Emma teleported herself and Clark straight to her office only to teleport them straight back to Themiscyra.

"Problem?" Harry asked as they had barely time to look away before the pair reappeared.

"I forgot the new Vice-Principal starts today and that I told him to go through the files in my office for a new student. Fortunately he didn't see us."

"We could go to the castle and you could drive us there." Clark suggested.

"We will go to the castle, but you will have to fly or run to the school. I am loathe to start rumours by car-pooling with a student." She grimaced.

"Take two?" Dani asked with a grin.

"Indeed." Emma said as she grabbed Clark's shoulder and they vanished.

"God almighty!"

"My apologies Lex, we didn't know you would be here."

The bald-headed billionaire clutched his chest where it felt like his heart was trying to escape.

"Isn't there a warning charm you can put on the foyer so people know someone is about to try and kill them with shock?" Lex gasped.

"You're young Lex, you'll survive." Clark grinned.

Lex just glared at him.

"There is a charm, but it only alerts us if strangers are coming." Emma explained.

"Please, for the sake of my sanity, adjust it."

"Runes are not my forte, mention it to Jean or Lorna. Why are you here?"

"Looking for Martha or Jonathan. Lana asked me to pick up some baked goods for the Talon."

"Ah. That may be a problem due to Martha and Jonathan spending the night on the island."

"Second honeymoon?" Lex grinned.

"Leeex!" Clark whined.

"Suck it up Clark, your parents are physically fit, attractive and in love. Just be glad that magical sound proofing is effective."

"Do you think I could move in here?" Clark pleaded with Emma.

"What makes you think we don't do what your parents do?" She asked archly.

"Oh I know you do… what you do… " He frowned as he processed that odd statement. "…but you are not my parents!"

"As Lex said, suck it up." Emma replied glibly. She held out her hands and several trays of muffins appeared in them. "I am not really a cook but our children have never complained about my baked goods." There was a slight smirk on her face as she looked at Clark.

"The triplets?" Clark asked innocently. "I don't doubt they would love to munch on your muffins."

The smirk failed slightly. But there was a genuine smile in her eyes now. "Touché Mr. Kent. Touché."

"And here I thought we'd never corrupt Clark." Lex said in awe of the moment.

"Lex, I would appreciate it if you could drive Mr. Kent to school. Circumstance dictates that I must drive myself and despite our conversation I have no desire to fuel rumours by arriving at the school with a student."

"You're going to take the Porsche." Lex smiled knowingly.

"See you at school Mr. Kent, don't be late." She smiled smugly as she strode out.

"Come on Clark, you can fill me in on what I've missed out on these past few days." Lex said as they headed back out to his car.

"Where have you been?"

"My father has moved in and he is very… demanding."

"Want me to smite him?" Clark asked seriously.

"Smite him?"

"I'm a god now. I can do that." He shrugged.

"I was only gone for a few days, right?"

"We are friends with Harry."

"Good point."


They managed to get to the Talon without Lex dying. It had been a close call as he had nearly run them off the road when Clark explained how he had defeated this world's Thor and been made a god by Odin.

They didn't stay long at the Talon though as Clark had to get to school, although Lana had a free period that morning, hence her being at the Talon.

Clark had insisted on driving the rest of the way to the school as he preferred Lex get there in one piece. That nearly didn't happen when Lex told him about Chloe being a Phoenix and his mother being offered a job by Lionel.

Unfortunately this occurred as they reached the gates as the bell rang. Closing the gates was a tall, broad-shouldered older male; Clark knew that this was the new Vice-Principal from the glance he got of him in Emma's office.

"You're late Mr. Kent." The man stated.

"No sir, the bell just rang."

"And yet here you are outside the gates."

"Only because you are conversing with me sir. So… I guess technically I can't be late as I am now in your care and supervision."

The Principal frowned at him. "I suggest you rethink your friends and acquaintances if this is the attitude you take with your teachers." He said with a scowl at Lex.

"I'm sure Dr. Potter will be sad to hear you think so little of him."

Lex was doing his best to keep his face impassive. It had hurt that Principal Reynolds clearly held him in such low esteem, especially as he personally respected and admired the man. His main problem was Clark. He had never expected Clark to argue with a teacher. He was always the sort to simply accept the blame and move on. Thankfully Clark was being respectful.

