Rating: T (Teen--language and adult situation)

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW.  Dahak belongs to “Xena Warrior Princess” which is from MCA and StudiosUSA.  All other characters are mine and fictitious. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .


Chapter 1 [Talon—Two weeks following “Iguana Issues” miniseries]

It had been a long day for the converted theater complex. On the heels of the national history competition at Smallville High, middle school and high school students from all over Lowell County flooded into the Talon for their lattes and other treats.

Lex and Dave Dubois had coordinated the entire contest, making sure that every student was taken care of fairly. By 8:00 PM, they mailed the last results paperwork to Abilene. After a couple of hot drinks apiece, they retired to their respective domiciles and beds therein.

After the place had finally emptied out, the super teens and Miranda cleaned it up. The two girls wiped down the counter and tables. Clark handled the dishes and equipment in the back. With each doing their part, they worked their way through the chores, clearing the way for the next day’s business.

“Lex is going to be really happy after today,” Lana presumed.

“We were sure busy enough,’ Miranda noted ruefully while giving the counter a swipe with her washcloth. “Mr. Plaid’s got his share back there, doesn’t he?”

“Clark’s got it under control,” Lana assured her. “Even if he’s being slow by Kryptonian standards.”

[“I heard that,”] he told them both telepathically.

Before the girls could answer, a knock came from the door.

“Who could that be?” Lana wondered as she headed for the door. Peering out into the dark night, she didn’t see anyone. However, she did find a small wrapped package sitting on the doorstep. “What the?”

“What is it?” he asked while joining the girls in the front.

“It’s a box of some kind,” Miranda surmised.

“Who’d be delivering a package now?” Lana inquired.

“X-ray it,” he suggested.

Lana did so, letting her x-ray vision penetrate the outer covering. “Flowers?”

At that moment, the box shook in her hands and exploded, coating the entire room and the trio in a pink residual dust.

“Ugh!” Miranda complained. “When I get my hands on the baka who sent this….!”

“It’s okay,” he told them. “It’s only powder. We can suck it up with the vacuum quick. Are you okay, Lana?”

She dusted herself off and winced at the singe marks on her clothes. “I just bought this last week too! I agree with Miri. I want this guy badly.”

He grabbed the vacuum and did a super fast suck up sweep, disposing of the residue.

“Let’s check the café again,” Miranda urged. “I don’t want Auntie April or Uncle Dave running into any more weird stuff tonight.”

You mean like this? Lana looked around for herself, somehow knowing that their troubles were just starting.


****


[Alley]

As the trio cleaned up the debris, Dijon watched from the front window. <They did exactly what we wanted them to! They are even more foolish than I expected!>

<Is it done?> Dahak wondered.

“Oui,” Dijon affirmed. [<”Within two days, we’ll see how well they can keep their secrets.”>] With that, he vanished into the night.




Chapter 2 [Kent Farm]

After finishing at the Talon, the trio returned to the farm to find Lex and Chloe visiting with Jonathan, Martha and Ryan.

“Hi, guys. Sorry we’re late,” Clark apologized as they walked in.

“No trouble, Clark. We’re just talking about things in general,” Lex assured him and the girls.

Chloe, however, wasn’t convinced, “What’s going on? Guys?”

“We had a mystery package,” Miranda admitted.

“Mystery package?” Jonathan asked.

“We don’t get deliveries that late,” Lex pointed out. “What was in it?”

“Bad flowers,” Lana replied while inspecting Ryan carefully and bouncing him in her arms.

“Bad flowers?” Martha asked anxiously, recalling the Nicodemus epidemic.

“It’s not a big deal, Mom,” Clark reassured her.

“Given what we all have been through in this room between Nicodemus, the spores and red kryptonite, Clark, we shouldn’t take a chance. For once, I think we should ask Jor-El,” Jonathan disagreed.

“It’s all right,” Miranda asserted.

Lex glanced at Chloe and then the Kents. What’s going on here? Why are they debating this?

Before it could go any further, Martha changed the topic. “So how was the competition?”

“Dave enjoyed reading the papers. Beyond that, the rules forbid him from saying any more. We were flooded with entries,” Lex recounted.

“And then the café was flooded with them and their parents,” Lana continued.

“I interviewed four of the award winners for my Ledger article. Tomorrow, I’ll talk with Dr. Dubois. Given how excited he is, I’m looking forward to that,” Chloe informed them.

“Be sure to give Sheriff Adams a copy,” Miranda added wryly.

