Clark suddenly found himself standing in a field of grass. There were exceptionally tall trees nearby.

"Dani is going to be ever so jealous. She loves visiting here!" Hilde commented with a grin as she gazed over Clark's shoulder.

Clark quickly turned and froze.

He knew Harry and the others had told him that Harry could travel through time, but he had never expected to come face to face with a brontosaurus.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, behind the conscious part of his brain that had stalled due to the dinosaur in front of him, Clark wondered just how long they would be gone.


"Everyone get inside the building now!" Scott shouted at the students who were gathering around the scene.

In the parking lot the car belonging to Class President Candidate, Paul Chan, sat with its driver door open as Paul slumped unconscious. All around the car there were bees still buzzing, but what was worse was the mass of dead bees in the car and the numerous sting marks on Paul's body.

"Emma, Jean, I need a telepathic illusion so I can deal with Paul and these bees." He sent to his two wives whom he was always connected to.

"I've got Paul." Jean said as she appeared. She had volunteered to cover for Harry as the School's doctor in his absence. "Emma and the Cuckoos have you covered to deal with the bees."

Neither former X-Man complained about the bees currently stinging them. Compared to the pain they had suffered in their lives this was nothing more than a tickle. Jean would easily heal them later anyway.

With Jean and Paul gone, Scott now faced the challenge as to how to handle the left over bees.

"Scott, get out of there. I've had James call Animal Control and the Sheriff's office. We'll let them handle it." Emma warned.


"Can we find a Velociraptor? A T-Rex? How about a Triceratops?" Clark asked excitedly.

Harry and Hilde just smiled. It was easy to forget that Clark wasn't even fifteen yet. He was still a child, it was good to see him like this and they very much regretted not bringing Jonathan and Martha along. He made a note to show them the memories of Clark as he should be.


"Are we sure this is a meteor infected attack?" Lana asked as they all sat in the castle living room.

"In this town we always start off with the assumption that it's a meteor infected attack." Lorna laughed.

By the time the authorities had arrived at the school, the remaining bees had flown off. All that was left was the evidence of damage done to Paul and the dead bee corpses.

"How do we figure out the culprit though? Unless you intend to read the minds of every student in the school." Lana said worriedly.

"That won't be necessary, we just need to do a bit of deductive reasoning and then, if necessary establish a plan to draw the attacker out." Emma assured her. "Miss Sullivan? Care to begin?"

Chloe couldn't help the blush on her cheeks. Emma had resorted to her usual skimpy outfits as she asserted she was not going to restrict herself if the girls were to be frequent visitors like Clark, Martha and Jonathan, of which the elder two were also present.

"Erm… I would start with what we know about Paul." She said as she affixed her eyes firmly on Emma's. "He's very active in trying to help other students, he's started a few campaigns for things the school needs, and most importantly he is running for Student Body President.

"Which means that the other candidates are potential victims and suspects." She finished.

"Exactly. So we need to begin an investigation into those two candidates and enter our own candidate to divert the attackers attention." Scott explained.

"Who would be crazy enough and believable enough to do that?" Chloe scoffed.

Scott, Emma and Laura just turned to look at Lana with sly smiles.

Lana looked horrified. "Me? Why would I be any better? What about Phoebe? Couldn't we wait for Clark to come back?" She asked frantically.

"Clark won't be back for at least a week." Scott told her. "By then another attack might have occurred."

"You are also the single student in the school who could win by a landslide if they ran against Paul Chan." Emma added. "Not only are you the most popular girl in school, you don't belong to any cliques, despite being a cheerleader, you are fair to everyone and you are involved in just as many school concerns as Mr. Chan is."

"We'll stick with you and protect you as well." Phoebe offered.

"We can even manage your campaign!" Celeste clapped her hands gleefully.

"And you can sleep over here so you can't be attacked at home." Mindee added.

"A sleep over? We haven't had a sleep over in… wow… I really can't remember." Dani said with surprise.

"At least a thousand years." Scott sighed. Sleep over's were not his favourite thing. They usually involved him getting kicked out of the house, and Harry wasn't here so he couldn't go drinking with him. "Jonathan, you and I are going to go somewhere and do something manly. Like… buying tractors, firing guns." He told the farmer.

