TITLE: Elseworlds-Power

AUTHOR: William Rayne
EMAIL: knytmare@yahoo.com
RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: Clark found, taken in and raised by the Luthors. Clark misinterprets his destiny due to Lionel's influence which allows Lillian to have more influence on Lex. The 'brothers' still end up bitter enemies, but who is the lesser evil?

SPOILERS: revised Premier and "Metamorphosis"

PAIRING: none
DISTRIBUTION: FanFiction.net, email me

DISCLAIMER someone else owns 'em, I'm just taking them out to play. Don't sue me, I have no money

FEEDBACK: Desired like none other.

NOTES AND NEWS: Thanks to Deia for helping me with story development and being a "über beta queen and grammar Nazi." As always: bold is stressed, italics for thoughts or voice-over, and underlines for sarcasm or disgust.  It occurred to me that if Lex is destined to become corrupt because of his father then how would Clark fair if he were found by Lionel. This AU is the story of Clark's rise as the anti-hero. I fade in and out of Lex's reflections in some of the chapters. This is a *huge* work in progress, so expect possible revisions. Sorry to those who read my "Crossroads" story, but I had trouble with the updater…hopefully I won't have future trouble. And is it just me or is the Author Alert notification email not coming to anyone else either?

Chapter 2

October 16, 2001

When I awoke in the hospital, I found I had a brother and that my asthma as well as my hair was gone. Mother was as perplexed by Father's decision to adopt the boy as I was. Concession was made in the argument when Father let Mother name my brother Clark after mother's father instead of Julian as Father wanted. The matter was never discussed again. For the better part of the years before Mother fell ill, she raised us. Father favored Clark, much to Mother's and my chagrin. Father treated me as if my very existence had visited some grave injustice upon him after the meteor shower. 

"Lex, what are you doing?" asked Clark from the doorway as he saw his brother packing his travel bags.

"You didn't get the memo, Clark?" replied a perplexed Lex to his 'little' brother as he glanced over his shoulder. Looking at the 6'3" teenager standing in his doorway, he realized that his 'little' brother hasn't been little for quite some time. Seeing Clark flummox, Lex elaborated, "It seems our beloved father has decided to send me to Smallville to take charge of the fertilizer plant down there."

The unspoken implication of the statement hung in the air between the two brothers. Before she died, their mother had told Lex to guard his brother and protect him. Lex never told Clark this outright, but he suspected that either Mother had told Clark more or less the same statement, or that Clark figured out that Lex was honoring their mother by keeping him out of Father's games of intrigue as covertly as Lex could. True to his promise, Lex managed to foil most of Lionel's attempts to subvert the boy. Not since Lex was sent away to boarding schools, had the brothers been apart from one another. At least then, Clark had a better chance of holding his own against Lionel's schemes and machinations. Up until now, both brothers had managed to not be their father's son. At this moment, both wondered how this wedge their father was driving would affect them.

"Smallville, huh?" replied a bemused Clark, "Sounds…quaint."

Lex finished packing, took up his bag and with a half-smile to his brother, "I'm sure it is. I know I don't have to tell you to take care and be careful, but…"

"I'll be fine Lex and same to you. Besides, I'm sure I'll see you sometime soon."

Lex nodded at his brother. Knowing that despite all Lex has done to shield him from their father's influence, Clark was a Luthor and knew that Father, sooner, rather than later will send him to spy on Lex.

October 19, 2001

With the wind rushing by him as he runs, Clark smiled. It is in these rare moments that he felt free as a bird and he savored it. The staff at the manor Lex was staying at said he was heading to the fair. Sure, Clark could've called ahead and found him quicker, But it wouldn't be a surprise then, would it? Clark thought to himself, Besides, Father would've known as well and that girl, Amy, didn't seem like the type to spy for Father. Visit my brother, make sure he's doing fine and get back to Metropolis before Father knows I even left…simple enough plan, what could go wrong?