"We both know who I'm referring to."

"I was taught never to assume. It never leads to good things."

"I think I will see you in my office, Mr. Kent. I don't like your attitude."

Lex spoke up at that point. "With respect, sir, Clark has been nothing but polite. Maybe a little cheeky but nothing he said is untrue or disrespectful."

"This is a school matter Mr. Luthor, you don't have permission to be on school grounds. Please leave."

Lex thought about arguing the matter but nodded to Clark and pulled out his phone as he headed to his car.

"Follow me Mr. Kent." Reynolds ordered.

Clark sighed as he hitched up his rucksack and followed the new authority figure in his life. He honestly didn't know why he had stood up for himself like that. He placed the blame firmly at the feet of Harry though.

Five minutes later and the bell rang for class and the halls became harder to navigate as students and teachers made their way to their rooms.

"Miss Parker, I still need your transcripts for your file." Reynolds called out to a girl Clark assumed was new.

"Oh, of course sir. I'll check with my parents, see if they can find them." She smiled brightly.

"Come along Kent." He said brusquely.

Many students were surprised that Clark appeared to be in trouble. He was well known for being an example and role model. Nearly all the students knew him from his football fame.

They reached the offices and were intercepted by Emma.

"Both of you follow me." She ordered.

Clark couldn't believe this was going to get worse, but here it was. Reynolds had a huge scowl on his face.

Once in Emma's office she took a seat and indicated the two men to do likewise.

"Now what is going on? I received a phone call from Lex Luthor not two minutes ago requesting that Clark be appointed a teacher advocate as he felt he was being singled out by my new Vice-Principal."

"I caught Mr. Kent coming in late in the company of Mr. Luthor, he was driving Mr. Luthor's car erratically and unsafely. He then proceeded to debate the facts of whether he was late or not."

Emma raised an eyebrow before turning to Clark expectantly.

"There was a slight near accident whilst driving. Lex gave me some startling news. Which is ironic as I caused the same thing on the way to the Talon which is why I insisted on driving the rest of the way here." Clark said, but he was clearly not amused.

"And being late?" She asked.

"I arrived as the bell went. I was two feet the wrong side of the gate but I had plenty of time to make it to class."

"Regardless, he was not on school grounds when the bell went." Reynolds insisted.

"But you don't wish to contest the statement made by Mr. Kent?"

"As he said, he was not on the school grounds when the bell went. I find it discomforting that the Luthors have such a hold on this school."

Emma froze at that. Slowly she turned to Clark. "Mr. Kent, did Miss Lang get the muffins as requested."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Then thank you for running those errands for me this morning." She pulled out a pad and wrote on it before tearing off a page and handing the note to Clark. "That should excuse your lateness to class. Please ensure you make your way there quickly."

Clark heard the dismissal; he grabbed it and ran.

As the door closed Emma turned to Reynolds, her expression was as cold as her name.

"Mr. Reynolds, I do not appreciate the fact that you implied what you did. But the fact that you did so in front of a student is reprehensible."

Reynolds had the good sense to realise his mistake. "I apologise, that was wrong of me. But, I would like to know if I will be contending with Luthors. I have no wish to have to bow to their every whim." He sneered.

"My whims are the only ones you need concern yourself with Terrence." She said with narrowed eyes. "I don't just run this school. I own it. Lock, stock and barrel. Nobody dictates to me how I protect and educate these children. Not Luthors, not Potters and definitely not Reynolds. Am I clear?"

Emma Frost was a formidable woman and highly intimidating despite her apparent youth. "Crystal." Reynolds stated softly.

"Good. Now, I hope that you will put this incident behind you and leave your personal feelings beyond the reach of the school. As long Mr. Kent or any other student abides by the spirit of the rules and law and attempts to learn what they are taught then our only concern should be to encourage them."

"Of course, Miss Frost. Again, I apologise for my poor choices today."

Emma sighed and leaned back in her plush chair. "Terrence, we chose you for this job because we read between the lines of your job history. We respect that you didn't back down from Lionel Luthor despite the massive hit your career and reputation took. James Kwan was a good man, he was clearly hurt that he was overlooked as Principal but he put that hurt aside and did a superb job and showed all of us the utmost respect. What James didn't know was that we planned to promote him to Principal so that I could step down in a few years.

