Smallville

The Evil Legend

Chapter Sixteen - My Tourniquet

|Note: This takes place after Spider-Man 1.|

- Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and encouragement… Happy Holidays, next chapter is coming soon. The last one of this first book, I'm excited. Smiles **

                Peter Parker strolled over to the computer of The Daily Bugle. He had just made a copy of all his pictures on Spider-Man that morning, and knew Jameson was the type of person who wanted them done on time. Looking back at the main office he saw the agitated man groaning and shouting at Hoffman, and the secretary near him. He shook his head knowing he'd have that weight on his shoulders soon enough. Flipping the computer switch on, he waited as it came to life before him. News was spreading through the city, seeing a few mutant acts had happened during the last few weeks. He had tried to find any activity throughout his area of town, but most of them were outside of Queens. If it had anything to do with the X-Men he tried to ignore it.

                As the computer screen flashed in front of him he smiled pleased that nothing would annoy him at this time in the morning. Mary Jane was already at school, ready for a school play at the college she had offered to help out for. Henry had loads of board meetings, and lately neither of them had been talking. After his fathers death nothing was the same in the apartment. Peter spent most of the nights over at Aunt May's house, worried that Henry would find over seen him use his abilities. The summer breeze blew into the offices around him, and sighed lightly. Clicking on the icon for the Internet and PhotoShop seven he inserted the CD. Hearing 'you've got mail.' Made him jump in his seat just a little bit, reaching for the mouse he clicked away at the screen opening the first two from Dr. Conners. It surprised him the man was emailing him, normally he called. Though lately he had been out of town at a corporation in the city of Metropolis, so far Peter couldn't get hide or hair out of the man. He had been so silent to him on what he was doing that it seemed like they weren't even working together anymore after all the times he had been fired by the man, he was felt grateful to receive any kind of communication from him. Grinning sheepishly behind his desk Peter clicked on the mail that he received. As it uploaded his eyes read the short mail and then clicked on the files that he had to download. A blue bar filled the small screen as they downloaded.

                                "Parker;" Jameson shouted angrily out of the office; "Do you have those pictures yet?" He asked impatiently.

                In a trance Peter jumped at the man's voice; "Parker;" Jameson yelled again. This time everyone in the room was watching the display at hand; "I'll have them to you in five minutes." Peter assured him.

                                "They'd better be." Jameson said his tone worried that the morning issue wouldn't be on time.

                The pictures popped up one by one on his desktop over taking the screen. His eyes went wide seeing what was in front of him. The blood sample Dr. Conners had sent him was out of this world. Earlier that year Dr. Conners had him look through reptile blood samples to see how fast it would replicate an arm faster. The Dr. had been obsessed with it for a few months, but after the job offer in Metropolis handed him more money over the summer he took it. Bring the files down to respond to the doctor he made sure the pictures for that day were being sent to the copier. Betty took them without hesitation as she walked by taking the CD right out of his hands; "Are they in good quality?" She asked him. Peter smiled at her; "Of course. Where have I proven you wrong?" He asked her. Betty didn't answer as she waved her hand away and continued down the hall.

                Finding something to say he make a fast letter to Dr. Conners, only hoping the man would email just as fast in return.

                                                Dear Dr. Conners,

                                                                                I'm surprised by your sudden emails, and it has come to my attention that you need my help, though I can't do this without fully understanding what you are doing. Please email me back with information containing whose blood this belongs to, and what you want me to with it, thanks for the pictures, they are amazing. I have nothing really to say since I'm in awestruck.

                                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                Peter Parker

                Within about five minutes another file appeared on the screen. Biting down on his lips to ignore all the lose papers that were flying around the room, he read the mail.

                                Dear Mr. Parker,

                                                                The man I've been working for has been allowing me to do discover wonderful things, and we've come to realize that the patient we need is somewhere in New York. I was hoping from a scientist to a scientist you'd be most apprehensive to help out. Knowing fully well that your close friends with Spider-Man, I'd appreciate it if you could get him to help and find this boy, his name is Clark Jerome Kent. The blood you had just looked at belongs to him, if you do see him or if Spider-Man sees him. Please help us retrieve him. Mr. Luthor is on his way to New York to meet a comrade of his Chloe Sullivan. You'd probably get along well with her, she's an exultant reporter, and highly recommended. Please respond as soon as you can, on further notice of the whereabouts of Clark Kent, for we fear he could be in great danger surrounding the mutant activity there in New York.

                                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                Dr. Conners

                Peter folded his arms across his chest taking a deep breath. He had already promised himself being Spider-Man to not bother the X-Men for the time being. Ever since his out burst with Wolverine everyone had told him to leave. He never got along with that man, and seeing what Dr. Conners just wrote it came to his attention that Clark Kent was a mutant himself. With more erupted abilities than his own, or any other mutant in the area of New York. Grabbing another CD he made sure to burn a copy of every picture onto, before he left. Jameson was already yelling at the top of his lungs by now, and Peter didn't want to deal with that tension of the day. Stuffing everything into his folder he closed the computer and said goodbye to Betty who just smiled and went on with her work.

                His days seemed to longer lately as he took a short cut as Spider-Man through the buildings. Even though living with Henry he still felt like he wasn't at home. Plus he had to write in his journal today as well. The poor thing had been sitting at his desk in his room for about a month or two and growing dust partials on them. Aunt May hadn't really talked about but he didn't mind her bring it up at all. Making a sharp swing through another building he rested at the top of the skyscraper. Taking out his map from his folder he saw the where he had to go. Dr. Conners would probably want at least one answer by tonight, so without hesitating any more on the subject at hand he leaped off to head to Charles school. The wide hit him like a blow drier as he made his way.

~*~

                Bobby looked over at Marie and could she was heat broken. Logan hadn't been around at all since last night, and Charles was upset as well. He on the other hand didn't feel sorry for anyone. He was quiet glad he was taken away, but feared he was going to be in the same state as Marie once had about two years ago. Turning his head he saw Scott Summers standing their leaning against the door. Bobby grumbled knowing he was probably in trouble once more; "Yes Mr. Mighty One." Bobby teased through his teeth. Scott had to laugh; "Just making sure you're alright. Marie's been worried about Clark." Scott started to explain.

