"I have a message from Lionel Luthor," said the stranger clad in blue. "He's interested in meeting you."

The symbol, on his chest, was a weird sort of amalgam of a Lexcorp logo, smushed to look like an interesting shape. It was nothing more than a corporate logo sponsorship, thought Jor-El amusedly.

"That's a fantastic way of getting one's attention," Jor-El rubbed the back of his neck. "Whatever happened to just saying hello?"

"Just wanted to be sure that you were...well, you know. You."

"Oh? And do you know who I am?"

"Sure. Metropolis' mysterious protector."

A small smile on the part of the older man. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The blue-clad kid pointed at the Kryptonian symbol for hope etched in the gray suit underneath the long, dark jacket. "Don't give me that. I can see you, you know. Maybe regular people can't, but I can. And Luthor's very interested in making your acquaintance."

"I can't say that I feel the same way," Jor-El shrugged.

A frown. "I'm afraid that you'd feel that way. I've been instructed to bring you to him...by any means necessary."

Oh great. Jor-El's mind was working overtime, trying to figure out who this person was, and what their deal was. Thoughts of an augmented human of some kind, a mutant, maybe, or maybe even the result of a toxic waste accident. But there was something about him, something in the way he moved, something in his bright blue eyes...

Eyes that looked so much like...

No. It couldn't be.

"You've known about me for some time, I'm sure. Why now? Why the sudden interest?"

"I'm not at liberty to say, sorry."

At least the kid was polite.

Jor-El crossed his arms, mimicking the powerful stance the kid had. "If you want me to talk to your...boss, then you'll have to catch me."

Surprisingly, he smiled. "I've been bored lately. I could use a challenge."

With a smirk, Jor-El took off. He shot straight up into the sky—and rocketed out of Metropolis airspace as fast as he could. At the speeds that he could get to, it would be way too easy to accidentally run into a news helicopter or airplane if he wasn't paying attention. Flying was an...unusual experience, to say the least. He was quite used to riding his mount back on Krypton, but it was different to be powering one's way through the sky by oneself. Not entirely unpleasant, just...weird. It reminded him of the games they used to play as children, making up stories about adventurers and magic lands. He never would have dreamed that he would one day, be on a planet that let him fly, of all things.

A sonic boom crackled next to him, as he raced over Kansas cornfields. It was the kid, he'd caught up with him. It was something of note that he didn't seem at all concerned. In fact it almost looked like he was having fun.

"You're slow, old man," the kid laughed.

Actually it was something of note that he'd pretty much stopped physically aging once he was affected by the young star's radiation, and still looked exactly the same as the day he left Krypton. He didn't know how long it would prolong his life, but considering how potent the cellular regeneration was, he would be in for the long haul. That was something to think about.

Now to really test the kid. He put on an extra jolt of speed, and they were suddenly over the Yucatan. It was a straight race by now, and they'd both unconsciously pulled up to avoid the repercussions of various extreme sonic booms on the land below.

"Please, this is nothing!"

"Then you shouldn't have a problem with this-" Jor-El gave it all he got—they were over the southern ocean by now, and hopefully there wasn't a poor fishing ship underneath them. Then he put on the brakes and stood still on the top of a glacier, and the kid went flying past him, unaware he'd stopped. That gave him a chuckle.

In an instant the kid came back, annoyed. "Why'd you stop for?" He rubbed his fingers through his dark hair, which had gotten mussed up in the wind.

"Who are you, really?" Jor-El said, all mirth gone from his face.

"I already told you."

"I mean, where did you come from?"

"Luthor found me...as a baby. He raised me as his own. I am a Luthor, even so, if that's what you're trying to imply," the kid said, raising his chin in that haughty manner.

Jor-El felt his heart leap and break simultaneously. He didn't think it was possible.

"Didn't you ever wonder why you have the same abilities as me?"

"Thought crossed my mind. You're obviously an escaped Luthorcorp...scientist that conducted unauthorized experiments. The effects hit Smallville, where they found me."

Jor-El shook his head. "I'm not from Smallville. I'm Kryptonian. From the planet, Krypton."

"You're...you're an alien?"

"Yes. My name is Jor-El. And I believe that you...you're my son. Kal."

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