The late afternoon light was fading through the windows of the school newspaper room. The sound of footsteps in the hallway had dwindled to occasional echoes. Chloe organized printed pages on the central table. Alicia, perched sideways on the couch, scrolled through her phone as if revisiting a recent memory.
The door opened slowly. Clark stepped in, casual, unhurried. He glanced at the two.
"So… what do my two girlfriends want with me?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, unimpressed.
"Don't start."
Clark pulled a chair aside and sat.
"You sent a message with an urgent tone. What's up?"
Chloe got straight to the point.
"The field. The players. The cheerleaders. Something's wrong."
Clark leaned forward, elbows on his knees, listening.
"Wrong how?"
Chloe shifted in her chair, crossing her arms.
"I can't explain it. The guys were obeying the girls like… trained animals. Finger snaps, soft commands. It was all automatic. Like they were in a trance."
Alicia chimed in.
"And not just one or two. Almost all of them. Even Danny. Amanda was treating him like a toy—and he seemed… happy about it."
Clark took a deep breath and leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if seeking patience in the worn plaster.
"Chloe… we're in Smallville. You've seen people turn into bugs, remember? Maybe the guys are just… I don't know, playing along. Could be some new couple's game. Dumb theatrics."
Chloe shot him a skeptical look.
"Theatrics? This isn't acting, Clark. It's not healthy. You didn't see their eyes. It wasn't affection or a game. It was obedience. Pure. And gross."
Alicia nodded, her face more serious.
"She's right. If it was just intense dating, fine. But this… it felt like mind control."
Clark leaned back in the chair, silent for a few seconds. His eyes drifted to the floor.
'By 2025, this'll be more normal than they think.'
He looked back at Chloe and Alicia, his expression more cautious.
"Okay. Show me the video. Then we'll figure out what to do."
Chloe pulled her phone from her pocket, swiping through the gallery to open the recording. Alicia leaned closer, silent. Clark did too.
The footage played with enough clarity to dispel any doubts. The group of athletes moved in a line, obeying the cheerleaders' commands without hesitation.
Amanda, smiling smugly, snapped her fingers. Danny followed as if given an unquestionable order. Other girls repeated the pattern, each with a boy at their side, like they were guiding programmed dolls.
Clark watched intently. No surprise. No shock. Just confirmation.
"See? That's not normal," Chloe reinforced, her eyes glued to the screen.
Clark crossed his arms, taking in every gesture, every expression, every detail. In one frame, the camera shifted slightly to the side—enough to catch the edge of the field. There, standing by the head coach, was a young man, posture relaxed, arms crossed, expression neutral.
Clark lingered on him for two extra seconds.
'Jason Teague… Dean Winchester. Of course it's him.'
The memory came naturally. The face was identical to the hunter he knew from another life. But now he had a new name, a new story, and was here in Smallville, tied to the same girl with a magical tattoo on her back.
Clark didn't comment.
"Clark? You paying attention?"
"Yeah. And… you're right. It's not just a performance."
Chloe's shoulders relaxed slightly, as if she'd expected more resistance.
"So what now? You helping us investigate?"
Clark shifted his gaze from the screen to her.
"I'm in. But first, I want to know if you caught anything else. Any patterns? Any repetition? Or just today?"
Chloe shook her head.
"Just today. But if it's like other cases… it'll keep going. And get worse."
Clark nodded, his eyes lingering on the paused video. Jason was smiling faintly in the background, listening to the coach attentively. Nothing seemed out of place. Nothing, except that he was there.
'I should've remembered him when I talked to Lana. But maybe this is better.'
He said nothing. Not about Jason. Not yet.
"Chloe… keep an eye on this. Record more. And if you can, try talking to one of the girls. Subtly."
"Got it."
Clark turned to Alicia.
"You too. Watch everything you can. But don't act alone."
She nodded immediately.
"Alright. No impulsiveness."
As the two exchanged a knowing glance, Clark stepped toward the window. His phone was still in his hand, but his gaze drifted beyond the glass.
[X-Ray Vision: Activated]
He scanned the entire school, floor by floor, room by room. A quick process for him, invisible to anyone else. He was searching for a specific presence. A breathing pattern. The necklace around her neck. Her body's signature.
Nothing.
'Damn it. She's already gone.'
[X-Ray Vision: Deactivated]
He kept his face neutral.
'If my memories are right… this is when Isobel starts interfering. And if that's true… maybe I can use this possession to my advantage.'
Isobel Thoreaux. The 17th-century witch with a thirst for vengeance, after the crystals for something involving destruction or total control—or both. Her plan could be a massive problem, but also an opportunity.
'Zatanna's out of reach. But Isobel… if I can control the context, she might be a viable substitute. Or at least a tracking key.'
A huge risk. But he was already surrounded by risks.
"Clark?"
Chloe's voice pulled him back. He turned slowly, offering a half-smile.
"Got lost there for a second?"
"Yeah… just thinking about the script for our investigation. Gotta stay focused, right?"
"You'd better. We can't investigate collective hypnosis with your head in the clouds."
Clark chuckled softly, returning to the center of the room.
"Don't worry. No clouds today."
But inside, the idea held firm.
'If I go to the Talon now… I might catch the first signs of possession. And if I can interact with Isobel before she fully manifests…'
Maybe he could steer this part of the story. Or at least find the next crystal.
Chloe leaned slightly over the table, gathering the printed papers with a distracted gesture.
"Clark… I need you to focus on this with me. Seriously."
He met her gaze slowly, reading her expression. Her words carried more weight than usual.
'Chloe's always handled everything on her own. Too much, even. This… isn't like her.'
Clark carefully activated his mind-reading, filtering out surrounding distractions. Her surface thoughts were clear. She didn't want to tackle this alone this time. She wanted him there. Not as a superhero. But as someone present.
'She just wants to spend time with me. Work together. Like before.'
He relaxed his shoulders and nodded silently, a faint smile on his face.
"Alright. Let's do this right. The cheerleaders are priority one."
Chloe gave a quick, almost relieved glance before burying her face in the papers again.
Clark ran his fingers along the edge of the table. The gesture was automatic, but his thoughts raced.
'Chloe needs support. Alicia's more stable. Lana might be the key to Isobel. And maybe… it's time to introduce Alicia to Diana.'
The idea had been brewing for a while. But it needed the right moment.
'Maybe today.'
He tucked the decision away quietly, like fitting another piece into a puzzle. He still needed to visit the Talon. Watch Lana. Confirm the signs of ancient magic.
But for now, he'd stay here. At least until Chloe felt she wasn't alone in this.
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