Chapter 33: Lionel vs. Lex
2006 - Metropolis, Kansas - LuthorCorp
Lionel managed to get himself acquitted through use of his Luthor cockroach abilities; the survivalism of the Luthors is not to be underestimated. Morgan Edge "left evidence" that he recanted his story in a ploy by Lex Luthor to seize control of LuthorCorp from Lionel. The defense was that evidence was fabricated and planted in order to send Lionel to prison to get him out of the way and seize all of his money.
"I don't know how you managed to pin the Queens' murders on the Teagues, how you got away with murdering your parents, or how you managed to get your hands on that $57 million, but you are NOT welcome back at LuthorCorp!" Lex yelled.
"Oh, my son, I'm hurt. I thought you would welcome me back with open arms," Lionel said. "As much as I'd like to let you stay in control, I'm afraid the backing I've received is substantial. The scandal following you is immense. It's really too bad I'll have to take the reins again. Maybe I can let you oversee the plant in Smallville?"
"You will not get control of this company! There's no way you can rally up the support from the board." Lex declared.
"I hate to inform you of this, Lex, but are you entirely sure of that? If you were to perhaps count up the votes, you may be surprised." Lionel declared.
"How did you manage to get the funding? And who did you blackmail? There's no way you achieved this legitimately." Lex questioned.
"Oh no, come now, son. I'm hurt that you think I would need to resort to such thuggery. It's best to leave such practices to the barbarians. Luthors are more sophisticated than that. I'm going to take this company from the darkness and into the light. Lex, I hope you decide to stay on because that plant in Smallville could do wonders for your perception of the world." Lionel declared. "I'll even forgive your lapse in judgement by allowing me to go to prison to further your goals. We can be a family again!" Lionel said in a smug tone.
Lex's face was red with fury as he stormed out promising he would get revenge on whomever allowed this "farce" to take place.
Within the week, Lionel was in charge of LuthorCorp and Lex was sent to Smallville. Lionel took everything from Lex, terminating many of his controversial projects and wrecking years of work.
Not content with seeing this happen. Lex decided to confront Lionel in his office. Kelex has been monitoring the Luthors and notified me that Lex was storming into his office. With my advanced spyware, I had footage on multiple redundant devices and from multiple angles. I deployed drones outside the windows as well to record even more angles of the action. I flew above the LuthorCorp building and listened to the confrontation. I called the police to leave an anonymous tip that Lex Luthor was going to kill his father because he was waving around a gun threateningly and was scaring employees in the building. Police were not far from the building.
The confrontation was finally wrapping up as Lex declared, "I was raised in your shadow. Now, you're gonna die in mine. No one will even remember your name."
Lex pushed Lionel through the window, Lionel had a smile on his face as he descended to the ground almost like he could see this coming. I dove down and grabbed Lionel before he hit the pavement. Cradling Lionel in my arms, one of my drones captured the moment I grabbed Lionel and another drone is recording the moment when I set Lionel down.
In the excitement, I hear the classic, "Is that a bird?" "No, it's a plane!" "No, it's a flying man!" as they saw me swoop down to save Lionel.
Lionel looked shocked and was stammering, "I-I-I thought I was d-dead. Thank you...thank you!"
A crowd began to gather as I hovered in front of Lionel and authoritatively asked, "You're Lionel Luthor, aren't you? How did you fall? It looked like you were pushed from the way you were falling. How did this happen?"
Lionel said, "It was my son, Lex. He pushed me. H-he...he tried to kill me. He was in a rage that I had control of the company again."
I said, "You're 100% sure this was attempted murder and not an accident?"
Lionel said, "There is no doubt Lex tried to kill me. He was waving a gun around and shot at the window to break the glass. His last words to me were 'I was raised in your shadow and now you're gonna die in mine'."
I said, "Mr. Luthor, thank you for your bravery in making your statement. I have friends who are reporters for the Daily Planet. We will let the public know what happened. It looks like the police are here, so they can take your statement. Are you sure you are willing to testify against your own son?"
Lionel must have come to the realization that we were putting on a show for the crowd and the cameras because then he got really dramatic and said, "I didn't know Lex was this lost. For him to go so far as to kill me. How did I raise a son like this? He frames me to go to prison, then when his schemes come to light and I am set free, I didn't even fire him or press charges. He's my son. I love him. But to commit murder over being demoted to the plant in Smallville? It's unforgivable. I even gave him authority over the whole plant. He wouldn't even receive a pay decrease. Most people would kill for a prestigious, well-paying job like that... not kill because they received the job. I think this time he's gone too far. If I have to testify against my son Lex Luthor for his attempted murder, then so be it. It's the only way he will ever be held accountable for his various crimes. The world isn't safe without Lex Luthor behind bars."
Lionel performed beautifully. You could sense the grief coming off him. His impassioned words stirred up the crowd.
Lionel said, "Thank you again for saving me. What is your name, young man?"
I smiled and said, "You can call me Superman."
I start to hover higher and leave, but Lionel yells out, "Wait, Superman! How can I ever repay you? Do you need money? Or anything at all? Name it, it's yours!"
I loudly declare, "The only thing I ask is that you participate in the justice system. It's one of the most beautiful things about America. You can adjudicate any situation. Our legal system and our freedoms are the envy of the whole world. Don't abdicate your responsibility in ensuring justice. Please testify and trust the justice system. What I stand for is truth, justice, and the American way, and I ask you to help me ensure criminals like Lex end up behind bars after being judged by a jury of their peers."
Lionel's smile grows wider as he takes in my performance, "Don't worry. I'm going to the police right now to give my statement. Thank you, Superman."
"All in a day's work," I say cheerfully before I fly off into the sky.
The crowd begins cheering as they see me fly away and they crowd Lionel Luthor as he goes to the police to give his statement.
I head back to Watchtower.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone