Breathing hard, Marcus steps back from the battered Kryptonian. At first he thinks he killed him but he sees the monsters chest rise and fall. Marcus is impressed how much the monster endured even without his powers.
Checking Draggon's readings once more, he is further frustrated to learn the next set of results shows the same as all the others. He needs to clear his head. He needs to find the father. The father will tell him what he did to Draggon. Marcus makes his way to the command center to check his scanners.
Clark awakens in intense pain. His ploy failed. His guilt starts to overwhelm him when he notices something. Marcus broke his arm in several places which has made it flexible enough to slip free of its restraint. Shoving the pain to the back of his mind, he reaches out and grabs one of the devices used on Chloe. It cuts thru the rest of the bonds quickly and he is free.
He drags himself to Chloe but when he turns her around to face him, he sees she is unconscious. The pain he is in nearly causes him to blackout and makes him realize he won't be able to care her. Clark decides to leave her there. Maybe if Marcus catches him, he will think Clark has abandoned her and let her go. He knows it is not much hope but he clings to it.
Next he drags himself to where Draggon is imprisoned. Pushing a few buttons, he manages to get the pod to cycle open. Spent, Clark collapses next to the pod.
Draggon awakens in the pod to find Clark badly injured next to it. Checking the computer he can see that Marcus has run his test dozens of times. Draggon feared Marcus would not accept the truth but he had to try. Taking a device from the med bay supply closet he bathes Clark in the ray. The beam restores Clark's powers and he immediately starts to heal. In moments, he is heal and conscious.
"I am sorry for what Marcus put you thru. This is wrong. Pl" Draggon is saying when he suddenly falls forward.
Behind him, Marcus stands with an energy weapon. He screams "Look what you made me do! He was my friend! You will pay monster!" He fires the beam at Clark but it reflects harmlessly off his chest. Realizing Clark has his powers restored, Marcus reaches for the weapon that will remove them but Clark uses his heat vision to destroy it first. Roaring Marcus dives at Clark.
The days of torture, of watching Chloe suffer have left Clark filled with rage. He meets Marcus's charge head on. Their collision sends both flying opposite each other. Marcus slams into some computer controls and they explode in a shower of sparks. Clark crashes thru the opposite wall. Picking himself up, Clark flies full speed at Marcus. His attack carries them both thru more of the ship and outside. Clark drives Marcus into the ground with a thunderous impact. His furry is too much for Marcus. His blows rain in a t super speed with more force than Clark has ever allowed himself to unleash. Marcus tries to fight back but Clark will not be denied. To finish him, Clark takes Marcus to the edge of space and then powers him back to Earth. Marcus hits with the force of a meteor and the surrounding farmland vaporizes under the force. Standing over Marcus, Clark grabs Marcus's head and draws back his fist.
Thru his broken mouth Marcus spits "Do it Kryptonian. Kill me. Know that another of my kind will come and avenge me and my brother." He glares definitely at Clark.
Marcus' words snap Clark out of his rage. Horrified at what he nearly did he lets Marcus fall. "I am not going to kill you. I am not the monster you believe." he says. With that he flies back to the ship to help his friends. 'Oh my god I nearly' flashes thru his mind.
Marcus cannot believe the monster spared him. It makes no sense. Marcus saw the rage and hate in Clark's eyes. 'Why didn't he finish him? Could it be that Draggon spoke the truth?' floats thru his mind as he lies in the crater as his body repairs itself.
As Clark approaches the ship, Clark finds Oliver and the league coming out. It seems Oliver and the rest of the league had been playing possum just waiting for a chance to escape. When Clark started that fight, they took the distraction to escape.
"Where is Chloe?" Clark asks.
"She is inside with Draggon" Oliver tells him.
"Is Draggon alive?" Clark asks.
"He was but I don't think he will last much longer. Chloe was trying to heal him but her power wouldn't work. I thought about dragging her out of there but felt it would be better if we helped you. Where is your dance partner anyway?" Oliver says.
"He is in what is left of a cornfield two miles over there. (Clark points) He is not a threat at the moment. I beat him pretty badly. (looks at his hands with remorse) I need to see Chloe." Clark says.
Inside, Clark finds Chloe sitting next to Draggon and saying "Why won't it work. Stupid power! Work."
Clark moves next to her and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry Chloe."
"It is not fair. He already died once to save us." she says thru tears.
"Life is not fair Chloe. We can't save everyone. We all have to do the best we can. You taught me that." Clark declares.
"I keep trying my power but it does not work. I tried to get him to feed but nothing." she babbles.
She places her hands on Draggon once again and tries to summon her power but nothing happens. Clark trying to comfort her puts his hands on hers. When he does, light flows thru his hands into Chloe's and her power activates. The whole room is bathed in light.
When they can see again, they are glad to see Draggon's breathing has improved. The computer confirms his vitals have improved. He will be ok now.
Even more amazing Chloe is completely healed. Her power never worked to heal her own injuries before. She thought her body would always show the damage inflicted on it. It is vain but she is still relieved not to be disfigured. "What happened?" Chloe wonders aloud while staring at her scar free arms.
"I don't know. My Kryptonian DNA unlocked your power somehow. We should ask Jor-El. He probably knows what happened." Clark replies. Honestly he does care how she was healed, he is just glad she was. He couldn't have bearing looking at her otherwise. Her scars would never let him forget what she suffered because of him. It eases his guilt slightly to not have to see them.
In a few minutes Draggon regains consciousness. He breaths a sigh of relief that his friends are free. "Marcus?" he asks fearing the answer.
"We fought and I defeated him. Oliver and his crew are keeping an eye on him nearby. He hasn't moved from where I left him. I hurt him pretty badly (Clark shifts his eyes away) but Oliver assures me Marcus is healing. I remember how much punishment you could take but still. I hit him with everything I had. I have never let loose like that before." Clark admits. His shame is clear on his face.
"You proved I made the right choice again. You would have been completely justified in killing him after what he had done. You didn't. You are truly a superman Clark." Draggon declares while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Embarrassed and feeling unworthy Clark starts to protest but Chloe cuts him off with "You don't know the half of it." Her mischievous grin and the bright color in Clark's cheeks clue Draggon into what she is referring too.
"Congratulations. You make a good lifemates." he says with genuine joy.
Turning her head to look at Clark, Chloe shares "I don't know if we are there just yet but things are going well."
"I know I have never been happier" Clark says with his patented conviction which causes Chloe to blush happily. Chloe moves next to Clark and he puts his arm around her.
"It is good to see my friends happy." Draggon states.
"I have to know. How is it you are here? We thought you were dead! I am so happy you are ok." Chloe asks
Guilt crosses Draggon's face as he replies "I was dead. Jor-El restored me. He did something horrible to restore me. I had hoped to wait to discuss this but you have a right to know what your father did, Clark."
Concerned Clark moves right up to Draggon and inquires "What did he do?"
Sighing Draggon tells Clark "He sacrificed 4 humans to restore me. He feed their life force into me using the fortress. I really wish he hadn't. My life is not worth 4 others no matter who they were." He wishes he did not have to cause Clark this hurt. One should love their father not hate them.
"What! That is not possible! He wouldn't. I mean he can be a jerk but." Clark stammers. His head swims with the enormity of the evil his father has done.
"I would not lie to you. Understand I cannot ignore this crime no matter how much it benefited me. However, he is your father. You have the right to deal with him first. If I could reverse the process I would. No one has the right to play god." Draggon declares.
"I have to talk to him." Clark states.
"I will go with you." Offers Chloe.
"No, I need to face him alone." Clark says with conviction and remorse.
"I will leave his fate to your judgment. I need to speak with Marcus. Hopefully, he is beginning to see reason." Draggon says and walks towards the field.
Chloe kisses Clark on the cheek and hugs him.
Clark flies off to face Jor-El. He still cannot believe what Draggon told him but in his heart he knows Draggon is not lying. He knows his father will do anything to ensure Clark fulfills the destiny laid out for him.
Draggon approaches Marcus as he lies in his crater. "Do you understand now my brother?" Draggon asks.
"It cannot be. He spared me. It makes no sense." Marcus replies. Clearly he has not yet come to terms with the existence of Clark.
Draggon feels for Marcus. It is difficult to say the least. Marcus' whole world view has just changed. Trying to help his friend understand he says "I never thought it was possible either my friend. The universe is a truly wondrous place if a Kryptonian can become a hero." Offering his claw, he helps Marcus to his feet.
Oliver and company tense but keep their weapons lowered. "If you got this, we have some pressing business elsewhere. If you need us, use this to call us. Chloe has one too." Oliver declares.
Draggon looks at Marcus then Oliver. "Everything is under control, my friend. If you need help, you should feel free to call on me as well." Draggon and Oliver shake hands.
On his way out, Oliver offers Chloe a ride. She refuses and reassures him she will be fine. She thinks she can help Draggon convince Marcus.
After Oliver and his team have left, Marcus comments "You really are comrades. The humans accept you so easily. The Kryptonian they treat as an equal. This is a strange place."
Laughing Draggon replies "It is indeed. Let's return to your ship. Chloe and I will answer all your questions."
Marcus looks at the human he tortured so cruelly. She is smiling at him of all things. 'How can she not be furious at what he did to her.' he wonders.
Chloe stands a little bit apart from Marcus and Draggon so they can have a bit of privacy. She puts on her best smile and waves when ever either looks over. 'Just do you best friendly helpful human thing, Chloe. Forget what he put you thru. Just let it go' races thru her mind.
"Chloe, Marcus and I are going back inside his ship. Would you join us?" Draggon asks.
'Holly crap. Back in there! Deep breath. Draggon is here. He won't let Marcus hurt you again' she thinks. Out loud she says "Sure" while smiling like an idiot.
After several hours, Chloe is exhausted. Marcus hammered almost as bad as Lois about Clark. He wants to know Clark's whole life in a few hours. She is proud of herself. She painted a glowing picture of Clark with just enough of the bad to make him believable. She is sure she won Marcus over.
Seeing Chloe is exhausted, Draggon tells Marcus they should stop for now. Draggon offers to help Chloe home. She gratefully accepts but she really wished Clark would get back already. 'What is taking Clark so long? God I hope he is Ok.' Chloe ponders.
