Chapter 34

It was a darkened enclosed space and within this space an unseen person is assembling a sniper rifle. Beyond the slot above them there is a raucous crowd and in front of them on a stage stand the Bayville Mayoral Candidates Jonathan Kent and Robert Edward Kelly having the only live debate between them that both parties would agree to.

The assassin finishes assembling the gun and prepares to shoot. Hands of golden skin adjust the sight.

Chloe Anne Sullivan takes aim at Jonathan Kent.

...

The rifle is fired and the bullet streaks towards Jonathan...

48 hours earlier...

It had been a week since the 'Splinter' incident and like every other day Clark couldn't sleep. He had been driving himself out of his mind wondering what it is 'Principal Fine' meant about dark forces circling his father.

On an aside he still hadn't gotten Fine's real name. When Clark asked in passing him at school he smiled, laughed a little and said his name would come when Clark fully trusted him, saw he was right and ready to 'walk the path of true Kryptonian'.

Clark swears to Rao he thought it was just his corrupted version of Jor-El that went in for this cryptic nonsense. Apparently not. Apparently it's normal for Kryptonians...based on...let Clark see here. Oh wait, Fine could be the 1st one he's actually talked to significantly.

Ok, better avoid generalisations.

Back to Clark's worries.

The debate was very near now and Clark still didn't know what the hell Fine was on about. Ok, sure he's heard rumours about stuff and his father gets threatened every day by the anti-mutant hate mob but nothing specific has come his way.

So here he sits in one of the sitting rooms watching a midnight movie...when a familiar sound hits his ears from behind him and then landing on the spot next to him on the couch having jumped over the back of it is his girlfriend...looking stressed but fully healed from last week. He had been feeling rotten over that all week and had been driving her insane trying to make up for what he did.

"Rough day?" he queries with his usual goofy grin.

"Just the usual mayhem ruling over my realm," Illyana complains. Seriously she can barely leave the place for a day without anarchy taking over. She blows her bangs out of her face and then lifts her legs and places her feet on Clark's lap. "Tell you what I'll blow you in exchange for a foot rub," she makes the offer, wiggling her feet.

Clark sighs. She's been 'Darkchylde' a little too long it seems. You can tell by how cruder her language and manner is. He doesn't respond to her 'offer' directly but he does start removing her boots nonetheless and then once they're off starts massaging her feet.

"Fuck, that's amazing," Illyana moans in pleasure, closing her eyes and leaning her head back. There's just something about changing from goat feet to human feet that leaves her feet all achy and sore. Luckily Clark's hands are magical. He just knows somehow exactly where and how much pressure to apply. She swears one day he'll get her off by just this action alone.

There's something very beautiful about the way she looks as he massages her feet. Beautiful and arousing. Clark tries to dampen down his libido. "If your brother could hear you speak like that..." he mentions.

Illyana chuckles, her eyes still closed as she imagines that. "He'd be mortified. He still imagines me as that innocent little snowflake. You know better how far from innocent I am. Especially since you were the one who despoiled my last virtue."

Clark blushes at that slightly. He would not have phrased it quite like that the fact that yes, he was the one who took her virginity.

"By the way so cute the way you blush," Illyana says with great humour, knowing he is without even having to open her eyes.

"Oh I see. You just like embarrassing me to make me blush."

"That is fun," Illyana admits.

"You're naughty."

"Oh, sweetie, I think you know just how naughty I can be," she says, her voice laced with innuendo and suggestiveness.

Again that brings heat to his cheeks. How does he put it? Yes, when they're enjoying the physical part of their relationship it does seem to be the place she lets the naughtier part of herself out to play. He swaps which foot he is massaging. By the way Yana has amazing arches and elegant ankles. Just something he notices. Despite her attempts to embarrass him it is nice to see her relaxed with her guard down. Something she won't do around other people, not even her brother. She only seems to relax when they're alone with each other.

