The New Circle Chapter 26: Call To Arms, a Smallville + Secret Circle Crossover fanfic

Disclaimer: Don't own Smallville/Secret Circle

-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v -v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v -v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v -v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v -v-v-v-v-v-v-v-

"She has a sister?" Greg blinked in shock. They were sitting in the Talon and he was perched on top of the table, looking from Clark to Whitney. "Is she hot?"

"Is she-? That's not the point here, Greg!" Clark shook his head at him in utter bafflement before turning his narrowed gaze on Whitney. "What do you mean Chloe has a sister? Is she Moira's daughter? What the heck is going on?"

"And is she hot?" Greg asked once more.

Whitney leaned against the wall hugging himself as he eyed the two boys, having been tasked by Chloe to tell the others. "Gabe's not Chloe's dad. Diana is her biological dad's other daughter. That's as much as we know now." That wasn't the truth, but for right now that was as much as Whitney was telling the other two. "Diana's a witch as well and her boyfriend abandoned her, so she's staying with Chloe for a little bit."

"But is she hot?" Greg pressed.

"Yes Greg." Whitney rolled his eyes at the other boy. "She's hot."

"I knew it!" Greg celebrated, clapping his hands. "When do we get to meet her?"

"Why did you know about this before we did?" Clark wanted to know, eyes narrowed. "Okay, I get Greg not knowing, but why did you know it before me? I've been Chloe's best friend since we were kids."

Whitney had noticed this recently; the resentment Clark seemed to be harboring towards him concerning his relationship with Chloe, and to be honest it annoyed him. Clark hadn't left when Nell had hurt Chloe, Whitney had. And while the blonde hadn't done so due to any romantic feelings towards Chloe, he felt that Clark had lost all right to bitch when he'd stayed a member of the Circle. If Clark had left, maybe he would be the one with the star on his palm and the secrets Whitney kept, but he hadn't, and in Whitney's view it was due to Clark's own actions so he didn't think that Clark had the right to complain so much.

In the end, all he said though was: "I was there, you weren't."

Clark's eyes narrowed on him before he looked away, clearly unhappy with this whole thing and yet not mentioning it any further.

"She wants us all to come over and meet her tomorrow," Whitney finished, relaying the message. "Her father is having a big celebration to welcome his wife back, the whole neighborhood will be invited, and she wants us there."

"So what, the prodigal mother returns and gets the feast with the fatted calf?" Greg grumbled before straightening up when he realized the looks he was getting. "What? Do you think Pete was the only one who'd ever picked up the Bible?"

Clark and Whitney exchanged looks before each looking away.

Even more change was upon them and no one was ready for it.

"This is amazing," Diana whispered as she stared at the large Balcoin symbol etched on the wall of the inner cavern, unable to believe the majesty and grandeur of the place or the power she could feel from it. When Chloe had told her that it wasn't good for her to remain in the house crying, that there was some place she felt might make Diana feel better, the brunette hadn't expected a place like this. She also hadn't expected it to actually work; that for this moment all her pain and fears and disappointment were numbed by the overwhelming sensations flowing through her veins. "How could this place have been hidden for so long?"

"I think it's spelled so that only the Balcoin blood can find it," Chloe admitted, staring up at the symbol, which had lit up immediately at her presence. "Whitney couldn't see it before, but now he can find it, most probably due to our…" She trailed off, as if not sure what exactly to call what they shared, rubbing the inside of her palm as she contemplated it. "…Bond."

Diana wondered if Chloe realized that she too was glowing like the symbol, the power just radiating off of her; a warm blue, almost like fire. It was fascinating. She'd never seen anything like this. Not even Cassie had ever displayed power like this and Cassie's dark magic had been incredible. As had John's. So why was it that Chloe's magic manifested like this? It was just so different.

Chloe turned to face her, a little smile on her face. "Do you feel that?"

"The power?" Diana asked softly.

The blonde nodded. "The connection too. It's like-"

"Coming home," Diana whispered, staring at her older, yet shorter, sister.

