Smallville Virtual (TC) Season Episode 12 - Prophecy
'r cenedlaethau chordda ag 'r tides , yn chwimio ag 'r leuad ,
'r 'n Frenhinol D shall sil 'n dri
Hun shall llywodraethu ar pawb i mewn 'r ddwfn , Brenin chan pawb
Banon chan Lyonesse shall arall bod
Chria Atlantis , achos 'r 'n drydydd ewyllysia mo chwrdd 'n gyfryw a 'n ddedwydd dynghedu –
At byncio 'r Anifail yn cysgu a wrthi at arhosa….
Found by divers off the coast of Western Britain written in a small, leather bound journal in the hull of a 1,000 year old wrecked Celtic ship. The translation follows below:
"The generations turn with the tides, moving with the moon,
The Royal House shall spawn three
One shall rule over all in the deep, King of all
Queen of Lyonesse shall another be
Cry Atlantis, for the third will not meet such a happy fate
To sing the Beast asleep and beside it to wait... "
The Leviathan closed in on a group of harbingers as they swam toward the small domed village. The almost careless and graceful pursuit drew all of town to the highest points, to watch through the clear dome. The villagers cheered as the great monster swallowed the harbingers, letting none escape. The large tail swung, sending shock waves through the water that caused the dome above the town to shake. The Leviathan sang in triumph, gliding off into the gloom beyond the village.
Chloe emerged from the cabin at dawn, rubbing her eyes. Sleep was usually something she avoided, getting as little as four hours was generally enough. But the excitement of the day had been so much that when Oliver sat down in the galley to rest, Chloe had joined him, and in no time, they were both fast asleep. Everything was quiet, Oliver up for at least an hour before her. Not even seagulls had flown out this far, and Chloe stretched, blinking at the rosy glow of the eastern sky. She had made coffee, and made a rough sort of breakfast. The Key West Harbormaster had provisioned the boat, for steeply inflated prices, but Oliver didn't care. He gratefully accepted the coffee Chloe had brought him, going back to his maps and charts in silence.
She could hear Hal in the hold, cursing as he worked on repairing the controls for the crane that pulled the nets from the sea – it would make getting the sub into the water that much easier. Callista had fallen asleep near Lex, waking as Chloe had come from the galley. Lex's sleep was deep, and Chloe wondered how much abuse someone could take before they truly snapped. Perhaps Lex's psychotic 'break' a few years ago was of suspicious origins, but a big one had to be looming on the horizon this time. Chloe closed her eyes, and breathed in deeply.
"Where is Clark?" Callista asked, frowning. "I thought he'd be waiting for Lori on deck." She ruffled her dark hair and looked around. "Would he have gone swimming?"
Chloe opened her eyes with a start. "He's not here at all?" In her mind, Clark had found a place to sleep in the hold, where Hal had strung nets into hammocks. She dropped her cup in shock and it shattered on the deck, coffee spreading everywhere. "Clark!" She called down into the hold. Hal Jordan looked up from his work, face smeared with grease. "Hal is he down there?"
"He's not here." Hal called back. "I haven't seen him all night."
"Clark!" Chloe called, pushing past Callista and walking toward the bow of the boat. An edge of panic tinted her voice, raising the pitch higher. "Clark!"
Oliver appeared, holding a compass in his hand. "Chloe, what is it? What's this about Clark?"
"Clark is missing, Oliver." Chloe said, her eyes wild. "He can't have just vanished."
'He didn't." Callista's voice was bracing, forcing Chloe to collect herself. "This was left. It was on the deck at your feet, Chloe." She held up a folded piece of what looked like parchment. Opening it, she read it and frowned. "These are the coordinates for this boat's position. Who ever did this was sent."
"Sent?" Chloe asked, taking the parchment from Callista. "By who? For what?"
Oliver swore and looked out to sea. "Persephone. Damn her hide."
Callista nodded. "I suspect her as well, Oliver, but I don't know your reason for doing so."
"She asked me for money, a lot of money, just after you all came to Metropolis. I gave her some, but as much as she needed…" He put a hand over his eyes and sighed. "I'd already invested so much in the band…"
"Hey, Oliver." Chloe took his hand. "This isn't your fault. Clark would be the first to tell you that."
"No, it is Persephone's." Callista folded the parchment and stuffed it into her black halter top. "I'm going after her."
"Wait, now." Oliver said. "Chloe and I will go too. Let's make some plans. Before we go anywhere, Lex needs to be gotten away from here." Callista thought about that, and nodded briefly. Oliver turned to Chloe and put his arm around her. "Clark will be all right until we get there. He's been through some pretty bad things and made it out okay before."
Clark awoke with a gasp. His clothes, the jeans and red t-shirt were gone. He was dressed in a kind of mail shirt, lightweight but strong, the black metal cold against his chest and black hide pants. He stood, smelling the green, rotten scent of mold, and looked around. He was in a cell, about his height wide and twice his height deep. A hammock was strung from one wall, and suspended on it's other side by an ancient chain. Reaching for the bars, his hands received a pulse of energy so strong it knocked him to the floor. There was briefly an odor of singed skin and Clark looked down to see that his hands were burned a little, the sting causing him to flex his fingers.
