The next day Black Friday...
Clark and Lana spent Black Friday shopping like the rest of Kansas, little did they know their quiet shopping day was about to get a sideways turn. The mall was full of people shopping for deals our intrepid couple were no difference. They had both grown up in tight financial situations so a opportunity to save a few dollars was always a welcome opportunity.
The first problem started when they were walking by the book store in the mall and someone recognized Clarks picture from the jacket cover of his book. They were swamped in short order folks shoving their books at Clark for an endorsement in the books inside cover.
Lana quickly found the store manager and insisted they do something to organize a impromptu book signing. Clark was overwhelmed for a while until Lana sat down next to him and the crowd noticed her advanced state and started to calm down. It became a friendly signing very quickly Lana cast a calming spell. Lanas presence alongside Clark changed the tempo and the hurried atmosphere it changed to a relaxed environment.
Little did they know some pregnant soon to be mommy was so concerned that people would get hurt trying to get a signature from Clark. The book store was small so to prevent a worse problem she cast a spell to one make everyone happy and second for everyone to calm down and live in the moment. Lana only intended it to affect the book store but it covered most of Metropolis.
The book store sold out in two hours. To help cheer up the disappointed shoppers Lana volunteered that she and Clark would return next week for another signing session. The news later reported that Black Friday was one of the happiest shopping days ever it just set the tone for the remainder of the year.
The mall shoppers noticed that this year shopping seemed some how calmer. No one could figure out what was different but there were a lot of "Merry Christmas's" being exchanged in place of the normal hurry up and get on to the next deal. It was like some one spread happy through out the mall like happy was sprinkled on each person.
The mall was taking in a lot more cash than they had in other years with all that cash on hand they called for multiple armored cars to transport the money back to the transaction center. This was today's big problem a crew had been counting on a busy day for the transfer company and planned to hit a truck or two so they would also have a nice Christmas too. They planned on hitting the truck after the guards returned from their multiple rounds in the mall.
There were two armored trucks at the main entrance to the mall. Time to get the job in play as the loaded guards returned to the trucks. They struck both trucks together, they jacked them up on airbags which were slipped under each truck easily. The bags inflated in seconds the drivers never knew that they were facing a holdup. The master planner gave the go signal for the next phase from his office across town between the additional cameras and the tapped security feeds they had things covered.
Once the guards outside the truck were taken down the criminals took to opening the trucks to get at the money inside they lit cutting lances to get through the back doors but first they drilled a hole in the side of the trucks and dropped a sleeping gas canister in each. Within a minute they were inside both trucks. Little did they know someone got a message to the police that a robbery was happening at the mall.
Clark and Lana were done shopping and were returning to their SUV for the drive back to Smallville.
"Clark do you hear that" asked Lana?
"The police sirens approaching or the people yelling help"?
"Both, we need to help baby" said a smiling Lana.
"Ok first thing is our bags into the Range Rover".
Clark disappeared in a flash and returned to Lana's side "do we just take them down and deliver them to the police or do we just wrap them up for the police"? They changed into their costumes Jor El built for them in a heart beat they were floating over the armored cars. The technology changed their physical appearance including hair, eyes, facial features, body size and shape. Lana's suit also masked her pregnancy too.
"Ah boss we have a problem there are two people floating in the air over the armored cars we need to get out of here, I've never seen people fly before I don't want to see what else they can do".
"Plan B then retreat to the mall take hostages leave bombs in both truck set a couple off in front of the mall too".
"Bombs away boss" as he hung up the sat phone. "Retreat to the mall plan B, plan B", he told his crew.
Clark descended on one truck while Lana descended on the other. The criminals retreated to the mall as they ran they dropped some small packages on the side walk. Lana pointed to the grenades on the side walk Clark swept in and picked them up hugging them to his chest as they exploded a little smoke and dust filled the air.
People outside the mall were backing away and saw what Clark had done, they were shocked. The guards were along side the trucks when the bombs went off inside. The trucks were mildly damaged but the guards were ok any real damage was to the trucks. Lana dragged the guards clear of the trucks while Clark asked the crowd to stay back. Security guards started to show up and created a barrier to protect the civilians.