"Exactly." Chloe's grin was brighter, almost as if relieved to hear her own thoughts tumble from Diana's lips. "According to my mother, this place belongs to us, to the Balcoins, and only those we allow in will be able to not only find it, but enter."

"Your mother seems to know a lot," Diana muttered, remembering the extremely young woman with the icy blue eyes.

"More than I do, at least." Chloe sighed, hugging herself. "I don't trust her, but I don't really have a choice in the matter. Almost all the answers to the questions that have been haunting me have been answered by her and I have so many more questions that need answering."

Diana could understand what her sister was going through, distrusting one's own parents. Charles mightn't have actually been her father, but she'd thought so for most of her life and had loved and trusted him above all else – only to find out that he'd murdered Cassie's mother so that Cassie would come to Chance Harbor and bind the Circle. She'd never told Cassie that and even now she felt guilty for it, but considering that Charles was cursed to a catatonic existence to keep the demons within him at bay, Diana had been terrified that Cassie would lose the little grip on her self-control she had and would kill him while he was in this state.

Chloe flinched, bringing a hand to her shoulder and rubbing it.

Diana frowned, stepping closer as she saw the edge of a large gauze wrap. "What happened to you there?"

Chloe looked up at her in surprise, almost as if having forgotten the girl as she continued to rub the wound. "I was bitten."

"By what?" Diana blinked.

"My mother." Chloe shocked her once more, the blonde shaking her head in wry amusement at the expression on Diana's face. "I'll tell you about it sometime."

Diana eyed her older sister, unable to really understand her or her blasé way of reacting to things, but she wanted to. "So what are your plans now?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Chloe gave a little smile before leaning against the wall of the cavern, under the Balcoin symbol. "I'm planning a party. It's going to rock."

That had not been what Diana had been expecting to hear. "A party."

"At the Talon." Chloe nodded. "It was Pete and Greg's idea to begin with but I was brought in to take over." She sighed. "Pete and Lana might be gone, but Greg, Whitney and Clark still need to relax and have some fun." She tilted her head to the side, a wry smile on her lips. "And to be honest, so do I." She tilted her head upwards, staring at the seemingly endless cavern ceiling. "I know that with everything, I should be freaking out, but I'm not. It wouldn't help me if I did anyway. I just need to keep my head on straight, not get distracted by any fears, and formulate some plans." She finally turned her gaze on Diana, something flashing behind those green orbs of hers. "Lex Luthor and his Circle won't know what hit them."

"Why don't you just leave town?" Diana asked before she could even stop herself. "Why don't you disappear like John did?"

Like Diana had.

And it shook the brunette to realize that she'd done something John had, her stomach going queasy at the thought that she might be more like him than she wanted to admit.

"It's tempting," the blonde admitted with a wry little smile. "But if I run now, they're just going to follow and I'm going to have to run for the rest of my life. I'll also be giving them all the power by backing off and making for the hills. I won't do that." She shook her head, determined. "I'm going to stand my ground and face whatever has to be faced, here with my friends and family." She gave Diana a sad little smile. "I'd be weak and vulnerable, so alone, without them."

Diana had to admit it; she felt somewhat ashamed of herself for running now. Sure, she'd gone through a lot of traumatic revelations and experiences, but no matter what John Balcoin was, he had not sold her to some strangers as if she was just a bargaining chip. Chloe was in an impossible position and yet, instead of skipping town at the first opportunity, she was choosing to stay and fight.

Despite all this, she also couldn't help but feel that Chloe was selling herself short by thinking that she was weak and vulnerable without the others. Diana wasn't an expert on dark magic but she'd used enough of it to realize that Chloe had natural control of hers. When she was angry or scared or highly emotional, it didn't take over her as it did Cassie; something that had always terrified Diana. The brunette had always been cautious with Cassie when she'd get into those near trance states, the dark magic taking over completely and seeming to control her every action, driving her to kill time and time again without feeling any remorse or feeling at all. When she'd found out that same magic and blood ran through her veins the thought of turning into that herself had been horrifying, terrifying, and she'd left Chance Harbor because she knew that she'd never be able to fight her dark magic if she was next to Cassie. Especially given the fact that Cassie had given into her dark magic so completely.

Dark magic made one numb to killing. Hadn't Chloe admitted to killing those men who'd attacked her and her friends? Cassie had done the exact same thing. Both blondes had admitted to it, and the numbness they felt, but it didn't feel like Chloe was on the edge of falling into that territory at any little provocation. She seemed more grounded somehow. The girl obviously knew about her dark magic, knew she apparently had addictive magic on top of it, and yet she was thinking calmly, clearly, and… well…

…Diana didn't have the urge to run.

And she felt like such a horrible sister to Cassie because she knew she'd left when Cassie needed her the most, despite their friendship. And yet this sister was a near stranger to her and Diana couldn't fathom just upping and leaving at this moment, or any in the near future. It shocked her how much she wanted to stay in Smallville and help Chloe, get to know her better. Moira's knowledge of the Balcoins and dark magic was also enticing, the brunette feeling for the first time that she might have someone who could answer the questions she had, even if that someone made her feel a little on edge.

"You can stay, you know." Chloe finally broke the silence, face emotionless but eyes intent on her, almost as if able to read her thoughts and emotions on her face. "You can stay as long as you need and want." She gave a little crooked smile. "I always wanted a sister and I'd like to get to know you."

Diana licked her lips, gulping softly before letting out a little breath and turning her dark gaze to Chloe's light one, her lips slowly tilting upwards. "I'd like that."

Chloe's smile was more genuine, that glow around her getting a little brighter with pleasure.

Fascinated, Diana's smile grew as well before she shook her head with a little chuckle.

"I don't want her to do this." Gabe was pacing the floor, basically wearing down the pattern. "She's not ready."

Moira sat on the couch, eyeing him with morbid interest. "She's ready."

"She's not." He turned to face her, furious. "She's a kid!"

"She's turning seventeen." Moira leaned back hard. "She's becoming a woman."

"She's still a child," he pushed.

"I had her when I was sixteen, Gabe. Don't forget that," Moira reminded a little harshly before sighing. "You love her, I understand that, but you're being a hindrance to her."

He stopped, eyes wide. "What?"

"You're doubting her abilities, her strengths, and she's sensing that," Moira pointed out, knowing it was a bitchy move but that it was the right one. "You love her, you want to protect her. That's understandable and admirable. But you've got to remember one thing. She's not your daughter. She's John Blackwell's oldest child. Now that he's dead she's the oldest living Balcoin." It was hard for even Moira to digest this. "As you mentioned before, she's the Matriarch." Her glossed lips twisted in a wry smile. "With John gone, it's all going to fall on her and she needs to know that you believe she's capable of doing what she has to to survive and thrive."

Gabe collapsed hard on the loveseat.

"She loves you Gabe, you're always going to be her father in her eyes." That wry smile turned soft. "You've been a wonderful father to her, but you need to start letting her take the reigns of her own life now – before someone else tries to."

He ran his hand over his face silently.

"Not only will she have the Luthor Circle to deal with, but the Trials are gonna start soon."

Gabe yanked his hand from his face, horrified and pale. "No."

"John's dead, Gabe." Moira leaned forwards in her seat. "They're gonna start sooner than we would like."

"It's too early." Gabe shook his head, deep in denial as he shot to his feet. "We still have some years-"

"John's dead, Gabe." Moira echoed her previous words with more emphasis as she stood as well, facing him. "The fact that Diana is here is proof enough that the Trials are gonna come before we can truly prepare Chloe for them."

"John-"

"Obviously had a plan set in place in case he failed," Moira replied, cutting Gabe off. "Chloe's going to go through the Trials, just like every Firstborn before her, and he's sent her a Hand." Moira hugged herself with a sigh. "Considering her bond with Fordman, he'll probably be her other Hand. It would have been better if both her Hands were her blood, but I've been watching this boy; he's capable."

"Luthor – the Trials – what else will burden my poor girl?" Gabe whispered, collapsing once more into his seat.

"She's a Balcoin. Her life will never be peaceful," Moira declared truthfully before sighing, hesitating a second before going to sit down next to him. "But we can help it be a long one, unlike her ancestors."

