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Chapter Text

Smallville, The Talon

Night

Chloe Sullivan sat alone, an untouched cup of cold coffee near her as she stared at a blank paper. She was attempting to write something, anything, for an obituary for Alicia in The Torch. But what could she say, really? Up until a week ago, Alicia had just been another Meteor Freak, to her shame. No wonder Clark felt like he couldn’t trust her with his secret, she thought glumly.

Chloe was broken out of her thoughts by a cup of coffee being placed on the table she sat in.

“You hate cold coffee,” her cousin said by way of explanation. “What are you working on that has you about to have an ulcer?”

“I’m trying to work on an obituary…for Alicia,” Chloe said softly and Lois instantly sobered.

“Have you…been by to see him?” Lois asked gently.

“Yeah. He’s just…I’ve known him since the eighth grade and I’ve never seen him so…” Chloe trailed off, not sure how to say it.

“Shattered?” Lois supplied and Chloe nodded.

Shattered certainly described Clark Kent since Alicia’s funeral. He hadn’t shown up for school all week, he’d withdrawn from everyone, even his parents. He hadn’t left his fortress of solitude since the day after Alicia’s funeral. If Martha hadn’t been bringing him meals and found the plates stacked up outside the house the next day, they wouldn’t have known he was eating. He’d refused to speak to anyone but Chloe and, to the surprise of most people, Lois. They were the only ones he showed anything but cold indifference, allowing them to see how broken he was.

Chloe was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of the front door of the Talon opening. Seeing Lois staring in shock, Chloe turned her head and froze at the sight.

Clark Kent had entered The Talon, yet he was not Clark Kent. Gone was the red jacket and blue shirt, replaced by a black t shirt and matching jacket. He was also wearing black jeans and tennis shoes. Chloe almost had to blink to make sure it was the same Clark.

“Chloe, Lois,” Clark greeted as he walked in.

“Hey Smallville,” Lois trailed off awkwardly, his presence throwing her for a loop.

After all, to see him show up here, after refusing to leave the Kent Farm all week, was a shock to both of the young women.

“I know having me show up here is a bit of a shock, sorry,” Clark said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I was passing by and saw you two in the window. And I wanted to say thank you.”

“Thank you? For what?” Lois asked as she and Chloe exchanged a confused look.

“This week…has been one of the hardest of my life. And I honestly don’t know that I would have gotten through it without you two. That’s all I wanted to say,” Clark said before he turned and began to walk out.

“Clark,” Chloe called out and he stopped. “I know things have been hard…but I’m here for you. I hope you know that.”

“I do,” Clark said with a weak smile at her. “Goodnight Chloe.”

Clark then walked out of The Talon, leaving Chloe staring after him; feeling like he had been trying to tell her something and she hadn’t understood a word of what he needed her to.

Kent farm

Same time

Martha came up onto Clark’s loft in the barn, holding a tray of food. She didn’t call out, knowing he wouldn’t respond. His blunt cold, angry silence spoke volumes about how he felt regarding her and Jonathan. There was a distance between them and Clark, the ghost of Alicia Baker hanging between them. She just hoped it wasn’t too late to bridge it.

However, as she walked into the loft, she saw Clark was not there. She placed the food down on Clark’s desk, hoping he was finally rejoining the world. Before she could leave, however, she saw a folded piece of paper on the couch. Written on it was ‘to Jonathan and Martha’. Frowning, she walked over and picked it up. A ball of dread formed in her stomach, a hesitancy to read the paper coming over her. However, she pushed through it, opening the paper, knowing Clark had left this for her and Jonathan. Whatever he had to say, he couldn’t say I to their faces. So she’d read his letter.

Jonathan and Martha,

For as long as I can remember, you two always told me to believe in the good in people, to give them second chances. And yet, when it comes to Alicia Baker, all the rules were thrown out the window. Honestly, it’s the hypocrisy that stunned me the most. You repeatedly told me to give Lex a second chance, but you couldn’t find it in your hearts to give Alicia another chance for her understandable mental breakdown. But I guess that it’s better you showed me your true colors now rather than years down the line.

When it comes to Alicia, you showed me your worst selves. This entire town has shown me their worst selves. By almost everyone in this town, yourselves included, Alicia was scorned, judged and persecuted for being different. Humanity has always feared what it does not understand. I knew this but I ignored it. No more. In order to honor the memory of the woman I loved, I will embrace who I really am. Do not look for me, you will not find me. And looking for me will only be a waste of your valuable time. Because Clark Kent is dead.

Chapter Text

Manhattan
Morning

Virgil Swann was in his office, talking to his assistant when he felt a gust of wind behind them. Immediately, he knew what this meant.

“Bridgette, would you give me a moment?” Virgil asked as he looked over at Bridgette Crosby. “Please, I need privacy.”

Although confused, Bridgette nodded. She took some papers and walked over to the door and out of the room after a moment.

“You can come out now,” Virgil said as he turned his chair.

Then, hidden behind a corner, Clark Kent emerged. Yet it was not Clark Kent. Gone was the red jacket and blue shirt, instead Clark stood dressed head to toe in black. There was a cold, emotionless look on his face that seemed odd on the face of Clark Kent. What had happen to him, Virgil wondered.

“Kal-El,” Virgil greeted.

“Dr. Swann,” Clark greeted his tone a pale imitation of the kind tones he had used before. “I need your help.”

“Of course, whatever I can do to help,” Virgil said immediately.

“I need answers about my heritage, about what Jor-El really wants from me. And you’re the one who always seems to point me in the right direction,” Clark noted.

“When we last spoke, you wanted nothing to do with your true heritage,” Virgil noted.

“Let’s just say recent event have made me willing to hear Jor-El’s side of things,” Clark said as he thought of Alicia’s body, hanging in her barn with a pang. “Can you help me or not?”

“On my desk, there’s a red, wooden box. Open it,” Virgil said after a moment.

Raising an eyebrow, Clark walked over to the desk and found the box. It wasn’t much bigger than the lead box Lex had given him three years ago to return Lana’s necklace, Clark noted absently. Clark picked it up and lifted the lid, staring stunned at what was inside.

“Where did you get this?” Clark asked as he pulled out the key to his space ship.

“Not long after our last visit, it appeared in my office. I believe Jor-El sent it to me so that you would receive it when you were ready to begin your quest,” Virgil said and Clark was silent as he stared at the key. “I wish I could continue on this journey with you Kal-El, but unlike you, I am only human. I do not have much time left. I will continue to help guide you with the little time I do have. But we both know there is only one person who can help you now.”

Kawatche caves
Not long after

Clark entered the caves and opened the inner chamber, revealing the hidden altar. Walking up to it, Clark spotted a small slot big enough for the key to slide into. Clark pulled it out, staring at it before looking at the slot. With a sigh, Clark placed the key in the slot and was immediately surrounded by a river of blue light that nearly blinded him. Clark nearly screamed, overwhelmed.

“I knew you would return my son,” Jor-El’s voice said.

“Why’d you send me to find this?!” Clark shouted.

“Because you are the last survivor of a great civilization,” Jor-El said simply.

“What does that mean?! What do you want from me?!” Clark asked angrily.

“Before Krypton was destroyed, all the knowledge we held was placed into three stones, which were scattered to the corners of earth. If a human unites them before you do, they will not be able to resist the temptation and bring about famine, war and the end of the earth as you know it,” Jor-El warned him. “The fate of the world resides in your hands, Kal-El.”

Suddenly, the light faded and Clark slumped forward, using his hands to support himself against the altar, breathing heavily as he processed what he had just learned. He had no love for Smallville, not anymore, but he couldn’t let the whole world suffer for the sins of a few. He had to find these stones…and quick.

Kent Farm
Same time

Martha sat at the kitchen table, staring down at the letter Clark had left them, tear trails on her cheeks. Jonathan stared at her sadly, burying his own pain before grabbing his keys.

“I’m gonna go out and look for him, I’m gonna bring our son home Martha,” Jonathan said gently as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

“How? He wasn’t taken from us Jonathan, he left,” Martha said brokenly as she looked at him with tear filled eyes. “He left because we drove him away. And even if you find him, you can’t make him come home. There’s nothing we can do Jonathan, we’ve lost him. Maybe for good.”

Jonathan opened his mouth – to argue or to try and comfort her, he wasn’t sure – when someone knocked on the door. Martha took a deep breath, wiping the tears from her eyes as Jonathan reluctantly went to answer it. He opened it up and wasn’t surprised to see Chloe standing on the other side.

“Hi Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent,” Chloe greeted politely. “I was wondering if Clark was feeling up to visitors today?”

“Not right now, he’s…still asleep,” Jonathan lied, thinking fast on his feet.

Judging by the look on Chloe’s face, he didn’t do a good job. But, thankfully, miraculously, she doesn’t push the issue.

“Okay. Maybe I’ll stop by later,” Chloe said and Jonathan nodded.

“We’ll let him know you stopped by. Have a good day Chloe,” Martha said kindly, no hint of her earlier breakdown visible as she addressed her son’s best friend kindly.

“You to Mrs. Kent, Mr. Kent,” Chloe said, walking back to her car.

As Jonathan closed the door, Chloe frowned. Something was clearly wrong; she could see it in Jonathan and Martha’s eyes. It was like now that she knew Clark’s secret, she could see everything so much clearer. She just wish she knew how to help.

Manhattan
Late morning

Clark held the secret map; drawn from memory, that he had seen hidden behind the Manuscript, out for Virgil to see.

“It’s the only lead I have,” Clark said and Virgil frowned.

“Well, we have work to do it seems,” Virgil finally said.

Chapter Text

Manhattan

Late morning

It had been a few weeks since Clark had arrived in Manhattan and he and Swann had been searching tirelessly for answers about the stone. And finally, they had found the answers they were looking for.

“According to an old contact of mine from Shanghai, it’s a map, leading to a temple,” Swann said as he and Clark stood in his office, a picture of the temple on his computer. “I can have that contact lead you to the temple.”

“Thank you Dr. Swann,” Clark said, a hint of Clark Kent breaking through for a moment.

“I must warn you Kal-El, you are not the only one looking for the stones,” Swann said as he turned his chair to face Clark. “There are others who have been looking much longer whose interests are far less benign than yours.”

“I know,” Clark said grimly as he thought of Lionel and Lex. “And I’ll stop them. Always.”

“I hope so Kal-El. For all our sakes,” Swann said grimly.

Smallville, Kent Farm

Same time

Lois Lane entered the Kent Barn. After three weeks of Clark moping around, she had had enough. Since Clark clearly wasn’t going to come out on his own, it was time for some tough love.

“Smallville, you better be descent! I’m coming up!” Lois called out.

There was no response. Thinking Clark was still not moping, she walked up to the loft. However, it was completely empty of Clark Kent. Lois would have thought he’d finally decided to get out of the loft but several things set off alarm bells in her head. The loft looked like it had cleaned; the blankets Clark had been using to sleep whenever she or Chloe had come to visit him in his loft were gone. A hollow feeling entered Lois’ chest, which wasn’t helped when she saw an untouched, folded paper on his desk. As she neared the desk, she saw that ‘To Lois and Chloe’ was written on the front in Clark’s handwriting. Picking it up, Lois opened it and stared in shock at what was written in the paper.

Shanghai

Afternoon

Clark walked the busy streets of Shanghai, standing out like a sore thumb in his dark clothing. Swann had directed him towards a street corner where he would be met by a man. And sure enough, a Caucasian man with dark hair approached him.

“Clark Kent?” the man asked.

“In another life,” Clark said and the man nodded, seeming to understand.

“I’m Jason Blood; it’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you have the map?” Blood asked curiously.

Wordlessly, Clark handed the map he had drawn of the manuscript to Blood. Blood took it, looking it over like he had been searching for it for centuries.

“I never thought I’d lay eyes on it,” Blood whispered.

“So you know it?” Clark said and Blood nodded.

“Yes, these symbols, they match the ones on the temple walls,” Blood said as he looked up at Clark. “There’s no mistaking them, they are the only symbols on this continent that match. I’ve spent the last eight years studying them.”

“Can you take me to it?” Clark asked and Blood nodded.

“Of course,” Blood promised.

The Talon

Same time

Chloe sat at a table, her coffee cup forgotten as she held the letter Lois had given her in her hand.

Dear Lois and Chloe,

I had a feeling at least one of you would come barging in here to get me out of my funk, my money is on Lois. But I don’t want to be.

My entire life, I’ve always felt alone, even with my parents. I’ve always felt different somehow. Until Alicia. I know everyone wondered what I saw in her, why I would choose to date her out of everyone in Smallville. But she was the only one who really accepted me for me. I didn’t have to pretend to be someone else with her. I never felt freer than when I was with her.

When Alicia was murdered, I felt lost in a way I never have in my life. I can’t stay here, everywhere I look, I’m reminded of Alicia. I walk into the Chemistry lab; I see the place where I first asked her out. I walk down the hall at school, I relive out first conversation. I walk into the Talon, I’m back to that night we walked in on you guys singing. What was once was a town I loved is now a town where the woman I loved was persecuted and murdered.

You two are the only ones who stood by me in this time, which is why you both deserve a goodbye. But I can’t face you; I’m worried Chloe will talk me out of it and you Lois will talk my ear off until I stay out of pure annoyance. Maybe this makes me a coward but that’s the way things are. I’ll never forget you two or what you’ve done or me. I’m sorry.

Clark

After rereading it a few times, Chloe looked up at her cousin, who looked as concerned as Chloe felt.

“Clark…ran away?” Chloe said, the words sounding strange even from her own mouth.

“He walked in and found his girlfriend hanging from her barn. That’ll mess anyone up. He’s been gone since that night, when he stopped by The Talon. He was saying goodbye Chlo’,”Lois said and it was silent as both of them digested this. “What I can’t figure out is why Mr. and Mrs. Kent are covering it up, why not call the police?”

Chloe didn’t have to guess. Mr. and Mrs. Kent knew that Clark wouldn’t be found unless he wanted to be found and no one would be able to force him home. Calling the police was pointless.

“I’m gonna go over there and talk to them,” Lois said and Chloe shot up.

“Lois, maybe it would be better if I did it. I mean, you can come off as pretty confrontational. I think this situation calls for a more delicate touch,” Chloe said and Lois was silent for a moment.

“Alright, fine. But you tell me everything,” Lois said, giving in and Chloe nodded.

Shanghai

Later in the afternoon

“This is the place?” Clark asked as Blood led him over to the entrance to the temple.

“Yes. Go through there and you’ll find what you’re looking for,” Blood said and Clark looked back at him.

“You’re not coming?” Clark asked surprised.

“I can’t. I’m afraid this is where our paths must part,” Jason said remorsefully, looking at the temple like it held many painful memories for him.

For a moment, Clark stared at him, wondering about the enigma that was Jason Blood. But, he had more important things to worry about at the moment. Clark turned and entered the temple, Blood watching him with weary eyes.

“Good luck,” Blood muttered.

As Clark walked through the temple, he stopped, hearing something. Using his super hearing, he heard screams coming from below. It sounded like…

“Lex,” Clark muttered.

Using his super speed, Clark sped into the basement. Clark found himself in a dungeon of some sort. Hiding behind a corner, Clark saw Lex and Jason were hanging from the ceiling by their hands, which were tied up. They looked like they had been tortured, Clark noted. Some Asian men in military uniforms had some machine hooked up to a wire and a sponge like substance. They had Lana there as well and were about to hook her up to the machine.

Despite his feelings towards all three of them right now, he couldn’t allow them to be hurt. His eyes flashed an orange-red as Heat Vision shot out of his eyes. It struck the machine and it sparked. Lana flinched and the men stepped back. Using his super speed, Clark sped in, struck them with a strong but very restrained jab, before he sped back to where he had been. The men fell to the floor, unconscious as Lana, Lex, and Jason looked around in confusion.

His job done, Clark sped back up to the temple. Spotting a Kryptonian Symbol on a wall, he used his X-Ray Vision. Seeing a copy of the map on the other side of the wall, Clark sped over and used his strength to move part of the wall. On the other side was a strange statue, dressed in a shirt that had the map on it. Before Clark could do anything, the eyes snapped open to reveal glowing green stones. Kryptonite, Clark realized as he lost all strength and fell on his side.

Clark didn’t know how long he lied there, could have been a minute or an hour, he didn’t know. But he heard voices and hands dragging him away from the statue. As his strength returned to him, he realized who was helping him.

“Get off me,” Clark snapped, breaking out of Lana and Jason’s hold, careful not to use too much strength.

“Easy Clark, we’re trying to help,” Jason said and Clark let out a humorless laugh.

“Right. Forgive me if I have a hard time believing that,” Clark sneered and the couple was surprised by the hatred they saw in his eyes, hate directed at them.

“What happened to you Clark?” Lana asked and he smiled tightly.

“You two turned the town loose on my girlfriend. Then she was murdered,” Clark said honestly.

“Clark, she had tried to kill me before,” Lana said defensively.

“You tried to kill Chloe before. Should I have turned on you then?” Clark asked angrily.

“That was different. I wasn’t in my right mind,” Lana snapped.

“Neither was Alicia,” Clark said coolly. “All she wanted was a chance and you couldn’t give her that.”

Lex, who had ignored all the fighting in favor of inspecting the statue, suddenly spoke up.

“Clark, how did you find this? My father had this place searched top to bottom and he didn’t,” Lex said confused.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Clark said as he turned away from Lana and Jason to face Lex.

“You’d be surprised what I’m willing to believe,” Lex said as he faced Clark and Clark scoffed.

“Oh trust me, I know exactly what you are capable of,” Clark said, remembering the room dedicated to investigating him.

“Lana,” Jason suddenly said, looking from the statue to his girlfriend. “Can I see the map?”

Although confused, Lana pulled out the map and gave it to Jason. Jason then walked towards the statue and held up the map towards the statue’s shirt.

“It’s not a map…it’s a drawing of the temple starting the tree,” Jason realized.

Lana walked towards them as the three started to discuss the temple but Clark’s mind was already racing. If Jason was right and it was a picture starting from the tree, then the artist would have been standing at the base of the tree. Unseen to the others, Clark turned and sped off.

Outside, Clark found the three. Looking down, he used his X-Ray vision. Seeing something buried beneath the ground, Clark used his super strength to breathe through the ground and grab it. Pulling his hand out, he saw it was a small horse statue. Frowning, Clark used his X-Ray vision once more and saw that there a stone, like the one Kal-El had taken from Lex, inside. Using his strength, he crushed the statue. Brushing aside the remains, he now had a stone in his hands.

Kent Farm

Same time

Chloe knocked on the front door and, after a moment, it opened to reveal Jonathan standing on the other side.

“Chloe, Clark’s not up for visitors right now,” Jonathan said the same lie he’d been telling for the past two weeks.

“I’m not here to see Clark. I’m here to see you and Mrs. Kent,” Chloe said, holding up the letter Clark had left her and Lois. “We need to talk.”

Chapter Text

Kent Farm
Afternoon

“What’s this about Chloe?” Jonathan asked as he led Chloe inside, where Martha waiting, confusion on her face.

“Well, Lois came here earlier to try and get Clark out of his funk,” Chloe said and noticed how both of the Kent’s tensed.

“Eh, Clark’s visiting some relatives out of state. We thought it would be a nice change of scenery for him,” Jonathan lied easily.

“You don’t need to lie to me. Lois found this in his loft,” Chloe said as she pulled out the letter.

She handed it to Jonathan and he and Martha read it. Martha became more and more distressed as they read while Jonathan just looked solemn.

“I know,” Chloe said and they looked up at her. “I know about Clark.”

It took a few moments for them to understand. Martha looked shocked while Jonathan tensed.

“Chloe, I don’t know what you think is going on-” Jonathan started.

“I saw Clark catch a car like it was beach ball,” Chloe said stopping Jonathan in his tracks. “After that, everything became so obvious. Clark is meteor infected.”

“Chloe-” Martha began.

“I haven’t said anything,” Chloe quickly assured them. “And I won’t. I just want to help.”

“Chloe…I don’t think there’s anything that can help right now,” Martha said softly.

“You won’t know unless you try,” Chloe insisted although she saw that both the Kents looked hesitant. “Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I know I’m a little late to Clark’s secret club, but standing around and doing nothing, not my thing. I’m going to try and help Clark, with or without you.”

Chloe turned and was halfway to the door when Jonathan suddenly called out.

“Chloe, wait,” she turned around to see him looking at her like he’d swallowed a lemon. “Before you go running off halfcocked…you should know exactly what you are dealing with.”

Manhattan
Same time

Clark returned to Swann’s institute but found a scene that disturbed him. There were police and ambulances outside. As Clark approached, he saw Bridget Crosby, Swann’s assistant, talking to police. She was upset, Clark noted as he saw her red puffy eyes. She’d been crying.

As the officer walked away, Bridget saw him and walked over.

“Kal-El,” she said, her voice giving away nothing to how she was truly feeling.

“What happened?” Clark demanded, not beating around the bush.

“Virgil’s been murdered,” she said and Clark stared at her in disbelief.

“No, I just saw him a few hours ago,” Clark said in shock.

“It happened not long after you left. Someone shot him and ransacked his office,” Bridget said, running a hand over her face, obviously trying not to break down.

“Did they take anything?” Clark asked, hoping there was some clue.

“Yes. Virgil had one of the stones you’ve been searching for,” Bridget said surprising Clark. “He intended to give it to you upon your return. Whoever has that stone is the one who killed Virgil.”

Metropolis
Night

Genevieve Teague entered the hotel room she had been staying in and closed the door behind her. She flipped on the lights and noticed someone sitting in the chair in the corner.

“Genevieve,” Lionel greeted calmly.

“Lionel,” she greeted calmly, her accepted voice giving away nothing. “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to ask how your trip went,” Lionel said, almost smiling at the panic that appeared in her eyes before she quickly masked it. “I still have friends in high places Genevieve. Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your trip to Manhattan?”

“I had business to attend to,” Genevieve lied easily.

“With Vergil Swann?” Lionel asked as he stood up, a predatory smile on his face. “Because that’s where you told your driver to take you.”

Lionel walked over to her and Genevieve was reminded of a tiger stalking its prey.

“Where is it Genevieve?” Lionel asked pointedly.

“I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Genevieve lied.

However, Lionel was not fooled and made a grab for her purse. She tried to push him off but, being much stronger than her, he shoved Genevieve to the floor and took her purse. He rummaged through it before he found what he was looking for. He pulled out the stone, marveling at it as he tossed her purse aside.

“I always suspected that our dear friend Virgil had gotten his hands on a stone. And here’s the proof,” Lionel muttered as he eyed it in wonder.

Kawatche caves
Same time

Clark had spent hours searching for any sign that could lead him to Swann’s killer, but nothing. Feeling a sense of grief and defeat, he returned to the caves and the chamber with the altar. Pulling out the stone, Clark carefully placed it at the head of the slot, where it fit perfectly. Then, it and other stone glowed.

Metropolis
Same time

Lionel suddenly gasped as the stone glowed brightly. Genevieve watched in stunned confusion as Lionel dropped to his knees before falling with his hand that still held the stone outstretched. He twitched and spasmed as Genevieve approached cautiously. She tried to take the stone but there was a flash of light. She was thrown back, hitting the wall as the stone landed on the floor. Getting up, she approached and noticed Lionel’s eyes stared without seeing. He was still alive but he was unresponsive to anything.

Kawatche caves
Same time

Once the glow stopped, Clark held his ears as he heard a loud, screeching noise. It was the same noise Kal-El had heard when the plane with the first stone had approached, Clark realized. With renewed vigor, Clark sped out of the cave and towards the sound.

Kent farm
Same time

Chloe held a cup of tea as she sat at the kitchen table, processing everything she had learned. Martha and Jonathan sat across from her, waiting for Chloe to say something.

“Clark’s a…” Chloe trialed off, not sure how to say it. “But he looks so…”

“Human?” Martha said gently.

“He just…wow,” Chloe said in awe, silent for a moment. “Thank you for telling me. I know it wasn’t easy. And I promise, my lips are sealed. I won’t tell anyone.”

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Jonathan, after a moment of hesitation, got up to answer it. He walked over to the door and opened it, only to find a rifle pointed at his chest.

“Where is Clark?” Jason demanded in a growl.

Metropolis
Not long after

Clark entered the hotel suit where he heard the sound come from, but it was strangely silent now. As he walked in, he stopped as he saw Lionel on the floor, unresponsively. Walking over, he saw a burn impression on Lionel’s hand. The impression was identical to the remaining stone.

“What did you get yourself into now?” Clark asked with a sigh.

As he looked around, he stopped as he saw a picture of Jason Teague and his mother on the wall.

The Talon
Not long after

Lana was making tea when she felt a short breeze behind her. Lana frowned, thinking she had left a window opened. Only when she turned around, it was to the shock of Clark Kent standing less than a foot from her.

“Clark, how’d you get in here?” Lana asked stunned.

“Where is Jason?” Clark asked lowly.

“What?” Lana asked.

“Were is Jason?” Clark said more forcibly.

“No, you don’t get to come in here and demand answers from me after you took the stone,” Lana said angrily. “It’s not yours!”

“And you think it’s yours? You think because Isabel wanted them it automatically belongs to you? You have no idea the powers you are messing with Lana,” Clark said lowly, taking a few steps closer to her and Lana felt a shiver of fear go up her spine as she realized this was not the Clark Kent she had known.

This was someone else entirely. And he didn’t look like he was in the mood for games.

“Where is Jason Lana?” Clark asked, running out of patience.

“What happened to you Clark?” Lana whispered.

“We’ve already been over this. Where is Jason!?” Clark snapped.

“I don’t know,” Lana said and Clark was silent for a moment.

“Something I’ve noticed about humans. When they lie, their heartrates speed up,” Clark said and Lana stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide with shock.

“Wait, you mean-”

“I can hear your heartbeat, yes,” Clark said as he sneered at her. “You have no idea what I’m capable of Lana.”

“All this time, I knew you had a secret…you’re a meteor freak,” Lana whispered and Clark didn’t bother to correct her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you kept giving me reasons not to trust you,” Clark said bluntly.

“Did you even try to trust me?” Lana said angrily.

“I tried Lana. And look where we are!” Clark suddenly shouted and Lana jumped. “I’m not gonna ask again. Where is Jason?”

“I don’t know, he dropped me off here after we got back and then he left. He was asking all these questions about you on the way back,” Lana finally admitted.

Kent Farm
Same time

With shaky hands, Chloe tied Martha’s hands as she was tied to a chair with Jonathan already tied to another chair a few feet away. Jason was next to her, pointing a gun on Chloe, ensuring her cooperation.

“Jason, let Cloe go. She’s got nothing to do with this,” Jonathan tried to reason with Jason.

“Oh I think she’s got more to do with this than either of you,” Jason sneered as he took aim at Chloe. “I ran into your son in Shanghai earlier today. He stole something that was mine. I wondered why that was. So I asked Lana what she knew. The more I dug into those stones, the more Clark Kent and Chloe Sullivan just kept popping up. My mother thought it was the Luther’s who’d lead her to those stones, but it was a farm boy and a wanna be reporter.”

“I don’t know anything about any stones,” Chloe said shakily.

Snarling angrily, Jason struck her with the barrel of the gun. She went down, clutching her face as she looked up at Jason fearfully.

