Clark turned to Tess and picked her up in his arms. In a minute she was standing in the kitchen with Clark's parents who both looked stunned at the look of worry on their son's face. Jonathan was recovering from his shock and was about to ask Clark what was wrong when Clark ran back in the direction of the barn.
"Tess", Jonathan asked looking at her" would you mind telling us what the hell is going on? How do you know about Clark?"
"Mr. Kent, I'll be glad to answer your questions later, but right now, we need to find some way to help Clark"
Clark meanwhile was flying through the forest outside of Smallville, his ears still ringing from Zod's last punch. He finally landed on the ground and got up, wincing as he tasted the sickly-sweet taste of his own blood. He had barely been able to drop Tess of at the house before Zod had run at him. He hit Clark as Clark was running back to the barn, and Clark was shocked as he felt true pain for the first time in his life. Sure, he had felt the effects of kryptonite before, but that was different. If he got away from it he was fine, but Zod was unrelenting in his assaults having first pushed Clark to the edge of Smallville, and then sent him flying through the trees, and no matter what Clark did, he could barely defend himself, never mind hurt Zod. Zod seemed to be toying with him; not even breathing hard whilst Clark was feeling the toll of the battle and for the first time in his life Clark felt fear. Clark saw Zod rushing at him, and prepared for his next assault.
"Tess its Clark", Jonathan said, trying to get her to see that if they tried to help Clark, they would only be getting in his way.
"I know Mr. Kent, but this isn't your normal brand of meteor-infected psychopath either. He said his name was Zod and that he was from Krypton, and what's worse…" she hesitated, not sure whether she should cause the Kent's to worry anymore. However, she knew that she had to do whatever she could to help Clark.
"He's got powers like Clark", she finished and saw Martha and Jonathan's eyes widen with worry.
"How is that possible?" Martha asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I don't know. However, it isn't much help because if he's got Clark's powers then he's got no weaknesses"
"He might have one", Martha said, and she glanced at Jonathan, who nodded for her to continue.
"Meteor rock hurts Clark. We don't know why, but whenever he's around it he gets sick"
"Follow me", Tess said, and she walked out to her car and got in peeling out of the driveway as soon as the Kent's were inside.
"Tess, where are we going?" Jonathan asked.
Tess didn't answer; instead she took out her cellphone and spoke.
"Dr. Blake, cancel all tests. Melt it down into bullets. Don't ask why, just do it!"
"Tess, what are you talking about, what tests?" Martha asked.
"My father was interested in the meteor rock so he commissioned Dr. Thomas Blake, who is an expert in radiation, to test the meteor rock. When I got moved to Smallville, my father put me in charge of the project, probably because he decided it was a lost cause after four years of no results"
"So, you're going to just shoot Zod with meter rock?" Jonathan asked.
"That's the plan", Tess said, just hoping Clark could keep Zod distracted long enough for her to use the bullets.
Clark got up, wondering how much longer he could last. He had a black eye and a broken nose, and he was pretty sure he had cracked a rib as well. He raised his fist as Zod advanced, causing Zod to smile. The idiot didn't know when to quit.
"Kal-El, I admire your courage but you only prolong the inevitable. Submit to me now, and I will give you a quick death. Who knows? I may even keep your companion as a slave. She'll be right where she belongs; kissing my boot"
Something inside Clark snapped. The thought of Tess being a slave to Zod was more than he could stand. He rushed at Zod and hammered him with blows, hitting him anywhere he could reach. Zod was forced back out of the woods, surprised at the ferocity of Clark's attack.
"You will not touch my family! You will never rule this planet!", Clark screamed, more angry then he had ever been in his life. Zod smiled, impressed at Clark's anger. He doged a blow to his midsection, and punched Clark in the face knocking him off his feet.
"I tire of this battle. It's time for you to die spawn of Jor-El!"
Author's Note: I know I said that we'd meet Jor-El this chapter, but I'm a nut for cliffhangers. However, I can guarantee that we will see Jor-El soon. Thanks for everyone who reviews, your reviews are what encourage me to keep writing!
