When Devils Speak the Truth - chapter six
Title: When Devils Speak the Truth
Fandom: Smallville
Guest Characters: Johnny, Ben and Susan from Fantastic Four; Sheppard, Lorne and McKay from Stargate Atlantis.
Characters: As many of them as possible, from as many other fandoms as I can manage and still keep track.
Genre: Future Fic, AU, slash, whumpage abounds
Pairings: Clark/Oliver, rest are surprises
Rating: R - that means adults only people, you have been informed
Warnings: MM Slash, death, torture, genocide, apocalyptic themes, sex, sacrifice,
persecution, religious stupidity.
Summary: Clark refuses his destiny and is thrust into the future, a future where he never became the hero he was meant to be. He must survive on an Earth that is dying and face friends and loved ones who can no longer be trusted. Reuniting with Oliver tests the bond they once thought unbreakable and Clark must decide what being a hero actually means.
Link to other chapters and stories: AshtakRa Masterfile
Chapter Six: Freedom of Information
Clark stood on the top steps of El Castillo, the castle. Once a Mayan temple in what was called Chichen Itza it had probably never experienced snow, but by the looks of the sky it soon would. Thanks partly to ocean currents and the equatorial zone this part of central America had still to experience the deathly cold snaps that the rest of the world was suffering. An icy cold that seeped into every part of the world and one that these people believed Clark could somehow stop and turn around.
Re-starting the sun, it sounded ludicrous until you heard people like Dr McKay talk about it. The doctor’s eyes would light up and his arms expressively told how the fuel was still there, in the heart of the Earth’s sun, it just needed an ignition source. It made Clark almost believe it was possible, except that even with his strength and indestructibility he couldn’t see how he could deliver any kind of payload. The sun’s extreme heat and gravity may not stop Clark, but it would destroy whatever he carried. McKay had just said that there were still some things to work out.
At least they were telling him that much. No matter his requests they all clammed up about his mother. Once Lorne realised Clark had absolutely no idea that she had been President he said no more, just muttering that it was someone else’s duty to tell him. That someone else had to be Oliver, but Clark was resigning himself to the fact that Oliver was like some kind of pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Always just out of reach, leading them on a chase around the world and seemingly putting more and more people in danger.
They were here at Chichen Itza not because anyone thought Oliver was here but because it was one of the few places Lex had not infiltrated or outright attacked, and Bruce Wayne had not known of it so they should be safe. Almost snorting to himself Clark thought if he would ever feel safe again. The last time he had felt safe and protected had been in the arms of Oliver Queen, only weeks for him but years in this reality. How had Oliver coped with his disappearance? Had he moved on and found others to love? Johnny had hinted at something between them but not that it was serious. Robby was living proof that Oliver had been close to someone; come to think of it Clark wondered why he had never asked who Robby’s mother was. Perhaps she too had died; it would explain why Robby or no-one else ever mentioned her.
Putting his pondering on hold Clark allowed himself to admire the view. There was still greenery across the forecourt and some forestation in the distance. It would all die and the landscape would become bleak and white soon enough. This thought kind of ruined the beauty of the ancient city and Clark turned to go into the building; the others had set up a control room in the inner room and only Clark had stayed outside.
Sheppard was by the entrance, he had probably been there for some time. The dark haired man was watching Clark carefully and pushed himself off the wall to join Clark on the steps. “Spectacular isn’t it?” he half smiled and let his gaze drift across the horizon. “I wonder if millennia from now some alien species find these ruins buried beneath the ice and think this was the limit of our endeavour?”
Clark did not answer and Sheppard gave him a lop-sided grin and nudged his shoulder. “I would like that you know - at least then it would seem we didn’t do this to ourselves.” He indicated the dull red sun to explain his meaning. “Although,” he gave Clark a conspiratorial wink. “Some archaeologists said that as the ancient Mayan calendar ended in 2012 then the Maya must have believed that some kind of cataclysm would end the world.” He gave a little grunt of humour, “They were only out by a decade.”
“You think this is the end then?” Clark finally spoke, figuring Sheppard wanted some kind of response.
