Chapter 8

A couple of days pass. Illyana still hasn't been seen much by most people who frankly wouldn't know how to act around her even if she was. Illyana was definitely still in the mansion but she didn't seem to leave her room.

Clark had had that long talk with his parents about everything this time. Truly everything. He wasn't sure it had helped him feel any better but it was, at least, all out in the open now. It gave him and his parents a chance to deal with it from a solid footing of honesty.

He hadn't talked to Illyana quite yet because...it was confusing. He has strong feelings for her. Very strong yet the way she treated him...the way he treated her…his heart...her heart can be bruised just like anyone else's.

He tricked her. That is it put simply. Using a fake pendant. He knows better than most how personal and therefore how hurtful his deception must have been to her but he did it anyway. It leaves him pondering more what Patricia mentioned. That he is tainted and can't be the hero he was suppose to be.

That Apocalypse has forever darkened his destiny.

That he is, like Kang said the Legion heroes from the other timeline thought him as; a lesser Superman.

Well apart from that everything else is fairly calmed down...except for Live Wire messing with the electrics in the mansion for funsies. She still hadn't said if she was staying or leaving but she was still hanging around.

Of course it's always just then that something ruins the calm. In this case it is Emma Frost returning to retrieve her last few students who had been holed up in the infirmary for the most part.

In the case of Sophie Cuckoo, still in her coma, that needed a full medical team to oversee her transfer. Her sisters had barely left her side.

While Sophie was being transferred to the waiting ambulance Emma had brought along(with Beast overseeing it) the inevitable showdown between Emma and Scott could not be avoided any longer.

Not that Emma had been avoiding it you understand. She's simply been busy trying to salvage what she can from the Hellfire Club before Shaw and Selene can completely cut her off from whatever resources she has left.

But she knew when she returned she would have to face Scott who would want an explanation of her actions.

Well fine. Emma can explain it. It was all completely justified you understand. For the Greater Good.

"Who's Greater Good?" Scott inevitably asks back as he and Emma wander round the Institute's grounds, away from everyone. Especially the gossip mongers.

"Everyone's," Emma insists.

"Lying, telepathically manipulating, playing with people's emotions," Scott lists just a few of her less than palatable actions. "How is any of that justified?"

"Nothing permanent was done," Emma argues. "When I was finished I would be in a position to ensure everyone's safety. I am not Xavier, Scott. I don't live in a crumbled cookie fantasy. I live in the real world and in the real world you have to make harsh decisions to defeat enemies who have no moral qualms whatsoever."

"To lower yourself to their level makes you no better than them," Scott debates with her.

Emma rolls her eyes. "Scott, please don't fall into using the fallacies of the moral equivalence argument."

"What does that mean?"

"Killing in principal may be wrong but does killing someone who is about to press a button that will destroy the world make you as bad as them? Of course not," she answers it for him. "There's a fundamental difference between killing someone truly evil to save lives and killing for the sheer pleasure of it."

"The problem with that view, Emma, is how easily you can use it to justify all sort of heinous acts. It's a slippery slope."

"Oh please, you sound like Charles, regurgitating his nonsense," Emma scorns. "His view doesn't save anyone."

"Is this about your brother?"

Emma's face darkens, a slip in her usual impeccable emotional control. "My brother is simply an example of where Charles' naivety leads."

"And what about me, Emma, hmm? Were you planning in using me as well? Is that what our relationship has really been about?"

It doesn't need telepathy to know the hurt Scott is feeling. She can hear it in his voice. "Scott. I would never use you. You mean too much to me," she says, being surprising honest about her feelings for once.

"But you would not hesitate to use your own students or my friends would you? In fact don't bother answering that because you've already done that." Scott shakes his head. "I wanted to believe in you Emma. I wanted to give you a chance to show that what I saw in you all those years ago when you first came here was still in there...but after all this I'm starting to really doubt it is."

"Which means what?"

"Which means...how can we have any sort of relationship when I'm going to be wondering all the time what scheme you may be planning to suck my friends into this time? And they are my friends Emma. If you truly cared for me you would respect my feelings for them...but I don't think you do. In fact if I was to hazard a guess I think you would think my attachments to my friends is quaint or naive or something like that. How do you see friends Emma? As people to exploit as to prop up your position?"

"Being reliant on anyone but yourself is a weakness you cannot afford," she states.

"I'm sad for you if that is really how you feel. I pity you, in fact, that you can't bring yourself to trust anyone. Must be awful lonely."

"I don't need pity," Emma hisses, Scott having struck a nerve.

"And I don't need the lies and deceptions and manipulations. If that's how you think a relationship works then you're going to end up very alone."

"Worked for my parents," Emma mutters bitterly.

"At least you had parents."

"I wish I didn't. You're lucky yours are dead."

Scott's whole body goes rigid. That has struck a too sensitive nerve. "We're done," he states, his voice as cold as ice.

Emma's eyes widen as she realises what she said. "Scott. I didn't mean..."

He cuts her off. "Oh no. You meant exactly what you said. No. Emma. I can't do this. Not when the chances are you'll simply continue to plot and scheme and then try to deceive me with smooth words. No relationship built on lies can ever last. Even I know enough to know that. So we're done. Take your students and go. Just go," he waves her off as he beats a hasty retreat from her before his emotional distress becomes too much to keep inside him any longer.

Real hurt flickers across Emma's face before she reimposes her mask. Fine. She doesn't need him. She doesn't need anyone.

And yes she's totally lying to herself because for some reason beyond all sanity she loves Scott Summers.

And somehow she'll get him back. She swears.


"Tessa?" Charles queries in surprise at who has darkened his office this morning. He had barely seen her since they returned from Selene's dimension. She had said something about needing to take care of business.

"Charles," Sage returns the greetings. "May I sit?" she requests, gesturing at the chair.

"By all means," he permits.

Sage sits herself down.

"So what brings you by?"

"I was checking up on affairs within the Hellfire Club," she begins.

"And?"

"It's as we feared. Sebastian and Selene have purged all their rivals...more or less. In a few weeks they'll have secured their control almost completely.

"I see," Charles says, contemplating the ramifications.

"I also found out something else."

Her tone catches Charles' interest.

"One of those present when Emma's school was destroyed was James Braddock."

"Elizabeth's father?"

Sage nods to confirm it. "No-one knows...yet. Nothing's been released but I know you're close to his daughter and I thought you would want to tell her."

Charles takes a moment to close his eyes and let that sink in. When his eyes reopen there is a certain weariness in them. "Want to tell her, no but I will." After her own family he was the closest to her so he'll do it.

"Sorry. I misspoke," Sage apologises, realising her choice of words were poor.

Charles lets it slide. Sage was always analytical minded more than she really could empathise with people. "So what now, for you?" he asks her.

"I am...uncertain. I cannot return to Sebastian," she admits her quandary.

"Nor would I allow it," Charles states. "Your mission within the Club is clearly at its end...though I do suspect you still retain a few sources within that could aid us."

"One or two," Sage says non-committally.

"Then perhaps it's long past time you return home."

Sage evaluates him as she tries to calculate what he means. "You mean here. Return to the X-Men," she guesses.

"As you may have noticed we're expanding. More teachers will be highly necessary quite soon. Plus your analytical mind, your ability to assess situations and strategize would be a great help in our cause. I also believe that you still believe our cause is worth fighting for, regardless of what hell you've been through lately...and when you're ready to talk about that I'm here," he offers.

"The truth is Charles...I was going to ask. I don't like to admit this but with what has happened I'm vulnerable, exposed. Being Sebastian's assistance entitled me to protections that are gone."

Charles nods. "We'll need to have a staff meeting where you inform us of everything you know about what is going on but first off lets get you a room and get you settled in shall we. It's been far too long since we've had the pleasure of your company."

"Well clearly," Sage says in a faux boast. "After all Sean alone brings down the quality of company several notches," she snarks.

Charles smiles. Tessa and Sean always did have very clashing personalities. That'll certainly liven things up around here.


There comes a time when you can't put things off which is why Clark is knocking on the door to Illyana's room this evening.

"You can enter, Clark," her voice biddens him in.

"Love that accent," he murmurs under his breath as he enters.

"Well thank you. I'm kinda fond of it myself," Illyana says, laying her Russian accent on thicker, as Clark finds her meditating, hovering in the middle of the room. She opens her eyes and looks him over. "How are you?"

"Oh fine. Magical wounds heal slower but they do heal," Clark replies.

"I'm glad," she says softly. "I didn't want to hurt you. Not really."

Clark sighs and sits himself down on her bed. "But you did hurt me Yana. Emotionally. You just left for 2 weeks. That hurt."

"And what you did; fooling me with that fake pendant didn't hurt me? You know what it represents to me."