Lana took to the air above the mall by now she was using her X ray vision to find the crooks. Lana found them quickly enough they had taken about 100 hostages and were trying to take more, Lana crashed through the roof cutting off their attempt to gain more leverage and hostages.
(Clark we need to stop this before this gets anymore complicated I just chased them back to the food court where they are holding the hostages they managed to grab).
(I agree how many have you counted the ones out in the open number around 12 but there are about 20 more trying to do their best to hide) Finally the police could be heard getting closer.
(Baby do you feel up to some super speed)?
(I can do a little for a while but I just might get tired and start to slow down).
(Think you can handle 12 bad guys, just knock them out I'll pick them up and we can dump them in the armored trucks they wanted in so much).
(That's a great idea Clark).
(So where are the 20 others hiding)?
(Looks like 10 are watching something in front of a store and the other 5 I can see as looking for a way out or to secure the place so the police can't get in).
(Ok than leaves 5 unaccounted for at this point, wonder where they are hold up). Lana has returned to Clarks side by this time (well what do you want to do husband we need to end this now). A team of 5 men broke through the roof door they set up a AC-30 mini canon facing the road where the police were going to enter the mall property.
(I can guess what the first take down is going to be) Lana smiled at Clark.
Lana zoomed down to the unsuspecting criminals. Lana was seen, the guy behind the gun swung it up at her and pulled the trigger 30 caliber rounds blasted out of the multiple barrels straight at her. Lana put her hands in front of her to deflect the rounds much to her surprise the rounds had no effect on her it was like nothing she cupped her hands until they were full of bullets she had enough of this. Time to stop this, now that she was sure she couldn't be hurt. Lana focused her heat vision and melted the gun on its mount the crooks started for the door when Lana went into super speed mode knocking them all out within a second.
(There that wasn't to tough, still getting used to having superpowers its good to know they really work).
Clark went into action one second there were ten armed crooks watching over the hostages the next there were none. Lana delivered her 5 from the roof Clark knocked down a steel pole and wrapped it around the 15 together.
(Please put them under a sleep spell).
(Clark I'm not so sure about a spell I'm still learning shouldn't I summon Zantana to put them under)?
(Baby you can do it I know you can, it just takes a little faith in your abilities).
Clark always knew what to say to her, she thought I'll try. Lana took a deep breath she focused her energies on the crooks in front of her sleep was her command a purple cloud covered all of them they were going to be out for a while. Lana rose into the air to see what Clark might need help with she used her x ray vision she saw Clark running in super speed trying to find the other ten who were out side of the store a while ago and the 5 that went in all sorts of directions either escaping or to further turn the mall into a fortress.
Clark dashed back to the front of the mall with 5 more bad guys and quickly incapacitated them and secured them. Lana was flying overhead she flew through the hole she made earlier she went to the hostages who had finally figured out that their guards were missing.
She touched down to a shocked group of people she smiled at them and said "the guards are gone I will lead you out to safety my name is Nocturne follow me if you want to get out of here".
Lana led the group of 100 former hostages who were so happy that they didn't even think to ask what she was, where she was from, or anything that a reporter would have asked. They just wanted out of the mall and to safety. Lana's group was out the front doors of the mall a cheer went through the crowd.
The first police were showing up on scene Lana stood her ground as the police drew their weapons at her, several of the hostages got in front of the police. "She saved us from those men over there" as they pointed to the bent steel pipe holding about 30 crooks. Lana approached the police "we suspect that they have been setting bombs in the mall, we faced several on first contact with these idiots".
Lana took to the air "keep your officers back until we can clear all the explosives". The sergeant on scene called in for a bomb squad response to the Metropolis Mall. Clark was running through all the public areas in the mall so far he found and disabled 12 bombs, (baby I've found 12 bombs so far but I know there must be more these guys were planning on causing a major disruptions).
(Clark the bigger question is were the bombs and the damage the primary reason or was it the armored car hold up we stopped).
(Both are good questions which we have neither answers for right now).
(Really, ya think) said a slightly exasperated Lana.
Clark knew better than to mess with a pregnant woman that was going to be a slow painful death. Clark smiled to himself my mama didn't raise a fool! Clark found several more bombs and disabled them. He ran across two more of the crooks setting more bombs. The last crook Clark took down had a bag full of all kinds of explosive devices.
