Smallville

The Evil Legend

Chapter Four - Crucial

Note to reader: I'm not really sure what hotels they have in GothamCity, so this is one I just made up. Thanks for reader, and here's another long chapter. Sorry for the wait… Hope you enjoy…

The dark gothic streets left Mystique bewildered. She had never before set foot in Gotham City, and by the colors, textures, and style she already loved its gothic scenery. The weather was not at its best, as sheets of rain fell like cats and dogs onto her new outfit Helen had offered to buy for her. She wanted her to look presentable in front of one of the world's richest men alive, and Helen wasn't going to allow her to screw it up, Mystique had no intentions of screwing anything but to allow Bruce Wayne see her as anything other than Chloe Sullivan. She had done her homework on the man, and knew from the get go he was wildly loved by the citizens of Gotham. The man was brilliant and had done his homework while growing up on his own in the treasures and misdemeanor that was Gotham. Seeing he didn't have any wife or kids this made situation even more eventful. The car she had borrowed from Luthor manor was stripped of its owner, and handed over to her within the day. She still had to get in touch with the man to see when he was open to have a moral conversation and not worry about business. Grinning slightly she headed to the hotel Helen had set her up with. It was actually half way decent considering the high rates guests had to pay when checking in.

The Daria was closer to home, as she allowed her hood on her coat to fall to the ground. She didn't mind rain, just not a lot of cold weather. Slowly stepping out of the car she grabbed her belongings and headed for the door. A doorman stood there awaiting her and helped her inside from the rain. She smiled pleasantly at the man as she handed him her keys to the car. The man quickly took them knowing what to do; "Welcome Miss." He acknowledged as he went back out into the rain.

The entranceway had a classy kind of charm, like something out of a fairy tale actually with a certain kind of darkness to it. A chandelier hung in the entry way illuminating the room. Tall dark windows circled the room into a dome like shape that stopped by the elevators. Green carpet started halfway into the room, while tile flooring covered the rest in a reddish gold color. Walking closer to the round desk that enveloped the end of the room in between the elevators she headed forward.

A man smiled seeing the young lady approaching him. Her manifestation told him she was the city type the way she exuded confidence, and carried her items. Her red outfit went along with the structure of the building as her blond hair had been dyed at the tips making her look slightly Goth, dark red lipstick colored her lips along with dark eye liner and a bit of light purple eye make up to blend in with the lipstick, and just a touch of pink blush brushed her wet cheeks.

Mystique saw the man checking her out, so she just went along with it. Feeling her feet carry her all the way to the desk she smiled once again straight at him and as she did she saw him turn a little pinkish under his skin out of nervousness that over came him; "Hello Miss, how may we help you today at The Daria?" The man said shyly. Mystique could tell the man hadn't had a lot of dates the way he was addressing her.

"I made reservations to stay here a while back. You should be able to find my name in your computer as Miss Sullivan." Mystique answered him in a sensual tone of voice, as she leaned slightly over the desk allowing her arm to just barely go over the counter. She watched as the man cleared his throat and checked the names in the computer. Finally seeing her name come up he smiled and turned his back to hers to find the keys to the room. Before he did he noticed right by her key there was a note labeled: To Ms. Sullivan; with the logo of Wayne Enterprises just below in the corner. Mystique smiled as she took a hold of the note that was attached to her room. Slowly opening it she read:

Dear Miss Sullivan,

I hope your trip to GothamCity was exhilarating, and that the hotel management has assisted you in everything that you need. I do have a meeting this afternoon, but tomorrow morning would be a wonderful time to chat. How about the Rose Café, I've only been there a couple of times and their food is implausible. I'll meet you there at noon. If you have other plans please call me. It will be a pleasure to meet you. Lex Luthor has told me good things about you. I'll be looking forward to our little outing.

Yours Truly,

Bruce Wayne…

(My number to reach me: 1-460-228-6260)

Mystique read the note over and over again trying to decipher the meaning of yours truly. She hadn't realized Lex had spoken highly on Chloe Sullivan. Well this outing was going to be more fun that she had realized. Setting the note down on the dresser by the television she started to take in everything the hotel management had to offer, and slipped into the bathroom.


