004
- decisions, doubt and death -

KORY AND HAZEL STARED AT EACH OTHER FOR A MOMENT BEFORE DICK'S VOICE ECHOED THROUGH THEIR COMMS, "WERE GOOD, GET OUT OF THERE." Lex walked to his computer and removed the chip, cutting the audio connection between Dick and the suite. Hazel kept her eyes on the window as Kory watched Lex move around. He grabbed another bottle of liquor and fresh glasses.

"I do really wish to speak to you Hazel," Lex repeated.

Kory turned her gaze to Hazel, and she looked back. Hazel gave a small nod and Kory dropped her arms to her sides. "If you're not down in an hour, I'm coming back for you," Kory said before walking to the elevator.

Hazel walked to the telescope, peaking through it making sure the boys had exited the building. "Yamazaki, 55-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky. Sent by a dear friend in Japan," Lex explained as he walked to Hazel's side, handing her the glass. He glanced down the hall way Kory wandered off to and took a small breath, "They seem to trust you by yourself,"

"I'm dangerous," Hazel shrugged, turning to face Lex.

Lex chuckled, "I'm very well aware Hazel."

Hazel smiled, nodding softly. She sipped the whiskey, spinning the glass in her hand, "Why do you really want to speak with me, Mr Luther?"

Lex sipped from his drink. "I suspect you empathise with Conner? The absence of a parent is harsh. Having one die in front of you, I can't imagine that pain."

Hazel chuckled softly. "I didn't know you could feel emotional pain," Hazel joked before taking a deep breath. "I suppose you want me to relay this information to Conner, you want him to stay here a few months, you want an answer soon."

"Six months and an answer by tonight," Lex confirmed.

"Any person with a brain could have guessed that," Hazel commented. "And you could have informed Korriand'r or Richard with this information, so why am I. . . here?"

"I know what you did to you Scarecrow," Lex started, starting to walk back towards the dining table. Hazel's eyes narrowed as she watched him, but she never took a step closer. "Word travels fast. I also know what happened to the disaster that was my CADMUS operation. Very little survived your attack."

Hazel nodded, and sipped the drink "Well it was your operation, I was well aware you knew that," Hazel confirmed. "So what? You want revenge? Retaliation? Recruitment?"

"A contract," Luther cut in. "When Conner agrees to my offer-"

"If," Hazel snapped quickly. "If, Mr Luthor."

Lex chuckled, "If Conner agrees, I would like you to return with him. I have an offer for you, a contract of sorts. I hope you will listen, then whether you agree or not is up to you." They stopped at the table once again. Hazel downed the drink and set it upside down on the table.

"You want father-son bonding with a Super and a business contract with a demi-god?" Hazel repeated and Lex nodded. "I'll inform Conner of your offer, but don't have high hopes of agreement for either of us."

"Mr Luthor," A man called, and they turned towards him. "The Spaghetti Puttanesca." Hazel glanced at Luthor a moment longer before walking towards the hall, snatching the sealed container of pasta.

Daily Planet Archives

The group crowded around Louis's small computer screen, Gar and Terran leaning close to the monitor as Conner quickly read through the files yet to be digitised. "Here you go. The Luthor Foundation," Louis spoke up, catching the three's attention.

"Just announced 18 months ago, Luthor Foundation recently broke ground on a dozen hospitals and schools," Gar read from the screens.

"Scholarships, research grants, charities all over the world," Conner continued, stepping up beside Gar. "Funded at over a billion dollars. He seems serious."

"There's one thing I know about Lex. He's always serious," Louis nodded, loading up the next article.

Terran looked back, intending to grab a file but she paused as she noticed a person missing. "Where's Rachel?" Terran asked, looking up at Gar. Gar gave a glance around the space before Terran raced off. "Rachel?" Terran called, looking down at the seemingly endless aisles of sorted boxes. "Roth? Demon witch?"

Finally, Terran spotted the girl, crouched in the middle of the hall. Terran raced to her and grabbed her shoulder. "Rachel?" As soon as her hand touched Rachel's shoulder, she jumped up panting before pressing herself against the shelves. Terran kept her hand on Rachel's arm, her eyebrows creasing in concern. "You alright? What are you doing?"

Rachel took a deep breath and shook her head. "I don't know," Rachel admitted, spinning the silver ring on her finger. "Terran, I think something terrible is about to happen."

