Smallville In the Yellowstone Chapter 14, a Smallville + Yellowstone Crossover fanfic

Chapter 14: Tempest

The rhythmic whirring of helicopter blades filled the air as Lex Luthor stood at the helipad near the LuthorCorp Plant, his eyes narrowing at the approaching helicopter that carried his father. Lionel Luthor had always been a man of surprises, but this visit was particularly unwelcome. Lex could feel it in his bones—something wasn't right.

Lionel had given no explanation for the visit beyond a vague comment about addressing the employees. Lex, not one to be caught off guard, had already gathered the plant's employees together in the main hall, just as Lionel had asked. But Lex had his suspicions about the true nature of this visit. Lionel rarely took an interest in Smallville unless it involved pulling strings to drag Lex back to Metropolis.

The helicopter touched down, and Lionel, always the picture of refined authority, stepped out, his cane tapping the ground rhythmically as he made his way toward Lex. His trademark smirk was already in place.

"Lex," Lionel greeted, clasping his son on the shoulder in a way that felt more patronising than affectionate. "Good to see you've gathered everyone."

Lex forced a smile. "I always make sure to be prepared, Dad. But why the sudden visit? What's this really about?"

Lionel's expression remained neutral as he shrugged off Lex's question. "Oh, just a little motivational speech. Keep the employees inspired. You know how important it is to maintain morale."

Lex didn't buy it for a second. He knew his father well enough to sense when there was something more sinister lurking behind his words. But before he could press Lionel for more information, the elder Luthor was already striding toward the gathered crowd of plant employees.

As Lionel stepped onto the platform in front of the assembled workers, Lex hung back, watching carefully. His gut told him this was about more than just a speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lionel began, his voice carrying with the same charisma that had helped build the Luthor empire, "I want to thank you for your dedication and hard work over the years. It's never easy to run an operation like this in a small town. And unfortunately, sometimes circumstances beyond our control force us to make difficult decisions."

Lex's heart sank. He knew where this was going.

Lionel's gaze swept over the crowd. "Effective immediately, the LuthorCorp Plant will be shutting down."

A wave of gasps rippled through the room. Lex's blood boiled. He clenched his fists, barely able to contain his anger as Lionel continued.

"The decision was made due to management issues and declining profitability. Unfortunately, this is simply a matter of good business."

Lex stormed forward, his voice tight with rage. "This isn't about profitability, is it, Dad? This is just another attempt to get me out of Smallville and back under your thumb in Metropolis."

Lionel didn't bother to deny it. He merely gave Lex that same infuriating smirk. "Lex, you're young. You're wasting your potential in this backwater town. I'm only trying to give you a way out."

The employees looked on, confused and worried, as father and son stared each other down. Lex seethed, but he knew there was little he could do to stop his father's decision. Lionel had always been a master manipulator, and this was yet another power play.

Lionel turned back to the crowd. "I'll ensure that severance packages are provided to all employees, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours."

With that, Lionel stepped down, leaving Lex standing there, furious and powerless. The employees began to disperse, whispers and murmurs of confusion filling the air. Lex's mind raced. He couldn't let his father win this one—not like this.

Back at Smallville High, Clark Dutton was standing in front of a mirror in the boys' bathroom, fiddling with the knot of his tie. He had never been great at formalwear, and the upcoming spring formal was giving him more anxiety than he'd like to admit.

"Does this look right to you?" Clark asked, glancing at Pete Ross, who was leaning against the sink, smirking.

Pete chuckled. "Dude, I think you've got that tie twisted in about three different directions. Just let it hang for now—you've got more important things to worry about."

Clark sighed, pulling off the tie. "Yeah, like how I'm going to ask Lex if I can borrow his limo for the dance."

Pete raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you just ask him now?"

"I don't know," Clark muttered, avoiding Pete's gaze. "Lex has been dealing with a lot of stuff lately, and now with the whole LuthorCorp plant thing... it's just bad timing."

Pete gave Clark a sympathetic look but didn't push the issue further. "Well, if you don't get the limo, you could always show up on your tractor."

Clark shot him a look of mock annoyance, but before he could respond, the bathroom door swung open and Lana Lang walked in, completely ignoring the fact that she was entering the boys' room.

"Clark, have you heard the news?" she asked, clearly upset. "They're shutting down the LuthorCorp plant. Chloe just told me."

Clark blinked, the news hitting him hard. "What? Why?"

"They're blaming management problems," Lana explained. "It's in the Smallville Ledger—they rushed a special edition. My Aunt Nell was saying it's the first special edition since the 1989 meteor shower."

Clark could hardly believe it. The closure of the plant would affect everyone in town. He had to tell his parents.

Later that afternoon, Clark returned to the Dutton Ranch, where he found John and Evelyn in the kitchen. Their faces were grim, and the tension between them was palpable.

"I take it you've already heard about the plant," Clark said, walking into the room.

John nodded, his expression tight with anger. "Yeah, we heard. The Ledger rushed a special edition, like this is some kind of disaster. I knew Lionel Luthor couldn't be trusted."

Evelyn sighed, placing a gentle hand on John's arm. "Let's not jump to conclusions. We don't know all the details yet."

John's jaw clenched. "What more details do we need? Lionel's been trying to shut down that plant ever since Lex came to Smallville. It's just another power play. He's pulling the strings to ruin Lex, and now the entire town has to suffer for it."

Clark watched his parents carefully. They had always had differing opinions about the Luthors—John distrusted them completely, while Evelyn was more cautious but believed in giving people the benefit of the doubt.

"It's not just about Lex," Clark said, his voice thoughtful. "Chloe's talking about moving back to Metropolis. Her dad worked at the plant, and if it's shutting down…"

John slammed his fist on the table, his anger boiling over. "This is exactly what Lionel wanted. He's destroying families, ripping people's lives apart. And Lex? He's no better—he's just like his father."

"John, that's not fair," Evelyn interjected, her voice soft but firm. "Lex isn't responsible for what Lionel does."

John shook his head. "Maybe not directly, but he's still a Luthor. And if Lex really wanted to protect this town, he'd find a way to keep that plant open."

Clark stayed quiet, absorbing the tension in the room. He understood his father's frustration, but a part of him also believed that Lex truly wanted to help. The question was whether Lex could stand up to Lionel—and whether Clark could do anything to help him.

Meanwhile, Whitney Fordman was preparing a surprise for Lana. He had spent days planning this, carefully picking out the perfect spot for a picnic by the lake. He spread out the blanket, setting down the food he'd brought—a mix of sandwiches, fruit, and her favourite chocolate chip cookies.

When Lana arrived, Whitney greeted her with a nervous smile. "Hey, I've got something I need to tell you."

Lana, still shaken by the news of the plant closing and everything happening in town, smiled faintly but couldn't hide her own apprehension. "What's going on, Whitney?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes full of uncertainty. "I enlisted in the Marine Corps."

Lana blinked, stunned. "You… you enlisted?"

Whitney nodded, his voice heavy. "I've been thinking about it for a while. I need to do something with my life, something that matters. And I know the Marines will give me that chance."

Lana's heart sank as she processed the news. Whitney was leaving. The boy she had been with for so long, the anchor in her life, was about to go off and face an unknown future. She didn't know what to say.

"I'll miss Smallville," Whitney continued, his voice softening. "But the only thing I'll really miss is you. Lana… will you wait for me?"

Lana stared at Whitney, her heart torn. The boy she had been with through so much was asking her to wait for him, but after all the changes happening in Smallville—and everything she had been feeling recently—she wasn't sure she could give him the answer he wanted. Her connection to Clark had been growing, and the uncertainty of Whitney's departure filled her with doubt.

"I don't know, Whitney," she said softly, her voice trembling. "This is a lot to take in. I mean… you're leaving, and I don't even know what life will look like when you're gone."

