Chapter 46
Watchtower…
Some time later Clark is in the Watchtower, currently speaking on the phone. "It's another dead end, Lois. No one at the morgue recognized the name 'Blaine'. And the stamp was made for an anonymous private buyer. Don't suppose you've had any luck on your end?" he asks of his ex-girlfriend as they had agreed to work different angles on this case…and yes, share the damn by-line which had been Lois's number 1 condition. He wonders what deity he offended now to make him have to keep working in the same place as his ex. He also has a passing thought about seeing if he can get a reporter gig in Coast City. At least that way he'd be close to Andi and Mia. That thought goes as quickly as it came when Oliver comes stumbling in.
"Chloe!" the dishevelled blond man calls out.
"Lois, let me call you back," Clark says as he hangs up, zips over to his friend and helps him into a chair. "Oliver, what happened?"
"That's what happened," Oliver says, pointing at the very thing Clark is working on. In this case it's an image of the ink stamp.
"I've been trying to find a serial killer who uses that stamp."
"Serial killer. Oh, this just keeps getting better and better," Oliver spits out in disgust. "There's a photo in there of a guy named Desaad. He owns a nightclub he's using to put Omegas on people's heads," he says as he hands his phone over to Clark.
"He's an Agent of The Darkness. Just like Godfrey," Clark understands. His brow then furrows. "There were no Omega symbols on the bodies in the morgue. He must be killing the people he can't convert," he deduces.
"And now he's got Chloe...and Mia."
Clark's head snaps round so quick the air snaps. "What?!"
Oliver rubs his head. "We…Chloe and I were looking into the guy and…it's like someone hit me upside the head. Next thing I know I see Chloe and Mia being carried off by Desaad and a flock of Banshees."
"Flock of Banshees?"
Oliver shrugs. "A gang of girls with weapons."
"Whips? Claws?"
Oliver looks at Clark intently and nods.
"It's the girls from Granny Goodness' orphanage. I suspected she was building an army for something. I didn't know she was connected to the Darkness."
"Another of its agents?"
"Seems so."
"Which means if we can't find Mia and Chloe then they're either damned or dead," Oliver sums it up.
"I can't let that happen. If Mia is possessed and the Darkness gains her knowledge we may have lost this battle before it has even begun," Clark says, trying to hide just how terrified he is at the prospect. He needs to find her so he starts trying to track down the business address for Desaad's club. Where it is registered. Here we go! "The business ... it's registered to an address on 4th Street. Maybe that's where they took them," he says with a mixture of hope and determination.
"Terrific," the blond archer says as he gets to his feet…or at least tries.
Clark pushes him back down. "Wait a second."
"What are you doing?" Oliver wants to know, anxiousness pouring out his pores.
"You're upset and in no condition to go up against the darkness," Clark can plainly see.
"And you're in a better condition?" the older man practically scoffs as he questions it.
"I understand better now what it takes to resist it," he claims. "And even if I didn't there's no choice. I'll find both of them," he vows. "Now, stay put," he orders Oliver before whooshing away.
Which means he misses it when Oliver murmurs, "Like hell," under his breath as he takes off after the alien hero.
Elsewhere…
Supergirl is strapped down on a table, set at 45degrees while nearby Chloe is struck up by chains from the ceiling of what appears to be an abandoned church. No matter how much she tries Mia cannot break her bonds, metal restraints that go across her chest and legs.
"You waste your time," Desaad says as he circles the two women. "That metal is from Apokolips," he points at Supergirl's bonds.
"What's Apokolips?" Chloe asks.
"You don't want to know," Supergirl advises, her tone grave.
"But we do want to know what you do…" he leans right into Supergirl's face, smirking evilly, "Mia Rojas."
Supergirl's eyes go wide in horror. He knows her name. How the hell does he know her name?
Desaad chuckles darkly. "Your mind is protected by those trinkets on your wrists. Hers on the other hand," he points at Chloe.
