INT. DOCTOR FATE'S LABYRINTH
Clark turns the corner and immediately freezes, mid-step, his eyes transfixed on what lies in front of him. Expanding up and to the sides, thousands of feet in each direction, is an enormous set of ivory, crystalline, doors. They don't so much shine as they do glow with a soft, ephemeral, pulse. If the gates of heaven were doors, these would be them.
CLARK ::nods:: Wow, that's a big freaking door.
Shaking himself free of his initial awed trance, Clark turns his attention to another point of interest, an incline in the path of the labyrinth which reaches its apex at the base of the doors and leads down to an equally massive, and impressive, golden key. In the shape of an arrow, the key is held up on an old Roman style base with four wooden wheels, obviously meant for ease of transportation, as if moving anything so massive could ever truly be easy.
Walking over to the key, Clark finds himself dwarfed by the much larger structure. He surveys the base.
CLARK Big door... big key.
KAREN STARR I told you to back off!
Clark turns just in time to catch a brief glimpse of the fist before it slams into his jaw, sending him hurtling backwards. Slamming to the ground, eventually sliding to a halt on his back several feet away, Clark rubs at his cheek while simultaneously trying to shake the cobwebs free from his head.
CLARK
Ow... That hurt.
KAREN STARR
Lesson learned. And unless you want a second helping, stay... down!
As massive as are the doors before him, the woman now standing defiantly between Clark and the key is every bit as beautiful. Although not particularly large in stature, her pure white catsuit shows off her compact, yet severe, physique. Though ravishing, night sky blue eyes and golden thread hair, she exudes power in a way that even the rarest beauties could not accomplish without an inner strength of character. Adding more of a uniform-esque quality to her ensemble are a pair of blue gloves and boots, matching the color of her eyes, and a blood red cape that so wraps over her shoulders it almost gives the appearance of a cloak.
Surprisingly, she's not actually even really paying attention to him. Turning her back to Clark, as he looks up at her from the ground, she steps up to the key and, placing both hands against the base, summons all her strength in an attempt to push it up the ramp. Not surprisingly, it doesn't move.
CLARK
I'm sorry...
Clark pushes himself onto one knee and then up to his feet. He swallows and tightens his stare, trying to deny the intimidation factor stemming from the ease at which such a small woman previously flattened him.
CLARK ... but, I can't do that.
KAREN STARR
And just who the...
Frustrated, her face red from her exerted effort, she turns back at him in a rage which immediately melts from her face at her first real glance at him. She instantly recognizes Clark Kent.
KAREN STARR ... Clark?
Her back arches slightly as the air whimpers out of her from between her lips, as if she'd just been punched in the stomach. Slowly, she approaches him, eyeing every bit of his face meticulously, her eyes shooting back and forth in their sockets. Coming within a few steps of him, she pauses, lifting her hand to reach out and touch his face, but pulling back as if forcing herself to wake up from a dream.
KAREN STARR
Is it really you? You're so...
CLARK Do I know you?
She smiles and for a brief second the rigid lines in her forehead withdraw their stranglehold on her solid expression.
KAREN STARR
Of course you know me, I'm...
She catches herself. Like a candlelight slowly being suffocated away, the smile fades from her face and is replaced with a deeper sadness. She turns away.
KAREN STARR
I'm Karen Starr.
She turns her attention back on the key, pushing again at the base.
CLARK I'm sorry, I don't remember you.
KAREN STARR
No, I don't suppose you would.
KAREN STARR
I'm sorry about cleaning your clock, there. Had I known...
She stops pushing for a minute, diverting her eyes to the ground. Shaking her head, though, she quickly refocuses her efforts on the key.
KAREN STARR
I didn't mean to hit you. I thought you were that twaddle, Henry.
Clark shrugs and steps up next to her, slightly farther away than arm's reach.
CLARK
It's all right. I can take a punch.
KAREN STARR
I guess you can, but then I didn't hit you hard. I thought you were Henry.
CLARK
Oh, I see...
He doesn't buy it.
KAREN STARR
What are you doing in here anyway? No, wait, let me guess. Fate?
