More advance chapters on [email protected]/Saintbarbido.
(Jon's P.O.V)
The golden rays of the early morning sun stretched across the farm, casting long shadows over the corn field.
The scent of freshly tilled earth and the lingering warmth of home filled the compound. But today, it felt heavier—like the world itself was holding its breath.
I stood beside my dad, staring up at the sky that would soon take him away.
Superman. The Man of Steel. The symbol of hope.
But to me, he was just Dad. And in his dorky glasses that I had overgrown, and the brown pajamas that matched with mom's own pair, he seemed like a simple man with life's worries creasing his forehead.
"You don't have to go," I said quietly, though I knew better.
He smiled, but there was something strained about it, something forced. "You know that's not true."
I clenched my fists and looked away. "I could go with you. I know you don't believe me but this is all my fault."
His hand landed on my shoulder, firm and reassuring. "I need you here, Jon."
That was the part that stung. I wanted to fight beside him. To stand at his side against the Monster he was going to fight. But I knew he was right. Earth needed protecting now more than ever. Mom needed him here, but she would need me more once he was gone.
And most importantly, I wasn't as prepared as I wanted.
I turned to see Mom standing on the porch her face unreadable. She hadn't spoken much since last night when she found out he was leaving today. She was angry, but more than that— I could see her fear.
For him. For us.
Connor and Wolf were with her, arms folded, his expression solemn. Kara was leaning against the stairs, pretending not to be listening, but I could see the tension in her stance.
None of them wanted to say it out loud, but it hung over us like a storm cloud.
What if he doesn't come back?
Whoosh!
His body turned into a whirlwind and an instant later, the Pajamas and glasses were gone, replaced by Superman's outfit.
Dad let out a breath, turning to face them. "Lois."
She stiffened, but didn't move. "Clark."
He glided forward, cape flapping gently and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "I'll come back like I always do, my love. I promise."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn't respond.
Then, she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tight. "You'd better," she whispered against his chest. "Or I swear to God Smallville, I'll find a way to bring you back myself."
Dad chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I believe you."
Connor stepped forward next, his usual stoic demeanor cracking just enough for me to see the concern in his eyes. "Ah...Just… don't do anything stupid, okay?"
Dad grinned. "I could say the same to you."
Connor smirked. "No promises."
Then Kara stepped up. She hesitated for only a moment before hugging him—quickly, tightly—then stepping back.
"Thanks for everything Kal-El but I'm still mad that you won't let me come with you." she grunted with an angry pout.
Dad chuckled. "When I get back, you can punch me as payback."
"Deal. Just don't expect me to hold back." She smiled sadistically but said nothing else.
Then, finally, he refocused on me.
"Jon," he said, his voice softer now. "I need you to take care of them."
I swallowed hard, nodding. "I will."
His eyes searched mine for a long moment before he sighed. "I wish I could tell you that things are going to get easier. But you know what's coming."
I did. Darkseid.
He placed both hands on my shoulders, his grip firm but warm. "You're strong, son. Stronger than I ever was. But it's not just about power—it's about who you are. About what you stand for. No matter what happens, remember that."
I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to nod.
"I trust you," he continued. "With all of it. Mom. The farm. The world." His voice dropped lower. "And with yourself."
I blinked, my throat tightening. "I won't let you down."
He smiled. "You never have."
A bright pulse of light flared between us, and suddenly, a holographic figure materialized from the crystal pendant around my neck—Jor-El.
His translucent form flickered, but his face was as steady as ever. "Kal-El."
Dad smiled at the image of his father. "Jor-El."
The AI looked him over, his digital gaze scanning him like he could see beyond the surface. "You embark on a dangerous path. Darkseid is no ordinary conqueror. He is an inevitability—a force unlike any you have faced."
Dad's expression didn't waver. "I know."
No Pa, I don't think you do.
Jor-El's eyes softened, his voice losing some of its mechanical precision. "Be careful, my son."
Something flickered in Dad's gaze—something almost vulnerable—but he only nodded. "I will."
Grandpa turned to me next, his gaze steady. "Jon-El, you have grown beyond what I could have anticipated. Your journey is only beginning, do not be too eager to follow your father to war. Your time will arrive."
