Chapter 9: The Rise of the Kents (Part 2)

LuthorCorp Headquarters, Metropolis - Lionel's Office

Lionel Luthor sat at his expansive desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood as he reviewed the latest reports from Smallville. His eyes narrowed as he read through the detailed account of the Kents' unexpected success. The family farm, which should have been teetering on the brink of collapse, was instead thriving—producing yields that defied explanation. This wasn't just a minor setback; it was a direct threat to Lionel's carefully laid plans.

For years, Lionel had been orchestrating a quiet but ruthless campaign to acquire as much farmland around Smallville as possible. The goal was simple: drive the farmers into financial ruin, buy up their lands for a pittance, and then develop the area into a lucrative enterprise. He had used every trick in the book—tampering with seeds, manipulating market prices, and even resorting to subtle sabotage. Everything had been progressing smoothly until now.

The Kents were proving to be more resilient than Lionel had anticipated. Their farm's sudden surge in productivity wasn't just a stroke of luck; it was as if they had access to resources far beyond what any small-town farm should possess. And Lionel had no intention of letting this anomaly derail his plans.

He leaned back in his chair, the cold gleam of calculation in his eyes. "We'll have to apply more pressure," he murmured to himself. "If the Kents won't fold under the current conditions, then we'll simply have to tighten the noose."

Lionel reached for the phone on his desk, intending to contact his operatives in Smallville. He planned to escalate his efforts—perhaps a fire, an accident on the farm, or a sudden, inexplicable infestation that would devastate their crops. He had used these methods before, and they had always yielded results. The Kents would be no different.

But just as he began dialing, the door to his office burst open.

Lionel looked up, his expression darkening as a group of stern-faced men in dark suits strode in, led by a man who held up a badge identifying him as part of the Special Crimes Enforcement Bureau (SCEB)—a highly secretive and powerful branch of law enforcement that dealt with the most dangerous and high-profile criminals.

"Mr. Luthor," the lead officer said, his voice cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. "I'm Agent Ross, and we have a warrant for your arrest."

For a moment, Lionel's mind went blank. Arrest? This couldn't be happening. He was Lionel Luthor, untouchable, the man who pulled the strings of Metropolis from the shadows. But the cold, unyielding expression on Agent Ross's face told him that this was no joke.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lionel demanded, rising from his chair, his voice a mixture of anger and incredulity. "On what grounds?"

Agent Ross didn't flinch. He stepped forward, holding up a thick folder. "We have conclusive evidence linking you to the murders of Robert and Laura Queen in 1989, as well as a litany of other crimes—embezzlement, bribery, extortion, and more. You've been under investigation for a long time, Mr. Luthor, and we now have the proof we need."

Lionel's mind raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief and fury. How had they found this evidence? He had covered his tracks meticulously, ensuring that nothing could ever be traced back to him. And yet, here they were, with enough proof to bring down everything he had built.

Lionel clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm as his mind raced for a way out. "This is a setup," he growled, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage. "Who's orchestrating this? Who brought this so-called evidence?"

Agent Ross remained unshaken. "That's not for me to say, Mr. Luthor. The truth will come out in court. But for now, you're coming with us."

Before Lionel could protest, the agents moved in with practiced precision, securing his hands behind his back with cold, unforgiving handcuffs. The click of the metal echoed in the room, a sound that Lionel knew would haunt him.

As they began to lead him out of the office, Lionel cast a final glance at the reports on his desk, the details of Smallville's unexpected prosperity mocking him in their clarity. The Kents had not only defied him—they had bested him. But Lionel Luthor was not a man to go down quietly. As he was escorted through the halls of LuthorCorp, his mind was already plotting his next move, searching for a way to regain control and exact his revenge.

Whoever had orchestrated this would pay dearly, Lionel vowed silently. They had made a powerful enemy, and he would ensure that they regretted ever crossing him.

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Boarding School Dormitory - Lex and Oliver's Room

The television in Lex and Oliver's shared dorm room flickered to life, casting a pale glow across the room. The boys had just finished a late study session when the familiar voice of a news anchor broke through the silence.

"We interrupt your regular programming with breaking news from Metropolis. Lionel Luthor, CEO of LuthorCorp, has been arrested on charges of murder, embezzlement, and other serious crimes."

Both boys turned toward the screen, their eyes widening as the camera panned to Lionel being led out of LuthorCorp headquarters in handcuffs, surrounded by stern-faced agents from the Special Crimes Enforcement Bureau.

17-year-old Oliver Queen, who had been lounging on his bed, shot up, his heart pounding in his chest. "What the hell?" he muttered, his voice tinged with shock and disbelief. As the news anchor continued, detailing the accusations against Lionel, including his involvement in the deaths of Robert and Laura Queen, Oliver felt a cold wave of fury wash over him.

"No… no way…" Oliver whispered, his hands clenching into fists. He had known Lionel Luthor was ruthless, but this? To be responsible for the death of his parents? The betrayal hit him like a ton of bricks. All the respect, the grudging admiration he had once felt for the man evaporated in an instant, replaced by a burning hatred. "That son of a—" Oliver's voice broke, his throat tight with emotion. He slammed his fist against the bedpost, trying to contain the rage that threatened to explode.