Illyana lets out another pleasured sigh as her body goes nearly limp in relaxation. "So what's new?" she wonders.

Clark takes a moment. "There has been something I was wishing to share with you," he confesses.

Illyana cracks an eye open. "What?"

"Last week, with the silver kryptonite."

"Uh huh?"

"It didn't burn itself out. It was taken out...by Principal Fine," he admits the truth he has been keeping to himself up to this point.

Illyana frowns as her other eye opens. "How could he…?"

"He's a Kryptonian," Clark answers the question. "Or so he claims."

"Claims? You don't believe him?"

"I know I come across sometimes as foolishly trusting but just because he spins a few plausible sounding explanations of how he survived and how he is here doesn't just mean I believe him. Plus even if he is Kryptonian, so far the only other survivors of my race I've met were Zod's fanatical followers."

"Am I the 1st one you've told?"

"Yeah."

Illyana smiles at the trust he is showing her. "Why haven't you said anything before now?"

"A few reasons. If Fine isn't as nice as he seems I could put everyone in danger. Plus what I was saying last week about how the rock just appeared and disappeared is also true. Something is going on."

"You're worried there's a traitor here aren't you," Illyana figures.

"Hnnn," Clark makes the non-committal sound. The fact he won't rule it out speaks volumes.

"Clark it isn't like the same idea didn't enter my head," she points out. "That being the case you're wise to keep this information to yourself but why are you telling me now?"

"I need to tell someone because I need advice and even though you'll probably call me crazy like you usually do right now you're the person I trust most," he explains.

"You're right. You're crazy," she says with a smirk.

Clark rolls his eyes at her before going to explain what he needs advice about. He tells her what Fine was saying the other day about dark forces circling around the debate his father is going to have with Robert Kelly. "I just can't find out what it is he was trying to say and he won't tell me. Saying it's a truth I need to learn for myself. Honestly he's just about as bad as 'Jor-El' was," Clark complains, comparing Fine's actions to the ones 'Jor-El' put him through. Course 'Jor-El' was a corrupted pawn of Apocalypse but his point is still valid.

"Yeah. I know all about those sort of lessons," Illyana says, her tone heavy with sadness and more than a little bitterness at what she went through growing up as Belasco's apprentice.

Clark looks at her sympathetically. He naturally wishes she hadn't suffered like that. He continues his work on her feet. It's a small thing he can do for her.

"So what will you do?" Illyana wonders.

"I don't know what other sources to press so I think perhaps all I can do is stick close to my dad and keep my ear to the ground and hope that whatever happens I'm fast and strong enough to stop it."

Illyana knows just how much his father means to Clark. He would do literally anything for his father. And Illyana will do anything to help Clark. "If I can help just tell me," she volunteers.

Clark smiles down at her. "Thank you," he says gratefully. And there it is. There's the goodness inside her and he didn't even have to encourage it out this time. That's progress.

Campaign Headquarters of Robert Kelly…

It was morning and he had only 36 hours or so until his debate with Kent so as you can imagine it was all hands to the pumps in the campaign to get Robert Kelly elected Mayor.

He himself was just in discussion with a few members of his entourage. The man in charge of his schedule is just handing over the plan for today. "Mr. Kelly, this is your itinerary for today."

Robert takes it and reads it over. "Push the lunch with Senator Mitchell until tomorrow and get me a photo op at the hospital instead," he decides.

"Yes, sir," the man says, taking notes.

"We need the support of the nurses union," Robert argues that as very important. "And oh get me the latest poll numbers," he also wants to review them because they just kept getting tighter and tighter, no thanks to Graydon and his band of thugs would just continue to cause trouble...and Robert was getting tired of Graydon's excuses as to why he couldn't reign them in. He just kept repeating the same line over and over. 'Rogue elements'. He was starting to sound some sort of answering machine message.

"Yes, sir," the man says. "By the way the Students for Robert Kelly are here," he mentions the student support group that is campaigning on Robert's behalf.