I straightened, nodding. " And I'll be ready when it does."
Jor-El's image shimmered and disappeared. "Good. I shall be waiting for you at the Fortress."
The hologram vanished with the pendant dimming against my chest.
Dad took a step back, looking at all of us one last time.
Then, without another word, he lifted into the sky.
We watched as he soared higher and higher, his red cape billowing, until he was nothing but a bright blue dot in the morning sky.
Then he was gone from my range.
The farm felt emptier, almost like an abandoned house close to falling apart.
I let out a slow breath, turning back to my family.
Mom wiped at her eyes quickly, pretending she hadn't been crying.
Connor idly petted Wolf's hide, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Kara just stared up at the sky, her jaw clenched.
I straightened my shoulders.
Dad was gone. He was our rock. Our foundation.
But I was still here.
And I would hold it all together until he came back.
"Okay!" I clapped my hands together. "Who wants to help me build Raven a room?"
After discussing it with Ma and Pa, Raven was allowed to stay at the farm with me. The only problem was accomodation. With every room taken, it meant I had to construct a place for her.
I finally settled on the idea of adding an upper section to the barn.
"Hard pass." Kara scoffed and took to the air.
"Wolf needs his morning walk and later M'gann and I are going on a date." Connor replied, looking apologetic.
"It's fine. Totally understand lover boy. Go handle your business." I shooed him away.
"Well Ma? You wanna spend the day with your son and possibly future daugh-"
"Sorry baby." Mom interrupted with a kiss on my forehead. "I need to go make an excuse for your Father at work. Love you and say Hi to Raven when she comes back."
In mere seconds, I was left all alone. Raven was yet to come back after leaving to get her stuff, meaning it was up to me to do it all.
"Alright..." I cracked my knuckles, hovering beside the barn while channeling my Ki-now the brown of Clayface's Ki signature through the ground.
I'd never really used my abilities like this before- a tool instead of a weapon- but I had an idea.
First, from the soil(sturdier than clay) I created a clone of myself, letting my psionic energy shape it into a solid, sentient replica with my memories and intelligence. But not my powers.
"Sup."
The clone nodded at me then looked down at himself. "Woulda preferred an overall or something appropriate."
"Lets just get to work. You'll move the hay, sweep the dust and cobwebs while I handle the rest." I instructed and the clone mock bowed before leaving to get started.
Next, I focused on the telekinesis part of my Psionic powers, lifting wooden planks, nails, and roofing sheets into the air- most of the material was on hand, though I had to cut and strip the timber down to wood myself- arranging them into position like pieces of a puzzle.
Using pure force of will and a lot of focus, I began hammering the nails into place without ever touching them. And soon I was done laying down the upper floor.
In the meantime, the clone had moved the hay stacks to the back of the barn, allowing me to get started on a set of stairs leading down from the upper section.
I put up the walls with little issue and separated the room into segments. The bedroom, an incomplete bathroom, and a reading area with a couple of shelf that I created using heat vision to slice through the wood planks.
Little by little, the frame of the room began to take shape, coming together piece by piece with nothing but my mind and energy.
With most of the work done, I soon dismissed the clone. Keeping him active was a constant drain on my Psionic energy and gave me a migraine.
Just as I was getting finished with installing the pipes and setting up a mirror in the bathroom, I felt a presence.
Raven stood a few feet behind me surrounded by her bags of clothes and stacks of books. She was watching me mild amusement. "Building a house with your mind?" she mused. "I can see why you call youself 'Dagger' the artist."
I smirked, floating down. "What, you thought it was just because I'm sharp?"
She rolled her eyes. "I hate that that joke actually worked."
I chuckled, but before I could ask her what she thought of my handiwork, a deep, vibrational hum filled the air.
A Boom Tube.
We barely had time to react before the sky ripped open above the farm, and a platoon of bio-mechanical creatures came pouring out. Their screeching filled the air.
Parademons.
Fuck. Me.
Raven's eyes flared with dark energy as she instinctively threw up a barrier over the farm house, likely detecting that my Ma was inside. "Jon—"
"I know. Trouble's here."