CLARK Doctor Fate kidnapped my father.
KAREN STARR
He did what?!
She looks at him with eyes wide. She seems genuinely surprised.
CLARK
He's holding him at the end of the labyrinth. I need to get passed those doors.
Clark moves passed her and moves to help her push the key, but she stops him, literally pushing him back.
KAREN STARR
I can't let you do that.
CLARK
Why not?
KAREN STARR
I can't have you help me. This is something I have to do on my own.
CLARK My father's life is at risk. I have to get through.
Her temper flares up again. Apparently, it doesn't take much to light a fire under Karen Starr.
KAREN STARR
I want to get through there just as badly as you do, but there's a lot more at risk here than you know.
She turns away from Clark and back toward the key, not so much ignoring him, moreso because she simply can't bring herself to look at him.
CLARK All the more reason to let me help.
KAREN STARR ::loud:: No!
A thunderous gong rings out as she slams a quick right jab into the back of the golden key. Perhaps she was telling the truth when she told Clark she had held back when she hit him. Taking several deep breaths, she composes herself before continuing.
KAREN STARR No. I have to do this on my own.
CLARK Why? Why is that so important?
KAREN STARR Look, I don't expect you to understand.
She finally turns back to look him in the eye. Standing next to each other as they are, it's almost laughable that someone Clark so dwarfs could have laid him out like she did.
KAREN STARR You don't know me and you don't know my life. A lot of people are counting on me being able to do this... and I will. I'm going to prove that wizard wrong and, when I do, I'm going to ring that bloody bell on his pin-head.
She gives him a quick nod, as if to put an exclamation on the end of her sentence, then turns back to the key.
Quickly bored with simply staring and watching her exercise in futility, Clark reaches out with his hand to aid in the pushing, but it's quickly slapped away. Again he tries, and again receives an abrupt slap for his efforts. This goes on several more times before she turns to him and presents him with the dirtiest of all looks and several silent threats courtesy of an upturned lip.
CLARK
I'm going to help you whether you like it or not.
KAREN STARR
You can't help me if you're unconscious. Don't make me hurt you.
After a short stare down, she turns her back to him, and continues trying to push the key.
Opting for a more indirect approach...
CLARK
What did you mean when you said there's more at stake here than I know?
She ignores the question.
Her efforts still yielding less than results, Karen gives the key a quick kick before backing away from it to catch her breath.
KAREN STARR
Before, I could've gotten this damned key up that hill without breaking a sweat, but now look at me. That old mystic's mocking me, just because I'm not as strong as I used to be.
Clark rubs his jaw.
CLARK You seem pretty strong to me.
KAREN STARR
I'm going to get this key up there, and I'm going to do it on my own and no one... and I mean no one...
She looks right at Clark.
KAREN STARR
Not even you... is going to stop me.
She goes back to pushing.
CLARK
That's where you're wrong.
KAREN STARR
You're going to try and stop me?
CLARK
::shakes head:: No.
KAREN STAR That nose-wipe, Henry?
CLARK
You are.
Frustrated, she rolls her eyes at him.
KAREN STARR
And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?
CLARK
You're never going to get it up there by yourself and you know it.
KAREN STARR
Why? Because I'm a girl?
She scoffs at him and goes back to pushing.
KAREN STARR You underestimate me.
CLARK
No...
He walks around to her side to get in her face.
CLARK Not because you're a girl, because it's really really big... And if you can't get it up the hill, you're never going to get to Fate.
She looks over at him briefly. He may be getting through to her.
CLARK Now, look, I can help you get it up there, I'm pretty strong myself, ya know.
She has no choice but to grant him that much.
KAREN STARR
I know.
CLARK Fate has my father. Now, once we're through the door, Fate is yours. I don't care what you do with him, I'm only here to get my dad back. Tear him apart, fold him up, make him into a human paper airplane for all I care, but you're no closer to even budging that thing, much less getting it up the hill, than when you started. I'm not going to just sit idly by while you settle the score with that chip on your shoulder. The fact of the matter is that I want to get through that door just as much you do and right now your stubborn ego is in my way.
