[Val-El]
Val's steps echoed throughout the empty corridor, his hands clasped behind his back as he approached the metallic door that led to his father's study. A single, nagging question had been gnawing at the back of his mind for a month or so, one that he no longer ignored: Why am I different?
Val had been told he was part of the Science Guild, but he didn't feel like it. Didn't have that strong loyalty that others have to the Science Guild. While he was good in the Science Guild, one of the best, no doubt, Val still had an interest in martial arts. Which was unlike his peers, who only focused on improving in the Guild they were in and anything that relates to it.
The feeling of fighting was, in a way, freeing. The rush he felt, the adrenaline coursing through him, all felt amazing in that moment. It felt like he could be himself, not having to hide behind a veil of stoicism.
The pain. The blood. It made him feel alive in a way he didn't expect. It was liberating. It was so different from the cold and monotonous work of the Science members.
Currently, he was training in Torquasm Vo. The martial art was focused on striking, blocking, and grappling, which was somewhat similar to Kung Fu. He had focused on mastering as much as his five-year-old body would allow, until his body was older.
All this made him speculate that the true origin of his birth was hidden by Jor-El, who made it seem as though he was born like any other Kryptonian.
The only thing he could think of was that his birth was natural, where his mother carried him for nine months before giving birth to him. He was given the gift of choice. Of freedom. But...
He needed the truth.
The door to his father's study slid open, and there he saw his father sitting. Jor-El was typing, his fingers moving quickly and precisely over the holographic keyboard. His father seemed to notice him and inclined his head slightly with a small smile. "Val, come in. Have a seat," Just as he said that, a chair came up from the ground.
Val sat on it, his posture rigid. His breathing was controlled, his face a practised mask that he was used to, which hid his true thoughts and intentions. It was a lesson, a tradition more like it, that all Kryptonians had to learn to control their emotions at a young age. To be the one in control and not the controlled.
That is why, even though there were children on Krypton, there wasn't a single playground or children playing around with each other. They were taught from a young age that emotions were noise that interfered with rationality.
Something that his father seemed to defy. The man liked to express his emotions more than anyone. If he disagreed with someone or found their decision stupid, he would tell them to their face. It was a trait he admired in his father. The confidence to do so in their society was awe-inspiring. But Val didn't always want people to know what he felt, so he had to mask his emotions like others.
"Hello, father, I hope I am not interrupting you," Val spoke calmly, careful not to let his true feelings out. Jor-El shook his head at his words. "Not at all. I was just about to finish. What is it that you need, son?" Spoke Jor-El, his sharp eyes, so like his own, stared at him.
Val hesitated for a second, thinking of ways to indirectly say what he wanted, but no. He banished those ideas; he needed answers now. "I want to know the truth," he said, his voice firm.
His father looked at him, not giving away a single idea of what he thought or felt. "The truth?" he asked, his voice showing confusion. It would've seemed genuine to anyone else, but not to him. "Yes, about my birth."
Jor-El tilted his head, the perfect mask of confusion. "I'm afraid that I don't understand what you mean, Val. If that was what you wanted to talk about, then I am afraid I'm busy at the moment. We can talk about this later." Jor-El dismissed with a wave of his hand,
He knew what his father was doing. Dismissing the subject, as though he wasn't serious. He felt a flicker of anger course through him at the casual dismissal, his fists clenching, but he held his tongue. "Father," Val said, his voice serious. His father froze, looking at him with a raised brow.
"Let's not dance around it. I know I am different. Compared to the rest of our kind. I want you to tell me the truth, please," he kept his voice calm, even when he wanted to shout and beg for it.
But he was Val-El, and he would not lower himself and act like a brat for the sake of appearances. He was better than that. His father didn't respond. Not immediately, at least.
"So, you've figured out the truth," Jor-El said, his voice deep. "I expect nothing less from you, my son." Val froze and looked at his father in confusion. "What?"
"Kelex, soundproof the room," Jor-El spoke, and Val heard his father's personal robot voice echo throughout the room. "Yes, sir," It said.
Jor-El stood up and placed his arms behind his back. "I didn't expect you to figure it out this early, but it doesn't matter now." He sighed, as though what he was about to say weighed on him.