Gabe turned to look at her, his eyes betraying that he felt like the burdens of the world were on his shoulders. "I will never forgive you for abandoning her – but if I'm going to keep her safe, I need you."

That wasn't what a woman wanted to hear from her husband, but Moira figured that all things considered he was being very generous. "We need each other and she'll need us both. We have to put our differences aside and fight together for our daughter." She offered her hand to him in silent entreaty. "We can't be divided anymore, Gabe, no matter what happened in the past."

He sighed, staring at her hand, before reaching out and placing his in hers, giving it a strong shake.

Moira smiled softly, reciprocating the gesture, for the first time feeling like they might actually have a chance.

"Have you thought about calling them?" Chloe asked as she and Diana walked slowly across the burnt remains of Miller's Field, the moon above them their only light as they trudged to where Chloe had left her car parked. "Letting someone know you're okay?"

She'd sensed Diana's hesitation every time Chance Harbor, her Circle and John's death had come up enough to figure out that Diana had some part in John's death and couldn't handle it or the Circle. She was obviously running from everything and everyone in her past, and while Chloe could understand it, she didn't think it was healthy. Not for Diana, nor for her friends or family back home. They must be worried about her. Even if her adopted father was apparently "indisposed" (whatever that meant), Diana had mentioned something about a grandmother – although she had also mentioned something about not believing she could trust said grandmother after "what had happened with Cassie". She'd explained enough for Chloe to understand that Diana's grandmother had tried killing Cassie because of her dark magic. Chloe didn't need more details.

Still, Diana had been a part of what appeared to have been a strong Circle and Chloe imagined that they must all be worried about her, especially Cassie.

"I have called them." Diana hugged herself, casting her glance away from Chloe in an obvious lie. "They understand."

"What about Cassie?" Chloe noticed the way Diana hugged herself tighter, one of her hands going to her throat as the brunette gulped. If the blonde didn't know any better, she'd think there was slight fear there. "What does she have to say about all of this?"

"I didn't talk to her." Diana finally returned her gaze on Chloe, giving her a weak smile, the truth coming out. "I'm not ready to talk to her."

Obviously something big had happened between the sisters, something important enough to make Diana avoid contact and act so oddly.

Chloe opened her mouth to ask Diana about Chance Harbor itself when suddenly all of her senses became inflamed, the blonde stumbling in shock as the air seemed to be knocked out of her lungs as if punched.

"Chloe?" Diana asked in confusion, dark eyes widening. "What's wrong?"

"You can't feel that?" The blonde clutched at her stomach, doubled over, voice a groan.

"No." Diana shook her head as she neared, casting an alert gaze around her. "What is it? What's happening? What can you feel?"

Suddenly, Chloe screamed, yanking her hands from around herself to bring her palms up, the Balcoin symbols on her palms burning through her fingerless gloves. Light glowed from the symbols, her hands trembling as she lowered her head and closed her eyes against the pain. She could feel the star on the side of her right palm throbbing slightly, almost as if in reaction to whatever was happening, the small line on her elbow doing the same as well. A part of her wondered if Whitney could feel this through their link, and that part seriously hoped he couldn't because she wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.

"Chloe?" Diana's voice trembled slightly as she looked around them, nearly twirling. "Chloe!"

Chloe forced her eyes open and they widened to see that all around them, seemingly appearing from the shadows around, were hooded people. They were the same people who she'd filmed gathering in the woods before she even knew that the one they'd been discussing that night had been… her.

The blonde forced herself to stand straight, her hands still burning and pain still racing throughout her body as she turned her head, realizing that they were trapped within a circle comprised of these hooded bodies. She clenched her fists tightly, ignoring the pain as she moved a little closer to Diana while never taking her eyes off of those robed ones. "What do you want?"

And that was when it hit her, shooting through her form behind, the magic so strong it sent her flying to her hands and knees on the ground.

A scream ripped through her lips as her skin seemed to bubble, the bite on her shoulder throbbing now as well.