"It can't be that bad." Jonathan scoffed.

"You have a son. Not only have I had to put up with this lot, but I have also had quite a few daughters. Trust me, you do not want to be here."

"Go on Jonathan." Martha smiled. "Whilst the girls are having their fun we ladies will indulge ourselves as well."


"There's nothing here." Clark said as he looked at the barren landscape around him. There was no plant life or vegetation, just rock and dirt and dust. There were no clouds in the sky but it was relatively dark and the sun was more orange than yellow.

"This is my home world. Where I was born millions of years ago." Harry said. "Up until about half a million years ago, I was the only life form around. It had been that way since humans and other life had died out naturally."

"Didn't they have the technology to stop it?"

"Everything that lives can die."

"Except you." Clark pointed out.

Harry smiled softly. "I am both alive and dead, according to magic at least."

"Why show me this?"

"So that you know we all have our limitations, even me. Everything has a beginning and end."

"We aren't going to be here long are we?"

"No, this was just a brief stop. There isn't any oxygen here and I have no intention of providing it for a long period."


Much to Lana's surprise and dismay, her picture was posted around the school before anyone even arrived. There were posters everywhere declaring her candidacy.

"'The Woman of Tomorrow'?" She asked Phoebe as she read the campaign slogan.

"That was Lex's idea. He initially had the 'Man of Tomorrow' but that wouldn't work for you." She explained.

"You have to pull out."

The Cuckoos and Lana turned to find fellow candidate, Sasha Woodman glaring at Lana.

"Why would she do that?" Celeste asked. "Not only does Lana have a good chance of winning but she also has plenty of experience serving the student body."

"She's a cheerleader!" Sasha exclaimed. "People will only vote for her because she dresses in skimpy clothes and bounces around."

Lana looked down at her current outfit with a frown. She was wearing jeans a halter-top and a light cardigan. Her collarbone was clearly on display but that was it.

"Not now! When she cheers!" Sasha explained with exasperation.

"Is that your quote for the paper?" Chloe asked from behind the bespectacled girl.

Sasha spun around. "What?"

"I'm getting quotes from all the candidates. I was coming to get Lana's but is that your quote? That Lana will win because she is hot?"

"I didn't say that!"

"Can I get a quote then?"

"Yes you can tell the people this: The students of Smallville High need to face up to the fact that they need a leader. Not a cheerleader or fashionista but someone who can truly take them to higher heights. I am that person. Vote for me."

"Ok," Chloe nodded as she got that down. "And your opinions on the other candidates?"

"What candidates?" She scoffed. "No one else is actually worthy of considering for the position. Chandler doesn't have the brain cells to run for office and Lang would have to spend her time getting people to look at her face!"

"So you don't believe you are attractive?"

"What!?"

Chloe pressed on. "Would you say that your physical self-doubt is the reason for your abrasive personality?"

"I am not-"

"What are your views on the attack on Paul Chan, the previous fore-runner for the race?"

"He got what he deserved for standing in my way!" Sasha's eyes widened in shock as she slammed her hand over her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that.

"Are you admitting you caused his attack?"

"This interview is over!" She declared before stomping off.

"Chloe, that was scary. Please don't do that to me." Lana said weakly.

"Don't worry Lana, this is why I am your Press Secretary." Mindee smiled. "Chloe doesn't get to ask you anything on the record without going through me."

"An interesting tactic, Miss Sullivan."

The girls turned to see Emma standing behind them.

"I believe you have successfully ousted the attacker."

Chloe smiled proudly.

"Unfortunately you are now at risk as Miss Woodman might consider you a threat."

Chloe's smile dropped.

"Hey girls, Miss Frost. Lana, congrats on running for Pres!" Pete smiled as he walked up. "For a while there I thought I was gonna have to nominate Clark to replace Paul."

"Clark?" Chloe asked. "Clark doesn't have a clue about what a Student President does."

"Who cares, people love him. He's the star quarterback, town hero and all that. He just has to smile for the cameras." Pete waved a dismissive hand before jogging off to his other friends.

"Clark will be so pleased to hear he wasn't here." Phoebe smirked.

"Did anyone tell Clark about Pete's reaction to Lex and that you wiped his memory?" Chloe asked.