“Don’t lie to me! All this time, you’ve been helping Clark and you never put together that he was more connected to these things than any of us? I don’t buy that for a second,” Jason snarled. “You’re protecting him. But he’s not here to protect you Chloe.”

To Jonathan and Martha’s horror, Jason aimed the rifle at Chloe’s face.

“Tell me where Clark is or I swear to God, I will shoot you!” Jason roared.

“Chloe,” Jonathan said lowly as he saw the terrified young woman. “It’s not worth your life. Just tell him what he wants to know, tell him where Clark is.”

It took only a moment for Chloe to understand as she saw the determined glint in Jonathan’s eyes and Martha’s subtle nod.

“Okay, okay,” Cloe said shakily as Jason’s attention was fully on her. “Go into the barn; go up to the loft-”

Jonathan jumped up, still bound to his chair, and tackled Jason. Jason hit his head on a pillar while Jonathan fell into the kitchen. The chair he was bound to was destroyed as it ran into the cabinets and he was freed. As Jason reached for the rifle, Chloe stepped on his hand but Jason grabbed her leg and yanked, knocking her on her back. Jason then wrapped his hand around her throat, choking her before Jonathan grabbed him and pulled him off Chloe. Chloe coughed, sweet air filling her lungs as Jonathan and Jason fought.

“Jonathan!” Martha cred out as Jason smashed a glass bottle onto her husband’s head.

Jonathan fell down and Jason managed to pick up his rifle. As Jason took aim at Jonathan, Chloe did the only thing she could think of.

“Clark…Clark help!” Chloe screamed as loud as she could.

The Talon

“Clark…Clark help!”

Clark whipped his head towards the door as he heard the familiar voice.

“Chloe,” Clark muttered.

Clark then sped off, leaving Lana staring in shock.

Kent Farm

Clark entered the house just in time to see Jason pull the trigger. Speeding in, Clark grabbed the bullet before grabbing Jason by the shirt. Clark threw Jason across the room and he hit a wall before falling to the floor, out cold.

“Clark,” Martha breathed as they all stared at him in shock.

Clark ignored his mother, dropping the flattened bullet to the floor before turning to face his father and Chloe. Clark coolly regarded his father, making sure he wasn’t injured before turning to Chloe. His eyes blazed with rage as he saw the bruises on her face and on her neck.

“Are you okay?” Clark asked as he knelt down in front of Chloe.

“I’m fine, thanks to you,” Chloe said as she hugged him.

Clark didn’t respond, hugging her back and, for a moment, Jonathan and Martha saw their son again.

Chapter Text

Kent Farm
Night

“Make sure he can’t break free,” Clark said coolly.

Jonathan looked up at his son as he tightened the ropes around the unconscious Jason’s hands, tying him to the chair. After making sure Chloe was okay, Clark had made Jonathan help him tie Jason, saying only that Jason had information he needed.

“I’ve been doing this since before you were born son, I can handle it,” Jonathan reminded him.

“Don’t call me son. You lost that right the night Alicia died,” Clark said, his eyes blazing with anger. “Stick to farming. Clearly, this parenting thing isn’t working out for you.”

Jonathan flinched, Clark’s words cutting deeper than any knife. Clark turned his back on Jonathan and made his way into the kitchen, where Martha was making sure Chloe wasn’t injured beyond the bruises on her face and neck.

“So am I good to go Doc?” Chloe asked jokingly.

“You’ll probably still have the bruises for a while, but aside from that, you’ll make a full recovery,” Martha promised and Chloe grimaced.

“Great,” Chloe muttered, wondering how she was going to explain this to her dad and Lois.

Her train of thought was broken when Clark entered the kitchen. Martha, although she wanted to stay, sensed that Clark and Chloe had a lot to talk about, silently left, even though she herself had questions for Clark.

“I’m not sure who’s more freaked out. Me, knowing I almost died, or you, knowing I know your secret,” Chloe said once Martha was gone.

“There were so many times I wanted to tell you,” Clark said cautiously.

“Clark I don’t blame, loose lips sink ships. And God knows I’ve sunk my share. But I promise, your secret will never leave my lips for as long as I live,” Chloe promised

“How long have you known?” Clark asked after a few moments.

“Since the night Alicia died. You remember that phone call she gave you?” Chloe said and realization and dismay washed over Clark’s face.

“No,” Clark said dismayed as she looked at him sadly.

“She made me watch you catch her car,” Chloe said gently and Clark turned away from her, processing this. “I don’t think she was trying to hurt you. She thought if she could make me see, make me understand, it would help you.”

“What’s done is done,” Clark said after a moment, voice devoid of any emotion. “You know now and Alicia isn’t here to defend herself.”

Chloe knew him well enough to know that Alicia’s betrayal still bothered him, as much as he’d try to deny it. But she knew he had other things to worry about right now.

“What’s the plan then? Why is Jason tied up instead of in jail?” Chloe asked.

“His mother has one of the three stones of power. If a human unites them, it’ll destroy the world,” Clark said bluntly and Chloe was silent for a moment.

“Yeah, I prefer the world the way it is. So how do I help?” Chloe asked and he smiled slightly.

“I appreciate the offer Chloe but…you shouldn’t see what I’m about to do,” Clark said ominously.

“Clark, what, are you gonna torture him?” Chloe demanded and his answer was silence. “Clark, this isn’t you.”

“It is now,” Clark said darkly.

“That’s a bunch of crap. Clark, the guy I know, the guy Alicia fell in love with, he wasn’t a monster. You can puff out your chest and say Clark Kent is dead all you want, but you can’t pretend like your life here didn’t happen. You may not be from here, but you’re one of now,” Chloe said passionately.

“Then how do you suggest I find Genevieve before she gets away with the stone?” Clark asked hotly.

“I don’t know,” Chloe said honestly. “But the Clark Kent I know, he always looks for the good in people. And he always finds another way.”

“Not this time Chloe. The Clark Kent you remember, he died with Alicia,” Clark said coolly.

“Clark, he’s coming around,” Jonathan called from the living room, interrupting whatever Chloe was going to say in response, not that she was sure what to say anyway.

Clark turned and walked into the living room, Chloe trialing behind him, hoping she could stop him from going too far. Jason groaned, opening his eyes, his vision on Clark as he stepped into the room.

“Clark. Where’s the stone you son of a bitch?” Jason demanded.

“Does it look like you’re in a position to be demanding answers?” Clark pointed out as Jason realized he was tied up. “I have questions, you’ll answer. Where is your mother?”

“What?” Jason asked and Clark smiled tightly.

“Virgil Swann was murdered today,” Clark said, shocking his parents and Chloe. “He had the last stone, which mysterious vanished. I tracked the stone to the hotel room in Metropolis where your mother was staying. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Where is she Jason?”

“Even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you,” Jason sneered.

Silently, Clark lifted a finger and poked Jason’s shoulder. Jason cried out as he felt as though someone had punched him.

“How-Hoe did you do that?” Jason asked as he felt the pain in his shoulder.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Clark said with a tight smile. “You may not know where she is, but you know where she’ll go now.”

“Ad why would I tell you?” Jason asked before immediately finding Clark’s hand at his throat.

“Clark!” Martha exclaimed in shock but Clark ignored her.

“Your mother has no idea the forces she is messing with. And I’ve just been looking for the excuse for revenge,” Clark said darkly, tightening his hand ever so slightly. “Stay away from Lana or I will hunt you down.”

While the others were confused, Jason paled, remembering clearly when he said those words.

“Isn’t that what you said to Alicia when you threatened her at her home?” Clark asked and Jason looked at him, beginning to feel fear. “I guess it’s easily to threaten an eighteen year old girl who can’t fight back without getting locked up. You must have felt so strong and power then. It’s a lot harder to threaten me though, isn’t it?”

“What do you want?” Jason asked and Clark shrugged.

“I’d like my girlfriend back, but that’s not gonna happen. So I’ll settle for finding out where your mother went. Now that she has the stone; she’ll probably try to flee the country. How would she do that?” Clark demanded.

Jason didn’t respond. With a sigh, Clark glanced over at a coffee cup sitting on the end table. Two red beams shot out of his eyes, hitting the cup and, within seconds, it blew up. Jason would have jumped if Clark hadn’t been holding him down.

“Tell me where your mother is before I get angry,” Clark told him coldly.

“What the hell are you?” Jason asked as he eyed Clark with fear.

“You’ll find out if you don’t tell me where your mother is. You have until the count of five before I use force. One,” Clark started.

“Clark-” Jonathan said, trying to reason with Clark.

“Two,” Jonathan was ignored as Clark continued counting.

“Ferris Airfield,” Jason said in fear and Clark paused. “Ferris Airfield in Metropolis. My mother has a pilot there, she stores a private plane. If she’s trying to flee the country, she’ll head there.”

“I guess you’re a coward as well as being a bastard,” Clark said as he let Jason go. “I guess family loyalty isn’t something the Teagues or the Luthors understand.”

“Even if you do have Meteor powers, you still won’t get there in time to stop her,” Jason said smugly.

“I won’t count on it,” Clark said before pausing. “Chloe, it was the left arm, right?”

“What?” Chloe asked confused.

“He choked you with his left arm,” Clark clarified.

“Yeah, I think so,” Chloe said, confused on where he was going with this.

Clark nodded before, to the shock of Chloe and his parents, he reached out, grabbed Jason’s left arm, and yanked. Jason cried out as a sickening crack was heard.

“Next time you hurt my friends, I break more than just your arm,” Clark warned him.

Without another word, Clark turned and walked out sped out of the house before his parents or Chloe could say another word.

Ferris Airfield
Not long after

Genevieve was heading towards her private plane when, suddenly, to the shock of her and the attendee a few feet away, fire suddenly lit in front of her in a straight line. She jumped back before she felt someone grab her from behind. Suddenly, she was thrown to the ground and, when she looked up; she saw she was no longer at the airfield. She was on the ground, as Clark stood in front of her.

“Clark Kent,” Genevieve said, recognizing her from when she had Lana followed.

“Where’s the stone Genevieve? I know you have it,” Clark said firmly.

“Young man, you have caused enough trouble. Leave now and let me catch my flight,” Genevieve snapped as she got to her feet.

Out of patience, Clark X-Rayed her. Seeing the stone in her purse, Clark sped over a grabbed it. Genevieve is surprised to see Clark with her purse as he reached in and grabbed.

“Give me that! That does not belong to you!” Genevieve screeched as he threw her purse to the ground.

“No, it doesn’t belong to you. You have no idea the powers you are messing with,” Clark warned her.

“My ancestors searched for the stones, it is my birthright!” Genevieve screeched as she rushed Clark, pulling out a knife.

Clark grabbed her by the arm, disarming her and throwing her to the ground effortlessly.

“No…it’s mine,” Clark said before speeding away.

Kawatche Caves
Shortly after

Entering the chamber, Clark placed the final stone in its slot. The three stones glowed before they merged together, becoming something completely new.

It was a crystal, but unlike any Clark had ever seen before. It was in the shape of a diamond now, with a blue color to it. It looked...alien. That was the only word Clark could use to describe it.

It began to levitate, rising into the air before it stopped, floating right in front of him. It began to glow brightly and Clark had a feeling like it was…calling to him. Clark grabbed it and suddenly cried out as it felt like someone took a jackhammer to his head.

Clark saw a barrage of images that made no sense to him. Lionel Luthor, on the floor of Genevieve’s hotel room, his eyes shining with golden symbols in the pupils. His parents watching as Jason was loaded into the back of a police car. Lex watching from behind a glass as Lionel carved Kryptonian symbols into the walls of a padded cell.

Then there was a bright flash of light. When it faded, Clark looked around in shock. Somehow…he’d been transported to the middle of the arctic, as he stood in the middle of a land of snow.

The crystal vibrated in his hand and he looked down. It rose out of his hand and move in front of him. It turned upside down, pointing towards the sky. Understanding, Clark grabbed it and threw the crystal into the air.

The crystal sailed high into the air before it stopped. Then, it slammed right into the ground, several feet away from Clark. Clark heard a rumbling in the ground and then watched in awe as a giant crystal pillar rose out of the ground, followed by another and another and several more. It continued like that until they formed a strange structure unlike any Clark had ever seen.

Wearily, Clark trekked through the snow until he reached the structure. Walking in, Clark looked around in awe. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen. And yet, at the same time…it felt like coming home.

“Kal-El,” Clark whirled around as he heard Jor-El’s voice. “You have traveled far. One journey has ended and another is beginning. Welcome home my son.”

Chapter Text

The Daily Planet

Morning

Chloe was at her desk, working on her next article. She was so focused on typing that she didn’t hear someone walk up behind her.

“How’s my favorite reporter?” Chloe almost jumped at the sound of the voice.

“Jimmy, you scared me!” she exclaimed and Jimmy Olsen laughed.

“Sorry Bright Eyes,” Jimmy apologized once he’d stopped laughing.

“It’s okay. When did you get back into town?” Chloe inquired.

“Just now. Dropped my latest photos off with the chief, was heading out to get some breakfast. Wanna come with? As friends, of course,” Jimmy added quickly, casing Chloe to smile.

“Jimmy, it’s fine. We’ve been over for six months; you don’t have to be so awkward around me. And I can’t, I have to get this article done by noon,” Chloe apologized as she returned to writing. “Maybe another time.”

“Yeah, yeah sure,” Jimmy said, trying not to let his disappointment show before he remembered something. “Oh, I ran into an old friend of yours. Lana Lang I think was her name?”

Chloe’s hands paused mid typing for a fraction of a second. Someone who didn’t know her as well as Jimmy wouldn’t have caught the brief freeze, but he had. After a few moments, Chloe responded.

“Lana is not my friend. Not anymore,” Chloe said in a clipped voice, not looking away from her computer.

Belle Reeve

Same time

“Thank you for coming Mr. Luthor,” a doctor said as he led Lex down the hall.

“You said there had been a change in my father’s condition?” Lex asked and the doctor nodded.

“We’re really not sure how to explain it. As you know, your father was admitted here two years ago in some kind of psychosis, carving strange symbols into whatever surface he could find, going off on incoherent rants about someone he called Kal-El. He seemed to have no understanding of his surroundings or even know who he was,” the doctor pointed out.

“I remember, I’m the one who had him admitted,” Lex reminded the doctor.

“Well, that was until yesterday. There was...a development,” the doctor said. “As I said, I’m not quite sure how to explain it.”

“Explain what?” Lex asked, beginning to get confused.

Lex got his answer as they stopped in front of the two way mirror of his father’s rom. Lionel, rather than a strait jacket, was wearing the uniform the other inmates of Belle Reeve were wearing. A tray of food was in front of Lionel and he was eating it, seeming to have no issue with the less than fine quality of his food.

“It’s quite remarkable really. Yesterday morning, the orderlies came in and he was, well, for lack of a better word, sane. And, quite frankly, for a man with Lionel Luthor’s reputation, it was rather peculiar how at ease he’s been. I expected demands of confusion and threats. But he was…polite. Answered all our questions, he’s been content to just let us go about our process,” the doctor said, showing how alarming this turn of events was.

Lex was only half listening, looking at his father eating his meal in silence. He had long accepted that his father would never awaken from whatever psychosis his mind was trapped in. And now here he was, perfectly fine. As if sensing Lex’s gaze, Lionel looked up from his food, seeming to meet Lex’s eyes and smiled.

Lex hated not knowing things. Even more so when they had to do with his father.

“I wish I had the answers you wanted Lex,” Lionel said as he and Lex sat across from each other at the visitor’s center. “The last thing I remember, I had tracked Genevieve Teague down, hoping she had one of the stones. I was holding it and the next thing I remember is waking up in my room here. I’m told that I’ve been here for two years.”

“When the room service went to clean Genevieve’s room, they found you, carving symbols from the cave into the floor with a butter knife, muttering about someone called Kal-El,” Lex pointed out and Lionel chuckled.

“I believe you may be looking for logic in the ramblings of a madman Lex. Whatever happened, I’m just grateful to finally be myself again,” Lionel told him.

The words were meant to be reassuring, but to Lex’s ears they just sound patronizing. Lex clenched his pants legs tightly before reigning himself in. He had learned at an early age that lashing out at his father never accomplished anything. If he wanted answers, he would need to play the long game.

“You know what, it doesn’t matter,” Lex said instead. “I have my dad back. So I’ll sign whatever paperwork they need me to in order to get you out of here and then we’ll have a steak lunch back at the mansion.”

Metropolis

Afternoon

“So how’s work at the Inquisitor?” Chloe asked as she and Lois sat down to lunch at a café.

“Interesting, as usual. My boss is having me look into some Robin Hood wannabe in Star City. They’re calling him the Green Archer,” Lois said, her voice giving away what she thought of that.

“That is a terrible nickname,” Chloe agreed.

“Yeah. If it were me, I’d call him the Green Arrow,” Lois said.

“Honestly Lo, why are you wasting your time with the Inquisitor? Just say the word, I can get you an interview with the chief,” Chloe told her.

“As much as I’d love to work with Perry White, I don’t wanna get by in life because of who my family is, I wanna make my own way in the world,” Lois said in a tone that left no room for argument.

“Okay, I get it. Just know if you ever change your mind, the offer is always open,” Chloe assured Lois.

“I know. And I love you for it, but I’m fine,” Lois said and there was a comfortable silence between them for a moment. “Speaking of the Daily Planet how is work?”

“Same old same old, I just handed in my latest article on Lex Luthor’s latest military project,” Chloe said and Lois rolled her eyes.

“Great, more of Luthor Jr’s ‘humanitarian work’,” Lois put quotations around those last two words.

“Well, at least you didn’t have to write it,” Chloe said disgruntled before deciding to change topics. “Speaking of Smallville, Jimmy told me he ran into Lana today.”

“Lana, as in Lana Lang?” Lois said in surprise and Chloe nodded. “Considering what happened last time you two saw each other, I’m surprised she had the courage to show her face again.”

“It’s not like I have ownership of Metropolis and Smallville. There’s no law that says she can’t come here,” Chloe pointed out.

Even so, she admitted that Lois had a point. After their last conversation, Chloe had not expected Lana to ever step foot in the same state after graduation. They had not left things on good terms.

Smallville sheriff station, two years ago

Night

Chloe sat in a chair, a blanket around her as Lois held her, the bruises from Jason’s hand around her throat clearly visible. Mr. and Mrs. Kent were talking to the sheriff, giving their statements.

The cover story the Kents and Chloe had come up with was that Jason had broken into the farm, using a gun, to threaten the three of them. He forced Chloe to tie up the Kent and then threatened to shoot Chloe, believing they had access to some imaginary stones. As his grip on sanity began to slip, Jason choked Chloe but Jonathan then broken free, tackling Jason and getting him away from Chloe. During the struggle, Jason had broken his arm by banging it on a wooden pillar that shattered. Jonathan had managed to grab the gun from Jason and struck him with the barrel, knocking him out. Jason’s claims that Clark had been there and had some kind of powers only made him look crazier, especially since Jonathan, Martha and Chloe all denied this claim.

“You okay cuz?” Lois asked gently.

“As okay as I can be when you survive a psycho trying to kill you,” Chloe attempted to joke but it sounded shaky even to her own ears.

“Chloe?”

The cousins looked up to see Lana staring there, looking horrified as she saw the bruises on Chloe’s neck.

“I heard there was an attack on the Kent Farm. Who did that to you?” Lana asked in shock.

“That would be your loving boyfriend,” Lois said, her voice cold as Lana looked taken back.

“Jason? No, he wouldn’t, couldn’t,” Lana stammered in disbelief.

“Yes Lana, he could and he did,” Chloe asked, suddenly filled with anger. “And you led him right to us.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Lana asked in confusion.

“Between his crazy ramblings, Jason mentioned that you filled him in on us. You basically set him loose on me and Clark,” Chloe said angrily.

“I didn’t know he would go after you,” Lana tried to defend herself.

“You saw how he was growing more and more obsessed with these stones Lana. You’re not stupid, what did you think was gonna happen?” Chloe demanded.

“It’s not the first time you’ve sent a psycho after someone innocent either, is it?” Lois sneered and Lana looked confused. “You and Jason suck the entire town on Alicia. I’ve been all over the world as an army brat, thought I’d seen the worst hatred imaginable. But what you did to that girl…it takes the cake.”

“Alicia had tried to kill me before!” Lana argued.

“And a year ago, you tried to kill me,” Chloe said coolly and Lana looked like she had been slapped. “And after what we did to Clark when those witches took us over, you of all people should understand what we do when we aren’t in our right minds.”

“That’s hardly the same thing Chloe. And if I recall it, you are just as guilty as me, I didn’t see you championing for Alicia,’ Lana shot back.

“You’re right,” Chloe acknowledged. “I am just as guilty as the rest of you for crucifying Alicia without any evidence. I’ll regret that forever. But at least I’m willing to admit it. At least I’m willing to take responsibility for the pain I’ve caused. When will you take responsibility for what you’ve done? Did you even go to see Clark after Alicia died?”

Lana didn’t answer but the truth was written all over her face. Chloe simply looked at Lana with a face full of disgust, the illusion that Lana was still the girl she had shared a room with now shattered.

“Not sure why you even have to ask. Since I set foot in this town, all I’ve seen her do is treat you and Clark like crap. You don’t care about anyone or anything but yourself Lana. So why don’t you get out of here, you’re not welcome here,” Lois said angrily.

Lana stood there for a moment, waiting for Chloe to say anything. But Chloe just stared at her for a moment, waiting for her to leave. So, after a moment, she turned around and walked away, leaving the station without a look backwards.

Metropolis

Now

“Chloe?” Lois asked, breaking Chloe out of her thoughts.

“Right, sorry,” Chloe apologized. “What were you saying?”

“This talk of Lana and Lex…makes me think of Smallville. Not the town,” Lois clarified and Chloe smiled sadly.

“I know. I think of him every say. I miss him,” Chloe admitted sadly.

“Me to. But he hasn’t come back or tied to contact anyone in two years. I don’t think we’ll ever see Clark again,” Lois admitted, seeming sad by the prospect.

Luthor Mansion

Night

In the guest room, Lionel was getting ready for bed. He was buttoning up his night shirt when he felt a breeze behind him. He smiled, knowing who it was.

“I knew I’d see you soon,” Lionel said as he turned around.

Clark Kent stood before him, but it was no longer Clark Kent. Gone was the red and blue plaid. Clark stood dressed from head to toe in black. He had on black pants with matching black shoes. A black trench coat covered a black t-shirt that had the house of El symbol on it. And his face was expressionless, his eyes cold.

“It’s good to see you son,” Lionel greeted warmly.

“You’re not my father,” Clark said coolly.

“No, but I am his Emissary. Which you obviously know, otherwise you wouldn’t be here,” Lionel noted.

“Jor-El told me to seek you out if I ever needed wisdom. He said that my training at the fortress was over. The remainder of my training was to be done out in earth,” Clark said and Lionel nodded.

“You feel it to, don’t you?” Lionel said knowingly and Clark nodded.

“Something’s coming. My father sent me out into the world because it’s going to need protecting,” Clark said.

“Yes. And I fear you may be the only one capable of protecting it,” Lionel said grimly.

Chapter Text

Smallville
Morning

On a farm, a farmer was going about his normal chores when he heard a loud noise. Looking up, he saw something was falling from the sky. A split second later, he realized that it was heading straight for him. Dropping his tools, the farmer ran out of the way, just a few seconds short of being crashed by the object as it crashed onto his land. The force of the crash sent the farmer flying and he crashed into some hay, which cushioned the impact. Pushing himself to his feet, the farmer quickly grabbed a rifle from his nearby barn and approached the crater wearily, taking a look at what had crashed.

It could only be described as a spaceship. It was a dark grey, rectangular shaped object about the size of a truck, maybe a little bigger. It seemed foreign, way too smooth to be manmade.

The farmer had barely processed this when a bright light suddenly imitated from the ship. To the farmer’s shock, two people emerge from the light. One, a tall, dark haired woman whose hair stopped mid-way down her back. The other, a muscular, dark skinned man. Both of them wore some kind of armor.

Suddenly, the two were in front of him before the farmer could blink.

“S-stay back. I’ll shoot,” the farmer said as he stepped back, taking aim at them.

Paying him no mind, the man grabbed the rifle and yanked it out of the farmer’s hands. As the man threw the rifle away, the woman grabbed the farmer by his shirt and threw him back. The farmer crashed into a wall of his barn, the wall breaking upon the impact as he sailed through, landing on the floor of the barn. The man and woman then walked off, paying him no further mind.

Luthor Mansion
Later in the morning

After taking a shower, Lionel was getting dressed as he listened to the news. He paused as a new report came on.

“Breaking. It appears meteorite isn’t the only thing to fall from the sky in Smallville. A large, metallic object crashed on the north edge of Smallville earlier today,” the reporter said as a photo of the ship was shown. “Speculation of what this object is ranges from a new type of fighter jet to an alien craft, but the real mystery is the farmer who owns this land. He was found inside his barn, unconscious with the wall broken open. We are told he is delicious at the moment.”

Lionel stared at the television screen, a grim look on his face. There was no doubt in his mind that they had arrived. Whatever he and Clark had been feeling, it had just made its way to earth.

Metropolis
Afternoon

Standing atop a skyscraper, Clark used his super hearing, listening to the entire city. He paused as he heard a car crash, and then relaxed once he realized that the driver was okay.

“Kal-El,” Clark stiffened as he heard Lionel’s voice. “We need to talk. Meet me on the roof of Luthor Corp.”

Luthor Corp
Not long after

Lionel stood on the roof, waiting for Clark. Feeling a slight gust of wind behind him, he turned around to see Clark.

“We have a problem son,” Lionel aid grimly. “The Disciples of Zod.”

“Zod is trapped in the Phantom Zone,” Clark said dismissively.

“He is, but his influence doesn’t remain there. Before Krypton was destroyed, two of his followers, Aethyr and Nam-Ek fled the planet on his orders. Zod knew that your father would send you to safety, along with all his knowledge, so he sent them to wait for you,” Lionel explained.

“How could they find me here?” Clark asked as he frowned.

“The Fortress. It gives off a beacon of Krytonian energy which they likely picked up from their ship,” Lionel pointed out.

“So they’ll head for the Fortress,” Clark realized and Lionel shook his head.

“No. They arrived in Smallville son. And there’s another place much closer that is coated in Krytonian energy, the place where you destroyed your ship,” Lionel told him and Clark’s eyes widened in realization as he realized exactly where they were headed.

Kent Farm
Not long after

Jonathan was putting away his tools after a morning of work on the farm and sending everyone else home. After Clark had disappeared, he had been forced to hire some help for work around the farm. As much as he had wanted to deny it, Jonathan knew that he couldn’t keep the farm running alone with Martha working at The Talon. It wasn’t what they had wanted, but they managed.

Jonathan was heading towards the house when, suddenly, a voice spoke up behind him.

“Where is Kal-El?”

Startled, Jonathan turned around to see a dark skinned man and dark haired woman in some kind of armor standing behind him. Warning bells were going off in his head just from the sight of them.

“Where is Kal-El?” the man repeated.

They were looking for Clark. He may not know where his son was, but Jonathan would rather die than point these people, who were clearly Kryptonian, in his direction.

“I don’t even know who you’re talking about,” Jonathan lied.

Angrily, the man grabbed Jonathan by the neck and threw him towards the house. Jonathan crashed through the door, which fell off its hinges, and rolled into the house, dazed.

“Jonathan!” Martha exclaimed in shock and horror as she rushed from the kitchen to her husband’s side.

As she helped him into a sitting position, the man and woman entered the house.

“You will tell us where Kal-El is,” the woman said.

“Aethyr. Nam-Ek.”

The two turned around, seeing Clark standing behind them. From the house of El crest on his shirt, they knew immediately who this was.

“Kal-El,” Aethyr greeted and Clark nodded. “It is an honor to meet you.”

As the pair stepped off the front porch, Jonathan and Martha stared at their son for the first time in over two years. He was taller, his hair a little longer. But it was the cold, expressionless look on his face that was the most jarring difference. He had let the Kryptonian in him take over.

“What do you want?” Clark demanded.

“We want you to join us, to help us make this savage land into our utopia,” Nam-Ek explained.

“What would followers of a madman like Zod know of Utopia?” Clark asked and they stiffened. “Yeah, I know all about him. And I know what you’re really after. I won’t let you free Zod.”

“Then you will die son of Jor-El,” Aethyr said angrily, her hand moving towards the bracelet around her wrist.

Knowing what she was planning, Clark sped over and grabbed her wrist, punching Nam-Ek and sending him crashing into the ground. Clark and Aethyr wrestled for the bracelet for a few moments before Clark managed to yank it off her wrist. He stepped back as Nam-Ek rushed forward.

“You want to be with Zod so bad? Then join him,” Clark sneered before throwing the bracelet a foot away.

Jonathan and Martha watched shocked as a vortex opened up, one that seemed to be trying to suck in Aethyr and Nam-Ek. They staggered before Clark stepped back and took a deep breath. Clark then seemed to blow out a powerful gust of wind, which hit the two Kryptonian like a tornado. They lost their footing and were sucked into the vortex, caught in its current. Once they were inside, the vortex closed on them.

For a moment, it was silent. Clark spared his adoptive parents a glance but, before they could even begin to figure out what to say, Clark turned and sped off.

Smallville
Later in the afternoon

Sherriff Adams was staring at the ship as her deputies tried to figure out the best way to transport it when a large truck rolled up, followed by a few more vehicles. Adams looked towards them as a man in a suit stepped out.

“Sherriff Adams?” The man asked as he approached her.

“Yes. And you are?” Adams asked, deciding she already didn’t like him.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m seizing this unknown object in the name of the government,” he said as he pulled out a piece of paper, which he then handed to Adams. “If you have a problem with it, take it up with the Secretary of Defense.”

As she read over the form, Adams seethed. She didn’t like it, but he was right. The form seemed legit, nothing she could do about it.

Luthor Corp
Not long after

“Thank you for your help Mr. Secretary,” Lex said on the phone as the doors to his office opened and Lionel walled in. “I’ll have to call you back.”

“Oh don’t hang up on my account son,” Lionel said as Lex hung up.

“What are you doing here Dad? I thought you’d like to take a few days at the Mansion before getting back in the swing of things,” Lex said and Lionel chuckled.

“You know we Luthor men are men of action. Don’t you worry, I have no intention of fighting you for the CEO position,” Lionel assured him, taking Lex back.

“You don’t?” Lex asked wearily.

“It has always been my intention to pass the company onto you. I’ve been catching up on the company and, in my absence; you’ve done a fine job as CEO. I simply wish to work alongside you, under you son,” Lionel told his skeptical son.

“I’m sure I can find a pace for you here,” Lex finally said after a few moments.

“I appreciate it Lex. I look forward to working together,” Lionel with a smile that was meant to disarm but Lex only saw as a serpent stalking its prey.

Fortress of Solitude
Same time

“I sent Zod’s followers to the Phantom Zone but I don’t think it’s over,” Clark said as he stood in the fortress.

“I fear you may be right my son,” Jor-El said, his voice echoing throughout the Fortress. “I fear that the Disciples of Zod’s arrival on Earth may only be a herald to a greater danger.”

Metropolis
Later in the afternoon

In a Luthor Corp facility, the ship stood on a platform that kept in above ground. A dark liquid leaked from the ship onto the floor. The liquid moved, swarming together until it started to form a shape. It rose up until it formed a man, who looked around at his surroundings in interest.

Chapter Text

Kent Farm

Morning

Jonathan wiped his hands, standing back to inspect his work. It had taken him most of the morning, but the front door was as good as new. If he didn’t know any better, Jonathan could have sworn it was never broken down the previous day.

Martha walked up beside him and it was silent between husband and wife for a moment.

“He’s back Jonathan,” Martha said softly.

“No, he’s not,” Jonathan said with a sigh before turning to look at his wife. “Martha sweetheart, that wasn’t Clark. Wherever he’s been the last few years…he’s let the other side of him take over. I barely even recognized him Martha. I think we’ve really lost him.”

“No. I won’t believe that. We lost Clark to his Kryptonian side once, we got him back. We’ll get him back again,” Martha said firmly.

Jonathan refrained from telling her that this time it was Clark’s choice to embrace his Kryptonian heritage rather than brainwashing by Jor-El. He knew Martha needed to hold on to the hope that Clark would return to them again. Jonathan wasn’t so sure.

“And even if he won’t forgive us, we both know someone he’d never shut out,” Martha pointed out and Jonathan immediately knew who she was talking about.

“Chloe.”

Metropolis

Same time

Lois was in her car, on the way to work when, suddenly, a black man around her age in a blue shirt and pants walked out into the middle of the road, not seeing her. Lois immediately slammed on the breaks but it was too late to stop. She expected to run over him but, to her shock, the man held out his hands and the car jerked to a stop. Lois lurched forward, her head smashing against the dash board as the wind shield shattered. Dazed, she looked up, surprised to see that the man was simply staring at her.

On a rooftop, Clark was listening to the sounds of the city when he heard the sound of a car crash. Immediately, he sped towards it.

Seconds later, he appeared on the scene. A black man was opening the door of a car, helping an injured woman out. Clark immediately recognized her.

“Lois,” he said gently.

The black man turned towards him, startled. Clark then took in the scene. The man was covered in glass and there was two handprint like dents on the hood of Lois’ car. Clark had dealt enough of those to understand what was happening.

“What did you do to her?” Clark demanded angrily.

“Nothing,” the man denied.

“Smallville?” Lois asked dazed before she slumped to the man’s side, out cold.

Clark sped over, yanked her out of his arms, placed her lying down on the car before grabbing the man, pinning him against the back end of the car.

“Going after one of the few people I still car about, big mistake,” Clark snarled.

“It was an accident!” the man snapped, pushing him back.

To Clark’s surprise, he went flying into a fence, which toppled over upon the force of the shove. Definitely not human, Clark thought as he laid there for a moment.

“Are you alright? I didn’t mean to,” the man said apologetically as he rushed over.

“Fine,” Clark said as he got to his feet, deciding to check something out.

Clark quickly used his X-Ray Vision. To his shock, he saw some heavy machinery on the man’s skeleton, which was human. So he was human, at least partially.

“Some heavy hardware you’re packing underneath,” Clark mentioned and the man started.

“What are you?” he asked.

“I was about to ask the same question,” Clark mentioned before looking back at Lois. “She needs a hospital. I’ll be right back.”

Without another word, Clark sped over, grabbed Lois, and sped down the road.

Second later, Clark sped into the hospital, deposited Lois on a gurney, and sped back out. Within seconds, a doctor spotted Lois.

“Hey, I need some help over here,” he called over as he rushed over, opening Lois’ eye as he started to examine her.

Seconds later, Clark appeared back in front of the man, realizing why he looked so familiar.

“Victor Stone,” Clark said and the Victor started. “Met high Wide Receiver?”

“Do I know you?” Victor asked.

“In another life, I was known as Clark Kent,” Clark said and Victor’s eyes widened in recognition.

“Right, Quarterback. I remember. That’s some arm you got,” Victor noted.

“I don’t play anymore,” Clark said.

“Me either,” Victor said bitterly.

“Let’s get out of here, and you can tell me all about it,” Clark offered.

“What is this place?” Victor asked as Clark led him into the loft he had lived in while on his crime spree on Red K.

“Mine,” Clark said simply. “You wanna tell me what’s going on Victor?”

For a long moment, Victor was silent. Then, he spoke.

“We were all in the car. Laughing, carrying on. Then it started to snow. Alexis always loved the snow. My Mom. My Pops. My little sister,” Victor took a deep breath as Clark looked at him, beginning to realize where this was headed. “Pops lost control and we crashed. I should have died with them. I passed out, expected to see some angels next time I woke up. Instead, I got a bunch of SynTechnics playing Frankenstein.”

“SynTechnics, they did this to you?” Clark asked and Victor nodded, looking broken up about it.

“I wasn’t the first dead guy they brought back, just the first that survived their experiments. If it weren’t for this one doctor, I’d be more machine than man right now,” Victor explained.

“‘Machine’. You mean bionics. That’s what all the metal is in your body,” Clark noted and Victor nodded.

“How’d you know about that anyway?” Victor asked.

“You’re not the only one who’s different. Only difference is I was born this way,” Clark explained.

“And the girl you were so mad I hurt, she your girlfriend?” Victor inquired.

“No. She’s just a friend. One I haven’t seen in two years,” Clark explained and paused. “My last girlfriend died.”

“I’m sorry Kent,” Victor said and Clark shrugged.

“It was two years ago, I’m over it,” Clark shrugged but it felt like a lie even to himself.

“I hope Katherine is to,” Victor muttered and Clark raised an eyebrow.

“Katherine?”

“My girl,” Victor said, pulling out a photo and handing it to Clark.

“She’s beautiful,” Clark noted as he looked at her.

“We were planning on getting married after school. Some wedding that’d be now,” Victor said dryly.

“She know you’re alive?” Clark asked after a moment.

“No. I want to see her but…if she found out what I am now, what they did to me…how could she ever love a thing like me?” Victor asked emotionally.

“Sometimes, you’d be surprised by how accepting the ones you love are,” Clark said as he thought of Chloe.

“Your girlfriend, she knew?” Victor asked and Clark nodded.

“So did my best friend. They both accepted me,” Clark said and Victor was silent for a moment.

“It won’t even matter if SynTechnics catches up with me,” Victor sighed.

“I think I know a way to find out more about these guys, get them off your back,” Clark said and Victor was taken back.

“You’d do that for me?”

“People like us, we have to stick together. You should be safe here, wait for me,” Clark said before he sped off.

Daily Planet

Same time

Chloe was at her computer, working on an article when she heard someone clear their throat. She looked up, surprised to see Jonathan Kent standing over her shoulder.

“I remember seeing you work on articles with Clark at The Torch. Look at you know,” Jonathan said with a hint of fatherly pride.

“I’m not front page or anything, but it’s a step up from The Torch. So what brings you here Mr. Kent?” Chloe asked curiously.

“Clark,” Jonathan said, taking her back. “He’s…he’s back Chloe.”        

“What?” Chloe asked in shock.

“Yesterday, two people with the same abilities as Clark showed up at the farm. He showed up, threw them into some kind of vortex, then left. Martha was hoping...” Jonathan trailed off.

“That Clark may have contacted me. I’m sorry, but no,” Chloe said, sharing his disappointment. “But now that you mention it…”

Chloe turned back to her computer, exiting out of her article and bringing up several news articles. All of them about people being saved in ways they couldn’t explain, Jonathan noted as he skimmed through.

“For the past three days, there have been reports of people in danger miraculously having that danger vanish. A fire being put out for no apparent reason, a woman getting mugged when the mugger was suddenly thrown into a wall. Some of them even report seeing a black blur,” Chloe explained.

“Clark,” Jonathan muttered and Chloe nodded.

“I didn’t know what to make of it, but now that I know Clark’s back, it makes sense,” Chloe said.

Before she could continue, her cell phone rang. Pulling it out, she was it was an unknown caller. Frowning, she smiled at Jonathan apologetically and answered.

“Hello?...yes, this is she…what? Is she okay?…yeah…okay, I’ll be right down there,” Chloe said before she hung up.

“Is everything alright?” Jonathan asked.

“No, Lois is in the hospital. They won’t tell me what’s wrong, just that she’s hurt,” Chloe said as she began grabbing her stuff.

“Come on, we’ll take my truck,” Jonathan said as they began heading out.

As they headed for the elevator, neither noticed Clark heading down the stairs, dressed in a black T-shirt and matching jeans. He ‘accidently’ bumped into an employee.

“Sorry, my fault. Wasn’t watching where I was going,” Clark immediately apologized.

“Just watch your step kid,” the guy said before walking off.

Clark then glanced down at the Daily Planet badge he’d swiped before pinning it to his shirt. Walking further down, he took a pen and notepad from an unsuspecting reporter before spotting a pair of reading glasses on a desk. Couldn’t hurt, Clark thought to himself before he picked them up and put them on. Clark then walked over to the nearest reporter.

“Hey, would you mind helping the new guy out? It’s my first assignment and I’m having some trouble,” Clark said, putting some extra nervousness into his voice.

“Sure kid, what are you working on?” she asked as she looked up, deciding to take pity on ‘the new kid’.

“Well, I’m writing an article on a company called ‘SynTechnics’. They specialize in biometrics but they’re pretty hush-hush if you know what I mean. I keep coming up with more flowers than dirt on them. I figured our database might have more on them,” Clark said.

“Sure sweetie, just give me a minute,” she said, typing in SynTechnics and searching, seeing what came up. “Well, from what I see, their latest project is the Machina project, which deals with cutting edge cyber prosthetics meant to replace damaged or served limbs.”

What happened to Victor was much more extensive than a severed limb, Clark thought. Another dead end. Unless-

“Would it happen to say who owns SynTechnics?” Clark inquired.

“According to this, SynTechnics is owned by Luthor Corp,” she said.

Clark tried very hard not to react. Knowing Lex, it really wasn’t a surprise. Just further proof of how much his former best friend had fallen. But it did give him an in, with Lionel.

Luthor Mansion

Same time

Lionel was walking down the hall of the mansion when he heard voices coming from the library. One of them was Lex, but he didn’t recognize the other voice. It was female, that for certain. And if Lex had female company, he certainly wouldn’t have it in the library.

With that in mind, Lionel walked over to the library and opened the door.

Lex was sitting at his desk, a red haired woman with a clipboard standing in front of him. Lex looked towards him, annoyance on his face as the red head turned around, revealing curious green eyes. Although Lionel couldn’t figure out why, he felt something familiar about her. Very familiar.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company son,” Lionel lied.

Judging by the annoyed look on Lex’s face, he wasn’t buying it. Lionel would be disappointed if he had.

“Its fine Dad, we’re just finishing up,” Lex said as he turned to the red head. “You’ll have to excuse my father; he’s readjusting to being back.”

“Of course,” the red head said smoothly, grabbing her clipboard and walking over to Lionel. “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Luthor.”

“Please, call me Lionel,” Lionel said politely as he offered his hand to her. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Tess Mercer.”

It took all of Lionel’s restraint to not react as he shook Tess’s hand when she took his. They dropped hands and then Tess exited. Lionel turned, watching her leave as his heart raced.

“They grow up so fast, don’t they? Of course it helps when you abandon them at five years old,” Lex noted and Lionel turned to him.

“You know?”

“I suspected when I met her. There was just something familiar about her. It was simply a matter of doing a blood test without her knowing,” Lex said with a smirk.

“What are your intentions with your sister?” Lionel asked after a moment.

“It’s a little late to be playing protective Dad for her, isn’t it? Don’t worry; she’s my flesh and blood. I’m simply looking out for her,” Lex assured him.

Lionel stared at him for a long moment. He knew Lex too well to think his son had benign intentions for Lutessa. Lex was far too much like him for that. Lionel destroyed his son, he knew that. But he would not allow Lex to twist his sister into something like himself. He was a failure as a father, but he would protect his daughter.

Chapter Text

Metropolis General
Mid-afternoon

“Your cousin suffered some head trauma; we’d like to keep her overnight for observation. But from our initial examination, there’s no sign of any internal bleeding or damage to the brain, although we’ll be doing a CAT scan just to be on the safe side,” a doctor explained to Chloe and Jonathan.

“Did she tell you what happened?” Jonathan inquired.

“We believe she might have a concussion, because she mentioned a car crash but couldn’t explain how she got here,” the doctor explained.

Chloe and Jonathan could though, looking at each other discreetly. It seems Clark was still looking out for his friends.

“Can I see her?” Chloe asked.

“Of course, right through there, room 52,” the doctor said as he gestured down the hall. “I’m afraid your friend will have to stay here, only family. Hospital policy.”

“It’s fine. Go make sure Lois is okay,” Jonathan told her.

Chloe nodded before walking to Lois’ room as fast as she could without alarming anyone. Opening the door to room 52, she found Lois sitting up in bed, dressed in a hospital gown with a bandage over one side of her forehead.

“Chlo’,” Lois said as she saw her cousin.

“Thank God you’re okay,” Chloe said as she walked over, throwing her arms around Lois before pulling back slightly. “Do you remember what happened?”

“Sort of, but bashing my head on the dash screwed with my memories I think,” Lois mused. “I was driving to work when this guy ran out in front of my car; I didn’t have time to stop.”

“God Lo’, I’m so sorry,” Chloe said horrified, sympathetic towards her cousin.

“Chloe, I hit him full on and he didn’t have a scratch on him,” Lois said, taking Chloe back.

“You mean he did this to you?” Chloe asked as she gestured to Lois’ head.

“I don’t know; I was pretty out of it after I hit my head. I even thought I saw Clark of all people,” Lois said wistfully. “Probably just thinking of him after our conversation yesterday.”

“Yeah…probably,” Chloe muttered.

“I passed out and next thing I knew, I was waking up here. The doctors told me I just showed up on a gurney. Maybe the guy I hit brought me here,” Lois suggested.

Luthor Mansion
Late afternoon

In his room, Lionel was sitting in his chair, thinking about how best to handle the situation with Tess when there was a short breeze in front of him. Lionel looked up to see Clark standing in front of him.

“We need to talk,” Clark said briskly.

“Of course son, what can I help you with?” Lionel asked as he got to his feet.

“What do you know about SynTechnics?” Clark inquired and Lionel frowned.

“Doesn’t ring a bell. Why do you ask?”

“Luthor Corp bought them out seven months ago. And I ran into their latest project, a man named Victor Stone who was experimented on and turned into some kind of cyborg,” Clark said hotly.

“I assure you, I had no idea Clark. But knowing my son, it’s not inconceivable that Lex would be involved with something of this manner,” Lionel mused. “I’ll do some digging. My new position at the company should grant me clearance.”

“You really think Lex will like you poking around?” Clark asked skeptically.

“I know how to cover my tracks. One more thing son.”

Lionel got to his feet, walking over to a dresser. Clark watched with a raised eyebrow as Lionel opened a drawer, pulling something out. As he walked over to him, Clark saw it was a cell phone.

“It’s not safe for us to meet at the mansion. Should you need to reach me, my number is programed in. And don’t worry, I used an account Lex doesn’t know about,” Lionel said as he offered Clark the phone.

Clark merely nodded as he took the phone. Clark was still unsure about this new leaf Lionel seemed to be trying to pull over. But, for the moment, he was useful.

Metropolis
Night

In the dark apartment, Victor looked at the time, wondering what was taking so long. Hearing the elevator move, Victor tensed, blending into the shadows until he heard the door open.

“Victor?” Victor relaxed as he heard Clark before he saw him.

“Did you find anything out?” Victor asked as he stepped into view.

“Yeah, but you’re not gonna like it,” Clark said honestly. “SynTechnics is owned by Luthor Corp, they bought them out about seven months ago. I have an inside contact, they’re looking for anything they can find on what happened to you.”

“Do you trust this contact of yours?” Victor asked after a moment.

“I don’t know,” Clark admitted. “But it’s smarter than us going in guns blazing.”

“Got a point there Kent,” Victor noted.

Clark opened his mouth to speak but paused, his super hearing picking something up. Looking out the window, he narrowed his eyes. From across the street, using his micro-vision, Clark saw a man with a strange kind of gun taking aim.

Realizing he was aiming for Victor, Clark pushed the surprised Victor out of the way before speeding over to the building, appearing in front of the surprised sniper. Clark shoved him, sending him crashing into an air vent behind him. The man dropped the gun, dazed before Clark stalked over. Grabbing the man by the shirt, Clark slammed the man’s back against the wall.

“Why are you after Victor?” Clark asked lowly.

The man pulled out a knife and tried to stab Clark. However, to his shock, the knife shattered against Clark’s skin. Clark knocked the knife aside before hearing something happening over at his apartment. Tossing the man aside, Clark used his X-Ray vision, seeing three men moving in on Victor’s location.

Acting fast, Clark sped over, grabbed Victor, and sped out.

Kawatche caves
Moments later

Clark and Victor appeared in the caves in a blur of movement.

“Where are we?” Victor asked bewildered as he looked around in surprise.

“Somewhere safe. The loft isn’t safe for you anymore,” Clark said grimly.

Luthor Corp
Later

“The loft was purchased four years ago by someone who goes by Kal,” Tess explained as she and Lex stood in Lex’s office. “It’s been abandoned for over three years until today.”

“What do we know about this Kal?” Lex inquired.

“Nothing. He paid for the apartment in cash and the real estate agent didn’t ask questions,” Tess said. “Lex, with all due respect, shouldn’t our focus be going to Victor Stone?”

“We don’t need to worry about Victor. He’ll come to us,” Lex said, taking Tess back. “Every man has a weakness Tess. And now I know his.”

Lex then turned around his computer screen so Tess could see it. On the screen was a picture of Victor from his college year book. He had his arms wrapped around his girlfriend, Katherine.

Metropolis
Not long after

Lionel entered Dr. Wong’s house, finding the door opened. Strangely, he saw no sign of Hong, which was very odd considering the hour and that Hong’s shift ended hours ago.

Hearing the humming of a car engine, Lionel frowned as he began to follow the noise. Tracing it to a door, Lionel opened it. A car was running in the garage, the windows all rolled up. A pit of dread forming in his stomach, Lionel walked over to the driver’s side, seeing Hong was sitting there. Lionel quickly opened the car door, seeing Hong staring ahead blankly. Lionel frantically checked his pulse, but it was too late. Hong was dead.

Kawatche caves
Moments later

Clark’s phone rang. Knowing only one person had the number; Clark didn’t even bother checking it before he answered.

“Did you find anything?”

“Yes, but it’s not good news son,” Lionel said and Clark could hear the regret in his voice. “After some digging, I found the name of the lead scientist on the latest project SynTechnics is working on, Alistair Kreig. But he was unreachable, so I managed to track down his partner on the project, Dr. Hong. I went to his house and found him dead.”

“Lex. He killed him,” Clark muttered.

“It seems that way Clark. I’m sorry,” Lionel said regretfully.

Clark hung up, turning around to face Victor. Judging by his face, Victor had overheard at least part of that conversation.

“What happened?”

“Your friend, Dr. Hong…I’m sorry, but he’s dead,” Clark said and Victor’s face crumbled.

“Because of me,” Victor said emotionally.

“I know how you feel but trust me, it’s not your fault. The only person to blame is whoever killed him,” Clark insisted.

Victor opened his mouth to argue when, suddenly, a loud screeching sound pierced his ears. Victor groaned, holding his hands over his ears as Clark looked at him in bewilderment.

“Victor? What’s wrong?” Clark asked in concern.

“Don’t you hear that?” Victor asked pained.

Narrowing his eyes, Clark concentrated, picking up the high pitched sound as a deep voice, obviously disguised, spoke up.

“If you want your girlfriend to live, you’ll return to SynTechnics,” the voice said before it and the sound stopped.

“What the Hell was that?” Victor asked in bewilderment.

Clark narrowed his eyes, using his X-Ray Vision to see the hardware under Victor’s skin. It only took a moment to confirm his suspicions.

“Under your left breast plate, there’s a piece of equipment that links to your skull, it can operate as a speaker,” Clark said and Victor looked at him stunned.

“You can see under my skin?” Clark merely nodded. “Wait, how do you know that?”

“I’ve seen something similar,” Clark said vaguely, deciding not to tell him it was similar to some of the Kryptonian technology Jor-El had shown him during his training.

“They have Katherine,” Victor said as the words caught up with him. “I need to save her!”

“We will,” Clark promised, stopping him from rushing off. “But we can’t rush in. We need to be smart about this Victor. If we don’t, Katherine could end up dead and you back at SynTechnics.”

“Okay…okay,” Victor said, giving in after seeing the logic of Clark’s arguments. “So what do you suggest?”

“Well first, take off your shirt,” Clark said and Victor looked at him in surprise. “Just trust me.”

After a moment of hesitation, Victor complied, removing his shirt. Using his X-Ray Vision, Clark located the piece of machinery from before. Narrowing his eyes, he shot out a low powered heat vision. Victor grunted as it hit him but, almost as soon as it happened, it was over.

“I deep fried it; they won’t be able to contact you again. Now, let’s go get Katherine,” Clark said.

SynTechnics
Later that night

“Who are you? What do you want?” the terrified Katherine asked as Kreig stood over her while she sat in a chair.

“You unfortunately are a means to an end. Once we get what we want, you’re free to go,” Kreig said calmly.

“I don’t understand,” Katherine said in confusion.

Before Krieg could respond, the door to the room opened. Kreig turned around and Katherine’s jaw dropped as Victor walked in, escorted by two security guards.

“Victor?” she breathed.

“Katherine,” Victor said his mouth suddenly dry. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this.”

“Please escort Mr. Stone to the lab,” Kreig told the guards.

However, before they could move, the doors burst open and Clark sped in. Appearing as only a blink and you miss it blur, Clark shoved the guards and Kreig, sending them flying. Katherine looked at Clark in shock as the three men hit the floor, dazed.

“Get her out of here, I’ll meet you outside,” Victor ordered.

Nodding, Clark grabbed Katherine and sped out as Victor raced out of the room.

Knowing he didn’t have a lot of time, Victor raced through the building, climbing up the stairs onto the roof. Jumping down, he landed on his feet, his weight combined with the momentum of the fall causing several cracks to appear in the concrete. Clark then sped back, grabbed Victor and sped off before the security guards could arrive.

Luthor Mansion, next day
Morning

Lionel was walking down the hall when Tess rounded the corner. No doubt coming from the library, Lionel noted.

“Tess,” he greeted politely.

“Mr. Luthor,” she replied in kind.

“Please, call me Lionel. I take it you’re here on business,” Lionel said casually.

“Just typical business at Luthor Corp,” Tess said with such ease that part of Lionel was proud.

“Involving Victor Stone?” Lionel smiled when Tess stiffened, staring at him in surprise. “I may have been out of the game Tess, but there is little that goes on in my own house that I don’t know about. I didn’t know Lex dabbled in human experimentation.”

“Lex was simply trying to save a man’s life,” Tess said defensively.

“I’m sure that’s what he told you, I’m sure that’s even how he justified it to himself. My son has always seen himself as a white knight, but he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Lionel looked at Tess grimly and she was struck by the dark look in his eyes. “Everyone close to Lex ends up hurt, dead or worse. My son may present himself as a savior Tess, but he’s far too much like me to be one. Get out before you suffer the same fate as everyone else drawn into the Luthor family web.”

Lionel then walked passed Tess, leaving her to reflect on his words of wisdom.

Metropolis
Afternoon

Clark stood on a rooftop, looking down on the city with a reflective look. Hearing the door open behind him, Clark didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“I presume Mr. Stone is long gone?” Lionel asked as he walked up beside Clark.

“I got them out of Metropolis first thing this morning,” Clark said, not turning away from the city. “I’ve been up here every day since I’ve been back. But it’s not until now that I finally get it.”

“Get what?” Lionel asked curiously and Clark was silent for a moment.

“Seeing Victor and Katherine, how much Victor was willing to sacrifice himself for her…I realize I took the easy way out,” Clark finally admitted. “It was…easier to deal with Alicia’s death by cutting myself off from humanity.”

“Trust me Kal-El, there is nothing about choosing to turn your back on your past, on what made you who you are, that is easy,” Lionel told him.

“Maybe not, but it certainly made it harder to let go of Alicia. And I think that’s part of why I did it. That pain was the only thing I had left of her. Even now…I still feel it, the pain,” Clark said and it was silent between them. “I try to fill the void by listening to the people down there, people who are connecting in ways I can’t. But what’s the point if I’m not even living?”

“None,” Lionel said honestly. “You may have been born of Krypton, but you were raised here. You may be angry with Martha and Jonathan, but you can’t forget the lessons they taught you. It was easy for Lex to see me as the enemy, but it’s different for you. You grew up in a loving home, you idolized your parents. They made a mistake, they’re not perfect, but that doesn’t mean you should write them off, any more than you should turn your back on the human race. We are flawed, we are capable of greatness. But we are also capable of great evil. You have to accept the good along with the bad. The girl you lost, Alicia, she had good and bad in her, did she not?”

“Yeah,” Clark muttered.

“And you were able to love her not in spite of it, but because of it. Just as you had to accept the best and worst of her, you must also accept the best and worst of humanity. Your strength comes not from shutting out your human upbringing, but embracing it,” Lionel advised him.

“Maybe,” Clark said lowly. “But I don’t think I’m ready to forgive them. Or see them.”

“I don’t expect you to. What happened…it will take time to forgive,” Lionel acknowledged. “But there are some that need no forgiveness. Some you haven’t been able to shut out, are there not?”

Clark took a deep breath, knowing who Lionel was talking about.

Metropolis General
Not long after

“You got lucky Ms. Lane,” the doctor said as he explained the situation to Chloe and Lois. “You didn’t suffer any lasting damage. We’d like to keep you for a few more hours, but then you’re free to go.”

“Whatever gets me out of here faster,” Lois said with an eye roll.

“I’m sorry, she hates hospitals,” Chloe apologized and the doctor laughed.

“I know the type. Just be back here by three to fill out some paperwork and your cousin can go home by four,” the doctor told her.

“Okay. I’ve have to go turn in an article for work, but I’ll see you later,” Chloe told Lois, who nodded.

“Go kick some ass Chlo’,” Lois called out as Chloe moved towards the door.

Chloe waved before exiting the room. Walking out of view of the window, Chloe paused, letting out a heavy breath. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse.

“How is she?”

Startled by the sound of the voice, Chloe looked up to see Clark standing a few feet away from her. Long gone was the blue shirt and red jacket, replaced by a black t-shirt and matching jeans.

“Clark,” Chloe breathed as she stared at her best friend who she thought she’d never see again.

“Hey Chloe,” Clark greeted awkwardly.

Chapter Text

Metropolis
Afternoon

At a café, Clark and Chloe sat across from each other at an outside table. Silence stretched between them, neither of them sure how to break it.

“You work at the Daily Planet now,” Clark noted, taking Chloe aback.

“How’d you know? Have you been spying on us?” Chloe asked defensively.

“Your ID,” Clark asked, gesturing to the ID badge clipped to her shirt.

“Oh, right,” Chloe said lamely and Clark smiled slightly.

“Think we could try to make this more awkward?” he joked and she laughed.

“Not sure,” Chloe admitted and it was silent again. “Two years Clark. You left us all for two years.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” Clark apologized.

“Then why did you?” Chloe asked and Clark sighed.

“The stones Lex and Jason were after, when put together they formed the Fortress of Solitude, a sort of Repository for all the knowledge of Krypton, collected by my father. When I stepped inside, I almost immediately began my training. It altered my perception of time,” Clark explained as she listened. “I thought I was there for weeks. Then a week ago, I came out of it and realized two years had passed.”

“Jor-El, he kept you trapped there for two years,” Chloe realized in horror.

“I don’t agree with his methods, but I understand why he did it. He’s trying to prepare me for what’s coming,” Clark said and Chloe looked at him in confusion.

“What are you talking about? What is Jor-El so worried about?” Chloe asked.

Kent Farm
Same time

Jonathan put his tools away, taking a moment to admire his work. It had taken most of the morning, but he had fixed the door that those Kryptonians had broken down a few days prior.

As Jonathan began heading towards the barn to put his tools away, a voice called out to him.

“Jonathan Kent?”

Jonathan paused, turning to face a dark haired man approaching him.

“Yeah. And you are?” Jonathan asked.

“My name is Milton Fine. I’m a Detective,” Fine said as he reached Jonathan.

“Well what can I do for you?” Jonathan asked as he eyed Fine wearily.

“There have been a series of incidents on this farm, haven’t there?” Fine asked, ignoring Jonathan’s questions.

“Nothing too major,” Jonathan said dismissively.

“I disagree. I consider a symbol burned into the side of your barn and your house blown to pieces major,” Fine said as he looked around at the farm. “The Metropolis PD has sent me to look into the incidents on this farm. I’d like to sit down with you, ask you a few questions.”

Metropolis
Same time

“Have you seen your parents?” Chloe asked.

“From a distance. I saved them from two rogue Kryptonians when I first came out of the Fortress. I haven’t seen them since,” Clark said evasively.

“Clark, they’re looking for you,” Chloe told him gently and Clark’s eyes hardened.

“Well they can keep looking. I’m not ready to see them yet,” Clark said stonily.

“But you will see them again?” Chloe pressed.

“I don’t know. I’m kind of playing this by ear Chloe,” Clark said as he looked directly into her eyes. “Please, don’t tell anyone you’ve seen me, alright?”

“I think it’s a mistake…but your secret is safe with me,” Chloe promised, feeling uneasy about the whole thing.

“Thank you Chloe,” Clark said gratefully, knowing the difficult position he was putting her in.

“Will I see you around?” Chloe asked, realizing she didn’t know if she’d see him again once he left the table.

“I‘m always around Chloe,” Clark said, a slight smile on his face as he got to his feet. “I should let you get back to Lois.”

“Speaking of Lois, she said she saw you before she passed out after the accident,” Chloe mentioned and Clark stiffened. “She thought she was just hallucinating. The guy she hit-”

“Just a guy in trouble. He didn’t mean to hurt Lois. He got out of town last night,” Clark assured her and she nodded. “I’ll see you later Chloe.”

Clark then got to his feet and walked away, leaving Chloe staring after him.

Kent Farm
Not long after

“Thank you both for your cooperation,” Fine told Jonathan and Martha as they all sat in the living room, having finished his interview. “Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken someone so long to launch an investigation.”

“Well, when you live in Smallville long enough, you tend to go with the flow,” Jonathan said and Fine nodded, an unreadable look on his face. “Can I walk you out Detective?”

Fine shrugged as he and Jonathan got to their feet. Jonathan escorted Fine to the door, eager to get the Detective out of his house. There was just something…off about him.

As he walked Fine to the door, Jonathan missed how Fine’s gaze zeroed in on a photo of Clark as a teenager.

“Thank you for your time Mr. Kent,” Fine said as they reached door, Fine reaching inside his jacket. “If you need to reach me, about anything, here’s my card.”

Fine pulled out what looked like a business card and held it out to Jonathan. Jonathan took it weary, not sure why his instincts told him not to trust this man. Fine nodded at him before walking out the door. Jonathan watched him leave for a moment before looking down at the card.

Smallville
Not long after

Down at the docks, Clark stood staring out at the ocean. He wasn’t sure how he’d ended up here honestly. He’d just gone for a run and yet somehow, he’d ended up here.

If he closed his eyes, he could imagine scenes from his childhood. Fishing with his dad and Pete, collecting sea shells with Chloe as she raved about the unexplained, it was strange how much had changed since those days. How much he had changed.

Suddenly, something pierced the air. It was a loud, wailing sound. Clark put his hands over his ears, trying to block it out but to no avail. Clark fell to his knees, groaning in pain as he tried to figure out where the sound was coming from. The ocean, Clark realized in horror. No sooner had he realized this than various dead fish broke the surface of the lake as they floated to the top.

As the sound finally stopped, Clark lowered his hands to his sides as he stared at all the dead fish.

“What on earth?” Clark muttered to himself, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Chapter Text

Metropolis
Night

Chloe walked into her apartment, locking her doors. It had been a long day, aside from her editor and seeing Clark again, she’d had to help Lois get home. And anyone could tell you that Lois Lane was the world’s worst patient.

Chloe took off her jacket before heading into the living room, eager to just side down and relax. However, when she flicked on the lights, she jumped, startled to see Clark sitting on her couch.

“Jesus Clark!” Chloe exclaimed, placing a hand over her racing heart.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Clark apologized.

“Just…knock or something. What are you doing here?” Chloe asked in confused. “Have you been here all day?”

“Just a few hours. I need your help,” Clark said as he got to his feet.

“With what?” Chloe asked, seeing the look on his face. “Did something happen?”

“I was down at the Smallville docks earlier. I heard this…wail of some kind, like a machine. It hurt, my ears,” Clark explained. “And when it was over, a bunch of fish floated to the surface, dead.”

“So just a typical day in Smallville then. Clark, what do you want me to do?” Chloe asked, already having it figured out.

“You work at the Daily Planet. You have access to resources I don’t. I need you to look into it,” Clark said and Chloe stared at him for a moment.

“Back one day and you’re already asking me to lie to your parents and to be your girl Friday,” Chloe noted with more than a hint of bitterness.

“Chloe, please, people could be in danger,” Clark pointed out and, after a moment, she nodded.

“Alright, fine. But that’s two you owe me,” Chloe pointed out.

“I know. And I am grateful,” Clark told her.

“But Clark…this whole you coming and going when you please thing? It’s not gonna work. You can’t just come into my life when you need something, that’s not fair to me,” Chloe argued and Clark was silent for a moment.

“You’re right, it’s not,” Clark acknowledged. “Do you have your phone?”

Confused, Chloe pulled it out of her pocket. Clark walked over, silently holding out his hand for it. Wearily, Chloe handed it to him. Clark opened the screen and programed a number in before handing it back to her.

“You ever need to reach me, for anything, just call me on that number,” Clark promised as she took it back.

Chloe looked down at it when she felt a light gust of wind. Looking up, she saw that Clark was gone.

Daily Planet, next day
Morning

Chloe was at work on her computer, doing research on her computer when she heard someone calling her name.

“Chloe? Chloe? Hey, bright eyes,” Jimmy called, finally getting her attention.

“What?” Chloe asked, snapped out of her focus as she turned to him.

“You okay? I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last minute,” Jimmy said in concern.

“Fine. Just…doing something for a friend. Did you want something?” Chloe asked.

“Um yeah, I have those photos you wanted,” Jimmy said, handing her some photos.

“Thanks Jimmy. Wow, these are really good,” Chloe complimented as she took a look.

“Thanks…You okay?” Jimmy asked as he looked at her in concern.

“I’m fine, thanks,” Chloe lied and Jimmy gave her a look. “Still a bad liar?”

“The worst. Look, we said we’d be friends when we broke up. I’m not trying to push but, you can talk to me Chloe,” Jimmy said and Chloe was silent for a moment.

“This…friend of mine that I haven’t seen since high school came to see me yesterday. He was my best friend in high school and then he just…he cut me completely out. And now he needs something and I just…I don’t know,” Chloe said after a moment.

“What exactly does he need?” Jimmy asked after a moment.

“He wants me to look into the death of some fishes in Smallville,” Chloe sand, almost laughing as she saw the look on Jimmy’s face. “If you grew up in Smallville, you’d understand.”

“Right. Well, seems like this friend of yours could have gone to any Daily Planet reporter for that. He came to you. I don’t know him, but maybe this is his way back in or something, maybe he wants to reconnect, make things right for cutting you out. Like I said, I don’t know, maybe you should just think about it,” Jimmy said and Chloe frowned, a thoughtful look on her face.

“Maybe. Thanks Jimmy,” Chloe said after a moment.

Luthor Mansion
Same time

“Yesterday’s trial was a complete success,” a Luthor Corp employee told Lex as she ran the diagnostics.

“Good. Send me the tapes,” Lex said as he took a drink of watch. “Best part of my job, watching impossible dreams become a reality. How far away was the target?”

“Three kilometers,” she said, to Lex’s pleasant surprise.

“Really? That’s half a kilometer further than projected,” Lex said pleased.

“Yes, Leviathan is exceeding all expectations across the board,” his employee pointed out.

“If this goes well today, my associates at the Pentagon are gonna want to put Leviathan on every vessel on the fleet,” Lex said pleased.

“And what about marine life? We still haven’t figured out how to protect-”

“There are plenty of fish in the sea,” Lex cut her off as he got to his feet. “No one’s gonna miss a few that go belly up. Let’s get Leviathan back to the lab.”

Metropolis
Later that morning

On the roof of the Daily Planet, Chloe waited, having placed a call to Clark five minutes ago. She didn’t have to wait long as, with a gust of wind that sent her hair flying, Clark appeared in front of her.

“That’s gonna take some getting used to,” Chloe muttered.

“You found something?” Clark asked.

“Yeah. Turns out, this isn’t the first case of that happening. There have been reported incidents over the last three days of fish suddenly dying in that area, although nothing close to what you described,” Chloe explained and Clark frowned.

“Did you find anything that could have caused it?”

“Well, I took the noise you heard and ran a search. Guess which company has a research lab not far from the docks?” Chloe said and it only took a moment for Clark to catch on.

“Luthor Corp. Lex,” Clark said in an almost growl and she nodded.

“Your former BFF hasn’t exactly been a Good Samaritan the last few years; he’s just gotten better at hiding it from the public eye. He’s following in Lionel’s footsteps Clark. Chances are if there’s something going on, he’s involved,” Chloe told him.

Smallville
Afternoon

After getting the directions from Chloe, Clark, in his black outfit, entered the Luthor Corp Facility. Entering the room, he paused, trying to take in what he was seeing.

On a hatch of water that led outside, a blond haired man was submerged neck deep, freezing as he saw Clark. Hearing a beeping, Clark looked a few feet from the man, seeing enough C4 to level the entire building. Acting fast, Clark sped over, seeing there was only five seconds before it went off. Clark pressed it to his chest, coiling himself around it before it went off.

Instead of a fiery explosion, there was a disruption of water that got Clark soaked. Raising his head, Clark saw the blond man had taken off into the water.

Clark ditched his jacket, reasoning he’d have better mobility without it before jumping into the water after the blond man. However, he couldn’t find him in the tunnel below, to Clark’s surprise.

Using his super speed, he sped into the ocean after the blond man. To his surprise, Clark saw him further out. In the blink of an eye, Clark sped in front of him and the blond man stopped.

For a moment, the pair simply eyed each other, as if sizing each other up. Then, the blond man moved his hand, rotating around a specific spot in the water. Clark watched in a mix of disbelief and astonishment as the water formed into some kind of ball. The man made a throwing motion and the ball moved through the water at lightning speed, hitting Clark in the chest.

Clark was sent back a foot, feeling like, in human terms, someone had taken a sledgehammer to his chest. The blond man was surprised to see him still standing as Clark sped towards him, delivering a low powered punch to his chest. He flew back but wasn’t seriously hurt. Then, the blond man formed another water ball and it moved through the water faster than Clark could dodge.

This time, Clark was thrown out of the water and flying through the air. He landed on his back on a beach that happened to be nearby. Clark coughed up some water, wondering what had just happened.

Chloe’s apartment
Later that afternoon

“He can swim faster than you?” Chloe asked after Clark told her the story.

“And control the water,” Clark added.

“So he’s a meteor freak?” Chloe asked as she absorbed this.

“Not necessarily,” Clark said and she raised an eyebrow. “Before Alicia was let out, I met a kid who ran too fast for his own good. Never even stepped foot in Smallville before then.”

“But either way, we have a super powered terrorist on our hands,” Chloe noted.

Clark opened his mouth to speak then paused, as if listening to something. Then, in a blur of movement, Chloe whirled around, seeing Clark across the room, pinning a blond haired man to the wall.

“Wouldn’t call myself a terrorist,” the man said as if they were having a casual conversation.

“What are you doing here? How’d you find me?” Clark demanded.

“Followed you from the beach. I’m just here to talk, okay? Mind letting me go bro?” the blond man said and, after a moment, Clark released him. “Name’s AC. And from what I heard, you’re Clark and that’s Chloe.”

“And you have an odd definition of ‘not a terrorist’,” Chloe noted and AC shrugged.

“Well I wouldn’t define protecting the oceans as terrorism,” Ac said bluntly.

“That machine you were trying to blow up, it has something to do with all the dead fish,” Clark realized and AC nodded.

“It’s called Leviathan. It sends out a sonic wave strong enough to tear a submarine in half,” AC explained.

“And you know that how?” Chloe asked wearily.

“Picked up a bunch of documents at the lab. They had Luthor Corp stamped all over them,” AC explained.

“So Lex is developing a weapon, and he doesn’t care what kind of damage it does to our oceans,” Chloe put together. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“AC, I get where you’re coming from, believe me. But the explosives you were using could have leveled the lab. What about the people there?” Clark pointed out.

“What about our oceans? People may not get this, but what affects the fish affects us here on the land! Lex meets with some guys from the Pentagon in four hours and if they bite, we could have an ecological disaster,” AC said passionately and Clark held up his hands.

“I agree okay, I agree. But blowing up a lab won’t stop it; it’ll just make you into a terrorist. There are smarter ways to handle things like this AC,” Clark said and AC raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, like what?” AC asked and Chloe chuckled.

“Stick with him AC, maybe you’ll learn a few things,” Chloe quipped.

Smallville
Late afternoon

In his lab, Lex stood surrounded by men from the Pentagon.

“Gentleman, I stand before you humbled by a technology that will forever tip the balance of naval power in our favor,” Lex said.

“That’s a bold claim,” one of the men said skeptically.

“You’ll see with your own eyes. Let the show begin,” Lex ordered.

The Luthor Corp employee nodded, beginning to put in the commands.

“Activating ranging system. Modulator engaged,” she said.

As the demonstration started, everyone was confused by one of the screens, which showed Leviathan, was suddenly blurred by a rush of water.

“What is that?” she wondered as they all stared, confused.

“What’s going on?” Lex demanded.

She typed in a code and brought up the full image of Leviathan. Lex stared in disbelief at the huge, gaping hole in his project.

“It appears Mr. Luthor’s miracle weapon just self-destructed,” one of the men said annoyed.

Lex was barely aware of the man walking off as he stared at the screen, wondering what could have happened.

Luthor Corp
Night

“Yes, Yes Admiral, I’m sorry to have wasted your time,” Lex said before hanging up his phone in frustration as Lionel walked in.

“Trouble Lex?” Lionel inquired.

“As a matter of fact, Luthor Corp’s latest project was derailed,” Lex said in frustration.

“Ah. Leviathan, am I right?” Lionel asked and Lex looked at him sharply.

“How’d you know about Leviathan?” Lex demanded and Lionel chuckled.

“Ah Lex, there is nary a thing going on I don’t know,” Lionel said as he walked over, pouring himself some scotch. “But perhaps it’s for the best. Being the cause of worldwide ecological disasters, well, it’s not a good look for Luthor Corp.”

“We can afford to lose a few fish in the sea if it helps our military. It’s a small price to pay,” Lex dismissed.

“Of course son. It’s a small price to pay,” Lionel echoed, flashing a smile behind Lex’s back.

Chloe’s apartment
Same time

“I thought I had some sweet moves, but you’re on a whole different level bro,” AC said as he prepared to take off. “We make a pretty good team. Maybe we should start a junior lifeguard association or something.”

“Thanks, but I’m not sure I’m ready for the JLA just yet,” Clark said with a chuckle. “Listen AC, I admire what you’re trying to do, but there are other ways of handling things that don’t label you a terrorist.”

“Yeah, think I’m starting to get that. But there will always be guys like Luthor who don’t care the kind of damage they do to the ocean. And they’ll have to deal with me,” AC said firmly before cracking a smile. “But don’t worry; I think I’ll take a page from your book. Stay super bro.”

AC held up his hand for a fist bump and Clark returned the gesture with a smile.

“See ya around Chloe,” AC called back as he moved towards the door.

“Bye AC,” Chloe said and he waved before walking out the door, closing it behind him. “Well, all things considered, that could have gone worse.”

“He was misguided; but his heart was in the right place. And he’s not wrong. Lex is growing more dangerous. I always knew he wasn’t a saint but I never imagined this,” Clark said grimly.

“Lex really went off the rails once you shut everyone out,” Chloe said and Clark flashed a tight smile.

“He told me once that my friendship was the only thing that held the darkness inside him at bay,” Clark noted.

“Clark, you can’t blame yourself for Lex. He was headed down this path long before you came into his life,” Chloe assured him.

“Maybe. But he’s not the only one I abandoned,” Clark noted as he looked over at her. “You were right earlier; I haven’t been fair to you. I turned my back on you, on everyone after Alicia died. It was a way of holding onto the pain, of not letting her go. I’m sorry.”

“I was pretty mad at you for that. But, it was pointed out to me that you could have gone to any reporter with this story. You came to me instead. One might think you were looking for a way back in,” Chloe said faux innocently and Clark chuckled.

“Maybe on some level. But I’m not sure it was a good idea,” Clark noted. “Everyone who’s known my secret has either left or died. Ryan, Kyla, Pete, Alicia-”

“Wait, Pete knew your secret?” Chloe exclaimed in shock.

“Why do you think he left?” Clark asked lowly and she nodded.

“I guess he couldn’t handle it,” Chloe muttered, a lot of Pete’s actions making a lot of sense. “Is that why you haven’t contacted your parents? You’re afraid of dragging them back into this world and them getting hurt?”

“Partially,” Clark said vaguely and Chloe was able to fill in the blanks.

“And it’s also because you’re still angry at them,” Chloe noted and he nodded.

“I won’t make you lie to them forever. I’m just…I’m not ready to face them yet,” Clark admitted and she nodded.

“Okay. But, when you’re ready…I’ll be there with you if you want. As a friend or a buffer or whatever, “Chloe said and Clark chuckled.

“I appreciate that, more than you’ll ever know,” Clark said gratefully.

Lex Corp, next day
Morning

Lex was at work, doing some paperwork when his receptionist buzzed in.

“Mr. Luthor, there’s a Simon Stagg here to see you,” she said and Lex paused for a beat.

“Send him in,” he said after a moment.

As he put his pen down, Lex’s mind raced. What on earth would the CEO of Simon Stagg be doing here? He tried to organize these thoughts as the door to his office opened and Simon Stagg walked in.

“Mr. Luthor. Been a long time,” Stagg noted as he walked in.

“Since I took over the company following my father’s arrest. As I recall it, I came to your company to talk over a project and never got passed the front desk,” Lex pointed out.

“Well, hindsight is twenty-twenty. I regret my actions then,” Stagg said.

“What can I do for you Mr. Stagg?” Lex asked as he leaned back in his chair.

“I have a proposal for you Lex. One that could change the world. Something neither of our companies can accomplish alone. I need your help,” Stagg said, peaking Lex’s interest.

Chapter Text

Smallville

Night

Lex was on his way home when his phone rang. Picking it, he saw who it was on the collar ID and answered.

“Simon. I hope you’re calling with good news,” Lex said.

“Decent news. We’re heading towards a breakthrough Lex. But some of the scientists are a little…hesitant, say we’re playing God,” Stagg said and Lex scoffed.

“As you said, we’re nearing a breakthrough, one that could change the world. I’ll remind them that they can easily be replaced. Fear of progress is not going to get in our way,” Lex said before hanging up.

During the phone call, he’d taken his eyes off the road. When he looked up, he was startled to see a truck heading right towards him. Lex quickly swerved, driving off the road. Lex pulled his car to a stop, breathing a sigh of relief. A few second passed before the driver’s side window was suddenly smashed. Lex moved his head to the side to avoid getting glass in his face before looking back at whoever had broken his window, unable to make out who it was as they shined a flashlight in his face.

“What do you want?” Lex demanded.

They struck him in the face with the flashlight, knocking him out. They then reached in and began to search his jacket pockets. Finding what they were looking for, they pulled it out.

“Thanks Lex,” Chloe said to his unconscious body.

Chloe’s apartment, next day

Morning

Chloe groaned as she woke up, the sun shining through her blinds. Another day, another morning, Chloe thought dryly as she got out of bed. As she walked out of her room, she paused, noticing her shoes by the door, covered in mud. And a few feet from the shoes was a pair of muddy footprints. As she walked over to the shoes, there was a knock on her front door.

“Chlo? You in there?” Lois’s voice asked from the other side of the door.

“Uh, yeah, just a second,” Chloe said, taking another look at her shoes before opening the door.

“You alright? We were supposed to meet for coffee this morning,” Lois said as she walked in, pausing as she saw Chloe’s muddy shoes on the ground along. “What, did you go for a midnight run? In the swamp?”

“I…I don’t know. The last thing I remember I was doing dishes after dinner. Then…then nothing,” Chloe said, disturbed as she realized she couldn’t even remember going to bed last night.

“You sure you didn’t just have a few too many last night and black out?” Lois asked and Chloe shook her head.

“No, I’m not hung over. And this isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” Chloe said as she turned to face her cousin with fearful eyes. “A few days ago, I was working on an article at the Daily Planet and then boom, I’m waking up at home the next morning.”

“Chloe, maybe you’re just overworked. I mean, you have been putting in a lot of hours at the Planet lately,” Lois pointed out.

“Maybe,” Chloe said doubtfully.

“Look, call in sick, we both will, and we’ll play hooky, just the two of us. Maybe some time away from work will do you some good,” Lois suggested.

But Chloe saw the fear in her eyes, knowing her cousin was thinking the same thing she was: that perhaps Chloe, like her mother, was beginning to lose her grip on reality.

Luthor Mansion

Same time

Lionel walked into the library, seeing Lex and Tess sitting down, discussing business obviously. They immediately quieted upon seeing him enter the room.

“Oh don’t mind me, I’m just here for a book,” Lionel said smoothly as he walked over to the shelves, seeing a bandage on Lex’s eyebrow. “Run into a wall son?”

“No, I had a little fender-bender last night, nothing serious,” Lex said smoothly.

“Perhaps you should consider having a driver son. You and cars never seem to mix well in Smallville,” Lionel said cheekily.

Judging by Lex’s glare, Lionel’s barb wasn’t missed by him.

“I have a meeting. I won’t be back until tonight,” Lex said stiffly and Lionel nodded.

“Have a good day at work son,” Lionel said.

Lex didn’t respond, merely walked out of the room, leaving Lionel and Tess alone. Exactly as Lionel had planned. As Tess began to walk out of the room, Lionel called out to her.

“Tess,” he said and she paused. “Before you worked for Lex, you were studying to be a Marine Biologist, weren’t you?”

“I got my degree in it. How do you know that?” Tess demanded as she whirled around to face him.

“I make it a habit of knowing as much as I can about those in my son’s life. Now, being such a fierce defender of wildlife, I can only imagine your disapproval of Leviathan,” Lionel said and Tess shot him an odd look.

“What’s Leviathan?” she asked and Lionel feigned a look of surprise.

“I see Lex doesn’t tell you everything. Leviathan was Lex’s latest project, an underwater weapon that Lex wanted to hand deliver to our navy. It unfortunately had a side effect of killing any underwater life that was in its range,” Lionel said and Tess’s face hardened.

“I don’t believe you,” she said.

“You don’t have to take my word for it Tess,” Lionel said as he pulled out an audio recording.

“What’s that?” she asked wearily.

“The truth about who my son really is,” Lionel as he walked over. “You may listen to it or not, it’s your choice Tess.”

“Why are you doing this?” Tess asked after a moment.

“Because I made Lex who he is,” Lionel said, taking Tess aback. “He is a monster of my making. I’ve seen him lie and manipulate anyone close to him his entire life. Lives have been destroyed by him Tess. And if you don’t see him for what he is, you’ll be next. But as I told you, you don’t need to take my word for it.”

For a long moment, Tess’s eyes darted between him and the recording. Lionel was reminded painful of the red haired little girl he had dropped off at an orphanage, pleading for him not to abandon her. It was one of his greatest regrets.

After a moment, Tess reached out and took the recording, looking down at it as though afraid of what it might reveal.

Smallville

Not long after

Clark was speeding through Smallville, on his return trip to Metropolis on his patrol of the town. After the incident with Leviathan last week, Clark had made it a habit to sweep through Smallville, make sure nothing was up.

As he sped passed the morning traffic, he paused, seeing a car that he was familiar with. It had been two years, but he had driven in Lex’s car enough times to recognize it. It looked like it had been run off the road. And the cops were there, talking to someone Clark recognized as being part of Luthor Corp security. Clark sped behind a nearby building, out of sight as he took in the scene.

It became obvious that Smallville’s finest had gotten there before Lex’s cleanup crew, judging by the argument. Clark got a little satisfaction out of that, he could admit. As the Luthor Corp employee began to walk away, he pulled out a cell phone. Clark used his super hearing to listen in as the man dialed a number.

“What have you got Jackson?” Clark heard Lex ask.

“I searched the car and surrounding areas. The flash drive is gone Mr. Luthor. Whoever ran you off the road must have taken it,” Jackson said.

Clark tuned out the rest of the conversation. So whoever ran Lex off the road had taken his flash drive. And knowing Lex, whatever was on that drive might be the magic bullet to take Lex down.

Getting an idea, Clark used his X-Ray Vision on the car and spotted something. Racing over at super speed, Clark grabbed it and then sped back to where he once was. Opening his hand, Clark saw a button from a coat.

Chloe’s apartment

Not long after

“No, I’m telling you, Cordelia is better. She starts out as this selfish Queen B and turns into a hero who is equal to Buffy and Angel, maybe even better,” Lois was saying as she and Chloe sat in Chloe’s living room, watching a rerun of Angel.

“I’m not disagreeing. I just like Willow more,” Chloe said with a shrug.

Before the conversation could continue, Chloe phone rang. Pulling it out, she stilled as she saw a familiar number.

“Something wrong?” Lois asked as she saw the look on Chloe’s face.

“It’s my boss,” Chloe lied. “I’m sorry, gotta take this. I’ll be right back.”

Chloe got to her feet and walked over to her kitchen, answering the phone.

“Clark, now is not a good time,” Chloe said.

“It might be the only time,” Clark said and Chloe paused, confused. “Someone ran Lex’s car off the road last night. Whoever it was took his flash drive.”

“And Lex probably has all his dirty laundry on that drive,” Chloe realized what Clark was getting at. “You have any leads?”

“Just a button, like one from a coat,” Clark said.

Chloe was about to say it wasn’t much to go when she saw her coat. A sinking feeling entering her chest, Chloe looked down at her sleeve. A button was missing.

“What does it look like?” Chloe asked lowly.

“It’s big, black. Why?” Clark asked, hearing something in her voice.

Quickly, Chloe walked over to her muddied boots, reaching inside, finding her suspicions confirmed.

“I know who ran Lex off the road.”

“What? Who?” Clark asked surprised.

“It was me. And I’m looking at the drive right now,” Chloe said as she stared down at the flash drive.

Metropolis

Afternoon

In her apartment, Tess stared own at the audio recording Lionel had given her. The side of her that was loyal to Lex told her it was just a trick while another, louder part told her to just listen to it. The two sides warred against each other for a moment before; finally, she turned it on.

“But perhaps it’s for the best,” Lionel’s voice said as the recording played. “Being the cause of worldwide ecological disasters, well, it’s not a good look for Luthor Corp.”

“We can afford to lose a few fish in the sea if it helps our military. It’s a small price to pay,” Lex’s voice said.

Tess stopped the recording, shock flooding through her.

When Lex had first recruited her, he had promised her they were going to help save the world, make it cleaner, help the environment. But if this recording was to be believed, that was a lie.

And if he’d lied about this, what else was he lying about?

“Nice place Clark. Surprised you kept it,” Chloe said as she walked into the loft Clark had owned when he had run away.

“I didn’t, I bought when I ran away that summer. It was the first place I stayed at once I returned from my training,” Clark explained. “Lois suspect anything?”

“I don’t think so, I just told her I had to go into work or my boss would fire me,” Chloe said as she walked over to a table, setting down her laptop. “Here’s hoping there’s something on this drive we can use against Lex.”

Clark sat down next to her as she booted up her computer, plugging in the drive.

“There’s only one file,” Chloe said, clicking it and opening a document. “It looks like it’s a crypto-freaks case file.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. Lex is experimenting on people now,” Clark said and she looked at him stunned. “The guy Lois hit with her car? He was a quarterback who got in a wreck. Lex turned him into some kind of cyborg.”

“Just when you think he can’t sink any lower,” Chloe muttered as they began to read. “Suspected of being able to control meteor freaks.”

“Definitely something Lex would be interested in. Does it list a name?” Clark inquired.

“No, just an ID number. Clark, I think whoever did this controlled me. It would explain the blackouts,” Chloe muttered. “Only thing I can’t figure out is why me? I’m not a meteor freak.”

“You’ve been around more enough meteor rock. You might be one without even knowing it,” Clark pointed out and she scoffed.

“Clark, if after all this time I don’t have any powers, I think it’s safe to say I’m not one,” Chloe said before turning back to the document. “Still, why me?  Out of everyone in the world, why did they choose me?”

“Date of Birth September 20^th, 1960,” Clark read off.

“Born in Granville, Kansas,” Chloe noted.

Seeing there was a picture attached, Chloe clicked on the attachment. The picture came up and all the breath left Chloe’s body.

“Oh my God,” Chloe said breathlessly as she stared at the picture of a dark haired woman.

“Do you know her?” Clark asked and Chloe swallowed before answering.

“That’s my mom.”

Chapter Text

Metropolis
Afternoon

On the side of the street, parked in her car, Lois stared at the apartment she had seen Chloe walk into. She hadn’t bought Chloe’s excuse and had followed her here. Chloe had gone inside half an hour ago and hadn’t come out. Los was beginning to wonder if Chloe was having a secret relationship when she saw something that made her jaw drop.

Chloe walked out of the building, but she wasn’t alone. Walking out with her, dressed in dark clothes that she never thought he’d be caught dead in, was Clark Kent. Lois watched in disbelief as Chloe and Clark got into Chloe’s car before Chloe started it. As they began driving off, Lois shook herself out of daze. Turning the key in her ignition, Lois started her car and began following the two of them from a distance, wondering how long Chloe had known Clark was back and if she’d really been hallucinating the day of her car crash.

Kent Farm
Same time

Martha was in the kitchen, making lunch when Jonathan walked in. Martha looked up and could immediately tell there was something wrong.

“Jonathan? What’s wrong? Is it Clark?” Martha asked, her heart beginning to beat with hope that she finally had news of her son.

“No, it’s not Clark,” Jonathan said as he came out of his daze. “After that Detective Fine came around last week, I placed a call an old buddy of mine; he’s a detective in the Metropolis PD.”

“And what did he find?” Martha asked, wondering what had Jonathan so unnerved.

“According to him, there is no Milton Fine working for the Metropolis PD. And according to the records, no one by the name Milton Fine has ever worked at Metropolis PD,” Jonathan said to Martha’s shock.

“Then who was it that came here last week?” Martha asked and Jonathan didn’t have an answer for her.

Forest Glen Sanitarium
Later in the afternoon

“Wasn’t your mom catatonic the last time you saw her?” Clark asked as he and Chloe walked through the doors.

“Well, I don’t typically play bumper cars in the middle of the night. Somehow, she’s controlling me,” Chloe said as she they walked up to the front desk. “Hi, Chloe Sullivan. I’m here to see my mother, Moira Sullivan.”

“Did you not understand us the first time?” the man at the desk asked rudely, taking Chloe and Clark back. “You were asked never to come back here.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I haven’t been here in months,” Chloe said in confusion.

“The insanity defense is in rather poor taste here Ms. Sullivan. We don’t want a repeat of yesterday,” the man said firmly.

“Look, I just wanna see my mom,” Chloe said and the man sighed before pressing a button under the desk.

“Security is on their way. I suggest you leave before they escort you out,” the man said as they saw two orderlies heading their way.

“My mother is here!” Chloe protested.

As the orderlies approached, Clark spotted a security camera. Getting an idea, Clark grabbed Chloe by the arm and began leading her away.

“Clark, what are you doing?” Chloe hissed at him.

“Just wait for me outside,” Clark told her. “Trust me.”

Chloe looked at him wearily before nodding. She walked out to the parking lot, sighing. However, as she stepped outside, she froze.

“Hey Chlo’. Something you wanna tell me?” Lois asked pointedly.

“Lois. Did you follow me?” Chloe asked in surprise.

“Please, did you really think I’d fall for that lame excuse? And I’d lose the judgey look. Seems to me you’ve been keeping secrets. Isn’t that right Smallville?” Lois said, looking over shoulder as Clark walked out of the building.

“Lois,” Clark said, freezing in shock.

“So, you two wanna tell me what’s going on?” Lois asked pointedly. “Because I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. K would just love to know their son is back.”

“Lois, please, you have no idea what’s going on,” Chloe pleaded with her.

“Then tell me, because I don’t even feel like I know you anymore cuz,” Lois snapped.

“Not here, okay. Just…follow us back to Chloe’s apartment and I’ll explain everything,” Clark promised and Chloe looked at him sharply.

“Clark…” Chloe trialed off, not wanting to say too much in front of Lois.

“Lois Lane is like a dog with a bone. She’s not gonna quit. Best she has all the answers before rushing off halfcocked,” Clark said, displeased but not seeing any other way out of this situation.

Chloe’s apartment
Late afternoon

Lois sat on the couch in Chloe’s living room, Clark standing across from her. It was silent as Lois processed everything Clark had told her.

“So you’re a…” Lois trailed off, not sure what to call him.

Alien seemed such a small word, but Lois wasn’t sure what other word would suffice.

“I prefer intergalactic traveler,” Clark said with a weak smile and she laughed, still in a bit of disbelief.

“I guess I can’t call you Smallville anymore,” Lois noted absently. “Suddenly, so many things about you make a lot of sense.”

“There were actually a few times I wish I could have told you,” Clark admitted as he walked over, sitting down next to her.

“Lucky me. And you’ve been with your biological father –or at least an AI version of him – for the last two years?” Lois asked for clarification.

“Felt more like a few weeks to me, but yeah,” Clark nodded.

“Last week, I didn’t hallucinate you, did I?” Lois realized and Clark shook his head.

“I head the crash, I found you just before you passed out,” Clark explained.

“And the guy I hit?” Lois asked after taking a moment to process this.

“A guy in trouble, he didn’t mean to hurt you. I doubt we’ll be seeing him again,” Clark noted and paused. “You’re taking this a lot better than I thought you would.”

“Smallville, the first time we met you were naked in a cornfield and had amnesia. Add that to everything I’ve seen since meeting you, like I said, it explains a lot. Especially Alicia,” Lois said and there was a pause. “I always wondered what you saw in her. Now I get it. She knew, didn’t she?”

“Part of it. I never told her the whole truth. She just assumed I was a meteor freak and I never corrected her,” Clark said, his eyes filled with regret.

Lois stared at him for a moment, for the first time really appreciating what he had lost that day. Alicia hadn’t just been some girl, she’d been the only person on earth that Clark felt he could be himself with. For a moment, Lois found herself wishing she’d let him kill Tim Westcott.

“I’m not ready to see my parents,” Clark said, breaking Lois out of her thoughts. “So I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell them you’ve seen me.”

“Yeah, sure,” Lois agreed, although she looked as happy about it as Lois. “So, can we get back to the part where Chloe’s mom is controlling her?”

“I think it’s definitely a given,” Chloe said from where she sat at her kitchen table, going through some of the security footage Clark had swiped.

Clark and Lois got up and walked behind her. On the screen was footage of yesterday. Chloe was at the front desk, demanding to see her mother. Becoming agitated upon being informed that her mother was no longer there, Chloe punched one of the orderlies.

“Nice right hook Chloe’,” Lois told Chloe, who was too shocked to register Lois was speaking.

“I can’t believe I did that,” Chloe muttered to herself.

“Your mom must not have known she’d already been transferred,” Clark noted.

“Which is why she had me steal Lex’s flash drive,” Chloe realized.

“Like a telepathic SOS,” Lois noted.

“Well, message received. I think I know someone who can help. But you’re not gonna like it,” Clark said as the two of them looked over at him.

“You’re acting like its Lionel Luthor,” Chloe said, half joking before she saw his face. “Oh you have to be kidding me.”

“Smallville, tell me you developed a sense of humor while you were away,” Lois almost pleaded.

“When I put two of the stones together, Lionel was holding the third. He was imbued with all Kryptonian knowledge. He claims to be a changed man, he’s been…helpful,” Clark said, although he looked unsure. “And if anyone might have Intel on where Lex is holding your mom, it’s Lionel.”

“Okay. We’ll see what he has to stay. But I don’t trust him,” Chloe said firmly.

“Not sure I do either,” Clark admitted.

“And I’m going with you,” Chloe said as she got to her feet.

“And don’t think you’re leaving me behind,” Lois added.

Clark sighed but nodded, having expected this.

Luthor Mansion
Night

Lionel was in the library, pouring himself a drink when he heard someone walk in. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Tess enter the library.

“Good evening Tess,” Lionel said casually.

Without a word, Tess threw something at him. Lionel easily caught it and looked down, seeing it the audio recorder he had given her earlier.

“I take it you listened to it,” Lionel noted.

“It doesn’t prove anything. You could have doctored it,” Tess said although the words sounded hollow even to her own ears.

“Come now Tess, we both know you’re smarter than that. Deep down, a part of you has always known the kind of man Lex is. Whether you can accept that or not – and I hope you do – is entirely up to you,” Lionel said before taking a drink.

Tess frowned and opened her mouth to speak. Before she could say anything, the door to the library burst open. The two whirled around to see a bodyguard on the floor, out cold as a blond haired man entered the library.

“Where’s Lex Luthor?” the man demanded.

“He’s not here,” Lionel said firmly, quickly stepping in front of Tess protectively.

“Tell me where he is!”

The man grabbed a fireplace poker and rushed Lionel. Lionel dodged before grabbing the man by his arm, pushing him back with strength that surprised the man.

“Tess, run!” Lionel barked.

Tess didn’t argue, running towards the door. But the man shoved Lionel onto the floor before turning towards Tess. He made a pulling motion and Tess seemed like she was yanked back by smoke. She landed on the floor, hitting her head hard enough to be knocked out.

“I’m gonna ask you again, where is Lex Luthor?” the man sneered at Lionel as he stood over him menacingly.

Before Lionel could even blink, Clark sped in and threw the man across the room. He smashed into some clutter hard enough to be dazed. As Lois and Chloe rushed in, Clark turned to see Lionel checking on Tess.

“What the Hell happened?” Chloe asked in bewilderment.

“He was looking for Lex. Clark, make sure she’s alright,” Lionel pleaded as he looked towards Clark.

“I know her. She works for Lex,” Lois remembered. “Tess Mercer. Why do you care if she’s alright or not?”

“She’s my daughter,” Lionel revealed and the three were stunned into silence. “Clark, son, please.”

With a sigh, Clark used his X-Ray vision to examine Tess.

“She seems alright, just knocked out,” Clark paused as she saw something, the blood draining from his face. “Oh my God.”

“What, was is it?” Lionel asked worriedly as the three of them were all bewildered by Clark’s reaction.

“Do you know if she had to have major surgery around her eyes? Clark asked, swallowing thickly.

“Yes. About six months after you left, there was an explosion at a lab in Luthor Corp, she was injured. Why?” Lionel asked as they began more and more concerned by Clark’s reaction.

“Lex footed the bill I’m guessing?” Clark asked and Lionel nodded. “We need to get her to a hospital. And then, I’m gonna tell you something that’ll make you want to kill Lex.”

“And him?” Lionel asked as they turned to the unconscious man.

“We’ll handle him,” Lois quickly volunteered, gesturing to herself and Chloe.

“Come on, I’ll get you there,” Clark promised, looking over at Chloe and Lois. “Don’t be stupid.”

Lionel stood up, Tess in his arms and Clark grabbed him before speeding off. Not long after, the man groaned as he came to. He started, leaning onto his back as he saw Chloe aiming a gun at him.

“What are you doing?” he asked fearfully.

“Here’s how this works: we ask the questions, you answer or you got a bullet in the head,” Lois bluffed, knowing Chloe wouldn’t pull the trigger.

“And believe me; I can pull this trigger a lot faster than you can flinch. Why are you looking for Lex?” Chloe demanded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The last thing I remember, I was running on the train tracks,” the man said confused.

“And when you woke up your memory was gone,” Chloe muttered, putting the pieces together. “You know my mother, Moira Sullivan. Where is she?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” the man claimed, flinching when Chloe clicked off the safety. “I was kept in this facility with a bunch of other people with powers.”

“Where?” Chloe demanded.

Metropolis General
Not long after

Lionel was silent as he and Clark sat in the waiting room, processing everything Clark had told him while the doctors worked on Tess.

“I thought I knew the lengths of the depravity Lex was capable of. But this…” Lionel trailed off, at a loss for words. “This was beyond even me at my worst.”

“I’m sorry,” Clark said before his phone rang. “Excuse me.”

Lionel nodded, although Clark wasn’t sure he was even aware of what he said. Clark stood up and stepped a few feet away before answering, already knowing who was calling. There was only one other person besides Lionel who had his number after all.

“What’d you find out?”

“My mom was playing Simon says with that guy, which means she’s getting desperate,” Chloe informed him. “He told me where to find her. She’s being held at an old, abandoned hospital on Paper mill road. Guess who owns it.”

“Luthorcorp,” Clark noted. “I’m on my way.”

Clark hung up before looking over at Lionel, who seemed to have come out of his trance.

“I take it you have what you need?” Lionel asked and Clark nodded. “Then go son. I can handle things here.”

Clark stared at him for a second longer before turning and speeding out.

LuthorCorp Facility
Not long after

Two LuthorCorp employees were leading a young man down the wall way before, in a blur, one was knocked out and the other was pinned against the wall by a dark haired man in a black trench coat.

“Get out of here,” Clark told the young man and he didn’t need to be told twice.

As the young man ran down the hall, Clark turned back to the LuthorCorp Employee.

“Where is Moira Sullivan?” Clark demanded, pressing the man in to the wall until he could feel the steel digging into his back. “Tell me.”

“Just over there!” the LuthorCorp employee said fearfully, gesturing to a cell a few feet away. “That’s her cell!”

Clark easily tossed the man aside before walking over to the cell. With a push, he opened the cell. Moira jumped to her feet, startled as Clark walked into the room.

“Who are you?” she asked wearily.

“A friend of Chloe’s,” Clark said, and he noticed the surprise on her face. “I’m here to get you out. You ready to leave?”

“Take me to Chloe,” she said simply and Clark nodded before grabbing her and speeding her out.

Metropolis General
Later

Tess stirred as she came to. Blinking, she quickly realized she was in a hospital bed. As it all came back to her, she looked over to Lionel sitting by her bedside, a laptop by his side.

“How are you feeling Tess?” Lionel asked an unreadable look on his face.

“It could be worse. That man who attacked us-” Tess started.

“Has been dealt with,” Lionel assured her before pausing. “Tess…do you remember being caught in an explosion a year and a half ago?”

“Lex was experimenting with meteor rock when it exploded. I would’ve died had Lex not paid his top research and medical specialists to do everything they can. Why?” Tess was confused by this train of thought.

Silently, Lionel walked to a nearby table, wheeling it over to Tess’s bedside. Placing the laptop on the table, he opened it and seemed to boot it up before beginning to type.

“My son is not the man you think he is. Its time you finally see him for who he is Tess,” Lionel said grimly.

He turned the laptop around so Tess could see the screen. To Tess’s confusion, there was an image of the laptop on the table on the screen.

“Lex didn’t save you out of the kindness of his heart,” Lionel said and, to Tess’s shock, there was an echo of his voice coming from the laptop. “He placed a Nano transmitter behind your eyes, hardwiring it to your optic nerve. Tess, he’s been using you as his eyes and ears within the company.”

Stunned, Tess lifted up on of her hands, bringing it into her line of sight. An image of her hand appeared on the screen and she moved it. The motion was captured on the screen.

“I’m sorry Tess. More than you’ll ever know,” Lionel said grimy.

Chapter Text

Chloe’s apartment

Night

“Mom?” Chloe called out as she walked into her apartment, Lois right behind her.

They rounded a corner and walked into the kitchen. Chloe froze as she saw her mother sitting at the table, Clark nearby. Moira got to her feet, instantly recognizing Chloe.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remember,” Moira said emotionally.

Tears filling her eyes, Chloe rushed over and hugged Moira. Lois smiled at the scene before noticing Clark had a grim look on his face before looking over at her. He gestured with his head that he wanted to talk to her before he walked out of the room. They walked out of Chloe’s hearing rang before Clark turned to her.

“Why so glum Smallville? You saved Aunt Moira, Chloe has her mom back. So why aren’t you celebrating?” Lois asked, confused by his behavior.

“The drug Lex used to bring Moira out of her catatonic state. It only lasts twenty four hours,” Clark said and Lois stared at him for a long moment, the words sinking in.

“You mean she…” Lois trailed off and Clark nodded. “My God, poor Chloe. What do we do?”

“Let her have this time with her mom. Then, when she slips back…be there for her,” Clark said and Lois looked away, putting a hand to her face. “She’ll need you. I know I needed someone when I lost Alicia.”

“You shut everyone else out,” Lois said lowly.

“Because I didn’t want any false sympathies. It’ll be different for Chloe,” Clark said before he turned to walk towards the door.

“Wait, Smallville, where are you going?” Lois asked.

“To do something I should have done a long time ago,” Clark said darkly.

Luthor Corp

Not long after

Lex walked into his house, seething. Moira Sullivan had escaped his facility and the security cameras had all been wiped. Lex suspected whoever had done it had some inside help.

As he walked into his library, he saw Lionel sitting on the couch, a glass of scotch in his hand.

“I thought you’d be in bed by now,” Lex said, not wanting to deal with his father right now.

Without a word, Lionel put down his scotch and got to his feet. As he looked at Lex, Lex saw Lionel’s eyes were filled with rage. The same rage they’d had when he had believed Lex killed Julian.

“Dad?” Lex asked confused.

“You disgust me,” Lionel snarled as he stalked towards Lex.

“And what have I done now?” Lex asked bored.

“Using your own sister as a means to spy on your company, taking advantage of her after she’d almost died,” Lionel snarled and Lex barely blinked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lex denied.

“One of your mad science experiments came here, looking for you. It nearly killed Tess,” Lionel said and Lex started. “I took her to the hospital. It was merely a matter of looking at her x-rays to figure what you had done.”

“Dad-” Lex started.

He didn’t get a chance to speak. Lionel struck him across the face with enough force to send Lex falling to the floor. Lex looked back up to see Lionel glowering at him, almost trembling with rage.

“What you have done is depraved,” Lionel snarled.

“I learned from the best Dad,” Lex snapped as he pulled himself to his feet.

“No, you do not get to justify your actions by using me as your scapegoat. I make no excuse for my sins, I know what I’ve done and I accept full responsibility. A man accepts responsibility for what he has done, he doesn’t blame others for his sins,” Lionel snarled angrily.

“I was protecting her!” Lex snapped and Lionel stared at him incredulously. “You know the kind of people we deal with! I needed to know what she was up to, so she didn’t get hurt!”

“I know you too well Lex. You can tell yourself you were protecting her all you want, but you and I both know that you never do anything that doesn’t benefit you. You can lie to the world, you can even lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me,” Lionel sneered.

“His lies are coming undone.”

The two Luthors turned to see Clark standing in the doorway, a dark, hateful look on his face as he stared at Lex.

“Clark?” Lex said, shocked to see his former best friend.

Without a word, Clark sped over, picked Lex up by his shirt and throw into a wall. The wall cracked from how hard Lex was thrown before he fell to his knees, groaning in pain.

“Clark, please, stop this,” Lionel tried to reason with the Krytonian.

“No. For too long, I’ve let him go around unchecked. How many more people is he gonna hurt if I don’t stop him now? It has to end,” Clark argued as Lex picked himself up.

“You’re a meteor freak,” Lex realized in shock. “I was right, all these years I was right.”

“You can think whatever you want Lex. I’m done playing your games, done letting you hurt the people I love,” Clark sneered.

As he began to approach Lex, the Luthor pulled a gun, firing. But, to Lex’s shock, the bullet bounced right off Clark’s skin, nearly hitting Lionel in the process. Not wanting to take any more risks, Clark sped over and grabbed Lex by the arm. Clark yanked the gun from Lex’s hands, tossing it aside before grabbing Lex by the neck and slamming him against the wall. Lex gasped for breath as Clark tightened his grip.

“Clark, son, stop. This isn’t you,” Lionel tried to reason with him once again.

Clark didn’t respond, simply staring as Lex’s face began turning blue. For a long moment, he stares as Lex struggled for breath. Then, Clark let go. He stepped back as Lex hit the floor, gasping as air filled his lungs.

“I can’t do it. I can’t do it,” Clark said, shaken by this realization.

Chloe’s apartment, next day

Early morning

“So you didn’t do it,” Lois said, relieved as Clark told her what happened.

“I wanted to. In that moment, I wanted Lex dead more than I’ve wanted anyone dead in my life,” Clark said admitted, remembering the rage he had felt in that moment. “But, as I saw the life leaving his eyes, there was this voice, telling me not to let Lex destroy who I am. The voice of my father.”

“You don’t mean Jor-El, do you?” Lois realized and Clark shook his head.

“I guess after a lifetime, cutting out Jonathan Kent is a lot harder than I thought,” Clark admitted. “And, knowing what Chloe’s about to go through, I feel like I should be…grateful I guess that my parents are still alive.”

“You’re allowed to love them and be angry at them at the same time Smallville. They’re your parents, so I get having tunnel vision, but they’re just people like us. They made a mistake with Alicia, we all did. Maybe it’s time to consider forgiving them for it,” Lois said gently and Clark is silent for a long moment.

“How’s Chloe?” he asked instead of responding and Lois allowed the change in subject…for now.

“How do you think?” Lois asked sarcastically and Clark winced.

“That bad huh?”

Up on the roof, Chloe and Moira sat facing the sun as it rose over the city.

“Thank you for letting me see the sunrise one last time,” Moira said, a tear falling from her eyes.

“It’s not the last time. I promise, someday, we’ll find a cure for this,” Chloe said passionately, tears falling from her eyes as well.

“Being with you again, it’s been a gift. Promise me, no matter what, you will never allow someone like Lex Luthor to use my abilities for their own gain,” Moira said as she turned to her daughter.

“I promise Mom,” Chloe said, her voice wavering as she tried to hold it together.

Moira, smiled, placing a hand on Chloe’s cheek.

“My little…cup...reporter,” Moira said, her eyes beginning to grow unfocused. “This…belongs…to you.”

Moira placed a necklace in Chloe’s hand as her eyes became unfocused. Chloe then clung to her, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Chloe knew it was Lois without turning around. Chloe allowed Lois to hold her, feeling Lois’s own tear falling onto her shoulder.

By the door, Clark merely watched the scene sadly, wishing there was something he could do for them.

Metropolis General

Same time

In her room, Tess stared at the wall blankly, tear trails on her cheeks. After Lionel had left, she had spent the night crying. How could Lex do this to her? She’d trusted him, loved him, and the whole time he was just using her. Lionel had been right all along.

Hearing the door open, she didn’t need to turn to see who it was. She’d spent the better part of two years hearing those expensive shoes.

“Get out,” she snapped.

“Tess, just let me explain,” Lex pleaded and she laughed humorlessly.

“Explain? You put cameras and microphones in my head, made me your eyes and ears. You honestly think you can justify that?” Tess demanded as she finally turned her head to face him.

“You always said you wanted to do good for the world. I was trying to help you do that, giving you something beyond your usual capabilities to help the company,” Lex argued and Tess scoffed.

“You mean help you. Lionel was right about you, you’re really only out for yourself. Get out or I will call for security. And in case there was any doubt, I quit. Now get out!” Tess snarled at him.

Lex lingered a moment longer before he turned and walked out of her room, feeling defeated. As he walked down the hall, he saw Lionel standing a few feet away.

“Did you honestly think you could justify yourself to her? Your sister is many things, but a fool is not one of them. Like all Luthors, she doesn’t take being used lying down,” Lionel told him once Lex had reached him.

“Was this always your play? To turn her against me?” Lex demanded.

“Was it always your plan to use her for your own benefit?” Lionel demanded. “I didn’t turn her against you; you lost Tess all on your own son. And if you ever go near her again, I promise you son, as much as I love you…I will kill you.”

“So this is your play, playing guardian angel for the child you abandoned? It’s almost poetic. I lost her, but you gave her up,” Lex said cruelly.

“No, it’s you that I’ve lost,” Lionel said, staring at Lex sadly before he turned and walked away from his son.

Kent Farm

Same time

Jonathan was in the barn, working on the tractor when he heard someone walk in.

“Mr. Kent,” Jonathan looked up to see Fine enter the barn. “I wasn’t expecting to get your call.”

“Well, I wanted to ask you something,” Jonathan said as he wiped his hands on a rag.

“And what would that be?” Fine asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jonathan grabbed a shotgun and aimed it at Fine, who looked at him in surprise.

“Who are? I know your name isn’t Milton Fine, or if it is, you’re not a police officer. So who are you? And what do you want?” Jonathan demanded.

“Put the gun down Mr. Kent,” Fine said calmly.

“As soon as you start giving me some answers,” Jonathan sneered. “Who are you?”

With a sigh, Fine sped over to Jonathan, grabbed the barrel of the gun and bent it back. Shocked, Jonathan let go of the gun and stumbled back.

“What are you, another Meteor Freak?” Jonathan asked shocked.

“No. I’m a Krytonian, like your son,” Fine said, stunning Jonathan as he tossed the gun away. “And I’m here to save him. I’m sorry for all the lies, but I thought it was the only way I could get you to trust me.”

“Save him from what?” Jonathan demanded.

“From Jor-El,” Fine declared.

Chapter Text

Kawatche caves

Morning

Clark led Chloe and Lois, who were leading an unresponsive Moira, over to the wall. Everyone but Clark was dressed in winter clothes. Clark placed a hand on the wall and it moved aside, revealing the chamber inside. Clark led them over to the altar before turning to them.

“You guys ready for this?” Clark asked.

“Do we have a choice?” Lois asked dryly.

Clark nodded before pulling out the key. He placed it in the slot on the altar and the four of them were consumed by a blinding light.

When the light faded, they were at the fortress. Lois and Chloe looked around, stunned at the structure.

“When you said it was up north, you weren’t kidding,” Chloe muttered.

“Kal-El,” Chloe and Lois jumped at the sound of Jor-El’s voice. “You have brought humans here.”

“They’re my friends. We need the stasis chamber,” Clark said in a voice that left no room for argument.

Jor-El didn’t respond, but something rose out of the ground. Chloe and Lois stepped back as a kind of machine rose up. Chloe and Lois eyed it curiously, seeing it resembled a cryo chamber.

“This is a stasis pod. Kryptonians would freeze themselves in it and scan their brainwave patterns. It was a way to catch tumors before they grew inoperable,” Clark explained.

“And you wanna put my mom in there?” Chloe asked skeptically.

“Temporarily. Kryptonian technology is far more advanced than earth’s. I’m not trying to get your hopes up Chloe, but it’s her best chance of finding a cure one day,” Clark said. “But it’s your mom, your choice. I won’t do anything without your okay.”

Chloe looked at the stasis chamber uncertainly before looking back at her mother. She stared at Moira’s unfocused eyes for a moment and made her decision. It was her mom’s best chance.

“Do it,” Chloe said firmly.

Clark nodded, taking Moira by the hand and leading her over to the stasis chamber. He gently placed her inside before pressing a button. The top half of the chamber lowered over Moira and then there was a sound of something freezing. Chloe stared at the stasis chamber emotionally, a tear falling from her eye.

She knew it was her mother’s best chance, but that didn’t make it any easier to lose her all over again.

Luthor Corp

Not long after

In his office, Lionel was doing paperwork when his eyes became unfocused. Once they refocused, Lionel stared in shock at what he had written.

Luthor Mansion

Not long after

At the mansion, Lex was staring at the crack in the wall where Clark had thrown him the previous night. Placing a hand to his throat, Lex recalled the feeling of Clark’s hand around his neck, choking the life out of him and couldn’t help the shutter that ran through him.

Clark had powers. He had been right all along. The bridge, everything. And Clark had lied to him all that time, never trusted him. Lex felt a surge of anger as he thought of everything he and Clark could have accomplished together. If Clark had only trusted him enough to tell him the truth.

But it doesn’t matter anymore, Lex thought as he focused his thoughts on the future rather than in the past. Whatever he and Clark once were, Clark had made it clear he saw Lex as the enemy now. Which made Clark a threat.

“You get in a fight with the wall?”

“No, just an unfortunate incident with a pair of fencing swords,” Lex said smoothly as he turned around to face Simon Stagg. “Thank you for coming.”

“You said there’d been progress on the project?” Stagg inquired and Lex nodded.

“Let’s go for a drive. There’s something I want to show you,” Lex said.

Clark was a problem for another day. For now, he had to focus on the project. Then, Lex would concern himself with how to deal with Clark.

Kent Farm

Not long after

Martha stared down at the bent gun before looking back at Fine as Jonathan eyed the man wearily.

“I thought the Kryptonians were all wiped out,” Jonathan said suspiciously.

“Most of us. A few of us managed to survive. I apologize for my deception, but given your past experiences with Jor-El, I feared you would not trust me,” Fine explained.

“You said you’re here to save Clark from Jor-El,” Martha noted and Fine nodded.

“Yes, although I fear I may be too late on that account. Jor-El’s claws may be too deep into Kal-El,” Fine sighed wearily.

“What exactly are we dealing with? Please, I need to know,” Jonathan pleaded; fear in his heart for what Clark may have gotten himself into.

“I’m sorry to say that Jor-El was a violent dictator who ruled over Krypton with an iron grip of fear and intimidation. Anyone who spoke out against him was either silenced or locked away, even the great hero of the people, Zod,” Fine said to Jonathan and Martha’s horror. “Maybe if Zod hadn’t been captured, he could have stopped Jor-El from eviscerating the planet.”

“Jor-El destroyed Krypton?” Martha asked horrified and Fine nodded.

“Billions of people died. But he made sure his only son survived,” Fine said bitterly. “All so Kal-El could one day conquer the human race. Recreate Krypton on earth.”

“No, no. Clark would never do that,” Jonathan said, refusing to believe it.

“Your son may think he’s destined to save the earth, but Jor-El will make sure he’ll rule it. He may have even developed a way to control Clark,” Fine warned them.

“Then why hasn’t he used it before now?” Jonathan asked.

“He may have not believed he needed to. Jor-El would have wanted Clark to come to him willingly before resorting to such methods,” Fine explained. “But one thing is for certain, Jor-El is putting in motion the next stage of his plan to conquer earth. He’s already selected an emissary.”

“An emissary?” Martha asked confused.

“A human to serve him and his son, the one you know as Lionel Luthor,” Fine announced, stunning the Kents as he pulled out a yellow envelope. “It’s no coincidence that Lionel came out of whatever psychosis he was in just as Clark returned from his training under Jor-El. They’ve been meeting.”

Fine handed the envelope to Jonathan, who slowly opened it. Jonathan pulled out the contents, photographs of Clark and Lionel on a rooftop.

“Those were taken a week ago,” Fine explained as Jonathan and Martha looked at them horrified. “Jor-El is reaching his endgame and it will soon be too late to save Clark or the human race.”

“But not yet. There’s still time to stop him?” Martha asked and Fine nodded.

“I’m looking into something, a weapon than can save stop Jor-El and free Clark of his influence. When the time comes, Jonathan, I will need your help,” Fine said as he looked over at Jonathan.

“Whatever you need, I’ll do it. Just help me save my son and my world from this monster,” Jonathan demanded and Fine nodded.

Chloe’s apartment

Afternoon

“What do you mean you won’t be around much for a while?” Chloe asked as she and Lois stared at Clark in disbelief.

“Last night, I went over to Luthor Mansion. I wasn’t intending on letting Lex leave alive,” Clark explained and the blood drained from Chloe’s face. “But I couldn’t do it.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t turn into a murderer, but what exactly does that have to do with you pulling a disappearing act on us again?” Chloe demanded.

“I used my powers on Lex. He knows, at least he knows part of it. After what he did to your mom, we both know he’s not gonna stop until he gets to me. And if he even suspects that I’m in contact with the two of you, Lex will not hesitate to use you to get to me. I have to step away, at least for now,” Clark explained.

Chloe opened her mouth to mouth to argue when they heard the sound of someone knocking on the front door. Clark held up a hand, using his X-Ray vision to see through the door. Surprised by who was on the other side, he walked over and opened it.

“Clark, I’m glad I caught you,” Lionel said relieved.

“What are you doing here Lionel?” Clark said wearily.

“Looking for you. May I come in?” Lionel asked.

Clark looked over at Chloe and Lois. After a moment, Chloe nodded, looking like she’d swallowed a lemon. Clark stepped aside and Lionel walked in.

“Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Lane,” Lionel greeted as he walked inside and Clark closed the door behind him.

“What are you doing here Lionel?” Clark asked, getting right to the point.

“I was in my office earlier, doing paperwork. And then I wrote this,” Lionel said as he pulled out a piece of paper.

He handed it to Clark and Clark was stunned by what was on it.

“Uh, what’s that?” Lois asked as she and Chloe walked over, seeing strange symbols written on the paper.

“They look like the symbols in the caves,” Chloe noted.

“Because it’s Kryptonian Ms. Sullivan,” Lionel explained.

“Okay, and what does it say?” Lois asked and Clark swallowed thickly before answering.

“It says ‘Zod is coming’,” he said lowly.

“Who’s Zod?” Chloe asked, seeing the look on Clark and Lionel’s faces.

“A rogue Kryptonian General, imprisoned for crimes that led to Krypton’s destruction,” Lionel said and Chloe looked at Clark in shock.

“I thought you said you were the only survivor of Krypton, so how can this Zod guy be coming?” Chloe asked in confusion.

“Because Zod wasn’t on Krypton when it exploded. He and a group of his followers were sent to the Phantom Zone, an inter-dimensional prison before Krypton’s destruction,” Clark explained as he looked up from the page. “But some of his follows escaped Krypton before it was destroyed; I fought them a few weeks ago.”

“And you think one of Zod’s followers might be trying to get him out,” Chloe realized and Clark nodded.

“It would certainly explain a few things. Only thing I can’t figure out is how,” Clark said in frustration.

“You wrote this, so where is he coming from?” Lois asked as she whirled on Lionel.

“I am merely the oracle Ms. Lane. Jor-El’s message is beyond me,” Lionel admitted.

“Then I think it’s time I had a chat with my father,” Clark said as his face hardened.

Unknown location

Same time

“I’m pleased we’re so far ahead of schedule,” Stagg said as he and Lex walked out of a warehouse.

“No doubt thanks to your resources,” Lex said but Stagg shook his head.

“My resources wouldn’t have gone anywhere without the drug you supplied,” Stagg said.

“I’d hoped to use it to dismantle meteor freaks. But fortunately, I was able to find another use for it,” Lex said.

“Meteor freaks are an epidemic. But there one that can be solved another day,” Stagg said as they reached a limo. “We’ll be in touch.”

Lex nodded as Stagg got into his car. Now that the project was up and running, it was time to consider Clark.

Inside the limo, Stagg sat down before he was suddenly covered with grey. His body changed shape and his form shrunk until color returned to his form. Fine looked forward, a smirk on his face.

Fortress of Solitude

Not long after

“You have a strange way of getting my attention,” Clark said as he appeared back in the fortress.

“Things are most dire Kal-El,” Jor-El’s voice said. “The craft in which the Disciples of Zod arrived carried with it the Brain Interactive Construct.”

“You mean it’s here?” Clark asked, the blood leaving his face.

“Yes my son. And I fear it is about to make its presence known.”

“By unleashing Zod,” Clark realized.

“Yes. And if that happens, all of earth shall feel his wrath,” Jor-El warned him.

Kent Farm

Night

Martha was staring at a picture of Jonathan and Clark when Jonathan walked up beside her.

“We failed him,” Martha said softly. “We weren’t there for him and we drove him into the arms of a monster that’s going to use him to take over the earth.”

“Not yet,” Jonathan said as he put his arms around his wife. “We’ve made mistakes, but we are not responsible for what Jor-El has done. And we will not lose him to Jor-El. I promise you that.”

“Do you really trust Fine?” Martha asked after a moment.

“I’m not sure,” Jonathan admitted. “But if he’s lying to us…I’ll handle it.”

Before the conversation could continue, there was a knock on the door. Jonathan and Martha exchanged a look before Jonathan walked over to the door. Opening it, he found Fine on the other side.

“Jonathan, it’s time. I need you to get in your car and come with me,” Fine requested.

“Alright, just let me grab something,” Jonathan said.

Stepping out of view of Fine, Jonathan opened the hall closet. Reaching inside, he grabbed a familiar lead box and put it in his pocket.

Unspecified location

Later

“What is this?” Jonathan asked as Fine led him into a lab, seeing various vials placed around the area. “And why did you bring me to LuthorCorp?”

“Lex Luthor has been developing what he believes is the ultimate vaccine, one that will cure any known disease, even reduce heart disease,” Fine explained, ignoring Jonathan’s questions.

Wearily, Jonathan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the lead box. Fine turned around as Jonathan opened it. The green glow of Kryptonite lit the room and Fine merely stared at Jonathan, seeming amused.

“You’re not one of them,” Jonathan said as he closed the box.

“No, I was just made by them,” Fine revealed.

“Was anything you said true?” Jonathan demanded.

“Enough,” Fine said as he pulled out a syringe. “Lex Luthor has only been able to produce one vaccine so far. But one is all I need.”

Jonathan watched in confused as Fine injected something into a vial before picking up a high powered syringe. He put the vial in it before walking over to Jonathan. Jonathan tried to run but Fine had the strength of a Kryptonian, if not the other abilities. Fine then stuck it into Jonathan’s neck and injected him with it.

Jonathan gasped in pain as Fine removed the syringe before Fine shoved him back. Jonathan fell to the floor, quickly losing consciousness. Fine smirked as he stared down at Jonathan before he turned and walked out.

Chapter Text

Kent Farm

Morning

Martha was awakened by the sound of a knock on the front door. It took her a few moments to realize she was on the couch. She must have fallen asleep waiting for Jonathan. Which meant Jonathan had never come home last night.

Another knock on the door broke Martha out of her thoughts. Martha got to her feet and headed over to the front door. She opened it and was surprised to see Sheriff Adams on her front porch.

“Mayor Adams,” she said in surprise.

“Morning Mrs. Kent. Wish I could say this was a social call, but it’s about your husband,” Adams said.

Smallville Police Station

Same time

Jonathan sat at the interrogation room, his hands cuffed to the table. The door opened and Lex walked in.

“Mr. Kent,” Lex greeted him, closing the door behind him. “It’s been a long time.”

“What do you want Lex?” Jonathan asked, not in the mood for Lex’s games.

“Right to the point I see. I’ve always liked that about you, you never beat around the bush,” Lex said as he sat on the other side of the table. “Why were you in my factory? One that no one’s supposed to know about, as a matter of fact?”

Jonathan was silent. Even if he trusted Lex, which he didn’t, he would never be able to explain how he ended up there.

“Mr. Kent, you’re facing some pretty serious charges. Believe it or not, I’m trying to help you,” Lex said when Jonathan remained silent. “Be straight with me, and I will get them all dropped.”

“Right. And I guess I’ll owe you then, right? Your help, your kindness, even back in the day, there were always strings attached. I’m not playing your game Lex,” Jonathan sneered.

An angry expression came over Lex’s face but, before he could respond, the door to the room opened. The pair looked up as Lionel walked in.

“I didn’t know you had taken up helping the police while I was indisposed,” Lionel noted as he stared at Lex.

“You know I haven’t,” Lex said, wondering what his father was doing here.

“Then you have no real grounds for being in this room, do you? Despite what you may think, the law does still apply to you son,” Lionel said bitingly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Jonathan and I have some matters to discuss.”

“And you think you have more right to be here than I do?” Lex demanded.

“I should hope so, I’m paying for Jonathan’s legal defense,” Lionel announced, to the shock of Lex and Jonathan.

“You really hate me so much you’d help someone who broke into our company?” Lex demanded as he got to his feet.

“It may surprise you son, but not everything I do is about you. Now, since you have no legal grounds to be here, I suggest you leave before you’re escorted from the room. Even a Luthor has limits,” Lionel said coolly.

Lex glared at his father for a moment before storming out of the room. The door shut behind him with a slam and Jonathan looked over at Lionel.

“Are you doing this just because of Lex?” Jonathan asked suspiciously.

“No. Lex doesn’t even factor into this,” Lionel said, walking over and sitting down across from him. “You ending up at this secret warehouse is the latest in a long line of things that are all happening at once. Someone else is pulling the strings, someone who is far more dangerous than Lex.”

“Is this someone a threat to Clark? I know you’ve been meeting with him,” Jonathan accused him and Lionel was taken aback before slowly nodded. “How long have you known?”

“Two years ago, when Clark united two of the stones, I was holding the third. I was imbued with all of Jor-El’s knowledge. When Clark returned from his training, I awakened, here to help him should he need it,” Lionel explained.

“Training for what? To conquer the world?” Jonathan said suspiciously.

“No, to save it,” Lionel said, stunning Jonathan. “You have good reason to assume the worst of Jor-El, his actions seem cruel and heartless. But everything he’s done has been to prepare Clark for his destiny: to be earth’s savior.”

“And I’m just supposed to trust you? Take your word?” Jonathan said, not ready to believe it.

“Trust your son. Or if not him, then Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Lane,” Lionel said, stunning Jonathan. “They’ve been working together.”

“Chloe knows Clark is back?” Jonathan asked in shock.

“I tried to convince him to reach out to you and Martha. The best I could do was have him to meet Ms. Sullivan. You have no reason to trust me, but trust that we both want to protect Clark. In order to do that, I need you to tell me what you were doing at that warehouse,” Lionel told him firmly.

Chloe’s apartment

Same time

Clark climbed in through the window, looking around for Chloe and Lois. He’d spent the last several hours trying to locate the Brain Interactive Construct, which wasn’t easy since he had no idea what he was looking for. Then, about ten minutes ago, Chloe had called him, saying they had a lead.

“Chloe? Lois?” Clark called out.

“In here Smallville,” he heard Lois call for him.

Clark followed her voice into the kitchen, stopping to take in the scene before him. Lois and Chloe sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by two laptops and various papers.

“Uh, did your printer explode or something?” Clark asked and they looked up.

“Whoa, nice coat Smallville,” Lois said, not having seen him in his get up before now.

“You said you had a lead,” Clark said and Chloe looked up.

“Yeah, your Dad came to me after Zod’s Disciples attacked him at the farm. So I started thinking about how they got here, and I realized this Brainiac or whatever got here the same way,” Chloe explained.

“That still doesn’t leave a whole lot to go on,” Clark noted.

“Don’t count us out just yet Clark,” Chloe said and he raised an eyebrow. “The government would obliviously do its best to cover up any sign of an alien invasion. So anything talking about it will be dismissed as a conspiracy theory.”

“And no one does conspiracy theories better than The Inquisitor,” Lois interrupted. “All it took was a little digging. The day Zod’s flunkies came to earth, a ship crashed in Smallville.”

“Well, knowing earth’s government, it’s probably long gone by now,” Clark pointed out.

“It is, but not by the government,” Chloe said and Clark raised an eyebrow. “Once Lois pointed us in the right direction, we did a little digging. Allegedly, the Department of Defense confiscated it.”

“But I made a call to my dad who has a friend in the DOD and have no record of confiscating anything resembling an alien spaceship. But I think we all know someone who would love to get his hands on something like that so he could turn it into a weapon,” Lois said and Clark caught on.

“Lex,” Clark almost growled.

“He’s probably got it stashed in one of his warehouses. All we need to do is figure out which one,” Chloe said. “And then, maybe it’ll lead us to your Brainiac guy.”

Warehouse

Same time

In the warehouse where Lex had stashed the ship, Fine walked up to it, eying it. It had brought him here, but in the hands of Lex Luthor, it could be a threat, especially now that he was so close to his goal.

Fine placed a hand on the ship and it seemed to turn into liquid. Fine seemed to absorb the ship into himself, the ship vanished into the grey matter that Fine originally appeared in. Fine then smirked, heading out and reassuming the form of Simon Stagg.

Smallville Police Station

Not long after

Martha had just arrived at the station and was heading towards the door when it opened and Jonathan stepped out.

“Martha,” Jonathan said, surprised to see her there.

“Jonathan,” she said, hugging him in relief.

“I’m alright sweetheart,” Jonathan said, hugging her in returned.

“What happened with Fine? You never came home last night and the police said you were found unconscious in a Luthorcorp facility,” Martha said, pulling back to look at her husband.

“Well, like we suspected, Fine wasn’t what he appeared to be. And we have bigger problems,” Lionel said, looking over his shoulder.

Martha followed his gaze and was stunned to see Lionel walk out behind her husband.

“Martha,” he greeted politely.

“I-I don’t understand. Jonathan, what is he doing here?” Martha asked as she looked at her husband in confusion.

“Helping. I’m sure Jonathan can fill you in on the way to the hospital,” Lionel said and Martha was alarmed.

“The hospital? Why are we going to the hospital?” Martha demanded as she looked at Jonathan worriedly.

“Martha, sweetheart, Fine…injected me with something. I feel fine,” Jonathan quickly assured her as he saw the look on her face.

“But we would both like to know what it is. If what I suspect is true, then Fine is reaching his endgame,” Lionel said.

Martha frowned, confused. Clearly, she was missing something. Before she could say anything else, Jonathan suddenly grunted, holding his head in pain.

“Jonathan? What’s wrong?” Martha asked in concern.

Without a word, Jonathan headed over to his truck and got inside. Martha tried to race over but Jonathan started in and pulled out of the parking lot before she could get there.

“Jonathan!” she called out but he didn’t stop, merely got onto the road.

“Martha,” she turned around to see Lionel behind her. “We’ll take my car.”

Jonathan was on the road, driving as fast as his truck would go. He didn’t know where he was going, but the pulsing in his head seemed to be giving him some unknown directions. Behind him, he could see a fancy car pursuing him. He realized it was Lionel but couldn’t bring himself to care.

He stopped his truck at a turn near a ditch and got out. As Lionel’s car approached, Jonathan, for reasons he couldn’t explain, raced over the ditch and through a creek. Behind him, Lionel and Martha got out, staring after him in confusion.

“Jonathan?!” Martha called out to him but he ignored her.

Lionel and Martha pursued Jonathan through the creek and into an abandoned field of grass. Jonathan fell to his knees, crying out in pain as he clutched his head. The world seemed to spin before the pain in his head stopped. Jonathan looked up, seeing Martha running towards him, Lionel not far behind.

“Martha, stay back!” Jonathan cried, not wanting her near him.

He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew it wasn’t good.

“Jonathan, what is going on?” Martha demanded.

“I don’t know,” Jonathan admitted.

Suddenly, dirt and glass flew into the air as something under the ground seemed to exploded. Several more explosion followed and Lionel pulled Martha to safety as Jonathan looked around in bewilderment, wondering what was happening. To his shock, the explosions were followed by a glow. When the dust settled, Jonathan stood in the center of a field of destruction.

The three of them then heard what sounded like the roar of engines above them. They looked up into the sky, seeing a shadow looming over them but nothing to cast it. Feeling a presence behind them, Lionel and Martha turned around, seeing Fine standing there.

“Milton Fine I presume?” Lionel asked as he stepped protectively in front of Martha.

“Emissary. You’re too late to stop me, and so is Kal-El,” Fine taunted him.

“What are you doing to him?” Martha demanded.

“Preparing him,” Fine said vaguely.

Suddenly, a beam shot down and struck Jonathan, who cried out in pain and agony.

“Jonathan!” Martha cried out in horror.

She tried to rush to him but Lionel quickly grabbed her, holding her back. And all too soon, the beam vanished, along with Jonathan. As a symbol was branded into the ground, Lionel let Martha go. She ran over, looking around in shock as Lionel looked back, seeing Fine had vanished.

“What is happening Lionel?” Martha demanded as she stormed back over to him.