"Good morning." A female voice said from the shadows, and Clark scrambled to his feet. Persephone appeared, a rueful smile on her face. "Don't try the bars again. They've been bewitched."
"Magic? Are you kidding me?" Clark replied, reaching out to touch the bars again. He felt the hum of the power that coursed through them before his finger touched the iron, so he put his hand at his side. "There's no such thing."
Persephone laughed. "Of course. How arrogant you land dwellers are! All the magic on the surface disappeared when Atlantis sunk beneath the waves, I suppose!" Clad in a similar chain mail to Clark, Persephone's thigh length tunic more closely resembled scales and it made small tinkling sounds as she walked toward him, her legs bare except for the ties of her sandals. "But you…you question magic when you know that such things ARE possible. Aren't they, Otherworlder?" Her eyes were keen and Clark noticed for the first time that they were a hard and metallic blue.
"Otherworlder?" Clark walked to one of the walls, and put his hand on it. The seemingly fragile wood sent him reeling backwards as a surge of energy seared him. He blinked and shook his head. "What makes you say that?"
"A human would have never survived the trip down without artificial support, for one." She replied, sitting down on a table. "Also, the amount of energy that has coursed through you would have paralyzed any other creature alive. But then, the thoughts of Chloe Sullivan were the best evidence of all. She thinks you are immortal, you know." Persephone nodded. "We shall be testing that though, make no mistake."
"I still have my powers?" Clark asked. "What do you want with me?"
"I've done with you. But the one that owns you now has plans. The arena. Fight for your freedom and you will have it. If you live. The one that owns you will make his money on the bets he wins. When he has won the amount he wishes, you will be freed." Persephone sighed. "Don't try to escape, either. The green stone in Luthor's ring has made a very effective focusing stone for the spells they've worked to keep you in control."
"Why, Persephone?" Clark asked. "I would have helped you in any way I could. Why are you doing this?"
"You could not have helped me." She stood, her mail shirt jingling softly. "The debt my family owed was much greater than you could imagine."
"You're in armor too." Clark observed and Persephone nodded.
"I refused to pay the rest of the debt with my body." She smiled bitterly. "So the rest shall be paid in my blood. But my family will be free."
"I can't let you do that." Clark said. "I'll fight whatever they want me to, in your place."
"You would do that?" Persephone tipped her head and studied him. "You would. How noble and heroic of you. Even after such a betrayal as this?" She held out her arms and looked around. "You still would fight in my place?"
"You did it because you were desperate. I can help you." Clark said earnestly, and Persephone laughed.
"Fool." Her eyes creased and her smile was cruel. "As if I would let an honorless surface dweller take a sword up in my defense. Suffer your own fate, and I will suffer mine." She pulled on a helmet that covered her entire head and fit over her shoulders perfectly. With a small backwards glance, Persephone walked out to the arena staging area to wait her turn.
The vault of the Thane of Lyonesse stood alone at the edge of the border, the last structure that could truly be considered inside the dome. But the crypt went deeper and way away from the dome. Morgaine had been bedecked in the robes befitting her station, the purple rinsed from her hair, it's natural ebony spilling around her. Lyonesse was the last of the cities that had survived from the surface, it's buildings still replete with the air of a Renaissance tapestry. The Thane, a large and bearish man, walked behind his daughter's bier, holding the hand of his wife, whose impish good looks and still dark hair gave evidence to where his daughters had come by their charms. Rowan walked silently beside her brother, heir to Lyonesse, Ronal. He held his sister's arm protectively, but his attention had been drawn elsewhere. His cousins, Lorelai and Gisela draped in the purple that noted their rank, stood silently at the opening of the family crypt. Gisela's hair, newly stripped of the green she had chosen on the surface, shone as bright and warm as new copper, reflecting the maturity in her sweet little face. It was Lorelai that had captured his imagination, somber and serene, a diadem of gems no match for the intricate dressing of her red gold hair. Her parents, the Lady Princess Hylde and the Lord Prime Minister Corig were with their daughters, tears of sorrow for their fallen kinswoman mingling with those of gratitude that their priceless pearls had been spared. Lady Hylde's nephew, Oren, stood beside her, in place of his father, King Atlan. Ronal wondered if Lorelai had been promised to Oren, remembering that there had been no betrothal made for either of the Princesses, their position too close to the High throne of Atlantis. Having a kingship of his own to come in time, Ronal was more interested in the beauty of the girl, and of her rumored intelligence and grace. He turned away reluctantly, looking instead at Morgaine, whose beauty had not diminished, and Ronal nearly expected her to sit up in characteristic mischief and declare them all fools for believing such a trick. But his wish was not granted.
Nuada Silverarm, her silver robes moving about her, raised her arms, and the drums beating as the funeral cortege had made their way to the cave stopped. When she spoke her voice was unmuffled by the silver veil over her face. It carried over the crowd in tones that seemed to call the spirits to her, deep and sure.
"Na hychwaneg shall chlywn 'ch 'n llawen chwardd , na hychwaneg edmyga 'ch 'n eirias addfwynbryd , na hychwaneg gwefreiddia at 'ch 'n anystyriol ddewrder,"No more shall we hear your joyful laugh, no more admire your glowing beauty, no more thrill to your reckless bravery. "Blentyn chan 'r Aig , drysoredig ferch , addoledig chwaer , 'n ffyddlon chyfaill , 'n deyrngarol ddinesydd chan Lyonesse , gwna mo alara 'n yn dolurio. Ddyhea shall bynciwn 'r caniad chan 'ch abertha a adfeilia. Ddyhea shall bynciwn at 'ch chof. A mewn pryd , byddwn adunedig i mewn 'r 'n Fawr Fam , ble pawb buchedd begins , a pawb buchedd bennau." Child of the Sea, treasured daughter, adored sister, faithful friend, loyal citizen of Lyonesse, do not mourn our mourning. Long shall we sing the song of your sacrifice and fall. Long shall we sing to your memory. And in time, we will be reunited in the Great Mother, where all life begins, and all life ends.
The sound of the pipes, melancholy and lost, washed over the scene, and drums began to beat again, as the bier was carried deep within the vault. The Thaness shrieked, falling to her knees in a pool of rustling black, and Rowan beside her, a stark counterpoint in virginal white mourning, her slender arms around her mother's shaking shoulders. The Thane gestured to his son, who strode with purposeful steps into the vault, to ensure his sister's proper entombment. After what felt like forever, Ronal reemerged, nodding at his father wordlessly. The ancient stone, sister to those at Stonehenge, was slid into place, and the name of this Princess, and the date of her death were inscribed, a carving of the Leviathan underneath.
"I mewn rhin a bonedd Morgaine , Dywysoges chan Lyonesse 'ma gorffwysfaoedd. Cymeredig hefyd 'n ebrwydd at 'r 'n Fawr Anifail , darfu yn amddiffyn beth faterion odiaeth , 'i deulu a 'i ceraint." In virtue and nobility, Morgaine, Princess of Lyonesse here rests. Taken too soon by the Great Beast, she died defending what matters most, her family and her friends.
Lori and Gisela followed behind their parents, silently communicating, planning their escape. A.C. also, holding his aunt's hand, leading her to the litter, was concentrating elsewhere, and finally, the Prime Minister turned, facing his daughters, his blue eyes full oftheeerie calm that often masked the gravity of his feelings.
"Nothing of the sort." He looked at Lorelai. "You are home. Let the surface dwellers to their fate."
"Father, they have risked everything to save us." Gisela began, usually the one who could be counted to win her father's approval. "And one, Clark, is very like the hero from Lyonesse who went to the aid of their legendary king…" Corig grunted, looking to his wife to pick up the battle. It was a familiar tactic of theirs, and the girls knew it well.
Hylde turned then, and raised Lori's chin so that their eyes met. "You fear for this man, my child?"
"Not for him, Lady Mother." Lori sighed, "But if I may help save the world he loves so much, I could prove to my love to him."
"Lori.." Gisela turned, her eyes wide. "Clark does…"
"Love." Hylde turned to her husband an eyebrow raised quizzically over her deep green eyes. "Poor child."
"Poor child indeed." Lori's father sniffed. "Would you have us end like my brotherand his wife? Less one so precious.." Corig held a hand to his daughter and Lori took it, smiling reluctantly. "I could not bear it, not for a thousand Leviathans, child. As for this surface dweller,the old saying holds true, you know – can a bird love a fish? And if so, where would they make their home, my darling?" Corig caressed his daughters cheek softly and she raised her hand to his, smiling.
:Say nothing now.: Lori heard an unfamiliar male voice in her mind, and she turned. Ronal, heir of Lyonesse nodded in her direction. :I will help you and your sister make your escape and give you whatever assistance I can. For Atlantis and Morgaine.: His grey eyes were bottomless and shining with honor and pride.
:As you wish, my Lord. My cousin Oren will be glad to coordinate with you.: Lori replied, sweeping a curtsey in his direction.
"Ah, the young Thane.." The Prime Minister bowed slightly in Ronal's direction. "An excellent match, Lorelai.."
"Nonsense." Hylde snapped, "Husband, they were childhood companions. Leave matchmaking to the women." Taking her daughters by the hand, Hylde walked to her litter with a slightly stronger step. Matchmaking for Kings could wait until Atlantis was secure, after all and needed to be accomplished skillfully. Let the girl have her romantic notions for as long as they could possibly last.
"Alright, Otherworlder, to yer feet." The large merman snapped as Clark stood. "It's yer turn in the arena."
"What about Persephone? Is she okay?" Clark asked, and the merman laughed, his belly shaking like a perverse Santa.
"If okay means bleeding on the floor, then aye." He chortled, wiping tears from his eyes. "And no tricks, Otherworlder. There's powerful magic around ye. Keep's ya on an even playing field, I'd say." Clark did not respond, which only made the other man laugh again. "Oh, ain't ye proud? Well, Otherworlder, you won't be so proud when Charybdis is done with ye." Noting Clark's neutral expression, he grunted. "Don't know Charybdis? They say his mother was a mermaid queen, his father Davy Jones himself. Bad sort. He'll be fair wit' ye though, Otherworlder. Pay the debt and ye'll be free to go."
"Fine." Clark picked up a spear and shield from a pile near the door. "Where do I go now?"
"Hopes ye can swim, laddie." The Keeper chortled. "The arena is UNDERWATER. No fancy dome here." The larger man shuffled forward down a small corridor, and opened a pressure door. Behind it, several mermen and creatures such as Clark had only imagined or seen in nightmares waited. Several looked like the creature Callista had briefly transformed into, and Clark shuddered. They were larger, stronger than she had been, and Clark could only imagine that they were male. They eyed him as he passed, laughing. :Good luck, worm. Hope for your sake that I don't get in the arena with you.: Clark turned and one of them, the largest one, drew a webbed hand across his own neck. :It wouldn't be fair…:
"Look alive, ye scum!" The Keeper shouted, cracking his whip. "Fresh blood for the sharks. Stand aside. Keep yer petty squabbles for the arena."
Clark ignored them and stepped onto the platform. The Keeper grunted.
"Here now, this is what ye do, ay? Climb this ladder, and get to the next set of doors. When ye get out to the arena, look sharp. They'll be waiting."
"They?" Clark almost dropped the spear. "How many they?"
The Keeper smiled toothlessly and nodded. "As many they as the master wants, a' course. Go on.." He pointed up the ladder. "Hopes the gods favor ye, laddie."
Clark went through the pressure door and out into the water. It was warm at least, but a sickly wave passed through him. The floor of the arena was littered with bodies and broken weapons. The keeper had been right. Persephone lay sprawled on the ground, her tail moving ever so slightly. There was a large gash on her side, and Clark moved to check on her, fighting the urge to vomit. The stands were filled with creatures, mostly merfolk and he could hear their derision in his mind, mocking him as he swam to her side. Her eyes partially closed, she turned her face away, and pushed at his hands.
:Leave me: She said simply. :You have other problems.: The crowd jeered, and then one stood, tall and powerful looking. Clark saw the reason for his queasiness - the ring Persephone had stolen from Lex was on the man's right index finger. He raised his arms, stunning the crowd to silence.
:And now, a rare treat, straight from another world! Behold, how noble, how completely unconcerned about his own safety: The smile that stretched across this man's face was chilling, and Clark met his eye calmly.
:Get her to safety. I'll do whatever you want.: Clark projected the thought outward, and the man raised an eyebrow. The crowd began to murmur, and the man waved his arms.
:She sold you to me, Otherworlder. But you already know that, don't you? Well, why should I deprive you the first right to kill her:
:I won't kill anyone.: Clark said defiantly. The crowd began to shout again, their desire for blood nearly a frenzy.
:OH? They will surely kill you, Otherworlder.: The man brought his left hand down, and a gate opened. The three Sher'Hedeen, including the one that threatened Clark in the staging area appeared, holding green, glowing spears. Clark felt himself weaken. Kryptonite. He looked up and the man, Charybdis laughed, rubbing his chin with his right hand, the glowing ring. :And you will fight for your life.:
The first of the Sher'Hedeen warriors swung a weapon like an iron scourge, and Clark felt the impact as pressure more than pain, the mail taking a bit of abuse. The green glow was gone, and Clark grabbed the scourge and pulled the first warrior toward him, swinging the creature into two of his companions. Pain tore through his hand and Clark gasped, pulling away to see the marks of the scourge there. Charybdis smiled down at him, with a shrug, the ring exposed and glowing.
:Otherworlder…: The Sher'Hedeen who had threatened him in the staging area loomed above him, a spear pointed at Clark. :Look ALL around.:
:I will.: Clark replied, grabbing at the spear. Wave after wave of nausea shook him, and he felt the lash of the scourge on his back, his legs. The spearhead cut his hand, and Clark struggled to maintain control. Suddenly, the pain was gone, the nausea over and he grasped the spear and broke the head clean away, turning the spearhead to use it as a dagger. The Sher'Hedeen had regrouped, venom dripping now from their claws. Callista had been infected by kryptonite radiation, Clark thought, but who knew what the effect the magic was having on these creatures now.
: Don't stand there, fool: Persephone's voice cut through his mind. :FIGHT:
""Hal, come back for us once you get Lex off to Metropolis." Oliver called before closing the door to the sub. Hal waved once in reply and then got the ship started, heading back to Key West under full steam. Outfitted in wetsuits, Chloe and Oliver were ready to search for Clark, Callista leading the way. Oliver began bringing the sub down, and soon, they were surrounded by water on all sides. Callista swam past, and Chloe gasped. Lori had been right, because there was not one fish to be seen as they descended, until finally, they could reached the ocean floor. Formations of rock and tall stands of seaweed gave hiding places to fish of every description, and off in the distance, the wreckage of an old ship loomed before them. It was a remarkable sight, and Chloe was stunned to near speechlessness.
"Whoa." Chloe gasped, and Oliver nodded in silent agreement. Callista waved them on, urging them to move faster. Oliver accelerated, and they moved toward New Venice.
"Clark!" Lori gasped, sinking to the chair, holding her stomach. She looked down at her hand, and a red weal ran the length of it. Gisela and A.C. were beside her immediately. Her eyes were full of tears, and she seemed to be looking beyond them. "He's in danger. We have to help him."
"In danger where?" A.C. asked, and Lori shook her head, tears now streaking down her cheeks. Gisela took her sister's hand, closing her own over the wound. "Where is he, Lori?"
"Arena." She whispered. "In the Arena of New Venice."
"Then we have to go now." A.C. waved to Ronal, who appeared immediately. "How fast can you be ready to go?"
"Almost this moment, Your Highness." Ronal replied. "There will be others. If the Beast needs to be brought down, it will take more than just a handful of us. They will be waiting outside the dome, on the other side of the royal crypt."
A.C. nodded, and Ronal bowed to the girls, his glance lingering on Lori before he moved off, pausing only to brush his sister's cheek with a kiss. Rowan looked up at her brother, nodding. The message would be sent, and Rowan would be there waiting as well.
There was no particular pattern to when Charybdis would activate the kryptonite, Clark realized, as he struggled with one Sher'Hedeen. One moment there was no fight at all, really, and the next, he was face first in the sand, blinking back pain from everywhere on his body. Persephone spoke to him telepathically, sometimes offering support, others berating him for slowness or ignoring an opponent. She was growing weaker, though. Desperate to save them both, Clark struggled on. He pushed himself up, feeling himself and as the Sher'Hedeen warriors came at him again, Clark shot off blasts from his eyes, searing heat that sent them tumbling backwards.
:Very clever.: Persephone said encouragingly. :Took you long enough to figure out that you could do that:
:I'm making this up as I go: Clark ducked a thrown spear, the water slowing his movements ever so slightly. :Not like I find myself in gladiator battles in back home every day.:
:To your left…:Persephone warned, and Clark blocked the attack. Weakness flooded through him, and the Sher'Hedeen grinned, raking venomous claws across Clark's face. The venom stung, and as it spread, his whole body felt like it was on fire, his eyes boiling. The weight of the mail shirt pulled him to the ground again, on his knees, hands over eyes as he writhed in pain. The Sher'Hedeen grabbed him by the hair, a blade at his throat. Clark felt the first cut, the pain of that cutting through the searing heat of the toxin. And then, almost miraculously, the blade shattered into pieces. Clark twisted his head up with a grin, and the Sher'Hedeen seemed surprised. Clark rose, grabbing the monster and throwing him, through the water to knock out the other two. They did not rise, and the crowd roared in outrage.
:I'm done, Charybdis.: Clark said, as the crowd began to riot. :I won. It's over.:
Charybdis nodded, and rose out of his seat, sinking down to where Clark was. : Done? I'll tell you when you are done, Otherworlder. That was only round one.: The kryptonite glowed evilly and Clark braced himself against the wave of pain that washed over him.
"How much further do you think?" Chloe asked, and Oliver shrugged. There was no way to keep track of time underwater, and Chloe was getting nervous.
"No telling. We just follow Callista and hope for the best." Oliver replied. Seeing Chloe's impatience, he reached over and took her hand. "We'll find him, Goldilocks. I promise."
"I know, Oliver." Chloe squeezed his hand. "Remember when you told me the other night that the world sees you as a hero?" Her voice was thoughtful, her expression soft.
"I do." Oliver smiled. "You called me evil. I was wounded to the core, too."
Chloe laughed. "Yeah, right." She looked down at their linked hands. "I want you to know, Oliver, that I have seen you as very much a hero since we met."
"Well, since I was saving you from an angry mob at the time, I
guess that's only fair." He grinned, and kissed her hand. "Evil or hero, Goldilocks, I only care that you are thinking about me at all."
:There's New Venice: Callista's voice registered as if from far away. :There is a battle in the arena…:
:Arena: Chloe sat forward with the binoculars, looking through the sub windows. :There:
:Ahead. The dark spot in the dome. It is run by a treacherous monster named Charybdis.: Callista said leading them closer. :It would have been the easiest place to land the sub. We'll have to find a different spot. Are you both ready:
:As ready as we'll ever be.: Oliver thought, looking at his arrows. Wouldn't know how much good they'd do, but he'd bring them, just in case. He looked at Chloe. "Going to be able to contain yourself, the natural curiosity?"
"Clark is in trouble. That comes first." Chloe smiled. 'Besides, my camera wasn't waterproof."
"Oh, no Pulitzer this week." Oliver leaned over and kissed her. "Okay, Goldilocks, let's go."
Lori gasped when she saw how many others Ronal had brought together. They stood together, nearly thirty, waiting, talking amongst themselves. Rowan had come as well and was in deep conversation with Nuada Silverarm.
"This is impressive." A.C. said, and Lori nodded. "If this had been an official cry for help I wonder how many would have come?"
"All of Atlantis, my Prince." Ronal said, with a quick bow. "The exit to the ocean is through the crypt."
"Good, and Ronal," A.C. held out a hand. "My friends call me A.C."
The other merman looked at A.C.'s hand quizzically, but clasped it anyway. "I will call you what my kinswoman does. I will call you Oren, if that suits."
"Yes, just quit the 'Your Majesty' stuff for now." A.C. grinned. Ronal smiled back, and Lori noted how kind his smile was, and how more settled he seemed than either of his wild sisters. A good ally for Oren to have, she thought as Nuada Silverarm approached.
"I must remind you, Lorelai, of the prophecy. It will save you all." Nuada began, and Lori looked away. "The Leviathan will not allow even you to distract it again.
"You are asking me to condemn my sister." Lori said, and Nuada shook her head.
"Is it condemnation to meet her destiny?" Nuada said gently. "You will not forestall the inevitable for long, Princess. Remember. The fates call their will to bear, even if we fight it the whole time."
Lori sighed. "Does Gisela know?"
"When the time comes, she will remember. Now go. The otherworlder needs your help." Nuada kissed Lori's forehead. "Great Mother grant you success, your Highness."
Hal handed Lex up the steps of the Luthorcorp jet into the hands of the crew. Lionel Luthor stood on the tarmac, pulling his raincoat around him.
"I can't tell you how much it means to me, Mr. Jordan, that you found my son and are returning him. When he disappeared the other night, none of us knew what to think."
"Well, I found him, safe and sound. Drunk as a lord in a bar in Key West, but, he's alive. Let him sleep it off." Hal nodded. "And, if he mentions mermaids and sea monsters, I'd chalk it off to the rum and leave it."
"Very sensible." Lionel smirked, rubbing his chin. "You say you work for Carol Ferris?"
"Oh, yes sir." Hal nodded, glad he could still pull off the 'aw-shucks' routine when necessary, "I was flying a client out on the modified Lear." Hal indicated Carol's jet. "They're still drinking in that bar on Duval Street right now."
Lionel chuckled. "Well, when in Key West, I suppose. Thank you again, Mr. Jordan. And tell your client I look forward to our meeting in Metropolis when he gets back."
"Sure thing." Hal saluted and moved off, eager to get back to the boat. Lionel climbed into the plane, and looked at Lana, had just come from the sleeping area of the plane, unwilling concern drifting into her eyes.
"Is he sleeping?" Lionel asked, and Lana nodded.
"Very deeply, too. It's very strange." She replied casting a backward glance at the door. "You said he was drunk?"
"That's what I was told, yes." Lionel said, pursing his lips as he nodded slowly. "I think, Ms. Lang, that if we keep the answers simple, things will go our way." He sat down and stretched. "I think I'll take a nap myself. Wake me, will you, when we get to Metropolis?"
Lana nodded and sat down herself. The weight of the diamond pendant around her neck felt like a sack of bricks, and Lana wondered briefly if she had sold her soul without knowing it. She closed her eyes, and opened her book, ready to lose herself in the clean, honest world of Jane Austen.
Clark could not believe the size of Charybdis. Nearly seven feet tall, and vastly wide across the shoulders. His long hair was dark and inky, flowing around his head like tentacles and like A.C. he had no tail. He held the ring up to Clark's face, watching as Clark recoiled. Something told Clark that the sorcery that had helped before would not be put into play this time.
:Oh, Otherworlder…what FUN we are going to have…: He looked up, and held up two fingers. :Round Two begins. Place all bets now: The crowd cheered, and Clark braced himself with the spear, suddenly feeling the weight of the water crushing in on him. Charybdis bent over and picked up the scourge, swinging it at Clark with no warning at all.
The scourge is a nasty weapon, Clark thought, his hands wrapped in the barbed chains. The barbs cut into his hands, seemingly renewing the toxin every time, because he'd feel a wave of heat course through him. The magic that had protected him returned, and he gathered the chain, inch by inch, until Charybdis dropped the weapon, retreating to the far end of the arena. Clark lifted the scourge over his head, and a scream caused him to look up.
Callista was sailing into the arena, very much herself. She swooped down on Charybdis, grabbing at his hands, while the stunned man tried to fight her off. Two figures, in diving gear dropped into the arena next, and Clark could see Chloe's wide eyes through her mask as she took in the scene around them. Oliver and Chloe reached the floor of the arena, and while Chloe went to Clark's side, Oliver loaded his bow, and with huge effort drew the line back as far and as hard as he could.
Charybdis pushed Callista aside, his right hand streaming gore into the water, and smiled down at Oliver.
:Your surface weapons mean nothing here.: Charybdis laughed, and the arena chortled with him. :That bolt will be as harmless as a flounder.:
:You'd think that, wouldn't you, fish stick: Oliver's reply was magically transmitted throughout the arena. :I can pull this line back to a hundred pounds. Which means it's one nasty flounder once I let it go, water resistance or not.: Charybdis seemed to consider this, and did not take his eyes from Oliver, as if trying to decide if he was bluffing or not.
Clark felt his wounds heal, and he looked over at Callista, who has spit something into her hand, blood dripping from her mouth. She grinned, and held up Charybdis' finger, with Lex's ring still on it. Clark dropped the scourge and moved beside Oliver, pushing Chloe behind them.
:It's over.: Clark said to his tormentor. :We'll take Persephone and go.:
:Go, Otherworlder. But she stays. Her debt to me is not satisfied.: Charybdis said, looking at his hand. :She will pay for this as well, since the Sher'Hedeen is unable to pay for her insult.:
:I am capable.: Callista spat, Charybdis' blood drifting away from her mouth. :Your champions are useless- a disgrace to the Sher'Hedeen and me. I will fight you. And when I defeat you, your hold on the daughter of the Royal House will be over.:
Charybdis seemed to consider this and then waved. :Go. Take the noblesse with you.: The crowd roared in defiance, and Charybdis raised his powerful arms. :One day, though, Otherworlder, we will meet again.: He swam up, and released the magic that kept Clark bound to the arena. Chloe had gone to Persephone, and with Callista's help, got the mermaid up off the ground. They all swam to the top of the arena, Callista pausing long enough to toss Charybdis his finger, minus the ring.
:You might want this: She said, as the finger floated toward him. With a small smile, Callista raced to catch up with the group as they made their way out of the arena. As the reached the top, Lori and her small army from Lyonesse appeared. Chloe and Oliver raced for the sub, and Clark swam to the surface with the mermaids.
The dark shape unfurled itself from the distance, again, thrown off by the presence of Atlanteans. But the Leviathan recognized prey in the small ship that propelled itself to the surface. All of the harbingers were gone, and now, the quarry was the surface dwellers. It shrieked, and all of the Atlanteans turned, as Chloe and Oliver's little submarine darted toward the surface.
:Let her gain no more ground: Ronal's voice burst through Clark's mind like trumpet blasts. He looked over at the dark haired young man who resolutely faced the beast in armor that too closely resembled the Leviathan's hide. :For Lyonesse, For Atlantis:
The thirty or so that had come with them drew weapons, spears, swords and such.
:Go, Clark: Lori said to Clark, urgently. :You can do no more here. We will subdue her.:
:I can't leave you.: Clark replied, and Lori smiled, leaning in to kiss him more passionately than she ever had on land. She stared into his eyes, and touched his face. :Lori, I can't..the thought of losing you…:
:I will always be with you, beloved. Go. If I can come to you, I will. Oliver and Chloe will need you to help them escape. We will hold off the beast here. Should we fail, you must be alive to stop her. Please, Clark.: Lori pushed him away and toward the surface. She raised a hand in farewell, and then turned, swimming beside A.C. and Ronal to face the Leviathan as she screeched closer to the little group of Atlanteans.
Clark nodded, pushing his way through the water, building up speed. He was flying, and seeing the sub, he knew what he had to do. It was built along the lines of a small helicopter, so Clark grabbed on to the bottom of the vessel and continued to push upward, slowing only slightly.
"I can't control the damn thing!" Oliver swore, and Chloe closed her eyes. A voice, soft and gentle entered her mind. Gisela.
:Clark is with you, pushing your ship to the surface. Do not fear. You have been a good friend, Chloe. May the Great Mother bless you.:
:You sound like you are saying goodbye.: Chloe looked at Oliver, who was hearing Gisela as well.
:I am. Oliver, how can I ever thank you:
:Stay safe, little one, that's all.: Oliver replied, taking Chloe's hand in his. :That's all either of us want.:
:None in Atlantis will be safer than I.: Gisela said softly. :Goodbye my friends.:
Light appeared above them, and soon, they were airborne, and Oliver howled with laughter. He hugged Chloe, and they felt the sub land on the deck of a boat.
Jumping out, Oliver grinned again, thrilled to find himself on his yacht.
"Well, hello." Hal said, handing Oliver a tall drink. "Thought you'd never get here. Found your skipper hung over on the yacht, convinced him the best thing for it was sea air."
"Hal, this is perfect. Where is my harpoon gun?" Oliver said, handing the drink back to his friend. "Need to get it set up on the sun deck….."He darted off to rummaged through compartments looking for what he needed.
Chloe had hopped out of the sub and unzipped her wetsuit to the waist, exposing her blue bathing suit. She took the drink from Hal with a smile, sipping it delicately.
"What's with him?" Hal asked, and the yacht lurched to the side, pushed aside by waves as the Leviathan breached the surface, wings unfurled. She screamed twice, and headed for them. Clark leapt, sailing to her back, and tried to pull her away, using every ounce of strength just to stay on the neck of the monster.
"Keep her still, Clark!" Oliver called, setting the harpoon gun on the stand. "If I can knock her back down, the Atlanteans may have a shot at subduing her!"
"Oliver! Hurry!" Chloe called, grabbing the railing for support.
"Sorry, momma. You have to go back to bed. This is only going to slow you down a little." Oliver said, firing the harpoon gun. It whizzed out with a metallic whine and hit home in one of the beasts shining silver eyes. It screeched in pain, tossing it's neck back and forth until it threw Clark off.
"NO!" Gisela cried, breaching the surface. The Leviathan had dropped back into the water, and the mermaid clambered up the beast, pulling her tail uselessly behind her. When Gisela reached the harpoon, she pulled it out, the deafening squeals of the beast ringing through the sky. She threw her arms around it's huge head and began to sing, her voice soft. The Leviathan cooed, and Chloe gasped as a green light spread over the beast and mermaid, until the mermaid was gone, and the Leviathan sunk beneath the waves. The boat rocked, and Chloe stumbled across the deck, blinded by tears.
"Clark!" She called, and Oliver jumped down, beside her, searching the waves for any sign of their friend. "Clark!"
"Here." Clark answered, climbing up the side of the yacht. "I'm okay."
Chloe went to him, hugging him tightly. "You scared the crap out of me, Kent."
Clark smiled. "That makes two of us, Chloe." He looked over at Oliver. "Nice shooting."
"It's a hobby." Oliver shrugged, putting an arm around Clark's shoulder. "You okay, really? Should we wait for Lori?"
Clark turned. The sea was smooth as glass, and the sky had already begun to clear. A dolphin leapt into the air, the newly shining sun glorious on it's blue grey hide. "No. Let's go home."
"You got it." Oliver said. "And in style too." He kissed Chloe's wet hair. "Come on, Goldilocks. Let me give you the tour." Chloe gave Clark a sad look, but he smiled and shooed her off.
"Go. I'm fine. Really." Clark assured her, and Chloe nodded, looking back at Oliver, who was waiting. With a small giggle and a grin, she took Oliver's hand and allowed him to show her around. Clark walked to the bow of the ship, and watched the dolphins as they raced along side, dancing in the wake. Being alone, he felt tears sting his eyes and let them come. Goodbye, Lori, he whispered, and found himself smiling as one dolphin peered up at him, grinning. It knew something he didn't, and enjoying it's little secret, chittered joyfully, leaping beneath the wake.
Later that night, docked in Key West with plans to fly out the next morning, Oliver and Chloe at sat out on deck, watching the stars. Clark had gone to sleep in one of the state rooms, having said little since his return to the surface. Hal had gone into town with the crew, so they were alone. A shopping trip had outfitted Chloe with some clothes suitable for going home, and she leaned back in the chair, looking up at the sky, which had cleared beautifully.
"Next time I take you out on my yacht, it won't be to fight dragons." Oliver said, and Chloe grinned at him.
"What makes you think there'll be a next time?" She asked, and Oliver laughed.
"No new adventure on the high seas for Captain Chloe?" Oliver asked, and Chloe shook her head. "Aw, that's too bad. We could have sailed to Hawaii. All you'd have to do is say go."
"No thanks. I'll be glad to be back in Metropolis." She sighed, stretching in her chair.
"Chloe, listen." Oliver said, "I've been wanting to tell you something now for a bit, but it's never been the right time. I saw you with Clark earlier, and I just wanted to say, that if you still have feelings for Clark, I'll back out. I mean it. I love you, but I'm not going to stop you from being where you'll be most happy."
Chloe turned and stared at him. "What did you just say?"
Oliver rolled his eyes. "Goldilocks, I've been in love with you since I met you, pretty much, but if you have feelings for Clark…"
"Oliver, you just said you love me." Chloe gasped. "That is what I heard, right?"
"Yes." Oliver replied. "It's pretty pathetic, I know. But when Lori didn't come back and I know you had feelings for Clark before I came along..and…"
Chloe got up, and sat in Oliver's lap. "You realize how ridiculous you sound, don't you?"
"I wasn't, but I'm starting to think that I was wrong about the whole thing." Oliver laughed. He looked into her eyes. "I'm glad, because I do love you, Goldilocks. I got it really bad."
Chloe smiled, bringing her forehead to his. "I love you too."
Clark sat alone at Crater Lake, tossing pebbles to disrupt the smooth surface of the water. A week had gone by since they had watched the Leviathan sink beneath the surface of the ocean. Clark had visited Lex, who was back to his old self. He had been ranting at Lana for some removal of items from a room in the mansion. Lana had calmly told Lex that the things were in storage, and then welcomed Clark as if the argument had never happened. From what Clark could tell, Lex had no memory beyond waking up on his father's jet, all trace of the mermaid adventure gone from his mind. Instead, he was occupied with some rumor of a hostile takeover of Luthorcorp, so Clark cut his visit short. Eventually, he and Lex were going to have to seriously deal with everything that had gone on, but for now, Clark was content to leave well enough alone.
Clark wished all trace of the mermaid adventure would disappear from his mind. The interment of the Leviathan had played itself out in his dreams since that first night, the sight of Lori between A.C. and Ronal, tears streaming down her face was unbearable. This time, the happiness of others was no consolation. Chloe and Oliver were visibly in love and Clark was happy for them. But he wanted Lori. Wanted her so bad he could sometimes see her, a flash of her in a store window, hear her voice around him. His mother had counseled him about being alone so much, but it was all he wanted.
Footsteps roughed the ground behind him, but Clark didn't turn. If it was Chloe, she'd understand, Lois, he didn't care, and Lana, well, Lana seemed to have her hands full with Lex right now. The new arrival gracefully sank to the ground beside him, and took his hand. She didn't say a word, but Clark closed his eyes, and pulled her close, smelling the ocean breeze in her hair. Lori.
"I heard you missed me." Lori's voice embraced him, restored him. "I saw you, every dream I had this week, you were there." Clark choked on his words, unable to speak, and Lori put her arms around him. "I missed you too, Clark. There were things at home I had to deal with before I could come back. But I'm back now, and I'm here. I can't promise for how long, though. A day, a week, a month…"
"Forever." Clark whispered. Gathering Lori as close as he could. "Forever would be great."
"I'll stay as long as the Great Mother allows." Lori said, reaching up to kiss him as sweetly and urgently as she had the last time. He pulled her closer still, and returned the kiss. She broke the kiss and snuggled into his embrace. "If she grants me forever, I'll not argue"