Lex Luthor, who had been sitting at his desk, his usual calm demeanor shattered, stared at the screen in disbelief. His father, the man who had always been larger than life, was being paraded in front of the world as a criminal. The truth about the Queens' death was a shock, but for Lex, it was more than that—it was a glimpse into the darkness that he had always known lurked beneath the surface but had never fully acknowledged.

"Oliver…" Lex began, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. He knew how much Oliver's parents meant to him, how their deaths had shaped his best friend into the person he was today. But what could he say? His own father had orchestrated their murder. Lex felt a wave of nausea as the implications of that reality settled in.

"What?" Oliver snapped, his eyes blazing as he turned on Lex. "What could you possibly say right now, Lex? Your father—your father—killed my parents! And who knows what else he's done?"

Lex flinched at the accusation, guilt gnawing at him. "I didn't know, Oliver. I swear, I didn't know…"

"Didn't you?" Oliver's voice was low, filled with bitterness. "You've always known what kind of man he is. We both have. You just didn't want to see it."

Lex's face paled, the truth of Oliver's words cutting deep. He had always tried to separate himself from his father, to believe that he could be different, better. But now, as the reality of Lionel's actions came crashing down on him, Lex couldn't help but wonder if he was fooling himself. Was he destined to follow in his father's footsteps, to become just as corrupt, just as monstrous?

"I'm not him," Lex whispered to himself, more as a reassurance than anything else. But the doubt had already taken root.

The news anchor continued, listing the numerous other crimes Lionel was being charged with, but neither boy was really listening anymore. Oliver was too consumed by his anger and grief, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and justice. Lex, on the other hand, was spiraling into a dark place, fear and anxiety gnawing at him as he questioned everything about his own future.

"I'm going to make sure he pays," Oliver growled, more to himself than to Lex. He stood up, pacing the room like a caged animal, his mind already plotting his next move. "I don't care what it takes—I'll destroy everything Lionel Luthor has built."

Lex swallowed hard, his mouth dry as he watched his friend unravel. He wanted to say something, to offer some sort of comfort, but he couldn't find the words. The truth was, Lex wasn't sure what his future held anymore. With Lionel's arrest, everything he knew was crumbling around him, and the path forward seemed more uncertain—and more dangerous—than ever before.

As the news report continued, the room fell into a tense, heavy silence. Two boys, both heirs to powerful legacies, stood at a crossroads. For Oliver, it was a call to arms, a push to take on the man who had stolen everything from him. For Lex, it was a stark reminder of the darkness that could easily consume him if he wasn't careful.

The road ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain: nothing would ever be the same again.

---

Kent Farm, Smallville

Back in Smallville, Clark Kent sat on the living room couch, casually flipping through channels on the television. When the news flashed across the screen that Lionel Luthor had been arrested for murder and numerous other crimes, a small, satisfied grin spread across Clark's face.

"Looks like it all went according to plan," he said quietly to himself, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of seeing his hard work pay off.

Homelander's voice echoed through the small communicator Clark wore in his ear.

[The evidence was delivered flawlessly, Clark. The Special Crimes Enforcement Bureau acted swiftly upon receiving the data.]

Clark leaned back, his mind briefly drifting to the many simulations he had run over the past months. Each one had revealed that Lionel Luthor was the biggest obstacle to the success of the Kents' agricultural empire. The decision had been clear: remove Lionel from the equation, and the rest would fall into place.

He also knew this moment would be a turning point for both Oliver and Lex, altering the courses of their lives in ways they couldn't yet comprehend.

For Oliver, the truth about his parents' death would ignite a fire within him—a burning desire for justice that would drive him to become the hero the world needed. Clark saw how this pain would fuel Oliver's determination, pushing him to rise above his grief and channel his anger into something greater, something noble. But he also knew the path would be fraught with challenges, and that Oliver's fury might lead him down a darker road if he wasn't careful.

Lex, on the other hand, was more of a mystery. The simulations had shown Clark the potential for greatness in Lex, but also the shadow of his father looming over him. With Lionel out of the picture, Lex would be thrust into a position of power he wasn't fully prepared for. The choices he would make in the coming days could either solidify his resolve to be different from his father or push him further into the abyss of his own insecurities and ambitions. Clark worried about the latter, knowing how easily Lex could be swayed by the darker impulses that Lionel had nurtured in him. The simulations had shown both possibilities, and now, more than ever, Clark understood how crucial this moment was for Lex's future.

 But this was all part of the plan—a necessary step to protect Smallville and to prevent Lionel from interfering with the Kents' own plans.

"This is just the first step," Clark murmured, more to himself than to Homelander. "With Lionel out of the way, we can focus on building the business without interference. As for Veritas… that can wait. One thing at a time."

On the television, the news anchor detailed Lionel's many crimes, and Clark's smile widened ever so slightly. The world had no idea that it was an eleven-year-old boy—albeit one with powers and resources beyond their comprehension—who had brought down one of the most powerful men in Metropolis. But that was just how Clark preferred it. The less attention he drew to himself, the better.

As the news segment continued, Clark turned off the TV and stood up, stretching his arms. There was still much to do, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of quiet triumph. Lionel Luthor had been a formidable opponent, but in the end, he was no match for the combined intellect of Clark Kent and his AI.

"Let's get back to work," Clark said, heading toward the door. "There's an empire to build."

With Lionel Luthor in custody, the path was now clear for the Kents to pursue their vision of a thriving agricultural business empire. But Clark knew that this victory was just one of many steps on his journey to securing a future for his family—and for the world.

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