“It would seem we’re kind of screwed. I know McKay thinks we can make the sun work again and at times I want to believe it, but…”
Looking up at the sun Clark sighed and shook his head. “I was just thinking the same thing, but you know what?” Sheppard just wore an interested expression so Clark continued. “This isn’t the first time I’ve faced the end of the world and somehow I think we’ll make it. I may be alien, as you all seem to want to remind me, but I was raised human and that means all the stupid dumb hopes and belief in miracles that goes with it.”
“So you think we can still prevail, that against all odds and a superior enemy we can restart the sun, defeat Lex’s army and restore life to this world.”
“I think,” answered Clark, and nudged Sheppard back. “That the Mayan calendar didn’t finish in 2012 because the world would end, maybe they saw a new beginning that would require a whole different way of looking at things.” He waited a few moments and looked Sheppard in the eye. “I also believe that you think we can win, else why would you be here?”
A little smile of embarrassment overcame the soldier’s face. “I just needed to know that you believed it. We’re going to face off against Luthor, and much as all the stories say that Kal’El will save us… I don’t know Kal’El but it seems that Clark Kent just might be that hero.”
“You’ve only known me for a couple of days.”
“Yeah, but I’m a quick judge of character and there is definitely something about you. Something that tells me that bleak as our future seems hope is far from dead and tyrants can’t rule forever.” He laughed loudly at his own words. “I usually give Lorne hell for speaking such idealistic crap, but somehow you draw it out. Perhaps Oliver is right about you.”
“Oliver?” Clark grabbed Sheppard and forced him down so that they were both seated on the steps. “You know him, tell me about him?”
Sheppard hesitated and shifted uncomfortably on the hard stone. “I would think you knew him quite well, I’ve really only met him a few times.”
“I know him from years ago, before all this. To me he is a young hero, arrogant and dangerous; always in trouble but never backing down from righting injustice.” Clark idly picked at a clump of moss. “Intelligent and charming, hottest guy I’ve ever seen and able to light up a room with one smile.” His voice choked up as he remembered how Oliver made him feel just by saying his name. “The man can infuriate me with his righteous determination and melt my heart with a single word. He was, is, the love of my life… but I’m afraid the man I knew may be gone forever.”
Silence ensued for a while before Sheppard responded. “Wow, its been awhile since I’ve heard anyone talk like that.” He seemed lost in his own memories before clapping Clark on the shoulder. “The man I met was arrogant, is dangerous and still probably the hottest guy around,” he winked again at Clark. “Don’t let Lorne know I said that.” Laughing slightly Clark had to nod to himself. He had picked up on something between the two and was relieved it had not been his imagination.
“Oliver Queen has kept the resistance going through sheer determination and brilliant strategy. He inspires us all to sacrifice what time we may have left to fight for a future that seems difficult to imagine. He is all that you remember and so much more.”
Clark felt his eyes water at the thought. His Oliver was still out there somewhere, fighting when others’ gave up and never giving in. Some things would never change, thankfully.
“And,” continued Sheppard. “He misses you like hell. There is a sadness about him, a loss different to what everyone else has suffered. The seer prophesied your return but never guaranteed when - perhaps Oliver feared never seeing you again?”
Clark stood up and wiped away an errant tear. “He will see me again, and so will Lex Luthor, before all this is over. We have a mission to plan don’t we, so lets get going.”
Sheppard stood to attention sharply and saluted. “Yes sir.”
They turned to the temple entrance and for a just a second Clark thought he saw a small figure dart back inside. The plan had been quickly explained to Clark earlier but the news of his mother had made it difficult to listen. The feeling that he was an outsider was dwindling as he met more and more of these brave people. The time to end this was fast approaching. He could feel it; that and the sense that a showdown with Lex was unavoidable.
CKCKCKCKCKCK
McKay pointed to a circled black dot on the map. “Right, simple then. We go in, disable the guards and make our way to the engine room. In there is the last remaining store of Kryptonite, the ingredient we need to complete our Nova Bomb.”
“Nova Bomb?” asked Lorne with a chuckle.