“You do like trouble, don’t you?” Lana supposed.

“I live for it,” Chloe retorted almost playfully.

“I’m with Lana on this one. I wouldn’t go looking for trouble,” Martha urged. “About that package, you didn’t see who dropped it off?”

“No,” Lana indicated. “They were already gone.”

“Good thing for them,” Miranda groused.

“All’s well that ends well,” Lex assumed.

Clark rubbed his wife’s shoulders while they considered their son again. Yet for some reason, he wasn’t as secure as everyone else was. Who was that guy?



Chapter 3
[Talon—Early the Next Morning]

Heloise walked into the café and scanned the area for her descendant. Despite the bustle of customers and waitresses, she couldn’t find Lana anywhere. However, as she passed the window, she detected the tell tale signs of her stepfather. <Dijon returns so soon?>

“Is something wrong?” April asked.

“Hopefully not,” the priestess reassured her friend with a straight face. “Did your husband sense anything out of the ordinary last night?”

“He got in late,” April noted. “But I found something strange. Have a minute?”

“Of course,” Heloise agreed while following the florist into Angie’s.

April held up a sandwich baggie with three tablespoons of the pinkish residue. “This was on the floor just on the other side of the glass doors.”

“What is it?” Heloise wondered.

“I don’t know. Dave did look around when he got back. He picked up on Dijon. And you?”

Heloise nodded. “Oui. Is David around now?”

“Sorry. He had to go to Dodge to finish grading. He’ll be back this afternoon.”

“I’ll want to speak with him later. Meantime who else was here last night?” Heloise asked.

“Clark, Lana and Miranda. Why?” April reported.

“I’ll speak with Jor-El. Meantime, keep your eyes open,” Heloise concluded before taking a sample of the powder and departing.

Hope everything’s okay. April went back to work intending on selling some more goods for herself.


****


[Later that Day—Cowache Caves]

Having received Jor-El’s telepathic summons, Clark and Lana rushed over to the caves. Admittedly, both of them had dealt with headaches and moodiness all day but figured it was the workload.

“Wonder what the emergency is?” she asked.

Clark shrugged. “Guess we’ll find out.”

They reached the central chamber to find Jor-El and Heloise talking to each other.

Enter my children, Jor-El bade.

[“What’s going on?”] Lana queried. [“Your message sounded urgent.”]

Heloise alerted me to a problem at your eating place last night.

“What exactly happened?” Heloise probed expectantly while holding up a plastic bag containing the powder sample.

Clark felt his forehead go numb. He glared at the older woman. “A package exploded! All right?”

“No, Clark, it is not all right! Something is wrong here. Just because it did not immediately affect you both doesn’t mean it won’t,” Heloise countered.

“He said we dealt with it!” Lana snapped suddenly. “At least you didn’t have to clean it up or lose a set of clothes!”

Calm yourselves! Heloise has said nothing to merit such a response! He scanned the super teens and picked up on the strange elements at work in their systems. Something is not right, my children. Please return to the farm and rest.

The two teens nodded before speeding away again.

Despite Jor-El’s advisory, Heloise wasn’t totally convinced. She opened a portal and vanished into it, leaving the spirit to his thoughts.


****


[Dubois Apartment—an hour and a half later]

Dave entered the apartment cautiously as he clearly anticipated trouble. Even with his mind occupied with other things, he knew Dijon’s stench anywhere.

And the rotten smell in the alley clearly belonged to the former Burgundian nobleman.

Can’t believe that SOB would pull that so soon after I kicked his ass! Dave threw his satchel onto a chair.

“Calm down, Dave. I just got the twins to sleep,” April advised while coming out of the bedroom.

“Sorry. I can’t believe Dijon snuck around here last night right under our noses.”

“You were really busy. It happens,” she assured him. “Heloise has been checking on our mystery stuff all day. She and Jor-El talked with Clark and Lana this afternoon.”

Seeing her quirked eyebrow, he supposed, “And it didn’t go well?”

“Let’s say that their moods flared worse than yours do.”

“Really?” He walked over and kissed her while considering that insight. “Not good. The others talk about Clark in super bad mode. We don’t need that.”

“Not if it trips your switch,” she agreed while leading him into the bedroom.

He bent over the crib and kissed each baby’s forehead. “Hi, Angels. Sorry gotta have my moment.”

“As if I’d deny you that?” she cracked. “You might want to check on the girls though.”

“Oh? Okay be back,” he concurred while heading for the other door. He knocked. “Girls?”

“Come in, Papa,” Angie replied.

He peered inside to find his daughters reading a book each. “Hey, ladies, what’s going on?”

Cassie glanced at her sister anxiously before answering, “Bad man was back last night.”

“Bad…oh…him.” He winced, knowing that they had picked up on Dijon’s presence as well. How could they feel him but I couldn’t at the time? “It’s okay though. You’re safe.” He hugged them both.

“But, Papa, he can do that thing that Heloise does!” Cassie protested.

“I know. Look, I need to ask a favor of you. Okay?” He took a deep breath, still debating about whether or not to involve them. I really wanted them to be as normal as possible! Damn you, Dijon! “Keep your eyes and ears open. It’s great that you could pick up on him. Just let someone know. Your aunts, Uncle Garth, the Kents, Lex, Miri or me. All right? If we know, we can deal with him.”

Remembering how he’d “dealt” with the Burgundian’s last visit, they shuddered.

“Neither the Protector nor I would hurt you, girls. He did that to protect you and everyone else,” he assured them.

“We know, Papa,” Angie conceded. “It was his pain. Your pain.” She looked sadly at him. “It’s not easy being around.”

“Your aunts have said the same thing, Kiddo. It’s okay,” he declared. “I’m trying to deal with it.”

“We know you are,” Cassie assured him.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Angie added while cuddling up against him.

He leaned back, enjoying the moment. Perhaps hate loomed outside of the window but in there, love ruled the roost.

The question though would come when the sun rose on the next morning……




Chapter 4
[Mirabeau Chateau—Vendee, France]

Deep within the vineyards of southwestern France, a granite chateau loomed over the landscape. For centuries, Mirabeau Chateau served as both a base of the powerful local nobility and an intimidation for visitors, scholars and locals alike.

In the large reception hall, Dijon paced about the length of its echoing interior. From his spying trips to the American Midwest, he knew of how Smallville’s adults were figuring out his master’s plan. <”Why does he wait?”>

Suddenly, the fireplace flared to life at his right side. <Patience, Dijon!>

The immortal servant bowed to his master’s avatar. <”As you wish, Dahak.”>

<It cannot be reversed! Already the children show the initial emotional instability. By the sun’s next rising, they will be completely out of control. Do not worry, my servant. Our plan proceeds accordingly.>

Dijon nodded while glaring up at his wife’s portrait above the fireplace. <”Therese was lost, Cherie. I will have faith however.”>

While long dead, a brief flicker of purpose could almost be seen in Isobel’s eyes.

It wouldn’t be long now…..


****


[Kent Farm—Next morning]

Jonathan came down the stairs at 4:45 while preparing to start another day of chores and farm work. He anticipated that the haying would take time. He hoped that Clark would work in the barn while he dealt with that challenge.

A loud cry interrupted his reverie.

“What in blazes?” he asked while reaching the front room. There he found Ryan crying uncomfortably in his baby seat. A glance into the kitchen found dirty dishes and greasy pans heaped in the sink. Greasy residue coated the counter.

“Jonathan?” Martha asked.

“Mr. Kent, what is it?” Miranda inquired while coming down the stairs with the older woman.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” he insisted.

“My word!” Martha picked Ryan up. “His diaper’s soaked through! Where are Clark and Lana?”

“They weren’t upstairs.” Miranda focused with her telepathy, sweeping first through the house and then the farm as a whole. “Got them…and….” Her eyes went wide. “No! Not again!”

“Miranda?” Martha queried. “What about that happening again? What’s happening again?”

The sensei shook her head furiously. “That damn package! The stuff! It had red meteor dust in it!” She ran out of the front door and across the yard. Following the trail, she bolted up the stairs to find the couple dressed as they were during their previous “bad” episodes. “Guys, what’s going on?”

“Crap. I told you we should’ve taken off,” he groused while turning to face Miranda. His eyes glowed bright red. “We aren’t taking messages right now, Toots.”

Miranda backpedaled a couple of steps, taking in the situation. She knew he was in prime Kal form. Worse still, Lana was in Nicodemus form now too. Can this get any worse? Still she knew she had to try and stop them—or at least slow them down. “Clark, stop it. We can get you both help…Please.” [“Uncle Dave? Jor-El? We have a problem here!”]

[“Miri, what’s wrong?”] Dave asked.

But before the conversation could continue, Lana’s eyes narrowed. “Dammit! Kal, let’s go now!” She jumped out of the Loft; literally hitting the ground running.

He sniggered at her. “Don’t come after us. Not if you know what’s good for you.”

She focused. “This hurts me more than it’ll hurt you.” She threw a mental pulse at him.

He avoided it at super speed. “You’re pathetic!” He took off as well, following in his wife’s path.

Miranda rushed down the stairs. “Guys! GUYS! COME BACK!” She felt like an utter failure especially upon seeing the anxious parents running over.

“Where are they?” Martha demanded.

“Gone. They’re sick from red kryptonite. That dust was laced with it.”

“That means trouble,” Jonathan noted. “Look, Miranda, we can get the kitchen cleaned up and look after Ryan. You get the others together and look for them.”

“Right,” Miranda agreed while heading for her blazer. Turning the key, she took off for town.

“Not again,” Martha sobbed.

“We’ve got more people to help us now,” he assured her. “Right now, Ryan needs us.”

She nodded while steeling herself. “Right. Ryan. Right now, he must be petrified by everything. Let’s do that and call Lex and David as well.”

And hope that we can get everything under control before things get really out of hand! He escorted her back to the house, wanting to get to the bottom of everything. For the moment, the chores were forgotten. Bigger things were on the agenda.




Chapter 5 [Luthor Castle—Fifteen minutes later]

Lex checked over the Talon complex’s latest financial projections. As always, the shops’ profits outperformed expectations. Seems as if April’s ideas and the new wireless set up are paying off! He heard a knock at the door. “Yes?”

Jasmine stuck her head in. “Have a minute, Lex?”

“Of course,” he agreed while waving her into the study. “I was just looking at the Talon’s quarterly report. What can I do for you?”

She shrugged. “Think that I can have a copy of that for Papa? He’s been interested in looking at it.”

“Certainly. I’ll have a copy of this ready after our meeting next week.” He looked her over again. “Take a seat, Jasmine. What else is going on?”

She poured herself a cup of coffee before sitting down across the desk from him. “As always, you are an excellent host, Lex.”

“That’s easy considering you’re such a great guest. What’s on your mind?”

She sighed. “I’ve overstayed my welcome now that I’m graduated from high school. I know there’s more to this country than just Smallville but I feel like I belong here. I enjoy giving to the community.”

He shook his head. “First of all, Jasmine, you can never overstay your welcome here. You’ve been a great help from the first day you arrived here. I value your friendship. So does Chloe. So do Clark, Lana, Miranda and the other legion members. I guess that settles that. Is your father all right with you staying here?”

“He misses me, Lex, but he likes what we’ve been doing. As a cultural ambassador, I’m doing what he needs me to do,” she noted.

“But as a friend, you’re doing what you love to do,” he pointed out. “Regal me with your ideas. I’d love to hear them.”

“There is the park. April and I were talking with Mrs. Kent about maybe doing a beautification project?” she proposed.

“As long as Chloe gets the scoop for the Ledger, it sounds great. Would you be willing to do lunch with the mayor and me next week to discuss it with him?” he agreed.

“Of course. My main project would be getting the Talon’s old cinema area back up and running. I would like Lana to have her dream,” she revealed.

“As long as we work with the National Trust on Historic Preservation, it’s no big deal, Jasmine. The Talon’s a landmark. We keep to certain specs and everything’s good. And I can’t wait to see the look on Lana’s face,” he noted before seeing the woman in question and her husband stalk into the study. “Hey, guys, what’s with the outfits? I….”

Jasmine turned as well. “This is out of character for you both. Is this a new look?”

“Our ears were burning since you were talking about me,” Lana retorted.

Kal smirked. “Maybe for my weak other half but not for me.” He pulled his shades down, letting the others see the crimson hue in his eyes.

“By the Prophet! What has happened?” Jasmine gasped.

“Jasmine, get back! They’ve been exposed to red kryptonite!” Lex realized.

“Aw! You had to tell her! Spoilsport!” Kal sped across the room. Before the billionaire could react, Kal grabbed him by the throat and lifted him from the floor.

“Clark, let him down now!” Jasmine ordered.

“He isn’t Clark anymore, Princess.” Lana grabbed her from behind and did the same thing. “His name’s Kal now.”

“Kal?” Jasmine asked.

“That’s the name, Toots. Don’t wear it out,” Kal sniggered. “As tempting as it would be to use the Big Dome here to buff the walls, there are better things to do with them.”

