![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raze_flynDisclaimer on Prologue.
This Chapter contains: Comic style Pseudo-science BS about pheromones.
Ten Worlds: The Return
Chapter One of Ten
She stood out side the room with Tim and Clark as Batman settled down across from Connor. She knew that everyone else was convinced but that Batman wanted to ask a few more questions before Connor was allowed to leave. She was a bit disappointed that Cassie hadn’t come to the watchtower to see him but she supposed it was awkward for her. “So what do you want to know?” Connor asked Batman drawing her attention back to the sight in the interrogation room.
“You mentioned three hundred and twenty worlds you were sent to before the alternate Krypton?” Batman asked and she glanced at Clark and Tim to see they seemed to understand even though she didn’t. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t remember anything from them?”
“Like I already told Clark, I only know about them cause the Nightwing entity said my soul remembered whatever that means.” Connor said with a shrug. “It seemed to know what it was talking about and Kelex didn’t deny it when I confronted him about it.” She remembered the stories about the Nightwing and the Flamebird learning those old Kryptonian myths existed was kind of shocking.
“What exactly did this Nightwing tell you about those worlds?” Batman asked immediately after that. She had to admit she was a bit curious herself if she’d lost memories of visiting three hundred and twenty worlds it would have been driving her crazy.
“It talked about how clones were at a disadvantage despite what I thought once clones are born with souls just they are so microscopic to be almost invisible.” Connor said with a shrug. “It seems the things that make a soul grow things like being born, learning to walk, first words, etc don’t happen for clones so until we do something major it is almost like we don’t have one.” She was finding this entire thing hard to believe Kryptonians didn’t really believe in souls anymore. “It claimed that because I’d lived three hundred and twenty complete life times my soul had matured enough to be strong enough to act as his Avatar even though I wasn’t from the current chosen blood line and only half kryptonian.”
Connor seemed lost in thought as he went on. “It also claimed I wasn’t given the physical memories because my super powered resistence to trauma can handle a lot but not that many complete life times.” She wondered if Batman was going to ask anything else but before he could Connor kept going. “I don’t know many details just that I only ended up with one person more than three times and most of the time it was just once something about on some level remembering the previous relationships.” Connor then glanced at the mirror they were behind. “I have to admit I’m curious but since I’ll never know I just file it away as one of the weird bits of knowledge I have now such as why every Kryptonian on Earth is bisexual and even the straightest of the straight humans are just a little bit attracted to us.” She heard Clark choke and actually saw Batman’s frown get even more severe.
A quick glance at Tim saw he looked amused. “Since I know Tim at least is curious the answer is pheromones,” Connor was smiling then. “Turns out human and kryptonian pheromones are similar enough that both species smell really good to each other but different enough that there’s no gender distinction for the other species so no matter the sexuality humans find any kryptonian attractive and vice versa.” Connor got a huge grin on his face then. “Since Cir El and I produce a mix of both we were both very popular on Krypton.” She could tell Batman looked murderous. “Any more questions or can I go?”
“I think that is enough questions for now,” Clark said and she was a bit surprised she hadn’t seen him move but he was now in the room. “I’m sure Ma, Pa, and Krypto are anxious to see you so we should head to the farm now.” She noticed Batman still looked murderous but Tim had moved over to him and they were doing that silent communication thing they had down to a science. “Kara, Tim, can the two of you take Connor to go get his stuff.” Clark said after a moment and she realized he had some things to say to Batman.
“I have to ask Connor,” Tim said as they walked. “How exactly did you learn all that about pheromones or were just trying to annoy Batman.” She was curious herself since while she had found some human women attractive she had never given it much thought since on Krypton she’d only been interested in men.
“Jor El was fascinated by our hybrid DNA and did a complete breakdown on me and Cir El, he figured out the pheromone thing when I asked him why on Earth I was attracted to men and women but on Krypton it was just men.” Connor said with a shrug. “And I have to ask how did Cassie end up with a clone of me, David right?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer that question but Tim it seemed was as he launched into an explanation. “David was the only clone who didn’t try to hold onto anything he remembered.” He said calmly. “He went out as Ultraboy and started living his own life while the other three all held onto things Ken stayed with the Titans, Jeff went to Hawaii and Joseph went to Metropolis.” She supposed that was true. “As a result Cassie has never been completely comfortable about the others but she eventually got where she and David were friends separate from him being a clone of yours and a few weeks ago they started dating.”