Her eyes widen as she turns to face him down.
KAREN STARR
Is that what you think? This isn't about ego or pride!
CLARK
Then, why won't you let me help?
KAREN STARR
Because you're not going to be able to help me anymore!
Clark takes a step back at the outburst.
KAREN STARR
You don't understand. This is about responsibility, my responsibility. It's about stepping up and carrying the load that no one else can because someone has too. What would the world be without...
She stops herself. Again she finds herself diverting her eyes, unable to even look at him.
KAREN STARR
Someone has to step to the forefront. Someone has to be 'the one'. I'm strong enough...
It's a statement of declaration, but it sounds more like an argument... but who is she trying to convince?
KAREN STARR ... at least I used to be.
Regaining her composure, she straightens her back and puffs out her more generously proportioned features, now visibly trying to exude the confidence that was once inherent.
KAREN STARR
But now, I have to be. That's why I have to do this. That's why I have to get that key up the hill on my own... because someone has to be the one to do it.
Stepping away from her speech and back to her task at hand, she goes back to pushing at the base.
With so much information to take in and no real context in which to take it, Clark turns back to basics.
CLARK Look, I need to...
Clark simply rests his hand on the wooden base of the key and immediately it starts to roll. Quickly he pulls his hand off, like pulling it from a fire, and the key immediately stops, even rolling back a bit back down the incline.
Surprised, both Clark and Karen step back from the key.
KAREN STARR
What did you do?
CLARK
I didn't do anything.
KAREN STARR
You obviously did something.
CLARK No, I didn't.
KAREN STARR
Yes, you did.
CLARK No... I didn't.
KAREN STARR
Yes... You did!
CLARK
All I did was put my hand on it.
Slowly, Clark mimics his previous move, merely resting his hand on the base of the key. It doesn't move. He even tries pushing at the base, but it remains stationary as a statue. Impatient, Karen moves to help him and, immediately, the key starts to roll. Once again, out of sheer surprise, the both of them jump back, releasing the key from their hands and watching as it rolls back into place at the bottom of the incline.
KAREN STARR
All right, what's the deal? Why'd it move?
The wheels in Clark's head slowly turn as he gently rests his hand on the base.
CLARK Put your hand on it.
KAREN STARR
What?
CLARK
Just do it.
She simply lays her gloved hand on the base and the massive key begins climbing the incline once again. She immediately pulls her hand off it and it stops and rolls back into place.
KAREN STARR
I was barely even touching it.
CLARK
It doesn't matter.
KAREN STARR
What doesn't matter?
CLARK
It only started rolling when we were both pushing at the same time.
It takes several seconds for it to sink in, but when it finally does, Karen sighs heavily.
KAREN STARR
::shakes head:: I hate magic.
CLARK
There's always a trick.
KAREN STARR
It's no trick. It's a joke... on me... Doctor Fate's not so subtle homage to teamwork.
She throws her hands into the air and walks away from the key.
KAREN STARR
::loud:: Okay, I'm not stupid. I get it. Teamwork is awesome, it's a wonderful thing. I've learned my lesson. Can I go home now?
She turns around and waits for nothing in particular. When nothing comes, she shakes her head out of frustration.
KAREN STARR
::under breath:: He just doesn't get it.
She rolls her eyes, now appearing almost sad, and looks back at Clark.
KAREN STARR
It's just not that simple... but it is.
CLARK Come on... let's get that door open.
Clark turns back to the key and starts to push, expecting Karen to come and help. Behind him, though, she simply crosses her legs and sits down.
Clark turns around and is surprised to see her sitting.
CLARK
What are you doing? Why are you sitting?
She doesn't answer him, her eyes beginning to well up.
CLARK We can move it. I need your help.
KAREN STARR
To everything, there is a beginning and an end... and a path that bridges the gap between the two.
CLARK Not this again.
KAREN STARR
That's what he told me before he threw me in here.
CLARK
Fate told you that?
KAREN STARR ::nods:: I didn't know what it meant when he first said it. I was too busy thinking about snapping his scrawny little neck.