"No!" Diana snarled and Chloe could feel something shifting in the brunette as she seemed to be taken over by that other magic within them, the Balcoin magic. "Stop it!" Diana's voice was sharper, a little different sounding, as behind her Chloe could hear someone screaming, the magical connection between her and her attacker severing immediately as he was brought to his knees by whatever Diana was doing.

Someone hit Diana with a spell, the brunette crying out yet keeping on her feet as she turned her other hand towards him.

Taking a deep breath, Chloe coughed, her hand coming from her mouth with blood. The blonde stared at her bloodied hand before turning to look at Diana when she heard a cry escaping the brunette's lips, finding her lean body shaking and a trail of blood trailing down from the inside of her nose.

Someone chuckled from the group attacking them. "They're nothing but little girls. With John Balcoin truly dead, this will be easy."

They were enjoying this.

Diana was brought to her knees, crying out.

Someone else laughed.

Both sounds caused something to snap in Chloe, the blonde unclenching her fists and slamming them palms down on the ground and letting out a scream as she channeled her rage and pain into the earth.

A domed barrier visibly raised around the two girls, electric and green as it covered them completely, all connection with the spells being cast at them severing completely.

Diana let out a cough, sitting up, taking in rapid breaths as she looked around her.

"Are you okay?" Chloe asked, voice a whisper, feeling that darkness churning inside of her, trying to entrance her into letting it do it's will.

"What? This isn't a normal Tuesday for you?" Diana tried for blasé.

Chloe let out a little chuckle despite everything, digging her fingers harder into the earth as the spells began to fire against her barrier, seeking a weakness, trying to break in and get at the protected girls.

"So… I didn't know you could do this." Diana looked around her at the barrier, at the explosions of magic against it.

"Me neither." Chloe flinched as one spell hit harder than the others.

Diana turned her gaze to her before reaching out and placing her hand on Chloe's.

Immediately Chloe could feel Diana channeling power into her, adding it to the blonde's and strengthening the barrier.

The sisters exchanged little looks before smiling softly and entwining their fingers, somehow knowing that whoever was out there wasn't going to be able to hurt them.

Together they were safe, protected.

They just had to wait it out.

Moira looked up, eyes wide as a dish slipped from her hands, shattering on the tiles at her feet.

Gabe looked up from where he was getting something from the fridge, his eyes narrowing when hers flashed lupine. "What is it?"

"Chloe," Moira whispered, the connection between them through her bite wounds sending a distress signal. "She's in danger."

"Why the frig isn't she answering?" Whitney didn't like the fact that he was visibly freaking out, but the star in his palm was throbbing viciously, itching like hell and he just knew Chloe had somehow managed to get herself into more trouble. The fact that the agonizing pain he'd felt earlier was gone did not make him feel any better either. He tried Chloe's number once more, cursing when he realized he should have gotten Diana's number, and then tried Chloe's home phone despite knowing the blonde wasn't there and not really wanting to talk to Moira if she picked up.

"What's going on?" Clark stepped forwards, eyes narrowed and fists clenched. "What happened to you? What-?"

Greg's eyes were narrowed on Whitney, his hands folded over his chest. "Chloe's in trouble, isn't she?"

Clark's eyes narrowed on Whitney. "Why would he feel it if Chloe was in trouble?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Greg asked softly. "They're a Circle."

Clark turned his narrowed glare on Greg. "A Circle is six."

"It's a new kind of Circle." Greg turned his gaze onto Whitney thoughtfully before declaring, "I call shotgun." And with that he headed towards Whitney's parked truck, hands in his jacket's pocket.

Whitney's call went to the home answering machine, the blonde cursing angrily.

Clark clenched his fists before storming wordlessly towards Whitney's truck as well.

Whitney watched them, scratching his star, blinking when his phone began ringing, Gabe's number on the screen. "Hello?"

"Miller's Field," was all Gabe said before hanging up.

Whitney's eyes widened. "Oh shit!"

The Quarterback took off towards his truck.