“If I’m right, then we need to go to Clark. He needs to know what he’s facing,” Lionel said, looking at the symbol with a grim face. “Zod is coming.”

Chapter Text

Chloe’s apartment
Mid-morning

“Clark, there are dozens, maybe hundreds of warehouses owned by Luthorcorp in Kansas alone. It’s not going to be easy to find this ship,” Chloe said as she sat at her computer, trying to look up all the possible locations of the ship.

“But it’s a start, and I can search them a lot faster than you,” Clark said as he moved towards the door.

Only for it to open up from the other side. Clark froze as Lionel walked in with Martha trailing behind him. The entire room seemed to freeze as Clark and Martha stared at each other, Lois and Chloe freezing to, completely caught off guard.

“Clark,” Martha breathed as she stared at her son.

“Wh-what is she doing here? Why did you bring her here?” Clark demanded as he turned to look at Lionel accusingly, a feeling of betrayal filling him.

He had begun to trust Lionel. Which hadn’t been easy, considering Lionel’s history. Now he was beginning to wonder if that was a mistake.

“Son, I’ve respected your wishes to keep your distance from your parents until now. It’s no longer an option, something’s happened,” Lionel said and they all tensed.

“Clark…your father’s been taken by this…construct,” Martha said gently and the blood drained from Clark’s face. “He came to us a few days ago, said his name was Milton Fine and he was Krytonian. He…he manipulated us. And now he’s taken your father.”

“It’s worse than that I’m afraid. Before he was taken, your father was injected with something. The Brain Interactive Construct said he was preparing Jonathan," Lionel said and Clark ran a hand over his face. “Zod’s symbol was burned into the field where your father was abducted.”

“Okay. The Construct is obliviously trying to use my Dad to try and leverage me into releasing Zod from the Phantom Zone. But he knows that I’d never do it willingly,” Clark said as he began to pace back and forth, trying not to let emotion cloud his judgement.

“So what, Mr. Kent is plan B?” Lois inquired.

“I don’t know. But I think I need to go have another chat with Jor-El,” Clark said with a heavy sigh.

Fortress of Solitude
Early Afternoon

“Kal-El,” Jor-El greeted as Clark appeared in the fortress.

“The Brain Interactive Construct has returned,” Clark said, not wasting any time. “It’s taken my father.”

“I am your father,” Jor-El told him.

“Why would it take Jonathan Kent?” Clark demanded, not in the mood for a debate.

“It is programed to release Zod from the Phantom Zone at any cost,” Jor-El explained. “Zod’s physical body was destroyed to prevent his escape from the Phantom Zone, but he can be freed if he finds a body, a vessel to inhabit.”

“That’s why they chose my father,” Clark realized.

Silently, a dagger floated out of a nearby console and floated towards Clark.

“Zod will destroy this world and all who inhabit it. The only way to stop him is to destroy the vessel. You must kill Jonathan Kent before Zod can take control of his body,” Jor-El said.

Clark reeled from this before a bright light consumed him and then he found himself back in the Kawatche caves, holding the dagger.

Clark stared down at it for a long moment, trying to absorb what he had to do. In order to save the world…he would have to kill his own father.

Chloe’s apartment
Same time

“How long have you been in contact with Clark?” Martha asked as she, Chloe and Lois sat around the kitchen table, Martha holding a cup of coffee Chloe had made for her.

“Since the day Lois got released from the hospital,” Chloe admitted. “He made me promise not to tell you and I was scared if I did he’d leave again. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize. I’m glad he felt he could come to, open up to someone. I’m glad that someone was you,” Martha said, not holding any ill will towards Chloe’s loyalty to Clark.

“I just kind of found out by accident. Then he told me…well, ya know,” Lois said awkwardly and Martha understood.

“You know about Clark then,” Martha said and Lois nodded.

“It was a lot to take in, but it sure explains a lot. Guess I can’t call him Smallville anymore,” Lois quipped and Martha smiled.

She was glad Clark had friends such as Lois and Chloe to lean on when he was still so angry with her and Jonathan. She could see the difference reconnecting with them had made, Clark seemed more aloof than cold and detached as he had seemed when she and Jonathan had first seen him after his return. He was far closer to her son now than that phantom he had been before.

The door then opened up and they all looked over to see Clark walk through the door.

“Clark. Did you find anything out from Jor-El?” Martha asked hopefully.

“Nothing useful,” Clark said, to their disappointment. “But it won’t matter soon. Nothing will.”

Their confusion lasted only a moment. Clark suddenly sped over, knocked Martha to the floor by pushing her from her chair. She hit her head hard enough to get knocked out before Clark sped over and slammed Chloe into the wall. Like Martha, she hit her head enough to get knocked out.

As Chloe fell to the floor, Clark sped over to Lois and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her into the air. As Lois gasped for breathe, Clark was suddenly surrounded by grey material. When it faded, it was no longer Clark holding her but Fine.

“You’ll do,” Fine said simply before Lois passed out.

Stagg Industries
Same time

Simon Stagg was in his office, on his computer when the door to his office burst open. Stagg calmly looked up to see Lex storm into his office practically trembling with rage.

“I’m sorry Mr. Stagg, he insisted on seeing you,” his secretary said apologetically.

“It’s fine. Can you leave us alone for a few minutes,” Stagg requested.

The secretary nodded and walked out, closing the door behind her. Stagg leaned back in his chair, waiting for Lex to speak. He didn’t have to wait long.

“You know, I thought that we were working together to help people. I should have known it was all a ploy. How’d you do it?” Lex demanded.

“You’ll have to be more specific Lex,” Stagg said sounding uninterested.

“The ship Stagg. It’s missing and you were the last one to see it. Only way I can’t figure out is how you did it,” Lex accused and Stagg chuckled.

“Well, truth be told, it’s time for me to drop the charade,” Stagg said ominously.

Stagg got to his feet and, to Lex’s shock, was covered in grey mattered that altered his form. When it faded, Fine stood in the room.

“What are you?” Lex demanded, taking a few steps back in caution.

“Something far beyond your understanding. The real Simon Stagg has been dead for some time,” Fine said with a smirk as he walked out from around the desk. “I must thank you; you’ve been ever so useful. I could never have produced the vaccine without you. But all I ever needed was one.”

“What do you want?” Lex asked wearily, trying to figure him out.

“It’s not what I want; it’s what the man I serve wants. Kal-El. The one you know as Clark Kent,” Fine said and the blood drained from Lex’s face.

“What?” Lex demanded and Fine chuckled.

“Come now, you must know by now that Clark is no ordinary man. It’s because he’s not a man at all. Like me, he comes from a planet called Krypton. And we shall soon rule this planet as gods,” Fine said with a smirk. “You’ll try to fight us I’m sure, but we are beyond you. You cannot stop us. Especially when we already have a human on our side.”

“Who?” Lex demanded angrily and Fine smirked.

“Don’t you already know?” Fine taunted.

And Lex did. He remembered how his father had tried to convince Clark to spare him, how unsurprised he was by Clark’s abilities. His father had sold them out for power. That didn’t really surprise Lex. His father had always been greedy and self-serving.

“You may try to stop us Lex, but the wheels are already in motion. Earth will fall and give rise to a new Krypton. But maybe Kal-El will be merciful enough to let you live long enough to see your race die,” Fine said with a smirk.

Fine then sped out, leaving Lex alone in the office, trying to process everything he had just learned.

Chapter Text

Chloe’s apartment

Afternoon

Clark entered Chloe’s apartment, his mind whirling with everything he had learned from Jor-El. As he closed the door behind him, Clark almost immediately noticed Martha and Chloe on the floor of the kitchen, out cold.

“Mom, Mom,” Clark instantly sped to Martha’s side, shaking her awake after X-Raying her and Chloe, determining there were no serious injuries on either.

“Clark?” Martha said dazed as came to and saw him.

“What happened?” Clark said as he moved over to wake Chloe.

“I-I don’t know. You came back from seeing Jor-El,” Martha remembered.

“That wasn’t me,” Clark said as he realized what happened.

“Yeah, I figured that much when you slammed me against the wall,” Chloe muttered as she woke up, holding her head. “So what, you have an identical twin brother?”

“No. The Construct can shape shift,” Clark said as he noticed Lois’s absence. “He must have taken Lois.”

“But why would Fine want Lois?” Martha asked, as worried for her as Clark and Chloe.

“Zod’s plan will be to recreate Krypton on Earth, except it will be ruled by his bloodline. To do that, he’ll need an heir,” Clark explained, horrifying Chloe and Martha.

“So what, Zod wants to make Lois his queen?” Chloe demanded in disbelief.

“I doubt Zod will give Lois much of a choice,” Clark said darkly. “Hopefully it won’t come to that.”

“So you found something out from Jor-EL?” Chloe asked hopefully and Clark gulped, the weight of the dagger in his jacket suddenly feeling a lot heavier.

“Yeah. But it’s not good news,” Clark said before he began to tell them what he’d learned.

Smallville

Not long after

Lionel was staring at the spot where Jonathan had disappeared when his phone began to ring. Pulling it out, he saw it was Lex. He had more important things to do at the moment than deal with Lex, but knowing his son would grow irritable if he ignored him, Lionel answered.

“Lex, I’m afraid I’m busy at the moment.”

“Helping Kal-El?” Lex asked and Lionel froze. “Your friend told me everything. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you sold out your own kind.”

“Lex, I assure you I have no idea what you are talking about,” Lionel said truthfully, not sure where Lex was getting the idea from.

“The days of me believing your lies are over Dad. But I will get the truth from you, one way or another. You’re going to meet me where I say.”

“Otherwise, my little sister will pay the price,” Lex said as he aimed a gun at Tess, who was strapped to a chair as she looked at Lex, wondering if he’d actually lost his mind.

Chloe’s apartment

Not long after

The room was silent for several long moments after Clark had finished speaking. Martha and Chloe stood silently in the kitchen as Clark waited for them to say something.

“So, Zod took your Dad as this…vessel? How does that work exactly?” Chloe wondered.

“All Jor-El told me was that Zod’s spirit would possess Dad’s body once he escaped the Phantom Zone. And the construct said that it was preparing him, right?” Clark asked as he turned towards Martha.

“Y-yes,” Martha said, still in a state of shock. “Clark…what are you going to do if Jor-El is right?”

“I don’t know, I’ve been trying to figure that out since Jor-El gave me the dagger,” Clark said as he turned away, running a hand over his face. “I can’t kill anyone. And as angry as I still am with him and you, Dad’s still my dad. But I don’t think I have much choice here. Either I kill Dad or Zod unleashes Hell on Earth.”

“Isn’t Lionel a walking library of Kryptonian knowledge now? You think he might be able to help?” Chloe asked, not believing she was even suggesting it.

“That’s not a bad idea actually,” Clark mused, pulling out his phone to dial Lionel’s number.

Smallville

Not long after

Lionel got out of his car, ignoring his phone as he looked around. He was in a seemingly abandoned courtyard. As he walked over to a cellar door, it opened with a click. Lionel stared down into the darkness for a moment before walking down the steps.

When he reached the bottom, Lionel found himself in a dark hallway. Looking around blindly, Lionel saw a light at the end of the hall. Lionel followed it to a room at the end of the hall, where Tess was tied to a chair, tape over her mouth.

“Tess,” Lionel said, quickly rushing over and removing the tape from her mouth. “Are you alright?”

“I’m tied to a chair; do I look alright to you?” Tess snapped as Lionel moved around, beginning to untie her. “Lex had one of his men bring me here. I think he’s having some sort of psychotic break, he was rambling about someone called Kal-El and how you betrayed us all.”

“On the contrary Tess, I’ve never seen things more clearly.”

Lionel had barely finished untying Tess when Lex entered the room, holding a gun in his hand.

“Lex, son, put the gun down. This is madness,” Lionel tried to reason with his son.

“Save it Dad. I know everything. How you and Clark are trying to take over the world, I should have known Clark wasn’t one of us. Tell me, how do I stop him?” Lex said as he took aim at Lionel.

“Lex put the gun down. There are bigger things happening here than you can possibly imagine,” Lionel tried to explain.

“Save it Dad. I was trained never to accept defeat, and I won’t allow you and Clark to unleash Hell on Earth. Tell me the truth…or watch your daughter die,” Lex said before turning the gun on Tess.

“Lex, you’re clearly having some sort of psychotic break. Listen to yourself,” Tess said, sounding eerily calm despite having a gun pointed at her.

“Sorry sis, but I’m perfectly sane. Why don’t have him tell you the whole story? How your mother was a woman he hired to be my nanny. How they had an affair and then how he dropped you off an orphanage when you were five,” Lex ranted and Lionel stared at him calmly.

“Son, this is between us. Leave Tess out of this,” Lionel said firmly.

“No, I don’t think so,” Lex sneered, his eyes blazing with madness. “Now I see why you’ve tried so hard to turn Tess against me. When you and Clark wipe out humanity, Tess will be spared. You chose the child you abandoned over your son.”

“Lex,” Lionel warned, realizing what Lex was about to do.

Lex pulled the trigger and Lionel jumped. He moved his body in front of Tess and the bullet struck him in the chest. Lionel went down, paralyzed as blood seeped from his wound. Tess seemed shocked as Lex sneered.

Then Clark sped in, grabbed Lex and tossed him into the wall. Lex hit the wall hard enough to get knocked out and fell to the floor, out cold.

“Are you alright?” Clark asked Tess as he quickly moved towards Lionel.

“Y-yeah. He just shot at me,” Tess said in a state of disbelief. “How’d you do that?”

“Long story, don’t have time to explain. I’m gonna get you both out of here,” Clark promised.

“And what about him?” Tess asked as she looked at Lex wearily, still in disbelief that he had tried to kill her.

“Right now, my priority is to get you and Lionel somewhere safe,” Clark said.

Without another word, Clark lifted Lionel up with one hand, grabbed Tess with the other and sped out.

Metropolis General

Not long after

Clark walked through the door; Lionel is his arms and Tess behind him.

“I need a doctor!”

Smallville

Later in the afternoon

In the field where he had been abducted only that morning, Jonathan came to, surrounded by another burned symbol. As Jonathan got to his feet, breathing heavily, he felt a presence behind him. Turning around, Jonathan came face to face with Fine.

“Hello Jonathan,” Fine greeted with a smirk.

“What did you do to me?” Jonathan demanded shakily.

With a smirk, Fine pulled out a knife and brought it down on Jonathan’s shirt. To Jonathan’s shock, the blade shattered upon impact with his skin.

“You now possess the same abilities as Kal-El,” Fine said, tossing the hilt of the knife away.

“Why? You didn’t give me powers out of the kindness of your heart,” Jonathan said suspiciously.

“Your body will serve as the stepping stone for a great man to escape his confinement. Provided Kal-El doesn’t kill you first,” Fine said, smirking at Jonathan’s stunned face. “By now, Jor-El will have ordered your death. So I guess what happens now depends on what Kal-El is willing to sacrifice: you or the earth.”

Fine then sped out of the field, leaving Jonathan standing there, trying to process everything he had just been told.

Metropolis General

Same time

“Lionel’s in surgery now, but they won’t tell me anything because I’m not family,” Clark told Chloe over the phone.

“Why would Lex do this?” Chloe wondered.

“From what Tess told me, he was rambling about me and Lionel trying to take over the world. My best guess is that the construct came to him and fed him that lie to make Lex go after Lionel,” Clark mused.

“I guess this means we can’t count on Lionel’s help,” Chloe said unhappily.

“No, I don’t think so,” Clark said with a sigh. “I’ll call you if I find out anything more.”

As he hung up, Clark felt a presence appear behind him. Turning around, he saw a well-dressed man with dark hair and eyes behind him.

“At least we meet Kal-El,” Fine said as Clark gave him a dark look.

“Where’s Lois?” Clark almost growled and Fine smirked.

“I’d be more worried about Jonathan Kent. He’s returned. He now possesses the same abilities as you. He’s ready to host Zod’s spirit,” Fine boasted.

Angrily, Clark punched Fine and he slammed into a wall. Everyone in the hall, including Tess, stopped to stare at the scene as Fine shook it off.

“There is one way to save your father of course,” Fine mentioned and Clark narrowed his eyes.

“Nothing you can do will ever make me release a monster like Zod,” Clark sneered.

“Except maybe your one weakness,” Fine said and Clark paused. “Humans, they’re so fragile. They’ll never survive without their precious technology, no matter how crude. Take that away and they’ll devolve back into the animals they really are. And you can’t save all of them.”

“I will never do what you want,” Clark said with conviction.

“Then it begins,” Fine said ominously.

Back at Stagg Industries, a second Fine placed his hand on the laptop in Stagg’s office.

At Chloe’s apartment, she was on her computer with Martha pacing behind her when the lights went out and her computer lost power.

At a warehouse, Lois was strapped to a chair when the light went out and she looked around in confusion.

At the hospital, everyone looked around as the lights all went out.

“Enjoy the show,” Fine said with a smirk before speeding out.

Chapter Text

Metropolis General

Late afternoon

“Excuse me, where’s Lionel Luthor?” Clark asked, stopping a doctor as he and Tess roamed the hallways.

“I have no idea kid, in case you haven’t noticed the whole hospital lost power,” the doctor snapped before moving on.

“Clark, what’s happening? Who was that guy?” Tess asked, confused by what was going on.

“Same guy who convinced Lex that Lionel and I were trying to take over the world,” Clark said as he and Tess moved down the hall.

“He’s the one that knocked out the power, isn’t he? Clark, what is he?” Tess demanded.

“A long story,” Clark said as they moved through the hallway.

“Is Lionel Luthor my father?” Tess demanded and Clark froze mid step. “Lex seemed pretty convinced and Lionel didn’t deny it.”

“I think that’s a conversation you need to have with Lionel,” Clark said evasively.

“Considering how things are going, I might not get the chance. Is he my father?” Tess demanded again and Clark sighed.

“I don’t know the whole story…but yes,” Clark finally admitted.

Tess looked away, a look of shock on her face as she tried to process this revelation. Clark did feel for her, but he had to prioritize. Concentrating, Clark used his super hearing. Shifting through all the chaos going on in the hospital, Clark closed his eyes and listened. After a few moments, Clark found what he was looking for and opened his eyes.

“This way,” Clark told Tess and he headed down the hall.

“What are you even planning to do? From the sounds of it, power is out all over the city. How can you help him if he’s been shot and the surgeons can’t?” Tess asked.

Clark didn’t answer. He honestly didn’t know what he was planning; he was winging it at the moment.

Clark led Tess into an OR, where they found a group of surgeons surrounding Lionel, who was shirtless but no sign of any wounds.

“Hey, you can’t be in here,” one of them said as they saw Clark and Tess.

“The hospital lost power and we want to make sure he’s okay. This is his daughter,” Clark said as he gestured to Tess.

“Well, you’re father is lucky miss. We got the bullet, stopped the bleeding and stitched him back up just before the power went out,” one of the surgeons told. “Unfortunately, he also lost a lot of blood and one of his major organs got nicked by the bullet. The rest is up to him now.”

The doctors quickly headed out of the room, likely to try and figure out what took out the power. But Clark was more concerned about Lionel. As Clark approached him, Lionel groaned, the anesthesia beginning to wear off and his eyes began to open.

“Clark,” Lionel said weakly as he saw him.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Clark asked gently.

“Tess. Tess, is she-” Lionel began to ask.

“I’m fine,” Tess said, alerting him to her presence as she stared at Lionel with an unreadable look on her face.

“Lutessa,” Lionel said drowsily as he stared at his daughter.

“Was that my name? Is that what you named me?” Tess asked as she approached him.

“No. That was your mother’s idea. She named you,” Lionel said, staring up at her as if trying to find a piece of the little girl he had left behind in the young woman standing before him. “I know you must have many questions. But know that leaving you at that orphanage was the best thing I could have done for you. It saved you from turning out like me or your brother.”

“Lionel, Lionel are you okay?” Clark asked, hearing Lionel’s heartbeat begin to fade.

“Kal-EL, Zod is coming and he will be your greatest challenge. Your greatest strength is that you are not merely of Krypton or earth…but of…of both. I am confident that….you can find a way to…to…”

Clark’s heard Lionel’s heart stop the moment his head tilted to the side, his eyes staring without seeing. Clark stared down at him for a moment before he reached out, slowly closing Lionel’s eyes. Clark then turned to Tess, who had gone pale. He couldn’t imagine what was going through her head right now. He barely knew what was going through his.

“Come on, we need to get somewhere safe,” Clark said lowly.

Chloe’s apartment

Late afternoon

Chloe and Martha tried to move a bookshelf in front of the front door as they heard the sounds of rioting outside.

“It’s like everyone in the city has lost their mind,” Chloe grunted.

“They’re scared and lashing out. Its human nature,” Martha said as they heard a knock on the door.

“Chloe, Mom?” They heard Clark’s voice on the other side and relaxed.

“We’re fine, just hold on a minute,” Chloe called out before, together, they pulled the bookcase back. “Okay, come in.”

The door opened and they were shocked to see Clark enter with Tess, who seemed to be in a state of shock.

“I’m sorry to bring her here without asking, but I needed to get her somewhere safe,” Clark explained as he closed the door before effortlessly pulling the bookcase in front of the door.

“Clark, what happened?” Chloe asked, seeing that both Clark and Tess were rattled.

“Lionel’s dead,” Clark said and Chloe and Martha were stunned into silence. “The Construct cut off power all over the city.”

“Why would he do that?” Martha wondered.

“To try and leverage me into releasing Zod, saving humanity from their own paranoia and fear,” Clark explained with a sigh.

“It’s not exactly cut off power,” Chloe said and Clark looked over at her. “It’s a computer virus; it’s scaled every firewall and cut out all communication. Now it’s infecting most of the city’s infrastructure.”

“Can I have a look at the virus?” Tess asked, seeming to come out of whatever trance she had been in. “It sounds like a virus Lex was working on. If it’s similar enough, I think I can at least stop the spread.”

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Chloe asked, looking at Tess intently.

“I’ll be fine. Can you show me the virus?” Tess repeated and Chloe stared at her for a moment before nodding.

“Sure, let’s go to my laptop,” Chloe said, leading Tess into her kitchen.

“Clark, what happened?” Martha asked once they were alone.

“The construct came to Lex, convinced him Lionel and I were going to take over the world. So he kidnapped Tess to draw Lionel out,” Clark said as he ran a hand over his face.

“Why would he target Tess?” Martha asked confused.

“Because she’s Lionel’s daughter,” Clark said and Martha was stunned into silence. “Lex shot at Tess, but Lionel jumped in the way. We got him to the hospital, the surgeons got the bullet out before the hospital lost power…but he lost a lot of blood and it nicked one of his vital organs. Tess and I were with him before…”

“How are you feeling?” Martha asked, not quite sure about the relationship that had developed between her son and Lionel.

“I don’t know. I spent a lot of our time working together unsure I could trust him. And now he’s gone,” Clark paused. “Lois is God knows where, held by the Construct. Dad is being prepped to be Zod’s host. The entire city is losing its mind. It’s just like I said, I either save Dad or I save the world.”

“Clark…I know I can’t imagine what you’ve been through the last two years and I know things are still strained between us. But I refuse to believe the man I raised would kill. The Clark that I know, the one that I raised, values human life above all else. He would never sacrifice one life for another,” Martha said gently.

Clark stared at Martha silently, her words reaching a part of him he had long since tried to lock away. Before he could respond however, Martha’s phone rang. Confused, Martha pulled it out and answered it.

“Hello?”

“Martha,” Jonathan said and the two Kents froze.

“Jonathan, thank God. Where are you?” Martha asked desperately.

“At the farm. I just…I woke up in the field. Fine…did something to me, and the town is just…I don’t know what’s going on,” Jonathan said shakily.

“Just stay there okay, we’ll figure this out, I promise,” Martha said before hanging up.

“It’s a trap,” Clark muttered and Martha looked at him sharply.

“What are you talking about?”

“You heard Chloe; all communication has been cut out. So how was Dad able to call you?” Clark asked and Martha began to follow his train of thought. “It’s the Construct. It wants me to know where Dad is.”

“It’s a trap,” Martha muttered and Clark nodded. “What are you going to do?”

“Trap or not, I have to stop this…one way or another,” Clark said lowly, looking at Martha sadly before speeding out.

Kent Farm

Not long after

Clark sped into the barn, looking around. After a few moments, he heard footsteps before Jonathan stepped into view.

“Clark,” Jonathan breathed, staring at his son in shock.

“Dad,” Clark said, swallowing painfully.

“What’s going on Clark? What did Fine do to me?” Jonathan asked as he looked down at his hands.

“He’s preparing to make you a vessel for a Krytonian General to escape a prison for a long list of crimes, including the destruction of Krypton,” Clark said and Jonathan was silent for a moment.

“He’s that bad?” Jonathan asked.

“As far as dictators go, he’d be comparable to Stalin,” Clark said and Jonathan was silent for a long moment.

“And he plans to use my body to escape his prison. Then I guess the only option left…is to kill me,” Jonathan said, stunning Clark.

“Dad-”

“I won’t be used to let a madman out so he can conquer the world. If my death is the only way to stop him…do it Clark,” Jonathan almost pleaded, staring at his son with tear filled eyes.

Clark stared at Jonathan for a long moment, a torrent of emotions rippling through him. It was what he had planned to do upon his arrival; it was the logical thing to do. And yet, with his father’s pleas in his ears, with Lionel and Martha’s words echoing in his mind…

“No. We’ll find another way,” Clark said firmly and Jonathan smiled tightly.

“I appreciate it son, I do…but there is no other way,” Jonathan said sadly.

“We’ll find one,” Clark insisted.

“There’s no time son. With Fine breathing down our necks, more and more people will suffer. I can’t let that happen. If you won’t kill me…then I’ll have to force your hand,” Jonathan said, his eyes hardening.

Clark had barely processed his words before Jonathan sped over and slugged him, hard. Clark was sent flying, crashing into the upstairs loft. Clark groaned, looking up as Jonathan sped up to him.

“If you won’t kill me by your own choice, I’ll have to force you,” Jonathan said, looking pained. “No matter what happens, know that I love you son.”

Jonathan then tried to deliver a punch to Clark’s face but Clark caught it. Grabbing onto Jonathan’s arm, Clark whirled around and tossed him back down to the ground. Jonathan hit the floor with a loud thud, sliding a few feet before crashing through the door.

“Stay down Dad,” Clark warned him.

“We both know I can’t do that son,” Jonathan said as he pulled himself to his feet and walked back into the barn. “Not until you kill me.”

Jonathan then sped back up and tackled Clark, slamming him against the wall. With his now heightened senses, Jonathan could see something in Clark’s jacket pocket. Reaching inside, Jonathan pulled out the dagger. Looking at it, he quickly realized it was Krytonian.

“Jor-El gave this to you to kill me,” Jonathan realized. “If you won’t use it son, then I will.”

“NO!”

Clark broke free of Jonathan’s hold and made a grab for the dagger. Clark and Jonathan wrestled for it for a few moments before Clark managed to wrestle it out of his hand. Clark then pushed Jonathan to the ground, holding him there as the dagger glowed.

“Do it son,” Jonathan pleaded. “It’s okay, just do it.”

“Yes, do it Kal-El,” the two looked down to see Fine standing down below. “Let’s see which father you take after.”

