Clark stared out of the window as his cab pulled up outside his destination. Lex Corp Tower stood above him and seemed to go on forever. Pane after pane of glass stacked on top of each other made up the impressive structure and the farmer's son was blown away by it. The cabbie had to shout at him to get his attention and his fare. Clark made his apologies and paid the man before climbing out of the car and standing on the street. He made his way to the back of the rabble of reporters surrounding the entrance and subtly pushed his way towards the front of the crowd in order to get a good seat. While he waited, Clark took in how many people had actually turned up. The Washington Post; The Star City Gazette; Coast City Daily and many other American papers were present along with various news stations. The international turnout had been impressive also, with esteemed papers such as The Times and Le Monde as well as the BBC news crew making an appearance. People from all around the world had arrived to hear Lex Luthor speak about his new interest in government.
That's the issue though. Lex has always been interested in power; but never looked to gain it politically. He preferred to steal it away from the naive or manipulate the weak or blackmail the vulnerable. This sudden public grab for power wasn't in his nature nor his style. Why the sudden change? Clark was stumped. However, his pondering was cut short when the glass doors finally opened and the anxious journalists poured in.
Despite his superhuman strength, Clark found himself being pulled along by the crowd and when he finally made it through the impressive hallways to the auditorium, he was glad to find a seat in the forth row with a decent view of the stage. He subtly popped open the brass clasps on his briefcase and dropped it so that a few of the papers inside fell out onto the floor. The mild mannered reporter could hear several scoffs and tutting from the people around him as he bent down to pick up the scattered articles although he struggled to contain his smile as he realised his plan was working. Superman can be the face of truth and justice but Clark Kent must remain an enigma.
Clark took his seat just in time for the lights to dim slightly and the conference to start. In front of the reporters was a large stage that has two podiums on the far left and right. The colour scheme is red white and blue and there are banners promoting the pair of candidates: Flynn Matterson and his Vice-President-to-be Lex Luthor. An announcer strode onto the stage and addressed the audience, speaking high praises of the two men who were supposedly best to run the country. Clark ignored him and used his x-ray vision to see through the curtain at the side of the stage, shielding the group about to enter.
Lex was lecturing Flynn, who was cowering under the intensity of the bald man's words. It seems as though Lex is the one in charge of this whole arrangement. Why isn't he running for President? Meanwhile, Lana attemptedto make uncomfortable smalltalk with Matterson's wife- a taller, stick-thin woman in her forties. Before Clark can tune his hearing to listen in on Lex's harsh words, the whole room is filled with applause as the host finishes and gestures for the two couples to make their way onto the stage.
To the blind eye, the couples look like any strong political force. The two men smiling wide, public grins while their wives show their support and wave also. The room became a frenzy of activity as cameras flashed and reporters babbled. They all went quiet simultaneously as the Luthors and Matterson's wife took a seat as Flynn started the proceedings. None of them see the facade that is the political pair- apart from Clark.
Flynn Matterson looked like the perfect American leader. He seemed wise and safe in age rather than weak and still has some good looks that have carried him through his life so far. He stood straight and directed the crowd openly and easily. Laughter broke out as he cracked a light-hearted joke that Clark doesn't pay attention to. Instead he watched Flynn and Lex closely.
Matterson kept looking back at the bald-headed man nervously while the audience laughed or applauded, as if he was not really the man in charge. He subtlety fidgeted with his papers, his smile seemed a little forced at times and his intonation changed slightly as if he was unsure of what he is exactly saying. To the untrained eye, he seemed perfectly natural. But Clark knew that something is off and doesn't need to look far to find the cause. Lex's eyes never leave Flynn's back, constantly trained on each of his actions. He never reacted unless obviously cued, other than that, he wore a mask of analysis. He was clearly the puppet master. But the press didn't care. They ignorantly lapped up the publicity from Luthor's plaything and refused to see the real situation. Lex's 'investments' must be working. Flynn Matterson was a poster boy; everyone's ideal but also thinly spread and easily removed. Lex was the wall holding it up, the power house behind the image.
Finally Matterson finished, triumphantly raising his fist stating his powerful slogan before turning around and introducing Lex Luthor to the stage. The whole room exploded into applause as Flynn retreated back to his place next to his wife, meeting the multi-billionaire on the way and shaking his hand before taking his seat. Lex grins for the cameras and strode for the podium. Lana watched her husband start his journey for power proudly, clapping with the crowd and beaming after him. Lex gripped the edges of the raised platform with each hand before starting his speech. The crowd was silent now, hanging onto every word.
"Citizens of Metropolis and America, I'd like to express my gratitude to you all for this valuable opportunity. To be part of the greatest democratic system in the world is an honour and I hope to uphold the strong American Values that have made this country the strongest," The crowd broke into whistles and clapping once again and the bald-headed man waited for them to finish before continuing.