Davis sat in the motel in Chance Harbor feeling lonely. He'd just finished talking with Oliver and Tess, who'd filled him in on the fact that Diana Meade was now in Smallville and staying with her sister, Chloe Sullivan. The advent of the Balcoin girl had betrayed the true Balcoin in Smallville, but from what Davis figured, it really wasn't a surprising reveal. Despite physical appearances in Crouch End, Lex had already suspected the blonde to be the Firstborn. Their leader didn't want them all in Smallville though, even though he now knew who their Firstborn was. Instead had sent Oliver and Tess off on some mission and had texted Davis that his own mission was over as well.

Cassie Blake wasn't the Firstborn and wasn't of any interest to them, at least for now.

Davis was to go back to Metropolis and prepare things for whenever Lex felt he was ready for them.

Sighing, staring at his packed bags, Davis didn't understand why he hesitated, why he was resentful for this order.

Why exactly was Lex doing things this way?

This wasn't what they'd agreed would happen once they found the Firstborn.

Jason's words about Lex maybe not going through with what he'd said he would concerning the Firstborn echoed in Davis' head.

Davis frowned, shaking his head as he grabbed his bags and stormed out of the motel.

"What is that?" Diana asked, both she and Chloe standing in the middle of the dome.

Chloe followed Diana's outstretched hand before her eyes widened. "Oh you've got to be kidding me!"

One of the hooded men was drawing closer to the barrier, his hand clenched around a sickle glowing softly as if in flames. A war cry erupted form his lips as he raced towards the dome, sickle held high, ready to slam it into the dome, when suddenly a blast of purple slammed into him, sending the man flying into two other robed men and the sickle flinging up into the air before falling hard into the ground.

Chloe's eyes widened and she turned (as did everyone) towards the direction the magic had come from, her lips parting in surprise to see Lex and Jason slowly walking towards them calmly. They looked so out of place, dressed as expensively as they were, in the middle of the charred countryside, and yet the men just sneered at the robed ones, who turned towards them.

"Now this is just cowardly." Lex sneered, straightening his Armani jacket. "You big bad men attacking two girls like this? Really tacky."

Chloe held back the fact that Lex had basically sent people after them as well, shocked that he was here, that he was apparently helping them. Sure, she was supposed to "belong" to his family, and yet-

"You know what these girls are, Luthor," a voice declared as one of the men stepped forwards. "They and their kind are abominations that must be destroyed." He stepped forwards before removing his hood – to reveal Farmer Jenkins. "You know that they must be killed."

Jason reached out his hand and Farmer Jenkins rose in the air. The witch gave a sharp twist of his wrist, the loud sound of Farmer Jenkins' neck breaking echoing throughout the night before his lifeless body tumbled back to the ground. Jason turned his green eyes on the group. "If you want to hurt these girls you'll have to come through us." He sneered. "And believe me, you don't want us fighting you."

"You'll pay for this!" one of the others yelled, sending a curse their way.

Lex smiled, and that was the only warning anyone had before power erupted from him like an explosion, sending the people flying backwards into the ground. He used the second the men took to stumble back on their feet and charge the two of them, to turn to Jason and smirk. "Let's play."

"'Bout time." Jason smirked back as the two men charged as well.

The two Circle members entered the fray with grace and agility that Chloe had never witnessed before. They were horribly outnumbered and yet were keeping their own. Still, more and more robed attackers seemed to be arriving and Chloe knew that, while these two men were obviously warriors, they weren't undefeatable. It was only a matter of time.

Chloe turned to her sister. "Stay in here."

"Screw that!" Diana surprised her. "I'm not just going to stay here by myself. I can fight."

"Be safe," Chloe whispered with a small smile before racing out of the barrier and grabbing the sickle that'd been abandoned, blade deep into the ground. Yanking it free from the earth, Chloe threw it at the man sneaking up behind Lex. The sound of the man's screaming as his hand was sliced off caused Lex to turn his gaze on her and smirk for a second before returning his attention to the fight.

Diana stood still, the rocks of the field around her levitating in the air before pelting at the ones charging her.

Someone grabbed Chloe from behind, a blade to her throat as he twisted her arm behind her painfully. "Time to die, bitch."

