Clark had gotten off the bus. Lana caught up due to Clark's request to slow the bus down and now exited the bus with him. They are pushed to the side of the doors by the vast crowds of people. Stuck together by this crowd excited to exit the bus, Clark and Lana clumsily moved forward despite the limited room. They are knocked down on their way out of the doorway. With the bus driver busy preparing to leave, the two students had to pick up their backpacks themselves. As they ignored each other looking to continue gathering their belongings sprawled all over the ground, Lana finds a photograph with a mud stain. She looked at it closely.
"Clark, I didn't know you signed up for the school newspaper during the summer. What's that about?" Lana said curiously. Clark gazed up from Lana's textbooks he was gathering to answer.
"It's just… something I'm into. Seeing what is hidden out in Smallville. The truth is what I am fascinated by. What it shows in people." Clark explained. He's so lost in his thoughts on that matter that he forgets about the books he still had to collect off the ground, he looked back nervously at Lana while he did so. Lana responded after a bit of awkward silence, and after she finished gathering Clark's photos.
"I get it. I want to see the galaxy. What it has to offer, things like that." Lana explained. Lana never told this to Clark before during their meetings after class. However Lana learning this new part of her friend's wishes led her to wish to reveal her own. "So… how are you going to bring those over to the Torch?" Lana asked as she traded her textbooks for his photos.
"I'll figure it out. Just tell Ms. Klingman that I'm late if she asks." Clark explained. He knew he'd be in time with his speed. He just had to time it right. As they went inside, they were separated by crowds of busy classmates moving to their separate classes. Clark speeds through the crowds faster than anyone could notice. Feeling the noises of the various bells and conversations moving past him like they never existed. He quickly controls his movements so he slows down by the time he reaches his destination, so that for any passerby, he simply looks like anyone sliding into the halls without any care in the world. Clark does do so, but doesn't account for some space due to not being able to see the full hallway. He dents a tiled wall upon his speedy landing. To cover himself up, Clark slides the lockers slowly towards the dent to cover it. Walking over to drop off his photos at The Torch. With there not being much of a newspaper, but rather just a small storage room converted into one. He looked around to see where anyone went, but instead found a note left on the floor.
'Going out chasing a lead. Don't look for me. Any students joining the program may sign the waiting list outside while I am gone. For Clark, I say this. I believe you will provide the photos I asked for. Just place them on my desk when you do. Good luck to all, RJ.' Clark reads the note and placed the photos where his boss asked. He wasn't really feeling the photography side of things, but if it got him to where he wanted to go, so be it. Clark marvelled briefly at the man's notes and previous stories lazily hung up in the room. However Clark then looked at the time and realized he was getting a little bit late. Ms. Klingman was probably going to start up the class soon. So Clark went back through the halls to get to Ms. Klingman's history class.
Lana had arrived on time despite her delay. Her foster dad always told her ad nauseam to be early. Not that he ever listened. Lana decided to drown that thought out until she got home. Right now, she just decided to pay attention to history class. Ms. Klingman was very methodical, making sure to count the students upon arrival and adjust her notes according to the new arrivals. Specifically, Lex Luthor. Lana couldn't pin down why Lex went to this school. She knew he lived in Smallville for some time given that he was on the front page of nearly every newspaper. Lana didn't pay him too much mind. It was more his father that had been affecting the small town of Smallville more than him. So far, just like the stars at night, Lana would have to watch and wait.
The lecture had officially started when everyone had arrived. Clark was the last as he was late a lot of the time. Victoria Klingman stopped him before he got to his desk; giving off a very intimidating appearance. Even though he is able to juggle the hay bales back home, he still couldn't get over how strange and creepy Ms. Klingman is.
"Clark Kent, any reason this time for why you have disappeared again?" Klingman asked Clark this every time he was late, but always dropped it quickly after. Usually after some excuse for why.
"Photo trouble." Clark said after getting to his desk. This surprises Klingman, who usually doesn't get a straight answer from Clark. She gets back to the class however as everyone is now at their desks. She proceeded with her history lesson on the dig sites in Corto Maltese.
"When seeking their goals, these conquerors sought this power heard about only through legend in order to last and keep their values going longer than most civilizations..." Victoria continued, looking onwards as she did.
