###################################################################################################

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Smallville or DC Comics. Just having some fun.

Summary

When the worst thing you can imagine happening happens sometimes you need to go back and start at the beginning hoping that this time things will work out better than the first time.

###################################################################################################

Reshaping History - Prologue to Rise and Fall

Chapter 1

February 2027

Taking one last look around the fortress Kal let out a sigh as thoughts of all those who had fallen came rushing back into his mind. The League and everyone he had ever cared about were now dead. The fear he had since he was a teenager had come true and he was now alone, the last one standing. Over the past eight years the members of the League had fallen one by one until he alone was all that was left. First Oliver had been killed then Dinah and Chloe when watchtower was attacked. Next was Lois who he had been married to for two years at the time was killed in a car bombing. Then AC, Bart and Victor were all taken out by the new and improved Ares Soldiers that Lex had created. And then over the course of the next few years members of the League started dropping like flies.

As he thought back on things he realised that Lex had played the world perfectly and when he became President he manipulated people into seeing the League as a threat to the world. Most of all Lex had used files that he had hidden long before he lost his memory to turn people against the one man the world thought of as a true hero. Himself or Superman as he was known to the world and perhaps of all the things that had happened that had hurt the most. To see how quickly people turned against him because of things he had no control over but Lex being Lex used that to his advantage and the world started to turn on it's hero's.

Of all the members of the League that fell the two most painful were that of Bruce and Diana. Bruce had kept him from wallowing in self pity and kept him in the fight. Diana however was possibly the most painful experience he had ever been through. The Amazon Princess had healed his heart after Lois was killed and in many way kept his humanity alive. He never thought he would admit it but he had loved Diana more than anything else in the universe, even more so than Lois. It made him realise that Lois was Clark's love but in many ways Lois never truly understood him. In essence he was three different people. The was the man that the Kent's had raised who was Clark and despite his powers Clark was human. Then there was Superman the public face of the power that Clark Kent possessed. Lastly there was Kal-El, the Kryptonian that was hidden in the deep recesses of his mind. The part of himself he had buried even before his dad told him that he was an alien from another planet. It was a part that he had never really understood when he was growing up and so he did what most people would do, he buried it deep down. But as he now thought back on things he knew that Lois could never really understand his Kryptonian nature and perhaps that was why a part of him even when he was with her loved Diana.

Diana despite being human had been gifted and one of her gifts was the ability to see the truth. She had seen and understood that he was three different people and she had loved all three. To her he was simply Kal and she had helped him to embrace all sides of himself equally and that was why he had loved her with every fibre of his being. He had often wondered what would have happened had Lois lived but in the end he knew he would always end up going to Diana. It didn't matter weather Lois had survived or not because he understood one thing, one thing that he realised long ago that Lois knew as well. Even if Lois had lived she would have grown old and died while he had stayed the same. He knew that he would have spent a lifetime with her and not regretted a second of it but he also knew that Lois knew that Diana would always be around and that he would eventually go to her. Diana after all was immortal and would look exactly the same in a hundred years as she did when she and Lois first met. It had taken him a while but he finally understood why Lois often seemed threatened by Diana. Lois had been afraid that he would leave her for Diana but he knew the truth and that was that he would never betray her in such a way. Clark Kent was meant for Lois Lane there was no denying that. However he also couldn't deny that Kal-El was meant for Diana. The funny thing was that Clark Kent had died with Lois Lane and Kal-El had died with Diana. The only thing left was Superman, nothing more and nothing less.

Walking up to the main control panel in the fortress he extended his right hand and a crystal flew out of the panel and straight into his hand. Closing his eyes for a few seconds before opening them and looking down at the crystal he smiled slightly. I'll see you all again soon he thought to himself before squeezing the crystal until it shattered as it emitted a bright purple light. As the light disappeared the fortress stood empty with only the automated voice of Jor-El left behind

"Self destruct in Five…Four…Three…Two…One" With that the control console lit up before disappearing leaving nothing but a white light hovering about a meter of the floor. Then the light seemed to disappear before suddenly bursting to life again but this time causing a massive explosion that would be felt a thousand miles away.