"Oh dear." Emma sighed. "I will alert the others to inform Harry as soon as they arrive."


"Bruce! Thor! Buddies! How's it hanging?" Harry greeted his two immortal friends gregariously.

"Harry? We weren't expecting a visit from you so soon." Bruce smiled as he walked up and exchanged a manly hug with Harry as Thor greeted Brunhilde.

"Teaching trip." Harry explained. "Meet Clark Kent, he has the potential to be as powerful as The Sentry or any other mortal god. Even you Bruce."

"Impressive." Thor nodded as he examined the youth critically. "What lessons are we to impart?"

"Poker." Harry grinned broadly.

"I'll call the gang." Bruce sighed. After thousands of years as Harry's friend he was used to his eccentricities.

Clark turned to Brunhilde. "Why would we travel to a new reality just to learn how to play poker?"

"Because when played properly you can learn much from your opponents and the discussions that may take place." She smiled. "Also, you will be introduced to more of Harry's friends and family. In the first world you learnt of Harry's ability to traverse time. In the second you saw the limitations of life. In this world you will see the variety of life and how it should be."


"BEES! BEES! BEES! BEES!" Chloe screamed as she ran from the office of the Torch glancing over her shoulder.

She had stayed late to work on her articles and research when they had started pouring out of the drains. She was lucky to get out the door before they reached her.

"Umph!" She ploughed into a soft yet sturdy body. "Amara? We have to go!"

"Relax child." Amara said softly. "They won't reach you. Just stand right here and don't move or touch the fire." She said as she took a few steps back.

"What fir- oh god!"

A ring of fire instantly surrounded her. What caught her attention was Amara turning into a molten figure. She watched as Amara calmly walked to the Torch office as the door opened for her. She then stepped inside and the room lit up with flames as Chloe watched from within the circle.

As quickly as it began the flames died and a regular looking Amara strolled out of the office as the flames surrounding Chloe also vanished leaving scorch marks on the floor, walls and ceiling.

"I apologise for being late, I needed to use the rest room." Amara said calmly as she waved a hand fixing the damage.

Chloe was flabbergasted. "Are you telling me that I nearly died because you needed to pee?!" She screeched.

Amara just smiled. "You'd be surprised how often bodily functions can interfere with these types of situations. You were never in any real danger though. We placed a charm on your clothes to repel insects."

"Oh… well… that's ok then." She allowed. "Why did they come after me?"

"That should be obvious, Chloe. You didn't endorse the correct candidate for the election. I am curious, why did you decide to endorse Paul Chan over Lana? I'm sure Lana doesn't hold it against you."

Despite not being Editor of the Torch, she was given the decision on whom to endorse as Lana, being a candidate herself, had a conflict of interest.

"Because Lana doesn't actually want the position and Paul has worked a long time for it. Lana has at least a year left of being the Editor of the Torch, she would have to quit the Talon or cheerleading to handle the duties of Student Body President." She explained. "Besides, she plans to withdraw in Paul's favour."


"Congratulations Clark, you finally won a hand." Bruce smirked.

They had been playing for ages. Clark had lost track of time. At first he had quickly run out of chips and had to fold through nearly every game, but he had been forced to sit there and listen to their stories and banter and answer their questions as they continued to play. Each player knew the other so well that bluffing was impossible; the entire game was played on knowing the cards and playing the odds.

Clark was still having trouble focusing; he had been introduced to the 'gang', which consisted of, much to his surprise, gods. There was Hercules, Thor, Ares, Venus, Aphrodite, Athena and even Odin himself showed up for a game. Clark was shocked when one of the blonde haired women introduced herself as Sif, Harry's daughter.

Clark was used to being surrounded by beautiful women at the castle, but even he was having trouble focusing with two Goddesses of Love and Beauty at the table, especially as they were the pinnacles of feminine perfection.

Eventually Clark had managed to ignore the faces at the table and focus on the cards and who had, or might have, what cards. The odds played in his favour and he won.

"And this is where we call it a day, folks." Harry smiled.

"You won't give the child the chance to win back his losses?" Ares frowned.

"Not today, but we'll be back. I still have one more stop to make with Clark before I get him back to his parents."

"Do not wait too long, Harry." Thor warned with a smile. "We need to hear some of young Clark's adventures."

"Especially those with the girls." Venus smirked as she and Aphrodite shared a smile.

"If he ever needs some training, send him our way." Aphrodite said with a salacious wink.

Clark's face was completely red. Harry decided to take pity on the boy and teleported them out.


"Felice Chandler is on the warpath." Pete warned as he rushed into the Torch. "She's blaming you for her loss because you didn't endorse her."

"But that was Chloe's choice!" Lana exclaimed.

"Hey, it's your name on the paper." Chloe smirked.

"Watch it Sullivan, I'll have you doing puff pieces for a week and then I'll make you proof every major article Pete writes for the front page." She smirked.

"I'll still get to do the sports and cheerleader beat though, right?" Pete asked worriedly.

"LANG!"

All three occupants winced as Felice Chandler stormed in.

"Indoor voice, Felice." Chloe said patronisingly.

"Shut up Sullivan! I know you were a part of this."

"Miss Chandler, please keep your voice down." Jean scowled as she walked in. The doctor's office was only a few doors down and she was still subbing for Harry.

"Look Felice, what are you going to do? Stand there and screech all day? You can't do anything about it. The decision was mine and I decided that Paul Chan was the best candidate and endorsed him. If you want to complain, go see Principal Frost." Chloe suggested.

"I'll go when-"

"Enough!" Jean snapped. "Miss Sullivan is right, you have no options to take against the Torch directly. If you have a complaint then take it to the Principal's office or write a letter you want published in the Torch. Now, the bell is about to ring so please head to class."

Felice fumed on the spot before she stomped off with her entourage.

"The bell won't go for another half an hour." Pete frowned as he looked at his watch.

Jean just smiled. "Who cares as long as she isn't here making a fuss?"


Clark looked around at the surroundings and people. There was a very Eastern Asian feel to the place. But also a distinct sense of fear. All the people on the streets looked Asian.

"Is this another place you've been to where everyone is Asian?" Clark asked.

Harry smirked. "Yes, it's called North Korea. This is your home Earth, Clark. I wanted to show you the work I have begun since I got here."

"Isn't it dangerous for us to be here?"

"Clark, would we take you somewhere we couldn't protect you?" Hilde asked.

Clark had to concede that point. Even if there was danger, between Death, the Valkyrie and himself there was little they could handle.

"You stood toe-to-toe with a T-Rex and you're worried about a few humans? You played poker with gods and your scared of a government?" Harry laughed.

"That T-Rex was your fault! You could have told me it was there."

"Yeah, but the look on your face-"

"HOW COULD YOU SEE MY FACE?! I WAS IN ITS MOUTH!" Clark screeched.

"Clark, you're scaring the people." Hilde smirked.

"Come on, we are only going to be here for a few hours before we head back to Smallville." Harry smiled as he headed off.


"We all know what Chloe wants to be when she graduates, but what does Lana Lang want to be?" Pete asked as they took in the site of the various vocational booths that had been set up in the school.

"I really want to go into fashion design." Lana said firmly. "Or another area of art."

"As long as you remember to invite me to your fashion shows and the before and after parties." Pete waggled his eyebrows.

"What if I decide to focus on men's fashion?" Lana smirked.

Pete's face dropped. "That's cruel Lana." He grinned suddenly. "Congrats, you are well on your way to becoming a first class fashion mogul."

"What does the great Pete Ross want to be?" Came a voice from behind them.

"Clark! You're back!" Chloe cried happily as they all hugged.

"Came back this morning. Couldn't get my parents to let me take the day off though." Clark sighed dramatically.

"How was your trip?" Pete asked.

"Great, saw a lot of…" Clark paused as he saw Lana and Chloe making stop signs behind Pete's back.

"Clark! Our boy-toy is here!" Celeste squealed as she suddenly latched onto him. The others soon joined her.

"Now I realise what made my trip so nice." Clark groaned. "No fans."

"Aw, you don't mean that." Mindee pouted.

"Clark, Principal Frost wants to see you immediately." Phoebe said.

"Oh, well… I'll just be on my way then." Clark shrugged. "Maybe I'm getting a free pass from all of this."

"I want to know what Clark's going to do when he graduates." Pete wondered.