"We intend the same for you if you can prove yourself. Of course that means at the very least putting aside personal prejudices. Lex is a friend of ours. We met him through the Kents, he is nothing like his father and you need to realise that it has been years since you saw the boy and that he is now a man. His own man."

Emma could see that Terrence was sincere in his regret. "Again, I apologise, but I am an old man and it will take time to overcome over a decades worth of hurt."

"Your first apology was enough, Terrence. My advice though is to apologise to Lex. That is just a suggestion; you should attempt to engage the young man. He is a very enigmatic person, when he first came to Smallville he was probably just as you thought him to be. However, he nearly killed himself and Mr. Kent with a reckless car crash and that along with Mr. Kent's friendship has changed him."

Terrence nodded. Although still sceptical he could understand how an event like that could change a man.

"One last thing, just so you are aware. Lex Luthor has asked to take Clark Kent off the grounds for lunch. He was worried about the way Mr. Kent responded to you and wants to make sure there are no underlying problems. Mr. Kent has had some very challenging obstacles recently."

"He really cares for Mr. Kent?"

"Like a little brother." Emma said with a small smile.

"Medical emergency in the swimming pool! Medical emergency in the swimming pool."

Both adults stood abruptly at the announcement over the speaker system.

"We'd better investigate, Terrence." Emma scowled as she pulled out her phone called for an ambulance.


"My God! What happened to him?" Terrence gasped as he looked down at the severely aged student swimmer Troy Turner.

"Jean, I've called for an ambulance. What do you need?" Emma asked, ignoring the shocked vice-principal.

"Harry." Came the terse reply.

"I'll see what can be done." She turned to Terrence Reynolds. "Mr. Reynolds, please get these students to the gym and keep them there. We need ensure that whatever happened to Mr. Turner doesn't happen to anyone else.

"Mr. Kent, head to the showers and scrub. Then return to aid Dr. Grey so she can watch you for symptoms." "You are likely unaffected due to your new status but Jean might need the help." She sent mentally.

"Yes Principal Frost." Clark said before heading off, he had been in the pool at the same time and had rescued Troy from drowning.

The students were soon herded out leaving Jean, Emma and the incapacitated Troy.

"Any guesses, Jean?"

"It's like some one sucked the life out of him. I'd really like Harry to take a look at his soul."

"His soul is fine, Jean." Came Harry's voice as he teleported in next to her.

"Harry! What if someone saw you?"

"You know I always arrive invisible first. Unlike you, Emma." He teased referring to their near miss this morning with Reynolds in her office.

Emma decided to ignore the jibe. "Can you help him?"

"Of course. Giving him his youth back is no different to whatever it is I do to keep you young and healthy. We will diagnose this however we like and suggest that his body will correct itself with a good diet and supplements."

"How long will it take to get his body back to its proper age?"

"I could do it right now. But quite frankly we don't want to be obvious, I will make it happen over say six months or so. We will make him report to my office for mandatory checkups on a weekly basis. He can still attend school."

"Attend school? Harry he looks like he should be on his death bed!"

"He is, technically. But we can boost his system so he is a healthy octogenarian."

"Fine, now for the important question, what caused this? Is this some sort of late onset progeria or is it caused by an external source."

There were a few moments silence as both women waited for Harry to finish his genetic examination.

"External." Was all he was able to say before the paramedics arrived.

Emma and Harry moved away to talk leaving Jean to handle Troy's care.

"I can't detect anything in the water or in this room in general." Harry informed her.

"Which makes sense with only Troy being affected. And this is Smallville." She sighed. "So we likely have an assailant in the school."

"That would be my bet. Who was the last person seen with him?"

"Clark."

"Hmm, I'll have a word with him, see if his powers might have acted up."

"Careful Harry. Lex witnessed an encounter between Clark and Reynolds this morning. Lex was worried enough about Clark's behaviour that he asked for permission to take him out of school at lunch to talk to him."

"Red kryptonite?"

"I saw no signs of that level of behaviour. In truth it seems that Clark merely stood up for himself after being singled out unfairly."

"The stress might be getting to him. I'll talk to him and we will lay off the training for a bit."


Harry had easily gotten Clark out of the school. He just claimed he wanted him at the hospital for precautionary checks. Those checks were quickly faked and Harry had them back at the island just strolling down the beach.

"Come on Clark, you have everyone worried." Harry pried. "This is not your usual brooding, to be honest we were surprised that Lana breaking up with you didn't have a longer affect. What's bugging you?"

"What's bugging me?" Clark asked a little testily. "I am being told that with all this power I also have all this responsibility. Not only am I out there in Africa helping people with these powers but I am also helping around the farm. That doesn't even begin to deal with the training you put me through.

"But my problem is that I have this power, this responsibility… but where is the respect?" Clark demanded.

"Respect?" Harry frowned.

"If I am forced to behave and act like an adult, why am I constantly treated like a child?"

"Can you give me examples?" Harry asked curiously.

"Not really, it's just a feeling. Today when Reynolds went at me it was the last straw, I decided to use your style of reasoning."

"Alright… first of all, no one thinks you did anything wrong today. Not even Reynolds, Emma had a talk with him and he admitted his issues are with Luthors. Primarily Lionel but that has bled over to Lex.

"Secondly, I think we made a mistake and have pushed you too far too soon. That's not a judgement against you." He added at Clark's hurt look. "But you are only just reaching sixteen. I think it's time to consider this year a form of vacation. Stop going to Africa. Leave that to the others and me. We will handle all these other issues, you only need to deal with things that happen directly to you."

"It doesn't change the way I feel." Clark said sullenly.

"No, and it will be difficult to make any real change. I think I know some of the causes but there isn't much we can do."

"What causes?"

"You spend a lot of your time at the castle, there are three of your teachers there… and Emma, well… she always has that air of authority. I think that's part of the problem. People who outrank you in various ways always surround you. You don't take the time to just enjoy being Clark Kent: Teenager."

"Or I could just be respected more as an adult."

Harry just laughed. "Clark, do you really see me acting like an adult when anything but medicine is involved? Every few years my girls and I go somewhere secluded where we can spend the entire time naked and screwing like… teenagers. Now, I can't advise that yet, but why don't you invite Chloe, Lana and Lex to go somewhere. Anywhere. I'll pay."

Clark grimaced. He didn't have the same hang-ups as his father did at using other people's money, but it still didn't sit right with him.

"Hmm, how about a taste of the future, I could take you to Sif's home. They would love you there. There is very little trouble and what trouble there is is handled very easily."

"What if there is trouble here?"

"Clark, I've been saving humanity since before humanity existed in this world. I can handle it."


Terrence Reynolds entered the Talon at nearly gone 7pm that evening. They had managed to calm the students and assure them that none of them were currently at risk but they still didn't know what the problem was.

"Mr. Reynolds, I was hoping you might let me buy you a drink."

Terrence was startled by the voice but very surprised to see Lex Luthor standing there.

He immediately tried to clamp down on the negative feelings that Luthor's brought up. "No Mr. Luthor. But perhaps you would let me buy you a coffee. I believe I owe you an apology for jumping to conclusions today." He sighed.

Lex frowned but nodded. They both got their drinks before Lex led them to a booth in the corner where they could have some privacy.

"I have to say I was pleased to discover you would be the vice-principal for Smallville High. Emma Frost has excellent taste and judgement. But I was surprised you would take a position in such an unassuming place. I thought you were somewhere in Europe heading prestigious academies."

Terrence was about to jump down Lex's throat for the jibe at his career woes, but then he realised that Lex appeared to be sincere. There was none of that underlying snideness and mocking that his father was famous for when delivering a put down.

"Do you not know why I was fired from Excelsior?"

"Fired? I thought you simply moved on." Lex leaned forward.

Terrence sighed. "Lex, I was fired because I tried to expel you for that incident. Your father intervened and had me fired."

The look on Lex's face was one of distraught. "I got you fired?"

"You were the catalyst, so to speak. It was all your father's doing."

"God, no wonder you hate me."

"Hate is a strong word."

"If it fits."

"It might, but as Miss Frost pointed out today, I need to avoid painting you with the same brush as your father."

There was a moment's silence before Lex spoke up. "My advice, if you wish, is to follow Emma Frost's lead carefully. This school might seem like a dead end but she has the means and motivation to take it places. Although they probably won't want to do that considering some aspects of this town."

"You mean like the meteor infected?"

"What do you mean?" Lex feigned ignorance.

Terrence just smirked. "It's good to see I haven't lost my touch for reading the faces of rich young boys. Miss Frost revealed to me the issues they have had with meteor rocks."

Lex sighed in relief. "Actually, they are calling it Kryptonite now. Dani Moonstar, your school counsellor discovered that no one had registered and named the stuff so she did so."

"I haven't met her yet. Or Doctor Potter or Coach Kinney."

"They had a bit of an issue to deal with. I heard they should be back tomorrow." Lex assured him. "Another piece of advice. You will notice that Emma, Scott, Laura and Dani will order Harry around and push him playfully. But make no mistake; he is the power behind their group. If you watch you will notice that in a crisis they all take their cues from him."

"I heard some disturbing rumours about him and some of the girls. A miss Felice Chandler, Chloe Sullivan and Lana Lang?" He frowned.

Lex laughed. "With regards to Felice, the best thing you can do is make random and frequent stops at Harry's office. Felice is attempting to seduce Harry and Harry has resorted to sharing an office with Dani to protect himself."

He then turned slightly more serious.

"Harry is something of a mentor to Clark Kent, Lana and Chloe are good friends of Clark's so he knows them pretty well. Harry and I are actually investing in Lana Lang's dream so there is a business aspect there, as for Chloe, there were some issues with her Torch editorials and she took the demotion badly, this was before Dani became the counsellor."

"You and Dr. Potter are investing in an underage girls dream?" Terrence asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How's your coffee?" Lex smirked.

Terrence frowned at the non sequitur. "Fine."

"Courtesy of Lana Lang and her dreams of returning the Talon to its original glory. Wait here a moment." Lex put his mug down and walked to the counter and spoke to female barista. She nodded before picking up a phone on the wall as Lex returned to the table.

"She'll be here in a minute. She has good potential for business." Lex smiled.

"Wasn't it risky investing in a coffee shop when one already existed in such a small town?"

"Very, and when she approached me I wasn't going to go through with it. But I discussed it with Harry, he offered to buy the building and restart the movie theatre section whilst leasing the coffee shop to me. Lana runs both with Scott Summers as the Manager."

"It seems everywhere I look there is one of Miss Frost's friends involved in a new aspect of the town."

"They have every intention of buying as much of the town as they can for the sole purpose of preserving the heart and culture. They are very community orientated."

Terrence kept his face neutral as he nodded. He didn't care how noble these people seemed with their intentions, when the rich started buying up rural areas it was usually bad news for the locals.

"Lana, have you met your new Vice-Principal?" Lex asked as the ebony haired girl walked up with a laptop in hand.

"No, it's nice to meet you sir." She said politely.

"Miss Lang." Terrence nodded. "Mr. Luthor tells me this coffee shop and movie theatre are your idea."

"The coffee shop was, the movie theatre was a pipe dream that Harry brought to life." She nodded with a slight blush.

"But the majority of the work is yours." Lex added. "Harry made sure you had the best equipment that would last but he has left most of the details in your hands."

"It's very impressive." Terrence acknowledged. "How old are you Miss Lang, fifteen, sixteen?"

"Sixteen in a few weeks sir."

"Very impressive. Do you keep a journal?"

"I rarely have time for that anymore. Between this, cheerleading, the Torch and general school work I don't have a lot of free time to sit down and write."

"I recommend you try, it will be very beneficial when you begin to apply for colleges."

"Your laptop has a camera, try making a short video entry each day." Lex suggested.

"I wouldn't know what to talk about." She admitted.

"I'll see if I can find Lorna or Amara this evening. Those two sound like the best options for this sort of advice." Lex offered.

"Advice for what?"

"Coach Summers? Of course, Mr. Luthor mentioned you were the manager here." Terrence realised as the tall brown haired man walked up.

"Mainly for legal reasons and safety of course."

"We were just discussing Lana keeping a journal for college. She doesn't have time to write but she has a laptop and a camera so she could make a video journal." Lex explained.

"But, again, I wouldn't know what to discuss."

"Easily sorted. I will arrange for us to record our weekly meetings. They are always informative and will show you interacting with your colleagues."

Lana was very relieved; she really didn't have the time for more things. She was hoping to convince Principal Frost to let Chloe take over the Torch again.

"It's nearly 8 Lana. Call it a night." Scott ordered.

"I can stay till 9."

"No you can't. You need your sleep. You have cheerleading tomorrow and the game on Saturday."

"Please?" She didn't want to beg.

"Fine. Lex, can you drive Lana to the castle?"

Lex frowned. "Of course." He said as he stood and made his goodbyes to Vice-Principal Reynolds.

Scott noticed the disapproving look he got from Terrence, he smiled. "Lana is friends with my daughters. She doesn't want to go home as she lives with her single Aunt and she has a new boyfriend. She will likely call Chloe Sullivan and they will have a sleep over."

"Every time I turn around I find you, Miss Frost and your… friends, involved in another aspect of this town."

"It's a small town."

"45,000 is not that small."

"No, but when you consider the size of Main Street then you have to realise that everyone knows the proprietors of those stores and their employees. Six-degrees of separation becomes more like three-degrees."


The following day Harry called the new girl, Chrissy, into his office. He had been watching the students enter the school; it was nearly impossible to simply say that a student was responsible because they were kryptonite infected as nearly every student was… except Chrissy Parker. Harry knew something was off as the one thing he couldn't stop seeing was magic and souls and there was no way Chrissy was 16.

"So how old are you exactly? Do you even know?" Harry asked as he gestured for Chrissy to take a seat opposite his desk. Dani was perched on the windowsill behind him.

"Sixteen. It's in my records." She frowned.

"Nah, I'm talking about your real age. My estimate is at least five millennia."

Chrissy laughed, there was a hint of nervousness in it. "That's impossible, nobody lives that long!"

"She's over one hundred thousand and I'm over twenty million. You're just a child compared to us." Harry shrugged. "It doesn't matter, you have killed far too many people for me to consider just locking you up. Quite the body count you have. You could put the holocaust and the entire death count of world war II to shame, couldn't you?" Harry said mildly.

Chrissy frowned. "What are you?"

Harry smirked. "I am the one thing you have been running from all these years. I am Death."

"Death is a dragon, a big black dragon that devours the souls of those deemed unworthy of even hell." She said, but she was sweating slightly.

"I'm only a dragon some of the time. Also, I don't devour the souls. I destroy them. Let me demonstrate." Harry's hand came up and a blast of green light hit Chrissy in the chest, killing her. Harry walked through the table and grabbed Chrissy's soul and destroyed it.

He then waved a hand disintegrating the left over body.

"Now I have to do the hard part." Harry sighed as he looked at Dani.

"We could just have the telepaths make people think she ran away." Dani offered.

"No, they don't like doing that and I don't like them doing that." He ran a frustrated hand through his messy black hair. He then closed his eyes and concentrated.

Dani smirked as Harry morphed into the spitting image of Chrissy Parker. She then transfigured his clothes into what Chrissy was wearing.

"I hate bras." Harry groused in Chrissy's voice.

"Welcome to the club."

"I prefer to be a supporter of the club, not a member."

"Are you going to hitchhike or grab a bus?"

"Bus. The camera's will catch me leaving and the dead end at the first stop will confuse any investigators."

"Make sure you're back for dinner."


It was a few days later that Lorna Dane stood outside the door of a non-descript apartment in Star City waiting for her knock to be answered.

When the door opened she saw a twenty-something year old woman with dark brown hair who stood at about her own height.

"Tess Mercer? My name is Lorna Dane, I have some important information for you."

"What information?" Tess asked suspiciously.

"About your birth parents."

"I was abandoned at an orphanage as a child. My parents wanted nothing to do with me then so why would I want anything to do with them now?" She hissed angrily.

"Your father abandoned you after he essentially stole you from your mother. She recently got free of your father and was able to inform your half-brother of your existence. Both were desperate to find you and make sure you were ok."

"What do you mean 'stole me'?" She asked.

"Could we go inside and sit down? When you hear the names of the parties involved and the reasons you might understand a bit better. You'll hate your father with a vengeance but you'll see that your mother had little choice in the matter."

"Alright, but don't try anything." Tess was still jumpy having just returned from being held prisoner on a remote island. She had only escaped after their captors murdered her best friend. She only managed the escape because of the serendipitous discovery of the shipwrecked Oliver Queen.

Lorna smiled and stepped into the apartment.