May 2006

Clark was making his way back to Smallville after leaving Chloe at the Daily Planet. The whole city was in chaos as the virus Brainiac had implanted into Lex's computer had spread rapidly and he knew that it was only a matter of time until the whole world was infected. As he reached the border of Smallville he came to a sudden stop as he suddenly started to feel dizzy. It wasn't the same as he felt around Kryptonite but whatever it was it was making the world spin.

Taking a deep breath he glanced down at his left hand and stared at it with complete confusion as he saw that it was glowing purple. Bringing his right hand into view he saw that that hand was also glowing. Then he suddenly felt the most excruciating pain he had ever felt in his life and his whole body felt like it was being ripped apart cell by cell. Unable to take the pain he screamed out in agony just as his whole body erupted with a flash of purple light.

As the light disappeared laying on the ground was a man in a black skin tight suit with a silver emblem on his chest \S/.

A few seconds later the man opened his eyes and stood up before looking around. It took him a few seconds to realise where he was and as realisation hit him he couldn't help the smile that formed on his face. Closing his eyes again he activated his super hearing and was instantly greeted by the screams of pain and fear coming from the people of Metropolis. Focusing his hearing a bit more he realised that he had arrived on the night that would be called dark Thursday. Then he suddenly realised as he looked up at the night sky that Lex was currently waiting for him in the barn back at the farm.

Even though he would like nothing better than to kill Lex Luthor he knew he couldn't. He had spent to much time planning things and killing Lex would undo what he needed to do. He needed to destroy Brainiac and allow Zod to be freed or he wouldn't be able to get into the Phantom Zone to retrieve Raya as well as allow Zod enough time to remove the virus that Brainiac had implanted.

Looking down at his clothes he realised he was wearing the suit he would wear in the future but knew that he needed to change so he shifted into super speed heading straight for his house where he got changed before heading out into the barn. As he walked into the barn he heard the voice of the one man he truly hated in the world. "So what did you decide Clark…Are you going to kill me"

Kal looked straight at Lex for a second Well looks like history is about to repeat itself. He thought before actually speaking "You cant blame me for this Lex…You did this to yourself"

"Oh come on Clark…You love it…Ever since that day on the bridge you've always seen yourself as my saviour" Lex said back as he started walking towards Clark before coming to a stop only a few feet from him "The one thing that could pull the of the dark path I had started on…That's why you cling to the idea that there's still some good in me…You don't want to face the fact that you might have failed"

Kal with his perfect memory knew exactly what to say back in response to Lex's statement. "Or maybe I find it hard to believe that someone would have so little will power" He said as he took a few steps towards Lex.

Lex in response also took a few steps closer to his former friend "It's a little hard to compete with the iron willpower it takes to kill one of your best friends" With that said they both looked at each other for a few seconds before a thought entered Lex's mind "How did you know I was going to come back like this" He said referring to his new powers.

"You don't realise how much danger your in" Clark said back while looking straight into Lex's eyes. As he looked into his former friends eyes he could still see a glimpse of the man that used to be like a brother to him but he knew that soon all that would be gone.

Lex looked back at Clark for a few seconds before speaking again "I used to think that you had this strong inner core…You were so virtuous…And yet you lie all the time…To me…To Lana to all those who cared about you…What kind of sick person would do that"

Still remembering what was said the first time around Clark's response was almost automatic "If you thought this friendship was so doomed from the beginning why did you try so hard to keep it"

"Because I wanted everything you had" Lex said back almost shouting before calming himself and looking back at Clark "The friends…The family…The inconspicuous life…The loyal girlfriend…Well at least I walked away with the part you loved the most" As he said that he couldn't help the smugness that appeared in his eyes at the thought of Lana now being his instead of Clarks.

Taking one step closer to Lex, Clark stared down into his eyes "Your not yourself" He said despite knowing that this was who Lex really was.

"Or maybe I finally am" Was Lex's response and before Clark had a chance to say anything in response he grabbed and the two started to try and over power the other. In truth as the two struggled against each other Lex was surprised that Clark was holding up against his new found strength but before he had chance to think of anything else Clark got the upper hand and threw him through the air before he crashed through the side of the barn. As Lex landed he shook his head in surprise that Clark had just done what he had done and he instantly knew he had just discovered his secret. Getting up he shifted into super speed just as Clark started to walk towards where he had landed. Appearing behind his former friend he spoke "I knew there was something different about you"

As Clark turned around Lex grabbed him and threw him through the air where he landed in the loft. Before he had a chance to get up Lex had gone into super speed and run up the stairs and grabbed him. Getting the upper hand on Lex was quite easy and within a second or two he had pinned Lex to the floor before pulling out the dagger that he had retrieved from the house and in one swift move he brought it down aiming for Lex's neck. Just before cutting into Lex's neck he knew he had to stop as Brainiac would be appearing in just a second. Holding the blade to his former friends neck the two just looked at each other.

"Do it…Clark" Both Lex and Clark heard. Clark turned his head to look at Brainiac who had just appeared at the seen. "Let's see if your really your fathers son" the Kryptonian machine said knowing that Clark would turn on him and destroy him. He however was ok with that as his programming told him that Zod needed to be released and that this was the only way.

Clark turned to Lex and looked at him one last time knowing what was about to happen next before launching the Kryptonian dagger at Brainiac.

As Brainiac felt the dagger go through him he fell to his knees as the dagger started to glow red and as he looked up he saw Kal-El take a few steps towards him. "You've opened the portal for Zod" He said to the young Kryptonian but as he looked at Kal-El he saw the Kryptonian smirk and he suddenly felt like something was wrong but didn't have time to ponder it as his body was hit by a red beam of light.

Clark know what was about to happen quickly moved out of the way as the red beam went from the machine towards Lex's chest. Looking at Lex he could hear his former friend was in pain but he knew that this had to happen so he just stood there and watched.

Lex was confused as to what was happening. He got up just after Clark threw that dagger at Milton Fine before he heard him mention something about a portal and someone or something called Zod. Before he had chance to think on it any further he saw a beam of red light hit Milton Fine before Clark suddenly moved out of the way. Before he had chance to react the beam of light came at him from where Fine was kneeling. Then all he felt was pain as the world around him went black.

Looking around for a second Zod realised that he had been released from the Zone and for the first time in nearly two decades he felt his heart beating. As he turned around he saw a young man standing there looking at him. As he looked at this young man he instantly knew this man was Kal-El. Walking up to the young man he looked him in the eyes "You have your fathers eyes…Hello Kal-El"

Knowing that this wasn't Lex but Zod he decided to play along with what he remembered from last time as he didn't want to risk changing anything yet "Where's Lex" He asked.

"Lex is dead" Zod replied even though that was technically a lie. He could feel his hosts mind in the back of his own but it was easily controlled.

Clark asked Zod why he was here and Zod's reply was exactly the same as before stating that he wanted revenge for being trapped in the Zone. Clark walked around a bit and told Zod that this was between the two of them and that nobody else needed to be involved. Zod responded by telling Clark that he felt no pain greater than to see others in agony. However the truth was that that may have been true at some point in his life but he had just come from a future where everyone he had ever loved was dead. Clark then told Zod just like he had done the first time that he wouldn't let him destroy the Earth to which Zod told him he didn't have a choice unless he joined him. His response was once again automatic as he told the destroyer of Krypton that he would never join him. In truth as Clark thought about it he had to suppress the urge to kick Zod's ass from one side of the planet to the other.

Zod walked passed Kal-El as he spoke "Well I hope that's a decision you can live with…Forever" He said as he took a Kryptonian bracelet of his left wrist and turning around as he extending his hand out before letting go of the bracelet as it took flight. Within a second it had shot passed Kal-El and up into the sky.

Clark watched as the bracelet shot into the sky before a light suddenly appeared in the air and he knew that portal had been opened. Turning his attention back to Zod he smiled. This is exactly what he wanted "This isn't over Zod" He said before he shot of into the sky and straight into the portal.

Zod looked at where Kal-El was standing only a second ago and was slightly confused. The look in the young Kryptonian's eyes had suddenly changed as he told him that this wasn't over. It was as if Kal-El knew something he didn't but as soon as that thought came to him he brushed it aside. Kal-El had lived on earth since he was a child so there was now nothing he could do to stop him. Without giving any further thought to it Zod shifted into super speed heading towards the nearest City and from what he knew from his hosts mind that was Metropolis.