"He wants to go to college, but as far as he is concerned his life will be spent following in his families footsteps as a farmer." Chloe said sadly.

"How do you know?" Pete asked.

"I pay attention Pete."


Clark spent the rest of the day in something of a daze. He was having trouble dealing with the fact that his teachers had messed around with his oldest friends memories. Everyone assured him that he was still the same Pete Ross, he just wouldn't know about magic or Clark's secret. He especially wouldn't know about Lex's involvement.

He completely missed the Torch's former cartoonist Justin Gaines return, albeit bittersweet considering he had drastically reduced mobility in his hands and could no longer draw.

Chloe seemed thrilled that Justin had asked her out.

But Clark missed all this.

He stood in his barn loft watching the sun set.

"I'm sorry Clark. I wish this had never happened."

Clark didn't bother to turn around as Lex walked up next to him. "You don't control your father and you definitely don't control Pete." He responded without looking.

"No, but it's the same as your irrational belief that you are responsible for the meteor shower. I've always had to live with the stigma of being a Luthor thanks to my father's actions."

"At least you know what your father does. I have no idea why I arrived in a meteor shower." Clark argued quietly.

"I had an idea. I'm working on it." Lex said cryptically.

"Care to share?"

"I checked with your parents about where your ship landed. No one has actually searched Miller's field properly so I am funding an excavation with Harry to see if we can't find any clues."

"Do you think there might be more ships?" Clark asked hopefully.

"Clark, I have no idea what might be there. All I might find is more meteor rocks. So make sure you stay away just in case." Lex warned.

"Gladly."

"So how was your trip with Harry and Hilde?" Lex asked, deliberately changing the subject.

Clark looked at his older friend with a wry smile. "They taught me to play poker."

"Really?" Lex was surprised. "I keep egging them to play a game, we have plenty of players. There are some other young billionaires out there as well, we could even do a charity thi-"

"Lex, Harry had me taught by the gods." Clark said as he looked him in the eye.

"Gods?"

"Thor, Hercules, Aphrodite, Ares, Odin, Venus, the Hulk and a few others. It was not easy concentrating with two goddesses of beauty and love at the table." Clark told him.

"You're joking?" Lex half asked half accused.

"No, I'm deadly serious."

"Whose the Hulk? I've never heard of that god."

"Harry said he's a new god and one of the more powerful ones. He only ascended to true godhood a few centuries after Harry arrived in that universe."

"Are we sure Harry isn't a god?"

"I did ask, but they all said that Harry was as far from a god as they were from mortals. Harry outranks them and… well, they weren't bowing, but they were very respectful in their own way."

"Wow. Poker with the gods. It sounds so… surreal."

"Uh huh, we played on a cloud. I think Harry was pulling a joke though as the others seemed amused."

"Wow." Lex muttered as he looked up at the now purple sky filled with millions of stars. "Did you happen to meet any other famous people?"

"No… but I did get eaten by a Tyrannosaurus Rex."

"Oh." Lex nodded quietly. "Wait- What?!"


The following day came with grave news from Emma as she made a special visit before school to the Kents.

"James Kwan is dead. He was found early this morning by his son in the garage crushed by his own car."

"My god! That's awful!" Martha gasped. "Have the students been told?"

"There will be an announcement at an impromptu assembly this morning. Miss Sullivan has not taken the news well."

"Why did you tell her first?" Martha asked.

"I asked her to put out a memorial issue. Miss Lang is there now but I was hoping Clark would be willing to assist them. James was a good man. We intended to promote him next year so I could stand down."

"I'm gone. I'll eat these on the way." Clark said as he picked up a few slices of toast and sped out the door.

"Don't worry, Laura and Scott are already there supervising. They will make sure he eats properly." Emma assured them.


"Chloe, why are you searching for Principal Kwan's licence plate?" Clark asked as he came across a print out in the fax machine.

"I wasn't, when did it come through?" Chloe asked as she took the offered paper. The memorial edition of the Torch was now printing and students would soon be arriving.

"Yesterday afternoon."

Chloe slammed her hand over her mouth in shock. "Oh god! I was helping Justin find the person who ran him down."

"Principal Kwan hit Justin?" Lana asked as she came over. "That doesn't sound right. He doesn't drink and takes responsibility seriously."

"We need to show this to Principal Frost." Clark frowned.

"You really think Justin would do something like this?" Chloe demanded heatedly.

Clark was taken aback. "It's evidence, a lead. We can't just sit on it; if he's innocent then handing this over won't mean anything. If he is guilty then we are accomplices."

"I'll take it to Principal Frost." Lana said as she took the paper from Chloe's weak hands. "Clark's right, we can't make a judgement just based on this. I'm sure Principal Frost will ensure Justin is well represented legally."


"Come in."

Justin Gaines entered the Principal's Office to see Principal Frost and Doctor Potter waiting for him. Doctor Potter was standing behind the Principal leaning against the windowsill.

"Take a seat Mr. Gaines." Frost instructed. "We won't beat around the bush Mr. Gaines, were you involved in Principal Kwan's death last night?"

Justin kept his face emotionless. "No, I thought it was an accident?"

"We believe you found out that Principal Kwan's car was involved in your accident and you sought revenge."

"I don't have to sit here and listen to this! You don't have any proof." Justin said angrily.

"We have this." Frost said as she handed over the DMV print out of James Kwan's licence and registration. "Miss Sullivan has confirmed that she aided you in searching for a vehicle with a partial plate of 'DDI'. You were present when this arrived even though Miss Sullivan missed it."

"Her word against mine." He argued.

"That is for the courts to decide. For now you will need to go with the police and answer their questions." Frost said as she picked up her phone.

Justin sat there angrily. He knew he could kill them and escape, but he also knew he would spend the rest of his life on the run. No, he would bide his time and let the law play out. They had nothing on him and he had the perfect alibi, he couldn't use his hands so they couldn't pin the murder on him.

Chloe, however, was another matter. She had betrayed him.


Harry walked into the Luthor Mansion that afternoon soon after getting a request from Lex to meet. The young man had sounded rather urgent. Harry entered Lex's study to find the man himself and an older woman sitting across from him in front of the fireplace.

"Harry, I'd like you to meet Pamela Jenkins. She was my nanny." Lex said with a solemn expression.

"Miss Jenkins." Harry greeted as he shook her hand.

Harry sat down and gave her a frank look. "So, you are dying of cancer. Lex wanted me to check if that was true (which it is, Lex) and see if I can do anything about it."

Pamela looked shocked and horrified, she had been in the room when Lex had called the Doctor and he had only asked him to come over and meet someone. He hadn't even mentioned her gender.

Lex was sitting with his face I his hands. It was a long process, but he was still trying to come to grips with Harry's eccentricities. He should have gone with his first instinct and called Jean.

"No Harry. I believed her when she said she was ill, I just wanted to see if you could help at all." Lex sighed. "Pamela, I apologise. I should have warned you about Doctor Potter, he can be little… unusual."

Pamela looked at Lex for a second before turning to Harry. "How did you know I was ill, Doctor?"

"Call it a talent. I've been doing this a long time after all."

Pamela frowned; he didn't look more than twenty-five.

"Tell me about yourself and your relationship to the Luthors, Miss Jenkins." Harry instructed calmly.

Pamela again looked to Lex.

"He's just looking out for me, Pamela. In a genuine way, unlike my father." Lex said with mild disgust.

"He's been around again?" Harry asked.

"Yes, you should really pay attention to these things! The business world is cutthroat, you need to stay on top of potential adversaries." Lex admonished.

"If I thought they were a threat then I would. But he's not, he's a pest who doesn't really know I exist." Harry said dismissively.

"Doctor, I worked for Lionel Luthor for many years. I knew him very well." Pamela said warningly. "If you have the potential to be a threat or challenge then he knows about you and is watching and waiting to see what you will do. He probably has a whole team keeping track of you and your family."

Harry looked at Pamela and frowned. "Just how 'well' did you know him?"

"I cared for his son for most of his childhood." She explained.

Harry shook his head. "No, you knew Lionel far better than just being a nanny to his son."

"Of course I didn't!"

"You definitely did." Harry nodded as he looked to Lex.

"Pamela, I don't care if you had an affair with my father. My mother was far too sick to cope with any relationships after Julian… after." Lex finished, his throat clenching. "Just answer Harry's questions, he'll only do what is right. Excuse me." Lex stood and walked away, leaving Pamela and Harry alone in the study.

"I shoul-"

"Stay." Harry commanded quietly. "Lex has help if he needs it, and he rarely does. He is quite strong. Now, you have secrets, those might be detrimental to Lex and he is my friend. If you wish you can tell me your secrets in confidence and I will hold them under doctor/patient confidentiality. I will only advise you strongly regarding the secrets and leave the final decisions regarding Lex to you."

"I need to think about it." Pamela said quietly.

"Understandable. I will inform Lex. But don't take too long, your cancer is progressing quickly, I estimate you have a few weeks tops using the best medicine available, even less if you don't."


"I'm tellin' ya Lex, she might have shum good reashons for not telling." Jonathan slurred as he wobbled precariously on the stool. "Your Pa… he do shum real nashty thingshs."

"I know, but she could tell Harry, then Harry could make her better." Lex moaned into his glass. "Issh empty." He hiccupped.

"Is dad drunk?" Clark asked, he was horrified at what he was seeing. He had just returned from training with Brunhilde and Laura and found his mother and the others watching with amusement as the two men drank themselves into a stupor.

"Yes, Lex started earlier but refused to stop when Jonathan tried to reason with him. Your father, being his usual helpful self, refused to let him drink alone."

"But… why? And… aren't you worried about him attacking Lex?"

"It's not the first time he's done this, Clark." Martha said with a proud smile. "He did the same thing with Gabe Sullivan when he found the man at the local bar. You do remember Chloe's sleepover soon after she moved to Smallville?"

"Because Mr. Sullivan was drunk? I don't remember dad being drunk though."

"Of course not! He put Gabe to bed and went straight back to work. He's a Kent and they know better than to bring that sort of trouble home, he just ignored the pain of the hangover."

"Ok… why are they drinking enough to kill themselves?"

"You'll have to ask Lex, it's personal." Amara said sadly. "We don't know much beyond what we've heard them talking about, but Lex is fairly distraught."

"Shouldn't we stop them?"

"No, they need to do this, burn off some steam." Dani said seriously. "We'll give them a hangover cure in the morning, neither are alcoholics so we don't have to worry about recurrences."

"Issh not about wha Linnel did, it's about wha she migh' 'ah done." Jonathan said loudly. "Your fasher, he blackmails people… blackmailed me! Bashard!"

"Big bashard!" Lex agreed as he raised his glass to Jonathan.


Whilst this was going on, Lana and Chloe were heading to the castle in Chloe's car. The conversation was about their common interest.

"You've broken up with Whitney, he's left the town, it's been several weeks, when are you going to ask Clark out?" Chloe demanded.

"Me? Why-"

"Please tell me you aren't going to deny you like him." Chloe sighed. "The whole school knows you like him, there is a pool on when the star quarter-back and the head cheerleader are going to get together."

"There isn't!" Lana was horrified.

"I placed my bet." Chloe smirked.

"Do the teachers know about this?"

"Oh, I'd say they know." She chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Lana asked suspiciously.

"Well… you didn't hear it from me, but a certain all-powerful, near god-like doctor might be the one running it."

"That bastard!"

"Language Miss Lang!" Chloe laughed.

"He is so going to pay for this." Lana scowled. "Besides, isn't Clark supposed to ask me out?"

"Lana, we are women of the new millennium. We are strong and independent, we don't follow; we lead!" Chloe said passionately with a hint of mirth. "Besides, we both know that if you leave it to Clark it will be years before he asks. He is still hung up on his fears of being rejected as an alien."

"You're right." Lana sighed. "Is that Justin?" She asked suddenly.

Standing in the middle of the road ahead of them was Justin Gaines, he did not look happy.

"Do you think we should stop?" Chloe asked worriedly.

"Are you insane? We are only a mile from the castle; if he wants to talk to us he can pick up a phone or do it at school. With witnesses!"

Chloe nodded and she increased her speed and manoeuvred the car to the other side of the road to pass him.

There was a loud crack.

"What was that?" Lana asked worriedly.

"I don't know, but we are slowing down. I didn't see anything on the road."

