A Different Smallville

While standing next to the punch bowl with Clark as they attended the class reunion. Leonardo turned his head to see a decent looking guy who both he and Clark recognized at a glance. Not only that he didn't have a heartbeat nor blood running through him.

"I didn't expect to see you again." Leonardo lightly commented.

"It's funny that you say that. Your future self said the same thing."

"Brainiac? What are you doing here?" Clark started to get pumped up.

"To do Leonardo's most hated thing of course. We are going to have a small chat while moving through time." Brainic replied cheerfully.

Then both Brainiac and Clark were gone. Where Leonardo just huffed lightly before carrying on with what he was doing. Standing and hoping this reunion will end soon.

"Where did Clark go?" Lois asked after a while.

"Down memory lane with an old…friend." Leonardo said.

"So he ditched me without a word?" Lois stomped her foot in frustration.

"He didn't go willingly if that helps." Leonardo grumbled.

--

While Leonardo was trying to survive the reunion since most of his friends had either not come or were attached at the hip of their wife or girlfriend. Which made Leonardo feel a bit weird as it was almost as bad as when the cheerleaders drugged the football players. Well, maybe not quite that bad, but besides a few words here and there, he mostly just sat with Liz or Aurora as they chatted away with a few others.

On Clark's side, he was currently watching himself dropping dirt onto Jonathan's coffin. Beside him Brainiac was talking softly.

"Is there any point about showing me this?" Clark said.

"Quite a few actually." Brainiac answered. "However, this is just the first stop among many."

Following his words, Clark truly went on a trip through time. From his father's grave to various points in time Leonardo was left alone to his various friends and fellow budding heroes. He saw a great deal of their ups and downs and Leonardo's errors. For he learned Leonardo was just like him and made mistakes. Even when Leonardo was near death or having a tough fight with those that escaped the Phantom Zone.

"It's hard to believe this since Leonardo always tends to be upbeat and joking unless something serious happens. It's the same way with Oliver, both don't look like anything can get them down." Clark sighed.

"Be it humans, kryptonians or any race, we all have our ups and downs in life. We all have moments we feel like the world is crushing down or as if we are unneeded." Brainiac answered. "The reason I am showing you this is so you realize you alone don't go through such phases. Like currently where heroes are appearing but so are those that despise them and hope they fail."

"Are these two things connected?" Clark asked, confused.

"Yes." Brainiac nodded. "Heroes bear great pressure when public opinion begins to weigh on them. Even if you're strong, without friends or allies one will cave and crumble away. Lately you've been pushing them away and beginning to doubt yourself due to the media, right?"

Clark didn't give a verbal response to that, but his head slightly nodded. It was almost like a great pain for him to admit it.

"This is probably the worst advice, but you shouldn't be so sensitive to the media reports about the heroes. They will only nitpick your action because it will bring them views and money. So remember if you pay attention to all the haters you will miss your supporters and those that need you."

"Sounds like something Leonardo would say." Clark grumbled.

"Because it is." Brainiac 5 nodded. "Well at some point in the future he will and it will become well known among the heroes."

"Should have known." Clark sighed.

--

"When is this?"

Suddenly finding himself on top of the Daily Planet, Clark looked at the computer who brought him here. He felt something had changed since the city looks a bit different from his memories.

"The future. Not far in the future, but far enough for you to see what can be."

Standing at the base of the metal globe on the top of the newspaper. They watched as a plane seemed to be heading straight for them. So as Clark was about to jump into action he was held back by Brainiac.

Then he saw it, he saw himself in a blue outfit with a red cape. There with a smile before rushing off, before it shifted to an office where he saw a slightly older Lois. Which made his heart beat a few times faster when he saw the glasses on her.

Right before he saw the ring on her and his future self do a quick peck. Which made him hopeful for the future.

--

"So don't be afraid and push forward. Take that final step and truly begin the age of heroes." Brainiac said.

Then after patting Clark's arm he vanished, returning to his own time. While Clark looked better and didn't give off a depressing vibe.

"Shame you return so late." Leonardo said, appearing out of nowhere. "Did you enjoy your trip through time? You didn't make a mess did you? Did you create a time loop?"

"I was well behaved." Clark lightly pushed Leonardo's face away from his.

"That's good. I hate people time traveling." Leonardo said. "Well, whatever, I will let it pass again with you since something changed with you for the better."

"Yeah." Clark nodded as he pushed up his glasses.

Leonardo looked at Clark before he let out a soft sigh. It seems that Clark's self confidence is at an all time high now.

"You're going to make your debut outside of the blur aren't you." Leonardo whispered in a very low voice.

"Yes." Clark said. "I might be a bit hasty but I feel it time to take that step."

"If you feel that way, then go for it." Leonardo smiled.

"Shouldn't you also consider it." Clark said back.

"I guess it is time for me to really make a decision." Leonardo sighed.

As the reunion came to an end, Leonardo tossed Liz the keys to the Camaro as he climbed in back. Upon hearing that Clark was stepping out in his red and blue uniform, Leonardo felt it time for him to stop jumping around. Upon hearing the Legion telling him before about the school to train abilities users.

Leonardo would be lying if that idea hasn't been floating in his head for a while. Probably from that time he was still in Clark's head, did this idea began to take root. Since back then he was helping Clark accept his abilities and even with Maddie who could control glass. He felt it a joy he hasn't felt in a long time and even now. He felt it was a good direction for him to move in.

"What are you thinking about?" Aurora asked.

"My next step in life. I am going to open a school for those with abilities. A place they can learn and be themselves and not be terrified of hiding." Leonardo answered.