SMALLVILLE

CHAPTER FOUR, "ONYX"

Lex glared at a glass tank. Not a normal glass tank. Inside was a piece of green meteor rock. A large laster projector pointed at the meteor rock. Beside Lex, a doctor made minor adjustments.

"Are you sure you've corrected the problem Dr. Sinclair?" Lex asked.

"Absouletly Mr. Luthor. The stimulations have all been positive. Increasing the thermal varations by ninety-eight percect should eliminate the seperation impurity."

Dr. Sinclair walked over to his state of the art Dell computer and began punching in numbers.

"All you had to do was turn up the heat?"

"It's not that simple, Mr. Luthor. The composition of these meteor rocks is highly unusual. Calculating the exact temperature was a challenge." Dr. Sinclair answered.

"One I hope your up to. If this works, I'll leave a mark on the world no one will ever forget."

Sinclair handed Lex a pair of dark protective glasses. Slipping on, Lex took a deep breath and stood next to the glass tank. The sequence began. A narrow blue laser began to move slowly till it struck the center of the rock. The rock began to swirl. Below the kryptonite, plant seeds began to reveal themselves. The seeds began to be exposed to the radiation.

"Irregular molecular stimulation noted in the seeds." The computer noted.

"Power objective has been attained. Molecular activity is exceeding the control model." Sinclair began, becoming distressed. "The thermal level is continuing to accelerate."

"What's happening?" Lex asked in awe, seeing the green glow of the meteor rock darken, becoming completely black, while a flashing blue light strobed on the seeds of the tank.

"Shut it down!" Lex commanded.

"I'm trying!" Sinclair shot back.

The blue energy in the black meteor rock began to grow in strength, while the rock began to crack. Sinclair backed away slowly, in awe of what was happening.Lex took one more look then began to stroll away. Just at that moment, the meteor rock burst with bluish-purple energy, striking Lex on the back. His arms flailed to his sides while he screamed, his body shaking as if he was being electrocuted. Lex stopped to the floor once the energy stopped. The glass tank had exploded. Lex stood up, groaning in pain. All of the tables in the room had been knocked over. The computer had been destroyed. Lex kneeled to one foot and helped Dr. Sinclair to his feet.

"Are you okay?" Lex asked kindly.

Sinclair rose up, bleeding from one eye, but mustering a small nod. They both looked around the room.

Behind the shattered meteor rock tank, a man who had been lying their rose up, watching them leave in disbelief. He looked just like Lex.

A football rested on the grass. It rested until two hands snatched it up. Clark began chattering to himself.

"What a ball game folks! It all comes down to this. With five seconds left, the crowd will be treated to one amazing moment here in the final seconds." Clark said to himself, dressed in his usual flannel shirt and blue jeans. Clark held the ball in his hands, looking at it intently. Running backwards a few paces, Clark hurled the football into the air as far as he could throw it.

"A bullet deep downfield! Way past his own receiver! Wait! Kent's now flying down the field! He's going to catch his own pass!"

Clark used his speed to wiz over seconds later, going far to catch his deep pass.

"Touchdown! The Crows win! Kent is unbelievable!" He said to himself, grasping his hands on the football and smiling to himself. Suddenly, footsteps emerged.

"Talking to yourself?" Pete asked, trying not to laugh.

"No. I was uh, practicing acting. I'm thinking of trying out for acting classes. You know, pretending like your someone else. I could really get into it."

"You would be one terrible actor." Pete answered. They both laughed.

"Yeah, I don't think I could pull that one off." Clark said.

"How are ya adjusting to Smallville life?"

"Pretty good. Well, things are a little different. I haven't exactly seen Lana much lately. I was so use to her being the girl next door. And Chloe, well, you know about her and the Daily Planet. Lex seems to be a little busier than usual too."

"Still looking for your place?" Pete started, pausing. "Why don't we try out for the football team? I was thinking a lot about it during the summer. I went to the gym a lot. Well, a few times anyway."

"It would make us almost big shots. Remember how popular Whitney was?" Clark said excitedly.

"Now you just have to convince your parents."

"Yeah. No easy feat considering I ran away to Metropolis for three months."

"How was it there? I mean, away from your parents and living the life."

"I would be lieing if I said I hated it. I became almost someone else. I did things I never should've done. Pete, I mean, I used my powers to steal money, to buy the most expensive things, to get girls."

"Now your talkin'." Pete said with a smile.

"I bought your game system with my own money. Which reminds me, I need to figure out a way to leave you out of my schemes."

"No, what you need to do is find your soulmate. Lana Lang." Pete said, picking up a football.

"Shutup." Clark answered, knowing Pete was right.

"Go long." Pete said, picking up the football. That won't be a problem, Clark thought.

Lex walked briskly into his mansion, opening the doors. He saw Lionel sitting on the couch, who stood up to greet him.

"Lex. I haven't forgotten. I know I'm, I'm not welcome here, but I heard there was an accident at Luthorcorp and I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"I'm fine Dad, thanks for the concern." Lex answered sincerly.

Lex walked past Lionel, placing a suitcase on his desk.

"Well, I'm grateful your in one piece. Sorry for the intrusion." Lionel said.

"Dad. Are you still planning your charity fundraiser Sunday? I mean, I know it's been a week since you've planned this but I just wanted to make sure your still having it."

Lionel smiled.

"Yes. I must say it's quiete an interesting challenge trying to get every single one of the deep pockets to show up. Even if you are one of the most promising companies."

"Would it help if I made a few calls? I've met a few million dollar minds. And tell you what, Victoria and I will both reach out and make an attendance. We'll even donate a generous amount of money to the cause." Lex said.

"Really? You'd do that?" Lionel asked, a smile growing.

"Yes. I'll reach out to those relunctant pockets." Lex answered. Lionel seemed taken off guard.

"You must be rubbing off on me. I admit, I had my doubts about the motives behind your sudden philanthropy, but I can see how much joy helping the less fortunate is bringing you. Dad, I'm, I'm proud of you." Lionel stood speechless. He reached forward, touching Lex's face.

"I am truly grateful. Thank you, Lex. For everything."

Lionel smiled as he left the room. Lex opened a suitcase, staring at Dr. Sinclair's notes. Suddenly, someone appeared behind Lex.

"Amazing work isn't it?" The voice boomed.

Lex whizzed around, startled by the voice talking to him. It was himself.

"Hello, me. Meet the real you." The voice said with confidence.

Lex awoke, trying to move, but feeling binded. He was chained. Looking around, he saw that he was chained to a support beam.

"Well, I can't have you running about can I?"

"Who are you?" Lex shouted.

"Oh, well, that's a question I've been struggling with for years. Well, you have. Goody to shoes. I really hate you, Lex. Rememeber me? From your dreams? Alexander. Here in the flesh. Here's the clincher." Lex said with a silent note after. "I'm you!"

"Remember this room? You keep artifacts in here. Remarkable. I know everything about you. How you lost your hair in the first meteor shower, and the dreams you have. Let's have a flashback to kick us off. Remember that car wreck? Do you think any human could have saved your life? So ignorant. And that hug you and Clark shared? Pathetic. News flash, you don't have any real friends. Your all alone in this." Alexander chimed.

"My god. You're me." Lex answered.

"No Lex. I'm much much, more."

Lex began to think clearly.

"The explosion in the lab." Lex clarified.

"Freed me from your weakness. At last I can embrace my true destiny." Alexander watched as Lex tried to lunge at him, but was binded by the chains.

"Yeah! Come on! Come on! You can do it. Stop me! Come on. Ah, you disappoint me. As always."

"Why don't you just--kill me?"

"I could, but well, I don't know what would happen if I did. Would I ceast to exist? Besides, this is more fun. This is the real you. No more weaknesses. I know what your thinking, won't people here you? Well, just keep in mind these are soundproof walls, you already know that now don't you? Doesn't always pay to showboat all your antiques now does it?" Pausing, he smiled. "It's like that Dumas story. Oh, it was always one of our favorites now wasn't it? King Louis XVI imprisones his own twin brother in the Bastille, forcing him to live out his final days in his iron mask."

Alexander reached into a shelf and pulled out what he was looking for. An iron mask of armor. Lex watched fearfully.

"No." Lex struggled to say.

"You see most people think Louis did it to hide his brother's true identity, but we know better. He did it because he couldn't stand looking at such a pale reflection of his own greatness."

"Don't. No! No! No!" Lex shouted while Alexander lifted the mask and planted it on his face.

"Shhh. It's good to be the king." Alexander hushed. Lex continued to struggle.

"Guess it's up to me to show the world the real Lex Luthor."

"Hi, Dad." Clark said, seeing his father. He tossed some hay across the loft.

"Son, um. How are things going?" Jonathan asked gingerly.

"Good. Look, I mean, I know you and mom think you have to walk on eggshells around me, but I'm fine. This farmboy isn't going anywhere. I promise."

"I know. I just want things to be like they use to be. I want the best for you too." Jonathan said, putting a hand on Clark's shoulder.

"Have you heard any footsteps at night? I think I'm sleepwalking or sleepeating." Clark said, pausing. "I found some oreos in the loft this morning."

"Sleepeating? Oh gosh." Jonathan said with a smile.

"That's the least of my problems. Dad, Jor-El told me that if I didn't return to him soon, then--I'd lose everything. What if I have to go to him?"

"You'll know when it's time, son. For right now you belong here. With us."

"I called the police anonymously and said where the money is. It's gone now. But I think it'll be awhile before things are the same." Clark replied.

"You told me everything. I know it'll take awhile for you to clear things up with everyone, but you will. Just like you did here. You have to go to her."

"Go to who?" Clark asked.

"Her." Jonathan replied, giving him a pat on the head and walking away. Clark nodded to himself after a few moments.

"Sullivan's Travels." Lionel said on the street, seeing Chloe hurriedly walk over.

"Mr. Luthor. It's been awhile." Chloe said, a frown forming.

"Yes, it has. I um, I hope that you have been enjoying your time at the Daily Planet. It's a very illustrious place. One can learn a lot there."

"I have learned a lot. But, I don't know if I can do this article on Clark like you want me to. The Kawatche Caves is the farthest I'm willing to go."

"Hm." Lionel began.

"Clark's my friend. I couldn't betray him." Chloe answered.

"Ms. Sullivan, your articles are truly remarkable. Genuine. I think you could make a lot of difference with your words. I will give you complete control now over what you write. I can't--I can't hold back your considerable talents any longer." Lionel said.

"Oh gosh, thank you Mr. Luthor. This is a chance of a lifetime." Chloe answered.

"Can you do me a favor though? I have this upcoming charity fundraiser, very fancy, all the premiere minds planned to be there. Would you mind writing an article on it? I'm sure it could even headline the Daily Planet, yes?"

Chloe smiled in response.

"Clark." Alexander spoke.

"Lex. How's life going back in Smallville again? I know for me it hasn't been easy." Clark answered.

"Things have--never been better." Alexander said, studying every part of the loft.

"I was thinking of asking my parents to let me try out for the football team. You think it would work?" Clark asked.

"What happened the day on the bridge? Where you saved me? I should be dead."

"Huh? I'm not really sure--"

"Your lieing. Tell me, Clark. What's really going on here? See, I have my theories. Sometimes I like to ignore it but I just have this inching feeling that your hiding something. What is it? How do you manage to save my life whenever I'm in trouble?" Alexander said. Clark began to look nervous.

"I don't know what your talking about." Clark said quietly.

"This is a legendary sword." Alexander paused. "One of a kind. It was a ceremonial weapon used by a group of 16th century samurai warriors. The Kaiti. Want a history lesson? This sword was forged in the fires of Mount Fuji. Well, the blade can cut through anything. The Katai never took it into battle. They never had to--till the day the strongest Kaitai turned on his own. One by one, the Kaiti fell at his hand." Alexander continued, holding the sword with both hands, turning away from Clark.. "Nothing left to lose, the last of the Katai launched at the warrior with his sword. The blade cut him clean in two. But when the warrior's armor fell away, the Kaitai saw that he wasn't even human."

Tilting his head, Alexander cracked his neck. Without warning, he whipped around and swung the sword at Clark. In defense, Clark raised his arms as the blade struck him. It shattered into pieces. Alexander grew breathless.

"Just like you, Clark. You've been lying to me since the first time I've laid eyes on you. Your not even human!"

"Lex, I can explain." Clark began. Alexander stumbled through Clark's things.

"What else are you hiding?" Lex shot back. He grabbed a box. Opening it without consideration, he peered into it. Inside, a green meteor rock glowed.

"This is a meteor rock from the meteor shower. My life changed there, Clark. I thought I had a best friend when I met you. Now I have a nemesis." Lex said coolly. Clark's body seemed to weaken near the rock. Moving away, Clark seemed fine again.

"This friendship is over. You can be assure of that. And don't worry, I'm going to tell the media all about you! The world's going to know that there's an alien living in Smallville! And his name is Clark Kent. Life as you know it is, well, what's the word--oh yeah! Over." Alexander said with an evil laugh. Clark swallowed.