Clark dropped the latest pair into the hands of the police "I found these guys setting more surprises inside we think there are a few more we will scan the mall for the last few and destroy them". The ranking police sergeant shook his head as Clark lifted off into the air they are never going to believe this when I get back to the station house. Clark found two more criminals he promptly turned over to the police and Lana dropped down from the sky with the ring leader kicking and screaming to let him down.
Lana laughed "really you want me to put you down right now" she asked? The ring leader screamed at her to let him go as she touched down still holding him off the ground she looked at him and asked "are you sure"?
"Yes damn it let me go".
Lana smiled "well let me grant your wish" as she let him drop the two feet to the ground.
He screamed "you crazy bitch" as he noticed he was in front of a cop.
"Officer arrest that woman she held me against my will".
The sergeant just laughed "ok Mr. whats your name"?
The crook looked guilty Lana and a floating Clark both laughed "officer if you check his bag you will find the plans for this attempted robbery and a satellite phone he was using to talk to the mastermind behind this robbery". "He also has a detailed plan on where to place the explosive charges".
"Well that makes it very clear your under arrest for the attempted robbery and unlicensed explosive charges in your possession take this one away with the others".
"Exactly do we have to thank for saving the day sir and madame asked the officer"?
Clark said "were friends you can count on when things get out of control, I'm Superman and the lovely lady is Nocturne the White Angel". Clarks suit gave him the appearance of a blue eyed Adonis and Lana appeared to be a ginger haired green eyed goddess. The cop wanted the pair to stick around but Lana rose into the air as Clark addressed the crowd.
"The attempted robbery is now over the mall is safe please return to your Christmas shopping and a Merry Christmas to all of you" as he and Lana continued to rise disappearing into the distance as they super sped off to the north. A camera crew had just gotten set up and caught Clarks impromptu speech and their more than impressive departure. The phrase a star is born just wasn't the right phrase. This was much larger, today there was someone new helping out on the side of right they were Superman and Nocturne the White Angle.
The whole next week the worlds press spent camped out on the roof tops of building trying to get a glimpse of the new hero's. Back on the Kent ranch Lana and Clark were having a big laugh at their new public personas. They decided that they would have to make a stronger public statement soon. Their first public appearance went off ok considering for the next two weeks straight the news outlets did noting but replay the little video they had of our two heroes.
Lana wanted to do a press conference but Clark wanted to hold back until the baby arrived, looks like Clark was going to win on this one.
Baby Lara Martha was born on December 20th to a pair of intensely proud parents. Oliver's special team was summoned at 2 pm Lana's water finally broke so this time they knew it was the real deal no more false labor. The team arrived by helicopter at 3 pm, Chloe beat the team by 20 minutes Oliver made it by 3:30 he had to take a second helicopter because Chloe wasn't going to wait on him she wanted to be at Lana's side if she need her girlfriend for support.
Clark did fine until it came time to really push he thought the pain he was feeling over the link was too much for Lana he kept yelling for the doctors to just take the baby out, Lana was determined to deliver this baby and no one was going to talk her into anything else. Labor was a short 16 hours Lara was born in time for breakfast to a very relieved Clark and a hugely happy Lana.
"Clark now that she is out you owe me big time and I mean big time"!
"What ever you want baby is fine with me I love you and our daughter". "When do I get to hold her, I can't seem to get her out of mom's arms she is very possessives of her grand daughter". "Mom can I please hold my daughter please you and Lana and Zantana and Chloe have all held her its like your afraid I'll break my daughter or something".
"Clark Kent I am this little darlings Granny and I intend to spoil her at every chance so get used to it son, its going to happen and there isn't anything you can do".
"Ok then, this is me the Dad begging to be able to hold my daughter please"!
Finally Lana spoke up "ok mom we have tortured him enough please let Clark hold our daughter".
Clark smiled at Lana (what was all that about).
(Clark honey you are surrounded by a pack of women who will protect that little girl with their lives if necessary). (Be extra careful with our daughter of it might be a long time until I can get your mom to trust you with our daughter again).
(Ouch that hurt I'll extra careful).
Martha gave Clark a distrustful eye "hold her head like this and don't use any strength with her in your hands Clark".