Klingman observed the class as they took in her lessons. Clark looked on, but has been lost in multiple different distractions unknown to the teacher. Lana examined intently. She always looked like she imagined being in these locales the class is taught about. Lex however seemed the least focused. Not simply due to arrogance, but also due to the troubles in his home life she had heard about.
"This legend was one of myth, but these conquerors wished to prove it true. Starting with their leader Al Patih who believed he could find its source in science around the time of-" Klingman stopped abruptly when she saw a student leaving class. "Milton, what is going on? The class isn't over yet." She followed him when telling him this in a rush to catch up with the student. Lana followed after her with Clark close behind. Lex left mostly out of annoyance of the students left simply telling their own boring stories at their desks. Lex picked the lesser of the two annoyances and followed the others out.
Clark and Lana caught up with their teacher who found Milton in a small corner hunched over in pain. The light of the fire exit sign illuminating the dark, abandoned corridor. Victoria approached first.
"Milton, I'm sorry for running after you, but maybe we can figure out what is bothering you before bringing you home for the day." Klingman portrayed great confidence, but went forward in fear. This was unknown to the entity that took the form of Victoria Klingman and the unknown nature displayed made them back away slightly from Milton as they approached. Milton was shaking visibly, and yet the room felt cold with each shake. There was nothing normal about the affliction Milton was under.
Clark and Lana were further back, but they were watching the whole conversation.
"Was he a new student? Like that rich kid Lex?" Lana asked Clark. Hoping he knew the answers from his time with the kooky reporter running the school newspaper.
"I know he wasn't new. He was around when I first went to Smallville High. Other than that, I didn't get to know him much." Clark was sullen when looking at Victoria consulting Milton. Lana noticed quickly. She may not be a reporter, but she's seen that kind of face before.
"Clark, you don't have to feel guilty. You can't be getting everyone's story. Plus, I think V's got this." Lana said encouragingly. Clark looked at her, very perplexed at the nickname for their teacher. "V?" He said confusingly.
"Clark… Kent…." Milton said with a cold tone of voice. Sounding less like it came from a child, and more like a broken machine. Victoria was shocked by this sudden change. Looking at his arm to check the boy's pulse. She instead finds a green glow coming from it.
"Oh no." Klingman muttered. She had looked behind her and saw Clark fall down, trying to hold himself up with Lana's help, but failing as all he can do is try and keep himself conscious. Lana tends to him as Milton stands up. The face of the insecure, timid Milton is now replaced with a psychotic smile and a malicious glare. Milton also has green glowing eyes that shine around the hallway. Out of view from their students, the being's eyes glowed red in front of Milton; scanning the child for what is wrong with him. Victoria's eyes then return to normal. She looks back at the kids after the scan.
"Run!" Klingman yelled, and then ran while grabbing Clark and pulled him forward while Lana ran with the two of them.
"Where?" Lana questioned while losing breath. Victoria responded while keeping up in pace even with Clark being dragged behind.
"Anywhere but here." Klingman said quickly before continuing. They have rushed past many hallways with Lex then seeing them as he finally caught up with this unlikely group. Wondering why some recluse would give them so much trouble. However the sight of Milton in some mutated form of robotic appendages moving quickly forward causes Lex to leap away from his path.
"What the hell?" Lex muttered in shock as he still is processing what has happened. What appeared to be an alien has just continued heading after his new classmates and teacher. The light emanating off of Milton's arm reminded him of the blinding light he saw crashing in Smallville the night his mother… No, he wouldn't let himself think of that night again. However, he decided to think of the here and now and to get outside.
Victoria, Lana, and Clark managed to get to one of the backdoors and get outside. While out, they hid behind the old stairway connected to the backdoor. Just as they did, Milton, who has now taken a much more cybernetic appearance with wiring, rotten skin revealing metal shells, and even glowing particles inside the metals. Extra metal appendages have given Milton movement never seen before from a human being. As he battered the ground while crossing down from the stairway and towards the road, he dropped something close to the group as he passed. A vial with rocks and green particles. Clark had fallen unconscious and Lana stood up, bewildered by what had just happened.
"What the hell? What was that? W-what happened to Clark?" Lana stammered. Despite her adventures with wildlife and the occasional kind in her own home life, Lana had never seen something this strange before and needed some answers.