Mia's jaw twitches. "I'll tell you nothing, Desaad," she promises.
"You know him?" Chloe inquiries as she tries to ignore her arms current attempts to distance themselves from her shoulders.
"Not personally. He's a gopher, a lickspittle, bootlicker to…"
Desaad starts to look quite interested in what she is about to say. "To?"
"Darkseid. The Darkness is Darkseid," it suddenly occurs to Mia.
"Very good."
"Who or what is a Darkseid?" Chloe seeks to know.
"Very soon you'll have your answer Ms Sullivan as he becomes one with your very soul," Desaad promises, making Chloe's skin crawl. "Shall we begin?" he asks her.
Mia watches on as Desaad touches a finger to Chloe's forehead and the blond woman's eyes roll into the back of her head.
"What do you think, Ms Rojas? Will she pass the test?" Desaad asks her.
"You. You were the one who messed up my mind last night," Supergirl seethes.
"Impressive powers of recovery you show. I wonder why that is," the New God, trapped in human form, ponders.
"Kiss my ass."
Desaad tuts while Chloe groans and squirms in her chains. "I see Granny is going to have to teach you some manners."
"Let her try. I'd love to see what my bracelets would do to her."
"Yes, with magic of the Old Gods but while Chloe here endures her trial lets us do something about that."
Supergirl's lips curve up into a smile of anticipation as she watches him reach for her bracelets and the moment he touches them…
"ARGH!" is the scream of absolute agony as his hands are literally burned by them. He staggers back, seething in rage.
"Oopsie. I wonder how that happened," Supergirl mocks him and gets a slap across her face for it.
Idiot. Desaad will concede he is an idiot. Of course they would have a protection spell upon them. Probably to prevent anyone but the wearer themselves from removing them. However, there are ways round that and fortunately ways that will inflict immense pain and suffering on the insufferable brat. "Bernadeth. Be a dear and remove the bracelets. Peel the flesh from her bones if necessary."
Supergirl's hands tighten up into fists and she tries to summon her energy blasts as the troll of a woman wielding the knife emerges from the shadows. However, she can't access her blasts. What have they done to her?
Mia breathes hard, trying not to show fear as Bernadeth raises her knife and begins to cut into arm above her bracelet. She can't stop crying out in pain as the knife sends a burning sensation through her entire body, as if every cell on her body is being burned from the inside out.
Then it stops as Bernadeth is tossed away like a ragdoll.
"Papá," Mia breathes in relief at the sight of her father in his Blur costume. He tries to break the metal bonds holding her but the metal refuses to give. Surprised but remaining focussed he undoes the latches instead and helps her to her feet.
"You were supposed to call me if you got in trouble," he mildly chastises her, reminding her of their conversation this morning.
"Uh…slipped my mind," she offers lamely with a sheepish grin.
Clark rolls his eyes. She's just lucky he's more worried than angry at the moment.
"I was wondering when we'd meet again."
Clark spins round and glares at the man. "What are you doing to her?" he asks in regards to Chloe.
"Why don't you ask your daughter?" he says back, enjoying the superior position he holds.
Clark manages to keep his expression blank at the man's revelation he knows who Mia is and simply looks at her for an answer.
"He's testing her. Trying to corrupt her," Supergirl answers.
"Supergirl. Get Chloe out of here," the Blur orders her.
Mia does so, ignoring the pain of her bleeding arm. The two women vanish with a gust of wind, leaving Clark alone with Desaad.
"What exactly are you, Desaad?" the red and blue clad hero wants to know.
"Again a question you should ask your daughter but in short, a prophet. A servant, loyal to a far greater power."
"The Darkness."
"To Darkseid. When he last laid eyes upon you, you wore your sin openly. You're much more self-assured now. Much more certain of your purpose. More love in your heart than when you faced Godfrey. Stronger than when you faced Granny, as well. Sadly incorruptible. They, much like I, have been preparing for something ... amazing."