For a moment, everyone stood still. Then, Clark turned and tossed the dagger at Fine. It hit him in the left breast before glowing red.

At the Fortress of Solitude, one of the consoles glowed bright red before a red beam shot out.

“What have I done?” Clark asked horrified as he and Jonathan got to their feet.

“You’ve opened the portal for Zod!” Fine declared.

The red beam then shot through the roof, striking Fine in the back before exiting through the dagger. The beam struck Jonathan and he cried out as Clark was sent flying back by a shockwave. Then beam was then redirected back at Fine and the dagger, both of which disintegrated upon contact.

Clark looked up, seeing Jonathan standing silently, eerily so. Clark got to his feet, heart hammering in his chest as he walked down to Jonathan.

“Dad?” Clark called out uncertainly and Jonathan turned around to face him, looking at him with a critical eye.

“You have your father’s eyes. Hello Kal-El,” Jonathan said and Clark’s blood ran cold.

“Zod,” Clark said lowly and Zod smirked. “Where’s my Dad?”

“Jonathan Kent is dead,” Zod said coolly.

“Why are you here?” Clark demanded, swallowing thickly as he tried to stay focused.

“The same reason anyone who’s been imprisoned like a beast: revenge,” Zod said as he turned around, looking at the barn with vague interest. “Your father –that is, Jor-El – banished me to an eternal Hell, trying to save a doomed race. And the only survivor of his pathetic crusade was his son.”

“These people did nothing to you,” Clark argued. “You do not need to kill them.”

“Oh but I want to,” Zod said with a smirk.

“I won’t let you destroy this planet like you destroyed Krypton,” Clark said firmly.

“You don’t have a choice,” Zod said, walking up to Clark. “You see, I can’t think of any better revenge that keeping the son of Jor-El alive, forcing him to watch as his adoptive planet is ravaged.”

Zod then grabbed Clark by the throat, flying down and slamming him into the ground before punching him in the abdomen. Clark cried out in pain before Zod stopped.

“I’m going to let you live just long enough to see this planet you love so much burn,” Zod said coldly. “But if you get in my way…your life will be forfeit.”

Zod then took off into the sky, crashing through the barn roof on his way out. Clark stared helplessly after him, knowing he had failed both his fathers.

Chapter Text

Warehouse

Night

Lois was still trapped in the warehouse, tied to a chair. She had tried to get out earlier but the ropes were too tight. She’d heard the sounds of rioting earlier and wondered what on earth was happening.  Then, she heard the doors being yanked open and looked up. Lois was met with a mix of relief and bewilderment as she saw who walked through the door.

“Mr. Kent?” Lois called out as Jonathan walked up to her.

“The one you know as Jonathan Kent is dead. My name is Zod,” Zod declared as he reached her.

The blood drained from Lois’s face as Zod easily ripped the binds around Lois’s hands to shred. Lois jumped up and tried to run but Zod grabbed her, restraining her easily.

“You would be wise not to run,” Zod said before speeding out of the warehouse with Lois in his arms and taking off into the sky.

Chloe’s apartment

Same time

Tess was in the kitchen, typing away at Chloe’s laptop as Chloe and Martha lingered in the doorway.

“I can’t stop the virus, not with this low tech laptop anyway. But I was able to make sure it can’t spread beyond Metropolis, so I guess that’s something,” Tess said with a heavy sigh.

“It’s more than something, you probably saved a lot of people’s lives Tess,” Martha assured her and Tess smiled tightly.

“It’s funny. I always wanted to save the world; it’s why I joined LuthorCorp. Instead, I ended up hoodwinked by a psychopath and that’s what helped me stop this,” Tess said, putting a hand to her temple and a moment of silence passed.

“How are you doing about…that?” Chloe asked lamely and Tess laughed humorlessly.

“What, about the twisted family tree I just inherited? Honestly, I don’t even know. If what Lex said is true, I was Lionel’s little bastard he just threw away like I was nothing. And yet, he spent the entire time I was working for Lex trying to make me see the man Lex really was, to get me away from him and ended up taking a bullet for me. I don’t know how to reconcile the two images of Lionel Luthor in my head,” Tess said and another moment of silence passed.

“Lionel was a …complicated man,” Martha said gently as she walked over, sitting down next to Tess. “I know that better than anyone, he didn’t lead an honorable life. But he loved you; he showed you that in a way few parents could. So maybe…maybe it doesn’t matter what he did in the past. Maybe all you really need to know is that Lionel loved you enough to die for you.”

Tess frowned, looking away as she mused on Martha’s words when they heard the door open. The three of them got up as they saw Clark walk in, his shoulders slumped in defeat and his clothes a mess.

“Clark? What happened?” Martha asked her heart racing as she feared that Jonathan might be…

“Dad. He um, he told me to kill him,” Clark said lowly and Martha and Chloe froze. “But I couldn’t do it. I used the dagger on the Construct. Zod…Zod escaped, he’s taken over Dad.”

Silence descended over the room as Clark all but collapsed into the couch, a look of despair on his face. As Martha and Chloe struggled to process this, Tess got to her feet, her mind racing.

“Okay, I’m really not sure what’s going on here, but this Zod guy, if he’s out of…wherever he was, what would be his next move?” Tess asked and Clark ran a hand over his face, trying to clear his mind.

“Uh, if what I know of Zod is right, Zod’s next move will be to start Krypton over on Earth. The virus is stage one. Once it spreads to every system on earth, Zod will use it to replicate Krypton’s Geography here on Earth,” Clark said as he began think.

“Well, Tess shut down the virus, so that will be a problem,” Chloe said optimistically but Clark shook his head.

“That’ll just slow him down. You bought us a few hours at most,” Clark said, running a hand over his face again. “This is my fault. I should have just done what Dad wanted.”

“And done what, kill him? Clark, I know things have been tense between us, I know you’ve changed a lot, but a killer? If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you would never kill anyone,” Martha said and Clark looked over at her. “All the years your father and I raised you, from the toddler we first brought home to the man in front of me, it was for this moment Clark. And it wasn’t so you could become a killer; it was so you could save the world.”

“I don’t know how to Mom. I don’t know how to stop Zod, I don’t even know where to find him,” Clark said helplessly.

“Isn’t there some way to, I don’t know, exorcize Zod’s spirit from Mr. Kent’s body?” Chloe asked and Clark paused, thinking.

“There might be. But still, I don’t know where to even find him,” Clark said.

“I might know where to start looking,” Tess said and they all looked over at her.         

Stagg Industries

Not long after

Zod forcibly led Lois into Simon Stagg’s office before tossing her against the wall. Lois ignored the stinging in her back, looking at Zod fearfully. It was unnerving for Lois to see such a threatening smirk on Jonathan Kent’s face.

“You need not fear me…as long as you cooperate,” Zod said, the implications of what a lack of cooperation would carry clear to Lois.

“What do you want with me? Why’d you bring me here?” Lois asked, staring at Zod unnerved.

“The virus crippling your planet’s technology originated here,” Zod was said as he moved over to Stagg’s desk, opening a drawer. “As a result, this is the only place it can be deactivated.”

Zod then placed a device he had pulled out of the drawer on Stagg’s laptop. It glowed with what Lois realized was Kryptonian before it began spinning. The lights then flickered on, Lois looking up them in shock.

“It would take days for your people to restore power to the rest of the city, if they had that long,” Zod told her as he saw the look on her face. “Someone was able to stop the spread of the virus, but it matters not. All I need to do is restart it.”

“Is that why you turned it off?” Lois asked wearily and Zod chuckled, an unnerving sound coming from Jonathan Kent.

“No, I required information. The Pentagon has something I need,” Zod said, smirking at Lois’s stunned face. “Your race is primitive but it does have some uses. Being the daughter of a respected general, I’m sure you understand the value of what’s kept at the Pentagon.”

“How do you know so much about me?” Lois asked in shock.

“I possess all of Jonathan Kent’s memories. I know of you, Chloe Sullivan, Lex Luthor…and Kal-El,” Zod said, a dark look crossing his face at the last name.

“You mean Clark,” Lois realized and Zod glared at her. “You realize that he’s gonna kick your ass.”

“Unlikely. Kal-El is his father’s son, ruled by his heart. Why do you think the Brain Interactive Construct chose Jonathan Kent as my vessel? Because he knew Kal-El would never be able to bring himself to harm his adoptive father. It’s not that he can’t stop me, it’s that he’ll choose not to,” Zod explained. “He will either bear witness to my victory, or he will die by my hand.”

“What do you want? Why are you here?” Lois asked, trying to figure out Zod’s endgame.

“My home. Once the virus has infected all your planet’s technology, I will use the technology I will acquire from the Pentagon to transform Earth into Krypton,” Zod said, horrifying Lois. “Except this time it will be ruled by the bloodline of Zod.”

“So why did you take me? If I’m a primitive, why waste your time with me?” Lois demanded and Zod smirked.

“You will give me an heir,” Zod declared and Lois stared at him incredulously.

“Think you lost your marbles in the Phantom Zone. I would rather marry Lex Luthor than give you a kid,” Lois sneered and Zod chuckled in amusement.

“You talk as though I am giving you a choice Lois Lane,” Zod said calmly.

Faster than Lois could blink, Zod had grabbed a nearby fire poker from the fireplace in the office and pined Lois to the wall by running it through her hand and into the wall. Lois let out a wail of agony as Zod watched her indifferently.

“You will either give me an heir or your life will be forfeit. This is not a negotiation Ms. Lane,” Zod said, walking over to the laptop and reactivating the virus. “We’ll discuss this further when I return from the Pentagon. And in case you have any illusions of escaping, it would take me mere moments to find you, as you won’t get far with the rioting taking place outside.”

Zod then turned and sped out of the room, leaving Lois panting in pain as she looked up at the fire poker.

Luthor Mansion

Later

Lex was in the library, grabbing a gun when he felt a presence behind him. Turning around, he saw Clark.

“Clark. Here to kill me?” Lex asked, holding the gun tightly in his hand.

“I should. You tried to kill Tess. You killed Lionel,” Clark said coolly and saw Lex had little reaction to news of his father’s death. “But I’m not a killer. And I have other priorities.” 

Clark then sped over, knocked the gun out of Lex’s hand and slammed Lex against the wall, all in under a second.

“Who told you about Lionel and me?” Clark demanded.

“I’m not helping you,” Lex sneered.

“Even if it could stop all of this?” Clark asked and Lex paused. “I’m not trying to take over the world; I’m trying to stop the people who are. So was Lionel. If we were ever friends Lex, I need you to trust me and tell me who told you about me. If you know one thing about me, it’s that I want to protect the world as much as you do.”

A few moments passed and Clark watched as Lex considered what Clark was asking. Then, he gave a slight nod and Clark released him.

“I was approached some weeks ago by Simon Stagg, or who looked like him. Today, he turned into some…thing. He’s been impersonating Stagg for a while now,” Lex explained and Clark nodded.

Without a word, he turned and sped off. Lex stared after him, the feeling of betrayal still filling him with bitterness.

Stagg Industries

Not long after

Lois was still pinned to the wall when she heard someone enter. Lois looked up to see Clark.

“Lois,” Clark said in horror as he saw her.

“Hey Smallville,” Lois said, wincing in pain from the fire poker.

Clark quickly sped over and yanked the fire poker out of the wall and her hand. He tossed it aside as Lois gasped, holding her hand.

“Where’s Zod?” Clark asked.

“I don’t know. He said he was gonna get something from the Pentagon that he was gonna use to turn the Earth into Krypton 2.0. Smallville, tell me you have something that can stop him,” Lois pleaded.

Before Clark could respond, he felt his hair stand on end. Getting up, Clark turned around to see Zod standing a few feet away, a metal briefcase in his hand.

“Kal-El,” Zod greeted calmly, placing the briefcase on the floor. “You made a mistake in coming here. Unless you’ve come to join me. In which case, kneel before Zod.”

“Never,” Clark sneered and Zod smirked.

“Then you shall die along with the humans you love so much.”

Zod then sped over and slugged Clark, hard. Lois watched in horror as Clark went flying, crashing through the office window. As Clark flew out the window, he remembered Lionel’s last words to him.

“Your greatest strength is that you are not merely of Krypton or earth…but of…of both.”

Various images flashed through Clark’s mind: days spent with Chloe at the Torch and The Talon, playful bickering with Lois, childhood memories with his parents and Pete, his first kiss with Alicia. A sense of calm filled Clark as he felt himself become detached from the gravity of the earth.

In the office, Zod watched in disbelief as Clark stilled, floating in midair. Clark then looked towards him, narrowing his eyes before flying back inside the office. He tackled Zod and flew him out of the office. He slammed Zod against a wall and Zod went right through it. They entered the next room and Zod was slammed against another wall. Sneering, Zod punched Clark hard enough to send him stumbling back, although Clark quickly recovered.

“You may have learned a new trick Kal-El, but it will not help you,” Zod sneered.

Zod then sped over; trying to punch Clark but Clark caught his fist.

“I am Kal-El of Krypton,” Clark acknowledged. “But that is not all I am.”

Clark then spun to the left, throwing Zod against a wall with such force that Zod went right through it. Zod entered the room and crashed through three more walls before sliding to the floor. Zod looked up as Clark sped inside, standing a few feet away.

“I am Clark Kent. Son to Jonathan and Martha Kent. The earth and the humans that live here are precious to me. And I will defend them to my last breath,” Clark said firmly.

“So be it,” Zod sneered as he got back to his feet.

Zod sped towards Clark, attempting to slug him. But Clark grabbed his arm and slammed him against the wall, hard enough to crack it but careful enough so Zod wouldn’t go through it. Clark then, to Zod’s surprise, placed his palm on Zod’s chest. Zod was confused until a light began shinning from Clark’s hand.

“My father sends his regards,” Clark said coolly.

Zod stared down at the Phantom Zone Crystal before looking back at Clark in rage.

“NOOOOO!”

Zod’s Phantom tried to flee Jonathan’s body briefly before it was sucked into the Crystal with a flash of light. Now free, Jonathan swayed on his feet before beginning to fall face forward. Clark pulled the Crystal away, catching Jonathan and gently lowering him to his knees.

“Clark?” Jonathan asked dazed.

“It’s okay Dad. Everything’s gonna be okay,” Clark assured him.

Chapter Text

Kent Farm
Morning

In his bed room, Jonathan opened his eyes, surprised to find himself there. For a moment, Jonathan was confused until it all back to him: Fine, the field, facing off with Clark in the barn. And then...and then…then nothing. That was the last thing he remembered.

As Jonathan threw the covers off and pulled himself into a sitting position, he felt a pain in his back. Now that he was moving, Jonathan realized his whole body felt stiff.

Jonathan pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the pain in his back and walked out of his bedroom and down the stairs. Making his way into the kitchen, Jonathan found Martha sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in her hand. As she looked up and saw him, Jonathan saw the relief hit her like a truck.

“Jonathan, thank God,” Martha said as she jumped up and ran over to him, throwing her arms around him. “Are you alright? How are you feeling?”

“Martha, what happened?” Jonathan asked and she looked at him in surprise.

“You don’t remember?” Jonathan shook his head at her question.

“I was in the barn with Clark, we were fighting. He threw this dagger at Fine and then…nothing,” Jonathan said and his blood ran cold at the look on Martha’s face. “Martha, sweetheart, what happened?”

Smallville cemetery
Not long after

Clark stood over the grave of Alicia Baker. He hadn’t been here since the day of her funeral. Even once he’d come back from his training, he had never been able to bring himself to visit her.

“I’m sorry,” Clark finally said. “Not just for not visiting, but…I’m sorry. For not trusting you. If I could go back and change it, I would. In my dreams, I do. I trust you and I take it all back. But this isn’t a dream.”

Clark then reached inside his jacket pocket, pulling out Alicia’s grey bracelet. It had been one of the few things he had taken with him after leaving the farm.

“I’ve never stopped blaming myself for what happened to you. I think a part of me always will. But I’ve been punishing myself and everyone around me for what happened to you for too long. Last night, everything became so clear. I can’t protect the people I love, I can’t be the hero I’m meant to be if I’m so fixated on the past. I pushed everyone away and it nearly destroyed the earth. I can’t do that anymore,” Clark looked down at the bracelet. “So I have to say the one thing I’ve always been afraid to say.”

Clark knelt down and dug a small patch of earth up near the base of the grave. He looked back at the bracelet one more time before placing it inside the hole he had just bug and burying it.

“Goodbye,” Clark said emotionally, feeling tears prickle at the corners of his eyes. “I’ll always love you. But I have to let you go now.”

Clark stood there for another moment before wiping his eyes and standing up. Clark started to walk away from the grave when his cell phone started ringing. Pulling it out, he saw it was Martha and answered.

“Mom, is everything okay?”

“It’s your father. He’s awake,” Martha told him.

Kent Farm
Not long after

Jonathan sat at the kitchen table, trying to process everything Martha had told him. He had been possessed by Zod, who had used his body to try and conquer the world, establish Krypton on earth. It was…a lot to process.

Martha watched him carefully as they waited for Clark. She knew her husband well enough to know he was struggling with this. She could only imagine what was going through his head right now.

The door opened and Martha and Jonathan looked up as Clark walked through it. The room was silent as Clark and Jonathan stared at each other, neither sure what to say.

“Clark,” Jonathan breathed.

“Hey Dad,” Clark said awkwardly, clearing his throat. “Grab your winter coat.”

“What?” Jonathan asked confused.

“Jonathan, the last time you had Kryptonian powers, your health…we want to make sure nothing’s wrong,” Martha explained gently.

“I doubt a hospital will be able to help me right now,” Jonathan pointed out, remembering what Martha had told him about what Zod and Fine had done.

“We’re not going to a hospital,” Clark said simply.

Fortress of Solitude
Later that morning

Jonathan was surrounded by light as Jor-El scanned him while Clark and Martha stood a few feet away.

“So, this is where you’ve been the last two years,” Martha mentioned as she looked around the Fortress.

“Yeah,” Clark said lamely, not really sure what to say. “The stones formed this when they were united.”

“Well, I can see why Jor-El didn’t want them falling into the wrong hands,” Martha mentioned and it was silent for a moment, save Jor-El scanning Jonathan. “Clark, I know you’re still angry with us.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel,” Clark admitted. “I know I love you and Dad, but I don’t think I forgive you just yet. It’s going to take…time. But I see now that it was a mistake to cut myself off from you and Dad. My strength is in accepting my Kryptonian heritage and my upbringing here on Earth, not rejecting one in favor of the other.”

Martha stared at him for a long moment. While in many ways he was still her son, Clark now seemed to possess a wisdom he had not had before, a peace had settled over him. She had watched him struggle for so many years over who and what he was, but Clark finally seemed at peace with who he was and his place in the world.

Martha was broken out of her thoughts when the light around Jonathan faded.

“I detect no adverse effects from Zod’s possession of your body Jonathan Kent,” Jor-El announced. “It appears that the being you knew as Milton Fine went to great lengths to prepare your body, the damage your heart suffered from your previous possession of Kryptonian powers has been reversed.”

“What?” Martha exclaimed, shocked as Jonathan looked stunned.

“Why would Fine help my heart?” Jonathan asked in disbelief.

“To help Zod,” Clark noted and his parents turned to him. “Your heart was in poor health. Fine’s plan falls apart if Zod taking control of your body triggers a heart attack.”

“Kal-El is correct, your heart was prepared just as body was for Zod to take control,” Jor-El said and Jonathan was silent as he processed this.

“Whatever the case, let’s just be grateful that you don’t have to worry about a heart attack for a few more decades,” Clark said. “Come on, let’s get you guys home. I’ll be by later.”

“You’re leaving again?” Jonathan asked, disappointment filling him.

“No. But I need to take care of some things,” Clark said, his eyes darkening.

Luthor Mansion
Afternoon

In the library, Lex was drinking a glass of scotch when the doors opened. He looked up to see Clark walk in.

“I’d say you’re not welcome here, but we both know I couldn’t stop you,” Lex said as he put his scotch down before getting to his feet. “You know, I actually prefer it this way. Everything’s finally out in the open. There’s an honesty to it.”

“We don’t have to be enemies Lex,” Clark said and Lex smiled tightly.

“Yes we do Clark. Don’t you see? Everything we’ve been through together, it’s been preparing us for this. I used to think it was our families that made us who we are, then I hoped it was our friends. But if you look at history, the great men and women of the world have always been defined…by their enemies,” Lex said as he walked over until he and Clark stood face to face. “I understand everything now. Like no matter how meticulous I planned, no matter how strategic I was, you were always that one step ahead of me. If only I’d known I never stood a chance.”

“It was never a competition Lex,” Clark snapped and Lex smiled.

“Of course it wasn’t. You’re simply better than us,” Lex said with bitterness.

“And that always killed you,” Clark noted.

“No. No, what killed me is that you didn’t even want it. You fought from it, you hid from it! I would have taken it, relished it and embraced it,” Lex said angrily.

“My destiny was never yours to take,” Clark told him firmly.

“I get that now. Which is why I finally embraced my own,” Lex said. “You and I, we will both be great men. Because of each other. We’re Namon and Sageeth. We have a destiny together Clark. Only on different sides.”

“And I will always be there to stop you. Always,” Clark promised.

“And I will always be there to keep you in check,” Lex promised.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Clark said and Lex raised an eyebrow. “You killed Lionel.”

“And? You don’t have a shred of proof about that,” Lex pointed out.

“The gun,” Clark said calmly, confusing Lex. “The one you shot Lionel with. The bullet will match the gun you have registered to you. One that Chloe and Tess both have proof of. All it takes is one of us to point the right people in the right direction.”

“So why haven’t you?” Lex challenged and Clark was silent. “Because you need insurance against me. It’s just like the old Kawatche legend. You and I will be there to keep each other in check. It’s just like I said, we have a destiny together Clark.”

For a long moment, Clark stared at Lex silently, as though trying to find a piece of his old friend in the man before him. He couldn’t.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you Lex,” Clark said regretfully before turning and speeding out of the Mansion.

Metropolis
Not long time

In her apartment, Tess was tapping a box shut when she heard someone knock on the front door. Putting the tape down, she frowned before walking over to the door. After peeking through the peak hole, Tess was surprised before opening the door to reveal Clark on the other side.

“Clark. What are you doing here?” Tess asked in surprise.

“I actually came by to see you. Can I come in?” Clark asked.

“Oh, right. Sure,” Tess said, stepping aside to let him in.

As Tess closed the door behind him, Clark noticed several boxes had been packed up.

“You moving?” Clark inquired.

“No, just packing up everything LuthorCorp. I quit and after Lex tried to kill me, needless to say I’m never going back,” Tess said and Clark nodded in understanding. “What are you doing here Clark?”

“I wanted to see how you were doing with…everything,” Clark finished lamely.

“What, with the recent murder attempted by my psycho brother or learning about the twisted family tree I’ve inherited?” Tess asked sarcastically before sighing. “Honestly, I’m just…sad. Sad that I’ll never get to know the Lionel Luthor who was willing to die for me.”

“I’m sorry,” Clark said, not sure what else he could say.

“Me to,” Tess said with a weak smile.

“I didn’t have the best relationship with Lionel, but I think I probably knew him better than anyone…towards the end. If you ever just wanna talk to someone about him or if you just need a friend…I’m a good listener,” Clark offered and she stared at him with a pensive look.

“Why are you being so nice to me? You barely know me,” Tess pointed out.

“Because I know a bit of what it’s like to have everything you knew about yourself turned on its head. And I wish there had been someone who knew what it was like to help me through that,” Clark explained and it was silent for a moment.

“Thank you…for the offer. I will consider it,” Tess said.

Clark nodded, understanding. She had not had the best experience with people in Smallville. It was only natural that he would have to earn her trust.

“I’ll see you around Tess,” Clark said before making his way back to the door.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Tess said, watching as Clark walked out the door.

Metropolis General
Not long after

“You are a lifesaver Chlo’,” Lois moaned as she took a sip of coffee while lying in bed. “I can’t stand hospital coffee.”

“Oh trust me, very aware,” Chloe said in amusement before looking down at Lois’s bandaged hand. “How are you feeling, really?”

“Well, my hand hurts a little more than that time when we were kids and I sprained my wrist playing tag, but I’ll manage. The doctor said I should be back to full function after a few weeks of therapy, although I can’t really use my hand that much until then. Sure my boss is gonna love that,” Lois said sarcastically.

“Could have been worse,” the two looked up to see Clark was standing in the doorway. “A lot worse.”

“Don’t I know it,” Lois said as Clark entered the room. “How’s your dad doing?”

“He’s processing a lot. Mostly I think he’s still in a bit of shock,” Clark noted.

“Well that’s understandable. He was possessed by Zod, who used his body to do a lot of damage,” Chloe noted. “But he’ll get there.”

“I hope so,” Clark said and a beat passed. “How’s your hand?”

“Well like you said Smallville could be worse,” Lois said as she looked down at her injured hand. “A few weeks of taking it easy, then another three weeks of therapy, doc says I should be good as new.”

“Good,” Clark said, relieved there was no lasting damage.

“And what about you? You planning on taking off again?” Chloe asked, a bit afraid of Clark’s answer.

“No. Last night, things became…very clear,” Clark said with a faraway look in his eyes. “Before he died, Lionel told me my strength was that I was of Earth and Krypton. And he’s right. I can’t keep denying one part of who I am.”

“Well I’m glad to hear it Smallville. But where does that leave you and Mr. and Mrs. K?” Lois inquired.

“I don’t know. It’s going to take a lot of time for me to work through everything that happened with Alicia. But, for the first time, I’m willing to work towards forgiving them,” Clark said.

Kent Farm
Later in the afternoon

Jonathan stood looking at all the damage to the farm from outside, remembering some of it but others he knew had been caused by Zod. It was...strange to know that his body had been used by someone else. He was disgusted to think of all the damage Zod had wrecked with it. Logically, he knew it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t help but feel some responsibility for it.

Hearing someone approach from the left, Jonathan turned his head to see Clark walking over slowly. Jonathan wasn’t embarrassed to admit he was more than a little relieved. After the last few years, Jonathan had been a little afraid Clark would take off again.

“Clark,” Jonathan said in greeting.

“Hey Dad,” Clark said and an awkward silence descended on them.

“I know we have a lot to talk about, that you’re still angry with your mother and me,” Jonathan said.

“I am,” Clark said as he looked up at the barn. “It’s not something that can be fixed overnight, what happened.”

“No, it’s not. I’ve had two years to look back on what happened with Alicia. While I don’t understand what you two had….if I could go back, I would have tried to be more understanding. I’m not perfect Clark, I make mistakes. I’m human. All I can say is how sorry I am. Do you think you’ll ever be able to forgive me?” Jonathan asked and Clark was silent for a long moment.

“I think I can, in time, But it’s going to take a lot of work,” Clark said as he turned towards Jonathan.

“Well you know me Clark, I’m never afraid of hard work,” Jonathan said as he grabbed a bag of tools off the ground. “Feel like helping your old man with some repairs to the barn?”

Clark chuckled, seeing the olive branch Jonathan was extending and taking it. You had to start somewhere.

“Try and keep up,” Clark joked as he grabbed some wooden boards off the ground.

And, as they headed towards the barn, both Clark and Jonathan were hopeful that they would one day find their back to where they had once been.