That makes Robert smile...mostly because of who the leader is. Robert strides out from his back office into the front of the building. "Son!" he greets warmly the leader of the group, his son; Robert Edward Kelly Jr. Yes, that is as unimaginative as you think it is.

Robert Jr moves over and hugs his dad. "Hiya dad," he greets his father warmly. Robert was in many ways simply a younger version of his father in appearance. He moves to the side and lets his father address the other members of the group.

Robert clears his throat. "Thucydides said, 'We are either kings amongst men...or the pawns of kings.' The fact that you're here demonstrates that you strive for the former. The youth vote is stronger than we ever expected, and I have you to thank for that. But we cannot afford to be complacent. Great leaders are forged from those who see beyond the boundaries...who go beyond the extra mile. They go the extra 10. Defeat is not an option."

That gets applause and cheers.

"Thank you."

"Dad," Robert Jr gets his father's attention. "I want you to meet someone," he says as he manoeuvres his father to greet one of the members of the group. A girl his son's age, with long blond hair. "This is Samantha," he introduces her.

"Samantha Drake," she finishes introducing herself.

Robert offers his hand and she shakes it vigorously.

"I just have to say, sir that if your son inherited all his wonderful traits from you, you must be an amazing man," she gushes, fangirl style.

"Uh, thank you Ms Drake."

"Samantha please," she insists.

"Samantha," Robert says, feeling a tad uncomfortable because she was still shaking his hand and why was his son introducing her to him...wait didn't his son say something about having met a girl last time they seriously talked. Oh boy. This must be her. Ok, Robert. Be polite. Give her a chance. You have an election to win remember. Can't have a romantic scandal rocking the boat right now. He glances over at his son who is smiling like a lovesick goof. This just gets better and better.

"Such an honour to finally meet you," Samantha says, almost overcome by the moment. "I know this is kind of geeky, but I'd be so psyched if I could get my picture taken with you," she requests.

Robert chuckles, slightly nervous, trying to cover up the fact this girl is making him uncomfortable. "Well, anything I can do to keep up morale with the troops," he quips, making Samantha laugh.

She stands too close next to him as Robert Jr takes the picture, seemingly unaware of his father's discomfort.

Robert covers it up with a laugh. "Thank you very much for all your support Samantha," he says as he puts some distance between them.

"Oh no worries sir," Samantha says as she fiddles with the cross around her neck. "Like my Reverend was saying we must support those who stand against those devil spawned muties."

"Indeed."

"Sir? The limo is waiting," of one Robert's entourage informs him that its time to go.

"Thank you very much," Robert says before speaking to his son. "I have to go."

Robert Jr nods along understanding. "I understand. I'll see you at the debate tomorrow night, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course," Robert confirms...wondering if he should come up with a reason his son doesn't bring that girl along...but it would probably only cause an argument. He'll sort it out once he's elected.

With that and a cheerful wave to his staff he exits the building and gets into his limo. It drives away. Shortly after Robert's cellphone rings. "This is Robert," he answers it with.

"It's Griff," the voice on the other end identifies himself. "You wanted a grenade to throw in the Kent camp? I got an atomic bomb."

Robert looks uncomfortable. Griff was the man they hired to dig up dirt on Kent and discredit him. "This isn't a secure line," he hisses back, terrified someone could be listening in and exposing his connection to the man.

"Just meet me by the Bayville docks. Warehouse 13," Griff informs him.

Robert says a few unpleasant things in his head but agrees.

Warehouse 13, Bayville Docks…

A man with dark skin and short hair rolls his eyes as he hangs up the phone. Some people. They hire him and then get all holier than thou about talking to him. Politicians. What a bunch of hypocritical phonies.

"Atomic warfare? A little over-dramatic for local politics, isn't it?"

Griff frowns as he turns round and finds a tall man with short brown hair, thin face with quite prominent cheekbones, dressed casually. "And you are...ugh!"

His question is cut off by the man's hand turning into a blade and being stuck through his heart. He didn't even see the guy move.

Brainiac's face remains utterly impassive. "If I were human I think I would apologise for this because you see Mr Griff I have nothing personally against you. However I cannot have you interfere in my plans for Kal-El," it informs him just as the man dies.

Brainiac reforms its hand and Griff drops to the ground, now a lifeless corpse. It walks over and reaches into the jacket and pulls out the envelope the man was going to give to Robert Kelly. It pulls out the contents. A photo. Kal-El was careless on the silver kryptonite. It matters little now because Brainiac has already ensured that anyone else who might has seen this has been removed. Griff was the last link in the chain.

Brainiac places the envelope and photo back on the corpse, stands up straight and in a flash of heat vision vaporises the photo and body.

At the Institute…

Outside the mansion the Kent family, plus Chloe and the Professor are just admiring...no just taking in the latest campaign poster dreamed up by Jonathan's friend Jack Jennings' campaign manager whom Jack lent to Jonathan for his campaign.

Not knowing anything about political campaigns Jonathan agreed. Now he's starting to regret it.

The poster was stuck on one of those advertising vans and in it the Kent family was dressed up in formal business clothes.

Jonathan sighs at the sight of it.

"Is this for real?" Chloe asks, unable to believe her still very green eyes.

"Good fucking question," Claire remarks...and when in the hell did she dress up like that? Oh, wait, never. Must have photo-shopped it or something. "Can I burn it?" she asks earnestly, her orange eyes glowing with fire.

"No, honey," Martha shoots her down, making her pout.

"It's certainly...different," Charles comments politely.

"Sosnick had it all trucked all the way from New York," Jonathan explains in reference to Jack's campaign manager. Jack himself was in Washington, you know, doing his job as a Senator.

"It makes me keep expecting some mobster with a carnation to step out of the shadows and plug me," Chloe snarks.

"Good one!" Claire cheers that with a giggle.

Jonathan and Clark laugh at that.

Martha sighs.

"Wow," is all Jonathan can say.

Martha says, "You have to admit, it's...it's not exactly us."

"Dad, as much as I like and respect Uncle Jack you sure this guy knows what he's doing?" Clark wonders because his mum's right. It's not them. No matter how long they've been away from the farm that's who they are. A family of farmers.

"Clark, Sosnick helped Jack win five elections. I'm sure he knows more about this stuff than we do," Jonathan says in the man's defence.

"If you ask me, I think he's trying to turn you into a cardboard cut-out politician," Chloe complains...and it's not the 1st time she's aired that view as matter of fact. As Jonathan's PR guru she has had many an argument with Sosnick over the direction of the campaign.

Speaking of Sosnick he's just exiting the mansion and spots the unhappy expressions. "Is there a problem?" he asks.

Taking after her cousin Chloe speaks her forthright mind. Maybe just because this guy has worked her last nerve for too long. "Yeah, I was just wondering if you've ever actually met the Kents," she snarks. "The reason somebody is gonna vote for Mr Kent is because they relate to him, and who is gonna believe that he is an ordinary down-to-earth American when he looks like some big business blowhard who wants to buy them out?" she asks exasperated. "In fact wasn't it exactly the point to cut through the anti-mutant crap that Mr Kent came across as he really is. An ordinary human man who will treat equally mutant and human."

Sosnick rolls his eyes at her disdainfully. "It's called bridging the demo gap, dear," he says condescendingly...and chauvinistically.

He's lucky Chloe doesn't punch his lights out right here and now for that. Luckily Claire saves him...as surprising at that might sound.

"And does bridging that gap also include misquoting your candidate?" Claire asks from the other side of the van where she had wandered round to

They all move round as on that side of the van in big letters is a Jonathan Kent quote.

"Wait a minute," Jonathan says with a big, deep unhappy frown. "It says, 'Jonathan Kent is quoted as saying, 'it is possible to serve corporate interest and maintain the public welfare'.' I never said that," he protests.

"I did," Sosnick replies.

"You did?" Jonathan questions, his unhappiness growing all the time. He's been willing to put up with a lot to run for Mayor but having claims made of quotes he never actually said...and would never say. This is crossing a line.

"Yes. Look, this whole John Boy thing...don't get me wrong. You're very good at it. It may win over the cowpoke type folks but there's a pool of voters that are more familiar with vente lattes than they are with digging postholes."

That would have made more sense if they were actually in Kansas rather than upstate New York. Ok, that's it. That's the final straw. "What I really need here is somebody who cares about what I believe in more than they care about winning a race. I'm sorry, but you got to go, Sosnick. You're fired," Jonathan dispenses of the man's services.

Sosnick takes it better than you might think. He actually looks almost relieved. "Pack it up, guys. We're out of here," he tells the men with the van as he storms off back to the mansion to pack himself.

Claire sniggers. "Oh, man that was awesome!" she declares it. She just reached a whole new level of admiration for her dad.

Even Clark chuckles a little. "What will you tell Uncle Jack?" he wonders.

Jonathan rubs his brow. "We're old friends. He'll understand."

"Not that that was undeserved," Charles reflects, "and I don't wish to be a downer but I have no idea how we're going to find a replacement so quickly," he worries because you do need to have a campaign manager. Someone who runs and organises the campaign day to day.

"I do," Jonathan says...and then his gaze turns to a certain golden skinned girl.

"Who? Me?" Chloe queries surprised.

"Look I know you're going through something with your transformation, Chloe," Jonathan completely sympathises with her problems and feelings, "but there are few people I trust more who understand me and when they are determined to get something done will let nothing stand in their way."

"That's true," Clark will agree. Chloe could be scary when she had the bit between her teeth. Like when she's investigating a story. Nothing would stop her...which is why he ended up having to save her so many times.

Chloe does appreciate the trust. Really. But that means interacting more with a lot more people, being seen as she is now. "Um, one question, what do I know about being a campaign manager?"

"What do I know about being a Mayor?" Jonathan quips back.

Chloe giggles at that before making her decision. "Alright. You've got a new campaign manager," she agrees to do it simply because of what the Kents mean to her.

"Thank you Chloe," Jonathan says appreciatively.

"Don't thank me yet. I have to clear out the deadwood Sosnick brought with him. Professor, any chance I could borrow more help?" she wonders. "At least until after the debate and I can get some fresh blood in," she elaborates what she means.

Charles get what she means. In their spare time the students already helped out when they could. Chloe means borrowing them full-time for a couple of days, missing school. Of course if they lose this election they will be no more school full-stop because Kelly wants to kick mutants out of mainstream education so for the greater good... "Very well," he agrees.

Just then Jonathan's cellphone rings. He answers it. "Jonathan Kent."

"This is your last warning to drop out of the campaign," a distorted male voice warns threateningly before ending the call.

Clark heard it. "How did they get that number?" he wonders.

"What?" Martha and Claire ask together, their expressions and tone identical. It would be funny in another moment.

"It was another threat," he answers...and it's not the first. They get them all the time. There's a difference here however. "But that's your private phone. That number is not publicly available," Clark points out, deeply concerned.

Martha is by her husband's side in an instant.

"I'll get Sean and Logan on it," Charles promises since they two most dealt with security around the Institute.

For Clark all this does is reinforce the worries he has about what Fine was saying. It just adds to Clark's feelings that something is going on around him he doesn't know about. He's been through this once with Apocalypse and he's in no mood for a repeat. He has got to find out who is behind this.

Chloe wastes no time in firing the people she doesn't want and rounding up a few of the Institute's students to replace them for now.

Including her boyfriend, Bobby.

Honestly Chloe didn't know exactly where this relationship with the ice generator was going. She does know and appreciate his efforts to be there for her as she tries to adjust to her mutant status.

Bobby was funny and a great guy...really. He could be a bit of an idiot and let his mouth speak before he thinks but usually he doesn't mean to be offensive.

It's just...Chloe doesn't know where it's going. How can she when she still doesn't even know herself any longer. What is she suppose to be? Where is she going? What's her future?

It use to be easy. She knew. She had it fixed in her head. Star reporter at the Daily Planet. That was her destiny.

It seems Fate had other ideas and has a rather wicked sense of humour.

And she can never let down the Kents. That feeling is so intense to actually get her to go out, leave the mansion and head into Bayville so she can put some campaign posters up...with a little help of course.

Chloe is just heading back with Bobby and Tabby in tow to the rendez-vous spot where they plan to meet up after splitting up to get more posters up when they spot a small group of people tearing the posters down.

"Hey!" Tabby yells at them. "What are you doing?!"

A girl with long blond hair turns to face them. Samantha Drake.

"Sorry, but Bayville by-laws dictate that all campaign materials can be no larger than 20×24," Samantha says with a fake smile.

"I'm well aware of the laws," Chloe points out, stepping forward. "And our posters are within the rules," she states because they are.

"Not in my opinion," Samantha says in faux sweet tones.

Bobby joins in. "Okay, Miss Over-Achiever, I think you're taking this camp-Gestapo thing way too seriously," he insults her by comparing her to the Nazi secret police.

"I wouldn't have chosen those words exactly but I think Bobby nailed it. Good job," Chloe praises him, making Bobby grin widely.

"The city's future...humanity's future depends on it...and I'm curious, mutie," Samantha says the word with as much bigoted overtone as possible as she gets in Chloe's face. "Who are you?" she asks. "See I know about Mr Drake and Ms Smith there but you, oddly, don't seem to exist."

"Whoa, how did you know our names?" Tabby wonders.

"As someone wise once said, 'Always know your enemy'."

"Art of War," Chloe replies where that comes from. "Is that how Kelly sees this already? As war?" she queries, making the obvious deduction these lot are at least Kelly supporters.

"Progress requires sacrifices. Humanity's Salvation requires...more."

"And yet Mr. Kent is, last I checked, now virtually neck and neck with your pseudo-fascist Saviour."

"Good one," Bobby whispers his support for his girlfriend's response.

"Tear all the posters you want, spout all the hatred you want. History shows again and again people who follow that path always end up going down in flames," Chloe promises what will be Kelly's fate.

By now the rest of the gang Chloe rounded up has arrived. "Is zhere a problem here?" Kurt asks, looking at the face-off.

"Yes. You and your kind," Samantha snaps back. "But your time is almost up. Robert Kelly is the future, as is humanity and you mutant freaks are just an evolutionary dead-end. Come on guys," she says to her group and they barge past Chloe, Tabby and Bobby and stalk off.

"That little bitch. I ought to..." Tabby grumbles, seriously having to stop herself shoving a time-bomb down that girl's top.

"Oh well, she was charming wasn't she," Amanda says sarcastically.

For Chloe that's the 1st time she has had to deal with that sort of thing personally aimed at her. It's really not pleasant but she won't crawl back into the mansion. No. She does that and that sort of person wins so no. Onward. It's the only response.

A few black away is when Samantha finally stops and turns to face her hanger-ons. "You heard what Robert said this morning. True leaders see beyond boundaries. He set the bar. Now we need to raise it higher. Defeat is not an option. For him, for my sweet Robbie Jr!" she declares her intent

"You have a plan?" one of her hanger-ons asks.

Samantha's smile in response to that is truly sinister.

Author's Note: Wait, Chloe's going to kill Jonathan?! What did I write? And yes I did borrow Samantha Drake from the episode. I also added a college aged son for Kelly for the purpose of this story. And Brainiac's massively over-complex plan continues but hey what's a good villain without a stupid-elaborate plan. Anyway trying to translate as much of Fanatic as I can into the story. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Fanatic part 2