[hr][indent][b][I]Metropolis[/i][/b] 
[indent][i]October 28, 2025[/i][/indent][/indent][hr]
“Today we are gathered here to celebrate the life of Alexander Joseph Luthor, the forty sixth President of the United States of America.” The Preacher said, as he began citing the rite of death for Mr.Luthor. In the crowd, there were mixed feelings. Several of Lex's colleagues over the years – military people, even General Sam Lane was present, despite having retired more than five years ago. In the last seven years he had been in office in the white house, Lex had done a lot of good for the world, and thus, he was mourned as a hero – not as the villain he had been.

The red-haired boy's body shivered as he saw the man in his blue and red tights standing next to the casket. He couldn't blame the man from Krypton for Lex's death, it was Luthor's own stubbornness and jealousy that had cost him his life. The young man sat in the front row, next to the board of directors for Lexcorp and Ms.Mercer, the closest thing to an aunt he would ever have. Her eyes had dried out from crying at the passing of Lex, and Julian only felt.. [i]Empty.[/i]

The funeral came to a close, Julian and Tess stood in front of the casket, Mercy crying on his shoulder, finding comfort in the fact that Julian had the exact same smell as Lex – same posture, and the same eyes. Julian stroked her hair and put his lips softly against his forehead. Superman approached the two, as Julian looked up at him. He could see the sorrow in Kal-El's eyes, despite all of the atrocious things Lex had done to him, despite all of the times Lex had tried to kill him. He still forgave him and felt genuinely terrible that he was dead.

“I'm sorry for your loss, son.” Superman said, his hand patting Julian on the shoulder. Julian nodded, looking down at Mercy and hugging her again. “Superman, could you escort Ms. Mercer to the car? I want to be alone with [i]dad[/i] for a minute.” The man of steel nodded, as Tess held onto him and he walked with her to the car.

Julian dug into his pocket, getting into a level-cigarette and a zippo lighter. Putting the filter to his lips, he lighted the tobacco.  The lighter used to belong to Lex's father, back in Suicide Slums so many decades ago. Julian thought back to one of the first times he had met Lex, a little more than a year ago, when it had been made clear that he would not have much time left.

[Quote]
Lex waited behind the tree outside of Luthor Manor for Julian, whom came walking out to him after his first ever tour of his new home. Julian was still hurt from his accident, all of his scars still fresh and the skin-graft on his face hadn't fixed his burns yet. “Hello, Julian.” Lex said, smoking his cigarette. Julian looked him up and down. “Mr. Luthor..” Julian said, hesitant, eyeing the cigarette – fully aware of Lex's condition.

“Oh, don't worry. It's not like I could get cancer, right.”

“Actually – you could still get lung cancer. But no, your diagnosis would still be terminal.”

“Heh. About as charming as me at your age.” Lex acted coy, his secret service eyeing Julian. At the time, Julian's head was still shaved and he looked a lot more like Lex than he would later. “You keeping the bald head, or will you go for something a little bolder?” Lex asked, trying to make conversation as the two of them walked the grounds. Lex offered him a cigarette and Julian felt like he couldn't say no. “Guess you did inherent a certain 'habit' of mine, after all.” Julian nodded, Lex gave him the lighter and he lit the cigarette, the strange sensation of the smoke going into his lungs was new – yet ever so familiar. “I guess I did. I've considered growing it out into a mullet, those things used to be pretty popular.” Julian responded, his tone not jaded enough to be clear if he was sarcastic or not.

“You know why I smoke, Julian? I smoke to grieve, to celebrate, or to coupe with being nervous. It started when my parents died in a tragic fire when I was about your age and the only thing I had left of them was my father's lighter and my mother's cigarette case. “ He explained, and Julian nodded. “So which one is it today?” and Lex scoffed. “I'm nervous. Meeting you made me more nervous than going toe to toe with the man of steel – or being help captive in Kaznia by Vandal Savage.” Julian nodded. “I get that.. Freak clone, and what not.” Lex stopped and looked him in the eye, before he spoke. “I smoke to celebrate too. I've never had a son before. I may be dying, Julian. But I know that my legacy will live on, you'll become a great man one day, Julian. You'll become greater than I ever was.” 
[/quote]

Julian finished his cigarette, putting the lighter back in his pocket and tossed the butt to the side. A single tear rolled down his cheek. “Goodbye, [i]Dad[/i].”
[hr][indent][b][I]Metropolis[/i]
Lexcorp HQ[/b] 
[indent][i]October 28, 2025[/i][/indent][/indent][hr]

Julian appeared before the board, wearing a different suit than he one he had worn at the funeral. His right hand was covered by a leather glove to not show the mechanical exterior, as he spoke to the board. “With the passing of Lex.. I've been appointed Acting CEO of Lexcorp. You have all read my reviews and know that while I may be smarter than everyone else in the room combined, I'm a 18 year old who's richer than god, I don't know how to run the company, Lex was busy running the country before he could teach me, and therefor, I'll continue my studies at Corrigan, and you will run the company, but have no illusions, I have final say in everything, and you don't move a penny of company money without my consent.” Julian talked to the board, his eyes piercing into them the same way Lex's did.

“Trust me. I may not have the same checkered past as Lex, but I'm just as brutal when it comes to disciplinary actions against insubordination. Are we clear?”  Julian asked and the board nodded. “Fantastic. I've placed a few key objectives on all of your devices, I'm changing the course of the company ever so slightly.” One of the members of the board stood up upon reading the objectives, in protest. “You want to cut our pay with 40%?!” Julian nodded. “And open up ten new Lexcorp facilities all over the world, yes. Is there a problem with my business strategy – Mr.Tsung?” Julian asked and Mr.Tsung sunk down into his chair .”N-No Mr.Luthor..” 

Julian smiled. “Fantastic, that's all for today, then.” heading for the door, when one of them stopped him. “Where are you heading?” they asked, and Julian grinned. “I don't want to be late for class.”