"Of course, it is," Terran said with a long breath. "Did you see something?"

Rachel wound her hands together, her eyes bouncing around the shelfs. "A box. But it was full of blood." Rachel met Terran's eyes, "I need to get out of here. We should not have come back to Metropolis."

"Okay, agreed," Terran muttered. Rachel turned, walking down the aisle. Terran quickly caught up to her, looping her arm through hers, the pair trying to weave their way back through the aisles.

Hazel walked between Dick and Kory through the halls of the Daily Planet, a boy directing them to Louis's office. They walked through the doors just as Conner began to read through another article. "Even bigger question," Conner started, "Why does Luthor suddenly have a charitable foundation, anyway?"

"Because he's dying," Dick said, making Conner's head snap up to look at the three. Gar furrowed his eyebrows as he glanced around.

"What?"

"Lex Luthor has six months to live," Kory added.

Conner looked at Dick then to Hazel, "What are you talking about?"

"Lex wants you to stay with him and learn how to run LexCorp in his last couple of months," Hazel relayed.

"How do you know all this?" Conner questioned.

"Oh, I let one of these loose in his penthouse," Kory explained, displaying the small chip.

"It's a superbug from WayneTech," Dick went on, holding his hand out for Kory to drop it in. "It hacked into Lex's files and revealed multiple visits to medical clinics all around the world."

Kory's eyes drifted to the computer and pointed to the thin man in a suit. "This guy right here, his name is Arthur Holmwood. He's the world's leading expert in kryptonite poisoning," Kory explained, watching Conner sink further into confusion. "Luthor was diagnosed two years ago. And there's no cure."

"This changes things," Conner said in a low voice.

"It does. He asked Hazel to meet with him, have a contract in place," Dick started and Gar's head snapped up. "We think Lex wants to use you both as a way of saving himself."

"Holmwood created a theory," Kory continued. "It's called, um, radical mass transfusions." Louis quickly searched through the archives, finding Holmwood's research paper. "It's blood, organs, everything."

"You're the closest living genetic match," Dick stated. "Your body's obviously stronger than his. There might be a way he can use it to fight his disease."

"Okay. Uh. . . a blood transfusion," Conner mumbled. "People get those all the time, right? If that's all he's asking."

"Conner. You can't be serious," Kory snapped.

Conner looked between them all once again. "Can we talk?" Dick asked with a breath. Conner nodded and the two stepped away.

"You're not seriously gonna go? Are you?" Gar questioned, making Hazel turn her head towards him.

"She's not," Kory said with confidence.

Hazel sighed through her nose and scratched the back of her neck, "If Conner goes-"

"No, Hazel," Kory argued and Gar's eyes dropped.

"I don't fucking like it either Kory, but if Conner goes, I don't want him to be alone," Hazel countered, gesturing off to whenever he walked to. "Lex is dangerous and Conner needs good people around him."

"But what about us?" Gar questioned, pushing himself up. "Terran, Cole, Rachel. . . Me?" Hazel let her head drop as her stomach flipped.

"I'm- I mean," Hazel stammered as she looked at Gar. "I wouldn't be gone forever." Gar scoffed, pushing himself off the desk, turning for an aisle. "Gar, wait. Gar!" Gar disappeared down an aisle and Hazel dropped her head, her fingers tugging at the roots of her hair.

Dick and Conner walked back to Kory, Dick looking far more concerned than he did when he first walked away with Conner. "I'm going to talk to him," Conner said with a nod and Kory took a deep breath, her hands rubbing her collar bones. Conner turned his eyes to Hazel, "You don't have to agree- Or even listen to him, but I wanted to ask if you'd come with me Haze."

Kory had already started to argue against the idea, but Hazel looked at Conner and nodded. "I'll come with you."

They walked back t0 the RV; Tim, Rachel, Cole and Terran were already waiting there, Gar still missing. "Aye!" Tim called, smiling at Hazel. "How was actually talking to Lex Luthor?"

Terran noticed Hazel's shifting eyes and sighed. "What is it?"

Rachel looked between them all, "What happened?"

"Conner, can you go find Gar?" Dick asked and Conner nodded, turning away.

