Life In Smallville {6}

Chapter 6: Fallout

Lana's in Lex's limo waiting for Dr. Groll. Dr. Groll comes inside the limo with a briefcase and Lana says, "Middle of the night, mysterious meeting, suspicious briefcase? You normally just call me with an update, Dr. Groll. Why all the intrigue?" Dr. Groll says, "The precautions aren't for dramatic effect. Are you in some sort of danger?" Dr. Groll gives the briefcase to Lana and says, "I think we both are. The CDs contain all my research on the box. Every test result, every theory I've written." Lana says, "You're quitting." Dr. Groll says, "I'm disappearing." Lana says, "Don't you think that's a bit extreme?" Dr. Groll says, "You'll find that when you're in as deep as we are with the Luthor's, they won't let you just walk away. We've started military testing." Lana says, "I thought we were still in the analysis phase. Lex didn't tell me that we were already testing with the military." Dr. Groll says, "Forgive me, but I think that there's a lot that Lex neglects to tell you." Lana says, "You could have just left. Why come to me?" Dr. Groll says, "Because I'm not the only one I'm worried about. Despite our differences, Ms. Lang I thought you deserved a warning. I'm getting as far away from the Luthor's as possible. I suggest you do the same." Dr. Groll then leaves the limo. The next day, Clark's in the kitchen looking at photos of where the Zoners are. Mrs. Kent walks down the stairs to get ready to go and she looks at her son and says, "If you need anything I'll be at the conference until Monday." Clark doesn't look up and says, "Have fun." His mom says, "Yeah a weekend middle-aged fat cats bragging about their golf swings definitely my idea of fun." His mom grabs the papers her son's looking at and says, "Turkey, Argentina, Indonesia are all these craters." Clark says, "Prisoners from the Phantom Zone." His mom looks at Clark and says, "Clark, I know you feel responsible for letting them out when you escaped, but do you really think you can track them down by yourself." Clark says, "What other choice to I have. The fortress is destroyed there's no way to contact Jor-El. I can't exactly just call the Pentagon." His mom says, "Something else is going on." Clark says, "I'm sorry I just don't know where else to look and these prisoners aren't the only ones I'm trying to find." Clark hands his mom the photo of Raya and he continues to say, "It's Raya and that picture was taken in Australia. The same day that I came back." His mom says, "I thought you said the last thing you saw when you escaped that place was her being attacked." Clark says, "There was nothing I could do to stop it, but she's the only other survivor from Krypton. That's why I have to find her." His mom says, "But from this picture how do you know she's..." Clark says, "I went to the crater it was empty. Raya was gone but I know that she's still alive." Later, Clark's in the barn. Clark hears Chloe coming and says, "Oakland, California." Chloe walks in and says, "Local authorities determined it was made by a shooting star but that was just wishful thinking. Sorry. It was impacted six weeks ago. Right around the time you fell out of the Phantom Zone. It gets worse. He's already killed once. Two boys went missing on the site of the crater. All they found were human ashes and a basketball." Clark says, "Sounds like heat vision." Chloe says, "Not unless your heat vision comes with a radiation setting. The ashes were off the Geiger charts and the next day, the nuclear facilities 20 miles away were hit." Clark says, "Any idea why the zoner would be there?" Chloe says, "Well, aside from giving the five researchers a premature cremation the radioactive material that they'd been working with was sucked dry." Clark says, "It's almost like he was feeding off it. We need to check all the plants in the area." Chloe says, "Hello? Um, have you met me? There have been half a dozen incidents across the continent. The most recent one was just outside Metropolis." Chloe shows Clark the papers and Clark says, "Chloe, these attacks form a straight line." Chloe says, "Headed directly towards you." Clark looks at Chloe and says, "Chloe." Chloe says, "I'll make a list of all the possible sites within a 100-mile radius. I'll call you." Clark says, "Thanks." Chloe nods and leaves. Then Clark hears something and walks towards it to see Raya. Clark says, "Raya?" Raya smiles and says, "Hello, Kal-El." They go for a walk and Clark says, "I was afraid I'd never see you again. I'm sorry. I didn't want to leave you in the Phantom Zone." Raya looks at Clark and says, "You had no choice. It's okay, Kal-El. And if it wasn't for you, I would have never escaped. I would have never seen all this. It's more beautiful than the world your father described." Clark smiles and says, "How'd you find me?" Raya says, "Your father told me about the family he had chosen for