet. 

"You see anything tonight son?" the voice of Jerry called out as he walked up to his son, fully aware of what he was doing here. But deciding not to question him on it, they were his answers to know. And he'll share them when he's ready. 

"Nothing much" Y/N replied, looking at the stars, then shaking his head back and fourth to exit out of his enhanced vision. "Hey dad?" 

"Yeah Y/N?" he answered standing next to him, both looking up at the moon. 

"Do you think there are other planets out there, with people like me?" he asked, looking at his dad with concern, pondering if he was truly alone. 

"The universe is a big place" he replied with, wrapping an arm around his son's shoulder. "So big, even with those eyes of yours you can't see the end" he smiled, enjoying this quiet moment. "It must be magnificent" he added, taking in a deep breath. 

"I guess so" was all Y/N could reply with. "I just wonder if I'm really alone" he sighed. 

"You'll never be alone son" 

-------------------------

Across Smallville, as Y/N had his own teary experience with his fathers. One ginger haired teenager was having a whole different experience. Lex Luthor held his head, his face one of pain and grief as two police officers stood in front of him along with Chief Cain. 

"We're sorry son" the Chief said, removing his hat. 

"I always assumed it would've been behind the wheel. The amount of times you locked him up" Lex sighed, banging his body against the framework of the door with despair. "I-I forgot about his weak heart" he added, looking down with tears bursting from his eyes. 

"The hospital records never indicated any health problems" the Chief said, looking back to the other officers. 

"My father didn't go to doctors, he didn't believe in science" Lex replied, scrambling his hands into his hair threatening to pull strands out.

"We understand, your aunt is coming down to help take care of your sister" 

"My sister.......yes this will be especially difficult for on her" he strained out, barely holding his body up as grief threatened to bring him down to his knees. "Please Chief Caine, if you could give me a moment" he asked, causing the Chief to put his hat back on with a nod. 

Lex gently closed the door, watching the chief and officers walk away to their cars. When he fully closed the door, Lex leant back against it, and began to smile. A white teeth smile from ear to ear which began to turn into a laugh. "Today" he tried to say, tripping over himself with laughter, he finally found something that was funny. "Today" he repeated, as he began to walk deeper into the house, laughing the entire time. 

"Today is my last day in Smallville" he laughed, passing the kitchen table, which had the map of metropolis sprawled over it. With a file regarding life insurance, marked with the name Lionel Luthor. 

Author's Note 

And there we go another chapter done and dusted, I do hope you enjoyed. Tried to spruce this one up a bit, taking from Secret Origin and the American Alien comics. So some Adventures of Superboy style stuff, just thought it would be fun to see, a little different from your standard Superman stories and also show Y/N isn't entirely perfect because he has a little panic attack at the end because of it. 

Little bit of a clunky chapter, I did have a bit where Lex causes a fire and Y/N puts it out in costume causing Lex to go bald. But deleted it because I didn't want to tie their origin together too much. 

I did incorporate some stuff from the show Krytpon and the latest Absolute Superman comics with the whole miners backstory. Just wanted to show how is origin is different and stuff, I think it works. 

Anyway,

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