Original Air Date on May 5th, 2004

Joseph Willowbrook enters the underground caves with Jeremiah Holdsclaw, a young Native American man wearing glasses. Day. The caves are still filled with Lionel's lights and equipment.

Jeremiah: [Unhappy.] Professor, why do we let Luthor do this? Look at this place. He's done nothing but defile our holy ground.

Joseph: History has taught us to walk among our enemies.

Jeremiah: While they walk all over us?

Joseph: [Putting a hand on Jeremiah's shoulder.] I understand your anger, Jeremiah. But we have no access to these caves without his permission.

Joseph and Jeremiah walk to where Lionel is standing with some of his workers and bodyguards.

Lionel: Mr. Willowbrook, thank you for coming on such short notice. [Shakes Joseph's hand and notices Jeremiah.] I, um, I didn't realize you'd be bringing someone with you, though.

Joseph: This is Jeremiah Holdsclaw, future leader of the Kawatche people, and one of my brightest graduate students.

Lionel: Ah.

Joseph: He may be able to help identify the artifact.

Lionel holds out his hand to Jeremiah to shake.

Lionel: Jeremiah, it's an honor to meet you.

Jeremiah looks down at Lionel's hand coldly, refusing to shake. Lionel takes his hand back, surprised at Jeremiah's rudeness and looks at Joseph. Joseph speaks quickly, embarrassed at Jeremiah's behavior.

Joseph: Perhaps you can show us what you found.

Lionel: Yes, of course. [To one of his workers.] Miriam.

A woman walks up to Lionel and hands him a tray with an ancient stone on it. The stone is about the length of a loaf of bread and a handle shape has been fashioned into the end. Joseph picks it up to examine it.

Lionel: What do you, uh... What do you make of this, Professor?

Jeremiah: [Awed.] Incredible. Palac.

Lionel: Palac. What is Palac?

Joseph: [Covering for Jeremiah's reaction.] Ancient traditional cookware.

Lionel: [Skeptical.] Cookware?

Joseph: A beautiful example.

Lionel: Jeremiah? What do you think it is?

Jeremiah: [Realizing that Joseph is trying to hide the stone's true nature.] Uh, I think the professor is right, uh... But I think we should take it back to the museum to properly study it.

Lionel: Oh, no. It can't leave the cave. Not until I've had it thoroughly analyzed. Miriam.

Before Miriam can take the stone back, Jeremiah grabs it out of Joseph's hands and backs away.

Jeremiah: [To Lionel.] If you are the friend of the Kawatches that you claim to be, then why won't you let us take it now?

Lionel: [To Joseph.] Professor, would you give me the artifact, please?

Joseph: Jeremiah, you're embarrassing me.

Jeremiah: Professor, this is ancient Kawatche soil. [He picks up a nearby stone from the ground.] Everything in here belongs to us.

Jeremiah lifts the stone into the air to crash it against the artifact.

Lionel: No! No!

Jeremiah crushes the artifact and a golden shimmering light shines from inside. Jeremiah screams as if he is being electrocuted.

Jeremiah: Aah! Ah! Aah!

Jeremiah holds what is left of the artifact over his head. It is now a dagger with a stone handle and a golden glowing blade. His screams turn into growls. The blade has Kawatche symbols on it. Jeremiah brings the blade down to look at it and the golden power sh**t from the dagger to his body. His glasses have fallen off and he suddenly looks strong and dangerous.

Lionel: [Walking toward Jeremiah slowly.] Give it to me. Give me the Kn*fe, Jeremiah.

Lionel reaches for it, and Jeremiah punches him across the face sending him flying backwards where he lands against his bodyguards and falls to the ground. Three guards pull out their g*n and sh**t at Jeremiah again and again. Jeremiah reflexively crouches down.

When the f*ring ceases, Lionel starts to get up, and everyone is astonished to see that Jeremiah is completely unharmed. He rises to his feet with a small triumphant smile. Then he runs from the cave with super speed. Lionel stands up, out of breath.

Lionel: Find him! And bring me that Kn*fe!

Joseph looks around at the cave walls and notices the painting of the creature with two heads, one attacking the other.

[Opening credits]

Outside sh*t of the Kent barn. Day. In the loft, Clark walks up the stairs flipping through the pages of a magazine. He gets to the upper floor and realizes he is being watched. He turns around and Joseph is standing there.

Clark: Professor Willowbrook?

Joseph: [Coming forward.] Those are a lot of steps for an old man to climb.

Clark: Yeah. I'm sorry I haven't seen you lately. Between the farm and school, I...

Joseph: No need to make excuses, Naman. [Clark makes a reluctant face at the name.] Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me.

Clark: I'm not Naman. It's just a story on a cave wall.

Joseph: Until last night, I believed that too.

Clark: What happened last night?

Joseph: Your destiny was revealed.

In the Kent kitchen, Clark shows Jonathan a drawing of the Kawatche blade in a book. Day.

Clark: It's called Palac. The Starblade. It's been missing for 500 years.

Jonathan: Until Lionel Luthor unearthed it.

Clark: It's supposed to shine a light on the true Segeeth so Naman can identify and destroy his greatest enemy.

Jonathan: And Willowbrook came to you because he thinks you're Naman.

Clark: But, Dad, you should've seen the way he looked at me. It was kind of overwhelming.

Jonathan: Clark, he thinks you're the savior of his people. That's a lot to shoulder, even... even for you.

Clark: Yeah, but I'm not. I mean, I can barely take care of myself.

Jonathan pulls up a stool at the counter.

Jonathan: Sit down. [Clark sits.] You can't allow yourself to get all tied up in prophecies on a cave wall.

Clark: Except some of the prophecies are starting to come true.

Jonathan: What?

Clark: One of Willowbrook's students somehow got a hold of the blade, and it's given him powers.

Jonathan: What exactly are we talking about here, Clark?

Clark: So far, strength, speed, and he's bulletproof.

Jonathan: How is that possible?

Clark: The Kawatche were charged with the blade's safekeeping. If one of them is holding it, they're given the power to protect it until they can deliver it to the true Naman.

Jonathan: Clark, I had your abilities only for a short time, but believe me, having all that power was very intoxicating.

Clark: You don't think Jeremiah's gonna give it back.

Jonathan: No. Clark, you got to find him and stop him before Lionel Luthor gets a hold of it.

Clark looks down at the picture of Palac in the book.

Pete is talking on the phone in the Torch office as Chloe enters. Day. Pete is very angry.

Pete: Why won't you listen to me? I told you I don't want to talk about it!

Pete slams the phone into its cradle.

Chloe: [Joking.] Note to self: Forward all telemarketing calls to Pete. You want to tell me what that was about?

Pete: [Quiet.] It was nothing.

Chloe: [Putting down her books, she looks at Pete's clothes.] Did you pull an all-nighter or do you just find changing clothes every day a little too cliche?

Pete: I was a little laundry-impaired this morning.

Chloe: How Bohemian of you. Hey, do you want to cover the gymnastics tryouts?

Pete: Oh, I'm sorry, can you find someone else?

Chloe: Pete Ross passing up the opportunity to ogle Smallville High's women in spandex?

Pete: Look, I just can't do it, okay? [The bell rings.] I gotta get to class.

Chloe: Well, hang on a second, and I'll walk with you.

Chloe puts down her coffee cup and Pete leaves without responding.

Chloe: [Confused.] Or not.

Outside sh*t of the Smallville Medical Center. Day. In an exam room, Lionel is having his ribs bandaged. Lex enters.

Lex: Dad, I came as soon as I heard.

Lionel: Lex.

Lex: Are you all right?

Lionel: Yeah. [To the nurse.] Would you, uh, excuse us, please? [To Lex.] Yeah, I'm fine, son. I just, uh, bruised a few ribs, that's all.

The nurse leaves the room. Lionel gets off the exam table and starts to put his shirt back on. Lex helps him.

Lex: There are rumors floating around that the person who att*cked you was holding an ancient Kawatche artifact that supposedly gave him superhuman strength and speed.

Lionel: [Laughs.] Well, if that were true, wouldn't that be a prize? [Pause.] Is that why you've come?

Lex: I don't live in the past anymore, Dad. Someone told me it was a weakness. Given your recent mishaps in the cave, maybe you should start following your own advice.

Lex helps Lionel put on his jacket. Lionel doesn't respond.

Lex: Dad, why don't you let me use some of my law enforcement relationships to track this guy down?

Lionel: Considering what you and I have been going through recently, this filial concern of yours is... is touching and a little surprising. Who are you, Lex?

Lex: [Heartfelt.] Dad, no matter what our differences, I'm always going to be concerned about your well-being.

Lionel: You know, Lex, the only thing more bruised than my ribs is my ego. Any more publicity would only embarrass me. So, the cave. What do you say? Let's let the matter drop, all right?

Lionel leaves the room. Lex seems let down about being refused.

Lana reads a letter from the Paris School of the Arts at the Talon. Day. She is standing behind the bar and Chloe stands across from her. They both have small excited smiles on their faces. Lana reads the letter, and her smile fades.

Chloe: You didn't get in?

Lana: No, um, no, I got accepted. They turned down my financial aid, which means I can't go.

Upset, Lana walks to the cash register and opens it, dropping the letter under the cash tray. Chloe walks around to Lana's side of the bar.

Chloe: Well, wait a minute. Before you commit yourself to pouring lattes in the Sunflower State, why don't you talk to Lex?

Lana: Chloe, I'm not asking Lex for a loan.

Chloe: Why not? You know he would happily lend it to you.

Lana: But I wanted to do this on my own.

Chloe: Well, selfishly, I would be glad if you decided to stay. But if Lex were in your shoes, do you honestly think that he would let one bump in the road deter him from pursuing his dreams? Call him.

Lana considers it.

Clark walks up the front stairs of Central A&M Kansas, a college. Day. Inside, he goes to a glass door labeled "Jeremiah Holdsclaw, Teaching Assistant." He enters the office to find it ransacked. Papers are all over the floor and chairs are turned over. Shelves have been tipped and the drawers pulled out of a filing cabinet. Lex stands at the window, and Clark looks at him, shocked.

Lex: Here for the prospective students tour, Clark?

Clark: Did you do this?

Lex: What possible reason would I have to ransack the office of an obscure teaching assistant?

Clark: Then tell me why you're here.

Lex: You first.

Clark: [Pause.] Jeremiah was gonna help me with a term paper.

Lex: [Disbelieving.] Term paper. So your visit doesn't have anything to do with the fact that he went ballistic in the caves last night and absconded with a sacred Kawatche artifact.

Clark: I didn't know.

Lex: I'm surprised. I mean, you usually keep such a close eye on everything that happens in the caves... for those term papers you're always writing.

Clark: You still haven't told me why you're here.

Lex: Well, according to the legend of Naman and Segeeth, this missing artifact bestows extraordinary abilities on whoever possesses it.

Clark: You don't really believe that.

Lex: I like to keep my mind open to extreme possibilities.

Lex walks toward a bookshelf.

Clark: You're starting to sound like your father.

Lex: I guess I should be offended, but, uh... but it looks like he's beaten us both to the punch.

Lex goes to the windows and starts to close the blinds. There is light brown paint smeared on the blinds in some kind of formation. We can't see the whole symbol.

Lex: Tell me something, Clark. Do you have any idea what this might be?

Clark looks at the blinds, too startled to speak. Lex starts to leave.

Lex: Oh, if you find your friend, tell him I'd like to meet him. [Cold.] And good luck with your term paper.

Lex leaves. Clark remains and stares at the symbol which we now see is a tribal-looking symbol composed of two circles and several intersecting lines.

Joseph and Lionel walk down the front steps of Kansas A&M Central. Day.

Joseph: Even if I knew where he was, what makes you think he'd listen to me?

Lionel: But as I understand it, you're not only his academic advisor, but you're his spiritual counselor as well, yes? So why not just explain to him that the starblade isn't his to keep.

At the bottom of the stairs, they get to a walkway and continue to walk.

Joseph: What do you know about it?

Lionel: I've read your writings, Professor.

Joseph: Well, it doesn't belong to you either.

Lionel: You know, I have a considerable amount of influence around here, yes?

Joseph: Is that a thr*at?

Lionel: No, of course not. But I'm fascinated by your work. I'm thinking about giving your department a sizable grant so you can continue your research.

Joseph: Don't tell me an educated man like you puts stock in old Indian legend.

Lionel stops walking and faces Joseph.

Lionel: Look, Professor, you and I both saw what Jeremiah did in the cave. I've suspected for some time that there are special human beings who are capable of feats like that. Now I know I'm right.

Joseph: If you've read my work, you also know that the blade will crumble if the wrong person touches it.

Lionel: [Becoming darkly excited.] Yes. Segeeth. Who is he?

Joseph: According to legend, he's the bearer of darkness.

Joseph looks past Lionel. Lionel turns around and sees Clark approaching.

Lionel: Clark! Well, this is a coincidence. Nice to see you.

Clark doesn't respond, but looks at Joseph.

Lionel: [Making his exit.] Professor.

Lionel walks away.

Clark: What did he want?

Joseph: The same thing you do, Naman.

Clark: Professor, please stop calling me that.

Joseph: One who denies his destiny can bring about as much pain and suffering as his greatest enemy.

Clark: Please, Professor, I'm just here to help. I don't want Jeremiah to hurt anyone, including himself. [Clark unfolds a piece of paper and shows it to Joseph.] This mural was painted on the blinds in his office. I tried drawing it.

The symbol is drawn on the paper. Joseph looks at it.

Joseph: Clark, that's the slumbering place, the ground where the ancient Kawatche used to perform death rituals. Jeremiah is writing his dissertation about it.

Clark: Does it still exist?

Jeremiah is at the slumbering place. Night. It is in a clearing in the woods. The ground is dirt, but the symbol drawn on Jeremiah's office blinds is there in the shrubs. There are several torches lit all around, and Jeremiah stands in the middle of one of the circles on a large flat stone set up as an altar. He is holding the blade and performs some kind of ritual movement.

We hear car doors slamming, and Joseph and Clark walk into the clearing.

Joseph: Jeremiah!

Jeremiah turns around.

Jeremiah: Jeremiah doesn't exist anymore, Professor.

Joseph: You can't allow the power of the blade to cloud your judgment.

Jeremiah: [Looking at the blade.] It's made things very clear.

Joseph: Your duty is to protect the blade for Naman. [Pointing to Clark.] He's Naman.

Jeremiah: [Angry.] Him? He's not even Kawatche.

Clark: [Stepping forward.] Look, it doesn't really matter who I am. The blade is dangerous, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah: It's given me the strength of ten men. I can sh**t f*re from my eyes. Don't you see, Professor? I am Naman!

Joseph: You're misinterpreting the prophecy, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah squats down, getting closer to Joseph's level.

Jeremiah: All these years I've listened to you, but now I can see you've held me back. You're afraid that I've become more powerful than you.

Clark: Jeremiah, it's the blade. It's corrupting you. Just put it down.

Jeremiah: I don't take orders from anyone. I will be the savior of my people. I will bring Segeeth here and k*ll him!

Clark: You don't even know who Segeeth is. You could k*ll an innocent person.

Jeremiah rises to his feet and holds the Kn*fe up into the air.

Jeremiah: The man I want is far from innocent.

Clark sh**t his heat vision at the blade in an attempt to burn Jeremiah's hand and cause him to drop it. The blade turns red hot, but it has no effect on Jeremiah. Jeremiah turns to Clark with a smile and grips the hot metal with his bare hand, showing that it doesn't hurt him. Clark and Joseph are both shocked.

Joseph: Stay out of my way, false prophet.

Jeremiah's eyes begin to glow, and he sh**t heat vision at the truck that Clark and Joseph arrived in, causing it to catch f*re and explode, flipping into the air and landing with a crash. Clark and Joseph both fall to the ground from the blast, and Jeremiah speeds away.

Clark looks around, frightened.

Fade to black.

Clark and Martha are seated at the dining room table. Night. Jonathan pours a cup of tea in the kitchen and joins them.

Jonathan: Clark, do you have any idea where he went?

Clark: I'm pretty sure he's going after Lionel Luthor.

Jonathan: Because he thinks Lionel is Segeeth.

Martha: I remember when you first learned about all of this from Kyla. She said... [Jonathan puts the tea down in front of Martha.] Thanks. She said Segeeth was supposed to start out as one of the good guys.

Clark: But the prophecy isn't written down. It's part of an oral tradition, so it's open to a million different interpretations.

Martha: What's your interpretation?

Clark: I don't know. Professor Willowbrook thinks that I'm Naman. Jor-El wants me to be some sort of Kryptonian warrior. I just want to be Clark Kent.

Jonathan sits at the table.

Jonathan: Well, you are Clark Kent, and like it or not, you're the only who can stop this kid.

Clark: We need to warn Lionel.

Jonathan: No.

Martha: Jonathan, you just said ...

Jonathan: I don't want to give Lionel any information that can help him find this w*apon before Clark does. Son, what you need to do is you need to find Jeremiah before he kills Lionel.

Clark: Dad, even if I do find Jeremiah, I don't know how to get the Kn*fe away from him.

Jonathan: Well, if he does have all of your abilities, there's a good chance that he has your weakness too.

Clark looks thoughtful about this.

Outside sh*t of the Talon. Day. A real estate enters with a man. She talks as if she is trying to sell the Talon to him. Lana and Chloe sit at a nearby table and hear what's going on.

Woman: Now, I know what you're going to say. This faux Egyptian decor is terribly tacky, so I'm gonna need you to just use your imagination, and you will see the potential, okay? And keep in mind location, location, location.

Lana stands up and walks to the woman.

Lana: Hi, can I help you?

Woman: Yes, earl gray, please, and whatever my client wants.

The man and woman walk past Lana and continue to look around.

Woman: Take a look. Up on the second floor, there's a very nice living space, office.

They start to walk up the stairs to the second floor, and Lana follows them.

Lana: I think there's been a misunderstanding. The Talon's not for sale.

Woman: Well, it is, dear. Lex Luthor hired me to sell it.

Lana: [Becoming upset.] Excuse me. I'm part owner. He can't just ...

Woman: [Trying to avoid a scene in front of her client.] Take it up with him.

The woman continues to lead the man upstairs.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Night. Inside, Lana talks to Lex angrily.

Lana: You can't just sell the Talon without consulting me.

Lex: I thought that's what you wanted so you could afford to go to Paris.

Lana: No, I asked you to buy me out of my share. I didn't ask you to sell the building.

Lex: Either way you get the money.

Lana: I put my heart and soul into that place, Lex. My friends hang out there. It's a sanctuary for them. I do not want it turned into a Kinko's!

Lex: Lana, this may come as a shock to you, but the Talon's not exactly a cash cow. And personally, I have no interest in the coffee business. It's much more profitable to sell the building.

Lana: If the Talon is such a terrible investment, then why did you keep it this long?

Lex: I thought that was obvious. I did it for you. I spend so much time swimming with Wall Street sharks and boardroom barracudas, that it's been nice to come up for air every so often with someone as honest and pure-hearted as you. In some ways, you're the best partner I've ever had.

Lana: [Touched.] Thank you, Lex.

Lex: But you're leaving, and you're irreplaceable. So why hang on to something that's over?

Lex starts to walk away down the hall.

Lex: Unless, of course, this is really about you having second thoughts.

Lana: What? No. I ...

Lex: Because you've got to ask yourself, Lana. Who are you? Are you a small town girl content to spend her days gossiping in a coffee shop with her friends? Or are you the girl who goes to Paris?

Lana looks at Lex seriously. Lex walks away.

Clark enters the loft where Lionel is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Night. Clark sees him.

Clark: What do you want?

Lionel: The same thing as you. To ensure the well-being of the Kawatche people.

Clark: Then stop pillaging their caves.

Lionel: But who rightfully owns the cave, Clark Your family? They seem to believe they do.

Clark: That's funny. I could say the same thing about you.

Lionel: You want me to leave the Kawatche alone. Deliver a message for me. Tell them to return the stolen artifact.

Clark: Well, I'd be careful if I were you. They say that artifact is dangerous.

Lionel: Acquiring anything valuable always involves a certain amount of risk, and I believe that that Kn*fe is valuable in more ways than one.

Clark: What are you talking about?

Lionel: We'll have to run tests, of course, to be sure, but I believe that starblade is forged from the same metal as the octagonal key. It might be possible to use the metal from the Kn*fe to create a duplicate.

Clark: I thought the original was still in the cave wall.

Lionel: My scientists haven't been able to find it.

Clark: You honestly believe that I'd help you.

Lionel: Why are we playing games, Clark? You're as eager as I am to unlock the mystery of the cave.

Clark: Even if I wanted to help you, the Kawatche don't take orders from me.

Lionel: Don't be modest. I'm sure they believe as I do, you're a very special young man. They'll believe you. [Seeing that his tactic isn't working.] You can also tell the professor that I can turn from being a loyal ally to his very formidable nemesis in a heartbeat.

Clark: [A sudden realization.] A friend who becomes the enemy.

Lionel: I beg your pardon?

Clark: Mr. Luthor, those caves may not belong to my family, but this barn does. So get out.

With a small grin, Lionel leaves the barn.

Clark enters Kansas Central's Native American museum where Joseph is working after hours. Night.

Clark: Professor.

Joseph: Have you found Jeremiah?

Clark: Not yet, but I have an idea. I need your help.

Joseph: I'm at your service, Naman.

Clark: I know you want to believe it, but I'm not your savior. I mean, did you ever think that Jeremiah really is Naman? He has all the abilities foretold in the prophecy, and he's gonna try and k*ll Segeeth.

Joseph: True. But he did not fall from the sky in a rain of f*re. Jeremiah's desperate to be someone he's not. And you are desperate not be someone you are.

Clark: Professor, I may be confused about who I am, but one thing I'm not is a k*ller.

Joseph: You'd be surprised what you're capable of when the time comes. Now, how can I help you?

Clark: Well, if I can't find Jeremiah, maybe I can get him to come to me. Do you have any way to contact him?

Joseph: I could try to pass him a message through other members of the tribe. But after last night, I doubt he'll listen to me.

Clark: That depends on the message.

Clark picks up Joseph's book from his desk in the loft. Night. He checks his watch and goes over to the couch to sit down. He opens the book to the page with the drawing of the blade and grabs a small box from the coffee table which he holds in his hand. Suddenly, Jeremiah is standing right in front of him. Clark stands up.

Clark: What are you doing here?

Jeremiah: Professor Willowbrook sent me a message. He told me that after he saw what I could do, he knew he was wrong. I'm the true Naman.

Clark: I never claimed to be Naman.

Jeremiah: Liar. Willowbrook says you're a false prophet, that before I k*ll Segeeth, I have to k*ll you.

Clark drops the book and opens the box, revealing a rock of Kryptonite. He hold the box out to Jeremiah. The green glow shines on Jeremiah's face, but appears to have no effect on him. He lifts the rock from the box as Clark watches in horror.

Jeremiah: [Smiling.] What's this?

Jeremiah throws the rock across the loft. Clark super speeds toward him, trying to take the Kn*fe which is sheathed in a strap around Jeremiah's back. We see it happen in slow motion. Before Clark can get to the Kn*fe, Jeremiah unsheathes it plunges it into Clark's chest. Clark grunts and looks startled as the Kn*fe breaks his skin. He grunts again when Jeremiah shoves the Kn*fe in deeper, then pulls it out. Clark falls to the floor, and Jeremiah starts to leave. He holds the bloody Kn*fe in front of Clark's face, then sticks it back in its sheath and leaves the loft.

Clark remains where he is, shuddering in pain.

Fade to black.

Clark stumbles into the Kent kitchen, leaning on the door for support. Night. He reaches for the phone on the counter and knocks it off, falling to the ground with it.

Cut to Lionel riding down the road in the back of his limo. The limo pulls over on the side of the road and comes to a stop.

Lionel: [To his driver.] Danny, what's ... what's happening? Danny, why have we stopped?

The driver's door opens and a booted foot steps out. The person walks slowly toward Lionel's door, clutching the starblade in his hand.

Lionel: Danny?

Outside Lionel's tinted window, we see Jeremiah standing with the Kn*fe brandished. Lionel notices him.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Night. Inside, Chloe is exiting the Torch office and locking the door. She sees Pete in the hallway at his open locker. He is holding a rolled up sleeping bag in his hand and doesn't notice Chloe until she speaks. Then he quickly stuffs the sleeping bag into his locker before she can see it.

Chloe: [Surprised to see him.] Hey. I thought I held the monopoly on burning the candle at both ends.

Pete: [Laughing. He closes his locker.] Actually I was just heading to the Torch to print out my term paper.

Chloe: Oh, yeah. What good are extracurriculars if you can't milk them for office supplies? [She unlocks the Torch office and opens the door for Pete.] Just, um, lock up when you're done and try to turn everything off, okay?

Pete: Okay.

Chloe: Oh, hey! I saw your mom at the courthouse. You didn't tell me she was up for federal judgeship.

Pete: Actually, she doesn't have the job yet.

Chloe: Oh, but, I mean, with her record, she's a shoo-in. I was talking to a couple of people ...

Pete: [Suddenly furious.] You don't stop until you get your scoop, do you?!

Chloe: [Startled.] I was just trying to show a little interest in your life. I'm your friend, Pete, I'm not just some random reporter.

Pete: You see, that ... that's the problem. You're both. And it's pretty obvious which one comes first.

Pete walks past Chloe, entering the office.

Chloe: What's with you, Pete?

Pete: Not everything is public domain, Chloe! Now I understand why Clark gets so mad at you for trying to bust into his private life.

Chloe: [Hurt, she holds out the key to the office.] Here.

Pete takes the key, and Chloe walks away. Pete looks apologetic, but he doesn't know what to say.

Jonathan and Martha come home through the front door. Night. Jonathan helps Martha take off her coat.

Martha: Clark?

Jonathan: Clark?

Martha sees Clark unconscious on the floor and runs to him.

Martha: [Gasps.] Clark!

Jonathan runs to Clark, and he and Martha both kneel down on either side of him. Martha feels Clark's neck.

Martha: Jonathan, he barely has a pulse.

Jonathan: Help me get him over.

They turn Clark over onto his back.

Martha: Sweetie, oh, God...

Martha gasps as she sees Clark's bloodstained shirt.

Jonathan: Martha, why don't you go get something to help stop the bleeding, sweetheart.

Martha goes into the kitchen. She loses her footing slightly as she slips in a puddle of Clark's blood on the floor and looks at it in terror. She gets a towel from the kitchen and runs it under the water as Jonathan rips open Clark's shirt, finding the large s*ab wound.

Jonathan: You better ... you better hurry, sweetheart. [To Clark.] Come on, Clark.

Jonathan puts his hands over Clark's wound to stop the bleeding. To Jonathan's surprise, a golden light starts to shine from under his hands. Martha comes to look as the glow fills the room with its light for several moments. Then, just as suddenly as it came, the glow disappears, and Clark's wound is healed. Jonathan looks at his bloodstained hands in wonder. Martha kneels next to him.

