Chapter 30: Going After Lex. 

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(Jon's P.O.V) 

-2 hours after Metron-

Smallville nights are supposed to be peaceful. Crickets chirp in the fields, and the hum of the old windmill breaks the silence every so often. Most people would call it serene. I used to, too. But now? It feels suffocating. 

The Phantom Zone projector hums faintly under my bed, its presence a constant reminder of what I have to do. It's a tool, but now after getting it, it feels more like a curse—a burden I can't shake. 

Metron's warnings keep replaying in my mind. His cold voice. The taunts from that Darkseid-inspired version of myself. And worst of all, the truth in their words: Darkseid sees me. 

And Lex Luthor? Even unaware of my scheming, of my burning hostility, of, dare I say it- my obsession, he's become the thread pulling everything apart.

"Jon, Dinner's ready!"

Ma's voice cuts through my thoughts and I do my best to forget the last few hours. 

I don't succeed. 

---

Dinner was…awkward. Mom tried her best to keep things light, talking about the neighbors' crops and how the weather might affect their yield. 

Connor threw in a few comments, doing what he could to ease the tension, Dad and I were responsible for. 

My father sat wooden and uncomfortable, occasionally glancing my way like he wanted to say something. 

And me? I ignored them all, pushing my food around on my plate, my appetite long gone. 

"Jon," Mom said eventually, her voice gentle but firm. She knows me too well. "You've been somewhere else ever since you got back. Care to tell us why?" 

I hesitated, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Just tired. Long week."

Her gaze stayed on me for a moment longer before she let it go, but I knew she didn't believe me. Usually she would push, but instead she nudged Dad with an elbow.

He cleared his throat, mustering up the courage to talk to me. To break the heavy silence that had existed between us for weeks. 

"Got a test coming up. So I'll be in my room studying." I lied and left before he could stop me. 

We'd talk later. When I was done with this whole affair. 

That night, I sat on the edge of my bed, sleepless, staring at the stars through my open window. 

"Darkseid is watching." 

The wind seemed to whisper, echoing in my head like a drumbeat. My fists clenched and I got up. I couldn't wait any longer. 

Sneaking out was easy. Mom and Dad were heavy sleepers(in the latter's case, the farm was the only place he could truly rest, so for the next three hours he was out like a light), and Connor, though sharp, was too tired to notice. Intergang and Metron had exhausted all of us mentally. 

The cool night air hit my face as I soared above the fields, the duffel bag with the Phantom Zone projector clutched under my arm. 

I landed at the edges of our farm, right at the spot where Dad helped me adapt to my powers when they violently awakened. 

My heart ached at the sight of the large boulder that was connected to so many happy memories. We would sit on its flat top and have sandwiches while watching the sunset. 

'Man, that feels like another lifetime ago.'

Making sure I was alone, I pulled out the silver colored projector. It had two handles that connected to a wide barrel with a green lens.

Despite it's sophisticated nature, there were only two buttons, one on each handle. One to send something to the Phantom Zone and one to retrieve it. 

Testing the theory, I pressed one while aiming at the boulder. 

Activating the projector for the first time was…unnerving. 

The air shimmered, and a swirling ominous pale purple portal formed above the boulder. It wasn't large, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine. The void inside seemed to pull at reality. I released the button and the portal swallowed the boulder. 

Pressing the other button brought it back, right where it was a second ago. 

"This'll work," I whispered, shutting it off. 

For two days, I planned and practiced in secret. Every detail of the device became second nature. I made sure I knew how to use it without hesitation. 

I didn't tell anyone—not the team, not Connor, not even Robin, despite his and Barbara's many calls that I ignored. This was my responsibility. 

"This isn't about revenge," I told myself over and over. "It's about protecting everyone. Protecting Connor." 

And to make sure I didn't fail, I also used those two days to come up with contigencies. Which meant making a few phonecalls. One in particular would lead to unfriendly questions from Batman if he ever found out. 

On the night of the third day after getting the weapon I required, it was time to take out my target. 

---

Metropolis never really sleeps. 

The streets below were alive with lights and movement, but up here, above LexCorp Tower, it was eerily quiet. 

I hovered for a moment, heart pounding in my chest. This would've been easier with the team. But I just had to be stubborn. They didn't know him like I did with my meta-knowledge. A larger group opened avenues for him to exploit. A swift execution was better. 

LexCorp Tower loomed before me, its sleek design a testament to Luthor's ego. 

X-ray vision made it easy to scope out the defenses and surveillance. Tight, but not impossible. The highest floor, near the penthouse suite, had a weak spot. 

I descended quickly, cutting through the reinforced glass with thin, precise eye lasers. The plate of glass made no noise as I used my bio-electric aura to grab and hold it adhesively. Tactile Telekinesis was still out of reach but a basic application on something as light as this was doable. 

I placed the glass on the plush carpet as I slipped inside. 

The penthouse was cold and sterile, the hum of the building's systems the only sound. I moved with superspeed through the halls, disarming the few automated defenses before they could go off. Robin would've been proud. 

Finally, I reached the master bedroom, faint snoring emanating from the two heartbeats within. 

The door slid open soundlessly, revealing him. 

Lex Luthor. 

He lay there, sleeping peacefully in his oversized bed with a red haired woman, I recognized as his assistant. Luthor's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. For someone who's ruined so many lives, he looked infuriatingly calm. 

Anger surged through me. 

I unclipped the Phantom Zone projector, gripping it tightly. One click. That's all it would take. 

'No more games. No more threats. For Connor. For Raven. For me...' 

A silent shadow crossed into the room, pulling me out of my focus. 

Before I could react, a strong hand closed around my wrist. 

"Don't," came a familiar voice, low and filled with disappointment. 

My heart sank. 

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. 

"Dad." 

In an instant, he'd whisked us out of the building, the wind rushing past as we soared into the sky. 

We stopped high above the city, the lights of Metropolis glowing faintly below. 

"Let me go!" I growled, yanking my wrist from his grip, and retreating. 

My father's eyes were sharp but filled with something else—hurt. He was dressed as Superman and in his other hand, he held the Phantom Zone projector, keeping it out of my reach. 

"What were you going to do with this, Jon?" 

I glared at him, frustration replacing my surprise. "What you never could. I was going to deal with him. Finally put an end to his evil." 

Dad's expression softened, his voice almost pleading. "Jon, this isn't you. Killing Luthor won't make things better." 

He thought me a killer? I wish I had the courage to cross that final line but not if it meant losing everyone. 

I laughed bitterly. "Killing him? You don't get it, do you? This isn't about killing. It's about making sure he can't hurt anyone ever again. And trust me, the place I have in mind is waaay worse than Death." 

Dad sighed, shaking his head. "There's always another way." 

"Typical Pa. You don't even want to know what you're have in your hand does?"

I motioned at the projector. 

"It's called the Phantom Zone, an inescapable dimension where time stands still. That's the solution you're always looking for, right? With it we can-"

"Jon, that's not how the justice system works, we don't pass judgement."

He...he actually had the nerve to lecture. My mind went blank. 

"Let the League handle Luthor. We have been building a case-"

"The League's way doesn't work!" I shouted, surprising him. "You think the system will stop him? It never has. And it never will." 

"Let's go home," Dad said, his tone calm but firm. "We'll figure this out together." 

I shook my head, my fists clenching. "You don't trust me. That's why you're here. You'd rather protect Luthor than help Conner." 

"That's not true." 

"Yes, it is!" I snapped. "You've always been blind to him. You let him destroy lives because it's easier than doing what's necessary! Even when a solution that satisfies your hypocritical morality is served to you on a silver platter, you'd rather risk the future than see him gone! Why? Because Lex Luthor gives Superman meaning and that's the Truth!" 

The worst part...the worst part is that I knew he knew Luthor had sent Livewire and Metallo after me and Mom a few years ago. And I ended up having to kill them when it was his job to protect us. And a part of me will always hate my father for that. For making me keep that secret.

Dad opened his mouth to respond, but I didn't give him the chance. 

I swung. 

My fist, infused with my light magic, slammed into his chest, sending him hurtling backward. 

He crashed through a row of buildings before landing in a park, the ground cracking beneath him. 

I followed, landing with a force that shook the earth. White Light bled into my bio-aura blazing it into view around me, filling me with more power than I realized I had. More power than the last time we clashed. 

"I won't stop," I said, my voice shaking. "Not until you let me finish this. Give me the projector, Pa, or I'll beat it off you." 

Dad rose slowly, his suit scorched where I'd hit him, but intact. His eyes ran over my form in naked surprise mixed with concern, "Jon, stop. This isn't who you are." 

"You don't know who I am!" I shouted. "Not anymore!" 

We clashed again. My blows were faster, harder, but he didn't hit back. I pummeled him onto the ground, the shockwaves of my fists on his body, splintered the stone path behind us, destroyed the fountain below him, creating a massive crater with us at the center. 

"Son," his voice cracked through a torn lip. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you feel like you had to do this alone. I'm sorry I hurt you. I- I'm sorry about Connor..." 

His words hit harder than any punch. My strikes slowed. 

"I didn't want this," I muttered, tears brimming in my eyes. "Why did you stop me? I can end this...dammit Pa, give me the projector or fight back..." 

"No, you're my s- son, my precious boy" he softly said, staring up at me with a swollen bloody face. "And I couldn't watch you cross a line you can't uncross." 

My hands were painted crimson with his blood. My father's blood. Deja Vu hit me and I was back on that bridge, fighting for my life. Killing for my life. 

"Too late Dad, I alr-"

Before I could finish my statement, the faint hum of engines filled the air, prompting me to look up.

The Batwing descended, its spotlight illuminating us. 

Wonder Woman landed first, lasso in hand. Batman followed, his cape billowing. Martian Manhunter hovered behind them, his gaze unreadable. 

My gaze shifted to Batman. His jaw clenched, body stiff in shock that he was trying to hide. Wow, I must have really caught him off guard. Whatever he was expecting...it certainly wasn't this. 

"Jon," WonderWoman said, her voice calm but hard as granite. She was tense and ready for a fight. "Get away from Superman." 

I looked down at Dad, then at the League. My shoulders slumped. I didn't feel like fighting anymore. 

"You guys always show up late," I muttered bitterly. 

"You're coming in. With us."

Batman finally found his voice, and it was the most serious tone I'd heard from him.