Chapter 38

The next morning the sun cast a warm glow over Smallville.

The next morning, the halls of Smallville General Hospital were bathed in soft golden sunlight filtering through the large windows. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, but it was overpowered by the fresh bouquet of lilies in Apollo's hands as he walked down the corridor toward Chloe's room.

Skye and Pete were beside him, each carrying something of their own—Skye with a small box of chocolates, Pete with a bright pink balloon that read: "You're Alive! (For Now)."

"You really had to get that balloon?" Skye asked, giving Pete an incredulous look.

"What?" Pete grinned. "She's a journalist. If she gets herself in trouble again, I wanna be able to reuse it."

The hospital hallways were quiet, the fluorescent lights humming softly overhead. Apollo walked with measured steps, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. Beside him, Skye and Pete followed, whispering to each other.

"Think she'll be awake?" Skye asked.

"Hope so," Pete replied. "I need the sympathy points of her seeing me for when she comes swinging for me after she finds out I raided her stash of snacks at The Torch."

"You did what?" Apollo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Pete grinned. "What? It's not like I was laying in wait, timing this. I just went a little overboard yesterday after practice. The woman hoards Twinkies like it's the apocalypse. She can share."

Skye snorted. "You're gonna die."

Apollo chuckled, shaking his head as they reached Chloe's hospital room. The door was slightly ajar, and inside, Chloe lay propped up against fluffy white pillows, dressed in a standard hospital gown. She looked tired but very much alive, her blonde hair slightly disheveled, her green eyes bright as she noticed them enter.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Smallville Scooby Gang."

"Scooby Gang? Please," Pete said, grinning as he plopped into the chair beside her bed. "I'm way too cool to be Shaggy."

"Oh, you're definitely Shaggy," Skye said, smirking as she crossed her arms.

"What, because I eat a lot?"

"And because you scream first and run later," Apollo added, deadpan.

"Okay, first off—" Pete held up a finger. "That was one time. Second, if you saw what I saw in that cornfield last Halloween, you would've run too."

Chloe rolled her eyes, but her smile softened as she turned to Apollo.

"We come bearing gifts," Apollo said, stepping forward and setting the bouquet of lilies down on her bedside table.

"Lilies?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Trying to tell me I almost died?"

"Nah, we had faith in you. You're too stubborn to die" Skye said, plopping down in the chair beside her. "Apollo just said they were your favorite."

Chloe blinked a little taken aback before glancing at him.

"They are" Chloe said as a soft smile came to her lips.

Apollo smiled back.

"Always gotta make us mere mortals look bad huh Apollo" Pete joked.

Chloe shook her head with an amused grin before Pete thrust the balloon toward her.

"For you, madam. Please don't make us waste another fifteen bucks in case of future hospital visits."

Chloe took it with mock reverence. "Wow. So touching."

"I know, I know, I'm amazing."

They all shared a laugh, and for a moment, the weight of what had happened the night before felt a little lighter.

But then, as the laughter faded, Chloe's expression grew thoughtful. Her fingers brushed over the edge of the hospital blanket, and she hesitated before finally speaking.

"Guys…" she started, her voice quieter now. "Last night… I saw something. I think I met the Smallville Samaritan—"

She stopped herself, looking at her friends not thinking they'd understand.

Skye and Pete both leaned in slightly, curious, but Chloe shook her head.

"Never mind." She forced a small smile. "Sorry, my mind's been really fuzzy since what happened."

Apollo studied her, sensing there was more she wanted to say, but he didn't press. Instead, he reached out, gently taking her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm really glad you're okay, Chloe."

She swallowed, then nodded.

As he pulled back, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Chloe stiffened slightly, surprised—but didn't pull away.

When he stood up, Skye raised an eyebrow at him, but she didn't say anything.

"It's great to see you already looking so much like yourself" Skye told her.

"Thanks, the Doctor's did a good job after I was rescued." Chloe replied.

She took a breath and looked at all her friends, remembering her near death experience and she felt truly happy and appreciative to have all of them in her life.

"I'm glad, I'm still around"

"We all are, but maybe this is a sign to stop poking the hornet's nest for once," Pete suggested.

Chloe gave him a flat look. "Pete, if I stopped poking the hornet's nest, you'd have nothing to scream and run from."