"And that's why the three of you have been burning your Omega symbols in innocent people."
"You act as though the marks weren't there to begin with... but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise," he taunts the hero by not telling him. He then unleashes a burst of black energy which pins Clark to the wall. "Good things come to those who wait," Desaad sing songs in merriment as he leaves. "Have fun ladies," is his departing words as the half dozen girls emerge from the shadows of the church.
Lashina saunters up to him, lust in her eyes. "You have no idea how long it has been since I've had the pleasure of a real man to enjoy," she says huskily as she trails a finger down his cheek.
Clark glares at her as he struggles to free himself. It's then he hears Oliver confronting Desaad outside. That idiot. "It'll have to be another day," he says flatly as with a cry of rage he breaks free of the dark energy, grabs Lashina and tosses her into the rest, knocking them over. In that fraction of a second…well a fraction of a second is all he needs as he blurs outside and stops Oliver from making a terrible mistake…only what he doesn't realise is that he is too late. He just can't see it.
Coast City…
"Sounds like quite a…horrifying adventure," Andrea remarks as she and Clark stand around the island in her kitchen and he shares what happened yesterday while the two share a drink. Mia was in bed asleep.
"It wasn't fun," Clark says with a frown.
"How is Mia?" she asks with motherly concern.
"There's still a scar on her arm but it's fading."
"What sort of knife can cut her?" Andrea has to ask, trying not to lose her temper at the fact her precious daughter was injured.
Clark sighs. "I don't know. She knows something about this entire situation and who all these people I've been facing lately are but when I tried to ask she clammed up."
Andrea frowns hard.
"She's…been really distant this last few weeks as matter of fact."
"Do you know why?"
"Partially. She's afraid of messing up history…and by that I mean in a way beyond what she intended to."
"She mentioned something about that to me. You want me to try and talk to her?"
"I didn't want to presume to ask in case…"
"She didn't appreciate it," Andrea guesses.
"When I first got back from the VRA facility she did seem…better. You had clearly helped her. She seemed more calm…accepting. Like she was finally processing her grief but now she's hanging up at the Fortress most of the time on her own and rarely speaking to me."
"I'll talk to her," Andrea decides because this feels like regression on the part of her daughter.
"Thank you."
"Should I ask how Chloe is?"
"I x-rayed her. She's fine. No Omega mark. She managed to resist the corruption or temptation or whatever psychic test Desaad tried to put her through. I guess there's still something of the old Chloe there after all," he remarks, sounding almost surprised by it.
"And what of the Darkness?"
"We've had some victories. The VRA being repealed. We've silenced Godfrey. We've shut down Granny's orphanage and buried Desaad underneath Belle Reve. However, it's not the last time that we've seen the Darkness…or Darkseid as Desaad called it. Still don't even know what it really is and until we do how we can find a way to defeat it for good?"
"That feels like it is circling back round to Mia," Andrea believes.
"Kinda does, doesn't it."
"And what about Clark Kent?"
"Hmm?" he queries, eyebrow arched.
"Your 'secret identity' problem," she elaborates.
"Oh that. Still waiting to hear back from a friend on that."
Knock! Knock!
"Who can that be?" Andrea murmurs as she heads for her door.
Clark looks through the door and his eyebrows rise precipitately. "What is she doing here?" he mutters under his breath.
Andrea opens the door to be met by an exotic looking brunette with olive skin. "Yes? Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for…" the woman peers round and smiles, "him," she points at Clark.
Andrea turns to look at Clark, seeking an explanation.
Clark internally groans. This is not gonna be good. "Andrea this is a teammate of mine. Zatanna Zatara, Zatanna this is Andrea Rojas."
"Have we not got you calling me Zee yet," she says, flashing a flirtatious grin, clearly enjoying herself.
"How did you find me?"
"I'm a sorceress," Zatanna replies as if that explains everything.
