Original Air Date on May 18th, 2005

Outside sh*t of the Talon. Night. Lana enters her apartment and shuts the door behind her. She walks toward the living room and is startled when she hears Genevieve speaking from behind her. Genevieve walks toward Lana.

Genevieve: I have to applaud you, Lana. I raised my son to have a willpower that couldn't be broken by anything. Except his love for you, apparently.

Genevieve walks past Lana and toward the fireplace. Lana walks toward Genevieve to confront her.

Lana: What do you want from me?

Genevieve: The stone. That one Lionel gave you.

Lana: Lionel? He never gave me ...

Genevieve points a g*n at Lana's face, cutting her off. Lana gasps quietly.

Genevieve: [Calmly.] I'm gonna find it whether you help or not.

Lana reaches into the purse that is still slung over her shoulder and pulls out a red handkerchief. She unfolds the handkerchief and reveals the silver Stone of Power. A small smile forms on Genevieve's face.

Then Lana grips the stone tightly and kicks the g*n out of Genevieve's hand. She runs toward the door but Genevieve grabs her hair, stopping her. They struggle against each other as Genevieve knocks Lana into a lamp which topples to the ground. Then she pushes Lana in the other direction where Lana falls down, pushing over a tray. Lana still has the stone in her hand.

Lana quickly gets back onto her feet and Genevieve grabs her by the shoulders, violently slamming her against the shelves on the wall. Lana punches Genevieve across the face, but Genevieve doesn't release her grip. They both fall to the floor with Genevieve above Lana. She wraps her fingers tightly around Lana's throat and chokes her.

Lana's grunts are silenced as her airway is cut off and she is powerless to defend herself. Then her eyes suddenly flash a brilliant purple. The sadistic smile on Genevieve's face fades when she sees the color in Lana's eyes, and Lana grabs Genevieve's arms roughly, pushing Genevieve onto the ground and kneeling over her.

The stone has fallen to the ground next to them and Lana reaches for it. It flies into her hand and she grips it with both hands, holding it above her head with the point facing downward. Then she slams it down into Genevieve's chest, s*ab her through the heart. Genevieve gasps. There is a small burst of bluish-white light that comes from the stone as blood begins to trickle down Genevieve's jacket. Then a bright white light washes over Lana as a wind blows her hair back from her face and she closes her eyes, breathing heavily and smiling.

The tattoo on her back is exposed as her shirt rides up. It glows purple and disappears.

Genevieve's eyes close and she dies.

As the spirit of Isobel has left Lana, she looks down at the blood covering her hands with fear. She backs away from Genevieve's body near tears, still holding her hands in front of her. Then she turns to the door and sees that Lex has entered. He is still dirty and disheveled from his adventure in the woods and he stares at Lana wordlessly. She stares back at him, trembling.

Cut to an outside sh*t of the Kent house. Night.

Inside, Clark is asleep on the couch. Dim blue and red light flashes on his face and wakes him up. He sits up on the couch and the television turns on behind him, showing static. The lights flicker as well as a f*re starts itself in the f*re place and the hands on the grandfather clock spin wildly. The radio turns itself on and the dial turns back and forth, causing an unintelligible din of static and fragments of spoken words.

Shelby barks anxiously and runs to front door. He goes up on his hind legs and scratches at the door. Clark gets up from the couch slowly and goes to the door. He opens it and a blinding white light fills the house from outside. Shelby runs out the door and down the stairs, barking into the sky where the colored light is shining down. Clark follows the dog down the stairs and also looks into the sky where in the distance he can see huge layers of misty colors ebbing and flowing in front of the stars, not unlike the Northern Lights. Clark doesn't seem particularly worried, but Shelby continues to bark frantically. The dog finally runs back into the house as Clark continues to look at the light.

Within a few seconds, all of the light waves converge into one bright white ball that flings itself at the Earth.

Cut to Clark waking up with a start on the couch in the living room. Martha and Jonathan, both wearing pajamas and robes, come to his side.

Martha: Clark! It's okay, it's just a bad dream.

Jonathan: You scared the daylights out of us yelling like that.

Clark: What?

Martha: You kept yelling "It's coming!" over and over.

Clark is sweating and he looks toward the window fearfully.

Cut to outerspace. A large meteor is floating through space and suddenly breaks into thousands of tiny pieces which are headed straight for Earth.

Cut to a countdown clock that says

14:20:01.79 [Hours/Minutes/Seconds/Milliseconds]

The milliseconds wind down at a speed almost too quick to see as the seconds tick down to

14:19:56.83

[Opening credits]

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Night. In Lex's study, Lana is standing over a silver basin full of water, compulsively trying to wash the blood off of her hands. She is breathless and crying as she speaks to Lex.

Lana: She was coming at me, it happened so quickly. I don't even remember s*ab her.

Lex walks to the basin with a pitcher of water.

Lex: Lana, I want you to take a deep breath and try to relax.

Lex holds Lana's hands still as he pours the water over them.

Lana: Lex, a woman is d*ad because of me. I k*lled her.

Lex: [Calming.] No, no. You had no choice. You did what anyone would do if their life was at stake.

Lex gives Lana a towel to dry her hands and leads her to the couch. They sit down.

Lana: I have to tell Jason. She was his mother.

Lex: I'll deal with Jason.

Lana: [She stands up, panicked.] Lex, there's a body in my apartment. I have to go the police. I have to tell them what happened.

Lex: Lana, I'm not sure that's such a wise idea. Genevieve Teague was a powerful woman, married to an extremely powerful lawyer. Even though it's clearly self defense, Edward Teague is gonna make sure the jury sees otherwise.

Lana: What's gonna happen to me? I'm gonna go to prison.

Lex: No. I've retained one of the best defense attorneys in the country. And once he arrives from New York, we'll go to the authorities.

Lana: Ok. Thank you.

Lex embraces Lana and takes a deep breath.

Lex: You have to trust me. Until the lawyer arrives, I want you to stay here and talk to no one.

Lana doesn't respond for a long moment.

Lana: My purse. Where's my purse?

Lana pulls out of the hug and picks up her purse from the floor.

Lex: Don't worry. It's still there. I'd never take it from you.

A guard enters.

Guard: Mr. Luthor. We have a situation.

Lex: [To Lana.] It's gonna be okay.

He leaves. When he is gone Lana pulls out the folded handkerchief and opens it to reveal the blood stained stone.

Outside sh*t of the Kent house. Night. Clark, Martha, and Jonathan are in the kitchen drinking coffee.

Clark: I can't help but feel this is some kind of warning.

Martha: Clark, it was nothing but a bad dream.

Jonathan: You used to have nightmares all the time when you were little, remember?

Clark: This time is different. It felt so real. And if it is a warning I need to do something.

Jonathan: Yeah, what you need to do is you need to get some shut-eye so that you're not half asleep tomorrow when they hand you that diploma.

Martha: Your dad's right. Don't let a nightmare spoil your high school graduation.

Lois comes down the stairs in her pajamas and bunny slippers.

Lois: Nightmare? So that's what all this commotion is about?

Jonathan: Lois.

Lois: [To Clark.] You know, if it makes you feel any better, I have them all the time. I had this one last week. Really scary. [She takes a pitcher out of the fridge.] This, uh, guy wearing a red cape.

Clark: [Unimpressed.] Oh, that sounds horrible, Lois.

Lois: Yeah. There's something I wanted to tell all you guys. I just didn't know when to, so I guess 2 in the morning is good a time as any.

Martha: What is it, Lois?

Lois: Oh, The general recruited me on a recon mission to track down my sister the grifter in Europe. So, we're headed for Heidelberg tomorrow.

Martha: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Clark tries to cover his delight.

Lois: Clark, I know how devastated you must be but if you could just keep your tears to a minimum, I'd appreciate it.

Clark: I'll try.

Lois: Thanks. Mr. and Mrs. Kent, I just wanted to say thanks for everything. You guys are like the mom and dad I've always wanted to have.

Jonathan and Martha smile.

Jonathan: Lois, we want you to know that you are welcome back here any time.

Clark: [Protesting.] Actually ...

Martha: We'll all miss you, Lois.

Clark shuts his mouth and smiles politely, giving in.

Lois: I'll miss you all, too.

Shelby stands up on his hind legs and rests his front legs on the counter next to Lois, whining sadly.

Lois: Him? Not so much.

Lex enters Lana's dark apartment. Night. He kneels down on the floor where Genevieve was k*lled. Her body is gone. Lionel speaks from where he is seated at the couch.

Lionel: I'd thought I do Miss Lang a favor and tidy up the place a bit. [He switches on the lamp.] She left it quite a mess, quite a mess.

Lex: What are you looking for, Dad? The good housekeeping seal of approval?

Lionel: You know, for a woman without a heart, Genevieve Teague certainly did have a lot of blood.

Lex: You didn't come here to do a postmortem on Genevieve Teague. What is it you want?

Lionel: I'd like to offer a trade. [He stands up and walks to Lex.] Lana Lang's freedom in exchange for the, um, artifact she has in her possession.

Lex: Dad, don't you think your search for these three ancient stones is starting to border on the fanatical?

Lionel: [Chuckles.] Let me remind you, Lex. It was you who looted the ruins of Egypt to get your hands on one of those stones.

Lionel walks into the kitchen, continuing to tidy up. He finds an apple that fell to the floor during Lana and Genevieve's struggle and picks it up, placing it back in the basket on the counter.

Lex: Trust me, Lana Lang has nothing to do with this.

Lionel: Oh, so chivalrous of you. You are the gallant hero trying to protect the damsel in distress.

Lex: I'm warning you. Leave her alone.

Lionel: But all your life you've had a, uh, a tendency to let the damsel lead you straight into the mouth of the dragon. Your feelings for Miss Lang, don't let them cripple your common sense, son. I expect to see that stone by noon tomorrow.

Lionel starts to leave.

Lionel: It would be a shame if, um, Genevieve's corpse were delivered to the sheriff with Lana Lang's DNA as postage.

He leaves.

Outerspace. The meteors continue their flight to Earth, several of them crashing into the moon on the way causing huge expl*si*n of gray dust.

Cut to an outside sh*t of an observatory with rows of large satellite dishes aimed at the sky. Inside, a man is sitting in a control room reading a magazine. Sounds from the radars get his attention and he puts down the magazine to look. On the radar screen he sees the meteors coming toward Earth.

Man: [Startled.] Sir, you better take a look at the right ascension.

Another man comes over to look at the screen.

Man #2: How long has there been activity?

Man: There was nothing there 10 seconds ago. It just came out of nowhere.

Man #2: [Fearful.] My God. It's headed straight for Earth.

Cut to the countdown clock ticking down from

09:18:48.99

to

09:18.45.04

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Day. In the loft, Clark is standing in front of a mirror tying his tie for graduation. Lois enters.

Lois: I realize hand-eye coordination isn't one of your strong suits. Here, let me help you with that.

Lois takes the tie away from him and puts it around her own neck to tie it for him.

Clark: [Annoyed.] Lois, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do without you.

Lois: Ah, come on, Clark, your future is laid out right in front of you. You're gonna go to community college, major in agriculture, probably minor in law enforcement. And then you and Lana are gonna have a nice little church wedding.

Clark: Excuse me?

Lois: It's written in the stars and you know it. It's only a matter of time before you join the bowling league, take over the family farm, and then, well, you and Lana can bring little Clark junior into the world.

Clark: I think you're hallucinating.

Lois: No. Hallucinating would be imagining Clark Kent going off to the big city to make his mark in the world. I'm just being realistic.

Lois finishes tying the tie and slips it off of her neck. She puts it around Clark's neck and roughly tightens it, causing Clark to gasp.

Clark: Lois, what are your big plans after Europe? You gonna go back to school? Maybe actually stay a little while?

Lois: I have a feeling that if I'm gonna get an education, it's gonna be in the real world. [She sits down on the couch.] You know, I took this career test in some magazine. It said that my perfect job would be a radio disc jockey.

Clark: That makes sense. You talk enough. There won't be any d*ad air.

Lois: You mock me now Smallville, but you just wait and see.

Clark: Journalism. You ever thought about that? You wrote some half decent articles in your short lived career at the Torch.

Lois: Nah, k*ll me first. Even if I could spell, the last thing I'd wanna do is spend my time in a newsroom. With my luck I'd probably end up across the desk from the most bumbling reporter on the masthead.

Clark finishes adjusting his tie. It is crooked.

Lois: You know what? You actually look handsome for a change.

Clark: I'll take that as a compliment.

Lois stands up and goes to fix the tie.

Lois: Look, I know we've had our disagreements in the past. And I will be the first to admit that I've made it my own little hobby to bust your chops.

Clark: I'm used to it. Besides, I know I haven't been the most gracious host.

Lois: Look, I just want you to know, Clark, that when I'm sitting in the audience today at your graduation and you stand up on that stage in front of all those people, I'm gonna be looking up at you and thinking one thing.

Clark: What's that?

Lois: Please, God, don't let him trip. [She punches him in the chest.] See you.

Lois exits. Clark laughs, shaking his head.

Graduation. Day. A small stage is set up on the grass outside Smallville High where the principal talks into a microphone, reading off the names of the graduates. The families of the students are seated in three blocks of chairs in front of the stage. The graduates all stand together in red and yellow caps and gowns and they wait for their names to be called. "Pomp and Circumstance" plays in the background. As the principal reads each name, a graduate walks across the stage and takes a diploma. The audience cheers.

Principal: Darren Cooper. Caroline Creese. Cody Davis. Erica Feldman. Lauren Feldman.

Clark and Chloe stand next to each other in the line and they walk slowly toward the stage.

Clark: Did you see Lana yet?

Chloe Still no sign. I'm starting to get worried. Lana's never so much as had a tardy. She's not gonna miss her high school graduation.

Clark: [Nervous.] She'll be here.

Clark and Chloe part ways at the head of the line to walk to opposite ends of the stage.

Principal: Michael Hall. Holy Harold. Tanya Hart. Kate Horton. Michael Hoover. Hannah Jacobs. Michelle Jewel.

Clark and Chloe get to the stage as Martha and Jonathan watch from the audience. Lois is seated with them.

Martha: [Excited.] Oh, there's Clark.

Principal: Clark Kent.

Jonathan, Martha, and Lois stand up and cheer. Lois puts her fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly as Jonathan snaps a picture. Clark smiles as he takes his diploma and walks across the stage.

Principal: Lana Lang.

Clark's smile fades at the mention of Lana's name. The principal turns around and says something quietly to the man giving out diplomas. The man shakes his head and the principal comes back to the microphone.

Principal: Lana Lang.

Martha looks at Jonathan and Lois questioningly and Chloe and Clark exchange a worried glance. Suddenly a siren can be heard approaching as large military trucks drive up toward the school. A man in one of the trucks speaks through a megaphone as the trucks drive onto the grass. Other men jump out of the trucks wearing helmets and carrying g*n.

Man: Attention! Remain calm! By order of the Federal Emergency Decree: All non-essential personnel should evacuate the area within a 50 mile radius. In approximately 3 hours, a meteor shower is predicted in Smallville.

Martha: [Fearful.] Oh, my God. Not again.

The audience stands up and starts to run away. The graduates leave too.

Man: Please remain calm. There's no need to panic. Please proceed to your home and carry only necessary items.

Clark takes off his cap and gown and steps off of the stage. Chloe runs to him excitedly and they walk together.

Chloe: Hey, Clark! Canyou believe it? Twice in 16 years. I mean, this is crazy! Smallville's gotta have some sort of extraterrestrial bull's eye on it!

Clark: [Pretending not to understand.] It's pretty weird, huh?

Chloe: There's gotta be some kind of connection in the cosmos. I mean this is not just a coincidence.

Clark: Yeah, I'm sure there is some sort of explanation.

Chloe: [Pressing, trying to make Clark admit the truth.] Well, there's just something in Smallville that is screaming for celestial attention. I mean, lightening does not strike twice in the same place without some kind of lightning rod, right? I just wonder what that is.

Clark: I-I'm not sure, but we don't much time, we need to find Lana.

Chloe: You're right, and if anyone can find her with moments to spare, it's you, Clark.

Clark: Why do you say that?

Chloe: I don't know, because you have a way of getting things done in half the time a normal person gets anything done.

Clark: And I'm not normal?

Chloe: No, of course you are normal, Clark. You're as normal as they come. Now, let's hurry and find Lana.

Lois walks up to them. All three of them walk to Chloe's car in the parking lot.

Lois: Look, I'm sure she's already out of town. They've evacuated half of the county. They probably saw her running in late and told her to leave town.

Clark: That's exactly you two need to do, right now.

They arrive at the car.

Lois: Thanks for the tip. Now listen to me, Smallville, if there's one thing that the General has taught me is that you cannot panic in times of crisis. Do you hear me? Okay, whatever happens, you have to stay calm. You cannot panic.

Clark: Lois ...

Lois: [Becoming frantic.] Because if you lose your cool ...

Clark: Lois!

Lois: What?

Clark: You're panicking.

Lois: Fine.

Lois and Chloe get in the car and Clark looks around at all the panicked people running away.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Day. Clark enters the house as Martha is gathering things in the living room. Jonathan runs down the stairs with two packed luggage bags.

Jonathan: Clark, where the hell have you been? We gotta pack up.

Clark: I've been looking for Lana everywhere. I can't find her.

Martha: Sweetheart, she's probably already been evacuated.

Jonathan: I want you to go up to your room and pack everything that's necessary. Your mom and I will take care of everything down here.

Clark: No, I gotta do something first.

Martha: Don't think for a second this is your fault.

Clark: I came to Smallville in a meteor shower. Now it's happening again and it's all because of me.

Jonathan: Clark, there is absolutely nothing you could have done to prevent this.

Clark: We don't know that. There's gotta be something I can do.

Martha: Clark, you don't have time.

Clark: I don't have a choice.

Cut to the meteors flying toward Earth, gaining speed.

The countdown clock goes from

02:21:03.83

to

02:20:58.97

Clark opens a box in the loft and pulls out the octagonal spaceship key. Day. He looks at it for a moment, then turns to go. Lex is standing there. Clark hides the key behind his back.

Clark: Lex, what are you doing here?

Lex: I wanted to offer to you and your parents safe passage out of here in the LuthorCorp jet. The roads will be pretty ugly soon.

Clark: Thanks, but I think we'll be okay.

Clark sticks the key in his pocket and shifts his eyes nervously.

Lex: Clark, why take the risk? The first meteor shower caused me irrevocable damage. Trust me, you don't want to be near here when the next one hits.

Clark: Thanks, Lex, but I think my dad's gonna want to pack up the truck with as much as we can take.

Lex: I understand. Some things simply can't be replaced.

Lex walks toward the window and looks up at the sky.

Lex: Clark, my scientists have identified what seems to be an inner chamber inside the cave wall.

Clark's eyes widen, but he remains calm.

Clark: Really?

Lex: I was wondering if your research into the cave might have turned up anything similar.

Clark: No. Um, but Lex, why are you so interested in the caves when there's a natural disaster headed our way?

Lex: Clark, if anything in this town is irreplaceable it's those caves. [Clark nods.] They've been around for thousands of years and they can very well be destroyed in the next 24 ...

Clark: Well, let's hope they're not. I really need to help my parents. Good luck, Lex.

Lex: Thanks, Clark, but I don't believe in luck. It's our wits and our fortitude to keep us safe. And I'm sure you have more than enough of both. Stay safe.

Lex leaves.

Fade to black.

Clark enters the inner chamber of the Kawatche cave. Day. He looks down at the stone altar and speaks to the emptiness of the chamber.

Clark: You're my father. Talk to me.

He puts the octagonal key into a slot in the altar.

Clark: Tell me what you've done!

There is a flash of light and Clark is surround by swirling blue energy. A strong wind and the voice of Jor-El fill the cave. Clark shouts to be heard over the wind.

Jor-El: It was you who brought this upon yourself, Kal-El.

Clark: What did I do?

Jor-El: I sent you here to unite the three elements.

Clark: The stones? They have nothing to do with me!

Jor-El: But they do, Kal-El. For the knowledge of the universe is meant for you only. Yet you chose to deny your heritage. Today, you will witness the consequences.

Clark: Then you sent the meteor shower?

Jor-El: I have done nothing, Kal-El. Human blood has stained one of the elements and awakened a great danger from the darkness of space.

Clark: What can I do to stop it?

Jor-El: There is nothing you can do to prevent what is already in motion. But the meteor shower is just the beginning, Kal-El. I warned you that the elements could not fall into the hands of a human. The three must become one. It is the only way to save Earth from total annihilation.

Clark: I don't know where they are! I don't have time to find them!

Jor-El: If you don't unite them at once, you, my son, will be seared by a f*re from the sky even you can't survive. The future of mankind rests in your hands, Kal-El.

Clark: Please... help me! I can't do this alone!

The blue-white energy crackles loudly around Clark.

Cut to the meteors in space penetrating Earth's atmosphere, catching f*re as they do so.

Countdown:

0:45:10.83

to

0:45:06.87

Shelby runs out the front door of the Kent home and down the stairs toward the street closely followed by Martha who is holding a folded yellow blanket. Day. They rush toward the truck parked in the street. The back of the truck is overflowing with packed items that Jonathan is securing with a rope.

Martha: I can't believe I almost forgot this!

Jonathan: That's great, sweetheart. I almost have the truck all loaded up.

Martha: Great. Shelby, load up.

Martha points to the open door of the truck, signaling Shelby to jump in. Clark super speeds up to them.

Jonathan: Clark, great. Would you help me secure the truck?

Clark: You're gonna have to go without me.

Martha: What?

Jonathan: Do I have to remind you, Clark, that the last time we had a meteor shower, it was full of kryptonite?

Martha: If the same happens today it could k*ll you. You have to come with us.

Clark: I spoke to Jor-El. He told me I have to find the other two stones right now, and unite them with the one in the cave.

Martha: [Fearful.] No! You're my son. You're not gonna go on some kind of su1c1de mission.

Jonathan: Clark, you might be stronger than steel, but you're not invincible.

Clark: I know, Dad. But I'm the only one who can do this.

Jonathan and Martha look at each other then back to Clark.

Jonathan: [Putting a hand on Clark's shoulder.] All right. But I want you to listen to me right now. All the years that your mother and I spent raising you from that wide-eyed toddler running around on this farm to the man who is standing in front of me right now was for this moment.

Martha has tears in her eyes.

Jonathan: You do this, son. You make us proud.

Clark nods. He and Jonathan hug. When they pull away from each other, Martha and Clark share a long heartbroken look. Finally Martha comes forward and hugs him. Then she touches his face and turns away toward the truck. Clark walks away toward the barn.

Martha: [Quietly.] Those meteors can k*ll him, Jonathan.

Jonathan: I know that, sweetheart. But if we have faith in our son, then we can't let that faith waver now.

Martha starts to cry and Jonathan holds her close.

Cut to Clark entering the barn. Lana is there.

Clark: Lana, I thought you already evacuated.

She turns to him fearfully.

Clark: Are you okay?

Lana: I'm scared.

Clark: Lana, I know this meteor shower must bring up some painful memories for you. But this time is different. We have warning and we'll be safe.

Lana: No, I'm not so sure. Clark, I don't know what's going to happen to me. I want you to have this.

Lana pulls the red handkerchief out of her purse and hands it to Clark nervously. He opens it and sees the blood-stained stone.

Clark: [Shocked.] Where'd you get this?

Lana: In China. Whatever it is, whatever it means, I... I somehow know that it's meant for you.

Clark: Is this blood?

Lana: Remember all those times that I asked you for an explanation, but you said you couldn't me one? That I had to trust you? Well, this time I need you to trust me.

Clark: Lana, my parents are about to leave right now. Go with them. You'll be safe.

Lana: [Becoming emotional.] I can't.

Clark: You have to.

Lana: [Holding back tears.] Clark, I need you to know... that whatever happens, I will never forget you.

Clark: [Afraid.] Lana, you're talking like we never gonna see each other again.

Lana: [Pause.] I love you.

Lana leans to Clark and they share a kiss.

Clark: I love you, too.

Lana: Good-bye.

Lana leaves the barn. Clark looks down at the stone.

Countdown:

00:19:14.87

to

00:19:10.91

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Day. Lana is in the study talking on her cell phone.

Lana: Chloe, even though you won't hear from me for a while, I want you to know that I'm okay.

Lex walks up behind her and takes the cell phone away, hanging it up.

Lex: I thought we'd agreed you wouldn't talk to anyone.

Lana: I have to let my friends know that I'm all right.

Lex: Lana, I understand you not wanting them to worry, but you have to trust me. Now, I assume the stone is still safe.

Lana: As safe as can be.

Lex: Well, let's keep it this way. I'll put it in my vault.

Lex walks toward his bookshelf.

Lana: Why?

Lex hits a hidden button on the shelf and a panel opens.

Lex: A chopper is being fueled to evacuate you to Metropolis where you'll stay at a hotel until your lawyer arrives. It's probably best not to travel with the m*rder w*apon.

Lana: I understand that, Lex, but I'd rather hold on to it.

Lex: Lana, that object is what prosecutors fondly refer to as the smoking g*n. Now, I'll do anything I can to protect you including supporting whatever story of self-defense you want to run with.

Lana: [Slightly annoyed.] It's not a story, Lex. I would never m*rder somebody.

Lex: Of course not.

Lana lowers her eyes, beginning to doubt Lex's faith in her. Lex walks over to her and sits on the couch across from where she is seated.

Lex: Lana, I trust you. Now you have to trust me with that stone.

Lana: I'm sorry, Lex, but I can't do that.

Lex lowers his head, silently frustrated.

Martha, Jonathan, and Shelby drive away from the Kent farm in the truck. Day. As they get to the street, they almost collide with another truck that is coming towards them, and both trucks come to a stop. Jason is driving the other truck. He steps out weakly. His clothes are covered in dirt and his face is caked with dried blood. Jonathan gets out of his truck quickly, concerned.

Jonathan: Jason?

Martha and Shelby get out of the truck.

Martha: Jason!

Jason is holding a g*n behind his back which he pulls out and cocks, pointing it at Jonathan and Martha. Martha gasps as Shelby growls protectively.

Martha: Shelby, no.

Jason: I'm having what you'd call a rough day.

Jonathan: [Nervous.] W-Why don't you just calm down, son?

Jason: Where is Clark?

Martha and Jonathan are silent for a brief moment.

Jonathan: He's not here. Look, why don't you put down the g*n, and we'll talk about it?

Jason fires a b*llet, shattering the windshield of the Kents' truck. Martha shrieks.

Jason: Tell me where he is!

Shelby barks, frightened. Jonathan and Martha exchange another worried look and Jason blinks at them wearily.

Fade to black.

Countdown:

00:14:24.49

to

00:14:20.54

A sh*t of the "Welcome to Smallville" sign featuring a picture of three meteors rushing toward the ground and a caption saying, "The Meteor Capital of the World." Day.

Next to the sign, the road is filled with cars and trucks. The drivers are honking their horns and yelling, trying to evacuate the city. There is an armored military truck nearby and officers in the streets trying to help the citizens proceed in an orderly fashion.

Chloe and Lois drive in the opposite direction, heading back into town.

Lois: Why would Lana be at Lex's mansion when she's supposed to evacuate?

Chloe: I don't know, but I could swear that was Lex's voice in the background. She sounds like she's in trouble, Lois. I can't abandon her. I mean, the mansion is just around that bend.

Lois: Unless you have a jet pack in your purse...

An officer holds up his hand, trying to halt them.

Officer: Whoa! Stop!

Lois: ...we're not going anywhere.

Chloe keeps swerving through the oncoming traffic until another officer stands in front of them, forcing her to stop.

Officer: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey! Emergency vehicles only. Turn the car around immediately.

Chloe: Well, our friend could be trapped inside. We just gonna go grab her and then come right back.

Officer: I'm sorry, ma'am. No one gets through.

He walks away. Chloe turns to Lois.

Chloe: We're way too close to turn away.

Lois gets a determined look in her eye and steps out of the car.

Lois: Hey, soldier! [She walks to the officer.] Is this a road block or a lemonade stand you got here?

