Chapter Fourteen: Business

Clark felt his strength returning to him, the kryptonite had almost been completely drained from the pipes, Clark sat up, Lois seemed pale and silent.

'Lois?' he said as he touched her cheek, he glanced at the boxes they had used to put infront of the air vents to stop the gas from entering the chamber. They must have been completely saturated. He took in a deep breath, and blew out a freezing gust of air at the vent, leaving it frozen. 'That should be strong enough to stop the gas from entering for now.'

'Clark,' she said weakly, 'get us outta here...'

Clark nodded, he'd figure something out, he couldn't let her down.

Grunting with effort, Clark gripped the door handle and pulled with all his strength, but it was no use. There was no way he could penetrate the door or open it, he frowned as the light above the door turned from red to green. Clark stepped back as the door opened before him.

A grey skinned man smiled at him calmly, 'Clark Kent.'

Clark studied him, 'who are you?' he demanded.

'I'm somebody who's interested in forming a partnership with you...and you're uh...abilities.'

Lois climbed to her feet, appearing besides Clark, she glared at him, 'Grundy, you can't keep us here-my boss knows where we are-'

'And what exactly is it that your boss will do?' Grundy asked with an amused smile, Lois glared at him.

Before Grundy could say anything else, Jimmy emerged from behind him, hitting him over the head with a canister.

His heroic attempt fell to pieces as Grundy barely flinched, Lois groaned internally, Clark tackled Grundy to the ground, delivering him punch after punch.

Grundy simply chuckled, 'Its no use Kent.'

Clark stared down at him, his wounds healed almost instantly.

'I don't want to hurt you Kent.'

Clark felt Lois's hand on his shoulder, 'Let's get out of here,' she whispered as he slowly stood up.

'That's not such a good idea Lo.' Lois frowned at the sound of Magnus's voice, she turned around to see Jimmy lying unconscious on the ground, and Magnus smiling at her coldly.

Lois stepped backwards into Clark, who didn't dare look away from Grundy.



Grundy climbed to his feet calmly and arrogantly wiped dust from his shoulder. His vacant eyes met Clark's, sending chills down Clark's spine.

'I just want to understand how you came to possess your abilities.'

'I don't know what you're talking about-'

'Lying isn't a smart move. Not when I have footage of you using your abilities.'

Clark felt a pang of fear spread through him, 'What do you want?'

'For the footage?' Grundy asked sincerely, 'A small favour.'

'What?'

'I want you to help me.'

Clark studied him, 'I want the tapes first.'

'Consider it done.'

Clark felt reluctant as he studied the powerful man, 'how do I know you don't have more copies?'

'How do I know you'll keep your word after I give you the tapes?' he replied smartly.

Clark nodded. He had a fair point.

Lois stared at Clark wondering what the hell he was thinking...

'What do you want me to do?'

'Look, I'll be honest with you. I have some...partners, with abilities similar to yours and mine, however, neither of us exhibit as much control over our abilities as you have over yours.' He eyed Clark like an eagle did just before it swooped towards it's prey.

'There's a casino in Gotham City.'

Lois froze, that city was familiar to her, more familiar than she wished.

Clark nodded, he knew where Gotham City was, 'What about it?'

'The Ace Casino...Its owner, owes me some money. I want you to get it me.'

'Why can't you get it yourself? You're invincible...'

Grundy smiled at the farm boy, 'You may not know who I am Mr Kent. But I have an image to maintain. But you? Nobody knows you. You're a nobody Kent. Perfect for robbing a casino and vanishing without a trace.'

Clark stared at him, he felt offended, 'Rob a casino??'

'That's right.'



Clark studied him, Grundy smiled, 'No-one needs to get hurt. You go in, break into the vault and get out. I forget about you for ever. Sound fair?'

Clark considered it for a moment, 'Who's the owner of this casino?'

'Bruce Wayne.'

Lois's eyes grew wide, 'Uh Clark-'

'I'll do it.'

'Good. You have four days.' He put out a hand to Clark, Clark shook it, 'You have a good grip Kent, I only hope your word is as firm as your grip.'

Clark nodded, 'you have nothing to worry about.'

'Nice doing business with you.'

With that, Grundy walked away. Little did he let the farm boy know that he wouldn't be forgetting about him, this was merely a test, to measure his capabilities. If he could return from Gotham City, unscathed by their Batman, then Grundy would make Kent his long-term business partner until he found a way to obtain Kent's abilities. Whether Kent obliged or didn't.

End chapter Fourteen: