Mr Freeze's trail did not prove difficult to follow. Even amongst the chaos that had seized Gotham, he left his own rather unique footprints. Various people, animals, and cars had all been frozen solid. Batman and Green Arrow had to tread carefully to avoid slipping on icy roads.

"Feels like he's trying to turn this place into a giant snow globe," said Green Arrow, teeth chattering. "Listen, you know this guy better than I do. When we catch him, what's our plan?"

"When WE catch him? I don't need help from any thieves," said Batman. His own plan was to fetch some equipment from one of his nearby hidden stores. He'd actually developed a special thermal insulated version of his suit specifically for use against Freeze, but he didn't have time to get it right now. Still, he knew what his best move was.

"You know, we're not so different, you and I," said Green Arrow, sounding slightly irritated now.

"This is my city, and I'll be the one who…"

"You keep saying that!" yelled Green Arrow, getting close so their masked faces were inches apart. Batman didn't flinch. "Well, let me tell you something: right now, your city is in the middle of someone else's glass prison. I know we had a run in before, but that property I took was already stolen. I was going to return it to the original owner, before you stepped in."

"Very noble," said Batman. Green Arrow gave a half-smile.

"Riiiight. Because it's not likeyou, uh, sent Bart Allen into Lex Luthor's mansion to steal something from him now, is it?"

Batman hesitated only a moment. It was true he'd used Bart to steal something from Lex, but Lex had stolen it in the first place. Which he supposed was Green Arrow's point. How he knew about that, was however, a complete mystery.

"Look, does it even matter? We have bigger problems right now. Let me help," stressed Green Arrow.

"You said it before: I've taken Freeze down once. What makes you think I can't do it again?"

"Those fancy freeze guns… they just leave them lying around Arkham, waiting to give them back with his personal effects when he gets out?"

"Of course not."

"So you already know somebody's helping him out. Let's level the playing field a little."

Batman still wasn't entirely convinced, but nearby screaming ended any further argument. Both men broke into a run, trying to avoid icy patches as best they could. The screams led them into a nearby park. Freeze had gone on a total rampage. As a boy, Victor Fries had taken to freezing animals as a hobby. His freakish behaviour had made him into your typical outsider, but when he'd met a woman called Nora, his heart had thawed. The two became close and married, and Victor's obsession with ice had disappeared. At least until Nora fell terminally ill. Unable to find a cure, he'd instead had her cryogenically frozen using equipment at the company he worked for. When his boss found out, he'd tried to reverse the process. Victor hadn't liked that much. In the struggle, he was knocked against a shelf full of highly experimental chemicals which lowered his body temperature dramatically.

"This has to end, Freeze," said Batman, arming himself with one of his last remaining Batarangs. "One way or another."

"Batman," said Freeze, turning his weapon on him. Batman sidestepped to the right, putting some space between himself and Green Arrow. "I've been wanting another chance at you."

As Green Arrow pulled a trio of arrows, Freeze fired his overlarge gun. Batman leapt to the right, launching his grappling hook at a nearby branch and using it to swing round behind Freeze. One of Green Arrow's shots was frozen while the other two merely bounced off Freeze's suit. Batman knew their best chance was to break the glass on Freeze's helmet.

Before he could get close, Freeze fired a burst of ice at Green Arrow, who tried to leap clear. He almost made it, but his left foot got caught just as the attack ended. It was trapped in solid ice. Batman swept towards Freeze to divert his attention. He ducked a right hand but Freeze caught him with a kick that sent him flying through the air like a football. His suit had saved his life, but as he was knocked into a pond in the centre of the park, he knew he was in trouble. As Batman went under, Freeze fired towards the water.

888

Freeze would have been right at home where Lana was now, back in Clark's Fortress of Solitude. She, however, couldn't stay here for very long or she'd freeze to death. As soon as she had her bearings though, she realised she might not live long enough for that to matter. Brainiac stood next to Clark, who wasn't moving.

"Get away from him," said Lana, trying to sound braver than she felt. Brainiac turned to her, face unreadable.

"I've been re-programmed to follow the commands of Jor-El or Kal-El, Miss Lang, but not yours."

"Re-programmed?" asked Lana, trying to move closer to Clark.

"I didn't do that to him," said Brainiac. "I'm afraid The Empireth is back."

"Lenaria?"

Kneeling down next to Clark, she placed her head against his chest. In the next moment, Brainiac's hand had transmuted into a blade. He held it pointed at her throat.

"And now perhaps you'll introduce yourself," said Brainiac, using his other hand to pull Lana away from Clark.

"What? It's me, Lana…"

"Not talking to you, Miss Lang," said Brainiac. "Someone is looking through your eyes. While I have no desire to kill you, if I suspect your guest intends any harm to Kal-El or this Fortress I will have to end your life."

At first Lana had no idea what he was talking about, but then she felt something inside her head, something underneath her thoughts.

(It's okay, Lana. It's me, Faye. I'm sorry… I just… I just wanted to see if Clark was alright, and see what your world was like… I… Please, let me borrow your body a minute so I can explain. I'll give it right back, I promise.)

Lana didn't really want to do that, but she felt Faye assert control. Although she trusted the girl, she couldn't help but feel afraid. And also angry with her for hijacking her body without permission.

"My name is Faye. I met Clark – Kal-El – and Lana on Kandor and wanted to see what happened to him. That's all, I swear."

"That is enough," said Jor-El, his voice starling Lana as it came from nowhere. About time he stepped in! Where had he been when Lenaria was hurting Clark? "There is no need to harm them."

"As you say," said Brainiac, his hand reverting to normal. With the threat gone, Lana took control of her body again without even realising it, running back over to Clark's side. His eyes flickered very slightly as though dreaming, but otherwise there was no movement.

"Jor-El, you have to help him," said Lana, cradling his head in her arms. She fought back tears, which would have frozen unpleasantly in this place.

"Not within my ability," said Jor-El. He said it as a simple statement of fact; there was no despair, concern or even embarrassment.

"It's a very powerful telepathic assault," said Brainiac. "I'll work on a way to help him, but there's no obvious solution."

"Well if it's a telepathic attack, Faye, maybe you can help him?" asked Lana, hope rising. If she could bring Clark back to her, she would forgive her borrowing her body at once. She would forgive ten times worse.

(I-I'll try. Hold your hands against his forehead.)

Lana did as instructed, tensing as she waited for something to happen. At first nothing did, and then images began flickering inside her mind.

"I'll never do as you say."

She saw Clark in the middle of a burning city. Metropolis, she realised faintly. They were near the main Luthorcorp building. Lex was standing next to Clark, who looked horrified at what was happening. Lana gave a gasp of surprise as she saw what was in Lex's hands. The bottle city of Kandor, where she'd just come from.

"You have no choice, Clark," said Lex. "I hold your home and your weakness."

Lex turned his hand, exposing a ring with a green stone embedded in it. Clark fell to his knees, pleading with Lex to stop it.

"Now either you tear the rest of the city apart, or I destroy Kandor. It's your choice."

"No, Lex…"

"Clark!" shouted Lana, rushing forward. "This isn't real! It's all in your mind!"

"I own you, Clark," said Lex.

"I'm one thing the Luthor's will never own," said Clark, grabbing Lex and hurling him across the city. He smashed through the window of his own building and disappeared into the fire. Clark turned as Lana ran towards him, catching her in his arms.

"Clark, we have to get you out of here," said Lana.

"I remember… Lenaria did this… I keep…"

(Lana… I'm sorry. I'm not strong enough to pull him out of it. I have to get you out before it's too late.)

"No, Faye, wait! I can help him, just give me more time…"

Clark began flickering in and out of existence. He looked at Lana, puzzled.

"Lana, it's okay. I'll get out. I'll break through each and every one of Lenaria's traps if I have to, do you hear me? I'll find my way back to you!"

"Clark!" yelled Lana, and found herself pulled out of his mind and back into The Fortress. Brainiac grabbed her as she almost fell.

"You've been here too long," said the machine. "I'll take you and Kal-El to The Kent Farm. There's nothing more we can do for him right now."

888

Brainiac carried Clark from the caves back to The Farm, leaving him on his bed before he returned to The Fortress. Lana sat by his side. There was no sign of Mrs Kent anywhere, and she didn't answer her phone when she called. This time she did cry. After all they'd been through to stop Lenaria last time, she'd gotten out and done this.

"Hello?"

She jumped at the voice, but was glad to hear it all the same. Chloe was here! Running downstairs, she gave her a hug that caught the blonde totally off guard.

"Oh God, Chloe, I'm glad to see you. It's Clark, he's…"

"Hang on a minute," said Chloe, grabbing her arm and practically dragging her into the living room. "You have to see this."

"Chloe, wait, this is really important…"

Putting the TV on, Lana recognised the location on screen immediately: it was Smallville General Hospital. The reporter on screen was describing a 'miracle'.

"She's incredible," said Chloe, looking at the screen with adoration on her face. "Lenaria healed everyone in that hospital. She even helped speed up Pete's recovery."

"Chloe, listen to me…"

Lana had already begun to move away, and started to run as soon as the knife slid from Chloe's sleeve into her hand.

"You're coming with me, Lana!" yelled Chloe, sprinting after her. Lana burst out of the front door, running as fast as she could. She had no idea why Lenaria had pulled that stunt at the hospital, but now she was controlling Chloe, and she had to get away.

Then she saw the trucks heading along the road towards The Kent farm. They were coming for her.

She was caught.