Locked away in another hotel room, Lenaria shook with barely controlled anger and, also, with the effort of what she was attempting to do. The attack on the military camp had been much less successful than she had intended. She knew now that the bitch Sullivan had survived; she was hurt, but the job wasn't done. Joshua, however, was dead, though that was no real loss. That boy's mind had disturbed her, and she had no real affection for him as she had her true knights. The worst thing, in Lenaria's eyes, was the fact that she had been made a fool of. She had been deceived. She was sure now that the Martian had been nowhere around, despite Clark's threats. Of course not; Clark had merely manipulated her. If the Manhunter had been monitoring the area, Clark would have wanted her to use her powers so that J'onn could find her. He would have kept quiet about it, wanting her to slip.

Well, Lenaria would not be made a fool of. When she had finally managed to take Clark's powers, she had firmly expected she would never feel fear again. And yet, even before Clark had miraculously escaped Warworld, she had, had felt it like a stone in her stomach, even though it was completely irrational. It was holding her back. She should have already achieved her victory; she was more powerful than Clark, FAR more powerful. J'onn was trickier, but she had plans for dealing with him.

The ring still wasn't working. She took it from her finger and inspected it closely, feeling no different with it off. The red meteor rock in the class ring affected Kryptonians differently from green, she knew. While green weakened them, red affected their mind. Placing it back on, she again tried to use her telepathic cells to make the ring work for her. Since Clark's Kryptonian DNA was stored there, it should be perfectly possible for the ring to affect her if she drew it out. When Clark had worn it, he had changed in a lot of ways. She'd seen that when she absorbed his memories. The change for her would be less dramatic, since she didn't repress emotions the way Clark did, but she was convinced there would be one key change. The fear would finally be gone.

She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. She'd felt fear often before she met Mongul, but that creature had brought new meaning to the word. He had taught her many lessons in it as he attempted to break her will, and she had watched as other slaves gave themselves to him totally. Dreams of escaping faded, until the slaves could not so much as imagine a life off of Warworld. They went from pleasing him to survive to pleasing him in order to, well, please him.

Lenaria's will had not been broken. She had spent almost two decades in servitude to Mongul, in one form or another, but she had retained the belief that she would one day be free of him. It had taken Clark, of all people, to completely offer her that freedom. It was almost funny. Many times Lenaria had thought of getting Mongul alone and using her Empireth talent to steal his strength, but she had never dared. It would have meant death for her. Even if she had gotten the opportunity, absorbing powers meant absorbing memories as well. She had no desire to ever see the mind of a creature like Mongul. It would have driven her insane.

Early on after their capture, Lenaria had convinced one of the other Empireth, named Cydane, to attempt stealing Mongul's strength. With that, Cydane could have helped them escape. While Lenaria had been preparing one of the gladiators for their next match, Mongul summoned her. Lenaria barely made it to his throne room under her own power, convinced Cydane had failed and she had been found out. When she entered, however, Mongul barely even acknowledged her presence.

"Even a race with such potential as yours," Mongul told Cydane, "should not set their sights too high."

With that, Mongul had her shot. By this time Lenaria already knew he possessed weapons strong enough to turn the most powerful creature to ash, but that wasn't what was used. Instead a pulse rifle tore a hole through her gut. Cydane had lain there, writhing, and the worst part, the worst part was that she was trying to cram her intestines back into her body.

Lenaria had almost thrown up. And then Cydane's eyes had rested on her, seeming to plea for her to help.

Lenaria spat on her.

That was a defining moment for her. It was the first time she really began to understand just how far she would go to secure her own survival. There was nothing she would not have done, nothing at all, to convince Mongul she had played no part in this betrayal. To ensure that Lenaria was not the one lying there fumbling with her own insides. Cydane had been her friend, but Lenaria would have shot her herself if necessary. She had cried for days afterwards, when no-one was there to see, but in time, her grief faded. She hadn't forced Cydane into anything, after all. It was her own fault; Lenaria could not be blamed.

After so many years of torment, she was finally close to victory. She had not endured for so long to fail now.

Suddenly screwing her eyes tight shut, she squealed and yanked the ring from her finger, hurling it across the room. She was breathless, her chest tight with panic. What had she been thinking? With that ring, she might think she could take on anything, even something as powerful as Mongul. Not to mention vulnerability to the red meant vulnerability to the green. Someone might manage to exploit it, be it Clark or even Lex. Madness to take such a risk. Madness. Six long years on Earth had been spent waiting carefully for the right time to strike. Everything would not be thrown away in a moment of fury. Let others, such as poor Joshua, take risks. Lenaria would not.

