This is the sequel to Phoenix Dying. Not completely necessary to read PD first but it will help. I will probably update weekly so keep a look out for it. Oh, this is half Rumpuso's fiction too. It's her ideas and my writing.
Please read and review. Thanks and enjoy!
Prologue
Clark stood several yards from the lush embankment surrounding Crater Lake. He noticed just how beautiful and peaceful this area was as the sun had begun its descent from the sky. The water shimmered with the sun's reflection and he looked to the sky to compare the sun with its picture mirrored on the water. He noticed the clouds had a red hue surrounding them and turned to Jonathan who stood near. In unison, father and son chanted the familiar sailor's mantra his dad had taught him years ago, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning." They both chuckled then turned their attention back to the beautiful sunset over the water. Tomorrow was shaping up to be a beautiful day if that old phrase was correct. Clark couldn't remember a time when he felt happier.
The sun became masked behind the trees surrounding the lake and Clark took several steps closer to the water to bring the sunset back into view. He felt Jonathan's hand on his arm stop him, "Son, you know you can't get closer to the water. There are meteors all around the embankment."
Clark looked ahead and nodded, "I see them dad. I just want to watch the sun sizzle in the water."
Jonathan smiled, "Ok son, just be careful how close you get." Clark smiled back and moved forward slowly, stopping several feet away from the embankment.
Suddenly a loud rustling could be heard from behind them. Out of the woods ran two men swinging large sticks. Clark twirled around, his eyes large, filled with dread, "Dad!" he shouted.
Jonathan's face bunched up with fear as he watched the two men run full speed at Clark. He noticed an intricate cross design on the face of the shorter of the two men as they ran past him towards his son. "Clark!" he called out in warning.
Their sticks were raised high over their heads as they bore down on Clark. Clark was prepared to deflect their advance but was caught off guard as he was knocked backwards on top of a pile of glowing kryptonite. He drew in his breath sharply and yelled out in pain. He looked on in horror as he was assaulted over and over with the sticks, until he heard a crack in his wrist. "Help me dad!" he yelled out, desperate for a reprieve.
"I can't son! You need to figure this out on your own!"
Clark blinked, trying to clear his head to make certain he heard his father correctly. Over and over the sticks savagely beat him. He felt his lip split open and the blood trickle down his mouth past his chin. He felt his back burning from the intensity of the punishing rocks that served as his bed. Then he felt a forceful kick to his abdomen, causing him to lurch over in pain. He gasped and tried to protect his face, "Dad, please! Help me!" he begged, looking up from his assault and noticed his dad just standing there, watching him with tears in his eyes.
"I love you son!" Jonathan responded and turned to walk away with his head down in shame.
Clark reached his arm out as far as he could manage and in a choked gasp cried, "D-dad! Don't leave me!" as tears streamed down his face. He buried his head in his outstretched arm just as he received a grueling crack on the back of his head from the tall man wielding the stick and a kick to his broken wrist from the cross-faced man in front of him.
The blows stopped and after a moment Clark looked up to find Lionel Luthor kneeling before him, "Mr. Kent, just like I told you, it seems no one is out to rescue you," then he leaned back on his heels laughing viciously.
Clark shot up from his bed; his chest and head soaked with sweat; tears streaming down his face "Don't leave me Dad! Please!" he shouted hoarsely while desperately reaching out towards a vision that did not exist. His chest heaved with exertion from his despair. He heard his name from afar as his door banged open and his eyes went wild. His head snapped in the direction of the door, "No!" and he leaned forward to run from this invasion but only succeeded in rolling off the bed in a tangle of sheets as tears poured silently from his eyes. He held onto his wrist and cradled it against his chest; he lowered his head and sobbed, "Dad, why did you leave me?"
Jonathan and Martha were instantly by his side, kneeling down, sandwiching him between them as they each reached an arm around to envelope him in a giant hug. Martha's tears were silent, while Jonathan hiccupped as he tried to control his emotions. The parents silently looked into each other's eyes until they felt Clark's shaking quiet and his tears come to a halt, until there was nothing more than the quiet sounds of the Kent family breathing in unison.