chapter 12

Chapter 12: Power PlaysSmallville – Abandoned WarehouseThe air inside the warehouse was thick with tension. Flickering lights cast eerie shadows across the walls, the only sound a slow, raspy breathing from the figure standing at the center of the room.

Samuel Tanner, once an ordinary Smallville resident, had become something else entirely. His skin had an unnatural pallor, veins glowing faintly beneath the surface. The moment Lazarus stepped inside, Samuel turned toward him, his sunken eyes filled with hunger.

"You're not like the others," Samuel muttered. His voice was dry, cracked, as if he hadn't had water in days.

Lazarus took slow steps forward, rolling his shoulders. "You're right. I'm not."

Samuel lunged, moving unnaturally fast for someone with his frail appearance. His hand shot forward, aiming to make contact—

Lazarus let him.

The moment their skin touched, a surge of energy pulsed through the air. Samuel's eyes widened in shock. Instead of draining Lazarus, he felt his own energy slipping away.

"What… what are you?" he gasped, staggering backward.

Lazarus tilted his head. "You thought you could take from me? I'm not some average townie, Tanner."

Samuel collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His power, which had worked on everyone else, was useless against Lazarus.

Clark and Chloe rushed in just as Samuel lost consciousness.

"What did you do?" Chloe asked, wide-eyed.

Lazarus dusted off his hands. "I just reminded him that power isn't something you take—it's something you earn."

Clark, still weak but recovering, gave his brother a long look. "You absorbed his power, didn't you?"

Lazarus smirked. "Didn't need to. I just reversed the flow. He wasn't ready for real strength."

Clark sighed. "You're impossible."

Lazarus chuckled. "And you're predictable." He turned toward Chloe. "Call the authorities. He won't be hurting anyone else."

As Chloe pulled out her phone, Clark studied his brother carefully. "Laz… how powerful are you?"

Lazarus simply smiled. "Enough."

Metropolis – Kent Innovations HQThe next morning, Lazarus walked into Kent Innovations headquarters to find his mother in the middle of a heated discussion with a group of executives.

"This is an outrage!" Douglas Reed, the same skeptical board member from before, stood red-faced, slamming a report onto the table. "LuthorCorp has begun aggressive buyouts of our suppliers. They're strangling us before we even hit full production!"

Martha remained composed. "We anticipated this, Mr. Reed."

Reed scoffed. "Did we? Because unless you have a plan, we're about to lose millions in contracts!"

The tension in the room was thick. That's when Lazarus entered, his presence shifting the energy immediately.

"Good morning," he said casually, taking his seat at the head of the table. "I see Lionel is finally making his move."

Martha nodded. "He's using his influence to cut off our supply chains."

Lazarus chuckled. "Classic."

Reed's frustration grew. "This isn't a joke, Mr. Kent."

Lazarus turned his gaze on him, and the room fell silent. "It is a joke, Mr. Reed. Because Lionel Luthor thinks he's dealing with just another startup. He doesn't realize he's playing against someone who doesn't follow his rules."

Reed swallowed hard. The weight in Lazarus's voice was something unnatural—something absolute.

Martha leaned forward. "We have alternative suppliers lined up, but Lionel is pressuring them as well."

Lazarus smirked. "Then we stop playing defense."

He turned to his assistant, Evelyn, who stood silently by the door. "Evelyn, contact our international partners. Tell them I want a direct supply line established—offshore, untouchable."

Evelyn nodded. "I'll have it arranged."

Lazarus then turned back to the board. "And as for Lionel? If he wants to play games, let's remind him that he's not the only one with resources."

Martha raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning?"

Lazarus leaned back in his chair, a slow smirk forming. "I'm going to buy out his buyers."

The board room was silent. Then Reed coughed. "You… you mean—"

"I mean," Lazarus interrupted, "I'm going to cut him off. By the time I'm done, LuthorCorp will be begging us for supplies."

Martha studied her son for a long moment. Then she smiled. "I see why Lex invested in you."

Lazarus chuckled. "Lex understands power plays. Lionel… well, he's about to learn."

Luthor Mansion – Lionel's ReactionLater that evening, Lionel Luthor sat in his study, sipping a glass of whiskey as he read the latest report.

His grip tightened around the glass. Kent Innovations had just outmaneuvered him.

A knock at the door.

"Enter," Lionel said, his voice sharp.

Lex stepped inside, a smirk on his face. "Looks like you underestimated Lazarus."

Lionel set his glass down. "I underestimated his ruthlessness."

Lex chuckled. "You thought he was just some idealistic farm boy with a business dream. But Lazarus doesn't play fair, Dad. He plays to win."

Lionel's gaze darkened. "Then it's time we stop underestimating him."

Lex raised an eyebrow. "You mean you stop underestimating him. I saw this coming a mile away."

Lionel exhaled slowly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "This isn't over."

Lex smirked. "No, it's just getting started."

Kent Farm – A Moment of PeaceBack at the farm, Lazarus stood on the newly built balcony of the mansion, overlooking the land. The Kent Farmsexpansion was already underway, workers installing new irrigation systems and high-tech equipment.

Clark stepped beside him. "You really think you can outmaneuver Lionel Luthor?"

Lazarus chuckled. "Clark, I already did."

Clark sighed. "Just… be careful, alright? Business is one thing, but people like Lionel don't play by the rules."

Lazarus smirked. "Neither do I."

As the wind blew across the farm, carrying the scent of fresh soil and the promise of change, Lazarus knew one thing for certain—this was just the beginning.