Throughout the united stated there were riots in nearly every city as the virus planted by Brainiac took hold. In space what could only be described as a pane of class was spinning as it got further and further from the blue and green planed. Inside this pane of glass stood Kal-El or Clark Kent as he was know to the humans. He stood there with his arms folded across his chest while wearing a smug look on his face. So far everything had gone exactly to plan. Looking down at his glass prison he could see the doorway start to take form. "Well this should be interesting" He said aloud before he found himself tumbling through the dimensional tunnel that strangely looked like it was made from crystals. A few seconds later he felt himself hit the ground with a thud.

Standing up he looked around and instantly recognised the wastelands of the Phantom Zone.

In another part of the Zone a blond woman looked down at her necklace and noticed that it was glowing. As she took it in her hand it stopped but she also understood what it meant, someone had just entered the zone. Standing up she grabbed her cloak and some supplies and followed the direction that the crystal necklace was telling her to go. She was also curious as to how someone got inside the Zone and what type of being this new prisoner would be.

A little later Clark was making his way through the Zone when his hearing picked up movement. He had hoped to avoid to much trouble this time despite the fact that he knew the zoners would probably know someone else had arrived. From his understanding of the portals they emit a sound notifying the prisoners that someone else had arrived. In a way it was like a warning telling them to look out for people falling from the sky just in case the new prisoner lands on someone.

Knowing he was going to be attacked soon he prepared himself for the fight that was to come and no sooner that he was ready a wraith shot passed him before it came up behind him. Knowing these wraiths had a semi physical form he spun round as the wraith came behind him and back handed it. As the back of his fist made contact with the wraith it screamed out in pain as it was launched into the air.

Just as the first wraith went flying Clark heard two more approaching. Deciding to get this over with quickly he locked onto the first one as it came over the dune and unleashed a focused blast of heat vision causing this wraith to scream in pain as well.

As Raya followed the direction that the crystal was telling her to go she looked up as she heard a scream and came to a stop as she saw a wraith spinning through the air as if it had been attached to some kind of engine. Realising that that wraith had been where she was going she picked up her pace and started jogging towards the direction the wraith had come from. A few minutes later she ran over another dune and came to a complete stop as she saw three wraith's attacking somebody with little success. Then she heard what sounded like a shriek or a cry of agony as one of the wraiths went flying through the air just like the first one she had seen.

Then what happened next took her even more by surprise as she watched this man push another wraith off him before two red beams shot out from his eyes hitting the wraith dead centre causing it to scream in agony as it was sent crashing into a dune about fifty meters away. The wraith didn't get back up and the other wraith that was left behind must have realised that this man was not someone it wanted to fight against because it took off disappearing behind another dune.

Clark took a deep breath as the last wraith took off before letting it out slowly. Then he realised that he could hear someone's heart beating and quickly turned around to see someone standing on top of the dune he was just approaching when he was attacked. As he looked at this person he could see that their face was covered so he activated his x-ray vision to look through the coverings and he couldn't help the smile that formed on his face as he recognised the person that was watching him. Not wanting to give her the chance to flee he shifted into super speed and appeared a few feet away from her before he spoke "Hello Raya" He said with a smile.

Raya was looking at the man as he turned to look at her and she noticed that he smiled at her for a second before disappearing. Before she had chance to do anything the man suddenly appeared a few feet away from her causing her to jump back slightly. In truth she was totally confused because as far as she knew nobody had any kind of powers when inside the zone so how this man did what he just did was completely confusing her. But then something else confused her as the man spoke, he knew her name. As the words Hello Raya left the mans mouth she could do nothing but just look at him for a few more seconds before she managed to pull herself together. "How do you know my name" She asked cautiously.

Giving Raya a worm smile hoping to ease her nerves as her heart rate had almost doubled "Well you were my fathers assistant" He said back to her and watched with a sense of satisfaction as he could see the proverbial cogs spinning in her head.

Raya couldn't help but look into his eyes as he told her that she was his fathers assistant. Taking a few steps closer to him she looked deeply into his eyes and immediately saw Jor-El's eyes in his. Removing the covering from her face there was only one thing she could say "Kal-El"

###################################################################################################

There you go people Chapter 1 is up.

Note to readers: If your wondering how Clark has still got his powers in the Zone all I will say is that it will be explained later on. This particular fic will only be 3 chapters in length before the main story starts.

###################################################################################################