"I need to talk to you," Hazel said, motioning for Terran and Cole to follow her. Terran unwound herself from Rachel's arm and walked to Hazel who stood on the side of the street. Cole crossed his arms, trying his hardest to keep calm but his body was consumed with anxiety. "Conner and I are going to speak with Lex."

Terran couldn't help by scoff, almost cackling at Hazel as Cole groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What?"

"He wants to pass his knowledge onto Conner," Hazel said.

"What does that have to do with you?" Cole asked.

"He's dying." Cole cursed, pressing the heel of his palm against his face. "I'm thinking he wants me to heal him once we're done."

"What's the catch?" Terran questioned.

"He wants me to sign a 6-month contract-"

"Oh fuck me Hazel," Cole cursed, starting to pace.

Terran's jaw dropped, "Six months?!"

Hazel shrugged softly, "I know it sounds bad."

Cole shook his head, "The last time you crossed lines with Lex Luthor, Gar got his skull cut off, Conner turned into a walking weapon, and you got experimented on."

"Yeah, I'm aware of that Cole," Hazel sighed.

Cole suddenly stopped; his face completely serious. "After Micheal. . . and Mercy." Hazel hung her head, gnawing on her lips.

"Okay, we're in agreement, this is a fucking terrible idea!" Terran shouted. "You and Conner are staying put."

Hazel took a long breath and straightened. "Conner needs this, and he needs someone with him. And if it's me, it's me."

"Hazel-"

"Do not argue with me Cole," Hazel snapped.

He scoffed at that, "Sorry but you're an idiot." Cole simply shrugged and turned, walking back to the RV. Rachel stepped aside as Cole rushed up the small step, slamming the door behind him. Tim jumped up quickly, chasing after him.

Terran shook her head. "Your decision and all, but I think you're being stupid."

Hazel huffed, "I know that-"

"So why do it?" Terran sighed and turned, following Cole's steps back to the RV.

Hazel dragged her hand down her face. She could feel the light charging in her body, red lights already sparking at her fingers. She sucked in a deep breath, willed the light away and walked back to the RV.

❁

THE COLD NIGHT CHILLED TERRAN'S SKIN, HER HAIR AND JACKET FLAPPING IN THE WIND. She stood shoulder to shoulder with Cole, watching Conner and Hazel walk through the doors of Lex's tower. It's like something had shifted in their very cores. The past few days, with the three of them finally being together felt incredible, every possible negative or painful thing that could happen felt like nothing. Now as they watched Hazel disappear into the tower it felt like hell had rained down on them, drowning them in a sorrow they couldn't comprehend.

"Guys," Kory called softly, opening the door to the RV. "Come on."

Conner and Hazel stood in the elevator, their shoulders nearly touching. Hazel gnawed at her lips, splitting the skin open, the nervousness and uncertainty running up her spine. "Thanks for coming with me," Conner spoke up as he watched the elevator floor numbers rise.

"I wasn't gonna leave you alone Conner," Hazel said, her eyes watching the steel doors.

Conner smiled softly. "Do you ever want to meet your dad?" Conner asked, his eyes moving down to look at Hazel. Hazel shrugged, her mind not coming up with an answer. "What if your dad wanted to meet you?"

Hazel took a breath and glanced up at Conner. "I guess it depends on Cole and Terran," Hazel started. "If it was just me. . . probably not. But if the others wanted to, sure. I know Terran wants to. . ."

Conner nodded and their eyes snapped forward as the bell to the elevator dinged. Conner took a deep breath and they stepped from the elevator. Conner paused to glance at the remnants of vines that Hazel had left earlier that day. "Come on Con, you can do this," Hazel encouraged.

"Can you introduce me?" Conner whispered, his nerves rising to the surface. "And stay with me?"

"Of course," Hazel nodded, and they walked side by side to the end of the hall. Lex stood in front of the large glass windows, staring out over the city, spinning a wine glass in his hand. "Mr Luthor," Hazel called, slotting her hands in the pockets of her jacket. Lex turned and surveyed the pair.

"Hazel, what a joy to see you again," Lex smiled as he held a glass out to Hazel. "Did you enjoy the Spaghetti Puttanesca?"

"I did, actually." Hazel stepped forward taking the glass. She turned back, motioning to Conner. "Mr Luthor, this is Conner Kent."

Lex walked towards Conner, stopping a few metres before him. Lex's eyes wandered over Conner, taking in the look of the boy. "You took his name," Lex concluded, watching Conner. "I understand you came to Metropolis at his invitation. So? How was it? Meeting the great Man of Steel?"

Conner took a breath and tilted his chin up slightly. "I didn't meet him," Conner said softly. "He was away."

"Oh. That must have been devastating for you," Lex said softly. "Well, I hope I'm not too much of a disappointment. And I suppose you're probably wondering exactly why-"

"We know you're dying," Hazel cut in, skipping the formalities.

She leant against the table as Conner took a small step forward. "I really don't care why you invited me here," Conner agreed. "I'm here because of what I want."

Lex nodded softly, "Putting your own desires first. Like father, like son."

"I want you to know that I don't consider you my father," Conner said calmly.

"I see."

"Are you dying?" Conner asked.

"Perhaps," Lex confirmed.

"Were you hoping to use me for a cure?" Conner asked before looking over his shoulder at Hazel. "Use us."

Lex clicked his fingers in agreement. "Splendid idea," Lex hummed. "I already tried." Lex moved to sit on one of the leather couches and Conner followed. "I have an ample supply of the genetic material it took to create you." Lex paused and his eyes moved to Hazel. "No matter the unexpected hiccups." Hazel raised her glass slightly before sipping it. Conner looked over his shoulder with a confused look, but Hazel waved him down. "It follows that a treatment might be found there," Lex continued and Conner turned his attention back. "Didn't work. However, I do owe you an apology."

Conner furrowed his eyebrows slightly, "For what?"

"For creating you in my image," Lex explained. He sunk further into the chair, his words holding an odd sincerity. "If people found out, they would see you as partly me. Well, they love you now. But all it would take is one mistake. And then they will see you differently."

Conner shook his head, "I don't have to listen to this."

Conner turned but Lex called to him, "No, you don't. But you should. Because I'm the only person in the world who can truly understand you. The only one who will never judge you for being what you are."

Hazel chuckled softly and they looked up at her. "You created him but you do not define him," Hazel hissed. Hazel stood and walked to Conner's side, dropping her voice to a whisper, "Conner we can leave if you want."

Conner looked at Lex before moving his eyes to Hazel, "Let me hear him out," Conner whispered. "Why did you create me?" Conner questioned, his voice rising slightly.

"Am I to assume that your decision on whether or not to stay rests on my answer to this question?" Lex questioned, looking down at his glass of liquor. Conner stayed silent and Lex sighed. "Very well." Lex motioned to the seat in front of him.

Conner glanced back at Hazel. "It's your decision Conner," Hazel whispered. "Whatever you decide. . . I'm with you." Conner turned and made his way to the couches, sitting across from Lex. Haze stayed closer to the exit, watching the pair closely.

"I created you for one reason," Lex started. "To see my dream of becoming Superman come true. Please understand, I realised many years ago that I, myself, could never become Superman, so I went about achieving my personal dream the way men have since the beginning of humanity. I had a son. My dream was that my child would succeed where I had not. To be both man and Superman." Lex paused and looked up to meet Conner's eyes. "Did I succeed?"

Conner shrugged slightly, "Maybe you should tell me."

"I see what Superman has given you," Lex nodded. "So does the world. You show them with your actions every day. But what I have given you expresses itself more subtly." Conner removed his arms from the chair and glanced down at his hands. "And I admit, it is pride and self-regard, and what I'm sure the television psychologists would call narcissism that has driven me to want this meeting. To want my time with you. To give you some part of myself and not just my DNA, but my real actual thoughts. My thesis." Lex stood and placed his glass on the table between them. "Conner. I don't want you to become me," Lex concluded. "I've already done that. What I want is for you with all your gifts to know me. And with that knowledge, choose for yourself, what and who you will be."

Conner took a deep breath before glancing over her shoulder at Hazel. "Why is Hazel here?"

"Besides letting Miss Hazel drain me of all my good liquor," Lex said with a side eye at the young girl. "She is more similar to you than you might think. I know you care for each other and in this journey, you will need someone by your side. And if, if, at the end of this passing of the torch-"

"You want me to heal you," Hazel finished.

"While yes, that would be quite splendid. I have a way to contact your father," Lex corrected and Hazel straightened. Conner looked back at Hazel as she stepped closer, stopping by Conner's side. "It will take time, hence the time limit." Conner met Hazel's eyes and she nodded. "Now I've answered your questions, please allow me the only one I have. Will you stay?"

Conner lent forward before looking back at Hazel once more. She stayed silent, letting Conner have a final say on the decision. Conner turned back and nodded. "Yes," Conner spoke up. "We will."

Lex smiled softly and nodded. "Excellent," Lex smiled and turned to walk to his desk. "I have something I wanna share with you. A project I've been working on. The reason why death may no longer be the foe I once thought it to be." Conner glanced back at Hazel with weary eyes but neither moved. "But there's problems. My partners may have even darker ideas than I do. I may need your help."

Lex stayed silent for a few more moments as he searched through diaries and paper before he let out a guttural gurgle. "Mr Luthor?" Conner called. Lex started to cough harshly, and Conner stood from his seat. His coughs doubled over but Lex held his hand out, stopping Conner's movements. "Are you okay?"

Conner glanced back and Hazel walked closer. "Lex, are you alright?" Hazel questioned. Lex swayed on his feet for a moment before collapsing to his knees. He pressed his hand to his chest before falling on to his hands, vomiting black blood from deep in his stomach and throat. Conner rushed forward and pressed his hands on his back.

"Lex! Lex!" Conner called. "Hazel help!"

Hazel rushed to his side, her hand pressing to the pulse point. "I don't know what's wrong!" Hazel shouted back her eyes glowing as she scanned for any injuries. Lex gurgled and gargled as more red and black blood spilled from his mouth. Lex groaned and a large black snake started to slide out from his throat, hissing as it pushed against his bones and muscles. "What the fuck?" Hazel cursed, sliding back slightly.

The snake continued to push through Lex's body, Conner and Hazel frozen in fear as Lex collapsed onto his side. The snake freed itself from Lex's body, sliding through the pools of blood gathering under his body. The snake ignored Hazel, instead focussing its attention on Conner, rearing its head back, hissing and snapping at Conner. Conner's jaw clenched in anger, and he grabbed the bloody snake as it snapped at him. Conner yelled, blasting the beast with hot red lasers, turning it to ash.

They froze for a moment before Haze quickly shuffled towards Lex, staining her skin and clothes with blood trying to find a trace of life. Conner knelt beside her, his breath short and ragged, "Haze' what's-?"

"I don't know Conner!" Hazel snapped, her hands shaking. "I don't know how to heal him. I don't know what's happening."

All the while, in the quiet RV Rachel had begun to scream, kicking her legs as pain and power moved through her body. Terran and Tim tried to hold her in place, trying to stop her erratic movements. Dick slammed his foot on the brakes, he and Kory jumping from their seats, running towards Rachel. Dick called her name and she stopped, slumping back in her seat, but neither Tim nor Terran released her arms. She took a shallow breath and looked around at everyone.

"What happened?" Rachel asked. Terran moved her hand up and traced it along her back. "Te?"

Conner rolled Lex over and Hazel reeled her hands back, her skin still dripping blood. "Lex," Conner called, shaking his shoulder. "Haze, please." Hazel stuttered, her hands still shaking.

The sounds of rushing footsteps made them freeze. Dozens of soldiers raced into the room, their guns raised at the two. "Down! Down! Now! Show me your hands!" One ordered. "I said show me your hands!" Conner slowly raised his hands, his skin stained red. "Watch his eyes." Hazel raised her hands, her eyes darting between Conner and the soldiers.

One pressed his hands to the radio, muttering a number and then Hazel's name, "Bring in the collar," He muttered.

"What?" Conner and Hazel said at once.

A second set of men walked in. A black collar was connected to a long rod, the end already sparking with electricity. "No. No. No," Conner rambled, his anger quickly replaced with worry. "Hold on! Wait! She didn't do anything wrong!"

A man pushed Conner down by his shoulder, pinning him to the ground with his knee, "Stay quiet!"

One man moved closer and pulled Hazel's hair back and a second held the rod out, the collar close to her neck. The first man clicked it around Hazel's neck and Hazel immediately collapsed onto her hands. Pain raced through her like hot knives: relentless and all consuming.

All the strength left her bones and she collapsed onto her elbows, fighting to stay conscious.

- rapture -