The little girl looked up to the sky. She had let go of her mother's hand to listen to the odd humming sound. No one else around her seemed to hear it, but Livvie was used to that, she heard and saw things no one else did all the time. She saw the clouds, deep, dark with their punishing rain and vicious wind, but no one else did. The air was full of excitement, music and laughter and no one noticed as Livvie left her little cluster of sisters and headed in the direction of the sacred grounds, the feathers and beads sewn to her costume blowing in the breeze that was growing stronger. The time for the vision quest had come, and the spirits were buzzing around Livvie like bees. The storm gathering on the horizon didn't matter. Livvie heard the call of the spirits and knew where she had to go. Even as young as she was, the path of the shaman was not easy to follow. "I'm coming, Fledgling."
The radio in Sheriff Thomas' truck chirped. "General, there's a big problem"
"Go." General Lane picked up the handset. "What is it?"
"Twister spotted. We're clearing the festival, getting everyone underground. Better get back here pronto." Sheriff Thomas' voice came over, his voice calm. "The clouds are coming in, and the wind has kicked up."
"Can't. My family are all still out here. " General Lane swung the truck around, tearing up the dirt road. "Get everyone to safety, I'll be in as soon as I find them."
"General, it's really too dangerous." The Sheriff shot back. "You can't stay out there."
"Listen, mister. I'm not going to let a storm stop me from bringing my girls in safe and sound. Count on that." General Lane slammed the radio into place and swore.
"The knowledge nearly destroyed by the clan of Zod is here?" Kara asked, looking around at the rocks of the cave, and Chloe had a fierce shiver of déjà vu. Bruce would have felt right at home as they made their way deeper into the caves.
"No, little bird." Sarah said with a smile. "It's only a gateway."
"How do we get to the archive?" Clark asked, and Sarah nodded.
"You merely pass me and walk through. I am the key." Her voice echoed forlornly against the walls of the cave and her eyes met her daughter's. "You, Chloe, cannot pass. I cannot allow you to suffer as I have."
Clark looked at Chloe, and took her in his arms. "You have to do what she says, Chloe. No matter what happens. You have to stay behind this time."
"No." Chloe shook her head, ready to argue, but Kara stopped her. When Chloe looked at her, Kara seemed older and much wiser.
"I won't let you." Kara said quietly. "It's important that you stay, Chloe. Listen to Clark."
"Kal-El, you're first." Sarah gestured to the portal. "Then Kara."
"Clark." Chloe reached up and kissed him. "Be careful."
Clark grinned. "It's just my first day of school, Chloe." Turning, he moved toward the portal and then disappeared through it. Chloe gasped, clutching at Kara's hand.
"Don't go yet." Chloe breathed, and Kara nodded.
"I have to wait until he's done. " Kara replied, her speech alien. "The archive is only for one at a time."
Bruce looked in the direction of the storm as the radio weather report began listing tornado warnings. "Clark is still out there."
"And Chloe and Kara." Lois turned, the red-black storm clouds making her soul shrink. "What are we going to do."
"Get you to shelter. And then I'll go back out." Bruce said, stepping on the gas. Seeing General Lane, he stopped. "You're going with your father. "
"No." Lois rejected the idea immediately. "I'm not."
"This is no joke. I can't stop a tornado, Lois." Bruce took her hands in his. "Go back to the reservation, get in the storm cellar and wait there."
The General stopped, seeing Lois' car and got out, catching his daughter by the arm. "Whoa, there. You aren't going that way."
"Dad!" Lois turned, the wind whipping her hair around her face. "Chloe is still out there!"
"I know. I'm going to look for her now." General Lane turned to Bruce. "Are you going to look for Chloe?"
"I am, I was trying to get your daughter to go with you for safety." Bruce said, his eyes not leaving the storm. The sky had turned a sickly yellow. "We really don't have time."
The General nodded. "I'll get her back to the settlement. You get moving." Bruce nodded and quickly kissed Lois.
"See you." He smiled briefly and Lois grabbed his hand, letting it slide away from her as he moved to get into her car. Bruce gave her a wave as he put the car in gear and sped off, back in the direction of the caves.
"Be careful, Bruce." She whispered, feeling her father's arms around her as he led her to the beat up pick up truck.
Livvie ran, through the tall grass, ignoring the wind that blew against her, slowing her down. The rain had started to fall, but the little girl seemed to not notice. The shamans of old guided her steps, each of them offering her a hand, or a kind word along the way. All the same, she was very little, and had never been out to the sacred grounds alone, so Livvie was afraid. A gust of wind knocked her down, making her fall hard on her bottom, but Livvie felt strong hands help her rise. She looked up into the face she'd prayed to see since she'd lost sight of the houses. And now, here he was.
"kstaqua du ga" Go with me .The spirit said, a tall man with green eyes, like Naman. His hair was long and dark, but he wore the clothes of her people. Livvie grinned. This spirit was an old friend of hers, and Livvie suddenly was not afraid at all.
" ko hi i ga-ge ga ut-stay-llsk." Today, I am going on the vision quest. The little girl replied and the spirit smiled.
"da yo sta da nv si ga-ya-nu-la " We're going to be moving fast… The spirit said, making a gesture Livvie understood. "u-sti di-de-yo-hv-s-gi" Little teacher.
"a-da-nv-do di-tli-hi e-du-di" Spirit warrior, Grandfather...Livvie held out her hand to him. She would now go where he led her, the great spirit of the Ancestor. He would bring her to the Fledgling and Naman.