“Saw it on a show once, seems to fit,” mumbled McKay. “If there are no other stupid questions I think we’re right to proceed.”
Sheppard stepped forward. “We will meet with our allies in the foothills by the base. Our contact has provided us with access codes to the main gate, beyond that we’re on our own but the guys we’re working with should make short work of any security force. Our number one priority is to acquire the Kryptonite and get it back to Doctor McKay. The stealth jet will get us there, we will then split up and the operation will be co-ordinated as usual by Watchtower.”
“Watchtower!” spluttered Clark. “You mean Chloe’s alive. Chloe Sullivan?”
Sheppard squinted in annoyance but answered through clenched teeth. “Few know her real name, but yes, Watchtower is Chloe Sullivan.”
“Well where is she, how is she - can I see her?”
“Don’t know, okay I guess and no,” snapped McKay. “Watchtower is one of our strongest assets and her secrecy is paramount - even from us. She will direct the mission but we should never actually see her, understood?”
Nodding in annoyance Clark turned to Lana but she had retreated into her hood; seeing any kind of expression was impossible.
Susan stepped forward. “Right, we leave in the morning so get what rest you can because from here on in we do not stop until the mission is complete.”
Clark went to exit but a small hand stopped him and he looked down to see Robby. “There’s something I want to show you first Clark,” said the boy and led Clark to the middle of the room, where a modern elevator looked very out of place in the ancient temple.
“What now?” asked Clark, because sleep did sound very good right now.
All humour seemed to leave Robby’s face as he punched in a code. “It is time to let the truth shine through Kal’El.”
CKCKCKCKCK
How far down they went Clark could not tell but the walls and ceiling were of the same Mayan design, except for the modern tubing and display screens. This was more than a quickly assembled base; it was the centre of operations for probably this part of the world. Robby seemed completely at home as he punched in another code and the few doors in the room clunked shut and red lights flashed over the top. Wherever they were the room was now secured. Robby led Clark to the centre of the room where a metal circle rose at knee height, gleaming in the dull lighting.
Clark gasped as he saw that within the circle was another shape emblazoned in alloy. This time it was the sign of the House of ‘El, the S shaped glyph that Clark knew so well. Holding some kind of remote Robby hit a few buttons and a holographic screen lit up in the centre of the circle. On it was a picture of Clark’s mother, Martha Kent, standing at the familiar Presidential podium in the White House press gallery.
It was a video, but without sound and as Clark watched he saw his mother’s familiar expressions as she answered questions. From her smile and then pursed lips Clark could tell which questions she felt were important and which were stupid; she had never suffered fools well.
“Martha Kent,” intoned Robby, his voice sounding too old for his body. “Forty-fifth and last elected President of the United States of America, winning by only a slim majority she became one of the most popular Presidents in history. Her support for minorities and the under-privileged was initially seen as nothing more than naïve optimism, however upon entering office the power brokers were unprepared for her tenacity and determination.”
“She looks beautiful,” said Clark, with tears in his eyes. Other shots kept springing up of Martha in various poses and events, she was older but had aged so gracefully that it was hardly noticeable. That she had fought for the underclass did not surprise Clark; that she had worn down the elite did also not surprise him. Had his disappearance pushed her to this? Would she still become President if he returned to the past? Thoughts fluttered across his mind just as the images did on the screen, it was lovely until one shot showed Lex Luthor standing next to her. The image froze.
“Lex Luthor, vice-president and current pretender to the office,” said Robby, the spite evident in his voice.
“What happened?” asked Clark. “Please tell me what happened to my mother?”
There was no answer and he turned to Robby. The boy wore such an expression of sadness and regret that Clark almost took back his request. No-one his age should know such sorrow thought Clark. “Please Robby, I need to know.”
“Are you sure Clark, is it not enough to know that Lex betrayed her.”
“I need to know,” muttered Clark. “I owe her that much, she had to do it all alone, never knowing what happened to me.”