The real way to eliminate fear was obvious; remove those who threatened her. Let Lex get her ace-in-the-hole from The Fortress, and let him handle Clark. The former friends were often at each others throats now anyway, and all Lenaria had to do was act as a catalyst. She had big plans for Lex. Oh, eventually he would have to die; he was no knight, and his own ruthless ambition would see him plotting Lenaria's downfall much as she had plotted Mongul's. The thought actually made her feel sad – she had no real allies left, none she cared for as she had her knights. She would have to find those who truly cared for her, those she could trust. There would be no shortage, surely. Not when Lenaria could cure any ailment. Not when she offered utopia.

She found herself thinking of Lyla, and how the girl had tried to protect her from Clark. She wondered where the other Empireth was now. Still in Lana's mind? Back on Kandor? Lenaria would have liked to meet her again. She could be a useful ally, and possible friend… maybe even a daughter-figure. So long as the girl realised she was not Lenaria's equal, of course.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She fingered her silver necklace apprehensively, disguising herself in case whoever was there recognised her as Lenaria. After recent events she wanted peace. Her eye caught the discarded red-k ring, and she felt a bizarre combination of relief and longing.

"What is it? I'm busy right now," she called.

"Have you seen the news? It's a miracle. She did it! Lenaria's actually done it!"

Lenaria frowned. What was he talking about?

"The cities!" the man outside cried. With her x-ray vision, she saw him actually jumping for joy outside the door. "The cities are back! Lenaria's done it!"

888

It was some time before Clark made it to The Luthor Mansion, since he hadn't been able to leave Chloe's side once he'd gotten her to the hospital. He'd been too afraid that Lenaria might show up to finish the job. He'd managed to get in touch with Lex by phone, who had icily told him that Lana was fine, but resting, and could not be disturbed. Clark had slammed the phone back with barely controlled anger. He knew she needed him, and right now he needed her as well. His hands trembled and his mouth felt dry. All he'd been able to do was watch as the remaining 'bombs' had exploded. Well, that and make sure that when they did, they didn't hurt anyone else. It had sickened him, watching their twisted grins and blank eyes, knowing there was nothing he could do to change their fate. He'd been completely powerless.

He'd finally managed to leave the hospital after using the small cube J'onn had given him to summon Brainiac. Once he'd heard the cities were restored (there had been a great deal of celebration even here) he knew he had a chance to get away. He felt a moment's satisfaction for the role he had played in their restoration which was quickly destroyed when he heard about the numbers who had been killed in panic. Not to mention the fact that Lenaria was taking credit for bringing them back. Once Brainiac arrived, he pushed those thoughts aside. He didn't like leaving Chloe in the hands of one of his former enemies, and a machine at that, but Brainiac had proven himself by now. Besides, he had one advantage Clark lacked, since he couldn't be controlled by Lenaria. Chloe was safer with Fine than with himself, he thought.

Lana was still sleeping when he arrived. She looked at peace, and he gently caressed her cheek with his hand. He'd tried not to disturb her, but moments later she moaned and opened her eyes.

"Clark," she muttered dully, before snapping awake with a jerk. "Clark!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, using his shoulder as a pillow.

"It's okay, Lana. I'm here now."

"Oh God… did you see? It was so awful… Chloe and Pete…"

"Chloe's alive," said Clark, holding Lana tight as her body shook. "I got her to the hospital. Doctors say she's out of danger. I think Pete saved her."

Tears still fresh on her cheeks, Lana pulled away from him slightly and began laughing. For a moment Clark was very concerned; he thought the ordeal might have pushed her completely over the edge. Then he realised she was only showing relief. She had been mourning Chloe for hours, and now she found out her friend was alive. Her relief didn't last long though; she quickly began sombre once more, even looking a little guilty at showing any happiness when Pete was dead. The image of Pete's fried corpse had hardly left Clark's mind.

"She's not out of danger though," said Lana, finally. "None of us are, not while Lenaria is still out there."

"I know," said Clark. "That's why I have to end it. I still have the dagger Jor-El gave me. This time I'm not going to hold back."

He was amazed at how calm, how detached he sounded. He thought he reminded himself of someone, but wasn't at first sure who. Then he realised – he sounded like Jor-El. When he'd first considered that he might have to kill Lenaria, it had been an emotional response to her crimes. Now, it was just a simple fact to him, the only logical conclusion he could come to. With the armour broken, he had no way to get her back to The Fortress and into The Phantom Zone. The dagger was his only chance. The problem was that now Lenaria knew about it, she wouldn't be caught so easily.

"Clark," said Lana quietly. "I know there might not be any other way, but…"

"You can't seriously expect me to let her live now, Lana. Not after everything she's done."

"I'm not saying this for her sake! I'm saying it for yours," she said, eyes shimmering as another tear escaped. Her eyes looked red and sore. "If you murder her, it'll change you, Clark. Your parents would tell you the same thing if they were here."

Clark's eyes widened as he realised Lana wouldn't know about the cities yet.

"Actually, my mom is back. I spoke to her not too long ago. Metropolis looks like…" said Clark, trailing off as he realised he been about to say 'like a lot of bombs went off in it'. "Well, a lot of the city's been torn up. I checked though, and Nell and Dean are safe. Mom was lucky; she was holed up with Lionel in the Luthorcorp building, so she was as safe as it gets."

"You did it," whispered Lana, looking at him reverentially. Clark felt a little embarrassed. "You're amazing. All of them are back?"

"Yeah, London and Gotham as well. I heard the riots were pretty bad in Gotham for awhile, but apparently Batman and well, his sidekick I guess, managed to stop the worst of it. A lot of people are dead though."

Lana touched his arm with surprising firmness.

"I know you did everything you could."

He managed a slight nod.

"Right now I need to try and get on Lenaria's trail, if I can. I might be best going to The Fortress and seeing if there's any word on J'onn. Without him shielding my mind I don't stand a chance against her."

He didn't add that he felt he had little chance anyway; one of the big advantages he'd had before was that despite her incredible number of powers, her experience and ability at using most of them was limited. Judging by her showing in The Fortress, however, it looked like she was getting better. She'd managed quite successfully to use some form of telekinesis; not to mention the fact that she'd developed one of his own abilities, ice breath, before he had. He knew it was a Kryptonian ability since he'd previously seen Zod use it. Hopefully she still hadn't mastered flight. It wasn't like he could rely on J'onn for much more than shielding his mind either – if he got close, Lenaria would use his fire weakness to incapacitate him. At which point Clark would become vulnerable to her control…

"Right now, the safest place for you to be is with Chloe at the hospital," said Clark. "Brainiac is there with her now, in disguise in case Lenaria shows up. If she does, he can hopefully catch her off guard and that'll be the end of the problem. We could try and hide you away somewhere again, but Lenaria still managed to find you last time. I think it's best you're with someone who can protect you."

"All right, Clark, if that's what you think is best," said Lana, nodding with conviction. Clark felt a knot in his stomach. It seemed crazy that Lana still put that much faith in him. His judgement had gotten Pete killed.

"Lana, if you don't agree, just say so. I thought I knew what I was doing last time, and Pete died because of my decision. You and Chloe almost…"

Lana kissed him gently, putting a finger against his lips.

"You can't live like Lenaria, Clark, living your whole life in fear. She has the power, but she can't make the tough choices. You can. That's the difference. She may have the world thinking she can save them, but you and I know better. If I'm going to put my faith in anybody, it's you."

"Thanks…" said Clark, noticing her hand. "Your ring…"

"I uh, took it off when Lex came to the camp. After what happened before, when he found out we were getting married, I wasn't ready for him to know. Once the camp came under attack I never had a chance to find it. I'm so sorry, Clark, I know it must have cost you…"

She cut off abruptly as Clark smiled.

"I'm not worried about that. Not a bit," he said, pushing her hair back from her eyes. Wiping her tears for her. "You're talking to a guy who can turn coal into diamonds. I can get you another ring."

"I'll look forward to it," said Lana, resting her head on the pillow. The poor girl looked plain worn out. "You'd better go, Clark. A lot of people are counting on you."

Instead of leaving, Clark lay down next to her, kissing her cheek.

"I don't think anyone's in any immediate danger. The only people Lenaria wants to hurt right now is us, and I think she's going to be too busy basking in her imaginary glory to come after us right away. It'll probably be a while before J'onn gets back anyway. I'll go soon, but first I have to take care of you."

"Clark… thanks. I-I know it's selfish. But right now I think I need someone to cry with."

"Hey," said Clark, holding her tightly. "That's what I'm here for."