HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Chapter Seven Part Three- Betting the Odds:

To say that the following weeks had been normal was an understatement, things were more complicated then ever before since Smallville was heading to the championships thanks to Clark's outrageous touchdown which ended in a rival player being seriously injured by the young kryptonian.

He consoled with Lois then moved towards a more radical treatment…Kryptonite, to say that it was a failed experiment was a huge understatement given the fact that had Martha not walked in on him sooner, Clark Kent would have been in serious trouble.

But like all great men, there was still some fight left in him even as the team praised him and his father lectured him, Clark knew that something or someone was behind the incidents of leading up to his trip on the field.

Daily Planet

Paula Kahn was flipping through several files on her computer when the door to her office swung open revealing a very agitated Richard White, "You yanked my story from the page and I want to know why."

She just removed her reading glasses from her face and stared up at the young intern, "Your uncle is a great reporter and I can see a lot of you in him, which is why I expect you to come into my office with some respect before I throw your ass out into the streets."

Richard shows her his article, "There've been murders all around Suicide Slums and all ties point to Morgan Edge."

Paula just shook her head negatively, "Morgan Edge died a year ago and unless you want to start working for the inquisitor, then I suggest you stick with the obituaries that come your way until a better story drops into your lap…" she rises to her feet, "Don't make me regret hiring you, Richard." she pats him on the back before walking out of her office.

Richard clenched his fists, "I'm not backing down, Ms. Kahn!" he calls out to her.

The editor turns towards the young intern, "Then I suggest you get your facts straight, bring me a story worthy of printing and we'll talk." she disappears into the conference room.

Kent Farm:

Clark treaded up the steps leading to his loft, the information behind Smallville High's newest student was enlightening to say the least but not enough to reveal how Mikhail was capable of such a feat.

"So this is where the great American superhero goes to find solitude…somehow its not quite like I had imagined." Mikhail says appearing at the very steps he climbed moments ago.

The young farm boy turned surprised almost to see the very guy who had caused all these problems for him, "What are you doing here?"

Mikhail pushes past him to further examine the loft, "I came to thank you for ratting me out to Lex Luthor, he's threatening to send me home. But lucky for me that games happen to be my business…" he turns back to Clark , "Which is why I'm going to need you to throw the championship game, so I can stay here in Smallville and continue my business with the student body."

Clark's shoulders straightened while he stepped towards Mikhail with that strong will of determination in his eyes, "If you think I'm gonna throw that game for you-"

Mikhail cuts him off, "If? When there is an "if" there are odds, and I always win the odds." when Clark looks like he is about to say something, Mikhail cuts him off by saying, "Choke"

His windpipe closed as the young kryptonian fell to his knees gasping for air, his hands struggle as if someone was choking him, the leather of Mikhail's expensive shoes pressed the young farm boy onto his back where Mikhail was greeted with the red visage of his victim.

"If I walk away now and leave you to die, then my profit margin takes an unfortunate risk and I lose money." he pauses with a devious smirk on his face, "But if you play and lose then I get enough money to promote my business towards Metropolis, which will only guarantee more money in my pocket."

Clark struggles to talk but only lets out a hushed whisper, "N-Not if I stop you."

Mikhail cant help but laugh, "I like my odds a whole lot better then yours." he turns to head down the stairs before turning back to Clark and saying, "Breath."

Clark's windpipes release causing the fresh rush of oxygen to reach his deprived lungs, he laid with his back pressed against the small steamer trunk while his heart began to race.

Lois sat at her computer staring at the blank page of the word processor which would hold the keys to her journalistic success, if it hadn't been for the knock on her door then she would've continued to stare at that screen probably for a few more hours.

When she reached to open the door, she noticed the small envelope slide underneath her door with the words, 'THIS IS THE STORY YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR'

Jason Teague sat on the steps of Central Kansas, his eyes glued to a book on Native American symbolism and mythology. He sought desperately to find the truth hidden behind the words written in Willowbrook's journal.

'The Kwatche believe that Naman's nemesis will appear in the form a friend, Segeeth will form a brotherhood with Naman before finally betraying him and the two ultimately facing off for the fate of the world.' Jason read the lines with the understanding that whoever this Naman was, he would face his ultimate challenge against Segeeth, the friend who would strive for his friend's demise.

But to him, the question was not preventing this from happening but…Who was Naman and Who was Segeeth?

TBC…

I know its short but I kind of want to get this chapter over with, but this part is very important because what's hidden in that folder that Lois gets will lead her into extreme danger in Chapter 15 which will require Richard and Clark to put aside their grievances to save her *spoiler*