Andrea looks at Clark, seeking a further explanation. He simply shakes his head and gestures with his hands to invite her in. "Come in, Zatanna."
"Thanks," she says with a cheeky grin on her face. She heads for where Clark is at the kitchen island and sits herself down.
"Please. Make yourself comfortable," Andrea mutters in increasing agitation as she goes round the other side of the island. "So what brings you here?"
"I have the solution to Clark's problem."
Andrea looks at Clark, her eyes growing increasingly hard.
"Zatanna was the friend I asked to help me with my secret identity issue," he explains.
"Uh huh. Came to my hotel room just when I was getting ready for bed," the sultry sorceress drops in.
"Oh did he?" Andrea asks, her tone of someone clearly pissed. Also someone experiencing a sudden surge of possessiveness as it pertains to Clark.
"She was fully clothed," Clark responds.
"Mores the pity," Zatanna chimes in cheekily as she snaps her fingers and a pair of glasses appears in her hand. "So, here's the solution," she says, handing them over to Clark.
"I assumed you enchanted them in some way."
"Little bit," she replies, bringing her thumb and finger close together. "It's a minor compulsion that suggests to people two main things. One; that you've always worn glasses and two; to just not pay you that much attention. It will allow you to fade into the background for most people."
"Most?"
"People who know you well, the strong willed will be able to ignore it. It's not that strong a compulsion. I can jack it up if you want?"
"Lets just see how this goes first and if it's not working I'll call you," he proposes, wanting to see if this will solve his problem like he wants.
"If it works like I hope people will just essentially forget what you look like without glasses and therefore never put you and the Blur together because Clark Kent is just…there. In the background. Like a million other people but that will require you to act the role. Not draw undue attention to yourself," she advises on how he needs to act.
"Be normal you mean," he says with a small chuckle of amusement.
"Yeah."
"I've been doing that every day since I was 3," he points out.
"Well, since it is a minor compulsion give it at least a few weeks before you decide to reveal yourself. Give it time to work," she advises.
"I will," he agrees.
"Then my work here is done. If there are problems call me any time. Oh, here are some spare pairs," she says before muttering a short spell backwards to have a few more pairs appear on the tabletop.
"Thank you, Zatanna," Clark says gratefully.
"Zee," she implores him to call her, while patting him on his arm. His really solid, muscley arm. What she would give to have those wrapped around her naked body. "After all why be so formal when we've stuck our tongues down each other throats."
Clark's cheeks start turning red and he glances out the corner of his eyes at the clearly now furious Latino woman who looks like she could snap at any moment.
"I'll see you soon, Clark," the sexy sorceress says with a wink and then a quick peck on his cheek before she sees herself out.
Clark blows out a breath.
"Tongues down each other throats, huh?"
Clark winces at the seriousness of that tone. "It isn't what it sounds like," he says in his defence.
"No?" Andrea queries sceptically. Also is she…is she feeling jealousy?
"It was ages ago. I was struggling with my relationship with Lois. It's hard to make it work when you're keeping half yourself a secret," he pleads his case.
"I'm aware."
"Right. Well, at that time I wasn't sure how to make it work or whether to just give up even trying. Then there was this magical thing I needed Zatanna's help over. Actually, as it turned out it was something her father had left behind but that's an aside. I guess she sensed my relationship troubles and thought she'd try her luck. And well, uh, Zatanna can be rather forward when it comes to expressing her feelings."
"Forward? I was going to go with slutty," she feels a need to demean the magician.
"It only lasted a few seconds before I realised I was making a mistake. I do make them you know. I'm not perfect…nor made of stone. I do have the same desires as everyone else. If I didn't Mia wouldn't be here would she?"
Andrea takes a long drink and says nothing.
"And for the record, Zatanna is not a bad person. Yeah, she's a little…"
"Easy?"
"I was going to go with free-spirited."
"I've said it before, Clark. You are a far more generous person than me."