Robby nodded and the image changed to news footage of the White House with smoke and flames billowing out of the windows, the entire west wing already in ruins. Black uniformed military forces swarmed around the grounds, denying access to any media and hundreds of bodies littered the path leading up the main entrance.
Sound came on as a reporter flashed up on the screen, the smoking building in the background. “Only fifteen minutes ago the White House was attacked by an unknown assailant - it has still not been verified if the President was in residence and how the attacked occurred. Special security forces have been called in to deal with the situation.” The screen shifted to another view, the smoke and flames were out and only the wreckage remained. It was the same reporter but obviously later in the day. “The nation was rocked by a further tragedy when only minutes ago it was announced that President Kent was inside during the attack and is presumed dead. No further attacks have been reported but Washington is currently under martial law as the perpetrators of this attack have still not been identified. Vice-President Lex Luthor is in Metropolis and is expected to make an announcement shortly.”
The image changed to a Metropolis background, Lex was standing at a podium flanked by similarly black uniformed security. He waved his arms for calm and spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen, on this darkest of days I have the terrible responsibility of announcing the cowardly assassination of our beloved President. Martha Kent was a beacon of light in these troubled times and I want to take this opportunity to say that I am personally devastated at the loss of such a great leader and dear friend. I want to assure the people of this great nation that this attack will not go unpunished and that I will not rest until they are caught and neutralised.”
The scene shifted again to Lex now standing at the President’s podium. “My first act as President is to announce a state of emergency, while the perpetrators have been caught and eliminated in Washington I am informed there are many more waiting to unleash terror and tyranny. I ask for your patience and support while we secure the nation so that our freedoms will never again be attacked.”
The image froze just as Lex smirked at the end of his speech. Clark knew that smirk well, it was his smile of victory. Lex Luthor had orchestrated a presidential coup and came out the hero. From everything else Clark now knew the people did not realise that their freedoms were never coming back until it was too late. Lex had the weapons and troops to enforce his will and kept the country at war to prevent too many home troops from being on American soil. He had committed a coup and feared that some over-anxious general might do the same.
“A cell of meteor infected people were blamed for the attack on the White House,” explained Robby, his voice had deepened somewhat. “To ‘prevent’ a reoccurrence they tried to imprison every known person with special abilities, regardless of their allegiance. After a few escaped custody and caused major damage a shoot on sight order was given, authorising the immediate execution of anyone even suspected of having powers.”
Clark shook his head and kept watching the screen. “What about my mother, was she really killed or was it another of Lex’s tricks.” Maybe Lex had falsified her death, perhaps she was even now still alive and awaiting rescue.
“Oh Clark,” whispered Robby, his voice choked full of emotion. “I would have saved you all this if I could.” Clark spun back to the boy, seeing in his eyes the very thing he had been searching for since he arrived in this apocalyptic future. In that moment the real truth that Robby had brought Clark here to reveal dawned upon him.
“Oliver?”
Robby smiled sadly and touched his wristwatch. A purplish light emanated form the device and quickly enveloped the boy, the light wavered and changed, increasing in size and forming into an adult shape.
“Clark,” whispered the man where Robby had stood only moments before. “I’m so sorry.”
Clark could not speak, could barely think as before him, beautiful, real and so very much alive stood Oliver Queen.
Tbc…
I do get carried away sometimes with the characters so thanks to svgirl for some helpful hints. I have used characters from Fantastic Four, although in this world they are without their leader Reed Richards (Mr Fantastic), and it is unknown if Susan Storm married Reed. Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm protect Lana and of course I have changed Johnny's tastes in bedmates for this story.
I have also introduced characters from Stargate Atlantis. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, Dr McKay is a brilliant yet ascerbic astrophysicist constantly saving or alternatively putting the universe at risk, with the help of Colonel John Sheppard and the georgeous Major Lorne. They are usually based in the Pegasus galaxy in the ancient alien city of Atlantis, but for this story it is assumed they never went there or indeed there is no Stargate program, just some remnents of alien technology left behind.
Just so you know, I always intended for Robby to be Oliver, it was just a matter of when he would reveal himself, and the why of it. Find out next chapter... hee hee. AshtakRa.