The Trap

"Clark, I've gathered a slew of reporters together armed with surveillance equipment who are willing to expose Luthor and put it on a nightly news show," Jonathan informed him.

"That's a great idea, Dad. The politicians can be bought, but reporters are always hungry for a good story."

"We need to find something worthwhile to win these reporters over. They're still not convinced we can make a difference. So we're taking a chance going in blind. And then there's the problem of Luthor's security. It's like Fort Knox over there."

"Don't worry about it, I'll handle it," Clark assured his father.

"I knew I could count on you, son."

At the Luthor compound, towering skylights circled the area as if it were a Gestapo camp.

"You wait here," Clark told his father and the small band of reporters. "I'll see if I can find an opening."

The reporters regarded him skeptically, but went along.

Out of the reporters' line of sight, Clark managed to easily sidestep the lights through using his super speed. Once near the compound, Clark began to feel weak. Using his x-ray vision, green glows could be seen inside the roof gutters wrapping the complex. Lex had it lined with kryptonite to keep Clark out. Clark trudged along side the compound searching for a sign of relief. That would be a clear indication of a Kryptonite-free zone.

Passing a large garage door type opening, he felt better. It was the shipping/receiving building of the complex. No gutters above the expanse of the huge pull-up door. He tore off the bolted door, ripping it from its joints and entered. Going through the large industrial room, Clark found a door that led to a long dark passageway. Light could be seen at the end.

Almost reaching the door with a window where the light originated, an alarm sounded. Clark ignored it knowing he could zip out of there without notice. He peered through the window. In a room the size of a gymnasium Clark could be seen multiple experiments taking place. "Yes!" Clark mumbled triumphantly. Suddenly a wave of nausea swept him. He turned around.

Holding a glowing ball of Kryptonite in front of him, Lex walked up. "Had to see me so badly, it couldn't wait?"

Clark grabbed his side and slowly collapsed. "Lex," he gasped. "That's … dangerous to me."

"I know. Why do you think I'm carrying this? Pet rock?" Then to the guards he said, "Take him. Oh, and don't let him get too far away from this," he said giving the Kryptonite to one of the guards.

Two guards picked up Clark with another one walking beside him holding the meteor rock.

"Seal up the shipping room," Lex ordered. "Now to get the Kent party packing," he mumbled to himself.

Clark regained consciousness to find himself strapped to a gurney. Experimental paraphernalia encircled him. He looked around. He was now one of the guinea pigs in the multitude of experiments being conducted on the floor.

"All caught up on your zzz's?" Lex greeted brightly as he walked up.

"Lex, what're you going to do to me?" Clark said weakly.

"Where we left off. Remember when I asked you to join me? With my mind and your brawn, we two could rule the world together."

"I'm still not interested."

"Among the many experiments currently taking place there's one in particular that's quite intriguing. The one in which you and another are touching meteor rock and applying electricity causes your powers to transfer to the other. Remember?"

Clark recalled the time he and another student accidentally switched abilities when they had been struck by lightning with meteor rock between them.

Lex went on. "Well, why would I want to partner up with you when I can BE you?"

"This was all a trap," Clark realized.

"It's better this way, Clark. We'd only end up fighting."

"What if it doesn't work? That stuff can kill me!" Clark tried one last ditch effort.

"Guess I'll just have to take my chances." Lex turned to his technicians. "Get rid of the rock. He's weak enough." The technicians complied. They busied themselves setting Lex up for his part of the experiment.

In the meantime Clark regained enough strength to rip off the restraints. No one noticed as he rolled off the gurney and zigzagged among the experiments to seek safety.

"Mr. Luther!" One of the technicians pointed out an escaping Clark to Lex.

"Stop him!" Lex cried.

Some technicians looked up and ran after Clark. Clark knocked them away like a bowling ball through pins. But just as one of the many onyx experiments was turning on its beam to split another victim, Clark accidentally intercepted it. There was an explosion.