Whitney looked down, clearly disappointed but trying to remain strong. "I get it, Lana. I just… I wanted to tell you before I left. I thought we'd have more time, but everything's moving so fast."

Lana nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also didn't want to make promises she wasn't sure she could keep. "Can I have some time to think about it?"

Whitney gave her a small, bittersweet smile. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

They sat in silence for a moment, both of them lost in their own thoughts, as the wind gently rustled the trees around them. The idyllic scene clashed with the storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface, and Lana knew that things would never be the same after this.

While Lana struggled with Whitney's news, Clark was making his way to Luthor Mansion. He had been meaning to talk to Lex about borrowing the limo for the dance, but after hearing about the plant's closure, he knew Lex would be in no mood for favours.

When Clark arrived, he found Lex pacing the length of his office, a look of frustration etched on his face. On the desk, the missing piece of Clark's spaceship—the one that had been gone for so long—lay in plain sight.

Clark's eyes widened as he saw it, but before he could ask any questions, Lex looked up, clearly distracted.

"Clark," Lex said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit preoccupied. My father just pulled the rug out from under me and announced the plant's closure. He's blaming me for the whole thing."

Clark nodded, his mind racing. He wanted to ask about the spaceship key, but Lex's frustration was palpable. Instead, Clark decided to back off. Lex was clearly dealing with enough, and now wasn't the time to pile more on.

"I'm sorry about the plant, Lex," Clark said, trying to offer some comfort. "That's not fair. You've worked so hard to make it a success."

Lex let out a bitter laugh. "Fairness doesn't exist in my world, Clark. My father made sure of that."

Clark glanced at the key again but decided to leave without pressing Lex further. He gave a sympathetic nod before heading for the door. As he left, Lex moved toward the key, almost absentmindedly, and stashed it in a small, ornate box on his desk, locking it away.

After leaving the mansion, Clark made his way to the Torch office at school, where Chloe was waiting, her face pale with worry.

"My dad's been talking about moving back to Metropolis," Chloe said, biting her lip. "With the plant closing, he's out of a job. I don't know what we're going to do."

Clark sat beside her, feeling the weight of her words. The idea of Chloe leaving Smallville, of losing his best friend, hit him harder than he expected. "Chloe, I… I can't imagine you not being here."

Chloe looked up at him, her eyes filled with emotion. "I don't want to leave, Clark. But this whole plant closure has thrown everything into chaos."

Clark reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll figure something out. Smallville wouldn't be the same without you."

Chloe smiled faintly, though the worry didn't leave her eyes. "I hope you're right."

That evening, Clark and Chloe met up at the Talon. As they sat down, Lana approached, looking conflicted. She told Clark about Whitney's enlistment in the Marine Corps and how uncertain she felt about her future.

"I don't know what's going to happen, Clark," Lana admitted, her voice heavy with emotion. "Whitney's leaving, Chloe might be leaving… I feel like everything's falling apart."

Clark's heart sank. He didn't want to lose Lana or Chloe, and the thought of Smallville without either of them felt wrong.

"Maybe this is just how life works," Clark said softly. "Things change, people move on. But that doesn't mean we have to lose each other."

Lana smiled sadly, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I guess we'll just have to see."

The next morning, Lex Luthor sat alone in his office, staring blankly at the spreadsheets and financial projections spread out before him. The normally pristine surface of his desk was covered in a chaotic array of documents—balance sheets, employee rosters, equipment valuations. Numbers blurred together as he tried to focus, his mind a tangled mess of worry and frustration.

He rubbed his temples, willing himself to keep it together. This was his one shot—one chance to save the plant, to save his reputation in Smallville, and to prove to his father that he wouldn't be broken so easily. But the path forward was fraught with risk, and the stakes had never been higher.

A knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. Lex looked up as Cameron, one of the senior plant managers, stepped inside, a cautious look on his face.

"Mr. Luthor, the management team is ready in the conference room. They're waiting for you."

Lex nodded curtly, pushing his chair back. "I'll be right there." He gathered his notes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. This has to work. It has to.

As Lex made his way down the hallway, he felt the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. He was a Luthor—raised to project confidence, to show no weakness—but right now, he felt anything but confident. His father had cornered him with the announcement of the plant's closure, blindsiding Lex in front of his own employees. It was a calculated power play, designed to humiliate him and remind everyone who really wielded control.

And now, Lex was scrambling to pick up the pieces.

What if it fails? The thought gnawed at him, a relentless whisper in the back of his mind. If the buyout didn't go through, if the employees didn't believe in him... Lex clenched his jaw. No. I won't let that happen. I can't let him win.

He entered the conference room to find the senior management team already seated, their faces etched with a mix of anxiety and scepticism. Lex forced a smile, trying to project the same confidence that had always come so easily to Lionel.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Lex began, his voice calm but firm. He took his place at the head of the table, laying out the stack of documents he had prepared. "I know you're all concerned about the future of the plant. My father's announcement came as a shock to all of us. But I'm not ready to let this place shut down. Not without a fight."

There was a murmur of unease among the managers. Lex could see it in their eyes—the fear, the doubt. They were worried about their jobs, about the future, and they didn't trust him. Not yet.

One of the older managers, Frank Adams, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "Mr. Luthor, with all due respect, your father's decision seemed final. How can we possibly keep the plant running without his support?"

Lex swallowed hard, resisting the urge to snap back. He knew Frank's scepticism wasn't personal—it was fear. Fear that they would all lose everything they had worked for. Lex understood that fear. He lived it every day, hiding it behind layers of bravado and ambition.

"By buying him out," Lex replied, his voice steady. "We pool our resources—every manager, every supervisor. If we form a collective, we can purchase the plant ourselves. Run it independently. I've crunched the numbers. It's possible."

Frank shook his head slowly, his gaze doubtful. "That's a huge risk. What if we lose everything?"

Lex's stomach tightened. He had anticipated this resistance, but it still stung. "There's always risk," he admitted, forcing himself to meet each manager's gaze in turn. "But this plant has been a part of Smallville for decades. If we let it close, we're not just losing jobs. We're losing a cornerstone of this community."

The room was silent, the tension palpable. Lex could feel the weight of their doubt pressing down on him, threatening to crush his resolve. What if they're right? What if I'm just fooling myself?

He took a deep breath, pushing back against the fear that threatened to choke him. "My father wants you to believe that closing the plant is inevitable," Lex continued, his voice rising with intensity. "But it's not. He's doing this to punish me—to show me that I have no power here. But I refuse to let him use this plant, use all of you, as pawns in his games."

A murmur ran through the group, a flicker of something like hope in their eyes. Lex seized on it, leaning forward, his gaze burning with determination.

"I know I'm asking you to take a leap of faith," he said quietly. "And I know I haven't been here as long as some of you. But I believe in this plant. I believe in Smallville. This place isn't just some backwater town to me—it's my home. And I'm willing to put everything on the line to keep it running."

Silence fell over the room again, but this time it felt different. Lex watched as the managers exchanged glances, the doubt slowly shifting into something else. Could it be hope? Lex's heart hammered in his chest as he waited for their response.

Finally, Frank spoke up again, his voice hesitant but stronger than before. "If we do this... if we take this risk... you'll be putting yourself on the line too, won't you?"

Lex met his gaze squarely. "Yes. I'm prepared to invest everything I have—personally and professionally. I'll put my own assets on the table. If this fails, I'll lose everything too."

The admission hung in the air like a challenge. Lex could see the realisation dawning on their faces. This wasn't just a play for power. Lex was serious. He was willing to go down with the ship if it meant giving them a chance.

One by one, the managers began to nod, their expressions shifting from scepticism to determination. Frank leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful.

"All right, Lex," he said slowly. "If you're willing to put it all on the line... then I guess we can too."

Relief flooded through Lex, but he didn't let it show. He nodded crisply, his voice steady. "Good. Then let's get to work."