“Maybe some public exposure?” Lana supposed.

“Oh yeah! And I know just the place! They want to be big shots around town? Fine, they can be that. Come on.” Without lowering Lex, Kal sped off.

Lana grinned at her captive as well before following suit.




Chapter 6
[Edwardson Park—Downtown Smallville, Thirty minutes later]

Having left her father’s house late on that particular morning, Chloe burned tread down Third Avenue heading for the Ledger. As time was a factor, she hadn’t had time to have her first cup of coffee either at home or the Talon. Needless to say, she wasn’t in a good mood.

What she saw as she passed the park didn’t help matters any.

“What the Hell?” she queried in exasperation; her head jerking backward at the spectacle happening in back of her. She slammed on the brakes and did a U-turn just avoiding hitting someone else coming in the other direction. A minute later, she was running toward the mob. “Hey! Press! Let me through!”

Perhaps it was the press pass. Perhaps they knew her link to the scene. Either way, the crowd parted to let the blonde spitfire pass.

“Lex! Jasmine!” she exclaimed. “How?”

Lex coughed from his “vantage point”—about twenty feet in the air and hanging by his pants’ waistband. “About time, Sullivan.”

Off to his right, Jasmine struggled against her metallic bonds—the twisted iron fence posts—keeping her hands from grasping anything to use her abilities on. “Can you get us down?”

“Uh, yeah.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed it.

“Yeah?” Kal asked from the other end.

“Umm, we have a problem with some friends. Mind if you get your better half and get down here?” she supposed.

“Like they’re hanging there? Who do you think put them there? So much for Chloe the ace reporter!” Kal taunted.

Chloe felt a chill as she recognized the voice. “What the Hell’s happened to you? Where’s Lana?”

“She’s here with me. Don’t try and find us. Or else.” With that, he hung up.

“Hey! Don’t you…! AUGH!” Chloe slammed the phone shut in her hand. “I can’t believe this!”

“We could’ve told you that,” Lex groused.

Chloe rolled her eyes at him. “Give me a minute.” She dialed again.

“Hello?” Dave answered.

“Hi, Professor. Are you aware of our brewing problem this morning?” she asked.

“Miranda’s telling April and me about it right now. Now what?” Dave worried.

“You might want to get to Edwardson Park ASAP. Lex and Jasmine ran into the problem and they’re hanging around so to speak,” she explained.

“Great. I’ll be there in five minutes. Crowd situation?” he queried.

“We’ve got an audience. Can’t be avoided, I guess. Just get down here soon,” she concluded before hanging up. “That was Professor Dubois.”

“So much for his low profile,” Lex realized sadly.

“And yours. Hey, you still looking down on us?” she jabbed.

“This is hardly a comfortable position, Chloe,” Lex pointed out. “I think you’ve taught me a few things about not being arrogant.”

“Like to think so. This is going to make such great blackmail material,” she teased, letting her eyes sparkle at him.

Even he had to smirk at that comment. “Fine. Get us down and you can have all the chocolate and coffee you want.”

“And roses.”

Lex rolled his eyes. “Fine. Roses too.”

“This is hardly the time for negotiations!” Jasmine protested.

“Help’s on the way, Jas. Meantime, I’m working on my fiancé’s bruised ego. Someone’s got to watch out for the billionaire boy. That’s me,” Chloe assured them both, shooting him a smirk as she said it.

“Don’t enjoy it so much, Sullivan,” Lex insisted.

“Who says I am? It’s me being me. Besides if any rivals are watching, I don’t want them thinking we’d let the situation get out of control. Get me?” Chloe fired back.

Even then, he felt himself relax ever so slightly. Once again, he knew why he loved her. “Right.”

“Chloe!” Dave called as he and the agents rushed onto the scene. “What the Hell? Lex?”

“Hi to you too, Dave. Mind getting us down now?” Lex requested tersely.

“What the Hell?” Steve wondered.

“Not here,” Garth reminded him.

Dave took a deep breath and focused. Much as his counterpart had taught him, he used telekinesis to pick the billionaire up off of his hanging post and ease him down to the ground. “Now for Jasmine.” He stood right under her.

“Professor?” she queried anxiously.

“Don’t worry,” Dave assured her before making his hands glow with energy. He fired two blasts at the metal twisted around her arms, breaking the binding substance and releasing her. Much as he’d done with Lex, he used his abilities to get her down safely. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. I can’t believe this though!” the princess exclaimed.

“Later. Let’s adjourn before we have this discussion. Too many prying eyes and ears,” Steve reminded them.

“Chloe, can you, Lex and Jasmine follow us?” Dave requested. Getting a nod, they headed for the cars and drove off, leaving the crowd to wonder at what they’ve just witnessed.

The day was just getting started….




Chapter 7 [Luthor Castle—an hour later]

After returning to the mansion, Lex briefed his staff not to allow any reporters (other than Chloe of course) past the front door or to say anything to them. While not wanting to stall their preparations, they’d made sure the Talon and Kent Farm were under control for the moment.

In the sitting room, Lex had coffee ready for the others. Around him, Chloe, Martha, Jonathan, Dave, Miranda, Jasmine, Alicia and Byron sat ready for any update.

Steve and Garth talked into their cell phones, trying to trace any mysterious activity in Lowell County and elsewhere. Finally they hung up.

“We’ve got a sighting. Metropolis,” Steve informed the others.

“Thanks,” Lex expressed. “I guess we know what we have to do. Remember, Folks, they’re still Clark and Lana. They just aren’t in control.”

“What’s going on, Lex? Why are they acting like this?” Jasmine asked.

“Red kryptonite brings out this response in Clark,” Martha noted as she rocked Ryan.

“It makes him crazy…no inhibitions or anything,” Miranda added. “And now the Boss is like that too.” She shook her head while looking at her scimitar. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, Miri,” Dave assured her while glancing at the Kents. “I wish I knew where Jor-El and Heloise are. I’d feel better if we had them with us.”

“The rest of us will do what we can,” Byron noted.

“Byron, it isn’t that easy. Yes, our alter egos can go toe to toe with them. Think though about the property damage and potential fallout. The fight has to be contained,” Dave countered.

At that moment, Jor-El finally made his appearance. Forgive me. I was watching Kal-El and Lana in the city you call Metropolis.

“Are they all right?” Martha inquired.

For now, they are…in the middle of something. This is your best chance to confront them if you move soon, Jor-El explained.

“You heard the man,” Dave indicated while strapping his quiver onto his back and picking up his bow. “Alicia, when we find out where to go, can you teleport us in?”

“Sure,” she agreed.

“Remember, guys, we want to contain not hurt them,” Miranda reminded them.

“If they will let us,” Jasmine noted while stepping onto Carpet and holding her scimitar at the ready.

Lex opened his safe and produced a cylinder. “Dave, use this if necessary.”

“Is that really needed?” Martha gasped.

“If we have to weaken them, it is,” Miranda conceded while joining Alicia, Jasmine and Byron on Carpet. “We’ll meet the Protector there.”

Dave nodded while feeling the initial twitches from his change.

The teens disappeared in the green puff of smoke.

The Protector growled softly at the others, “Go an’ git ‘em.” With that, he vanished in a dark flash of light.

“Jor-El, are you going to be there?” Jonathan asked.

I will be close by in case I am needed. Yes. On that note, I must go. Jor-El followed the Protector’s lead at that point as well.

“Let’s hope they don’t create too big of a mess,” Lex declared.

“I just want them home in one piece for everyone’s sakes,” Martha worried while looking down at her grandson again.




Chapter 8 [Ritz Raymond—Metropolis]

Lana snuggled up against Kal and grinned like a Cheshire cat. After their mad sprint from Smallville, they’d used their combined savings for the posh room. Throwing everything else to the wind, they practically ripped the clothes off of each other and threw themselves into a passionate lovemaking tryst. “Mmm…wish we could do this every night.”

“Why not? The parents aren’t here,” he informed her. “We can take what we need. Who cares?” He traced his finger along her cheek. “You are hot. You know that.”

“So are you, Big Guy,” she purred sensually while French kissing him.

“Damn! Where’d you learn that? Never would’ve seen that one coming!” he exclaimed in glad surprise.

“Lot of stuff the little girl never shows that we know,” she informed him pointedly while descending back under the covers for another session.

Lana, Kal-El, stop this! Jor-El announced telepathically. Return to Smallville at once!

“Wondered how long it was going to take him to find us,” Kal groused while grabbing for his pajama pants. “Get lost, Old Man! This time, she’s with me! You can’t turn her or me! GOT IT!”

This is your last chance. Return willingly or be brought back by force!

“Bring it on!” she snapped while dressing at super speed.

The green mist appeared in the corner of the room allowing Jasmine, Byron, Miranda and Alicia to appear.

“Oh look! The gang’s here for their spanking!” Kal cracked.

“Spank this!” Byron snarled before smacking Kal against the far wall.

“Poet Boy’s been taking his vitamins. Awesome! Been lookin’ for a challenge!” Kal advanced on the Dark Poet.

As he did, both possessed Kryptonians floated into the air and were held there telekinetically.

“Shaddap!” the Protector snarled. “Yer both comin’ w’ us!” He turned to Alicia. “Git to Lexie’s. Ah’ll meet ya there.” He vanished again but this time with the super couple in tow.

Hearing the sirens approaching, the Legion members beat a hasty retreat as well. At least, the trip wouldn’t be as destructive as they had feared.


 

Chapter 9 [Cowache Caves]

Even as the Protector brought Clark and Lana back there, Heloise stood ready to intercede in the matter. After Jor-El opened the innermost chamber revealing the elemental table, she treated it with herbs and spells brought from Althanor for that task.

While conventional knowledge had forgotten such things, she had read up on techniques which Isobel among others had used on previous crazed visitors.

Will this work? Jor-El pressed.

“If Cybelle’s right, it should,” she insisted before producing a green meteor rock. “Just in case.”

The Protector appeared with Clark and Lana in telekinetic tow. “Hey, Grandma! Ah’m home!”

“What the Hell?” Lana demanded.

“The old man an’ the witch are about to do something. Hey, Heloise, tell your dog here that he could use some manners!” Kal scoffed.

“So can you, Boy. Be grateful. The Protector could’ve been much worse,” Heloise retorted. She turned to the Dark One. “Lower them onto the table.”

The Protector grunted and did so.

As the two teens hit the table, Jor-El created energy bonds binding them there. This hurts me more than it does either of you.

“You’re going to make us weak again, aren’t you?” Lana snapped angrily.

“No, Child. Just bring out your normal selves once more,” Heloise advised calmly before producing a handful of orange dust. She threw it over the duo and chanted a spell over it.

“ARGH! NO! NOT AGAIN!” Kal bellowed in protest before drifting into a deep sleep.

Lana screamed before blacking out.

“Wha’d’ja do?” the Protector asked insistently.

“I administered the cure.” Heloise held up the orange dust. “Red dust makes them sick. Orange dust makes them well again.”

“Better work!” the Dark One snapped.

It will. Have faith, my friend, Jor-El advised.

“Clark?” Lana asked drowsily while opening her eyes. “Oh my head!”

“Where are we?” Clark inquired while pulling at the bonds. “Jor-El? What are we doing down here?”

You don’t remember? You were exposed to the red kryptonite again, Kal-El. Heloise and I sent the Legion to get you back here, Jor-El explained as he released them.

“We didn’t destroy anything, did we?” Clark wondered while getting up.

“Some minor damage but fortunately, nothing that is not easily fixed, Clark,” Heloise informed him. “You two are all right. That’s all that matters.”

“And Ryan? Geez! How is he? I can’t believe we left him like that!” Lana worried.

“Fortunately for you both, he only suffered from a wet diaper and neglect,” Heloise assured them both before switching tracks to lecture mode. “However, this should be a lesson to you. You aren’t invulnerable. I don’t know how many times we three have to tell you that! Don’t go opening things you don’t know about. Magic and kryptonite can hurt you. Now that you’re parents, this is more important than ever. Your son needs you. We all need you. Hopefully this will teach you that lesson once and for all!”

If you need help, ask us! Jor-El added.

“Ya heard ‘em!” the Protector chimed in tersely. “’Specially with Fire Creep an’ Mustard Boy ‘round. Watch it!”

The two teens bowed their heads and nodded.

“Tres bien. You might want to get back to the mansion. I think they’re waiting for you,” Heloise advised them before vanishing again into a mist portal.

“Time to face the music?” Lana asked.

“Have to do it at some point,” Clark noted while giving her hand a gentle squeeze and wiping away a tear from her cheek. “It’s going to be okay. Nobody’s hurt. We have to make sure Ryan’s okay.”

“Right,” she agreed. “I just feel so ashamed.”

He hugged her while understanding how she felt. The fact that their enemies could pull their wild children out of them and make them lose control made him feel violated as well. The thought reinforced Heloise’s point from earlier. “We just need to be more careful. I love you.”

“And I, you,” she agreed before kissing him. “Sorry, Jor-El, for all of this.”

It was not your fault, Lana. Just learn from this mistake, Jor-El admonished before vanishing.

“Ya heard ‘im!” the Protector grumbled before disappearing from sight.

Needing no other cue, the super teens sped off for the mansion…..



Chapter 10 [Luthor Castle]

Even as everything wrapped itself up in Metropolis and back at the caves, Martha, Jonathan, Lex and Chloe sat in the library worrying about the confrontation.

“Why does this keep happening? Why can’t there be a way to…I don’t know…inoculate them against that stuff?” Chloe expressed sadly.

“Wish there were,” Jonathan indicated. “If so, I’d have them on it.”

“There’s got to be news pretty soon,” Lex assured them while pouring another round of coffees.

In a poof of green mist, Jasmine, Miranda, Alicia and Byron reappeared in the corner.

“It’s over,” Miranda reported. “There wasn’t much of a fight.”

“The Protector took them back to the Cowache Caves to do something. Let’s hope it works,” Alicia added.

“They weren’t hurt, were they?” Martha worried.

“We did not need the kryptonite,” Jasmine replied while handing back the canister. “Vile material!”

“I agree but necessary under these conditions,” Lex concurred while locking the canister in the safe. “Hopefully we won’t need it ever again.”

“But were they hurt?” Martha pressed.

“Clark took one punch from me,” Byron reported. “Other than that, the Protector and Jor-El used their mind stuff to secure them.”

“And they got us back,” a familiar voice noted from the door.

The group turned to see Clark and Lana standing in the doorway to the room. They were dressed in their usual clothes once again.

“Guys, glad you’re safe!” Chloe exclaimed before nearly tackling them in a bear hug.

“Sorry, everyone. I just wish that the red kryptonite didn’t keep doing this to us,” Clark apologized.

“At least this time you didn’t destroy anything,” Lex pointed out.

“We embarrassed Jasmine and you though, Lex,” Lana countered. “I can’t believe we did that.”

Lex crossed the room to be with his friends. “Lana, you and Clark weren’t yourselves. That’s why we acted as quickly as we did. We wanted to be sure that we could get you back to normal. Other than some minor embarrassment and well…some treats for Chloe, we got out of it pretty lightly. I’m not hurt…well, other than my pride. The important thing is that you’re both back.”

“We’ve already received the ‘be more careful’ lecture from Heloise, Jor-El and the Protector down in the Caves. If you want to add on, feel free,” Clark revealed sadly.

“You both do need to be more careful, Clark,” his father admonished. “Fortunately, the mess in the kitchen was relatively minor. But that’s not the worst of it.”

“You left your son behind. You two need to realize that being a parent isn’t a convenience. It’s an awesome responsibility!” Martha lectured with tears in her eyes. “Fortunately, your Dad and I took care of it. What happens though if we can’t? Ryan needs you both!”

“We know that, Mom,” Lana agreed. “But we weren’t in control.”

“Even the Protector is in control around my cousins, Lana,” Miranda informed her. “Even if you’re in control, Kal and your other self are still in there. Somehow you’ve got to work with them and make them understand.”

“I can’t deal with him,” Clark sighed.

“And do you think it’s easy for Uncle Dave to deal with his inner kid? Look, guys, that fight’s cost him big time. But you know why he did it? And still does it? Because he loves us all. It’s his responsibility. As my sensei said, with great power comes great responsibility. Just think on that, all right?” Miranda continued.

The two super teens bowed their heads again, feeling the pressing weight of the shame on their shoulders.

“Meantime, give me a hug, you two, and then go be with your son,” Miri told them.

“Sorry we ran out on you,” Lana apologized as her eyes watered.

“Just work on it. Okay?” Miranda pleaded just as tearfully. “Go on.”

The super couple walked over to his parents.

After a pointed look, Martha handed the cooing bundle over to Lana. “Just remember what we’ve told you.”

“We’ll do that,” Clark agreed as they considered their son again.

“Hi, Little Man. Sorry we left you before. I hope you can forgive us,” Lana apologized. “Mommy and Daddy were sick. We’re going to make sure that never happens again.”

“Count on it,” Clark agreed while letting Ryan grab onto his finger. “You’re strong, aren’t you?”

Ryan smiled before letting go and drifting off to sleep.

Clark and Lana looked at each other anxiously. Then they considered their companions again. They had survived a crisis but they were in the middle of another one….

…one that they couldn’t afford to ignore or lose again.