CLARK
And now you'll get your chance. All we have to do is...
KAREN STARR
Do you believe in the end of the world, Clark?
It takes a second for the question to even register in Clark's mind. What a question.
KAREN STARR
If there is a beginning and an end to everything, there must be an end of the world. It just fits, like all things in nature. Do you believe in Doomsday, Clark?
Clark reflects on the brutal memories unleashed by Kalib's interrogation, the sight of seeing his home planet of Krypton exploding.
CLARK I guess I do.
KAREN STARR
I never really ever gave it a thought... until it came.
Her voice is suddenly very quiet, very sad.
KAREN STARR
::nods:: There is strength in numbers, Fate was right about that.
Karen flexes her hands and watches the muscles in her forearms expand and contract.
KAREN STARR
But there's a greater strength in faith.
She looks as if she's about to cry.
KAREN STARR
I used to be so strong, Clark. But what am I without my power?
A hint at her Power Girl moniker.
Clark thinks for a moment as she looks up at him, her eyes begging at him for some comforting response, some kind of encouragement, some kind of answer. After a long while, when none comes, she simply dips her head down and silently cries.
He walks over to her, and stretches out his hand to her. She looks up him from behind her tears.
CLARK
You're the one person who can help me.
She looks up at him and at his hand. Sniffling, she dries her eyes and looks up into his.
CLARK
Please, Karen... I need your help.
Smiling, she lays her hand in his and all at once standing up and wrapping her arms around him, she buries her head in his chest.
Clark doesn't know what to do, or say, and simply does the noble thing by returning the hug, wrapping his arms around her.
KAREN STARR
I'm going to miss you, Clark.
Finally, she lets go of him and steps back.
CLARK
Miss me? I just met you.
She smiles and motions over his shoulder.
KAREN STARR
The door's open.
Clark looks behind him and the massive doors, and key, have been replaced by a painted white, normal sized, single door that's open only a few feet away. Confused, Clark looks back to find Karen gone, only the twists and turns of Fate's maze staring back at him.
Clark turns the corner and immediately freezes, mid-step, his eyes transfixed on what lies in front of him. Expanding up and to the sides, thousands of feet in each direction, is an enormous set of ivory, crystalline, doors. They don't so much shine as they do glow with a soft, ephemeral, pulse. If the gates of heaven were doors, these would be them.
CLARK ::nods:: Wow, that's a big freaking door.
Shaking himself free of his initial awed trance, Clark turns his attention to another point of interest, an incline in the path of the labyrinth which reaches its apex at the base of the doors and leads down to an equally massive, and impressive, golden key. In the shape of an arrow, the key is held up on an old Roman style base with four wooden wheels, obviously meant for ease of transportation, as if moving anything so massive could ever truly be easy.
Walking over to the key, Clark finds himself dwarfed by the much larger structure. He surveys the base.
CLARK Big door... big key.
KAREN STARR I told you to back off!
Clark turns just in time to catch a brief glimpse of the fist before it slams into his jaw, sending him hurtling backwards. Slamming to the ground, eventually sliding to a halt on his back several feet away, Clark rubs at his cheek while simultaneously trying to shake the cobwebs free from his head.
CLARK
Ow... That hurt.
KAREN STARR
Lesson learned. And unless you want a second helping, stay... down!
As massive as are the doors before him, the woman now standing defiantly between Clark and the key is every bit as beautiful. Although not particularly large in stature, her pure white catsuit shows off her compact, yet severe, physique. Though ravishing, night sky blue eyes and golden thread hair, she exudes power in a way that even the rarest beauties could not accomplish without an inner strength of character. Adding more of a uniform-esque quality to her ensemble are a pair of blue gloves and boots, matching the color of her eyes, and a blood red cape that so wraps over her shoulders it almost gives the appearance of a cloak.
Surprisingly, she's not actually even really paying attention to him. Turning her back to Clark, as he looks up at her from the ground, she steps up to the key and, placing both hands against the base, summons all her strength in an attempt to push it up the ramp. Not surprisingly, it doesn't move.