            Looking up the road, Clark saw a figure and a flipped over truck ahead in the road. Another truck was approaching as the flipped over vehicle began to show signs of a fire. They'll never make it in time…

Putting on an extra burst of speed, Clark got to the truck, ripped off the windshield and pulled the unconscious driver from the cab. As he dragged him across the road, fuel from the leaking gas tank was ignited and the truck exploded. Clark shielded the boy with himself as flames and flying debris engulfed them both. Sorry Lex, don't know how Father will take the news…wait, shouldn't I be dead? There's heat…I should be, huh?

Clark was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't notice the driver from the other truck until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Ouch," said a man's voice as the intense heat singed his hand. Clark looked up, uncovering the still-unconscious driver from beneath him. Clark was unhurt and clearly upset by what just happened. The man and Clark stare at one another, amazed until the person Clark rescued began to cough. Clark looked up at them again, afraid, and they looked back at him in wonder. Shit, witnesses. Gotta think of something before they get too curious, I'll figure out what happened later.

"Uh, careful sir," Clark said to the man to buy some time to think up a cover story, "Prototype Kevlar, I'm surprised it worked this well and pretty glad it did." Lame, thought Clark as he scratched his head.

"Kevlar?" said the man.

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Clark Luthor," he said, stalling, and held out his hand.

"Luthor?" replies the man with obvious disgust as he looked at the pre-offered hand and walked back to his truck.

"You'll have to forgive my husband," the woman said, apparently recovering from the shock. "I'm Martha Kent and that's my husband, Jonathan," she smiled and for a moment Clark was reminded of Mother, "You don't seem anything at all like your father."

"You know my father?"

"Of him, yes, but then again, I'd suspect there aren't many who don't know of him."

"I would suspect so…" replied Clark and a look of horror came across his face breaking the smile he didn't realize had formed as he reached into his pocket for his cell phone. "We ought to call for an ambulance."

"With an explosion like that, I'm sure someone's called already," said Martha as she reached out her hand to stay Clarks and sure enough, the sound of sirens was soon heard growing nearer.

"I still have to make a call though…"

******************************************************

"Tell that to me again," said Lex, to his brother, with a smile creeping on his face as he drove along the country roads.

Groaning, Clark replied, "Kevlar prototype" His brother's amusement was contagious and Clark started to grin as well. Lex threw Clark a skeptical smirk and with a single chortle, the brothers exploded in laughter.

After a minute of laughter, Lex became somber and said, "I doubt I could've came up with something much better if I were in your position and as amusing as your explanation is…we're still stuck with the problem the Kents potentially pose."

"I don't think they suspect anything, Lex, we can let that go," replied a perplexed Clark.

"Still better to be safe than sorry, little brother. Frankly, I'm more concerned about your 'Kevlar prototype' cover story. From what you tell me, you should be…"

"Dead, I should be dead Lex," Clark finished, "We both know I healed fast when we were little but this is something entirely new."

"I was actually thinking 'injured, scratched, bruised and bleeding' but I'll take your word that you were closer to the explosion than I imagine," Lex stated as he took in the new piece of information. "But, first things first; I'll pay the Kents a visit. I'll drop you off at the mansion so you can change."

"Um…" Clark muttered as he looked down sheepishly at the dashboard.

"You want to come along?"

"No, that's not…uh…you see…I was gonna surprise you with the visit…"

"Surprise is an understatement given our current predicament…" Lex started out and finished as a look of realization crossed his face. "Father doesn't know you're here, does he? You're on your own on that one, Clark. He'll collaborate your story; you're the golden child after all."

"Lex…" said a hurt Clark as he searched for the right thing to say.

"I'm sorry, Clark…that came out more resentful than I intended. What I meant was, don't worry about that part." Lex interrupted as he pulled up to the mansion. He leaned over Clark and opened the passenger side door. "Get yourself cleaned up, little brother."

***********************************************************

As Clark finally found a pair of Lex's pants that he felt comfortable in, he heard a woman's voice echo through the halls, "Mr. Luthor?"

That's strange, who could that be? Clark looked quickly though Lex's closet, trying to find a shirt. Why does he favor purple so much? Clark thought with disgust. He grabbed a towel and started to dry his hair as he walked towards the sound of the voice.

Clark rounded a corner and nearly bowled over a woman and, what he assumed to be her beautiful daughter. They grow 'em well here in the sticks.

"Mr. Luthor?" the woman eked out. She and the girl seemed nonplussed at the sight of the half-naked boy with a red towel draped over his shoulder.

"Depends which Luthor you're looking for," he replied, oblivious to the cause of their distress. "I'm Clark," he introduced himself. As he extended his hand, he realized the reason for the awkward silence.

Blushing furiously, an uncomfortable Clark stammered out, "Uh, can you wait in the office…I'll be right back."

Bemused by Clark's sudden change of demeanor, the women stifle a giggle and head towards the office.

A few minutes later, having found a blue dress shirt, Clark walked into the office to find the girl admiring the décor. "Where'd your mother go off to?" he asked, startling the girl out of her thoughts.

"She's not…" the girl began.

"Sister?"

"Uh no…she's my aunt," replied the girl, "I'm Lana Lang."

"Pleased to meet you. Sorry about earlier, I was looking for a shirt and…"

"It's alright. Besides, it's not the first time I've accidentally walked in on an indecent Luthor. At least you were only half naked this time," Lana said with a mischievous grin.

"You mean?" gulps Clark, "Last time I was…that's where I…I'm sure I'd remember you, er that, um…"

Lana giggled at Clark's reaction. "No, no, no. I was in Metropolis with my aunt five years ago for a horse riding competition. We stopped by your mansion for some reason. I can't remember. There was mention of an indoor pool. I went to check it out and walked in on your brother and a girl skinny-dipping. As I ran out, I bumped into you, walking in. You took one look at what was going on and said, 'Ew, I did not need to see that…' We both managed to get out the door somehow…"

"And when you turned around, I was gone," Clark finished as he remembered the incident, "Sorry about that. That was you though? You look…different…um, grown up…"

"Thank you Mr. Luthor," Lana playfully replies.

"Clark, please. Mr. Luthor is my father."

"Well then Clark, could you at least tell me how you managed to pull the Houdini on me?"

Smiling, Clark said, "A magician never reveals his secrets."

"Glad to see you two are getting along," said a lady's voice behind them.

"Oh, Nell, I didn't see you get back…"

"Uh, huh," replied Lana's aunt, "I don't think I wouldn't either with this handsome young man charming me."

Acting very much like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Clark looked sheepishly down at his feet.

Nell shot him a knowing grin. "So, uh, Clark…do you have any idea where I can find your brother? We were supposed to meet today to finalize a land agreement."

"Um, he went to the Kents…uh, to see them about some produce. I think. He should be back soon."

Before he can be questioned further, the phone rang and Clark unconsciously picked it up, "Hello?"

"Would you care to explain where you are, son?" said the deceivingly patient voice, one that Clark knew well enough to pick up the seething, venomous anger being held in check behind the facade of pleasantry.

"I'd think the nature of the question answers itself, Father," Clark replies evenly.

A pause. Clark cringed.  Good one, Clark. Not good. Why'd I say that? I'm in trouble as it is, how'd he know I was here?

Seconds turn into eternity until it was broken with the words, "Fair enough. Would you care to explain why you are there and why I'm looking at the headline, "Reclusive Luthor Saves Smallville Football Star" with an internet news report of your heroics in Smallville and why I got a call from 'The Smallville Torch' asking about our 'prototype Kevlar' product that you demonstrated for the public at large?"

"Uh, I'd love to explain now, Father. I really would, but I'm entertaining some guests at the moment and…"

Clark was caught off guard once more as he heared Lex's voice from the doorway, "That's alright Clark, I'll take care of the guests, and you can take the call in the other room."

Throwing Lex a scowl, Clark turned his back on his guests and his brother. "Hold on for a second while I go to the other room." Clark put Lionel on hold and stalked out of the room.

Lex apologized to Nell for forgetting about their appointment and discretely pulled his brother to his side. "Good luck, wouldn't want to be you in some ways right now."