Lana looked away as the ship opened up and unleashed a blinding light. She looked past the light and saw two figures appear in front of the ship. Fearing their power, she stood up and started to limp away. She stopped and gasped as a tall man suddenly appeared in front of her. She turned back and jumped when a woman appeared as well.

Lana swallowed, "What do you want?"

The woman appraised her, "We must find Kal-El. He can help us with our task."

Lana glared and replied, "Kal-El will never cooperate with you."

The man smirked, "You know where he is."

Lana shook her head no. The man started toward her but stopped when they heard a siren. Several police cars and a helicopter rushed toward the crater impact. Lana took advantage of the distraction to move away from the two aliens.

The woman glared up at the helicopter and a burst of red shot toward it. The helicopter was hit and exploded. Lana was thrown forward from the impact. She covered her head as debris rained down around her. She then got up and got behind a patch of tall grass.

She watched as the cops opened fire on the invaders. She watched as they took every bullet fired at them. They simply looked over the field and waited. The cops stopped shooting and stared in shock. The two invaders narrowed their eyes and beams of heat lanced out and swept across the field and destroyed everything in their path. Lana watched in horror as the police ran and dove for some cover. Lana knew there was very little they could do to protect themselves. The pair ceased their attack and looked around.

The man spoke, "Where is the girl?"

"She is irrelevant. We must find Kal-EL." The woman turned away and Lana noted a tattoo on her lower back. It was a Z.

Chloe blinked as the light shifted around her and she found herself staring at blackness. "Where am I?"

You are the Lynx.

Chloe looked upward and questioned, "Who wants to know?"

You need to learn respect, Chloe Sullivan.

"I'll respect you when you stop pushing Clark around."

Kal-El must not compromise his destiny. You will help him reach his full potential.

She growled, "I don't need to help him to do that! He will reach his potential with or without me."

You are so like his mother. I knew you would eventually find him.

Chloe narrowed her eyes in confusion, "What do you mean find him?"

You were destined to meet. You are aware of the journal medallion that allowed Kal-El to see my memories in 1961.

Chloe nodded.

After I put it in the cave and left Smallville, I met two mutants: one could heal rapidly and the other was extremely strong and nearly invulnerable. I took samples from them and combined them to make one mutation. I found a suitable carrier in a family in Metropolis. When Kal-El reached a certain point, the gene would be activated and he would search you out.

Chloe nodded in understanding, "My family carried the gene. I was the one you wanted to be with Clark." She frowned, "How did you know I would meet him?"

I did not know. Nor did I know the gene would be prematurely activated.

"The mental inversion that nearly killed the mutants. It turned the gene on, didn't it?"

Correct. It seems the events will be beneficial nonetheless. You have immensely helped Kal-El over the last few months. You are his equal and are his betrothed.

Her eyes widened and stammered, "Wha…What?!"

For humans, you would be 'engaged'. That is your destiny.

She exhaled, "I'm not saying I don't want to marry him, but we are not ready." She stiffened as the light intensified. A tattoo of the house of El appeared on her lower back as she appeared back in the caves. She growled softly and stormed from the caves. She gasped as she tripped and fell. She looked back and saw Lex lying unconscious. She scoffed and stood up. She considered waking him up but didn't want to deal with him. She shrugged and muttered, "He'll live,' as she walked away not noticing her phone had fell from her pocket.

Clark and narrowed his eyes trying to catch every detail. After a few seconds they felt the ground beneath him start to shake. After it stopped, the ground around the diamond impact shifted and totally collapsed inward. He watched in awe as huge pillars of ice shot up from the opening and intersected and slammed together to form an enormous structure composed of solid ice. Clark walked up to the structure.

Once inside, he surveyed his surroundings. He noticed the structure was composed of crystals instead of ice as he first guessed. Clark looked around the structure in amazement. He saw a formation of crystals and approached it. He was 5 feet away when a single crystal floated out and hung in the air. He hesitated and then took it.

A loud voice filled the cavern, Kal-El, you have come far. One journey has ended. A new journey is about to begin. Welcome home, my son.

Clark shouts aloud, "I thought Krypton was destroyed!"

It was, but here in your Fortress of Solitude, the geography of our planet has been replicated for your training.

"I know there's a lot I can learn from you, but I have to get home. That's where I'm needed."

The meteor shower is only the precursor. A dark force from Krypton has been awakened, Kal-El, and its sights are set on Earth.

Hesitant, Clark asked, "What do you want me to do?" In response, a blue light encircles Clark.

You have much to learn about your world. You must train with diligence. Only then can you save this planet.

Inside the circle, Clark is seeing images and kryptonian symbols. He shook his head and moved forward out of the light. He asks, "Where is Chloe? What did you do with her?"

She is unharmed. Continue your training.

He shook his head, "If you sent her back, I'm going with her. She wouldn't leave me, and I won't leave her."

You continue to let your human emotions guide you Kal-El. This is your biggest weakness.

"I can come back. The training can be delayed." He waited for an answer.

Very well, Kal-El. On one condition: You must return before the yellow sun has set.

"I'll be back. You have my word."

Do not fail, Kal-El. The consequences will be grave. Clark nodded and speed out of the fortress. The lights dimmed to a soft glow.

Lex groaned and rubbed the back of his neck. He grunted in effort as he climbed to his feet. He called out, "Nice move, Chloe. Way to prove your point. Now I really believe you weren't in on this."

He looked around and noticed her phone on the cave floor. He knelt next to it and picked it up. He smirked and looked up at the cave chamber. He walked inside and looked at the stone altar. He noticed the key and carefully picked it up. He stared at it in wonder and anger.

He heard a sound behind him and he turned around. He saw the two kryptonians and hides the key in one hand. "It's okay, officers; everything's under control here."

He saw the woman stare at his hand and she commented, "He has the key." She extended her hand and the key flew from Lex' hand.

He stared at his hand in shock. He questioned them, "Who are you?"

"Are you Kal-El?"

Lex ground his teeth and shot back, "Who wants to know?"

The man walked to him and wrapped his fingers around Lex' throat. Lex groaned in pain as fingers cut into his neck, drawing blood.

The woman strolled around Lex and noted the blood. "It is not him. Kal-El would not bleed."

The man tossed Lex at the wall, knocking the wind from him. He watched them in shock as they sped away.

Lois drove up to the Kent farm and gasped. She climbed from the car and stared open mouthed at the house. They were several large craters in the driveway and the house is completely obliterated.

She swallowed and ran up to the house. Shelby ran up to her and barked happily. She felt relieved despite herself. "Hey, Shelby." She opened the door and exclaimed, "Oh, my god." She saw some movement and watched. She saw Jonathan tearing through debris and called out, "Mr. Kent."

He looked over, "Lois."

She came forward and called out, "Mrs. Kent! Clark!"

"Clark wasn't in here. He's alright."

She looked through the rubble and tried to find Martha. After a minute, she saw a hand buried under the mess. She swallowed and called, "Here. She's here." Jonathan ran over and they pulled a cabinet off her. They knelt down and Lois checked her pulse. "Her pulse is very weak and she's barely breathing."

Jonathan choked slightly and gently cradled her head. "You're going to be okay." He looked at Lois, "Help me?" She nods and helps him pick Martha up.

Lana limped along slowly down the hill and came to the road. She exhaled and started across the street. Halfway across, she heard screeching brakes. She glanced over not fully aware of the car. It stopped two inches from her leg. She looked ahead and started to walk again.

Lex stepped from the car and went to Lana. "Lana, are you okay?"

She kept walking and mumbled, "We have to get away. They'll kill us if they find us."

Lex frowned in confusion. "Lana, you need to get off that leg. Let me get you to the hospital." He walked to her and gently grabbed her.

She panicked and started struggling against him. "Let go of me! Let me go!"

He turned her toward him and told her, "Lana, its okay! You're safe now."

She calmed down and whispered in fear, "There are a man and a woman, right behind us. They came out of…"

Lex frowned and asked, "They came out of what?"

Lana swallowed, "A spaceship."

Lex moved some hair out her eyes and asked, "Where?"

She answered, "Landers Field."

Lex looked serious, "Lana, after what you've been through, it perfectly natural for your mind to play tricks on you, trust me."

Lana gets angry, and pushes Lex away. "No Lex you trust me. I know what I what saw." She started limping to Lex's car. "We need to leave now."

"Lana…" Lana got halfway to the car and fell to the street unconscious. Lex frowned and picked her up. He put her in the car and drove to the hospital.

Chloe walked into the parking lot of the Smallville medical center. She glanced around the parking lot and noticed her car in a stall. She sniffed and noted that Lois and the Kent's had recently come here. Worried, she went to a nurse and asked where they were. The nurse said room 356. She thanked her and jogged to the room.

Along the way, Chloe looked at the patients waiting to be admitted. She wasn't around for the first meteor shower, but had an idea it was even worse16 years ago. At that time, there had been no warning.

She turned a corner and saw Lois resting in a chair. "Lois, you're okay." Lois looked over and jumped to her feet. She rushed forward and enveloped Chloe in a fierce hug.

Lois spoke quickly, "After you left, I thought you got into trouble. I'm so glad you're okay. Did you get out with Clark?"

Chloe returned the hug and answered no. "I went to find Lana at the mansion and then Lex dragged me out to the caves for some reason. Are the Kent's okay? The nurse told me they were here."

Lois nodded to the room behind them. "Yeah, and Lex brought Lana in about an hour ago. She is down the hall in 330." Chloe frowned at that news but remained quiet. "I was going to check on the Kent's. Come on."

They entered the room. Chloe noticed Jonathan only had a few small bruises. Martha wasn't as fortunate. Her face was covered in cuts and her leg was in a cast. Chloe grimaced in sympathy. Lois spoke up, "Mrs. Kent, I have to say, you look a whole lot better without a china cabinet on your back."

Martha smiled at them and quietly replied, "Hi, girls. It's good to see you."

Jonathan praised, "Lois was quite a hero out there."

She replied, "You guys put a roof over my head. Least I could do was help out when it came crashing down." Chloe momentarily smiled.

After a second, she sniffed and frowned. She turned to the window. Suddenly there's an explosion and the windows are blown out. The hallway is in chaos. Chloe and Jonathan run out of the room to check out the situation. They come face to face with the Kryptonians. Worried, Chloe glanced at Jonathan. He acknowledged her and walked over to them. The male demanded, "Where is Kal-El?"

He played dumb and asked, "Who are you?"

The woman looked at them and commented, "You know where he is."

Jonathan denied, "I'm sorry, lady. I don't know what you're talking about." She raised an eyebrow and came at Jonathan. She grabbed his neck and lifted him off the floor. He gasped as his airflow was cut off.

Chloe moved forward but Lois stepped in, trying to help him. "Okay, everyone needs to calm down and count to ten. Put the nice man down." The female glances at Lois and then flings Jonathan to the other end of the hall. Lois glares and cautions, "Look, super freak, you wanna find your Kal-El buddy; you need to start working on your communication skills." The female picks her up and chokes her.

Chloe bit her lip nervously. She couldn't do anything to help without revealing herself. Just when she didn't think it could get even worse, it did. Lana suddenly showed up and spoke up, "I know where Kal-El is. He's hiding out at the Luthor mansion." Chloe sent an upset look at Lana which she ignored. Lana commented to the aliens, "Nice green outfits." Chloe looked confused, and then silently praised Lana.

Chloe demanded, "I am coming with you. I want to know what is going on." The aliens both grabbed Lana and Chloe and dragged them away.

Lois choked out, "Hey, stop."

Clark sped into the farm and stopped in the damaged structure. He shouted desperately, "Mom! Dad!"

"Clark?" Clark turned to see Lex walking in. "Thank god you're alright."

"Where are my parents?"

Lex sighed, "They were taken to the medical center. Your mom has a concussion and a broken leg, but she'll make a full recovery."

"What about Lana?"

"She's at the hospital too." He turned to survey the damage, "It's Chloe I'm worried about."

Clark grew worried, "Why?"

"We were in the caves during the meteor shower. I was knocked out and when I woke up she was gone."

"She probably got out while you were out."

He looked over at Clark appraisingly, "Or she had some help to get out."

Clark scoffed, "You think I did? Lex, how could I…"

"Clark, before I passed out, I thought I saw an uncharted room in the cave. I could have sworn I saw in the middle of it."

Clark shook his head, "I wasn't near the caves."

"If you weren't with your parents during the shower, where have you been?"

"They wanted me to be safe so they had me leave from the graduation ceremony."

Lex grits his teeth, "Why am I getting the nagging feeling you aren't being honest?"

Clark shot back, "I have no idea."

"I'm starting to think lying is an unshakable habit for you, Clark."

Clark frowned and turned to leave, "I don't have to listen to this."

"Then be honest for once." Clark stopped and Lex walked to him. "If you're my friend, tell me the truth: Were you in the caves when the meteors hit?"

Clark looked him in the eye and replied evenly, "NO."

Lex looked at him for a moment and then turned to leave. Clark sighed as he left the house.

Lois paced around the waiting room talking with the general while she massaged her throat. "Look, I understand the army is extremely busy right now; but Mr. and Ms. Universe, they're killing people." She paused and sighed. "Okay." She hung up and turned to see Clark walk into the lobby.

"Lois."

"Clark." She ran to him and they hugged. "You okay?"

"Yeah, you?"

Lois cleared her throat and replied half-heartedly, "Yeah."

Clark started walking into the hospital, "Have you seen are my parents?"

She nodded, "They're going to be fine." She ran after him and cleared her throat. "We, uh, we have another problem, kind of a big problem, really. A couple tore through here with super powers and a really bad attitude."

Clark stopped and swallowed nervously, "What did they want?"

"Um, they were looking for some guy named Kal-El? Ever heard of him?"

Clark turned to her and asked, "Where did they go?"

"Chloe and Lana escorted them to the Luthor mansion."

The kryptonians shoved the two girls into the study. Chloe wished Lana was elsewhere; she wanted to deal with the two invaders with repercussions. Lana pointed to the vault and said, "Kal-El is in there." They walked toward the safe. Chloe inched toward them and got ready to push them inside the room. She swallowed nervously when the male turned to face her. He looked at her in contempt. The woman suddenly gasped in pain and collapsed to the floor. She managed to get away and choked out, "It's a trap. Get the door."

The male sped to the fallen door and lifted it toward the vault. He shut the room and the aliens glared at the two girls. "They can only lie."

The woman replied, "We should cure them of that."

The female sped at Lana and tossed her into a glass cabinet. Chloe glared at the male who grabbed her throat and applied pressure. Chloe didn't react but gripped the man's wrist. She held up her other hand and extended her thumb claw. She swiped at his arm and drew blood. He grunted and released her. He backed away in pain. She prepared to attack when she heard Clark come in. "Leave her alone."

The man glanced at him with disregard until Clark said, "I'm who you're looking for. I'm Kal-El."

The male turned from Chloe and confidently stared at Clark. "At last. We have been waiting for you."

Clark ignored him and questioned, "What do you want?"

The woman answered, "We are asking you to join us; to create utopia from this savage land."

Chloe stalked to them and growled, "This savage land is our home! We won't let you ruin our planet."

Clark calmed her and suggested, "Chloe, I will handle them. You should get Lana back to the hospital."

Chloe looked unsure and upset, but Clark gave her a firm look, "I'll be fine." She nodded and walked to Lana. She carefully picked her up and left the mansion.

Clark spoke to the aliens, "I saw what happened at the hospital. That isn't utopia, its chaos."

"The weak will be sacrificed for the strong."

Clark stood his ground, "Then you can sacrifice me. I will not let you hurt anyone else."

The woman answers, "If that is your decision, so be it, Kal-El."

She slides a bracelet off her wrist and throws it at Clark. He ducked out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit. He watches as the bracelet expands mid-air into a vortex. Clark stares at it for a few seconds in awe.

The Kryptonians use their heat vision on Clark, knocking him towards the vortex, which is attempting to suck him inside of it. Before he can get sucked in, Clark punches the floor, making a hole and anchoring himself with it.

The male tells him, "We can't destroy you, Kal-El, but we can lock you in a place where you can't stop us." Clark grunts as he begins to slip, losing his grip. The man turns and declares, "It is done."

Determined, Clark regains his grip and thrusts himself forward. He grabs the woman by the shoulder and tosses her into the vortex. He smirks at the man and his shocked look. He pushed at the man's chest and he joined the woman. Once they are inside, the vortex turns into a metallic rectangle. The two Kryptonians are inside looking angry and scared. It flies through the window and off into the distance. Clark watches it fly away into the sunset. He then realizes that the sun has set. Worried, he sees the key and grabs it. He turns and starts running. At the door, he stops in shock. He tries again and still nothing happens. He walks outside and realizes that he no longer has his powers.

Chloe sat in the waiting room waiting to hear about Lana and Lois. She sniffed and looked toward the doors. They opened and Clark walked in. She sighed in relief and ran toward him. Halfway there she slowed and looked at him curiously. She sniffed, and commented, "Clark, something isn't right. Your scent has changed." She gave a nervous laugh, "You smell human."

Clark swallowed and glanced around to be cautious. He whispered to her, "I don't have my abilities anymore."

She stared at him, and then laughed. "I'm sorry; I thought I heard you say your powers are gone." He looked at her seriously and she gaped at him. He nodded and she extended the kryptonite claws. She started crying when he didn't react. She shook her head, "No, no. You couldn't have lost your powers. You are meant for extraordinary things; you aren't meant to be normal."

He objected, "I was supposed to deal with the threat from Krypton. I did what Jor-El asked me to, and if this is the result, I am fine with it."

Chloe looked at him sadly, "Clark, from what you and your parents have told me, everything Jor-El has done to you has had negative consequences, and they are worse each time. I don't want to know how bad it could be this time."

Clark pulled her into a hug. "I know it's going to be hard to get used to this. But I will be there to help you and the X-Men in the future. Let's go check on Lana."

Chloe looked at him sadly and followed.

Lana glared at the paper she held. She had waked up and saw it on her table. An article concerning the Teague's strange deaths had been circled. A small note had been scribbled on the side: You owe me. L.L. She exhaled and closed the paper as the door opened. She smiled as Clark and Chloe walked into the room

Clark smiled at her. "Glad to see you're alright. How's your leg?"

The doctor says I should stay off it for about a week, but I should be able to walk again." She sighed, "Feels so familiar. Two years ago, I shut you out for the same thing."

Clark sighed, "You know I never wanted to see you get hurt. Somehow I always seemed to get you hurt."

"You don't need to explain. What you do is dangerous. You can't know if your friends would end up in the way. I think that is part of the reason you didn't tell me."

Clark swallowed, "I never thought you couldn't handle yourself. You are a very strong person, Lana. You could do fine without me." He exhaled, "And you will do fine without me protecting you."

Lana smiled, "You'll always be my protector, Clark." She glanced back at Chloe who had been simply staring at Clark the whole time. "Chloe, is there a newspaper on Clark's back?"

Chloe looked over confused, "What?"

"You have been staring at Clark like he's a breaking story. You okay?"

In response, Chloe held up her hand and extended the claw.

Lana became horrified, "Chloe, what are you doing?! Put that away!" She gasped as Clark made no reaction. "Wha...? What happened? You're immune now?!"

Clark shook his head as Chloe retracted the claw, "My powers are gone. I'm human."

Lana gaped in shock. "You can't be human. You need to be super so you can stop the ship."

Clark frowned, "What ship?"

Lana sighed, "Where do you think the aliens came from? Something tells me they weren't the only dangers. The ship may be the bigger problem."

"When we have to deal with it, we have Kryptonite to destroy the ship."

Lana slumped her shoulders in guilt. "I could have destroyed the ship when I saw it. I saw some kryptonite nearby the site. I'm sorry."

Clark shook his head. "It's okay."

Lana glanced down at the paper and picked it up. She bit her lip and handed it to Clark. He opened it in confusion. He read the note and got a dark look. He assured her, "We will protect you, whatever it takes."

Chloe sighed, "On a more personal note, I have news for you, Clark."

He looked at her quizzically, "What do you mean?"

She turned around and lifted the back of her shirt revealing the tattoo. "When did you get that?"

"The same time that you disappeared from the caves. From what I gather from Jor-El, it is the Kryptonian equivalent to an engagement ring."

Clark's eyes widened in surprise, "Jor-El told you we are engaged?"

"Betrothed is the word he used."

Lana smiled, "Congratulations, you two. Chloe, are you going to flip a coin to see whether I or Lois will be the maid of honor?"

"Don't make any announcements just yet." She sat down in the chair by the window. "We are not officially engaged right now. I love Clark, but marriage is just not in the plans right now. Don't worry though flyboy. I do plan on marrying you in the future."

Clark put on a mock fearful look, "I don't know if I should relieved or worried by that."

Lex stood in front of a video monitor. "Has there been any activity yet?" A technician shook his head and left the room. "Let me know if anything noteworthy happens." He turns and walks out of the room.

He goes by a closed door with two security guards on either side. Inside the door, the black ship sits on top of metal supports. A closer look reveals a leaking black substance. It is pooling under the ship. After a minute, the black liquid began to snake itself toward the door. It stopped about a feet away and crystals starting forming. The liquid formed itself into a man with light brown hair. The man gazed around the hanger and looked up to the ceiling. Without warning, the man shot upward and punched through the cement ceiling.