Chloe slammed her head back into his face, his blade slicing at her neck enough to draw blood as he staggered away, holding his bloodied nose.

"YOU BITCH!" he yelled, tightening his grip on his knife. "YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY FOR THAT!"

Chloe held tightly onto her neck, pressing against the bleeding wound, stumbling slightly, disoriented from the pain and blood loss.

The man stormed towards Chloe – but before he could swing his blade at her once more, a white wolf side charged him, knocking him to the ground as fangs tore his neck open.

Pressing harder onto her wound, Chloe looked around her, shock filling her system as her father appeared behind one of the men grabbing his head, the sound of a neck breaking inaudible in the chaos.

"Hey!" Greg smiled at Diana, ducking a spell sent his way, and then another, before sending one of his own that sent the attacker flying into another. "I'm Greg."

Diana sent a rock flying into the face of one of the men who'd raised his hand to target Greg while he was distracted. "Diana."

"You're seriously hot," he announced with a grin before sprinting off to tackle the two robed guys, who were still on the ground and struggling to get up.

Diana's gaze followed him in utter confusion and slight amusement before returning her attention to the fight around her, lips moving in a soft murmur, "You're not too bad yourself."

A ball of ash rose and surrounded three of the attackers, not only blocking their view but making it harder and harder to breathe, Clark's eyes narrowed as he concentrated on keeping them trapped within. He reached out with his other hand and another ball of ash trapped two men behind him. So true to his character, Clark was obviously trying to render them unconscious without really hurting them.

Blood was pooling in Chloe's hand, covering her Balcoin symbol and star, trailing down her arm to cover the mark on her elbow as well.

And that was when she saw Whitney.

The young witch was fighting a group of five on his own, and yet not only was he keeping up with them, but his eyes were burning infernal red, the palm with his own star and the elbow with his own mark glowing blood red as well. It was as if her blood was sending him into some sort of blood rage. Two of the men hit him simultaneously with magic spells, which drove Whitney to his knees for a second before he flung his hands outwards towards them with a snarl – driving their spells right back at them and burning them up.

Lex's hands glowed purple with his power as he dodged most of the spells and curses with practiced ease. And every time his hands clasped onto someone, that purple shot into them and the longer he held onto them the slower they grew, the weaker. It was almost as if he was sucking power or energy out of them with his mere touch.

Where Lex was more grace and skill, Jason was more strength and passion, sneering and enjoying the fight, much more physical than Lex in his style. He didn't mind getting in punches or kicks, or elbowing an opponent in the face or neck before bringing them down with a well-placed spell. He seemed to analyze the fight less than Lex, going on instinct, taking any advantage he could find and not above cheating to give himself some where there wasn't – like adding moisture to the ground so he could slide on his knees between where Greg and Lex were fighting, none of the spells hitting him since they were all being aimed at a point higher than his head.

Her father's scream tore her attention from Jason. Chloe twirled around to find him on the ground, five robed ones around him, hands towards him. Their magic poured visibly from them, the magic-less man spasming on the ground as the witches above him laughed.

Chloe reacted without even thinking, feeling that magic within her coil like a serpent waiting to strike. She removed the bloodied hand from her throat, her anger and fury and pain whirling inside of her like a tornado. Emotions and magic and darkness welled within her, and while the darkness wanted to overwhelm and take over, wanted to reach out and kill all, Chloe funneled its fury into that tornado within her. These witches were no doubt part of the reason John had wanted all of the witches who weren't Balcoin dead, and while he'd been wrong in being willing to kill so many innocents to get at the few who deserved it – those who deserved it encircled her.

That tornado of power and anger beat at her chest and when she couldn't keep it in anymore, didn't even want to, it erupted from her with a scream, rippling out of her like an explosion that shook through and pierced every single person on Miller's Field.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, turning towards the source of the explosion of power, and then one by one those in robes began to scream as they clawed at their own skin.

Clark looked around him, eyes wide. "What's going on?"

The men began tearing off their hoods, their robes, revealing them to be every-day citizens of Smallville, people they'd known from childhood. Their skin was beginning to darken, as if they were burning from the inside.