"Funny, I remember you being very generous that night on the rooftop," he says with a downright sexy smile.
Andrea actually flushes while Clark looks amused at the fact he could get that sort of reaction from her. She picks up a pair of the glasses Zatanna left behind. "So, you're going through with this then?"
Clark feels a bit of relief that Andi is dropping any further discussion over him and Zatanna. He nods in response to her. "It's the only way. I can't go public like Oliver. I have to keep Mia safe. I also can't hide forever either as the Blur. If this Darkseid is going to be defeated people need hope and inspiration."
"Someone to rally round," she summarises it.
"I can't do that hidden away. The Blur needs to be seen and he can't be seen if he's hiding behind a mask."
"Even at the price of making Clark Kent forgettable?" she asks if he is willing to pay that price.
"Clark Kent's always been forgettable," is his view. "I always tried not to stand out. I even nerfed my own grades at school to make them more middle of the road."
"You're wrong. Clark Kent is not forgettable. Not to me anyhow," she says reaching across and taking his hand into hers, giving it a squeeze. "In your effort to make Clark Kent fade into the background just don't forget that the Blur wouldn't exist without Clark Kent. After all who would the Blur be if it wasn't for the values and beliefs Clark Kent holds, hmm?"
"Well, it might help if there was someone to keep reminding me," he proposes, looking intently at her.
"I don't know. Motherhood is a full-time job," she teases playfully.
Clark smiles warmly. He loves when she lets out her playful side. It's something she does all too rarely in his opinion.
The two start to lean over the counter, their faces drifting toward each other and just when they are mere moments from their lips meeting…
"Mamá. Papá."
Standing at the doorway to her room, rubbing the sleep from her eye is their little bundle of joy who just has the worse timing. Clark and Andrea straighten themselves out quickly. Duty calls.
Smallville…
Mia was sitting up in the barn loft, looking at the fading scar on her arm. She has not been cut like this since her powers first developed.
Last night…last night had been way too close. If her father hadn't shown up when he did…if they had managed to get her bracelets off…
God, Jor-El was right. It's too dangerous for her to be here any longer. She hadn't known the Darkness was Darkseid. This whole time period…she has only vague memories of it now.
Memories…
Memories…
"Argh!" she screams as she grabs her head. It's happening again. Her life…her memories…two different versions of her life seemingly battling it out…
She feels like her head is going to explode.
God, make it stop. Please.
Then the pain fades, her mind begins to reorganise itself and that is when she feels another presence. She looks up to see what appears to be an African-American man. "John?"
J'onn J'onzz's glowing red eyes fade. "I felt your psychic turmoil," he explains his presence.
"Really? I thought you were spying on me for Abuelo," she accuses.
"Well, that too," he admits in a jokey voice.
"I know," she says in a shaky voice. "I know what you're going to say. I need to go home, to my own time but please John I just need a few more days. A week tops. I have to say a proper farewells to Mamá and Papá in case…in case…" she swallows the lump in her throat. She can't say it.
J'onn can. "In case they are still dead when you return."
Mia nods sadly.
J'onn closes his eyes and briefly recalls his own lost family. He knows her pain all too well. "Very well. Come with me to the Fortress and we'll see what Jor-El and I can do to keep your mind stable for a little longer," he suggests as he holds out his hand which Mia takes and the two depart.
Author's Note: I absolutely hate the scene in this episode where Clark is explaining to Lois about making Clark Kent the mask. It's all ass backwards. His speech amounts to Clark Kent is just a name. The Blur and essentially his abilities is who he really is. Ah no. Clark Kent is who really is. Everything the Blur stands for, his beliefs and values, come from his parents and those are the important things. What he believes in. Not what he can do. He's always Clark. When he's the Blur/Superman he's still just Clark dressed up to be a symbol of inspiration. The Blur/Superman is just the name and not even one he comes up with himself. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews.