Technically this isn't finished, but technically I promised this yesterday... so it'll have to do for now, sorry. Merry Christmas!

Mega thank you to htbthomas for betaing!

Diverse
Epilogue: Liberation

By definition, fate is unchangeable, unrelenting, irreversible. Because if it's your fate to become the world's greatest hero, there's not much you can to change it, no matter how much you may want to. Some argue that this is a bad thing, those who fear their destiny instead of embracing it naturally choose not to believe that they have no real choices. To others fate is kinder, they are less adverse to the idea that they owe some of the triumphs of their lives to fate rather than their own actions; destiny is the invisible force pushing us onward to greater things. Following that logic, anything that is thrown our way can be overcome because fate is on our side - anything is possible no matter how bleak the beginnings appear.

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The cold metal was slippery under his hands and feet. Still he persisted, determinedly pulling himself up the side of the Daily Planet globe.

The early morning chill whipped his dark hair about wildly in the wind, but his alien skin prevented the ice seeping through to his bones. He could not shiver.

"Not far now…" He murmured to the air. He hoped the darkness would cover his ascent, and he would not be dragged down before he'd had the chance to do what he'd come to do.

A sudden spike of fear clutched his heart as he rounded the peak of the sphere and caught his first glimpse of Metropolis, two hundred feet up.

He almost slipped as he rose to a standing position atop the globe. The icy metal froze his feet to the surface, but the view alone was worth the long climb up. Metropolis at night was spectacular. Skyscrapers sprawled out as far as the eye could see, lights still twinkling prettily from every window despite the ungodly hour. Cars were still and silent in their drives. Their owners slept peacefully, unaware of their silent watcher.

Clark breathed a soft sigh and outstretched his arms, feeling the breeze on his face.

Seven years ago today he had attended Jonathan Kent's funeral.

Two years ago today, in precisely four hours' time, he had attended Chloe Sullivan's funeral.

In the near future, he hoped to be attending Lex Luthor's funeral for what he'd done to his high school girlfriend.

Needless to say, today wasn't a good day. It held a lot of memories for him, too many of them sad. But he'd discovered long ago that dwelling on bad memories for too long was not good for the soul, or mind. So, he'd looked to the future. And he'd found Metropolis. He'd found the Daily Planet. He'd found Lois Lane.

She was everything that Chloe had been and more. She hated him, but that fact was irrelevant. He loved her, but that fact was irrelevant to her.

He sighed once more and stepped to the edge of the globe, peering down at the dots that were parked cars below. He wondered if this was how Dad and Chloe could view him from 'Up There.' Like a little ant down on the ground.

A wave of sorrow suddenly hit him and he closed his eyes, wavering on the edge. Tears leaked out from the corners of his eyes, streaking his face with misery and forgotten love.

His past would always be a part of him; he could not erase those memories or try to ignore them any more.

Clark leaned out over the abyss.

He dug his dingers into the metal to keep himself from falling just yet and closed his eyes tightly against the vertigo that threatened to overwhelm him. The tears were lashed away by the harsh wind until they were old and dry on his face, until he had no more tears to cry.

Seconds passed slowly as he teetered on the edge, steeling himself for what he was about to do. He opened his eyes briefly to look down at the vertical drop and quickly shut them again. He mumbled encouragement under his breath, finding his inner calm.

Hours passed and Clark still hung from the sphere, waiting for the right moment. The sun cast its first few rays of light across the cityscape, warm against his eyelids.

With a smile on his face, Superman opened his eyes, and flew for the first time.

Fin

Wow I can't believe it's over. Thanks of course to my wonderful beta htbthomas who will be annoyed that I've posted this chapter like this. ;) Thank you everyone who reviewed, I can't get enough of them and reviews really do encourage you to write and update quicker. I'll reply to them a soon as possible, right now I have a film to watch and some christmas pudding to eat. Just thank you everyone and have a very merry christmas:D