Clark can see the stark hurt, written clear on her face. His shoulders droop. "I know I hurt you Yana. You're not telling me anything I didn't know before I started."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Because after Apocalypse...I'm not who I use to be. The old me...before his taint, would have found another way but this me did it anyway, knowing the hurt I would cause. You, at least, have a proper excuse. I don't," he admits honestly to his shame.

"My fear is not an excuse," Illyana says.

Clark looks at her in surprise that she said it.

Illyana shrugs. "My brother and I have done some talking these last few days," she explains where that bit of honesty came from.

"That's good," Clark comments. "At least I didn't mess up your and Piotr's relationship."

Illyana snorts. "You probably made it better...which is messed up in my opinion. He's all so understanding. It's nauseating," she makes a face.

Clark smiles. "You don't really mean that."

"Yes. I do," she insists.

Silence for a few moments.

"You were right by the way."

"About?" Clark wonders.

"Being the villain is empty. Rage and anger can suppress the feeling but only joy fills it. Like the joy I feel when you and I are together. What were you about to say in Limbo before you stopped?"

"I think you know," Clark answers.

"Say it. Please," she pleads, looking the most vulnerable he might have ever seen her.

"I was about to say how I loved you," Clark confesses, his face open and showing all his emotions. Yeah he knows. Don't ask him how it happened. It just did.

Moisture wells up in Illyana's smoky blue eyes. "Gods," she breathes. "I never...I can't..." She takes a moment to steady her emotions and tries again. "There is no love in Hell. That's why it's Hell."

"You don't need to say anything Yana," Clark assures her.

"Yes I do. I love you, Clark. Only the Dark Gods can possibly know how it happened though. You annoy the Hell out of me."

Clark chuckles at that. "It's my hidden superpower," he jokes.

Illyana shakes her head in pure amusement at him. "But if we love each other why are hurting each other? What does that say about our relationship?"

"That it's not in great shape," Clark has to be honest.

"It was the fact we were both damaged that drew us together. Even I can guess that's not a healthy place to start a relationship."

"That's not what I see in you Yana. Don't mistake me I know the damage you refer to but what I saw all that time ago when our minds linked was the beautiful, smart, caring girl hidden inside."

"Don't forget smart-mouthed."

"Yeah, well, that part was never really hidden."

"How can it ever work, Clark?" Yana asks him honestly. "We can't simply pretend that I was not trained to be the weapon of your destruction. Your Angel of Death."

"I met Death. She looks nothing like you."

Illyana rolls her eyes. "I am well aware what She looks like Clark...and you know what I mean!"

"Do I? What are you saying? That we're now fated, one day, to fight and destroy each other. I don't believe anything is fated. We make our own Destiny."

"Says the guy who was just moaning how he can't be who he is suppose to be," the demon-sorceress points out the contradiction. "That is not the statement of someone who believes he can shape his own Destiny."

"I have no answer, Yana. Not one to give to you nor even to myself," Clark says and in a roundabout way conceding she is correct. "All I do know is that I remember promising to help you."

"You have helped me, Clark. Trust me without you I would already be long lost."

"Then where do we go from here? Where do you want to go from here?" Clark asks her.

"I don't know," the blond young woman says sadly.

"You were right. We are hurting each other. If that is all we are going to continue to do we need to end this before we hurt each other in an unforgivable way. Be just friends but if you think we can move past that then...we admitted we love each other. If we can stop hurting each other then it's worth fighting to save this."

"Can you?" Illyana asks him.

"I know I did wrong and if I know it then I can stop it."

"That's the difference between us Clark. When I vanished off it never occurred to me for a moment I was hurting you," Illyana says to her shame.

"Well you hardly have experience Yana," Clark points out in relation to her zero experience of real, deep, personal relationships. "And I like to think I'm a pretty understanding and forgiving guy," he says, showing he is willing to forgive her.

"You are far too forgiving," she critiques him.

"I question that as I do almost everything about myself right now," Clark says, his burdens seeming to physically weigh him down.

"Clark, compared to my taint, you're practically a saint," Illyana says, trying to cheer him. Though she also thinks it's true.

"I'm hardly a saint," Clark points out.

"Well that's true. A saint wouldn't have defiled me with sinful pleasure the way you have."

Clark rolls his eyes. "Must you use the word 'defile'?" he complains.

"Yes. Yes I must," Illyana states, annoying smirk on her face.

"Could you at least stop using it in public?" he asks, internally shuddering at the memories of when she has done that.

"I'll consider it."

"I suppose that's all I can ask."

"So what do we do now?" Illyana asks. "I mean us," she clarifies.

"I'm still willing to give it a try," Clark tells her. "Are you?"

Illyana has her doubts. Always has had yet she can't deny how much she enjoys being together with him. "Perhaps...but if we continue to hurt each other..."

"Then like I said it will be better we end it but for now…?" he leaves it hanging.

Illyana nods. "I still want to try."

Clark smiles and Illyana returns it. As he rises to his feet he jests, "Be careful. You smiling will ruin your reputation."

"As what? A cynical bitch?" Illyana queries, a look of faux-innocence on her face,

Clark chuckles as he cups the face of the still hovering girl and lower his lips to hers. It's just a very gentle kiss, nothing too passionate. Their hearts are still bruised with each other and it'll need time before things get back to normal...if they ever do. That remains to be seen.

"So going to stop hiding and face everyone?" Clark asks her.

"Must I?" she whines.

"Yep. You can come down to dinner," he suggests as a way to begin.

"Well I do like to eat," she admits.

"No, really," Clark drawls sarcastically. "Because I would never have guessed from the fact you eat more than I do."

"You don't actually need to eat," she reminds him.

"I like to eat."

Illyana lips curve up in a smoky grin. "Oh I know that. Such a skilled tongue," she sighs with pleasant memories.

Clark's cheeks flush. "Ok that...that is one of those things we don't mention in public," he clarifies for her. Sweet Rao imagine if she mentioned that in front of his parents. He would literally die of embarrassment.

"Again I'll consider it," she teases.

"Lets just go to dinner," he says. "We can collect your brother on the way," he proposes.

Illyana lowers her feet until they softly touch the ground.

When they do pick up Piotr he is clearly delighted that Illyana has decided to join them for dinner.

"Snowflake I was meaning to ask," Piotr begins.

"Hmm, ask what?" Illyana asks, allowing him calling her by her nickname to pass without comment.

"When we were in Limbo we were aided by a demon..."

Clark picks up where this is headed. "What did you do about N'astirh?" he wonders.

"Oh, him," Illyana says, her mood darkening. "Well since I did promise to stay on this plane for now I sent a message to S'ym to deal with the traitor."

"We probably don't want to know the details do we," Clark can assume.

"Probably not," Illyana says far too cheerfully.

The 3 of them walk into the kitchen…

...and silence falls upon all those present at the sight of Illyana.

Well you can hardly blame them. Everyone knew there was something off about Illyana. That there was a secret no-one was telling them about...and then you learn that secret is that she a demon-sorceress who rules over her own Hell domain. Though there was still one mostly kept secret. Only a few people, who Clark told in the office that day, knew the greater secret of Illyana's missing soul fragments. They had decided that that did not need to be known widely.

"Why don't you three come sit," Martha's voice breaks the silence.

Rao bless his mother is all Clark can say.

The 3 do so and try to ignore the awkwardness. It's at that point they are blessed or cursed by the presence of someone who doesn't notice the situation or if she does just doesn't care.

"Hello my fine fans!" Live Wire announces her entrance as she barges into the room.

"Oh Gawd. What are ya still doin' here?" Rogue bemoans the presence of the blue-haired, white-skinned lightning themed mutant. Rogue never, ever liked her. Add the fact that Live Wire practically tried to kill her once and you can see how this is going to end one day. Here's a hint; it'll involve punching.

Live Wire smirks, never missing a chance to annoy Rogue. She never liked Rogue. "Because, Roguey dear," she says in smarmy tones, "the old Bald Prof invited me to stay and I took up his offer. Isn't that great? All you mere mortals get to bask in my stardom."

Rogue mutters under her breath something about the Professor going senile before she responds clearly to Live Wire. "Just make note ah can punch ya through tha wall."

"And I can fry every nerve in your body," Live Wire responds, holding her hand up and arcing electricity between her fingers. "But I won't be doing that," she cuts off the energy. "As much as I dislike rules I did promise to try and follow them."

"Ah give it a week...at tha outside," Rogue predicts how long this will last.

"Until what? Your resistance to my charms collapses and you throw yourself at me. I'm flattered but I don't swing that way," Leslie teases, being deliberately annoying. "Do I Clarkie?" she asks, turning her gaze at him and ignoring the spluttering in fury coming from Rogue.

Clark's head makes a thumping sound as it hits the table. Now this...this was what Hell was truly like. Forget Limbo. It's got nothing on Leslie. He just might start calling her his nemesis.

"Clark. Watch the table," his mother warns him off from accidentally breaking it.

"Yes Clark. Watch the table," Leslie repeats. "Watch me instead. I'm much prettier and when they talk about bringing spark to a relationship you'll find a picture of me!" she boasts, hitting on Clark as she always does. She tries to shove her way into a chair next to Clark...only to find a hand yank her down by her top and she finds herself eyeball to eyeball with glowing red eyes.

"Touch my boyfriend and I'll eat your soul," Illyana vows, her voice taking on its demonic echo.

For once Leslie has the sense to actually be afraid...and to shut up.

"Wow," Rogue remarks. "Ya know what Illyana if ya can shut her up yer alright," she suddenly becomes very accepting of the demonic young woman.

"I can remove her vocal chords if you want," Illyana offers.

"Lets not," Clark says, his head popping back up and his hand gently wrapping around Illyana's dainty wrist.

Illyana releases her grip on Live Wire.

"Speaking of souls," Clark begins, "what did you do with Isobel?" he wonders about the Countess' fate. Last they saw of her was her ghost impaled on the end of Illyana's Soulsword.

Illyana's lips curl up into a truly scary smile.


SHIELD Hellicarrier…

Of all the scenarios Nick Fury had in mind for today staring down the business end of one of Hawkeye's arrows was not actually one of them. He berates himself for not including it.

"Something on your mind, Barton?" Fury asks, seeing the rage, fury and betrayal in the younger man's features.

"Barton," Hawkeye snorts in disgust. "That's not even my name is it? Is it anyone's? Or just one you made up?"

Fury takes a few moments before he catches on. "Mr Queen," he addresses the archer as.

Yes. Oliver Queen. His memories weren't quite 100% clear but he remembered most of his life now he believed. Right up to being stranded on that island for 5 long years.

"You going to kill me for saving your life?" Fury wonders, eyeing the still aimed at him arrow.

"You didn't save my life out of the goodness of your heart Fury," Oliver sneers. "You used me as a guinea pig. How long till I go as crazy as the rest of them?" he asks in reflection of the side-effects of the process that brought him back from virtual death. Every other test subject went crazy.

"That is an unknown. Why the process had to be tested."

Oliver shakes his head. "I know we walk a thin line in doing our job but I always thought we were better than the people we fought but with this you sunk to their level!" he accuses the Director of SHIELD.

"You want an apology?"

"Why waste my time. You never apologise."

"No. I don't," Fury confirms. Why would he apologise for doing his job? "So why did you come here?" he wonders.

"I quit," Oliver announces. "Don't try and stop me. Don't try and find me. Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone and everything I know about SHIELD stays safely locked away in my head. You hear me," he states why he is here. He wanted to deliver this message in person.

"I hear you," Fury says, his one good eye narrowing.

With his message delivered Oliver turns and leaves. Fury instigates a search but they never find him.


Later, back down on Earth in one of the safe house SHIELD doesn't know about, finds Oliver and Tess.

Tess was the one tangible thing Oliver had. Everything else was gone. His parents, his certainties about his life...everything. That's why, despite what she has done, he couldn't hand her over. He loved her too much.

"I'm not certain you're right," Tess says after Oliver has said this to her. They were sitting side-by-side on the bed.

Oliver turns and looks at her.

"While I do believe your father is dead, I'm not as certain about your mother," Tess reveals her suspicions.

Oliver frowns. No, both his parents died in that plane crash. "I was at the funeral," he points out.

"Did you ever see her body?" Tess asks him.

Oliver shakes his head. No, he didn't but he was very young when they died so they probably didn't want to traumatise him.

Tess stands up and pulls out a folder from a case she has. She opens it up and shows him a photo. "This is who runs your parents' company now. His name is Malcolm Merlyn. He's...well lets just say he's not what he appears but we'll get to that," she says. "See the girl to the right of him."

Oliver's eyes take in the brunette girl.

"His daughter; Thea...only look here," Tess says as she pulls out an old photo of Oliver's mother Moira and puts them side-by-side. "It could just be me but I see a resemblance," Tess leads Oliver to the conclusion that the girl is his mother's daughter.

"Are you saying she is my sister?" Oliver airs the thought.

"Half-sister at least. Merlyn...I don't know for certain but I think he might have been involved in why your parents' plane crashed. If he was maybe he engineered a way for your mother to survive."

"What are you saying about my mother?" Oliver wonders, his eyes piercing into her.

"Your parents and mine were part of a secret group called Veritas. Everyone involved in that had secrets Oliver. I'm not claiming for a moment your parents were anything like my father but they weren't exactly whiter than white either. I admit I'm speculating but...you're the only person left in this world worth a damn to me Ollie. The only one who has never betrayed me. The only one I care enough about that I would help find the truth."

"Then lets do that."

"Do what?" Tess asks, lost by his chain of thought.

"Find the truth."

"That won't be easy," Tess cautions.

"I know," Oliver concedes. "But I also now remember enough about my past to know where to start to look."

"Ok," Tess agrees because she has nothing else she can do but stick by him. She has nothing left but him and her love for him.

The two start packing for their trip but before they do Tess watches him throw his Hawkeye costume into the fire.

"It means nothing to me now," he says in a low voice, explaining why he has burnt it.

Tess understands. It was a lie. All of it. He's putting the lie that was Clint Barton to rest.

"So ready to go to Starling City?" Tess asks him.

Oliver nods as he watches the last few pieces of the costume consumed by the fire. Instead of it he puts on a green top and as he walks out the door pulls the hood of it up over his head…


Elsewhere…

It was a very nicely appointed house in a very remote location. Inside were a happy family. Husband, wife, 3 kids.

The wife has to smile watching her husband play with the children. Her happy moment is interrupted by the phone ringing. She wanders over and answers it. When she hears the voice on the other end her smile vanishes in an instant.

She calls her husband over, who notices her expression. Her now pale expression almost. He takes the phone from her. "Hello?"

"Queen remembers," are the two words spoken to him.

Seriousness comes to the husband's face. "How long till pick-up?" he asks, knowing with sobering reality what comes next.

"An hour. I wanted to give you some time to get ready."

"An hour," the man confirms. "I'll be ready." He slams the phone down and Clint Barton, the real Clint Barton can only look sadly at his wife. His way out, his cover is gone and now he has been pulled back in...and he can guess his first assignment.

Hunt down Oliver Queen.


Boston, Massachusetts…

Emma has a very smart town house in Boston. It was where she retreated to when she wanted to be left alone. She had already moved her students to the long ago planned back-up facility she had set-up ages ago just in case her school was ever compromised.

Well it was more than compromised. It was blown up.

Blown up.

That's also a good description of what has happened between her and Scott.

None of this was suppose to happen.

She can't recall the last time she was so on the defensive with her life. When everything had gone so against her.

But there was a way out.

Scott ending their relationship starkly illustrated to her that she needed to accept a certain offer she had previously received.

"I don't know why I'm saying this when I can't know where you are Mr Fine but I have this feeling you can hear me so I'll say that I'm ready to accept your offer," she speaks to the air.

In a few moments, gust of wind accompanying it, she finds herself no longer alone in her sitting room.

"I knew you'd see sense," 'Fine' says.

"I have conditions," Emma says.

"I'm listening," 'Fine' gives her.

"I want full disclosure of what it is you are proposing we do together."

"Agreed," 'Fine' says, though because he can block her telepathy Emma can't know whether he means that or not.

"And..."

"And?" 'Fine' presses for.

Emma pauses, afraid this makes her seem...needy and weak but dammit. She wants this more than anything. "Scott. I want Scott back," she says quietly.

'Fine' arches an eyebrow in a very human affectation. He can work with that actually. "That can be arranged," he says. He offers his hand out. "Deal?"

Emma takes his hand in her perfectly maintained one. "Deal," she agrees.

Of course neither she nor the world know what it is she agreed to or what it is that will soon be unleashed.


Author's Note: So Clark and Illyana are still sorta ok but their doubts about themselves and their relationship are still present and will be dealt with...and Clark's nemesis in the shape of Live Wire is now constantly present in his life. That may just be considered cruel and unusual punishment. So I was thinking that Oliver and Tess go to Starling City and have Arrow-like adventures...and that is a hint at how he becomes the Green Arrow the Professor saw in his vision of the future. Of course that is assuming he and Tess survive the attentions of the real Clint Barton(and yes I totally ripped off his happy little family from the movies). And Scott and Emma go splitsville...only Emma doesn't seem like she's willing to let it go does she. And yes doing a deal with Brainiac is bad news for everyone. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Illyana is still having doubts about her and Clark but the answer to whether they have a future comes in the shape of visions of the future in Yanamas(instead of Lexmas).