NOTE: This story takes place during Smallville's second season.
The girl looks around, a slightly scared look on her face. All around her is nothing but dark woods. She steps slowly as her eyes dart from side to side.
"James?" she calls. "James...this isn't funny. Where are you?" A twig snaps and she spins around to nothing. "J-James?" The look on her face grows increasingly more terrified. She looks around a bit more, before hearing a sound and turning. She screams as a black object overtakes her at blinding speed. The girl in the car joins her as her boyfriend laughs.
"That's not funny!" she says, punching his arm.
"Hehe, scaredy," he says. The couple sits in the front seat of his SUV, holding a small TV plugged into the cigarette lighter on the dashboard. The truck sits in a wooded area, secluded from any form of civilization or people.
"It's a scary movie," she says.
"It's just a movie. Don't be such a chicken."
"Jerk," she says, folding her arms and slumping against the door. He passes the TV over to her.
"I'll be right back." He opens the door and gets out.
"Okay," she says, adjusting the TV as the door closes. Some time passes and the movie the ending credits begin to roll. The girl looks at her watch, then up through the windshield. The boy had been gone an awfully long time. She turns the TV off and gets out of the truck. She looks around. "Josh?" No response.
She walks around to the driver's side and leans in, clicking on the lights. She looks up as she sees the arm to his jacket a few feet beyond the tree line. She starts to walk towards him. "Josh, what are you doing out here so long? You had me worried." She gets closer, but still no response. "Josh?" She reaches out to touch his sleeve, but it falls off the branch it was hanging on, torn, tattered and bloody. She looks up as she notices his mangled body from the tree behind it.
She screams and runs back for the truck. She gets in and shuts the door, fumbling through her purse for her cell phone. She dials 911 and waits for a response...until she hears something. She slowly lowers the phone and listens, trying to keep quiet. An eternity seems to pass before she notices a voice on the phone. She brings it back up.
"H-hello...I need help...my boyfriend's..." That's when a dark object lands on the hood of the car. She screams her last.
SMALLVILLE PRESENTS
TOM WELLING
KRISTEN KREUK
MICHAEL ROSENBAUM
ALISON MACK
SAM JONES III
JOHN GLOVER
With ANNETTE O'TOOLE
JOHN SCHNEIDER as Jonathan Kent
Superman created by JERRY SIEGLE and JOE SHUSTER
Developed for television by ALFRED GOUGH and MILES MILLAR
"A DARK KNIGHT AMONG US" PART 1
Written by CHRIS BUCHNERBatman created by BOB KANE and BILL FINGER
The next day, the school bus makes its way along the usual dirt road towards Smallville high, after picking up passengers Lana Lang and Clark Kent from their isolated dwellings. Lana sits next to one of her friends in a seat very visible to Clark. Pete waves his hand in front of his face, and Clark snaps out of his daze.
"Yo, earth to Clark."
"Huh? Oh, sorry, Pete." Pete follows where his gaze went.
"Still some friction?"
"Yeah. It's really going to take a while to fix, I guess."
"Can't you just tell her? I mean, c'mon, it's Lana."
"I know, Pete...I want to. But it's just, well, you saw how you reacted at first."
"Yeah, man, but I got over it. We're still cool."
"I know. I don't know, the idea just...terrifies me." Pete laughs.
"Amazing what it takes to terrify a man who can bench press his father's tractor." Clark smirks, but before he can retort, the bus swerves and bounces before it stops. "What the hell was that?" The engine roars, but the bus doesn't move. Pete gets out of his seat and goes up front. "What's up?"
"Damn dog in the road. I went to avoid it and now the bus is stuck," the driver says. He puts the bus in park and opens the door. He heads outside and looks as the rear wheel is stuck in a huge hole. "Great. Looks like we're gonna walk the rest of the way." Pete gets a thoughtful expression on his face and then heads back into the bus. He goes over to Clark and leans in to whisper in his ear. Clark nods and goes with him to the door.
"Mr. Smith, my dad showed me a trick once on how to get a heavy vehicle out of a sand hole," Clark says.
"Yeah? Will it work on a bus?"
"Definitely," Pete says.
"Great, what do we do?"
"You just get in and when Pete gives you the signal, go forward." He nods and climbs back in. Pete and Clark walk to the back of the bus. Clark slips under the rear and positions himself under the bus. He applies a bit of pressure to his hands. "Okay, Pete."