                                "I'm fine. Why is she all of a sudden worried about me?" Bobby asked annoyed now. Marie was hardly ever worried about him. During the half of the school year she had been dwindling over Clark, and he hated it when he always ran into them when their mouths were tongue-tied.

                                "Logan left." Scott pointed out to Bobby. Bobby's headshot up like a rocket; "What!" Bobby asked shocked; "Marie had asked him to look out for Clark and failed to do so after the truck left last night with Clark, Logan took my bike again." Scott added with an undertone.

                                "So what is our plan now?" Bobby asked him as he slowly got up from his seat.

                                "I'm not sure." Scott answered; "But Charles wants us to be ready if anything comes up." Scott informed him; "Don't worry I'll be ready. Where is Marie now?" Bobby asked him.

                                "She's outside in the court yard reading." Scott answered. Sighing heavily Bobby excited the room. James, Tracy and Jones watched him go out of the room with a sorrow look upon his face.

                Outside Marie read silently in her book that Ororo had handed to her that morning. Lately without having Clark by her she had been finding herself reading about alien life if there were any books on the subject besides the science fiction section in their library. Hearing soft footsteps ahead of her head rose to see Bobby slowly making his way over to her. She could tell he wasn't happy by the expression on his face; "Hey." She said. Bobby sat down beside her on the bench; "How are you?" Bobby asked her.

                                "I wish I knew." Marie answered truthfully. Bobby didn't like the sound of that. She normally knew what she wanted, and this lifted his heart a bit hearing she didn't know.

                                "You mean Clark, or me?" Bobby asked wondering where this conversation would lead to. Marie's eyes slowly filled with tears. She didn't want to make Bobby feel lonelier after she said it; "I'm going after him." Marie said through her tears.

                                "What!" Bobby asked dramatized by her answer. She couldn't be serious. The girl who never took off after someone was now telling him this.

                                "I have to Bobby. He's all I have." Marie explained to him. His heart now sunk. Why in the whole world did it have to be that sentence he despised the most. Marie saw his sorrow look and looked right into his eyes; "I still love you as well Bobby, but I can't ignore my feelings Clark either. I'm sorry." Marie said honestly as she got up to leave the bench.

                                "Hey guys." Spider-Man swung down off of the school onto the ground. Marie jumped startled at the site of him. It had been a while since the last time they had talked. Peter saw her expression and knew something was up as he turned to Bobby; "Have you guys seen a young man by the name of Clark Jerome Kent?" Spider-Man asked them. Marie's head jerked up at the sound of his name; "Yes. Have you seen him?" She asked in a pleading way. Peter didn't like the sound of this.

                                "He was taken last night by Magneto and some of his followers." Bobby told him. Peter's expression changed behind the mask at the sound of that man's name.

                                "Thanks." Peter said as he swung away behind the building. Marie sighed doughtfully knowing the man would find anything on Clark, whereabouts.

~*~

                Clark groggily moved slowly in the darkness of the truck as it moved rapidly down the road. Looking down at the necklace Marsh had made, the kryptonite glowed brightly around them. Groaning through his teeth, Marsh pulled him against the wall of the truck. Marsh grinned down at him; "See our little gift for you?" Marsh asked as he tugged on Clark's collar and hosted him up for him to see the machine in the cargo hold. The large machine was made out of steel and stood about ten feet or taller before him. Round pillars stood on either side of the center of it at the top.

                                "What is that?" Clark managed to say.

                                "Your prison for tonight." Marsh said. Holding tightly onto Clark's collar, Clark could tell Marsh was still afraid he'd have the power to break through his restraints. He should know by now that that was impossible, unless the kryptonite was removed from him. Slowly March moved Clark's body over to the machine. He felt him struggle a little under his restrain, Marsh just smirked at him as he watched; "Your pain will only get worse if you keep struggling." Marsh pointed out to him. Clark growled through his throat as he grabbed both of March's hands that were on his collar. Using the last bit of strength he had, he walked up Marsh's body. Without warning Marsh was on the floor and watched Clark fall forward in front of him onto the cold floor of the cargo truck.

                Magneto jumped in his seat, as he felt the truck jerk forward. Justin slowed down just a little but as Magneto razed his hand; "I'll go check it out." He told him, as he crawled through the opened window just below the seat. Reaching the other side he saw, Ian, Paul, Desiree, and Marsh all heading after Clark, seeing the handcuffs on the wall next to him he lifted them with his hands, he figured since he couldn't have these meteor mutants control Clark, then he'd have to. Backing up against the wall Clark breathed heavily watching Marsh dive for the necklace as it flew off of Clark. He still felt weak from its presences in the room, but enough for him to move away from it. He was hoping that help would soon be on its way. Seeing Magneto enter the cargo hold, Clark's heart skipped a beat, as he shuffled his feet to the end of the truck where the door was. His speed was still out, and if he used his heat vision the whole truck would go up in flames. Watching Ian split into two more, he was out numbered and knew that his torment following another capture wasn't good.

                                "Scared Clark;" Ian asked him as he approached him. Clark backed away just before Ian reached out to grab him.

                                "No." Clark answered dryly. Though truthfully he was scared, and feared that it could only get worse before it got better, from what Lana's aunt Nell had told her. He missed her at the memory popping up in his head. Before he had a chance to even think of moving he felt something cold grip his wrist and pull him to the ground hard; "Ah!" Clark shouted as his cheek landed on the kryptonite underneath him. Magneto rushed over to him and forced his other hand behind his back; "I see that steel bar wasn't enough for you." Magneto said to him. He knew the kids attributes, so what he was doing to him know was nothing. Both of his hands where now safely behind his back as Magneto raised him up higher. The necklace slowly lifted along with him as it was placed around his neck again; "I think its time to sit you down son." Magneto said. Clark glared at him, the word came out of his mouth so easily he felt anger in him rise; "Don't call me son!" Clark shouted at him. Feeling his body rise from the handcuffs behind him he grimaced in rage. Using another set of handcuffs Magneto released the one hand and strapped it to the small pillar to his right. The machine's circle beams circled the kid while Magneto made sure he'd stay in his place. Seeing the slot where he wanted the kryptonite to go, he slowly removed it from his neck and placed it right above him. Clark looked down at Magneto pleadingly. The man's eyes shared no sympathy with him, as a soft green glow slowly moved over the circle beams that began to move around him. Everyone braced themselves for what was about to happen, Clark struggled to pull out of the handcuffs, but as the soft kryptonite flowed down over him he grinded his teeth together holding back the intense pain. He didn't want to scream, he didn't want to show weakness, and he truly didn't want to give off some kind of power to any of them down below. Magneto watched, as the soft green light covered the cargo hold. Turning his hand counter clock wise he slowly turned the machine off seeing the kid fall to his knees inside of it. He waited a minute for Clark to come to his composer and then as the room became silent said; "That was your first warning. Don't do anything again, or we will kill you." Magneto saw Clark's eyes burn red with anger, and smiled; "You brought this on yourself." He added, as he slowly left the cargo hold; "Keep an eye on him. He should be fine till we get there." He told them.

                                "Where are we going?" Ian asked.

                                "Liberty Island, it's the best place to use a machine to turn the state of New York into real mutants." Magneto answered. Ian's eyes widened, and smiled back up at the old man. He was going to enjoy watching his enemy yell out in pain again. He was going to look forward to that, as the truck moved faster down the road to the docking bay.

~*~

                Logan growled to himself as he moved swiftly down the road after the cargo truck that was a few miles ahead of him. He hadn't stopped since the truck left the school the night before. He was surprised it hadn't slowed down or went any faster than it was. He could tell Magneto didn't want to call attention to anyone just yet. The skyscrapers lined up on each side of him as the evening started to approach. He knew that there would be fireworks out on Liberty Island that night for the fourth of July. He just prayed he'd find the kid and get him to safety before anything else happened to him.

~*~

                Charles moved down the hallway and saw Marie running over to him as if in a mad rush; "What is it?" Charles asked her. Without giving her enough time to breath he read her thoughts; "Spider-Man." He said; "What was he doing here?" Charles asked wondering what Peter knew that they didn't about Clark; "All he said was that he wanted to help, Logan's gone, and no one else has heard anything." Marie said in panic.

                                "I think its time to use Cerebro." Charles told her. Marie started to calm down knowing that the machine would allow him to at least find one of the intruders, Logan or Spider-Man. Entering the elevator, Marie follows him along with Ororo and Scott. Charles senses their uneasiness as they make their way to the Cerebro. The long hallway is opened to them as the lights flicker on. Stopping just beyond the round door Charles allows the machine to read is eye retinas to make sure it is him and him only. After the little mix up with Mystique using Cerebro as himself, Scott had to help him add another device so she could no longer use it. This would allow the machine to pick up her eye retina right during the change.

                Entering the Cerebro, Charles took a deep breath and stopped at the end of the outstretched platform that went to the center of the circle room. The silver room fell with silence as the door behind him hissed shut. He knew he'd be alright as he grabbed the head piece and placed it on top of his bald head. After pushing a few buttons the room hummed like a song as the titles on the circler room moved across each other to fit the right marks Charles had ordered the machine to read. As the Cerebro layout the cord nets he needed, he right away pin pointed Logen. He was heading fast to the docking bay. Fear leaped into Charles head, as he read some of the younger mutants that were inside the cargo truck with Clark. Some of them wanted to kill him; others just wanted to show him the pain he had caused them. Allowing the Cerebro to finish the program, he rolled out of the room. NightCrawler now joined them and saw the professors face full of worry.

                                "Call Dr. Swann, and get everyone ready." Charles told them.

                                "Where are they going?" Scott asked. Marie's eyes where already filling up with tears. Charles knew she already knew where they where going; "Ellis Island." Charles whispered. Scott sighed heavily, and turned to leave to get Ororo and the others.

                                "This is not going to be the Independence Day we've all wanted to have." Charles said to them.

~*~

                Helen enters Cadmus Labs that very afternoon and headed for the main office. She had to find out any other information she could on what Lionel Luthor was up to. She had called his secretary, and informed her he had left in a hurry to meet a client in New York. Seeing it was the weekend, and Lionel hardly ever worked on those days, it made her wonder why that mad man was over there. Entering the office the silver blue lined doors hissed shut behind her as she walked up to the desk in the back of the room. Hearing the door open again she saw another secretary come in from the hallway. The lady looked around the same age as Helen as she slowly approached her.

                                "Mrs. Luthor." The lady began. At first Helen paid no attention to the lady in the white coat and wasn't about to until she walked up to her and placed a file on her desk; "I got a call earlier today and the man wanted me to let you know about this." She began. Helen eyes slowly moved up to the women's face. Seeing the ladies name tag she smiled; "What kind of news?" Helen asked wondering herself.

                                "Something you won't find here." She started to find. Helen glanced down at the folder file and back at the lady; "Who talked to you?" She asked demandingly.

                                "I'm not in liberty to say." The lady replied nervously. Frustration slowly began to flow through Helen's blood system once more, and wasn't about ready to allow some odd secretary tell her she couldn't say who it was from. She was in higher authority than she was. She titled her head; 'Unless someone outside the corporation had higher power than me.' She thought to herself. Sighing heavily, she allowed her temper to slow down. Grabbing the file on the desk she opened it. Her eyes widen as she saw the names on Lionel Luthor's pay roll. Down at the bottom in small font read, Chloe Sullivan. The young blond reporter from the Torch was on his pay roll! This was crazy, absurd, and damn right wrong to give this young lady any kind of authority with pay from a man that was so evil he wouldn't care if the whole world crumbled at his feet as long as he had money in his hands. Helen looked up at the secretary; "Thank you Julie. I'll be sure to contact you later." She paused; "Please tell my employee's I had to make a fast trip to New York." Helen told Julie. Julie smirked brightly; "Yes." She answered as she watched Lex's wife exit the office. Once she knew the lady was out of sight and hearing rang she walked around the desk. Quickly picking up the phone she dialed the number. Within a few minutes there was a response; "Wayne's Residence." Alfred's voice came through. Julie smiled on the other end; "Hello Alfred; this is Julie, is Mr. Luthor there?" She asked him. Alfred's eyes brighten on the other end. He hadn't heard from Julia in a while; "Why yes. One moment please." Alfred said kindly.

                Within in five minutes she heard yet another moment of silence. Hearing another click on the other end of phone she heard the unchanged voice that came to her ears; "How did it go?" Lex asked her. Julie smiled; "Just as you plan." She paused; "Helen is on her way to New York to pay your father a visit." Julie announced proudly.

                                "Good, just keep all our lips silent until all this clears. Before you know it we maybe at a war we won't be able to stop you know." Lex pointed out.

                                "With all that's been happening in New York Mr. Luthor. I think the war is already started." She responded as their conversation ended in silence.

~*~

                Bruce poured his coffee, as he watches the news coverage from New York. The silence of the mansion left him in eccentric daydreams from time to time. The memories of his parent's death, what he been learning over the years from childhood. Alfred was doing a pretty good job allowing Lex the comfort of their home open to him, yet he knew something was still bothering him. It had been almost two weeks since he hadn't been to any sessions for training which he hated leaving behind, but Lex was his main goal, to help him back on his feet. Rebuilding what was lost would take even years depending on what would happen in the end. Seeing the news from New York, nothing had really been elaborate on what was going on. It was pretty quiet. Which bothered him, and he knew it bothered Lex. Hearing footsteps come down the stairs he turned to see his friend on the phone; "Who where you talking to?" Bruce asked.

                                "Carrie Castle." Lex replied.

                                "She's been the only good reporter I've been able to stay in contact with that won't below my cover." He told him honestly. Carrie Castle was a young reporter from 'The Journal' who had visited Smallville last year in hopes of great story. Yet he found out she was there under his own fathers bidding. So he gave her a higher offer job opportunity that she couldn't resist, and with that up his sleeve, the young reporter had secretly visited New York undercover to see what Lionel was doing.

                                "She just informed me that my father is visiting Chloe Sullivan." Lex told Bruce a little confused on the matter. Bruce gave Lex a questioning glance; "Why would your father want to see her?" Bruce asked him. He had read some of Chloe's articles Lex had upstairs, and saw the remarkable resemblance from her work to her cousin's, Lois Lane. They both where highly determined on anything, and compressed to show the world they were right no matter what the cause.

                                "From what I've told Julie to tell Helen, it appears she is on my father's pay roll, which would make Helen completely jealous and outraged at the lesser offer of her own." Lex exclaimed.

                                "But she owns half of your companies." Bruce pointed out as he took a sip of his coffee. Lex sat down in the couch in the sitting room off to their right. The large sitting room was elegant, peaceful and set the mood for anything at any time of the day. Bruce knew Alfred hated the place a mess, but lately the sitting room had been their down time. Looking around the room papers sat every where along with books and news articles so they could look up information on Lionel Luthor. Lex knew this was his perfect chance to bring down his father without allowing his father the knowledge of his existence.  

                                "Yes, but that isn't the point." Lex smiled up at his friend; "She's after my money, and was discarded by my own father." Lex started to explain; "I think this will be our way to let my father know he can't control anyone." Lex told him; "The old man can't even see something under his own nose, and even though Helen was probably a part of the whole airplane crash, I'll leave that on later terms, but we are using her against my father." Lex finished telling him. Bruce nodded understanding; "What about Chloe?" Bruce asked.

                                "She'll lead me to Clark." Lex added brightly.

                                "What if your father gets to him first?" Bruce paused; "I still don't see the interest you and your father share about this kid." Bruce pointed out.

                                "All in good time;" Lex said to him. Lex picked up a piece of paper and started to read the headline news in the Gotham Times, setting it down he pulls out his cell phone. Bruce reaches over to grab some cookies Alfred had made earlier; "Who are you calling now!" He asked.

                                "My brother;" He pauses seeing Bruce's confused look; "Lucas. I'll explain later." He promised as he waited to hear his brother's voice on the phone.

~*~

                Liberty Island came into view as they parked at the end of the docking bay. Everyone piled out of the truck as Magneto lifted the machine onto a boat Mystique had acquired earlier. The large boat stopped just beyond the docks. Justin, Desiree, Marsh, John, and Paul all stood and waited for it to stop; "Climb aboard." Mystique called out. Magneto smiled at the ladies attitude lately. Walking up to Desiree Magneto tapped her on her shoulder; "Would you mind coming over here please. I need you to help a friend of ours out." Magneto said to her. Desiree smiled acknowledging to his request, as she approached him she saw Clark laying flat on the ground. His head was limp but he was still coherent of what was going on. Kneeling down besides Clark, Desiree lifted his head. Clark struggled with the strength he had left as he felt Desiree move his head upward toward hers. Being in this weak state left him helpless, and he hated to feel helpless to a lady that could do anything to him under the influence of kryptonite, even kill him. Magneto held him down as Desiree pressed her lips on his ear; "This won't hurt a pit." She told Clark truthfully. Clark groggily moved his head away from her, seeing Magneto's hand grab his head he fought once more; "Do it now." Magneto ordered. Smiling with the pleasure of kissing the kid that didn't fall for her trap the last time was something she had been looking forward to. Held in place, Clark had no way of rejecting Desiree's poisons kiss. Her sweat lips caressed his own as the kryptonite flowed through his body. He moaned in pain as he felt the kryptonite flow through his body. His brain was turning foggy, yet he still felt stable enough to stand. Feeling his body stand up he looked back into Desiree's brown eyes; "Now that wasn't so bad." She said with a grin pleased with what happened. Clark was surprised himself, after being in that machine the first time he thought her kiss would kill him, but in turn left his body at the command at her every word; "Now follow me." Desiree said, as she grabbed his collar and pulled him onto the boat. Clark followed with ease, not knowing what was in store for him within the next few hours. Everyone turned to see Clark up and walking around the boat. Marsh was speechless; "What happened to you?" Marsh asked him. Clark smirked at him evilly; "Had a kiss from a beautiful lady." Clark answered. Marsh shook his head in discussed. The lady should be kissing him, but right now wasn't the time to think of such romance.

                Feeling the boat jerk lively they all turned to watch the machine rest on the back of it. Justin used his abilities to lifted the blanket near them to cover their plan. He knew Magneto didn't want anyone on Liberty Island to know he was returning yet again. Mystique started the engines once more on the boat and floated away from the docks as they headed to the island.

~*~

                Lionel turned to Chloe as she handed him the papers and red outs she got from Dr. Swann's office. He couldn't believe what the man had found out about Clark. This man was intelligent. He had figured out how to read the writing on the cave wall, and didn't go insane like Dr. Walden did. Turning the pages over and over again Chloe became restlessness and a little bit tired of the man's fetish on the Kent's. Sure he wanted to know about Clark, but so did she. Though her plan was to help Clark, the information she had received from him earlier that week left her head spinning. The man's obsession was just as undoubting, idiotic and a waist of time. He'd never find what he was actually looking for, and if he does, she was going to go after Clark.

                The hotel room became quiet again, as she waited for Lionel to finish looking through all her notes, information and read outs that she had on Dr. Swann. Hearing a knock at her door she rushed to answer it; "Hello?" Chloe's voice lightened the silence of the room, as Lionel watched the young reporter wait for an answer. Hearing the hollow knock again she asked; "Hello." Once more, but didn't receive any answer. She turned around to look at Lionel; "It's probably one of my staff members, just open the door." He ordered. Chloe sighed heavily and allowed the door to swing open as she did her eyes widened seeing the gun pointing at her face.

                 Helen smirked over at Lionel, as she watched him drop his papers; "I see you have a common interest as Lex did." Helen stated seeing the name Kent's on one of the folders Chloe held in her hands. Chloe was still in awe about the women's apparent. She hadn't seen her for a few months, and she could tell by look on Lionel's face he had, but wasn't saying anything.

                                "Miss. Bryce put the gun down." Lionel said to her. Helen held her ground and wasn't about ready to allow the crazy man the pleasure of controlling her life now. Chloe stepped aside, but felt Helen's eyes glaring at her as if she had done something wrong.

                                "You give this child a job, but define me of any!" Helen screamed out. Chloe now felt her heart beat faster with every step Helen took.

                                "She was a reliable sore." Lionel started to exclaim; "Apparently not good enough." Helen said angrily as she spun away from Lionel and faced Chloe with the gun. Lionel's eyes widened.

                                "Miss Bryce, what is it you want?" He asked her.

                                "To have my name back;" Helen shouted still pointing the gun at Chloe.

                                "It seems to me, that since I own half of what your son owns, my name should be allowed to be mine." Helen pointed out dryly. Chloe saw the frustration in the ladies eyes, and how tired she was of all the man's crap.

                                "You killed my son!" Lionel shouted back at her.

                                "I did not kill your son!" Helen yelled back; "You said so yourself his body wasn't found."

                 Lionel saw Chloe inch behind Helen slowly. He wasn't sure what the girl had planned, but he hoped she had at least one of her little toys on her.

                Looking down at a paper on the ground Helen picked it up; "Why are you so damn interested in this kid;" Helen demanded the answer harshly, not really pleased, and knew the man probably just wanted to use Clark once he had him. Before he could respond another guard entered the room seeing the display unfold before him. Chloe's back was to him as he entered the room. Slowly reaching up to touch Chloe, Chloe felt the cold hand rest on her open shoulder as she hit him with her elbow. The man fell to his knees allowing Helen to now turn the gun on him. Seeing this as her only chance, Chloe went for the gun in Helen's hand. The lady wasn't going to kill any of them. Punching Helen in the face as hard as she could she saw the gun fly to the other side of room?

                The man slowly got up from the ground and looked right at Lionel; "I've just got word that they've spotted some kind of jet on the outer rim of he city Mr. Luthor." The man in formed him.

                                "What kind of jet?" Lionel asked. The man shook his head as he watched the two ladies have a fist fight in the corner of the room; "Don't know. We are trying to lock it down." The man answered him as he straightened his tie.

                Chloe just about had it with Helen as she punched her once more in the stomach sending her over the side of the bed. Helen thought she was blacking out by the young reporters hot temper and strong will. She hadn't been in a cat fight in so long that she was out of shape. Maybe she was learning from Lana secretly to piss her off. Feeling strong hands grip her side, Helen struggled to get free.

                                "Enough!" Lionel shouted. The room fell silent as the two girls struggled to get up off the floor. Chloe was first to be seen from the opposite side of the bed. Helen was still being held by the man that came in earlier.

                                "I will not see it end like this!" Helen shouted.

                                "Hold your tongue!" Lionel yelled at her. Helen spit at him; "I'd rather rot." She snapped back at him. Lionel had his men push her outside of the hotel room; "Make sure she leaves the building." Lionel ordered. The men nodded; "Yes Mr. Luthor." The men replied as the door shut behind them. Chloe stood in front of Mr. Luthor as he put his hand through his hair to get the lose strains out of the way.

                                "Miss Sullivan, I'm sorry, but I have other business plans to attend to while I'm here." He paused seeing the mess; "But I'd be glad to help you get a cleaning service in here when you leave tonight." Lionel assured her.

                                "Where are you going?" Chloe asked wondering herself. After all the work she went through, it seemed like he was ignoring her.

                                "Another matter has come to my attention and I must leave before it's too late." Lionel answered her.

                                "Does it have to deal with Clark?" Chloe asked feeling her stomach knot up feeling guilty already for betraying him.

                                "All in good time Miss. Sullivan." Lionel replied as he slowly left the room. Chloe swallowed feeling the lump in her throat harden. She wasn't going to allow that made man take Clark away. She was going to find him first, and save him. If there was a way to make it up to him now was the time. Turning around she grabbed all her little toys Lionel had allow her to use, and went to the bathroom to change. She was going in as a disguise and wasn't going to allow Clark the pleasure yet knowing that it was going to be her saving his ass this time.

                Outside the building Helen watched Lionel get into his limo and head down town. She called her Julie again to find out where they were heading; "Have you found out any news yet?" Helen asked Julie.

                                "He's heading to the docking pay." Julie announced. Smiling to herself Helen takes her own car and drives far behind him just in case she finds herself in a problem she can't get out of.

~*~

                The airport in New York was very busy, as Ash Hunter Sherer and her sister Parish emerged from the terminals. They had already acquired their bags and were now waiting in the sitting room for their ride. Their friend Delfina Johnson was supposed to pick them up and head out to the Liberty Island that evening for the fireworks, but she was running late as always. Ash turned sharply almost running into her boyfriend making him drop some of his items; "I'm sorry about that Tiren."  Ash apologized. Tiren smiled; "It's alright, I don't mind." He assured her as he picked his stuff up.

                                "What time is she meeting us here?" Parish asked impatiently. Ash sighed heavily wishing her friend had more patience than she did.

                                "I'll call her on her cell phone if she's late." Ash answered sharply.

                Making their way downstairs to the main entry way they all stopped to wait for someone to leave their spot. After about a half an hour the group off to the right left their seats and all four sat down. Tiren knew Ash was tired and warren out, but excited about tonight. They had been dating for over a year already and felt complete with her. Their friend Delfina had set them up a year ago, and it took forever to tell Ash's parents. They were Christians and where asking questions like an interview when he entered their family. Still she hung on strongly and didn't listen to her parent's words, which didn't surprise him. Her mother was too overprotected, and her father was great, though he lacked something. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Ash shuddered to his touch. Parish watched the two love birds as her boyfriend came around the corner. He had been away for the last month on his job, plus his family problems where getting in the way and he needed some space away from them. So Parish offered him the hospitality of staying with her, though she made him sleep on the couch, which he didn't mind.

                Stretching out on the chairs, Ash looked out the window hoping to find her friend standing there waving her arms, but instead she only found yet another taxi cab stop by the doors. Turning her head back around, she felt Tiren rubbing her shoulders. Smiling brightly she kissed him on the lips; "Well, at least you guys aren't board." Delfina said seeing her friends jerk back in surprise.

                                "Delfina, hi; sorry we didn't see you." Perish said as her cheeks turned red with embracement.

                                "Taben is outside waiting, and we have about an hour to be out by the pier to see the fireworks." She informed them. With that, they all gathered their bags and hustled outside to the car.

~*~

                The Blackbird flew overhead on the clear night of the fourth of July. Scott sat tensed in his seat as he moved the jet through the sky. Turning his head to Ororo he smiled; "See anything yet?" Scott asked her. Ororo shook her head; "Nothing." She paused and turned to the radar as it started to beat loudly; "Wait a minute, it's Logen. He's moving fast down main street heading to the docking bay." She announced loudly. Everyone in the back of the jet moved to look at the front control panel. Ororo waved her hand; "Sit down everyone please. I'm going to try and contact him. Calm down." She ordered. Grabbing the comlink, she pushed the on switch as it hummed to life; "Logan!" Ororo said loudly over the jet's engines. The only thing she heard was static an endless nothing answered back to her. She swallowed and looked over at Scott and then over to Marie. Her eyes were full of worry, as Bobby tried to calm her, but he knew he probably wasn't helping it. Out of all the times he could have help, she wasn't going to take any sympathy from him now. The irony of their whole relationship was driving Bobby crazy, and wasn't going to allow Clark the pleasure of taking Marie away from him. Seeing he already needed help, why should he bother? Leaning back in his seat she pushed his free arm away that had fallen around her shoulders for comfort. Marie knew he still didn't like Clark, and was only going because he was apart of the X-Men.

                NightCrawler sat not too far away from them praying on his prayer beads silently, as if knowing God would help them find away to bring Clark back safely. Marie hoped it was true, and that the enemy she feared would release Clark as soon as possible, before killing him off. NightCrawler looked over at Marie with assuring smile. His bright eyes looked right into her chocolate brown eyes. They headed straight to Liberty Island.

~*~

                Magneto had everyone out of the boat as fast as he could. This time he wanted people to think these were fireworks, looking over to his right the display of fireworks were set up neatly in a row ready to be fired into the night sky. He sighed seeing only a few guards standing around getting the show up and ready. Turning back to Mystique, he allowed her to go ahead and take care of the men. Watching the others slowly follow him to the statue they allowed Magneto to rise the machine up into the torch.

                Marsh looked over at Clark and watched his every move. The kid was totally in coherent of what was about to happen to him. After Desiree had kissed him the idiotic fool had allow himself to indulge his feelings openly with her. He was just enjoying all his evil grins, flirt moves, and his sly cool attitude. He laughed a little as he approached them; "So, you ready to show some real fireworks hey Clark?" Marsh asked him. Clark eyed him coldly as if knowing something under his skin that he didn't want him to know.  Hearing Magneto calling him, Clark moved away from Marsh and Desiree without a word. Desiree folded her arms in disgust seeing how well he ignored him; "How come he doesn't act on what he knows is right?" Desiree asked Marsh hoping with all her hear it was her.

                                "Maybe it's that flaw you have against his. He wants someone as powerful as him alone." Marsh pointed out. Desiree hit him hard in the shoulder.

                                "What, like I can't be as powerful as him?" She asked tightly. Marsh laughed; "I think not." He paused; "I saw this one girl back at the school, and she had power, power equal to him." Marsh started to exclaim. Desiree wasn't enjoying how this conversation was going to end; "Well we are just going to have to change that. Aren't we?" She asked him, and followed the others inside the building. Marsh shook his head knowing all too well that the lady would never get her wish.

                The tall statue stood tall and bright for the event that had yet to come, the X-Men moved fast through the night sky approaching the island fast. Seeing the docking bay up ahead Scott slowed down the engine and grabbed the com link. He had seen Logan not far below and had to get his attention for what was about to come, they knew the machine didn't effect them, but it could if it had meteor rocks in it. Only hearing static from the phone Scott lowered the jet so Logan could see it.

                Logan grumbled seeing that Scott was trying so hard to get his attention. Even Ororo was, and that surprised him. This was his doing, and he had to make it right. After promising Marie he'd take care of Clark he now felt guilty and had to fight to get him back alone. Watching the Blackbird land off to his right over the water he saw Marie step out of the jet and hurry over to him on the docks. Logan jumped back on the bike ready to take off again. Before he could Marie was already at his side; "Logan, please don't do this." She pleaded with him.

                                "What!" Logan asked her annoyed.

                                "We need you. Come with us to get Clark." Marie cried out. Logan wasn't listening. Instead a fresh sent of something he was all too familiar with came to his nostrils. Marie stopped before she fought with him and looked at where he was looking at. Seeing the darkness of the skylines off to their right an unfamiliar red, blue and white costume flew through the tops of the buildings. As they waited, Spider-Man landed next to them and waited for the uncomfortable silence to drift away before anyone could speak a word of condolence.

~*~

                Clark's heart started to beat wildly again, as he stepped onto the machine. Looking back at Magneto he now saw the man for what he truly was. Feeling the handcuffs close around his wrist he felt his body slowly come to from the kiss that Desiree had given him. He watched Magneto turn to Mystique as she turned back into her formal self. Seeing the five guards that where in charge of the fireworks that evening were now dead on the ground of the island; "This won't bother you a bit." Marsh lied. He could see Clark's fear in his eyes, and was enjoying it.