"Okay, you know what—"

Apollo laughed, shaking his head as he stepped forward.

"Take it easy Chlo, you've been through a lot and you need to heal" Apollo told her.

Pete sighed, stretching. "You do, we should let you get some rest before you start interrogating the entire hospital staff."

"Oh, please," Chloe smirked. "That started hours ago."

"Knew it."

As they turned to leave, Apollo paused at the door, glancing back at her one last time.

Chloe looked like she wanted to say something again, her gaze lingered on him. An expression Apollo didn't quite recognise on it. Apollo thought Chloe was going to mention the Smallville Samaritan again but instead, she just offered a small smile.

"See you later, Apollo."

"See you later, Chlo'."

With that, he stepped out into the hall.

But just as they exited the room, Apollo's super-hearing picked up something—

A familiar heartbeat on the rooftop.

Ted.

His expression shifted slightly, but Skye and Pete didn't notice.

"You good?" Skye asked.

"Yeah," Apollo said smoothly. "You guys head out. I'll catch up."

"Okay, don't take too long in the bathroom man" Pete said and Apollo rolled his eyes.

He quickly turned and strode off down the hallway rushing to the rooftop to meet Ted.

Ted stood at the edge of the rooftop, arms crossed, looking out over Smallville.

His clothes hung on his skinny frame, none of them fit properly but seeing as he had to take them from lost and found Apollo guessed Ted didn't care all that much.

Ted was breathing slowly and deeply just taking in the morning air.

And despite everything they'd went through, he looked… lighter.

Freer.

Apollo landed silently on the rooftop, Ted's back was to him, but he didn't flinch at the sound of his landing.

"You checking up on me?" Ted asked, his voice quieter than when he last heard it.

"Checking on Chloe first," Apollo said, stepping forward. He could hear the faint rhythm of her steady heartbeat from inside. "She's stable. She'll make a full recovery."

Ted let out a slow breath. "Good. She deserves that."

Ted stepped closer to the edge of the rooftop and then sat on the ledge.

Apollo took a step forward.

"You planning on jumping?" he asked, his tone light but carrying a quiet concern.

Ted huffed a small, dry chuckle. "No. Not this time."

Apollo moved beside him, crossing his arms as they both looked out over Smallville together.

For a long moment, there was only silence. The kind of silence shared between two people who had seen too much in too little time. The two teen stood watching the town as people went on about their day, driving to work or getting themselves coffee. It was so peaceful and serene, you'd never have guessed all the crazy things that happened here.

"I'm leaving Smallville," Ted finally said.

Apollo's brow furrowed. "Where will you go?"

"Back to my family." Ted exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "They don't know what happened to me. They probably think I'm dead. I—I need to see them. Need to figure out who I am now."

Apollo nodded slowly. "That's good. You deserve that."

Ted exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Deserve it? I don't know, man. I don't even know who I am anymore." He flexed his fingers, looking down at his hands like he was waiting for the bone armor to form again. "They turned me into something else. Something I never chose to be."

Apollo's gaze softened. "You're still you, Ted."

Ted let out a short laugh, bitter and weary. "You really believe that?"

Apollo turned to him, his expression steady, certain.

"I know it."

Ted looked at him then, really looked at him. Apollo Kent, the kid from Smallville. The one who had every right to be look down on everyone around him, he was tall, handsome, invincible… and yet somehow, he was the one person who had never looked at him like he was a monster. He only ever looked at him like he looked at him now. With compassion, with kindness, with care.

"Why do you care so much?" Ted asked.

Apollo held his gaze. "Because I know what it's like to feel different. To feel like no matter what you do the world will only ever see you as a thing, as a monster. It hurts and it's lonely, to feel like the world is destined to reject you because they're waiting for you to prove them right—that you're the monster they always thought you were." His hands clenched slightly at his sides before he continued, "But you're not a monster, Ted. You never were."

Ted swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. He looked away, shaking his head.

"You really don't give up on people, do you?"

Apollo smirked faintly. "No. And I don't plan to start."

Ted turned to face him, smiling kindly at him truly grateful for everything he had done for him.

"I don't know what's next for me, but I do know one thing—"

His eyes locked onto Apollo's, his voice heavy with meaning.

"Don't stop fighting for people like me."