"Go on!" Pete shouts, waving his hand forward by the side. The driver waves back and begin to step on the accelerator. The wheels begin to spin and Clark begins to lift the bus, pushing it forward until the wheel hits solid ground and moves the bus itself. Pete makes a stopping motion and the bus stops. Clark gets out from underneath and claps the dirt off his hands. "I never get tired of that." Pete says with a smile. Clark smiles back before he notices a dead squirrel at the side of the road.
"Pete, check this out." He goes over to it and crouches. Pete follows and looks at it.
"It's all mangled...like some kinda animal got to it. Not unusual."
"Yeah, but these don't look like ordinary markings."
"Whatever, man. You've been hanging around Chloe too much."
"Let's go, guys!" the driver calls. Pete heads back for the bus, but Clark lags back a bit to look at the animal. He shakes his head and follows.
"Lex, are you in here?" Lionel asks, walking into the office, waving his cane in front of him.
"Yes, father, I am," Lex says, looking up from his laptop at his desk. Lionel makes his way over to the desk and sits in front of it.
"What is this I hear of an important meeting today?"
"Yes, a business meeting between myself and an old client of yours."
"Why wasn't I informed?"
"Didn't see a need to. I'm running things now, and figured you could do with some rest," Lex says, condescendingly.
"Nonsense, Lex...I'm as fit as a fiddle. So, tell me...who is this meeting with?"
"If you must know, I'm meeting the new head of Wayne Enterprises."
"New head? They replaced Roger?" Lex leans back in his chair.
"Why, father, it sounds like you're falling behind."
"Appears that I am." Martha Kent walks into the room.
"Good morning," She says.
"Mrs. Kent," Lex says.
"Ah, Martha! So nice to hear your voice," Lionel says, standing. "If you would be so kind as to help me to the garden, I have some papers I need your help reviewing."
"No problem, Mr. Luthor." She takes his arm and leads him out of the office. Lionel stops and turns, giving his son a pleasant smile.
"Oh, and Lex, if you wouldn't mind I think I'll sit in on your meeting." Lex glares after him as they leave.
"Pete!" Pete turns around as Lana catches up to him in the hall of the school.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing...I was just wondering about something."
"What?"
"How did you and Clark get the bus out?"
"Ah, sorry, Lana, but that's..."
"A secret. Yeah...I figured." Lana says, looking down at the floor.
"But hey, why not ask the man yourself?"
"Right..."
Clark closes the door to his locker as Chloe quickly comes up to him.
"Did you read the paper today?" she asks.
"No, why?" She hands him a copy of the Smallville Ledger and he looks at the front page. "'Couple found mangled in the woods?'"
"This is definitely rating a 10.9 on the weird-o-meter."
"Chloe, those woods must be full of wild animals," Clark says, handing her back the paper.
"Yeah, but the cops say the markings on the bodies don't match any they've ever seen before. Maybe we've got animals mutated by meteor rocks now."
"I don't know, Chloe...doesn't seem like much of a Smallville mystery."
"Well, I'm checking it out anyway. Meet me at the Torch later." She speeds off down the hall as Lana and Pete approach.
"Hey, Clark, wasn't that blonde blur Chloe?" Pete asks. Clark turns to them, obviously uneasy as he sees Lana, who shrinks back a bit herself.
"Hey...guys. Yeah, she's got a new mystery to obsess over."
"Great," Pete says, rolling his eyes. Lana looks at her watch.
"I have to get going...see you guys later." She heads off down the hall, and Clark follows her with his gaze.
"You can cut the tension with a knife," Pete says.
"Yeah," Clark agrees.
A private jet pulls into the Metropolis airport and stops at the end of the runway. A crew runs over to it as the hatch is opened and released downwards. One crewmember gets out and is followed by a middle-aged man in a black tuxedo. He looks around, making a slight expression of disgust, and proceeds downwards. Behind him comes a young man, about early 20s in a business suit. The handsome man stands tall, his dark hair blowing in the wind. He comes down the stairs and follows the middle-aged man to a waiting limo. Another man in a blue business suit, a scrawny looking weasel with glasses, approaches them, extending his hand.
"Welcome to Metropolis, Mr. Wayne." He says, shaking the middle-aged man's hand. "I'm Phil Huttington, I'm here courtesy of Luthorcorp to welcome you and your son and get you settled before your meeting with Mr. Luthor."
"That's very nice of you, young man, but I'm afraid you have a case of mistaken identity." The man looks perplexed. "My name is Alfred Pennyworth; I am Master Wayne's attendant."