                                "Just think of this as a large magnetic machine." Magneto started to explain how it worked. Clark began to struggle in the machine feeling his strength coming back. Before he had a chance to break the handcuffs he felt sickness over well him once more. Ian stepped forward with the kryptonite that they had earlier that afternoon. The green rock glowed brightly as it painfully drained his powers away once more. Now he wished Desiree never kissed him. He would have been off of that island way before this, free from his enemies.

                                "Once the magnetic field flows over you, your strength will go with it. Causing both of us to share each others powers for a short time;" Magneto started to explain. Clark didn't like the sound of Magneto having his powers. Ian slowly placed the rock right on top of one of the openings where a light bulb would have been.

                                "Please don't do this." Clark pleaded feeling helpless once more. Magneto didn't answer to his plea as he stood next to him. Turning back to Mystique and the others he ordered them to be ready; "The X-Men should be here soon. I have no dought in my mind that Charles fears the world is no longer safe. Be ready for anything." Magneto added, as Ian, and Marsh headed back down to the bottom. 

~*~

                Ash, Parish, Delfina, Taben, Tiren, and Kodi all made their way to the small group of people that had gathered not far from the docks for the big event of the evening. Tiren hurried over to Ash's side with his hands full of popcorn, pop and candy. Smiling brightly she took some items away from him so he wasn't holding everything; "So are you ready?" Tiren asked her. Ash nodded her excited eyes glittering in the moon light.

                                "I'm just glad the weather man didn't predict rain." Kodi announced loudly as he pulled a small bomb box out from the car. Taben gathered the blankets and anything else the other two had forgotten from the car; "Do you think it will be as big as it was last year?" Taben asked them. All of them turned to look at him; "When has it not." Parish added sharply.

                                "I'm just saying I've seen better, and I hope this year will be the bomb." Taben stated as they all sat down, now turning their attention back to the island that was unknowingly being taken over by mutants.

~*~

                Helen watched the limo move fast down main street, and noticed that Lionel was now slowly down not far from the docks. She wondered what he had planned now, or what his men had said to him. Turning up her radio she listened intently to the rock music that began to play abruptly through the speakers of her automobile. Her new automobile had been bought shortly after she was in charge of LuthorCorp. She enjoyed it, and felt the need to break it in even more as she felt the automobile speed up as her foot pushed harder on the petal.

                Within the next five minutes the limo jerked to a halt next to a small boat by the docks. She watched the men move fast to get aboard. She did notice a few walkie talkies and other toys the men carried with them. She wondered what Lionel had planned, and enjoyed the drama come to life before her.

~*~

                Spider-Man didn't want the uncomfortable silence to dwindle any further; "I'm here to help." He started to explain. Logan smirked at him; "Sure you are." He said flatly. Marie could tell the tension was rising; "Please work together this time. He needs our help now." Marie pointed out seeing the amount of the time they were wasting. Grumbling to himself Logan followed Marie back to the jet along with Spider-Man. Peter could tell the man was annoyed with the fact he had to be there. Slowly entering the jet he saw everyone turn their heads with their eyes widen in shock to see both of them sit in silence.

                                "Alright, let's go." Ororo told them. Scott didn't argue and was and took off following the order. Moving over the water Scott turned his attention to Ororo; "A little cover please." Scott said nicely as Ororo's eyes turned snowy white. Everyone watched the weather slowly change from clear to cloudily. A soft fog followed along with a little thunder. She thought this time Magneto wouldn't turn on the machine if there was a storm front moving in.

~*~

                Looking over the torch railing he saw the clouds form in around the island. He smiled seeing the X-Men were on their way as planned; "Everyone to your stations." Magneto called down below. Within about five minutes everyone was now in their spots ready for anything.

                The X-Men slowly crept up the ground, and moved up to the statue. Moving cautiously, Logan could smell all of them all ready. The farm dust from Clark, the strong perfume from Desiree, the hairspray from Ian, the casts on Justin's hands, the business suit Paul was wearing instead of junky clothes. Logan had to laugh at that, seeing a man fight in nothing but a business suit, and the sent of gym stench from Marsh.

                                "They are all around us." Logan added the warning strongly as they moved in closer, "Keep your eyes open." He added and went off to his left over by the entry of the statue. Ororo slowly entered first as she whipped some missed from her leather outfit off of her, as she looked around the items the inline the room. The small room was cluttered in everything relating back to the ninety hundreds or earlier and you could hear the speakers above them play American music for the night. She remembered the last time they were there, and she took this time to allow her other senses to come forward, but new Logan's was much sharper than hers. Sighing heavily she turned seeing Marie and Bobby following behind her. Both of them were uneasy about the room. Seeing the elevator near the other side of the room they headed that way to the stairs; "They've got to be in the torch." Bobby said as the silence suddenly turned into a blast of rock music from the speakers. Everyone around Ororo covered their ears as the music played. Bobby turned his attention back to the main entry way to see if anyone was there. There wasn't, but the door shut fast. Running over to it he pounded hard against it; "Scott!" He called out. Ororo turned to see the elevators closer and the stair way locks were hard. Magneto was making sure this time none of them would reach the top.

                                "Logan!" Marie shouted.

                Logan heard the loud pop music blaring from the speakers of the building. Spider-Man ran back over to him as he watched the man rush over to the doors; "Marie!" Logan growled angrily. Shaping his hands into fits the sharp painful claws swished outward from in-between his knuckles; "Stand back!" Logan warned them. Bobby and Marie stepped back so the man would be able to penetrate through the metal door. Scott had heard the shouts of help and started to hurry back over to the front of the building. Right as he was about to, three Ian's stepped around him. Swallowing hard Scott made him self ready for anything.

                                "Have a little fun." Ian played; "It's Independence Day." He reminded Scott, as they started to move in on him. As Ian stepped forward Scott saw Marsh over by the fireworks getting ready to blast some off, as another set of loud music came to there ears.

                The door was barely free from its hinges, as Logan forced his claws back inside the metal door to pry it free. NightCrawler finally transported by his side as he watched he man break it down; "Well." Logan growled at him. NightCrawler was all too familiar with his orders when Scott wasn't around as he concentrated and vanished before their eyes. Hearing the popping noise Bobby, Marie and Ororo turned around as they saw NightCrawler approach them; "One at a time." He said to them.