"I'm wasn't what you would call a 'normal' Kryptonian," Jor-El began, pacing the quiet room. "I was reckless. Passionate. At least by what my fellow Kryptonian's called it. Just because I didn't want to let a machine choose my partner."
[Jor-El]
[Flashback]
"My father, your grandfather, Syeg-El, was a harsh man. Cold. When he presented me with a marriage proposal to a young woman whom I never met, I agreed, only on the condition that I get to meet her first. I wanted to know the woman with whom I would have to spend the rest of my life. Your grandfather was shocked, and I expected him to deny it right then and there." Jor-El said, his voice distant.
"But the strangest thing happened, my father accepted. I met your mother that day, and by the end of the day, I knew this was someone I could spend the rest of my life with. She had this fire to her. Something I saw lacking in a lot of others. So, that is why I was shocked when she dropped a surprise on me."
"I'm pregnant."
"...."
"...."
"Come again?" Jor-El said in bewilderment, his features surprised.
"I am pregnant," Lara said slowly, looking at him in slight amusement. He didn't say anything, couldn't say anything as Lara dropped this on him unexpectedly. Here they were, sitting in their living room, and she suddenly decided to tell him now.
Jor-El stood up, his face breaking out into a big smile. "That is wonderful news!" He picked her up, spinning her around. "Jor-El, put me down!" she commanded him, and he quickly obliged. "I'm sorry, but it is unexpected!
"I had always wanted a child, as did your mother, but we just didn't expect you so soon. Yet, it was one of the best days of my life, besides the day I married your mother. But I wanted your life to be different from theirs."
[Flashback end]
"What do you mean, father?" Val asked, leaning forward in his seat. His interest was piqued, and he wanted to know the answer now. Jor-El chuckled, taking a seat. "Your birth was just like the rest of our kind, Val. But the reason you feel different is for one reason. Do you remember the virtual lessons you had when you were younger?" His father asked.
He nodded, waiting for his father to continue. "Well, those 'lessons' did teach the basics, so that when you enter the Science Guild, you will have the necessary knowledge to thrive. But those lessons are meant to manipulate you so that you feel like it is your duty to join the Guild," Jor-El said.
Val felt his heart drop. Did his father manipulate him? Was his passion for creating fake? An implant so as to make him an obedient follower, so as to keep the status quo? "I don't know if you know this, but each Kryptonian household has a sort of role every new generation must keep. Like, the house of Zod is always full of Military Guild Members. While ours is in the Science Guild." His father continued, unaware of his turmoil.
"Father," he interrupted, making Jor-El stop. "Was I brainwashed as a child? Did you manipulate me so that I can continue the family tradition of being in the Science Guild?" He said, his voice a whisper.
Jor-El shook his head, looking at him gently. "No, my son. I only gave you the necessary information so that you could thrive in the Science Guild. Have I not allowed you to learn martial arts? Did I not allow you to pursue an interest in art? I am giving you the choice to be what you want, Val. If you choose to enter the Military Guild, I will not stop you. If you still want to continue in the Science Guild, I am fine with your decision."
He didn't answer. His thoughts to chaotic at the moment to form a proper response. Finally, he made his decision and spoke. "I-i understand, father. I think I will stay in the Science Guild, but I would still like to continue my lessons in fighting," Val said to his father, looking at his father's eyes confidently.
The man held his stare, his eyes looking at him in contemplation. "Very well, if that is what you wish," Jor-El said, nodding in agreement.
Val allowed a small, tight smile on his face. "Thank you, father." He stood up. "By your leave," he said, and his father nodded his head.
He left the room, his mind racing. His hands clenched, as anger burned in him as he repeated his father's words. He knew his father was telling the truth, but the thought of being manipulated subtly by the Council grated on his nerves. Val took solace in the fact that they would get their reckoning. Yes. Yes they will.
[A/N]
Took a lot of time to make this, and it tired me. I don't know if I'm satisfied with this, and I hope I was able to answer this question. I wanted to use the birthing way from Man of Steel, but it was overly complicated while the comic was simpler to explain.