The VRA is in full effect and things take an unfortunate turn of events after the Green Arrow tries to stop a mugging but is attacked by citizens for being a super hero. Clark discovers that the civilians who attacked Oliver were all marked with a darkness tattoo. Carter Hall and Star Girl return to help Clark deal with Slade’s re-emergence after he kidnaps Lois. Cassidy Freeman also stars. Mairzee Almas directed the episode written by Genevieve Sparling.
A young Clark Kent (Tom Welling) learns that with great power comes great responsibility. Spanning his formative years in the town of Smallville, to his move to Metropolis and work at the Daily Planet, Smallville tells the Man of Steel’s whole story, along with other DC Comic heroes, and, of course, Lois Lane (Erica Durance).
Clark prevented the deaths of thousands, if not millions of humans by using the Kryptonian Book of Rao to stop the attack. The spiritual tome opened a gateway to another world, one where Clark's people could exist in peace. One-by-one, every Kryptonian on Earth was propelled across the universe, but as Clark prepared for his "ascension," Zod refused to leave. Using a blue Kryptonite dagger to make himself human and avoid being sucked into space, Zod remained behind so that he could rule a world without its guardian, Clark Kent. Having no other option to rid the world of Zod's tyranny, Clark plunged the dagger into his own abdomen, protecting himself from ascension — and exiling Zod in the process. Though victorious, Clark's win was bittersweet as he plummeted off the building and into the darkness below.