Apollo stiffened. "Ted—"

"People who are different," Ted continued, "people who suffer because of it. You're powerful. You can actually make a difference. I'm asking you—don't stop."

Apollo held his gaze.

"I never will."

Ted studied him for a moment—then nodded as he shook his hand.

A comfortable silence fell between them.

"Well," Ted said, stepping back toward the rooftop exit, "guess this is goodbye, huh?"

Apollo offered a small, knowing smile. "For now. I'm sure we'll cross paths again one day"

Ted grinned, shaking his head. "You're very dramatic, has anyone ever told you that?"

Apollo chuckled. Then, in a blur of motion, he was gone.

Ted stood there for a moment longer, staring at the place where his friend had disappeared—then turned and walked inside.

At the entrance to Smallville General Apollo caught up to Pete and Skye.

"So what's next?" Pete asked now that their visit was done.

"I've got to help out on the farm but we can catch up later and play some one on one?" Apollo told him.

"Sounds good to me"

Skye wrapped her arm around Apollo and smiled at him.

"Don't play too hard, I don't want my date to Justin's gala all sweaty" she joked.

"Yes ma'am" Apollo said as he leaned down and kissed her.

Pete groaned as he witnessed the two kiss for what felt like the millionth time.

"Get over it" Skye said as she chuckled before she kissed him again and just for that moment for the first time in a few days Apollo felt completely at piece.

Miles away, at a military recovery site, soldiers picked through the wreckage of the Lernean Building.

Among the debris, they recovered shattered data drives, burnt research papers—

And a single vial of extracted spinal fluid.

Inside a dimly lit office, a man reviewed the findings.

General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.

His fingers tightened around the vial, his eyes scanning the recovered documents.

His lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"Get me on a plane to Washington within the hour Major"

"Sir? We just arrived?" the Major replied confused.

"I know that's why you'll stay and oversee this mess, liaise with Hammer. I on the other hand want to be on a bird to Washington within the hour." Ross commanded.

"I also want you to get me with which ever lab geek you can find outside of Banner with no strong connection to him willing to work on a top secret government project. This might be a good alternative if project Gamma Pulse goes tits up" Thunderbolt Ross said as he pocketed the vial.

"Forgive me sir, why would we need an alternative to Gamma Pulse. Banner is arguably the smartest man on the planet" the Major questioned.

"He won't do what's necessary. His Daddy messed him up too much so he's a bleeding heart pacifist. He's too squeamish to even know what he's really making. Besides even if Banner does get it done, an alternative is always a good thing. You can never have too many super soldiers"

Location: Hammer Gala, Smallville, Kansas, 2003

The gala was a spectacle of power and prestige, just the way Justin Hammer liked it. The grand ballroom shimmered under golden chandeliers. Different pieces of art were on display all ready to be auctioned off for charity. The air buzzed with the hum of conversation, champagne glasses clinking as some of the country's elite made deals behind polite smiles.

For Hammer, this night was about making moves.

While Stark hoarded the spotlight with his weapons contracts, Hammer had been carving out his own place. His nuclear power plants were poised to become a beacon of efficient nuclear power. The next step in global energy. It wasn't as sexy as missiles and drones, but it was still a good power play that provided great PR too.

And he still had his ace in the hole. His secret project, one that he couldn't wait to announce.

The biomedical scanner.

Still in development, still under wraps, known only to him and Apollo. It was a game-changer—a device that could map genetic anomalies, detect foreign elements in the bloodstream, and scan a person's entire biological makeup with pinpoint accuracy.

As Hammer finished shaking hands with a senator, his sharp eyes caught a woman moving toward him through the crowd—her posture rigid, her gaze unwavering. Dressed in a sleek black military suit, blonde hair tied back in a severe bun, and a face like stone, she walked with the precision of someone used to command.

Major Kathleen Sparr.

Hammer straightened slightly. Unlike the usual brass that lurked around these events, Sparr wasn't here for the socializing.

This was business.

She stopped in front of him, offering a curt nod. "Mr. Hammer."

"Major Sparr," Justin said smoothly, offering his most charming grin. "Didn't think the U.S. Army was in the habit of attending cocktail parties. Unless you're here for the hors d'oeuvres?"

Sparr didn't smile. "I'd like to speak with you. Privately."