Martha: Jonathan, how did you...

Jonathan: I have no idea.

Jonathan takes the towel from Martha and starts to wipe the blood away from Clark's chest.

Outside sh*t of the Kent Farm. Day. Inside, Clark is still unconscious on the floor, wrapped in a blanket. Martha and Jonathan sit next to him. They have been there all night. Clark suddenly wakes up.

Clark: Mom? Dad?

Martha: Oh, sweetheart. Thank God.

Clark: [Trying to sit up.] What happened?

Martha: We found you bleeding to death.

Clark pulls the blanket away from his chest, and there is a small mark where the Kn*fe s*ab him, but the wound is completely healed.

Clark: The blade must've been made Kryptonian metal. I guess my body healed itself.

Martha: Actually, your father did it.

Clark: How?

Jonathan: I have no idea, Clark. One minute, I was over you trying to stop the blood, and the next minute you were healed.

Clark: You saved my life.

Jonathan: I didn't save your life, son. I was just the vessel.

Clark: For Jor-El?

Martha: However it happened, we should be grateful.

Clark: He's not done with either of us, is he?

Jonathan: Clark, Lex called last night. Jeremiah has Lionel.

Jonathan holds Clark's jacket out to him. Clark nods and takes his jacket.

Clark: I know where they are. I'll go.

Martha: Clark, Jeremiah tried to k*ll you.

Jonathan: Martha. Let him go.

Clark stands up and lets the red blanket around his shoulders drop to the ground as he leaves. Martha puts her hand against the side of her head, exasperated.

Jeremiah is at the slumbering place in the clearing of the woods. Day. He walks around the stone altar in the middle of the clearing. Lionel is tied to the altar and has a blindfold over his eyes. His shirt hangs open and the tribal symbol has been painted on his chest.

Jeremiah climbs up the rock and pulls the blade from its sheath, holding it thr*at above Lionel.

Jeremiah: Now, Segeeth. You will bring no more darkness to my people.

Lionel's breathing quickens in fear. Jeremiah holds the Kn*fe above Lionel, ready to strike. But before he can, Clark runs into the clearing and jumps at Jeremiah, knocking him off the altar. They both roll to the ground, then Jeremiah stands and pulls Clark to his feet.

Jeremiah: I don't know how you survived!

Jeremiah throws Clark at a tree trunk, knocking the entire tree over. Jeremiah then super speeds to Clark and crouches over him, holding up the Kn*fe to s*ab him. Clark catches Jeremiah's arm and holds it back.

Jeremiah: But you won't do it twice.

Jeremiah pushes on his own arm with his other hand, and Clark pushes against Jeremiah with both hands to stop the Kn*fe from hitting its mark. They struggle against each other for a moment, and when Clark's strength starts to wear out, he knocks his own head against Jeremiah's, which causes Jeremiah to fall backwards.

Clark then gets to his feet and picks up the fallen tree trunk. Jeremiah stands up and Clark swings the tree trunk through the air, hitting Jeremiah and sending him flying across the clearing. The tree trunk breaks in half with the impact.

Lex runs into the clearing and toward his father on the stone.

Lex: Dad!

Lex begins to untie Lionel's bonds.

Lionel: [Weak.] Lex... Jeremiah... Where's ... where's Jeremiah?

Lex: I don't know, Dad. But I'm gonna get you out of here before he comes back.

Jeremiah shakes off his dizziness from the fall, and leaps to his feet. He growls at Clark, waving the Kn*fe in the air angrily, and they charge toward each other with super speed. They collide head on, causing a flash of gold light, and the Kn*fe flies into the air. Jeremiah goes limp, and Clark catches him, letting him down to the ground slowly.

At the altar, Lex finishes untying Lionel. The Kn*fe is plummeting straight toward Lionel's head. Lionel is still blindfolded, and Lex doesn't notice the Kn*fe.

Lex: Come on.

The Kn*fe barely misses Lionel's head as he sits up just before it hits. The tip of the blade lands in the altar, sticking straight up.

Lionel rips off his blindfold and turns around. Both he and Lex stare at the Kn*fe in awe. The blade begins to glow with a blinding gold. Clark super speeds up behind the stone and sees Lionel and Lex looking at the Kn*fe. They don't see him.

Lionel and Lex both reach for the Kn*fe and grab it at the same time. The Kn*fe crumbles into dust, leaving both of them bewildered.

Clark sees this happen and super speeds away.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of the Kent fields. Day. Martha, Jonathan, and Clark sit at the dining room table talking.

Clark: [Unhappy.] According to Chloe's sources, the doctors at Belle Reve think that Jeremiah may never come out of his coma. I guess having all those abilities really took a toll on his body.

Jonathan: Well, son, at least we know that the Kn*fe won't ever hurt you or anybody else again.

Clark: It also means the prophecy came true.

Martha and Jonathan look at Clark questioningly.

Clark: The blade glowed and disintegrated when they touched it, which means either Lionel or Lex is my greatest enemy.

Martha: Did you see which one grabbed it first?

Clark: [Shakes his head.] No. But I don't need a blade to tell me that Lionel Luthor is a bad person.

Martha: If you're going to believe this legend, you have to face the possibility that it could be Lex.

Jonathan looks at Martha, worried. Clark lowers his eyes.

Clark: I'm not ready to do that.

Jonathan: Clark, the Kawatche think that you're a savior. Jor-El wants you to be a conqueror. Now, Kn*fe or not, you can't let other people tell you what to be.

Clark: Who do you think I'll become?

Jonathan: I don't know. You can be the world's greatest hero or its most mild-mannered citizen, but the only person who can write your story... is you.

Martha looks from Jonathan to Clark, agreeing. Clark nods, unsure.

Lana is at the bar of the Talon looking over a packet of papers. Day. Lex enters.

Lex: Is this where they're holding the partnership meeting?

Lana hands the paper to Lex.

Lana: We got another offer. Chloe and her dad.

Lex: [Chuckles.] I never would've predicted that one.

Lana: They want to keep the place exactly as it is and let me stay on as part owner, so, uh, I can go back to work when I get home from school in Paris.

Lex: Sounds too good to pass up.

Lana: I turned them down.

Lex: Without consulting me?

Lana: I don't think Chloe was ever really interested in running the place anyway. I think she was just having some trouble letting go of the past. But, um, I don't want anything pulling me back to Smallville. I thought about what you said, Lex, about who I am, and, um, I decided. I'm the girl who goes to Paris.

Lana walks away to take a customer's order. Lex remains thoughtful at the bar.

Chloe enters the Torch office. Day. The blinds are closed, darkening the office. Chloe turns on her desk lamp, revealing Pete sleeping on the couch in his sleeping bag. The light wakes him and he sits up.

Pete: Chloe, what are you doing here?

Chloe: I think I should be asking you that.

Pete: Give me a minute, and I'll get out of your way.

Pete gets up from the couch and puts on his shirt. Chloe sits on the couch.

Chloe: You know, when my parents split, I hid out in the garage. I didn't have my driver's license yet.

Pete remains with his back to Chloe.

Chloe: Your mom called today. She asked me if I'd seen you, and I said I hadn't. She tried to brush it off. She said you were probably hanging out with Clark. But you weren't.

Pete: [Turning around.] Mystery solved.

Chloe: Yeah. I'm guessing that you didn't tell me about your mom's job offer because it wasn't a good thing, is it?

Pete: I thought she'd turn it down right away. But it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

Pete sits down on the couch next to Chloe. She looks at him for a moment, then looks at the floor.

Chloe: Well, having been through my own version of divorce court, I know how difficult it can be. Do you think there's any chance that they'll work it out?

Pete: My dad's helping her move to Wichita. I guess I just didn't realize how bad it was between them. This just seems like an excuse for her to leave. It just feels like it's somebody else's life and not mine.

Chloe puts her arm around Pete's shoulder and strokes the back of his head. Then she pulls him into and embrace which he returns thankfully. Chloe rubs her hand up and down his back.

Clark is in the loft reading Joseph's book. Night. He is looking at a drawing of the two-headed creature, Naman and Segeeth. Lex enters.

Lex: Surprise.

Clark looks at Lex but doesn't say anything. Lex takes a few steps toward Clark.

Lex: [Motioning to the book.] You know, I've been thinking a lot about this prophecy. I've got a new interpretation. Want to hear it?

Clark: Sure.

Lex: May I?

Clark hands the book to Lex, and he looks at the drawing. As he speaks, he walks away from the couch with his back to Clark.

Lex: This Naman guy is supposed to come from the stars, have the power of ten men, and sh**t f*re from his eyes, right?

Clark: [Standing up.] It's just an allegory, Lex.

Lex: [Without turning around.] I know. But if one person could do all that, he would be a formidable enemy. He could conquer the world. [He turns and faces Clark.] He could become a tyrant if nobody kept him in check.

Clark doesn't answer. He is listening intently.

Lex: So I've been thinking. Anybody who'd be willing to fight him would have to be pretty brave. [Walking toward Clark.] Clark, did it ever occur to you that maybe the hero of the story... is Segeeth?

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "03x20 - Talisman"}