A Different Smallville

"Is it me or are more vigilantes coming out of the woodworks?"

On the evening News, a short video of various sightings of vigilantes were on display. From a man running with a green hood and arrow, a man moving super fast, controlling water and so on. It was mainly the founding members of the Justice League that were captured alongside a few minor issues.

Inside Leonardo's house, Aurora was laying on the couch lazily watching the television. She was currently waiting for the time when the next season of Gold Rush will air. So she was just watching the news bored since nothing interesting was on.

"The age of heroes is about to begin." Leonardo answered. "Since Clark and I got our butt's handed to us on television by Doomsday. It sparked others to go out to help."

"Didn't you guys win though?" Aurora commented.

"In a way, but not the way the news displays it. Also neither I nor Clark really entered the public eye afterwards. So if not for the blurs sightings, many would assume us dead or so the internet and news speculate." Leonardo explained.

"Do you two even have hero costumes?" Aurora asked.

"Well, we got a few designs." Leonardo turned his head.

"Show me." Aurora smiled brightly.

Leonardo turned his head, but soon blinked in surprise as what appeared on the news next made him doubt if it was real or not. On the news was a local upcoming auction and one of the items displayed was a small metal looking disk that would fit in one palm. In the center was a triangle and a kryptonian script was engraved on it.

"Looks like I don't need to hunt it down if that is the real deal."

--

In a warehouse, dressed in more Earth military wear, a large number of men and women gathered. In front of them a man with short black hair and facial hair paced before them all. His voice was low and with a bit of an accent as he gave a welcome speech.

"General, How did we end up here?"

After General Zod finished his welcome to all of them who managed to gather and find this place. A tall dark skin man asked this question, which made Zod face eyes narrow slightly in rage, before a charming smile replaced it.

"I do not know for I only know if we are here on this planet, it means Krypton is gone." General Zod stated.

"Gone? What do you mean gone? We were just at the battle of Kondor." A woman said.

She had black hair that reached down to her chin and inhumane blue eyes. However, upon being looked at she lowered her head. She realized she had just spoken out of turn. Due to this sudden realization, she began to sweat heavily inside since not only the General glared at her, but so did his top soldier who was loyal to him.

"Even if she spoke out of turn, she does have a point. The last thing I remember is standing in line for my blood to be taken." The tall dark skinned man said.

"Kondor was destroyed and the ruling console made a decision to make a back up plan if Krypton is gone." Zod explained.

'If that is true, then Jor-El didn't agree to revive my son.' Zod thought, clenching his fist behind him.

While he won't admit it, probably one of the smaller reasons he went forward to destroy Krypton was because of such a thing. It wouldn't be the main reason since the council were outdated relics in his opinion and in his way to rule.

Upon seeing all before him looking devastated at the news, Zod smiled happily inside since this was part of the reason he told them. Upon hearing such news, they would be easy to manipulate and allow him to take control and begin growing his power to rule.

 --

"Oliver and the others are becoming reckless."

After receiving a call from Clark, Leonardo landed in the Barn Loft. It was the former Fortress of Solitude before the one in the Arctic was built. Now it was more of a spot to meet and at times for troubled or heroes to gather to speak.

"Well, yeah. As far as they know heroes like them haven't appeared before and the news is blowing up. They are like novices who want to play with the big boys and the news is giving them attention. Which if they know it or not is inflating their ego a bit." Leonardo answered.

"If they are novices. Then what are we?" Clark asked.

"What makes you think we aren't the same?" Leonardo smiled.

Clark went silent at those words since he just felt tired all of the sudden. It wasn't because of anything bad, but he felt Leonardo had a point. While they might have more saves and dealt with bigger threats, it didn't mean they were professionals.Maybe they were a bit more mature, but a novice is still a novice even if he is a bit more experienced. 

"However, this can either go very well or be terrible for us." Clark stated.

"Yes, so we need a leader who can lead by example and make others follow his lead. The strength of character to set the guideline and not be swayed by women, power, or money. Who will stand up against the odds and fight for a better tomorrow, but won't make the world too dependent on them." Leonardo began.

"It's been a while since I heard such things from you." Clark lightly jokes.

"Well, people change and while you have your own journey and trials to reach this point, I also have them in a different way." Leonardo replied softly. "Time allows us to change and mature in directions we might not have thought or considered before. The only time we won't continue to change is when we are dead."

"Yes." Clark agreed. "However, who should do it?"

He can recall the time Leonardo appeared within him. He was a scared teenager who while he doesn't want to admit it, was afraid of his shadow and his abilities. Now he wasn't afraid as much and came to terms with it and now uses his power to help the world and others.

Leonardo on the other hand, who was lonely, who hid behind his jokes and playful nature grew more stable. He wasn't rushing out to help or pushing himself or others to be a hero before they were ready. While still a bit hypocritical at times about saying not doing one thing and turning around and doing it.

Now Leonardo while still having a bit of loneliness that probably won't ever go away. He wasn't jumping out the window to stare at girls, or acting like a child. Instead he was acting more like a mature person with a bad taste in jokes and actually following his own advice he gives.

"Why not you?" Leonardo suggested.

"Me?" Clark shook his head.

"Don't shake your head. I don't mean jump out right now as you're not ready but we still have time." Leonardo replied. "There is still a lot to learn and right now you aren't ready to lead and neither am I. Before you suggest Oliver, I will disagree as he is still a bit too aggressive since he and a merry band of misfits did travel the globe blowing up Lex's 33.1 project."

"You tend to hold a lot of faith in me." Clark grumbled.

"Yes. That may be true, but Clark you might not see it yet, but once you move past the darkness inside you that weighs you down. You will see it too and the world in a much brighter way than you do now." Leonardo answered. "Now that this topic is out of the way. Let's start off talking about that book of Rao."

"The key that would take all the Kryptonians off the planet?" Clark asked. "I have Chloe helping me track it and see if it popped up anywhere, but so far nothing."

"Well, it's now going to be auctioned off it seems. I went and took a look and it's the real deal. So I will grab that, while you swap to looking for that portal." Leonardo said. "General Zod has already begun to gather his forces."

"Ok."