[Chattering]
[Mc] Hey, listen up.
We wanna thank everyone for coming out and supporting the band tonight.
They're really excited to be here.
Thank you, Metropolis,
for spreading the word aboutourconcefl.
All right, the band will be up real soon,
so sit tight and get ready for a great show.
So, uh, we used to come to places like this together.
[Sighs]
I can't believe it's all blank.
It'll come back.
How about I reintroduce you to your favorite bevvy?
Okay.
I'll be right back.
[Pete] Excuse me.
Coming through.
Hey.
The promoter needs some gum and I'm fresh out. You got any?
Look around, Einstein. We're in a gum factory.
Right.
[Mc] Let's hear some noise, Metropolis.
Throw your hands together for one of the hottest bands out there.
Let's hear it for onerepublic.
[Music playing]
[Crowd cheering]
This town is colder now
I think it's sick of us
it's time to make our move
I'm shakin' off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself counting up the years
steady hands just take the wheel
every glance is killing me
time to make one last appeal
for the life I lead
stop and stare
I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere
yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
but I've become what I can't be
oh, stop and stare
you start to wonder why you're here not there
and you'd give anything to get what's fair
but fair ain't what you really need
oh, can you see what I see
they're tryin' to come back
all my senses push
untie the weight tags...
Hey, look out!
Hey, what happened?
Thanks.
[Opening theme song playing]
Somebody save me
let your warm hands break right through
somebody save me
don't care how you do it
just stay, stay
come on
I've been waiting for you
just stay with me
I've made this whole world shine for you
just stay, stay
come on
Well, at least Kara didn't forget how to use up all the hot water.
Yeah, but I understand
that she still hasn't managed to recover her memory.
She still thinks she's from Minnesota.
But I think the more she looks into her past,
she'll realize it's all a lie.
Do you think if she was, uh, taken to the fortress,
it might speed up the process?
Last time I went to Jor-El for advice, he kept me prisoner in the fortress.
I think it's time to tell her the truth.
She won't believe you.
- Clark, we have to protect her. - I agree.
Especially when she's been visiting...
With Lex.
As much as I hate to admit it, it makes sense.
He found her. She trusts him.
Her bracelet.
That connects her to Krypton.
Yes, but...
I thought it had gone missing.
It has, but there's gotta be some way to find it.
Mm. Oh.
In the meantime, I suggest you keep a sharp eye
on Lex's latest endeavor.
Pete Ross.
What a surprise.
- Oh, my god. Pete. - Hey.
Pete, it's good to see you.
What are you doing here?
More importantly, what's he doing here?
I guess more has changed around here than I thought.
It's a long story.
Lex.
I take it the fresh farm air
isn't as invigorating as it's cracked up to be?
I spend every day wandering around that place,
trying to find something that will jog my memory.
Well?
Did anything stand out?
Anything out of the ordinary?
Actually, yeah.
Everything.
I don't feel connected to it at all.
But thanks for finding what you did.
I know it matches with the girl formerly known as Kara Kent,
but the girl in that folder isn't me.
How well do you know Clark?
Do you trust him?
I wish I could say yes.
I'm starting to wonder if he's hiding something from me.
Doesn't it seem weird that I don't have any medical or dental records?
Who doesn't get sick?
Clark can be evasive.
Why would he lie to me?
What in my past could be so horrible,
- he wouldn't want me to know about it? - Kara...
I promise you...
I will do everything in my power to help you get your memory back.
Now, I don't suppose Clark has mentioned anything about your missing bracelet.
Then I guess I should tell you.
The design on your bracelet is a symbol.
A symbol that matches others that have appeared around Smallville.
These were first seen as paintings in the kiwatche caves,
but they've appeared much more recently,
burned into the Kent barn.
Whatever Clark's hiding from you,
I think it has something to do with these symbols.
That bracelet could be the clue to uncovering your true identity.
All right, I'll see you this afternoon.
You don't want me to go with you?
No, it's okay. Ben will help me unload the posts.
So the secret of the century is not so secret anymore.
Lionel, Chloe and Lana all know the truth
aboutyour extraterrestrial crash landing?
It all just kind of happened.
Well, the truth is, with all the danger I put you in knowing my secret,
I actually didn't wanna tell anybody else, but...
But, let me guess,
you couldn't stop trying to save the world
and you got caught. Let's go.
Wonder what your dad would think
about a Luthor hanging out in his kitchen.
Well...
Two-one.
Since my dad's been gone, Lionel's done a lot for me and my mom.
Oh, sure he has.
I mean, he's done a lot for my family too.
Took our factory, caused my parents' divorce...
The guy's a real Saint.
That's the way it used to be.
Can't really expect you to understand, I mean,
you have been gone for over three years. What have you been doing?
We don't all land our dream career like Chloe.
Kind of been doing the roadie gig. Pays the bills.
Could at least have returned one of my calls.
Think it's easy saying goodbye to your best friend?
I couldn't risk anyone using me to get to the truth about your secret.
I figured it was better just leaving it all in the past.
- I didn't ask you to do that, Pete. - I know.
But it doesn't change the fact
that I've been looking over my shoulder ever since.
I mean, I had to leave my life behind because of you, Clark.
And to be honest...
It was better than living in your shadow.
I didn't know.
Luckily, everything's changed.
Whoo! Ha-ha.
I finally brought my game up to your level, Clark.
What happened to you?
It doesn't matter.
The other night, I saved this girl,
and I finally got a taste of what it felt like to be you.
To be a hero.
Whatever it is, we need to find a way to reverse it.
I should've known you couldn't be happy for me.
I want you to be careful.
And what? Hide like you?
This isn't you, it's the kryptonite.
You know what it does? It warps reality.
The only thing warped is how many people's lives
you're gonna ruin by keeping your powers a secret.
I'm not gonna make anyone live with that burden like you did.
Things change, Clark.
Time to share the glory, and if you try to stop me...
My secret isn't gonna be the only one in danger of being exposed.
Well, who should I blame for my server problems?
I've been locked out of my files.
Yes.
Thank you.
Open my e-mail yet?
Sorry, Jimmy, I've been in it hell all morning.
Some network issue has got me surfing the slow Lane.
Okay, here.
It's pretty cool, huh?
Oh, my god.
I know, right? This guy's elastic limbs are gonna slingshot his story
- straight to the front page. - Jimmy, this guy is Pete Ross.
He was, like, my best friend in high school.
Like, back before Clark.
You, um, ditched him for Clark?
I mean, we were all friends. We were all best friends.
Well, he is gonna be an overnight superstar.
I just got off the phone. He's the first meteor fr...
Biologically enhanced individual...
Who's willing to be interviewed about his powers.
I just need to flesh this out a little bit.
- Interviewed? Are you serious? - Yeah.
Imagine what a guy like Pete could do for the public perception
of the meteor-enhanced. He's smart, he's funny...
The guy's story is beyond amazing, it's great.
Okay, so he's a walking personal ad, but, Jimmy, as much as I appreciate
your socially conscious attitude adjustment,
the press would turn Pete into a circus freak.
It's just an interview.
You know what? Maybe you're right.
Do you mind if I, um, add a little purple prose
just to smooth out the rough edges?
Please sprinkle some of your Hemingway dust.
Look, I'm off to the stride factory.
I'm interviewing a few of elastic man's comrades before they start the next gig.
Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Hey, Clark. Uh, we've got a problem, and it appears to be growing.
Chloe. Glad to see someone's taking advantage of my open-door policy.
The it department told me you've been monitoring everything that happens
on the daily planet computers?
Unauthorized surveillance is totally unethical.
Pretty big words from a cub reporter.
Shouldn't you be using them to write stories?
Good idea. I think office espionage has a nice ring to it.
Look_.
I'm new here, but I thought Lois had first stab at conspiracy theories.
You hacked into my computer and copied my files, Lex.
- I have rights. - No.
You don't have rights.
You have responsibilities.
Owning the daily planet means everything within these walls,
and if you have a problem with the way I run this paper, Ms. Sullivan,
you're free to find out if the inquisitor
offers a more considerate environment.
You're excused.
[Man 1] Clear.
Test the lights. No, no, no. Not that one. That one there.
[Man 2] Okay, cool, I'll just pull this one.
[Jimmy] So, what time's the concert tonight?
[Roadie] Eight o'clock.
Thanks, bro. Keep living.
Take it easy.
Hey, ck.
Kara tell you about Pete's stretch-save last night?
Snapped his arms out like silly putty right in front of me.
Maybe you didn't see what you thought you saw, Jimmy.
What, you don't wanna think that one of your best friends
could be a meteor freak?
Look, I just hate to think that you have something against the meteor-enhanced.
That's not it. I just don't wanna see anything happen to Pete, that's all.
Like what? Get the credit he deserves?
Pete Ross is a hero, he saved Kara's life,
and having the courage to reveal that to the rest of the world,
that's a big deal.
I'm not sure the rest of the world is gonna see it that way.
Why? The world needs a hero now more than ever, Clark.
Maybe meteor freaks can walk among us without being afraid.
Wouldn't you want that, if one was your friend?
[Groaning]
I always knew the torch would light the way to the big leagues.
Pete, hey. It's so good to see you.
Don't be too impressed.
I just went from being a big fish in a small pond
to a minnow in the Atlantic.
Well, I, for one, have read all your stories,
and as much as some things change, some things always remain the same.
I couldn't agree more.
I'm actually in the process of mopping up
Lex Luthor's daily carnage as we speak.
Now, there's a name I don't miss.
He's playing big brother on all of the computers at the daily planet.
All my work is under his cyber lock and key.
Well, can't you just work some of your virtual voodoo and get him back?
Short of a direct hit from a massive virus...
All of these files will forever be in the clutches of citizen Lex.
Maybe I can give him something else to focus on.
Cool, huh?
Actually, yeah.
Come here.
You don't want Lex or anyone else seeing that you can do that.
Come on, Chloe.
Don't tell me that Clark's got you
running scared because of his secret too.
Okay, I know you don't mean that 'cause this isn't about Clark.
Isn't it?
I mean, I remember what it was like covering for him.
Always having to watch what you had to say...
Lying.
To you.
Well, sometimes you don't have another choice.
Yes, you do.
And for once, I'm glad not to be following in Clark's footsteps.
No secrets, Chloe.
Put it on the front page.
Okay, Pete, I get the whole reach-for-the-stars mentality,
and right now, you actually could reach a few of those stars,
but what about all the meteor-infected people
who still appreciate their privacy?
They wanna keep living a lie, that's their problem.
Maybe it's time for everyone to realize
that a real hero doesn't hide in the shadows.
Excuse me.
Are you looking for something?
Lana. Um...
Yeah, I was just...
Kara, I don't think that Clark would appreciate you going through his things.
What do you know about these symbols?
As much as anyone in Smallville, I guess.
They're from a local Indian tribe.
Then why were they on the bracelet I used to wear?
Maybe you bought it while you were here visiting the kents,
or maybe they sent it to you as a present.
You know, it's amazing...
How you and Clark can lie on autopilot like that.
Kara.
I know about the symbols burned into the barn and the fields.
And I know about this.
A tattoo you somehow don't have anymore.
Where did you get these?
Lex.
Kara...
Lex has a way of being the hero at the exact moment
that you need to be saved.
I know how enticing that can be.
One day, he'll turn the tables,
and you'll realize that everything was a lie.
If you really wanna prove that Lex is the one lying...
Then just tell me the truth.
It's obvious you're covering something.
Please, Lana.
You know...
You can keep shoveling dirt over my past...
But eventually...
I'll uncover the truth.
Please, don't let me disturb you.
Quite the hero these days, aren't you, Pete?
Saving Kara...
Now I gather you're trying to impress Chloe...
By erasing any record of her extracurricular projects.
I guess things never change.
You're living proof of that.
You know, we may have more in common than you think.
We both had a friend who let us down, and something tells me
you know what it's like to love a woman who's still infatuated with Clark Kent.
Maybe I was wrong.
Things do change.
Even more messed up than before.
I thought an olive branch was a pretty civilized response
to breaking and entering,
but however you wanna see it, one truth remains.
I control Chloe's fate,
and if you really wanna be her hero,
you're gonna put that amazing ability to work for me.
Now, there's a certain bracelet
that I believe is locked in my father's vault.
I want it.
I'm sure you do.
But Chloe wouldn't want you using herjob to make me do anything.
I'm not talking about herjob, Pete.
I'm talking about the secret she's been keeping.
Do you really wanna be the reason the world finds out
that Chloe's a meteor freak?
The stride gum factory?
It was used as an underground venue for bands
until it was shut down a few months ago.
It's already been closed?
Maybe next time they won't let the flavor last quite so long.
I found the source of Pete's powers.
Kryptonite-enhanced gum. I found a whole stockpile of it.
Chewing gum? Is nothing sacred anymore?
I destroyed it, but we have to find Pete.
His attitude is changing.
Ah, so you got a whiff of Pete "the boss" Ross too, huh?
If he ingests any more kryptonite, we both know what happens to people.
Present company on standby. And since the "go, go, gadget arms"
has been going public with his abilities, he's gotta be...
[Beeping]
- [Man] I don't know. - [Woman] Yeah.
- [Man] Check the connection? - [Woman] Yeah, I did.
What's going on?
It looks like some kind of virus.
My computer's totally fried,
and judging from the collective sighs, so is everybody else's.
Clark, I think our new hero went vigilante
and wiped out the planet's server to protect me.
Hey, guys, major scoop.
Pete's headed over to Lionel Luthor's office.
He's stealing something for Lex.
Guess your world's only big enough for one hero.
This isn't the way to be a hero, Pete.
The kryptonite is affecting your judgment.
Just tell me what Lex has on you, I'll take care of it.
By doing what?
I've only been back in town one day,
and already lexis squeezing me to get to your secret.
My secret?
Look familiar?
It always comes back to you.
I guess you didn't know your new best friend had that.
- There must be a reason. - His last name, Clark.
Lionel, Lex, they're the same person,
and they're not gonna stop using people until they get to the truth about you.
- Sorry, Clark... - Aah.
But I don't have a choice.
[Groaning]
If I turn that bracelet over to Lex,
he's gonna get one step closer to your secret.
The only way to stop all this is to take Lex out of the equation.
It's my turn to save you and everybody else from Lex
once and for all.
[Music playing]
[Crowd cheering]
Angel of mercy how did you find me?
Where did you read my story?
Pulled from the papers desperate and hardened
seeking a momentary fix
all I wanted to say all I wanted to do
has fallen apart now
all I wanted to feel I wanted to love
it's all my fault now...
Pete, you're late.
You're right.
I should have done this three years ago.
How many more people are you gonna hurt?
When is it gonna end?
[Grunts]
- Aah! - Where's the bracelet, Pete?
[Yelling]
I never found it! I don't have it.
- Where is it? - I don't have it.
I don't have it.
You're starting to try my Patience, Pete.
Then bring it on, because the truth isn't gonna change.
Then maybe we can help.
[Yells]
It's better than somewhere
that's where I've been and nothing's changed
all I wanted to say...
What happened, Clark?
You and I need to talk.
But first I need to stop Pete from making a huge mistake.
Seemed to be, but what now?
Angel of mercy how did you find me?
How did you...
I don't like this any more than you do, Pete...
But I need that bracelet.
Now, this is the last time I'm gonna ask you.
Where is it?
I don't have it.
I already told you, I don't have it and I never did.
Okay.
[Grunting]
You okay?
[Panting]
Yeah.
[Singer] Thank you so much, Metropolis. You're a wonderful audience.
We'll see you guys next time.
Guess the best part about knowing your secret
is being able to say...
Thank you.
[Pete sighs]
I gotta admit,
one-on-one was a lot more fun when I had powers.
Now I'm really at a disadvantage.
Come on, Pete, even without powers you were always at a disadvantage.
Let's just hope for a quick recovery.
Look, Clark, um...
I didn't really mean what I said yesterday.
You're not the reason my life's ended up the way it has.
I know that kryptonite can get you a little amped,
but you weren't wrong.
Almost every day I wonder what it would be like
- not to have to live a lie, but... - You can't.
I know.
I never really understood how hard it was being you.
I was always a little jealous of your life...
And it was easier to blame you.
I'm sorry.
It's time for me to make a change.
I know there's a hero inside me somewhere, I just...
I gotta find another way to save the world.
Hey, Chloe.
Hey. Is this the "Barry bonds" Pete or the "Hank Aaron" Pete?
This is the 100 percent "Pete Ross" Pete.
I just came by to apologize before I left.
Clark told me what you did.
Thank you.
You risked your life to protect me.
Now, that's not only Webster's definition of hero, it's mine too.
There's no apology needed.
Chloe, um, Lex told me you had a power.
You don't have to tell me what it is.
This...
Is for ruining your computer.
Pete.
Just promise me you won't let another light-year pass by
before I see you again.
- You can count on it. - Come here.
Hey.
Jimmy.
No hard feelings, man. I decided to live my life in anonymity.
I understand.
Some secrets are better kept.
- See you soon. - Yeah.
Pete.
Relax.
It's kryptonite-free.
Bye.
So you guys gonna be hanging out any time soon?
I just mean, it looks like gumby found his pokey.
- Unless you two... - You were right the first time.
Pete and I are just friends.
Cool.
Yeah, that's cool.
What about you? How was date night with Kara?
Ah, you know.
You know, Kara's great...
But I think the spark kind of fizzled for both of us.
Sorry.
No, you're not.
No, no. Uh... what I meant was that I hope that you're not.
I should've just said that I'm not, right?
Is there any interest in seeing
if we can breathe some fire into this Ember over a cup of coffee?
I'll bring the butane.
I'm holding on your rope got me ten feet off the ground
and I'm hearing what you say but I just can't make a sound
you tell me that you need me then you go and cut me down
but wait
you tell me that you're sorry didn't think I'd turn around
and say
that it's too late to apologize
it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize
it's too late
too late, oh
I'd take another chance, take a fall take a shot for you
and I need you like a heart needs a beat but it's nothing new
yeah, yeah
I loved you with a fire red now it's turning blue
and you say...
Mr. Luthor...
I checked with the Metropolis observatory
about the constellation in your family crest.
The last time these stars were configured
in this exact arrangement
was October 7th, 1989.
The day of the first meteor shower.
And there's something else.
[Knocking on door]
Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.
I thought I made myself clear.
You're always welcome here.
I was hoping you'd say that.
I don't trust Clark and Lana anymore...
And the idea of living with them on the farm...
Hope you don't mind, Lex,
but I was wondering if I could stay here.
With you.
I said it's too late to apologize
-yeah -too late
I'm holding on your rope
got me ten feet off the ground
[Closing theme music playing]