Carrie Castle had just talked with Dr. Conners at the plant that Lionel had the man working in, he had told her the last time he had heard from Peter Parker was in Metropolis; and he was meeting some friends there. She tried to get the names of the people the young man was going to visit, but Dr. Conners had no idea; and wasn't really concerned about it. Only he was worried about Peter, and that Lionel may have been upset or worried on his behalf that the young man left with a lucid explanation. Making her way through Metropolis International Airport She headed outside to catch a taxi.

Peter found it easy to follow them through the cities skyscrapers as he came upon a small neighborhood near by. The housing was nice, much nicer than where his Aunt May lives in Queens. Just thinking about Aunt May made him wonder what she was doing at this moment. She was always worried about where he always went, and she hated his motorbike that he drove around in. He couldn't help the fact that he didn't have money for a real car in New York. Sure if everyone gave him money from the left over sales of the Daily Bugle stories of Spider-Man, he'd be an affluent man by now. He watched as the girls walked up to the house, and were let inside by a younger man about in his thirties early forties. Jumping over to the house next door near by the in through the opened window and watched the girls below.

Lana helped Chloe and Marie with their things up to the guestroom. Lana couldn't get over how pretty Marie was, and how quiet she had been since their influx. Trying to find a way to make conversation with her she cleared her throat; "So, Marie; where do you live in New York?" Lana asked. Marie wasn't even paying attention as she reached the bedroom door. Lana went to reach out and touch her shoulder, but before she could Marie had already moved on the other side of Chloe. Chloe smiled; "She's just a little shy Lana. Give her some time." Chloe told her.

"Here let me help you." Chloe told Marie as she grabbed another suitcase. Peter knew why Marie was so afraid to have Lana touch her, and had every good reason too. He hoped that girls wouldn't start telling Lana about all that was going on in New York. As he looked in the window he saw Chloe for the first time. She was very pretty from what they had told him. Her brown eyes searched the room, and he saw her reach up to fluff her hair for a minute before answering her cell phone. Every once in a while he just wished he could actually hear what was going on during the phone calls. Grumbling Peter swung over to Lana's house and hung down over the window just a few inches to hear what was going on. Seeing that the window was about couple inches opened.

"Mr. Luthor;" Chloe mumbled quietly as she shut the door to the bedroom. She hated the man's irrational timing. As she sat on the bed near the window, she didn't even notice the two sets of eyes peering inside the window.

Peter adored what was happening, not only could he actually hear what was going on, the young reporter had no idea he was on the over hang. This gave him plenty ear room to hear. Clearing his throat he listened intently.

"Miss Sullivan." Lionel said a little agitated from all the on going work back at the building. He had been up all night with the scientist to make a diplopic of the key to fit into the ice cube that Clark was in. He had to transfer more meteor rocks into the building to melt down and use; "So far nothing out of the ordinary at that school." Chloe told him. She could tell the man knew she was lying; "Your meaning to inform me that everyone at that school has no abnormal powers or abilities?" Mr. Luthor asked her unsympathetically. Chloe knew the man wasn't going to let it down. Slowly getting up from her seat she looked out the bedroom door and shut it just a little bit and sat back down on the bed.

"Actually no more abnormal than Clark Kent;" Chloe snapped back at him unpleased about how their partnership was heading.

"Are you threatening me Miss Sullivan?" Mr. Luthor asked her in a malevolent tone.

Chloe smiled on the other end and started to respond when she heard steps on the stairway heading her way. She didn't want Lana or Marie to know her correlation to Lionel Luthor. Griping the phone by her ear she stood up right by the window; "Mr. Luthor. I'll give you information as soon as I can." Chloe told him assuringly.

"Just make sure its sooner rather than later. I don't want your friend with Clark Kent to take a sudden turn in sagaciously that will make him distrust you." Lionel told her severely.

"Mr. Luthor, our conversation is over." Chloe told him harshly. She then clicked the cell phone and lowered her head into her hands. This whole thing was getting out of hand. What she didn't want was for Lionel to hurt Clark in any way. After what she found out from the X-Men someone had him, and he may have him right this moment. Hearing the door open to the bedroom she turned to see Marie looking at her oddly as if she no longer trusted her; "Who were you talking to?" Marie asked her.