"Mr Matterson went over our main policies very briefly before me, so I won't bother boring you with a repeat act. However, I would like to draw your attention to one matter. Humanity. We are the smartest species on this planet, the most evolved, the most physically fit. We deserve to stand up straight and take whatever opportunities present themselves to us. Being a scientific man myself, I tend to lean toward education and discovery."
Lex seemed to take a deep breath, his eyes flitting around the room- analysing the reaction to what he was saying. People bobbed their heads in agreement and leaned over to one another to whisper compliments about the multi-billionaire. His gaze found one man however, sat on his own, his own eyes behind thick glasses staring right back at him. There was no nodding of the head from this man, in fact he appeared to be ignoring everyone around him. Lex shifted his stance and turned to speak to him directly. This man is different. That makes him more interesting than the rest of these chimps in suits.
"We as a species have to adapt now, and use every technology, discovery and advancement to defend ourselves." The room appeared to change slightly at his hard hitting words. "We must defend ourselves from new threats. We have to evolve again. What are we protecting ourselves from, you might ask. The answer is simple: Superman."
Now the gathered press grew even more excited. This was the first time that Lex Luthor had spoken publically about the newly emerged hero. Considering he was the most influential member of Metropolis at this moment in time, they were desperate to hear and regurgitate his opinion.
"This man is an enigma. Over the past couple of days, he has shown us what he is truly capable of. This man is a powerhouse, a god among men. What intentions has this 'Man of Steel' got? Yes, he may have claimed that he is here to help. But what if he is part of a larger force waiting in the shadows? What if his actions are just a ruse? How far are we going to allow to dangerous vigilante to go before we draw a line? He hasn't had the bravery and strength to come forward and engage the government that made the laws that he supposedly upholds. How can we trust this figure- someone who makes their own rules to bend the aforementioned laws to his own agenda. Only abiding by his own code of ethics. I say we don't give this threat a chance to strike. We land the first blow before we become vulnerable. We stop Superman before he shows us who he really is."
This has gone far enough. "You've given this man three days and already he's been branded a danger to your precious little world, Luthor?" Clark bellowed, rising from his chair. His glasses slipped down a tad and he fumbled to push them back up to the bridge of his nose. The room stirred, all of them desperate to get a look at the man who had defied Lex Luthor.
"Ah, the monkey from The Daily Planet has decided to speak up," Lex sneered at the man he vaguely recognised.
"We won't sit idly by while you corrupt everything you touch Lex. What is your real reason for getting into politics? This has never been your style," shouted Clark, looking the billionaire directly in the eyes.
"I have to defend the people of America against threats such as Superman that your poor excuse of a paper decides to promote," Lex replied, getting angry now. This was not how I planned it to go. Lex shifted slightly, never taking his eyes of the bumbling reporter, and fiddled with the sleeves of his shirt.
"In that case, would you like to explain the dangerous and illegal experiments that your labs have been performing in recent months? Or how about the fact that most of the mayoral staff are on your special payroll?" Clark repeatedly accused the candidate, sensing the movement of security guards towards him. "Or the extra deliveries to Luthor Docks that appear unaccounted for in their records? Answer me Luthor!" Clark shot question after question at Lex, who gave no answer but simply watched as the guards reached him and started to drag him away. He remained silent until Clark had been removed from the premise. Clark grew disgusted as he heard the next question being asked by the remaining corrupt reporters- whether Lex preferred spring or winter.
Clark was unceremoniously thrown out of the building and he fell to the ground for effect. His briefcase smacked him in the back of the head as he sat up as it too was chucked out. He was lucky it didn't smash on his Kryptonian skull. Clark hoped that him being removed from the conference didn't reflect badly on his new boss' opinion on him. All the same, he had recognised the true problems that riddled Metropolis. Getting up, he hailed a cab and after climbing in (ensuring to shut his tie in the door for effect) he told the driver to take him back to the Planet. I will change this city. One byline at a time. One save at a time.
xxXxx
Author's Note: I'm so so so sorry this is late! I had the busiest weekend and I didn't have time to do a final edit on this piece which it really needed! Thank you to everyone who has read my story so far and reviewed and favourited it. I am eternally grateful for it, they are my motivation and muse.
I had issues with writing this as I got stuck with how to present Clark and Lexs' first encounter. However, I'm pleased with the outcome and I already have ideas on how this will set up the first meeting between Lois and Clark. The legend truly takes off!
That might not be for a while however, as my exams are coming up thick and fast and I really can't afford to screw them up! So I'm afraid I will be taking a break from posting for a month, which will nearly kill me. I'm so sorry about this, but from that point on I have the whole holidays until September to post as much as I like. There will be many more longer and regular posts from that point onwards!
So thanks again for bearing with me and for reading. Any reviews would be fantastic, good or bad and I hope to see you again on the other side! Cheers!