Chapter 4.………… Beginning of the Year of Darkness…………………

Dec. 29, 2002 ………………….. Kent's Farm……..

Robert stood watching as his slayer and her friends were doing some training. Chloe and Lana were teamed up and sparring together. Clark and Stephanie, were sparring and also they were showing Pete some good self defense moves.

Robert shook his head and smiled. He was glad that the Kent's were nice and aloud both him and Stephanie to stay here. And also to let them use the farm as a training ground. He shook his head again and wondered again were Lex was. He had not been to a training session, in the last few days. He was starting to wonder about that rich boy.

Later………… Lana's Aunt's place…………

Stephanie, Chloe, and Lana was sitting in Lana's room, watching a girly movie. Lana shared a conspiring look with Chloe. Then Lana rose and said, "I'm going to run downstairs and get some more sodas."

Stephanie just nodded. But Chloe rose also and said, "I'll go and help you."

As they left the room, Stephanie shook her head and just continued to watch the movie.

Lex's Mansion…………… Later

Lex was sitting in his office, watching a video monitor. He was enjoying what he was watching very much. He is very glad that he had those surveillance cameras installed.

Just then the door opened and in walked, the troll warrior, V'lrock. The troll walked over to Lex's desk and reached over and turned the monitor. He watched it for a moment then said to Lex, "I should really have known, Boss." He shook his head and then asked, "Did you get anything from that book, I got for you.?"

Lex nodded and then indicated the book that was sitting open on the desk. Lex then said, "Yes, I have gleaned some things from this book. Did you know that the title translated into English is, The Dark Prophecy?"

V'lrock nodded and sneered. He then said, "Yes. I can read those chicken-sh*t scratches, that those bloody stinking elves left behind."

Lex chuckled and then said, "Well it does say, that this is the time is called the Time of Prophecy and that it is time for the Slayer trails. And it even includes you my friend."

V'lrock reached over and grabbed the book and asked, "Where?" Lex reached up an pointed. The Troll read through the part that mentioned him. After reading it a couple of times he smiled. But he then said, "One thing that I don't agree with is I really don't like dragons."

Lex just chuckled.

Next day…….. 12/30/02.……….. The Talon…………

Lana smiled as she watched two of her best friends walk into the Talon. One thought that ran through her head at that moment was that she was glad that Clark and Stephanie did not have a super sense of smell.

A figure that was sitting in the corner, also watched as Clark and Chloe walked in and then joined Stephanie, and Pete. The figure shook his head and put some money on the table. He then rose and left the coffee shop. As he walked towards his car he was thinking, At least this town is being protected. By both a slayer and a mysterious young man that was almost obviously not of this world. I don't think they need a immortal hanging around. With that thought, Connor Macleod, climbed into his car and after starting it, drove away. Leaving Smallville, to continue his search to find out what the hell was going on in the world.

That Night……… streets of Smallville………

Stephanie, Robert, and Clark were out patrolling. Then a group of five of vampires jumped them. When they did, Robert grabbed Clark's arm and drew him away. When he did Clark looked a question at him. Robert said, "No. She must do this alone, with out help. Right now she must pass her trails by her own power."

Clark looked angrily at Robert. As he was about to pull away to help Stephanie, Robert reached into a pocket and pulled out a small lead lined box. Clark saw it, and remembered it. Robert then said, "I can not allow you to interfere. I am sorry."

Clark grimaced then he nodded and just stood there. He then watched as Trinity proceeded to dust the vampires all by herself.

Next night…………1/1/03.………. 10 minutes before sunrise………..

Clark was standing in the loft looking out at the stars. After a few minutes he heard Stephanie and Robert both enter the barn. They then joined Clark at the window.

5 minutes before sunrise…….

Clark looked at the two and asked, "Neither of could sleep either?"

Both Stephanie and Robert nodded. Stephanie started to say some thing when she looked outside at the rising black sun. When she saw the darkened sun she was so shocked that she squeaked. When she did, Both Clark, and Robert looked and saw what had shocked, the young slayer. And they were also shocked at seeing the darkened sun.

Lex's Mansion……….. Sunrise…………

Lex and V'lrock stood at a window, and watched as the darkened sun rose. They then looked at each other and smiled a evil smile.

Chloe's house…………. Sunrise………..

Chloe slowly woke up and looked at her clock. She saw that it was about dawn. She got up, even know she was not wearing a stitch of clothing, to the window and looked out. What she saw was very shocking for her, just like it was for everyone else in the world.

Chloe quickly spun and went back to the bed and shook her lover awake.

Lana rolled over and gave her girlfriend/lover, a sleepy look and asked, "What is it C?"

Chloe threw the cover that was on Lana, to reveal that Lana was also naked, and then said, "Lana, get up and look out the window. Now."

Lana slowly stood and then walked over to the window. When she got there she was shocked silent.

Metropolis ………… Luthor Corp Main Office Building……. Sunrise

Lionel Luthor was standing in his office. Thinking many evil things. One thing that his son, Lex, did not know was that Lionel was no longer blind, thinks to a warlock that worked for him. He stood at the window and started to smile. He then turned and looked at another figure that was standing in the room. Lionel then said, "You are right. It is going to get interesting."

The women, who just happened to be Lionel's dead wife and Lex's mother, (The First Evil), said, "Yes it is."

TBC………………..