CLARK
I'm sorry...
Clark pushes himself onto one knee and then up to his feet. He swallows and tightens his stare, trying to deny the intimidation factor stemming from the ease at which such a small woman previously flattened him.
CLARK ... but, I can't do that.
KAREN STARR
And just who the...
Frustrated, her face red from her exerted effort, she turns back at him in a rage which immediately melts from her face at her first real glance at him. She instantly recognizes Clark Kent.
KAREN STARR ... Clark?
Her back arches slightly as the air whimpers out of her from between her lips, as if she'd just been punched in the stomach. Slowly, she approaches him, eyeing every bit of his face meticulously, her eyes shooting back and forth in their sockets. Coming within a few steps of him, she pauses, lifting her hand to reach out and touch his face, but pulling back as if forcing herself to wake up from a dream.
KAREN STARR
Is it really you? You're so...
CLARK Do I know you?
She smiles and for a brief second the rigid lines in her forehead withdraw their stranglehold on her solid expression.
KAREN STARR
Of course you know me, I'm...
She catches herself. Like a candlelight slowly being suffocated away, the smile fades from her face and is replaced with a deeper sadness. She turns away.
KAREN STARR
I'm Karen Starr.
She turns her attention back on the key, pushing again at the base.
CLARK I'm sorry, I don't remember you.
KAREN STARR
No, I don't suppose you would.
KAREN STARR
I'm sorry about cleaning your clock, there. Had I known...
She stops pushing for a minute, diverting her eyes to the ground. Shaking her head, though, she quickly refocuses her efforts on the key.
KAREN STARR
I didn't mean to hit you. I thought you were that twaddle, Henry.
Clark shrugs and steps up next to her, slightly farther away than arm's reach.
CLARK
It's all right. I can take a punch.
KAREN STARR
I guess you can, but then I didn't hit you hard. I thought you were Henry.
CLARK
Oh, I see...
He doesn't buy it.
KAREN STARR
What are you doing in here anyway? No, wait, let me guess. Fate?
CLARK Doctor Fate kidnapped my father.
KAREN STARR
He did what?!
She looks at him with eyes wide. She seems genuinely surprised.
CLARK
He's holding him at the end of the labyrinth. I need to get passed those doors.
Clark moves passed her and moves to help her push the key, but she stops him, literally pushing him back.
KAREN STARR
I can't let you do that.
CLARK
Why not?
KAREN STARR
I can't have you help me. This is something I have to do on my own.
CLARK My father's life is at risk. I have to get through.
Her temper flares up again. Apparently, it doesn't take much to light a fire under Karen Starr.
KAREN STARR
I want to get through there just as badly as you do, but there's a lot more at risk here than you know.
She turns away from Clark and back toward the key, not so much ignoring him, moreso because she simply can't bring herself to look at him.
CLARK All the more reason to let me help.
KAREN STARR ::loud:: No!
A thunderous gong rings out as she slams a quick right jab into the back of the golden key. Perhaps she was telling the truth when she told Clark she had held back when she hit him. Taking several deep breaths, she composes herself before continuing.
KAREN STARR No. I have to do this on my own.
CLARK Why? Why is that so important?
KAREN STARR Look, I don't expect you to understand.
She finally turns back to look him in the eye. Standing next to each other as they are, it's almost laughable that someone Clark so dwarfs could have laid him out like she did.
KAREN STARR You don't know me and you don't know my life. A lot of people are counting on me being able to do this... and I will. I'm going to prove that wizard wrong and, when I do, I'm going to ring that bloody bell on his pin-head.
She gives him a quick nod, as if to put an exclamation on the end of her sentence, then turns back to the key.
Quickly bored with simply staring and watching her exercise in futility, Clark reaches out with his hand to aid in the pushing, but it's quickly slapped away. Again he tries, and again receives an abrupt slap for his efforts. This goes on several more times before she turns to him and presents him with the dirtiest of all looks and several silent threats courtesy of an upturned lip.
CLARK
I'm going to help you whether you like it or not.
KAREN STARR
You can't help me if you're unconscious. Don't make me hurt you.
After a short stare down, she turns her back to him, and continues trying to push the key.
Opting for a more indirect approach...
CLARK
What did you mean when you said there's more at stake here than I know?
She ignores the question.
Her efforts still yielding less than results, Karen gives the key a quick kick before backing away from it to catch her breath.
KAREN STARR
Before, I could've gotten this damned key up that hill without breaking a sweat, but now look at me. That old mystic's mocking me, just because I'm not as strong as I used to be.
Clark rubs his jaw.
CLARK You seem pretty strong to me.
KAREN STARR
I'm going to get this key up there, and I'm going to do it on my own and no one... and I mean no one...
She looks right at Clark.
KAREN STARR
Not even you... is going to stop me.
She goes back to pushing.
CLARK
That's where you're wrong.
KAREN STARR
You're going to try and stop me?
CLARK
::shakes head:: No.
KAREN STAR That nose-wipe, Henry?
CLARK
You are.
Frustrated, she rolls her eyes at him.
KAREN STARR
And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?
CLARK
You're never going to get it up there by yourself and you know it.
KAREN STARR
Why? Because I'm a girl?
She scoffs at him and goes back to pushing.
KAREN STARR You underestimate me.
CLARK
No...
He walks around to her side to get in her face.
CLARK Not because you're a girl, because it's really really big... And if you can't get it up the hill, you're never going to get to Fate.
She looks over at him briefly. He may be getting through to her.
CLARK Now, look, I can help you get it up there, I'm pretty strong myself, ya know.
She has no choice but to grant him that much.
KAREN STARR
I know.
CLARK Fate has my father. Now, once we're through the door, Fate is yours. I don't care what you do with him, I'm only here to get my dad back. Tear him apart, fold him up, make him into a human paper airplane for all I care, but you're no closer to even budging that thing, much less getting it up the hill, than when you started. I'm not going to just sit idly by while you settle the score with that chip on your shoulder. The fact of the matter is that I want to get through that door just as much you do and right now your stubborn ego is in my way.
Her eyes widen as she turns to face him down.
KAREN STARR
Is that what you think? This isn't about ego or pride!
CLARK
Then, why won't you let me help?
KAREN STARR
Because you're not going to be able to help me anymore!
Clark takes a step back at the outburst.
KAREN STARR
You don't understand. This is about responsibility, my responsibility. It's about stepping up and carrying the load that no one else can because someone has too. What would the world be without...
She stops herself. Again she finds herself diverting her eyes, unable to even look at him.
KAREN STARR
Someone has to step to the forefront. Someone has to be 'the one'. I'm strong enough...
It's a statement of declaration, but it sounds more like an argument... but who is she trying to convince?
KAREN STARR ... at least I used to be.
Regaining her composure, she straightens her back and puffs out her more generously proportioned features, now visibly trying to exude the confidence that was once inherent.
KAREN STARR
But now, I have to be. That's why I have to do this. That's why I have to get that key up the hill on my own... because someone has to be the one to do it.
Stepping away from her speech and back to her task at hand, she goes back to pushing at the base.
With so much information to take in and no real context in which to take it, Clark turns back to basics.
CLARK Look, I need to...
Clark simply rests his hand on the wooden base of the key and immediately it starts to roll. Quickly he pulls his hand off, like pulling it from a fire, and the key immediately stops, even rolling back a bit back down the incline.
Surprised, both Clark and Karen step back from the key.
KAREN STARR
What did you do?
CLARK
I didn't do anything.
KAREN STARR
You obviously did something.
CLARK No, I didn't.
KAREN STARR
Yes, you did.
CLARK No... I didn't.
KAREN STARR
Yes... You did!
CLARK
All I did was put my hand on it.
Slowly, Clark mimics his previous move, merely resting his hand on the base of the key. It doesn't move. He even tries pushing at the base, but it remains stationary as a statue. Impatient, Karen moves to help him and, immediately, the key starts to roll. Once again, out of sheer surprise, the both of them jump back, releasing the key from their hands and watching as it rolls back into place at the bottom of the incline.
KAREN STARR
All right, what's the deal? Why'd it move?
The wheels in Clark's head slowly turn as he gently rests his hand on the base.
CLARK Put your hand on it.
KAREN STARR
What?
CLARK
Just do it.
She simply lays her gloved hand on the base and the massive key begins climbing the incline once again. She immediately pulls her hand off it and it stops and rolls back into place.
KAREN STARR
I was barely even touching it.
CLARK
It doesn't matter.
KAREN STARR
What doesn't matter?
CLARK
It only started rolling when we were both pushing at the same time.
It takes several seconds for it to sink in, but when it finally does, Karen sighs heavily.
KAREN STARR
::shakes head:: I hate magic.
CLARK
There's always a trick.
KAREN STARR
It's no trick. It's a joke... on me... Doctor Fate's not so subtle homage to teamwork.
She throws her hands into the air and walks away from the key.
KAREN STARR
::loud:: Okay, I'm not stupid. I get it. Teamwork is awesome, it's a wonderful thing. I've learned my lesson. Can I go home now?
She turns around and waits for nothing in particular. When nothing comes, she shakes her head out of frustration.
KAREN STARR
::under breath:: He just doesn't get it.
She rolls her eyes, now appearing almost sad, and looks back at Clark.
KAREN STARR
It's just not that simple... but it is.
CLARK Come on... let's get that door open.
Clark turns back to the key and starts to push, expecting Karen to come and help. Behind him, though, she simply crosses her legs and sits down.
Clark turns around and is surprised to see her sitting.
CLARK
What are you doing? Why are you sitting?
She doesn't answer him, her eyes beginning to well up.
CLARK We can move it. I need your help.
KAREN STARR
To everything, there is a beginning and an end... and a path that bridges the gap between the two.
CLARK Not this again.
KAREN STARR
That's what he told me before he threw me in here.
CLARK
Fate told you that?
KAREN STARR ::nods:: I didn't know what it meant when he first said it. I was too busy thinking about snapping his scrawny little neck.
CLARK
And now you'll get your chance. All we have to do is...
KAREN STARR
Do you believe in the end of the world, Clark?
It takes a second for the question to even register in Clark's mind. What a question.
KAREN STARR
If there is a beginning and an end to everything, there must be an end of the world. It just fits, like all things in nature. Do you believe in Doomsday, Clark?
Clark reflects on the brutal memories unleashed by Kalib's interrogation, the sight of seeing his home planet of Krypton exploding.
CLARK I guess I do.
KAREN STARR
I never really ever gave it a thought... until it came.
Her voice is suddenly very quiet, very sad.
KAREN STARR
::nods:: There is strength in numbers, Fate was right about that.
Karen flexes her hands and watches the muscles in her forearms expand and contract.
KAREN STARR
But there's a greater strength in faith.
She looks as if she's about to cry.
KAREN STARR
I used to be so strong, Clark. But what am I without my power?
A hint at her Power Girl moniker.
Clark thinks for a moment as she looks up at him, her eyes begging at him for some comforting response, some kind of encouragement, some kind of answer. After a long while, when none comes, she simply dips her head down and silently cries.
He walks over to her, and stretches out his hand to her. She looks up him from behind her tears.
CLARK
You're the one person who can help me.
She looks up at him and at his hand. Sniffling, she dries her eyes and looks up into his.
CLARK
Please, Karen... I need your help.
Smiling, she lays her hand in his and all at once standing up and wrapping her arms around him, she buries her head in his chest.
Clark doesn't know what to do, or say, and simply does the noble thing by returning the hug, wrapping his arms around her.
KAREN STARR
I'm going to miss you, Clark.
Finally, she lets go of him and steps back.
CLARK
Miss me? I just met you.
She smiles and motions over his shoulder.
KAREN STARR
The door's open.
Clark looks behind him and the massive doors, and key, have been replaced by a painted white, normal sized, single door that's open only a few feet away. Confused, Clark looks back to find Karen gone, only the twists and turns of Fate's maze staring back at him.