"Mom its my daughter I'm not going to hurt her please".
Chloe could be heard snickering outside the bedroom Martha was very serious Clark had never seen her like this before the mommy, correction Grand mama bear had come out and no one better mess with her grand daughter.
The team left two doctors and 4 nurses behind for a day or two if any complication happened they would be on hand to handle any emergencies they weren't going to trust Smallville medical center with the first kryptonian birth in a long time. They had reserved space at the hospital if they needed it but that had been relinquished by this time. Martha protecting her name sake grand child, Martha was a sight to see Lana barely had any baby time and she was the mother.
December 23 saw the remainder of the medical staff leave the Kent ranch so life settled down to Shelby, Lana, Clark, baby Lara, and Grandma with a soon to arrive Nell and Dean for the holiday. Nell arrived with Dean in the evening of the 23rd, "Lana oh my god baby Lara is so beautiful you and Clark make the most beautiful babies and how many more are you two planning on having"? Leave it to Nell to cut to the chase Dean just shook his head sometimes Nell made him want to scream. Fortunately those times were few and far between.
Clark smiled and showed them what bedroom they could use during their visit and the two men exchanged pleasantries while listening to Nell. Dean patted Clark on the shoulder as to say your are a better man than I in sympathy for Clark. Clark just smiled "hey Dean I have several football games I didn't get to watch yet want to take some time and join me watching them".
Dean smiled "that sounds great lets ajorn to the family room while the women are upstairs with your daughter".
"I have a question for you it looks like the publisher has just started a second printing of my book seems all the book stores in Metropolis are out right now looks like my book is high on the Christmas list this year". "I was wondering about the money aspects of this I want to keep as much as I'm legally able to keep without cheating on my taxes I just want to have a idea what to do". "Do you have any advice for us"?
"Well Clark the first thing I would do is to have a independent accounting firm go over the publishers books to make sure they aren't short changing you". "The next thing is to have you created a company for your assets and the income your going to be getting".
"I really don't want to admit this but with the baby I haven't done much of anything financially, yet Oliver chews my ear off about financial stuff frequently but I'm a simple guy I don't do complicated well".
"I see" nodded Dean "well I can set you up with a accountant if you want me to but always check the reports they send you make sure they balance with the prior reports so you will then know that someone isn't accessing your money without your knowledge or permission".
"That's just the kind of advice I need maybe over the few days you guys are here we can talk in more detail".
(Clark I think we will need to tell Nell and Dean about our secret honey)
(Huh what brought that on)?
(Nell said something about babysitting for us and well if Lara has the beginnings of any powers it would freak her out to see a toddler pick up a couch).
(Ok sure I get that will be a future conversation but do you think sharing that we are the newest super hero's is going to go over big with her).
"Can we set some time aside the later today" asked Clark?
(Better they both hear it from us than having it broken to them over the news).
(They are going to be with us for a few days so can I have a day to think about it please).
(Ok fine you have a day dear remember that it will be harder the longer we drag it out, we have been down this road before Clark it caused us a lot of pain trying to keep secrets).
(I will never forget, and I mean never ever forget my love).
Clark got some solid investment advice from Dean (so he would at least understand what Lana was talking about when it came to money) and he wouldn't feel so out of place when Oliver decided to give him advice with the next here is how you make millions speech. Lana was happy she had her family around her and she was a mom, she had Clark, baby Lara, and her world was complete. This was the Kent family's first Christmas on the ranch. Much later they would long for the simple days again but that is a long time in the future from right now.
Flashback to Luthor towers 2008
Lionel sat at his desk looking out on the world. Clark had visited him earlier this evening and it looked like that relationship was blown and maybe the one with Martha too. Clark had been very pissed at him if it wasn't for Jonn interceding for Lionel Jor El's avatar Clark might just have killed him over the facts he had discovered about Lana's forced marriage to Lex and several other times he was manipulated.
Clark still wanted to kill him, because Lana and Clark were kept apart. They were ready to leave Lex at the altar to his own devices leaving Smallville to restart their lives somewhere else. Both weren't foolish enough to expect to be able to do that to Lex without suffering his wrath. Lionel claimed he was only trying to give Lex a chance at a life in the light too bad it was too late for that and to protect Clark. That time went away about the time Lex was sent for electro shock therapy. Lex made a dark turn in his life and gave up his soul without even knowing what he had done. Lex's future was to be death incarnate, his future was to destroy planet earth and all that dwell there.
Lex was unloaded from the back of the truck, his wheel chair and breathing tanks quickly made there way to a private elevator that would take him to the top floors of Luthor towers. Lex checked the action of his killing weapon of choice, a chrome plated colt 45. Lex carved many notches on the wooden handles over the years. Tonight's fun will bring the new total to 27, wouldn't a prosecutor like to have this gun, it would answer murders going back at least 8 years. He arrived on the top floor there were three offices on this level and he headed in the direction of the CEO's office.
Lionel sat at his desk and just finished a highland malt. He arouse to the bar pouring himself another, thinking about the things he has done to try and save Lex from himself. He returned to the window behind his desk to view the cityscape. Lex entered the office without his father noticing until Lex was around the desk. Lionel asked a smoldering Lex "where have you been son, I have missed you so much". "Oh my god Lex what happened to you", Lionel notices all the damage to Lex's body?
"Hello dad" says Lex drawing out dad "I really appreciate all the search teams you sent out looking for me dad" again drawing out dad.
Lionel said "after the wreckage of your plane was found buried in the ice and the lack of bodies and all the frozen blood the searchers postulated that your body was dragged off like the other crew members by hungry polar bears". "We called off the search when we couldn't find any tracks human or otherwise".
"And having me declared dead"? Lex smirked at Lionel he didn't care what the answer was it wouldn't change anything that was going to happen tonight.
"The insurance company insisted we had no body and only found a finger of yours at the wreck site I had no choice son". Lex smirked as he pours himself a highland malt and picks up the glass for a sip of the scotch. Lex starts to cough violently at the burning going on in his body from the scotch. Lex replaces his breathing mask and presses the mist button to cool the burning.
"Good malt dad, to bad I'll never be able to drink it again, you see that my body has been damaged and a series of machines are what keep me alive now".
"Lex let me help you, I can have you in the hands of the best doctors in the world in no time they will get you better".
"Sorry dad I've been in you caring hands before it didn't work out so well for me the last time" he calmly stated.
"Lex I just want to help you".
Lex laughs and coughs again "help what are you going to help with dad put me in a secret facility never to see the light day again or am I going to be another 33.1 guest dad"?
"No Lex, never ... I want you to get better, you are my son I have no ill ilk towards you".
"How about all the lessons you taught me over the years dad and the lack of any humanity towards me dad"? "How about all the times you crushed me beneath your boot heel dad"?
"Its not like that Lex".
Lex reaches for his 45 drawing it out slowly. "Well dad looks like time is up".
"Lex what are you doing I'm your father Lex listen to me son put that gun down". Lex at this point is enraged at all the help he has gotten over the years from his father.
"NO DAD, …. time is up and the bill is due, time to pay up dad", as Lex shoots at the glass pane behind the Lionel! "Time for you to jump dad. that is after you give me your master password so I can rearrange a few things in my favor".
"You cant kill me Lex I'm your father, I love you Lex".
"Your love is nothing more than a page out of the Marquis de Sade play book". "Dad really, you, you loved me"? "Dad I was a play thing for you that you endlessly tortured, I was the mouse and you have always played the role of fat cat so well". "No dad our time together dwindles, move to the opening dad before I shoot you".
Lionel realizes that his hope of turning Lex to the light is for naught, Lex is a creature of the dark, his soul is dark as are his actions, there wasn't any hope left for Lex. Lex continued to rage at Lionel about all the things gone wrong in his life and how he hates Lionel for what he put Lex through. Lex keeps inching Lionel towards the broken pane of glass and to his death. Lionel didn't mind dying what he didn't want was to leave Lex behind to pour his brand of evil upon the world. Lionel kept talking to Lex not begging for his life but to hopefully get Lex to see the light.
"I'm tired of this dad its time for you to go".
"Don't do this Lex, this is something you will never be able to recover from". "This act will stain your soul forever you will be a thing of the dark Lex". "That's something you don't want trust me, I was saved by Clark my days of serving the dark side are long gone". "I just want to see you well again Lex its my only wish for you".
"My wish for you is to shut the fuck up and die old man" as Lex shoved Lionel out of the window, Lionel was ready for Lex at the last second Lionel grabbed Lex's jacket and with the combined mass of the two drew Lex out the window to the hard ground over 90 floors below to meet their fate.
Lex raged at Lionel the entire way down Lionel only smiled his only words were "I can't leave you behind Lex you are too much of a danger to the world and humanity good bye son" were Lionel's finals words.
Lex couldn't believe he was falling to his death he had such great plans getting Lana back, killing Clark slowly in front of Lana so she would remain broken and his forever. The creation of his private clone army, his taking over the world, and his destruction of planet earth. Lex heard his dads final words after the long fall and the side walk coming up fast his final thought was (this isn't how it was to happen I'm Lex Luthor I will be the emperor of the world all will bow down before me) at that moment he smashed in to the side walk followed by Lionel, Lex felt nothing for a second and a brief but massive amount of pain as his life was extinguished.
Lex felt his soul being ripped from his broken body "wait" he screamed "I'm Lex Luthor you don't understand I'm the emperor of the world you cant take me" as a demon dispatched from the deepest levels of hell stabbed Lex with his spear and dumped Lex's soul over his shoulder "you should be entertaining" as the pair shifted dimension "the boss will have fun with this one" as they faded from earthly existence.
Lionel's soul looked down at his body "what a shame" he shook his head looking at Lex's lifeless and soulless body "if you only turned to the light Lex" as he felt his soul being drawn upward.
A powerful voice announced "you have much to do Lionel, I hope you are ready for a lot of hard work".
Lionel smiled "yes I am".
Jimmy was outside shooting night shots of Luthor towers when he saw the glass panel shatter and a few moments later saw the bodies heading for the ground. He flipped a switch changing the camera into a action capture device He followed the bodies all the way down before his camera indicated he had filled the memory card. Jimmy didn't know who they were but he captured the while thing. That should earn his job back at the Planet if nothing ever else did and maybe Chloe too. Jimmy emailed the pictures to Chloe and Lois hoping to get back into Chloe's good graces again before they went through with the divorce.
Jimmy was happy things were looking up for him as he was walking across the street as truck ran the light hitting Jimmy dead on as the car came to a stop. The driver backed up a little and made sure the tires ran over his body as the truck took off. Davis Bloom strikes again, Jimmy was still awake as he dropped from he hood of the truck he lost everything when he car ran him over again. His final thoughts were about Chloe and how much he loved her, realized he was going to die he made a pledge. I will watch over you Chloe the rest of your days and Jimmy was gone.
Chloe sat with Oliver in his apartment overlooking the city from the balcony when her phone beeped new message she opened the message seeing it was from Jimmy she almost didn't read it she browsed the pictures quickly her jaw hit the floor, "oh my god Jimmy". Oliver heard the excited tone in Chloe's voice.
"What happened" he asked.
"Two people were thrown from Luthor towers tonight and Jimmy captured the whole thing". Chloe was proud of Jimmy for doing such great work. "Oliver can you turn on the TV and see if anything is on the local news please". Oliver switch the music off and turned the TV on finding a local station the reporter was just talking about the tragedy to befall Luthor Corp both Lionel and Lex Luthor already reported dead, fell to their deaths this evening.
Oliver froze in place Chloe looked at Oliver but "we tracked Lex to that trailer rig and it blew up".
"Something is not right here" they both said in unison. Two hours ago Lana and Clark saved the Daily Planet and the city. Because of the deactivation of the kryptonite bomb Lex had Toyman created Lana was now poisonous to Clark. Clark had gone to the farm after Lana left him balling her eyes out because of what Lex did to them. The next night was the fateful night that changed their lives forever.
Lana left Clark at the near the point of death in the barn after he insisted he get one last kiss. That act was too much for Lana she left that night and roamed the world for a while before showing up on Martha's door step in agony. Clark recovered the next day that night he just sat there in complete disbelief that this could have happened to them. The downward spiral started for Clark, he started to loose interest in life slowly in six months he wasn't even leaving the farm in a year he didn't leave the loft most days. It was a dark time for the world.
**End of Flashback**