Hammer raised an eyebrow, then chuckled, swirling his drink. "Well, when the U.S. government comes knocking, who am I to say no?"

He gestured for her to follow, leading her toward a secluded VIP lounge in the back of the gala. It was quieter here, away from the main floor, where only the most important people conducted business.

Hammer settled into one of the leather chairs, draping an arm over the side. Sparr remained standing.

"So," he said, grinning, "I take it you're not here to put in an order for one of my reactors?"

Sparr's expression remained unreadable.

"We're not interested in your reactors Hammer"

Hammer let out a mock sigh. "Let me guess. You're interested in HammerTech weaponry. I gotta say, Major, I admire the direct approach, but you'll have to take a number. Military contracts are a hot commodity these days."

Sparr tilted her head slightly. "We're not interested in your weapons either, Mr. Hammer."

That caught him off guard.

For just a second, his easy confidence faltered—just a flicker, a twitch of the jaw, a small flicker of insecurity flashing in his eyes.

"…Excuse me?"

Sparr's voice was crisp. "Our current Stark Tech inventory is beyond anything we ever imagined. The sonic tanks, the guided missile tech, the targeting AI—we don't need anything HammerTech has to offer in that department."

Hammer swallowed, gripping his glass a little tighter.

He covered it with a smirk. "Well, gee, Major, don't hold back now."

Sparr ignored the jab. "We're here for something else."

Hammer's eyes narrowed. "And what would that be?"

"Your biomedical scanner."

The words hit him like a gut punch.

His grip stiffened, mind racing.

How did they—?

No one was supposed to know about the scanner.

It was off the books. No corporate memos. No board meetings. No digital trails. Just him and Apollo.

And yet, here she was. Asking for it by name.

Hammer covered his surprise quickly, letting out a small laugh. "Well, I gotta say, that's news to me, Major. Because as far as I know, that project doesn't exist."

Sparr didn't blink. "We know what you're working on. A device capable of detecting genetic anomalies, identifying foreign substances in the bloodstream, scanning biological mutations."

Hammer didn't answer.

"You designed it for medical applications," Sparr continued, "but its potential goes far beyond that. It can identify threats before they emerge."

Hammer exhaled through his nose. His smile was gone. "Threats," he repeated. "You mean people."

Sparr's expression remained unreadable. "Let's not play games, Mr. Hammer. You were at that power plant attack. And even though you deleted all the footage you could and SHIELD helped you keep things under wraps we both know what occurred there wasn't normal"

Atomic Skull aka Albert Martin.

A small muscle in Hammer's jaw twitched.

"Then again at the attack on your tech development facility, another extranormal occurrence took place did it not?" Sparr continued.

The "Bone Monster."

The thing that wrecked his facility, tore through his security, and left him completely powerless.

He had been helpless, just like he had been when Atomic Skull attacked his power plant.

Hammer felt his fingers twitch, remembering the fear, the helplessness.

And then he remembered who saved him.

The Smallville Samaritan.

The caped figure with godlike strength, the one who had stood against the monster and won.

He had power.

Real power.

And Justin wondered—what would it be like to have someone like that on his side?

To be side by side with someone like that as they protected and reshaped the world. He would never be second fiddle again, never be powerless again.

He'd just need to find him and convince him, he couldn't make him see at the facility but he was sure in time if he found him he could.

Sparr's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"We're offering you something, Hammer. A way to be prepared. To help this country be safe, don't you want to be a hero, don't you want to protect this country Hammer?"

Justin didn't answer.

"Or are you going to leave that completely up to Tony Stark" Sparr said.

Justin clenched his jaw.

"If you agree to collaborate with us," Sparr said, "we can arrange for Dr. Banner to work with you. He's the foremost expert in biochemistry, nuclear physics, and genetic mutation. He could help push your scanner's potential far beyond what you envisioned."

Hammer sat there for a long moment.

Apollo had made him swear that this technology wouldn't be used for military purposes. But at the same time…

This was an opportunity.

A way to secure his place at the top.

A way to never be powerless again.

A way to surpass Stark.

Justin exhaled, then slowly leaned forward, offering Sparr a measured smile.

"I'll stay in contact," he said. "We can talk terms later."

Sparr nodded. "Good choice, Mr. Hammer."