Moira, in wolf form, went to Gabe and nudged him with her nose.

Gabe groaned as he sat up, nodding to the creature. "I'm fine."

Greg knelt down next to the screaming man in front of him. "It's the same spell from the school."

Diana gasped as she went to stand next to him, wide eyes on her sister. "But she doesn't have the crystal skull, so how…?"

Whitney stumbled slightly, bringing his hand to his head, the red glow beginning to disappear as he seemed to slowly return to them.

Lex observed everything going on around him with an ever the analytical eye, a slow smile beginning to curve his lips as his baby blues turned from the slowly burning and drying out bodies to Chloe.

Chloe didn't notice, staring at everything with detachment, almost as if watching the actions of someone else.

Only when the moans were near inaudible did the power return to her like whiplash, the shock of its return causing Chloe to gasp loudly and stagger back. She would have probably fallen as well if she hadn't stumbled backwards into a warm grip. Chloe tilted her head backwards, spots dancing in front of her eyes and seeming to almost dance over Jason's grim face.

She gave him a weak little smile, vaguely aware of Lex, Moira and Gabe finishing off the weakened, burnt witches.

Jason didn't reciprocate, a muscle jumping in his cheek as he stared down hard at her.

"Seriously?" Whitney snapped, pulling off his shirt and punching it up in a bundle before pressing it to her neck. "You took your hand off of your bleeding neck? Are you some sort of stupid idiot?"

"To be fair, stupid and idiot are the same thing," Greg pointed out from where he was coming closer as well, hands in his pockets.

Diana reached Whitney first though, eyes wide on Chloe. "Keep pressure on it, she's lost a lot of blood."

Whitney gave the girl a look that clearly said 'well, DUH!' before he turned his annoyed huff on Chloe. "You're such an idiot."

"Stop it," Clark scolded Whitney, though with little to no heat, his blues wide and worried on Chloe as he reached their side. "Are you okay?"

Chloe opened her mouth to tell him she was fine, but that was when her body decided to give out on her, her knees buckling in as she nearly fainted.

"Gods damn it," Jason growled, sweeping her up in his arms.

Whitney caught his bloodied shirt before it hit the ground, reapplying it to her neck. "Can you hold on to it and apply pressure yourself?"

She nodded subtly despite the pain, pressing the cloth with a wince just to show she could.

Whitney gave her a weak little smile before raising his hard blues on Jason. "We need to take her to the hospital."

"I have the fastest car," Lex declared from where he was kneeling over the last body, the hand he had around the man's body glowing purple until the last bit of life escaped from that man's lips. "We'll take her." He stood in a movement as smooth as liquid. "Any objections?"

"None if he's in the car with you," Greg replied, dark gaze going to Whitney to let them know who he was referring to.

"I'm coming as well," Gabe groaned, standing awkwardly.

"You should," Lex agreed with a look in his direction. "You'll probably need medical attention as well." His gaze slid over the rest of them. "See you at the hospital then."

Chloe pressed the material harder to her throat, leaning her cheek against Jason's chest, against his heartbeat, as he began walking her in the direction of wherever their car was. She closed her eyes, tired yet battling the urge to fall asleep, figuring it wouldn't be the smartest thing to do, all things considering. So to stay awake, she focused on the sound of Jason's heartbeat, surprised it wasn't racing faster considering that he'd just finished participating in a very (for him) physical battle. She focused on his scent, wondering why she felt as if she'd smelt this musky scent before. It teased the back of her mind, and then…

…a fox mask flashed before her eyes.

Chloe's eyes widened and she jerked, the movement causing Jason to stop walking, falling a couple of steps behind the others, as he stared down at her in uncharacteristic silence.

The blonde in his arms changed the hand she was holding her bandage with and grabbed hold of his shirt, staring up into his greens as her own widened. "It's you." Her lips parted. "You're the guy I kissed in Crouch End."

He stared down at her before his lips twisted slightly and he snorted, continuing to walk once more. "It was about time."

Eyes wide, Chloe spent the rest of the walk to the car unable to believe it, admittedly more shocked about this revelation than about what she herself had just done.

TBC