you. About Smallville. It must have been hard growing up here by yourself." Clark says, "I had my parents. I had my friends." Raya says, "But no one who really understood you." Clark says, "You mean what was it like to grow up with such a big secret?" Raya says, "And the amazing rush of racing trains knowing nothing can hurt you." Clark softly smiles and says, "I used to try to pretend not to notice but sometimes I would catch my dad watching me when I'd picked something up that was impossible for him to even move. He wanted so much to know what that felt like." Raya says, "But he never could." Clark says, "No matter how I think I fit in... every day I'm reminded I'm not one of them." Raya softly smiles and says, "You're not alone anymore. I'm here." Clark softly smiles. Later, Lana's in her bedroom taking off her shoes, when Lex walks in and dangles his car keys and Lana looks up to see them. Lex says, "I thought I should just give you the car since you obviously don't like asking to borrow it." Lana softly smiles and says, "I, uh, I didn't know that I had to." Lex says, "Lana, the car is not a big deal. You sneaking out of the house at midnight... that bothers me." Lana gets up with a smile and says, "There's nothing to be upset about, Lex. I had a late-night craving for ice cream." Lex says, "Mocha mint? That's your favorite, right? What's Dr. Groll's? Did you honestly think this wouldn't catch up with you? I don't like playing cat and mouse games, Lana." Lana looks at Lex and says, "Is it the game that you don't like... or the fact that someone's playing it on your level?" Lex says, "I don't know where you stashed the box, but I want it back now. Please." Later, Clark and Raya are racing each other. Raya looks at Clark with a smile and says, "You cheated." Clark smiles and says, "I couldn't let a rookie catch me in the last county." They walk into the barn and Raya says, "Jor-El would have never let you get away with that." Clark says, "What was he like? My father." Raya says, "Brave... Strong... With the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known." Clark says, "To be honest, that's not the Jor-El I imagined." Raya says, "He was determined to save us. I remember helping him build your ship. He was so careful, planning every detail down to your baby blanket. I wish that he could see you now." Clark turns away from Raya and says, "I haven't been the best son." Raya says, "Your father was hard on himself too. He felt guilty that he couldn't save Krypton. His only redemption was sending you to save Earth." Clark turns to look at Raya and says, "Save it from what?" Raya says, "Extinction. Your civilization is going to destroy itself just like Krypton. You should know this. It was part of your training." Clark says, "I haven't started my training. Now, the fortress is damaged. Jor-El tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. I mean, how could I trust someone who brought so much pain into my life?" Raya says, "Pain is a part of anyone's journey, Kal-El. You can't escape it. You must accept your destiny." They then hear a voice say, "Too bad that destiny's just gotten a little shorter. The last son of Krypton. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time." Clark says, "You're the one who's been coming for me. And I think it will be worth the trip. What's the matter, Raya? Don't recognize an old friend? It's me. Baern." Raya says, "He's one of the Phantoms." Baern says, "How do you like the new suit?" Clark says, "What do you want?" Baern says, "To pay back your old man. For giving me a one-way ticket to hell. But then he had to go and get himself eviscerated along with everyone else from that ice cube you call a planet. So, I guess you'll have to do." Baern zaps Clark with his powers and Clark is thrown across the barn through the field. Clark gets up and Raya says, "Kal-El?" Clark looks at Raya and says, "Where is he?" Raya looks out into the distance and Clark follows her gaze. Later, Clark changes his clothes, and he comes down the stairs and says, "I know my father told you where he sent me but how did Baern know?" Raya says, "After Krypton fell, and Jor-El was dead the prisoners in the Phantom Zone discovered that he'd only managed to save his own son. The story of your survival was a myth, a rumor... One of hope for some of us, and revenge for others." Clark says, "For someone who's been dreaming of killing me for the last 20 years, his visit was a little short-lived." Raya says, "I don't think he was expecting to fight both of us. He was weakening. He race feeds off radioactive energy." Clark says, "So that's why he's so strong." Raya says, "Baern killed hundreds on his own planet before he came to Krypton, but Jor-El managed to exile him to the Phantom Zone." Clark says, "I'm guessing that Baern is searching for a new energy source." Raya says, "It won't take him long. He can sense power