“I’m glad she found someone even if it is a bit weird.” Connor said with a shrug. “I suppose she thinks I’ll react badly which is why she didn’t come with you to the Watchtower.” She didn’t know why Cassie hadn’t come and a glance at Tim gave her no answers. “So I suppose the only question now is how we tell the world I’m back.”
“It won’t be hard Black Zero announced you were alive on another world when he told the world about the clones,” She said figuring he should know. “There are actually web sites that have timers counting down to your scheduled return.”
“I don’t know if that makes things better or worse.” Connor said with a shrug. “Well I guess it does make explaining my return easier.” He said as they arrived in the room where his stuff was sitting after it had been examined. “There is the disk of messages for you,” He said handing over the holographic projection disk that her family had sent.” She ignored him and focused on the grey uniform sitting with his other clothes.
“Connor, why do you have a police uniform?” She saw him look a bit embarrassed as he glanced over at Tim but then he picked up a different hologram disk and hitting the button bringing up holographic images of himself in uniform.
“Even with accelerated learning aides I just didn’t have the natural aptitude to pass myself off as a scientist in training so the explanation for why I came with Cir el to stay with our Uncle Jor El was I wanted to join the police force and Jor El had friends on the local force.” She had trouble picturing Connor as one of the police she’d only ever seen from a distance on Krypton.
____
“All Right Bruce what aren’t you telling us,” He asked his friend once the others were far enough away that Connor or Kara wouldn’t over hear them in the room. “J’onn’s word that he’s really Connor would normally be enough for you.” He knew that even normally Bruce might have some doubts but he’d at least let the boy go instead of insisting on questioning him again.
“Three weeks ago Cir El came to see me for what she said was the final time,” Bruce finally said and he wondered why Bruce had kept this a secret. “She claimed that within a year of the clone’s return to this world Gotham would be nothing but burning ruins.” He started to point out to Bruce that didn’t mean Connor would have anything to do with it but he decided Bruce already knew that. “She didn’t give me specifics or say the boy would have anything to do with it but I have to make sure.”
“Why don’t you just ask him if Cir El told him anything about all of this?” He wasn’t going to bother lecturing Bruce on keeping secrets again it never took. He could tell that Bruce wasn’t going to do it. “I’ll ask him myself then and tell you his answer later.” Bruce nodded and began to leave. “If it has anything to do with what’s happened then it is probably has something to do with those things Kelex left behind on our world.” He knew Bruce was already thinking along those lines by his lack of reaction.
He made his way to where Connor was collecting the things he’d brought back with him. “Where’s Kara and Tim?” He asked noticing that Connor was there alone.
“Tim had Robin things to do and Kara left to go watch the messages I brought back for her.” Connor said and then pointed toward a cylinder full of disks. “I noticed you haven’t watched the ones I brought back for you yet?”
“It is just going to be strange to see them.” He said honestly since this was a different world’s Jor El and Lara. “I noticed that one was addressed to my parents?” He had been surprised to see the their names rendered in Kryptonian on one of the message disks.
“Yeah, they thought they should thank the folks who did such a good job raising you since this world’s Jor El and Lara would never get the chance to do so.” He was touched and relieved. He had always wanted to believe his birth parents would approve of his family but in his weaker moments he’d always had a few fears about that.
He decided to ask Connor now before they got to the farm. “Before we head to the farm I have to ask you did Cir El tell you anything about a disaster that will befall Gotham?” He could tell instantly that Connor had no idea what he was talking about. “Bruce says that Cir El visited him about three weeks ago and warned him that within a year of your return Gotham would be in ruins.”
“She didn’t say anything about visiting this world or give me any kind of warnings.” Connor said. “I know she had been back to see Kelex just after we defeated Braniac and banished Zod and his followers to the Phantom zone.” Connor looked incredibly sad and haunted for a moment. “That was when she told me she was staying on Krypton with Halk and that she’d miss me but that she didn’t fit in here but on Krypton she’d found a home.” He got the impression it wasn’t just Cir El deciding to stay that put that haunted look on Connor’s face but he wouldn’t ask yet he’d give Connor time.
To be continued...