With that, she stood, adjusting her suit jacket before disappearing back into the crowd.

Justin sat there for a long time, swirling his bourbon glass.

Then, something caught his eye.

Across the ballroom, walking among the guests, was Apollo.

The kid had ditched his usual flannel, shirt and jeans look. He was wearing a nice-ish suit and his usual glasses. He stood out in the crowd, his height dwarfing everyone around him. He was talking with his girlfriend Skye, the two laughing about something as they navigated the room. Looking at the various pieces of art on display.

Justin hesitated.

A part of him felt… guilty.

Apollo had trusted him.

This scanner was their project, something Apollo had helped design for medical advancement, not military surveillance.

But Hammer forced down the doubt.

Apollo would understand.

One day.

One day, Apollo would see that this was necessary. That power was the only thing that mattered in a world that was changing so rapidly, becoming more dangerous by the minute.

That's why Hammer needed to secure power—for both of them.

With a deep breath, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone remotely connecting to their prototype biomedical system.

He pressed a few buttons.

The system's parameters updated.

Tracking enabled.

Justin sighed and then put a confident smile on his face as he walked down to talk to his friend and partner.

Downstairs Apollo was taking in Justin's gala. He wore a regular suit and tie but was feeling a little under dressed when compared to all the rich people who were in attendance. He was pretty sure the combined wealth of everyone in this room dwarfed the wealth of the county. He wandered around the gala hand in hand with Skye before she briefly left to talk to her Dad who had offered to chaperone.

There was a storm outside but you could barely hear it in here as the sound of all of the attendees of the gala and the music drowned it out.

Apollo wandered through the museum where the gala was being held and stared at a few of the historical objects before he saw a piece of armour.

It was a jeweled chest plate that had diamond shaped crest with a snake shaped like an S on it. Apollo was mesmerised by it.

It looked eerily similar to the symbol on his ship and his new suit, like a human recreation or interpretation.

Apollo began to wonder if his people were out there, if they had sent more people to Earth. If he wasn't alone and if they were other beings from his planet here.

"It belonged to Alexander the Great," Justin Hammer informed him as he walked up to his younger friend seeing him drawn to the golden bejeweled chest plate.

"Alexander was a brilliant tactician, yet his strategy was simple. Always seize the high ground. He was wearing this armour when he defeated Darius the Third -" Justin started saying.

"And was proclaimed King of Asia" Apollo finished remembering the books he read on Alexander the Great.

"You never fail to surprise me Apollo" Justin said smiling at his friend.

"That design is unique. None of the history books I've read mention them" Apollo said.

"They wouldn't. Alexander didn't like people knowing about his symbol before they saw him. He preferred having his enemies see it for the first time when he was on the battlefield allowing it to strike fear into them" Justin told him.

"Dark strategy" Apollo replied.

"Well darker times called for darker methods. The design was said to symbolise power, strength and courage. His enemies thought he was invincible" Justin said.

"I didn't know you were such a history buff" Skye said walking up to the two of them wearing a beautiful and flowery light pink gown.

"I'm not. I'm just interested in people who ruled the world before they were thirty" Justin quipped.

"Don't worry Justin you've still got a few years to go" Apollo jokingly assured his friend.

Justin chuckled about to say more and before he could reply was called over by one of the gala's attendees. He excused himself and walked away leaving Skye and Apollo alone.

"It's a nice party are you having fun?" Skye asked.

"Truthfully I am feeling a little under dressed" Apollo told her.

"Well you look dapper to me" Skye said before tiptoeing to kiss him and Apollo smiled at her.

"Also if it makes you feel any better, my Dad is just as uncomfortable" Skye added as she pointed to her father who was the one who drove them to the gala. He looked quite awkward, like he wasn't comfortable in this environment.

"We should probably go rescue him" Apollo suggested to Skye.

"I don't know he looks like he's having the time of his life" Skye joked and Apollo chuckled briefly.

"Alright let's go rescue him so we can eat" Skye said after they were done laughing.

Apollo smiled and then turned back to stare at the crest one more time. The feeling of longing for his people hitting him briefly once more as the jewels on the snake S seemed to glow to him, before he walked away and enjoyed the rest of the party with Skye.

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Also read Superman(Marvel+DC) and Marvel: Hyperion.