Chapter 26 [Ten Minutes Earlier—Outside of the Torch]
[A/N: Arighatto's about to discover Lex's surprise. Someone's about to return after a few decades in exile.]
Clark ground his teeth. Hellfire scalded and chilled him. Muscles spasmed. He sucked air into his lungs. Small Feeling returned to Fingertips. "Chloe, I mean it! Get moving! He'll kill us both!"
"And what do you think he'll do to you? Clark, I know you think you're invincible and all! He's blocking the passage door out of here!" Chloe trembled. "What do you do now, Clark? What can we do?"
Scorn chuckled from Arighatto. "Miss Sullivan, for once, BE STILL!" His hand grabbed her by the throat. He raised her into the air. "You never understand who your betters are." Sniff ridiculed her. "Perhaps I will visit the plant next? Your father needs a reminder in parental responsibility!" He jolted her with Dark Fire.
She screamed and slumped in his grip. Eyes bulged. Hands dropped to her sides. Coupled with previous shock, Unconsciousness claimed her.
"Pathetic!" Arighatto tossed her aside like so Flotsam. He raised Kitana yet again. Glow enveloped him again. "It is time to join your ancestors!" Anticipation tasted Triumph. He started Blade on its downward descent. "My daughter is MINE, ALIEN!"
Wastebasket hit Arighatto in the back knocking his aim off just enough. Potentially Fatal Stroke missed wide left.
"I WILL KILL YOU SLOWLY FOR THAT, BOY!" Arighatto took his eyes off of Clark for Split Second only. Hiss spat at Pete. Growl grated against the younger man's ears,
"Pete! Get Chloe out of here!" Pain stabbed at Clark's side and back. Crimson glowed in Clark's eyes. Heat Beams seared Arighatto's arm and hand.
"AHH!" Arighatto dropped Kitana. He grabbed at Injured Arm and Hand. "YOU TWO!" He reached to punish Clark yet again. "You will learn…" He stopped. Nostrils flared. "What trick?"
Conditions shifted. Temperature dropped thirty degrees. Charcoal and Sulfur stank in the air. Growl stood Hairs on End. Canary Dot glowed in Shadows' Darkness. Short Breaths rasped more animal than Human.
"Clark, man! What is that?" Fear shook Pete's head. "Dude! We got to do something!"
"Pick one, Pete." Clark frowned. Joints and Limbs screamed from effort of getting to his feet.
AIN'T 'ERE TA BUG YA'LL, BOY! PR'MISED JON…A…THAN, MAR…THA AN' AUNTIE, AH'D 'TECT YA! A dark-haired man stomped from Shadows' curtain. Right Eye remained closed. Canary glowed from Open Left Eye. Emerald glowed from Scar on Right Hand.
Arighatto wheeled about. He stiffened. Outrage and Denial overwhelmed him. "YOU'RE DEAD, DUBOIS! I KILLED YOU!" He forced Kitana into First Position. "YOU WILL NOT RECLAIM MIRANDA! I…"
Disgust prompted Dubois…or what had been him…to narrow open left eye. Mouth opened. High Pitched Scream echoed off of Tile and Walls. "NA' BIG BRO, ASSHOLE! CHILD! YA KNOW THA'! DID LIE-BOY UNCA LIONEL CALL YA? WHERE'S SHE? WHERE'S MIRI-MA?"
"Clark, did you just…?" Pete swallowed hard. "That's like Miranda's secret nickname. Dang! He's that guy we…!"
"Yeah, Pete. I got that." Clark ground his teeth. He accused Mr. Luthor of being in on it too. Get Chloe and Pete out of here. Then, you can deal with that! His legs regained some feeling. He hefted Chloe in his arms although Effort nearly killed him to do so. "Grab my neck."
"Clark, you can't! You can barely stand up! You…" Pete started but never finished the sentence. Clark's arm snaked out and encircled his waist.
"Yer slippin', Ari…Snotto." The Child sniggered. "Ah stopped by Picture Place. Ah'm back!" He raised his right hand. Left Hand made yanking motion.
Arighatto floated upwards. Kitana flew from his grasp. Invisible Vice choked air off from lungs. He flew into Walls, Locker, Ceilings, Doors and across Floor itself. Hellfire elicited a final flourish. He struggled to get up.
"STAY DOWN!" Vengeance seethed through Child's mind. "WHERE'S MIRI-MA! AH'LL DO IT! AH'LL….!"
Stop! A hooded woman in emerald garb appeared from Mist Pillar. You can't kill in cold blood!
The Child spat on the tile. "AWWW! DAMMIT! Yer killin' me! JUS' DEAL W' 'IM!"
That is what I will do. She walked over to his side. You'll like this. Hold him down. She waited for him to pin Arighatto to the floor. For his crimes against our family, he will serve time. This will make it stick. She muttered words in Long Forgotten Tongues.
Arighatto struggled. Incredulity widened his eyes. "YOU ESCAPED AS WELL! INFERNAL WOMAN! HOW…?" He couldn't break the Other's Grip on his arms. Knee right in his lower back kept him right there.
You had help against us. We had help too. Finger touched Arighatto's forehead. Spell flowed into him. Let your power begone! Sisters, help me!
From Air, Chorus Chanted Spells in Various Languages….
Rainbow's Shades passed across Walls and Doors. Supernatural Static charged Air. Child grimaced but pressed Antagonist down. Arighatto screamed yet again. Spasms contorted his body.
Shade flew from Defeated Villain's back. It hovered in midair momentarily. THIS IS NOT THE END! I WILL….
"BEGONE!" She opened Portal behind it. Then, she watched Dark Entity fall into Expanse within it. Another Gesture closed said Portal again. It is done. She listened intently. The authorities are coming.
Child coughed. "COPS!" Scowl displayed his feelings in that regard. He bound Arighatto's hands with Sash. "Now jus' tell 'em everythin'! This should be real good!" He grabbed his Opponent's Arm. "GIT MOVIN!" He disappeared in Dark Flash.
Her Eyes rolled under Hood. He never changes.
AH HEARD THA'!
So, he did. She had one more pick up of sorts to make. Her eyes drifted up Stairs' two flights. There you are, Mr. Kent! She waived her hand. There you were. Best you are out of the way of prying eyes! Her hands waived. Mists enveloped her sweeping her from the scene.
Standoff Ended….