"No one in particular;" Chloe lied, and hated lying to a new friend. As she got up she looked out the window to see something flash in the corner of her eyes. Watching more closely she saw the red and blue uniform cross over to the other side of the house; "Spider-Man!" Chloe gasped very surprised to see him here in Metropolis.

"What's he doing here?" Marie asked her as they both were now looking out the window.

"I don't know;" She paused and smirked out the window seeing him watching them on the roof of the next door neighbor's home; "Come on lets catch him." Chloe told her, as she started to run out the door with her camera.

Peter was in a hurry himself. After hearing the conversation of Chloe and Lionel made him wonder if he could even trust her, and how much of a friend she was to Clark. Seeing the front door of the house come open, he saw Chloe and Marie rush to the other house. Looking around he jumped back over to the other side of the roof where Lana lived. He just barely made it as his hand gripped the side of the roof. Without watching from down below and before his spider scenes could kick into high gear, he felt a rock hit his hand. Just as the rock that Chloe threw hit his hand his spider senses went wild making him lose control and he fell to the ground, hitting the garbage barrel.

Chloe stood over the knocked out Spider-Man seeing that he was knocked out from the fast movement he just displayed, she reached down to pick him up. Marie wasn't really walking very close to him and Chloe understood as she tried lifting the young man over her shoulder. A thought suddenly crossed her mind knowing of Marie's aptitude and seeing no Lana in site just yet she turned to face her; "Touch him." Chloe whispered. Marie backed away even more; "No! Are you insane;" Marie said loudly.

"I maybe insane, but if we want to find out why he's here then you have to knock him out even harder." Chloe pointed out; "Now come on, and just for a second that will only be enough to get him into the house without escaping." Chloe told her. Marie grumbled. She really didn't want to do this even for the fact she could uncover the mystery that was Spider-Man.

As she walked close to the man she reached out and touched him. Peter thought his insides were going numb as something connected to his mind, and the feeling of his powers being ripped from his very soul. He knew right then and there who was doing it. And suddenly fear leaped inside him of an unconscious thoughts; 'They want to keep me here.' Trying to regain control he felt Rogue's grip harden on his arm. Before he slipped farther into unconsciousness he saw flashes of his life release in his mind; 'Oh God is she reading my thoughts?' Peter's heart started to beat slower and slower as he slipped slowly out of Chloe's hold and collapsed onto the ground out cold.

"Well that should do it." Chloe told her and patted her on the shoulder; "Don't worry. If he has as many super powers as you do he's going to pull through." Chloe told her assuringly.

"Lana!" Chloe yelled at the top of her lunges; "Lana hurry I need your help!" Chloe shouted watching the back door of the house swing open, as Henry and Lana stepped outside; "Oh God;" Henry gasped at the site before him completely dump founded that the man he had heard about was now laying in front of him; "What happened out here?" Henry asked wondering what Spider-Man was doing here in the first place.

"He was spying on us." Chloe began as Lana stepped on the other side of him. She was speechless seeing how small he was, but had the muscle to pull off everything that he has done; "Let's bring him inside." Lana said; "How did you guys knock him out anyways?" She asked wondering.

"Well he, uh fell and hit his head on the garbage can near the back of your house along with that fence." Chloe covered up Marie's help. Which Marie was grateful, as she held the door open for him allowing enough room for her and them not to touch? Lana noticed it again and looked at Chloe; "Come on hurry he's getting heavy." Chloe said as she winced holding him up more. Henry moved over to a small room next to the downstairs bathroom; "Here put him in here for now." Henry told them.

The room was smaller than the guestroom but Chloe noticed the lock on it as well, and was grateful for that. They would probably have to use it depending on how long he'd be out; "Okay set him down." Chloe told her as Lana laid him down on the bed. She saw him breathing shallow and steady, so she knew he was still alive for now.

"So now what are you we going to do;" Lana asked. Chloe rubbed her forehead; "I'm not sure; but the thing we have left to do is unmask him." Chloe pointed out looking at the Web-crawler. She had been thinking about what he looked like ever since she had read about him while in New York. She already knew he was young by his voice, and it sounded sexy to her from the deep quality it held. Lana stepped in front of her; "Are you crazy!" Lana yelled; "Unmask him!" She shouted now upset.

"Henry please utter at least some sense into her. We need to respect his secret by not unmasking him." She told them angry that she was only one standing up on this matter.

"She is right though." Henry felt his lawyer gumption kick in; "Even if we take it off, we can always keep his secret and not tell anyone." Henry added as an uplifting note. Lana shook her head; "I can't believe you people." She got up about ready to leave the room; "If I were a superhero I'd be irate to call you a friend if it were me." Lana grumbled seeing she couldn't do anything else to convince anyone not to do what they were thinking of doing. Henry leaned over Chloe as she was about to do what she had planned all along once they took him inside. Reaching up to grab his mask, she saw Lana standing in the doorway with her hands folded and a worried looked on Marie's face as if she already knew who it was; "Okay here goes nothing." Chloe announced. As she pulled it off she gasped in surprised to see an ordinary young man lying beside her. The face was round, yet a little oval and the hair was a little bit lighter than Clark's. She wondered if his eyes were blue or brown. She looked over at Lana as she watched her move in closer to examine him.

"Wow, he looks like an average young man." Lana said forgetting about quietness of the room.

"God he's cute;" Chloe blurted out. She covered her mouth realizing she just said that out loud; "God, did I just say that?" Chloe asked. Lana and Marie started to laugh at her; "Yes you did." Marie added.

"Who is he?" Lana asked checking him out herself, still feeling guilty about taking off his mask, but now she agreed with Chloe she couldn't take her eyes off of him.

"His name is Peter Parker." Marie announced. All three of them turned to look at her; "Hey, I read newspapers, he help's take photographs at The Daily Bugle." She added. Chloe shrugged her shoulders; "A photographer." She smiled; "Now I know why I like him;" She paused; "He works with reporters."

"Bad combo I think." Lana stated.

"Why don't you ladies clean up, and I'll get dinner started." Henry said to them as he handed Chloe the key to the room; "You can keep watch." Henry told her. Chloe didn't' mind that. All she could think about was what color eyes he had, and what his voice sounded like.


Bruce sat at the Rose Café. It was a small restaurant that was on the far side of town. He liked the place, but tried not to venture out to it that much. Most of the time he had to leave during his dinner or leave a large tip for the waitress, glancing up a few times he looked over the multitude in the waiting room to be seated. He still hadn't seen Miss Sullivan at all and looking at his watch he knew she was running late; "Sorry I missed my ride." Miss Sullivan said softly. Bruce looked over his menu and saw the young lady stand there with a smile. Clearing his throat he stood up and moved quickly to help her in her seat; "Miss Sullivan, it's a pleasure to finally make you're acquiesce." Bruce acknowledged her.

"As yours;" Mystique thought her heart was skipping a beat or two off as she sat down. Normally she always went for a bad boy, but this generally sexy young man was very hot. His voice quivered her to the bone, and she suddenly made a metal note that she'd love to make out with this man. His strong jaw bone almost like Clark's stood high in the air. His dark hair the same shade, though his blue eyes stood out the most. Clark had the hazel eyes, though Bruce's muscle structure couldn't with stand his. Bruce had a strong quality, and she sensed something different about him. His quick movements across the table as he grabbed a napkin, the sharp eye contact that left her speechless enough to forget what she was about to say. Finally getting herself together, Mystique took the menu the waitress suddenly placed in front of her; "Thank you." She replied quickly and watched the waitress leave them in a small room of the Rose Café.

"So, I hope you find their food to die for." Bruce said with a smile.

"I see a very good sort of food here on the menu Mr. Wayne." Mystique said nervously as she found the side orders.

"Please call me Bruce." Bruce added as he took a drink of water.

"Very well Bruce." Mystique heard her say it in Chloe's voice. She sounded childish, but she just prayed it would without depiction the intention of the real meaning on why they were there.

"I've read your work at The Torch. Very exemplary, and you have a lot of zeal." Bruce added as he watched her fumble with the menu.

"Mr. Luthor shares the same kind of enthusiasm as you do Bruce." She smiled and sat the menu down; "Though most of my friends tend to call my work a gossip call instead of intriguing works of art, rather than relativism and resourcefulness." Mystique hoped she was sounding like a reporter.

"Mr. Luthor is a man who shows little or no significance for human ethics." Bruce said dryly. Deep down Bruce hated Lionel, and didn't share any kind of hold hearty goodness toward the man.

"You don't care for him much?" Mystique asked. Now she wondering how this man could ever be friends with Lex, and hate his father.

"He absorbs some of his extra time on useless things rather than helping people;" Bruce plainly put; "And, he never sharers the same quality of inattention to himself or his own son." Bruce added. Mystique was suddenly enjoying the conversation; "So you think he killed his own son?" Chloe asked him.

"I'd like to, but he'd never do it deliberately." Bruce answered as the waitress finally came back and they both made their orders. As she left he continued; "Lionel would only try to kill his son if he was threatened in some way." Bruce added.

"Did you go searching for Lex after his disappearance?" Mystique found herself asking the question so fast she though she noticed him smirk a little at her.

"Of course;" Bruce answered; "Though we didn't find anything useful as in to find out that it was accident or something else." Bruce answered as truthfully as he could.

Mystique saw him move in his seat a little as if uncomfortable with the question; "Though I do know his wife lived. She's only contacted me a few times to see I knew where her husband was." Bruce finished as quickly as possible; "Miss Sullivan. I thought you were here to discuss my new business proposal on cloning development with Mr. Luthor?" Bruce asked her. Mystique suddenly quickly looked away from the table and saw the waitress bringing their food; "The food is here." She broke the conversation so fast Bruce couldn't re-ask the question. As the waitress sat both food platters of food down on the table she smiled and left shutting the door behind her. More people were in the open sitting room laughing and enjoying their meal. Mystique suddenly felt helpless not knowing how to answer his question. Looking at her platter she suddenly lost her appetite for food.

"Bruce." She paused; "Would it be alright to get together another time. I have a dead line with Mr. Luthor to make, and I know how our tight schedule can be." Mystique said slowly looking into his eyes.

Bruce wasn't getting the catch, and knew right away there was more to this woman than meets the eye; "Sure. I do have another meeting at two anyways." Bruce said looking at his watch.

"Good. How about somewhere more private to talk about your agreement with LuthorCorp;" Mystique asked him. Bruce took a few bites of his food knowing how Alfred felt about him not eating anything and allowing it to grow cold; "Tomorrow night would be good." Bruce placed the appointment in so fast Mystique didn't understand who these billionaires did business without checking twice; "Sounds good." Mystique agreed on the terms; "I'll see you tomorrow then at what time?" She asked knowing she'd need more time to look into what his agreement was with Lionel.

"Nine o'clock." Bruce replied; "Great." She answered; "It was nice meeting you Bruce." Mystique told him honestly.

"You as well, I'll be looking forward into having another meeting." Bruce said to her with a smile as he got up and helped her out of her chair. Mystique slightly felt his hand brush the side of her pocket. She moved quickly out of his way and grabbed her purse so fast he didn't have time to hand it to her; "See you tomorrow." Mystique assured him as she blushed slightly at the man. Bruce smiled back; "Yes." He just said simply as he watched her walk out fast, seeing that afternoon slowly drift into the evening. Looking at his watch he sat the money on the table and told the waitress to keep the change. The waitress was astonished to see a hundred dollar bill waiting for her on the table; "Thank you Mr. Wayne." She said shyly. As she watched him leave the restaurant without taking the left over meal that sat still steaming on the table.


Dr. Conners lowered the meteor rock into the metal Mr. Luthor had sent that afternoon to melt down and reform into the key. He felt his body tingle as he touched the meteor rock. He had heard stories about it giving young high school students getting special powers. Looking at his arm he shook his head thinking it would never work, but then again what would it hurt not to try it out. He had checked the rock under a microscope and the molecular structure moved so fast he couldn't keep up with all the changes it made while cascaded off the light. If he mixed it with reptile DNA he might just have what he was hoping for, a new arm. Shaking the thought out of his head he took the rock out of the motel and started to shape the crystal into its form that Mr. Luthor had ordered. Seeing the partner of the symbols on the analysis he wondered what they meant. Within the next hour or so the key was finally made into the right shape, now he was adding the symbols by using a fire pointer you used for melting glass, and a sharp needle to make the symbols sharp and even. He smiled at his nicely well done work and made the phone call to Lionel to let me know that it was done and ready.