sources. There's only one thing that can stop him... Your father's crystal." Later, Clark and Raya go to the Daily Planet. Raya says, "Baern wouldn't have left the area with you still alive." Clark says, "There must be some other place he'd go. Maybe a military installation the public doesn't know about." Chloe walks to Clark and says, "Hey, I've been trying to call you. Where have you been?" Clark looks at Raya and says, "Racing around. Chloe, this is Raya." Chloe says, "Oh, Raya. Wow. It's nice to know something good finally came out of the Phantom Zone, especially since we have a big problem." Chloe gives Clark the photos Jimmy took om Lex's desk. Clark says, "Chloe, this is what Zod was gonna use to wipe out the Earth. Where'd you get this?" Chloe says, "Jimmy too it. It was on Lex's desk." Clark says, "I thought I destroyed it." Raya says, "I know this design. It's part of the brain interactive construct." Chloe says, "What?" Raya says, "Brainiac. This box is its power core. Kryptonian energy source exponentially stronger than anything here on Earth." Clark looks at Raya and says, "Baern." Raya says, "If he gets a hold of this, it'll give him enough power to fuel him indefinitely... and kill us both." Later, Lana puts the box on the table and waits on the couch for Lex. Lex walks in and walks to the box. Lana says, "Safe and sound." Lex says, "You didn't keep it." Lana stands up and says, "It's not mine to keep." Lex looks at Lana and says, "Incredible, isn't it? Such a small, fragmented piece of metal might hold the secrets of the universe." Lana says, "Or a new way to destroy ourselves. Lex, you didn't tell me you started working with the military." Lex says, "Well, who better to help defend us? Lana, the future always has risks. That doesn't mean we shouldn't move forward. I thought we were in this together." Lana softly says, "We still are... just not on the same side. Lex, you're obsessed. We've been through this before with the ship and something has got to give. The box... or me." Lana then walks away and opens the doors to leave, but then gasps when she sees an unfamiliar face. Baern says, "You have something I need." Lex says, "Lana, call security." Baern says, "They're kind of unavailable right now." Baern then walks to the box and Lex stands in front of it and says, "You're not getting near it." Baern pushes Lex into a glass table and Lex groans. Lana says, "Lex!" Lana kneels next to Lex to make sure he's okay. Lana and Lex watch Baern absorb the box and they run out of the room. Later, Lex's is in the hospital and Lana walks into his room and says, "Lex..." Lex turns to face Lana and says, "It's only a second-degree burn. Nothing to worry about. They want to run an X-ray to make sure my ribs are alright." Lana says, "How did that thing know about the box?" Lex says, "That's exactly what I was wondering." Lana softly says, "Do you think that I'd actually be involved in something like this, that I'd let you get hurt?" Lex says, "No. Of course not." There's a knock on the door and Lex looks up to see Clark. Lana also turns to see Clark and she says, "Clark." Lex says, "What are you doing here?" Clark says, "I went by the mansion. I heard you were taken to the hospital. You, okay?" Lex nods and says, "We're fine, Clark... both of us." Clark nods and says, "What happened?" Lex says, "We had an uninvited guest, but... we're used to that kind of thing." Clark says, "I'm glad you're alright then." Dr. Maclntyre opens the door and says, "Mr. Luthor, let's get you down to X-ray." Lex leaves and it's just Lana and Clark. Lana says, "Hate to question your good-natured visit but are you really interested in Lex's health? What's the real reason you're here?" Clark says, "Look, you don't want to get in the middle of this." Lana says, "It's too late for that. Clark, stop trying to think up excuses and just tell me what's going on." Clark takes out the photo that Jimmy took of the box and says, "Have you seen this before?" Lana looks at the photo and says, "Yes. But it doesn't matter anyone. It's just a pile of ash now. That thing destroyed it." Later, Clark goes to the fortress with Raya, and he says, "Raya, I told you the fortress is dead. Why are we here?" Raya says, "It's our only hope to defeat Baern. This was all we had left of our home, Kal-El." Clark says, "And now it's gone too." Raya says, "It was more than that. The fortress was a storehouse for all the knowledge in the universe. At least all that we had. How could this happen?" Clark says, "I'm sorry. I don't know how to bring it back." Raya says, "Your father wouldn't have given up so easily." Clark says, "I haven't given up. I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything." Raya says, "Everything except the training your father wanted for you." Clark says, "So, why are we here?" Raya says, "Baern is too dangerous to attack anywhere else. With the power he absorbed from the box he could wipe out half of the continent." Clark says, "Is he that strong, will the crystal still work?" Raya says, "It should, provided we stay alive long enough to use it." Clark says, "I'm not sure it'll be that easy just to lure him here." Raya says, "I'm gonna see if I can reroute whatever residual power is left just enough to send out a signal. To let Baern know you're here." Raya signals Baern and says, "That's all the power I was able to draw. Hopefully it'll be enough." Clark says, "That sound... I've heard it before." Raya looks at Clark and says, "Every Kryptonian family has a unique tone. A beacon to identify itself. Baern's sure to recognize yours." Clark nods and says, "And follow it straight to me." Baern appears and says, "So this is Jor-El's famed fortress of knowledge. I thought it'd be bigger." Clark turns to face him and says, "It doesn't matter. You won't be staying long." Baern says, "Big talk, big man. I'm surprised you're still standing. I guess Jor-El was right about how the yellow sun affects you Kryptonian cockroaches. But I'm back, and now... I'm supersized. This the perfect place for the fall of the House of El." As Baern uses his powers on Clark, Clark absorbs it with his father's crystal and gets blasted away. Baern says, "Paying for the sins of your father can be a bitch." Baern then blasts Raya and Clark grabs the crystal again to absorb Baern powers and the phantom inside his host. Clark then goes to check on Raya. Clark kneels next to her and says, "Raya? Raya." Raya weakly says, "The crystal... It has enough power now. Restore the fortress." Clark says, "No. You can't leave me, not now." Raya places her hand on Clark's face and says, "I'm sorry... I couldn't share in your destiny... Kal-El." Raya then closes her eyes and she's dead. Later, Clark takes the body Baern was using to the hospital. He wakes up and says, "What happened? Man, where am I?" Clark sits in a chair next to his bed and says, "Hospital... in Kansas." He says, "Kansas?" Clark says, "Do you have any idea how you got here?" The guy says, "I barely even know where here is. I mean, no ball, no beach. Kansas is strictly flyover." Clark says, "So the last six weeks." The guy says, "Six weeks? I mean... the last thing I remember was, uh... Okay, I-I was playing ball with my boy Yance, and after that... nothin'. Am I supposed to know you?" Clark softly smiles and says, "No. My name's Clark Kent. I found you unconscious, and... I didn't know what else to do, so I brought you here." The guy says, "This is crazy." Clark softly says, "Yeah. The doctors say you're gonna be alright." The guy nods and as Clark gets up to leave, the guy says, "I get the feeling I've got you to thank for that, man. Kansas, huh?" Clark smiles and says, "Kansas." Later, Lex walks into the room and says, "I thought maybe you'd had another sweet-tooth attack." Lana says, "Don't worry, Lex. I'm not going anywhere." Lex says, "You sure?" Lana looks at Lex and says, "Not tonight." Lex goes to sit next to Lana and says, "I think we need to reassess some things." Lana says, "Because of the box?" Lex says, "Because you lied to me, Lana. After all your talk about honesty." Lana softly smiles and says, "Then I guess we're even. I'm just glad that box was destroyed." Lex says, "How can you say that? You've seen what can happen. The threats that are out there... The box was our only hope of defending ourselves." Lana says, "The human race has survived this long. It doesn't need Lex Luthor to save it. You know, our conversation was interrupted." Lex says, "Don't you mean your ultimatum? Do you honestly think I wouldn't have chosen you?" Lana softly says, "I guess we'll never know." The next day, Clark is taking a walk with his mom and tells her about Raya. His mom says, "Raya sounds like an amazing woman." Clark says, "I wish you could have met her. She loved this place, this whole world. She barely had enough time to discover it... before she gave her life to protect it." His mom says, "It looks like Krypton gave us more than one hero. I am so sorry, Clark." Clark says, "When I was with Raya... I didn't feel alone anymore." His mom says, "Clark..." Clark says, "Mom, I know how much you love me, and how much dad... But I've always felt... different. It's because I am. And Raya was the first person I ever met who could really understand that. And I don't think I ever really thought about what I'd lost. A family, a whole race of people who were just like me. For the first time, I'm ready to stop running... from who I really am... from my destiny." Clark looks down at his father's crystal. His mom looks at the crystal and says, "You're training with Jor-El... you want to go." Clark nods and says, "But I can't. Not yet. Not until every prisoner that I released from the Phantom Zone is returned... or destroyed."

Note: Another episode where I couldn't put Liana in.