Reincarnation In Smallville

Road to Clark's House

The car's engine hummed softly as Tina drove down the dirt road leading to Clark's house. In the passenger seat, Diana sat with her arms crossed, gazing out the window. The trunk was packed with newly purchased equipment: flashlights, ropes, gloves, and tools for cave exploration.

"Alright, Diana, I'll be honest. I have no idea how to use half of this stuff."

Diana turned her face slightly, raising an eyebrow.

"You're underestimating yourself, Tina. Using equipment is the least of our problems. The bigger issue is what we'll find inside."

Tina let out a nervous laugh, glancing away from the road for a second.

"Great, now I'm even more confident. Diana, seriously, why don't you ask someone who knows what they're doing for help? I'm not an expert in caves or Kawatche legends. I'm more useful holding the flashlight."

Diana remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the trees swiftly passing by outside.

'Tina is right. Maybe it's better to ask Clark for help. He knows this land better than anyone.'

"Okay, Tina, maybe I need a second opinion before we go. I'll talk to Clark when we get there."

Tina sighed in relief, gripping the steering wheel. "Finally, you're playing the boyfriend card. Seriously, Diana, he's like the human instruction manual for everything that happens in Smallville."

Diana allowed a small smile, crossing her arms again. "He's helpful, I admit. But you know I like to figure things out on my own."

"Sure, sure, but it would be great not to get lost in a cave full of alien symbols."

VRUUUM.

The car hit a pothole in the road, shaking slightly. Diana held onto the door handle, her gaze fixed on the horizon. 'Clark will tell me exactly what I need to know. But I won't rely on him to do the heavy lifting.'

---

Dante's Workshop

The metallic sound of tools falling to the floor echoed through the dimly lit workshop. Pete entered through the side door, wiping his hands with an old rag as he looked around. Dante was bent over the engine of a sports car, adjusting something with precision.

"You're just in time, Pete. We need to talk about tomorrow's race."

"Alright, Dante. What is it now? Don't tell me you're going to make me switch cars."

Pete leaned against one of the workbenches, crossing his arms. The smell of grease and gasoline filled the air, creating a heavy atmosphere. Dante wiped his hands on a dirty cloth before turning to Pete, his face serious.

"It's not the car. It's what you're going to do in the race."

"What am I going to do? Well, I race to win. You know that."

Dante took a step forward, his expression calm, but there was something in his eyes that made Pete uneasy.

"Not this time. Tomorrow, you're going to lose."

"What? Are you kidding me, Dante? Why would I do that?"

Pete stepped away from the bench, his voice rising. He looked at Dante as if expecting it to be a bad joke, but his friend's expression remained firm.

"Listen, Pete. It's simple. Everyone's going to bet on you. But we put our money on Blaze. He wins, and we walk away with our pockets full."

"I can't believe this. You want me to lose on purpose so we can make money? That's wrong, man."

Dante let out a long sigh, rubbing his hand over his face before looking directly at Pete.

"Wrong? Pete, these races aren't about honor or justice. They're about money and power. I brought you into this world. I taught you how to win. Now I'm asking you for a favor."

Pete opened his mouth to retort but remained silent. He looked away, staring at the car beside him as if hoping it would ease the tension.

"I don't know, Dante. This goes against everything I do here. If I lose on purpose, I'll lose everyone's respect."

"You think they care about respect? They care about bets, Pete. And after tomorrow, no one will remember you lost. They'll remember the next winner. And you'll walk away with a lot of cash in your pocket."

Silence hung between them. Pete felt his stomach churn. 'Dante has always helped me. He's the only one who believed in me. But this... this is too much.'

Dante walked over to the sports car in the center of the workshop, patting the body with a calculated smile.

"Look, Pete. This is the car you're going to use tomorrow. Tuned, adjusted, ready to be fast. You just need to hold back a bit at the end. It's not hard."

Pete hesitated, looking at the car. He knew the vehicle was a perfect machine, capable of winning any race. He ran his hand over the body, feeling the cold metal under his fingers.

"I don't know, Dante. It feels wrong."

Dante approached, placing a hand on Pete's shoulder. His tone was low, almost paternal.

"Pete, I brought you into this world because I knew you were different. A champion. But sometimes, the game isn't about winning. It's about surviving. Do this, and I guarantee no one will question you. I'll protect you."

Pete took a deep breath, his chest tight. He looked at the car again, his mind divided. 'He's right. He's always helped me. But this... this goes against everything I believe in.'

"Alright, Dante. I'll do it. But just this once. After that, I'm out of any schemes."

Dante broke into a wide smile, patting Pete's shoulder firmly.

"I knew I could count on you, The Boss. Now come on, let me show you what this car can do."

Dante opened the car's hood, revealing the gleaming engine that seemed to shine under the workshop's dim light. Pete looked at the machine, feeling the weight of his decision. He knew he was stepping into something dangerous, but at that moment, it seemed he had no choice.

VRUUUM!

The sound of the engine starting echoed through the workshop, filling the air with a powerful roar. Dante stepped back, watching Pete with satisfaction.

"That's it, my friend. That's power. And tomorrow, it's going to be your best performance."

Pete nodded slowly, but his heart was heavy. He knew that, deep down, he had crossed a line from which he might never return.

---

Talon

The Talon was busier than usual. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the slight scent of caramel wafting from the counter. Soft lights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the tables occupied by small groups of people chatting and laughing.

Clark entered first, with Chloe and Kyla right behind. He looked around, his eyes settling on an empty table near the window.

"Let's sit there. It looks quiet."

Chloe adjusted her bag on her shoulder, smiling at Kyla as they approached the table.

"Great idea. I think we all need a coffee after today."

Kyla laughed softly, sitting next to Clark.

"My grandfather was right. Celebrating this is important. These lands mean everything to our family."

Clark smiled at her, his eyes as calm as ever.

"Joseph did a great job standing up for what he believed in. Now he deserves to rest, and you all deserve to enjoy this moment."

Chloe watched the exchange between the two. 'They barely know each other, but she already seems so comfortable with him. Why does everyone always end up gravitating toward Clark?'

She pulled out a chair and sat across from Kyla, picking up the menu from the table.

"Well, let's do this right. Does anyone want a suggestion, or is everyone just getting coffee?"

Clark laughed, picking up the menu.

"I'll have black coffee. I'm not very hungry."

Kyla leaned in slightly to look at the menu with him.

"Are you sure? The Talon has great desserts. They make an amazing chocolate cake."

Chloe closed the menu with a quick motion, trying not to show her irritation.

"If he doesn't want any, Kyla, we can order something to share. The important thing is that we're celebrating together."

Clark noticed the subtle tone in Chloe's voice but didn't comment. He just placed the menu back on the table and looked toward the counter door.

"I'll just order a simple coffee."

Chloe looked away, clutching her purse on her lap. 'Of course, he's going to order coffee. Nothing can be simpler and more perfect than Clark, right?'

Lana's shoes clicked on the wooden floor as she walked to the table with a rehearsed smile.

"Good evening, everyone. Have you decided what you'd like?"

Clark smiled at Lana, keeping a friendly tone.

"Three coffees, please. And maybe a piece of chocolate cake, if it's not too much trouble."

Lana nodded, the smile not reaching her eyes.

"Sure, Clark. It'll take a little while. We're short-staffed today, but I'll bring it as soon as possible."

Chloe noticed that Lana barely looked at her while speaking. She leaned slightly, trying to hide her discomfort. 'Why is she ignoring me? Is it because of Clark? Or something I did?'

Kyla looked at Lana with a shy smile.

"Thank you, Lana. I've heard great things about the Talon. It's my first time here."

Lana glanced briefly at Kyla, responding in a neutral tone.

"I'm glad you came. Enjoy."

She quickly turned, returning to the counter without saying anything else.

Clark watched Lana for a moment before turning to Chloe and Kyla.

"Looks like the Talon's been busy lately. It's good to see the place so full."

Chloe shrugged, forcing a smile.

"Yeah, seems like Lana's been too busy."

Kyla didn't notice the hidden tone in Chloe's words and responded enthusiastically.

"I imagine. Managing a place like this can't be easy. She seems very dedicated."

Meanwhile, at the counter, Lana filled the orders with quick, calculated movements. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. 'They're there, so relaxed, as if nothing happened. Clark and Chloe always acting like they're the only ones who know everything. They never trust me.'

She paused for a moment, looking at the table where they sat. The smile on Kyla's face as she talked to Clark made her chest tighten slightly.

'Great, another one. As if it wasn't enough having Chloe always by his side. And now they even have secrets together. Of course, I'm not trustworthy.'

Lana took a deep breath, resuming her movements and carefully preparing the coffee. She grabbed the tray, walking back to the table with the same rehearsed smile.

"Sorry for the delay. Here are the coffees and the chocolate cake."

She placed the items on the table but avoided looking directly at Chloe while speaking.

"If you need anything else, just call me."

Clark smiled at Lana, thanking her with a nod.

"Thanks, Lana. As always, perfect."

Lana gave a small smile before walking away, her chest still tight. 'Perfect, of course. As always. And I'm just another piece in their scenery.'

At the table, Kyla picked up the fork, cutting a piece of the cake with enthusiasm.

"This looks delicious. Thanks for suggesting it, Clark."

Chloe picked up her coffee cup, trying to ignore the comment. 'Great. Now she's going to swoon over him all night.'

Clark took a sip of coffee, his gaze calm as he watched the two interact.

"How about we toast to this? To the reservation, Joseph's efforts, and the future of the Kawatche lands."

Kyla raised her cup, her eyes shining with emotion.

"I'm in. To the future!"

Chloe raised her cup, but her thoughts were elsewhere. 'To the future. That is, if I don't go crazy with this situation first.'

Clark lifted his cup, smiling at both.

"To the future. And to what it holds for us."

The cups clinked softly as the three toasted, each carrying their own thoughts and emotions about the moment. In that instant, despite the slight tension, they all shared a single feeling: hope.

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