Klingman checked his vitals, then picked up the strange vial, and moved it away from Clark. She examined it carefully before turning around to answer Lana.
"This seems to contain radioactive elements that are very toxic upon exposure to the air," Victoria spoke calmly. Like she was still in the classroom speaking about the search for immortality in Corto Maltese. Lana wasn't completely convinced by this answer however.
"Then why aren't we affected? Why are you just touching a potentially radioactive element?"
"The radioactivity is minor. Whatever has affected the boy would have to have done so due to a difference in physiology that makes him vulnerable. Different growth times, diet, exercise. Point is it's safe for us to be near it." Victoria said this almost like she knows these radioactive elements, but that couldn't be right. She kept this to herself because whoever she was, Victoria Klingman is Clark's best hope right now.
"Right, so uh... what is our next move?" Lana questioned. Victoria gave the radioactive particles to Lana, and then carefully picked up Clark.
"Move the particles to the Kent Farm. I'll follow behind you to prevent further exposure to him." Victoria commanded. This was a very different sternness than Lana was used to. The kind that was less like some teacher that had high regard for a student's education and more like someone with experience with the impossible.
Lana, while very competent at dealing with the unknown in nature, had never seen robot students charging out of class, and had never seen Clark Kent sick in all the years she had known him. She knew something was happening, and had to get to the Kents for some sort of assistance. It would be a long way away, especially since the bus route around Clark's house was not operating until later. However they were both determined to make it.
As they crossed through the road to get forward to the barn miles ahead, a limo pulled up in front of them. It was a long, black Sedan Limousine. It practically blinded Lana and Victoria with how bright the shine off of it was. Lex was revealed to be the driver of the luxurious vehicle when he lowered the passenger side one view mirror.
"Get in." Lex demanded. Both Lana and Victoria looked at each other confused completely.
"You aren't going to be able to drag that kid all the way to his small barn. You need my help." Lex said with arrogant confidence.
With Victoria still holding Clark and not having too much energy to speak, Lana spoke up about this sudden assistance from Lex.
"Why are you helping us? And how did you even get this limo? I thought you billionaires were just driven everywhere by your own personal drivers." Lana questioned. Still unsure of Lex's motives.
"Curiosity. Plus it beats waiting in a class. As for my driver, he enjoys the charity donuts set up at the front of the school. It was easy to grab the limo from there. Now get in, that kid won't last forever." Lex explained. He opened up the passenger door, and then remotely opened the door closest to the passenger seat. Klingman sat in the back with Clark. Lana went into the passenger side, and all the while, Lex had brushed up his hair using the rearview mirror to assist in the maintenance.
"So… are we going or what?" Lana questioned as she buckled in her seat belt. Lex scrambled at attention as he stepped on the accelerator, startling the two other conscious passengers.
"You know, there's something I want to know," Lex asked. Lana glared at the smug billionaire as he continued driving.
"What?" Lana replied annoyed, but went along with it nonetheless.
"Heard rumours of some gossip about me as I was entering class. I wanted to know if you believed it." Lex explained. More dismissive of the students he is speaking of.
"Lex, everyone makes up whatever to make their own lives seem better cause they came up with it." Lana assured. Not wanting to seem involved with the nonsense gossip going on.
"I was just making sure cause I was wondering why you wanted to sit next to the kid rumored to hang with stars and models at pool parties." Lex joked. He wanted to find something interesting out of the people here if he was going to be in this school for the next year.
"What? Gross!" Lana exclaimed disgustedly.
"Just messing with you. I'm not like that Lana. I'm just like any other ambitious child." Lex explained confidently.
"And the limo?" Lana questioned while pointing above to the partition window.
"Well my wealth does make me more... eccentric than most." Lex bragged. However Lana was not entirely impressed at it.
While Lana and Lex went into the car and bantered, Victoria Klingman went in and rested Clark on one of the seats in the limo. The entity's eyes glowed as they shined in the dark section of the limousine and they put their hand over Clark's. Clark felt less pain and woke from consciousness, but only slightly. The entity shushed Clark softly in the form of Ms. Klingman. Clark went to sleep on the ride going forward. The entity then whispered into Clark's ear.
".rroshodh raopp rurrelahs bim" The entity muttered.
