Weeks Later
Excelsior High was Lex's personal hell for a few years. Being bald in high school didn't do him any favors, Lex wasn't afraid to admit he was an outcast. Looking up at the school he couldn't help but frown. This place had more bad memories than good.
"Smallville high had a stuffed crow, two different worlds I guess," Lana smiled as she turned to look at lex.
"I much rather prefer yours," whether it was her company or Smallville high Lex preferred them both over Excelsior High.
"If that's how you feel, why come to this thing?" Lana asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Business, some of the richest people in the country went to excelsior. They may not have welcomed me in the past but now they don't have much of a choice." Lex saw the realization hit Lana and smiled.
"I'm sure you had plenty of friends back in the past," Lana replied.
"Put a bunch of arrogant rich kids together and you're asking for trouble, I wasn't exactly the most popular guy back in school."
"C'mon Lex no need to be modest, you had your moments we all did," Oliver Queen appeared with a knowing smirk on his face. His arm was wrapped around Lois Lane the intrepid reporter.
"Oliver," Lex said nodding his head, he didn't have time to entertain his past demons. As long as Oliver no longer got in his way there'd be no problems.
"Lana I didn't know you'd be here," Lois said smiling.
"Lois it's nice to see you, I didn't realize you were dating Oliver Queen." Lana smiled in delight as she looked at Lois.
"It's a new development, if it wasn't for Mrs.Kent I'm not sure I'd be here. We've been flying all over the world lately. It's nice to visit somewhere close to home." Lois looked up at Oliver smiling.
"Now that I think about it Lex your biggest moment took place around here didn't it?" Oliver asked, pointing towards the ground.
"And what about yours? Was it the boys bathroom, or the hallways. Now that I think about it you played quite the role in my big moment." Lex reiterated Oliver's word with a bit of a smile on his face. He had nothing to feel guilty about. That accident was something none of them could be blamed for. However had Oliver chosen to be a little different maybe things wouldn't have happened the way they did.
"Looks like the rest of the gangs here, Geoffrey, Alden," Lex nodded as two men both carrying beers stopped next to Oliver.
"Everyone except for Duncan, and we all know who's to blame for that," Alden chugged whatever was left in his cup as he finished speaking.
"Who's Duncan," both Lana and Lois found themselves asking.
"Sorry everyone he's going through some stuff right now, let's go Alden." Geoffrey wanted to reach for Alden's shoulder but he was quickly shaken off.
"Duncan was-"
"I think that's enough," Oliver stepped forward glaring directly into Alden's eyes. "Get him out of here."
"I'm leaving anyways," Alden said pushing past Oliver and up the steps leading into the building. "It was nice seeing you Lex," Eyeing Lana Lang Alden smirked. "You did alright for yourself.
Lex mirrored Lana's frown as he watched Alden head up the stairs. "I thought you guys were friends?" Lana asked confused.
"As I said before I wasn't very popular in high school, they don't have much of a choice now because of business but I'm sure they still think I'm that weak loser they picked on in high school."
"Lex Luthor had high school bullies? who'd believe that" Lois smiled as she wrapped her arm around Olivers.
"Some of us became completely different people after high school, others not so much." Lex eyed Oliver as he said the last part.
*Boom*
The sound of concrete exploding drew everyone's attention to a crushed slab of stone that had landed directly next to Alden. Lex and Oliver charged up the steps, looking at the concrete that had become dust and rocks upon impact.
"You okay?" Oliver asked looking ar Alden.
"Didn't harm a hair on my head, must be my lucky day," Alden raised his glass before looking up.
Lex only saw the surprise on his face before his blood splattered everywhere including Lex's face and suit.
...
Luthor Manor
Lex sipped his whiskey as he looked off into empty space, what was this final destination? Excelsior was an old school but the chances of something like this happening were slim to none.
"Lex," His father's voice drew him from his thoughts.
Seeing his father's face Lex felt annoyance and disgust, "What brings you here dad?"
"I heard about Alden and I understand what you must be feeling."
"Confusion?" Lex asked.
"Of course you're confused your friend died right in front of you in such a bizarre way no less." Lionel jumped at the chance to comfort his son, speaking in an understanding tone.
"No i'm more confused about how the dry cleaners are gonna get the blood out of my suit." Lex sipped at his whiskey smirking at his father's surprise.
"Using humor to fight your grief, that's never been like you son." Lionel frowned as he looked at Lex.
"I'm also confused as to how you can be so shameless, you manipulate Lana for weeks and show up before me as if nothing has happened."
"I'm your father it's my job to make sure the woman you've given your heart to is trustworthy." it was now Lionel's turn to smirk.
"I can assure that Lana is trustworthy, the moment I realize she isn't you'll be the first to know. Oh and about Zod."
"You know Zod?" Lionel asked confused.
"An alien takes over my body and decided to destroy the world while targeting the woman I love, of course I'll at least know his name."
"But you said you had no memory of what happened on Dark Thursday."
"That's true but I do have a first hand witness the least she could do was tell me his name."
"Why did you mention him?" LIonel asked.
"You can leave," Lex waved him off.
"These games of yours Lex, they'll only take you so far." Lionel stormed out leaving Lex in satisfaction.
Hours later
Lex shot up from the couch breathing heavily, he had dreamt of Zod's return. Only this time it was the real him, he destroyed much of Smallville before making his way to metropolis planning on doing the same there. It was then that Clark showed up wearing the blue tights with the famous S on his chest. The fight between literal gods left most of the city destroyed and Lex was powerless to do anything but watch. The feeling of Powerlessness was suffocating, it only made Lex's thirst for it stronger.
"Are you okay?" Lana asked closing the book in her hand.
"I'm fine just a bad dream," Reaching over to the table Lex picked up a bottle of water taking a sip.
"What was it about?" Lana asked worried.
"Zod, he'll return one day only he'll be in his own body. When that time comes we won't stand a chance." Lex stood up from the couch walking over to the fireplace to man it.
"You sure it wasn't about what happened today, you watched as your friend was impaled. Maybe the powerlessness you felt today manifested itself into a nightmare."
"You think it's my mind playing tricks on me?" Lex asked raising an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't put it exactly like that."
"No, Zod will return one day, my father knows more than he's letting on. Not to mention I only had one friend at Excelsior High and Alden surely wasn't it. Did I want the guy to die? No but I won't be losing any sleep over it."
"You're already losing sleep over it," Lana commented.
"I can assure you, this nightmare had nothing to do with Alden. Come here," Lex motioned for Lana to join him by the fire. Placing the pike down he welcomed her into his arms. "I'm the last thing you have to worry about." He smiled as he looked down into her eyes.
"Okay," Lana hummed in agreement.
Suddenly the lights began to flicker as a buzzing noise filled the room, Lana took two steps back from Lex as they looked around the room.
"What the-"
Lex felt the world slow down, looking around the room he could see everything in slow motion. Looking at Lana he smiled before he began to worry, the hanging light above her had already began to fall. This was only the second time he had actually felt different from his regular self. The first was immediately after the kryptonian x ray treatment. Rushing over to Lana he grabbed her moving both of them out of harms way.
"You okay," Lex asked looking down at Lana. "Lana?"
…
Smallville Hospital
Lex stood in front of a hospital room door his hands in his pockets, he was worried. He wasn't like Clark who had his whole life to get used to his powers. Not to mention Lex wasn't even sure how to activate his own. They seemed to come and go which made it harder to get a grasp on his own strength. The falling hanging light had nothing to do with Lana's lack of consciousness. Lex was just lucky she only suffered a concussion.
"Where's Lana?"
Lex turned around not surprised to see Clark standing there with worry on his face. "She'll be fine that's the only thing that matters."
"I want to talk to her," Clark reached for the door handle but was stopped by Lex.
"Now isn't the best time, she's unconscious."
"Why does it seem like every time I see her she's in a hospital?" Clark asked a hint of anger in his voice.
"Maybe you shouldn't see her at all then, move on Clark. Lana isn't involved in your happy ever after." Lex said hinting at Clark's future. "Save yourself a trip next time Clark, just send flowers." Lex entered Lana's hospital room closing the door on Clark.