REVIEW HERE
This Chapter contains: Comic style Pseudo-science BS about pheromones.
Ten Worlds: The Return
Chapter One of Ten
She stood out side the room with Tim and Clark as Batman settled down across from Connor. She knew that everyone else was convinced but that Batman wanted to ask a few more questions before Connor was allowed to leave. She was a bit disappointed that Cassie hadn’t come to the watchtower to see him but she supposed it was awkward for her. “So what do you want to know?” Connor asked Batman drawing her attention back to the sight in the interrogation room.
“You mentioned three hundred and twenty worlds you were sent to before the alternate Krypton?” Batman asked and she glanced at Clark and Tim to see they seemed to understand even though she didn’t. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t remember anything from them?”
“Like I already told Clark, I only know about them cause the Nightwing entity said my soul remembered whatever that means.” Connor said with a shrug. “It seemed to know what it was talking about and Kelex didn’t deny it when I confronted him about it.” She remembered the stories about the Nightwing and the Flamebird learning those old Kryptonian myths existed was kind of shocking.
“What exactly did this Nightwing tell you about those worlds?” Batman asked immediately after that. She had to admit she was a bit curious herself if she’d lost memories of visiting three hundred and twenty worlds it would have been driving her crazy.
“It talked about how clones were at a disadvantage despite what I thought once clones are born with souls just they are so microscopic to be almost invisible.” Connor said with a shrug. “It seems the things that make a soul grow things like being born, learning to walk, first words, etc don’t happen for clones so until we do something major it is almost like we don’t have one.” She was finding this entire thing hard to believe Kryptonians didn’t really believe in souls anymore. “It claimed that because I’d lived three hundred and twenty complete life times my soul had matured enough to be strong enough to act as his Avatar even though I wasn’t from the current chosen blood line and only half kryptonian.”
Connor seemed lost in thought as he went on. “It also claimed I wasn’t given the physical memories because my super powered resistence to trauma can handle a lot but not that many complete life times.” She wondered if Batman was going to ask anything else but before he could Connor kept going. “I don’t know many details just that I only ended up with one person more than three times and most of the time it was just once something about on some level remembering the previous relationships.” Connor then glanced at the mirror they were behind. “I have to admit I’m curious but since I’ll never know I just file it away as one of the weird bits of knowledge I have now such as why every Kryptonian on Earth is bisexual and even the straightest of the straight humans are just a little bit attracted to us.” She heard Clark choke and actually saw Batman’s frown get even more severe.
A quick glance at Tim saw he looked amused. “Since I know Tim at least is curious the answer is pheromones,” Connor was smiling then. “Turns out human and kryptonian pheromones are similar enough that both species smell really good to each other but different enough that there’s no gender distinction for the other species so no matter the sexuality humans find any kryptonian attractive and vice versa.” Connor got a huge grin on his face then. “Since Cir El and I produce a mix of both we were both very popular on Krypton.” She could tell Batman looked murderous. “Any more questions or can I go?”
“I think that is enough questions for now,” Clark said and she was a bit surprised she hadn’t seen him move but he was now in the room. “I’m sure Ma, Pa, and Krypto are anxious to see you so we should head to the farm now.” She noticed Batman still looked murderous but Tim had moved over to him and they were doing that silent communication thing they had down to a science. “Kara, Tim, can the two of you take Connor to go get his stuff.” Clark said after a moment and she realized he had some things to say to Batman.
“I have to ask Connor,” Tim said as they walked. “How exactly did you learn all that about pheromones or were just trying to annoy Batman.” She was curious herself since while she had found some human women attractive she had never given it much thought since on Krypton she’d only been interested in men.
“Jor El was fascinated by our hybrid DNA and did a complete breakdown on me and Cir El, he figured out the pheromone thing when I asked him why on Earth I was attracted to men and women but on Krypton it was just men.” Connor said with a shrug. “And I have to ask how did Cassie end up with a clone of me, David right?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer that question but Tim it seemed was as he launched into an explanation. “David was the only clone who didn’t try to hold onto anything he remembered.” He said calmly. “He went out as Ultraboy and started living his own life while the other three all held onto things Ken stayed with the Titans, Jeff went to Hawaii and Joseph went to Metropolis.” She supposed that was true. “As a result Cassie has never been completely comfortable about the others but she eventually got where she and David were friends separate from him being a clone of yours and a few weeks ago they started dating.”
“I’m glad she found someone even if it is a bit weird.” Connor said with a shrug. “I suppose she thinks I’ll react badly which is why she didn’t come with you to the Watchtower.” She didn’t know why Cassie hadn’t come and a glance at Tim gave her no answers. “So I suppose the only question now is how we tell the world I’m back.”
“It won’t be hard Black Zero announced you were alive on another world when he told the world about the clones,” She said figuring he should know. “There are actually web sites that have timers counting down to your scheduled return.”
“I don’t know if that makes things better or worse.” Connor said with a shrug. “Well I guess it does make explaining my return easier.” He said as they arrived in the room where his stuff was sitting after it had been examined. “There is the disk of messages for you,” He said handing over the holographic projection disk that her family had sent.” She ignored him and focused on the grey uniform sitting with his other clothes.
“Connor, why do you have a police uniform?” She saw him look a bit embarrassed as he glanced over at Tim but then he picked up a different hologram disk and hitting the button bringing up holographic images of himself in uniform.
“Even with accelerated learning aides I just didn’t have the natural aptitude to pass myself off as a scientist in training so the explanation for why I came with Cir el to stay with our Uncle Jor El was I wanted to join the police force and Jor El had friends on the local force.” She had trouble picturing Connor as one of the police she’d only ever seen from a distance on Krypton.
____
“All Right Bruce what aren’t you telling us,” He asked his friend once the others were far enough away that Connor or Kara wouldn’t over hear them in the room. “J’onn’s word that he’s really Connor would normally be enough for you.” He knew that even normally Bruce might have some doubts but he’d at least let the boy go instead of insisting on questioning him again.
“Three weeks ago Cir El came to see me for what she said was the final time,” Bruce finally said and he wondered why Bruce had kept this a secret. “She claimed that within a year of the clone’s return to this world Gotham would be nothing but burning ruins.” He started to point out to Bruce that didn’t mean Connor would have anything to do with it but he decided Bruce already knew that. “She didn’t give me specifics or say the boy would have anything to do with it but I have to make sure.”
“Why don’t you just ask him if Cir El told him anything about all of this?” He wasn’t going to bother lecturing Bruce on keeping secrets again it never took. He could tell that Bruce wasn’t going to do it. “I’ll ask him myself then and tell you his answer later.” Bruce nodded and began to leave. “If it has anything to do with what’s happened then it is probably has something to do with those things Kelex left behind on our world.” He knew Bruce was already thinking along those lines by his lack of reaction.
He made his way to where Connor was collecting the things he’d brought back with him. “Where’s Kara and Tim?” He asked noticing that Connor was there alone.
“Tim had Robin things to do and Kara left to go watch the messages I brought back for her.” Connor said and then pointed toward a cylinder full of disks. “I noticed you haven’t watched the ones I brought back for you yet?”
“It is just going to be strange to see them.” He said honestly since this was a different world’s Jor El and Lara. “I noticed that one was addressed to my parents?” He had been surprised to see the their names rendered in Kryptonian on one of the message disks.
“Yeah, they thought they should thank the folks who did such a good job raising you since this world’s Jor El and Lara would never get the chance to do so.” He was touched and relieved. He had always wanted to believe his birth parents would approve of his family but in his weaker moments he’d always had a few fears about that.
He decided to ask Connor now before they got to the farm. “Before we head to the farm I have to ask you did Cir El tell you anything about a disaster that will befall Gotham?” He could tell instantly that Connor had no idea what he was talking about. “Bruce says that Cir El visited him about three weeks ago and warned him that within a year of your return Gotham would be in ruins.”
“She didn’t say anything about visiting this world or give me any kind of warnings.” Connor said. “I know she had been back to see Kelex just after we defeated Braniac and banished Zod and his followers to the Phantom zone.” Connor looked incredibly sad and haunted for a moment. “That was when she told me she was staying on Krypton with Halk and that she’d miss me but that she didn’t fit in here but on Krypton she’d found a home.” He got the impression it wasn’t just Cir El deciding to stay that put that haunted look on Connor’s face but he wouldn’t ask yet he’d give Connor time.
To be continued...
REVIEW HERE