As the meeting broke up and the managers began poring over the documents, Lex stepped back, allowing himself a brief moment to breathe. It worked. He had convinced them—at least for now. But the real fight was just beginning.

The buyout would take time. They would have to navigate a maze of legal obstacles, secure funding, and keep everything under wraps until the deal was finalised. If Lionel got wind of what they were planning, he would crush them before they even had a chance to make a move.

What if it's not enough? The doubt crept in again, clawing at the edges of his mind. What if I can't pull this off? What if I'm just playing into his hands?

Lex shook his head, forcing the thoughts away. He couldn't afford to second-guess himself now. This was more than just a business deal. It was his chance to prove, once and for all, that he wasn't just Lionel's puppet. That he was his own man.

And if he failed... Lex's throat tightened. If he failed, he wouldn't just be losing the plant. He would be losing the trust of every man and woman in that room—people who had believed in him, who had taken a chance on him.

I can't fail. I won't fail.

With a steely resolve, Lex turned back to the table, rolling up his sleeves. He had a mountain to climb, and the clock was ticking. But for the first time since Lionel had blindsided him with the announcement, Lex felt a glimmer of something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hope.

While Lex was finalising his plan, Clark was busy at the Dutton Ranch, driving fence posts into the ground. It was hard, tedious work, but it kept his mind off the uncertainty that hung over Smallville—Chloe's possible move, Lana's complicated feelings, and the plant's closure.

As Clark finished securing the last fence post, he walked back to the truck, his thoughts swirling. He slid into the driver's seat, turned the key in the ignition—

And the truck exploded.

The blast was deafening, sending a plume of smoke and fire into the air. Clark was thrown from the vehicle, landing several feet away, bewildered but completely unharmed.

He staggered to his feet, his ears ringing as he surveyed the wreckage. The truck was a mangled mess of twisted metal, engulfed in flames. If he hadn't been invulnerable, the explosion would have killed him.

In the distance, Rip Wheeler and Lee Dutton came rushing toward the scene, their faces pale with shock. Rip's eyes widened as he saw Clark emerge from the wreckage, completely unscathed.

"Clark!" Rip shouted, running up to him. "Are you okay? What the hell just happened?"

Clark glanced at Rip, his mind racing. He had to think fast—there was no way he could explain what had just happened. "I—I don't know. Something must have been wrong with the engine."

Rip's gaze lingered on Clark for a moment too long, suspicion flickering in his eyes. But before he could say anything more, Lee pointed toward a nearby hill, his voice filled with alarm. "Look!"

Clark followed Lee's gaze and spotted a figure in the distance, standing on the ridge. It was Roger Nixon, the unscrupulous reporter from the Metropolis Inquisitor. He was holding a camera, and it was clear that he had been filming the entire incident.

Panic shot through Clark. Roger Nixon knew. He had seen the explosion—and he had seen Clark walk away from it unscathed.

Without thinking, Clark sprinted toward the ridge, using his super speed to close the distance between them in a matter of seconds. But by the time he reached the top, Nixon was gone, leaving only a few scuff marks in the dirt where his shoes had been.

Clark stood there, his heart racing. Nixon had the proof he needed, and now Clark's secret was in danger of being exposed to the world.

The smell of burnt rubber and metal still lingered in the air as Rip Wheeler stood at the scene of the truck explosion. His eyes were glued to the charred remains of the vehicle, and he couldn't stop thinking about how Clark had walked away from it without so much as a scratch. Clark had acted normal enough after the explosion, but Rip had seen something different—something he couldn't explain.

With Roger Nixon on the run and the strange events of the day unfolding around him, Rip knew he needed answers. As he walked back toward the ranch house, he caught sight of John Dutton sitting on the porch, the weight of the world visible on his shoulders.

"John," Rip called, his voice steady but laced with curiosity, "we need to talk."

John looked up, his sharp eyes meeting Rip's. He knew this conversation had been a long time coming. Rip had proven his loyalty to the Duttons time and time again, but there was no denying the unspoken tension between them—tension born from the mysteries surrounding Clark.

John motioned for Rip to sit beside him on the porch. "I figured you'd have questions."

Rip nodded, sitting down with a heavy sigh. "I saw Clark walk away from that explosion without a scratch. That's not normal, John. Not by a long shot. I've seen a lot in my time, but nothing like this."

John took a deep breath, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "Clark's different, Rip. He's not like you and me. He's got… abilities. Abilities that go beyond what any of us can explain."

Rip's eyes narrowed as he tried to process what John was telling him. "Abilities? Like, what? He's indestructible?"

John shook his head slowly. "It's more than that. Clark's strong—stronger than anyone I've ever seen. He can do things no man should be able to do. But with that strength comes a lot of responsibility. We've been doing everything we can to protect him, to keep him safe."

Rip was silent for a long moment, absorbing the weight of John's words. Finally, he looked at John with determination in his eyes. "If Clark is part of this family, then that makes it my job to protect him too. I don't care what he is or what he can do. I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe."

John's heart swelled with pride at Rip's words. He had known from the moment he met Rip that the young man had a strong sense of loyalty, but hearing him vow to protect Clark—despite the inexplicable nature of his abilities—meant more than John could express.

"You've always been part of this family, Rip," John said, his voice thick with emotion. "And we'll need you now more than ever."

Rip nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Whatever it takes, John."

Later that evening, as the storm clouds began to gather on the horizon, Beth Dutton found herself wandering the ranch, her mind swirling with questions of her own. She had always been curious about Rip since the day he arrived at the ranch, a broken boy in need of a family. Now, seeing him grow into the man he had become, her curiosity had deepened into something more.

As she approached the barn, she spotted Rip sitting on a bale of hay, staring out at the gathering storm. He looked troubled, and for once, the usual cocky bravado he wore like armour seemed to be absent.

"Rip," Beth called softly as she approached, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Rip glanced up, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That obvious, huh?"

Beth sat down beside him, folding her arms across her chest as she looked out at the storm clouds. "I know you've been spending more time with my dad lately. You two have that 'strong, silent type' thing going on, but something tells me it's more than just ranch business."

Rip didn't respond at first, his mind still swirling with the revelations about Clark. But as Beth's eyes bore into him, he realised that she was more perceptive than anyone gave her credit for.

"Your dad told me something today," Rip said quietly, his voice almost drowned out by the distant rumble of thunder. "Something about Clark. And it changes a lot of things."

Beth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Clark? What's going on with him?"

Rip hesitated, not sure how much he could reveal. But he trusted Beth, more than anyone else on the ranch besides John. "Let's just say… Clark's not exactly like the rest of us."

Beth's eyes narrowed in thought. She had always known there was something different about Clark, even when he was little. He was too kind, too humble, and too strong for someone his age. But she had never been able to put her finger on it.

"Well," Beth said after a moment, "if my dad trusts you with this, then I do too. Just don't let it change you, Rip."

Rip looked at her, his expression serious. "It won't."

For a moment, the two of them sat in comfortable silence, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. Finally, Beth broke the silence, her voice laced with teasing warmth.

"You know, Rip, you're not as mysterious as you think you are."

Rip chuckled, his mood lightening. "And you're not as intimidating as you think you are."

Beth smirked, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "Keep telling yourself that."

Inside the ranch house, John and Evelyn sat at the kitchen table, both of them tense as they discussed the events of the day. Roger Nixon's appearance at the ranch had set them on edge, and they couldn't shake the feeling that more trouble was coming.

"Why was he snooping around the ranch?" Evelyn asked, her voice filled with concern. "What could he be looking for?"

John rubbed his temples, the stress of the situation weighing heavily on him. "Nixon's a reporter, but he's not just after a story. He knows there's something about Clark. He must have seen the explosion. Hell, he might even know about the ship."

Evelyn's eyes widened at the mention of the ship—the spaceship Clark had arrived in so many years ago, hidden beneath the barn in a secret cellar. "Do you think he knows about the cellar?"

John nodded grimly. "It's possible. And if he finds that ship… it could be disastrous."

Just then, Clark walked into the room, looking concerned. "I heard you talking about Nixon. I don't think it's just the explosion that's got him interested. I… I didn't even feel the heat. The debris didn't leave a single bruise."

John and Evelyn exchanged worried glances. The extent of Clark's abilities was still unknown, and each time something new was revealed, it only reinforced the danger of anyone discovering his secret.

"We'll figure it out, son," John said, his voice firm. "But we need to be careful. Nixon's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Meanwhile, at the Smallville Train Station, Lana Lang stood with Whitney Fordman, her heart heavy as they prepared to say goodbye. Whitney had enlisted in the Marine Corps, and now it was time for him to leave.

Lana reached into her pocket and pulled out her necklace, the one with the small piece of meteor rock. She placed it in Whitney's hand, her eyes filled with emotion.

"I want you to have this," she said softly. "For good luck."

Whitney looked down at the necklace, his heart swelling with affection for Lana. "I'll miss you," he whispered.

"I'll miss you too," Lana replied, her voice barely audible.

The train whistle blew, signalling that it was time for Whitney to board. He pulled Lana into a tight embrace, holding her close as if he could freeze this moment in time. But eventually, he pulled away, giving her one last, lingering look before climbing onto the train.

As the train pulled away from the station, Lana stood there, watching it disappear into the distance. She didn't know what the future held for her or for Whitney, but she knew that everything was changing.

Clark's heart raced as he sat down in the coffee shop, trying to clear his head. But his peace was short-lived when Roger Nixon slid into the seat across from him with a predatory smile on his face.

"Well, well, well," Nixon purred. "Clark Dutton, the boy who miraculously walked away from an explosion unscathed."

Clark's hands clenched into fists under the table as fear and anger coursed through him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Nixon chuckled, clearly enjoying the game. "Oh, don't play dumb. I've been watching you, Clark. That explosion should have killed you, but here you are - no burns, no broken bones. It's enough to make a guy wonder."

Clark's heart pounded in his chest as he desperately searched for a way out of this conversation. But Nixon leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What are you hiding, Clark? Are you some kind of secret government experiment? Or maybe you're just a freak of nature. Either way, I'd love to hear your story. How about an exclusive interview?"

Clark's expression darkened with frustration. "There's nothing to tell. I'm just a normal kid."

Nixon's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Normal kids don't walk away from explosions, Clark. You can deny it all you want, but the truth always comes out eventually. I'm giving you the chance to get ahead of the story."

Before Clark could respond, the door swung open and Lex Luthor entered the coffee shop. His eyes immediately landed on Clark and Nixon at the table, and his expression hardened.

"Nixon," Lex said coldly, "what are you doing here?"

Nixon leaned back in his chair with nonchalance, his smirk never fading. "Just having a friendly chat with your friend here. It turns out the Duttons -" Nixon's gaze flicked to Clark, " - the Duttons have a few secrets I'm very interested in."

Lex's eyes narrowed, his voice dangerously low. "Get out, Nixon."

Nixon shrugged as he stood up, still wearing that infuriating smirk. "I'll be seeing you around, Clark. Count on it."

As Nixon left the coffee shop, Lex turned to Clark with a grave expression. "You need to be careful around him, Clark. Nixon is dangerous. He won't stop until he gets what he wants."

Clark nodded, though a knot of anxiety twisted in his stomach. "I know. I just don't know what to do about him."

Lex placed a comforting hand on Clark's shoulder and spoke with determination. "Let me handle Nixon. I've dealt with people like him before. He won't hurt you or your family."

But even as Clark wanted to believe Lex's words, he knew that Nixon was not someone who would give up easily. The threat was far from over and Clark knew he had to stay vigilant against the dangerous man who seemed determined to uncover his secrets.

The once calm sky above the Dutton Ranch had transformed into a swirling mass of dark clouds, punctuated by ferocious flashes of lightning that temporarily illuminated the landscape in eerie bursts. The wind whipped through the trees, bending them to their breaking point as the sound of distant funnel clouds tearing through the fields grew louder by the second.