Officer: Wait a second, I recognize you. You're the...

Lois: Daughter of General Lane. You might have heard of him. He talks real loud, smokes a Stogie.

While Lois has the officer distracted, Chloe slowly opens her car door, preparing to run. The officer sees her and tries to go to her.

Officer: Hey!

Lois: Hey!

She grabs his arm, stopping him and turning him away from Chloe.

Lois: This barricade, it should be perpendicular to the road. Those channelizers should be further apart and, unless I need glasses, there should be reflectors on those I-beams.

Chloe gets out of her car while the officer's back is turned.

Officer: Yes, ma'am, I understand, but I can't let you through.

Lois: You're a cub scout out here, soldier.

Chloe starts to sneak past the soldier. He starts to turn around, but Lois grabs his arm again, turning him back to her so that he doesn't see Chloe.

Lois: Where's your den mother? Baking brownies?

Cut to outerspace where more of the meteors are breaking into Earth's atmosphere. They shatter into even smaller pieces and begin to grow long tails of thick black smoke.

Clark enters the chamber in the Kawatche cave. Day. He looks at the altar where only one of the Stones of Power rests.

Cut to Lex entering his study where Lionel is having a drink.

Lex: What happened to your survival instincts, Dad? f*re and brimstone are about to rain down from the sky and you're sipping a cocktail like it's Sunday at the country club.

Lionel: I am aware of the imminent danger, Lex, but I'm not about to leave without knowing that my son is all right.

Lex: Come on, who's kidding who? You're not about to leave without the element.

Lionel sits down on the couch.

Lex: I hate to disappoint you, but I haven't even seen Lana Lang. She's probably on the run halfway to Costa Rica by now.

Lionel: Oh, a face like Lana Lang's isn't easy to hide. It's just a matter of time before she catches the attention of some customs official.

Lionel takes a sip of his drink and Lex stares at him nervously.

Cut to Clark holding the silver Stone of Power that Lana gave to him. He is still looking at the altar.

Cut to the mansion.

Lex: [Sitting across from Lionel.] All right. Agree to leave her alone, and I'll give you something you desperately need.

Lionel: I am a blessed man, Lex, I need very little in life.

Lex: I wonder, what good is a key if you don't know where the lock is?

Lionel: Wise observation. Why do you think any of this applies to me?

Lex: You have one of the elements, Dad. That much is clear. What you don't have is the knowledge of where it belongs. I can help you. I'll take you there right now.

Lex stands up and walks toward the door. Lionel follows him, losing patience.

Lionel: I wish it were true, Lex, but I don't have the stone.

Cut to Clark in the chamber. He puts the new stone into the groove in the altar. The symbols on the altar shine white. The symbol on the stone that was already there glows yellow and the symbol on the new stone glows red.

In the mansion, a bright light shines through Lionel's jacket from the inside pocket, and he gasps and falls to the ground. Lex watches with fear as Lionel shakes and spasms on the floor as if having a seizure. Lex kneels down next to him, trying to see what is wrong. He reaches for Lionel's jacket pocket, finding the third stone there. But he drops it when a burst of white energy sends him flying backwards where he crashes into the wall and falls to the floor.

In the chamber, Clark watches as the red and yellow glowing symbols start to glow white. There is one remaining corner of the groove where the third stone belongs, and the symbol there begins to glow as well.

Dazed, Lex sits up. He gets to his feet and goes back to Lionel who is now completely still. His eyes are wide open. A guard runs into the study.

Guard: Mr. Luthor, what happened?

Lex: Get J.D and take my father upstairs.

Guard: Mr. Luthor we're evacuating ...

Lex: [Fierce.] Do it!

The guard obediently leaves the room.

Lex: Can you hear me, Dad?

No response. Lionel continues to stare blankly at the ceiling.

Lex: Before you leave this earth, I want you to know... You did create the son you always wanted.

The guard reenters with J.D. and they pick up Lionel, carrying him out of the room. On the floor, the black Stone of Power smokes and its symbol glows a deep blue.

In the cave's chamber, the symbol in the groove also glows blue and sends off a deafening high-pitched frequency. Clark gasps and covers his ears in pain.

Lex crawls toward the stone greedily, its light creating an unearthly glow in his eyes. Then the light goes out and Lex stares at the stone.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Day. The third Stone of Power glows blue on the shelf of Lex's vault. Clark super speeds into the study, following the high-pitched sound the stone is giving off. The vault is closed and the sound seems to be coming from behind the wall. Clark grabs the bookshelf and pulls on it, tearing the fault door off of its hinges and throwing it aside. He goes in after the stone.

Inside the vault, there are several ancient idols with green kryptonite embedded in them, and as their glow intensifies, Clark loses his balance and falls down. He manages to grab the Stone of Power before losing consciousness on the floor.

Countdown:

00:05:51.66

to

00:05:47.70

In the Kent living room, Jason points the g*n at Martha, forcing her to tie Jonathan to a chair. Day. Jason is breathless and volatile.

Jason: Come on, hurry up!

Jonathan: Jason, why don't you let Martha go? She doesn't know anything about any of this.

Jason: Oh, a mother always knows her son's deep, dark secrets. Now, where does he keeps the stones?

Martha: Why would Clark know anything about ancient stones?

Jason: All right. That's enough.

Jason pushes Martha away from the chair.

Jason: Well, let's see. When I ran into your son in Shanghai, I decided to do a little homework on my own. And the more I dug, the more Clark Kent's name just kept popping up.

As Jason speaks, he pushes Martha across the room roughly. Then he pulls a chair out.

Jason: Sit down!

He shoves her into the chair.

Jason: Was it coincidence that the symbols were b*rned into your field?

Martha: I-I don't know what you're talking ...

Jason cocks the g*n, pointing it at the back of her head.

Jonathan: Jason!

Jason: What about Clark's connection with Bridgette Crosby?

Martha: I don't know. I don't know.

Jason: She had one of the artifacts! I suppose that was just a coincidence, too.

Jonathan: None of that makes any difference now.

Jason turns to Jonathan dangerously, lowering his voice.

Jason: You know, when my mother came to Smallville, she thought the Luthors would lead her to the stones. But she was wrong. It was a farm boy. The one who has no record of ever been born. He's more connected to those stones than any of us.

Jonathan: There is a meteor shower about to tear this town apart!

Martha: You need to get to your mother and get her to safety!

Jason: [Furious.] Don't you think I know that? I can't find her anywhere! But I'll tell you one thing. When I do find my mother, I finally be able to give her the one thing she's been searching for all these years.

Jason fires a b*llet into the ceiling, causing plaster and dust to rain down in the middle of the living room. Then he turns the g*n back to Martha. She gasps.

Jason: Now tell me where the stones are!

Cut to outerspace. The meteors are coming even closer.

The LuthorCorp helicopter lands on the field outside Lex's mansion. Day. Lex and Lana walk toward it with one of Lex's guards. They shout to be heard over the helicopter.

Lex: I'll meet you in Metropolis.

Lana: What? You're not coming?

Lex: I have a pressing matter to take care of. Now, Lana, for your own safety, I need that stone.

Lana doesn't know how to respond.

Lex: Look, we all have a need to cling on to things, but eventually you have to loosen your grip. It's too dangerous for you.

Lana: I don't have it!

Lex: Lies don't become you.

Lana: It's the truth, Lex. I don't have it. Trust me it's safe, I promise!

Lex: [Exploding.] Where is it?!

Lex snatches Lana's purse away from her and digs through it. Lana begins to realize what is happening.

Lana: This was never about my safety, was it? This is about you getting your hands on that stone!

Lex stops searching and takes a moment to compose himself. He holds Lana's face.

Lex: Lana... your safety is more important than any of this. You mean a lot more to me than you know.

Pilot: We can't wait any longer, Mr. Luthor. We gotta go!

Lana gets into the helicopter and the guard closes the door. Lana watches Lex through the window, unsure of what he just said to her as the helicopter leaves the ground and flies away from the mansion.

Chloe enters Lex's study. Day.

Chloe: Lana? Lana?

She goes farther into the study and sees Clark unconscious on the floor, bathed in the green glow of the kryptonite.

Chloe: Oh my God, Clark. [She kneels next to him.] Clark.

She notices the black stone in his hand, then the glowing green kryptonite in the vault. Chloe grabs Clark by the arm and drags him away from the door of the vault. The green kryptonite stops glowing.

Lex enters the study, seeing the bookshelf lying on the floor. He doesn't see Chloe and Clark. Then Chloe walks over to Lex and we hear a whoosh in the background as Clark super speeds away.

Chloe: Lex, um, I was looking for Lana.

Lex: She's already left. What happened?

Lex walks toward the vault.

Chloe: I don't know. I just walked in.

Lex sees that the stone is gone from the vault shelf.

Lex: You know more than you're telling me, Chloe. Who did this?

Chloe: Lex, honestly, I just came to find Lana.

Lex slams his palm against the door frame, becoming angry.

Lex: Your curiosity seems to always have a way of landing you in precarious positions. [He turns to Chloe and grabs her arms roughly.] Only this time you are on a very narrow ledge with only one way back! Now, who took the element?

Chloe: Lex, I swear it, I don't know what you're talking about. [Lex pushes her away, frustrated.] But I think we need to get out of Smallville before the meteor shower hits.

Lex: We'll find that stone, Chloe, even if that means dodging a few meteors in the process. You're coming with me.

He grabs her arm and leads her out of the study.

Chloe: I don't ...

Lex: Let's go!

Chloe: Lex, I don't know what you're talking about.

He pushes her out the door.

Countdown:

00:01:26.04

to

00:01:22.08

Jason points the g*n at the back of Martha's head. Day.

Jason: I swear to God, if you don't start talking I'm gonna blow her brains out.

Martha sobs quietly.

Jonathan: Sweetheart, it's no good. Go ahead, tell him what he wants to know. Tell him where the stones are.

Martha gives Jonathan a sideways glance, not sure of what he means. He nods at her, signaling her to make something up.

Jason: Tell me what I want to know.

Martha: Okay, okay. Go upstairs to Clark's room...

While Jason is listening to Martha, Jonathan stands up, carrying the chair that is still tied to him, and he rams into Jason. Jason is pushed forward against the wall, causing him to drop the g*n and fall down. Jonathan falls with him, shattering the chair. He struggles with his bindings.

Jason reaches for the g*n and Martha runs over to him, stomping on his hand with her foot. Jason grabs her leg and trips her. She falls to the floor next to Jason and kicks him in the face. Jason then grabs the g*n and gets to his knees, pressing the g*n down over Martha's neck, choking her.

Jonathan: Martha!

Jonathan's hands are tied together behind him. He gets them under his legs and in front of him so that he can stand up. He grabs Jason away from Martha. Jason stands up and knocks Jonathan in the chest with the butt of the g*n, accidentally f*ring another b*llet into the ceiling. Jonathan punches Jason in the face, and Jason circles around to the counter, landing against it. Then Jonathan comes up behind him and wraps his hand bindings around Jason's throat in an attempt to choke him.

Jason grabs a glass bottle from the counter and shatters it over Jonathan's head. Martha screams as Jonathan backs away, and Jason whips Jonathan across the face with the g*n, sending him to the floor. He lands next to Martha who clings to him as Jason points the g*n at them both, cocking it.

Suddenly Jason goes silent. He looks up at the ceiling as he hears a soft rumbling coming from the sky. Jonathan and Martha hear it too.

Outside, we follow the path of a flaming meteor as it heads straight for the Kent house and blasts through the roof.

On a nearby street, a semi truck is driving down the road as meteors h*t all around, one of them starting the front of the truck on f*re. Without even stopping, the driver opens his door and rolls out of the car as the truck swerves off the road and into a ditch where it explodes in a huge mushroom of orange flame.

Cut to the marquee at Smallville High School being demolished by another meteor. The asphalt in the parking lot is torn to pieces by the raining f*re.

The officer who spoke to Lois is still in the street and stares into the sky with terror.

Officer: Oh, my God.

People all over the street are leaving their cars and running in a panic as meteors shower down in every direction. An officer is sent flying through the air by one of the meteors. A young woman trips as she runs down the street and is nearly trampled by a herd of screaming citizens, but someone finally helps her to her feet and she continues to run.

A man runs in the opposite direction of everybody else following his little boy who is running away.

Man: Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry!

The boy continues to run away, back into the city. He finally comes to a stop when he finds what he was looking for: his toy truck which is lying in the middle of the road. He picks up the truck, then looks into the sky at all the falling meteors. One is headed straight for him and nearly hits him, but Clark super speeds over and pulls him out of the way, shielding the little boy with his own body. When the f*re from the expl*si*n dies down, the boy looks at Clark.

Henry: You're not my daddy.

Henry's father runs toward them.

Man: Henry! Henry! Come here, come here.

Henry: Daddy!

Henry jumps into his father's arms and hugs him. The man looks at Clark thankfully.

Clark: Go! Go!

Man: Thank you. Thank you!

He runs away with his son in his arms.

Clark super speeds away.

Cut to the LuthorCorp jet twisting and turning through the air, dodging meteors left and right. The sky is painted with lines of black smoke and Lana looks out the window wide-eyed. The helicopter rattles in all the turbulence as meteors fall all around them. One of the meteors ends up hitting the tail of the helicopter, knocking it completely off, and they go into a sharp spin as they plummet to the ground. The last thing we see is the glass window of the helicopter shattering as it hits the Earth.

Fade to black.

Meteors continue to fall. Day. Clark enters the secret chamber of the Kawatche cave, pacing around the altar as he holds the final Stone of Power in his hand. He puts the stone in its groove and all three symbols light up, yellow, red, and blue. Then they begin to grow together, forming one crystal-like stone that is shining and transparent.

Outside, another meteor crashes into a corn field.

Chloe and Lex enter the Kawatche cave.

Chloe: Why do I get the feeling we're not in this cave for cover?

Lex: You know as well as I do. It's the epicenter.

Chloe: Of what?

Lex: Come on, Chloe! You're the town purveyor of all things unexplained! You know damn well about this cave and the stones.

Chloe: Lex, what's wrong with you?

Lex: If you didn't break into my library, you know who did. Who are you trying to protect?

Chloe: No one.

Lex: Is it Clark?

Chloe: Clark? Of course not. What does Clark have to do with any of this?

Lex: You tell me. You've known Clark a lot longer than I have. In fact, you might know him better than anyone.

Chloe: You are right, Lex, I do. And the Clark Kent I know would be the last person to go super thief on your library for some stupid piece of rock.

Inside the chamber, the combined Stone of Power floats off of the altar and into the air as Clark watches. A gold glow shines out of the wall onto Chloe and Lex. Lex turns toward it.

Lex: What is that?

Clark continues to watch the floating stone.

Lex walks toward the door to the chamber and Chloe watches, worried. She runs up to him.

Chloe: Lex, be careful. It might be dangerous.

She pushes Lex against the cave wall and he crashes into it, falling down. Chloe passes him and goes to the door of the chamber, seeing Clark standing in the middle of all the light.

Clark reaches for the stone and grabs onto it tightly. It vibrates in his hand and he screams with pain.

Cut to Lionel lying in a bed in the mansion. His eyes are still open and Kryptonian symbols spin through his pupils.

Chloe continues to watch Clark with awe and fear as the light gets brighter. Lex gets to his feet behind her and there is a blast of energy that sends both Chloe and Lex flying backwards.

White fills the sh*t and Clark screams as he disappears. When we see him again, he is outside and he stops screaming. He looks around to find himself in the middle of a dizzyingly large snowy field, surrounded by white-covered mountains and not a sign of another person for miles.

Cut to Lois driving Chloe's car out of Smallville. She pulls over on the side of the road and gets out of the car, running up a hill nearby to look at the city. She stumbles to her knees at the top of the hill and looks around with tears in her eyes. Before her, Smallville is in ruins. Fires burn everywhere as trails of smoke still linger in the air.

Cut to Lana regaining consciousness in the crashed helicopter. She is covered in dirt and she has blood smeared on her face. She gasps as she sees the pilot hanging from his seatbelt above her, staring at her blankly with blood all over his face. He is d*ad.

She crawls out of the broken window of the helicopter and gasps with pain as we see that her leg is drenched in blood from an injury. She groans as she drags herself away from the smoking helicopter. Not far off, she sees a large mound of dirt in the middle of the smoking field and she crawls painfully toward it.

When she gets to the mound, she crawls up the side and looks over the edge. She sees that it is actually a crater of dirt in the center of which is an enormous black spaceship. The ship is the same shape as the combined Stones of Power.

Lana's mouth hangs open as she looks at it. Then a crack of white light shines on her face and begins to grow as the spaceship opens.

Cut to the silence of Clark's snowy white valley. The tops of the mountains can barely be discerned from the hazy bluish-white sky and a gentle wind blows through Clark's hair. He still holds the stone in his hand, and it floats into the air again. Then he grabs it out of the air and chucks it away.

The stone travels a great distance away from him. We don't see it land.

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "04x22 - Commencement"}