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[Smallville , Kansas , USA , 03/07/1993]

- Kent Farm:

A twelve-year-old boy with black hair and bright blue eyes was flying a kite in the farm's yard. He wore simple-framed glasses, a faded blue T-shirt, and worn-out jeans. His sneakers were covered in dust, the result of many outdoor adventures.

While running across the field, his kite got caught in the branches of a tall tree.

"Ah! Darn it! I hate when this happens."

He tried to jump up... but couldn't reach high enough to grab it. Frustrated, he thought about giving up, but then he heard something that caught his attention.

On the nearby road, a car was speeding and losing control. The boy watched everything in slow motion—the car skidding, the tires screeching, and the vehicle about to crash into a tree.

"Watch out!!" he yelled in vain.

Without thinking, he ran towards the car as fast as he could, his feet moving faster than race cars. The world around him became a blur as he focused solely on reaching the out-of-control vehicle.

When he reached the car, he positioned himself in front of the hood and extended his hands, pressing against the metal with all his strength. Initially, the impact was violent, but he didn't give in. His hands dug into the car's body, and his feet slipped on the gravel as he resisted the force of the moving vehicle.

Gradually, the car began to slow down. The boy could feel every fiber of his muscles straining, every accelerated beat of his heart. Slowly, the car came to a stop, just inches from the tree.

Breathing heavily, he stepped back from the vehicle, still stunned by what had happened. The imprints of his hands were visible on the hood.

Still in shock, he looked at the driver, who was equally astonished.

"Oh no...." he whispered as he quickly ran away, leaving the driver behind.

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A few hours later, in the late afternoon, the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and gold. Martha and Jonathan, now older, were in the old family barn with the boy who had stopped the accident earlier.

Jonathan: "Clark, we need to talk. It's something we've put off for too long, but the time has come."

Martha: "We love you very much, Clark, and we want you to know the truth."

Clark, his eyes still shining with tears, looked at his parents apprehensively.

Clark: "What's going on? What do you need to tell me?"

Jonathan and Martha exchanged a worried look and, together, led Clark to a corner of the barn. There, hidden under an old tarp, was the spaceship that had brought Clark to Earth. Jonathan removed the tarp, revealing the sleek, futuristic silver ship.

Jonathan: "This is how we found you, son. You came to us in a spaceship. You are not of this world, Clark."

Clark took a step back, shocked and confused.

Clark: "What does that mean? I... I'm not your son?"

Martha, her eyes brimming with tears, placed a loving hand on Clark's shoulder.

Martha: "Yes, Clark. You are adopted, but that doesn't change how much we love you. From the moment we found you, you became our son, in every way that matters."

Jonathan took a pendant about nine centimeters long, black with silver stripes, from his pocket and handed it to Clark.

Jonathan: "This pendant was with you when we found you. We believed it probably belonged to your parents. We don't know much about it, it contains no element from Earth."

Clark took the pendant, his hands trembling slightly. He looked at his parents, trying to process everything.

Clark: "I... I don't know what to say. I'm scared. I'm not normal, I'm not like you..."

Martha pulled Clark into a tight hug, tears finally streaming down her face.

Martha: "Clark, you are our son. It doesn't matter where you came from. We love you for who you are, not how you got here."

Jonathan joined the hug, his voice firm and full of conviction.

Jonathan: "You will always be our son, Clark. Blood doesn't define family. Love does. And we love you more than anything in this world."

Clark, now crying, hugged his parents tightly.

Clark: "I... love you both, but I'm scared, I don't know who I am anymore." He says, hugging his parents.

Martha: "Clark, I understand that this is scary and confusing, but what you are doesn't change who you are. You are the sweet, brave, and kind boy we've always known. You are our son, and you always will be."

Clark looked at his parents, his eyes red from tears. He gave a small smile, finding comfort in their words. Slowly, he lowered his gaze to the pendant in his hands, observing the shiny symbol on it.

'Even so... what should I do now?' he thought as he clutched the pendant.

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[Knowhere , Andromeda Galaxy, Unknown Special Sector 2002]

Knowhere was a peculiar sight in the vast cosmos—the decapitated head of a Celestial floating silently in space, transformed into a mobile base and hub of intergalactic illegal activities. Worn skin and metallic structures covered the recesses of the massive structure, with colorful lights and mysterious mists hovering around, creating a grim atmosphere.

At the heart of Knowhere, the main hall was dominated by a profusion of stalls and stands, each showcasing exotic and valuable goods. Beings from all races and planets gathered there to trade everything from advanced technology to ancient and rare artifacts.

The one who commanded Knowhere was the Collector, a mysterious and ambitious being who accumulated treasures from all over the universe. He walked through the hall with an imposing presence, observing each exchange and deal with keen and calculating eyes. His encyclopedic knowledge of cosmic artifacts and his ability to acquire the unattainable made him a figure both feared and respected.

And he was close to obtaining his greatest trophy.

"Have you found it?" he asked a silhouette in the shadows.

"Yes, and what about my payment?" a gruff voice asked in return.

"Tripled, if you agree to retrieve it for me... intact," the Collector replied.

A smile of yellow teeth appeared in the shadows.

"Consider it done, you sissy. Hahaha!" the voice laughed, and then the light from his cigar revealed his blood-red eyes and pale skin.

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This story will be set aside for a while; these chapters are just ideas for now.