                Clark struggled in the machine to break free, but nothing was happening. Watching Magneto walk back up to him he felt his stomach turn uncomfortably once again. A soft glow started to form right above him, along with about five or more fireworks flew over head. The white glow turned suddenly green holding him inside the magnetic field Clark felt his body bubble and ripple with pain he had never dreamed. His heart was thumping in his chest faster than it normally did, and his eyes were now red from the amount of blood flowing fast through his body to keep up the kryptonite that coursed through his skin. Slowly looking down at Magneto he watched the man stand slightly, as his power went into his body. Clark grimaced at the man but as the magnetic field filled the entire torch he fell to his knees, unable to take the presser.

                Spider-Man watched as the torch blew apart, and saw the X-Men surrounded by the others, he had no other choice but to swing up there and free Clark. He knew Logan wanted to do it, but the man already had his hands full. NightCrawler would be the only other person he could have as back up. Walking over to him Spider-Man cleared his throat; "NightCrawler, could you get Clark after I free him?" Spider-Man asked. NightCrawler looked at him wondering what his plan was. Looking up he watched the soft green glow entrap them all on the Liberty Island, as it started to float toward land; "Yes." NightCrawler hissed quietly. Spider-Man was thankful the man didn't argue with him as much as Logen did. Turning around he saw Logan tangled up with the three Ian's, and Marie and Bobby had their hands full with Justin, while the others were in their own triangle, "We may need one more person to help." Spider-Man told him. NightCrawler looked confused at first, but then realized whom they needed, "Try and pry him away from Marsh." Spider-Man said to him, seeing the three Ian's also gathering in a circle around Logan and Scott.

                The magnetic field flowed fast over the water, as the people on the other side watching the fireworks at hand thought it was part of the show. Everyone stood up wondering what this soft green stuff was. Ash, Perish, Taben, Delfina, Tiren, and Kodi all watched as the green light came at them. Now scared they all ran for the car. Tiren grabbed Ash, as he pushed her into the car. Right before he did the green glow covered their body's right as he opened the car door.

                Helen got out of her car and ran over to the boat where Lionel was with his men. She didn't care what this green glow was, but all she knew was that it was probably something Lionel had planned a long. She grabbed for her gun and hurried to the boat in hopes to get rid of Lionel once of all.

                Lionel stood on the edged of the boat as he watched the fireworks and the soft green glow cover his body. He knew right away what the green stuff was and became worried all of a sudden. The illogical idea of it possibly happening to him was inconceivable. Him, having a power at all from being entrapped by this stuff wasn't going to happen. His son would use that against him at all cost. Running up to the driver of the boat he ordered the man to move faster. He just prayed silently the magnetic field would end soon, or New York City would have a deadly wake up call by morning.

                NightCrawler popped into view in the middle with Scott and Logan. Scott looked at him confused at first until he pointed up at the torch. Clark was already on the floor of the machine. Barely hanging on to it, the handcuffs were the only things holding him into place. Magneto stood there glaring down at them, as if he were pleased with his new found powers. Scott wasn't about ready to allow that man the pleasure or attributes to hold anything that belonged to Clark. Hearing a sharp swoosh sound from behind him he saw all four of there appoints fall before them allowing them room to run to the building. Finally reaching Spider-Man, Scott waited for him to say something; "I need you to blast it" Spider-Man told him.

                                "I can't. The rings are moving to fast." Scott pointed out remembering how hard it was the last to aim at it. They all turned to see Clark's head sway to the side and look down at them. Scott couldn't believe the kid was still alive. If that was so then his powers were slowly returning to him, and Magneto was still weak with out any.

                Clark's head jerked upward as he heard the unfamiliar sound of the key calling for help. His eyes widen in shock wondering how it could even be calling him. Looking out onto the waters below him, he saw three boats coming to the island. The last one that stood farthest away held up a green octagon shaped key. Shaking his head from the extra pain it was causing him he crouched over his knees. He saw the men in the boats, and he didn't want to know who they were, or how they had found about him. He just wanted all this pain to end. He was now hearing his mother's calls in his head calling him to come home. Clark couldn't, and wouldn't. That was also sorrow he didn't want to dread on.

                Scott looked up at the machine and tried to aim as best he could; "I think I have a shot." He told them. Before he took any aim Spider-Man jumped onto the statue and got ready to swing up to the top as soon as Scott made his move. Logen turned to see the amount of trouble Ororo and the others were in, so he took this time to leave Scott to help. More fireworks filled the night sky as the people ran for cover in the docking bay area as the green glow slowly began to fade. Scott had taken his shot, as the machine blasted into millions of pieces. Everyone stood still for what seemed to be a century, as they heard sirens in the background. Watching Spider-Man, Logan just prayed the kid was okay.

                As Spider-Man landed up on the torch he knelt down by Clark's lifeless body. Placing his fingers on his neck he felt for a pulse, and found a very small amount of one. Looking out to the waters, he saw Dr. Conners holding out a green octagon shaped key. Breathing softly he picked Clark up in his arms, and slung him over his shoulders. The body was now weightless to him, and felt the kid slightly move from the uncomfortable position. Looking down he saw Magneto on the floor of the torch past out. He was breathing more than Clark, but the amount of the magnetic field that he had shard with Clark had taken his toll. After taking another breath of air, Spider-Man allowed his web to attach to the boat that Dr. Conners was on. Seeing the X-Men in the corner of his eye, he knew they'd be upset at him for doing this, but the doctor had told him earlier that the kid was theirs. So he was only following rules, and took off for the boat.

End of Chapter Sixteen…

Authors Notes: Thank you for the amount of time I needed to finish this chapter, I'm hoping to have chapter seventeen done by New Years, so cross your fingers. I'm almost done with book one. Please keep the reviews coming. I know I've reposted the book, so some of my reviews at the beginning have been lost in my files. But there were twenty nine to begin with counting the twenty four and not counting emails. If I counted emails there'd be about 71 reviews. Keep them coming, probably more reviews but I've lost count…

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW ME!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR: WHAO! 2004 SMILES**

{note: If I missed any mistakes… I'll repost this chapter again with the last one… }