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Kicking open the access door to the roof, not caring that the kick nearly folds the door and forces it off it's hinges, Konner let's out an angry, anguished scream. One that echoes and causes the few pigeons perched on the skyscraper's edges to fly off in a fury of feathered flutters.
His chest heaving, Konner's breath is ragged as he stares out over the city, his ears picking up so many annoying sounds down below. The honking of cars, the music flowing out of the shops and restaurants, people talking and laughing. Everyone down there going about their day while completely unaware of just how lucky they are to get to be out there.
Konner's furrowed brows and his mouth twisting into an almost snarl as he let's out another yell remembering what Lex has told him.
"No. You're not ready" "You've still got more training" "You go where I tell you, Konner" "Do not leave this building"
"IT'S NOT FAIR!"
Kicking a poor innocent air vent, Konner put's his foot through the metal siding of it like it's paper. His eyes giving a flash of red as he rips his foot out, his shoulders dropping as he looks down at the cityscape below him again.
"You're not to step one foot outside of this building"
Shutting his eyes tightly, pulling back any tears that dare spill over the edge, Konner floats to seat himself on the edge of the building. His legs dangling over as he sits, the heels of his shoes tapping against the dark metal/glass of the tower.
This damn tower...he was born here, he's been raised and trained here, at this point Konner is pretty sure he'll die here...
"It's not fair..." He's begged Lex and Slade to let him leave the tower, he does almost everything he's been asked in hopes of maybe catching a break over this lockdown treatment.
"Konner you can't leave. Konner it's too risky. You're not ready" Repeating what he's been told in a mocking voice, Konner angrily rolls his eyes as he kicks his feet.
"Don't you take one step out-" Stopping mid mock, Konner has a sudden epiphany. "I can't take a step...if..."
Trailing off, almost afraid that if he finishes the thought he'll get caught before he's even done anything. Konner lifts himself off the edge, floating away with eyes widening as he creates distance between himself and the building. He's only about 12 feet from the edge, it's the furthest he's been from the tower without Slade or Lex right beside him.
It's in this moment, this one act of defiance, that Konner realizes a world he's just unlocked. Looking out, bright blue eyes brimming with excitement and longing, he has a choice to make...
Forgiveness or Permission?
Giving only a quick glance back towards the tower, a smirk slowly crawls it's way onto Konner's face before he turns his attention back to the city. A city that is woefully unprepared for who it's about to meet.
Konner kicks himself off of nothing, rushing towards a higher vantage point in the sky. The wind running through his hair, his breath nearly taken away at the sudden drop in pressure as he flies higher. Laughing happily at the new found freedom, Konner kicks his legs up and over his head doing a flip, twisting and turning his body just happy to have this freedom of movement.
Flying straight up only to cut his powers, Konner throws his body into a freefloat and then into a freefall. His back towards the ground as he descends rapidly, his eyes closed as he falls.
In any other person's moment of pure terror, Konner simply feels at peace.
His body heating as he reaches maximum velocity, the air whistling so loudly as he nears the ground, Konner's eyes opening with a wild sense of amusement.
Just mere seconds before impact, Konner kicks his legs under him and forces his body parallel with the ground as he flies. Dodging cars, people, light posts and street signs, he knows he should be more careful right now but he can't bring himself to stop... but he will take it elsewhere.
Stopping so abruptly that a whoosh of air kicks up dust and dirt continues passed him, Konner makes a sharp turn to head towards the outermost parts of the city, rushing out of town. What would take a 45 minuet long drive takes just a matter of minuets before he's more in the open. Free to fly with near reckless abandon.
"WHOOOO-HOOOO" Diving back towards ground, slowing his speed, Konner kicks his legs back under him and drops to the ground running. Dirt and smaller rocks flinging back from his steps, slower than in flight but still with breakneck speeds. Laughing happily at his freedom, Konner launches himself into the air. Twisting his body around only to land on the ground, small craters from where he lands as he continues running.
With each jump his distance grows and the craters become larger in the dirt as he lands. With a glint in his eyes Konner halts his improvised game, taking just a few steps before he launches himself back into the air from the ground.
Far more impactful than he meant it to be, a gust of air and a sedan sized crater quickly broken into the ground from his kick off. Increasing his speed drastically, a sonic boom rings out through the air as he flies higher.
Soaring into the sky, Konner closes his eyes as he feels the sunlight on his skin. A soothing wave of familiarity somehow washing over him as he spreads his arms outwards and lazily corkscrews through the air.
Flying through a cloud, his fingers cut through and dissipate parts of it while water droplets form and hang on his sunglasses.The wind tousling his hair, Konner stops in the air to take in the sight.
This serene moment cut short when he hears something fast approaching his held position. No...Not something. Someone.
Turning in the air, Konner's eyes widen as he sees someone draped in blue and red fast approaching him.
A few minuets prior...Lex and Slade are arguing in an all black SUV as Slade takes a corner sharply.
"What do you mean you've lost visual?!" "I mean there's no more visual indicator of his direction!!" "You said you had a tracker on him!"
Slamming on his breaks as they nearly collided with a car stopped at the light infront of them, Slade angrily turns to Lex who swears at him from the jolt. "Where is he?!" "I'm trying to figure it out! The tracker on him is giving me a more general area! I'm trying to pinpoint him using security cameras and social media!"
"So he made a scene?! There goes our discretion..." "Please, it's hardly a scene. You can't even tell what it is! We only can because we know it's Konner..." Lex swears under his breath as he types away, the concern and anger plastered all over his face.
Slade and Lex go back and forth for a minuet, the traffic light taking far longer than normal, only for the vehicle to be rocked by a sudden gust of wind and dirt swirling around the street. Both looking out the passenger window, seeing that unmistakable flash of black and blue flying away from them.
"Wilson" "Yep"
That's all it takes for Slade to switch a button on the dash to drop down a blackout cover of both plates on the car and for him to hop the curb, briefly driving on the sidewalk to cut the light. Speeding down the street heading towards the highway out of town, Lex leans forward trying to keep his eyes on Konner who is soon out of sight.
"Fuck..." Slade whispers as they speed out of town. How there's no cops involved, no idea but let's just say they got really lucky here. Punching it, Slade takes a sharp offshoot from highway to get onto a smaller road leading towards a more wooded/secluded area parting from the main road.
"Why this way!? Konner's direction is taking us straight from the highway, we should've stayed on the interstate!" "Yeah but it's nearly rush hour, there's cops and I cant do this on the freeway!" Cutting hard onto a dirt road, Slade roughly shoves Lex back in his seat and jerks the seat belt so it locks across Lex's chest, keeping him securely pressed into the seat.
"Fuck fuck Slade this is pri-" Ignoring Lex's warning and the old barrier gate blocking the road, Slade plows through the old gate unflinching. The twisted metal clanging against the sides of the SUV before slamming onto the ground, kicking up dust as Slade drives on.
"Wilson we can't catch Konner if we break down!" "It's fucking reinforced! This god damn car is bullet proof, it rivals what MPD has on their fleet!" Slade's tone has shifted, he's laser focused and steady as he drives. "But now we-"
"This is an old hunting ground! No one'll be out here this time of year! I needed the straightest route and this is it! We have to cut Konner off if he's flying out of town! We'd never catch him on the interstate jumping off and on the highway. Straight through to the rural sector is our best bet and that's through this area until we hit dirt and flat driving!"
As they breach the wooded area, they hit more barren land, the most vegetation they drive passed being wildflowers and the odd outcropping of wheat. "Where the GPS now..." "He-"
BOOM
The heads now whipping to the driver side, another strong gust of wind coming from the northwest, the sound of a sonic boom echoing through their ears. Without so much as another word, Slade veers towards that direction, Lex leaning forward more trying to catch a glimpse of Konner.
"There!"
Clark wasn't expecting to see a young teen as the cause of all this. He thankfully didn't cause any accidents or damage anything, just confused and dazed few people but that's nothing too serious.
As he ascends, he unnecessarily squints his eyes trying to focus on the young man better who soon turns to face him, causing Clark to pause. "Hi there..." Erring on the side of caution, Clark doesn't move any closer but floats up higher to be more on eye level with the teen.
His eyes hidden behind sunglasses, Clark can't interpret the wide smile that spreads across the stranger's face. "It's you..." The excitement could be read as either admiration or a threat, Clark wasn't sure yet. Giving the benefit of the doubt and giving a small uncertain smile, Clark nods.
"You know...You did some impressive flying back there but you could've hurt someone...Where'd you come...from..." Giving pause once he sees the familiar red and yellow emblem on the teen's chest that was once covered by the black jacket. Clark's eyes jumping from the emblem to Konner's face, his eyes now narrowed suspiciously.
"Who are you..."
"I'm Superman"
Taken aback by the assertion, Clark gives the teen a shocked look. "I..I'm sorry but no...? I'm Superman" Chuckling nervously, Clark unintentionally makes his way closer to the floating teen. "Yeah, for now. But see I'm your replacement! A newer model. Superman 2.0. Humanity's best" Smiling at Clark, Konner repeats something Lex has told him over and over again, taking the mantra as gospel.
"No no...Who are you? Because I'm Superman. You're a kid." "I am not a kid! I'm Superman!" Clark is confused and uneasy about who or what he's facing, he can't read this kids expression or even begin to understand what's going on in his head. All he knows is that this kid is flying and had his powers...And unfortunately, that makes him a threat.
"Ok ok...Listen, why don't we land and talk. You tell me where you're from! We'll get to know each other a little more" "Everyone says never to go to a second location with a stranger" Pulling something right out of an after school special, Konner crosses his arms as he looks at Clark.
He's smart enough to read the big guy's body language, he's fidgeting with his hands and his smile is a nervous one, not a genuine happy to meet you type. Konner doesn't trust this guy for a second.
"Oh well good! Because you shouldn't go with strangers to a second location, or even talk to a stranger for that matter.. But I'm not a stranger! I'm Superman! I'm here to help and you can trust me!" Going off on one of his usual tangents, Clark tries to give another smile but is only met with a stern glare, Konner having pulled his shades down to look over Superman 1.0 better.
"Just because you're the first Superman doesn't mean I can trust you. People who say you can trust them are the most distrustful of all...Trustworthy people prove you can trust them, you don't have to be told." He got that from Slade, trust is never given. It's earned.
"That is also true..." Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, Clark sighs in defeat. "What...What will get you to trust me?" Watching the adult squirm does give Konner some sense of power, but he's unsure of what do to next.
"Tell me your name..." Clark's eyes widen and he stands a bit straighter as he stares down Konner for the request. "I...I can't tell you that..." "Then I can't trust you."
Floating away from Clark but never taking his eyes off him, Konner knows he should be getting back home. Lex and Slade definitely know he's missing by now and this guy is starting to freak him out. "Hey hey don't run!" "I'm not running! I'm leaving, big difference!"
Clark floats closer to Konner who just puts more distance between them. "Stop it." "Look I'm sorry but I can't just let you fly off! We need to talk, really it's important! I need to know where you came from! Are you Kryptonian? When did you get to Earth? Are there more of you?!"
Clark's almost erratic, rapid fire questions throwing Konner off, the teen lashing out in response. Konner doesn't know why this guy is scaring him, his docile demeanor undercut by his size and the intimidating presence surrounding him.
"Leave me alone! I was born here! I need to go home!" Just as Konner is about to fly away, Clark rushes and grabs his arm. Not hard, not in any kind of threat, just as a way to keep the boy near. "Born here?! What do you mean born here? Where are you parents?!" The fact that this big guy sounds excited sends a rush of worry through Konner's body. He doesn't know this guy, he doesn't trust this guy, and currently his arm is being held in a grip he can't break free of.
"Let me go!!" Turning his body, Konner kicks Clark hard in the chest. Letting go and flying a bit backwards from the blow, Clark shakes his head as he sees the teen flying away. "Wait!!" Chasing after, Clark knows this can't possibly look good or do him any favors earning this kid's trust, but he can't afford to lose him.
"Look I'm sorry about grabbing you! It's just I'm excited to meet another Kryptonian and I need to talk with you!" "I said leave me alone!!" Turning around to face Clark while flying backwards, Konner gives a quick warning blast from his eyes after ripping off his sunglasses. Dodging the blast, Clark smiles despite the threat.
'He really is like me! If his parents are here, that might mean other Kryptonians aswell! We're not the last ones!' Lost in his own thought, his mind off daydreaming, Clark suddenly gains on Konner, going from close-ish behind him to directly in front of.
"AHH!" Not stopping in time, Konner slams into Clark's broad chest, not moving the man in the slightest. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to get ahead of you!" "Get away from me you psycho!!"
Konner tries to rush around Clark, only for the taller male to slip infront of him again, wind whooshing passed as they side step eachother in the air. The only thing the two can hear is the beating of their hearts as they fly around eachother, until they hear a panicked voice call out towards them.
"KONNER!!"
"There!!" Lex points up Konner floating high in the air in the distance, his breath catching in his throat when he sees a second, much bigger figure approaching the teen faster than they could. "Slade..." "Fuck...God damn it!" Going off road and turning into a field, Slade has to keep focused on dodging the craters Konner(presumably) left in the ground while Lex watches the two figures in the air.
"That fucker!!" "What What?!" Slade can't look where Lex is watching, but the panic in his voice is screaming at him that it's nothing good. "He's fighting Konner!!" "Oh the fuck he is..." Skidding abruptly to a stop in the SUV, Slade doesn't bother turning off the car before he goes to the trunk and pops it open.
"What are you doing?!" " Getting something that'll help if we need it! Get Konner's attention and get him here!!" Lex just nods, instinct taking over his body as he flings the car door open and points his head towards the pair.
"KONNER!!"
"Dad!" Konner abruptly turns, scanning the ground for the direction the call came before his eyes land on Lex, the black SUV not 10 feet away from him. Immediately rushing towards the pair, Konner already feels better, under the impression he'd be safe with the Lex and Slade.
"Dad?!" Clark sounds happy and excited, but his face drops the second he sees Lex Luthor of all people standing on the ground, and he doesn't miss that assassin that was with Waller behind the blacked out SUV either.
Clark's hesitation gives Konner enough time to get to the one he'd just called 'Dad'. Konner dropping on the ground and running over to Lex, throwing himself into the man's arms.
"Konner, what we're you thinking?! I told you n-!" Lex can't help but scold the boy the second he's near him,stopping only when Konner forces himself into Lex's arms.
Wrapping his arms protectively around his son, Lex gently pats Konner's back, trying to give some comfort while he glares Superman down from above. "I'm sorry..." Konner's voice breaks as he shoves his head into the crook of Lex's neck, only to be gently shushed. "Shhh...shhh...We'll talk about it at home..."
Landing roughly only about 20ft infront of Lex, Superman stands up straight as he watches the scene before him. A teen boy, claiming to be the next Superman, who clearly seems to be Kryptonian, throwing himself into the arms of Lex Luthor while calling him Dad...
Narrowing his eyes and taking a step towards them, Clark is shocked when he sees Lex quickly shove the boy behind him, one arm wrapping loosely around the teens body while the other is extended outward acting as a barrier between the two adults.
It's a protective gesture filled with both love and fear. "Don't you dare touch him again..." Lex's voice is angry and stern, but it has an undertone of fear behind it.
"Why do you have him? Where are his actual parents? You need to let me take him! Luthor you-"I am his parent!!" Lex swiftly cuts Clark off, causing the Kryptonian to pause and watch Lex carefully.
"He is my son...and if you try and take him from me I swear I'll-" "You'll what?! Try and turn the whole world against me?! Try and kill me with Kryptonite!? You've already done those things, but now I have to take this more seriously because you're threatening a kid!"
"I would never hurt Konner! Don't you dare even insinuate that I would! I love him and I will happily die protecting him from you...He's what Earth needs...Not you" "Dad..." "It's alright Konner...It's ok...We're here now..."
"We? oh no..." Clark suddenly feels woozy, loosing his balance and falling to his knees as he turns his head to see Slade pointing one of two long, thin swords at him, the base of one of them glowing a familiar green that makes Clark sick to his stomach. "No..."
Weakly looking over to the teen, Clark sees that Lex has ushered him farther away, putting more distance between the two kryptonians, yet the younger seems nearly unaffected by the Kryptonite. "Listen...and Listen carefully" Slade speaks, pulling Superman's attention back to him.
"We are going home...and you aren't saying a fucking word about any of this...understood?" "I'll stop you...He's doesn't belong with you..." Clark tries to regain his footing but fails, falling hard onto the ground.
"You will never take him from us...and if you ever try to...I'll cut down all those little friends of yours. You can't protect them if you can't even protect yourself..." Slade looks back to see Lex has gotten a visibly shaken Konner into the back of the SUV, the back door still open as Lex tries to calm him down.
"If you ever try and hurt Konner, I swear I will kill everyone you love while I have you so strung out on this shit that you won't even know what's happening." Stabbing the glowing blade into Clark's shoulder only to twist it in further before pulling it out, Slade watches uncaring as the hero screams out it pain. "Don't you dare mess with my family..." Is the last thing Clark remembers before passing out.
As Slade approaches the car, he throws the two blades back into their lead cases and shuts the trunk of the car before getting in the driver seat. Lex pulling himself into the back row to sit with Konner, the teen slowly laying down in the seats, laying his head on Lex's lap.
"I...I'm so sorry...I-i just wanted..." A few tears stream down Konner's face as he speaks, trying desperately to choke out the apology. "You...Konner..." Slade starts, trailing off only because he doesn't know what to say.
"Konner...I think it's time for you debut..." This catches both Slade and Konner off guard. "Wh-what?" Konner shoots back up to look at Lex. "Yeah, Lex what?" Slade glances to Lex in the rearview mirror, his eyebrow raised as he pulls onto a proper road for the first time in a while.
"With everything today, it'll be harder to keep Konner a secret...and I'm guessing this happened because you got too cooped up...Right?" Sniffling out, Konner nods as he wipes his nose with his sleeve childishly. Shaking his head at the overly immature display, Lex continues.
"I'm already sending out emails for a press conference...It'll be more slapped together than I wanted but it'll work..." "Lex...Are...Are you sure?" "We'll keep his public solo contact minimal for a while, just until he's more prepared...But I think it's about time the world meet you, right Konner?"
Smiling happily, a few stray tears still on his cheek, Konner nods. "Yeah....Please? Please Slade?"
He turns to look at Slade for an answer, blue eyes now red and puffy from crying. "Please?" "Are you sure Lex?"
Lex simply nods, sitting back in his seat a little as Konner lays his head back down in Lex's lap.
"I'm sure...He'll have us Slade...He'll always have us."
Shaking his head yet still giving the slightest smirk back to Lex as he nods.
"Yeah, He'll always have us...Always"