"I'M Bruce Wayne." The young man says. The weasel looks him over with surprise, and then quickly darts out his hand. Bruce takes it.
"I am SO sorry, sir."
"I just hope the rest of Luthorcorp isn't as well informed as you," Bruce says. The driver opens the door to the rear and both he and Alfred get in. The driver shuts the door and the weasel makes a snotty face at it. The window rolls down to show Bruce's eyes. "I saw that." The window goes back up and the weasel walks with slumped shoulders towards the front of the car.
Chloe looks up from her computer as Clark walks into the Torch office. He puts his schoolbag down on the desk and sits next to it.
"So, anything to your mysterious animal mystery?"
"Nothing yet. No other reports of similar wildlife attacks or murders."
"Chloe, I know you usually have a knack for these kinds of things, but maybe this once your paranoia is getting the best of you." Chloe stands up and puts her hands on Clark's arms.
"Why, Clark, my paranoia always has the best of me." She grabs her jacket and camera and heads for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to check out the site. Wanna come?"
"Sorry, I promised to meet Lex." She shrugs and heads out.
With a crack, the 3 ball flies into the corner pocket of the pool table. Lex stands up with his stick and moves around the table. Clark stands by the wall watching, leaning on his stick.
"8 ball, side pocket." Lex says. He crouches down, lines up his shot, and lets the stick fly. The cue ball hits the 8 ball and it bounces off one side and veers to the other. It hits the edge of the pocket and bounces back.
"Wow, Lex...you usually make shots like that. Everything okay?" Clark asks.
"Of course, Clark, why wouldn't everything be? I'm in heaven with my father living here with his condescending and malcontent attitude." Lex says, dropping the stick on the table.
"Oh, I see."
"I'm just tired, Clark. Having him here is a detriment on my life." Before Clark can respond, they hear voices from the doorway.
"Hello, anyone here?"
"In here, Bruce." Clark puts down his stick as Bruce and Alfred enters the room.
"Lex, haven't seen you since college." Bruce says, extending his hand. Lex takes it.
"Yes, it has been a while."
"Nice place you have here. Almost as big as mine." They laugh. Lex steps back.
"This is my associate, Clark Kent." Clark extends his hand. Bruce shakes it, then motions to Alfred.
"This is my associate, Alfred."
"What's the matter, Lex, don't I get an introduction?" Lionel asks, being led in by Martha.
"You don't need one, Mr. Luthor." Bruce says. Lionel blindly holds out his hand and Bruce shakes it. "I know who you are from the paper."
"Ah, my fame precedes me...even in Gotham. Well, shall we get this meeting started? Thank you, Martha." Lionel starts to make his way over to the desk. Lex tries to hold back a scowl as he turns to Clark.
"I'll catch up with you later."
"Later, Lex." The three men head for the desk as Martha and Clark retire to the hallway, shutting the door behind them.
"Well, this should be interesting." Martha says.
"Lex and his dad in the same room doing business? Definitely."
"I'll get straight to the point," Bruce starts, "as you may or may not have known, since my parents' murder, I had been abroad for my education. I returned when I was of the age to take over my father's company."
"Yes, I read about that. You bought out the current head in shares to regain power. Very shrewd", Lex says.
"Exactly. Business tactic I learned in Japan. Quicker and less messy than a power struggle." Bruce pulls out a file. "So, since I'm now running things, I feel the best thing I can do in my parents' memory is make Wayne Enterprises bigger and better than ever. That calls for reevaluating a lot of things...staff, projects..."
"And business arrangements," Lionel chimes in.
"Perceptive," Bruce says. "My father always regarded that about you. At least that's what he said in his journal."
"Very flattering. What is it you wanted to discuss, exactly?" Lionel asks.
"Well, these files on Luthorcorp's dealings with Wayne Enterprises are very interesting. It appears that you need us for research purposes more than we need you. And with the way your stocks have been declining in the market lately, I have a strong feeling we're going to become a crutch, if not life support. My lawyers have advised me to pull out now, but I wanted to hear your side of things first."
"Bruce, I can assure you that Luthorcorp is experiencing nothing more than a slight recession", Lex says. "The company is strong, and will continue to be strong well throughout the 21st century."
"I suspect it will outlast even Lex and myself," Lionel adds.
"Well, then I hope you won't mind if I put our arrangement on a sort of probation?"
"Not at all," Lex says.
"Good. Then we're done here. If you need to reach me, I'm in Metropolis all week." Bruce and Alfred stand up, the Luthors follow. "Nice to see you, Lex, Mr. Luthor. Take care."
"Nice seeing you again," Lex says.
"Bye now," Lionel adds. The two head out of the office and Lex looks down at his desk.
"You know, that boy may be trouble for us one day," Lex says.
"He's cocky and arrogant, much like you, Lex." Lex glares at his father, secure in the knowledge that his father's blindness will hide it. Lionel senses it and smiles to himself. "But, mark my words: Bruce Wayne is as harmless to us as your friend Clark Kent."
Later that afternoon at the Talon, Lana works feverishly to fill orders at the tables. Chloe walks in looking frustrated and slumps down at the counter, throwing her stuff in front of her. Lana takes an order and heads in her direction, stopping by her.
"You okay?" she asks.
"I just spent the whole afternoon at the murder site and found nothing," Chloe says, depressed.
"Well, I'm sure the cops already took everything away," Lana says, heading behind the counter to prepare the orders.
"Yeah, but I thought there'd be at least something. Maybe even a meteor rock to connect it to my Wall of Weird."
"Well, they can't all be...related...", Lana says trailing off. Chloe looks at her funny before turning around to see Pete and Clark coming towards them.
"Hey, guys...what's up?" Pete asks.
"Couldn't find anything at the site," Chloe grumbles.
"I have orders to fill," Lana says, grabbing her tray and heading back onto the floor. Clark follows her with his gaze as Pete and Chloe exchange glances. Pete shrugs and sits next to her.
"No meteor rocks, huh?"
"Not a one. Maybe you were right, Clark. Maybe they were just wild animals," Chloe says. Clark shrugs.
"Sorry, Chloe."
"You said it was just an animal?" Pete asks, turning to Clark.
"Yeah, why?" Chloe asks.
"Haha...today, this guy got all weird about a dead squirrel we saw on the road. Said it was mangled by an unfamiliar animal."
"Yeah, well..." Clark starts.
"A squirrel? Where? On the road to school?"
"Yeah, where the bus got stuck."
"Why didn't you tell me about that?" Chloe stands up and quickly gathers her things.
"Because we didn't think you became a corpse freak?" Pete says.
"This could be the break I need. I have to get out there." Chloe turns to go, but stops dead. She backs up into her seat. "Or...maybe I'll wait a few minutes." Pete and Clark exchange a glance and then look towards the door to see Bruce entering. He looks around the place, a smug smile on his face as if he sensed all the females inside had either dropped what she was doing to look at him or became distracted in their conversations.
Bruce strides up to the bar, waving to Clark. "Hey...Clark, is it?"
"Uh, yeah, Bruce." Chloe nudges Clark in the ribs. "Oh, uh, Bruce Wayne, these are my friends Chloe and Pete."
"Pete." He says, shaking his hand. He turns to Chloe, takes her hand, and gently kisses it. "And Chloe...a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."
"Oh...uh...eh....hehe..." Chloe utters out.
"Chloe Sullivan at a loss for words," Pete whispers to Clark, "mark today on the calendar."
"So, what're you still doing in Smallville, Bruce? Thought you'd be in Metropolis by now," Clark asks.
"Well, we were going to go right back, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to try and determine what the Luthors found so interesting in this town."
"And what did you determine?" Pete asks. Bruce looks at Chloe and smiles.
"The women. Definitely the women." Chloe looks down and blushes. Lana walks back behind the counter and looks at Bruce with a smile.
"Hello..." she says with a twinge of curiosity.
"Bruce Wayne," he says as if reading her mind, smiling back.
"Lana Lang."
"Well, I see Smallville is 2 for 2 now," Bruce says, winking at Clark. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like two regular coffees to go."
"Sure," Lana says with a nod.
"You know, I've seen some fascinating things around the world, but a converted movie theater coffee house is definitely the top of my list."
"You travel a lot?" Chloe asks, finally managing to get her voice back.
"I did. My parents were killed when I was eight," Bruce started with Lana giving him a quick glance as she prepared the coffees, "so I needed something to fill the lonely hours. I decided to go abroad to get an education in everything possible. This is my first time back in America in over a decade."
"Wow, you must be loaded," Pete says. "That's a helluva long vacation."
"Wait...Wayne? Wayne! As in Wayne Enterprises?" Chloe says excitedly. "No way!"
"Yes way," Bruce says. "Very good. You're going to make one hell of a reporter one day."
"How did you know she was into reporting?" Clark asks. Bruce motions towards the digital camera in her hands.
