Chapter 10 [Luthor Mansion]
Having finished their breakfast and agreed to bury the hatchets (without Jonathan and Lex actually doing so), Jonathan and Martha followed Lex back to the mansion. They didn't know what to think either way.
"Why isn't he picking up his cell phone, Jonathan?" Martha worried while listening to the endless ringing and voice mail jingle.
"He's distraught over last night, Martha. I can't say I blame Clark though. I'd be too," Jonathan presumed. "I just can't believe Lex found out though. Now we have to deal with the Luthors too."
"Jonathan, at least Lex hasn't gone to his father about Clark. He's genuinely trying to help us. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt," she argued.
The farmer bit back his response. While he disagreed with her, he wasn't about to push her further. "Hopefully Lana touched base with Pete. He can fill her in." His frown deepened as they passed the mansion's front gate and headed up the driveway. "Here we go."
"As I said, let's try to have an open mind, all right?" she reminded him as they came to a stop.
"All right," he conceded for her sake. He climbed down out of the cab and shut the door firmly. He took her hand in his as they walked toward the door where Lex awaited them. "So what's the plan, Lex?"
"We look for Clark of course, Mr. Kent. I figure when looking for a needle in a haystack, it's best to narrow the search to section of said hay," Lex replied while trying to keep an upbeat tone. "Sooner we find him, the better. I don't want certain people getting involved if you get my drift. And so you know, I wiped the security footage so there's no record. I'm trying my best to be thorough."
"We appreciate that, Lex. I'm sorry about…." Martha started.
"You're welcome." Lex sighed deeply and turned toward the couple. "Look, I wish you'd let me in on Clark's Secret sooner. I have no wish to exploit him. He's my friend. Last thing I want is for him to fall into my father's hands or those of Sommerholt." He looked up at the hole in the ceiling and the crater in the floor. "You want your proof. There it is." Seeing their stunned looks, he chuckled. "You didn't know about the flying stuff, did you?"
"We've never seen him do it, all right?" Jonathan responded gruffly. His eyes ran across the two pieces of evidence in front of them. How will he keep his father from seeing this?
"Jonathan, remember he told us about when he saved Lana from the tornado?" Martha queried in remembrance.
"Lana said as much last night," Lex concurred while breaking out a few flashlights. "Since you don't want any manpower brought in, we need to deal with possibilities. I brought us back here to get extra lights to search the caves."
"Of course!" Jonathan realized. "Why didn't we think of that last night?"
"Because we were all panicking," Martha admitted while taking a couple of flashlights from the host. "Let's see what we can find. Thank you, Lex."
"My pleasure, Mrs. Kent. Let's see what we can find down there. If that doesn't work then we'll go from there." Lex offered Jonathan a hopeful smile before carrying two more flashlights.
Jonathan eyed the billionaire with care and a measure of distrust. You'd best stay on the straight and narrow, Lex!
[Cowache Caves—Half an Hour Later]
After a hurried ride over to the caves, the anxious trio pressed desperately into the network of caverns. Their cell phones remained silent to any calls from Clark unfortunately….
…and nothing would guide their direction other than the alien pictographs on the walls….
Despite their situation, Lex still took time to admire the drawings. While he was trying to use them as a directional key, he still searched for new ones to later cataloging. Too bad Dr. Walden didn't get to work further on these!
"I wish we could understand more about them," Martha noted. She understood based on Clark's visit with Virgil Swann about how these pictures told a story about Clark's birth planet and that society's expeditions to Earth. Maybe there are some things we can pass on to Clark!
"Maybe some other time, Martha. Right now, we need to focus on finding Clark," Jonathan rebutted. He of course didn't want any more delving into that culture than was absolutely necessary. As far as he was concerned, Clark was their son. Jor-El was dead. Krypton was gone. Period.
"Certainly, Jonathan, but…." She saw Jonathan look away almost dismissively. Why doesn't he understand Clark represents both cultures? This has to be why Clark almost seems at war with himself!
I have made sure Kal-El is his true self, Martha Kent. The war, as you aptly put it, is over, a strange alien voice informed them telepathically.
"Incredible!" Lex surveyed the cave walls almost frenetically with his flashlight and eyes.
"And how do you know what Clark's true self is?" Jonathan challenged. "Listen. I know my son! He…."
The Voice chuckled sarcastically. No, Jonathan Kent, you do not. You would deny him his heritage to control and manipulate Kal-El. He is not an Earther like you both.
"Really? And you are?" Jonathan pressed back.
The true sire, you fool! With that, a bright light blinded the Earther trio as they were swept away….
[Side Dimension]
When their eyes had cleared, Lex, Jonathan and Martha took in the darkened side realm and the seated figure in front of them. They could see what the lights allowed them to.
"Where are we?" Martha wondered.
You all are in my realm. I am Jor-El, Kal-El's true father! The seated figure raised his head allowing the trio to see a pair of glowing crimson eyes. You were the ones needed to raise him to adulthood. That purpose has been served!
Lex stared; his mind trying to both find an intellectual base not to mention an angle.
"You're dead! Martha and I have raised him by our customs! This is our world not yours!" Jonathan denied.
He is still Kryptonian no matter the world he is on. Kal-El will not be confused by your petty concerns! He should rule you all! Jor-El informed them all. Then he glared at Lex. YOU! You will not be party to this, Alexander Luthor! Your line has done enough damage! For the span of a full minute, Jor-El quivered in a furious rage. He waved his hand in a curt motion.
Lex disappeared in a flash of light.
"Lex! What did you…?" Martha demanded.
I have merely transported him back to the cave. Unfortunately I cannot erase his memory or knowledge of Kal-El. You humans always make matters difficult. Be grateful for the small things such as the new life developing inside of her, Jor-El insisted.
"New life?" Jonathan queried while glancing at Martha.
She blushed and nodded. "I'm pregnant, Jonathan."
"How? We can't have kids! So how?" Jonathan pressed.
I made it possible, Jonathan Kent. I did not want to leave you two alone when Kal-El leaves for me for his training, Jor-El informed them. I trust you can find him?
"Might be difficult considering what little we have to work with. We will try," Martha noted.
Then that is all I can ask. You may return and find him. Jor-El's eyes shone a brighter hue of crimson.
Jonathan and Martha tried to shield their eyes as the glare dazzled them. They felt themselves being swept back through some sort of portal.
[Caves]
Lex leaned against the cave wall feeling torn between awe and frustration. He'd always known that Clark concealed certain things about himself. His gut often stormed over the Farm Boy's lack of candor about how certain events had unfolded over the previous two years.
And now the revelations came…and kept coming….Clark's abilities and their background…His birth father's ghost….
He really isn't from around here! I can't believe Clark is an alien! He could well imagine how certain people—Lionel namely—would exploit the younger man for their own advantage. Hell he imagined how he could do it.
... Still his conscience nagged at him on that last aspect….
Before he could go further into his own internal debate, Lex saw Jonathan and Martha reappear not even two feet away. "Are you two all right? What did he say?"
"We received a few answers, Lex, but have more questions," she noted.
"Right now, why don't we get back to searching for Clark? I'll feel better when he's found," Jonathan insisted while cutting off the discussion. He took his wife's hand and led her back toward the entrance.
Lex frowned. What did they find out? Why did that being banish me before I could hear the rest of it? Okay, Mr. Kent, you win *for now*. I will have some tougher questions after Clark's found however. With that he followed them toward the entrance.
The search resumed….