Lana leaned round to look out the back window. "He's walking towards us."

Chloe looked at Lana. "Run?"

"Run!"

Both girls abandoned everything and jumped from the car and started running down the road.

Justin was surprised. He hadn't expected them to actually try and escape, or even realise they needed to. He started to run after them.

Earl Jenkins was checking the fences along the path to the castle. It was the last thing he needed to do before dinner. He was a little bewildered when he noticed Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan pelting towards him as though the devil himself was on their tails.

He knew they were in on the secret of magic and Harry so he decided to approach them.

"Girls, what's wrong?" He asked as he hopped the fence.

"We think Justin Gaines might be after us." Lana wheezed as they both bent at the waist to catch their breath.

"The kid who might have killed Kwan?" Emma had warned all the workers about what had happened just in case she and Harry were targeted for revenge. "I see him. Why don't you two go and get Harry, I'll see what he wants."

Neither girl had a problem with that. They weren't worried about Earl's safety; the man was like a mountain to an anthill when compared with Justin.

They quickly set off again, although at a slower and much more laboured pace.

Earl stepped into the path of Justin about ten feet ahead of him. "Mr. Gaines, do you have an appointment at the castle?"

"I don't need an appointment, now get out of the way old man." Justin snarled as he waved a hand that sent Earl flying.

Earl shook his head as he picked himself off the floor. The boy had sent him ten feet and hadn't even touched him. He would have sworn he had used magic but he knew Harry would have noticed any other natural magic users in town. Especially as Harry had met the boy today in person.

But whatever the case, Justin Gaines was clearly a threat to the castle and it's residents. That included his wife and daughter and he wasn't going to let the kid anywhere near them.

He teleported in front of Justin causing him to jump back in shock. "I can't let you go any further boy." He warned calmly.

"You have powers too?!"

"I do, and if I have to I will use them to put you down. Principal Frost and Doctor Potter were trying figure out how you could have killed Principal Kwan. I think we just found out the answer."

"You won't live long enough to tell." Justin smirked as he raised his hand only for him to go flying through the air as Clark materialised between them with a gust of wind.

"Clark? Where's Harry?" Earl asked.

"Right here. Carry on Clark." Harry instructed. "Thanks for stopping him Earl."

"My family is in there too, wasn't going to let him near them." Earl said as he watched Clark approach the slowly rising Justin. "Is this another lesson for Clark?"

"If I handle every little problem in the world then the world would never learn to stand up for itself. Clark has the heart and soul of a hero, I'm just giving him the chance to shine."

"Justin, calm down." Clark spoke soothingly. "You don't need to do this. Just go with Doctor Potter and he will sort this out."

"Thanks for coming out Clark. It saves me from having to find you. I know it was you who told Chloe and Lana to rat me out. So you are on my list too!" Justin flung a hand at Clark causing his telekinesis to lash out at him. But Clark just shielded his eyes and planted his feet.

Justin was surprised so he tried again, but the same thing happened.

"He made his choice Clark. Finish it." Harry instructed.

Clark did not want to attack his fellow student; he had hoped that he could reason with him. But Justin was consumed by rage and the desire for revenge. He darted behind Justin and tapped the back of his head. Justin fell to the ground in a heap.

"Clark, when a man threatens your family and friends, you end the threat first, then you reason with him." Earl frowned.

"I didn't want to hurt him." Clark explained.

"That boy clearly wanted to hurt us and you though. He was trying to kill Miss Lang and Miss Sullivan and he threw me ten feet. You were also the one to hand over the evidence that he might have killed Principal Kwan according to Miss Frost. All of that should have told you about his intentions."

Clark looked to Harry for back up.

Harry just scoffed. "I agree with him. The little bastard is a double murderer according to the Trips. I would just as soon as kill the git."

By now Clark was used to Harry's very casual approach to killing people. It helped that all the other castle residents assured him that he had never killed someone who wasn't guilty. Although Brunhilde had later taken Clark aside and explained that even Harry couldn't prevent all innocent deaths in times of war.

"You are going to just lock him up in the dungeon though, right?" Clark asked.

"Depends on the psych eval I get back from Emma and Jean. I really don't like his soul though. Very dirty." Harry admitted with a wrinkled nose.