"Doesn't take a detective to figure out if they have a camera and a knowledgeable, yet inquisitive personality, they're either a reporter or destined to become one." He holds takes out a newspaper from his inner jacket pocket and holds it up. It's an edition of The Torch. "Besides, I happened upon a copy of your paper, Miss Sullivan; very interesting material."
"Here you go, Mr. Wayne," Lana says, placing a bag on the counter.
"My father was Mr. Wayne. Ugly titles like that shouldn't leave beautiful lips like yours," Bruce says, placing the money for the coffee plus a very generous tip next to the bag. "It's just Bruce." He takes up the bag. "I'd love to stay and chat with you guys, but I'm afraid I must be off. However, Chloe, Lana...this Saturday I'm involved in a dreadfully dull party, and I think it would definitely brighten things up to have two women such as you there to give it some color. Interested?"
"Um..." they look at each other, trying to decide quickly. Both of them look back at Bruce.
"Sure, sounds good." They say almost in unison.
"Great! Clark, Pete...I expect you to be there too. I'll send a car for all of you. Bye now!" He heads out of the Talon, breaking the hearts of all the girls who follow him out with their gaze. Lana and Chloe look at each other and giggle, not believing what just happened.
"Whew, I think I need to cool off," Lana says.
"Me too," Chloe says. Both of them head off towards the ladies room. Pete shakes his head and turns to Clark.
"Man, that guy's almost as bad as Luthor."
"Yeah," Clark says, glaring at the door.
"Yo, Clark man...relax." Pete says, tapping his hand. Clark looks down to see he had subconsciously grabbed the vertical bars on the counter and bent one.
"Oops." He twists his wrist and fixes it.
The limo stops at a traffic light as it heads for the road back to Metropolis. Bruce reviews some papers in the back as Alfred glances at him in the rear view mirror.
"That was a little rash, wasn't it, sir?"
"What was, Alfred? Inviting two women I just met to a prominent social event?"
"That would be what I was referring to, Master Bruce."
"Alfred, appearances can be deceiving," Bruce says, his voice getting darker and grittier. "I actually invited all four of them. Clark is a direct connection to Lex Luthor, and in a small town like this it's a safe bet he and his friends will be able to contribute information about the Luthors' dealings in this town." Bruce takes a sip of his coffee. "I'll need them to help me determine exactly what they have planned for our 'partnership'." Suddenly a man in a black sweatshirt bumps into the car. Bruce jumps and almost spills his coffee. He glares at the man through the window. The man looks back momentarily, his eyes bloodshot and puffy, before getting off and stumbling on his way.
"My word!" Alfred says.
"Alfred, did you see that?" Bruce asks.
"Indeed I did, Master Bruce. It appears the influence of substance abuse has hit the heartland."
"That wasn't an ordinary junkie, Alfred. I've never seen someone with those symptoms on any known drug. I think Smallville bears some closer watching than I thought."
"Clark, you up here?" Jonathan Kent asks, coming up the stairs to the loft.
"Yeah," Clark says from his seat by the open window.
"Everything okay, son? You didn't come in for dinner."
"Dad...there's this guy, someone Lex knows. His name is Bruce Wayne. He's this rich kid from Gotham. Well, he invited me, Pete, Lana and Chloe to a party on Saturday."
"Okay, I'm failing to see what's got you so upset."
"It was the way he was talking to Chloe and Lana. He was flirting with them. He just met them, and they were practically all over him." Clark looks down at the floor. "I don't know, I guess I was...jealous." Jonathan sits down next to him.
"Ah, I see. New guy in town is moving in on your women."
"Yeah. I can't stand the guy. He's so...arrogant and full of himself. I don't like him."
"Son, I seem to recall someone telling me once that you shouldn't be so quick to judge someone." Clark looks at him and smiles. "I'm sure his bravado is just to cover up some bad feelings...a way to keep himself distracted from reality."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Listen, food will be in the fridge...if you decide you want any, help yourself."
"Thanks, dad." Jonathan heads down the stairs and Clark resumes his stargazing.
A police car pulls up to the front of the Smallville Savings & Loan. The two officers get out and look at the open door. They walk up to it, guns drawn, and slowly move inside. They hear noises coming from the vault and see the light on inside from the open door. They look at each other and nod.
"This is the police! Come out with your hands up!" The noises stop. "I said come out now! You're under arrest! Come out!" The vault door opens a bit more, and the cops suddenly lose their bravery as glowing red eyes greet them. In a split second, the eyes are on top of them and then all they can see is total darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED