Jewel Kryptonite

The crystal sparkled like a diamond, a natural gemstone, the strange facets refracting the light at odd angles. It was pretty. So pretty...

As she stared into the depths of the kryptonite gem, Lois became aware of other...presences within the room. She couldn't really define it as more than that—just a sensation that she wasn't alone. Even naked under the influence of the sun-lamps, she shivered, the hair rising on the backs of her arms and neck. There was something spooky about that gem.

Now focus your mental energies. Lois thought, and was taken aback. The thought had come to her head so naturally, yet it was...strange. Was she telling herself to do that? I can see her! A beauty.

Lois looked down at herself. She was beautiful, but why had she suddenly thought that? What could... Focus! Focus and you can do much more than look. The thought was clearer now, more insistent. It drowned out her other thoughts. Lois furrowed her brow. This was wrong. Was this the kryptonite doing it, somehow? What had...

She can hear us. The thought ran through her head. Good. We can use that.

"Lois," Lex's voice interrupted from the speakers. "How do you feel? Anything...out of the ordinary?"

"I...there's...voices. In my head." She said.

"Interesting. There's some unusual frontal lobe activity. What do the voices say, Lois?"

"Something about focusing mental energy...and...I'm beautiful...and...they know I can hear them. Wait, they say...they want to try something new..."