John's gaze shifted from Nixon to the storm raging outside. He knew they didn't have much time before things got even worse.

"We need to get out of here," John shouted over the howling wind. "Now."

But Nixon was too determined to leave without his prized knowledge of the spaceship hidden in the barn. He darted for the ladder, intent on escaping, but John was faster. Pulsing with adrenaline, John grabbed Nixon by the collar and yanked him back.

Nixon stumbled, his flashlight slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground as the wind inside the barn picked up, whipping around them like a living thing.

"You're not going anywhere," John growled, dragging Nixon toward the exit as debris from the barn began to fly around them. The storm was growing more intense by the second, and John knew they were in serious danger.

Nixon struggled against John's grip, his eyes wide with panic. "You can't stop me! People need to know the truth!"

John ignored him, his sole focus on getting them both to safety. But as they stepped outside, the full force of the storm hit. A massive tornado had formed just beyond the ranch, its ominous and twisting form towering over the landscape like a harbinger of destruction.

Trees were uprooted and flung into the air while debris pelted down around them. The deafening howl of wind drowned out all other sound as John and Nixon barely had time to react before the tornado swept toward them, pulling everything in its path into its deadly vortex.

John tackled Nixon to the ground just as a massive tree snapped in half, its trunk hurtling toward them. They rolled into the cover of a small cave near the ranch, the entrance barely wide enough to shield them from the flying debris.

The tornado roared past them, ripping up trees and fences as it tore across the landscape. John pressed Nixon against the cave wall, his heart pounding as they huddled together, waiting for the worst of the storm to pass. The world around them was chaos, but they clung to each other for safety until the howling wind finally began to die down.

John's gaze shifted from Nixon to the storm raging outside. He knew they didn't have much time before things got even worse.

"We need to get out of here," John shouted over the howling wind. "Now."

Nixon stumbled, his flashlight slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground as the wind inside the barn picked up, whipping around them like a living thing.

Nixon struggled against John's grip, his eyes wide with panic. "You can't stop me! People need to know the truth!"

The storm raged on, unleashing its fury upon the land as Lana Lang desperately tried to make her way back to the ranch. Her fingers clenched the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity, the wind relentlessly slamming against her truck. She had heard the warnings, but nothing could have prepared her for the ferocity of the storm.

As she turned a corner, her heart seized in fear. In the distance, three funnel clouds spun violently across the plains, converging into one massive and unstoppable tornado. The sight was bone-chilling—a display of nature's raw power that struck fear deep into Lana's core.

Her truck swerved off the road, plunging into a ditch as the wind fought against her. The engine sputtered and died, leaving Lana trapped and at the mercy of the approaching tornado. Panic flooded her body as she looked up to see it rapidly closing in, its roaring winds drowning out all other sound.

Meanwhile, at Smallville High, an announcement blared through the PA system, urging students to take shelter from the storm. But Clark paid no attention. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Lana.

He had learned of the storm and knew she was out on the treacherous roads. He couldn't wait any longer.

Ignoring Chloe's attempts to stop him, Clark turned to her with urgency in his eyes. "I have to go. I'll be back."

Before she could respond, he was already gone, sprinting towards the exit with his heart racing. He disregarded the danger of the storm as he raced towards Lana's location.

Using his superhuman speed, Clark tore through the outskirts of town, battling against the strong winds and blinding rain. With every step he took closer to Lana's truck, he could feel the strength of the storm growing, threatening to overwhelm him.

Finally arriving at her stranded vehicle, he caught sight of Lana inside, struggling to escape the lashing winds. She locked eyes with him, fear and desperation etched across her face as she screamed his name.

"Clark, help!"

With a determined heart, Clark charged towards the truck, bracing himself against the gale-force winds. The tornado loomed closer, it's dark and powerful presence bearing down on them.

But without hesitation, Clark pushed forward, using all of his strength to reach Lana. For her safety, he would brave any storm.