The flight to China was blessedly uneventful. A thunderstorm here, an airplane there, nothing he could not avoid. Using the photos, maps and his own memory, he finally found the temple and more importantly the gnarled old tree. Thrusting his hand into the ground, he grasped the statue and pulled it out.
After getting a good look at the it, he chuckled. It looked like that ugly horse statue from the Brady Bunch. His smile faded as a voice beckoned him from behind. Clark put his hands up and slowly turned. The person attached to the voice was a very young and a very nervous guard stationed at the temple. Regardless, he held his weapon with a steady hand and aimed straight at Clark's chest. He motioned for Clark to put the statue down.
Clark smirked and quipped, "I come in peace?"
The young man looked puzzled. "What?"
Slowly Clark lowered his hands. "Oh good, you speak English. I don't mean any harm. I've got to return this to its rightful owner." Clark bent his knees and rocketed into the air leaving the guard, holding a gun aimed at empty space.
After Clark had flown far enough away, he paused in midair, placed the statue into the bag and resumed his course. This flying thing was definitely more exhilarating than running, but it was unnerving. No one should be able to defy gravity like this.
As he contemplated the usefulness and sheer implausibility of this gift, something went whizzing by his ear. Another something slammed into the back of his head. Losing his concentration, he plummeted a couple hundred feet before regaining control.
"What the hell?" Clark looked over his shoulder. "Jets? OK note to self, radar."
Clark went into a dive and then did a ninety degree turn. He had to be careful. He would not hurt the pilots but he was not going to let them stop him either. He would just outrun them.
"OK let's see how fast I can go."
Clark searched inside himself. He grasped at any reserves he had left and flew. Directing his flight path low, he hoped to leave the jets behind and remain off anyone else radar. After fifteen minutes the jets were gone along with their bullets. He wondered how they were going to explain a flying teenager. The video they shot also crossed his mind. Well he would let his doppelganger worry about that. He slowed down and got his bearings. Another hour and he was home or at least as close as he would come in this world.
Touching down, he stumbled and dropped to one knee. He heard footsteps running up to him.
"Are you OK?"
Clark looked up at one of the kids working with Pete.
"Dashel right? No, I don't think I am." It puzzled him. It did not feel like Kryptonite, just normal fatigue. His muscles were aching and his head was throbbing slightly.
"I think we had better find Pete," Dashel stated with concern.
"I think your right," Clark concluded.
Dashel helped Clark up and they walked inside the hanger.
"Pete! Pete!" Dashel shouted. "Pete! Clark's back and he needs help!"
Pete came out of his office followed by both Chloes, Lana and Lex. Clark unceremoniously sat down on the floor. He was starting to feel better but sitting felt really good. A bed, even his floor palette, would feel better. He pulled the bag off his back and placed it in front of him.
"Got it…no real problems, just a little aerial combat. Nothing too exciting though."
Chloe looked at him, "Are those bullet holes?" She walked over and fingered a charred hole in his shirt.
"Well yeah, didn't I say aerial combat?"
Pete interrupted, "Are you feeling OK Clark?"
"I'm feeling better now, just tired. Of course, that by itself is strange."
Pete closed his eyes and sighed.
"You didn't tell them the downside of traveling into an alternate universe- did you Pete?" asked Lex as he sauntered forward.
Pete glared at Lex.
"Pete?" Clark and Chloe asked in unison.
Pete smiled weakly, "I didn't think…I didn't want to worry you."
"Pete!"
Lex interjected, "Apparently each universe has its own energy signature and they are not all compatible."
"Meaning…" Clark prompted, still feeling better by the minute.
"Your bodies will start to break down. Your molecules will not be able to hold cohesion in this reality." Lex finished with his hands fluttering away from each other.
"Basically, you'll come unglued." Pete said quietly.
"And you thought that we shouldn't know about this? You really should have said something!" Chloe vehemently replied.
"I thought you would be able to help and leave before being affected," Pete explained. "I'm sorry. I screwed up."
"Well yeah!" Chloe yelled.
"How long before we have to go back?" Clark asked.
"A traveler usually doesn't feel the effects until 4 or5 days. If you are feeling the effects already then we may have less time," Lex answered.
Clark looked directly at Chloe, "Are you still having headaches?"
"Yes and the Tylenol aren't helping."
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A/N: Glad your liking the maturing Clark. I think this last season forgot that and got sidetracked. Oh well. Once again please feel free to review.