Bruce walked back and forth as Lex listened to the conversation of him and Miss Sullivan; "It sounds like she was nervous." Lex finally broke the silence. As he threw the recorder over to Bruce; "Nervous, you should have seen her Lex." Bruce started to explain; "I mean I have never met the girl until now, but you're right. I don't think she was there to talk about your father's sudden obsession of cloning." Bruce pointed out.

"I know you already have someone helping him out somewhere in Metropolis, don't you know where?" Lex asked him hoping his friend would be able to tell him, anything to prove that his father was doing illegal cloning.

"I have no idea. I've even hired spies to find out where this new building he is using, but so far nothing." Bruce told him disturb.

"Though Miss Sullivan was pretty interested on if I knew about you;" Bruce lightened the subject just a notch.

"Really;" Lex asked questionably.

"Yes, she wanted to know if I had searched for you after you disappeared." Bruce told him.

"Hmm… Well hopefully Lucas will have better luck with Helen, and maybe its one of her own helpers that is checking up." Lex pointed out. Bruce sighed; "Probably, right now I want to find out where that business is of your fathers' that's using my scientist for cloning." Bruce told him.

"Need any help?" Lex asked. Bruce turned around before leaving the room; "No, thanks." Bruce replied gratefully. Before he left the room Alfred appeared in the opened doorway; "Hey Alfred, could you help Lex get a hold of Lucas after his diminutive interlude with Mrs. Bryce?" Bruce asked him.

"Of course;" Alfred assured him; "Did you enjoy your meal sir?" Alfred asked making sure he was eating. Bruce smiled; "Yes it was very good Alfred." Bruce replied with a laugh, as he exited the room.


Carrie Castle finally reached a neighborhood that Mr. Luthor had told her Miss. Sullivan was visiting a friend in and told her that Peter Parker may have went to talk with her. She smiled knowing how well the man kept up with his own business along with everything else. She wondered silently if he slept well at night. Getting out of the taxi she paid the driver, and told him she didn't need to be picked up. The man smiled; "Good day Miss." He added before he left her on the side of the road. Looking down at the address she saw that it was Henry Small was one of the lawyers that had worked for Lionel. 'Well no wonder he knew where she'd be at.' Carrie thought to herself. As she started walking up to the house she just prayed she'd be able to sneak inside without them knowing she was there.

Peter slowly woke to darkness of a room he had no idea where he was. Stretching out of the small bed he felt a tug and noticed that his hands were tied to the bed. Grumbling he looked around. Seeing a dresser in front of him with a mirror on it his eyes widened knowing that his mask was off. In a panic he ripped the bindings off his wrists, and began to search for his mask in the room. Not seeing it anywhere in the room he went for the door. Turning the door handle he noticed it was locked; "Someone out there?" He yelled loudly trying to get someone's attention.

Chloe smiled feeling the door behind her finally stir with movement; "Finally awake aren't we Peter?" Chloe said firmly invading the prisoner's privacy. Peter let go of the door handle and stumbled backwards; "How do you know that?" He asked, but deep inside he already knew the answer; "Oh, one of my friends helped me out with the mystery." Chloe told him.

"So are you going to tell me why your following Marie and I all the way from New York, or not?" Chloe asked demandingly.


End of Chapter Four

Authors Notes: First I'd like to thank everyone who have helped me with editing making this story be what it is, and I hope all of you enjoy this chapter as much as I've enjoyed rewriting it. I actually like how it's developing slowly rather than fast. I hope that you will all have patience's for me since it will take me time to update all of my stories since I'm back with The Evil Legend…

Note to Readers: I know you will have noticed some of my interesting parings that I have going on, but I'm having fun doing it. So bare with me on how it will end up. Thanks more coming soon.

Also I will be gone on vacation during the next month. I'll be gone the 15, 16, 17, 17, 18, and 19th of August. Plus my grandma's 90th's surprise birthday is next Sunday so I'll be busy getting ready for classes, and vacation during that time so bare with me on updates….

Enjoy…

Thanks to my friends who edited this chapter… You know who you are…