Chapter 7
Jerry and Clark landed in the fields of the Kent farm. They headed up to the loft as they needed to plan for the next day and, hopefully, Jerry's return to his own dimension.
"Our main problem seems to be Luthor." Jerry said as he started thinking of a way to get to the caves, without Lex Luthor interfering or seeing something he shouldn't.
"Yeah, Lex seems bent on finding out what that energy surge was about. If he was telling the truth, even if we use our abilities to get in there, he'll have all the proof he needs."
Jerry thought for a moment. "Maybe we should let him see us heading for the caves."
"What? Let him see us? Are you kidding?"
"No. It may buy us some time. Clark, what if you keep an eye on Lex, while I head to the caves, you can stall him. Once he leaves wherever it is he's watching us from, I'll be able to slip into the caves and hopefully be gone before he shows up!"
Clark seemed to think for a moment. "But, what if I haven't trully realized my destiny. What if you doing all you can doesn't meet Jor-el's conditions?"
Then when Lex sees me, I'll just tell him that he was the one who spiked my curiosity about the caves. I'm a reporter, remember. I'll just say I was investigating." Jerry flashed his usual grin.
"That sounds like it could work. And having me watch Lex isn't a bad idea. In fact, I think I know where he'll be tomorrow morning."
"Really? How do you know?"
Clark had a pensive look on his face. It seemed almost like he was ashamed to admit what he was about to. "This isn't the first time Lex has spied on me or my family. Everytime he does, he uses his mansion, here, in smallville. I'm willing to bet that's where he'll be tomorrow morning." Clark headed towards the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to leave a note for my parents. I get up early tomorrow and stake out Lex's mansion until he leaves. I'll leave it to you to head for the caves. I only hope it all goes smoothly."
"It has to Clark. It has to." Jerry watched as Clark descended the stairs. "Goodnight Clark. And in case I don't see you again, thanks for everything and I hope you do realize your true destiny and make the most of the person you are." Jerry was rewarded with a grin.
"Thanks Jerry. I only hope I can live up to your standards. Goodnight."
That night, Jerry couldn't sleep. His thoughts of getting home filled him with hope. But he knew that he was taking a risk tomorrow. If this Luthor was even half the villain that the Lex Luthor he knew was, it could mean trouble. The only benefit that gave him any relief, was that this Luthor didn't know about his weakness. He didn't know that the glowing green rock could hurt him. So the worst that would happend would be that Lex would walk in and see something he shouldn't.
But there was something else. He wanted to leave a token of his being here. Something to remind Clark of his destiny. "That's it! It's perfect!" Jerry thought outloud. Using his superspeed, Jerry went into the Kent home and into Clark's room, dropped off the token and went back to the loft. With that done, Jerry felt at peace and able to sleep. He set the alarm clock Clark had given him for seven in the morning. The thought being that it would give Clark the time he needed to stake out Lex's place.
The next morning Jerry got up and went into the house to see the Kents. Martha was in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. "Hi Jerry. We got Clark's note. I hope you guys know what you're doing."
"We do. I have to get home. I've done all I can. The rest, is up to Clark."
"Well good Luck...Clark!" She said with a grin. "And thanks for everything!" She gave him a hug.
"Yes Jerry...I mean Clark," Jonathan had just come in from doing the morning chores. "Your character is true to the Kent name and my son was lucky to have met you!" He reached out his hand and Jerry returned the gesture. "By the way, Clark left at six this morning. He said to say thanks for the gift?"
Jerry chuckled. "Yeah. I guess I better go."
And with that, Jerry headed for the caves. He ran at a slightly faster than normal pace until he was about a hundred yards from the caves, then he started to walk. He could almost feel the satellite watching him as he approached the cave entrance. He tried to act like he didn't know he was being watched. His plan was to make it look innocent enough, that he was just exploring for a story. Finally, after a few of minutes, he reached the entrance. "Okay, let's go home!"
Meanwhile, outside the Luthor mansion, Clark watched as Lex's car took off leaving only smoke and the sound of screeching tires behind him. Clark waited until Lex's car was out of sight. He knew where he would find Lex. He waited another minute and headed for the caves. His plan was to wait and see if Lex came out with or without Jerry. He didn't want to unecessarily expose himself. But if he had to, he had a plan that he hoped, would leave him undetected.
Jerry walked through the caves looking for the same shield he'd seen back in his own Smallville. But it didn't seem to be there. "Jor'el!" he yelled. "I've done what I can. There's nothing more he can learn from me. I can't force him to do what he doesn't want to. Jor-el!"
"Looking for someone?"
"Mr. Luthor?" Jerry tensed. "I'm sorry. I know you told us to stay away, but I'm working on a..." All of a sudden Jerry felt and all too familiar sensation, the weakness. "Kryptonite!"
"Is that what this is called?" Lex Luthor smiled. "I always knew that someone was connected to this cave. Someone connected to the meteor rocks, or as you call it, Kryptonite. The tests I did showed these rocks to have radio active properties, but it didn't seem to have any negative effects on...human life." Jerry tried to protest but it was no use, he was too weak. "You can save your petty explanations. I know you're connected to these caves. I know there's power here." Lex got closer to Jerry only intensifying his pain. Jerry collapsed. "You are going to show me how to use it!"
"I swear...I don't know what you're talking about..."
"Your lying!" Lex yelled. "All this time, I thought Clark was connected to these caves. Evidently he was just a curious young man with way too much time on his hands. It was you! Well, I can't say much for Kent's choice in friends. Did you really think I wouldn't figure you out? You show up in Smallville the same day of that energy surge. I'm much smarter than that Mr. Kent. If that's your real name. I'm guessing the Kent's took pitty on you and provided a cover up. Well, it's not their fault, it's in their nature! But you, you are my ticket to unlimited power. You will serve me, or I will kill you!"
"I...will never...help...a Luthor!"
"I see my reputation preceeds me! If you know my reputation, then you know it's foolish to fight me, especially in your...current condition." Lex smirked. "I'll give you once last chance. Join me, and I'll spare your miserable existence. Continue to resist, and you will quickly learn how painful death by radiation poisoning can be!" Lex took the kryptonite and shoved it into Jerry's pocket. "Let me know what you decide." Lex walked towards the exit to make sure he hadn't been followed. Something told him that a certain farmboy may come by to check on his pal.
Jerry rolled to his side. He couldn't believe it. This was it. The end. He'd never see Lois again! The Lex in his dimension failed, but this one was about to succeed. Then he remembered that he had one possible means of help. He didn't know if it would work, but he figured he'd try. "Clark," he whispered. "help!"
After reaching an area about a hundred yards away from the caves, Clark found an area of tall grass to hide in. Using his enhanced vision, he watched as Lex Luthor pulled up and went into the caves. It wasn't long before his greatest fear was realized. Lex had Kryptonite and was using it on Jerry. Clark had to do something. But what. He couldn't bust in there without exposing his own secret. And what good would it do. Being that close to kryptonite would only give Lex the upper hand. But what else could he do.
All of a sudden, his super hearing kicked in and he heard Jerry's voice. "Clark. Help." Jerry was dying and there was no time to lose. Clark knew what he had to do. He grabbed the center of his button shirt with both hands and pulled it apart to reveal Jerry Superman costume. He quickly changed out his clothes, tore the sleeves off his shirt and supersped to where Lex was standing.
At superspeed he approached Lex from behind, blidfolded him with one sleeve, gagged him with the other, then used Lex's own belt to tie his hands together. He could feel the radiation of the Kryptonite. It was some distance away, but was still starting to slow him down. He got out of the cave as fast as possible and hid Lex in the same area he'd been hiding.
The next part was tough and painful. I flew into the cave and over to Jerry. Jerry was unconscious. Clark had to fight the urge to collapse at the pain he felt, being so close to the Kryptonite, but he had to get it away from Jerry. He grabbed it out of Jerry's pocket and, with as much effort as he could muster, threw it deeper into the caves. He made a brief mental note to send his father back for it later.
The threat was gone, but Jerry still lay unconscious. Clark was slowly regaining his energy. "Jerry...Clark. Clark! Come on Clark, wake up." But Jerry remain there unconscious. Clark was too late. As Clark sat there, he looked down at himself. The suit fit snuggly but comfortably. Then it hit him. How many times had Jerry been in this situation. Showing up just a little too late. "I guess this is an everyday thing for you!" Clark chuckled, then turned serious. "But I can't live my life having to deal with stuff like this every day. It's too big for me. I'm just Clark Kent from Smallville. I'm faster than a bullet, but not fast enough. Stronger than any man alive, but not strong enough!" Tears began to fall. "I can't do everything that needs to be done. I can't do it Jerry. I just can't." Clark hung his head.
It was then that he remembered what Jerry had told him. He couldn't do everything, but he could do something! Jerry was pulled here to make sure Clark lived out his destiny to it's fullest. Clark lifted his head and stood up. It was time he accepted it. He would go to the Fortress of solitude and finish what Jor-el had started. He couldn't save everyone, but he owed it to Jerry...Clark and himself, to make sure this dimension had a Superman to look up to. Someone with the courage to take on the Lex Luthor's of the world. Jerry had been right, there was a bigger picture. He'd just never taken the time to look at it.
All of a sudden, the cave filled with a bright white light. Clark knew what this meant, Jor-el was up to something. Then, just as suddenly, the light focused on Jerry and he beang to rise up, floating in mid air. His body then started to flip into a standing position. Jerry's eyes opened in shock. "Clark!" Jerry looked around. What happened? I blacked out...the kryptonite, where's the kryptonite?" Jerry was in a panick.
"Jerry, it's okay." Clark said with a smile. "It's somewhere deeper in the caves. Man, I'm glad you're okay!"
"What about Luthor?"
"Gagged and tied up about a hundred yards from here. He'll free himself soon enough. That's why we need to get you home."
"Yeah, I'd like that. By the way, the suit looks good! Plan on keeping it?"
"Yeah, thanks Jer...Clark! For everything!"
"Kal-el!" It was Jor-el's voice. "You have helped my son accept his destiny. It is now time for him to pursue it, and time for you to return to your own dimention to continue fulfilling yours!"
A door opened up in the cave wall. "I guess this is it!" Jerry said. "Clark, one last thing. I'm proud of you! And I'm glad to see this world has a Superman worthy of the name!" With those words said, Jerry stepped through the door and was once again surrounded by white light.